Some Coming Events...UPDATED: and a Little Journey to The Shack

It's been an eventful summer for Sufficient Grace Ministries. We started out with intentions to host a couple little fundraisers...maybe an Ice Cream Social (which we had to cancel due to scheduling conflicts) and our second golf outing (which will take place July 11, 2009). In the meantime, God laid it on our hearts to start the Walking With You online support outreach, and more families have come our way as we continue to send out Dreams of You packages weekly. The thing is that God always does exceedingly and abundantly more than we can ask or imagine. You all remember MckMama's leap of faith and very generous gesture, my sweet friendHolly's Chip-In and other supportive efforts, the beautiful story of Rachel's niece Gracie, and my blog-friend Tammy. Others have donated as well and the ripples of blessing just keep going forth. Our friend Dave is now hosting a Ride for Grace in August for all you bikers in the Northwest Ohio area who would like to support Sufficient Grace. We are continually blessed and standing in awe of the beauty of God's people working together with willing hearts to fulfill His purposes.

Please pray for the following Coming Events...

Sufficient Grace Ministries Golf Outing
Saturday July 11, 2009 @ 1:30pm
Country Acres Golf Club, Kalida, Ohio
We still have openings for teams and sponsors if you are interested.
For more information, please visit the Coming Events Page on our website.

July 16, 2009 9:00am
Helping Hands Ministry is meeting at Harvest Fellowship in Hamler, Ohio to stuff and sew Comfort Bears for those who are interested in helping. All are welcome. No sewing experience necessary.

RIDE 4 GRACE
August 9, 2009
1st Annual Motorcycle Benefit for Sufficient Grace Ministries

ALL BIKES ARE WELCOME.

Ride will begin at Harvest Fellowship Church. 288 St. Rt. 109, Hamler, OH. Halfway Point is Perrysburg, OH (37 miles) and ending in Bowling Green, OH (31miles) (68 miles total)

Bikes Out at 2:00 p.m.

Suggested Donation of $10.00 per bike.

Information: Dave Amspoker 419-353-6258
daveamspoker@hotmail.com
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UPDATE to original post:
I just wanted to address a couple things, adding to my original thoughts on The Shack. While I enjoyed the book and felt there were some valuable insights regarding God's goodness and the idea of relationship, I am not saying that everything in the book is 100% biblical. And, I want to be cautious with that. I am not a theologian or a bible scholar, but there were a few things in it that I didn't understand, or wasn't quite sure about. However, there were other parts that were of great value, and spoke powerfully to my heart. And the message of the love Jesus has for us is beautiful. God uses many different avenues to speak to our hearts. But all things should be measured against His Word...the source of all Truth and Wisdom.

Having said all that, there are some things swimming around my mind and tugging on my heart right now. I'm not sure if I can share them because the demands of life are piling up around me, and they must have my attention soon. You've probably heard of the book, The Shack. I have been told by several people that it is an amazing book and I should read it. Actually, for more than a year the book has been brought before me in various ways. And I have resisted...partly because I knew some of the subject matter. I wasn't sure if I could read about some of the tragedy that was addressed in the book. And, partly because sometimes I feel like I spend so much time walking in the valley of the shadow of death...going to the places that can feel heavy...looking at the hurts that we often try so hard to avoid that I didn't know if I really wanted to visit those places in a book.

I picked it up off the shelf in the library this week, and opened it with trepidation. I have spent the last few days reading, and feeling ministered to. I'm not sure of all the theology or lack thereof in the words on the pages of this book. But, I feel as if the writer has taken me to a place where I have been standing on the outskirts, not knowing how to go in. A place that God has been whispering to my heart, telling me that it exists. But, I have not been living there. I don't have a handle on everything that was shared in this little journey to the Shack, or everything God is trying to minister to my weary heart. It will take some time to ponder. But, I do believe that He wants us to know that relationship matters to Him. He desires a relationship with us far more than all the rules and rituals we impose on ourselves. A relationship free from expectations and disappointments. And, He wants our relationships with others to be shrouded in the same beautiful love. Relationships covered in grace and love.

He has a peace for us...a peace that comes from abiding in the moment with Him, not feeling the regret of the past or looking to the future with the weight of worry. There is more to say about His goodness that is evident, even in the face of sorrow, tragedy and loss. So much to say. I'll be sharing more on this later. But, for now...I just want to say how thankful I am for all of you...and your part in my life. You have blessed me on this journey...and I love you all so much.