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Inverse Ministries 40-Day Marriage Ministry Mission Trip April 19th – May 28th, 2008 Travel Journal Day 40 – Wednesday, May 28th Port Orange, FL “It All Adds Up” “Mightier than the thunder of great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea—the Lord on high is mighty.” Psalm 93:4 40 days 6,008 miles 26 gas stations 18 hotel rooms 5 host families 7 cities Infinite mercy 2 tired travelers 1 mighty God! Day 39 – Tuesday, May 27th Tallahassee, FL “Finishing Well” “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the LORD. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.’” Isaiah 55:8-9 There seem to be certain “themes” to the discussions Clint and I have on the road. During this trip, “finishing well” was one of our recurring topics. Just a passing glance at the lives of the kings in the Old Testament and you see that many of them started out following God’s path, but wandered away at the end of their reign. In the New Testament, most people had great intentions when they started following Jesus, but not all of them walked with Him to the end. We’ve both come to realize that “finishing well” in God’s eyes and “finishing well” in the world’s eyes are two very different things. That’s why we’re called Inverse Ministries…our name represents the acknowledgment that God’s Law of Inversion must always be at the forefront of our thinking and our behavior. God turned the world’s wisdom upside-down with truths such as the key to real greatness is to become the least and that the way to lead is to serve. We must continually remind ourselves that neither, our marriage or the ministry should be measured by the world’s standards or even our own. Instead, the way we assess everything must reflect God’s measuring stick; one that is always inverted…one that always maintains an eternal perspective. As we close another mission trip, I will kneel before God and ask Him for His perspective, evaluation, and opinion…not mine. My eyes will fail. I’m tired and run down. My perspective is skewed and my vision, blurry. I need His eternal scope and the way to access that is through prayer and worship. There’s something powerful and heart-changing about taking a step back from our circumstances and getting face down before the Lord. There’s something mysterious about shutting out all the opinions of others and asking God for His thoughts and His perspective. And please, when all is said and done…if there’s any part of your journey over these past 40 days that you want to share, don’t hesitate to e-mail us at reconcile@inverseministries.org. You’ve spent time reading our travel journal and we’d love to have the opportunity to hear from yours. God bless you and thank you for traveling with us! Day 38 – Monday, May 26th Mobile, AL “Raise Us Up!” “I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.” Jeremiah 3:15 “After God gives a beckoning call to return to Him because He is married to us, inviting us to come near to Him in confident love and wholeheartedness, He then, in effect, says, ‘I am going to raise up men and women who will experience the spiritual reality of God’s heart as a Bridegroom God. That revelation will flow like a river on the inside of those shepherds, and they will live in the mighty power of this revelation. Then they will feed the church from it.’ The Lord is now raising up men and women after His heart, like David, and He will give them as a gift to the backslidden church to win her back to wholeheartedness. They will speak it with deep, undeniable revelation and feed the people with the knowledge of God’s heart. Their mandate will be to equip the people of God to understand what it means to be married to God.” (Loving God, Mike Bickle) Day 37 – Sunday, May 25th Mobile, AL “Poor and Needy” “Yet I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; O my God, do not delay.” Psalm 40:17
Somewhere in the midst of ministering over the past week, the enemy had been really messing with certain aspects of our mission trip, our hearts, and even our physical health. All last week, I had this sense that I’d hit a wall needed to empty my heart before God so that He could fill it. Oh, there was something so powerful about being in the Prayer House today and…without reservation or responsibilities tugging at me…to pour out my heart to God from the last 37 days. I needed to be able to just come before Him and shut out all the other voices competing for attention. I needed a fresh falling of the Holy Spirit deep within my heart. I needed to give God the time and space to reawaken my soul and mind to re-ignite the desire even more of His Presence in my life. I needed to confess my fears, frustrations, and shortcomings. I needed to cry and worship Him in the midst of all the things I still do not yet understand. And so…I did. I never leave the Prayer House with the same heart I had when I entered it. That is a very good thing. Day 36 – Saturday, May 24th Mobile, AL “Divine Protection” “But you will not leave in haste or go in flight; for the LORD will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard.” Isaiah 52:12 Today, as we drove from Clinton, MS to Mobile, AL, we had another day of complete protection and excellent weather for traveling. When we arrived in Mobile, we were humbled to hear the news reports about the severe weather slamming many of the areas through which we’d driven over the past several days. We had no idea! To every one of you who have offered prayers for travel mercies on this journey, thank you! We never take your prayers or God’s sovereign protection for granted. Please, let us all turn our hearts to pray for the people who’ve been impacted by the severe storms and tornadoes across our nation. Day 35 – Friday, May 23rd Clinton, MS “Take Up Your Cross” “Then he said to them all: ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up His cross daily and follow me.’” Luke 9:23
Day 34 – Thursday, May 22nd Little Rock, AK “Divine Connection” “Many, O LORD my God are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare.” Psalm 40:5 During our time in Scottsdale, Eric and Jennifer Garcia (founders
of AMFM) encouraged us to connect with a couple from Little Rock, AK
who they’d Up until today, we’d never met Steve and Shay Freeman and they’d never set eyes on us either, however, they were willing and gracious enough to house two strangers passing through their town. That always speaks to our heart so deeply; to be strangers, yet welcomed as friends. Within the first few moments of meeting Steve and Shay, we were in the rhythm of conversation about marriage and family ministry. We were inspired as the Freeman’s shared their most recent leap of faith. Instead of preparing for retirement, Steve and Shay are allowing God to “retread” them to go out and serve Him as fulltime marriage ambassadors. After having served “bi-vocationally” in marriage ministry for years, they’ve received God’s direction to step into fulltime ministry. While we sat and swapped stories, ideas, scriptures, thoughts, questions, and fears about not quite being certain of what was to come, we were comforted over and over again at the faithfulness of God to lead us in the battle to take back the territory of marriage and family for His kingdom. Please pray for Steve and Shay as they seek God during this critical time. Although our time with them was brief, we have no doubt that God will use them in powerful ways. Day 33 – Wednesday, May 21st Alma, AK “His Wonders”
While the towering cross was what initially drew us to pull off
the Interstate, what we saw once we got closer to the cross brought
us both to tears. Journal Entry: “Father, You really dazzled us today! We had planned to stop and see the large cross off I-40, but we never imagined the power of Your Presence and the full picture of Your journey to the Cross. What a surprise You gave to us today. Thank You. We are both still quite ove Day 32 – Tuesday, May 20th Amarillo, TX “On the Road Again” It must be time to go home because we ran out of q-tips and toothpaste. How’s that for profound? We’re getting punchy from being on the road so long. Can you tell?
