Today I'd like to share how Encouragement From The Heart was started and why along with what changes the Lord has made since it began in 1996.

 

I was Prayer Chain Coordinator at our church and sometimes the Lord would place upon my heart certain people we'd prayed for.  He led me to send them notes of encouragement; of which some of these were simply signed, your sister in Christ.  This little ministry stemmed to outside the prayer list we received,  who ever He showed me needed encouraging I would pray for the words to write and the Scripture He wanted me to share.  This went on during a very difficult time in my life and God, in His faithfulness, knew this would keep my eyes mostly off me and on Him and the hurting ones He placed in my path.

 

Then John and I were introduced to the world of e-mail and the internet.  Someone sent me a devotional of a very dear brother in the Lord ( http://www.godsdailyword.org ); who we knew from church.  When I read the devotional I knew at once what the Lord was asking of me.  At that time He had laid upon my heart to reach out and encourage the women of our church, and beyond, with poems, short stories, allegories and the like.  So, I e-mailed Steve and shared with him what I felt led to do.  He was a tremendous help in getting me started; even down to protecting the names and e-mail addresses of the readers.  And what an encourager he and his wife, Sherry, where (and still are) when the first poem went out.

 

As time went on men started requesting to be added to our mailing list.  Cool stories, beautiful poems and neat little allegories were shared and the Lord brought back to me the desire to write poetry to and of Him (they can be found in the Encouragement's archives at the site listed below).  Within the past six months the Lord placed on my heart to encourage and/or exhort my brothers and sisters to hang in there with their individual walks.  To remind each one of us to remember that our citizenship isn't here - we are just sojourners here - our real home is in heaven.  And that while we are here to focus on Him and His ways not the ways of the world around us; to be the light on the hill for all to see.  With Him as the focus we might make better choices in our daily life; it's so easy to get caught up in the world around us which caters, like crazy, to the desires of our flesh.

 

The Lord's remained faithful with every change He's made.  It isn't always easy.  I have my valley's (Grand Canyon's some of them) and tests just like you have, but the Lord has always provided me the strength, as He does for you, to endure.  Each encouragement is the Lord encouraging and teaching me right along with you.  I am just like you, who are reading this.  I have no special knowledge, visions or visits.  What I have is a strong desire to live my life for the Lord Jesus and live it for Him abundantly to the best of HIS ability, as I pray you do.

 

Thank you for being such an encouragement to me through your e-mails, and your sharing HIS word with your loved ones and friends.  I look forward to growing in Him with you.

 

Remember, you have HIS strength to get you through this world to be content with where HE has you, and what HE's given you.  The promise to keep close at hand, "I will never leave you nor forsake you", says the Lord.

 

Have a joyous day in our Lord!
April
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The above message is sent to you as an encouragement.  Please feel free to pass this on to friends and family.  To add yourself or a loved one to the mailing list reply to  [email protected]   Subject:  "add to"  (to be removed indicate  "remove")
 
Stop by and visit  "Encouragement From The Heart" Website; Updated July 1999.   Special thanks to our  Webmaster, John!    Our God is Awesome!
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Ridge/1483/encourag.html
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