Monday, November 19 marked the 3rd Sacred Assembly and the 25th day in a row that our four year old son Joshua vomited. What began as the 48 hour flu in our family three weeks prior turned into a continuous cycle for our youngest son. Four trips to three different doctors, and an IV line to replace fluids resulted in little.
After another early morning wake-up call to change the sheets, scrub the carpet, and bath Joshua we again cried out to God to heal our son. The still small voice replied take him to the church to be prayed over. That evening at the Sacred Assembly we took our son before the body of Christ and asked that he be prayed over.
Elders came to anoint him with oil and laypersons came to lay hands on our family and pray. Some of the "prayers" we have known for several years and some we had never met; but they came to be the hands and feet of Christ. We have never felt so loved and supported by the body.
Our son was healed that night! Praise the Lord! No more early morning wake up calls and no more vomiting because the Church allowed itself to be the hands and feet of Christ!
~Renee Fogg
The Body of Christ at Work
Autumn.
I climbed into my van ready to zoom up to Traverse City. I always have this sense of hurry in me. Which route is fastest and how fast can I go without getting a ticket? The human part of me was rearing its ugly head...Here in Holland, MI everything is still pretty green but the sky that day was a spectacular shade of blue.
I turned on my praise and worship music and it helped to get my focus back where it belongs. The sun seemed to be shining with extra brilliance. My eyes were absorbing the beauty around me and I was acutely aware that the shades of green that surrounded me were too numerous to count. I was awed by the picture that was being painted it seemed, just for me.
The farther north I traveled, God was going before me painting the trees with color just for my enjoyment. First there was just a slight touch of soft yellow here and there. Then the colors grew in frequency and richness. There were the deeper yellows, then gold, yellow orange, orange, orange red, red, deep burgundy red, purple, and browns in every tone from light sand to almost black and every shade of those colors mixed within the beauty of the greens. My senses were on overload and it seemed like there was more color surrounding me then my mind could comprehend.
With every turn more breathtaking views assaulted me. I reached a peak and looked below me as a carpet of colors covered the rolling hills. It looked like the most beautiful quilt ever created. Then around one bend there is a meadow covered with a blanket of rich green velvet. It was the softest shade of green. It seemed to be calling me to come and touch its softness. I turn around another bend and there, spread beside me is a lake. The water is the most beautiful shade of blue. I know that the brilliance of its color could never be duplicated. The sun sparkled off the slight ripples of the water, like diamonds floating on its surface. Then the beautiful colors of fall encircled it with breathtaking beauty.
When I arrived in Traverse City, I sat at a picnic table eating my lunch, looking out over the Grand Traverse Bay. The picture that was burned in my mind is so powerful it takes my breath away. The water is every shade of blue, the waves were tipped with white and the clouds were light puffs of cotton floating by. I could hear the sounds of so many different birds that it was hard for me to even count them. The freshness of the air was so rich that my lungs had to adjust to the purity it seemed to hold. There was the coolness of fall in the air but the sun bathed me in its warmth. Soft cream sand surrounded the rich blues of the water and then the border of color stood tall and majestic above the sand. The colors so vivid and rich I know they could not be created by human hand.
Tears fall as I am overwhelmed with the Lord’s love for me. He seemed to be guiding me through HIS creation and shouting to me, "See how much I love you!" "I created this all for the pleasure of my children." "I am in control. I am good and I love you!!" My tears fell also for those who do not see or know of His love for them. Here it is shouting to all who will look and listen, so powerful, so compelling, and so great. I want to shout it to all. I bow my head in humble adoration and pray a prayer of thanksgiving and joy.
(Terrie Miller 10/09/07)
Sunday School Lesson-The Blood of Jesus
Yesterday in Sunday school the story was about the 10th plague in Egypt, the death of the firstborn of everyone not protected by the blood of the lamb. After giving preliminary background informatiom regarding Moses' warning to Pharaoh and his instructions to the Israelites, the children put on costumes, tucking them up in their belts to be ready for a quick escape. Then the children went and asked "the Egyptians" (really chairs) for jewelry, gold and silver. Donned with broaches, necklaces and bracelets, they searched the room for anthing with yeast in it and disposed of it. We chose a lamb, the only (toy)lamb we had, and held it over a basin, pouring grape juice into the basin to represent the lamb's blood.
