From Helpmate to Global Leader: My Wife is a Shining Star

December 29, 2001

I remember a conversation I had with Katherine back when we were dating (or whatever it was that we were doing).  I was explaining to her then about how I really wanted a "helpmate" in a wife -- someone to stand behind me and support me in my vision and calling.  We talked about Bible verses on wives submitting to husbands and how God created Eve for Adam.  It was all fine and reasonably accurate theologically and rather incomplete.

We will celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary at the end of this year.  She has graciously been serving in the background as I have taken the lead.  I don't really regret that arrangement and neither does she.  It has been good and God has used us in ways beyond what we could have expected.

But ... a few years ago, something began to happen that immediately excited me.  Katherine began to turn a corner in her personal ministry of prayer mobilization and some world class leaders took notice.  She became our ministry's prayer coordinator and then also took the mantle of prayer leadership for the Global Diaspora Network.  Her monthly prayer newsletters began to slowly and quietly circulate around the world and by December 2014, captured the attention of even the Billy Graham Center for World Evangelization.

In March 2015, she directed the entire prayer ministry surrounding the Global Dispora Forum in Manila and was personally able to minister to the hundreds of leaders from around the world who had assembled there.  In the year that has followed, the monthly prayer newletters have increased in circulation and are being translated in at least one other language (Korean -- a very strategic one for prayer).  During my recent trip to Singapore for the Diaspore Educators Consultation, plenty of the leaders were already familiar with her work and testified that they were praying in response to the newsletters.  Moreover, some major evangelical leaders have offered their endorsement for a book project that we are working on and plan to release in the Fall.  The goal will be major mobilization of prayer for diasporas.

Now, in just a week, my lovely wife will be getting on a plane bound for South Africa to join Global Prayer Summit.  A few dozen leaders are gathering for the sake of prayer and global prayer strategy development.  I'm thinking of the quote, "Prayer is the greater work" that has often influenced us throughout the years.
an invitation only event called the

If the Kingdom is going to advance in the next 30 years -- and it is -- then it will surely advance through prayer.  Prayer is simply a means by which God has chosen to do things.  Wesley was adamant that "God does nothing except through believing prayer".  

So, I'm very excited that God is repositioning my wife to have a greater and greater leadership role in global prayer ministry and mobilization.  I've been pondering how it is very possible that people will come to know her more than they know me - that I will, at least in some circles, come to be known as the husband of Katherine Lorance.  Definitely the me of 15 years ago would not have been very happy with that.  But, the me of now?  I think I'm ready for it.  It feels so good to hear someone praise my wife and her ministry.  I get excited when I think about how her "star is rising".

As a husband of nearly 15 years, I can say that few things have been more satisfying to me in our marriage than to see her sort of "coming into her own" in ministry.  I always knew I had married a very special girl.  I am humbled and grateful for her faithful and loving work in the shadows for this long time.

When the spotlight shines on a great woman ... that is a magnificent thing! 

If you have made it to the end of this post, thanks!  I'll remind you that we are still raising money for the South Africa trip.  If you can contribute, please do so now.  

Henri Nouwen on Visionaries

We can see the visionary in the guerilla fighter, in the youth with the demonstration sign, in the quiet dreamer in the corner of a cafe, in the soft-spoken monk, in the meek student, in the mother who lets her son go his own way, in the father who reads to his child from a strange book, in the smile of a girl, in the indignation of a worker, in every person who in one way or another draws life from a vision which is seen shining ahead and which surpasses everything ever heard or seen before.

- Henri Nouwen, With Open Hands

बिजय दशमि! The Symbols of Dashain

The Symbols of Dashain

     Dashain is a great time for devotees of the Lord Shri Jesus Christ!  This is a wonderful opportunity for us to worship the Holy Spirit. Together with all our Nepali and Bhutanese friends and family, we can use the rich symbols and traditions of Dashain to express our faith, honor our families, and celebrate Nepali culture.  There are many symbols and traditions in Dashain. Two of the most important are called “tika” and “jamera.” Beginning on the day of “Bijaya Dashami” tika and jamera are used to show love and blessing to family and close friends.

     Followers of Jesus should feel confident to use these symbols also. First, all these things were created by God for His glory. Second, the red tika reminds us of the blood of the Lord Shri Jesus that provides our salvation. The rice in the tika reminds us of the seed of faith that we have in Christ. Finally, the jamera reminds us of the Holy Spirit’s work to help us grow.   Together, these symbols provide a powerful reminder of the victory that we have through TriEak Parmeshwar. So, we can say with joy, “Bijaya Dashami!”

