http://austinhouseofprayer.org Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:05:00 +0000 http://snappages.com en http://austinhouseofprayer.org/blog/2009/10/21/bring-it-on http://austinhouseofprayer.org/blog/2009/10/21/bring-it-on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:05:00 +0000 Thomas http://austinhouseofprayer.org/blog/2009/10/21/bring-it-on
How do I do this?

• Availability - spending time in His word, not being too busy to receive.
• Fasting - choosing to forgo distractions or compulsions that substitute for God's love .. even good things. Trade the [...]]]>
  How do I do this?
  
  • Availability - spending time in His word, not being too busy to receive.
  • Fasting - choosing to forgo distractions or compulsions that substitute for God's love .. even good things. Trade the better for the best.
  • Requesting - asking Him to give me more of His love
  • Persevering - not taking no for an answer, continuing to ask, being patient and not becoming discouraged
  • Lingering - when I experience His love in my heart or understand a new facet with my mind, I linger in that place, not moving on until I have to. Then I return to that same place as soon as I can. Like Daniel (ch. 7), I "keep looking".
  • Thanking - I thank God for visiting my broken heart with HIs fiery love ... then ask for more!
  
  Jesus said, "The kingdom of heaven is advancing forcefully, and forceful men lay hold of it." Join me in forcefully laying hold of all the God has for us!
  
  ]]> http://austinhouseofprayer.org/blog/2009/10/05/ahop-is http://austinhouseofprayer.org/blog/2009/10/05/ahop-is Mon, 05 Oct 2009 23:10:00 +0000 maricela http://austinhouseofprayer.org/blog/2009/10/05/ahop-is ...healthy!
  plants from our community garden
  and a healthy member's cute foot. guess who. [...]]]> ...healthy!
  plants from our community garden
  and a healthy member's cute foot. guess who.
  
  ...funny
  laughing at a funny prayer...prayer: help matt to love scrabble
  
  ...playful
  jolene!
  
  ...relational
  a place to make friends, and clap hands. and sing. and hug.
  Elana, the super artist with Mari. notice similar hair do.
  
  ...prayerful!
  praying for Ben's eyeballs.
  
  ...precious
  we love Jesus and his church...his Body!
  
  ]]> http://austinhouseofprayer.org/blog/2009/10/02/plant-the-seeds-of-the-love-of-god-in-my-heart http://austinhouseofprayer.org/blog/2009/10/02/plant-the-seeds-of-the-love-of-god-in-my-heart Fri, 02 Oct 2009 18:17:00 +0000 Michael http://austinhouseofprayer.org/blog/2009/10/02/plant-the-seeds-of-the-love-of-god-in-my-heart
  Let Your love, oh God unfold within me – may it grow in momentum till my heart is inclined to love as You love, till it’s every tendency is bent on compassion and no struggle or tempest can turn back the tide of this love’s inertial force.
  
  Father,
  I recognize that the source of this love is not from within me
  I understand how easily my own intention is turned back by trouble, confusion and apathy
  I believe that from the smallest beginnings, despite weakness and uncertainty,
  You can grow great things.
  Create, where it would not otherwise be, that same heart that is in Christ Jesus
  And in Your mercy, grant that it would guide me, move me, and change me.
  
  ]]> http://austinhouseofprayer.org/blog/2009/09/23/new-season http://austinhouseofprayer.org/blog/2009/09/23/new-season Wed, 23 Sep 2009 16:55:00 +0000 Matt LaCour http://austinhouseofprayer.org/blog/2009/09/23/new-season
  AHOP is [...]]]>
  AHOP is looking for a permanent home.A place for us to work and live together as a community.The youth ministry is also growing as we pursue reaching youth throughout the city.This weekend we had a group of youth pastors come to AHOP to meet and talk about how we can all work together to reach the youth of Austin.We committed to 4 things.1.Have an annual youth pastor prayer retreat where we can come together prayer and plan how to reach the youth of Austin.2. Have an annual youth prayer rally where youth from around the city can come prayer and meet each other.3.Havemonthly prayer and fellowship times around the city for youth pastors.4.Start encouraging youth prayer meetings at high school all over Austin.
  
