When a 91-Year Old Pastor Dies and more...

My friends, Ann here.

I shared with you in my last post that Bryce and I recently bought a house in a remote location, and I want to set it up as a retreat for people to come to: A place they can find Jesus.

Bryce does know this, and is humoring me LOL. Now that we have been married almost 30 years, he is used to my ‘hair-brained’ schemes.

There are other retreats out there, like what I have in mind. For example, there is one called Ffald-y-Brenin, in Wales: Home – Ffald y Brenin. And people feel the presence of God there.

I also have been inspired by a couple of ministers in the UK who have now died: Tom and Jean Rees. They set up three retreats at different points in their life, one which was called Hildenbrough Hall.

I don’t have such grand designs for mine. It’ll be simple and small. But in my mind I’m thinking people come, I cook and bake for them, offer them an ‘all you can eat’ experience, and they take a rest. There’s a little prayer room in the house, off to one side, and I want to offer prayer and coaching. There are nice secluded beaches to walk to, and I might make a website for the retreat. Strangers will be welcome.

My friends, I believe when we get a dream like this, it’s God who puts it there. It’s like a seed that he sows in our mind, and then he waters it.

Anyway, today I want to tell you something startling that happened in relation to all this:

I had in my head that we will only have Christian books in the retreat, and we will have lots of them.’

But where would I get such books? I have a collection of Christian books at home, but I wanted to keep those there. They are precious to me, and I want them in my home space. No, for this retreat I needed a new lot of books.

I mentioned this to a friend, who instantly said, “OH! I know a lady whose husband was a pastor, he has recently died, and she is having to downsize. She needs someone to take his books”

“Me Me Me!” I said, trying to contain myself from jumping up and down.

Fast forward a week, and I found myself sat opposite this recently widowed daughter of God, at her kitchen table. I had just spent the morning packing her husband’s books into boxes and boxes and carting them to my car. Taking a breather, I was now sat with her. “Tell me about your husband…” I said. “I love talking about him,” she answered. And she told me the story of this faithful man who had collected Christian books since the age of 18 until his death at age 91.

“We believed that to be saved was to serve,” she mused.

He was a man of deep faith, who lived his whole life in service to the church and to Jesus, and finished his race.

I now have this man’s life collection of books in my retreat, ready for others to enjoy. Here they are:

My friends, I love the fact that this pastor’s legacy will live on like this; and I personally believe he can see where his books have ended up, watching from the cloud of witnesses (Hebrews 12:1). I tell you, he has SUCH good books — I cannot wait to sit down in the chair and dig into them.

I guess the message I take from this is that when God puts a dream into your heart he brings it to fruition in remarkable, creative, and delightful ways.

Have you got a dream you’re nurturing in your heart? A dream that perhaps came from God?

It’s nice chatting. Have a great weekend, everyone.

Ann

Hello this is Barb Twigg with another What I Know For Sure…Answered!

 

Hello SUMites. Lynn here. I wonderful and encouraging comment was left on the post: My Husband Walk Out of Church Because…… I wanted to share it with all of you. It’s written by Tessia Reeves, who has guest posted int he past.

Discover El Roi, our God who sees. Hugs, Lynn: Now her response:

Lynn,

Your response is beautiful, helpful, and insightful. I resonate with the writer and her prayer request. I can raise my hand in agreement with the frustration of waiting for our spouses to “get with the program.”

The Lord caught my attention when resentment began to take root in my heart over this issue. It was a path I did not want to continue down. Through prayer, the Holy Spirit had to free my heart so that I could love my husband regardless of the pace of his spiritual transformation. For me, it became a matter of trusting my Creator through the process of waiting, praying, and obeying.

I deeply desire to share who I am in Christ—Scripture, the ways I see the Lord all around me, testimonies, and more—with the spouse He gave me. Now, however, I ask the Lord before I open my mouth: Would this comment sound self-righteous? Would he hear it as condemnation?

It is not so much about hiding who I am as it is about fully surrendering my speech, attitude, motives, and heart posture within my marriage. In doing so, I can now hear the Lord more clearly when He whispers, “It’s okay to speak,” or, “Keep that to yourself. He’s not ready for that.”

