Pulled out of the pit Articles / Pastors Letters Date: Jun 24, 2002 - 12:23 AM I realize now that there was so much hate in me, that God simply couldn't bless us... I praise Him for sending you to reach down into the pit to pull me out. Thank you so much for coming to Olympic View. Thank you for being obedient to the Lord. Words cannot fully express my gratitude to both of you. Please click on the "Read more..." link below ...to read the full article..There really is much more inside. Please click on "Submit-News" above to leave us your own testimony or on "Comments?" below to leave us a note about this article. ____________ My youngest has been healed of bowel trouble. Since I stopped nursing him at 1 year, he has either had diarrhea or been constipated constantly. Only on rare occasions has he been "normal". For 1 ½ weeks now, after being prayed for, he has been "normal". I knew at the time, he had been healed. And for a 2 ½ year old, to tell me "My ow-e-e all gone" is amazing, but for him to constantly tell people "Jesus made my ow-e-e all gone" is a miracle. Still, almost everytime he prays, he remembers to say "Tank you, Deda (Jesus). My ow-e-e all gone." This he does with no prompting or reminding from us. (Our 7 year old) has realized throughout these meetings that Christianity is not just for adults, but as a child, she can minister. She has been filled with the Holy Spirit during these meetings, has spoken in tongues, and has had a ministry developed of praying for others... She has such a tenderness and intensity of prayer that I never knew was there before. (Our 12 ½ year old) had been going through such a rough time of being a "pre-teen", "pre-adolesent", or what ever you want to call it. Just a time of wanting enough independence and trying to see how much he can get away with. Peer influence, has just this year, become so important to him. But the wonderful change and spirit he has evidenced in his life is miraculous! He has prayed for about 4 years to receive his prayer language. He had received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit 4 years ago, just never spoke in tongues. So when people talked about "speaking in tongues" he said that God didn't want to fill him, because he never spoke in tongues. Well, praise the Lord, the first night he fell under the power of the Holy Spirit and was speaking in tongues. God has also used him in intercession. His father told him, that if he truly was filled with the Holy Spirit, it will be evidenced at home too. His father went on to tell him that his attitude needed changed and to prove his experience, his bed needed to be made without being told daily (something which was a fight before). His attitude before was like that of any typical boy of his age. Well, with only a few exceptions, for 5 weeks now, his attitude has been exceptional and his bed has been made EVERY morning without fail. In all honesty, it was his conviction that you were genuine and it wasn't a bunch of emotionalism or manipulation, is what finally got me to come to the meeting as a participator instead of a watcher. I have been an Assembly of God Pentecostal Christian for many years. This was a part of Pentecostal Christianity that I had never been exposed to before. On top of that, for 1 full year, I had not the opportunity to attend church services except for 2 services... I taught the children on Wednesday night and for Sunday School and Children's Church on Sunday morning, then by Sunday night I was usually too exhausted and too stressed out to go back to evening service. And when I did go, I would "sleep with my eyes open" and only rarely received anything from the Lord. I was burnt out and so very, very dry spiritually. Even my personal devotions were dry because when I would have them, I would maybe give the Lord 10 minutes of non-concentrated time. My prayers would be a "sad song" of complaining to the Lord. I was frustrated, and mad at God because it seemed like my prayers were never answered. I yelled at my husband, and my kids. I hated my husband and at times even hated God because I felt trapped and no one could get me out of my situation. My husband and I even talked many times about separation and divorce. Through listening to you and the Lord, I have been delivered from pride that I didn't even realize that was there; I've rededicated my life to the Lord, been refilled with the Holy Spirit, been healed of my anger, depression, despair, lying, deceitfulness, criticizing, judging, and the list could go on and on. I have learned SO much. I have just drank in of the Lord's presence. I could quote so much that I have learned from you. I love Jesus and my life has been turned around. My husband has stopped being so critical. When he noticed my attitude change and the changes the Lord has made in me, his attitude is changing. He is an Assembly of God minister and thought we knew best. We were cautious, and critical. I've apologized for my criticalness to God and no I am apologizing to you. This morning as we were praying together (our first time in about 15 years), he even thanked God that you came to teach us. By the way, last year when he suggested we renew our marriage vows, I wouldn't do it because I was thinking of leaving him. Last night, we both renewed our vows! And we both wanted to!.. We have even begun to have family devotions! ... I realize now that there was so much hate in me, that God simply couldn't bless us. Now I only feel unworthy that we are so blessed. Again, thank you for coming. This letter is so short, compared to all what God has done for us. I praise Him. I praise Him for sending you to reach down into the pit to pull me out. Our God is an awesome God. Thank you so much for helping me to realize that. Carol S. A Pastor's wife who attended the services at Olympic View Assembly of God Silverdale, WA with Pastor Larry Reed This article comes from World's Largest Prayer Board Annointed.net News http://www.annointed.net/ The URL for this story is: http://www.annointed.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=161