God is on the move…always! If you look to long at what God did yesterday, you will miss what He is doing today. Should we celebrate what we saw Him do, what He let us experience? Absolutely, but stand your stone of remembrance and look for what He is up to today.
Think about the followers of John the Baptist. These were exciting times…God had been quiet for 400 years and now here is this locust eating, camel hair wearing, nut job speaking the truth of God out in the wilderness. He didn’t look like the religious leaders of the day, that’s for sure, but he had the Holy Spirit all over him, since birth in fact. His mission…prepare the way for the One, point to the One, and get out of the way of the One once He came.
John recognized his call, his purpose very clearly, but more importantly he recognized when his mission was complete.
When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, "Look, the Lamb of God!" John 1:36
He encouraged his followers to leave him and follow the current move of God. Okay, this may be an extreme example, after all I am talking about when Jesus came in the flesh.
How about this one? One of my favorite OT stories is the bronze snake on the pole in Moses’ time that brought healing to the Israelites in the desert (Numbers chapter 21 I believe). It was an amazing God event. However, too much attention for too long turned it into an idol.
He (Hezekiah) removed the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. He broke into pieces the bronze snake Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had been burning incense to it. 2Kings 18:4
I’ve heard people say, “Be careful…you don’t want to get ahead of God”. Yeah, good luck with that! I’d be thrilled to grab a hold of God’s shirt tail and try to hang on for awhile. I don’t think “careful” or “fear” is part of the vocabulary of heaven. As soon as you have more to loose, or maintain, than you have opportunities to gain, you may be working for a Kingdom other than God’s.
These are exciting times my friends…let’s head for the biggest, highest roller coaster there is! When a bigger one is built…let’s head there.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
The Purple Flame Vision
I just returned from a long weekend in Atlanta, GA where we (Marg, Josh, Mom, and I) went to a couple of different “Mountain of Worship” (MOW) events. Great experience…fun three nights, but the point of this writing is the vision I received while there.
I am not much of a vision person, not meaning that I don’t believe in them…I do, but rather I have not experienced much in that area personally. Maybe that’s changing...I hope it is. I actually had two separate visions very closely related, as well as close in time. We were about an hour into the current worship time when the first one came…
While worshiping, the bongo drums just seemed to stand out to me very powerfully. As I was listening I could sense Jesus dancing. I didn’t “see” anything, not even in my “minds eye” (whatever that is), but I could sense Him and His movements. I’m not going to try to explain this so that it makes sense, I’m just going to tell the story. I knew the WHOLE point of His dancing was to simply have fun, and He was (I learned Jesus dances a lot like I would if I had enough courage). He invited me to join him, which I did, briefly. I opened my eyes for a moment to reengage this world (not sure why) to discover I was still safe and ready for more. It now seemed the first vision was simply a warm up for what was to come.
This time, when I closed my eyes someone was in my vision PLAYING the bongos. It didn’t take me too long to discover it was Jesus doing the playing. He sat off to the left in front of me. I was then aware that I was in the midst of a very large crowd…all christians. There was a “performance” of sorts going on in front of us that we had gathered to watch. It was the Holy Spirit dancing before us in a beautiful display that only God could put on.
All of the sudden, He grew to a tremendous size and filled the sky. I could sense Him saying, “You like fireworks…watch this!” This was followed by amazing blasts of color and feelings to the awe of the crowd…all of this to the rhythm of Jesus’ Bongos. The color show finalized with a large purple “cloud” above us. The cloud then fell down to us as handful size purple flames! A few of us couldn’t wait to catch them, but most fell to the ground and went out. It was clear that everyone in the crowd who wanted to catch the flames did. While it was exciting to have two handfuls of purple flames personally, it was much sadder to see the vast majority fizzle on the ground.
Those of us with the flames started to rub the hands of those who became willing, who then also had the purple flames. After awhile the entire crowd had two hands full. I noticed the individual flames became one huge purple flame over the whole crowd. Some how, we joined with other groups who were also ablaze and became a mountain of purple flame. From the mountain I was a part of, I could see other mountains also ablaze in the distance.
I was then given a perspective from space, and could see the entire Earth ablaze in purple flame. Finally, one person shot up from the Earth and flew past me. It looked a little like the final scene from the only good Matrix movie. It was Jesus! I had a sense of Him saying, “There you go Papa…what do you think of that!”
I don’t want to try to interpret this vision, but only share what I saw. I will tell you this however…the point in time of the vision when there where only a few holding the purple flames did not feel special, but sad. The only desire at that time was to give it away as quickly as possible and see everyone have the same thing.
I am not much of a vision person, not meaning that I don’t believe in them…I do, but rather I have not experienced much in that area personally. Maybe that’s changing...I hope it is. I actually had two separate visions very closely related, as well as close in time. We were about an hour into the current worship time when the first one came…
While worshiping, the bongo drums just seemed to stand out to me very powerfully. As I was listening I could sense Jesus dancing. I didn’t “see” anything, not even in my “minds eye” (whatever that is), but I could sense Him and His movements. I’m not going to try to explain this so that it makes sense, I’m just going to tell the story. I knew the WHOLE point of His dancing was to simply have fun, and He was (I learned Jesus dances a lot like I would if I had enough courage). He invited me to join him, which I did, briefly. I opened my eyes for a moment to reengage this world (not sure why) to discover I was still safe and ready for more. It now seemed the first vision was simply a warm up for what was to come.
This time, when I closed my eyes someone was in my vision PLAYING the bongos. It didn’t take me too long to discover it was Jesus doing the playing. He sat off to the left in front of me. I was then aware that I was in the midst of a very large crowd…all christians. There was a “performance” of sorts going on in front of us that we had gathered to watch. It was the Holy Spirit dancing before us in a beautiful display that only God could put on.
All of the sudden, He grew to a tremendous size and filled the sky. I could sense Him saying, “You like fireworks…watch this!” This was followed by amazing blasts of color and feelings to the awe of the crowd…all of this to the rhythm of Jesus’ Bongos. The color show finalized with a large purple “cloud” above us. The cloud then fell down to us as handful size purple flames! A few of us couldn’t wait to catch them, but most fell to the ground and went out. It was clear that everyone in the crowd who wanted to catch the flames did. While it was exciting to have two handfuls of purple flames personally, it was much sadder to see the vast majority fizzle on the ground.
Those of us with the flames started to rub the hands of those who became willing, who then also had the purple flames. After awhile the entire crowd had two hands full. I noticed the individual flames became one huge purple flame over the whole crowd. Some how, we joined with other groups who were also ablaze and became a mountain of purple flame. From the mountain I was a part of, I could see other mountains also ablaze in the distance.
I was then given a perspective from space, and could see the entire Earth ablaze in purple flame. Finally, one person shot up from the Earth and flew past me. It looked a little like the final scene from the only good Matrix movie. It was Jesus! I had a sense of Him saying, “There you go Papa…what do you think of that!”
