Friday, December 11, 2020

Nelson Newsletter - December 2020

 

“How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who announces peace and brings good news of happiness, who announces salvation, and says to Zion, “Your God reigns!” Isaiah 52:7

Dear Friends,

The angel announced the birth of Christ, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10 



Our world is in desperate need of this good news, and we have the honor of bringing it to them! Thank you for enabling Danelle and I to bring Christ the Lord to many this year through your gifts, prayers, and encouragement!



House Churches: In Atlanta we continue to meet outside as temperatures drop. We are thankful for the new folks (on the far right & left) who have joined us this fall. They have hearts to know Christ and make Him known. Their faith has encouraged us in the same way the faith of the Christians in Rome did for Paul, “When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.” Romans 1:12 NLT We thought your faith would be strengthened by reading Eric’s inspiring testimony (on the back). Eric and Sarah’s family are a vital part of our church.

The churches in St. Petersburg, Florida and Raleigh, North Carolina continue to faithfully follow the Lord even with various challenges. We long to be with them, but we stay in contact by phone until we can. Let’s all pray that 2021 allows more face to face contact!

Granddad’s Animal Adventures Recommendation: Our good friend Claire posted this on social media recently. “A great friend of ours wrote this book and we’ve so enjoyed reading it together.  It’s a collection of 18 short stories about Steve’s childhood adventures growing up in Appalachia with a small Bible truth woven in at the end of each one.  “I decided to sit down on a large rock. The rock moved! I jumped up, frightened and trying to understand what was going on.”😳!!! If you have kids or want to buy a gift for someone with children, I would highly recommend this book.  We read one at a time the kids consistently beg for another.” It is now 24 stories and is available in hardcover, as well as paperback and e-book. To purchase a few copies for your children, grandchildren, nephews, or nieces for Christmas gifts, please follow this link: https://tinyurl.com/y67ys3bx, or find it on Amazon.





Prayer & Praise

1. House Churches Pray we would continue building relationships with unbelievers - especially Jack @ LA Fitness and Lev in North Carolina, who is from Kazakhstan and has been here only 2 months. Both are reading Secure In An Insecure World! Pray for the churches in Raleigh and St. Pete to persevere in reaching unbelievers and encourage one another in the power of the Spirit, relying on God’s grace.

 

2. Granddad’s Animal Adventures Ask God to use Steve’s book to bring many children to know Jesus!

 

3. Family Ask God to give us quality time with our children & grandchildren over the holidays. We hope to have everyone together (outside!!) for Christmas! Pray for warm weather and our health.

 

4. Year-End Giving Please consider a special gift for our work in evangelism and discipleship. We understand it has been a financially stressful year for many of you, so please do not feel obligated, but your prayers are coveted and needed. Thank you so much to each of your who makes our work possible!

 

You can give electronically: https://reliant.org/steve.nelson or mail your gift to Reliant at the address below. If you have any questions about how to give, please contact us. steve.nelson@reliant.org

 

 

Thank you for your love, prayers, and support!

 

Steve & Danelle            

                                                               

 



                                      Steve, Julie, Rich, Eric & Sarah @ Hogpen Hill Climb (many years ago)

 

Eric Morris’ Testimony

  I can almost feel the desert sun on my back.  My mind goes back over miles and years to a place and time of peace. As a young man each mountain is full of promise and I run up hoping to catch a glimpse of the next peak in the distance.  The air is thin but cool and refreshes my lungs with the scent of pinon sap.  I think of God and the majesty of creation, just a dim reflection of His glory.  A small mule deer leaps into focus, surprising me even as he starts and freezes in the path, noticing me.  For an instant, our eyes lock and I see no fear, only understanding.  He sees a predator, lean and hungry - but he too is young and fast and knows that I will not catch him today.  I see a fellow animal, driven perpetually by unforgiving calculations of nature. Fight to eat, strive to reproduce, ultimately succumb to make room for those more exquisitely adapted to a changing world.  At one time, my own motivations were hardly more complex; I chased whatever I thought would satisfy me - knowledge, career, money, parties, women.  My selfish actions brought a mixture a failure and success, but also a grown sense of unease.  Where was the happiness that should come from getting what I want?  In a remote but insistent corner of my mind, the specter of my own mortality lurked.  Like the deer, one day I won't be fast enough.  What was the point of it all, anyway?  I had forgotten the god of my childhood - a remote and austere law bringer, who was primarily concerned with ruining half of every weekend and enforcing the world-famous Scots-Irish work ethic.

