Echoes of a Voice

Posted on by
Reply

After returning home and starting to process what happened during our visit to South Wales and the gathering in Cardiff, I found this a welcome reminder from a different but parallel perspective that the Lord deeply desires our intimacy and to take us deeper into Him.

Ruth M. Bancewicz's avatarScience and Belief

cathedral Cologne 1216095_23168992 Rudy Tiben copyWhat is the difference between a cathedral and a physics lab? Are they not both saying: Hello?

The Christian writer J.W. Sire quoted this line from Annie Dillard[1] in Echoes of a Voice, a new book that explores the phenomenon of spiritual or ‘transcendent’ experiences. What are they, why do they happen, and do they mean anything?

I have written about the more numinous side of science many times on this blog (see Transcendence and Transcendent Science). Scientists often speak of a reality beyond the objects they are studying, and for some this is encountered in powerful – if rare – experiences of wonder and awe. Perhaps my experience in the Smithsonian Museum that I described last week also comes into that category?

I found Sire’s analysis of these experiences helpful. He describes moments that are

View original post 660 more words

Bobby Conner: A season of advancement

Posted on by
Reply

In this brief video blog Bobby Conner covers some points taught and prophesied a few days earlier at Days of Wonder in Cardiff. There, I noted Paul Keith re-iterated what Nathan Morris had emphasised at length when in Plymouth, the need for believers to start contending for the true Gospel of Jesus Christ, and Bobby refers to this too.

In opening, Bobby says

“I have never been more excited about the season we’re in. This is the season of advancement. We do not have to tarry back. We’re not waiting on God – He’s waiting on us!

“I tell you God wants to do a new thing and He says “It’s springing up now” and He says “It’s a hidden thing kept in reserve”, and God could not and would not release this hidden wisdom until He’s found a people who like and understand Him…It’s in 1st Corinthians 2:6-7.

“And so we need to tap into that hidden wisdom. It’s going to be a wisdom that shows us how to get into the presence of God.

“Boy, if we get into the presence of God, and the presence of gets into us…that’s what God’s after…”

Be thoroughly blessed as you hear what these men of God discuss, and do check out the scriptures Bobby refers to.

‘Days of Wonder’ gathering in Wales

Posted on by
3

With the phrase “in the regeneration” of Matthew 19:28 emblazoned in mind and setting a seal of expectancy for our short holiday, I was also alert to another claim.

At the back of my mind about the gathering in Cardiff was a reference I’d read to its being of ‘strategic importance’.

I must be frankly honest, however, for on checking all through the ‘flyer’ I cannot find what I saw and read – but in my opinion, it was indeed an important meeting for changes going on in the wider church

To continue from the 2nd part of this regenerating week in South Wales, on leaving Ffald-y-Brenin via Fishguard we headed south and eastward for Cardiff and thence to Cwmbran for the evening’s scheduled ‘Outpouring’ service at Victory Church.

That was our intention but we got halted when a large, sliding mirror met my big toe!

There was time to book into our hotel in Cardiff and have a bite to eat before heading for Cwmbran. However, on unpacking and hanging my clothes in the wardrobe its mirrored sliding doors jammed and somehow one door dropped on my left foot – OUCH! A first aider and manager were soon with us and ice pack padded my blue toe-nail. And in the heat we found the air conditioning unit didn’t work. The upshot was a move to a larger room and free drinks with our meal. The outing to Cwmbran had gone out of the window.

But there was a track record for such setbacks being an indicator of a terrific time coming up next – and remember the promise in Prophecy of a roller-coaster ride – get ready…?

Back in 2005 we attended a week-long school on the supernatural in scripture. It took longer to arrive in that Midlands town than planned but, with only 5 mins to the school’s start, I found a nearby car-park and arrived at the venue in time. At lunch-time we went to book in at our hotel and grab a bite of lunch.

“Your room’s been cancelled Mr Barker!” the hotel’s receptionist told me.

“What? How? When?”

“Our note says you phoned at 10:25 this morning to cancel…” was her reply.

“Ridiculous! That was about the time we parked in town for the event we’re attending !”

It was a most instructive week. Although trained thoroughly in healing and deliverance at Ellel Ministries we’d not had such in-depth instruction for 12 hours/day in these aspects of the Bible. I asked tutor Todd Bentley, “Where were you 40 years ago?”. Had all this knowledge and instruction been available when I was a teenager, I wouldn’t have sought it from Eastern religions and the New Age (see Searching for truth leads me into captivity).

I recall looking at the large local parish church’s cemetery opposite the school’s venue of an old converted cinema. The thought struck me that church was as dead as those in its massive graveyard! (Hence my remark in the previous post.)

So now, with throbbing big toe and its purple-blue nail I was hoping for an exceptional time. And we had just that!  Thank you Lord God.

Days of Wonder

How can words describe what was heard and experienced? I’ll try with a few snippets after this shot of us between the ladies’ raised arms…

DoW Cardiff by Lindi Masters

Three worship sessions daily were literally ‘out of this world’. On one occasion it seemed as though not only the entire 300-odd assembly but also the room were suspended high in orbit (maybe between earth and moon?).  The ceiling with its thick beams became a vast window/skylight through which dark space and stars could be seen. And the sound of our worship at times was like what I’d heard in Newport at the foot of the ‘Hill of Angels’.

[I recalled the sound of angels joining with spontaneous worship at the Revival Alliance in 2012.  It got captured on cd and the contractor sound engineer testified that there were instruments registering which they’d not connected. And the way spotlights were spinning in time to the music was wonderful. An ‘invisible jigsaw’ falls into place refers.]

The convener Justin Abraham’s sessions were very good, especially his emphatically stressing that a deep, burning desire to know Father God is essential for entering heavenly realms. And it’s key to everything taught at his gathering.

I was interested in seeing how the two main teachers Paul Keith Davis and Ian Clayton would deliver their different subject material. Each has a sound understanding of our living Lord and his word, yet have their own distinct experiences and style of speaking

DoW Speakers by Lindi Masters

We’ve known of Paul Keith since we heard him in Bath several years ago, and have attended some of his UK conferences as well as following his regular newsletters.

In those early days he once went by, heading towards someone else, but glanced at us. In doing so, he spoke an awesome personal word about Jesus’ return that remains etched in me.

The timing of that word’s fulfillment may present a personal problem, so I presumed. However, it so happened that Ian Clayton would teach upon longevity!

It’s 2 years since we first went to Well Church International and Ian was due to teach. He brought novel insights into scripture and on getting close to the Lord. I was pleased to hear him speak about coincidences, but very surprised when he used the same description of it that had popped into my mind a few weeks earlier! (See closing Note to this post.)

So that ‘link’ enabled me to accept his explanation of ‘God-incidence’ and to appreciate his other material. Also, I able to follow and understand everything he was teaching on these novel, perhaps radical, and often scientific but biblical concepts.

Paul Keith opened the gathering with,

“I believe that we’re on the verge of something significant… the spirit realm is saturated, its bursting, we’re at a tipping point. You never know when..the next session might be the one,  the next prayer, the next prophetic word…We’ve got to keep doing what we know how to do and it will happen…”

“From Day of Atonement 2014 to Day of Atonement 2015 we are to have things and structures such as ‘apostolic’ hubs and communities in place for a spiritual jubilee…the next major juncture and anointing to build structure for the Millenium to forge the future from the unseen realm…

“It’s time for every born-again Christian to be able to SEE the kingdom of God…”

As an example he mentioned how Jesus appeared to Maria Woodward Etter and then saw a Bible appear on her wall with the glory of God shining from it. Thus, she understood its entire content supernaturally, but Paul Keith was quick to say that doesn’t mean she didn’t need to study scripture. He continued,

“I’m just telling you that in a place in God we can connect with heaven, all the dots get connected. I’ve had some of the revelations where suddenly you see it and think ‘How did you miss that!’

“There’s great truths, there’s great mysteries in the Bible that are going to be revealed to this last days’ generation that have been there all along but we just haven’t seen them yet.

