Seward, AK 2008: Finally reaching Pacific Ocean waters in southern Alaska prompts celebration right on the railway tracks! Such exemplifies the exploits of the insane Ling family (as today’s excerpt briefly attests).

Excerpts from Trent’s historical letters candidly and anonymously offer flavors and insights from real-time and real-life origins.  Hop aboard these instructions and confessions in mid-stream, below, and see if they help you, too.  This Letter from 2008 provides a snapshot update concerning Trent and his people.

From Trent Ling:

Hello All,

Time is always short, and we are not falling apart or falling away. Therefore, I am not usually compelled to send updates on the Ling Household since what we are and where we are is always made obvious by what we do.  James 2:18.  For those who struggle on email, I offer you the delightful seven verses in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22.  Read it.  It is deeper than we will ever know, and yet it is very short-winded!  I will be that way here, setting you an example and providing some information for you to grow into down the road.

In no particular order, here we go:

1.  I got a speeding ticket in Alaska for going a whopping 86 in a 55 ($300).  The only speed limit sign I saw up to that point was an in-town posted limit of 65.  We were in the middle of nowhere, two-lane road, requiring the passing of several cars at a time (who I guess knew the speed limit), en route to Canada (a 500-mile day with the last 150 being on a dirt road).  In a state more than twice the size of Texas, I wrongly figured the speed limit was commensurate.  I certainly didn’t set my cruise control to 86.  It was bump and grind, and at the bottom of a hill a friendly officer waited for the next clueless wonder–me.  We finished the next 1600 miles of the trip with renewed understanding and without incident.  1 Corinthians 4:4.

2.  Yesterday, while reconstituting the Trinity House, I watched the Governor Palin VP announcement on Fox News Channel and CNN.  There is nothing wrong with this, but I always account when some channel other than CNBC is viewed by me in the Trinity House.  Ephesians 5:8.  The Trinity House has been excellently re-built.  It is a testament to the decisiveness I exercise in Christ and to Siauw’s help to me.  Its uses are set to expand as was envisioned upon its purchase three years ago.  Some will get their first glimpse on September 16.  1 Corinthians7:31.

3.  I spent 10 nights with my parents in their Pasco house.  They were gracious and easygoing hosts as usual.  Pasco is my hometown and is always a wonderful and relaxing and spiritually compelling time and place for me.  John 20:10.  This summer was no exception!

4.  I am letting various matters play out that all may be spiritually exercised, instructed, edified and humbled.  I appeal to all to go all the way with matters they touch (preached message, “Bring the Boy to Me,” available upon request) and work it out with fear and trembling.  Philippians 2:12.  Ultimately, at the right time, I do address with the sword matters that require, or would benefit from, my attention.  These are largely scantily reported in ministry notes, but are always proclaimed in the presence of many witnesses.  Those who are not there could always ask the instructed for a fuller account.

5.  My son has started 9th grade.  He is running Cross Country again and has a 2-hour practice 5-6 times per week.  Like me, he is spiritually built and called to be run hard in every way, so amen.  He is maturing in every way before our eyes and he remains what I have always called him, “The Best.”  There is no one like him and he is set apart and completely not conformed to the pattern of this world.  He remains young and inexperienced, as was Solomon.  1 Chronicles 29:1.  I am the one who has been fighting and largely winning spiritual wars for 18 years, and he is the youthful beneficiary.  His youth and inexperience is always concerning to Siauw and me, but we realize that it is a season that will pass and will greatly bolster and enrich his later life.  2 Chronicles 1:7-13.

6.  My daughter has started 7th grade.  She wanted to play on the volleyball team, but her severe ankle injury upon our return from Indonesia left her unable to go to her scheduled camp when we were back in town.  Her private lessons were insufficient upon our return from Alaska.  She is okay with not being on the team; she has plenty to do, all of which is extremely enriching and edifying beyond measure.  She remains a very expensive girl to befriend (but so is Jesus).  She is sharp, observant, unabashed, secure and fully free.  Siauw has often appealed to me to get her to be nicer and more respectful.  But, she’ll be a complete person upon brokenness, and at this point I am grateful that phoniness doesn’t exist at all in our house.  John 1:47.  What she offers is worth any price.  There is certainly no one like her.  Over the years, even as a little 4-foot girl, she has challenged, offended, and moved our evangelists and many others.  She has great and unique heart for the down and out; but she is tough on the up and in, while demolishing the crooked and the willfully stupid.  God does all of this too, by the way.  As is the case with our son, the only thing missing in her is a surrender to the Bible from a brokenness over the truth, which will clean-up any and all details.

7.  I see and spiritually examine people all over the world and at home in Orlando.  I long for their souls to be satisfied.  I know their chances lie with us becoming a public ministry.  I do not minister as I used to minister (one person at a time).  As our time approaches, we will minister to the full extent the Bible allows and the truth will rain down as God intended.  John 4:23, John 7:6-9, Isaiah 55:10-11.

8.  In my mind over the past four years or so, I have considered, “Who would be the ones to help Siauw and the kids in my imaginable absence.”  I now believe this role falls to Za, and I look forward to building him up to it and him continuing to grow into what he has already been provided.

9.  I am saturated in enrichment in every way, every day, and without limit!  John 3:34.  There is nothing I do, plan, or say that isn’t dripping with Christ.  Colossians 3:3-4.  How I wish I could gather you all (and others, too) to such a gig!  Matthew 23:37.  In this, my life has already been and will always be John 21:25.  It is supposed to be that way in Christ, but YOU (preached message “I See YOU!”) are in the way of that for you and yours.  I realize my severe limitations in being able to deliver you to this without your sincere, eager, and persevering participation.  John 6:66 and 1 Corinthians 10:16.

10.  From their own training and observations, my kids are always keenly aware of the spiritual state of those within the ministry family.  They are never coached or forced in their relations with you or yours.  If you have a question of them, please feel free to ask them as they are of age.  Much of what they would have to say, they are shrewd enough not to say to you now.  They will say it when tempered by greater understanding, the Holy Spirit, and Scriptural footing.  At this point, it is raw and indigestible (though absolutely true), and leaves people fending for themselves, which usually resembles an unnecessary sausage factory.  However, the spiritual power and favor in our house is more than enough to secure their complete submission to the truth even now in their everyday lives.  This is always the case via John 10:4, over which Satan has no power or plan.  They merely need to grow, though I know them being free as I am free is disconcerting to many often, and to all at some point.

There are many Scriptures referenced in this letter that you don’t know.  Look them up.  There are some words used in this letter that you don’t understand.  Look them up.  It is always time to learn something and know something.  Romans 13:11.

Enjoy your 5th Saturday.

Love you all