Trouble for Dan Bo Bo

Dan (name withheld for security reasons) has been a house church guy for a long time. God has used him to train church planters in many countries around the world.

I sent him a copy of our new eBook. He graciously took time to read it and sent back some encouraging comments as well as some stories of his own experiences that illustrate some of our values. See below for a wonderful story about hearing God's voice.

John

China: In teaching the servant leaders "How to Hear God", I used my relationship with my wife as an illustration: One day while I was teaching these students, my wife called me in China from the States. My Chinese interpreter took the call and handed me the cell phone.

After I finished our conversation, I asked the students about what if I didn't recognize my wife's voice and were to have asked her, 'Who is this?" They didn't know much English but several students shouted back to me "Trouble for Dan Bo Bo!"(My Chinese name) Then I asked them about how our Heavenly Father must feel when we don't recognize and obey His voice and say to Him, "Who is this?" This illustration transformed their concept of hearing and obeying God.

Beta

I continue to be encouraged at how our new eBook is being used. In some situations, husbands and wives are using it for 30 days. (See email from Mike below.) In others situations, it's two friends. (See email from Maree below.)

What I want to emphasize today is that this is a beta version. We need you to "field test" it and let us know what works and what needs improvement. As you can tell when you read the daily entries, this is a community project. Thanks for your help!

If you haven't gotten your copy yet, just let me know at DenverWH@aol.com

John

Mike in Virginia:

Thx for sending the CO2 e-book. It looks great. I'm hoping to use it with (my wife). Would you mind, John, if I forward this to a friend in KS with whom I spent about 2 weeks practicing CO2. He's hoping to start this with his wife.

Maree in Australia:

Just finished reading the e book, what a fantastic job you've done and what a thrill to find Sharon and I on the last 2 pages!! Even if our story doesn't make the final cut (it is a long one and feel free to edit ) I feel very humble and grateful that our story was considered part of the Co2 journey.

I have found such freedom in telling friends and clients about my listening journey. Where as before I was stuck in finding the words or conviction to invite them to church, now I know that they can have Jesus without all the baggage. And with a real 2 way relationship.

Just thought I'd share a few insights from my Co2 journey

My listening and journal time has become so precious, my journal entries have totally blown me away, it was almost overwhelming. The Lord told me to go back over all the promises he has given me and to Proclaim and Declare them. He said "Proclaiming them builds your faith, creates expectation and hope. It is an act of faith and obedience. Declaring lets the devil know we are in business. My word is creation. The powers of hell cannot stand against my word. Go back and Proclaim and Declare the promises I have given you"

One day when questioning the Lord about sharing 'everything' with Sharon I wrote "You are in a covenant with Sharon, Co2 is a covenant relationship. You are free to share with Sharon unless I say no"

And on another day "Co2 is like a crash course in prophetic, because you believe you will hear from me and you are expectant I can speak knowing I have your attention.You share it, speak it out which builds your faith.You come again expectant for more. I am delighted to give. I have so much to give."

I thought I had lost my journal the other day and it occurred to me that it is my most treasured and precious possession.

Thanks for the great blog and insights I look forward to reading it each day.

Checking in as sad

I'm checking in today as sad.

I've had two different conversations this week with Christians who have been in church for a long time. They are good people who love Jesus. In many ways, they are very mature and have a deep desire to serve God. They know Scripture and are diligently seeking to live it out. So, what's missing?

In both cases, these dear folks have almost no idea how to hear God's voice. It makes me sad that people could spend so much time in churches that haven't helped them with what surely is at the heart of a "personal relationship with Jesus". By definition, friends carry on conversations. They talk to each other. They listen to each other. They dialogue.

How is it that we have invited people into a "personal relationship" with Someone that never personally speaks to us??? "My sheep listen to my voice" (Jn. 10:3, 4, 16, 37)

I'm also happy. Because it was so much fun to share with these two people how to hear His voice. And, to tell stories about what we've heard. As individuals. And, as churches. In fact, once a person understands listening, church planting is easy. As we noted a few days ago, Mary is our model. Mary "who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said." (Lk. 10:39)

I'm also happy that we can offer people the new eBook which is designed as a 30 day journey for two people who want to deepen their ability to listen to God. The stories are already beginning to come in about the eBook.

John Parker (Merced, CA) is passing the eBook along to the church planters he is training. Here's an email dialogue with one of those people.

John: Attached find an eBook you and your wife can start using today. It is a 30 day action book for CO2. My friend John White who wrote it just sent it to me yesterday. It’s brand new! I think you’ll like it. Another “A God Nod” !! J

Mike: Yes, you're right I like this very much, I have just begun to get into it but what I have seen so far is great. Yup, its a God nod I think. I will start the 30 day exercise tomorrow because today I'm going through all the links and watching the videos. You can thank your friend John for me too the next time you chat with him. I really appreciate what you're both doing!! Praise the Lord!!!!