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I spent this past week in the lovely mountains just north of Asheville, North Carolina. I was invited to gather with a small group of men led by Papa Jack Taylor. It started on Monday evening and lasted until noon on Friday.
On Tuesday morning, Papa Jack, two other brothers, and me were riding in a John Deere Gator (UTV) like the one in the photo to the left. We were driving up the side of a very steep mountain on a small trail. Papa Jack was taking us to the peek to see the beautiful view. Before we reached the top, the UTV slowed to a stop. While trying to let off the brake and accelerate again, the UTV started rolling backwards at a high rate of speed and there was no stopping it. I was in the passenger seat up front, and I immediately bailed out onto the trail, rolled a time or two, and was on my feet watching the other three men racing backwards and then going off the edge of the trail down the mountain side. It was such a violent site. I watched as the UTV flipped over and hit a tree that had fallen and was wedged against another tree. All three of the men were launched like cannon balls out of cannon, hitting the ground and one was pinned between the UTV and a huge tree.
I must admit thatI did not think any of them could have survived what I had witnessed. I ran down and began doing what I could to evaluate. They were all conscious. We had to call 911, and the EMT's came to help. Papa Jack and Stan Tyra are still in the hospital. Gerry Whistler was also scrapped up pretty good from being thrown so far down the mountain side. I am grateful that I was not injured.
Mikki shared with me when I called to tell her what had happened she had had an impression that morning of my being in an accident. She prayed about it. Another one of the brothers at the retreat had actually gotten sick at his stomach right before the accident and left his room and was walking in the woods praying and heard the crash. He came running, and I was able to shout down to him to go get help. So God was working to help us even before it happened. He is so good.
Stan has several broken ribs and a punctured lung to deal with. Papa Jack has 7 fractured ribs and a fractured vertebrae. But.....we are all rejoicing at how God protected and spared us.
The rest of the retreat was different than was originally planned, but God did some awesome things between us all and some deep relationships were formed. Please pray for my brothers as they heal. Thank you for your prayers.
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Everybody say "S-T-R-E-T-C-H"
This is stretching season for the body of Christ. There are seasons we go through that stretch us out of proportion but it is necessary for us to stretch to carry what the Lord wants to give us. Like a woman who becomes pregnant, her body has to stretch to carry the baby growing inside her. It is the same in the Spirit. The Lord enlarges us so we can carry more. Like a wineskin stretches as the wine becomes explosive inside as it goes through the process that makes it good wine, we too are being called to carry the new wine and explosive things are happening inside us. He is creating a new wineskin in our midst. It is exciting. It exercises us. It expands us.
God has been stretching us to see who we really are in Him which requires us to let go of old identity lies, false beliefs we have held, and wrong ways of seeing ourselves and others.
He has been stretching us to embrace our call to the region and beyond by stepping into greater levels of authority which we can do as we began to see that we are His sons and daughters and have been given His Spirit and can declare His Word.
We are stretching now as we learn about the Kingdom. It is bigger than just us; it is bigger than just our fellowship. It is about the Kingdom. We are ushering the will of God into our lives and region. We are expecting a culture to be created where Father is honored and Heaven visits Earth. Things around us will begin to change because we are changing.
We are stretching as we learn that we all are different, but we all matter. We are stronger together. We need each other. Our unity creates a greater climate for greater glory. We are learning more about preferring others, honoring others, and serving others. This is the path to greatness.
We are stretching to make room for more love, more power, more of Him in our lives. We already seeing the miraculous, but it will increase. We are seeing new people, but we will see even more. We are learning to hear from God and to prophesy what we hear in faith but this too will come in even greater measure.
Just remember the stretching will ultimately allow us to give birth to what is being formed and then the rejoicing will be even greater.
I am being stretched as I am stepping back into more restoration of what had been lost. It is requiring more but I am seeing more. It is so exciting to see the unfolding purposes of God come to pass. We must be vigilant and walk in the highest levels of love we have ever walked in. I am just humbled to be on this journey with you all. You are an awesome and amazing fellowship of people and so is our ARK family. God has entrusted us with something very near His heart, a picture of his sons and daughters walking together in love and unity and honoring one another and Him.
More Lord!
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KINGDOM PLEASURES: Sermon Series
I plan on sharing Pt. 6 of this series in the morning. You and I have been given keys to the Kingdom. How do we use them? What are they? What do they do? These are a few questions we will cover. It's important for us to work together in the Spirit to see Heaven manifesting in our lives, our families, our place of work......wherever we are. Let's learn and grow together as we feed on God's Word and then live it out in real time!
