January, 2012

“Presence”

Ted Heiden

Last month I shared two words God gave me going into this year, presence and perspective. I talked about the importance of experiencing His presence as a prerequisite to understanding His perspective.  For the next several TargetPoints I want to unpack these two important words.  This month I have chosen to ask Ted Heiden, Cindy’s brother, to begin the process by talking about obedience, the starting place for experiencing God’s presence:

Obedience is better than sacrifice, the Bible says, and does so for a very specific reason.  Sacrifice assumes this position before God:  That I have something worthy to offer but always accompanied by the distinct possibility that I am blind to the true requirement that would make the sacrifice acceptable.  Obedience on the other hand establishes a position before God: Assuming nothing of my worthiness, only His.  And if that idea doesn’t make you a little warm behind the ears, you should read it again.

The truth is that this may take years to understand because our old nature will stubbornly cling to the idea that Everexisting God needs something from us.  And if you think about that for even a New York minute, the preposterous nature of such an assertion should become obvious.

Sacrifice assumes this position before God:  That I have something worthy to offer but always accompanied by the

distinct possibility that I am blind to the true requirement

that would make the sacrifice acceptable

After having his self-ignorance accosted by the prophet Nathan, King David had a breakthrough moment with God.  It is recorded in Psalm 51. For you have no delight in sacrifice; were I to give a burnt offering, you would not be pleased.  The sacrifice acceptable, O God is a broken and contrite spirit.

In the heyday of animal blood-letting, it was only a broken and repentant king who could recognize that his hands were empty of anything worthwhile and was then prepared to be obedient to something greater than his own heart.  And in turn, it is only those who are obedient to the commands of Christ who can have the slightest insight into the nature of God and thereby find immunity from all the lies of religion and human opinion.

God is revealed to us as a Son who is obedient to His Father.  I only do what I see my Father doing, Jesus said.  And without His obedience we would have no idea what sonship actually looks like.  The most uncomfortable truth:  In the absence of obedience “everything is just opinion.” And if that’s as true as it obviously is, any claim to faith without obedience is a claim to a lie where every false and dishonoring idea about the Father not only becomes possible but acceptable although our soul innately rejects the falsehood.  Then caught in this terrible predicament, we will be forced to erect flimsy theological barricades around these beliefs before quickly setting out to enlist others to defend those very lies from whose power we ourselves are unable to escape.

Now maybe for this reason alone, the things that Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount will never be embraced by religious people or religious systems. “The bar is set too high,” they will say in full retreat to something more debatable like the rest of the New Testament.  But this is because brokenness precedes any possibility of obedience, and not having been broken, we are unable to obey that we might enter into a lifestyle that is completely counter intuitive.

All our devotion can produce is a shrunken version of what God requires, all the while protesting, “My life needs protection.”  But Jesus’ contradiction to this type of human rationale is brutal. If you seek to save your life you will lose it.  If you lose your life for my sake, you will save it.  These are wonderful words of invitation, but they will hang over our heads like a Damocles Sword until we have discovered that true living can only be found on the other side of our human resources. Unless a seed falls into the ground and dies, the Master said, it cannot bear fruit but remains alone.  Dead and resurrected, this kind of faith does not run from the battles of life.  It is not tenuous or fragile, ready to wither at the hint of conflict and testing.  True faith in Christ is robust and unafraid.  Religion however, will settle for much less than that. 

Blessed are the poor in spirit, the Lord said, and then added all the other “Blesseds” He could immediately think of.  But how wrong it is to think that He is telling us how we should act, when no one can act like this without having their insides rearranged.  So yes, the bar is set too high.  And it is only when we are finally forced into this impossible corner, that we will ask along with Jesus first disciples, “If this is so, what makes obedience possible at all?” (“Then who can be saved?”) 

The answer is simple.  Obedience is possible because it is not a method for modifying our behavior according to current social or spiritual standards, but rather an inescapable response to the revelation of God’s grace.  And if this makes any sense at all it will be easy to see that these beatitudes are not prescriptions for a better or more spiritual life.  They are a description of the life that is hid with Christ in God, because one would hardly think of instructing an oak tree on how to grow or a peach pit on how to produce peaches.  How silly that sounds even putting it on paper.  But the foolishness of such an idea only becomes clear when we come to realize that the life that Jesus is laying out before us is the fruit of being connected to the vine, not instructions on how to grow a vine.

Can you imagine how ineffective it would be to tell someone that they had to be forgiving although forgiving is a basic command of Christ? “Just forgive them!” we might say.  But it would do no better than making our children say they are sorry when they aren’t. “I’m sorry,” these little ones will repeat to avoid punishment as their hearts remain unchanged.

