One of the most powerful ways we can give value to others is through sharing heart-felt gratefulness. To be grateful is to value something with attention and affirmation. Each of us desire to be valued and to be someone who positively impacts the journey of others. Through offering appreciation, we also influence the spiritual climate around us, where we contest discouragement and insecurity and release Heaven’s culture of power, strength and courage built upon love. In much the same manner, as God wants us to enter His presence with thanksgiving, being grateful towards others opens their heart to yours. A thankful life is one that demonstrates a fulfillment of heart that longs to help others feel the same. Share your gratefulness with great intention and lavished generosity. Your own heart will be transformed as together we witness heaven coming to earth.
Author: Mark Francis
Be Extraordinary in the Ordinary
The life of Jesus that we receive is meant to not only impact the “events” of our lives, but also that which we might call the “ordinary” times and seasons we mostly live in. In fact, to become extraordinary in these moments is crucial to our journey with Him. Certainly He is the life giver for our mountains and valleys. However, he wants to be the same in the “ordinaries”. As we embrace and walk in this expectation, we will not be prepared for what He has in store not only for us, but also for those around us we give His life to. (Taken from a recent message — To hear it in its entirety, click this link http://tf-sandy.org/home/component/sermonspeaker/sermon/10252.html
Capacity for Mystery
What does mystery mean to you, especially as it connects with Jesus and His Kingdom? Early in my journey, I valued the pursuit of “knowing” Jesus, His ways and His intentions. Actually, I still value this very highly. However, I also realized along the way that in many cases, I was not leaving any room for mystery in this pursuit. I actually thought the more I pursued, studied and inquired, the less mystery I would have to deal with. What I found was the opposite and I will tell you I’m grateful. Jesus is incredibly mysterious — not just in the obvious of what He does. He is also mysterious in the “who He is” part of His heart and character. What I mean is how mysteriously radical He is in the real-life application of His heart in our experiences. For example, the mystery of His powerful and penetrating love surpasses any words we can contrive to explain it. Pictures, while coming closer, still fail to capture the fullness of its impact. No, its in the day-to-day flow of love’s life that we come face to face with the mystery of its source, its core truth and its designed impact and significance. To love like Him is to dwell in mystery. Maybe my life can capture a small part of this same mystery…I hope yours does too!
Ageless Virtues
Regardless of time, culture or circumstances, the heart virtues of Jesus will ALWAYS reign supreme against the contrasting spiritual attacks we face in the journeys of our lives. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness and so on, among others, represent the true reality of where power lies for transformation of hearts towards life. Put another way, that which is real — love, joy, etc — are the sources of power that fill the empty places of hearts where these virtues are lacking and described by opposite expressions — hate, despair, etc. Jesus came not only to set us free, but to fill us with HIMSELF and with the power to establish life in the midst of places where life is not present. Shine your light everywhere…the darkest places are where it is needed the most!
Renewed Hope
For this hour, may the faithfulness of the Father, His Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit bring renewal to our hearts for hope that reigns over every circumstance. May our eyes behold, our ears hear, and our hearts connect to the source of hope — The Lord Himself. As we do, I bless our hearts to not only be sustained by the power of the Holy Spirit, but also be transformed into beacons of light that drive darkness away and initiate life where it didn’t exist before. Let it be done!
Current Class – Walking in the Opposite Spirit
We recently initiated a 7 week class titled, “Heart-Style Warfare: Walking in the Opposite Spirit.” In this time together, we are exploring the depth and impact of Jesus’ command to respond in opposite to what we encounter spiritually around us…love for hate, blessing for cursing, etc. While we have already started, its not too late to get involved. Please contact us for details.
Welcome!
Thank you for visiting. Grateful for God’s faithful goodness and strength, we are excited to provide this new website about Heaven’s Dawn Ministries. Amid the changing seasons of our journey, we remain committed to seeing the transformation of culture around us after God’s heart and purpose. All that we have been given we offer with God’s grace to bless, encourage and equip for the building up of others towards fulfilling their personal destiny. Please let us know how we can help you, your family, your home group, your church or your organization discover your own treasures and vision as deposited by God Himself.
Mark & Laura Francis
Heaven's Dawn Ministries 