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June 2015
Dwelling in the Circle of Trinity Fellowship
Teaching the Word Ministries
Teaching the Word
Ministries
Keith Yoder
Executive Director, Founder
Jay McCumber
Associate Director
Don Riker
On Medical Leave
Patty Tillman
Associate Minister
Elaine Dise
Office Administer
Prayer Coordinator
Kathy Nolt
Finance Manager
Board:
Sarah Davies
Dan Heller
Bryan Kelly
Patsy Reese
Don Riker
Donna Shuler
Keith Yoder
Partnering Ministry:
Ann Weaver
Leadership Coach
Divisions:
Jenny Gehman
LiveWell! Ministries
Dale Stoll
Radical Restoration
Ministries
For
Jesus’ Sake,
Cultivating
Healthy Leaders
Who Transform
Their World
And
Finish Well
Moments With the Father
By Keith Yoder
Impressions received while listening to the Lord in prayer
M
y child, why do you ask Me to do what I have
given you to do? I long for you to come to Me. I
have made the way through My Son. His righteousness is yours as you come to My throne. He is your Way.
I delight to fellowship with you: to hear your heart cry,
your desire, your joy in gratitude, your praise in worship. In
your world, when you agree with My will in heaven, it is my joy
to release provision, power, protection and purpose on earth.
Yet you do not need to ask permission to do what I have
already shown you in My Word to do. There is no need to ask of Me, “May we
bring justice to those who have been treated unfairly.” I have already instructed
you to love others in this way. Instead, commit to bring justice and come to Me
for wisdom in how to proceed.
You are My servants; it pleases Me to entrust responsibility to you. My Son
has instructed you to pray to the Lord of harvest to send workers into the harvest.
Pray that. My Son said “You will be my witnesses, telling people about Me in all
of the world…” Do that.
Scripture instructs you to put on humility like you would a garment. Do that
rather than asking Me to make you humble. Where you are instructed to be
thankful, there is no need to ask Me to make you thankful. When you pray, ask
there is no need to ask Me to make you thankful.
Me what I have promised
In
This
Issue
of
When you pray, ask of Me what I have promised and
I will
andwhat
saidI Ihave
will said
do. When
ConneXions Magazine:
you know what I have
Moments with the Father, Keith Yoder…..
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called you to do, do it
Don Riker Update…………………...…....
3
rather than asking Me to
Book Signing Information…...……...……
3
make you do it or do it for
Common to Sacred, Cindy Riker ….….....
4
you. In agreement, I act.
Incense, Elaine Dise….……………...…....
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Pssst, LiveWel! Ministries ……….………
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In obedience, you act.
Ann’s Aps: Vertigo ……………………....
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Confirming Scriptures:
Reaching Myanmar ................................
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Proverbs 3:5-6; Isaiah 30:18;
There is a River, Jenny Gehman……...….
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Matthew 18:19; 28:18-20;
Leadership Tips, Patty Tillman ……….….
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Luke 10:2; Acts 1:8; Romans
Front Cover Photo © Dekanaryas | Dreamstime.com
All articles in ConneXions Magazine Copyright
Teaching the Word Ministries, 2015
4:21; Colossians
Hebrews 4:14-16.
3:12-15;
[email protected]
Teaching the Word Ministries, 1 Mayfield Drive, Leola, PA 17540, (717) 656-4056, fax: (717) 656-4712, www.ChristCenteredLeaders.com
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Don Riker Update
We share in the
Riker’s joy for the
continued decrease in
Don’s pain. The surgery
on Don’s diaphragm
successfully helped to
increase Don’s lung
capacity, making it
easier for him to breathe.
Thank you to all who have diligently
kept Don’s health in prayer throughout the
past three years. Please join us in continuing
to petition Yahweh Rapha for complete
wholeness and healing for Don’s body and
God’s continued ministry to his family.
Don and Cindy journal their journey
on CaringBridge website. They update us on
medical progress and record scriptural
insight as they cling to Jesus every step of the
way. Read their entries at:
CaringBridge.org/visit/DonRiker
Coming July 9, 2015!
Inspiring Devotional!
Giving to Worship
by Keith Yoder and Cindy Riker
Encounter the delight of The Giver
through sacred expressions of giving
We invite you to
come celebrate with us!
Meet Keith and Cindy at:
Remember I told you that if you believe,
you will see the glory of God.
- John 11:40, The Voice
Glory:
the unspoken manifestation of God
(Strong’s Concordance)
TTWM Staff and Partners:
Find a sample Devotional:
Transforming Common to Sacred
in Cindy’s column
on the next page (pg. 4)
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Transforming
This devotion is an excerpt from Cindy’s new
devotional, Giving to Worship, coming out July 9th. Find
more information on how you can meet Cindy at her
premier book signing on page 3.
