Our Night Became Light

On that night, over 2000 years ago…

The ordinary became miraculous. Night had fallen and the darkness was deep. The day’s light was fully gone, leaving a blanket of silence across the land. Bethlehem was preparing to sleep yet another time, finally having a reprieve from the day’s hustle of foreign soldiers and their brutality to exact yet another tax from its people. Even the effort to party away the general feeling of continued oppression was hollow, only emphasizing even more the lie that their life was nothing more than a payment for power’s pleasure. Sleep, it seemed, to be the only escape, but only temporary. The morning light would bring more of the same of what seemed an unending cycle.

Even more life draining was the unseen phantom of shifting form that walked among all of mankind since Earth’s beginning. Possessing both a loveless esteem and a mouth full of lies, this created being that once stood and worshipped the Eternal Relationship of the Eternals – the Father, Jesus and the Spirit – now focused his treachery on their heart’s desire and treasure of all the Cosmos – us as humankind. Depraved, fallen and transformed into the expressed image of ultimate brokenness, this creature who once reflected beauty, song and dance of the Goodness and Love of the Eternals, now existed to lie and project myths about you and I’s purpose, goodness, and inclusion in the circle of Eternal Love. And while the myths are but hollow walls blocking the Light of humanity, this same Light continues to shine brightly as a sun of all suns through space and time. What is the truth of this light that never diminishes nor has an ending? You and I were fashioned as part of the Eternals, in their likeness and form, existing in an unbroken relationship because of their love for each other AND us.

So what does the Eternals do when those they love are so blinded by the lies and bound in the prisons of their own making in choosing to believe they are separated rather than already in union with them? They become the creature, to experience our journey and dwell in the midst of our darkness to destroy every wall of myth that restricts the Light of Eternal relationship that shines from within in every human as a present reality. Mystifyingly beautiful and wondrous as an expression of their love for all of us.

And so it happens. Against the hushed awe of heaven’s creatures, the Eternals do just that – they become the very creature they had created. Not a “superman” creature who remains aloof, but one born and bound within the finite of our world’s experience. They enter our world as we do – as a baby, subject to the process of growth of our bodies, minds, souls, experiences and choices. Into us, they join themselves – their Agape – the most powerful force that unites. Doing so now enables us to experience the union of creature with Creator. The Eternals fully understood that the loss of relationship at the beginning was blindness to the reality of ever-present union. Their love for humanity compelled their desire to become like the creature, to experience their deepest blindness and darkness. They did this to declare with finality – “Our union with you is the light within you that never diminishes. Your freedom to embrace it or the myth that we are separated will always be yours to make because true love always gives a choice. But whatever you choose in any one moment doesn’t change our committed promise to remain present. Know with certainty our coming as Emmanuel (God, plural, with Us) was our choice to become like you to win your heart. You are always with us and we will keep challenging your darkness of blindness to experience our established union in love’s full embrace.”

The appointed night arrived, framed by history and the doorway into the future. The world in that moment laid silent – exhausted, discouraged, and hopeless – accepting what was as what is and what will be. And then, in the quiet emptiness of that night, faint but crescendo-ing, a baby’s birthing cry echoed across the landscape proclaiming – the Eternals have come to make their Presence known within the human soul as an intimately, experienced reality. Our night of being lied to has transformed into Light – we have never been, nor ever will be, alone. The Eternals insure it with their very existence.

Thank you Jesus for pursuing us all the way to earth and in our deepest recesses of myth and lie. Thank you Father and Spirit for your unending Presence and Love for each other and Jesus, also choosing to have each of us as part of your Eternal journey together. May Mystery, Beauty and Wonder of Your relationship together captivate our hearts with fuller revelation with every passing moment. May we want you like you want us.

Mark Francis

December 2021

20 Years of Ministry

Twenty years ago this month, Heaven’s Dawn Ministries was born in our hearts. To honor our journey since this step, we wanted to express our gratefulness and share it with you.

