In the nineteenth century, the atheist philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche reproached a group of Christians. “You make me sick!” When their spokesman asked why, Nietzsche replied, “Because you redeemed don’t look like you’re redeemed!”

That’s a curious response isn’t it? And yet, must we not stop and examine how the unbelieving view us as we live out our life of faith? Countless times I have been around believers whose countenance is such that though they may be happy and joyful inside, they haven’t notified their face because they look as if they have been sucking on lemons. I have heard people say, “If that’s what being a Christian is like I don’t want to be one!”

Perhaps part of the problem lies in our understanding of who we are and what we possess. Consider this, “Are you spiritually rich or spiritually poor?” Brennan Manning makes the statement that if we consider ourselves spiritually rich we begin to make demands on God for things that we think we deserve, often leading to anger and frustration. If we presume that life owes us the best and nothing but the best, then reality rarely lives up to our expectations. What logically follows is that we take for granted everything that comes our way and bear ourselves with the swagger of the executive who knows what is up and has all under control.

“To be spiritually poor is to realize that everything is a gift. Salvation, mercy, grace, provision, protection, all that comes from the hand of God is a gift. That He would love us is, in itself, irrational and unreasonable. The spiritually poor experience genuine gratitude and appreciate the slightest gift. The rich in spirit devote considerable time to thinking about what they don’t have; the poor get right down to enjoying and celebrating what they do have.”

As we stand before God with open hands, not clinging to anything, our life becomes a life of humble, joyful thanksgiving. When we begin to let go of our self-sufficiency and realize what it means to be the Beloved and that He is more than sufficient, we disappear into what Thomas Merton calls, “the tremendous poverty that is the adoration of God.”
I suspect that then the redeemed will look like they’re redeemed.

Inner Healing Workshop at New Life
I recently completed a Saturday workshop at New Life on Inner Healing. This was a teaching designed to equip the prayer teams to recognize when someone needed deep level healing and help connect them with a team that could walk them through that healing. There were about forty participants in this workshop eager to learn.

Phoenix, AZ May 8-10
I’m off to Phoenix, AZ this Friday, May 8, 2026 to do a weekend of ministry and training with a group of prayer ministers. Pray for our time together, Thank you.

God bless,

Mike

BEFORE YOU GET HERE

Deal With The Garbage That Oppresses You Now!

BEFORE YOU GET HERE: BAGGAGE TO DROP ON YOUR WAY TO HEAVEN

Why wait until heaven to be freed of the invisible burdens that oppress and defeat you? God wants you to face those burdens now, on this planet, and through the power of specific prayer be freed from them. My book, subtitled Baggage To Drop On Your Way To Heaven, is a guide to assist in discovering freedom from the invisible burdens that oppress and defeat you.

You can order directly from our store at THIS LINK – Before You Get Here

If you have a copy don’t forget that they make great gifts. Consider giving one to a friend.

Check out our whole catalog at THIS LINK.

Dear Friends,

This headline may be familiar to you because some twenty years ago I used this headline in an article I wrote for our newsletter. I re-wrote the article to update it so it reflected what I believe is going on in our world today and I felt it important to re-emphasize the calling we have from our Lord to go out into our world and do what he did.

In the Gospels we are commanded to preach the good news of the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. When we bring in the Kingdom of God human brokenness in all its forms is healed. The disabled jump to their feet, the deaf hear, the blind see, the dead show up for dinner. The strong message is that we are to bring in the Kingdom of God by doing exactly what Jesus did when He was here on earth.

I have come to the place in this journey where my expectations are so high when I pray for someone that I am surprised when they are not healed. Let me be quick to point out that while there are many I pray for who are healed, there are also those who are not healed. But that doesn’t stop me from praying and expecting healing. My encouragement to you would be that when you pray for people to be healed, pray expecting them to be healed. Don’t pray hoping something will happen but pray expecting something to happen. My experience has demonstrated to me that this attitude change can make a difference in what happens.

We live in a broken world where doctors can treat much of our sickness and disease. And that is often who we turn to first when sickness strikes. I have found that much of the time rather than seek prayer first, we seek medical help and if that doesn’t work then we try prayer. To me that is tragic! Should not prayer for healing be the first thought that comes to us?

Why do you suppose we seek medical care as our first response? I believe in part it is because we have easy access to medical care. If we show up at most any hospital emergency room they are required by law to treat us. But in many countries people do not have access to hospitals, doctors or medical care and so prayer for them is their only hope.