I don’t want to try to interpret this vision, but only share what I saw. I will tell you this however…the point in time of the vision when there where only a few holding the purple flames did not feel special, but sad. The only desire at that time was to give it away as quickly as possible and see everyone have the same thing.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
March Encounter
BREAKTHROUGH! That is all I heard. Shortly after last month’s Encounter I started asking the Lord, “What’s next?” “Breakthrough!”. My reaction was one of disappointment (out of ignorance of course), I said, “But Lord, we just did “addictions” isn’t that about the same thing…?” He said nothing more.
I sought the council of a friend who I trust to hear clearly from the Lord and he said, “Yes, I believe that breakthrough is to be the subject for your next Encounter”. While this didn’t shed a whole lot of light on the topic, I at least felt confirmation that I heard correctly…now I just needed to understand.
I have known God long enough to know that when we are not on the same page it is my bookmark that needs to move, so I started asking around looking for a definition of Breakthrough. One friend painted a picture of standing at a starting line, leaning over, listening for and even hearing the starting pistol, but still being held back by some unknown force. Another said, “Coming out of the darkness and the things that have bound you up and stepping into the freedom to being healed”.
I was on my way back from praying over someone with a friend and God gave me a glimpse of another definition. I didn’t hear or see anything at all, but all of the sudden I had an understanding that my personal “breakthrough” could come in the form of the people that I pray over for their cancer to be gone actually starting to be healed. I believe it was at this same time that I was told not to define it, but just put it out there as “breakthrough”…people will define if for themselves.
So that is where we are…Encounter is going to be about BREAKTHROUGH! You can define it…I’m sure I’ll talk about it…but I believe God is going to PROVIDE it!
Come get yours...
\o/ Don
Wednesday March 4th 7:00 PM
3420 Glenmore Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45211
I sought the council of a friend who I trust to hear clearly from the Lord and he said, “Yes, I believe that breakthrough is to be the subject for your next Encounter”. While this didn’t shed a whole lot of light on the topic, I at least felt confirmation that I heard correctly…now I just needed to understand.
I have known God long enough to know that when we are not on the same page it is my bookmark that needs to move, so I started asking around looking for a definition of Breakthrough. One friend painted a picture of standing at a starting line, leaning over, listening for and even hearing the starting pistol, but still being held back by some unknown force. Another said, “Coming out of the darkness and the things that have bound you up and stepping into the freedom to being healed”.
I was on my way back from praying over someone with a friend and God gave me a glimpse of another definition. I didn’t hear or see anything at all, but all of the sudden I had an understanding that my personal “breakthrough” could come in the form of the people that I pray over for their cancer to be gone actually starting to be healed. I believe it was at this same time that I was told not to define it, but just put it out there as “breakthrough”…people will define if for themselves.
So that is where we are…Encounter is going to be about BREAKTHROUGH! You can define it…I’m sure I’ll talk about it…but I believe God is going to PROVIDE it!
Come get yours...
\o/ Don
Wednesday March 4th 7:00 PM
3420 Glenmore Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45211
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
What Headache?
For several years now I have been praying for other’s headaches with great success. I don’t keep track, but if I had to guess, I would say that 95%-99% of those I pray for with headaches are completely relieved within three minutes.
This all started while doing emotional healing ministry years ago. While helping others receive healing from Jesus you sometimes “bump into” demons that don’t like restoration for their hosts. Quit often these pests will try to disrupt or distract the progress by causing pain, most often…headaches.
This behavior of our enemy pissed me off, because in the early days progress was not as quick coming as it is today, so disruptions were a pain (pun intended). I learned to stop momentarily to deal with the pest and then return immediately to whatever I was doing that caused it enough discomfort to act out. In this “ministry” setting, it was very easy to force the pain to leave and replace it with “peace and calm” because I knew the source was the enemy.
It didn’t take long for me to apply what I learned in the ministry setting to every other setting in life as well. Now, if we can avoid a medical and or theological debate, here is what I learned…if you assume that a headache is caused by “a spirit of darkness”…you can make it go away! You don’t have to learn its name, function, purpose, or when it got there. You don’t even have to hold your right hand in the air with two fingers and a thumb extended with a very serious look on your face, and you especially do not have to raise your voice (people with headaches don’t like when you yell…at that point you become the demon causing them pain).
Very simply, this is what I do…first I ask where their pain is specifically located. Next, very gently (I can’t stress this part too strongly, remember they have a headache and you are probably excited) very gently place your hands on their head where the pain is focused. Then say something to the effect of, “Whatever is causing this pain and pressure, I command you to leave right now in Jesus name”. I will often continue with, “You can’t shrink, you can’t move, you can’t hide…you have to leave completely in Jesus name right now”.
At this point I am done talking to the demon. You have to understand that your authority is perfect, because it is Jesus’ authority you are using! It is kind of like a General talking to a Private…he does not say, “Private, dig that hole…no really, start digging that hole now! I mean it, I command you to pick up that shovel and start digging…pick up that shovel now…okay then, right after lunch you get on digging that hole soldier”. How ridiculous! The General says, “Private dig that hole” and if the Private dares to question him at all it would only be to say, “How deep Sir” and he better be digging while he asks that question.
Now after commanding the to demon to leave, this is when you start praying, “Lord Jesus come, come by Your Holy Spirit and fill my friends head with your presence. Please Lord, push out this pain and pressure and replace it with peace and calm.” This can go on for a minute or so. At this point check in with your friend to see how they are doing.
Usually, by this point something is happening. If it moved…GREAT! You’ve got it on the run and it’s almost finished. Move your hands to the new location and pray, “Lord Jesus, I commanded this thing to not move and it moved, would you please come punish this disobedient thing and make it leave completely at this time?” They know they are in trouble when they are disobedient to Jesus’ authority…even if you are the one expressing it. Two things happen at this point…this one is in trouble and anyone else present is now paying close attention.
If their pain did not move, and is better, but not completely gone, continue praying for another minute, maybe mentioning to Jesus (but more for the hearing benefit of the demon) that you commanded this thing to not shrink, but to leave completely…again disobedience can be punished.
If nothing has changed with their pain at this point, ask Jesus to send an angel to enforce His authority that you spoke. We do not command angels, but they are available for our service…
Hebrew 1:14 “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?”
The answer is yes they are if you are wondering. I was once told by a wonderful lady (who has a unique perspective because she lives inside of someone else) that there is nothing better to watch than a human sized angel, pick up by the collar, a demon the size of a battleship, and through it around like it’s nothing. Angels are good help!
After your friend’s pain is all gone, be sure to pray over them to be filled up with the Holy Spirit…we don’t want to leave any of their house empty for something else to come pestering.
I write all of this because this is not a gift for Don, but a power and authority that Jesus intended for all who follow Him. I believe every follower of Christ can have the exact same success I have praying for headaches…and who knows what else!
Now go get ‘em…kick some headache causing demon butt in the name of Jesus! And let us know how it goes after you do.
\o/ Don
This all started while doing emotional healing ministry years ago. While helping others receive healing from Jesus you sometimes “bump into” demons that don’t like restoration for their hosts. Quit often these pests will try to disrupt or distract the progress by causing pain, most often…headaches.
This behavior of our enemy pissed me off, because in the early days progress was not as quick coming as it is today, so disruptions were a pain (pun intended). I learned to stop momentarily to deal with the pest and then return immediately to whatever I was doing that caused it enough discomfort to act out. In this “ministry” setting, it was very easy to force the pain to leave and replace it with “peace and calm” because I knew the source was the enemy.
