And those twelve stones which they took out of the Jordan, Joshua set up in Gilgal. Then he spoke to the children of Israel, saying: “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What are these stones?’ then you shall let your children know, saying, ‘Israel crossed over this Jordan on dry land’; for the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed over, that all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty, that you may fear the LORD your God forever.” Joshua 4:20-24 Greetings in His Powerful Name, There is a biblical precedent for commemorating significant historical events and this is certainly a great example. Joshua led the people into their new land and before rushing off to reap the rewards, he insisted that they stop, stack some stones, and mark the place and time for history. Here’s the key motive for it: “That all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty, that you may fear the LORD your God forever.” There may have been a day when Americans reckoned the spiritual significance of our “Independence Day,” and gave glory to God, but evidence of it in my neck of the woods is pretty scarce! His Mansion does attempt to take advantage of the holiday to remind its residents of the meaning and significance. The fruit of our national historic campaign for independence is ripe—in more ways than one! To “turn from the world in order to face the true and living God”, is not an act of independence but a declaration of dependence upon Him, recognizing His sovereignty. To the extent that this holiday commemorates that, we have basis for celebration. Most of the fruit that falls like rain from trees, in our cultural orchard, is not nourished and cultured by faith in the God of Abraham. Drugs, alcohol, sexual immorality, pornography, and addictions of every sort affect us like psychic Salmonella. Crass materialism; wanton, reckless indebtedness; permissiveness and license to disrespect all boundaries are the norm rather than an abnormality. Sexual liaisons that are twisted and totally unnatural are canonized as sacred and acceptable. Animals have more rights and protection than the baby in the womb. Laws regarding national boundaries and citizenship, recognized and enforced everywhere else in the world, are flaunted and ignored. The frightening part of this “independence” is that a God-fearing, taxpaying, gainfully employed citizen who steps forward and speaks the truth concerning these matters is, at best, shouted down and regarded as “out of touch” and Neanderthal. At worst he might be cited as a perpetrator of “hate crimes.” This new independence carries a virus—deadly and contagious! Our children and grandchildren are becoming ill and many have little hope of being correctly diagnosed as a result of intimidation and the dread of being politically incorrect! The sad truth is that many parents and professionals do not even recognize that their children or charges are deathly ill. The “lucky few” that succumb to the virus, in the most extreme way, ending up in hospitals, prisons, or an enlightened Christ-follower’s “front steps,” just might discover true freedom through dependence upon Christ. Those who graduate from His Mansion’s one-year program celebrate “Dependence Day” with greater enthusiasm than the tarnished and abused calendar-date we call Independence Day. Fourth of July on the Hill We celebrated with our annual 4th of July picnic and games. At 5:50 AM, Michele, our receptionist and part-time French horn musician sounded reveille. (Not everyone thought that was real cute!) All hands rose and headed for the gardens to harvest strawberries and to weed, as we work half days on holidays that fall on a weekday. It’s a privilege to work and we wouldn’t want to send the wrong message. After the half-day of work we gathered ‘round the BBQs for burgers and hot dogs. Once again, our kitchen staff did a much-appreciated and skilled job of providing all the trimmings. At 1PM, after a brief reminder to help keep our focus, we prayed and began the party. Thirty or so residents, a couple dozen short-term staff, long term staff, a visiting work team from Ontario, Canada, and a dozen-plus relatives enjoyed the food, singing, and games. An observer of this picnic from the 1800’s would have felt right at home! I’m still resting up after the event. Technically, it was Independence Day, and of course, I know why we call it that. I’d rather rename it “Dependence Day,” however. To be truly independent would scare me to death. I recall trying that once and I didn’t fare so well!
