Recent Blog Entries

  • 53 minutes ago
    Posted by Dion Todd
    For it is precept on precept, precept on precept; line on line, line on line; here a little, there a little. Isaiah 28:10 WEB.We had scattered pieces all over the table while we worked on assembling a jigsaw puzzle. It was a total mess. This one was mysteriously difficult, for someone had mistakenly...
  • Fri at 3:01 AM
    Posted by Dion Todd
    God is my rock in whom I take refuge; my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge. My savior, you save me from violence. 2 Samuel 22:3 WEB.David sang this the day the Lord delivered him from all his enemies. Where others saw nothing, David could see the work of the Lord thr...
  • Thu at 3:01 AM
    Posted by Dion Todd
    In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are ...
View All
  • 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!
View All

Dads

  • Or who is there among you, who, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, who will give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! Matthew 7:9 WEB

    Many people that I talk with have a problem trusting, or drawing near to our heavenly Father, because their own earthly fathers mistreated them, abused them, abandoned them, or made them feel worthless. As they grew up, they built a wall between them and their fathers to protect themselves, and they find it difficult to trust him.

    Fortunately, I had the world's greatest dad. He has passed on now, but my brothers and I had those words inscribed on his tombstone: 'The World's Greatest Dad', between an engraving of a hammer and a saw, because he was a carpenter.

    My dad had a hard life and by twelve he was on his own, living in a share cropper's barn, and working the fields during the day. Later, he learned carpentry, got married and had three sons. Mom left before my first birthday, but dad struggled to raise his three sons on his own and even after we were grown he would check on each of his sons every day. If one of of us was building a porch, he was there to help. If another of us was changing a transmission, then he would be there.

    Dad was always there, always wanted the best for us and, to the letter, if he promised you something, he would do it, whether that was good or bad. He always taught us that we could do anything that we set our mind to do, whether it was to build a house or rebuild an engine, anything was possible. He would take the time to show you how if you asked him, or if he had never done it, we would figure it out together.

    When I came to know our heavenly Father, I found that they had a lot in common and for me, it was a pretty easy transition. If my own dad told me that he would do something, he would do it. Would my heavenly Father do less?

    Our heavenly Father is all of the good and so much more, with none of the bad. He is always there for us. He only wants the best for us all the time. He will help us, teach us, and give us the resources to fulfill our dreams. If we don't have a dream, then He will give us one of those to. He rejoices in our victories and loves to see us over come the obstacles in our life and learn from them. Our Father loves us and He only wants the best for His children. You can trust Him.

    Prayer: Father, I thank You for being there for me when I need You. I pray that You show Yourself strong in my life, strengthen me, and help me overcome the challenges that I face. Draw my heart to You and break down the walls between us, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.

    Note: Good morning! FYI, the FAAD chat topic this week will be "Holding on Through the Storm", hosting by Tamara Lowrimore. The chat will be focused on testimonies of storms that you have overcome and prayer for those who are contending with their own storms. As always, this is also a great time to just share and fellowship, as well! The event will take place in the RHM chatroom at 7pm EST.

Tip: You must be logged into the website to leave comments.

 

