Living Waters is a Christ-center

AUGUST NEWSLETTER

The best part of Living Waters was just being surrounded by people who are completely real, wearing no masks – just honest, vulnerable people who want Jesus, no matter how sin-stained our lives are. We loved each other as Jesus loves us – what a picture of how the church should be.

God brought me to Living Waters when I was very “stuck”. He wanted to show me
He loved me and wanted to free me.

I’ve learned more in 20 weeks about myself, my God, my addiction, and my faith

than in 41 years of my life.

I’m not the same anymore – it really has made a difference.

These are just a few of the thoughts that Living Waters alumni have shared about their experiences in Living Waters. Jesus Christ loves to set men and women free from long time sexual and relational bondages that have robbed them of the ability to be faithful fathers, mothers, husbands, and wives. Through the freedom they’ve gained through the Living Waters program at Reconciliation Ministries, they are now empowered to become the men and women of God that He designed them to be.

As I was calling the people on our Living Waters waiting list, I was surprised to hear how many of them are experiencing financial difficulties from job loss and other economic challenges. Many of the men and women in need are unable to pay the $495 tuition for this beneficial 23-week program, and the ministry is currently not in a position to offer tuition assistance. Please prayerfully consider making a one-time donation toward a Living Waters scholarship. Your full scholarship of $495 would make the difference between a brother or sister in need being able to take the step towards sexual and relational wholeness. Your partial scholarship of $100 to $200 will assist another who is unemployed to take part in the next session. Your gift of $21.53 would sponsor someone in the Living Waters program for one week – three hours of ministry time.

We greatly appreciate those of you who are faithful financial supporters of this ministry and understand that your resources are limited as well. If you have benefited from Reconciliation Ministries and haven’t been a regular supporter recently, please consider making a special donation toward a Living Waters scholarship. Please designate your gift as a Living Waters scholarship on the donation form. All donations are tax deductible.

In Christ,

Dan Hitz, Director

Reconciliation Ministries

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 1 Peter 4:12-13 [NIV]

There are times in our lives when the Lord allows us to pass through some very difficult trials. It is during these times when our faith is tested and we can so easily focus on the darker things in our souls. That is exactly why we must focus on Jesus and trust Him in the middle of those dark places. He is not out to destroy us. He is out to change us into His likeness and to make some very foundational repairs in our hearts. Foundational repairs are very costly and very difficult. The rest of who we are sits upon our foundation and gets shaken as the Lord does his work. I have learned during those times that it is best to accept the situation for what it is and seek the Lord for His grace to carry us in our weakness. The more we panic or “kick against the goads”, the more pain we inflict upon ourselves. It is during these times that a line from a well known Christian book, The Shack, pierces my heart. The main character is in deep conflict in his soul when God tells him, “If you knew how much I love you, you would trust me.” As I remember that line, the Lord speaks to my heart to trust Him as a strong, faithful Father. He teaches me to walk along the path that He has ordained for me. It is during these times that I gain strength as I remember that my Father is restoring my foundation and equipping me to be a victorious part of a Kingdom much bigger than myself.

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:1-5 [NIV]

If you are in one of these dark seasons right now, I encourage you to reach out for help from your pastor, your strong Christian friends, and from us here at Reconciliation Ministries. You can find out more about the many ministry options available by calling 586.739.5114, or by visiting us on the web at www.recmin.org.

Reconciliation Ministries now has a Facebook page! You can see instant updates on ministry events, recommendations for helpful newsletter articles and resources, and post questions for discussion. Find out more about upcoming ministry events including our next sessions of Living Waters and The Place; and about an upcoming seminar called Overcoming Strongholds. (Search for Reconciliation Ministries in the Facebook search box.)

Living Waters is a Christ-centered discipleship/ministry program for men and women seeking healing in areas of sexual and relational brokenness including pornography addiction, codependency, sexual addiction, homosexuality, sexual ambivalence, childhood sexual abuse, transgender issues, and difficulty in establishing and sustaining healthy relationships.

