e are so utterly ordinary, so commonplace, while we profess to know a Power the Twentieth Century does not reckon with. But we are 'harmless', and therefore unharmed. We are spiritual pacifists, non-militants, conscientious objectors in this battle-to-the-death with principalities and powers in high places. Meekness must be had for contact with men, but brass, outspoken boldness is required to take part in the comradeship of the Cross. We are 'sideliners'---coaching and criticizing the real wrestlers while content to sit by and leave the enemies of God unchallenged. The world cannot hate us, we are too much like its own. Oh that God would make us dangerous! - Jim Elliot
I am a coward.....'tis true.
So many times God has challenged me to deeper things and I settle for what's comfortable and familiar. But life IS dangerous and hard to decipher. Harder still when we finally figure it out....but then say:
"No way!! I'm not doing THAT! Why would God expect that of ME!"
or
"What do you mean....this doctrine I've believed all my life may be flawed! God CAN'T be telling me to think differently!!"
Sometimes it's just easier to be hopeless....even as hope sits on my doorstep waiting to be let in. For hope brings courage and strength and boldness to step away from cowardly behaviour. To be made "dangerous" by God in a world that desperately needs someone to stand up for justice and mercy and make a difference. That's what's been on my heart these last few months....and I hope, that I will stop being a cowardly sideliner and instead, be courageous! Filled with the hope that comes through Christ Jesus! Want to come along, fellow travellers, on the adventure?!
It's wonderful to climb the liquid mountains of the sky. Behind me and before me is God and I have no fears. -Helen Keller
Germany Tour and UK Tour
In May I toured Germany for 4 weeks and it was exciting time of seeing God expand the ministry. For the first time, I went to what was formerly East Germany and ministered there. I got to go to Berlin for the first time....WOW....what a city. There is such a sense there of God's favour and I'm excited to see what He has planned for that region. I also went to Northern Germany for the first time and saw where my family came from. It was incredibly moving for me because I had not seen my family name anywhere in Germany (Willms) and in the town of Wittmund, I saw it everywhere...on store fronts and businesses. It's surreal to know that's where your forefathers came from. There's a sense of coming home and for those of you who have had this ancestral knowledge passed down to them, I really encourage you to go back to the village where your family is from. It's an amazing feeling!
We also did extensive touring in the South and connected with wonderful people. I even met a few Canadians who make Germany their home and it was fun to find familiar connections! It's a SMALL world!
Next year I'm back again (May 2009), probably with a Canadian band and I'm looking forward to it very much. My good friend and fiddle player Barbara Rose Olorenshaw came with me for the first time this year and she'll be back with me in 2009. I also brought Aron and Frances Loewen again this year and it always amazes me how skilled Frances is with the sound. She always makes me sound better than I am in real life!!
As many of you...or all of you have experienced in the last months, fuel costs have skyrocketed, making it alot more difficult and costly for me to travel. Because of this, my October Scotland tour had to be postponed until next year. I would sure appreciate your prayers concerning this issue. As a Faith based and independent ministry, costs are always an issue in my travels. If you could pray that God would prosper this part of the ministry and also bring balance to world fuel prices, I would be very grateful. I also need my gift of Faith stirred up to trust God with these issues!
Even though the Scotland part of the tour is postponed, I will be going to Northern Ireland in October to do a conference in a town called Newtownards and I will also be back in WestChurch in Bangor. I'll be going by myself this time and I'm looking forward to seeing all my dear Irish friends. I will be there October 8th to 17th and if you have a heart to pray for me....please pray for wisdom and discernment in my teaching.
Personal Stuff!
This July 1st, my daughter Vanya got married and I became a mother-in-law.....can you believe it?!? It was a GRAND day....full of love and laughter and now I have 3 sons instead of 2!
Our oldest son Jordan is travelling Europe right now and our youngest Adam is getting ready for Theatre school in fall. Randy and I just continue to thank God for His faithfulness to us! We're still in Montreal and waiting to see what the future holds!
Schedule
These are my booking for the next while:
September 28th - River's Edge Community Church, Montreal, QC
October 2nd – Women’s Shelter Appreciation Night, Montreal, QC
October 9-17th – N.Ireland
November 22nd – Grey Cup Breakfast, Montreal, QC
December 1st – Canmore Women’s meeting, Canmore, AB
January 30th-February 1st 2009 - Breakforth in Edmonton, AB
April 30th-May 26th 2009 - Germany Tour - details to come...
Newsletter Free CD Pack
Congratulations to David Broughton of Heffley Creek, BC for being the latest winner of the Free CD Pack!
And Finally.....
Christmas is coming soon.....yes it is.....sooner than you think!!!!
I'd like to bless you this year......AND bless you for reading this newsletter to the end!! I'm going to give away my Christmas CD to any of you that respond by email to this newsletter and mention this give-away! You would just need to pay for shipping, which is $4.00 CDN. The CD is called "Once Upon A Time Forever After" and it would be a nice addition to your Christmas Collection or as a gift to some unsuspecting friend. If you go on my website at www.liannaklassen.com, you can hear samples from it. If you order any other CD, the Christmas CD will also be included by mentioning this give-away. Also, if you purchase the 4 for the price of 3 deal, for a limited time until the end of October, I will ship for free! Now...don't you all feel blessed?!
Don't forget to check out my website at www.liannaklassen.com or www.myspace.com/liannaklassen for news and updates of where I will be on my schedule. If you're interested in booking me for your event, conference or for a concert, you can contact me at info@liannaklassen.com .
Blessings!
Au Revoir
Lianna
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