Where is God Amidst All This Chaos?
Special: Counseled by God Free Video Event and up to 50% off!

Training Your Child to Encounter Jesus - Godly Imagination & Visions

Mark Virkler's picture

Introduction from Mark Virkler: Once children are taught to use their imaginations, they can step from godly imaginations (i.e., picturing things the Bible says are true), directly into visions, and they can do it a lot easier than adults can. Read this story of a two and a half year old named Lance, as told by his father Brent Engelman, and you will be brought to tears!

At the end of this story, see Brent's offer for you to participate in his free internet weekly training, in which Brent is raising up a Virtual Internet Prophetic army, a VIP Army. Check it out and ask God if He wants you to become involved in this training.

Brent's Story: The day my son "went to work in Heaven"

While in prayer, the Lord gave me a vivid word and vision.  “Train up your son,” said the Lord.  I replied, “What should I train him for, Lord?”  My own thoughts began to see training Lance to be a good son.  “Should I train him to read the Word?” I thought.

In my mind I saw darkness.  And in the darkness came the letter “I”.  It hovered in the air and was like neon red light.  It was a-fire.  Then a few feet from the letter “I”, I saw the word “MAGI”.  I recalled the wise men that traveled to Jesus upon seeing the bright star.   The thought came to me, “Do I train Lance to be wise?”  I thought, “How can I train him to be wise?”

Next I saw the word “NATION”.  The reality of the vision became known to me when I thought in my mind, “Do you want me to train him to be wise and go to the nations, Lord?”  BOOM!  An explosion.  The words burst into flame and motion as they slammed together.  I saw the word…

“IMAGINATION”

My son, Lance, was 28 months old at the time I began to train his imagination.

This was a three-night process that has changed my life, my family, and those who know me, Lance and the Lord.  What transpired over the next three nights is described below.

FIRST NIGHT:  We began our routine to get Lance to bed with as little variance from the routine as possible.  He had his bath.  He had a sippy-cup full of 2% milk and his favorite Buzz Lightyear pajamas with the cloth wings sown in.  We both jumped into his twin bed.  Our prayers that night were for the Lord to guide us through a special time with Him.

I began by telling him that I was ready to begin training him up.  He said, “Ok daddy.”  Normally we would read a book or two at this point.  Something from Dr. Suess usually fit the bill.  However, he was very attentive and I could see the anticipation in his eyes that first night.

“Lance, I want to train your imagination.  Do you know what that is?”  I asked.  He nodded, yes and we began.  “Ok, I want you to close your eyes, and I’m going to say a word.  You picture what I say in your imagination.”  He agreed and I began.  “I want you to picture a bus.  Can you see it?” I asked.  His eyes where closed as he laid upon his back.  The night light dimly lit the room with the focus of its light on the bed to help illuminate books and our faces.

“I see the bus,” he said.  I replied, “Ok good job.  Now picture a house.  Do you see it?”  He gave the same reply as with the bus and we moved on to several more inatimate objects.  He was able to see them all.

SECOND NIGHT:  The second night I felt led by the Spirit to practice seeing living or animate objects.  We progressed the same way.  Laying on the bed with the night light on, Lance closed his eyes and we began… bird, elephant, dog and then Gran-daddy.  He was able to see all of them in detail.  I asked him with each object to describe it briefly. With the bird, he would say, “I see the wings and beak.”  The elephant was simple.  He said, “The elephant is big and has a big nose.”

THIRD NIGHT:  Knowing that what we see in our sanctified imagination is from the Lord, I wanted to train Lance to look into the vision of his imagination.  We prayed for the Lord to lead us and guide us.  Lance at this time was very peaceful in his anticipation of the training.  He already had his eyes closed, and was awaiting what we would envision tonight.  We went back to see the living things.  This time the Lord had me ask Lance to see these living things in motion doing things.

“Can you see the bird?”  I asked.  “I see it,” said Lance.  “What is the bird doing?” I prompted.  His reply was, “The bird is flying, he going high.”  The elephant was probably his favorite.  “He’s walking and moving,” said Lance.  When we got to Gran-daddy, I was curious as to how he would picture him.  “Can you see Gran-daddy?”  “Yes,” He replied.  “What is he doing”, I asked.  “He’s on his chair watching tv right now,” was Lance’s reply.

When Lance said, “right now” I immediately saw the same vision as my eyes were closed as well during this training time.  I was amazed.  I could see what he was seeing.

