Here is your challenge: Read the quote below and tell me, who said this? Was it:
a) Leonardo da Vinci
b) George Washington
c) Jonathan Edwards
d) Napoleon Bonaparte
"I know men; and I tell you that Jesus Christ is not a man. Superficial minds see a resemblance between Christ and the founders of empires, and the gods of other religions. That resemblance does not exist. There is between Christianity and whatever religions the distance of infinity…
"Everything about Christ astonishes me. His spirit overawes me, and His will confounds me. Between Him and whoever else in the world there is no possible term of comparison. He is truly a being by Himself. His ideas and His sentiments, the truth which He announces, his manner of convincing, are not explained either by human organization or by the nature of things.
"The nearer I approach, the more carefully I examine, everything is above me; everything remains grand—of a grandeur which overpowers. His religion is a revelation from an intelligence which certainly is not that of man. There is there a profound originality which has created a series of words and of maxims before unknown. Jesus borrowed nothing from our science. One can absolutely find nowhere, but in Him alone, the imitation or the example of His life … I search in vain in history to find the similar to Jesus Christ, or anything which can approach the gospel. Neither history, nor humanity, nor the ages, nor nature, offer me anything with which I am able to compare it or to explain it. Here everything is extraordinary. The more I consider the gospel, the more I am assured that there is nothing there which is not beyond the march of events, and above the human mind."
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
SNOW DAY!
Thus begins week two of my job hunt, and my major item on the agenda has been snowed out! That of observing math and Spanish at the local middle school in hopes that it both helps me settle on the age group and subject matter I'd most like to teach (middle or high school? math or Spanish?) and allows me the opportunity to meet a prospective employer (as I hope to be considered for the middle school math position which is open yet have not made headway in gaining an interview!)
Please pray that the Lord will open a door of employment for me. In order to be with my family during the end of December, which to me is the highest priority due to my father's recent diagnosis of Lou Gehrig's disease, I had to give notice at my previous position teaching preschool and Kindergarten Spanish. Honestly, I am very happy at the prospect of something else. I do not feel at my highest working with mass 2-6 year olds, eleven classes a day, and keeping their attention long enough to learn a foreign language is another thing altogether! Very draining. As Jay goes back to finish his college degree next Monday, my situation in Kansas City is changing from that of a indefinite temporary season to four more years minimum, which also increases my desire to find a means of income more suited to my temperament and giftings!!!
My hope is to find a school district who will hire me to teach math or Spanish and co-apply to the state for a temporary authorization certificate. This can be renewed as I follow the requirements of taking a minimum of nine education credit hours per year. Teaching would keep me on a similar schedule as Jay, enabling us to hopefully do overseas missions most summers.
As we begin a new year, most of us usually take a moment to reflect on the previous year....Last year at this time I was contemplating moving to Kansas City, beginning to job search (deja vu!), and beginning to get to know Jay. Now he is finally living here all the time, I am job searching, and we are getting married three months from yesterday! The more that changes, the more that stays the same...I also am happy to be living in a nice house with four single women, three of whom are involved with the House of Prayer. How wonderful it is to live with godly people, such an encouragement, after living by myself most of last year! And for more encouragement, I believe Jay and I will be joining a marriage teaching focused small group called "Love & Respect" with IHOP-KC which conveniently runs from next Monday till late March. When I skipped an opportunity to do this course in seminar form in Mozambique to lead a weekend bush trip, I had a feeling I would come across it again at a more fitting time!
I pray that God would give you and I both a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, having the eyes of our hearts enlightened that we may know the HOPE to which He has called us, the RICHES of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and the immeasurable greatness of His POWER towards us who believe! (Eph. 1:17-19)
Please pray that the Lord will open a door of employment for me. In order to be with my family during the end of December, which to me is the highest priority due to my father's recent diagnosis of Lou Gehrig's disease, I had to give notice at my previous position teaching preschool and Kindergarten Spanish. Honestly, I am very happy at the prospect of something else. I do not feel at my highest working with mass 2-6 year olds, eleven classes a day, and keeping their attention long enough to learn a foreign language is another thing altogether! Very draining. As Jay goes back to finish his college degree next Monday, my situation in Kansas City is changing from that of a indefinite temporary season to four more years minimum, which also increases my desire to find a means of income more suited to my temperament and giftings!!!