Upon further research, we discovered that in 1960, the Big Texan Steak Ranch opened its doors on what was then the old Route 66 in Amarillo. Legend has it that one evening, a lone cowboy wandered into the restaurant bragging that he was so hungry, he could "eat the whole, darned cow." Evidently, Big Texan founder, R.J. "Bob" Lee started cooking up steaks right then and there. When the cowboy finally hollered "calf rope," he’d consumed 4 1/2 pounds of Texas beef. Mmmmmm….tasty! From that day forward, Bob vowed the dinner would be served "FREE" to anyone who could consume it in one hour. I bet the cowboy vowed to keep his yap shut from now on. Since 1960, more than 40,000 people have attempted to consume the
72oz. steak dinner. About 7,000 have succeeded. I wonder what
happened to When we finally arrived at our hotel in Amarillo, we had to laugh about the whole thing all over again because the same advertisement was on the back of the keycard to our room. (No, we’re still not tempted.) However, this time not only was there an offer of the 72 oz. steak to anyone who could eat it, but the steak came with free limo service. We needed a good laugh today. God, bless Texas. Day 31 – Monday, May 19th Santa Rosa, NM “God of Third Chances” “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:17-19
Married in 1961, they never imagined the dark paths their marriage
would tread before long. Eventually, alcohol ripped their marriage in
two and they divorced. In 1970, they decided to give marriage another
try. But once again, their hopes for a better marriage the second
time around were soon dashed by alcohol and sin. They divorced for a
second time. Then, during their years apart, GOD MOVED MIGHTILY IN
THEIR INDIVIDUAL HEARTS! Unbeknownst to each other, they each asked
God for His saving grace. (During our time in Chinle, Joe even showed
us the mountain where He met Jesus!) God eventually intersected their
paths once again and Joe and Gerri Begay found themselves kneeling at
a church altar, weeping and praying together and asking for God’s
love and His help. In 1975, they were married again, this time…forever. Oh, God of Third Chances! Their story has appeared in Indian Life magazine and on the 700 Club. They’ve served the Lord in ministry together for many years, helping people restore their lives and their marriages. For several years, they worked for Navajo Ministries in Farmington, NM. Now, they pastor at Grace Fellowship Church, and travel to share their testimony whenever they are given the opportunity. The four of us laughed at so many similarities in our experiences. Mostly, we stood humbled and in awe of God and His reconciling love, offered to all people over and over and over again. We hope and pray that He will intersect our lives with Joe and Gerri’s in the near future. Joe and Gerri may be new friends, but surely, we stepped into a plan that had been set into motion long, long ago. Day 30 – Sunday, May 18th Chinle, AZ “A Plentiful Harvest” “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 You may remember that we were invited to the Navajo reservation by Pastor Joe and Gerry Begay who we met during our time in Farmington, NM at the end of April. The night we met them, they invited us to come to Chinle, share our testimony, and teach a marriage workshop for the people at their church and others in the community. We were delighted when we realized that God had left one spot open on our itinerary, just for the people of Chinle. When we arrived here yesterday, we were really starting to feel the enemy’s heat on our heels. Being on the road for so long can take its toll and the enemy is quick to bring doubt, distractions, and discouragement when we’re feeling weary. Doubt, distractions, and discouragement are three of his most fiery darts and he seemed to be shooting a few our way, which included losing a credit card and a few of our own “marital moments” (those times when you know you and your spouse are definitely not from the same planet). We just had to smile when our room in Chinle just happened to be right next door to a loud family with a crying baby. These are the times when it’s so easy to give in and give up. But, when we hold out, pray, and worship Him in the midst of these moments, He always comes through and brings in a harvest.
