2009 Journey

The calendar year of 2009 is well underway for us. Here are a few of the current adventures in our lives ...

Paul is only taking one course this semester at the Messianic Jewish Institute (http://www.americaninstituteonline.org/) because he is also leading a related discussion group for new students. About 5-10 students come to this debriefing to process through what they are learning. He is also going to begin learning Hebrew in February through a course offered at our Messianic synagogue, and Lauren may (or may not) attend also.

As far as the book series we are writing, Paul has been providing a bi-weekly update to our church. He gives about a one hour summary of what a particular book will be about, and he has done three of these so far. The series is a historical perspective on the Bible, with two specific areas of emphasis: how invisible supernatural beings interact with mankind, and God's expectations on Jews and Gentiles. The target audience is a contemporary believer with a basic foundation in the Word. If anyone would like to be a test-reader for this adventure, feel free to let us know.

After several months of waiting upon the Lord for direction, we have some changes to announce. Our warfare focus will be shifting to the entire state of Kansas instead of the city of Merriam. We have been participating in the Kansas "transformation" movement for a year and a half, so this is not too big of a shift. Plus, for some time now, our spiritual warfare leaders, Voice of the Light (http://www.voiceofthelight.com/) have been encouraging us to focus on Kansas instead of Merriam.

Our congregational life will also be changing in 2009. We feel, along with the individuals of our congregation, that the time is right to integrate into the Messianic synagogue Adat Yeshua (http://www.adatyeshuakc.com/). Our members are excited about the change, which was a big confirmation that the Lord was guiding us to take yet another non-traditional step of faith. We have had one meeting with the Rabbi and his wife, and there will be a few more of those before we have more details. We are also seeking the Lord as to what this means for us personally, as we feel we are to also join Adat Yeshua. There is a growing opportunity for us to help with the teaching ministry at a budding house church in another part of town here, so that may be one way of providing in the future. In the mean time, we are obviously praying about what direction to take regarding our ministry and finances.

Finally, Paul had a dream this month that may be worth sharing. I was at the Super Bowl, and four jets were flying over (similar to the pre-game routine nowadays, like during the national anthem). Then four more jets flew overhead since it was a big event. Almost simultaneously with the second set of jets, everyone in the stadium heard a loud whistling noise like that of a missle. As the jets were passing by, this streak of white smoke came into the stadium and landed on the field, bounced, and came to a stop. It was a cannister in shape, but more of a barbell look to it than a traditional cylinder/missle. In the dream, I knew either intuitively or by the Spirit that it was a terrorist attack. Anyhow, the crowd went into panic and a mass exodus started. I immediately began praying the blood of Jesus, and sometimes speaking in tongues, with my hands stretched out towards this mystery explosive device. There were about 10-20 people sitting around me that also immediately went into prayer. I was a bit nervous that it might go off, but it seemed more of an adrenaline rush than a fear type of feeling. After a few minutes of praying, I knew in the Spirit that we had overcome. Our prayers through the blood of Jesus had prevented this bomb from going off. The mass hysteria continued, as nobody really knew this as they continued to exit. So I told the group of those around me praying to begin thanking and praising the Lord for His protection since the danger was gone. The atmosphere shifted from nervous/adrenaline to one of the most euphoric feelings I've ever experienced. We we all dancing, thanking, praising, singing, jumping, rejoicing, etc. It was just an incredibly powerful moment of His presence hitting your physical body. As I rejoiced, my body began to float. I didn't float up into the sky, but float as in sideways so that I was "laying down" but in the air. That's how 'light' I felt during this euphoria, that I literally began to float. Then the dream ended.

We share this dream not as a prediction of future events, as we are unsure if that was the point of God speaking this way. But at the minimum, this dream reveals that there may be times when nobody knows how your prayer life changed history. It also reveals that when man partners with God, He reveals His sovereign power over men who partner with other gods ... whereby His glory is released as a sign to all of mankind, believer or unbeliever. May we each draw near to Him in an intimate way that we are able to change history in the everyday moments where we find ourselves, whether at home raising super kids or at the supermarket or at the Super Bowl.