Shiloh Place Ministries

ERR On The Side Of Love

info@shilohplace.org (Douglass Crew) — Wed, 21 Oct 2020 21:29:31 GMT

Encounter God's Love, Repair your heart, and Redeem your story.

As the “face” of Shiloh Place Ministries has changed over the past 12 years from Jack to Trisha, and then from Trisha to myself, Shiloh Place Ministries' approaches and perspectives have changed slightly but the heart of the message is still the same: The Father Loves you.

Throughout this journey, we consistently evaluate what exactly it is that we do for people. People who are asking themselves, “What will you do for me? How can you help me?”

2020 is a year of Shiloh Place Ministries exploring answers to these questions with new approaches. One way is by delving into the importance of our personal stories. During our Online Encounters, I ask participants to look at their stories and investigate the ways God can help identify crucial points in their stories and allow Him to write a better story for their futures.

Keith and April Jones help examine the importance of identifying feelings and how they can help us reveal underlying lies that keep us from receiving God’s love and giving it away. We have begun to address the area of PTSD and how PTSD plays into the orphan heart and how Father ’s Love can bring breakthroughs with Robin and Phyllis Primrose . Chip and Katie Holt are developing their experience of how the Father’s Love changed the way they navigated through church hurt in a healthy way into a message they can share.

This is a message about erring on the side of Father’s Love.

ERR is the acronym I am giving Shiloh Place’s new tagline; developed over the years through challenges and transition.

Simply put, we help you “ERR” on the side of love:

E ncounter God’s Love

R epair Your Heart

R edeem Your Story

We all err. We have all fallen short.

It is easy to err on the side of judgement, “otherizing,” self-hatred, replaying old mistakes, performance; you name it.

I believe we can all begin to err on the side of Father’s Love If we can only get a glimpse of His Love. If we can begin to realize our lenses that keep us from seeing clearly. If we can begin to recognize and refute the lies we believed.

What would our world look like if we erred on the side of Father’s Love? If we gave ourselves or someone else more grace? If we loved the person who wronged us? If we loved ourselves when we didn’t think we deserved it? One individual might not change the whole country but you can change your immediate sphere of influence; your world, by erring on the side of Father’s Love. What would our personal worlds look like?

It’s hard work, but creating often is. I believe God has given us power to create our world. He came to us as Jesus, He gave us himself. He changed our lives from that point on. He can also change our world; our inner world, and our outer world.

So, what does my fancy acronym look like in practice?

Encountering God’s Love

Often, people have initial experiences with books and teachings that open the door for them to realize it is possible to receive and give love. Then, it is usually with the help of others and Holy Spirit that we can really break through the invisible barriers we built over the years.

Repairing Your Heart

This is often the natural result of encountering God’s Love. Sometimes it is an immediate part of the same experience and sometimes it is a process of learning to trust again over time; even learning to trust ourselves. It can be learning not to listen to that deep lie that has formed your heart. This leads to the next step in the process.

Redeeming Your Story

When Father’s Love infiltrates our present stories and our memories, our stories are redeemed. The lies that led us to orphan thinking are replaced by the truth of Father’s love. He continues to help us to recognize when lies are attempting to take over our stories. Then He helps us write again.

As I look back over my own story I can see this cycle at work. I see it long and arching over my whole life since I first had a revelation of Father’s love and I see this cycle in shorter sequences of my life. Always repairing, always redeeming.

As you are reading this, where do you see God working to redeem your story? If you are struggling in that area join us for the upcoming online event.

You can also find some free content on our YouTube channel. We are beginning to release more material there. We pray it will bring life to many! Go over and click subscribe to keep up with us and click the bell to get notifications of new material.

Look for more blog articles about ERRing on the side of love over the next couple of months. You will hear from various team members how the three parts of the cycle have been realized and worked in their lives.

Blessings to you!

Doug

I'm Not Angry

Tue, 28 Jul 2020 21:16:21 GMT

3 Steps to Take Instead of Lying to Yourself

I have a confession to make to you.

Sarah and I have gone to bed quite a few times with issues between us.

But, Ephesians 4:26-27 (CSB) says,

26 Be angry and do not sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and don’t give the devil an opportunity.

I used to hear this taught that you need to settle things with people right away. You don’t want to go to sleep having an unsettled disagreement because the devil will cause a divide. I remember how overwhelming that felt. I thought it was just because I wasn’t good with conflict but it was exhausting just thinking about the idea.

But the real issue here is our anger. Notice it doesn’t say “don’t let the sun go down while you have an issue with a fellow believer.”

It says, “don’t let the sun go down on YOUR anger.”

So the problem is not relational difficulties. It’s anger. The problem is our maturity.

When we go to sleep angry with someone we give the devil an opportunity. This is exactly what we don’t want. So, how to not let this happen:

1. Accept and Acknowledge

“The first step in solving a problem is to recognize that it does exist.” - Zig Ziglar

Most likely what we have done is to attempt to NOT be angry. We tried to stuff it. And now when we try to relate with that person we operate from a position of anger. We can’t think straight. We can’t see the situation rationally. OUR anger is clouding reality. Now the enemy has a foothold in YOU. And this affects more than the one relationship. It affects your well being.

This was me. I grew up angry. I was a Christian now and I didn’t do angry unless it was focused on the enemy (so self righteous).

