Here we are again at the end of a calender year ready to begin 2008 and I am keenly aware that everything is right on time! Perhaps the sun came up today where you live and the new year is here again with that same predictable sensation. While time passes by dear friend, Jesus Christ our Lord who lives beyond time and space also passes by with concern and compassion for our lives. It is Christ the Lord who holds our times within his hand. Knowing him is life, and his life is without end! Let us therefore embrace this new year as we would a new day with the certainty that as time passes, Christ the Lord has not passed us by! We who are in Christ are eternal beings with a future and a hope. Having life without end, we can say Happy New Year!
Mark
Monday, December 31, 2007
Monday, December 17, 2007
Christmas
Christmas is on my mind as we approach the holiday. I think there have been years when the holiday was different for many of us. Like most Christians, in spite of our current circumstances the hope of the season always acts as a prevailing booster. Beyond the daily routine of our place in time and space there echos the good news that angels announced on a glorious night thousands of years ago. Regardless of our current position or place in life, the Lord is still well pleased to dwell among us and remind us that salvation has come and will come for every believing child of God. Joy to the world that knows more than a few sorrows and sadness. Peace on earth still resonates above the raging wars and inhumanities of mankind. There is still Hope for tomorrow when every tear shall be wiped away and we shall see Him truly as He is. This Hope carries me and helps me face the things that life may bring. And in the face of a child there is still the fresh reminder of all the years at Christmas when fun and surprise and happiness were the primary parts of the holiday we all so loved as children. I think heaven must surely be like Christmas was as we were awaiting that great day when we would wake up before sunrise and open our presents with sheer childish delight. Today Christmas reminds me of heaven, and that makes it worth celebrating again and again.
Merry Christmas,
Mark
Merry Christmas,
Mark
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Amazing Opportunity
Sometimes we meet great men or women of God. Last week, the Lord connected me with a brother from Pakistan who must be one of the most influential Christians in his country.
This dear brother oversees a ministry with a vision for 50,000 churches and 3 million
believers in a Muslim nation where Christianity is largely underground or just barely above the surface. Already he has planted thousands of churches and trained many leaders. Our meeting was a result of my divine appointment in Seattle a few weeks ago, where I met a brother from San Antonio who connected me with this great man of God. "Dr J" just happened to be traveling through Indiana for a few days so at his urging we met at the airport for a few hours.
I gave him some copies of my new book to take back to Pakistan and he inspired me to believe for much much more. It amazes me that the Lord keeps bringing me into the presence of greatness as I meet those who walk with him and slay giants by faith in the most difficult places.
Perhaps the Lord will allow us work together in the future and help each other in the great battle for the hearts of men and women. Until then, may the giant slayer within each son or daughter of the Most High rise with vision and faith to establish His kingdom on the earth.
Strength and Honor,
Mark
This dear brother oversees a ministry with a vision for 50,000 churches and 3 million
believers in a Muslim nation where Christianity is largely underground or just barely above the surface. Already he has planted thousands of churches and trained many leaders. Our meeting was a result of my divine appointment in Seattle a few weeks ago, where I met a brother from San Antonio who connected me with this great man of God. "Dr J" just happened to be traveling through Indiana for a few days so at his urging we met at the airport for a few hours.
I gave him some copies of my new book to take back to Pakistan and he inspired me to believe for much much more. It amazes me that the Lord keeps bringing me into the presence of greatness as I meet those who walk with him and slay giants by faith in the most difficult places.
Perhaps the Lord will allow us work together in the future and help each other in the great battle for the hearts of men and women. Until then, may the giant slayer within each son or daughter of the Most High rise with vision and faith to establish His kingdom on the earth.
Strength and Honor,
Mark
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I guess that is because we all can celebrate the goodness of God without feeling forced to give gifts or be overtaken by the collateral paraphernalia that is attached to most of the other major holidays. It is a holiday when we consider all that we have been given and simply make time to be thankful. In Psalm 33:1 the Bible says that "praise is becoming to the upright". I always translate this verse in my own words as "praise/thanksgiving looks good on me and you". The abundance of God should always put a smile on our faces. Let's give thanks because the Lord is worthy of thanksgiving. Happy Thanksgiving.
