QUESTION FOR JAMES W. GOLL

Have you ever gone through a time of isolation? 

If yes, how did you stay focused?

I have found this to be an intriguing question and one that I would not normally think would be a prominent one asked. It actually requires some pondering to properly respond to this question. But let me give it an attempt.

“Being isolated” and “feeling isolated” are two different and yet over lapping issues. Then you have another question within this question to consider – isolated from whom? From God or the body of Christ, family, friends etc. So this is a huge question with many tiers and lots of tears that comes with it.

I would definitely say I have “felt isolated” and in my reality did experience “being isolated.” Let me briefly share three examples with you. One deals with isolation with people, the second with the sense of being alone or isolated from God Himself and the third a combination of both.

ISOLATION WITH THE BODY OF CHRIST

Years ago, in 1989, I was a part of a team of leaders in Kansas City that became known as the Kansas City Prophets. My identification with this group of leaders made some glad, some sad and some mad. For me, it is still one of the highest honors I have even experienced in my lifetime to help pioneer what is common in many circles today – the prophetic movement. But it did come with a high cost.

When I associated with this emerging group of leaders, I was instantly put on a backlist by a prominent leader in the Midwest and was forbidden to minister at several area churches or even maintain by previous strong friendships within that circle of churches. It was tough. Actually, it felt brutal to Michal Ann and I at the time. Over night we lost years of credibility, ministerial influence and close friendships. People were told not to associate with us – as the thought was – I was now associated with a cult. A lot of confusion, hurt and isolation ruled for several years. 

Yes, we felt isolated and at times very forgotten. But the only way to win is to forgive unconditionally, wage a love war, and be open to correcting any possible errors on your end. You never win by attempting to correct others or by being defensive – though that is the natural reaction. Patience will have its work in you and character to carry the gift will be formed – if you cooperate!

THE DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL

A second time Michal Ann and I felt isolated or forgotten was by God Himself. This was when we endured the “Dark Night of the Soul” when we desperately desired to have children and eventually found out it was medically and physically impossible for us to conceive. That was a hard blow. This story is written up in some detail in my book The Prophetic Intercessor.

Michal Ann did not hear the Lord speak to her for a solid year. I felt like I had the “bad touch” and not the “Midas touch”. As a young pastor and budding prophet, I could pray for others and things happened, but when we prayed into our own situation – nothing happened – except delay and disappointment.

It just did not seem fair. Then we had to make a basic decision that the fault did not reside on God’s end but on the Devil’s and we had to put the blame where it belonged – not in God’s court but in the camp of darkness. As most of your know, eventually we had numerous supernatural encounters, and miracle touches of the Holy Spirit and ended up with four miracle biological children.

But yes, we felt so isolated, cut off, and alienated from God for a long period of time. But a life message of Prophetic Intercession was built within us and waves of that still ripple across the globe to this day. Praise the Lord. By the way, I have four wonderful grown young adult kids today who all love and serve Jesus!

THE GREATEST TIME OF PERPLEXITY

Now this next one, I honestly am still walking out. It deals with the loss of my dear amazing wife, Michal Ann Goll, the only woman I have ever loved.  Michal Ann graduated to be with Jesus and be a part of the great cloud of witnesses in heaven, almost three years ago, after a very hard fought battle with colon cancer that spread to other organ systems. She was one of the most Christ like people I ever have known.

During this ordeal, I have felt cut off from God and from people both. Though I know that I know that I know, that God is good all the time and His mercies endure forever, the pain and anguish my four kids and I and others have endured has at times been almost unbearable.  One of my kids remarked the other day, that something died within me when mom passed away.

Job’s friends surrounded me who had all the supposed simple reasons why we succumbed to such an ordeal. These remarks did not help me garner trust at the time. Not in the least bit. Some days I just wanted to stay in bed, pull the covers over my eyes and pretend is was all just a bad dream.

I sobbed for days on end. I wept over the loss of Michal Ann for weeks and months. I am still hit to this day with the sense of loss and pain. The “why question” has been the enemy creeping at my door – but I honestly – just do not go there.