So it is good to remember that while Jesus commands absolute obedience, it is not the same obedience most of us require from our kids.  Our desire is to teach our sons and daughters right from wrong.  His, to lead us from death to life, and there is of course, a huge difference.

January was a quiet month after all the special celebrations with family and friends came to a close.  I must admit that this year’s holiday festivities were so special there was a little loneliness that did set in.

I spent most of the month working on our calendar for 2012.  As of today I am pleased with how things are shaping up but we still have many dates open.  Because January and most of February are usually slow months it has really helped us financially to be able to use deposits on future events to offset some of our expenses.

Cindy and I are preparing a brief trip to California soon for some speaking assignments and to prep for a wedding I am presiding over for our nephew on April 1^st.  While there we will also be able to visit with our kids and grandkids—that’s always a blessing.

Around the middle of the month I had the privilege of sharing with a large group of women at Woodmen Valley Chapel.  They meet weekly and call it Moms And Beyond.  I have had this on my schedule for several months and was thrilled to be with these women, many of whom followed our journey with Cindy and were fervently praying for us.

After the meeting several women approached me with comments and questions regarding my message, The Differences Between Men and Women.  One of the women sent me an email a week later that really blessed me—here is what she shared:

Hi Vince, I met you Thursday at the WVC Mom's and Beyond meeting. We spoke briefly after the meeting (I was the last person you spoke with, I think), and I asked you if you were a Christian when your wife was praying for you during those 8 years you described...You answered that you weren't, and I told you that it gave me some hope because I didn't know if my husband was a Christian or not. You suggested he watch your testimony, and that he probably was a Christian who accepted Christ but not Christ as Lord of his life. You were right on. And, the Holy Spirit was at work. My husband has NEVER willingly watched something that I have presented him with, yet he watched your testimony and he was very moved. He really resonated with you. If you would, please pray for him and for our marriage.

My husband has NEVER willingly watched something

that I have presented him with, yet he watched

your testimony and he was very moved

Toward the end of the month I came down with a bad cold.  I am just now getting over it but it did give rise to some concerns.  The last time I caught anything was in October of 2009 and that was the culprit that led to Cindy’s four month battle for her life.  But God is good and so far no one has come down with anything in our household—maybe it’s because Cindy has isolated me to a remote part of the home and has me locked up—just kidding but close.

As you pray for us over this next month please do pray for Cindy’s continued good health and that she would not contract anything during this dangerous flu season.  Also pray for our schedule to start filling up.  If any of you have any contact with people in your local church or area who may be in a position to invite us for a men, couples or pastor conference, please put in a good word.

As always, Cindy and I are so grateful for your prayers and financial support.  We are believing that 2012 is going to be a breakthrough year in discovering God’s special assignment for the season ahead and are honored to be on this journey with you.

May God richly bless you and your family during this special new Season  

            Advancing His Kingdom together,

Vince D’Acchioli

Founder, On Target Ministries

December, 2011

“Presence and Perspective”

Vince D’Acchioli

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path  --Ps 119:105

As I was praying early on the morning of New Year’s Eve I was struck with two words that have combined to shape how I intend to pray going into this New Year; Presence and Perspective.  As we enter into this exciting new season I am praying that God will give you a heightened sense of His Presence in your life as you actively pursue Him.  I am also praying that the result of this new sense of His presence will give you and I a fresh Perspective regarding His new plan and purpose for our lives.  As you think of Cindy and me we would ask you to please pray in this way for us as well.

You will never discover God’s Perspective

until you first experience God’s Presence

I was sitting on my usual chair and ottoman praying and stroking my dog Beau.  Beau is our beautiful Golden Retriever who got me through many a tearful time when Cindy was in the hospital. This is a scene that occurs every morning for my prayer time.  As I would continue to stroke him he would lay still—when I would stop he would immediately take his paw and grab my arm in an effort to get me to continue.

Then it struck me—this is a picture of what I desire my relationship to be with my Lord.  I want to sit in His wonderful lap and experience His gentle hand stroking my brow.  I want to experience the joy of just relaxing in His presence just like Beau wants to do with me—his master.  It was at this tender moment God whispered to me my need to understand Presence and Perspective.

If you are like me you are quick to admit that you want to discover God’s plan for your life—particularly at year’s end.  Perhaps you also experience the same challenge I do—trying to discover God’s perspective without seeking Him.  I talk a good game and say all the right words—I really need to get closer to God this year.  But, oftentimes these words fall tragically on the floor as nothing more that obscure New Year’s resolutions.

I talk a good game and say all the right words—

I really need to get closer to God this year

I don’t know about you, but I cannot afford this kind of annual commitment that falls so short of what God really wants.  This year I intend to pray and seek Him every day for nothing more than to sense His presence.  I am convinced this is the only way to eventually gain His perspective regarding my life and future.  This has been His design from the beginning of time and has never failed.

