What do we have in common?

‘Common Paths,’ a new book by Patty Bultman

By Patty Bultman

It all begins in the first book of the Peace House series, Common Threads. A mysterious box. Hidden secrets. Painful pasts. In a small town, in the heart of the Bible belt, things are not as they seem. Judging by outward appearances, Ruthie, Abigail and Mimsey are nothing alike. But when the trio stumbles upon a box of money and letters, they unite, determined to find the owner. As the women investigate, they begin to see the Common Threads tying them together- hope, faith, and the incredible grace of their Savior. Common Threads is the first book I authored.

Common Paths is now available. Common Paths, the second book of the Peace House series in fiction form, the story of the three unlikely friends continues. This book shares many stories that give the reader more insight into what goes on at the Peace House. Many of the situations and people in the book are actual events and persons, names and details have been changed to protect those involved. Since Common Threads was published the Peace house now has a home, a beautiful home in Hugoton, Kansas completely devoted to sharing God’s love, in many ways. It is a home, a retreat center, a place for Bible studies, a classroom for life skills and a place to counsel with those in need. It is a healing place for many; we open it for retreats to small groups looking for a deeper relationship with Jesus and it is a place for emotional healing. It is a beautiful place furnished completely by donated funds and items, and run by volunteers. It is a place to retreat while surrounded by beauty and peace while being served delicious meals, and best of all, lavished with the love of Jesus.

As Peace House continues to be an active place for all who desire to live a life pleasing to the Lord, I’ve written some of the most memorable stories, sure to make you laugh and shed a tear. As life continues to happen, Common Paths includes much more of my own story. Common Paths leads the reader through the emotional turmoil of suicide, death, and heartbreak. But the readers are not left without the promise of HOPE! The truth of God’s unshakeable love and peace and a joy that surpasses all earthly understanding, is brought to light, giving hope to all. Common Paths is sure to touch your heart and show you the amazing love of the Lord as He changes lives and shows the plan He has for each of the characters is good!

As Peace House comes to life in the hearts of the reader, it has come to be an important part of my life. It has become my healing place. My heart was completely shattered as I learned of the suicidal death of my 14 year old grandson, Dominic. This book has taken a deep soul searching and gut wrenching act of obedience to re-live the tragedy long enough to write it. I had to make a decision to get better or bitter, in this difficult season of my life. I knew without a doubt that God wanted me to share Dominic’s story in this book. To get better could only happen with the grace and mercy of God and the amazing comfort of the Holy Spirit. I did not want to write this book, but again, as the first book, I was only doing so as an act of obedience to the Lord. Surviving suicide became my focus; for me and to help my family surrounding me. Many of us in the family and friends circle, think ‘if I had done… or said… or whatever, maybe Dominic would not have felt the pain of hopelessness. We won’t understand until we see him in again when we reach our eternal home, Heaven. We won’t even think about it at that point we will rejoice as see Jesus face to face. We will also rejoice as we see Dominic. I longingly wait for the Lord to give me that gift.

Watching my son bury his son was so incredibly painful. I hope to never experience pain so deep again. I pray that those who will experience this deep pain, because of the evil in this world, be comforted as I was. God sends the Holy Spirit to be with us. I know I could not have gotten through this without that amazing love, peace and hope. My joy has been restored; only possible with the loving God I serve.

Suicide:

I have discovered in research through the cdc.gov web site that every 17 minutes another precious person takes their own life. An average of 105 people die every day through the act of suicide, that is approximately 38,325 people a year. Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death among persons 15-24. It is the 3rd leading cause of death among those 25-34 and 4th leading cause of death in those 35-54. So many are burying their loved ones and experiencing a pain too much to bear without the love and comfort that comes from the Lord, our God and creator.

How do we stop these tragic events? Almost 500,000 people with self-inflicted injuries are in our US emergency rooms every year, with that number on the rise. I find it tragic that many who come to the Peace House for help have experienced hopelessness at one point and have tried to take their own lives. Many tears are shed from disappointments in life, the loss of loved ones, guilt, shame, fear, lack of forgiveness, and hopelessness. Fighting back the tears doesn’t work; I have cried oceans of them. But I have discovered an acronym T E A R (S), and if I prayed and acted on it, it would help me to mourn and move forward, only possible with the help of our awesome God.

T- To accept the reality of the loss.

E- Experience the pain of the loss.

A-Adjust to the new environment without the lost person.

R- Reinvest in the new reality.

And one I added:

S- Share your love and the healing from your loss with those who have experienced deep pain. You will sing and dance-again, with praise to the Lord Jesus Christ. If you choose to get better and not bitter. Ecclesiastes 3:4 says it beautifully; A time to weep and a time to laugh. A time to mourn and a time to dance. NIV

I am the founder and President of Peace House Ministries and a certified Christian counselor. Our mission is to love the lost and teach the saved. In John 13:34 Jesus commanded, “love one another”. Peace House Ministries is an active and growing ministry in Hugoton, KS that tries to love like Jesus did. To love and give hope to everyone we come into contact with, especially those who feel unloved and undeserving of the love of Jesus. Every Christian is obligated to extend God’s mercy to those who need to experience the forgiving love of Jesus Christ and the transforming work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Just as we have been shown mercy by God, so must we show mercy to others. Just as Christ came to us and acted on our behalf, so must we go to those in need and actively intervene on their behalf.

When we go through a painful situation we must apply the wisdom gained from the Word of God. The pain is still in my heart but I am healing more very day, I am filled with hope and all joy and peace as I trust the love of my Heavenly Father!

Let us consider how we can stir up one another to love. Let us help one another to do good works. Let us not give up meeting together. Some are in the habit of doing this. Instead, let us cheer each other up with words of hope. Let us do it all the more as we see the day coming when Christ will return. Hebrews 19:24-25 NIRV

My challenge

• Do you care for those who feel hopeless today?

• Will you love one another?

Will you love ALL who God brings into your life; your family, friends, enemies, the homeless, the sinners, the do-gooders, the addicts, the homosexuals, the prostitutes, the rude, the liars, the illegal immigrants and their children, the Muslims, the religious leaders, the poor, the outcasts?

The answers for the prevention goal:

1. Pray, for more love. Love like Jesus loved.

2. Read God’s word daily to find your instructions and listen and act.

3. Be obedient; God doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called.

4. Commit to help spread the good news of hope and the truth in the Bible.

5. Promote opportunities and settings to strengthen connections among people, families and communities.

As I close it is my prayer that the Holy Spirit has stirred in you a love and a mission to give love and hope to the hopeless. The books and eBooks are available from Amazon, Barnes and Noble and from me, Patty Bultman. Contact me through our web site at www. peacehouseministries.com or email me at patty@peacehouseministries.com. I would be happy to share my story and what is happening at the Peace House with your group. I would also be willing to pray with you and offer you Godly counsel. I pray that if you read Common Threads and /or Common Paths you will experience Romans 15:13. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.