Randy’s December, 2011 Update:
Dave’s Journey:
“Like many of us, I have experienced many struggles in my life. Sexually abused at a very young age by adolescent boys, bullied all throughout school, a very abrupt passing of my loving father at age 12, my mother remarrying an in-disguise drug-addict three months after meeting him, emotionally and verbally abused at home throughout my teen years, and other numerous stories of challenge.
“While I count myself very fortunate to have known Christ since an early age, a lot of rage, bitterness and insecurity had built up in me over the years.
“I found myself newly relocated to the Chicago-land area, in a job I absolutely despised. My son and wife were struggling and being wounded in their new work and school environments.
“I came to a breaking point.
“It was then I was able to meet with Randy for the first time in a long time. I knew him through a mutual friend, and now that I was living in the Chicagoland area I was able to visit him.
“At the end of our visit, Randy posed the opportunity to meet with him on a regular basis for the purpose of spiritual development/mentoring. It was a prayer waiting to be answered for a very long time. I enthusiastically agreed.
“Today, a little over a year now of being mentored, I find myself, literally, a new man because of the work the Holy Spirit has done in me.
“It’s really not fair to put into just a few words all that God has done in me through this experience. I know that I may have never experienced the breakthroughs in my life without the investment this ministry has made in my life.
Examples of Some Breakthroughs:
“1. Although I am still in the early exploratory stages of this process with God, I am shedding layers of shame. This has granted me greater freedom: to not chastise myself, to not feel as deep a need to always achieve perfection in order to fill some internal void, to have a greater recognition of what I need/want, and to voice my needs/wants when appropriate.
“2. Throughout this process of recognizing, addressing, and correcting various sins and triggers in my life, God is granting me greater self-control and Truth over those things; they are rapidly losing their power. I can now readily distinguish between my true self and my false self. Because of that, I’m now better able to see in advance why I am reacting to different “triggers” in my life and am better able to cut them off at the pass and limit their damage.
“3. Because of the growth and healing God has empowered me with, through Randy’s guidance, I’m now more fully embracing my identity as a beloved child of God. As a result, I now have better relationships all around and am also being challenged in the fruit of the Spirit, as the Holy Spirit matures me.
A Shout Out For Randy:
“Randy’s gifts and passions are as powerful as they are clear. I know that because of the out-of-this-world insights he brings to my life every time we talk, the way he genuinely hears me out but also challenges me to take bold steps of faith and growth, and also treats me with dignity and friendship.
“I praise God for his care to not leave me the way I was/am and to do that by using Randy and Legacy Shepherding Ministries, Inc.” – Dave.
An Update On Dave:
Though Dave had many challenges in his life before I met him, I saw from the very start that he had a ton of potential just waiting to be unleashed.
I deeply believe that our gracious God is passionate about redeeming things (especially us) and then using them (us) for unexpected good. It’s been a joy and pleasure to have a front row seat, watching God use the difficult and unjust struggles of Dave’s past to transform Dave into a new and glorious creation. One who is better able to be the image of Christ in a hurting world.
Today, Dave no longer works at a job he despises. Instead, through a journey of liberation, he serves on staff at a church where he helps people make a positive difference in their lives through sports. (I don’t want to communicate that being on a church staff is more important, impressive, or a higher calling than serving anywhere else. Ministry is everywhere. It’s important to flourish where God leads us, and to use our gifts wherever they are needed. The church just happened to be where God led Dave in this season of his life). I don’t think this position is his final destination, but for him, it is a very positive step on his journey toward discovering his true vocation.
Thank You:
Looking back over these past updates, it seems clear that God is doing something profound here. These young people are doing amazing things through Christ, as they more fully live out their true vocations and purposes in this life. As they do, they are now better equipped to listen, love, and then lead. I’m so glad we’ve all gotten to be a part of it.
Thank you for your faithfulness and generosity. You have helped make all of this possible. And it seems like this is just the beginning. I dream of and envision multiplied impact, results, and life-change in the future.
This being the close of my year-end support-raising initiative, I’ll make one final unashamed year-end ask, because I believe so strongly in what’s happening here:
Will you please partner financially with me in this life-changing ministry? And will you please support this ministry in prayer throughout the year? You are needed.
The workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send workers into the harvest field.
May God bless you richly, whether you partner with me or not. Thanks for reading these letters! I hope you are enjoying them.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
In His love,
Randy
Note: The photos are from Flickr – Creative Commons.
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