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My heavenly Father (and Yours) led me to ask my church for prayer and advice.  That is very biblical.  So as it says in Isaiah 28, one line at a time (step by step), God showed and told me what to do.  For example, as I requested help for our community event May 10-12, an elder told me to contact the Muskogee Public Library and request a free room: “Sally, the Library often assists in community events such as this.”

It was pot luck Sunday, after church. As Garry and I filled our plates and sat down, our pastor joined us.  He encouraged our movie event to help deaf people in our community.  Then a friend, who just happened to work at the Muskogee Public Library (over 45 years) sat at our table.  He told me what to do to get the room.  Another line completed…the next step coming.

Originally, I had received a “Deaf Missions” calendar and information on needs of people who are deaf.  I fasted and prayed for two weeks before asking for my husband’s prayer and input.  Then, as God did “show and tell” me, and line upon line, at the finish of each revealed answer, a new task began.

On March 29^th, God had a plan for a deaf-hearing coffeehouse.  He showed me line by line. Line upon line, I completed Mother’s Day paperwork with the Library for our May event (Deaf Missions’ The Book of Job movie), airline ticket purchases for Deaf Missions’ Director of Outreach, Jose Abenchuchan to fly to Tulsa, and sought Ark Board input! All new tasks for me.

I was planning May but needed a host and feature for March 29 because my scheduled people could not come. I simply cried out to the Lord – “What, how, when, where, who Lord?” Then, I went back to finalizing the coffeehouse event.

Within five minutes, Vonda Bland phoned me: “Sally, I will be in your area March 29^th, could I possibly share a few minutes at Coffeehouse?  I immediately replied: “You and Steve can host the whole Coffeehouse and open mic.”  WOW—God! I didn’t even make a proper prayer!  He reminded me of numerous times in the Bible when people cried out with a loud voice and He answered! I quickly started contacting newspapers and ministries serving the deaf in Tulsa and Broken Arrow.

That Coffeehouse was needed so that Vonda and Steve could teach me a thing or two about videos that were signed in American Sign Language (ASL). They brought praise videos and drama videos involving BOTH deaf and hearing people.  It was remarkable. They even gave us Mother’s Day song videos to use at the May event.

That Coffeehouse was terrific!  Deaf people that the Ark had known over 21 years came; new people too – both hearing and deaf; ten deaf people in all.

Vonda used videos from their worldwide ministries to involved deaf and hearing participants in feature activities and open mic. She also involved us in a dramatized biblical scripture. Awesome! Their ministry is a family affair. Steve produces all their videos and the background and scenery is extremely beautiful.  Two of their adopted deaf daughters sign with Vonda in the videos, as well. We closed with prayer, signed and spoken over individuals.  God did it again!

So, another line finished as He lays out the Ark’s path. The key is to LISTEN, pray, obey, and continue on, so God can complete His work in each of us, using our giftings and talents.  The thing that makes us able is through Jesus, God gave each of us the gift of Holy Spirit, our Helper, Teacher, Comforter and Friend.  Listen to Him.

Lamplighter Coffeehouse – sometimes it is just superb! With “Open Mic”, we never know who will show up or what will happen.  The host of each coffeehouse leads the way, listening to and obeying Father God.  We come together for fellowship, praise and worship and to practice using our various gifts.  Open mic is sensational as each person there discerns what God wants him or her to share.

Each of us needs discernment in our journey into His perfection.  Discernment of God’s Spirit should be a constant redeeming, moving, and loving action in our daily responsibilities.  We go through cycles and different seasons in times of transition.  We need prayerful alone time with God, to hear and obey His direction and call for each new task!  We need to clarify God’s intent and direction. We must be prepared (ready) and full of hope.

One past coffeehouse encouraged not only me, but others present, to use our various talents and giftings to encourage suicidal children, teens, and adults to use their own gifts to relieve the tensions of daily coping with disabilities, stress, depression, or bullying and family problems! At the Ark, we use art, music, poetry, writing, dance, and life skills classes to encourage each participant, for no one should be hopeless.

At that recent coffeehouse, we discussed the original art of teens displayed on the Ark walls.  Many of them were done in Teen Anger Management classes. Framing and displaying them encourages the artist that there is hope for him or her. It’s not just about performance art.

Each of us has a skill or gifting. The Ark provides opportunity to use our talents to defend ourselves against anger, depression, and suicidal impulses.  That understood, a young, first-time coffeehouse attendee was encouraged to share a poem. It was awesome!

Please pray, intercede, and even travail (labor painfully) if led toward this developing ministry at the Ark. If you know someone needing loving support, please call 918-682-8411 and ask for Sally or bring the parent, guardian and child to the Ark.

I am studying and meditating on this year’s call to ministry: reconciliation and ambassadorship.

 I took out my Zondervan NIV Bible that we use for recovery program work at the Ark. It adds commentary on using scriptures for healing from addictions. One example is, “As we continue to explore just who this Higher Power is, we find that God is, among other things, the Great Reconciler.” As we continue our daily fellowship with Him through Christ, it says, “We become a New Person.”

