ROLAND CARL SCHLUETER

ROLAND CARL SCHLUETER

1895 – 1966

Thomas Schlueter*

I’m writing this blog as I return from celebrating the 100^th anniversary of the church that first served by my grandfather – Roland Carl Schlueter.

The year was 1895 and in the next several years the United States would see under President McKinley, a war with Spain, which took place near its southern shores. It would witness a treaty signed at Paris to end the war and a treaty signed to acquire Puerto Rico. Hawaii would also be annexed and Galveston, Texas would be devastated by a hurricane. President McKinley would be later assassinated.

The United States within this period of time would be going through trying times, so would Fred Schlueter. Fred was a traveling salesman.  His suitcase, full of a wide array of shoes and other needed implements, accompanied him as he traveled by horse and buggy.  Trains provided his travel on longer journeys. But right now, it was not his business that was bothering him, nor America‘s current events. He was focused on his wife Bertha, who was about to give birth to a child. The day was September 16, 1895 and by the end of it, Roland Carl Schlueter would be the newest child in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.

Roland's life would be busy his first years. At the age of six, he would start grammar school in Milwaukee and three years later he was enrolled in school in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Two years later he finished his last three years of grammar school in Madison, Wisconsin. The year was 1909.  Through those years of early schooling he heard firsthand about the devastating earthquake of San Francisco, the admittance of Oklahoma as a state, and the fabulous journey of Admiral Peary to the North Pole.

He was only fourteen years old when he ventured off to Clinton, Iowa to enroll at Wartburg College and became a member of the Quinta class, which offered training in music. He also was actively involved in sports and served as captain and catcher of the baseball team.  He was adept at both violin and trombone and held a prominent position in the musical organizations and swung the baton for the "College Sextette” for several years. He gained great popularity among the students and was elected as student monitor in his senior year at Wartburg.

Prior to his graduation in 1914, he answered God's call into service. After receiving his Bachelor of Arts in June of that year, he headed out for Dubuque, Iowa and Wartburg Seminary to study in theology. The enrollment at Wartburg was about thirty students but the curriculum was disciplined and tough.  While he was there he took courses common for becoming a Pastor, such as New

Wartburg Seminary

Testament and Old Testament exegesis, history of philosophy, church history, homiletics, liturgy, and other pastoral courses. Four professors were on staff. They were M. Fritchel, M. Reu; George Fritchel and G.J. Zeilinger. Between these four professors, all the courses, about twenty-five, were taught.  It was not odd that in one year all your courses were taught by the same professor.  This happened for Roland during his senior year at Wartburg. The seminary, being located in the heart of land occupied by German immigrants of English courses for those who spoke only German.

During his stay at Wartburg, the campus itself went under change and the present buildings on the main campus were dedicated in 1916, during his third and last year on campus. Travel was still mostly by horse, horse and wagon or horse and buggy and the overall layout of the campus included a large wagon turn, not a parking lot. The requirements for getting into seminary were not strict or very formal. The only admission information that was received from him was a single piece of paper with handwritten information on it. It informed the seminary when and where he was born, the name of his parents and where and when he went to school. The total cost of seminary was one hundred dollars per year or three hundred dollars total, unless it was decided that the student was in need, or very scholarly, and eligible for a scholarship. According to records, Roland was charged only one hundred and fifty dollars.  Nothing was noted in his records to why he had to pay only half.

His Call

On June 10, 1917, he received an official call into Pastoral ministry from President Theodor Bogisch in San Antonio.  On July 29, 1917 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Madison, Wisconsin, Roland Carl Schlueter, at the age of twenty-one, was ordained into pastoral ministry by Rev. O.J. Wilke. For the next forty-nine years, he would faithfully serve the Lord and His churches.

