tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4906288120246881452024-03-12T18:44:46.668-07:00Grace NotesBryan Marleauxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13487366566603016522noreply@blogger.comBlogger104125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490628812024688145.post-65115959269259295662024-02-10T23:41:00.000-08:002024-02-17T15:44:54.279-08:00Year in Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Avenir;">A Milestone </span></b></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Avenir;"><br /></span></b></span></span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;"><span><span>2023 was a unique time in that our son Patrick got married. We were stoked to celebrate with friends and family as Patrick and Emily were joined together. The Lord blessed Patrick with a beautiful godly bride in Emily who also grew up involved in missionary adventures herself. </span></span><span>We tend to have our own little ideas, thinking that maybe this person or that would be good to introduce our son to, none of that human effort ever went anywhere though.</span></span><div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;">It was, however, an unexpected word that the Lord gave me, which at the time seemed to have nothing to do with what happened later—meeting a young lady—that actually connected Patrick and Emily.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBw3OQG0CrhJMgO77OZ3zHSmyTfW-mv-mMzQrWJrRqZ1i-fyZjirpPBdrhPOIlKiv84dDTdwee23hZ8Y7aT_KmQxG_QnCslYTIIJZ7oAi4fKD_8bupiDjNi-425_bH0CUfF8ZEvi75ae3Uk3MJ-jGj5GqBAsjuatZt_8v7_5gg_Z_GsOy-Z-2m6Z77_Ere/s2048/IMG_6724.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBw3OQG0CrhJMgO77OZ3zHSmyTfW-mv-mMzQrWJrRqZ1i-fyZjirpPBdrhPOIlKiv84dDTdwee23hZ8Y7aT_KmQxG_QnCslYTIIJZ7oAi4fKD_8bupiDjNi-425_bH0CUfF8ZEvi75ae3Uk3MJ-jGj5GqBAsjuatZt_8v7_5gg_Z_GsOy-Z-2m6Z77_Ere/w400-h400/IMG_6724.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Avenir;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span><span><span style="font-size: large;">We had recently connected with Dave and Natalie Hess on the coast for some lunch after years of emailing one another but never being here in the US at the same time. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;">However, the Lord’s timing is so different than our own and He knows what needs to happen and when.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;">After connecting with them and getting to know each other, we were getting ready to leave to go to a meeting they were hosting, when I saw Patrick getting ready to do something else and I told him: “I just got an impression from the Lord, and I think you are supposed to come to this meeting with us tonight.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OD_-ve4G81s" width="320" youtube-src-id="OD_-ve4G81s"></iframe></span></span></div><p></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Avenir;">We celebrated 10 years of ministry in Canada on our latest trip there last year. </span><span style="font-family: Avenir;">This video shares about the supernatural way the Holy Spirit led us and opened the doors to begin ministry there!</span></b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: medium;"><b>Direct link: </b></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"><a href="https://youtu.be/OD_-ve4G81s?si=KhUqPmUo1JqPuyJo" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/OD_-ve4G81s?si=KhUqPmUo1JqPuyJo</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;">We were actually going to dinner with Dave and Natalie first, and Patrick wasn't even invited…but I just brought him along because the Lord gave me that word! It was important to listen to the Lord versus following social decorum.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;">I figured Patrick was just supposed to come with us and help pray for people at the meeting after dinner… <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;">Instead, the Lord had a different plan and he met Emily who wasn't even supposed to be there at that meeting that night either. They connected at that meeting and went to an evangelistic outreach down on the coast together shortly after that.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;">Mercedes and I actually ran into them down there at the outreach and we also had a divine appointment with an old friend down there. As we were all talking with them, I got a leading from the Holy Spirit to have us all pray together in our own little circle of about 8 of us, off to the side, over by the beach. As we joined hands to pray, the Holy Spirit just fell on all of us in this little prayer circle with power and grace and we all ended up down on the ground as the Holy Spirit moved on us all with His presence, hallelujah! <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;">The police actually showed up and started giving the guys leading the outreach over on their platform a hard time and they were just staring over at us as not knowing what to think of this strange little group off to the side and down on the ground getting hammered by the Holy Spirit! While the Holy Spirit touched us, I got an impression from the Lord that He was doing something significant in this relationship that was forming. That was quite a wild night being their first outing together.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;">After about a year later of them going surfing and to ministry outreaches etc, Patrick proposed, and they began making wedding plans. They are now married and leading worship together regularly! The worship leading thing was another word I had for Patrick early on. However, the Lord had to bring it to pass himself in his own way! <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;">I had a word while on a trip that Patrick would lead worship later—this was in his early teens. I tried to help that word get going in my own way—which met a lot of resistance—but the Lord had his own plan, which he worked out in His own way, in his own time, that I didn’t foresee. Praise the Lord! His ways and thoughts are higher than ours!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><b><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;">Divine Appointments <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;">We have had numerous divine appointments over the last year. Each unique in its own way, here’s a couple highlights:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;">There was a recent divine appointment that took place just a few weeks ago: We started conversing with a young lady up in the mountains. One thing led to another, and we began sharing the Gospel with her and as we did, the Holy Spirit began to visibly move upon her heart, and she began tearing up! She then shared that she was a believer who had drifted away from the Lord in the last year. She knew that the Lord had arranged this moment of us sharing with her. We prayed together with her as she re-surrendered her heart to Christ while tears fell down her face! Praise the Lord she was a prodigal that has come back home! <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7J3_vF1gj447s8bPzlxTwSQt4j3bPDw0aYZtTMhMCwUPIgxZm1HNHLZo__8sYocGjqAP73oBQU9Hdcc0P6arBqd0WW6kSGm8y0YxslmILYiwckRlqrCrlakoQ4SvWxZD_GpJXiJWTdvtiAZBLVOyswUWa2_nOTY3vpdIS_sXJ0zCGABY94GjP3xLsDGbQ/s1148/IMG_9522.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="1148" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7J3_vF1gj447s8bPzlxTwSQt4j3bPDw0aYZtTMhMCwUPIgxZm1HNHLZo__8sYocGjqAP73oBQU9Hdcc0P6arBqd0WW6kSGm8y0YxslmILYiwckRlqrCrlakoQ4SvWxZD_GpJXiJWTdvtiAZBLVOyswUWa2_nOTY3vpdIS_sXJ0zCGABY94GjP3xLsDGbQ/w400-h396/IMG_9522.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;">It was one of those moments that required us to slow down and pay attention to what the Lord had in store, something that requires constant learning in this go go go world!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;">We also had a divine appointment with a security guard at a beach mall. We ended up in a conversation with him and it turned out he was a believer. We shared and then prayed with him about the filling of the Holy Spirit, and he was greatly touched and encouraged as the presence of the Lord filled and renewed him, hallelujah!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;"><span>We had another divine appointment driving along the coast on our way north on a ministry trip. I was about to get off the coast route and get on the freeway…when I sensed a check and felt I should stay on the coast route at the moment. We finally stayed in a place where we ended up ministering to one of the Hispanic housekeepers the next day who we ended up talking with and then prayed for! She responded to a word I had “about a burden she was dealing with” turned out she was a believer who had an estranged son that was weighing heavily on her heart… the Lord touched her with His presence and buoyed her heart…the maid ministry continues on </span><span>😎</span><span>!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><b><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;">Ministering Our Way Up The Pacific Coast Trail<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;">We were blessed to minister our way along the coast in 2023 all the way from San Diego up to the northern tip of Vancouver Island in Canada at Port Hardy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;">We experienced the power of God being poured out as many were baptized in the Holy Spirit, others received Christ into their lives, along with many others who received healing and breakthroughs along the way.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;">A few moments that stand out: A man in Port Hardy receiving Christ as his Savior and also getting empowered with the Holy Spirit right after he was so overcome, he had tears and snot just flooding down his face as he was getting so touched by the presence of the Lord! <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;">There was also a First Nations lady there who had received Christ as we ministered on a previous trip and shared how she now regularly attends Bible Studies and is serving the Lord! A woman in Salinas who received tongues finally after many years of praying and seeking the Lord for a breakthrough in that area, she along with many others was overcome by the presence of the Lord and impacted powerfully. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;">There was an old friend who was just radically overcome by the presence of the Lord as we prayed for her while she experienced a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit and healing that was releasing her from some heavy burdens, this along with others who surrendered their hearts to Christ as well rededicated themselves to the Lord, along with numerous others who were touched and filled as the Holy Spirit was poured out in power at the CDO Church in Downtown San Diego just recently as we preached and ministered there. Many were also touched by God’s presence and filled with the Holy Spirit, along with others who received healing, as well as some who received Christ in North County San Diego, Santa Barbara, Costa Mesa, Orange, and San Clemente and down in the Southern Border Region, as we ministered in those areas. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><b><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;"> </span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><b><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;">Deeper Healing <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;">Looking back at the last few years 2023 is actually the first full year where things were not hampered by lingering Covid restrictions. It was only the latter half of 2022 when a lot of the restrictions were finally done. It is an unusual time we have all lived through that still requires some reflections and processing. On our end we are thankful of how the Lord can: “Work everything together for good.” (Romans 8:28)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;">That unusual season of Covid was actually something where the Holy Spirit began to take things to a whole deeper level in the area of healing of past things that involved growing up in broken situations in both of our lives. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;">This felt unusual at first since we have both already experienced healing like that before, however, this was on a much deeper level. Moreover, He’s God and we are not, and the fruit has shown the wisdom from on high that surpasses the weakness of our puny little human minds.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;">One thing needed on this journey was a surrendering of the will and human reasoning—possibly some of the hardest things we can ever lay down—the path did not make sense at first, but the Lord knew the end from the beginning.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;">His infinite divine wisdom surpasses our lowly human intelligence. While there may always be some things still to walk through in life, that season of intense healing has brought forth divine fruit that continues to bless us! Hallelujah, He is able to work everything together for good!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;">After walking through that season where the Lord did so much deep stuff, we have both been blessed to experience new levels of freedom and peace in certain areas of our lives and there has been a definite strengthening in our marriage—things just went from good—to even better. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;">This involves some of the mystery of the divine grace of God. He has taken us both on a journey that may have been a bit tough at first to embark on and walk through, but in the end, things have gone from good… to even better! Praise the Lord!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Avenir;"><span>We pray that the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ refresh and renew you as you walk with him into this New Year and beyond! </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><u><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book";"><span style="font-size: large;">We thank the Lord for each and every one of you and always really appreciate all your prayers and support. <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book";"><span style="font-size: large;">Blessings to you in Jesus’ Name!<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book";"><span style="font-size: large;">Bryan and Mercedes Marleaux</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Connect to Grace World Mission: </span><span style="color: #2288bb; font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://linktr.ee/graceworldmission" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://linktr.ee/graceworldmission</a></span></p></div>Bryan Marleauxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13487366566603016522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490628812024688145.post-86987189964296900052023-12-22T18:17:00.000-08:002023-12-22T18:17:37.504-08:00Merry Christmas 2023<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5CEpTH5rXS25oGv8k5kxU6H5BQ_PqT0O161yGf69YDKso6YWf77Jt9yIVFkQ_pHTJOm9YTq-NGvo319OtYAWd25O-rC26qHGeCvUrY1-0V3kH3YhvjdvYKnFtE9DsTahRCee7r-Mo-4CIElLASq-_bHz4kwom48kVTl1-MhpqoxDXdXtMDgVA2INl-KM7/s522/christmas%20banner.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="522" height="76" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5CEpTH5rXS25oGv8k5kxU6H5BQ_PqT0O161yGf69YDKso6YWf77Jt9yIVFkQ_pHTJOm9YTq-NGvo319OtYAWd25O-rC26qHGeCvUrY1-0V3kH3YhvjdvYKnFtE9DsTahRCee7r-Mo-4CIElLASq-_bHz4kwom48kVTl1-MhpqoxDXdXtMDgVA2INl-KM7/w400-h76/christmas%20banner.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/okr4f4NN6Ac" width="320" youtube-src-id="okr4f4NN6Ac"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Avenir;">Direct link to YouTube video: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://youtu.be/okr4f4NN6Ac" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/okr4f4NN6Ac</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;">In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 4.5pt 0in 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Avenir;">The Word became flesh and dwelled among us. We have seen His glory, the glory He has as the Only Begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.</span><span style="font-family: Avenir;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 4.5pt 0in 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Avenir;">John 1:1 & 1:14</span></span><span face="Avenir, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 4.5pt 0in 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Avenir;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 4.5pt 0in 0in;"><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;">Hallelujah, the Word became flesh! He who was, and is, fully God, became fully man, to reach out to us. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 4.5pt 0in 0in;"><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 4.5pt 0in 0in;"><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;">Born in a manger to signify He will meet us in even our most humble and broken situations and conditions and dying on a cross to take our sin and give us eternal life through that grace by faith.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 4.5pt 0in 0in;"><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 4.5pt 0in 0in;"><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;">His grace is immeasurable, and He gives it free for the asking, and that grace heals and frees us when we receive it.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 4.5pt 0in 0in;"><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 4.5pt 0in 0in;"><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;">The Truth, who is the answer to the inner longing of the human heart, is seen lying in the feed box of a manger, veiled to the world but revealed to those whose hearts open up by faith. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 4.5pt 0in 0in;"><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 4.5pt 0in 0in;"><span face="Avenir, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;">The Living Word gives life and that more abundantly! We pray that abundant life, grace, and peace, touches you this Christmas!</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"><o:p style="font-size: 11.5pt;"></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 4.5pt 0in 0in;"><span face="Avenir, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 4.5pt 0in 0in;"><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;">Merry Christmas and may God’s richest blessings be with you in the New Year!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 4.5pt 0in 0in;"><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;"><br />Bryan and Mercedes Marleaux<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 4.5pt 0in 0in;"><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.graceworldmission.org" target="_blank">www.graceworldmission.org</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 4.5pt 0in 0in;"><span face="Avenir, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 4.5pt 0in 0in;"><span face="Avenir, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Connect to Grace World Mission: </span><span style="color: #2288bb; font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://linktr.ee/graceworldmission" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://linktr.ee/graceworldmission</a></span></span></p>
Bryan Marleauxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13487366566603016522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490628812024688145.post-1669302477635477072023-12-02T23:53:00.000-08:002023-12-02T23:53:41.730-08:00Ministry Update: Fall 2023<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;">We have been blessed to be experiencing the presence of the Lord moving amongst us in power as we have been ministering in various places recently!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Avenir Book";"><span style="font-size: large;">Canada Mission Trip<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_RnrkV1EFo-eIzCPyBc8yQ6WHNyH6qQb0722U8pXlN-nb5igv_Vt30k-xEeGbAzstFYUebhlta8g0fYuS1O_hQn0HI4omKmbUXhJy2sun2cbYL_CIJkZfcyNox4CojORI9cfD3ji3bE-B0eH3mvkgED6vOktfrLcQzxHCXpqSU-EnXHFvKQWpNuwb9THz/s2048/IMG_8693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_RnrkV1EFo-eIzCPyBc8yQ6WHNyH6qQb0722U8pXlN-nb5igv_Vt30k-xEeGbAzstFYUebhlta8g0fYuS1O_hQn0HI4omKmbUXhJy2sun2cbYL_CIJkZfcyNox4CojORI9cfD3ji3bE-B0eH3mvkgED6vOktfrLcQzxHCXpqSU-EnXHFvKQWpNuwb9THz/w400-h400/IMG_8693.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />We recently returned from a month-long mission trip ministering in Canada.<o:p></o:p></span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We had a blessed time celebrating the 10-Year Anniversary at the House of Shiloh, one of the churches we have been connected with in Victoria, B.C., Canada.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Pastor Dan invited us to share at their anniversary service,<span class="apple-converted-space"> and we realized after he invited us that it was also our 10-year anniversary of ministering in Canada!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We shared about how the Lord brought us up to Canada through divine guidance and intervention and connected us with them through a series of divine appointments.<span class="apple-converted-space"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We continued ministering in different meetings throughout the island after that initial ministry at the anniversary service, including some midweek meetings and other services.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">While doing different meetings in the Victoria area, we experienced the presence of the Holy Spirit move in an awesome way! We did some house meetings on a Native Land Reservation where we experienced an unusual outpouring in a particular meeting. It was quite unexpected as it was a very hot day, and the heat was overwhelming inside the small mobile home we were to meet in, so we moved the meeting outdoors in front of the place.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">There were a lot of distractions outside: acorns were falling out of the trees and pelting people, people were walking by and gawking, so it took a long time to get around to sharing, but as we shared some Holy Ghost stories and then finally began to pray over others in the meeting, the Holy Spirit fell in unexpected power, and holy laughter ripped across the meeting and people began falling over. It was completely unexpected after all the distractions, and it ended up being one of the most powerful meetings in the Victoria area the whole time: His power is made perfect in our weakness! Sometimes when we're least expecting it, the Lord shows up in the most powerful way! We had some powerful testimonies we received, including some people who said: No ministers ever make me cry, but I couldn't stop feeling the presence of the Holy Spirit the whole time! Hallelujah!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We also joined up with our friends Lance and Sarah, joining in on the guitar to do some worship with them and outreach in the town of Duncan a few times where they meet out in an open-air venue and minister to various communities in the town. We shared and gave some words of encouragement and prayed for lots of people in those areas and saw some people get significantly ministered to, including a couple who just came out from the east coast of Canada and had a powerful encounter with the Lord when we prayed for them!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We also had an awesome time ministering up island in Port Hardy Christian Fellowship where we did a number of meetings, as well as joining in on the guitar for some of the worship. Port Hardy is an isolated little port town up at the northernmost tip of Vancouver Island, “going out to the ends of the earth.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Holy Spirit was pouring out in all of the consecutive meetings that we did up there and we received lots of testimonies of people blessed and ministered to and lives touched and transformed: <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: ".AppleSystemUIFont", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: ".AppleSystemUIFont", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;">In fact, </span><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;">a woman from a First Nations Tribe who got saved and set free when we were ministering there last year shared with us how she reads the Bible every day now and goes to church meetings regularly now too. It was so great to hear about fruit that sustains and remains like that! <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: ".AppleSystemUIFont", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: ".AppleSystemUIFont", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A woman named Alex got hit by the Holy Spirit Friday night and said she has never felt anything like that in her life: she felt electricity volts from the top of her head to the tips of her feet and shared how she felt renewed and on fire for the Lord now! She had just started coming to this church a couple of weeks ago. She was being courted by Jehovah’s Witnesses just recently but now she knows after this—her eyes have been opened—that she has found her true tribe and her family. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: ".AppleSystemUIFont", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: ".AppleSystemUIFont", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Michael had an experience with God Sunday night and got saved and baptized in the Holy Spirit then too! Michael said the power of God hit him and he had tears and snot running down his face. He felt weak in the knees and could not stand. Eventually he managed to sit on the stage, but he said he could feel something happening on the inside of him that he couldn't explain. He shared how he now has hope for the first time in a long time. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: ".AppleSystemUIFont", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: ".AppleSystemUIFont", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Michael came to Tuesday night prayer afterwards and brought his girlfriend who is finding God again, after struggling with a very legalistic abusive past, because of what happened with Michael. He had anger issues and she shared how God is taking all that out of him. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: ".AppleSystemUIFont", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: ".AppleSystemUIFont", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;">There was also a fisherman who we prayed for and ministered to who surrendered his life to Christ at the very end of the last meeting. He said he was tired of resisting the Lord and surrendered his heart fully to God as we prayed for him … many tears </span></span><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;">streamed down his face as we prayed, not the thing you see every day with a tough fisherman like that! Reminded us of fishermen way down south of the other border that we experienced the same thing with some years back!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: ".AppleSystemUIFont", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: ".AppleSystemUIFont", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Thanks so much for all you gave and deposited here!” wrote Pastor George. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: ".AppleSystemUIFont", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was also great to get out to the coast and get in a little Canadian cold-water surf! We got some fun surf with great sunny conditions in Tofino, which is Canada’s surf central destination with a number of spots to surf—we’ve had many witnessing opportunities there over the years! Also got to have a fun adventure with friends Laurie and Jodi who took us out from Port Hardy roughly 50 km in their heavy-duty truck on dirt roads out to the Island’s Northern Coast to San Josef Bay where we got in some awesome scenery and hiking, as well as a bit of surfing too in the wild and stormy conditions up there!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Back in the day we learned from our friend Lonnie Frisbee, who shared the good, the bad, and the ugly with us when we were with him for 3 1/2 years of discipleship: Learn to incorporate fun with your mission and ministry work and that way you can avoid burnout! Take your time and pace yourself and smell the roses too. He attributed burnout as one of the things that made him stumble along the way. However, the Lord picked him up and got him back on track again with full power flowing to the very end! We are regularly seeking the Lord to continue to incorporate that wisdom!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book";"><span style="font-size: large;">PrayerFests and House Meetings <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5nQq1NJmwdzGJzxOQCf7523ggowNrLvNVuDQS3T50RJ64ax3ecWelvjT3IWsdoy1ikaX_0m0lfd1Zmk6ht52i-TcZ38QdIrLO6HDzY3epQfSCM4IrDKPvAFyhQ1oLrY0x55R3Q9AzUDeuVp4PjO2w8fNuht7Hkox7PyVchWuPfonpIuhjP4GR2pX9f2as/s2048/IMG_8704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5nQq1NJmwdzGJzxOQCf7523ggowNrLvNVuDQS3T50RJ64ax3ecWelvjT3IWsdoy1ikaX_0m0lfd1Zmk6ht52i-TcZ38QdIrLO6HDzY3epQfSCM4IrDKPvAFyhQ1oLrY0x55R3Q9AzUDeuVp4PjO2w8fNuht7Hkox7PyVchWuPfonpIuhjP4GR2pX9f2as/w400-h400/IMG_8704.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />We have done some Prayerfest-type meetings and House meetings recently in some different places: <o:p></o:p></span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We had a blessed one in Hemet with our old friends Jeff and Jeanette. We had a powerful refreshing time praying for one another just as we returned from Canada, which was a good way to refill our tanks after ministering and giving out on a long mission trip.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Some other missionary friends also got refreshed as well, and the wife shared afterwards that she woke up energized and praying in the Spirit the day after the meeting! They were also stoked to hear us share about Harald Bredesen, one of Jeff’s and our mutual mentors, who was a Lutheran that got filled with the Holy Spirit and became a founder and leader in the Charismatic Renewal. Unbeknownst to us, the missionary couple were going to be ministering in a Lutheran Church that very next week! <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We have had other Prayerfest type meetings also, working together with our friend Lauren down on the coast in Encinitas. The Holy Spirit touched and ministered to pretty much everyone that came including ourselves, who also got some refreshing! <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;">We were also recently sharing and ministering in Costa Mesa </span><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;">at a House Church Meeting with our friend John Ruttkay, who was also a mutual friend of Lonnie’s. John invited our son Patrick and Emily and me to do the worship there and we also got to see old friends like Stan, Diane and Jacob Frisbee.</span><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"> We were also blessed to get out to see a C.S. Lewis play recently together with John, Patrick, and Emily too after a board meeting, which was just amazing…the play was sold out with a line around the block to get in!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Speaking of Costa Mesa, it was a fun time recently sharing about the early days of the Jesus People Revival in the very church where Chuck Smith first opened the doors to Lonnie Frisbee. We shared how Lonnie not only evangelized the Hippies, which eventually led to a wave of Hippies getting saved, but how he also regularly led others into the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, equipping and empowering others to minister and reach out with the Gospel as well. This was actually one of the underlying factors and keys of the Jesus People Revival that reproduced others to reach out and minister as well, and similarly in the Vineyard movement proceeding on afterwards too. We have a few different videos on Lonnie and the Jesus People Revival, which you can check out at this link: https://www.graceworldmission.org/Jesus_ppl_revival.html<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"></span><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;">We also shared about the Reformation on an online meeting which had over 100 people on the call with our friend Meri. We also published a new video and blog on the Reformation as well as a new blog we did on America’s Roots in the English Reformation at Thanksgiving time. These are great resources to aid in understanding the history of America’s development, as it covers the Reformation’s trajectory of unleashing renewal and revival, which eventually led to the coming of the Pilgrims and the birthing of America. (You can check it out at this link: </span><span style="color: #954f72; font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><a href="https://gwmgracenotes.blogspot.com/2023/11/americas-founding-and-its-ties-to.html" target="_blank">https://gwmgracenotes.blogspot.com/2023/11/americas-founding-and-its-ties-to.html</a></span><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;">) <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We encourage you to like and share these videos and blogs with others as it helps in spreading the important history of our roots, especially in the light of recent statements like this by a Christian education group:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in 0.4in 0.0001pt 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Misinformation about America’s founding is spreading across our country like wildfire. Unfortunately, that is true in the public education system as well. But America is an exceptional nation, and every citizen should know about its unique history…which is steeped in and influenced by the Christian faith…<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our recent videos on “Martin Luther’s Revelation: Foundation For Revival” and “The Reformation and Revival and America’s Roots” give important and unique perspectives of the Christian faith’s influence on this nation’s founding and development, which are important reflections during this season. You can check them out at this link: https://youtu.be/9ROTGU2dWfc or by going to our YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@graceworldmission.<br /><br />Hope you had a great Thanksgiving! We celebrated a little extra this year with a “Friendsgiving” our friend Lauren put together that turned into something of another “Prayerfest” which turned into a time of us leading some worship and praying for one another! It was a blessed time! <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We pray the Lord’s richest blessings be with you in Jesus’ Name!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We greatly appreciate all your prayers and support! <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Love and blessings!<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Bryan and Mercedes Marleaux<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Connect to Grace World Mission: </span><span style="color: #2288bb; font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://linktr.ee/graceworldmission" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://linktr.ee/graceworldmission</a></span></p>Bryan Marleauxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13487366566603016522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490628812024688145.post-67901922356820689352023-11-21T15:14:00.000-08:002023-11-21T16:20:10.765-08:00America’s Founding and Its Ties to The English Reformation <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="157" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9ROTGU2dWfc?si=rr3udxT44T5ky3UC" title="YouTube video player" width="280"></iframe></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Direct link: <span style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ROTGU2dWfc" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ROTGU2dWfc</a></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ROTGU2dWfc" target="_blank"> </a></span></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Not too long ago, the bones of the English King Richard III were found and dug up under a Walmart in Leicestershire, England. That they should be found under a Walmart—an American superstore—is ironically prophetic as it ties into a historical shift that eventually brought the coming forth of a new nation called America.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It was Richard the III’s demise and defeat at Leicestershire that led to the rise of the Tudors and Henry VII taking the throne. In turn, he would father the notorious King Henry VIII, who would usher in radical changes that would alter the course of history. All this, over time, would eventually lead to the birth of America.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">To understand all of this in context, it is necessary to first understand a little of the English Reformation:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The stark reality was that King Henry VIII wanted out of his marriage, as he had been betrothed at only 13 years of age to his dead brother's widow. When his older brother died, tradition had required him to take Catherine of Aragon, his older brother’s bride, as his own.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYH5tptMbbOflM2gJVYk3qypUjtJ0qu6WY4J1beDWLWThkmVOLb_XjenmhqMICRMghyphenhyphenZDUNYMjZcW1WLEovjdfZ1asJlVZ0EC0kQrIAA8W7FOCMYhOlXn2ESFX-aBjrG1jxLTFAcrdM4jZ10D5kNx86VmUtP_vOTcpfSGm8BVsT_yjvj_2NsXb_DMYQKSc/s1876/IMG_6804.