It didn’t take long for me to apply what I learned in the ministry setting to every other setting in life as well. Now, if we can avoid a medical and or theological debate, here is what I learned…if you assume that a headache is caused by “a spirit of darkness”…you can make it go away! You don’t have to learn its name, function, purpose, or when it got there. You don’t even have to hold your right hand in the air with two fingers and a thumb extended with a very serious look on your face, and you especially do not have to raise your voice (people with headaches don’t like when you yell…at that point you become the demon causing them pain).
Very simply, this is what I do…first I ask where their pain is specifically located. Next, very gently (I can’t stress this part too strongly, remember they have a headache and you are probably excited) very gently place your hands on their head where the pain is focused. Then say something to the effect of, “Whatever is causing this pain and pressure, I command you to leave right now in Jesus name”. I will often continue with, “You can’t shrink, you can’t move, you can’t hide…you have to leave completely in Jesus name right now”.
At this point I am done talking to the demon. You have to understand that your authority is perfect, because it is Jesus’ authority you are using! It is kind of like a General talking to a Private…he does not say, “Private, dig that hole…no really, start digging that hole now! I mean it, I command you to pick up that shovel and start digging…pick up that shovel now…okay then, right after lunch you get on digging that hole soldier”. How ridiculous! The General says, “Private dig that hole” and if the Private dares to question him at all it would only be to say, “How deep Sir” and he better be digging while he asks that question.
Now after commanding the to demon to leave, this is when you start praying, “Lord Jesus come, come by Your Holy Spirit and fill my friends head with your presence. Please Lord, push out this pain and pressure and replace it with peace and calm.” This can go on for a minute or so. At this point check in with your friend to see how they are doing.
Usually, by this point something is happening. If it moved…GREAT! You’ve got it on the run and it’s almost finished. Move your hands to the new location and pray, “Lord Jesus, I commanded this thing to not move and it moved, would you please come punish this disobedient thing and make it leave completely at this time?” They know they are in trouble when they are disobedient to Jesus’ authority…even if you are the one expressing it. Two things happen at this point…this one is in trouble and anyone else present is now paying close attention.
If their pain did not move, and is better, but not completely gone, continue praying for another minute, maybe mentioning to Jesus (but more for the hearing benefit of the demon) that you commanded this thing to not shrink, but to leave completely…again disobedience can be punished.
If nothing has changed with their pain at this point, ask Jesus to send an angel to enforce His authority that you spoke. We do not command angels, but they are available for our service…
Hebrew 1:14 “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?”
The answer is yes they are if you are wondering. I was once told by a wonderful lady (who has a unique perspective because she lives inside of someone else) that there is nothing better to watch than a human sized angel, pick up by the collar, a demon the size of a battleship, and through it around like it’s nothing. Angels are good help!
After your friend’s pain is all gone, be sure to pray over them to be filled up with the Holy Spirit…we don’t want to leave any of their house empty for something else to come pestering.
I write all of this because this is not a gift for Don, but a power and authority that Jesus intended for all who follow Him. I believe every follower of Christ can have the exact same success I have praying for headaches…and who knows what else!
Now go get ‘em…kick some headache causing demon butt in the name of Jesus! And let us know how it goes after you do.
\o/ Don
Monday, February 2, 2009
Encounter Update...
I don’t have a new story to tell, but with Encounter just two days away I had to write with an update. I feel like God has been downloading early this month. He usually keeps me in suspense until the afternoon of Encounter, but lately I feel I have been getting more revelation around this every time I ask for it.
I drove to Columbus today with my wife-partner to deliver checks to my jobsite, so we had four hours to talk, and pray, and read. I’m seeing addiction busting stuff in scripture that I have never understood before. Reading through Romans 6&7 was simply enlightening. As I've shared before, I believe God wants to set people free from their addictions this month. That may not be the whole plan, but definitely part of it.
I can’t wait for Wednesday! There is so much going on in the spiritual realm right now that I am not even allowed to share all of it (because it personally involves others, not because I have secret revelation). Just in the last half hour God gave me another picture that I haven’t even prayed about yet. However, if it is from Him…this is going to be the greatest Encounter yet…and last month is going to be tough to beat!
Hope to see you there!
\o/ Don
I drove to Columbus today with my wife-partner to deliver checks to my jobsite, so we had four hours to talk, and pray, and read. I’m seeing addiction busting stuff in scripture that I have never understood before. Reading through Romans 6&7 was simply enlightening. As I've shared before, I believe God wants to set people free from their addictions this month. That may not be the whole plan, but definitely part of it.
I can’t wait for Wednesday! There is so much going on in the spiritual realm right now that I am not even allowed to share all of it (because it personally involves others, not because I have secret revelation). Just in the last half hour God gave me another picture that I haven’t even prayed about yet. However, if it is from Him…this is going to be the greatest Encounter yet…and last month is going to be tough to beat!
Hope to see you there!
\o/ Don
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Carol's Encounter
(For an understanding of "Encounter", please see the post "Introduction to Encounter")
My Encounter was a wonderful "next chapter" to all that has been happening in my life since joining VWS!
First, during worship music, I prayed for the Lord to fill the room! I also prayed that He would cast out any and all gloom and doom that the news broadcasts had been filling my head with. He has always had birds sing and fly around me whenever I was in a parking lot, to remind me of His care and that I need never worry. I asked Him to please do the same with my restless thoughts of crime, the economy, etc. He did!
I experienced being a cat, a horse, a petal on a white daisy, and a bird flying high in the clouds. When I was the horse running though the fields, I had picture upon picture of where I was going and seeing, one on top of the other, sometimes in mono vision and sometimes with the depth of binocular vision (two eyes working together to see one vision). It was confusing! I asked the Lord if this contributed to horse and rider accidents, where the rider wants the horse to jump over a fence and the horse comes to a dead stop instead. He said yes. I confirmed what I experienced with information about what horses see from experts.
Amazing as it was, this was just the beginning. We were asked to come to the front if we felt we had family curses, pestering demons, and/or suicidal thoughts. So I came up and prayed for release. As I did, and when I said out loud that I command all demons to leave me and my dreams and stay away, I suddenly fell to my knees. I had been leaning on a demon's lie as a crutch to stand on--without even knowing it! When the demon and his lies left I fell into a kneeling posture before the Throne of God, with angels keeping me from hurting myself when I went down. I saw this ugly black, streaky thing leave me as I fell, too.
I rose up to praise the Lord, and He lifted me up under my arms and placed me on a high precipice. It was glorious! I felt 20 feet tall! When the prayer was over and I opened my eyes, I still saw the earth far below me and stars right beside me. I was frightened I would fall at first, but then I realized I was safe and well.
I continue to feel lighter and happier! I wish I could share this feeling and these blessings with everyone! That is why I am humbled to be a part of the Sozo and prayer team. God bless you all!
Carol Whetstone
My Encounter was a wonderful "next chapter" to all that has been happening in my life since joining VWS!
