Grace Retreat 2009 - Pics

Day 26 of Passionate Pursuit of His Presence

Day 26 of 28

And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?

Simply amazing!

I was so moved and stirred by a testimony of a mother of two children.

She is a praying woman.

In late fall 2007, she had her second child, Emmanuel,

and at birth she was diagnosed with low muscle tone.

Then, mom who is from Myanmar started having dreams of strong wind

            Which came and devastated her homeland.

At first, she thought this was a weird dream.

But as the dreams continued, she was sure this is real thing which is to come.

She shared her dreams with people and some came alongside her.

She contacted people back home and told them to buy and store up food.

She contacted churches to prepared for disaster teams.

Sure enough, in May 2008, Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar

and took away many lives and leaving millions in homelessness and helplessness.

People around her raised up nearly $800,000 to aid those homeless and helpless.

With churches mobilized in Myanmar and other helps,

            She was able to travel to Myanmar to help

            And in the process finding favor with top government officials

                        (of a country of strong dictatorship & closed to gospel)

What God could do a mom who prays and seeks God!

H.O.P.E. stands for hope.

When people of God gathers to seek God and His help,

            We become hope not only for our homes and lives

            But also of nations and peoples.

Our hope is not in horses or chariots.

Our hope is not in princes nor kings.

Our hope is in the Lord, Maker of heaven and creator of the earth.

In such a times as we are living in…

God is calling the people of H.O.P.E. to become hope of the world.

Though, small and powerless we may be, our God whom we seek is all powerful and all wise.

A mother of two praying in her home brings more hope

            Which no political leaders could bring.

A college student taking time out of her studies bring hope to her campus…

We passionately seek after God so that we may become hope we are called to be.

For God has promised Abraham, a man of faith, as he obeyed God’s call,

Day 25 of Passionate Pursuit of His Presence

Day 25 of 28

I lift my eyes to the mountain; where does my help come from?

Yesterday was a day of travel.

Got packed late Tuesday night,

More than once I got my travel itineraries printed.

Asked faithful Ann to take care of the mornings for next few days.

She is such a friend and an intercessor.

Traveling through the airports,

The news of the results of the election was everywhere.

Barak Obama will be the first African-American president of our country.

A historic moment, many calls it.

Yes, we are not white America but America made up of many nations and peoples.

On Tuesday evening prayer meeting, I sensed God’s anointing coming upon people

to “Ask for the nations” while in midst of praying for our nation.

God was reminding H.O.P.E. that we are House of Prayer for all the peoples.

I will be very frank, since the election is over.

I was not for Obama. It is not because I liked McCain a lot more.

I was and still am worried about many of his values and stances

in matters which I think important and essential.

One thing is for sure… that I will pray for my president and will do so faithfully.

Would there be many changes? Probably.

Would I like them? Maybe not.

Would it be good for our nation? Probably in some and not in others.

But still changes loom whether for good or for bad.

But changes are needed, some say, if we need to progress.

Others say, if it ain’t broke, don’t change it.

Changes are necessary in most of the areas in our lives.

Changes do not necessarily mean better, though.

In John 15, Jesus says that our Father God is like the vinedresser

who takes away the branches that do not bear fruit and

who prunes the branches so that it may bear more fruit.

For a vine to be more fruitful, pruning is necessary.

Even the branches that bear fruit are pruned to be more fruitful.

My heavenly Father who loves me is changing me.

I can always trust in His loving hands.

God spoke to our church early in the year that He will do a new thing.

He asked us whether we will be aware of it.

He said that He will make highway in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

Changes us oh Lord, I pray.

Make us more like You.

Align us to You and Your ways.

“How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,

whose hope is in the Lord His God.” (Ps. 146:5)

Day 23 of Passionate Pursuit of His Presence

Day 23 of 28

I lift my eyes to the mountain; where does my help come from?

I love surprises.

Unexpected kindnesses.

Unexpected realizations.

Those things make our lives rich with memories and gratitude.

As I walk into my favorite office each morning,

I am freshly reminded of the surprise love gift of my youth four years ago.

Handful of my youth gave up their spring break to give their pastor a new office.

Painted red, carpeted brand new, curtains, shelves for my books, desk and chair with tea table…

For me? For me?

On the walls in my office hang the pictures of four ministries.

Everyone was smiling in the pictures. I am smiling inside.

I am well loved by the people of H.O.P.E.

I was surprised by uncommon love.

Monday evening’s prayer meeting was to be led by ARC men’s group, BFF.

Those leading seemed awkward and uncomfortable.

Different ones took the mic to read scriptures and to lead prayer.

Honest and humble heart-felt confession and emotion raw prayer.

Then, there it was. God came near in that room.

Our prayers became earnest and His help was quite evident.

God’s healing anointing came upon some.

Joy filled the hearts of some.

Some danced and some wept.

Surprise by God’s presence!

God surprised us with a visit last night.

Nothing special we did. No great prayers. No speakers.

Not because of awesome prayer leaders or programs.

Simply because there was honest, earnest, humble prayer.
Simply because we humbled ourselves.

One simply prayed…

I lift up my eyes to the mountain; where does my help come from?

My help comes from the LORD; maker of heaven and creator of the earth.

We simply cried out.

We lift up our eyes to you LORD to come and help.

We look to You alone.

I Lift My Eyes Up (Psalm 121)

Brian Doerksen

I lift my eyes up, to the mountains

Where does my help come from

My help comes from You, Maker of Heaven

Creator of the earth

Oh, how I need You, Lord.

You are my only hope

You're my only prayer

So I will wait for You

to come and rescue me

Come and give me life

Day 19 of Passionate Pursuit of His Presence