NEWS
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A WEDDING FEAST TO BEHOLD
by the Mother of the Bride, Mari Anne Andersen
There have been several pivotal events that have been emotionally and historically exciting in our lives, personally as well as in the ministry. We, of course, would talk about our own love story and wedding, the birth of our beautiful three children, our first home, the privilege and honor of working full-time in the Lord and traveling to different nations to minister. There are so many more mountain top experiences, but you do get the idea that each one of these events is sealed, locked and stored in our hearts. They are held in a special place from which Tommy and I can draw joy, delight, excitement, and anticipation of God's promises for His abundance of love and grace to overflow and never run out.
We would like to share with you one of our most recent "greatest" moments in our lives as parents that took place this May, the wedding feast of our daughter, Karin Marie and our son-in-law, Roger. This pivotal event was beyond description, but I hope to convey a little taste of the wonder and fullness of this wedding feast, along with seeing the grace that flows in all of our lives as we wait eagerly for the day when we will be united with our Bridegroom - Jesus. The imagery and symbolism of marriage as believers in Jesus Christ became even greater for us because of the covenant we have with God our Father.
First, let me say the bride was absolutely exquisite and regal, glowing and shining with beauty and inner joy bubbling over for all to see! The groom was eagerly and enthusiastically waiting at the altar for his lovely bride. Being closely part of this whole process, unrealized emotions and thoughts came flooding into me. Our little girl was no longer playing dress up. This was the real deal. How proud, how glorious it was to see her so happy and how thankful we were for Father God answering our prayers for her one and only soul mate. Watching Roger waiting and gazing intently for his bride to walk towards him represents so much of our Bridegroom, Jesus Christ, His anticipation, preoccupation, and expectation as He waits eagerly for us and for that day when we will be united with Him.
His very nature is being the true Bridegroom ardently and lovingly desiring us as His bride and how He wants to lavish His fervent love upon us. It is in His very nature, standing as a Protector beside His bride, being an intimate partner who lives for us. Jesus, the Bridegroom, lives to do everything for His bride, to help her in every situation, in every need, in every impossibility. She is no longer alone. His heart is to connect with her heart and with her soul. The preparations, arrangements, invitations and instructions have already been given out so that day will be a day of complete bliss and perfection. He imparts His likeness to us as His bride so that we may radiate divine beauty and be adorned with many virtues. His loving eyes behold His bride as though she were perfect.
We started planning for this wedding about ten or eleven months ago. We heard many stories of all the work, expense and time to create this special day that would go down in history in their lives and our lives. All the details - the conversations that occurred on a regular basis with so many, the photographers, florists, caterers, music directors, the choices of colors, china, linen - and of course, the dress - oh the dress (a sneak preview at the end)! Relatives and friends that needed to come from other cities, states and even from another country - Norway. And after all the ceremonies and parties here, all of our family would be flying to Norway a week later for more wedding celebrations. We knew that this wedding was going to be a "wow" wedding - celebrating in 2 countries for the whole month of May. At times, we started to feel overwhelmed, overtaxed, and nervous and we said, "Oh God, how is this all going to come together? Oh God, this seems so much. How are we going to do this?"
During my quiet time one morning as I was seeking Him with all my questions and concerns, I heard Him say so clearly to me:
"Mari Anne, I LOVE WEDDINGS. I LOVE TO PERFORM MIRACLES AT WEDDINGS.
I will lift you up to higher ground so you could see the view from my perspective.
You will be able to see what I see from this level and height. Be not worried - Be not afraid - you will enjoy My glory as well as My view. Breath in slowly so you can drink in slowly - My love, My peace, my joy and My direction of glory. Just rest - we will walk through this together. Remember - what I've said, - ‘I LOVE WEDDINGS’ - for this is My celebration - for I am the Bride's Father. I will turn the water into wine - watch - see and taste the best of what I have."
So I began to study and read John 2 all about the wedding feast at Cana in Galilee, as the mother of Jesus was there. Did you know that Mary, Jesus' mother, was an assistant to the wedding or what we would say now - the wedding planner? Weddings then were a major production that lasted for days. She took her commitments seriously and wanted to do the best she could for the bride and groom making sure everything was perfect. A wedding feast was the introduction of Jesus' first miracle and it had to do with wine. I just love that because of all the places Jesus decided to perform His first miracle, it was at a party - a wedding - and with wine. So much symbolic meaning for us as sons and daughters as to what we have here and now and what is yet to come. Now there were six large stone jars at the wedding - six, which is one shy of seven. Awaiting fulfillment. "Fill the jars to the brim," Jesus said. He came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets; to fill them up with His own perfect life and obedience as living water from heaven.