I have learned to praise the Lord in all circumstances. I have pushed the trust button all over again. I declare daily that God is good all the time and all things work together for good for those who love God and have been called to His purpose.

I still do not like what has happened to our lives and ministry. But I will always love the Lord my God with all my heart, with all my soul and with all my strength! He is worth it all! I love Him and that settles it! Case closed!

Well, that was a lot – right? Want to ask another question? Ha!

Honestly, Jesus is my best friend. He sticks closer to you than any human being. So have I ever felt isolated? Yep! But I choose to run to the lover of my soul and bless the body of Christ no matter what. Is Jesus worth anything less?

Sincerely,

James W. Goll

MOST COMMON OBSTACLES TO INDIVIDUALS

I have been asked by some readers to make some comments of most “common obstacles to people and cities”. I think those are two separate questions actually that require two different responses, though over lapping, of course. Therefore, I am going to give a stab at the first part of the question as it pertains to Most Common Obstacles to Individuals.

Wow – where do I begin with this! Yikes, I could write a book on this subject! But I am going to keep this brief and only hit a few of the major issues that confront us in our growth and maturation process in God.

NOT LIVING FROM THE HEART

Honestly speaking, most people do not really live from the heart. They tend of live from the soulish arena of life – knowledge, stored emotions and memories, projecting their future from their past, facts and information etc. They have half-baked hearts and over active souls. This is why every year I take a time to ask the Holy Spirit to soften my heart…

Perhaps this is why the writer of Proverbs says, “Lean not on your own understanding (soulish interpretation), but in ALL your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path (steps, direction etc.)”. This is also why Jesus answered His disciples that the greatest commandment dealt with the HEART first: LOVE the Lord You God with ALL your HEART (then comes the soul and strength) and loving others from the HEART.

So, in all reality – it is a LOVE WAR of the HEART. Winners with God are HEART people FIRST – successful people in the world might be strong in the soul and mind but really miss out of what really matters.

So, live each day from the HEART – Learn to Love!

NEXT, FORGIVE AS A LIFESTYLE!

More heart stuff. Yep! The disciples came to Jesus and asked Him for many times do they have to forgive their brother. Note: they did not pose the question about their enemies; it was their brother (those closest to you). Jesus said something like – until it is done and over with (7 times 70).

The lack of forgiveness keeps us in bondage. We are the ones who are kept in jail. We are the ones that end up with locked up emotions. Where unforgiveness is present, it breeds an offspring of many other alien forces – judgments, strong opinions, criticism, negativity, even certain illnesses.

But forgiveness does not start when you feel like it. In fact, if you wait till they deserve it or you feel like it – it will never happen. It begins with an act of the will, surrendering the people and circumstances to the Lord and asking Him to cleanse you and heal your own broken heart, mind and emotions.  I also recommend pronouncing a blessing for others as well. Greater is the power of the blessing than the power of the curse. (See my book Deliverance from Darkness for a whole chapter on that subject.)

So the opposite of this is be Blessed to Be a BLESSING instead!

DON’T LOOK OVER YOUR SHOULDER!

Many years ago, when I was more of a singer than a preacher, I used to sing John Denver’s song; Sunshine on My Shoulders Makes Me Happy!  I really did – that a few other good ones like Bridge Over Troubled Waters and many others. I loved it. But there is a principle here.

Jesus said that if you looked over your shoulder, you were not fit for the Kingdom. I think we all need to take our rear view mirrors off our lives for a while. Regret has historically been one of my worst enemies. Living with the “if only’s” hanging around my head. If only I had done this. If only I had done this better. If I could only relive my yesterday. No – stop it! (Wow! I got a little intense on that point.)

Stop living life from the rear view mirror! Jesus said to look straight ahead!

The best has not passed you by! I make myself say out loud, “THE BEST IS YET TO COME!” So I am working on this one a lot myself these days. Sonshine on my shoulders really does make me happy.

