Net2Church Updates

2010-12-22T10:38:00.000-05:00

Northeastern Claim

Today, I presented a draft to my friends Lee Johndrow, and Al Licata that outlines my purpose,vision, and mission concepts for "Northeastern Claim". I see this as a joint venture, and not just a Net2Church assignment.

Lee brings editorial skills to the table, and Al brings sales skills to the table. Net2Church will "network the networkers" and provide volunteers to get the word out and teach people how to get started using the interactive features of the community style website. TalkRite Communications will provide the hosting, domain names, and technical backbone, as well as the design work and SEO for the community website.

So, whats in it for Net2Church? As one of the owners of this community site, N2C receives financial consideration as well as "launching" opportunities. More specifically, the launching of an interactive prayer community called "up2Christ", and the launching of an initiative that will help N2C build the first major pastors retreat center in the northeast.

- Dave

2010-12-21T11:25:00.002-05:00

This is that!

It is time to share some things with you to ponder over the Christmas season. This is a new day. God is doing a new thing.

In 1971, USA abandoned the gold standard. The Federal Reserve currency (note) is now privately controlled, no longer a government agency, and has no gold backing the printed paper. Fort Knox could be empty of gold, and most likely is.

There is a massive transfer of wealth now underway. The result is that hyper-inflation will begin early in 2011. Stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and currencies around the world will lose their value to gold. These are signs.

There is a new gold. A new wealth beyond what the natural eyes can see. Mecca has claimed their gold to mock the living Christ for Islam to see. Let's just say, I wouldn't want to be them. There is a new gold that has come to destroy the old gold... a transfer of wealth into the kingdom of God.

I beleive that the "Northeastern" USA will soon become a showcase of golden miracles. I see people coming from all over the world to the Northeast in order to stake their "claim" as heaven pours out gold both spiritually and naturally, and takes back what belongs to His bride...

I first heard these words when God called me into ministry in 2004. He said "prepare my bride", and repeated it over and over and over until I screamed at Him to stop.

I am hearing these words again for the first time since 2004, and I am listening.

I bought the domain name northeasternclaim.com. I have started playing around with some templates - nothing there yet, don't get excited! This site will represent seven US states in the beginning - with some of you called to serve. The seven states are the New England states plus New York - yes New York - New York is to be included. Revival? Renewal? Outpouring? Perhaps, but if so, let's have a lasting one this time.

Regarding revival - I see God demanding more from us. When I say this many cringe because they don't think that this concept is biblical. So, please hear me out. He is still preparing us - but He will step in to push us along, because His timing is upon us - to develop "love skills" NOW.

As a body, we need to develop some love skills. There has got to be more of a unified spirit of love within us, and we need to stop operating in a spirit of judgment and condemnation. Stop "shunning" those who practice their Christianity differently from you - and even include them in your circle of influence - He say's "My love is sufficient". My grace covers all who love me (not just a few).

That is all for now. Please pray for God's golden miracles and for His purposes to unfold in the minds and hearts of His people. This is a call to action.

And by all means, contact me if you feel God nudging you to be involved in some way, shape, or form.We need to begin the networking process.

May God bless you this Christmas season.

- Dave

2009-12-20T13:16:00.000-05:00

Net2Church Meeting 12/19/09

Hinkley and Patty Tuller cooked up a great Christmas dinner in honor of Pastor Beverly Long and the folks at Church of the Redeemed in Winchendon who have opened up their church facilities to us and continue to lift us up during their intercessory prayer sessions. Many dishes were prepared by them and others. There were close to thirty people of all ages that were served.

Our fellowship time began with Kenny McNeil providing a detailed explanation of Chanukah from a Jewish perspective followed by a time for questions and answers. The time of blessing was extended to include a time of sharing prophetic words that people felt were relating to Net2Church.

We discussed the general theme of becoming aware of what each one of us brings to the table of Net2Church. This involved sharing what Christ is doing in each of us, and how that might relate to the rest of us, and how we might embrace the things that God has been revealing to each individual, as a group.

Life is like a box of chocolates...

David Dubois and Hinkley have been given design concepts for building designs, construction materials, and building methodologies. They also have been given ideas about generating power along with energy conservation techniques. That matched up with some inspired (interactive) bible reading that Bev was doing, and a prophetic word that I had received from Alan Ross (Scotland) in 2005. Kenny, Rhonda, myself, and others lend talents in sales, marketing, and business management.

Summary...

So, the meeting shifted completely from ministry to manufacturing as we simply discussed what God was doing in our lives, and the commonality that we shared along those lines from start to finish. We never know what God is doing until we share those things that He reveals with others, in love. I am thankful for all those that are coming and courageously sharing with complete vulnerability, what God has shown to them.

Will we do anything with this? Yes. We are all praying about it, and seeking God for advisement, clarity, and more revelation. Could these innovatory ideas be used to contribute funding for our ministry?... hmmmm.

God is speaking, we are listening, and we are eager to press in for more of Him.

Merry Christmas!

- Dave

2009-12-14T12:14:00.001-05:00

Gabriel...

This may seem a bit strange, but this weather-vane on the Scofield Chapel speaks as much volume to my heart as anything does about Crestwood. From the moment I glanced up to take notice, I was realizing that if anything signifies the Net2Church spirit, this beautifully hand-crafted weather-vane does. Gary O'Neal and his co-workers really did create something of spiritual value in this artwork. Thanks, Gary.

RECENT MEETINGS:

Although our "numbers" have been few, much has been discussed, and a real sense of spiritual bonding has been taking place at Net2Church. We are typically running meetings with a core group that has been averaging less than 10 people. What is interesting is that not everyone comes every week, so the mix is constantly changing, and therefore, so is the dynamics of both the public message, and the ministry meeting.

Weekly message - Every week is different, but all messages center around a love topic. Sometimes it is serious and somewhat intense. Other times full of laughter and simplicity. Other times real hard-core tough love lessons (like this week, Romans 9, and 3rd John - on trust). The important part about all of this is that God has been in our midst, working in our hearts individually and corporately, and those that have needed to be there, were there and got blessed.

Ministry meetings - In two of our meetings we have discussed setting up N2C as a 501(c)3 corporation. Each of those meetings brought some real heartfelt discussions. Last month, some of us wanted to do that quickly, and this month some wanted not to this at all. Everyone wants what God wants. So, we continue to seek Him in this for clarity. The process, however, is remarkably fun to be a part of - to see such depth, and compassion come forward as people begin to take ownership of the vision.

I am truly blessed!

- Dave

2009-12-07T20:55:00.000-05:00

Crestwood - Funding A Vision

1/2 OF A PROMISE...
Ideally, ministries should be pre-funded with gifts/donations or by payment pledges. To fund a ministry on the basis of a "business plan" to sell goods and services just seems a bit odd. Yet, we have a group of investors willing to pre-fund our ministry, and they want to get paid back... in other words, they are willing to part with their money for a season.

We asked for 3 million dollars, and we can have it if we can pay it back. We are looking to focus on the ministries of the new Crestwood Center that will provide an equivalent or greater "spiritual value" than the money might otherwise purchase, but how then would we add a financial return on investment (ROI) to the tasks at hand without diluting our energy and distracting us from our purpose?

To even consider such a thing could place us at odds with many conservative Christians. Crestwood's ministry vision could be expanded to include new business concepts. Should it be attempted? Many of us are entrepreneurial, after all. ...hmmmmm!

POST YOUR THOUGHTS AND HAVE SOME FUN WITH THIS!!!

2009-11-08T07:57:00.002-05:00

Gathering Highlights (Saturday Nov 7th)

We began with a word of prayer and thanks for the gathering, the food, and His interventions, followed by a time of open discussion that was lengthy, but a wonderful bonding experience for all of us. We talked about ministry purpose and our individual insights of where we felt God wanted us to go as a group. It was also a time of testimony and story-telling.

This was followed by communion and a prayer seeking God's interventions in our hearts and minds while we entered into a time of corporate silence and seeking His words, and visions that He would soon place upon us. This took about fifteen to twenty minutes of silence for everyone to be served by God.

We then discussed what God had placed on our hearts, scriptures that came to mind, and visual pictures in our mind's eyes. We concluded with prayer.

