Our trip to Oklahoma City was uneventful. Nothing broke at least, and actually it seemed more like an hour than three to get there. Maybe everything will seem like a short drive after our trip to NY!
Yesterday we drove two hours to Altus, OK and met with a small church there to teach them about what we're calling Power Evangelism. I was so proud of Jon. It has been many years since I have seen him be able to teach with such abandon. He has been squashed and censored by so many he had lost the passion that made him so great a speaker. But he was back yesterday! Of course it helped that this church was crazy about God and reaching their community. These guys are going to turn Altus on their heads! They were so excited about what Jon had to teach them and they went after their neighborhood that afternoon with fervor. We sent out six teams for an hour and everyone of them came back with multiple stories of being able to pray for people with illness, financial crises, and other problems. If I told you all the stories you would be reading the rest of the night, so I'll just tell you mine. Pastor Marc and I started walking down the street not feeling any particular tug from the Lord on where we should go first. I saw a man far down the street standing outside and said we should head there. By the time we got there he had just walked in. Pastor Marc said we should knock anyway. A young woman answered the door and a little boy played in the background. We gave the schpeal. "The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand and we would like to pray for you if you have a need." And like more times than not when you ask a person this, she answered, "Yes, actually things are very difficult right now and I would like to have some prayer." After interviewing her a bit we find out that last year her husband was murdered. Not only that, but the trial is coming up and she has to testify. That coupled with now being a single mom, of course has lead to ongoing stress and trauma in her life. We were able to pray for her and she felt the presence of the Lord as she began to cry. She thanked us and we let her know that someone would be coming to check on her, but if she needed anything in the mean time, the church was right down the street.
How amazing is that!!!!
There are at least 10 other stories like that, from one hour of "work" done by 12 people. Imagine only 12 people changing an entire town for Jesus.......Oh wait....I think there might be a story about that already. Yep! I remember, it was 12 men that changed the WOLD! By doing what? Preaching "The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand! We are here to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, and free the oppressed."
So Jon is out on the streets with another church tonight having taught them this afternoon the principles set out by Jesus about advancing the Kingdom. Me and the kids are resting from a long weekend in the heat. I'll let you know how tonight goes and also if there are any updates from the Altus church.
VRV folks: We looked at the future building for the church in Altus. You might consider a building there....as a stand alone building 3X the size of ours blocks from down town was being sold for $20,000. Their other possible site, a rented store front, a little smaller than our current space.....$50/month. Of course any savings might be eaten up in commuting....lol!
Blessings,
Emily
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
Please Pray
Hey Guys,
My Uncle John who was diagnosed with lung cancer right around the time my grandfather died, decided to refuse any more chemo last week. We got the call today that he has about 4 hours. Please pray for my mom. This is a lot for her. Please pray for Mikala, his wife of about 9 months who has been so awesome during this time, and her boys who were finally going to have a dad, but are now loosing one instead. Pray for John. He is completely aware of what is happening, and though he has given himself to our Lord, the fear of death is ever present. Pray that he can reconcile with loved ones and with God. He feels cheated, as he spent his whole life in sin, and when he finally gave it over to God, he finds out he has cancer. Pray for his complete healing; for either God's will to be done on earth as it is in heaven, or for John to be perfected in God's will IN heaven. Either way...God's will be done and that means no pain and no cancer and no anger and no fear. Amen.
Blessings,
Emily
My Uncle John who was diagnosed with lung cancer right around the time my grandfather died, decided to refuse any more chemo last week. We got the call today that he has about 4 hours. Please pray for my mom. This is a lot for her. Please pray for Mikala, his wife of about 9 months who has been so awesome during this time, and her boys who were finally going to have a dad, but are now loosing one instead. Pray for John. He is completely aware of what is happening, and though he has given himself to our Lord, the fear of death is ever present. Pray that he can reconcile with loved ones and with God. He feels cheated, as he spent his whole life in sin, and when he finally gave it over to God, he finds out he has cancer. Pray for his complete healing; for either God's will to be done on earth as it is in heaven, or for John to be perfected in God's will IN heaven. Either way...God's will be done and that means no pain and no cancer and no anger and no fear. Amen.
Blessings,
Emily
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Your Kingdom Come!
Ok..so we set it up to do "visitation" at our church like they are doing at North Gate. Our great friend Todd showed up to go with us. After an hour of soaking in worship we got a list of words of knowledge for the people we might meet that night. Here is the list
hearing loss
possible brain issue
Marriage with lots of conflict
Douglas
boy with glasses and dark hair that answers the door is thinking about suicide (I quietly wrote this one down because I thought it was to specific and I would be embarrassed to give it, but I wrote it on the pad just in case. hehehe!)