Thankfully, God had not forgotten me.  During my increasingly erratic behavior, He brought people of peace into my life.  The loud-mouthed track star from rural Georgia who would not stop talking about Jesus.  The pastor's daughter who convinced me to come to bible study (they were ordering pizza, after all).  The campus preacher and missionary, willing to be my friend and mentor despite my ambivalent brand of agnosticism.  The beautiful but elusive blond who once sold (scalped) me football tickets and would later become my wife.  As I spent more time in the orbit of this community of believers, I began to feel the presence of another person.  Although I could not see Him, my friends helped me understand that Jesus Christ wanted me to get to know Him too.  This was a hard concept for me to grasp.  How could a being who oversees the universe and everything in it, want to have a relationship with one man?  That seems like the epitome of bad management strategy.  There is a story in John 4 about Jesus talking with a woman who is filling up a water jug at the town well.  The woman is a foreigner and has lived a sinful life.  Jesus says "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst.  Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life".  This passage helped me understand Jesus's heart - he wants me to accept the free gift he is giving, which will not only redeem me from spiritual death, but also fulfill me completely.  I confessed my sins to God and asked Jesus to be my savior and king in my third year of college.

Like my jog in the New Mexico hills, my faith journey has not always been easy.  There have been times of questioning interspersed with times of peace.  I often feel most connected with God and pray most easily out in nature away from the concerns of day to day life.  He has been teaching me how faithful for nearly 20 years now.  Early in my life as a believer, I traveled to Ukraine with a group of friends on a two-week mission trip.  We taught English and shared stories from the bible in pairs, which was a daunting task for me due to a fear of public speaking.  My teaching partner was a younger sister in Christ.  When I saw how confidently she shared her faith with people from another culture (and mostly much older), I could see God working through her, and understood that if I put my faith in Him, I would be able to do the same.  I prayed constantly those two weeks, and God gave me the ability to share effectively and even make friends with some of our students.  My wife and I how now been married for 15 years and have 3 kids aged 8-12.  Being a husband and father is an awesome blessing in many ways, and a challenge to continue moving away from my selfish past.  God is using my family to help me mature in faith, since he is a perfect Father whose example I can strive to follow day to day.  The words of Paul in his letter to the Philippians encourage me: "And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns."              

                                                                    

 


                             

wwww.reliant.org 11002 Lake Hart Dr, Suite 100, Orlando, FL 32832    www.gcmnelson.com

Tuesday, November 17, 2020

Nelson Newsletter - November 2020

 

“But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went.” Acts 8:4

Dear fellow Americans, 

Recently we performed our sacred duty and exercised the privilege of self-governance by voting for those we wanted to represent us in government. We have so much to be grateful for as Americans - including the right to vote.

We enjoy many freedoms in America, including religious freedom. We have been free to gather with others to worship God without government control. On the other hand, Christians have been persecuted throughout history, with their rights being violated and, at times, even being killed. The early church suffered violent persecution for Christ as He warned, “You will be hated by all people because of My name.” Luke 21:17 How did they respond to persecution? Did they abandon their faith in God under threats of torture and prison? No, they stood strong, strengthened by the Holy Spirit. “You shall you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and as far as the remotest part of the earth.”  Acts 1:8 They stood together and continued their mission after being scattered they “preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went.” May we be inspired by their example, and by God’s love for us, to preach the Good News!

Atlanta House Church – We have been reading and discussing Fathered by God during our men’s meetings. John Eldridge’s book has stimulated our minds and hearts and the fellowship has been rich. We have had a new couple meeting with us this past month. I met the husband about 5 years ago when he came over to purchase honey. He was raised Jewish, but he asked Jesus to be his Lord and Savior 2 years ago! God answered our prayers! A lesson to learn: Relationships with unbelievers often take time to build trust, which is often essential to their trusting Christ as their Savior and Lord.


