16.6.96 Sunday. Decide to go to evening service at Llangollen Methodist Church; find this has been moved onto the rocks on the river bank. A really powerful setting as Christopher preaches on the need to expand our vision of God - we have a BIG God.
17.6.96 Monday. 7.45am I am lying in bed. Hear music drifting through the open window, sound of child practising the recorder. Despite hesitant playing I can make out a tune - and suddenly realize this is the chorus 'My God is so big, so strong and so mighty, there's nothing my God cannot do'. Am completely God-smacked by this amazing confirmation of Christopher's sermon last night. This has got to be important for God to set this up.
Frances calls round and I share with her something of the events of last week - Christopher's belief that God 'has sounded forth the trumpet', Mike's encounter with the Holy Spirit, my burden to pray to release the prophetic. We agree that she, Michael and I should get together to talk through what's happened.
18.6.96 Tuesday. 7.45am again the recorder rendition of 'My God is so big' drifts through the open window. God, you really are hammering home this message aren't you? Fax Christopher to tell him never have I had a message so strangely or forcibly confirmed.
19.6.96 Wednesday. Promotional bumpf for Spring Harvest 97 arrives in the morning mail. Am stunned by fact literature is plastered all over with pictures of trumpets! (Next year's theme is 10 commandments). Speak to Michael; they are exploring possibility of making contact with church leaders in their area, a practical out working of God's call to unity.
Put together the first summary document of what we believe God is saying; run off copies for Michael, Frances & Christopher and take them with me to Llangollen Unity Prayer meeting. Are met by lady who opens up the Catholic church with the questions 'Are you operatic? Are you the buddhists?' Am slightly taken aback by this as I am wearing sweatshirt with large cross on the front. Assuring her we've come to pray, we get in. Maybe this is representative of the task we face?
Simon opens meeting - we spend some time waiting on God. Dave has picture of two hands, almost touching, in attitude of prayer; was God saying we are close to a breakthrough on the unity issue, but not yet close enough? Betty shares that God spoke to her recently that she needed to 'watch and pray' - that the church had been slumbering but God was going to wake it up. Simon and I exchange glances, as we have both sensed God saying we need to watch and pray! I share a picture form early in the morning about 2 weeks ago of all the different churches in Llangollen marching together through the streets with God saying that this needed to happen, that there needed to be a visible demonstration of unity in the town, a visible 'proclamation' in the natural which would affect the heavenlies. I also shared another illustration of the different denominations being the different facets of the same diamond. God likes diversity, but we all need to come together to best reflect the light. We pray for unity among leaders, breaking of barriers, protection, encouragement, wisdom, support for unity among the differing congregations; against apathy; for the young people - against worldly influences on them.
20.6.96 Thursday. Mike, Frances and I get together. We discuss what we think God is saying at present. The themes seems to be:
Mike shares that God gave him Ephesians 6:18 and really feels we are in a season of prayer. Frances recalls Christopher's words at Rhosymedre, that God is blowing the trumpet, we are going forward, there is no retreat, no backsliding, no going back. She feels very strongly that we have experienced and shared should be more widely communicated. We spend some time praying that God would give us direction in this, and create opportunities for sharing. Mike has picture of a sword - a cutting edge; he also believes righteousness is another important strand at present.
7.30pm Rhosymedre. 2nd session 'Praying with attitude and purpose'. Simon speaks on the 'clean heart', touching on spiritual authority. (For the second time Caron is prevented from coming - this week health, last time, baby sitting difficulties - it really seems the enemy is having a go - which is going to be tough for him, 'cos our side wins!). About 9pm we split into 4 small groups to pray for revival in Wales - I found that a new and powerful experience, to intercede for a whole nation! Maybe this is part of recognizing how BIG our God is?
Christopher arrives and says he's keen to get summary document on to the 'Web'. I'm a bit stunned at how quickly God has answered the prayer for opportunities to share this stuff - about 8hrs!!
21.6.96 Friday. Finished reading Cindy Jacobs' book 'The voice of God' - about the prophetic - mind-blowing - in fact with all that's going on I am surprised I have any mind left to blow. I was given this book in States last year, but have only been able to read it now - God's timing - it's amazing how He plans for things. Simon is also working through this book - we both independently started reading it.