As we're walking out, a lady comes in. No one comes into the church on Tuesday evenings. She is actually there for a meeting for another church that is sharing our space, but she has the date wrong. We ask her while she's there if she would like prayer. We find out that she is the one with conflict in her marriage! We got to minister to her and we had several other words for her that seemed to bless her. Now were pumped. We hadn't even left the church yet and we've got one word down!
So we walk down the first street and we talk to a couple of people. We say that we are from the church around the corner and that God has sent us to tell them that His Kingdom is here and we have been given the ability to preach the Gospel, heal the sick and free the oppressed. Then we asked them if we could pray for them.
At first people answered the door, and seemed very glad that we were there, but did not ask for prayer. We decided to try another street, but we grabbed the last one on that block before we went another direction. The door opened and a teenage boy with glasses and dark hair answered the door! He was very uneasy with us being there and said he didn't need any prayer. The guys, not knowing about what I wrote were ready to turn and leave, but I had to say something. I stepped forward and said "God says to you that he has a plan for your life and purpose. He says you're worth it!" He seemed a little shocked and then promptly shut the door. I hope it was enough.
We went down the next street which was a row of duplexes on one side and apartments on the other. We came to one house where a man was sitting in his garage watching TV. We gave our schpeal and he said he didn't need prayer. When we turned to go we saw a man walk out on his balcony of the apartments across the street. We yelled up at him, could we pray for him. He said yes and came down. He was a new, brand new Christian and was really seeking fellowship and answers. He wanted prayer because he had lost his father. Todd was able to minister to him, having lost his father recently as well. We prayed for other areas in his life as well as offering to come back next week and answer any questions that he might have. He seemed very excited.
When we turned to go, the man watching TV was now at the street waiving us over. When we got there, he sat down with his back to us and said, "You guys are going to think I'm weird." We assured him we would not. "I just got back from the doctor and they have diagnosed me with Neuropathy. I've lost feeling in my feet and it's progressive. It's going to go to my brain. And I think it's really strange that I just got back and then you guys show up asking to pray for me." We prayed for healing and he received greater movement in his ankles which he didn't have. We said we could come back next week and pray again. Our new friend triple checked with us on several occasions before we left to confirm that we indeed would return.
It was getting late now, so we headed back to the church and there were two men walking toward us down the street. We ask them if we could pray for them and they seemed really blessed as we prayed for their family life and a jobs. They wanted to know when we would be coming back that way as well!
Whew! Praise you Jesus!
Can't wait for next week!
Blessings,
Emily
hearing loss
possible brain issue
Marriage with lots of conflict
Douglas
boy with glasses and dark hair that answers the door is thinking about suicide (I quietly wrote this one down because I thought it was to specific and I would be embarrassed to give it, but I wrote it on the pad just in case. hehehe!)
As we're walking out, a lady comes in. No one comes into the church on Tuesday evenings. She is actually there for a meeting for another church that is sharing our space, but she has the date wrong. We ask her while she's there if she would like prayer. We find out that she is the one with conflict in her marriage! We got to minister to her and we had several other words for her that seemed to bless her. Now were pumped. We hadn't even left the church yet and we've got one word down!
So we walk down the first street and we talk to a couple of people. We say that we are from the church around the corner and that God has sent us to tell them that His Kingdom is here and we have been given the ability to preach the Gospel, heal the sick and free the oppressed. Then we asked them if we could pray for them.
At first people answered the door, and seemed very glad that we were there, but did not ask for prayer. We decided to try another street, but we grabbed the last one on that block before we went another direction. The door opened and a teenage boy with glasses and dark hair answered the door! He was very uneasy with us being there and said he didn't need any prayer. The guys, not knowing about what I wrote were ready to turn and leave, but I had to say something. I stepped forward and said "God says to you that he has a plan for your life and purpose. He says you're worth it!" He seemed a little shocked and then promptly shut the door. I hope it was enough.
We went down the next street which was a row of duplexes on one side and apartments on the other. We came to one house where a man was sitting in his garage watching TV. We gave our schpeal and he said he didn't need prayer. When we turned to go we saw a man walk out on his balcony of the apartments across the street. We yelled up at him, could we pray for him. He said yes and came down. He was a new, brand new Christian and was really seeking fellowship and answers. He wanted prayer because he had lost his father. Todd was able to minister to him, having lost his father recently as well. We prayed for other areas in his life as well as offering to come back next week and answer any questions that he might have. He seemed very excited.