As our income decreased during Don’s
illness, various friends felt God’s leading to
offer us money. One friend, an older woman
living alone with limited resources, sensed to
give money monthly even before our need
surfaced, offering it with joy. I set her gift
apart, keeping it in an envelope on my desk,
not wanting to use such a special treasure for
ordinary things like groceries or gas. I
reserved it to donate as it fit her role in my
life, such as to a group of elderly widows
overseas, or a mission trip for a single woman.
These are worthy causes.
While in prayer one day, God impressed
me to consider the gift as something “holy”
(set apart) to sanctify what I considered
“ordinary.” Instead of looking for a “holy
cause,” I am called to intentionally declare its
use as holy. Grace sees the worth in
everything and brings it forth, even in those
things I might not consider worthy of such a
gift. Setting it aside restrained me from
forwarding the blessing to others.
Through prayerful declaration, any
place the money rested became a place
inhabited by God’s blessing. Its “holiness”
existed not in its intrinsic value, but in
declaring it as a generous blessing of grace to
every receiver. Still seeking the Lord’s
direction as to its use, my intentional offering
propelled God’s grace and blessing toward
people in my everyday world, thus expanding
God’s reach into “ordinary” situations.
Ordinary now transforms into extraordinary; natural into supernatural!
Cindy Riker serves TTWM as an author, intercessor and support in a variety of ways.
Visit her blog: http://www.cindyriker.com/
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the smoke of the incense with the prayers
of the saints ascended before God…
Join us in praying for a fresh breath of God to hover over and create
everything needed to fulfill His purpose in these situations:
 For the next several months through summer, we're asking for
prayer for spiritual protection over the entire ministry and God’s
future plans for TTWM.
 Also please cover the book publishing process. We're preparing to
powerfully shed light on the darkness with the written word, and
expect kingdom fruit. We're currently working on the final stages
of 3 books:
- Giving to Worship (by Keith Yoder and Cindy Riker) scheduled to come out July 9
- Healthy Leaders 3rd Edition Revised
- Presence-Based Leadership (by Keith Yoder and Patty
Tillman)
 Also pray that the TTWM team’s personal lives would continue to
grow into a continual, and abiding attitude of prayerful devotion
and dependence upon God. May He increase the principle, passion
and conviction He has given us to steward.
We rejoice in the Lord for the encouraging words of life and increase given to us in the past
month through intercessors and prophetic ministers who did not know the recent, specific works
that God is developing here at TTWM. The following is one particular note from a brother in Africa:
“Our God will indeed bless you for your obedience in
ministering healing in the body of Christ. You are a blessing
to us here and we appreciate your love and commitment to
praying and encouraging us. Together with our team, we
continue praying for you and looking forward to seeing God
prosper you in His will… You are a gift to us and many people
that you are serving. The Lord has been waking me up as
early as 3am to pray for you as I believe that God is birthing
a new thing into your ministry that will touch other lives to
experience the love of God and you will see the Holy Spirit
empower you to serve. I have been praying that God will…
help you overcome and record the great achievement.”
Elaine Dise serves as TTWM Prayer Coordinator for our valued
intercessory prayer warriors.
For more information on how
you can establish an effective
intercessory prayer team for
your business or ministry, get
Keith’s audio, Mobilizing Prayer
for Your Ministry CD, on our
website store.
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Psssst…
What has sips, sweets, songs, stories,
structures, s – t – r – e – t – c – h – i – n – g, and
surprises?
At LiveWell!Ministries, Dessert Night, of
course!
Over 100 men and women gathered on May
th
5 to taste delicious desserts, celebrate the
goodness of God, and share resources to build a
solid foundation of support for envisioned
expansion.
LiveWell!Ministries, a division of TTWM,
exists to equip women to do what leads to life for
their minds, spirits and bodies. It’s a local
ministry with a global impact that has reached
over 1,000 women in the past seven years.
LiveWell!Ministries has a specific call to
women living in seasons of suffering, in places of
exile, in the midst of the hard and the hurting. It’s
in these places, they say, that God invites us to
live and live well. In light of this, they offer a
series of six R&R Retreats a year.
Rest and Relaxation, you may think?
Not quite. The R’s stand for Roses and
Raspberries.
Director and founder Jenny Gehman
explains. “Roses and Raspberries were created
to bloom and bear fruit in the midst of pressing
thorns, and so were we!” Jenny invites us to
come. Nourish. Live!
Jenny shares from the wealth of her own life
experience of bearing beauty through a journey
graced with thorns. She and her team facilitate
the mini-retreats to be places of deep connection
with Christ and community.
When asked, “What fulfills you the most
about serving with LiveWell!Ministries?” Jenny
answered, “Oh, wow! Hard question—so
MUCH!!! What fulfills me the most? Seeing God
grow something so, so beautiful and alive out of
what appeared to me to be only pain and loss.