  New things are coming in Austin and we are excited.But also reslute to pursue the heart of God.
  
  
  ]]> http://austinhouseofprayer.org/blog/2009/09/16/youth-pastor-meeting-on-saturday http://austinhouseofprayer.org/blog/2009/09/16/youth-pastor-meeting-on-saturday Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:45:00 +0000 Thomas http://austinhouseofprayer.org/blog/2009/09/16/youth-pastor-meeting-on-saturday
  Grace to you from Jesus,
  Thomas
  
  ]]> http://austinhouseofprayer.org/blog/2009/08/25/vacation http://austinhouseofprayer.org/blog/2009/08/25/vacation Tue, 25 Aug 2009 15:59:00 +0000 Moriah http://austinhouseofprayer.org/blog/2009/08/25/vacation
  Visiting Bethel was a highlight. We decided that they like to have fun with Jesus and heal people in his name. Two great things to us! We felt a lot of freedom and joy while there which was really sweet.
  
  Another highlight was visitng the community Apprentice 2 Jesus in Phoenix! We loved how they invited us in with open arms and were so hospitable. We got to go to one of the members' baptisms while there and get to sit in on their meeting discussing what next year's committments will look like for members. It was exciting to us since we're looking forward to being part of the AHOP community one day soon!
  
  We also found out when we got home and were fixing something on our car that Jesus was holding our car together part of the way home! Thanks, Jesus. :)
  
  Here are a few pictures.
  
  Here's me and Matt close to the top of a mountain at Yosemite! The hike was 9 miles, half of which was pretty much straight up the mountain!
  
  This is a shot of the soaking healing rooms at Bethel. Fun!
  
  This is the prayer room at Bethel. We liked it, but not quite as much as AHOP. :)
  
  ]]> http://austinhouseofprayer.org/blog/2009/08/15/saved-healed-delivered http://austinhouseofprayer.org/blog/2009/08/15/saved-healed-delivered Sat, 15 Aug 2009 16:57:00 +0000 Matt LaCour http://austinhouseofprayer.org/blog/2009/08/15/saved-healed-delivered
  To just name a few of the healing that have happened.Two weeks ago Moriah and I had 12 youth come out to AHOPto be a part of our 1 week intinsive called Immerse.During this internship we had a girl's right ankle healed.We had a man's arm healed and a baby healed of a fever.The next week Moriah and I prayed for a girl with sores in her mouth and they were healed.And today we are out in California on vacation and heard of a woman who's gall bladder was healed and a man that had flat feet that was healed.God is Good!
  
  ]]> http://austinhouseofprayer.org/blog/2009/07/02/be-thou-my-vision http://austinhouseofprayer.org/blog/2009/07/02/be-thou-my-vision Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:26:00 +0000 http://austinhouseofprayer.org/blog/2009/07/02/be-thou-my-vision AHOP hosted the Antioch Network Gathering which began the night Leigh and I returned from Israel and lasted for three days. The Antioch Network is a relational network of churches and ministries who are self described as hard to describe. Over the years they have had goals and mission statements and have seemed to whittle their mission and [...]]]> AHOP hosted the Antioch Network Gathering which began the night Leigh and I returned from Israel and lasted for three days. The Antioch Network is a relational network of churches and ministries who are self described as hard to describe. Over the years they have had goals and mission statements and have seemed to whittle their mission and goal down to simply and so profoundly "JESUS." I know that seems like an obvious thing to say, but I would suggest that it is a fairly easy shift from our goal being Jesus to our goal being building our ministry carrying out our events, maintaining and responding to day to day life, and so on. These things are good and have their place, but experiencing this wonderful group of believers who are so focused on Jesus, knowing Him, being known by Him, growing in the understanding and experience of who He really is, of what He is really like; this was an immensely refreshing and encouraging experience for me. Being around brothers and sisters who walk in this reality rekindled a vision and desire in me to learn how to still my busy mind and life and go deeper and deeper still into the wonderful embrace of my God and my King.
  