The road since March 1999 has been filled with all manner of experiences. We have witnessed at times the intervention of God Himself, while during others, the infusion of humanity filled with God’s goodness and grace. Other times, we have endured great loss and pain, and our only encouragement was to hold on and persevere. The reality of God’s presence and love has sustained us, while at other times raised many questions over how to hold parts of our road. Through it all, we have tangibly felt His love and care, even in our questions, frustrations and pain. We know our journey is not unlike most others; however, it remains important to us to voice our deep gratefulness for the Lord’s faithfulness, care and love of us through it all.

From the beginning, our hearts were captivated for Utah, its people and its destiny. The past twenty years have provided many opportunities and avenues to share this destiny from God’s heart. During each step, our hope has remained the same – to see others connect to the one who made them and who treasures their life with abiding love and presence.

For those of you who have in some way joined our journey through prayer, participation, relationship and/or support, we are grateful for your sacrifice and gifts. As we have shared often, your involvement connects you to the efforts we believe God has put in our hearts, and He takes joy in your offering. We personally are touched by your giving and supportive heart. Please accept our heart-felt appreciation. You have demonstrated aspects of what it means to be part of the larger kingdom of God’s people.

Before we step into the next season of time with Heaven’s Dawn Ministries, we simply want to express our gratefulness and love to the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Their triune, eternal relationship continually arrests our hearts in their desire to share it with all of humanity. We are humbled to be called to this journey, and to share this relentless love with all we encounter. May we always experience the never-ending flood of heaven’s goodness as we become even more captivated by beauty, wonder and mystery.

Thank you for celebrating this 20-year journey with us!

Mark & Laura Francis
Heaven’s Dawn Ministries

Heber City Prayer Summit

Announcement

If you are in the area and available, I wanted to welcome your attendance at this event. I will be speaking during the 7 PM session on Thurs-Saturday evenings, and again at 11 am on Sunday morning. There are more sessions throughout the day, and I’ve provided a contact number where you can get additional details. Your prayer for me as I share would also be appreciated. I will be speaking on “Prophetic Prayer”.

Thanks for your consideration.

Heber City Prayer Summit
Sponsored by Light the Way Ministries (lightthewayministries.com)
January 11-14, 2018
Cost is free

Site: 1400 North U.S. 40, Heber City Utah
Additional Info: 801-427-9454

Summit Topic: All Kinds of Prayer

Thanks for your consideration.

Mark

The Call of the New Year

What is calling to you in this new year of 2018? A fresh start? Perseverance? Reconnection? Or maybe simply to keep taking steps. I find it fascinating how the switch to a new year, over the course of a 24 hour period, can be so impactful for many. The truth is, January 1 represents simply the next day after December 31. What has shifted that causes the impact we witness around us or even in our own heart? Does time or its shifting actually have tangible power?

While I don’t really have an answer, I do know that events associated with time certainly do. Take Jesus’ entrance. The Bible declares that “in the fullness of time”, Jesus came. In other words, there was an appointment where time had to pass including all the events associated with it before He came. I wonder how much that dynamic operates in the kingdom life we all are seeking to live? What things in our life will come to pass only after a “fullness of time”?

You are not alone in your wondering. This question is resonating in my own heart beyond anything I have experienced to date. Which leads me to stop and explore my present journey and God’s presence in it. What is He calling me to? What of my future has a voice above all voices that seeks to captivate my heart, originating from heaven’s King and Father of my life?

As you ask this same question, I bless you with open channels to God’s heart in order to apprehend what is for you in this hour. In your discovery, may fresh courage and boldness fill you, empowering your steps and giving your life sustaining vitality for your journey into 2018.

Beauty that Marks God’s Kingdom

When you think about God’s Kingdom, particularly what distinguishes it on earth, what would you say? Agape or choosing love? What about the fruits of the Spirit? I suspect for each of us, our answer may be similar, but with some uniqueness given our own personal interactions with Jesus. I love this as it paints a fuller picture of the God-realm and all that it means.

For me, beauty is one specific aspect I have been seeking after, particularly its role in framing God’s kingdom on the earth both in our relationship with Jesus and with each other. I recently spoke about this at our home church to stir our hearts in this direction. I invite you to hear my comments and welcome any you may have to pass along to me (see podcast location below). I am coming to see that beauty is one way God draws us after His heart, but possibly in ways that we may not have realized. Enjoy!!

