THE DYNAMIC NATURE OF WALKING WITH GOD!

The Dynamic Nature of Walking With God!

     Life With God - A life journey filled with mystery and wonder... sometimes as in,"I wonder what's next?" I certainly can't believe that we are the only ones who experience this phenomenon as we seek to follow  God! We continue to discover that when we desire to pursue God with all of our hearts we often find ourselves in "what in the world is going on?" scenarios! Of course, this shouldn't surprise us. All we need to do is examine the lives of any of the biblical stories of people who also chose to follow God wholeheartedly! A pattern soon emerges! We can consider the God journey of such people as Moses, Joseph, Paul, Daniel, and more... and in every case we see a wondrous, often mysterious path which usually can only be understood in hindsight! And so it continues to be with us!

      There is a proverb that communicates pretty well what we have been going through. I particularly like the "Passion Translation" version of this verse:

          "Within your heart you can make plans for your future, But the Lord chooses the steps you take to get there." (Prov. 16:9 Passion Translation)

     We have, once again, changed course on this journey with God. There is an entire story in the how and why of our course change but, to keep this blog shorter, we simply let you know that we have applied and been accepted on staff with YWAM Boise. Our last step had been to apply for staff with YWAM Denver! Because of the cost of housing in the Denver area, I began looking into the new YWAM training center pioneering in Boise, Idaho. We came to our daughter and son-in-law's place in Idaho for Christmas, were planning on returning to Denver, but, in one of those ways we attribute to God's hand in re-directing our path, we discovered YWAM Boise. If anyone wants to hear more of how God orchestrated this move, contact us and we will share more. What we do share is that it seems to us that God is clearly involved in this change. 

     I would like to share a few things that have helped us see God in this move. We have been able to participate in some worship and intercession times, as well as one ministry outreach, with YWAM Boise, in the process of seeking God about applying for staff. Both Laurel and I sensed a "God-fit" with YWAM Boise. We are excited about such things as this being a pioneering ministry, family-oriented, Spirit-led, community focused, "near to family" setting. It also seems to be a place of destiny as I have been given a "God-size" vision for this area [More to come later]! 

     I would like to share some of the "words" from God which the leadership of YWAM Idaho received as they prayed over our applications. [For those who might not understand what "words from God" are all about, we believe that God's very nature is relational; that He tells us that we will know His voice, and be led by His Spirit. One of the key aspects of being a believer in Jesus is that He wants us to be in intimate relationship with Him. And, in order to do that, communication is foundational. So we seek to both speak with God, and listen to Him.] So here are what the leaders received from God on our behalf:

Words for Ray and Laurel:

- ”Homecoming” The sense that God is calling you to a home and a place to be homebase to launch new things out of. Boise will become a home for you and the call God has placed on you. As God calls you here He wants you to find contentment in the place He has prepared for you. Things may be tough at times or seem different than expected, but He sees and His Word remains true.

(Isaiah 45:18-21) The Word of the Lord stands true. It needs to be your anchor as you move forward.

- “Underscore the Encouragement” - three lines under these words.

- I had a sense that they have had a season of wandering but that this next step will bring them home.  They will be able to build foundations. They will find a “city to dwell in”.

- (Matthew 13:3-9)  I saw a picture of Ray and Laurel looking into windows in the house then they came to the door and it was opened for them. He saw them searching as He has told them they were to be missionaries, these were the windows that they were looking through, from the outside of the house. Now the door is opened and they walked through into “the home.” It is time to stay close to the Lord, even more than before and that they will be sowers of the Word. You may not see the fruit but your cups will be filled!!

- The Lord showed me a picture of a foundation from a house. The foundation was complete but there was no structure on top of it. In the vision I saw the Lord beginning to lay in the floor joists and the beginnings of what will be a structure. Yes!! We welcome them on our staff here at YWAM Boise as they are like the man in Matthew 7 who heard the words of the Lord and is acting upon them and now will be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock.

- (Matthew 7:24-25).  The foundation has been laid and now it's time for the house to be built.  However, don't try to build the house on your own.  Psalm 127:1 says, "Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain." The Lord will build the house on the foundation He has laid.  Welcome to YWAM!  

I have removed the names, but I included these words because I wanted to both show how God may speak to us, as well as show the incredible encouragement that God gives through such words. Interestingly, what these leaders heard for us aligned with what we believed God had been saying to us personally as well.

