tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14528968963380847262024-03-15T17:04:41.865-05:00 LIFE ISSUES - An Addiction Recovery MinistryKeep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. ~Proverbs 4:23Life Issues Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03604694121776144118noreply@blogger.comBlogger183125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452896896338084726.post-85695537372379696222024-03-15T16:55:00.007-05:002024-03-15T17:04:10.729-05:00Monthly Update - January & February 2024Making a difference update, from the recovery field – January / February 2024 edition. Below are the highlights that happened in the Life Issues ministry over the last couple of months: <br /><br />I. Benevolence <br /><br />· Gave emergency night's stay to a man on 1-4-24. <br /><br />· Purchased a phone card for a man on 1-15. <br /><br />· We purchased supplies the last couple of months, for renovating a house that 3 of our men will be living in. <br /><br />· We paid a lady's electric bill on 2-5. <br /><br />· Gave box of food to lady on 2-16 <br /><br />· Helped homeless man with shelter on 2-17 & 2-18. <br /><br />· Helped a couple with their electric bill on 2-27-24. <br /><br />· We worked with HBF to help a man pay for his assessment and SATOP classes, so that he can get his license back, in late February. <br /><br />· We worked with HBF to help pay a lady’s rent in early March. <br /><br /><br />II. Jail update <br /><br />· I’m still discipling with an inmate @ Boonville (Ted), he just finished this course with me! His new release date will be sometime in mid-May, so we’ll look forward to seeing him and working with him on the outside in a couple of months! Ted and I talk almost every week and he’s very encouraging and looks forward to meeting our group and ministering to others. <br /><br />· Jim S. took a Jim took a box of Bibles to CCJ on 2-5-24. Jim is also still in contact with Terry, who will be released in November of this year. <br /><br /><br />III. Church <br /><br />· Several of our students and leaders are involved in discipleship: <br /><br />o D1: These folks are in our one-on-one continue discipleship material – Tracy W. is starting discipleship with Pam J. (lesson #1), Matt L. is with Steve F. (lesson #6), Larry O. is with Brady B. (lesson #6), Alana M. is with Betty A. (lesson #8), and Conner F. is with Rich Huber @ Harvest Baptist (lesson #11). <br /><br />o D2: Belinda F. is going through D2! <br /><br />o HBI: Pam J., and Mary W. are both taking a full load of classes in HBI. <br /><br />o TJH (The Journey Home): No one is currently going through TJH. <br /><br />o Brian R. is taking a 10-week class called “How To Disciple”, that began on 1-21. <br /><br />· We have a steady flow of students and former students who attend church (God’s support group) with us (many at different churches too), but recently I texted with a former student who’s been visiting HBF. She communicated with me that after a few years of withholding forgiveness from someone, that she has “fully forgiven” this person and now has peace in her heart. She went on to thank me for the time I spent teaching her and others and wanted me to know that she listened and is obeying the word of God that was invested in her, hallelujah! <br /><br />· Attached are pics of Kathy M. and Tracy W. with their new Bibles!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJZQPFSB7-Y7hyphenhyphenfyv33M9DGL5FDlDX1f1DmKuk9UpUluT6SesArOJDZTmrlQpGVbi1c3QCXz-P_WajL1zx9Oj1BUPErexIUyfKQTDjyWkcUFqXwT8VpVNPP-KLce7TzLPJLhf0bH0TQC2Ri7NjRFZhUDy5PWBUbWhYk4czMclGEdrD3oasbh5AcVqZgMu/s1920/Tracy%201-12-24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJZQPFSB7-Y7hyphenhyphenfyv33M9DGL5FDlDX1f1DmKuk9UpUluT6SesArOJDZTmrlQpGVbi1c3QCXz-P_WajL1zx9Oj1BUPErexIUyfKQTDjyWkcUFqXwT8VpVNPP-KLce7TzLPJLhf0bH0TQC2Ri7NjRFZhUDy5PWBUbWhYk4czMclGEdrD3oasbh5AcVqZgMu/s320/Tracy%201-12-24.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimoKb8LQRikKb8io_-GfE_spYhAZK6rwwCB9uz5ZALCc4mvlfAKg5exdxLVTXxf7d2b9btW4ZXsbRCir9PV1heGhFVW5hFPch17tcuKpVWhNFZ0kD7PrkHLeg5VKyQAcRmCD-o_NRRonqMpyHL51KnIB4TdGFVa78yT4etcr9OfqUFWWORYF0J7LEr4CbQ/s2016/Kathy%20Moore%202-4-24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimoKb8LQRikKb8io_-GfE_spYhAZK6rwwCB9uz5ZALCc4mvlfAKg5exdxLVTXxf7d2b9btW4ZXsbRCir9PV1heGhFVW5hFPch17tcuKpVWhNFZ0kD7PrkHLeg5VKyQAcRmCD-o_NRRonqMpyHL51KnIB4TdGFVa78yT4etcr9OfqUFWWORYF0J7LEr4CbQ/s320/Kathy%20Moore%202-4-24.jpg" width="240" /></a><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br />IV. Recovery <br /><br />· Matt A. completed Moral Recognition Therapy (MRT) on Friday December 8th with Pat L, but we just gave him his certificate of completion on 2-2 – See pic.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT7Hint6nXG5St72dwqaywuc65NWQcnku3Fo5hokxqUO9ZO1-X4QluaHaY9jgURDjgBcbTlMhYrkyQ9AD-ZicJFUbprCF_pbna9OpmvmWPZXGQJ2ddKqi-8mgdhguZ5oVRIvpESaZpiI86I1yJxsrtDLkZ7NqIPXX6R01dYUYOv_rQoUwJYm3J0T8zh9Un/s1920/Matt%20N%20Pat%202-2-24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT7Hint6nXG5St72dwqaywuc65NWQcnku3Fo5hokxqUO9ZO1-X4QluaHaY9jgURDjgBcbTlMhYrkyQ9AD-ZicJFUbprCF_pbna9OpmvmWPZXGQJ2ddKqi-8mgdhguZ5oVRIvpESaZpiI86I1yJxsrtDLkZ7NqIPXX6R01dYUYOv_rQoUwJYm3J0T8zh9Un/s320/Matt%20N%20Pat%202-2-24.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>· Matt L. completed his probation on 2-22.</div><div><br />· I helped Marissa L. get to a detox and treatment facility on 3-12-24, please pray for her to break her addiction to Fentanyl. <br /><br />· Chris Coen is leading our meeting every other week and is taking us through the 12 steps of recovery from the Life Recovery Bible. This is a very insightful study and we will be looking at step #4 on March 22nd, if you want to join us?! <br /><br />· As I told you a couple of months ago, Life Issues reached a milestone that I’m excited about, which is a church in Sullivan MO that has started a recovery group in their church, and the pastor is patterning their group from what we’re doing, and they’re calling it Life Issues! Pastor Josh has a leadership core of about 5 people who he plans to hand over the ministry to in a few weeks, PTL! <br /><br /> <br /><br />V. Events <br /><br />· Joe and Heidi Custin with a mental health organization called NAMI of Greater KC (<a href="https://www.nami.org/Home">Home | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness</a>) gave their testimony on 1-26 – see pic. This was an amazing night for us as we heard their testimony of drug addiction with their son and his mental illness, that eventually took his life. Their perspective was very insightful; feel free to pull up our you tube channel and listen / watch it, “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtLO6KGvjEM">Life Issues Ministry 1/26/24 (youtube.com)</a>”.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzfTA81iFLF3GNUBcRGML-xv-LvmmY3aBZWaOKNJkI7btejSDm6H1gU4WlESuGaW5NRTteVfm3yYPkYE-_PmdZhMU6hQLhIG90NYmOokSDN2TJ9-sWFJ5uT4QSKmgCFMEYyWI17gQ-mFm5HwESAeO8MXub_JphKDYJoE4HCPH6c5l3Mb44A7J5RzC4NUWI/s1012/Joe%20-%20Heidi%20-%20Steve%201-26-24%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="1012" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzfTA81iFLF3GNUBcRGML-xv-LvmmY3aBZWaOKNJkI7btejSDm6H1gU4WlESuGaW5NRTteVfm3yYPkYE-_PmdZhMU6hQLhIG90NYmOokSDN2TJ9-sWFJ5uT4QSKmgCFMEYyWI17gQ-mFm5HwESAeO8MXub_JphKDYJoE4HCPH6c5l3Mb44A7J5RzC4NUWI/s320/Joe%20-%20Heidi%20-%20Steve%201-26-24%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br />· Life Issues held our annual leadership on 2-10 this year and we had about 14 or 15 present. It was good to reflect on what God has done and is doing, and to look forward to what God is going to do with our group! The meeting ended with Chris and Lauren letting us know that after 2 years of trying to get pregnant, they are pregnant, PTL! <br /><br />· We had a bonfire on 3-1 on our church property, for our Life Issues meeting. It was fun and well attended. Sonic provided hot dogs and buns, and we had marshmallows and Hershey’s bars for smores, attached is a picture of Angie and I (it was a serious fire).<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVi0iXbfWvDbVNQf9fQiTUXkJeBk_KHFeI4JupM02XhnbrAJPZJCEouE2DHmtIVIx2XHztmZUvgzijHJCSFa2GX4stoIyqYerzK6PKtxTWDl-Kx5s0pX-7sGGkcZShD1kzhCB6IANyQnDt5RcOJnNa0Vp-B443E8f3EhxAP_FpTxMHUTDhxlzGa3FKYxJi/s1280/Angie%20N%20Steve%20Bonfire%203-1-24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVi0iXbfWvDbVNQf9fQiTUXkJeBk_KHFeI4JupM02XhnbrAJPZJCEouE2DHmtIVIx2XHztmZUvgzijHJCSFa2GX4stoIyqYerzK6PKtxTWDl-Kx5s0pX-7sGGkcZShD1kzhCB6IANyQnDt5RcOJnNa0Vp-B443E8f3EhxAP_FpTxMHUTDhxlzGa3FKYxJi/s320/Angie%20N%20Steve%20Bonfire%203-1-24.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>· We will be taking our annual group picture on 3-22 and preparing literature for our annual fundraiser (Homecoming), which will be held on 8-30 this year.</div><div><br /> <br /><br />VI. People <br /><br />· Several from our group have been taking Jimmie and Rosie food as she undergoes chemo for cancer. Rosie’s numbers are looking good and she feels good for the most part, now she will undergo radiation and surgery in a few weeks, prayers for her please. <br /><br />· Each year I hand-pick someone from our leadership group to receive our “Volunteer of the Year” award, and this year it went to Linda Jones – pic. Linda has been a key part of this ministry from the first day until now and is always selflessly giving of herself for others, whether it’s discipling, counseling, giving rides, watching kids, taking food to those in need, or whatever is asked of her, and she does it day after day and year after year, thanks for giving to the Lord Linda, I am so glad you gave!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinLAkP3CVRRv-VDbEOAgaPyno-aFrobXdt1qVlg2aqKeMP_bFxuecfGA43uq5dxabv4O_jVCSqlIyDI7y0WM1acU7lAG06zyw3X8Wz7u3VeGc8_SgQd0THTFotJIzBvQ3qOOMBRiPIByzZwrJnr8qIMcDOcbgq36N5nSPg1k2hc7ZpmXBUe7bs9qUZxgi1/s1920/Linda%20&%20Steve%202-16-24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinLAkP3CVRRv-VDbEOAgaPyno-aFrobXdt1qVlg2aqKeMP_bFxuecfGA43uq5dxabv4O_jVCSqlIyDI7y0WM1acU7lAG06zyw3X8Wz7u3VeGc8_SgQd0THTFotJIzBvQ3qOOMBRiPIByzZwrJnr8qIMcDOcbgq36N5nSPg1k2hc7ZpmXBUe7bs9qUZxgi1/s320/Linda%20&%20Steve%202-16-24.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>· I thought I would share a brief testimony this month since I was saved 32 years ago on 3-13. I have been saved / born again about half of my life now and it’s good to reflect on where I was and where God has brought me, and the work he has me involved in. After my salvation and discipleship, I was a deacon for 12 years and I’ve been a pastor for about that many and was ordained in 2021 (I think). In addition to the Life Issues ministry that I pastor, I’m HBF’s facility pastor and the ABF (Sunday School) pastor for The Foundation Class. I’m also in my 39th year at my job with Catalent Pharma Solutions, where I hope to retire in a couple of years. It’s a full life, but I have a faithful wife of 42 years, and I couldn’t do any of the things I do without her, and I wouldn’t be who I am without her and my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Angie and I have 2 children, 2 in laws, and 4 grandchildren, and we love them all dearly!</div><div><br />· I rejoice with the wife of my youth and am glad to report that she got to lead a lady to Christ last month and I got to lead a man to Christ this month! This week while helping the lady hooked on fentanyl get to a detox facility, I had a God moment after this lady told me “I owe you my life”. It’s hard to process that statement for me and I don’t take any credit, the glory is all the Lord’s! However, as I step back and look at my life and the grace I was given at salvation, when someone saved my life and soul, it makes me want to invest my life in a ministry effort to save and rescue others from death, via the gospel of Jesus Christ. <br /><br />· As you read this snapshot of my story and hear of how God is using me and Life Issues, please consider your own story and consider if you have a time and place in which you were saved / born again? If so, are you involved in ministry on some level, do you faithfully attend a local church and are you contributing to a Bible believing, soul winning cause with your time, talent, and treasure? I have a goal to finish well and a desire to hear “well done” at the end of my time here, and I would have no greater joy than to help maximize the time you have left too… <br /><br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br />· Please pray for God to use us mightily in 2024, for without him we can do nothing, but through Him we can do all things! Sincerely, Steve Fleshman – Life Issues pastor and founder, Proverbs 4:23…</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqHVqCeqzZ4QuNM-fXQPxvQo8dLB0o7CZGmbk7Tv_QRGQpyhzjJRPEFnv14ZZ0um1xwZTos5MbtqG2mT4XqaZ0dwlCGdC_BWkLsmfklZFZzNfI919YGpcZzkz-q0WMB412WtYp9HkCFYDItoMPj5uJ6hTqonTvQTH4YknTU6BuM223COG_0639TPo_z7N2/s2016/Kathy%20Moore%202-4-24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div></div></div>Life Issues Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03604694121776144118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452896896338084726.post-48407668461851388642024-01-11T12:48:00.007-06:002024-01-11T12:59:36.829-06:00Monthly Update - November & December 2023<div>Angie and I want to wish a Happy New year to each of you, I'm attaching a recent picture of us. </div><div>We really covet and appreciate your prayers !</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSwNrNxQmI9fsbGOTijefFvhcHv108aV8FoXuWULnBDIBNE_dHuYEID6Q4u7JdU-O1J2XeF536y-TL-JTZID3mwXYRyzwhT6ROENEeWWiqKduwbpv4rBxqutxH_pudT5f1RtFS3mHJ0aSeiBsYUuuJA3-pPMF2LMGhtlG0CIiU-77FLnrWeX-71Ww9U3aQ/s1920/Steve%20-%20Angie%2012-30-23%20-%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1371" data-original-width="1920" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSwNrNxQmI9fsbGOTijefFvhcHv108aV8FoXuWULnBDIBNE_dHuYEID6Q4u7JdU-O1J2XeF536y-TL-JTZID3mwXYRyzwhT6ROENEeWWiqKduwbpv4rBxqutxH_pudT5f1RtFS3mHJ0aSeiBsYUuuJA3-pPMF2LMGhtlG0CIiU-77FLnrWeX-71Ww9U3aQ/s320/Steve%20-%20Angie%2012-30-23%20-%201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Making a difference update, from the recovery field – November / December 2023 edition. Below are the highlights that happened in the Life Issues ministry over the last couple of months:</div><br />I. Benevolence <br /><br />· We distributed a Thanksgiving meal that was donated for a family on 11-16. <br /><br />· We put gas in a man’s tank on 11-26, so that he could get to work. <br /><br />· We distributed 3-4 boxes of food to families in need, in the month of December, and 21 or 22 for the year (from food that we purchased or food that was donated by HBF members). <br /><br />· This year, I got to play Santa Claus with other people’s money; 2 separate families gave me $400 each to distribute anonymously for them, below is how I spent the $800: <br /><br />o $150 went to O’Riley Automotive to pay for parts for a man’s car. <br /><br />o $100 went to buy a bicycle for a man with no transportation – see pic<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEe_t32PzYLd-v1tNdj1-IIuvV7-ZvHJSY2UufV1U4rEBveW6H21AxyuMF06oFk5AWkWUBuilovIVroYtIEmYq4gbfuh042WUKCiMh-WEKUgs6yAlag6WT_X8c_xSi951WCNcWj7X1OFEMu3z8HYhyaP8VFlemPH7tCE6s0dKkcGCRavy5NOIGzvRhiBO_/s1424/Larry%20and%20bicycle%2012-16-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1424" data-original-width="1124" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEe_t32PzYLd-v1tNdj1-IIuvV7-ZvHJSY2UufV1U4rEBveW6H21AxyuMF06oFk5AWkWUBuilovIVroYtIEmYq4gbfuh042WUKCiMh-WEKUgs6yAlag6WT_X8c_xSi951WCNcWj7X1OFEMu3z8HYhyaP8VFlemPH7tCE6s0dKkcGCRavy5NOIGzvRhiBO_/s320/Larry%20and%20bicycle%2012-16-23.jpg" width="253" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>o $300 went to help a single lady pay her rent.</div><div><br />o $100 went to a man to help him pay his rent. <br /><br />o $125 went to help a couple pay for their electric bill. <br /><br />o $100 went to a single mom to help with Christmas. <br /><br />o $75 went to buy a giant print KJV Bible for a lady who only had a Morman Bible. <br /><br />· As you can see, I spent $950 (Life Issues pitched in a little too)! <br /><br /><br />II. Jail update <br /><br />· I’m still discipling with an inmate @ Boonville (Ted), he’s on lesson #6 of 7 in our correspondence. We’re also putting money on his books so that he can make phone calls, we talk almost every Sunday evening. Ted is getting released in March, and we were able to help him with his home plan, so we will see him soon. <br /><br />· I’ve personally written to 3-4 inmates in the last couple of months and I know Jim Stovall has too. Please read this excerpt from one of the men that Jim is writing to: <br /><br />TM's testimony… "<i>I read my Bible completely through 9 times in 2023 - praise the Lord Jesus Christ for his mercy and grace! The washing of water by the word sure beats all the TV and media most everyone else consumed in 2023... Well, I'm in Mark now on reading my Bible through (10th time this year) so I hope to finish Revelation by the end of this month! Either way I praise my Savior for having read his book that many times this year! The fastest I've ever read my Bible was 17 days! I read it thru twice in 40 days last year this time! I love the genealogies now whereas prior to 2023 I dreaded reading all the names! Now they are some of my favorite parts of scripture! It’s amazing that what I once dreaded reading in scripture I now love and what I once loved reading are no longer the most exciting parts of scripture to me! Amazing! TM"<br /></i><br />· We ran an attendance report for a man on 12-12, so that he could submit it to help with a legal issue in KS. <br /><br />· Jim S. took a box of Bibles to Cass County Jail in early December, and I mailed a box of Bibles to the prison in St. Joseph MO, to their Chaplin for distribution – see pic</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikyFT4GZTtcS-K5BGb3lG9IxpzufigNMLBcrunshFnxmRe0182zVOIZELAXv_SbmStEZqLRo52Z1EO7RRXaM9zmOpi_PzThiOcTfaz9i_vT8MzWH-3MkJtNGZFOFAcrQ6lnvypHygqM8jzud4pIdsfWMhlSjfC6wO9-LqPxi49RYy_C7lwiUZ4fu9BH4p7/s1920/Bibles%20for%20prison%201-3-24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1920" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikyFT4GZTtcS-K5BGb3lG9IxpzufigNMLBcrunshFnxmRe0182zVOIZELAXv_SbmStEZqLRo52Z1EO7RRXaM9zmOpi_PzThiOcTfaz9i_vT8MzWH-3MkJtNGZFOFAcrQ6lnvypHygqM8jzud4pIdsfWMhlSjfC6wO9-LqPxi49RYy_C7lwiUZ4fu9BH4p7/s320/Bibles%20for%20prison%201-3-24.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>III. Church</div><div><br />· Several of our students and leaders are involved in discipleship: <br /><br />o D1: These folks are in our one-on-one continue discipleship material –Brian R. just finished with Pat L., Matt L. is with Steve F. (lesson #4), Alana M. is with Betty A. and are on lesson #8. Conner F. is with Rich @ Harvest Baptist (lesson #10). <br /><br />o D2: Belinda F. is going through D2! <br /><br />o HBI: Pam J., and Mary W. are both taking a full load of classes in HBI. <br /><br />o TJH (The Journey Home): No one is currently going through TJH. <br /><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Sarah led Raquel to Christ on 10-11-23 – see pic. </li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD0Qjt5QMi0E4zMxMBFOnR57qUUgU6TOidD9qF5ugi5e3I_IC2v8R3WS8yQAKVMo2YkTa-DEvl9DUaOwr1iG0jOkFRUDJEpeb6QT-fRHyzsdJcc9wDpdLnJ3SGSabCYY_wytWLLUO3srxrhr5oO5O_0HZXpMBZ4GRZ8NS5Lw1jorqFS63Gds_HDG6CK5Wp/s1599/Raquel%2010-11-23.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1599" data-original-width="1204" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD0Qjt5QMi0E4zMxMBFOnR57qUUgU6TOidD9qF5ugi5e3I_IC2v8R3WS8yQAKVMo2YkTa-DEvl9DUaOwr1iG0jOkFRUDJEpeb6QT-fRHyzsdJcc9wDpdLnJ3SGSabCYY_wytWLLUO3srxrhr5oO5O_0HZXpMBZ4GRZ8NS5Lw1jorqFS63Gds_HDG6CK5Wp/s320/Raquel%2010-11-23.JPG" width="241" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Jeff A. cried out for salvation over the phone with me on 12-6-23 – see pic.; Jeff’s getting baptized soon. </li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDsEqsvbYyT38y2U5G_KS-jw3fYEgcXmj8W59rXfsIIg8opsn796cv7VyQ-G8Z6Mi1jTrSAyixEyahJyccm3FwmtGenO6XSvewRVtXHgqri9_gHfnig2RxY5zA1GgDiTJT-ZlX6TJQSaYV7JRmVCJxtaj_PCvMkdBo47Tp0_VRBJ1nCttjVSCrE1UMoV_w/s1280/Jeff%20Allen%201-3-24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDsEqsvbYyT38y2U5G_KS-jw3fYEgcXmj8W59rXfsIIg8opsn796cv7VyQ-G8Z6Mi1jTrSAyixEyahJyccm3FwmtGenO6XSvewRVtXHgqri9_gHfnig2RxY5zA1GgDiTJT-ZlX6TJQSaYV7JRmVCJxtaj_PCvMkdBo47Tp0_VRBJ1nCttjVSCrE1UMoV_w/s320/Jeff%20Allen%201-3-24.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Becky W. received Christ by faith at our meeting on 12-8-23 – see pic; she’s getting baptized on January 14th. </li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP-I9GQVUlV_9xdBXt8NSTkQ6JS6nNygyt59-vHvch-7pXe5x93xyKkBhuZy8hmRVnxGr_DDHdYwxnobKRfVcYygH03ItUdQkV1m_dIDbCrjPs2DXYZB_-tNrK3DR14XOt6gZ65-Wb6NaErNCdkO0ucd8hwxj_yR7jcJ6UmevM0n4xG2bq4gxH1-nahU2d/s853/Becky%20Wilhelm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP-I9GQVUlV_9xdBXt8NSTkQ6JS6nNygyt59-vHvch-7pXe5x93xyKkBhuZy8hmRVnxGr_DDHdYwxnobKRfVcYygH03ItUdQkV1m_dIDbCrjPs2DXYZB_-tNrK3DR14XOt6gZ65-Wb6NaErNCdkO0ucd8hwxj_yR7jcJ6UmevM0n4xG2bq4gxH1-nahU2d/s320/Becky%20Wilhelm.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Anthony B. received Christ by faith at our meeting on 12-22-23, he’s getting baptized in Feb.</li></ul></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />· I counted 11 people who have made professions of faith in 2023 (that I know of), who are connected with our ministry, “This is the LORD'S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.” Ps. 118:23 <br /><br /> <br /><br />IV. Recovery <br /><br />· Matt A. completed Moral Recognition Therapy (MRT) on Friday December 8th with Pat L. <br /><br />· Jenny G. now has two years off meth and a year off alcohol and a year off marijuana and in February she will have two years off cigarettes! <br /><br />· We ran an attendance report for a man on 12-12, so that he could submit it to help with a legal issue in KS. <br /><br />· Life Issues provided 7 hours of community service for Tracy W. to keep her out of suspension. <br /><br />· We updated our LIM website with addiction poem on 11-20, and a new link on 1-2-24, feel free to check it out at <a href="http://www.lifeissuesonline.org/">www.lifeissuesonline.org</a>. <br /><br />· Life Issues reached a milestone that I’m excited about, which is a church in Sullivan MO is starting a recovery group in their church, and the pastor is patterning their group from what we’re doing, and they’re calling it Life Issues and using some of our material, here is a message from their pastor – Steve… Thanks so much for sending me everything. I really appreciate it! Our first meeting is Thursday night, January 11th. I am doing a preview of the program tonight (1-4) for our church family and some community leaders so they can come and see what the program is all about. I appreciate your prayers my friend. Thank you! <br /><br /> <br /><br />V. Events <br /><br />· One of the events that I was a part of this year was helping to distribute “Christmas Boxes” of food to less fortunate families, in need of a boost with buying a big meal for their family. HBF collected food items for the boxes, and a handful of us delivered them to the homes of the families. This year we distributed 13 full boxes (family of 4 or more) and 11 partial boxes (less than 4 people in home). Anyway, usually about half of the folks, or more, are connected to our ministry, so it was a blessing to help distribute the food and visit with folks in their home, PTL! <br /><br />· I know that several other Christmas gestures were done by our group, here’s a couple of them. One lady went in with other neighbors to pay for a family’s rent in December. Also, one person from our group saw a need that another lady had, and collected a big box of kitchen items and we gave them to that person anonymously. <br /><br />· As you probably know, Life Issues has an end of the month testimony, and we had Jaylon Taylor come up from Mount Vernon MO to share, and this was a special night. Jaylon is a 22-year-old young man who was hooked on Heroin but is now a born-again believer who is a dynamic preacher – see pic of him and I from 12-29.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGqONgvxmPzaJX8DqtZ_MOlYLETpJk6-QeR0RuimyyXo6-mEA0j11xEF-FewZOfu6tM-lhryHbchqdDpUolz3ZUCw7Cb8i2H3JvtHPKW-XohKt2GqQn-_9DN2qzoLtwUU_dZfAw3B-82LOIInci05AP8pKCNBScWu5RWxQC4IH1PgtYGMZz__ao3g_qx5I/s1920/Jaylon%20N%20Steve%2012-29-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGqONgvxmPzaJX8DqtZ_MOlYLETpJk6-QeR0RuimyyXo6-mEA0j11xEF-FewZOfu6tM-lhryHbchqdDpUolz3ZUCw7Cb8i2H3JvtHPKW-XohKt2GqQn-_9DN2qzoLtwUU_dZfAw3B-82LOIInci05AP8pKCNBScWu5RWxQC4IH1PgtYGMZz__ao3g_qx5I/s320/Jaylon%20N%20Steve%2012-29-23.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />VI. People <br /><br />· The story below is about a family in our church who requested that I give them the names of some families that I think could use some gifts for their children for Christmas, who may not be able to afford much. I gave them the names of 2 families in need that I knew of and 2 other families that could probably also use some help. As it turns out, they decided to give gifts to all 4 families (13 children). There were 4 big piles of presents for these 4 families and even gifts for the parents, it was amazing for me to help distribute some of the gifts (one lady shed tears of joy). It was not only a blessing for the folks who received the gifts, but also for the family who donated them, as you will read: <br /><br />" <i>Isn't it wonderful that our life is hid in God? That Christ loves through us? Every day I remind myself that I am a piece of empty conduit that the Lord flows through. And how I desire to remain empty so I in my flesh don't plug up that flow to others! <br /><br />The biggest miracle I think that happened for providing for the families was a random neighbor I barely know asked if I might need bags of clothing that they needed to be rid of! <br /><br />This family had real small babies, so I did not expect any clothing to match the families in need. <br /><br />When I saw the sizes, I consulted those bags of clothing in my garage and wouldn't you know it, their little girl wore sizes up and they matched the needs! <br /><br />Another family pitched in also with things last minute as God had also moved in their hearts to give away every year and happened to that very week go through their items to give away with like sizes. And was making a drop off to donate that coming week! <br /><br />Another blessing was a small business endeavor that never went anywhere containing over one hundred fifty-dollar tree items they allowed us to take back and swap for toys for the children! <br /><br />I know you asked for a paragraph or so, but it was overwhelming what God did to provide the gifts to give. When he lays a desire on one's heart, he never leaves us alone to fulfill it. He walks with us each step of the way to show us that we are never alone in anything that he asks of us to do. That's just our God! <br /><br />Thank you for allowing us to give and serve and love on these families this year! It truly was an honor to let Jesus' love this Christmas be poured out on someone other than ourselves! "<br /></i><br /><br />· Please pray for God to use us mightily in 2023, for without him we can do nothing, but through Him we can do all things! Sincerely, Steve Fleshman – Life Issues pastor and founder, Proverbs 4:23…</div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Life Issues Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03604694121776144118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452896896338084726.post-44293080105580493802023-12-13T11:46:00.006-06:002023-12-13T11:46:47.461-06:00Monthly Update - September & October 2023Making a difference update, from the recovery field – September / October 2023 edition. Below are the highlights that happened in the Life Issues ministry over the last couple of months: <br /><br /> <br /><br />I. Benevolence <br /><br />· We have a box of food to a lady on 9-15, another to a lady on 10-14, and 3 boxes of food on 10-29. We’ve had several people coming to us for food recently, so on 11-2 we had to go to the grocery store and purchase more food, so that we have 6 boxes assembled and ready to help others. <br /><br />· Life Issues paid 1 month's insurance for man to get his vehicle legal on 10-5, and also assisted him in getting his license on 10-23. <br /><br />· We worked with HBF to help pay rent for man on 10-6, and also helped a lady with rent in late October. <br /><br /> <br /><br />II. Jail update <br /><br />· I’m still discipling an inmate @ Boonville (Ted), he’s on lesson #4 of 7 in our correspondence. We’re also putting money on his books so that he can make phone calls, we talk almost every Sunday evening, and he’s getting released in March. <br /><br />· A man who does jail ministry in another county (Sam Maston) has had inmates asking for copies of our discipleship lessons so that they can work through them on their own, and we sent them 10 hard copies. <br /><br />· Please pray for Cass County Jail to approve of our coming into their facility soon, with the leader we’ve proposed, this is an urgent prayer request. <br /><br />· One a sad note, I went to the sentencing of a former student of ours on 11-8, who was found guilty in February 2023 of a federal drug possession & distribution case. Jason P. received a 30-year sentence for his crimes and he’s in his mid-40’s now, so we may not see this man on the outside again, please pray for him. <br /><br /> <br /><br />III. Church <br /><br />· Our recovery group cleaned the church on 10-27. <br /><br />· I got to baptize our granddaughter on 10-8 – see pic!<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7RrDRUYkOrvoyj7LbuCLWCOW6ej5zpIcovkHoIioVQUs8stKTnlgrl8-St0CQif7ULC5FkAmcWPQECycoBmeMm1jYqHWQe_2DB37gze5TiRxb3ONx5UQ3x3Oz914jL1P_jLQYoBYW7-6Z_BEMjbn83qxUr9zhck-Jymnq80zJiMzvkNSwE4iwQUGT5KlO/s1920/Angie%20-%20Ava%20-%20Steve%2010-8-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7RrDRUYkOrvoyj7LbuCLWCOW6ej5zpIcovkHoIioVQUs8stKTnlgrl8-St0CQif7ULC5FkAmcWPQECycoBmeMm1jYqHWQe_2DB37gze5TiRxb3ONx5UQ3x3Oz914jL1P_jLQYoBYW7-6Z_BEMjbn83qxUr9zhck-Jymnq80zJiMzvkNSwE4iwQUGT5KlO/s320/Angie%20-%20Ava%20-%20Steve%2010-8-23.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>· Larry O. placed membership at HBF on 10-15 – see pic. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoODAOMpPXaCPF-E3TNRwlN43e5JEhlOwbXe0DRh0oQ8k1nKPrgHBPNp_9bGuz7kUQLKzvw_QquaKIPz3GYDo7z2DllCQorO8qEHboCM3qWF_K9nzSWtgdbx1DHuLPoF0ZfmrWXTfZR8BU_4DIAWtDWSEFRtOlUXxTXJ-N0lcknoZdLIwSE1leWlddQMJH/s2016/Steve%20N%20Larry%2010-8-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoODAOMpPXaCPF-E3TNRwlN43e5JEhlOwbXe0DRh0oQ8k1nKPrgHBPNp_9bGuz7kUQLKzvw_QquaKIPz3GYDo7z2DllCQorO8qEHboCM3qWF_K9nzSWtgdbx1DHuLPoF0ZfmrWXTfZR8BU_4DIAWtDWSEFRtOlUXxTXJ-N0lcknoZdLIwSE1leWlddQMJH/s320/Steve%20N%20Larry%2010-8-23.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>· Several of our students and leaders are involved in discipleship:</div><br />o D1: These folks are in our one-on-one continue discipleship material –Brian R. is with Pat L. (lesson #16), Matt L. is starting with Steve F. (lesson #1), Alana M. is with Betty A. and are on lesson #6. <br /><br />o D2: Belinda F. is going through D2! <br /><br />o HBI: Pam J., and Mary W. are both taking a full load of classes in HBI. <br /><br />o TJH (The Journey Home): Conner F. completed TJH in June and will be giving his testimony tonight, he also started discipleship @ his church, we’re very proud of this young man! Kevin F. is starting TJH with Brian R. <br /><br /> <br /><br />IV. Recovery <br /><br />· Larry O. received his 12-year coin from AA on 9-21 – see pic of Larry and I.