Randy's October, 2012 Update: A Pastor's Letter: Randy, “It is said of the great sculptors that they could see a masterpiece in a block of stone. Their job was to remove everything that wasn’t part of that hidden image in order to set it free. You have been that sculptor for me. "You have seen me…in the beginning when I was reluctant and slow to trust…through times when I’ve overanalyzed and evaded questions…in times when I was … [Read more...]
I Survived the Boundary Waters!
Randy's August, 2012 Update: I Survived the Boundary Waters (at the border of MN and Canada): I had the blessing of getting deep into nature for a few days, on a canoe/camping trip in the Boundary Waters, cut off from civilization, along with two other guys: Praveen (from India) and JB (who I just started meeting with recently). Praveen and I were total novices to this type of expedition. JB has done many trips like this over the years, … [Read more...]
Lizzie From London
Randy's July, 2012 Update: Should The Name Read "International"? When I was thinking up a name for Legacy Shepherding Ministries, Inc., I didn’t realize that perhaps the ending of the name should have read “International” rather than "Inc”. Along the way, God seems to have purposefully led people from other countries to my doorstep, from places like Australia, Germany, and India (as well as numerous people from Oklahoma, which is a … [Read more...]
Prayer Requests
Randy's June, 2012 Update: WWJP - What Would Jesus Pray? :) What might Jesus and the Holy Spirit be praying/interceding for you, for me, and for this ministry? Romans 8:34 states that Jesus is on the right hand of God interceding for us. Romans 8:26 asserts that “the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.” At times … [Read more...]
Hackers, Dunkings, and Trip to AZ!
Randy's May, 2012 Update: Check Out the New Look! The Updates have a new look! Yeah! Someone hacked into my blog this past month. Boo! Why anyone would want to get into my blog is beyond me. Thankfully my web host contained the compromise and notified me. Then Brian at Steck Insights Web Design quickly secured my site and gave it an updated look. I would highly recommend Brian. He was a real hero, super helpful and fast, a true man … [Read more...]
Book Recommendations – Part II
Randy's April, 2012 Update: Book Recommendations: I love sharing stories of life change, and thankfully there are so many to share! But instead of sharing a story this month, I thought it might be helpful to go behind the scenes and share a few of the additional books that I’ve found helpful in opening people up to the life change that God is already actively at work doing. (See “Book Recommendations” on the blog for previous … [Read more...]
Out of Town Visits
Randy's March, 2012 Update: Affirmations and Blessings for Scott: In February, I went out to Iowa to celebrate my youngest nephew, Scott’s, 25th birthday (a quarter of a century!), and my eldest sister, Deb’s, “29th” birthday (wink, wink)! My niece, Emily (Scott’s sister), was very inspired by the idea of the “living funeral” some people threw me last year (See my Christmas letter), which is basically a time of affirmation and blessing … [Read more...]
Chad Finishes Well
Randy's February, 2012 Update: Finishing Well: At the very first meeting I have with people, one of the things we talk about is the ending of our season together and what it might look like to finish well. I have found it helpful to talk about the ending at the very beginning to set proper expectations that lead us both to finishing well, which ultimately enhances the whole experience. What finishing well means to me is that neither of … [Read more...]
My Christmas Letter 2011!
Merry Christmas! Most of my life seems to be lived in the ordinary, day-to-day. Here are some of the unordinary things that happened this year: My Living Funeral: In January, a group of young people I’ve mentored surprised me with my own “living funeral”. What’s a “living funeral”? The idea comes from the book, “Tuesdays with Morrie”, which tells the true story of Morrie, who was terminally ill. After attending a funeral, Morrie … [Read more...]
Dave’s Journey
Randy's December, 2011 Update: Dave's Journey: “Like many of us, I have experienced many struggles in my life. Sexually abused at a very young age by adolescent boys, bullied all throughout school, a very abrupt passing of my loving father at age 12, my mother remarrying an in-disguise drug-addict three months after meeting him, emotionally and verbally abused at home throughout my teen years, and other numerous stories of … [Read more...]
Danielle’s Exercises
Randy's November, 2011 Update: As some of you may know, I come from a long line of German farmers. One thing I learned from growing up in that culture is that, in general, German farmers don’t want to be served up a plate of fluffy nonsense with little substance, they want meat and potatoes! You can keep your fancy-schmancy theological theories, existential exegesis of ecumenical eschatological ontology (Ach Du Lieber!), and all those other … [Read more...]
Project Living Well
Randy's October, 2011 Update: Imagine not having clean water to drink and watching the people you love die from diseases caused by contaminated water. This update highlights a young man, whom I'm currently mentoring, who is trying to do something about this issue. Matt Creates Project Living Well: Matt Johnson is 29 years old. A year ago, he left a lucrative job in wealth management to follow a calling he sensed to help provide … [Read more...]