Fire in our hearts - The Jesus Army

FIRE IN OUR HEARTSAWAKE O ZION!lands were like paradise and the Hall was New Jerusalem!Pete was more realistic and saw what was coming.The battle of faith continued. We had the deposit, but whereon earth would we find the rest? Everyone we approachedturned down our application for a mortgage until one friendlybank manager pointed to the ceiling and said, ‘Well, if him upthere is on your side, I’d better help!’ It wouldn’t be the lasttime God would touch the hearts of influential people whenwe needed it.In July, Dave Lantsbery and Steve, a converted young drunk,took possession of the old rectory — at two o’clock in themorning! The owls screeched all night as the pioneers triedto sleep in a dusty corridor upstairs. Dave was soon on holidayfrom teaching and went round the auctions for furniture.Lots of people offered them stuff — boxes of crocks, sundaedishes and lemon squeezers — most of it useless! But we werein and the adventure had begun.In July 170 of us left for Ashburnham Place in Sussex. Godwas taking us deeper, and it was here we all learned to ‘meditate’.Or, at least, tried to!Early one morning I stepped on to the lawn and headed forthe woods. It was only six o’clock and the sun was drawing ahaze from off the lake. At last I was alone with God. Gently Isang in tongues and felt my desert boots soaking up the morningdew. The donkey brayed noisily, but I kept my distance.(The animal was notorious for biting Christian retreaters!)Otherwise the silence was delicious. I sang out the interpretationand prophesied, then, turning off the path into thewoods, I poured out my heart to God. I felt he had become my109