Psalm 119 is the longest one in the book.  It is also the very center of the Bible and talks about pursuing God.  It’s no wonder that one of the most profound verses falls right in the middle of the writing.  Psalm 199:105 says, Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

As we unpack this incredible verse we can see clearly the two words God has given.  The first part of this verse talks about God’s Word being a lamp for my feet—the idea that as I am in His Word He will illuminate my daily walk—His very presence will be with me along the way.  This is a key promise only made possible as I seek His presence through His Word every day.

The second part to me is even more profound—His Word will become a light on my path.  Here it is clear that not only will He be with me step-by-step, but as I pursue His presence He will shine His light on the path.  In other words, He will give me the bigger picture, the vision or perspective for my life.

An excerpt from today’s devotional found in Experiencing God

An exalted view of God brings a clear view of sin and a realistic view of self. A diminished view of God brings a reduced concern for sin and an inflated view of self. Isaiah may have been satisfied with his personal holiness until he saw the Lord in His unspeakable glory. Isaiah's encounter with holy God made him immediately and keenly aware of his own unholiness and the sinfulness of those around him. It is impossible to worship God and remain unchanged. The best indication that we have truly worshiped is a changed heart.

Have we so conformed ourselves to a sinful world that we are satisfied with unholy living? Have we sunk so far below God's standard that when someone does live as God intended, we consider that person “superspiritual”? If we only compare our personal holiness to those around us, we may be deceived into believing that we are living a consecrated life. Yet when we encounter holy God, our only response can be “Woe is me!”

Our Beau

Dear Friend,                                                                            December, 2011

NOTE:  Please read this month’s TargetPoint as I share two important words God gave me for this coming year—I believe they are for everyone.

I cannot remember a Christmastime that was more special than this one.  There were so many special feelings and times with friends and family—more about that in a minute.

Our month began with our annual Board Christmas Dinner on the 7^th.  Ron and Sally Roberts flew in to join us and it was a festive and productive time as we combined the event with our end-of-year Board Meeting.  The picture is a small tree in our front yard after a beautiful Christmas snow.

On the 8^th I was invited to speak to an Iron Man small group at Woodmen Valley Chapel.  The Lord showed up in a magnificent way for our meeting.  On the 23^rd I was asked by my good friend Larry Yonker to MC the Springs Rescue Mission annual Christmas Banquet.  There were close to 2,000 needy people and their families who were so blessed.

This was one of the most special Christmas

 times our family has ever experienced

For the first time in many years our whole family was here and they all came to help out at the banquet.  Our five grandkids will have some fond memories of that experience.

For those of you who were following Cindy’s journey from critical to miraculous healing, you must have a heightened appreciation for how our family felt during this special season.  This was our first time together as a family and our first Christmas at our home since Cindy came home from the hospital. 

It is hard for me to explain how special this was to me personally.  I remember so many occasions as we all watched Christmas Hallmark movies together having to choke back tears.  Some of the stories brought back so many memories and special emotions as I continued to remember our journey and how grateful I am to have my wife with me for this special new season.

We had our traditional Christmas celebrations and the grandchildren enjoyed sledding, hot chocolate and being together with their cousins.  We shared what we wanted to see God do in our lives in this New Year.  Cindy and I are both feeling much better physically from our long battle with back and neck issues which made the occasion even more special.

Cindy and I want to wish all of you an exciting New Year filled with wonderful blessings from God.  We also want to thank you so much for your continued faithful prayer and support.  Because you helped in such a special way this month we experienced a wonderful year-end financial blessing.  As you know, December is a tough month for ministries like ours—but God is so good.

Please continue to pray for a fresh sense of God’s Presence and Perspective as we enter this new season.  These two special words are what I am unpacking in this month’s TargetPoint and represent what I believe we all need to seek as we journey together.

May God richly bless you and your family during this special new Season  

            Advancing His Kingdom together,                                                                

Vince D’Acchioli

Founder, On Target Ministries

TargetPoint

November, 2011

“Wishing you a blessed Christmas Season”

Vince & Cindy D’Acchioli

Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth

peace, good will toward men  (Luke 2:14).

For Cindy and me this is our first Christmas at our home since her release from physical rehab after her prolonged illness.  Last year we traveled to California to be with our oldest daughter and her family.  As a result we did not decorate our home and for the first time in our married life, we had no tree.  Needless to say, this year we are experiencing a special joy.  Not only have we gone overboard in decorating but our whole family will be here to enjoy this special occasion with us.

