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RHM October 2016 Newsletter

  • RHM October Newsletter - 2016

    Thank you for reading our devotional and being a part of Refreshing Hope Ministries. This is our monthly update on what has been happening here during the last month and I thank you for taking time to read it.

    Two Octobers ago, we began Refreshing Hope Ministries from our kitchen table with the secondhand equipment from eBay in the picture below. The Lord has been with us and has faithfully provided for each need that arises. Not that long ago, we were standing in the unemployment line wondering what tomorrow held, but I never saw this coming. I thought that we would retire in our computer business. As Chevy Chase once said, “I would not have been more surprised if I woke up and my face was sewn to the carpet.” Yet looking around, I can that we were prepared for such a time as this.

    Refreshing Hope Ministries appeared in the July issue of Guideposts magazine, and I have been invited to speak at their National Conference this year on “Church in the Digital Age.” None of this was planned, but God opens doors that no man can shut and we are excited to follow Him wherever He leads us.

    The start of Refreshing Hope on the kitchen table

    The beginning of Refreshing Hope Ministries sitting on our kitchen table.

    As many of you know, when I was young and starting out with the Lord, I was completely consumed with eschatology, the study of end time events. It was a passion. I had my walls covered with charts, timelines, and scriptures. I studied the Bible many hours every day. Eventually, the Lord told me in a gentle way to “Not be so concerned about the end of the book, but go back to the beginning and take another look.” In other words, let it go, so I did and I put it out of my mind.

    Over the last month, some twenty years later, I feel like He is speaking to me about the end times, and at first I was unsure why. So I pushed it off and tried to put together another teaching, but when praying, all I could hear is “Birth Pains.” That reminded me of Matthew 24:8:

    “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there will be famines, plagues, and earthquakes in various places. But all these things are the beginning of birth pains” (Matthew 24:7–8 WEB).

    Also I suddenly felt that I should fast, so I began a week-long fast, from Sunday to Sunday. Thinking that I had a word from Him to go on, I began planning a two-part series based on Matthew, chapter 24. Now I was already very familiar with the study of the end times, so I thought that I could just freshen up a bit and put together a message.

    I began to pray, study, research and dig into the Bible and church history around ten hours a day. I watched about twenty hours of sermons by various well-known preachers in the afternoons, and listened to Matthew chapters 24-25 on repeat all night.

    Finally, I felt ready to put my message together, but when I did, it became difficult. It was like building a house of cards that kept falling down. Like any preacher, I could put something together that sounded great, but deeper research would then pull the rug out from under it. I prayed some more.

    By Saturday, I not only failed to complete my message, but the Lord had wrecked my understanding of the end times from one end to the other. Almost everything that I had been taught was wrong, and the things that He has shown me go against all popular teachings on the subject today. It began as a little speck in a verse that I began to pick at, and like a string, as I pulled on it, the whole thing began to unravel. Now I just sit here and say, “Could it be so obvious? How could we have missed that?”

    The religious teachers alive when Jesus came, knew the scriptures well, and were waiting on the Messiah to come, but yet they missed the coming of Jesus. Somehow, they misinterpreted the prophecies concerning His coming. Could we do that again? Have we done that again?

    Over the next couple of months, I will be working on a series of messages about the end time events and what I have learned, called “What Time Is It?”

    New Videos Available:
    We completed our video series on “Faith, Hope and Love” during the live meetings on Sunday and they are now on the website, as well as the introduction to “What Time Is It?” Click here to watch them:

    * Faith, Hope, and Love Part 1: Faith
    * Faith, Hope, and Love Part 2: Hope
    * Faith, Hope, and Love Part 3: Love
    * What Time is it: Part 1: Introduction

    Online Church News: www.refreshinghope.org - We have grown to 3,521 members and 15,918 friendships. We have had 127 prayer requests and sent 358 replies to them. A big thanks to our ministry team, who faithfully visit the prayer page and lift up the needs of our members.

    The Refreshing Hope live meetings are happening each Sunday morning at 11 AM Eastern Time. The attendance usually runs between 30 to 50 people. For those that cannot attend, the messages are recorded and placed on the website at refreshinghope.org. Click “Watch” on the menu. Many thanks to all those who have been participating in the live meetings. It has been an experience and the whole group, praying together for each other, is great.