TEXAS

One month after he was ordained, Rev. Schlueter headed south and was installed as a missionary pastor at a multiple-point parish in the high plains of the Texas Panhandle. He would receive an annual salary of $600. His violin, purchased in Madison, Wisconsin, as well as a Rand McNally Pocket Atlas of Texas also made the trip. Away from the farmlands, forests and lakes
of Wisconsin and Iowa, and also the girl he loved, Roland would spend the first year of service helping small parishes get started on strong foundations. The towns listed on his Letter of Call were Lubbock, Slaton, Tahoka, Post and Wilson, Texas. He was stationed out of Slaton/Posey at Immanuel Lutheran Church, which had been organized as a congregation on May 16, 1915, and he was installed as their first resident pastor. Rev. A.L.E. Weber was there previous to Roland. Pastor Weber must have been a large man for even Roland, at nearly six feet tall, was classified as "Der Kleine Pastor,” compared to “Der Grosse Pastor Weber.” The church met in private homes from 1915 until 1920.

A home used for worship

Even in his short year and one month in the Panhandle, he became a well-loved pastor who dearly loved his people.  A story regarding his time in the area shared that he was always seen on a bicycle with a Bible and a shotgun – the latter was protection from snakes and varmints.  From Slaton, he would start making monthly trips to Wilson, which was about fifteen miles away, and under his guidance a congregation was formally organized for the Wilson Christian Lutherans on January 29, 1918 with seven charter members. Deep gratitude for his service was granted him when he returned for the 35^th anniversary of the Lutheran churches in that area of Texas. 

WISCONSIN

Roland was now faced with a major decision. A larger church, First Lutheran, of Galveston, Texas

Checking out Galveston

showed interest in calling Roland to serve as their pastor.  At the same time, Zion Lutheran Church in Superior, Wisconsin was asking him to serve them. The question here is if his future wife had any influence on his decision? On November 12, 1919, he married Anna Herbener in Mayville, Wisconsin.  Her father, Konrad Herbener, performed the ceremony. Roland had already served five months at Zion Lutheran.  At Superior, two building programs were in effect. At the church, renovations had begun on the building complex such as redoing the basement. Membership grew, and the membership loved their pastor. Anna was also showing her talents with singing, playing the organ and teaching. The other building project was “in” the parsonage.  The first stage took place on August 20, 1920 and her name was Margarete.  The second stage took place on September 4, 1921 when Arnold Earl was born. Ruth came on January 21, 1924. So, by the time his years at Superior had ended in May of 1924, Roland and Anna had a son and two daughters. In that month of May, Roland received a new pastoral call to Dr. Martin Luther Church in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin where he would serve eight years and where their last child, Eleanor, was born on October 5, 1930. Oconomowoc must have been dear to his heart for here is where he returned in retirement. The lakes, the fishing, and bowling were his pastime away from the parish. Building programs also went on here and by the time he left in 1932 he had again gained the heart of his people, especially the youth. While be we there he became heavily involved in the Luther League, both locally and statewide. He was editor for some time for the Lutheran Herald of the Luther League Department. He loved kids and they were probably his greatest joy-giver.

IOWA

In June of 1932 he was called to Waverly, Iowa to accept a position at St. Paul Lutheran Church. Pastor Schlueter would be in leadership at Waverly, Iowa for eleven years and during those years he was tested much in regard to whom was his master - man or God? While he has at St. John's he was classified as a young energetic pastor with deep love and concern for the young people. He was associated, starting here, with the Bible Camps in Iowa and greatly so. He was very, dedicated to his members and was deeply appreciated for his interest in education. Each week he would venture off to the public schools to talk to students about religion and Christianity. During his stay at Waverly an educational unit was added on and dedicated at St. Paul‘s. It should be said in review of his work and leadership at Waverly, that he was a strong influence on the youth and education of Iowa. But what about those tests of leadership?

During his years in Waverly, he was faced with the difficulty of answering to certain higher-class members of his congregation. They felt since they were among the upper class of education and wealth that they should have more from their pastor than those lacking position and gifting. They confronted him with their demands. His answer came through his preaching and teaching which was without compromise.  He was a pastor and preacher to all the people and even under the pressure of forced resignation, he continued faithful to the Word of God and preached it equally to what he considered and equal people in need.  His honesty, love and concern paid off with blessings and a deep love from the congregation. In the deepest regrets, St. Paul’s released him when he received a call from St. Paul Lutheran Church in Monona, Iowa.

