2006 Year End Update

Dear Friends,



Greetings and Happy New Year! May the Lord continue to bless you as we look forward to 2007.



As often happens, our media culture loves to reflect on the past year’s memorable events. Carlene and I have been spending a few days reflecting on what the Lord has taught us these past years. Last year during our Worship at the River meetings, we explored the Lord's Prayer, and every month He revealed new aspects of wisdom and revelation contained in each phrase. Our December Christmas Dinner was a wonderful conclusion and celebration (AMEN!) to creativity in the body of Christ. Some of the most memorable experiences have been watching the Holy Spirit release his voice through the treasures that are unique to everybody in the body. (1 Cor. 14)



In November of 1998, I returned from a two-week trip to England. I attended a global conference on worship and was deeply affected by the Holy Spirit. This was truly a “watershed” few weeks. Often, my friends defined my life as B.E. or A.E.…. before or after England. I learned much through simply being exposed to a fresh revelation of the work of the Holy Spirit. Actually, this involved much “un-learning” as well. Among the things the Lord taught me was the value of simplicity in worship and a deeper level of repentance. I returned impacted by a personal renewal in the Holy Spirit. The effects of those several weeks in Brighton England continue to reverberate in my life.



The very first night of that November I returned, (A.E.) Carlene and I met with leaders from our church for a spiritual retreat in a home literally perched on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. During the night, one of those classic Oregon storms hit us full on. If you have had the privilege of visiting the Oregon coast during a November winter storm, no doubt you have appreciated the power of the wind and the waves. Fifty plus mile an hour winds and heavy rains battered the home during the night. Now who knows, it might be my Midwest upbringing, but I love storms and sleep better during wind and rain than I do it any other time. Unlike my wife. That night I had a dream. This dream remains today the most detailed and memorable dream of my life. Even today, the Holy Spirit continues to unwrap various aspects of this dream. Dreams are often a colorful picture or movie “language” of the Holy Spirit. This dream has served as a sort of template in this new journey. I want to share just one small part of that dream:




I remember distinctly walking past a building, which represented the offices and administration of a church. It was literally called the "Office Complex". The complex demands and administration of weekly meetings were represented in this building. In my dream, someone had taken a black paint brush and crossed out the word "Complex", and underneath in childlike capital letters, had substituted the word: "Simple". “Office Simple.”




As most of you know, my life and ministry background represents many years of working in an office; particularly in church music and the arts. This history has been rewarding, joyful, and passionate... also very “complex”. While I acknowledge and celebrate the rich history of ministry experience in the local church, currently, many leaders are calling the church back to simplicity of relationships in corporate life. Often this is called, "simple church." This has been our recent experience: simple gatherings, sharing meals, waiting on the Lord together, asking questions, and learning to listen for the Lord’s response. This is how we’re beginning to understand "Office Simple".



And…I've always loved the “simple” expression of: See One, Do One, and Teach One. In the same manner, Jesus taught his disciples, utilizing this Hebrew learning style, which engages both the teacher and the learner. This is distinctively different from our Greek-inspired, traditional lecture learning style.


So…beginning Sunday, January 14th at 6pm and continuing for three months at Worship at the River, we intentionally (in an Office Simple/Hebrew style) will pursue: Learning to Listen to the Holy Spirit. He wants to simply encourage, exhort and comfort us. We pursue learning in order to be transformed, not learning in order to know. We are people of engagement not observation.




We welcome you to join us, as we welcome the Holy Spirit to, “simply” teach us.






Darrell and Carlene








P.S.

Several months ago Carlene and I attended a three day school led by Graham Cooke, where he introduced his new book entitled: Approaching the Heart of Prophecy. We highly recommend this book and will reference it often during our meetings. You can order your own copy. His web store has a Christmas Sale featuring two of our favorite brand new Graham books.

http://grahamcooke.com/index.php





LIMITED TIME OFFER! Purchase both of Graham's new books Permission Granted & Approaching The Heart Of Prophecy for only $25.00!!!






















Worship at the River
2nd Sunday's @ 6pm
In the Sam Cox Building
Glenn Otto Community Park
1102 E. Historic Columbia River Hwy, Troutdale, OR 97060







Pacificministries@gmail.com



Pacificministries

P.O. Box 131

Fairview, OR 97024

http://pacificministries.blogspot.com/