My hope is to find a school district who will hire me to teach math or Spanish and co-apply to the state for a temporary authorization certificate. This can be renewed as I follow the requirements of taking a minimum of nine education credit hours per year. Teaching would keep me on a similar schedule as Jay, enabling us to hopefully do overseas missions most summers.
As we begin a new year, most of us usually take a moment to reflect on the previous year....Last year at this time I was contemplating moving to Kansas City, beginning to job search (deja vu!), and beginning to get to know Jay. Now he is finally living here all the time, I am job searching, and we are getting married three months from yesterday! The more that changes, the more that stays the same...I also am happy to be living in a nice house with four single women, three of whom are involved with the House of Prayer. How wonderful it is to live with godly people, such an encouragement, after living by myself most of last year! And for more encouragement, I believe Jay and I will be joining a marriage teaching focused small group called "Love & Respect" with IHOP-KC which conveniently runs from next Monday till late March. When I skipped an opportunity to do this course in seminar form in Mozambique to lead a weekend bush trip, I had a feeling I would come across it again at a more fitting time!
I pray that God would give you and I both a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, having the eyes of our hearts enlightened that we may know the HOPE to which He has called us, the RICHES of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and the immeasurable greatness of His POWER towards us who believe! (Eph. 1:17-19)
Thursday, November 11, 2010
IHOP-KC in the News
IHOP-KC was featured as the cover story in November’s edition of Charisma Magazine. The article is entitled “We Won’t Stop Praying.” This edition also includes a highly favorable editorial about IHOP, as well as an article by Mike Bickle called, “Why the Church Must Pray.” There will also be a Conference Call with Mike on prayer on November 16, at 8 pm CST. To read the digital magazine online for free, visit the Charisma site at www.charismamag.com.
It's pretty cool! IHOP-KC has gotten a lot of controversial press in the past, and there's still a lot of online stuff saying that we are a cult! This is nice to be spoken of VERY positively from such a widely-read Christian publication.
On a personal note, I'm in the last few days of my online IHOP-KC eschool class on Song of Songs. Pray that God breathe's life in to my final paper! I will be outlining a portion of the Song in detail with Scriptural cross-references to Biblical symbolism, and then writing a 3-5 paper on how that particular passage identifies to my life! It is a little intimidating to compile my commentary/outline...Mike Bickle's on the whole song is 152 pages! Prayer welcome. :)
Angie :) <><
Sunday, October 31, 2010
I'm Getting Married!!!!
"My cup runneth over....!"
I'm sure most of you already know through facebook, but....I AM ENGAGED TO BE MARRIED!!!!
On October 15th, Jerald Jay Stratton, III, aka "JJ" or to me "Jay", took me star-gazing at a nearby lake. He brought a blanket and candles and treats (including my fav extra dark Lindt truffles ;). We slow-danced as jazzy Ella Fitzgerald played on his laptop, and he began to tell me what I meant to him. I felt him reach into his pocket and shuffle something behind my back before he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I said, "Yes! Yes! Yes!" ;) He proposed with a family heirloom ring, which I learned minutes later when we called my parents was in fact my grandmother's engagement ring! I bawled. It was beautiful, and such a blessing! All my grandparents have been gone for many years, so it is so special to have my maternal grandmother's ring. It is also an extravagant blessing for us financially and much bigger than I ever expected. Haha! :)
We will be getting married in St. Louis on April 9th, 2011. Pray for us as we plan for the wedding and more importantly our marriage and future life together! The Lord is stirring our hearts and minds to certain avenues over these next 4-5 years which we are very excited about---but more specifics to come on that later! In the meantime, we've enjoyed spending each weekend together in these past two months since he officially moved to Kansas City. He still works four ten hour days all over southern Missouri during the week, mostly out of Rolla and Springfield. I'm looking forward to when we will see each other every day...but this is a great improvement to every third weekend! It has been great to attend Forerunner Christian Fellowship (with IHOP-KC) together and enjoy time in the prayer room.
