Beginning sometime around my 72^nd year, my imagination really started to wake up again.  I was reading Dialogue with God, by Mark and Patti Virkler, when wheels began to turn.  In the weeks that followed I decided that this was a “do” book, not just a “read to learn” book. I began to do what the book suggested. Somewhere along the line I felt that the Lord gave me permission to experience the freedom of using my imagination to worship Him, to talk to Him, and more importantly to hear from Him.

I sensed encouragement as I read and practiced what I was reading. Now understand that, at that time, I had been walking with the Lord for 61 years. I wandered off the path from time to time but was always mercifully led back. I had the blessing of good Bible teachers in the church, and the Lord spoke even deeper truths to my heart as I applied those teachings. In this way, the Lord has helped me learn to identify truth, and occasionally error, through the years. In the beginning I did not realize that my imagination was of any value to my spiritual transformation through mind renewal as promised in Romans 12:2. The more I practiced Dialogue With God, the more I sensed an awakening of something very familiar from deep within myself. It took me a while to recognize this as an asset.

To put this in perspective: I was 72 at the time of this awakening and still an active associate pastor on staff of a wonderful, Spirit-filled fellowship: New Covenant Church, in Valdosta, Georgia.

As this new imagination energy began to flow, I read the Bible with renewed eyes. I filled in color and sounds. I saw background and settings in my mind's eye that made everything a much more interesting story. As the Virklers suggested in their book, I not only saw the words that Jesus spoke to the woman at the well, but it was as if I heard Him say them, and then heard her words back to Him.  I could imagine being there, listening and watching. Isn’t that supposed to happen when you read a great story by a gifted author? I saw how the woman would try to get religious with Jesus and how He would bring her back to the real point. Of course I had read this story many times in the past. I understood the dialogue that they had with each other, but I had never felt as if I had been there. I’ll tell you more about this experience in the book.

For now, take a deep breath, try to relax, and see if the Lord will use my experience to give you a glimpse of a whole new dimension into His Kingdom that is to come—here, “on earth as it is in heaven.”

(Taken from the Preface of Imagine That.)

Take It to the Next Level

To ensure that this message transforms your life, we offer you four options. Any of these choices will assist you in internalizing this teaching, helping you to be a doer of the word and not a hearer only (James 1:22) and allowing you to produce a bountiful harvest in your life.

Opportunity 1 – Host a home or church group

This home group in Slovakia shows the excitement of learning to hear God's voice together!

We learn more quickly if we are surrounded by others who are seeking to master the same skill. Pray and ask God who you know who might want to grow in this truth also and open your home to them for 10-12 weekly sessions (or host a small group in your church). We provide several resources to help you present this powerfully and effectively in a group setting, including DVDs and application activities. Experience the joy of cultivating skills together with a group of friends! Discover how to create and post your group…

Opportunity 2 – Hire a Personal Spiritual Trainer to coach you

Coaching or discipling is the method Jesus used to train the twelve disciples.

When you team up with someone ahead of you in an area to mentor you, and you share your questions and steps of growth with them, receiving their counsel in return, you ascend more quickly into mastery in that area. We have trained coaches who have mastered this topic who will commit to working with you for a 90-day period.

• The name of this PST Training Module is: Communion with God
• Discover how to hire a PST for $1 a day to coach you in this training experience
• Click here for the steps to sign up for a Personal Spiritual Trainer module

Opportunity 3 – Take this as a college course from home

Earn college credit while being apprenticed to mastery in this area! This topic is available as a course which you can take from your home through the distance learning program offered at Christian Leadership University. You may enroll in this course as a lifelong learner or apply it toward an Associate, Bachelor, Master or Doctoral degree.

• The name of this CLU college course is: REN103 Communion with God
• Learn how you can take CLU courses from your home
• Click here for the steps to enroll in the corresponding CLU course

Opportunity 4 – Host a seminar for your community

Transform your church and region by hosting a weekend seminar with an anointed trainer, where an impartation is released by the Holy Spirit into your community. Mark Virkler and others are available to be scheduled.

• Discover how to host a weekend seminar with Mark Virkler
• Locate a Certified CWG Facilitator near you