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXOdmmwk5kP9ZcI81TtDkuNTDl5RvRuBdv_40BNoDse7RbxTTc6ZEAtkSO-ZWXS5oiK4kYdfKzUQ-_4_2POdoSys1xsqaaLL5Sp5y2i-qXU96BN5HAJtVAUZ5U7vPIXSGm2EY_OZZGp95gCn2Hra98Qn7HfVXFnsJvO_L7Z3dlE9k8klAyVKqYBpszi9PC/s2016/Steve%20N%20Larry%2010-8-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXOdmmwk5kP9ZcI81TtDkuNTDl5RvRuBdv_40BNoDse7RbxTTc6ZEAtkSO-ZWXS5oiK4kYdfKzUQ-_4_2POdoSys1xsqaaLL5Sp5y2i-qXU96BN5HAJtVAUZ5U7vPIXSGm2EY_OZZGp95gCn2Hra98Qn7HfVXFnsJvO_L7Z3dlE9k8klAyVKqYBpszi9PC/s320/Steve%20N%20Larry%2010-8-23.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>· I wrote a reference letter for a former student of ours on 11-7, who’s trying to get DFS and the court to allow her and her husband to have custody of some of her relatives’ kids, so that they don’t go into foster care, please pray that the powers that be to grant our request.</div><div><br />· Matt A. is working on Anger issues in Moral Recognition Therapy (MRT) and has been doing a good job so far, through the first 5 Modules. There are 8 Modules to complete and graduate to suffice for the Judge in Children’s Division per DFS. <br /><br /> <br /><br />V. Events <br /><br />· A couple of follow up items on our annual fundraiser, our “Homecoming” event: <br /><br />o We mailed out Bill-Me's on 9-16, to those individuals who chose to give after the event. <br /><br />o We mailed out Thank You notes to businesses who supported us on 10-16. <br /><br />o Our final income amount was almost exactly $12,000 (which was our goal), PTL! <br /><br />· Several of our Life Issues folks helped with HBF’s Harvest Party, this year’s event was the largest ever (438 people), and God gave us perfect weather – see pics of Joelle and Larry, and Marcy L. and gbaby. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigPCG0IEfOj-vReAEc_bFE3IWz2A1GxOpjlW36bN_QpnDrrSECylNidGd7t6QRTgZ6thfT_Dk9QbO2uaI5_LgRS97AdPacpovWBPWAs25gVWBGJrrQ7mWgGezqtY6Ey25RfpPzVfEODp5Nd2EKoaudVqo4Kg98dXBRLB87fG4oTf_qvOLueWJy0PsAC4UD/s2016/Joelle%20N%20Larry%2010-21-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigPCG0IEfOj-vReAEc_bFE3IWz2A1GxOpjlW36bN_QpnDrrSECylNidGd7t6QRTgZ6thfT_Dk9QbO2uaI5_LgRS97AdPacpovWBPWAs25gVWBGJrrQ7mWgGezqtY6Ey25RfpPzVfEODp5Nd2EKoaudVqo4Kg98dXBRLB87fG4oTf_qvOLueWJy0PsAC4UD/s320/Joelle%20N%20Larry%2010-21-23.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNuFiy9wygKqELmdWf9d-6Ky52qBt-9bqJdVIcAQLH392aq6388hCdGLQSfZf0LoSrEk0tvwkWtAhn_yGaEhonTPhIDSEa95gEMQ22waAhE2yCPp1v1obm8MRE3vZcTO2z90iljFGpM40TW3AF4vTaawVUFC1FyCpkIKBIuMAfLJIjIWCg3ADf5IviNmcT/s2016/Marcy%20and%20gbaby%2010-21-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNuFiy9wygKqELmdWf9d-6Ky52qBt-9bqJdVIcAQLH392aq6388hCdGLQSfZf0LoSrEk0tvwkWtAhn_yGaEhonTPhIDSEa95gEMQ22waAhE2yCPp1v1obm8MRE3vZcTO2z90iljFGpM40TW3AF4vTaawVUFC1FyCpkIKBIuMAfLJIjIWCg3ADf5IviNmcT/s320/Marcy%20and%20gbaby%2010-21-23.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>· Three of our lady leaders just got back from a 5-day mission trip to Monmouth Illinois, where they helped lead a VBS for the children at our sister church there, we’re very proud of these ladies and their dedication to the Lord.</div><br /> <br /><br />VI. People <br /><br />· Kevin's coworker, William T., accepted Christ on 10-10; we’re so proud of Kevin and so happy for William! <br /><br />· Caleb shared a moving testimony about what God is doing in his life with his children on 10-14, at HBF’s men’s retreat – see pic.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5x1WNDGz4lMXyMGysymrjLX9YhLEPBgjtb76bWRmRb4lOQ7seQQyvy3cLhniGpIyYuUA3-VDmGN3UU-Hx8WDBZpDCJp7TNqEkI5wfbabDFC5KnOjyzDzLVrJWCV5gWShbau6-SMEm-14tJYvGYeDuvDpEqO4ABFsw8m1bteXRPUjMKfaKi8tkHr_jDwCD/s2016/Caleb%2010-14-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5x1WNDGz4lMXyMGysymrjLX9YhLEPBgjtb76bWRmRb4lOQ7seQQyvy3cLhniGpIyYuUA3-VDmGN3UU-Hx8WDBZpDCJp7TNqEkI5wfbabDFC5KnOjyzDzLVrJWCV5gWShbau6-SMEm-14tJYvGYeDuvDpEqO4ABFsw8m1bteXRPUjMKfaKi8tkHr_jDwCD/s320/Caleb%2010-14-23.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div></div><div>· I wanted to highlight Cammie Shaffer’s testimony (Frannie’s daughter) about Harrisonville’s food pantry in this update. Cammie has now been HBF’s leader over it for about a year, and is doing an excellent job; she is also now on the board there, and I’ve asked her to share her heart about serving the Lord in this capacity, here is what she wrote: <br /><br /><i>"It has been an honor to serve my amazing LORD above through HBF at the Shepherd's Staff Food Pantry in Harrisonville. When asked to assist. with this and represent HBF at the Shepherd's Staff Food Pantry, I was honored yet terrified of what this all meant. I prayed about it and the LORD led me to acceptance. <br /><br />Over the past year, myself and others who have shined Jesus light at the Shephard's Staff Food Pantry have learned a lot of things. We served 7 Fridays throughout 2023, assisting with making up shopping carts of food for those who are in need or need a little cushion to get by for the month. Everyone should be open to allowing the Shepherd's Staff Food Pantry in the Harrisonville community to help them out when needed. Food at the Shephard's Staff Food Pantry comes from multiple places, Harvesters, stores in the community that donate monthly, churches that donate monthly and If there is a truck that comes in at the WM distribution center that the center is not able to accept, if the food items are acceptable for donation, the drivers can contact the food pantry and donate as well. If the Shepherd's Staff Food Pantry is unable to store all donated items from these trucks, then Harvesters is contacted, and Shepherd's Staff Food Pantry in Harrisonville donates to Harvesters which is helpful throughout the metro as well. All of this food would go to waste if we did not have this pantry for it to be donated to. So, it is a blessing to this community to have such an option. <br /><br />HBF now has a member on the Shepherd's Staff Food pantry board (me). HBF now has a designated month (October) to share information about HBF and different opportunities that are available at HBF. The month of October is also HBF's designated month to collect food items for the Shepherd's Staff Food Pantry. Every Friday through out October HBF had a team shining for Jesus by sharing packets of information to anyone open to it coming through the pantry line. HBF's team was able to hand out over 800 packets to the community. The packets contained HBF service times and other information, Life Issues information, harvest party information and “Jesus Loves You” bracelets. (We did give out a few dog treats as well, which pet owners enjoyed the thoughtfulness.) <br /><br />I want to express a gigantic THANK YOU!! to all who have assisted at Shephard's Staff Food Pantry over the past year. Couldn't have done it without you. I look forward to sharing the light of Jesus to anyone who will listen, throughout the next year. Thank you HBF for this wonderful opportunity."</i> Cammie Shaffer<br />“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 <br /><br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br />· Please pray for God to use us mightily in 2023, for without him we can do nothing, but through Him we can do all things! Sincerely, Steve Fleshman – Life Issues pastor and founder, Proverbs 4:23… <br /><br /> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Life Issues Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03604694121776144118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452896896338084726.post-4851604921867923812023-09-18T10:16:00.004-05:002023-09-18T10:34:25.409-05:00Monthly Update - July & August 2023Making a difference update, from the recovery field – July / August 2023 edition. Below are the highlights that happened in the Life Issues ministry over the last couple of months (new format): <br /><br /> <br /><br />I. Benevolence <br /><br />· We gave a box of food to lady on 7-14, and a couple of others that I didn’t record the dates. We are in the process of purchasing some more food and restocking our Morsels For Many food pantry. <br /><br />· We worked with HBF to pay a man’s rent on 8-6. <br /><br />· We gave emergency housing to a lady on 9-1 & 9-2 prior to her going into a treatment facility. <br /><br />· I took a man to a “Sobering Facility” on 8-26, from there he went to detox for a week, and from there he went to a halfway house, please pray for Trevor T. – see pic. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7D0JttKcQ1FPM-glzk1ezRp_16FYLBXZBSUbmWb23l2VWDy5ZSvbVrP_QqBZE4XeCnv2Nisef1QgbzIIqcAU7wNH-QqHsPnftcSmI_XXg4pNdS8zj2St4Dg7Qew59O3E0AkgmitWfnuuJ_X0sDWeyrH7iA_MVlBJx-eCz_3CTjN0aTEQY9-J6b_ukz5mz/s1920/Steve%20N%20Trevor%208-26-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7D0JttKcQ1FPM-glzk1ezRp_16FYLBXZBSUbmWb23l2VWDy5ZSvbVrP_QqBZE4XeCnv2Nisef1QgbzIIqcAU7wNH-QqHsPnftcSmI_XXg4pNdS8zj2St4Dg7Qew59O3E0AkgmitWfnuuJ_X0sDWeyrH7iA_MVlBJx-eCz_3CTjN0aTEQY9-J6b_ukz5mz/w240-h320/Steve%20N%20Trevor%208-26-23.jpg" width="240" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />II. Jail update <br /><br />· I wrote to an inmate (Ted) on 7-18, he’s getting out next March; Ted requested a copy of our church’s prayer list so that he could be praying for us. <br /><br />· Here’s a letter from a man that Jim Stovall is writing to (pretty wild)! <br /><br />o Hello brother! I went to Potosi death row camp for a few months! Now I am at Farmington! I was in the hole and no access to a tablet. Potosi is crazy DANGEROUS! 3 dudes killed his own cellie while I was there! Now these dudes here are on some prison games! I arrived at Farmington yesterday morning! This is treatment. The parole board stipulated treatment. Someone stole my new Bible from my property. I have one that's tattered and torn that works. Its actually the one from St Jo that your church provided! So, praise the Lord Jesus Christ! So, I was preaching on the door in the hole at Potosi daily - street preaching style! So, I do thank the Lord God all those level 5 men heard the gospel! Even some death row inmates received the gospel of Jesus Christ! They hated the preaching of the cross! The Moslems were deep there they were very much in opposition to the words of God! The LORD strengthened me and gave me more wisdom than ALL my enemies! Amen! Glory to his name! I'm back in the book of Revelation on my 9th reading through the holy scriptures! I plan to write you more later. Now I'm trying to settle in and avoid fights and conflict, but both are inevitable here! May God richly bless you brother! <br /><br />· Please pray for Cass County Jail to approve of our coming into their facility soon, with the leader we’ve proposed, this is an urgent prayer request. <br /><br />· One last thing about jail ministry that I’m excited about, is that Word First Bible Publishing <a href="https://wordfirstpublishing.org/">(wordfirstpublishing.org)</a> just finished publishing 500 Life Issues Bibles on 8-19-23!!! We will be sending these to jails and prisons (via chaplains). <br /><br /> <br /><br />III. Church <br /><br />· Our recovery group cleaned the church on 8-4-23 and will again on 9-15, see pic of Kevin.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGfIBfBUoSHqCzr7fpvUkuNetbhjrxi0Tj3iGZz4HLVB_ZpqtEulY2CA_FyrUW73kHh7G6N8i-hBdJ21TozWWM90aVLWznr3V1r9TpesXHBWZ2zu54uSn4CThYru9zvk1EXe4asB_A60gzE1PwIpgCfX1b9PjZLIfP33zk6arJllmmt-EGBS1_ZfVK91o_/s1920/Kevin%208-3-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGfIBfBUoSHqCzr7fpvUkuNetbhjrxi0Tj3iGZz4HLVB_ZpqtEulY2CA_FyrUW73kHh7G6N8i-hBdJ21TozWWM90aVLWznr3V1r9TpesXHBWZ2zu54uSn4CThYru9zvk1EXe4asB_A60gzE1PwIpgCfX1b9PjZLIfP33zk6arJllmmt-EGBS1_ZfVK91o_/s320/Kevin%208-3-23.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>· Several of our students and leaders are involved in discipleship: <br /><br />o D1: These folks are in our one-on-one continue discipleship material –Brian R. is with Pat L., and Sarah J. just finished with Pam J on 8-30, and Sarah got baptized on 9-10 – see pic.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>o D2: Belinda F. is starting D2 this month! <br /><br />o HBI: One of our lady leaders, Pam J., is taking all 4 classes, so pray for her to press towards the mark. Mary Webster just returned to us from California and is also taking all four HBI classes, see her testimony below. <br /><br />o TJH (The Journey Home): Conner F. completed TJH in June – see pic! Kevin F. is starting TJH with Brian R.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPm2rmY1K6dGknQEe7Kyy-bFTgqcvX6wIbczO1HxoJa870KFEpdEq_lGISSBBfdi_9FF77VY7j_abQC54jeHk9xFPvaacJdO2yGYq8Wo0prsq1m0oB6naxwFhCpiD293Ce7NbA32tnzFKBCFh66KNexCnkwLXJjR_iOc_68SBM9BAEmJaGiklG0xIvGeIb/s1280/Pat%20N%20Conner%207-28-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPm2rmY1K6dGknQEe7Kyy-bFTgqcvX6wIbczO1HxoJa870KFEpdEq_lGISSBBfdi_9FF77VY7j_abQC54jeHk9xFPvaacJdO2yGYq8Wo0prsq1m0oB6naxwFhCpiD293Ce7NbA32tnzFKBCFh66KNexCnkwLXJjR_iOc_68SBM9BAEmJaGiklG0xIvGeIb/s320/Pat%20N%20Conner%207-28-23.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>IV. Recovery</div><div><br />· Our ministry experienced some tragedy the last couple of months as we had to said goodbye to 3 separate ladies who passed into eternity. One was an accident, one was caused by disease, and one was a suicide. All 3 will be dearly missed, so please pray for the families of Kayla, Wendy, and Allison. <br /><br />· We had a man and his fiancé come to use requesting a parenting class and an anger management class, so that they could get her son back into their home. DFS and foster care are requiring these things and the man has met with our pastor to get things started. Pat Lee is working with the man on anger management and things are going well and this couple are coming to our church, PTL! <br /><br />· We recently helped a lady move out of a bad living situation (9-8), into a better environment, but please pray for this dear lady. <br /><br /> <br /><br />V. Events <br /><br />· Our “Homecoming” fundraiser was a huge success and we had about 80 people present and raised about $11,500 for our addiction recovery ministry, PTL! Check out attached pictures! <br /><br />o Group pic.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaNTubVyWj3CM96D5CCKSFtVHizejNrzh89hylbQ3vQPs4ceDD4VN9AqdaGUAv72ZefsOfkQV87YhO1rB15vJjkRX8Im5DuuiV13VHm0x3XncD-bgFK4MvVZAoYntRirrMzKpnOjkGx78WpHFKVrRjiPr2lkXcn9T5q9Rw9TelpTaxeRbXRoLkwf3DI9Th/s1024/Homecoming%20-%20crowd%209-1-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaNTubVyWj3CM96D5CCKSFtVHizejNrzh89hylbQ3vQPs4ceDD4VN9AqdaGUAv72ZefsOfkQV87YhO1rB15vJjkRX8Im5DuuiV13VHm0x3XncD-bgFK4MvVZAoYntRirrMzKpnOjkGx78WpHFKVrRjiPr2lkXcn9T5q9Rw9TelpTaxeRbXRoLkwf3DI9Th/s320/Homecoming%20-%20crowd%209-1-23.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>o Picture of Judge Howe and me. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhul8HGV6RlX_muVY_SR1YkGPukX2UVnOXsx04MnYSACZs_vc_BNlFad7zL-y86ozyFNYEQTuC1DnVtEgDySLg9Lp0eSZgs0E_hjjnosIh65wYpjvi8m9Ztj1imqfscoEWGFY9d-ck_HkllHb1sYeEz1rU1XqbXxe0ftXofck8O6CT1bz8ghl5a9MGKtKmd/s1200/Steve%20N%20Judge%20Howe%209-10-23.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhul8HGV6RlX_muVY_SR1YkGPukX2UVnOXsx04MnYSACZs_vc_BNlFad7zL-y86ozyFNYEQTuC1DnVtEgDySLg9Lp0eSZgs0E_hjjnosIh65wYpjvi8m9Ztj1imqfscoEWGFY9d-ck_HkllHb1sYeEz1rU1XqbXxe0ftXofck8O6CT1bz8ghl5a9MGKtKmd/s320/Steve%20N%20Judge%20Howe%209-10-23.JPEG" width="240" /></a><br /><br /><br />o Picture of me awarding volunteer of the year award to Pam Jackson.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjePYhieVGcMKZhomA-Ri8LAzJ3ASsGe4EYk4Td_gfspc5KcRJCI6OTgRf0GzLoFQfsq6VOwwmwOwvnPLwyGtdwsqCskeu7V6sU16CkU8dL0aR0E22c0-gX7Oy964sk5Tj3Vix6b5V17ojer898PLBGkjsV8cHLtjeia8kaT--r7MBXXXnR42Xh0WCQhQ3K/s1200/Steve%20N%20Pam%209-1-23.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjePYhieVGcMKZhomA-Ri8LAzJ3ASsGe4EYk4Td_gfspc5KcRJCI6OTgRf0GzLoFQfsq6VOwwmwOwvnPLwyGtdwsqCskeu7V6sU16CkU8dL0aR0E22c0-gX7Oy964sk5Tj3Vix6b5V17ojer898PLBGkjsV8cHLtjeia8kaT--r7MBXXXnR42Xh0WCQhQ3K/s320/Steve%20N%20Pam%209-1-23.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>o Picture of Chris Coen presenting a gospel message.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLqSquvT_lb_1VFs1JcF3gjsWGLWFGZTH4Nye8EMRh7dZfmaVkwDF-lLCLHWU-3Zix4CWhI8fDPjhoPO3lgfiNR8q4o1ob61aMuoefV_1n-UaTD5urSqaaczrwM9Cn2kMAXV3DBp_tpp7XwkQ0njERR9CRhtft7KJBnd5U57fY9dwcy-8Wp9FLFznPdpJX/s1200/Chris%209-1-23.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLqSquvT_lb_1VFs1JcF3gjsWGLWFGZTH4Nye8EMRh7dZfmaVkwDF-lLCLHWU-3Zix4CWhI8fDPjhoPO3lgfiNR8q4o1ob61aMuoefV_1n-UaTD5urSqaaczrwM9Cn2kMAXV3DBp_tpp7XwkQ0njERR9CRhtft7KJBnd5U57fY9dwcy-8Wp9FLFznPdpJX/s320/Chris%209-1-23.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>VI. People</div><div><br />· Debbie Corum's most recent post: <a href="https://www.debbiecorum.com/post/the-whisper-of-a-friend">https://www.debbiecorum.com/post/the-whisper-of-a-friend</a> Debbie is Bill’s wife, and both of these folks are prolific speakers and friends of our ministry, and we are trying to enlarge Debbie’s reader base, so feel free to pull up her blog and subscribe to it! <br /><br />· Heather Haddad spoke @ Congressman Mark Alford's Fentanyl Forum on 8-7 – see pic.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMfkEBG3dqQAMenCOrM28Gb5xVhdLUdOZGn-GvIutTIc62qgGfNBKbMq5IuKSeVU5NNKoqnbSIvsY663I0hCcd49mU4NSxL8KBrhXCao-4I-apj8bNsEZPu3T5PQseSZr7v_tZLOsiw3FTTfKtyWDcpqMfPJhYaS-4Bf2-bIqgnLtGvZ3r2IdYpHqAINLg/s675/fentanyl_8-7-23.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="540" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMfkEBG3dqQAMenCOrM28Gb5xVhdLUdOZGn-GvIutTIc62qgGfNBKbMq5IuKSeVU5NNKoqnbSIvsY663I0hCcd49mU4NSxL8KBrhXCao-4I-apj8bNsEZPu3T5PQseSZr7v_tZLOsiw3FTTfKtyWDcpqMfPJhYaS-4Bf2-bIqgnLtGvZ3r2IdYpHqAINLg/s320/fentanyl_8-7-23.JPG" width="256" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Here's a testimony of one of our new members;</div><div><br /></div><div><i>"Hi, my name is MW. I am a new yet former member of HBF. My desire to become a part of the Life issues ministry comes from my calling to help the lost and addicted. My experience with addicted and lost people is a family matter. Don’t we all wish we could find a way to lead our lost and addicted family members to the freedom we find in Jesus Christ. My prior ministry experience at HBF was with Prisoners of Hope ministry and prior to that I was also a Divorce Care facilitator at a church in Gardner KS in 1998. I originally joined HBF in 2008 thanks to David McKittrick, a former coworker inviting me to Church. I was baptized at HBF and completed Discipleship 1 and 2. I am currently enrolled in HBI and look forward to applying what I am learning to help others and bring them to the love and grace of Jesus Christ. I became a Christian in 1992 thanks to my daughter April who asked me to go to an Easter Pageant with her. My desire then as well as now was to reach the lost people. You do not find lost people in your church pew, they are your neighbors, family members and coworkers. You never know whose life you will impact, my goal through Christ Jesus and this ministry is to impact as many people as I can. The other members that are part of this ministry are also ministering me. I am impacted and encouraged by them to keep trying to reach my family and neighbors. Thanks for allowing me to be a part of this essential ministry. "</i><br /><br /> <br /><br />Please pray for God to use us mightily in 2023, for without him we can do nothing, but through Him we can do all things! Sincerely, Steve Fleshman – Life Issues pastor and founder, Proverbs 4:23…<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> <br /><br /> <br /><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><br />Life Issues Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03604694121776144118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452896896338084726.post-80680102046908283292023-09-18T09:56:00.005-05:002023-09-18T09:59:26.167-05:002023 Homecoming ... a big THANKS !!<p>Pastor Steve & the Life Issues Addiction Recovery program want to shout a big</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /> <b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Thanks !!</span></b></p><p>to those who attended our big Homecoming meeting, and to those who provided financial support for Life Issues to continue helping and recovering the addicted and their families. </p><p><br /></p><p>Below are some pics from our meeting, and a list of business sponsors that make it all possible</p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBD5ZKSdiN2WAaEsW0euy-9dfdHiYc_VO-hyFPcPXb5LEe13XlmVEd3dW18Ed7xvq_GB0VWk1KJSMUuVlmc5GCpXjlhcdN7NIxWvD_6MQrmc2bBNOFAipS3nhsqRfUcDn4JvGQfrEcEDwn2IvlbzUFGMZqjTQxbt-B-I1S0erMSK_IcJ2mb7G1SiH8P2Dw/s1200/Steve%20N%20Judge%20Howe%209-10-23.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBD5ZKSdiN2WAaEsW0euy-9dfdHiYc_VO-hyFPcPXb5LEe13XlmVEd3dW18Ed7xvq_GB0VWk1KJSMUuVlmc5GCpXjlhcdN7NIxWvD_6MQrmc2bBNOFAipS3nhsqRfUcDn4JvGQfrEcEDwn2IvlbzUFGMZqjTQxbt-B-I1S0erMSK_IcJ2mb7G1SiH8P2Dw/s320/Steve%20N%20Judge%20Howe%209-10-23.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX1JjyR3FeYihJLFo_sdkKSyqoDVqzj5tqjWR-vGBuQ1xakazqWswaDmuleemhv8KYfaHgnzB144OeUSZ6k2oUcdr1PKN7mdrgnjxsI-sCcCAawlAWyz40g9y6EWPC2IlvVLB6mhqyO6DEaQyUCElEgCZ-95V2xrtabs922yKA2cgmETrjA2lpDxiu7-ua/s1200/Chris%209-1-23.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX1JjyR3FeYihJLFo_sdkKSyqoDVqzj5tqjWR-vGBuQ1xakazqWswaDmuleemhv8KYfaHgnzB144OeUSZ6k2oUcdr1PKN7mdrgnjxsI-sCcCAawlAWyz40g9y6EWPC2IlvVLB6mhqyO6DEaQyUCElEgCZ-95V2xrtabs922yKA2cgmETrjA2lpDxiu7-ua/s320/Chris%209-1-23.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1hyH-ncNeqKGmfkkXl-kxUX9Mqaz9ZVrpx_3B_Qdy02X-GsA3Tzq7Uy_G09M5W7kLa93weKQSmYPjLyglpcLl8hpotXd-GysvqO2eDAezXYUq7JJzE_XpXV9ggihq1xE2i-3dxo83y566TdiCeYYnWHGOHgWmp7W-LSo4T9bajY3cuFgg9aHVkb-cWtzk/s1024/Homecoming%20-%20crowd%209-1-23.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1hyH-ncNeqKGmfkkXl-kxUX9Mqaz9ZVrpx_3B_Qdy02X-GsA3Tzq7Uy_G09M5W7kLa93weKQSmYPjLyglpcLl8hpotXd-GysvqO2eDAezXYUq7JJzE_XpXV9ggihq1xE2i-3dxo83y566TdiCeYYnWHGOHgWmp7W-LSo4T9bajY3cuFgg9aHVkb-cWtzk/s320/Homecoming%20-%20crowd%209-1-23.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIcXom6x2kYdacXf6wzCa0oXT7XoVw2WKux67SfOSOBZh6MtaIex46yJtgkm-rMzPdxsMw3gwhRW6IfkQo07d04Ubm2vaHTmfASGf7dYUYNkNfmeFAF4jqpsYmvntl0Gl2NjXRzTrDNivrPvx8nFg06igtnT9q3RTT9sNLDO7kXJJfC6yTGaWUKcC3x2pD/s1200/Steve%20N%20Pam%209-1-23.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIcXom6x2kYdacXf6wzCa0oXT7XoVw2WKux67SfOSOBZh6MtaIex46yJtgkm-rMzPdxsMw3gwhRW6IfkQo07d04Ubm2vaHTmfASGf7dYUYNkNfmeFAF4jqpsYmvntl0Gl2NjXRzTrDNivrPvx8nFg06igtnT9q3RTT9sNLDO7kXJJfC6yTGaWUKcC3x2pD/s320/Steve%20N%20Pam%209-1-23.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNDiqtt9gPyfpTYGgI3qDN8dpKhBGQN4dEhMABFwv2inPvotuaw19krRtRTiEYuJzChanFMkfnIZPHhShE0Pl0QRq8SvbCCsVCuwBQ9LJJtct78aIuFVUG46Ux4e6wVIp5lIEEQzNx1mtHFFSlLGunmpxC4Nz2B-pZ-LNPWdZim7biSp_6-sqzNTJNdHRA/s960/Slide3.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNDiqtt9gPyfpTYGgI3qDN8dpKhBGQN4dEhMABFwv2inPvotuaw19krRtRTiEYuJzChanFMkfnIZPHhShE0Pl0QRq8SvbCCsVCuwBQ9LJJtct78aIuFVUG46Ux4e6wVIp5lIEEQzNx1mtHFFSlLGunmpxC4Nz2B-pZ-LNPWdZim7biSp_6-sqzNTJNdHRA/s320/Slide3.PNG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOwXpq0EoZr9aKZqCIo7AK3oS9SqvsGAtoJ_x77JQVbxYe27BGJ4r1IfTUJ5-YJPf0_D3_38gfFEwNRIcQudmHO4F7LWZx68xVO8tW_IiwfE4tx-1VoTQeEi2A_LTgb_DgnyL9s0Il3vSeMe6WH9ptc-m0isAplotaAeUgv3H8mjsfGoFbLIa5E18e2aP4/s960/Slide4.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOwXpq0EoZr9aKZqCIo7AK3oS9SqvsGAtoJ_x77JQVbxYe27BGJ4r1IfTUJ5-YJPf0_D3_38gfFEwNRIcQudmHO4F7LWZx68xVO8tW_IiwfE4tx-1VoTQeEi2A_LTgb_DgnyL9s0Il3vSeMe6WH9ptc-m0isAplotaAeUgv3H8mjsfGoFbLIa5E18e2aP4/s320/Slide4.PNG" width="320" /></a></div><br />Life Issues Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03604694121776144118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452896896338084726.post-46693939492127974262023-08-18T13:06:00.008-05:002023-08-18T13:11:02.727-05:002023 Homecoming !!!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Join your Life Issues friends & family for our </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">HOMECOMING CELEBRATION !</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We have lots of exciting things planned for the celebration event</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><ul><li style="text-align: left;">Free fellowship dinner</li><li style="text-align: left;">Raffle & door prizes 'O plenty</li><li style="text-align: left;">guest speakers & testimonies</li></ul></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div><span face=""><b>Friday September 1st, 2023</b></span></div><div>7PM till 9PM<div><span face=""><br /></span></div><div><span face=""> * for 2023, we are replacing our Recovery Walk for an exciting and new "Homecoming" event , we hope you can make it.</span></div><div><br style="background-color: #bbbbbb; color: #333333; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.85px; text-align: start;" /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWn3X8TdHVRNLcF_nxkFNr1FoLaJR1pnezWAXfPAZ4bgYIsAuwBRTExokNtkPAM0oxAmQsZixfJykerU0VwOZwaQuqm0QlG0Lx15LBRthkXy8AINr9w4IpSu4xQtteucqYZN6vqk9QjzobzFbeoHFbzdRQ7MM25b5YAIlq0qIBlWP4myOAblrQ9wSvY2VS/s900/2023%20Homecoming.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="695" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWn3X8TdHVRNLcF_nxkFNr1FoLaJR1pnezWAXfPAZ4bgYIsAuwBRTExokNtkPAM0oxAmQsZixfJykerU0VwOZwaQuqm0QlG0Lx15LBRthkXy8AINr9w4IpSu4xQtteucqYZN6vqk9QjzobzFbeoHFbzdRQ7MM25b5YAIlq0qIBlWP4myOAblrQ9wSvY2VS/w309-h400/2023%20Homecoming.jpg" width="309" /></a></div><br /></div></div><br /> <p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Life Issues Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03604694121776144118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452896896338084726.post-84212719625733066862023-07-10T16:00:00.005-05:002023-07-13T09:02:14.996-05:00Monthly Update - May & June 2023Making a difference update, from the recovery field – May / June 2023 edition. Below are the highlights that happened in the Life Issues ministry over the last couple of months (new format): <br /><br />I. Benevolence <br /><br />· We gave a couple of boxes of food away over the last two months, one on 6-26 to a man who called the church and asked for food, which was the last one that we had. Since then, Pam J. and Theresa G. have reorganized and made up 3 more boxes and will be purchasing some food items needed in order to restock and keep up with the needs of our Morsels for Many food pantry. <br /><br />· Life Issues paid a security deposit for an inmate (5-22), to secure housing upon release (10-23). <br /><br />· We helped one of our leaders with a need on 5-11. <br /><br />· We paid the electric bill for a lady student on 6-9. <br /><br />· We also paid a car payment for one of our men students on 6-10. <br /><br /> <br /><br />II. Jail update <br /><br />· I wrote to an inmate on 5-23. <br /><br />· One of our ladies gave a lady inmate a ride home to Pleasant Hill on 6-15, from the Cass County Jail @ the request of the Public Defender’s Office. <br /><br />· We worked out a plan with an officer at the Cass County Jail in Harrisonville MO, to hand deliver a box of Bibles to them every other month and we began on 5-9, and another on 7-6! <br /><br />· I am also please to announce that our Prisoner’s Of Hope (POH) jail ministry will soon be starting again, we are discerning who the leader will be and will be building a team around him and hope to be ready to start going into the Cass County Jail around Labor Day (I’ll share more as I know). <br /><br />· One last thing about jail ministry that I’m excited about, is that Word First Bible Publishing <a href="https://wordfirstpublishing.org/">(wordfirstpublishing.org)</a> will be printing some Life Issues Bibles this fall, meaning that they will have our custom Life Issues cover on a King James Bible, and will also include the plan of salvation, discipleship lessons, as well as some Life Issues content inside of each one, hallelujah! <br /><br /><br />III. Church <br /><br />· Our recovery group cleaned the church on 6-30! <br /><br />· Several of our students and leaders are involved in discipleship: <br /><br />o Caleb L. completed How to Disciple on 6-25, so he can be ready to mentor others! <br /><br />o D1: These folks are in our one-on-one continue discipleship material –Brian R. is with Pat L., and Sarah J. is with Pam J. <br /><br />o D2: Suzanne R. and Pam A. completed D2, and Belinda F. is enrolled to start D2 in August! <br /><br />o HBI: One of our lady leaders, Pam J., is taking all 4 classes, so pray for her to press towards the mark. Pam is also taking a summer course in Kansas City about the role “Emotions” has in our lives. <br /><br />o TJH (The Journey Home): Kayla C. completed TJH in May, and Conner F. completed TJH in June! Nichole D. is on lesson #1 with Suzanne R. <br /><br /> <br /><br />IV. Recovery <br /><br />· We ordered 24 Recovery Bibles on 6-29, we have them available for purchase and we also give them away to people when they complete our program. <br /><br />· One of the greatest confirmations that we are on the right path and that we need to keep our doors open, is when I see people returning to us after having gone back to the world. In the last 2 months, 2 folks have come back to us and more importantly, to the Lord. <br /><br />· Kevin F. is one of the two and he is a bright spot in my life, and we welcome him with open arms. The other is Jenny G. and she shared a before and after picture with me that I want to share with you; she is very zealous for the Lord and hungry for truth and we’re very excited about the next chapter in her life – see pic.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTeTjXItZYRZpe2Sdwf0lMy-KU3aGZkkOtr4_sTL2O_CGvArq8npFZrfNtbqp-DSdxyrYOkNCgDjxyQ2heYxL1iFb-XUEXgPjxYFryDeI8hrk9XLmMSzlexqOGN1rSXkHyDQlIL5JR9oSJxUK8JuTLvSFDe7UesWmnTdTLFZpekyxOGc6XZlXSFXMSGBH8/s888/Jenny%205-23-23.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="888" data-original-width="486" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTeTjXItZYRZpe2Sdwf0lMy-KU3aGZkkOtr4_sTL2O_CGvArq8npFZrfNtbqp-DSdxyrYOkNCgDjxyQ2heYxL1iFb-XUEXgPjxYFryDeI8hrk9XLmMSzlexqOGN1rSXkHyDQlIL5JR9oSJxUK8JuTLvSFDe7UesWmnTdTLFZpekyxOGc6XZlXSFXMSGBH8/s320/Jenny%205-23-23.jpg" width="175" /></a></div><br /><div> </div><div>· Caleb L. received his 2-year milestone tag in June and Molessa A. got her 3-year tag on 6-30 – pic.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXHe4V2Eu18XCk6Qe9VSUb-Wru_BNDzhA_FuuJVOtMj_sYnSI-XNxc8f0h5lEfWMlTDqeQj4iEgtYRZGTUtD58hqqNIoaystMvfyoelu3Ad35gUbmiPTAN-tHThZCcER38r1SDMvNYWraM0e6YgGiaNnnznU7KUcvbDXSWs96XLLgor3AjZFVG-uc1BdDQ/s2016/Steve%20-%20N%20-%20Molessa%206-30-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXHe4V2Eu18XCk6Qe9VSUb-Wru_BNDzhA_FuuJVOtMj_sYnSI-XNxc8f0h5lEfWMlTDqeQj4iEgtYRZGTUtD58hqqNIoaystMvfyoelu3Ad35gUbmiPTAN-tHThZCcER38r1SDMvNYWraM0e6YgGiaNnnznU7KUcvbDXSWs96XLLgor3AjZFVG-uc1BdDQ/s320/Steve%20-%20N%20-%20Molessa%206-30-23.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <br /><br /><br />V. Events <br /><br />· Luke Fleshman finished a 3-part series called "Planning for Life's Issues" with our group on 5-26 - see pic of him and I. This series wasn’t as well attended as I had hoped but I think that all present were given things to think about as we try and be good stewards of our monies. I believe that this is one of the classes that we need to offer each year in order to give a holistic approach to recovery, so hopefully we can.