Two Biblical Exoduses ✡ "We Departed From the River" - ISRAEL365

Then we departed from the river of Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go unto Yerushalayim; and the hand of our God was upon us, and He delivered us from the hand of the enemy and lier-in-wait by the way. Ezra 8:31 (The Israel Bible™)   וַנִּסְּעָה מִנְּהַר אַהֲוָא בִּשְׁנֵים עָשָׂר לַחֹדֶשׁ הָרִאשׁוֹן לָלֶכֶת יְרוּשָׁלִָם וְיַד אֱלֹהֵינוּ הָיְתָה עָלֵינוּ וַיַּצִּילֵנוּ מִכַּף אוֹיֵב וְאוֹרֵב עַל הַדָּרֶךְ עזרא ח:לא va-nis-a mi-n’-har a-ha-va bish-nyam a-sar la-kho-desh ha-ri-shon la-le-khet y’-ru-sha-la-yim v’-yad e-lo-hay-nu ha-y’-ta a-lay-nu va-ya-tzee-lay-nu mi-kaf o-yayv v’-o-rayv al ha-da-rekh

Jerusalem Inspiration For the people of Israel, the past and the present fuse together to create the most extraordinary future. As told in today's verse, it is clear that a carefully choreographed event is planned and designed to reflect a former exodus, the exodus from Egypt.  Just as the Jews left Egypt in the first month, the month of ‘Nissan,’ and crossed the Red Sea, Ezra’s exodus departed from a river in the first month. Certainly, the symbolism of recreating such a formative occurrence wasn’t lost on the members of the entourage, giving them tremendous courage and hope.  "Patterns of Evidence: The Exodus" investigates phenomenal historical and archaeological evidence of the Egyptian Exodus, in a quest to determine whether or not the famous story of the Exodus is fact or fiction. You won't stop watching "Patterns of Evidence: The Exodus" » Israeli Smiles Always On! Wonder what Israelis have to smile about? Check out why the happy faces, straight from the streets of Jerusalem.   Watch here » Calculating the Messiah's Arrival In the words of one Rabbi, "it’s not the clock that tells us when Moshiach is here, but it is a return of the Jewish people to their God that triggers the Messianic age."   Read more » Shivat Natural Cleansing Soap Gift Set By combining all-natural ingredients and extracts of the Seven Species of Fruit & Grain, Shivat has developed a line of skin-supportive cleansing soaps that is close to nature. They believe that your skin should be caressed with products that retain the fine qualities found in the foods that are beneficial for your health and well-being. Therefore, they created a line of seven soaps called “Shivat”, which means “The Seven” in Hebrew. Every one of the seven species contains healthful nutrients that benefit the body and promote wellness.   Get this Great Deal » Jerusalem Daily Photo A rainbow over the Temple Mount and the Old City walls of Jerusalem.   See more Scenes of Jerusalem » Thank You Today's Scenes and Inspiration is sponsored by FMC Reddiar of South Africa. Todah rabah! Sponsor a day and receive a free devotional book » “Jerusalem365 Acts as an Additional Reminder” It’s great to hear from you and make new friends from all over the world. Please send mean email and let me know how you are enjoying Jerusalem365 (don’t forget to say where you are from!).   Stay in Touch »   Jerusalem365 acts as an additional reminder to me to pray for the nation of Israel and for her leaders. Mary Lou, Newberg, Oregon Blessing from Jerusalem, Rabbi Tuly Weisz RabbiTuly@Israel365.com

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Jeff Jansen Sees Huge Gold Angel at Azusa Now - JENNIFER LECLAIRE CHARISMA NEWS

Jeff Jansen Sees Huge Gold Angel at Azusa Now

 4/10/2016 JENNIFER LECLAIRE  charisma news

Jeff Jensen speaks to the crowd at Azusa Now at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Jennifer LeClaire is now sharing her reflections and revelations through Walking in the Spirit. Listen at charismapodcastnetwork.com.

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History was made in Los Angeles on Saturday as Lou Engle, Mike Bickle, CIndy Jacobs, Jack Hayford and other generals of the faith gathered at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for Azusa Now.

Jeff Jansen, founder of Global Fire Ministries, told Charisma News he believes it was one of the most significant events of the past few decades.

"Amidst the worship and intercession I believe something highly significant has shifted in the spirit and that we have stepped into a new timeline of revival in the Lord that will result in revival fires burning in nit only America but the nations of the earth," Jansen says.

