Through It All
By Suzanne Goodman

I just had to write and tell you how much Hearts for Christ means to me. I am not sure even how I came across your site. But I know it was from God. Your November newsletter was so moving, I knew now that I was suppose to write to you.

Let me start first by introducing myself. I am Suzanne, 52 years old, and I live in Douglas Ga. My family has lived here for three years.

The end of 1993 my life changed for ever, but through it all, it was a miracle. My husband went to see about a new job, and a piece of equipment flew 200 feet and just about killed him. God saved his leg which broke out part of the femur bone. My husband needed eight pints of blood, right away.

At the time I was expecting ( high risk pregnancy). Through the years, I lost two full term pregnancy and had three miscarriages. I was 41 when I found out that I was expecting this time.

Paul, my husband, laid in the hospital, not sure that he was going to live. The doctors wanted me to rest which was a joke, and we had a adopted daughter, and found out she was dying.

I thought God hated me at first, but he didn't. This is the reason that I am writing, Shirley. No matter how hard that life gets, and I felt mine was at the end, God really cares and loves us, so much. Mark 10: 27 says, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God". It was God who got me through it all.

Paul lived and It was very hard. So many of our friends were very negative; even our church friends who always said they would pray for us but never helped us with chores that needed so much to be done.

Paul laid in a hospital bed in the living room. Our daughter Heather was hooked up to feeding machines, and there was our little miracle daughter Amie who most of the time lay in Paul's arms.

Our washer machine died, so I washed clothes in the tub, and the stove was on the way out. We were also broke for well over a years time.

The repossessers wanted the car and our truck, which we let the truck go, but needed the car. We had to take Heather to special Doctors two hours away twice a week.

Paul was using a walker, learning to walk again. Had a special brace on his leg while getting Heather into the make shift bed and caring for the baby. This went on for about eight months.

Our sweet Heather went to be with the Lord on Feb 14th 1995 which I thought was such a lovely time -- Valentine's Day. She was 12 years old.

Paul has gotten better, but is limited to what he can do. God provided so beautifully, and I learned that He is the only one you can trust, and how important it is to stand on his word.

Through it all, God saved the house and car and also made the way for us to get a new washing machine and stove. I learned that what we have is just material things. Family is so important. I learned to make so much of what we needed and cook from scratch, a lot cheaper and healthier.

Then God laid it upon our hearts to move; We stepped out on faith. Our home sold in nine days.We now live out in the country now on four acres with a dog and two cats so far.

Paul has a lawn service, far from earthly riches, but rich in God's riches. I've all ways home schooled Amie till a month ago, till God open the doors for Amie to be in a Christian School.

I have been having problems with my legs, so I have times that I can't walk a lot. I am in the middle of trying to get help to find out what's going on. But through it all, God laid it on my heart to do a Ladies Ministry.

Your site was what touch me so much, Shirley, and with God's help and four others who are helping, we our now starting a ladies breakfast in our church. I am in a big Church and 42 have signed up so far! Praise the Lord I know we will have a great time.

What you do with your beautiful website has helped me so much, words can't not even say. Your site is my home page also.

Shirley, I know God will get you through everything, for he did us. The move you wrote about will be a new adventure, and I know you will be helping so many people in your new home.

You have a beautiful ministry, and you have helped me to become excited about stepping out on faith for mine. Thank you so much.

Psalm 32 :8 says "I will instruct you and teach you in the was you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you."

Your Sister in Christ, Suzanne.

"If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen" 1 Peter 4:11

He Always Has an Answer
By Shirley Kiger Connolly

Sometimes I just enjoy sitting at my computer with my cup of tea thinking of what I shall write to all of you. In my family there is always SOMETHING going on, a lesson to be learned, an insight to discover.

I loved what Suzanne wrote above in her testimony and how she shared that God is always there for us through it all. How true that is. It doesn't matter what we might be going through, He indeed is there. Sometimes we forget.

My husband and I were able to sell our ranch and get moved to the other part of town in December. It was a crazy time! As the new owners moved into our place, we hustled to get moved out and transferred all of our belongings to our new place, while the tenants from the old owners still lived in the home we were buying. It was nearly impossible. Everything we owned went into the two bedrooms (You have to laugh because we were moving from a three bedroom home with a guesthouse to a two bedroom older home. We DID have a family room WITH our livingroom but now we would have no family room so we had to figure out what to do with all the extra furniture.) What a mess.