Other highlights over these past two months have been seeing family and friends at several weddings in the St. Louis/Illinois area. First we celebrated with my cousin Debbie as she wed a wonderful man from Kenya. Then two weeks later my very good childhood friend Jonathan Block married at the family farm where I spent many hours adventuring during summers growing up. Then two weeks after that, we visited Rolla and stayed with Martha and James Cameron and went up to St. Louis for Jay's company team building day at Dave and Buster's. Beforehand we met my parents at a few reception sites, and were happy to find the least expensive option to be very beautiful (and be running a special for April!)
Now to Him who richly provides for all our needs according to His riches in glory be blessing and honor and praise! :)
I'm sure most of you already know through facebook, but....I AM ENGAGED TO BE MARRIED!!!!
On October 15th, Jerald Jay Stratton, III, aka "JJ" or to me "Jay", took me star-gazing at a nearby lake. He brought a blanket and candles and treats (including my fav extra dark Lindt truffles ;). We slow-danced as jazzy Ella Fitzgerald played on his laptop, and he began to tell me what I meant to him. I felt him reach into his pocket and shuffle something behind my back before he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I said, "Yes! Yes! Yes!" ;) He proposed with a family heirloom ring, which I learned minutes later when we called my parents was in fact my grandmother's engagement ring! I bawled. It was beautiful, and such a blessing! All my grandparents have been gone for many years, so it is so special to have my maternal grandmother's ring. It is also an extravagant blessing for us financially and much bigger than I ever expected. Haha! :)
We will be getting married in St. Louis on April 9th, 2011. Pray for us as we plan for the wedding and more importantly our marriage and future life together! The Lord is stirring our hearts and minds to certain avenues over these next 4-5 years which we are very excited about---but more specifics to come on that later! In the meantime, we've enjoyed spending each weekend together in these past two months since he officially moved to Kansas City. He still works four ten hour days all over southern Missouri during the week, mostly out of Rolla and Springfield. I'm looking forward to when we will see each other every day...but this is a great improvement to every third weekend! It has been great to attend Forerunner Christian Fellowship (with IHOP-KC) together and enjoy time in the prayer room.
Other highlights over these past two months have been seeing family and friends at several weddings in the St. Louis/Illinois area. First we celebrated with my cousin Debbie as she wed a wonderful man from Kenya. Then two weeks later my very good childhood friend Jonathan Block married at the family farm where I spent many hours adventuring during summers growing up. Then two weeks after that, we visited Rolla and stayed with Martha and James Cameron and went up to St. Louis for Jay's company team building day at Dave and Buster's. Beforehand we met my parents at a few reception sites, and were happy to find the least expensive option to be very beautiful (and be running a special for April!)
Now to Him who richly provides for all our needs according to His riches in glory be blessing and honor and praise! :)
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
It's beginning to look a lot like...fall!
Can you believe it is FALL?!!!!
The next thing you know, we will barely enjoy anticipating Thankgiving because they will be piping Christmas music the day after Halloween!
The leaves are turning, the wind is blowing, and change is blowing in the wind....at the end of September I will be moving yet again, but this time for a bit longer chunk of time, I believe. I will be rooming in a house in Grandview with several young women either on staff or interning or students at IHOP. I will finally have the fellowship I have been desperately needing! Jay and I are looking at joining a small group at church, Forerunner Christian Fellowship (with IHOP-KC).
Things are continuing to heat up. There have been over 1000 commitments of faith in the past three weeks through the YWAM and the "Greater Grandview" 20+ church outreaches, and each one is connected to a "Local Link", someone trained to personally disciple or connect new believers to a suitable mentor. The Awakening evening Thurs-Sat services will discontinue Oct 9th, but God has more and not less planned for the community here as we go deeper in the place of prayer and prepare for the next wave...believing for a Great Awakening, which will not only touch primarily the "greater" (worldwide) house of prayer community, but our neighbors, our co-workers, our schools, our youth, and our generation!
God, send revival that not only the whole church will notice, but the likes of which bring the fear of the Lord into our entire society!!!
