Countless Scripture passages encourage us to tell others about what the Lord has done for us (in Ps 71, Ps 78, Ps 105, Ps 145, Isaiah 12, and 1 Chron 16 to name just a few). We have felt called by the Lord to help FCC gather faith stories and publish them so we can all be inspired to look for "God's fingerprints" everywhere. Some-times these stories are miraculous, sometimes they are very ordinary, but they all remind us of the Lord's compassion and truth.
– Pete & Kari Stadem
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Angels Watching Over
by Barb Buer
"For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways” Psalm 91:11
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In 1995, my husband, Mike, our two young children, and I took a road trip from Atwater, Minn., to Kent, Wash., to visit my mom. We decided to drive through the night the first night so the kids could sleep. We’d stay in a hotel the second night and have a shorter drive on the final day. We left home at 9:00 on Sunday night.
On Monday, we were all exhausted. At about 4:00 in the afternoon, an hour from our Montana hotel, all four of us fell asleep. Mike, who was driving, had the van on cruise control. It veered off the freeway and hit an approach in the ditch. This woke us all up -- in midair! As the van sailed through the air, Mike heard his father’s voice say, “Step on it!” His dad had yelled that same instruction to him years before on very icy roads, while Mike was at the wheel and had to take the ditch to avoid hitting another car. On that occasion, he had driven right out of the ditch.
Mike followed those same orders when the van hit the ground. He accelerated instead of braking and kept the wheels straight. We landed hard but did not flip. He drove about 75 yards before coming to a stop on the shoulder of the freeway. The kids said they were okay and no one had screamed or cried. We were all in shock, but grateful to be in one piece.
Mike and I got out of the van to assess the damage. The car-top carrier was gone, and the impact of hitting the ground so hard bent the body of the van. As a result, the sliding back door wouldn’t completely close and latch.
Almost immediately, out of nowhere, two guys in a pickup truck appeared with our car-top carrier. They said they had watched it fly off the van and picked it up to return it to us. They kindly asked us if we needed any help or if anyone was hurt. We said we were okay and that the van was drivable. We thanked them and they drove on ahead.
Right after they left, a young woman stopped and jumped out of her car. She said she’d watched the whole thing and just wanted to make sure we were okay. She was very sweet and concerned about us. We thanked her for stopping and told her we were going to go straight to our hotel and hoped to get a good night’s sleep. I remember turning to Mike on our way to the hotel and saying, “I feel like I’ve seen her before.”
Every time we reflect on that experience, we are humbled and grateful to God for his protection that day. As for the individuals who stopped to help, and the voice in Mike’s head -- we wonder if they were "Good Samaritans" - or possibly guardian angels!
Father, thank You for Your guidance and protection all the days of our lives -- Amen.
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A Precious One Rescued from Wandering
by Carolie Carlson
“Jesus Christ) gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age.” Galatians 1:4
Last spring, Myron and I were sad to euthanize our 13-year-old Yorkiepoo, Bella. We rescued her 10 years ago. A few weeks later, another rescue dog arrived on the scene. Myron was excited as the dog’s foster mom handed this pathetic-looking creature to me in a parking lot in Worthington. However, I thought this ill-groomed dog was the most unkempt I had ever seen! Even so, Myron convinced me we should give him a chance.
We agreed that we would keep the “Rocco” name of this 2-year-old Yorkiepoo, and decided to give him the middle name “Tony” to thank the gentleman who helped us navigate Petfinders online.
For many months, Rocco had been running wild at great peril to himself in the small town where he was rescued. As we researched our new canine’s names, we learned “Rocco” means “rest,” and “Tony” means “precious one.”
By now this energetic puppy has won both of our hearts! He loves to cuddle and he loves to play. When it’s too cold to fetch outdoors, our nights see balls flying indoors! Our home is littered with little squeaky balls and stuffed toys he loves to shake.
His name, “Rocco Tony”, speaks to Myron and me spiritually. It says “Rest from your wandering oh precious ones.” We have found Jesus Christ to be "The Rest" in the face of our wandering. Just as we rescued Rocco and gave him rest from his wandering -- Jesus Christ came to rescue us from our sin-prone nature and the punishment of eternal lostness.
