Getting Closer
January 10, 2012 Filed in: Personal
My apologies to all for this blog being so overdue. I thought I would be moving into my new home about this time, but it looks like about another month is needed. Though most of my hard work is over, things that yet need to be done to pass inspection for me to move in are as such: Sewage system (which should be finished tomorrow), some gutters, cemented driveway, more dirt fill on both sides of the home, kitchen cabinets, appliances, carpets, installing air-conditioning units, and probably a few more things I can't think of mentioning.
I am doing well, although after over 4 months I am only now starting to feel somewhat better physically and not so exhausted. Numerous days after working I would plop into my recliner and fall asleep for several hours. Then I would feed my dog Sammo and take him out for a walk. I would then take a quick shower and go right to bed ~~ just too tired to cook or fix something to eat. At times I went to bed around 7pm or a bit earlier and stay there until 6 or 7 the next morning.
Funny ... a few weeks ago I was Skyping with some friends, and then I heard some laughter ... I fell asleep during the video chat ! haha! I will be glad when this house is all finished soon. E-mails keep piling up to almost 200 sometimes, and I haven't been in good contact with friends as I'd like. Even now, it's after 1:00am and I feel like I just need to go ahead and DO this blog.
At times, I still have waves of feelings for missing Trish, but God helps me through. I feel like I'm nearing the new season in my life for new openings for my ministry once again. I wonder how God may want to use me, and how extensively I will travel again (it's been about 13 years since my great activity of the 90's). I so desire to be relevant in ministry to what people, churches, etc. really need from the Lord. I still want to see the power of the Holy Spirit move as never before, convincing the world that Jesus is alive. I was communing with the Holy Spirit yesterday, contemplating how I wanted a consistent Presence of the Lord in my ministry that kept blessing the secrets of people's hearts.
I have continued to be worship leader in a Spanish church here in town. Also, I occasionally preach when asked, and have been doing it all in Spanish over the last year without interpreters (although I am not completely fluent yet). I still often think of Canada where I had so much effective ministry in the 90's, and also wonder if I will ever have my own music team as I desired in the past. Time and years have gone so quickly, and I am now a different Elias (I'm not sure of all that God has accomplished within me over the years, but I hope to be a much more effective minister now). Things are now so different without Trish.
Good story ~~ about a month ago, one Sunday morning about 6am I was awakened by sounds my dog was making. I got out of bed only to see him sadly not being able to walk. He was dragging himself with his two front legs, and looking at me with sad eyes as if he was communicating "Papa, I won't be around much longer". He also made a mess which I cleaned up. I cried so hard. Before leaving him alone in the house to go to church, I got on the floor next to him and just cried. He sweetly pressed his head into my chest as if he understood my pain (he did something similar to me the last couple days before Trish died).
When I returned several hours later from church, I still felt sadness as I looked for him where I left him, but strangely he was way across into the living room. I was now wondering how he got there, because it would have been such a long distance to drag himself. By the way, I was also contemplating taking him to the vet the following day, and even chose a place to bury him on my new property. Anyway ... without much hope, I got his leash ready like usual, and got his attention for me to take him outside for a walk. Although I prepared myself to cry again, he got up with unexpected strength, and has been walking fine ever since!
Words cannot convey what Sammo means to me. As I've been building the new home, I have often felt how Trish was no longer around to enjoy it with me, and then the thought of Sammo suddenly being needed to be 'put down' because of loss of walking abilities ... well, that meant it would be only me moving in, having lost my two great close friends in life. Sammo's healing was one of the most dramatic I've seen in a while. God has given me more time with him, and I love it.
I am doing well, although after over 4 months I am only now starting to feel somewhat better physically and not so exhausted. Numerous days after working I would plop into my recliner and fall asleep for several hours. Then I would feed my dog Sammo and take him out for a walk. I would then take a quick shower and go right to bed ~~ just too tired to cook or fix something to eat. At times I went to bed around 7pm or a bit earlier and stay there until 6 or 7 the next morning.
Funny ... a few weeks ago I was Skyping with some friends, and then I heard some laughter ... I fell asleep during the video chat ! haha! I will be glad when this house is all finished soon. E-mails keep piling up to almost 200 sometimes, and I haven't been in good contact with friends as I'd like. Even now, it's after 1:00am and I feel like I just need to go ahead and DO this blog.
