Adventures in Australia - Tasmania July 7-10, 2014

Bags packed and on the road by 6:30am to the airport in Melbourne!


It was quite foggy just before sunrise and we stopped and took a few photos.  It was so beautiful. 

Then as we drove away, left behind a photo op of the century as the sun's rays began to filter through the fog as it rose.  The view was spectacular, almost like a vision of God's glory!  Unfortunately, we were unable to get the shot of this :(  But here is one we took later as we were heading to Melbourne.
 

 

 

 

 

Tasmania! 1:30pm July 10th safe landing..

 

 

When we had previously registered, we had arranged for the dorm accommodation, but instead this is where the Lord placed us!

 









As we looked out, it was like we were in
Psalm 23!






He makes me like down in green pastures

 

HE RESTORES MY SOUL

 

 

 

 

 

Checking out the fire schedule :)

Everything is ready....

 

 

The flag on the right is the Australian national flag, the other is an Light Horse flag commemorating Australia and New Zealand's Light Horse Charge at Beersheba, Israel in 1917.  For more information, go here at this link. Since that time, there has been a very close relationship between Israel and Australia. 

Tuesday, July 8th...and so it begins!

On our way to breakfast and the morning session



 

 

 

 

Jacky and Philippa were our doorkeepers, honouring each delegate and bringing us into the sense of the significance of our time together.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leadership team

 

We give great thanks to the Lord for each one.  As a team, they walked in a high sensitivity to the Holy Spirit and led in a way that gave both safety and freedom.  They were an incredible gift to us!

 

 

 

Wednesday, July 9th

These pictures were taken from our cabin at sunrise

 

 

 

 

 

After a time of silence, we entered a spontaneous time of praise and worship

 

 

 

Worship turned into what looked like a choreographed procession using banners

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday, July 10th

 

G'Dy Tassie!

 

 

 

Our day of commissioning

 

 

To begin the commissioning, Donny McGregor called the Joshua generation forward - those 16 to 30 years old.  Many of us came behind them and prayed for them while they were being anointed. Next to be commissioned were all the internationals  At this point, we were called forward as representatives of Canada, and were surrounded with prayer for us and for our nation.  We were highly honoured.

 

 

 

Kris Schlyder from the Australian Indigenous Prayer network recruited us!!

 

 

The Lord has loved us, blessed us and increased our numbers (Deut7:13-15) 

We have had the privilege to experience Kingdom Community here in Tasmania in a way that

we never thought possible!



(left to right) Cathy, Alan from NZ, Kathryn and Peter from Tasmania, Karen

 

 

 

So many goodbyes....we almost missed our bus! 

Good bye, Tassie! We will miss you...



Adventures in Australia Day 3

Today was Sunday here in Beechworth and it was cool and rainy.  We woke up early and spent the morning together - the three of us sharing, and talking about the things the Lord was revealing to us.  Before we knew it, it was time to get ready for church.  Jacky has spoken to us yesterday about going to the local Salvation Army church so we headed out to a quaint older style building on the main street.  A warm place had been prepared for us both physically and spiritually...

Our time there was God ordained.  The Lord spoke to us through the message, and the words of the songs.  The message was on Judges 6:1-16 where Gideon was called to 

STEP OUT.  

Gideon HEARD the call of God

Gideon TESTED the call of God

Gideon OBEYED the call of God

Gideon STEPPED OUT in God's strength!

At one point in the service I looked up, and saw a stunning picture of a lighthouse that caught my attention.  No sooner had I seen this than I noticed Karen had also seen it.  We knew we needed to take a picture of it as it ties in with some things the Lord has already been speaking to us about. 

Afterwards, we were invited into an amazing time of prayer with two other ladies.  The five of us prayed for one another, and the Lord ministered healing, grace, strength and peace to each of us.  It was truly bread from heaven. We were then invited for 'physical bread' and joined them in a church luncheon, which we enjoyed immensely.  

As we were leaving, we decided to head off around the corner to the local honey store. 

There were so many different types and flavours and they had taste testers for each one.  It was fabulous!  Then before we left, we nabbed a few pictures of some old gothic churches in the area. Lots of history here!

We headed home to rest, and prepare for our trip early tomorrow morning to Tasmania! 

 We have been prepared and now we are ready ....

  

Adventures in Australia Day 2

Long Live the Faith of Christ in Australia!

