In a stream of a month or so there has been a few major announcements. On May 30 we were told we would be moving from 24/7 prayer and worship to 12 hours a day in order to "strengthen what was left". A lot of our strong worship leaders over the last 6 months have been called to other places so there were very few left who were equipped to fill their spots, and a lot of those left, like myself, who couldn't just be thrown into a spot on stage and know what to do in order to lead a whole team, if there were enough people available to make a team. There is also so much more to this place than the music and prayer room, although it is the root, that needed people to be trained in order to continue on. There are several departments and things for the city that ZHOP carries. So the older ones needed resting time, I guess you could say, and we needed time to be brought into a place that we could do this too. Now, that doesn't mean we all aren't still living a lifestyle of 24/7 prayer but only that we closed the door to ZHOP for a short season after 8pm and opened it at 8am, in order to consolidate everyone, build community, and strengthen the staff.
The second announcement was that the senior directors of the house and 3 out of 4 of the vision team announced the day before yesterday, July 6, that they were all being called to move in August and December to other places by the Lord. We have a new director of the house, the one leftover from the vision team, and who foreran ZHOP 3 years before the 24/7 building opened.
Along with all of that, we are moving into a new building by the end of this month (July), due to the property we are on being bought out.
What does this mean for ZHOP? We keep going. Some may leave while the rest stay, but the house will keep fighting for 24/7 prayer and worship and ministry to the Lord and outreach to the city of Charlotte, as well as seeing a culture of life in America and through the nations, revival in Israel, Hannah's and Samuels, and other visions that have been put into place by God.
How am I dealing with all of this on a personal level, and what is the Lord leading me to do as it is a pivotal point for the house's staff? Well, the Lord put the question in my heart after Christmas whether or not to move back home in August, when I go home for my sister's wedding, which i didn't tell many about simply because i didn't want man's voice in it, but strictly the Lord's. I have asked more than I can count why August and not June, when my dad got married. It didn't make sense to me to come back to Charlotte for a month and a half. As this summer got closer, the question of whether to go home or not got more and more heavy on my heart. I didn't understand it. I knew it would be hard no matter whether the Lord told me to stay or go. Its been really hard being here as I miss and love my family so much, and hate being away while there are SO many things going on right now with them, but love ZHOP so much, and have never felt God so strongly here and felt so "called" to anything. I was completely torn. The time to go home for a visit in June was nearing and there was still no answer from the Lord, so I prayed extra hard knowing I needed an answer now, and knowing the Lord likes to wait until last minute to answer any question. That's how He works..."suddenly". I only had more and more guesses and ideas as to why I was supposed to go home but still no answer the week I was supposed to hop on the plane so I was frustrated knowing I would have to look for a place and job in Springfield while there if I were to move in August. I asked the Lord for definite signs that I was supposed to come back, and suddenly from the time I stepped into the airport to the plane ride home the Lord encountered me in so many different ways, intensely, and everything I asked the Lord to do, He did above and beyond what I had asked for. He blew my mind with the signs that I was supposed to come back and He spoke through several people as well. He confirmed my position here. So, long before these announcements even took place, the Lord put the question in my heart as to whether or not I was supposed to come back after my sister's wedding, answered that I was supposed to stay and was meant to be here after August. So as far as whether or not I am one to stay here or go, I am sure the Lord has told me to stay. Which I am thankful for. He was kind to put that question in me before this and answer it so I'm not in confusion during all the sudden turning direction and leadership of the Lord. Although in shock still as to the news, I know the Lord has us in His hand, a plan for this house, and is just doing some rewiring.
I had a dream last week sometime. In the dream I was talking about ZHOP to two men and the guy just started laughing at me and saying, "It looks like ZHOP is closing down". The thing is, in the dream, I knew that it was an attitude and perspective I had been forewarned about and was expecting to encounter as I continued in ministry at ZHOP so I just sat back and continued praying for this place and leaning on the Lord's word and not man's opinion. I didn't understand the dream when I woke up and as I've asked the Lord about it over the last week I was still confused, and really tried to ignore it, but after the meetings we've had over the last couple of days I now understand. It does look like ZHOP is closing and it is really the only thing that is expected in an outsider's view of the kingdom. I know that those words and types of perspectives are going to be thrown at us, we're going to be called crazy, and I don't disagree with what it looks like either. BUT, I know far more in my spirit than what the natural eye is seeing and what my flesh knows, and I will stand and live and believe and hope and fight for far more. Its not a time to listen to man's opinion (which includes what our very own flesh and mind's and heart's are telling us) or look at what's going on in the natural, but to trust in Him and what He is saying....to follow God and God alone.
Kim,
ReplyDeleteCan I ask you a question? Could you point me as to where, in the New Testament of the Holy Scriptures, we learn from our Lord Jesus that we should look at our dreams. Where do you read that we should look for signs? That we should ask for signs. You made reference to man's voice by saying, "I didn't want man's voice in it, but strictly the Lord's." How can you go inside yourself Kim and know you have your answer from our Lord Jesus Christ? Where does it tell us to do that? Where is the church body in all of this? I apologize Kim for all these questions. I'm just trying to understand, constantly, where this comes from. Could you type me an answer? Am I asking perspective questions? Let it be known, to whoever may read this, I am a sin filled man. I was saved by a Perfect, Righteous, Holy, Savior Jesus Christ. I believe what He did on the cross.
Kim please let me know.
Your friend always,
Randy
Please check your email.
ReplyDeleteKim,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sending me emails and your words and Scriptural references for me to study. I will study them and write you back. One thing I did this morning was, in reading in 1 Corinthians 14, I looked up the definition of the word prophesy. I looked in the back of my NIV Bible. It said prophesy: "to give the message of God to the people". I believe His message is the Word, the Holy Scriptures. As you do. That Word is finished. The Testimony of God, He gave, telling us of His One and Only Son Jesus, our Lord and Savior, is done. Finished on the cross. Thank you Lord Jesus for your Grace and Mercy and Unfailing LOVE.
Kim, I typed what I typed to you for I fear for anyone who goes beyond the Word. There is a spiritual relm that no one should ever test and try. I am not saying that is what you are testing. Be very careful asking for signs. Hold on to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ strongly. Read His Word and do not go beyond it! I pray Lord Jesus that You would guide and protect Kim Sunday. Amen.
Your friend always,
Randy
UMM CHECK YOUR EMAIL AND PLEASE DONT USE SOMEONES BLOG AS YOUR PULPIT
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