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1876" data-original-width="859" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYH5tptMbbOflM2gJVYk3qypUjtJ0qu6WY4J1beDWLWThkmVOLb_XjenmhqMICRMghyphenhyphenZDUNYMjZcW1WLEovjdfZ1asJlVZ0EC0kQrIAA8W7FOCMYhOlXn2ESFX-aBjrG1jxLTFAcrdM4jZ10D5kNx86VmUtP_vOTcpfSGm8BVsT_yjvj_2NsXb_DMYQKSc/w179-h320/IMG_6804.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">King Henry VIII</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">However, Henry had been studying to be a priest, and he became convinced while reading the Book of Leviticus, that his marriage to Catherine was improper according to the Scriptures.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Henry demanded a divorce but was refused by the Pope. Charles the V, King of Spain and ruler of the Holy Roman Empire, was related to Catherine of Aragon, and the Pope didn’t want to upset him.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">When he did not get his way, Henry chose to break away from the Catholic Church. He used the Reformation as his basis to do so, but Henry actually had no real interest himself in reform at all. While Henry's act may have brought a break from Rome to the forefront of the scene, this is hardly the whole picture of what was taking place under the radar. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">There was actually an undercurrent of reform that was already moving through England. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Cambridge University, in fact, had so much Reformation discussion and thought going through it that it was being called “Little Wittenberg” as well as “little Germany.” These reform-minded ideas, which were coming across the Channel from Martin Luther, Germany, were being heavily adopted there in Cambridge as well as beginning to spread in many other places around the British Isles and throughout Europe.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg65puedWIdXJFTUv6GfKpiRjkEk4L0MfPh2Xmoc9KeEWE7XSd983TkU244Mjb5rjFY8kcjEZpY_rh_Ixa7kaWA4z7lYUNGkiVBEdOLpYMMVyuYhrtlWau_tk287STGr_pC3dSM-Uoczbv7VRKYFoZ_gQ-Q9FacJ_nrmAX9QmIkJ-PbdgpdEzERIvwAFjJ/s2448/IMG_2352%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg65puedWIdXJFTUv6GfKpiRjkEk4L0MfPh2Xmoc9KeEWE7XSd983TkU244Mjb5rjFY8kcjEZpY_rh_Ixa7kaWA4z7lYUNGkiVBEdOLpYMMVyuYhrtlWau_tk287STGr_pC3dSM-Uoczbv7VRKYFoZ_gQ-Q9FacJ_nrmAX9QmIkJ-PbdgpdEzERIvwAFjJ/s320/IMG_2352%202.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">While Henry may have used the idea of Reform and the Reformation for his own ends, the winds were already blowing in that direction. When he opened the door, he found out that it couldn't be so easily shut.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> The Rise of the Puritan Movement</span></o:p></h4><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Reform was in the air and new movements like the Puritans eventually began to arise. The name Puritan was a pejorative that originally had sprung from a desire to purify the church from unbiblical ideas adopted in Medieval Catholicism. The Puritans wanted a full Reformation, so the milder Anglican reforms that were put in place over time were falling short of what they had hoped for. As time passed, the Puritans continued to increase in numbers as well as prominence, even garnering seats in Parliament. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLQCSwv4OViZU7C3epiRK1ju4xLuW4Bk7Q2E051g8kxPuHyLu5vWUJ4h7HV065ktBXjal-uAYGZ04_xgjiikOy1uX7VKkWhZa7LhuEeyK1uHSD5psPp7ZZRHoK_OR-my-A453910TGOhrR8POl63ShI_Wlhn1BAJ-9LFWtZo7jLOICkAXZ-DmqwwrBpUlf/s640/IMG_2478%202.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLQCSwv4OViZU7C3epiRK1ju4xLuW4Bk7Q2E051g8kxPuHyLu5vWUJ4h7HV065ktBXjal-uAYGZ04_xgjiikOy1uX7VKkWhZa7LhuEeyK1uHSD5psPp7ZZRHoK_OR-my-A453910TGOhrR8POl63ShI_Wlhn1BAJ-9LFWtZo7jLOICkAXZ-DmqwwrBpUlf/s320/IMG_2478%202.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cambridge University</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Things went back and forth in England with cataclysmic swings: Edward, who was Henry’s only male heir and was raised by Protestant tutors, took things in a more Protestant direction once he became king, but had a short reign because of his ill health and early death.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Bloody Mary, Henry's daughter with Catherine of Aragon, had ascended to the throne when Edward died. Full of bitterness and rage, Mary killed somewhere in the neighborhood of 400 Protestant Christians, imprisoning and persecuting countless more during her reign as she sought to purge England of Reformation influences. This included the execution of Thomas Cramner, the Archbishop of Canterbury, who had embraced the Bible and salvation by grace, and was taking reforms in that direction until he was deposed and later killed.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Then came Elizabeth, Henry VIII’s daughter with second wife Anne Boleyn, who was raised by Protestant tutors that taught her the New Testament, causing her to embrace reform once she took the throne. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth’s mother was a Protestant and known to keep a contraband copy of the <a href="https://youtu.be/ODWoBdWSogE" target="_blank">Tyndale Bible</a> that she faithfully read, secretly hiding it from the King. Some have speculated that this could have been the actual reason behind her demise when she was set up by Catholic spies and was subsequently executed.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">After Bloody Mary’s short chaotic reign, Queen Elizabeth’s forty-year reign brought forth in England a time of prosperity, general stability, growth, and expansion like never before.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">During her reign, the Spanish Armada, which was on its way to invade England an<span lang="X-NONE">d force it back </span>in<span lang="X-NONE">to Catholicism</span>, was miraculously <span lang="X-NONE">defeated at sea by a sudden and miraculous </span>shift in the direction of the wind at one of the most crucial points in<span lang="X-NONE"> the battle. This thrusted </span>England <span lang="X-NONE">into the forefront </span>as<span lang="X-NONE"> a major </span>world <span lang="X-NONE">powe</span>r.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span lang="X-NONE">Elizabeth</span>,<span lang="X-NONE"> however</span>,<span lang="X-NONE"> never married and </span>thus <span lang="X-NONE">had no</span> heir to <span lang="X-NONE">carry</span> on<span lang="X-NONE"> her legacy</span>. A new king was sought and found in James VI of Scotland, who was crowned King James I of England. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Many Puritans hoped King James would embrace full reform, the kind the Puritans idealized. The fact that he was from Scotland and raised Protestant, and that Scotland had had its own Reformation with <a href="https://youtu.be/uVIrO6BKm2s" target="_blank">John Knox</a> as one of its principal leaders, gave some hope to that idea.<sup><o:p></o:p></sup></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">King James, however, was quite the unusual fellow: he sputtered and slobbered when he spoke, had his own theological ideas, and didn't have much tolerance for Puritans. He was a bit paranoid of his kingship being threatened and viewed the Puritans with suspicion, fearful of their increasing numbers and power.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Some time after taking the throne, the Puritans presented King James with a “Millenary Petition,” meaning one thousand Puritan leaders had signed it, requesting more reforms. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">All the requests presented by the Puritans were flatly denied by the king, and instead many suffered persecution. But there was one request King James would “authorize,” and one only: an official translation of the Bible.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7jcsNfJwn-DeAWZ_Ud8qk2wFCPyjTtGMR_m7dXq_Nh2g-PLfX_8aamElmV4j0BcoRn8-p7Lg1eR_5jyCjTGvwEPwtxmFQPjLbqlaVzTi104CJ3Zjk6R2B1RnkDDKj10svqxMuzKYIwvvRU-e834l9TFOf7n3wvTSOmKXswcaVwdEDg9nv_ubqsuI-TDHm/s844/IMG_9116.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="610" data-original-width="844" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7jcsNfJwn-DeAWZ_Ud8qk2wFCPyjTtGMR_m7dXq_Nh2g-PLfX_8aamElmV4j0BcoRn8-p7Lg1eR_5jyCjTGvwEPwtxmFQPjLbqlaVzTi104CJ3Zjk6R2B1RnkDDKj10svqxMuzKYIwvvRU-e834l9TFOf7n3wvTSOmKXswcaVwdEDg9nv_ubqsuI-TDHm/s320/IMG_9116.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://youtu.be/ZEAl5iOyY6c" target="_blank">William Tyndale</a> had made a translation of the entire New Testament as well as a substantial portion of the Old Testament, when he was hunted down and killed for his effort. His Bibles had been smuggled into England for some time and were embraced and read by many throughout the land. Coverdale had made a few revisions later resulting in what was called the Geneva Bible. These illegal Bibles were hugely popular but remained as contraband. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTT3M9P88uUJ5ziwdJfeFh4Q-850ECYxYTKHaLfG2WyESNHOK363Nwyffsvct6sqGoWndVxksua8xZ-zvc2RMc8ywy_qn52p4cAP2WH9Bruy-Gyy2Ksq_TdywKOqyP8sSgRWirqV4OEJTSeTozgx5I_cGOxu59Snt7reex6idXFPMUaxgcwgtwXxDT2tN/s631/IMG_8525.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="631" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTT3M9P88uUJ5ziwdJfeFh4Q-850ECYxYTKHaLfG2WyESNHOK363Nwyffsvct6sqGoWndVxksua8xZ-zvc2RMc8ywy_qn52p4cAP2WH9Bruy-Gyy2Ksq_TdywKOqyP8sSgRWirqV4OEJTSeTozgx5I_cGOxu59Snt7reex6idXFPMUaxgcwgtwXxDT2tN/s320/IMG_8525.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tower of London</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The Puritans now wanted an Authorized Version of the Bible that would be fully legal. The scholars assembled by King James used Tyndale’s version as their basis and thus, according to David Daniell, scholar from Oxford, nine-tenths of the New Testament and much of the Old Testament in the King James Bible was actually Tyndale’s work. In reality, according to David Daniell, “It was Tyndale who gave us our English Bible.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">With the exception of a new Authorized Version of the Bible, things were not getting better for the Puritans in jolly ole England. Eventually, some chose to leave as the persecution and difficulties continued for Puritans in England. After an unsuccessful attempt to settle in Holland, a group of Puritans, including Puritans of a more radical bent called Separatists, made a go for the New World. They would venture to cross the raging sea seeking a free place to worship as they saw fit.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">They were taking a huge risk as they sailed across the Atlantic upon the Mayflower and founded Plymouth, the first colony to endure and sustain in North America. Other colonies, like Jamestown, had been attempted before them but had failed as most everyone had died of starvation or exposure to the freezing weather. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The pilgrims made a Compact upon the Mayflower before coming ashore that their endeavor should be: “For the glory of God and the Advancement of the Christian faith...” The centrality of spreading the Gospel was rooted in the very foundation of the nation as it all began.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Furthermore, contrary to popular revisionism and according to numerous sources, including the History Museum in Plymouth, Massachusetts, the first settlers had good relations with the Native Peoples for several decades. In fact, it was the Native Peoples who actually helped them survive that first grueling winter.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">More English Puritans would continue to come across the ocean in their wake as well, and with them came their trusted copies of the King James Bible. The Puritan preachers in England were inspiring their followers to come across the sea in obedience to the Great Commission and plant the Gospel in the New World. They thus laid a foundation of faith and promise in the New World.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">In fact, historian Sydney Ahlstrom points out that it is quite the anomaly that the early North American colonies should be made up of so many English Puritans, when the New World had been first discovered by the Spanish. Furthermore, the French, the Dutch, and many others were here before, but it was the English Puritans inspired by the Great Commission, who comprised the majority of the early North American colonies, giving them a specific foundation of Reformation-influenced faith.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="157" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1ZeIrIfW1QI?si=oG7WJoJjYmfcYTxz" title="YouTube video player" width="280"></iframe></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://youtu.be/1ZeIrIfW1QI" target="_blank">Direct link: https://youtu.be/1ZeIrIfW1QI</a></span></div></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Furthermore, by the time independence came around, seventy-five percent of the signers of the Declaration of Independence were of Puritan stock. In fact, Benjamin Franklin himself was baptized in a Puritan church in the city of Boston.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The strong foundation of faith was absolutely part of the beginnings of this country's origins, as God shed His grace upon the land. As the old hymn declares: “His Grace has led us safe thus far and Grace will lead us on.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Luther first experienced that grace via the Word of God and the revelation of the Holy Spirit. Let the Holy Spirit fill you today and fill your heart with Thanksgiving to God for the awesome blessing of giving us grace through His Son Jesus Christ!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Postscript: </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span><span style="font-family: verdana;">We encourage you to “like” and “share” this blog and the following videos with others, helping spread the important history of our roots, especially in the light of recent statements like this by a Christian Education group: “Misinformation about our America’s founding is spreading across our country like wildfire. Unfortunately, that is true in the public education system as well. But America is an exceptional nation and every citizen should know about its unique history…which is steeped in, and influenced by, the Christian Faith…”</span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Videos:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span>·<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> <a href="https://youtu.be/1ZeIrIfW1QI" target="_blank"> </a></span><a href="https://youtu.be/1ZeIrIfW1QI" target="_blank"><!--[endif]-->The Reformation Revelation</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span>·<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><a href="https://youtu.be/9ROTGU2dWfc" target="_blank">Thanksgiving and Its Ties to The Reformation and Revival</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span>·<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><a href="https://youtu.be/xRM3-jqexe0" target="_blank">Plymouths Pilgrims and Their Christian faith</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span>·<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> <a href="https://youtu.be/QcV3_H1DM9M" target="_blank"> </a></span><a href="https://youtu.be/QcV3_H1DM9M" target="_blank"><!--[endif]-->The Great Awakening</a></span><o:p></o:p></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span>Connect to Grace World Mission: </span><span style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration: none;"><a href="https://linktr.ee/graceworldmission" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://linktr.ee/graceworldmission</a></span></span></div>Bryan Marleauxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13487366566603016522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490628812024688145.post-34126037837320132342023-10-30T19:28:00.006-07:002023-10-30T19:37:01.838-07:00The Reformation Revelation: Foundation for Revival<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="157" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1ZeIrIfW1QI?si=zQtyC8y1ODOXEdn2" title="YouTube video player" width="280"></iframe></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">New YouTube video on the Reformation</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://youtu.be/1ZeIrIfW1QI" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/1ZeIrIfW1QI</a></span></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Martin Luther experienced a revelation from the Holy Spirit about the grace of God that sent forth far reaching waves of reform, renewal, and revival, creating a ripple effect that would have great impact through the nations and history. In fact, the Reformation became the foundation for the revivals that followed in its wake.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>From Law Student to Monk</b> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Luther had originally been studying to become a lawyer. However, he had a near-death experience on the way to law school one day: He got caught in a thunderstorm and a bolt of lightning struck the ground right next to him knocking him down, and in terror he cried out to Saint Anne, the patron saint of the miners (as his father was a miner) vowing that he would become a monk if he survived.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Having survived the storm, he entered the monastery and became a Catholic monk seeking to find peace with God. However, he was soon bogged down and struggling with all the rituals imposed upon him within the Catholic structure. These rituals didn’t bring forth the peace with God he sought but rather served only to drive him further away from God,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">He sought to earnestly follow the Catholic teaching that says: Each and every sin ever committed must be remembered and confessed to a priest in order to be forgiven. In obedience to these teachings, Luther would rack his memory and confess his sins hours and hours a day. After leaving the confessional, he would often remember something he’d done as a child and return for more confessing.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The leader of the monastery grew so tired of his coming so often to the confessional he finally blew up at him, “Why don’t you go out and commit some real sins and come back when you actually have something worth confessing.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Seeking to find a way to distract him and redirect his attention, and frankly get him out of the monastery for being such a bother, the leader of the monastery decided to have Luther go and study the Bible at Wittenberg. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">This, however, was not the norm for monks, priests, nor any of the clergy, except some of the highest Catholic theologians who were permitted to read the Bible and interpret it. In fact, the Catholic Church had forbidden common people from even possessing a Bible at the Synod of Toulouse in 1229. Furthermore, the Catholic Church only allowed the Bible to be in Latin—a long dead language even then that very few could understand. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">As pointed out by David Daniell: The Bible might have well been in Chinese for all the good it did forcing it to be kept only in Latin. Very, very few could read Latin, and this included the vast majority of the clergy. Instead of the Scriptures the church substituted a book called “The Little Hours of Mary” promoting the cult of the Virgin and her worship.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Because Luther had studied law, he wouldn’t have to begin by learning Latin first. He was moved from Eisleben to Wittenberg, Germany and began to read the Bible and study Paul’s Epistles in the New Testament. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">He subsequently began wrestling with Paul’s words about justification especially in the book of Romans. After some time wrestling and contemplating it, he finally had the light break forth and received revelation from the Holy Spirit as he gained understanding of Jesus’ full payment for sin on the cross.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">He understood after a long period of struggle that Jesus had paid the price for our sin on the cross, and simply through faith in Christ we are justified and put right with God through His grace, the grace that comes through faith in Christ’s atonement. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Indeed, Paul communicates about: A Righteousness that comes from God and is by faith and through God’s grace we are justified. (Romans 1:16-17, 3:21-23)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Luther finally understood that all his sin was paid for “once for all” by Christ when he took our sins on the cross. Once one repents and receives Christ there is no need to remember each and every sin and confess it to a priest, just believe upon Jesus. Luther spoke of how he was born again when he finally understood this.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>A Revelation That Reverberated</b> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">This rediscovery of this central truth of the New Testament and teaching of Jesus and the Apostles (John: 1:12, 3:16, 6:29, Romans 3:21, Ephesians 2:8-10) had far reaching implications and brought forth waves of renewal, reform, and revival, causing a ripple effect throughout the nations and history. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">This revelation caused Luther to challenge some of the teachings and practices that the Catholic Church was engaging in, especially when indulgences began to be sold in his region—basically the selling of forgiveness to reduce time in purgatory—by a priest named Tetzel.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Luther drew up some Theses, his intention however was only to debate with some of the other theologians.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Before he knew it though he was in the middle of a conflagration, as unbeknownst to him some students had taken Luther’s Theses that he’d nailed to the Castle Church door in Wittenberg on October 31<sup>st </sup>1517—which marks the beginning of the Reformation—and reprinted and distributed them widely. As they went out it caused a widespread “Ja wohl” by many who had grown tired of the errors and abuses in Catholicism. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">This reverberation spread to where even the Pope down in Italy eventually got wind of it and reacted: “Who is this drunken German?! I’ll have this heretic burned at the stake within two weeks!” An onslaught of reaction by the powers that be sought to silence Luther who, having been touched in the heart by the grace of God, was of no mind to back down now.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The accusations against someone who would dare challenge the established religious system—especially against a system that was producing large amounts of money —flew fast and furious at Luther.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Didier Erasmus, a well-known reform-minded professor, jested that Luther’s “sin”was to dare touch the money-making system of the church and dare challenge the authority of the pope who saw himself as some type of king now.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">As Luther was railed against, he actually grew bolder and spoke and wrote out more, which was touching many and causing him quite a following.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The religious system was not tolerant of any dissent and sought ways to silence him—as they had done to all those who had sought reform and a return to Biblical principles in the past—usually with a formal condemnation labeling them a heretic and then burning them at the stake. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Jan Hus had sought a similar return to Biblical teaching a century earlier and was condemned and burned at the stake for it. However, right before his death, he prophesied of another reformer being raised up in 100 years who they would not be able to burn: It was one hundred years later when Luther experienced his <b>revelation of the grace of Jesus Christ </b>while reading Romans, which set the Reformation in motion.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>Attempts to Silence Luther</b> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">As Luther had already garnered a following, with some even in higher positions agreeing with him, there was a cautionary approach in dealing with him lest the public revolt. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Thus, a debate with one of their staunch theologians was proffered. Luther would debate Johan Eck, who the Catholic leaders thought would make quick work of Luther and then begin the process afterwards of condemning him as a notorious heretic.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">However, Luther stood up to Eck in the debate and proved to be an equal match. Eck thus resorted to calling Luther a Wycliffite and a Hussite, two men who had earlier attempted to bring reform and a return to Biblical foundations and were condemned for it. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">During a break in the debate, Luther went to the library to make a quick study of Hus and Wycliff and came back declaring: I am a Wycliffite and a Hussite for they were not wrong and were wrongly condemned. Quite the bold statement for someone who would not want to be condemned and burned himself.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">By and large the debate backfired, and Luther only grew more renowned. He displayed a fluency in the Scriptures and a boldness that was clearly coming from on high; it wasn't his natural inclination.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">In time Luther was called to answer before a Diet—a type of trial—in the city of Worms. Luther was called before a panel that included even the emperor himself, who was the most powerful person in the world at that time, to be examined regarding his teachings. Having been assured he would be able to discuss his views, he came willingly. Yet when he was called before the Diet, he was only given the option to recant all his teaching or face the consequences, which would mean being labeled a heretic and executed.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Luther was sweating profusely while being examined, but in the end refused to recant and took his stand saying: “My conscience is captive to the word of God, to go against conscience and the word is neither right nor safe, I cannot and will not recant anything. Here I stand, so help me God.” The room erupted, some with outrage, others cheering Luther on with bravos, as he walked out. Some of those on the panel dropped out and refused to condemn Luther, saying he was only returning to the Bible. However, a rump of the panel decided to condemn him and have him arrested the next day.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">During the night however, divine intervention took place and the peasants’ Bundschuh was placarded on the building. This was the sign of the Peasants’ Revolt and signaled that if Luther was arrested there would be riots by the peasants throughout the region. The Diet was thrown into a panic and decided it would be better to arrest him quietly after he returned home. He'd surely never make it home, however, since Catholic fanatics—keepers of the Inquisition—would be waiting to assassinate him on the way.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>Divine Intervention Again </b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The Elector Prince of Saxony, Frederick the Wise, had been persuaded Luther was doing nothing wrong and was only seeking to return to the church's original Biblical foundations. Frederick set up a ruse and had his knights secretly kidnap Luther as soon as he began his journey back. They surrounded him and with much screaming, yelling, and cussing, made a big show of grabbing him while secretly whisking him away, having riders all take off in different directions, as he was snuck off to be hidden at an old, abandoned castle in Eisenach called the Wartburg.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">For nearly a year Luther was hidden away at the Wartburg, where while stuck hiding out, he worked on a translation of the New Testament into the common German tongue. Luther’s German Translation of the Bible became one of the biggest boons and blessings spreading the Gospel and the Reformation throughout Germany and into other nations. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The word had spread about how Luther had taken a stance for the truth at the Diet of Worms, and he had become a hero to many Germans as time had passed and he was only more popular. There was no chance now of being able to apprehend him without widespread uprisings after this. This one they were not able to burn, fulfilling Jan Hus’s prophecy he had made as he was about to be executed for trying to bring about reform as well a hundred years earlier.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>The Reformation Spreads to England</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">One of the places to eventually get impacted, amongst many others, was England and the British Isles.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Luther’s teaching began to cross the channel from Germany into England and began to be regularly discussed and debated, especially at the University in Cambridge.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The White Horse Inn, a pub on campus, became a central location for discussions about the teachings of the New Testament and about Christ’s payment for sin being received by faith versus the Catholic Church’s teachings on rituals, masses, holy water, confession, the papacy, etc.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Amongst some of the early adopters of a return to the roots of New Testament Christianity influenced by Luther were Thomas Cramner, who would become a reforming Archbishop of Canterbury, as well as William Tyndale.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Tyndale transferred from Oxford to Cambridge because Oxford was resistant to reform and held a prohibition against the Bible being translated into the English language—this became a stain on Oxford’s historical legacy—standing against one of the greatest contributions to the English language and culture in history.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Tyndale had in mind to do just that and translate the Bible into common English. He was a Catholic priest who had also a l experienced a personal conversion to Christ like Luther. He’d also come to understand that it was faith in Christ alone through His grace that salvation is received. <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Tyndale knew that if people could read the New Testament for themselves, they could see that simple faith in Christ alone is all that was necessary for salvation.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Tyndale writes: “Repent and Believe the gospel...and begin life anew! And his Spirit shall dwell in thee and be strong in thee and his promises shall be given thee at the last…and all things forgiven for Christ’s blood’s sake…Commit yourself to Him without respect either of thy good deeds or thy bad, repentance and belief is all! Works count for nothing in Christ’s blood!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">He thus saw the need for the Bible to be made accessible to the common person. This required it to be translated into the English language. The Catholic Church opposed translations into vernacular languages and only allowed the Bible to be in Latin—a language that had been long dead even then. Against persecution, oppression, and misunderstanding, Tyndale set out to make a translation from the original Greek into English. Erasmus had recently assembled and published the original Greek version of the New Testament into a whole manuscript, making it available and taking the control out of the hands of the Catholic Church.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Tyndale, like Luther, used Erasmus’s Greek manuscript to begin translating the New Testament into English. Soon persecution ramped up and he eventually left England and met with Luther in Germany. Luther’s German translation was another blessing and helped Tyndale finish his New Testament translation. Tyndale printed the first editions of his New Testament in Germany, at Cologne, and had them smuggled as pocket Bibles into England. They were popular amongst the people but opposed by the Catholic clergy and his Bibles were even rounded up and burned by the Bishop in London.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>Tyndale’s Bible and the Spread of the Gospel</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The Bible being accessible eventually spread movements of faith and reform through the land and eventually gave rise to further spread of the Gospel and the rise of renewal and revival movements.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Amongst them were the Puritans in England which, according to historian Sydney Alhstrom were a revival movement that sought a return to the Christianity found in the New Testament. They also taught that believers need to experience Christ in their lives and should receive His grace in their hearts, as head knowledge by itself alone is insufficient.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">They were increasingly marginalized in England. A group of Separatist Puritans eventually left seeking freedom to worship as they desired. Sailing across the sea on the Mayflower and arrived on the shores of America in 1620. They started the first colony that would sustain and last and grow into a continued movement of Puritans coming across the sea, in the process creating the early Christian fabric of America.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">That first colony that landed in Plymouth was dedicated to the glory of God and the advancement of the Christian faith. In time, many revivals that were connected to that still-reverberating revelation from Luther and the Reformation, would be spawned in the New World. Though there may be some differences in theology and ideas with different individual groups over time, that core remained the same: It is by grace you are saved through faith, it is the gift of God, not by works, lest any man should boast. And God freely gives the Holy Spirit to those who ask and believe and will fill to overflowing those who call upon him.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>Some of the Movements and Revivals that followed in the wake of the Reformation: </b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Great Awakening: </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://youtu.be/QcV3_H1DM9M " target="_blank">https://youtu.be/QcV3_H1DM9M </a></span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">William Tyndale: <a href="https://youtu.be/ZEAl5iOyY6c" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/ZEAl5iOyY6c</a></span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The Pilgrims: </span><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://youtu.be/xRM3-jqexe0" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/xRM3-jqexe0</a></span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">George Whitfield and the 18th century revivals: <a href="https://youtu.be/sq1B2qNX-Ks" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/sq1B2qNX-Ks</a></span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">John Wesley and the Methodist revivals: Wesley was converted during a reading of Luther’s Preface to his Commentary on Romans: <a href="https://youtu.be/Hh4m6oSKvyM" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/Hh4m6oSKvyM</a></span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Finney Revivals: </span><a href="https://on.soundcloud.com/HEgZi" target="_blank">https://on.soundcloud.com/HEgZi</a></span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-19-the-cane-ridge-revival/id157483666?i=1000012224974" target="_blank">The Cane Ridge Revivals</a></span></span></li></ul><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">And even into modern times : <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Harald Bredesen and the Charismatic renewal: A Lutheran who becomes Spirit-filled and shares his experience with other Lutherans and other mainline denominational believers: <a href="https://youtu.be/K7Xciiw2ebI" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/K7Xciiw2ebI</a></span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Lonnie Frisbee</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">and the Jesus people Revival:</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> It was a Reformational type of return to the priesthood of all believers and the simplicity of the New Testament and God's grace to save whosoever calls upon him, even Hippies (!) that brought forth one of the biggest modern revivals: </span><a href="https://youtu.be/0OgfmU13sPI" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/0OgfmU13sPI</a></span></li></ul><div><span style="font-size: large;">Connect to Grace World Mission: </span><a href="https://linktr.ee/graceworldmission" style="color: #2288bb; font-family: georgia; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">https://linktr.ee/graceworldmission</span></a></div><p></p>Bryan Marleauxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13487366566603016522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490628812024688145.post-13823128990234330942023-07-24T13:36:00.007-07:002023-07-28T18:25:38.498-07:00Ministry Update - Summer 2023<h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Patrick and Emily Get Married!