"Most already know that I am now co-hosting the Fire and Glory Outpouring in San Diego with good friends Jerame and Miranda Nelson. An outpouring of Glory and Power has been burning there for 75 nights now and people are coming from around the world to get a fresh touch from heaven. Wild miracles marked by tangible power and Presence of the Lord are poured out every night and all are excited in this fresh outpouring."

Jansen reminds that Azusa street revival of 1906 changed the course of world history as many new denominations were birthed through the raw supernatural power and Glory of God. So now 110 years later another fresh move of God is now being birthed and fresh revival fires will burn in many cities in the nations of the earth.

"As we were driving on Interstate 5 to the Azusa Now event on April 9, I saw a large gold angel standing over LA," Jansen says. "The Lord said, 'Just as the 1849 gold rush drew people to California ... So 4/9 2016 will mark a new gold rush of divine proportion that will once again draw the nations into revival." 

Jennifer LeClaire is senior editor of Charisma. She is also director of Awakening House of Prayer in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, co-founder of awakeningtv.com, on the leadership team of the New Breed Revival Network and author of several books, including The Next Great Move of God: An Appeal to Heaven for Spiritual Awakening;Mornings With the Holy Spirit, Listening Daily to the Still, Small Voice of God; The Making of a Prophet and Satan's Deadly Trio: Defeating the Deceptions of Jezebel, Religion and Witchcraft. You can visit her website here. You can also join Jennifer onFacebook or follow her on Twitter. Jennifer's Periscope handle is @propheticbooks.

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Economic Collapse Is Erupting All Over The Planet As Global Leaders Begin To Panic Michael Snyder THE ECONOMIC COLLAPSE BLOG