The service on Sunday morning was an experience we’ll never forget. During worship, the chorus of voices was most assuredly angelic. Then, Gerri led announcements and prayer in English and Navajo. May’s memory verse was recited in both languages as well. The Navajo language is rhythmic and beautiful. After worship, prayer, and announcements, Pastor Joe handed his pulpit over to us and we shared our testimony of reconciliation. Afterward, we had an amazing time of ministering alongside Pastor Joe and Gerri as people came forward for prayer. One woman who came to us was visiting from Shiprock, NM. She told us she’d committed to a 21-day fast and one of the reasons for her fasting was to seek God about her relationship with her ex-husband. On Mother's Day, they saw each other for the first time in several years and just last Thursday, they had forgiven each other for the past. She wept as she shared her story with us and we all knew God had specifically invited her to come to Chinle to hear our story during this time of fasting. She told us she was now going to extend her fast to 40-days to continue seeking the Lord and praising Him! Another woman came to us asking for prayer for her ten sisters, all of whom have marriages in crisis, separation, and/or divorce. We were humbled by the opportunity to hear request after request…and story after story. We were also able to get to know several folks at the church a bit more as we joined them for lunch following the service. We returned to the church in the evening to teach a marriage workshop. The people just kept coming through the door. We ran out of chairs and handouts which is always a great “problem” to have as we long for people to come and receive. After the seminar, we had the chance to meet and pray with people as we’d done after the morning worship service. When we sat down later that night to break bread with Pastor Joe and Gerri and reflect on the day’s events, we rejoiced together in God’s goodness, mercy, and love. They told us about how they’d been praying for one particular couple who they hoped would attend the day’s events. They told us that when they invited us to come to Chinle, this was the one couple they were thinking about. Not only did that couple come to the worship service and the workshop, but they allowed us to pray with them to let God restore their relationship. They also told us about how reluctant the people are to come and receive help for their marriage. Surely, this was a day full of miracles, answers to prayer, and a plentiful harvest. Day 29 – Saturday, May 17th Chinle, AZ “Living on the Edge” (part 2) “But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ he said, ‘why did you doubt?’” I still can’t get the young man at the Canyon’s edge out of my mind. I know God is continuing to use what I saw to teach me some very sound lessons. As we drove from Holbrook to Chinle today, I talked to Him about many things. Sometimes, I feel like I have such a long way to go before I’m fully fashioned in His image. For example, as we drove toward Chinle today, I began to feel fearful. The more remote our surroundings became, the more fear crept into my mind and heart about our safety. Then, I noticed my cell phone was without signal and, like Peter, I stopped walking by faith and started walking by sight. Big mistake. For much of my life I’ve let fear keep me from fully living for God and experiencing His plans for me. For example, it was fear that kept me from contacting Clint asking for his forgiveness. I was so afraid of what his response would be that I waited eleven years to write him my letter of apology. God continues to work with me in this area, reminding me of His protection and sovereignty. He reminds me that life on the edge may look dangerous, but that we serve a safe Savior who loves us and is right beside us. Speaking from experience, fear can absolutely paralyze a person. In the past, fear kept me from launching out in faith and taking hold of that which God has promised for me. I am finally learning that there is a better way. Instead of letting the enemy paralyze me with fear, I ask God to transform my fears into one that will mobilize me to greater faith, godly action, immediate obedience, impulsive prayer, passionate worship, and/or humble waiting. It cost me quite a lot to finally learn that lesson. However, I also realize that it cost Jesus’ a whole lot more to teach it. Day 28 – Friday, May 16th Holbrook, AZ “Living on the Edge” (part 1) “‘Lord, if it’s you,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to you on the water.’ ‘Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.”
Enter our God of Second Chances. After we agreed to minister in Chinle. AZ, we realized our drive from Phoenix would take us within a short drive to the Grand Canyon and this time, I wasn’t about to tell Clint no. Besides, to be quite honest, we just needed some time away from all the ministry details of the last twenty-something days. We needed to take a breather together and just worship the Creator at one of His most stunning creations. Before arriving at the Canyon’s edge yesterday, I wrote the following entry in my journal: “Please Father, allow us to see You in this place. Allow us to have an intimate experience with You there. Stir our hearts with a passion to worship You—who You are—the God of Wonders. Majestic! Glorious! God!” Well, it’s impossible to see this wonder and not experience God. I was overwhelmed at first glance and I do believe my mouth gaped open almost as widely as the Canyon. It’s probably no surprise that our hearts were stirred and our worship of Him, unceasing. What I didn’t expect was the unique way He would speak to my heart through the actions of one brave (or crazy) young man. I will forever treasure the photograph I was able to quickly snap as this life lesson unfolded. Look closely at the photo accompanying this journal entry. Can you see the guy standing out on the ledge located in the foreground of the photo? If not, you’ll have to trust me or e-mail me and I’ll send you a larger copy of it. Clint and I could hardly believe what we were seeing as we watched him climb down the rocks and out to the very edge. I haven’t stop thinking about this since we witnessed it. Looking back on it now, I realize what really struck me was that he never hesitated or looked down. Yes, the cautious side of me says that what this young man did was incredibly dangerous and even foolish. The disciples probably felt the same way about Peter when he stepped out of the boat and onto the water. But, the passionate part of me realizes that when I am walking by faith in the center of God’s will and on the edge of what He unfolds each day on this journey, it often mirrors this kind of faith and action. Oh, Lord, that I would not look down or doubt the places You call me to walk by faith! Day 27 – Thursday, May 15th Holbrook, AZ “Grand Love”
As we stood at the edge of the Grand Canyon today, this passage from God’s Word took on new meaning. What really got me was realizing that what I was seeing was only a very small portion of its southern rim. The height, depth, and width of this place was far greater than I could see or fathom. I’d never set eyes on the Grand Canyon before. Until today, I’d only seen pictures of it in books and magazines. None of those photos did it justice. I’m sure none of the pictures I took today will either, but I gave it my best shot. Day 26 – Wednesday, May 14th Flagstaff, AZ “Unshaken” “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the LORD who has compassion on you.” Isaiah 54:10 We always get behind on the latest news when we’re on the road for so long. There are some real benefits to that, as well as some disadvantages. Sometimes it’s wonderful to be free from the numerous concerns and negative hype plastered on the evening news night after night. But at other times, we feel lost as to what’s happening in the world around us. This week, we felt so very out of touch by the time we finally caught some of the video footage of the massive earthquake and devastation in China. With our eyes wide and our mouths gaping, we watched the news in our hotel room and our hearts ached. We were especially riveted by footage of the efforts to rescue the school children still trapped under tons of debris and rubble. Our prayers ascend to the Father for these and the many others who have been impacted by this tragedy. As we drove through the stunning red rocks of Sedona, AZ today, I couldn’t help but consider all of this as well as some of the other tragedies that have recently struck various parts of the nation and the world. As I gazed up at the massive mountains, I was reminded that no matter what befalls us here on earth, God’s faithfulness can and will never be shaken. Never. His love for us cannot be moved or uprooted. It’s impossible. He stands firm forever. Forever. Thanks be to God! Day 26 – Wednesday, May 14th Flagstaff, AZ “Unshaken” “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the LORD who has compassion on you.” Isaiah 54:10