First, during worship music, I prayed for the Lord to fill the room! I also prayed that He would cast out any and all gloom and doom that the news broadcasts had been filling my head with. He has always had birds sing and fly around me whenever I was in a parking lot, to remind me of His care and that I need never worry. I asked Him to please do the same with my restless thoughts of crime, the economy, etc. He did!
I experienced being a cat, a horse, a petal on a white daisy, and a bird flying high in the clouds. When I was the horse running though the fields, I had picture upon picture of where I was going and seeing, one on top of the other, sometimes in mono vision and sometimes with the depth of binocular vision (two eyes working together to see one vision). It was confusing! I asked the Lord if this contributed to horse and rider accidents, where the rider wants the horse to jump over a fence and the horse comes to a dead stop instead. He said yes. I confirmed what I experienced with information about what horses see from experts.
Amazing as it was, this was just the beginning. We were asked to come to the front if we felt we had family curses, pestering demons, and/or suicidal thoughts. So I came up and prayed for release. As I did, and when I said out loud that I command all demons to leave me and my dreams and stay away, I suddenly fell to my knees. I had been leaning on a demon's lie as a crutch to stand on--without even knowing it! When the demon and his lies left I fell into a kneeling posture before the Throne of God, with angels keeping me from hurting myself when I went down. I saw this ugly black, streaky thing leave me as I fell, too.
I rose up to praise the Lord, and He lifted me up under my arms and placed me on a high precipice. It was glorious! I felt 20 feet tall! When the prayer was over and I opened my eyes, I still saw the earth far below me and stars right beside me. I was frightened I would fall at first, but then I realized I was safe and well.
I continue to feel lighter and happier! I wish I could share this feeling and these blessings with everyone! That is why I am humbled to be a part of the Sozo and prayer team. God bless you all!
Carol Whetstone
Sunday, January 18, 2009
The Next Encounter!
Every time Encounter is over for the month I get nervous...I feel like, "Okay, I've shared everything I know, what in the world will we do next month?" God let's me sweat it out for a little while, until I remember that part is His job! I usually don't have a very good picture of how I want to approach the evening until that afternoon, but He has been giving me clues along the way.
One of the things I believe He is telling me to go after on Feb 4th is addictions. I don't know what that will look like yet, but I believe Jesus is going to set some people free from junk they don't want (and maybe even some they do). We will likely do some more focused physical healing this time also since that was put on the back burner in January. I'll try to let you know some of the plan as I learn it myself (no promise of full disclosure implied there...I still like surprises).
If you are in the Cincinnati area, please join us for Encounter, Wednesday evening, February 4th, 7 PM, at the Vineyard Westside church on Glenmore Ave...I can't remember the address (maybe someone could comment with it).
One of the things I believe He is telling me to go after on Feb 4th is addictions. I don't know what that will look like yet, but I believe Jesus is going to set some people free from junk they don't want (and maybe even some they do). We will likely do some more focused physical healing this time also since that was put on the back burner in January. I'll try to let you know some of the plan as I learn it myself (no promise of full disclosure implied there...I still like surprises).
If you are in the Cincinnati area, please join us for Encounter, Wednesday evening, February 4th, 7 PM, at the Vineyard Westside church on Glenmore Ave...I can't remember the address (maybe someone could comment with it).
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Helen's Encounter
(For an understanding of "Encounter" please see "Introduction to Encounter")
Here's my story...It's a long one...
In recent years, God has made a lot of headway with me in my weak areas which are fear and doubt. Seems odd since one of my spiritual gifts is Faith, but maybe it makes sense since the enemy likes to steal.
Anyway, I still had lingering "voices" that continued to plague me in stuff that I have settled with God and pretty much gotten His say on. Somehow they keep coming back around...When that happens I battle with it thinking "well, maybe it wasn't settled" and then it goes into this whole internal conflict that distracts me and drives me into self-focus. During worship I found myself there, once again, turning it over to God because I was tired of the conflict and was ready to give up my dreams if that's what God was asking of me.
Somewhere in the midst of this intense praying I got a picture of Jesus putting his hand on the back my head and pushing it forward. At first I thought that seemed so rough I was concerned it was the enemy but quickly realized what was going on. In the Sozo ministry we have a tool called a "divine edit" where the minister places a hand on the back of the person's head, asks the Holy Spirit to come in and "edit out" abnormal concepts/beliefs and exhange them with Truth.
Jesus was performing a divine edit on me!
He spoke into my ear, words that flowed like a stream, the truth about me, how He made me, how the things that He'd placed in my life - the people, experiences, etc - had been placed there for a purpose and that they'd all pull together in a way that would amaze me. I needed to stop second guessing and worrying. He trusted me to do what was right, he knew my heart was to please Him, but that I'd also fallen into a religious mindset that placed a lot of fear into my motives. He cleaned all of it up.
I saw angels there with us in that moment. Then the angels were gone and Father God and the Holy Spirit were there. I could only see God's feet. But he was standing next to me. The Holy Spirit was in front of me, placing his forehead against mine if that makes sense. Jesus began sealing up my ears - I guessed so that I would not be able to hear the enemy's lies anymore. YAY!
But then from within my head I heard a solitary, clear voice that undermined all they did and I was afraid that maybe I was just seeing what I wanted to see and the voice was actually that of God. But it contradicted everything that had streamed into my mind as the "sozo" was happening. That sent me into more conflict because I then didn't know what to believe or whose voice it was. I was discouraged and thought "This is just never going to end." I felt a dark heaviness in the front of my head that stayed there for most of the rest of the night.
Since I was on the prayer team I set that aside so I could help pray for other people. Later Don called out for anyone who was dealing with "voices" to come up. so I went up. I thought of how many times I had gone for prayer for this crap. Part of me thought "why bother?" But then Don commanded the voices to be gone...FOREVER...
"Forever," I thought sarcastically. "That would be nice."
Then Don clarified "Yes, they can be gone forever". I knew I hadn't spoken outloud so I knew that this was something from God. There was a power, a truth, in those words that was warm and comforting to my spirit. I did NOT have to live like this forever, in this place of confusion. I then felt peace in the area of my head where the "junk" had been. I felt the heaviness lift.
Later, a mild headache began in that area of my head. Knowing that Don has an anointing for dealing with headaches I asked him to pray with me. As he was praying, the headache seemed to move from my forehead to under my eyebrow, like it was trying to escape from under Don's hand. That was when it was clear that this conflict did in fact come from the enemy. He gave himself away at that time, the lying, stealing, counterfeiting mongrel. I had proof positive that all of it was from him...That there was no conflict with God. God was not asking me to lay down any dreams. My dreams and desires were from Him and for Him.
This experience has left me able to discern without a doubt when I am facing crap from the evil one. Darkness and heaviness in my chest and head are not the conviction of the Holy Spirit. They are evidence of being messed with. And I will not be calling God the devil by telling them to shut up and leave which had been my biggest fear when I was unsure who the voices were.
ENCOUNTER ROCKS!
Let me clarify: ENCOUNTER ROCKS...But JESUS IS DA BOMB DIGGITY.... :)
Helen
Here's my story...It's a long one...
