Here's a picture of some of the folks who took part in the Memorial Day Hunger Walk. Thanks, everyone, for your time and leg muscles. We'll know in a few weeks how much food we get credited; at 140 pounds of food for MercyWorks for each runner, I would say we scored!Great fun for a great cause. It was awesome being with you all...I can't wait to see next year's turnout.
... so, can we get 140 pounds of food for fifteen bucks throughout the year without pin-on numbers, a "DJ", rented law enforcement, thousands of orange cones, bottled drinks, hot dogs,banannas and eyeglass care giveaways?
ReplyDeleteI posted this under the test section, and have not gotten any responce. Can someone tell my wife Kim on Sunday that I love her, and I am sorry? Can someone pray for us that we can work out this relationship and be one again?
ReplyDeleteDave,
I hope that you get a chance to read this being that it was a few weeks ago that you gave this sermon. I have failed my test. All three of them. A brief history. I enjoyed a very close relationship with Jesus as a teenager, and early adult life. I became lost for some reason for a long time. Recently I was deployed to Afghanistan and encountered many dangerous situations. My loving wife started multiple prayer chains to keep me safe. Jesus spared my life, and I am thankfull to all you Vineyard folks for your support. I find myself deployed again but this time in Sacramento CA. Jesus put me to the test. The first two months here, I failed all of them. My addictions got the best of me. I decided to fight back and turn my energy into something positive. I began to grow again in my love for Jesus, and my wife and children. I had a renewed sense that I was headed down the road to Jesus again. However, now I am in a crisis. My wife has decided to leave me. I feel as if my legs have been cut out from beneath me. She started down the road to Jesus before me, and has left me behind trying to catch up. She has lost all hope in me, and has closed her heart to me. I so very much want to be with her on this road, but I cannot convince her that I am even on the same road as her, and that I very much want to walk by her side down this road. She only sees the addiction issues that I have, and does not see that my heart is very much willing. She is so important to me. She has stood by my side for many years. I want to thank the folks at Vineyard for supporting me while I was in danger in Afghanistan. I have to appologize to all at Vinyard for failing all my tests. Right now, I am at an all time low. I cannot fathom being without my wife Kim during my journey down this road. I am so far behind her on this road, and she cannot see me. I only have one week to change her mind. I will do whatever it takes to show her my love and to prove my faithfullness. I hope that Dave can show this message to all at Vineyard on 03 June, or 10 June so maybe my wife Kim can get the message. Dave, please think about showing this message. It is very important to me. Maybe read parts of this message so my wife will be touched. I want her to get my message and to allow me back into her life. If anyone out there can call me and offer me hope, I would very much appreciate it. 513-638-5232. I find this time more troubling than all my time in a war zone. I am hurting very badly, and my wife's cold heart towards me is tearing at my very soul. Thank you all for taking the time to listen.
Saturday, June 2, 2007 11:58:00 AM EDT
Hi Mike,
ReplyDeleteDo not despair or be afraid. God hears the cry of your heart and He will never leave you or forsake you. Many are praying- placing you and your family in the capable hands of Jesus. I know it's hard to feel this, Mike, just choose to trust Him. He can make a way where there seems to be no way. Oh, I can only say this to you from my personal school of hard knocks- RESIST the temptation to isolate! Get with at least one, if not a group of believers that can walk with you through this. You are loved and you are accepted. God bless you
Thank you for your paryer's. I am going to attend the Vineyard in Sacramento this morning. It will be a very emotional time for me. I love my wife with all my heart and sole. I pray to Jesus to watch over my family, and to forgive me for what I have done. I pray that my wife will let me back into her heart. I know I do not deserve a second chance, but I pray to Jesus that my wife will grant me a second chance. All I can do now is trust in Jesus, and have faith that my one and only soul mate will see it in her heart to allow me to prove my undying love and devotion to her. KIM I LOVE YOU!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI attended the celebration here in Sacramento today. I enjoyed the service very much. I prayed, sang, and cried. I got up and thanked everyone for their prayer's while I was in Afghanistan. I felt a huge weight lifted off my shoulders as if Jesus has forgave me for my behavior. This is exactly what I needed. I felt like someone cared about me and my turmoil. I realize that whatever my wife decides is up to her. I pray for forgiveness from my wife, and that she will let me back into her graces again. I have hooked up with a group that meets on Monday evenings. Through this group, and the power of Jesus, I will grow in mynew found love of Him. I know that this is just a start, and I trust in Jesus to guide me the rest of the way. I plan to return to Cincinnati on 9 June for a visit. I will be able to attend the celebrations at the Vineyard in Cincinnati on 10 June, and 17 June. Thank you all for your support. I will continue to pray for forgiveness from my wife, Kim.
ReplyDeleteJesus has saved my life, and I am devoted to Him.
Mike,
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with anonymous above...please get connected with some other Christians there. A major breakdown of trust has occurred between you and your wife, perhaps for legitimate reasons for her. When that happens, you cannot "make" that person love you, they will have to choose to as God speaks to their heart and as you begin to show authentic change in your life, behaviors and love for Jesus. You need to focus on your relationship with God and humbly allow Him to put your life in order by His grace and power. Jesus said to "Seek first His kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33. Get your own spiritual house in order first and God will begin to put your emotional and relational needs in place. You might want to consider reading "Changes That Heal" by Henry Cloud. We're praying for you.
Dave,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your guidance. I watched your video of the celebration today. I felt encouraged that God is around me all the time, everywhere. I do have a question. If God knows everything that is going to happen in my life, then all the praying that I am doing now to help me get back into the graces of my wife Kim, does not change a thing. No matter what I do, God already knows what is going to happen. Does that mean my fate is sealed no matter what I do? I assume that praying for something to change is useless cause God already has seen my fate, and there is nothing I can do to change that. I am praying for a miracle. Kim if your out there please witness that I am praying for you to accept me. Please realize that I am only at the infancy stage, and I am willing to grow with you in the graces of God. I love you dearly.
Mike
Mike, you said:
ReplyDelete"If God knows everything that is going to happen in my life, then all the praying that I am doing now to help me get back into the graces of my wife Kim, does not change a thing. No matter what I do, God already knows what is going to happen. Does that mean my fate is sealed no matter what I do? I assume that praying for something to change is useless cause God already has seen my fate, and there is nothing I can do to change that. "
I may not be the best person to answer a rather deep question like that, but here's my take:
Look at it this way. God knows whether you will decide to turn to Him in prayer, or whether you believe a lie that your fate is sealed and you stop praying. He knows what you decide to do, He knows what you will pray, and He knows how and when He will answer your prayers.
No, your fate is NOT sealed! It DOES matter what we say, do and pray. Look how often Jesus prayed! He did not buy into a "your fate is sealed" philosophy.
I hope that makes sense.
Peace!
Tom
P.S. I imagine there are many people praying for you, Mike!