Economic Collapse Is Erupting All Over The Planet As Global Leaders Begin To Panic   Michael Snyder  THE ECONOMIC COLLAPSE BLOG Mainstream news outlets are already starting to use the phrase “economic collapse” to describe what is going on in some areas of our world right now.  For many Americans this may seem a bit strange, but the truth is that the worldwide economic slowdown that began during the second half of last year is starting to get a lot worse.   In this article, we are going to examine evidence of this from South America, Europe, Asia and North America.  Once we are done, it should be obvious that there is absolutely no reason to be optimistic about the direction of the global economy right now.  The warnings of so many prominent experts are now becoming a reality, and what we have witnessed so far are just the early chapters of a crushing economic crisis that will affect every man, woman and child in the entire world. Let’s start with Brazil. It has the 7th largest economy on the entire planet, and it is already enduring its worst recession in 25 years. In fact, at the end of last year Goldman Sachs said that what was going on down there was actually a “depression“. But now the crisis in Brazil has escalated significantly. I want to share with you an excerpt from a recent article entitled “Brazil: Economic collapse worse than feared“.  I know, that title sounds like it comes directly from The Economic Collapse Blog, but I didn’t write it. It actually comes from CNN… Amid political chaos, Brazil’s economic collapse is worse than its government once believed. In the midst of rising calls to impeach President Dilma Rousseff, Brazil’s central bank announced Thursday that it now expects the country’s economy to shrink 3.5% this year. That’s worse than the central bank’s previous estimate for a 1.9% contraction. The darker forecast matches what the International Monetary Fund projected for Brazil — Latin America’s largest country — and what many independent economists have suspected. It is one thing for Michael Snyder to tell you that Brazil is in the midst of “economic collapse”, but it is another thing entirely for CNN to say it. And of course I have been warning about the crisis down in Brazil for quite some time now.  For much more on this, please see my previous article entitled “The Economic Collapse Of South America Is Well Underway“. Meanwhile, things are actually much worse in Venezuela than they are in Brazil.  Food and basic supplies are in short supply, the inflation rate has hit 720 percent, and crime is completely out of control. The following is from an article in the Independent entitled “Venezuela is on the brink of complete economic collapse“… The only question now is whether Venezuela’s government or economy will completely collapse first. The key word there is “completely.” Both are well into their death throes. Indeed, Venezuela’s ruling party just lost congressional elections that gave the opposition a veto-proof majority, and it’s hard to see that getting any better for them any time soon — or ever. Incumbents, after all, don’t tend to do too well when, according to the International Monetary Fund, their economy shrinks 10 percent one year, an additional 6 percent the next, and inflation explodes to 720 percent. It’s no wonder, then, that markets expect Venezuela to default on its debt in the very near future. The country is basically bankrupt. Once again we see a very respected mainstream publication using the phrase “economic collapse” to describe what is happening in South America. You can find some stunning video of the “economic Armageddon” that is taking place in Venezuela right here.  I would encourage you to watch that video, because what is happening down there will eventually be happening here. Meanwhile, over in Europe the collapse of the Italian banking system has entered a disturbing new chapter.  Italy’s finance minister has called a meeting in Rome for Monday that will be focusing on a “last resort” bailout plan for the troubled banks… Finance minister Pier Carlo Padoan has called a meeting in Rome on Monday with executives from Italy’s largest financial institutions to agree final details of a “last resort” bailout plan. Yet on the eve of that gathering, concerns remain as to whether the plan will be sufficient to ringfence the weakest of Italy’s large banks, Monte dei Paschi di Siena, from contagion, according to people involved in the talks. Italian bank shares have lost almost half their value so far this year amid investor worries over a €360bn pile of non-performing loans — equivalent to about a fifth of GDP. Lenders’ profitability has been hit by a crippling three-year recession. As Italy descends into financial chaos, the rest of the continent better be paying attention. Do you remember how hard it was for the rest of Europe to rescue Greece? Well, Greece has the 44th largest economy on the planet. Italy has the 8th. It would be hard to overstate the seriousness of what is going on over in Europe, and it is not just Italy we are talking about.  All over the continent major banks are in deep trouble, and the chairman of France’s second largest  retail bank recently told reporters that “I am much more worried than I was in 2009“. And there is very good reason for concern.  On Sunday, we learned that a major “bail-in” had just been announced for one of Austria’s most prominent banks.  The following comes from Zero Hedge… And then today, following a decision by the Austrian Banking Regulator, the Finanzmarktaufsicht or Financial Market Authority, Austria officially became the first European country to use a new law under the framework imposed by Bank the European Recovery and Resolution Directive to share losses of a failed bank with senior creditors as it slashed the value of debt owed by Heta Asset Resolution AG. The highlights from the announcement: Today, the Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA) in its function as the resolution authority pursuant to the Bank Recovery and Resolution Act (BaSAG – Bundesgesetz über die Sanierung und Abwicklung von Banken) has issued the key features for the further steps for the resolution of HETA ASSET RESOLUTION AG. The most significant measures are: a 100% bail-in for all subordinated liabilities, a 53.98% bail-in, resulting in a 46.02% quota, for all eligible preferential liabilities, the cancellation of all interest payments from 01.03.2015, when HETA was placed into resolution pursuant to BaSAG, as well as a harmonisation of the maturities of all eligible liabilities to 31.12.2023. According to the current resolution plan for HETA, the wind-down process should be concluded by 2020, although the repayment of all claims as well as the legally binding conclusion of all currently outstanding legal disputes will realistically only be concluded by the end of 2023. Only at that point will it be possible to finally distribute the assets and to liquidate the company. The dominoes are starting to fall in Europe, and I would expect even bigger announcements in the weeks and months to come. Over in Asia, economic chaos is beginning to prevail as well. In China, the stock market is already down more than 40 percent from the peak, Chinese exports were down 25.4 percent on a year over year basis in February, and Chinese economic numbers overall have not been this poor since the depths of the last global recession. At the same time, the Japanese economy is really struggling right now.  As I wrote about the other day, Japanese GDP has shrunk for two out of the last three quarters, we just saw Japanese industrial production experience the biggest one month decline that we have witnessed since the tsunami of 2011, and business sentiment has fallen to a three year low.  The Nikkei has dropped by about 5,000 points from where it was last summer, and some analysts believe that Japanese markets “are being destroyed” due to massive intervention by the Bank of Japan. Here in the United States, we haven’t been hit quite as hard as the rest of the world just yet, but there are lots of very disturbing warning signs all around us. At the end of last week, we learned that it is being projected that U.S. GDP will have grown by just 0.1 or 0.2 percent during the first quarter of 2016.  And on Monday corporate earnings reporting season begins, and it is expected to be a very, very bad one.  The following comes from Business Insider… We are about to get confirmation that earnings growth for America’s biggest companies was negative in the first quarter, compared to the same period a year ago. When aluminum giant Alcoa releases its results on Monday, it will mark the unofficial start of the heaviest reporting season for S&P 500 companies. The final scoreboard is expected to show a 9.1% earnings drop for the quarter, according to FactSet senior earnings analyst John Butters. If these projections turn out to be accurate, it will be the fourth quarter in a row of earnings declines.  This is something that we never see outside of a recession. And for a whole bunch more numbers which indicate that the U.S. economy is in very serious trouble, please see my previous article entitled “19 Facts That Prove Things In America Are Worse Than They Were Six Months Ago“. Of course I am just another voice in the crowd when it comes to predicting that the U.S. economy is headed for rough times.  For example, just check out what Societe Generale economist Albert Edwards is saying… A tidal wave is coming to the US economy, according to Albert Edwards, and when it crashes it’s going to throw the economy into recession. …the profit recession facing American corporations is going to lead to a collapse in corporate credit. “Despite risk assets enjoying a few weeks in the sun our fail-safe recession indicator has stopped flashing amber and turned to red” … He continued: Whole economy profits never normally fall this deeply without a recession unfolding. And with the US corporate sector up to its eyes in debt, the one asset class to be avoided — even more so than the ridiculously overvalued equity market — is US corporate debt. The economy will surely be swept away by a tidal wave of corporate default. As you can see, it isn’t just one nation or one region of the world that we need to be concerned about. Economic chaos is erupting literally all over the planet, and global leaders are starting to panic. Unfortunately, they have had seven years to try to fix things since the last global recession, and they didn’t get the job done.  Anyone that believes that by some miracle they will be able to pull us out of the fire this time and that everything will somehow be okay is simply engaged in wishful thinking. *About the author: Michael Snyder is the founder and publisher of The Economic Collapse Blog. Michael’s controversial new book about Bible prophecy entitled “The Rapture Verdict” is available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.com.*

