Dale's Updates
| Dale's Updates 2012 |
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December 6, 2012
**Note: This is part 2. Click "Read More" to read part 1, December 5, 2012.** Good morning everyone. May His good Grace be upon you today! Instead of waiting, I wanted to send along part 2 of my remarks and thinking on the presidential election. Response from the first part has been large and affirmative. I thank you. Here we go... Let it be affirmed that the shift from Judeo-Christian bases underlying our culture has moved in a major way, in a majority way if you will, to Enlightenment values. Said simply, Judeo-Christian values are being increasing rejected. A majority of our culture now accepts and recently voted for social progressivism. What then is ahead? More anti church rhetoric, more marginalizing of Christians at every level, more hostility to anything resembling Judeo Christian values. And politically, Mr Obama's government is leading the charge. How then shall we live with a president that 49% of the country did not elect and probably does not want? A president who affirms same sex marriage, affirms the homosexual agenda, is clearly pro-abortion, whose rhetoric is anti-Christian and pro-Islamic, is grandly self absorbed and ego driven and who is tinkering with all our wallets by promoting re-distribution of wealth. Redistribution does not mean spending government funds in a different way. it means spending OUR MONEY differently. Taking from the "haves" to give to the "have nots". While it sounds merciful, it is really criminal. The Bible has some ideas on these matters: 1 Timothy 2-1-3 First of all then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings be made on behalf of all men. For kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may live a tranquil and quiet life in all goodness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior. And as things get worse let's remember another of Paul's admonitions. 2 Timothy 4:5 But you, being sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill your ministry. The Pitiful American Church Evangelicals voted by the millions for Obama and therefore for his political philosophy. Millions of others apparently did not vote at all in some kind of rejection of Obama and some kind of mistrust of Romney. Perhaps some of my readers can help me understand how a Bible based, spirit filled, Jesus centered Christian could possible vote for an agenda as anti-Christian as described above? I really do not understand it at all. Its just an opinion but here goes.The foundational teachings of Christ are just not deep enough, or believed enough, or not gripping and influential enough to manifest in the realm of politics. The church in America is both weak and sick when it can be a party, an accomplice if you will, to further Satan driven agendas and both not seem to know it or care. I believe the last sentence to be true from other proof. Surveys about the behavior of Christians and non Christians in America show no difference in life styles. What? There certainly was lots of passion in churches before the election over the candidates. Do you sense any over lost people? Lets come to the bottom line. The way to change a nation is to convert people to Christ, get those converts deeply discipled on a foundation of Christ, teach them how to engage the culture via a changed life. As I mentioned earlier, just before the election I attended a ministers conference where there was a very high level of passion manifest about the election to come. I don't remember a word about soul winning or discipling being said. That troubled me then and it does now. Why so? The energy manifest was misguided and misdirected and in many cases harsh and angry. Frankly I found those responses to our political dilemma off-the-mark. A wrong response to a politically wrong environment is still wrong. What is even more distressing is that all this carrying on was done by men and women of God, people of high esteem and many are personal friends that I love still...after the election. The church's influence going forward will not be because of negative passion. It will because of authentic righteousness and holiness from passionate affection from Jesus. And that teamed with high levels of public manifestation of the Holy Spirits power. The nation is sick because the church is ill and nearly impotent in America. But it doesn't need to be. I urge my pastor/ministry leader friends to re-populate your prayer rooms, radically re-fresh your evangelistic efforts, re-new Holy Spirit led worship (versus hip hop endlessly repeated), review your commitment to righteous living and revive Holy Spirit moments often till you come to overflow. A renewal of these precious values will seep into our culture and change it significantly. It is not enough to know there are seven cultural mountains . America needs Holy Spirit fueled, Jesus centered climbers. much for America and the churches therein. There is hope in God! Blessings, Dale Van Steenis Leadership Strategies December 5, 2012
Grace and peace to our friends, colleagues and partners in ministry across the world! Bless you in this Christmas season. God is at work all over the earth and the enemy of the church is trying to deflect and slow His efforts. I promised you what God has intended for the end time will absolutely come to pass. God is not a man that he should lie. He remains a covenant keeping God. Take courage, if we are in the end times, and could well be, it is going to be a glorious end with Jesus as king of kings. Bless His royal name. Ministry matters... Giving Receipts for 2012 will be mailed