“The blind is about to be removed and we’ll see things we haven’t seen because God’s reserved them for this hour. There’s truth reserved for this hour to present the Bride of Christ without spot or wrinkle

“They’re truths about the spirit realm, truths about the word, truths about who we are in Christ  and Who Christ is in us and all of that…”

And that was just to start…!

….for more, read Nuggets… and follow-up, Getting closer to God > > >

[Photos courtesy of Lindi Masters, Well International Church.]

Paws-4-thought: Ffald-y-Brenin and a prophetic promise

Posted on by
4

Paws4thort 4Let’s linger in south-west Wales before continuing on our journey to tell about the Days of Wonder gathering in Cardiff. Would you spend some moments to muse with me over a few things?

Offered a refreshing cup of tea upon arrival at the Newport Links hotel, Nina took it to seats looking down to the beach. There, she met a fellow guest who, it so happened, had returned for dinner from Ffald-y-Brenin. Clearly a ‘divine appointment’, and Jane and Nina chatted away as only those who’ve got an exceptionally special person in common can do.

The clean atmosphere of the Newport area plus its fascinating house of prayer at Ffald-y-Brenin made a deep impact which still affects us two weeks later, even though we were visiting friends and not participating in its daily prayer rhythm. Although my 2013 post on Revival in Wales and the Outpouring in Cwmbran briefly referred to this place, I hadn’t done any background reading whatsoever prior to our trip.

Years ago I wrote a paper for Reading churches on its Abbey’s history and the town’s Viking period and battles in 870s AD with the future king Alfred the Great. So, I was also aware of  the history of the ancient British Celtic Church, especially in its Northumbrian king Oswald’s treaties in 630s AD at Dorchester-on-Thames with heathen Mercian king Cynegils and the Roman Catholic missionary Birinus.  Earlier studies had taken me into the history of the early British church. (For example, 6th century historian Gildas posits the Gospel’s arrival in the later years of Tiberius Caesar’s reign, circa 40 AD. In AD 177 Eleutherius of Rome wrote to king Lucius in answering how to conduct himself as a Christian in the kingdom of Britain.)  However, all that past information was deeply submerged in the recesses of my mind.

I came to South Wales in blissful ignorance to enjoy a refreshing short holiday.

So, what I blogged earlier in the 2nd part of my ‘regenerating week in Wales’ was a very basic personal impression. However, as I completed it I realised some details would help readers who are interested in the retreat. So I copied in extracts from the Trust’s website. Also, just after publishing it I got a nudge to search on Google and immediately noticed a blog I’d quoted previously on Wales in the historically erudite Diebach-welldigger.

Therefore, I scanned David Edward Pike’s personal account of The Grace Outpouring and quoted his closing remarks on a roaring lion – without having read it in full.

Imagine my surprise upon doing so at leisure later. Here are details not only about the origins of Ffald-y-Brenin but also on 6th century Celtic saint Brynach’s time spent on the mountain its built upon. Which is why that place is named ‘The Hill of Angels’.

Carn Ingli in distance

Over the mountain road from Ffald-y-Brenin to Fishguard we stopped for lunch up on the col and walked up to the tor shown above, from which the top of Carn Ingli may be seen in the distance. It was a good place from which to speak out blessings to family and everyone in the area.

Speaking a Blessing

Diebach’s account of the retreat centre refers to a couple of supernatural events I wish to draw your attention to. One is on the solitary cross and its origin.

The other event is the lion that appeared to a pastor from Africa in the beehive chapel and the reference to the four points of the compass. I wish to refer to the significance of that when blogging about the Days of Wonder gathering in Cardiff. Peculiar as it may seem to those who have no grid for the supernatural, I can attest that a huge lion was seen to walk through our local church. Only when a visitor reported having seen it did I know I wasn’t imagining it!

Also for those who wish to know more, I recommend a fellow reader’s travelogue on his St David’s to Leominster Prayer Walk. This is apposite to Pembrokeshire as well as in connection with my remarks in A spiritual slant to the Olympic torch’s route, viz:

I was intrigued to learn from a fellow reader of an encouraging encounter with some Welsh Christians during his hike from Newport, Wales to the Lizard in Cornwall . This group had been in contact with people involved in new age etc and had been told “such groups were aware something was going on in the spiritual realm”!!

Mark’s call to the prayer walk was directly connected to the London 2012 Olympics, which are related to the Queen’s Silver Jubilee about which I wrote several posts on the prophetic significance of the Jubilee Bells.

Yet of particular interest is his reference to his key prayer theme on the walk as being confirmed by the restoration of St David’s shrine in the very year of his walk, AND this is identical to the ‘unexpected hint’ from Matt 19:28 referred to in part 1 of our journey. Also, Mark writes that the statue of David has a dove by his shoulder and his holding a Bible, which signifies the combined foundation of the Word and the Holy Spirit, which is also the message of Smith Wigglesworth’s prophetic vision.

About a prophetic promise

Of all the hundreds of prophetic words I’ve blogged about, only one has resulted in a hostile response and slanderous slur upon my character. It relates to the report from Roger of what happened during one of the prayer times at Ffald-y-Brenin when it was considered that Jesus is “calling the Anglican church out of Lazarus’ cave”.

I had intellectual reservations yet it seemed right in my spirit, and it’s timing fell in with a related vision that had come to an Anglican Ordinand on retreat with several others. So I reported it, but a visitor to this blog challenged it.  Now there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that and I respect everyone’s opinion and gave it serious consideration.

Yet my explanation was rejected and the report scorned by that bibliolater; ie. someone who thinks their interpretation and application of scripture is sacrosanct. His reference to what Jesus said at Matthew 24 and assumption it means me, indicates his grasp of scripture is not as sound as it could be. That is, he uses eisegesis not exegesis. That is, there’s an incorrect inference because the plain meaning isn’t taken into context either then or as applied to now.  [Thank you The Bishop Dr. for the excellent explanation, What’s with those “Gesis” brothers?]

This critic doesn’t follow Jesus’ instruction about not judging and condemning another. In my opinion it’s wiser to let the Accuser of the brethren do its own dirty work – and if what I reported is actually a work of the Holy Spirit, that soul has possibly committed an unforgiveable sin.

Therefore, I can only conclude satan is very unhappy with this claim about the Anglican Church. Consequently, that prophetic promise on ‘Lazarus cave’ may well be from the Holy Spirit. Having now been to Ffald-y-Brenin and sensed the brooding presence of the Holy Spirit there, I am even more confident of the validity of what Roger shared on revival within England’s established church.

What’s more – this isn’t the first instance of our adversary’s use of heresy hunters over revival in Wales, as noted in this post about Chuck Pierce’s prophetic word on Wales.

A validation?

What may we expect for evidence that the Anglicans are ‘reviving’ or coming out of a tomb, like Lazarus when Jesus called him forth?

Perhaps one noticeable change would be the reversal of centuries of anti-Semitism practised for centuries by the traditional, established churches – and as promulgated by ‘replacement theology’ (the false idea that God no longer has any covenant with the Jews because the new one instituted by Jesus Christ has superseded it).

So let’s take serious note of remarks by leading blogger, His Grace Cranmer. In Welby: “Israel has the same legitimate rights to peace and security as any other state“, he writes,

When did you last hear an Anglican bishop, let alone the Archbishop of Canterbury, support Israel’s historic and legal rights? When did you least hear a bishop of the Church of England advocate militarised self-defence as the only rational path to peace when confronted by murderous Jew-haters who conceal their bombs below hospitals, their rockets in clinics, and their guns and grenades in schools and mosques?

In drawing Anglicans toward a better understanding of His work with the Jews – exactly as Jesus’ friend Lazarus would have well known – then perhaps the Lord really is reviving this part of His body, as not only surmised upon Archbishop Welby’s enthronement (New era for the Church refers) but also as heard recently during the regular prayers at this renowned retreat in South Wales.

Now, come for an awesome time in Cardiff >>

Israel, Palestine, Egypt 1; USA, Europe, Hamas 0

Posted on by
1

Courtesy WatcharakunReaders might like to know that last night, after hearing John Kilpatrick’s detailed teaching upon Russia’s possible intentions according to Ezekiel 38-39 and his declaration to national leaders on Israel, I checked out the latest ‘before the media’ headlines. What I found had been published perhaps less than an hour before, according to its time-stamp.