Remember, yesterday’s dream about your tomorrow is your today’s opportunity. Live today as it counts. Be present tense. Find God in the little things. Don’t look over your shoulder. SMILE at the future.

Okay – there are a lot more keys like worship, community, giving and others. But these three for now – rose to the surface as I sat down to write and muse about what really matters. Live from the Heart; Forgive as a Lifestyle and Do Not Look Over Your Shoulder! Hope this helped some!

Speaking Words of Wisdom!

James W. Goll

MY FAVORITE CITY ON EARTH

Greetings to You Far and Wide!

I am composing this from favorite city on the earth: Prague, Czech Republic. Why do I say this? Because of it's amazing beauty, it's amazing history, and my personal history. Let me give you a look into the personal history.

In 1990, right after communism had lifted, I came here on my first momentous trip with Mahesh Chavda. The favor of the Lord rested on those amazing gatherings. Mahesh did evening healing meetings and I would share in the day time on intercession. The leaders did not know I was coming. They told Mahesh that they want to meet one of the "Kansas City Prophets". Mahesh told them - "He is one!" They took three steps back and thought I could tell them everything they had ever done! It is quietly hilarious and a divine set up. Favor and Fear were instantly granted!

This in turn led to a very significant and consistent time of ministry in the 90’s where I came here often working with a network of churches called Christian Fellowship, the Moravians, Christian Missions Society and others.  I brought various teams with me over the years; introduced the prophetic to them; taught a lot on prayer, learned to use the metro and ended up coming here something like a dozen times! One time, around 14 years ago, our entire family spent a whole month in Germany with Michal Ann and I ministering at a Training Center in Hannover. I then brought Justin to Prague on a train trip from Germany to Prague when he was like 13 years old. We attended an opera in some language we could not understand - but hey, we were in Mozart's favorite city! Good memories…. to say the least. 

I was blessed to revisit this country, after an absence of several years, and visited with some of the new leadership of the church in Prague a year ago on way to the Global Day of Prayer in Herrnhutt, Germany with my daughter GraceAnn. As a result of that visit, I was invited back to minister at their yearly annual conference. Thus I am here right now. Just had lunch with one of the leaders of their version of the Czech House of Prayer.

I will minister at a church this Sunday AM and will be the main speaker at the Christian Mission Conference Sunday night on Prayer and Revival. It is actually my birthday - July 3rd - my first time in my lifetime not to be with any family for my birthday. But hey, I am in my favorite city on the earth. I will be rejoined with my friend of years, Joel Staab of Wing and a Prayer Ministry, who has recently relocated to this land after years of work in Africa. Czech Republic was where I first met Joel many years ago and as a result of that ministry time I ended up inviting him to come and live with our family in Franklin, TN. He stayed for several years before returning to his calling in the mission’s field. Michal Ann always said our home was the Good Samaritan's Inn because someone in our family was constantly inviting someone to come and live with us. Ha!

So this trip is a type of “full circle” for me and a nice 59th Birthday present to be here in Prague. I will miss July 4^th of course which is Independence Day in the U. S. But July 5th and 6th it also a holiday here in Czech Republic – they celebrate the lives of the founding Christian apostles of their nation - one being Jan Hus. Interesting! I never knew that connection till this trip! Awesome!

So Cheers to You from my Favorite City on the Earth!

Blessings to You!

James W. Goll

TRIBUTE TO WAYNE GOLL ON FATHER’S DAY 2011

Though I spoke at my dad’s funeral at the Cowgill United Methodist Church in Cowgill, MO around 14 years ago, I have never talked a great deal about my dad publically or given tribute to him like I have my mom. My mom was my intercessor and merciful protector. But as I said with a packed church at my Dad’s graduation ceremony from this life to the next one – “My Dad was not given the best hand of cards to deal with in his life time. But thank God for GRACE! Because to the great grace of God my dad made into Heaven’s Gates as he had given his life to Jesus.” So on this Father’s Day – let me introduce to you my Father – Wayne Goll.