St.Paul Lutheran in Monona

For nineteen years he served faithfully the congregation at Monona, and while there he went through many trials, hurts, and joys. He came to Monona during World War II and he quickly faced a family crisis. His oldest daughter married Myron Dettmann and almost immediately Myron was off to the war in Germany. His son, Arnold, was now in his first year at Wartburg Seminary following his father's footsteps. Roland ad Anna were seeing their family grow up and leave the fold of a close family relationship. In 1945, Arnold, on the same day in May, was ordained a Lutheran minister and married to Helen Dettmann, Myron's sister. Arnold immediately left for Moville, Iowa to start serving his first parish. Myron returned from war safe and sound. Margarete and he had two daughters before she died suddenly in 1950. Roland was in Texas at the time celebrating an anniversary with one of his first churches.  He was actually on a tour of Carlsbad Cavern in nearby New Mexico when he learned of Margarete’s death.  When he finally received the news, because there were only two phones in Slaton, Texas, it took him seemingly forever to return to Iowa. Bad weather threatened the plane flight home. After his return, Myron and the two girls moved in with Roland and Anna.  They would stay with them until Roland’s retirement.

At Monona, the congregation grew and was a beautiful community of faith. Items came up during his years in Monona such as the Right for Women to vote in church. Since he had experienced this in Waverly with approval, he was easily in favor of this and in 1952 it was passed. In the same year the church building was struck by lightning causing thousands of dollars of damage.

Mrs. Julie Dettmann Kurth, my cousin, wrote the following about him: “He was Pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran in Monona for 19 years. His memory isn't far from my mind these days. He was an important part of my growing up, and I, as many others were always under his watchful eye. My memory of him is his dark hair, his humor and teasing, his beautiful singing voice, his bow ties, his powerful sermons, his strong serious voice and strict ways and opinions. He walked with God all of his life and his faith was strong and unwavering. He had a love for books, music and teaching like many of his family members…He spent many of his short retirement years fishing on his lake.”

Also, in 1952, Roland heard the news that the author of this blog, a grandson, was born in Sioux City, Iowa, and from this point on my personal experience will enter into the story. In 1955, when our family had moved to Monticello, Iowa, I had the opportunity for seven years to grow to deeply love my grandfather. He truly had a deep love for his congregations and his family. I have many treasured memories of our adventures in the parsonage at Monona.  We would go out of town to the Monona Farm where my mom’s family all lived. I was staring Fourth Grade when we moved to the Gulf Coast of Texas when my dad started serving a congregation in Dickinson, Texas. My memory of his love for people came to the surface when a member of my dad’s congregation mentioned to me that it was my grandfather's inspiring sermon which he gave on one visit South, which brought her and many friends into the congregation’s membership.

I remember our laughs when a young child thought my dad was Jesus and so when Grandpa entered the room – he was God. He showed a deepest of love for all the people he met.  My greatest treasured memory comes in two parts – separated by many years.  Grandpa loved hymns and would often go to the church to play the organ and sing.  I would join him and our favorite hymn was Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise.  I could stand right next to him and sing as loud as possible and my voice was drowned out by his deep baritone voice. Years later, as I was preparing to enter the pulpit and preach at a congregation I served in Abilene, Texas, we were singing that same hymn.  I remember tears of fond memories in my eyes, but then I felt the tight grip of a hand gripping mine.  I turned to see no one but knew immediately that a certain saint was encouraging me.

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2).

Even when he finally retired back to Oconomowoc in 1962, he spent every week for his last four years in the Lord's service. He preached almost every Sunday in churches up to a day’s journey from home. He would spend a week up to six months at churches with no full-time pastor. He truly and deeply loved the Lord and all His children.  He passed into glory on May 13, 1966.  I praise the Lord for the accomplishments, the influence, the faith and the love of my grandfather. It was his note in a greeting card on the day I confirmed my faith in Jesus that set the stage for my lifetime service to God. He simply encouraged me with:

“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen” (Matthew 28:18-20).

*This was first written for Dr. Bernard Holm as an assignment for Church History at Wartburg Theological Seminary on May 7, 1975.  It was updated on January 30, 2018 after attending the 100^th anniversary of St. John Lutheran Church in Wilson, Texas.

Here are pictures of the churches in Superior, Oconomowoc, Waverly, and Monona that he served.