Mark
Mark
Thursday, November 8, 2007
New Book Arrives!
This is really an exciting time for me and my family! Last night I received my first shipment of my new book, "A Traveler's Guide to the Spirit Realm". Destiny Image Publishing did a great job producing a tremendous finished product. I never dreamed that the revelation which the Lord gave me years ago would actually be in print and could be packaged in a way that would make it look as good as it truly is! It is a humbling experience to be given something that could literally help millions of people and possibly change the course of nations. Thanks be to God that he considered me trustworthy to deposit his eternal Word in me.
Blessings,
Mark
Blessings,
Mark
Monday, October 29, 2007
Divine Protection
There is no substitute for the protection of God. "He will give his angels charge over you to guard you in all your ways. They will bear you up in their hands lest you dash your foot against a stone" (Psalm 91:11/12). We witnessed this protective power on our recent weekend trip to Iowa.
It was about 4 am as I drove up I380 outside of Cedar Rapids when I noticed the oncoming car. In all my years of driving, I had never seen someone coming right at me going the wrong way on the interstate. As we passed each other going 70mph, the Lord kept us safe. I was thankful to be alive only to witness a second miracle of protection the next day.
The following evening we were returning home from our nearly one thousand mile trip when our vehicle began to vibrate. It grew worse as we approached our home town. We prayed that the Lord would get us safely through the road construction and up to the truck stop where we could get help. Just as we drove off the exit ramp, our back left wheel came off and we skidded to a stop in front of the truck stop. No one was hurt, and we were close enough to get help.
Sometimes the purpose of things is not immediately evident, but when the Lord rescues us from danger, other things seem to be less important. I started these days with a grateful heart, and my appreciation for the salvation of God only grows. If the Lord chooses to show me why these things happen, then so be it. But if he hides his purposes, I am still thankful to be alive today!
Blessings,
Mark
It was about 4 am as I drove up I380 outside of Cedar Rapids when I noticed the oncoming car. In all my years of driving, I had never seen someone coming right at me going the wrong way on the interstate. As we passed each other going 70mph, the Lord kept us safe. I was thankful to be alive only to witness a second miracle of protection the next day.
The following evening we were returning home from our nearly one thousand mile trip when our vehicle began to vibrate. It grew worse as we approached our home town. We prayed that the Lord would get us safely through the road construction and up to the truck stop where we could get help. Just as we drove off the exit ramp, our back left wheel came off and we skidded to a stop in front of the truck stop. No one was hurt, and we were close enough to get help.
Sometimes the purpose of things is not immediately evident, but when the Lord rescues us from danger, other things seem to be less important. I started these days with a grateful heart, and my appreciation for the salvation of God only grows. If the Lord chooses to show me why these things happen, then so be it. But if he hides his purposes, I am still thankful to be alive today!
Blessings,
Mark
Monday, October 22, 2007
Providential Appointments in Seattle
Wow! I am still reeling from the string of Divine Appointments that I had in Seattle a few weeks ago. It was an amazing reminder of the supernatural life we live in Christ.
The Lord had spoken to me while I was on an airplane in June to go to Seattle in September. Since I had no real contacts in the area except for a brother-in-law who lives about two hours north, it seemed like an unusual instruction. By early September, I still had not purchased a ticket and was praying for specific confirmation. That is when the Lord intervened.
My wife and I had prayed specifically that God would supernaturally confirm the trip plans on a Tuesday night. The next day, a man who was visiting from Seattle showed up in a Bible Study we lead in Indiana. God had sent him to show me that there was spiritual hunger in Seattle, and he was proof of an open door for ministry. I booked my airplane ticket by faith later that day.
Several weeks later, I was at a Missions Conference in Eau Claire Wisconsin and mentioned to friends that I was heading to Seattle by faith over the coming weekend in obedience to the Lord. One brother about fell out of his chair as he told me that he had been working with some Ukrainian brothers in Seattle who he really wanted to help. He called them and introduced me by phone and they immediately invited me to preach that Sunday.
