The Olympia Outpouring

Evidence Of Angels

2011-10-14T12:39:00.000-07:00

(at least, if you ask me)

Josiah at The Keep, post accident.
Apologies if this ruins any suspense.
Photo by: David McLain

Last Saturday etched itself into my history book for a few reasons. Some reading this might notice it was the day before my wedding. Others may recall this was also the day Hurricane Irene hit the East coast. Neither of these, significant though they may be, impacted my memory like the experience my dear friend Josiah had.

That morning, Claire and Josiah opened the coffee shop. As they were preparing the shop for the day, they realized a few crucial supplies were missing. On weekends the shop operates sans manager, so Josiah offered to drive to Cash & Carry to remedy the situation. "Don't speed," Claire made sure she told him.

Maybe an hour after Josiah left, an ambulance showed up at the shop. Paramedics stepped out, and Claire's heart raced as they walked toward her. "Are you the only one working today?" they asked. "I'm afraid Josiah won't be making it back in." After she was assured Josiah was alive and OK, and her initial panic subsided, she began calling the list of Mud Bay employees to find someone to cover his shift. After initially ignoring her phone call, that person happened to be me. Jeremiah dropped me off, called Josiah's dad and left straight for the hospital.

In between pulling shots and steaming milk, Claire relayed to me the details of the incident. Just minutes after leaving the shop, Josiah flipped his 4Runner merging onto I5 from Highway 101. He may or may not have been speeding, but he did wind up with a ticket for "Speeds too fast for Conditions." Regardless, he found himself upside down on the side of the highway in a totaled SUV.

Here's where the story gets me grinning. The first to arrive on the scene was a pair of bicyclists. Bicyclists who were also off duty EMTs. "I was upside down," Josiah recalls. "The next thing I realize, they are reaching their arms in, checking me out, and pulling me out the window."

A volunteer firefighter happened to be driving by, and was next on the scene. He held Josiah's head in his lap and asked him concussion questions while they waited for an ambulance to arrive. Next on the scene was yet another off duty EMT, who took more vitals and did more EMT-like procedures.

By the time Jeremiah arrived at the hospital, fully prepared to sit at Josiah's bedside and read him tabloids as long as necessary, Josiah was up and walking. His parents dropped him off at the coffee shop a couple hours later looking banged up, but confident he'd be at work the next day. (The rest of us were not nearly as confident, and so he was written off the schedule for the next day or two. Must admire the boy's spunk, though.)

Josiah sustained some solid bruising on the side of his face, a concussion, and his ear turned an odd shade of blue-ish purple. His mother informed us that he's always wanted a black eye, so wish granted so to speak. The way I see it, God's got his back and it's a good thing.

By Kaylani, from OlyActs

The Church is Dead (Does Anyone Care?)

2011-06-23T14:05:00.000-07:00

“You have a reputation that you are alive – but you are dead.” This was the diagnosis Jesus had of the church in Sardis. Ask anyone who doesn’t visit a church on Sunday morning and they’ll agree. It seems like those inside are the only ones who are in the dark.

Jesus wanted his disciples to be salt and light in the world. Two thousand years later we are in the dark and rather than preserving and seasoning like salt – the 21^st century church is lying like a dead body in the yard. Ask anyone in San Francisco if they’d like to see another church being planted there. We all know the reaction, and the reason for it. Those outside the church despise the ones inside.

It wasn’t long ago, as an atheist, I also had a loathing for the church. Eight years after God opened my eyes, he finally pried the lid off my heart. Now I am beginning to see the problems in church again. The list is long. We in the church are perceived as divisive, narrow-minded, greedy, hypocritical, judgmental, self-righteous, environmentally ignorant, socially insensitive, uncaring, unloving and untrustworthy. Yeah, I know – there’s more.

We believe we are the body of Christ, but our own music laments the fact that the hands ofJesus aren’t healing, his feet aren’t going and his love isn’t showing. The band Casting Crowns and many others have been sending a message to the church, but a dead church can’t hear it.

I could go on, but this message isn’t about complaining; I just wanted to establish the nature of the problem. Now it’s time for the solution. In the letters to the churches in Revelation 2 and 3, after condemning the churches, Jesus warns them to repent, or else! The church has ignored those warnings, so God is going to do something unheard of.

I heard a nice British fellow preaching in church this week from the book of Habakkuk. He read the verse where God said, “I am about to do something so extraordinary that even if you saw it with your own eyes you wouldn’t believe it.” I waited for him to tell us what it was – but the answer never came.

Most of the prophets know God is about to do something suddenly in the church, something big and something dramatic. What is headed for the church is nothing less than a tidal wave that will completely transform the landscape we now see.

Today God told me what’s going to happen. Because the church has refused God’s mission to reach its community and has failed to show His love to those who need it, because the church has destroyed His healers and shunned His prophets, God is going to take his poweroutside the stained-glass arcade.

What the reformation of the 16^th century didn’t accomplish, this reformation will. The last one was about doctrine, this reformation will come in power and healing and miracles. This movement is about those whom the traditional church has deemed unworthy.

Many people believe the miracles God did through Todd Bentley were a kind of first fruits. “God is going to do more miracles,” they say. Well, they are right. But they see the pierced and tattooed, wild and undisciplined man as a weirdo, just a blip on the radar who crashed and burned. Yes, Todd is a kind of Kamikaze, but what the church doesn’t know is that there is a squadron of several thousand Todd Bentleys approaching, just out of view of their radar.

The church believes the miracles will happen inside its holy and sacred spaces. But the church is “dead” wrong. The church has failed its mission. God is going to do His new miracles in the community. Todd was the right man in the wrong place. Not only is God going to do miracles like the ones He did through Todd, He’s going to use people just as weird in the eyes of the church. If Todd’s ministry had happened on the streets, people would still be rejoicing. But the church did what it does best – criticize and destroy those that are different. It’s the only human organization that eats is young and kills its wounded.

God is going to raise up prophets and healers from the coffee shop owners and race car drivers of America. His apostles will work in art galleries. His pastors will be high school coaches; his evangelist will be a punk rocker. God is going to bless the people he wants to bless and the church won’t be able to stop it.

I happen to love the people I attend church with. They are some of the most warm and sincere people I’ve ever known. I love my pastor. He’s funny, loving, and a wonderful teacher. But this isn’t true of many churches. God is going to do a wonderful work in Olympia (and other places) The traditional church has no place for artists, dancers, poets and dreamers. But my hometown is a community of artists. God is the master creator, the master poet and master painter. We honor His creativity in our own artistic expression. God is going to use the arts for His glory.

We have ignored the native culture of our region and in doing so we have dishonored our heritage and earned the resentment of our neighbors. The new move of God in this area will use the arts as a unifying force. His healing will be felt by the gays and lesbians, his love will be brought to the Wiccan, His message of hope will reach the tree-huggers. And the traditional church is going to have a holy cow over it. The grave has been dug, it’s time to bury the corpse and move on.

A prophet, a healer and an evangelist walk into a bar. They shoot a few games of pool, and love on the patrons in the bar. They are invited back, and this time they interpret some dreams and pray for a healing. They are invited back and this time the evangelist opens his mouth and declares the incredible love God has for these folks. A new church is born. Are you seeing the picture?

If the traditional church folks repent and decide to show God’s love to their neighbors, God will honor them. If not – His work will be done among those outside the chapel anyways. To those who embrace the new wine God is preparing: you’d better bring a new wineskin to the party, the old kind won’t do.

I hope you will join in the new and wonderful work that God is going to do. Cheers!

By Dave Hayes

This Will Set You Free

2011-06-10T20:35:00.000-07:00

By Matt Evans

There are some things I've wrestled with over the yrs, I've been aware that God's heart is to impact this world, but also that he wants all fruitfulness to come from intimacy, as Heidi Baker would put it. Looking for the balance between those aspects of our call has driven me to re-examine some core elements of what is called the christian life.

I remember the days when I sat under/was influenced by teaching which centralized such messages as, "The Lord is not willing that any should perish... we've been given the great commission to go and preach the gospel to all the world... the way to please God is to fulfill your destiny of saving the lost and building the church... having a successful ministry through favor with God and man..." There are truths IN those things, but one foundational problem; many of us learned to attempt to please God by laboring for him, even when that mentality of performance opposes the most basic message of the gospel. We thought that we would be successful christians when we had a mega-popular ministry, or when we were slaving away to do all the "right" things to save the world and please the church. Whatever happened to the foundation of repentance from our own works and faith towards God? In reality he doesn't call us to perform and achieve and suffer for him, not from that focus anyway. He simply calls us to labor to enter into his rest.