FOURTH NIGHT:  This night will forever bring me to laughter and tears.  Even as I recall it now, my heart is moved to a place of faith and fullness that I can’t describe.  What I can recall, I will.

Lance was getting ready for bed and it was nearing eight p.m.  My wife and I were in the living room on the couch having a rare quiet moment to talk.  Lance came from his room in his pajamas.  I asked him, “How was your day today?”  The reply took over four hours and changed my views on Jesus, God, the church, visions, imagination, dreams, life, the Bible and my son.

Lance:  “I went to work today.”

Me:       “Oh really, where do you work?”

L:           “I work in heaven”

Me:       “You do?  What did you do there today?”

L:           “I work in heaven.  I went in my fast car.”

It was at this time the tone of Lance’s language began to shift.  I could feel the words he was saying and the air in the room became light. 

L:           “I saw a man in heaven.  He was very, very big, daddy.”

M:          “What was he doing?”

L:           “He was playing this huge guitar like this…” and he spread his legs wide, as he stood and moved both of his arms in a sweeping motion back and forth, to and from his body, like one would do if they played a harp.  “And daddy, it was loud!”

My wife and I looked at each other with amazement and a grin.  We had never taught him these things.  The scripture was coming alive before us and we both knew it.

Me:       “What else did you do?”

L:           “I was in a little boat, and the water was hard (I think he meant rough).  So I got out of the boat and walked to the shore.”

Me:       “You walked on the water?”

L:           “Yeah, we all did.”

Me:       “Wow, then what?”

L:           “Daddy…”

Me:       “Yeah Lance.”  This is when he stopped playing around and jumped on the couch next to my wife and I.  His voice became very serious and he looked in my eyes.

L:           “In heaven there is a big house and you have a room.  You have to fill it now.”

My eyes, even now, fill with tears.  The truth that is beyond knowledge hits me.  Lance was never taught these Scriptures that he lived and encountered as he worked in heaven.  He was telling us something that he had lived.

With the same transition from play to seriousness, he jumped off the couch and began to dance.

L:           “They all dance like this.” 

He began to twirl and leap and jump and laugh and sway.  His hands and voice began to praise the Lord.  My wife was full of tears that were mixed with laughter as Lance would do something unexpected and funny.  We were caught between laughing and crying.  Joy swept into our hearts.

I joined him in the dancing and rejoicing.  We laughed uncontrollably and spun around in joy.

Me:       “Lance, did you see Jesus in heaven today?”

L:           “Oh yes, daddy.”

Me:       “What did He say?”

He stopped dancing and once again the tone in his voice shifted from a child to an authority that only a few men that I’ve ever known speak with.  He said,

L:           “He’s angry.”

Me:       “Why is He angry?”  I said with genuine concern.

L:           “He wants his wife back NOW.”

I fell to me knees and looked my son eye to eye.  With trembling in my voice and heart I uttered, “Did you see God, Lance?”

L:           “Jesus’ daddy is angry, too.  He wants Jesus' wife back now.”

Natalie and I wept aloud.  Time stood still as that word washed over us and pierced our hearts.  Lance had already shifted back to pure joy and dancing while we wept.

L:           “And Jesus is doing this.”  Lance took his hands and put them out in front of him with palms extended to me.  He was trying to touch his pointer fingers together and his two thumbs together while attempting to do some sort of Spock (from Star Trek) thing with both hands.  Lance kept saying… “like this… or no like this…” and he would move his hands trying to make a shape with them.

I’ve edited this time down to what I can recall very well.  Much of the 3 and ½ hours where filled with laughter and tears and dancing.  However, the most amazing part was yet to come.

Lance was definitely moving back from explaining all he had seen in heaven, at work.  As he fumbled with his hands some more, we all stood up and embraced each other.

Lance insisted that what he was showing me with his hands was significant.  In his own way, Lance kept trying to show me.  A few minutes later he had given up on trying to explain it to me and I grabbed the remote to the TV.

When the picture came on the TV, it was tuned to a show called “Jewish Jesus”.  The rabbi begins the show with a prayer and lifts his hands, palms facing forward.  His pointer fingers on each hand touching as are the thumbs of each hand.  The ring finger and the middle finger both are spread apart, just like Spock from Star Trek.  The rabbi lifted his hands high and gave thanks to God.

Lance turned toward the TV and exclaimed, “That’s it, daddy, that’s what Jesus was doing!!!”

