Halfway!

This week marked the halfway point in the current study....it's always good to know that we have gotten through some really rough stuff, and even tho' it's not "easy sledding" from here, the view from here is already so much better!  Last week as we talked and shared about anger, it reminded me of just how hard it is sometimes to connect with our anger and to realize where it really belongs.  Through the years I have dealt with anger numerous times....some more effectively than others, I have to admit...but for me it is always something that demands that I look deeper.  It's easy to see the immediate focus of my anger in the here-and-now, but usually it is rooted in something much deeper, and in order to really deal with it in a spiritually empowering way, that something deeper has to be addressed.  I HAVE gotten better about it over the years, but it is still something that I have to remind myself of when that feeling of anger starts to rise within me.

And so it was this week for a participant....I am always so in awe of how God orchestrates these sessions, and how He puts people in the class at a particular time in their lives and who He brings together!  My heart has been so burdened for this particular woman, but to see how she yearns for the truth the study brings, and how excited she is to see what God is going to do....well, it makes my soul rejoice!   The truth, God's truth, surely will set her free!

Food for Thought

A week ago today I was blessed to be part of a training/brainstorming session in Charleston, SC  (in connection with the Heartbeat Conference) which was led by Pat Layton, the author of Surrendering the Secret.  It is always so affirming to see how God works....and this day was no different!  From the individuals attending the session, to the stories and ideas that were shared, to the encouragement offered, it was evident that God had a hand in it all. 

I had been laboring under the burden of reaching the great numbers of women locally who could be set free by this Bible study to the point where I was really struggling.  God knew what I needed....a reminder that this is all in His timing and IS a part of His plan.  Something Pat shared with us that rang so true is that....

1. This ministry is much harder than we ever expected;
2. This ministry takes much longer than we ever expected;
3. It costs us much more than we ever expected;
4. The reward is so much greater than we ever expected.

I can attest to all four!  Pray with me in the days ahead that God will direct as we seek the direction(s) in which He wants us to go.....it is only through and in Him that this ministry will begin to reach the hurting hearts of women who have an abortion in their past.

Amazing opportunities....

God is just that amazing....He gives opportunities where we least expect them!  Sometimes it feels like it has been a real struggle to get the Surrendering the Secret ministry going here in East Tennessee.  But then God steps in and lets me know that He is ALWAYS at work and He knows when an opportunity to share is right around the corner!

Yesterday I was visiting a gift shop and in checking out at the register, I asked to have some things rung up on a separate order.  I explained to the manager that I was purchasing a few things for a Bible study that I facilitate.  As the conversation went on, I shared that the particular study was designed to lead women who have had an abortion on a path to healing.  As we continued to talk, she shared that she knew someone who had been struggling with an abortion in her past for years and might benefit.  Because we were not in our local area, I gave her some information on the Surrendering website and also on the KnockTV series, which follows four women as they go through the study.  She told me that she knew that our talking had been directed by God....and I am so grateful that I listened to His prodding. 

Today I stopped back by and gave her one of my cards with contact information and also contact information for a study in the nearby area.  She was excited....said that she had had a dream about it last night and during that dream God was already starting to bring women across her path that needed hope and healing!  Our local ministry may never see any results from that short contact, but it's not about our local ministry....it is about what can and will do in the lives of women everywhere when they REALLY trust Him and what He has done for them.

If you, or someone you know, would like to contact us regarding Surrendering the Secret, you may go to www.surrenderingthesecret.com or email me at sts.sandytn@gmail.com.  All inquiries are strictly confidential....always!

With loving heart in gratitude for who He is and all He has done....

Stepping Out....

Sometimes obeying means stepping out...stepping out of our comfort zones, out of our safe little worlds.  But often when we listen to the prompting of our Lord we have to step out.....and so, I am stepping out.  There are quite a few who know this part of my story, but there are a lot who don't.  In the days ahead I will share more of where God has led and is continuing to lead, but for now, I'll share with you a blog post I wrote for our church this week....http://www.gfcnow.com/lag-01-31-14.

For some of you this may come as a huge surprise, but I know that God has worked Romans 8:28 out in my life....a testament to the truth that, if we let Him, He DOES work all things, even the horrible stuff, for our good if we love and trust Him. 

Looking forward to sharing more of my heart and ministry with you in the days to come....

In His service, through His grace....

Sandy