Meditate on this one: If we never did another work for the kingdom of preaching or evangelistic ministry or intercession or toilet scrubbing or anything else, but only learned to believe in his love for us a little bit more, God would be more pleased with that. Much more. If we enter his rest he can work in us and through us, but it is the rest that matters to God first, not the performance. He's looking for those who will believe the good news of entering his rest. He finished the works Himself.

I remember a time when I felt burdened to pray and receive love from God, even turning that into a performance. I told him "I really don't want to sit here and do this right now, I want to do something more exciting, but here I am, show me your love." I saw the Father bow down to kiss me on the head and then he urged me on gently, telling me to go and play.

There is a lot in scripture about God having ordained works for us to do, and rewards based on our works, but I gather that he wants our works to be an overflow of playfulness, not a messiah complex where we feel like we need to do it ourselves.

There is a passage in John 5 where Jesus says that he only does what he sees the Father doing, that the Father loves the Son and shows him all things that he himself does, and will show him greater works than these, even to the raising of the dead. This has been taught as a key to Spirit-led ministry, but a downside is that we can take it like, "OK, I've got to go out and see and hear what the Father is showing me so that I can move in the miraculous to save the world to please God."

The greek word for love in this passage is not agape (self-sacrificing, unconditional love) but phileo. (brotherly affection) The Father gives brotherly affection to the Son and shows him all things that he himself does... This points to a relationship centered on companionship and displays of affection, not a relationship of distant love and sacrifice. That means it is all about having fun. As we receive God's affection and desire to return a response of affection to him, we are led into what he wants to do through our lives. He can do greater works while playing with his children than we can do in our serious messiah complex. Really, there isn't any other solution to the deepest problems in this screwed up world but this one that God has ordained: playful children. Jesus modeled that and he said that he is the only way. It's so easy to get scared that it won't work and to try and make up our own way instead.

Suddenly, absolute surrender seems a lot more doable. I don't have to surrender to a life of grueling performance, where I'm going to be fasting 40 days a week, interceding in tongues 5hrs every morning, working my butt off all day and coming home to get a quick meal before going out (wait, I don't get a meal because I'm fasting 40 days a week) to preach on the streets every afternoon so that if I'm really good and somebody in power really likes me I can be a missionary to Africa someday. I get to surrender to a life of playfulness and affection. Where I am even empowered to obedience by the grace that flows from Jesus victory on the cross as I rely on him. It doesn't matter whether anybody ever thinks I'm a good christian or not. I only have to do what I see my Father doing in our exchange of affection. Ultimately, he alone will judge me based on whether or not I believed and entered his rest.

Are You Willing?

2011-01-15T08:51:00.000-08:00

How far is too far? Does forgiveness of sin really mean "it's as if it never was?" When it comes to betrayal, do we extend trust until the person gives us reason not to? How much is that going to hurt? Holy Spirit what do you think of all this? Am I a risk taker or not? Can I pray for healing for the body and ignore the pain in my close relationships because it's too hard to speak of the white elephant? Will I risk the personal pain and hurt to see His glory and His promises fulfilled in loving others?

These are the questions I have been seeking answers to. Not just from the latest book or teaching; but in my life, with my friendships, with the relationships He brings about. Jesus has brought me into friendships with others that I never would have picked on my own. But, oh! How GOOD He has been in the midst of them! His glory and power are all over them!

It is entirely another thing to be able to freely share the stories though. We can share stories of miraculous healings because it's not necessarily as personal. So, I write to encourage anyone else asking the same questions. God is opening closed hearts and He is using us, every day, in seemingly normal encounters, we bring grace to those He gives us. Just choosing to look for ways to show love is a valuable tool of healing.

I was so convicted of not being willing to truly walk out forgiveness all the way down it's long and often windy path to real reconciliation. Am I willing? The whisper of Papa..."will you go? will you trust Me to keep your heart safe?" In the setting of friendships and relationships Holy Spirit has place to flourish all involved. Of this I am certain. Healing hurts, removing painful memories, replacing them even with good memories; there is no limit to the ways Jesus creatively makes us whole!

So as we grow in Christ together, my heart is to shout out YES!!! I AM WILLING! Daddy, give us the grace to be willing to be ridiculous, hilarious lovers of others! Pour out through us as only You can!

An Underground Gathering

2010-10-04T10:08:00.000-07:00

My information said that the meeting started at two o’clock or so, but I didn’t have the chance to get there until a couple more hours after that. Besides, I wasn’t sure about it, so I wanted to arrive after they were well under way.

By the time four o’clock rolled around, I was quite lost in the county roads trying to find the place: It was already dark, and I was looking for an old barn, maybe half a mile from the nearest paved road so finding it was no easy task. I backtracked, tried the turnoff that I’d passed by a couple of miles back, saw another truck pulling into a dirt road, and headed down the same way. The road ended at a place that was obviously not what I was looking for, but we turned off just before that, wound around some sharp corners, and emerged into a field full of parked cars surrounding a barn, looking in the dark like a flock of baby chicks around their mother hen. Out of the barn came the sound I was expecting, the sound I was looking for. When I heard it, I realized how much I’d been longing for it.

I parked my truck and walked through the parked vehicles towards the barn; I noticed some older SUVs, some fancy new cars; the variety caught my attention. There were a handful of other folks arriving, and we said very little as we approached the barn: words weren’t actually necessary. This was also the sound that they were looking for; their faces showed the same sense of expectation that I was feeling.

We slid the door open, and the sound washed over us. It was palpable, nearly physical, though it wasn’t all that loud. Inside were maybe a hundred people. Twenty or thirty of them were playing instruments, men and women, black, white and others, young and old. The instruments were equally diverse: guitars, keyboards, drums from

America

, from Africa, from

Ireland

, from Asia, from places I'd never heard of. Even a didgeridoo from

Australia

, wired into the sound system. There were young kids playing drums and rhythm instruments. Most of the sound came from the instruments and from the several people singing into microphones. There was a basic sound system set up, but it was obvious that this was no show.

Nobody but the handful that entered with me even knew that we had arrived. Maybe twenty people had their hands in the air, others were kneeling, still more were dancing or waving flags. Some were visiting together near the tables in the back, tables piled high with food and drink. Kids played on the dirt floor. They took nothing away from the worship.

I worked my way to the back of the room. I was trying not to disturb the worshippers, but I needn’t have bothered: most of them were oblivious of my passage; those that were greeted me with the great bear hugs of old friends or the whole-hearted hugs of family; it didn’t seem to matter if they knew me before that day or not. The diversity of people struck me again: these were people from almost every imaginable background, age, race, socio-economic group, religious persuasion.

The music never took a breath. There were a couple of microphones set up where anybody could walk right up and sing along with the music; those mics were nearly always busy, with intricate harmonies and counterpoints accentuating songs that nobody had ever heard before. Before I realized it, four or five hours had passed.

There were a hundred people there, and people were coming and going throughout the night. But the audience had only One. His presence filled the room like birdsong in the spring, like a welcome home after a long journey. There were a hundred voices singing a hundred different songs, all blended into one glorious chorus, and our Audience roared back His approval.

This was worth getting lost in the backwoods county roads for. This was worth being part of.

Future Memory of Revival

2010-09-19T10:51:00.001-07:00

Kim Clement refers to some dreams as 'future memories'. At times God will take us in a dream to some point in the future and allows us to see it for a brief moment. This was one of those moments.

On August 30th 2010 I had the following dream:

The dream began during a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit that had been going on for quite a while in our area. (I'm not certain what the entire scope of the geographic region was. I just knew it was the Olympia area) In the dream we were living every day in a strong, sustained outpouring of the Holy Spirit. I didn't get much detail on what specifically was going on as far as miracles, salvation, etc.

Dave McLain, myself and a few other friends (I didn't recognize most of them in the natural, except that perhaps Joe Myering was one of them - I can't be sure because I've never met him in person) were sitting at a table discussing the current revival and how it had manifested in different places in town. One of the significant things in the dream was the tangible presence of God. I could feel the weight of glory on me as we talked.