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Honor the Lord Through Giving
This is a reminder of what we share last week.....Giving of our finances is an act of worship. First, I want to thank all of you who are so faithful in your giving. It truly is amazing how the Lord has provided for Grace House and its vision. Many times, we have had visitors come and ask us how they can give. As you know, we have the offering boxes on the wall by both rear doors with envelopes and we usually pray over the offering in the service. Let's begin to add to the way we receive our offerings.
At least for a while, in addition to the offering boxes at the rear of the worship center, let's place two offering baskets at the front on the altar area. Let's let everyone who would like to do so come anytime during the worship to bring their offering to either the boxes on the wall in the back or to the baskets on the altar at the front. As you give, with a prayer in your heart, give thanks to God and offer back to Him a portion of what He has blessed you with. This, of course, is not to be done in any way to be seen of men, but this may help some of us associate our giving with being an act of worship instead of a commitment we have made. Certainly, both are important, and we need both understandings in our hearts as we give. So do as you feel led.
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Thank You for Giving Tokens and Thank You LORD for giving us so many wonderful tokens.
I am amazed at how the Lord blessed our church family with so many wonderful tokens. When we have the coins counted, we will let you know how much was given and where it is being sown. Thanks again and remember to walk in a great level of "GOD AWARENESS" giving Him thanks for each "little and big" thing that He does. When we are faithful in the least more will be given.
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Let's Pray Together for This!
Okay, I normally do not do this sort of thing, but I just feel excitement about it in my spirit. This is not meant to be any kind of manipulation, pressure, or salesmanship. Would you pray with me in earnest for the provision for the portable baptistry shown to the left? This would enable us to more easily, quickly, and regularly baptize people. It can be set up and taken down rather quickly. The water would be heated and it is safe for people to enter and exit. I saw one of these recently in Montgomery in a church and it worked beautifully. Sure, we could just budget it, but I believe God is going to move in response to prayer to see this provided for. So let's see what happens. Please pray.
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Supernatural Salt House - Friday Nights
Every Friday night at Salt House meets at our GH/ARK facility. The group is led by Daniel Skelton from the ARK and you are invited to attend. You will be blessed by an atmosphere of God's presence where God's Word, Testimonies, Intercession and waves of love are experienced. The meeting usually starts around 8:00 p.m.
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The Gift of Hospitality and Healing
Thanks to all of you for surrounding our services and our guests with the gift of hospitality. When people come and feel comfortable and at home, then it is easier for them to receive all the Lord has for them. Each word you speak, hug you give, and handshake you extend matters. Some people may not have had a safe loving environment to relax in all week. Let's continue to provide that for everyone. Remember, "Healed people heal people." So many people need healing from life's wounds and pains. May Father heal us more and more so that the atmosphere is permeated with faith to believe God for the restoration of every person who walks in the building.
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Needed: Hospitality Helpers
Here is your opportunity to help with hospitality. Our ushers and greeters do a great job each week making people feel welcome and having everything ready for them when they arrive. If you would like to help in this area, please contact Mark Forthsythe and let him know. Mark does a great job and will let you know how you can help. You can email Mark at mfors90553@aol.com.
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Kyle Searcy - Weds. Sept. 19th
We have invited Kyle Searcy to come and share with all of us on Wednesday night, September 19th in our 6:30 p.m. worship service. Known and gifted as an Apostle, Kyle ministers in a strong Apostolic anointing. He oversees Fresh Anointing House of Worship in Montgomery, AL as well as a network of Fresh Anointing Churches. He also serves as the overseer of the Alabama Apostolic Reformation Council. We will all be blessed. Both Pastor Phillip and I feel that this will be another step forward into what the Lord has for us in our region and our state. Please be praying for God's will to be accomplished in this special service.
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Church Wide Picnic in September
Just a quick note to let you know that GRACE HOUSE and The ARK will be having a church wide picnic at 5:30 p.m at McFarland Park on Sunday, September 23th. We have enjoy food, fun, and fellowship. Mark your calendars and plan to be there. Anybody else like to play Bocce ball? PLEASE NOTE THE DATE CHANGE TO THE 23RD.
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Great Conference for Our Children and Parents Hosted by the ARK.
Please check out the OUT OF THE BOX conference for children and parents that is coming up on Oct. 5-6. This will be held in our facilities and hosted by the ARK. There will be worship at the event as well. Visit the ARK table about registration.
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Know Someone Who Would Like to Receive These Updates?
If you are aware of someone who would enjoy receiving these updates from me, just forward this email to them and let them know just to click the link below and they can sign up and opt in to this email list. This is a great way to stay more up to date on the happenings around Grace House and the ARK. Thanks for helping.
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