In view of what we’d just heard, this headline was most interesting: Netanyahu-Sisi-Abbas line-up tells Hamas: “Accept an extra month’s truce – or Ramallah will” (click for full report). This ‘exclusive’ opens as follows,

“The Egyptian and Palestinian Authority delegations slapped down an ultimatum for Hamas when negotiations for a durable Gaza truce resumed in Cairo, Sunday, Aug. 17. Debkafile’s intelligence report that Hamas was given the option of declaring a 1-month extension of the 5-day ceasefire which runs out Monday midnight, (emphasis added) or else the announcement would be made from Ramallah Monday in the name of the Palestinian national unity government. This was the first joint action taken by the triple bloc formed by Egyptian President Abdel Fatteh El-Sisi, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas for pushing the Islamist Hamas-Islamic Jihad duo up against a wall…”

It continues by referring to the bloc’s backers, namely Saudi king Abdullah and Russian president Putin!

More sensational, but definitely not surprising to those who follow closely, is the bloc’s agreement to keep the Obama-Kerry duo and administration, as well as the Europeans, from the trio’s dealings with the Palestinian Islamist factions.

“The proposition the three partners have formulated puts Hamas and Jihad on the spot. The Arab world has abandoned them and their only source of funding is Tehran. So their choices are grim: Face an escalated war that Israel will fight until the bitter end, or swallow hard and accept the only proposition on the table which is tantamount to disarmament and capitulation.

“Their isolation is complete. The Egyptian, Israeli and Palestinian leaders have managed to cut Hamas away from any backing in Washington, Qatar and Turkey as well as blocking its path to Moscow….

“Mahmoud Abbas, who appeared to be sitting on the sidelines of the Gaza conflict during Israel’s month-long military operation, finally threw in his lot with Sisi and Netanyahu when it came to the crunch…”

Thus, they’ve put the USA out in the cold, and their playmates Turkey and Qatar, as a result of the outrageous shenanigans that were a serious affront to sensible discourse, as Joel Rosenberg reported here. At least Abbas may now be cooperating with Israel – and without American involvement!

These actions confirm long-held suspicions of Obama’s preference to support terrorists, especially where connected with the Muslim Brotherhood. I voiced my own sceptical reservations of his 2009 overtures in Cairo to the Muslim nations, as well as to claims to his being a committed Christian. Obama’s own and his administration’s lack of concern for the butchery of fellow believers in Nigeria, Syria and Iraq are common knowledge.

[Respected analyst Caroline Glick’s insights on his change of direction in Obama’s new plan for Hamas point out there’s never been anything real to differentiate Fatah from Hamas. So Sisi’s gameplan may come undone, or actually prove effective in driving a wedge between the two Palestinian factions, as reported here. Update 19/8: see Abbas orders probe into Hamas coup plot revealed by Israel. Also, my comments on Obama in Cairo reinforced by US Army Lt Col (Ret’d) Allen West on how he’s enabled Islamist causes.]

Additionally, this decision by Israel’s supporters demonstrates Obama’s incompetence and strategic blunders in foreign policy has lost America all credibility and respect in the Middle East.

This fresh Gaza conflict instigated by Hamas has served to bring out into the open the new geo-political reality of America’s only democratic ally in the region now working with Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Russia (as well as Jordan).

It demonstrates the truth of what the Lord promised Abraham that whomsoever blesses him and his descendants through Isaac will be blessed by Him and, conversely, those who curse them will fall outside that blessing and be open to living a cursed life, as it is written in Genesis 12.

Calls to pray for Obama appeared to result in a temporary change in his attitude to Israel. However, hostility seems to remain, as shown by his dealings with Prime Minister Netanyahu and halting further arms supplies. Anyway, this unrighteous gentile has the dubious distinction of being C-in-C and evangelist for changes in the definition of marriage; again defying scripture…

UPDATES:

Further reading

Another well-informed point of view on US foreign policy may be found in several short pieces by Elliott Abrams of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Also, see Cranmer on the Church’s attack upon PM Cameron’s ‘incoherent’ Middle-East policy.

See Joel Rosenberg on Netanyahu meeting Obama at The White House on 1st October 2014 after UN General Assembly. (Related material: PM Netanyahu at UN and Tale of 2 Speeches at UN.)

[Image courtesy of Watcharakun at Freedigitalphotos.com]

Prophetic decree from USA supernaturally confirmed in UK

Posted on by
2
Eagle-eyed by John Mark Long: courtesy www.propheticartists.com

Eagle-eyed by John Mark Long: courtesy http://www.propheticartists.com

Do you know how the Holy Spirit works and unexpectedly touches people in different ways? It shows He’s very personal. And, depending upon individual sensitivity, some even get ‘blasted’!  For example, take last night shortly before 7pm.:

A pastor teaching on Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39 speaks his mind – but my wife winces as she gets ‘electrified’ by an invisible bolt from 4,400 miles away!

JohnK 214_logoWe were sitting in our lounge watching the morning service live from Mobile, Alabama. Drawing towards a close in quoting prophet Ezekiel’s book, John Kilpatrick  expresses a personal opinion, but the effect of what is said demonstrates that it’s uttered under an unction of the Holy Spirit. John says,

“I want to say to America – and I have no platform really to say anything like this, this grandiose – but I want to say it in the atmosphere at Mobile bay.

“I want to say to America, and I want to say to Israel and to all their Arab neighbours, and I want to say to Great Britain – and all the nations – I want to say to you:

“You are about to see something come to pass in the very near future that your mind cannot even wrap around.

“It’s going to be so magnanimous, it’s going to be so awe-full, it’s going to be so awesome…and the nations and the kings and the politicians of the earth will not even know how to respond – their mouths will be open!

“It’s going to be a day LIKE NO OTHER DAY! – but when all is said and done God will reclaim Israel and God will pour out His grace and His mercy, even upon the United States of America!

“I believe the revival is going to come to the nations of the earth!”

Amen.

The emboldened paragraphs indicate John’s emphasised phrases. These brought the distinctive ‘tell-tale’ reaction to a Holy Spirit anointed speech within Nina of her groaning as she winces from a sudden burst of intense, internal ‘fire’.

In other words and in my humble opinion: 

Revd. John Kilpatrick has issued a prophetic decree from the Lord God to every world leader.

Hear it at 2:24:45 of this this video, wherein John begins his message at 1:11:00.

May you be mightily blessed in reading, hearing and weighing these words.

PS. Read next post about what was already happening in this regard for Israel.

[For information please see Principles of Decrees in Mentoring Day Part 2.]

 

Meeting on Tuesday for business people in Guildford area

Posted on by
Reply

Only a few places left! 

IC Business MeetingBusinessman and educator Ian Clayton teaches how to apply biblical principles for developing and improving one’s business, to the glory of God.

Through his itinerant teaching ministry known as Son of Thunder, Ian provides keys and strategies for enabling Christians engaged in business to participate in God’s Kingdom as the empowered beings He created us to be.

The reality of this is brought through insights, teaching and equipping with practical biblical tools that release the true potential within each believer as a Son of God. As a personal aside, I like Ian’s good grasp of science.

Should you wish to attend, it is essential to book through Well Church International at the email address in the above flyer.

Snacks, teas and coffees will be available but please bring a packed lunch.

[I will refer to his material in the 3rd part of my account of our trip to Wales]

A regenerating week in Wales – 2

Posted on by
4

Newport to BayWe could relax here in the refreshing spiritual atmosphere of the whole locality and noticed hamlets named after places in the Holy Land (eg. Bethesda, Gethsemane) and many church references. Sauntering around nearby Newport’s Norman church, adjacent tower and bakery (below) we met and chatted with locals, who are so warm and friendly.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAAn art exhibition beckoned from a disused church hall and I stood in the middle to survey the displays. One stall-holder was present but engrossed with his tablet.

I could hear subtle singing!  Is the building’s fabric impregnated with worship? It was only a simple hall, but perhaps it had been the parish church’s Sunday school? Or could it be the sound of worship ascending to the Holy, Living God for at least a millennium from the village, or even the region?