  Although our journey seems to be more erratic than some, we are confident that God is leading us in ways that are good, that will work in us transformation, and which will bring glory to Him! We couldn't have planned nor imagined the last three years of walking with God. They have been challenging, to say the least; but also wonderful from the perspective of what we know God has been doing in us! It seems that a life of walking by faith is at least as much about what God is doing in us as it is what He wants to do through us! And, unless we gain that perspective, we can become overwhelmed with that aspect of the journey! Even knowing this truth does not take away all of the pain, but what it does is give us grace to persevere when everything within us wants to quit! 

     

      We can, without any hesitation, say we are growing in understanding of the reality of spiritual warfare! In spite of what some people may think, this is really a wonderful gift from God. Learning to realize that there really is a spiritual battle, and knowing that God intentionally trains us in how to fight in that battle, is very empowering! We are learning that "we are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus our Lord!" So often spiritual warfare is viewed as mystical and something to be afraid of. Rather, ignoring spiritual warfare is something to be afraid of because ignorance, in this case, means we are literally giving the enemy authority to keep us in bondage, steal from us our rightful inheritance in the Kingdom of God, hinder the fullness of our God-purposed destiny, and steal our joy! 

     Let me share one example of spiritual warfare we are facing right now. One of the ways we can identify the "giants" we face (which are demonic spirits) is to discern where we are fearful, and where we have been in bondage to something. For me (Ray), one giant has been in relation to my ability to trust God for finances and all forms of provision. One might identify this as an influencing spirit of "lack" or "poverty" or an "orphan" spirit. The way this spirit has hindered my walk with God is that every time we have stepped out in faith we have eventually come to the place of financial need. In the past I would simply give up, thinking God can't or won't provide for us. There's a lot of reasons behind this; one in particular is what is known as an "orphan spirit." This has to do with identity! At some point I will address this more fully, but a demonic spirit holds a person in bondage to believe they are orphans; unwanted and unloved by God or anyone else! Because of this, we think God doesn't love us, and we aren't worthy of being provided for by Him. That is an outright lie! The truth is that we are not only deeply loved by God, we are also adopted by God into His family, called His sons and daughters, and given full identity as His children!  Really, a lot of what God does in the first part of people's  journey is to restore us in our true identity; with all accompanying blessings!

     The battle we are currently facing has a lot to do with this very spirit! God has been amazingly gracious in restoring our minds s0 that we are now living more in our true identity as His son and daughter! But, in order to totally destroy this "giant" we need to confront it head on. The way we are called to do this is to fully place our trust in Abba Father for ALL provision! So our financial issues are front and center spiritual battle issues! That is why I have had strong conviction that we are not to seek the hand of man regarding our finances. As I've said before, this does not mean we reject those who are called to support our ministry. The entire issue is that we look first and only to God, then trust that the Holy Spirit can speak to people who give in obedience to God rather than giving based on emotions or anything else expect obedience to God! This should be the motivation for all of our giving so that God receives the fullness of glory in this process!

     In light of the above, we sincerely desire and need your prayers! We are literally in the position of needing and expecting God's supernatural intervention in our lives. We have been accepted on staff with YWAM Boise and, in order to be free to fully enter into ministry here, we need housing and a substantial increase in financial monthly income. I believe that God has purposefully brought us to a place where we need a miracle. In the same way God led the Israelites out of Egypt to the Red Sea, where they faced impossible circumstances, so God does for us also. The entire reason is that we may overcome the giants we face, see God care for us as our Abba Father, as well as using our lives and circumstances as witness and testimony to God's goodness and greatness! Through such witness, other people will be stirred up in faith to trust God more fully themselves.    I close with this verse from The Passion Translation, which is a life-theme verse for me:

"Everyone hears how God has set me free.

Many will see his miracles; they'll stand in awe of God,

And fall in love with him!" 

(Psalms 40:3b)

Walking into the Inheritance that is ours as God's sons & daughters!

Ray & Laurel Farris

     

POWER OF INFLUENCE!

Our Continuing Journey, Part 2

Merry Christmas and a Hope Filled New Year!

New Beginnings On A Continuing Journey!

Ray & Laurel Farris

     As we are about to enter into another new year, Laurel and I are again transitioning into another phase of life and ministry! Sometimes it feels like we are constantly on the move, but that is part of what it means to be sojourners on journey with God! 