Here are some powerful testimonies from participants who had their lives changed in the Living Waters program through the power of Jesus Christ. These quotes are used with the permission of the participants.

The best part of Living Waters was finding a safe place where I could discuss relational issues with others who have experienced similar issues and were victorious in overcoming.

A female participant

The best part of Living Waters was being real with others. You can wander into a lot of groups and not get a whole lot out of it, but being with others who can bear their thoughts and troubles without being embarrassed is awesome.

A male participant

I thank God for Living Waters. It’s truly God ordained. It helped me to deal with childhood root issues and helped me to understand that not dealing with them can and has affected areas in my life that I did not know how to heal completely from. Going through this course has truly helped me to push toward taking the next steps of healing and deliverance in my life.

A female participant

When I came to Living Waters I was skeptical about it. It was tuff for me to commit to a ministry that dealt with very personal issues. The Lord spoke to me that sin is sin and without help I would stay in the place where I was. With support and prayer from other Christians in my group I was able to receive healing and insights on what to do in order to help me overcome my problem. I feel more free in the Lord than I have ever been. I know He is with me every moment and will see me through.

A male participant

I thought I was going to learn how to fix my husband. Boy was I wrong. I have learned so much about who I am, where God has to work on me, and how to handle certain boundaries. I am so thankful that my friend brought me here and opened up my world.

A female participant

I came to Living Waters in 2008 seeking help after suffering abuses, both sexual and emotional, throughout my life. The first year was very scary because I didn’t know what to expect, but with what I learned, God began to lay a healthy foundation in my life. I knew the work wasn’t finished, so I signed on for another twenty-three weeks in 2009. This time I felt more comfortable and confident. After years of being beat down and told that I have little or no value, I am beginning to see glimpses of how the Father sees me. I am also learning to stand up for myself, and remember that I am the daughter of the Most High god. If anyone mistreats me, they mistreat the King’s daughter.

A female participant

I grew up in a non-Christian home. My dad and mom did not go to church, or do anything for God. Growing up in that type of household would keep one blind to the truth of a whole lot of things. I was exposed to porno and that road would lead me down to those problems that go with it. I didn’t come to know the depth of my sexual sins until I was married years later. Living Waters helped me to recognize that sin and its roots. It fueled other sins that were connected with it, or started the foundation for it to grow. Now that I know where the root lies, I can keep attacking it with the right weapon… the Word of God and a whole lot of prayer. I would have been a total wreck in this world without God, and I would have been worse if I did not see how to fight my battle the right way. This is the biggest reason for coming to Living Waters, to find that path to healing and I’m glad I got the chance. The foundation has been laid, and I believe it will be a battle, but it’s a battle that will be won, and that I do believe.

A male participant

When I read in Chapter Five, “The Realignment and Empowering of the Will” that “Where sin and brokenness has resulted in sexual problems Jesus enters in and assumes the struggle Himself, all the struggler can do is bow down and worship,” that was so profound to me that I started weeping and praising God. I can refuse to receive impure thoughts of lust and perversion and declare that same-sex attraction is no longer my struggle. I already gave that struggle to Jesus, it’s His to bear. I can leave it at the foot of the cross as I continue to move forward. This revelation has been tremendous in my walk towards healing.

A male participant

I was so worried and consumed in helping my husband that I forgot about my own journey! I came to Living Waters because of my husband’s sexual addiction problem. My plan was to go the first week, make sure he was in his class where he should be, and then get out and never return. After the very first session I realized Jesus was waiting for me. I have never felt more connected to Jesus and feel like I am on the road to overcoming the issues of brokenness I had in my own life.

A female participant

If you would like more information about Reconciliation Ministries, or any of the ministries we offer, visit us on the Web at www.recmin.org, or call (586) 739-5114. You may also e-mail us at info@recmin.org. All correspondence will be kept strictly confidential.

Our office is located at 25410 Kelly Road, in Roseville, Michigan 48066.

Reconciliation Ministries is an affiliate ministry of Exodus International, and uses many of the programs written by Desert Stream Ministries.