In light of all this, Cindy and I are experiencing a new and exciting season ahead. It is with much delight and hopeful expectation we pray this excerpt from one of our favorite books written by Jack Hayford titled “The Mary Miracle” will bless you this Christmas.

The Mary Miracle

The Mary miracle is the fountainhead miracle; it’s the beginning of all God’s wonder-works of redemption.  Redemption is the beautiful word that embraces all of God’s divine program of recovery: His reclaiming the lost, forgiving the sinful and then setting about to fulfill His purposes in each one who will receive His offer of love and life.  That’s what redemption is about.

It didn’t start in a manger in Bethlehem, but in a womb in Nazareth.  Even more precisely, it began before all time in the mind of the eternal Father.  From the fountainhead of God’s redeeming grace, the Mary miracle flowed from heaven to earth, from out of eternity into time.  And here, within time, that miracle began to take shape in a Galilean girl who was stunned by the wonder of what had come to her.  That summarizes the way the Mary miracle begins in, and flows forward with, anyone. 

The Mary miracle starts with the living God ready to work something of His releasing grace, and continues with His finding someone willing to become an instrument of that grace.  It is best understood by looking closely at that incredible starting point of all redemption’s miracles:  The Incarnation.

What happened in the willingness of God to accept temporary housing in a womb, in order to bring eternal promise into the world, is, of course, the theme of Christmas.  But it is a source of every other holy day as well, for no other date on the calendar of our holy celebrations would exist without the beginning---the birth.  There are no miracles without the Mary miracle.  Furthermore, the story of the glory revealed in Jesus Christ our Savior has another incredible feature.  In addition to God’s willingness to come to us is the overarching phenomenon of His coming through a human conduit. 

The Mary miracle reminds us that God Himself has chosen no beginning point for His wonder-working apart from human beings.  In Mary, He demonstrated His readiness and willingness to work through an imperfect human vessel, and He is still unashamed to do the same.

Capture this truth, dear ones.

As amazing as is God’s will to come from heaven to earth, an even more transcending grace is manifest in His choice to reveal Himself through the fabric and frame of humankind.  Look what happened to Mary.

Here was a common member of Adam’s race as tainted by the Fall as any other.  But she was chosen.  And an equal splendor is the revelation God’s Word gives to us that we are no less His choice: “Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world.”

Mary was the first person to experience this order of being chosen, of becoming a vehicle of redemption’s fullest and highest expression of grace.  Consider this:  God’s redemptive promise was brought to her (the angel’s announcement), to grow in her (the miraculous conception), to be delivered through her (that first Christmas), to change the world around her (through Calvary’s triumph). 

This Christmastime may we see ourselves through God’s eyes.  We are a chosen people, to whom a promise has been given, and is to be realized through us to change the world around us by ushering in the kingdom of heaven to earth over and over again.

We wish you a very joyous Christmas and a most blessed New Year-

Lovingly,

Vince and Cindy

            November was a record month for ministry.  We had a seven day period where I ministered 13 times and it was the most intense seven days in the history of On Target Ministries.  The month began with my speaking at Pastor Mike Worley’s church, The Gathering.  It was a wonderful time of ministry to this very special congregation on the subject of Righteousness and Justice.  As I recall, about 8-10 people accepted the Lord over two services.

            Our record setting seven days began in Richland Washington on the 20^th where I ministered the same message for Bethel Church.  I have ministered in this area on several occasions and consider this one of my favorite mega-churches in the country.  My new friend, Pastor Dave Bechtel and his men’s ministry leader, Dave Stevanus, are pretty special.  This church, with numerous offsite video venues, is doing some of the most creative ministry I have encountered.  It’s one of those congregations you just want to adopt you.

November brought about the most intensive seven days of ministry in the history of On Target Ministries

            From Richland I boarded an airplane after church Sunday and headed home to pick up Cindy for a flight Monday to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.  Our dear friends Casey and Sharon Moroschan set up a week of speaking at various events that was as staggering physically as it was anointed spiritually.  They were so gracious to Cindy and I as they booked us into a Fantasy Land Hotel facility connected to the West Edmonton Mall—one of the top five malls in the world.  If you Google West Edmonton Mall you will be amazed—they even have an indoor ocean with waves.

On Tuesday evening it began as we attended a Celebrate Marriage banquet where I enjoyed the privilege of talking about the differences between men and women.  It was a wonderful and very festive time. On Wednesday I conducted a one-day seminar for business men at Vanguard College for Stephen Hertzog.  Stephen is the president of this incredible institution that is part of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada (PAOC).  He and his wife, Patti have become dear friends.  They even cooked a special Thanksgiving meal for all of us knowing that we gave up being with our family to be with them.