As we drove through the stunning red rocks of Sedona, AZ today, I couldn’t help but consider all of this as well as some of the other tragedies that have recently struck various parts of the nation and the world. As I gazed up at the massive mountains, I was reminded that no matter what befalls us here on earth, God’s faithfulness can and will never be shaken. Never. His love for us cannot be moved or uprooted. It’s impossible. He stands firm forever. Forever. Thanks be to God! Day 25 – Tuesday, May 13th Scottsdale, AZ “Pre-marriage Pastor” “Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.” 1 Peter 1:13 Today we had the privilege of meeting pastor and author Dr. Dave Gudgel. As an extension his service as senior pastor at Bethany Bible Church in Phoenix, Dave hosts a weekly radio program. The LifeBridge Radio program features sermons as well as special interviews. Pastor Dave heard about our testimony from the AMFM staff and we were delighted to tape two radio interviews today that will be aired on LifeBridge in the coming weeks. In addition to our interviews, we also learned more about Dave Grudgel’s writing ministry and passion to help couples enter into marriage forewarned and forearmed. Dave has authored two well known books: Before You Live Together and Before You Get Engaged. Research today indicates that one out of two couples live together before they get married. The number of couples living together has increased more than ten fold in the last thirty years. Couples who consider themselves “religious” are following the same trend. In Before You Live Together, Dave outlines and examines the reasons and results of living together before marriage. Before You Get Engaged helps couples who are thinking about getting engaged to know if they are ready for marriage. Before You Get Engaged was co-authored by Dave, his son Brent, and Brent's girlfriend, Danielle. Throughout the book, the three authors interact in a discussion that reveals twelve relational indicators for a healthy marriage. For more information about either of Dave’s books, visit www.beforeyoulivetogether.com. Day 24 – Monday, May 12th Scottsdale, AZ “All Things” “…All things are possible to him that believeth." Mark 9:23 “The ‘all things’ do not always come simply for the asking, for the reason that God is ever seeking to teach us the way of faith, and in our training in the faith life there must be room for the trial of faith, the discipline of faith, the patience of faith, the courage of faith, and often many stages are passed before we really realize what is the end of faith, namely, the victory of faith. Real moral fiber is developed through discipline of faith. You have made your request of God, but the answer does not come. What are you to do? Keep on believing God's Word; never be moved away from it by what you see or feel, and thus as you stand steady, enlarged power and experience is being developed. The fact of looking at the apparent contradiction as to God's Word and being unmoved from your position of faith make you stronger on every other line. Often God delays purposely, and the delay is just as much an answer to your prayer as is the fulfillment when it comes. In the lives of all the great Bible characters, God worked thus. Abraham, Moses and Elijah were not great in the beginning, but were made great through the discipline of their faith, and only thus were they fitted for the positions to which God had called them.” (from Streams in the Desert, L. Cowman) Day 23 – Sunday, May 11th Scottsdale, AZ “Open Arms” Pray continually…” 1Thessalonians 5:17 Today, we had the opportunity to teach the Covenant Keepers Sunday School class at Scottsdale Bible Church. Even though our time together was brief, we were deeply touched by the members of this class and their commitment to one another. We may have taught the morning lesson, but we also learned a thing or two today. Despite the pace of life and the numerous responsibilities they face each day, the Covenant Keepers class takes the time to share specific prayer requests and to report out the ways God answers those prayers. The members of this class have been through a lot together and they’ve held up one another in numerous ways. Thank you, Covenant Keepers, for welcoming us into your family with open arms. We left with our hearts full of gratitude. Day 22 – Saturday, May 10th Scottsdale, AZ “Fireproof” “Marriage should be honored by all…” Hebrews 13:4a If you happen to see the Facing the Giants or Flywheel, then you’re familiar with the work of Sherwood Pictures, the moviemaking ministry of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, GA. This fall, a third feature film from Sherwood will be released and today, we had the privilege previewing it. Day 21 – Friday, May 9th Phoenix, AZ “Partnering Together” “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his one, but they shared everything they had.” Acts 4:32 When we were just starting out in ministry, God intersected our paths with Eric and Jennifer Garcia, founders of the Association of Marriage and Family Ministries (AMFM). Eric, Jennifer, and the AMFM family have blessed our lives beyond measure. Many of the opportunities to minister during our mission trips are a result of AMFM’s legwork.
What sets AMFM apart from other organizations is that they seek to level the playing field, if you will. In other words, it doesn’t matter whether your ministry is nationally recognized or a small “mom and pop” outfit. With AMFM, there is no hierarchy or hidden agenda. The goal is to come together, share, teach, equip, partner, support, and encourage the Body of Christ and to get marriages healthy. AMFM seeks to lead a marriage and family ministry movement in the church and communities they serve. They achieve this by convening and collaborating with industry experts to train and equip local church leaders to run effective marriage and family ministries. AMFM has spent several years networking ministries from one coast to the other. Each year at the AMFM conferences, ministries gather together and teach workshops in their area(s) of expertise. Pastors and lay leaders from across the nation can come to these conferences and get equipped in a variety of areas such as reconciling troubled marriages, blended families, sexual wholeness, leadership, parenting, media literacy, healthy relationship skills, church-based counseling, and many others. The AMFM conferences are just a small part of what they do. At the present time, they’re also working with the Marriage Co-Mission to lower the divorce rate across the nation. In addition, AMFM is mobilizing forces to prepare pastors and communities for the release of Fireproof. Authentic relationships and the mutual love of the early church are at the heart of AMFM. During our time in Scottsdale and Phoenix, they gave us office space to get our web updates finished and take care of administrative tasks for Inverse. They also provided us with a lovely place to stay and fed us several delicious meals (once again it is a challenge not to gain forty pounds in forty days). Thank you, AMFM staff for encouraging us and filling us with love at the half-way mark of this journey. We needed that! For more information about joining the AMFM family or attending the AMFM conference this August, visit www.amfmonline.com. Day 20 – Thursday, May 8th Phoenix, AZ “Dance with Me” “You have turned for me my mourning into dancing.” Psalm 30:11a During our years apart, Clint took dance lessons and when we remarried, he taught me how to dance. It was then that he shared with me the marriage lessons he’d learned on the dance floor. “It’s a man’s job to lead, make his partner look good, and keep the two of you in step.”
