Marriage on a Mission

Yesterday I snapped this precious picture just before the worship service at Grace Fellowship Church in Glen Ellyn, IL. The image is now imprinted on my heart as we journey southward.

God’s ways of connecting His people always overwhelms us during these missions. We receive an email from a senior pastor who hears (via one of our ministry partners) that we are coming to Grand Rapids, MI. A couple at his church had completely blown apart eight months ago, but now decided to reconcile and they needed resources.
Fast forward a few days and we have an amazing meeting with the pastor and his ministry director; opening the back of the van and handing them the resources God has
given us. Simply divine!

Accidents happen throughout the miles we travel. Each time we see something like the scene here, we wonder how close we came to being involved. Minutes? Seconds? We pass the overturned truck with prayer for the victims and their families. And, we thank God for His protection over us. At the scene of every close call, God calls us closer. May we never take God’s shelter for granted, especially in light of remembering September 11th, 2001. Never.

“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:2

Even though we have numerous events schedule during our mission trips, it is often what happens in between the engagements that becomes so very… significant. As I sit and ponder all that God has done in these first five days, it is one woman’s e-mail that I simply cannot shake. She has been on an extremely painful journey for many years. Despite much prayer and travail, instead of getting better, things have actually gotten worse. What do you do with that? And the end of her e-mail she closed by writing the following words: “Still bleeding after all these years.”

Been there. I knew exactly what she meant. For years I prayed that my brother would be healed from the mental illness that gnawed at his mind and soul. I fasted and I prayed. I prayed and I fasted. And still things got worse, not better. But during those years, I found comfort, perseverance, and tenacity in the story of the woman who bled out (quite literally) for well over a decade. Despite her many attempts to get well, nothing worked and she spent every cent she had. With absolutely NOTHING left to lose, she reached out for what was perhaps one last time.

“When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. For she said, ‘If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.’ Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction.” Mark 5:27-29 NKJV

When things go from bad to worse, may we have the faith to reach beyond ourselves and grab hold of the One who bled out for us all.

ONE wrong turn. We’re still not sure how it happened so we’ve decided to blame the Scout app. One minute we were heading BY New York toward our destination, and the next minute we were squeezed IN grid-lock traffic IN the heart of the city…as in Times Square. It took as at least an hour to get out of the jam. Such a rookie move after all the times we’ve driven through this area on past missions. What happened? No doubt another reminder from God as we continue the journey.

“Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.” 1 Corinthians 10:11-12

We are in the final days of preparation before we leave on our 12th mission. While this trip is a bit shorter than what we’re used to, we know God will take us on an adventure. If you notice we’ll be in your area and you need prayer, email us at reconcile@inverseministries.org

September 2nd – On the road again! We will drive north for a few days toward our first engagement.

Sept. 5-7th – Black Rock Congregational Church, Fairfield CT.

Sept. 8-13th – We have several group and individual meetings in the New York area. Then we will drive west for some meetings in the Grand Rapids area.

Sept. 14th – Gospel Fellowship Church, Chicago, IL. We will be sharing our testimony.

Sept, 15-18th – We have meetings along the way as we drive south. God only knows of the Divine appointments as well.

Sept. 19-21st – Tomoka Christian Church, Ormond Beach, FL. We will be leading a weekend seminar for couples.

Sept. 22nd – Rejoice and give praise for another amazing mission.

Being separated from your spouse is an unbelievably painful experience. Many of the people we serve are separated (or living in the same house, but in crisis) and in need of hope and encouragement. In light of that, we’ve written a new free devotional entitled, “Give God 40 Days.”

If you’re going through a marital crisis or separation, or you know someone who is, please share this post with him/her and e-mail us at reconcile@inverseministries.org. We will e-mail the free devotional back to you/him/her. It is our hope that the Holy Spirit will use this resource to ignite a sweeping tide of reconciliation across our land.