When we turned to go, the man watching TV was now at the street waiving us over. When we got there, he sat down with his back to us and said, "You guys are going to think I'm weird." We assured him we would not. "I just got back from the doctor and they have diagnosed me with Neuropathy. I've lost feeling in my feet and it's progressive. It's going to go to my brain. And I think it's really strange that I just got back and then you guys show up asking to pray for me." We prayed for healing and he received greater movement in his ankles which he didn't have. We said we could come back next week and pray again. Our new friend triple checked with us on several occasions before we left to confirm that we indeed would return.
It was getting late now, so we headed back to the church and there were two men walking toward us down the street. We ask them if we could pray for them and they seemed really blessed as we prayed for their family life and a jobs. They wanted to know when we would be coming back that way as well!
Whew! Praise you Jesus!
Can't wait for next week!
Blessings,
Emily
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Kingdom stuff...Let's Go
Dear Friends and Church Family,
Most of you know that Emily and I have been working in Atlanta for the last several months. During that time, we spent a lot of time at Northgate Church in Woodstock, GA. We have wanted to hang out with the leadership of this church for some time because of what we have seen and heard about their outreach ministry to the urban areas of Atlanta. Needless to say, this was a priceless blessing and opportunity for our family.
This church has several teams consisting of a majority of their church body literally going to the streets of the Atlanta metro area. Their Sunday Morning service is mainly for equipping, edifying, kingdom direction, and a send out. I have never seen a church so committed to the great call as this one. They believe and head the call of the disciples in Luke 10: 1-17 literally. Every week, 2 or 3 days a week, they GO, they declare God’s Kingdom when people answer the door, the present the gospel, they heal the sick, they deliver people from addictions and demons, and they lead people to Jesus.
Me and Emily came back home with a clear and obvious direction. We need to GO and do likewise. So let’s go.
Next Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday (June 16, 17, & 18th) we are going to be up at the church at 6pm. We will seek and soak in God’s presence for 30 minutes to an hour, and then we will go to a local neighborhood and knock on doors until the sun goes down or God tells us to stop. Emily wants to try and be available for childcare if needed for those who want to join us. Please let her know in advance. We are inviting and asking anyone and everyone we know that loves Jesus and is willing to step into this part of His Kingdom work to go with us.
Please pray for us and consider joining us on any or all of these days. Love you all and thanks again for your priceless prayers and support.
Most of you know that Emily and I have been working in Atlanta for the last several months. During that time, we spent a lot of time at Northgate Church in Woodstock, GA. We have wanted to hang out with the leadership of this church for some time because of what we have seen and heard about their outreach ministry to the urban areas of Atlanta. Needless to say, this was a priceless blessing and opportunity for our family.
This church has several teams consisting of a majority of their church body literally going to the streets of the Atlanta metro area. Their Sunday Morning service is mainly for equipping, edifying, kingdom direction, and a send out. I have never seen a church so committed to the great call as this one. They believe and head the call of the disciples in Luke 10: 1-17 literally. Every week, 2 or 3 days a week, they GO, they declare God’s Kingdom when people answer the door, the present the gospel, they heal the sick, they deliver people from addictions and demons, and they lead people to Jesus.
Me and Emily came back home with a clear and obvious direction. We need to GO and do likewise. So let’s go.
Next Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday (June 16, 17, & 18th) we are going to be up at the church at 6pm. We will seek and soak in God’s presence for 30 minutes to an hour, and then we will go to a local neighborhood and knock on doors until the sun goes down or God tells us to stop. Emily wants to try and be available for childcare if needed for those who want to join us. Please let her know in advance. We are inviting and asking anyone and everyone we know that loves Jesus and is willing to step into this part of His Kingdom work to go with us.
