Lambs’ Conference July 9, 2009 Afternoon

The Power of New Covenant Hope by Fr. John Paul/ Intercessor of the Lamb 

Fr. John Paul began with a quote from Romans 5:5, “Hope does not disappoint…,” because Jesus is hope. He doesn’t disappoint. With Jesus and Mary the promise and fulfillment are one and the same. At the end of Luke’s gospel it says wait on the fulfillment. We have a Trinity faithful to her promises.”

“There’s a great need today for hope. Discouragement and despair are tactics of the enemy. To be discouraged is to lose heart, to take away their heart, their hope. As intercessors we need to be filled with hope. We need his anointing to fill us. We get in the gap for others that need hope. Jesus is hope; Mary is hope.”

            “Today God wants to advance the artillery of the Immaculata. Intercession is a ministry of hope—it gives life. Mary is the holy ark of the new covenant. Intercessor is about bridging the gap so others can make the Passover. People need to experience and believe in the love God has for them. We need to believe for others because they don’t have it. Intercessors are touching God’s heart…the middle hoping God’s grace will touch. Praying others will be open to receive the grace. The ministry is bringing others into oneness in the covenant.”

TO BE CONTINUED…

Lambs’ Conference Thursday July 9, 2009 Morning

The Power of the New Covenant Faith by Fr. John Mark/Intercessor of the Lamb           

Fr. John Mark began by referring to Heb. 11:32-38 where the fathers of the Old Testament were recognized for their powerful faith. Abraham, Noah, Isaac—their lives all reflected tremendous faith.

            “Faith is a gift. Don’t underestimate the power of faith, the faith of others and our own move us to where we are. The faith of the Old Testament fathers has brought us where we are today. Faith is the authority of God. Only God is faithful. If I am faithful it’s because God in me is faithful. He is trustworthy. This is why we can have faith because he is faithful…truthful. God has empowered us to believe. To lean on him is only by the grace of God.”

            “I have come not to bring peace, but the sword”—Jesus. Fr. John Mark then brought out two swords; one was flimsy and the other a long strong sword.

            “Through the gift of faith of Our lady, she chose to believe she was blessed with the Word of God in her body—the sword of the God. Jesus has come into the world to do damage with the sword. Fr. Said he saw an image of God’s anger and he asked what it was and God said, “ I’m angry. I’, tired of the …evil.” God hates it. He wants to empower us with the gift of faith that brings love. Jesus did not come to bring peace, but the sword. Through faith we are empowered to overcome suffering, the spirit of the world, to conquer the enemy…the darkness within us and the spirit of the world, the flesh that contradicts him and his love—Satan and his cohorts.”

      “Through childlike faith we enter into the kingdom of the Father. Through faith we penetrate into the heart of the Father. As we enter his heart we come in union with him and Jesus faithfulness within takes over.”

            “What does it mean to believe? What does it mean to say it or pray it?” Isaiah says, “My people honor me with their lips, but not with their hearts.” Tp believe is to respond to God’s invitation to follow him—wherever he goes. He leads us to the cross—to new life. Satan will tempt us not to follow him because of the suffering, because he knows we’re empowered when we follow him. Satan wants us to be strong because real power is when we’re submitted. We can’t follow based on emotion.”

            “To be faithful is more than following him—it is becoming the Lamb. Through the gift of faith we free God’s hands. Out of fear and unbelief we stifle him and hold him back. We stifle the tremendous gift in us and the entire church. Faith is the power—God’s power—because it allows the word to take root within us. It enables ius to give our fiat.”

            St. Augustine said, “Faith leads to understanding.” Through faith there are birthings to: receive power to generate; become children of God willing and able to be led to places unknown to us; have deliverance and Passovers; remove obstacles ex. Red Sea; and to receive healings, resurrections. It is impossible to please God without faith. Where is this power of faith today? Why is it not happening?”