 

The Church Uncovered and Emerging

Back in July on the 4th of Av, I wrote a blog.  You can reread it here: 4th of Av

The 4th of Av was the day that Nehemiah's work began on rebuilding the gates and walls of Jerusalem. The very first gate mentioned is the sheep gate. It was called the sheep gate because this was the gate which the sheep and lambs used in the sacrifice were brought through to the temple.  The sheep gate is not mentioned anywhere else in the Scriptures.  It was constructed by the High Priest Eliashib.  But this same high priest gave quarters in the House of God to the very man who was a part of the trio of enemies that sought to destroy Nehemiah's plans.

At our TXAPN Leadership retreat, the Lord declared an assignment to open the East (Sheep) Gate of our nation. It was to be done by a new contingency of Priests and Kings. In obedience to that revelation, I joined Jon and Jolene Hamill and Chris Mitchell on August 18, 2017 at Cape Henry near Virginia Beach.

Cape Henry was named on April 26,1607 in honor of Henry Frederick Stuart, the elder of two sons of King James I of England. An expedition headed by Captain Christopher Newport took a long voyage of 144 days from England.  Cape Henry was their first landfall, an event which has come to be called "The First Landing".

Soon after this landing the English colonists erected a wooden cross and gave thanks for a successful crossing to a new land. In the First Charter of Virginia, King James I devoted parcels of land for the purpose of spreading the Christian religion. The Charter reads in part: "We are greatly commending, and graciously accepting of, their Desires for the Furtherance of so noble a Work, which may, by the Providence of Almighty God, hereafter tend to the Glory of his Divine Majesty, in propagating of Christian Religion to such People, as yet live in Darkness and miserable Ignorance..." Captain Newport, with his three ships, Susan Constant, the Godspeed, and the Discovery, and the group of 104 men and boys, subsequently explored inland and established Jamestown which became the first permanent English settlement in North America.

This is the SHEEP GATE of our Nation! The reopening and dedicating of this East Gate needed to be done as a true priestly act. We shared Communion and declared the canopy of God over the nation.  Many times in carrying out an initiative we witness a prophetic sign.  As we finished this assignment, we heard the sound of navy jets over us and saw a cluster of 12 Navy jets in formation.  I've never seen more than six in formation, but this was 12 (apostolic and governmental), and the formation flew over us twice.  We were still shouting out praise when an eagle joined the heavenly procession.

But that was not the end of my journey.  The Lord instructed me on the next day to go to

The cross to the right is his!

Jamestown.  Kay and I had been here before, but because of time constraints, we were not able to go to the actual site.  We stopped only at the visitor center.  That was in 2012.  This time I walked to the actual site along the river.  When I arrived, I discovered that in 2015, researchers had uncovered (excavated) the first Church - over four hundred years after it was established.  I walked and prayed over the marked off boundaries of the church.  At one end, there were four crosses.  To my surprise, one of those graves was Rev. Robert Hunt's grave.

Rev. Hunt was the one who planted that cross in the beach.  He performed the first communion on this land called America.  He performed the first wedding.  The first wedding canopy and the first act of covenant - communion and matrimony took place here - AND IT

WAS UNCOVERED.  Shortly after visiting the site, I returned to the visitor center and as I entered the gift shop, the first book I saw (which was newly published) was entitled Holy Ground. 

NOW, I take you to this past weekend (December 14-16, 2017).  I was honored to attend Revolution 2017 - a gathering in Washington D.C. hosted by Jon and Jolene Hamill.  Speakers at the gathering included Dutch Sheets, Cindy Jacobs and Faisal Malick.  The overall message of this gathering was to proclaim, in this year 5778, the gates opened and the bridal canopy of the Lord's glory extended over our nation.  We met in the newly opened and dedicated Museum of the Bible which has been prophetically declared the Ark of the Covenant in our nation.

As I worshiped, the Lord drew my heart back to Cape Henry and He declared to me - the Church (ecclesia) is UNCOVERED AND EMERGING!  Watch now as My KINGDOM comes forth.

The 4th of Av

We've all heard of the 9th of Av (Tish'a B'av), which is a day of curses that was brought about by the refusal of the people of Israel to enter into the land of promise after hearing the "bad" report of the ten spies. They rebelled against God and decided that they would return to Egypt - the place of their captivity.
 