All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation…not counting men’s sins against them.  And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” (II Corinthians 5:18-19, NIV)

While travailing (laboring) for this ministry to show forth in our community, I learned of another 8-year-old who committed suicide. Healing, and our battle for preventing suicide among children, will take all of us. Community members, prayer warriors, pastors, and leaders came together the end of 2018. Dr. Steve Wiley and the Ark presented a request to join efforts to stop the rising numbers of suicides by kids from 5 years old thru teens and mid-twenties.  We came boldly to God’s throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace to help in this time of need.

The Ark offers a place of safety and relief for all needing comfort and help to overcome whatever they are battling!  We use Ark space for action. A place to use all our gifts together to find comfort and rest from attacks of Satan, our great enemy.

As Dr. Steve stated, “We are calling upon You, our God, to rescue us, rescue our city, our families, our youth from this spirit of suicide and hopelessness. Redeem our lives in peace and comfort in You.”

Yesterday, when I saw and heard the news of another child committing suicide, my travail began anew!  In March’s newsletter I spoke of how three Cs (consultation, conversation and committees) will not get the job done.  So, I am being led to offer the Ark.

The Ark has teenagers’ beautiful original art framed and hung on our walls. We use art, music and poetry to bring people out of depression. In small groups (or one on one) God will help us make the needed changes in lifestyles if only we ask.  He has given each of us gifts and told us to use them to benefit the body (our churches/families).

Our Teen Anger Management participants draw and paint during class sessions. One teenager started to toss her drawing after class. The drawing was beautiful! I asked for it. She hesitated but gave it…putting herself down. Later, when she saw it framed and hanging on the Ark’s wall, she was encouraged! Blessings come from our obedience to use our gifts. The blessings will increase as we become WILLING to see ourselves in a new light and offer support.

 The Ark is following Christ’s example to give when asked. Our mission is to help. Please call the Ark at 918-682-8411 when you are in need and ASK for help.

Dear friends of Ark of Faith, I want to remind each of you that: “The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on [you], because the LORD has anointed [you] to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent [you] to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives…:” (Isaiah 61:1, NIV)

This is exactly what the Lord has called each of us to do.  Jesus challenged the Ark to proclaim the good news to the deaf in Muskogee Oklahoma and surrounding areas. Ark Deaf Signing classes began Feb. 12^th thru April 2, 2019.  Years ago, Monica White, from Ozark Christian College in Joplin, Missouri worked 3½ years with deaf and prison ministry at the Ark before going into full time ministry with the deaf.  Angela Giyer also completed her college and Sign Language course with 1½ years at Ark.  She also was led to minister full-time to people who are deaf.

I finally allowed God to mature me in this area and began teaching a beginners’ Sign Language Class at the Ark. Now, I am reflecting! These two young women were used of God to help me and to create in me the desire to communicate with the deaf.  Over the years, this included teaching hearing people to communicate in Sign, one-on-one counseling, assisting deaf travelers on a cruise or at a hotel, etc.  Growing this ministry cannot be done in a few months. Our call is to reach deaf people wherever the need is in daily life.

Recently, an anonymous donor gave $200 to purchase bibles for the deaf.  Bibles for deaf people are specially written to present the word clearly to people who Sign. These bibles are more expensive. By sharing the costs and service, each of us can become a part.

Monica and Angela helped build the groundwork, I’ve personally been used to assist deaf while traveling, and the $200 donor was also a part of the Ark being able to assist deaf people. This is the way all Ark services grow. Prison ministry, Veterans’ ministries, meals, counseling, even coffeehouse all grew from using someone’s gift with the gifts of others.

What is your gift?  How are you using it for the Lord in your community or worldwide?  Remember you are never too old. I am 85, but, God used two young college students to create in me a desire I did not know I had.

These two young women came for prison ministry training and shared and exampled their deep desire to help the deaf in our community!  It was contagious. So think! How do you “get started”—and where?  In your church, my church, the Ark?

Finally, DEEP intercession may be needed “…in labor and travail… in fasting…” (2 Corinthians 11:27, ASV)  Consultation, conversation, and committees ( I call that the 3 “C”s) won’t get it done.  But God can encourage us – make a way where there seems to be to be no way. (Isaiah 43:19, Philippians 2:1)

If we come together, if “we” cooperate, laboring and praying together for deliverance…and return and give thanks to God (2 Corinthians 1:11, AMPC) we become free and can then help to free others!

As humans each of us knows suffering in times of crisis or troubling situations.  In our self-absorption we may wound or hurt others, even unintentionally.

We’ve been called to serve even as Jesus did – to do what He did.  He gives us grace and mercy; new every morning.  As we cry out to be strengthened by His Spirit, we can show  tenderness and humility in our relationships with one another.  Each of us is being called to come up higher.  Even as Jesus served and serves us daily, “when He was made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him, and God declared Him to be our High Priest.” (Hebrews 5:9-10)

His great love comes to us in the form of a servant.  Moving forward in this journey to perfection, Holy Spirit, help us demonstrate that we are truly faithful disciples.  Deliver us from prayers of unbelief, speaking base (crude) things or stating the problem rather than Your Word and truth.  What we say is what we get.  There is power and life in Your Word.