Following are a couple of recent letters received from parents who have enjoyed a son’s or daughter’s “Dependence Day”: “How grateful I am to the staff at His Mansion for your compassion for [daughter], the quick reaction to her situation and your continued prayer for her well being. “There is one other comment, though that I would like to make... When my daughter was at [another ministry] and was discharged for cutting, theydropped her off at the hospital and called me...They told me that shewas discharged from their program. Nobody went to visit her or call her to check on her even once. She was in the hospital for 8 daysaway from family in a suicidal state and not one person even called tocheck on her. The fact that Cindy, [our women’s program director] told me she was going to visit my daughter over the weekend spoke VOLUMES to me that the heart of Christ is smack dab in the middle of His Mansion! I’ve received phone calls and emails and all sorts of support for me during these past couple of days and I am positively amazed at your compassion and love for my family. Your staff have spent massive amounts of time and extra hours taking care of my girl...I cannot thank you enough. No matter what the outcome is in this situation, I know that you are following God's guidance and it makes my heart sing...and of course my tears flow because I do tend to cry quite a bit these days. In His Ever Loving Arms, [Mom]” And this one: “I’m writing this letter from a humble mother’s heart. There are no words that can possibly express the thankfulness that I feel for His Mansion and your amazing love for your students [residents]… “When [son] returned home after so many months there, he returned home different and blessed. The most wonderful part, from a mother’s heart, is that he is still doing well—with a lot of encouragement… It is a journey that is amazing to watch, after many years of anxiety, worry, and heartache. “We know it was His Mansion who opened [son’s] heart to the Lord and now through all his challenges he will never be alone, and will prayerfully work through them. God has a special place for you in His Kingdom. My words cannot even express my thankfulness to you and your amazing staff. God bless—much love and prayers. [Mom]”
Encouraging Help This past month we have been graced with several “service groups.” Individuals from Florida and Ohio, who have remained friends of His Mansion for many years, helped in the sewing room and in the office, and by doing various building projects around the campus. Another group put in much labor and skill in repainting the outside of our office building, while others constructed new rock walls and borders. Nearly everyone has worked in our gardens planting, pruning, or weeding, preparing our crops for harvest. We are delighted to share our lives with them, even for the short time they are with us. God is faithful to add enough encouragement to our sometimes tough duty to keep us smiling and thankful. We presently have a delightful young woman serving for six months. Although engaged, she chooses to place service to God as a priority. What makes her commitment here especially pleasing is that her mom was at His Mansion twenty years ago where she celebrated her own “Dependence Day!” You know you’ve been around for awhile when grown offspring of His Mansion veterans start showing up, and it is happening with frequency! The Tsos Are Coming! The Tsos Are Coming It is with great anticipation that we await the arrival of Dr. Michael Tso and his family. Michael has concluded his tenure as Medical Director of a large Family Medical Clinic in Portland, Oregon and prepares to take on his new challenge at His Mansion as the Director of the His Mansion Institute. The institute, as you know, is designed to provide practicum and internship opportunities to universities having social work, psychology, and related majors; training and preparation for teams, both at home and abroad, that desire to see healing communities in their locality; advanced instruction for staff laboring in the core program; and an environment for research and development leading to better methods and practices in the healing of damaged emotions. Although Dr. Tso is a Medical Doctor specializing in family medicine, he has a strong background in research and program development. In his own practice, Dr. Tso has had an emphasis in mental health, particularly Bi-polar and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Once Dr. Tso is on board, we’ll define the actual facility and begin the building process. During his first year in place, he will be devoted to curriculum development for the present recovery program, which is His Mansion’s main focus. After that, he’ll tackle curriculum development for His Mansion Institute (HMI). Although the program won’t be formally accepting applicants for a couple of years, already we have college students here from Taylor University, Davis College, Huntington College, Gordon College, and Liberty University, who are studying in these disciplines. Dr. Tso and his family will address staff at various colleges, speak at a number of churches, and connect with key supporters during their one-month transit across the country, which begins the first of August. Please remember them in your prayers: Emily (mom), Franchesca, Vivianna, Dawson, and Garrison. Invitation The Healing in the Context of Community (HCC), held four times a year, continues to have a great impact. Nearly every week I hear from a graduate of one of these one-week courses telling of the life-changing effect, or how the material has been useful. Plan on getting in on a good thing by registering early for the next HCC, October 11-17. See our website for details (www.hismansion.com). On a personal note, as I have reflected on my own life and ministry, I must testify that the past several years have been the most rewarding and encouraging of my life. Joan and I have no pressing needs that He is not meeting! The new His Mansion Institute building fund chugs along, and we are thankful. However, before we can dive in and build in earnest I am asking the Lord to provide a significant portion of the $1.2 million needed to complete the project. As you do your financial planning for long-term estate management, please consider investing in this exciting vision. Your partnership with us is vital and appreciated. I hope you know that you are a part of every letter we receive from a parent, and every graduate who gives testimony to the work of the Lord. Everyone involved is acutely aware of your prayer and financial investment. The economy hasn’t improved a lot, but you are so faithful despite the circumstances, that again I can share that every outstanding bill is paid and we carry no debt. Joyful in His Service,
|
News 
