Today we got the privilege to hear the testimony of our leaders, Corey and Meredith. An awesome couple with a daughter who serve together with them.
Corey had a mom who was a methodist and a Jewish father, and they sent him to Catholic school. So as a child he was confused 'religiously'. He knew Jesus is real, but never interested in Him. He graduated from high school and thought he didn't need to spend money to go through college to learn how to make money, and he decided to start his own business to make money. God spoke to him in a audible voice, "Corey, give your life to me" and he said "No!" God didn't force him because He is a God who gives us freewill. Making money was Corey's live vision at that time. God showed favor to him and pretty soon he had his own business making a lot of money.
Meredith, came from a messed up family, lived with her mother who was abusive, and her 2 brothers. Meredith and her brothers were so close together. They knew what love was because they been through a lot together as siblings. As a child she would go visit her father with permission, and her father would be drunk most of the time and poured out his heart to her, telling her all the horrible things he been through during the Vietnam war. In the process, she became strong and learnt how to protect herself and her brothers and she learnt how to survive. At the age of about 14, she went to the court and got her freedom to leave her abusive mom. Before that she ran away from home a few times.
She was later married to a man, and they were doing heavy drugs. After a few years, she left him and God gave her strength to step out of drugs just like that (even though she didn't know God yet at that time).
Corey met Meredith at this restaurant that Meredith worked at and he wanted to pursue her. At this point, Meredith was struggling because her brother was battling against sickness. She blamed herself and felt guilty because it seemed to her that she could have did something for her brother instead of just leaving them with her mother. Her brother died a painful death and the process lasted 6 months (not long after Corey and Meredith married). Because Corey was very sweet to her and he didn't give up even though Meredith rejected him again and again, she finally decided to give it a try. At this time, Corey owned a huge successful business.
They clicked and soon they were married. They had about a 6 months great times together. They travelled a lot and they were who each other needed. Corey, a workaholic needed a wife who is fun like Meredith; while Meredith, who had been striving to survive by herself all these years needed a husband who she can leaned on.
After that 6 months of honeymoon period, Corey's accountant disappeared suddenly and they found out she had stolen a lot of the company's money and left Corey in huge huge dept. They were very desperate at this point. To a point Corey said he even heard demonic voices telling him to end his miserable life. Then one day he heard Jesus spoke the same words to him again "Corey, give your life to me". Corey said on one condition he would give his life to him, if God bring him out of this mess - to take care of all his debts. The next day he felt God telling him to call huge company to buy his business. The first call he made and he explained the situation to him, and that guy laughed him and said "I would buy your business after the IRS took it, so I won't have to pay anything". He was very disappointed and then he heard God urged him to call again. He did. This time, the guy said he would come in 3 days and he did, with a group of accountants and they calculated how much the employee had stolen and how much exactly the company owed... and he bought the business from Corey and even paid him $4000. Corey knew it was God's hand.
After this stressful days, Corey and Meredith went for 1 1/2 months (or 3 months, I don't remember) driving across the country to enjoy each other and the nature and spent the money they had. At the end of the journey, randomly, they stopped at Brownsville where revival was breaking out. They stepped into the building where the meeting was going on and they encountered the Lord there.
There, they spent all their money and had nothing left. They didn't know how they could drive back to their home. They prayed to God. The next day a lady came up to them and told them the Lord spoke to her to bring them to breakfast and after that, she gave them $20. They drove and drove, a long journey and all night driving they got home. When they woke up, they realized the $20 was still in his pocket and he didn't even add any gas to his car... wow, the Lord multiplied the gas miraculously!
Corey started to get involved in church. He failed in business, and now he was looking for success somewhere else. Later on God dealt with his issue on identity and freed him from having to prove his success in things he does. Anyway, at this point, his wife received a prophetic word. Someone told her God said He would heal her miscarriages (she had 8 miscarriages). Later on she did get pregnant and gave birth to the daughter that is with them now. However, through the pregnancy, she unusually gained 100 pounds, and she got very depressed. On the other hand, Corey was striving and working hard in ministry and he didn't like a depressed wife. Their relationship got real bad that they divorced. They made a deal to have each one takes care of the daughter 3 1/2 days per week for they both loved the daughter (Sammy) very dearly. (When Sammy was very little she had somehow gotten leads in her and her health was really bad. God healed her!) Meredith was mad and bitter and she started drinking.
5 years later, they got back together. It wasn't easy. When Sammy grow older, she would go up to the front to line up and pray on the microphone that her parents would reconciled, that her mom would stop drinking and that her father would.... she was very straightforward in her prayers. One time God spoke to Meredith that God would reconcile her marriage with Corey. She listened to God and started attending the church that Corey served at. Corey was still very mad at Meredith and didn't want to have anything to do with her. He welcomed her into the congregation like any other member, but he told the pastor, told her, and told everybody that they won't get back together. Since Corey had been serving in that church and people knew him first, they had a bias towards Meredith. So, for 3 years or so, she only had 1 friend but she pressed on.