Life truly does overcome!!!”
Jenn Balmer (Lancaster Coordinator) prays with Jenny
Gehman (Founder and Director) just before Jenny
gives her address.
Here’s what women say about R&R retreats:
"I am at the point of hitting rock bottom.
Before I came to the retreat today,
I was terrified at this prospect. Now, I
understand it is okay…”
"This has been the biggest help in thinking
about God and why I sometimes avoid His
presence. Jenny, thank you for your
vulnerability and honesty in your teaching."
“Jenny, thank you for helping me recognize
what is brewing in me that I could not name."
"I think Jenny is wonderful! I am well over
seventy years of age, have been to many
Bible studies and retreats in my day, and I
think she is one of the best leaders I have
encountered."
LiveWell now provides R&R Retreats in
Lancaster, Lebanon and Pottstown, with a series
of six Saturday morning sessions per year at
each site. Church leaders in other cities are
inquiring to open sites in their areas. LiveWell
plans to expand after taking a year to
“strengthen the stakes and lengthen the cords”
so they can support additional sites fully and
well. For more information, see LiveWell’s
website: http://livewellministries.org/
You may also connect with them on their
FaceBook page:
https://www.facebook.com/LiveWellMinistries
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Flavor of LiveWell!Ministries…
Picture Essay of LiveWell’s Dessert Night
PSSSST! Sips, Sweets, Songs & Stories
Time to S - T - R - E - T - C - H !
Keith Yoder closes
in prayer
Jenny Gehman, Founder 
LiveWell’s 2015-16 Theme:
S -T -R -E -T -C -H!
Lengthen cords and strengthen
stakes. Heidi (op coordinator)
holds a “God-sized” tent peg 
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Ann’s Apps
Recently I experienced a vertigo “attack.” Dizzy symptoms lasted for over a week. During
that time the thin places of my physical world graced into the spiritual realm. This poem reflects
some of the insights that I gained during my illness. –Ann
Spinning and Still
Head glued to my pillow
Spinning, spinning, spinning, spinning
Bright lights
This is not charismatic.
“I have set the Lord continuously before me,
Because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.”
Not shaken—“Peace be still”
Spinning, spinning, spinning
But not shaken.
The stomach revolts
Through the valley of the shadow—
Jesus.
Total dependence and vulnerability,
Things instantly out of my control,
“Into your hands I commend my spirit”
—Dead to self.
“Be still and wait patiently for the Lord.”
No choice—Intentional stillness.
Spinning, spinning, spinning,
This is not even traditional conversational prayer.
Stillness equals Connecting equals Prayer.
The still small voice is quiet.
“And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick
person well;
The Lord will raise them up.”
Glimpsing the community of saints,
Holding up my arms in the spirit,
for I cannot do it myself.
“It is My intent, that through the church,
The manifold wisdom of God
should be made known
To the rulers and authorities
in the spiritual realm.”
Fighting for peace and rest,
Body thrown up against a spiritual wall
in gastric rebellion,
Dazed clouded atmosphere,
Spinning, whirling, flaming swords, fire—
War in the heavenlies over my soul—
my strongholds of thought
Breaking—Incinerating
Leaving thick black smoke.
“But we do not belong to those
who shrink back and are destroyed.”
“Confidence to approach the throne of Grace.”
“Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven…”
Darts quenched
Love prevails
Righteousness protects
Truth is secure.
The embers of my strength are smoldering—
weakened—even ashes,
Out of the ash—fertile soil.
A green leaf?
“Out of his glorious riches,
You are strengthened
with all power through the spirit
in your inner being.”
No longer captured or recoiling,
Pockets of fire still burning,
but the enemy is gone.
Stillness has won the battle.
“May it be to me as You have said”
I sleep—
“And when I awake,
You are still with me.”
Supporting Scripture: Exodus 17:12; I Kings 19:12; Psalm 16:28; 62:2; 23:4; 37:7;
46:10; 139:18; Isaiah 42:7; Matthew 5:10; Luke 1:38; 23:46; John 12:24; I Corinthians
13:8; II Corinthians 10:4-5; Ephesians 3:10-19; James 4:7; 5:14-16; Hebrews 10:39
Ann Weaver is a Life and Leadership Coach and partners in ministry with TTWM.
Ann is married to Steve who serves as a Lancaster Mennonite Conference Bishop.
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Reaching Myanmar
Keith Yoder and Dr. Khai fellowship
during a 21-hour bus ride in Myanmar.
For a number of years, Keith Yoder has partnered with Dr.
Thaum Cin Khai, a Myanmar native, here in the states. Dr. Khai
ministers to Burmese people by founding the Judson Education
Center that plants Bible School in U.S. cities that have a high
Burmese population.
