|
Post by tschnelli on Sept 12, 2016 18:10:58 GMT -5
I was out of town for a few days with the leadership team for the local YoungLife ministry. We had a wonderful time at a nice cabin on a lake here in NorCal. During our time together, I felt some strong feelings of spiritual attack and began to cry and pray.
I'm not sure what it was and why it was so strong. May have been because we were preparing ourselves for this year to start and worshipping together as a team of leaders looking to change the next generation for Christ.
Anyway, my wife has not talked to me in days and I haven't seen her in weeks. She has recently pushed the family away and won't respond to most of our friends. Please pray for her. Pray she feels the Lord tugging at her heart. That she may turn from her destructive ways and chase after God. That she would reach out to me when she is ready to come home, knowing I will love her and accept her.
YoungLife starts tonight and I am so excited to lead high school students in some crazy games, laughter and worship. I am also worried that people may talk and I'll have to confront the current situation with some students. Pray I have the right words and am able to speak in a grace filled manner.
Thank you all. I am excited to be back and get the school year rolling for these kids. I work in marketing so it's nice to get wild and crazy with students after a long day of work. I am also excited to be back in service and available to chat with you all. Hope your Monday is going well. It's a real help knowing y'all are in my corner with me.
|
|
|
Post by Mary H on Sept 12, 2016 20:46:01 GMT -5
I think it's great your leading young guys!! Geat responsibilty!! I'll be praying for you & your wife!
|
|
|
Post by Adrienne on Sept 12, 2016 21:07:13 GMT -5
I continue in prayer for you and your wife, Tyler!
It's encouraging to see your passion for these students! I work/teach at a public university so my ability to talk about God is semi-limited, but I love working with these 18/19-year olds. It can be life-affirming to work with younger people.
And yes I definitely believe it could have been an enemy attack based on your positive intentions. I think the enemy has terrible plans for our younger generation and we have to really fight that! I"ll be praying for this ministry for you!
|
|
|
Post by Sharon on Sept 12, 2016 21:27:19 GMT -5
It is so awesome that you get to work with YoungLife. It's an amazing ministry and it's awesome that God is using you in that! I understand the part of being afraid of people asking you what is going on. I kind of get embarrassed going to church alone sometimes. Some of them know the situation with Chris and some don't, but they all see me walking in with two kids and no wedding ring and who knows what goes on in peoples heads. Every time I have shared my testimony with someone though, it's like God steps straight into the room and in between me and any judgement and the person I am talking with always ends up filled with the spirit. It's such a blessing. My story is so rocky and filled with chaos and pain and things that I brought on myself and our marriage, not just Chris. I don't leave my part out of it and it is embarrassing, but God uses it every time and never allows me to be judged or mocked. He uses it for his glory. This is all part of your testimony Tyler and God will use this for His glory. So when people ask, answer full of God's confidence and know that His glory is being revealed through you.
I am praying for you brother and for your wife. If she is isolating herself, something is going on. I am sure that God is speaking to her, convicting her, and she's confused and maybe pushing away, but a person can only run for so long, before they have no where else to go, but into God's arms. He is pursuing her. Check out the song "Make a Way" by Desperation Band when you have a chance. It was Gods reminder to me for Chris, that where there is no way for him to go, God will make a way. And where I have not been able to reach him, God will find him.
|
|
|
Post by pstokes522 on Sept 13, 2016 7:53:12 GMT -5
Tyler - what an awesome position God has placed you in! I worked with the youth of our church for 12 years and it was an amazing ministry - I grew spiritually more than the kids. I was married at the time, but as I was reading your words it hit me, God is using you to be a witness for marriage His way - till death parts - to a generation that has been taught that everything is disposable, even marriages and people. How awesome! In all likelihood some of these students have parents that have divorced and, just by living your life, teenagers and young adults could be inspired to be the one that starts praying for restoration for their parent's marriage. Young women will see an example of how a man should love a woman, and hopefully be inspired to hold out for nothing less. Don't worry about people talking about your situation, welcome any talk and questions. Answer boldly about your unconditional love for your wife, and the covenant you made with her and God. Teach them that marriage is something worth fighting for, with God as your guide. What a testimony it will be for them when your restoration occurs! I'm praying for you and the influence you will spread.
|
|