I'm posting here the e-mail I send to the youth class at New Life Christian Center in hopes that more people may be blessed by my ramblings....

To the rescued ones,   (the youth at NLCC and family that I send my ramblings to...)

I have been reading the Psalms for the past few days in the Message version of the Bible. 
If you compare it to the King James version or even the New International Version it is really different!!!!!  But I am going to copy a part of Psalm 18 from the Message because it sparked some thoughts I want to share with you....

v. 1  "I love you, God - you make me strong. 
       God is bedrock under my feet, the castle in which i live, my rescuing knight."

then later

      "But me he caught - reached all the way from sky to sea; he pulled me out of that ocean of hate, that enemy chaos, the void in which I was drowning.  They hit me when I was down, but God stuck by me.  He stood me up on a wide-open field; I stood there saved - surprised to be loved!
     God made my life complete when I placed all the pieces before him.  When I got my act together, he gave me a fresh start.  Now I'm alert to God's ways; I don't take God for granted.  Every day I review the ways he works; I try not to miss a trick.  I feel put back together, and I'm watching my step.  God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes."

There are times in our lives when we need rescuing.  We may actually deserve what we are getting because of something we did or we may be getting treated in a way we don't deserve.  In either case, place all the pieces of your life before God.  Let Him put you back together.  Open the "book of your heart" to His eyes.....   meaning get alone with God and open up your heart to Him.  Tell Him all your problems, troubles, questions, give Him all your empty, hurting places, and spend time letting Him fill you up  with His love, acceptance, plans and good words for you.
Psalm 27: 8  "When You said, "Seek My face." my heart said to You, "Your face, Lord, I will seek."
James 4:8 "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you."

I hope to see the youth in the morning at NLCC....   get some sleep.....  
oh, and for one of those Reese's candies tell me "I am spending time with God".

See you in the morning then,
Love,
Lynn Collins

Once again our lives are making a shift.....  recently someone told us they felt like God was saying that we are flexible.... that sure seemed to fit. It was seven years ago when we moved to Wheaton after finishing our schooling at Rhema Bible Training Center in Tulsa, OK., or at least I thought we were finished with school.  The change for us all started as Lynn and I spent three days two weeks ago asking God what is the next step for us and Shift Church.  The things He seemed to impress our hearts with are multi-faceted.  The first one I am sharing here is that it seems that I am not finished with my training...   so, this week I registered as a student of Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry in Valparaiso, IN.  (BSSM Chicago) I will be there Tuesday through Friday for the next eight months.  I am very excited about this and I am looking forward to learning all that God has for me to learn.  

My heart (and the reason that we came to Wheaton) is because God spoke revival into our hearts.  He has big plans for this area and He was kind enough to allow Lynn and I to be part of what He is doing.  Very soon you will see major changes in the Church in this area.  Lives will be dramatically changed.  I believe every church in this area will be filled to capacity with standing room only.  Pastors everywhere will be asking "what do I do with all of these people?"  The more pastors I talk to the more I hear the same vision.  So hang on!  This is going to be fun!

I had to quit my job and we are walking by faith for our finances.  Lynn and I are completely certain that God is providing.  If you are reading this and you want to be part of His provision for us we are grateful.  If not, we are still grateful for you but please pray for us.  It is a desire that I receive everything the Holy Spirit has.  I want everything that God has to get locked into my heart and that will only come by your prayers. 

Thanks for  your prayers and your offerings.  We love you all

Tim