THANK YOU MY LORD   -a word from Gary

1 Thes. 5:16-18 NLT-”Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus”.

        During this time of thanksgiving, gift-giving, and the joyous celebration of the birth of our Savior, there are so many things to be thankful for and rejoice about as we see the year 2007 coming to a close. Pat and I are so grateful to our wonderful Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit who is so alive and active every day of our lives. We sing openly and freely to the King of Kings, “Thank you Lord for Your presence, Your provision and Your unfailing love for us”!

        As we look back over this year, Pat and I have traveled to lots of places beginning with a trip to Pensacola in January to minister at several churches including ministering in Brownsville Assembly of God “Christ Mates” Marriage Conference. We flew home and then drove to Central California for some great meetings in the San Joaquin Valley. Pat and I then flew across the world to the Philippine Islands in March/April where we conducted evangelistic crusades, ministered at a Youth Conference, spoke at a Bible School Commencement and Pastor’s Conferences, and ministered in the churches of Negros, Philippines. The Lord truly is working great things in the lives of the Filipino people.

        My mother had a serious stroke during our mission’s trip but after we returned, I was able to spend several great days with her just before she passed on from this earth to glory! “Momma Huenke” had lots of “true grit” raising eight boys and two girls! Thanks Mom for being a great example for me! Meanwhile, Pat had surgery a week after we returned from the Philippines so I spent the month of May in Alaska ministering while Pat recuperated at our home in Oregon.

         On May 31st our first grandchild, Anna Louise Huenke was born to my son Stephen and his wife Carrie in Atlanta and we were privileged to be there during this wonderful occasion! Thank you Lord for life and life more abundantly! We then traveled to Pensacola for the CFN Family Conference and ministered in several churches in Alabama and Florida. This summer found us ministering in the Carlton tent meetings and attending a Pastor’s Conference at the Albany Vineyard Church. God continues to amaze us and for this we are indeed thankful! We then traveled to Pendleton and then onto churches in Ontario and Baker City, Oregon; Priest River, Meridian, and Weiser, Idaho. Special thanks to dear friends Roger and Rita Slack and Syl and Carolyn Menichetti who “took us off the streets”, loved us and refreshed us greatly!

         In October Pat and I traveled down to California to conduct meetings in established churches while ministering in two new churches. Our Lord has been so faithful to Pat and me; we have ministered in several California churches since 1997! We had good times of ministry here and believe our Lord will do something very special in California very soon. Pat conducted several Ladies Conferences during this time in North Plains and Boise, ID. It’s both faith-building and exciting to hear fresh testimonies of God touching His daughters with power, grace, and healing!

         In November, we ministered at churches in Tacoma, Garibaldi, Independence, and Aberdeen. We are thankful for God’s plan and provisions for our lives as we Preach Truth In Love! As we reflect and enjoy this wonderful Christmas Season, Pat and I want to say, “thank you” for your love and prayers as well as your continued financial support of Closer To Him. May the Lord bless you with wisdom and understanding, health and strength as you continue to draw CLOSER TO HIM!!

FIVE SMOOTHS STONES   -a word from Gary

1 Sam 17:40-Then he (David) took his staff in his hand; and he chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag, in a pouch which he had, and his sling was in his hand. And he drew near to the Philistine.

         We all remember the wonderful and inspiring story about David and Goliath; how the 9’ 9” giant was felled and killed with one stone from young David’s slingshot. Why did David pick up five stones when all he needed was one? Why were they smooth? Let’s look at this amazing story and see why each of us need these five stones for ourselves. We all face giants in our lives; it could be the giant of doubt and uncertainty, the giant of sickness, or perhaps the giant of financial pressure that threatens to overtake you on every turn. The weapons we use here are not carnal, but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds. (2 Corn 10:4-5). The Word of God, the Blood of Jesus, and the Name of Jesus are the three greatest weapons that God has given us to keep on the offensive.