But today (July 27) is the 4th of Av. “Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers, the priests, and they built the Sheep Gate. They consecrated it and set its doors. They consecrated it as far as the Tower of the Hundred, as far as the Tower of Hananel” (Nehemiah 3:1).  Today is the day that Nehemiah's work begins on rebuilding the gates and walls of Jerusalem. The very first gate mentioned is the sheep gate. It was called the sheep gate because this was the gate which the sheep and lambs used in the sacrifice were bought through.  The sheep gate is not mentioned anywhere else in the Scriptures.  It was constructed by the High Priest Eliashib.  

But there was a problem!  Read the first few verses of Nehemiah 13.

"On that day they read aloud from the book of Moses in the hearing of the people; and there was found written in it that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever enter the assembly of God, because they did not meet the sons of Israel with bread and water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them. However, our God turned the curse into a blessing. So when they heard the law, they excluded all foreigners from Israel. Now prior to this, Eliashib the priest, who was appointed over the chambers of the house of our God, being related to Tobiah, had prepared a large room for him, where formerly they put the grain offerings, the frankincense, the utensils and the tithes of grain, wine and oil prescribed for the Levites, the singers and the gatekeepers, and the contributions for the priests. But during all this time I was not in Jerusalem, for in the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I had gone to the king. After some time, however, I asked leave from the king, and I came to Jerusalem and learned about the evil that Eliashib had done for Tobiah, by preparing a room for him in the courts of the house of God. It was very displeasing to me, so I threw all of Tobiah’s household goods out of the room. Then I gave an order and they cleansed the rooms; and I returned there the utensils of the house of God with the grain offerings and the frankincense" (Nehemiah 13:1-9).

This high priest gave quarters in the House of God to the very man who was a part of the trio of enemies that sought to destroy Nehemiah's plans.

The Lord has been strongly revealing to me that a new gate is needed.  On this morning's prayer call with the Texas Apostolic Prayer Network, He prompted me to declare that this new spiritual gate in our nation needed to be erected as a prophetic act from the Prophet State of Texas.  This sheep gate which represents a place of entry and preparation of sacrificial lambs, needs to be constructed with the pure hearts of the Lord's priests.  It can no longer be an entry point for those who have designs of evil.  

This is a gate meant for redemption.  I have no Biblical proof, but I do have a strong sensing in my spirit, that Jesus, the Lamb of God, was brought through this gate when He was transported from Caiaphas' house to the Roman fortress. The sheep gate then speaks to us of the cross and the sacrifice that was made for our sins. It is the starting point of everything! Lord, let this gate be erected today, on the 4th of Av, as a sign of God's desire to release redemption, life, hope and reformation into the nation.  As a Prophet State, we declare that the King of Glory, the Lamb of God, will come in.  Who is this King Glory - the Lord - strong and mighty.

Years ago I wrote the following declaration.  Let it be declared again today!

OPEN THE GATES

“Lift up your heads, O you gates!

And be lifted up, you everlasting doors!

And the King of glory shall come in.

Who is this King of glory?

The LORD strong and mighty,

The LORD mighty in battle.

Lift up your heads, O you gates!

Lift up, you everlasting doors!

And the King of glory shall come in.

Who is this King of glory?

The LORD of hosts,

He is the King of glory” (Psalm 24:7-10).

Rejoice in the Lord!  It is the day of new beginnings.  The gates are open. 

I decree as a keeper of keys that the gates are open to the King of Glory.

I decree the opening of the gates of minds and hearts to the kingdom of our God.

I decree the opening of our minds and hearts to the wisdom and revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Be opened to the Spirit of the living God – the Holy One.

Be opened to salvation, life, hope, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Let the waves of the Lord’s love and mercy be released into each of us.

I decree the opening of our homes and businesses to the King of Glory.

I decree the opening of the gates of our cities to the King of Righteousness.

Join me in flinging wide the gates of Arlington, Texas or wherever you live.

We invite the Lord of hosts!

We invite the fullness of His kingdom and His will to be manifested in our midst.

I decree the opening of the gates of Texas.

I remind the Lord of the places where we stood before Him and welcomed Him.

I decree the shores of the Gulf Coast open.

I decree the mountains of West Texas open.

