A Heart Stirred for Fellowship

“There’s a book in you,” I was told one day as I traveled across Ireland with a diverse team of ministers…. My thoughts: “Why couldn’t it be like this more often? Fellowship among like believers, and all of us having just witnessed God doing great restorative work in Ireland.” My love for God’s people began to take on a greater depth.

This book was written as a result of the word spoken in Ireland, to a man who loved and sought God with all his heart while here in this earthly realm. Now he continues to love and spend time with his Creator in the Heavenlies.

God stirred his heart for fellowship here, and taught him how to see and love people as God sees and loves them. He never knew a stranger, and he so wanted everyone to know, and be known, by their Creator, God.

Then, and only then,
will there be true love, unity,
And fellowship
as it is meant to be.

May you hear God’s heart for you as Don shares his journey,
and the revelations given to him by our Father, God.
Then allow God to finish the book in you.

A Heart Stirred for Fellowship is one man’s heart cry for the Body, The Bride of Christ, to become who He has called, and desires her to be, without spot or wrinkle. Written as a life journey, it’s a plea for the church to step into her identity and role - demonstrating the love of God to mankind.

Don Stiver was, like King David, a man after God's own heart. His passion was to know God, and to make Him known. He met every day with joy and expectancy, waiting to see what God would do, joining Him, then praising Him for His marvelous works and wonders. Always up for a challenge and adventure, he'd find a way to solve any problem, push through the storm, and somehow have fun in the process. His motto was, "You gotta have fun!" One of his major gifts was his art of storytelling - he had a way of drawing people into the story, teaching history through the story, and sowing seeds to help people think for themselves. He always knew what to say and how to say it using words to edify and encourage people. A true wordsmith.He was passionate about life and lived it to the fullest - every minute counted, and every person was valued. Not wanting anyone to be lacking or lagging behind, he would engage people in thought-filled conversation, challenging them to think through situations to help them arrive at their own solutions. A word master.By Bob Jones, he was told that he had a pastor's heart. Through Chris Reed, he was given a word: "You're like a brother to many people who don't have family. It's like that you exhibit and express brotherly love - kinda like the Lord's brother, James." Fellowship was like breathing to him, and he wanted to include everyone in it! He was called a pollinator as he skillfully networked people all through the congregation. It was his gift to the Body.He loved God and loved people, and true fellowship was the result.

Susan Stiver is a writer and artist, with a background in health care for over forty years. Having witnessed the miracle of birth for four decades, and the power of God healing the sick and afflicted in hospitals and healing rooms, it is with tenderness and compassion that this book is written.Susan's passion is to communicate the heart of God through her writing and art, expressing God's love and desire for each individual to walk in their created wholeness. For this lifetime writer, rhyme has been a creative and emotional outlet - a means to convey thoughts, questions, and muses that inspire and encourage others. Her poetry is a dance with words and heart-whispers scribed with ink on paper. She invites you to join in the dance.