दशैंको चिन्नहरू

     दशैं येशु भक्तहरूको लागि एकदम राम्रो समय हो । यो पवित्र आत्मलाई पूजा गर्नुको निम्ती मङ्गल उत्सव् हो । सबै नेपाली-भुटानिहरूसंग हामीले दशैंको चिन्न र संस्कृतिद्वरा हाम्रा विश्वास प्रमाण् दिनु र हाम्रा परीवारलाई मान्नु सकौं ।  दुइटा ठुलो चिन्नहरू नै टिका र जमरा हो । बिजय दशमिदेखी मनिसहरूले परिवार र नजिक साथिहरूलाई टिका-जमरा आशिषको लागि दीन्छन ।

     येशु भक्तहरूले पनि यी चिन्नहरू प्रयोग गर्नसक्छन् । पैले, त्रीएक परमेश्वरले सबै थोक उहाँका महिमको निम्ती सृष्टि गर्नुभयो । दोस्त्रो, रातो टिकाले प्रभु श्री येशुको रगत हामिलाई सम्झाउछ । यो रगतद्वरा हाम्रो मुक्ती आउँछ । टिकाको चामल विश्वासको बिउजस्तो छ । यो विश्वासको बिउदेखी मुक्ती आउँछ । र, जमराले पवित्र आत्मको काम हामीलाई सम्झाउछ । उहाँले हाम्रा जीवनमा आफ्न फल उब्जाउनुहुन्छ । जम्मा, यी चिन्नहरू हाम्रो परमेश्वरको विजय एकदम शक्तिशाली सम्झौटो हो । साँच्चै, हामीले भन्दछैं, "बिजय दशमि!"

दशैँ प्रार्थना- Tuesday, 10/23/2012 नवमी (Ninth Day) Self-control Day

By A.D. Thomas

पवित्र आत्माको फल संयम हो।

The fruit of the Holy Spirit is self-control.

पर्खाहरू भत्किएको नगरझैँ आत्मसंयम नभएको मानिस हो। (हितोपदेश २५:२८, Proverbs 25:28)

Today, pray especially for Nepali youth to have self-control. Ask God to give you victory over sin and temptation. Fix your mind on TriEak Parmeshwar.

आज, प्रार्थना गर्नुहोस्- प्रभु श्री येशु, म तपाईंमाथि ध्यान गर्छू। मलाई र सबैलाई संयम दिनुहोस् । मेरो पाप क्षामा गर्नुहोस्।

दशैँ प्रार्थना- Monday, 10/22/2012 अष्टमी (Eighth Day) Gentleness Day

पवित्र आत्माको फल नम्रता हो.

The fruit of the Holy Spirit is gentleness.

तिमीहरूका भित्री हृदयलाई भलो र शान्त आत्माको अविनाशी रत्नले सजाओ, जो परमेश्वरको दृष्टिमा साह्रै मुल्यवान् छ। (१ पत्रुस ३:४, 1 Peter 3:4)

Ask God to give you gentleness and humility so that your relationships with others can be improved.

आज, प्रार्थना गर्नुहोस्-“पिता परमेश्वर, मलाई अरूहरूसंग शक्त र आनन्दित् सम्बन्ध चाहियो । यसकारण हे प्रभु, ममा कमलो हृदय सृजानुहोस। “

दशैँ प्रार्थना- Sunday, 10/21/2012 सप्तमी (Seventh Day) Faithfulness Day

पवित्र आत्माको फल बिश्वस्तत हो।

The fruit of the Holy Spirit is faithfulness.

हामी पछि हट्ने र विनाश परिनेहारूमध्येका होइ्नौं, तर विश्वास गरी बचाइएकाहरूमध्येका हौं।

(हिब्रु १०:३९, Hebrews 10:39)

Pray that Nepalis everywhere will put their trust in the Lord Sri Jesus and receive his salvation.

आज, प्रार्थना गर्नुहोस्-“पिता परमेश्वर, सबै नेपाली र भूटानीहरूलाई प्रभु श्री येशुमाथि विश्वस गर्नु दिनुहोस्, ताकी तीनिहरूले तपाईंको मुक्ती प्राप्त गर्छन्।“

दशैँ प्रार्थना- Saturday, 10/20/2012 षष्ठी (Sixth Day) Goodness Day

पवित्र आत्माको फल भलाई हो।

The fruit of the Holy Spirit is goodness.

प्रिय हो, खराबिको अनुकरण नगर, तर भलाईको अनुकरण

गर। जसले भलो गर्दछ, त्यो परमेश्वरको हो, जसले खराबी गर्दछ, त्यसले परमेश्वरलाई देखेको छैन।

(३ युहन्ना १:११, 3 John 1:11)

Today, ask God to help you do something good for another person.