Cindy Jacobs refers to Jeremiah 1:10 - which wiped me out as we were given this verse in a small group meeting at which Christopher and I were present on 18.7.92. How long has God been planning what's happening now? So many strands seem to be coming together.
Speak to Michael. He hopes to go to Conference on 'the prophetic in the local church' at Telford Christian Centre 19 & 20 July. The bumpf for this mentions Amos 3:7 (it's that verse again!) plus a cutting edge and sword!
Listened to side 2 of 2nd Kerry Southey tape. She says we'll now see prophetic people and we are entering the age of signs and wonders and miracles. This seems to tie in with the impression Christopher brought back in early May from Toronto.
22.6.96 Saturday. Was really struck reading Joel last night by verses carrying the injunction to blow the trumpet, give orders for a fast and call an assembly. (Joel 1:14, 2:1, 2:15). This seemed important particularly in connection with the unity issue in Llangollen. Over the past few days, listening to the Kerry Southey tapes on the prophetic, have been gripped by prophetic actions in the natural realm which bring about change in the spiritual realm. She speaks of the prophetic being the living word of God, which when spoken (literally) sets up future events. cf when God spoke the universe into being. Prophecy is a creative act; it can actually set up events in the future.
Listen to tape 3; am gripped by her suggestion that it would be profitable to do a study on 'watchmen' and 'trumpets' - the very 2 themes which God seems to be majoring in at present. She points out that there were various kinds of trumpets with different uses, as well as the feast of trumpets. As I have had the though of doing a bit of research on these issues over last couple of days, I am particularly hit by this. NIV concordance refers to Lev 23:23 which states that first day of the seventh month is the Feast of Trumpets. Feel this is significant as we are only a week away from beginning of July.
Kerry quotes from Jeremiah 6:17 'Then the Lord appointed watchmen to listen for the trumpet's warning' (GNB) A stunning verse!! She says the functions of watchmen are - to encourage faithfulness, denounce wicked leaders, see the future of the nation, call the nation to repentance.
Realize that I have a horn (ram's horn trumpet?) which I brought back from Austria years ago. I have this really sinking feeling about this. I can 'see' myself blowing this in the prayer meeting in Llangollen to the 4 points of the compass, as well as on the hills overlooking the town. Will this be to awaken the watchmen?? Oh God I've done some wacky things for you in the past and I have this suspicion I going to do some more - soon!
7.30pm determine to go to Wrexham Memorial Hall and attend first of a week long series of 'mission' events organized by Evangelical Churches under the title 'Key to Life'- my 'bit' towards unity?. Led by Roger Carswell and Paul Hinton. Sit on an empty row - to be joined by family who live directly opposite me, who I know go to Gwersyllt Congregational but to whom I have never spoken. At the end we chat for a while, and I am prompted to ask if daughter plays the recorder - and discover the source of 'My God is so big' - being practised for the coming SS Anniversary. What are the 'chances' of something like this happening? It's just GOT to be God!
23.6.96 Sunday. Go to 11am worship at Ruabon Methodist Church, which Michael has been asked to lead. Pick up pew Bible to find reading, and this falls open at Zechariah 9:14 - one of the 'trumpet' verses God, there's an awful lot of 'chance' around at the moment!!! Michael has us pinning 'hands' (on which we have written names of those we would like to see saved and are committed to pray for) onto a large wooden cross. Very powerful, symbolic gesture.
Run off copies of first summary document for Ian & Rachel V, Simon & Caron, Diane and Paul H. Take them with me and give out at Llangollen Praise and Worship evening. Dave Davis (YWAM) speaks on 'unity'and how God seems to be impressing this message over and over again. He refers to Psalm 133 - the commanded blessing where brothers dwell together in unity. Speaks of unity efforts in the town between the pastors, and quotes his experience of John Wimber addressing a pastors conference in Cardiff. Also of watching Psalm 133 'happen' in the Rhondda where following the getting together and praying together of 40 pastors, young people began to respond to the gospel. Another issue is the use of the Alpha course to reach the unsaved, and how small, home based groups could be a evangelistic tool. There is a feeling around that the coming revival will happen as a result of the love that outsiders see Christians displaying. Challenging stuff!