</span><br /><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_OZMquq0GYWD4jHHxJrAsUoZpXcdgNG_nQipZOqGQZx0PaGDQpPVrfBrjHkb4omsEs6FC2E5BZNEOTlbr6DNMRFY2Mwsl0KNQOUAddSQEtCekOFpn35aWKDzJK4uDhjtfidTao-V6q9B4Ep1LDBz1nCOlXgFO_baDOw565cX64Q9pY9mS_fpE65MAA8I/s2048/IMG_5793.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_OZMquq0GYWD4jHHxJrAsUoZpXcdgNG_nQipZOqGQZx0PaGDQpPVrfBrjHkb4omsEs6FC2E5BZNEOTlbr6DNMRFY2Mwsl0KNQOUAddSQEtCekOFpn35aWKDzJK4uDhjtfidTao-V6q9B4Ep1LDBz1nCOlXgFO_baDOw565cX64Q9pY9mS_fpE65MAA8I/w400-h400/IMG_5793.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrating the marriage of Patrick and Emily. Now aka Mr. and Mrs Marleaux</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;"><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">We are excited to have just experienced an amazing life event as our son Patrick got married! It was such an awesome time celebrating with friends and family as Patrick and his beautiful bride Emily came together in the union of marriage at their wedding! </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">We also had such a fun-filled week leading up to the big day, getting in some surfing and beach time and other activities with them and some others as the time drew near. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">We are stoked that Emily is a strong believer and that they both are leading worship together! In fact, there is an important story behind this that is about perseverance which I think is important to share, which I also shared at the wedding: </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">We were on a trip years back when Patrick had just begun his teens. We had a rental car since ours was in the shop, which had satellite radio in it. We were driving along when a long set of Gospel music and Hymns sung by Elvis came on. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I began worshiping along which brought me into the presence of the Lord. I unexpectedly got a word of knowledge that Patrick would someday lead worship, which took me by surprise.<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: normal;"><br />It caused me to remember that some years before this, Mercedes and I were leading worship at Pearl Chapel on the Central California Coast, when Patrick who was just 9 years old, spontaneously came up on the platform to the microphone and started singing with us. I knew it was something prophetic…then came this word while driving which confirmed it (you can see it in this video: <a href="https://youtu.be/MGH8Vpnp_tI">https://youtu.be/MGH8Vpnp_tI</a>)
<br /><br />Then the trials began! I had been teaching him guitar already. After the word came I began to try teaching him about doing worship and some worship songs. It couldn’t have gone more opposite than I expected. <br /><br />Those early teens are also when some of that typical teenage rebelliousness starts flaring up. I was tempted to just forget it because he would just go, “ahh worship stuff is so boring… this is dullsville...” and he just wanted to do riffs and leads on the guitar and just ignore what I was teaching him. <br /><br />I actually tried to work with his interests and incorporate riffs and leads into teaching and still slip in worship stuff but the resistance to the worship parts continued. He was quite stubborn about it and I was tempted to give up many times, but the Lord just kept showing me to persevere and that it would come to fruition…in His time.
<br /><br />Well, I had another word of knowledge about two years ago that Patrick was supposed to come to a meeting we were going to in Orange County with some missionary friends.
He decided to come and that is where he unexpectedly met Emily.
<br /><br />They began going to some House Church meetings together, where he encountered some guys his age doing worship and his attitude started changing. Then, an opportunity came for him and Emily to lead worship together themselves at a small House Church … they stepped through that door and are still doing it! Patrick actually apologized later for some of that earlier teenage stubbornness, praise God!
<br /><br />The Lord fulfilled the word in His time…it just took some perseverance…around 7 years worth or so. I was rejoicing when I watched him show a visiting friend recently all the worship songs he has learned.
<br /><br />We as believers may sometimes get a word, or a vision, or something of that nature for ourselves, or something like that for a son or daughter, and maybe it’s not fulfilled right away, maybe it takes a long, long time, and even gets to a point that it seems it will never happen…however, perseverance is emphasized as a needed factor in the Kingdom of God: from Abraham all the way through to the Apostle Paul, perseverance was required to fulfill the call! <br /><br />Then, sometimes when it’s fulfilled, it happens in a way we didn’t expect at all. But as we walk on in the Kingdom, we see that His grace and mercy never fades nor diminishes….even if His higher ways are sometimes mysterious and not understood right away…Praise the Lord!
<br /><br />Patrick and Emily got to enjoy a beautiful honeymoon and are now beginning their newly joined union and lives together. And we are catching our breath after all that activity of the last few months leading up to the wedding. It was an especially busy time as the wedding rolled up and took place while plenty of other ministry was going on as well.
<br /><br /></span></p></span><p></p></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Ministry Update
</span></h4><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">Here are some highlights from recent ministry:
</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAtlXD_vWykLVt17yjYo8ORc-453wnAkboDLkFzXzMvtfz5zxZVtLkk4PWvhSSEdNElHimiSM3o243ZVzzl4S_MO8oQn3_4VGR2YgBlcfZ2Zvq3EmAXg2QUR7KQhDH0Mh_kVVKjNGwznouflHcc28Lb6ThX_bbfn4TKzEckaCgBEMYmjLTHZG4Le25zFWO/s2048/IMG_5939.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAtlXD_vWykLVt17yjYo8ORc-453wnAkboDLkFzXzMvtfz5zxZVtLkk4PWvhSSEdNElHimiSM3o243ZVzzl4S_MO8oQn3_4VGR2YgBlcfZ2Zvq3EmAXg2QUR7KQhDH0Mh_kVVKjNGwznouflHcc28Lb6ThX_bbfn4TKzEckaCgBEMYmjLTHZG4Le25zFWO/w400-h400/IMG_5939.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ministering the Baptism of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Sunday @ CCSC</td></tr></tbody></table><br />We had just been preaching up north in Salinas at the Vineyard Church there, right before Patrick and Emily’s big day. We were ministering with our friend Dave E. and were sharing and reflecting on: The Mother’s Day Outpouring at what was then called Calvary Chapel Yorba Linda. It later became The Anaheim Vineyard and we shared how Lonnie Frisbee had ministered there on Mother’s Day and the outpouring that followed when Lonnie began praying for the Holy Spirit to come over the congregation. We experienced a very powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit ourselves in Salinas as we shared about that and then ministered with many being filled, empowered, and renewed, including some who had awesome breakthroughs with being filled and touched in a fresh way by the Holy Spirit’s power! In fact, a woman who had been wanting to receive the gift of tongues for years got her breakthrough when she got prayed for! Others received healing, and testimonies came of those who were set free from depression and discouragement and others shared of important encounters and personal revelations that buoyed their faith. Hallelujah!
</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">We had a fun time on Pentecost Sunday and their night of worship at Calvary Chapel San Clemente as they played some of that worship from back in the Jesus People Revival and I followed up by sharing about some adventures back in the Jesus People Revival and how I ended up at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa. Mercedes shared about the times we had learning and being organically discipled by Lonnie Frisbee. It was an awesome time of worship, sharing, and praying for others for the filling of the Holy Spirit whose presence was with us as we ministered! We have also done some Afterglows with them in recent months as well!
</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">We were blessed to reconnect with old friends and meet new ones while ministering recently in the Santa Barbara area at Mission Isla Vista. We had a blessed time sharing and praying for people. The Holy Spirit filled, empowered, and renewed so many who were there, we also heard about some healings that happened too. We were told it was the most people they have had respond for prayer there and it was one of the most powerful times we’ve had ministering there, hallelujah! We also got to enjoy a few things in the area including a little biking and some firing waves at Rincon on the way out of town that suddenly had an unexpected late season swell just show up. An unusual encounter with a famous pro surfer from the area encouraged us to get out there even if it was a little crowded. In fact, Mercedes was stoked that she got to surf and experience the famous point break herself for the first time!
</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">We had a powerful time ministering at Centro Cristiano Esperanza in Orange County and we were blessed to have Patrick and Emily join us to help pray for people there as well. This led to many people getting ministered to in a powerful way, many were filled and empowered with the Holy Spirit as well as a few who received Christ along with some who who rededicated their lives to the Lord! The power and glory of the Lord was amongst us as we ministered!
</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">We’ve continued ministering in various regions including the border areas sharing the Gospel and praying for others and have also had some powerful divine appointments. As the Jesus Revolution movie came out, it has sparked fresh interest about experiences with that revival and with Lonnie Frisbee, which we have been sharing about. You can check out an article we did which was actually picked up by an International Renewal publication as well as a video we’ve done here: </span><a href="https://www.graceworldmission.org/Jesus_ppl_revival.html" style="font-weight: normal;">https://www.graceworldmission.org/Jesus_ppl_revival.html</a>
<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcMxpMQroqeI2H0Haur1iPBh18AA70X4q2oU2NMCxsxhHTHPqwEvoP1XLUh1cK9rQ3w3YDMGc68tK0Y0kq1VY73W_0QXWxOutICWcAWfPp-0bm21DWvYa-cWekGt7-viJv49AoZoPPDz5HTrVObZ7TjMy7DerBwXNvdWF9-uhn64fcBKyS1Gpm5DyL97Pq/s2048/IMG_4057.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcMxpMQroqeI2H0Haur1iPBh18AA70X4q2oU2NMCxsxhHTHPqwEvoP1XLUh1cK9rQ3w3YDMGc68tK0Y0kq1VY73W_0QXWxOutICWcAWfPp-0bm21DWvYa-cWekGt7-viJv49AoZoPPDz5HTrVObZ7TjMy7DerBwXNvdWF9-uhn64fcBKyS1Gpm5DyL97Pq/w400-h400/IMG_4057.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With our friends Jeff and Jeannette and other friends at PrayerFest.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div>We were also blessed to do a PrayerFest out in Hemet with our friends Jeff and Jeanette. It had been a little while, due to Covid and schedule issues, that we were able to get all together. We were reminded that it was the 15-year anniversary since the first one we had done together with them, and in that time over the years, we’ve seen numerous blessings and breakthroughs including healings and people coming to Christ. In fact, we were reminded by a friend who was visiting that night and told us how his son had gotten touched and empowered by the Holy Spirit and then healed of celiac disease at one of the PrayerFest meetings, as well as a woman who had her knee healed, as well as many others who have received healings as well as the filling of the Holy Spirit, praise the Lord!
</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">In fact, the main focus at these meetings has been leading people into “the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.” We have been blessed to see many who are not necessarily Charismatic nor Pentecostal but rather have backgrounds like Baptist, Nazarene, Presbyterian, etc, come into the Fullness and Baptism of the Holy Spirit and be empowered with the gifts in these meetings in awesome ways, Praise the Lord! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">We are glad to be continuing on with the legacy of our old friend and another mentor, Harald Bredesen, who was a Lutheran that got filled with the Holy Spirit and subsequently led many others in the Body of Christ who were not Charismatic/Pentecostal in background to come into the baptism of the Holy Spirit in that powerful Charismatic Renewal, which Harald helped birth and lead.
</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">It is an important need in the Body of Christ: I recall a friend who shared how he was worshiping at one of the biggest mega churches in the country and out of nowhere he began speaking in tongues. He was subsequently escorted from his seat and shown the door, and then kicked out of the church! His story gives insight into the desperate need in the Body of Christ for clear teaching and ministry on the empowering and baptism of the Holy Spirit that is sound evangelically and taught in a way that can be received without the pitfalls of extremism. We have been blessed to minister over the years to unexpected groups which are not normally open to the empowering and baptism of the Holy Spirit and see many get filled and blessed by the fullness of the Holy Spirit! Hallelujah!
</span><br /><br />Acts 1:5: “For John truly baptized with water, but in a few days hence you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit!<br /><br /></span><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2s2ZrZArn5gjrYpQ0rFKRsWjaRH9ytmT-OCWj_b1NEM8N5EgePVpw7K2HzVOF1fc-OXNlfqfCjBfuKUA5tDfLgMRcOBwZ6rSTMHWeHp1kgdHqbbwvd91qJeejKAVgAAt3I7a0M3XNfP2cWATdP3ipgI0k7R4TnRaGDUwwwBfGA9UbSzzmFrd-nBKQYdRC/s1177/IMG_6181.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="726" data-original-width="1177" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2s2ZrZArn5gjrYpQ0rFKRsWjaRH9ytmT-OCWj_b1NEM8N5EgePVpw7K2HzVOF1fc-OXNlfqfCjBfuKUA5tDfLgMRcOBwZ6rSTMHWeHp1kgdHqbbwvd91qJeejKAVgAAt3I7a0M3XNfP2cWATdP3ipgI0k7R4TnRaGDUwwwBfGA9UbSzzmFrd-nBKQYdRC/w400-h246/IMG_6181.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ministering and praying for people in Santa Barbar at IVC</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">We greatly appreciate your prayers and support! As you may know the whole deal with us as parents that are helping pay for the Honeymoon, the Rehearsal Dinner, and for many other things Patrick needed for the wedding really add up, so we greatly appreciate any extra support you can give to help us out with that at this time, thanks so much!
</span><br /><br />We praise God and thank you for your prayers and support!
We are so appreciative and give thanks in Jesus’ Name!
<br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br />Bryan and Mercedes Marleaux</span></span><p></p><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://linktr.ee/graceworldmission" target="_blank">https://linktr.ee/graceworldmission</a></span></span></div>Bryan Marleauxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13487366566603016522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490628812024688145.post-82846505988910270622023-03-08T16:45:00.014-08:002023-03-11T17:13:46.272-08:00Ministry Update: Lonnie Frisbee and the Jesus People Revival as well as 2022 In Review<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">Lonnie Frisbee has been in the news recently with the release of </span><i style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">The Jesus Revolution</i><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"> movie. We’ve updated and revised an article we did on him. Our ole buddy John Ruttkay said: “This is one of the best articles on Lonnie and the Jesus People Revival I’ve ever read.” <a href="https://www.graceworldmission.org/Jesus_ppl_revival.html" target="_blank">Check it out</a>! </span></span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1497" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinB6Zn3DNYGUcQ55Pq5pLXSE3NiWzJs00Qa0ioX0j9lkY-V_EGWrrl7hUiQCAprCtr97YqmB3HhXDiiGeAnHopEIPULHI0R9FsfHroKttpeAu57dBPU_ZE1rdMolxhF1F9gE5TPyjBQTxJB8ZYIhFBJELdDYQZtJn6_Z3Zesh1dlKTA3pbugdEAWKcXg/s320/IMG_1994.jpeg" width="320" /></div></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Lonnie Frisbee and the Jesus People Revival: </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.graceworldmission.org/pdf/Lonnie%20Frisbee%20and%20the%20Jesus%20People%20Revival.pdf" target="_blank">.pdf version of article</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.graceworldmission.org/Jesus_ppl_revival.html" target="_blank">https://www.graceworldmission.org/Jesus_ppl_revival.html</a></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">With all that has been going on with the release of the movie <i>The Jesus Revolution</i> we got a little delayed with our online version of our 2022 Year in Review, so have a look at that as well!</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Year in Review </b></span><b><span style="font-family: Charter, serif;">–</span></b><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b> 2022</b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We were blessed to minister in various places this last year as things began opening up more after the last few crazy years with so much being shut down. </span><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEija2gaVcpSpbIEnY3-mG6X1n3oQPA0Q_cRWxxfyJ_FAohzZRYA0YkDfHtgRLHcvtQOSHihUQt7tJLmQCG4vetQksQwTBn_cRuFFzx4GEzsIvHYJKfNtX963YyhnoXRxsiE1DNZfsd41-qBJyZIyD9c7hsc5fpeZJtzPqTE7LG5Xy_vExb631bZsraeNA/s2046/IMG_4525.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1621" data-original-width="2046" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEija2gaVcpSpbIEnY3-mG6X1n3oQPA0Q_cRWxxfyJ_FAohzZRYA0YkDfHtgRLHcvtQOSHihUQt7tJLmQCG4vetQksQwTBn_cRuFFzx4GEzsIvHYJKfNtX963YyhnoXRxsiE1DNZfsd41-qBJyZIyD9c7hsc5fpeZJtzPqTE7LG5Xy_vExb631bZsraeNA/s320/IMG_4525.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Amongst the highlights were some places we haven’t traveled to, nor ministered at in a while, like: Colorado Springs, Colorado. We were blessed to visit with some old friends that we had not seen in a few years as well as minister at their church. We experienced an awesome visitation of the Lord’s presence that was just phenomenal and many of us ended up overwhelmed and floored by the amazing grace and presence of the Lord! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We had similar experiences up in Salinas in Northern California where we caught up with old friends as we ministered at the Vineyard up there with our friend Dave who we connected with years back when he prayed for him, and he got filled with the Holy Spirit. We experienced a powerful outpouring in Salinas that carried on until late in the evening as the Holy Spirit touched most of those who had come to the service. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We were blessed to get back up to Canada after a few years of not being up that way, after they finally opened up their border. We ministered in some different places throughout Vancouver Island including various places in the city of Victoria, as well as in the towns of Port Alberni and Port Hardy—where we experienced a visitation that overwhelmed the whole church and flooded the place with the Lord’s presence so powerfully that nobody could even hardly move! It was a blessing to see the Holy Spirit ministering in power and filling, healing and setting people free, in each service as well as a having few people receive Christ along the way, including a First Nations lady who got saved and delivered in a powerful way! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We were also thankful to get up to Mammoth Mountain in the California Sierras, where we ministered at the church in town up there after a series of divine leadings and encounters connected to another meeting down on the coast where we led worship when our friend Lauren was visiting. Lauren’s friend, whose house we had been ministering at down on the coast happened to be up in Mammoth and came to the meeting and got powerfully ministered to, along with a few others there too, it was a blessed time! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We also had some powerful ministry in various places in Orange County including when we ministered at Centro Cristiano Esperanza and experienced the Lord’s presence in an awesome way with so many at the congregation receiving from the Lord in an amazing way, as well as a few who received Christ and others who rededicated their lives to the Lord. We were blessed to have our son Patrick and his girlfriend Emily, as well as our friend Dave, help pray for people, which led to many getting ministered to. Later on at lunch that day, we prayed for the pastor’s granddaughter who got powerfully touched at a restaurant! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We had other powerful ministry in various places as well: We ministered in Los Angeles at an old friend’s church where some people received Christ and many got filled with the Holy Spirit as we ministered, as well as in other places in Orange County, which included sharing about The Jesus People Revival at Chuck Smith’s original church in OC, and other ministry along the southern border, where we continued experiencing the Kingdom of God in power each step along the way. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">On the Home Front </span></h4><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfqb7269qIgJEwQAyTKmcfTiJEGVhEMWAWxvNfI8xYZocp75NBWJYTpXawgoHrUczgwl81FnaPMHnhPaF9JuUl5LZmv08UHJYdclaz-tfucwb8iDvpnzJ9e5-Bamu1bfDbeRUe6s9d9ROr4qa8-E6nefvqBYpYD7aYHtqyRcaZySHE5k1xndlPqfC6uw/s2048/IMG_4536.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfqb7269qIgJEwQAyTKmcfTiJEGVhEMWAWxvNfI8xYZocp75NBWJYTpXawgoHrUczgwl81FnaPMHnhPaF9JuUl5LZmv08UHJYdclaz-tfucwb8iDvpnzJ9e5-Bamu1bfDbeRUe6s9d9ROr4qa8-E6nefvqBYpYD7aYHtqyRcaZySHE5k1xndlPqfC6uw/s320/IMG_4536.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We were blessed to be able to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary in 2022 and thank the Lord for His grace to us over the years. We took some time up in Canada, aside from ministering up there, to travel out to Jasper National Park and the Columbia Icefields which was a refreshing time together! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Our son Patrick got engaged to be married and we are happy to have had the Lord connect him to Emily, a Spirit-filled young lady from a missionary family! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">My (Bryan) stepfather passed away, who was in his 90’s. We were thankful to be able to minister to others in the family along the way in the final days of his illness, as well as conduct the memorial where we shared the Gospel. Along the way, we led a relative in prayer to receive Christ, and prayed for others as well, including my mom who we led to Christ a few years ago. We had some spiritual warfare in the midst of it all and got hit by a distracted driver on his cell phone right after doing the memorial. The insurance is looking to total our car—you don’t get a lot for a 17-year-old vehicle—which is our main car. So we appreciate your prayers and any contribution the Lord may lay on your heart for this need! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>We thank the Lord for each and every one of you and always really appreciate all your prayers and support. </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>Blessings to you in Jesus’ Name! </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>Bryan and Mercedes Marleaux</b></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><a href="goog_2098846703"><br /></a></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://linktr.ee/graceworldmission" target="_blank">https://linktr.ee/graceworldmission</a></span></div>Bryan Marleauxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13487366566603016522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490628812024688145.post-89291105152404195042022-12-23T14:02:00.003-08:002022-12-23T14:03:30.943-08:00Merry Christmas 2022<p><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw7qe4XV9LecHOSor7aUrkUVQ5m7ITheMN81BBwzVJi4Fi4gdWtYKiXR3rSNCgPI8gN1rh8egf9CvvfAIKiw1zR_H200Qvpr0JruJ7JslvUqConD4CPyc_wmhmJzFbfSgIqisofjH2KzBU66i_sLsNlc-y01dOCPQIShfw8H3jhieNdL82xGQoz0DKVA/s512/Merry-Christmas-Text-PNG-Free-Image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw7qe4XV9LecHOSor7aUrkUVQ5m7ITheMN81BBwzVJi4Fi4gdWtYKiXR3rSNCgPI8gN1rh8egf9CvvfAIKiw1zR_H200Qvpr0JruJ7JslvUqConD4CPyc_wmhmJzFbfSgIqisofjH2KzBU66i_sLsNlc-y01dOCPQIShfw8H3jhieNdL82xGQoz0DKVA/w320-h320/Merry-Christmas-Text-PNG-Free-Image.png" width="320" /></a></span><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZHR79RyzAXQ" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggXao0BsY5NFBvCNJWlAwWod-V2FRgE7YruQlw2Nk7oYLJnwuFgavaY6TcYwjCwl9kF1iJHbXx7y4XbMVprVmmLFsco-2sXF5VsylmYgpmKBuVi7_4dCZuHVSaD4u0vn6WLlMvlUh5n26p6AuZlO8Xi2Tz6w3f_UZnN3KorOjTDIcuRxJGng9zDOroCw/s2048/IMG_3471.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggXao0BsY5NFBvCNJWlAwWod-V2FRgE7YruQlw2Nk7oYLJnwuFgavaY6TcYwjCwl9kF1iJHbXx7y4XbMVprVmmLFsco-2sXF5VsylmYgpmKBuVi7_4dCZuHVSaD4u0vn6WLlMvlUh5n26p6AuZlO8Xi2Tz6w3f_UZnN3KorOjTDIcuRxJGng9zDOroCw/s320/IMG_3471.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Avenir;"><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Avenir;"><br /></span></span></div>And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.’ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’ </span><span style="font-family: Avenir;">Luke</span><span style="font-family: Avenir;"> </span><span style="font-family: Avenir;">2</span><span style="font-family: Avenir;">:</span><span style="font-family: Avenir;">13</span><span style="font-family: Avenir;">-</span><span style="font-family: Avenir;">14</span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;">Christ is Good News for He is that promised Messiah. He came to earth in such a humble way—a mere baby lying in a manger—because there was no room in the inn. Yet, He was surrounded by glory and supernatural signs and wonders. When we make room in our hearts and believe upon Him and receive Him, he cleanses us from all the stain and guilt of sin. Indeed, He gives us peace with God through His grace which is that unmerited favor which is given simply by faith in the Son of God.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;">We pray that His peace which passes all understanding will abide in your heart and life this Christmas and throughout the New Year.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;"><br /><span face=""Avenir Next Medium", sans-serif">God Bless You in Jesus’ Name!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;">Bryan, Mercedes <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face=""Avenir Next Medium", sans-serif"><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: large;">and Patrick Marleaux</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>Bryan Marleauxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13487366566603016522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490628812024688145.post-58188822702535424722022-11-20T14:39:00.002-08:002022-11-20T14:48:47.139-08:00Ministry Update - Fall 2022<p class="MsoTitle" style="color: navy; font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Medium"; text-align: left;"> </span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8NdGrYPss3M2AJEb4GomtF37lIK1F0NGAWPbdxHm2Ee5s6c4tLgWUl_s_JpEglXCYvEL1y9SZzyrfea5s6aTIVXhxRmET4IZRsrVzFxHkAMXmHeenYZaT6dq71J_OLsSmxpabK6tD86Yv5IGxX_E1ULO-REMaTaZepIrHdJW2_Vf0BGos1pGWkmYoPQ/s2048/IMG_2531.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8NdGrYPss3M2AJEb4GomtF37lIK1F0NGAWPbdxHm2Ee5s6c4tLgWUl_s_JpEglXCYvEL1y9SZzyrfea5s6aTIVXhxRmET4IZRsrVzFxHkAMXmHeenYZaT6dq71J_OLsSmxpabK6tD86Yv5IGxX_E1ULO-REMaTaZepIrHdJW2_Vf0BGos1pGWkmYoPQ/s320/IMG_2531.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ministry and scenes from Victoria with <br />a little time with friends like the <br />Brasset's and Pastor Dan & Julie.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Medium"; text-align: left;"><br /> </span><span style="font-family: "Avenir Medium"; text-align: left;"> </span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Medium";"><span style="font-size: large;">30 Years of Marriage <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;">We have been blessed to celebrate thirty years of marriage this year! Wow, that is actually quite the milestone!</span><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It is especially so since we both grew up in backgrounds with broken homes and divorce. However--in Christ there is that blessed “however”—the Lord has, by His grace, and the power of the Holy Spirit, helped us overcome the odds that psychologists say have been stacked against those married couples who both grow up in homes that had divorced parents.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We are thankful, as the Lord has done so much healing, inner healing, restoration, freeing, and on and on, by the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives over the years, to establish us on the Rock of Christ in our union together.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We know so many people who have gotten separated or divorced, unfortunately many Christians among them. But for the grace of God, we could be among them as well! “However” we just humbly thank the Lord—with no pride about it—as we know it is all a gift of grace from above! <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We rejoice that the Holy Spirit continues to work in our lives to heal, and bring health, to our marriage union. We feel blessed to be celebrating this 30-year marriage milestone this year and give praise to the Lord for all His blessings!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Medium";"><span style="font-size: large;">Canada Mission Trip<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We recently returned from a month-long trip ministering in British Columbia, Canada, as well as taking a little time to visit some unique and scenic places up there in celebration of our wedding anniversary.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We ministered in various meetings and churches on Vancouver Island, from the south to the north as well as in the middle of the island, ministering in the city of Victoria and in the towns of Port Alberni, and Port Hardy. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We first ministered on the south end of the island in the city of Victoria, which is the capital of British Columbia.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We did a number of meetings while in Victoria, ministering at a couple of different church services on different weekends, as well as during the week at Bible study Prayer Meetings and a Men’s Prayer Breakfast.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZmjqDxT7pww_EXwrxz6I0h8Q0asx_yNNJHTrSJdsQqLbz8IovqLpHVmPa_w7VuLtwiRdqgs0EG3ccuOWpRxYggVKxVFgmTmasnDehHLnD3NxEhQpBUWyZ4AX4yRE48tcewaij8Xb6CxJYnv_ILz19B2Y6XKTuzCl-N2IJkUpgDCaMxi3-tlV7LOJ5dA/s2048/IMG_2853.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZmjqDxT7pww_EXwrxz6I0h8Q0asx_yNNJHTrSJdsQqLbz8IovqLpHVmPa_w7VuLtwiRdqgs0EG3ccuOWpRxYggVKxVFgmTmasnDehHLnD3NxEhQpBUWyZ4AX4yRE48tcewaij8Xb6CxJYnv_ILz19B2Y6XKTuzCl-N2IJkUpgDCaMxi3-tlV7LOJ5dA/s320/IMG_2853.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ministry and scenes from Port Hardy Christian Fellowship and some time hanging out <br />with Lance and Sarah and friends, we were blessed to check out <br />some awesome wildlife and get in a bit of surf while out in Tofino.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span>We were stoked to have the presence of the Lord moving and working, all the way through in every meeting! Many were experiencing the filling, freeing, and healing power of the Holy Spirit, along with those who were baptized in the Holy Spirit.</span></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We received some powerful testimonies of some who were healed including a woman who was set free from chest pain! Others experienced inner healing and deliverance, and there was an empowering happening with a release of spiritual gifts and empowering for evangelism that was taking place as we ministered that many who received testified to! Hallelujah! <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A couple of people testified publicly, and on social media, how they felt the fire and power of the Holy Spirit, baptizing as well as re-baptizing some, in such a way with fire and Holy Ghost power as to overwhelm them, and in the process bringing healing, freedom and deliverance in their lives.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We went out with a van full of people to minister in Port Alberni where the Holy Spirit brought forth some powerful healing and deliverance to a number of people there.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">After ministering in Victoria at the southern end, we did a series of meetings in a row up in Port Hardy at the northern end of the island, so we were literally at the ends of the earth on the island.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Holy Spirit was moving powerfully as we ministered and we received testimonies of people set free, some receiving healings: A guy testified to being healed of acid reflux and another to being healed of arthritis. We also had a couple people who received the Lord! One woman who opened her heart to Christ had a First Nations’ background as well as coming from a rough set of circumstances, we witnessed a complete visible change come over her after receiving Christ. She spent the next couple of days just reading the Bible, praying, and then came to a service where she publicly shared a song the Lord had just given her! <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">At the last meeting in Port Hardy, after ministering every day for a few days, the overwhelming presence of the Lord just swept through, and nobody could even move for quite a while…complete silence … and then waves of weeping and then laughter… repentance … glory! The visitation of the Lord’s presence was so powerful that we were all overwhelmed…just turned into abiding in His presence for quite a while…and then praying and ministering to one another! Something historic revivals have experienced! Glory!!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We just met some people who have ministered in Canada in the past themselves who shared how they were so glad to hear about us going on mission trips and ministering there. They said it is a place that needs the ministry of the Holy Spirit and empowering of the Kingdom of God in a major way, and they feel it is actually overlooked as a mission and ministry destination.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Medium"; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Luther and The Reformation</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibX6PmdH1w5b61916eDYzwFxDtGqpMOGPbqDiQSXFb0WsCzhy1CUT73OpjlmHEK0_0LjDxXBScGNEanz4cHOkIZwEXw59fO9cM57zBM6KPYrBPfvQroZXGQ0Q4iI4AwPuIXYghrTnNQFfJ2_Jkwm4zusUUquuTyZvKdiYeb1FShyetSkTt0a9Fpms9dQ/s2048/7EC4EE85-4797-47B5-925D-99A4CD8156F8.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibX6PmdH1w5b61916eDYzwFxDtGqpMOGPbqDiQSXFb0WsCzhy1CUT73OpjlmHEK0_0LjDxXBScGNEanz4cHOkIZwEXw59fO9cM57zBM6KPYrBPfvQroZXGQ0Q4iI4AwPuIXYghrTnNQFfJ2_Jkwm4zusUUquuTyZvKdiYeb1FShyetSkTt0a9Fpms9dQ/s320/7EC4EE85-4797-47B5-925D-99A4CD8156F8.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scenes from when we visited Wittenberg, Germany and the Reformation Celebration a few years ago where a quarter million people flooded the little town of Wittenberg to celebrate the Reformation. We have an important article on the Reformation you can read <a href="https://gwmgracenotes.blogspot.com/2022/10/500-anniv-luthers-nt.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span>We were sharing at a morning breakfast meeting right after a long night, having gone to a BBQ and then a dinner meeting. We were pressed for time in the morning, rushing to the meeting. After we arrived and began eating breakfast, someone had left on a worship program on the TV. Out of nowhere they began playing “A Mighty Fortresses is our God” from Martin Luther, a song not part of the normal worship set at most contemporary churches. </span></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Lord had us leading some worship ourselves, and afterwards we shared about Luther and the importance of the Reformation and how it set the foundation for revivals. (We have been blessed to have opportunities to share on Luther at other meetings as well.) We had a powerful Holy Ghost morning as a result! We also just did a blog on the 505th Anniversary of the Reformation and the 500-year anniversary of Martin Luther’s New Testament Translation. You can check it out at this link:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://gwmgracenotes.blogspot.com/2022/10/500-anniv-luthers-nt.html">https://gwmgracenotes.blogspot.com/2022/10/500-anniv-luthers-nt.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Medium";"><span style="font-size: large;">Divine Appointments<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We took a hike out in the Port Hardy area after ministering, where we got to have a unique National Geographic-type moment as we watched the wild bears in the area feed on the salmon coming in from the ocean to go up river! We were originally going to hike somewhere else, but I unexpectedly had a divine appointment with a couple different people who both told me about this particular area and the bears being actively feeding at the moment! It was a unique experience and a small anniversary gift from above, along with all the blessed ministry we experienced up there, as well as getting some of the best surf and weather in Canada we’ve ever gotten when we visited the coast for a couple of days.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We actually also had a divine appointment right as we landed in Canada. We ended up praying for our shuttle driver who drove us from the airport to our hotel. We got to share with him for a while and then prayed for him in the parking lot. He was a believer who needed, and received, a fresh touch of the Holy Spirit as we prayed for him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Right before going to Canada, we had a rather lengthy divine appointment with a man from Europe as we were taking a walk one afternoon. He had grown up in a religious situation with Catholicism but had no real relationship with Christ. He heard the Gospel though, and was born again and later was empowered by the Holy Spirit. We prayed together with him to renew and revive those gifts of the Spirit in his life, and it was a blessed and powerful time that also confirmed things the Lord has been guiding us in.