Kenneth Wayne Goll – or just Wayne as most people knew him, was the first born to Vernon and Rachel Goll on February 2, 1924. Dad grew up the oldest of 7 kids and in the time of the Great Depression in rural Missouri. He only received a 6^th grade education and by the age of 12 had gone out on his own – unfortunately – forcefully. Thank God for Dad’s Aunt Effie, as she took him in and helped him find a place of nurture. Life was tough – and my Daddy and his Dad just did not see eye to eye. (Later in life they reconciled and all I knew growing up was enjoying spending time at Granddad and Gramma Goll’s farm, eating home made ice cream, riding on the tractor wagon and Christmas Gatherings where Uncle Gerald played his guitar and all of us first cousins playing upstairs. I was the oldest grandson. Everything seems fine to me – from the lens I looked through at that age.  But apparently it took some years for things to get that way. Back to my Dad or I will end up marveling in fond memories of years gone by.

My mom and dad married on April 24^th, 1944 in the midst of WWII. My dad served in the Army in TN, NC and WY and possibly other locations that I do not recall. I have a great picture of Wayne and Amanda, as good looking newly weds in front of their military housing in Tulahoma, TN, hanging in my hallway in my home in Franklin, TN. Three children came forth from their union – Sandra, Barbara and me the youngest and only son – Jimmy Wayne. We were raised in rural MO and most of our lives our father ran a Lumber Yard in Braymer, MO. All three of us graduated from Braymer High School after attended grade school in Cowgill where we lived.  I spent scores of hours in my dad’s lumberyard just walking around and watching everyone work so hard!

The things I recall and love the most in my memories with my dad were getting ice cream cones at Merle’s Restaurant, 4^th of July Celebration with Fireworks, the annual Fish Fry and Lord’s Acre Sale at the Methodist Church, and riding in his big truck to bring back lumber in what seemed like far away Kansas City. Our annual big vacation was to get to go attend the MO State Fair in Sedalia, MO. It was a trill. We were poor but we had each other. One of my favorite days was when my dad brought home for me a surprise birthday package in a little box. It was my baby pup Skipper that ended sleeping with me every night at the foot of my bed under my covers. He was my constant companion.

Dad retired after owning and running his own Lumber Yard in nearby Polo, MO around the age of 67. He only lived till be was 72 and went home to be with the Lord and join his mother Rachel around the throne after an intense battle with diabetes. My dad was and is missed by many to this day.

Today – this Father’s Day – in 2011. I want to thank the Lord for my rough, tough and strong dad. He was not dealt that greatest deck in like – but he went out loving Gospel Music and I sure he sings in some quartet in heaven’s choir to this day.

“Love you Dad!  Miss You!  Tell mom and Annie Hi!  Thanks for working hard and believing in me when I was cut from what seemed to be such a different cloth than you.”

Thank the Lord for Father’s Day!  I thank the Lord for the life of Kenneth Wayne Goll!

With Gratitude!

Your Son,

Jimmy – Jim – James W. Goll

A TRIBUTE TO MY MOM ON MOTHER"S DAY

A Tribute to My Mother – on Mother’s Day 2011

Amanda Elizabeth Burns Goll

Amanda Elizabeth Burns was born on April 17, 1924 in rural Missouri to William and Hattie E. Burns. She was the youngest of four children – preceded in birth by her brother Arnold, and sisters Grace Mae and Maude. She loved Jesus from an early age and was a dedicated church member and community worker all her life. She primarily was a praying mom!

She was a WWII war bride marrying Kenneth Wayne Goll of Braymer, MO on April 24, 1944. Together they had three children and resided in Cowgill, MO most of their years together. PaPa – or Wayne – worked hard and faithfully ran a Lumber Yard for years in both Braymer and Polo, MO. Dad went to be with the Lord in 1997. It seems like yesterday that we made gallons of home made ice cream and shot fire works on the 4^th of July! Miss ya Dad!