We seemed to be at a place where worship music was playing. I saw bright lights and heard a festive crowd cheering in the background. I don't recall many of the details of the conversation, though we talked for a considerable amount of time. I remember talking about some of the miracles we'd seen and the cool ways God had touched so many people in town.

Just before I awoke from the dream, Dave McLain told me about one event that I remembered after I woke up. He mentioned the time that the glory of God first came to the church called 'Glory House' in Olympia. He reminisced fondly about how deeply Dennis Teague was affected by that particular move of God, which Dave said had happened 4 years earlier.

After he said this, I woke up and spent a few minutes collecting memories of the dream, then wrote it down. I believe I woke up pretty close to 12:25, because when I looked at the clock after writing the dream down it was 12:30.

(End of dream)

We were four years into a strong, sustained outpouring of the Spirit and it was still as powerful as when it began. Several different leaders from different churches in the area were involved. I believe God wants us to know that it's coming. It will not be about one church, one man or one city. It will be a regional move with widely different effects wherever it comes.

Standing at a Critical Juncture

2010-08-28T12:19:00.000-07:00

In a small town in the Northeast, something wonderful is happening.

Is this what we ought to do, as well?

Standing At A Critical Juncture from JHOP Boston on Vimeo.

Art In The Park

2010-08-05T10:19:00.000-07:00

For several years, Jennifer Langley and friends have been doing "Art in the Park" during the summer months at Sylvester Park in Olympia. What began simply as a few friends bring their paints and canvasses to the park and painting, has blossomed into a spirit-filled community outreach that is touching the heart of the city.

Armed with a bottles of water, a container of peanut butter & jelly sandwiches and and a bucket of sidewalk chalk, her group has been meeting every week this summer to minister God's love to street people downtown. Part of the ministry is prophetic art - part is loving on those who show up to ask questions. Many strangers join in. They are given free food and drink and God's love is demonstrated. Some are healed, some are given prophetic words of encouragement. All are touched in a unique way.

Jennifer is looking for more people interested in helping out. Contact information is provided at the end of the video.

The Commander of The Lord's Army

2010-07-20T14:46:00.000-07:00

This was a dream I had on July 3, 2010:

The Commander of the Lord's army came to inspect His troops. He looked at many things, then left. A staff meeting was held where we discussed the main deficiency he found, which was our conversations. We were giving the enemy a big advantage in the careless things we said. An order went out to the troops to reign in thoughtless or critical conversation.

It was as if our words were giving the enemy information they didn't have, which was then used against us. Almost as if the enemy didn't know our weaknesses, until someone among our ranks revealed it.

Just as when the commander of The Lord's army paid Joshua a visit before their battle for Jericho, we've had a similar visit. (see Josh 5:14)

From this visit I would conclude:

1) We are not in the battle yet, but it's approaching.
2) The Lord's eyes are on us and He is aware of what we're doing and saying.
3) We have need of come correction before the battle begins..
4) The Lord would not be personally involved in a battle that would end in defeat.
5) We can be assured that victory will be the result, if we follow the orders of the Commander.

The Black Hawk Revival

2010-06-10T13:10:00.000-07:00

On June 9, 2010 I had a dream about the revival in Olympia:

In the dream I was living in a small town, waiting at the post office when I received a package I had ordered. The package contained a kit that would bring spiritual revival to my town. The name on the kit was "Blackhawk Revival". It was a kit that had been used successfully in the past to bring other revivals.

I opened the package and removed the kit from the box. I knew what to do and immediately began assembling the parts. When I had the kit assembled, I called the sender to confirm that it was operating properly.

(end of dream)

Background Information

1) This morning after I woke from the dream, I looked at the news and learned that the Chicago Blackhawks won the NHL championship and the Stanley Cup trophy last night. I was unaware of this when I went to sleep.

Normally, I'd be searching the bible for keys to the dream interpretation. But black hawks aren't mentioned in scripture.

The timing of the dream - that it came on the night the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup must be the key to the interpretation. The last time the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup was in 1961 - the year I was born. How strange is that?

2) The Chicago Blackhawks' first owner, Frederic McLaughlin, was a commander with the 333rd Machine Gun Battalion of the 86th Infantry Division during World War I. The Division was nicknamed the "Blackhawk Division" after Black Hawk, a famous Sauk Chief. McLaughlin later named the hockey team in honor of them.

3) The United States Army, following it's policy of giving Native American names to it's aircraft, named the Sikorsky UH-60 "Black Hawk" helicopter after the Chief.

4) What do I know about revival in my home town?

I had a visitation from the Lord on September 3, 2008 during which I received a promise that my city (Olympia, Washington) would see an outpouring of the Holy Spirit that would bring spiritual revival.

I decided to research the life of Chief Black Hawk:

A Brief Biography of Chief Black Hawk

Black Hawk (Makataimeshekiakiak - "be a large black hawk") was a leader and warrior of the Sauk American Indian tribe. Although he had inherited an important historic medicine bundle, he was not a civil chief of the Sauk, but was an appointed war chief.

During the War of 1812, Black Hawk fought on the side of the British. When the war erupted, Colonel Robert Dickson, an English fur trader, amassed a sizable force of Native Americans at Green Bay to assist the British in operations around the Great Lakes. Most of the warriors Dickson assembled were from the Potawatomi, Ho-Chunk, Kickapoo and Ottawa tribes. Dickson then summoned Black Hawk's band of about 200 Sauk warriors.

When Black Hawk arrived, he was given command of all Natives gathered at Green Bay, presented with a silk flag, a medal, and a written certificate of good behavior and alliance with the British. In addition, Dickson bestowed upon Black Hawk the rank of brevet Brigadier General. The certificate would be found 20 years later, after the Battle of Bad Axe, carefully preserved along with a flag quite similar to the one Dickson gave to Black Hawk.

During the war, Black Hawk and his warriors fought in several engagements with Major-General Henry Procter on the borders of Lake Erie. Black Hawk despaired over the waste of lives caused by the use of European attack methods; soon after, he quit the war to return home.

Black Hawk War

As a consequence of an 1804 treaty, the Sauk and Fox tribes vacated their lands in Illinois and moved west of the Mississippi in 1828. However, Chief Black Hawk and others disputed the treaty.

Angered by the loss of his birthplace, between 1830 and 1831 Black Hawk led a number of incursions across the Mississippi River, but was persuaded to return west each time without bloodshed. In April 1832, he again moved his warriors into Illinois.

Black Hawk's band was composed of about 500 warriors and 1,000 old men, women and children. The group included members of the Sauk, Fox and Kickapoo Tribes. The war stretched from April to August 1832 and a number of battles, skirmishes and massacres took place. When the Illinois Militia and Michigan Territory Militia finally caught up with Black Hawk's "British Band" following the Battle of Wisconsin Heights it led to the decisive clash of the war at Bad Axe. At the mouth of the Bad Axe River, hundreds of men, women and children were killed by pursuing soldiers, their Indian allies, and a U.S. gunboat.

After the war Black Hawk was captured and taken to the eastern U.S. where he and other British Band leaders toured several cities. Black Hawk died in 1838 in southeastern Iowa.

Interpretation

The fact that I was living in a small town would indicate that the scope of this dream is limited to my local area - Olympia.

"I was waiting at the post office..."

I'm reminded of the disciples in the upper room, who were told by Jesus, " Go to Jerusalem and wait for the promise of the Father." They went and positioned themselves in prayer until the promise came. A large group of people in the Olympia area have been engaged in prayer and spiritual warfare over our area for some time, with the purpose of bringing the promised revival.

"I received the package I ordered..."

Our prayers were heard and the Father sent the package we asked for. There is often a delay from the time a prayer is heard to the time the request is received. It took Daniel 21 days before the angel Gabriel came with a message.

"The kit had been used successfully in the past..."

This is a method to bring revival that has been tested. We know it works.

The name "Black Hawk"

This must symbolize some aspect of the revival. Everything I've found points to Chief Black Hawk as a symbolic figure. Although he inherited the gift as a medicine man, he became prominent as a warrior. I believe this indicates something important about the revival in Olympia. It will have healing as a major component, but spiritual warfare will be the method by which it comes.

Black Hawk's band was a mixture of warriors, old men, women and children. I believe this pictures the kind of people God will use in his army - just about anyone.