आज, प्रार्थना गर्नुहोस्-“पिता परमेश्वर, तपाईंको निम्ती के गरुँ? आज, के राम्रो कुरा मैले अरूहरूको लागि गर्नुपर्छ?“

दशैँ प्रार्थना- Friday, 10/19/2012 पञ्चमी (Fifth Day) Kindness Day

पवित्र आत्माको फल दया हो।

The fruit of the Holy Spirit is kindness.

प्रभुको सेवक झगड़ालु हुनुहुँदैन,

तर हरेकको लागि दयालु हुनुपर्छ।

 (२ तिमोथी २:२४, 2 Timothy 2:24)

Today, pray that God will bless all Nepalis with hearts full of kindness towards others. Pray that all quarreling will end.

आज, प्रार्थना गर्नुहोस्-“पिता परमेश्वर, तपाईंको आत्मद्वारा सबै नेपालीहरूलाई दयालु हृदयको वरदान दिनुहोस। सबै झगड़ाहरु खतम गर्नुहोस। “

दशैंको सत्संग - Dashain Satsang (Join Us Sunday at 2PM)

Join Us on Sunday, October 21^th at 2PM

दशैंको सत्संग

Dashain Satsang

सत्संग, पर्सात्, आराधना, भजन

Satsang, prasaath, worship, bhajan-singing

(Food pani hola?)

TriEak Parmeshwar Mandali

670 S. Lambert Road, 

GlenEllyn, IL 60188

दशैँ प्रार्थना- Thursday, 10/18/2012 चतुर्थी (Fourth Day) Patience Day

पवित्र आत्माको फल धैर्य हो।

The fruit of the Holy Spirit is patience.

परमप्रभुको सामुन्ने मौन बस र धैर्यपूर्वक उहाँको प्रतिक्षा गर। (भजनसंग्रह ३७:७, Psalms 37:7)

Sometimes it is difficult to be patient. Pray for God to give you patience at work and school and with other people.

आज, प्रार्थना गर्नुहोस्-“पिता परमेश्वर, कहिले कहिं मेरो धैर्य छैन । सबै समयमा र सबै मानिसहरूसंग मलाई धैर्य दिनुहोस।“

दशैँ प्रार्थना- Wednesday, 10/17/2012 तृतिया (Third Day) Peace Day

पवित्र आत्माको फल शान्ती हो।

The fruit of the Holy Spirit is peace.

अब शान्तिका प्रभु आफैले सब समय, हरतरहले तिमीहरूलाई शान्ती दिऊन्। प्रभु तिमीहरू सबैसँग रहुन्। (२ थेसलोनिकी ३:१६, 2 Thessalonians 3:16)

Today, pray that all refugee peoples everywhere will know the peace of the Lord Sri Jesus Christ in difficult times.

आज, प्रार्थना गर्नुहोस्-“पिता परमेश्वर, सबै शरणागतीहरूलाई तिनिहरुका कष्टहरूमा तपाईंको शान्ती दिनुहोस।“

दशैँ प्रार्थना-Tuesday, 10/16/2012 द्वितीया (Second Day) Joy Day

पवित्र आत्माको फल आनन्द हो।

The fruit of the Holy Spirit is joy.

प्रभुमा सधैँ आनन्द गर। म फेरी पनि भन्दछु, आनन्द गर। (फिलिप्पी ४:४, Philippians 4:4)

Today, pray that Nepalis everywhere will know the joy of the Lord Sri Jesus Christ. Pray for families who are in mourning now to experience new joy in the Lord.

आज, प्रार्थना गर्नुहोस्- “पिता परमेश्वर, सबै नेपालीहरुलाई तपाईंको आनन्द दिनुहोस । सबै बिलाप गर्नेहारुलाई सान्त्वना दिनुहोस ।“

दशैँ प्रार्थना- Monday, 10/15/2012 प्रतिपदा (First Day) Love Day

पवित्र आत्माको फल प्रेम् हो।

The fruit of the Holy Spirit is love.

प्रिय हो, हामी एउटाले अर्कालाई प्रेम गरौं, किनभने प्रेम

 परमेश्वरबाट आउँछ । (१ युहन्ना ४:७, 1 John 4:7a)

Today, pray that Nepalis everywhere will know the love of Pita Parmeshwar. Pray also that they will greatly love their friends, neighbors, and family.

