Susan preaching at Trinity-Bergen Lutheran Church

By Tom Shanklin

“They reeled to and fro and staggered like drunken men, and were completely confused. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distress. He made the storm calm, and the sea waves were still. They were glad because the waters were quiet, so He brought them to their desired harbor.” (Psalms 107:27-30, MEV)

The above scripture speaks of sailors who were caught in a storm on the sea and cried out for deliverance. The Lord heard them and brought them into their “desired harbor.” Today it seems the whole earth is in turmoil. The nations are reeling. The people are flailing about looking for answers. It’s time to cry out to the Lord that He would bring us into our desired harbor—a place of refuge and peace.

This month I will celebrate my 70th birthday, and I cannot remember a time like this in our nation. The closest I suppose would be the 1960s. It was a time when our nation experienced great alienation and division. In the 60s, we went through the Vietnam War, and the assassinations of John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King. African Americans, women, Native Americans, Latinos, students, and hippies all took to the streets to cry out for change. 

We were among the hippie bunch, not in the 60s, but rather in the 70s. We did not protest a lot, but we did have an anti-establishment mentality. Our response was to attempt to “drop out” and “do our own thing.” Like many young people during that time, we found emptiness in our search for peace and contentment through drugs, meditation, eastern religion, and escaping society. That’s when we found Jesus. We found out later that we were a part of what was called “The Jesus Movement.” 

The Jesus Movement in the 60s and 70s was made up of young people who were fed up with the hypocrisy of society and religious tradition, but who were not really fulfilled by the violence, anarchy, and permissiveness of the times. We were ready for reality, and we found that reality in Jesus! Perhaps we are at a similar time right now. Perhaps we are ready for the greatest move of God the world has ever seen. I’m ready! Are you? 

We used to sing: “Jesus is the answer for the world today. Above Him there’s no other. Jesus is the way.” How true! Only Jesus can change a human heart and cause someone to “love his neighbor as himself.” Only Jesus can keep this world from imploding with greed, anger, carnality, and selfishness. 

Today, I find myself wanting more of Jesus in my life. I want all the pride and selfishness out, and the Holy Spirit to fill every part of me. My heart is for change—in me and in the world. I am disillusioned with our self-efforts, even religious self-efforts. I want Christ to fill His Church with His glory and His love to flow out to a needy and hurting world. I want us to represent Christ, not a political party or a denomination. I want us to show love, not judgment. I want to see the miracles of the early church. Yes, I want another Jesus Movement, only bigger and better. 

Reaching Out!

We have begun to minister at meetings in rural areas that are lightly affected by the coronavirus. Like everyone, we want this trial to end, but as long as it is here, we continue to make use of the opportunities that we have. God’s people are hungry for fellowship and Word of God, and the Holy Spirit is moving.

Susan and I had a great weekend at Trinity-Bergen Lutheran Church. This is a church where we have enjoyed great fellowship and have experienced the move of God. On Saturday morning Susan spoke to the women on “You are the Light of the Wolrd,” and encouraged them to move into their full potential. On Fathers Day, Sunday morning, I spoke on “The Father’s Love,” and encouraged everyone to recognize and receive the incredible love of our Father in heaven. On Sunday evening, we held a healing service where a man in his 50s came to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. We also prayed for a woman who had been diagnosed with glaucoma in her left eye. That week she returned to the eye doctor who examined her and stated and she had no trace of glaucoma. Praise the Lord! The testimony she gave at Bible Study the following week is below.

Meanwhile, our online ministry is growing. We have been experiencing a great response to the videos that Susan and I are creating, and also some of the articles we have written. I published an article on our website called “Be a Peacemaker! It’s Normal Christianity,” highlighting Jesus’ teaching on loving your enemies, and encouraging Christians to avoid the trap of anger and bitterness toward those who oppose them. Susan and I also did a video on “Overcoming the Spirit of Strife,” encouraging us all to not be like the disciples who wanted to call down fire from heaven on the Samaritans who rejected Jesus. This is a time to love, and not hate, a time to heal and not to cause more division. Love never fails! 