I decree the sprawling lands of the Valley and the high plains of the Panhandle open.

I decree the Piney Woods and the Rolling Plains open.

I decree the farmlands of central Texas and the Hill Country open.

I decree the rivers open to the King of Glory.

I decree the cities and towns to be open to the King.

I decree the government, the educational systems, the families, the media, the arts and entertainment arenas, the businesses and the churches of Texas open to

the Lord God Almighty – the everlasting One.

I take the keys of the kingdom and open Texas and our surrounding covenant States 

to the presence of King Jesus.

His kingdom come, His will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

I decree the blowing of His wind across the land. 

I decree the river of God to rise.

I decree the floodgates of heaven to open.

I decree the structures opposed to the Kingdom of God to crumble and fall in the name of Jesus!

On this day, I cry to the Lord of heaven and earth and 

decree open the gates of Washington DC and the United States.

Let the gates of righteousness and of God’s kingdom be opened in the Spirit.

Flood the land, O Lord, with Your presence.

The King of Glory shall come in!

The Cubs Win - A Prophetic Picture

Before moving to Texas in 1961 (immediately after Hurricane Carla had ravaged Galveston), I lived in Northeast Iowa and like my dad, I rooted for the only team that counted - the Chicago Cubs.  I treasure the baseball signed by Ernie Banks. I was thrilled, while attending a church conference in 1985 to attend a Cubs game in Wrigley.  I've been one of those that "always pulled" for the Cubs through the worst of years.

In 1945, my mom and dad were married.  They remember that last pennant won by the team. In a previous blog entitled Two Visitations I wrote the following:

The main part of what I'm sharing will actually refer to the reference regarding a whirlwind or hurricane at the end of the visitation. I believe it confirms and ties together with Chuck Pierce's word regarding the wind being released now that has been held in heaven for the last eight years.

I also referred to a word that he gave to me earlier this year: "I am bringing my people out of Babylon." We are entering the season of restoration, victory and celebration. Last night, I believe that we saw another indicator of this victory and of the wind when the Chicago Cubs won their first pennant after a 71 year wait. The exiles started returning from Babylon after the 70th year. There were tremendous celebrations and restored hope in the faces of the players and fans as they won last night in Chicago, the Windy City.

And those celebrations were nothing compared to those last night as the Cubs broke a 108 year

drought (with a rain delay) by winning the World Series with a double (portion) in the tenth (testimony) inning of the seventh (complete) game of the series. They turned around a certain defeat (in a turn around year) by winning three games (a three-fold cord) in a row. Ben Zobrist, the most valuable player and a devout follower of Jesus hit that double in the tenth which led to the victory. He graduated from Dallas Baptist in the prophet state of Texas where the Lord has declared for this new year that it is a time to "Awake, Emerge and Plunder." By the way, don't miss the gathering (called by the same name) in San Marcos, Texas on November 11-12, 2016. Go to the Glory of Zion website for more info. 

The Cubs roared back like a hurricane. Victory was achieved. Celebrations are in order, and just in case you missed it - I'm really talking about the Kingdom of God. Let the winds blow!

A Prophetic First Fruits Weekend

Don't forget this word given by the Lord!

Have I not declared it and therefore is it not so that Prince of Peace House of Prayer is a key. I hold this key in My hands and in this very hour I am using it to open up the doors of the courts in order that my decrees and plans can and will be released in earth. Do not take this lightly for I have asked others to do this but they did not hear me or they refused my offer. You have not and therefore know, that this day, I am turning you in my hand and the door is opening.

This Friday (November 4) will be our monthly First Fruits worship service here at Prince of Peace House of Prayer.  This morning, during prayers with intercessors across the State of Texas, I heard the Lord declare that "This weekend would be a First Fruits offering for the State of Texas and the Nation."

We will meet at 7 PM, Friday evening, November 4.  We will celebrate our entrance into the month of Cheshvan. Cheshvan is the eighth month of the Jewish calendar and linked with the tribe of Manasseh.  

“Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: “For God has made me forget all my toil and all my father’s house” (Genesis 41:51).