This is a summary of the gathering:

Note - Before I go into this, I know that not everyone is comfortable with this level of intimacy (being exposed spiritually). Having said that, we as a group, are willing to get uncomfortable when it comes to hearing from God corporately as a group. The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophesy. If we continue to share with each other what God is sharing with us, then we will continue to receive more from Him. As this process continues, we will grow, and love will prevail. If it is crushed, we will stagnate. May God grant us the wisdom and courage to continue in intimacy with Him.

The silent time revelations - According to one, in the future, God had asked that we enter into a time of praise before we seek revelations (we will honor that word). This one also saw a branch going forth and Zac 6:12. One saw a network like blood vessels, train tracks going up a hill, and hands joined in unity. One saw the light of God shinning through windows, followed by many (seemingly endless) scriptures regarding light (you are the light of the world, perfect light casts out all darkness, etc.). Another saw Psalm 84 like people (us) walking on a bar graph, coming out of Baca. Another saw a small paper cup filled with black poison swirling empty and being replaced with clear fresh water. This was all that we saw in that time of silence that was shared. (This was followed by discussions and interpretations)

Closing prayer revelation - I asked if anyone got a number (referring to the price that we should offer on Crestwood) only two numbers were given, and they were both the exact same number. Both said that they saw this number clearly, and the rest of us were at peace with presenting this amount as our offer, though it was higher than the asking price.

Our discussions - We talked about focusing on the subject of love and relationships. We decided to hold weekly fellowships in a public setting on Saturday afternoons. Bev Long offered her church building. Our hope is to teach love principles publicly at a time that doesn't conflict with Sunday morning worship, as we much prefer to become a ministry to the body of Christ that churches can rely upon, rather than being seen as a group that steals their sheep. Where Crestwood is concerned; If the pastors can't trust us with their congregations, how are the congregations going to trust us with their pastors? We are all one body.

Later in the Day – More people coming on board from Florida to Vermont. Got a nice response from Richard and Diane Evans (FL), and Kevin Moffat (VT). The Evans' were part of the original group of pastors and leaders that evaluated the Net2Church vision in 2004 that released us as a ministry. They are family to me, and will be coming back to the northeast briefly in April of 2010 – yes we will host them! I have asked Kevin Moffat (who is an artist that paints during worship services) to join us as part of our core networking ministry team to bring back art, music, dance, and theater back into worship at the center. We will be connecting with him soon.

2009-11-07T07:27:00.003-05:00

Food for thought:

Today is the first open Net2Church gathering in over three years. I have chosen my home instead of a church setting (though it is sure to be crowded) to help people see this ministry as a relational cause or purpose, in a "people helping people" relational environment.

I know this is strictly my own opinion, and I am not trying to "sell" this concept, but ministries are made up of people focused on a purpose or a cause. The danger of buildings and structures (even Crestwood) is that the structures are often identified as the ministry (assuming the cause is fellowship). "I go to that church". No church structure has ever loved me. People have loved me (or not). And the truth is that I prefer home fellowshipping over church building gatherings because there is less preaching and more relating - it is far more interactive and loving for me, and I don't have time for both. Intimacy is not optional in the body of Christ. God requires it, and we need to strive for it or we will never be accountable to righteousness with one another.

The exception to this is corporate worship. This is where the whole body of Christ comes together (no denominational lines) to sing and dance and otherwise celebrate our "Lord with us". This is certainly a "the more the merrier" time. My heart is to cast the pews out and bring in the musicians to the center of the room (David's tent style). A time of dancing and scripture reading and more. Haven't been to that church yet. (But I'm willing to build it... it did go 24/7...hehehe!)

When I first took the ministry team to Crestwood, I stood in the middle of a large field with them and pointed to the 100 amp power service that someone had already placed there. I said; "I see David's tent. Perhaps we could see this for just one 24/7 period. If we could do that, wouldn't that be a great start? The power supply was not originally intended for musical instruments - but yet here it is, ready for us."

2009-11-06T09:55:00.004-05:00

A Prayer Of Preparation....

Written and submitted to me by Mike Cole. Thank you Mike.

Note: As you read Mike's prayer for the Monadnock region, please consider this prayer also for other regions. If you live outside of the Monadnock region (where Crestwood is), please pray for your region. Our core ministry covers the six New England states plus New York, the Monadnock region is simply our home base, but our vision for unity is global. - Dave

"Lord,

WE pray for the New Hampshire Mondanock Region.... We are thankful for the work you are doing within your church in this region. This has been a time of shaping and molding.... a time of chipping away at our old ways so that you can be seen by others through us in the days to come.

There are many who have endured much and we grow tired of the world's strain. We long for your springs of living water to bubble from the hard granite rock of our region. We wait for your hand to move over our land in a mighty way and while we wait we prepare....

We pray for the pastors of the region. We pray that you meet the physical, mental, and spiritual needs of each pastor and their families. Clear their hearts and minds of the worry and grief of this world, and fill their spirit with yours. Comfort them. Give them the peace that surpasses all understanding. Give them discernment to know how to direct the people of their congregations to you. Help us as members of their congregation to help them. Help us to realize that they are people too who have the same frustrations that we do. Help us to go out of our way to meet their needs.

We pray for the walls of denomination to crumble. We pray for unity of the body. Do we believe in you as our Lord and Savior? Do we believe that you conquered death and sin by your resurrection on the third day? Yes! Then let us set aside our differences and reach out to one another.

We pray for those in the region who have not come to you yet. We pray that we begin to allow you to move in us and through us in such a way that we are inspired by you to help those in our community in ways we never have before. Help us join, congregation with congregation, to meet the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual needs of those you have yet to reach in our community. Will this be difficult? Yes. Will it be messy at times? Yes. But if we trust in you we can do all things for you and through you.

Lord, give us as your church the courage to move forward for you. Let us not be shaken by the lies that enter our head which tell us that we are too weak to be any good to you. Help us to remember that what we have and who we are comes from you. Our frailties and shortcomings pail compared to the blessings you have in store for this region and for each one of us.

We thank you for the many blessings you have given us during this time of preparation. You have given us what we need when we needed it; and their have been moments when you gave us more than we asked for. Thank you.

Lord, we give the Monadnock region to you. We wait in anticipation for your love to gush forth. In the meantime, we prepare, in Jesus' Name. Amen."

2009-11-06T06:10:00.002-05:00

Friday Nov 6

This week I have met with Bev and her church for prayer time, and broke bread with Hinkley and Ken and his family including some scripture reading, praying, and we blessed of his home and land.

About Saturday's Meeting Nov 7th
Tomorrow's gathering is at my home in Winchendon (155 Grove St, 2nd floor). This is a noon gathering (pot-blessing style) for the purpose of prayerfully solidifying our intentions and committing ourselves as a group to one another in this ministry purpose. You can expect open discussions, prayer, and scripture reading, as well as prophetic words coming forth.

2009-11-04T11:44:00.005-05:00

Crestwood
Care Center

Crestwood Care Center is a place to experience the love of God, His royalty, and His generosity. The ministries of Crestwood Center are all hospitality driven, and are designed to edify the body of Christ.

Our missions are to enrich, enable, and encourage all those who enter to use their faith, education, experience, talents, and gifts to change the world around them, by helping them to build a solid platform to stand upon.

Two-fold Primary Focus

Net2Church Global Ministries is established to provide life to two central purposes. “Build a communications tower, and pastor my pastors.” This simple instruction has led the Net2Church ministry team to seek to establish the new Crestwood Care Center in the town of Winchester, NH, USA.

Two-fold purpose of prayer camp network

The care center will be a base of operations in the ministry of “networking” prayer camps throughout New England and New York state (7 states). The prayer camps are simply tiny groups who gather to listen to God and intercede for others as they are led, and secondly to communicate back to the network regarding and specific spiritual needs, promptings, understandings, praise reports, and the like. These camps are the eyes and ears of Net2Church, as we seek to find pastors/leaders and their spouses who need our help.

Two-fold purpose of pastoral restoration ministry

Spiritual Awareness:

Crestwood's hospitality is for the pastors first, then to the body of Christ. It is our turn to love them in a natural palace full of God's love found at this majestic setting. Providing places of solitude in a serene environment is a core function of the Care Center. There are 157 acres, views up to 120 miles, and a history of pastoral retreats dating as far back as the late 1800's with Cirus Scofield's original Chapel still on the grounds (where he authored final drafts of the Scofield Study Bible).