  ]]> http://austinhouseofprayer.org/blog/2009/06/19/antioch-network-gathering-a-beautiful-time http://austinhouseofprayer.org/blog/2009/06/19/antioch-network-gathering-a-beautiful-time Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:08:00 +0000 Thomas Cogdell http://austinhouseofprayer.org/blog/2009/06/19/antioch-network-gathering-a-beautiful-time

AHOP hosted the Antioch Network Gathering on June 8 & 9.Antioch is an informal network of ministries in the US and around the world, and they gather twice a year to listen together to Jesus.

It was a great privilege for us to host them, and be invited to join them in their meetings.AHOP helped to lead [...]]]>

AHOP hosted the Antioch Network Gathering on June 8 & 9.Antioch is an informal network of ministries in the US and around the world, and they gather twice a year to listen together to Jesus.

It was a great privilege for us to host them, and be invited to join them in their meetings.AHOP helped to lead prayer at noon and in the evenings, and provided food on the 9th.


The two evening talks by George Miley were amazing, and so on target for our calling as a community.The first was on prayer, and the second on reconciliation!

Here are links to the MP3s -- if you were not there, definitely you will want to download and listen to each of these.

• George Miley, June 9, "Practicing the Presence of Jesus"
• George Miley, June 10, "Reconciliation and the Return of Jesus"

And we recorded other sessions that may be of interest to you, here is a list of links for your downloading and listening pleasure:

• Amber Hunter, "Beatitudes" song (~ 3 minutes, absolutely beautiful song)
• Harp & Bowl, Michael Michel + Thomas Cogdell + team, Romans 15 (~40 minutes)
• Dan Davis, Legacy of Antioch Network in Austin (~1 hr)
• Panel Discussion, Apprenticeship to Jesus - turning into What is a Church (~1.5 hrs)

Grace to you all from Jesus!
Thomas

PS: A few more pictures below, and even more at this link.



Amy leading noontime liturgical prayer.



Michael in a contemplative pose ... wow those arms are ripped!



Sandi & Amy



Linda worshipping Jesus

]]> http://austinhouseofprayer.org/blog/2009/06/04/summer-night-watch http://austinhouseofprayer.org/blog/2009/06/04/summer-night-watch Thu, 04 Jun 2009 16:21:00 +0000 Moriah LaCour http://austinhouseofprayer.org/blog/2009/06/04/summer-night-watch
So, our first meeting was great! We started out praying from Psalm 42: As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, oh God. Then, we moved to praying for each other and hearing different things from God for each other. I think we were all encouraged! We ended by praying for salvation and evangelism to go forth with power in our city.

It's neat setting aside the night hours to pray: there are less distractions to entering in to intimacy with Him. We also will be interceding for our city in a time when most are asleep, and also when the most crime and darkness is happening. I'm looking forward to the next night watch!

]]> http://austinhouseofprayer.org/blog/2009/06/01/10-days-and-global-day-of-prayer http://austinhouseofprayer.org/blog/2009/06/01/10-days-and-global-day-of-prayer Mon, 01 Jun 2009 09:52:00 +0000 Matt LaCour http://austinhouseofprayer.org/blog/2009/06/01/10-days-and-global-day-of-prayer
]]> http://austinhouseofprayer.org/blog/2009/05/23/global-day-is-under-way http://austinhouseofprayer.org/blog/2009/05/23/global-day-is-under-way Sat, 23 May 2009 18:55:00 +0000 Thomas Cogdell http://austinhouseofprayer.org/blog/2009/05/23/global-day-is-under-way click here to view the schedule and sign up.)