I felt like a shot had rang out in the atmosphere.  I was in awe of Jesus, God, the Church, visions, imagination, dreams, life, the Bible and my son.

 

By:  Brent Engelman

 

hands3.jpg

NOTES:

The Vulcan greeting is based upon a blessing gesture used by the kohanim (koe-hah-NEEM) during the worship service. The kohanim are the genealogical descendants of the Jewish priests who served in the Jerusalem Temple. Modern Jews no longer have priests leading services as in ancient times, nor do we have animal sacrifices anymore. (Yes, people really do ask about that!) The sacrificial system ended with the destruction of the Temple by the Romans in the year 70. C.E. However, a remnant of the Temple service lives on in the "kohane blessing" ritual (duchenen in Yiddish) that is performed on certain holy days.

The actual blessing is done with both arms held horizontally in front, at shoulder level, with hands touching, to form the Hebrew letter "shin." This stands for the Hebrew word for "Shaddai", meaning "Almighty [God]." Nimoy modified this gesture into one hand held upright, making it more like a salute. So, technically, the Vulcan greeting is not the same thing as the ceremonial Jewish blessing. Still, the resemblance is close enough to evoke instant recognition among knowledgeable Jews.

During the synagogue service, the worshippers are not supposed to look at the kohanim while the blessing is being given. The reason for this is to focus our attention on the words of the prayer itself, rather than on the personalities of the kohanim. The kohanim are merely the channels, not the source, of the blessing, which comes from God. Unfortunately, all sorts of silly superstitions have arisen about this ritual, such as "Don't look at the kohanim, or you'll go blind!" and other nonsense. The real reason is simply to focus on receiving blessings directly from God, not from human beings.

Let Us Help Train You Up in the Prophetic

Our vision to create a Virtual Internet Prophetic army, a VIP Army who are trained and equipped to hear the intimate voice of God.  We have weekly webinars to train, equip and activate you.  Join us on Facebook at The Prophetic Training fan page (link below).  We post daily trainings and hold the webinars on Tuesday nights, FREE of charge.

Communion With God Ministries Resources On Parenting

Anointed Parents - Imparting Grace

Additional Resources Which Relate to Using the Eyes of Your Heart as You Approach God

  1. What Does the Bible Teach about Visualization?
  2. You Can See Visions! They Are a Pathway to God
  3. Poised Before Almighty God
  4. Lord, When Is “Priming The Pump” Acceptable and Unacceptable?
  5. Initiative - Should I Take It? by Charity Kayembe
  6. Help! I Have Trouble Seeing Vision!
  7. Training Your Child to Encounter Jesus - Godly Imagination & Visions
  8. Training Package - 4 Keys To Hearing God's Voice (One key is to use vision)
  9. Training Package - Hear God Through Your Dreams (Dreams utilize imagery)
  10. Book - Am I Being Deceived? (Difference between New Agers and Christians)
  11. Book  - Secret Place (Examples of God painting beautiful scenes during prayer times)
  12. Divine Healing Toolbox CD/DVD Set (using vision while praying for healing)
  13. Protestantism's 500-Year-Old  Bitter Root Judgment and Inner Vow (a chance to repent)
  14. Training Package - Prayers That Heal the Heart (Inner healing prayer utilizes vision)
  15. Western Study Verses Biblical Meditation
  16. Also related to this topic: How to Receive Revelation Knowledge
Add new comment

Add new comment

CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Results

Results 1 - 10 of 479

Pages

4 Keys to Hearing God's Voice

4 Keys to Hearing God's Voice

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 305 Pages | Retail: $16.99

Have you ever wished you could just sit down and have a long talk with the Lord? Wouldn't it be wonderful to move beyond having a theology that states that God loves you to actually hearing Him whisper words of love into your heart? When you're worried or confused, wouldn't you love to see the situation from His perspective and hear how He wants you to respond?


Price: $14.95

Dialogue with God

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 296 Pages

This top seller for 30 years from Bridge Logos provides a narrative, right-brain presentation of the principles of how to hear God's voice. Especially enjoyable for personal use, it makes a great gift for introducing a loved one to the voice of God. This book teaches the four keys to hearing God's voice in readable style, and also devotes two entire chapters to moving samples of people's journaling (i.e. their two-way dialogue with God).