On a random occasion, both of them signed up to attend a seminar without knowing the other person also in that program. The leaders in the program cast lot to put people into groups and by divine appointment, Meredith and Corey were in the same group with another 2 couples. The leader of that group didn't know Corey and Meredith and didn't know they were divorced. During one session, they were doing 'forgiving' and after the 2 couples did theirs, the leader asked Corey if he wanted to forgive Meredith. He tried and realized he couldn't. And the leader told him to ask the Lord why he coudln't forgive. Then God showed him that he was actually mad at himself because of the failures instead of Meredith.
They both signed up for counseling to be better parents for Sammy and eventually the counseling turned into being better spouse in marriage. God spoke to Corey that he should reconcile with his wife. They tried and things were really tough for them. At one point, they both were gonna give up. Then, before they were gonna meet and talk about giving up, God spoke the same passage to both of them individually.
James 5:16-17
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you maybe healed. Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.
So, both of them met and instead of saying let's just give up, they confess their sins to each other. And all of a sudden, Corey told us, he looked at his wife differently, he didnt' hate her anymore, he wasn't mad at her anymore, and she looked as pretty and lovely as the days he was pursuing her. Wow!
Now, before they got back together, one night, Sammy asked Meredith "Do you know what I want for Christmas?" Then she said "I want you and Daddy get back together". God did heard Sammy's prayers. That December, Corey and Meredith took Sammy out for dinner and told her they were gonna give her a Christmas gift. There's another Christmas gift that Sammy told them she wanted, so she thought that was what she was going to get. To her surprise, they announced to her that they were gonna get married again to each other.
That was 3 years ago and now they as a family are serving the Lord together in love and in unity. They shared in details what they went through. I didn't remember all the details and didn't write a lot of the details here. Their testimony was so powerful. I was in tears and sobbing by the time they ended their testimony. I believe the Lord who restored their lives and their marriages will also grant the restoration to many marriages and family life!
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Week #3
1. Song of Solomons (the speaker)
This past 3rd week was awesome. We had 3 days teaching on the Song of Solomons. The speaker, Jen Roberts, is a staff here. Dwane and Jen Roberts had been missionaries before they came here. Dwane is in the media ministry.
Jen shared with us her testimony. She grew up in a messed up family. Her mom had bad marriages and never were satisfied with her marriages until one day she and her husband encountered Jesus at a church. Jen, a teenage girl at that time wasn't interested in what her parents were doing with church. When she later did encountered Jesus, her first understanding of Jesus was the bride and bridegroom relationship. She took it so seriously that she thought she would never marry a man because she was already married to Jesus. She was on fire for God and serves God in anyway she could since then. Anyway God keep renewing her mind and eventually she got married to her ministry partner.
She is really humorous and yet down to earth. I loved her teachings. One time, she shared her struggle with not being able to be in the ministry like her husband because she had to take care of her kids. She said, during those days, her husband would be in trouble even before he stepped into the house when he came home from ministry... because she was so tired taking care of kids the whole day and her temper was already hot. Wow! That was me!! Hahaha. Jerry used to say he can't rest whenever he comes home. Just by knowing she went through the same thing and overcame, brought so much comfort to my heart. For the past few years, from the time Joshua was born, to last year, God had been speaking to my heart that He has given me children as my ministry for this season of life. It wasn't till end of last year that I finally heard Him and willingly accept His invitation. The vision and calling from God still boils inside of me from time to time, but I know God has His timing for everything.
Jen said, one time she was struggled so much with having to stay home changing diapers and taking care of kids, she cried out to God and God gave her a vision. She saw she was getting ready to run a race. Next to her, were Mike Bickle, her husband, and the big guys with big ministry/responsibility... and she told God how could she run with these big guys? Then she saw herself, having diapers around her, stroller tied to her feet, and kids with her, and she got even more discouraged. Then God said "run!" She said "how?" God said "run!" Then she saw a tunnel appearing around her and all she could see was a tiny light far ahead at the other side of the tunnel. God said "run!" Yes, she isn't competing with any other believers. She tried. She did take a few steps little by little, though very slowly, she knew she was moving forward. And she knew she was in the race. And she knew she was obeying God. When she was telling us this vision, tears came rolling down my cheek. God's presence was on me and He brought much comfort and affirmation to my heart.