At times, I still have waves of feelings for missing Trish, but God helps me through. I feel like I'm nearing the new season in my life for new openings for my ministry once again. I wonder how God may want to use me, and how extensively I will travel again (it's been about 13 years since my great activity of the 90's). I so desire to be relevant in ministry to what people, churches, etc. really need from the Lord. I still want to see the power of the Holy Spirit move as never before, convincing the world that Jesus is alive. I was communing with the Holy Spirit yesterday, contemplating how I wanted a consistent Presence of the Lord in my ministry that kept blessing the secrets of people's hearts.
I have continued to be worship leader in a Spanish church here in town. Also, I occasionally preach when asked, and have been doing it all in Spanish over the last year without interpreters (although I am not completely fluent yet). I still often think of Canada where I had so much effective ministry in the 90's, and also wonder if I will ever have my own music team as I desired in the past. Time and years have gone so quickly, and I am now a different Elias (I'm not sure of all that God has accomplished within me over the years, but I hope to be a much more effective minister now). Things are now so different without Trish.
Good story ~~ about a month ago, one Sunday morning about 6am I was awakened by sounds my dog was making. I got out of bed only to see him sadly not being able to walk. He was dragging himself with his two front legs, and looking at me with sad eyes as if he was communicating "Papa, I won't be around much longer". He also made a mess which I cleaned up. I cried so hard. Before leaving him alone in the house to go to church, I got on the floor next to him and just cried. He sweetly pressed his head into my chest as if he understood my pain (he did something similar to me the last couple days before Trish died).
When I returned several hours later from church, I still felt sadness as I looked for him where I left him, but strangely he was way across into the living room. I was now wondering how he got there, because it would have been such a long distance to drag himself. By the way, I was also contemplating taking him to the vet the following day, and even chose a place to bury him on my new property. Anyway ... without much hope, I got his leash ready like usual, and got his attention for me to take him outside for a walk. Although I prepared myself to cry again, he got up with unexpected strength, and has been walking fine ever since!
Words cannot convey what Sammo means to me. As I've been building the new home, I have often felt how Trish was no longer around to enjoy it with me, and then the thought of Sammo suddenly being needed to be 'put down' because of loss of walking abilities ... well, that meant it would be only me moving in, having lost my two great close friends in life. Sammo's healing was one of the most dramatic I've seen in a while. God has given me more time with him, and I love it.
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New Meaning to a Christmas Carol
December 17, 2011 Filed in: Webmaster
An article came across my desk the other day. I’d never heard this story before, so I thought that I would share it here.
From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.
-The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
-Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.
-Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.-
-The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.
-The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
-The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
-Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
-The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
-Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.
-The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.
-The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
-The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.
From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.
-The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
-Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.
-Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.-
-The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.
-The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
-The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
-Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
-The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
-Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.
-The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.
-The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
-The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.
Weary Yet Pursuing
November 12, 2011 Filed in: Ministry
One can find the title related to the Scripture Judges 8:4, when Gideon was in a time of battle with his 300 selected followers.
I know this journal is way overdue, but here's the scoop. Good progress has continued on my new house construction, and it started about 3 months ago. For me, some of the extra difficult physical work is not as much, and I think my body is catching up a bit. (I have 10 videos now)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6Cjv1GhTSM&feature=feedu
Most of my days have gone like this -- workday ending sometime between 4:30pm and 6p,m. ... then I go back to the home I'm presently in, sit in the recliner and soon doze off for 2-3 hrs ... then I wake up, feed my dog, take him for a walk, shower, then go to bed ... then Sammo (my dog) wakes me up at least 2 more times before I can stay sleeping till morning around 6-7am (Much of the evenings I'm too tired to eat)
Some have remarked humorously my weariness is because I'm "getting old", or because I haven't done such physical work for a long time. However, there is another factor people don't think about -- I have not had a proper vacation in about 30yrs. In the 90's I was fully consumed with revival ministry, and then for about 12 and 1/2 yrs after that taking care of Trish. Then came the stress of her death. But there was no time to rest, as the construction of the house soon ensued. I hope to move into the new home sometime early January. I am concerned that maybe I won't be permitted to rest too much yet again, since a new season for my life and ministry will also open up. God knows. I'm sure things will ease up when the new home is finished.