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Lord has had us reaching out to fellow believers who need to be empowered and filled with the Holy Spirit, along with those who already have but are in need of a renewing touch of the Holy Spirit’s power in their lives, something that one of our old mentors Harald Bredesen was gifted in doing, glad to be carrying on that legacy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We’ve also seen many with religious backgrounds who don’t really know the Gospel and don’t have a relationship with Christ, open up and receive Him. In fact, a family member opened their heart to pray with us and receive Christ just recently! Praise the Lord! <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Right after that, as well as witnessing to some other people with religious backgrounds while walking on a pier in Orange County, I came home and a box fell over in the garage with an article about reaching people with nominal religious backgrounds and leading them to Christ, as well as the need to see believers filled with a fresh touch of the power of the Holy Spirit, something the Lord is highlighting in our day! Billy Graham shared about how he reached out to everyone with the Gospel, including those with religious backgrounds, and also spoke very strongly about the need for us all to be filled, as well as regularly refilled, with the power of the Holy Spirit!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Medium";"><span style="font-size: large;">Jesus People <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp6iUjf8eHpIk7ZEE58kqh22mDw1BKMW30e80ZOt4FmFzrcFteT3lhnc0WpsVUKkSYrSA0Gux-bsDUawuzARDG1HDrPf8vjIKhAHzkqZBxk-4SeEB0ZE6nq5Y7aWv5-GOQMIypJHdyYyxJrbrXmLPMBnGDPow-zv1qCAYXYMpAWS2f1lGI4G4dnhHOJw/s2048/636D155B-2DBF-4219-A274-0B5F43111420.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp6iUjf8eHpIk7ZEE58kqh22mDw1BKMW30e80ZOt4FmFzrcFteT3lhnc0WpsVUKkSYrSA0Gux-bsDUawuzARDG1HDrPf8vjIKhAHzkqZBxk-4SeEB0ZE6nq5Y7aWv5-GOQMIypJHdyYyxJrbrXmLPMBnGDPow-zv1qCAYXYMpAWS2f1lGI4G4dnhHOJw/s320/636D155B-2DBF-4219-A274-0B5F43111420.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scenes from the Jesus People Revival and a recent meeting. <br />We have an article that was picked up by an International <br />Renewal Publication you can read <a href="https://www.graceworldmission.org/Jesus_ppl_revival.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span> </span>We were at a Jesus People Gathering fairly recently that had memories from the Jesus People Revival being shared. We also had some powerful divine appointments while there including praying for some people who got ministered to very, very, powerfully! One man in fact shared how it was a life-changing encounter he had as we prayed for him! Hallelujah!</span></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We also just shared at a meeting that took place in Chuck Smith’s original church before the Jesus People Revival started, and we spoke about Lonnie Frisbee’s role in that revival! It was a powerful time reflecting on that important move of God—that really wasn’t too long ago—and still has latent blessing for us today. There is a fresh interest brewing in how God moved in that time. The Lord indeed uses the weak things that none may boast before Him! <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lots more has been happening, but we’ll share some more on another update. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in -13.5pt 0in 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We praise God and thank you for your prayers and support! <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in -13.5pt 0in 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We are so appreciative and give thanks in Jesus’ Name!<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Bryan and Mercedes Marleaux<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></b></p><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Grace World Mission—Useful Links </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Email: gracewm@flash.net </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Website: <a href="https://www.graceworldmission.org" target="_blank">www.graceworldmission.org </a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Donate Online: <a href="https://www.graceworldmission.org/contact_us.htm" target="_blank">www.graceworldmission.org/contact_us.htm </a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Blog Grace Notes: <a href="http://reflectionsftroad.blogspot.com">gwmgracenotes.blogspot.com </a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Blog Reflections from the Road: <a href="http://reflectionsftroad.blogspot.com" target="_blank">reflectionsftroad.blogspot.com </a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Podcast: Grace Alone on Apple Podcasts </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Radio: Grace Alone episodes: <a href="https://www.elsitiocristiano.com/ministries/solo-por-gracia/">https://www.elsitiocristiano.com/ministries/solo-por-gracia/</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">YouTube Channel: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/graceworldmission/playlists">www.youtube.com/graceworldmission </a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Soundcloud: <a href="https://soundcloud.com/graceworldmission" target="_blank">soundcloud.com/graceworldmission </a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Facebook page: Grace World Mission (you can like us to get updates) </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Music on Spotify, Apple Music, and Soundcloud listed under BMarleaux</span></div>Bryan Marleauxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13487366566603016522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490628812024688145.post-3883657886887213372022-10-30T23:10:00.011-07:002022-10-31T15:18:34.395-07:00500th Anniversary of Luther's New Testament<h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Happy Reformation Day!</span></h4><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYNmYsY7_5Y2n1q4y0xPygo9Xwi2hSiviAxZFiJLoQlXiifJbrz8v_GihYpH_afqXZOHy15FvqYpz2WCv4jtPBIpU-cRkQYtBRXjVxKCCmWCJDOMJSbMLFZEyxzOfYS2A6OEoobpjVoAoYuntPdOTTkn0POZqUJTfuWn6JvF2SzPzXJNfGmn_lYVPXUA/s2048/IMG_3067.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYNmYsY7_5Y2n1q4y0xPygo9Xwi2hSiviAxZFiJLoQlXiifJbrz8v_GihYpH_afqXZOHy15FvqYpz2WCv4jtPBIpU-cRkQYtBRXjVxKCCmWCJDOMJSbMLFZEyxzOfYS2A6OEoobpjVoAoYuntPdOTTkn0POZqUJTfuWn6JvF2SzPzXJNfGmn_lYVPXUA/w400-h400/IMG_3067.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;">Photo reflections back from the 500-year Anniversary of the Reformation where a quarter million people flooded the little town of Wittenberg in Germany! </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">October 31st</span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">is the 505th year anniversary of the Reformation, and it was also just the 500th year anniversary of Martin Luther’s translation of the New Testament into the German language.</span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">A Little Background</span></h4><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">We may take the easy access we have to the Bible today a little too much for granted. After all, we can just open an app on our phone, and we can have the Bible right there at our fingertips.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">However, it was not always so easy for the common person to access the Bible. In fact, the Bible had become shuttered from access during the Medieval Period. The Catholic Church forbade the laity to even own or possess the Bible at the Synod of Toulouse in 1229, on the pain of torture and death, which many indeed ultimately endured. Vernacular translations were also opposed and only the Latin Vulgate was permitted for the Scriptures.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Since Latin was already a dead language, it was another barrier used to prohibit access to the Scriptures. As Oxford scholar David Daniell puts it, “It might as well have been in Chinese for all the good it did being kept in Latin! Very, very, few people could read Latin!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Instead of the Scriptures “The Little Hours of Mary” were proffered which promoted the cult of Mary worship, church rituals, and generated money through stipulated donations. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Enter Martin Luther </span></h4><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Martin Luther had endured a long and difficult spiritual journey after entering the monastery in 1505. In fact, he felt further from God after going down the path of the prescribed rituals of the religious system than when he had first become a monk.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">In all earnestness, Luther had sought to follow all the prescribed rituals dictated by the religious system and constantly confessed his sins as required. For, according to Catholic teaching, each and every sin must be confessed to be forgiven. Luther kept remembering things he’d done even as a small boy, and he came and confessed so much—once spending 17 hours at the confessional—his superior finally blew up at him saying: “Why don’t you go out and commit some real sins and come back when you actually have something to confess!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">He was finally sent away from the monastery—as a way to offer him some distraction and get him out of their hair—and was thus directed to go into study of the Bible as a form of diversion.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">It should not be assumed that this was normal activity during this time. Reading the Bible was not practiced, neither by those in the priesthood nor the laity. As mentioned previously, the Catholic Church had banned the laity from even owning or in any way having possession of a Bible at the Synod of Toulouse in 1229. Reading the Bible was reserved exclusively for those elite few who were considered theologians established in the hierarchy of the church. Only they were allowed to read and interpret it and had to stay in line with the papacy.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Luther was sent to study the Bible merely as a diversion; he had been a law student formerly so he was able to read Latin.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">While reading the New Testament himself, Luther came upon passage after passage that declared that simple faith in Jesus Christ was all that was necessary for salvation. This was a complete contrast to what he experienced as a monk.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">As a Catholic monk, he had grown exhausted and alienated from the heavenly kingdom he had sought. The heavy weight of constant rituals foisted upon him in the monastery did not draw him into relationship with the Almighty but instead created animosity in his heart and the peace with God that he so earnestly sought was nowhere in sight.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Here, however, in the very pages of the New Testament, he was finding something completely different from the teachings of the religious system: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">There was no requirement to confess all your sins to a priest. Rather the New Testament declared “There is one God and one mediator between God and man… Christ Jesus” 1Tim. 2:5<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Nor did salvation require good works like the Catholic Church commanded, which included: giving donations to the church, venerating relics, confessing to a priest, praying to saints, vigils, holy water… and on and on! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Rather the Word declared: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">“<i>For it is by grace you are saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast</i>.” Eph.2:8-9<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">“<i>Then they asked [Jesus] ‘What must we do to do the works God requires?’ Jesus answered, ‘The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent</i>.’” John 6:28-29<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">The religious system Luther encountered had required rituals and works for salvation as well as to lessen one’s time in purgatory. These things they required however were not found in the teaching of the New Testament. “Purgatory” itself was just another pure invention of Catholicism not found anywhere in Scripture.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Simple faith drew Luther into a living and saving relationship with the Savior Jesus Christ.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Luther wrestled with the Apostle Paul’s teaching in Romans about being justified by grace through faith night and day. He finally understood that Christ had paid the price on the cross, for our sins, once for all, and all that is required is to believe upon Jesus!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">When he finally understood this the Holy Spirit came upon him, and his guilt and sin were lifted off his back! He says he was "born again" as he understood that his sin was washed away by simply believing in Jesus Christ! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">After being set free and experiencing the liberty of God’s grace, Luther was of no mind to return to the dead rituals of the religious system. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Luther Nails the 95 Theses</span></h4><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">He in time drew up some statements or "Theses" to engage some of the church theologians on the wayward path the church had taken. It bears mentioning that Luther did not challenge other doctrines that were still orthodox within Catholicism, and there were still many orthodox foundations. Luther only wanted to challenge where they drifted from the Scriptures especially in regards to salvation. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">However, the Ninety-Five Theses he drew up to challenge the errors the church had embraced, set off a spark that soon fanned into an international flame. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">After Luther had nailed his Theses to the Castle Church door in Wittenberg on October 31, 1517, some students took them and copied and widely distributed them, using the recently invented Gutenberg printing press to reproduce them. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">A perfect storm soon erupted fueled forth by the truth based on the Living Word of God and the distribution of this document through new technology. Before he knew what was happening, the Reformation had been ignited and Luther was in the middle of a conflagration.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">To paraphrase Didier Erasmus, the famous theologian from Rotterdam, this confrontation Luther sparked posed a threat to: The religious establishment’s money-making system as well as the dictatorial nature and infallibility of the papacy.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">When the Pope got wind of the issue, he said he would “have this drunken German burned at the stake within two weeks!” Although many attempts were made to shut down the emerging Reformation, it continued to roll forward.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">The Leipzig Debate</span></h4><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">A debate was proffered which many in the hierarchy believed would slap Luther down. They figured the renowned Catholic theologian Johann Eck would quickly shut down this simple monk Martin Luther quite handily. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">However, Luther rose to the occasion at the Leipzig debate, and was equal match for Eck in his knowledge of Scripture and understanding of Christian history. Luther showed that the church had itself strayed and had contradicted its own earlier councils and teachings during its slide away from the truth in the Medieval Era. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Eck in response accused Luther of being a Wycliffite and a Hussite. Many had attempted to bring reform before Luther’s era, figures such as <a href="https://youtu.be/_i-37P2k3nw" target="_blank">John Wycliffe in England</a>, and <a href="https://soundcloud.com/graceworldmission/jan-hus-czech-reformer" target="_blank">Jan Hus</a> in Bohemia (modern-day Czech Republic), as well as others like early reformer Peter Waldo in France and the <a href="https://youtu.be/ivcYec_r6C4" target="_blank">Waldensians</a>, who sought to distribute Bibles and pray for the sick. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">The Catholic Church had come out against these earlier reformers and continued to persecute those who attempted reform and translation of the Bible. <a href="https://youtu.be/ZEAl5iOyY6c" target="_blank">William Tyndale</a> was a contemporary and friend of Luther’s who was arrested and executed for his faith and work in translating and distributing the Bible in the common English language.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Luther declared that he himself was indeed a “Wycliffite and a Hussite” throwing caution to the wind! Luther, normally a mild-mannered person, boldly threw himself in with these earlier reformers, even though the followers of Hus and Wycliff had been ordered to be executed by the Pope, this was thus quite a daring thing to say. The Leipzig debate pretty much backfired and Luther’s popularity only seemed to grow.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">The Diet of Worms</span></h4><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">A Diet—a type of trial—was then set up in hopes of quelling the Reformation. Luther would have to answer before the Holy Roman Emperor—the most powerful and important man in the Western world at that time—Luther, a mere peon in contrast, sweated profusely as he was cross-examined in his presence.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">He was originally told he would be able to explain and defend his writings and teachings. However, after he arrived in the town of Worms, Germany for the Diet, he found he had been lied to and was only given the opportunity to recant or face the consequences.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Before the council, while being questioned and cross-examined, Luther was being pressed hard to recant, but in response he finally retorted: “I cannot and will not recant, my conscience is captive to the Word of God, to go against conscience and the Word, is neither right nor safe, I can do no other, here I stand, so help me God.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Luther threw up his hands into the air in the gesture of a knight and marched out to the applause of the Germans and the hissing sneers of the Spaniards—some of which were dyed-in-the-wool fanatics and enforcers of the Inquisition, torturing dissenters of Catholic strictures.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Frederick the Wise, the Elector Prince of Luther’s German region of Saxony, who was on the council judging Luther, saw that he was merely returning to the true roots of the Christian faith and declined to condemn Luther, as did some others in the Diet, but a rump of the Diet still voted to condemn him as a heretic.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">During the night, however, the Bundeschuh—the sign of the peasants’ revolt—was placarded on the wall of the building where the Diet was taking place. This was a serious threat from the people that if Luther was arrested there in Worms, there would be rioting by the people. This sent the Diet into a panic. To appease the peasants—to whom Luther was becoming a hero—he was allowed to return home to Wittenberg and would be remanded into custody later to face the consequences of being condemned as a notorious heretic.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Frederick the Wise knew fanatics and assassins would be waiting for an opportunity to murder Luther on his return home, so he arranged for some of his own knights to hold up and kidnap Luther shortly after he embarked on his return home, so as to secretly take hold of him and hide and protect him.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">The knights grabbed him shortly after he left the town of Worms, and with much yelling and cussing—purposely making a loud ruckus—they then had different knights ride off in different directions, while having Luther hidden and taken away to an old, abandoned castle, making sure no one followed after them.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Luther Translates the New Testament at the Wartburg</span></h4><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br />For ten months Luther was hidden away, holed up in the abandoned Wartburg Castle in Eisenach, Germany, where he testifies to experiencing some heavy and serious spiritual warfare. He says the attacks of men, including other priests and the pope railing against him and everything else he had endured, paled in comparison to the onslaught of Satan’s attacks on him while alone in the Wartburg. Isolated and without other things to distract his attention, Luther took on the great task of translating the New Testament into the common German tongue and completed his translation while he was there at the Wartburg.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Luther wanted others to see the clear teaching of the New Testament for themselves and see that: The Scriptures teach that Jesus Christ alone is the Savior! That Jesus Christ alone is the one Mediator between God and man. That one only need come to Christ in faith for salvation. These simple declarations became foundations of the Reformation and led to later revivals.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">His publication of the New Testament spread a return of the true roots of the Christian faith throughout Germany and Europe and fanned the flames of the Reformation and spawned numerous revivals later. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Jan Hus’s Prophecy Fulfilled</span></h4><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">After the Diet of Worms in 1521, with Luther still at the Wartburg and his popularity seeming to only increase, the time passed and the possibility of safely arresting him was even less viable and was eventually abandoned, thus fulfilling the prophecy of Jan Hus, the Bohemian reformer, from a century before. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Hus had attempted during his time to reform the wayward religious system of his day, and as he was about to be executed and burned at the stake for seeking to bring these reforms, he spoke out and prophesied:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">“Today you burn me a goose (Hus’s name in Czech meant goose) but in 100 years another [reformer] shall rise, he shall be a swan, him you will not be able to burn nor boil!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Hus was martyred in 1415. It was one hundred years later in the year 1515 when Martin Luther began to study Paul’s Epistle to the Romans, which led to his conversion. This encounter with God and His grace during Luther’s born-again experience set off the chain of events which fomented into the Reformation. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDhzXMcvCyo7R3PnnodPynfApUIJkC6crpUewO5G7xrFjPlzUcuEoI1I7553S4uJpREGk2s434oTdtWNkCDViOJg2Jc18w3bF2-Jko7s8TfHmsyOWqByftBUiewGSzTC9zr_8iL_KVYkovcb4TUz200pw4bkATZcRtfC-xqOk_dVuWbH5LrRHnRzpKxQ/s412/lutherswan.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="412" data-original-width="241" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDhzXMcvCyo7R3PnnodPynfApUIJkC6crpUewO5G7xrFjPlzUcuEoI1I7553S4uJpREGk2s434oTdtWNkCDViOJg2Jc18w3bF2-Jko7s8TfHmsyOWqByftBUiewGSzTC9zr_8iL_KVYkovcb4TUz200pw4bkATZcRtfC-xqOk_dVuWbH5LrRHnRzpKxQ/s320/lutherswan.jpg" width="187" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luther pictured with a swan</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">The Holy Spirit had opened Luther’s eyes to the salvation which is given freely through faith in Christ and the justification given by His grace. Try as they might they were not able to kill this swan. In his later years, Luther often had himself pictured in paintings with a swan next to his side, showing that God had fulfilled Hus’s prophecy through him!<o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h4><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">These are some videos we’ve produced are helpful to learn a bit more about Martin Luther:</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><a href="https://youtu.be/WDr66ITavlI" target="_blank">Martin Luther and the Reformation</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><a href="https://youtu.be/AUncn84rr48" target="_blank">Martin Luther: Born Again into Amazing Grace </a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><a href="https://youtu.be/05_lc7EtsfM" target="_blank">The Priesthood of All Believers</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><a href="https://youtu.be/AcwxebJTv1o" target="_blank">Luther quotes on the need to be filled with the Holy Spirit</a> (short video with notable quotes)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDr66ITavlI&list=PLD65C10463C2EE097" target="_blank">The Reformation Spreads: Playlist of Reform Spreading into other Areas.</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space; word-wrap: break-word;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Grace World Mission</span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #ff8000; font-family: Helvetica;">E-mail:</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"> <a href="mailto:gracewm@flash.net">gracewm@flash.net</a></span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #ff8000; font-family: Helvetica;">Website</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">: <a href="http://www.graceworldmission.org/">http://www.graceworldmission.org</a></span></div></span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="color: #ff8000; font-family: Helvetica;">YouTube Channel</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/graceworldmission">http://www.youtube.com/graceworldmission</a></span></span></p><div style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: space; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; line-break: after-white-space; orphans: 2; widows: 2; word-wrap: break-word;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="color: #ff8000; font-family: Helvetica;">Soundcloud</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">: </span><span style="color: #0069d9;"><u><a href="https://soundcloud.com/graceworldmission">https://soundcloud.com/graceworldmission</a></u></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="color: #ff8000; font-family: Helvetica;">Blog --Grace Notes</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">-- <a href="http://gwmgracenotes.blogspot.com/">http://gwmgracenotes.blogspot.com</a></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="color: #ff8000; font-family: Helvetica;">Donate Online</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">-- <a href="http://www.graceworldmission.org/contact_us.htm" target="_blank">http://www.graceworldmission.org/contact_us.htm</a></span></span></div></span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p>Bryan Marleauxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13487366566603016522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490628812024688145.post-9700692763127799382022-08-29T18:56:00.001-07:002022-08-29T18:56:26.528-07:00Worship Experiences and God's Mercy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="220" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MGH8Vpnp_tI" width="387" youtube-src-id="MGH8Vpnp_tI"></iframe></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Direct link to YouTube Video: <a href="https://youtu.be/MGH8Vpnp_tI">https://youtu.be/MGH8Vpnp_tI</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">We were on our way to minister with our friends Roger and Roxanne Sachs on the Central Coast of California at a church that has over time, and transitions, become known as Pearl Chapel. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Roger and I used to hang out with Lonnie Frisbee back in the day, while going to some of those wild meetings Lonnie was doing around Orange County and Palm Springs.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Roger has written some books on Lonnie’s legacy as the pioneer evangelist of the Jesus People Revival and the catalytic minister who introduced the outpouring of the Holy Spirit into what was Calvary Chapel Yorba Linda at the time, later to be called the Vineyard, and sparking what was coined by Peter Wagner as the Third Wave Revival.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Anyways, as we were on our way to minister at their church, we ran into some traffic in LA and got delayed. We got to their place late and then had to get up early the next morning for the service.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">At the last minute, the worship leader got sick before we were heading out to the service the next morning, so Roger asked: “Hey, can you do the worship as well as preach?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I was a little bleary eyed from lack of sleep and a long drive, but I told him: “You know what? We’ll do it and just do our best to let the Holy Spirit take over—regardless if I am not familiar with the guitar I’ll be playing, and it is last minute, and I am a bit out of it—but we’ll just trust the Holy Spirit.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Sometimes those last-minute things have a way of highlighting our need in the moment, thus allowing the Lord to take over… I was tired but I did my best to just let the Holy Spirit flow regardless of being a little strained and stretched. So, after a little sermonette on Pentecost—since it happened to be Pentecost Sunday—we got into the worship, and we were glad when we discerned the Lord’s presence was with us in it.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">There were some people in the meeting that day who’d been in the early Vineyard and they said the worship and ministry very much reminded them of those early days back in the day at Calvary Chapel Yorba Linda at the Canyon High School gym, back when the Holy Spirit was just flowing so much during that early season. I was humbled and thankful for those comments, especially since it was back then where I was actually drawn into worship.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Well, in the middle of us leading the worship that day, and quite out of nowhere, our son Patrick, being a quite a young boy at that point, jumped up and and came up where we were leading and spontaneously joined with us in the worship leading.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It was prophetic confirmation of knowing that the Lord had a purpose and calling for him to do worship later on himself.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Patrick also got filled and baptized in the Holy Spirit sometime around this same time period. That spontaneously and just sovereignly happened when we were filming at our friend Dave’s place, further up on the Central Coast. Dave was sharing about how he got filled with the Holy Spirit when we prayed for him while we were ministering in Hawaii (<a href="https://youtu.be/cN9jNLKCbVA">https://youtu.be/cN9jNLKCbVA</a>)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Dave was in midstream of sharing together with me, as we recounted the story on camera together. Meanwhile, over on the couch, Patrick was listening, and the Holy Spirit just fell in power on him! He began lifting his hands, weeping, and speaking in tongues! Glory!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The Lord’s Mercy and Patience </span></b></h4><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I took the time to teach Patrick guitar and stuff like that over the years. <span style="background-color: white;">I gave him words numerous times during his young days that he was going to be called on to do worship at some point. </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">However, we can all hit those rebellious moments, especially in the teen years and <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">he hit that time in his mid-teens when he resisted... <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I was trying to teach him about doing worship on the guitar and he just wanted to do riffs and leads. I told him <i>yeah, it is all fun to do that kind of stuff, I like to do it too, but you also need to learn some worship stuff too</i>…but like a typical teenager, he responded: “Well, what if I don’t want to do worship…?!” Sometimes just because the parent is saying it, they can get ornery and resist. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It is important to persevere and hold onto the promises of the Lord even when there are trying seasons. Continuing to pray and persevere is important in these times. I remember Billy and Ruth Graham talking about the perseverance in prayer they needed with some of their own children.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Well, lo and behold, the Lord has a way…and pours out and displays mercy…. because Patrick is now leading worship on the guitar every week with his girlfriend Emily, they lead worship together at a house church! They have also become committed in their relationship as well, which we have been rejoicing in!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;">Praise the Lord for His great patience with all of us and all of our fallen human rebelliousness and resistance at times. </span>He tarries patiently with our weaknesses! If not for His mercy and grace none of us could stand! His mercy endures forever!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The Lord Draws us Deeper in Unexpected Ways</span></span></b></h4><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">When I first experienced the worship at what was then called Calvary Chapel Yorba Linda that met at Canyon High School Gym, later to be called Anaheim Vineyard, it was quite a shock to me.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I came into the gym where people had their hands up in the air everywhere and many were loud and emotional—I didn’t know yet that the Holy Spirit was moving on so many of them during the worship.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I didn't grow up going to church. My first response was to literally think that the place was full of emotionally and mentally challenged people. I soon became one of those emotionally and mentally challenged people after I got filled and baptized in the Holy Spirit myself (<a href="https://gwmgracenotes.blogspot.com/2020/05/40th-anniversary-of-mothers-day.html">https://gwmgracenotes.blogspot.com/2020/05/40th-anniversary-of-mothers-day.html</a>).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">My first experience with worship had been at some youth-oriented meetings at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa. I had come there via a wild divine appointment (<a href="https://gwmgracenotes.blogspot.com/2013/10/acid-trippers-and-hippie-crash-pads.html">https://gwmgracenotes.blogspot.com/2013/10/acid-trippers-and-hippie-crash-pads.html</a>).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I was hanging out at a summer apartment in Huntington Beach that me and some friends had rented to be closer to the surf. The place became a hippy crash pad filled with surfboards and sleeping bags, filled with everything but food. One day, a dude showed up (people were always coming and going there) and asked if we wanted to go to a concert. A bunch of us piled in the car and he took us all the way across town down into Newport and up into Costa Mesa to what was Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa which was still in the throes of the Jesus People Revival movement.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I had previously accepted Christ while accidentally—Godcidentally—listening to a Pentecostal preacher on the radio and accepted Christ into my heart but had never really attended a church.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">After getting introduced to the fellowship there, I began to attend some of the youth Bible studies at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, as well as other ones connected with it, when I had working transportation. I had traded a surfboard for a car that would not always start. I would have to round up other people to help me “push start” it quite often!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The youth-oriented Bible Studies I’d go to when the transportation was working usually just had 2 or 3 short songs before the actual “Bible Study” part got going.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">This high school gym experience however, at Canyon High School, was at a whole other level! People were so engaged and deeply worshiping the Lord and it just went on for what seemed like forever, it was just mind blowing!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">After I got filled with the Holy Spirit I began to get drawn into the worship and took an interest in learning to do it as well.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I had learned a little guitar earlier on. However, after my parents got divorced, I drifted away from it. My older brother had moved his rock band equipment into the living room after my parents split and was blowing the paint off the walls with his band’s regular practice sessions. Not wanting to go deaf, I bailed out of that scene and lost interest in learning any music stuff and hit the beach to escape destroying my eardrums.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">However, as I was drawn into the worship in the Canyon High School Gym—those early days of worship there were off the charts, especially when Carl Tuttle was doing it—I got interested in learning some songs and I eventually ended up trading one of my surfboards for a guitar. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">That rickety guitar got me going into learning a couple worship songs. I had a long way to go but was getting back into playing. I got thrown into the deep end a little sooner than I expected though.