            “There is a lack of faith–a lack of relationship with God. You can be a religious person and never know him. This won’t transform us. We have to begin with ourselves–with my own relationship with God. Where do I need healing? Where do I still hinder the Holy Spirit? The gifts were received we need to use them so they can be more manifest.”

            “The early church needed Christ. They were willing to be led within authority of the church. Faith comes through listening, hearing, and being prayerful and contemplative. We need to know he is faithful and trustworthy. We are being tested to let us see where we stand in relationship with him. We need to lean on him more, not others. Our stretchings increase our flexibility. Our hearts are being stretched for others. The gift of faith is not our own, but for others.”

            “If one of you suffers, I suffer. If one of you hurts, I hurt. We are one body.” 2 Cor. 13 says, “Brothers and sisters, examine yourselves, test yourselves. Do you not realize Christ is within you? Are you walking by sight or faith or fear?

            “Hold faith as a shield…We are among those who have faith and possess life. We are warriors and empowered with the gift of faith. We take possession of that promised to us—the gift of life.

Lambs’ Conference Wed. July 8, 2009

Wed. July 8, 2009 The Power of New Covenant Life by Mother Nadine Brown

“Conceived by the Spirit”; “He has remembered His promise”

             Mother Nadine began by reminding us that “six covenant promises were broken in the Old Testament. One was just spoken about. We’re living in the new covenant now and it began with Mary at the Annunciation. Mary knew the whole of history which she revealed in her Magnificat. She knew the promise.”

             “In Genesis, God rested. This is the seventh covenant, God is now resting within us. He is here. In response of Mary’s, “Be it done unto me…” the new covenant began. The Holy Spirit is Lord and giver of life. He always brings life. In the upper room in the New Testament, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life.”

       Mother Nadine explained her story of Baptism of the Holy Spirit. She was impressed by laity who came to her convent and she saw radiant faces and asked permission for the Sisters to experience “their life”–the baptism of the Holy Spirit.”

        The Father (God) said to Mother Nadine, “I give you my word.” This is what happens when God gives us Jesus—the promise of eternal life.” So this is how “Life in the Spirit” began in the convent. This life is always new. “See I am doing a new thing.” This happens in the Trinitarian life.”

            “Letting the Word develop within us is a process for all of us—even with Jesus. Jesus grows in the womb of our heart. Mary, Lady Wisdom, Spotless Mirror and the Power of God—we want to grow in her heart so we can reflect his goodness and beauty.”

            “God is a hidden God. There’s power in the hiddenness. “Take the child and hurry into the desert.” We have to keep fleeing into the desert within or the other kingdom (Satan’s) will come to steal. The Father’s kingdom comes when the Father’s will is done.

          In silence and solitude we protect the divine light. If we want this light and want it to grow—LISTEN—Listen that you may have life. We need a place to be alone to listen.”

            God’s word is always conceived by the Holy Spirit. How often do we have preconceived ideas, thoughts? St. Paul said our thoughts and actions need to be conceived by the Holy Spirit. God said, “My thoughts are not your thoughts and my ways are not your ways.” We need to check it out. That’s called humility. Be a child.”

            “The Holy Spirit is the finger of God. So we need to hang on to the Father’s finger. Do we know the Holy Spirit? Do we know his presence? Do we listen to him?

      John 16 says, “He will speak only what he hears and will announce things to come. The Holy Spirit listens to God so when we hear the Holy Spirit it has come from the Father.”

            “Each day we need to spend time alone where there is solitude. Begin this type of prayer with listening, not talking. Enjoy his presence. Let God lead. Jesus was clear when he said, “Follow me.” Who’s leading who? The Holy Spirit is our director. It’s a beautiful dance. He leads, we follow. In the silence we become aware of his presence and become aware of his seven gifts. Each day we need different gifts. For example, counsel, direction, or it might be, I can see, but how can that be—like Mary?”

            “We’re children of light. God wants us to be in light, receive light so we won’t stumble and fall. A beautiful relationship forms and you’ll find a light through the day in action. He promised to be with us always. In this day to day listening we become more aware of his presence. This gift of awareness is key. If you’re not aware of the gift, ask for it in his name. We can ask because we’re in relationship.”