Recently, Keith and Dr. Khai took the opportunity to travel
together to Myanmar. “Spending these twelve days together
further bonded our relationship and strengthened our capacity
to partner in leader development,” Keith said. “The additional
understanding of cross-cultural ministry among the Burmese
was a bonus for me as well. More than ever I have come to
appreciate these people whose language is richly punctuated
with laughter.”
Keith taught on church growth from the perspective of
Isaiah 54:2, and the “Ministry of Naming (Blessing)” from
Genesis 2, and “Finding a Wife” from Proverbs 18:22.
Keith reported that he and Dr. Khai see the “potential to
bring vitality and transformation to this group of congergations through subsequent engagements.”
“’They that are led by the Spirit are the sons of God’ certainly
was our experience during Myanmar 2015,” Keith said.
Opportunity to support
the cause of growing
strong leaders in the
body of Christ:
Teaching the Word Ministries is
looking for a volunteer to clean
our office twice monthly. If you or
someone you know enjoy this
work and sense the Lord’s nudge
to volunteer your time and
service, contact [email protected]
We pray for God’s blessing of
the Spirit’s deep peace, joy, rest,
and increased sensitivity to the
Father’s presence for all our
volunteers.
Coming Soon!
3 Quality Leader Resources from Teaching the Word Ministries:
1) Giving to Worship: Encounter the delight of The Giver through
sacred expressions of giving
2) Healthy Leaders, 3rd Edition—Updated and Revised!
3) Mastering the Art of Presence-Based Leadership:
How to make effective decisions by discerning the wisdom of Christ
Visit our website for updates and availability: ChristCenteredLeaders.com
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+
Whatever you do,
don’t drink the water!
This wisdom is offered
to wilderness campers
and world travelers alike.
Some water can harm you,
we’re told, make you
downright sick with a sip.
Drink, we must,
but not that water.
In Ezekiel 47, we’re told
of putrid waters made pure.
Of a Dead Sea sustaining life.
Of a river that flowed
from the Temple of God.
“These water pour out
toward the eastern region
and go down into the… Dead Sea.
And when they shall enter into the sea [the sea of putrid waters], the waters shall be
healed and made fresh … and everything shall live wherever the river goes.”
The putrid made pure. The dangerous, drinkable. That which stole, now life sustains.
“If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink,” Jesus said. “Rivers of living water
will brim and spill out of the depths of anyone who believes in Me this way, just as the
Scripture says.”
This water Jesus offers, it makes the putrid pure. It filters the filthy. My depths are
healed. The dead now lives, made fresh from a river that flows.
“There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the
Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.”
Find me in the river and the river in me.
Scripture used: Ezekiel 47:8-9 (Amp), John 7:37-38 (Message) Psalm 46: 4-5 (NIV)
Jenny Gehman is a spiritual mentor, teacher, speaker for women’s events, and founder
of LiveWell! Ministries, a division of TTWM. www.LiveWellMinistries.org
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l
Leadership Tip:
 …washed with pure water…
Sipping on a bottle of water throughout the day
has survived as a fashionable activity for a number
of years—and a healthy endeavor. Whether or not
you’re in style as far as water bottle fashion goes,
would you buy the brand touted by the ad below?
Water Organics
Spring-fresh
water
from nature!
With all the
minerals
your
body needs!
99.5% fresh water
00.5% sewer water
(to provide minerals)
a
Me neither! I don’t care how many minerals
the 0.5% sewer water provides!
Yet, don’t we sometimes settle for that
0.5% impurity when it comes to the “fountain
of living water” that is supposed to spring from
us? To the people we connect with each day—
what kind of “water” springs from our souls?
When they leave our presence, are they
refreshed with God’s presence in us, or does
our tiny bit of “sewer water” add to the weight
of the world they encounter throughout the
rest of their day?
No, we’re not perfect. But Christ is. Through
His righteousness, Jesus purifies us. There’s
nothing we can do to purify ourselves. By
deepening our fellowship with the Father
through the Son in the Spirit—washing of the
water by the word—the pure water of His
Spirit flows from us to others. More of His
presence and less of our sinful nature means
increased mercy, truth and peace touches the
lives of others through us.
Let us draw near with a true heart in full
assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled
from an evil conscience and our bodies washed
with pure water. - Hebrews 10:22.
-
Patricia Tillman
Also see: John 4:14; Ephesians 5:26
Everyone
who drinks this water will get
thirsty again and again. Anyone who
drinks the water I give will never thirst—
not ever. The water I give will be an
artesian spring within, gushing fountains
of endless life.
– John 4:13-14, Msg.
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Teaching the Word Ministries, 1 Mayfield Drive, Leola, PA 17540, (717) 656-4056, Fax: (717) 656-4712
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