We are still meeting together outside. The cold weather will make things interesting. Time to be creative!




Regional Ministry Our Pastor’s Conference last month was on Zoom for the first time. We could all say, “2020 Zoomed By!” A year we will never forget! And we still have one more month. 😉 Some leaders chose to attend in person in Jacksonville, Florida. All our hearts connected through prayer, fellowship, and meaningful teaching. Pray for our churches to minister creatively to one another and unbelievers during this challenging times.  

Wilhelmina Good news! Our granddaughter’s latest bloodwork revealed no cancer! She is learning to use a prosthesis, even kicking the soccer ball. Beatrix, her four-month-old baby sister, has been cleared for adoption, which is scheduled for December! The extended family is rejoicing in God’s kindness!

Granddad’s Animal Adventures is now available in hardcover, as well as paperback and e-book. Children can learn valuable lessons about God's love, prayer, faith, friendships, how to handle failure, and more through Steve’s fun and bizarre adventures in God’s creation. You may want to purchase a few copies for your children, grandchildren, nephews, or nieces for Christmas gifts! If so, please follow this link: https://tinyurl.com/y67ys3bx or find it on Amazon.

  

Prayer & Praise

1. Atlanta House Church Pray we would continue building relationships with unbelievers and assimilate new Christians into our spiritual family.

 

2. Our Country Pray for revival in America…beginning with us – God’s church!

 

3. Grandparents Ask God to give us quality time with our children & grandchildren over the holidays.

 

4. Year-End Giving Please consider a special gift for our work in evangelism and discipleship. We understand it has been a financially stressful year for many of you, so please do not feel obligated, but your prayers are coveted and needed. Thank you so much to each of your who makes our work possible!

 

You can give electronically: https://reliant.org/steve.nelson or mail your gift to Reliant at the address below. If you have any questions about how to give, please contact us. steve.nelson@reliant.org

 

 

Thank you for your love, prayers, and support!

 

 

Steve & Danelle            






            
            

wwww.reliant.org 11002 Lake Hart Dr, Suite 100, Orlando, FL 32832    www.gcmnelson.com

                                                              

                                                 

                      


                                               

 

 

 

 

 

Monday, October 26, 2020

Nelson Newsletter - October 2020

 

“I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.”   1 Timothy 2:1-2

Dear Saints,

The presidential election is coming soon! There are a plethora of candidates running for national, state, and local offices as well. Some of you have already cast your ballets. Fantastic!

On the other hand, some of you are not planning to vote at all for various reasons – disappointment, anger, or apathy. I understand your frustration. But I urge you find out what each candidate has done in the past and plans to do if elected. Be informed on the issues and vote! Pray for all those in authority as Paul admonished Timothy in the verses above.

In America we have a unique privilege to elect people who represent our Christian values. We can stand up for religious liberty, the unborn, the family, and freedom of speech, among many others. We are Jesus Christ’s representatives! He said, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.” Let us be the light!

Your one vote does make a difference!  Believe it! More importantly, your one life can make a huge difference in someone’s eternity. Believe it! Act accordingly! Know that when Christ’s love motivates you to explain to someone how to have a relationship with God, it is the most important thing you can do for them. Do not let anything keep you on the sidelines when it comes to voting. Most importantly, when it comes to someone’s eternal destiny, be active in sharing the good news in word and deed.

                                                     Prayer           

1. Yourself Pray first for yourself to live a holy life to please God and to love others. “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me and lead me in the everlasting way.” Psalm 139:23-24                                                                                        

2. Your Church Pray for your fellow Christians to be strong and courageous, to be informed on the issues and to vote. Pray for revival in evangelism. Pray for strong marriages and families.                       

3. The Elections Ask God to help us elect people with His values. And pray we would continue to trust Him without fear, depression, or anger after the election - no matter who wins. Christ alone is our hope!!!                                                                                          

4. Evangelism Pray for the Holy Spirit to help us not be selfish but to boldly share the gospel instead. Pray for parents to their help their children to know the Lord and be powerful witnesses for Him.