This year for me personally has been a season of testing and deep pruning. Tested by isolation, removal from ministry within the body, working "under the sun" in a position that I do not have vision or passion, seeming fruitlessness. "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22 The confession of my mouth did not always line up with truth as I battled feelings of abandonment from God and disconnectedness from His love. He has reminded me many times that this is just a season of testing, but I have had to confess bitterness and not trusting His leadership. I would receive moments of encounter in the Word, but could not seem to encounter Him in a deep and lasting way. I believe He needed me to run into my pride and barrenness and show me how desperate I am without Him before He can use me to the extent He desires. I now know that where I thought myself strong, I am weak. Where I thought myself gifted, I am barren. Where I though myself humble, I know how great is my pride. Where I believed myself steadfast, once alone, I falter. Where I believed I trusted and had great faith, I met my despair apart from Christ. I know more fully it is completely a gift! It is He who moves in me to will and to act according to His purposes. It is only when I DIE that He can truly LIVE in me. When I am WEAK, He provides the strength. The harvest, the fruit, is not for me to provide. The truth He taught me in Africa had to be proven through the fires of testing: "If I raise the dead or sweep the floor, or even take a nap, the pay's the same....My bread is to do the will of the One who sent me."
TO HIM BE THE GLORY! AMEN.
The next thing you know, we will barely enjoy anticipating Thankgiving because they will be piping Christmas music the day after Halloween!
The leaves are turning, the wind is blowing, and change is blowing in the wind....at the end of September I will be moving yet again, but this time for a bit longer chunk of time, I believe. I will be rooming in a house in Grandview with several young women either on staff or interning or students at IHOP. I will finally have the fellowship I have been desperately needing! Jay and I are looking at joining a small group at church, Forerunner Christian Fellowship (with IHOP-KC).
Things are continuing to heat up. There have been over 1000 commitments of faith in the past three weeks through the YWAM and the "Greater Grandview" 20+ church outreaches, and each one is connected to a "Local Link", someone trained to personally disciple or connect new believers to a suitable mentor. The Awakening evening Thurs-Sat services will discontinue Oct 9th, but God has more and not less planned for the community here as we go deeper in the place of prayer and prepare for the next wave...believing for a Great Awakening, which will not only touch primarily the "greater" (worldwide) house of prayer community, but our neighbors, our co-workers, our schools, our youth, and our generation!
God, send revival that not only the whole church will notice, but the likes of which bring the fear of the Lord into our entire society!!!
This year for me personally has been a season of testing and deep pruning. Tested by isolation, removal from ministry within the body, working "under the sun" in a position that I do not have vision or passion, seeming fruitlessness. "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22 The confession of my mouth did not always line up with truth as I battled feelings of abandonment from God and disconnectedness from His love. He has reminded me many times that this is just a season of testing, but I have had to confess bitterness and not trusting His leadership. I would receive moments of encounter in the Word, but could not seem to encounter Him in a deep and lasting way. I believe He needed me to run into my pride and barrenness and show me how desperate I am without Him before He can use me to the extent He desires. I now know that where I thought myself strong, I am weak. Where I thought myself gifted, I am barren. Where I though myself humble, I know how great is my pride. Where I believed myself steadfast, once alone, I falter. Where I believed I trusted and had great faith, I met my despair apart from Christ. I know more fully it is completely a gift! It is He who moves in me to will and to act according to His purposes. It is only when I DIE that He can truly LIVE in me. When I am WEAK, He provides the strength. The harvest, the fruit, is not for me to provide. The truth He taught me in Africa had to be proven through the fires of testing: "If I raise the dead or sweep the floor, or even take a nap, the pay's the same....My bread is to do the will of the One who sent me."
TO HIM BE THE GLORY! AMEN.
Friday, April 16, 2010
What....?!! April?!!!!
I don't know how it happened so fast, but it is over halfway through April, 2010!!!! Many changes have transpired since I last wrote. Mid-March I moved into my new abode in Independence, KC, where I serve as resident manager at a non-profit transitional apartment program for 17-20 year olds who have aged out of foster care or young women with babies who have no other support structure. I don't receive a salary, but am provided with a two-bedroom apartment and utilities in return for being available evenings and weekends to do resident checks, drive them to get groceries, etc. I feel very blessed to work with wonderful ladies and have this position where God has brought four young women and one guy into my life to pray for and mentor. This is a program run through a state grant so I am somewhat limited, though at least one if not two of the ladies who run it are Christians. Pray for open doors for the gospel to be presented! Pray for words of knowledge and wisdom and boldness for me to glorify Christ! I got to pray for healing for one of the girls who had a cold last Saturday. It didn't lead to too much conversation but I hope and believe it was a step.
