{"id":1951,"date":"2020-08-05T10:00:43","date_gmt":"2020-08-05T17:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ibimi.com\/?p=1951"},"modified":"2020-09-28T18:37:26","modified_gmt":"2020-09-29T01:37:26","slug":"sondergaard-august-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ibimi.com\/?p=1951","title":{"rendered":"Sondergaard August 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Dear Family and Friends:
\nA verse that has impressed me in the past but has become more real in recent\nmonths is Psalm 61:2 \u201c…when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that\nis higher than I<\/em>.\u201d Many things can cause being overwhelmed: fear, a loss, the\nnews, a personal hardship… Our response to being overwhelmed can either lead\nto multiplying fear or to peace from hiding behind God. It is from the place of\nGod\u2019s peace we can say, \u201cThe LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;\nmy God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my\nsalvation, and my high tower <\/em>(Psalm 18:2).\u201d\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right before a recent Wednesday evening service, Paul stepped outside to greet\npeople listening from their cars. A lady and her son were in their van and\nmotioned Paul over. Ida has come to church periodically for years and her son\nCyrus (now in his early 20s) has come since he was young. Cyrus had concerns\nabout assurance of salvation. Paul sensed he might not be saved. Cyrus had a\nBible and so Paul took him through several verses in Romans and John.\nMeanwhile, Ida wrote down the references and indicated they would look at the\nverses again later. For several years Cyrus has had attitudes of hardness and\ndisinterest and became involved in some dark things. This time though he was\ndifferent: a tender heart, openness, and expressing a desire to be right with God.\nWhen they reached Roman 10:13, Paul asked Cyrus if he would like to do what\nthe verse said. Cyrus said he would. After Paul prayed, he asked Cyrus if he\nwould like to pray too. Cyrus said he just did. Please pray for Cyrus. While God\nwas definitely working in his heart, he seemed to lack assurance or complete\nunderstanding. Also, please pray they would be faithful in coming to church.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are thankful for the church people who have faithfully come during the last\nfew months. Even though some stay in their cars or listen at home, it is\nencouraging to see their desire to hear God\u2019s Word. Kat, a lady who is visiting the\narea has been coming every service. Please pray for her salvation. She listens\nattentively and we have had some good talks with her, but she seems a bit\nconfused on salvation. Kat and Ida, just last week, went with Mrs. Messick to the\nladies retreat at West Branch. Pray for Simon who just got out of jail. Pray for\nMarkina (new Christian who needs to grow and make some right choices).\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This month we were working on a song to sing as a family. The\nsong we sang speaks of heaven and the reunion we will have with\nthe Lord Jesus and saved loved ones. As we sang, Hannah, who is\nnow five, said, \u201cI want to get saved right now. I\u2019ve been thinking\nabout it all day and I want to get saved.\u201d We immediately took the\nopportunity to talk with her and explain what salvation means.\nThen without any guidance on what to pray, Hannah prayed a\nsimple prayer of faith.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please pray for Paul\u2019s Mom. She has been fighting leukemia for over a year and\nhas become very weak. As we send this she is back in the hospital. Paul is\nthankful for a godly mother who is an example of loving God with all her heart.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With fewer services and less time with the people we\nhave had more time to catch up on some work around\nchurch. Paul built a new sign which will hopefully draw\npeople in. The old sign was falling apart\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

due to the weather and hot sun. The\nnew sign is designed to be easily\nrepainted and allows for changing\nservice times as needed. While installing\nthe new sign, a Roman Catholic man\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(John) walked by. We encouraged him with the thought that\nsalvation is a gift that Jesus gives. Please pray for John and for\nfuture opportunities to talk with him.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once again, we are thankful for each of you. Thank you for faithfully praying for the ministry here, for giving sacrificially, and for sending thoughtful notes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Praises:\n<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n