Social Sharing

49 comments
  • 5
Mark Duell
Mark Duell Amen. Help me remove any barriers I have allowed to come between us Father. I want your fullness. I want to be surrounded by your Spirit and Love.
February 3, 2016
  • 0
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen and Amen.
February 3, 2016- Edit- Delete
  • 3
Martin Snyder
Martin Snyder Just this week I was btrayed by the pastor of the church i formerly attended (I am leaving because of this incident). I trusted him with private and confidential information which he chose to make public on his gossip rag he calls a "prayer list". Trust no man but trust God only.
February 3, 2016
  • 1
Dion Todd
Dion Todd I am sorry to hear that Martin. Sadly, prayer lists are often gossip columns. May the Lord lead you to where you need to be in Jesus name and help you put the offense behind you. 
February 3, 2016
  • 0
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen, God bless. Prayers going up for you and that you will find just where you need to be for Jesus's service.
February 3, 2016- Edit- Delete
  • 0
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member I am so sorry for the hurt and pain you have felt, I pray for comfort and peace to your heart today and may you find strength, knowing that you can always put your faith and trust in Jesus and that He will never ever leave you. God bless you and I will keep you in my prayers, that Jesus will guide you where you need to be in service for Him.
February 3, 2016- Edit- Delete
  • 2
Schalk  de Beer
Schalk de Beer Yes Lord, amen. 
February 3, 2016
  • 3
Janet Clary
Janet Clary Our Father in Heaven and Trust go hand in hand.  I have always believed that anyone can be a father but it takes a lot to be a dad.  We have but one father, whom is in heaven.  Our heavenly Father teachs us to love and trust in His abiding word and that is the truth I live by each day.  You had a wonderful Dad!   Pastor Dion, you are a daily reflection of our heavenly Father and your own Dad, in the love you give here each day. Thanks so much.  Be blessed and know you are loved!
February 3, 2016
  • 0
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen and Amen, what a wonderful Dad, that Pastor Dion had, that led an amazing example to his children, and as you said, Janet, that Pastor Dion is leading and guiding us at RHM as a wonderful and loving father would do for his children. God bless him and Sylvia as they lead us in God's Word and in this wonderful ministry of love and care for everyone. 
February 3, 2016- Edit- Delete
  • 0
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amazing testimony, such a blessing to my heart. Thank you for sharing. Love and blessings.
February 3, 2016- Edit- Delete
  • 2
Gail Sellu
Gail Sellu Amen, I am one that has had trust issues due abandonment by my earhly father; however, I am an overcomer, I know I have a heavenly father who loves me and who will never leave or forsake me! It took a long time to get here,  but I thank God I'm here now,, in his son Jesus' name!
February 3, 2016
  • 0
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Praise The Lord, I am so happy you are happy and know that Jesus will never leave you or forsake you. God bless you. Love and Hugs and Prayers.
February 3, 2016- Edit- Delete
  • 2
Penelope Rhome
Penelope Rhome amen
February 3, 2016
  • 3
Mike OBryan
Mike OBryan Good Morning! Great Teaching!! I know ofa few whose situation could involve deep hurts in this area! I see where I can certainly be  a example of His all working through Me when I allow Him too!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 3, 2016
  • 0
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen, may God work through you to be what He wants you to be. God bless you. Have a blessed day.
February 3, 2016- Edit- Delete
  • 2
Eric Rodriguez
Eric Rodriguez In GOD We Trust...........
February 3, 2016
  • 0
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen and Amen.
February 3, 2016- Edit- Delete
  • 1
Deng Tembreza
Deng Tembreza Always and Amen
February 3, 2016
  • 2
Darlene Blackmon
Darlene Blackmon This devotion spoke volume to my heart for I also had a father who loved through example and endless patience during my teenage and young adult life...though I know he is with Our father in heaven now, I know he loved me. Jesus thank you for giving me a father you sent to love me as much as you do.
February 3, 2016
  • 2
Carol Policastro
Carol Policastro Our Father loves us and He only wants the best for His children. You can trust Him. Lord I am in a storm and I am counting on Your Fatherly love to cover me, give me strength, and help me and my entire family overcome these challenges.  In the Name of Jesus, I pray!
February 3, 2016
  • 0
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Praying for you and your family. God bless you and may that sweet peace and comfort come to you right now. Love and blessings.
February 3, 2016- Edit- Delete
  • 2
Linda Cella