I would have an issue with Sarah or Trisha in particular and I would try to pretend the anger didn’t exist. I gave up on that pretty quickly though. As I realized it was obvious that I was angry. But it was because I was scared of my anger. I was afraid of what would happen if I allowed it to come out.

2. Be Angry

You know what happened when I decided to be angry? Not much. I know, kind of disappointing. I got mad, grunted, threw my hands in the air, yelled, and that was kind of it really. Nothing even got broken.

What I find absolutely fascinating is that verse 28 starts off with “Let the thief no longer steal.” As you continue reading you can see that Paul is talking about actual thieves. But, I can’t help but think of John 10:10 (CSB)

A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.

Think of it as a great prompting to not let the Thief steal from you!

So be angry, let it out! Throw plates(not good ones and not at people) in your garage, scream in your car by yourself, twist a towel while you do it, punch a punching bag, whatever allows you to be angry.

3. Let God in and, if needed, reliable friends or professionals to help solve the issue.

So after all of the mayhem and destruction of your anger has been released into the air. Then come back to a centered place and allow God in to help you find a resolution.

Sarah and I have had our share of opportunities to sleep on our anger. And I have done so in the past. But, we have had more times when we have gone to bed with an issue that is unsettled, but we weren’t angry anymore. Realistically, you are not going to fix many relational issues in a day. I think we realize this.

The key to winning against the enemy is that you don’t let him trap you in anger. Look at the situations you face as opportunities to grow and mature. It's part of our discipleship process and further discovering who we were created to be. Be curious!

There are many issues that cause anger over and over in relationships like a porn addiction, excessive drinking or unfaithfulness in marriage. But when you can deal with the anger you have in that moment, when you can empty yourself of that present rage, you can return to a place where God can speak to you and bring healing and wisdom.

Shiloh Place is soon releasing a series of filmed conversations where we talk to some couples who have fought that long battle. These are honest conversations with real people who walked through painful life experiences and how they survived and thrived. In the first series, Keith and April Jones, will talk about acknowledging feelings and how that helped them to heal. Look for those to begin releasing in mid August.

So, go be angry and don’t let the enemy get a foothold in your mind and will. Don’t let it take you out of your identity as a kingdom person, a beloved child of God. Empty that anger out and be a ready vessel for the Father’s powerful healing love.

Blessings,

Doug

P.S. - Take action in discovering how you hide anger and short circuit your identity. Join us for our Finding Identity Interactive Webinar, August 10-13, 2020. For details visit https://www.shilohplace.org/finding-identity.

Fear & Fire

Wed, 01 Apr 2020 21:07:09 GMT

The place where Jesus meets you

There is talk of fear all over in these days of COVID-19.

I am reminded of Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego in the story from Daniel 3 in the Bible and the trial they endured. These three Jewish boys refused to bow down to the King of Babylon, King Nebuchadnezzer. As a result, the king ordered them thrown into a fiery furnace, which was heated seven times hotter than normal. Now, most people would expect God to pour down rain, or vaporize the furnace, or turn the fire into water, but He doesn’t. Instead, He MEETS them IN THE FIRE.

This story is one of my favorites because it demonstrates that more often than not, God meets us in the fires of life before He extinguishes them. It is in the isolation of these fires that our fears can overwhelm us. During times like these it is important to try not to isolate, but find creative ways to connect because we need each other.

I recommend that you find silence and stillness to be with Father God and allow Him to comfort you and show you what you need to know (When sitting in silence with God, don’t fight thoughts, let them come and go, but keep in stillness). Natural fear can lead to caution which keeps us safe. Fear is unhealthy when we become obsessed with worrying about what might happen and what is happening, and we see ourselves as victims and not victors.

Here are three healthy ways to deal with fear:

(You could turn these into “DO” statements - would read more positive)

Don’t deny your fear (Acknowledge your fear)
Don’t ignore your fear (Pay attention to your fear)
Don’t avoid your fear (Address your fear)

It is understandable that many folks would be in fear and distress right now. Allow God’s peace in. You may want to ask yourself some of these questions and ask God to help you discover the answers:

What am I really afraid of right now?
Is it my business folding or something deeper?
Maybe being a disappointment to my family?
Maybe that the story I have always told myself, the one that says I will never be good enough will be proven true?
Where is this stress really coming from?
Maybe it’s more than a house full of kids fighting?
Maybe it’s the lack of control I feel?
Where do I feel this fear in my body?
How does it manifest in my body?
What does God want to tell me about all this?

Be inquisitive! Act like a three-year-old. Ask “Why? Why? Why?”

Then ask Father God to help you release this fear and pain once you have acknowledged it so you can begin to replace your fear with trust. (See Proverbs 3:5-6)

I heard an interview with John M. Barry, author of The Great Influenza . He said the best way to deal with these pandemic situations is to tell the whole truth because the virus or disease is like the monster in a horror film. The monster brings the most anxiety before you ever get to see it. Once you see it you know what to expect the next time it shows up. Right now, fear itself is the monster. Once we see it for what it is, it loses some of its power over us.

Remember, no matter where you are in your journey, YOU ARE NOT ALONE and we all have the choice to face our fears and let God do what He does best; love us through our fears, pain, and shame to experience His healing and His peace.

Doug

PS: Thank you April Jones who wrote the original version of this message.

Don't forget the 202020 sale going on right now for all downloadable material! Use the code 202020 at checkout and receive 20% off .

