In the short span of two months, much manifestation of a whole lot of topsy turvey came bursting into our lives bringing about one great feat of a challenge after another. Soon after Debbie had major unexpected surgery, Rocky’s Mom who is 83 years of age fell and broke her hip which resulted in a surgery and rehabilitation, then just little time afterward, Debbie’s 81 year old Mom who lives 1000 miles away was hospitalized with Shingles on her face. “Because YOU are my HELP, I SING in the shadow of YOUR wings. My soul clings to YOU; YOUR RIGHT HAND upholds me, “Psalm 63:7-8.
 
The other Staff of Shiloh have not been exempt as they have had their own intense set of circumstances that have been troublesome in their own personal lives with a myriad of events such as injuries requiring sutures from dog bites, to Moms becoming suddenly ill,  accidents, family dynamics that have tremendous unrest,  sudden transitions, and tight financial testing’s. “Be Anxious for nothing, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God,” Philippians 4:6.
 
Waves of turbulence with trials crouching about all of us with jeering and jabbing trying best to wear us down through anxiety and consumption with one main ambition in mind and that is of taking our FOCUS. The day in and out of keeping our hands on “THE PLOW” at The Lord’s Ministry here at Shiloh has had most lately these extra warfare happenings in rapid succession hurled at us, BUT GOD has and is teaching us much by HIS HOLY SPIRIT. “YOU will keep in perfect peace all who trust in YOU, all whose thoughts are fixed on YOU!” Isaiah 26:3
 
We have been trained that there is such a beauty in HIS Presence, and Worship is indeed a weapon that is highly invaluable, with it a resolution to have a warfare mentality of not giving attention to our arch enemy of our souls, but to give our recognition to OUR LORD who is deserving of this place alone.  So therefore the very best and safest place to be on the planet is in HIS Glorious Presence where all of our enemies must retreat; they must stagger, and die (Psalm 9:3).
 
Does this mean we ignore and become indifferent to the seriousness of the matters that have invaded our peace? Absolutely not, One hundred percent NO INDEED, For through The Holy SPIRIT, we become more aware, alert, courageous, and wise in how to prudently address these matters while all the time HOSTING THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD. So there is no waste here, not of time, nor of energy, but in their stead a gain, a regrouping of our minds and our spirit man, while silencing the enemies voice so to hear clearly and discern what OUR GOOD SHEPHERD would have us to do in each situation and how we can mature the more through these unexpected hardships that are added to a full plate as is. Again as stated in last months Newsletter it should be our goal not to just survive during these times of challenge, but to thrive, to overcome and to take spoils of war for HIS GLORY. “Look to The Lord and HIS strength; seek HIS face always,” Psalm 105:4.
 
For we find ourselves  not on trial to ourselves in private, but while we are under intense training and being taught, we are in teaching mode, training and mentoring these precious lives of these students that God has entrusted to our stewardship at Shiloh. These men at Shiloh watch us and how we live life, how we react under pressure and deal with circumstances on a daily basis. When these students of Shiloh can witness a steady people who are in the midst of difficulties yet remain committed, they too know that they can make it; they can be balanced and resolved no matter what comes in their life. “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for HE who promised is Faithful,” Hebrews 10:23. “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord, “Romans 8:38-39.
 
The enemy of our soul is after our worship and he will go to great lengths and try many different avenues to get us off of our communion with our Lord. The enemy of our soul does not care which tactic of warfare works or what bids our attention as long as it breaks our focus and we (watchmen) come down off of “THE WALL.” The devil is after us to have dialogue with him and to worship him through anxiety, fear, depression, doubt, unbelief, and distance us from Our Great God and King. “Give unto The Lord the Glory due to His Name; worship The Lord in the beauty of holiness,” Psalm 29:2. “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that confess HIS NAME,” Hebrews 13:15.
 
No one knows what they may have to encounter from one day to the next and we hope you have easy sails in this life, but in the event you encounter furiously active turbulence, may we offer this? KEEP YOUR FOCUS, by HOSTING HIS PRESENCE, as HE can do more in one millisecond than we can do in a lifetime. Worship the Lord and HE alone, do not give attention to the enemy and remember, someone is always watching you through your trials; none of us really live in privacy. You can impart much to others by the way you handle hardships and as a result some may want to know THE GOD you serve, who gives you peace in the midst of trouble. “Trust in HIM at all times, O People; pour out your hearts to HIM, for God is our refuge,” Psalm 62:8.