Each one of us is called “Precious One” by the Lord. How grateful we can be that God provided rescue from our wanderings and declares us precious through this Jesus.
Thank You, Lord Jesus, for rescuing us and making us precious in Your sight. - Amen
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He Leadeth Me
by Kari Stadem 04.04.24
"Whether you turn to the right or the left, your ears shall hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21
Last summer, my husband Pete and I both felt that our time of visiting different congregations had to come to an end. We had enjoyed almost a year of attending a service at almost every church in Willmar, but we believe we are meant to live out our belonging to the Body of Christ by committing our time, talents, and treasures to one local congregation. We wanted to get involved with a congregation where we could feel that we were pulling in the same direction, and also that we could be useful in that pulling. But where?
On July 2, we were in a pew at First Covenant Church as Pastor Chris preached on Deuteronomy 7, where God commands the Israelites to wipe out the other people groups. We were impressed that he didn’t shy away from this difficult passage. In the middle of the sermon, Pastor Chris said something to this effect: “We don’t have a record of God’s faithfulness in the lives of our congregation members -- I would love it if someone would come to me and say, 'Pastor, I will collect these stories and write them down.'” Pete leaned over and put his hand on my knee. We did this - five years ago! Pete and I worked together to collect 137 stories (from 40 different relatives) about his dad’s home farm place. We edited them, put them in a devotional format, and published a book. We know how to help people identify stories of God’s faithfulness, how to make them interesting, how to connect Scripture, and how to edit them for clarity and good English.
We made an appointment with Pastor Chris the next morning and told him the above story. He said, “This fills me with hope and joy. I didn’t have that part of the sermon planned. In my notes, I left a blank spot and trusted the Holy Spirit to help me say what He wanted me to say. And this morning, a prayer warrior texted me, affirming the message and wondering what the Lord was going to do with it.” Pastor Chris answered our questions about the congregation, and we went home to pray. Since then, we have become regular attendees at FCC and have been grateful for the staff, the leadership, and the members -- who have welcomed us and encouraged us in our mission of collecting faith stories to inspire other believers and the next generation to trust in the wisdom and goodness of the Lord..
Thank You, heavenly Father, for Your leading in our lives.
Help us to do Your work in Your way. Amen.
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Where Two or Three are Gathered
by Carol Solbrack 03.27.24
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“. . . and surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:20
Recently, I noticed the quilted wall hanging on my sewing room wall. The scripture verse on it is “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am with them." (Matthew 18:20) It brought me back to the worst week of my life in January 2000.
On January 2, 2000, I was diagnosed with colon cancer. As I was preparing to go to the Emergency Room for a colonoscopy, my mother phoned and said her heart was racing. We picked her up and all entered Rice Hospital. Mother turned out just fine; my report was not good, and surgery was needed.
Four days later, my daughter called and we found out our 2-month-old grandson was spitting up blood. The day after that, our other daughter, Cindy, called. Her father-in-law, Grandpa Doug, had suddenly died of a massive heart attack.
Meanwhile, my surgery was scheduled for January 8.
Our family had done much praying during those days. On that Monday morning our family, along with Pastor Dan Johnson, were gathered in my room. Everyone prayed for successful surgery, healing, and comfort. We felt the Lord's presence and the truth of the scripture there that morning. Jesus was very real.
Cindy said at one point, “I know God is in control, but I do not understand where His control is taking us.” We all mourned the loss of Doug but knew he was with the Lord, and we would reunite again one day. The University of Minnesota diagnosed baby Wesley with acid reflux, and he is now a healthy young man. My surgery was successful and I am cancer-free.
I made that wall quilt years before I experienced that troubled week. God’s word was true then, and it is true today.
Dear Jesus, thank you that you are with us always.
Help us remember your presence and gather in your name. Amen.
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Not a Coincidence
by Mike Buer 03.17.24
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside
your Father’s care. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29, 31
In April of 2001, I had my most memorable physical at ACMC. I’d been putting it off, but finally made the call, and my family physician suggested I have my PSA checked as a part of my lab tests. He explained that even though I was a little younger than the recommended age, it would be wise because of my medical history - my dad had passed away from prostate cancer.