He then said, "Draw some out and take it to the master of the feast." That’s it - no further words, no actions. Jesus doesn't lift a finger. Just fill the jars with water, then draw some out. “Do whatever He says;” it ALL rests on Jesus and the servant's obedient trust in His word. The washing water became wedding wine - no ordinary wine, but extraordinary wine that was the best - instant wine. Wine overflowing - six jars, 30 gallons each - that's about 700 or 800 or more bottles of wine. In John 2 at the beginning of this story it starts with the words, " On third-day." This is a resurrection story, one of new beginnings. Also, wine in the Bible is a symbol of the joy that God promised to His people and of the reestablishment of the Covenant. Joel 4:18, "On that day the mountains shall drip new wine." Amos declares, "Behold, days are coming, says the Lord, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him who sows the seed; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine and all the hills shall melt.”
Take heed in this story, my friends, that there is enough - there is more than enough grace and love for all of us. There is an abundance of grace that flows in our lives, hundreds of bottles of it, more than we can fathom or even carry for a day. When God comes to men there is not just adequate supply but an abundance and overflow of grace. Boundless love, endless love, abundant life, unspeakable joy, rich blessings, resurrection power, signs and wonders. He is the one who created and ordered all things. He is the Word in Flesh dwelling among us. He is our shepherd; we do not want. There is no lack in Him. I have no need to fret or worry about anything because I am a believer and not a doubter. Jesus is the author and developer of my faith. I roll my works upon Him and commit and trust them wholly to Him. He will cause my thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and so shall my plans be established and succeed. And My Father is all the while effectually at work in me, both to will and do His good pleasure.
Needless to say, the wedding from begin to end was pure perfection. It was living in a place of extravagance, experiencing heights and depths of being blessed, and being so proud of our daughter and son-in-law. It was the taste of new wine that was getting better and better where things just flowed and came together beautifully, magically, and divinely. It was wonderful visiting family and friends here in the States and in Norway, connecting with them on such a delightful and elate occasion - a wedding feast truly to behold. We have been reliving this time over and over again, immersed and bathed in the memories - the joy, hugs, tears, laughter, and pleasure of our daughter and son-in-law’s wedding.
So now Roger and Karin Marie mark a new beginning in their lives. The wedding ceremony is over, BUT the marriage is for the rest of their lives, learning to love, serve, honor, respect, and grow in their commitment and belief in their covenant with each other and their God.
Let me leave you with the words the Father gave me while I was in Norway just basking in His love and promises. They are the words and feelings the Father has for YOU also, my friends:
"I have placed the galaxies in the sphere of life - I have created the vast seas and bodies
of water and land. I have created into existence the animal kingdom BUT nothing super-
cedes My formation and creation of YOUR being. You are MY child - You have My
heritage and My roots - My DNA - My looks and My composition of love. My child in whom
I am well pleased. I delight in you. You have evolved and revolved around and in My Son.
You have Your Father's heart and Your Father's smile - when YOU smile, I smile. I smile,
sit back and say, ‘He/she is My child - I'm their Father.’ I am so proud of YOU and My
heart sings over YOU, and My eyes shine with rays of brightness upon YOU. I have you in My
designs of my kaleidoscope of blessings - YOU will see the rainbow of blessings and YOU will
be full of great joy to see the beauty of My love."
Your Daddy, forever and ever.
Enjoy some of our pictures. You will see and say the same thing we did - she is an absolutely beautiful bride and he such a handsome groom.
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REJUNVENATION, REVELATION AND RELAXATION
PSALM 91
by Mari Anne Andersen
Not long ago I received a word from the Holy Spirit and it really tugged at my heart. I felt inspired to share with you some of my discovery into that "secret place" of my Father's house spending the night in Shaddai's shadow. I love going to my Father's house because there I can be fully present in His love of acceptance, in His divine grace, and abide in a place of comfort, protection and recognition. I always find His door wide open and ready to meet and greet me and bring me in for rejuvenation, revelation, and relaxation. I know my Father's house will give me restored vision to see His perceptive of His original plan - rejuvenating and revealing to me more of His Divine truth, hearing and feeling His loving nurture going deeper to disclose more of His secrets to me as His daughter, and having my body and mind in a state of ultimate peace so that my whole equilibrium is balanced in His supremacy. I have my Father's address and I go quite frequently to visit and spend the night. He always asks me to invite my friends - so would you like to visit my Father's house, hang out with Him, and be sheltered from the things of life that keeps us in fear, bound-up and anxious?