by January 30, 2013. Just a reminder on that point. All gifts to LSI for 2012 must be postmarked by December 30,2012. So plan your giving and mind the rules of the IRS and Post Office. Thanks again for all you do for LSI. There is a freshness to the presence of God these days. We sense Him and see Him working on our meetings in some wonderful ways. I would say the style is not old fashion Pentecostal. It is quieter, deep and life changing. There are many tears these days and not so much shouting. People have long been tired of being yelled at. They want to know how to live and apply the things of God to their lives. Plus there has been a swirl of healings nearly everywhere we have visited. Healings have been occurring in nearly every service and even meetings not designed specifically for healing. We are grateful for the grace He is sending. Contact me at 562 331 0977 or email soon. The Election Are you like me? I am still slightly smoldering in disillusionment over the past presidential election. Why so? So many prayers made, so many declarations pronounced, so many prophets prophesying wrongly about outcomes. Did God hear what was said? Does He still concern Himself with the affairs of nations? For sure, I am not going to propose answers to those questions. However, the last few days, some illumination has come that has quieted my heart and thoughts a bit. Below is my pondering. First, America is not a covenantal kin of God as is Israel. In listening to some in the evangelical/charismatic groups, one could easily get the idea that America was a synonym for Israel and they were both in covenant with God. America has no national deal with God. Applying imprecatory prayers, Old Testament declaration speaking directly to Israel etc is misguided at the least and dangerous at the worst. Impassioned declarations, passion filled anti-government rants and political declarations based on something other than balanced Bible based and Holy Spirit led guidance injures and does not help the cause of bettering politics or improve the Body of Christ. And wrong methods...imprecatory prayers (prayers for the ouster or demise of existing leaders), and prophetic words designed to fit our particular political agendas. I think the New Testament is clear, we are to prayer "for" leaders and kings and not "against" Had we been the Apostle Paul in the days of Nero we easily could have wished him dead. Paul called him "the minister of God". Current methods of the type mentioned here do not work nor will they. There are lots of references in the New Testament in regard to how one should relate to authorities. One would be wise to weigh carefully their practices against those revealed truths. PLEASE NOTE Will finish this in my next note to you...it will be just a few days from now. Meanwhile, Gloria and I will be spending Christmas with all our kids in Houston, Texas. We wish you all family joy and a wonderful Christmas. Again this remin Leadership Strategies PO Box 588 Los Alamitos, CA 90720 Bless you heaps, Dale Van Steenis Pre-Thanksgiving Day, 2012
Would not our world be a better place if daily we obeyed the scriptural injunction to "give thanks always in everything"/ Confessing that phrase regularly would have a therapeutic effect of all the rest of our body parts and especially our thoughts and conversations. Lets all give it a try. I bless you all in Jesus name and am truly thankful you are or have been in our lives along the trail. Be blessed!
IMPORTANT NOTE
I do not often send you notes that could be considered emergency in nature but this is one. I speak of the horror going on in Goma, Congo. Rebels have over run the city and are randomly killing, looting etc. For several years we have partnered with a very good mission in Goma called Heal Africa. This a Christian organization doing incredible work in very tough circumstances. With the war going on, the work is taxed beyond all human limits.
I know this mission, have sent along many thousands of dollars to them and have also visited personally. My view is as an eye witness. The mission is desperate for meds and supplies which the rebels, at this point are allowing in. I urge you to stretch and send a gif today to help. Check the web site at; healafrica.org. Contributions can be rushed to: Heal Africa
PO Box 147
Monroe, WA 98272
Att: Judy Anderson
My thanks!
Other Ministry matters...
Just completed partnering in a thought provoking conference in St Paul, MN called Out of the Box. The topic was looking at Five Fold Ministry for today. If you want CD's let me know and Ill send you contact points. Getting clarity on this subject is essential as we face a future with deep uncertainties politically and financially.
Had a great time in Greece in late October. There is new leadership growing in that land and some existing leaders are having their wineskins renewed. We feel to continue to invest in them until there is a breakthrough. The status quo must die for the work of Jesus to become what He wants it to be. Thanks for helping us visit there twice this year.
In early 2013 we will be speaking at the national Moldovan ministers conference in Moldova and go on to the Ukraine for more leadership events. Pray into this now.
The Election
Was upset that so many evangelicals apparently voted for a regime that sanctions abortions, same sex marriage and is increasingly hostile to Christians. Was also deeply concerned that some polls say as many as 17 million evangelicals did not vote at all. Is it ok for Christians to have the moral truth of the Bible as a constraint on our choices for elected officials? One would not know from the election results.
