November 2006

CLU Student Newsletter

• To inspire you in your CLU coursework
• To allow your growth in spiritual intimacy to inspire other students
• To relate stories of how the CLU courses are changing your life
• To encourage you in extending the Kingdom of God through your ministry

If you would like to share any of your CLU course experiences, please send your testimonies (articles) to Karen King. Also, attach a photo of yourself to the email so we can include your picture along with your article. Thanks. Your comments about this newsletter are welcomed!

Make sure you are subscribed to our main monthly newsletter which goes out from Mark Virkler. You can subscribe at www.cwgministries.org/newsletters

God bless you all!
Dr. Karen King

In 1979 I discovered the power of laser-like focus. I had previously spent ten years dabbling with trying to hear the voice of God. Then I spent one year of focused effort to recognize His voice, and I found the breakthrough which had eluded me for so long. “Focused effort” meant that I spent every spare hour that year exploring this area.

• All my Bible study was in this area.
• All the books I read were in this area.
• All the conferences I attended were in this area.
• All my experimentation was in this area.
• All my preaching was in this area.

By focusing all my energies for twelve months, I received a breakthrough in an area where I had been defeated for ten years. I could now hear God's voice!!!

Another important lesson I learned from that time was the legitimacy and power of taking an entire year to focus on one subject until I have a breakthrough and achieve mastery of it. I also believe that if you have an excellent mentor, one who is ahead of you in your area of search, and who is working closely with you, that you can generally get a similar breakthrough in less time.

When you take a course with CLU, you are being asked to apply intense focus for three months on one area of spiritual growth. In so doing, you can gain a breakthrough in that area and your life will be changed. So enjoy the intensity of focus! It is giving you a gift you will cherish forever.

I will share this story very briefly to set a background. I have been a Christian for nearly six years and had recently been involved in a Bible study with "Spirit Filled" people, unbeknownst to me. But shortly after being introduced to them, I began to hear and learn truth. I had not learned to hear the voice of the Lord but truly was a Christian, believing and living for Christ as best I knew how. I wanted to learn how to hear God's voice but didn't know where to begin. As I was being introduced to things related to being "filled with the Spirit" and the like, I did a Google.com search for "Spirit Filled Colleges." Christian Leadership University was the first to be displayed. As I began to read the information about the college I just knew it was for me.

As a single mom, working full time and involved in church, Bible studies etc. I needed something that would not require me to attend a "class" somewhere. It just wouldn't work for my schedule and timing. I loved the format that I read about regarding CLU's courses, in that it was self-paced in addition to being correspondence courses. This fit perfectly. I was no longer tied to a classroom setting AND I was not tied to a rigid timeframe for completing courses. I did not know anything about Lamad Style of learning but it sure did sound interesting.

Again, I mention that I had not learned how to hear God's voice but was excited about the Communion with God course. I got started on it right away. I had the luxury of working at a job that allowed me the freedom to study when not busy with work related items, which turned out to be a real blessing. I spent much time in prayer and study during that time frame.

Through the course, I learned much about God's voice and how to discern His from the others I hear. I also learned much about my make up of sorts. As a left brained person, it was hard to begin to discern His voice initially. But I will share this, once the floodgates opened it has been revelation after revelation since then.

As a result of taking this course, not only did I begin to hear God's voice, but He began nearly immediately to speak to me about what He had called and created me to do. Something I didn't learn until many months later after He spoke it to me directly. He instructed me about six months after first starting this course to read back over the journals I had been doing for nearly a year. He had been preparing me and speaking to me nearly all that time about the thing He had just spoken directly to my heart. I now have my direction and purpose in life and I'm in preparation of it.

Related to this, I initially started to take just a basic Master's of Ministry pathway. But after going back to the CLU website many months after starting, I realized that what God had called me to do was to have a degree path with CLU!!!! Praise God! So I signed up for two additional courses in the Master's in Intercession path and am in the process of completing one of them and about to start another.