Spiritual Experience:

Crestwood is already an events center with a history of catering to weddings and other community, corporate, and individual functions, while still providing peace and solitude to guests. With this in mind, Crestwood will continue to cater functions that will allow for pastoral guests to come and enjoy without having to become involved in leadership, though their level of participation is solely discretionary.

Center for Arts and Education

Crestwood is a gathering place for Christian art, music, dance and theater. The creative energy that flows through God's people will be showcased here at Crestwood, and will become the center for the networking of these groups throughout the seven states.

Christian education has suffered much in the way of resources and support. Crestwood will be a center for Christian education, and agricultural awareness. With 138 acres zoned agricultural, Net2Church ministry teams are looking into ways to wisely use the land for supply, and education. We have already established the location of a multifaceted library building as a priority for our initial infrastructure development program. We are thinking high school and undergraduate studies.

sponsored link: CharityNet USA

2009-11-02T18:13:00.004-05:00

Monday Nov 2nd (Day 8)

Five Net2Church team members gathered at Crestwood today at 9:00 am. Those present were Bev, Ken, Hinkley, Andy, and myself representing our ministry. We met with the Realtor and the present owner to discuss many of the property highlights, visions, and other details.

After careful examination of the property, and much prayer, we all unanimously agreed that God wants us to move forward to secure the property and build the new ministry center at Crestwood.

We are now in full pursuit of establishing the first Net2Church pastoral restoration center.

2009-10-31T08:08:00.006-05:00

Oct 31st (day 6)

Last night, Rhonda had a vision confirming the start-up of a school at the "Crestwood Estate". She saw rapid digging in a school environment, and knew that it was Crestwood that God was speaking to her about. The school is designed to become an essential ingredient in the restoration process of pastors residing as guests at the retreat center by providing them with new spiritual experiences, occurring as a result of witnessing students engaged in campus activities or perhaps even engaging themselves with the students if they so choose.

Pastors Retreat Center (Revive, Restore & Release)
The vision for this retreat center involves providing two essential ingredients of restoration to pastors that are not found in any other single environment.

First, we are providing pastors with housing (board and room) in a serene environment (16 acres of mountaintop fields, flowers, trees, and 120 mile views into three states) in an effort to help them peak their spiritual awareness, and there will be plenty of opportunities to find solitude throughout the 157 acre estate.

Second, we are also exposing them to "events" and "daily activities" (due to the school, and other community efforts) going on within the center in an effort to heighten and perhaps even peak their spiritual experience. This is accomplished by observing God in their environment, and in the people participating in various events on campus.

It is in the combination of these efforts to heighten both spiritual awareness and spiritual experience that sets Crestwood Estate apart from all other pastoral retreat centers currently in existence today.

Events
To give you more clarity, there are events such as bringing in Christian musicians, artists and dancers from the seven-state area in a "Gather, Grow & Go" program, designed to network artists, performing artists, and musicians. These gatherings will also provide a platform for these talented individuals to be seen and heard in the northeast. Pastors on retreat will be exposed to, and may even participate in these events.

Education
(More on this later)

2009-10-29T15:05:00.005-05:00

Today's News 10/29/09 (Day 4)

I had scheduled a meeting this morning with a young lady who had an interest in taking over some of my business projects. It came about through our discussion that her real expertise (and love) is in "events planning". ...hmmmm! It was immediately apparent to me that she was not here for the reason that I had thought.

We shifted gears to "Crestwood", and now (after a two hour exchange of testimonies) it looks like we have gained a first class events planner for the Pastors' Retreat Center ... only God.

A visit this afternoon from another ministry partner revealed possible funding sources that may have a role to play in the acquisition of the real estate.

2009-10-29T04:28:00.002-05:00

Thanks for your prayers - KEEP PRAYING!!!

Rhonda and I had our first meeting with the current owner (Gary O'Neil) of Crestwood yesterday. Our initial (spiritual) impressions were extremely positive. The overall condition of the property is somewhat less than desirable, but it is workable with proper vision and resources.

As we were approaching the property, I was sensing that the Lord wanted me to ask Gary to stay on with us (and I did), even though we haven't made an offer on the property yet. Gary is somewhat attached to this property. He has poured his heart and all of his resources into it to try to hold on to it. He is extremely talented in culinary arts and has a deep understanding (and formal education) of "the natural habitat" in and around the area. As I began to speak to Gary, I immediately started to see the need for his gift set in God's plan for the revitalization of this estate, and the creation of this ministry. ...Transitioning wisdom coming from God.

Hinkley, Andy and I will be going back on Monday for a second meeting... it's time to call in Scott Sullenberger (The Branches Group). Rhonda and I are at great peace that building this retreat center is part of what God wants us to do right now. We are seeing this ministry forming by the hand of God.

2009-10-27T14:48:00.005-05:00

As usual, God won't let me get too comfortable with one concept before He throws another one my way! A while back (June or July this summer), I saw something in my mind's eye - it was a retreat center with a chapel on the grounds. I knew that it was mine, and I knew it was for the purpose of ministering to pastors, as well as my own home.

Occasionally, I have checked MLS listings in NH for property that I think might come close to what I saw that day. Yesterday, I stumbled onto a local listing for a Mountaintop property in Winchester, NH. A Bed & Breakfast pavilion, AND a chapel on the grounds. This is a 157 acre property, in need of maintenance, that is called Crestwood Chapel and Pavilion (currently listed at $1,300,000).

Here's the kicker -

Cyrus Ingersol Scofield, a noted evangelist during the late 1800's, created his seminal work (at least the revisions thereof) for the Scofield Reference Bible at Crestwood. He was also a noted 19th century religious scholar, and came to the mountain as a private chaplain to Dwight Moody, founder of the nearby Mount Hermon School, often hosting retreats at Crestwood.

We are praying this through to become a pastoral retreat center, and hospitality pavilion for possible youth as well as a development center for creative arts and music.

Please join us in prayer as we seek God's will in this endeavor.

More Pics: http://www.crestwood-e.com/slideshow/index.html

Many thanks!
- Dave

2009-10-14T14:07:00.005-05:00

October 14th 2009

There will be a few of us breaking bread as a ministry tonight for the first time in three years. Some will be joining us for the first time, like Pastor Beverly Long, pastor of "Church of the Redeemed", a storefront church/ministry in Winchendon, MA, and affiliated with "Higher Ground Ministries" of Gardner, MA.

Although Scott will not be joining us tonight, Scott Sullenberger, Manchester, NH, has offered to provide some planning and structural support for N2C, and was on our original ministry team years ago. Scott has authored a website "Know Your Scripture" and since our last gathering has founded "The Branches Group". I want to say thank you to Scott for walking in the Lord, and also with me. I highly value his friendship.

Also connecting with us, but not joining us tonight, is Mr. Alfred P. Licata, Sr. of "His Watering Whole Ministries", Maine. Al and I have a great prayer life via the phone, and I am helping him with a web site presence for his ministry.

2009-10-13T13:29:00.000-05:00

Recap Week 1: Thurs Oct 8 – Wed Oct 14

Oct 8, 2009
1.Facebook Announcement: http://facebook.com/talkrite
a. Vision Announcement
b. Call to gather intercessors and a prophetic ministry team for a 7 state outpouring (new England plus New York).

*Prophetic Note* - I expect heavy outpouring in the Connecticut River Valley and in the areas located in mountainous regions such as the Monadnock region, Wachusett region, and throughout NH and VT. But no part of these 7 states will remain untouched.

Got responses from Christians all across denominational boarders, including Catholic, Protestant, Messianic Jewish, and some without denominational ties. Former ministry associates, Patty and Hinkley Tuller were among the first to respond. (Hinkley made the stake that we used to claim the land (see July 2008 blog for details) for revival.

October 11th
On an internal prompting, I contacted a pastor in Winchendon – an old friend from years ago. We met in her home for two and one half hours discussing visions, ministry challenges, family, and much more. New connections were made in the supernatural. I'm certain that there will be more to come on this later.