            “God is calling us into life in the Spirit to give us full immersion in the Holy Trinity. God wants his church to be a house of prayer filled with the Holy Trinity. “No one comes to me unless the Father draws him.”

            “When we enter into a deeper relationship with God, Jesus and Mary, we pick up their emotions, their anger about issues…We react differently when we tap into their emotions. Mother shared story of air conditioners going out at Bellwether (their home).

          Ask the Lord why the circumstance has occurred. For example, no air, hot house prompted Mother Nadine to pray for sinners on the road to perdition (hell, heat…). Allow the Holy Spirit to speak the word from within and that is effective.”

       “In Jesus, we’re the firstborn. Mother Nadine shared a story about a birthday cake with one candle. The Lord told her she was firstborn. Hebrews 8:12 says, “All shall know me…I will forgive their evildoing and sins…” To be reborn in the Spirit we get the gift of life—Jesus within us. What is eternal life? It is to know the Father and one he sent.

Intercessors’ Conference Tuesday afternoon

Tues. afternoon talk by Fr. John Mark/Intercessor  The Power of New Covenant Glory

             Fr. began by quoting Psalm 8, “O Lord, our Lord, how awesome is your name in all the earth…” He said, “This is the prayer of someone who just experienced the presence, glory and majesty of God through creation. Through this experience his eyes are opened and through grace he proclaimed it from his heart.”

            “When we receive God’s light and glory it enables us to see—like God’s eyes. We’re filled with new life, joy and freedom. St. Iraneus said, “The glory of God is man fully alive.” God wants us to share in his glory and majesty. He wants us to be his glorious bride—a light to the nations–his intention from the beginning.”

            “God’s glory is radiant and attractive. God wants us to share in this. God wants us to receive the light of his glory.”

            “With Mary’s fiat, God’s glory took flesh within her. She’s the prototype. What God has done for Mary is what he wants to do in the church…to continue to bring forth Jesus in the dark world.”

            “Mary went in haste to the hill country. Elizabeth said, “Who am I that the mother of the Lord should come after me?” When we recognize God’s presence, there’s an awakening. It awakens our littleness, our lowliness. In the visitation, Mary in recognizing his presence, recites the Magnificat. She’s humbled in the presence of God’s majesty. God used Mary because of her humility and lowliness.”

            “St. Paul said, “We have all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.” Through sin we have been deprived of the glory of God. Satan doesn’t want us to receive the light and glory of God.” With clarity comes glory and we are awakened with joy. Satan knows this happens. He knows how God is glorified and he wants to lure us into a life of sin.”

            “God is glorified when we are totally surrendered—like Jesus on the cross. Power is made perfect through weakness. God wants to bring forth a glorified church. He needs our yes, our littleness, childlikeness, and surrender. It’s so difficult for us to go unnoticed. There’s a part of us that doesn’t want to die. Satan tempts us to be strong.”

            “Next to Jesus we see it most exemplified through Mary. No wonder Satan hates her because of her weakness and the glory manifested through her. He needs our fiat, our surrender. Without vision we will perish.”

       “So what must we do to restore this glory within us and the church? First, repent of sin, pride, disobedience…to Christ and his church. Ask, where’s my disobedience? Where am I unwilling to die to self? Second, become a church of deep contemplative prayer and be able to gaze on the glory of God with unveiled faces. God wants to use us to draw others to himself. We are a light. We protect our light through prayer.”

       Pray for God to bring forth his glorified church. Pray for him to use us to dispel darkness in the world. Pray for him to glorify us and give us a love for the cross, for holiness. Pray that he will give us his love.”

Meditation Reflections & Questions:

Holy Spirit, show me the areas of darkness in my life.

Where do I see the two kingdoms operating in the world?

Where do I see the two kingdoms at work within myself?”

What keeps me from walking totally in the light?

What keeps me from being childlike?

