Blog Post
Posted by Dion Todd June 4th, 2025 1,325 Views 26 Comments
Even the youths faint and get weary, and the young men utterly fall; but those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:30–31 WEB.
I sat down on a bean bag in the corner of the room where I would go and pray, and contemplated how we got here. We had been out of work for months while the bills piled up around us, and I couldn't find a job anywhere.
I was too exhausted to pray anymore. I had spent months praying with my face to the carpet, but so far, it had only brought silence. Now, we were packing to move out of our home. I felt abandoned by the Lord and alone.
I sat silently that morning, contemplating what to pack and what to do with the rest. When the presence of the Lord suddenly descended and He gave me an open vision. It was the first I had experienced. I can best describe it as a giant movie screen that appeared before me. It was like a dream, except I was wide awake and still conscious of the room around me.
On the screen, I watched myself climb into a boxing ring and pull on the gloves. The camera view was from behind me, and it looked like I was alone. Then the camera panned around to my face, and I could see the Lord behind me. He was standing outside the ring like a coach. He said, "You're not alone, for I am in your corner, and I have prepared you for this day. Now get in there and fight!"
His presence swept into the room, and things quickly changed in me and around me. I came out of that room with renewed hope and complete peace. I told my wife Sylvia that we were going to be ok. I still didn't know how, but I knew that a word from God changes everything.
By the end of the week, I was a pastor. It was a complete career change, as I had been a computer tech. Then a friend suddenly stepped in and paid all of our bills for the month. When all of my strength was gone, the Lord refreshed me. He gave us hope and a future. Those who wait (hope) in the Lord shall renew their strength. The fight isn't over, and you are not out of the game yet. So get back up and get ready to go another round.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You for being there for me. Please cover me with Your presence today. I need You, Lord, more than ever before. I want to walk with You, talk with You, and to know You in a special way. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!
Note: Today, we will be hosting our Wednesday morning prayer service at the usual time of 10:30am EST! This is a short service, about 15-20 minutes, where we pray together for any needs you would like to share. Hope to see y'all there! As always, 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.
Eco Version .577: Adapted the site to be a (PWA) Progressive Web App that you can install locally and still browse cached content like devotionals you have read when you are offline. When you first open the app in the morning, it should take you to the latest devotional. If you were an early adopter and it does not, uninstall it and install it again as I made some changes. Also, you can click the 3 ... and "Cast" to display it on your TV if you have a compatible device. It should work with Chrome, Edge, Android, as well as iPhones, iPads, and tablets. I will create some documentation on it soon, but this is a summary:
How to Install the Refreshing Hope Ministries App:
For Android & Desktop Users:
Visit our website: Go to www.refreshinghope.org using Chrome, Edge, or another compatible browser.
Wait for the prompt: After a few moments on the site, you'll see a banner at the bottom of your screen asking if you'd like to "Add RHM to Home Screen."
Tap "Install": Click the "Install" button on the prompt.
Enjoy the app: The RHM app will be installed on your device. You can now access it directly from your home screen or app drawer without opening a browser.
For iPhone & iPad Users:
Use Safari browser: Open www.refreshinghope.org in Safari (this won't work in Chrome or other browsers on iOS).
Tap the Share button: Look for the share icon (square with an arrow pointing up) at the bottom of your screen.
Select "Add to Home Screen": Scroll down in the share menu if needed to find this option.
Confirm installation: Tap "Add" in the top-right corner of the screen.
Access the app: The RHM icon will appear on your home screen. Tap it to open the app directly.
Benefits of Installing the RHM App:
Quick access: Open RHM with one tap from your home screen
Offline access: View previously visited pages even without an internet connection
App-like experience: Enjoy a full-screen experience without browser controls
Stay updated: Receive important ministry updates and notifications
Save data: The app loads faster and uses less data than repeatedly visiting the website
Need Help? If you have any questions or need assistance installing the app on your device, please contact us and we'll be happy to help! 😀
Dear Heavenly Father, I want to thank You for this day and the blessings in it. Thank You for another day not promised. I pray that you cover me with your Loving and Healing White Light so that I may find my way out of the darkness that's trying to swallow me up. I need You my Lord and Savior. I've got my arms outstretched waiting for Your Loving embrace. In Jesus Name I Pray... Amen! 🙏🏼 🕊️
Comment from Lynn Brown
15 hours ago
Praying for you, Valeri. I know how hard it is to lose your mom. I don't think we fully recover from it but know that we will be together again in eternity.🙏
Comment from Laura Clark
1 day ago
Amen, Valerie! Prayers for you dear sister in Christ!!! 🙏🙏🙏
Replies to this comment
18 hours ago
Thank you Laura... I wish there was a time limit on grief. I've lost people in my life, but when it was my momma, that was a whole new ballgame. I appreciate the prayers.
Replies to this comment
17 hours ago
I'm in that ball game as well...I loved my mama so much, too. It's still hard on certain days. It's been 11 years now for me. 🙏
Amen!