            On Wednesday night I spoke to a men’s gathering at Casey Moroschan’s church, Gospel Centre.  Several of the men asked Jesus into their heart that evening.  Exhausted, I appreciated a day off on Thursday.  Then on Friday I conducted another full day seminar for the college.  This time it was for about 100 pastors and third year students.  It is so invigorating to be around these special young people seeking God’s direction for their life and ministry.  My topic was The Six Structural Elements of Effective Churches.  Stephen called me this morning and told me the positive feedback is still pouring in—WOW.

            On Saturday morning I participated in a men’s ministry brainstorming session with leaders representing several churches and it was very positive.  That evening I spoke to the Saturday night service for Gospel Centre on the subject Armed…Ready for Battle dealing with the lessons learned through our difficult struggle with Cindy’s illness.  It was extra special to share with this congregation as many remember praying for Cindy during that time.

            Sunday Morning I concluded by speaking to their main church service and through both services there were about 25-30 people who gave their hearts to Jesus.  Cindy and I stayed up front after the Saturday service and prayed for many who came forward.

Through both services there were about 25-30

people who gave their hearts to Jesus

            Needless to say, Monday back home was a quiet day, tired but feeling humbled and fulfilled because of God’s faithfulness.  Cindy, who was not feeling her best just before we left, was so happy to be able to come with me.  This trip blessed both of us and served to confirm God’s special hand upon us and our ministry.  We want you to know that your prayers and financial support are key to making all this happen—God is using all of us and we are just privileged to be your point people extending ministry to so many who are in desperate need.

            Toward that end I want to close by reminding you of the importance of our year-end donations.  Many people choose this time to give special gifts to ministries they support.  We, like most ministries, find it hard to make it through the holiday season without this heightened level of support.  Cindy and I would like to ask you to consider a special year-end donation for the work God has called us to. 

May God richly bless you and your family this Christmas Season and always

            Advancing His Kingdom together,

Vince D’Acchioli

Founder, On Target Ministries

October, 2011

“Perfect Love…The Prescription For Fear”

Ted Heiden

This month I am excited to share a guest TargetPoint from Cindy’s  brother Ted.  He has been with us from the time Cindy first entered the hospital until now and has some unique insights.  As a former pastor in both the Lutheran and Foursquare denominations, Ted brings a unique and valuable perspective to what it means to be a Christ follower—I know this will bless you.

In September of 2009 my sister was hospitalized with what was later diagnosed as the H1N1 virus.  If you have been following Cindy and Vince’s story you have become intimate with their journey of grace.  Of all things observed, one stood out with particular relevance:  The absence of fear.  Now please understand, I’m not saying there weren’t times of great stress and doubt about Cindy’s earthly future, but this is very different than fear.  In the wake of this family’s five-month ordeal I sat down to collect my thoughts on the subject:

When the ancient human instinct for heroes and saviors get mixed up with the modern Internet rumor machine, for the shrillest partisans, fear will always play to a packed house.  For the opposite of faith is not doubt.  It’s fear.  And for this reason, the Bible teaches that, Perfect love casts out fear.

In this amazing prescription, Dr. Paul almost makes fear sound like some independent demonic force.  But whether you want to ascribe fear’s origin to the big fall or the million smaller ones that have come in its wake, fear does not require a demon.  It is something that is part of our old nature, i.e. The next time you hear people talking about the instinct to survive, listen carefully and you will discover that the conversation has very little to do with a man’s hope of future achievement, but rather a concern that there will be no future at all.  And this is because those outside the agency of grace remain bound to live as quarry slaves whose death looms larger than any earthly accomplishment or pleasure.

 Any well-read psychologist can list over 500 recognized phobias ranging from the fear of heights, water, the number thirteen, fish and flutes to a fear so encompassing it is called pan phobia:  Literally, the fear of everything.

All fear however, feeds on the insecurity of losing:  Life, reputation, money, health, control, good looks, family, and so on.   But what we’re afraid of losing doesn’t really matter.  It’s just losing.  And to the degree that we live in the grips of these kinds of anxieties, we’re paralyzed.  So the fact that some of these fears are more socially acceptable, even sanctified, doesn’t change a thing.

This is why I find it so refreshing to see how Jesus recruited his disciples.  He just told them the truth about what the cost was going to be.  No wiggle-room.  No fine print exceptions or additions.  No contorted legalese to maneuver:  Just the truth.  What was it going to cost?  Simple.  Everything.  And once that was out of the way, fear of losing just about anything had to take a hike.

