Mrs. Clement's Story

Yesterday the news was released (sounds dramatic!) that I was going to be leaving the retirement community where I work.

I have received so many affirming emails, personal words of encouragment, hugs, tears...lots of expressions of God's love over the last few days. It has been awesome.

I wanted to specifically write about Mrs. Clements (I'll use a different name, for her privacy)....a resident that lives in our community.

As I was walking back to my office yesterday, Mrs. Clements stopped me to tell me she received my letter about my resignation and the reasons I was leaving related to the fact that I was feeling led to pursue full-time ministry.

Mrs. Clements (in her 80's), looked at me with sad, regretful eyes and said, "My husband wanted to be in the ministry........and you know what?..............................I stopped him."

Woah. It was one of those powerful moments (like many others I've had over the years with the residents), that was really significant. She proceeded to tell me that her husband had done many things for the Lord when he was alive, but that because of her fears...fear of not having money, fear of not knowing how they could make ends meet, fear of the unknown...she stopped him from pursuing what the Lord had pursued him about. He had wanted to become a Pastor. She hugged me and told me how happy she was for us, and she knew that the Lord would honor us and take care of us as we continue to pursue Him.

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"Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from the guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." Messianic Jews (Hebrews) 10:22-23

"Now" is the Time...

God has been doing some pretty cool stuff in our lives lately. Kind of shady, upside-down stuff...but the kind of stuff that you know only He is behind...

Basically here's everything in a nutshell:

Let's go back a loooong time ago. (o.k., not that long ago since I'm only 31).

I grew up thinking at some point in my life I would be involved in ministry. I wasn't sure how that would look, but I was passionate about the Lord and knew He would show me the way.

Life happened and the distractions of the eye became more pleasing to me than looking into Jesus's eyes. Every decision we make is significant. As far as my career choice, I took the road more often traveled...or maybe not? Nursing home work-here I come!!! (At least it wasn't ministry)?!?

I majored in long-term health care in college, and after graduating in late 2001, I have managed communities full of elderly people with amazing stories. God has blessed the work of my hands in these homes.

Throughout the course of the years the Lord has given me many opportunities to minister His heart not only to the residents in the communites, but also to the employees...some of whom have had very tough lives.

There have been ups and downs along the way, but the down times have taught me how to be a better leader, and often times how to overcome evil with love. (And it has won every time).

Fast forward a bit: (is that even a relevant term anymore since we don't have audio cassettes or video tapes and no one fast forwards anything)?

I am now at the highest point in my 7 year career as a licensed Administrator---I am the Executive Director over a 27-acre multi-leveled campus...........and...........God has told me-"I want you to use your gifts and talents in a different way. You have only been using them at their half potential. I want more for you...and for others, through you."

"But Lord---how can this be? We have talked about this before. It's too late. I made this decision a long time ago. I love you and my heart has been reconciled to your's for years...but I have a family now. A baby who has just barely been out of the hospital. A wife who sort of likes getting her hair done regularly. I have a degree in healthcare, not theology. I have a mortgage...cars...things...things...things......................"

"I know all of this. Don't you remember? I formed you. I know everything about you. I know everything that has happened to you in your life...everything...the good stuff and the bad. It wasn't all my original plan, but I have (and am) using it for good! Trust me. Close your physical eyes. Don't look at the ground. You'll fall. There's stuff all around you...you'll trip and fall! Don't look down. Look UP! Lift your eyes to the hills! That's where I Am! On top of the hills...and I am calling YOU!"

So---I've realized that in my imperfection and mere human-ness, God is still wanting to increase Himself...through me. How humbling is that??? How awesome is that!!!

I am most humbled and thankful for Rachel, who has said, "Whatever God wants...we'll do. Full-time ministry? We'll do it. Our relationship with Him and our family is the most important thing we have. I will follow you..."

So, I have given my 30-day resignation to my employer, who has graciously allowed me to work out my notice. I have almost completed my application to Christ for the Nations (down the street from my current employer), because that is where God told me we were supposed to go. I don't have a job lined up after mid-November, we have to sell or lease our house by January 5th, and we won't talk about money in our savings account! All are reasons to look at the ground.

But the voice of the Lord keeps saying..."Look up!"

We are in uncharted territory right now, but if I am confident of anything, it is that the Living God looks at our hearts...which He created...and He knows them. I am confident that He is proud of us and cheering us on, shouting "Go for it!!! I'm right there with you!!! I will bless you!!! This is about ME! This is about what I AM doing! Prepare the way! Prepare the way for my SON!!!"

"I, Yeshua, have sent my angel to give you this testiomony for the Messianic communities. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star. The Spirit and the Bride say, 'Come!' Let anyone who hears say, 'Come!' And let anyone who is thirsty come---let anyone who wishes, take the water of life free of charge."

Revelation 22:16-17

Why "Mila Eighteen"?

"Mila 18" was the headquarters bunker (actually shelter) of Jewish resistance fighters in the Warsaw Ghetto in Poland during World War 2. It was located below the ground---underneath a building at ulica Mila 18.

The bunker was a safe place for many Jewish men, women, and children from the atrocities occuring just above the ground. It was also a place to strategize and prepare for combat. On May 8th, 1943, three weeks after the start of the Uprising, when the bunker was attacked by the Nazis, there were 300 courageous souls inside. Some surrendered, but many stood firm. German and Ukrainian troops threw tear gas into the bunker to force the occupants out. Many were murdered, but many refused to surrender.

I chose the name "Mila Eighteen" as the title of my blog because I wanted to emphasize a few things: First, the importance of having a safe place...a bunker...to commune with the God of Israel, the Holy Spirit, and Yeshua (Jesus)...the Lamb of God. Second, because I want to be a resistance fighter.

I want to fight for my wife and children, take a stand for holiness in the midst of darkness, refuse to compromise the Word of God, share His love with the un-lovely (all of us humans), and live a life of worship before the Lord. I want to be a warrior. Why should I be anything less? I have Him, in me. He is my Mila 18...

"...the only safe place is in the center of the flame..."

(lyrics from one of my favorite Misty Edwards songs)