My second job is teaching Spanish full-time at a high-quality (read: posh) preschool in Leawood, KS. I just completed my second full week, and boy am I tired!!! Learning to tailor lessons for 10 classes of 2-5 year olds and manage two jobs is a challenge! However, I believe it will only get easier as time goes by. Pray that I grow in patience and love and work as unto the Lord!
As if this weren't enough, I registered for eschool with the Forerunner School of Ministry at the International House of Prayer-KC this past week and began my first course. Tentative plans are to complete the first year of the Bible school as I work. My first course is one I have actually been listening to (on tapes from the 90's!) for the past ten years, Mike Bickle's Song of Solomon course. I'm excited to study it again in depth though, as life experience has opened the latter part of the book up to me a lot over the past year, but I also feel a need to experience breakthrough in the basic "dark but lovely" reality of a believer. For though I am dark in my sin and weakness, through Christ I am lovely before God! Pray that head knowledge moves deep into my heart as I am made perfect in love, to walk boldly and confidently before God!!! (1 John 4:16-18)
God's grace has helped me start getting up early and spending an hour at the IHOP-KC prayer room on my way to work, and what a difference it makes! I hope to learn to get to bed earlier and soon lengthen that time to two hours. I would have a lot of trouble being alert to have time in prayer and the Word in my apartment in the mornings, and I'm so thankful to be able to go somewhere that is so focused and energized. By the time I get there I am wide awake and ready!
I'm super blessed, I can't even say how much, to be dating an amazing man JJ Stratton, who is passionate about God and moving up here to KC in about six weeks! We had a blast when he came up for the Passion for Jesus conference this past weekend, worshipping and ministering together. He is also looking into the Forerunner School of Ministry at the International House of Prayer.
Friends in Kansas City, now is when I take a moment to apologize for not looking you up sooner! I could make all the excuses, transitions are busy, blah, blah, but rather I'll just say, let's get together now!!!! I don't care much for living alone, though I haven't had much time to think about it the past two weeks, and I'm eager to prioritize friendships, if you will all forgive me! :)
My second job is teaching Spanish full-time at a high-quality (read: posh) preschool in Leawood, KS. I just completed my second full week, and boy am I tired!!! Learning to tailor lessons for 10 classes of 2-5 year olds and manage two jobs is a challenge! However, I believe it will only get easier as time goes by. Pray that I grow in patience and love and work as unto the Lord!
As if this weren't enough, I registered for eschool with the Forerunner School of Ministry at the International House of Prayer-KC this past week and began my first course. Tentative plans are to complete the first year of the Bible school as I work. My first course is one I have actually been listening to (on tapes from the 90's!) for the past ten years, Mike Bickle's Song of Solomon course. I'm excited to study it again in depth though, as life experience has opened the latter part of the book up to me a lot over the past year, but I also feel a need to experience breakthrough in the basic "dark but lovely" reality of a believer. For though I am dark in my sin and weakness, through Christ I am lovely before God! Pray that head knowledge moves deep into my heart as I am made perfect in love, to walk boldly and confidently before God!!! (1 John 4:16-18)
God's grace has helped me start getting up early and spending an hour at the IHOP-KC prayer room on my way to work, and what a difference it makes! I hope to learn to get to bed earlier and soon lengthen that time to two hours. I would have a lot of trouble being alert to have time in prayer and the Word in my apartment in the mornings, and I'm so thankful to be able to go somewhere that is so focused and energized. By the time I get there I am wide awake and ready!
I'm super blessed, I can't even say how much, to be dating an amazing man JJ Stratton, who is passionate about God and moving up here to KC in about six weeks! We had a blast when he came up for the Passion for Jesus conference this past weekend, worshipping and ministering together. He is also looking into the Forerunner School of Ministry at the International House of Prayer.
