Our family is excited to announce that on Wednesday, January 26th, the program featuring our testimony, entitled “Finding Forgiveness for My Abortion” will air on Focus on the Family’s radio broadcast.

Flexibility. Dependability. Sacrifice. Peace. Flexibility allows us to enjoy the fullness of our time, energy, space, and possessions being completely surrendered to God for His purposes.

While serving in the ATI Department, I’ve truly seen the rich quality of flexibility displayed by my officemates over and over again. Although we have a larger department than many others, valuable people are constantly being cross-trained in other areas, enabling them to use the talents that God has given them. Also, there are times for trips, conferences, seminars- things that are well worth the time being away. What this requires, however, is flexibility.

One time in particular I’m thinking of is such a clear reflection of this attribute. It happened very recently- a few days ago, actually. (As I write this, I am at home with my family, spending some time away before the rush of the busy conference season. Ironic, right?) Working in the office that day, my head simply swarmed with things to do, people to call, emails to write, etc. At the beginning of the day, it all seemed pretty feasible. The morning went well, and I was anticipating a good afternoon. Little did I know, the afternoon was going to bring much turmoil and stress for me.

The task list of things to do was not getting much shorter. All week, my roommate had been preparing for a gathering of girls to come over that night to celebrate the beginning of Spring. My ride home had just called to let me know that we would be leaving in a few hours. I was not packed. The floor needed to be vacuumed, I felt- at least people couldn’t see what needed to be done on the computer screen! I was swimming in my thoughts. Where would it end? Would I even be ready to leave? Could I entertain guests while trying to pack a suitcase?? Beyond that, was I ready to face the trial waiting for me at home?

Alas. The first demonstration of flexibility. In the midst of my tizzy, a dear friend told me that she would take care of things so I could take a short walk. Not my usual habit in middle of a work day, I did take a few moments to tell the Lord just what I was feeling. And to know that the office was taken care of while I was doing it was a good relief.

However, as not a whole lot changed between that time and the end of the day, I wasn’t sure exactly what to do. There would not be many people in the office next week. I would be gone, my boss would be gone… Just then, I heard a voice say, ‘What can I do? What do you need me to do next week while you’re gone?’

Not quite sure why I was doing it or how I could stand for it, I dumped a huge load, piece by piece on another’s desk, who willingly took it on. I saw her eager eyes wait for more: here, a person to call; there, a fax to send. There would be more than that too- a huge ATI mailing that needed to get out soon. Those holding down the fort would be taking this project.

I was able to share my burden with sisters in Christ who so readily demonstrated the quality of Flexibility. I was so blessed. The Lord really used that experience to teach me to trust Him, and He used the character in other people’s lives to show me a glimpse of His sovereignty. For this I am grateful.

 
Roger Magnuson presents a dynamic message on the value of Biblical commitments and how they fit into the concept of “total surrender.” Sharing the “serendipities” of Isaac’s life and explaining the meanings behind the names of Abraham, Sarah, and Rebekah, he illustrates the victory that comes to those who totally surrender to God. This DVD message was given at a 2005 ATI Training Conference.

 
Paul and Jenny Speed testify of the power behind the promise that if we confess our sins to one another, the Lord will be faithful and just to heal. With sincerity and humility, the Speeds share how the Lord set their whole family free as Paul confessed his secret failures to his wife and how together they walked through the door of forgiveness and into freedom from spiritual “tormentors” that had gained ground in their home. This message was given at a 2005 ATI Training Conference. By Paul and Jenny Speed CD; 58 minutes

 
Today, believers are living with an obvious absence of God’s power. The world measures power in practical terms. Do we have the power to control our temper or our appetites? Do we have the power to keep our marriages together and to train up sons and daughters who are dynamic and grateful? Tragically, the answer to these questions is a resounding “no!” Believers are having just as many problems as the world in many of these areas. Yet, we claim to serve a powerful God. This book reveals the 49 “secrets” of power that come from applying each of the commands of Christ. Success in life and power for living occur as we are conformed more and more to the image of Christ. Success is not the absence of problems but rather the power to overcome these obstacles, because “greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (I John 4:4). Discover and experience the power of Christ’s commands to demonstrate to a watching world the mighty love and power of God! IBLP Paperback; 116 pages

For more information, or to order, please visit The IBLP Store

Libby Zellon, who works in the ATI Department at Headquarters, went to the WIT Conference as an Assistant to Paul and Jenny Speed.  The following is her testimony of the conference.