Loneliness Is No Longer Your Friend

Fri, 17 Jan 2020 13:08:47 GMT

Let's get connected

The entirety of Psalm 68 is about God’s provision for His people in all kinds of situations, but these verses stand out to me;

5 God in his holy dwelling is

a father of the fatherless

and a champion of widows.

6 God provides homes for those who are deserted.

He leads out the prisoners to prosperity,

but the rebellious live in a scorched land. Psalms 68:5-6 (CSB)

This Psalm of celebration demonstrates God’s love and faithfulness to the lonely. We talk a lot about “tribe” at Shiloh Place. Those of you who follow us on Facebook see it quite often.

Years ago I heard the following statement from worship leader, Kent Henry, and I often use it in blessings and prayers; “Loneliness will not not be your friend anymore.” I find it so powerful against the idea that the only friend we have is the spirit of loneliness; that loneliness is the only thing we can count on to always be there. How many of us live like that? I’m not just talking about single people who live alone. I’m talking about married people who have kids and attend church regularly. How many people are surrounded by others but still have loneliness as their best friend?

Early in my walk, I realized I was searching for a family, a place to belong and be accepted. In my early teens I became involved in the skateboarder punk rock scene. I didn’t realize it at the time, but what drew me in, besides my love of skateboarding, was the family type ethos. It offered something not even my baseball team couldn’t. I liked those guys and I was a pretty good player, but I was a little different than most of them. I didn’t have a dad. I could feel the difference. I could sense that sometimes they didn’t know what to do with that. But in the punk scene, I wasn’t the only one. In many cases I had it much better because “at least” my dad wasn’t angry, or alcoholic, or “just a bum” living in the house. In the punk scene, we all supported each other, albeit in a very dysfunctional way.

I eventually moved away from it a bit when I went to college. Then, I found myself being “that guy without the dad” again. Even though I had good friends, I just couldn’t shake it until Jesus met me and I felt a sense of purpose and belonging I had not felt before. If you have heard my testimony, you know that I landed in a rather unhealthy church setting, but the upside is that God used that situation to lead me to a revelation of Father’s Love that continues to bring me life and displace my orphan heart.

God placed me in a family. In His family. Early in my walk it was dysfunctional, yes, but He has taught me not to react to other people’s pain points as I did in the past. What makes the tribe healthy is not that everyone is perfect. It’s that we are okay with others not being okay. We have a sense of who we are in Him (we are sons or daughters at least 51% of the time) and we have gained tools to work through inevitable conflict.

After reviewing and studying students’ testimonies for the past couple of years in an effort to more precisely define what Shiloh Place does, we realized we don’t just bring healing to hearts; we strengthen families and teams through healing hearts.

The orphan is unable to feel accepted in a family or group. Family is the source of pain and rejection for so many people, so when we target allowing God to heal these areas, we strengthen the fabric of families and teams.

Maybe you are a believer but you can’t connect with this family idea. Maybe the idea of family is toxic to you. Maybe families, whether biological, foster or church, have never done anything but bring hurt to you. Maybe you just avoid anything that seems to close knit. Maybe things that look like families look like drama and trouble to you so you don’t even go there. If this is you, we invite you to give us and the Lord a chance to help you give loneliness the boot. You can start by reading one of our books, listen to the free Father Love message on our website, come to an Encounter or Training.

We talk about tribe a lot. Tribe is basically extended family, a faith family or community. God wants us to not only be connected to Him but to his body, family and tribe. This year (maybe decade?), let’s get connected in a healthy way. We’d love to help strengthen you and your family or team this year. Loneliness should not be your friend any longer.

Blessings in your new year!
Doug

You Gave For Life

info@shilohplace.org (Douglass Crew) — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 20:33:30 GMT

Bringing healing and hope, here and abroad

“I felt like the wall that surrounded my heart came down and I’m able to feel and process my pain better. I don’t feel as numb and disconnected. I also feel healed from some mother and father wounds as well as some symptoms of PTSD from traumatic events in my life.” - Raquel - Oct. 2019 Power of Father’s Love Encounter

Raquel is at a new beginning in her life. She later told us attending the September Heart of Sonship Encounter saved her marriage and possibly her husband’s life. Her husband’s testimony is quite dramatic. He was set free from deep trauma. When he left the Encounter, he was beaming. He said he really didn’t expect much, but he came because a mutual friend recommended it. The message and ministry impacted them so much that they attended the Power of Father’s Love event in Burlington, NC two weeks later. The fact that they traveled from their home in New England to South Carolina, and two weeks later back to North Carolina with a five-month-old in tow speaks powerfully about how God met them!

This is a true testament of willingness to go to any length for healing and connection with God.

Whether by sharing your own experience of healing, giving a Shiloh Place book as a gift, making a recommendation to attend an Encounter, through prayer or financial support, many of you reading this make stories like Raquel’s and countless others possible.

God’s goodness doesn’t end there! Here are more of those stories of God bringing wholeness this Fall:

“Shiloh Place Encounters have been a safe harbor for me. I have cried, I’ve been hugged and allowed just to be sad. Because of that, I have been able to receive healing not only for my recent losses (deep family division), but for hidden strongholds that were keeping me from experiencing Father’s Love.” - Beth ( Heart of Sonship 2018 & Power of Father’s Love 2019)

“I had a revelation of how much pain was connected with my childhood sexual abuse and the lies I believe about life/love/God as a result. I see how I have caused pain in those I love as a result of my pain.

