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Stories by people connecting with God and other people Whitney McKendree Moore was in Martin Van Horn's pastoral training course. She, along with four male students, learned how to hear from God through His Word (specifically Paul's letter to the Philippians). Personal meditation led to prayers, confessions, worship, and teachings. After four months of study, meditation, and sharing on Philippians, Martin proposed a "graduation" celebration, an all-night worship experience in the darkened sanctuary with music and Scripture. Whitney writes about her skepticism and the life-changing result of going all night for God: The Ride By Whitney McKendree Moore This is an attempt to describe a dream God gave me while I was wide awake. It happened during an unusual form of “graduation” from a pastoring course led by Martin van Horn. I had told Martin I thought it was an odd idea, his proposal that the six of us should gather some Saturday at midnight for an unlimited time of prayer and praise. This was graduation? I thought it was odd. Especially since it meant that I (the one-and-only woman in the group) was now required to drive in the middle of the night to an empty sanctuary where I would convene for worship with five men. To what purpose, my husband most reasonably asked. My response was that I did not know, and that I was concerned about appearances. But the Holy Spirit said “Go!” so I went. We arrived about midnight -- Martin, our leader, carrying a drum from some exotic land, Damon with assorted CDs, Dave cranking up the sound system, the other Dave running a little late, Tom already on his knees. Me and five men. It was about one in the morning – I think – by the time we got started. We were shy at first – Martin thumping on his drum to the rhythms of the music. We started gingerly, privately lifting up our individual praise and prayers. As we continued, we got more energy – not less – until eventually we were jumping and singing and clapping and shouting in truly abandoned worship that just kept going and going. Somewhere along into the wee hours of the morning, the Spirit simply fell upon us. Suddenly we were on our faces, six worshippers weeping. It was gentle and lovely and sweet sweet sweet. Gradually it just tamped down, like horses slowing after a long romp out in the back pastures full of afternoon sun. For the rest of her story, how God blessed the congregation, and the vision God gave her, please click here. Lynn Breslow heard about Jesus Christ from two women at work, but instead sought occult spiritual insight elsewhere. Not until she had a crisis and met God personally, did she come to know Jesus as her savior. As she talked with Sharon & Martin to learn to cope better with life, she decided the "Seven Steps to Freedom in Christ" by Neil Anderson offered her a fresh start. Lynn shares her life with Jesus, who delivered her from her anxiety. A Fresh, New Life By Lynn Breslow By the Lord’s grace I was saved in October of 2000. Before that, I was an organized control freak on the outside and emotionally dead on the inside. I spent all of my time and energy trying to stay in control and being anxious all the time. Just waking up in the morning was anxiety. The Lord in His great love brought me to my knees when He allowed me to crumble under the weight of my self imposed burdens. When Martin asked me to write something for Life Connections, I asked my friend, Lord Jesus, “What do You want me to write?” and He said to tell them how I saved you from the psychics and the Kingdom of Darkness I have taught you to love Me and to be loved by Me and to love others I have healed your hurts I have given you My peace & shared My wisdom and ways I have strengthen you as I have taken away your fear I have tried you and tested you to build your faith in Me I am teaching you to be a living & holy sacrifice – simply and purely devoted to Me I am teaching you to always trust Me I am teaching you to desire to listen to and obey Me because you know Me I am teaching you to be separate from worldliness I am teaching you to be MINE How far I have come, by the Lord’s grace, from the tired, hurting, depressed and loveless pawn of darkness. Now I have a personal, moment-to-moment relationship with the Lord Jesus!!! The Lord said to me the other day – “I am the extraordinary God who specializes in the ordinary.” Just think, that means that our Extraordinary Lord Jesus specializes in the ordinary you and me!! AMEN. Sheila DeRisi Ryder is a long-time friend, who has gone through many marriage & family crises. Since 2003, she has been coming to Sharon Van Horn to experience more of God's love & comfort to deal with past hurts & current situations. "Life Connections has been a tremendous help in my family's life. Through counseling with Sharon, I have been able to experience the healing love of the Lord & walk into newness of life & be healed from past hurts & wounds. God's love & healing power have become more real to me & I now experience the joy of nowing tha I am more than a conqueror. "My daughter has also experienced help & guidance as she enters adulthood. I pray for my whole family to have this blessing & I am very grateful for the encouragement & support from such a sound, loving counselor. She seeks to help others with God's love & wisdom."		