Inspire – November 23, 2020 – Goal

Do you have a goal for your life?

Honestly, I have sensed an urgency recently. An underlying deep sense of urgency. I don’t know why. Maybe it is my age or possibly God has laid something on my heart. An urgency to know my people know Jesus. I’ve been listening to teachings on the end times – and these are not the “scare-people-to-Jesus” kind of teachings. I cringe thinking of those and don’t like the scare tactics that are all too familiar in some Christian circles. Jesus didn’t scare anyone to follow Him. He simply asked people to, “Follow me.” He said it thirteen times in the Bible. The apostle Paul said, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ”. That is my goal – to do my part in leading my family, friends and loved ones to a saving knowledge of Jesus.

Life is generally hard and is getting harder with the restrictions, fears and concerns with Covid-19. I have been trying to discern what is God wants to teach me. It boils down to this – nothing is more important than knowing, loving and living for Him. If I am not living for Him, I am not living.

Friends, there is no more important decision you will ever make than the one to follow Jesus. You can own cars, homes, diamonds, guns, clothes, boats, trophies, stuff, stuff, and more stuff and it is meaningless without Jesus. I don’t know how much time I have left here on our beautiful planet earth. I don’t know how much time you have left either. I want to make the best use of my remaining time. I want to reach my goal of celebrating eternity in heaven with those I love in the presence of the One who loves us most. The One who gave His life for us. Jesus. The Name above all names.

And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

May our goal be to live in such a manner that anyone who comes near us will understand the only way to God is through Jesus and they will want to follow Him, too.

p.s. My pastor’s sermon at Cultivate Church was excellent this week about intentional family kingdom building. Click here to watch/listen.

Cheering you on!

Inspire – November 16, 2020 – Cancelled

What have you had to cancel during 2020 due to Covid-19?

Let’s see. So far these come to mind: church services, March Madness, family gatherings, birthday parties, vacations, girlfriend weekends, hair color and cut appointments, anniversary celebrations, funerals, weddings, in-person school, trick-or-treating, fireworks, fall festivals, art festivals, public pools, playgrounds, parades, movies, baby showers, wedding showers, theater presentations, homecoming activities, mission trips, nursing home and hospital visitation. Whew! I am getting sadder as I am typing this list.

We have cancelled so many normal activities of the year due to Covid-19. “Cancel” has become a normal part of life and I don’t like it one little bit. Being an Enneagram 7, cancelling ANYTHING is a punch in the gut to me.

There is one thing worth cancelling. Sin. Because of what Jesus has done for me, my sin is cancelled. Gone. Forever. Remembered no more. Cancelled. And I am grateful and thankful.

“He forgave us all our trespasses, having canceled the debt ascribed to us in the decrees that stood against us. He took it away, nailing it to the cross!” Colossians 2:13b-14

“Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away.” Acts 3:19

Has your sin been cancelled, too? It’s so simple that we often make it hard. We need to acknowledge our sin and with a contrite heart ask God to forgive us. No fancy, religious words are required. It can be as simple as, “God, I have sinned against You, my friends, my family and my co-workers. Forgive me and give me a new start. Cancel my sin, please. In Jesus’ name. Amen.” If we ask, He will cancel our sin. We become a new person.

May we seek to have anything that does not lead us to eternal life canceled.

Cheering you on!

Big changes for 2021

2020 has been a trying year for many businesses and families – a year no one anticipated. We have been blessed with many wonderful clients like you and have stayed extremely busy while navigating the challenges, changes and concerns related to the pandemic. We are thankful for God’s provision and protection and look forward to working on future projects with you.

Due to updated FAA regulations regarding airport runway approaches, tree lines, etc., the Fort Wayne Airport Authority has offered to purchase our office property with intentions of a full demolition. Therefore, we will be relocating around the end of June 2021. Many of our trees will be taken down in January and the office/house will be razed after we vacate the premises.

Our plan is to continue working remotely as we have been since the Covid virus hit in March 2020. (Thanks to email, cell phone, Zoom, FaceTime, and the internet). Our employees have been working from home just like many of you. It’s been different but we’ve made it work to the benefit of our clients and employees.

We have family in Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, and Litchfield Park (Arizona), and plan to split our time between these locations. We will be available for meetings (virtually) or at your office, a job site or other mutually agreeable location (by appointment).

Our office number 260-489-2810 will be phased out in 2021, so please use Phil’s cell phone 260-318-0926. phil@patroyer.com

If you have any questions, please call, text or email. Stay well!

“Virtually” yours,

Phil and Kathy Troyer

Inspire – November 9, 2020 – Rest

Are you in need of rest?

I admit it. I am.

I am tired. I am weary. I am burdened. I need rest. A little quiet. Less turmoil. Less bad news. Less fighting. Less sickness. Less loss.

And what verse came to mind while writing this??? Matthew 28:11 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” So what I really need is – more time with Jesus. He promises rest. And He doesn’t make promises He won’t keep.