It has been nearly two months now. We are far from settled, but that's ok. Those in the Koinonia Community get to read about all the crazy details, but I must tell you what happened just last night and this morning.

We were looking for a large cabinet or armoire type closet to house our television and stereo equipment. The one we had was huge and open (part bookcase) and it didn't fit with the style of our home which is out of the 40s. We looked and looked and my husband finally came upon one at the local antique store (we like old things) that he thought he might be able to dicker down to a reasonable price. I budget out only so much for various things we plan to have.

They accepted our offer and last night was the big night for bringing it in. It was a solid oak armoire built in the 20s or 30s with beveled mirrors on the door. What we didn't think out was that the size of it and the size of our entry way would not be compatible. It was also so very heavy. I am of little strength physically, but I do try.

After about an hour of lifting and holding and sliding and all, the closet got wedged into the walls of the entryway. (You know, the one Tom and I had just painted?) With a few jerks here and there we got it "unwedged" and voila! the side wall and back wall and top came off!

Oh brother! Now what! We slowly pulled all the walls off and got the thing into the livingroom. Tom ran to the store and got some wood glue saying it would be an easy fix.

Slowly but surely we glued and stuck and arranged it back to how it was supposed to be, and it looked good as new! The door was a wee bit more difficult however with the heavy mirrors. But we managed, and then Tom asked me to hold the thing together while he ran to get some belts to tie it all together. It was pretty wobbly by now.

We didn't breathe the rest of the night. Early this morning, I was just coming alive (about 6ish) and I heard an horrendous "CRASH!". Uh oh!!!! "What was that?" I yelled from the bed.

Well, you can guess. Tom was going to arrange the door a little better and the whole thing fell to the ground breaking the large old beveled mirror into a thousand pieces... too many to try to paste together if you know what I mean...

I went into the livingroom and just stared at it (even without my glasses), and Tom was looking down at the floor at the slivers of glass. Then I couldn't help but just laugh. Pretty soon we were both laughing so hard I almost cried. It really was funny.

Tom said, "Well, it's all going to burn anyway..." How very true... Oh, how true. It was just a door you know. All we had wanted to do was hid our television. You see, all we ever watch is the news, the animal channel, and a movie now and again, so we often wonder why we even have a tube!

All can be fixed of course. The local glassman attends our church and his wife is a part of my Thursday, Ladies Koinonia Bible Study. You know what I figure? They must be short of money right now; haven't shared it with anyone, and the Lord was making a way for us to give them a hand. The Lord does work in mysterious ways, you know.

In the meantime, we SHOULD have asked for help but we didn't. But as Suzanne would say (and did say often in her testimony above), THROUGH IT ALL, God kept His hand on us and helped us to take lightly something that could have ruined our day. But we didn't allow it to. Thank you Lord.

Why do these things happen to many of us that seem so odd? Why do so many of us get into predicaments that we cannot seem to get out of? Why do circumstances fall in our laps that we would rather not happen? What is God trying to say? These are good questions that a lot of ask ourselves.

I like what God's Word says.... He always has an answer. "The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him." Nahum 1:7. It IS all a matter of trust isn't it. Regardless of our predicaments or circumstances, the Lord just wants us to trust Him to bring us through knowing He has it all under control.

Broken doors, broken lives, broken homes, broken hearts ... let's remember the goodness of our Almighty God and remember to keep focused on Him no matter what we might be going through. Amen? Amen.

Personal Testimony
from Helen Luepnitz

I was born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie. Michigan. My Dad and Mother owned and ran a grocery store for 47 years. I was expected at an early age to be congenial and helpful to whoever came in the store. In my junior year of high school I met Carl and three years later we were married. As we traveled all of the world the children and I were with Carl except when he went to Vietnam. I accepted the Lord at 13 years of age and was baptized in the Holy Spirit at a F.G.B.M.F.I. meeting soon after Carl received his healing.

When it is possible we have traveled together in Mexico. I don't have a great speaking ability or outstanding musical talents, but I do as much secretarial work as possible. When Carl goes to minister and teach, I go with him to help pray for the sick, conduct deliverances, council, show films, help with the driving . (It is with joy that I share this testimony with you.)

