April
2004 – God's Voice Worldwide – From Dr. Mark Virkler Author
of Communion With God and President of Christian Leadership University Vision: To Saturate the World with
Communion With God
My child, you feel that you have an issue with prayer. Why? It is merely a
conversation with a close, intimate friend – Me. Come to Me and talk, listen,
enjoy – all the things you would do with any earthly friend – although I can
be more – I am your everything. Allow Me to flow through you, from you in
everything you think, say and do. Talk more. Listen more. Watch more. Practice
with Jan. Practice with Me. It is easy if you look to Me for guidance – for My
leading. I love you. Come. Rest in My rest. Allow Me to flow.
Thank You, Lord. Is there more You would like to say?
Yes, My son. What you are doing is approaching prayer from your left-brain,
the analytical approach. That is fine – for a while. However, you have
forgotten the system that you were shown. Look back at Section 2 of Communion
With God. Review the system – if you must use it. Or, you can simply come to
Me and let Me lead. It's up to you – whatever you feel most comfortable with.
But continue to pray. Do not feel there is a right and wrong way – yet. Just
do it. I will correct anything that needs correction. Trust Me. I will not lead
you astray. Come. Be with Me. Abide in Me as I abide in you. Press in to Me. We
are growing so well together. I love you. Press on. Be diligent – daily.
Thank You, Lord.
Mike's Journaling Father, how can I position myself to begin to accept Your comfort for past
traumas and pain in my life that have not been healed yet?
The first and larger part is the realization and recognition of the great
need. You have been aware for years of the need for healing, deliverance, etc.
But now, it is becoming more focused, more intense. The deep awareness and
realization must be present, which then causes a deep cry for freedom and
healing. There is a process that takes place; an ever-deepening awareness of the
need and the cry for Me and My consuming love. Often there is a realization of a
need, but it is too general. Too vague. Through a process of time and
circumstances, which I allow, there is a preparation of the heart, a positioning
that takes place where one gets desperate and determined that at all costs there
will be breakthrough.
Often, there is a clinging to our bondages. Even though it causes us torment and
pain, there is still a clinging and a holding on to that which is tormenting us.
I allow time and circumstances to bring the heart to the place where it abhors
and despises the bondage, where it will finally let go and release all to Me.
As you know, I cannot set you free from a friend. I can only set you free from
your enemy. One clings to a friend and despises an enemy. There is a process of
time; a transitioning that takes place where one transfers loyalty and
friendship from one thing to another. Once there is a releasing to Me, then I am
able to come in and begin to pour in My love and healing that you have longed
for. Continue to release all to Me. Continue to grow in your despising of your
bondages and continue to open up to Me and allow Me to embrace you and to
minister My love to your pained areas.
You are remembering at this moment the only time you ever remember your earthly
father saying he loved you. That was right after he punched you in the stomach
and knocked the wind out of you and you fell to the floor. He then picked you up
and hugged you and told you he loved you. You did not believe him. You could
not.
I am not like that. I do not embrace you out of guilt, out of a realization that
I was wrong and then attempt to convey love. Your earthly father was wrong for
punching you and for the several times that he physically abused you. He did not
know any better. That is the only time you can remember your father's embrace
and you could not receive it. I will teach you in the days ahead to accept My
embrace. You know little of My loving embrace. You know little of the Father's
embrace where He showers His blessing, acceptance, grace, and love upon you,
where He receives you unconditionally. Your mother or father has never embraced
you, not once where there was an unconditional acceptance and love.
An embrace is not a quick hug or a light pat on the back. It is a taking into
one's arms, a close intimate receiving and acceptance. That's why at this
moment, you are calling to mind the first time you met Andy. You remember the
handshake because it was one of the first times you ever felt the Father's
acceptance and approval. You felt so accepted. You felt so drawn to him.
You cannot live without My loving embrace. You must cling to Me as I cling to
you and you will find that your clinging to ungodly ties and desires will melt
away as you receive the Father's embrace. Allow me to do this. It will unlock
pain and hurt and you will weep before Me, first out of pain, but then out of
joy. I am your loving heavenly Father. You can trust Me. You can trust My love.
It is untainted with any evil or wrong motive. Come, follow Me and find life
everlasting -- abundant life, so that your joy may be full.
Church
Seeking a Full-time Pastor of Celebration Arts
First Assembly of God Church is a multi-cultural church of 550 persons in the
northwestern suburbs of Chicago. As a multi-cultural and ethnically diverse
congregation, we draw families from throughout DuPage County. Our worship style
is dynamic, progressive, emphasizing God's presence.
We currently have an opening for a full-time Pastor of Celebration Arts. He/She
will be responsible for giving leadership to all elements of the department,
including: worship services, seasonal dramas, dance ministries, vocal,
instrumental, technical, and multimedia presentation.
Candidate should be a team player, have prior church staff experience, and be
willing to carry multiple assignments. As a multi-cultural fellowship, we would
encourage candidates from all ethnic backgrounds to apply.
All candidates must submit a cover email, resume, and an audio/video of
themselves leading worship. The cover email must include the following
information:
Years in ministry.
List of instruments you play.
How do you prefer to lead (keyboard or guitar)?
Can you write/arrange music for parts?
Are you familiar with the Assemblies of God Statement of Fundamental
Truths?
List your top three spiritual gifts.
Please email your material to pboenzi@1agwheaton.org
and submit audio/videos to: First Assembly of God, 900 E. Geneva Road, Wheaton,
IL 60187 Attn: Pastor Patrice Boenzi
Bring
a group to an upcoming seminar and receive FREE books,free admission to the seminar (maximum value $20), and $125 off your next
Christian Leadership University course! Click
here to find out how.
