Greetings!

For the last few days, the announcement on theopenscroll.com home page has been this: "I'm still here! Are you? We have turned the corner. Watch and pray." Let me say I honestly expected the Bridegroom was coming this past Monday. If indeed He did, I missed it and it is hidden from me. With the assumption it did not happen, what I saw in the way of signs was plenty enough to convince me, and I know this expectation was shared by many of you. I am very disappointed, yet not discouraged in any way because the Lord is at work in me, as many of you prayer warriors know from your seasons of intercession with the Lord. (Thank you so much for this sacrifice of love!!!) For some of you, perhaps there is no forgiveness for such error and I have no credibility whatsoever, and I can live with that. The reason I can is not because I'm a crusty hammerhead but because the Lord has not forsaken me. I am actually quite willing to pull the plug on the site and all its content, but at the Lord's direction and only at the Lord's direction. I am willing to pull any of the content from the site, but again, only as I am convinced of the Lord that it is His desire. I will adjust content with updates to the site as I receive clear direction on exactly what to do.

I am still on Sabbatical from working and am still quietly seeking his direction. I still covet your prayers. I'm still watching, and I really want to walk in humility without selfish ambition, any agenda of my own or any claim to self worth. I may still be a hypocrite, but I am seeking the cure and I believe the Lord is bringing it.

What did I mean on the home page announcement: "We have turned the corner."? I had to ask, when the time I looked to on Monday came and passed, am I still so easily deceived that I cannot see when I'm going down the wrong path? Well, the answer is obviously, yes. There is more that remains hidden behind the veil that will shed light on the season we have just come through. That's the truth. Wow! That's quite a promising statement, really, and I believe it! I feel like the corner we've turned is more like a switchback than a U-turn, as on a path that ascends up a steep mountain that is too steep to climb by the most direct route. Such a route winds its way up with tightly kinked corners.

In the direction we were heading, it looked to me like every kind of sign was in place, but I felt increasingly troubled about one thing, as you probably noted. Where was the fiery trial that purifies? We certainly needed it! I have reflected back on previous seasons where I had high expectations. The cycles of trial and breakthroughs in victory have been many and diverse. The last one that began in 2001 almost broke me. It did break me in some ways, but the Lord came through and restored me. This season is very different, and I am drawing upon what was accomplished in previous seasons. I can testify that the Lord is faithful and full of mercy. He will lead us into the promised land if we let go of Egypt. The way to glory is still by way of the cross. Our flesh and all its lusts and attractions will not pass that way. Call upon the Savior for His ability and willingness to lead you through. I perceive great trial is soon coming to a great many more of us, as it has already come to many in recent days. He is our refuge and our high tower.

I have had my feet washed by brother Joseph Herrin, and I believe he has some valuable insight into the times and ways of the Lord that should be taken very seriously. His site and blog links are on my links page.

In my personal life as well as in the lives of many of you, with whom I have shared many precious interactions by way of email, telephone calls, and personal fellowship, there has been a quickening of pace, an intense season of renewal in our relationship with the Bridegroom, of conviction of sin and subsequent repentance, a striving for holiness with greater humility and obedience, a fanning of passionate love for Him, and, an increasing desire to be in His presence. There has also been motion towards the restoration of earthly relationships with significant steps taken in reconciliation. This is all genuine and of great value! I don't have many answers for the many questions I have, but I am encouraged by the changes in me and in others that the Lord intends this for good. When He does audit the church for love and faith, I feel those of us who participated in this season of watching in what seems almost like an exercise with foot washing, prayer and sincere love, will indeed be found acceptable in His sight.

You may find this latest Pulpit Series article from David Wilkerson to be a blessing.

An Eclipse of Faith by David Wilkerson

Blessings in Y'shua!

Bob Schlenker
TheOpenScroll.com