Fear not, the Master said.  It is the Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. And like a greased pig at the county fair, it was hard for the world to grab these people long enough to put up any threats that would influence their chosen course of action.  Bob Dylan sang, When you got nothin, you got nothin to lose.  Now I’d know that raspy “Johnny’s in the basement mixin up the cement” voice anywhere, but at this point it sure sounds like Jesus to me.  And while it’s not recorded anywhere in scripture that Jesus could even carry a tune, I trust that when he reached down in that boat to lift those first fisherman into a new life, it was the most beautiful music they’d ever heard.

When you got nothin, you got nothin to lose

But at the risk of making this just a bit too romantic, we do have to remember that glaring exception in the disciple’s nearly fearless record when they were scared spitless of the Jews after their personal Terminator had temporarily departed.  But really, apart from that Sea of Galilee Big Wave Adventure, that I can completely empathize with, I think that’s about it.  Sure, we heard them complain, fall flat on their faces and show an enormous propensity for misunderstanding just about everything.  But fear?  Not so much.  And the book of Acts?  Well, there’s a record of bravery in its finest form.

But what was it that transformed these regular men and women into such courageous witnesses?  You should know by now it wasn’t a class in assertiveness training or lessons in Kung Fu.  It was a Person.  Just that.  A Person who was able to convince this human herd that nothing mattered but His message.  Leave the dead to bury the dead, he told a man who wanted to delay his apprenticeship to honor his father with a decent burial and maybe get his cut of the old man’s dough.  Sell all you have and give it to the poor, He charged another who was more closely attached to his wallet than bark is to a tree.  In comparison to your love for me, you must learn to hate your own father and mother, He taught and then waited for the crowd to thin.  No, there is nothing more important.  Nothing more critical.  Nothing more consuming than the call of God.  It really is all or nothing at all.  And it is in coming to terms with those terms that fear gets left behind at the station.

Over the last 43 years I have learned that talking about faith is one thing, living it another; and that our faith is in God, not a hoped for or expected results.  So many times I have tried to figure out the situations of my life only to find out that my speculations were just that, speculation.  And if this makes any sense to you, you also know that God is not only looking for people who will trust Him, but people that He can trust when the chips are down and the explanations are few and far between.

As Cindy’s brother, I am so glad she made it through this illness.  I’m so glad she is still with us to laugh and cry and cook (not a joke).  And to this end, I want to thank you all for your measureless concern and love for my sister.  Ted       

Dear Friend,                                                                                        October, 2011

            It was a memory I will not soon forget.  I was sitting in the front row listening to the message when Pastor Bonacorsi leaned over and whispered, how are you going to follow that?  I opened this three session mini conference the night before and was going to bring the third and final session after the opening one.  Now here is the amazing news—this session was being delivered by my wife, Cindy.  It was her second time speaking since here miracle recovery and the first time completely alone.

            My response to Pastor was, I do not know how to follow that but a smart pastor would fire the guy speaking at the church service tomorrow and hire her.  He took my advice.  I will share more later but let me tell you how it all began.

I do not know how to follow that but a

smart pastor would fire the guy speaking at

the church service tomorrow and hire her

            It started on Sunday the 9^th as Cindy was invited to speak at Mountain Life Church in Fort Collins.  This was her first time speaking out since her recovery and was a takeoff on her TargetPoint article of last month titled, reflections.  The response was overwhelming and the testimonies flowed.  Her second message would come in a three session mini conference we were set to do in Rantoul, IL the following week.

            That trip began on Thursday night the 13^th as I spoke to around 400 at the Jesus Is The Way Prison Ministry Banquet.  The next weekend we were scheduled to conduct the mini conference on Friday night and Saturday and I was scheduled to speak to the church service on Sunday for our friend John Bonacorsi and Christian Life Community Church.

            On that Saturday morning I was choking back some real tears and cannot remember being more proud of my wonderful wife.  She hit it out of the park and so many people came up to us after the message saying how touched they were.  Cindy did such an amazing job that pastor wanted the whole church to hear the message and she agreed.  It was also recorded by video and is being edited for uploading to our site soon.  I will keep you posted.

I was choking back some real tears and cannot

 Remember being more proud of my wonderful wife

            The following week I flew to Maple Grove IL for Pastor Ken Roberts of New Life Community Church.  Ken asked me to speak to a class on Wednesday night the 19^th on witnessing.  I also spoke to his men on Saturday morning and the church service that Sunday.  It was a special time for me as I got to stay with pastor and his lovely wife and participate in a powerful prayer meeting in their home Saturday night.

            As we head into another busy month we are so grateful for the ministry opportunities on our calendar.  I will be ministering in the Tri-Cities area of Washington State the weekend of the 19^th of November for my friend Pastor Dave Bechtel and Bethel Church.  I will be speaking for a men’s gathering and also their Sunday services.

