Keeping it going

So I was told I had to do a post to keep from losing my user name...thus that is what I am doing! Exciting huh?

New Spot

Hi all!...or at least those that still venture over this way from time to time.

For various reasons I have resumed blogging at a new location! Feel free to check it out at www.hisfaithfulnessdisplayed.blogger.com

I hope you enjoy the new site, and I'd love to hear from you sometime.

Jonathan

Holy Spirit 3

Well, I'm not sure if anyone is enjoying the little stories on the Holy Spirit, but in any case it is time for me to post another one because it at least is an encouragment to me while I type!

This story is from a woman who was in the Lord of Life Church in Indiana Pennsylvania.

"I had seen the HOly Spirit move dramatically years ago at a seminar, but was unclear why I never saw this again or what really was happening. So, I was extremely excited when Dave Harvey (senior pastor of Covenan Fellowship) met with the home group leaders in our church and shared about his own recent experience.

At the end of the meeting we began to worship. I was both curious and nervous. By the last song, my heart had begun to pound. At that point, Dave spoke up and said he felt like we should pray for Sue. Tat was me.

I stepped forward, wondering, 'why me? and why me first?'

Dave said, 'Sue, I feel God wants to show his love to you tonight.' At that point I was open and ready to receive. I didn't want to miss what God had in sttore for me.

As soon as people laid their hands on me I started to weep. I could not think why I was crying but tear just flowed. Dave prayed that the Holy Spirit would fill me from head to toe. I began breathing deeply and started to feel a little weak. During this time, two people gave me words from the Lod and the symptoms started to lessen. Dave felt there was more, and he prayed that the Holy Spirit would come even more.

Again I started crying and weeping as if in agony. My arms began to shake involuntarily. I became weak again and could no longer stand, even with my husband's support. Since I was eight months pregnant, they gently guided me to a comfortable couch where I collapsed into the cushons. The peace felt so great, I didn't care what was goign on arouund me or how silly I may have looked. I was 'out.' It reminded me of the rug they give you during childbirth, except that my mind was still alert and focused.

All around the room I could hear bodies plopping down on the floor and shouts of lughter. i asked God what he wanted me to do or know. A clear word came quickly to mind: 'bathe in my peace.' As i did so, I also felt him say, 'I just want you to know how special you are to me and how much I love you.' I lay there for at least 45 minutes enjoying God's presence.

When the meeting finally ended, I was able to get up but remained physically weak. Even when I awoke in the middle of the night, like all pregnant women do, I could still feel the tingling, warm sensation of the Holy Spirit.

In reflecting on my experience, I'm amazed that the same awesome powerful God who created the universe would show me how much he really cares for me and loves me. This revelation of his unconditional love gives me new joy and zeal to know him even more and to tell others how much they're loved. Ic an't wait to see what God does next!"

PDI Magazine - November/Deember 1994

Holy Sprit Story 2

Time for story excerpt number 2 from the Nov/Dec 1994 PDI magazine:

"I recently attended an international children's ministry conference where the Spirit was moving...but not in a way I wanted him to move. I came back and had dinner with some people and said, "if this breaks out at Metro, I'll be the first fat butt through that door-no doubt about it."

Then our church had a marriage retreat with C.J. Mahaney. As he prayed for people, I stood there thinking, 'Fine-just keep passing me over. I'm ennjoying watching everyone else.' Then someone came over with a word for me. My attitude was, 'Gentlemen, you can pray for me. That's fine. But I'm going to be here as long as everyone else-standing'

The last thing I remember is looking at feet. Everywhere I thought, 'Fine. This is emotionalism. I can get up.' But I could not move. And I felt a joy, a joy unspeakable. In the distance I could hear someone laughing like crazy, but I didn't know who it was.

Time passed, and I finally sat up. I asked my wife Barb, 'Who was laughing?' 'It was you,' she said. 'It was you!'

'Could anybody hear me?'

' Everybody could hear you!'

Since then I've experienced a peace and reassurance I had been seeking, just knowing he's there. The fruits of his Spirit are growing within me, and I appreciate it"

Leonard Lippy - Metro Life Church (Orlando, FL)

The Holy Spirit

So it has been a while since I've posted...but as I was reading some old articles on the Holy Spirit I had from People of Destiny magazine I came across some stuff I couldn't resist sharing. In the issue, which was predominately about the work of the Holy Spirit (particularly pertaining to the visible displays that had been occurring around 1994) there were some brief blurbs with peoples testimonies about how the spirit had filled them and been working in their life in a fresh way.

I share one just as an encouragement for us all to faithfully pursue the Holy Spirit and his anointing, and to be reminded of both his daily power in our lives, but also his ability to dramatically impact us.

This one is about Craig Cabaniss, who was an assistant pastor in Pasadena, CA at the time and is now a senior pastor in Dallas, Texas:

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"Last Sunday was like any other Sunday. Though I came to the meeting with an increased hunger to see God do something in our midst and in my own life, my request was simply 'Lord, I want to know you in a greater way.'

Towards the end of worship I felt my body begin to sway a little. That would be unusual for me. I am more on the rational side. During the last song I felt even weaker and sat down. My first thought was, 'I'm having a relapse of chronic fatigue.' But as I felt strength leaking out of me I was becoming more aware of the presence and power of God.

I sat with my head buried in my hands. The senior pastor, Mark Mullery, said we were coming to the end of worship. I tried to look up but I could not move my head. It was as if I were superglued to my hands.

'Okay,' I thought, 'I'll sit like this during announcements and look like I'm in reverent prayer. When we go back to worship I can experience what God is trying to do.' But then I began to feel almost pushed toward the floor; it felt as if a magnet were pulling me down. I thought, 'I'm not going to fall down. People don’t' fall out of their chairs onto the ground - much less during the announcements.' (Not that Mark's announcements aren't anointed!)

I was breathing hard. All I could say was, 'O God! O God!' I was overcome with his greatness. I began to lean father and farter. Then Mark said, 'We're going to go back to a time of worship.' Thud - I hit the ground so hard I got a rug burn.

I lay there for about 30 minutes, unable to move at all. I was very conscious and felt God saying to me over and over, 'I am powerful, and you are weak.' A deep sense of peace filled me.

After a couple of testimonies, Mark said, 'Okay, now I would like people to come forward, and I would just like you to step over Craig's body.' About two minutes later, I suddenly thought, 'That is the funniest statement I have ever heard. Here I am, usually up there praying for people, and mark is saying, 'Please step over his body.'' Instantly the peace turned to joy and I began to laugh uncontrollably. It was the greatest physical manifestation I have ever experience from God.

Since that meeting, I've continued to battle indwelling sin. You cannot fall on the floor and have instant sanctification. But I feel like to areas have changed. One, there has been an increased hunger for God in my heart. The other thing I have sensed is a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit. When you pour a soda in a glass to quickly, you know how the foam comes up and starts pouring over the top? That's how I've felt with the Lord this week 0 like I did when I was baptized in the Holy Spirit and all of a sudden everything looked new. Thank you, Lord! I pray he does more of it."

People of Destiny (November/December 1994)