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoG_4lLi602tHWn20CK4yHICWS39hChcdivws-GfwIcvYodMGtdjuppw4-qrv_iB7El3dD0SzCx50PZex9R59KjbZ3NDNOt9QwOBdVPuWThoPlgT7XhkmsUz9YPw3xO2i2XZqJ7dspPwJ8GqbYzt_ZDs1DeCuwXL8DhpWIvwhlrZGOop6Rp_vhOomtdB9h/s2016/Luke%20-%20N%20-%20Steve%205-26-23.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoG_4lLi602tHWn20CK4yHICWS39hChcdivws-GfwIcvYodMGtdjuppw4-qrv_iB7El3dD0SzCx50PZex9R59KjbZ3NDNOt9QwOBdVPuWThoPlgT7XhkmsUz9YPw3xO2i2XZqJ7dspPwJ8GqbYzt_ZDs1DeCuwXL8DhpWIvwhlrZGOop6Rp_vhOomtdB9h/s320/Luke%20-%20N%20-%20Steve%205-26-23.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>· We typically have someone give their testimony on the last Friday of each month and at the end of June, we had Sarah Elizabeth Jeffries give her testimony and we also had 6 of HBF’s youth share their salvation testimony, so it was a special night – see pic of Sarah or you can hear it yourself if you go to the link below, her testimony starts at about 38 minutes into the video. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3LCV2V_X1o">Testimony Night! - YouTube</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyc1fJDBaNr4VNO5h6w_GlpofakgfsY67G43NNIekQD5W8ZAydt41Iggm_xX_qIeJ6fW0PFy_AqbyfJTj6S37W6MtQ3hd3BKsxldvt0I3abfEmAbj6E3w5EikWm0WjXVaddmIXn1PA_fjfqlgvx5likGsgnIIV3VRRcFouklbhmy4yXS9g8o5FDD1xNNXS/s2016/Sarah%20Eliizebeth%206-30-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyc1fJDBaNr4VNO5h6w_GlpofakgfsY67G43NNIekQD5W8ZAydt41Iggm_xX_qIeJ6fW0PFy_AqbyfJTj6S37W6MtQ3hd3BKsxldvt0I3abfEmAbj6E3w5EikWm0WjXVaddmIXn1PA_fjfqlgvx5likGsgnIIV3VRRcFouklbhmy4yXS9g8o5FDD1xNNXS/s320/Sarah%20Eliizebeth%206-30-23.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br />· I think Sarah gave one of the best testimonies that we’ve heard, it is certainly one of the most dramatic ones, and it is clear that God has done a work in her life, and I hope you will take time to listen to it. Not only were her words spirit filled, but I gave an invitation at the end and one man responded and accepted Christ into his life, PTL! <br /><br />· Each 4th of July, HBF hosts an event called “Spark in the Park” at the Harrisonville City Park. Pat Lee leads this outreach and all HBF members are encouraged to come and pass out patriotic gospel tracks and share the gospel with all who come out to watch fireworks. Pat said that there were several HBF members and several Life Issues folks who came out to help and that God gave them some divine appointments. <br /><br />· HBF will be sending a team to the Dominican Rebublic in August on an evangelistic Mission Trip, and I’m excited to say that 2-3 members of the team will be our Life issues leaders; I’ll be able to rehearse what God is going to do in my next update in September. <br /><br />· On Friday September 1st, 2023, Life Issues will be hosting our 11th annual fundraiser. This year, instead of our Recovery Walk, we are hosting a “Homecoming Fundraiser” in which we will attempt (by God’s grace) to raise $12,000 as former and current students work this Pay-It-Forward project to help future students that God brings our way. We will be contacting businesses and individuals in our efforts to raise support and we invite you to participate in our fundraiser by choosing one of three levels of sponsorship: <br /><br />o Gold level sponsor: $250 or more. Your business name will be featured on the back of our event T-shirt and will be recognized in our social media and promotional material. (NOTE: we must have your donation pledge by Aug 20th in order to make the t-shirt printing deadline) <br /><br />o Silver level sponsor: $100-$249. Your business will be recognized on social media and on big screen signage on the day of the event. <br /><br />o Bronze level sponsor: Non-monetary gifts, i.e., gift certificates, coupons, etc. Your business will be recognized on social media and on big screen signage on the day of the event. <br /><br />· All our staff are volunteers, so your generous donation will go entirely to offsetting the ongoing costs of the program that includes activity expenses, benevolent expenses, meeting expenses, technical expenses, and supplies for our students and their families / children. To donate online, visit our website at www.lifeissuesonline.org and click the “Donation Button” on the right side of the home page. <br /><br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br />VI. People <br /><br />· Debbie Corum's most recent post: <a href="https://www.debbiecorum.com/post/ark-building-101">Ark Building 101 (debbiecorum.com)</a> Debbie is Bill’s wife, and both of these folks are prolific speakers and friends of our ministry (Bill will be at Life Issues on July 28th, 2023), and we are trying to enlarge Debbie’s reader base, so feel free to pull up her blog and subscribe to it! <br /><br />· We also picked up a homeless man for church on 6-11, and after church, our own Pat Lee led him (Ronnie W.) to Christ. This was one of the clearest “darkness to light” conversions that I have witnessed, and Ronnie kept saying to us in the car after church, that he physically felt different and that his eyes were opened and he had the “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding” (Php. 4:7). After that day, we connected him with Chris Newby’s ministry in Clinton, where Ronnie worked for a few days before getting a bus ticket to go back home to Colorado. I never tire of seeing people’s names being written in the Lamb’s book of life! <br /><br /> <br /><br />· Please pray for God to use us mightily in 2023, for without him we can do nothing, but through Him we can do all things! Sincerely, Steve Fleshman – Life Issues pastor and founder, Proverbs 4:23…</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> <br /><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br />Life Issues Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03604694121776144118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452896896338084726.post-42796865931818034642023-05-18T09:52:00.003-05:002023-05-18T10:00:41.146-05:00Monthly Update - March & April 2023Making a difference update, from the recovery field – March / April 2023 edition. Below are the highlights that happened in the Life Issues ministry over the last couple of months (new format): <br /><br />I. Benevolence <br /><br />· Gave a box of food to lady on 3-27, and another box to a man on 5-4. <br /><br />· Helped a man and his wife pay for their meds while husband was in jail. <br /><br />· HBF helped a Casey's worker with they’re electric bill on 4-20. <br /><br /> <br /><br />II. Jail update <br /><br />· We’re still writing to Ted while he’s incarcerated and sending him lesson #2 of discipleship soon. Ted is set to be released in September and he has a job lined up, so he will need help with lodging and transportation, etc. <br /><br />· We sent a Bible to an inmate on 3-29. <br /><br />· We sent a box of Bibles to a Chaplin in women's prison in Vandalia on 4-4-23, and another box to a Chaplin at Tipton Correctional Center on 4-17-23! <br /><br />· We have also worked out a plan with an officer at the Cass County Jail in Harrisonville MO, to hand deliver a box of Bibles to them every other month and we began on 5-9, hallelujah! <br /><br /> <br /><br />III. Church <br /><br />· Our recovery group cleaned the church on 3-31 & again on 5-12! <br /><br />· Two folks joined HBF from our recovery group 4-16, Nichole and Kayla (and husband, Justin) – see pic. Nicole’s daughter, Mia, prayed to be saved on 3-31 with us!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEz2qf8Fl1wUnl_brHg_6Jae6Ppo_5PEl-VfI3vxqqSnC_IClGxRUlW-0Bwn8KlmMwFZqGMmRUVsxLt6iGtA3IlsJLcTn_uO_0gHtGECVPyumHlBuWRYQclh7HZt7IH-yODnPfS3mm98nnOrdj3Qj5RA29K3oSsoKt5svFpZfCVyLxrX_Bx5EFnt4UXQ/s2016/New%20members%204-16-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEz2qf8Fl1wUnl_brHg_6Jae6Ppo_5PEl-VfI3vxqqSnC_IClGxRUlW-0Bwn8KlmMwFZqGMmRUVsxLt6iGtA3IlsJLcTn_uO_0gHtGECVPyumHlBuWRYQclh7HZt7IH-yODnPfS3mm98nnOrdj3Qj5RA29K3oSsoKt5svFpZfCVyLxrX_Bx5EFnt4UXQ/s320/New%20members%204-16-23.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div> <br /><br />· Several of our students and leaders are involved in discipleship: <br /><br />o D1: These folks are in our one-on-one continue discipleship material – Krystal W. is with Kelly T.; Chuck H. with Dave B., Ed M. with Chris C., Brian R. with Pat L., Kalee R with Linda J.; Sarah J. with Pam J. <br /><br />o D2: Suzanne R. and Pam A. are in D2 and are about a third of the way through this 9-month class! <br /><br />o HBI: One of our lady leaders, Pam J., is taking all 4 classes, so pray for her to press towards the mark. <br /><br />o TJH (The Journey Home): Kayla C. is on lesson #8 with Pam J., and Nichole D. is on lesson #1 with Suzanne R. , and Conner F is on lesson #5 with Pat L.! <br /><br /> <br /><br />IV. Recovery <br /><br />· We just ordered 8 new Wounded Spirits books (PTSD) on 5-9, to use as a resource for veterans; we are currently in contact with a man who is in the VA getting treatment. <br /><br />· One of our former leaders is getting married this summer and is planning to adopt his finance’s son and is petitioning the governor for a pardon for his past offenses; I wrote him a reference letter on 4-25 to assist, please pray that his request is granted. <br /><br />· Heather became a “Certified Peer Specialist” on 4-12 (see pic) and she also graduated from the Drug Court (DC) on 5-9, we are so proud of her!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSwxDQ_LjaDFIUmdwZea8xVAwGeWAJ2zEjMuY-13hMC4IrMuPNWYcQJjS7yoZUmsxvssOxJtSgDAzSpiSACEWQG8R7hyvxoPjN2qVLS-DgVRMvyfn5FaLFzqPKDC7uVcXY_A6vRNcmLI688a9EVge3E2kYiEHf0YaE8T7ohjZSvlgDCyvc3vclQ_-l6Q/s1170/Heather%20Haddad%20certificate%204-12-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="904" data-original-width="1170" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSwxDQ_LjaDFIUmdwZea8xVAwGeWAJ2zEjMuY-13hMC4IrMuPNWYcQJjS7yoZUmsxvssOxJtSgDAzSpiSACEWQG8R7hyvxoPjN2qVLS-DgVRMvyfn5FaLFzqPKDC7uVcXY_A6vRNcmLI688a9EVge3E2kYiEHf0YaE8T7ohjZSvlgDCyvc3vclQ_-l6Q/s320/Heather%20Haddad%20certificate%204-12-23.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div> <br /><br />· Heartland Baptist Fellowship received an online testimony on 3-22-23 that I wanted to share: <br /><br /><i>"It was good for me to hear your story. I had a similar struggle. The thing that hurt me the most was the doubt that drinking created about my faith. I would think... How can I continue to live in sin if I truly have faith and truly have the Holy Spirit? It would have been good if I could have heard you speak about your struggle a long time ago. I have since thought of my experience as being caught in a trap. When God says that the Devil is roaming like a roaring lion seeking those that he can devour... to me I get the sense that we (Christians) take it lightly that there are real traps out there and if we are not diligent in our faith, we could find ourselves caught in a serious trap that some never escape. God rescued me from the trap in 2015. I want to encourage you to continue to share your experience. If there is anything I could do to help you, I would be happy to help. David D."</i><br /><br /> <br /><br />V. Events <br /><br />· We had a Life Issues leadership meeting at our house on 3-13 – pic.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrBvPOlEzbSKJJJpWVZHk4og0dSqipHgl-2YrvTKThPyMHdcIjSVBPPbMbPL1JLKwiTY82U25TbdqiiqxKAwplIykm08EORD7d6OeQQtPmbKeV3qLFzsdswppKk8NSq7mVMu-l0IelclnG1izoMDWhPpSukiihxX2sHO_Cy6d8IUdLu1gxA9DdnvOtjw/s4150/Leadership%20meeting%203-11-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1921" data-original-width="4150" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrBvPOlEzbSKJJJpWVZHk4og0dSqipHgl-2YrvTKThPyMHdcIjSVBPPbMbPL1JLKwiTY82U25TbdqiiqxKAwplIykm08EORD7d6OeQQtPmbKeV3qLFzsdswppKk8NSq7mVMu-l0IelclnG1izoMDWhPpSukiihxX2sHO_Cy6d8IUdLu1gxA9DdnvOtjw/s320/Leadership%20meeting%203-11-23.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div> <br /><br />· HBF had a workday on March 18th, and some of our folks helped in the effort – pic.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZ4ysgtpJ63s4GsunQtvt6mV-SrINicpBsZKVMRtpRdHnVVubd2CBwlKP4_e09Cwh5jQc8sXYeWLWpostIOQLQPKltEIQ0e8z-WtPOAP9iHJyoSOdkwCQAaccrXBP5yZPHIf_5oA1eyNvJg_uUHa2M9BSxnk2epCnrr0DqRl6Ib-yjD0IXWF3UNkIzw/s2016/Workday%20-%20Steve%20Brian%20and%20Pat%203-18-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZ4ysgtpJ63s4GsunQtvt6mV-SrINicpBsZKVMRtpRdHnVVubd2CBwlKP4_e09Cwh5jQc8sXYeWLWpostIOQLQPKltEIQ0e8z-WtPOAP9iHJyoSOdkwCQAaccrXBP5yZPHIf_5oA1eyNvJg_uUHa2M9BSxnk2epCnrr0DqRl6Ib-yjD0IXWF3UNkIzw/s320/Workday%20-%20Steve%20Brian%20and%20Pat%203-18-23.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div> <br /><br />· Life Issues took our annual group picture on 3-31, see attached picture of the whole group as well as a couple of smaller groups of our superstar students – see 2 small group pics.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeTuk8qaQYdkyFU5IJU-4wvrcNSmmFZ5V12AgN4QJrAdJtDWqdqIdXGdiCEYr8djkR8W3gQmK5sJeSRcRRUG6Z5t6hVk8K0oGv7UswBahocQ5kychMfqZpskpuHSVpNv4d5HI9Bb6mPdJhdHSSAGodSnsCltXXqiUgugH3lqwKD2yfuxLUDqSse-9jgg/s2376/LifeIssues_Group_2023_1894sm.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="973" data-original-width="2376" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeTuk8qaQYdkyFU5IJU-4wvrcNSmmFZ5V12AgN4QJrAdJtDWqdqIdXGdiCEYr8djkR8W3gQmK5sJeSRcRRUG6Z5t6hVk8K0oGv7UswBahocQ5kychMfqZpskpuHSVpNv4d5HI9Bb6mPdJhdHSSAGodSnsCltXXqiUgugH3lqwKD2yfuxLUDqSse-9jgg/s320/LifeIssues_Group_2023_1894sm.png" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj75aJWinCvCANYeELtvq2UmzOt57SMv1eRctGIVwDp9CFnxNO_JGHiqd0Sn4-_PowSPbDwxuBB1DYT9nFuEb1RfVaeaFAYzZHSczdhDYT2GS7h3rajdd-qFycT6PIGu3WAH5QEQ6ZesuA883nXXFKLBud8jsCWVBQ6EQkYCRy1sCy0Bi4f2F8nQ7Weg/s2100/LifeIssues_1898_adj_sm_(Pam-Sarah-Kayla).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2100" data-original-width="1800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj75aJWinCvCANYeELtvq2UmzOt57SMv1eRctGIVwDp9CFnxNO_JGHiqd0Sn4-_PowSPbDwxuBB1DYT9nFuEb1RfVaeaFAYzZHSczdhDYT2GS7h3rajdd-qFycT6PIGu3WAH5QEQ6ZesuA883nXXFKLBud8jsCWVBQ6EQkYCRy1sCy0Bi4f2F8nQ7Weg/s320/LifeIssues_1898_adj_sm_(Pam-Sarah-Kayla).png" width="274" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHku4nmkoAxT9LBlBEBxQOYzyU1FQiAG3nIFcdWz_yekZ6BWZZ4RiybMzLWtjaxVIFasQhI3lXT0fqx6nqqO1Ri-S3pNaLwtjDmhLwqQb2KtOY_gIDm7WWB4g9NdERFY2dRtyANxv-NbvuQQQMBSd2jZE62Roxj48LogqzfdUyLhVUFu4x-kOFUhNs0g/s1800/LifeIssues_1904sm_(Rinkers).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHku4nmkoAxT9LBlBEBxQOYzyU1FQiAG3nIFcdWz_yekZ6BWZZ4RiybMzLWtjaxVIFasQhI3lXT0fqx6nqqO1Ri-S3pNaLwtjDmhLwqQb2KtOY_gIDm7WWB4g9NdERFY2dRtyANxv-NbvuQQQMBSd2jZE62Roxj48LogqzfdUyLhVUFu4x-kOFUhNs0g/s320/LifeIssues_1904sm_(Rinkers).png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>VI. People</div><div><br />· Two of our leaders were installed as deacons at our church on 5-7 – pic.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAN9sTlAfHG9m3wVEgi-Sj28gbaBUmNQuJrWZm8-bErz7q3t2Q6-VHMzMILe5zc8_o4dcMFvbsK330aOLNTjUGj41U2-UK8fZ9M3WodsVxmQRX_Zh8st93OP_rUJRhar96x9uT6c6zNw6mTHnkQF1nJs4iGarBst4d_NlwmqjDX3cluVEPCeBuqDwUpA/s1200/Deacons%205-7-23.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAN9sTlAfHG9m3wVEgi-Sj28gbaBUmNQuJrWZm8-bErz7q3t2Q6-VHMzMILe5zc8_o4dcMFvbsK330aOLNTjUGj41U2-UK8fZ9M3WodsVxmQRX_Zh8st93OP_rUJRhar96x9uT6c6zNw6mTHnkQF1nJs4iGarBst4d_NlwmqjDX3cluVEPCeBuqDwUpA/s320/Deacons%205-7-23.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div> <br /><br />· Debbie Corum's post: <a href="https://www.debbiecorum.com/post/glimpses-of-greatness?postId=07ffc384-4cfc-4e05-a6aa-6fb98e01b2c8&utm_campaign=4b20ed88-beeb-4e99-8fe9-51337f644eb8&utm_source=so&utm_medium=mail&utm_content=31a510c2-a43d-4800-a8c4-6d0f50449182&cid=0b92707b-dde0-49f8-b09f-f7f0a62efa8c">Glimpses of Greatness (debbiecorum.com)</a> Debbie is Bill’s wife, and both of these folks are prolific speakers and friends of our ministry (Bill will be at Life Issues on July 28th, 2023), and we are trying to enlarge Debbie’s reader base, so feel free to pull up her blog and subscribe to it! <br /><br />- My dad got his left knee replaced on 5-10 and is doing as well as can be expected for an elderly gentleman – see pic.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUWUb3zzG3aEuMTYwxXcjd6ggWTshIyIMjwYGuKHVHDzQcOxwzlFRg-ya9apQ1vWxWK3ws3AXYFJQbjvwXwaOyViu19Tr0cOvF3-7AzGBWRhee4XT7_3jAmNd1xo7OJKKeys1isQ29w0cRA3V1Gl6h8b_eKYjIZBl5ymElG4mJt3AnLamEK5zibUHp4Q/s2016/James%20Fleshman%205-11-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUWUb3zzG3aEuMTYwxXcjd6ggWTshIyIMjwYGuKHVHDzQcOxwzlFRg-ya9apQ1vWxWK3ws3AXYFJQbjvwXwaOyViu19Tr0cOvF3-7AzGBWRhee4XT7_3jAmNd1xo7OJKKeys1isQ29w0cRA3V1Gl6h8b_eKYjIZBl5ymElG4mJt3AnLamEK5zibUHp4Q/s320/James%20Fleshman%205-11-23.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br />· Here’s another great testimony from one of our students, Conner F. <br /><br /><i>"My Journey of Recovery: I started going to Life Issues at the beginning of this year when I was at one of the lowest points of my life. Coming to Life Issues regularly has been a game-changing experience that has changed the trajectory of my life. I was able to see for maybe the first time that I am not the only person that struggles with similar addictions. Both Pat and Steve have invested a lot in me over the past few months, and it’s been very profitable to receive some of their wisdom every week in small groups, which I can then apply to my journey of recovery. <br /><br />About a month ago I started going through The Journey Home (TJH) program with Pat Lee. Going through this program has given me an abundance of wisdom in how to strengthen my faith, and in the process allow Jesus to transform my life from the inside out. It is very helpful because each week’s lesson gives you some scriptures which are chosen to help address different aspects of recovery. So far, I have been learning about how to be honest with myself, and others, about my addiction; how to use Godly Judgement to set biblical boundaries as guardrails for my recovery. I learned about the power that leads to recovery without relapse that happens in a real relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. It hasn’t been an instant change in my life, as recovery usually isn’t at first, but it’s been a fruitful process. I have been faithfully going through (TJH) day by day which is helping me make progress in my journey to recovery. God has truly blessed the ministry of Life Issues as there is no other local ministry that has been accomplishing such life-changing work that transforms lives to such a visible extent. I strive to see myself fully recover from my addiction through the power of Christ by the end of this year. If you could keep me in your prayers that would be greatly appreciated. Stay Strong, Conner F.! "</i><br /><br /> <br /><br />· Please pray for God to use us mightily in 2023, for without him we can do nothing, but through Him we can do all things! Sincerely, Steve Fleshman – Life Issues pastor and founder, Proverbs 4:23…<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><br />Life Issues Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03604694121776144118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452896896338084726.post-48269278239849880322023-03-10T05:34:00.006-06:002023-03-10T05:42:19.555-06:00Monthly Update - January & February 2023Making a difference update, from the recovery field – January / February 2023 edition. Below are the highlights that happened in the Life Issues ministry over the last couple of months (new format): <br /><br />I. Benevolence <br /><br />· Took a box of food to a mother and her son on 1-9-23.<br />· Joined with HBF to pay rent for lady and her son on 2-26-23.<br />· Gave a former student 2 night's emergency motel on 2-27 & 2-28<br />· We restocked our Morsel’s For Many food pantry in late February (thanks Theresa and Pam)! <br /><br /><br />II. Jail update <br /><br />· Our church was contacted by a former student (Ted) who’s now in prison again, but he has finally given his life wholly to the Lord. We sent Ted lesson #1 of discipleship and he’s already sent it back to us along with his testimony, please pray for this young man.<br />· We also started sending discipleship lessons to another man in prison, who got one of our Bibles while he was incarcerated in Saint Joseph MO, so we’re excited that he’s walking with the Lord and desiring the word of God too!<br />· We gave a box of Bibles to CCJ on 2-5, and we gave some of our tracts and another box of Bibles to the Butler jail group on 2-10, His truth is marching on! <br /><br /> <br />III. Church <br /><br />· Our recovery group cleaned the church on 1-6 & again on 2-17, see attached pic of Tracy helping!<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyEDmlZUR_EGbNZybjz61n-kSbjCdoJ-iI62-debF3WD87_okJQIssBnl-CKD9f7XbDsjuOKdoU9Ao4ZyxK3izDnD6WRFKGUmPpa4XDieSY8VE2X5l3xgolMFH567rQ9387I8s6h2SCxjIM23HdkSMorpF02Ff3dd1-VSLhaUFRA8BX8aTMxebhdev3A/s1277/Tracy%20cleaning%202-17-23.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1277" data-original-width="965" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyEDmlZUR_EGbNZybjz61n-kSbjCdoJ-iI62-debF3WD87_okJQIssBnl-CKD9f7XbDsjuOKdoU9Ao4ZyxK3izDnD6WRFKGUmPpa4XDieSY8VE2X5l3xgolMFH567rQ9387I8s6h2SCxjIM23HdkSMorpF02Ff3dd1-VSLhaUFRA8BX8aTMxebhdev3A/s320/Tracy%20cleaning%202-17-23.jpg" width="242" /></a></div><br /> <br /><br />· I wrote a reference letter for one of our lady students for her court case on 2-6-23, she is doing great! Her and her husband and son have been attending our church faithfully, this is the Lord’s doing and it’s marvelous in our eyes – Psalm 118:23<br />· Several of our students and leaders are involved in discipleship: <br /><br />o D1: These folks are in our one-on-one continue discipleship material – Krystal W. is with Kelly T.; Chuck H. with Dave B., Ed M. with Chris C., Brian R. with Pat L., Kalee R with Linda J.; Sarah J. with Pam J.<br />o D2: Suzanne R. and Pam A. are in D2 and are about a third of the way through this 9-month class!<br />o HBI: One of our lady leaders, Pam J., taking all 4 classes, so pray for her to press towards the mark.<br />o TJH (The Journey Home): We had a new lady (Kayla C.) start TJH with Pam J. in December! Dominick and I have also started meeting again and we’re on lesson #5 (halfway thru)! <br /><br /> <br />IV. Recovery <br /><br />· We gave a Wounded Spirits book (PTSD) to a man the week of 1-9, this is someone that one of our leaders in trying to minister to. <br /><br />· We gave a lady a ride to our recovery meeting on 1-6-23, and she made a profession in our pickup when we took her home after the meeting, halleluiah! <br /><br />· Ed gave a good testimony on 1-27, and Amy gave a good one on 2-24 – see pic.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie4SHl7chq6ZkQXbYbYKyzE9DyxQVB85cd2Jy7TrNoX6dkmWhiqop_Ivj6xuSaKgnJNPmeabi6rcGMwSBe9_t9E9Yv0wm9PGRaIMZwzMPQwdb3ZcJt0dnoQ769IwGe5KU_2qH_AMDdPICezYeaM4KinrweFUEpy6RWlI8vT_jz6OtEDFnc-ZckUpScUQ/s2016/Amy%20N%20Steve%202-24-23.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie4SHl7chq6ZkQXbYbYKyzE9DyxQVB85cd2Jy7TrNoX6dkmWhiqop_Ivj6xuSaKgnJNPmeabi6rcGMwSBe9_t9E9Yv0wm9PGRaIMZwzMPQwdb3ZcJt0dnoQ769IwGe5KU_2qH_AMDdPICezYeaM4KinrweFUEpy6RWlI8vT_jz6OtEDFnc-ZckUpScUQ/s320/Amy%20N%20Steve%202-24-23.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /> <br /><br />· We gave a stack of trifolds to Compass Health on 2-12, so that they can refer people our way.<br />· We just placed an order for 5000 gospel tracts on 2-20-23, so we’ll be excited to get them soon.<br />· Rebecca Wilber just completed the Drug Court program in Jackson County – pic of certificate attached.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPfspD-tBR79Bj05ad-287aJlI_pMY4BoblK0MuGFt1XIeDNNMRmQkgPqw4jclklDV7D6ZRi7DsU057iK9Ix7VhbFCb4F1Og8VddYAKsuKLS0iZO_hcjlvno7XP0aZ7FE-FjHl6oMh7kBfvr7RvpO15a1U58596rwD3tC6tcaNmGP4W7-jJ6jLjr3tMw/s1280/Rebecca%20Wilber%202-23-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPfspD-tBR79Bj05ad-287aJlI_pMY4BoblK0MuGFt1XIeDNNMRmQkgPqw4jclklDV7D6ZRi7DsU057iK9Ix7VhbFCb4F1Og8VddYAKsuKLS0iZO_hcjlvno7XP0aZ7FE-FjHl6oMh7kBfvr7RvpO15a1U58596rwD3tC6tcaNmGP4W7-jJ6jLjr3tMw/s320/Rebecca%20Wilber%202-23-23.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <br /><br />V. Events <br /><br />· Nine (9) of our Life Issues ladies went to HBF’s Ladies Retreat on 1-21, and we helped pay for some of their registration fees, so that everyone who wanted to go could, PTL!<br />· LIM turned 12 years old on February 4th (we had our first meeting on 2-4-2011)!<br />· We took a group of 9 folks to Kansas City’s Winter Jam on 3-3, it was quite a show, see attached pic.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq78ThcLO34v8mZnw-tEWsqIyWH8AoncE0-vwnyTtxk_69K14lyh8057WQhyX-CWj6SPtcqa9ivOElWj1U36-NtaVG903K4Nnh62ONP7AdteO0TOSA-R7o0h_kv-n4-0TJpmmf8gKtpdZiWTm7_n5YuUIYFRenKArhUrMCnXEKKJPKdhShbxm2fuR5Tw/s1024/Winter%20Jam%203-3-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq78ThcLO34v8mZnw-tEWsqIyWH8AoncE0-vwnyTtxk_69K14lyh8057WQhyX-CWj6SPtcqa9ivOElWj1U36-NtaVG903K4Nnh62ONP7AdteO0TOSA-R7o0h_kv-n4-0TJpmmf8gKtpdZiWTm7_n5YuUIYFRenKArhUrMCnXEKKJPKdhShbxm2fuR5Tw/s320/Winter%20Jam%203-3-23.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <br />VI. People <br /><br />· Pat Lee worked as a counsellor last Summer at the Faith and Family Day at the “K” (Royals Stadium) and led a man to Christ named M. Well, it just so happened that M came to Life Issues with a group from “Reach KC” on 12-30! We’re thrilled to see him plugged in and serving the Lord, see attached pic.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQsTUlfZjtY3K_K9AnY96KjoRNzsvCPFZvUgiQTa0O5aCKnU8Frzfmcm5dAkhZ98_Lk8ITDOH-CNhOO9onv5bnF-1eELiiR-ikWqDuQ13EQCy3-0Dm-AyCHxKaaS1JaFjHVS-U526rxI3ZO9yVY2cZowLXlHX8KkDqsRrgA0kUiFBJKvdnPhsFkeT6ew/s2048/Pat%20N%20Madit%2012-30-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQsTUlfZjtY3K_K9AnY96KjoRNzsvCPFZvUgiQTa0O5aCKnU8Frzfmcm5dAkhZ98_Lk8ITDOH-CNhOO9onv5bnF-1eELiiR-ikWqDuQ13EQCy3-0Dm-AyCHxKaaS1JaFjHVS-U526rxI3ZO9yVY2cZowLXlHX8KkDqsRrgA0kUiFBJKvdnPhsFkeT6ew/s320/Pat%20N%20Madit%2012-30-22.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>· Heather Haddad passed her online Certified Peer Specialist exam on 1-18-23 – see attached pics.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG4dmX3Y0mLx18FBb8_eSj3khMhbXhyBVKqNQh9Elq6hr5YG4mOkj4pbBCX4RqMoXTnPB_9WgaqGxcelEe17Yb_lScHnBZAaimCvbfjXv9UXYPtRO_zgPHFkg85u1Ag8cfNrSVjWXEGrQnUg-H2D38zBo03JLSaKa3g_K6Ue1t7mMtB04ptbh6_UJHZQ/s2016/Heather%20N%20Steve%201-18-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG4dmX3Y0mLx18FBb8_eSj3khMhbXhyBVKqNQh9Elq6hr5YG4mOkj4pbBCX4RqMoXTnPB_9WgaqGxcelEe17Yb_lScHnBZAaimCvbfjXv9UXYPtRO_zgPHFkg85u1Ag8cfNrSVjWXEGrQnUg-H2D38zBo03JLSaKa3g_K6Ue1t7mMtB04ptbh6_UJHZQ/s320/Heather%20N%20Steve%201-18-23.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>· Debbie Corum's post: <a href="https://www.debbiecorum.com/post/say-what-a-hired-servant">Say What? A Hired Servant? (debbiecorum.com)</a> Debbie is Bill’s wife, and both of these folks are prolific speakers and friends of our ministry (Bill will be at Life Issues on July 28th, 2023), and we are trying to enlarge Debbie’s reader base, so feel free to pull up her blog and subscribe to it! <br /><br /><br /></div><div>· Below is Kayla’s testimony, she is such an encouragement to us and a trophy of God’s grace… <br /><br /><i>"My name is Kayla C. and I’d like to share my testimony on how I have a relationship with the Lord, and I’ve been born again. When I was growing up my family did not go to church nor read the Bible. I knew of God but had no relationship or knowledge of his word. When I was little, I attended church with my Aunt Vicki and I remember we would sing all the time (worship), she loved Jesus so much and let everyone know it. My early teens I went to youth group events with my good friend Kellie, but I still was not a believer at the time. <br /><br />My brother and I spent a lot of time at our Grammy and grandma’s we basically grew up at their houses, they too did not go to church. I had a traumatic moment in my life when I was 5 years old, I was at Grammys staying the night and I fell asleep on the couch. I woke up in the middle of the night and the TV was on, it was porn. I had no idea what it was doing nor what it meant. I have never talked about this until now and I recently told my mother, she had no idea. As I got older, I always thought I needed a lover to make me happy, so I looked for love in all the wrong places since I was 16 years till about 27 years old. I had multiple partners and dated liars, cheaters and they never loved me for me. I started smoking pot and cigarette’s when I was 16 and after I graduated high school all I did was party and work. My early 20’s turned into drinking heavily and experiencing with other drugs. My last relationship before I met my husband was when my addiction’s started becoming an addiction. I abused pain pills and drank all the time and tried Meth for the first time. Thankfully I realized that wasn’t for me and I liked my sleep. At this point in my life, I rejected God and was told all Christians are hypocrites and you got to see it to believe it. That was my mindset, and I was completely lost! <br /><br />January 2017, I met my husband, good ole country boy and I fell in love instantly. I knew in my heart I was going to marry him someday. He told me he is a Christian and honestly it didn’t bother me. I truly believe God sent Justin to me for a reason and that reason is because he has saved my life. We had a break in the beginning of our relationship, and it was extremely hard for me. I thought no one could love me and I was worthless. I drank heavily one night and sat on my bed with a gun in my hand and I even pointed it at my head. I looked over to my dog Ava and I realized she needs me. Justin came over and took away the gun and I stormed out the door to go for a walk. Justin followed me, as we were walking at that moment something inside of me was telling me I need to find God and know him. I told Justin I wanted a relationship with the Lord, and he held my hands to pray, and I repeated after him saying I accept Jesus Christ as my savior. <br /><br />We started to attend church and Justin bought me a bible, I read some scripture, but I didn’t quite understand it all. I got baptized in 2017 and at the time it felt amazing! As time passes, we ended up not going to church that much and I can honestly say that I did not go all in with my faith. I knew in my heart that God loves me, but I was still lost, and the enemy kept taking control in every area of my life. <br /><br />Justin and I were drinking more and more but pretty much having a good time together. It started to get worse for me after we got married in 2020. I was drinking every day and even sneaking it around so I could drink earlier in the day. We found out I was pregnant in January of 2021 and Zander was born August 23rd, 2021. I had some trauma from his birth and ended up having an emergency C-section. That was hard on me, and I was miserable. Zander was born healthy and the most perfect baby boy. <br /><br />By November I started to have some deep depression and I started to drink again. Months and months go by I was drinking almost every single day. I was drinking and driving with my son, multiple blackouts, quit my job, hated my husband. Drinking consumed me 24/7 and that was all I thought about. By summer 2022 I was creating chaos for my family because of my drinking. Justin and my family didn’t know what to do. Justin asked me one night that it’s going to be Zander or alcohol and I told him I chose death. <br /><br />I went to cottonwood springs and detoxed for 7 days and went to the Aviary recovery center for 21 days. I tried to reconnect with the Lord and read my Bible every day. At the time I knew God forgave me, but I did not confess my sins. I was sober for about 4 months, and I completely threw out all the tools I learned and started to drink again. I relapsed because I had to make the decision to put down my dog Ava. It was very hard for me because we went through a lot together. She was the best dog I’ve ever had! <br /><br />I thought to myself I can have one drink I’ll be fine, that’s not the case for an alcoholic. I went on major binges and would leave and not tell anyone where I was or what I was doing. On November 29th, 2022 was when I hit my rock bottom. I was black out drunk, driving with Zander from Belton and somehow ended up at the Chinese restaurant in Butler. I remember cop lights everywhere and Zander sitting in the back seat bawling his eyes out. I got arrested and luckily didn’t have to stay in jail overnight. Child services were called, and I ended up having restrictions with me not being alone with Zander. <br /><br /></i></div><div><i> I broke trust with everyone and hurt everyone. I knew I needed help, and I wanted my family to be together. A Child services lady told me about Life issues, and I thought I’d check it out. I absolutely loved it and felt like I was at home. That night I cried out to God to help me, I surrendered and confessed all my sins. I’ve been praying every single day since then and I feel it in my heart that I truly believe Jesus died on the cross for our sins. The only way for me to recover is through God’s word. I feel like a different person now and at peace, knowing I have eternal life with God and my family keeps me going everyday now. <br /><br />I signed up for Life Issues’ program (The Journey Home) soon after attending meetings, and they assigned Pam J. to me, she is such a wonderful sponsor and we’re most of the way finished with it already. Going to Life issues, CCR and seeing my therapist every week is what will keep me accountable and a reminder that God does love me no matter what. He loves you too! I truly believe God placed Pam and my therapist in my life for a reason because they are amazing and Godly women. Justin and I attend Heartland Baptist fellowship and we feel like we are at home, I feel so blessed to know we have found our church home and all the love and kindness everyone gives. I hope someday I can give that back to someone who needs it as much as I did."