Thank You!

Thanks to all who have prayed, given, and come together to be a part of this gathering~

The Lord's presence was sweet during the whole week and we all were united in Him as we studied, prayed, and worshipped together, and simply enjoyed being in the company of our brothers and sisters.

**If you'd like to 'hear' a bit of the awesome music we enjoyed during the conference you can check out our new friends from 'Enter the Worship Circle' at: http://www.entertheworshipcircle.com/ , http://www.theblackthornproject.com/ , http://www.restorationvillage.com/ and http://www.aaronstrumple.com/ ,

or just go ahead and buy it on itunes!!

"May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all . "

Cosas Nuevas, Cosas Viejas Leadership Retreat

"He said to them, 'Therefore every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old." ~Matthew 13:52

Hello Everyone~

Just a quick reminder that the "Cosas Nuevas, Cosas Viejas Leadership Retreat " will begin on Wednesday, February 13th.

We will be gathering with brothers and sisters from Peru, Chile, and Brazil for a wonderful time of teaching, preaching, worshipping, and taking time together as the family of God to celebrate our lives in Him. We are excited about what the Lord has begun here already and are looking forward to feasting in His presence during these next days!

We covet your prayers for the many aspects of this week...

We are praying for safe and problem-free :) travel for the many folks who are coming up the mountains, by bus and plane, to Arequipa-

We are praying for those who will be teaching, to have clarity, power and faith as they present those things which God has wrought in their hearts (old things & new);

and as we meet together, that "the manifold wisdom of God is made known to the authorities and rulers of the heavenly realms through His Church" !

We are praying for those who will be leading us in worshipping the Lord together, that the Spirit of Lord would move over the people, breaking all barriers of culture (since it is one culture truly, that of the Kingdom of God, uniting us) and language, and that all those seeking to worship Christ in Spirit and truth would be united by Christ alone & filled with joy.

There are so many things to pray about, but better yet, pray as the Lord reveals the needs to you!

We thank you for your prayers & for partnering with us.

I will be posting pictures & updates on the retreat as I can!

"My Father is always at His work to this very day..." John 5:17

Upright in Heart~ Psalm 32

"Rejoice in the LORD, and be glad, you righteous. Sing all you who are upright in heart."

Just a thought today after reading Psalm 32~

(The Psalm is included at the bottom of this comment)

We can be "upright" in so many areas of our lives...

"upright" in our families

"upright" in our communities

"upright" where we work

"upright" among friends

"upright" in our churches

"upright" in our religiosity

and still not be upright in heart~

The hidden places we keep for ourselves...

Why do we choose ,as though we have no understanding, to be as the horse or the mule, needing the bit and bridle, to come to the LORD with our weaknesses and short comings?

And this, in light of His promise when we come to Him with our sin & strivings~

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;

I will counsel you and watch over you."

May we come to the LORD and trust in Him~

Trust enough to acknowledge our sin and lay bare our iniquities before Him.

In doing this, we are blessed ... not cursed -

Our hearts will cry out with praise and joy ...naturally.

What freedom we have in our grip that we so casually ignore!

"Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered..."

"Sing, all you who are upright in heart..."

Not only has He covered our sins and forgiven our transgressions... He has

"forgiven the guilt of my sin"!!

"...The LORD's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in Him..."

Rejoice in the LORD today!

How easy, when I think on these things, to sing Him a new song~

"for it is fitting for the upright in heart to praise Him".

Psalm 32~

"Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.

Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit.

When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.

For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.

Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD"-

and you forgave the guilt of my sin.

Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found;

surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him.

You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.

Selah.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;

I will counsel you and watch over you.

Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.

Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him.

Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous;

Sing all you who are upright in heart!

After the rain...

Volcan Misti,
After the rain...



This is the view from our front steps...
Aren't we lucky!

It's Raining...It's Pouring (well, sort of!)

It's raining here in Arequipa.

That doesn't happen much-

That wet stuff doesn't smell quite right-

Rain, rain go away!

A Thought on Discipleship

"...His yoke is easy, and His burden is light... To go one's way under the sign of the cross is not misery and desperation, but peace and refreshment for the soul, it is the highest joy. Then we do not walk under our self-made laws and burdens, but under the yoke of Him who knows us and who walks under the yoke with us. Under His yoke we are certain of His nearness and communion. It is He whom the disciple finds as he lifts up his cross."

~Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Artwork by Carol Barber

"The friend who attends the bridegroom waits & listens for Him,

and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice..."

~John 3:29