THE FOUNDATION: The Rules

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MY WHISPER: This is the first of many appreciated letters from Mom. For six or seven years of my life, I received one of these “ILY letters” on a regular basis. Most instances I was at a crossroads and/or crisis – college, girls, career, money, zits. Mom was kind of like my guardian shepherd who held my hand through it all. God constantly puts people in our lives that assume this role. He is working and blessing us through them. It’s been a while since I received one of these in the mail. I hope that’s because I’ve turned into a “wonderful grown-up son.”

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, 

teaching in their synagogues, 

preaching the good news of the kingdom 

and healing every disease and sickness. 

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, 

because they were harassed and helpless, 

like sheep without a shepherd. 

Then he said to his disciples, 

"The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 

Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, 

to send out workers into his harvest field."

Matthew 9:35-38

THE FOUNDATION: Before Faith

MY WHISPER: In my journal entries from high school, there is overwhelming evidence that I didn’t have a relationship with Jesus Christ. I was brash, stubborn, but mostly confused. The last line of this entry – “I don’t have dreams anymore” – is nothing short of tragic, and it’s hard for me to believe there was a time in my life when I actually felt this way. (I will go ahead and apologize about the language and the third-person references in this excerpt.)

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THE FOUNDATION: Sincere Love

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THE FOUNDATION: The Postcard

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MY WHISPER: I have no idea who sent me this postcard, and I have no idea when I received it. I do know that I have kept it in a keepsake box for quiet some time, waiting for just the right moment to share it with others. The time has come! Reading over the prayer again, it makes me smile knowing that someone took the time to write this for me. In a world of mass e-mails and text, bulk mailing, and form letters, someone sent me a handwritten prayer. This person had a conversation with God about...ME. And what a tremendous prayer it is, too. Phrases like “guard him” and “send your angels about him now” drive home the power of prayer. Just think, you can have this exact same impact on someone’s life.