In Exodus 14:15 (GNB), Moses cried out and God asked him “Why are you crying out for help…move forward.”  Have you ever screamed, shouted from your gut, wept until you couldn’t cry anymore?  I have.  I re-read an old 2004 Ark newsletter and saw my God’s leading in the desire to perfect me.  Even Jesus cried out on the cross “Why have you forsaken Me?”  For Him it was a human moment lasting briefly. Not like us. But, if we tarry too long, we can get off into self-pity or self-will.

Prayer is the most important first thing to do. We must allow the Holy Spirit to move us quickly forward to God’s will.  Prayer requires our ACTION – obedience in faith.  We must choose, as Jesus did, to keep our eyes on Father God and not our weakness!

Our loving heavenly Father has promised that when we are weak, He will be our strength. (Hebrews 11:34)  We must choose to move into His purpose and thank Him for good and bad! (Romans 8:28)

The old 2004 newsletter stated we cannot claim instant maturity or receive it simply through laying on of hands.  Maturity requires daily commitment to our ever-faithful God!  Jesus is our Good Shepherd and will lead us step by step through even the shadow of death.  Read 1 John 4:18, in the Amplified Bible. It says every difficulty/problem/crisis is only a shadow.  We must keep our focus on Him and His Word!  Satan only comes to deceive, torment or distract us.

God’s word is unrelenting, undiminished, uncompromising, incapable of being changed and does not yield to self-will, Satan or life difficulty;  “What a record all… have won by their faith…” (Hebrews 11:39)  This refers to Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, “yet they did not receive what God had promised, because God had decided on an even better plan for us.  His purpose was that only in company with us would they be made perfect.  (Hebrews 11:40)

“Jesus answered, “Do you think you can make the guests at a wedding party go without food as long as the bridegroom is with them?  Of course not!  But the day will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.”  (Luke 5: 34 GNB)

Fasting from food can bring feasting for the soul.  Yet, there is evidence that fasting can be abused.  Lord, my prayer today is that we not allow past spiritual exercises (like past sin) to keep us from the true purpose of our fast.  Let us use the fast as Spring Cleansing.

A dear friend and prayer partner, Nedda Horvath, gave me some books when she moved from Muskogee.  One was “God’s Chosen Fast” by Arthur Wallis.  It was a paperback first printed in 1968.  My gift copy is yellowed and now greatly worn and marked.  God continues using this to “show and tell” me where I’ve been. He’s still leading me into the new and higher ground.

One personal revelation came to me when Arthur Wallis listed 5 questions to help us in our personal choices.  The 5^th  question ignited my spirit: Am I determined above all else to minister to the Lord in this fast?  “They were worshiping the Lord and fasting.”  (Acts 13:2, GNB) 

Wow, for years I’ve been swimming daily while praising and worshiping God.  I also fast and pray every Monday as God has directed me. My daily swim is healthy for my body, and how the pool water and fast/praise washes me clean!  Daniel 9: 2-3, 21 & 22 states, “I, Daniel…turned my face to the Lord God, seeking Him by prayer, supplications—with fasting… Gabriel…said to me, ‘O, Daniel, I have now come out to give you wisdom and understanding.’ ”

True worship fasts negative talk, thoughts and actions.  I desire the same in my life.  Do you?  Joel (and also Luke) spoke:  “This is what I will do in the last days, God says:  ‘I will pour out my Spirit on everyone.  Your sons and daughters will proclaim my message; your young men will see visions, and your old men have dreams.  Yes, even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will proclaim my message…I will perform miracles.  Whoever calls out to the Lord for help will be saved.’ “ (Acts 2: 17-21, GNB)

Today, self-control is so difficult because in the USA many tables are full and readily available – but not to all.  Self-discipline and spiritual order may not be expressed in fasting.  It is not to be done for public gain or to advertise piety.

Fasting is needed today to practice self-denial, usually of food or other pleasures, in order to concentrate on what is Spiritual.  The fast that Father God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit want from us is to seek His true purpose and develop an attitude to the things of God!  Are we willing to stand in the gap and intercede for multitudes of lost, hungry people?  Fasting before God is a matter of true pressing interest. It can be done without words in open and sincere praise.

Are you willing today to be used of God in such a ministry?  We can grow in His power and effectiveness to deliver and redeem even as Jesus grew and was made perfect (Hebrews 7:28) by Father God.

“Last of all, Jesus appeared to the eleven disciples as they were eating.  He scolded them because they were too stubborn to believe…He said…’Go…preach the gospel to all people.  Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned.  Believers will be given the power to perform miracles…drive out demons…speak in strange tongues…place their hands on sick people, and these will get well.’ ”  (Mark 16: 14-18 GNB)