            I no sooner get back and Cindy and I leave for a week-long trip to Edmonton, Alberta Canada and a series of events scheduled by our dear friends Casey and Sharon Moroschan.  While there I will be conducting two one day seminars for Vanguard College, the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada Bible School as well as several other men’s and couples ministry events.  Please keep us in your prayers during this busy season.

            Finally, please remember how much we need your continued financial support.  While we are blessed with so many ministry opportunities we are also heading into our slowest time of year.  Please consider a generous November gift and prayerfully look at the possibility of a special year-end gift for December.

            You will never know how much of a blessing you are and how much we love you.

            Advancing His Kingdom together,

Vince D’Acchioli

Founder, On Target Ministries

“A Word of Reflection”

Cindy D’Acchioli

 The last year and a half has been a time of recovery and reflection.   

I continue to be amazed and thankful for your love, faithful prayers and care.  I am so proud and humbled to be a part of such a large family of people who are able to respond obediently with persistence and endurance, each moving under the direction of the Holy Spirit.  You have been a living demonstration of the body of Christ in action.

God has moved in so many amazing ways.  Miracle after miracle occurred restoring me several times from near death experiences.  I have been called a “miracle” by all three of my doctors.  My pulmonary doctor has been astounded, as he saw the condition of my lungs in the hospital.  The neurologist called in his intern and asked her if she had ever seen a true miracle.  Upon replying “no”, he calmly said, “you are now looking at one.” My internist is a believer and has been an incredible blessing. 

I have been hesitant in speaking out on these things, wanting to carefully guard what the Lord was saying to me for my sake and what was for a more public venue.  The reward of this restraint has been wonderful.  It is my hope that in these frail words you may hear His perfect voice.

When I woke up from being in a coma on and off for nearly five months I could not move anything but my little finger.  In that earliest stage of recovery, having virtually no control of my circumstances, I found myself asking God why and trying to make sense of what had happened.  I thought I knew pretty well what God would allow or not allow.  Now finding myself in a place I didn’t understand, I was shaken in a way unlike ever before.  I had to make a decision:  Will I give into fear or faith.

I found myself asking God why and trying

to make sense of what had happened

It was a daily process that would bring me to the place of submission before the Lord, where I finally said, God you don’t need to answer my questions. I trust your love for me and your faithfulness towards me.

I find it interesting that just prior to my hospitalization my devotions had me in the book of Job.  Looking back, it seems like God was preparing my heart for not only the illness but for the recovery.  Job’s faith was affirmed at the end of his struggle

.

I was reminded of the story when God tested Abraham by asking him to sacrifice Isaac.  Abraham’s trust had to be totally in God, not in his expectations of God.  God knew his heart all along, but I believe He wanted Abraham to see his own heart.  His faith was reckoned to him as righteousness.

Literally, one step at a time, I waited on Him, finding comfort in His presence and care through your love and prayers.  As I grew in strength and wholeness daily, I happened upon a book in our home library by Gene Edwards called The Prisoner in the Third Cell.

It was dedicated to his dearly beloved daughter Cindy.  Well, some may call that a “coincidence”, but I rather saw it as “providential”.  It is a historical novel; a story based on the life of John the Baptist.  I am going to share a few things that captured my attention as I read.

John had most likely been mentored by the Essenes during his time spent in the wilderness.  They were a radical Jewish separatist movement isolated from mainstream Judaism.   Dwelling in the wilderness they refused to come under the self-righteous practices of the Pharisees and Sadducees and the distorted temple system.  All to say, John probably had his preconceived ideas as well as how the Kingdom of God would manifest itself through the coming Messiah.

Being the son of a priest, he was in line to replace his father in the temple. He was the first cousin to the Lord.  It was John who first publicly declared Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

During the last portion of his life Herod had him placed in “the pit” in a castle prison.  It was the worst cell in the house.  I can only imagine he was thinking that things were not turning out the way he had expected.  Restless in heart and mind, he summoned some of his disciples to go to Jesus and ask him, are you the Messiah, or should we look for another?

Jesus’s reply came straight from one of Judaism’s most revered prophets.  Go tell John, Jesus told them, that the blind see, the lepers are healed, crutches are being discarded left and right and the poor are receiving the best news of their lives.  Then He added, blessed are those who are not offended with Me.  

His last words touched me deeply.  He was saying to John and to each of us, I know sometimes I do not live up to your expectations.  You will not always understand My sovereignty or My ways because they are higher than your ways. Will you yet put your trust in Me alone?

Blessed are those who are not offended with Me

In a single moment John’s thinking has been redirected.  Now with His own ideas and ambitions dead on the floor of his prison cell, his heart is burning bright with the truth, because John’s heart is not offended.  His trust has now transferred to a Messiah so different from his previous expectations. Soon after, John was beheaded.

