Guest Post by Grace Country Pastor
Good day TBP’ers. I received from a pastor friend of mine in the Austin area late last night some devastating news regarding a wonderful Christian couple, Tom and Tess Grotenrath. While the details are scant, it’s believed that an electrical fire started in their trailer home and quite literally burned it and everything in it to the ground, including their two beloved dogs. Absolutely horrible… They have nothing left except themselves, an acre of land, 2 old cars, their knowledge of eternal security and ultimate glorification in Christ. Cash, credit cards, clothes, important documents all burned. No homeowners insurance… 🙁
Since our God is not providing material things for people today, it is up to the body of Christ to come together in times like this to be the Lords hands and feet in order to get physical things done. We are here in His stead. These people really need some help and a gentleman named David Samuelson has organized a fundraiser to accomplish just that. Tommy is currently in the burn unit of his local hospital with severe burns to over 25% of his body. He’s undergone initial surgery with more to follow.
He will likely be unable to work for some time as Paul commands in 1 Thes 4:11-12… “And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.” Tess escaped physically unharmed and is staying with some friends until they can somehow get back on their feet. I cannot imagine how they must feel psychologically and emotionally at this moment. Praise be to God for the spiritual peace they do possess in the midst of such utter tragedy.
My family and our GCBC church family will do everything in our power to assist them. I’m requesting the same for any here that may be in a position to help by donating to their GoFundMe account. My daughter had a similar account last July when her young husband was killed in a motorcycle accident, leaving her to raise their baby girl on her own (with our help of course). I’d not seen such a fund in action but the response was a tremendous encouragement to her. You have my deepest appreciation for any help provided. It will surely be a much needed encouragement to Tom and Tess.
Romans 5:1-5… “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-tommy-and-tess-grotenrath-to-build-a-new-home
Wishing you all grace and peace, in Christ Jesus…
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Hopefully, charity runs deep in their (and your) community.
Good luck and blessing on the fundraiser!
I hope charity runs deep in TBP community. I for one donated.
Very sad news to hear, Pastor. Fires are so devastating.
You are doing a good thing, GCP.
You never know who the ripples touch.
Ted,
A similar thing happened to a couple at a church I attended for over 20 years.
We came together and actually built them another modest home.
I sent a donation…and will pray for them.
My God!!! Who is the ASSHOLE(!!!) voting down this and other posts in this thread???
I hope you rot in hell, you sonofabitch.
I think it is the phantom shitter as TS so cleverly called the random downvoter.
Pastor, I don’t generally tell when I’m donating and always do it anonymously, but I thought you would want to know your message has been heard and people are responding.
This is the type of donation I prefer to make because you’re directly helping the people who need it. I usually donate to help people in my local area (not corporate charities) who have needs similar to this situation. But thankfully, the Internet makes us aware of others who need the same help. I’ll send some prayers along with the donation.
By the way, I hope there’s enough left over in the fund after getting them back into shelter and clothed, medical bills, etc. to buy them another dog or two. Very sad their dogs were lost as well.
Spoken like a good South Cacalakiy lassie….Talkin’ bout market value…
Thanks for the video but as soon as they said it “ended in tears,” I couldn’t watch any more. I think I already know what happened and don’t want to watch it.
Dogs are better than humans….Damn nkit. So sorry for that family.
The dogs… 😢 I so know what you mean.
I like the way you think, VV!
Looks kinda off to a slow start but lots of a “a little” is a LOT.
Done my bit for now.
Perhaps GCP, if you would be so kind, give us an update in a week or two? Sometimes folks do not have cash to hand at the moment, some may just not get good intentions acted upon because life intrudes. (Been there, done that.) And some people will dip into their pockets again if the need is still there.
Thanks for your good work!
Da P
That’s a great suggestion, Perfessor. It’ll be a great reminder for us to go back and add more.
Thank you for making us aware of these dear saints’ pressing need. I, too, have been in that place where I’ve lost everything and just needed a helping hand to make a new start in life. Is there a way to mail a donation directly to their church instead of using GoFundMe?
I would like to contribute and it may sound petty, but I’m not a big fan of GoFundMe. I would like to mail in, or donate some other way.
I fell asleep thinking about what you wrote. Really.
Your comment is perhaps one of the oddest things I have ever heard a Christian say. And that’s saying a lot, and is not an exaggeration on my part.
This is not the time and place to argue about beliefs. So, please do not respond. Not today.