Friends in Kansas City, now is when I take a moment to apologize for not looking you up sooner! I could make all the excuses, transitions are busy, blah, blah, but rather I'll just say, let's get together now!!!! I don't care much for living alone, though I haven't had much time to think about it the past two weeks, and I'm eager to prioritize friendships, if you will all forgive me! :)
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Revival Coming to Rolla!!!!
Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
God is so faithful! Back in December of 2004 when He moved on me to organize a 24 hour prayer day at the BSU in Rolla, I never would've guessed I'd find myself back in Rolla doing 24/7 intercessory worship! Basically, my previous job opportunity didn't work out and though I'd had another interview, I was free at the time to come to Rolla and sow into what I believe God is stirring up here. I'm pretty much leading worship sets 8-10am Friday through Wednesday, and also last night I did a second set 9-11pm. It is a blessing for me to see others hear the whispers of the Lord and raise up intercessors to press in for spiritual breakthrough for Rolla as a town and the Missouri S&T campus! The prayer meetings are thin and weak but the Lord shows Himself strong when weak and broken people say YES to him in obedience!
I just heard last night there is a group of people who desire to raise up a house of prayer in Rolla. Wow.
This has such an impact on me, though I haven't lived in Rolla for five years, because of the two times in my life that I heard the internal audible voice of the Lord, one of them was about Rolla!
In 2002 I was in Costa Rica serving at an orphanage, and it was a Sunday afternoon. I was fasting during lunch and laying on my bed praying. The Holy Spirit came and filled me and rested on me in an amazing way I have never felt since. There are no words to describe how amazing it felt, like a blanket of warmth completely surrounding me but also within me. It was like an orangey heat and a flower blooming...there really aren't words!!! I was so at peace and filled with the love of God. My natural mind reacted almost on its own, "God is here! Quick, ask Him something!" I still think that's funny. But more strange is I found myself whispering, "When is it coming? Lord, when is revival coming to Rolla?" And I heard the intonation of these words, though I don't believe it was out loud, "When you cover it in prayer." I just rested in His presence and enjoyed. Then I though I felt it start to lift and I found myself asking, "When? When is it coming?" And again He said, "When you cover it in prayer." THREE TIMES this dialogue took place! I don't know why I had to ask again and again, but I did and He answered.
Since then I've prayed and thought about this many times. What exactly does it mean to "cover it in prayer?" The only thing that ever seemed to really be a complete covering was praying all the time, praying without ceasing, praying night and day. And I didn't get a sense that the "you" meant just me, but a corporate "You," the Church.
So...that was the summer after my sophomore year of college. By the time I was about to graduate in December of 2004, two and a half years later, I had gradually felt led that before I left Rolla, I needed to organize a 24/7 prayer day, just to be faithful to the word of the Lord. The Lord blessed my non-administratively gifted efforts over a three week span and we managed to have worship leaders and bands and intercessors come together at the Baptist Student Union for an entire 24 hour period.
I actually felt led to stay in Rolla seven months after graduating. Finally I moved on. Nothing much happened, but oh, well, at least I was obedient. :)
And now, to be "randomly" connected to my friend who is organizing it at a time when I just "happened" to be free (I have two interviews later this week in Kansas City so it is unlikely I would've been free later in the year, or even this month)...I'm just thankful to be caught back in the swirl of what I believe God is preparing to do in this area!
In addition to worship and prayer, they are hosting prayer walks every day from 4:30-5:30pm and plan to have a prayer booth in the middle of campus on the opening day of the St. Pat's celebrations this Wednesday. I can't wait!
On a side note, please pray for wisdom as I contemplate several different avenues of work and IHOP and living arrangements in Kansas City, and for favor in my interviews. One is the second interview with a non-profit transitional home as the residential manager. They help young people 17-20 learn to live independently and move ahead in education, whether getting their G.E.D. or trade school or college. Many have aged out of foster care and a few are single young mothers. The position involves checking on the young adults nights and weekends, some case management, and offers an apartment and utilities, NO salary. And its in Independence, a half hour drive from IHOP. The other position is near IHOP teaching Spanish to 2-6 year olds full time.
Technically, I could do both, but as I was hoping to just get a part time job and have more time for the prayer room and ministry, or classes, I would probably prefer not to be so busy. Or I could hit it hard for six months and really save up and then do an internship...