To listen, go to  The Beauty Of God Message

July 2017 Blessing

To each of you reading this post, I release over your heart new access into the heavenly realm where you both see and understand a present revelation of God’s heart for your own and how it connects to your sphere of influence. I further proclaim that the next few weeks will bring opportunity for this revelation to be more fully realized as it impacts your life at every level. In the process, may your personal union with Jesus take on a fresh and joy-filled hope no matter the circumstances of your present journey. His presence is the abundance of life in the midst of seasons of loss, pain or discouragement. When we can’t hold on, His grip never relents, always pulling us close to gaze into His eyes of life-giving love.

2017 Blessing

May your eyes be sharpened to see beyond the now and into that realm where God knows all and reveals the future;

May your heart be refashioned to hold the reality of the present, but secure in the timelessness of Jesus’ redemptive sacrifice and resurrection that brings hope to any situation;

May your strength be increased for every step in the coming journey, whether through the dark valley or the highest mountain;

May your agape, your choosing love, deepen to levels that become dangerous to your past, and footing to your future;

May your hope find its rest not on what can be, but WHO can be;

And, may each day be filled with the new and restoring mercies of God that captivate your gaze and empower your journey.

Because of Jesus and His choices, He has made you fully worth it!

Equipping Class Available

The Heart and Act of Imparting Blessings
Mark Francis, Instructor
Heaven’s Dawn Ministries

DETAILS

Description As God’s sons and daughters, we have been offered by the Father the power to bless as a birthright in Jesus. A blessing is more than kind or hopeful words; rather, they are intentional, tangible influences of life that result from specific, targeted, and crafted proclamations (oral or written), releasing Godly impact upon both the present physical world and one’s spiritual being. A primary purpose for giving and being a blessing is to establish a future legacy of overflowing life, clear destiny, and supernatural abundance for the world around us. This equipping class represents over 12 years of personal experience and practice, and explores the Biblical basis for this birthright, the role we each have for its release upon the earth, and opportunity to practice and strength our ability to offer blessing in all circumstances.

Start Date
Every Thursday evening from 7:00 – 8:30 PM
Starts September 8 2016, runs 4 weeks and ends on September 29 2016

Location
The Fellowship church, 615 Sego Lily Drive, Sandy UT

Cost $40.00 / Person (due at first class)

What you receive:

  • Over 12 years of research, experience and practice from instructor
  • Copy of Details Notes, some of which will not be covered in class
  • Sample Written Blessings directed towards different audiences and serving different purposes
  • Opportunity to practice creating and recording directed blessings

Sign up Instructions/Deadline:
The deadline to sign up is Wednesday, September 7th by 8 PM.
To sign up, Send message through our CONTACT page providing your name, email and phone, and how many will be attending.

Other available Equipping Classes
To explore other equipping classes that can be brought to you, visit my website at www.heavensdawn.net .

Feel free to forward to others who may be interested.

Thanks for your consideration and I’m looking forward to spending this time with you exploring how we can become greater influencers of life in our world.

 

Unrealized Promises

I have a question for those would want to share. When faced with a history of experiences that are different from what you understand as a promise of God, how do you hold these in moving forward? I personally am on a journey with this and several other questions between me and the Lord. As I deeply value the journey of others, I’m interested in hearing your thoughts about this reality.

I’m sure we’ve all experienced circumstances in life that when compared to the promises of God, they just don’t fit — extreme losses, provision challenges, deaths of dreams, etc. Certainly, we can contribute to the lack of fulfillment through our own knuckle-headedness. But I’m interested in those parts of the journey that are outside of our own failures, when we’ve believed, expected, and sought for the direction and guidance of His heart, and yet, promises remain unfulfilled or absence in our experience.

I know, some will say, “it just wasn’t God’s will”. Well, I wonder if there’s more, even beyond that potential truth. If not God’s will, why the blazing fire in my heart for it? Why the life markers along the way that continued to encourage me to continue on? You get the point. Anyway, I would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks!