stories from the summer
Making God approachable
”I met you about a month ago when you spoke at Bethlehem Church in Georgia this summer. I bought your book and have been soaking up every word since we met. I just wanted to say THANK YOU. We don’t often get a thank you or pat on the back for our obedience to God. In fact, most of the time it’s not even seen by anyone but Him. Thank you for your obedience and faith. It has increased mine in ways you will never know. ‘To make God approachable’ are words etched in my heart from here on out. While we don’t know each other, and I’m not in your circle or hub (I told you I was listening, hah!) I feel so understood by you and thankful for you and your work. These potent words if put into practice, have the power to change the world. Thank you for taking the time to put them on paper.
A dweller from across the way,
Emily
Update: I finished the book! I’ve have the same vision for years! Who else are we adding to the roster in Heaven as I look behind me entering in! Woohoo!
I love calling the Church to life and action! One way I do this is speaking at staff meetings in person like Bethlehem Church in Georgia or via Zoom like Cross Church in northwest Arkansas.
When it’s your child
”This is Deborah, former math teacher of Asher. I am just now starting this book you so generously gave me. I am enjoying it. It comes at a very pivotal time in my life and I am drawing strength and courage from it.
Asher was a bright light on my screen in our ‘class.’ I have taught middle school for 24 years, meaning I have interacted with thousands of young folks. I am able to ‘see’ the standouts. He is living what you are writing about.”
Thank you,
Deborah
God used Asher this past school year on zoom to bless his teacher. Driving the book over to her house was his idea. Our team is creating Sent Labs that help us put the teachings of Jesus into practice. The first one is all about living sent at school. Watch it here for a limited time.
We’re all connected!
“Good morning, Shauna! I’m reading Love Where You Live. I live in Grand Rapids, Michigan. During the pandemic quarantine, we stopped attending our church that was 12 miles across town that we were very involved in since 1981. We sensed God moving us to a church in our our neighborhood where we can now walk to. Because of this new chapter in my life, the title of your book caught my eye so I bought it. It’s wonderful! Thank you!
This morning I read about Jordyn, the blind woman who works in tech. My heart leaped! It has to be the Jordyn I know! She was one of the most delightful learners in my 4th grade Sunday School class at Kentwood Community Church. If that is her, and she’s still at your church, please give her a hug from Miss Holly!
I’ll never forget the time that the Winter Olympics were on TV. As kids arrived for Sunday School there was a lot of talking about skating. Jordyn joined the conversation. Without thinking, I asked her if she had been watching the Olympics. Then I realized what I said and apologized. ‘I should have said listening to the Olympics.’ She graciously said, ‘that’s okay, Miss Holly, it’s the same thing!’”
And if you’ve read the book, then you know how well Jordyn see the world! I told Holly and Jordyn that this story fuels my passion for writing and storytelling! Keep the stories coming! Won’t God do it?!
Epicenter of Intervention
”This is Jen. She is moving from Virginia to Tennessee away from her tight-knit community to be closer to family. She was freaking out with the move so her friends had an ‘intervention.’ My sister, Leia, is in the middle of the group with the blue shirt. She had a copy of your book and gave it to her. During their time together the girls were literally quoting different parts of the book to each other to provide encouragement and support!
Leia said the book was ‘the epicenter of the intervention.’”
Sent from my San Francisco friend, Michelle
Host a book club. I’ve got all the questions to discuss for every chapter! You can do this in person or online with friends.
Lead the 6 week small group course that is more in-depth. Make it last 12 weeks with every other week putting the principles into practice.
Messy Hair Don’t Care
“My husband and I have been trying to neighbor well since you came and spend the weekend with us at our church and in our community. We’ve been intentional with the young couple who moved in across the street a few months ago. Tonight they unexpectedly came over and brought us brownies. My hair was a mess and I was in my pajamas, but I invited them into our messy house and we got to know them better. It’s not a coincidence that it’s the 22nd of July, Love Where You Live Day, and you’re mentioning unexpected encounters. Thank you for the work you are doing! We loved having you preach in St. Charles.”
Elizabeth
Thank you Elizabeth for loving your neighbors well and being open to unexpected encounters! Calvary Church in St. Charles, Missouri was the first church to host Live Sent Weekend in May.
You can’t make this stuff up!
You can’t make this stuff up, but the Holy Spirit can! He surprised me and Ben on a retreat in Maui in late July.
Me: “Let’s go see what those girls are looking at. It’s gotta be something.”
Three girls began pointing out the largest turtles we’ve all ever seen.
Mari: “Are you Ben? Ben Pilgreen?”
Ben: “Yes.” (with a puzzled look on his face)
Mari: “You baptized me!”
Yes! When Mari was a college student at the University of Alabama, Ben baptized her in 2007 - 14 years ago! Clearly we were all shocked and excited and amazed! These pictures are proof. God gets the credit for every bit of this!
That wind is the Holy Spirit!
You see, everybody is important. Everything we do, big or small for the Kingdom of God matters. Ben and I needed this moment. We needed to be reminded, as silly as it sounds, that God is still using us and as people come in and out of our lives, they don’t exit the Kingdom of God!
He sent Mari to remind us. He placed her at the jutting edge of Maui and brought His turtles to keep her enthralled long enough for us to get there. If you’re doubting if what you are doing today matters, look at the people God has put in front of you and know it does!
Shauna