Black Hawk fought for territory that He felt was rightfully his. I believe this pictures our battle in Olympia. My friends who are prophetic and apostolic leaders have discerned that much of the land that was given to us by God, has been taken over by the enemy.We've been engaged in warfare to reclaim it. This revival is as much a battle over territory as it is over the souls of people.

The hawk, eagle and owl are all symbolic of the prophetic ministry. I believe the prophetic presence here will be a key to the revival. I had another dream about three months ago in which I prophesied over our city that God was raising up teen-age prophets who would change the spiritual atmosphere and usher in revival.

"I called the sender to confirm that it was operating properly."

This seems to say that it will be important to check in frequently with the Father to verify that things are going in the right direction.

Other Observations

I believe the symbolism of the Black Hawk helicopter is significant. The UH - 60 is an airborne vessel that moves quickly at will. It's one of the most versatile aircraft in the world. The Navy, Air Force, Army and Coast Guard all use modified versions of the same aircraft. It's used for tactical military and medivac operations over land and sea as well as being used by the Coast Guard for patrol and rescue operations.

I see this as a picture of the kind of believer God would have us to become - versatile. The Holy Spirit has a diversity of ways in which He can operate through a surrendered vessel. We might be prayer warriors one day and operate in miracles the next day, followed by powerful preaching a few days later.

I also see the angelic host of heaven pictured by the Black Hawk; a formidable army of winged warriors reigning down destruction on enemy strongholds.

I believe the victory obtained by the Chicago Blackhawks in their hockey game last night is a picture of the victory we will have over our enemy.

Helicopters operate in the skies. They go quickly when dispatched by the commander, never needing roads to get to where they need to be. During the revival in Samaria, Phillip was taken physically into the skies and translocated somewhere else because the Lord needed him there; like a helicopter. The bible only records one such event for him, but it's possible he may have had other trips that weren't recorded. Ezekiel, Elijah and other prophets had similar experiences.

I've been having dreams about translocation; where I'm physically transported from one place to another, supernaturally. Some have been solo trips, some with a group of people. Jason Westerfield and other leaders have been told by the Lord that He wants to use this means of transportation more in the coming days.

Are You Ready For a Hot Summer?

2010-05-10T13:15:00.000-07:00

by Cindy McGill

(of burning man outreach)

May 10, 2010

Hello Summer! It's that time again. It's time for outreaches to meet the spiritual hunger in the lives of seekers everywhere. People are hungry for hope and truth that sets them free from all kinds of bondages and life wounds which have crippled them from living their lives to the fullest. Jesus is truly the Bread of Life. I guess we could say that He is the true "organic" food everyone needs to be made whole and to have new lives.

"I Wanna Know What Love Is, I Want You to Show Me"

We are commissioned to go out and reach the earth with the "Good News" of the message of Jesus. How we model the Lord is what the world will see. It is most important to let the light of Jesus shine through us, saturated in the love of God. There is no other way to reach a hurting world. God IS love, He just doesn't have love and true love NEVER fails.

According to 1 Corinthians 13, love hopes all things, endures all things, believes all things, doesn't take into an account a wrong suffered, endures hard things, yet still possessing the strength to be kind. When the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, we can display this love to a very hurting, confused and angry world. People are looking for answers not accusations. I am writing a book with the title, We were them before we were us. Remember what you were like when Jesus transformed your life, so treat people with the same kindness you needed.

Let My Eyes Be Your Eyes!

I was driving in my car with my friend who was seated in the passenger seat. We were trying to cross a busy street to turn left. I was looking left and she was looking right. When the left side was clear, I would look right to see if I could cross, but her head was in the way. She would periodically blurt out, "You can go now." But because I couldn't see to the right, I would hesitate and miss the opportunity. I finally said to her, "Move your head so I can see." She instantly responded, "CINDY, LET MY EYES BE YOUR EYES!" I have never forgotten that ride. God has spoken that to me many times over the years. He wants to instill trust in us to let Him guide us and not depend on our own ability to see.

Summer Outreach Preparation

Here are some simple things that may aid us in our outreach efforts this summer.

• Be With Him Before You Be With Them

People that Jesus sends out have spent time with Him to know Him. Jesus is a friend to people who are away from Him (to sinners), and God will give you His heart for His friends. Stay in His presence until your heart beats with His. Develop the art of hearing His voice and let your character be defined by His. He will fashion our hearts to beat with His and the same compassion He has for His people, He will give to us when we meet them. This is not human compassion, it is a true heart of compassion from God's own heart that will cause seekers to respond to God's love.

We can learn to walk in unison with the Holy Spirit and be led by Him. Words of knowledge come, miracles happen, and people in darkness are drawn to true Light.

• Different Strokes For Different Folks

There is a compelling factor involved in introducing people to Jesus. In Luke 14:21-23, we see the urgency of the time and the "four kinds of people" we are to compel to come in to eat at the table—the poor, the maimed, the lame and the blind. It is important to truly value the person you are communicating with the way Jesus does, and it is most important to "follow Him" to be true fishers of men.

He knows everyone He has made. He knows where they have come from, what their pain is, and how they need to be encountered by God. We are short-sighted and limited in our understanding, not knowing the details of the life we are encountering. God will tell us things about the one standing in front of us when we have taken time to let the love of the Lord soften our own hearts.

When we are free from judgment and criticism and when we have clean hands and pure hearts, we see God. In my experience, I have been surprised to watch God reach someone in the most unusual ways. The obvious need is often not the way God wants to reach them. Sometimes it's a healing of the heart that needs to be addressed first before the physical healing.

So that servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, "Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind." And the servant said, "Master, it is done as you commanded, and still there is room." Then the master said to the servant, "Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. (Luke 14:21-23)

Four Distinct People Groups

These are categorized metaphorically, in a nutshell:

• The Poor

Jesus said the poor would be with us always. Proverbs 19:17 says that if we give to the poor, we lend to the Lord and He will repay us. Giving to the poor is an instant reward. God blesses this kind of outreach, and the poor benefit by the generosity and kindness they feel from these kinds of outreaches. But that is only one category.

• The Maimed

I like this wording in the NKJV. When we think of the maimed, these are people who are unrecognizable, don't know who they are, are alone, and don't know who you are. Meaning that their trust bridges are all blown up and they have no where to cross over. They have been hurt and abused much of their lives and usually medicate to treat their pain. It is my experience that they need a lasting relationship with someone who feels to befriend them so a trust bridge can be formed. Once trust is earned, their hearts are open to hear truth and embrace new life in Jesus.

• The Lame

I think of these as the ones whose current spiritual understanding (how they are walking) cannot support them and there is no strength in their walk. Meaning "other gods" and "false christs" that Jesus spoke about in Matthew 24 have been the focus for them. While everyone needs a personal encounter with God, this category of people seem to be the most impacted by "feeling" God touch them, and they will never forget it. This personal touch bypasses their minds.

This could be the ones talked about in Colossians 2:8, Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.

• The Blind

The blind wander aimlessly. This category is who Paul talked about in 2 Corinthians 4:4, The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

The blind are visionless and are dying without one. They are on a spiritual search and need a future and a hope. I often think of young people who take their lives because they feel they have no destiny or future. Prophetic words from God are essential for them. Their ears are open to hear and they need a reason to live.

This may help us to understand that not everyone will be reached in the same way. God has a "special appointment" for everyone He is drawing.

Don't Be Afraid to Heal the Sick and Work a Miracle

God is doing awesome things, displaying His power, love and glory. At our Burning Man outreach last August, visitors at our theme camp saw shafts of light and felt the "electric" power of the Holy Spirit. Miracles were taking place as God was introducing Himself to the ones He made.

Just recently, my daughter and I were at a restaurant. She returned to the table from washing her hands, when she reported to me that a young girl was sitting on the floor in the women's bathroom with sharp pains in her chest. I got up from the table and went into the bathroom and introduced myself. It was Prom Night and her friend was standing with her. I asked to pray for God to touch her. She agreed and instantly she felt the pain leave her body. Her eyes lit up and she looked at her friend. Both of their mouths dropped open and tears rolled down their faces as God totally healed her body. They made remarks like, "This is a miracle" and "I can't believe this." I told them it was God, and Jesus wanted them to know how much He loves them. They hugged me and continued in "awe" of the miracle power of God.