Also, what I have observed in my journey as I’ve prayed for people is that they often focus on what has not happened rather than on what has happened. I’ve conducted several healing conferences, workshops on healing, etc. Often during these workshops as part of the training and equipping we pray for the sick. If we pray for ten people and nine of them are healed the focus often turns to the one who was not healed. I always say, “I do not have an answer about the one who was not healed because I am not God. But why not rejoice and give thanks for the nine who were healed!”

We are living in an age where most of the denominational churches are shrinking in influence, power and numbers, especially among the young. Why is that? I believe it is because the young people are desperate for something that works, something that is applicable to them that is real and gives them answers for what they are facing. I have found that when you show them the power of the Holy Spirit and they see or experience His healing both physically and emotionally, they want to be involved. So, let’s don’t hand out crutches, let’s be bold and take the risk and do what we’re told to do; Go Heal The Sick!

Thank you for your faithful prayers and support. We rely on your faithfulness and continue operate aggressively in bringing healing and wholeness to a hurting world.

God bless,

Mike

“Learning To Do What Jesus Did” is available on YouTube.

In addition to the 9 DVD series being available through Wholeness Ministries you can now watch the entire series on YouTube. The book, an excellent training manual, has been taught around the world and is available in English and Spanish. You can buy the Book, CD’s or DVD’s at the Wholeness Shop.

Learning To Do What Jesus Did (9 parts)
Available on Youtube

Dear Friends,

I read a fascinating article recently that got me to thinking about this question. I fear this question is the unspoken thinking of many churchgoers. The assumption is; “I go to the right church, I believe the right things, I’m a good person. Of course, I expect to receive God’s blessing.” That blessing includes salvation, relationship, and eventually heaven. The thinking is that the rewards of heaven are equally dispensed to all.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer referred to this as Cheap Grace. “Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, communion without confession, and without discipleship.”

In an article by Steve Gallagher (Founder of Pure Life Ministries) he states; “Since righteous living and sacrificial love are not expected of God’s people and since everyone receives the same benefits of salvation, there is no reason to press in to know God; no reason to strive against one’s lower nature, no reason to reject worldly enticements, no reason to do much of anything except to show up for church on Sundays. Is it any wonder then that the church has lost her power and her fire?”

It would be well to remember that God’s grace was purchased at incalculable cost to himself. “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” (1Peter 1:18-19)

Is it possible that we can believe that it is okay to presume God’s grace and blessing are owed to us simply because we are believers? That there is no reason to “work out your salvation.” What about the doctrine that Jesus Christ will render to every person rewards in accordance with their deeds? “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” (2 Corinthians 9:6)

It would be well to remember that there is a cost involved in this journey as a follower of Christ. We are not entitled to anything! Our salvation is not just a one-time decision we make to become a believer but is just the beginning of a life-long journey that requires working it out or walking it out in every area of our lives. It includes righteous living and sacrificial love. Spending the time and energy necessary to foster a deep abiding relationship with God. Developing a daily life of prayer and significant time in God’s word so that it affects how we live our lives as examples to this world of God’s grace and the salvation that He offers to all.

Far from assuming we are owed something it would be good to remember that; “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.” (Rev. 22:12)

Thank you for your prayers and support.

God bless,

Mike

WHY NOT WASTE TIME WITH GOD

This is not a “how to” book. Rather it looks at all those things that keep us from spending time with God and the many benefits you will gain when spending time with God becomes a part of your daily life. You will be intrigued.

To order call 661-431-9869 or You can order directly from our store at THIS LINK – Why Not Waste Time With God

Dear Friends,

In last month’s newsletter I wrote an article outlining why I believe we were created by God. While many of us labor under the false assumption that God created us mainly to do good works I believe we were created first of all simply to be loved by God.

Perhaps you have heard someone say, “God loves you as you are and not as you should be!” I know we can easily accept this in our head without accepting it in our heart. We are so aware of our humanness that we find it difficult if not impossible to believe that God loves us unreservedly. We might even say His love is unreasonable.

We are so aware of our flaws, sins and frailties that it is difficult for us to come running and dancing into the presence of our Father who loves us as we are, where we are. We are comfortable with the idea of earning love by our works, or forgiveness by penance and passion, but not at ease with a love that is based on nothing we do, say, think, feel or imagine.

This whole idea of the unearned love of God can be very disturbing. Why struggle to do good? Won’t the awareness that God loves us no matter what lead to spiritual laziness and moral looseness? I mean if God is going to love me anyway, why try so hard to earn it? Why be a good guy, attend church, tithe, volunteer to pass out food to the homeless? Why not go have some fun? Party on dude, eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die. These appear to be sensible, valid questions.