2009-10-13T11:11:00.002-05:00

Vision of reactivation;
October 8th, 2009 at 1:00 PM

This is what I saw in my mind's eye, and heard in my spirit while working at home on the computer, focused on something entirely different. I regard this as a mid-day vision. And I know the purpose of it.

For those that have ears to hear:
“It's time... I am in an industrial machine shop (metal working). I see the flipping of industrial power breakers to the on position. I hear the turbines begin to wind up, and the compressors pumping and filling with air. The machinery has been abandoned, it's old, dusty and is in the color typical of industrial machines – a dull green. There is a large wheel in front of me (standing vertically), mounted on the front edge of a machine. The wheel is the type that one might use to manually adjust the tolerance of a metal piece (job) with a precision cutting tool – somehow I know that my hands belong on that wheel, and tolerances of the final product are my responsibility, and in my control. It's old, it's dusty, but it's time, it's time. - time to get the equipment operating and production started. God bless! :)”

As a result of this vision, I know that the temporary shutting down of Net2Church Global Ministries has come to an end. About three years ago, two of the ministry leaders had come to my home warning me of a personal attack coming on my marriage, and delivering an instruction for me to temporarily shut down the ministry.

Although there were no signs to me or my spouse that our marriage was in trouble (even after discussion), I shut everything down. The attack followed, and divorce followed the attack. It has taken these last three years to heal and reestablish my home (I have a new partner, and she does too). For those that need to know, there were no third parties involved, and my former wife and I remain friends, and have both moved on successfully with our lives.

Net2Church - "2" Purposes:

One; to build a communications tower:
N2C is a "revival times" ministry. We are specifically called to the lost, the wounded, and the seeking; in order to empower them to perform as they have been called. We see this as building "community" support systems online. The "net" (in Net2Church) in this case means networking the networkers, and networking Christians in general, and it also refers to the use of the Internet.

Two; pastor my pastors:
We are called to love and to serve pastors who are troubled, burnt out, spiritually tired, uncertain of their faith, their boundaries, doctrines and other foundational issues. The "net" (in Net2Church) in this case means safety net, so as to provide protection from a fall, and provisions by which to try again.

2009-03-22T08:51:00.004-05:00

I am seeing a new release coming - an intensifying of the indwelling presence of God - Love to break strongholds - enlightened pastors rejected.- March 21, 2009

Indwelling Presence of God

Many in the body of Christ have been asking to experience more of Him. I am seeing these prayers answered in the form of a new release of “intense awareness” of the indwelling Spirit of God. It is hard to put this into words, but is has purpose on many levels. Yes, the power and presence of God, who is already within you – is turning up the volume. Spiritual dualism is finally being attacked by God Himself.

It is one thing to know that God is in you, and quite another to experience Him within you, walk with Him, communicate with Him, etc. These things are relational, and require intimacy. You get to know about God by reading the bible, and hearing testimonies, and so forth. You get to know the author by developing a relationship directly with Him – AND this is how He gets to know you. He resides within you. There is nobody else in life that can reside in you –communicating and loving you from places within your spirit. God seeks to increase this level of intimacy and holiness, and to give His children the opportunities found in experiencing more of Him. I see Him moving quickly toward the volume control and cranking it up! Oh, yes, you will know that He’s there!

Love; Breaking Strongholds

A resulting benefit of the increase in our “awareness of God” dwelling within us is our increase in the supernatural understanding of love, and we will be heavily tested in battles for love’s sake. This includes Him teaching us how to walk in love, and how to have victory in love, how to recognize love, and how to yield to love. Doctrines of many leaders are about to be crushed by love as they begin to choose love for the first time, and for the first time become aware of the heavenly weaponry of love and how to wield this sword with power and authority to claim ground in the kingdom of God.

Now is the time to dig deep into God’s word to study love – but we must study this in the form of prayer with Him, listening to Him, and obeying Him. God teaches us love by His Spirit as we yield to Him. We must become silent in our prayer time, and not just for a random moment. We need to listen with expectation and hunger for His teaching. We need to do this now; daily at a minimum, continuously preferably.

Enlightened pastors rejected

Christians are not a forgiving people, overall. We tend to devour ourselves. We want what we have been taught, and reject new concepts that conflict with our understanding. We will go to great lengths to protect and secure ourselves, and anything that we hold on to as truth. Don’t mess with what we believe.

As love breaks doctrinal strongholds of God’s leaders. Such leaders may find themselves without a job, a home, and without the support of others in the body of Christ. (Now, finally, I am getting to the core of my calling.)

I find it necessary to care for these individuals as they fall for love’s sake. – more on this soon. May God bless you, and keep you under His wings!

2009-02-25T06:47:00.004-05:00

The following blog references a well written article by Pastor Jim Feeney, Ph.D.
Are There Modern Day Apostles andChristian Prophets Today?

Please take the time to read this concise biblical summary on the topic of Apostles and Proohets before commenting on my blog - many thanks to you as well as to Pastor Jim.

- Dave

Not too many weeks ago, I suffered through a Sunday morning service (as we all have occationally). My spirit was not at rest as I heard the pastor state his views on apostles and prophets, and clearly state that there was no biblical purpose in our day for the role of apostles, and the role itself was no longer needed (as it's authenticity was reduced to little more than one who actually witnesed the life incarnate of Jesus our Lord).

In fairness to him (and I do have a sincere love for this pastor), he is not alone in this mind set, and there are many who share in similar biblical interpretations in my close circle of influence - so I am treading on thin ice here. To further understand this teaching, here is a well written article offered by the Chrstian Research Group (<---click there to read) that explains these teachings (please pray for Godly wisdom before reading).

Although these arguements are compelling, they are biblically weak, and worse than that, they are counter-productive to the Spirit of love, and to building unity in the body of Christ. The Apostles and Prophets have many roles (and burdens to bear). We not only need to recognize these people, but we are commanded to refer to prophets as prophets, respecting their ministry role (notice I didn't say office) in the body of Christ. So, how much more so, should we also do this for Apostles?

The burden is upon us to recognize those who are called into these roles, and speak these roles into their lives and into their ministries as a body of beleivers. Do we do this? Only if we want someone to put a straight jacket on us! We have become shy, keeping our faith to ourselves, not bucking the system, and not encouraging those who have been called to love and to minister into the leadership of our body.

My hope is that you will remain open to the notion that these ministries are of today. I see revival - I can almost taste it. But will God bring revival to those who reject the prophets and apostles of our day? Do we really want to count on God to meet us, as he did Paul, while persecuting the church?

Blessings!
- Dave

2009-02-24T22:55:00.005-05:00

I received this on Monday from Pastor Carl Willis within 24 hours following the article written below it. Carl and I had not communicated prior to this - this letter was forwarded to me by a mutual friend. I have reprinted it with his permission.

Blessings!
- Dave

--- On Sun, 2/22/09, Carl Willis wrote:
From: Carl Willis : Monday Morning Encouragement

Good morning! This morning as I write to you, I have felt that I needed to address those of you who feel stuck in a rut. Think about the way many of us describe our days and our work: "The daily grind," "the rat race," and "keeping your head above water." For many people the call of their life has become a burden and has lost its joy.

The longer I walk with God, the more I see that often times He puts me in a holding pattern. It is important to remember that God sees everything. His vision is not limited to here and now. We on the other hand can only see here and now and what is behind us. The Bible gives us many great truths about waiting upon the Lord. Today I wanted to focus in on this verse from Isaiah:

Isaiah 40:31 (NLT)
But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

Wow...what a great promise! This verse certainly sounds good, but how does this really work? I want to paraphrase for you an email story I received several years ago that I think sums this one up very well.

God appeared to a man one night in a vision. During this vision Jesus told the man that everyday, all day long, He wanted the man to push on a large boulder in front of his home. In obedience the man went out every day and pushed against this large boulder. Hours upon hours he spent pushing against this boulder and in all types of weather.

After a number of years, Satan paid the man a visit. "You fool!", Satan said, "You have been pushing this boulder for years and it still hasn't moved. You've wasted your time, God has forgotten you!"

The man began to reflect on all Satan had said. He became dejected, because he had invested so many years of his life into pushing against this boulder, but truthfully, the boulder had never moved. So he began to cry out, "Lord why are you ignoring me?" "Why have you abandoned me?" "Why have allowed me to be in this position?"