Have you ever experienced the presence of a Holy God? Have you ever realized that you were on sacred ground? Have you ever looked into the eyes of a hopeless person searching for love? As I was able to watch and examine the people surrounding me I was in awe. To see the people lost in darkness and death is something I can’t really describe. However, when I saw them embrace the light and freedom that comes along with it, it causes my mind to explode with thanksgiving. Our God is so good to rescue those lost in themselves.

What happened at the WIT conference is beyond description. God is amazing. He doesn’t need to prove it to me, but when He does it usually blows my mind. That is exactly what He did this past weekend. He allowed me to be a part of a movement of Him that was powerful-the movement of the WIT conference.

The WIT conference is not your typical marriage conference. It deals with the things that you normally don’t want to deal with. They are things that people would rather shove under the rug and forget about them. However, when people try to ignore this ugly beast of sin it usually ends up destroying families. The beast rises in many different ways and quickly shackles its victims. When these couples come they are bound and chained by their sin. They are trying to blame the other person for putting them in their bonds but miss the fact that they are they ones who allowed the chains to be placed on them. I watched couple after couple enter the auditorium that were oppressed and tormented. Couples entered the room apart from each other as if this invisible wall was standing firm between them.

Before the conference began we met in a room for a meeting that lasted about 3 ½ hours long. In the meeting all the table leaders met and shared amongst each other. They shared their hurts, fears, pain, tears, and allowed their masks to be torn off. They declared in that room that they would be wiling to go back to their past for the sake of freedom for others that would be attending. One proclaimed, “I will NOT stop! I will declare to the spiritual realm victory and freedom!”

Session after session Paul and Jenny Speed repeatedly opened up their ugly past to these couples, reliving the memories and visited each story with a yearning for those listening to find freedom. The power of the openness and brokenness was beyond human power. People often question the reality of ‘supernatural’ power at events such as this. What happened as they spoke was indeed supernatural. It’s almost like you could see freedom coming out of their speech and reaching into the lives of the people around them.

I will admit it was a hard thing to sit back and watch it happen. I wanted to go around and inject truth into these people’s lives. It was like looking at a person that was dying and wanting to just shoot them up with life. But we couldn’t do it; we couldn’t force it upon them. The people there had to choose life for themselves. There was one time I won’t forget for a long time. My parents attended and so I met them in the hallway as they were talking to another couple. This couple was entangled in darkness that they were totally unaware. I had the opportunity to speak to the man and drench him with perspective, life and love. Watching him react to all of those things was heart wrenching. The man broke and tears streamed down his face. It was a beautiful thing to see how Jesus love can be used in people to reach people. To be used by Him was so humbling; it caused me to weep for this man and wife that were struggling in the chains that were tearing them apart.

Please allow me to paint a picture of what freedom looked like at this conference. Imagine this man-once full of strength and honor is now sitting in a dark room looking haggard and shrouded in black. What once used to be a man that people looked to for guidance now was under the control of something more powerful. This power pulsed through his being, changing his appearance and glazing over his eyes. He was so manipulated by the power that he couldn’t even recognize that the people he had loved were now in pain and agony because he had given in to this power. The power is that of sin. It completely changed him inside and out to the point that it looks like he will never return to how he used to be. Suddenly another man in white steps in to the room. He starts speaking truth and life to this man. He commands the possessed man to look him in the eyes. The glazed eyes fight not to look, the strain is evident throughout his entire being. Finally they make contact-the Man that is full of light starts proclaiming that the man can be free. Suddenly, as the man accepts it, the darkness is bound and caste out of the room. Life rushes into his body and floods his soul. His eyes are lit with fire as he rises from the place he has been sitting in. He finally goes to his family and embraces them and is able to rise up again in the position of honor.

There are so many vivid images that will remain with me for a while. They are those of couples finally understanding pure love as they come together in communion, husbands drawing their wives close, and wives becoming beautiful from the freedom they have found. He made beautiful the ashes that were once there.