Letters From Home

"From Sulawesi to Seattle: A Life Shaped By Compassion" Arie Mahler

Compassion can shape lives. So many babies have been born in adversity. Their start in life is so difficult. And yet God has a plan. Adoption is so often part of that. And sometimes, the most hopeless story, can be the one God uses to display His great power, and His gentle compassion. Arie Mahler shares his inspiring testimony, from a tiny village and Sulawesi jungle birth, to his upbringing in Seattle, and his current calling to direct the Compassion Center at Alderwood Community Church in Lynnwood, Washington. Your faith will surely be buoyed as you are invited into Arie's heart and family.Jeremiah 29:11 - “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”Show Notes: https://bit.ly/42lp2g9Topics Shared:Born on the island of Sulawesi in a grass thatched roof hutHis mother passed away shortly after, due to complications of childbirthHe was left in the hut, and bitten by a wild animalHis uncle brought him to a missionary orphanage in Manato, a 3 days journeyDr. Donald Gish and uncle, went and got Arie to bring him back to the orphanageGrandpa Gish and Nana EvelynThey didn’t think he would make it through the nightMiraculously nursed back to healthOn the Cover of the Newsletter for the church in Seattle where he would be adoptedOne year process for him to be adopted by his new Seattle familyHis parents first meet him at Daily’s Drive In,A godly upbringingHis Dad gets cancer when Arie was 16A pivotal transitionYoung marriage and familyThe quest to find his birth fatherHealing and answersBecoming Papa and GramA sweet reunion at a memorialTHE P.S. Questions Answered:As a coach and parent do you have advice on figuring out the whole sports life church homebalance?Who is the greatest NBA player of all time? The Greatest Shooter?What is the greatest need in the church today?What legacy do you wan’t to leave behind?How to get involved in The Compassion Center at Alderwood Community Church in Lynnwood,Washington and what it is all about.——————————————We would love to hear how the Lord has encouraged you through this story at lfhpodcast@gmail.comFor more everyday extraordinary faith stories:We are on Instagram, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, iHeartRadio and all of the places podcasts live. Just type in ‘Letters From Home Podcast’ and scroll down until you see the rainbow.

"Private and Public Restoration from Secret Sin" Pastor Neil Matthews

Disclaimer: This story contains sensitive content that may not be safe for young ears. Consider putting in earbuds if you have kids present.Has your spouse or roommate ever stumbled upon a private addiction and confronted you? What if you were a young and new pastor who loved working with kids? Today’s guest walks us through how his secret porn addiction was discovered, how he asked for help, how it affected his church and pastoring and how the Lord strengthened his marriage. Our God is a God of reconciliation and restoration. Vulnerability and asking for help open the door.Acts 20:24- (NIV) “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me, the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.”Show Notes: https://bit.ly/40YnnMI----------------------------------------------Topics Shared:Awana kidSaved and baptized at age 9Retired military father, absentTeachers didn’t believe in himHe thought he wasn’t smart enough for collegeGrowing in faith in teen years Looking for his soulmate in high school“Find me somebody to love.”Found many father figures at churchBecame a youth pastor at age 19Married youngStruggle with pornWife discoversHe shares it with the churchPlan for restorationFinding a new churchBrandon Heath ‘God isn’t finished with you yet”Ultimate Healing Some of the P.S. Questions Answered:What would you say to parents who are raising kids while in the military?How has walking in other people's shoes transformed you?If you had limitless time or talent, what other ministry would you like to participate in or start?What is the legacy you want to leave behind?Neil Mathew’s PodcastOther People’s Shoes PodcastGuest Quote:“I was so intoxicated with the role of a pastor, I forgot what it was to be a pastor and to be a shepherd.” Related Episode:Ep. 3 - “Secret Addiction & Open Healing” Judianne Charbonneau (young mom)-------——————————————We would love to hear how the Lord has encouraged you through this story at lfhpodcast@gmail.comFor more everyday extraordinary faith stories:We are on Instagram, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, iHeartRadio and all of the places podcasts live. Just type in ‘Letters From Home Podcast’ and scroll down until you see the rainbow.

"Do You Believe in Miracles?" Shauna Parker

Disclaimer: This story contains sensitive content that may not be safe for young ears. Consider putting in earbuds if you have kids present.Do you believe in Miracles? Is there anyone in your life whom every time you see them, you are reminded with a resounding swell in your heart that God is a God of miracles. Shauna’s story is this. Her story is traumatic, impactful, full of hope, full of faith, and wonder. You will see her struggle as she asks God, ‘why did you save me? Why am I alive?” You will also see how her experiences, and faith journey has led her to the beautiful ministry she serves her loving God in today.Philippians 4:13-“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3Kdqgmu-------------------Topics Shared:Traumatic miracle birthGrowing up on 3 sides of the track Witnessing her mother being abusedThe incident Finding forgivenessSafe space found Saved at age 8Bumpy teensYoung arranged marriageAbusive cheating teen husbandBecoming a Mom and divorced at 17Life as a single MomDrug season Hasty marriageMental abuse and pregnancyTraumatic deliveryLosing 7 liters of bloodLeft the hospital after 8 daysWhy did He save me? A long depressionLosing everythingHomeless with two kidsA new chapterPaying it forwardCall to Coaching The P.S. Questions:What are 3 of your most helpful tips as a life coach?What legacy do you hope to leave behind?——————————————We would love to hear how the Lord has encouraged you through this story at lfhpodcast@gmail.comFor more everyday extraordinary faith stories:We are on Instagram, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, iHeartRadio and all of the places podcasts live. Just type in ‘Letters From Home Podcast’ and scroll down until you see the rainbow.

