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!"

Merry Christmas!!

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YWAM Tyler - School of Worship Recap

Well, from the first day I touched down at the Tyler airport, I felt welcomed in this place. I don't know how to explain it other than it was meant to be :)

For the past two years, there has been a real stirring in my heart to go deeper in my relationship with the Lord, particularly in this thing we call "worship". I already knew that it is so much more to worship than music, but I wanted to be "immersed" in a culture of worship. That is truly what I have found here at the School of Worship in Tyler Texas. From the teaching, to the hands on experience, to the times of intimate communion with the Lord both corporately and individually, I have truly been propelled into a new realm and revelation of what worship means and is with all of its implications in living a lifestyle of worship to our triune God!

I have been wonderfully stretched, uncomfortably challenged, deeply moved, and had my vision expanded. It has been wonderful being with a small group of 15 all of whom are passionate for the Lord and His Kingdom - called to carry the fire! Although most of them are half my age (or more) it seems that the scripture in Galations 3:27-29 can also be applied to generations:

The Message Version says:
But now you have arrived at your destination: By faith in Christ you are in direct relationship with God. Your baptism in Christ was not just washing you up for a fresh start. It also involved dressing you in an adult faith wardrobe—Christ's life, the fulfillment of God's original promise. In Christ's family there can be no division into Jew and non-Jew, slave and free, male and female. Among us you are all equal. That is, we are all in a common relationship with Jesus Christ. Also, since you are Christ's family, then you are Abraham's famous "descendant," heirs according to the covenant promises.

There is a wonderful synergy that happens when we become an "intergenerational priesthood" unto the Lord. We all learn from each other and in honor and respect we realize that with one another we are given a more complete picture of the Lord, who He is, and experiencing more fully His Kingdom principles. We are all an equally important part of His family!

Here is a picture of our class:

There is representation of 10 different nations:

US, Canada, Mexico, South Korea, Holland, Russia, Nigeria, Chile, Spain, Germany.

Here are a few random pictures of some of the class in various places:

Its very hard to put into words the things that I have seen and experienced here. I want to especially thank Josh Langer and his wife Marsha. Josh is the visionary for this SOW and has been a huge inspiration for me to be bold and go after the things that the Lord has put on my heart.

Also a special thank you to all the leadership team: Jessica, Landon, Randy, Aaron, Dillon and Jacob - but especially my friend Dennis whose pastoral care and servant heart has meant so much to me.

Through their leadership I have been able to more fully experience leadership as it was meant to be: humble yet passionate, serving and equipping, encouraging and empowering, dynamic and releasing - setting an example in life and love - not lording it over, nor passively distant or disengaged. I have also seen that their heart is based on wanting to make decisions based on the fear of the Lord, not the fear of man. This takes courage and commitment to do the "hard stuff". I'm reminded of this scripture in 1 Corinthians:

I Cor 4:15 There are a lot of people around who can't wait to tell you what you've done wrong, but there aren't many fathers willing to take the time and effort to help you grow up.

Thank you friends, for setting an example in speech and conduct. I have considered it an honour to have been part of this School of Worship and I believe that the seeds being planted and watered here will bear fruit for eternity! God bless you all!

I also want to thank Tana, my good friend and intercessor here on the land. I have learned so much from her - her prayers are passionate and her love for the Lord and others is contagious. She is a wonderful, humble and faithful handmaiden of the Lord. Thank you Tana!

Most of all I am grateful to the Lord for His faithfulness to me, His great grace, His overwhelming love and affirmation and for using the School of Worship to dig a deeper well in me. I am confident that He who has begun a good work in me, will bring it to completion as I continue to trust him and abide in Him, the true Vine.

As I prepare to leave, my prayer for the School of Worship is this:

....that God will fill each of you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. ~Colossians 1:9-12

After all, this school is called the "The School of His Shining Light", is it not?!!

Following the Lord in Gordon's Bay - May 27th

Our last day here, we went to lunch at pasta place with Julie and Piet, had the best minestrone soup ever.

Then Karen and I went for a walk down the beach and also to do some shopping in the town.

Closing Remarks:
Before leaving Cindy told us:
“to whom much is given, much is required”.

We come home with much to process believing in some small way, that the oil we bring back (handed out at the conference), will begin to ignite and burn for His glory thoughout Canada and that Canada will stretch out her healing hands to the nations of the world.

The first evening of Global Day of Prayer, the scripture from Joel 2:15-16, was highlighted in the video: "Blow the Trumpet in Zion"...As these words filled the screen, they also filled our spirits. Every day the Lord orchestrated situations and requests from people to blow the shofar! Even going through the security check in Amsterdam, one of the officers asked Karen to blow the horn right in the airport security area! So be it.. we will continue!

Special Thanks to all of you for making yourself available to the Lord and partnering with us. This prayer journey is not about 2 women but rather about the wonder of the body, each finding their position, and as one pressing forward into his purposes.

Also special thanks to the world's best host families:
Beth and Lawrence
Tracey and Neville
Julie and Piet

Together may we see

and experience Joel 2:8-30

Following the Lord in Gordon's Bay - May 26th

This day Julie woke us up at 7am as we were heading out to Cape Agalus for prayer assignment – 2 hour ride.

On the way there, there were many wonderful sights! The first thing we noticed was a ring around the sun (sundog) a sign of change. We brought this to Julie’s attention as she had not seen one before..

“Open wide the gates and lift up the doors”
Here we were, we were given time and space to pray the Ring of Fire prayer, with Julie and Cindy as our rear guards! Double portion…

As we prayed, we were led to pray healing for the “heart” of Africa and that spiritually God would use South Africa as the heart of His Kingdom. We also prayed that God would position Canada as the “healing hands” in His Body globally, and that her destiny would be established here. We looked down into the water and this is what we saw:

Our prayer time continued with Julie

and the shofar sounded off.

We made our way to the Cape Agalus Lighthouse. Wow!


Our Mighty God!

Mightier than the thunders of many waters,
Mightier than the waves of the sea,
The Lord on High is Mighty
Psalm 93:4

God is always greater than all our troubles.

Hungry for God and hungry for food – lunch time! Julie had in mind a place that she regularly visits, but when we arrived it was closed..we found ourselves at a restaurant that served mediteranean food. This is how we were greeted:

Once inside we found ourselves sitting under a frame of three hearts..strange but wonderful. Truly our Father fills our mouths with laughter..


We had a marvellous lunch, the flavours and presentation were awesome! Then as we were leaving, I saw a rock that caught my attention. Guess what shape it was???

Julie noticed as we were leaving the restaurant was called Renaissance (new beginnings..hmm)

Just before we arrived back at Gordons Bay, Julie pulled over at a viewpoint, and again God took our breath away and you’ll never guess what kind of plant we found – heart clover!!

We arrived back at around 5:30 and got prepared for our time with the men at the rehab for 7pm. Our preparation was bringing 30 inspiring pictures and the scripture in John…. We left the rest to the working of the HS. He wove together the evening through:

Worship
Testimony
His word
His call
Healing
Unity

The men were hearing the Lords voice and experiencing His presence in a fresh way. The reality of God’s presence was opening them up to healing and releasing them to be sons in their true identity in the Lord. Please join us in praying for them to continue to stand in their healing and calling.

Also pray for the house mother, Poppy, who has been there for over 10 years.

Another full day, praise the Lord. Now for some more sleep - blogging will have to wait again!