</i><br /><br /> <br /><br />· Please pray for God to use us mightily in 2023, for without him we can do nothing, but through Him we can do all things! Sincerely, Steve Fleshman – Life Issues pastor and founder, Proverbs 4:23…</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Life Issues Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03604694121776144118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452896896338084726.post-6201290427198697732023-01-04T07:48:00.012-06:002023-01-04T08:10:13.960-06:00Monthly Update - November & December 2022Making a difference update, from the recovery field – November / December 2022 edition. Below are the highlights that happened in the Life Issues ministry over the last couple of months (new format): <br /><br /><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: medium;">I. BENEVOLENCE</span></b><br /><br />· We purchased some food and restocked our pantry on 11-12 <br /><br />· Life Issues gave away 4 boxes of food in December, and more than 22 boxes for the year, from our Morsels for Many food pantry; Pam J. and Theresa G. are doing a great work with this outreach! <br /><br />· Our church made up 26 Christmas boxes of food, including a turkey and all the fixing’s for a nice family meal, for families in our church as well as those in recovery that we’re trying to help, it was a blessing for all involved. <br /><br />· We gave a gas card to a faithful couple on 11-11 & purchased some clothes for them from the Lily Pad on 11-15 <br /><br />· We donated some money to help a former student with her children on 11-11. <br /><br />· I helped distribute anonymous gifts to 5 different students around Christmas time, from 3 benevolent Christian families, what a blessing that was for me! One lady wept openly when she saw what was given to her and a man said he didn’t know how he was going to pay next month’s phone bill till now! <br /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>II. JAIL UPDATE</b></span><br /><br />· We’ve written to several letters to inmates over the last 2 months, and several have written back! The man I’m writing to has completed the discipleship course that we were on, and now he’s starting a new study with me! <br /><br />· We sent nearly 20 Christmas cards to inmate right before Christmas, thanks to Pam Jackson! <br /><br />· A man (CB) was released from prison around Christmas time & will be @ Life Issues this Friday night! <br /><br /> <br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>III. CHURCH</b></span><br /><br />· Our recovery group cleaned the church on 11-25! <br /><br />· Cammie S. has agreed to oversee our church’s efforts with Harrisonville’s Shepherd’s Staff Food Pantry (managed by the Ministerial Alliance), see a pic of her and the group from 12-9!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ6JSAzVbva_KdR3F7dR3CTtzSzqhwXYCy5lV3Qr-ibZHIAGgKuJEcFgqzI4KXzcwZdG8cE68fxoEaRcHcCDvLjtnRo5NH5M-Z1tGX6FnsKcBl3FTx9bIBRl35kAYyEtfNjGSeEPRFROu5g1rYvN6tFGLlUxduFeW91tQNUFVIkv9A7jhOJKXulVGBPQ/s1024/Food%20pantry%20workers%2012-9-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ6JSAzVbva_KdR3F7dR3CTtzSzqhwXYCy5lV3Qr-ibZHIAGgKuJEcFgqzI4KXzcwZdG8cE68fxoEaRcHcCDvLjtnRo5NH5M-Z1tGX6FnsKcBl3FTx9bIBRl35kAYyEtfNjGSeEPRFROu5g1rYvN6tFGLlUxduFeW91tQNUFVIkv9A7jhOJKXulVGBPQ/s320/Food%20pantry%20workers%2012-9-22.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /> <br /><br />· Sarah W. completed discipleship on 12-1-22 <br /><br />· Dottie B. had surgery in early November, several from our group took meals to her. Kelly T. also had surgery (late November I believe), and we also took some meals to this dear sister. <br /><br />· Several of our students and leaders are involved in discipleship: <br /><br />o D1: These folks are in our one-on-one continue discipleship material – Krystal W. is with Kelly T.; Chuck H. with Dave B., Ed M. with Chris C., Brian R. with Pat L., Kalee R with Linda J. <br /><br />o D2: Suzanne R. and Pam A. are in D2 and are about a third of the way through this 9-month class! <br /><br />o HBI: One of our lady leaders, Pam J., taking all 4 classes, so pray for her to press towards the mark. <br /><br />o TJH (The Journey Home): We had a new lady (Kayla C.) start TJH with Pam J. in December! <br /><br /> <br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>IV. RECOVERY</b></span><br /><br />· The Lily's House girls came back to Life Issues on 10-21, they have 2 residents there now and we’re thrilled to have them and the Lily House staff attending our meetings again now! <br /><br />· Rebecca got full custody of Tayton on 11-9 – <i>(pic below)</i> and she has 2 years clean on 1-1-23<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhllLqd85Wyoziqq8OxoY9ExoA2Qh2ntaHtBLtXyLHwl1RMgTERGGCEojAL447DMjM48mAL4r1_vc6fqCPplhs1BcooTR6aClth9Tsk820ILVy62lc1qDKzZ49EeWW13ljzyrCQ7UpzA9l-tGUbDK96xcHuTzWPeBMIfPaEvcUmbLS01qnjcZFZJetAiw/s1024/Rebecca%20N%20Tayton%2011-9-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhllLqd85Wyoziqq8OxoY9ExoA2Qh2ntaHtBLtXyLHwl1RMgTERGGCEojAL447DMjM48mAL4r1_vc6fqCPplhs1BcooTR6aClth9Tsk820ILVy62lc1qDKzZ49EeWW13ljzyrCQ7UpzA9l-tGUbDK96xcHuTzWPeBMIfPaEvcUmbLS01qnjcZFZJetAiw/s320/Rebecca%20N%20Tayton%2011-9-22.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />· Brian and Angie P. are now both 4 years clean – <i>(pic below)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiBeiGIZmrBrKYfmhS4hIAdUr8xLam8LoQPoxS3xdcJ9zW_Va9yPCgAXLITXCGiC5xkP7kvFxuY6Ng8oP1h1P6RG8C_8N4dbq_2uPdcWN7zEllYAIthtybje8GYSXiUonJop6NnYIi6I_Fvc6W-joudPZ_QHSKAmaJ2rGxr2RHBQao-exNwEGEdOw9vw/s2016/Parrotts%20N%20Steve%2012-23-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiBeiGIZmrBrKYfmhS4hIAdUr8xLam8LoQPoxS3xdcJ9zW_Va9yPCgAXLITXCGiC5xkP7kvFxuY6Ng8oP1h1P6RG8C_8N4dbq_2uPdcWN7zEllYAIthtybje8GYSXiUonJop6NnYIi6I_Fvc6W-joudPZ_QHSKAmaJ2rGxr2RHBQao-exNwEGEdOw9vw/s320/Parrotts%20N%20Steve%2012-23-22.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></i><br /><br />· Theresa G is now 3 years clean, as of 1-1-23 <br /><br />· A lady in a nursing program audited our meeting on 11-11 as partial fulfillment of her studies! <br /><br />· We helped a man (SK) get into detox on 12-27, he is a friend of Sarah F. <br /><br />· We lost a couple of former students in the last month; </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div>John DeHues died 12-5<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEomZiyLXqa3pYWVBbxPewyJrwgoVr5zKj0Vl7HaA4QxlIJrA8aGi9a2fbokMAMwWDRWulZgfcmk5tq3fzJvQiQ8IQIrfUqgexvePsQkzH7Sjik6fKS0pKlcOzTx7e9nS3YfPPx3wV_hXCkS9xhOXRF-yCxcm0HOnQolWNygIGaJ7b1ZTj3iEUUlKVw/s481/John%20DeHues%2012-5-22.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="257" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEomZiyLXqa3pYWVBbxPewyJrwgoVr5zKj0Vl7HaA4QxlIJrA8aGi9a2fbokMAMwWDRWulZgfcmk5tq3fzJvQiQ8IQIrfUqgexvePsQkzH7Sjik6fKS0pKlcOzTx7e9nS3YfPPx3wV_hXCkS9xhOXRF-yCxcm0HOnQolWNygIGaJ7b1ZTj3iEUUlKVw/s320/John%20DeHues%2012-5-22.png" width="171" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>We lost Mary Wolfe (Sara Jack-Bidondo’s younger sister) too, she died on 1-1-23</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LkEPaqcHSHWHHNbuQ0B5ogwWsJfji3bl4BYCO_jPXYsmrUDKTG0RBL4Lq8RRyP6e0j52BtxcsgJp6S9flnte1utugHXG7icZsxZhYU20G4KZILtHNzL6gqWE2ZVx6oaytlElJUTlsND6ac8DnWp5MTP8HTjp3odNq1u_ZdTI3KEESQ3latXXrxd_CQ/s960/Mary%20Wolfe%201-1-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LkEPaqcHSHWHHNbuQ0B5ogwWsJfji3bl4BYCO_jPXYsmrUDKTG0RBL4Lq8RRyP6e0j52BtxcsgJp6S9flnte1utugHXG7icZsxZhYU20G4KZILtHNzL6gqWE2ZVx6oaytlElJUTlsND6ac8DnWp5MTP8HTjp3odNq1u_ZdTI3KEESQ3latXXrxd_CQ/s320/Mary%20Wolfe%201-1-23.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>V. EVENTS</b></span><br /><br />· Our group supplied 3 volunteers for KLOVE’s Christmas tour on 12-4. Pam J. headed up this effort, below is her testimony: <br /><br /><i>"Last Sunday was a great time at the KLove Christmas concert. Frannie and I met Belinda at Sheffield Family Life Center (see pic below) and was trained in our role as a Child fund advocate. </i></div><div><i>There was a total of 40 volunteers for this particular task. It was very easy, and we got to smile and interact with all the people in our section-approximately 100. </i></div><div><i>We were able to watch the whole concert, sitting in some great seats that were offered no charge for the volunteers. The music so great by Natalie Grant, Danny Gokey, Brandon Heath, Tasha Layton, and Jon Reddick. </i></div><div><i>The best part of the evening was Danny Gokey giving a devotion to 50 individuals that included Frannie and myself. It was a powerful devotion about Jesus feeding the 5,000. Danny compared that story with how he feeds us the Word of God during his concerts, praying that all men should be saved. </i></div><div><i>I will definitely go back again if there is an opportunity. We met several people who have volunteered many times. It was beautiful and Christ Jesus was honored that night!"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlscT_7CTChy2iNG5CZmgNHYTcOlfQgeBxUHm9KGlefQOe0-lZ0Oq8BSTB-8Xfg-iydVEgSOaZj8QOll0WbolDgwZaiZMtUDFHKPT_Z_mOO1RJc8p4Kae5ZiS8Gsc1Cu7FkQW0DfGTaC7OzFJHfV2twSNPLMCcYEoq1ILX4cVnuoNpLUX2i8UOoiuksg/s1024/KLOVE%20concert%20pic%2012-4-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="861" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlscT_7CTChy2iNG5CZmgNHYTcOlfQgeBxUHm9KGlefQOe0-lZ0Oq8BSTB-8Xfg-iydVEgSOaZj8QOll0WbolDgwZaiZMtUDFHKPT_Z_mOO1RJc8p4Kae5ZiS8Gsc1Cu7FkQW0DfGTaC7OzFJHfV2twSNPLMCcYEoq1ILX4cVnuoNpLUX2i8UOoiuksg/s320/KLOVE%20concert%20pic%2012-4-22.jpg" width="269" /></a></div><br /></i><br /><br />· Tommy McGee's testimony on 12-30 was outstanding and he brought about 15 folks with him - <i>(pic below)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNTfcs0mW-RopGs2WGjkvpaoJc3J62nGgYWzM9KyZab-Z45vIp_WAuG5Tnj8_Rky7eNggvDynHowHosxVfnS3pWhFfdSKcoCVq9X0grUbjaB6QQZiIPFEh1B_iEU68V2W9k9PLmK-3BRD29a2uHkc8jgr-mdJdkR-WBBHbAN18nlhxnQlk3B3MJZpiVQ/s2016/Steve%20N%20Tommy%2012-30-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNTfcs0mW-RopGs2WGjkvpaoJc3J62nGgYWzM9KyZab-Z45vIp_WAuG5Tnj8_Rky7eNggvDynHowHosxVfnS3pWhFfdSKcoCVq9X0grUbjaB6QQZiIPFEh1B_iEU68V2W9k9PLmK-3BRD29a2uHkc8jgr-mdJdkR-WBBHbAN18nlhxnQlk3B3MJZpiVQ/s320/Steve%20N%20Tommy%2012-30-22.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /></i><br /> <br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>VI. PEOPLE</b></span><br /><br />· Debbie Corum's post: <a href="https://www.debbiecorum.com/post/happy-new-year-2023?postId=c472df2d-394b-45f3-bf44-8729c5fda026&utm_campaign=c775561e-6cbb-4723-89c7-23a8023c6b3b&utm_source=so&utm_medium=mail&utm_content=77e69877-ed7d-4c33-8e30-d374c8fc28b8&cid=0b92707b-dde0-49f8-b09f-f7f0a62efa8c" target="_blank">Happy New Year 2023 (debbiecorum.com)</a> Debbie is Bill’s wife and both of these folks are prolific speakers and friends of our ministry (we hope to hear from Bill in July 2023), and we are trying to enlarge Debbie’s reader base, so feel free to pull up her blog and subscribe to it! <br /><br />· Bill F. went to India at the end of December and returned on 1-3-23, we hope to get some pics from him and hear a good report from his mission trip! <br /><br />· Kalee R. and her husband, Brian R., are special folks to our ministry, Kalee got saved at one of our meetings and Brian received Christ will incarcerated. Both of these folks are several months clean; below is a brief testimony from her. <br /><br /><i>"The Lord has blessed my life in so many ways! I was saved in March of 2020 (at Life Issues) and although life hasn't always been easy; knowing and trusting in the Lord is how I've been able to overcome the trials. I am so truly grateful for all the amazing blessings. <br /><br />When I was first saved my life was a bit messy to say the least. Over the last two years the Lord has helped me clean it all up! He has paved the way for my husband and I to get married in November of 2021. We are both blessed that the Lord has put our toxic past far behind us, and I was baptized @ HBF on Easter Sunday 2021. <br /><br />Our two youngest children are in our full custody which was not the case at first because Elijah was put in DFS custody when he was born and not long after he was born, I became pregnant with Noah out of wedlock. With that being said we have since been married, regained custody of Elijah, got to bring Noah home from the hospital with no issues. I have also got shared custody of my three-year-old back! <br /><br />We have a house to call home that will be all ours one day! We still have some goals we're working towards and with the help of God everything is possible! So, in conclusion the Lord is blessing our family so much! Brian and I are both in discipleship 1 and are learning and growing in our faith so that we can teach our children the way God wants us to. God is so good, and I'm reminded by everything I see every single day."</i><br /><br /><br />Please pray for God to use us mightily in 2023, for without him we can do nothing, but through Him we can do all things! Sincerely, Steve Fleshman – Life Issues pastor and founder, Proverbs 4:23… </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Life Issues Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03604694121776144118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452896896338084726.post-14122054563957056642022-11-10T13:29:00.003-06:002022-11-10T13:38:04.968-06:00Monthly Update - September & October 2022<br />Making a difference update, from the recovery field – September / October 2022 edition. Below are the highlights that happened in the Life Issues ministry over the last couple of months (new format): <br /><br /><br />I. Benevolence <br /><br />· One of our ladies took food & water & Bible to a homeless lady on 9-21. <br /><br />· Gave food to a lady that Shiloh's helping to get into Restoration House on 9-23. <br /><br />· Gave a lady $50 gas card on 9-23 and some Culver's coupons. <br /><br />· Gave a lady and daughter a box of food on 9-29. <br /><br />· Gave box of food to couple in need on 10-3. <br /><br />· Helped a lady move on 10-30<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDat89wug_cSEiFNJ09U93cXv9k8sifKCeeIdOom1Z4WIO-XJ-ak_7T2GGhAVeQKqzKfTFJqkVnXh8jQKZR7mf3iL9SbWH8NNl2LAWHvJz7DmuORKmI9AtmNt1OkeeHXvbUcqzU8C6ST0oqY_FB7jDbWKyT98W7wEkMJxSdVy2Cqir4lDVr43KXuke2A/s2016/Jason%20-%20Tracy%20-%20Steve%2010-30-22.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDat89wug_cSEiFNJ09U93cXv9k8sifKCeeIdOom1Z4WIO-XJ-ak_7T2GGhAVeQKqzKfTFJqkVnXh8jQKZR7mf3iL9SbWH8NNl2LAWHvJz7DmuORKmI9AtmNt1OkeeHXvbUcqzU8C6ST0oqY_FB7jDbWKyT98W7wEkMJxSdVy2Cqir4lDVr43KXuke2A/s320/Jason%20-%20Tracy%20-%20Steve%2010-30-22.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><br />· Because of such a great fundraiser this year, we were also able to partner with another church to help one of our students get her new dentures / teeth on 10-22, which she needed because of meth use, now she can smile big, PTL! <br /><br />· Life Issues paid for a single mom to get her electric turned on at her new apartment, on 11-2! <br /><br />II. Jail update <br /><br />· We’ve written to several letters to inmates over the last 2 months, and several have written back! The man I’m writing to has completed 6 out of 7 discipleship lessons! <br /><br />· The outreach at the Cass County Juvenile Detention Center got counselled due to them not having enough staff for us to come into their facility, I’ll notify folks if that door opens again☹ <br /><br />· One of the inmates that we’ve written to for a couple of years, got out of prison on 10-14 and has been coming to meetings and church, here is a brief testimony from him: <br /><br /><i>"Well, I've learned in recovery that you got to work it, you got to be sick and tired of being sick and tired. You got to put action your desire, you got to change the people know and places you go. Surround yourself with people with either similar goals, or just a God-fearing mind set. You have to get uncomfortable to get comfortable.<br /><br />For me, I had to step out of my comfort zone and ride it out. That’s what drew me to Life Issues group. I wanted to be a part of something to where I could share anything and not feel judged but feel the total opposite. I feel accepted by my newfound family. I feel unity, security, and honesty.” C.R. <br /><br /></i> <br /><br />III. Church <br /><br />· Our recovery group cleaned the church on 10-14 <br /><br />· The Word First ministry in our church made 300 Freedom Bibles for Life Issues on 10-12, and we dropped off a box of them (21) at the jail on 10-22 <br /><br />· Our church provided 2 days of Community service for a high school student who had to complete 100 hours, it was a blessing for him and us, and his parents appreciated us working with him! <br /><br />· Several of our students and leaders are involved in discipleship: <br /><br />o D1: These folks are in our one-on-one continue discipleship material – Krystal W. is with Kelly T.; Chuck H. with Dave B., Ed M. with Chris C., Brian R. with Pat L., Sarah W. with Linda J. <br /><br />o D2: Suzanne R. and Pam A. are in D2 and are about a third of the way through this 9-month class! <br /><br />o HBI: One of our lady leaders, Pam J., taking all 4 classes, so pray for her to press towards the mark. <br /><br />o TJH (The Journey Home): Right now we only have one man going through our program, Dustin T. <br /><br /><br /> <br /><br />IV. Recovery <br /><br />· Sarah J. has over 200 days clean now </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />o Sarah is a bright spot in our ministry, she led an alcoholic woman to Christ a little over a month ago, who is going to church with her, and a couple of weeks ago she led a family to Christ (man, woman, and child), hallelujah! <br /><br />o See her before and after pic as well as the one with her sons!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyjdY47V3gZsfXY8v5_yRSdFU0c3-5CfgZNhFbzS5tR8qmBvsieP3Mud2q0WRQ2ulIea9kgpRrG4aIxBBY5SHaMNtxdYPcbk9W1d0R5wKWnuiUU16s-tXwr-oHYFT4cPtE0p0B38TYUVcCfBLEM1m9zaxO1paCVkwvGtoy1c-aBp35YaYvzQDDu91dIw/s720/Sarah%20and%20boys%20-%20Day%20187.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="331" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyjdY47V3gZsfXY8v5_yRSdFU0c3-5CfgZNhFbzS5tR8qmBvsieP3Mud2q0WRQ2ulIea9kgpRrG4aIxBBY5SHaMNtxdYPcbk9W1d0R5wKWnuiUU16s-tXwr-oHYFT4cPtE0p0B38TYUVcCfBLEM1m9zaxO1paCVkwvGtoy1c-aBp35YaYvzQDDu91dIw/s320/Sarah%20and%20boys%20-%20Day%20187.jpg" width="147" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH1DHrXjiomIfs1Mp49_MHvjiHZtgSMWKLS9FeOBBcO2pILtjsMHQ_CClDjM8hwHZipijvjEJla7momYtAc4jJ4xkPO0EiGFJv1AWwkOHW6zjqZny9l6RYyNkd3T0ieTboccK8HkR9Tf4hLG1aH-CIzUS57tdli4cwloTyCuP2jUzbbQzeDUBhQQG2Qw/s594/Sarah%20before%20N%20after%2011-1-22.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="391" data-original-width="594" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH1DHrXjiomIfs1Mp49_MHvjiHZtgSMWKLS9FeOBBcO2pILtjsMHQ_CClDjM8hwHZipijvjEJla7momYtAc4jJ4xkPO0EiGFJv1AWwkOHW6zjqZny9l6RYyNkd3T0ieTboccK8HkR9Tf4hLG1aH-CIzUS57tdli4cwloTyCuP2jUzbbQzeDUBhQQG2Qw/s320/Sarah%20before%20N%20after%2011-1-22.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <br /><br />· Several of our Life Issues men recently attended HBF’s annual Men’s Conference</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinB70wDUmT7aTkYSOivgow57EVr-Vv9DAGHkGp_uT9C35KdqJhyebitmhryVaZ3KCT8jk36_AfObQaoxRAz7cu3LV-QF5bXp89ZiBSFu_fnSWAnrBj7gMRXUAfF1ezCuIMZVnrDyOuz1fPHrxLSxfI37K2WcOFd6T3LFp11NYRUrOqNnYpnkHiihevXw/s2016/Mens%20Conference%2011-5-22.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinB70wDUmT7aTkYSOivgow57EVr-Vv9DAGHkGp_uT9C35KdqJhyebitmhryVaZ3KCT8jk36_AfObQaoxRAz7cu3LV-QF5bXp89ZiBSFu_fnSWAnrBj7gMRXUAfF1ezCuIMZVnrDyOuz1fPHrxLSxfI37K2WcOFd6T3LFp11NYRUrOqNnYpnkHiihevXw/s320/Mens%20Conference%2011-5-22.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><br />· A good friend of mine, Raymond H., has been teaching big group a few times recently and is doing a great job, we’re very thankful that he’s got a heart for the addicted and is using his gifts to minister! <br /><br />· We had a Planet Fitness 1-year membership certificate given to us for our fundraiser this year, and we were able to pass it onto one of our students who has be praying about joining a gym but not able to afford to go, it was a true blessing to her! <br /><br /> <br /><br />V. Events <br /><br />· Chris (one of our leaders) performed his brother's wedding on 9-23! <br /><br />· Some of us helped with the Memorial Service for Parrott’s on 10-1 @ HBF. The Parrott’s are a faithful couple who have come to Life Issues for over 3 years, and Brian’s parents both died in July, so we were glad to have a place for them to honor their parents! <br /><br />· Our 10th annual Recovery Walk was held on September 2nd, this is our annual fundraiser and it raised almost $16,000 (see money thermos pic), here is the video link: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xFZRMzrqKk">2022 Recovery Walk video - YouTube</a> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWBqnvJ4IHeSwy-J1XnKySCXuFN1sWVWSTYvuikYCTFGij1jLzVWEZd7QkSc14EhiB9286hdCa1wmOemjV2b1do7hirQpMa0Qik9mCj4A5r10O7I6jy_N_Q0-mSxkHGzM_7c4FVb5LQ4OA2KyUoEPb_xFvxkPCbCmltNTAQM8XbpGeLu93z0fYT1TSFg/s2016/Steve%20N%20Money%20Thermo%209-17-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWBqnvJ4IHeSwy-J1XnKySCXuFN1sWVWSTYvuikYCTFGij1jLzVWEZd7QkSc14EhiB9286hdCa1wmOemjV2b1do7hirQpMa0Qik9mCj4A5r10O7I6jy_N_Q0-mSxkHGzM_7c4FVb5LQ4OA2KyUoEPb_xFvxkPCbCmltNTAQM8XbpGeLu93z0fYT1TSFg/s320/Steve%20N%20Money%20Thermo%209-17-22.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>· I want to sincerely thank ever person who contributed to this event, from the bottom of my heart; thanks for sharing my burden and for “Making A Difference”!<br /><br /><br /><br />VI. People<br /><br />· One of our disabled students moved to nursing home on 9-12, which was a blessing for him and it’s also closer to church so it’s easier to get him to meetings and church!<br /><br />· Krista G. got full custody of her son, back in September, we’re so happy for her</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVV4rgdtLpNDiAW1v6b9ojiYr2TegcPBiPFk_V-36_A4RYYmuW6moGCS9Agwupjord1tk6Y7Z6M10qS6vLhTbtD322tZEiizKUSi8nlUvsIhQSCjqC9MNATllnNahZsBXMm4bUhoZQNFMe-mm71CMRGqKh-z4vfL6AgJX9PSP-TmZfVpE9yYiMfzFxLQ/s1280/Krista%20and%20Nikolai%2010-7-22.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1141" data-original-width="1280" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVV4rgdtLpNDiAW1v6b9ojiYr2TegcPBiPFk_V-36_A4RYYmuW6moGCS9Agwupjord1tk6Y7Z6M10qS6vLhTbtD322tZEiizKUSi8nlUvsIhQSCjqC9MNATllnNahZsBXMm4bUhoZQNFMe-mm71CMRGqKh-z4vfL6AgJX9PSP-TmZfVpE9yYiMfzFxLQ/s320/Krista%20and%20Nikolai%2010-7-22.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><br />· I got to lead a lady to Christ over the phone on 9-20-22! <br /><br />· Sara Bidondo got her PTSD certification a few years ago, but just not got her certificate</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmXYKWJYbMwxGUUBO8Kr7n6DppqMv1hd_RBIdgUI3Dg6yklE0PsxGnJ3nR6c9bJ35Fa3LiYCMcH3u_qhWfkZCehD-sF-jtlCRm0GSWEXSEFZQ067fX6grpv5SSoV5oDbvblx9dbk-aTD5PAThvdd1vZxkNpiRy6janIH_LW6L3U7q4b91qeDrVH5TEHQ/s2016/Sara%20N%20Steve%2010-28-22.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmXYKWJYbMwxGUUBO8Kr7n6DppqMv1hd_RBIdgUI3Dg6yklE0PsxGnJ3nR6c9bJ35Fa3LiYCMcH3u_qhWfkZCehD-sF-jtlCRm0GSWEXSEFZQ067fX6grpv5SSoV5oDbvblx9dbk-aTD5PAThvdd1vZxkNpiRy6janIH_LW6L3U7q4b91qeDrVH5TEHQ/s320/Sara%20N%20Steve%2010-28-22.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><br />· I went and worked @ the Harrisonville food pantry on 10-21, there were about 8 HBF & LIM folks there that day, but I failed to get a pic☹ <br /><br />· I agree with John when he said that “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” 3rd John 1:4. Recently one of our former students and his wife (I got to marry them 5-7 years ago) came to our house to visit. This young couple are still in love with each other and the Lord and are involved in serving Christ at their church. They are both working jobs and also have a home business selling plants, here’s their website in case you’re in the market for something: <a href="http://www.peacefulrootsco.com/">www.peacefulrootsco.com</a> <br /><br /> <br /><br />· Please pray for God to use us mightily in 2022, for without him we can do nothing, but through Him we can do all things! Sincerely, Steve Fleshman – Life Issues pastor and founder, Proverbs 4:23…</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Life Issues Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03604694121776144118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452896896338084726.post-62913291612841085812022-09-28T11:02:00.002-05:002022-09-28T11:08:23.147-05:00Monthly Update - July & August 2022Making a difference update, from the recovery field – July / August 2022 edition. Below are the highlights that happened in the Life Issues ministry over the last couple of months (new format): <br /><br /> <br /><br />I. Benevolence <br /><br />· Took food to hungry couple on 8-14 <br /><br />· Gave bus ticket to blind man trying to get to Nebraska on 7-26, he was lost in the city and a former student found him and helped direct him to safety and to us. <br /><br />· Bought a walker for a handicapped man on 8-26 <br /><br />· We teamed up with HBF to help a single mom get her car licensed on 8-29 <br /><br />· Life Issues helped a homeless family get some gas recently and while my wife talked to the oldest child, I got to lead the father to Christ, right beside the gas pump on 8-30! <br /><br /> <br /><br />II. Jail update <br /><br />· We’ve written to several letters to inmates over the last 2 months, and several have written back! The man I’m writing to has completed 4 out of 7 discipleship lessons and thanked me for supporting him! <br /><br />· We’re starting up our outreach at the Cass County Juvenile Detention Center again soon, it has been shut down for a couple of years now. This ministry will be called “Young Arrows” based on Psalm 119:9 and Psalm 127:4, and are working on the details now, pray for this endeavor to be fruitful please! <br /><br />· When someone is sentenced to a term in the Missouri Department of Corrections (MODOC), their first stop will be at the Western Reception Diagnostic & Correctional Center in St. Joseph MO. This facility is also known as WRDCC. The person may be there for several months while they await their final camp assignment. <br /><br />· Life Issues often receives requests for bibles from inmates at WRDCC. For many inmates, this is the first time they have been in the prison system, and they are seeking comfort from God's word. <br /><br />· Life Issues desperately wants to help these folks, but for security reasons, the1 MODOC does not allow Life Issues (or anyone else) to send bibles directly into a MODOC prison. Bibles must be sent to inmates via an approved vendor such as Amazon. Life Issues has often sent bibles to incarcerated folks via Amazon. Unfortunately, this can be expensive, and it is hard to meet the demand. Furthermore, we would rather send the inmates an HBF produced "Prisoner of Hope" bible, but that has not been an option ... until today! <br /><br />· Recently, Jim Stovall made contact with the Chaplain at WRDCC. Jim asked the Chaplain if there was a way Life Issues could get HBF "Prisoner of Hope" bibles to inmates at WRDCC who requested them. The Chaplain is familiar with Gene Purtle's ministry (The Keys are at The Cross) and has heard great things about HBF. The Chaplain agreed to distribute the HBF Prisoner of Hope bibles for Life Issues at the WRDCC. Praise the Lord! <br /><br />· Last month Jim sent the Chaplain a case of HBF "Prisoner of Hope" bibles. The WRDCC Chaplain will keep them in his office. When a WRDCC inmate requests a bible, Jim will ask the Chaplain to distribute the HBF bible to the inmate. We have already distributed one HBF bible to an inmate seeking comfort in God's word. Hallelujah! God has truly opened a closed door. <br /><br /> <br /><br />III. Church <br /><br />· Our recovery group cleaned the church on 7-22 & again on 9-2 <br /><br />· We had a group of 4 people that helped out at the food pantry in Harrisonville on 8-26 – see pic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgACuzZ772r1XBS0_aFmL3WT5LIfk3KpaK7hBvxeRmMyNZtYa2LmG6oRtzvV7prduAEZR3xvkDx7E5pseDv0MwuW0XGuUWAS35j0CuH1-wWr66AbSMJTEPjamLyUsv_C-BucWXmlz2imO4nga4gxGyAfqftJSq-JOs3ce07HHur2HlqJB77VAntaseo6A/s2016/Food%20pantry%20workers%208-26-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgACuzZ772r1XBS0_aFmL3WT5LIfk3KpaK7hBvxeRmMyNZtYa2LmG6oRtzvV7prduAEZR3xvkDx7E5pseDv0MwuW0XGuUWAS35j0CuH1-wWr66AbSMJTEPjamLyUsv_C-BucWXmlz2imO4nga4gxGyAfqftJSq-JOs3ce07HHur2HlqJB77VAntaseo6A/s320/Food%20pantry%20workers%208-26-22.