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 More Thoughts of Hope

Blow the trumpet in Zion! proclaim a fast, call an assembly; Gather the people, notify the congregation; Assemble the elders, gather the children and the infants at the breast; Let the bridegroom quit his room, and the bride her chamber.   ~Joel 2:15 -16

 From heaven the LORD looks down and observes the whole human race, Surveying from the royal throne all who dwell on earth. The one who fashioned the hearts of them all knows all their works. Our soul waits for the LORD, who is our help and shield. For in God our hearts rejoice; in your holy name we trust. May your kindness, LORD, be upon us; we have put our hope in you. ~Psalm 33:13 -15,20 -22

Be Still and Wait upon God

On January 29th, 2008, we called the entire community of Sanctuary of Hope together to wait upon the Lord.  Before doing more planning, we sat with each other in our chapel and waited for God to speak about Sanctuary of Hope and its future.  Many attended, even with the ice and snow on the ground.

The two Scriptures above, Joel 2 and Psalm 33 were read during the prayer time; then for 15 minutes we sat in stillness and waited upon God.  After the quiet time, people just shared openly what they heard God saying to each one of us.  These prayers were very uplifting and gave me the definite sense that God wanted us to stay at Sanctuary of Hope and to go forward, welcoming everyone who comes with love and care. In these voiced prayers, we heard that many have added something to our mission over these 11 years of operation and continue to do so.

 After the song, "Day is Done," we were visiting with each other.  At that time, a prophesy from God was given to me. That is the quote above from Haggai 2!   My heart really jumped with JOY when this was  shared.  I said I didn't realize this was in Haggai.  Then, when I shared something I had experienced during the silent prayer portion of the meeting, I was told that made it a confirmation from God.

While sitting in silence earlier with the community, I saw a gold door, with a pattern upon it. It was in the shadow with a light around it.  Then, when I read in Haggai, "mine is the gold," this image came back to me.  Wow, God is the true Resource of Sanctuary of Hope!  It is our mission to help everyone find this God in their own way.

God is asking us to simply trust, and God will restore this "building," this site, to a glory beyond our wildest dreams and imaginings.   From Haggai: "Take courage...for I am with you, says the Lord of Hosts...do not fear!"  Praise God!

Yes, I am still concerned about our finances, our need for new members in our small faith community, our growing costs; but in God we will trust.

Perhaps if everyone who reads this reflection would ask God what they might do to help us in our mission of prayer and retreat; then the finances we need and the people who have time to give to this ministry would come, and the costs would level out eventually. Would you consider giving a dollar or two for each of the 10+ years we have been here and for ten more years into our future?  Would you consider giving some more time to the mission, by being a volunteer, giving of in-kind donations of labor, supplies, etc, giving a year to live here and be of hospitality to our guests, praying for our success?  "May your kindness, Lord, be upon us, for we have put our trust in you."  Psalm 33.