Recent Blog Entries

  • Fri at 3:01 AM
    Posted by Dion Todd
    For the vision is yet for the appointed time, and it hurries toward the end, and won't prove false. Though it takes time, wait for it; because it will surely come. It won't delay. Habakkuk 2:3 WEB.About thirty-five years ago, the Lord gave me a word that I would pioneer new things in ministry and fo...
  • Thu at 3:01 AM
    Posted by Dion Todd
    The king talked with them; and among them all was found no one like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Therefore stood they before the king. In every matter of wisdom and understanding concerning which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchante...
  • Wed at 3:01 AM
    Posted by Dion Todd
    If you died with Christ from the elements of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to ordinances, "Don't handle, nor taste, nor touch" (all of which perish with use), according to the precepts and doctrines of men? These things indeed appear like wisdom in self-imp...
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  • March 25, 2022 - led by Lynn Brown
    This is a group for RHM sponsored events like corporate fasts. Everyone is welcome to join and participate in things currently going on in the ministry. We love you and thank you for being a part of Refreshing Hope!
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Family Tradition

  • Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he was making a work on the wheels. When the vessel that he made of the clay was marred in the hand of the potter, he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. Then the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, House of Israel, can't I do with you as this potter?" Jeremiah 18:3'6 WEB.

    When I was young, I followed an old family tradition of dropping out of school early and getting a job in construction. By seventeen, I was married with a house, a car, and a child on the way. I was trying to pay all the bills that come with a new family, which proved to be tough for a laborer digging foundations with a shovel to earn the minimum wage.

    My Dad was on his own at thirteen, so I was actually a late bloomer by his standards. I didn't know anyone in my family who had ever finished high school. You weren't expected to back then. Both of my brothers had dropped out, one in the fifth grade and the other in the eighth. I honestly don't remember hearing the word "college" until I was in my twenties.

    One Sunday night at church, the Lord spoke to me and urged me to go back to school. The word came through the pastor's wife, who simply put her hand on my shoulder and said: "Dion, the Lord wants you to get your GED." Her words had an impact. I felt them and knew instantly it was the Lord speaking to me through her. So I took it seriously and told her that I would look into it.

    Monday morning, I went to the adult education center in Conway, South Carolina, to see what it would take to finish school. Even though the parking lot was full of cars, one spot was open right by the entrance. I went inside, and they saw that I had been out of school for a long time, over a decade. So they explained that I would need to take a pre-test, and then I could attend classes and learn the subjects I was weak on. The best-case scenario was that I would have my GED in about one year. This was during the 1990s in the South. Computers were rare, and all school work was still done with a pencil, paper, and books.

    Tuesday morning, I went back to take the pre-test, and I prayed all the way there. The parking spot in front of the door was again open for me. They sat me at a desk and gave me multiple tests throughout the morning. The answers seemed to come easily, and I breezed right through it.

    Wednesday morning, I went back to go over my test results with them and get the books that I needed to start studying. If this is what the Lord wanted me to do, I planned to see it through. Once again, my parking spot in front of the door was open for me.

    When I walked in, a group of teachers was gathered together to discuss some papers. One of them looked at me and said, "There he is!" Then she cocked her head to one side and asked, "How long have you been studying?" I told her that I had just decided to start on Sunday night.

    She said, "Well, you did excellently! You needed a 70 to pass, and you scored a 97. I believe that you are ready to take the test. It's too bad that you didn't come a few weeks earlier. The GED test is only given in this part of the state every six months. It's going to be held in Georgetown this Saturday, but the state law requires you to sign up a month in advance."

    She paused a moment, then said, "Let me call them." She called someone, found out they had a cancellation, and then faxed them my test scores. When the call was over, she smiled at me and said, "You got in!" She was so happy she hugged me.

    Saturday morning, I drove to Georgetown, about 40 miles away, to take the eight-hour test. I prayed all the way there. Again, there was a parking spot open for me near the door. The examination had questions like, "How far is the sun from the earth?" I didn't have a clue, so I prayed for a moment and wrote down whatever came to mind. It was right! I was one of the first to finish.

    Sunday morning, when I returned to the church, I had my GED. I had completed the entire process in one week from start to finish. Then, I went on to graduate from Bible College and become ordained. It was totally the Holy Spirit reshaping my life. He was the driver. I was the co-pilot, and I was just along for the ride.

    I was just having a great time enjoying the Lord, but He was busy working in the background and setting things in motion that would shape my future. Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. He opened the doors, and I stepped through them. I took the tests, but He gave me the answers.

    It doesn't matter if you were brought up as nothing. When you submit your life to God and follow His guidance, He will begin to put your life back together and make it meaningful. God can reshape you on His potter's wheel (Jeremiah 18:1). He can fix what is broken. Just because that is the way that it has always been doesn't mean that is the way that it will always be. When He adopts you into His family, He may break all your old family traditions.

    Prayer: Heavenly Father, I want all that You have for me. Please break me out of my tiny box and change my way of thinking. Open the right doors for me. Teach me what I need to know. Lead me, and I will follow You. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!

    Note: 'Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.' (Philippians 4:6-7) ~ If you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page: RHM Prayer Network


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Social Sharing

15 comments
  • 2
Schalk  de Beer
Schalk de Beer

Yes, amen Lord, I will follow. 

 

Sep 23
  • 2
Kay Collinsworth
Kay Collinsworth

Amen 

Sep 23
  • 3
Bella Colliander
Bella Collianderedited: Sep 23

Yes, Lord, it is my hearts desire to follow you. Thank you for fixing what has been broken. Amen

Sep 23
  • 2
Kevin J. Eck
Kevin J. Eck

Heavenly Father, Guide my way of thinking and give me the strenght to do so. Thank You Lord Jesus!

Sep 23
  • 1
Dana Rozell
Dana Rozell

Yes Amen!

Sep 23
  • 1
Marisa Jackson
Marisa Jackson

Amen!! Amen!! Amen!!

Sep 23
  • 1
Mari Kaufmann
Mari Kaufmann

God help my family Amen

Sep 23
  • 1
Scott Riegelmann
Scott Riegelmann

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I want all that You have for me. Please break me out of my tiny box and change my way of thinking. Open the right doors for me. Teach me what I need to know. Lead me, and I will follow You. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!

 

Sep 23
  • 1
Wanda Pennington
Wanda Pennington

Yes Lord, I pray this for myself and my children, and grandchildren in the Name of Jesus,  Amen 

Sep 23
  • 1
Celeste Strenn
Celeste Strenn

Amen❣️thank the dear Lord❣️

Sep 23
  • 1
Lynn Brown
Lynn Brown

Amen! Lead me Father to Your will for my life.

Sep 23
  • 1
Wesley Paulus
Wesley Paulus

Amen! 

Sep 24
  • 1
Brenda F
Brenda F

Amen 

Sep 24
  • 1
Cathy Webb
Cathy Webb

AMEN, Pastor Dion! Our God is busy breaking our boxes to see and hear His call for our attention and willing service. Thank you, Lord! Amen

Sep 25
  • 1
Susan Petho
Susan Petho

Amen!  Pastor Dion this is such an uplifting story!  Thank you for sharing!  God is so awesome!

Sep 28