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><br />· Life Issues distributes over 100 Bibles per year and we’re almost out of them at this time, so we’ve asked our church’s Word First – Bible Publishing Ministry to make 300 Bibles for us! <br /><br />· Several of our students and leaders are involved in discipleship: <br /><br />o D1: A couple of folks have dropped out of D1 during this time period☹. However, these folks continue, Krystal W. & Krista G. with Kelly T.; Chuck H. with Dave B., Ed M. with Chris C., Brian R. with Pat L., Sarah W. with Linda J. <br /><br />o D2: We graduated 2 folks from D2 this summer and now Suzanne R. and Pam A. have started! <br /><br />o HBI: We graduated 5 men in June (1 from Life Issues leadership), we now have one of our lady leaders, Pam J., taking all 4 classes, so pray for her to press towards the mark. <br /><br /> <br /><br />IV. Recovery <br /><br />· Rebecca W. gained custody of her son, on 7-13, she will graduate from the Jackson County Drug Court in Mar. 2023. Concerning drugs, she told me “Doing good, no turning back ever again”, PTL! <br /><br />· A former student reached out to us to receive help for his alcoholic son recently, and on 7-20, Pat got to lead Keith L. to Christ and helped him connect to a sober living facility in his area, PTL! <br /><br />· We get calls from the Public Defenders Office from time to time, to help transport people to and from court dates, who don’t have a ride for various reasons. We worked with 2-3 folks during the last two months and on 8-2 Pat L. got to lead Justin to Christ after his court date, very exciting! <br /><br />· Krystal W. graduated from LH on 7-27, we’re very happy of her, she’s gainfully employed and now living on her own – see pic</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYLM6SzoEcuGi_IsQvGFS1IMThmeBoQ28yg_rm95QM6h9TT3Mpp5yRt8zmbP-hlmrtgstDX4H76TqPJB0H4fv6wX2MGrCw-hgii1GY9tEQrdgS9CZpaYYGpu6G2CVBZS29wfZ-UGbHNhGEC53sGsxOwEilDMU61nyqJ3uaKaDpgB2id7a2bUFPJZGwXQ/s2016/Kelly%20N%20Krystal%207-27-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYLM6SzoEcuGi_IsQvGFS1IMThmeBoQ28yg_rm95QM6h9TT3Mpp5yRt8zmbP-hlmrtgstDX4H76TqPJB0H4fv6wX2MGrCw-hgii1GY9tEQrdgS9CZpaYYGpu6G2CVBZS29wfZ-UGbHNhGEC53sGsxOwEilDMU61nyqJ3uaKaDpgB2id7a2bUFPJZGwXQ/s320/Kelly%20N%20Krystal%207-27-22.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><br />· Zach M. graduated from DC on 8-5, we’re so proud of this accomplishment and 2 years of hard work, he is also a hard worker and has kept a job for several years and also has a good living structure! <br /><br />· We only have 2 men going through The Journey Home (TJH) right now, one of them is trying to also quit smoking cigarettes, so please pray for him / them to be successful. <br /><br />V. Events <br /><br />· Theresa G. and I were at the Farmer’s Market on the Harrisonville square on 8-20 – see pic</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJtLTZwFagxhMUemJAHNnP-joY6aoQmnmUNHFJfRo0j7R1FFerIytlwewhZHMGAQVlfV5IGAnzvDDSQnQIGTdW8TDoMjA8rxAThsA-_tgokyeQJnW7uLdFHWwNwIOSY8yrH9wEarfFUj5NDPuNCCKS2xd_2wcAQOHWU8SrBqgYqIdISv0yCcE5smd8pQ/s640/Farmers%20Market%208-20-22.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="360" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJtLTZwFagxhMUemJAHNnP-joY6aoQmnmUNHFJfRo0j7R1FFerIytlwewhZHMGAQVlfV5IGAnzvDDSQnQIGTdW8TDoMjA8rxAThsA-_tgokyeQJnW7uLdFHWwNwIOSY8yrH9wEarfFUj5NDPuNCCKS2xd_2wcAQOHWU8SrBqgYqIdISv0yCcE5smd8pQ/s320/Farmers%20Market%208-20-22.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><br />· Our 10th annual Recovery Walk was held on September 2nd, this is our annual fundraiser. <br /><br />o This year we had almost 50 walkers and we also had 30 volunteers or so and several others join us for our post walk program, attached are a few pics.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg6F-dLoBSK1rH3TQJbL9A3whUPtqERtVCLgCQwsdIKbMVZ3WSSd-2sifggOVD7j2uWjYW8GoznsDr2fUIJ6vKPpFBEb5oRBRI03USXszdC17Pw_LZxipH5CEFQi5oje9FsJKUYfHdFbUmm06sRIVcGsA3LX8o9ULtK3Z-oJkhomz4XJfA93sKoHke_Q/s1280/LH%20group%20pic%209-2-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1001" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg6F-dLoBSK1rH3TQJbL9A3whUPtqERtVCLgCQwsdIKbMVZ3WSSd-2sifggOVD7j2uWjYW8GoznsDr2fUIJ6vKPpFBEb5oRBRI03USXszdC17Pw_LZxipH5CEFQi5oje9FsJKUYfHdFbUmm06sRIVcGsA3LX8o9ULtK3Z-oJkhomz4XJfA93sKoHke_Q/s320/LH%20group%20pic%209-2-22.jpg" width="250" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsrsDWiDzSJpLvOJBJpns0tYdqYO33lT7ay4aswSaljXc7JtxOjUr64nDZFqOj45RPU1eI4K41qqGAWDFfop4wkYF__PnPXL0MOi5kf44VyymlQrVSb3kWZ6T8wwvaDxqlAN_IchuE8nAsNwhnG3-SKS61T1d7Ebfrb948gYhD6pkNgGThNbB16vDScw/s2016/Steve%20N%20Judge%20Rumley%209-2-22.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsrsDWiDzSJpLvOJBJpns0tYdqYO33lT7ay4aswSaljXc7JtxOjUr64nDZFqOj45RPU1eI4K41qqGAWDFfop4wkYF__PnPXL0MOi5kf44VyymlQrVSb3kWZ6T8wwvaDxqlAN_IchuE8nAsNwhnG3-SKS61T1d7Ebfrb948gYhD6pkNgGThNbB16vDScw/s320/Steve%20N%20Judge%20Rumley%209-2-22.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0FkDRVy-89klZpAQ8DTq_Z9MNL2Mdl995Ge9UGd0BIbSqLPv19DC6PkemHUW5JY7_suf5VczPvqtDhVC0BqPnGlqh68vY64jdNvCaLSFgJ8-KYGYRVBesjZ2Yin28yagEQrGpO30P5ToDYYAPCjtC5TeyVzvAxhM2ZoH6GDow03fqqhdMzQv3qHS9Ow/s800/DC%20group%20N%20Pat%20N%20Stephanie%209-2-22.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0FkDRVy-89klZpAQ8DTq_Z9MNL2Mdl995Ge9UGd0BIbSqLPv19DC6PkemHUW5JY7_suf5VczPvqtDhVC0BqPnGlqh68vY64jdNvCaLSFgJ8-KYGYRVBesjZ2Yin28yagEQrGpO30P5ToDYYAPCjtC5TeyVzvAxhM2ZoH6GDow03fqqhdMzQv3qHS9Ow/s320/DC%20group%20N%20Pat%20N%20Stephanie%209-2-22.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div>o This year we raised $15,733 to help the addicted in our area, halleluiah!!!</div><div><br />o The last several years we have started a Memory Wall to post pictures of folks who have been a part of our ministry in some way but have died (for various reasons). This year we added 5 new pictures of people whose lives were cut short, very sobering – see pic</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">a</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4m0IXprCt-83n6icRhFsSH15mHVc6IalF3XT9MVUMfleh9FvCjR2xY5z-FGqGfuUUuT04Ef51gUgaZySGCFd2v22lsmH_fT4xgxs4hcGJYdbYfXXtjuiXRDKtWQ94C0X9roPhPWLDVI_XL5kuKbp6jYK3_dIppCgwzSaneGomxnJ-dKdkAODcJNrQBw/s1008/Memory%20Wall%209-2-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="756" data-original-width="1008" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4m0IXprCt-83n6icRhFsSH15mHVc6IalF3XT9MVUMfleh9FvCjR2xY5z-FGqGfuUUuT04Ef51gUgaZySGCFd2v22lsmH_fT4xgxs4hcGJYdbYfXXtjuiXRDKtWQ94C0X9roPhPWLDVI_XL5kuKbp6jYK3_dIppCgwzSaneGomxnJ-dKdkAODcJNrQBw/s320/Memory%20Wall%209-2-22.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><br />o I want to sincerely thank ever person who contributed to this event, from the bottom of my heart; thanks for sharing my burden and for “Making A Difference”! <br /><br /> <br /><br />VI. People <br /><br />· I wrote a reference letter for Pam J. to help her obtain a substitute teaching job at Harrisonville on 7-25 <br /><br />· I gave my testimony on 7-29, it’s still humbling to give but good for me and hopefully others. <br /><br />· One of our former students OD’d on 8-16 and was in an induced coma for a couple of days, but they have made a full recovery and now live in our area again, so we hope to minister to them again soon. <br /><br />· Ed's story... I have been blessed to know the life issues group for three years now. They have been there for me through both highs and lows. The thing I like most about this group is they made me feel like family almost right away. <br /><br />· I have traveled a lot and have found few places like our Life Issues. I wish we could replicate it across the country. It is much needed. So many across the country are left to suffer. <br /><br />· I come back each week because the message is always good, and the testimony nights always grip my heart. The small group helps me to keep myself accountable and end each week on a good note. When I have to miss a week, my spirit feels the loss. <br /><br />· Please pray for God to use us mightily in 2022, for without him we can do nothing, but through Him we can do all things! <div><br /></div><div>Sincerely, Steve Fleshman – Life Issues pastor and founder, Proverbs 4:23…</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Life Issues Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03604694121776144118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452896896338084726.post-70944087117085106342022-09-05T10:43:00.005-05:002022-09-05T10:43:45.165-05:002022 Recovery Walk - a big success - Thanks to ALL our sponsors !<p>The Life Issues 2022 Recovery Walk has a great success !! </p><p>Many people attended and supported the event. A great time was had by all. </p><p><br /></p><p>We would like to thank our many business sponsors who help make it all possible.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoCL2T2PYUXleiPQV2-ZhWBH4MPqFmaMWeQf40F3SOc3Gots5M5GMGdMz3j0mu-Tw-R3cRSHDMOrk3Q8YE0iGmkSnQFIW0GBr80EdmnFfjv454rOrioGCW0Hb9N38vJ1vA7l6RJJCT0_sE0eUmNX-g_LVYVyr6R4j9B_EgjYRZxf4xXUqbPaCseVKRSQ/s960/GOLD.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoCL2T2PYUXleiPQV2-ZhWBH4MPqFmaMWeQf40F3SOc3Gots5M5GMGdMz3j0mu-Tw-R3cRSHDMOrk3Q8YE0iGmkSnQFIW0GBr80EdmnFfjv454rOrioGCW0Hb9N38vJ1vA7l6RJJCT0_sE0eUmNX-g_LVYVyr6R4j9B_EgjYRZxf4xXUqbPaCseVKRSQ/w400-h300/GOLD.PNG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpM_JmR2q_SmVuApY36BYPMKH4DL4tQwvizuzVYiIu_9VR-cxcRjU1yh94lxByS1GaTob6M22yDo076nYn_MXB3w-IzY2TsWCpwcObBLUUHSGMk5KaFQZIfgpaBwotEx60oFfVbcPW0eEw1I7n6gosOgG-RmeGYLWjymg3haf4R7bl86b99_DBIVSa1Q/s960/SILVER-BRONZE.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpM_JmR2q_SmVuApY36BYPMKH4DL4tQwvizuzVYiIu_9VR-cxcRjU1yh94lxByS1GaTob6M22yDo076nYn_MXB3w-IzY2TsWCpwcObBLUUHSGMk5KaFQZIfgpaBwotEx60oFfVbcPW0eEw1I7n6gosOgG-RmeGYLWjymg3haf4R7bl86b99_DBIVSa1Q/w400-h300/SILVER-BRONZE.PNG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Life Issues Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03604694121776144118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452896896338084726.post-68186331329509524692022-08-17T18:05:00.004-05:002022-08-22T11:56:44.212-05:002022 Recovery Walk !!!<p> Join us <i>(rain or shine) </i>for the 2022 Life Issues Recovery Walk.</p><div style="text-align: left;">The 4.4 mile walk is Friday Sept 2nd.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Registration begins at 5:30PM at </div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Heartland Baptist Fellowship</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>21203 E. 283rd St</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Harrisonville, MO 64747</b></div><p><br /></p><p>Check out Pastor Brian Hedges and his video about the 2022 Recovery Walk. Pastor Brian describes the need for the Recovery Walk, and how YOU can get involved.</p><p><a href="https://youtu.be/-7t-Vuzpl-8">Pastor Brian describes the Recovery Walk</a></p><p>After you complete registration at Heartland Baptist Fellowship (the walk is FREE to anyone who wishes to join us) we will direct you to a bus to transport you to the starting line. The starting line is the Cass County Jail parking lot. </p><p>The Walk will begin promptly at 6:30PM. Walkers will then walk back to Heartland Baptist Fellowship - which is approximately 4.1 miles. </p><p>We have several water stations along the 4.4 mile course, and a couple port-O-potties.</p><p>When the walkers arrive at Heartland Baptist, we will enjoy a free meal (hamburgers & hot dogs, chips, drinks ..etc) We will also hear testimonies and have several raffle drawings and door prize give-a-ways !!</p><p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW1YmCvWBHATQ1zDKoyZ0fDOirycSCgp73xSh0k0hCFovUrRgIT46KAzCeEiRRxuGVUi-4e2x3WkSUWD8EGnrNByHy8Ww2vmZd1gtzbd_Jc75WtTnQbTApOBR5YAbKpnPR2bZo3Q8z7b2Um__EFOrdzAm3UvqopiN1m163PQvfUvMQQjEe7z3TgSTJuA/s3300/RecoveryWalk_2022Poster_8_5x11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3300" data-original-width="2550" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW1YmCvWBHATQ1zDKoyZ0fDOirycSCgp73xSh0k0hCFovUrRgIT46KAzCeEiRRxuGVUi-4e2x3WkSUWD8EGnrNByHy8Ww2vmZd1gtzbd_Jc75WtTnQbTApOBR5YAbKpnPR2bZo3Q8z7b2Um__EFOrdzAm3UvqopiN1m163PQvfUvMQQjEe7z3TgSTJuA/w494-h640/RecoveryWalk_2022Poster_8_5x11.jpg" width="494" /></a></p><br /><p></p>Life Issues Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03604694121776144118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452896896338084726.post-55490215393647538662022-07-13T14:06:00.005-05:002022-07-13T14:12:44.851-05:00Monthly Update - May & June 2022Making a difference update, from the recovery field – May / June 2022 edition. Below are the highlights that happened in the Life Issues ministry over the last couple of months (new format): <br /><br /><br />I. Benevolence <br /><br />· HBF gave benevolence to one of our lady’s, so she could get her car fixed on 6-7 <br /><br />· Life Issues bought phone card for man on 6-21 <br /><br />· Life Issues helped pay for one of our students get an MRI for an injury on 6-22 <br /><br />· Life Issues gave a gas card to man in order to help him get to Illinois on 6-25 <br /><br />· We took food to a hungry couple on 7-5 <br /><br /> <br /><br />II. Jail update <br /><br />· We’ve written to several letters to inmates over the last 2 months, and several have written back! The man I’m writing to has completed 2 out of 7 discipleship lessons! <br /><br />· We’ve got an opportunity to provide an outreach to the young folks at the Cass County Juvenile Detention Center in a couple of months, there’s more to come about this. <br /><br /> <br /><br />III. Church <br /><br />· Our recovery group cleaned the church on 6-10 <br /><br />· HBF held their VBS on June 20-24, and many of our leaders and students helped with this outreach to our community as well as our own youth! Chris and Lauren C. were the leaders of this event that ministered God’s word to about 60 young people each night – PTL! <br /><br />· We had a group of 3 people that helped out at the food pantry in Harrisonville on 7-1 <br /><br />· Several of our students and leaders are involved in discipleship: <br /><br />o Discipleship 1: Chris H. just signed up to be discipled; Chuck H. & Dave B., Sarah L. & Pam J., Matt & Marcy L. & The Bonnesens, Ed M. & Chris C., Sarah W. & Linda J., Kelly T. is working with two ladies in a group setting, Krystal W. and Krista G.! <br /><br />o Discipleship 2: Dale N., Caleb L. graduated D2 – see group pic.<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ml01YB1ZgsMk3tosijrYWW-qSfz0dSCpXhvXY9fI8kdd1cLo8lYzn0zisOVJVfoDrLTLKoJcX4_LalptR5ZC6KCD6LRpZ4QVa_YhdPpK86u4EDfhQANb4rDbPDbAZuDf4-gEV2DWIeLeZxPlMCYVuE4gjj37Ej0Wg0SM7qz6sHGOSh9o5EUaF0kUQg/s2016/D2%20group%20pic%206-26-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ml01YB1ZgsMk3tosijrYWW-qSfz0dSCpXhvXY9fI8kdd1cLo8lYzn0zisOVJVfoDrLTLKoJcX4_LalptR5ZC6KCD6LRpZ4QVa_YhdPpK86u4EDfhQANb4rDbPDbAZuDf4-gEV2DWIeLeZxPlMCYVuE4gjj37Ej0Wg0SM7qz6sHGOSh9o5EUaF0kUQg/s320/D2%20group%20pic%206-26-22.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <br /><br />o Discipleship 2: Pam A. and Suzanne R. are signed up to take D2 this fall!!! <br /><br />o HBI graduation: 5 men graduated from our Bible Institute on June 12th, one of them was our son and another is one of our Life Issues leaders, Chris Coen (Valedictorian) – see pic.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaSnxaiAUUBUT5VrHRACrwFIua_lPimKfsbeGZkVHh2UZPXOkvFIduZexe_p7glH9yAnw0VA8c0AQvq0UzCPCrhUv0KlPqvO3akbttteHnUkZAUJIqZCWejMY_DuIILVmxDo-RCLggY4wEb6i1aD8wnYiGr6OAuZ9O-K1LBoz9J-4gMfKfL5NytjWaEw/s1637/HBI%20graduation%206-12-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1016" data-original-width="1637" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaSnxaiAUUBUT5VrHRACrwFIua_lPimKfsbeGZkVHh2UZPXOkvFIduZexe_p7glH9yAnw0VA8c0AQvq0UzCPCrhUv0KlPqvO3akbttteHnUkZAUJIqZCWejMY_DuIILVmxDo-RCLggY4wEb6i1aD8wnYiGr6OAuZ9O-K1LBoz9J-4gMfKfL5NytjWaEw/s320/HBI%20graduation%206-12-22.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br />IV. Recovery <br /><br />· Emily H. rededicated her life to Christ on June 14th, and also got baptized on 7-10 – see pic.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_XJrEqt89sE_sJCwnyS_AnYkgIJYlZhNsJqlvn4s-WIw-z6AxcJj0EhrjjEIM9zaZXkDqV264WBkCGKD7SZEYQP9SYVJPCksDAdk5Qs36rZMWtAayrMnBrKdZR5Lq6U23qnaPVrrHSStUUmbCBn-jNqa1jMGPRjQZ7X--6jKvEV4XlojlwMEaZyzSA/s2016/Emily%20Baptism%207-10-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_XJrEqt89sE_sJCwnyS_AnYkgIJYlZhNsJqlvn4s-WIw-z6AxcJj0EhrjjEIM9zaZXkDqV264WBkCGKD7SZEYQP9SYVJPCksDAdk5Qs36rZMWtAayrMnBrKdZR5Lq6U23qnaPVrrHSStUUmbCBn-jNqa1jMGPRjQZ7X--6jKvEV4XlojlwMEaZyzSA/s320/Emily%20Baptism%207-10-22.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /> <br /><br />· We took a man to rehab on 6-22, pray for him to let Christ into his life. <br /><br />· Theresa G. completed the Emotions study on 6–17, this was a 10-month class we offered – see pic of her and our instructor (Pam J.).</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2oLBLrR5W5IIRPxk1_W33kllUD4QLR51hvojQqYoyV1bv29s_FsC0To6mkZMWz4HmN6vdnre-oLSmWa0UlZP_PY9qSe7uWizuEhAmbYGzUYEzQP2ft-4Hn8WPUHbawlQR89fR8Um4zBO6igfVbB885HELZ2i6FhPkgaauMwrqUhixL4hqtZSWDzSA5A/s1152/Pam%20N%20Theresa%206-17-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="1152" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2oLBLrR5W5IIRPxk1_W33kllUD4QLR51hvojQqYoyV1bv29s_FsC0To6mkZMWz4HmN6vdnre-oLSmWa0UlZP_PY9qSe7uWizuEhAmbYGzUYEzQP2ft-4Hn8WPUHbawlQR89fR8Um4zBO6igfVbB885HELZ2i6FhPkgaauMwrqUhixL4hqtZSWDzSA5A/s320/Pam%20N%20Theresa%206-17-22.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <br /><br />· We were contacted by a person in Illinois recently and was able to help them via email and connect them to a local church. <br /><br />· We have 3 men going through The Journey Home (TJH) right now, please pray for them to complete it. <br /><br />o TJH: Dustin T. & Chris C., Dominick B. & Steve F., Chris H. & Pat L. <br /><br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br />V. Events <br /><br />· HBF had a 4th of July outreach called “Spark in the Park” and Pat Lee led this effort and several of our Life Issues leaders and students participated in set up and tear down and with sharing their faith and distributing American flags and gospel tracks. This was a great outreach, and we praise the Lord for the divine appointments that day! <br /><br />· Several of our Life Issues leaders and students went to the Faith and Family Day @ the Royal’s stadium on 7-9 and some of us were encouragers and helped lead multiple people to Christ after a gospel message was given by Evangelist Scott Dawson – see pics.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1Dk8VR_j7UzwbhUP-tSUJDuWc_e7QbGqGrjf8N_hModO6WtDQu8DW0Y2NhM5QwRgb4rxWhjp36yVgMhzmTildSIr_rSXh9hCehgHoZDki_oHZTEqCKhLVYh9GXOIQKLPL8JN6z37ZJwv9VPDZd_x9k02e4LHz1QdmwklfN7-BVCXMie_0ZrWJTJJzA/s1024/Pam-Sarah-kiddos%207-9-22.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1Dk8VR_j7UzwbhUP-tSUJDuWc_e7QbGqGrjf8N_hModO6WtDQu8DW0Y2NhM5QwRgb4rxWhjp36yVgMhzmTildSIr_rSXh9hCehgHoZDki_oHZTEqCKhLVYh9GXOIQKLPL8JN6z37ZJwv9VPDZd_x9k02e4LHz1QdmwklfN7-BVCXMie_0ZrWJTJJzA/s320/Pam-Sarah-kiddos%207-9-22.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEKH2tRMGRcOHm8d9dbWnni0_X7H4wgPU9PdJy1bRpgCbtU8Q46yI80T-bV3aH_PV-leXLWhOAqOZfGpYuQW2cuIo7rL7lbWtCQ9QaMrbV1WzElF69TCaI8IxK22MOZ_Hfl8BbzCJnaiXI1UaEMNLRUUwjIqhZp6RmAb3reDMpN24Y0p03QrDCidcrbw/s2016/Royals%20-%20group%20pic%207-9-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEKH2tRMGRcOHm8d9dbWnni0_X7H4wgPU9PdJy1bRpgCbtU8Q46yI80T-bV3aH_PV-leXLWhOAqOZfGpYuQW2cuIo7rL7lbWtCQ9QaMrbV1WzElF69TCaI8IxK22MOZ_Hfl8BbzCJnaiXI1UaEMNLRUUwjIqhZp6RmAb3reDMpN24Y0p03QrDCidcrbw/s320/Royals%20-%20group%20pic%207-9-22.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <br /><br /><br />· Our 10th annual Recovery Walk is coming up on September 2nd, this is our annual fundraiser, so please look over the attached cover letter and see how you might be able to help us. <br /><br /> <br /><br />VI. People <br /><br />· We had a Baby Shower for Sarah W. on 5-13, and she had baby Nova Jean on 6-16 – see pics.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN0WU3Vh5O1HTU77AF0iNbu-FQOto0b6jcPe0pVNcpWkC5vkBwF4IMSwq-X-PjbFMaX7qratGi3dYMq4kjXiwpZ8gYOlBLoHWwfj58d8OmxvW3O_vFqMQyTnX-Zarf3Qop-4pqYIzVc0d5E7TPAbM16aZY0XH0Uw2YEWJvgd7ISXGnytA003cSdUb7OQ/s1280/Sarah%20-%20Drake%20-%20Nova%20Jean%206-16-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN0WU3Vh5O1HTU77AF0iNbu-FQOto0b6jcPe0pVNcpWkC5vkBwF4IMSwq-X-PjbFMaX7qratGi3dYMq4kjXiwpZ8gYOlBLoHWwfj58d8OmxvW3O_vFqMQyTnX-Zarf3Qop-4pqYIzVc0d5E7TPAbM16aZY0XH0Uw2YEWJvgd7ISXGnytA003cSdUb7OQ/s320/Sarah%20-%20Drake%20-%20Nova%20Jean%206-16-22.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /> <br /><br />· Zach M. is going to graduate from the Drug Court on 8-5, we’re so proud of him <br /><br />· Suzanne R. is going through The Women’s Study with Lisa L. right now, we’re excited about Suzanne’s hunger for the things of God! <br /><br />· This month we’re highlighting a lady who’s only come a few times to Life Issues, but we’ve helped with some physical needs, and we’re excited to share that she’s 80 days sober and is getting to see her children for the first time in several years. I’m excited about what God is doing in her life and she wants to share part of her story with us</div><div><br /></div><div><i>"I remember that day like it was yesterday. I was 19 years old. I had a 1 and a ½ year old son, </i><div><i>Kaleb Nicholas. It was cold that morning. February 16th 2003. I was 5 and a ½ months pregnant </i></div><div><i>with fraternal twins. A boy and a girl. They had to rush me into an emergency surgery to deliver </i></div><div><i>the babies. You see, on valentines day just two days prior I went to a routine ob/gyn check up </i></div><div><i>appt. I had an ultrasound scheduled due to me raising concerns about one of the babies not </i></div><div><i>having any movement for 24 hours. The ultrasound shows that my daughter's umbilical cord had </i></div><div><i>snapped and she was barely alive. They couldn't take them out just yet because they had to </i></div><div><i>administer steroids by i.v. in the hospital to help strengthen their lungs. Again, I was only </i></div><div><i>beginning the last trimester so my babies were still way too early. I was aware of the severity of </i></div><div><i>everything medically done but also, not so much. I was still quite young and although at that </i></div><div><i>point I had 3 babies, I knew little to nothing about most things in the world. Anyhow, on </i></div><div><i>valentines day I was admitted to the labor and delivery floor. The doctors, although my daughter </i></div><div><i>was dying, had no choice but to keep them in me as long as they could. On the morning of the </i></div><div><i>16th, they had no choice but to prepare me to deliver as the ultrasound that morning showed my </i></div><div><i>son's amniotic bag had broken and his heart was failing. Later that afternoon, I laid on a hospital </i></div><div><i>bed in the operating room, my mother to the right of me. She tried so hard to stay strong for me, </i></div><div><i>as she stood up several times to look over the doctors as they delivered Alexia Claudina first. </i></div><div><i>She was not breathing and weighed 1 pound 13 ounces. Next came her brother Ty Francisco he </i></div><div><i>weighed 3 pounds 15 ounces. He was immediately rushed to the N.I.C.U. and my daughter was </i></div><div><i>taken to a separate room to be cleaned up. I’ll never forget the moment the nurse walked into </i></div><div><i>the room. They tried to hand my daughter to me the first time but I could barely breathe as the </i></div><div><i>tears poured down my face. She looked perfectly fine. I wasn't understanding. Couldn't they just </i></div><div><i>get her to breathe and be ok. I mean, their doctors. How is this even happening? She was so </i></div><div><i>beautiful. So very tiny. I dressed her in her little baptism dress and placed the pink and cream </i></div><div><i>flowered bonnet on her head. Her hair. Oh her hair was beautiful black. Her eyes, she just </i></div><div><i>wasn't blinking that's all. Her lips were so precious and I couldn't bring myself to let her go with </i></div><div><i>the nurse. I just kept kissing her lips, blowing tiny breaths in her mouth praying to God please </i></div><div><i>God please let her just breathe. I went down to the chapel, where my family and I prayed and </i></div><div><i>we baptized my precious little girl. 4 floors up in the hospital was my other gift from god. My </i></div><div><i>precious son Ty. He was in an incubator in the N.I.C.U.For 3 months actually. </i></div><div><i>I know this is supposed to be a testimony and not a short novel. So I apologize to everyone. </i></div><div><i>After 5 days I was sent home from the hospital. With my son Kaleb. Leaving behind what I </i></div><div><i>walked in the hospital with just 5 days before, 2 BABIES. This is all wrong. I will tell you the </i></div><div><i>short amount of time that it took me to become dependent on daily use of marijuana, anxiety </i></div><div><i>pills, sleeping pills, pain pills, uppers downers, then to smoking meth. Shortly after my son Ty </i></div><div><i>turned 1 I got together with my high school sweetheart. My first love Josh. We had two sons </i></div><div><i>together, Peyton Grant and Ashton Fisher. Unfortunately due to my drug addictions, and the fact </i></div><div><i>that I was taking approximately 2000 pills each month, Josh had no choice but to pack up </i></div><div><i>himself as well as all 4 of the boys and move out. Literally like they were there one day and then </i></div><div><i>they were just gone. That was in 2014. I became homeless overnight and without a vehicle, a </i></div><div><i>job, any money, and nowhere to go I was forced to go to the homeless shelter here in our town. </i></div><div><i>That's where I met Robert Dean. He was 27 years older than me, an ex member of a biker </i></div><div><i>gang, retired pipe fitter, he has money out the you know what. He started getting high with me a </i></div><div><i>few times a week until i didnt make curfew at the shelter and got kicked out. Within hours I was</i></div><div><i>moved in with him, higher than ever, leading this new awesome life I thought. I felt like a famous </i></div><div><i>person. Like a rock star. We got married then shortly after moved to Missouri, his hometown. </i></div><div><i>That's when my meth addiction became the only thing anyone knew about Sarah Jeffries. I was </i></div><div><i>a good wife, not a great wife just a good wife none the less i was a stay at home wife, caring for </i></div><div><i>my husband who was recently diagnosed with stage 4 lung and stage 4 kidney cancer. This was </i></div><div><i>in May of 2019. We lived on 7.4 acres of his family's land. No running water, just a well. No </i></div><div><i>electricity, we had a generator for about the first year but no money to power it. No money for </i></div><div><i>the gas. We spent all 3 grand he earned with his pipefitters pension each month on meth, </i></div><div><i>cigarettes, all that evil stuff. He was dying, the entire time I struggled and he struggled and we </i></div><div><i>prayed and we prayed but that's all. We never truly let go, let God have control and just Be Still </i></div><div><i>as scripture tells us. On January 26th 2021 I lost Robert Dean to cancer. I had 100 bucks in my </i></div><div><i>wallet, two friends, no family, no idea what was about to happen next. It was about to be the </i></div><div><i>best and worst experience and year of my entire life. Yes, the best and the worst. That’s right, </i></div><div><i>what started out and continued to be for quite a long time….the worst experience…..its ending </i></div><div><i>up being the BEST experience, and journey I could’ve ever imagined being my own. None of </i></div><div><i>this would've ever been possible first and foremost without my Lord and Savior. I was blessed </i></div><div><i>beyond measure this time a year ago when Pastor Steve saved me. I sat in my barn on the </i></div><div><i>phone with him for about 45 minutes. By the time the call ended I was able to shout out loud </i></div><div><i>that I Knew For Sure I was going to HEAVEN. That's the most awesome and rewarding and </i></div><div><i>fulfilling feeling ever. So I owe a special thank you to Pastor Steve. Whom I would have never </i></div><div><i>met had it not been for yet another amazing blessing and gift from god Mrs. Pamela Anderson </i></div><div><i>(Granny). She had invited me several times but it just happened to be a Life Issues Friday </i></div><div><i>morning . She and I were at Yost Grocery Store. She invited me , as she often had on our </i></div><div><i>outings together. I decided to take her up on the offer and little did I know that was going to be </i></div><div><i>the beginning of the journey that is ultimately turning out to have Saved My LIfe. Looking back </i></div><div><i>on all of it now, even just after 79 short days of being clean and sober, now I realize what my </i></div><div><i>brother meant. He would always tell me “Sis you are going to die if you don't change and don't </i></div><div><i>move from the place you are living and the way you're living”. I never understood. He would tell </i></div><div><i>me he prayed for me often. Not remembering my brother as being a very religious guy, I began </i></div><div><i>to try and understand the depth of his concerns and his constant need to pray for me. Things </i></div><div><i>like that, I started looking at more and more. I hadn't seen any of these issues and or concerns </i></div><div><i>everyone on the outside was seeing and voicing opinions to me constantly , about. But it was </i></div><div><i>because I was in a camper all alone, with no food, no running water, no lights, no family , no </i></div><div><i>friends , no nothing. I had forgotten the one thing the one person that i did have and had </i></div><div><i>obviously forgotten all about. GOD!!! Of course Sarah. How could I have forgotten? The one </i></div><div><i>who died on the cross for me. He died for my sins. He gave his life so that I could have mine. </i></div><div><i>And this is what I was doing with my life. I met someone else special through all of this. Her </i></div><div><i>name is Pam Jackson. She is my angel from GOD!!! Throughout this last year of knowing Pam </i></div><div><i>she sure has been a faithful sister and friend to me. Oftentimes, I was probably hateful or short </i></div><div><i>or just plain inconsiderate of the positions I was putting her in as she tried to support me </i></div><div><i>unconditionally, some of the times not even knowing for sure which way to go and how to deal </i></div><div><i>with me at the time. She was yet another person that god was using to help save me. Pat from </i></div><div><i>Life Issues. Sometimes people get up and preach a sermon or give a speech and it's a great </i></div><div><i>speech but sometimes we don't feel “in touch” with the person or the speech. Point Is…when</i></div><div><i>Pat speaks I feel like he's speaking directly to me. Like it's just him and I in the room. Meaning, </i></div><div><i>he's that intimate and that passionate about sharing his experiences, his love, the words of his </i></div><div><i>father and he's sharing and doing all of this with so much compassion. He may never realize the </i></div><div><i>direct eye contact and interacting with me during moments of his sermons, how much it affected </i></div><div><i>me through this. Pat, you have made such an impact. Thank you. </i></div><div><i>I didn’t realize how much this next person impacted my life in just one short pizza dinner after </i></div><div><i>life issues that Friday evening. Mom and I drove from Kansas to Life Issues in Missouri that </i></div><div><i>Friday evening. We joined everyone after life issues for some Pizza. Mom and I sat with Pam </i></div><div><i>and her son Caleb joined us as well. I’m never good at conversation and keeping one going at </i></div><div><i>that. Caleb is closer to my age then Pam and mom are and so it was extremely nice and such a </i></div><div><i>weight lifted once we started talking. He shared a little of his journey with us as we chatted over </i></div><div><i>pizza. But then half way through as the conversations continued I noticed something. Caleb was </i></div><div><i>giving me advice and encouraging me as a parent to continue down the path i've been going </i></div><div><i>down. And too never give up. And there it was. That direct eye contact. That compassion, </i></div><div><i>concern and pure love and support . Caleb and I may have met one other time I think. But this </i></div><div><i>was our first real sit down meeting and visiting etc etc so for basically this “stranger” to be </i></div><div><i>looking at me almost like my family does. Ya know like someone who loves you and cares about </i></div><div><i>you. With all this being said it's just so hard to find the perfect words to describe my gratitude to </i></div><div><i>each of you. And there's so many more others as well. Pastor Steve asked that I keep this to </i></div><div><i>one page and I think I”m already at 4 . Ey Ey Ey. </i></div><div><i>The opportunity to restore my relationship with God, to rise up and conquer sobriety and </i></div><div><i>educate myself on addiction more. To get up each day and put one foot in front of the other no </i></div><div><i>matter how difficult the day's challenges may get. The all around self care and self healing that </i></div><div><i>has come about so comfortably for me is a big deal and I’m so grateful. This is just the </i></div><div><i>beginning of an already amazing story. The Story Of SEJ"</i></div><div><br /></div><br />· Please pray for God to use us mightily in 2022, for without him we can do nothing, but through Him we can do all things! Sincerely, Steve Fleshman – Life Issues pastor and founder, Proverbs 4:23…</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Life Issues Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03604694121776144118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452896896338084726.post-68133093384568673022022-07-13T13:53:00.008-05:002022-07-13T14:03:43.812-05:00Monthly Update - March & April 2022Making a difference update, from the recovery field – March / April 2022 edition. Below are the highlights that happened in the Life Issues ministry over the last couple of months (new format): <br /><br />I. Benevolence <br /><br />· Gave clothing to man student on 3-6-22 <br /><br />· Went together with church to help pay rent for a man and wife on 3-6 <br /><br />· One of our men helped move the Shiloh Center on 3-21 <br /><br />· We were able to purchase a bike for Tony on 4-10-22 – see pic<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7yWib55dGtBL0LyU_9Xi2ginGNie9lGMuXOh_TE0ZcSRzcDO-4b43micwKNYLH1R5gbIDcqHbLLyYf0Fe8dIfBzrpnpyPM_ce0cugGa9EKpISujg8RhYhmEnSjgyQXT1jwNobwD-WPdzwNAYHQPkQpZ0E4fWsyXbT8vQifBC7Fa_j0fcuBJu3x4udIw/s1008/Tony%20N%20bike%204-10-22%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="756" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7yWib55dGtBL0LyU_9Xi2ginGNie9lGMuXOh_TE0ZcSRzcDO-4b43micwKNYLH1R5gbIDcqHbLLyYf0Fe8dIfBzrpnpyPM_ce0cugGa9EKpISujg8RhYhmEnSjgyQXT1jwNobwD-WPdzwNAYHQPkQpZ0E4fWsyXbT8vQifBC7Fa_j0fcuBJu3x4udIw/s320/Tony%20N%20bike%204-10-22%20(1).