I am beginning the walk to allow God’s healing as the roots of my pain are exposed.” - Rod (Sonship 2018 & Power of Father’s Love 2019)

“When I came I did not know I had an orphan heart. I did not really know how that heart had been developed. All my life I had been focusing on the symptoms and not the cause. Thank you Jesus!!! I can finally see my enemy. Thank you so much!” - Luis (Sonship 2019)

“Before I came, I was grasping at straws and without hope. I feel now I have dealt with parental issues and past trauma. I have let go of so much anger, unforgiveness and bitterness. I think now I am able to place my offenders at the foot of the cross. I know it will be a process to completely step into my identity as a daughter and leave the orphan thinking but I am encouraged and excited because I now have hope that I will totally be healed. I am not forever broken. God bless you Shiloh Place.” - Jennie (2019 Sonship)

These are the stories that people shared on evaluation forms and gave us permission to share, and there are so many more stories we have the privilege of hearing every time we minister. It is an honor and a privilege to be a part of God’s work in these people’s lives. We often see God change the future of family trees before our eyes. Recently, a son and daughter-in-law attended an Encounter because they saw their mother come to life after she attended a couple of Shiloh Place events. In a matter of months, she was a different, life-giving person because of what God did in her life. And guess what? The son and daughter-in-law had breakthrough as well. Although they were skeptical at first, they left with huge smiles on their faces.

This is what your support does. We thank you for considering Shiloh Place Ministries on Giving Tuesday (#givingtuesday), December 3rd, and for your end-of-year giving. We are grateful for all of the people who stepped up and helped us last Fall after the flooding. Things seemed so uncertain, but because you and others like yourselves rallied around us, the future is bright and lives are being changed as the power of Father’s Love meets them in their need!

I (Doug) am presently in Medellin, Antioquia in Colombia, South America doing a Father’s Love Conference with our friends Robert and Cyndi Hartzell. We were brought in by Tom and Jenn Atwater of 911 Life Ministries . The Atwaters wanted to introduce the message to local pastors. So far, the reports are amazing. The message has deeply impacted a few key pastors who are at the event, and I will share more on that in the coming weeks.

The area was ravaged by drug wars in the 80s and 90s which left many fatherless. These men and women are now grown and leading churches, and they are desperate for Father’s Love.

This is another thing that your support has helped to make possible. We feel sure that we will return at least once next year in order to establish and equip local leaders in the message of Father’s Love and Sonship as well as providing inner healing training. They are a beautiful, passionate people in a beautiful country whose only hope is the Church. They have no system of welfare to help those in need, and we see God moving in this country and bringing his Church to the forefront to bring healing to the nation. Thank you so much for your support!

Blessings to all of you in this holiday season!

Doug

3 Thoughts: When Leaders Wreak Havoc

Tue, 08 Oct 2019 00:00:00 GMT

What do we do when leaders wreak havoc amongst the people they should be leading and shepherding? It’s a sensitive subject and has become a hot topic that seems to be happening more often.

To be clear, we are not talking about someone who has ended up in an affair because they have unaddressed pain. That is tragic. We are talking about abusive behavior that seems almost crazy to be occurring anywhere, much less the church.

I understand that pain affects behavior. Shiloh Place ministers to people in pain on a regular basis. People in pain do things and react to situations in ways that don’t make sense, because pain doesn’t deal in logic. For example, people who struggle with intimacy can end up in an affair, porn addiction, or something of that sort if the root source of pain is not addressed. Not very logical, but true none-the-less. It's an issue of our inborn need for intimacy. Shutting down our need for intimacy may have helped us survive painful periods of our lives, but could destroy our relationships if we don’t address it.

For example, I shut down my emotions to survive my adolescent years. When I got married, that behavior no longer serviced me well and became a problem. It was difficult for me to allow God to show me and help me re-engage my ability to experience intimacy in a healthy way.

I understand sometimes leaders can end up in affairs and sin due to unaddressed pain. I have grace for them to be restored to leadership in a biblical way. However, not everyone should be restored to leadership.

Wait, why not?

Who shouldn't be restored? Those with a track record of habits that endanger not only the gospel message but those under their authority, especially when these things are allowed to go on for long periods of time; ignored, or even covered up by other leaders. Jack used to talk about the importance of character over anointing, we still talk about it. This is why.

The situations (yes multiple) we are addressing involve things that might seem impossible in ministry like texting nude pictures of themselves or spouses to other people and sleeping around with multiple people in their churches or ministries. These leaders may have groomed people to accept and even protect their behavior. This is “wolves in the sheepgate” activity. Sadly, in cases where the immoral activity is not illegal, people often keep what they have experienced quiet.

Sarah and I have discussed this topic at length and recently posted a Facebook Live about it. Sarah has a unique ability to see these types of behaviors even when other leaders seem to be unaware. She can feel the uncleanliness from far away and it disturbs her when she is forced to watch it play out while others seem oblivious. Trisha and I have this ability as well, although not to the extent Sarah does.

We need leadership at all levels that are willing to address these issues, take necessary action, and not be deceived when they see or hear something they know is wrong. Leaders at all levels need to be safe representations of Jesus for people and be bold enough to approach other leaders while maintaining a biblical perspective. Easy right?

Seriously though, how do we do that?