Captain Pedro Fernandez de Quiros in 1606 became the first explorer to lay claim to Australia. He was also a man with a heart for God. Between the 14th and 15th centuries the Spaniards began sending expeditions into the South Pacific.

Their purpose was to carry the Bible to these lands (as well as a quest for riches). This is borne out in a letter from a Spanish diplomat to King Phillip 111: "That no time be lost in discovering that Australia region so far unknown, so these people may have knowledge of the Gospel and be brought into Spiritual obedience." De Quiros gave this continent its name "La Australia del Espiritu Santo" or literally "Great Southland of the Holy Spirit". No other nation has ever been blessed with the name "Land of the Holy Spirit"!

Sailing into the waters of the South Pacific and sighting land de Quiros took possession, calling it the Great South Land of the Holy Spirit. His actual proclamation was as follows: 

"Let the heavens, the earth, the waters with all their creatures and all those here present witness that I, Captain Pedro Fernandez de Quiros, in the name of Jesus Christ, hoist this emblem of the Holy Cross on which Jesus Christ's person was crucified and whereon He gave His life for the ransom and remedy of the human race, on this day of Pentecost, 14 May 1606, I take possession of all this part of the South as far as the pole in the name of Jesus, which from now on shall be called the Southern land of the Holy Spirit and this always and forever to the end that to all natives, in all the said lands, the holy, sacred evangel may be preached zealously and openly."

After the proclamation the ships' cannons roared and soldiers fired their muskets and de Quiros and his men shouted: "Long live the Faith of Christ!" 

And so we too, as we walk the land and connect with the people, join in agreement with this prayer.

Beechworth on the map

View of residential area of the town

Historical gold mining town from the 1800`s

A typical Colonial style home

Alot of the town names have aboriginal roots

Surrounding countryside- lots of pastureland

Today it was raining so we had a quiet fireside morning.  It was a blessing to rest and catch up with our friend Jacky (our hostess and friend that we first met at the Jerusalem House of Prayer).  After lunch we toured the countryside and had some delicious cheese at a local cheese factory.  We came home and snacked on crackers, cheese, macadamia nuts, and a new taste experience, QUINCE!!! YUM!

Adventures in Australia

Karen and I are doing well, having arrived about 24 hours ago, at our destination in Beechworth, Victoria, Australia which is about 3 hours northeast of Melbourne.  We were warmly welcomed by our hosts, John and Jacky, and they have a lovely property with fruit trees, chickens, sheep, llama and lots of beauitful wild birds including some very colourful parrots. 

We experienced tremendous favour at every point in the trip, including customs.  The plane ride from Vancouver to Sydney was the smoothest ride ever, and we even slept on the plane for a good portion of the 15 1/2 hour trip.  We had a bit of  "excitement" when I arrived to check in my bag for the next leg to Melbourne, and it was discovered that i had grabbed someone elses bag that was IDENTICAL to mine!  Since Karen had already checked her bag, she needed to board the flight while I had to return to the baggage help area.  I was completely amazed at how quickly they retrieved my bag and I was on the next flight right after karen.  I had a wonderful visit with a jewish doctor who was going to attend a wedding in Israel.  

i arrived in the airport in Melbourne about an hour after Karen, and Jacky and Karen were there to meet me.  She took us to a place outside Melbourne where we stopped and had tea together, and then noticed a sign that read "Space to be you".  After the three hour drive, we arrived at the property which is aptly named "Bethany". 

What a sense of welcome when her husband John greeted us with a lovely dinner of corned beef!  It was delicious.  

Our first night in Bethany we slept well, until about 5am finally getting up at 6am.  We sat by the wood stove with our coffee and recounted how miraculous it was that we were here. We read Psalm 48 together and meditated on what the Lord was saying to us through this Psalm.  Then we decided we would do a "walkabout" since the weather was decent (12 C and sunny).  We explored the town whiich had been built in the gold rush days, and then had the best meat pie ever at the local bakery!! 

 

 

 Then we took a 5 km walk around a beautul gorge that surrounds part of the town.  

Yes, that's Karen taking a picture! :)

 

All in all it was a great day, and we look forward to what the Lord has in store for us.  Our time in Bethany so far has been restful, and very restorative.  Thank you for your prayers.