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You Won't Believe What We Saw In Socialist Venezuela

Legacy of a 19th Century Prophet - Charles Gardner ISRAEL TODAY

Legacy of a 19th Century Prophet

Sunday, April 10, 2016 |  Charles Gardner  ISRAEL TODAY

Tucked away in a beautifully tranquil part of Suffolk, noted among art enthusiasts everywhere as Constable country, is an ancient stone church dating back 700 years.

There’s nothing particularly unusual about that in England, where the sight of a glorious steeple piercing a canopy of trees and sky is the focus of nearly every village.

But I was particularly drawn to this one, on the edge of the magnificent Helmingham Hall estate belonging to Lord and Lady Tollemache, whose fabulous gardens we had just visited.

It turns out that this aristocratic family has had strong connections with the church over the centuries and had been responsible for the mass of illuminated Bible verses inscribed on virtually every spare space inside the building.

Anyone who comes to church without a Bible has much of it ‘printed in large type’ on the walls, while the pulpit is graphically backed up by the text “Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!”

Intrigued to find out more of its history, I soon discovered that none other than John Charles Ryle (later to become the first Bishop of Liverpool) was Rector there for nearly 20 years in the mid-19th century (1844-1861).

But J C Ryle (as he was generally known) would in no way have been intimidated by such evangelical fervour. He would literally have basked in it like a sun-seeker soaking up the warmth of its rays.

During his time at Helmingham, he wrote over eighty tracts which were delivered to every door in the parish. He challenged the complacency of many who seemed disinterested in their spiritual state with prose that – unusually for the day – was both pithy and engaging. He mocked the notion that you should be thought very uncharitable if you dared to question whether a man was a Christian, thus:

“The man’s practice may be no better than that of a heathen: many a respectable Hindu might put him to shame – but what of that? He is an Englishman. He has been baptized. He goes to church, and behaves decently when there. What more would you have?”

He reminded his readers that “sacraments, services and sermons may produce outward formality, and clothe us with a skin of religion, but there will be no life.” Only the Holy Spirit could wake us from our spiritual slumber and save us from the “deep corruption” of our human nature.

He is particularly mindful of those who profess Christianity without backing it up by a transformed life:

“Sin is plainly not considered their worst enemy, nor the Lord Jesus their best friend, nor the will of God their rule of life, nor salvation the great end of their existence.”

Urging us to receive the Spirit, he concludes: “You may not like the tidings. You may call it enthusiasm, or fanaticism, or extravagance. I take my stand on the plain teaching of the Bible.”

Unlike some today, he emphasizes that Christ is the “only way” to heaven and mocks those who treat the Bible as “a heathen idol” only to be brought out at christenings, or upon the arrival of sickness, the doctor and death.

