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Friends of Christian Renewal Association Inc.,
The purpose of this letter is to bring you up to date on a number of important events: the latest on Holy Spirit Gifts empowerment classes, a new adventure in my life to bring CRA's unique Emotionally Free Course and all our books to a higher level to reach our culture, and who some of the supporters are that feel called to help CRA to make progress not to just maintain.
To begin with, in our latest edition of the Holy Spirit and You Gifts Course our Lord showed up in a number of ways. One was when our musician, Vern Giddings, arrived he told the class that as he came into the room and began to lead us in worship, he felt the "Rain of the Holy Spirit!"
For those Nine O'clock in the Morning readers, you'll remember that when Dennis first came to Seattle and St. Luke's Church in Ballard "in fear and trembling" he received a prophecy through a member, Pat Haggey, saying in essence that Dennis would receive support from the top leaders down to lay leaders and that he was not to be afraid. As the words were spoken, he felt supernatural "rain" falling on him which he knew was a confirmation. That was the only time he had such an experience. Later in this article I'll tell you about one time when I had a similar experience.
The second time where God showed up uniquely at the HS&YG Course had to do with small groups. I was instructing the small groups to pray in the Spirit and have a Scribe in the group write down any inspired words of interpretation or knowledge that came to them. There was no collaboration with other groups. As the Scribes shared with the larger group later, all three had heard words from the Lord having to do with aspects of Psalm 139, and this had not been taught on by the speakers. This Psalm is the greatest one in the entire Bible on the omnipresence of God.
There were many testimonies. I have space for one: "The Lord restored, healed, and delivered me in mind and body. I was brought out of darkness and despair." Isn't God awesome?
The Course "Emotionally Free" reflects my major calling ever since 1976. In 1981 my book "You Can Be Emotionally Free" was published and I then chose to rename the original edition of the Course, "Emotionally Free" and copyrighted the name. Now it is 2005 and I have taught this Course annually in Edmonds and upgraded it numerous times. As I have grown, so also has the Course. Many other teachers have joined me in presenting the EF Course and I would be pleased for more to do so. People in Africa are teaching the Course in the Kiswahili language, and now a new edition is being edited for publication in Mandarin Chinese. I promise to keep you up to date on these Emotionally Free adventures.
The Master Prayer Counselor's (MAPC) two year course to update EF leaders was completed last August. It was an exciting adventure for 16 graduates, and myself. We learned many truths from the professional leaders CRA brought in. These EF Master Teachers are available to serve you and your churches.
Now a new calling will begin for me this September. I'm happy to say I have been accepted as a Master's Degree Candidate at LIOS/Bastyr University in Kenmore, Washington. This is the only University where I can attend and still continue to be president and CEO of Christian Renewal Association. The unique set up is that I will attend classes in Modules, staying on campus for 4 to 5 days at a time, rather than going to classes week days. My seminar teaching schedules fit in and CRA will continue on as usual! This is the only local university where this could work out for me.
Why are you doing this, you may ask? First of all, I want to do my best for the Lord. There are leadership opportunities in my field of counseling that I cannot participate in without a Master's degree. Also those registered lay-counselors working under my leadership will be automatically upgraded and benefit in their profession. I want to be on the growing edge in my field of counseling and I feel a direct mandate from Jesus the Healer to do this.
When Dennis was alive, I had talked to him about furthering my education but because of his declining health he asked me not to. When we were speaking in Shreveport, Louisiana around 1986, Paula Kilpatrick and a friend came to our meeting. Surprisingly, they had been fasting and praying for us and asked to bring us a word of prophecy. Dennis was busy speaking at the time but I was free, so invited their ministry. Paula said her friend normally prophesied poetically and she began to speak. It was not recorded so all I clearly remember was one particular phrase, "God has not called you to go to the University at this time." This shocked me because I had not discussed this desire with anyone but Dennis and a Catholic college professor.
As she prophesied for several minutes, I felt a "gentle rain falling" on my face. When she stopped, the rain stopped. I knew God had spoken. God gives such blessings as He chooses and for His own purposes. It was not necessary for me to be "rained upon" as God's Word is my best guide, but I will say it was a special bonus and blessing I will not forget.
Now a widow since 1991, the Lord has opened the door for me to go to LIOS (Leadership Institute of Seattle) University and has shown me reasons why this is important. It will take two years of hard work but I'm used to that as I've never stopped working in leadership at and through Christian Renewal Association offices. Your prayers and support will be so vitally important on this new adventure. Do rejoice with me in this opportunity.
