WOW! What an amazing weekend!<P>On Saturday, H pointed out to me that basically I still do the work I did as a pastor. This was in response to my saying I felt I could never be a pastor in my own right again after the A.<P>With that seed planted, we went to church and the Holy Spirit took over totally (you could almost say us Pentecostals were swinging from the chandeliers but only our spirits truly soared high...no flying bodies!!)<BR>We had visiting pastors in the morning along with our pastors. Then a "sister" church joined us in the evening.<P>God really spoke healing into my heart with the morning bringing confirmation that yes, His call remains on my life for ministry in whatever form He desires. H was overjoyed, although still I prefer for him to be the minister and me the pastor's wife!<P>In the evening, two ladies prayed with me and confirmed some morning words! Their pastor got us all to join hands and their people ministered to our congregation. He asked us to remember the feeling of being a kid again. I had this beautiful picture of me as a little girl in this grassy feel almost as tall grass as my childish height..it had wildflowers of all colors and I chased butterflies, running and twirling. God reminded me of my special little yellow bubble bath decanter where I stored my "fairies"--He spoke to me that I never needed fairies as His angels constantly watched over me during my childhood. He even addressed the abuse and I realized things could have been far worse. <P>The ladies told me how special I am to God and how He loves me just as much as others and that He will reveal my call in bits and pieces over time.<P>H has a huge decision to make and it involves a giant leap of faith that may not make financial sense but if God ordains, He must obey. <P>Yesterday morning, I went up to the altar and when I got up there must have been about 40-50 people all kneeling on their knees in their own worship and seeking. What an awesome sight!<P>God is good. We would not be in recovery without Him in our lives.<P>Thank you again for all your prayers. <P>------------------<BR>Fresh Start

Oops..that should have read grassy field!! I haven't figured out how to edit and didn't proofread very carefully. Sorry about that

<B>WOW!!!</B><P>PRAISE THE LORD, indeed!!<P>This is SUCH great news!<P>Our God IS good, isn't HE?????<P>I'm sooo happy....it has been such a long journey....I wanted to worship with you, and praise Him with you.<P>Thank You, Jesus....You are TOOOO Good to us, sinners that we are!!!!! THANK YOU, JESUS.<P>I will also pray that the Lord will make His Will very apparent in your H's decision to step out in faith. You know, this is very funny that you say this... this very topic is something my H (WS) feels VERY strongly about! He has said more than once, "You just have to STEP OUT FIRST, cause God isn't going to open the way first, or else it ISN"T FAITH!!!" <P>Lupo<BR>

Lupo, thank you for sharing in my joy! God is just blasting our church with joy and anointing..it's sooo cool!<P>I write to another member of MB and she told me her husband was away at a special men's wkd and all the men present but one came to pray at the altar and many packs of cigarrettes and cans of dip(does that mean chewing tobacco--it's a new expression to me) were surrendered there. He is Lord of the nations indeed!<P>I am reading this fantastic book about taking leaps of faith: If You Want To Walk On Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat! by John Ortberg. I belong to a book club at our Christian bookstore (the leader goes to our church and really had a powerful encounter yesterday as well!) and we are to discuss this week how the lessons we've learned apply to our current "boats"...last time we shared what boats we need to jump out of. Mine was H's work situation.<P>Before everything happened, God was speaking to H about reducing his hours and working for the church part time--there is no money for this at present so H is praying hard to know if it's right. We already barely squeak by (although we do have awesome abundance too--everything we need) so with two teens at home....it's a big leap. My mother is not amused. (What else is new?) I understand her worry and normally I'd be out of my mind but I have this huge peace that God is going to reward H (BS) for his faithfulness to God and me--when I confessed, basically some important church leaders turned on him (instead of me!) and crushed an already broken man down. I really believe God will raise H up to a place of honor.<P>It's awesome to watch H's confidence and faith surge.<P>Thanks again!

FS it's very wierd how we are in very same situations.<P>Lupo, your words really were an encouragement to me tonight as my H is in the same situation where we are taking a leap of faith that makes absolutely no wise financial sense right now. We are barely making it as is (sometimes not), and then to add him doing the Lords work at no pay (which we love doing expecting nothing) is very scary.<P>We are completely putting our lives in God's hands (Lord, please provide for us!).

Veryhurt, wow! It is so neat to find others in similar circumstances <P>We wanted to leave our former denomination for years over a theological issue and also due to the unhealthy approach (or lack of?) toward their own ministers. After the A, I felt I could never in true integrity return to ministry as a pastor myself. This was a devestating blow for H because in that particular denomination, both spouses must be ministers. No choice.<P>We prayed hard and we had absolutely no money--we owned barely anything as the church provided everything (furniture, leased vehicle, awesome health and dental benefits, paid for counselling for families) So we sought God hard--I knew perhaps God might restore my call during that time but it was not His timing. <P>We made a list of what we would need: couches, table and chairs, beds, washer/dryer, etc. The totally amazing thing is that very few people in the congregation were that upset with me--they felt they (especially the women and I do wonder where they were supportwise emotionally then) were not there enough for us/me when H was ill and it was obvious I was sinking. They felt I had been played the fool by OM which is partly right-although I did make the unfortunate choice to participate. <P>So they held a shower for us at someone's home and the idea was to bring "gently used" items to help us set up. Everyone surprised each other--there were something like 53 people there and it was just like a second wedding shower (which kind of rocked!) We rec'd bedding, towels, everything we needed for the kitchen except a kettle! and can opener! <P>People began to offer couches--we prayed for 2 and had 5 to choose from! So now we have 4 sofas and and 3 are all overstuffed--2 match the living room carpet perfectly.<P>Just a couple examples how God blesses when we obey. Even though it is no less scary. <P>And we don't believe He is a divine slot machine doling out luxuries to His people; yet we know and have seen how miraculously He supplies those who honor Him. It's humbling.<P>Lord Jesus, I pray for veryhurt and lupolady today. Reveal your will in clarity and fullness and thank You that Your word says You will supply all our needs according to Your riches. Thank You that those riches go far beyond the temporal and focus more on the abundant life of wholeness of mind and spirit and body. Thank You that You set the example in Your earthly ministry by living on very little and resourcefully using that little to glorify Your Father limitlessly.<P>Thank You for what seem to us Your upside down kingdom principles that are proven throughout history and daily in these times...all over the world You are moving. <P>Forgive our excesses and teach us to find our fullness in You, our Delight. Grant us wisdom that we might follow hard after You and honour Your great name. <P>You are worthy of all praise; You are trustworthy; You are the Rock on which we stand; Your Hand reaches out to each one of us. Bless You today, O Father for there truly is no one like You!!! Amen.<P>