We are looking forward to the prayer gathering coming up this Monday, July 7th in Tasmania.  Go here for more information:

http://www.generationfire.com.au/international-gathering-2014/

Just found this awesome video on Hanunkkah, the Jewish celebration also called the Festival of Lights:

Lyrics to the song:

Just livin' in the miracle, candles are my vehicle
Eight nights, gonna shine invincible
No longer be divisible, born through the struggle
Keep on moving through all this hustle
Head up, heads down through all of the bustle
New York City wanna flex your muscle
Look so down, look so puzzled
Huddle 'round your fire through all the rubble

Bound to stumble and fall but my strength comes not from man at all
Bound to stumble and fall but my strength comes not from man at all

[Chorus]
Do you believe in miracles
Am I hearing you? Am I seeing you?
Eight nights eight lights and these rites keep me right
Bless me to the highest heights with your miracle

Against all odds drive on till tomorrow
Wipe away your tears and your sorrow
Sunrise in the sky like an arrow
No need to worry, no need to cry
Light up your mind no longer be blind
Him who searches will find
Leave your problems behind you will shine like a fire in the sky
what's the reason we're alive -- the reason we're alive...
Bound to stumble and fall but my strength comes not from man at all
Bound to stumble and fall but my strength comes not from man at all

[Chorus]
Do you believe in miracles
Am I hearing you? Am I seeing you?
Eight nights eight lights and these rites keep me right
Bless me to the highest heights with your miracle

Eight is the number of infinity one more than what you know how to be
And this is the light of festivity when your broken heart yearns to be free

[Chorus]
Do you believe in miracles
Am I hearing you? Am I seeing you?
Eight nights eight lights and these rites keep me right
Bless me to the highest heights with your miracle

Jerusalem In Imax

Here's a great video on Jerusalem that someone sent me..it's amazing.

Jerusalem | Filmed in Imax 3D from JerusalemTheMovie on Vimeo.

ENJOY!!

Israel, Here We Come!

Hi friends!

Oh my!! A lot has happened since my last post, but I'll give a short update on events leading up to this Israel trip.

While I was in Texas last year from October to December 2010, (at The School of Worship, YWAM), I received a number of words from different people regarding Israel. It was a bit of a shock to me, as Israel had really not been on my "radar" or on my list of top 10 places to visit in the world. But I asked the Lord about it and told Him that I was available if He was speaking to me and wanting me to go. The day I left Texas, a dear sister from Korea gave me this incredible card, not knowing what I was processing. I tucked it away in a special place where I keep all my treasures, but I also tucked it away in my spirit.

Back in Canada, at the end of 2010, Karen and I began to talk about Israel, both of us having a desire to discover more of our Hebraic roots in the Christian faith. It was at this time that I mentioned to Karen that while in Texas, I had repeatedly received hints that I may go to Israel. In fact, my group prayer leader had specifically suggested I look into going to Jerusalem House of Prayer for All Nations (JHOP). This was a place she had been to herself previously and she highly recommended it. I began to search on the net and found the site noticing that they had training in Oct-Nov 2011 for those that have a heart for worship/prayer and establishing houses of prayer. Prompted by the Spirit, both Karen and I applied in May 2011.

Then we talked together about having someone come and take our church through the Passover Meal in April of 2011. To make a long story short, the Lord sent us a young man straight from Israel, and we have a wonderful evening, with over 120 people from our community. It was indeed a rich evening, but more importantly, the Lord knit our hearts together with this young man and we have kept in touch ever since. He prayed that we would be accepted by JHOP and come to Israel. In late August, his prayers for us were answered.

Fast forward:

We are now in the preparation mode for our trip. We will be in Jerusalem at the House of Prayer for 3 weeks beginning October 13th. After that, we have 10 days of travel, time with our friend and to see the sights. We also have been put on notice by the Lord that we have a prayer assignment there as well.

We are excited about being in Israel, particularly at this time in history. We will be participating in the Feast of Tabernacles and connecting with people from all over the world.

Please cover us in prayer during this time. We have no idea what to expect, only that Yeshua goes ahead of us to prepare the way.

I will post as I can once we arrive there.

I end with a great video in celebration of the Jewish New Year:

Song Lyrics:
Synagogue, Rabbi's talk, going on for a while, can you check the clock, huh
Cantor's opera, lost my spot, do you know the place, choir in the slot
Wine we drink, with family now, good deeds you do, good for your soul
Fish head, ram's horn, shofar blow, give some money, appeal for dough

Yo, I'm returnin' to the fold can you explain mo'
Got this desire to know Torah scroll, say hello
Our prayers rock, yeah, we're the Jews and we question
Got the pride, just cant stop, our lives are changin'
Rosh Hashanah's in the house tonight

All the world is passing through the light
Let's all get written in the book of Life
Shana Tova -- It's High Holiday time

Taking stock is what we do tonight
Shana Tova -- it's High Holiday time
Let's all get written in the book of Life
Blow the shofar and -- Shuckle!

