Todd Stahl Archives - Sherry Stahl

Todd Stahl

Nehemiah–Wash Behind Your Hears

Good Morning! In the past few months my computer has been in the shop a few times and it decided to crash again. I know from many of your emails that these Monday morning devotions are a boost to your week so even though I can’t access my devotions I’m still posting one. It’s the first devotion from my hubby’s book (Details below) and it’s really good! Be encouraged today as you read and no matter what happens…DON’T GIVE UP!!!

Nehemiah--Wash Behind Your Hears...

God holds me head and shoulders above all who try to pull me down…Already I’m singing God-songs; I’m making music to God.
—PSALM 27:6
Many times in my life, I have given too much thought to background noise. Those voices attempt to make you think aspects of your life are falling apart. You anticipate that the future will be a scary place, or the walls feel as if they’re pressing in on you like a vice. Do not allow those sounds to be played. God has provided courage and faith to confront your fear and anxiety.
Nehemiah, a mighty man in the Bible, encountered an excellent example of this dilemma. At a time when he could have been comfortable with his highly honored position of cupbearer for the king, God spoke to him, confirming that he would be the lead man to reconstruct the walls around the city of Jerusalem.
During the physical work, Nehemiah heard sounds of criticism, verbal attacks, and false accusations day in and day out. Nehemiah refused to listen. He kept his focus. Not only did he refuse to crumble to the background noise, he and his construction crew completed the job in record time!
Don’t be surprised if the devil starts heating up the adversity when you pursue a goal that God has confirmed in your heart. In your own life, scrub away those words or thoughts that have held you back from spiritual growth. Listen for the voice of encouragement. Open your spiritual ears to hear what God is saying to you today.
The enemy desires nothing better than to play the sounds of negativity, doubt, and confusion in our minds, hoping we’ll lose focus. These words are attempts to smother the dreams God placed in us to fulfill. Turn off the old playlist of doubt and fear. Download the new sounds God has given to you—lyrics of hope, anticipation, and excitement towards a future that is music to your hears!

Prayer

Father…Help me today to focus on You and Your plan for my life. Please help me to “tune in” to your station so I hear Your voice of encouragement and not the negative voice of the enemy as I move forward towards Your great purposes for my life! In Jesus Name…Amen.

Todd’s book, 40 Days In The Man Cave is available everywhere books are sold!
Check Out Todd’s Website http://www.toddstahl.ca

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Relax

(c) Todd Stahl Used with Permission

“And you? Go about your business without fretting or worrying. Relax. When it’s all over, you will be on your feet to receive your reward.”
Daniel 12:13 The Message

Sometimes when I read through Daniel and study about the end times I end up confused and a little afraid. OK, sometimes I get a lot afraid. I remember having to write a paper for my Eschatology (study of end times) course at Bible College. I got so worried over details of the end times that I went to my professor’s office completely stressed out. My profs message was very much like the words Eugene Peterson used in the message paraphrase of Daniel to convey God’s words to the church about the future…RELAX!

There are so many opportunities in life to let fear of the future envelop us in dread. It hinders our ability to move forward. Whenever we get into worrying or fretting God’s word has a steadying effect, if we read it and take it to heart.

So, RELAX! God’s Word promises you’re going to land on your feet and then He’s going to reward you for your faithfulness!

Prayer:

Father…Forgive me for worrying. It comes so naturally. Please apply Your supernatural peace into my life so I can RELAX, no matter what happens in my world. Steady me so I live life confidently knowing You will keep me standing and bless me! In Jesus Name…Amen.

Painting (c) Todd Stahl http://www.toddstahl.com

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Promises, Promises

“Know therefore that the LORD your God…is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.”
Deuteronomy 7:9 NIV
This is my fiftieth SOUL H2O devotional! I’m still considered a newbie to many bloggers, but I’m starting to feel like I have at least a few under my belt now. 50’s a pretty big number! We celebrate hitting the big 5-0, experiencing 50 years of marriage with the one you love and the milestone of 50 years in business. Leviticus 25:9-10 says,

“…sound the trumpet…Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty through the land to all its inhabitants…”

I felt like God was saying “sound the trumpet Sherry, this is the year of freedom for you, Todd, all your children and anyone who hears this!”
As you are reading this devotional, Todd is undergoing heart valve repair surgery. The hospital called on Friday and asked if he could come in for Monday morning at 6am. As we have gone through all the testing involved for the past few months fear would try to settle in, but God kept speaking peace, hope and His covenant promise to us that Todd would have a NEW HEART! All week God brought people into our paths that spoke about the future God has for us.
Driving out of town; enroute to the hospital, we talked about how good God is to encourage us so much with His promises when all of a sudden a rainbow appeared with the most vibrant spectrum of colors we’ve ever seen!