Like John, I have come to know, as never before, that my faith is secure only in a Person and that Person is Jesus Christ.  My ideas are just that, my ideas.  My doctrinal positions are just my doctrinal positions.  I have again discovered the power and freedom that comes with bending solely into Him.  He is my Rock.  He is my Fortress.  He is my Strength.  He is my Portion and my Cup.  How awesome He is.

I thank each one of you from my heart for the faith, perseverance and love displayed to my family.  Your testimony stands clear and beautiful. You are truly living epistles of God’s grace.   Let us continue on together that His perfect life might shine among all men that they too might be drawn to His marvelous light.

But now we see in a mirror dimly, but one day we will see face to face, now I know in part, but then I shall know fully just as I have been fully known. 

-1 Cor 13:12

Dear Friend,                                                                                          September, 2011

            Last month I began by telling you how special our times of ministry were.  At the time it was hard to imagine a better month.  Well, as I share with you the events of September I know you will be as excited and surprised as I was to experience a continuation of God’s amazing grace.

            It all began with a men’s retreat for several churches in the Tri-Cities area of Washington State on the 16th.  I spoke one time Friday night and twice on Saturday morning and God moved powerfully.  I remember 3 men giving their heart to Jesus and many more rededicating their lives.

            From there my good friend Dave Serrell, drove me into Oregon to speak at a chapel service for the Eastern Oregon Correctional Facility.  This prison houses about 1700 inmates from moderate to life sentences.  Dave had been volunteering at this site and had the opportunity to show some of my videos.  The men responded so well that he asked the chaplain if I could speak to them live.  He agreed and we went through the normal process of background checks to get the proper permit.

            This was a special highlight for me.  I have been in a number of prisons over the years and am so grateful that many are using our videos.  This particular experience is one I will never forget.  The men were so excited that I was coming that they had one of their biggest turn outs with about 100 men in attendance.  Three came forward and shared some special music.  I was literally choking back tears and cannot remember the last time I sensed such a sweet spirit in any gathering.

I was literally choking back tears and cannot remember

 the last time I sensed such a sweet spirit in any gathering.

            When it was my time to share I simply told them my story.  I suggested that were it not for the grace of God I would be in their shoes.  I also told them that true freedom has little to do with which side of the bars you are on and that there are many outside that are bound up and need to discover the freedom that can only come through Christ. 

            I reminded them about the Apostle Paul and how he wrote Phil 3:13-14 from behind prison bars in conditions that would make theirs look like the Crowne Plaza Hotel.  This is where Paul talks about forgetting what is behind and pressing on toward the target God has given.  I reminded them of how special they are and how much God wants to use them right where they are. 

            At the conclusion I prayed for them to let go of the past and press on.  Around 30 of these precious men asked Jesus into their hearts.  At the end, as they were filing out, practically every inmate gave me a special greeting and hug..  It was so special—these are just a bunch of little boys in some big bodies.

            The following morning I found myself in Benton City Washington to speak to a gathering of churches that came together for a special worship service.  I spoke on the subject,  Righteousness and Justice, a new message that has become the follow-on to Armed…Ready for Battle.  About 15 people asked the Lord into their hearts and many more prayed to get release from the sin in their life.

These two special messages are perhaps the most important ones I have delivered in our ministry’s history and capture the heart of what God has taught me through our recent struggles.  A link to the video of this last message is here http://vimeo.com/channels/169668#29677231 

            That night I found myself in Richland Washington for our friends at Richland Baptist Church.  Here again a special service where several churches from the area came together to hear the first message of this series.  There were another 3 people who gave their hearts to the Lord.

            I am overwhelmed at what God is doing and as I look ahead at our schedule it appears He is just getting started.  Coming up in the next two months we have a special seminar for several churches in Illinois, speaking for Jesus is the Way prison ministry’s fundraising banquet, special events and leadership training in Minneapolis and two seminars for Vanguard Bible College, the Assemblies of God Bible school in Edmonton, Canada, one on The Six Structural Elements of Effective Churches and another day on Servant Leadership.

            In addition, Cindy and I will be ministering together for the first time since her recovery.  In addition to all the events mentioned we have a couple’s event and two other occasions where she will be sharing her story and insights.

My friends, none of this could be happening without you!

            Your prayers and financial support are what makes all of this possible.  As we look at our Fall schedule I am so excited about what is to come and still mindful of our need for your continued financial support.  Please consider a generous gift this month to help us with the costs which cannot be covered by the events themselves.  It helps us price our ministry in a way that the church can afford and opens up so many more doors.

            Thank you so much for not only your prayers but your generous financial support that helps to make all of this possible.

Extending His Kingdom together,                

Vince D’Acchioli

Founder, On Target Ministries