Do you ever feel like life is a series of steep hikes up rough terrain, with little reward and seemingly no end in sight? Sometimes it seems as though we are struggling along this journey in a mist so thick that we cannot see the reason for our toil. And then God gives us those moments when we get above the mist and can simply rest and see how far He has brought us! We look around us and see the beauty of the mountaintops that we would never have observed without the difficulty of the climb. In many ways this is what this season in our life has been. Over the past 6 years we have went through a season of change and trial and difficulty. In 2011 our house was broken into and we many of our possessions were stolen (God taught us to trust Him and not to trust in stuff); In 2012-2013 Five close relatives went to be with the Lord in a 10-month period (God taught us to appreciate and value the relationships we are blessed with and trust His Sovereign plan and timing); In 2014 God called me to pursue training for ministry which ultimately led to quitting my job, selling our house and moving to Southern California (God taught us to trust Him by stepping out in faith, even when it did not all work out on paper); In 2015 right before making that our son, Austin fell and cut his leg and an ER visit and a few stitches turned into a deadly infection, a fight for his life, and a new understanding of the frailty of the human body (God taught us to trust in the Great Physician rather than the wisdom of man); In 2016-2017 we have experienced living in a new place, with new jobs, a new school situation for our kids, a new church family, and new responsibilities and pressures, and through it all God has ever been Faithful and we have learned to trust Him ever more deeply! This is the background that I contemplate as I update you all today. Life is but a vapor but our God is the Creator and Sustainer of All things! He is continually teaching us to be more like Christ and to depend more and more upon Him. He never fails us, nor forsakes us, but ever provides for us! O Lord, Our Lord how majestic is your name in all the earth! (Psalm 8:1) All that said, I must confess that it has been far too long since my last update (December of 2016!). I apologize profusely and want to thank all of you for your continuing prayers and encouragement as we continue on this journey. A great deal has changed since my last update and I wanted to take a few moments to update you on those changes so you can know how to rejoice with us and pray for us!
God has been so Good to us and continues to amaze us with His love and care for our family! We are busy and tired and yet rejoicing as we are being equipped and trained for future ministry and yet being used even now in ministry here at Grace Community Church. We are excited about the summer and our upcoming trip to Modesto in June. I will be preaching at RHC on Sunday, June 18th and we will be in Modesto for about a week to do some painting with my dad and brothers. We would love to hear how the Lord is working in your lives as well and thank God daily for the friends and family who continually intercede for us in prayer.
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Filbrun Family6 sinners saved by God's unmerited Grace, trying to live for the Glory of God in all things! Archives
December 2019
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