Three times a day I'm shucklin'
shucklin', shucklin'

Shofar blast, all across the world we will do this task
Apples and honey, feelin' glad -- now stop, never get mad

Fill the Kiddush cup, my friends around
Books are opened up, the challah's round
All our history, we see it now
Now please hear our plea, we're prayin' now

Stand up, sit down, pass the prayer books around
Stand up, sit down, pass the prayer books around
Stand up, sit down, pass the prayer books around
Pass the prayer books around, pass the prayer books around

Rosh Hashanah's in the house tonight
All the world is passing through the light
Let's all get written in the book of Life
Shana Tova -- it's High Holiday time

Taking stock is what we do tonight
Shana Tova -- it's High Holiday time
Let's all get written in the book of Life
Blow the shofar and -- Shuckle!

Everyday I'm shucklin'

Shanah Tovah!

Cathy & Karen

Revival Prayer

Recently I came across this old prayer that was printed in 1904 from a magazine called "Old Time Religion". The author is unknown.

God thou art in great favor of revival. Thou art now stirring up the sainthood to pray for what you favor. Our every other need sinks into insignificance compared to the need of deep and widespread old time revival.

God send us a revival that will turn the people of God back from their worldliness and idols to serve the true and the living God. Lord turn us back from broken cisterns to the fountain of living waters.

God send us a revival that will take away every desire for worldly amusements and abolish every ungodly scheme for raising money for the support of the gospel.

A revival that will sweep away the pride that prompts all worldly conformity and extravagance in all dress and manner of life.

A revival that will take the people out of their worldly clubs and societies and secret lodges and put them in the secret place of the Most High where they will abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

A revival that will save the people of God from covetousness, the love of the world, and all uncleanness of spirit, mind and body.

A revival in which professors of religion will have their eyes open to see and feel their responsibility for souls and in which they will confess with broken hearts their former backslidings, their carelessness and their indifference. And in thousands of cases, their actual transgressions, of Your moral law.

A revival like a flood that will sweep away the refuge of lies and overthrow the hiding places of all them that would hide away from the light of God’s presence.

A revival that will unearth and uncover every devise of Satan for deceiving souls whether found in the church or outside of it. For the secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him and He will show them His covenant.

A revival that will make both the church and the world realize the shortness of time and the importance of eternity.

A revival that will make heaven and hell, Calvary and the resurrection, salvation from sin, cleansing through the blood and the gift of the Holy Ghost living realities by the revelation of Your spirit in harmony with the Word of God.

A revival in which the sinfulness of sin will so be revealed that instead of excusing it and pleading for it souls will turn from it in utter loathing and cry out “O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from the body of this death?”

A revival that will sweep away all selfishness and narrowness and all sectarian spirit and bring those that now spend their time in criticism of each other down on their faces before God crying out for salvation for lost souls.

A revival like a tornado that will sweep away all the old dried up sermons and all the cold formal services and all the lifeless singing and like a whirlwind will carry everyone that comes in its path heavenward.

A revival that will fill the hearts of saints with holy love, and so burden the hearts of God’s ministers, that the Word of God will be like a fire shut up in their bones.

A revival that will help people honor God with their substance and have their barns filled with plenty.

A revival in which the presence of God will be revealed so that multitudes will fall under the power of God and cry out for mercy as they did on the day of Pentecost.

A revival that has so much of heaven and so much of God’s glory in it that all the world will be compelled to see and feel its mighty influence.

A revival that will gloriously defeat the powers of darkness and hell and make earth and heaven ring with shouts of victory over a multitude of souls snatched from eternal burning and run to God and run from hell.

Yeah a revival that will never need to be revived but that will sweep on like a mighty wave of the sea that nothing can stop it until time shall be no more.

And everybody said: Amen! Lord send revival!

2011: A Year of God's Unfathomable Greatness

Greetings friends! It's been some time since I have blogged and for good reason. As some of you may not know, I was in Texas at a School of Worship from the end of September 2010 until December 18th, 2010. You can read a little about my experiences there a few blogs earlier. Since coming home, we have had so much activity, particularly with Christmas on the way that I have had to take time out to catch up!

I have now had a chance to settle in back at home and work and have some breather time to process and to think about the past year and this new year of 2011.