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /> <br /><br />· Gave gas card to couple living in their truck on 5-3 <br /><br />· We distributed a few bags of food to needy people during the last two months <br /><br />· We helped a lady get her car fixed (after having it in multiple shops) on 5-5-22 <br /><br /><br />II. Jail update <br /><br />· Took man to court in Cass Justice Center from Warsaw MO and back home on 3-15 for public defender’s office. <br /><br />· We’ve written to several letters to inmates over the last 2 months, and several have written back! <br /><br />· I’m working with the public defender’s office right now to pick up a man from the airport next week; local judges are making people appear in court post Covid, so we’re trying to assist. <br /><br /><br />III. Church <br /><br />· Our recovery group cleaned the church on 3-18 & 4-29 <br /><br />· We had a group of 5 people that helped out at the food pantry in Harrisonville on 3-18 <br /><br />· Multiple people within our group helped with HBF’s workday on 4-16, from cooking breakfast to mowing the lawn to cleaning carpet, to sawing down trees, to installing mulch in flower beds, to weed eating, to clearing brush, to patching concrete, to general cleaning – see pics!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgTfGRsFIfOy6H0xEKrUYxyP4NoFZufnP7QZg8iSQnjx3pnLFbdG24I-VNKSJ-ytS98KR2uQwZF5hC2-xSnD-ACGXm-Z9hxxt8NKAzB31i6N2vgut8GMfApQNauODyBrMCeEo8Umsnag4l__jd4jMB5FEoozpn6TDU4h-wmybbLTAvmoDYgIueNK0McQ/s4032/Workday%204-16-22%20group%20pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgTfGRsFIfOy6H0xEKrUYxyP4NoFZufnP7QZg8iSQnjx3pnLFbdG24I-VNKSJ-ytS98KR2uQwZF5hC2-xSnD-ACGXm-Z9hxxt8NKAzB31i6N2vgut8GMfApQNauODyBrMCeEo8Umsnag4l__jd4jMB5FEoozpn6TDU4h-wmybbLTAvmoDYgIueNK0McQ/s320/Workday%204-16-22%20group%20pic.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8eX87jm6vRfF-UpdhWyJgOUU-C0GsgCMJIQX0dTCc59mhakanO6Lh1wWRwHjEW8_JCe7YWz1bK1zYOr_4FkFKtt32OntvRdg5k3zP6N8Yu9stAk9EPuVs1igD9FiHTg2f5Ywa-S-MuEooDMWJ609QekwL7s_J7zDW30FvHgTpYNoIqI_Kjw13ovITw/s2016/Zach%20Junior%20Emy%204-16-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8eX87jm6vRfF-UpdhWyJgOUU-C0GsgCMJIQX0dTCc59mhakanO6Lh1wWRwHjEW8_JCe7YWz1bK1zYOr_4FkFKtt32OntvRdg5k3zP6N8Yu9stAk9EPuVs1igD9FiHTg2f5Ywa-S-MuEooDMWJ609QekwL7s_J7zDW30FvHgTpYNoIqI_Kjw13ovITw/s320/Zach%20Junior%20Emy%204-16-22.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /> <br /><br />· Several of our students and leaders are involved in discipleship: <br /><br />o Discipleship 1: Lynzee C. & Diane T., Chuck H. & Dave B., Sarah L. & Pam J., Matt & Marcy L. & The Bonnesens, Ed M. & Chris C., Sarah W. & Linda J., Kelly T. is working with two ladies in a group setting, Krystal W. and Krista G.! <br /><br />o Discipleship 2: Dale N., Caleb L. are in Jason M.’s class <br /><br />o HBI graduation: HBF will have 5 men graduate from our Bible Institute on June 12th, one of them is our son and another is one of our Life Issues leaders, Chris Coen. We’re very proud of all these men and their families for sacrificing countless hours over the last 4 years to make it to this point! <br /><br /><br />IV. Recovery <br /><br />· We had two salvations in our group within the last two months, Dominick and Zoey, PTL! <br /><br />· Our Life Issues leadership had a meeting on 3-12, see attached pic</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMShiGSgoux5QcYj8kYRx4lDZWI8VBA-81MvEcYS4Pgai4g7mrq-MUHpWPjjGPaXrVsuG_F0UYGUPVqh5p6MLJ3NQP5iJBMbpu-WwrBSk_nAj_o_NdtUSduWsHXevAxzApKdMepT9kl6IKRX9amfQxJJuK0oH9Qglk1w21wA64uF24VBRnkPXzsRsmEA/s2016/Leadership%20meeting%20group%203-12-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMShiGSgoux5QcYj8kYRx4lDZWI8VBA-81MvEcYS4Pgai4g7mrq-MUHpWPjjGPaXrVsuG_F0UYGUPVqh5p6MLJ3NQP5iJBMbpu-WwrBSk_nAj_o_NdtUSduWsHXevAxzApKdMepT9kl6IKRX9amfQxJJuK0oH9Qglk1w21wA64uF24VBRnkPXzsRsmEA/s320/Leadership%20meeting%20group%203-12-22.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <br /><br />· We added a new Covenant Eyes (CE is anti-pornography software) user on 3-30, to someone who is seeking purity with their online activity / screen time. <br /><br />· One of our students (Heather H.) graduated from our program (TJH) on 4-29, and we currently have 4 students actively working through our program / pathway to recovery and another thinking about it! <br /><br />· We rolled out our milestone tags on 4-29, we will revisit it and distribute them at the end of each month to folks with new achievements / milestones <br /><br /><br />V. Events <br /><br />· Lily’s House sponsored their first ever 5K run / walk fundraiser on 4-2 and Life Issues had a table / booth at their event – see attached pic</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC8L0VMtmLG4yeGeZhShI5hWr0T5I7A-1emqeipmYX_lHFXaF2pdp2_tdF5voSxcUWxTToHdP1erzQwaT4sqm46EdIwqoa4pfitwFSVbNAj5zJRgJHASqd26maYi4r3JT-048J8Yc4GGJrK61agenPGNUlKgWsweuzWlk4Vhr5cO6mkZiTIdXbtDb_Eg/s1730/Theresa%20N%20Kelly%204-2-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1730" data-original-width="1354" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC8L0VMtmLG4yeGeZhShI5hWr0T5I7A-1emqeipmYX_lHFXaF2pdp2_tdF5voSxcUWxTToHdP1erzQwaT4sqm46EdIwqoa4pfitwFSVbNAj5zJRgJHASqd26maYi4r3JT-048J8Yc4GGJrK61agenPGNUlKgWsweuzWlk4Vhr5cO6mkZiTIdXbtDb_Eg/s320/Theresa%20N%20Kelly%204-2-22.jpg" width="250" /></a></div><br /> <br /><br />· Five of us went to Butler MO on 4-18 and heard the testimony of a representative of Prison Fellowship! <br /><br />· Pat Lee gave a great IGO update on 4-5 at our church’s Vision Conference, see attached pic.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXJ19dgIe0uAE1f_2OutP14jzl3jYYP-kNRm0wGV1d_83RVTeLDQoE1PpgSJmC-SwskBIcZi9NZ540nGiWoez7yDwHjr-O_UaTUlv_Uo0YAQb2LNo-DTIt34wTJkgSveP0kV1Rj9m2jW5Qe69GRrbXOqojsbkIFlIHut-XGJjDjQ-fRlBymXCIVZvP9A/s2016/Pat%20teaching%20IGO%204-5-22.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXJ19dgIe0uAE1f_2OutP14jzl3jYYP-kNRm0wGV1d_83RVTeLDQoE1PpgSJmC-SwskBIcZi9NZ540nGiWoez7yDwHjr-O_UaTUlv_Uo0YAQb2LNo-DTIt34wTJkgSveP0kV1Rj9m2jW5Qe69GRrbXOqojsbkIFlIHut-XGJjDjQ-fRlBymXCIVZvP9A/s320/Pat%20teaching%20IGO%204-5-22.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /> <br /><br />· I was ordained as an Assistant Pastor at HBF on 4-6 and got to preach on the final night of our church’s Vision Conference, see attached pic.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuS_n4OyvWtixWEvxJsVoCF_Brj-3NJ45cUXPlMy5co-jCUtHUP0raXqqxH4BVaMgYmm2-_RlxWZaVTH8DAmjnCvPzPWw_y3zB9x-4v1P0ePNXxsjXcRZyBZyKx5QETIqNdNf5qrkb_p8TaxjHyaOOS1vtsMH8hBUVv1qo0PdrqJvt3fmrpjWdrr6lOA/s1280/Ordination%20pic%204-6-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuS_n4OyvWtixWEvxJsVoCF_Brj-3NJ45cUXPlMy5co-jCUtHUP0raXqqxH4BVaMgYmm2-_RlxWZaVTH8DAmjnCvPzPWw_y3zB9x-4v1P0ePNXxsjXcRZyBZyKx5QETIqNdNf5qrkb_p8TaxjHyaOOS1vtsMH8hBUVv1qo0PdrqJvt3fmrpjWdrr6lOA/s320/Ordination%20pic%204-6-22.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /> <br /><br /><br />VI. People <br /><br />· We had a Baby Shower for Tom and Niesha on 3-18 & will have another for Sarah W. on 5-13, see attached pic.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdjvrED83a4dFeb0NJneegSzYsxjqTfP9m7RYfpDErgkMGUx2HZ8wpUDLQngDFbtJiZDepPdBJ0VKmkLDHQt4taVwFGt2DIfNhxChm-csPdTqUOnI0_daHYNZWXZ3Hgzv4nMs41Kdi7DTJphhgrFeJrqnVmne7XMmD59x9lMI6VmGo05TLjR5dxcdrKg/s2016/Tom%20-%20Neisha%20-%20baby%20shower%203-18-22%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdjvrED83a4dFeb0NJneegSzYsxjqTfP9m7RYfpDErgkMGUx2HZ8wpUDLQngDFbtJiZDepPdBJ0VKmkLDHQt4taVwFGt2DIfNhxChm-csPdTqUOnI0_daHYNZWXZ3Hgzv4nMs41Kdi7DTJphhgrFeJrqnVmne7XMmD59x9lMI6VmGo05TLjR5dxcdrKg/s320/Tom%20-%20Neisha%20-%20baby%20shower%203-18-22%20(2).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /> <br /><br />· Dustin T. got baptized and placed membership at HBF on 4-17 – see attached pic</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi40WxcOH8iR1yhzJJKVm-UADokUkX4k3M_hwlvNPBFy7TjM4MwaNOM9eehygf1PTcxxHcAubOdjUuHX8vqOc2iQys58iWiU5M_p0bLJ85gto3ApReZBny5D38crxU2CNAKjvovYx6_WvOaHzK-OMOMTWkpzD3NblrCBz5HwjSq_4eBJvtp9bz-TbiwqA/s2016/Steve%20N%20Dustin%204-17-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi40WxcOH8iR1yhzJJKVm-UADokUkX4k3M_hwlvNPBFy7TjM4MwaNOM9eehygf1PTcxxHcAubOdjUuHX8vqOc2iQys58iWiU5M_p0bLJ85gto3ApReZBny5D38crxU2CNAKjvovYx6_WvOaHzK-OMOMTWkpzD3NblrCBz5HwjSq_4eBJvtp9bz-TbiwqA/s320/Steve%20N%20Dustin%204-17-22.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div> <br />· Chuck H. participated in the special Olympics in April, he received 1 silver and 2 bronze medals - pic</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiieOa9-RNc9d_aEY9qF2B3eTrQUD2l2UK-lHK1KZGUzB5zf_N4oBj0wOVIvmMUGVyJ0hQlM8Kok8pt9iTWiK4d0sqNntQRdCIv4rWDwZmNPAvVx8SPrFsQVqq2rzMkrkzyeROBa33r1mIssxuTSZj7I0YmbrHa4MlyzBY3v7Dm8BqdiKhwmCOuOb3lOQ/s2016/Chuck%20N%20Steve%204-29-22.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiieOa9-RNc9d_aEY9qF2B3eTrQUD2l2UK-lHK1KZGUzB5zf_N4oBj0wOVIvmMUGVyJ0hQlM8Kok8pt9iTWiK4d0sqNntQRdCIv4rWDwZmNPAvVx8SPrFsQVqq2rzMkrkzyeROBa33r1mIssxuTSZj7I0YmbrHa4MlyzBY3v7Dm8BqdiKhwmCOuOb3lOQ/s320/Chuck%20N%20Steve%204-29-22.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /> <br /><br /><br />· Heather just completed her Pay-It-Forward project, she had a baby drive that raised 2404 diapers and 1500 wipes – see attached pic.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8UKvUSPIlEcU6v0B5YkGsHAeUqGGYBiE76BOoT2Yx3kFhK-GY5gCvOi192RBttsi9WqjYkXP02OlevkFvOV3i0SWLKjyyAit8_qzCSdYYta-BI3GvEyFxF8acWBBat9AtIrpHN5RJZjSLDXrHY8wl-Ba0cGHhnWrWiRmM1TaXR3hcIO0LJrlhvlc7IQ/s1643/Heather%20N%20PIF%20project%205-2-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1374" data-original-width="1643" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8UKvUSPIlEcU6v0B5YkGsHAeUqGGYBiE76BOoT2Yx3kFhK-GY5gCvOi192RBttsi9WqjYkXP02OlevkFvOV3i0SWLKjyyAit8_qzCSdYYta-BI3GvEyFxF8acWBBat9AtIrpHN5RJZjSLDXrHY8wl-Ba0cGHhnWrWiRmM1TaXR3hcIO0LJrlhvlc7IQ/s320/Heather%20N%20PIF%20project%205-2-22.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div> <br /><br />· I used to attend church with a man about 20 years ago and recently he and his family have been visiting our recovery group, here is his testimony from the past 15 years. <div><br /></div><div>"<i>God never meant for us to be alone. It is good to have friends, family and helpers in our faith journey. <br /><br />o Gen. 2:18 says “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.” So God made Eve! <br /><br />o Ecc. 4:10 says, “but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.”. <br /><br />· Between 2001 and 2007 my wife and I experienced some things in our lives that brought shame, guilt, confusion and anger into our hearts. We had struggles with our kids and struggles as a young couple trying to figure out life, parenting and marriage. We were in our late 20’s/early 30’s. In 2007 I couldn’t bear it any more so left church in anger after a Sunday morning sermon. I never really returned until the fall of 2021. <br /><br />· During the next 14 years we sporadically attended some church services but no commitment. For me, I was ashamed of my struggles so avoided past relationships. I was angry at others so just avoided people. Certainly, a root of bitterness took hold in my heart. I did not stop believing in God. I did not stop believing in the Bible. I did not stop believing in the Church. I was just angry, confused, ashamed and hurt which led to 14 years of walking in a barren desert bearing the burdens of life without help. Without Christ centered friendships. Without much prayer. Without much hope, joy or things to look forward to. <br /><br />· When we started having troubles with a couple of our younger kids the burden was too great. We already went through this with our oldest and now problems with our younger teens. What I know now is that God was taking us through a trial too great for one man to bear by himself (or couple). I had no answers and little strength as an older father to power through it. My hand was forced and thankfully my wife and I agreed to attend church around Thanksgiving time in 2021. The sermon, the singing, the encouragement, the smiles and the Word from God filled my heart with manna I had been avoiding for 14 years. <br /><br />· An old friend at this church gave me a hug and it brought me to tears. I don’t normally show emotions but the warmth and love was too great for me to handle. Since then, we have brought God back into our marriage and personal lives. We attend a small group and Life Issues that help us bear the burdens of life, foster Christ centered friendships and hope for a better tomorrow. We pray more together and attend church more regular. Still learning. Still have struggles. But God is bigger than me and planting seeds for a better tomorrow brings more peace and joy in the midst of life’s struggles. <br /><br />· Thankful for my past and future Christian friendships, stories and fellowship. Thankful for opportunities to serve and kindle that fire again. Eric M."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></i><br />· Please pray for God to use us mightily in 2022, for without him we can do nothing, but through Him we can do all things! Sincerely, Steve Fleshman – Life Issues pastor and founder, Proverbs 4:23…<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Life Issues Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03604694121776144118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452896896338084726.post-76410897316223410992022-03-23T13:09:00.001-05:002022-03-23T13:09:06.722-05:00Monthly Update - January & February 2022Making a difference update, from the recovery field – January / February 2022 edition. Below are the highlights that happened in the Life Issues ministry over the last couple of months (new format): <br /><br /> <br /><br /><b><u>I. Benevolence </u></b><br /><br />· Bought a car battery for one of our ladies on 1-24 <br /><br />· Gave 2 bags of food to a lady on 2-1-22, gave another bag or two in the course of two months. Theresa G. has stepped up to lead our effort to stock and maintain our Morsel’s For Many food pantry, we are currently in a campaign to have items donated to our pantry, see attached flier. <br /><br />· Gave a night’s stay to a man on 2-11 & worked with HBF to give a week’s stay to a lady around the same time. <br /><br />· Gave a homeless couple two nights in mid-February, see attached pic of them.<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz44SOQij7_Nx6FEFgCbq7casoEVUlPi0K-VsALXXenS0jM6lSxSB8Bdl6N3Cc0x_Hj9Q7fuTPS1TT9r-VvFXXJqFug_OWSRtwj22qDL-fcXXEqt7skk9eVqy3sg2KW7Z2kctjbDPbsjzkczzCq71V8GUDoy_kAG3ZLMA-6MRPGN4pRfxmIlJX4a9f6Q/s2016/Robert%20and%20Jena%202-20-22.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz44SOQij7_Nx6FEFgCbq7casoEVUlPi0K-VsALXXenS0jM6lSxSB8Bdl6N3Cc0x_Hj9Q7fuTPS1TT9r-VvFXXJqFug_OWSRtwj22qDL-fcXXEqt7skk9eVqy3sg2KW7Z2kctjbDPbsjzkczzCq71V8GUDoy_kAG3ZLMA-6MRPGN4pRfxmIlJX4a9f6Q/s320/Robert%20and%20Jena%202-20-22.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /> <br /><br />· I often only report about people we’re able to help, but I receive at least 1 call per week asking for assistance with something, and I’ve had to turn down several again recently. <br /><br /> <br /><br /><b><u>II. Jail update </u></b><br /><br />· Zach M. is actively writing to inmates, so that is a blessing for all involved, PTL & thanks Zach! <br /><br />· Took box of Bibles to Cass County Jail on 1-21-22 for distribution to inmates <br /><br />· Met with Sargent Wise, from the Cass County Jail, on 2-9-22 concerning our Recovery Curriculum (The Journey Home – TJH) that we want to get into jails and prisons! <br /><br />· Gave a man a ride from jail to Independence MO on 3-3-22, to help him and his aunt. <br /><br />· We’ve had two ladies get out of prison recently and both of them failed to visit us as promised, so please pray for us as we endeavor to help folks who make it difficult or reject our help. <br /><br /> <br /><br /><b><u>III. Church </u></b><br /><br />· Tom M. spent many hours painting and updating our youth trailer, and it looks amazing; attached is a pic of him and I.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKIvfBM-Q3t25MKBpdWWamRCwMU6sBzvxNrmoesp-iKZlnyhJ9WcKp0Pk-P5CbK0xOg-Lb0qAnkcR7Lz0KKzILwmcKWfz28CVWhn9Sv8Pm8WXukszbZ18WSFwRfVSYiiQXBsA5HSm1sug-impJtoUkB_DcfPkhinEuDyec_JTHwZ9ZS4x99eEV3sXZJQ/s1544/Steve%20N%20Tom%202-9-22.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1544" data-original-width="1158" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKIvfBM-Q3t25MKBpdWWamRCwMU6sBzvxNrmoesp-iKZlnyhJ9WcKp0Pk-P5CbK0xOg-Lb0qAnkcR7Lz0KKzILwmcKWfz28CVWhn9Sv8Pm8WXukszbZ18WSFwRfVSYiiQXBsA5HSm1sug-impJtoUkB_DcfPkhinEuDyec_JTHwZ9ZS4x99eEV3sXZJQ/s320/Steve%20N%20Tom%202-9-22.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /> <br /><br />· Received a request to introduce Life Issues Ministry (LIM) to another church on 1-10-22, but haven’t heard anymore from them, but we’re trying to make our recovery group a reproduceable one. <br /><br />· Several of our students and leaders are involved in discipleship: <br /><br />o Discipleship 1: Lynzee C. & Diane T., Chuck H. & Dave B., Sarah L. & Pam J., Matt & Marcy L. & the Bonnesens, Ed M. & Chris C., Sarah W. & Linda J., Kelly T. is working with two ladies in a group setting, Krystal W. and Krista G.! <br /><br />o Discipleship 2: Dale N., Caleb L. are in Jason M.’s class <br /><br /> <br /><br /><b><u>IV. Recovery </u></b><br /><br />· Jimmie G. quit smoking cigarettes @ the beginning of year – 2022, and he’s still on the wagon, we’re so proud of him! <br /><br />· Zach M. is near to completing the Drug Court program, which is a 4 phase / 18-month endeavor. Zach should complete it around April, so we’re look forward to celebrating that milestone with him! <br /><br />· Heather H. is growing by leaps and bounds, she completed a Moral Reconation Therapy course on 2-21-22 (see attached cert.) and also our TJH recovery curriculum on 2-28-22, we’re so proud of her! Attached is a pic of her and Marcy (another wonderful lady in our group)</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7FalQfDlBeDo1-gCG7_xeZYJrp_Qr8Tbr7o-7U7re5gfpgcsP941qOhcpODAq0wVHjPHmXLqAd4LvTK9J_9br0IfcKwEtZIzPzsgq3tvIpVEOmX-PLNM97r50Z8ug2_P744JIg8HnwaS1YkhLS66gUIGL_gmSrBINLvvq-C0VhZbUOoIyx1bCqzY5mQ/s2016/Heather%20N%20Marcy%202-27-22.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7FalQfDlBeDo1-gCG7_xeZYJrp_Qr8Tbr7o-7U7re5gfpgcsP941qOhcpODAq0wVHjPHmXLqAd4LvTK9J_9br0IfcKwEtZIzPzsgq3tvIpVEOmX-PLNM97r50Z8ug2_P744JIg8HnwaS1YkhLS66gUIGL_gmSrBINLvvq-C0VhZbUOoIyx1bCqzY5mQ/s320/Heather%20N%20Marcy%202-27-22.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZhwSB4CQew_cNyvaS-2CXTtmlnQvrntVw8SPzKMf8Haqma_cdc0Jzt0i0G68yNKP6cDseeEBGkNkfgEhAPRc7ZiINoSgY_pUgf5ANH2-DQjGtNo-O6TpfzmNfcGPVynqpfkYsGwaXP7Yr5ifBCNL-3nuZA9me7SFt6uQzgKHhNxPCiUK81cgvhD1dw/s1280/Heathers%20MRT%20certificate%20%202-21-22.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZhwSB4CQew_cNyvaS-2CXTtmlnQvrntVw8SPzKMf8Haqma_cdc0Jzt0i0G68yNKP6cDseeEBGkNkfgEhAPRc7ZiINoSgY_pUgf5ANH2-DQjGtNo-O6TpfzmNfcGPVynqpfkYsGwaXP7Yr5ifBCNL-3nuZA9me7SFt6uQzgKHhNxPCiUK81cgvhD1dw/s320/Heathers%20MRT%20certificate%20%202-21-22.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>· Rebecca W. completed an 8-week parenting class on 3-3-22 (see attached cert.), so proud of her too!</div></div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNEyiI1GmMWU4C-bXvpOVbeF1oS2wPU63ZLfDSh26QcxO_jSPRgii2sorgYNNrHtOpVJ3mC2aih9kFjiekKXcWLWVjjT1fYQSxsu4FInmyERryRK7Gl4HUJQzraQ2LcRXrIAH4na6CBz1b8aclzryqRFeWfRbasxyH2tC-RxtayyCSKl9JLhEY1vYDhA/s1024/Rebecca%20-%20parenting%20certificate%20%203-3-22.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNEyiI1GmMWU4C-bXvpOVbeF1oS2wPU63ZLfDSh26QcxO_jSPRgii2sorgYNNrHtOpVJ3mC2aih9kFjiekKXcWLWVjjT1fYQSxsu4FInmyERryRK7Gl4HUJQzraQ2LcRXrIAH4na6CBz1b8aclzryqRFeWfRbasxyH2tC-RxtayyCSKl9JLhEY1vYDhA/s320/Rebecca%20-%20parenting%20certificate%20%203-3-22.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br /><b><u>V. Events </u></b><br /><br />· The founder of the national PTSD group called Wounded Spirits, and author Doug Carragher, was our guest speaker on 1-14-22 and gave a powerful message in which 3 people gave their life to the Lord, see attached group pic.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ZOvaQNn57oRWcHQ68fEnfjQAex0SEVywYcgxYNcW_IgKNS05V8mHyQa1vFqXi_QDS253sOpen5udfDdViehbk_DzlC1QIUjGIHklO0R7TZaTAPkZKOrC_Al30DmRmceHGVZQmkgLXlZJazxN8fgXUpOn70qEXjzKRnvC5kVaKe5IHQLZYVEBGDjpxA/s2016/PTSD%20meeting%201-14-22.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ZOvaQNn57oRWcHQ68fEnfjQAex0SEVywYcgxYNcW_IgKNS05V8mHyQa1vFqXi_QDS253sOpen5udfDdViehbk_DzlC1QIUjGIHklO0R7TZaTAPkZKOrC_Al30DmRmceHGVZQmkgLXlZJazxN8fgXUpOn70qEXjzKRnvC5kVaKe5IHQLZYVEBGDjpxA/s320/PTSD%20meeting%201-14-22.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <br /><br />· We had a Super Bowl party on 2-13, this was also Life Issues’ eleven (11) year anniversary! <br /><br />· Pastor Gary Haskel from Pennsylvania was our guest speaker on 2-18-22, he gave a great message and really connected with our group too, attached a pic of him with our men’s group!</div><br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT9pS_Fzom_eLtpVBUSMZVE63fPI-33069GkzGQJ4WXtJUsta1qZsNoZ3xvxkSVVKIkAWxfbkmZWEK5111lfCDHkouGcp-fzS9b4Y_Y7pGjYlb7qCgOulmjOKT_SUlF3M531-uwsOUUy8Wt3Suy1YuGLKyWyfzvZdIavja1pjTxOHrrLuUUBpU06f2Aw/s2016/Men's%20group%20pic%202-18-22.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT9pS_Fzom_eLtpVBUSMZVE63fPI-33069GkzGQJ4WXtJUsta1qZsNoZ3xvxkSVVKIkAWxfbkmZWEK5111lfCDHkouGcp-fzS9b4Y_Y7pGjYlb7qCgOulmjOKT_SUlF3M531-uwsOUUy8Wt3Suy1YuGLKyWyfzvZdIavja1pjTxOHrrLuUUBpU06f2Aw/s320/Men's%20group%20pic%202-18-22.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div> <br /><br />· Lily’s House – 5K run – April 2nd, 2022, cut and paste link below for more details! We support Lily’s House as a community partner, so please give to them generously as the Lord leads you! <br /><br /><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aeFBXexo_GgBujZ5m17Z3KQyN4SXorJg/view">https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aeFBXexo_GgBujZ5m17Z3KQyN4SXorJg/view</a> <br /><br /> <br /><br /><b><u>VI. People </u></b><br /><br />· Zach M. is actively donating community service hours to HBF and has been a huge blessing to us with many things, i.e. set up and tear down for conferences, assisting kitchen for events, helping home-bound member with tasks they are unable to perform, etc. <br /><br />· Our Life Issues group helped move Shane W. back to Harrisonville on 1-29, he was one of our original leaders and recovered addicts, attached is a pic of him and Barry.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCT95TUyGnbggGVTBQhd0Nf1dtubA21CK4NjUor8mfTnU1-u6Xbr48hcokGb7iaVN8IVXW9ayfNoqnwTJ_ug8F1FIuomuH6r8WBuFnIMkepLZrj9UptMBLADz6MsUo2IJ63zi_Ypdt5PW48936PTkzLCiq__mKDWiOUZi60k6Z2CjCaRDQh79TJb-llA/s2016/Barry%20N%20Shane%201-29-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCT95TUyGnbggGVTBQhd0Nf1dtubA21CK4NjUor8mfTnU1-u6Xbr48hcokGb7iaVN8IVXW9ayfNoqnwTJ_ug8F1FIuomuH6r8WBuFnIMkepLZrj9UptMBLADz6MsUo2IJ63zi_Ypdt5PW48936PTkzLCiq__mKDWiOUZi60k6Z2CjCaRDQh79TJb-llA/s320/Barry%20N%20Shane%201-29-22.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /> <br /><br />· Cassie A. came home from deployment in the National Guard Reserves in early February, we are so proud of her and thankful for her safe return home! <br /><br />· Sean Zimmerman died on 2-5-22 and I performed his Memorial Service for his family @ HBF on 2-26-22. Sean came to 5-6 of our recovery meetings, so his death was a shock to us all, see attached pic.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0j1fU3PP1pSR4tXSh-ESM1Ss19lJ4EMmlhbqtwRtOUPiP_bxDcI2EbOrRb-yB3Sw1A1lGjgMUZB6o7vE-BwOq9-2FrWwdFcdCDfqSlIs0P3nD6_atqvgwmwCuxL74sgXprcxODbFYvnamWIdb4hawlC-IR2rgatDp-XDeKZjnoyLi7ZMzbOIJrHa7OA/s673/Sean%20Zimmerman%202-26-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="673" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0j1fU3PP1pSR4tXSh-ESM1Ss19lJ4EMmlhbqtwRtOUPiP_bxDcI2EbOrRb-yB3Sw1A1lGjgMUZB6o7vE-BwOq9-2FrWwdFcdCDfqSlIs0P3nD6_atqvgwmwCuxL74sgXprcxODbFYvnamWIdb4hawlC-IR2rgatDp-XDeKZjnoyLi7ZMzbOIJrHa7OA/s320/Sean%20Zimmerman%202-26-22.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <br /><br />· Carol Thompson completed American Red Cross training on 2-3 (Adult & Infant CPR, and first aid), Carol is a huge blessing to our group and helps us however she can! <br /><br />· Pam J. has been witnessing to a homeless lady on multiple occasions recently and giving her gospel literature, and one of our Intentional Gospel Outreach (IGO) groups has been praying for her. Pat L. has also spoke to her about her need for Christ and I’m happy to report that she has accepted Christ as her personal Lord and savior, halleluiah! <br /><br />· Testimony of a former student, Charles N.: </div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>"Hello Steve, I just wanted to let you know how good I am doing in my life. The Lord delivered me from addiction and buy his grace, I have been clean for 3 years and 10 months. I live my life every day, as well as a sinner can, by Jesus' teachings. At 44 years old I am happier now than I have ever been. My life is evidence of God’s grace and mercy. I live in SE Missouri and am the manager of the Goliath house (Sober Living House) and also work a full-time job in construction. Thank you for all your prayers and for planting the seed. </i></div><div><i>God bless you and I hope this gives you some strength to continue the great commission."</i><br /><br /><br />· Please pray for God to use us mightily in 2022, for without him we can do nothing, sincerely, Steve Fleshman – Life Issues pastor and founder, Proverbs 4:23…</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Life Issues Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03604694121776144118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452896896338084726.post-11192804898117994712022-01-07T11:19:00.014-06:002022-01-07T11:26:28.262-06:00Monthly Update - November & December 2021Making a difference update, from the recovery field – November / December 2021 edition. Below are the highlights that happened in the Life Issues ministry over the last couple of months (new format): <br /><br /><br /><b>I. Benevolence </b><br /><br />· Gave box of food to lady on 11-4, and we ended up giving 21 bags / boxes for the year 2021. <br /><br />· HBF and Life Issues helped Rebecca W. with rent, she’s now 1 year clean – see pic of her and son.