    We have created a mailing list for the live meetings to keep you updated on what is going on. You can sign up here if you are interested:
    https://refreshinghope.leadpages.co/rhm-live-announcements/

    Group and Member News:
    For those who knew her, Janet Clary, one of our beloved members and the leader of our Haven of Hope group passed away recently. We all mourn her loss and ask that you please keep her husband and family in your prayers.

    The Healthful Living group’s monthly focus event is “Peace in Troubled Times”. Because one of the reasons for the event is the strife happening from the upcoming election, it has been extended to November 9th, to cover the election date. We encourage all to join in to pray for peace and His will in our nation.

    The Spiritually Single group continues to host a “Fast & Pray Friday” each week. If you have loved ones who are not yet believers, we encourage you to join. Also, you are all welcome to join in the fun at the Creation Photographers group, as they share God’s beauty and creativity with a weekly fun theme!


    New Audio Books Available from Guideposts:
    Guideposts now has audio books available for download so that you can listen to positive encouragement on the go. The voice work was done by one of our own RHM members, Dennis Hubbell, from JIOS radio. There are many books to choose from. Visit Refreshing Hope and click Guideposts on the menu.

    If you are in need of prayer, we are here for you! Just click on the Prayer link on the website menu (you will need to be logged in). Also, if you are interested in joining our prayer team, please do contact us.

    Each day, we are so blessed and grateful because of the amazing people that God has placed in our lives. Thank you so much for being part of Refreshing Hope Ministries.

    Pastor Dion


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Social Sharing

24 comments
  • 3
Cheryl Hepler
Cheryl Hepler

Fantastic... Congratulations Dion & Sylvia!!  What a blessing!

November 1, 2016
  • 1
Dion Todd
Dion Todd

Thank you Cheryl! It is a blessing. 

November 1, 2016
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd

(((HUGS))) Love you, Cheryl!

November 1, 2016
  • 3
Rose Sicilia
Rose Sicilia

Pastor Dion for the 1st time in my life I feel God has led me to you. You speak of all your trials and tribulations but you continued moving with God's strength. I always felt alone and thought everyone else had a great life or someone to lean on. One night I fell to my knees and with all my heart asked God to help me. I had been a heroin addict a long time and was in darkness a different world. I ended leaving the Bronx and moving upstate NY where I was to help my mother who was sick and my crippled father and my mentally ill brother. I found a job and bought a used car. My nephew living in the Bronx who just had turned 23 died of an overdose. I couldn't understand why I was alive and he died. I did 100 times more drugs than he did. Shortly after that my mother died of ovarian cancer. I moved into my father's house to care for him and my brother. Alot went on. My father then died of multiple myloma. My uncle died the day we buried my father. My best friend I had made here died also from kidney failure. I finally realized God had me here for a reason so I lean not on my own understanding. God filled a hole in my heart I thought would never go away. He gave me His love. I felt whole again. I sleep now. I'm grateful when I wake up. I know I am forgiven for my past sins and I am grateful for this church as I could not find one here that spoke the Word of God. Thank you for sharing your story and starting this online church. God bless and protect you and Sylvia always. love Rose Sicilia 

November 1, 2016
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd

So glad that the Lord has led you here through such tribulations, sister, we love you <3! (((HUGS)))

November 1, 2016
  • 1
Rose Sicilia
Rose Sicilia

Ty so much sylvia I have,found my family here. Rose,Sicilia 

November 2, 2016
  • 2
Roseanne Braverman
Roseanne Braverman

((Hugs)) and blessings to you.  You have been tried by fire and are true to the Lord.  May he bless all of your days.

November 2, 2016
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd

You as well, my sister <3!!! (((HUGS)))

November 2, 2016
  • 4
Tom Cartmell
Tom Cartmell

I believe that I would be quite lost without you all. I DO LOVE the daily devotionas. Thank you so much for all you do. May God bless you and RHM

November 1, 2016
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd

We are honored to have you as part of the family, Tom <3!