The other piece that genuinely concerned, me was the actions I witnessed in a conference before the election. One speaker declared "there is going to be some deaths in DC. I'll be glad to go there and carry the bodies out". Other less onerous actions , but in the same spirit, prevailed the two days and half I was present. One wonders what it means to have a Christ like spirit when you don't get what you think you want. The New Testament has many references to authorities and how to relate to them. I heard none of those verses.
I pray for you and myself, that we never ever compromise the spirit of meekness that is in Jesus for political reasons even if they seem valid. If we miss being Christ like is regard to authorities we don't like or disagree with philosophically, we have no mandate for anything that could potentially follow.
Finally...
I have one more ministry stop in West Texas December 1-2 and then its stay home, enjoy our newly refurbished house, spend time with Gloria and spend Christmas in Houston with all of our children.. With all the issues we have had with our house flood, we are thrilled to be mostly moved back in and now need rest from our house labors and travels.
And to all of you who so faithfully help us....deep thanks and appreciation. Let me remind you that even though its December, our obligations across the world continue. So your faithfulness is greatly appreciated.
All gifts to:
Leadership Strategies
PO Box 588
Los Alamitos, CA 90720
Have a blessed thanksgving!
Dale and Gloria Van Steenis
November 2, 2012
Grace and Peace to you all...in Jesus name! I am thrilled to say, Gloria and I are back in our home. We departed on August 20 for several locations and have lived since from our suitcases. When we arrived back home on September 4 our home had been ruined by a burst water pipe. Water ran for two days before being detected by our dear friends Carol Alvarado and Jenny Holmes. When we arrived home our furniture, clothes, appliances and home office were all gone. Since then, we have lived in a hotel, traveled in ministry (just home from Europe Monday night) and have acted as construction superintendent. We are glad this season has closed and we are home. The above to say, we may have lost your letters and emails. Hope not but probably did. Our phones both home and office were not working for two months. Everything is on now and our cells were working. So, if any of you were missed for any reason, please reconnect since many things were beyond our control. We are genuinely sorry but things were beyond our control. In sum, in spite of the issues we have faced, we have a home to come home to and a lovely neighborhood in which to live. We are grateful for it all! I will write again soon since many good things ministry wise have been happening and I want to tell you about them. IMPORTANT NOTICE: Meetings were scheduled near New York City for this weekend. They were canceled because of the severity of the storm damage. For now, please be advised we are shipping already to the East Coast and will receive and disperse your funds if you send them. The situation, especially on Staten Island is critical. It is cold and rainy, Thousands are without housing, food, electricity and gasoline. No lights, no power and no heat. And for many, no housing...it is gone forever. As you can imagine, one cannot construct a new place in a day. So we are blessed to be able to help and help we will. We need your partnership to make it happen. You may txt or call me at 562 331 0977 or send your gifts to: Leadership Strategies PO Box 588 Los Alamitos, CA 90720 Thanks again and more in a few days Blessings, Dale Van Steenis Saturday morning - September 15, 2012
Grace to our friends and partners everywhere!
Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice! That is the command of scripture. And it is well founded because of the many benefits of a grateful spirit.
Here are a few things from Gloria's list and mine for which we are thankful. There are many more.
Four great children who are bringing honor to God, themselves, and their parents.
A great alive soul winning local church to attend and be part of. A great improvement in Gloria's health over the last two months.
For the on going restoration of our home which was recently damaged by a flood from a broken water pipe.
For a good measure of health and strength.
For continued opportunity to ministry and travel all around the world.
For a host of friends and partners that pray for us, support us and help in many ways.
And our list goes on and on as does yours.
When you think of all He has done and what He is currently doing in your life. There is only one honest response...PRAISE! Could I encourage you to make a short list of His benefits today and just take half an hour and worship? Both God and you will be happy you did! Amen.
Good news...
As mentioned above, Gloria's health has taken a turn for good and strongly so. This week we visited the doctor for a routine check and the news was good. As we thank God for the progress she is making, we also continue to pray for her complete healing and deliverance. Thanks for joining us.
Our home...
was severely damaged by water leaking from a broken pipe in the ceiling. We think water ran for about two days before being seen since we were not at home. God being our helper, we could be back in our home in about a month. Agree with us on that please! Our communications may be irregular for another month because of the above. Just email us or text and we'll get back soon. Thanks for understanding.