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I attended an occasional kinship here and there, and one of them was Ken Fish’s. One night I was in there messing around with someone else’s guitar before the meeting started… Ken came up and said: “Hey, the worship leader can’t make it here tonight, why don’t you do a few songs for us?” I said: “No way,” to which he replied: “Oh, you can give it a try.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Why or how I agreed in the end to do it, I don’t even know, but I was shaking from being so nervous! I did not know what I was doing, and I only knew two songs, it was terribly stressful, and I completely butchered it! However, I knew the Lord was using that awkward moment to draw me into leading worship. God can use all things—even awkward moments where you feel like a fool— for good and for His purposes!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I had my own Bible study later where I began doing the worship regularly, as well as leading worship quite regularly with some other friends at a College group at Newport Vineyard.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Thank God for his patience and grace to move us forward past hard experiences, as well as rebellious moments. He tarries patiently with our weaknesses.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Paul the Apostle reminds us of the unlimited patience of the Lord who tarries with us to move us forward in His grace.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">“…I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his <b>unlimited patience</b>as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.” 1 Timothy 1:16 <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">A Few Insights</span></b></h4><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I learned some important things along the way. One of them was from Scott Brenner, a worship leader and songwriter, who said: “Sure, it is good to learn a few technical things with the guitar and vocals and all, but the most important thing is learning to let the Holy Spirit lead us as we lead!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Well, I have come to find out that this is an ongoing lifelong process once you are willing to enter into the “School of the Holy Spirit!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">While so many get caught up in “what is the latest, coolest worship song, from the popular fellowship at the moment” it’s more important to learn to be led by the Holy Spirit whether you are singing hymns or praise choruses—new or old. What is important is being led by the Holy Spirit and cultivating intimacy with the Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">“As many as are led by the Holy Spirit these are the children of God.” Romans 8:14<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Jesus said that the Father seeks those who worship Him in Spirit and in truth. John 4:23<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So, whether it’s doing worship, speaking, serving, witnessing, praying for someone, or anything else in serving the Lord, one of the most important things is found in Paul’s Capital Epistle to the Romans 8:14: where his high point is “As many as are led by the Spirit these are the children of God!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Learning to be led by the Spirit is not just some fringe Charismatic idea, but it is actually the high point and goal for us all as believers in Jesus Christ. We should be filled with praise and worship when we understand the grace and mercy He gives us through Christ our Savior!</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Bryan Marleauxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13487366566603016522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490628812024688145.post-11072477442029628822022-06-24T12:16:00.008-07:002022-06-24T12:28:06.498-07:00Ministry Update: Spring-Summer 2022<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-KUlMpSRAgpR2oAdEiyr_daPGGmQBuL5s6tLBMoly2Nl2XLCfW4Qp3bsJ1_s7hvs-RactzoXbw-gpMyd2hy2UXOPtNumpRdjpZE8pMNSTi1_VhUVMGErqla0dgVtM-x7YhPQLzhV5jyBU1Okngs5htowUN4HpRPFZYxTNIw0XY9YOnzBAKrqSSXHUA/s1024/min-update-photo-6-22.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-KUlMpSRAgpR2oAdEiyr_daPGGmQBuL5s6tLBMoly2Nl2XLCfW4Qp3bsJ1_s7hvs-RactzoXbw-gpMyd2hy2UXOPtNumpRdjpZE8pMNSTi1_VhUVMGErqla0dgVtM-x7YhPQLzhV5jyBU1Okngs5htowUN4HpRPFZYxTNIw0XY9YOnzBAKrqSSXHUA/s320/min-update-photo-6-22.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"></p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">We have been blessed to see the Holy Spirit moving as we’ve been ministering recently as well as experiencing some powerful divine appointments along the way.</span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><b><span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Recent Ministry<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">As we ministered at Centro Cristiano Esperanza up in Orange County, we experienced a very powerful move of the Holy Spirit as we prayed for people. I had shared a message about reaching into different cultures with the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, something that flows from the Great Commission Christ gave to His disciples. It was a blessing to see so many there who were filled and empowered, as well as ministered to deeply, even seeing some who received healing as the Holy Spirit swept across the congregation with awesome waves of power! The Kingdom of God was indeed at hand!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We were glad to have our son Patrick and his girlfriend Emily there, as well as our friend Dave E., who happened to be down visiting family in the area from Central California. They all helped us pray for people at the service, which added to helping us see so many of those who were at the service get prayed for and ministered to in a very deep and powerful way, praise God!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We were also glad to see the pastor’s granddaughter get touched later. She had been working the audio and couldn’t come down to receive during the ministry time but ended up getting powerfully ministered to later when we went out to get a bite to eat with the pastor after the service. I felt led to pray for her after we ate and she was powerfully ministered to in a deep way with tears streaming down her face as the Holy Spirit filled her. She just recently arrived from Argentina, so we were thankful for that added opportunity to pray for her.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We ministered up in the mountains in the town of Mammoth as well. We were up north of there actually, when we had a schedule change and a couple of days opened up, and we felt like we should see about the possibility of ministering there. While we were in the process of praying on it, we were surprised to hear someone mention the same name of the church in Mammoth in a TV show later that evening. That seemingly random moment turned out to be confirmation as the Lord opened the door to minister at the Lighthouse Church in Mammoth as well as stay in the area. We were stoked to share some Holy Ghost Ski Stories ( <a href="https://youtu.be/lV17tbOC_v4" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/lV17tbOC_v4</a>) as we spoke and then prayed for many of the people there. We had a special moment when things were seemingly winding down at the end of the service…and then we ended up praying for a few more people up in the front, including a lady we had just experienced a divine connection with recently, that group at the end up front all got especially powerfully ministered to by the Holy Spirit in a deep way, the Lord saved the best for last!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We also ministered up in the Central Coast of California at the Salinas Vineyard. We had an awesome Holy Ghost outpouring while Mercedes and I ministered with our friend Dave, who we mentioned earlier, and is from the Central Coast! The power of the Lord was present in a glorious way and kept pouring out the power of the Holy Spirit over those in the meeting with healing and freedom being released on so many, long into the evening, including ourselves and the pastors. Praise God, we all got deeply ministered to! We also joined them on an open-air outreach the next day doing a bit of worship on the guitar, as well as connecting with a blessed time of food and fellowship together afterwards.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We experienced a powerful time of visitation as we ministered after that in Colorado Springs, Colorado, at Iglesia Arbol de Vida! We shared about how the Pentecostal Movement came to Europe, which was something we learned about through a divine detour while on a mission trip in Europe some years back. We had a powerful move of the Holy Spirit that day which turned a moment of divine visitation when the Holy Spirit unexpectedly poured over all of us, and we ended up all being refreshed as we found ourselves overwhelmed by God’s presence and just receiving! It was also great to get to see and catch up with our old pastor friends out there, as well as other friends in the area, and getting to enjoy a few activities in the region along the way.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span>We experienced a </span><span>blessed time of the presence of the Holy Spirit moving in power as well as filling, empowering, and healing many who were there as we ministered at Iglesia Zoe up in La Puente! We shared about some of our past mission trips and learning to pay attention to the leading of the Holy Spirit, which is something Paul exhorts us to aspire to and is an ongoing growing and learning process for all believers. We were glad to have our son Patrick and his girlfriend Emily help us pray for those in the congregation which helps spread the blessing and gives more people an opportunity to receive. We also enjoyed some fellowship with the pastors who are old friends while grabbing a bite to eat after the service.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span> </span><span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We were also blessed to do a number of small group home meetings with some friends along the coast, where we got the opportunity to lead worship, as well as have some intimate ministry times praying for one another. One of the blessings of home meetings is that there is way less of a focus on a typical traditional church schedule, and it also opens up the opportunity for “the priesthood of all believers” to come more alive and function, like John Wimber used to say: “We all get to play.” We all did and were blessed and refreshed with a unique time of fellowship and ministry to one another.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Speaking of worship, we were blessed to record a new podcast episode with our friend Cheryl on The Art of Worship. We had the opportunity to share some songs I’ve written and recorded, which includes one that is a worship piece that was inspired by reflecting on the Lord’s glory while enjoying God’s creation while out on the sea and taking some time out in the mountains (“Break Over Me” on <a href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/2hXjN0M4vaENURNzCN6ZBA?si=wnpn7HisTJSV51L8Wxho-g" target="_blank">spotify.com/bryanmarleaux</a> </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">and on Apple Music: </span><a href="https://music.apple.com/us/artist/bryan-marleaux/907765533" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank">https://music.apple.com/us/artist/bryan-marleaux/907765533</a><span style="font-family: georgia;">).</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><b><span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq91EcNuMl1rfEH19WQ4aeWboM--FSLSdgOU-4YChZfpNYOr6tEjofhn3j5v5HGqfl0Xj5q0XWaoOQFAkQa0ZpdtUqfnTTTFpb8GJOpctgNu0hBNapPcl4g4NVfMbPDF3GnTxOI0m9IG8sb-suMd67Q7lDZgV0kS8zomsaihJuie9gzpWHY98Wqgoj-Q/s1024/collage.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq91EcNuMl1rfEH19WQ4aeWboM--FSLSdgOU-4YChZfpNYOr6tEjofhn3j5v5HGqfl0Xj5q0XWaoOQFAkQa0ZpdtUqfnTTTFpb8GJOpctgNu0hBNapPcl4g4NVfMbPDF3GnTxOI0m9IG8sb-suMd67Q7lDZgV0kS8zomsaihJuie9gzpWHY98Wqgoj-Q/s320/collage.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></b></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><b style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Divine Appointments </span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span> </span><span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Speaking of time on the snow, we had a divine appointment after a little time on the snow together with some friends in the local mountains. We went out for a bite afterwards and Mercedes and myself ended up talking to a Hispanic waitress. We then continued the discussion after dinner and found she had something of a religious background but never really heard the Gospel shared clearly to her before. She responded with an open hungry heart as we explained the Gospel to her and then opened her heart to Christ as we prayed with her there that evening! Hallelujah!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We had another divine appointment with another Hispanic woman as well who we were sharing with while out in the Inland Empire area for a family event. Mercedes had a word of knowledge for her which greatly blessed her. She said that we had reignited the flames of her faith after we finished praying for her, praise the Lord!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We also had some other divine appointments in Central California while up in Salinas. One was when we ended up praying together with our friend Dave for a lady in a pizza restaurant who got visibly touched by the power of the Holy Spirit when we ministered to her, hallelujah! <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We had also been talking with Dave when he mentioned a little town he’d stayed at while out on the road. We actually ended up in the same town while Mercedes and I were traveling out to Colorado a little later on. In the morning we were packing up to leave our motel when we ended up talking with some of the housekeepers which turned into a divine appointment! We led one of the Hispanic housekeepers to the Lord and her friend ended up rededicating her life to Christ, all this while we were on the road traveling to go minister…hallelujah…the Lord can have some surprises in store when we pay attention to the Holy Spirit’s leading even when we were still a bit hazy from just waking up!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span>We had another divine appointment when we met a guy from India who used to be Hindu but has come to Christ and is stepping out to serve the Lord and evangelize. We talked with and prayed for him w</span><span>hile we were visiting Biola University, which is Mercedes’ alma mater. Being on campus there also sparked some memories, one being of how I’d pick her up while driving home from Fuller Seminary, since we only had one car she would have to wait in the dreary commuter lounge—seems they fixed it up after she graduated—same thing with Fuller—they fixed up the place after I graduated! We put over 300,000 miles on our little Honda Civic while we were both in school as well as driving around ministering all over the place. We went through those schools mentioned above as well as UHK: “The University of Hard Knocks” which had some important lessons coming out of it, as well as entering “The School of the Holy Spirit”; however, this particular school continues on as an ongoing blessed learning process!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in -9pt 0in 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><b><span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Media Ministry <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span>In a recent blog posting and video, we share how the Lord can turn trials around and can even use them for good sometimes. We told the story of St. Patrick and the way the Lord has worked through Celtic Christian believers throughout history. Talking about the real Patrick—who was not Catholic nor Irish but a Christian missionary to Ireland—can often open the door to share the Gospel with others, much like the early apostles, who sometimes found open doors with those who were seekers at the synagogues, as seen in the Book of Acts. There are many people today who may have somewhat of a religious background, but may not know nor have heard the actual Gospel shared with them. They can be open sometimes when they hear the Gospel shared and explained clearly to them. If you want to check out the real St. Patrick’s story, a person who grew up with a religious background but didn’t yet come to Christ until later, here’s the link:</span><span><a href="https://youtu.be/puQ-sT0K2dU" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/puQ-sT0K2dU</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><b><span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We greatly appreciate all your prayers and support!<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in -13.5pt 0in 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span>Blessings</span>!</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><b><span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Bryan and Mercedes Marleaux</span><span style="font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>Bryan Marleauxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13487366566603016522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490628812024688145.post-3128532995014371742022-03-16T19:23:00.006-07:002022-03-17T17:39:39.325-07:00Patrick of Ireland and Redemptive History<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjhencEgGgAtUV1qJ8lSjS55z3a_rFRw6hCrrQDHgN6nUOmELzc6LUS3Psry-yUbhdvBEqntcF2D46029VwvbY9M6GnRB1cNgofLAw0Ac7rDL_aD-zaBz9PXlEzZw-j6BmBPH9vtiEuIrL8JsEIlHlz3OVjf0-VZKYiBNDwBCRdfCOqg3HuVmIRJm_I-Q=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjhencEgGgAtUV1qJ8lSjS55z3a_rFRw6hCrrQDHgN6nUOmELzc6LUS3Psry-yUbhdvBEqntcF2D46029VwvbY9M6GnRB1cNgofLAw0Ac7rDL_aD-zaBz9PXlEzZw-j6BmBPH9vtiEuIrL8JsEIlHlz3OVjf0-VZKYiBNDwBCRdfCOqg3HuVmIRJm_I-Q=s320" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><p>One of the divine mysteries of the Kingdom of God is how the Lord can take negative things and in His unique redemptive way turn them around and use them for good. </p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> The cross is the ultimate example of how the enemy sought to destroy the Son of God, and yet from this horrible trial of the crucifixion, we see Kingdom Victory emerge as God brings redemption to those who believe on Christ through it.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The story of Joseph in the Book of Genesis is another example. He ultimately ends up in prison sometime after being sold off by his brothers who betrayed him. However, he is prepared in that trying situation to be a redemptive leader who actually ends up rescuing his brothers—the emerging nation of Israel—when he is brought up into a place of leadership in Egypt after the Lord lifts him out of his humbling situation.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Trials and tribulations are never enjoyable and shouldn’t be made light of; however, there can be redemption for them in God’s Kingdom, and this can breathe hope when we are having to endure difficult times.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Patrick of Ireland<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Known popularly as St. Patrick, the historic missionary to Ireland also had to endure a unique and difficult situation. However, it ended up being used redemptively and became a time of important missionary training for him.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Patrick was taken prisoner to Ireland after being captured during a raid in Roman Britain by barbarians when he was in his later teens. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">While a slave—unfortunately, this fallen world’s long hard history is riddled with such oppression and Patrick points out that thousands of Britons were captured and enslaved—he was forced and immersed into learning about the culture, language and society of Ireland.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">After some time in that land, forlorn and alone and being forced to take care of pigs, he called out to God and experienced a conversion to Christ. Though he had been raised in a Celtic Christian home, he did not come into his own saving relationship with Christ until this.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Sometime after his conversion, he was given a vision of how to escape, and was shown a ship sitting just off shore further down the coast. He hiked his way to it and was granted passage if he’d take care of the dogs on board. He returned to Roman Britain and was welcomed as one who’d come back from the dead.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Sometime later on, he had another vision which would lead him back to the Emerald Isle as a missionary. Through this vision, the Lord called him to return as a minister of the Gospel. He heard the voice of the Irish calling him: “Come back oh holy youth and walk amongst us once more…” After some time of preparation he did return, this time as a missionary.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">He had been prepared and trained through his earlier captivity, much like the account of Joseph we read in the Old Testament. His previous immersion amongst Ireland’s people, language, and culture, even though it was a severe trial, had actually prepared him to reach into that unique culture and effectively communicate the Gospel to that people group. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The Lord took the evil imposed on him and turned it around and brought redemption out of it and used it for good. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Patrick became a powerfully used historic evangelist to Ireland, leading many to Christ through signs and wonders, and starting many little churches. This, however, does not mean it was all easy going: he faced many trials, difficulties and persecutions, but the Gospel and the power of the Holy Spirit prevailed and his difficult earlier trials were redeemed! However, he never forgot his fallen sinful roots and the merciful redemption he received, and wrote in his confession during his latter years: “I am Patrick, a sinner, most unlearned, the least of all the faithful, and utterly despised by many…”. His words seem to echo Paul’s, as he himself wrote in his later epistles: “I am the worst of sinners…” (1 Tim 1:15) Even though Paul was used powerfully by God, he never forgot that it is by sheer grace and mercy he was saved, and all the glory goes to the Lord!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">More Celtic Examples </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Patrick helped establish the Celtic Church in Ireland, which was instrumental in reaching out to other people groups, and it is important to note that Patrick was not Roman Catholic. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">"Patrick and Columcille [</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">the missionary later inspired by him]</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> were both Celtic believers and had no direct ties to the Roman Church" says Ruth Tucker, who</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">has a PhD in History,</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> in her missionary history tome <i>From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya</i>. She shared on this subject at Fuller Theological Seminary when I was a </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">student there and was an impressive speaker.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It was many centuries later when Roman Catholicism was imposed on the Emerald Island. It was actually the Pope and the King of England—Ole Blighty always seeking to rule over its northern neighbors back then—who conspired together to impose Catholicism on Ireland as a way to hold sway over the land and its people. Ireland’s original Christian roots are thus not Roman Catholic but rather of the Celtic Christian faith.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Celtic Christians were distinct from Roman Catholicism and were at times actually at odds with them: Celtic Missionaries didn't pay heed to the parish system in Catholicism and were seen by them as loose canons going wherever they pleased to evangelize. Celtic Christians, furthermore, believed in justification by faith through grace, regularly studied the Scriptures, and ministers were not forced to be celibate but were free to marry or not, depending on their own choice; they were missionary-minded and focused, and sought to evangelize and minister the Gospel. This is in contrast to Catholicism, which developed an unbiblical system of penance and works for salvation, and would sometimes convert via the sword along with politically imposing their will on other people groups.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Celtic Christians </span></b><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">and the</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Conversion of the Scandinavians<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Vikings later began to raid the shores of Ireland and the British Isles, and Celtic Christians, as well as monks and ministers, were often taken captive back to Scandinavia.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">This oppressive situation was also turned around redemptively as the Celtic believers in turn began witnessing to, and evangelizing their captors, and converting the Scandinavians to Christianity even while being held captive by them, much in the same way that early believers in the Roman Empire, including slaves and other low people of society, often witnessed and won over their captors and more distinguished hearers, demonstrating the verse "...the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength" (1 Cor. 1:25). Meaning, as Paul says, the Lord often uses the weak things of the world to paradoxically carry out his purposes.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Since the Scandinavians saw no political threat from these Celtic Christians, as they would from the Roman Catholic Church whose forced conversions often coincided with taking over lands, the Scandinavians were open to the Gospel message from the Celtic believers and many were converted this way, as historian Ruth Tucker notes as well.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Viking King Converted<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">A Viking king set about raiding the Celtic regions. He heard there was a fortune teller of some kind on one of the Scilly islands off the coast of the British Isles. He set out to find this fortune teller and find out about his future.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">However, the so-called fortune teller was actually a prophetic Christian minister of Celtic stock who was off the coast of Cornwall. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Olaf Tryggvason received a prophecy upon his visit which told him he would be wounded in battle, carried back to his ship on his shield by his soldiers, and then would call out to God and turn to Christ, and take the Gospel back to Norway.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">After it all turned out just as it had been foretold to him, Tryggvason once again visited the prophet, who then baptized and sent him back to Norway to share the Gospel.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">He was a Viking warrior who may not have ridded himself of all his warrior ways right off to our modern, more advanced liking, but it was a different more violent age with countries that fought savagely with one another back then—oh yeah, nothing’s changed and we are not more advanced, that stuff still goes on today, doesn’t it, even at this very moment—nevertheless, he helped stem idolatry and furthered the spread of Christianity back home.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Retrospective <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The Holy Spirit was the power furthering the Gospel’s spread through history regardless of the imperfections at times of the people and of difficult faith-testing situations. If God didn’t use imperfect people, he’d have no one to use. Sinners saved by grace is the redemptive thread weaving through the historic narrative of Christ’s redemption throughout time. Though saved, the yet-abiding human weaknesses are overshadowed by the redemption and power that flows from on high to those that open their hearts to Jesus. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Indeed, he IS ABLE to redeem difficult and trying situations and this can give us hope when we endure trials.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The Apostle Paul, who endured plenty of trials himself, says in Romans 15:13: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">“I pray that God, who gives hope, will bless you with complete joy and peace because of your faith, and <b>the power of the Holy Spirit fill you </b>with hope.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">———<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">More of our Resources on the Celtic Christian Legacy:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <a href="https://youtu.be/puQ-sT0K2dU" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">The Real St Patrick</a>: Get the real story versus the fables that have only obscured his legacy. </span></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <a href="https://youtu.be/CwhRknFbIhA" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Celtic Cry</a>: A video we made with an original song and music I wrote. The video includes scenes and surf through Ireland. </span></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <a href="https://youtu.be/5RjTIL51LV4" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Columcille</a> - Missionary to Iona: Story of the Irish missionary who was inspired by Patrick and went to reach the Picts in Scotland. </span></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <a href="https://youtu.be/HbzmbP4SoSI" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Celtic Christian Legacy and Treasures</a>: Some valuable history of early Celtic Christians as well as important Christian artifacts from that era in Ireland. </span></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <a href="https://youtu.be/gTKf7-lxidk" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">The Conversion of the Vikings</a>: The story of how these once-feared Norsemen came to belief and faith in Christ. </span></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <a href="https://youtu.be/odyVL4yXJGU" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A Visit to Lindisfarne</a>: Also known as Holy Island, Lindisfarne is associated with early Celtic Christianity. It is considered one of the first places the Vikings raided and from which they took captives. These kidnapped Celtic Christians ended up helping reach the Vikings with the Gospel. </span></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <a href="https://youtu.be/Ucsrv27n7oc" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Driving Through The Irish Countryside</a>: From being followed by a cloud to finding surf in Ireland’s most remote stretch of coast.</span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">*<a href="https://www.graceworldmission.org/legacy_true_patrick.htm" target="_blank">The Legacy of the True Historical Patrick</a> by Richard Bennet, who is a former Catholic priest. Commentary and notes on the theft of Patrick’s historic legacy by the Catholic Church.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></p>Bryan Marleauxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13487366566603016522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490628812024688145.post-57089452787856343852022-03-01T16:02:00.001-08:002022-03-01T16:06:46.139-08:00Divine Appointment On The Road<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Charter Roman", serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJr-EHx7aKICl4_hXQfufWRQLLScUBvVlO9j9DDCN944EJTkcM2Ll1egBxED_Ajsj6lr6Q_bXwLt1o66viXPakFBpxw6BgHp4tdjEDUqEkmHnForkKCNSUjClk-P69HIGH48DeDJpNBUDlkKOA9tE5t0-N4NjeLZ3bKc0nKFjBkrXjDp9z71QFAIm-jg=s1024" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJr-EHx7aKICl4_hXQfufWRQLLScUBvVlO9j9DDCN944EJTkcM2Ll1egBxED_Ajsj6lr6Q_bXwLt1o66viXPakFBpxw6BgHp4tdjEDUqEkmHnForkKCNSUjClk-P69HIGH48DeDJpNBUDlkKOA9tE5t0-N4NjeLZ3bKc0nKFjBkrXjDp9z71QFAIm-jg=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We have been blessed to experience some powerful divine appointments that the Lord has brought our way over the years, sometimes in unusual and unexpected places. One in recent times especially stands out:<o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We were driving through Utah looking for a place to stay late at night when we pulled up to a motel and the Lord gave me a word: “This is not the place.” I was a bit surprised and a little frustrated because I was tired and wanted to get off the road. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">However, it is important to discern that the Lord may have something more than we understand in store, so we continued driving on and came to a place that felt like it was the right place to stop at, which was about an hour later.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The next morning as we were about to leave, I was in the hallway and figured that the Lord probably had some reason for us being there…but still didn’t know what it was. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Then, as I walked along the hallway, I saw one of the motel service maids in the corridor and the Holy Spirit quickened my heart. I looked at her and felt led to ask: “Do you need prayer?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I was quite surprised when she threw her hands in the air and yelled “Hallelujah!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">“Yes, I do!” she exclaimed, and in fact, she went on to explain that she was a born-again believer in Christ, and had been praying that God would send a fellow believer to pray for her. She went on to explain that there were hardly any Christians or Christian churches in this area of Utah at all, but instead just plenty of the deception that thrives out there.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">She had us come into one of the guest rooms and Mercedes and I laid hands on her and she experienced a powerful move of God, being filled with the Holy Spirit and also experiencing healing and deliverance. She was actually knocked to the ground and came up completely refreshed, renewed, and revived. She stood up and composed herself with a smile that was from ear to ear!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We have also been blessed to lead some people to Christ in this same area, and minister to many others who exist as believers, in the middle of what is a spiritual desert. We felt as though the Lord has had us on an unusual mission many times out there, making raids into a dark land with the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and the power of His Holy Spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We are blessed and amazed when we find ourselves extending the Kingdom of God, sometimes in unusual and unexpected places, bringing living water to those who are in desperate need and are thirsty and hungry for Christ’s presence! We appreciate your prayers and thank you for considering us in your giving of support as well.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Our old friend Harald Bredesen, who was one of the fathers of the Charismatic Renewal, and one who was also led by the Holy Spirit into many important divine appointments himself, had a rather nice endorsement of our ministry:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 45pt 0.0001pt 31.5pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 45pt 0.0001pt 31.5pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Of all the ministries I’ve worked with, there is none that I have the greatest confidence in the purity of the motivation and the fact that it was the Holy Spirit who gave birth to it than Grace World Mission, led by its founders, Bryan and Mercedes Marleaux...I’ve seen the sacrifice; I’ve seen the zeal; I’ve seen the Spirit-ledness…and I am so happy to be a part of it—I hope you will be and will support it... I’m sure He’ll bless you for it.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We greatly appreciate all your prayers and support!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">God bless!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Bryan and Mercedes Marleaux</span><span style="font-family: Charter Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Bryan Marleauxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13487366566603016522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490628812024688145.post-62097425120614379582021-12-22T13:12:00.003-08:002021-12-22T13:12:54.003-08:00Merry Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgf-7LenT9iIjfUSNLyBXOhIQW1MjB_6d9HcuO7nMqjvMQPu33R2pb4wbO_lRNjL_cnC9dAVXqkfWwJIi8qva5MG-3aKIaU51s2VsSSxqhdxc0Z3e3JuC79R_gbnT15izmvvm20pRRolMy1IEC5edzkEBRZjHjMizl-CzrxZMuINkixCPk-hR3VaftytQ=s522" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="522" height="77" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgf-7LenT9iIjfUSNLyBXOhIQW1MjB_6d9HcuO7nMqjvMQPu33R2pb4wbO_lRNjL_cnC9dAVXqkfWwJIi8qva5MG-3aKIaU51s2VsSSxqhdxc0Z3e3JuC79R_gbnT15izmvvm20pRRolMy1IEC5edzkEBRZjHjMizl-CzrxZMuINkixCPk-hR3VaftytQ=w400-h77" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="221" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/C6Hm6IqPsJI" width="314" youtube-src-id="C6Hm6IqPsJI"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">YouTube video: Joy to the World Instrumental </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and Brief Message</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Direct link: <a href="https://youtu.be/C6Hm6IqPsJI">https://youtu.be/C6Hm6IqPsJI</a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJD31DKI2SIy3b54keKxu94-obVCpw2K7zmh3-9vYlny_zL7DLRbW_sqhH4O3diyfg9Sae5dlWEbGuEioFiN7jK2kQ3ena0I9P9qIbZO4G0rG2CTsR4BbaZNxTi5NAeG0C2cVfGttIHTVBiTGUOOJyWy7IW3y4mLSSnM-esJ1j9IV0ntM0OSZZMD_djw=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJD31DKI2SIy3b54keKxu94-obVCpw2K7zmh3-9vYlny_zL7DLRbW_sqhH4O3diyfg9Sae5dlWEbGuEioFiN7jK2kQ3ena0I9P9qIbZO4G0rG2CTsR4BbaZNxTi5NAeG0C2cVfGttIHTVBiTGUOOJyWy7IW3y4mLSSnM-esJ1j9IV0ntM0OSZZMD_djw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. For behold, I bring you good news of great joy, which will be for all people: Today in the town of David, a Savior was born for you. He is Christ the Lord.”