Last night, couples gathered together after our testimony at Lincoln Heights Christian Church and we had the opportunity to inter-relate the principles of marriage with learning how to dance together as one. We had an awesome time sharing various truths with the couples who set aside their fears and took some steps of faith on the dance floor. As was expected, their steps faltered at times and they stepped on each other’s toes.
Day 19 - Wednesday, May 7th Phoenix, AZ “Every Step We Take” “A man’s heart plans His way, but the LORD directs his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 We’ve learned (the hard way) that our responsibility is simply to place the dates of our 40-day journeys before the Lord and surrender our earthly agendas at His feet. Our commitment to God is that we will go wherever He sends us and walk through all the doors He opens. We mustn’t try and open doors for ourselves. Been there…done that. It is so much sweeter when we don’t attempt to force our own plans, but pray and watch while God reveals His. Today, He did just that. For months we couldn’t understand why there were still some open dates at the end of this mission trip that God had not yet filled. But, having been in this place before, we knew that prayer would lead us to His will. Last week, during our time in Farmington, we met Pastor Joe and Gerry Begay. They had traveled many miles to hear our testimony and attend our workshop. We were very interested in meeting them because we’d heard about their saved marriage story. Never did we think God would give us the opportunity to partner in ministry with them. “When will you be back in the area? We’d love to have you come to the church we pastor on the reservation in Chinle,” said Pastor Joe. Clint and I looked at each other with wide smiles. “Actually, we’ll be headed back this way in mid-May.” Their eyes lit up and before long, we’d aligned our calendars to look at the dates we still had open. The four of us joined hands and prayed about the possibility. Pastor Joe and Gerry returned to the reservation to meet with their leadership team for approval. We prayed together, sent out a notice to our prayer team, and waited. This morning, Gerry called with a formal invitation for us to share our testimony and teach a workshop on Sunday, May 18th at Grace Fellowship Community Church in Chinle, AZ (located just west of the border of Arizona and New Mexico). Thank You, Sovereign Lord. May Your plans and purposes continue to prevail! Day 18 – Tuesday, May 6th Buckeye, AZ “Fertile Soil” “Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” Matthew 13:8 When we hear back from those we’ve served, our hearts are humbled to see how God is using the pain from our past for His good purposes. We also want you to see the fruit of your prayer support. Below is an excerpt from an e-mail we received yesterday. It is an example of some seed that fell on fertile soil. “Dear Clint and Penny: It was so great to hear you both nights in Farmington. Tim and I really appreciated all you had to say. We felt encouraged after we left both nights. We have already started to implement some into our daily life. Since Tuesday, we have been praying together before we leave each morning. We also wrote a prayer together to be delivered from the extreme fatigue we have felt most of our married life. I, Martha, wrote a prayer for healing from Diabetes. We also had our first weekly devotional together on Friday. We chose Friday, because Saturday is not a work day and we can stay up later if needed. Also, if we do get a date night on Friday, we can do our devotional during that time. Thanks again for all you do. Thanks for your encouragement and for giving us ideas for making our marriage better. We will keep in touch and let you know how we are doing. Thanks so much for your updates. Blessings, Martha” Day 17 – Monday, May 5th Phoenix, AZ “There are secrets of providence which God’s dear children may learn. His dealings with them often seem, to the outward eye, dark and terrible. Faith looks deeper and says, ‘This is God’s secret.’ If we take what He sends and trust Him for the goodness in it, even in the dark, we shall learn the meaning of the secrets of providence.” A.B. Simpson Day 16 – Sunday, May 4th Tucson, AZ “Courageous Conversations” “The king said to me, ‘What is it you want?’ Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king, ‘If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my fathers are buried so that I can rebuild it.’” Nehemiah 2:4-5 Today we taught a class on communication and problem solving. Using Nehemiah’s conversation with King Artaxerxes in Nehemiah 2 and Jesus’ conversation with the woman at the well in John 4, we unpacked what we refer to in our ministry as a courageous conversation. One of the difficulties couples encounter during the restoration process is the challenge of re-establishing healthy communication, or perhaps establishing it for the first time. In our case, there was a huge gap between the last time we spoke to each other (the day our divorce papers were signed) and our next conversation eleven years later. In addition to the time that had elapsed, our last few conversations as husband and wife were strained and far from healthy. However, because we’d both spent time focusing on our relationship with God, we knew we could rely on Him to help guide us in re-establishing healthy communication. The challenge courageous conversations pose for couples who have been through a crisis is that there is a natural tendency to avoid these kinds of discussions at all costs for fear they may lead to more conflict. But, we have discovered the opposite is true. Intentionally engaging in courageous conversations actually alleviates conflict down the road. As we taught this morning, we explained that the key to healthy communication is maintaining a reconciled relationship with God and spending time with Him daily so His Holy Spirit can help change your individual heart. Conversations with others should always flow out of our conversations with God. If you’re spending time with Him, then communicating with others, no matter how difficult it may be at times, will gain a more natural rhythm and momentum. You will engage in discussion that is pleasing to God and edifying to others. Day 15 – Saturday, May 3rd Tucson, AZ “The Perfect Blend” All our events this weekend took place at Pantano Christian Church in Tucson. We were connected to Pantano through a special couple we met through the Association of Marriage and Family Ministries (AMFM). Jeff and Judi Parziale are the leaders of the Blended Family and Single Parent Ministry Team. Jeff is also the Marriage and Family Pastor at Pantano and he and Judi founded In-Step Ministries (www.instepministries.com) many years ago. In-Step supports blended families and single parents. It is, by far, one of the most comprehensive ministries we’ve come across in our journeys. We wholeheartedly believe in what Jeff and Judi are attempting to do in order to equip the church to support step-families and single parents. We were delighted to be able to stay in Jeff and Judi’s home so we could get to know them better. They have their own unique story. Jeff and Judi have been through all the challenges that come with raising children as single parents and also of blending two families together. Their trials and experiences led them to form In-Step. The more time we spent with Jeff and Judi, the more we realized how much valuable wisdom they have and freely share with others. In addition, we could clearly see how they have learned to let God creatively blend together their strengths and weaknesses to form a beautiful vessel through which His Spirit flows out to others. Jeff and Judi, thank you for a memorable time of fellowship. You opened your home and your hearts to us and we are forever grateful. Day 14 – Friday, May 2nd Tucson, AZ “Over the Airwaves” “Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts. They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works.” Psalm 145:3-5 During the past two weeks, we’ve had many exciting opportunities to share our story and our passion to take back the territory of marriage and family for God. It doesn’t matter whether we get to speak to one person or a large crowd, our message remain the same: Reconciliation is not about following a recipe, it’s about following Jesus Christ. And, forgiveness is what will turn the tide in our nation.