2. Song of Solomon (content)
The approach to interpret the Song of Solomon in the Bible : spiritual interpretation. This is a symbolic interpretation to see the spiritual truths in our relationship with Jesus behind the natural love story. Theologically, all believers on earth are betrothed (engaged) to Jesus. In Hebrew tradition, an engaged couple was legally married and needed to be divorced if they broke their engagement. (2 Corinthians 11:2 "For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.") The consummation of the marriage relationship occurs in the age ot come (Revelations 19:7 "Let us be glad and give Him flory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.") The Bride's destiny is ensured by God's ravished heart for her. His heart is ravished for all of His people.
I'm always amazed by how much God loves us. He is not a big guy out there with supernatural power, that is so faraway from us, that doesn't understand how we feel, that has nothing to do with us. Our God loves us and is full of passion....
3. Parents and Children
When Jen's daughter was about 5, she had a dream that she was married to Jesus. She was wearing very pretty wedding dress and when she approached Jesus the Bridegroom, she saw His eyes were so tender and loving and she could tell from His eyes that He loves her very very very very much. Her daughter has encountered God at a young age and she has followed God since then. Jen said her children loved IHOP as much as they do. She made a comment, if her children hates IHOP, she would leave this place just to win their heart to God. This is a new concept to me.
I remember there was another message that spoke about winning the heart of the children. I don't remember this speaker, But I remember he said, when he was a rebeling teenage towards his parents, his father made sacrifices for him. It was his senior year in high school and his father got a great job offer at another place and he was planning to move there with his family, about 4-5 hours away. Then his guy told his father he will not move no matter what. (I think it is really hard for senior in high school to move to another place and have to restart with all the friendship at a new school). The next thing he knew, his father came to him and said "You are not moving and you're staying here, staying at your high school to finish up your senior year. " His father meant he was going to move there by himself, and he told his son to take care of his mother and sister. As unmature as a high school rebeling teenager, he thought that was right, his dad should just move there himself. Later, he noticed that his dad would showed up in all the events or ball games that he was in. His dad would drive 4-5 hours just to get there for him. At first, during his ballgame when he was his dad, he thought his father was crazy. But slowly, he started to look forward for his dad to come to his ballgame. Then, he started to walk over to his dad and the next thing, he realized that he liked to hang out with his dad during the break of the ballgame and after the game. One time his friend came to him and said why would he want to hang out with his dad and not with his friends? He said that was because his dad was cool and he likes to hang out with his dad. Without him realizing it, his dad has won his heart over. He wasn't rude to his dad anymore. He wasn't rebeling anymore. Because he knew his dad loves him and would do anything for him. One time his dad picked a hat for him. That hat wasn't a kind of hat that young people would like. But he didn't mind, because he loves his dad. He took that hat and went to the cashier. The cashier told him to pick another one, because the one didn't match him, that hat was for old folk. He replied "that old folk is my dad and I love him. He likes it, and I'll like it too. " I'm amazed to hear the power of a loving and pursuing father after his son.
Jerry and I realized the frustration in our children during this past week. Even sweet Samuel can be very irritating with his temper and "I don't want to..." Cheryl started to have this pattern of crying whenever she can't get her ways. We realized that in the midst of this tight schedule, we hadn't been able to spend quality time with them because we were in a hurry all the time. So, we took time to intentionally be with them individually. One day I came back from prayer room and saw Jerry playing balls with Joshua in the basement, and that day, Joshua was different. He was content, he wasn't demanding as usual, he was just happy and satisfied (quiet by daddy's love). Jerry and I are still learning to balance our time between ihop/family.
This past 3rd week was awesome. We had 3 days teaching on the Song of Solomons. The speaker, Jen Roberts, is a staff here. Dwane and Jen Roberts had been missionaries before they came here. Dwane is in the media ministry.
Jen shared with us her testimony. She grew up in a messed up family. Her mom had bad marriages and never were satisfied with her marriages until one day she and her husband encountered Jesus at a church. Jen, a teenage girl at that time wasn't interested in what her parents were doing with church. When she later did encountered Jesus, her first understanding of Jesus was the bride and bridegroom relationship. She took it so seriously that she thought she would never marry a man because she was already married to Jesus. She was on fire for God and serves God in anyway she could since then. Anyway God keep renewing her mind and eventually she got married to her ministry partner.
She is really humorous and yet down to earth. I loved her teachings. One time, she shared her struggle with not being able to be in the ministry like her husband because she had to take care of her kids. She said, during those days, her husband would be in trouble even before he stepped into the house when he came home from ministry... because she was so tired taking care of kids the whole day and her temper was already hot. Wow! That was me!! Hahaha. Jerry used to say he can't rest whenever he comes home. Just by knowing she went through the same thing and overcame, brought so much comfort to my heart. For the past few years, from the time Joshua was born, to last year, God had been speaking to my heart that He has given me children as my ministry for this season of life. It wasn't till end of last year that I finally heard Him and willingly accept His invitation. The vision and calling from God still boils inside of me from time to time, but I know God has His timing for everything.