Outreaches reignite our love for God and His love for us. I have never returned from an outreach that I am not radically changed from. I not only experience God's love reaching out to someone who is shaken to the core to finally find hope, healing and a new beginning; but I get to feel His love in a deep way again for myself. People are desperate to find truth. God is "retooling" us for this harvest. It is exciting. Be available to God and enjoy the life-changing benefits of being "DOERS OF THE WORD."

Love ya, Bless ya, and May God Blast ya!

For this Harvest,

Cindy McGill

Hope for the Harvest

Email: dreaminslc@hotmail.com

Can Our People Sing?

2010-04-12T09:12:00.000-07:00

"Can our people sing? That is the question to be answered before you can decide that. Hitherto the revival has not strayed beyond the track of the singing people. It has followed the line of song, not of preaching. It has sung its way from one end of South Wales to the other. But then the Welsh are a nation of singing birds."

Wales Revival Report of 1905

by William T. Stead

Among those who have gone to see for themselves what is going on in Wales, is Mr. William T. Stead, the famous London editor, a man of quick insight and about as little likely to mistake mere excitement or fanaticism for spiritual power as anyone could well be.

The London Methodist Times says that this was Mr. Stead's first visit to the scene of a religious revival, and one of its representatives interviewed him about it on his return. Here is the interview—

"Well, Mr. Stead, you've been to the revival. What do you think of it?"

"Sir," said Mr. Stead, "the question is not what I think of it, but what it thinks of me, of you, and all the rest of us. For it is a very real thing, this revival, a live thing that seems to have a power and a grip that may get hold of a good many of us who at present are mere spectators."

"You think is on the march, then?"

"A revival is something like a revolution. It is apt to be wonderfully catching. But you can never say. Look at the way the revolutionary tempest swept over Europe in 1848. But since then revolutions have not spread much beyond the border of the state in which they break out. We may have become immune to revivals, gospel hardened, or totally indifferent. I don't think so. But I would not like to prophesy."

"But in South Wales the revival is moving?"

"It reminded me," said Mr. Stead, "of the effect that travelers say is produced on the deserts by the winds that propel the sandstorms, beneath which whole caravans have been engulfed. The wind springs up, no one knows from where. Its eddying gust lick up the sand, and soon the whole desert is filled with moving columns of sand, swaying and dancing and whirling as if they were instinct with life. Woe be to the unprotected traveler whose path the sandstone traverses."

"Then you do feel that we are in the track of the storm?"

"You speak as if you dreaded the revival coming your way."

"No, that is not so. Dread is not the right word. Awe expresses my sentiment better. For you are in the presence of the unknown. I tell you it is a live thing this revival, and if it gets hold of the people in London, for instance, it will make a pretty considerable shaking up."

"But surely it will be all to the good?"

"Yes, for the good, or for those who are all good. But what about those who are not good, or who, like the most of us, are a pretty mixed lot? Henry Ward Beecher used to say that of God were to answer the Lord's prayer, and cause His will to be done in earth as in heaven, there were streets in New York that would be wrecked as if they had been struck by a tornado.

"Of course, it may be all to the good that we should all be shaken up; and tornadoes clear the air, and earthquakes are wholesome, but they are not particularly welcome to those who are at ease in Zion."

"Sandstorms of the desert, tornadoes, earthquakes: really, Mr. Stead, your metaphors would imply that your experiences in South Wales have been pretty bad?"

"No," said Mr. Stead. "Not bad at all. Do you remember what the little Quaker child said, when the Scottish express rushed at full speed through the station, next to the platform on which he was standing? 'Where you not frightened, my boy?' said his father. 'Oh, no,' said the little chap, 'a feeling of sweet peace stole into my mind.' I felt like that, rather. But the thing is awesome. You don't believed in ghosts?"

"Not much. I'll believed them when I see one."

"Well you have read ghost stories, and can imagine what you would feel if you were alone at midnight in the haunted chamber of some old castle, and you heard the slow and stealthy step stealing along the corridor where the visitant from the other world was said to walk. If you go South Wales and watch the revival you will feel pretty much like that.

"There is something there from the other world. You cannot say from were it came, or where it is going, but it moves and lives and reaches for you all the time. You see men and women go down in sobbing agony before your eyes as the invisible Hand clutches at their heart. And you shudder. It’s pretty grim, I tell you. If you are afraid of strong emotions, you’d better give the revival a wide berth."

"But is it all emotion? Is there no teaching?"

"Precious little. Do you think teaching is what people want in a revival? These people, all the people in a land like ours, are taught to death, preached to insensibility. They all know the essential truths. They know that they are not living as they ought to live, and no amount of teaching will add anything to that conviction.

"To hear some people talk you would imagine that the best way to get a sluggard out of bed is to send a tract on astronomy showing him that according to the fixed and eternal law the sun will rise at a certain hour in the morning. The sluggard does not deny it. He is entirely convinced of it. But what he knows is that it is precious cold at sunrise on a winter’s morning, and it is very snug and warm between the blankets. What the sluggard needs is to be well shaken—he needs to be snatched out of bed. ‘Roused,' the revival calls it. And the revival is a rouser rather than a teacher.

"And that is why I think those churches that want to go on dosing in the ancient ways had better hold a special series of prayer meetings that the revival may be prevented coming their way."

"Then I take it that your net impressions were favorable?"

"How could they be otherwise? Did I not feel the pull of that unseen Hand? And have I not heard the glad outburst of melody that hailed the confession of some who in very truth had found salvation?

"Of course, it is all very much like what I have seen in the Salvation Army. I was delighted to see that at last the Welsh churches are recognizing the equal ministry of men and women. The surging waters are right on the very beach of the movement. There is a wonderful spontaneity about it all, and so far its fruits have been good and only good."

"Will it last?"

"Nothing lasts forever in this mutable world. And the revival will no more last them the blossom lasted in the field in springtime. But if the blossom had not come and gone, that would be no bread in the world today. And as it is with the bread, so it is with that other bread that is the harvest that will be gathered in long after this revival has taken its place in history.

"But if the analogy of all previous revivals holds good, this religious awakening will be influencing for good the lives of numberless men and women who will be living and toiling and carrying on the work of this God's world of ours, long after you and I have been gathered to our fathers."

The Sound of Compassion

2010-03-09T10:59:00.000-08:00

This is a prophetic word for everyone who desires to bring the light of God's glory to their city. I believe with all my heart that it's our compassion for others that is the key to the work of God among us.

The Sound of Compassion
by Kathi Pelton
Mar 9, 2010

Sing for joy, O heavens, and be joyful, O earth, and break forth into singing, O mountains! For the Lord has comforted His people and will have compassion upon His afflicted.—Isaiah 49:13

Did you know that compassion has a sound? Do you realize that compassion releases the power to bring freedom where captivity currently reigns? Daily we hear the sound and see the power, but rarely do we comprehend the weightiness of it.

Compassion is a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.

Beginning this past January—and continuing still today—we heard the sound of compassion in Haiti, as trucks and helicopters arrived to help the masses of suffering people with food, water, and medical supplies. At times the people's cries of sorrow turned to singing over something as small as a bottle of water. As rescue workers swarmed through the rubble of pulverized structures, locating survivors in the midst of devastation, again and again cries of anguish were transformed into joyful singing.

How were we able to see these things? Because of compassion! As we watched the deep suffering of the Haitian people, the very emotion that moved Jesus to heal moved us to give and to go in order to alleviate their suffering. Yes, compassion has a sound, and the power to turn wails of anguish into the delight of joyful singing.

The New Sound

Recently I had a powerful experience that lasted the entire night regarding "the sound of compassion." I was shown a container that had the appearance of a large vase. This vase had been wrapped in a secure package until this present season, in order to be poured out upon the people of God. As the package was opened I looked into the container but could not see anything inside. Then, I began to hear sounds coming forth from the darkness. I heard many sounds overlapping: a baby's cry at the time of its birth, children playing, songs being sung (songs that came from the compassion of Heaven), chains breaking, birds singing, people applauding. There were so many sounds—but they blended beautifully together like a heavenly orchestra that was releasing a new song.

As I heard this "song" the Holy Spirit said to me, "This is the new sound that I am releasing. It is the sound of My compassion coming forth that will set the captives free."

