Green trees and blue skies herald in the month of June. There is always something magical about the summer arriving. The trees and gardens are changing so quickly. A shadow of a young fern growing is left on a window curtain, a short moment caught by the camera. Images like this remind me that there are extraordinary things happening all the time but quite often we just are unaware of them. I often think it is similar to how God works; He is doing extraordinary things all the time but we are often unaware of them

We have been able to pray for healing for several people this month, outside of a ‘church context’, and it is always wonderful to see how God uses those opportunities. Usually people feel the presence of the Holy Spirit with a peacefulness or sensation of heat on their bodies. We do not always see a healing but we are sure that God is at work.

This month I went to Hamilton, Canada, with our great friends and alumni of Kingdom School, Tyler and Audrey Slade for a visit to a revival starting led by Todd Bentley. There were very powerful times of worship and ministry. People had come from all over to gather in the presence of God, including a man driving all the way from Texas.

We believe God can change things suddenly if He wants and we are calling out for a change in the Albany area with prayer gatherings in homes.

This month the Artists Dinner was well attended and we ate out side of the church building. The gathering has reached a point where people are sharing fully what it means to be an artist in our present culture, how they deal with rejection and the reality of difficult financial situations. Christine received an award from the New York State Assembly for organizing the gatherings which have been going for 18 months now.

Christine also organized a showing of her Icons along with the icon writing students she has been teaching at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Albany. There was an evening of organ music and Icons on display by the Guild she has formed, St Luke’s Guild of Iconographers, which was very well attended by people and the presence of the Holy Spirit. Christine’s ministry through the icon writing, is touching many different people and bringing them into a new understanding of the depth of this prayerful practice.

So, we ask again for your prayers, for all things come from God, and your prayers are the covering that keeps us in His grace. Thank You!!

We pray for you, too, and send our love,

Michael and Christine              www.newchristianicons.com     www.mickhales.com    www.americanassociationoficonographers.com       www.halesart.com