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEETSy_gh-B91MoE7qKWbyNbauQYg-_rp3wH3Iqcnlx7a2zs84EftaHaaSkrqH5CVw09RhfA6zQhsv78KTfqekQfXSSBMTLqxjnthVmaYX8rc2VHK6MT56qOMrPNmj1zHFrdqROTODZKC8_C94GcNeZvniKO9EOF5xdE3xWZmKDwGu5gXMGdIvYZUD2A=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEETSy_gh-B91MoE7qKWbyNbauQYg-_rp3wH3Iqcnlx7a2zs84EftaHaaSkrqH5CVw09RhfA6zQhsv78KTfqekQfXSSBMTLqxjnthVmaYX8rc2VHK6MT56qOMrPNmj1zHFrdqROTODZKC8_C94GcNeZvniKO9EOF5xdE3xWZmKDwGu5gXMGdIvYZUD2A=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>· HBF and Life Issues also helped a lady with her water bill and rent in mid-December. <br /><br />· We gave a couple of gas cards to students in December. <br /><br />· Helped a homeless man with 2 nights emergency lodging on 12-30 & 12-31 <br /><br />· I often only report about people we’re able to help, but I receive at least 1 call per week asking for assistance with something, and around Christmas I received extra petitions, and I wanted to report that I had to turn 3 individuals down recently, those are hard conversations so please pray for me. <br /><br /> <br /><br /><b>II. Jail update </b><br /><br />· Went to court for a couple of inmates on 11-15, we’re currently writing to over 10 inmates. <br /><br />· I just got a letter showing that one of the inmates completed a School for Evangelism and Discipleship course, signed by the Chaplin. <br /><br />· One of our former leaders that moved away, Jim W. is now serving with Bates County jail ministry! <br /><br />· Transported inmate from jail to residence until getting into treatment facility on 11-23 <br /><br />· Gave guy a ride to court and home for the Public Defender’s Office on 12-14 <br /><br />· Here’s an update on the Jail ministry started at one of our Sister churches in Monmouth Illinois: </div><div><br /></div><div><i>"During spring of 2021 the Lord opened a huge door, allowing us to begin ministering to our local county jail. Having originally been given 45 minutes, once a week, we’re now allowed to spend over 2 hours a week ministering to the inmates. We have seen a handful of salvations. In fact, there hasn’t been one Monday where we left the jail questioning if we’re being wise stewards of our time. The inmates are slurping up the word…and it’s been refreshing. Not only is the Lord allowing us to minister to the inmates, but to the staff as well. What a privilege! <br /><br /></i></div><div><i>We’re very thankful for the custom jail Bibles that HBF shipped to us. Not only has the AV translation been helping the inmates be unified when reading and studying, but the discipleship lessons at the beginning have also served as valuable resources. We’ll often spend the first 30 minutes of our time discussing particular points of the discipleship lessons. These lessons also serve as great resources for the new believers we get to lead to Christ. <br /><br /></i></div><div><i>Recently, we saw the Lord working intensely in the heart of one of the inmates (I’m talking about the kind with tattoos all over his face that most religious people like to avoid). This man knew he was a sinner who needed a Saviour, but we didn’t want to force or manipulate him into salvation. You see, the seed (God’s word) had been planted within him a few weeks prior. A baby was beginning to develop within the womb; but we could tell that it wasn’t ready to be born yet. Our prayer was that throughout the week, ONE OF THE OTHER INMATES would be able to lead him to Christ (rather than us). The Lord answered that prayer!!! By the time we came back, this man had already professed Christ as his Saviour. He even wrote out what he prayed – probably one of the most beautiful “sinner’s prayer” we’ve ever heard. The best part about what we’re doing is that God isn’t just using us to make disciples in jail, He’s using inmates!"</i><br /><br /> <br /><br /><b>III. Church </b><br /><br />· Our church sent a group of 5 people on a mission trip to southern Mexico to help a missionary in early December and 2 of those folks were leaders in our Life Issues group, PTL (see pic of Mickie speaking at a recent meeting)!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilIihUerh0-Ofc-kU3G8b6ki8fdf9ZUn6wUY-ghjxbn3YdWQt80SYZNwyi41PMkIjld5xduWqlv3xiYjlJHalrz2EuZe6g3rJtwEtHD6760opsoodvawQ5JqKxLFEi181VNIiiM9IUzhkSSNFvfGsKiC8hd1TwUo77nyvaix54PKFmIrefQ8BPCULe0A=s2016" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilIihUerh0-Ofc-kU3G8b6ki8fdf9ZUn6wUY-ghjxbn3YdWQt80SYZNwyi41PMkIjld5xduWqlv3xiYjlJHalrz2EuZe6g3rJtwEtHD6760opsoodvawQ5JqKxLFEi181VNIiiM9IUzhkSSNFvfGsKiC8hd1TwUo77nyvaix54PKFmIrefQ8BPCULe0A=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>· Lynzee was baptized 11-14, and Jesse got baptized on 12-12-21 – see pics below</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYGRLBiYdCh4PFR_uPqjNN0QQCUQuk9KCUsRLdIWPDpzmoVGfn5CG22aKti-eIXgS8LG-3TonS1Qr2ILFCQeG1OrUU6IsRte76W7vf2PPF8ll1LHw08VwlpEw0WR8yWwclMFORv8U6GA2g71ygl-mIcgkfjgJlr9sBfIht69bxGcP-kCWVYITgld6BLg=s2016" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYGRLBiYdCh4PFR_uPqjNN0QQCUQuk9KCUsRLdIWPDpzmoVGfn5CG22aKti-eIXgS8LG-3TonS1Qr2ILFCQeG1OrUU6IsRte76W7vf2PPF8ll1LHw08VwlpEw0WR8yWwclMFORv8U6GA2g71ygl-mIcgkfjgJlr9sBfIht69bxGcP-kCWVYITgld6BLg=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIrwXabT8opUg43U31e_1rF_kwsRF0z3yPlo2mb3NhRjpi9sHXbkO_8U9AmwB34luW4mgIoJi1QMpocscuTw6KOg5NeAi8fYISBfPqNR_ta3jS9BdKYxhErCWYjT0pRqtfqSkaNm_LIvYzV794bLqCGfNtuu1Xb_4Kav31yo8ktzv3nNVrRooV69JpnQ=s2016" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1212" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIrwXabT8opUg43U31e_1rF_kwsRF0z3yPlo2mb3NhRjpi9sHXbkO_8U9AmwB34luW4mgIoJi1QMpocscuTw6KOg5NeAi8fYISBfPqNR_ta3jS9BdKYxhErCWYjT0pRqtfqSkaNm_LIvYzV794bLqCGfNtuu1Xb_4Kav31yo8ktzv3nNVrRooV69JpnQ=s320" width="192" /></a></div><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div>· Lynzee and three other folks placed membership @ HBF over the last two months – see pic below</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhonoO6jFLL4R2_QTHhUAaZRJukbSHqCFjB902paw3YEybeWgarCrZw53BjBxbj1MKi5ySNxusjRvmhnlCARoJMDX-6KapyowIRprIh1VBrrbcEa4znv1nEoo7GQ9a0k04BIow4eQnGml-vEjFiBVUffyrO1YCpOglvXJ3gUwfFEiMMgwGxn8bm2iQGdw=s2016" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhonoO6jFLL4R2_QTHhUAaZRJukbSHqCFjB902paw3YEybeWgarCrZw53BjBxbj1MKi5ySNxusjRvmhnlCARoJMDX-6KapyowIRprIh1VBrrbcEa4znv1nEoo7GQ9a0k04BIow4eQnGml-vEjFiBVUffyrO1YCpOglvXJ3gUwfFEiMMgwGxn8bm2iQGdw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><br /><b>IV. Recovery </b><br /><br />· Joe graduated from Hope City on 12-17 and will be coming down to share testimony on 2-25. <br /><br />· Life Issues made a financial donation to The Lighthouse Ministry in Clinton Missouri in early November, for their assistance in helping us get over 10 individuals into treatment / rehab in 2021. <br /><br />· We currently have about 8 folks involved in HBF’s discipleship course and 5 going through our “The Journey Home” program, here’s a brief testimony from Heather H., </div><div><br /></div><div><i>“Linda has been helping me work through a lot of my addictions, depressions, and TJH book... it's given me peace in my heart this year... I don't know where I would be without Life Issues and your church's love and support. Heather H." </i><br /><br /> <br /><br /><b>V. Events </b><br /><br />· Troy L. helped with HBF’s 3-day concrete project (11-5, 6, & 8) and used it as his Pay-It-Forward project for Drug Court. Several other Life Issues folks assisted with this project too, see attached pics.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgRRP4ZjcEF9Pl995vS2MN2aOOH4faU_qXItGcOBrc5TYpmI1A_9Bxof07516--t6CTeB6SidVxUOtPm0ruCOTPrbrpiGtgBYwma-LMWDgGpEJ6gRps7G7Ux_fr_bDn9cilRiVbwv-QvfxZXDSoujcU1138eCIefLRdnO2bw8DBbeVHdguGc_WEFULdVw=s2016" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgRRP4ZjcEF9Pl995vS2MN2aOOH4faU_qXItGcOBrc5TYpmI1A_9Bxof07516--t6CTeB6SidVxUOtPm0ruCOTPrbrpiGtgBYwma-LMWDgGpEJ6gRps7G7Ux_fr_bDn9cilRiVbwv-QvfxZXDSoujcU1138eCIefLRdnO2bw8DBbeVHdguGc_WEFULdVw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhflXi-n-6zlzNSah8pez-02RToRPstqx2BnUEkridv2iN23IyZnbu0JOgBfrtR_PPUUfr9KWoZzlcf0xRV8q0IdzFWmwjbt9io1y4Sqs4CJcn34m8PtepktAkO5wNezmBAOJtNCaadZMxRKsONUDy5vLMSjB5BMaKM7ovLTSMNgzuZku5GtWNblHBsWA=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhflXi-n-6zlzNSah8pez-02RToRPstqx2BnUEkridv2iN23IyZnbu0JOgBfrtR_PPUUfr9KWoZzlcf0xRV8q0IdzFWmwjbt9io1y4Sqs4CJcn34m8PtepktAkO5wNezmBAOJtNCaadZMxRKsONUDy5vLMSjB5BMaKM7ovLTSMNgzuZku5GtWNblHBsWA=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /> <br /><br />· <b>Christmas 2021</b> <br /><br />o Ordered and handed out Life Issues refrigerator magnets, we have more if you want one?! <br /><br />o Two benevolent church members donated $800 to Life Issues that I was able to distribute to 4 different individuals in need ($200 each), this was a blessing for all involved (one lady wept)! <br /><br />o We had about 50 in attendance and Santa gave gifts to 7 children</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjDDkwOX2wdphCBM7VsQGQH0ZXFea7r6ONCnu_elNju-s2ZoIJ6-JnupTHwzS8Q-WDdvjcV-DWocNAZFtOv1i_c1QVP5Kpivbk2ye7Q-4OtYzYPetqgig8-i026IW2znP7WXdWVMEJ5Dl_s1HG1ZRq1j--Q0cE8yH7kHiu-rcH0M4b9qJ2xtm58QgnVkQ=s1024" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="771" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjDDkwOX2wdphCBM7VsQGQH0ZXFea7r6ONCnu_elNju-s2ZoIJ6-JnupTHwzS8Q-WDdvjcV-DWocNAZFtOv1i_c1QVP5Kpivbk2ye7Q-4OtYzYPetqgig8-i026IW2znP7WXdWVMEJ5Dl_s1HG1ZRq1j--Q0cE8yH7kHiu-rcH0M4b9qJ2xtm58QgnVkQ=s320" width="241" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br />o HBF gave out 23 boxes of food for Christmas meals, over half were to Life Issues folks <br /><br />· Life Issues held a New Year’s Eve event from 8pm-midnight on 12-31 and watched a Christian movie and 3 people shared their testimony. It was a blessed event and one man really thanked us for helping him to bring in the new year sober – see group pic.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj9K0S331PBf2ytwOnjc2OxOAC_f22Gy4e2pD0sPP4g2RlzUU-xux_sH3vLGVIHW4EmU2gUHKMETq3slnlW-7202f2d6bdk6mZJkE6uN5fdX2SuVV3TV5cidJzda6jYMeM8mXKFxUV3-UQ2sXWONEHqEZFIIzXPZNUvcPULfu5f-NY14NTVutVNa17zNA=s2640" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1288" data-original-width="2640" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj9K0S331PBf2ytwOnjc2OxOAC_f22Gy4e2pD0sPP4g2RlzUU-xux_sH3vLGVIHW4EmU2gUHKMETq3slnlW-7202f2d6bdk6mZJkE6uN5fdX2SuVV3TV5cidJzda6jYMeM8mXKFxUV3-UQ2sXWONEHqEZFIIzXPZNUvcPULfu5f-NY14NTVutVNa17zNA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <br /><br /><b>VI. People </b><br /><br />· Brian and Kalee got married on 11-29, Tom and Niesha got married on 12-6, we’re very happy for these couples! <br /><br />· I’ll leave you with a couple of verses that are fitting for the new year, </div><div><i>“Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:18, 19 </i><br /><br /> <br /><br />· Please pray for God to use us mightily in 2022, for without him we can do nothing, sincerely, Steve Fleshman – Life Issues pastor and founder, Proverbs 4:23…</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Life Issues Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03604694121776144118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452896896338084726.post-38291490675980848552021-11-04T10:17:00.001-05:002021-11-04T10:17:07.659-05:00Monthly Update : September & October 2021Making a difference update, from the recovery field – September / October 2021 edition. Below are the highlights that happened in the Life Issues ministry over the last couple of months: <br /><br /><br />· Joe T. called on 9-13 and was 90 days clean on 9-27 in Hope City rehab (this is a huge blessing to me personally)! <br /><br />· I took 22 Bibles to Cass County Jail on 9-20 and the deputy asked for Spanish Bibles, so we took them 8 Spanish Bibles on 9-21! This was a God thing because our ministry didn’t have any Spanish Bibles the week before, but our church was assembling about 6,000 Spanish Bibles that week <div>(see boxes in pic).</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVS0riL0tMU-2xQaMHwnlGkZPWComGO-74ox5K-fetcXv1isognv3ZQRts4WfGg2YlvqHTzD2UBCC4BJJ_wiukaTDZI6FCagqZO3S5unRhIQjG7rH09k45CeNzLfJUC6qrXHZNhqMPmHCu/s1080/Bibles+9-21-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVS0riL0tMU-2xQaMHwnlGkZPWComGO-74ox5K-fetcXv1isognv3ZQRts4WfGg2YlvqHTzD2UBCC4BJJ_wiukaTDZI6FCagqZO3S5unRhIQjG7rH09k45CeNzLfJUC6qrXHZNhqMPmHCu/s320/Bibles+9-21-21.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <br /><br />· Krista G. accepted Christ into her life on 9-22 (last night of Bible Conference)! <br /><br />· Sarah S. accepted Christ over the phone on 10-4-21. <br /><br />· Marcy L. gave a great testimony on 9-24; her and Matt have become HBF members and are getting discipled and involved in ministry, PTL! Matt got baptized on 10-3, I love this couple, see attached pic!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJDfHFR5EhWa3N5kS6k8k0hZ9fKdDa5B71CQBgAResgg-BJCnug-KApIMle6Wb5KhihRNmz20bvJa_aIlYpClYLOVA38E3HwKRM97Jb7ZamBW1-dAB-1HqGB1XMOOqEsJIn_lZxXBxkdB/s1080/Steve+N+Matt+10-3-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1080" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJDfHFR5EhWa3N5kS6k8k0hZ9fKdDa5B71CQBgAResgg-BJCnug-KApIMle6Wb5KhihRNmz20bvJa_aIlYpClYLOVA38E3HwKRM97Jb7ZamBW1-dAB-1HqGB1XMOOqEsJIn_lZxXBxkdB/s320/Steve+N+Matt+10-3-21.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <br /><br />· Sent birthday card to man in prison in late September. <br /><br />· Benevolence assistance over the last 2 months: We helped a student get some furniture for her duplex, we helped mother of 5 get into shelter on 10-5 (this was huge). We also helped get George K. into treatment on 10-12, and partnered with our church to give a student 10 days stay in a motel <br /><br />· Alicia H. Got full custody of her daughter on 10-1, we’re happy for her family. <br /><br />· Molessa purchased her own truck, see attached picture of this proud pickup owner.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuBPBdQkXy6FI3Jc3qGa-lPNfgPruVrVD4EjVX8fDGQ02BVkTzB0m2VMZ1NEAu-4HukYMZzIUI4PTuNlpkOwIz_m7nqP1nUfKMhXC5Bw-_ia54W4bYtLZu_RzcuaitA86jWO1w9ZutD9MO/s720/Molessa+N+truck+10-15-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuBPBdQkXy6FI3Jc3qGa-lPNfgPruVrVD4EjVX8fDGQ02BVkTzB0m2VMZ1NEAu-4HukYMZzIUI4PTuNlpkOwIz_m7nqP1nUfKMhXC5Bw-_ia54W4bYtLZu_RzcuaitA86jWO1w9ZutD9MO/s320/Molessa+N+truck+10-15-21.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <br /><br />· Sent collaboration letter to Lily’s House on 10-19, to support them getting funding / grant. <br /><br />· Worked @ Harvest Party on 10-23; our church had about 150 guests that day, as we hosted this event for children; see attached pic of Jim and Sherrie cutting loose!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT6aWq0i31Nj241m3v33spfQ-UpVTzdwbI033_IgZSD5o0nB-EB33W8WRceX4KQK0skdvUoUbAnpdPzoBFbASpp86_mzdgsObMh3YKkm-kbR4yDjFA1yKKHY16AR23Xrh26EKDa_kBcaEQ/s640/Jim+N+Sherrie+10-23.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT6aWq0i31Nj241m3v33spfQ-UpVTzdwbI033_IgZSD5o0nB-EB33W8WRceX4KQK0skdvUoUbAnpdPzoBFbASpp86_mzdgsObMh3YKkm-kbR4yDjFA1yKKHY16AR23Xrh26EKDa_kBcaEQ/s320/Jim+N+Sherrie+10-23.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <br /><br />· Sarah L. and I helped with a community outreach called Project Connect for displaced people on 10-23 (see pic). Sarah L. will be an HBF member on 11-21-21 and will be giving her testimony on 11-29!!!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6vOSlK_nzrA6CcnquPbFuuFEeACT4EznqOFKfIvck0Pm-W4iq55-waSs-sOlkdr0t0vXy3TZmYzRK3zPT-RiVgrKfNeFSnlFGhWExr2hnbrGddWDURK2kEve4OYSEdT3j88ZuldKyt_bf/s1080/Sarah+N+Steve+10-23-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6vOSlK_nzrA6CcnquPbFuuFEeACT4EznqOFKfIvck0Pm-W4iq55-waSs-sOlkdr0t0vXy3TZmYzRK3zPT-RiVgrKfNeFSnlFGhWExr2hnbrGddWDURK2kEve4OYSEdT3j88ZuldKyt_bf/s320/Sarah+N+Steve+10-23-21.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <br /><br />· Caleb L. gave a great testimony on 10-29 and we had multiple people respond to the invitation afterwards. This young man is strong in the word and we’re so proud of him and his victory over the bottle thru Jesus Christ</div><div> <br /><br />· Here’s a brief testimony from a young lady that’s been coming to our group for a little over a year… </div><div><br /></div><div><i>"Hello my name is Lynzee C. - I attend life issues on Friday nights and I started coming to Heartland Baptist Church. Pastor Steve Fleshman asked me to write about what the Lord has been doing in my life. I could go on and on about my life story, but I will give you the short version. </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>I had a good life before I met my son's father. I had a job and a place to live and family. After I dated him for a while I became homeless and jobless then pretty soon pregnant. </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>I lived on the streets for a while with him then went back and forth to different houses even to my brothers for a while without his father. I wound up moving to Deepwater with his Aunt so he could go to treatment. We wound up breaking up, so I moved back with my family. </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>I started attending life issues again and on April 12th I got saved right before the meeting started. This is when the Lord really started blessing me. I got a job then a few months after I had been working my friend Mickey asked me to be her roommate. So, I said yes and we found a perfect place for us and my son. </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>I now have a job, a good place for my son to live in and I got myself a car. I am going to get baptized on November the 14th and I can't be prouder of myself from where I was. And I have the Lord to thank for all of it!"</i><br /><br /><br /><br />· Sincerely, Steve Fleshman – Life Issues pastor and founder, Proverbs 4:23…</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Life Issues Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03604694121776144118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452896896338084726.post-42612879932492266402021-09-24T18:26:00.003-05:002021-09-24T18:27:33.063-05:00Recovery Walk - THANK YOU to our sponsors !!!<p> The 2021 Recovery Walk was held on Friday September 3rd - it was a huge success !!!</p><p>We had a great turnout and raised enough funds to support the Life Issues Addiction Recovery Program for another year. </p><p>Life Issues would like to thank our business sponsors who generously supported us at the GOLD Tier level. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKgq9cyrbtTAoqblOWcAfKpD3U9tzIu-oZniKAsS8HEPkikti_16vIL4M-RBWmcXRtIWdqyEWGcyqTlL8ZD1MIfphuhqIg3GbsGZ6T1WgzXKGoqXs8pYQ4Gu7Mdm66k0tVcPq8p9hkvA_w/s960/2021_RW_thank+you+for+website+.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKgq9cyrbtTAoqblOWcAfKpD3U9tzIu-oZniKAsS8HEPkikti_16vIL4M-RBWmcXRtIWdqyEWGcyqTlL8ZD1MIfphuhqIg3GbsGZ6T1WgzXKGoqXs8pYQ4Gu7Mdm66k0tVcPq8p9hkvA_w/w400-h300/2021_RW_thank+you+for+website+.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>The following business sponsors generously supported Life Issues at the SILVER and BRONZE Tier level</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg27_9tA9TMpr1NKxfrciVZA9LiYr-adEgZRFujH0cXt2OFQDWd10tu9ihH6zr4pHknMhHDZcKJ8EuOqmr2VKtGBlwya1SFRaV1C8qVykXl_grU8PJGKINaXTUgZ3WIFIinAU6JaRfKBSc4/s960/2021_RW_thank+you+for+website+-2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg27_9tA9TMpr1NKxfrciVZA9LiYr-adEgZRFujH0cXt2OFQDWd10tu9ihH6zr4pHknMhHDZcKJ8EuOqmr2VKtGBlwya1SFRaV1C8qVykXl_grU8PJGKINaXTUgZ3WIFIinAU6JaRfKBSc4/w400-h300/2021_RW_thank+you+for+website+-2.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Life Issues would like to thank our supporters who had informational booths at our Recovery Walk. These supporters offer resources and assistance to our Life Issues students.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjMI-zCSgM0IIsiNoNpe0sMoSP4xsHMmRrOTkUw2y46anoHVnXzPdDXj1cEbz-IonA3pUjNh13Et-VYPPCA9J5NqLnkFWY_QdrGkaCHFoEKCp05elI24_rwwsL3lV_XUPYLaQY-ZbaikPZ/s960/2021_RW_thank+you+for+website+-3.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjMI-zCSgM0IIsiNoNpe0sMoSP4xsHMmRrOTkUw2y46anoHVnXzPdDXj1cEbz-IonA3pUjNh13Et-VYPPCA9J5NqLnkFWY_QdrGkaCHFoEKCp05elI24_rwwsL3lV_XUPYLaQY-ZbaikPZ/w400-h300/2021_RW_thank+you+for+website+-3.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Life Issues Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03604694121776144118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452896896338084726.post-75362060675967118022021-09-09T09:56:00.005-05:002021-09-09T10:03:37.201-05:00Monthly Update : July & August 2021Making a difference update, from the recovery field – July / August 2021 edition. Below are the highlights that happened in the Life Issues ministry over the last couple of months (and some upcoming items): <br /><br />· Angie and I celebrated 39 years of marriage on 8-14; we’re still very happy and deeply in love! <br /><br />· Chris C. has been leading meetings every other week since April, it’s great have this young man exercising his gifts and abilities in helping to lead our group! Chris is evidence that addicts can be made free and aren’t perpetually addicted; he comes from a life of addiction but is now a leader in our ministry and our church and recently led a 4-man mission trip to Boston from 8-24 thru 8-31 (see attached pic).<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3q2iV69f262nVUEcXs6BcSOBQcqI6z7ps3hMQmP35Pfq1Cy68aB5DQAHjYxI_gW20hauyLTxUUIiivqkJntPa_7yj1j3XvKyqW96XVJLQNdkhgQ8s-L4E3KmRlB6HxQUSwIWmqKlXEa5p/s2539/Boston+team+8-30-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2539" data-original-width="1239" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3q2iV69f262nVUEcXs6BcSOBQcqI6z7ps3hMQmP35Pfq1Cy68aB5DQAHjYxI_gW20hauyLTxUUIiivqkJntPa_7yj1j3XvKyqW96XVJLQNdkhgQ8s-L4E3KmRlB6HxQUSwIWmqKlXEa5p/s320/Boston+team+8-30-21.jpg" width="156" /></a></div><br /> <br /><br />· Two men started our TJH program during this season, we’re excited for both them and their sponsors. <br /><br />· Rebecca W. court went good on 7-13, next one on 9-8, she’s doing good @ Healing House (HH) and came down and gave a great testimony at our Recovery Walk, we’re very proud of her! <br /><br />· Life Issues paid for one of our lady’s personal property taxes on 7-14, to get her vehicle licensed! <br /><br />· Went to Alicia H’s graduation from Lily’s house on 7/16 (see pics), we’re so proud of this young lady!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipK_ENSZaNRpx4yoat43CeoV-w-bmXi5izVVEObdPHuEGcRx5cTfqdGGjU30hyphenhyphendauIwINC-H0n5BlleARDQdcFgZjZaFsquQUHhtrq5Qxb-pyDynl6bY1Gfh-AAfzbiHOM5csL_iuB_wP2/s2016/Ashley+-+Mo+-+Sarah+-+Alicia+-+Julianne+7-16-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipK_ENSZaNRpx4yoat43CeoV-w-bmXi5izVVEObdPHuEGcRx5cTfqdGGjU30hyphenhyphendauIwINC-H0n5BlleARDQdcFgZjZaFsquQUHhtrq5Qxb-pyDynl6bY1Gfh-AAfzbiHOM5csL_iuB_wP2/s320/Ashley+-+Mo+-+Sarah+-+Alicia+-+Julianne+7-16-21.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <br /><br />· Life Issues had several folks attend the Royal’s Faith and Family Day @ The “K” on 7-17, where we stayed afterwards for the Zach Williams concert and gospel presentation by Scott Dawson, and each of us got to counsel a person with the plan of salvation (see pic of Pat and I).</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8XAQBCkGDOBSIOx8pxuLOobkZqRWrBSRTblJUXYIvOs5Ae7Pj-nlnL5v9R7oRJc4teAizFnLEjMto1VpgZ9-WSrDGerFBCN1sct8DToLyLy5V9iHixpwAC8RR4XD3YnPmpvpwjnYKUlC3/s2016/Pat+-+Steve+7-17-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8XAQBCkGDOBSIOx8pxuLOobkZqRWrBSRTblJUXYIvOs5Ae7Pj-nlnL5v9R7oRJc4teAizFnLEjMto1VpgZ9-WSrDGerFBCN1sct8DToLyLy5V9iHixpwAC8RR4XD3YnPmpvpwjnYKUlC3/s320/Pat+-+Steve+7-17-21.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /> </div><div>Some of our benevolence given the last couple of months (in addition to several bags of food):<ul style="text-align: left;"><li>We helped Nathan (homeless man) replace his stolen phone and gave him a one-month plan on 7/16. </li><li>We took a student from jail to treatment on 7-20. Helped homeless man with emergency housing on 7-25. </li><li>Took food to two homeless couples on 8-8-21. </li><li>Helped homeless lady with 3 nights in motel on 8-25. </li><li>Helped inmate / former student with money on his books so that he could write and call out, in August. </li><li>We helped a lady with emergency housing and into Lily’s House on 8-29. </li><li>Helped lady with electric bill on 8-26 and have taken her water and food and trying to get her into treatment. </li><li>Lastly, we picked up a man from jail and took him to probation / parole in Belton, where Chris and Pat got to lead him to Christ, before buying him a bus ticket to Burlington Iowa, just 20 minutes from Mike Blake’s church! </li></ul><br />· HBF helped one of our ladies, who had suffered a financial setback, with her car insurance around the middle of August. <br /><br />· HBF helped Josh N. with his pay-it-forward Baby diaper drive project for the Drug Court Program, from June 25th thru July 11th, and he collected 7059 diapers and 24332 wipes (see attached FB pic)!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLpufSKkEyRScsZqhLcBk8FsQo9IB1SRyBN_9NJQTDKPqd8EqIdjJvIN4yelNxFjwHJ6ExZnXsd3gzuQmvVD8AdM3lJsjaKzOSRkIlDJgChlYlMasCtKVst8ob3Xjv58PR5gDxaFDm8HeU/s640/Josh+pay+it+forward+7-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLpufSKkEyRScsZqhLcBk8FsQo9IB1SRyBN_9NJQTDKPqd8EqIdjJvIN4yelNxFjwHJ6ExZnXsd3gzuQmvVD8AdM3lJsjaKzOSRkIlDJgChlYlMasCtKVst8ob3Xjv58PR5gDxaFDm8HeU/s320/Josh+pay+it+forward+7-21.jpg" width="220" /></a></div><br /> <br /><br />· Molessa A. completed her peer counselling certificate, and mental health first aid (see attachments).</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRPdB57dtjNb7CK7MxPzLFA0SsqEEh37lPqs8vbOFMeU4-rngHHObMRWV5I74Kv5JQm1CzERWowxUHVkWUevPaQSX1NJ5azvgssGvK8sVWqL8oT_Iwq-7Ol_YYfLrTaYTZEpagTJ1GUp6a/s720/Mo+-+peer+specialist+7-24-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="556" data-original-width="720" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRPdB57dtjNb7CK7MxPzLFA0SsqEEh37lPqs8vbOFMeU4-rngHHObMRWV5I74Kv5JQm1CzERWowxUHVkWUevPaQSX1NJ5azvgssGvK8sVWqL8oT_Iwq-7Ol_YYfLrTaYTZEpagTJ1GUp6a/s320/Mo+-+peer+specialist+7-24-21.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <br /><br />· Helped friend get his alcoholic son into a detox facility in early August, this was a huge praise that may have saved his life. <br /><br />· Pat led Marcy’s uncle to Christ after church on 8-22, halleluiah! Marcy and her husband Matt started discipleship with the Bonnesen’s in late August and will give their testimony on 9-24. <br /><br />· The Parrotts got custody of their son, Conor, at court on 8-25, this took over 3 years, and we rejoice! <br /><br />· I got to perform a wedding on 8-28 for a couple from church, James and Laurie (see attached pic).</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgbAJA7NFr42sDok3fgVkrETI_ngW4GlUlSwedKxgoSqopARLkngi_1iBhjKuXyCti60tNQ8D4LTfGAK39-qsA4YfBCtYQybWqC-l8Fnytal1KJRZKDolDewT17xcylgJ8VvT_BoeaPEL/s2016/Laurie+-+Steve+-+James+8-28-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgbAJA7NFr42sDok3fgVkrETI_ngW4GlUlSwedKxgoSqopARLkngi_1iBhjKuXyCti60tNQ8D4LTfGAK39-qsA4YfBCtYQybWqC-l8Fnytal1KJRZKDolDewT17xcylgJ8VvT_BoeaPEL/s320/Laurie+-+Steve+-+James+8-28-21.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /> <br /><br />I got diagnosed with Covid on 8-29 and missed the walk, but it was a huge success without me. My symptoms were mild, and I didn’t give it to anyone, and I’ve made a full recovery, all glory to God! <br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>We only had 33 walkers this year, but we had dozens of volunteers and guests. </li><li>We had great door prizes and raffle prizes that were given to us! </li><li>It rained the morning of the walk and the morning after the walk, but the ski’s cleared just for us. </li><li>One of our lady students and one of our lady leaders gave stirring testimonies that night! </li><li>One of our volunteers had just gotten out of jail that day and prayed with Chris to be saved that night after hearing the testimonies. We also had a 10-year-old guest that night that prayed with one of our church member’s children to be saved, so 2 salvations at our event, PTL! </li><li>I don’t have the exact total yet, but Life Issues raised a little over $14,000 for the addicted!!! Attached is a picture of the back of our t-shirts with the gold level sponsors on it, thank you all! </li></ul><br /><div>We are gathering pictures from the walk and will make a video from them for the next update. <br /><br />· Lastly, here is Pam J’s testimonies, she is one of our leaders / counselors: </div><div><br /></div><div><i>"Steve has asked me to give an update on what God is doing in my life now. <br /><br />· I could list the things I am involved in, the works I accomplish in the ministry. I stay busy every day and watch for new opportunities to minister to my church family, in children’s ministries, with Life Issues meetings, and short-term mission trips. There was a time in my life that I would be pleased with reporting all this busywork in my life. But there is so much more going on than this busywork I want to brag on… I am learning that my successes are not measured by what God is doing THROUGH me, but what He is doing IN me. So, I would like to report what God is doing IN me today: <br /><br />· God is teaching me how to love him with my WHOLE heart, speaking daily to me through his word. I am finding genuine rest and contentment in the things I am learning. God is giving me opportunities to practice seeing people through HIS eyes, to provide compassionate care through discipling and prayer rather than worldly care/things. God is teaching me how to listen better, judge less, and share His Bible promises instead of “my promises/ideas.” I am learning how to access the peace of God, which gives me more confidence and security. I am learning to give HIM all the cares, burdens, and worries that the enemy would want me to be distracted with. God has helped me understand that I am of no value without the touch of His hand on my life, and that He truly does reward obedience as He has promised. <br /><br />· There is not enough room in this update to list all the things God is teaching me, as I make myself available to his instruction. If you want to hear more, I would love to meet with you to talk about all the blessings God gives his children if we would allow him to. Blessing, Pam"</i><br /><br /> <br /><br />· Sincerely, Steve Fleshman – Life Issues pastor and founder, Proverbs 4:23…</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Life Issues Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03604694121776144118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452896896338084726.post-36491281953354000252021-07-14T11:02:00.009-05:002021-07-14T11:43:47.098-05:00Monthly Update : May & June 2021Making a difference update, from the recovery field – May / June 2021 edition. Below are the highlights that happened in the Life Issues ministry over the last couple of months (and some upcoming items): <br /><br />· Chris C. has been leading meetings every other week since April, it’s great have this young man exercising his gifts and abilities in helping to lead our group! <br /><br />· Rebecca W. was blessed in court in early May and was allowed to home plan out to Healing House, where she is thriving; she has another court appearance next week. Laura C. is also back at Healing House and we’re thankful she’s being cared for and getting help. <br /><br />· Tom M. became an HBF member recently and is helping with mowing HBF’s grass and other things! <br /><br />· We gave a gas card to multiple people during this season, to help them get to work and meetings. <br /><br />· We sent Bibles and TJH workbook curriculum to a church in Monmouth Illinois and had a good talk with the pastor as they started a jail ministry on 5-24 and go in every Monday to preach to inmates! <br /><br />· Ashley S. went to court for the last time on 5-17, she’s now a free woman! <br /><br />· A young man that we took to the Salvation Army a few months ago, left on 5-16, his mother and I are heartbroken and concerned about his welfare. <br /><br />· We had a couple of folks help work at the Shepherd’s Staff Food Pantry on 5-21, and again on 7-9! <br /><br />· Alicia H. got a car and is successful at her job, we’re so proud of her and her accomplishments! Alicia will also graduate from the Lily’s House program on 7-16, hallelujah! <br /><br />· We gave food to man on 5-27 and a couple of other folks during this season, from our Morsels for Many food pantry. <br /><br />· We learned of the needs of an inmate at Cass County Jail and were able to drop off some medical supplies to her on 5–26 as well as a box of Bibles for the deputies to distribute! <br /><br />· We’re writing to over 5 inmates currently and taking a couple of them through The Journey Home (TJH) via correspondence; our jail ministry has been very fruitful and I’m thankful to those writing! <br /><br />· A couple of us went to court with Ed on 5-24 to support him as he seeks visitation rights with children. <br /><br />· We were able to lead Luke B. to Christ on 5-29 and Joe T. on 6-27! Joe went to treatment on 7-8 and we’re praying for him to be successful with breaking the cycle of decades of substance abuse! <br /><br />· Brian & Angie P., Theresa G., & Connie M., completed HBF’s D2 9-month series on 6-2 (see attached picture), we’re very proud of these folks!