In recent years, God has made a lot of headway with me in my weak areas which are fear and doubt. Seems odd since one of my spiritual gifts is Faith, but maybe it makes sense since the enemy likes to steal.
Anyway, I still had lingering "voices" that continued to plague me in stuff that I have settled with God and pretty much gotten His say on. Somehow they keep coming back around...When that happens I battle with it thinking "well, maybe it wasn't settled" and then it goes into this whole internal conflict that distracts me and drives me into self-focus. During worship I found myself there, once again, turning it over to God because I was tired of the conflict and was ready to give up my dreams if that's what God was asking of me.
Somewhere in the midst of this intense praying I got a picture of Jesus putting his hand on the back my head and pushing it forward. At first I thought that seemed so rough I was concerned it was the enemy but quickly realized what was going on. In the Sozo ministry we have a tool called a "divine edit" where the minister places a hand on the back of the person's head, asks the Holy Spirit to come in and "edit out" abnormal concepts/beliefs and exhange them with Truth.
Jesus was performing a divine edit on me!
He spoke into my ear, words that flowed like a stream, the truth about me, how He made me, how the things that He'd placed in my life - the people, experiences, etc - had been placed there for a purpose and that they'd all pull together in a way that would amaze me. I needed to stop second guessing and worrying. He trusted me to do what was right, he knew my heart was to please Him, but that I'd also fallen into a religious mindset that placed a lot of fear into my motives. He cleaned all of it up.
I saw angels there with us in that moment. Then the angels were gone and Father God and the Holy Spirit were there. I could only see God's feet. But he was standing next to me. The Holy Spirit was in front of me, placing his forehead against mine if that makes sense. Jesus began sealing up my ears - I guessed so that I would not be able to hear the enemy's lies anymore. YAY!
But then from within my head I heard a solitary, clear voice that undermined all they did and I was afraid that maybe I was just seeing what I wanted to see and the voice was actually that of God. But it contradicted everything that had streamed into my mind as the "sozo" was happening. That sent me into more conflict because I then didn't know what to believe or whose voice it was. I was discouraged and thought "This is just never going to end." I felt a dark heaviness in the front of my head that stayed there for most of the rest of the night.
Since I was on the prayer team I set that aside so I could help pray for other people. Later Don called out for anyone who was dealing with "voices" to come up. so I went up. I thought of how many times I had gone for prayer for this crap. Part of me thought "why bother?" But then Don commanded the voices to be gone...FOREVER...
"Forever," I thought sarcastically. "That would be nice."
Then Don clarified "Yes, they can be gone forever". I knew I hadn't spoken outloud so I knew that this was something from God. There was a power, a truth, in those words that was warm and comforting to my spirit. I did NOT have to live like this forever, in this place of confusion. I then felt peace in the area of my head where the "junk" had been. I felt the heaviness lift.
Later, a mild headache began in that area of my head. Knowing that Don has an anointing for dealing with headaches I asked him to pray with me. As he was praying, the headache seemed to move from my forehead to under my eyebrow, like it was trying to escape from under Don's hand. That was when it was clear that this conflict did in fact come from the enemy. He gave himself away at that time, the lying, stealing, counterfeiting mongrel. I had proof positive that all of it was from him...That there was no conflict with God. God was not asking me to lay down any dreams. My dreams and desires were from Him and for Him.
This experience has left me able to discern without a doubt when I am facing crap from the evil one. Darkness and heaviness in my chest and head are not the conviction of the Holy Spirit. They are evidence of being messed with. And I will not be calling God the devil by telling them to shut up and leave which had been my biggest fear when I was unsure who the voices were.
ENCOUNTER ROCKS!
Let me clarify: ENCOUNTER ROCKS...But JESUS IS DA BOMB DIGGITY.... :)
Helen
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Kelly's Encounter
(For and understanding of "Encounter" please see the post "Introduction to Encounter")
Last night I went to Encounter for the first time since it began. Don spoke about the voices in your head. He called people up on 3 separate occasions for different "voices". I am not perfect at defectling those negative voices yet, but I am certainly getting better. I never went up front, I just sat their and prayed for the people that did go up.
After this, Don asked if anyone needed physical healing to grab a prayer team member and get prayed for. I still sat, waiting to see who would be available, not knowing if I was going to ask or not. For the past 3 months I have had a terrible back problem. It is not constant, but when I sit for awhile, usually while doing school, my lower right back would kill. The pain would radiate down my bottom to the front of my thigh and down to my foot. The pain so excruciating at times that I could hardly stand up straight. I think God was telling me all night that He wanted to heal me. I heard Him, but was like, yeah, it's just a bad back, there are other people here with more serious issues, I'm sure. So I sat.
Then I got up and walked into the aisle, still not really knowing if I was going to ask for prayer or not. There were 2 friends standing there and they asked me if I needed prayer. I said "well, my back is killing me" They put their hand on my back, one said a quick prayer and that was it. I still felt some pain, but kept believing that God had healed it. When we got finished with school today, I felt no pain whatsoever. NONE. I feel only heat back there right now. God is faithful even when we aren't sure we want to listen to Him-how amazing is that?!
I am blown away by His love for me.
Last night I went to Encounter for the first time since it began. Don spoke about the voices in your head. He called people up on 3 separate occasions for different "voices". I am not perfect at defectling those negative voices yet, but I am certainly getting better. I never went up front, I just sat their and prayed for the people that did go up.
After this, Don asked if anyone needed physical healing to grab a prayer team member and get prayed for. I still sat, waiting to see who would be available, not knowing if I was going to ask or not. For the past 3 months I have had a terrible back problem. It is not constant, but when I sit for awhile, usually while doing school, my lower right back would kill. The pain would radiate down my bottom to the front of my thigh and down to my foot. The pain so excruciating at times that I could hardly stand up straight. I think God was telling me all night that He wanted to heal me. I heard Him, but was like, yeah, it's just a bad back, there are other people here with more serious issues, I'm sure. So I sat.
Then I got up and walked into the aisle, still not really knowing if I was going to ask for prayer or not. There were 2 friends standing there and they asked me if I needed prayer. I said "well, my back is killing me" They put their hand on my back, one said a quick prayer and that was it. I still felt some pain, but kept believing that God had healed it. When we got finished with school today, I felt no pain whatsoever. NONE. I feel only heat back there right now. God is faithful even when we aren't sure we want to listen to Him-how amazing is that?!
I am blown away by His love for me.
Josh's Encounter
(For an understanding of “Encounter” please see the post “Introduction to Encounter”)
My name is Josh. I am 15 years old and have been taking care of myself for the past 5 years. My encounter started at Encounter and continued into the next day.
At Encounter when “anger” was called out as one of the things to come forward for release, I felt he was looking at, and talking to just me. I started to go to the front from the balcony, but then went back to my seat. Let’s just say I was emotional for the rest of the night.
I happen to be staying with Don and Margaret at this time, so the next night we started talking about the anger stuff. I decided to let them pray over me to get rid of the anger and suicidal thoughts that I had for about four years. As we got going I felt this stuff starting to come off. Once the suicidal thoughts were gone, I got a picture of a photo album. I sensed Jesus helping me remove all of the bad pictures throughout my life. Then I saw Him knocking on a door. I was asked what that meant and said, “I think He wants me to let Him in”. That was something I really wanted to do…so I did. Then He came in and I felt better. We talked and spent time together and then He removed a dark ball from the center of my chest and replaced it with a shining light. He took yarn and a needle and sowed the shining light in. I knew this was to let me know that it was permanent.