November 1, 2016
  • 3
Pastor Marty Pena
Pastor Marty Pena edited: November 1, 2016

Pastor Dion Todd,

When I was invited to be a part of Refreshing Hope Ministries by a member who is no longer with us, at the time I was tending to a huge church as the only pastor 6 days a week for 7 years. I knew that the invitation was from the Holy Spirit. I was not participating on RHM during that time which was in early 2015 as I had too much on my plate. We know that spiritually we can burn out if we put on our plate what the flesh wants and not what the Holy Spirit directs. It is human nature. I thank God that He has always led me but it took me many years to get here, just as yourself. I saw the vision here once I came on board. No matter where I was ministering there was always a computer or an office were I could serve on here. Serving from my church daily or from home has been such a blessing. I saw the vision back then and I see it now. Our thoughts and our ways are not God's ways. When He leads and we let go and let Him everything falls into place. I see this ministry with a huge vision. You can take any seed. Seed produce seeds. An apricot seed is the side of a quarter or bigger. Inside that seed are many many seeds and inside those seeds are many many more seeds that become huge trees. This is the vision I see here. You planted a seed, it has grown to what it is today, and the best is yet to come. I am so thankful to be part of this huge vision. I will continue to serve on here together with the Body of Christ who God has brought on board as the Spirit leads. The vision is huge and that I am prophetically speaking and seeing this. Thank you for following God's leading. The late Paul and Jan Crouch started with a vision in 1973. They were obedient to that calling. They had a black and white T.V. and a shower curtain. Little did they know that they would reach the entire world in such a vast way. You have the same vison Pastor Todd. Thank you for giving to the Lord, I was a life that was changed. I love you Pastor Todd and Sylvia very much. God richly bless you for what you do for the Kindom of God. This is Kingdom vision and I am honored to be part of this vision and your obedience. Pastor Marty Pena. Psalm 37:23 "The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way."

November 1, 2016
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd

Aww, we love you too, sister and so blessed to have you here <3!!!

 

November 1, 2016
  • 1
Rose Sicilia
Rose Sicilia

Ty so very much sylvia. Love Rose Sicilia 

November 2, 2016
  • 3
Janet Sorensen
Janet Sorensen

I am surprised more people aren't making prayer requests. Thank you all so much for responding to mine! And congrats on the Guideposts invite. I will admit one reason I joined is to watch online worship and connection unfold. I think this is only the beginning and that you and others can truly reach the ends of the earth. Now I am happy to be involved and not just observing.

November 1, 2016
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd

Janet, I think that many still may not know it's there :). We try, but possibly are missing something in how to make it known, haha :). We love that the Lord has blessed us with a congregation from all over the world, that can gather at any time during the day, and so appreciate that you are part of it, sister <3!

November 2, 2016
  • 3
Gloria Nebarez
Gloria Nebarez

Exciting  times  for RHM, I Love reading about how God has opened doors for you and the ministry. From your kitchen table to now is so amazing,  God can open doors where no man can, so much to learn. Thank you Pastor for your continued growth in the word and sharing it with us! Blessings to you always. 

November 2, 2016
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd

Amen, Gloria, humble beginnings indeed, lol :). We still have a long ways to go, but are blessed by His daily and unfailing guidance!

November 2, 2016
  • 1
Roseanne Braverman
Roseanne Braverman

Love and God's blessings as you and Sylvia continue to do Gods work.  And I thank you for all the prayers and blessings I have received from RHM.  Roseanne 

November 2, 2016
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd

We always love seeing you here, Roseanne, thank you for being a precious part of our family <3!

November 2, 2016
  • 1
Rose Theuret
Rose Theuret

I love being part of RHM. To know and see where you makes me feel blessed knowing how God works in many ways. I don't remember how I fell upon your ministry when it was Peace Be with you, but I know now it was Gods work. He knew I was having trouble finding someone to teach me about the bible and how to put ALL my faith in God. For that I thank you and Sylvia for being part of my life.

Your ministry will continue to grow. May God BLESS You and Sylvia for your hard work and dedication to him and his children.

November 2, 2016
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd

We are so blessed that God brought you here, however He did it :)! Thank you so much, my sister, God bless <3!

November 2, 2016
  • 2
Rosemary Freitas
Rosemary Freitas

Thank you for being obedient to the. Lord's Word. Your message always touches me in one way or another. God bless.

November 2, 2016
  • 1
Lissy Verghese
Lissy Verghese

Thank you dear Pastor and Sylvia for all that you are doing for us. I am unable to come here as earlier here. Even then, I consider RHM the greatest of the blessings in my life!

November 4, 2016
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd

Aww, that is wonderful to hear, Lissy, we are blessed to know you <3!

November 4, 2016