WHAT A YEAR!! + 3 week break
Posted by: prophetic <prophetic@...>
-This List will be "on holiday" over the next few weeks and will
return in January 2005.
"WHAT A YEAR!!"
-by Andrew Strom.
I had no idea back in January that this year would be one
of the most controversial and event-filled periods that I have
yet seen. But it certainly has been.
After making a definite decision at the end of 2003 to shift our
family to America, it was like a whirlwind how fast things came
together. Just two months later we were living in Kansas City -
having sold everything we could in New Zealand and shifting our
six children halfway around the world. WHAM! BAM! God does
not waste time when He is on the move. (-This was after years and
years of feeling called to the USA, but the doors remaining closed).
Within months this List became embroiled in a huge controversy
about the "NINE LIES" series that I published - based on the
fact that even our best churches today are light-years away from
the Book of Acts - and that many "lies" still dominate our thinking.
What a storm that caused!
But even that paled alongside the "shaking" that came with my
announcement in November that I was "LEAVING THE PROPHETIC
MOVEMENT". I have never seen such a reaction. But in the end,
even for people who disagreed, I believe this "shaking" was good
and necessary. It caused a lot of people to think and pray about a
number of urgent issues. And ultimately I believe it was the right
thing to do.
I am very much looking forward to the "JOHN THE BAPTIST"
Conference that we are holding in early March. Somehow I believe
that this will be another 'step forward'. Who knows what God has
got planned? There are a number of things that I see developing
and I believe that 2005 is going to be a tremendous year of
shaking and change.
This 'shaking' has been underway for some time, and I believe it
is going to reach earth-shattering proportions before it ends. What
we are seeing now is just a glimpse of that. We are entering the
'Valley of Decision' and many will be forced to DECIDE. As Jesus
Himself stated, "I come not to bring peace, BUT A SWORD".
And bringing a 'sword' to any situation is bound to "hurt" - and
to appear "divisive" - but God has done this right down through
history. In fact, it could be argued that a prophet's true role is
to bring a 'sword' - to 'pierce' with truth and cause people to jump
one way or the other. -"Why halt ye between two opinions?"
I am looking forward to next year very much. But in the meantime
I am hoping for a genuine rest. My hands have "Carpel Tunnel"
syndrome very badly (-which caused me to leave the Computer
Industry some years ago). They are very sore - and any typing on
the computer makes them ache - sometimes my whole arm. This
can be a real nightmare for someone who runs an Email List! I am
hoping that a holiday away from the computer will help.
A huge THANKYOU to all those wonderful people who have
prayed and supported us in various ways this year. We feel
truly blessed to have the support of such a wonderful group. For
those who wish to pray for our family, my wife's name is Jacqui
and our children are: Reuben (17 yrs), Benjamin (15), Jasmine (12),
Kirsten (10), Holly (5) and Hope (3). -Thankyou so much.
Regarding the Conference, we will be publishing details of hotels
and motels, etc, in early January so that people have plenty of
time to book.
CONFERENCE DATES: March 4-6, 2005.
Entry is NO CHARGE.
SPEAKERS: David Ravenhill, Lawrence Banda, Andrew Strom,
Doug Perry, James Smith + more.
Have a wonderful holiday, my friends.
God bless you all.
Kindest regards in Christ,
Andrew Strom.