Thankful!

Susan and I are so thankful for our partnership with you. We pray for you every day, and our connection to you grows stronger. Let’s continue to pray for one another, that our lives will reflect the glory of the Lord in a greater way, and that we will see multitudes come to saving faith in Jesus Christ. It’s time to shine! God bless you!

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Letters and Testimonies

I thought you might enjoy reading some of the feedback we are receiving from our friends: 

From “Be a Peacemaker! It’s Normal Christianity”

Thank you, Tom, for a timely reminder of how we should love. Here in England, people are shocked by this murder [George Floyd]. It is not enough to say punish the men who did this. We must also look into society and declare change. I have an African friend in Bangor who has three sons in their teens. She is full of faith but also fearful of the life they are growing up into. And how they will be treated. The problem is here too, and there is also a lot of anti-Jewish feeling. I pray God will show us how we can more clearly show the love of Jesus to all. God bless you both! (United Kingdom)

Tom & Susan – Praying for the Holy Spirit to carry this message of Christ to the ends of the Earth.️ (Arizona)

About Our Videos

Thank you for your videos. You have had a fresh anointing for doing them They were always good, but the last ones even more! (Minnesota Pastors)

Hey Ps. Tom and Susan… Your emails/preaching have been awesome and during the lockdown… very encouraging… You helped me, that’s for sure!!!! Just your happy faces, alone…..make us happy!!!! Thank you for all you do…and your prayers. God bless you both. (Australia)

About “Finding a Needle in a 3-Acres Haystack”

What a fun story with the earring! God loves us…He cares! And nothing is impossible with Him! What a Mighty God we serve! Blessings! (Northern Minnesota)

Good Morning Tom and Susan! Susan, I loved your earring story! Wow! Does God hear our every prayer? Yes, I think so…. It was important to you. (British Columbia)

Hello Family!! Liked the earring story. I remember one time my boss was wrestling with his kids in the snow and lost his pliers. We had just gotten 6” of new snow overnight, so we went over to his yard and it looked hopeless, 6” of new snow, so I asked him where they were wrestling at and he showed me. I asked the Holy Spirit where it was, I walked in a different direction. He says, “We weren’t even over there.” I kicked the ground removing the 6” of snow and there were his pliers. God is always faithful, never late, and never wrong!! Sometimes we feel lost, but if we will take time to seek Him, we will remember that we have been found. (North Dakota)

I loved Susan’s story of the lost earring. I have a similar one: My mother passed in 1974, I got her wedding ring set which daddy bought her the year both my brothers got married. I had the diamonds reset in a ring that I have worn ever since. One day I looked and the ring was gone. I looked everywhere. A week or so later, I went to the post office—on the bulletin board was my ring. Thank the Lord! (Northwest Minnesota)

On “Ministry Update: 50 Years and Counting”

“50 Years and Counting” was very interesting. God has worked in your life in big ways. Enjoyed your article, too, Susan. I have had it happen to me. All of a sudden there it is! (Minnesota)

On “How to Overcome the Spirit of Strife”

We just went to church! The sermon was on the spirit of strife, really good. You guys are such a good team, as you teach the Word Jesus’ love oozes out of you both. Your love and respect for the Word and each other is obvious. We love you both sooo much. (Pastors from Minnesota)

We know it is the end times. You are so right about many Christians sometimes care more about politics than evangelism. Lord help us get our priorities right. (Minnesota)

Monthly Newsletter is My Church Meeting

Thank you for your monthly newsletters. They are so refreshing. They come at the dry time (no church meetings). It was MY church meeting—testimonies, (Susan’s is always stimulating), the anointed and encouraging sermon, and the Word. Only missing was the music, so I supplied my own. The virus is temporary, God is forever.” (Illinois)

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