Giving Children Hope
I have been partners with this group, a board member at various times and currently serve as special projects director. We have partnered together for past 18 years. Literally tens of millions of dollars in goods and assistance has been shipped to needy people at home and abroad. Sunday nite is the annual fundraising gala. Please pray it will be a success in every way and especially financially.
Going forward..
At the end of next week I head to Canada for a week and two different events. Then on to Oklahoma and Texas. In October we have a great weekend planned with Pastor Jerry Rotan in Casa Grand. My former music associate, Mel Sanders will be joining me for the weekend which is always a joy. From Casa Grande its straight to Texas for a conference and from there directly onward to Greece for another conference. This time in Athens.
Please come see us when we are in your area.
Finances
We welcome your continued giving and help. The recession has caused the loss of some long term supporters. Meanwhile, the Lord has touched various churches and friends to send one time offerings. That means all our bills are paid to date and for that we praise God. All gifts to.....
Leadership Strategies
PO Box 588
Los Alamitos, CA 90720
Blessings and thanks!
Dale Van Steenis
Director
Early September, 2012
Grace and peace to all our friends and partners across the world. May God shine His love on you in gracious ways! Greece ministry I returned from Greece last night full of joy over the event we joined in Thessaloniki. Greece is, without stretching anything, in very deep problems politically, financially and morally. The financial pressures are crushing as they are going to be in America soon. I had several dozen requests for prayer from pastors and others concerning money issues. Yet the crowds were the largest since I have been going and the anointing high...hundreds were touched and blessed. Thanks to all of you who make these journeys possible. A big God bless you to you all. Coming home... My office was completely wrecked. So Gloria and I will be in a hotel with our little lap top doing what we can until we are full on again sometime late next month. And finally,please pray for us! Thanks. All gifts to: Leadership Strategies PO Box 588 Los Alamitos, CA 90720 Blessings... Dale Van Steenis Director August 22, 2012
Blessings and peace to our friends everywhere! This is the best day ever to be alive and serving Jesus. And in this day, we must be diligent to sense and understand at some level, what God is up to. Matthew 16:2-3 says( in my paraphrase) It is evening and the sky is red so the weather will be good tomorrow. In the morning you say there will a storm today because the sky is red. Same sign a few hours apart mean something entirely different. Those watching signs to detect what heaven is up to should also ask God for equivalent dosages of discernment and timelines lest yesterdays clues become today's snares. He is constantly on the move and if we are following Him, we will be as well. Get moving friends! We are nearly home!
On the political front....some things to ponder... Go see the documentary 2016 by Dinesh D' Souza. It is a very different look at our president through the eyes of a third world scholar. It is thought provoking for sure. On the middle east and North Africa... In simply terms, bad guys either are or have been kicked out of office. Almost all of them were proven allies of America. I did not say they were good people but they were allies nonetheless. The people who are replacing them are worse and inexperienced. Plus tribalism is rampant again and many are dying because of it. Look for a rising mega collection of Islamic states to amalgamate and be fiercely anti Israel and anti American. Those nations will be run by brute force and oppression. And our government partnered in making much of it happen. Go figure! On finances and the fiscal cliff.. Never has America been in such a state of fiscal peril. Never have we been cursed with a government so impotent, so partisan and so lacking in even elementary financial understanding. Considering just the debts at hand, America is a long way from anything that could be called prosperity and fiscal hopefulness in coming years. Especially since there is no sense of urgency to get our fiscal house in order. To cloudy the waters further, the Obama administration has done more to get people on the dole (receiving financial assistance from a governmental agency) than any president in history. Calls for entitlements are everywhere. Calls for commiserate responsibility are not to be heard. Seems like the advice of Paul to the Thessalonians is still true. "If one does not work, he should not eat." Much prayer followed by good laws and enforcement MUST FOLLOW. Ministry matters.. God willing, my team leaves Saturday for Greece for the national Greek leadership conference. I will be stopping in Detroit, Michigan this Sunday enroute to minister with Pastor Cal Garcia at Auburn Hills Christian Center, Auburn Hills, MI..its easy to find...I-75 and Walton Rd at 10 am. Hope some of my friends can be there...Then on Monday at 1 pm its off to Rome and onward to Thessaloniki for the conference which begins on Wednesday, August 29 through September 2 both day and night. Finally, thank you for standing with us through the summer months. This summer has been very fruitful indeed and your support made it possible. Much thanks All gifts to: Leadership Strategies PO Box 588 Los Alamitos, CA 90720 Blessings and appreciation, Dale Van Steenis Director August 15,
