Elisabet Kirkland

By Michael Hansen

Keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat at the right hand of the throne of God
(Hebrews 12:2, CSB)

There was a season in my life of unprecedented stress and anxiety, sparked by one phone call I should never have taken. It got so bad, at one point I ended up in the emergency room with my back tied up in knots, spasming in excruciating pain.

Through a series of choices we made and circumstances beyond our control, we had to foreclose on and leave a home we loved and file for bankruptcy, all within a few short months.

We lived not far from the house we left, and driving by it one day, a thought settled over me, one I couldn’t shake: I wasn’t built for this place. Nothing about it was mine to hold onto, and I was never meant to feel at ease here. Whatever peace I was looking for wasn’t going to come from getting comfortable in something this world could take away. I slowly began to feel a sense of peace because, while losing a home was painful and filing for bankruptcy was humiliating, God was lifting my heart higher.

And, while I was starting to see his beautiful promises in more detail, I also started noticing something about Jesus’ life. He never seemed rattled. Frazzled, upset, blindsided by something he didn’t see coming? Not once. In fact, I don’t think Jesus was ever surprised.

Why not?

Because he was living out a plan—His and His Father’s—one step at a time. Ellen G. White captures it in The Desire of Ages: “Before He came to earth, the plan lay out before Him, perfect in all its details. But as He walked among men, He was guided, step by step, by the Father’s will” (p. 147).

Guided step by step. Jesus wasn’t handed the whole itinerary at once. He learned the plan one day at a time, seeking His Father for just the next right detail. And doing His Father’s will, not knowing every outcome in advance, was the source of his peace. “My words are not my own,” He said, This message is from the Father who sent me (John 14:24). Obedience was His serenity. Purpose was His peace.

This kind of settledness is magnetic. People wanted to be near Him because He carried something most of us are starving for: a calm not dependent on circumstances lining up.

Someone might say, “Good for Jesus, but what about me? Is there a plan for me too?” I believe there is. Not a plan to save humanity; the work of saving us is already finished. This is a plan for your days. Every day of my life was recorded in your book, the psalmist writes. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed (Psalm 139:16).

I can’t tell you exactly how God holds it together with your freedom to choose. Scripture doesn’t fully resolve this tension, and I won’t pretend to either. What I do know: His plan for you is for your good, and walking away from it costs you something real.

This is where my peace has come from too, not certainty about tomorrow, but trust: today’s step is enough, and He is the one holding the rest.

If you’re white-knuckling your way through anxiety, wondering whether God actually has a plan for the mess you’re in, I’d love for you to join us. This article is just a glimpse into a three-part seminar I’m bringing to Littleton Seventh-day Adventist Church, September 11 and 12. I’ll share more of what I’ve learned, along with a simple daily tool I use to actually live into God’s plan instead of just believing it exists. CLICK HERE for more information on the program.

—Michael Hansen is a member of the Littleton Seventh-day Adventist Church. Photo by Canva.

Samantha Nelson – Farmington, New Mexico …  The Piñon Hills Seventh-day Adventist Church in Farmington, New Mexico, hosted a fundraiser dinner and auction on August 23 to help support the Aztec Seventh-day Adventist Church youth/young adult group the “Truth Seekers.”

Led by Steve Nelson, pastor for the Farmington District, the group has been meeting since April and is comprised of Adventists and non-Adventist youth from the community, ranging in age from 12 to 32. Arta Specht, group chef—who has prayed for years for a youth group to get started—volunteers to cook a delicious meal each week, while Yuly Gutierrez, youth group activity planner, helps coordinate activities before the Bible lessons, such as volleyball, kayaking, and more.

The Aztec Church voted in June to buy a 25-passenger shuttle bus so the youth could go on field trips. Originally, that would have been enough seats but now the group has grown so much there would not be enough seats if everyone were able to go. “What a great problem to have!” praised Samantha Nelson, wife and ministry partner of Pastor Steve Nelson. The youth and church members have been fundraising through garage sales to pay for the bus and the first field trip to the Grand Canyon on October 3-5.

“Piñon Hills Church offered to host a fundraising dinner and auction to help support the young people and it was an overwhelming success! Several people donated items from tasty treats to handmade pottery to custom-made cutting boards to a museum-quality painting,” remarked Samantha.

She continued, “Ana Foley made the delicious enchiladas, while Mirna Casaus, Yami Polanco, Yuly Gutierrez, Beryl Lopez, Dave Whitaker and Julie Romero (and others) made the rest of the delicious meal and desserts. Denise Whitaker and Jody Roy helped decorate for the dinner.”

