Mark Virkler's blog

In the spring of 2010, with the help of Gatekeeper Publishing and author John Muratori, the new Money by Design (MBD) book and multimedia curriculum officially launched. Based on the national bestselling book Rich Church, Poor Church, MBD was created with a dual purpose in mind: Get out of debt and create more income! This pioneering curriculum is guaranteed to empower every reader to reach their maximum financial potential.

We are always excited to see the extraordinary ministry God does both in and through our Christian Leadership University students. And Maiysha Mondesi is a perfect example! Maiysha is currently enrolled in our Master’s program and was just featured in a wonderful story about her revolutionary Christian dance school in New York City. Enjoy the excellent article here: Poetry and Praise Hit the Streets of New York. Great job, Maiysha!

Special thanks to Renato Amato who has just translated LEARN Spirit-Anointed Teaching into Italian. It is now posted for free downloading. Let your friends know!

I love sharing wonderful journaling from our students at Christian Leadership University! These amazing selections are from Linda Lindsey. Let's make sure we haven’t fallen out of our dance with Jesus! Below, the Lord speaks in Linda's journal...

Below is an encouraging testimony from Pastor Bruce King, followed by some of his two-way journaling.

“Just wanted to let you know how wonderful 4 Keys to Hearing God's Voice and How to Hear God's Voice are.  I immediately identified with Mark, having an M.Div. myself, and having been in ministry for about 10 years off and on (without really knowing how to hear God's voice).  I am now journaling and I have 3 people who are my spiritual counselors.  It's been amazing!  I have been able to tap into 'the flow.'  I sit at my computer with my eyes closed, fixing my eyes on Jesus, and type away!" 

Could you help make research happen?

Calling soon-to-be international missions volunteers (18 and older) planning to travel on a short-term trip:

The purpose of the iVolunteerStudy is to explore how views can change after International Service, and how incorporating personal beliefs while serving can influence the volunteerism experience. As a participant you would take an anonymous, online (10-minute) questionnaire before and after your trip.

This book is about Joel Trenkle's life -- the key events that formed him and left his heart very damaged, such as being publically put down by his second grade school teacher and becoming the laughingstock of the school. Joel began acting out because he was dyslexic and could not learn. He became the “problem student” because he could not find a place to fit in. Finally Joel went to Vietnam, and came back in even worse condition than when he left. Now he had Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. This left him totally wrecked. He became an alcoholic, lived alone, totally destitute and right at the verge of taking his own life.

It has been said that everyone wants to change the world but few feel the need to change themselves. Even a basic study of history, however, demonstrates that those who first focus upon self-improvement usually end up doing the most good in the world. Why should this be so? It may stem from the fact that excellence doesn’t occur by accident, but rather from intentional effort correctly applied over time. Subsequently, the example of excellence increases the ability of the bearer to influence others. The much touted “ripple effect” then takes hold; change resonating outward in ever widening circles from the genesis of a lone individual who cared to change his or her own life first.

We prefer to see people do their own prayer work. However there are times when an intercessor may be called upon to pray and intercede for another. This surely is biblical as God has ordained intercession. Some examples of intercession would include a parent praying for their child, or one praying for their spouse or friend. And we are to pray for those in authority over us, so there is no reason these prayers could not be applied to localities, communities, groups of people, and nations.