When I arrived at the Seattle airport a few days later on September 29, I had no idea that these Ukrainian brothers would welcome me into their homes and entire community. I was given the opportunity to preach to thousands of Ukrainian immigrants in six different Slavic church services over the next few days with consistent and powerful visitations of the Holy Spirit. It was like being overseas on a missions trip complete with a translator without leaving the USA.
I thank the Lord that he connected me with these precious Ukrainian Christian brothers. I believe this supernatural encounter is just the beginning of many good days of working with them here and abroad to fulfill the gospel of the Kingdom of God. The Lord reminded me that our journey by faith is a supernatural one, as "he orders the steps of the righteous". I also really appreciate the faithfulness of God to confirm his Word with signs and wonders just as He promised (see Mark 16:15-19).
Blessings,
Mark
The Lord had spoken to me while I was on an airplane in June to go to Seattle in September. Since I had no real contacts in the area except for a brother-in-law who lives about two hours north, it seemed like an unusual instruction. By early September, I still had not purchased a ticket and was praying for specific confirmation. That is when the Lord intervened.
My wife and I had prayed specifically that God would supernaturally confirm the trip plans on a Tuesday night. The next day, a man who was visiting from Seattle showed up in a Bible Study we lead in Indiana. God had sent him to show me that there was spiritual hunger in Seattle, and he was proof of an open door for ministry. I booked my airplane ticket by faith later that day.
Several weeks later, I was at a Missions Conference in Eau Claire Wisconsin and mentioned to friends that I was heading to Seattle by faith over the coming weekend in obedience to the Lord. One brother about fell out of his chair as he told me that he had been working with some Ukrainian brothers in Seattle who he really wanted to help. He called them and introduced me by phone and they immediately invited me to preach that Sunday.
When I arrived at the Seattle airport a few days later on September 29, I had no idea that these Ukrainian brothers would welcome me into their homes and entire community. I was given the opportunity to preach to thousands of Ukrainian immigrants in six different Slavic church services over the next few days with consistent and powerful visitations of the Holy Spirit. It was like being overseas on a missions trip complete with a translator without leaving the USA.
I thank the Lord that he connected me with these precious Ukrainian Christian brothers. I believe this supernatural encounter is just the beginning of many good days of working with them here and abroad to fulfill the gospel of the Kingdom of God. The Lord reminded me that our journey by faith is a supernatural one, as "he orders the steps of the righteous". I also really appreciate the faithfulness of God to confirm his Word with signs and wonders just as He promised (see Mark 16:15-19).
Blessings,
Mark
Monday, September 10, 2007
Tremendous things are happening in the kingdom. I am thankful today to be a part of what the living God is doing on planet earth.
I just spoke with the editor of my new book,"A Travelers Guide to the Spirit Realm" and found out that it will be available in many bookstores in the USA by November 1, 2007. This exciting new release should also be available to our friends in the international market before Christmas.
The "Travelers Guide" will include an unusual study guide that will be a great tool for individuals and small groups that are really hungry to know the truth. It should be really helpful to those who are searching for a spiritual foundation as well as those who wish to go deep in the things of God. I believe that millions of lives will be changed as people read this book in the years to come.
Mark
I just spoke with the editor of my new book,"A Travelers Guide to the Spirit Realm" and found out that it will be available in many bookstores in the USA by November 1, 2007. This exciting new release should also be available to our friends in the international market before Christmas.
The "Travelers Guide" will include an unusual study guide that will be a great tool for individuals and small groups that are really hungry to know the truth. It should be really helpful to those who are searching for a spiritual foundation as well as those who wish to go deep in the things of God. I believe that millions of lives will be changed as people read this book in the years to come.
Mark
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
A Traveler's Guide
Greetings friend,
Welcome to my first attempt at this wonderful new method of communication. Upon the kind recommendations of both friend and stranger, I am branching out into the brave new world of blogging. Perhaps something in these coming chronicles will bless and keep you in the grace and kindness of God. Let's believe for the best!
Your fellow traveler,
Mark Van Deman
Welcome to my first attempt at this wonderful new method of communication. Upon the kind recommendations of both friend and stranger, I am branching out into the brave new world of blogging. Perhaps something in these coming chronicles will bless and keep you in the grace and kindness of God. Let's believe for the best!
Your fellow traveler,
Mark Van Deman
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