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People of Uncommon: Scott Sandmeyer

The following post was submitted by Sandy Sandmeyer about her husband, Scott.

The person I know with uncommon faith is my husband, Scott. In 2006, my family became tired of listening to politics and compromises from the pulpit of a denominational church. We had been attending the same church for 20 years. I met and married Scott there, we baptized our son there, we were in leadership there. My mom and I sat down and made a short list of churches that we wanted to visit. One church that we both brought up was always busy, there were always cars there. It had something and we were curious. We were saved; actually 5 of us were, but not our 12 year old son, who got saved a year later. We needed something that would cater to youth, seniors, and us. We decided to go that that church first and 4 years later, were still there in leadership and very active.

This church taught from the Bible. We actually carry our Bibles to church every week. We attend church on Wednesday nights, too. We used to go Sunday nights until those services were cut back. This church has made us examine our relationship with Christ and we saw that it was severely lacking. More like visiting a relative once a year rather than a best friend communicating every day. I tell you this to set up what happened just over a year ago.

My husband, an honest, hardworking person, a person with great integrity, a good leader, was accused of something that was something he never did or said. He told his boss’ secretary about an incident that was occurring at the office and the secretary relayed the story to her boss wrong. She changed a word and it totally blew the incident out of proportion. My husband was disciplined so harshly, so severely. He was told to sign a document waiving his right to appeal the punishment, be demoted, and take a pay cut or he could be terminated and he could appeal the punishment with an attorney. He contacted a union representative for assistance and even they said that my husband had no recourse.

Through all of this, my husband, back in the Word because of our being in this new church and were being taught and feed well, immersed himself in the Word. He forgave the people involved. He was an encouragement to those of us that were still spinning from this injustice. And through this test, because that’s what this was to him, he and I were promoted as deacons in the church and we were called to lead a Sunday morning class for the newly saved. He feels that God is calling him to be prepared for a position in ministry and we’ll be starting school this January. His faith and his actions have drawn me closer in my relationship with Jesus. He has had the opportunity to minister to his coworkers. He’s lead coworkers in Bible study and brought them to church. He’s showing faithfulness with our finances and we’ve never even missed the money we lost in the demotion.

My husband could have taken this attack on his integrity personally and gotten wrapped up in himself and his sorrow. The old Scott would have done that. This could have wrecked our family. Instead, we are stronger. Our mission is slowly showing itself and we’re taking steps to prepare for our future in the ministry. Our 21 year marriage is stronger and better than it’s ever been. We have be so blessed by this episode; something so devastating, but God took and made beautiful.

_______________________

This is a post in a series of posts called, People of Uncommon. In this series, we’re honoring people that have made a difference in our lives and displayed uncommon faith. You can submit your person and story to me via email at JonathanFPearson@gmail.com

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Frustrated with God

Sometimes, I get frustrated with God.

Well, not really with God, more like frustrated with myself and the way I treat God.

I get down because I know I’m not where I need to be.
I’m not where I want to be.

I get mad because my life is still so much about me and so little about Him.
There’s more me in me than I’d like.

I get frustrated because it seems like no matter how hard I try, I can’t seem to get it right.
I continue to do the same stupid stuff again and again.

I get worried because I don’t seem to have those “God experiences” as often as I think I should.
I struggle at times to even spend time with Him.

I get anxious because I know that there is so much more for me to learn, so much more that God wants me to experience, so much more that I want to be doing.
I want to grow up much faster in my faith.

And then I read things like this from Paul…

Philippians 3:12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

I realize that I’m not alone.

I’m always a work in progress.
So are you.
So are your children.
So are your friends.
So is your spouse.
So is your Pastor.

No matter how far you feel like you are from where you need to be….
Or how frustrated you get with others because they don’t seem to be where they need to be….

Press On.

Desperately seek Him.
He will fill you.

More and More.

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Silence is Deadly

I was driving home last night with my radio up and windows down.
I don’t know what it was, but I had this thought…

I often turn up the volume to drown out the noise.

I think we all do.

We realize that if all is silent around us, there’s nothing to do but listen and reflect.

So, we turn up the noise around us so we won’t have to face reality,
so we won’t have to think about our faults.

We turn up the volume to drown out the voice of God and the noise of our convictions.

When all is quiet around me, I start to reflect on myself.
My short-comings.
My insecurities.
My mess ups.

So, last night I rolled the windows up and turned the radio down and listened to God.

Sometimes, we have to turn down the volume and allow God to help us see where we mess up.

Today, turn down the volume.

Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God;…

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Hi-Lights: Sun Stand Still

I just finished Sun Stand Still by Steven Furtick. Here are some of the things I highlighted as I read…

Accomplishing the impossible is all about seeing the invisible (pg. 23).

But audacious vision never cowers in the darkness. The darker it gets, the brighter our faith can shine. Audacious faith takes Jesus at his word. We are the light of the world: we cannot be hidden – and we have no reason to hide (pg. 26).

When you strip the biblical miracles of their spectacular special effects, a common plot point emerges: extraordinary moves of God begin with ordinary acts of obedience (pg.38).

The goal of faith isn’t to take away your fears but to leverage those fears to create bolder belief. Faith leads you past your fears and reassure you of God’s presence (pg. 56).

You will pay a tremendous price to operate in an audacious anointing. And the level of your impact will be directly proportional to the price you are willing to pay (pg. 68).

The God of the Bible can do whatever he pleases. And what pleases him is to show off his power for his glory and renown. So give him the opportunity. Dream God-worthy dreams. Pray faith-fueled prayers. live a life that can be explained only by the existence of a God who is infinitely great (pg. 84).

I’ve noticed that most of us don’t have a hard time believing that God’s grace is real-we just have a hard time believing that it’s really available to us (pg.108).

Where there is no opposition, there is no opportunity (pg. 119).

Prayer is the arena where our faith meets God’s abilities. And there is never going to be a moment when the audacity of our faith surpasses God’s capacity to respond (pg. 130).

Too many people forget the promise and forfeit the payoff because they faint in the process (pg. 165).

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Just Do It

I’m not sure what prompted this post.
I hardly ever post on the weekends.
I just have to tell someone reading this that you need to make your move.

Prayer is no longer your excuse for inactivity.
Do what God has been telling you to do.

You know it’s Him.
It aligns with His word.
He’s gifted you to do it.

Go!

Make the move.
Take the leap.
You don’t have to know the details, just take the first step.

The feeling isn’t going away.
God’s gonna get it done anyway.
Let Him do it through you.

I think we all get nervous when we step out on faith…

“What if it’s not Him speaking to me? ”
“What if I fail? ”
“What about MY plans? ”

FORGET IT.

OBEY GOD!

JUST DO IT!

02
Oct 2010
POSTED BY Jonathan Pearson
POSTED IN

Blog, Encouragement

DISCUSSION 5 Comments