From the Desk of James W. Goll
Well the Holiday season is upon us! Ready or not – here it is. And right around the corner will be another New Year! So how would you like to start the year off by joining us in Nashville, TN for our annual Secret Place Gathering on January 15 – 17, 2009? The theme this year is Secrets of the Fathers with Bob Jones, Bob Mumford, R. T. Kendall and Jack Taylor all joining us. For more information or to register for our 4th annual gathering >>Click here<< .
These are challenging times for many – both those inside and outside the household of the faith. The economy is shaking; the results of the U. S. national elections have shaken some; the rise and fall of ministry leaders have left many wondering, and on and on it goes. My personal and vocational life has been shaken in 2008 unlike any other time in my 34 years of ministry. The loss of my dear wife on September 15th, my own continuing personal battle with cancer, and now the most trying financial time this ministry has ever faced – all in 2008. Many of you are facing these type of difficult times as well but do not lose heart! The Lord is for us and not against us, together we must seek His face and pray for His will to prevail in each of our lives.
Speaking transparently, Encounters Network has taken quite a hit financially over the past few months as have many of your households! We are looking at some very hard decisions at this time! Following Michal Ann’s passing we felt the need to cancel our Prayer Storm conference; this was a good choice my family and our ministry but a difficult financial decision as conferences often help to provide a financial boost for our ministry. In this same timetable our resource sales fell off, and as with many ministries across the this nation contributions and honorariums have all been considerably down.
Like many of you we have had to borrow from our savings ($35,000) in the past two weeks just to cover our payroll, rent and normal monthly expenses. Just as many households have had to find ways to cut spending and watch expresses, we are as well tightening our belt. I met with my finance team and we have some stratagies that will help cut expenses, but the fact is that we need a divine financial intervention in the next two weeks in order to continue without drastic changes!
I know that many of you are in this same place and I pray that your divine breakthrough comes the minute you need it! I pray that it does not delay and that no hindrance comes to it, for the Lord God is your salvation and He is you strong right arm, it is He who lifts up the righteous. So I pray that in your time of need you are lifted up and that He manifests His strong right on your behalf. I ask that you also continue to pray for EN and myself as you have for so many years. If Father God is stirring your heart to sow into EN, please >>Click Here<< to send your end of the year special gift. We appreciate so much your partnership with us in changing lives and impacting nations.
No matter what comes, whether we continue as we are, start fresh and new, or change and grow I will not let go of the basics – God is good all the time and all things work together for good for those who love God and are called to His purposes. Now don’t you let go of these basic truths as you face storms either! Yes, His mercies are new every morning – great is His faithfulness. God will give grace for each of us to face every storm.
Remember that everything in our Bookstore is an additional 25% off through January 1, 2009! This includes already discounted items! We encourage you to take advantage of these savings to get those last minute Christmas presents for some of your loved ones.
Below I share a vivid dream that the Holy Spirit gave me recently – Jewels in the Midst of the Storm. It speaks powerfully to my life and I am sure it will speak to yours as well. Thanks for standing with us at EN! May His kingdom come!
Standing!
James W. Goll and the EN Team
Jewels in the Midst of the Storm
by James W. Goll
There are treasures of light in the midst of the darkest storm.
One week ago I was given a simple yet very vivid dream that captured my attention. The dream appeared to take place in the beautiful Northwest part of the United States and in the background I saw what appeared to be Mount Hood*. I am unclear of the significance of this particular volcanic mount but it was what the Holy Spirit chose as the backdrop for this particular dream.
*(Mount Hood is a stratovolcano in the Cascade Volcanic Arc of northern Oregon, in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located about 50 miles (80 km) east-southeast of the city of Portland, on the border between Clackamas and Hood River counties. Mount Hood's snow-covered peak rises 11,249 feet (3,429 m ) and is home to twelve glaciers. It is the highest mountain in Oregon and the fourth-highest in the Cascade Range. Mount Hood is considered the Oregon volcano most likely to erupt, though based on its history, an explosive eruption is unlikely.)
Fire and Rain
I was riding a bicycle in this dream as fast as I could to get away from the activity of an approaching eruption of Mount Hood. All of a sudden, in the dream, I saw Mount Hood erupt. Plumes of smoke filled the sky like a giant fireworks display on the 4th of July. I kept peddling as fast as I could knowing there was still time to avoid the volcanic results that appeared imminent. Others were on their bicycles was well and were racing to get out of the way of the looming disaster. Chaos seemed to be the prevailing ruling atmosphere as fear was griping many hearts.
All of a sudden I slowed down and realized it was beginning to rain. I stopped and pulled over to the side of the road while others just raced right passed me. They seemed driven by fear but in this dream I knew something else was about to occur. As others were racing to escape the storm, I looked up I saw a great explosion as Mount Hood erupted with smoke and fire high into the air. It was beginning to rain. Fire and Rain. Fire and Rain. Yes, Fire and Rain came down at the same time.
But as I knelt by the roadside, I saw that jewels were being scattered all over the ground. As I got out of the panic mode, and I paused along side the road, to my surprise, I found that as the Fire and Rain hit the earth, it turned into precious jewels. I was now fully engaged in picking up the jewels that were falling in the midst of the storm. Entire diamond and emerald rings, onyx necklaces and precious jewelry were being scattered all over the ground. But I had to pause, get out of the panic mode, and get off the path, to even know that the fire and the rain turned into precious jewels.
A Word in the Dream
I was elated in this dream as I collected handfuls of costly gems. I loaded up my backpack with scores of rings, bracelets, necklaces and pendants of every kind. Others were totally unaware that jewels had fallen. They were caught up in the fear driven moment of escaping the dire circumstances. As I woke up out of this stunning dream, the voice of the Holy Spirit spoke to me, “I will give jewels to my bride in the midst of the storm.”
Yes, He will give jewels to His bride in the midst of the storm. I needed that dream and you might also. As odd as it might seem to you, I actually feel led by the Holy Spirit not to interpret all the symbols for you in this dream. I believe this dream will speak to you right where you are – right where you live. I know how it is speaking to me. But this is not just a dream to help me navigate in a perilous hour – this dream is filled with clues and hints, if you search for them, on how you too can find jewels in the midst of the storm. Yes, He will give us treasures in the midst of darkness.
May the Holy Spirit guide each of us into His ways and the fullness of His purposes in this very hour. Blessings to you in this season and may He adorn you with His jewels even in the midst of a storm. In Jesus Great Name! Amen and Amen!
Blessings to You in this Holiday Season!
Sincerely,
James W. Goll
Encounters Network – PrayerStorm – Compassion Acts
If the ministry of James W. Goll and Team has blessed you, please consider giving a financial contribution so that we may continue to serve you and others. Checks can be made out to Encounters Network and sent to our office address or contributions may be made on line as well. Gifts are tax-deductible as allowed by law and a receipt for your donation will be mailed to you.
Thank you, for your consideration.
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