Enough funds—$6,222.10—were raised to cover the cost of the Grand Canyon trip, as well as pay for the second third of the bus cost, leaving only one-third left to pay. The initial one-third of the bus cost was covered by a very generous donation made by some Piñon Hills Church members. Another Piñon Hills church member donated the cost of bus maintenance and service as well as putting the “Truth Seekers” logo on it. Community members have shown tremendous support for the young people.

The youth had a great time serving at the dinner and sharing about why they love to attend the weekly Bible studies. Samantha commented, “It’s great to see such widespread support from both churches for these precious young people.”

Dalilah Gutierrez, a group member, said, “I enjoy learning different ways to handle temptation, and knowing that I’m not the only one going through it. Each lesson we break it down and Pastor and his wife are giving amazing solutions along the way and that’s why I enjoy the youth group.”

Another group member, Isaiah Gonzales, shared, “I enjoy being part of my church youth program because it brings me closer to God while giving me a place to grow in my faith alongside other people. I also enjoy the friendships, activities, and opportunities to serve others and be a positive part of my church community.”

They will be learning more about biblical Creation and the Flood as they travel to and from the Grand Canyon in October. They wish to express their deepest gratitude to everyone who helped and supported them.

“Please keep our youth and young adults in prayer as they face a multitude of challenges in today’s world,” urged Samantha.

—Samantha Nelson writes from the Piñon Hills Seventh-Day Adventist Church where her husband is lead pastor of the Farmington District. Photos supplied.

Karrie Meyers – Highlands Ranch, Colorado … More than 90 Upper School students and staff from Mile High Academy (MHA) in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, traveled August 20-21 to Glacier View Ranch (GVR) in Ward, Colorado, for their annual school retreat, an event designed to build community and set the tone for the upcoming academic year.

Upon arrival on Thursday, students unpacked and gathered for lunch before starting the afternoon’s outdoor activities. The schedule featured team-building games, including capture the flag and a water-soaked sponge relay, where MHA principal RD Gallant and coach Michael Camacho doused the kids with water. The afternoon concluded with the annual “Capture the Mattress” competition, which ended with the Senior and Sophomore classes securing the victory.

“Capture the Mattress was very intense this year,” said Layten M., upper school student. “But it’s an event I’ll always look forward to at Retreat.”

“Capture the Mattress is always a classic MHA tradition, and the food was great, too,” agreed Senior Ryan W., reflecting on his final retreat. “Being my senior year, it really made me think about how much I’m going to miss hanging out with my friends, as well as seeing the underclassmen experience MHA community in a whole new environment outside of campus.”

Following dinner, the group gathered for an evening worship service led by Gerson Martinez, MHA chaplain and Upper School Bible teacher. Drawing from the biblical narrative of King David and Nathan, Martinez highlighted the value of strong relationships, encouraging students to recognize the importance of having a mentor while also striving to be a positive mentor to their peers.

On Friday morning, students completed breakfast and cabin clean-up before boarding the buses to return to the Mile High Academy campus.

“The annual retreat provides a foundational start to our academic year,” said Gallant. “Beyond the excitement of the activities, it offers our students an invaluable environment to cultivate meaningful friendships, build strong mentor relationships with faculty outside the traditional classroom, and connect spiritually as a group.”

—Karrie Meyers is the Mile High Academy marketing and development coordinator. Photos supplied.

Karrie Meyers – Highlands Ranch, Colorado … The senior class students from Mile High Academy (MHA) in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, returned Sunday, August 30, from its annual Senior Survival retreat at Glacier View Ranch (GVR) in Ward, Colorado. This special weekend not only allowed the students from the Senior class to focus on spiritual reflection and time in nature but also helped build class unity for their final year together.

Students left campus following classes on Friday, August 28. The retreat opened that evening with a vespers service followed by a special “Afterglow,” during which students gathered—due to fire restrictions—around a fake fire to share words of encouragement.

On Saturday, Scout Master Ryan guided the class on a three-mile trail hike through the camp property. Students also participated in a Saturday night game of Sardines, a camp-wide variation of hide-and-seek won by senior class member Yana. Throughout the weekend, students also enjoyed informal circle volleyball games and plenty of shared laughter.

Student chefs Roger and Chelsea oversaw kitchen operations for the group, preparing meals planned and supplied with assistance from MHA principal RD Gallant. The menu included Friday night Haystacks, a Sabbath breakfast of pancakes, hash browns, and eggs, a sandwich lunch, and a Sabbath supper of spaghetti served with garlic bread, which proved to be a crowd favorite.

When asked to describe the weekend, student chef Roger summed up the experience simply: “The retreat was amazing.”

Annual retreats like Senior Survival give the class students a chance to step away from campus and connect before the busy school year takes off, setting the tone for a memorable final year that will quickly lead to their senior class trip and graduation.

—Karrie Meyers is the Mile High Academy marketing and development coordinator. Photos supplied.