Jesus looked out for those with less power. He confronted those in power about their behavior. Think about the woman caught in adultery. Think about the disciples he called to follow him. They were rejected by those in power. They were outside of the system. We should be like Him. Here are 3 things that may help:

Paul says we should judge disputes (and accusations) - Consider 1 Corinthians 6:1-6. Paul speaks rather harshly to the Corinthians about their inability to settle disputes without involving ungodly authorities.
Our standards are not the world’s - I would assert, probably with no contest, that our standards for behavior for Christian leadership should be higher than what the world would consider illegal. It is easy to judge questionable sexual behaviors of those outside the church, but what about calling out Christian leaders we love and follow? Our human nature can lead us to want judgement for them(outside) and grace for us(inside). Keep in mind that in Chapter 5 of 1 Corinthians, Paul had more harsh words about judgment or the lack thereof. He set the record straight about judging those inside the church and not outside. He presented a standard that we should live by which is higher than what we expect of the world. In other words, we should not tolerate certain behavior no matter how much the man or woman of God is revered. In fact, Paul says to throw them out of the church in hopes that they would be saved!
Define love and justice - We love sowing and reaping scriptures. I have even heard them used to justify why the poor are poor. They were once used to justify turning a blind eye to thousands of people fighting for their lives and the lives of their loved ones during the AIDS epidemic. Consider this; is it love to rush someone back into ministry or even keep them there when their very soul may be at stake? Do we love them or the way their gift makes us feel?

Safe Space

A leader posted on Facebook during a recent scandal that "God is Love, but He is also a God of justice." I would argue that “Because God is Love, he is a God of justice.” Justice definitely looks out for the least of these. Remember what Jesus says in Matthew 25? How about Matthew 18:6 when he warns of causing little ones to stumble?

If we as the Church want to show true grace in this season, we need to protect the innocent by making safe places for victims. We need to make the Church safe again by not only calling leaders to task, but also removing them from ministry and leadership permanently. This removes the dangling carrot of “restoration to position.” Let’s rather go after healing and restoring them to God’s heart. First things, first. What would be even better than a healthy way of dealing with predatory leadership is a healthy way to raise up leaders. Maybe we could talk about this sometime soon.

Blessings,

Doug

I know

Mon, 12 Aug 2019 00:00:00 GMT

“You can be emotional without being spiritual but you cannot be truly spiritual without involving your emotions.”

There was an old worship CD on which Carlton Pearson states, “You can be emotional without being spiritual but you cannot be truly spiritual without involving your emotions.”

This is problematic. It’s a beautiful sentiment to be sure and a true statement in my book, but it’s problematic because we in the western world have this hurdle called logic. Emotions, and pain, aren’t logical. Logic and knowledge are great when it comes to building roads, bridges and buildings, not always so when sorting through emotions.

With inner-healing ministries being so much more prominent than they were 15-20 years ago and the explosion of the internet people can “know” all kinds of stuff.

This is a problem

People wonder, “Why do I still have trouble getting healing when I know so much? I have read this book and gone to that seminar. I can tell you how my issues started.”

How much you know might be the problem. We see it all the time. People come to our events and they nod their heads in agreement because, well, they “know” that. It is perfectly logical. They have reasoned through their past and come to logical conclusions about how they arrived at their emotional and spiritual state. They are waiting for me to get to something they haven’t heard before, something they don’t know yet.

Paul confirms our problem of knowing in 1 Corinthians 8. It’s about food sacrificed to idols but the principle still applies. He says,

“1 Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. 2 If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.”

"If anyone imagines he knows something, he doesn’t yet know." That is the rub in this whole thing. God always knows something about our heart that we don’t yet know.

Like Adam and Eve

Two years ago, I went to a week of the Leader’s School at Catch the Fire Toronto. It took me two days to stop just nodding my head in agreement to the statements the teachers were making. I have learned so much ministering at Shiloh Place that it was easy for me to do it. But I did that without opening myself up to the possibility that I was missing something. My emotions and pain were taking a backseat to knowledge and logic. God nudged me and said, “Hey, you think you are receiving but you’re not.” I began to pray constantly that I would hear with my heart, that Holy Spirit would lead me. I told my reasoning brain to relax a bit, it wasn’t going to fix any problems in the emotion realm for me. Then things started to happen.

In the garden, Adam and Eve partook of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (read Genesis 3). That knowledge led them to fix a problem. The problem is that they fixed a problem that wasn’t even a problem. As you can see from my sentence, their fixing just made more problems. Seriously though, the real takeaway here is that they attempted to fix a problem they were not equipped to fix. However, using their new-found knowledge, this line of reasoning made sense to them. But theirs was a spiritual problem, not a physical one.

We both had the same problem. We had enough knowledge to know something wasn't perfect but not enough to correctly diagnose and fix it. Fortunately for me, the Helper Jesus sent was there to let me know I didn't know. Not so for Adam and Eve.

Check Your Head

Now, let me interject here that I am not a “check your brain at the church door” person. I think lots of damage has been done due to that mentality. However, I am a “let Holy Spirit lead” person.

The information we share at our events is good information. It is meant to give us an understanding of how issues early on in life affect our faith journey and our relationships. But then it’s time to allow Holy Spirit to lead. God knows our hearts better than we do. God gives us revelation and insight that often surprise us in these situations.