At the end, Jesus added a picture to my life’s photo album…it was a picture of the two of us talking.
It has been a week ago now, and I still feel no anger, no suicidal thoughts…I feel great! I hope it happens to you.
My name is Josh. I am 15 years old and have been taking care of myself for the past 5 years. My encounter started at Encounter and continued into the next day.
At Encounter when “anger” was called out as one of the things to come forward for release, I felt he was looking at, and talking to just me. I started to go to the front from the balcony, but then went back to my seat. Let’s just say I was emotional for the rest of the night.
I happen to be staying with Don and Margaret at this time, so the next night we started talking about the anger stuff. I decided to let them pray over me to get rid of the anger and suicidal thoughts that I had for about four years. As we got going I felt this stuff starting to come off. Once the suicidal thoughts were gone, I got a picture of a photo album. I sensed Jesus helping me remove all of the bad pictures throughout my life. Then I saw Him knocking on a door. I was asked what that meant and said, “I think He wants me to let Him in”. That was something I really wanted to do…so I did. Then He came in and I felt better. We talked and spent time together and then He removed a dark ball from the center of my chest and replaced it with a shining light. He took yarn and a needle and sowed the shining light in. I knew this was to let me know that it was permanent.
At the end, Jesus added a picture to my life’s photo album…it was a picture of the two of us talking.
It has been a week ago now, and I still feel no anger, no suicidal thoughts…I feel great! I hope it happens to you.
My Encounter
(For an understanding of "Encounter" please see the post "Introduction to Encounter")
If you missed it, I’m sorry, because you missed the greatest Encounter yet! It was amazing. Even with the ice falling and bad roads we had 75 folks show up. Worship this time was absolutely awesome. Even as the team was lead by the Spirit, Ryan would type the line they were singing and have it up on the screen. I taught about the different voices we hear, where they come from, what they sound like, what to do about them etc. But then we had ministry time…
I called out three different groups of common problems that people have due to voices in their heads, things like anger, hatred, suicide, guilt & shame (guilt and shame resulting from abortion), unworthiness, grief etc. Out of the 75 folks there we probably had 100 come forward for freedom and release (a lot of double and triple dippers). It was fantastic! People gathered at the front seeking freedom, the prayer team gathered around behind to lay hands on to pray, and I spoke the different things needed for the different conditions from in front of them. After praying for a few minutes each time, I would ask them to raise their hands if they felt a release…almost every hand went up every time!
We had to have 40-50 different people get touched by God in a powerful way last night. Too many stories to email, even from the seats that didn’t come forward.
God is truly moving like never before…and this Encounter Team is just amazing at flowing with Him.
God is good…all the time!
\o/ Don
If you missed it, I’m sorry, because you missed the greatest Encounter yet! It was amazing. Even with the ice falling and bad roads we had 75 folks show up. Worship this time was absolutely awesome. Even as the team was lead by the Spirit, Ryan would type the line they were singing and have it up on the screen. I taught about the different voices we hear, where they come from, what they sound like, what to do about them etc. But then we had ministry time…
I called out three different groups of common problems that people have due to voices in their heads, things like anger, hatred, suicide, guilt & shame (guilt and shame resulting from abortion), unworthiness, grief etc. Out of the 75 folks there we probably had 100 come forward for freedom and release (a lot of double and triple dippers). It was fantastic! People gathered at the front seeking freedom, the prayer team gathered around behind to lay hands on to pray, and I spoke the different things needed for the different conditions from in front of them. After praying for a few minutes each time, I would ask them to raise their hands if they felt a release…almost every hand went up every time!
We had to have 40-50 different people get touched by God in a powerful way last night. Too many stories to email, even from the seats that didn’t come forward.
God is truly moving like never before…and this Encounter Team is just amazing at flowing with Him.
God is good…all the time!
\o/ Don
An Anonymous Encounter
(For an understanding of "Encounter" please see the post "Introduction to Encounter")
Hi Don -
Thanks so much for the Encounter session tonight. I had come just to give a ride to someone else there, and didn't really know what to expect. Then when you read your list, quite a few items pertained to me, so I felt God nudging me to get prayer for myself.
I've had some trouble with pinched nerves, and one of the symptoms was pain in my toes on my right foot. As we prayed, I felt that pain fade away, and it hasn't come back.
The bible says that we sometimes don't really know what to pray for, but that he knows our every need. What I didn't tell you was that I had missed work today because I had been up all night worrying about some financial setbacks I've had. I had been praying and telling God how much I trusted Him to help me out of this situation, but then my mind would return to worrying and panic. God has come through for me in so many ways before, and I know how he provides for my every need. But I guess I was thinking this one is too big for God to handle. I had just had coffee with a friend this morning, and confided in him that this situation seemed impossible, and I had no idea how God was going to solve this one.
Then tonight, just as we finished praying, someone came up to me and, completely unexpectedly, handed me a check. I suspect he had no idea he was being sent on a mission from God. It was God's message to me saying, "Ye of little faith. Why do you doubt?" I was overwhelmed with gratitude and so amazed at how God keeps surprising me. It was his way of saying, "Don't worry. I got this."
Hard-headed as I am, I realized he had just sent me that same message last week, and I should have rested in Him, knowing how he takes care of me. I still don't know how he's going to handle the rest of my crisis, but I don't need to know. I have the peace of knowing He will.
Thanks again. (If you want to use any part of my testimony, feel free. For obvious reasons, I'd rather you not use my name.)
God bless.
Hi Don -
Thanks so much for the Encounter session tonight. I had come just to give a ride to someone else there, and didn't really know what to expect. Then when you read your list, quite a few items pertained to me, so I felt God nudging me to get prayer for myself.
I've had some trouble with pinched nerves, and one of the symptoms was pain in my toes on my right foot. As we prayed, I felt that pain fade away, and it hasn't come back.
The bible says that we sometimes don't really know what to pray for, but that he knows our every need. What I didn't tell you was that I had missed work today because I had been up all night worrying about some financial setbacks I've had. I had been praying and telling God how much I trusted Him to help me out of this situation, but then my mind would return to worrying and panic. God has come through for me in so many ways before, and I know how he provides for my every need. But I guess I was thinking this one is too big for God to handle. I had just had coffee with a friend this morning, and confided in him that this situation seemed impossible, and I had no idea how God was going to solve this one.
Then tonight, just as we finished praying, someone came up to me and, completely unexpectedly, handed me a check. I suspect he had no idea he was being sent on a mission from God. It was God's message to me saying, "Ye of little faith. Why do you doubt?" I was overwhelmed with gratitude and so amazed at how God keeps surprising me. It was his way of saying, "Don't worry. I got this."
Hard-headed as I am, I realized he had just sent me that same message last week, and I should have rested in Him, knowing how he takes care of me. I still don't know how he's going to handle the rest of my crisis, but I don't need to know. I have the peace of knowing He will.