It is so wonderful for our community to get a taste of the glory of 24/7 prayer.We have set ourselves to build [...]]]> click here to view the schedule and sign up.)

It is so wonderful for our community to get a taste of the glory of 24/7 prayer.We have set ourselves to build 24/7 prayer in the city, and yet because we have not focused on building it in our prayer room but instead helping the entire city grow in prayer, we are not 24/7 in our own prayer room yet!So to have 10 days of continuous prayer in our prayer room provides a wonderful opportunity to "taste and see" how good this goal of ours is!

Last night at community prayer was a wonderful example of this.Ben Sims prayed for the team from the session before, and from the first song it seemed that we had an easy onramp to the throne of God.Everyone was engaged, the prayers were passionate, the leadership was strong, and the presence of God was very powerful.Seeing the team adjust to Mari moving from vocal to guitar to piano, with Jason coming up and going back, was such a beautiful picture of servant leadership.Hearing those in the room lift their voices together, crying out for believers in Austin to let go of lesser things and pursue nearness with God, inspired me to lift my voice with them -- Catholic, Mennonite, non-denominational, regulars, visitors -- all gathered to gaze on God's beauty and call on His power.More pictures below ...

Wow ... 7 more days left!

Then the Global Day of Prayer on May 31!

How about this for an amazing fact -- every single country on the face of the earth has a registered Global Day of Prayer gathering!!!!!!!Do you want to be left out? I think not!Here is a link to a page that has all 9 city-wide services on the actual Global Day of Prayer ... make plans now to attend one of these services.



Ethan praying at the open microphone



Steve Jensen leading prayer, Matt on percussion



Thomas praying for our friends Reid & Tordis in Stavanger, Norway

]]> http://austinhouseofprayer.org/blog/2009/05/18/freedom http://austinhouseofprayer.org/blog/2009/05/18/freedom Mon, 18 May 2009 16:14:00 +0000 http://austinhouseofprayer.org/blog/2009/05/18/freedom
A few months [...]]]>
A few months back I feel like I had an insight in the prayer room which I believe was from the Lord... "My people have freedom and constraint confused"

my interpretation is this:

There is a place of true freedom found in self contol, discipline and obidence that is not stifiling, it is not burdonsome, nor is it legalistic. Quite the contrary it is a broad place of security and acceptance where our souls are Shepherded by the Shepherd of our souls, where He makes us lie down in green pastures, where we take His light yoke and trust that He really is Good. It is a place of abiding. The problem is that things like discipline, surrender and submission can be seen as restrictive, stealing my freedom, they can be fairly easily dismissed as legalism; at least when action is required and not just intellectual accent!

On the other side, there is what is comonly thought of as freedom,
.... doing what I want when I want..., which in the end tends only to leave us drained and disconected from the vine. I think, to use Paul's word, we have been "bewitched."

Felipe






]]> http://austinhouseofprayer.org/blog/2009/05/07/welcome-to-the-ahop-staff-blog http://austinhouseofprayer.org/blog/2009/05/07/welcome-to-the-ahop-staff-blog Thu, 07 May 2009 08:04:00 +0000 Thomas Cogdell http://austinhouseofprayer.org/blog/2009/05/07/welcome-to-the-ahop-staff-blog
As I was in the prayer room early in the morning last week, praying from Zephaniah 3, I was struck by the fact that God has washed our sins away with the blood of Christ. How can the sovereign, all-knowing God ... forget anything? How can our sins not be always before Him? How is God able to cast our sins as far away from Him as the east is from the west?

As I pondered this, I thought about Jesus' words on the cross, from Psalm 22 -- my God, my God, why have you forsaken me? It's as if at that one moment, when all the sins of the world were heaped upon Jesus' shoulders, the Father looked away -- actively did not look, did not see the sins and His Son's agony. Was this when my sins were forgotten?

It is a mystery. And the proper response to a mystery is worship ... so truly God is worthy of all my praise, all my thanksgiving, all my honor, all my power, all my wealth!

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