Sandra Sue Goll (Brown) was the first born in 1946. She later married Curt Brown and together they had two wonderful children. They reside in Sanford, NC, and are proud grandparents of 3 grandchildren.

Barbara Ann Goll, the middle child, was born in 1949, became a RN and was formerly a missionary in Mexico. She continues to live in Cowgill, MO in the family homestead.

Jimmy (James) Wayne Goll was born in 1952 and married the endearing Michal Ann Willard in 1976. We were married for 32 years before she passed into eternity in September 2008. Together Jim and Ann had four miracle children. I, James, continue to live in Franklin, TN in our family home of eleven years. Our four adult children all love the Lord and live in various parts of the U. S. My youngest and my oldest have both married great spouses in the past 8 months and all the kids are pursuing their dreams in God.

But this Tribute is to my Mom.

My big hearted mother greatly shaped my life. Mom or MeMe, as the grandkids so fondly called her, suddenly graduated into her heavenly abode on Sunday, August 3, 2003 at her home in Cowgill, Missouri.

She was far from perfect, but she knew where to run to for help – for her help was in the Lord. For me she was living, walking model of forgiveness. I saw her live it every day. She imprinted my life with the spirit of prayer and dedicated my life to Jesus before I was ever conceived – let lone born. Her prayers guide me to this day to be all that I can be in Christ Jesus. I thank the Lord for the life of “Mandi” as so many friends warmly called her. She was known county wide for her many quilts and hundreds of quarts of corn, green beans, and every other fruit and vegetable. I think her full time job was being a prayer gardener.

I composed a list in the last year of the top ten people who have impacted my life the most. Two women are in the top 5 of that list – my mom and my dear late wife. Yes, they are both enormously missed.

I want to take a moment and also honor Michal Ann’s mother – Dorris Grace McCoy Willard. She was an amazing wife, school teacher, mother of four and lived a life for God and her family. When she first saw my blue eyes she knew I was going to marry her and Davis’ only daughter. Though I might have been somewhat different, she accepted me. For this and so much more, I am grateful today!

Mother’s – what an amazing creation! What amazing plan! I miss them all today – on Mother’s Day 2011…. And my grandmother’s as well!

So I blow some kisses heavenward today. I thank the Lord for my dear mom. She sacrificed often, prayed often and honored the Lord with her last breath. She graduated putting on her red shoes to go to church, simply fell back into her bed and she departed. Amanda Elizabeth Burns Goll was one of my heroes.

I am so grateful for eternity – for heaven – and God’s great plan of salvation through work of the cross of Christ Jesus.

We are only separated for a short while! But till then, Jesus, if it is okay – tell Amanda Elizabeth, Dorris Grace and my darling Michal Ann – thank you. You all did well!

With Tears and Great Thankfulness!

Jimmy – Jim – James Wayne Goll

Franklin, TN

LIGHT BELONGS IN THE DARKNESS

Hey There!

Come and Get Some Light!

This is a special invite to come to a gathering in San Antonio, TX May 19 -

21 that is more than a conference. It is a time to getting prepared for the

days that lay ahead and a time putting feet to our faith. Yes, there will be

great speakers and worship leaders - but it is more than that. It is a call

in this hour to learn to become a champion of compassion. That does not even

take a special gift - that costs you everything!  Your time, your money,

your heart, your energy, our love.... It is a heart deal.

On Thursday afternoon one of the leading spokesmen of Compassion in this

nation - Doug Stringer of Somebody Cares International - with his team will

lead a special session from 1 - 4 PM on Disaster Preparedness. He is a

seasoned voice having headed up emergency relief work in many nations - and

in our own. There is NO charge for this but a manual costing $30 is

recommended!

The official conference begins at 7 PM at Tri Point Center at 3233 N. St

Mary's in San Antonio, TX. Patricia King is our first night speaker, the

leader of Extreme Prophetic and a great champion of justice in this

generation. Mark Roye of Blood N Fire San Antonio and James W. Goll of

Prayer Storm in Franklin, TN will acts as hosts and share along the way.

