Dear Gil,
Spring is such a wonderful time. It is a time when we see the
starkness and dullness of winter slowly fade into lush shades of green
with the color of blossoms etched in between. We live in what is called
a "preserve". To save the ecology, the authorities allow restrictive
building in which sections of the natural bush must be preserved.
Our bedroom window faces onto a preserve with a little natural pond,
untouched by human feet, as it is impossible to reach because of the
dense undergowth and water weed. All around the pond is a grove of
natural trees in the shape of an amphitheatre.I love standing at the
second floor bedroom window looking down on this wild life scene of
water birds, hawks, cranes, a few ducks and other water life (including
the occasional aligator) all less than 120 feet away.
Spring ... (continued from above) |
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We moved in during winter and the trees looked dead. I said to my
wife, I wish the wind would blow really hard and blow down the dead
trees, so that new growth can begin. But a few weeks later, I
noticed a green hue on the trees which grew greener each day until
to my great surprise, they are now fully green and the preserve
looks even lovelier than before.
I am glad I did not get my hearts desire. You see in Tampa, we
never really see fall as do our friends up north. Leaves do fall
from some trees but most are evergreen. So what I thought was dead
was really a living thing with a potential to change.
I thought how neat. We sometimes feel dead because of
disappointments, people letting us down, missed opportunities,
failure, or stress due to pressure of life. But in God's eyes, we
are candidates for change. He LOVES to bring change to our lives. We
are never going to be perfect. So the Father will always be
directing us by the Holy Spirit to the place of change.
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Change God's Way... |
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Those times of frustration and fatique are really opportunities for
God to show His mighty hand to bring about change and to re-direct
us to our place of provision. Isaiah 43:18 "Remember ye not the
former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I WILL DO
A NEW THING"
I want to encourage you all to keep the faith and stand in the
midst of the difficult trial you are facing right now. There has
been a great pressure brought to bear on the Church by the forces of
change all around us. On the one hand, political and social events
are trying to redirect our focus from God to the agenda of the
world.
On the other hand, the Spirit of the Living God is moving the
church forward into the fullness of what the Father has for his
people. The heart of God is that we fall in love with Him all over
again and that our souls delight in Him and our hearts and minds
come in line with His will and purpose for our lives.
I talk to pastors and believers from across the denominational
spectrum, and almost every one has been facing some sort of
pressure, be it in the Church or in their families. I see it like
this ... We are in between waves. The wave of revival that we
experienced the past 10 years almost faded into oblivion, with
pockets still remaining.
But God has never given up on the Church and throughout bible
history, He has always come through at the right time and moment.
"Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in
Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in
every place." 2 Cor 2:14
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A Birds Eye View & Members Download Site |
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A scene from my bedroom window overlooking the pond with a hawk
(inset) sitting on top of a tree keeping an eye on lunch below.
(Sorry my digital camera did not pick up more detail) The title
photo is also of the preserve. Click on the image to see an enlarged
photo. Visit revivaltimes.com to see all the changes to the site.
THANK YOU FOR BEING A MEMBER OF TRM LIST. As a thankyou, I have
provided a Members Only section which will allow you to log into and
download music, preaching, teaching and articles which I will be
adding monthly. You are free to use for your personal use or to
bless someone with. Please spread the word.
Members Log In User Name : springforth Members Log In Pass Word :
newlife
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Gil's Online Travel Agency |
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We have our own online travel agency, powered by Priceline.com.
We offer the entire Travelocity line as well as Hotels.com
When you book on our site, we earn 60% of the travel agent
commissions. So you will be helping to support our ministry
and benefit from the great deals available.
If you would like to receive our Weekly Travel Specials
(cruises, resort vacations etc) please send your First and Last
Name and your email address to travel@gilhb.com
Thank you for your support.
Visit our Online Travel Site - Click Here. |
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Exhortation and Prayer
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( Please click on the image above to view the video. High speed
recommended. Dial up will buffer regularly. )
Everyone has something they are believing God for. Some needs are
small and others are enormous. But small or large, God is still on
the throne and His ability to see us through is unquestionable.
This exhortation and prayer is for you today. Let God's
presence and power fill you and let Him manifest His goodness in and
through you today. God bless you richly. Gil
PS : I apologize for the slight hissing in the background. I
am upgrading my web cam system to take care of the noise.
PPS : We have recently updated our site. Please pay us a visit
and see for yourself. We have a brand new guest book and would
appreciate your comments, suggestions and testimonies.
Updated Revivaltimes.com Web Site. |
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