“Newly Quadriplegic: Road From Despair to the Paralympics” Joe Delagrave | Vault

Newly Quadriplegic. Can you imagine at age 19, after a boating accident, waking up from surgery to the doctors telling you that you will never walk again? Despair settled in. This is the beginning of Joe Delagrave’s deep transformation. His journey to forgiveness and faith is one you will never forget. He brings us into his happy but imperfect childhood, his WSU football days, his boating accident, a life-changing prison visit, and ultimately his inner heart working, that gave him the drive of an Olympian. He is a keynote speaker, Team USA Paralympic Wheelchair Rugby Medal Winner and well-loved child of God.Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.”Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3XPOXuS--------Topics Shared:Soaking up affirmation from coachesHis goal in high school was being a college athleteSupportive parentsBirth father in prison, missed Joe’s entire childhoodIt wasn’t 15 years for some crazy offense, it was choices over and overDrugs, check fraud, not paying his rentAt 13 God spoke to him about being a speakerHis battle between pleasing people or pleasing GodFootball Scholarship to Winona State in Mn.Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin and the back sloughs of MississippiBoating accidentSpinal cord injury levelsJoe’s neck snaps at the C6 and C7, and he blacks outRescue boat, ambulance, then med flighted to the local hospitalThe Asia Test proves his spinal injuryAirlifted to LaCrosse Hospital for surgery to fuse his C6 and 7Complete quadriplegic or incomplete quadriplegic?Don Beebee House of Speed shirt cut offOpening his eyes to Prov. 3:5-6, and a newly-abled worldSurrounded by loving familyThe God of 2nd chancesFunctioning as an incomplete C6 and C7 quadriplegicGod softens his heart toward his dadVisiting his birth father in prisonReconciliation and forgiveness in one life-changing encounterMarriage, babies and adaptive sportsDiscovering wheelchair rugbyAn athlete againPreparing, making and medaling in the ParalympicsJoe’s Quotes:“Are we on fire for God, or on fire for what people think? A lot of times those two don’t coexist very well.”“As my athletic career was taking off, my relationship with Jesus was completely going the opposite way.”“We never know what kind of impact we make by simply being kind.”——————————————We would love to hear how the Lord has encouraged you through this story at lfhpodcast@gmail.comFor more everyday extraordinary faith stories:We are on Instagram, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, iHeartRadio and all of the places podcasts live. Just type in ‘Letters From Home Podcast’ and scroll down until you see the rainbow.

"Falsely Accused Pastor" Markus Watson | Vault

Can you imagine being falsely accused as a pastor? Then add to that, false charges filed against you where even the FBI gets involved. Markus Watson walks through what he and his family went through at their church, and though months later, exonerated by the Presbytery was voted out of his church. Incredulous. Markus has arisen from that devastating chapter with several new chapters in his life. He is currently the primary podcaster and host for Fuller Seminary “Spiritual Life and Leadership”, the best-selling author of “Beyond Thingification” and the pastor at a new church. Through it all, he is reminded, that no matter what trial he goes through, he knows he is God’s beloved. His story will grip your heart, and change your perspective on so many levels.Jer. 31:3-“The Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.”Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3wdso7n---------------Topics Shared:Raised in faithAspiring Hollywood actorA change of plansFuller Seminary Pastoring his first churchEmergency meeting while on sabbaticalAccused of pornForensic analysis of his laptopTurns into a potential criminal investigationThe FBI got involvedHow the attorney knew he was innocentExonerated by the PresbyteryVoted out of his churchFlourish San DiegoBeyond ThingificationPastor at Westmorland Community Presbyterian ChurchMarkus' Quotes:"The FBI had my laptop."" 'Lord, I don't deserve your love.' What a terrible message to be telling myself over and over and over again.""I spent a lot of time in the Psalms, Psalms of lament.""I had this image of myself having lost everything, sitting in a prison cell.""We had double our normal attendance that Sunday. Everyone will show up for a scandal.""The thought of being a pastor again felt like being thrown into a snake pit.""We can't love someone if we are judging them."——————————————We would love to hear how the Lord has encouraged you through this story at lfhpodcast@gmail.comFor more everyday extraordinary faith stories:We are on Instagram, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, iHeartRadio and all of the places podcasts live. Just type in ‘Letters From Home Podcast’ and scroll down until you see the rainbow.