His messages are urgent, passionate, blunt and uncompromising – and what a legacy he has left, for he still speaks, even though dead. He continues to be widely read, and there are apparently many Internet websites devoted to him.

Oh that today’s bishops would speak with such directness and authority! With some notable exceptions, they seem to have had what many have dubbed ‘the operation’ to remove their spine.

But Ryle’s passion for the gospel echoes down the ages, still addressing those lost in a sea of despair, confusion and hopelessness: “I fear lest you should live without Christ, die without pardon, rise again without hope, receive judgment without mercy, and sink into hell without remedy.”

He was unequivocal in stating that “the Bible is all true, and must be fulfilled”. For example, hefirmly believed that the Jews scattered around the world for 18 centuries would soon return to their ancient homeland in fulfillment of many scriptures. And he encouraged Christians to work and pray toward that end.

He said: “I believe that the Jews shall ultimately be gathered again as a separate nation, restored to their own land and turned to the faith of Christ (Messiah).”

And so it was, less than 50 years after he died in 1900, that the modern State of Israel was born! And a growing number have since acknowledged Jesus as their Messiah.

Judge for yourself whether you think a man with such foresight was off the mark in diagnosing the spiritual health of his parishioners.

He did not escape suffering himself – he was twice widowed while at Helmingham – but was not afraid to preach what many today would deem ‘hell-fire and damnation’ as he left his readers with this fiery challenge: “Where is the man that can hold his finger for a minute in the flame of a candle? Who shall dwell with everlasting burnings?”

That there was a heaven to be gained and a hell to be shunned was a fairly orthodox line taken by preachers of the day, but few even then had the courage to put it quite as bluntly as J C Ryle.

Thus galvanized by the gospel, Ryle lit a flame that time would not extinguish and my prayer is that readers will continue to have their hearts similarly warmed by fire from heaven.

PHOTO: The parish church at Helmingham, Suffolk, where J C Ryle preached for 20 years. (Charles Gardner)

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Charles Gardner is author of Israel the Chosen, available from Amazon, and Peace in Jerusalem, available from olivepresspublisher.com

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Step Along the Way - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

Step Along the Way

Now Think On This

Steve Martin

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105 NASU)

At some of the most unexpected, but most needed times, the Lord sends a word of encouragement along the way. During those times when we are uncertain, unclear, or unknowing which next step to take, the Lord will bring a word to encourage us to keep walking.

It seems that being faithful in obedience requires us to do that which we know to do when we know we must continue doing it. Especially when the light isn’t as bright as we’d like, we must keep walking in the light we know. We must be steadfast in our convictions and hold the ground we have been called to stand on.

Because the Lord is faithful, He may not always give us a full powered flashlight or ocean lighthouse to show us the way, but He will shine a light on the path ahead of us to show the way to go. He will also give us a word, from His Holy Word, through a friend’s word of encouragement, or by His Holy Spirit breathing a remembrance of something we heard as a promise years ago, and really need to hear again at this moment in time.

Walking the walk will cause us to be mindful of keeping our eyes upon Jesus, the Author and the Finisher of our faith. To keep us from stumbling along the way, due to rocks, roots, or other obstacles, natural and spiritual, our hearts must be strong in Him, relying on His light of encouragement and direction as we step along the way.

We all need an encouraging word now and then, reminding us of the way we are to go, to keep on going. I am thankful to You, Lord, that You have walked this walk, and know exactly what we need, when we need it most.

Now think on this,

Steve Martin

Founder

Love For His People, Inc.

P.S. I would be most grateful if you'd share this encouraging word with your family and friends. They might need it. You can easily use the social media icons below. Thanks! Steve

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If these messages minister to you, please consider sending a charitable gift of $5-$25 today, and maybe each month, to help us bless families we know in Israel, whom we consistently help through our humanitarian ministry. Your tax deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation. Fed. ID #27-1633858.

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Now Think On This - In the New Year of our Lord 04.10.16 - #254 –“Step Along the Way” – Sunday at 2:30 pm

All previous editions of Now Think On This can be found on this Blog, and on the website: Now Think On This

Again, I would be most grateful if you'd share this encouraging word with your family and friends. You can easily use the social media icons below. Thanks! Steve

Gay Marriage Shut Down Their Dream, But Then God Stepped In... CBN News Steve Little

Gay Marriage Shut Down Their Dream, But Then God Stepped In...

