Recent Blog Entries

  • 2 hours ago
    Posted by Dion Todd
    And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, This is the way, walk you in it; when you turn to the right hand, and when you turn to the left. Isaiah 30:21 WEB.A shepherd herding his sheep along a path does not have to interact with them much. He follows behind them, watching. He doesn't have ...
  • The Blessing of Abraham from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo. God knows how to help people who are going through a hard time, for He is a delivering God. Even when our own actions have landed us there, He can bring us back from the brink of destruction. He always tells the enemy, "Let My peop...
  • Mar 17
    Posted by Dion Todd
    Brothers, even if a man is caught in some fault, you who are spiritual must restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to yourself so that you also aren't tempted. Galatians 6:1 WEB.We all make mistakes. Not one of us on Earth has lived a perfect life except Jesus. Yet we tend to compare ...
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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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Refirement

  • Moses said to Yahweh, 'O Lord,* I am not eloquent, neither before now, nor since you have spoken to your servant; for I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.' Yahweh said to him, 'Who made man's mouth? Or who makes one mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Isn't it I, Yahweh? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth, and teach you what you shall speak.' Moses said, 'Oh, Lord, please send someone else.' Ex. 4:10-13 WEB

    Moses was now eighty years old and living a quiet life as a shepherd near Mount Horeb. He had settled down, he had a wife, children and a steady job. Life was not what he had thought it would be while growing up in Egyptian royalty, but it wasn't bad.

    God had other plans for him, and Moses became probably the most powerful person in scripture besides Jesus. But if Moses had gotten his way, he would have probably died a simple shepherd at Mount Horeb. Moses thought the dream of delivering his people was dead, when it was only beginning. He told God to send someone else, but God would not take no for an answer.

    If I had gotten my way in my own life, I would not be here writing this today. Over twenty-five years ago the Lord told me that I would be in ministry and to begin to prepare myself. I went through bible college, earned a degree, and got ordained, but after graduating, every single door was shut.

    I worked various jobs and ended up working with computers for twenty years. I forgot about those dreams of ministry. Then one day our computer business dried up, and no amount of praying, giving, fasting or begging seemed to make a difference, and I could not find a job anywhere. That is, anywhere but the ministry, and suddenly I found myself as a pastor.

    Now I use the computer skills that I learned along the way to build our online church. It was what God intended all along, but when it came about, I just wanted Him to send someone else because I had given up on the dream.

    God often has better plans for us than we do for ourselves. Our view is too narrow to see the whole picture. When things are not going the way you want them to, know that God is working out something so much better than you had in mind. Keep the faith. Trust God. Keep putting one foot in front of the other one. When you stumble, get back up. It is not over, it is only beginning.

    Prayer: Father, I know that I am in Your plan. Help me find the place that I belong, guide me into all that You have for me, and help me make the right choices along the way. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray.

    Note: Good morning! The highlighted group of the week is "What''s For Dinner?", a wonderful way to share your favorite recipes, especially those that help us stretch a budget! You are invited to share about your favorite meals, memories about hearth and home, or simply fellowship around this virtual kitchen table! ALSO, you are all invited to join in with the theme of the week at Creation Photographers, which is "Furry Friends"! As always, you are welcome to post other pics, as well :).