     Although both Laurel and I are on this journey together, today I write primarily of what God has been speaking to me! More from Laurel in the future! When God reveals something which touches on your destiny in His Kingdom, there is a mixture of feelings: Joy at the prospect of entering into God’s purposes, but also wonder which asks, “Who in the world am I to do this?” That summarizes how I am feeling! Both Joy & Wonder!

     The call of God carries with it the knowledge that “this is impossible without God!” And so it is with the direction God is calling me (Ray). It is so impossible without God that I have been hesitant to speak it out, yet God nudges me to do so in faith! I believe God wants to use me to disciple others in the outpouring of the gifts which come from Holy Spirit; both in the body of Christ and outside: for those in the body, discipling in being vessels whom the Spirit can use at any time as He chooses in giving His gifts. To unbelievers, manifesting the gifts for God’s intended purposes - to reveal the goodness and power of God to all, and to confirm that the Good News really is good news!

  “And the disciples went everywhere and preached, and the Lord worked through them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs”(Mark 16:20).

     Do I feel qualified? Absolutely not except that God has filled me with passion and joy having tasted the goodness and greatness of God in this! I am qualified in that I am willing to be used, and willing to be discipled in God’s ways! When we serve in the Kingdom of God we are always fully dependent on God! It  is impossible to move in the power of God without His presence and permission! Yet this call to be available to move in the gifts of the Spirit is not exclusive to a select few; rather it is inclusive for all believers! 

     Coming out of a conservative background, I have always believed that we should be exercising the gifts, but never had a model to look to that said “this is the way…this is possible through the indwelling Spirit in all of us who believe in Jesus!” It has been said that one of the reasons we have seen so little of the gifts being manifest is because, when we have tried to do so and failed, we explained our “failure” by creating doctrines which denied the validity of gifts for our era, or attributed them to “something done overseas but not here.” This may have been done consciously or unconsciously, with much of the reason being our secularized worldview in western society. 

Yet have the Scriptures changed? Absolutely not! The revelation God has given us of Himself and His Kingdom through the Word of God does not change, nor does it become irrelevant through the passage of time! Although I could go into much greater depth of why the gifts are still relevant today, let me lay a bit of scriptural background that may help faith to rise up in our spirits to be discipled in the use of the gifts. In Phil. 2:6-7a the Apostle Paul writes of Jesus:

“Though he was God,

he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 

Instead, he gave up his divine privileges…”

     In this we see that Jesus, though fully God and man, chose to live dependent upon God in the same way we do. He did this so that He would model for us the reality of a way of life God purposes for all of us to walk in! What Jesus did, we also can do and, in truth, are created to do! Consider this scripture: 

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done,

 and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.” (John 14:12).

So, some may be asking, how is it possible for us to do the same things, or even greater things, than Jesus? The answer lies in how Jesus lived while on earth. 

Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does.” (John 5:19).

 He also says, in John 8:28, “I do nothing on my own but say only what the Father taught me.” This is the key to life in the Spirit; doing only what we see the Father doing, and saying only what we hear the Father saying, through the leading of the Holy Spirit! Implicit in this is learning how to hear and see what the Father is doing! That is, in large part, the work of discipling others in life in the Spirit! 

     Are spiritual gifts real for today? I have personal testimony that God still does want to give these wondrous gifts to people today. I have had the incredible joy of being a vessel God has used to speak prophetically (words from Spirit to others), of Holy Spirit healing through my willingness to be used, and more. 

     I have shared my heart, and earnestly desire the prayers of the saints as I move in this direction! Like everyone who seeks to disciple others, we begin where we are and trust God to increase our ability and impart greater authority as He sees we are faithful to obey. We seek to walk in the reality that “nothing is impossible with God!” I testify to a joy which knows no bounds when we enter into the “greater things” of God! Our desire is that our lives give witness to the abundant life Jesus promised and purposes for us! There is a world who need both the witness of word and deed, spirit and life, promise and power so they may truly know that our God is both good and powerful enough for anything life brings our way!

As always, Blessed to be a blessing, 

Ray & Laurel Farris

Ray & Laurel Farris Christmas 2015

JOY TO THE WORLD, THE SAVIOR REIGNS!

“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

Merry Christmas to all our family and friends!  We hope and pray that you may know the grace and peace of God in your lives this Christmas season and through the coming year!

