Special Testimony: John Allaway

I haven't written to the Lamplighter for a long time, but now I have something to write about.  Sunday, October 2, 2011 I was standing in our church preaching on our authority in Christ. The Lord was blessing but it began to get real warm, or so I thought. One of the people opened the windows, another turned on two fans, but I was still hot, very hot, and sweaty. I was about half way into my message when the people started to sway back and forth. I thought, "My, that's funny." They usually do that when they're singing, but I found it was me doing the swaying. Then I lost my balance and my two son-in-laws came up and caught me. My legs would not move, so Elias picked up my feet and put them down until I got off the platform. They set me on the front pew. My wife and daughters were trying to get me to breathe with no success. I died sitting in the front pew.

Tim Moon and Billy Tyler picked me up and laid me on the floor. There was a young lady that came that Sunday who hadn't been there for about a month, but she knew CPR.  Did God have something to do with that?

Let me tell you what happened when I died: all the noise, crying, and praying stopped. I felt my spirit leave my body, very peaceful. Remember when you were a child and you would find a piece of plastic, put it on the lawn and run the sprinkler on it? We called them slippy slides.  Well, that's just how it felt to me, but I was going up a very fast speed.  All of a sudden I could see the top; it was the prettiest light blue cloud I had ever seen.  when I entered the cloud, it reached out and encompassed me.  It was just like Jesus put his arms around me and was hugging me. 

Then I started hearing voices around me, "Pastor, Pastor, don't leave, we need you. Brother John you are loved. Daddy, Daddy, I love you, don't die!" Then I heard about 40-45 people praying for me and it seemed like they were very little in a group and the group got bigger and bigger until they were all there praying and crying over me. The lady that had performed CPR on me cracked one of my ribs, but thank God she was there and knew what to do. I just did not know that so many people loved me that much.  I think we do too much labeling on folks.  Labels are for filing, labels are for clothing, or just about anything you buy but labels are not for people. 

I finally came to my senses and the ambulance crew was there trying to get me on the gurney. I wound up at Harrison Hospital in the E.R.  They told me I would be admitted, so I spent four days of tests and more tests.  The ultrasound showed the left carotid artery that feeds the brain was 99% blocked so, you fill in the blanks.  They sent me home and told me they would have to operate in ten days. 

I was home for two days and had another seizure.  My daughter-in-law Barbi drove me back to the hospital. I was in the operating room the next day for three hours. I hurt so bad that all I could say was, "Jesus, Jesus." After three more days they sent me to a transitional care facility where I learned to walk, talk, eat, and do the things that normal people do. I spent eleven days getting so I could be a normal person again.  I done a lot of soul searching while I was there. Folks, I think we need to do that. So anyway I am doing a lot better and I want to thank every one of you for your prayers and support. God bless.

Pastor John F. Allaway

Overseer's Insight: November 2011

Dear Saints:

During the month of October we had our Gordon-Conwell School in Kirkland.  The class that was taught was “Church and Community” by Dr. Eliana Runyon.  This was an outstanding class that stretched our minds and caused us to think outside the box (the church).  One of our textbooks challenged us to be the best church for the community, not the best church in the community.  When you are focused on being the best church for the community, then you will look beyond the four walls of the church for ways that you can minister to a community in need.  Our professor taught us that it only takes small steps to reach the community.  The whole idea is to first get outside of the church.  Our goal of reaching the community is encompassed in the Lord’s Prayer, when Jesus stated, “Thy Kingdom Come.”  In other words, Jesus’ prayer was that Shalom, in all the fullness of the word, would infiltrate our communities and our cities. 

As always, we are so thankful for the Kirkland Family Church providing a wonderful facility for us to learn in.  We are also appreciative of the lunches that were provided.  Thank you Sister Kaye and Sister Josie for all of your hard work in preparing the meals.

Please look forward to our next School in the Spring of 2012.  If you have any questions or are interested in enrolling in the Seminary, contact Dr. Don Knoblich at: dknoblich@aol.com.

Regional Ladies Retreat

As you learned at State Convention, the Regional Ladies Retreat will be held at the Red Lion at the Quay in Vancouver, WA on November 4-6, 2011.  This is the Retreat that is directed by Sister Cathy Payne, International Women’s Ministries Director.  So, ladies, mark this date on your calendars and get ready for a Fantastic Retreat!