Luke 2:10-11 </b></span><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">One of the things you notice in the Christmas narrative is that every time an angel appears the first message is: “Do not be afraid.” </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We often do have many things in life that can make us afraid; however, Jesus said He has a type of peace for us “that passes all understanding.” Having that peace permeate into our inner being often comes with an understanding of the rest of the angelic message. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The coming of Christ is Good News: For the Savior, Jesus Christ the Messiah, sent from Heaven, will take on and pay for our sin. Thus, those who receive and believe upon Him, no longer need to carry the weight of guilt and shame from our fallen condition. Christ came to ransom us from sin, once for all. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Human beings are constantly searching for some way to have peace, looking in so many empty places. Christ, however, says that He will give us this peace, peace that passes all understanding. The apostle Paul in the Book of Romans Chapter 5 says that we now have <b>peace with God</b>, having been justified by His grace through faith. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Having believed and received eternal life, the Lord seeks to continue working into our innermost being “a peace that passes all understanding.” Paul goes on to say this happens as we let the Holy Spirit fill us even to overflowing (Romans 15:13). </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The Holy Spirit is the true Spirit of Christmas as we see in the Christmas narrative. By letting the Holy Spirit fill us to overflowing, remembering that peace is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, we can have that peace “that passes all understanding” even in the midst of this crazy fallen world and all its problems. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Praise God, the Lord gives us Good News of great joy and an everlasting peace! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>Merry Christmas and may God’s richest blessings be with you in the New Year! </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>Bryan, Mercedes and Patrick Marleaux
<a href="http://www.graceworldmission.org">www.graceworldmission.org
</a></b></span></div>Bryan Marleauxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13487366566603016522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490628812024688145.post-55923013996086640422021-12-03T20:40:00.009-08:002021-12-03T20:42:15.849-08:00Ministry Update: Fall/Winter 2021<p><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Praise God! Jesus said:</span><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><b style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">“I have come that they may have life and that more abundantly.”</b><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">John 10:10. We are thankful for the life eternal and abundant Christ has given us and that He gives us opportunity to share it with others.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">We have been ministering down in the Southern border region recently, where we preached at a meeting at Iglesia Antioquia which is a church where we have old friends and one that we have been connected to for many years. In fact, in the past we spent 7 years there teaching and preaching and helping out on a monthly basis. We preached on how Christ has paid the full price for our sins on the cross, as well as the righteousness that He credits to us by faith along with the grace we are given in Christ. As we prayed over the congregation the power of the Holy Spirit filled and renewed those we prayed for, giving a deeper revelation and understanding of Christ’s sacrifice for us. It is amazing how the Holy Spirit brings a deepening of the revelation of the cross, and it is always refreshing when His presence moves among us.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">We </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"></span><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">got to share some Holy Ghost Stories as well as some Revival History and perform some Worship and Revival Songs together on The Art of Worship podcast with Cheryl Deborah Thomas on the Holy Spirit Broadcasting Network in OC, which appears on numerous platforms, channels, and formats. It was a blessed time of sharing together on a couple of different programs with Mercedes, Cheryl, and myself, as we spoke and sang. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">As we approached the 504<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the Reformation at the end of October, we also shared on a Zoom prayer meeting, telling about Martin Luther and how the grace of Christ touched his life in such a deep way that it eventually reverberated out through Europe and then to other nations. This year is also the 410<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the publication of the King James Bible. We share about the connection between the Reformation and the King James publication in our latest video and blog which you can check out here: <a href="https://youtu.be/SVny9ov569E">https://youtu.be/SVny9ov569E</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">We have also shared at Calvary Chapel in San Clemente a couple of times recently </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">on the work and power of the Holy Spirit, in and for </span><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">evangelism, and the need for the Holy Spirit to empower us to reach people with the Gospel, something the Jesus People Revival was all about. We prayed for the group of people there at the end of one of the meetings. The Lord gave me a word as we were praying for people and the Holy Spirit then fell in power as I shared it! A young woman got touched powerfully and began crying as I shared the word and the Spirit filled her and then others started getting touched and filled with the Holy Spirit, in the end everyone there got touched and ministered to, hallelujah!!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Outreaches <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">We also joined up with that particular young lady who got touched at CCSC and we prayed for, going out on the weekend to do an outreach at the beach in South OC. We shared the Gospel and planted seeds with many others, as well as prayed for different people on the beach. This included a Hispanic woman who we had a divine appointment with who was deeply touched when we prayed for her right there on the beach and who then wrote us a very nice note afterwards sharing how deeply ministered to she was! We also ministered to a young Marine. I was able to share with him and also counsel and pray for him to help him move forward in his walk with God.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">In fact, we have been participating in some other outreaches along the Coast in different areas recently as well. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">One of the other outreaches was down in San Diego, where we had a divine appointment with a woman we met and prayed for who got ministered to powerfully, as well as running into an old friend. We joined together and prayed for these guys and ministered to them, which included our son Patrick who was at the outreach too with a friend. The Holy Spirit swept in and fell in power, knocking a number of those we were praying with to the ground, and deeply and powerfully impacted them with Christ’s love, power, and glory, hallelujah!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">We shared about Lonnie Frisbee and the Jesus People Revival at an outreach at Pirate’s Cove in Corona Del Mar, telling about the large baptisms that used to take place there. Lonnie was used to lead others not only water baptism, but also the baptism of the Holy Spirit. We also shared and prayed for numerous people there who we met and who were impacted by the Holy Spirit when we ministered to them!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">More Divine Appointments…<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">We also had a divine appointment with a Hispanic lady at a coffee shop. The Lord gave me a word for her about her needing prayer when I talked with her. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">S</span><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">he asked us to wait a few minutes until she was done working to pray for her. In the meantime, a lot of spiritual warfare started happening when the manager, out of the blue, started acting rude and hostile to us. We knew it was spiritual warfare and just ignored it. </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">We waited until she was finished, and then and then began to pray for her with some friends, who we have been ministering together with at their house church,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">and the Lord touched her very, very powerfully. She was a believer going through many trials and the Lord ministered to her deeply, with many tears coming down as the Holy Spirit filled her up! Glory Hallelujah!!<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">The Lord has been leading us into many other divine appointments as well. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">We went up the Northern Coast of the Pacific for a family wedding where Mercedes’ nephew was getting married. On the way up, we stopped to camp along the coast, where we encountered some hippie guys who lived there at the camp, and we ended up spending some time sharing the Gospel with them and planting the seeds of the Kingdom of God in their hearts. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">It is important to note that a significant part of the evangelistic process is planting seeds. A person who we led to the Lord recently had someone else sowing the seeds of the Kingdom in their life, which we got to harvest in leading them to Christ. As Jesus said</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">: </span><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">‘One sows the seed, and another reaps the harvest…’ John 4:37.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">We also had some divine appointments at the wedding. I met a well-known Christian author who I connected with and prayed for, and he began sharing some of his own private Holy Spirit encounter stories with me when he found out I was Spirt-filled, which led him to open up to me (he is not publicly known as Charismatic but has been having some Charismatic experiences). We also prayed for one of the cooks there at the wedding as well as witnessing to some other people we met while having a few adventures along the way!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">We also had a Holy Ghost rendezvous on the way home with our old friend Dave from up north. We met together up north while we were traveling and experienced some refreshing waves of living water as we shared and prayed together. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">We have also been ministering in some small group settings where we have experienced the Lord ministering powerfully in healing and mercy by the power of the Holy Spirit. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">We thank you so much for your prayers and support which helps keep us out there ministering the Kingdom of God and the love of Christ to others. </span><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><b style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></b></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9eepFSNwep4/Yarthx0eieI/AAAAAAAAAxA/-neRw8vSQAQcbwz2hI-LktUu3LN2ZZ1FACPcBGAYYCw/s2048/IMG_2725.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1539" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9eepFSNwep4/Yarthx0eieI/AAAAAAAAAxA/-neRw8vSQAQcbwz2hI-LktUu3LN2ZZ1FACPcBGAYYCw/s320/IMG_2725.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: Times; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Blessings to you!</span></b></div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Charter Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Bryan and Mercedes Marleaux<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>Bryan Marleauxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13487366566603016522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490628812024688145.post-9390416347377544922021-10-31T17:15:00.011-07:002021-11-01T13:40:41.300-07:00King James and the Authorized Version of the Bible and Its Ties to the Reformation<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SVny9ov569E" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">This year is the 504th Anniversary of The Reformation a</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">nd the 410th Anniversary of the King James Bible. Along with the
Reformation igniting a widespread return to biblical faith throughout
Europe, with the realization that it is Jesus Christ who saves and not the
religious institution, there were also a number of Bible translations that
came forth. This would result eventually in the publication of the King
James Bible later in England. </span></span></p><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The following is a brief overview of how that
came about. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">King James and the Bible </span></h4><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">King James had been taught from his
earliest days by a Protestant tutor. Thus raised as a Protestant, the new
King in England, who for the first time ruled both England and Scotland, was approached by a
group of Puritans who brought forth a number of requests known as the
Millenary Petition, a document signed by one thousand Puritans. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The Puritans
originally were a revival movement in England that came out of the
Reformation, whose name indicated a desire to purify the Church and return
completely to the New Testament. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Though raised as a Protestant, King James
still had a lot of his own ideas, and he viewed the Puritans as quite
extreme. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">He would, however, grant one of the Puritans’ requests and publish
an authorized official version of the Holy Bible. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">This one request King
James granted became his most enduring legacy. The King James Bible, known
in England as the Authorized Version and in America as the King James
Version, became renowned throughout the English-speaking world for
centuries, and from its publication to our present day it has been widely
used. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Martin Luther’s Influence on the English Reformation </span></h4><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Martin Luther was
reading the book of Romans when he experienced the grace of God that is
given through faith in Christ. Luther had suffered under the burden of
performing the ongoing rituals prescribed by the Catholic Church to merit
salvation. However, he came into a place of liberty and freedom in Christ
having the heavy burden lifted off when he read about the forgiveness and
grace given to us when we just put our faith in Christ and receive the grace
and forgiveness He gives through His work on the cross. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Luther began
teaching on this amazing grace after his born-again experience and also drew
up a list of things he wanted to challenge and debate with other theologians
regarding the errors the Catholic Church was teaching. He tacked this list,
called the Ninety-Five Theses, to the Castle Church door in Wittenberg on
October 31st in 1517. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Luther’s Theses sparked The Protestant Reformation,
igniting a widespread return to faith in Christ in Europe, with the
realization that it is Jesus Christ who is the one who saves, not the
religious institution. The New Testament teaching that salvation is a gift
given through faith in Christ by grace, not by religious performance of
rituals, spread far and wide in Europe. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Repercussions Across the Channel </span></h4><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The
Reformation’s impact eventually began to come across the English Channel
into Great Britain and it was regularly discussed at Cambridge University. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">One of the places in Cambridge that held lively discussions on the topic was
a pub known as the White Horse Inn, where long discussions would take place
late into the evenings. Cambridge became known as a Little Germany and
Little Wittenberg due to the adoption of Reformation truths. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Those that were
able to read the New Testament, saw that Luther was just drawing from its
central teaching and merely saying that Christ has paid for our sin on the
cross already, which is to be received by faith and is not something that we
can earn or work for by performing religious rituals, nor can this
forgiveness and salvation be merited by any other religious performance nor
work. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Here lay an important problem though, as the religious institution of
the day, the Catholic Church, saw to it that the Bible was not available. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">They had made it illegal for common people to own or possess the Scriptures
in any way. In fact, at the Synod of Toulouse in 1229, the Catholic Church
officially forbade the laity to possess the Bible, and from that time onward
people were burned at the stake—including women and children—for possession
of illegal Bibles or sometimes merely having just some pages of the Bible. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">They also opposed translations into the common vernacular languages. The
Catholic Church wanted the Bible kept only in Latin so as to limit who could
read it or have access to it. Latin was a long dead language at this point
and the vast majority of people, including most</span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> of the clergy in the Catholic Church,</span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> could neither read it nor understand it. Scholar David Daniell says:
“The Bible might as well have been in Chinese for all the good it did
forcing it to be kept in Latin.” Because Luther had been studying to be a
lawyer before he entered the monastery, he was able to read Latin. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Luther
had made a translation of the New Testament into German while hiding in the
Warburg Castle escaping those who wanted his death. His translation further
fueled the Reformation. Now people could read for themselves that the New
Testament taught that salvation is a gift from God given through faith in
Christ. He later finished translating the rest of the Bible into the German
language once he was able to return home to Wittenberg. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">William Tyndale </span></h4><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">William Tyndale had been a Catholic priest in England, and like Luther, had
also experienced a conversion to Christ and was touched by the grace of God. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">He had spent time studying in Cambridge and having discussions at the White
Horse Inn, and being influenced by the Reformation and Martin Luther, wanted
to make a Bible translation available in the English language. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Tyndale had
transferred from Oxford to Cambridge because Oxford towed the Catholic line
and held in its Constitutions prohibition against the Bible being in the
common English language. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Influenced by the impact Martin Luther had in
translating the New Testament into the German vernacular, Tyndale sought to
do the same for the English-speaking world. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">He set out to create a
translation of the New Testament first, and then the rest of the Bible. In
an effort to begin his quest, Tyndale left Cambridge and found favor with a
couple who provided him a place to stay and work out in Little Sodbury where
he began his work of translation. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Tyndale eventually came over to Germany to
meet with Martin Luther in Wittenberg, after leaving England due to
persecution. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It was shortly after this time with Luther that Tyndale began
to have his translation of the New Testament printed first in Worms,
Germany, then smuggled into England. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Tyndale’s pocket-sized New Testaments,
which could be easily hidden, became a huge hit in the United Kingdom and
caused quite a stir, to the consternation of Woolsey, the Catholic Bishop in
London who sought to buy them up so he could burn them. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">This plan of Woolsey
backfired in numerous ways. The larger population was outraged that a
clergyman would have the outrageous audacity to burn the Holy Scriptures.
Furthermore, the seller of the New Testaments had the money secretly sent to
Tyndale who printed three times as many of his translation of the New
Testaments which further flooded into England. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Woolsley was shocked when he
was told he had actually been unwittingly funding Tyndale through his
fanatical efforts to liquidate the Word of God. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">One of the great blessings
that Tyndale and Luther both had was the work of Didier Erasmus, a Cambridge
professor from The Netherlands who assembled and published a Greek text of
the New Testament which gave them accessibility to the original text. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Thus,
Luther and Tyndale made their translations of the New Testament from the
original Greek. John Wycliffe, a little more than a century earlier, had
made an English translation but only had the Latin version to work from.
Wycliffe Bibles also had to be copied by hand, as the printing press had not
yet been invented, and most copies were rounded up and burned along with
many believers. The invention of the printing press greatly accelerated the
Reformation and the distribution of the Scriptures. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Tyndale and His Dying
Words </span></h4><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Tyndale was persecuted, and was eventually betrayed, arrested, and put
to death. His dying words, as he was about to be burned at the stake, were a
prayer: “Lord, open the king of England’s eyes.” </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">A year after the death of
Tyndale, King Henry VIII had Bibles placed in churches to be available to be
read by the people. The dying prayer of Tyndale went even further though,
when King James later granted the Puritans one request, which was the
publication of an authorized version of the Bible, which became known in
America later as the King James Bible. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Scholar David Daniell says the sages
and scholars King James assembled to do the work used Tyndale’s translation
as their framework, and actually 90% of the King James New Testament is
Tyndale’s work. The Lord carried forth this reformer’s effort and prayer
into an amazing legacy </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We have numerous videos for more on these subjects: </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">•
<a href="https://youtu.be/WDr66ITavlI" target="_blank">Martin Luther and the Reformation </a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">• <a href="https://youtu.be/ZEAl5iOyY6c" target="_blank">William Tyndale and the English Reformation</a> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">•<a href="https://youtu.be/_i-37P2k3nw" target="_blank"> Wycliffe Morningstar of the Reformation</a> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">• <a href="https://youtu.be/uVIrO6BKm2s" target="_blank">John Knox and the Reformation in Scotland </a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">• <a href="https://youtu.be/GQO-P2pRfb0" target="_blank">Scotland, John Knox and the King James Bible</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">• <a href="https://youtu.be/AETuw_r1BH4" target="_blank">Zwingli and the Swiss Reformation </a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">• <a href="https://youtu.be/05_lc7EtsfM" target="_blank">Martin Luther and the Priesthood of All Believers</a> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">• <a href="https://youtu.be/AUncn84rr48" target="_blank">Martin Luther Born Again Into Amazing Grace</a></span></div><div><br /></div>Bryan Marleauxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13487366566603016522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490628812024688145.post-13594253266525455792021-08-02T08:00:00.001-07:002021-08-09T16:57:31.521-07:00Ministry Update - Summer 2021<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NP6rOkgwyaM/YRHAz03zUCI/AAAAAAAAAwE/mlt3UEYYc2sDu6XUT_d6yMuT1MDSFg-nQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/89001724-42D7-43D0-8E65-8BFB4D8F5475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NP6rOkgwyaM/YRHAz03zUCI/AAAAAAAAAwE/mlt3UEYYc2sDu6XUT_d6yMuT1MDSFg-nQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/89001724-42D7-43D0-8E65-8BFB4D8F5475.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><div>Praise the Lord! Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever! He went to the cross and paid the price to give us eternal life. The Holy Spirit, whom He has sent, continues to pour out His power to heal and to save, and to minister the grace and love of the living Savior. Hallelujah! </div></span><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> Recent Ministry </span></h4><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Here are some highlights from the ministry the Lord has been doing amongst us: </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We have been ministering down in the Southern Border region recently and experiencing the presence of the Lord moving amongst us. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">In fact, we just experienced a blessed time ministering at a meeting that Hermana Concepcion set up, whom we have known for years. She set up a special meeting for us to do in her backyard right down by the border. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The Lord poured out His refreshing living water of the Holy Spirit as we shared, led worship, and then ministered and prayed for many there! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">One of the highlights for us was praying for her two grandchildren—who are in their late 20’s—both of them got powerfully ministered to with tears flowing. Concepcion said she has never seen them experience the touch of God’s presence and receive from the Lord like this ever before! Glory to God! There were many other people who also received a powerful touch from the Lord as well as His healing presence. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We also ministered with a Calvary Chapel in South OC recently and they had us share about my early days and how, after getting saved, I ended up at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa through an unusual divine appointment back in the Jesus People days, as well as the empowering of the Holy Spirit I experienced at what was then called Calvary Chapel Yorba Linda—later to be named the Anaheim Vineyard—through Lonnie Frisbee’s ministry there back in the day. They actually filmed all this for their online streaming TV program. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">You can view the Interview which shares a lot of history of the era here: <a href="https://youtu.be/lMg28wO2Awg">https://youtu.be/lMg28wO2Awg</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We also prayed for the people who were there at the meeting and God touched a number of them quite powerfully! So it was quite a blessed situation! The pastor said at the end: “We just experienced a real afterglow like the old days back in the Jesus’ People times.” Hallelujah! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We also had some other small group meetings where we had a blessed time of the Holy Spirit ministering powerfully and deeply, bringing lots of renewal and healing. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Divine Appointments </span></h4><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We recently had a divine appointment while hiking where we led someone to the Lord. Mercedes and I were on the way to the mountains to have a little time together and we stopped to take a hike. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We kept running into a couple on the hike and we started talking with them out by a turnaround point. The Lord opened a door to share the Gospel with them and it turned out the lady was a believer but the guy wasn’t, although he told us how people had been sharing the Gospel with him recently. By the leading of the Holy Spirit, we explained that Christ was knocking on the door of his heart. Praise God, he opened his heart to pray with us and receive Christ as his Savior and Lord!! Hallelujah!! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Sometimes we get to plant seeds, sometimes we water the seeds that have been planted by others, and at other times we get to experience the harvest when the Lord opens the door. There are other times when we get to encourage fellow believers, as we share here next. It’s all equally important in the Kingdom of God.