Manasseh means “causing to forget.” I believe the Lord is causing us to look back over the last year and allowing Him to flood us with His grace, strength and love. We will forget the turmoil, the pain, the division, the rhetoric and the "flood of anger, fear and uncertainty" that we have felt regarding terrorism, the economy, racial unrest, the elections, etc. This month marks not only the beginning month but the ending month of the Great Flood. GOD WILL CROWN THIS YEAR with His love.

Allow the fragrance and strength of God to permeate your soulish nature. This is a month to smell the awe of God and a month when the fragrance of the Holy Spirit begins to emanate so a move of the Holy Spirit can begin.

Isn't it interesting, as the Lord was pointing out to me this morning, that He is preparing in this house

(which is a key in His hand) a First Fruit offering for the State and Nation.  Two ministries are coming this weekend of First Fruits.  Both of them approached us to be here this weekend. 

The first was Dennis Jernigan.  He will be releasing his new album "First Love" at Prince of Peace on Friday evening. The Lord is reminding Texas, the Nation, you and me that He is drawing us close to Him.  He is re-igniting our first love for Him as He demonstrates His passionate and extravagant love for us.

Secondly, Arthur Burk of Sapphire Leadership Group contacted us and asked if they could present a seminar on "How to be a Noble
Subject when Your Government is Dysfunctional."  The Lord is mantling us, not only with His love, but with His nobility.  We are citizens of heaven.  We are kings and priests of His kingdom. The Lord declared this to me in my previous blog: 

"Don't linger. Don't wait. We have a great adventure ahead of us. I'm taking you to places

you've never been. I'm walking with you into the great season of your life. Don't be afraid to let go of some things that you cherish. They have prepared you for this journey, but come on - let's walk!"

As I walked I saw a whole new set of armor placed on me. I don't know how to describe it. It is brilliant in color. It glows as crystal but looks pure like gold. It is strong and impenetrable.

He said, "Wherever you walk you will strengthen the land. You will release light into the atmosphere no matter how dark. There is a troop with you. You are not alone. They are armored as you are for that has been your desire. We walk together. My kingdom is here. My will is done."

We are loved.  We are mantled with nobility.  Let us walk with God! He's turning us like a key in His hand to unlock the destiny of a state and nation.

Two Visitations

The following experiences or visitations took place as I was on the flight back from Washington DC at All Tribes DC on October 21, 2016 and at the Heartland Apostolic Prayer Network (HAPN) gathering in Oklahoma on October 25-29, 2016.

The first part refers back to a pair of dreams that I had had almost 20 years ago where the Lord made it clear that I was running ahead of him and moving in my own strategies. The time has changed.

The main part of what I'm sharing will actually refer to the reference regarding a whirlwind or hurricane at the end of the visitation. I believe it confirms and ties together with Chuck Pierce's word regarding the wind being released now that has been held in heaven for the last eight years.

I also referred to a word that he gave to me earlier this year: "I am bringing my people out of Babylon." We are entering the season of restoration, victory and celebration. Last night, I believe that we saw another indicator of this victory and of the wind when the Chicago Cubs won their first pennant after a 71 year wait. The exiles started returning from Babylon after the 70th year. There were tremendous celebrations and restored hope in the faces of the players and fans as they won last night in Chicago, the Windy City.

With Jesus (October 21, 2016) at 33,000 feet.
It's been a long time but I'm walking with Jesus on the seashore of Galilee. We've been here before. I remember him stopping as I walked on. He was stooping down and picking up rocks- challenging me to come back to Him rather than journeying on alone.

But this time I was the one who stopped. I was wanting to linger. I was wanting to toss rocks in the water, but He was walking ahead. He turned to me and beckoned me to follow.

"Don't linger. Don't wait. We have a great adventure ahead of us. I'm taking you to places you've never been. I'm walking with you into the great season of your life. Don't be afraid to let go of some things that you cherish. They have prepared you for this journey, but come on - let's walk!"

As I walked I saw a whole new set of armor placed on me. I don't know how to describe it. It is brilliant in color. It glows as crystal but looks pure like gold. It is strong and impenetrable.

He said, "Wherever you walk you will strengthen the land. You will release light into the atmosphere no matter how dark. There is a troop with you. You are not alone. They are armored as you are for that has been your desire. We walk together. My kingdom is here. My will is done."