That night God appeared to the man once again. As the man began to complain about his situation, Jesus stopped him. "Look at your legs," God said, "See how muscular they have become. Look at your back, the broadness of your shoulders. Look at your arms how well defined and strong they are." God then told him, "If you will remember, I never called you to move the boulder, I simply called you to push against it. By your obedience you have become
stronger and more developed. I am the one who moves the boulders." At that, God removed the boulder from this man's life.

Why has God allowed you to remain in your situation? Maybe he has allowed finances to be tight, to make you a better manager of resources. Maybe he has allowed that bothersome individual to remain in your life to instill patience. Maybe he has allowed you to stay in that job to build endurance.

Eagles don't immediately fly they have to strengthen their wings. If you find yourself in a holding pattern today, instead of asking God to remove you from the situation, ask Him to teach you through the situation. Ultimately God will take you through or He will cause you to rise above...but you must be willing to wait patiently upon Him and His perfect timing.

May God's richest blessings be yours this week.
Carl

Carl Willis
Simplicity Church Network
www.simplicitynet.org

2009-02-22T09:15:00.002-05:00

Today is Sunday (2/22/09). Its been a long while since I have written in this blog. The Lord has been saying "wait, wait, wait upon Me".

I'm not writing because of my gifts (sometimes I feel like my prophetic pen has turned into a pathetic pen), or my desire to do something. I am writing to talk about waiting, perhaps even complain about it... but I want to please the Lord, and when fresh manna is falling from the sky, why then, should I be ungrateful? My basic human needs are being met.

Many of you reading this may also sense what I feel. Huge struggles on many fronts - yet a sustaining inner power that serves to hold us in the center of the refiner's fire. Ahhh... transformation is easy, right?

God must need an extremely (inwardly) strong army soon. He has called me into a specific ministry, but won't let me engage myself in it - one has to wonder about this. I found myself questioning my motives, my purity, my heart's desires, my limitations. I keep arriving at the same conclusions... it's timing, only timing. This time, it's time to wait.

Soon God will point His finger at those of us who are waiting, and the work will begin. Am I ready? Are you ready? Ready for what? Hmmmm....

I stand with those who are waiting. I wait with you. We are being held back together for a great release of the Holy One - can we do it? Can we wait? What will God do? Why is He being so stealthy? How will we be utilized?

I hope this article resonates with someone else who needs understanding in this hour of waiting. I simply needed to call attention to it for reasons (or people) unknown to me.

Blessings!
- Dave

2008-07-25T02:29:00.003-05:00

So, what's at stake? hmmm...

To me, everything that we do as Christians employs a touch of the “prophetic”, from salvation on through our transformative walk with the Lord. Many might argue, but hear my heart on this first. To believe in God is an act of faith, but to accept Jesus as Lord of your life requires understanding that surpasses knowledge – because there is no “natural” proof. That, by “my definition”, is prophetic understanding. He said, “You did not choose me, I chose you”. We must sometimes hear to receive.

As we spend time with Him (in silence), there can be times when we know exactly what He wants to say to us, yet no audible word is spoken. The scripture “be still, and know that I am God” comes to mind. Until recently, I can honestly admit that I never heard an audible voice, though I would often use the phrase “He said” when describing this occurrence within me.

On June 22nd (2008), I heard an audible voice that interrupted my sleep in the middle of the night that said, “Drive the head of the stake, and ground will be established”. Not sure exactly what to make of all this, I contacted some of my friends (that have strong prophetic gifts) to pray into that word. I knew this wasn’t my own idea, because I thought that the “head” of a stake was the pointed end, like an arrow head, for example. I had to look it up online for this to make any sense at all to me.

Soon, my friend, Hinkley Tuller, had come to the rescue – “…yup it’s the Lord, and I’m getting a lot on this”, he said. Well in the four years that I have known Hinkley, when he says he’s getting “a lot”… there’s something in my spirit that says “it’s time to fire up the intercessors” again…cause we’re goin’ for a ride!

I have noticed that there are many “prophetic” people that “see” with a specialized eye. Just as not all physicians are internists, prophetic people are specialists too. Hinkley has an understanding of the land and spiritual principalities that occupy regions. I saw that on him on the first day that we met. He is a swordsman with authority in heavenly places – so much so, that I have suffered some ridicule in my support of him, and his “way out there” anointing.

Hinkley was soon to meet with me, for the first time in many months. The instruction was to physically drive a stake in the ground in the tri-state line where Vermont, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire come together. I sent him a map and he went out before me to establish the exact location where the stake would go, calling on God who actually assisted with the help of a red-tailed Hawk. On the way out he said the Lord told him to look down, and as he did, he spotted a Blue Jay feather, that the Lord would also tell him to pick up, and give it to me along with one of his hats – and that I was to wear this when driving the stake. (The Blue Jay feather symbolizes authority, light, joy, healing, prosperity)

Thirty days later on July 22nd, we were joined by another prophetic friend, Lee Johndrow, who also “sensed” the Lord moving in this. The “River Stake” was placed as instructed to claim New England and New York for the King, the habitat, and the people therein. As we drove this beautifly crafted wooden stake into the ground (Hinkley's creation) on the Connecticut River bank, the top of the stake split into four equal square splinters pointing toward North, South, East, and West. I felt that this too was a sign that we had established the central point of His domain, rather than marking the edge of territory, in keeping with our original understanding - more symbolism.

This was the second task that the Lord had us perform on that day, as this followed similar proclamations from Mount Ascutney, VT – a five mile (round trip) mountain climb to rid the region of cancer and other spiritual strongholds.

At one point of our climb, Lee said, “I just felt a shift” – two minutes later, Lee got a call from another prophetic friend (Randy) visiting the Lakeland, FL outpouring. “What are you doing there? I just felt a shift!”

When I got home there was a message on my voicemail from Hinkley’s wife, “What did you guys do? I can already feel a change!”.

I asked the Lord for a sign that would validate His will regarding financial words we had received and were proclaimed that day. When I was home reflecting on the journey, I said – Lord give me a sign, make my cell phone ring acknowledging the release of the millions that I am expecting for the kingdom of God. Within a few minutes, my cell phone rang. It was “Chad”, another drummer, and son to a good friend who is a deacon in a local Catholic church, looking to buy two of my “cymbals”. The seed of $160.00 is a far cry from the "millions" but it was evident that this was a simple confirmation tagged by God’s eternal sense of humor to use cymbals as “symbols”.

Perhaps we were sent to cleanse the area - but even if this is true, your prayers are needed to keep the trespassers away. As a body, our duty is to pray for the kingdom of God, our habitat, and the people in our regions - continually affirming His authority and dominion over us. I don't think God would have taken the time to send us out on such a mission if it wasn't important to us and Him on several levels.

PLEASE PRAY FOR NEW ENGLAND AND NEW YORK TO KEEP THE TRESPASSERS (demonic) OUT - THE KING IS HERE!

2008-04-29T11:59:00.005-05:00

Lakeland, Florida Revival?

Anticipation

Anticipation is the word for today. Many of us are standing ready with anticipation of what God is going to do next, and can we please, please, please, somehow have a roll in it. Lord??? It doesn’t matter if it is personal or corporate, a touch from God in a supernatural way is what we all need and desperately seek, isn’t it?

I have written about love, unity, testifying, obedience, transformation, prayer, and many other topics, but intimacy with God is my favorite because even as I write, His intimate presence seems to push thoughts (as they come) onto the keyboard, and all is sealed according to His presence within me.

Columns of Life

It is a concentrated goo-like intimacy with God that I anticipate – a presence that is thick like honey but full of power and light and purpose…without burden. I have seen this in my spirit… a presence of God interacting with people in specific geographical locations that God referred to as “My Domains” and “My Camps” in a vision several years ago in Peterborough, New Hampshire.

This is a great hour to live in New Hampshire, though we are yet dry as a state (spiritually speaking). Anticipation in my heart is intensifying as revival closes in on us. It has already started, and many us have been broken time and time again as God teaches us to yield to Him, and lean on Him - depend solely upon Him.