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We had a divine appointment with some people up in the mountains, while on a rafting trip with some friends including Jeff and Jeanette who invited us to go rafting with them. We also had some powerful spontaneous evening Holy Ghost prayer times with them and other friends who were there, praise God! The divine appointment took place while out hiking: We met a couple—while getting a bit lost—and asking directions. After talking a bit, it turned out that this couple were believers and actually ministered with a friend we know, so we immediately connected with them. Their own ministry has suffered a lot during COVID as did so many—which we were not immune to ourselves, however the Lord is faithful and helped us through—so we prayed for them and they were greatly encouraged and buoyed by the touch of God. Hallelujah! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We always appreciate your prayers and support for us, and even more so in trying times! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Thanks for your faithfulness in Christ! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Blessings to you! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Bryan and Mercedes Marleaux </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Grace World Mission—Useful Links </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Email: gracewm@flash.net </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Website: <a href="www.graceworldmission.org " target="_blank">www.graceworldmission.org </a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Donate Online: <a href="www.graceworldmission.org/contact_us.htm " target="_blank">www.graceworldmission.org/contact_us.htm </a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Blog Grace Notes: <a href="gwmgracenotes.blogspot.com ">gwmgracenotes.blogspot.com </a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Blog Reflections from the Road: <a href="reflectionsftroad.blogspot.com " target="_blank">reflectionsftroad.blogspot.com </a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Podcast: Grace Alone on Apple Podcasts </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Radio: Grace Alone episodes: <a href="https://www.elsitiocristiano.com/ministries/solo-por-gracia/">https://www.elsitiocristiano.com/ministries/solo-por-gracia/</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">YouTube Channel: <a href="www.youtube.com/graceworldmission ">www.youtube.com/graceworldmission </a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Soundcloud: <a href="soundcloud.com/graceworldmission " target="_blank">soundcloud.com/graceworldmission </a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Facebook page: Grace World Mission (you can like us to get updates) </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Music on Spotify, Apple Music, and Soundcloud listed under BMarleaux</span></div>Bryan Marleauxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13487366566603016522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490628812024688145.post-51098007787934521472021-04-03T14:19:00.010-07:002021-04-03T14:52:50.231-07:00Happy Easter! Ministry Update: Spring 2021<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yKJqJrqM2iM/YGjbtEo3SbI/AAAAAAAAAuc/csSDehz6lrstiCOmcVToQtBlyHTeUAZHwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2CFECD64-88B6-47BE-B788-275BE72B07F0.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yKJqJrqM2iM/YGjbtEo3SbI/AAAAAAAAAuc/csSDehz6lrstiCOmcVToQtBlyHTeUAZHwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/2CFECD64-88B6-47BE-B788-275BE72B07F0.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Praise God that Jesus went to the cross to pay for our sin! Death however could not hold Him and He rose from the grave victorious. The Bible says that the same power that raised Christ up from the grave is at work in us (Ephesians 1:19-20). We have been blessed with the Holy Spirit through Christ’s work on the cross! </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Recent Ministry Highlights </span></h4><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Here are a few highlights of ministry that we have been doing both in-person and online and we have also been blessed to experience divine appointments along the way. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Ministry in the Mountains </span></h4><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We had an awesome time ministering up in the Eastern Sierra Mountains recently at Mammoth Mountain. We experienced some divine intervention and the Lord opened a door to minister at Lighthouse Church there in Mammoth at their main service. I shared about coming to Christ and being filled with the Holy Spirit and we prayed for many people there who were touched by God’s power. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We also shared at some home meetings there in Mammoth as well as in Crowley Lake during the week. Mercedes shared some of her testimony of being saved and filled with the Holy Spirit and I led some worship along with some divine appointment stories. We were blessed to minister there and enjoy some of the snow and God’s creation as well. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K4wmLA2orwk/YGjcoCDVv2I/AAAAAAAAAuo/2yatArHR6i8pOlDhomUk5tOB95jLPSLXwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0420.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1539" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K4wmLA2orwk/YGjcoCDVv2I/AAAAAAAAAuo/2yatArHR6i8pOlDhomUk5tOB95jLPSLXwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0420.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></span></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Online Meetings </span></h4><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">While doing some online ministry Mercedes shared about some of the healing she has experienced recently in regard to her relationship with her dad with those who were participating on a Zoom meeting. There were those who responded about how they were touched and ministered to by her testimony.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Divine Appointments </span></h4><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I recently had a divine appointment at a Sports and Hiking Store while talking about hiking and traveling with an employee there.
I had the opportunity to share some Holy Ghost stories with one of the people who worked there and plant some seeds of the Gospel. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Planting seeds is an important part of evangelism and there are different situations God will lead us into; it’s important to pay attention to what the Holy Spirit is leading us to do in each one. Sometimes it is to plant seeds, other times to water seeds, other times to harvest. It is important to “stay in step with the Holy Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25) </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We always appreciate your prayers and support. </span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">May the risen Christ surround you with His presence this Easter! </span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">God bless! </span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Bryan and Mercedes Marleaux</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Jesus’s atonement on the cross has made the way for the Divine Holy Spirit to live inside of those who receive and believe upon Christ, we have a song celebrating this truth that you can listen to on the following platforms:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br />SoundCloud:<br /><a href="https://soundcloud.com/bmarleaux/immanuel">https://soundcloud.com/bmarleaux/immanuel</a><br /><br />Apple Music:<br /><a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/immanuel/979406318?i=979406319">https://music.apple.com/us/album/immanuel/979406318?i=979406319</a><br /><br />Spotify:<br /><a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/0IeWM9ZTBJGGEWIwYagAbO?si=GoxNt59vRNinZmYGtf-ywA">https://open.spotify.com/track/0IeWM9ZTBJGGEWIwYagAbO?si=GoxNt59vRNinZmYGtf-ywA</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">YouTube:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://youtu.be/N6UrQ6eL8bo">https://youtu.be/N6UrQ6eL8bo</a></span></div>Bryan Marleauxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13487366566603016522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490628812024688145.post-27775328735230161652021-03-17T00:00:00.012-07:002021-03-17T13:03:31.184-07:00A Visit to Patrick of Ireland’s Ancient Little Church<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vMS33qGwwaM/YFJage_j60I/AAAAAAAAAt8/bmvCYmXZyh81XZv6EqtD77gJe1RSv2hNgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/0E701752-11ED-40B1-A197-50DE91B4D3F1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vMS33qGwwaM/YFJage_j60I/AAAAAAAAAt8/bmvCYmXZyh81XZv6EqtD77gJe1RSv2hNgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h400/0E701752-11ED-40B1-A197-50DE91B4D3F1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We were traveling around Ireland, as well as doing a bit of ministry there, when we came upon an opportunity to visit an interesting sight. </span><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It was actually out in County Sligo by a beach in the village of Strandhill, a place we had decided to visit for a few days. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We were using public transportation at this point and getting around on the local bus, which became a bit of an endeavor because the thing drove right by the little hostel we booked in Strandhill. The driver momentarily stopped but then quickly sped away, slamming the door when we got up to get off after realizing it was our hostel. He ignored us and kept driving all the way back to the main depot several miles out of our way! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We then had to hoof it back along the side of the highway, schlepping along with our luggage for several miles to return back to where we had been. Here we were rambling down a long lonely Irish highway, with all our luggage, out in the middle of nowhere. Well, at least the Irish scenery is always nice. This particular endeavor, however, was a little preview of the chore we’d take on in order to find an ancient site in the area. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Another bus driver a couple of days later actually did let us get off there in Strandhill when we asked, and when I mentioned to him how the other driver didn’t, he responded: “Oh, that guy. Well, you know some people got their issues…You’re not the only lad to complain about that guy’s antics.” </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The formerly diffident driver who wouldn’t let us off at Strandhill at least reinforced what a gigantic miracle it had been when we experienced a bus driver going hugely out of his way for us, like one did <a href="https://reflectionsftroad.blogspot.com/2012/11/divine-bus-rescue-in-eisenach.html" target="_blank">on a different trip when we were in Germany on a particular occasion.</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The Lord saw our struggle and brought some refreshing by providing some fun surf that evening at Strandhill beach. In fact, the strong howling Irish wind all a sudden calmed down before the sun went down and the chop of the rough seas laid down as the waves smoothed out. What had looked earlier like a blown-out mess, turned into a pretty fun evening of surf. It was a blessing to get out into the ocean for a few waves after a long day on that bus and that long luggage-carrying hoof we’d done.
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">There were some Irish blokes out learning to surf at that sand-bottom beach break in Strandhill—lots of surf spots in Ireland break over reefs—so this sand beach created a good learning situation. I was surprised when I ended up talking to a few people there and experienced how they were stoked to meet a surfer from California. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">You don’t always get a welcome reception when surfing in other locales: in some areas the locals can sometimes go out of their way to let you know how unwelcome you are. So it is nice to get a welcome reception while surfing once in a while, especially since it isn’t the norm. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Finding Patty’s Ole Wee Little Kirk </span></h4><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Through some questioning and investigating, while talking to some people in the area, I found out that there was an ancient little church that the evangelist, popularly known as St. Patrick, had built with his own hands in that region. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">This was not the usual touristy type of sight one might visit while taking one of those typical tours that run regularly throughout Ireland. In fact, it was by long and unusual stretches way off the beaten path and far out of the way. It actually took a fair bit of investigation, as some people knew that it was in the area, but nobody really seemed to know how to get there exactly.
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">There was a surf school there that was housed and connected to an “ole public house” which served as a local connection point where you could get a good meal for a relatively inexpensive price, and where many people, including kids and families hung out. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">After some sleuthing around, I found an older person there who knew how to get to the “Ole Kirk O’ Patrick.” </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">He explained we would have to do a fair bit of hiking, as well as cross an active airport runway, and then climb up some hills, and rifle through overgrown bushes, to get to it. I expressed to him my surprise that there weren’t more people going out to visit an authentic site like that. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">“Tourists don’t come out to this area much, most are happy to see the Cathedral that is named after St. Patrick in Dublin, even though he had no real association or connection with that touristy place at all,” he explained. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I was stoked that we were hunting down something that was actually associated with St Patrick’s life. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Getting To The Little Church </span></h4><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">After making our way out to the local airport, we waited next to the runway until there was a break from airplanes landing and taking off. We then dashed across the airport runway and ran towards the grassy hills on the other side. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">After crossing the runway, I thought about what an unusual thing we had just done, “Don’t think they would let you run across an airport runway back home!” I said. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We looked around after that mad dash, thankful we hadn’t been chopped up by a plane propeller, and started hiking uphill, paying close attention as we walked along a trail that was not very clearly marked and slightly overgrown due to lack of use. After hiking for a while and going up and down hills, losing the trail a few times and backtracking, and then wading through head-high bushes, we finally came upon the ancient ruins of the little church. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It fit well with the real St Patrick: rough around the edges, organic, with much of the structure having eroded due to time and weather. Similarly, much of St Patrick’s real story has been eroded by fanciful legends promoted by a religious system he had nothing to do with. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The Real St. Patrick </span></h4><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The real St. Patrick is actually someone who experienced a genuine conversion and was very aware that he was saved only by the grace of Christ. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Patrick was not Irish himself but rather came over to Ireland after being kidnapped and taken there previously as a slave, at which time he cried out to God and experienced a conversion.
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">After some time, he was able to escape his slavery and return to Roman Britain. Sometime later, after having a dream where he received a Macedonian call to come back and preach the Gospel to the Irish, he was willing to once again cross the rough sea from his home in Roman Britain, and even suffer at the hands of the pagans who he reached out to, all because of the call he received from God that led him to come and reach the Irish. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">He preached the Gospel with signs and wonders following, and the early Celtic church he is associated with believed in salvation by faith through grace. Patrick was an evangelist to Ireland who preached the Gospel to the Irish and established many small churches throughout the land. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The Gospel </span></h4><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The Gospel is alive and it brings salvation to those who receive and believe upon Jesus Christ. Through the grace given by faith in Jesus Christ, mankind is reconciled to God the Father. Patrick became an ambassador of that work of reconciling the Irish people to God. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The New Testament teaches that it is Jesus Christ who took on the whole burden of sin for us at the cross. He paid the full price for us who believe upon Him, and His grace gives us the free gift of salvation. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Christ Is The Redeemer </span></h4><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Christ did the work of salvation for us when He went to the cross. Man-made rituals, traditions, and religiosity, regardless of what institution promotes them, can never be substitutes for the work done by Jesus at Calvary. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Jesus answered very clearly when asked what are the works that God requires of us: </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “<b>The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent</b>.” (John 6:28-29) </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">For this is the will of my Father: that <b>everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him may have eternal life</b>. And I will raise him up on the Last Day. (John 5:40) </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Paul echoes the same thing: </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works</b>, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9) </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">God saved us and chose us to be His…people, but n<b>ot because of anything we ourselves have done</b>. God saved us and made us His people because that was what He wanted and <b>because of His grace</b>. That grace was given to us through Christ Jesus...
(2 Timothy 1:9) </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">But when the kindness and love of God our Savior…appeared, He saved us—<b>not by righteous works that we did ourselves</b>, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and the renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, <b>having been justified by His grace</b>, we might become heirs…of eternal life. (Titus 3:4-7) </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">(Note: </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We have a small booklet of Scriptures that focus on the grace of God. If you would like a free copy <a href="mailto:gracewm@flash.net" target="_blank">email us</a> and we will send it to you.)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The Celtic Church </span></h4><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Thus, the early Celtic Church Patrick was associated with, according to historian Ruth Tucker, sought to be centered on the New Testament, just like the disciples in the Early Church, as well as those who were part of the Reformation later. This is in stark contrast to later Catholicism, which admits to basing itself on traditions. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The real Saint Patrick has much more to do with the Gospel and evangelism, than with the religious legends that obscure his real story. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">As historian Ruth Tucker points out, who has a PhD in history and would visit and lecture on these subjects when I was studying at Fuller Theological Seminary, Patrick of Ireland stands as one of the most misrepresented figures in Christian History. The real story has been replaced by legends, which unfortunately have been furthered by a religious system he was not actually associated with. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Ireland itself in fact didn’t become Catholic until several centuries after Patrick’s era, when in a bid for dominance the Pope conspired to hold sway over Ireland and impose Catholicism on it. As history is often being written by the victors, both Patrick and Ireland became known as Catholic, when in fact Patrick was not, and Ireland originally wasn’t either.
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Seeking to win over the Irish people, the Pope had Patrick named a Catholic saint. Thus began a long history of Patrick being misrepresented as Catholic, and the Irish people themselves misunderstanding their own Christian roots, which are not originally Catholic, but tied back to early Celtic Christianity, which was the original Christian faith of the island.
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The early Celtic church was actually often at odds with Catholicism and clashed with it. Celtic monks sought to be free and Spirit-led and go where they felt led to go, which regularly stirred the ire of the Catholic bishops and priests, especially on the Continent, as Catholics used a religious system of parishes. They resented the free-wheeling attitude of the Celtic Ministers and Monks who were free to marry if they pleased as well, which clashed with the celibacy imposed on all Catholic priests and hierarchy. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">One of the people-groups the Celtic Christians helped reach were the Scandinavians. When Vikings raided the British Isles’ shores, many Celtic monks were taken as captives; however, in the end these captives ended up evangelizing their captors (<a href="https://youtu.be/HbzmbP4SoSI" target="_blank">Celtic Christian Legacy and Treasures video</a>.) </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Having a look back at this history gives us a view of what Paul was dealing with in the Letter to the Galatians. The early Galatians had received the Gospel, but then others came along called Judaizers, and swayed them away from their foundations and influenced them towards rituals and religiosity, thus obscuring the truth. Paul had to preach and write to reestablish the Gospel with the Galatians, thus making clear: </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">You who are trying to be justified by works of the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. (Galatians 5:4, NIV) </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Which is explained well in another contemporary version: </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">When you attempt to live by your own religious plans and projects, you are cut off from Christ, you fall out of grace. (Galatians 5:4, The Message) </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The Need For The Gospel To Be Preached </span></h4><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The Gospel is alive and life-giving and brings salvation; religiosity and rituals are man’s attempt to save himself through his own works. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Ireland, as well as so many places throughout Europe, need the Gospel to be preached once again and evangelism must be carried out with the signs and wonders of old following, to break through the walls that have grown, including dead religion. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The truth needs to be brought once again to their shores. John Wesley rightly stated that we are always only one generation away from people slipping backwards into the world. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Irish Inspiration </span></h4><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Having been inspired by these adventures of traveling in Ireland and the adventures of Patrick the Evangelist, as well as the early Celtic Christians, we have produced a number of videos on these subjects, as well as written a song and music video, along with numerous other related videos. The links are below: </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">• <a href="https://youtu.be/puQ-sT0K2dU" target="_blank">The Real St Patrick</a>: Get the real story versus the fables that have only obscured his legacy. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">• <a href="https://youtu.be/CwhRknFbIhA" target="_blank">Celtic Cry</a>: A video we made with an original song and music I wrote. The video includes scenes and surf through Ireland. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">• <a href="https://youtu.be/5RjTIL51LV4" target="_blank">Columcille</a> - Missionary to Iona: Story of the Irish missionary who was inspired by Patrick and went to reach the Picts in Scotland. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">• <a href="https://youtu.be/HbzmbP4SoSI" target="_blank">Celtic Christian Legacy and Treasures</a>: Some valuable history of early Celtic Christians as well as important Christian artifacts from that era in Ireland. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">• <a href="https://youtu.be/gTKf7-lxidk" target="_blank">The Conversion of the Vikings</a>: The story of how these once-feared Norsemen came to belief and faith in Christ. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">• <a href="https://youtu.be/odyVL4yXJGU" target="_blank">A Visit to Lindisfarne</a>: Also known as Holy Island, Lindisfarne is associated with early Celtic Christianity. It is considered one of the first places the Vikings raided and from which they took captives. These kidnapped Celtic Christians ended up helping reach the Vikings with the Gospel. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">• <a href="https://youtu.be/Ucsrv27n7oc" target="_blank">Driving Through The Irish Countryside</a>: From being followed by a cloud to finding surf in Ireland’s most remote stretch of coast.</span></div></div>Bryan Marleauxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13487366566603016522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490628812024688145.post-77656208211176460602021-02-12T15:35:00.004-08:002021-02-12T15:37:53.915-08:00Ministry Update: Winter 2021<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Ef6P_HK6tA/YCcQuNFZ99I/AAAAAAAAAtY/4PhtBeWtPbAjx66v0rH_EbfMjviQE6MTQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/26830E8E-1B2C-4831-9CCB-04A45BE2A2CE.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Ef6P_HK6tA/YCcQuNFZ99I/AAAAAAAAAtY/4PhtBeWtPbAjx66v0rH_EbfMjviQE6MTQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h400/26830E8E-1B2C-4831-9CCB-04A45BE2A2CE.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />We recently ministered with Centro Cristiano Esperanza in Orange County sharing a message of hope on the grace given to us through faith in Christ and His power that is available for our lives today. It was a blessed time and the presence of the Holy Spirit was very refreshing. </span><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We also just had a divine appointment recently when we were driving home and it was getting late, so we stopped at a motel for the night. When leaving the next morning, I forgot something in the room and had to go back. A male service worker had already begun taking care of the room. I started talking for a few minutes and as we spoke I felt led to ask if he needed prayer for anything. It turned out his good friend had just died and had the funeral coming up the next day and so he would actually really appreciate some prayer! He went on to say that he had been a believer for some years but had some ups and downs and his friend passing away had really shook him up. I spoke to him about God’s mercy and love and then prayed for him and he was clearly ministered to in a significant way. He shared afterwards that he was greatly encouraged by this divine appointment and thanked me for stepping out in faith to ask if he needed prayer! Hallelujah! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Reflections </span></h4><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">As we have entered fully into the new decade, it causes us to reflect on the grace that the Lord has blessed us with to be able to minister in different places around the world over the last few decades, including: Latvia, Romania, Kosovo, France, Spain, Norway, Sweden, England, Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, Canada, Mexico, Japan, Argentina, Ghana, West Africa, and in the US: all over California, as well as in Arizona, Oregon, Montana, Colorado and Hawaii.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We are thankful for God’s grace to minister through us and have been blessed to experience many receive Christ, get filled with the Holy Spirit, and receive healing and deliverance. It is a blessing to see lives impacted by the Kingdom of God in these different places as we have ministered over the years. We are thankful for the different divine appointments we have experienced along the way as well. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Books We’ve Been Published In </span></h4><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We have also been blessed to have some Holy Ghost Stories published in some different books over the years, including: </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1931232768/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_J2MBF1ZHSDJP2QX0HEP7" target="_blank">Stories From the Front Lines: Power Evangelism In Today’s World</a></i> by Jane Rumph. Tells about some Holy Ghost healing stories and wild divine appointments we have had in Mexico. </span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/0800797043/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_FSBSD47FTMKBPT3VHCZE" target="_blank">Signs and Wonders in America Today</a></i> by Jane Rumph. Miracles taking place while we are ministering in the Bay Area. </span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/0977637077/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_ERKQVNKKR6B14NX11EGN " target="_blank">Divine Intervention: True Stories of Heaven Invading Earth</a></i> by Julia Loren. A radical Holy Ghost surfing miracle and divine appointment on the coast of Israel. </span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008KNONQQ/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_5HGNZVQYGATRTTW74CTE" target="_blank">Kernels of Hope: Real People, Real Stories</a></i> by Bob and Gail Kaku. The divine appointment sequel to the Israel story but this Holy Ghost surfing miracle is on the Coast of Spain where a divine appointment took place with some guys who just turned out to be friends of the surfer from Israel! </span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/0978543327/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_TYMVX4HQ59X24F0YSZRX?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1" target="_blank">Not By Might Nor By Power: The Great Commission</a></i> (Book Two) by Lonnie Frisbee with Roger Sachs. Shares about Lonnie’s influence on us as well as a story of Bryan getting filled with the Holy Spirit. </span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/0978543351/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_KM5206FR24317CJB6W30 " target="_blank">Not By Might Nor By Power: Set Free</a></i> (Book Three) by Lonnie Frisbee with Roger Sachs. Shares stories from a mission trip to Colorado with Lonnie (interestingly enough, much spiritual warfare was experienced in the Colorado trips mentioned) and a wild encounter while hiking in Tahquitz Canyon in Palm Springs, amongst some other things.</span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span></li></ul></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">If you’re interested in one of the books we’ll get you a copy for a donation of whatever you can afford—typical suggested donation is $15 per book. These are also all available at <a href="http://Amazon.com">Amazon.com</a>. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Audio and Video Programs </span></h4><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We have also been able to create a host of different audio and video programs that are available on different formats and platforms. They have covered lots of different topics, including those from Christian History such as the Reformation to Revivals to Biographies on Revivalists and Reformers as well as Divine Appointment Stories and Mission Adventures and many other topics. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The programs on historical Christian figures are amongst our more popular topics on different sites. I see now more than ever the dire need for programs like ours that tell the history that has largely been ignored by secular institutions. Moreover, our programs do it from a uniquely Spirit-filled perspective which is something that is greatly lacking in this arena. For example, our recent program we put out on Charles Finney talked about his powerful Baptism in the Holy Spirit, others who’ve done programs on Finney have omitted this important aspect of his life and ministry, not even mentioning it at all. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Here is an <a href="https://youtu.be/TYtTLR5K_pY" target="_blank">endorsement of our ministry</a> (link: <a href="https://youtu.be/TYtTLR5K_pY">https://youtu.be/TYtTLR5K_pY</a>) from a historical figure himself, Harald Bredesen, one of the fathers of the Charismatic Renewal, and some of what he had to say in his endorsement of our ministry: </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>Of all the ministries I’ve worked with, there is none that I have the greatest confidence in the purity of the motivation and the fact that it was the Holy Spirit who gave birth to it than Grace World Mission, led by its founders, Bryan and Mercedes Marleaux...I’ve seen the sacrifice; I’ve seen the zeal; I’ve seen the Spirit-ledness…and I am so happy to be a part of it—I hope you will be and will support it as well... I’m sure He’ll bless you for it</i>.