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44 comments
  • 4
Mark Duell
Mark Duell Pastor Dion's prayer: Father, I know that I am in Your plan. Help me find the place that I belong, guide me into all that You have for me, and help me make the right choices along the way. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen. Thank you Pastor Dion for listening to the Lord. You share a great tesimony. Oh how I want to do some great work for Him some day. Still in training though.
April 12, 2016
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Twila Stierwalt
Twila Stierwalt God will use you while you are in training.
April 12, 2016
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Lita Reyes
Lita Reyes God is good all the time. Amen
April 12, 2016
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Kath Paro
Kath Paro Dion~ Thank you for letting me know that the path that God has led us to is an opportunity to follow our dreams of ministry.  Sunday we found out that a door that we thought was closed was open.  We only had to wait.  Now we have to wait and work 5 weeks before we see the final outcome of our faith in God and our walk in the journey he has laid for us.  It brings life to the hymn "Trust and Obey".  Amen!
April 12, 2016
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Twila Stierwalt
Twila Stierwalt Praise God.
April 12, 2016
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Dion Todd
Dion Todd There is nothing like waiting in uncertainty... 
April 12, 2016
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Marisa Jackson
Marisa Jackson God's plan is always the best plan.  Don't knock it until you've tried it.  In the end, you will come out smelling like a beautiful rose.  Amen!!
April 12, 2016
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Twila Stierwalt
Twila Stierwalt Amen.
April 12, 2016
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MP (Mary Pat) Taylor
MP (Mary Pat) Taylor Amen! Love this! And very timely for me! 
April 12, 2016
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Tracy Carroll
Tracy Carroll Thank you for this word today. It seems as though I've been stumbling for quite a while and receiving no answers from our Lord. This is just the message I needed to keep me going!! Again, thank you. God bless you Pastor!
April 12, 2016
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David and Dianna Wyles
David and Dianna Wyles Amen
April 12, 2016
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Twila Stierwalt
Twila Stierwalt Amen.
April 12, 2016
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Schalk  de Beer
Schalk de Beer Oh yes Lord, amen. 
April 12, 2016
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Mike OBryan
Mike OBryan    This is refreshing---to feel hope lessness is very real.. I never thought I would end up here..they call it a down word spiral!! I've seen folkes in it!! Amazing how powerfull, hang ups can be!!  Amazing having great tools-and finding them not realy working!!  hum hinting that I'm in a heavy situation...  This is quit the sight... Don't recall how I found it.. Been well over a year that I've been here. I recall walking away for awhile in the beginning... Jes the other day I was told how too get the reading before 7 am.. I hated having too wait!! Hum worked into 12 years of solid recovery.. I still was a little in a shall.. That was My weak point.. Much of the flaws I had have are good ones.. Not easaly reaching out is a big one!! no doubt I'm on the edge of some thing realy popping off.. end of a rope!! I use too say I was swinging with it-laughing the power and courage-drive and fire I had!! no doubt this is a learning experience!!! Brother Mike-South Florida!!!!!!!
April 12, 2016
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David and Dianna Wyles
David and Dianna Wyles Amen Brother! Keep holdin on! God has great plans even if it doesnt feel like it yet! I'm in that waiting game but I can feel him guiding me through the muck that Satan like to trick us with. Praying with you! God bless!
April 12, 2016
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Twila Stierwalt
Twila Stierwalt God is so good to meet us right where our needs are.
April 12, 2016
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Linda Cella
Linda Cellaedited: April 12, 2016 Amen Brother Mike. Keep holding on!  I believe Gd led all of us here. I consider this site such a Blessing. Been through a very rough couple of years battling depression and anxiety. I finally learned to lean on God. Yes there are times when Satan will try to get into my head but I always say out loud "I am a child of God so get lost Satan". I also read Romans 8:28 All Good things come to those who Love God and are called according to his purpose. I will be Praying for you! Sister Linda-North Florida
April 12, 2016
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David and Dianna Wyles
David and Dianna Wyles Amen! YES! I know he's got great plans for me if I can just make it through all the fear and doubt that satan like s to throw at me! At least I know his lies! And I know God is with me! Win Win!! Thank you Pastor for always reminding me to remember who's got the master plan and who is in charge! Blessings>> Pastor's Prayer: Father, I know that I am in Your plan. Help me find the place that I belong, guide me into all that You have for me, and help me make the right choices along the way. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray.
April 12, 2016
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Twila Stierwalt
Twila Stierwalt Amen!
April 12, 2016
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Twila Stierwalt
Twila Stierwalt Amen. God does want His best for us. I do believe ue go through different seasons of service in our life, and we should be ready for God to use us no matter what our circumstances are. He will open or close doors for us if we wait on Him to show us what He wants us to do.
April 12, 2016
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Jim Jarrell
Jim Jarrell I hope you are right!
April 12, 2016
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Dion Todd
Dion Todd That is the point, keep on hoping  :)
April 12, 2016
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Linda Cella
Linda Cella Amen. Wonderful Message. 
April 12, 2016
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Kathie Byram Lopez
Kathie Byram Lopez Amen.
April 12, 2016
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Carol Pady
Carol Pady Amen!
April 12, 2016