Adult Retreat

This year, as in past years, Adult Retreat will be held at Pacific Beach.  The dates are for February 3-5, 2012.  Our Retreat Theme is: “Designed For God’s Greatness.”  All of us are part of a wonderfully designed plan of God.  We are expecting an awesome time in the Lord!  International World Mission’s Director, Bishop David Bryan and his lovely wife, Sister Rosita will be our special guest speakers at this year’s  Retreat!   They both are so excited  to be with us.  Applications have been sent to the pastors and have been sent out individually.  You can also download an application by going to the State Website at: wacogop.homestead.com

Applications should be sent in no later than November 30^th, 2011.  This is going to be a Great Retreat!!!  Please don’t miss it!!!  We look forward to seeing you there!!!

Events Calendar for 2011

November 4-6             Regional Ladies Retreat (Cathy Payne) - Vancouver, WA

November 11-13         Pastor's Wives Retreat - Cannon Beach, OR

November 30              Final deadline to send in Adult Retreat Applications.

“Driven By The Spirit”

Bishop/Dr. Don Knoblich

Excerpts (State Convention Annual Address)

For November's Lamplighter, I am going to begin a series of messages that come from excerpts from my State Convention Annual Address.  The Theme of the State Convention was "Driven By The Spirit." 

For this month, I will begin with the Introduction: 

Introduction: 

Why this Theme?   “Driven By The Spirit?” This was the Same theme as used in Adult Retreat.  Also, if some of you might remember, the Theme of last year’s General Assembly was, “Pursuing The Spirit.”

I.  Scriptural Texts

Two seemingly simple passages of scripture, yet so powerful! 

“And immediately the Spirit driveth Him into the wilderness.”  (Mark 1:12)

“And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordon, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness.”  (Luke 4:1)

But, What is it that proceeded these Passages? 

1.  Here, we see that Jesus had just been baptized in the River Jordon by John the Baptist.  Remember, the word “Baptism” means a full immersion into.  The Father spoke and said, “This is My Beloved Son, In Whom I am well Pleased.”

2.  Note that Jesus was “Full of the Holy Ghost.”

It therefore appears that there is a direct correlation or connection between being “Baptized”  and being “Full of the Holy Ghost” and being Led (being Driven) by the Spirit.

“Led”   and   “Driveth”

Luke uses the word that Jesus was “Led”  by the Spirit and Mark chooses  “Driveth”, i.e., that Jesus was Driven by the Spirit.

“Led” as used in Luke’s passage (Greek = ago) means to bring, to drive, to lead.  The word “Led” as used by Luke, seems more “passive.”

However, Mark’s usage of the word “Driveth” is much more sharp and direct.  The word here in the Greek literally means, “putteth” or Hurrieth Him forth” or “impelleth Him.”  This word suggests that Jesus was under the mighty contstraining impulse of the Spirit!

By being “driven by the Spirit.”  I don’t want you to have the impression that Jesus was “Forced by the Spirit” against His will.  That He was totally helpless, with no control.  No, Not at All!   IT IS JUST THAT JESUS WAS SO FULL OF THE HOLY GHOST THAT HE WAS TOTALLY MOVED BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD!!!  In other words, He was so imbued, so infused, so immersed, so consumed by the Spirit that He totally was in the Spirit’s Hands!

Like when a garment in dyed, it becomes totally imbued, infused in that color!!!

And dear Brothers and Sisters, that is what God intends for all of us, He wants us to be so Full of the Holy Ghost that:

-When HE talks, we talk

-When HE moves, we move

-When He goes to the right, we go to the right

-When HE goes to the left, we go to the left

-When HE goes straight, we go straight

-When HE goes backwards, we go backwards

You see, We are in total, complete control of our will, yet our will is totally submissive to Him, that is, we are subject to Him in everything, and thus we become the moving, breathing, living body of Christ on Earth!

"The Best Gift Ever" Dessert Concert!

"The Best Gift Ever"

Dessert Concert and Silent Auction

At Kirkland Family Church

When:  Saturday, December 3rd at 6:30pm  (Doors will open at 5:30pm), open seating

Where:  Kirkland Family Church

            10489 NE 52nd St

            Kirkland, Wa 98008

Tickets are on sale now!  Space is limited so purchase your tickets soon.

Adults- $12.00 ea

Children (2-12 years old)- $8.00 ea

Family of 4- $30.00

Children under 2 are free.

As always, there will be yummy desserts and coffee served, along with some great music to kick off your holiday season.

CDs of the music will also be available to purchase at the concert.

This year, we will have a 5 silent auction items to bid on.  You may find the perfect Christmas gift for yourself or someone you love.

Any questions, please visit www.kirklandfamilychurch.com.  

To order tickets, talk to anyone who attends Kirkland Family Church, or email jesscabales@gmail.com