CBN News Steve Little

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Click here to watch Richard and Betty Odgaard tell their story of being forced to close down their dream business because of their religious objections to gay marriage.

When the state of Iowa forced Betty Odgaard to shut down her dream, she nearly lost the will to live.

"It was just devastating, it took me down. I didn't want to be on this earth anymore," she said.

Betty and her husband, Richard, owned and operated the Gortz Haus Gallery. They bought a former Lutheran church made of stone in 2002 and converted it into an art gallery.

"It's a gorgeous building, built in 1937 with the stained-glass windows and beautiful architecture. It was just perfect," Betty told CBN News.

In time, they added a bistro and a flower shop and began hosting weddings and receptions. The gallery became a popular venue, hosting 15 to 20 weddings a year and the extra income helped keep the business afloat.

Shutting Down the Dream

It was the Iowa Supreme Court that set in motion the circumstances that forced the gallery to close and destroyed Betty's dream. In 2009, the court struck down the state's law defining marriage as between one man and one woman.

Betty remembers the day their nightmare began: "August 3, 2013, our lives changed drastically, forever."

A same-sex couple came to the gallery seeking to book their wedding, but the Odgaards are Mennonite Christians and they couldn't particpate in a ceremony that violates their religious beliefs.

"We are all sinners. I don't want to celebrate my sins. I don't want other people to celebrate my sins, nor do I want to participate in celebrating anybody else's sins," Richard said.

The couple filed a complaint against the Odgaard's with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission and when the news hit the press, a deluge of hate came crashing into their lives.

"Our Facebook page blew up -- our phones -- they were calling us just constantly...just with the ugliest, most vile stuff," Betty said.

The intensity of the anger from the gay community shocked the couple. They never refused to serve homosexuals at their restaurant and did not discriminate in hiring.

"We've hired gays," Richard said. "It's not a situation where we're vetting what their sexual orientation is. If they're good people that had the talents, we hire them to work with us."

With the help of The Becket Fund for Religius Liberty, the Odgaard's fought the case for more than a year, but the negative publicity and harrassment took its toll and they settled with the couple for $5,000.

Because of the overwhelming negative publicity they received as they fought their case -- and the possibility of more lawsuits --  the Odgaard's felt they had no choice but to stop hosting weddings and providing wedding services.

"We knew that we'd be in trouble if we tried to do more weddings. They would just come in and sue us," Betty said.

Within six months of that decision, due to the loss of income, the Gortz Haus Gallery closed down in 2015.

God's Original Design Ministry

Today, the Odgaard's are using their experience to engage the culture and encourage the church with a message of defending traditional marriage.

"It became very apparent during the two years of our litigation that the good Christians had caved to this idea of same-sex marriage and were accepting it," Richard said. "We have to educate those folks and remind them of what the truth is and get them back on track."

It's called God's Orginal Design Ministry. Their first step was to put up billboards.

The message is simple: Marriage = one man plus one woman. In just a few months, they had four fully funded four billboards across the country.

Richard and Betty Odgaard

"We call them drive-time epiphanies," Richard said. "It's about reminding people the intention between male and female and what God had in mind for that plan."

The Odgaard's also want to reach the gay community with a message of love.

"We're looking for avenues to reach them, because we feel that's half of our mission field, that's half of our ministry," Betty said. "They're the ones that are hurting, they're the ones that we need to pray for and we need to just reach them for Christ."

Despite the stress and the struggle, they count the whole experience a blessing.

"It has been difficult, I won't lie," Betty said. "It has been the hardest thing that we have ever been through and I don't wish it on anyone."

"The ugly continues to come at us, but I wouldn't want to be anywhere else and we would do it all over again the same way....we are in the middle of God's will and He has blessed us so richly," she said.

"The Holy Spirit Did Not Leave"

In a way, it's not the Odgaard's or gay marriage or the State of Iowa at the heart of the story. It's the building and what it stands for.

The building is where people worshipped for more than 70 years; where Betty saw her dreams come true; where the couple poured out their hearts to make so many weddings a beautiful experience; and, where one of the first battles over religious liberty and gay rights was fought in America.

If the Odgaard's story can be redeemed by God's purpose for their lives, what about the building that sat empty and abandoned at the death of their dream?

"The Holy Spirit did not leave that buidling," Richard said.

Not long after closing down, the Odgaards' church found itself in need of a new building, and they knew just the place. Today, it's once again a house of worship.