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Dorene Glaze
Dorene Glaze Amen
April 12, 2016
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Karen Pasquinelli
Karen Pasquinelli Amen!
April 12, 2016
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Debbie Bible
Debbie Bible I'm so very glad that this ministry was God's plan for you. I know how much I have learned from it and I'm sure I speak for many people. This ministry helps me to "believe what I believe."  I'm thankful for you and Sylvia. 
April 12, 2016
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Audry Reddy
Audry Reddy Amen!!
April 12, 2016
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Susan Boyette
Susan Boyette Amen
April 12, 2016
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Sharon Peterson
Sharon Peterson   I was almost 50 years old and newly divorced with 2 teenage boys.  I had been a stay at home Mom, homeschooled, taught Sunday school, volunteered in the community etc.  I lived in a very rural area and found my self in need of employment that came with a salary.  I sold clothing in a little Western Wear store but that only paid $6. hour.  While I loved the job, I was desperate for a good paying job.  Some friends suggested I apply to the local State Prison as a Correctional Officer.  It was the only work around but I had to laugh thinking I'm just a mom and church volunteer.  I work with innocent little children not men in prison.  I applied to convince myself I was not being lazy about a job search but also was positive I would never get in.  It was an in depth process.  I drove 2 hours to another prison and put in my application and took a 4 hour psych exam.  Within a couple weeks I received a call saying I did wonderful on the test and now I needed to drive 3hours to pass an intense phsical exam to be sure I could make it through the Correctional Officer Training Academy.  Well I was positive I could never pass such an exam especially at my age, but to be sure I was praying to make sure God understood this was not a  career for a little old mom like me.  The next morning before going to my Western Store Job I flipped open the Bible, told God I was late and could not do a morning study and please just give me a scripture to ponder throughout the day.  This was the page and scripture God gave me. " Remember the prisoners as if chained with them--those who are mistreated--since you yourselves are in the body also." Hebrews 13:3.  Like Moses I argued with God asking Him to send someone else.  Two weeks later I found my self in "boot camp", the Academy running 3 miles before sunrise, getting beat up gas bombed and firing some major weapons.  I was one of the oldest and graduated at the top of the class. Two months later I was walking through those prison gates as an Officer.  God's plans were not my plans but He knows where we need to be and it was an amazing journey.
April 12, 2016
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Audry Reddy
Audry Reddy That is wonderful!  It's so amazing how we seek God and He blesses more than we could imagine!!  
April 12, 2016
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Sharon Peterson
Sharon Peterson Amen to that.
April 12, 2016
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JJ Koutecky
JJ Koutecky Sharon, you are living proof that 50 is the new 30! What a fantastic story about your life. Thank you for sharing this with us!
April 12, 2016
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Sharon Peterson
Sharon Peterson Thank You JJ. All things are possible through Christ . . .
April 12, 2016
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Kathy Banfield
Kathy Banfield Thank you for the words I needed to hear today.Due to my health, I often feel as if my life is going nowhere! I will keep praying and trusting that God has a plan for me.
April 12, 2016
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JJ Koutecky
JJ Koutecky Hang in there Kathy. The good thing about all this is that you're obviously not as active as you used to be. So, use it to your advantage. You probably have more time to study and read all about the Lord's word. If possible, maybe go to a Christian book store and find a few books that interest you. Take advantage of this down time and become more knowledgeable than you ever thought you could be.  God Bless you and praying that you get better soon.
April 12, 2016
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Obioma Ukegbu
Obioma Ukegbu Indeed this message is divine and practical. It is full of life experience examples. Thank you Pastor Dion Todd for releasing this impactful message to us.
April 12, 2016
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Christina Ocasio
Christina Ocasio Amen ♡ 
April 12, 2016
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Wesley Paulus
Wesley Paulus Amen!
April 12, 2016
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Scott Riegelmann
Scott Riegelmann Wow Amen pastor If I didnt know better I would think your living in my house cause this is exactly where I am in my life? What to do next where do I go from here Im his willing servant so send me my assignment and I will go! Amen thanku pastor Todd for listening to God and teaching everyone else what u have learned!
April 12, 2016
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Sylvia Schmidt
Sylvia Schmidtedited: April 13, 2016 I have been so used to expecting disappointment that now that God has been moving a lot in my life and making good things happen, it is sort of making me uneasy. For off and on for 20 years I have wanted to teach high school Computer Science and now at least for a 3.5 month term, it is happening. I have never felt so at home in such a long time at a job and so quick too. Then there is the dream God led me to Masters and tomorrow night I have an admissions interview for Masters. Then at my previous job at a college, suddenly after trying for 7.5 years to get a teaching job there  and working as Educational Assistant, I have a job interview there for a teaching job starting for Sept. I am leaving it all up to God to choose the path he wants me on. I know it is the only way to be happy is when he is in charge of our path. 
April 12, 2016
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Phynedra Franklin
Phynedra Franklin Amen so grateful God knows what is best for us. Awesome devotional Pastor Todd thanks keep up the good works
April 13, 2016
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Lissy Verghese
Lissy Verghese Thank you dear Pastor, for the inspiring message!
April 16, 2016