Legacy Shepherding Ministries, Inc. – Randy’s August, 2008 Update I had the opportunity to lead a session at a spiritual retreat at the beginning of this month. (Ahhhhhhh, retreat). I asked the group to consider the following: If there were no time limits, no money limits, no limits of any kind holding you back - Everything you wanted to do you could fit into your schedule and afford - What things … [Read more...]
Celebrate What God is Doing in Axis
Legacy Shepherding Ministries, Inc. – Randy’s July Update At the end of June, after my last letter, Axis (the 20something ministry at Willow Creek Community Church) had a Volunteer Appreciation Dinner to honor the young leaders who have served so faithfully this past year. I was invited as well, since I mentor many of these leaders. Earlier that day, I met with the leader of the ministry, Jon Peacock, for our usual weekly mentoring … [Read more...]
New Updates Format
You may have noticed a new look for this month’s update letter. It’s a blog! I’m officially a blogger now! I’m getting so updated, my brain is spinning. Next I’ll be on Facebook! Doing these monthly letters in this format will make it easier to include photos of the people I’m referring to (like these Chicago 20somethings on a retreat in MI). Even if you’ve read the previous letters, take a look back at the photos. You’ll see pictures … [Read more...]
Belonging with Gabe
Legacy Shepherding Ministries, Inc. – Randy’s May 2008 Update A couple months ago, Gabe Strom shared with me some challenging circumstances in his life. I listened attentively, believing that God uses the circumstance in our lives to bring about transformation, if we are receptive. I wanted to pay close attention to what surfaced through Gabe’s stories, so we could join God in what he desired to form and transform inside … [Read more...]
Troy’s Story
Legacy Shepherding Ministries, Inc. – Randy’s April Update “Genuine transformation requires vulnerability. It is not the fact of being loved unconditionally that is life-changing. It is the risky experience of allowing myself to be loved unconditionally. Transformation…also requires that we stay long enough in his loving presence to allow our shame to begin to melt away…we must linger long enough for it to penetrate our woundedness.” – David … [Read more...]
Prayer Requests
Legacy Shepherding Ministries, Inc. – Randy’s March 2008 Update A friend pointed out a typo in last month’s Update. The book title for the Fear Bonds-Love Bonds chart is "Living From the HEART Jesus Gave You." My letter said "Living From the HEAT Jesus Gave You". My friend liked my title better. This month’s update is in the form of Prayer … [Read more...]
Love Bonds v. Fear Bonds
Legacy Shepherding Ministries, Inc. – Randy’s February 2008 Update “The opposite of Love is not Hate, the opposite of Love is Fear” – unknown “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear…” 1 John 4:18a During one of my meetings this month with a young leader named Nuree, I randomly mentioned the above quote about fear being the opposite of love. Whether we agree with this quote or not, I think it is worth pondering. For … [Read more...]
Love Languages
Legacy Shepherding Ministries, Inc. – Randy’s January 2008 Update As I journey with people, I hear many stories about their parents - parents who did the best they could to communicate love to their child, but who may have expressed love in a way their child couldn’t connect with. For example, the parents may have provided well for the child materially as a sign of love, but what the child really wanted was their parent’s time and presence. … [Read more...]
Frequently Asked Questions – 2007
Legacy Shepherding Ministries, Inc. – December 2007 Update I thought this month might provide a great opportunity to answer some questions I get asked about the ministry work I’m doing. Here are some of the more frequently asked questions: How is the ministry going? What impact/life-change have you seen so far? One example that the ministry is having an impact and leaving a legacy happened a couple months … [Read more...]