Lambs’ Conference/Tuesday July 7, 2009

Talk 2    by  Fr. Francis/Intercessor  The Power of New Covenant Fire

“Gift of the Holy Spirit”; “My soul magnifies the Lord”

             Fr. Francis began by explaining that although we are either male and female we both have masculine and feminine aspects within us. It is the feminine within us that needs to be broken, open and receptive. He used the example of a shotgun and how it needs shells. “It must receive shells into the gun and then there’s power, “ he said.

            Fr. then talked about the Shadrach, Misach, and Abendigo [will correct spelling when I return home] and their response to the King when he asked them to dance to his god. They said they wouldn’t try to defend themselves or worhip and bow down to his god. The point is “they trusted God even in the midst of the fiery furnace.” Even is God won’t save, we still won’t bow down because we love God too much. Only after they got in the fire they danced. God was with them in the fire. We run from the fire and God is with us in the fire.”

            “God’s Amen is Pentecost. We have Pentecost so the raging fire can pour through us. Pentecost fulfills God’s Amen. God gives us his spirit so we can be blazing fire on earth. He breaks his heart so we can experience his love, faithfulness…” Pentecost is the beginning of fulfillment of God’s promises. Do I allow the Holy Spirit to be God’s fiery furnace? Fire comes from the heart of God—new covenant power. It comes to transform me on the inside. Then I can look at any false thing—idol—I worship and it can be burned away. That takes courage and a brave heart. Jesus is looking for warriors. God needs warriors.”

            “Jesus did not say, “Go and like one another.” No, he said, “Go and love … The only way I can love is to receive his fire first. There’s no true peace until embracing the fullness of the Gospel—embracing the fire. We need to be like fireworks. It’s not about me, but about God’s life within me, and give him permission to work in me each day so we can be a firework.”

            “What are we doing to invite the Holy Spirit—the fire to come into our own heart, church, parish, diocese and even world? Do I love the body as Jesus does? What are we doing. I will stand before God one day and he will ask what have you done with my fire? People need to experience him. If I’m doing nothing then I’m part of the problem. We don’t need more dead Catholics in the church. You better know why you do what you do with your life. Satan will come and discourage and knock us down. We better know what we do with the fire—new covenant fire.”

            “Mary’s heart and Mary’s womb is a holy furnace. In that furnace we get saturated and the false things within burn away so Jesus’ heart and goals can come forth so that Jesus can manifest within me. “My soul magnifies the Lord…” What is my life magnifying? How do you want to help me, Lord, so that others can see you?”

            “Shadrach, Meshach and Abendigo are standing before us today. There’s a barbeque and guess who’s going on the grill? YOU! In the furnace of God’s will and heart. It’s not about how good I am, but how good He is. Allow yourself to be accepted by God. He calls us into a greater embrace.”

            “Lord, we invite you into the areas of our heart that need to be in the furnace of your love. We invite the fire pouring forth from the new covenant, Burn within us, our hearts, minds, bodies…Thank you, Lord!”

Intercessors of the Lamb International Conference

July 6, 2009 Monday  1^st Talk The Power of the New Covenant; “consecrated by the Spirit,” “be it done unto me according to your Word,” by Mother Nadine Brown, foundress of Intercessors of the Lamb. 

     Mother shared that she looked up the definition of the word “covenant” in the dictionary and the definition said, “a binding agreement between two parties.” She continued, “In the Old Testament, God made seven covenants in Genesis. God said, “Let there be…,

but those weren’t binding covenants. So he came in person—the Word that “said” came in person. Another party needed to be in agreement to be a covenant. What is new now is that humanity and divinity are together.”

            “In the consecration at Mass—the cup is blood of the new covenant—shed for the remission of sin.” The word that was emphasized to her was sacrifice. Mother Nadine then shared an image of light she saw over the altar. “It came closer and there was a rainbow. It was our Lady.” She reminded us that rainbows need water and light—the Holy Spirit is water and Mary is light. And Mary said to Mother Nadine, “Remember it’s my blood.” She explained, “there’s no blood until he became one of us—human blood. It takes two to enter into a binding agreement—covenant. God is the power, but he needed Mary’s consent.”

