Greetings all who wrestle for the Kingdom.

THUMP!

I am not sure I appreciate, or even like, the first few verses of the book of James.  Here is how he begins;

1  James, a ^(B)bond-servant of God and ^(C)of the Lord Jesus Christ, To ^(D)the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad:  Greetings.

2  Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,  

3  knowing that the testing of your ^(J)faith produces ^(K)endurance.  

4  And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.  

5  But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.  

6  But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.

I think it would be better to have said “IF you encounter various trials” so that the possibility of a perfect life without disruption would be out there.  Oh well, it is not to be.  We will encounter various trials and as we growth through them in the strength and direction of the Holy Spirit we emerge with a perfect result in our character.

So what got me thinking down this trail?

Last night I was taking the garbage out.  The path for this activity at the Kallman house is through the garage to the outside where we keep the receptacle that God made for such material (OK, it was probably created on an injection molding machine at Cascade Engineering but God gave them the creative insight to make the receptacle  ,,,  but I digress).  Our home does not have gutters so as the snow melts during the day water drips down onto the concrete driveway and as the temp’s fall at night that moisture freezes into black ice.

I know this to be a fact.  However, last night I was reminded again of the natural process that occurs along this well worn path during the evening hours right about the time I found myself flat on my back with garbage and embarrassment all over me.

Thump!  A various trial.  Now in Ted’s perfect world the Holy Spirit would have jumped out and said “Yo dude.  Ice ahead, pay attention.”  Instead, I got a various thumping trial.  When will my perfect world arrive?

It reminded me of Rob’s teaching a few weeks back where he talked about Paul when he was in Philippi.  Paul was following God’s direction, in the right place at the right time, doing effective ministry with the right attitude and he got beaten and thrown in jail.

Thump!  A various trial. 

I heard this week from a Reformed Pastor who was getting ready to take a missions team to Haiti and he came down with the flu (as did half his team) two days before departure.

Thump!  A various trial. 

Claudia and I both had colds this week.  A good friend who believes in healing and has seen many hundreds of people healed by God through her ministry had a lumpectomy last Friday.  A Christian young man was killed in an accident last Sat. night.

Thump!  Thump!  Various trials. 

We are not alone in this quandary.  F.F. Bosworth who wrote the classic book on healing “Christ the Healer” in the mid 1900’s yet he lost his oldest son to cancer.  John Lake, who founded the first Healing Rooms in Spokane WA in the late 1920’s where over 100,000 were healed in five years, lost his wife to illness on a missions trip to Africa a few years prior to starting that ministry.  Kathryn Kuhlman died of cancer.  Timothy took a little wine for his stomachs sake.  And the list goes on. 

Thump!  Thump!  Thump!  Thump!  Thump!  Various trials. 

So what do we do with that?  Paul worshiped God and saw additional miracles flow out of that worship.  I see this the same way.  When we do not understand the “why” or the circumstances do not make sense we continue to trust God. Let us turn on those trials with a greater force of trust and loud worship and those same trials become standing stones of God’s power and victory.  Trust His Word and trust His direction.  We own the obedience and He owns the result.

Trials become testimonies

 ‘and they overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony…”   Rev. 12:11

Thank God also for these additional testimonies that show how much God loves us and want to overcome so many of our various trials in miraculous ways …

REPORTS:

• A report came in from the Offringa’s (our own little mission project with a “W” family that is now serving in Tanzania who recently sent a prayer request for another mission family);

                        Ted,

following up on the urgent prayer request from late last week: 

on the surface things have improved with the hope of a big breakthrough in 2 weeks. 

Our ministry partners went to see an immigration lawyer.  Just when it appeared they were circling the drain, it turns out that Tanzania put a brand new law in effect that makes it possible for them to form a "not for profit" business (not a ministry trust) that is simple, doesn't require any gov't agency to agree, and is affordable.  ($1200.00 USD).  If these lawyers can actually do what they say they can do, it could all be done in 2 weeks!   That would be an amazing answer to prayer.  They have been working through gov't red tape, going nowhere for 9 months! 

It also has pleasant implications for us.  Thanks for praying 

Bob

            A heartfelt thank you Lord for provision for Your servants in Africa.

• A woman came to the “W” with a friend many months ago for prayer regarding an abusive husband and the separation they were in.  God healed many physical and emotional situations in her life over the past months.  A few weeks ago she came to the “W”  …  with her husband for prayer.  They were reconciled and wanted God to bless them as they moved forward.  Thank You God for healing this home and these dear ones.

• A man who had Prostate surgery was still incontinent after a few months so a friend who had been healed during prayer at a conference with one of the WT members suggested he call (they live out of town).  He was prayed for over the phone and called back a week later to report that his system was now working and to say thanks for the prayers  God, You heal via phones and the internet as well as in person.  Thank You.

• A woman who was diagnosed with tumors was prayed for and when she went in for further testing the tumors were gone.  Bless God.

• Another woman with tumors, a member of the WT, was prayed for and the tumors did not go away.  She had them removed and the test results showed no cancer.  Gracious Father, You moved strong on her behalf.

• A man going into heart surgery was prayed for.  He came out fine and the prognosis is great. God, bring a supernatural recovery we pray.

• A woman emailed requesting prayer for her granddaughter.  We just heard back that “(grand-daughter) is home!  Thank you so much for your prayers”.  Thank you Father for a community that exhibits love through praying well.

