| August 2008 |
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Greetings all who wrestle for the Kingdom.
Lakeland
Many people have asked what we think about the healing services being held in Lakeland, FL by Todd Bentley. What we have found is that some of our friends are in favor of the outpouring and some of our friends are cautious and/or opposed. We are supporting our friends.
OK, a bad rework of an old political joke but it does make a point; there is no one voice out there saying “this is the way walk in it”. Some people believe this is a move of God equal to the past Great Awakenings and others feel it is an overly emotional, Biblically thin series of events focused on a man and his possible giftings.
We are not going to judge Todd or the Lakeland healings. If they are of God they will stand and the fruit will be evident and lasting. If not then it will dry up and blow away because the flesh cannot create a true move of God, only God can.
May wisdom and discernment rise for the people who are being drawn to these meetings. May everything that is of God prosper and grow and may everything that is not wither and die. Amen.
Proverbs tells us about wisdom and the pursuit of wisdom;
Followers of Christ should not be pursuing signs and wonders. Rather, we should all be pursuing God to the fullest extent of our ability and understanding. Signs and wonders do indeed follow those who believe but they should never be the focus of our pursuit.
We are privileged and blessed to observe signs and wonders every week flowing out of our gatherings but they are not what we are pursuing. We are after God’s heart and that is a good thing. Everything else follows.
So, bless God with us for these reports as God continues to do His work through us …
REPORTS: • A woman was going to have to testify in a court case regarding sexual abuse and her entire organization would be judged in some respect by her testimony. She asked for prayer at the “W” and also told her non-Christian boss that she and other people were praying that the time in court would go well. She was calm, peaceful and the Judge commented from the bench how competent she was and thanked her. Her boss later mentioned to other co-workers that people had been praying for that result. We bless You Father for peace that surpasses our understanding and giving us words when we need them. • A man was in the hospital in an attempted suicide and his relatives were told he would not survive the night. A cousin asked for prayer that day at the “W” and not only did he survive but he went home a few days later and drove 1.5 hours a month later to come and thank us for praying. In the small group that prayed with him that night his shoulder was healed instantly and he prayed to accept Christ as well. Now that is what I’m talkin’ about. God You are great and worthy to be praised. • Speaking of shoulders, a man was prayed for at the “W” with shoulder pain. He felt a warmth go down his arm and the pain is now gone. Yes. • A woman asked for prayer for her husband who was out of work and seriously considering filing for divorce. Now, less than two months later, God has healed the marriage and he began training for a job as a supervisor last week. Gracious Lord, You restore and provide. • A woman lost custody of her son last summer during a difficult time just after she had come to the Lord and to Mars Hill. Last week she got her son back and the referee said he had never seen a quicker turn-around and also stated that they had not returned a child to a parent where rights had been removed for over 2.5 years. Thank You Lord for restoring this family. • A man’s Sister-in-law was healed in her heart of a past filled with rejection after being prayed for. Thank You Father that we are accepted and whole in Jesus. • A woman asked for prayer for her nephew who is in the service but dealing with sexual abuse in his childhood. She asked for prayer and also put his name in “the box” one week. While talking to a friend about the situation her friend said “it’s a shame he is not in Seattle because I have a friend who is a counselor out there”. Her nephew is currently stationed in Seattle. The friend of the friend? Dan Allender who wrote the book Wounded Heart about dealing with childhood sexual abuse. Just another coincidence? No God answering the prayers of His people above and beyond what they can ask or think. • A man was heading into a wedding with insufficient finances due to receivables that were not coming into his business. The “W” swarmed him in prayer and within two days enough money came in to cover all the expenses. Only a small portion was actually from the money due. God, Your name is provision. Thank You. • At the end of the swarm the man then turned the requests for his financial blessing back on all who had prayed. The next week we heard from many people that unusual financial blessings had been released in their lives. We rejoice in Your extravagant love Father. • A woman who was healed of multiple seizures per day (for over ten years) was praying for another woman with seizures. The woman being prayed for got much better but the first woman had her own seizures begin to return. Father, grant wisdom to this team as they pray for a return to health. • A woman was having severe headaches and has had none since we prayed. We bless you Healing Lord. • A young man moved from Florida to Grand Rapids because of Rob’s teaching. He was directed to the “W” by a staff person. He found healing in his heart within two weeks of prayer. Although he never heard or saw Rob God moved in power in his life. He is now on a path to move to Israel to join a Kibbutz and is excited about God’s leading in his life Father, Your sheep hear Your voice and follow You still today. • A young man who had just been released from a mental facility came for prayer over the course of a month. He saw his addictions broken and removed, Peace came into his life and he is now working and doing very well. Dear God, You heal minds and hearts and bodies. Thank You. • A local businessman was prayed for at the “W” (and others in his life as well) for an insoluble financial situation. Last week the bank agreed to accept an offer from another investor to back him out of a 1.2 Million dollar obligation. He now owes $150,000.00 in a no interest note that he can pay over time. Now that would have to be God! • A person he has been walking through the fire with over the past four years called on the same day that the Bank freed him. They had been praying for a child for this other man and his wife. On the same day that our businessman friend found out he was free the other man found out they are with child. A little bit of shouting and praising occurred that day. Father You are worthy of our praise even when we do not see the result but boy do we enjoy seeing You move in power to help Your children..
Here are some additional things to be aware of as WT members;
OPPORTUNITIES: · We have asked for additional people for the WT over the past few months …. Names anyone? We are down to one person in the prayer room in one slot and two of the six PM services now have no one scheduled. Steve and Ruth stepped up to cover one night and Claudia and I are covering the other. Please pray for additional wrestlers to rise up, please make this an immediate matter of prayer. · Please pray for the staff, leaders and volunteers at Mars Hill as there are many transitions in process. Change fatigue can bring discouragement. · Please continue to pray for Ted and Claudia and the OMWB as they speak and minister; o August 15-16 Ted will be the keynote speaker for a Regional Conference for the Church Prayer Leaders Network. This event will be in Terre Haute, IN. For information please go to this link; http://prayerleader.com/content/view/790/5/. o Ted and the Old Man Worship Band will be doing a three week series this Fall at First Reformed Church of Byron Center. Sunday evenings … dates in next month’s Update.
By the way … for everyone praying for my Cataract surgery the right eye went well (doc said he had never seen a cataract that dense at my age) and the left eye will be completed this morning. The difference between my left and right eye in clarity of sight is stunning. There is probably a teaching in there about the slow effect of deposits over time that diminish the ability to see clearly … I am talking about lies the enemy uses to mess with us. More to come in next month’s Update.
You are appreciated and prayed for often.
Ted and Claudia Kallman Wrestling Coaches
“Remember, the goal is not to appear as an awesome prophet. The goal is to please God and help His people.” Jack Deere, Surprised by the Voice of God |