This is a testimony from a recent event is an example:

... I kept saying, how am I going to resolve this when all of my loved ones were gone. How can I be healed? How can my emotional rollercoaster be fixed? Until the time of forgiveness with each parent came. Some clarity started to come. I began to have some understanding of my mother’s helplessness, as she had gone through her own things which were passed on to me. Realizing how we were both struggling with the little child inside of us. As I forgave and expressed how I felt with each of my parents, I began to feel some relief.

While trying to figure it all out in her head, she was at a loss, she didn't understand. She doesn't state it here but Holy Spirit led her into an emotional release during ministry which was followed by understanding (knowledge of what the issue was). Before that it was just locked up pain.

Open Your Heart

Our knowledge, our fig leaf if you will, can become a smokescreen that keeps us from being vulnerable and open. When we have already solved the problem, we don’t have to be open to our pain being touched by God. We end up leaving the garden with our pride intact and our existence a mess. We come with an opportunity to grow in intimacy but fear and pride distance us from God and the ones we love.

I encourage you to not get stuck in the knowledge zone. Don't let what you know keep you from being led into a breakthrough moment and true understanding from God.

Father, I pray that I will never know too much. That I will always be humble enough to allow you to show me what I can't see. And when my head won't get out of the way, help me help it to take a break and relax.

Blessings,

Doug

Called and Paid?

Tue, 09 Jul 2019 06:15:00 GMT

*Disclaimer: This is not a woe is me post. Enjoy! A Word “You have been called to full-time ministry and I believe you know that. He (God) wants to confirm that because the enemy is going to challenge you at some point about it. When that time comes, remember that God has spoken it and [...] The post Called and Paid? appeared first on Shiloh Place Ministries.

*Disclaimer: This is not a woe is me post. Enjoy!

A Word

“You have been called to full-time ministry and I believe you know that. He (God) wants to confirm that because the enemy is going to challenge you at some point about it. When that time comes, remember that God has spoken it and you have known it, but God has called you to full-time ministry. You were created for it. You were created to serve him; to be a father and a leader in the house.” A person who is considered to have a strong prophetic gift gave me, Doug, a very specific word about my calling about 17 years ago. I did know it, or at least I was pretty sure and that word solidified it for me.

Many people have heard, “Every believer is in full time ministry.” It’s true we are called to follow Jesus’ example and carry the Good News everywhere we go, love others and love God. What about those who feel called to full-time vocational ministry? What about being bi-vocational as Paul was? He was a tentmaker. Even Jesus was a full time carpenter for many years prior to ministering.

So, what do we do after we have stepped out in faith but there isn’t enough money to pay the bills? What about us at Shiloh Place? What about sharing Father’s love through preaching? Both Sarah and I have been told for years we were called to full-time ministry. If we can’t pay the bills, does that mean we must not be called? It’s possible. But, is there fruit from the ministry? If the answer is yes, but the finances just aren’t there; what then? Is your response, “Well, God, you aren’t doing your part. I am ministering the way you said to, so why can’t I pay my basic bills? Does God not love us enough to provide for us?”

Sarah and I have been wrestling with this for a long time. We would like to share some thoughts.

Do I Lack Faith?

Maybe you got a word about ministering to many, many people, or something of the sort? The tricky part is ministering to many people does not necessarily equate to a full-time salary. It’s a struggle because it often feels like you have to work 80 hours a week and only part of that is generating income. Sarah and I have felt this weight very heavy, especially with a young family.

The word I got 17 years ago also said, “I hear the Lord saying He will provide for you. There will be a stretching in that area. There will be a season of temptation of saying, ‘but I have to provide for my family. That’s my responsibility’ but I hear the Lord saying, ‘I will provide. I will take care of you.’ He will provide the finances you need. When you need them they will come.”

Now, this has been difficult to wrestle with. I certainly don’t want to lack faith, but I have definitely wavered, wondering if things were going to come through. Sometimes they haven’t come through. Since I started ministering with Shiloh Place ten years ago, I worked in one non-ministry job. Last summer I delivered pizzas to cover the cost of medical bills. I hope that was not lacking faith.

If you watched the recent Facebook Live video about this, you know we are looking at that possibility again. I am looking at a couple of job opportunities that will allow me the flexibility to continue in ministry, while I hold tight to the promise that He will provide. I have freedom knowing it doesn’t have to be one or the other, as I once thought. Three years ago Sarah began working as a nutrition counselor and it has been a huge help.

A Not So Secret to Success

I believe the words spoken over me are true. I won’t let that go, but I also won’t lose my house or allow my kids to go without over the words of a prophet. In our faith, we won’t set an example that the church comes before our kids.

The whole reason for writing this is to encourage others going through this. Sarah and I won’t allow disappointment to derail us from the ministry calling on our lives. God didn’t come to meet our every little need and want. He came to transform our lives. Because we were transformed, many others are also transformed. As such, we are working to find balance in being bi-vocational parents who will continue to receive God’s love and give it away to the next person we meet. We hope someone out there reading this will also look to find balance as well.

You may have seen Sarah share about her disappointments, pain, and struggle over the past 12 years. Sometimes it is too much for us to handle and that’s OK. Allow yourselves those moments when they come to you. Then go back to God with it. For us, it seems choosing to answer the call is a daily event, although we would prefer to be resolute, say, “Lord send us. We will go!” and dive into ministry without looking back. Unfortunately, it’s not always quite that simple. Perhaps our cry should be, “Lord, finance us and we will go!” I’m kidding, but it is something to think about.