Thanks again. (If you want to use any part of my testimony, feel free. For obvious reasons, I'd rather you not use my name.)
God bless.
Roger's Encounter
(For an understanding of "Encounter" please see the post "Introduction to Encounter")
Don,
The H.S. revealed to me that I had a generational curse that I have been dealing with for too long. I went up to get prayed for and acknowledge that I needed release from something I’ve been battling my whole life. The way you presented it as something we see as a family trait may actually be a curse. I attributed it to my American Indian heritage. It has quite a history on my dad’s side of the family. It was alcoholism. I went thru the AA training at Bridgetown Church of Christ last year but it wasn’t head knowledge that I needed, it was identification, acknowledgement and acceptance. I’ve had victory for years at a time since I’ve been walking with God the last 25 years but it has been something that has been a battle at times. It has never really ruled my life but I have had to fight the temptation far too much at times, sometimes successfully and sometimes not. It has affected my life and relationships at times. The difference since Wednesday has been incredible. I have been thanking God for the difference. It has always been something difficult to talk about – toxic Christianity and pride.
“As dedicated followers of Christ we shouldn’t have a struggle with such moral weaknesses or sins of the flesh.”
“Just claim the victory and walk on.”
The list goes on. Thank you for serving and leading thru Encounters.
In Christ,
Roger
Don,
The H.S. revealed to me that I had a generational curse that I have been dealing with for too long. I went up to get prayed for and acknowledge that I needed release from something I’ve been battling my whole life. The way you presented it as something we see as a family trait may actually be a curse. I attributed it to my American Indian heritage. It has quite a history on my dad’s side of the family. It was alcoholism. I went thru the AA training at Bridgetown Church of Christ last year but it wasn’t head knowledge that I needed, it was identification, acknowledgement and acceptance. I’ve had victory for years at a time since I’ve been walking with God the last 25 years but it has been something that has been a battle at times. It has never really ruled my life but I have had to fight the temptation far too much at times, sometimes successfully and sometimes not. It has affected my life and relationships at times. The difference since Wednesday has been incredible. I have been thanking God for the difference. It has always been something difficult to talk about – toxic Christianity and pride.
“As dedicated followers of Christ we shouldn’t have a struggle with such moral weaknesses or sins of the flesh.”
“Just claim the victory and walk on.”
The list goes on. Thank you for serving and leading thru Encounters.
In Christ,
Roger
Maria's Encounter
(For an understanding of "Encounter" please see the post "Introduction to Encounter")
This is my second time attending Encounter, my first experience was awesome. I really wanted to experience God like that again. After working all day at work on January 7th, all I wanted to do is to feel God's love embracing me and letting me know how much He loves me.
I considered myself to be a pretty "happy" person and always like to see the positive in most things in life. My main talent is positivity, but I have always carried the sadness of losing my father at the young age of 15. I always felt like he missed so much of my life and I felt like I did not get the time to know who he really was. My sadness, guilt or whatever you want to call it, made me a very emotional rollercoaster. Although, I always carried the grief with me, I could not explain at times why I was crying for no reason. I used to make little occurrences, like a reprimand from my boss or an argument with my husband, a melodrama and a tragedy. It really did not need to be. I basically used to wear my heart on my sleeve. I do have to admit I am a little more sensitive than a lot of people but the tears at times were a little too much, even for me.
When I was 15, my father died of Cancer. I was not at my house when he passed and I have always felt guilty that I never got to say goodbye.
But looking back, my father prepared me for this journey way before he was sick. About 5 months before he died, when he was diagnosed, he talked to me and reassured me of how much he loved me. He made me promise that I would be a good girl and that I would become someone he could be proud of. He tried to explain that even if he was sick and could not hug me (our favorite thing to do) that he would always love me. By now you are wondering why I am telling you this...well it was not until I attended Encounter and wrote this blog that I really understood what had just happened at that moment.
At Encounter there was a moment during the service that people who were feeling guilt, shame or grief got to step forward to be prayed for. I am telling you that before the prayer was over I felt a sense of grief be lifted. It was almost like if I had lost 25 lbs automatically. My heart felt so light and relieved. When Don Eichhorn put his hand of my shoulder and prayed over my grief it was like God had just told me everything will be ok. At the end of the evening, I was so uncertain of what I was feeling or "not" feeling that I had Don and Helen pray over me again making sure that my grief was totally gone, WOW! It was totally gone!
I can now remember the great memories I had with my dad. I am able to remember those special moments I had with my dad when he was preparing me for what was to come. I can remember the times we laughed and hugged. I remember the times he told me how much he loved me. I really remembered!
If you have never been to Encounter, go! It changed my life. I honestly can say I am a much happier person. My life has totally changed. I have an even more positive way of thinking. My grief has not only made me happier emotionally but it changed my whole life. I have lost about 15 lbs, physically in a week and a half. I am exercising, making healthy eating decisions. I started the year as a renewed believer, God took my grief away and now I can focus on me and my relationship with my God.
What else is there in life? Well the best thing is, "Love what you do and share it with others".
Love you all and thanks for giving me the opportunity to share this story with you.
This is my second time attending Encounter, my first experience was awesome. I really wanted to experience God like that again. After working all day at work on January 7th, all I wanted to do is to feel God's love embracing me and letting me know how much He loves me.
I considered myself to be a pretty "happy" person and always like to see the positive in most things in life. My main talent is positivity, but I have always carried the sadness of losing my father at the young age of 15. I always felt like he missed so much of my life and I felt like I did not get the time to know who he really was. My sadness, guilt or whatever you want to call it, made me a very emotional rollercoaster. Although, I always carried the grief with me, I could not explain at times why I was crying for no reason. I used to make little occurrences, like a reprimand from my boss or an argument with my husband, a melodrama and a tragedy. It really did not need to be. I basically used to wear my heart on my sleeve. I do have to admit I am a little more sensitive than a lot of people but the tears at times were a little too much, even for me.
When I was 15, my father died of Cancer. I was not at my house when he passed and I have always felt guilty that I never got to say goodbye.
But looking back, my father prepared me for this journey way before he was sick. About 5 months before he died, when he was diagnosed, he talked to me and reassured me of how much he loved me. He made me promise that I would be a good girl and that I would become someone he could be proud of. He tried to explain that even if he was sick and could not hug me (our favorite thing to do) that he would always love me. By now you are wondering why I am telling you this...well it was not until I attended Encounter and wrote this blog that I really understood what had just happened at that moment.
At Encounter there was a moment during the service that people who were feeling guilt, shame or grief got to step forward to be prayed for. I am telling you that before the prayer was over I felt a sense of grief be lifted. It was almost like if I had lost 25 lbs automatically. My heart felt so light and relieved. When Don Eichhorn put his hand of my shoulder and prayed over my grief it was like God had just told me everything will be ok. At the end of the evening, I was so uncertain of what I was feeling or "not" feeling that I had Don and Helen pray over me again making sure that my grief was totally gone, WOW! It was totally gone!
I can now remember the great memories I had with my dad. I am able to remember those special moments I had with my dad when he was preparing me for what was to come. I can remember the times we laughed and hugged. I remember the times he told me how much he loved me. I really remembered!