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSy_b_awR5OUe9rGbkhEFQZEqUV1gUqk1Tn2TffhifuJwHkLY2iD89rKWq88LhaLwKmOLnguW7KntrEeEWWpOjIA-2KKXFKbhSuOaeuFVnlQQxDuGydErNGcJrDvROhvpeypPcp3gwdAPd/s1082/D2+Group+7-4-21+-+Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="813" data-original-width="1082" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSy_b_awR5OUe9rGbkhEFQZEqUV1gUqk1Tn2TffhifuJwHkLY2iD89rKWq88LhaLwKmOLnguW7KntrEeEWWpOjIA-2KKXFKbhSuOaeuFVnlQQxDuGydErNGcJrDvROhvpeypPcp3gwdAPd/s320/D2+Group+7-4-21+-+Copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br />· Our group cleaned the church on 5-28 and again on 7-9. <br /><br />· We helped get Heather L’s friend, Mike, into a 30-day treatment at the end of May. We helped get a couple of girls into a lady’s shelter in Sedilia MO in late April / early May. <br /><br />· HBF’s Church in the Park went well on 6-6 and a dozen or more of our folks attended and helped out <br /><br />· Pam A started discipleship with Sharon in May! <br /><br />· Sarah W. is in training to be a manager at Culver’s, we’re very proud of her, see attached picture</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijoqOqPM9mJjFFS1QXaLYhHIaKb0Fr3t1U1KZmCsCjzXqqne7cuEbeHOsNofmnQoPuSDjtgp47s7rjfV0Sj-X2MlZTFQchOnAHI7i01A2OZ18vvJy_wWiTtdkoVNOpdu0Gn22iFO3pxMhs/s2016/Sarah+6-9-21.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijoqOqPM9mJjFFS1QXaLYhHIaKb0Fr3t1U1KZmCsCjzXqqne7cuEbeHOsNofmnQoPuSDjtgp47s7rjfV0Sj-X2MlZTFQchOnAHI7i01A2OZ18vvJy_wWiTtdkoVNOpdu0Gn22iFO3pxMhs/s320/Sarah+6-9-21.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div> · James and Laurie have started attending meetings and will also be meeting with Angie and I for pre-marital counselling in preparation for their wedding on 8-28. <br /><br />· We’re supporting Josh N. with his Pat-It-Forward project for the Drug Court program; he’s organizing a baby supply drive and collecting all things for babies from June 25th thru July 9th; HBF has a drop-off box in the lobby. All donations go through Baby Grace organization in Pleasant Hill, MO.</div><div><br /></div><div>- Lynzee completed "The Journey Home" curriculum<br /> and is doing GREAT. She earned the VICTORY tag in June</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMkOmi60TBDwEHYTj7PzdwrE_uioZPpwU12-iJuP7SvL6jed9OyI7Jz5YZG2DAQWQKH-wjGwEkB0EqQjiADPjfRbtgnMpKdJgD2JMA-7g6J-XJHaG-n2VlIblMyk0OZzWQPeW2W90CWmkz/s979/Pat+-+Lynzee+-+Steve+6-30-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="979" data-original-width="933" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMkOmi60TBDwEHYTj7PzdwrE_uioZPpwU12-iJuP7SvL6jed9OyI7Jz5YZG2DAQWQKH-wjGwEkB0EqQjiADPjfRbtgnMpKdJgD2JMA-7g6J-XJHaG-n2VlIblMyk0OZzWQPeW2W90CWmkz/s320/Pat+-+Lynzee+-+Steve+6-30-21.jpg" /></a></div> </div><div><br />· We hosted a lady’s recovery group from Springfield MO on 6-30 at HBF, called Adult and Teen Challenge of the Greater South. This group ministered to us in song and in testimony, it was a powerful night and we hope to send people to them when the need arises (see attached pic).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQm0MTkIclYOqiDmpiemZ85JCmciqehZBFb9LdxXzrD6gXx23uOKpmxceAD83tmZy0aCTRv6XBHN9evy3ODVzQmnwFZL0IcFjhCN-3BzC8q0PWgPTm-VjPUOloNQXt3lhYD4VwrfPBsBh_/s1633/Teen+Challenge+ladies+6-30-21.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1633" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQm0MTkIclYOqiDmpiemZ85JCmciqehZBFb9LdxXzrD6gXx23uOKpmxceAD83tmZy0aCTRv6XBHN9evy3ODVzQmnwFZL0IcFjhCN-3BzC8q0PWgPTm-VjPUOloNQXt3lhYD4VwrfPBsBh_/s320/Teen+Challenge+ladies+6-30-21.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br />· As some of you know, we’re starting our fundraising season, leading up to our Recovery Walk on 9-3, these next 2 months are critical for us raising support for the upcoming year. Here are some detes: <br /><br />o The board of Aldermen approved of our permit on 6-21. <br /><br />o The attached cover letter describes what we’re doing</div><div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3NSSwGRH4KGeFkBafHcRvgXXGmXPaQJkOQGRh8ygL3om8e2-PxlYcbWsJvJzEkDdoJYrFTZBpXlLaE-JMI4vQEkbvxLlQG1k0ZJVf2_CRuykveg1Eq258aXdAIwBpOTmd2uqJVfJqL9rB/s2048/2021+Recovery+Walk+Cover+Letter.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1583" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3NSSwGRH4KGeFkBafHcRvgXXGmXPaQJkOQGRh8ygL3om8e2-PxlYcbWsJvJzEkDdoJYrFTZBpXlLaE-JMI4vQEkbvxLlQG1k0ZJVf2_CRuykveg1Eq258aXdAIwBpOTmd2uqJVfJqL9rB/w494-h640/2021+Recovery+Walk+Cover+Letter.png" width="494" /></a></div><br /> <br /><br />o We have pledge forms available for anyone who wants to help raise funds, this is what we need help with the most! <br /><br />o You can donate directly / electronically to Life Issues by going to <a href="http://www.lifeissuesonline.org" target="_blank">www.lifeissuesonline.org </a>and clicking on our red “Donation Button” on the right side, and following the prompts. <br /><br />Thanks for reading this update and for supporting us, I’ll leave you with a testimony from Pat Lee concerning a former student… </div><div><br /></div><div>" <i>Deonna R. was talking to me about her Journey and reminded me (with tears) how she never would have thought to go to a faith base recovery until we met at C.C.P.S. and I invited her to a meeting. She talked about (with more tears) how she prayed to give her life to Christ that night and how much she appreciated us and what we do! I needed to be reminded of that—that was about 5 years ago and she was telling me all about how the Lord has blessed her since (again with tears!!). I don’t know if you remember this Steve, but we actually met in 2013 when you asked me to go with you to talk to her and another guy at the Worship Center in Harrisonville. I remember that she had all kinds of warrants out for her and she had been cut in the face by her boyfriend. She told me that her husband Corey is now studying to be a Pastor (they have a couple of children together now and are established in a local church and involved in ministry there)! I have to say that God’s grace is truly AMAZING! I have been so cut-off and weak and depressed that God really needed to remind me that we really do have a big impact on people’s lives. We seem to be experiencing good success working together all in one accord on Friday night and out of the Journey ABF. This has really strengthened our people’s transition into the Christian life and the body of Christ. God is truly doing some amazing things among us and before our eyes… in these perilous times! "</i><br /><br /> <br /><br />Sincerely, Steve Fleshman – Life Issues pastor and founder, Proverbs 4:23…</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Life Issues Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03604694121776144118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452896896338084726.post-54698382033507849322021-05-05T14:26:00.008-05:002021-05-05T16:25:21.018-05:00Monthly update : March & April 2021Making a difference update, from the recovery field – March / April 2021 edition… Below are some bullet points of the highlights that happened in the Life Issues ministry over the last couple of months: <br /><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Kelly R. began video / live streaming for us in mid-February, she is such a blessing to our group and Angie and I specifically! </li><li>Our Life Issues group cleaned the church on 3-5 & 4-17; I’m thankful for all who help us to clean the church! </li><li>Kalee S. accepted Christ is lady’s small group on 2-19, Thomas M. accepted Christ on 3-5, and Dave E. accepted Christ on phone on 3-11, Sarah J. accepted Christ on phone on 4-24, and Lynzee C. accepted Christ on 4-16. Chris and Pam and Pat led others to Christ this month too, so we PTL for these souls saved! </li></ul>Benevolence Issues over the last two months: <br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>HBF & Life Issues went together to help pay rent for a student in March. </li><li>Life Issues helped a student to license her car on 3-12. </li><li>We bought a part for another student’s furnace on 3-14. </li><li>We helped another student with his electric bill on 3-17. </li><li>Gave a homeless couple 1 week in motel (3-23 thru 3-29) </li><li>Gave a man 2 nights stay in motel on 3-24 & 3-25 </li><li>We put up a different man for 1 night in a motel, then Chris got him into the Salvation Army on 4-1 and I drove him down, see pic below !</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmD0jRMtTGBNyZjN5cLbU_f50bkXVNfL-hNY9rTdvLMMv9OShQi5D9fwClCvZX_itZjR7IsplWgm2ANnXE9hfRtBpKu5XodwfKJGc9i8E8cEfNOE8vecqobQeRZhHG8_17mwkXsVU4ceDn/s1080/Jonah+and+me+4-1-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="811" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmD0jRMtTGBNyZjN5cLbU_f50bkXVNfL-hNY9rTdvLMMv9OShQi5D9fwClCvZX_itZjR7IsplWgm2ANnXE9hfRtBpKu5XodwfKJGc9i8E8cEfNOE8vecqobQeRZhHG8_17mwkXsVU4ceDn/s320/Jonah+and+me+4-1-21.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Chris N. also helped us get two ladies into a treatment facility on 4-15, and Kelly R. drove them to Warrensburg. </li></ul>This was an expensive time for Life Issues, but it’s why we have our fundraiser; speaking of that, add we have submitted the Event Permit for the Recovery Walk to the city of Harrisonville, so we’ll know within the next month or two if they accept / approve it for this year’s RW. <br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>This year’s Recovery Walk will be on September 3rd, so please plan to attend & participate! </li><li>We added a couple of new links to our resource tab on our website on 3-17, check it out @ www.lifeissuesonline.org </li><li>We had an HBF work day in March. Many Life Issues folks pitched in ! Below are pictures of Brian Rinker clearing an overgrown fence line, and Tom Merrit and Troy Lawless staining our boardwalk. Many other Life Issues member helped, but we didn't get their pics :(</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Ko9P2j02aVxyFzehl2KUPNvMePbYMKr3SHhACbZwsRyKkui2UBOEQI4Bp9nph5jPgWFPIr1f84ozGqVOH5uU1jdkNy-qy3mlxYJ2c4CIb7SRp7SEuhNCeO13zYDK1yzxUVTRJps4HY8c/s2048/Brian+-+brush+clearning+++3-20-21.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Ko9P2j02aVxyFzehl2KUPNvMePbYMKr3SHhACbZwsRyKkui2UBOEQI4Bp9nph5jPgWFPIr1f84ozGqVOH5uU1jdkNy-qy3mlxYJ2c4CIb7SRp7SEuhNCeO13zYDK1yzxUVTRJps4HY8c/s320/Brian+-+brush+clearning+++3-20-21.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTdv6mfUX3Zg9EjHXCHW9miEbOzWPiKpnLesKrZ2_QR2vZcO4h80NGr_90o8N76-JFoE7R-Npx5gL7t01cxyjVqX8y2i36gaREZ77JVde2inmCfbccSYH9CoxVrCUxZnbBDxC22GGDdzG/s1008/Tom+-+deck+staining+3-20-21.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="756" data-original-width="1008" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTdv6mfUX3Zg9EjHXCHW9miEbOzWPiKpnLesKrZ2_QR2vZcO4h80NGr_90o8N76-JFoE7R-Npx5gL7t01cxyjVqX8y2i36gaREZ77JVde2inmCfbccSYH9CoxVrCUxZnbBDxC22GGDdzG/s320/Tom+-+deck+staining+3-20-21.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_h0QBizNql62tkF69lu2XTMgYpHZL_hg8Tl34M5hUTHHGyaYACyvS3KfE6BHQka9VQUXoao2N3hQe2pnC4MWZR56UigV_X5qKPFvq88f2siE06WW6ClUOdCVKkxJhgc8P0JUwxpH5E_F/s1008/Troy+-+deck+staining+3-20-21.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="756" data-original-width="1008" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_h0QBizNql62tkF69lu2XTMgYpHZL_hg8Tl34M5hUTHHGyaYACyvS3KfE6BHQka9VQUXoao2N3hQe2pnC4MWZR56UigV_X5qKPFvq88f2siE06WW6ClUOdCVKkxJhgc8P0JUwxpH5E_F/s320/Troy+-+deck+staining+3-20-21.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Brian and Angie got their son, Conor, back on 3-24, we are stoked for them and their family, he was away for nearly 3 years!!! </li><li>I got to baptized 4 souls on 4-4-21 </li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYkU5ofQoUpi2vlDyyYEyjjkGJ9dLuAQ4F_6jNAwQJnoHKHvaTJnmKMTnAjylizjreKFRdkDVqBKaKRTdRGiPsLat4z3ifPrB9FGcXmdqSUh9AmlhQk9wWEShFprAekyMV0Rt-N7BtG6Gy/s1280/Baptism+pic+4-4-21+-+Easter.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="970" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYkU5ofQoUpi2vlDyyYEyjjkGJ9dLuAQ4F_6jNAwQJnoHKHvaTJnmKMTnAjylizjreKFRdkDVqBKaKRTdRGiPsLat4z3ifPrB9FGcXmdqSUh9AmlhQk9wWEShFprAekyMV0Rt-N7BtG6Gy/s320/Baptism+pic+4-4-21+-+Easter.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>We took our annual Life Issues photo's on Friday March 26th. Thanks to everyone who participated</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzzbq6_lrz_d03kHNGMhhT5rqkPmZkamEQHDsWwmcnrta1a_p8A6b08GOVGYw9oDZ1ThCb3NCQ-NavEqvh8lw_e5lCBYe13B9EmOW7SvIdDTmGYYc965zFq5N4YQhKL0bXM6OyYY83G6Ev/s1280/Group+pic+3-26-21.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="679" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzzbq6_lrz_d03kHNGMhhT5rqkPmZkamEQHDsWwmcnrta1a_p8A6b08GOVGYw9oDZ1ThCb3NCQ-NavEqvh8lw_e5lCBYe13B9EmOW7SvIdDTmGYYc965zFq5N4YQhKL0bXM6OyYY83G6Ev/s320/Group+pic+3-26-21.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBW4KLt6CS6_jAhjpKtbXjE5GzxFO5ZWMLWuUAAAo_g28kGILFSk5Xq3dqP50i0czTEkck9ZV8I4acUtqSXosDJMg4BXPAZOHRZQwcV-Ek5xCFqqLy0xLGjkk-qvcNa_D7IO7I9CdLcbD0/s640/Kelly+-+Alicia+3-26-21.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBW4KLt6CS6_jAhjpKtbXjE5GzxFO5ZWMLWuUAAAo_g28kGILFSk5Xq3dqP50i0czTEkck9ZV8I4acUtqSXosDJMg4BXPAZOHRZQwcV-Ek5xCFqqLy0xLGjkk-qvcNa_D7IO7I9CdLcbD0/s320/Kelly+-+Alicia+3-26-21.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju5R7I81mUguc6sE9tSxyrq4dZ3ifH4_8cQtpfa1YNHiIqvedHCqFGnVikXpCL6Ofcy96olgF9eNsYpU4DDxo3EFT0RVO3UCGvhwtooe8KgBcrb3vi2XHS86u_U06nPgf4QK56sRTGPsyR/s640/Zach+-+Molessa+-+Ashley+-+Sarah+-++++Rich+3-26-21.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju5R7I81mUguc6sE9tSxyrq4dZ3ifH4_8cQtpfa1YNHiIqvedHCqFGnVikXpCL6Ofcy96olgF9eNsYpU4DDxo3EFT0RVO3UCGvhwtooe8KgBcrb3vi2XHS86u_U06nPgf4QK56sRTGPsyR/s320/Zach+-+Molessa+-+Ashley+-+Sarah+-++++Rich+3-26-21.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Rich H. graduated from the Joshua House on 4-6, we’re so proud of him! </li><li>HBF’s Vision Conference was good (4-11 thru 4-13), and several of our folks attended. </li><li>Lynzee C completed TJH on 4-16, so we’re thankful for her and this accomplishment! </li></ul>Josh J. testimony, <div><i>“One night I was walking around the casino broke about to be evicted strung out on drugs hadn't slept in about 5 days begging for a ride home from people. I ran into a Sarah W. (Life Issues) and a friend, who decided to give me a ride. And the car ride on the way to my house she asked me how long I had been on methamphetamines. I got offended and acted as if I had no clue what she was talking about and appalled that she would even ask me that. She asked again. So, I told her. My whole life my father started feeding them to me when I was young. She explained to me that there was a better way and that better way with Jesus. That she could help me get into a place that would help me with my addiction and help me better my relationship with Jesus Christ. That was 66 days ago. I have since then gotten a house, a fantastic career at tracker boats, my sobriety my daughter back in my life, her mother willing to cooperate with me because she sees an immense change, my mother willing to talk with me longer than 5 seconds, but most importantly, I have a fantastic relationship with my best friend Jesus.”</i></div><div><i><br /></i>Josh is living in Clinton MO and is attending New Life Baptist church and has signed up to be discipled; we’re so thankful at how God worked in this situation! <br /><br /> Sincerely, Steve Fleshman – Life Issues pastor and founder, Proverbs 4:23…</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Life Issues Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03604694121776144118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452896896338084726.post-63924363617841681742021-03-08T10:18:00.004-06:002021-03-08T10:18:49.120-06:00Monthly Update : February 2021Making a difference update, from the recovery field – February / March 2021 edition… Below are some bullet points of the highlights that happened in the Life Issues ministry over the last month: <br /><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Theresa G. Completed 1 year clean on 1-1-21, see attached picture of her with cake😊</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ec7DtxdE-1dnOUOpAob5CDHv9HslGIxqiDMwRKcsbLB6PNHRy-dzUHT9YAoS0p4j1XoXf2Cwq4dd0M24eicDVZWKAQGyA-kd-sgldzN1UJTTofwKwa2WZWGYmO4FjsQVUYS_8M1nPBs7/s2016/Theresa+G+-+1+year+anniversary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ec7DtxdE-1dnOUOpAob5CDHv9HslGIxqiDMwRKcsbLB6PNHRy-dzUHT9YAoS0p4j1XoXf2Cwq4dd0M24eicDVZWKAQGyA-kd-sgldzN1UJTTofwKwa2WZWGYmO4FjsQVUYS_8M1nPBs7/s320/Theresa+G+-+1+year+anniversary.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>We got to give out a couple of boxes of food out during this time period from our food pantry and we sent a team of people to Harrisonville’s food pantry on 2-5, and we’ll have a team there again on 3-26 to help. </li><li>Jim S completed his overview of the whole Bible 1-3-21 and will help you obtain a copy of this 500+ page resource it if you’re interested (816-877-8525), see attached pic. </li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUtBdl55DzykBi2BYQCVrGZRxUHpnIxwrVNjGJvX6amM5tFLgEPlciFTdqWbuN7m0Zd1tuhyphenhyphen5xhnvtX8wYgeyrWfEPQHf0NP0JrVp9uWp1PGVjpbyo7zbMUy7gdg1USHiByNEmGvZ-G2vV/s1280/Overview+of+BIble+-+Jim++Stovall.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUtBdl55DzykBi2BYQCVrGZRxUHpnIxwrVNjGJvX6amM5tFLgEPlciFTdqWbuN7m0Zd1tuhyphenhyphen5xhnvtX8wYgeyrWfEPQHf0NP0JrVp9uWp1PGVjpbyo7zbMUy7gdg1USHiByNEmGvZ-G2vV/s320/Overview+of+BIble+-+Jim++Stovall.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>We got a $50 gift card from Walmart on 2-3-21 for registering in their donation portal, and we were able to buy supplies for our Super Bowl party, see attached Super Bowl picture! </li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2JQR1QDIXtEEtpUzKhESS8Vh499wXnmNw09h25QdSR03ZNert6evTyrzar-WdEEO-JSpx9HKeDXQEJz9XszxOTfPYXbgnqwjCAR1hndOB96gzZlBZ1yVEVt-l-1gjJzy_xLObABcNCilr/s2016/Super+Bowl+Party+2-7-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2JQR1QDIXtEEtpUzKhESS8Vh499wXnmNw09h25QdSR03ZNert6evTyrzar-WdEEO-JSpx9HKeDXQEJz9XszxOTfPYXbgnqwjCAR1hndOB96gzZlBZ1yVEVt-l-1gjJzy_xLObABcNCilr/s320/Super+Bowl+Party+2-7-21.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Life Issues celebrated 10 years of ministering to the addicted on 2-4, hallelujah! </li><li>Zach M Got his class B with air brakes on 2-4-21 and was recently able to get his own apartment! </li><li>Samuel James H. was born on 2-5-21! (Alicia’s doing fine, see attached pic) </li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrhDb3fhHKd2cO3iScLQHBDp2B9f7EFsW6-KRJ3A8HLa-wMXygtzJ6NfHsoyJjHkKKDGdpO7McyqrUOv-Juf2tpst8i4iSABqieo0-60xFspCZ36yntnA50C4u6-C79hiWGLq2alnAYmCd/s860/Alicia+N+Sam+2-17-21.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="715" data-original-width="860" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrhDb3fhHKd2cO3iScLQHBDp2B9f7EFsW6-KRJ3A8HLa-wMXygtzJ6NfHsoyJjHkKKDGdpO7McyqrUOv-Juf2tpst8i4iSABqieo0-60xFspCZ36yntnA50C4u6-C79hiWGLq2alnAYmCd/s320/Alicia+N+Sam+2-17-21.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Brian R was saved in jail by reading one of HBF’s Bibles and was accepted into the Drug Court the first week of February after his release. Brian began coming to Life Issues and HBF and was baptized on 2-14 - Valentine’s Day, we love Brian and are excited to see the changes in this young man! </li><li>We also had a young man named Thomas M accept Christ as his personal Lord and savior after our meeting on 3-5, and we’re thrilled to welcome him into the family of God! </li><li>Josh J got into detox on 2-17 via Chris Newby (a friend of our ministry), and we got him into treatment on 3-3. We prayed with Josh and I gave him a Bible, please pray for this soul. </li><li>My mom died 2-12 & was buried on 2-20, and my brothers and I did funeral; I’m thankful to have had a great mother who took us to church every Sunday, and we’re comforted knowing that she’s with Jesus. I’m attaching a picture of my mother and I; thanks for all the outpouring of love for my family and I during this time. </li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkiY84OvAR5ASYxciFMCBHTG9lSfZ4ewEozzTlj_tgusO1x-04FZ47NyyRJTUDzWvajoOQGRYQGRMVfBPa51ZvX7Iu5ocvkWu6VkVUHOv_HJ16k9ctgnTjbuSr_Tq_zV4Yjzyo76eRDF3R/s1544/Mother+N+Me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1160" data-original-width="1544" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkiY84OvAR5ASYxciFMCBHTG9lSfZ4ewEozzTlj_tgusO1x-04FZ47NyyRJTUDzWvajoOQGRYQGRMVfBPa51ZvX7Iu5ocvkWu6VkVUHOv_HJ16k9ctgnTjbuSr_Tq_zV4Yjzyo76eRDF3R/s320/Mother+N+Me.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Although we can’t get into the jail due to Covid, we’ve been writing to inmates and sending them Bibles, etc. Jim S heads up this effort and personally writing to over 8 different folks and its been very fruitful, PTL </li><li>Brian and Angie P’s son got resident of the week again recently (5th time total), so we rejoice with their family. They go to court this week to determine the right time for him to come home, please pray that it’s soon. Their other son, Caleb, landed a good job with Amazon in February! </li></ul>Molessa A’s testimony: <div><i>"I started drinking alcohol in high school. Like so many young girls I struggled with low self-esteem, and confidence. I quickly learned alcohol helped give me the boost I needed to be the life of the party; alcohol gave me the false sense of reality that I was accepted by others. Around age 20 was when I started using drugs, the next decade of my life is riddled with drugs, alcohol, partying and poor decisions. By the age of 30 I decided to quit using drugs, they were illegal after all, but alcohol was not so I justified my drinking. Alcohol controlled my 30s and eventually took me to the bottomless pit of addiction hell!! <br /><br /></i></div><div><i>Since finding recovery I have gained such a beautiful relationship with God; I trusted Christ as my savior at Life Issues in November 2019 and for the first time I have a true sense self-worth. I no longer live in fear. I have so many healthy relationships now with friends and family. My children have come to trust me again, and I really do love myself now! Peace, Joy, Gratitude, Freedom!! <br /><br /> </i></div><div><i>The hardest thing I had to overcome was trust!! Accepting help from others was a struggle for me, knowing they are there to actually help and support me was a lot to adjust to. I have been in so many unhealthy relationships that tainted my ability to trust, I had gotten really good at pushing people away to protect myself from being hurt, overcoming the desire to push people away took some work. All of this has gotten easier with time, patience, and Trust in God!! <br /><br /></i></div><div><i>My advice to others is to find your higher power. God has truly restored my life and I know with Him beside me All things are possible!! A little over a year ago, I had absolutely no relationship with God, I was scared at first, but He was waiting with open arms for me to reach out to Him. Surrendering my life to Christ has been the most rewarding thing, I am a brand-new creature, better than I ever imagined I would ever be! I was baptized on February 28th at Adrian Christian Church and everyday God provides me with wisdom, strength, courage and patience to make the right choices and continue to grow in my faith, and become the best Mom, daughter, friend, Christian, and person I can possibly be!!!"</i></div><div><br /></div><div> <br />There are many moving parts to this ministry and we’re in the trenches serving our Lord in these last days and trying to help the addicted recover by being addicted to the ministry ourselves (1 Cor. 16:15). Thank you for your prayers and support, we couldn’t do what we do without you! I think that this will become a bi-monthly update (every 2 months), but I welcome your feedback / input… <br /><br /><br />Sincerely, Steve Fleshman – Life Issues pastor and founder, Proverbs 4:23…</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Life Issues Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03604694121776144118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452896896338084726.post-30429843813647665622021-01-19T09:17:00.001-06:002021-01-19T09:18:31.706-06:00Monthly Update - December 2020Making a difference update, from the recovery field – December 2020 edition… Below are some bullet points of the highlights that happened in the Life Issues ministry over the last month: <br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Molessa A. completed The Journey Home on 12-6 and we honored her on 12-18, she gave a great testimony of God’s goodness to our largest group ever (65 adults)!</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxyWUylAwt_14iybsVg19Zn15jvUgmEt-XohlUaj13SbIyoL8hi31-0PmwHKqqOSjA6vYen0XCJHwcNzpImOtuAJeQ6hOuw-ppPTliKQ9UZhFRGgT1tvGx6UAu0h6_2P-XsCdJGmRQMdtK/s1027/Molessa+N+Steve+12-18-20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1027" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxyWUylAwt_14iybsVg19Zn15jvUgmEt-XohlUaj13SbIyoL8hi31-0PmwHKqqOSjA6vYen0XCJHwcNzpImOtuAJeQ6hOuw-ppPTliKQ9UZhFRGgT1tvGx6UAu0h6_2P-XsCdJGmRQMdtK/s320/Molessa+N+Steve+12-18-20.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>On 12-14, Life Issues helped a lady fix her car, it was a minor repair but a major blessing to her! </li><li>We sent Christmas cards to 7 inmates on 12-15, and one of the inmates is part of a Bible study group that designed a card for us in return, that everyone signed (see attached pic of the elaborate card)!</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTKmu8Y0q-9hzc6Id-OGK-xSZhIyFBaNvIktaFNZwgxLwlUGV-qjET9I02TCP3zY7EEBxq4n7sGySATfvCIhSFbgpR80_tAKTvOqM88bnXfJJmJYfLxu4cVnXO27jDoaWQYsK_eEWEt-SY/s2016/Christmas+card+-+jail+12-20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTKmu8Y0q-9hzc6Id-OGK-xSZhIyFBaNvIktaFNZwgxLwlUGV-qjET9I02TCP3zY7EEBxq4n7sGySATfvCIhSFbgpR80_tAKTvOqM88bnXfJJmJYfLxu4cVnXO27jDoaWQYsK_eEWEt-SY/s320/Christmas+card+-+jail+12-20.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Chuck and I worked at Harrisonville’s Shepherd’s Staff food pantry on 12-11, it was a blessing to bless others! </li><li>Our own food pantry (Morsels For Many) got utilized a lot in 2020, we distributed 34 boxes of food to the needy (compared to 25 the previous year). </li><li>HBF gathered supplies for an additional 25 Christmas boxes of food, each containing items to feed a family of 6-8 a Christmas meal. My Sunday School class (The Foundation ABF) was in charge of distributing them this year. This was an effort to give food to people in our church who might not have been able to have a nice Christmas dinner on their own; attached are pictures of the wrapped boxes empty and another with them full, and the people who helped assemble and distribute them. </li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSWTef2Qosu3Ng6zbPh6R9viK0C8JQGpQUQHM7PXljGNDUAmDbZPwylmBhn39wV8WlxNlj6zYNnCOqyKHAastK62At641oHmC7uf6lWISQeekW0_oF5IEE2HjKYCQkKsXAxp2_bjOu3KJW/s1632/Group+2+-+Christmas+boxes+12-20-20.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSWTef2Qosu3Ng6zbPh6R9viK0C8JQGpQUQHM7PXljGNDUAmDbZPwylmBhn39wV8WlxNlj6zYNnCOqyKHAastK62At641oHmC7uf6lWISQeekW0_oF5IEE2HjKYCQkKsXAxp2_bjOu3KJW/s320/Group+2+-+Christmas+boxes+12-20-20.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>I got to baptize Alicia H. on 12-13 (see attached picture), so her and Connie M. and Ed. M. joined HBF on 12-20 and they were welcomed by the whole church body (see attached pics), we’re thrilled to have them! </li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF3ZcBViyRLhF1PzPj5qqNPfLjRQIe_J6JGrbK9qqNYIam1J8qLaXPiXijAC3CSJvL7adKy59SQzTsd9EM0dzLL6otDkNpIkqspUJoYXC6FxPyR_CEsdT2LEdO5gmt7D4X0rzwqXrztvNA/s1296/Resized_Steve_N_Alicia_12-13-2020.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="1296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF3ZcBViyRLhF1PzPj5qqNPfLjRQIe_J6JGrbK9qqNYIam1J8qLaXPiXijAC3CSJvL7adKy59SQzTsd9EM0dzLL6otDkNpIkqspUJoYXC6FxPyR_CEsdT2LEdO5gmt7D4X0rzwqXrztvNA/s320/Resized_Steve_N_Alicia_12-13-2020.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVSx36bZHbjhoW443UehQpMTjlD0Apyj3U5984BMLbiq85zjSpNB-kWPBglKwNF4AwvWJATO9MTqKi4vCnk_S9xwZBwW6v-kKNW1FRIIlNe-UZXLJnNaWYpXLDAyhxo14yhzJ_VM8xUjWg/s2016/Connie+Brian+Ed+12-20-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVSx36bZHbjhoW443UehQpMTjlD0Apyj3U5984BMLbiq85zjSpNB-kWPBglKwNF4AwvWJATO9MTqKi4vCnk_S9xwZBwW6v-kKNW1FRIIlNe-UZXLJnNaWYpXLDAyhxo14yhzJ_VM8xUjWg/s320/Connie+Brian+Ed+12-20-20.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>We took a box of Bibles (24 Bibles) to the jail on 12-27, for the deputies to distribute upon request from inmates. </li><li>Life Issues had its Christmas party on 12-18 this year and Linda J. read the Christmas story to the kids and adults in attendance (see attached picture). Santa visited that night too and got many photo ops with our kiddos and gave out gifts to them with the help of some elves! </li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjYEvOwIxlUI_sTVOAOzcd3lfme4vIGbawgbUO9LqkD6MHvrgz7huUd5m8J-OVgsO9MoVAc6HH-kres-KbP7ndLTHJfG8RMjoPK65eCcl9SCNO2MNAkMopW0a0hLRVuWOQWcVU2KWoKVz7/s2016/Linda+-+Christmas+Story+12-18-20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjYEvOwIxlUI_sTVOAOzcd3lfme4vIGbawgbUO9LqkD6MHvrgz7huUd5m8J-OVgsO9MoVAc6HH-kres-KbP7ndLTHJfG8RMjoPK65eCcl9SCNO2MNAkMopW0a0hLRVuWOQWcVU2KWoKVz7/s320/Linda+-+Christmas+Story+12-18-20.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Pat L. helped get a young man into detox on 12-22 & got him into a rehab facility on 12-31; this was a monumental effort since it’s hard to get into anywhere with Covid. Anyway, please pray that this man’s life will be changed in the recovery process!!! </li><li>I went and picked up one of our students from the Greyhound bus station after Christmas on 12-27 and took him home after being out of town over the holidays, and didn’t have a ride. </li><li>We also helped homeless couple with a box of food and 1 night of emergency housing on 12-29. We gave another box of food and gas card to a different couple that same day. </li><li>Zach M. phased up (level 3 of 4) in the Drug Court program in early January, so he’s over halfway through this course. We’re so proud of him and now he can work full time and afford his own place and get more grafted into society and a “normal” life. </li><li>Our Life Issues group cleaned church on 1-3 (mainly Jimmie and Rosie); it’s a blessing to me to see our folks give back! Life issues is a blessing to me in many ways, but one of the ways that I see, is when folks willingly give back. Some give back in part because they need community service but often, they just feel like volunteering; I had 2 men tell me last night to let them know if we need help with anything! </li><li>Life Issues will be having a Super Bowl party on 2-7 in the south trailer, this will also be our 10-year anniversary of Life Issues, hallelujah! </li></ul><br /><br />Sincerely, Steve Fleshman – Life Issues pastor and founder, Proverbs 4:23…<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Life Issues Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03604694121776144118noreply@blogger.com0