आज, प्रार्थना गर्नुहोस्-“पिता परमेश्वर, सबै नेपालीहरुलाई तपाईंको प्रेम दिनुहोस । तपाईंको आत्मद्वारा हामिलाई मदत गर्नुहोस्, ताकी हामी हाम्रा साथि, पेरिवार्, छिमेकि र हाम्रा शत्रुहरुलाई पनि प्रेम गर्नु सकौं ।“

Bhansala of India Ethnic People Profile

At TIBM, we have adopted for prayer the unreached and unengaged Bhansala people of India. I invite you to pray for them for 2 minutes today. You can find their Joshua Project profile here:

Bhansala of India Ethnic People Profile

Here's a prayer for you to pray:

Lord, You own everything. The earth is Yours, and everyone on it. You open doors that no man can shut. You are sovereign. If You are for us, no one can be against us. Lord of the Harvest, please send out workers to reach out to the Bhansala Of India.  Lord, I ask that Your favor would give them access to people and places that are impossible to reach. Let Your favor smooth the path before them, and open doors for them that no man can shut. Let Your wind be at their back today, Lord and enable them to push forward the cause of Christ among the Bhansala Of India.

By Committee Procedure or By Crucified Prayer

The following struck me as being quite fitting for me just now.  It is from the book Victorious Praying by Alan Redpath.  Enjoy:

     We say, "Thine is the glory," but if we do not get a bit for ourselves, we resign. And we seek to do by committee procedure what can only be done by crucified prayer.  By that I mean praying which turns aside every other concern, and which is so desperate that it refuses to let go until God blesses. 
     The disciples waited and the power came.  We do not wait, and the power does not come.  The disciples witnessed unto Him -- we witness to our program, and the program becomes an awful burden.  We speak to others of our talent and our ability, and we lose the battle.
     It is impossible for me to get alongside you each one personally -- God knows how much I wish I could, but I would urge upon you to wait upon God until you know again His power in your own soul.  I urge upon you to refuse to plan a program until you ask yourself, "Can the world see anything about me to commend Him to others?"
     D.L. Moody was told, "The world has yet to see what God can do through a man fully yielded to Him." And the world has yet to see what God can do through a church or a Christian who refuses to take the glory to themselves.  Oh that God would give us crucified men in the leadership of our churches, in every part of the work, on every committee! May everyone who has a voice of authority be a man who has died to his reputation, a man who is dead to himself, a man who can look up to the Father and say, "Thine is the kingdom -- thine shall be the power; thine shall be the glory."

Dashain Daily Prayer (दशैं दैनिका प्रार्थना): Self-Control Day

Wednesday, 10/5/2011

नवमी (Ninth Day)

Self-control Day

पवित्र आत्माको फल संयम हो ।

The fruit of the Holy Spirit is self-control.

पर्खलहरु भत्किएको नगरझैँ आत्मसंयम नभएको मानिस हो । (हितोपदेश २५:२८, Proverbs 25:28)

Today, pray especially for Nepali youth to have self-control. Ask God to give you victory over sin and temptation. Fix your mind on TriEak Parmeshwar.

आज, प्रार्थना गर्नुहोस्-

प्रभु श्री येशु, म मेरो चित्त तपाईंमाथि ध्यान गर्छू । मलाई र सबैलाई संयम दिनुहोस् । मेरो पाप क्षामा गर्नुहोस् ।

Dashain Daily Prayer (दशैं दैनिका प्रार्थना): Gentleness Day

Tuesday, 10/4/2011

अष्टमी (Eighth Day)

Gentleness Day

पवित्र आत्माको फल नम्रता हो.

The fruit of the Holy Spirit is gentleness.

तिमीहरुका भित्री हृदयलाई भलो र शान्त आत्माको अविनाशी रत्नले सजाओ, जो परमेश्वरको दृष्टिमा साह्रै मुल्यवान् छ । (१ पत्रुस ३:४, 1 Peter 3:4)

Ask God to give you gentleness and humility so that your relationships with others can be improved.

आज, प्रार्थना गर्नुहोस्-

“पिता परमेश्वर, मलाई अरुहरुसंग शक्त र आनन्दित् सम्बन्धहरु चाहियो । यसकारण हे प्रभु, ममा कमलो हृदय सृजानुहोस । “

Dashain Daily Prayer (दशैं दैनिका प्रार्थना): Faithfulness Day

Monday, 10/3/2011

सप्तमी (Seventh Day)

Faithfulness Day

पवित्र आत्माको फल बिश्वस्तत हो ।

The fruit of the Holy Spirit is faithfulness.

हामी पछि हट्ने र विनाश परिनेहारुमध्य्का होइ्नौं, तर विश्वास गरी बचाइएकाहरुमध्य्को हौं ।

(हिब्रु १०:३९, Hebrews 10:39)

Pray that Nepalis everywhere will put their trust in the Lord Sri Jesus and receive his salvation.

आज, प्रार्थना गर्नुहोस्-

“पिता परमेश्वर, सबै नेपाली र भूटानीहरुलाई प्रभु श्री येशुमाथि विश्वस दिनुहोस्, ताकी तीनिहरुले तपाईंको मुक्ती ग्रहण्

गर्छन् ।“