Linda Cella Amen
February 3, 2016
  • 3
Audry Reddy
Audry Reddy After I became a Christian I always knew God was there for me and I didn't compare Him to my earthly dad. Whenever I read this particular scripture, it reminded me of the time when my family was traveling and we stopped at a motel in Arizona. My dad asked us kids if we wanted some ice cream and we were so excited they went to get us some! When they came back ,they didn't get ice cream but they had bought some fruit! I was SO disappointed and I never forgot about that! In spite of that and other things my dad did, when I became a Christian , I forgave my dad of every thing he did wrong and so began a great adult relationship with him! I know he is in heaven with God,because the day after he died, I had a vision of him looking upon me and smiling! I knew everything was gonna be allright!
February 3, 2016
  • 3
Laura B. Martinez
Laura B. Martinez I never thought about this - some people staying away from God because their history with their fathers here on earth. I had the most wonderful Daddy in the world. He never got angry, never said curse words and always found the best in people. He would often tell me to pray for those people who were mean to me. He was a very, very religous man and I believe I have gotten my faith from him. To make him proud of me in heaven is my goal as it is to make my Heavenly Father proud as well. Thank you so much Pastor Todd for these beautiful reminders you provide us all.
February 3, 2016
  • 0
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Beautiful testimony and such an honor and wonderful memory of you Dad. God bless you.
February 3, 2016- Edit- Delete
  • 1
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Thank you for this message, I have always had a hard time trusting due to my Dad abandoning me as a child. I am so thankful that I found Jesus at a young age, because He has always be the One that I knew I could trust with anything and talk to about anything, because He would always be there to listen and get me throug whatever I was facing. Thank you again for this message. Love and blessings to you and Sylvia.
February 3, 2016- Edit- Delete
  • 1
Twila Stierwalt
Twila Stierwalt Amen!
February 3, 2016
  • 2
Carol Pady
Carol Pady Amen! 
February 3, 2016
  • 2
Joseph Adams, Jr.
Joseph Adams, Jr.      As I sit here alone in my tears, I recognize the Love of God and the need for me to walk closer with Him, I prayed Lord come in my heart and allow me to sup with You. rest, rule and abide in me and then and only then will all things work together...... Thanks for today's message, it has a veery timely message for me. My father was not a big part of my life and the problems my mother had with her husband, my dad, she took out on me. I was shifted from relative to relative as a child and late into my teens. My relationship with my mother has been strained for over fifty years. Pray for me please, today has been like no other in my life and I am and have been in tears. I pray that God will continue to deal with me and this day will be a new beginning for me and my walk with God. Pleasse pray for me.  
February 3, 2016
  • 1
Dion Todd
Dion Todd Sounds like God is breaking through some things, and some barriers. I pray that the Lord will come on you like a mighty rushing wind and sweep away everything that is between you and Him, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. When alone in my prayer room, I find that tears are a good thing... It is when we get a glimpse of the heart of God. 
February 3, 2016
  • 0
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen
February 3, 2016- Edit- Delete
  • 1
Twila Stierwalt
Twila Stierwalt I will pray for you Joseph. God can and will be to you all that you have missed in your life, He loves you more than you can imanage. You are a treasure to Him, and He wants to bless you every min. of your life.
February 3, 2016
  • 0
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen and Amen
February 3, 2016- Edit- Delete
  • 1
Janet Marsh-Lord
Janet Marsh-Lord Hi Joseph. The past certainly influences us and not always in a good way. I pray the Lord will surround you with His love and peace and today will be a new start for you in your walk with the Lord... ...Tears are cleansing and are not a bad thing. God Bless.
February 3, 2016
  • 0
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen, wonderful tears of joy and peace. God bless you. 
February 3, 2016- Edit- Delete
  • 0
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Prayers going up for you right now. I pray for a touch of peace,, comfort and strength I pray for joy like you have never know. I pray as you begin this wonderful new journey with Jesus that you will always know that He is right there with you in all things and you will be in my prayers everyday. Love and Prayers. 
February 3, 2016- Edit- Delete
  • 1
Joseph Adams, Jr.
