04.29.2016– Friday - The morning was easy, and I left about 10:00 AM for the jaunt to Vancouver, Washington to deliver the State of Ohio Worship Scepter to Robin Layne, Pastor of Shiloh Fellowship in Vancouver, Washington. While delivering the Worship Scepter, I prayed for Robin with another intercessor at their church. During that time Pastor Carney came in to join us and at the close of the prayer session, he invited me to minister to their congregation on Sunday. This was clearly a “Be prepared in and out of season” time as I had not brought a prepared message. Yet, I knew in my Spirit that ABBA ADONAI had clearly prepared me.
Leaving Vancouver, Washington I headed southeast over the Columbia River to Gresham, Oregon to meet Cynthia in preparation for our prayer journey to the convergence of the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean. Today is my grandson, Elijah’s 16th birthday. I am remembering him this day and missing him greatly as it has been 2 years since I have seen him.
04.30.2016 – Saturday - We left in the morning heading toward Astoria, Oregon driving through Longview, Washington. Once on the Oregon coastline we headed north to Long Beach, Washington driving over the Columbia River. We are blessed with beautiful blue skies and a bit of normal coastal winds.
We stopped briefly in Astoria to enjoy lunch. The city was founded in 1811 after John Jacob Astor, an investor from New York City whose America Fur Company founded Fort Astoria in 1811. This is the city where “Kindergarten Cop” was filmed in the 1990s.
After crossing the Columbia River and praying over the Long Beach, Washington area we returned to the Oregon Coast to pour out oil and prayer. I have traveled for 22 years to countless rivers, lakes, and oceans pouring out oil, salt, and wine…yet this trip I see something that I have never seen before. As I pour the oil, I just allow the movement of the winds to design a pattern from the oil on the water. In Pensacola Bay, Florida clearly a butterfly, in the waters of Alabama a sword, and sometimes just ripples in the waves and reflections of the oil. Today, when Cynthia poured the oil, a red heart formed. It is a signature from the LORD to her as when she was traveling in Florida HE formed a heart opening in the clouds.
The LORD GOD is faithful to communicate with us in languages that we understand. HE absolutely loves to bless us and shower HIS deep love over us.
In the photos, you will clearly see my splotch of no design and Cynthia’s red heart of definite design. Only God. On our way home, we drove south and visited Cindy’s family that lived on the Oregon coast at that time.
05.01.2016 – Sunday - In the morning, I headed north over the Columbia River to Shiloh Fellowship, in Vancouver, Washington. Pastors Carney and Robin are warm and welcoming. For the first time in my ministry career, I preached a message from scriptures on an mobile phone. It was so very different for me. Yet, I know I must always be flexible to move when GOD moves, no matter how unconventional it seems. During the ministry and prayer time, instead of people coming up front in a typical line for prayer, the LORD asked me to walk among the congregation. This was also a different format than to which I am accustomed. It is too easy to develop habits of convention when GOD is truly a GOD of innovative, creative, resolutions, and movements. I wondered how many places I have ministered and there were those sitting in the audience that truly needed or wanted prayer yet for some reason did not come forward. And perhaps it is time for me to go to them, instead of expecting them to come to me. Perhaps I need to look at this differently. I am wondering if YESHUA formed a prayer line or if HE walked among the crowds. Or perhaps HE ministered in both patterns depending on the circumstances.
Hebrews 10:38-39, NASB, “BUT MY RIGHTEOUS ON SHALL LIVE BY FAITH; AND IF HE SHRINKS BACK, MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN HIM. But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul.”
After a potluck dinner at the church and a time of sweet fellowship, I drove home to Bend, Oregon. This trip was the second half of the “HGRM 2016 American Prayer Journey” trip to OR-WA-CAN-ID-MT to anoint the headwaters of the Columbia River in British Columbia, Canada. The Columbia River is 1234 miles of relentless extravaganza providing power, fishing, recreation, and life to thousands.
I am giving thanksgiving and praise to YESHUA, MY KING for HIS provision, protection, strength, kindness, grace, mercy, providence, and power for this journey.