SHILOH MESSENGER - August 2011
















 

One Is A Significant Number


“Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, "This Man receives sinners and eats with them." So He spoke this parable to them, saying: "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!' I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance” (Luke 15:1-7).  
The dormitory refurbishing has been underway for several months. Step by step we are progressing with this much needed addition. As of this note, the exterior panels have been replaced, as well as roof, windows and doors. The overgrowth of brush on the landscape has been cleared and therefore giving the property an indeed cohesive flow with the other buildings and property of Shiloh. The cement floor inside has been leveled with leveling compound making ready for the framing of the rooms. It is truly an exciting process to watch unfold. Staff and Students alike walk, pray, and decree along this site often. We not only see a building taking on the freshness of new life, but we also see precious souls in this House of God. We see them through the eyes of Faith. From the beginning when God breathed the vision of Shiloh into our spirit, He placed in us an ardent faith to call things “that are not as though they are” (Rom. 4:17). And therefore this particular Dormitory will be the housing for 25 men. The current dormitory has been utilized for twelve years and holds 15 with space being utmost slim to say the least. When looking at these numbers and comparing, one may think it is not a great advancement, yet God always encourages us and reminds us how precious even the one is to HIM.
 
Once upon a time there was a wise man that use to go to the ocean to do his writing; He had the habit of walking on the beach before he began his work. One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so he walked faster to catch up. As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young boy, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young boy was reaching down to the shore and picking up small objects and quickly throwing them into the ocean. He came closer still and called out, “Good Morning, may I ask what it is that you are doing?” The boy paused, looked up, and replied, “Throwing Starfish into the ocean.”  “I must ask then, why are you throwing Starfish into the ocean?” Asked the somewhat startled wise man.  To this the boy replied, “The sun is up and the tide is going out, if I do not throw them in they will die.” Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, “Young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and that there are Starfish all along every mile? You can not possibly make a difference!” At this, the boy bent down, picked up yet another starfish and throw it into the ocean, as it met the water, he said “IT MADE A DIFFERENCE FOR THAT ONE”  (Loren Eiseley).
 
The substance abuse problem in our Nation is rampant. However, Drug and Alcohol addiction is not the dilemma. These substances that create oppression to millions are but a manifestation of the real problem. The truth is People need The Lord. One man from Louisiana called us repeatedly pleading for help. We could not help him at the time due to lack of bed space. He literally begged and pleaded with us that he would do anything, and suggested even a willingness to sleep in the back yard. We began to pray and God soon made a space for him. It breaks our heart to turn people away. Shiloh gets phone calls, emails, or handwritten letters usually on a daily basis from people wanting to come in for help. One Shiloh student all the way from Wisconsin told us about a program that helps those with substance abuse near his home; however they required nearly one thousand dollars for him to walk through the front door. Shiloh is free of charge to all these men. They have an opportunity to receive Jesus as The Lord of their life, and receive deliverance, healing, and restoration. Shiloh also accommodates with housing, three meals per day, and the equivalent of an Associate degree in Theology (minus 15 hours.) Upon Graduation, the men can finish on line and obtain this degree if they so choose under the direction of David Walls. Men who have not finished High School can receive their GED under the tutoring of Mrs. Barbara Page. All of this is a gift from God. We are ever so thankful to Our Father in Heaven for placing the desire upon the hearts of those who give to Shiloh, and for those who give to have said yes to The Holy Spirit’s Promptings. It is a marvelous gift that is given, so that a human being not die in their torment and despair but that they may have life and have it to the full. Oh what a Gracious God we do serve! Shiloh is no Half Way House. Shiloh is an “All The Way House”. We serve an “ALL THE WAY GOD”, who is keenly aware of billions on the planet, but also hears  and hearkens unto the cry of the “one”.


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