• A woman had asked for prayer regarding a hospital visit that was not covered by insurance.  We got an email that said;

“I should have let you know sooner, but I guess I was wanting to put some more good news with this. This will stand alone on it's great encouragement too!  After the total bills were added up--$14,000 worth of hospital, ambulance, test, doctors, and 4 days of bed rest, I paid the grand total of twelve dollars!!  Is it worth putting a $ sign on it? Only in God's economy as my friend aptly put it!!“.

Another great testimony to God’s goodness.

• Another email came in from a Reformed Pastor of a church where we had led a leadership retreat (he was recalled into military service for a year shortly after the retreat);

Hello Ted!  Yes, I’m back in the good old US of A…and it feels great to be home!  I got back in mid-November, and have been getting re-established with the church through the busy holiday season.  Things are going well here, and I trust they are for you too.  God showed me some amazing things while I was at the hospital in Germany…including a woman raised from the dead – on Easter morning 2007 no less!  Would love to hear what He has been doing in your life, and what you sense He is saying to His Church in/for 2008.  I’m curious to know how your book Stark Raving Obedience has done, as far as circulation/printings/etc.  I hope it’s out there “far and wide” because it is GOOD!

Blessings and peace, brother,

We bless you Healing Lord for making Matt 10:7-8 so real to this Pastor.

• An intercessor that is a part of the WWT called for prayer because he was called to the scene of an accident where a young man was killed.  He also felt led to pray to raise him from the dead.  It did not happen.  He is still trusting God that He is in charge but working through the fact that the Word calls us to pray this way and he did and yet the expected result did not happen.  Help us Lord as we learn to walk this path of believing and trusting You regardless of the result.

• A story came in from a WT member who serves on the Sunday rotation praying during the service at Mars Hill;

”(The three of us) prayed over a couple who came to the prayer room prior to the beginning of the service.  We listened to them share their concerns regarding needy family members they had taken in their home to live temporarily.  There were a number of things Russ and I recommended they consider engaging in with their family that we had implemented while mentoring engaged couples for a number of years.
One month later the wife shared with (us) that they had taken our suggestions and God was showing them miracle after miracle and their relationship had gone from frustration to joy and celebration of one another. 
Father, thank You for people willing to serve whatever ministry needs ‘walk through the door’..

• A young man we prayed for four years ago who was healed of Brain Cancer is still free from Cancer after all this time.  Yes Lord, Yes..

• A woman came to the “W” with pain in her back and down her leg.  As her circle ministered to a woman she got on her knees and held the woman’s feet.  The pain in her back had started to decrease during worship, lessened again as she knelt praying for this other woman and finally when a third woman in the circle knelt behind her and put a hand on her back to assist in ministry the pain left completely.  Before we can ask Lord You hear us and answer our prayers.

• Ted’s cataracts diminished and his sight improved over the past 18 months.  The doctor said this is not what happens with Cataracts.  True, unless Adonai Raphe breathes.  Now Father, complete the removal of these cataracts we pray.

• A woman @ the “W” asked for prayer for her daughter who wanted to attend Calvin College but was being prevented due to some classes she lacked.  We prayed.  She was prompted to contact a different. person who cleared a provisional acceptance for this Fall.  Thank You Lord, You make a way where there does not appear to be a way.

• A woman was having foot pain called peripheral neuropathy. She has had no pain since we prayed.  We bless you Healing Lord.

• A story came in regarding a children’s Pastor at a local CRC church.  She had been prayed for regarding Migraines.  She was having them every day and they were slowing destroying her life.  She repented of fear in her life and the Migraines ended.  That was over 18 months ago and she has not had another one since.  Father, Your Word is true and we Your sheep thank You.

 Here are some additional things to be aware of as WT members;

OPPORTUNITIES:

·         Pray for the staff @ Mars.

·         We still need people to pray during the services on Sunday.  Welcome to the new participants.

·         Pray for a possible training day for intercessors @ Mars Hill. 

·         Pray for Ted who is teaching at Spring Arbor Universities Chapel on Feb. 27^th.

·         We would like to start a prayer support team for the “W”.  Please contact us if you are interested in serving in this capacity.

You are appreciated and prayed for often.  

Ted and Claudia Kallman

Wrestling Coaches

“You see, it is such a mistake to think that these Bible characters were a special sort of far-away, unreal, old-fashioned people quite different from ourselves, always speaking in stately, dignified, poetical speech, and thinking about nothing but religion and prophecies.  They were just as “modern” to themselves as we are now to ourselves.  They chattered and joked and used slang, drove hard bargains, talked politics, followed the latest fashions and so on, just as we do.  The men who killed God were exactly like you and me and the people we read of in the  papers-Timid politicians; gossiping folks; noisy mobs led away by agitators; weak well-meaning souls who hadn’t the strength of their own convictions; stupid, short-sighted, parochially-minded people—just ordinary people.  That is what makes the story so terrifying, because one feels that the very same thing might easily happen to-day.”

Dorothy L. Sayers to H. J. Lord, Esq., August 28, 1942, lot 290, ivc. folder 1b/3, Wade Center.

Thought: would not the same Power of God that arrested and changed the course of history for all time be not the same Power offered now to walk and help us, the same ”modern people”, to interrupt and change?  Please God, in spite of myself, be who You truly are.