This morning, we had the chance to be on one of Family Life Radio’s stations and declare God’s wonders to the listener’s of KFLT. What was particularly unique about this experience was that the show was hosted by a husband and wife team, Chris and Emilee Danielson, who are also the parents of four children. This dynamic team of two uses the airwaves to declare God’s great works and encourage His people. Normally, I’m a bit slow in the morning, but their humor, authenticity, and passion was infectious. They were also kind enough to let Clint set up our video camera in the studio. Take a moment to see how Chris and Emily use the airwaves for God by visiting our video gallery. Day 13 – Thursday, May 1st Traveling through Arizona “Refueling the Soul” “Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I call to you all day long. Bring joy to your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you.” Psalm 86:3-5
The long drives on this journey provide me with a chance to worship and pray for an extended period of time. Today, we journeyed from Holbrook to Tucson. The canyons and rock formations were so breathtaking that we had to stop and snap a few photos. Standing on the edge of one particular canyon, I was reminded that God’s love for us is far deeper.
One of the ways He demonstrates His deep love and fills up our souls is through the arrangement of Divine appointments. Only God could turn a quick bathroom stop into a holy intersection in the lives of His children. As we pulled into a Quickstop on Highway 77 in Mammoth, AZ, I couldn’t help but notice the sign on the small building next door which read, “God’s Filling Station.” With my curiosity piqued, I convinced Clint that we just had to walk over to what looked like a gas station and check things out. Inside, we met Charlie. Through our time together, we discovered that he and his wife had taken an old, run down gas station and turned it into a church through which God can refuel the hearts and minds of the people who pass by. Take some time to check out the photos in our photo gallery. What an amazing place! Before we left, the three of us grabbed hands and prayed together. Thank You, God, for filling our souls with Your deep love. And Charlie, thank you for welcoming us into God’s house with open arms! We left God’s Filling Station with a full tank. Day 12 – Wednesday, April 30th
Holbrook, AZ “Solid Rock” “As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights.” Psalm 18:30-33 After one last radio spot at KNMI, we were on the road again. Our travels today took us through the painted cliffs located on the border of New Mexico and Arizona. The winds in this area were extremely fierce today and the van blew back and forth on the highway as Clint held tightly to the steering wheel to maintain a steady course. As we drove right in between two massive rock formations I could not help but have a much clearer concept of God as our solid Rock and mighty Refuge. The towering rocks shielded and protected us from the harsh winds and I wanted so much just to be able to remain tucked safely in between them for a while. Day 11 – Tuesday, April 29th
Farmington, NM “Open the Floodgates” “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. ‘Test me in this,’ says the Lord Almighty, ‘and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.’” Malachi 3:10 During our time in Farmington, we had several opportunities to be on Navajo Ministries’ Vertical Radio (www.verticalradio.org/). Vertical Radio is a Christian program that airs in the Four Corners region and seeks to bring the gospel to people through contemporary Christian music. We were grateful for all the support Vertical Radio gave our events at the Farmington Civic Center. Wendy Curtin, DJ of the Lunch Crunch, was instrumental in bringing us back to the Farmington area. She also worked at our book table both nights and helped us with all our gear. Thanks, Wendy! You are a gem! We pray that you will be blessed in return for the many ways you poured yourself out for the Lord. Our events in Farmington were sponsored and hosted by the Four Corners Coalition for Marriage and Family (www.fccmf.org). This team is seeking to support marriages and families in Farmington and the Four Corners region. We were delighted to hear about the innovative ways they are reaching out to help couples and families in need through business and schools. Because of the exposure Vertical Radio gave our events and the dedication of the Four Corners Coalition, the room was packed for our seminar on Tuesday evening. That was the first flood of the night. It’s always a good thing when you have to set up more chairs. The floodgates opened widely as the Holy Spirit enabled us to teach the folks who came about the various ways they could reconcile with God and one another. The response and interest on the part of the people just kept the flow going. It was an awesome night! We spent close to two hours talking with people after the workshop. During that time, we had the opportunity to speak and pray with a couple who were scheduled to finalize their divorce in court this Thursday. The wife had tuned in to Vertical Radio during our interview earlier in the day and called the station to speak to us. She then called her husband and invited him to attend the seminar with her. They left with renewed hope, a plan to reconcile their relationship, and some follow-up support. At the end of the evening, we discovered that the people who came and the Four Corners Coalition had poured out a financial blessing on our ministry. We met that outpouring with a flood of thanksgiving and praise to the Lord for meeting our needs once again. Of course, I cannot conclude this entry without telling have you about the final flood of the night. As we opened the door to our hotel room, tired and ready to crash, we discovered that our room had been flooded! Evidently, the hotel had a severe plumbing problem and, well…there was water everywhere. As a result, we had to move all our belongings and relocate to another room. However, when Clint went down to check out our new room, he was shocked to discover it wasn’t empty! J I’m not sure who was more surprised; Clint or the people in the room. Eventually, we moved into a new (empty) room and the only remaining flood was of a zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz nature. Day 10 – Monday, April 28th
Farmington, NM “Tell Your Story” “Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: ‘Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.’” Revelation 12:10-11a It seems rather simple, actually. We just tell our story to the people who come to hear it. Yes, we teach workshops on marriage and reconciliation, but for the most part, we spend a great deal of time on the road sharing our testimony and telling others about the ways God completely blew our doors off when He intersected our lives again, after so many years and miles apart. It does seem simple, but when I read God’s Word (such as the passage above) I am reminded that the power of a believer’s testimony hurls the enemy to Hell. I rather cherish that thought, don’t you? Tonight at the Civic Center, surely the enemy was cast down and defeated once again! One of the most poignant moments of the evening occurred when the video footage that shows our first embrace appeared on the large screen. Something literally broke loose in the room at that moment. I have to believe the Holy Spirit was breaking down walls of unforgiveness. Before the night was over, we had once last memorable moment when the power of the testimony defeated the enemy. As Clint was packing up our gear, a young man who was at the event came rushing back through the door and made his way up to Clint sobbing, “Man, I came back because I need you to pray for me!” When we tell others about the wonderful and miraculous works of God, we silence the accuser and overcome him! We have a story to tell and you do too! By all means, tell your story. It doesn’t matter if you tell it to one or one hundred and one. Tell it in your homes and on the streets. Tell it in grand halls and small private corners. Tell it again and again and again! And, may the enemy be silenced and completely crushed under your feet! Day 9 – Sunday, April 27th Bayfield, CO “Mountain-Moving Faith” “…I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20-21 God has truly been challenging and stretching my faith during the first week of this journey and I’ve decided two things: My faith is still too small and my unbelief, still too great.
