Feb 2014 Newsletter Teaching n Updates

Dear Ones,

                Greetings to you in the Lovely Name that is like no other!  Jesus, our Beloved, our loving Savior, Living Lord, Coming King…Our forever Valentine! I wrote a blog for Valentine’s day that I want to share with you, called “Valentine’s Day Musings.”  Then I'll share a teaching and some exciting updates!

 

Do you remember Valentine's Day in (primary) grade school?  The day held forth the promise of cupcakes and cookies and kool-aid brought in by the Moms.
 
Decorated brown paper bags that had been painstakingly embellished, were taped to the front of your desk.  Empty bags but open and beckoning, hoping to receive paper heart-shaped treasures dropped into them throughout the day.  Oh the expectation, anticipation and bated breath!
 
Who could possibly explain that a bag full of small white envelopes holding corny, folded valentine's with silly sayings, meant that you were counted in and not on the outside looking in?
 
How many were painfully aware of the rejects and rebuffs? Not knowing that you were Already #CHOSEN.  Already #LOVED.  Already desperately desired as a Valentine?
 
This Valentine's Day, I pray that you will embrace the Love that is ALREADY yours!  I pray that you will turn and find your deepest desires not just met but fulfilled beyond all expectations and that you will be overwhelmed and swept away by the Lover of Your Soul. The ONE who knows you better than you know yourself and is as close as your own skin because that is where HE desires to be, under your skin, in the crevices of your heart and in every area of your life! 
 
HE was there at each and every Valentine's day from your past, both the happy and the sad ones.  Before you were even born He hummed and sang over you: 

 
"I am your Valentine, Will you be Mine? Will you supine and your heart let Me entwine?  I will be the song your heart sings, with words and melody that only Heaven brings!  I love you so, more than you know, and I shall lovingly watch you grow. I shall wait for you, wait for you, wait for you My Love! For I died for you, bled for you, rose to give you life anew!  I call to you, and woo you, and draw you to Me, your whole life through.  So come to Me, dine with Me, recline with Me, and let me sing to you!  Laugh with Me, smile with Me, cry tears for Me that others may know My Love that's True, for don't you know I've cried tears for all of you?  Flow with Me, Grow with Me, Then Go for Me, and Show for Me the Love that I gave to you. Reach for Me, Teach for Me, Use the Gifts I've Given to you.  Love's the Key that opens the door, and there is so much more, just waiting for you to explore!  So Come my Valentine, let your heart incline and feast on My Love sublime." Jesus

I have been drawn to Ps. 68, it is so full of treasures for us!  But I will just share a couple of nuggets from there with you.

Psalm 68:28  Parade your power, O God, the power, O God, that made us what we are.

Psa 68:35  O God, awe-inspiring, profoundly impressive, and terrible are You out of Your holy places; the God of Israel Himself gives strength and fullness of might to His people. Blessed be God!

God is clothed in Power and Might, and the scripture clearly says He clothes us with it too! But at the same time, He sheaths it in Gentleness, and Kindness and Mercy! King David spoke unto the LORD the words of this song… “Your Gentleness O Lord has made me great.” 2Samuel 22:36(The whole chapter is the song!)

Ps 68 vs 35 talks about all these attributes that God is from out of His “holy places.” Where are these holy places? What are they? Holy is listed as: a consecrated thing or place, sacred place, sanctuary, holy place, of the temple, of the tabernacle.

But I have a different take on this. Let us look at 1 Cor.3:16:

(AMP)  Do you not discern and understand that you [the whole church at Corinth] are God's temple (His sanctuary), and that God's Spirit has His permanent dwelling in you [to be at home in you, collectively as a church and also individually]?

Now where it says [the whole church at Corinth] put the name of your city, town or village. Put your name in the verse. Then look again at those verses  and read them this way:

“O God, awe-inspiring, profoundly impressive, and terrible are You out of Your holy places;[of ___(put in your name and the name of your church, and your locality)] the God of Israel Himself gives strength and fullness of might to His people [in the city, town, village in the nation of_____.] Blessed be God! You are profoundly impressive and awe inspiring and terrible out of your (holy place) your sanctuary called (Mary, John, Susie, etc.) and from the place of (city, state, nation) so Parade your power, O God, the power, O God, that made us what we are.” 

How amazing is that?  That is TRUTH.  Believe and act on it, and walk it in your life for all to see this awesome God who lives in the Holy Place called YOU!!!

There is a lot happening, and it is very exciting to watch God at work.  We held our Board meeting and I am most pleased to announce that Tanya Guinn has agreed to come on board as our new Secretary!  We now have a total of five board members, and there is much energy, excitement and anticipation.

Many open doors lie before me: Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, South Africa and

Germany all this year!

I spoke with Bishop Solution in Uroymi, Nigeria.  He wants me to come for their 2^nd Anniversary celebration!  He is also working on some business ventures, so please pray for their success.

We are still working out details for the Leadership conference in Nairobi, Kenya April 2-5^th with Prophet Joshua from Abuja, Nigeria. I have hopes of a side trip to visit some of Pastor Ben’s branch churches in Uganda.  Please pray along!

Pastor Ben in Uganda has moved into their new home.  Work still needs to be completed on the inside, but they are in their own home!  Recently a very generous gift was given to help him. He is using that gift to put up a high brick wall around the property to create a safety barricade from thieves and robbers. That work has just been started.  I expect new pictures soon!  

Apostle Psalm has completed the building to house his church in Lagos.  They held the Dedication ceremony last month and called it a “Feast of Esther.”  I was there when the initial work had begun!  He traveled and did fundraising to pay for all the work. Here are some pictures: (Before and after!)

Inside of building- work begun. (Both of these shot taken w/my African cell phone!) 

Below:

A worker carrying dirt from 

near the street to mix with the mortar.      

The wall to the right of this man is the children’s church area.  Looking down this alley you are viewing the walk from the busy main street to the church. In the very front bldg. is the “Nigeria Flour Factory,” where folks come to buy flour.  The parking lot in the front of that factory is shared.

  
Dr. John Akpami dedicating 
the church at the front door

                                    The Front Door 

                 

View of  The Altar 

 (Left)

Looking from 

the rear towards 
the front of 
the church 
and the altar

  View from The Altar

of the Choir Ministering
The congregation that day 

No more parking outside 
with a view of the surrounding area
(Taken by Ap.Psalm’s I-Pad)

                                              ~/~

I keep praising God over and over for His goodness and kindness and so thankful that we get to be a part of all the wonders that He is doing!  You are included in this litany of thanksgiving for you are surely a part of it all.  Thank you so much for all of your support and prayers!

 

 Happy Valentine’s Day to all of you 

from all of us here at Heart n Hands!