I felt so sad at what you were talking about, Lance! I absolutely understand “where” you are coming from. The wind of the Holy Spirit with you is blowing where HE will….Jesus is building HIS church, not man. I also have a dear dear friend who is a once-was Baptist pastor who was filled with the Holy Spirit, and left the institutional church for the very same reason. It IS a different world, and SO bound by tradition….but they can’t see it and probably never will. My friend has since then been responsible for starting a grass fire that has spread across a lot of Africa, that is planting, HUNDREDS of tiny churches in communities, raising up pastors, and leaders to take the gospel right across the nation. It is just the way it was in the early church. I have been so blessed to know him and his precious wife as friends for 15 years, and we held “church” at his home two, three times a week, as the Spirit led. They were some of the most wonderful times with the LORD I have known. It was that little group of Christians who anointed me to come to America to serve here. The grass-roots church which God is building looks NOTHING like the church that came out of Catholicism and retained so many of her habits and traditions, just under another guise. I rejoice in the freedom of the Holy Spirit’s leading! I rejoice in men like brother Chip and those who guide, lead and teach Christ’s precious Bride to simply become LIKE Him, be filled WITH Him, to OBEY Him, and GLORIFY Him in their lives. He must increase, and we must decrease!…..it is not a pyramid of who’s in control, and men filled with pride fighting for supremacy, but submission to the Son of God. Peter showed me how when he stepped out of the boat that dark and stormy night…..and NOBODY knew the sea better than that professional fisherman! Nobody knew how dangerous that crazy “stunt” could be, but he knew the Son of God and that ALL things are possible to Him!.

Oh, Rene, I love this PRECIOUS word of encouragement from Tozer. I printed it out years ago, it had such an impact on me. I remember flying from Kansas City to Winnipeg in December of 05, reading it on the plane, tears streaming down my face as I looked out the window at the bleak, snow-covered landscape beneath me, as I meditated on what he had said – straight from the heart of God. How I LOVE this man’s heart, his teaching, his straight-from-the-shoulder truth…..but the depths of his knowledge of God have been such a huge encouragement to me, ESPECIALLY when my own walk with God has been such a hard, lone walk at times. Men like Chip and Tozer and Andrew Murray, David Wilkerson, Corrie Ten Boom, and Paul…:-) have surrounded me with teaching and encouragement when ONLY men (and women) like them could help when I needed it. I praise God for them. I am SO THANKFUL for the depth of insight that they can give to those who follow. There is so much shallow and fluffy teaching and preaching out there that offers empty husks to the heart that yearns for the heart of God! THANK you for posting that and reminding me again of this powerful message straight from the heart of Jesus who walked that lonely path right to the foot of the cross.

I’m eating humble pie..I realize Rene’ that you were actually quoting from Tozers book..now I understand what I was feeling when reading it. I apologise for my ramblings..please ignore!

I love what you shared Sonja.

Rene’..you very long reply of which I read mostly appealed to something in me but I’m not sure if it was just the msge or my enjoyment of good language-I quite enjoy it but is it necessary I now ask myself. I think I like and want simple and true from ♡.
I wrote down alot that u said..will check on the Moses story as I’ve missed the burning bush part to it..and will go over it more.One thing I wonder about : Meister Eckhart ‘ taught HIS followers’ telling them what to do in their time of prayer..I understand what he meant, but isn’t that assuming the place of the Holy Spirit? I don’t mean to bring a negative, just wondering.

Great..inspiring words.