Jen said, one time she was struggled so much with having to stay home changing diapers and taking care of kids, she cried out to God and God gave her a vision. She saw she was getting ready to run a race. Next to her, were Mike Bickle, her husband, and the big guys with big ministry/responsibility... and she told God how could she run with these big guys? Then she saw herself, having diapers around her, stroller tied to her feet, and kids with her, and she got even more discouraged. Then God said "run!" She said "how?" God said "run!" Then she saw a tunnel appearing around her and all she could see was a tiny light far ahead at the other side of the tunnel. God said "run!" Yes, she isn't competing with any other believers. She tried. She did take a few steps little by little, though very slowly, she knew she was moving forward. And she knew she was in the race. And she knew she was obeying God. When she was telling us this vision, tears came rolling down my cheek. God's presence was on me and He brought much comfort and affirmation to my heart.
2. Song of Solomon (content)
The approach to interpret the Song of Solomon in the Bible : spiritual interpretation. This is a symbolic interpretation to see the spiritual truths in our relationship with Jesus behind the natural love story. Theologically, all believers on earth are betrothed (engaged) to Jesus. In Hebrew tradition, an engaged couple was legally married and needed to be divorced if they broke their engagement. (2 Corinthians 11:2 "For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.") The consummation of the marriage relationship occurs in the age ot come (Revelations 19:7 "Let us be glad and give Him flory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.") The Bride's destiny is ensured by God's ravished heart for her. His heart is ravished for all of His people.
I'm always amazed by how much God loves us. He is not a big guy out there with supernatural power, that is so faraway from us, that doesn't understand how we feel, that has nothing to do with us. Our God loves us and is full of passion....
3. Parents and Children
When Jen's daughter was about 5, she had a dream that she was married to Jesus. She was wearing very pretty wedding dress and when she approached Jesus the Bridegroom, she saw His eyes were so tender and loving and she could tell from His eyes that He loves her very very very very much. Her daughter has encountered God at a young age and she has followed God since then. Jen said her children loved IHOP as much as they do. She made a comment, if her children hates IHOP, she would leave this place just to win their heart to God. This is a new concept to me.
I remember there was another message that spoke about winning the heart of the children. I don't remember this speaker, But I remember he said, when he was a rebeling teenage towards his parents, his father made sacrifices for him. It was his senior year in high school and his father got a great job offer at another place and he was planning to move there with his family, about 4-5 hours away. Then his guy told his father he will not move no matter what. (I think it is really hard for senior in high school to move to another place and have to restart with all the friendship at a new school). The next thing he knew, his father came to him and said "You are not moving and you're staying here, staying at your high school to finish up your senior year. " His father meant he was going to move there by himself, and he told his son to take care of his mother and sister. As unmature as a high school rebeling teenager, he thought that was right, his dad should just move there himself. Later, he noticed that his dad would showed up in all the events or ball games that he was in. His dad would drive 4-5 hours just to get there for him. At first, during his ballgame when he was his dad, he thought his father was crazy. But slowly, he started to look forward for his dad to come to his ballgame. Then, he started to walk over to his dad and the next thing, he realized that he liked to hang out with his dad during the break of the ballgame and after the game. One time his friend came to him and said why would he want to hang out with his dad and not with his friends? He said that was because his dad was cool and he likes to hang out with his dad. Without him realizing it, his dad has won his heart over. He wasn't rude to his dad anymore. He wasn't rebeling anymore. Because he knew his dad loves him and would do anything for him. One time his dad picked a hat for him. That hat wasn't a kind of hat that young people would like. But he didn't mind, because he loves his dad. He took that hat and went to the cashier. The cashier told him to pick another one, because the one didn't match him, that hat was for old folk. He replied "that old folk is my dad and I love him. He likes it, and I'll like it too. " I'm amazed to hear the power of a loving and pursuing father after his son.
Jerry and I realized the frustration in our children during this past week. Even sweet Samuel can be very irritating with his temper and "I don't want to..." Cheryl started to have this pattern of crying whenever she can't get her ways. We realized that in the midst of this tight schedule, we hadn't been able to spend quality time with them because we were in a hurry all the time. So, we took time to intentionally be with them individually. One day I came back from prayer room and saw Jerry playing balls with Joshua in the basement, and that day, Joshua was different. He was content, he wasn't demanding as usual, he was just happy and satisfied (quiet by daddy's love). Jerry and I are still learning to balance our time between ihop/family.
Hello from KC
I'm starting one blog for myself here, so I can share my experience here at IHOP-KC (International House of Prayer) with my friends and family. I'll mainly write this in English so those of my friends who can't read Chinese in Jerry's blog can read this. If one can read both English and Chinese, they'll get double blessing!
My first post was in Jerry's blog. I'll have a second post in a minute.
My first post was in Jerry's blog. I'll have a second post in a minute.
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