All in all 2010 was a very busy year. The Lord had Karen and I in South Africa to attend Global Day of Prayer which lead to two specific prayer assignments there,

then on Vancouver Island for our second 24-7 Ring of Fire prayer assignment,

and then God sent me off to Tyler, Texas for three months, where unknown to me was waiting another prayer assignment with an intercessor there named Tana.

Upon my return I began to hear reports from different people about the Lord beginning to sovereignly move among His people on Vancouver Island. We were hearing reports about various miracles happening, God's people repenting, and an increased thirst and hunger for God and his presence. I have been praying along with this and trying to keep myself updated but really looking for the fruit of the Spirit as evidence of this being the "real thing". I was very pleased to hear reports such as the one here below:

BY DAVID COSBURN

On December 5, 2010

wow – what a crazy weekend – yes there were healings, yes there was deliverance, yes there were accurate words of knowledge – but the biggest miracle is the anointing of love that is being poured out that is bonding the church of Christ in UNITY!!!

I was also very excited to read a word that was released by Sandra Naswell of Northgate Foursquare Church in Courtenay. Sandra actually helped to host our 24-7 prayer tent in Courtenay at their church for our first 24-7 Ring of Fire Prayer Tour on the Island in October 2009. [a two week trip visiting 7 cities, setting up our tent and praying 24 hours in each location].

Here is the word that Sandra released:

Word from the Lord during the week of prayer and fasting Jan 2011

For this new season, I the Lord, am raising up an army of people. An army with new weapons and tools, warriors clothed in uniforms that have the protection that no other uniform has had yet. No longer are the days of striving to fight battles with only to be knocked down in discouragement and defeat but these days will be full of victories giving life and health to those fighting the battles. These new warriors that I will raise up will be strong in Me because they will know the difference between striving and fighting in their own strength and humbly resting in My presence for the strength I give freely. In my presence they will be filled with all they will need for battle according to Galatians 5:22-23. The fruit of the spirit is what is needed to defeat all that the world has to throw at you. Love will defeat hatred, anger and fits of rage. Joy will defeat sadness, depression and isolation. Peace will defeat confusion, fighting and anxiousness. Kindness will defeat judgments, envy and dissension. Faithfulness will defeat abandonment, selfish ambitions and discord. Patience will defeat intolerance, pride and frustration. Gentleness will defeat harsh words, rebellion and rage. Goodness will defeat impurity, witchcraft and idolatry. Self control will defeat drunkenness, self-indulgence and sexual immorality. The fruit of the spirit are the weapons of your warfare that I have given you since the beginning of time to defeat all that comes against you. As you humbly spend time in My presence these weapons will be ready for each battle and be assured the victory will be yours says the Lord.

Submitted by – Sandra Naswell – Northgate Prayer

I believe that many Christ followers right now are in varying stages of being released from a cocoon. There is much pressure being applied; in order to really have the strength to fly once we "emerge", just like the butterfly, we need to allow the pressure to force His life-blood through us, to give us the strength we need during this next season - to soar with him higher and almost effortlessly on the wings of the wind. [You don't see butterflies striving to fly]

The Lord gave me this scripture the other day and I think its applicable to the season we are in:

Psalm 147:18
He sends his word and melts them; he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow..

As God releases His Word, and as it is received in us, there is a great meltdown of our flesh [pride and independence] and of our resistance to the working of Holy Spirit. Then the Lord stirs up His refreshing breezes, lifting us higher into His holy presence - as this happens, living waters flow out from us into our families, our communities and even into the nations. Let it be so!

Come Lord Jesus and take these coals of fire from your altar, this burning passion for Jesus, from Vancouver Island and spread them across our land into the nations of the world! Amen.

If you would like to keep updated on the happenings on the island, here are a few blogs you can follow:

http://comoxvalleyrevival.wordpress.com/

http://cpclife.blogspot.com/2011/01/great-start-to-2011.html?spref=tw

http://fireontheisland.blogspot.com/2011/01/port-hardy-revival-2011.html?spref=tw

http://www.islandrevival.com/

http://hansenadventures.wordpress.com/about/

http://www.24-7comoxvalley.com/?p=87

I firmly believe that 2011 we are going to see and experience the unfathomableness [is that a word?] of our great God!!!

1 Corinthians 2:9 But it is just as the Scriptures say, "What God has planned for people who love him is more than eyes have seen or ears have heard. It has never even entered our minds!"