            The testimony of the Spirit says, “came in water and blood”—divinity and humanity. The power for this to happen was the Mary’s fiat when she said, “Be it done…”As the wine is consecrated into blood so too are we.”

            St. Peter said said, “we are consecrated to the spirit by a life of obedience.” This is to help take away the remission of sins—the sins of the world. In Hebrews in Holy Scripture it says, “A body you have prepared for me.” This means we are called to sacrifice. “I came to do your will.” In Revelation, Satan was defeated by the blood of the Lamb to take away the sin by word of their testimony.”

            So we can say, “Behold the Lamb of God in each of us or can we? We are helping to take away the sin of the world. Isiah 42 says, “I formed you and set you as a covenant…to bring light…, healing…set prisoners free…” God doesn’t deviate from his plan because it works.”

      The power of consecration is in our yes. It has that kind of power to bring Jesus into us, others, and the world. It’s phenomenal. The world needs Jesus to descend into us.  Mother encouraged us whenever we are praying for others just pray, “Let it be done according to your will…””

            In Genesis when  God was speaking to Satan he said, “I have put enmity between you and your offspring.” Mother Nadine understood in a deeper sense that woman meant that of the aspect of femininity—the feminine part of ourselves whether male or female since we all have both aspects—the surrendering part. And it is in our femininity that power comes to bring God. “Yes” brings Jesus—this is our power.”

            In Revelation 19, the word says, “with power and rider with a red cloak dipped in blood and power”—the name was “Word of God.” He comes to take up residency in us. “Do whatever he tells you!” We are consecrated to obedience to intimacy, to union with God.” There is tremendous intimacy in every yes.

            Satan can’t stand intimacy. He’s envious of intimacy. He wants us to be intimate with him. God wants relationship. Contemplative spirituality is essential for this relationship. ”Blessed are they who hear the word of God…,” daily listening to God’s word. His words are spirit and life. Everyday we can learn what he wants or doesn’t want. In this relationship we fall more and more in love with him.”

            St. John, the contemplative said, “little children…” It is the final hours. The final confrontation has begun. The weak, gentle loving Lamb of God comes in this power by his simple “Yes”. This lamb is always upon the altar of sacrifice—upon the altar of our hearts. We are a priestly people and by virtue of our baptism we are called to offer spiritual sacrifices.”

            In conclusion, Mother Nadine said, “This is the power of the new covenant blood—be consecrated by the spirit to a life of obedience. “Now you do this in memory of me.” This means you sacrifice; you say “Yes” and lay down your life. In laying them down we then have the power to take them up again in him. We will always have the power to lay down our life and take it up again. Every consecration removes the lies of Satan. By our consecration, we defeat Satan by the blood and the word of our testimony. 

Reflective Questions: 

• What do I struggle with that keeps me from giving my unconditional “Yes” to the Father?
• How do I allow Jesus to take away sin within me?
• How do I know God’s will for me everyday?

Intercessors of the Lamb 2009 International Conference

Greetings to our CCRS viewers. Grace and peace be with you!

Four of us journeyed to Omaha on Sunday for the

Lambs’ Conference. The theme this year is “New Covenant Power.”

Mother Nadine began with a gracious welcome and a few opening

and encouraging remarks about “Let your cups runneth over” and “Drink deeply.” In other words, she was encouraging us to open up so much and receive during the week-long conference that our cups will be running over. [That goes for all of us anywhere we are because God is everywhere and always waiting for us to draw closer so he can bless us and love us more.]To drink deeply is to spend time with the Lord in stillness and silence and ponder all the good things he has done for us–to listen–to the teachings, the Word, to ruminate over all those things to the point where it expands our faith and our hearts,

The conference began with prayer and praise and Mass. Fr. John Paul Joyce was the celebrant and this is a summary of his homily.