This is my encouragement to those looking to go into vocational ministry, especially our younger friends. Go into ministry with a vision to answer God’s call on your life and embrace the idea of working a second job as Paul did. Maybe follow the example of Jesus, and begin a vocational job that pays well and save and then go into ministry. If you start with that vision early it will save you heartache. You may also find out you have plenty of time and finances to minister in your calling inside and outside the marketplace.

Blessings,

Doug

Click to view the Facebook Live Video for more context.

The post Called and Paid? appeared first on Shiloh Place Ministries .

If you are, then prove it!

Wed, 05 Jun 2019 12:00:00 GMT

Matthew 4:1-3 1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of [...] The post If you are, then prove it! appeared first on Shiloh Place Ministries.

Matthew 4:1-3

1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.”

We hear this very thing spoken to us daily. The words of the enemy. They come from social media, TV, friends, family, and tragically from ourselves. They challenge us, and not in the good motivating type of way. These words challenge who we are. That we are loved and valued, that we are worth being loved and valued. If you are the daughter of God, then shouldn’t you be smarter, prettier, more successful, more well spoken? Shouldn’t you work harder?

I heard this statement while listening to the book Prototype: What Happens When You Discover You’re More Like Jesus Than You Think? By Jonathan Martin( @theboyonthebike ). I don’t have the exact quote as I was listening, but he said that Satan is still speaking to us the words he spoke to Jesus, now more than ever; “If you are, then prove it.” I’m not sure if he would use the term, but so far, Prototype is a book about Sonship. I’m a little over half way through.

So what sustains us in the wilderness of these messages coming at us?

The voice of the accuser pelting us daily, even hourly with “then prove it” statements? How are we tackling the battle after the healing moments at a Shiloh Place event? After the revelation we get from reading a Jack Frost book ? After seeing Trisha at Randy Clark’s GSSM?

The answer is in these verses:

Matthew 3:16

16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

We find the weapon of Jesus’ warfare in Matthew 3:17. “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

The affirmation and blessing of Jesus’ identity by the Father is what wins his battle in the wilderness. Such affirmation helps us defend ourselves from the enemy’s attacks on our acceptance as sons and daughters of God. “I’ve never heard God say that over me, though,” you say. Fair enough. But think about your story with God for a minute.

What might affirmation look like?

As a ministry leader, I am not immune to these voices and attacks against my selfhood, character, calling, you name it. They come constantly as I face new challenges. But I have a few key moments in my life that I fall back on. Do they make me sure that I can do everything? No; they make me sure that failure is something that happens, not who I am.

One of these moments I tell in my testimony is how God delved into my hidden core pain on the floor of a small church in Georgetown, SC. I had only seen my dad three times from the age of six to 23. During ministry time in these meetings, a question I never consciously wondered came roaring up from the deepest part of me. “Why did you leave!?” screamed my soul. Then came peace. I knew why he left. I didn’t like it, but I knew the facts. There were no questions. But four year-old me didn’t understand at all. This was a, “This is my beloved son” moment in my life. I can point to it when an attack starts. He cared enough to deliver me from this very specific, deep pain that affected me although I didn’t know it was there. That is quite affirming of who I am to Him.

The Enemy’s Hail Mary

The enemy tempts Jesus in the wilderness three times. The enemy questions his identity and character. Notice that after Jesus won the battle of his identity in the first two temptations the last temptation was an automatic victory. Notice how the enemy escalates the challenges so quickly. He knew he was losing so he decided just to throw up a Hail Mary (Ha! See what I did there?). Satan ridiculously offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the world if Jesus would worship him. I picture Satan wishing he could snatch the words back as soon as he said them, realizing how stupid and desperate it must have sounded. Then he just gave up. That was all he had.

We can have the same kind of victories. What is your story? When did he meet you, heal you, save you, deliver you? He didn’t do that because he had to. He did that because you are His and guess what? He is well pleased with you. The words of the enemy may never go away completely but they will lose their power when we receive the words of the Father saying, “This is my son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Wield those moments like a weapon that silences the voice of the enemy, even when it sounds like your own voice.

11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.

Although you can attend our Encounters in any order, I have always liked the idea of attending the Power of Father’s Love event first. At this point, thousands of people have had “This is my son, my daugher” moments at these events. These moments are powerful and healing. They provide a first step for so many into our place of Sonship. We have several more Father’s Love events this year. Check our July event in West Greenwich, RI at shilohplaceschools.com.

Have a wonderful summer! – Doug

The post If you are, then prove it! appeared first on Shiloh Place Ministries .

Make Known His Deeds

Tue, 21 May 2019 06:09:00 GMT

With having finished up our winter/spring events we thought it would be a good time to share what people who attended those events have experienced. We have begun taking our Encounters on the road and the results have been incredible. These Encounters are shorter than the ones we hold here in Myrtle Beach by a [...] The post Make Known His Deeds appeared first on Shiloh Place Ministries.

With having finished up our winter/spring events we thought it would be a good time to share what people who attended those events have experienced. We have begun taking our Encounters on the road and the results have been incredible. These Encounters are shorter than the ones we hold here in Myrtle Beach by a day but they allow people to attend while missing less work and spending less on travel.

They still have small groups, more ministry times and a smaller, more intimate setting that is different from a weekend conference. They don’t have as much opportunity for personal ministry or time to interact with the team. Also, everything is packed in a little tighter than our North Myrtle Beach events. But the upside is, we come to you!