I do hope you bring it up again somewhere else some other time. I’d like to know more. Not kidding. I enjoy a Contrarian … and you fit that bill perfectly.
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Back in 1982 — I remember the year because I just got married — our small church also had a couple (we were good friends with them) who lost everything in an apartment fire.
My ex-wife and I didn’t want to give just cash. Nothing wrong with cash … except it’s a tad bit impersonal, we believed. We tried to think of something no one else might have considered.
So, we went out and bought a medicine cabinet and stocked it completely full with bandages, over the counter drugs (aspirin, alka seltzer, ointments), vitamins, and all kinds of other stuff … too much to even fit it all in. We literally walked up and down the aisle of the drug store picking and choosing stuff. They were absolutely giddy with appreciation.
Edited to add: I just remembered one item in particular they really liked. Toothpaste!! “Oh, how thoughtful!”, she said. They were brushing their teeth with baking soda … trying to save every penny (they had very little money) for more needed things. Funny thing when you lose literally every single thing you own — you realize and appreciate the smallest most inconsequential things you used to take for granted your entire life.
You got it Stucky.
As do I. I have a lot of personal examples to God’s provisions. Real tangible provisions.
GCP is a contrarian to the world and conforms to the Bible, rightly divided, which is how understanding is achieved.
That’s an amazing idea, Stucky.
Maybe if they purchase a refrigerator for them, they could add some basic foods to it, like milk, butter and eggs. Maybe buy them a bread box with a loaf of bread inside. You could go to town adding ideas like that.
And I’m actually going to use that idea in the future.
Thank you first of all to sir admin for posting this appeal at my request. You’ve helped these folks tremendously already!
Thank you TBP’ers for your generous hearts. I know you’re here and you are the reason this post exists.
2 Corinthians 9:7 KJB… “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”
The curse of the tithe is gone (compare the above with Mal 3:8-9) and grace giving abounds! It’ll be a long arduous road to recovery for both Tom and Tess but I promise their deep appreciation. We serve a God who has solved a far greater problem for each and every one of us! Our sin debt paid in full. It’s in situations such as these we capture the meaning of verses otherwise hard to comprehend.
2 Corinthians 12:9 KJB… “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
How can a person “glory” in infirmity? It sounds crazy. But it’s not about us or our particular situation. It’s about Him and the amazing grace it takes to provide everything necessary to forgive us completely (Col 2:13-15). Knowing that God has overcome the worst this evil world has to offer and while enduring the suffering (in this case, staggering); still being able to offer the gospel of Christ to a fellow traveler, the power of God unto salvation (Rom 1:16). Meet Tom and Tess y’all…
For those who are uncomfortable utilizing GoFundMe, Mike Mitchell (Austin area gcp) will receive checks made out to the Grotenrath’s directly. Kindly email me at gracecountrybiblechurch @ yahoo.com and I’ll provide the address.
Thank you again to one and all and as always, grace and peace, from God to you… 😊
Wish I could. Lost my job, again. No UI either. Almost got hired- the place had over 165 applications if that tells you what it’s like out there. There’s almost nothing I despise more than looking for a job. First you apply, then you get an email link to put all the stuff on your resume on their electronic system, then you get emailed a link to the skills assessment tests which about half are utterly bizarre and seem to have little to nothing to do with the job, then if you’re lucky you get a phone interview, then a zoom interview, then maybe a real interview, then maybe a second interview. Then you get an email that ‘we’ve chosen to go with another candidate’.
Kad,
That will be their loss and our gain as you post a tremendous amout of insightful links.
Very sorry to hear that and hope the situation remedies itself shortly.
KaD, I’m sorry to hear you lost your job and hope you’ll be able to find something soon.
The competition for jobs is tough right now. More demand than jobs. My son is experiencing this also as he looks for an internship for his upcoming summer break from college.
******* ATTENTION ALL TBP BIBLE SCHOLARS !! ********
” The Israel Antiquities Authority has announced the discovery of a new series of ancient fragments of biblical scrolls, found perfectly preserved in a cave in the Judean Desert nature reserve.
The original Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered over 70 years ago, and this latest treasure trove is being heralded as a “magnificent and rare” find by the authority, which released a video detailing the operation to recover the artefacts.”
More here …
https://www.rt.com/news/518215-new-dead-sea-scrolls-discovered/
In this age, I can only cringe when anticipating how they might be translated.
Wow, I never thought of that, but you’re right.