I felt overwhelmed throughout the experience. The song took my breath away. I not only heard the sounds, but as the night continued I was shown many things that would take place as the sound of compassion was poured out upon God's people. I saw injustices reversed and lives restored. This was not only for individual lives, but for people groups, cities, regions, and nations. It was like the sound of anguish and the prayers of the afflicted were suddenly being answered with the power to set them free. My sense was that this "package" had been sealed up for this very hour in history, and as it was poured out over God's people, the power that Jesus walked with on earth to heal, save and deliver was restored. It was like God baring His mighty right arm against injustice and suffering. The power of compassion was anointing men and women to release captives as we have never seen before.

The Weapon of Compassion

Though we know that as the days progress darkness will increase because of the evil one, we also know that the Lord will pour out His compassion upon those who cry out to Him and will deliver them into light. Though I did not sense that the container was being poured out just yet, in my vision I could tell it was being unpackaged at this time for the sake of being poured out. I knew that when that happened it would be like a weapon of might and power for God's people.

I don't completely understand why I saw what was released as a "sound," but this sound was a mighty weapon. Many of the sounds that I heard were the result of compassion being released, but I also heard sounds which I cannot describe that were the release of anointing of the compassion of God upon His people. His compassion will fall upon worship leaders, teachers, evangelists, pastors, prophets and apostles. When that happens, wisdom, power and miracles will suddenly appear. His compassion will be poured out upon all who will receive it.

The most amazing thing that I saw in this experience was cities and nations being changed. Those who had cried out to the Lord for His mercy and compassion were suddenly experiencing the glory of the Lord. His compassion not only healed and restored their land and people but it also reversed issues of injustice that had plagued them. Because of the corporate release of compassion, individuals were set free and the lost were saved.

I was also aware of this sound opening the eyes of many people groups in the Middle East. I was aware that His compassion would be poured out upon the Middle East and that many would be saved and relationships restored (or formed for the first time). These events were breathtaking.

Get Ready

Sing, O barren one, you who did not bear; break forth into singing and cry aloud, you who did not travail with child! For the children of the desolate one will be more than the children of the married wife, says the Lord.

Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; spare not; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes, for you will spread abroad to the right hand and to the left; and your offspring will possess the nations and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.

Fear not, for you shall not be ashamed; neither be confounded or depressed, for you shall not be put to shame. For you shall forget the shame of your youth, and you shall not remember the reproach of your widowhood any more.

For your Maker is your Husband—the Lord of hosts is His name—and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; the God of the whole earth He is called.

For the Lord has called you like a woman forsaken, grieved in spirit, and heartsore—even a wife in youth, when she is refused and scorned, says your God. For a brief moment I forsook you, but with great compassion and mercy I will gather you (to Me) again. In a little burst of wrath I hid My face from you for a moment, but with age-enduring love and kindness I will have compassion and mercy on you, says the Lord, your Redeemer.—Isaiah 54:1-8

I believe that this amazing outpouring of the compassion of Heaven for this time will usher in Isaiah 54:1-8. We will call Him Redeemer as never before. There will be a sound from Heaven that redeems those on earth.

Get ready! Allow the Lord to position you, empty you (so that you might be filled) and purify you so that you might be a container for this compassion to be poured into. Break forth into great hope! Though many of you have been emptied, and feel as though your emptiness has somehow disqualified you, know that your container is about to be filled. Be careful not to try to fill the empty places on your own, but wait for the Lord to pour into you. Though the emptying process is painful, the purifying of the empty vessel can be even harder because it involves waiting and resting—though I believe the time of filling is coming. We tend to be restless and impatient, but now is a time to HOPE! Let hope arise in your hearts, because a great infilling will come upon those who wait for Him.

Kathi Pelton
Light Streams Ministries
Email: jkpelton@sbcglobal.net

ElijahList Publications
310 2nd Ave SE,
Albany, OR 97321
www.elijahlist.com
email: info@elijahlist.net
Phone 1-541-926-3250

2010-02-02T10:37:00.000-08:00

On January 29, 2010, I had a visitation. The presence of the Lord was very strong during this experience. Here is my account of it:

In the visitation I received a message from God. The message was a document with writing on it. I didn't read the writing, the Spirit revealed to me what it said. The document indicated that God was going to compel any and all of our questions to be answered. The document was like a subpoena, which gives us legal rights to obtain information.

Trevor MacPherson and Jill Lodge Roney were present, among other prophetic and apostolic leaders. They verified the authenticity of the document. A subpoena usually indicates a date by which the requested information must be surrendered. This document had no restrictions that referred to time. The only restriction was that the information requested had to be about our geographic region. We took the form and posted it for discussion among people in our region.

I believe God wants us to know He is backing our campaign to defeat the forces of darkness and bring the light of His glory to our territory. The court of heaven is behind us. Ask whatever you will concerning the battle in our region and God will compel the answers to be given.

Weapons of a Different Kind

2010-01-27T14:24:00.000-08:00

It's come to my attention that battle comes before victory. The outpouring of the Spirit in our area will come after a season of battle. What does the battle look like? What I'm beginning to see surprises me. I've been looking over my dream journal and noticed some changes in the things I dream about.

Jesus often spoke in parables - if you read about why he did that, it was because God wanted to do two things; He wanted to reveal the secrets of His kingdom, but He wanted them to be revealed only to those whose hearts would receive and believe them. The ones who wanted to know what God was saying had to unravel the mysteries in the parables and they came up with some radical things.

Those who didn't care about the kingdom of heaven, would hear his teaching (and be held accountable for it) but go on about their lives, as if it didn't matter.

Dreams are a lot like parables. To most people they're just a bunch of odd things we don't understand. It's hard for most people to accurately interpret dreams, because they don't understand the language of them. But to those who are interested in the secrets of heaven, dreams are like little treasure chests waiting to be opened.

Around Christmas, I began having dreams about warfare and weapons. I never had much of that before. Most of my dreams are about praying for people to be healed or things like that.

The dreams about weapons were training dreams. In one, I was learning about new weapons technology in archery and in another dream I with a team of people being trained for a military assignment. In another dream I traded in a bunch of junk for a high-tech handgun with a laser sight. I couldn't understand how the sight worked, how the gun loaded or fired, but when I pointed it across the street it fired off 2 rounds.

Looking further back in my dream journal to November, I saw the phrase "learning about..." coming up over and over.

In one dream I was 'learning about' playing guitar. In another dream I was 'learning about' singing. I was with a group of people taking voice lessons from a professional voice coach. And in a third dream I was taking dancing lessons with a group of people from a professional dance instructor.

Dreams are like a river. There is a flow and a direction to them and if you follow them, they take you to a destination. When I put all these dreams together, what God is telling me is:

1) I just entered a new season in my life.

2) The subject of my attention should be on weapons & warfare during this time.

3) I have little understanding of the warfare and weapons, so equipping and training are the first steps.

4) I know most dreams are symbolic or like parables, so the warfare isn't literally against people. We are called to be at peace with all men.

5) Jesus and the apostles had much to say about a kingdom of darkness and a kingdom of light. They insisted there is a spiritual battle going on, even though it's invisible to most people. Therefore I must conclude that I'm not being asked to do literal warfare against people, but spiritual warfare against the forces of the enemy. There are no other options.

4) The weapons I'm being trained to use are primarily dance, musical instruments, and singing. (I kinda like that)

If you look through the Old Testament you find the tribes of Israel doing things like singing and dancing in preparation for war. Sometimes that was all they actually did, and God gave them victory immediately afterward. He seems to be bringing back a play from a really old playbook.

Last thought - in light of other dreams and messages I've had, I also know God is going to bring a great spiritual awakening to Olympia. My guess is that will involve some serious warfare to destroy enemy strongholds and dethrone principalities first. That warfare might get loud with all the people singing, dancing and playing their weapons at full blast.

Dream Interpretation at The Urban Onion

2010-01-08T16:55:00.000-08:00

My old partner used to say, "necessity is the mother of invention, but laziness is the father of excuses." I'm trying to avoid laziness and excuses, but some days are more difficult than others. I went to the store for milk and coffee yesterday. The woman in front of me was limping noticeably....what to do?

Come on mister healer, you aren't gonna just walk past her, are you?

I did.

I walked right past her and headed for the milk.

Then I felt Mr. Holy Ghost speaking... "Chicken".