You would love it in my Father's house because there you can feel comforted, protected, adored, appreciated, and most of all, you are the center of attention. His eyes are fixed on you alone as He sings over you with songs of deliverance. You actually feel alive with Him; the peace is so surpassing! The feelings you experience being made whole and righteous in His presence are remarkable. You really get to encounter in the depths of your being that you are His workmanship, you are His child born anew and afresh, and as His child visiting with Him, your faith rises to believe and take hold of the truth that you can do all things. Being under Shaddai's shadow you literally are made aware that you are tasting and partaking of His divine nature. I can promise you that visiting my Father's house you will be feasting on His abundance. Would you like to know His address and visit? He is waiting!
The address:
Most High God, The Almighty and El Shaddai
Psalm 91st Avenue
P.O. Box Seal of Heaven
Heavenbound, World 77777
I would love to show you some promises in Psalm 91 that are outlined and made very clear to His children - His sons and daughters living a life of communion with God. Dwelling in the "secret place" - we are constantly and continually safe under His protection and are preserved, having a peaceful heart and mind at all times. We are at home with God, residing leisurely, resting in His comfort, protection and promises. Remaining under Shaddai's shadow you are safe and in His strong castle of care. You are saved from the entrapments and snares of the fowler, and the contagion of sin. You are hidden away in your Father's house with the greatest security system ever. I believe Psalm 91 is our road map to the Father's house, personally and permanently in which you can reside for protection and complete immunity.
Being in your Father's house you can say boldly and confidently that He is your refuge and fortress and in Him YOU can trust. His presence makes everything else grow strangely dim for His light shines truth in your heart that makes you alive to believe and receive these promises.
In the first thirteen verses of Psalm 91, it is the believer who speaks out, declares, and proclaims who God the Almighty is:
Message Bible (Psalm 91:1 - 13)
You will sit down in the High God's presence, spend the night in Shaddai's shadow,
Say this: "God, you're my refuge.
I trust in you and I'm safe!"
That's right - he rescues you from hidden traps,
Shields you from deadly hazards.
His huge outstretched arms protect you -
Under them you're perfectly safe;
His arms fend off all harm.
Fear nothing - not wild wolves in the night, not flying arrows in the day,
Not disease that prowls through the darkness,
Not disaster that erupts at high noon.
Even though others succumb all around,
Drop like flies right and left,
No harm will even graze you.
You'll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance,
Watch the wicked turn into corpses.
Yes, because God's your refuge,
The High God your very own home,
Evil can't get close to you,
Harm can't get through the door.
He ordered his angels
To guard you wherever you go.
If you stumble, they'll catch you;
Their job is to keep you from falling.
You'll walk unharmed among lions and snakes,
And kick young lions and serpents from the path.
Study and notice how the believer understands and knows the Most High God's character, ability, and promises - surely that only comes from dwelling and settling in the Father's house, knowing each of the rooms in your Father's house, and exploring more of His beauty in these rooms. The believer (son or daughter) takes up permanent residence in the Father's house. He doesn't leave or take residency anywhere else, doesn't skip town to take a vacation, BUT remains in His Father's house, especially when life is too hard or too difficult. The believer is found ever present in Shaddai’s shadow under His protection and care.
Notice also the tremendous blessings stated in great times of trouble. WHY? Because the believer knows the address of the secret place of the Most High. When all the terrible things in this fallen world begin all around us, we know the Father's address and can take shelter in His holy Tabernacle of protection and peace. It's in His ark of mercy and grace that we can rest, that heavenly place on this side of eternity. It's our absolute faith in God as our Father who is our light and salvation, the strength of our life that keeps us hidden in Him. Nothing pleases the Father more than faith. FAITH IN WHAT? Faith that He is our Father, our Lord and Savior, faith that He is who He says He is - the Great I Am, the only true God, the beginning and the end, the rock of our salvation, and our refuge and fortress.
Read verses 14 through 16 in what our Father, the Almighty God, El Shaddai says to YOU of His children. PLEASE read it out loud and allow yourself to feel the momentum of the Holy Spirit's power coming through in these awesome promises, which, by the way, are stated six times.
I will rescue him (verse 14).
I will protect him (verse 14).
I will answer him (verse 15).
I will be with him in trouble (verse 15).
I will deliver him and honor him (verse 15).
I will satisfy him (verse 16).
I WILL RESCUE YOU – No matter the dilemma, pain, crisis or fear, God's promise and truth is that He will save YOU from the snare, the fowler, the enemy of this life, and those areas that try to trap you and keep from receiving and living in blessings of peace and freedom.