Friendly Fire
Sent in by "Jo" from SING

At times we are guilty of friendly fire. We see a person go through something and initially we feel for them and want to bring them comfort until the situation has passed. When things do not turn around immediately we begin to question why and that is where we often get into trouble. If we would only continue our silent support. Those we know who are already suffering would not incur additional wounds or pain.

We speak of things that we know nothing of---and therein lies the danger. When we study the book of Job we often focus on the last chapter. We see that Job was restored by the Lord and given twice the amount that he had before. We often miss a very important verse though that leads up to that restoration. Job 42:10 which says "And the Lord restored Job's losses when he prayed for his friends."

The first part of Job's restoration came when he prayed for his friends who really had not been very friendly at all. They fired shots in the form of accusations. They dropped bombs by doubting his reputation. The Book of Job is full of friendly fire but it also shows what can happen when we choose to forgive those who should have been comforting but wounded us instead.

Perhaps you are nursing wounds today. Instead of offering love and support, assumptions were made and judgment was passed on you instead. As you look for the same two fold restoration that Job experienced, do not forget that it did not begin until Job took his eyes off his misery and interceded for his friends.

He followed the example of Jesus Who cried out to God while being crucified saying,Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.

If you have experienced friendly fire & recently during a time of loss and have yet to see signs of restoration begin to pray for all those who have wounded you with friendly fire begin thanking Jesus for being a friend that sticks closer than a brother. Begin to see that the hurt you have experienced was because of misunderstanding.

There is hope no matter what you have been through. God has a plan for restoration in you life. Your part in the plan is to obey the voice of God and to offer up prayers for your friends regardless of what they have said or not said---did or did not do.

(What better way to take us into the message of Easter and why our Lord Jesus died on the cross for us. Job followed the example of Jesus Who cried out to God while being crucified saying, Father forgive them, for they know not what they do. Should not we do the same?)

"RECIPE SHARING"

From the Kitchen of Malla...

Do you have a RECIPE that you would enjoy sharing? Send it to us here in the Hearts for Christ Ministries Comments Section or e-mail direct: info@heartsforchrist.org. We will be thrilled to pass it along to our readers.

Sharing Hearts One with Another... The following letters are excerpts from the correspondence Hearts for Christ Ministries has been receiving. We hope you will write in as well. Dear Hearts For Christ: I would like to thank you for having the studies of Miriam, Hannah, Esther, Anna, Ruth and Mary and sharing their characteristics. God has told me these are the characterstics He wants to give me. Thanks to you I have learned what I need to do to develop them in me. Katie Dear Katie, Thank you for sharing with us the wonderful testimony of what the Lord does when we take the time to study His Word. In 1 Timothy 4:13, 15 we read, "...give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine...Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all." May you continue to see the many ways that He honors your obedience to those things that He reveals to you and that your "progress will indeed be evident to all". Also to remind you that you are welcome to use the studies in a small group setting, if the Lord so leads you. Abundant in Him, Hearts for Christ Ministry Team Dear Hearts for Christ, I just wrote and asked about your site, however, I see it is very lovely. I was touched by the pictures and music. I desire to link to link with spirit-filled Christian sites that will encourage and uplift. I was blessed by your praise music and dance! Joyce C. Dear Joyce, We are so grateful that you found our website and that you enjoyed listening to the music, as well as, viewing the pictures. We, at Hearts for Christ Ministries, are inspired when we receive uplifting letters such as yours, impelling our effort to provide a peaceful and pleasant setting for our visitors as they browse our growing categories! We give all praise, honor and glory to our Lord for the many avenues He has provided for us, as well as the links to other ministries. If you wouldn't mind sharing your link with us, we would also enjoy viewing your website. In Christ, Hearts for Christ Ministry Team

Are You Ready to Share with Us? What is the Lord doing in your life today? Do you have a question, an experience, or a victory in trial you would enjoy sharing in a future newsletter? Send your comments and inquiries to "Dear Hearts for Christ." Article Submissions and Testimonies should be sent to Shirley@heartsforchrist.org. No names will be included without permission, and the editor reserves the right to edit submissions.