Ha, what a miscalculation! I was to learn that fell short by half a millennium when I read  about the rich heritage of Christianity in Wales. It is evident all around, including ancient Celtic crosses, holy wells, and pilgrim routes focused on St Davids. Also, Blaenannerch Chapel, where Evan Roberts encountered the Holy Spirit so powerfully in 1904, is also nearby.

Behind the mountain…Ffald-y-Brenin

Now, time to visit friends from our church who’d taken up supervisory roles at a semi-monastic Anglican-style community at Ffald-y-Brenin, which means ‘Sheep-fold of the King’.  Roger and Trisha’s new abode lies on the other side of 1140ft Mynydd Carningli brooding over Newport. From our hotel by Newport beach we wend our way along a single track road to this ‘nest’ snuggled high on Carn Ingli’s hidden shoulder.

Fortunately, our car’s champion at ‘breathing in’ to squeeze along Devon’s faster ‘rat-runs’. Here, in the secluded hills and valleys of the Preseli Mountains, traffic was only occasional. Nevertheless, having a dual-function radar dome of a skull, and being tongue-in-cheek!, I’m blessed with an invisible sensor that assesses the likelihood of oncoming vehicles, adjusting speed accordingly. Fortunately more often than not, approaching cars are met at occasional passing places.

Nevertheless, there’s an additional challenge of 1-in-2 gradients and tight hairpin bends. Of such was the 100 yards or more single-track entry drive up to Ffald-y-Brenin. Once there, apparently some visitors had great difficulty walking beyond the gate towards the beehive-shaped chapel because of the weighty presence of the Lord!

There’s definitely an awareness of the stillness of God’s presence. This has often been called “a thin place” – where the veil between heaven and earth has been pulled back. It is easy to pray, to be still, to listen, to worship. It is also a place of joy, of creativity and of learning, a place of encounter. Also, there’s a stunning beauty of the buildings and surroundings. Unbidden peace invades our hearts and minds.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAWe enter by the wider drive at the other end of the buildings. Our friends are pleasantly surprised to hear our call as we climb stairs to their residential floor. Meeting their visiting family we hear about the miraculous healing of a lady who’d been blind for eight years and now able to see her younger children – as in this brief blog.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThen we’re taken all around this beautiful place; the single ‘cells’, dormitories, meeting and prayer rooms and met voluntary workers.

The meditative place of a solitary cross presides over the area, as though in blessing the heart of the Preseli mountains, from which came the monoliths of Stonehenge.

Although there are many residents there were no signs of busy-ness between the set morning and midday prayer times. At the beehive-shaped, small circular chapel however, we can’t all enter as people are engaged in quiet prayer. On either side are short curved benches built into the wall and I manage to get to an end but Nina remains at the door, unable to stand! So we return to our friends and pray together outside – but doubled-up because of the holy atmosphere!

Interior of the chapel: credit, Ffald-y-Brenin

The Outpouring of Grace on Wales Continues….

The blessing of God continues to be poured out at Ffald-y-Brenin, a remote Christian House of Prayer and Retreat Centre in South West Wales, UK. People are pouring in from the nations and many are being blessed and healed.

The deaf hear, the lame walk, and joy arises to heaven! Increasingly we are seeing people make a commitment to follow Jesus Christ. Hundreds are launching into local prayer-based mission-shaped discipleship in Wales and the nations.

Visitors coming on retreat at Ffald-y-Brenin tend to find it restful, challenging or life changing, depending on their purpose in coming and God’s agenda for them while they are here.

Our Prayer Days and Conferences are packed as people recognise that Jesus is in the house, and, being present, he works wonders amongst us.

The beginnings of this move of God are described in the best-selling ‘The Grace Outpouring’ by Roy Godwin and Dave Roberts. Come, taste and see that The Lord is good!

At its heart, Ffald-y-Brenin is a House of Prayer. Everything that happens is soaked in prayer. Guests are welcome to join with us and gaze into the face of Jesus during our daily rhythm of morning, midday and evening prayer if they choose. Some have deep encounters with God at those times. Others have retreated to escape meetings and are equally welcome to choose not to join with us.

Individuals, families, groups of friends, church leaders, house groups, church groups of various sorts; art groups, study groups, youth groups; those searching to discover the reality of God revealed in Jesus; all find a warm welcome awaiting them.

You will understand that, as a Christian Centre, we are unable to accommodate any alternative religious worship or practices.

Ffald-y-Brenin

For more about the community from a personal perspective and review of the book, see David Pike’s excellent review The Grace Outpouring at Ffald-y-Brenin (2011), which concludes.

There’s a lion’s roar going out of Pembrokeshire right now. I feel it will be heard to the ends of the earth, in all four directions in the coming days.

Therein, I learn that the name of the mountain tor between Newport and Ffald-y-Brenin means ‘Hill of the Angels’!! SO did I hear them singing?

If you’re following me along this journey perhaps you’d like to consider a couple more things before I tell you what happened in Cardiff?  Click here to mull over matters.

A regenerating week in Wales – 1

Posted on by
Reply

Words are hard to find to tell of time spent over the sea – well, over the Bristol Channel. South Wales was foreign territory to Nina and me and so the trip was one of discovery.

Second_Severn_Crossing WikiPediaIt turned out to be to places where the power of prayer and worship are tangible. The first almost knocked me off my feet, the other figuratively shot me up into orbit. And what’s more, key points in my walk with the Lord were touched upon and He began to stir me deeply.

An unexpected  hint

Only days beforehand, I came come across something I’d not noticed before in a Bible passage. In Matthew chapter 19, Jesus tells of something that became thematic to the holiday; and later reinforced by related material. My daily readings started from Jesus’ sermon to the multitude about blessings and continued with subsequent teachings, but I was pulled up short the day I got into this chapter.

Jesus had told a rich young man to give everything he had to the poor and to follow him. But his great wealth prevented him from doing so and Jesus explained to His disciples how hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Astonished they asked Jesus, “Who then can be saved?” and He replied,

“With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”  Then Peter answered and said to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?” So Jesus said to them,

“Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.  And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.  But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” (Matt 19:26-30 NKJV)

[When previously reading this passage I’d connect it with what had been revealed in a very traumatic time when I’d decided to quit Christianity as it was useless and divisive. I threw my Bible down in disgust! BUT it fell open at Matthew 10 and verses 34 to 39 flew off the page; that is, all the text was blurred, except for these flashing like a neon light! They described the heart of the issue. Here was stark, unquestionable assurance that the Lord knew what was happening! So I had no choice but to hold on to Him.]

In Matthew 19, the underlined phrase “in the regeneration” struck me deeply.  Although I’ve read these verses often, it was the first time this futuristic concept popped up and hit me between the eyes here. I’m well aware of it, especially from Peter’s explanation to onlookers who’d witnessed a crippled beggar being healed at the temple gate. He told them of their need to repent so their sins may be, “wiped out and that times of refreshing may come from the Lord and that He may send the messiah Jesus”…

…He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as He promised long ago through His holy prophets.” (Acts 3:21 NIV Insight Bible)

Of the five Biblical meanings used for the Greek term, ‘palliggenesia’, one is as follows:

4. the signal and glorious change of all things (in heaven and earth) for the better, that restoration of the primal and perfect condition of things which existed before the fall of our first parents, which the Jews looked for in connection with the advent of the Messiah, and which Christians expected in connection with the visible return of Jesus from heaven. (Emphases added)

On our way

After leaving the Hampshire hills travel was fast along the M4 and over the Severn Bridge (photo courtesy WikiPedia), after which we had to stop to pay a toll fee. It reminded me of the border passport controls across Europe before implementation of the Maastricht Treaty. Thereafter, we saw all road signs are bilingual; English and Welsh. Beyond Swansea that order got reversed, and rightly so, as we headed along narrower roads into the beautiful hills of Pembrokeshire and its coastal national park between Fishguard and Cardigan.

At journey’s end we could put our feet up, chill out and explore the beach…

Newport Bay from room

 Click to continue reading >

In the News: Erdoğan’s Image Seems to be Growing

Posted on by
Reply

Whilst on holiday in Wales last week I read your chapter on Turkey. Later, a prophetical teacher referred to the importance of Daniel’s accounts for today, and speculated that he’s witnessing what he’d foreseen. Next came this news, and so I appreciate your take – fascinating. Thanks Mark.

