FALL NEWSLETTER 2021

​I was listening to the radio this week while on a drive and they announced it was the first day of fall!  I had no idea because the summer has been a blur to me and the days and weeks have seemed to all run together!
 
Grace is a powerful thing and God’s presence even more so. Zoom has become my pulpit and home my workplace. Transitioning from busy days and nights to solitude and isolation has taught me many things about myself and the sustaining power of God.
 
Prophets and prophetic ministers live for the mountaintop experiences with God. We thrive as we ascend and see life through heaven’s perspective. Clarity brings understanding and joy fills our hearts. I have found in this homebound season that I vacillate between the mountains and the valleys. I have felt His presence, His grace, and His power in both places. Mornings I set out to retreat to my prayer room where the presence of the Lord is tangible. I could linger till evening if the duties of life were nonexistent. I am lost in His glory, and the earthen realm becomes distant and fading. But somewhere along the way I am beckoned by an urgent need, a physician’s report or an appointment that can’t wait. And so I shift, sometimes grudgingly, into servant mode.
 
Georgian Banov made a statement at our church years ago that profoundly impacted my life. He said of his own life and ministry, “God takes me to the highest places in Him so He can take me to the lowest places in the earth.” His purpose in life was to visit every garbage dump in the world. I believe in this season on the earth we to are learning how to appreciate both the high and the low places in God. We may not visit garbage dumps, but the impoverished are all around us, and some are in our own families. Some are in our once daily visitations with the Lord. Cancer came knocking at the door of my home, and my once daily visitations with the Lord became daily visits with oncologists and treatment centers. Yes, daily. My life was being redefined. The prophetic voice within me became silenced and I began to be surrounded by the medical community instead of the Body of Christ. I had to look to find the face of Jesus in ER visits.
 
Prophets are being redefined. We thrive in the Glory but are called to serve and to love unconditionally.  Until we see him face to face, we will do so out of obligation rather than pure compassion. I used to think of myself as not having the gift of mercy. But life with God can take us down unexpected twists and turns to work His heart in us to become the mature sons and daughters we were called to be.  So, mercy touched me. Now it is possible to go low and meet the needs of the broken around me with a willing and joyful heart! The needs on the earth are so great right now that unless we intentionally find our secret place and solitude in His presence, we will cave to frustration and anger.  
 
So, in essence, the message I want to convey is this:  Ascend to the high places while not discounting the value of the low places. Jesus walked among the people during the day while communing with the Father at night. Delight in the Glory yet stoop low to wash feet. Learn to appreciate the high places and the low places. Ascend and descend. We need both to understand the ways of God. One of the most fruitful ministry assignments I have ever had has been serving my husband during his darkest moments. And for you, my friends, as you aspire to minister, you will find your greatest assignments in the most unexpected places.
 
Blessings always and with much love,
Ruth
 
P.S.  I also want you to know that I am still serving as a leader in several ministries besides Impact Ministry of the Triad.  I continue to be a co-leader in the Southeast Prophetic Network.  I am on the leadership team of Women on the Frontlines, as well as Stacey Campbell’s Shiloh Company Mentorship Team.  Thank you so much to my partners for your monthly support to Impact and the other ministries I am involved in and to all of you for your continued prayers for these ministries and especially for Andy and me during this difficult season.  God is always faithful. I invite you to consider becoming a monthly partner with Impact Ministry of the Triad and you may do so at www.impactministrytriad.com and click “Donate.”