In Genesis 9 after the flood God made Noah and the whole world a covenant promise and confirmed it with a rainbow. So, what promise is God confirming to you as you look at this rainbow?
Prayer
Father, I thank-you that you are faithful to keep your covenant promises. Help me to believe and not waver in doubt as I move toward your purposes for me. In Jesus name…Amen.

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A NEW HEART and The Power of Three

Many of you have asked how Todd is doing. We’ve been going to the hospital a lot for appointments and more tests to check out Todd’s heart. They have bumped him up the list because of the severity of his situation even though by looking at him you wouldn’t know! Surgery is only a couple weeks away unless they get a cancellation and they’ll fit him in sooner.

NUMBER 1

This morning as we were leaving for work Todd went to the read one of the verses on the heart in the “Scripture Rolodex” I made up for him with Cue Cards bound together by a metal ring. He chose to speak Ezekiel 36:28 over his life today. “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you” (NIV). He said it with such confidence and we both made faith declarations about how God was going to give him a NEW HEART. God keeps using this phrase of a NEW HEART to speak life into Todd’s defective one. We both left with confidence as we kept this verse fresh in our minds throughout the day.

NUMBER 2

I receive via email a daily devotional from the Osteen’s and I often forward them to Todd; adding highlights or notes as it relates to us. Often God has used their devotionals to spur us on in our faith through overwhelming circumstances. Today’s devotional from Joel and Victoria was called “He Makes All Things New”! They quoted Revelations 21:5 that says “See! I make all things new” (AMP). The Osteens go on to say, “When God puts a dream in your heart, when He puts a promise on the inside, He deposits within you everything you need to accomplish that dream.” I printed it off and read to Todd after work as we began to drive to our trailer. We were so encouraged that God had again spoken to us that He was going to make all things NEW!

NUMBER 3

After driving for hours and stopping to eat we got back in the car. We were getting bored and Todd asked “Do you have any more of those CD’s?”. We’ve been listening to the Oasis Audio of the Real Life Real Miracles book. I popped in CD 4 and the first story was about a little girl that had heart problems. SEVERE heart problems. In the recounting of her miracle journey, her mother tells how the three year old had a dream where her heart broke and the angels cried because no one could fix it. She next told of how God stepped in and gave her a NEW HEART!!!! Yup she said it, a NEW HEART! Some people will call this all coincidences, but I choose to call them Godwinks! I remember watching Touched By An Angel and the angel Tess said “Coincidences are when God chooses to work anonymously”, or something like that! Todd and I turned off the CD and stopped to thank God for his promise to us! We know God is working out all things for Todd’s good! (Romans 8:28 paraphrased)
A NEW HEART confirmed by the power of three and a painting! Remember the HEART ART blog 🙂 The surgeon’s diagram this week confirmed that the bandaid is exactly where Todd’s mitral valve that needs repair is located!!!

We won’t be a bit surprised if Todd goes in for surgery and the doctor says he doesn’t need it! We will continue to pray and let God bring about the NEW HEART for Todd! We trust He knows which way will make the greatest impact for Him!
Hope you are encouraged to believe and hold on to UNWAVERING FAITH in our faithful God! Remember, He makes ALL things NEW!
In His Grip,
~Sherry
xoxo
Today’s Word Devotional Email, Joel & Victoria Osteen, September 11, 2014.
Garlow, James L and Wall, Keith. Real Life Real Miracles, Oasis Audio, CD 4. © 2012 Book Published by Bethany House Publishers.

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Music From The HEART ART Blog Post

Art Ache © Todd Stahl http://www.toddstahl.com
Last week I blogged about my husband Todd’s heart issues and some “Heart Art”. I was overwhelmed with the response. I want to thank so many of you for emailing, messaging, leaving comments on the blog or just letting us know that you would be praying for Todd. It truly meant so much.
If you’re a regular reader you will know that I love music and how much it speaks to me. Music can make an impact in ways that words can fall short of. Some of you sent MUSIC FROM THE HEART ART BLOG POST and we have been loving them all week long.
I’ve listed the links to the songs you’ve shared with us, who they’re sung by and a few of the lyrics. I want you to be as encouraged as we have been by this great music!

Steven Curtis Chapman’s Song, The Glorious Unfolding.

The words to this song are amazing and spoke to Todd and I in profound ways! Here are just a few of the lyrics to whet your appetite:

Don’t try to figure it out
Just listen to what I’m whispering to your heart

…this is going to be a glorious unfolding
Just you wait and see and you will be amazed
Check out this link for the song LYRICS    YOUTUBE OFFICIAL VIDEO
http://www.stevencurtischapman.com

In Jesus Name by Darlene Zschech.

I will live, I will not die
I will declare and life You high,
Christ revealed and I am healed
In Jesus’ Name

Check out this links for the song.   LYRICS    YOUTUBE VIDEO
  http://www.darlenezschech.com

When You Walk Into The Room by Bryan and Katie Torwalt.