I WILL PROTECT YOU - No mountain high enough, no mountain great enough will keep YOUR Father's protection away. He is your fortress, your safe place. No one can enter or even try to find a way in because YOUR Father has given you His protection. He has YOUR back covered and His shield over you is El Shaddai's loyalty. He never stops being your protector; He will never stop giving you what you need.
I WILL ANSWER YOU – Such favor comes to stay with you. Favor rests upon you as a child of the most high God. You will experience streams of His goodness, in small and big ways, and favor will be flourishing at your doorstep, favor that rains in miracles. His signs and wonders of heaven unfold over and in your life; acts of kindness come your way from the Father.
I WILL BE WITH YOU IN TROUBLE – His faithfulness will also be your shield. As a mother hen protects her little chicks, He will cover you with His feathers and His wings. You will find safe shelter and sanction from all disturbance and distress. His nurturing protection comes forth to ward off any bullies that try to assault you.
I WILL DELIVER YOU AND HONOR YOU – Wow! What promises of deliverance, promotion, dedication and affection. El Shaddai made a vow in saving lives - YOUR life - and as a son or daughter He has marked you with distinction and sealed it with unction. In the Message Bible it stated this way - "I'll give you the best care if you'll only get to know and trust me. Call me and I'll answer, be at your side in bad times; I'll rescue you, then throw a party.”
I WILL SATISFY YOU – Try to wrap your mind and heart around this promise! God the Almighty will SATISFY YOU. He desires and longs to please and gratify you. He provides and gives you pleasure. He wants to provide amply and abundantly in YOUR life. He will satisfy your every longing, your every hunger and every thirst for love, recognition, attention, affection, adventure. If God will satisfy you, it means you have no needs. He is YOUR all in all, all sufficient, all together lovely, and all together wonderful. You lack nothing because your every need is met. He gives you a long drink of His living waters of life on THIS side of eternity.
In many aspects, we are living in unsettling times. Whether it is the economic crisis, family disbursements, ungodly lawlessness, deadly diseases, plagues, wars, there is uprising on all fronts.
I have read about some of these things in Revelation, and whether or not these are the last days, I will leave that for the theologians. I think we could all agree that these days seem to be darker days. God's promise is "where sin abounds grace abounds much more" and, dear friends, I truly believe Psalm 91 is our blanket of comfort and our place of "home" with our Father, abounding greater in His grace and spending our time in our Father's house. If you are longing for inner serenity and desiring His tranquility,
EL Shaddai is waiting for YOUR visit. His arms are waiting to hold YOU and comfort YOU. He is saying...
"COME AND REST DEEPLY IN ME. I LONG TO LIFT YOU SWEETLY AND COMFORTABLY INTO MY
HEAVENLY HOME. REST IN ME. TRUST IN ME AND HOPE IN ME, FOR I WILL NOT LET YOU FALL.
I WILL GIVE YOU THE BEST CARE. CALL ME AND I WILL ANSWER; I WILL BE AT YOUR SIDE,
I WILL RESCUE YOU, AND THEN THROW A PARTY."
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CRUCIAL HOUR OF NEED
FOR GREG KEITH AND FAMILY
IN KANSAS CITY SERVING @ IHOP
It has come to our attention that our long time friend and brother in Christ who served with us, Tommy and Mari Anne Andersen, at Eden Ministries, Weyerhaeuser, Wisconsin (now a YWAM base ministry) back in the 80’s has experienced extreme loss and pain. Their hearts have been ripped down the middle at the diagnosis of cancer in their 24 year son, Blake, soon after their arrival at IHOP in the fall of 2008. Blake went to be with the Lord this past winter, and shortly thereafter, their cousin and sister/sister-in-law followed, unexpectedly. Greg, and his wife, Rhonda, have been working through sickness as well. Now, Rhonda’s 86 year old father is ailing and not expected to live very much longer. They want to go to Atlanta to spend time with him soon.
Because they are a faith base ministry needing to raise their own financial support to cover living expenses their pain and illness was too great to allow the time needed to do this. The landlord has been graciously working with them due to the reality of their grief-pain.
We are reaching out to the body of Christ to help meet the financial needs of this family in a very practical way by helping them to carry their burdens. If you would like to help please donate to the Keith Family through Freedom House.
THANK YOU.
FYI - All online donations are subject to a 2.5% fee by Paypal
Proverbs 19:17
Mercy to the needy is a loan to God and He pays back those loans in full. (NIV)
Galatians 2:6 -
Carry each another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (NIV)
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