If you have never been to Encounter, go! It changed my life. I honestly can say I am a much happier person. My life has totally changed. I have an even more positive way of thinking. My grief has not only made me happier emotionally but it changed my whole life. I have lost about 15 lbs, physically in a week and a half. I am exercising, making healthy eating decisions. I started the year as a renewed believer, God took my grief away and now I can focus on me and my relationship with my God.
What else is there in life? Well the best thing is, "Love what you do and share it with others".
Love you all and thanks for giving me the opportunity to share this story with you.
Introduction to "Encounter"
My personal mission in life is to help people experience an authentic encounter with God…and watch Him do the rest!
This mission was birthed out of a desire to see in my life what the bible declares should be expected by someone who follows Christ. Jesus said, "Anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these". He also said if we stay connected to Him we will see lives changed when we go and preach the good news, deliver from darkness, and heal. Seems like there should be a good Greek word for that…oh wait, there is…SOZO=saved, healed, and delivered.
Early on, my wife and I started pursuing truth in spite of the evidence. We did small groups, outreach, praying for healing, deliverance ministry, emotional healing ministry all with very little evidence of effect…but we kept doing them anyway because God’s word says it should be happening. Through our perseverance He developed and matured us. The book of James talks about this in the first chapter.
After years of trial, things started to happen…very sporadically at first, more consistently as we continued. Each step along the way we could look back and see how God used our previous attempts to grow us to the next thing He was calling us to. We have been doing a combination of all these things for years now and quite frankly, it is a very rare occasion that something "supernatural" doesn’t happen.
I started “Encounter” to have an opportunity to display what I believe a “church service” should look like. People should come expecting to experience God...through worship, hearing God’s word, and ministry time. The supernatural should become natural. When encounters with God become natural…people’s lives are changed. On this page are some of those stories…enjoy, but also seek your encounter!
\o/ Don
This mission was birthed out of a desire to see in my life what the bible declares should be expected by someone who follows Christ. Jesus said, "Anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these". He also said if we stay connected to Him we will see lives changed when we go and preach the good news, deliver from darkness, and heal. Seems like there should be a good Greek word for that…oh wait, there is…SOZO=saved, healed, and delivered.
Early on, my wife and I started pursuing truth in spite of the evidence. We did small groups, outreach, praying for healing, deliverance ministry, emotional healing ministry all with very little evidence of effect…but we kept doing them anyway because God’s word says it should be happening. Through our perseverance He developed and matured us. The book of James talks about this in the first chapter.
After years of trial, things started to happen…very sporadically at first, more consistently as we continued. Each step along the way we could look back and see how God used our previous attempts to grow us to the next thing He was calling us to. We have been doing a combination of all these things for years now and quite frankly, it is a very rare occasion that something "supernatural" doesn’t happen.
I started “Encounter” to have an opportunity to display what I believe a “church service” should look like. People should come expecting to experience God...through worship, hearing God’s word, and ministry time. The supernatural should become natural. When encounters with God become natural…people’s lives are changed. On this page are some of those stories…enjoy, but also seek your encounter!
\o/ Don
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Are you Secure?
One thing I’ve learned years ago is when scripture appears to contradict itself, I am simply misunderstanding something. However, if I don’t know WHAT specifically I am misunderstanding that revelation isn’t very helpful, but at least I know I need to keep digging. I think we struggle with "eternal security" because our perspective is quite different on the issue of salvation than it was in the first century church (or most centuries for that matter).
Imagine with me for a minute that in a couple of centuries the church understands and believes so powerfully in God’s ability and desire to heal, that everyone a Christian prays for gets healed instantly (as it should be). If they were to read our writings from this time period, they would easily be confused about “partial healings” and healing meetings where “some received their healing” and “feeling the presence of the Holy Spirit, but not getting healed” and Christians “dying of cancer” etc. This would be so foreign to them that they could easily question the true meaning of our writings.
As I've recently learned, receiving salvation for most of Christian history, was not understood to be as simple as it is now. Today we have great faith that anyone who accepts Jesus in his heart…is saved. In the first century there is evidence to imply this was a harder concept for them to grasp (not unlike ours for healing). Maybe this is why James had to teach about “a faith that saves” as opposed to a faith that doesn’t save, and taught his hearers to look for a faith with works as evidence of “a saving faith”. Jesus talked about the people who would complain that “we ate and drank with you” and “we cast out demons in your name”…to which He would respond, "Yes, but I never knew you”.
What if people truly struggled with accepting salvation by faith…and it was a process of faith that truly took some time to accomplish. Not that the work of Christ was any less complete, powerful, or available, but what if men’s belief needed more time to accept the truth that was available to them (not unlike ours for healing). If the “salvation process” was not yet complete and some fell away…could they not have heard, even believe on some level, tasted of the Holy Spirit, but still not have been saved? Let’s not forget Judas who certainly heard, had enough faith to leave everything in his life to follow Jesus, personally saw the miraculous events…yet fell to his doom at his betrayal at least.
I believe if this perspective has any merit, it could bring harmony back to all scriptural references regarding saved, not saved, falling away etc. I know in my heart Jesus is Lord, I know His word says, “Whoever believes in the Son HAS eternal life”. I feel pretty secure…eternally! Now let's go get people healed.
\o/ Don
Imagine with me for a minute that in a couple of centuries the church understands and believes so powerfully in God’s ability and desire to heal, that everyone a Christian prays for gets healed instantly (as it should be). If they were to read our writings from this time period, they would easily be confused about “partial healings” and healing meetings where “some received their healing” and “feeling the presence of the Holy Spirit, but not getting healed” and Christians “dying of cancer” etc. This would be so foreign to them that they could easily question the true meaning of our writings.
As I've recently learned, receiving salvation for most of Christian history, was not understood to be as simple as it is now. Today we have great faith that anyone who accepts Jesus in his heart…is saved. In the first century there is evidence to imply this was a harder concept for them to grasp (not unlike ours for healing). Maybe this is why James had to teach about “a faith that saves” as opposed to a faith that doesn’t save, and taught his hearers to look for a faith with works as evidence of “a saving faith”. Jesus talked about the people who would complain that “we ate and drank with you” and “we cast out demons in your name”…to which He would respond, "Yes, but I never knew you”.
What if people truly struggled with accepting salvation by faith…and it was a process of faith that truly took some time to accomplish. Not that the work of Christ was any less complete, powerful, or available, but what if men’s belief needed more time to accept the truth that was available to them (not unlike ours for healing). If the “salvation process” was not yet complete and some fell away…could they not have heard, even believe on some level, tasted of the Holy Spirit, but still not have been saved? Let’s not forget Judas who certainly heard, had enough faith to leave everything in his life to follow Jesus, personally saw the miraculous events…yet fell to his doom at his betrayal at least.
I believe if this perspective has any merit, it could bring harmony back to all scriptural references regarding saved, not saved, falling away etc. I know in my heart Jesus is Lord, I know His word says, “Whoever believes in the Son HAS eternal life”. I feel pretty secure…eternally! Now let's go get people healed.
\o/ Don
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