40 days of prayer: Rose Geurlande

Today God's Children in Haiti has photos of Rose Geurlande, who apparently is only serious in photos. Please pray for her.

40 days of prayer: Nadia-Rose Milove

Today meet Nadia-Rose Milove at God's Children in Haiti. As you can see in the photos, she's a caring big sister!

40 days of prayer: Samuel

Here's a smiley boy at God's Children in Haiti. His name is Samuel.

40 days of prayer: Sanel

As your weekend comes to a close, please keep Sanel at God's Children in Haiti in your heart.

40 days of prayer: Sebastian

As you enjoy your weekend, think of Sebastian at God's Children in Haiti and pray for him. . .

40 days of prayer: Sherley

Today meet Sherley, the beautiful little girl in the spotlight from God's Children in Haiti.

40 days of prayer: Stevenson

Today God Children in Haiti features a cute little guy named Stevenson. Please pray for him. . .

40 days of prayer: Wagline

Today God's Children in Haiti is asking your prayers for Wagline. She's described as "soft spirited and graceful, with a song in her heart."

40 days of prayer: Wolson

Today's child in "40 Days of Prayer" is Wolson. See photos of him, and please pray.

40 days of prayer

Leading up to the April 29 Jason Gray concert in Lakeville, God's Children in Haiti will be hosting "40 Days of Prayer" on its website. Each day there will be a post about a particular child at the orphanage. Website visitors are encouraged to pray for that child and the ministry in Haiti.

Today's child is Woodley -- see photos of him here.

Learning to listen to Jesus

Earlier this month at the "Connected:  Keeping the Work of the Holy Spirit Active in Your Life and Community" conference, I attended a workshop on learning to listen to Jesus.

Here's what I learned from the leaders of the workshop, Burt Casey and Brian Pedersen.

1. Biblical guidelines for the use of prophecy
1. Prophecy is to be eagerly desired (1 Cor 14:1), however the Holy Spirit dispenses spiritual gifts as he desires, to whomever he wishes (1 Cor 12:11)
2. Prophecy should be exercised in love (1 Cor 13:2)
3. Prophecy is not to be despised (1 Thes 5:19-22)
4. Prophecy is to be orderly (1 Cor 14:32-40)
1. Prophecies are controllable
2. Prophecies are to be given in turn
3. Prophecies are to be given under the leadership of the church, to assist the governmental leadership rather than usurp it
5. Prophecy should be weighed and evaluated (1 Cor 14:29-32; Acts 21:10-15)
2. How prophecy might come
1. Scripture, as text or reference
2. Pictures in mind's eye, moving or still
3. Seeing words or ticker tape superimposed over natural vision
4. Phrase pops into your head
5. Impressions
6. Sympathetic sensations in your body
7. Dreams
8. Emotions
9. Smells
10. Tastes
3. I think I have a prophecy, now what?
1. Is it consistent with scripture?
2. Is it consistent with the character of God?
3. Ask God if it is from him; this should be a two-way conversation. Don't rely on physical sensations, for these may dissipate over time.
4. Ask God for interpretation
5. Ask God for his heart on the matter
6. Ask God what to do with it
1. Pray it
2. Deliver it
3. Shelf it
4. How to deliver a prophecy
1. Is now the time?
1. Should a pastor/leader hear it first?
2. Is it appropriate in this setting?
3. Do I have peace about this word?
2. Speak simply, don't dress it up
1. Speak with love. Make sure it is encouraging, edifying or comforting.
2. Usually third person. Not "thus says the Lord..." Don't use King James language, but speak as you normally would
3. Don't let your pet peeves affect the delivery
4. Occasionally first person in small contexts where emotional/relational content is primary
5. Speak revelation and interpretation
3. Leave room to be wrong
4. Protect individual's dignity
5. Write it down, even if spoken

The hour-long session was a condensed version of a six-week course at Evanston Vineyard.

John Marquez launches Follow Me Ministries

John Marquez, the original author of The Christ-Life Solution material, has left Christ-Life Ministries to launch Follow Me Ministries.

According to an e-mail, Marquez felt a calling from God to start Follow Me Ministries:

The Lord’s wisdom seems to be saying, ‘If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it! Allow Christ-Life to do what it does so well. Don’t change the chemistry and structure that are established and working so well. Instead follow Me to a quiet place so you can abide with Me without any interruptions. Then I will show you what I’m going to do next.'

The purpose of Follow Me Ministries is to enhance the training that the risen Lord Jesus Christ gives to His personal disciples. John Marquez and Follow Me Ministries can be reached at Follow Me Ministries, Inc. P.O. Box 540826, Omaha, NE 68154-0826.

Connected

Steve Nicholson

This weekend I'm attending the 2011 Area Vineyard Conference at my church. The conference is called "Connected:  Keeping the Work of the Holy Spirit Active in Your Life & Community."

At tonight's session, we heard from Steve Nicholson, senior pastor of Evanston Vineyard. He shared a really moving story about starting a church in Humboldt Park, Chicago. The church wasn't gaining any traction, and he was very disappointed. Nicholson was about ready to close down the church and even had a meeting scheduled with his staff to inform them of the church closing. But God worked in His amazing fashion, and brought a prominent neighborhood person to Christ -- the day before Nicholson was going to have the meeting with his staff.

The church stayed open -- and flourished. What Nicholson learned from that experience, he said, is that "God needs to do something to us before He can do something through us."