Clint is right. ‘We have an important work to do in Farmington.’ Part of that great work is repenting of our sins and receiving more of You. Part of it is coming to You in full submission because we do not want to hinder the work of Your Holy Spirit. Part of it is to come in humble prayer and adoration…to worship and bow down before You. Part of it is to bring the people of the four corners region to Your feet and pray for reconciliation and restoration. God, I believe You long to do a mighty work here in this place. Come. Come. Come.” Day 8 – Saturday, April 26th Bloomfield, NM “Love Poured Out” “And when Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, a woman came to Him having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and she poured it on His head as He sat at the table. But when His disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, ‘Why this waste? For this fragrant oil might have been sold for much and given to the poor.’” Matthew 26:6-9 NKJV “I like the heart of Mary of Bethany. She was not an apostle. She was never famous, never wrote a book, never did a conference, and never said much. Her passionate love was in secret—she just loved the Lord ferociously in secret. All the apostles were mad, not just Judas. In fact, everyone was mad about this. But Jesus ignored their reactions. He silenced their accusations by honoring this adoring worshiper. Jesus knew that she would never write a book or speak at a conference or do anything of worldly significance, but despite her obscurity, no one would ever forget how she moved the heart of Christ with her love. Something magnificent happens when human beings recognize the gold of the pleasure of this romance and choose it instead of the sawdust of this world.” (M. Bickle, Loving God) Day 7 – Friday, April 25th From Texas to New Mexico “Life in the Desert” “Who is this coming up from the desert leaning on her lover?” Song of Songs 8:5 We drove a 400 miles today; most of it through what appeared to be desert. There’s life in the desert, you just have to look a little harder for it. As the miles passed, I couldn’t help but think about the many people we know who are in a desert or wilderness type of experience right now as they stand for the reconciliation of their marriage. We are trying to support and encourage many folks who’ve been “abandoned” by a spouse, but who are determined to pray and seek God regarding the complete restoration of the relationship. These individuals are committed to allowing God to change whatever needs to be changed in their own lives as they wait on Him during this time. They are in a desert, no doubt. But because they are leaning hard on God, we are confident they will continue to find His abundant life in what appears to be a barren place. Please pray for Ruth Anne, Bill, John, Scott, Joyce, Barb, Aldo, George, Robin, Charlotte, Ken, Deanna, Dennis, Ron, Sam, Rebekka, Michele, Graeme…and several other Christians across the nation and abroad who are leaning on the Lord in the desert and standing with Him for the reconciliation of their marriage! Day 6 – Thursday, April 24th Amarillo, TX “Old Friends Reunite” “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:18-19 Are there people in your past who had a significant impact on your faith? Have you ever had the opportunity to tell these spiritual mentors thank you? Well, let me just say that it’s a beautiful thing to witness. For years, Clint had been trying to locate the pastor who first took him aside and discipled him with tender love and care. Each time Clint attempted to locate Jim, he hit a dead end. However, several months ago we were surprised with an e-mail from Jim who had NO IDEA Clint had been searching for him over the years. As it turns out, Jim’s daughter had been watching The 700 Club when one of our past segments re-aired in Oklahoma. She immediately called her dad and told him to tune in. Clint and Jim were able to speak by phone and during their conversation, Clint discovered that Jim was living in Oklahoma City, right on the route of our mission trip. So, during our long drive from Oklahoma to Texas today, we pulled off the freeway for a quick reunion at a local McDonald’s. The photo says it all! Thank you, Jim, for taking the time to show Clint what it meant to be a disciple of Christ. May God bless you! Day 5 – Wednesday, April 23rd Shawnee, OK “All This is from God” “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 8:18 God gave us a full schedule today. First, we met with a group of area pastors to discuss the ministry of reconciliation and equip them with resources and strategies to use with couples in crisis. We’re passionate about the fact that pastors should not have to tackle divorce in the church all by themselves. Instead, we advocate training up teams of marriage mentors who are available to assist struggling couples and help their pastor shoulder the weight. We let these pastors know that our friends in ministry, Joe and Michelle Williams of Reconciling God’s Way (www.reconcilinggodsway.org) are making themselves available to train up “first response” teams in churches across the nation and that we were available to assist them as well. We also told them about the September, 2008 release of the film, Fireproof, which is being produced by Sherwood Films (producers of Facing the Giants). This film, which features a couple who reconciles their marriage, will be released in over 400 theaters nationwide. To view a trailer of the film or find out how you can bring Fireproof to your community, visit www.fireproofthemovie.com. Later that afternoon, we drove over to Immanuel Baptist Church to get set for our evening engagement. We’re always humbled at the opportunities God gives us to tell our story and offer hope and encouragement to others. Once we finished sharing our testimony, we drove back to our hotel room to get a few hours of sleep before a 1:00AM phone interview with The Midnight Bookworm television program which airs on the west coast. This is a non-Christian program and we were excited to be able to participate in answering some of the host’s questions and to tell about God’s power to heal broken marriages. Two other couples who are also featured in the new book, Can My Marriage Be Saved—True Stories of Saved Marriages, participated in the interview as well. For more information on accessing this new book for couples in need