Fr. John Paul referred to today’s Gospel reading about “Ye of little

faith.” He said, “A prophet is not without honor in his own house,

But Jesus has another Gospel. In the story of the Roman centurion, he says, “I am not worthy, but only say the word and I shall be healed.”

Jesus was amazed with his faith. Fr. challenged us to “…amaze Jesus–to surprise him with our faith.” [My spirit was quickened by that challenge.] Fr. referred to Mark’s gospel, chapter 5 that is full of miracle stories. He asked us, “Where did Jesus go after that–after all those miracles were performed?” And he answered, “Jesus then goes into his native place.” He explained that his native place, “his primordial place was the pristine garden of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.” This was a place of total unconditional love and total acceptance.”

Fr. then admonished, “Faith in God is weak. We need greater faith–we need relationship–so that God can be freed up to do miracles.

Hosea 2:16 says, “I will allure her into the desert and there I will speak to her heart.” Fr. continued, “God wants to be amazed by his bride this week as we cry out for relationship. If we have weak faith, he explained, it’s like we’re saying his death doesn’t make a difference. God wants to fill us with new covenant power.”

Continuing, Fr. said, “A prophet is only welcomed by a prophetic people.” By virtue of our baptism, he reminded us, we have a prophetic, priestly and kingly identity. Prophetic means hunger and thirst for relationship with God Himself–hunger for his words–in the interior garden of Mary’s Immaculate Heart.”

“Jesus needs to be mainfest. We need to manifest Jesus. We need to see Jesus in one another. St. Paul said, “I am content in my weakness…”

which means he was satisfied to be dependent on God. We need to draw strength from his mighty power, not ours! We need the Holy Spirit and Mary to form Jesus in us. We need to go back to our native place–Mary’s interior garden–in intimacy with God. We are called to wedded oneness–core communion deep within.

These are urgent times. Fr. stressed. God looks at his mystical body now and says, “I want you to have power–new covenant power

This is the time for new covenant power.

Pray that God will quicken within you all that he wants for you. God is saying, “I want to be amazed at you.”

COME JOIN US IN EUCHARISTIC ADORATION FOR AN HOUR OF PRAYER

We invite you to join us on the first Friday of every month for Eucharistic adoration and prayers of reparation at 9 pm at Sts. Peter & Paul Church located at 1436 North 67th East Avenue (near Pine & Sheridan).

Jesus said to his disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane, “Could you not keep watch with me for one hour?” He asks us the same question. It is important to offer prayers of reparation for the outrages, sacrileges, offenses, and all other evil acts committed against His Sacred Heart. We are called to intercede for the church and the salvation of all souls.

Won’t you come and spend an hour with us at 9 pm on the first Friday of every month? Much fruit will be borne in your life from this great sacrifice.

Deep Inner Healing

God is doing a deep and thorough healing in his people so we will be able to “stand firm” no matter what we face in the future. It is amazing how many layers need to be peeled to receive a complete healing of wounds that we have inflicted on ourselves through our own sinfulness or received through others’ sinfulness. Truth needs to penetrate our sub-conscious. Invite the Lord into these areas that need reconciliation. The fire of his love will burn out all the darkness of sin and cleanse us. After enduring purification, we will receive hearts of love–his heart–a heart of gold. This is all part of “treading the winepress”, of being crushed like grapes that others may have life and have it abundantly. So as we cooperate with this process of becoming whole we are actually like evangelists helping save souls as we offer our lives and all that we are for God’s purposes–for His divine will. His purpose is for all to be made whole–to be holy, to be santified by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Intercessors of the Lamb Annual International Conference

July 5th-10th, 2009

Opens with Mass, Sunday Evening, July 5th at 7:00 p.m.

and concludes with Mass, Friday Night, July 10th at 7:00 p.m.

To be held in Quest Center in Omaha, Nebraska

Adoration Chapel and bookstore will be located on site.

For registration questions, please call: Intercessors of the Lamb at (402) 455-5262

between the hours of 12:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m. CST

Registration Deadline: May 30, 2009