We're all in this together!

On a dark and stormy night long ago on a small fishing boat in the middle of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus’ Disciples were caught in the midst of violent raging wind and waves. They were fearful that they would all be lost. Jesus walked to them on that very turbulence and said to them: “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid” (Mt. 14:27).

We are in the midst of a crashing economic storm. Perhaps some of you are tired of hearing about it. We would be ostriches of the highest degree if we didn’t know something about what is happening around us and at least feel some fear and trepidation about the future.

Elijah House’s boat is braving the same storm as is everyone else. Although we had been doing better than many parachurch organizations, this last week we were unable to make our payroll and at this moment cannot pay the bills that are due. We are choosing to stay focused on Jesus, for what we focus on becomes that which can overwhelm us. We are looking for ways we can reorganize and “go lean” wherever possible, our goal is that ministry itself will not be curtailed. We know how rumors get started, so I’ll say loud and clear: “Elijah House is not going under, and we have no plans to decrease our ministry output.”

Would you please consider what I am about to propose? Often, we think we can’t do much; “My small gift isn’t even worth sending, what difference could $5.00 make in relation to such a great need?” But many small gifts will turn the tide and calm our storm. Will you help us? We are asking the Lord to encourage and enable 10,000 of you to start sending just $5.00 per month. Together we can weather the storm. Your small gift will be a great blessing to us and those who are wanting, waiting, and hoping for access to this life changing message from Elijah House.

Most of you are experiencing this worldwide storm as well. We are praying for you. During a recent intercession time, one of our precious prayer warriors gave us some words of encouragement. I want to pass them on to you! “Never doubt in the darkness what you have heard God speak to you in the light.” And “It is always too early to give up on God.”

Keep your eyes and your focus on Jesus. “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”


Sincerely,

Robert Fetveit
Executive Director
Elijah House





Tel: 509.321.1255
Fax: 509.321.1250
Web: elijahhouse.org


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A Few Thoughts From Mark

Blessed are the Poor in Spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Mt. 5:3). I once heard my brother Loren give a sermon on the meaning of the phrase, “poor in spirit.” He said it meant that there is nothing that we absolutely must have but Jesus. Not money, not reputation, not office, position or accomplishments. Only Jesus. The congregation probably responded to those words much like an audience responds to a movie about a hero who suffers through lean times for a noble cause with his serenity intact. From their cushy theater seats, they all congratulate themselves that they too would gladly suffer for the good. If “all the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players,”* as Shakespeare once said, the present recession may place many of us in the movie itself, and test that glib assumption.

Is Jesus so important that no fear of lack can diminish our trust in Him? We have had to ask this question before. Elijah House’s earliest years were during the Carter Presidency, during a recession that in some ways was worse than the present one. At that time, EH was my Mom and Dad ministering out of their study in our house on Highland Drive. I was in college and John, Tim and Andrea were still at home. There were many times when Mom and Dad had no money for their mortgage payment or groceries. They would pray, and the day before the mortgage was due, a check would come in the mail. But there were also evenings when beans on the table had to suffice. I have ministered to many persons still scarred by times of childhood lack. But I have always found that their real lack had been parental love and simple faith. No such lack has scarred me. My parents’ trust in God made beans seem like just the latest culinary adventure. From their theater seats, if my parents had assumed that they would gladly suffer for the hero’s cause, their assumption would have proven true.

Our nation and the world are riding out another recession, but that is exactly the time when Jesus beckons us out of the boat. He does not ask us to walk on water on calm clear days. His miracles were planned for such a day as this. Do not look down at the waves; look straight at Him. Whether beans or filet mignon is served, He will not let you sink.




* As You Like It, Act 2, Scene 7, Shakespear