There is also a great living opportunity near IHOP with two amazing Christian girls...very tempting...
God is so faithful! Back in December of 2004 when He moved on me to organize a 24 hour prayer day at the BSU in Rolla, I never would've guessed I'd find myself back in Rolla doing 24/7 intercessory worship! Basically, my previous job opportunity didn't work out and though I'd had another interview, I was free at the time to come to Rolla and sow into what I believe God is stirring up here. I'm pretty much leading worship sets 8-10am Friday through Wednesday, and also last night I did a second set 9-11pm. It is a blessing for me to see others hear the whispers of the Lord and raise up intercessors to press in for spiritual breakthrough for Rolla as a town and the Missouri S&T campus! The prayer meetings are thin and weak but the Lord shows Himself strong when weak and broken people say YES to him in obedience!
I just heard last night there is a group of people who desire to raise up a house of prayer in Rolla. Wow.
This has such an impact on me, though I haven't lived in Rolla for five years, because of the two times in my life that I heard the internal audible voice of the Lord, one of them was about Rolla!
In 2002 I was in Costa Rica serving at an orphanage, and it was a Sunday afternoon. I was fasting during lunch and laying on my bed praying. The Holy Spirit came and filled me and rested on me in an amazing way I have never felt since. There are no words to describe how amazing it felt, like a blanket of warmth completely surrounding me but also within me. It was like an orangey heat and a flower blooming...there really aren't words!!! I was so at peace and filled with the love of God. My natural mind reacted almost on its own, "God is here! Quick, ask Him something!" I still think that's funny. But more strange is I found myself whispering, "When is it coming? Lord, when is revival coming to Rolla?" And I heard the intonation of these words, though I don't believe it was out loud, "When you cover it in prayer." I just rested in His presence and enjoyed. Then I though I felt it start to lift and I found myself asking, "When? When is it coming?" And again He said, "When you cover it in prayer." THREE TIMES this dialogue took place! I don't know why I had to ask again and again, but I did and He answered.
Since then I've prayed and thought about this many times. What exactly does it mean to "cover it in prayer?" The only thing that ever seemed to really be a complete covering was praying all the time, praying without ceasing, praying night and day. And I didn't get a sense that the "you" meant just me, but a corporate "You," the Church.
So...that was the summer after my sophomore year of college. By the time I was about to graduate in December of 2004, two and a half years later, I had gradually felt led that before I left Rolla, I needed to organize a 24/7 prayer day, just to be faithful to the word of the Lord. The Lord blessed my non-administratively gifted efforts over a three week span and we managed to have worship leaders and bands and intercessors come together at the Baptist Student Union for an entire 24 hour period.
I actually felt led to stay in Rolla seven months after graduating. Finally I moved on. Nothing much happened, but oh, well, at least I was obedient. :)
And now, to be "randomly" connected to my friend who is organizing it at a time when I just "happened" to be free (I have two interviews later this week in Kansas City so it is unlikely I would've been free later in the year, or even this month)...I'm just thankful to be caught back in the swirl of what I believe God is preparing to do in this area!
In addition to worship and prayer, they are hosting prayer walks every day from 4:30-5:30pm and plan to have a prayer booth in the middle of campus on the opening day of the St. Pat's celebrations this Wednesday. I can't wait!
On a side note, please pray for wisdom as I contemplate several different avenues of work and IHOP and living arrangements in Kansas City, and for favor in my interviews. One is the second interview with a non-profit transitional home as the residential manager. They help young people 17-20 learn to live independently and move ahead in education, whether getting their G.E.D. or trade school or college. Many have aged out of foster care and a few are single young mothers. The position involves checking on the young adults nights and weekends, some case management, and offers an apartment and utilities, NO salary. And its in Independence, a half hour drive from IHOP. The other position is near IHOP teaching Spanish to 2-6 year olds full time.
Technically, I could do both, but as I was hoping to just get a part time job and have more time for the prayer room and ministry, or classes, I would probably prefer not to be so busy. Or I could hit it hard for six months and really save up and then do an internship...
There is also a great living opportunity near IHOP with two amazing Christian girls...very tempting...
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