Peace be to our friends across the world. Gods word says, "The generous will prosper and he who waters(refreshes) another, will himself be watered (refreshed). This is a great Proverb to practice when your own well is dry, when you feel little or nothing, when your internal and ministerial resources seem exhausted....what to do? Start blessing another person, take an offering for another ministry not related to yours, send people and assistance to someone around town who can never repay, take on a burden or task in the city no one will touch. In other words, "let YOUR light so shine before men, they may see YOUR good works, and glorify God who is in heaven." In so doing, you will release your own refreshing. Amen! August 15 ...is a great and memorable day in our home. Gloria and I have been married 42 years! I cannot give enough honor to Gloria for the good success of our children, for being both mom and dad many weeks while I was away traveling, for having a brilliant spirit of hospitality in our home and for being a praying faithful wife to me. Gloria, you are the best! Last week.. It was a great joy indeed to spend 4 days with Covenant Church of Pittsburgh and Bishop Joseph Garlington for their missions emphasis. CCOP is great church with heavenly worship and a loving growing congregation. I came away from the event greatly refreshed personally. If you are in the Pittsburgh area, go for a visit. Next week At week's end we fly to Detroit for Sunday services at Auburn Hills Christian Center, Auburn Hills..10 am. Spend the evening with life long friends since Michigan is where my roots are located and leave on Monday for Greece via Rome. I will be part of a teaching team for the Greek leadership conference. Please keep us in prayer and thanks for supporting this and other projects through the year. An aside, why go to a vacation spot like Greece? Because there are just a few thousand believers out of a population of nearly 12 million. Greece is nominally Christian but not born again. New leaders are arising and therein lies the hope of the nation and the future. Bless you all and thank you again for your faithful support and love towards us and the ministry to which we have been called. All gifts to: Leadership Strategies PO Box 588 Los Alamitos, CA 90720 Thanks and God bless! Dale Van Steenis Director August 1, 2012
God bless you each and every one! Where ever you are, and in what ever you may be doing for Jesus this day! He is working everywhere to bring His kingdom to fruition and fullness. Stay on target friends, we do not have much longer to labor! As the days grow darker spiritually, the path of the just will grow brighter and brighter. Amen!
MINISTRY REPORTS
We have been traveling as you know. We spent a week in Alaska and preached both Sundays. Our ministry has a long history in Alaska. In July we preached at First Assembly in Anchorage for Pastor Morton and in New Life Church in Kenai with Stephen Brown.
Both churches are strong and growing. On Sundays we fished for souls and mid week for salmon and halibut. Both kinds were productive. Want to recommend to all my readers that you visit Alaska if and when you can and while doing so, take in a church service. You will be blessed by the natural beauty of Alaska and the alive churches as well.
Last week we were in Wyoming for a week and had four appointments. The first was Glad Tidings church in Powell. Second was New Life Church in Worland. Third was a statewide ministers event for the Assemblies of God and finally for First Assembly in Casper. The presence of God was among us each time we met. There is a new hunger as well and a wonderful sweet sense of God. I believe revival is in the land now...its not a hundred years out in the future.
Looking forward...this weekend we will be ministering in New Life Church in Daytona Beach, FL. Next weekend at Covenant Church of Pittsburg for Bishop Garlington's mission conference, then on to Detroit area at Auburn Hills Christian Center and from there directly to Thessaloniki, Greece for the Greek national leadership conference. Please keep us in your prayers.
Various projects continue with training in many places, a shipment of wheel chairs is enroute to Senegal, and calls come from many places asking for teaching, materials, Bibles and humanitarian aid of many kinds.
To do what e do takes lots of support in prayer and cash. All gifts to: Leadership Strategies
PO Box 588
Los Alamitos, CA 90720
Finally, please keep my wife Gloria in prayer. She has been enduring some on going medical issues for some months. Hopefully we will have a clear prognosis soon. Meanwhile please pray. Gloria is my closest ministry partner and needs to be healthy and strong. Deep thanks and appreciation.
Blessings and thanks for being who you are!
Dale Van Steenis
Director
July 7, 2012 I know Saturday is final prep day for most pastors and preachers so am taking the risk that this note may not be read till sometime next week, As for me, next week I plan on re-creating for a few days and choose not to do computer stuff if at all possible. What did we do before these things anyway? Or cell phones? Or electronic keyboards and a hundred other things that have becomes props in our lives? Anyway wanted to get a word to you today for your thoughts.
