That's great, Mark!  In these days, we especially need to hear
the uncompromising truth.
Dave
Inclusion is generous, but exclusion is selfish.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Pastor Mark Peveto" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, June 13, 2006 12:24 AM
Subject: the presence of the power!


Hi all,
I'm normally a rather quiet list member, but I got a phone call from a 
friend tonight, and it brought out some things that I wonder if anyone else 
is experiencing.
I've been saved for nearly 20 years.  I remember as a new convert that if 
God led me to do or say something, that there was never any question...I 
just went and did or said it.  Now, nearly 20 years later, I'm not quite as 
bold any more.  I know God has called me in to ministry, but I seem to get 
so far then hit a major stand still.  I believe that I know why.  I have 
allowed the very power that God placed in me as a new convert to flow out of 
my life for one reason or another.  I conformed to what people in the church 
said I should be...I was too fired up, too bold.  I conformed to man and not 
to God.  I had to spend some time tonight asking God to forgive me for such 
error.  I know that He has been slowly building me back up to that person I 
once was, but that He couldn't do that in it's fullness because, until 
tonight, I didn't know it was gone.  It's a pretty painful spot when you 
realize that you've lost something god never intended you to lose.  If any 
of you are there, the return of that power is as close as two words.  "Lord, 
forgive me"
May the joy and boldness of the new convert refill all our lives, in the 
name of Jesus!
God bless.
Mark