Dependency

The unusual things of God make many uncomfortable, but God has never been “usual”, has He? The more we learn about God, the more we realize how little we know Him, and, the more we enter into His presence, the more we need to go deeper, and the dryer we seem to get if we lose the sense of the intensity of His presence – even though we sense Him within us. We simply need more and more of Him, don’t we?

Sound like a “Holy Spirit” addiction? Yes, it most certainly is in some ways, but yet it is healthy and right because God provides us with a supernatural balance of both dependence and independence. Dependence destroys the enemy’s strongholds on pride, religion, exclusivity and bigotry. Independence builds confidence and helps to personalize our transformation processes. Both are required to build a strong individual and a strong corporate body. Please join with me in anticipation of what God has in store for us here in New Hampshire, and all up and down the east coast.

Leviathan

A few years ago, I was faced with having to battle with a territorial enemy. A few warriors were sent to me, and a mission became evident. Take the land – reclaim it for God’s kingdom. This mission was not given to me directly, but it was placed in my care, and Net2Church became engaged in a battle to claim the Monadnock region for the Kingdom of God.

What we did was dangerous and unknown. We were all clueless of what God was asking from us as a team. The only expert we could find to guide us was a man that I had never heard of – Todd Bentley (Fresh Fire Ministries). Todd’s writings on the topic was all that we could find to guide us in our understanding of what and who we were facing. Who is Leviathan? The battle was so feared by some intercessors that some pastors/intercessors warned us that we might not be covered in prayer well enough to survive. (Few people knew about the magnitude of what we were doing)

When the mission was complete, I asked those who were risking the most, “What do you think this was all about?” The answer came back, “Dave, we were laughing all morning, we get it now – It was all about what you had been saying – it was all about love and getting us to the point that we understand love more closely…”

Swirl Winds of Love

Fast-forward a year or so, God showed me a holy tornado in my spirit. Swirling winds and lights contained in a very small area near the front of a church sanctuary about halfway between the ceiling and the floor, perhaps three or four feet wide. Again, I asked Him what this was, and I understood Him to say these will be called “holy tornados, swirls of lights, and winds of love”.

It wasn’t long after that when a man testified in my church that he had seen angels in a swirl of lights, like a tornado, and another man by the name of James Levesque had seen something similar and was scheduled to visit the White Horse Café’ in Vermont as an itinerant speaker (naturally, I had to go).

My good friend Pastor Lee Johndrow (New England Flame) of Springfield Vermont assured me that both Todd and James were his friends and none of what I said seemed too far-fetched. Lee was part of the worship team that night in Hartford, Vermont.

Heaven’s Portal

Lee later invited me to travel to Connecticut for a visit at the Apostolic Resource Center where a speaker by the name of Bob Jones was scheduled to speak. I had never heard of this Bob Jones – but I went along because I sensed that God was in it. There were about 130 Christian pastors and leaders present that day. Each one was prayed for individually by Bob Jones as he silently requested that each person would have heavenly experiences, encounters with God in His kingdom. It was the best service I attended that year – one of my all-time best experiences watching another man minister to others in silence.

But, please, understand that this was still over a year ago. What about today?

Lakeland Florida

Lee called me a few weeks ago – “Dave, have you heard about what is going on in Lakeland Florida?” “No”, I sheepishly replied. “Todd Bentley and James Levesque, and Bob Jones are in Lakeland, and revival is breaking out!”, he said, and added a week later, “I’ve been glued to the Internet, watching the videos every night – asking God if I should go!” …Lee sent me an email from Lakeland Monday night.

The Net2Church ministry has always been about unity. When we come together in relationship, God delivers a purpose, each of us carrying a small piece of the puzzle. I don’t think that it is a coincidence that Todd, James, Bob, and Lee have each independently (and usually unknowingly) had a major role to play in my ministry work. To see them all together in Lakeland Florida causes me to wonder what Lee might be bringing back to New England – The New England Flame just might have taken on a whole new meaning!

Wait with ears to hear

Our Role in revival is to be like Christ. He said, “I do what I see my Father doing.” We need to ask God to guide us, and wait with ears to hear. Should we go to Lakeland, or to another place? Should I prepare a place to come home to – for those that traveled away? Each of us has to ask the same question that Lee asked – when I see you move, Father, will you send me to be with you there, Lord? Will I carry a torch back home with me if I go? What is your will, Lord?

Blessings!

Dave

2008-02-10T08:29:00.000-05:00

Feb 10, 2008

Love is…

There is a Spiritual gift referred to in the bible as the gift of love. When I was a child, I prayed for that gift, and received it, much the same way one receives salvation, or tongues, or prophetic gifts (although in the broader sense, all gifts are prophetic – especially salvation). I felt an understanding come over me, confirming that I had received that gift at about age seven. I received many words from God at that age including the knowledge that I would be called into ministry, but that it would be different than the role of my pastor – so I accepted that, though I didn’t understand it. Age seven was the beginning of my spiritual awakening, which began as an intimate walk with the God of my understanding.

The gift of love has no real explanation in the bible. We are told what love is, but how is that a gift? If it is a single gift, then it is more like a “gift set”, like a pen and pencil set, or a set of towels or something, right? A set of attributes and attitudes…hmmm…sounds dangerous! Sounds like transformation, trials, and pain to me! Yuck! Who wants that?!!!

Abraham had an easy life, right? As did Moses, Noah, Joseph…you get the picture. What if I were to suggest to you that these men all had something in common that went well beyond their faith and favor with God – but also included those things as well? Would I have your attention for a moment? Can you identify it?

Concepts are taught to us by Holy Spirit (another hard lesson that I learned in my zest for biblical understanding). If we prayerfully read the bible, “understanding that surpasses knowledge” is able to renew our minds. If we read the bible as we would any other book, then it’s little more than a history lesson along with “how to” lessons. Can we agree on that?

What if we set the bible down, and continue to allow God to place concepts on our heart in our daily walk with Him, instead? What if we learn to listen in our prayer time, rather than speak? What if we begin to see that the bible is NOT the forth member of the Trinity? What if we begin to become dependent on the person of God and not solely on the written word? What if intimacy begins to outweigh principle, and relationship outweighs righteousness? Can we trust in that?

If we can, then we can begin to understand the gift of love, and we can begin to see how “that current” flows in a different stream than most conservative evangelical traditions are able to allow by design. A stream that says all things must mirror and line up with the bible (and our interpretation thereof) or it is discarded as a form of unrighteousness or Ungodliness, etc. Let’s just say that we find it “wrong”.

The automobile industry learned long ago that form (design) had to follow function (use). Cars evolved. God is the function (way, truth, life), the bible is the form (design, handbook, etc). He is the creator, we (and the bible) are the created. The author is found in his works, but the works can NOT accurately define and reflect all of who the author is, NOR can the works become a replacement of actually knowing the author and learning the concepts that He wants us to learn – in the order in, and in the complete understanding what and how He wants us to learn and to grow individually - the perfection of His proper transformation process.

God is infinite, and even according to the bible, INCOMPREHENDABLE… so why then, do we hold on to the form, and reject the function in the process, as the pharoses did? I am not writing this to pick on any one group. Rather, it is my hope to encourage those that would be courageous and willing to step outside the traditional self-perpetuating mindset of religious institutions, and into the freedom of salvation and transformation found only in relationship with God (it is for “freedom” that Christ set us free). Let us, as Christians, with the understanding of Christ, and His love, listen to the instructions of our Father, and trust in “those instructions”, perhaps even when they conflict with our own biblical understanding (ouch that hurts). Let us pose the question “What would love do?” in all of our understanding.

God wants to remove us from the illusions that we cling to. Yes – It is for freedom that Christ set us free! So, getting back to the real question here, CAN YOU IDENIFY THE COMMONALITY OF OUR GREAT SPIRITUAL LEADERS?

The answer is right in front of us. Here’s a big clue.. Enoch! Not much said about him, is there? But of all the biblical characters, wouldn’t you have loved to be Him? Other than “He walked with God” and “God took him” there’s not much to go on, is there? THIS IS THE BIG CLUE!!!

Didn’t God (according to Genesis) create us for his own fellowship????? ALL of these great leaders willingly and knowingly sought out God to fellowship with. They didn’t need a bible, they didn’t need a pastor, they didn’t need a church structure or hierarchy to identify “position” or “authority” or other illusionary concepts perpetuated by pretentious religious nonsense.