Doug Stringer will join us in other sessions as well as the prayer leading of

Beth Alves of Increase International, prophetic ministry with Ryan Pena of Spirit of Life and other ministries to the poor and oppressed being represented.

Passionate evening worship will be led by Mckendree and Rachel Tucker from

PA and devotional worship lead by Tina Bolinger of TN. We close out Saturday

night - not with a meeting - but by going out and doing a block party to

feed the poor etc. It will be exciting!

Visit www.encountersnetwork.com for more details to register or simply call

1-877-200-1604. Evening meetings are Open to the Public with offerings being

received. Day time registered guests get a FREE copy of Michal Ann and James

W. Goll's book Compassion - A Call to Take Action - a $15 value!

Tell Others!  Let our Light Shine in Darkness and let's prepared to make

impact for Jesus Christ Sake!

Expecting Great Things!

James W. Goll and Mark Roye

FAITH FOR THE CHANGING ROOM!

WHAT TIME IS IT?

Faith for the Changing Room

Background: I had been ministering in November 2010 in Melbourne, Australia at a wonderful church and conference. There was a lot of swirl in the Holy Spirit and a lot of movement concerning transition.  The conference called Deeper was now over and I was to do a closing session with the host church on Sunday evening. I went to the hotel suite to lay down for a while that afternoon and was praying in the Spirit to charge my battery for the evening. I was pondering what the Lord had for these precious people down under for my closing session with them.

I actually did not even know I was asleep – let lone that I was dreaming.  It was all so real to me…. So even in conveying this – it is hard to relate this as just a dream – it was more like an encounter.

In the dream the phone in the LIVING ROOM rang. I rose up out of the bedroom where I was lying down resting. I walked into the room and I picked up the phone. In a rather hoarse voice I said, “What time is it?” All of a sudden the plasma Television screen – which I had not turned on up to that point and time – pops on. It is vivid color and it was a SONY instrument.

I turned my head towards the television as bright color was emanating all around out of the screen into the room. It was more like a full 3D event in the room was now taking place – wild technology. I was now in the set itself as it was projected out into the room.

Again, I turn towards the phone – like in a matrix dream – I said, “What time is it?” A voice on the other end of the phone stated clearly and rather forcefully, “It is time for Jeremiah 33:3” (write out the scripture)

While I heard this voice on the other end of the phone, I realized the TV Show that I was now enveloped in was called “Extreme Make Over.”

I was caught in the visual images projecting out of the screen – I seemed to even be helping write the script…. In the Television show – we went into a “Room for Supernatural Change” to take place. It was a changing room. It was rather vulnerable in the changing room. People were disrobing in front of others and yet it was a requirement and all pure, clean and nothing sensual about it at all. Yet I was uncomfortable at first. Naked. Vulnerable. In the changing room with others!

Then I got use to the idea. I thought to myself, “Oh, this is what is required to go through change. You have to shed one garment in order to put on another one.”  The atmosphere was permeated with a fresh culture – one of TRUST and RISK.

I realized it was another parable. The place of rest is the precondition that must be met to prepare you for the supernatural change. If you want to go into the changing room without fear – you must learn to rest. Then you can arise – hear a fresh call – enter into a renewed culture of TRUST and RISK and be have faith to be vulnerable.

You will have to take off the garment you presently know – (sorry, no layers are allowed!) and go into supernatural change. You have to answer the call. But yet there is a call within the call. The call says to “Call upon Him. He will then show you (television) great and mighty things that you have not previously known.

Then a doorbell rings. I wake up. I did not know I was asleep let lone that I was dreaming. I look at my watch to see “what time it is.” It is now 5:40 PM. Time to leave for the 6 PM meeting.  I then hear a knock on my door – I say, “I will be right there.” I rush around to get ready in the natural – but inside I knew I was prepared as I fresh down load had just been given on “what time it is.”

It is time to go into the Changing Room! Want to go with me?

James W. Goll

EN•PS•CA