Recently, I was thinking about Advent and having a little chat with Jesus. I said, “Lord, I want to fast until I am clothed with ‘power from on high’, help me to cleanse this temple” – He said to me,” I want your house to be a house of prayer .”
So, I offered up to Him all the past: the loss, sorrow, pain and failure. I told Him I had nothing to bring to Him except myself, and my desire to know Him and be known by Him. I expressed my longing to be so overshadowed by Him, even as Peter’s shadow healed those he passed, that my shadow would heal, set free and deliver those whom I pass, and that they would come to know Jesus.
Well, I turned in my bible to the day’s reading and (how awesome is this!) it was

Matthew 21:13. And He said to them, “It is written, “My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’”

Let me tell you, I about fell out of my recliner (and that’s not easy!). For the first time in my life , I realized that Jesus was talking to me about my temple, when He said “you have made it a den of thieves.” I understood that I am responsible for allowing the enemy to come in. A den is a refuge and thieves are those who rob. He showed me all the hashing and re-hashing of the loss, and pain in my life had been robbing me of my joy! Another of the biggest thieves I had allowed in (and made very comfortable) was television. Advertising works! Why do we think that companies spend millions on it? I had been gradually getting impervious to the materialism and sinful behavior modeled for me right there in my own living room! It was robbing me of my contentment and purity of heart! I heard Him loud and clear: These thieves must not co-exist with me in my house! Can you relate?

I am ready for Jesus to drive out the enemies of my soul! How about you? This season of Advent, as we once again turn our hearts to prepare for the coming of the King, let us examine our lives and our habits. Only the pure in heart will see God. (Matt. 5:8) I truly believe He is getting ready to overshadow His beloved. Let us prepare the way of the Lord!

Pray with me: Jesus, please forgive me for making a refuge for the enemy in my temple. I give you full access to my heart. Please teach me how to drive out every thief that has entered in. Purify my heart. I am Yours, Lord, spirit, soul and body. In the precious name of Christ Jesus, I pray.

Amen. Jesus is Lord!

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2008

August 22-23
Alpine, Texas
OSL Conference
Contact Thelma Hoyle for information
1-432-837-2088

September 5-6
Plainview, TX
Harvest Christian Fellowship
contact: Alecha Sheppard
alecha@harvest
christianfellowship.org

September 21-24
Shrinemont
Orkney Springs, VA
contact: John Harler 
jharler@verizon.net

October 3-4
St Alban's Church
3001 Wisconsin Avenue NW,
Washington, DC 20016
contact: Jim Cantwell
jcantwell@cox.net

October 17-19
La Porte, TX
St. John's Episcopal Church
Contact: Sandi Harris
281-471-0383
sandi@stjohn-laporte.org

October 24-25
Christ Healing Center
135 W. Olmos,
San Antonio, TX
Contact: Hope 210-930-7760
Region V- OSL Healing Conference
Please register!! Space is limited
Speakers: Norma Dearing, Healing Touch Ministries and
William Standish Reed, MD

November 14-16
Del Rio, TX
St. James Episcopal Church
OSL Healing Conference
Contact:  Diane Pattison
830-774-5286
t6airplane@yahoo.com

2009

January 10-11
Houston. TX
Healing Mission
Mission Bend United Methodist Church

February 2-7
Cruise Your Blues Away!
A women’s healing retreat at sea. (spouses are welcomed)
Anna Marie Leading &
Angela Nelson of The 4th Voice providing
Praise and Worship!
Click here for registration form    

February 20-22
Lake Havasu, AZ
OSL Healing Mission
Contact: Jim Wright
928-453-8404 (h)
jimgloriawright@aol.com

March 6-8
Hudson, FL
OSL Healing Mission
St. Martin’s Episcopal Church
The Church is north of Tampa, about 40 miles and is located on the coast just
north of Tarpon Springs, Fl.
The church office phone #:  (727) 863-8560. 
Fax #: (727) 862-9275. 
Email address:  stmartins123@aol.com  
www.stmartinshudsonfl.org. 
Our Order of St. Luke Chaplain: Fr. Fred Scharf
fred.scharf@verizon.net

March 13-14
San Antonio, TX
Christ Healing Center
OSL Mission
WE host: Speakers: Don Jaeger and The Rev. Nigel Mumford
Come hear Don’s awesome testimony of  healing from Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Please register!! Space is limited!
Call: Hope 210-930-7760

April 24-25
Philadelphia area
Healing Conference
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church