Mark Davidson's avatarTHE FOUR SIGNPOSTS

“So is there anyone in the political scene in Turkey today who might be the first horn of the goat? After all, if the invasion by Iran starts within the next few years, the Confederacy counterattacking with its leader as the single horn of the goat could be seen in just five to ten years from now, more or less. Any leader who is the horn would have to be influential, popular, have a track record for getting things done, and be an Islamist. This doesn’t leave much time for political newcomers. That man may very well be in power now and, if this is so, it can only be Turkey’s current prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (pronounced red-chep ta-jip aerdo-an). He indeed seems to be someone who is the one leader in a hundred who stands out.”                          p. 211, Daniel Revisited

Well it seems Prime Minister Erdoğan is indeed…

View original post 358 more words

Prophecy of a rollercoaster ride – get ready!

Posted on by
2

Wednesday morning’s quick check of emails led to an amusing yet profound prophetic word about a roller-coaster. Back on-line in the afternoon another email arrived hinting at the same!  Then I recalled going for a ride on one in, of all places, church!

Alerted to a fellow blogger liking a post, I noticed “Let Go” Prophetic Word 4th July. It’s accompanied with this illustration and, finding a witness in my spirit, I’m re-posting it below:

rollercoaster

A vision: I see a roller coaster. I am riding it and the people riding with me are exuberant, filled with joy and excitement, hands up in the air, laughing and screaming. There are a few that are gripping their safety bar with white knuckles, looking pale, faces filled with anguish and fearful anticipation, hoping the ride will soon be over. Not me though; not most of those around me. It dips and turns and soars quickly up to mountainous heights, plummeting down the other side before zipping around a corner and then another.

“Let go if holding on to something too tightly because it is perceived as bringing a measure of safety to what seems like a season of danger. There are things in this season that are coming one after the other with non-stop bombastic force. Do not fear. Do not dread. Put your hands up in the air in praise. Shout for joy. Laugh and love. There is no real danger! Where is your sense of adventure? Embrace the things in your life that make your heart skip a beat because of the unexpected bends and turns; yes, even the unexpected peaks and valleys. This is a season of celebration. It may feel scary but if you will change your perspective you will see that you are completely secure on the track of My choosing. I am using this season to build your courage. Trust Me with all of your heart and don’t lean on your own understanding.”

Many thanks Emily Rose for, as the Lord says, “Let nothing be wasted”. Also, for your interesting later comment.

‘Put your hands up…no real danger…’ Now when and where’ve I done that lately? It’s years since I went on one…but this time I stayed put wherever it was…Aha…’twas when Charlie Shamp was here in May? – Resurrection Sunday!  Let’s see if I can find my notes..:

“The joy of the Lord came upon me and it distinctly seemed I headed down a big dipper and went riding an unending roller-coaster whilst sat in my chair – up and down, all around,  faster and faster – terrific!  An hour or so later I was still riding high when the healings started…”

Also, the American ‘desert rose’ prophetic words rang another bell, which is from the States too. I recalled pastor John Kilpatrick saying on 22 June,

“There’s going to be a roller-coaster coming in the next 90 day, a roller-coaster ride where things are going to be whizzing by you – it’s just going to be going so fast you won’t hardly have chance to assimilate it – things are going to be happening suddenly.”

And this Wednesday afternoon the refrain was repeated in connection with next week’s Days of Wonder in Cardiff.  Justin and Rachel Abraham, it’s fired-up organisers, report as follows,

“Just back from a ballistic incredible time in OZ and NZ. Things are heating up! We are seeing early signs of the great turning of the tide everywhere. In light of the timing we are thrilled to have Ian Clayton and Paul Keith Davis, and many friends from around the UK with us this year for DAYS of WONDER…

“It’s already started and isn’t it amazing we get to see days of fulfilment and breakthrough that previous generations imagined. A brand new day. Strap yourselves in for an exciting ride!” 

Begin our ride in A regenerating week in Wales, looping into Fflad-y-Brenin and then to Cardiff.

So get ready – let’s go and let go > > >

onarollercoaster_300_0410-de

High Court judgement alters plain English, suppresses free speech

Posted on by
2

Today’s blogging plans are put aside to alert readers to a development in suppressing freedom of speech:

Yesterday a British High Court judge disregarded impartiality and bowed the knee to ‘political correctness’. This was over an advert on a London bus and a responding ‘like-for-like’ advert which got banned by Boris Johnson, Mayor of London.

All law-abiding citizens should be concerned over the mayor’s honesty and his party’s line becoming highly questionable. This needs logging in our minds in case of his future bid for leadership in the Conservative Party.

It reminds me of prophetic words brought in June on ‘Justice and Children’, especially the reference to the ‘judiciary’,

Scandals will be exposed, even within social services, education, the judiciary and the police. There will be nowhere to hide, even amongst the most wealthy and influential.

Later, I covered developments which corroborated the accuracy of this word. So maybe we have yet another fulfillment of that prophecy, but check it out and decide for yourself after this outline:

The charity Core Issues Trust and Anglican Mainstream’s bus ad was banned at the last minute following intervention by the Mayor. The ad, “Not Gay. Post Gay. Ex-Gay and proud. Get over it!” was a mirror response to the one already being run by LGBT lobby group Stonewall, which read “Some people are gay. Get over it!”

Core Issues’ advert says nothing about conversion therapy or cures for their premise is that people should be free to define themselves as they want. But their ad was banned at the 11th hour yet the Stonewall Ad was allowed to run – both then and afterwards.

Boris%20JohnsonAt the time Boris Johnson took credit for instructing Transport for London (TfL) not to display Core Issues’ advert. He not only told the media but also wrote to an MP that he’d done so. Two years later he denies to the High Court having done that.

So, is Boris a liar or not?  The Judge ruled not.

How so? Because ‘instruct’ can now mean exactly the opposite! Crazy!

Core Issues’ reaction opens as follows,

“In disallowing witnesses to be cross-examined and by ignoring both controversy about categorical notions of human sexuality (which the Royal College of Psychiatrists recently admitted are not fixed nor immutable,) and inconsistencies in Boris Johnson’s witness statements, Justice Lang has confirmed today that the British establishment is no longer a guardian of freedom of speech nor of conscience.” (Emphases added in all quotations)

Chief Executive of the Christian Legal Centre, Andrea Williams, is most forthright in her indignation, Continue reading →

“Gaza public rejects Hamas, wants ceasefire,” finds credible new poll. Details & analysis.

Posted on by
Reply

One factor in this public rejection of Hamas would be deaths of over 160 child ‘slaves’, as in Victorian coal mines, to build their tunnels – per 2012 report by Journal of Palestine Studies, as reported by Breitbart who quote Hamas’ “cavalier approach to child labour and tunnel fatalities”.

joelcrosenberg's avatarJoel C. Rosenberg's Blog

Source: Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Source: Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

(Denver, Colorado) — The most recent credible polling of Palestinians in Gaza reveals sinking support for Hamas, rising support for the Palestinian Authority to run Gaza instead of Hamas, and an overwhelming desire for a ceasefire, reports the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

  • 88% want the Palestinian Authority (PA) — not Hamas — to run Gaza administratively
  • 70% want a ceasefire
  • 57% want Hamas to renounce violence against Israel
  • 56% would like to work in Israel if calm was restored and they could find a better-paying job than in Gaza

To be sure, the poll finds that a large number of Palestinians in Gaza do support Hamas and violence. Support for a two-state solution has dropped significantly.

Also, this is only a snapshot in time. We will need to see more polling results in the days and weeks ahead to understand…

View original post 768 more words

Son of founder of Hamas again denounces terror group

Posted on by
3

For anyone wanting to make up their own mind about events in Gaza, I offer reliable insights from one of its past key operatives, courtesy of Joel Rosenberg.

Mosab Hassan Yousef is the eldest son of one of the founders and spiritual leaders of Hamas. Arrested by the Israelis for involvement in terrorism, he came to realize the true evil of Hamas whilst in prison.