The year 2015 has been a year of foundational first steps for us as we have begun our journey to step back into ministry/missions with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) again. The last few years have gone so fast and have seemed so crazy yet so full of God pursuing us, teaching us older folks, and giving us fresh revelation from His unchanging Word; challenging and stretching us and building up our faith and trust in Him. From the fall of 2013, we empty-nested, took a couple YWAM schools, wandered and visited family while going through the green card process, volunteered at a YWAM campus for a few months. Having become a permanent resident (Laurel), we were able to go back to Canada just in time for my Dad’s wedding and see people back home for a time. Then, last Spring, we moved to Colorado Springs where we lived while staffing a Discipleship Training Course in a local church. It was an exciting time of incredible teaching from amazing speakers, of getting to know some amazing, ordinary people who desire to live a more purposeful life in the bigger picture with our eternal, yet personal and loving God. And, after a brief outreach in Tijuana where we got to pour out, it was so exciting to see the new  kingdom vision and plans growing in everyone. This course is now being multiplied and is made available for other churches.  

Ray and I went back to Canada again for the summer and were able to be with two of our kids at Deer Vally Meadows, the camp and retreat center where we all lived and worked at for a number of years. It was a great summer, getting to again see family and friends in Canada. We were able to be there long enough to send our two kids off on their own adventures again.  Jonathan went back to YWAM Denver where he’s taking his 3rd school: Bible School for the Nations! He is getting some intense Bible learning as well as developing teaching skills to teach the Word. On the 9th of

December he and a couple others will be flying to Indonesia for a two month outreach of preaching and teaching. Jonathan is being stretched and is  learning to trust God in greater ways. Kayla left at the end of August to got to the island of Yap, which is in Micronesia and not too far from Guam. She’s working with a missionary couple, Gary & Gwen Bistritan, who have been in Guam for years and then moved on to Yap. Kayla is presently a classroom monitor for grades 1-3 in their Christian school. She also helps with some of the work in the church; with youth and worship and outreach. She loves getting to know all the people, all ages. She, too is being stretched and keeping busy, and finding that God is so good and faithful. 

Our oldest and married daughter, Rayanna was able to come and visit us in Canada and we have been able to see her and husband, Tony in Idaho. She too has been venturing out while at home, in the way of starting to sew and sell a beautiful variety of bags. She and her husband enjoy being part of their worship team at church and both play a couple different instruments now. Rayanna loves to plan and host parties once in awhile  and see to it that guests have a great time of fun, food and friendship, and games.  Tony is a technical analyst for a chain of stores and Rayanna is a shift manager at Dairy Queen.

Ray and I have finally come back to Colorado and are presently looking for housing in the Arvada (Denver) area, as we’ve made the shift from Colorado Springs to Denver YWAM! We hope to be able to get started staffing with the Denver team as soon as possible (as soon as we find housing; hoping for the beginning of January). We’re so excited to be able to join the team here where so many young lives (and some older) are being transformed by the Word of God and the love of God, the Author and Finisher of our faith. This has been a place of trans-formation in our own lives and even as we watch our kids step out and try new wings, we too, are still learning that God always has more for us and nothing can compare to walking in His leading.  We will spend Christmas with Rayanna and Tony this year and probably video-chat with our other two kids. I am so thankful for the internet!  

We wish you all God’s best for you and yours this Christmas and throughout the New Year!  

Love, because of Christ,

Laurel and Ray      

On Journey: Passionate Pursuit of God & His Kingdom!

On Journey: Passionate Pursuit of God 
& His Kingdom!

Update for Ray & Laurel Farris

“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God” 

(Romans 1:14)

Being led by the Spirit is a fundamental characteristic of being children of God! Being led by the Spirit is not something unique to a few believers but rather should be common to all who call themselves followers of Jesus Christ! And, by definition, “being led” implies that we are all on journey with God! There are many examples of “being on journey” in the Scriptures. Perhaps the most familiar is the journey of the Israelites through the desert on route to the Promised Land! 

What is the significance of journey with God? It is much more than simply moving from one place to another. It is God’s way of discipling His people to know Him and trust Him along the journey. Eventually God will bring us to a place where we are prepared to enter and receive the promises He has for us! When we understand the purpose of the journey, then we can find joy in the process of coming into the destiny God purposes for us! 