Please pray for us and consider joining us on any or all of these days. Love you all and thanks again for your priceless prayers and support.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
The long Journey Home
So we got the truck back and the next day we returned the rental car. I noticed that something was wrong with the brakes on the way, so before we could take off, we had to, yet again take the truck in to get looked out. The mechanics did a little adjustment and we finally got on the road in the late morning. I didn't want to stop for quite a while but Eythan decided he had to pee. I was going to make him pee in a cup, but all of the sudden we started hearing a clicking sound coming from the engine. We took the next exit and let the kids potty and eat lunch. When we turned the truck back on the clicking sound was still there. Jon checked it out and could see that the serpentine belt was coming undone and hitting the hood, thus making the clicking sound. He said he thought we could probably make it home, but we decided since we were at an exit we would just find a Firestone (the place that has fixed us up more than we care to recall). Just as I typed in the coordinates in the GPS and we pulled out of the gas station...BAP!! The air quite blowing, the radio went out, all of the gages go haywire and the truck starts over heating. The Firestone is just .9 miles away so we drive like crazy. The fire stone was right in front of a mall so we hung out there while they fixed the truck.....again. We made it home a day later with out any further problems, but we need a new truck. Please pray with us.
We will be staying at a KOA in Arlington while Jon is doing training. We hope to bring what we've learned at North Gate to ours and other's church. I can't wait!
Thanks for your prayers on our journey. See ya soon!
Blessings,
Emily
We will be staying at a KOA in Arlington while Jon is doing training. We hope to bring what we've learned at North Gate to ours and other's church. I can't wait!
Thanks for your prayers on our journey. See ya soon!
Blessings,
Emily
Friday, May 22, 2009
Really....You're Covered.
So we are excited to be coming home, but a little sad because we would like a little more time at North Gate to rest and learn. We pull out of our rv space and hear a squeaking.....we heard it a couple weeks ago when we changed spaces but didn't think much of it. After two speed bumps the squeaking stops, a couple blocks later our drive train falls out of the bottom of our truck.....but at least the squeaking stopped!!!
So, a really nice gentleman at the park came and towed our trailer back to it's spot and we called a tow truck for the truck. We already know some great mechanics down the road......from the LAST time our truck broke down and we towed it there. Thank GOODNESS I didn't put any money in savings or could have been much worse (a little sarcastic humor...if you didn't get it call me later and I'll explain!! :)).
So as I'm sitting in the middle of the road with my foot on the break because the parking break wasn't working and if you let off the whole shebang went backwards down the hill and I keep hearing "You're covered", over and over in my head and heart. I'm thinking "HOW exactly is this being covered, God?" But when I was finally able to get out and see the damage, and I realized what could have happened if we had made it to the freeway and were going 60 mph instead of 2 mph. I realized just how covered we were! Today the enemy had planned to kill my family. Not getting the results he wanted from simple harassment, he decided to just take us out. But Praise the ALL MIGHTY GOD WE'RE COVERED!!!
So I guess God wasn't finished with us in Atlanta yet. We really wanted a week to learn some logistics from the guys at North Gate anyway, and Jon was having second thoughts on Flood Training after talking to a couple guys who didn't have very good experiences. But we should be back for Eberls/State Farm training. The guy who helped us? From Eberals/State Farm.....ironic huh?
So.....we're at peace. Shouldn't be....but we are. We're covered.
As far as I know...we'll be back home next week....but that's what I said.....last week. So I guess I should say....I'll see you when God sends us back to Dallas!!!
Blessings,
Emily
So, a really nice gentleman at the park came and towed our trailer back to it's spot and we called a tow truck for the truck. We already know some great mechanics down the road......from the LAST time our truck broke down and we towed it there. Thank GOODNESS I didn't put any money in savings or could have been much worse (a little sarcastic humor...if you didn't get it call me later and I'll explain!! :)).
So as I'm sitting in the middle of the road with my foot on the break because the parking break wasn't working and if you let off the whole shebang went backwards down the hill and I keep hearing "You're covered", over and over in my head and heart. I'm thinking "HOW exactly is this being covered, God?" But when I was finally able to get out and see the damage, and I realized what could have happened if we had made it to the freeway and were going 60 mph instead of 2 mph. I realized just how covered we were! Today the enemy had planned to kill my family. Not getting the results he wanted from simple harassment, he decided to just take us out. But Praise the ALL MIGHTY GOD WE'RE COVERED!!!
So I guess God wasn't finished with us in Atlanta yet. We really wanted a week to learn some logistics from the guys at North Gate anyway, and Jon was having second thoughts on Flood Training after talking to a couple guys who didn't have very good experiences. But we should be back for Eberls/State Farm training. The guy who helped us? From Eberals/State Farm.....ironic huh?
So.....we're at peace. Shouldn't be....but we are. We're covered.
As far as I know...we'll be back home next week....but that's what I said.....last week. So I guess I should say....I'll see you when God sends us back to Dallas!!!
Blessings,
Emily
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