So he renounced Islam and became a Christian, as well as a double agent for the Israeli secret services (Shin Bet) working to thwart Hamas terror attacks. Upon later emigrating to the United States he wrote a best-selling book, Son of Hamas, warning about the dangers of Hamas and telling his own journey out of radical Islam.

Now, with Hamas engaged in a brutal, deadly war with Israel, Mosab is speaking out again against the radical Islamic terror group of which he was a rising future leader.

mosab-cnnjuly2014-2

 Mosab told CNN,

“Hamas does not care about the lives of the Palestinians, does not care about the lives of Israelis, or Americans, They don’t care about their own lives. They consider dying for the sake of their ideology a way of worship.”

He said the goal of Hamas isn’t co-existence or simply to destroy Israel, but to build an Islamic caliphate on the rubble of every other civilization.

On radio he described Hamas as “a ‘cancer’ in the Middle East”.

Click to read Joel’s full post about his friendship with this exceptionally brave man, with prayer request for protection for him and his family, plus links to the interviews.

UPDATE 16:30  July 30th

Debka @ 12:12 today reports as follows under header: In face of truce bids, Hamas’ Deif gives Gaza war fresh impetus, makes it a religious jihad

“Despite the rush of diplomats and analysts declaring that a ceasefire in the Gaza fighting is imminent, the war refuses to end. Wednesday, July 30, the commander of Hamas’ military wing, Mohammed Deif gave the conflict fresh impetus by injecting a religious dimension that cannot be ignored….As fierce as the fighting is on the battlefield, and as arduous the diplomatic wrangling, the emerging and largely overlooked jihadist element is the most troubling…”

“Israel’s counter-terror offensive, Netanyahu explained, is part and parcel of the war on fundamentalist Islam. As self-appointed commander-in-chief, ensconced in his subterranean lair, Mohammed Deif couldn’t agree more. And so the not-so-secret contacts between Washington, Cairo, Riyadh, Doha, Jerusalem and Ramallah are doomed to go nowhere, because they take place on one level, whereas a fanatical religious war is taking place on a completely separate one.” (Read in full)

A call for clarity on Israel and Gaza

Posted on by
Reply

[Publ 29 June 2014] Let’s take a trip in my time machine. Hop in and hold tight, it’s just a short hop to go back 47 years.

All done! We open the door and step into a college library. Being a sunny evening in early June, its tables are packed as everyone’s preparing for end-of-year exams or finals. Continue reading →

Gaza War Update, Day #21: Obama calls Netanyahu to demand “immediate” cease-fire. Kerry angers Israeli, Palestinian & Egyptian leaders.

Posted on by
Reply

Joel RosenbergOf Joel’s many updates I’m reblogging this because it covers the latest incompetence of messers Obama and Kerry (now persona non grata?). American influence in the Middle-East is likely to disappear in this rapidly changing geo-political situation.

joelcrosenberg's avatarJoel C. Rosenberg's Blog

UPDATED AT 10:30PM EASTERN SUNDAY:(Washington, D.C.) — The most dramatic developments of the weekend in the Gaza war were these:

  1. President Obama’s call to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday to demand an “immediate” ceasefire, even though Israeli leaders don’t feel they are yet finished neutralizing the terrorist threat posed by Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza.
  2. The U.N. Security council demand on Sunday for an immediate ceasefire, even though this will most help the terrorists.
  3. Secretary John Kerry’s disastrous efforts at negotiating a ceasefire, in which he actually managed to anger Palestinian, Egyptian and Israeli leaders all at once — as one regional commentator put it: “We are witnessing a grave strategic error by the Americans, who are succeeding in infuriating serious and strong allies like Israel, Egypt and Saudi Arabia in favor of a deception in the form of Qatar and Turkey, which has managed to quarrel with all of its neighbors.”

View original post 1,227 more words

What’s prophetic about contending for The faith?

Posted on by
Reply

Phil_4-13

Will you stand and contend with me?

Being contentious may seem un-Christian and contrary to Jesus’ command to love and forgive not only one another but also our enemies, to turn the other cheek when wrongly accused, as well as to avoid judging and condemning others.

However, the opening lines of the letter penned by Jesus’ brother Jude is foundational to Nathan Morris’ message wherein the Lord had told him, “Contend, don’t pretend!”. If any of this is stirring within your spirit then you may like encouragement from watching his fiery message in full on this archive (from 98 mins, starts 107 mins).

Apostle Paul’s letters to his young associate Timothy included instructions for tackling false teaching and he gives the basis for this at 2 Tim 3:16-17. That is, that:

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Therefore, what Jude also wrote under inspiration is prophetic in ‘telling forth’ that the Lord is exhorting His people,

…to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.  For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.  [See full NKJV text at Biblegateway.com]

We note from these words how applicable they are today too. What the Lord is saying through Nathan shows the situation is no different to 2,000 years ago. What he teaches is indeed prophetic, as were the instructive warnings for 2012. This time he outlined the  lessons to be gained from the example of the Shunammite lady’s assistance to prophet Elisha (2 Kings 4).

[Note: I added a little about that to my extracts transcript. Also, apologies to anyone who found the links in previous post failed. Sometimes my ISP filtering may drop connection when editing – HA!HA! Now in checking those links whilst drafting this I see the v latest on Nathan’s Facebook is an open Bible quoting 2 Timothy3:16 !  So it would appear that THE LORD IS CONFIRMING this issue! Drafting was done last week.]

A few Biblical examples

Being contentious comes with the territory for Old Covenant prophets in calling God’s people to repentance; that is, it’s a life-style. I need only to cite the lives of the major prophets Jeremiah and Isaiah, plus John the Baptist’s denunciation of Pharisees as a “brood of vipers”. And Jesus was definitely contentious, especially when dealing with Satan; whose minions recognise Jesus’ identity as ‘the Holy One of God’ (Mark 1:24).

Also, this One of ultimate authority said the Jews of His day had failed to change after being warned by Isaiah, whom JHe quoted when explaining why the mysteries of the Kingdom were being given to His disciples only – no-one else was worthy!  As Matthew 13:10 goes on to note Isaiah 6 verses 9-10:

“And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?”.

“He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says:

‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand,
And seeing you will see and not perceive;
For the hearts of this people have grown dull.
Their ears are hard of hearing,
And their eyes they have closed,
Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears,
Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,
So that I should heal them.’

“But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it. “

SO it is with atheists, whose hearts and minds are firmly encased in concrete and spirits not allowed to function. As demonstrated only today in ‘dialogue’, they have absolutely no grasp of spiritual matters and demonstrate intense bigotry in deriding our knowledge. As ‘walking dead’ they’re most pitiable in refusing the freedom Jesus bought for them!  Although denying you Lord, bless them with personal revelatory encounters so they may understand Your kindness, mercy and grace and sincerely repent. You did that for me Lord, so may they be similarly blessed.

A Call to ‘Stand’!

In a shocking open-vision of Britain being ripped apart, because the fabric of society is so rotten, I understood Christians are to stand upon the emerging Rock – for details see remarks accompanying Dr Stone’s Comments upon the collapse of Society.

Hence my appreciation of Gillan Scott’s outstanding work on his leading blog, God and Politics in the UK, as well as that of at least a couple of my readers. I started blogging about the same time as Gillan and have contributed my tu’pence worth many times in comments threads, as has one of your fellow UK subscribers. Another out in the States, has bravely withstood attacks against her own blog by worshippers of atheism.  Bravo, my friends!

In online discussions I’ve often stated unbelievers should find out for themselves by seeking an encounter with Jesus. Thus it was good to learn about Justin Welby’s own encounter on Gillan’s blog and, as in mine, that Nathan Morris had also stressed from his experience as an evangelist, “…You can’t persuade people into the Kingdom. They must have an encounter with Jesus!”

Therefore, those who share my concern over the deep religious illiteracy and hostility to Christianity, may like to consider contending actively in online discussions whenever the Lord so leads. If you’re so disposed, and time permitting, you may care to get a feel for this by dipping into some of Gillan’s recent posts and signing up to receive new posts upon his return from Summer break.