Next we went out into the hall and put "blood" on the door posts and over the door and then came back in, shutting the door behind us. Everyone lay on the floor around the collapsed tables in the center of the room. The children were served lamb, matza bread, bitter herbs, and grape juice. While we ate, I explained the meaning of each part of the ceremony. The children listened intently, occasionally asking for more lamb. They really like it.
After explaining the meaning of everything and connecting it to the New Testament, I talked about how the blood of Jesus, the Lamb of God, takes away our stain of sin with which we are born. We just need to believe that he died for our sins and rose again from the grave and ask him for a clean new heart. I invited anyone who wanted to do that to come stand by the door. I had already warned Eric and Rene Fogg that they might be needed, so they were nearby. Five children went out to Park Central with them, where they recruited a couple more "counselors" to talk to and pray with the children. Four of the children prayed to receive Christ. One of them wanted to talk to her mother first. Afterwards I called her mom, and she said her daughter had already received Christ previously, but the lesson had led to a very good spiritual conversation.
What a thrill it is to lead children to Christ. Next Sunday we're going to celebrate our salvation and freedom from slavery to sin--just like Miriam led the celebration of freedom from slavery in Egypt. We're having a party because we have much to celebrate. Wow! God is so good. I feel so privileged to be able to serve him in this way, and the children are really excited about learning about him. He is the joy-giver and worthy of much celebration.
Jan Van Dyke
Philly Trip Day 1,2 & 3
Day 1 (Saturday)
Traveled all day from Holland to the Harrowgate of inner-city Philly without any car trouble. Praise Jesus! Was a good trip. We did not rush and still made good time. We arrived at Calvary Bible Church around 10:30 p.m.
History:
Doug Logan the pastor of Calvary Bible Church is planting a church in another part of the inner-city called Frankfurt while Mike Wright is bringing his fellowship, City Bible Church, and taking over the building. Mike and his congregation have been meeting in a store front and through Coz Crosscombe and CityNet hooked up with Doug to make the transition. It is a good move for all.
Day 2 (Sunday)
Sunday morning service was amazing! In attendance were Calvary Bible Church, City Bible Church, Philly team from Central Wesleyan and a few college students and interns for a total of about 60 people. The most they have had in there in the past 3 months was about 15-20 people. I really can't describe the energy in the room. Let's just say it was high!
Coz brought a message that all churches should here. In fact you can listen to it here.
After service and a little Rita's Water Ice I asked all the kids what was the thing that most stood out to them from today. The majority of them said they loves the spirit, energy and message of the service. Thank you Lord for speaking to all our hearts.
Day 3 (Monday)
Breakfast and then work projects.
We worked on everything from cutting out copper pipes to literally cleaning the streets. We had one group go to a construction site of a church connected through CityNet and help clean up. Another group cleaned out a few rooms at the Calvary Bible Church and reorganize them for a future give-away center.
After lunch we broke into 2 groups. One group stayed at the church and set up a flee market of sorts and gave goods away. A way to show the local community, Harrowgate, that the church cared about them. Through this hearts were warmed and for those that came we made them aware that the church was there for them. Also, connected with a family 2 doors down that had some deep seeded hurt from the church and were able listen and build them back up. There was some great reconciliation that took place. Thank you Lord! The other group went to the site of the other church and helped clean up and get ready to get into the building that they will be in.
All in all the day was very impacting on the students and we got to meet some great souls in the community. Please pray that God will put into our path more people that we can love on and that God will continue to challenge us and throw us out of our comfort zone.
Josh cowen for the Philly Team
One Last Poland Update
Elevation Poland Trip--Day 4 of camp
Elevation Poland Trip--Day 3 of camp
Hello from Ustka!
We're into our 3rd full day of camp, and having a great week! We've had a blast so far-teaching classes, playing frisbee, earthball and just about anything that students at the camp want to. Students are forming relationships with their polish peers and wer'e finding this a very fertile enviornment for spiritual conversations with many who need Christ. Pray for us, that God continues to open eyes and clean out ears so that those who need Christ can hear his voice and respond. Pray for strategic opprotunities for our team and the polish christian team as well, to enter into conversations of redemption.
Thanks for all of your prayers- we need it!
Jared for the elevation team
