Hi Everyone!

Well here goes my quarterly report! I have the best of intentions of being much more regular with these updates and then....life happens. Maybe someday I will be able to be more consistent.

Our summer has whizzed by...literally. I remember back in May anticipating all the fun festivities and thinking they were so. far. off. Now we are remembering it all in hind sight. Everything from Jordan's grad party, to family camp where Eric spoke on the five solas to a trip down to Fairmont (Eric's home town)where Simeon learned how to swim, all went well. We had two birthdays sandwiched in between these comings and goings. Simeon turned 5 and Ethan turned 9. There was t-ball and baseball every Monday and Wednesday for 4 of the kids. Eric got asked to coach this year (which we were thankful for since it seems like it is a right of passage in this community if they come to you to ask!) and coaching is something he enjoys. We had reading club on Thursdays and both Eric and I lead bible studies for our women and men at Lifespring this Summer. We went on canoe and kayak adventures which involved rope swings and snorkeling in some of the deepest lakes of Minnesota. We have been garage saling and refinishing many free items we have found on the side of the road. Whatever happened to the lazy days of Summer huh? Well we still have some of the Summer to go so hopefully we will have slowed down enough for us to  enjoy what's left!

We are thankful for all these experiences that the Lord has allowed for our family. They have been a gift in the midst of some of the long slow work of ministry, which at times can play mental wars in your head and drain you. As you know from previous posts Lifespring has gone through difficult transitions in its short, little, but not insignificant life. As a result we have had to make some revisions on how we are supported financially and what types of opportunities we will take on as a church in the context we are in. We went from self sustaining to support raising and from one denomination to another in order to bring life back into the body. This of course comes with challenges and many questions on our end. We have wondered if we will make it here in this community, what our future looks like in terms of this specific church or is there too much water under the bridge? Should Eric go bi-vocational? Should I get a job outside the home? Is this where God wants us and our family, and many other questions we are continuing to lay before the Lord and seek his will. We know what we desire and often times those wants change from day to day. But, ultimately we want to want to obey the Lord and serve Him wherever he has us. Even in the hard and insecure environments He places us in.

Some things that haven't changed however is the knowing that we are called to ministry and our unified desire to serve the "reached". In other words we we have a heart for the church. Through different circumstances we have been affirmed inwardly, from outside counsel and through God's word of this.

One of the most recent experiences that affirmed this for me personally was when Eric was asked to guest preach at another church. When we got there we went to a Sunday School class where the teacher was teaching out of 2 Peter 1. In this Epistle Peter reminded us that if we are in Christ we have been given everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him (God). We have His word which is all sufficient and all powerful. Then another leader spoke up said "We have a saying in AA Once an alcoholic always an alcoholic. In the same way for us in the church once a sinner always a sinner". When I heard this my heart sank. But, it also affirmed for me the work we are committed to in the visible church as this is not what God's word proclaims to us as I see it. Unfortunately this is some of the world view being taught and followed by many who claim to know the truth, those who have been "reached". Instead of anybody correcting that with sound doctrine it was left lingering in the air for people to breath in and renew their minds with. What I wish would have happened was for someone to say what God's word actually says. In reflection maybe I should have respectfully disagreed and shared what I see God's word saying. I see God's words to us saying something very different and I believe when not corrected it will do much damage to us, the church and the world as it gives people a different Jesus all together. What I believe the bible actually states (to Christians) is that we were dead in our sins, but now we are alive in Christ (Ephesians 2), the old is gone the new has come, we are a new creation (2 Corinthians). We are called by God Beloved, Saint, Son or daughter but not sinner. We are looked at through Christ's righteousness not our former sins. While we are still tempted to sin and give into this temptation at times, sinner is no longer the name that identifies us. These truths from God's word are what free us.

Yet, too often what we hear from people in our church and outside of it is the modern day psychology like this gentleman shared that frees no one but enslaves everyone who doesn't have the discernment to reject such lies. It actually puts people in bondage as it has a form of godliness (once a sinner) but denies its power (always a sinner). Do you see the subtlety of the deception, the half truth, and the hopelessness that this leaves someone in? I do. This is heart breaking and yet it is what stirs my affections for staying here in the church continuing to serve among a "reached" people group. This is also what keeps me desiring to support my husband who is much more on the front lines by proclaiming truth by giving the full counsel of God's word week in and week out. Often times with no visible results to share with people when asked how church is going (even though he is really good at what he does and he tries to do it with passion and purity!).

I have often wondered since my salvation why God didn't give me a desire to go and reached un-reached peoples groups with the gospel. They certainly stir my emotions when I see an orphan face or a widow in a foreign country dying alone from some disease. But my affections are stirred differently and just as intense by the people sitting in our pews week after week who look really good on the outside but are diseased on the inside from believing the lies of this world. Eric often reminds me when I feel like giving up or "throwing in the towel" with this type of ministry to remember that many of these people have been so poorly sheparded by under shepards who have selfish interests at heart. Protecting their own finances or reputation they will tell people what they want to hear even if it is not the truth. Some people have been told in the church right things are wrong and wrong things are right (read Ezekiel 34). He often will tell me when the word is preached we become exposed to God's truths about who we are and what we have believed. In our sinful humanity we don't like when our hearts are exposed and like Adam and Eve we tend to find some fig leaves to cover ourselves back up again. Then we find ways to incorporate some good old fashion blame shifting into the mix. Often we run and hide, put up walls to block people out, gossip, listen to gossip,  slander and whatever else we can do to alleviate some of the pain and at least superficially try and make the pain end...until it doesn't. Then we repeat that cycle all over again. Usually at a different church, in a different family, or different work place until God gets a hold of us and reminds us that "But for the grace of God you are no longer identified as a sinner so go and sin no more". However, until God gets a hold of someone like that and changes their heart this leaves those who desire to follow God's lead into the already reached regions in a sometimes vulnerable, insecure, and lonely position. We are though in a needed ministry and the safest place, the center of God's will.

So, this is where we are called for now, and for now where we will stay. If you desire to support through prayer or other means let us know and we will put you on our support letter list.

With Love,
Miriam