Christopher says he has put the first summary document onto the Web - after tidying up my spelling!
24.6.96 Monday. Frances comes round. She has a real burden for prayer and forming prayer groups. She is reading Ed Silvoso's book 'That none should perish' about the Argentinean revival. She is really struck by the emphasis that churches need to concentrate on the 100th sheep, rather than the 99 already in the 'comfort zone'; God is more ready to answer prayer for the 100th than the 99 - as He wants to see people saved! things happen in Argentina after the pastors had got together - the unity theme again - the principle obviously works.
Spoke with Rachel V. She corrected my account of her picture of 30.5.96. She saw sand blown over a hollow, to make a kind of roof. From a hole in the centre of this, sand trickles down, trickling for quite a while, then a 'whoosh' and the whole roof fell in. This left the hollow empty, whole lot was open to the blue sky above, rather than being covered up; this seemed the most significant thing. She also had the 'desert shall blossom like a rose' sometime before Easter.
25.6.96 Tuesday. Feel prompted to find my trumpet (alpine horn) which I think I last saw about 2 years ago. Take cup of tea to begin what I think is going to be a long search. Open a drawer and right on top is said horn! Oh God, I feel there is no way out of this now!
26.6.96 Wednesday. Awake 4.30am feeling really oppressed. Read scripture. Am struck by instruction to Habakkuk to 'write things down'.
10.30am Rachel V phones. Opening her Bible last night, it fell open at Ezekiel 33 - where he is called to be a watchman!! NIV has trumpets, swords, watchmen hearing the voice of the Lord plus call to righteousness. Talk about a summary of what God is on with! Maybe we should just put Ezekiel 33 on the Web instead?
Speak to Christopher. He opened his illustrated RSV last night at Joel to find a wonderful picture of man, in really aggressive stance, blowing a trumpet. He felt this was a really powerful confirmation. Told him of Rachel's passage. Amazing how God is using the Body to confirm things.
7pm to Llangollen prayer meeting. Share with other 3 present how I feel God wants me to blow trumpet. We pray, and I blow the trumpet to 4 points of the compass - N, E, W, S. We discuss the significance of this action, and pray about God raising up watchmen and the church. Simon shared how he had had Joel 2:1 about the assembly and fast before. There are also trumpets on the literature which has gone out for the day of prayer for Wales at Builth Wells on 29.6.96!
At night I am grabbed by Jeremiah 30:1 'write down in a book everything that I have told you because the time is coming when I will restore my people Israel and Judah. I find the whole passage Jeremiah 31:1-12 very powerful but particularly v6 "the time is coming when the watchmen will call out on the hills of Ephraim 'lets go up to Zion, to the Lord our God'". I guess I am going to end up blowing the horn again on the hills overlooking Llangollen.
28.6.96 Friday. Speak to Rachel V. She refers to the leaflet for Builth Wells having trumpets all over it, and opening with the words 'The time has come for the trumpet to sound over Wales' Amen!! New Life church plant are organizing a celebration meeting in Ectarc centre in Llangollen at 8pm 7.7.96 - time set to avoid clashing with our services. Housegroup discussed Regent Street celebration on 6.7.96; feel that this should be worship plus sharing evening; would I share about trumpets?? Feel this is God answering the prayer again to share what is going on and He has created this opportunity.
29.6.96 Saturday. Speak with Nancy and George in the evening, as well as Dave and Annie. They have been to Builth Wells. About 2000 - 2500 present. Trumpets were blown throughout the day at various strategic points. Wow!!!!!! Good intercession times - for God to break down Welsh/English barriers. Dave pleased to have worked alongside pastor of Kings Church Mold in leading a group.
1.7.96 Monday - The Feast of Trumpets! Discover in NIV commentary that trumpets were blown to make the beginning of a new season - which seems really significant, because that's what we feel we have entered.
Speak with Simon - he was at Builth Wells on Saturday. Apparently the first scripture read was Joel 2:1! He hopes to go to Ed Silvoso conference on 6.7.96. Listen some more to Kerry Southey tapes. She talks of functions of the prophets as including- to warn, correct, stir up to evangelism, build up the body, stir up faith, pull out any wrong foundations, tell of future events, illumine/reveal/inform, give specific word/instructions. Oh Lord, give us prophets!