PRMI's Moving With the Spirit report on "Encountering the Heart of the Father"

Encountering the Heart of the Father Report

Christmas, Ferguson, and Staten Island

It’s amazing how God our Heavenly Father truly longs that every man, woman, and child, regardless of ethnicity and social status, be unto Him a “Peculiar Treasure,” (Exodus 19:5).

Though the Christmas rush is upon us, probably many of us in America are still thinking about Michael Brown and Darren Wilson (two Black men who died under questionable police enforcement). These situations painfully remind us how many people feel like “I don't matter…, others are more important than me…, there is no equality or justice.”

God told Moses and all the Israelites, “Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the nations of the earth; for all the earth belongs to me” (NLT). And how do we obey God and keep His covenant? To summarize the whole Law “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength… and love your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus came as the Jewish Messiah but He opened up access to the Father for all of the world, not just the Jews, to become, by faith, God’s “peculiar” or special treasure.

Protesters all over America right now are holding up placards saying “Black lives matter.” YES! Maybe our social conditioning tragically taught us otherwise. But God declares “Your life DOES matter! I want you to be my treasured possession, you are indeed my inheritance” (Deut 4:20).

Christmas is a season that reminds each of us “You are loved, you are special, I want you.” Father God gave us His Son so that through a personal relationship with Him we can experience being loved by Father and loving Him. All you need to do is ask. “God, do you love me?” Then ask Him demonstrate His love by pouring it into your heart by His Holy Spirit.

You matter, Black lives matter, each of us matters. He wants you to know and experience deep in your heart “I am God’s special treasure.” That’s the message of Christmas.

"Encountering the Heart of the Father" Conference October 22-26 Black Mountain, NC

Many of us are longing for more. We've known Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit for ministry, but our hearts long for something more. There seems to be something missing in all our serving.

Today God is revealing Himself as Father, pouring out his love in new waves of power, giving us the comfort, security, intimacy, and peace we all earnestly desire. From October 22-26 we are hosting a conference at PRMI's Community of the Cross teaching and sharing how you can know and experience God as Father more deeply.

Here's a link to the brochure:

Encountering the Heart of the Father

And here's the link to register with PRMI's (Presbyterian and Reformed Ministries) Dunamis Institute. Note, the conference is free. You will need to stay at a local hotel in Black Mountain and we will share preparing lunch and dinners. 

Register with the Dunamis Institute

HUGS Talk Radio Show where we share some thoughts about FREEDOM 7/20/14

HUGS Talk interview with Antiqua Libbey in Alaska

Call Me Yahweh, Call Me Father

In Exodus 3:15 God (Hebrew-“Elohim”) reveals Himself to Moses and the Israelites by the name “Yahweh.” Our English Bibles translate this word “The LORD” (all caps is “Yahweh,” lower case is “Adonai”). God speaks to Moses and tells him to tell the Israelites “this is the name you shall call me from generation to generation.”  But when we English speakers say “the” LORD it sounds formal and impersonal. In using the article “the” we are not calling someone by personal name but by title, role, or position. It’s respectful but not intimate. The Hebrew Bible does not have “the” in front of Yahweh; Yahweh is a personal name, not a title. 

In Exodus 6:8 God tells the oppressed Israelites that He will take them as His own people and be their God (Elohim) and that He will deliver them from slavery and bring them to the promised land.  He ends the stated  promise with an oath: “I am the LORD.” That sounds like an authentic word of authority, using the title “The LORD.” But the Hebrew says “I am Yahweh.” Hmm...

God has from the beginning wanted us to know Him by name, personally, as His children. "Yahweh" is who Jesus calls "Abba." We don't need to refer to Him as "The Father" but can directly call Him "Father." For some even saying “Father God” may be ascribing a title to Him, a form of respect and honor. This is good. But if using this title prevents us from experiencing intimacy with Him as Father, then perhaps we need to call Him directly by name “Abba” or “Father” or “Yahweh.” 

I love when my children call me “Daddy” even though two of them are grown up and married now. They are my children and they love me as Daddy.

You are Abba’s child, let Him love you as “Papa.” Let Him be "Father" to you. All His promises are based on all the authority He has “I am Yahweh.” “I am Father.” "I am your Father."

Karakol and Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, January 2014

Debbie and I had an amazing two weeks in Kyrgyzstan teaching PRMI's Dunamis Gateways Course and several classes on Knowing God as Father. Up north, on the western boarder of China we first taught in Karakol, a snowy, beautiful town. Pastor Kostya graciously hosted us in his church. The people were open, loving, and received much from Father in heaven. We wondered if we could do it again the second week in Bishkek but again God poured out His power and love. Literally we witnessed people being healed of illnesses, filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, and deeply ministered to in Father's love.

Our friend Libbey Green wrote the following:

February 5, 2014

To Whom It May Concern:

My name is Libby Green.  I am an American volunteer worker that was able to attend the Dunamis Project conference in Karakol, Kyrgyzstan in January.  Pastor Allen, Pastor Debbie, and Gary all did a wonderful job with this conference.  They also included the Father’s Love portion and it was just what this soul needed!  I cannot say enough, “Thank you for allowing them to come and minister to us in Kyrgyzstan!”  This time really was a highlight of my Christmas vacation.  I was also very excited to come back to my church here in Bishkek and share everything! 

During this time God did many meaningful things in my life and also other the people that attended the conference. One lady said, “She has been praying for this conference to happen and it was such a blessing!”  Another lady said, “God showed her things she had never shared with others!  I know this was totally from my Savior!”  I am so excited for the next portion of Dunamis to come to Kyrgyzstan! 

In Him,

Libby Green

Here are some links to video testimonies people gave in Bishkek:

Testimony in Bishkek 1

Testimony in Bishkek 2