He is embracing me and all of His life force is encompassing me. Not only am I feeling strength, passion and newness but all infirmity is melting away. I breath it out from me. I speak it into the atmosphere. Holy. Beautiful. Whole. I'm to commune with Him.

I communed on the plane by eating cookies. Beautiful food. "Taste and see that the Lord is good (beautiful)." “Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! Fear the LORD, you his godly people, for those who fear him will have all they need. Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the LORD will lack no good thing.” Psalm ‭34:8-10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I drank red wine which the flight attendant gave to me with no cost. "Come and eat. Come and drink with no cost." ““Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink— even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk— it’s all free!” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭55:1‬ ‭NLT‬‬
 

As I ate and drank I felt impurities leaving me. It is His body. It is His blood. He strengthens and cleanses me.

As we walk on in the visitation, we go up an incline as though on steps but there is no exertion on my part. With each step I feel more strength. I briefly look nostalgically behind me. He smiles at me knowing that was is behind me has disappeared. Not gone for it has set the stage, but disappeared for it no longer is my story. The story is being written as we walk. A new chapter with each step. Each step is a victory.

Each step I feel something hitting me. It seems as though they are arrows or spears, but they do not prosper against me. I see trials and turbulence around me but it vanishes as Jesus and I and the troop walk on.

He declares, "Every step you take is a possession of the Kingdom being taken away from the enemy."

I notice for the first time that we are surrounded by a host of angel warriors. They have always been there and they will walk with us. We are together like a whirlwind, a hurricane of God's glory and presence moving across the land.

I realized that I'm sitting in Row 12 (Governmental) Seat A (Apostolic) on Flight 2237.

“You have made a wide path for my feet to keep them from slipping.” (2 Samuel‬ ‭22:37‬ ‭NLT)‬‬

“Jesus replied, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’” (Matthew‬ ‭22:37‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

“For the time has come for this prophecy about me to be fulfilled: ‘He was counted among the rebels.’ Yes, everything written about me by the prophets will come true.”” (Luke‬ ‭22:37‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

This is overwhelming! O Lord Jesus! What was so amazing about this time with him was this. We walked together. We grasped each other's hand. I felt his arm around me. Thank you Jesus. I love you!

Later as I revisited this visitation I realized that we were in the eye of the storm and literally, with Jesus, a part of the storm. The wind and we are as one.

Tom Schlueter

Here is Chucks' word:

"For the last eight years I have been blowing winds in the heavens. Winds have been stirring and stirring and stirring in My heavens.  But now those winds are released to come into the earth realm.  What has been stirring in Heaven will now blow in the earth.  Brace yourself!  Brace yourself!  Brace yourself! Brace yourself!  For the winds that will now blow are the winds I’ve been holding back over the last eight years.  Because I’ve been holding them back and you’ve been asking for them to blow earlier, NOW I will release them. I am acting on how you have sought Me in the last eight years. 

"These winds will begin to gather an army of those that have been faithful and those that will now gather into a place they didn’t even know they belonged.  The winds of adversity will now produce an army (of whom) people will say, ‘It is the LORD’s army that has changed the course of history!’ Tonight, and beginning this week, you will be bringing the turning point winds into the earth and rearranging the course of what is to become. Nations will begin now in their realignment with other nations, but I will blow off the façade that has been holding you captive. Because you have gathered here in this turning point state, now the turning point winds will come.  What I’ve held back for eight years, I must now release.  What goes on through May (as you begin to honor Me, and walk with Me, and gather with Me) will create a nation that has been covered over by the enemy’s hand. The winds that now blow in the earth will cause the hand of the enemy that has been controlling the movement of strategy in the earth in this nation to be seen. No longer will the enemy have an upper hand in this land!"

Blessings,
Chuck D. Pierce


While at HAPN he visited me again. 

October 28, 2016

In his book, Beautiful Outlaw, John Eldridge asked what motive or word would you use to describe Jesus.  The first word that came to my heart was "diamond." The Lord told me that He has many facets. Beauty. Brilliance. Each brings a new view or reflection of who He is. The diamond reflects love but also the sharpness to cut class. At that I realized that the armor, which I could not describe, in my first visitation was made of diamond. We are armored with Him.