Carrying His Presence

The River Ministries
I still remember my first encounter with God’s tangible Presence resting upon someone.  A smiling elderly couple took the empty seats in front of us at a Bible camp meeting.  Heaven entered the room with them.  I whispered to my husband, “Did you feel that?”  Eyes wide, he nodded solemnly.  My prayer became, [...]

Three Crosses

The River Ministries
Recently I was thanking the Lord for His cross and suffering, and my eyes fell upon a plaque of three crosses hanging on my wall. I asked myself which one of these crosses best represents my life. 
In the crucifixion story, two of the crosses held thieves, symbolizing two types of people.  The thief [...]

Dwelling in His Presence

The River Ministries
The River Ministries has been engaged in “Sixty Days of Abandoned Worship.”  We have our doors open nightly from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. for worship and prayer, through October 11.  Our family has been there nearly every night, and it has been wonderful to be with the Lord in that setting. 
For our family [...]

2009 Wisconsin Prayer Rally

On September 25, 2009, a statewide prayer rally took place in Madison, Wisconsin.  For a first-time event of this nature, the attendance of 250 to 300 people was very encouraging.  At least half the people who came were from outside the Madison area, including some who drove six hours to get there.  Those who drove [...]

Whose House?

The River Ministries
The Jews had lived in captivity for seventy years before returning to Israel.  According to Ezra 4 and 5, when they returned they began rebuilding God’s temple, but the people occupying their land opposed them. Bringing a lie to the Persian emperor, they managed to stop the rebuilding project.  Discouraged, the Jews gave [...]

A Word for the Church in This New Season

The River Ministries
On August 9, 2009, Pastor Steve Driessen received a prophetic word that we are to enter into sixty days of intense worship, and that as we do, we will break through into a new season.  We feel that this word is not only for The River Ministries, but also for the Church at large.  [...]

Stay Rooted

The River
As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk out your life in him: rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as you have been taught, overflowing with thanksgiving. – Colossians 2:6, 7 
The Apostle Paul warned that “in the last days perilous times will come” (2 Timothy 3:1) and [...]

Those Personal Prophecies

The River Church
Life was tough, a prophet was in town, and I needed to hear from the Lord.  “God, I could really use a word about ____________.  If You could give me some encouragement, a confirmation, something to let me know I’m on the right track, I’d so appreciate it.” 
The prophet called certain people out [...]

Investments

The River Church
Recently we helped some friends move.  Because their new location is just temporary, many of their belongings were put in storage.  They are sort of “camping out”; where they live is not their permanent home. 
The Lord wants believers to be constantly aware that earth is not our final home either.  We are like [...]

Dependence Day

The River Church
Independence Day, with all its traditions — fireworks, cookouts, family get-togethers — is a happy time, as we celebrate the freedoms we enjoy in our nation. 
God celebrates freedom, too.  He wants all people to be free.  2 Corinthians 3:17 assures us, “… Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” But [...]