Welcome to the Abba’s Heart eBeat, the monthly eNews from Abba’s Heart Ministries.   Read on to be informed and inspired about what God is doing.

Note from Sandi

A form of cancer has come in Donny's blood and he will be in the hospital for three weeks and then to UCSF for bone marrow transplant.  Prayers for encouragement while we are waiting on Jesus would be appreciated.... we are tired.

It was an amazing weekend at the beach for the 35 couples that attended Common Ground 08.  They came back talking in acronyms like High C, High D, S.I., and such.  Anyone who wasn’t there can’t make any sense of it.  However, each couple received a prayer that is transforming their marriage, and that we can understand!

Saint Patrick’s Day, Who are we Celebrating?

Patrick's family lived on a small estate near the village of Bannavem Taburniae. (This name cannot be placed on any current map of England or Wales.)

Although his father was a deacon, Patrick was not a believer:

  “I did not, indeed, know the true God.” *

In his teens, Patrick was captured by a gang of Irish pirates and taken as a slave to Ireland. Patrick came to believe that this was a punishment for his lack of faith.

He was put to work for six years herding sheep and pigs on Slemish mountain in County Antrim. While he was a shepherd, Patrick spent much of his time praying.

“I used to stay out in the forests and on the mountain and I would wake up before daylight to pray in the snow, in icy coldness, in rain, and I used to feel neither ill nor any slothfulness, because, as I now see, the Spirit was burning in me at that time.” *

In an escape bid (while he was a captive in Ireland), Patrick stowed away on a boat bound for Britain, and it landed not far from where his parents lived.

Patrick decided to follow his vocation to become a priest, and after a dream he was inspired to return to Ireland.

“I seemed to hear the voice of those who were beside the forest of Foclut which is near the western sea, and they were crying as if with one voice: 'We beg you, holy youth, that you shall come and shall walk again among us.”  *

Patrick spent several years studying before he felt ready to take up the life of a missionary.

Patrick eventually returned to Ireland, as the country's second bishop and brought the message of Christ to many people who had never heard it.

As a missionary Patrick baptized many thousands of people.

It was not an easy task. Patrick tells how his life was at risk, and how he was sometimes imprisoned by the local pagan chiefs. We know that Patrick sometimes made things easier by giving gifts to the chiefs.

Poignantly, Patrick also writes of his longing to leave Ireland.

“How I would have loved to go to my country and my parents, and also to Gaul in order to visit the brethren and to see the face of the saints of my Lord! God knows it! that I much desired it; but I am bound by the Spirit.”  *

But he knew his duty, and remained in Ireland.

Patrick had problems not only with himself, and the local pagans, but suffered from some backbiting by fellow clergy who accused him of seeking to win personal status.

The claim nearly broke his heart, but anyone who reads his confessio will soon realise that Patrick was the last person to think that he deserved any glory for himself.

“I ought unceasingly to give thanks to God who often pardoned my folly and my carelessness, and on more than one occasion spared His great wrath on me, who was chosen to be His helper and who was slow to do as was shown me and as the Spirit suggested.”  *

Source:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/saints/patrick_2.shtml

*Saint Patrick, Confessio, translated from Latin

Memory Verse

John 14:1  Jesus said, "Let not your heart be troubled,; ye believe in God, believe also in me."

Spiritual Body Builders

Your chapters for February have been Hebrews 6-10.  The first Monday in March, start reading Hebrews 11-13 and Psalms 5 and 6.   If you would like to be Spiritual Body Builder, contact our office for a brochure with instructions, or download it by going to www.theRevivalCenter.info and find it in the Wednesday Night Bible Study section.  Recordings of some of the discussions are available in the Audio/Video Media System:  www.abbasheart.com/avms.asp

Online Retreat Registration

You are probably thinking about attending an Abba’s Heart Retreat: Queen Camp, King Camp, or Common Ground Retreat for Couples.  You will find online information about the retreats, links to testimonies and photos from past retreats, and if available, a link to the retreat facility’s website.  There is no need to wait for a brochure!  You may also register online and secure your spot at any time.  God is doing amazing things in people through these retreats!  Visit www.QueenCamp.info, www.KingCamp.info, or www.CommonGroundRetreat.info.  You may also access them through the main page using the links or the left navigation (GET INVOLVED) at www.abbasheart.com.

While it brings great joy to those on waiting lists, failing to register early and make payments in advance can cause last-minute cancellations for retreats.  Don’t let it happen to you!  Call Dora, Monday-Wednesdays, at 559-897-9575, or toll-free 866-851-3466 to make a deposit and set up a payment plan.

Abba's Max, Our Online Store

New Release!  Give God Something to Work With!  Embrace a Willing Attitude  The trademarks of sheep in Phillip Keller's book, "A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23" is expounded upon and related to with unbelievable accuracy to mankind.  1 Chronicles 29:6-19.  Item #0748 is available on CD for $5.00 in our online store, or you may purchase it at the Revival Center in Clovis, CA. 

The Queen Camp CD’s (yes, they will be on CD!) will be available soon.  We plan to have them in time for the March First Listen shipment.  If you preordered at the retreat, yours will be sent at the same time.  If you haven’t ordered them yet, you may reserve a set by shopping at Abba’s Max.

Visit www.abbasheart.com and go to GET RESOURCES for more information and to order.

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