There are certain milestones that I thought I would never experience in this life and on April 28th, Carolynn and I will get to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary! God has made the difference in my life and He has made the difference in my marriage. He has blessed my marriage beyond my wildest dreams and He continues to pour out His blessings on us.
I do not deserve to have a marriage like I do and a wife like I have. Because of God’s great grace, we are more in love with each other now more than any other time in our lives. God’s love continues to draw us closer to Him and as a result, He is drawing us closer to each other.
Our goal is to be more in love with each other the last day we see other more than any time in our marriage and because of Jesus Christ we are well on our way!
One of the reasons I am so in love with Carolynn is that I can the see God in and through her every day. She is one of the best examples of God’s grace, God’s nature, God’s attributes, and God’s love that she unconditionally pours out on me every day. I see God in her every day and because of that I get to experience God’s amazing love and favor on a daily basis that gets demonstrated to me through my wife. Jesus said this in John 15:12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. She does that so well!!
Carolynn also has an incredible gift of faith and prayer. I believe that prayer has made us what we are today. Couples that pray together, stay together and I must say that while we are passionately, romantically still in love, the most intimate thing we do on a daily basis is that we pray together. A day never passes by us without Carolynn leading the charge to pray and ask for God’s blessing, leading, favor, protection, wisdom, guidance and miracles to happen in our lives on a daily basis. I am excited to report that because God is still the same yesterday, today and forever, we live a life of miracles!!
The best miracle I have experienced is the miracle of my family being together, fully restored, healed and living for the Glory of God!!!
Be Blessed and Encouraged
Bill Rieser
Monday, April 27, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Repsonses to the Book
I am humbled and blessed to have some letters and notes about how the book has affected some poeple so far. Here is an example of one that was sent to me last week:
April 9, 2009
Dear Bill,
I just wanted to thank you for the copy of your new book – “white jesus!” It really honored me in that you would give me a copy and that you would take the time to even sign it with wonderful words of encouragement.
My heart ached as I began to read the story of your childhood experiences as well as the ray of hope for your future since God had given you some awesome talents that could take you to the heights of success. But what really inspired me was the openness and honesty as to where that success was leading you with such a humble spirit. Let’s face it – you could have become very angry with God for having allowed all these things to take place as well.
With the gentle, open words of humility your words really began to speak to my heart from pages 67-75 where you began to speak of prayer and faith using the scripture about throwing the mountains into the sea. I had always wondered what the “mountains” were in that verse and you gave clarity to that – addictions, bad habits, unforgiveness, fear, selfishness and pride. More pieces of the puzzle were coming together as I followed the 8 principle steps and could now recognize the character defects that need to be removed.
Then you moved into the area of unforgiveness. When you said “to be honest, I think I was trying to cut a deal with God: ‘please, through Your grace and understanding of my deep wounds, let me hang on to this bitterness’” I related 100%. The words that followed – “No, I’m sorry too that this happened to you, BUT YOU MUST FORGIVE” pushed me 100% over to God’s ways. It let me know that I wasn’t the only one who really struggled in this area – but in submitting to God in every area “is” well worth it.
Then, the very next page you talked about forgiving ourselves – “it’s not your fault – yes, you did commit sins – but now you are forgiven.” As Easter approaches I have cried out to God telling Him I just do not understand the significance of the cross – “God has forgiven us – choose to ‘believe’ what God has done for you is ‘true’ – and because it is true – you can extend to yourself that same forgiveness and the lifting of that guilt.”
As you can see there were areas of your book that God wanted to minister “truth” to me. Who knows how many others will be touched by the words on the pages of your book? I personally believe it is because of the “humbleness” of each and every word. The following pages are so inspiring; to see your “child like” faith escalate to new heights followed with fantastic signs and wonders. I’m not finished with your book yet – but know that this book holds a special place in my heart.
I thank our Lord Jesus Christ for a servant who is willing to become “like Him” – where the fruits of the spirit are most evident, to bring the good news to a hurting, dying world with truth and hope. May you always remain “obedient” to the things God wants to do in you and through you.
Respectfully,
Carol Braun
April 9, 2009
Dear Bill,
I just wanted to thank you for the copy of your new book – “white jesus!” It really honored me in that you would give me a copy and that you would take the time to even sign it with wonderful words of encouragement.
My heart ached as I began to read the story of your childhood experiences as well as the ray of hope for your future since God had given you some awesome talents that could take you to the heights of success. But what really inspired me was the openness and honesty as to where that success was leading you with such a humble spirit. Let’s face it – you could have become very angry with God for having allowed all these things to take place as well.
With the gentle, open words of humility your words really began to speak to my heart from pages 67-75 where you began to speak of prayer and faith using the scripture about throwing the mountains into the sea. I had always wondered what the “mountains” were in that verse and you gave clarity to that – addictions, bad habits, unforgiveness, fear, selfishness and pride. More pieces of the puzzle were coming together as I followed the 8 principle steps and could now recognize the character defects that need to be removed.
Then you moved into the area of unforgiveness. When you said “to be honest, I think I was trying to cut a deal with God: ‘please, through Your grace and understanding of my deep wounds, let me hang on to this bitterness’” I related 100%. The words that followed – “No, I’m sorry too that this happened to you, BUT YOU MUST FORGIVE” pushed me 100% over to God’s ways. It let me know that I wasn’t the only one who really struggled in this area – but in submitting to God in every area “is” well worth it.
Then, the very next page you talked about forgiving ourselves – “it’s not your fault – yes, you did commit sins – but now you are forgiven.” As Easter approaches I have cried out to God telling Him I just do not understand the significance of the cross – “God has forgiven us – choose to ‘believe’ what God has done for you is ‘true’ – and because it is true – you can extend to yourself that same forgiveness and the lifting of that guilt.”
As you can see there were areas of your book that God wanted to minister “truth” to me. Who knows how many others will be touched by the words on the pages of your book? I personally believe it is because of the “humbleness” of each and every word. The following pages are so inspiring; to see your “child like” faith escalate to new heights followed with fantastic signs and wonders. I’m not finished with your book yet – but know that this book holds a special place in my heart.
I thank our Lord Jesus Christ for a servant who is willing to become “like Him” – where the fruits of the spirit are most evident, to bring the good news to a hurting, dying world with truth and hope. May you always remain “obedient” to the things God wants to do in you and through you.
Respectfully,
Carol Braun
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
2 for 1 Tuesday
I was so blessed to speak at 2 different venues yesterday. I spoke at the Illinois Department of Corrections Volunteer Luncheon in Springfield at noon. Chaplins and wardens from numerous prisons in the state of Illinois were present. It was refreshing to encourage their volunteers. I then headed back home to Rockford where I had the opportunity to speak to over 100 teenagers at Rosecrance (a treatment center for drug and alcohol addiction) and was so enouraged by the hope I saw in their faces as I was speaking. There is nothing better than seeing HOPE in action!!!
Easter Weekend at Heartland
We has an awesome Easter weekend at Hearltand Community Church. It started with Good Friday services where nearly 4000 people were in attendance. We followed that up with a special Celebrate Recovery service and we had 18 first time decisions for Jesus Christ and over 100 recommitments!! God is so good!!!! Our weekend services had over 10,000 in attendance and Mike Breaux delivered one of the most powerful Easter sermons I have ever heard.
I am still blown away by the experience!!!
I am still blown away by the experience!!!
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