Joseph Adams, Jr.     Thank you Tamara, Janet, Twila, and Pastor Dion. I guess that I am experiencing another new birth, I got saved in 1976 while living in Los Angeles and I have wanted to return to that first love, it was a powerful reconciliation for me because I had been reading my Bible since 1961 and to finally be saved fifteen years later was so joyful and overwhelming.      Yesterday, the Spirit came over me and it was so overwhelming that I cried most of the morning. God took me out of my routine and sat me down and ministered to me. Most of the day, I could not study (I'm in college) nor anything else. I just sat still and did nothing. I want to again thank everyone for their prayers and I know that God is preparing me to answer His Call (1984) on my life. My prayer today is, Use me Lord Jesus. Amen
February 4, 2016
  • 1
Joseph Adams, Jr.
Joseph Adams, Jr. There is a Balm in Gilead.
February 4, 2016
  • 1
Janet Marsh-Lord
Janet Marsh-Lord God is so amazing.He only wants the best for us and wants to give good gifts to His children. I look forward to hearing what the next step is that God has for you. Will it be connected to what you're studying ? I wonder !!!! God Bless
February 4, 2016
  • 1
Josie Carrera
Josie Carrera Amen  
February 3, 2016
  • 1
Rick Doran
Rick Doran Heavenly Father, Thank you for being there after my earthly Father went to be with you.
February 3, 2016
  • 1
Twila Stierwalt
Twila Stierwalt I had a wonderful Father. He was a great example of my heavenly Father. He loved me and the LORD always came first. We had a wonderful relationship, and I think it made it much easer for me to have a personal relationship with my heavenly Father. I know Jesus loves me and I am a treasure to Him.
February 3, 2016
  • 0
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen
February 3, 2016- Edit- Delete
  • 1
Janet Marsh-Lord
Janet Marsh-Lord Thank you for this message of love and hope. The past influences us in both good and bad ways and having a wonderful Father and role model like you did is such a blessing. My Dad was a good man but he didn't show loving emotions to me very often so I never knew that I was loved. Looking back I don't think he knew how to do this. I try and let my children know they are loved and how proud I am of them as I know I would have loved to hear that from my Father.How wonderful to know our heavenly Father loves us unconditionally and wants the very best for us.
February 3, 2016
  • 0
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen, yes, Jesus always wants what is best for us, and I know and feel that your eartly father loved you very much, but just didn't know how to show that love he felt in his heart. That happens many times, sometimes I think its hard for some people to show emotions. I know my husband grew up in a Christian home, but he never was hugged a lot or told how much he was loved or how wonderful a son he was, but he didn't let that stop him from loving me and our son so much. He loves us beyond what words can say, he has always shown great love to me, our son and our daughter in law and our precious little grandson, but he has never been able to show that love towards his parents, he loves them dearly, but they always are stand offish when it comes to showing their children how much they love them, because I know in their hearts they do, but they just don't show it the way some people are able to. God bless you. Love and Hugs.
February 3, 2016- Edit- Delete
  • 1
Wesley Paulus
Wesley Paulus Amen! My father was not in my life until about 2 years ago. I met  him with my older brother, and I have forgave him, just want to have a relationship with him now. He is 80 and in good health thank God!  However, I have always known my Heavenly Father's love in a bunch of different ways but the biggest Blessing he gave me was my wonderful unconditionally loving mother, a direct extension of my Father's love.  Thank you Father!
February 3, 2016
  • 1
Ticardo Williams
Ticardo Williams Amen.  Praise God!  Thanks Pastor Dion!  Lord, Help me to rely more on You than me.
February 4, 2016
  • 1
Rosemary Marsh
Rosemary Marsh Amen. Thank you Father,for your faithfulness and love for me,and always been there for me.You alone are the only one I have known as my Father,and have been so blessed.IReally want to give you thanks and Praise all you have done for me.Keep my heart on fire for you,that your will be done in my life.In the name of Jesus I pray.
February 4, 2016
  • 1
Joan Buxman
Joan Buxman My earthly father was very difficult to live with. He was mean, cruel and abusive. It took me a long time to trust my heavenly father because of this. Now that I've come to know how much I am cared for I thank God daily for his love and protection.  It still hurts (and I'm 66) when I see other women who were/are close to their dads and witness the affection that I never experienced, but it only takes me a few moments to turn to my heavenly father, realizing that one day I will have all that I missed out on when I'm in heaven.
February 5, 2016