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We greatly appreciate your prayers and support! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">God bless! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Bryan and Mercedes Marleaux</span></div>Bryan Marleauxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13487366566603016522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490628812024688145.post-7674341964884405382020-12-19T15:01:00.003-08:002020-12-19T15:01:50.555-08:00Christmas Blessings<p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3zeyfNIWiys/X96Ff0O5JrI/AAAAAAAAAsw/xoTcmewWO0Yfu6GsNt7qFt6gcc-1K5UIgCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/IMG_9398.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1725" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3zeyfNIWiys/X96Ff0O5JrI/AAAAAAAAAsw/xoTcmewWO0Yfu6GsNt7qFt6gcc-1K5UIgCPcBGAYYCw/s320/IMG_9398.jpeg" /></a></span></b></div><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br />The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.” </span></b><p></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Luke 1:35</span></b></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">When you take a good look at the Christmas narrative it is amazing how much the Holy Spirit is mentioned again and again. Luke’s account stresses the role of the Holy Spirit in a major way and this continues on through his other book called Acts.</span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Even more amazing is that the same Holy Spirit is given to us freely as believers. Sometimes we don’t know how much we need something until a unique situation displays our need. </span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We were hiking through a desert area up to a mountain on one occasion when we ran out of water in the hot desert section of the hike. How quickly the body feels its lack! Our mouths quickly became parched and the heat amplified our need<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">,</span> as our bodies ached and weakness continued to grow. We finally dragged ourselves up into the cooler mountain area where there was a campground and a water spigot, hallelujah! Water never tasted so good!!</span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Jesus explained that the Holy Spirit is like the water we need to live<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">.</span> In fact<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">,</span> He referred to the Holy Spirit as living water. Billy Graham says in his book <i>Peace with God</i> that we should recognize our need for the Holy Spirit and pray that God not only fill us and help us but that we ask the Holy Spirit to take over in our lives so that we will find joy and peace, the fruits of the Spirit, as we yield completely to Him.</span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Praise God! Jesus came born in a manger and died on the cross to pay for our sins and freely give us favor with God the Father<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">,</span> that we might justified by grace and have peace with God. He gives us the Holy Spirit to comfort and guide us as we walk with God. </span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">May the Lord renew and refresh you in the power of the Holy Spirit this Christmas and into the New Year in the name of Jesus Christ who came to give us life!</span></b></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Bryan, Mercedes </span></b></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and Patrick Marleaux</span></b></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span></span></b></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Thanksgiving Reflections <br /></span></b><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and Ministry Update</span></b></h4>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hp7vot7EOGs/X96Ffk-530I/AAAAAAAAAss/nqDyo3zLtAMcp-p3MMzOhRRCjJ5pfGpnwCPcBGAYYCw/s2005/IMG_3293.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1482" data-original-width="2005" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hp7vot7EOGs/X96Ffk-530I/AAAAAAAAAss/nqDyo3zLtAMcp-p3MMzOhRRCjJ5pfGpnwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/IMG_3293.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We also hope you had a blessed Thanksgiving! We did an <a href="https://gwmgracenotes.blogspot.com/2020/11/the-reformation-simplified.html" target="_blank">online article for Thanksgiving</a> on the early Pilgrims who came to America’s shores and their Christian Faith. They were actually directly connected to the Reformation and they left their homeland to have freedom of worship in the New World. They stated<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">,</span> after coming across on the Mayflower and before they took up the colony<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">,</span> that they were doing this “for the glory of God and the advancement of the Christian Faith<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">,</span>” which they wrote in their charter upon landing at Plymouth Rock.</span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We also just recently passed the 503rd Anniversary of the Reformation. We did an <a href="https://gwmgracenotes.blogspot.com/2020/10/reformationday2020.html" target="_blank">article and video</a> for this occasion as well. We focused on two early reformers<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">,</span> John Wycliffe and Jan Hus<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">,</span> who helped lay a foundation and were forerunners to the later Reformation. Wycliffe also translated the Bible into the English language so people could read it for themselves. We owe much appreciation for those who went before us and who suffered for the cause of Christ. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">If you have not had a chance to read these articles or videos<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">,</span> you can access them at: <a href="http://gwmgracenotes.blogspot.com">http://gwmgracenotes.blogspot.com</a><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">.</span></span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Divine Appointments </span></b></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We have had a number of divine appointments recently, and one in particular was especially powerful:</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We were traveling out in the desert Southwest when it was getting late and we needed to stop for the night. Many things were booked up and full as it was on a weekend. We found a place that we could stay in with just travel points<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">,</span> but as we prayed on it we felt the Holy Spirit saying it wasn’t the right place. This<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">,</span> in the natural<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">,</span> made little sense.</span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We yielded, however, and drove on another hour in the night and found another place that we felt that the Holy Spirit was leading us to go to. We didn’t know what the purpose of this leading was, but we knew the Lord had a purpose in it. Then<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">,</span> the next morning<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">,</span> I ran into one of the motel maids while getting ready to leave—actually the car was already running. I began to briefly talk with her. As we spoke I suddenly had a word of knowledge that she needed prayer.</span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">When I asked about praying for her she responded with a loud “hallelujah!” It turned out that she was a believer and that she had been praying for the Lord to send someone to minister to her! She lived in an area where there were no born-again Bible-believing Christian fellowships and very few believers in general<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">.</span></span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Mercedes and I prayed for her<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">,</span> and the Holy Spirit came on her in a very, very, powerful way to where she kept having to hold herself up from falling over. She was gloriously filled with the Holy Spirit and received healing and deliverance from some heavy burdens<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">,</span> as well as being deeply refreshed and renewed in Christ. </span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">She was overjoyed with how the Lord had answered her prayer for ministry and we were blown away ourselves about how the leading of the Holy Spirit in the situation brought about such a powerful divine appointment. Hallelujah!</span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">In another situation recently, I had an interaction with a guy who spoke mostly Spanish and very little English. It worked out that I had a chance to witness to him and minister to him all in Spanish and was able to bless him as I shared about the goodness of Christ to him with a lot of help from the Holy Spirit. Gloria al Señor!</span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Season of Healing and More Maid Ministry</span></b></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The Lord has continued to use this unprecedented time we are all living in, in a unique way. In fact<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">,</span> the Holy Spirit has been doing a deep work of healing<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">,</span> especially in Mercedes’ life. Some of the healing centered especially around her relationship with her father and some of the issues of brokenness she experienced growing up in household where her parents divorced while she was still very young. </span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">Right in the middle of all this, as the Lord was bringing all this healing, her dad had a serious heart attack. This resulted in needing a quadruple bypass surgery which went </span>way longer than it was supposed to, almost 12 hours, which is more than twice as long as it was supposed to go. Things got pretty dicey to where he was right on the edge of not making it.</span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">While taking some time to visit him, we were able to share about Christ’s love and grace with him. Lo and behold<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">,</span> he was much more open than in the past—seeing the possibility of it all ending shortly has a way of doing that. Mercedes also gave him a Bible and had an opportunity to pray with him as he opened up to the message of Christ. All this is after many long years of praying for him<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">.</span></span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Another interesting aspect to all this is that the lady who is his housekeeper has actually attended some of our meetings in a nearby church in the past! She has been sharing some of our evangelistic videos with him, completely all on her own initiative! (We just found this out recently.) She only speaks Spanish<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">,</span> but since our videos are in both English and Spanish<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">,</span> she was able to listen to the Spanish and see them as a good resource to share the Gospel and have him listen to the English. They were a tool for cross<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">-</span>cultural witnessing, so on top of everything else<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">,</span> this was another confirmation from the Lord of doing our videos that way. </span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We have continued to minister in various ways, both online and in person. We have had opportunities to share about the history of revivals as well as systematic teachings on New Testament Epistles in different online meetings. We received some very encouraging responses from those blessed by what we shared. </span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">We also have been doing some various in-person small group meetings as well as some church meetings. We’ve had </span>some blessed Holy Ghost meetings and ministry times in North County, San Diego, Orange County, and in the High Desert. We have been refreshed in the presence of the Lord as the Holy Spirit ministered powerfully in each situation.</span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We very much appreciate all your prayers and support! </span></b></p><div><b><br /></b></div>Bryan Marleauxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13487366566603016522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490628812024688145.post-57666964910076328682020-11-25T11:31:00.012-08:002020-11-26T12:24:02.321-08:00 Happy Thanksgiving! The Reformation Simplified and the Early Pilgrims of America<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://youtu.be/xRM3-jqexe0"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="203" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xRM3-jqexe0" width="360"></iframe></a></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Video: Plymouth's Pilgrims and the Christian Faith</div><div style="text-align: center;">Direct link: <a href="https://youtu.be/xRM3-jqexe0" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/xRM3-jqexe0</a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As big a concept as “The Reformation” may sound, it really boils down to just a simple thing, which is </span><span style="font-family: arial;">those back in history who had personally experienced God’s grace and wanted to share it with others! </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Those reformers back in the Medieval Period who experienced this amazing grace saw that it was the central theme of the New Testament. They thus wanted others to know the truth but instead were met with resistance, a stubborn refusal to listen, and persecution. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Grace is inherently free: its meaning in the Bible is “unmerited favor”. This grace is given freely to us simply through faith in Christ and not by any works or any performance of our own: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” (John 6:28-29)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">“My Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” (John 6:40) (There is a long list of Scriptures like this, which speak of God’s grace and mercy which we have compiled. You can have a free booklet of them sent to you by emailing us at info@graceworldmission.org).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Instead of receiving that grace themselves, stubborn adherence to dead traditions and rituals that garnered lucrative donations kept the institutional Church from listening and caused them to reject the truth.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Jesus and the Pharisees </span></h4><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">This is a story that goes all the way back to Jesus and the Pharisees: Christ appears on the scene fulfilling prophecy after prophecy to demonstrate who He is. He first speaks the truth in love, many receive His message and mercy, but the Pharisees—who are the religious leaders of that time—are so entrenched in their traditions and rituals that they attack Him instead of listening, so Jesus must confront their wayward behavior: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.” (Matthew 23:13)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are…” (Matthew 23:15)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness…You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.” (Matthew 23:23-24)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Jesus admonished his followers not to act like them: </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">“All their works they do to be seen by men... They love to sit uppermost at feasts, and to have the chief seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets, and to be called Rabbi by men. But you shall not suffer yourselves to be called Rabbi. For one is your Master, that is, Christ, and you are all brethren. And call no man upon the earth your father, for there is but one your Father, and he is in heaven. Do not be called teachers, for there is but one your Teacher, and he is Christ. He who is greatest among you will be your servant. But whosoever exalts himself, shall be brought low. And he who humbles himself, shall be exalted.” (Matthew 23:5-12)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Jesus offered grace and mercy to all and many received Him, but the Pharisees instead stubbornly held to their traditions and rituals and wouldn’t, so He confronted their errors. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">This Pattern Continued Through The Bible </span></h4><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Even in the Early Church there were already tendencies to pollute the Gospel with legalism and works of the law. There were those amongst the Pharisees who had become Christians; however, they tried to then force legalistic burdens on other Christians.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The Apostle Peter wouldn’t stand for it for a moment and got up at the Council of Jerusalem and laid out the truth in dramatic fashion:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">“Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, ‘The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.’” (Acts 15:5)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Peter would have none of it and said:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">“Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? <b>No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved,</b> just as they are.” Acts 15:10-11 [Emphasis mine]<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">That statement: “<b>No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved.” </b>Is what the Reformation is all about. While speaking the truth about God’s grace, the error which has been embraced and pedaled by the religious establishment must also be confronted. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">It is important to notice that the <b>truth</b> about the Gospel was more important than any seeming disruption to so-called unity, the very need for a council shows there was not perfect unity in the first place.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">This is a microcosm of the Reformation. Just as Peter experienced God’s grace and knew it to be the truth and stood up for it, others in history stood up for it as well and became reformers.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Enter Paul the Apostle </span></h4><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Paul had actually been a Pharisee himself but got saved in dramatic fashion on the road to Damascus while on the way to persecute more Christians.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Having experienced such amazing grace, he became the emissary of God’s grace. Having been a Pharisee, he disdained any attempt of the Early Church in any way to return to the legalism of the Pharisees.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The Letter to the Galatians is itself an epistle of grace that also confronts the pharisaical slide into legalism that was happening in the new church in the region of Galatia. Paul even had to straighten out his contemporary leader Peter in the letter because of Peter’s compromising on this subject.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Paul wrote strongly that the Galatian Christians had been saved by grace and that the way in is indeed the way on. They began in grace and must continue on in it, as it is the path to life, liberty, and revival.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Paul concludes that we are to live by the Holy Spirit: live a personally revived life in Christ led by His Holy Spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Paul’s Words Revived the Body of Christ </span></h4><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Luther and other reformers had experienced this grace and mercy of Christ and simply wanted others in the Body of Christ to know and experience it as well. The Catholic Church, however, like the Pharisees, refused the grace of God and held to its traditions instead, and so like the Pharisees was confronted with its error in the process.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Martin Luther had struggled under a burden of rituals and rules for a long, long, dark period as a monk and a Catholic priest himself.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">He was weighed down under this impossible burden of trying to make payment himself for his sin through rituals of the Church and found no peace at all in the Catholic rituals prescribed to him.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">But then the light broke forth on him. He was sent away to study the Bible as a way to rid the monastery of his onerous presence since he was a constant bother by always coming to the confessional. (Study of the Bible not being a normal part of the program for the priesthood.)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">As he was wrestling with Paul’s Letter to the Romans, Luther<span lang="X-NONE"> began to understand that Jesus had taken on our sin on the cross and all he needed to do was believe </span>up<span lang="X-NONE">on </span>Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">He says “… I then understood that through grace and sheer mercy [Christ] justifies us through faith in Him. Thereupon I felt myself to be reborn…” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">What a heavy burden was lifted off of Luther’s back as he understood that Jesus has paid the price on the cross and one doesn’t need to be under this horrible burden of trying to pay for sin themselves!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">There in a nutshell is what the Reformation is all about: The grace and love of God is experienced and sought to be shared, but instead the establishment, just like the Pharisees reacting to Jesus, refuse to listen!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The Reformation Spread and Formed Revival Movements</span></h4><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">In spite of opposition from the establishment, the Reformation spread and later formed revival movements.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The early Puritans in the United Kingdom were a revival movement, according to historian Sydney Ahlstrom, and are directly tied to the Reformation. Grace to them was something that should be known and experienced in the heart and not mere head knowledge; they thus can be seen as early Protestant mystics. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Persecution and a lack of freedom caused them to seek refuge in a new land across the sea where they could worship as they felt led; this new land came to be called America. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The first sustaining colony in America—others had been attempted earlier like Jamestown and folded—was brought forth by those Puritans, Separatists, and Independents* who came across on the Mayflower. (*Separatists wanted to separate from the Church of England, while others originally wanted to purify it from within, hence the more classical name Puritan, though all three of the above mentioned were of Puritan stock.)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">They took up the colony “for the glory of God and the advancement of the Christian Faith” which they wrote in their charter upon landing at Plymouth Rock. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The Great Commission indeed had been a strong theme amongst Puritan preachers of all branches of Puritan faith in England and motivated this journey of leaving all behind and going like Abraham to a land that they knew not, to be lights for the Gospel in the new world. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">America’s first sustaining colony was thus founded by a group of outcasts who had been touched by the Reformation and revival and who came with the goal of advancing the Christian Faith. It has been a land where revivals have taken place ever since.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Travel Insights </span></h4><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">While traveling through Europe on different mission trips, we have been able to visit some different sights connected with the Reformation and different reformers.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">We have been to some of the places connected with the Reformers William Tyndale, John Knox, and Martin Luther.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Each of these reformers experienced God’s grace and sought to return to the Word of God as the foundation for the Body of Christ. Having experienced the grace of God personally and intimately, they desired that others should also experience this glorious grace of Christ given freely and which comes simply through faith in Christ Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span>Reflecting on that grace and these reformers, I wrote a little <a href="https://youtu.be/m7oDc--KlFk" target="_blank">song called Grace Alone</a> about their suffering, which came to me on one of those trips and made a video about it, which you can check out by <a href="https://youtu.be/m7oDc--KlFk" target="_blank">clicking here</a>. (Direct link: <o:p></o:p></span><a href="https://youtu.be/m7oDc--KlFk">https://youtu.be/m7oDc--KlFk</a>)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span>We also have a <a href="https://youtu.be/xRM3-jqexe0">video about the Christian Faith of the Pilgrims </a>who landed at Plymouth Rock which was shot right on location in Plymouth, Massachusetts. You can check it out by clicking <a href="https://youtu.be/xRM3-jqexe0" target="_blank">here</a>! (Direct link: <o:p></o:p></span><a href="https://youtu.be/xRM3-jqexe0">https://youtu.be/xRM3-jqexe0</a>)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>Bryan Marleauxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13487366566603016522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490628812024688145.post-39859244644580465552020-10-28T20:44:00.005-07:002020-10-30T12:37:34.204-07:00"I am a Wycliffite and a Hussite." - Martin Luther<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="203" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_i-37P2k3nw" width="360"></iframe></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Video: John Wycliffe: Morning Star of the Reformation</div><div style="text-align: center;">Direct link: <a href="https://youtu.be/_i-37P2k3nw">https://youtu.be/_i-37P2k3nw</a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">We were ministering at a church in London last year, where we experienced a powerful move of the Holy Spirit. Many of the those who came to the meetings got blessed as the Holy Spirit poured out, empowered, healed, and filled those there.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>We later on in the trip ministered at one of their sister churches in Paris. There was a lot of warfare and difficultly getting to this church in Paris, especially with a crazy parking fiasco, that had us under serious stress and warfare. <br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>The pastor said when we finally got into the building, albeit a bit late, “I believe the Lord will manifest His power as you minister!” That was an encouraging word after such a struggle and distraction.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>It turned out that he nailed that! The Holy Spirit moved in radical power and some people were knocked backwards, almost looking like they were hit by a bomb blast as the Holy Spirit poured onto them when we prayed for them. We had a revival time as the Lord poured out His power at the service that day.<br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes God’s power is strongest when we were are at our weakest, being so ruffled from the parking mess I was quite distracted going in to the service, but surprised and rejoiced by the way the Lord moved! Hallelujah!<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>Well in between ministry, when things are a little calmer, we like to visit, when the opportunity arises, some of the places that tell something about some of the history of the area, especially when it involves something about Christian History, revivals of the past, or the Reformation.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>We had a few unexpected surprises in that vein on the last trip. One of them was while we were going through London after that aforementioned ministry there, before heading off to France. <br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>We were in the area of the British Library and decided to pop in for a visit. We’d been there before, but I have figured out over time and visits, that they tend to change their exhibitions of historical books and artifacts quite regularly.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>As we walked up to the display cases, we were stoked to come upon one of the last remaining Wycliffe Bibles in the world. John Wycliffe is known as the Morning Star of the Reformation, meaning he was a forerunner to many of the things that Martin Luther took on later.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p><b>The Reformation </b><br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>When Martin Luther posted his Ninety-Five Theses on the Castle Church door in Wittenberg, Germany, on October 31<sup>st</sup>, 1517, it turned out that it was the spark that initiated the Protestant Reformation.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>The Pope’s response to Luther’s Theses was: “Who is this drunken German? I’ll have that heretic burned at the stake within two weeks!” Well, it didn’t really go the way the Pope said, even though popes had done just that with dissenters many times; the Word of God was on Luther’s side and he wouldn’t be so easily silenced. Many were impacted by the truth Luther was bringing forth and turning back to biblically-based faith and supporting Luther.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>As Luther’s confrontation of church abuses caught fire and spread, another tactic was tried by Rome: Have Luther debate the Catholic theologian Johann Eck. Known as a master debater, they figured Eck would bury Luther and make quick work of him. <br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>Luther was a Catholic priest himself, but through reading the Bible, his spiritual eyes had been opened to see that the Catholic Church had long since abandoned its roots and substituted a host of money-making schemes like indulgences (papers declaring forgiveness of sins when the proper donation was made which was no less than selling forgiveness) and the veneration of relics (bits of bone allegedly from Saints of the past). These relics, according to the Catholic Church, could confer time off purgatory when viewed along with the always demanded stipulated donation.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>Rome didn’t realize the depth of insight, wisdom, and knowledge that Luther had garnered from studying the Word of God and they underestimated his ability.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>Luther rose to the occasion in the debate with Eck and was an equal match in his command of Christian History and scriptural truth. Luther made it clear, citing early Church Councils, that it was none other than the Catholic Church itself, that had strayed from its original roots and teachings.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>Eck came back with an accusation that Luther was a Wycliffite and a Hussite.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>During a break in the debate, Luther searched the library to find out that both John Wycliffe and Jan Hus were leaders that had attempted to bring reform in previous centuries before him, but were condemned as heretics for seeking to turn the Catholic Church back to its foundations in the Word. <br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>Hus was burned at the stake, and while Wycliffe had escaped their clutches while alive, his bones were dug up after he died and were burned as well. The implication was clear: Luther better cool it or he could face the same fate. <br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>Instead of shrinking back in fear, Luther came back as the debate resumed and declared boldly: “I am a Wycliffite and a Hussite!” In the end, the debate only served to elevate Luther’s status, the last thing they wanted.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p><b>Wycliffe and Hus</b><br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>John Wycliffe and Jan Hus were forerunners of the Reformation.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p><a href="https://soundcloud.com/graceworldmission/jan-hus-czech-reformer" target="_blank">Jan Hus</a>, who was from Bohemia (modern-day Czech Region) was also a Catholic priest who began to see the errors the Catholic Church had embraced and sought to bring reform. Hus was greatly influenced by Wycliffe’s writing and confronted the Pope’s claim that he was a mediator between God and man, which the Pope had made at the Fourth Lateran Council. This meant the Pope was above a normal person and equated himself with the savior. This was a gross contradiction of the Scriptures, which say emphatically that there is only one mediator between God and man: Jesus Christ!<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>Hus also said that it is Jesus Christ who is the head of the church and not the pope, which is of course what the New Testament Scriptures teach in Col. 1:18. Hus was persecuted and burned at the stake in the year 1415 for his efforts to turn the church back to the Word of God. He actually made a prophecy <span style="font-family: trebuchet;">right b</span>efore he died: <span style="font-family: trebuchet;">"<span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;">You are now going to burn a goose, but in a century you will have a swan which you can neither roast nor boil."</span> (Hus' name means goose in the Czech language.) </span>This was <a href="https://gwmgracenotes.blogspot.com/2016/10/reformationday2016.html" target="_blank">fulfilled through Luther 100 years later.</a> Luther has been pictured with a swan in some paintings to show the fulfillment of that prophecy.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p><b>John Wycliffe, is known as the Morning Star of the Reformation.</b><br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>Wycliffe lived in the mid and latter 1300’s and attended Oxford University. He was a stalwart figure there and in the church. In fact, Oxford’s early reputation in scholarship owes much to Wycliffe. Over time, Wycliffe saw the way the Catholic Church had drifted away from the anchor of truth in the Scriptures during the Medieval Period. Its wealth and opulence had corrupted it, and it had replaced the Gospel with money-making rituals and superstitions like relics and indulgences and the cult of the saints.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>This constant drift away from the truth seems endemic in humankind’s very existence. Paul the Apostle had to write, not too long after planting the Gospel in Galatia, quite strongly to the Galatians to deal with their similar drift away from the Gospel and confront their return to clinging to rituals and dead works. This is why the Book of Galatians was a centerpiece in reform and one Luther relied on quite heavily during the Reformation.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>Much like Luther later, Wycliffe had become quite disturbed by these practices. While reading the Bible Wycliffe, much like other reformers including Luther, found no relics, indulgences, purgatory, saint worship, nor prayers to saints; no holy water, no processions or the like, through which the Catholic Church lavishly garnered lucrative donations. In fact, these were more aligned with pagan practices. Nor did he see that the Pope, nor priests, had the place to confer and issue forgiveness. Like Luther, he saw in the Bible that it was only faith in Christ which was taught as necessary for receiving forgiveness and salvation.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>He thus felt that he should put the Bible into the hands of the people in their own language that they may see for themselves that it is faith in Christ that brings salvation and not all these rituals the church was using as replacements for the Gospel.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>Like <a href="https://youtu.be/WDr66ITavlI" target="_blank">Martin Luther</a>, and <a href="https://youtu.be/ZEAl5iOyY6c" target="_blank">William Tyndale</a> later, Wycliffe thus worked to translate the Scriptures into the vernacular language of the people: in his case the English of Great Britain, and make it accessible to all, not just priests and bishops. <br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>This was a high crime at that time, the Catholic Church at the Synod of Toulouse in 1229 officially forbade the laity to even possess a Bible—yes, as crazy as it sounds, having a Bible according to the Catholic Church was a crime—and they also opposed vernacular translations. They allowed only Latin as the permitted language for the Bible.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>Latin was a long dead language that very, very, few could read and comprehend. It was obvious that keeping the Bible in Latin could keep the people in the dark regarding all the rituals the Church had used to replace the Gospel. <br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>Wycliffe saw the need for the Bible to be in the language of the people and worked to translate and distribute the Bible to the common person, who he felt could read and understand it and be blessed by it, regardless of the Catholic Church’s prohibitions.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>He employed common people to help him as well in these endeavors, and in so doing was employing that New Testament practice that Luther highlighted later as well called: “The Priesthood of all Believers.”<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>Wycliffe managed to do all this in the last nine years of his life; God saved the best for last. Like Corey Ten Boon, he served God the most in his latter years, as it is never too late in God’s Kingdom.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>Wycliffe made a valiant effort in his translating, but the Latin was all he had access to in order to translate the Bible into English. He and his helpers, called Lollards, who he sent out to preach and distribute Bibles, also helped copy the translations by hand, which was a very long, and painstakingly slow process.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>Luther and Tyndale, roughly a century and a half later after Wycliffe, would have the advantage not only of the invention of the printing press by <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grace-alone/id157483666?i=1000009770438" target="_blank">Gutenberg</a> to make copies of the Bible they translated, but they also had access to a Greek text of the New Testament that had been recently assembled and published in their time by Desiderius Erasmus. Those advances greatly helped further their efforts and fanned the spread of the Reformation, which in turn spawned revivals in later times.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>Wycliffe stands as a Morning Star of the Reformation, a forerunner in his effort to bring reform and make the Bible available in the language of the people. His efforts made a great contribution and helped lay a foundation for the later Reformation and subsequent revivals. </span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>Bryan Marleauxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13487366566603016522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490628812024688145.post-35170896777653630112020-09-26T15:45:00.001-07:002020-09-26T15:45:25.322-07:00Ministry Update: Summer 2020<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Wedding Anniversary</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">We celebrated our 28th Wedding Anniversary this June! We thank the Lord for His grace, mercy, and healing power of the Holy Spirit, for keeping us rooted and grounded in His love. We are grateful for the presence of Christ that has sustained us over the years! We were able to get up to Yosemite National Park, as things opened up a bit, and celebrate the Lord’s goodness over the years. The Bible illustrates how it is important to celebrate and remember all of God’s blessings!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We have been doing quite a bit of ministry activity (online and in other ways) during what is one of the most unusual years so far in recent memory with COVID19 and civil unrest.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It was recently Pentecost Sunday. Some years it passes by with nobody even mentioning it. However, with all the upheaval in recent times, many people in the Body of Christ were actually praying for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit, we joined in online, and otherwise, with a number of those meetings and are encouraged to see fresh hunger in the Body of Christ for the power of the Holy Spirit! Praise God! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Billy Graham said in one of his last major conferences on evangelism: “We need to get back to the Book of Acts and I mean specifically Acts Chapter 2 and the power of the Holy Spirit.” He went on to say that this is the only way we can have hope of reaching this generation. As one of the most renowned preachers in American history, Billy Graham in his writings makes the point that reliance on the Holy Spirit is completely biblical and central to the Christian faith, and in fact epitomizes the goal of the Christian life. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Online Outpouring </span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Amongst recent meeting we’ve done, online and otherwise, one of the recent highlights for us was doing an online meeting with some friends up along the Central Coast of California. We had a blessed time of renewal and refreshing as the Holy Spirit poured down on us all in power when we moved into a prayer time. It was awesome to experience the Holy Spirit moving on all who joined in, releasing words and prophecies, and insights, from different people in attendance. The “priesthood of all believers” was evident and in action.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There were actually a number of younger people in attendance who were powerfully touched and ministered to as we prayed over them. We are doing our part to reach into, and empower and equip, the next generation! Praise God that the Lord’s power is not limited, or reduced, by doing things online through still-developing Zoom technology. We have also experienced people being filled, empowered, and encouraged in other online meetings we’ve done!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Divine Appointments</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As things have opened up a little more, we’ve had some divine appointments, in person and otherwise.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I had one recently with a brand-new Christian I met. He was seeking direction for his life and I was able to share with him, and then pray over him about how the Holy Spirit will help lead us towards the Heavenly Father’s purposes for our life in Jesus’ Name. He was touched by the Lord and very thankful, hallelujah!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I also talked, shared and prayed with a man I met from Syria who had been through many hard times. He had come to Christ after being a Physics professor and experiencing great loss, including the death of his wife at the hands of Communist forces who kidnapped and killed her. He said he found God in the midst of his struggles, which he stated is the most important thing, and shared how much he appreciated being in America now! He was blessed that I took the time to listen to his story and then pray for him.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We also received a call from Canada from a brother in Christ who shared how a word we’d given him on our last trip there had deeply ministered to him and how the Lord had brought it now to fulfillment! Praise God!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">More Online Activity </span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We were doing podcasts way before they became a popular thing and in fact have a plethora of podcasts episodes available online that cover different teachings from books of the New Testament as well as events in Christian History. We have begun to put some programs on SoundCloud as well, which offers fairly easy access. Our latest uploads to SoundCloud include the “<a href="https://soundcloud.com/graceworldmission/ep-101-the-birth-of-the-modern-pentecostal-movement" target="_blank">Azusa Street Pentecostal Outpouring</a>” and “<a href="https://soundcloud.com/graceworldmission/finneys-conversion" target="_blank">Charles Finney’s Conversion and Baptism in the Holy Spirit</a>.” You can access all our SoundCloud episodes here: <a href="http://soundcloud.com/graceworldmission">soundcloud.com/graceworldmission</a> and our more complete list on our Grace Alone program on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grace-alone/id157483666" target="_blank">iTunes/Apple Podcasts</a>.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Another of our recent online pieces was about the Mother’s Day Outpouring in Calvary Chapel Yorba Linda, later renamed The Anaheim Vineyard, and my own subsequent baptism in the Holy Spirit there back in the day. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We in fact received some blessed responses from people, including a touching response from a reader who wrote to tell us how impacted she was by the article. She shared how blessed she was by the fire and power and anointing of the Holy Spirit that touched her while reading the article, as well as when we ministered at some meetings in her area up in Northern California previously. If you want to read that recent article you can do so by following this link: <a href="http://gwmgracenotes.blogspot.com/2020/05/40th-anniversary-of-mothers-day.html">http://gwmgracenotes.blogspot.com/2020/05/40th-anniversary-of-mothers-day.html</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It is important to remember that both the Pentecostal/Azusa Street Revival, as well as the Jesus People Revival, were preceded by civil unrest and national distress. Things got shaken up before those outpourings took place.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We are stoked on the way the Holy Spirit has continually moved in meetings we’ve done whether in person or online. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Let us all pray together that the larger Body of Christ will have a fresh widespread outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our time as well!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Thank you for your prayers and support! We really appreciate it!</span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">God bless!</span></b></span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Bryan and Mercedes Marleaux</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></b>Bryan Marleauxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13487366566603016522noreply@blogger.com0