Contact
your congressperson concerning the Federal Marriage Amendment –
Joshua Virkler
It is an historic time we are living in, and we have an unprecedented
opportunity. The very survival of marriage as an institution is being strongly
and successfully challenged on a daily basis. The onslaught of litigation being
strong-armed through the courts is threatening to destroy the meaning of
marriage throughout the entire United States, and the tactics that are being
used can
only be defeated by a Constitutional amendment (as distasteful as that
sounds to many—including me).
This is where you and I come in.
We have the chance to put an end to this battle,
once and for all. President Bush has declared his support for the Federal
Marriage Amendment, and congress will likely support it: IF we tell them it's
important to us! Chuck Colson, in
a recent article, noted that those he's spoken to on Capitol Hill have
received few if any calls or e-mails from their constituents on this
legislation. This should not be!
I urge you to sign
a petition calling for the passage of the Federal Marriage Amendment, contact
those who represent you in Washington, and most of all pray that the
sanctity of marriage be preserved in the United States and around the world.
New
Materials Available Wading
Deeper Into the River of God ($14.95) Mark Virkler's story of how
God led him step-by-step from rationalism into revelation knowledge.
Dream
Interpretation: Leaky Floor –
Steve Bydeley
Dream: I watched a young couple buying a house. They had gone through the
house and were ready to buy it because they liked it. I found myself in the rec
room and noticed the carpet was soggy and wet. I noticed it had started to rain
outside. I drew the real-estate agent's attention to the floor, stating that if
it weren't for the rain we would not have seen this problem before buying the
house. It would have been a costly repair. He said there was a clause in the
contract that would cover this problem.
Background: There were some difficulties with personality conflicts at
the place where the dreamer worked. She had been drawn into this and had been
praying about the situation.
Interpretation: This dream seems to be a combination dream — for and
about others, but affecting the dreamer. In
this case it was two people in conflict at work
but it was used as an object lesson for her. That
is the part of the interpretation we will look at.
Houses often represent or symbolize our lives. With this in mind it seems the
Lord was showing her a general, but important principle: it is only in adversity
or trials that we see, in ourselves, the things that need repair. In the dream
it was the rec room, a place of enjoyment and pleasure, which had the problem
and it remained hidden while things were sunny. Only when adversity (the rain)
came, did the problem become evident. There is a provision for these problems in
our contract — the Last Will and (New) Testament of Jesus Christ. He has
already paid for any problem we may find.
Effect on My Life: The dream has caused her to view the trials in her
life in a new way. No longer does she despise them. Although she still does not
like them, she sees the importance and benefit they have. When a trial comes and
makes evident a problem, she is learning to take the issue to God, asking Him to
“repair” it as only He can. The dream echoes the words of Peter and James,
where we read that trials are important to prove or assess our character.
Steve and Dianne Bydeley are authors of the book Dream
Dreams, as well as a companion workbook, teacher's manual and
seminar audiotapes. They offer a 12-week Internet Dream Interpretation Mentoring
course wherein you are personally and confidentially coached through your
dreams.
The Lord uses dreams to bring healing, improve marriages, parenting skills,
workplace relationships, friendships, give encouragement, and more. Steve and
Dianne lead seminars and workshops, bringing people into healing and a more
intimate relationship with God and others. Credits for the 12-week Internet
Dream Interpretation Mentoring practicum are available through CLU.
Contact them at info@lapstoneministries.org
and visit their website at www.lapstoneministries.org.
Prisoners
Sponsoring Prisoners in CLU Courses
One student of CLU, who is a prisoner and has done an excellent job with all his
CLU courses, has begun a Lamad
Encounter Group in which he is teaching other prisoners the courses he has
taken. In addition, he has given all his CLU course materials to another
prisoner, so he can take the courses as a CLU student, and he has also sponsored
this student with a check for $100 to get him started.
Thank you to those who have donated toward our prison ministry. If you would
like to sponsor a prisoner for $25, $50 or $100 a month, please contact the CLU
office or click here to
donate online. You are planting seeds in others' lives.
New
Translations Posted – Please
spread the word to your missionary friends!
A. Israel Krupanandam has translated the complete book Communion With God
Study Guide into Telugu! This is available for free downloading at www.cwgministries.org/freebooks.
Thank you to those who have donated toward this translation and publishing
project in India. Your gifts are sent directly on to Brother Israel to assist
him in his work. This is an on-going need and your contributions
are greatly appreciated.
French translation of “Four Keys to Hearing God's Voice” is also available
for free downloading at www.cwgministries.org/freebooks.
Special thanks to Oyoua René Emmanuel for this work.
We have received several offers from individuals around the world to translate
our books into various languages. We appreciate each and every offer. If you
would like to volunteer to translate any of our materials, please contact
Mark Virkler.
Drink
Water!
Seventy-five percent of Americans are chronically dehydrated. In 37% of
Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is often mistaken for hunger.
Even MILD dehydration will slow down one's metabolism as much as 3%. One glass
of water satisfied midnight hunger pangs for almost 100% of the dieters
monitored in a University of Washington study. Lack of water is the number one
trigger of daytime fatigue. Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of
water a day could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of
sufferers. A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory,
trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen or on a
printed page. Drinking five glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon
cancer by 45%, plus it can slash the risk of breast cancer by 79%, and one is
50% less likely to develop bladder cancer.
(Taken from Your
Body's Many Cries for Water by Fereydoon Batmanghelidj.)
And now, what should you eat with your water?
Can't eat beef........ mad cow.
Can't eat chicken...... bird flu.
Can't eat eggs...... again, bird flu.
Can't eat pork..... fears that bird flu will infect piggies.
Can't eat fish....... heavy metals in the waters have poisoned their meat.
Can't eat fruits and veggies....... insecticides and herbicides.
Hmmmmmmmmm! I believe that leaves chocolate!