In reality, quite the opposite is true. For example, I know that my wife loves me as I am and not as I should be. This is not an invitation to infidelity, indifference an “anything goes” attitude. Quite the opposite. I travel a fair amount and often find myself in other states and countries far from home. This means I could do any number of things I wanted and no one would ever know, except me (and God). But my love for Jane keeps me from doing those things that would hurt her if she were to find out about them. Further, my love for others that would be devastated by my moral laxity, and my love for God keep me from doing anything that would hurt Him. Her love calls forth love in me as God’s love calls forth love in me. The more rooted we are in the love of God the more generously we love our faith and practice it.

It is that kind of love that allows us to love ourselves without excuses and without questioning. We love ourselves as we are because we have been convinced that God does so. Some would say that loving ourselves is a form of pride. I believe that loving ourselves is a grateful dependence on God and a realistic appraisal of both our strengths and weaknesses.

When we discover that we are compatible and comfortable with a wide spectrum of people we will have come to terms with our own belovedness and humanness and will understand that Jesus sees us as flawed but good, wounded healers, children of the Father. We can then begin to pray as Thomas Merton did, “I thank God that I am like the rest of men.”

We are special, created in His image, children of the Father, and we are human. We have flaws, warts, wrinkles and we sin. But we must understand we are loved and “His love is based on nothing.’ Were it based on anything we do. And that “anything” were to collapse, then God’s love would crumble as well. That’s not going to happen!

Please forgive the lateness of this newsletter. I was recently in the hospital 3 days with pneumonia. I am now home and recovering. I am improving each days thanks to the prayers of many of you.

God bless,

Mike

“Learning To Do What Jesus Did” is available on YouTube.

In addition to the 9 DVD series being available through Wholeness Ministries you can now watch the entire series on YouTube. The book, an excellent training manual, has been taught around the world and is available in English and Spanish. You can buy the Book, CD’s or DVD’s at the Wholeness Shop.

Learning To Do What Jesus Did (9 parts)
Available on Youtube

Dear Friends,

We often get the impression that the reason we have been created is to work for God. Either for specific things he wants us to do or to be acceptable to him. This is a subtle lie right out of the pit of hell. We were created to be loved and to love. I came across this piece that I think profoundly expresses why we were created. I do not know the author nor to whom it was written but I think when you read it you will better understand what I am trying to say.

“I love you simply because you are my child. I enjoy you for the same reason. I didn’t create you so you could run around doing my bidding. I created you because I want to share my love with you. I desired you and held you in my heart before you were formed in your mother’s womb.

I didn’t create you so you could do something for me. I simply want to pour my love into you without reservation. It’s a love so deep; it’s hard to put into words.

This is how I feel about you. You weren’t born with a to-do list from me. I didn’t create you on a mass production line. I started pouring love into you when you were in your mother’s womb. I took my time and weaved every detail of your being. I love you simply because I love you.”

This spoke so profoundly to me that I glued it in my Bible so I could read it daily. To me it is a beautiful reminder of why we were created and how much we are loved. I know that not everyone feels this way. Because I recently made the statement that we were not created to work. One friend took exception to that statement and pointed out from scripture: “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10

That’s a clear statement of why we were created. There are numerous examples throughout scripture that we are to clearly demonstrate our faith by how we live it out. Both by our words and our actions. “So that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:17. And in 2Thessalonians 3:10 “…If a man will not work, he shall not eat.”

I have no problem with that. It is clear that God created us to work. What I believe is that above that his reason for creating us was to love us and have relationship with us.

For example, I have three children. As they grow into young adults I expect them to learn how to work as a normal part of their life. It may start with working for their allowance and progress from there into work which they do to live, raise a family, pay the bills, etc. But my original intention in having children was not so they could work. Jane and I had children so we could pour our love into them. I remember telling one of my children after he had done something that I could have used to reject him, ‘Son, you can never do anything that will keep me from loving you. No matter what you do I will always love you.’

I think it’s important to remember, “I didn’t create you so you could do something for me. I created you because I want to share my love with you!”

The Months to Come – “We will be providing you with more details about our planned expansion of Wholeness Ministries in the months to come. We believe you will be as excited about this as we are! Stay tuned!”

God bless,

Mike

“Learning To Do What Jesus Did” is available on YouTube.

In addition to the 9 DVD series being available through Wholeness Ministries you can now watch the entire series on YouTube. The book, an excellent training manual, has been taught around the world and is available in English and Spanish. You can buy the Book, CD’s or DVD’s at the Wholeness Shop.

Learning To Do What Jesus Did (9 parts)
Available on Youtube