With this new discernment, there is more peace in my heart and in my relationship. I am no longer fighting that battle. I am getting out of the way of the only One who knows my husband’s story from beginning to end.

He has made a way for me—not only through this online community, but also through my church community—to praise freely, lift my hands and voice, speak my heavenly language, and be among brothers and sisters who “get it.” It is almost as if, when I took my eyes off my spouse and looked to Him for what I needed, He provided.

He is such a gracious keeper of His Word, and I am forever grateful for my story, my spouse’s story, and all the messy details in between.

Be encouraged. El Roi is the One who truly sees us and hears the prayers we pray.

Hi SUMites,

Below is a prayer request from a community member.

This is a common concern that arises in many families and marriages: What do we do about church? I’m going to share her prayer request below, as she is seeking wisdom about changing churches. Specifically, she wants to know how to respond to her husband’s resistance to attending a more charismatic church.

However, I believe we can all learn from her request, as each of us faces challenges in our marriages related to church. After sharing her prayer request, I’ll offer my response. I would greatly appreciate your thoughts as well. God bless you, and have a wonderful week.
Love and hugs,
Lynn

From M: I think I’m being called to a more charismatic church. Me and my family checked it out this last Sunday, me and my son loved it! My husband walked out to the lobby before the worship was over because the spirit manifesting was uncomfortable for him. I want to go back and so does my son. But my husband doesn’t want the kids there, it was just too much for him. I’m craving more closeness with the spirit and excited to see the spirit move. The church we’ve been going to is sleepy in my opinion. He said he will go with me to a “regular” church like that, but not a charismatic one. So, I need some direction. I don’t want to make my husband feel abandoned, but I don’t want to abandon myself and the Holy Spirit! Especially after my husband says that his faith level hasn’t changed since we started dating. And of course I want my kids to attend church.

Response Lynn to M:

I hear the tension you’re carrying, and it makes sense. When the Holy Spirit has awakened hunger in your heart, it can feel painful when the people you love aren’t in the same place yet. But your desire for more of God is beautiful — and I understand completely. The Lord is stirring something in you, and He’s doing the same in your son. That matters.

At the same time, your husband’s discomfort is not something to ignore or push past. When someone hasn’t been taught about the gifts of the Spirit or hasn’t experienced His presence in that way, it can feel overwhelming and can make him angry or resentful. His reaction doesn’t mean he’s rejecting God — it means he encountered something he wasn’t prepared for. And that’s okay. The Holy Spirit never forces Himself on anyone.

Here’s the encouragement I want to give you:

You don’t have to abandon your hunger for the Spirit, and you don’t have to abandon your husband. The Lord will show you how to honor both.

Sometimes the path forward is not choosing one or the other, but allowing the Holy Spirit to gently shepherd your family at a pace your husband can handle. You can continue growing, learning, and experiencing more of the Spirit without creating fear or division at home. And you can trust God to draw your husband in ways you cannot. If your husband will attend the conservative church, with the kids, then go with him. But if there are Sunday’s or other events at the church you desire, attend then and when you can. Watch teaching on Youtube as it will greatly encourage you.

Your husband’s comment about his faith not changing since you started dating is actually a clue — he’s telling you where he is spiritually. That’s not a condemnation; it’s an invitation for prayer. The Holy Spirit is fully capable of awakening him, softening him, and preparing him for more. You don’t have to make that happen. Let God do this for you. You pray and believe.

For now, here are a few gentle steps:

• Keep your heart open to the Spirit. Don’t shut down your hunger.
• Pray for the Holy Spirit to prepare him, teach him, and draw him.
• Ask the Lord for wisdom about how your children can stay connected to church life without creating conflict.
• Trust that God is leading all of you, even if at different speeds.

You are not choosing between your marriage and the Holy Spirit. You are choosing to walk in love, patience, and discernment while the Spirit continues His work in your home. And He will. He is faithful to protect you from deception, and He is faithful to guide your family into truth without causing fracture.

I love you. Your faith and prayers matter so much. Don’t partner with discouragement and know that Jesus is with you every step of the way.

BIG hugs, Lynn

Hello! This is Barb Twigg with another What I Know For Sure. Let’s not work!