I wanted to do this journal last night (as numerous times before), but yet again I fell asleep in the recliner. So many things have been 'put aside' for now -- communicating with friends via e-m or Skype, etc., practicing my music, having more time with the Lord, eating and sleeping sufficiently, etc,etc. It remains miraculous how I continue to survive financially. God is good, and so are His people.
On another note, as I've been able, I try to capture some news on what's going on in the world. Since I quit TV about 1/2yr ago, I get my info via my iPad or desktop computer. I am very impressed indeed with the MANY changes that are taking place -- leaders of so many countries have been, or are being removed / replaced, and the European financial crisis looks very serious to me. Crime is obviously on the rise in our country, and immorality gaining more approval with the laws of our land.
So many preachers continue to pump out the "prosperity message", which at times can be appropriate if presented properly, but it seems to me that the message of "Surviving" carries much more relevance for our day. In numerous historic battles, "holding the fort", or just maintaining territory was regarded as victory.
I sense for the coming year that God's people must continue to "tighten their belts", and manage their finances with steadfast diligence. Again, it seems to me that the message of "wise management" should be just as important as "giving" messages. Satan will gladly infiltrate 'overdone' messages on tithing and giving to 'wear down the saints'.
Closing opinion thought: Many pastors and church leaders just don't seem to realize that many saints indeed do NOT come to church physically refreshed and properly rested on Sunday mornings. These are days and times of increasing pressures, and we must remain sensitive to this. Services without the anointing lead to an extra weary start for Monday morning workers.
I know this journal is way overdue, but here's the scoop. Good progress has continued on my new house construction, and it started about 3 months ago. For me, some of the extra difficult physical work is not as much, and I think my body is catching up a bit. (I have 10 videos now)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6Cjv1GhTSM&feature=feeduMost of my days have gone like this -- workday ending sometime between 4:30pm and 6p,m. ... then I go back to the home I'm presently in, sit in the recliner and soon doze off for 2-3 hrs ... then I wake up, feed my dog, take him for a walk, shower, then go to bed ... then Sammo (my dog) wakes me up at least 2 more times before I can stay sleeping till morning around 6-7am (Much of the evenings I'm too tired to eat)
Some have remarked humorously my weariness is because I'm "getting old", or because I haven't done such physical work for a long time. However, there is another factor people don't think about -- I have not had a proper vacation in about 30yrs. In the 90's I was fully consumed with revival ministry, and then for about 12 and 1/2 yrs after that taking care of Trish. Then came the stress of her death. But there was no time to rest, as the construction of the house soon ensued. I hope to move into the new home sometime early January. I am concerned that maybe I won't be permitted to rest too much yet again, since a new season for my life and ministry will also open up. God knows. I'm sure things will ease up when the new home is finished.
I wanted to do this journal last night (as numerous times before), but yet again I fell asleep in the recliner. So many things have been 'put aside' for now -- communicating with friends via e-m or Skype, etc., practicing my music, having more time with the Lord, eating and sleeping sufficiently, etc,etc. It remains miraculous how I continue to survive financially. God is good, and so are His people.
On another note, as I've been able, I try to capture some news on what's going on in the world. Since I quit TV about 1/2yr ago, I get my info via my iPad or desktop computer. I am very impressed indeed with the MANY changes that are taking place -- leaders of so many countries have been, or are being removed / replaced, and the European financial crisis looks very serious to me. Crime is obviously on the rise in our country, and immorality gaining more approval with the laws of our land.
So many preachers continue to pump out the "prosperity message", which at times can be appropriate if presented properly, but it seems to me that the message of "Surviving" carries much more relevance for our day. In numerous historic battles, "holding the fort", or just maintaining territory was regarded as victory.
I sense for the coming year that God's people must continue to "tighten their belts", and manage their finances with steadfast diligence. Again, it seems to me that the message of "wise management" should be just as important as "giving" messages. Satan will gladly infiltrate 'overdone' messages on tithing and giving to 'wear down the saints'.
Closing opinion thought: Many pastors and church leaders just don't seem to realize that many saints indeed do NOT come to church physically refreshed and properly rested on Sunday mornings. These are days and times of increasing pressures, and we must remain sensitive to this. Services without the anointing lead to an extra weary start for Monday morning workers.