In my last email message I sent a brief note about some 2013 dates being available for Holy Spirit focused meetings. For whatever reason that note created more questions that answers. So here goes again...A fresh touch from God is flowing now in our country. And how we need that corporately and personally. I have chosen to vote for the presence of God and the moving of the Holy Spirit as the only source of authentic refreshing available to us today. Here are some of the characteristics:
Those matters being said, in our meeting focus we are after more than people being filled with the spirit. We are preaching and praying and working for heart changes. While our emphasis is clearly on the work of the Holy Spirit, I am convinced He firstly makes Jesus wonderful to us, and then challenges our lives to rise to a higher standard of life in Christ , to better and more powerfully express the life Jesus preached and paid blood to release. Hope the short remarks clarify our prior note and answers the questions others have asked. Again if you are interested in Melvin and I coming to your conference or church, contact me at email (
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) or on my cell at 562-331-0977
June 26, 2012
There is a wonderful sense of God's presence these days. In one fashion or another, God is manifesting Himself. We must receive from God things both old and new. The old will provide a foundation and stability for us. The new will keep us growing and fresh. I have lived and ministered a while and have lived long enough to see a new crying out for a today's version of Pentecost.
If that conference was a harbinger of things to come, the days ahead will be exciting indeed.May ask to do a favor for both God and yourself? Turn your heart and face towards God and don't quit till you have heard from Him. Your refreshing as a leader will become a shower from heaven over your people. As a fellow seeker, I commend you to it in Jesus name!
If you wish to have a larger type event with an emphasis on the Holy Spirit and God's presence, we have some dates available next year. I have only one weekend per month for these type meetings but am always thrilled to spend the time in hungry churches. I can also bring along Mel Sanders to work in worship. Mel is a wonderfully gifted Afro- American brother who worked with me full time for more than seven years. As of this writing, I have one date open in early March, 2013, one in late April, 2013, and one in June, 2013. Contact me directly on my cell phone at 562 3310977 about any of the above. The atmosphere is much like what I described concerning the minister's event above.
June 6, 2012
MAY 2, 2012
April 4, 2012
The New Testament reminds us that one of the titles of Jesus is Immanuel. Which means He is the right here, right now, always present God. My on going prayer these days is for a here and now moving of the Holy Spirit that will make Jesus so wonderful few will resist Him. As experienced on my recent trip, miracles are happening all over the country but only in environments of hunger for God. We must get over the historical abuse of charismatic nut bags and man up to leading and stewarding the anointing He is generously sending. In one context, leading means stewarding the grace(s) we have been given...not let them run wild but let God run freely at the same time.
March 12, 2012
February 6, 2012 Special Article Attachment: The Shaking: Part 2 - There seems to be a common, reoccurring burden arising in my spirit.That burden is for more of the presence of God. Just simply more of Him. Any of my readers feel the same? Church as usual is not enough. Singing our worship songs with more volume and repetitions is not enough either. Just hearing another "good word" does not seem to fill the cavity in my soul. But when there is just a whisp of His presence somewhere....church, home, airplanes-well you name it-then my soul feels alive again and finds some level of momentary satisfaction Church ,the way we do it, has become a complex of correct lighting, professional sound boards and engineers to run them, slick masters of ceremony to keep things moving along and it all better be not to much longer than an hour. I guess we arrogantly have assumed that God Almighty will be condescending enough to pour the power of the universe into our time slot. Can I be plain spoken? Those notions whether intentional or inferential are plainly silly. And we are the less for our practices not the better. Where is the presence that creates awe and reopens the well at which we feel to linger long. Some weeks ago I mentioned to a Christian leader that some of our services had been running till midnight. He looked at me quizzically and said, "do you like that?". Fair question for sure in a day of hurry up church. My answer was this, "I like hanging with people who are hungry for God". I meant that then and I mean it now. Oh God, more of you.
January, the last day!
Firstly, can I ask all of you to keep the families in prayer? Sudden passings are something we cannot prepare for and always leaves a sting and sometimes bewilderment and confusion. Two of the above actively pastored churches. All were important and significant.
I leave you with two thoughts and a prayer request. First, all the above has encouraged me again, to live ready to meet God momentarily. Second, life is to be shared...give yourself away.The prayer request...please pray for Gloria and me to be a blessing and comfort to the grieving. After all, one day there will be a resurrection and todays pain will be converted in to sublime joy!
January 24, 2012
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