Amen
Amen 🙏🏻 Thank you for this message , I am feeling this very way today.
Thank You Father for always being with me!❤️
Good morning, fam, much love to all of you and praying you all have a wonderful Wednesday! 🫶🏵️✝️
Post from Bari Bargerstock
1 day ago
I love to read this account of your life. After 20 years of the same prayer, well I just get depressed and weary. I feel myself sinking daily again over my son. I hear nothing from God about any of this.... so hard sometimes. Guess it is time to get up and go another round... Thanks for sharing your life with us.
Comment from Lynn Brown
1 day ago
Prayers for your son. And all our adult children. 🙏
Comment from Cathy Webb
1 day ago
God has your son, Bari, and He is a good God! Continuing to pray for you and your son and my adult children, too. God is faithful. Thank you for your heartfelt prayers, as well. May God find us steadfast in His will 🙏
Comment from Sylvia Todd
1 day ago
Praying for y'all and our son, Bari ~ I know that has been a difficult load to bear 💛🙏
Comment from Laura Clark
1 day ago
Prayers for you and your son, Bari. God is faithful. Trust that and live in victory of that battle!!! Yes, go each of the rounds it takes with encouragement in your steps. In Jesus' mighty name we claim it, Amen!!!! 🙏🙏🙏
Another spot on message Pastor. Every time i feel like giving up the fight for my marriage, your message hits home and renews my strength. I dont know if Gods telling me to fight or what. My gut says so even though its seems completely useless. One word from God can change everything or anything so today i keep the faith that God will restore my marriage. Tomorrow may be different but today im trusting God has this. Thank you Pastor. Thank you everyone who continues to pray for me. This has been the biggest battle of my life. Please keep praying for me.
Comment from Chris Motley
1 day ago
Billy , We never know for sure what God has planned . Keep praying for her , Forgive her as well. God has put it on your heart. I had the same thing for my dad. I thought God would heal him of his cancer , I kept praying , and he gave his heart to Jesus on his death bed. So you see it's not our ways , But God's way . Amen
Another spot on message Pastor. Every time i feel like giving up the fight for my marriage, your message hits home and renews my strength. I dont know if Gods telling me to fight or what. My gut says so even though its seems completely useless. One word from God can change everything or anything so today i keep the faith that God will restore my marriage. Tomorrow may be different but today im trusting God has this. Thank you Pastor. Thank you everyone who continues to pray for me. This has been the biggest battle of my life. Please keep praying for me.
Abba Father, I pray this in Jesus's mighty name, amen. ✝️🛐
Thank you father in Heaven for ALWAYS being there for me as there are times when I often wonder why is the Lord silent and why is this happening, but suddenly out of no where a way appears and the sun is shining brightly once again. I know Lord that we all go throught the shadow of the Valley of Death as I have seen it more often than not, but I know that you have pulled me out by extending your hand and that is something I will NEVER EVER FORGET and I am extremely greatful and thankful for the love, patience, compassion and understanding that you show me every day. In Jesus our Savior's precious name I pray, Amen ❤️🙏🕊️!!
Comment from Laura Clark
1 day ago
Yes, Marisa! I pray we will never forget He has a perfect plan for us His children! When He's silent there is a PERFECT will in motion that we do not see or perceive. Praise the Lord for that!!!
Heavenly Father I am Thankful Knowing You Are Always There With Me During The Good Times And The Bad Times Amen Good Morning Everyone 🌹😀🌹
Post from Kay Collinsworth
1 day ago
Amen
Post from Tonya Singleton
1 day ago
Amen!!
Post from Richard A Smith
1 day ago
Thankful for another wonderful day. Amen.
Post from Wanda Pennington
1 day ago
Heavenly Father, I thank You for being there for me. Please cover me with Your presence today. I need You, Lord, more than ever before. I want to walk with You, talk with You, and to know You in a special way. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!
Post from Wanda Pennington
1 day ago
Heavenly Father, I thank You for being there for me. Please cover me with Your presence today. I need You, Lord, more than ever before. I want to walk with You, talk with You, and to know You in a special way. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!
Post from Bella Colliander
1 day ago
Heavenly Father, I want to walk with You, talk with You, and to know You in a special way. In Jesus name, Amen !💜🕊️
Post from Deborah Blackshear
1 day ago
Speak Lord, I am listening.
Amen, Pastor! Thank you, Lord Jesus for a second wind. I love You and praise You!!
Amen
Heavenly Father, I thank You for being there for me. Please cover me with Your presence today. I need You, Lord, more than ever before. I want to walk with You, talk with You, and to know You in a special way. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.
Amen
Amen💖
Amen!
Comment from Lynn Brown
2 days ago
Thank you Pastor! That is awesome!!
Comment from Michele Copley
3 days ago
Good morning, Pastor Dion. How helpful of your creating this detailed app for RHM. How good it will be to load and display RHM on large screen TV at times, and with more documentation or needed assistance upcoming along the way for RHM Family- of God.