What is the gift of love? The burning desire to fellowship with, and to become one with God Himself.

It is understanding the call of Christ is not just to love God our Father, and our neighbors (as ourselves), but to also want to become one with Christ and all that is His, according to His own prayer for us, and to seek the fellowship with God, as Enoch, love as Christ loved, and live by the teachings of Holy Spirit as He speaks directly through us and in us.

Now, if we pick up the bible, and appreciate it for the glory of God that lies within it – without allowing it to become a substitute teacher (when the real one resides within us), we can begin to have a holy awareness of the person of God as he reveals Himself to us through His Spirit AND His works. For to do this, is to authorize Holy Spirit and His presence and power to work in our lives by His design. And…to walk with Him, even as Enoch did.

It is for freedom that Christ set us free! The gift of love, is the gift of freedom to walk with God, and to lose the illusions of religion and false doctrines that binds us to all else.

God bless you,
David R. Thayer

2008-01-26T15:02:00.000-05:00

Energy (and mastering control of it)

As I searched my heart for a blog topic for Net2Church, “Energy” seemed to be the response. I will have to rely on Holy Spirit to help me as I type this out, for I have nothing really pre-planned to say, other than I noticed that it has been one year since I wrote anything here, and that is most definitely an energy issue with me.

Good Intentions
My original intent in creating this blog back in 2006, was to post a monthly article to share my observations of how I see God moving, and where I see myself and others with respect to that. In January of 2006, due to my own personal marital and financial struggles, I began to back out from all of my ministry and church commitments (and including this blog), excluding my live Sunday morning radio broadcast (this became my version of Sunday morning worship, which I took on in May of that year). I did this for two reasons. First to put my energy into saving my marriage, and secondly, that others wouldn’t accuse me of abandonment of my marriage for the pursuit of religion (which naturally, some did anyway).

Well, after a year of separation, and a prolonged financial drought, I was yet unable to keep my wife, and sadly, we divorced after 30 years of marriage. Although the stated reasons for her departure were financial abandonment, I put all of my energy into income development and worked exclusively on finding viable ways to provide for my family. I was, however, unsuccessful in that, and also in saving my marriage, and ultimately my reputation as a local Christian “leader”. After all, who wants to follow anyone who’s own personal life is a mess? Hmmm… I could write volumes on that subject of Christian mis perceptions.

So, what does all of this have to do with energy? Everything! Visions take energy, relationships take energy - passions of all forms take energy. When we start the day, we have a bucketful of energy each and every day. The thoughts, passions, and all of the “to-do’s” begin to use up that resource, before we even begin to apply ourselves physically to accomplish anything. Merely by thinking about them – our time and energy have already absorbed portions of our daily energy supply.

Negative energy cycles
Much of this is “negative” energy, as was the case in my personal life’s story above. Time, and energy, focused on negative situations, hurting relationships, and unfortunate circumstances, each taking a piece of that energy and helping to “block” the positive energy wanting to come to the rescue. In my case , employing lots of daily meditative prayer, along with following the suggestions below, are the activities that helped me to remain focused on the solutions and not on the problems.

Our unwanted thinking of the negative issues in our lives actually steals the blessings of God away from us. In other words, we begin a negative energy cycle that prolongs our own suffering and actually worsens it – until we either change it on our own, or reach out to God to do it for us/with us. Either way we must come to the point that we say “NO MORE OF THIS”, and actively pursue the life that God intends for us to live – in each tiny moment of every day.

Breaking the cycle of energy depletion
Breaking this cycle even takes energy. We need to focus first on this word - Jesus said, think on these things (Philippians 4:8, kjv); “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest (noble), whatsoever things are just (right), whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue (excellence), and if there be any praise (praise worthy), think on these things.” Focus? Yes, concentrate on continually asking ourselves if the very things that are taking up our mental energy and focus fall into these spiritual categories. If not, then we are squandering our daily energy supply, and literally giving it to the forces of darkness. (The whole 4^th chapter is worth a reread)

The second thing that we must do is to separate ourselves from negative conversations, and relationship issues, or if necessary, from those who bring us into these negative cycles (as they are enabling us to fail). If we don’t do this, then God will do it for us, in order to help us reach the provisioning that we are always asking from Him – and “that” may not always be a gentle nudge if we are resisting Him.

Forgiveness
The third thing is forgiveness. When we find ourselves thinking about interactions with others (real or imagined) that are not of good report, and do not portray the other(s) as worthy of our kind and gentle love – we are then holding unforgiveness in our heart, and we need to stop immediately, asking God to help us to forgive.

Praise, thanks, and desires for unity
Next, I would say to you pray always with thoughts, words, behavior, and deeds, and I would ask you to remember Galatians 5:22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control; against such there is no law (and think about what that means in terms of breaking strongholds). Jesus tells us how to master our energy supply according to what we think about.

Additionally, we need to continually give thanks and praise to God in all of our thoughts and ways (Phil 4:6,7) and acknowledge Him as our Lord as we endeavor to become one with Him, this would be our responsive answer to Jesus’ prayer in John:20, 21; My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

2007-01-29T22:29:00.000-05:00

Authority?

There is only one true authority. God Himself. There is only one reality. God Himself. Ultimately, when all is said and done, there is only God. So let's start here with this basic understanding that our transformation process is all about one thing - becoming one with God, allowing His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven (in us, as it is elsewhere).

There has been much teaching recently on the subject of authority in ministry. As I listen to television preachers and even some local pastors teach or even just share their points of view on the subject, I find myself in an uncomfortable place.

Let's take the five-fold ministry concept as an example. This is a concept that often associates ministry gifts as "offices" within ministry institutions. Healthy ministries are said to be having all "offices" in operation. [Apostles, Prophets, Pastors, Evangelists, and Teachers] in this model are offices often viewed as having a linear authority. This belief would place the apostle with authority over everyone else.

Here are some applicable scriptures regarding this teaching.

Eph 4:11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, (12) to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.

1 Cor. 12:28 And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?

As I prayerfully considered this teaching, I was unsettled by it. I began to see the roles of authority dissolve, and the roles of service solidify. God is the greatest servant of all. His grace is limitless - but yet we usually don't consider Him to be a servant. Jesus was the one who washed the feet of the disciples to prove this point. He was showing us the Father as one who serves.

I also believe that as Jesus is the cornerstone of the church, He is joined with the apostles and prophets in the first foundational layer of church ministry - not the authoritative role, but the supporting role of the bottom foundational layer that serves and carries the weight of the church, as seen here. Eph 2:20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.

As stated in Eph 4:11 - The role of the apostle is a supporting role to build up the church by preparing God's people for works of service. I couldn't find any mention stated or implied of any authoritative roles or offices - only ministry gifts equipping to serve.

On the other hand I can't agree with Robert Bowman's statement either - "To claim that the church today needs visions and revelations through modern apostles and prophets of Christ is to deny the sufficiency of the Bible". Robert Bowman, president of The Center for Biblical Apologetics, also wrote that apostles and prophets role in the early foundational period of the church has been fulfilled, and when the apostles died - they were never replaced. Hmmm...

I tend to see spiritual things more fluid than solid, more lateral than linear. Some see authority, but I see teamwork and I see apostles as yielded people who can handle change. I see movement in roles, gifts, and purpose. I don't see offices, and I don't know anyone that has arrived to the highest level of spiritual achievement, other than Jesus. Even Jesus in His final hour of freedom, asked to have his cup removed before yielding to God's will - nevertheless let your will not mine be done, He said.

These are tough roles. They take all of us working together in unity and love. Who should we look up to? When we look up, we should see Jesus - He is not a respecter of persons, as we are all sons (male and female alike) and heirs according to the throne. No gender, no race, no human condition, that places authority of heaven in the hands of man.

I am reminded of the disciples passing by a stranger casting out demons in the name of Jesus. “Should we rebuke him? He's not one of us!”, they said. Jesus answered “if he's not against you, he is for you”.