That’s why my weekly post is short. So I can spend time with Jesus and rest and read His word and be quiet and listen for His voice and worship Him in song. What do you think? Do you need rest, too?

May we find our rest in Him – and then we can get back to loving others well.

Cheering you on!

Inspire – October 26, 2020 – Put

Is there anything or anyone you tend to put above God?

My family is my greatest earthly treasure. We have had awesome experiences. My family can bring oodles of joy and laughter. They can also bring sorrow and pain. We’ve shared deep, difficult hurts and disappointments.

Typically, I’ll say “yes” to their requests. I’ve put aside my desires or preferences to give them a break or to bless them – just because I love them. They are my precious gift from God.

My family is my first priority in sharing God’s love, mercy and grace. My desire is for every family member to be in heaven worshipping our Savior together. Hopefully, I am modeling God’s love with enough grace that they will choose to love and serve God and to put Him first in their lives.

Introspection is often required to determine if I am guilty of putting my family before God. They cannot become my god. They cannot take His rightful place. Yes, I love them like crazy – but – my first love is and must be God. If I love Him, then I can more correctly love them.

When our son-in-law was diagnosed with cancer in 2003, Phil and I had to make a gut-wrenching choice between going to serve in a foreign country for three weeks or driving to New York to be with him and our daughter. We wanted to rush to Syracuse but we prayed and agonized over our decision and felt like we were supposed to go to Guatemala. I cried the first three nights in Guatemala but eventually sensed God’s peace. One afternoon we called our daughter and she said God had met their needs. He had provided for them to go to the IU Simon Cancer Center in Indy which was a miracle in itself. God answered our prayers to take care of them in ways we never could. We put God’s request first and He did what only He could do – which was exactly what our son-in-law and daughter needed.

Please, please, please – don’t think for even a nano second that we have always put God first. We have blown it often – BUT – we’ve found that when we have put God first, everything thing else has fallen into place. I don’t understand how or why. I’m glad He is God and I am not.

So, the question for us on this Monday morning – – – who or what has first place in my life? I can bear witness that nothing else will matter until God is first. Oh, and life won’t automatically become rose petals, lollipops and easy peasy. In fact, in might become more difficult – but He gives a gift of peace that no one or nothing else can. If God is not first in your life, you can choose to do so right now. You won’t regret it. I haven’t.

“You shall have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3 NIV

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.“
Matthew 10:37 ESV

May we put God first. He is on the throne and He is our Heavenly Father – the King of all kings.

Cheering you on!

Inspire – October 19, 2020 – Weep

When was the last time you wept?

Crying comes easily for me. It doesn’t take much. Joyous occasions, sad events, fear, joy – all can prompt my tear ducts to gush. I have even cried because I’ve laughed so much. I have cried at the birth of every one of our children and grandchildren. I mean, how could I not?

Would you agree that crying is different than weeping? Weeping comes from deep within the soul. Weeping can even be tear-less.

Years ago, when I received word that our family friend had been killed in a tragic accident, I slumped to the floor weeping. A weeping that caused words to flee.

When I lost our tiny Katie Lynn at 21.5 weeks of the pregnancy in 1987, I wept in my doctor’s office until the tears would no longer come.

When my father-in-law, Arthur, and my sister-in-law, Paula, passed away, I wept for our loss and their gain.

When my grandkids reacted to difficult news about their dog, I wept.

When the weight of estrangement from a loved one sets forth to crush me, I weep.

Weeping is nothing to be ashamed of. Even our Savior wept. The shortest verse of the Bible – Jesus wept. John 11:35

Over the last eight months, I have wept for many reasons/people/events. Even as recently as last week, I wept when a dear friend disclosed her biopsy revealed cancer. I’ve written essays about tears and how they can be healing. Well, friends, maybe someone needs to hear it again – and maybe that someone is me. You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. Psalm 56:8.

May we weep for our divided country. May we weep for those who are separated from God. May we weep for broken families. May we weep for innocent babies. May we weep for the elderly. May we weep for the sick with COVID. May we weep with those with cancer. May we weep for the abused. May we weep for injustice. May we weep for evil people. May we weep for those who feel unloved. May we weep before our God who hears every cry and remembers every tear. May we weep knowing we are loved and joy WILL come.

…weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5b

Cheering you on!

Inspire – October 12, 2020 – Size

Does size really matter?

Ginormous houses. Huge SUVs. Large trucks. Multi-caret diamonds. Big hair. Plump lips. Longer vacations. More muscles. Super-sized meals. Why do we seek bigger, larger, more?

These words struck a chord while reading Psalm 33:16 in the Bible. “No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength.” What? Size doesn’t matter?

The shepherd boy David defeated the giant Goliath. Size didn’t matter. Joshua and his army defeated the enemy in Jericho. Size didn’t matter. Paul and Silas were freed from prison when their stocks were broken. Size didn’t matter. The stone was rolled away. Size didn’t matter.