I began the Introduction to Intercession, and I will say this, if there is anyone called as an intercessor, this is the course to take. I've never had so much revelation and direction related to praying and understanding truly what intercession is until I took that course. I'm sure I will learn more as I go along this path, so far a truly anointed path.

Intercession is not what most people think. There is so much connected to it and God does nothing without it. In any event, I look forward to learning so much more as I move into the calling God has for me.

I truly am grateful for the anointed teaching and the selections of courses that CLU has to offer. And for anyone who does not have the luxury of taking the "normal" classes I would recommend investigating this university.

Sincerely,
Kelli O'Neill

Hallelujah! Five months later (after investing about 110 hours), I am a new creation, transformed by the principles of Communion with God. I went from hearing a lot of mixture (me, other spirits, and Holy Spirit), not being sure if it really was God and doubting, to knowing the voice of God, being confident, and trusting my spiritual advisors to tell me if I wasn't sure.

My love and hunger for the Lord has increased! I look forward to those times in the morning and afternoon because of two-way journaling in God. My journals are no longer just about me, what I'm feeling, and what I want, but go back and forth between Him and me – a friendship!

Another praise report – I'm dreaming again! Prior to this course, I hadn't dreamed for years, and now, after reading about dreams and making it a point to schedule eight hours of sleep (I wasn't before), I'm dreaming again and I love sleep! I used to think sleeping was a waste of time; not anymore thanks to CWG. I know my body is much happier too.

My relationships with my spiritual advisors have been strengthened by this course. Prior to CWG, I was not submitted to authorities and was a 'lone ranger'. This course has reassured me that there is victory in a multitude of counselors. Working together with my spiritual advisors during this course has forged friendships and trust.

CWG has changed my life, and I look forward to what God is going to do next. Currently, I plan to take the REN 510 Wisdom Through Dream Interpretation. I believe that He is going to restore all the years that the locusts have eaten. Thank you CLU and thank you Lord!

Wendy Lee

Hi! My name is Anya, and I am a CLU student. My major is Christian Counseling, and so far I have taken two courses - "Communion with God" and "Counseled by God".

Because of God's enormous work through these two courses in my life, I am a different person today, and the journey I started with CLU about two years ago is the best one I have ever had. Today I not only know, but also feel, that I am loved and cared for by my Heavenly Father! I am amazed at how loving, patient, gracious, merciful, protective Lord Jesus is! He is much more than I could ever imagine! When preassures come, He shows me His path, His purposes, His plans, and the reasons to rejoice, not to be depressed or sad. Life became so much deeper and meaningful!

Although this journey is the best one, it is not always an easy one. For the first half a year all I could hear were a couple of sentences. I did everything that the study guide told me to do and nothing seemed to work. I felt stupid, discouraged and like a failure. To doubt was much easier. Step by step Jesus was removing all the obstacles, fighting for every word of His. He has never given up on me, He has never cheated on me, He has never turned away, He has never pushed me into something I was not ready for. The more I saw how He stood up for me, the more my doubts melted. Today He continues His work in me and I am eagerly cooperating. Every time I think I messed it up I hear His comforting promises, which give me desire and strength to get up and follow my Shepherd.

During the hard moments of my journey, it has always helped to share my thoughts and feelings with someone. So if you feel like you are caught up in your doubts and discouragements, reach out! Share your experience with your advisor, friends, or other CLU students. Desire to be encouraged! Jesus is fighting for you!

You might wonder why the Lord does not give you all you need in a moment of time, and why He does not just place the necessary qualities within you, so that you could pull them out whenever you needed them. That is because He wants us not only to acquire the necessary skills, but also to grow and develop through the experience itself! Jesus wants you to see your progress, to see how a small thing you two have been working on brings tremendous changes into your life, releasing joy, encouragement, hope and faith, not only into your own life, but also into the lives of those around you! So keep up the good work you have started! It is always an adventure with Jesus!

With blessings, hope and joy,
Anya Ingo