Oh, that's right! Denise wanted to take some chicken to work for lunch, I almost forgot. I stopped by the deli and picked up some chicken before I went to the dairy section. Thanks for reminding me, Mr. Holy Ghost.

"You ARE a chicken, aren't you?"

Me?

"Yes, YOU!"

Yeah, I guess I am. I'm a chicken with a shopping cart full of excuses. We had a brief discussion. The Spirit provoked me to find the limping woman. She was just around the corner. I introduced myself and told her I was on a mission from God to heal her. She told me about how she broke several bones in both feet and one of her legs in a car accident. The healing process didn't go perfectly. She said she was grateful to be able to walk. I said she might be completely healed and asked if I could pray with her. She said, yes, We prayed. I thanked her and headed for the milk again.

No regrets, no guilt. Did she get healed? I don't know. I did what I felt the Holy Spirit asked me to do. The rest is in His hands.

Going out for Dinner?

Try this next time:

Denise and I went out for dinner to the Herb & Onion, a restaurant in downtown Olympia last night. After we ordered a Beatles set came on, so my baby and I sang harmony till the waitress returned with the food. Our loud singing must have amused her; she was grinning ear to ear when she got to our table. After dinner as Denise and I talked, I closed my eyes and received a word of knowledge for the waitress about insomnia. Before we left, I asked her about her sleep patterns. She said she's never been able to sleep through the night and wakes up about every two hours for different reasons. She also shared with us a recurring dream about trying to reach her father, but she's always unable to find him.

Denise and I explained that the dream was from God and her search for her father was symbolic of her search for Father God. She gave us a look of surprise then agreed that it's something she's never had. We gave her a little more insight about the relationship with God and prayed that she'd be able to sleep better. She thanked us and gave us a warm hug as we left.

I wrote this story to encourage you to step out like we did and overcome whatever is holding you back. Don't let laziness or fear get in the way of what God wants to do through you. He'll show up anywhere if you ask Him to.

Olympia: Summer’s Outreaches & Testimonies

2010-01-04T23:25:00.000-08:00

Olympia: Summer’s Outreaches & Recent Testimonies

In the Spirit of Revelation 19:10, "...the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” I suggest that we learn a lesson.

As you may know these ministry outreaches have changed the lives of many. Daniel 12:3 “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.”

I know of no other way to reach the amount of people that we are able to reach in a day than by joining with a community event where great numbers of people will be gathered. Isaiah 65 says the Lord is found by those who are not even looking for Him. We have found this to be true.

A good example is the family that came to Lakefair not knowing we would be there.

Seeing the sign for a Free Encouraging Word stopped. The first one after receiving her word left encouraged and tearful. She returned with a sister, then an aunt, then the mother, who brought grandma, then the niece and her daughter. As a result of the words given to this large family storms were survived over the next 3 years because of what the “Ladies in the Park” told them. Not only that but one of them was completely set free from irrational fears and her 3 year old daughter was healed from something the doctors did not know how to.

Then there is the young man who woke up with the thought that he was going to have a spiritual experience this day. He didn't know where to find it. So he headed to Lakefair thinking this is where he would find it. He comes to the Free Encouraging Words tent where the team not only gave him a Word from the Lord but led him to a saving knowledge of Jesus. He left a grateful man.

Thank you for your past support and looking forward to the many souls Jesus wants to save through us this summer outreach season.

From Paula Otano
D.I.S.I.RE Ministries

Miraculous Auto Repair!

2009-12-16T23:27:00.000-08:00

Testimony from Dave Hayes:

The kingdom of God suffered violence today. 3 days with a stubborn, broken down Volvo. I worked on it and fixed what I could, to no avail. Karl and Kristen were praying and declaring it would be resurrected from the boneyard. Karl finally lost his cool and sat in the driver's seat and commanded the dead car to start in Jesus name....vrooOOM! it started and ran perfectly.

"This is Personal"

2009-12-15T23:20:00.000-08:00

In 2003, the day after Easter, as I was driving towards Yelm, the presence of the Holy Spirit filled my car. I was so excited about His presence, it took me a little while to settle down.

I heard the Holy Spirit say this, "What I am doing, I am not doing because you have prayed perfectly right. What I am doing, I am not doing because you have prayed long enough. I heard the enemy boast that the Northwest is his. This is personal. I am going to pour out the light of MY Glory over the Northwest and the darkness will flee from before My presence. It isn't later it's now." He kept saying this over and over.

I heard Him say, "I am going to plunder the treasuries of darkness here, and raise up and use the least of the least to shame the enemy. I am going to use for My Glory, those about whom others have said, they are beyond all hope. I saw a picture of people who were bound in dark dungeons underground coming up into the light. He said, it isn't later, it's now.

He said, " The wars in the heavenlies are not fought over wealth or land; they are fought over the souls of men. People are the prize! All those who call on My name will be saved. I have stirred Myself up as a man of war, and with my own right arm and My upraised right hand I will bring vengeance against the enemy."

I saw a picture of a homeless man encountering the risen Christ on a street and his life being radically change in an instant and then passionately sharing Christ with others. I heard the Holy Spirit say, "I am even going to heal the water and the land. It isn't later it's now."

I asked, "Lord do you mean “now” now or Your now? He said, "When you see something happen with your natural eyes you say the time is "now." I say the time is now when I declare it's now."

Jan Rouse, 2003

Joanna Reyburn: Some Practicals on Living in an Outpouring

2009-12-12T18:00:00.000-08:00

This article was published on Joanna's Facebook page. Click here to go to the original post. As the move of God grows in Olympia, we may do well to heed her advice.

Sunday, Noovember 15, 2009

The Lord is doing incredible things in Kansas City right now through the outpouring of His Holy Spirit. I was inspired to write, not about what the Lord is doing for those who aren't here, (If you don't know what I'm talking about - check out www.ihop.org/watch) but about what to do for those of use who are here in the thick of it, or for others who find themselves in the middle of an outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

When I think about previous outpourings (or renewals or awakenings), I think of Toronto, Brownsville and Lakeland. From all of these, there are practical dynamics and lessons learned. I want the council from those who have gone before and have some pretty good thoughts. In all humility, none of the following thoughts originated with me, they come from asking questions or receiving some advice, reproof and exhortation regarding the way I was living.

I'd love to get even more input on these and other practical areas.

The premise of the following points is "When in a Move of the Holy Spirit" - and this is particularly focused towards people who are involved in altar ministry, administration, ushering, singing, worship leading, etc.

1. Eat Food
If you have an ambitious fasting regimen, maybe transition to something like a Daniel fast, no caffeine, or fast one day a week. I was in an internship a few years ago and we were talking to Bob Jones about fasting, and He said "When the Bridegroom is with you (referring also to an unusual season of visitation) you don't fast, but when He's not there, then you fast."

2. Stay Hydrated
Drink lots of water. You will get dehydrated really really fast, and then you wake up with swollen gunky eyes, chapped lips, raw face, and you start to feel worn down in your body.

3. Try some cranberry juice
I know this sounds funny, but a few years ago, I was worship leading at some classes with Shawn Bolz and Paul Keith Davis, and every night after worship, my lower back would just BURN in pain and I could hardly get to my seat. Paul Keith pulled me aside and told me about Bob Jones' cranberry drinks. Bob said that when you were ministering in a flow of the anointing, that you needed to take good care of your kidneys, which he called the Biblical "reins" - he said that's where the anointing flows from. I didn't ask a lot of questions or try to figure out the who's what's and why's, I just started drinking cranberry juice and lots of water and I noticed that the pain was gone.

Here's some more on the "reins" for the interested: Reins - the kidneys, the supposed seat of the desires and affections; used metaphorically for "heart." The "reins" and the "heart" are often mentioned together, as denoting the whole moral constitution of man (Ps. 7:9; 16:7; 26:2; 139:13; Jer. 17:10, etc.)

Paul Keith also suggested finding a good friend to pray, or putting your own hands on your lower back and asking the Holy Spirit to fill you up and refresh you if you're feeling that type of pain during ministry.

If someone is engaged in a dynamic ministry where the Lord is really resting on them to provide leadership - whether its a speaker or worship leader or someone with an unusual anointing during ministry times, in our case people like Wes Hall, Allen Hood, Shelley Hundley and our amazing leadership team, they may need some "back up" or prayer that the Lord would continue to flow through them, cover them attack and fill them up.