In this circumstance, He would not allow his own disciples to take an authoritative role – because the love and ministry of the servant trumped all. Let us all see the authority of one another in unity of service as pictured here by Jesus. “If he's not against you, he's for you”, is a great building block for love, unity and authority in the body of Christ. Let us allow God to be God of all, and respect the authority of love in all who serve others. “The greatest commandment", according to Jesus, (regarding our behavior) "is this, that you love one another as God has loved you”

God's greatest blessings to you,
David R. Thayer
Net2Church Global Ministries

2006-12-22T01:07:00.000-05:00

Prayer

As I listen to many spiritual people around me, one message that God seems to be speaking loud and clear is "Pray"! Everyone seems to be in agreement that prayer is of vital importance, but for me, prayer is a subject of constant education and continual enlightenment. I am convinced that there is no right or wrong way to pray, but that as we grow spiritually our prayer methods and dialog change. I have observed that prayer is a word that means many things to many people, but for the sake of this article, I want to define prayer as being in communication with God.

Listening
The most important part of communication with God is not what we say, but what He says. We really need to say nothing as He already knows our hearts, and our needs. He feels what we feel, and He has every hair on our head numbered. Yet, we feel compelled to bring forward our list of people, places, programs, provisions, and problems to Him for His careful sorting out and of course, reminding Him what His job is (with our suggestions of how He should go about it - so as to be most pleasing to us). Let's just start sitting silently in His presence – listening, just in case He wants to speak.

Controversial Prayer Methods
Some of you reading this don’t believe in praying in tongues. That is fine, but this may give you some insight into the hearts and minds of those that do. God has shown me some things about praying in tongues this year, and I would like to share that with you. He has also shown me some things about meditative prayer or “listening” prayer, often beginning with controlled breathing and chanting. Although these methods are not accepted by all Christians - and are even sometimes regarded as false doctrines, I am not trying to make any religious statements here. I am simply sharing some spiritual observations.

No matter where I go from here – I’m going to alienate some readers, because the mind can not hold two conflicting thoughts as truth, and I understand that we are constantly challenged with new conflicting thoughts. Both tongues, and meditation are ugly words in some Christian circles, and beautiful gifts in others.

Here it is.
I believe that as we are spiritually transformed to become an extension of God Himself, our body becomes His body, and our heart, our mind, and our will are also transformed by His spirit to become one with Him, as we yield to Him. It is in our yielding to His will, that we allow ourselves to be broken and stretched and then reshaped or transformed.

I have noticed that there are stages of spiritual growth, and that certain prayer methods become obsolete in the next stage, as freedom abounds and certain boundaries are no longer needed or are even valid. Here’s what I mean. If you drive to work and park your car in a designated parking area, observing the boundaries painted in the pavement, you are being obedient and loving. If you take the bus to work, you have no need to follow parking lot rules because they don't apply to passengers on the bus. You have chosen a different method of transportation that operates with different guidelines.

With tongues or with meditation, you have chosen a different method of communication with God (other than a spoken understandable language). The beauty of these methods are in their purpose, not in their function. Whether you are praying in tongues or chanting - these are not natural or normal behaviors for people in early stages of spiritual growth. These people would be so taken back by the behavior, that they couldn't begin to understand a deeper meaning of purpose.

Tongues
Prayer language that is gifted to us by God is a concept that is hard to grasp by anyone not aquainted with it. In a nutshell, it is speaking a language understood by the spirit and not the mind. Even more difficult to understand than that, is how God speaks to us as we are the one speaking. I have experienced this, but can't explain it. I gain understanding that surpasses knowledge. In other words, I begin to learn things and know things without reading a book or having any logical mindful input - by just practicing that heavenly language. In other words, we position ourselves to hear from God and to practice His presence within us.

Meditation
Meditation is being willfully silent and yielding to God's presence. To quiet one's self down and to become receptive and totally yielding to God, there are many pre-meditative exercises used to accomplish this state of consciousness. Breathing techniques and chanting are the most commonly used.

Christian meditation is a form of silent prayer that yields the same result as praying in tongues. To listen to Him and to behold Him is this result. For us, it is for one purpose, to love God - to yield ourselves to the power and presence and will of God for our lives.

I have observed the lives of many spiritual leaders that have healing ministries. They have one thing in common. They practice the presence of God for hours every day - usually through speaking in tongues or through meditative prayer - sometimes both.

My prayer for you is that you would take the time to practice the presence of God for hours every day. To listen and to yield to His love in all that you do. See Him in others, and in all of His creation. He is there. If you seek Him, you will find Him in the quietness of your own heart, for He is within you.

God bless you,
David R. Thayer
Net2Church Global Ministries

2006-11-18T18:39:00.000-05:00

Phase ll Net2Church Web Communities

Phase l was to build an interactive Christian community for the Monadnock region, http://www.themonadnock.org in southern New Hampshire, providing pastors with a means to communicate online in one location, where their voice to the community would be heard, and their website could be linked. This Phase began in September of 2004 and was ended in July of 2006.

Phase ll launched on November 1st of 2006, was to build an all new robust dynamic content management system for all of the businesses and organizations in the Monadnock region with the intention of placing the Christian community neatly inside of it - somewhat already established.

Because of the costs, including time and expertise involved, Phase ll was created to operate as an enterprise, not as a ministry. TalkRite Communications is the enterprise hosting the commercial side of this venture with the ministry of Net2Church continuing in the hosting of the Christian community that will be re-launching by January 1st as a free service.

The all new system now being operated by the business community brings many new easy-to-use systems to the local church community. Churches will be able to create a web page right inside the community. They will also have an internal email system that can be used online without the downside of exposing an email address to the spammers. The greatest advantage though, is the ability to be tied into the commercial side http://themonadnock.com and still be able to operate serarately as a stand-alone Net2Church region.

Net2Church is looking to expand this regional ministry concept all over the world. It is the http://TheMonadnock.com regional communities that is currently serving as the model for expansion and possibly franchise opportunities for Christian entrepreneurs to provide these same commercial services with TalkRite Communications and the expansion of the Christian communities through the associated ministry of Net2Church Global Ministries.

Phase lll? Absolutely. We will be folding in consumer benefits inside of a consumer based community, to interact with the other two. Stay tuned. It's getting better all the time.

God bless!
David R. Thayer

2006-09-07T12:51:00.000-05:00

New England Home Fellowship Group Pastors' Retreat

Net2Church Global Ministries is sponsoring the first Home Fellowship Groups of New England conference and retreat. This retreat is for all who are engaged in leading home fellowship ministries of any type, but is particularly for those acting as home fellowship pastors and their spouses and for those that they invite, as well as for those seeking to minister with these groups.

The purpose of this gathering is to help these pastors to develop relationships throughout New England with other home fellowship pastors, and to share their vision and testimonies with others for home fellowship ministry in general.

Spring of 2007 (Exact date yet to be determined)
Intervarsity's Toah Nipi Christian Retreat Center in Rindge, NH is the location for this extraordinary event. Come and take part in this gathering as we address the question; What is God saying to the home fellowship pastors, and why is it time to enable them to build a network and encourage itinerant activities throughout this network?

The setting for this retreat is a wilderness setting with a pond, miles of hiking trails, and plenty of area to find quiet and solitude to practice the presence of God, either alone or perhaps with a spouse.There are rooms available for this overnight retreat on a pre-registration basis, provided without cost through the generosity of Gregg Hodgson, Director of Toah Nipi, who's only request is that we pay for meals ($20/ea) and take a love offering instead of the normal $50 overnight fee. WOW!

We will gather on Sunday afternoon for introductions beginning at 1:00PM as people begin to arrive throughout the afternoon, and break bread together for an evening meal and time of sharing between 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM. Following dinner, we will have a time of quiet gathering campfire-style with acoustic instruments and open discussion, as well as worship and prayer, all mixed in as the Lord leads.

Monday morning is a time of solitude and a time to seek God in all of His creation in this beautiful New England nature setting before gathering to break bread again (breakfast). Following breakfast we will gather for corporate prayer and discussion of any prophetic word that might be shared for everyone's benefit before breaking bread (lunch) one last time. The afternoon will be a time of "raising a joyful noise-style" worship and "free time" to network or enjoy the surroundings again before departing.

Please come, take part, and let us get to know you.
Let us know soon for the planning of food and rooms!

In His love,
David R. Thayer, Director of Ministries
Net2Church Global Ministries