         David chose five smooth stones because he didn’t know how long the battle would last or what would be the outcome if he missed the first time! These five stones were chosen from the brook whose rushing waters made them smooth over time; taking off their rough edges so they could be useful. The Lord God wants us to be like a smooth stone thus He places people in our lives that are different from us; to soften and smooth our rough edges! Like it or not – this is one of God’s most popular methods of refinement!

         The first stone represents PAST SUCCESSES. David said to Saul, “The Lord, who has delivered me from the paw of the lion, and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine” (1Sam 17:37). David remembered God’s great victories that he experienced so that this giant, Goliath, “the uncircumcised Philistine” was not an insurmountable challenge; not too difficult for David’s God! As we remember and reflect upon what the Lord has done in our lives, it will empower us and energize us to know that our Redeemer is completely sovereign; He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow! I shall remember the deeds of the Lord…... (Ps 77:11 NAS). As we remember the wonders that God has so mercifully lavished upon our lives, we can move forward with a holy confidence and an assurance that we will be victorious through His power, His might, and His strength.

“Write your defeats in sand, but carve your victories in stone”!

         The second stone represents the stone of PRAYER. The Bible tells us that David “encouraged himself in the Lord”. He built up his courage by praying and crying out to the Lord God because young David knew that his God heard all his prayers; thus David could take courage that God would deliver him. “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results". (James 5:16 NLT) Sometimes prayer is the last thing we do when facing a giant problem but should be the first!! Philippians 4:6-Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication…… ”supplication” here means more than just asking and petitioning God, but suggests an intensity of earnestness in extended prayers – not to gain merit by many words, but to fully transfer the burden of one’s soul into God’s hands. If we can be hindered by staying off our knees in prayer, we will forfeit true power—the power of persistent prayer. Pray without ceasing! (1 Thes 5:16)

         The third stone represents the stone of PRIORITY. David’s #1 priority when facing Goliath was to stand up for the REPUTATION OF HIS GOD! Goliath was mocking and blaspheming David’s God, attempting to “defy the armies of the living God”, whom David so loved and worshipped. As a result, David’s righteous anger rose up within him to stand up for the living God!! David said, “Is there not a cause”? (1 Kings 17:29) Are you living for your own cause or the cause of Christ? God is quite capable of defending Himself but HE is asking us to: STAND UP FOR HIM by being a strong witness in the marketplace, enhancing His reputation, seeking God’s will and His Kingdom for our lives.

         The fourth stone represents the stone of PASSION. It seems that everything David did, he did it wholeheartedly; with passion. He prayed and worshipped with passion, he loved and danced with passion, he fought against his enemies with passion, and he also repented with passion; with all his heart, a broken and contrite heart were the result. Col 3:23-And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men….. Some Christians today are working in the Kingdom with impure motives. Ask Holy Spirit to give you a motive check (MC) so that you will have courage, strength, and wisdom to do all things “for His Glory”!

         The fifth stone represents the stone of PERSERVANCE. David didn’t know how long his battle with his giant would last and neither do we. Preparation and waiting on the Lord are important elements of perseverance. The Lord will give us pop-quizzes, allow us to endure difficult trials and tribulations, and even add extra delays in order to build our character, test our stamina and endurance so we can know the battle truly belongs to the Lord and that He will bring down our giant. In David’s situation, the armies of Israel were taunted by the giant for forty days, morning and evening, and even his own brothers said David was full of pride and insolence Heb 10:36 exhorts us, “We have need of endurance” which means “to remain under”. Endurance describes the capacity to bear up under difficult circumstances, not with passive complacency, but with a hopeful fortitude that actively resists weariness and defeat. God is building your life and character so you will become a strong finisher.

         Ask the Living God to show you the deeper meaning of these five stones for your life. I pray that as you do, the Lord will speak to you and say, “You may be facing a giant in your life, but put your faith, your trust, and your confidence in the One who loves you and gave His life for you. I am God and there is no other. I am God and there is none like Me. There is nothing too hard for Me”!