As well as loving patience and ‘thick skin’, a good grasp of scripture is required because some brethren write with a distorted doctrine and, although knowledgeable, others can be judgemental of adherents of ‘Sola Scripture’ – scripture alone. As this is in the public domain it is essential to correct with kindness thus avoiding confrontation.

In closing, only this morning I have an email about Franklin Graham’s call to Christians to battle culture; to stand for God and Biblical values despite social opposition.

Time to don our spiritual armour, as instructed by Paul (Ephesians 6:10-17 NIV):

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled round your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

JesusIsComingFootnote: The above images were found on the internet and I like to ascribe credit to  and thank copyright holders. Please inform me if you know the owners.

Symmetry or fine-tuning?

Posted on by
Reply

I encourage my readers not to miss this and Dr Ruth’s earlier post as they’re so relevant for what I will soon blog about frequencies. Also, the author’s reference to time connects into my brief considerations earlier this year on speaking to time (http://wp.me/p1Y1yB-4zf).

scienceandbeliefguestauthor's avatarScience and Belief

Hydrogen_Density_Plots wikipedia public domain cropped

Why is there so much symmetry in nature? I shared some examples in an earlier post, and questioned whether there was a link between these and the ‘fine-tuning’ of the universe. I asked Francesca Day, a PhD student at the University of Oxford, if she could investigate. Francesca’s own work is on the astrophysical signatures of dark radiation, and here she explains why she thinks symmetry might lead to a more wonderful explanation of the universe than the mystery of fine-tuning.

Many argue that if the laws of physics had been just slightly different, life – or at least life as we know it – would not have been possible in the universe. The fundamental laws and parameters of physics seem to have conspired so as to make the formation of life possible. To many it seems as if science is pointing to a…

View original post 620 more words

Plymouth Celebration points to prophetic promises

Posted on by
Reply

Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James,

To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ:

2 Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.

Contend for the Faith

3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. 4 For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ. [NKJV per BibleGateway.com – emphases RB]

It’s been too long since the exciting time when Nathan Morris ministered in Hull (report) and our watching the Bay of the Holy Spirit Revival nightly. (For brief reports of healing read Video Clips of Testimonies.) The ‘fire in his bones’ makes him a highly charged preacher passionate for Jesus. Whilst the power of the Holy Spirit ministers through him he gets drenched in sweat!

Note my following transcription of his message uses various type founts to try to convey Nathan’s passion and flow whilst speaking.

For those unfamiliar with this British Evangelist and wanting some details, please see ‘Background‘ sub-head in Prophetic word 2012: setting the stage for the End-Times. 

10314656_744176875646502_3406752339798330571_n

Click above photo for Nathan’s Facebook page with photos and comments on the Summer Celebration in Plymouth.

The first evening he taught about landmarks and boundaries of the Christian faith which churches are unwisely moving, thus giving room for the enemy of our souls to advance. The topic for the third and closing evening was fire and anointing. When speaking of God’s power his iPad lost its power, which he took as an indication for preachers to not use well-prepared notes but rely instead on Holy Spirit’s leading and inspiration – which  Nathan certainly did.

Extracts from the middle evening follow below. In my opinion, what Nathan delivered is in harmony with what the Lord is indicating as now necessary for the awakening giant to stand on his feet, as mused about in the last post.:

CONTEND, DON’T PRETEND!

“A couple of weeks ago the Lord gave me the title for tonight, it’s just a simple phrase: CONTEND, DON’T PRETEND….Contend; Don’t Pretend!

“I read to you this verse in Jude (above) where there comes this cry from the heart of God, this cry from the Holy Spirit, that says to a generation: in these last days I’m calling a people that will not lay down and accept the norm but they will contend for the Word of God in their lives.

“They will contend for something greater than themselves. We are living in a generation today that is literally watching the final chapters of the Ages come to pass!  How can you watch the news today and NOT SEE that every word that Jesus Christ spoke is coming to pass. This is IT!

“Church, nations – THIS IS IT! Jesus said in the last days there will be wars and rumours of wars – nation will rise against nation – there will be pestilence and famine in nations around the world – and the love of MANY will grow cold…the LOVE of MANY will grow cold.

“And yet in the darkest of hours – in an hour when many will run with fear, or tremble – the superpowers of this world are ALREADY trembling because they HAVE NO ANSWER.

“Jesus said that the world, the nations, it will be like a woman in labour, there literally will be times when they will CRAVE, they will desire the Coming of the Lord – THIS IS IT!

“What you’re seeing in Israel…what you’re seeing in Russia and in the Ukraine…across Europe. Something is beginning to rise that NO NATION, NO GOVERNMENT, CAN STOP!

“THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THE WORD OF GOD HAS PROPHESIED WILL BE THE SIGNS –THESE WILL BE THE SIGNS OF THE COMING OF JESUS CHRIST…He will stand AS KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

“I spoke to you last night, Jesus died and rose again. He shed His blood that you might have a hope…you are CHOSEN.

“I CAN’T SAY THAT ENOUGH TO THIS GENERATION, to those who are watching me now that YOU’RE SEARCHING IN ALL THE WRONG PLACES FOR YOUR IDENTITY. Your identity is found in Jesus! He knew you before you were in your mother’s womb. He purposed you, He destined you – He spoke LIFE into your being.

“When you know that you’re Chosen, when you know that God has purpose for your life you realise there’s something that God is doing in your life that is greater than you are – something that’s greater than your own dreams – something that’s greater than a promotion. You know what, I thank God for blessing these people, but I’m TIRED of preachers telling the Body of Christ that a measure of their faith is whether they have a mansion or a Ferrari.

“What really matters is this: Is the life that you’re living COUNTING FOR ETERNITY? Is what you live for, breathe for and you’re willing to die for, going to count for eternity?

“You see what’s happening in this nation and in America right now – I preached to you last night…the hedge, the line of separation (between righteousness and the world) is being removed. MORALITY IS BEING BLURRED. I see across the Body of Christ as I travel around the world THERE’S A CONFUSION because SUDDENLY THERE ARE THINGS HAPPENING – even in the Church – that people say,“I DON’T KNOW…I THOUGHT THAT WAS AGAINST THE WORD OF GOD!”

“But there’s this generation that arises and says, “No, that’s ok..You don’t have to give your all…you go to church, you sing songs but you can have your own sinful life-style. Live how you want to live…Jesus loves you!

“Well my friend, THAT’S NOT THE GOSPEL because JESUS GAVE HIS ALL, HE PAID THE PRICE WITH HIS LIFE – He gave His ALL and He DEMANDS NOTHING LESS FROM YOU!

“He said, “If you give ME your LIFE I’ll come and live INSIDE YOU. ALL THAT I AM, I will be IN YOU!”

“There’s a generation today – we need the FIRE OF GOD TO FALL UPON THE UNITED KINGDOM AGAIN – we need THE FEAR OF THE LORD TO RISE IN US AGAIN..!  (Loud cheers across packed auditorium!)

“I talk to young people, I start talking to them about the fire of God – I say to young guys, ‘Listen, when the fire of God fell on me it RADICALLY CHANGED ME!’ – You see we want a notebook with 8 steps of ‘how to’…but I’m not that kind of preacher…I just had AN ENCOUNTER WITH JESUS…the power of God took a hold of my life!

“I talk to them about the power and the glory of God. Oh, I’ve seen the glory of God come down like a mist. I’ve watched people paralyzed get out of wheelchairs – the blind see, the deaf hear…I’ve watched as thousands are touched by the fire of the holy Ghost and I SEE A GENERATION LOOKING AT ME AS THOUGH I JUST FELL OFF MARS!! Staring at me as ‘THIS GUY’S CRAZY!’

“What I began to realise is this: THERE’S A GENERATION TODAY COMING UP THAT KNOW NOTHING OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD – THEY KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THE FIRE OF GOD – THEY DON’T KNOW there’s something SO AWESOME AVAILABLE THAT CAN EMPOWER THEIR LIVES TO CHANGE THE DESTINY OF A GENERATION.

“But we don’t want to contend any more…

“I want to speak to the United Kingdom for a moment. I was born here, I was raised here and I want to say that I love the Church. I love the people of God…but I’m an evangelist. I want to see the lost saved…and the thing is this – you CAN’T PERSUADE people into the Kingdom..THEY MUST HAVE AN ENCOUNTER WITH JESUS.