of hope, visit www.savedmarriagenetwork.org. Day 4 – Tuesday, April 22nd Shawnee, OK “Teach Your Children Well” “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Deuteronomy 11:18-19 We first met Shawn and Amber on our 40-Day Mission Trip in the fall of 2006. God established a special connection between the four of us that night. At the close of our evening together, we joined hands and prayed as the Oklahoma breezes swept through the parking lot of the Broadway Baptist Church in Sand Springs, OK. The following year, we saw Shawn and Amber at the Association and Marriage and Families Ministry (AMFM) Conference in North Carolina. During the last night of that conference, we found an empty room so we could pray together. Now, two years after we first met, we were guests in their home in Shawnee. Shawn and Amber serve as marriage and family ministry coordinators in their local community and are the parents of four boys (Yes, four! Yes, boys!). Drew, Dylan, Devon and Deyton range in age from 12 years old to 7 months young. I cannot describe the delight of sitting around the table with this family to listen to the amazing way God provided a home for them at the end of last year. Shawn and Amber are responsible for raising all of their own financial support in Shawnee and they also homeschool the boys. Up until a few months ago, they were huddled together in a tiny house; all the boys sharing one bedroom. Through the generosity of their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, they were able to move into a larger home just before little Deyton was born. It was wonderful to hear the boys and their parents tell us about all the ways God provided for them. Every room in their home had its own story of God’s faithfulness. Praying as a family and watching God provide for their needs each month has been an invaluable lesson in faith for the boys. Before we closed our evening together, Shawn and Amber rounded them all up into the living room to pray for our mission trip. I don’t know that I’ve ever heard a sweeter sound than the sound of these young boys praying with such conviction. Shawn and Amber, you’ve taught your children well! Day 3 – Monday, April 21st Highway 65 “Set Free” “I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts.” Psalm 119:45 There are times when we must get off the main interstate and take highway routes. These drives are always interesting as we pass tiny towns and long stretches of farmland. Today, we spent a couple hundred miles on Highway 65 traveling from Clinton, Mississippi to Arkansas. At one point during the afternoon, we drove by a county prison. Inmates dressed in black and white striped jail uniforms lifted weights and played basketball in a courtyard surrounded by thickly-wrapped barbed wire. As I watched the prisoners, I thought about how, many years ago, I told a friend that all I wanted was to finally be free…free from all the mistakes of my past and the shame that weighed me down. She told me the way to freedom was to get into God’s Word and to seek out what He had to say. She was right. The God we serve is a God of freedom. In Him, we are not shackled to a shameful past. Instead, we can walk about in freedom. Amen? Mobile, AL “A House of Prayer” … “For my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” Isaiah 56:7 Last February, Clint and I had the opportunity to help with the construction of a Prayer House in Mobile, AL. Today, we had the privilege of attending the dedication service for that Prayer House. As we gathered together prior to the start of the service, I thought about all the layers of the Word that were written into the studs, the walls, and the floor by the kids and adults who were present during the construction process. The Prayer House in Mobile is actually located in the bottom floor of a home that belongs to our dear friends. Because intercession and worship are the two most important strands woven and threaded throughout the entire fabric of their family, they decided to dedicate this special room as a “holy habitation” for the Lord…a place completely devoted to ongoing prayer and worship. I wish I could find the words to describe what took place in the Prayer House yesterday, but I just can’t. God’s presence was so very powerful and real. He inhabited and consumed every inch and every corner of that room. There was no space where God’s heart was not stirring. Perhaps one day, I will be able to describe what that service was like, but for now, I will continue to process what took place and consider deeply the ways in which God wants my heart be just like that Prayer House: A set apart place layered with His Word. A holy habitation consumed by His Presence. And, a dwelling devoted to ongoing worship and intercession. Day 1 – Saturday, April 19th Leaving Port Orange, FL “Full Power” … “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.” Zechariah 4:6 God never fails to give us a very memorable lesson the day we depart on a 40-day mission and He made no exception today, that’s for sure! The Lord knows we are a forgetful lot. After months of preparation and planning, the day to leave was finally here. Huddled together in the living room, we prayed for God’s will and protection across every mile. Then, with the van fully loaded and the last-minute details complete, we climbed into our seats for the first day of another amazing adventure. However, before even an inch of road would pass under our tires, God gave us His very poignant lesson for Day 1. There we were in the driveway of our home, poised and ready to go, when Clint turned the key in the ignition and…nothing but a, “click, click, click.” We would like to thank John, the stranger who drove by our house in his big red truck and gave the battery in our van the full charge it needed to get us on the road. And, we’d like to thank God for His reminder that all our power comes from Him. Without that source of power during every moment of this mission, we’re not going anywhere. |
The men had to learn
how to lead and the women had to learn to trust their spouses and
follow. Couples encouraged one another as they danced side-by-side
and learned some basic steps. It was wonderful to look across the
dance floor and see couples laughing, holding each other, listening
to the beat of the music, and taking steps together. How this so
closely mirrors what God longs for us to do with Him each day.