Are you like me and to tend to think our country is safe because we have a mighty army, a strong Navy, a fearless Air Force, forceful Marines, a vigilant Coast Guard, as well as state and local police? Yes, we have thousands of men and women who work tirelessly and selflessly to protect the USA. I am grateful for each and every one (especially for my family members). Many have given the best years of their lives and many have given their entire lives for our blessed country. Yet, I don’t want to think for one skinny minute that our country is safe because of the sheer size of numbers protecting it. It is only the grace of God that allows us to live. God could wipe us out with a single breath.

May we not hold on to a false sense of security because of the size of our army. May we place our complete trust in God – who holds everything together for His good and His glory. With God, size doesn’t matter. He does.

Cheering you on!

Inspire – October 4, 2020 – Tough

What is the toughest situation you are facing?

Many in my inner circle are going through tough things. A mother battling several life-threatening issues. A husband who hasn’t spoken or been ambulatory for many months. A husband/wife team who have multiple health problems. Elderly parents in nursing facilities. Biopsies. Breast cancer. Leukemia. Radiation, chemo and surgery. Emergency room visits. Knee surgery. Loneliness. Covid. Death. Tough stuff. My prayer list continues to grow.

I’m blessed to have friends that care for and look out for one another. Some of those friendships have been forged because of the tough times. I choose to be grateful in the midst of the tough stuff.

Our God is still in control no matter what tough things we are facing. He allows us to experience hardships and tough times for reasons we often do not understand. One of the most important lessons we can learn during our difficulties is to trust in and lean on Him for everything. He is not just a crutch. He is our lifeline.

My friends, life can be tough – for brief moments or for lengthy periods. Our only hope is Him. He is with us. He will not leave us. Life is tough but He is tougher.

May we reach out to those who need an encouraging word, a loving hand, or even a hot cup of soup. May we trust in Him even in the tough times – when the rubber meets the road – when our faith is tried – when we are tested. May He find us faithful because He always is.

The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him. ~ Psalm 28:7

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. ~ Romans 15:4

Cheering you on!

Inspire – September 28, 2020 – Stirrer

Are you are stirrer?

Some people are really, really good stirrers. Some can stir up a mouth watering soup or a yummy cake batter. Some people like to stir up healthy debates and discussions. Some like to stir up trouble and turmoil.

We have an “extended Troyer family” text thread that is nuts. Some texts are ridiculously funny and others are just plain ridiculous. If you know any of my extended family, you will understand – ha! (And you can be sure I love every one of them). Recently, someone asked a controversial question and immediately left the text conversation. Another family member quickly added said person back into the conversation. They weren’t letting said person get away with stirring and leaving. Please understand – no one was mad – it was all in good fun and comical. In fact, my stomach hurt from laughing.

Do you know people who tend to stir up a hornet’s nest and then walk away to watch the ensuing buzzing and stinging? We know them. We have them in our circles. They can make life miserable. They are not the kind of people we want to spend time with for our own well-being.

Here are a few words from the Bible about stirring and stirrers.

A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. Proverbs 15:1

A man who is hot-tempered will stir up strife, but he who is slow to anger, he will calm contention. Proverbs 15:18

...for their hearts plan violence, and their words stir up trouble. Proverbs 24:2

Mockers stir up a city, but wise men turn away anger. Proverbs 29:8

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works” Hebrews 10:24

We have a choice, don’t we? We can choose to stir for encouragement or to stir for trouble. What kind of a stirrer would people say you are?

May we not be stirrers of trouble. May we stir up one another to love and do good.

Cheering you on!

Inspire – September 21, 2020 – Run

Do you run to or run from?

This past weekend was my annual Ball State University friends gathering. This year we included our husbands and stayed at one of my friend’s lake home. This friend and her husband invited us to go to church with them yesterday morning at a church they attend whenever they are at the lake. Their pastor said something that I immediately wrote down. “Do you run to God or run away from God”?

A young man was baptized during the service. His testimony was one of running away from God for many years. It wasn’t until he endured a variety of hardships that he realized he had no one else to run to but God. And run he did. He said his life is different now because of Jesus.

So, my sweet readers, do you run to or from God? I ran to Him in June of 1979 and my only regret is not running to Him sooner.

Here is my advice for myself and for anyone who will listen:

During COVID, run to God.
When you are hurting, run to God.
During the happy times, run to God.
If facing divorce, run to God.
Working through problems with children, run to God.
When you are scared, run to God.
During financial difficulties, run to God.
When estranged from a loved one, run to God.
With a polarized election in the near future, run to God.
Anytime – day or night – run to God.

“So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.“~ Psalm 6:18-19

May we run to God and not away from Him. May we experience His loving embrace EVEN if it feels like the world is falling apart and everything is going to hell. He is still King of the World. He is still in control. He has not left His throne. He is the only One who can rescue us. May we lock our arms and run together to Him.

Cheering you on!