“WHEN THEY ENCOUNTER THE PRESENCE OF GOD THEY ARE CHANGED!

“But it’s like we don’t want to FIGHT for the things of the Spirit of God ANY MORE – we’d rather have a nice service with nice presentation, but just NO FIRE.  Well I’m telling you right now there’s something the Holy Spirit’s placing in my heart,

“It’s time to contend. Time to contend for the Glory of God to FILL our churches, to fill our lives that we might know Him in Whom we have believed!”

Nathan goes on to teach from 2 Kings 4 on the Shunammite woman providing a room for the itinerant prophet Elisha and her faith in the supernatural provision of God being vindicated. She knew despite having been barren and then her boy unexpectedly dying, that ‘all was well’! – indomitable faith had developed because she made room for a man of God and her prayers had been answered.

Nathan tells how, despite having been into drugs, he was saved and filled with holy fire. Then going to church and having read the Bible and about miracles, he realised there was something inside him that made him passionately want to see it happen today. He realised he had to contend for this – not like 1/2 hour ‘fast-food’ Christianity.

“But I learnt I had to abide,. If you want an encounter with God you can’t quit too soon. You’ve got to know what it is to CONTEND, to cry out to God…”I’m here, I’m waiting for You.” He then gives a reminder and word for a viewer who had a prophecy over his life.

“IT’S NOT TIME TO PRETEND BUT TIME TO CONTEND – OUR GENERATION ARE IN THE BALANCE!!

“That’s why I like what Canon Andrew White said. He spoke about suffering and fighting – contending for the faith. YOU CAN’T CONTEND IF YOU WANT TO PRETEND!

“The days of pretending are coming to an end. The days are going to become SO DARK that if you DON’T HAVE THE LIGHT OF HIS GLORY in your life YOU’RE IN TROUBLE!”

On Repentance

“You know why people are against me so much on repentance? It’s because repentance MAKES ROOM FOR GRACE! The devil hates it because the devil knows that if a man responds and says, “Jesus, you have my life, I’ll make room for you. Come and dwell inside”, then he’s in trouble.

“AND I WANT TO SAY THE SAME TO THE CHURCH. People think my ministry’s just about miracles. NO, there’s a message that goes with the miracle – the message is: ‘JESUS DEMANDS YOUR ALL! YOUR LIFE, EVERYTHING YOU HAVE’. And when you make room for Him HE WILL BREAK EVERY CHAIN, every bondage, He’ll wash you, cleanse you – HE WILL SET YOU FREE!

The Problem

“The problem is, when you’ve never encountered the glory of God you don’t even know what I’m talking about ‘cos if you try to understand God in a natural place of your own understanding…one thing God’s got to get His Church to – to get you to – is to a place where you understand that what He wants to do in you is SO GREATER THAN WHAT YOU THINK and who you think you are.

“IT’S SO SUPERNATURAL, IT IS ONLY BY HIS GRACE, HIS PROVISION – HIS POWER, HIS GLORY IN YOUR LIFE – THAT YOU’RE EVER GOING TO MAKE IT.

“You’ve got to look at something that the world says is impossible, that the CHURCH EVEN SAYS IT’S IMPOSSIBLE, and (say) “NO, in Jesus’ name – it IS well”.”

The United Kingdom

“We’re believing God that something will be sparked in these 3 days…I believe God has something for the United Kingdom that is SO AWESOME that the nations will take notice.”

During the Celebration’s final evening one of the many receiving ministry was a severely deaf boy who was then able to hear. Thank you Lord for this and all the healing you are doing. Later, Nathan closed in farewell,

“We’re believing for God to move in our generation in what you’ve seen these last three nights…Can you imagine if the Body of Christ let the Spirit of God move? Not wanting the fake or the strange, but wanting JESUS to be GLORIFIED.

And when you glorify Jesus, young boys who are deaf leave this place hearing, because THAT is the message of the Gospel in the United Kingdom to the nations of the world…”


Hallelujah!  More happened than shown on the videos, as reported on Facebook.

Paws-4-thought: ‘coincidence’ points to a coming revival?

Posted on by
1

DSC_0210-1edMulling over Saturday’s post regarding Plymouth and how ideas popped into mind, then later upon catching up with GodTV celebrations, I believe my spirit may be sensing a modern prophecy is coming into fulfilment. It’s serendipity yet again. (For a brief introduction to this Biblical principle see In the right place at the right time.)

In Winnipeg, Canada, 53 three years ago this Friday, Tommy Hicks had hardy fallen asleep when,

…the vision and the revelation that God gave to me came before me. The vision came three times, exactly in detail…

I was so stirred and so moved by the revelation, that this has changed my complete outlook upon the Body of Christ, and upon the last end-time ministry.

The greatest thing that the Church of Jesus Christ – that has ever been given to the Church – lies straight ahead. It is so hard to help men and women to realize and understand the thing that God is trying to give to His people in the end-time. (Emphases added)

If you’ve not yet followed the link I provided, visit Colin Winfield’s web-page and then his link to the pdf version of Tommy Hicks’ Vision. It is a most remarkable insight into the preparation of the unblemished Bride of Christ for the ‘great tribulation’. Colin comments upon testing its conformity with Scripture, and I cannot but ask if this scenario includes a cleansed, revived Anglican church, possibly as prophesied here?

I am truly humbled by this account being thrust to my attention separately by two sisters in Christ who have the same name, albeit spelt differently.  The first L was mentioned in my musing upon the spiritual significance of Plymouth; ie, her vision of a giant bore a  resemblance to what Tommy had seen. Time constraints, however, didn’t allow me to revisit his vision before writing.

But what I didn’t know was one of my readers had already been directed to that vision!  Upon reading the blog on Plymouth this second L immediately responded she’d been praying on Thursday with her pastor,

…and I had brought my A1 board of Smith Wigglesworth’s (of) 1947, but as I am praying this out from where I believe we are, it ran into Tommy Hicks’ vision of the giant and the ordinary ditchdiggers and washerwomen – this has greatly encouraged me.  [See below for SW’s vision]

A huge thank you goes to both ladies, my sisters in God’s family.

Therefore, I cannot but conclude that the Lord is definitely drawing our attention to the deep importance of that vision. In view of other words about this ‘new season’ and the urgency to Advance the Kingdom now! then the time really is ‘now’!

A song of victory is in the air

At the Summer celebration Nathan preached strongly about maintaining our spiritual boundaries and ‘landmarks’ because the church has given ground to the demonic. The next day his message was on the need to ‘contend not pretend’ for the faith.

On this, today’s Lion Bites from Glasgow Prophetic Centre is highly apposite:

Song of Victory

There is a new song arising in the people of God, it is the war cry of conquered ground.

There have been many battles of the season over the same piece of ‘ground’. Many have wondered why the battle has been so long and why it has kept them from the greener pastures their eyes have seen.

Many have wondered and asked, ‘Why am I still here fighting the same battle?’

This has formed a useful training ground for the people of God and they have grown in faith, in endurance and in maturity. But it is now time for conquering and completion – and so the new song of conquered ground will arise.

The Lord is establishing secure boundaries for the ground that has been fought over. The Lord is placing His seal over areas of contention because His saints are transitioning now over the battle ground that has been won.

Will you sing your song of victory in faith today, in faith that the Lord is moving on your behalf and that the battle has been won?

Psalm 68:1
May God arise, may his enemies be scattered; may His foes flee before him.

SO, let us note and weigh these things, and take action…

Footnotes

Smith Wigglesworth’s  Prophecy of major move of the Holy Spirit in Britain (1947).

  1. Two preliminary phases have already happened, so be prepared for the full move! Likewise for the word delivered 40 years later to David Minor in NW USA – Two winds coming to the Church.
  2. Further insights on this revelation was given to American evangelist, Lester Sumrall, “…I see the greatest revival in the history of mankind coming to planet Earth…every form of disease healed…”. (Revival Prophecies for the British Isles)
  3. In 1995 I was standing alongside SW’s prayer-partner Revd Norman James when he had a similar vision of UK that Wigglesworth had – he was left speechless!