4. Eat healthy.
I've heard stories about this and have experienced and observed it firsthand myself, when it's 1:30 am and you've been in the meeting for 8 hours, and you're starving and nobody wants to go home and cook at 1:30 and nothing else is open, so you go to Buffalo Wild Wings AGAIN for the 10th day. I also observed it at a recent outpouring and was thinking, "You guys have been eating that? No wonder you feel bad!" 65 days in a row of junk food will make you feel terrible. The Holy Spirit is not going to transform that deep fried, sugar covered junk into fruits and vegetable in your stomach. You need to make those choices that will help sustain your "weak frame."

Now I understand (I've been to BWW twice already as have an entire worship team) that no one wants to cook at 1:30 am. But you need to become deliberate about eating healthy! Some friends of mine have a plan: we're getting 10 or so people together into a little cooking co-op where a couple of us will leave the service around 10:30 to go prepare some food, and the other 8 can come after the service and we'll all eat together. We rotate houses, and cooking responsibilities and pitch in some funds. You can get some of your friends together and do something like that and you'll save lots of money, feel better because you'll be eating better, and you'll have great redemptive fellowship in the afterglow of the Holy Spirit.

You also might want to get some cliff bars to keep with you - 8 hours of ministry is a long time.

5. Get Plenty of Rest
This isn't a time to push your body to point of exhaustion. You may find yourself needing a lot more sleep than you did before, that's normal.

6. Eliminate the Unnecessary.
Stay faithful with what the Lord has really called you to stay faithful with; Mike used the example of feeding the homeless, but if you're doing lots of "stuff" consider downsizing. Suspend your end times Bible study for a season, cancel unnecessary meetings, and simplify your life so that you can fully receive all that the Lord has for you during this time. When you look back on this time years down the road, you're not going to regret being as involved as you can. You may regret not being more involved.

7. Keep your Devotional Time
Maybe before this, you've been able to have devotional time in the prayer room, but with all that's going on now you're going to need to carve out quiet time ALONE with Jesus. In the secret place, He's going to speak and minister and fill you up and sustain you. Don't think that because you're spending 8 hours at an outpouring service that you can throw out your devotional time. The Lord will meet you in such sweetness during these private times - He will meet you with that same manifest presence that is there during the altar ministry for impartation to others if you take the time. And during the meetings or prayer room ministry time, you can switch back and forth from praying and releasing to personal receiving.

8. Keep Taking Your Day Off
I like what Susan Berglund mentioned below, nightly meetings will ebb and flow. Don't feel like if you take a night off that God is not going to meet you anymore. There is NO condemnation for resting your body or spending time with you family. Even in the midst of the most dramatic healings, miracles, salvations and power demonstrations that we look forward to in the capital lettered REVIVAL, you're still going to need a Sabbath and some time off.

9. Realize that You are going to be Sensitive
Things that didn't bother you before may grieve your spirit now. It's good to keep that in mind that in your conversations and activities before you ask those "Why do I feel this way" questions. Keep in mind that you may feel the presence of the Lord or manifest when you're out to eat and get prophetic words for the barista at Starbucks, or you may be grieved at a film you used to enjoy. Be extra vigilant about what you allow to enter your "gates" (eyes, ears, etc) because it will strike your heart in a heightened way.

10. Backlash is Real
Francis Frangipane's quote "New Levels, New Devils" is true: If you're experiencing breakthrough, freedom, joy and increased manifest presence, the enemy doesn't like that. You will need to stand your ground in agreement with the Lord over hopelessness, depression, shame, condemnation, disqualification and other lying "fiery darts" the enemy may deploy in an attempt to take you out. Stand Firm, declare agreement with the Lord OUT LOUD and use Scriptures.

11. Remember The First and Second Commandment
If this awakening continues and grows here in Kansas City, there may be quite a bit of people who come for a touch from the Lord. After a while, His sweet presence can become viewed as a commodity that is passed around; "Blam Blam Blam...Get 'Em, Blam." We can become sidetracked by the unique feeling of His manifest presence, and overwhelmed by the numbers of people. We will need to continually remember that we are called to love the Lord our God, not just His tingles but His Person, and to love our neighbor. Not neighbors as if they are a mass group of people, but neighbor singular, dealing with each one as an individual as we're praying at the altar, prophesying, singing, or even just running into them in the bathroom.

12. Make Lists of Stuff you Really Need to Do
I'm noticing this for myself: I am preoccupied with Jesus. That is an AMAZING thing. After years of being preoccupied with me, this is way better! Some byproducts though are that I'm forgetting to do some stuff I probably need to do, like trash day and grocery shopping, and going to the bank. Errands that previously were just a natural part of your schedule and life may completely slip your mind because you're thinking about JESUS, which is AWESOME, but you do still need to pay your gas bill. I've started making a sticky note I take with me:
1. Eat
2. Walk and Feed Dog
3. Talk to Parents
4. Pay Utilities
5. Trash Day is Wednesday
Sounds a little silly, but it may be necessary for you like it is for me.

Please add More as you have it:

Schools and Testimonies

2009-12-03T23:11:00.000-08:00

I love how there are training schools sprouting up all over. In Olympia, we have the Gateway School of Supernatural Ministry, the Revival Town School of Supernatural Living, and a flock of classes from Live Out Loud too (see the NWE site for more details). There are several other schools in the extended region.

Tonight at the RTSSL, Ivan Roman taught on healing. Then we went to work practicing. I believe four women were healed of neck pain, several folks had burdens lifted off, at least one shoulder was at least partly healed. And that was without looking for results: just the ones we tripped over.

I remember times past when healings were scarce. I’m finding that it’s easier to heal the sick now than it ever was before. I like it that way!

Dream of Ministry and Provision

2009-12-02T16:09:00.001-08:00

I have a close friend who desperately wants to leave her job. She 'd like to have more time and energy to hang out with people in need of healing, encouragement, and love. She would love to find a part time - job or go into business for herself. It would give her more time to be involved in ministering to others. But she's very 'responsible'. She has a terrible fear that if she takes that step of faith, her family will be financially ruined. Last night she had a dream from God.

In the dream, she and I were hanging out in downtown Olympia, ministering to homeless people. We were in a restaurant as she talked to one woman. The woman noticed that my friend was carrying a lantern. The homeless woman said, "That's a nice lantern your mom gave you." My friend replied, "I have this lantern because I was once in the same place you are, but now I'm not - because God is faithful." My friend gave the woman a hug. (End of scene) A second scene followed. We were walking downtown and there was money lying everywhere on the streets and sidewalks. It looked as if God had rained down money from heaven. End of dream.

Interpretation?

The key to an outpouring of the Holy Spirit may lie in our ministry to the poor. Jesus focused much of His attention on them and commanded us to do the same. If we try to reach them because we want them in our church; we want them to prosper; we want them healed, saved or delivered - we have a motive and a plan that we believe is best for them. What if God has something else planned? Sometimes our desires for others are selfish, presumptive or misguided. When we minister to the poor, we must do it out of love. When we love them, we want to see them blessed, in whatever way possible, even though they may not get saved or have nothing to give in return. Love presumes nothing.

Holding a lantern - "You are the light of the world". We are to let the light and love of God shine in our lives as a our testimony. When we do, by showing a genuine concern for others, they will see the light in us.

Money lying in the street:

Jesus said to the fisherman, "Leave your nets and come follow me. I'll make you fishers of men." He asked them to give up the career they knew and depended on. They must have been afraid. They had no other way to support their families. Little did they know, they were following a man who could make just about anything happen. They saw miraculous multiplication of food and money come from the mouth of a fish.

Many of us are struggling right now financially. Some have lost jobs. Others would like to quit. God has a plan to provide for the needs of all of us. It might require some changes. Your faith might be stretched a little. But know this- God is our provider and if you follow Jesus during this outpouring, you're likely to see some miracles of provision. I'm ready for that, how about you?

The Promise

2009-12-01T07:46:00.000-08:00

This site was created to record the events of a sovereign move of God in Olympia, Washington. On September 3, 2008 we received this promise: “I will pour out my Spirit says the Lord. I will visit Olympia in 15 months. I, the Lord will raise up Olympia in 15 months.” Trusting in the faithfulness of God we prepared this site to tell of the good things the Lord will do. We hope you are blessed and encouraged by what you read. May God's Spirit move in power among all His people.