 

Thank you for your prayers and support!

 

Steve & Danelle                                                                             

 

   
             
            

wwww.reliant.org 11002 Lake Hart Dr, Suite 100, Orlando, FL 32832    www.gcmnelson.com


Monday, September 28, 2020

Nelson Newsletter - September 2020

 

“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation but take courage; I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33

Dear Saints, the world has always been in opposition to God and His values. The times we live in are no different. We should not be surprised at the evil around us. We can be courageous and not fear because Christ lives in us! With God’s grace and His Spirit and your prayers, Danelle and I remain courageous in the battle to win souls. We pray that you will as well. Pray for revival in America - starting with us!

Training Children Our children are also under attack from the enemy. Parenting and grandparenting is an awesome opportunity to influence our children for eternity! Training children is much more than reading the Bible with them or taking them to church. How we live our lives as parents and grandparents has the greatest impact on these young people. In our churches we encourage the parents to be godly examples to their children of loving God and others. Children observe and they imitate our faith, conduct, and love. That is powerful and sobering. All of us need God’s grace to parent well.

                                                                        Morris Family - Atlanta House Church

Pray too for Danelle and I as we spend time with our grandchildren to have discernment and powerfully influence all 20 of them to have hearts for God. May they see Him and His love in us.

Regional Ministry Please pray for Danelle & me as we model, teach, and pray for our church families in Atlanta, Florida, Virginia, and North Carolina. We want to raise up more faithful disciples, starting with our own children, who will impact the world for Christ.                



                                                                 Granddad, Nathaniel, and Esther 

Prayer & Praise

1. Parents Pray for the parents in our churches to live courageous lives of genuine faith with their children. May they not fear the culture that seeks to control them.


2. Grandparents Ask God to empower Danelle and me to influence our grandchildren. I meet with Scott and his oldest son James each week to do a Discovery Bible study with personal application. It has been excellent. Pray for each child to love God, His Word, and others.


3. Children. Ask God to save the children in our churches & give them a growing relationship with Jesus. Pray for compassion for their non-Christian friends and courage to share Christ with them.


4. Health Pray for Danelle’s knee & my foot to heal. We miss walking and praying together. 

 

Thank you for your prayers and financial support!

 

Steve & Danelle                                                                 



            

           


                                       Grandchildren: Corabelle, Ellsworth, & Ezra Stansell

 

 

                             

wwww.reliant.org 11002 Lake Hart Dr. Suite 100, Orlando, FL 32832    www.gcmnelson.com

Friday, August 14, 2020

Nelson Newsletter - August 2020

 

Nelson newsletter

August 2020

“No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. John 15:15

Our Dear Friends, we are grateful for your friendship! Jesus told His disciples that they were now His friends because He made known everything He heard from His Father. We have been given this same intimate relationship with our Creator! Because we are friends with Christ, we can be true friends with others – like you! Now we want to make known to you a few things God has done recently, as well as a few upcoming events.

A Surprise Grandchild Matt and Amanda got a call that there was a newborn available for immediate adoption. They had been waiting almost 3 years to adopt, and suddenly they had this decision to make. Wilhelmina still had her last chemo treatment to complete, but they prayed and felt strongly that God wanted them to adopt the little girl. She has been a blessing to the entire family, being used by God to bring joy and healing. We are thankful that she will grow up in a loving, Christ-centered home!

More Family News The twins, which Grace and Ward have been fostering for a year, appear to be more likely to become part of their family after some recent events. Please continue to pray for the adoption. Ward has returned to work (another answer to prayer!) God also provided a job for Nathan after months of searching. Pray for his temporary job to become full-time.

Danelle and I enjoyed going to the beach with the Stansells.

                                                          (Ellsworth and Ezra feeding the sea gulls)

 Then we met Julie and her girls and the Shirley’s in Virginia. The Lord gave us many rich times together that we will treasure for years. 