Price: $17.95
Hear God's Voice Guaranteed Package

Hear God's Voice Guaranteed Package

9 Books | 10 CDs | 10 DVDs | Save Over 20%

Have you ever wished you could just sit down and have a long talk with the Lord? Wouldn't it be wonderful to move beyond having a theology that states that God loves you to actually hearing Him whisper words of love into your heart? When you're worried or confused, wouldn't you love to see the situation from His perspective and hear how He wants you to respond? When things don't seem to be going your way and your prayers aren't answered the way you had hoped, wouldn't it be great to hear Him tell you where He is in the midst of it, and what He is working out in your life? Are you ever just a little bit jealous of others who say with such confidence, "The Lord said...."?

Price: $175.00

How to Hear God's Voice

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 317 Pages

We recommend that you order the newest revision of this book titled 4 Keys to Hearing God's Voice. It includes 95% of the content of How to Hear God's Voice but is reorganized so it fits perfectly with the 10 DVDs on this subject by Mark Virkler. In addition, it gets you started using the four keys earlier in the book and gives you more journaling samples and exercises. Since we have removed the large margins, it is a smaller and less expensive book.

Price: $24.95

Prayers That Heal the Heart - Revised & Expanded 20th Anniversary Edition

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 320 Pages

Prayer counseling that breaks every yoke! Everything you need to experience deep healing of your soul and spirit.

Did you know that you don’t need to be continually plagued by negative thoughts, feelings, pictures or memories?

It is not part of the "human condition" to feel the constant nagging of doubt, insecurity, or anger. No matter what sin you are trying to overcome, what lie you think you’ll always believe, or what traumas your heart has suffered in the past, you will receive total freedom and restoration by praying these prayers in faith. 

Price: $19.95

Twelve Weeks to Spiritual Mastery - Group Coaching

A group coaching experience with Mark Virkler

Because I could not find a Spirit-anointed teacher/coach, I spent ten extremely frustrating years seeking to hear God’s voice!!! Suggestions offered did not help me, things like: “You just know that you know. It is a still small voice. He speaks from your heart.” No one could give me the answer I needed which was: Hearing God’s voice is as simple as quieting yourself down, fixing your eyes on Jesus, recognizing His voice as spontaneous, flowing thoughts and writing down His flow as it is coming. Test what you have written after the flow is done, NOT while it is occurring.

Price: $1,200.00

Counseled by God

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 146 Pages

Have you ever been defeated by negative emotions such as anger, fear, guilt, inferiority, condemnation or depression? Have you tried to fight them off unsuccessfully? Is there an answer that is deeper than simply trying to mentally reason yourself out of these emotions? Is there a way that Jesus can speak a word of life into the depths of your emotional despair and bring healing on a deep level? Is there a form of Christian counseling that begins and ends with the movement of Christ within your heart, rather than simply with the words of man?

Price: $10.95
Hear God Through Your Dreams Workbook Cover

Hear God Through Your Dreams Workbook

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 92 Pages

A newer book has been released that accompanies this workbook: Click here for Hearing God Through Your Dreams by Charity Kayembe and Mark Virkler (featured on Sid Roth's "It's Supernatural", with almost a million views just on YouTube).


Do you often wake up feeling there was a significant message in your dream, but you’re just not sure what it is? Like Daniel and Joseph, do you long to be able to help others understand their own dreams and win them to Christ as you explain His night messages to them? Wouldn't it be nice if you could receive mid-course corrections from the Lord while you sleep? Do you wish you could be receiving divine inspiration, creative solutions to problems, and direction from the Lord during that third of your life that you’re “just” sleeping?

Price: $11.95

Hearing God Through Your Dreams

by Mark Virkler and Charity Virkler Kayembe | 292 Pages

Learn How to Hear God’s Voice, Even When You Are Sleeping

It is always fun to be on the winning team. Well look what God has done with Charity's new dreams teaching. It has taken off like a rocket with a live TV interview on Cornerstone Network and her Sid Roth interview which has almost a million views on YouTube!

Price: $16.99

Everyday Angels

by Charity Virkler Kayembe and Joe Brock 289 Pages

You can partner with Heaven’s angelic hosts!

Do you have guardian angels? Does God want you to know them? Find out what Scripture reveals and how YOU can interact with the company of Heaven!

The supernatural realm permeates our natural world! Therefore, experiencing angels should be an everyday occurrence–we simply need to open our spiritual eyes to their reality and role in our lives.

Price: $16.99

Pages