SEND US YOUR STORY! SHARE EXPERIENCES WITH GOD'S WORD AND HIS PEOPLE THAT HAVE HELPED YOU FALL IN LOVE WITH THE LORD! Jesus Christ in heaven is Head of his Body, known as the Church Universal. Each person who has been regenerated by God's Holy Spirit is a member of his Body, and has a contribution to make to the growth in love and knowledge. You read his Word, the Bible; you meditate on it, then act on it; you gain new experience and change your thinking. As you hear other people share what they have read and experienced, together we grow up. You have prayed, and God has answered. He is faithful to his holy character and to his Word. You were surprized and you love Him more and want other people to know and love Him too. So, please click on the picture above and type in your story on the form. Keep it brief (150-200 words max). We may or may not be able to publish it here, and we may need to edit what you write. Please let us know how you want to be identified. Either way, we will pray for you. THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU! Damon Demery is one of the 5 males Whitney refers to in her story. The Word of God spoke to his heart also, giving him hope that Jesus wanted to deal with issues Damon had been wrestling with since childhood. When he & Dawn became engaged to be married, these issues brought on a crisis in their relationship. The two of them received help through the Prepare/Enrich inventory & counseling. Damon says, "I'm writing to express the value my wife and I experienced, taking the pre-marital counseling 'Prepare/Enrich' offered through Life Connections. Martin & Sharon Van Horn's uncompromising relationship with Jesus Christ has been the foundation for the strength of this course. Their example & direction have given my wife & myself the ultimate chance to experience a biblical marriage. "The counseling techniques used helped us understand the differences Dawn & I experienced growing up & how those values have shaped us as adults. It has made all the difference for us as a couple. Being able to understand one another & why we say what we say & do what we do. This workshop has helped us to succeed as husband & wife." Bruce Erickson was driving home from his telephone repair work, when he noticed the tree fallen on the Van Horns' driveway and stopped to offer help. God knew that he had an appointment in the backyard with David & Audrey Longstaff, evangelists from England. Read his story how God brought him to know Jesus Christ. "I have been a Christian for almost 2 years. As you can imagine, my life has changed dramatically. I have found a purpose in life that I never had had, a truth I had never known, and a peace I had never found. "God put so many people in my life that, if I had noticed, I should have come to the Lord sooner. I have a twin brother & a sister who have been saved for some time. Then my son-in-law, Jim, who was seraching for truth in his life, encountered a Christian family, the Felthams. After Jim was saved, he & his wife, Tracy (my step-daughter), my wife, Gen, & I started worshipping & studying the Bible at their home. Soon I was the only holdout from salvation, content with my life as it was. "In October, 2002, I noticed a large cherry tree fallen in my neighbor's driveway. I offered to clear the tree for them to earn some extra money. After working 2 days, Martin introduced me to their houseguests, David & Audrey Longstaff. Initially I was interested in David's experience in the Royal Air Force during WWII. We struck up a friendship & as good Christians do, they also shared the Word of God with me. "David handed me a tract, which I took home to read. I'm sure my 4 new acquaintances were praying for me, because the words in the tract jumped out at me. The Spirit was with me & I got down on my knees to accept the Lord Jesus as my Savior. "The Felthams had planted the seed & David had done the watering. I am truly thankful for them all, & I know they will receive their rewards in Heaven. My life is not quite what the Lord wants it to be, but I pray every day for His strength, knowledge and discernment. I am comforted by Paul's words in Philippians 1:6 'For I am confident in this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ.' "Thank you, David & Audrey & all the others in my life who helped bring me to the Lord." Tammy Brereton was one of 3 praying women friends who responded to Martin's offer to teach a course on prayer. She & Diane & Nancy met weekly with him to learn, to share, to pray & laugh or cry together. "There was a time that God had given to us. A time when 3 of us girls who meant weekly to share our hearts for God started to include Martin. "Because of his presence with us, it became more of teaching and learning then sharing. So much fullness was inside of this time--- so much laughter , so many tears--- tears that came from full hearts, as the Holy Spirit revealed more of His heart to us. God's amazing isn't He?! "Because of that time that we spent with one another, there was something that was left when the time was over--- an investment---a building--- a memory made with the time that our Carpenter gave to us that's forever given over to the certainty of His Word. Our God used Martin as a sculpting tool--- a chisel,...and everytime we think of him and our time together, a smile comes to our face!! "Our Lord always places people in our lives who we can go to, so we can see Him---always, I see Christ's heart when I see Martin!! Thank God that there's leftovers to feed off of and time for being grounded!!" For the love of Christ, Tammy To read a meditation by Tammy on the blood of Jesus Christ & His wonderful gift of life through faith in His death, CLICK HERE.

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