My favorite lines in this song are:
When you walk into the room
Sickness starts to vanish
Every hopeless situation ceases to exist

Check out this links for the song.     LYRICS    VIDEO
Facebook for The Torwalts

Chris Tomlin , I Lift My Hands (Let Faith Arise)

Be Still, There is a healer.
His love is deeper than the sea
His mercy, it is unfailing
His arms are a fortress for the weak
Let faith arise…I lift my hands to believe again

Check out this links for the song.     LYRICS YOUTUBE VIDEO http://www.christomlin.com
Thank-you to Chrysta, Peggy, and Julie for sharing these songs with us! May God Bless You for sharing your MUSIC FROM THE HEART ART BLOG POST!
In His Grip,
~Sherry
xoxo

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Divorce and Remarriage

This past Sunday my pastor preached the best sermon I’ve ever heard on the subject of divorce and remarriage. He’s preaching a series called “Cow Tipping”. The analogy is tipping over things that are taboo to talk about in the church. I like how my pastor, Nathan Albrecht isn’t afraid of having an opinion, but he’s always making sure that it lines up with the Bible. He must study hard for his sermons as he gives so much historical detail that helps me and many others “get it” on a continual basis. Pastor Nathan isn’t afraid to hold up God’s ideal for marriage that should be our goal as Christians and yet present what he feels is God’s word on how to manage when our lives fall short of God’s ideal.
As a divorced and remarried person I have struggled hard with both these issues. I never in a million years saw myself ending up in either category! Neither did my wonderful husband. Both of us have experienced the heartwrenching pain of divorce but, thankfully we’re experiencing the wonder of love in our second marriage together.
I have never been one to try and make scripture fit my circumstance and really don’t like when people do. I want to know what the Bible says, even if it makes me uncomfortable! This sermon truly is the best Biblical message on the topic of divorce and remarriage that I’ve ever heard. Any sermons that I’ve heard in the past have only centred on one scripture that leaves divorced people like me, feeling like the woman in this cartoon below. We’re forced to drag around a ball and chain for all to see our past failure…especially when we go to church. All too often this is why divorced people avoid the church or stop going entirely.

When I was going through extreme marriage issues in my first marriage, we were seeing an amazing Christian counsellor who helped me not feel like the woman in the cartoon. He was very much against divorce and tried for years to help us not have to walk that road. As the years went on and divorce was inevitable, this counsellor brought to my attention other scriptures in the Bible that discuss divorce and remarriage. Ones other than the lone verse I had heard in church. Never before had I noticed these verses and I surely hadn’t understood them when I read them. God used these scriptures to help me understand His complete word on divorce and remarriage, yet never diminishing my belief in God’s ideal for marital relationships. Pastor Nathan used many of these scriptures in his message. It was the first time that I’ve heard from the pulpit a sermon that truly brought healing to my heart in this area. There was even one scripture at the end that I had never noticed before that Pastor Nathan quoted. It helped me understand God more and to learn that He “gets me” way more than I ever imagined. He really is a God who can sympathize with our sufferings. To understand, you just have to watch the sermon (Link Below). I hope you listen to the end because it will revolutionize the way you think about what the Bible has to say regarding divorce and remarriage. If you feel like the woman in the cartoon…you can be set free! Let your spirit drink in the truth of God’s Word as it drowns out the opinions of others!
FGT Church Sermon Video of Pastor Nathan Albrecht on “Divorce & Remarriage“
Check out the FGT Church Website For Other Great Sermons

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40 Days In The Man Cave

Can’t seem to find a ‘Mans Man’ Devotional?
Well search no more!
My husband Todd—the firefighter, author, artist and illustrator of WATER IN THE DESERT recently completed a NEW Men’s Daily Devotional.

40 DAYS IN THE MAN CAVE is scattered with humorous, interesting stories about the importance of men carving out a few minutes within their crazy schedules to spend time with God and ‘Crave The Cave’.

After years of searching the book shelves Todd feels God has placed in his heart the need for a “Man’s Man” devotional.

This is for the guy who wants to uncover more out of the bible without having to hand in his Man Card!
If this describes you, or someone you know, consider reading a pre-published copy.
We NEED your input before 40 days in the Man Cave hits the shelves!
7 guys will be chosen.. all we ask is..
- Email: toddstahlart@gmail.com Subject Line: Book Review
- Tell us why you want to be included for this selected group
- We will be happy to send you a manuscript and a small questionnaire to complete so we can receive your honest input.
- Simply fill out the questionnaire and email/mail it back to us so we can make the book even better!
For your time and assistance you will receive a signed copy upon publication!

http://WWW.TODDSTAHL.COM

SAMPLER

CLICK HERE TO READ A DEVOTIONAL SAMPLER

YOU WON’T BE DISAPPOINTED!

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