The results of my PSA were not good; I needed a biopsy. Within a few days I met with a urologist at the clinic and he took many samples. Supposedly he numbed me, but it was very uncomfortable and I nearly passed out. A few days later we met again with the urologist and he told us that the biopsy showed that I had prostate cancer. Also, my Gleason numbers, which indicate the aggressiveness of the cancer, were high. I was shocked! I didn’t have any of the symptoms he’d asked me about. He admitted that he’d never had a patient with prostate cancer as young as me. He recommended surgery as soon as possible, but understood if I wanted to get a second opinion.
As I shared all this with my siblings, my sister Cindy said, “if you want a second opinion, we have a good friend from our church who is a urologist. I think the world of him. I can get you his number. His name is Dr. Beahrs.” When I talked to my sister Debbie, a surgical nurse at St. Paul Children’s Hospital, she mentioned her great respect for one of the urologists there. “I don’t personally know him, but I have worked with him in surgery. He is a highly skilled surgeon and has an incredible calming influence in the operating room. He is a Christian. His name is Dr. Randall Beahrs.” I thought, “This is not a coincidence!”
We met and consulted with Dr Beahrs and immediately felt a real peace, asking him to be my surgeon. On April 19, fifteen days after my biopsy, as I was being prepped for surgery, Dr Beahrs came into the room where Barb and several siblings were gathered. Everyone joined hands around my bed as Dr. Beahrs prayed. We knew that God had orchestrated this whole event!
My surgery and recovery went well. My cousins David and Steve and my brother-in-law Paul planted my corn that spring, but I was able to plant my soybeans. Two years after my surgery, my PSA started climbing. Dr. Beahrs put me on Lupron, a hormone therapy drug that stops the production of the testosterone which feeds prostate cancer. It worked famously for me! I’ve been on Lupron for 21 years and it has kept my PSA down.
After Dr. Beahrs retired, my new urologist, Dr. Polcari, couldn’t believe I had been on Lupron for so long! He explained that it’s rarely effective for more than ten years because the prostate cancer cells figure out how to reproduce without testosterone by that time. Lupron also has a side effect of causing osteoporosis, so he took me off it, but unfortunately my PSA started climbing. He suggested a PET scan with a dye that can find and light up prostate cancer cells. Those cells can be targeted with radiation and hopefully destroyed! I completed seven five-day weeks of radiation in the Spring of 2023. The protocol after radiation is two years of Lupron. So, the journey continues. And God is faithful and so good.
Thank You, Lord, that You notice and provide for every detail of our lives.
Help us to rest and trust in Your guidance in every situation. Amen.
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Punishment or Grace?
by Marlene Hovland 3.10.24
… a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. Psalm 51:17
In 1956 at our country school, I was a curious five-year-old. I’d been in the girls’ toilet at one end of the woodshed many times but wondered if the one on the boys’ end of the shed was different. A boy a couple of years older noted my curiosity and told me, “Have a look. Nobody’s in there.” But, to my dismay, there was a boy using the toilet! I felt betrayed by that boy and scared of the consequences. I knew I wasn’t supposed to peek in there.
News spread quickly on the playground and soon our stern teacher, Mrs Carlin, knew what I’d done, too. She tried to swat me as I was getting books from my under-desk cubby, but I scooted sideways. She missed and didn’t try again. I was anxious the rest of the day, dreading punishment from my parents when they found out.
After I walked the mile home with my siblings, I hid inside the almost empty corn crib, hoping to avoid a spanking from Dad. As suppertime approached, I reluctantly decided to face the consequences and went to the house. My parents gently scolded me, “Girls don’t go in boys’ toilets.” But there was no spanking from Dad.
As I’ve pondered this incident, I see that my father saw my remorse. Like our Heavenly Father, who recognizes a humble and repentant spirit, Dad also was quick to forgive.
Thank You, Heavenly Father, for your mercy and forgiveness. Grant us that contrite heart which You love to see. Amen.