                                             (Jasper, Emilia Dewey, Julie, Nathaniel, Malachi, & Isaac)

On Sunday we met with David and Stephanie’s house church. They are good folks who love the Lord Jesus! On Saturday, our grandson, Nathaniel, was baptized! A wonderful time.

(Reading to Nathaniel & Ester)

                                                            (David Baptizing his son Nathaniel)

Teaching The Bible To Chinese This Saturday, August 15th, at 9 am I will be speaking on “How To Hear From God” to the Chinese group on Zoom. Please pray for me to be filled with the Holy Spirit so that I will communicate clearly and with power, and for teachable hearts of the participants. Last week there were 900 people on the call.

Prayer & Praise

 

1. Family Needs Please intercede for Grace &Ward, Merry & Nathan, Matt & Amanda’s families.


2. Teaching Chinese Saturday. Ask God to use Steve to impart truth and inspire the listeners to have hearts for God – to hear from Him, obey His voice, and have a desire to bring others to Christ.

 

Thank you for your friendship in Christ!

 

Steve & Danelle   

 

                             

wwww.reliant.org 11002 Lake Hart Dr, Suite 100, Orlando, FL 32832    www.gcmnelson.com

Friday, July 3, 2020

Nelson Newsletter - July 2020


I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.  Galatians 2:20

Dear Beloved Of God,       
There is nothing more powerful than the love of God! The Son of God loved us and gave Himself for us on the cross! Fantastic! Now we can be set free from our sin and guilt and become His children. The only thing necessary is for us to repent (true sorrow for sin) and place our faith in Jesus. True Freedom!
Now that we know Him, we can live in Christ’s love! This is true security in a world that offers no true hope, love, or peace. Please enjoy reading how Jesus Christ has been living in and through us recently…
     
Atlanta House Church After months of Zoom meetings on Sunday mornings, we are now back together. Our church has been meeting in the Bearden’s carport and the park over the past month. It is so good to be able to sing and worship the Lord and pray together again. We have also been reading the letter to the Galatians, thus the verse quoted above about being crucified with Christ and living loved.  Please pray for us to grow deeper in Christ and continue to reach out to others with the good news of Jesus.   
  
                                     


Steve’s New Book  Granddad’s Animal Adventures, We are excited to announce that Steve’s new children’s book, is now available in paperback, as  well as an e-book on Kindle. I now contains 18 stories, after adding – Get Back On The Horse, 103 Fish, and A Hardheaded Owl.
If you wish to order a copy for your children or grandchildren, follow this link: https://tinyurl.com/y9kbp3hb. Enjoy the Adventures!    




New look for Secure In An Insecure World. We recently updated the cover and some of the inside photos. My daughter, Julie, and her girls, Jasper and Emilia Dewey, were extremely helpful in layout and design of both books. David, my son in law, also helped greatly with the layout of both books. Please check out the new look, and consider buying one for a single person. Use this link to order on Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/yahjvq2n




Prayer & Praise

1. Atlanta House Church Pray for God to motivate us to live crucified to ourselves and alive to Him, and to look for ways to love unbelievers.

2. Granddad’s Animal Adventures Ask God to use Steve’s book to bring children to know their Creator personally through Christ. Pray for folks to discover the book. It is available in paperback through Amazon here: https://tinyurl.com/y9kbp3hb  

3. Granddaughter Wilhelmina continues to count down her chemo treatments with #4 this week. Pray for her wounds to heal - as the chemo brings on regression. She could not receive treatment last week as her blood levels were down. Your prayers for her and her parents are powerful, effective, & needed!

4. The Twins Praise God, the father signed the adoption papers! Grace and Ward are waiting on their mother to do the same. Please pray that she would sign over her rights soon so that she can concentrate on living a healthy and productive life. Our family celebrated the twins’ first birthday last week.   

5. Danelle’s Knee Please pray for Danelle to remain hopeful as her knee heals more slowly than she would like. Pray for wisdom about exercise and diet to aid in her recovery.


Thank you for your effective prayers!
Steve & Danelle   

  


           
    (My Father’s Day gift from Danelle)













                             
wwww.reliant.org 11002 Lake Hart Dr, Suite 100, Orlando, FL 32832    www.gcmnelson.com