I very much see the hand of God leading us on journey of discovering our God-purposed destiny! Sometimes part of journeying with God is “waiting!” Holy Spirit has had me (Ray) in a season of waiting on Him; a time of testing whether I would pursue God, desiring His presence and will more than feeling the need to move;  or to make something happen when I couldn’t see what was ahead! This was actually a very encouraging time for I believe God purposed to show ME that He could trust me to wait and not jump ahead of Him! The passage God showed me was that of King Saul being stripped of his authority as king because he refused to wait for Samuel to come and offer sacrifices (1 Sam. 13:8-14). God cannot use us fully until we come to the place where He can trust us to wait on Him and not move until He says so! 

One of the things that came out of this time of waiting is that God began to show me things about myself, and our journey. How we can identify with the Israelites in that our journey seems like is has been so chaotic! Yet God showed that He has been with us throughout, and He has been refining certain things in us. One thing Holy Spirit seemed to show me is that I have been searching for a place of destiny. The journey has brought us through many forms of ministry which are very valid and valuable for the work of the Kingdom; and we have often leaned toward them because we inherently knew their value. However, Holy Spirit also revealed the difference between choosing based on human reasoning (a valuable ministry) versus being led by the Spirit into the place of God-given passion and destiny! 

Consider these thoughts: Do we serve God out of duty or destiny? As servants or as sons, daughters, and friends? Out of obligation or passionate love? Which would you rather do? What do you think of this statement: “If you are not passionate about how you are serving God and others, then you may not be walking in your God-given destiny (yet)”? Allow me to respond in this way: We are created by God to serve people and pursue God with great passion! To believe that God wants you in a place of drudgery and joylessness is to misunderstand the heart of God who is unfailing in love and faithfulness! My testimony is that my journey with God has brought me to a place of deep passion! Being led by the Spirit through faith is the road to discovering our place of passion and destiny in God’s Kingdom!

Next Step!

We are still on journey with God, and as sojourners on this earth, will continue to be until we dwell face to face with God! Holy Spirit has shown that what we have been doing has been good, but, for me, not where my God-given passions lie most! So, to be fairly direct, we have been released from YWAM Colorado Springs and full time ministry with Discipleship Training Course, and have been accepted on staff with YWAM Denver!

Why YWAM Denver? First, this is where we have taken two schools over the last couple of years. We have a sense of family where we know the integrity and passion of the leaders and staff! Second, I believe Holy Spirit has led us to return here because this is a place where we may most effectively be discipled in the the ministry God is calling us to. Different YWAM bases have differing focuses of ministry, and YWAM Denver aligns best, from what we currently know, with the direction God is leading! The third reason is closely related to the second: the spiritual environment as well as ministry opportunities fit better in how God is leading! Included in this is the possibility of being involved with staffing the WISE School (Worship, Intercession, Spiritual Warfare and Evangelism). This is where my passions lie! And most importantly, we believe Holy Spirit has led and opened the doors for us to move in this direction! 

To keep this newsletter from getting too long, I will end at this point but  will continue to share more of our vision of ministry in the near future!

Prayer Points!

• We need about $500 (US) more of monthly committed support. 
• Housing is diUSfficult to find in the area of the base, so we ask for intercession for this need!
• Favor in the process of transition!
• That God would “prove” our faith as rightly placed, and give witness to many through this!

Contact Info!

• Mailing address (temporarily):

  12750 W. 63rd Ave., Arvada, CO 80004 

• Ray’s US Cell #      1 (719) 484-9509
• Laurel’s US Cell #  1 (719) 502-0146
• Ray’s Email: ray.farris@gmail.com
• Laurel’s Email: laurel.a.farris@gmail.com

In Passionate Pursuit,

Ray & Laurel 

• US Donations Can Be Sent To:

YWAM Colorado Springs Strategic Frontiers

Attention: Accounting

PO Box 60579

Colorado Springs, CO  80960

USA

Please make checks payable to "YWAM" and write our code in the memo line: #590. Please do not put our names anywhere on the check! Phone: 1 (800) 367-9926 if interested in setting up automatic monthly donations!

• To our current financial partners in the US, we will be sending you information about an address change to Denver YWAM in the near future!  Thank you for your faithfulness as we’ve traveled this journey!

• Canadian Donations can continue to be sent to:

Y Project Funding Office

PO Box 57100

RPO East Hastings

Vancouver, BC, Canada 

V5K 5G6

Phone: 1.604.436.4433

Fax: 1.604.436.4466

Email: admin@projectfunding.ca

Contact directly if interested in donating through credit card or monthly withdrawal!

 Canada: Please do not put our name on a cheque. Instead, write our code, FR04, on the memo line and make cheque out to YWAM!