These testimonies are from our Menomonee Falls, WI Power of Father’s Love Encounter and our North Myrtle Beach, SC Heart of Sonship Encounter, both in April.

For some folks, things fell into place:

“I have been able to connect many dots. This has created greater intimacy with my Heavenly Father. I spend time with him instead of feeling like there was a huge wedge between us. I am able to experience more of His love and dispense that love to others. I am seeing myself and others more like He does and am cognizant of how my responses may impact others. I have less stress and more peace! I think I am just beginning to realize what HE did this weekend and I am looking for more to be revealed! Thank you all so much!” Traci – Rosholt, WI

“I feel a unity between my head and heart. Between what I know the Bible states, and what I actually believe.” – Anonymous – Menomonee Falls, WI

Some had revelations about beliefs and patterns they didn’t realize they had:

“This weekend was completely new for me. I’ve been a Christian for 48 years, and never realized I still have father wounds affecting my relationships. God has been revealing himself to me in new ways for the past 6 months, and this is the latest thing he has shown me – that he loves me more than I ever dreamed of! Now I am processing and using the information and tools I got at the encounter to establish new thinking patterns based on the love of the Father for me – not my own performance. In my weakness I can find the full measure of his love – not in my self-delusional strength! Thank you for your effort, servant-hood, and love to make this healing available!” – Jerry – Hales Corners, WI

“I had tons of revelation about the structure of my emotional belief system and why there’s been patterns in many decisions I’ve made. Sobering, but over the top great for me. So grateful for my time here. I want everybody to experience this.” Alison B.

“I have more joy. I was depressed and didn’t realize it. I have less negative thinking, more peace and more mental clarity since I am more at peace emotionally. I am realizing how I hurt people at work by being too intense and critical, and wanting to be more loving in that context. God opened my eyes.” – Mike – McFarland, WI

“Once home, I felt I should have a talk with my husband (who is NOT a believer). We’ve been married 38 1/2 years and shortly after we were married I rededicated my life to Christ. I am sorry to say I became bitter towards my husband. A counselor helped me realize this, and I thank God for a “redo.” At the encounter, I realized I was also misrepresenting The Father’s Love! So, with the help of the Holy Spirit, I was able to speak to my husband when I got home and apologize for this.” – Anita – Gurnee, IL

Others were given tools and confirmation to move forward with:

“I went to the Heart of Sonship School with the intention of getting an encounter with God that would instantly change me forever. I did encounter God, but in a way I didn’t expect. God met me through the love of all of the staff members of Shiloh Place Ministries. I’ve never been hugged and loved on so many times over the course of 4 days! I was given the teaching, resources and tools to change my life with God’s leading and to and embrace Him as my Father and live as His son. Everything from the teachings, the small groups, the exercises and lunches were full of love, joy, and transparency. I was appreciative of how open the staff is about their journey. I had freedom to be vulnerable because they created such a safe atmosphere. I am excited and nervous about the journey to sonship. With the tools I’ve gotten from SPM, I am more empowered to finish my process and get to the next level with God.” Carl – Smyrna, GA

“He’s given me a peace and calmed my anxiety about my purpose and future. He’s let me know He has my back.” Ashley – Kennesaw, GA

There are many more testimonies we could share. Between the team we hear positive reports from everyone in attendance. You are part of the revelation, hope and healing coming into the lives of these folks.

Thank you for your prayers and support!

As we head into summer we have two more events coming up. We appreciate your prayers for those attending there.

Also, if you are looking for a summer event or know someone who is, there are presently 23 of the 30 spots left for the Father’s Love Encounter, July 25-27, in West Greenwich, RI. That sounds like a lot but they fill up quickly. If you register by May 30th you get an early bird discount!

Blessings on your family this summer!

Doug

The post Make Known His Deeds appeared first on Shiloh Place Ministries .

Shiloh Place Ministries

ERR On The Side Of Love

Encounter God's Love, Repair your heart, and Redeem your story.

ERR is the acronym I am giving Shiloh Place’s new tagline; developed over the years through challenges and transition.

So, what does my fancy acronym look like in practice?

I'm Not Angry

3 Steps to Take Instead of Lying to Yourself

﻿ ﻿ 1. Accept and Acknowledge

﻿ ﻿ 2. Be Angry

3. Let God in and, if needed, reliable friends or professionals to help solve the issue.

Fear & Fire

The place where Jesus meets you

Loneliness Is No Longer Your Friend

Let's get connected

You Gave For Life

Bringing healing and hope, here and abroad

3 Thoughts: When Leaders Wreak Havoc

Wait, why not?

Seriously though, how do we do that?

Safe Space

I know

“You can be emotional without being spiritual but you cannot be truly spiritual without involving your emotions.”

This is a problem

Like Adam and Eve

Check Your Head

Open Your Heart

Called and Paid?

A Word

Do I Lack Faith?

A Not So Secret to Success

Click to view the Facebook Live Video for more context.

If you are, then prove it!

So what sustains us in the wilderness of these messages coming at us?

What might affirmation look like?

The Enemy’s Hail Mary

Make Known His Deeds

For some folks, things fell into place:

Some had revelations about beliefs and patterns they didn’t realize they had:

Others were given tools and confirmation to move forward with:

1. Accept and Acknowledge

2. Be Angry