Mardi Gras!

Yes, it's true! Susie and I and my sister Bethany all went to Mardi Gras this year. What an experience! One act of obedience really opens up a huge door for ministry and greater faith.
While I did want to go and share the gospel and see God work, I did not want to go and be in the middle of our nations most disgusting festival and be ridiculed by people who do not love or fear God. I have to say that I was scared and intimidated. Yet, God also made me excited and assured me that He would take care of us. Among many other verses, God comforted me with this one in Psalm 91 : "You will not be afraid of the terror by night, or of the arrow that flies by day; Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, or the the destruction that lays waste at noon. A thousand may fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand, but it shall not approach you." (Vs.5-7)
Incidentally, our friend Debbie Pitroff gave us that whole Psalm (91) as a theme chapter for our trip and it brought us a lot of comfort. If God is telling you to share scripture with someone, do it! You have no idea how much you will effect by your obedience or disobedience.
While we were in New Orleans, we held up signs on the street corners that said, "Ask me about Jesus". We talked to many people during the five day trip and had a few very good conversations. We handed out some bibles as well as many of our CDs. I also wrote a tract of my own that we handed out to quite a few people. ( I am going to post the tract so that you can read it as well.).
Personally, one of the greatest things to me on the trip was experiencing God's finacial provision. We really had NO money for this trip but God provided abundantly! As a matter of fact, I wasn't going to go at all due to money but then God showed me this verse in Luke 9 when Jesus sent out the disciples saying:

"Take nothing for your journey, neither staff , nor bag, nor bread, nor money;
and do not even have two tunics apiece." Luke 9:3

During the course of this trip, we were down to a $23 dollar gas card and no cash whatsover but through 3 different people, God have us $61! When we arrived home, we had a few chips and peanuts, 2/5 of a tank of gas, and $1.50!! God knew exactly how much we would need and when we needed it. He is so faithful! He can't be anything else! His very character is faithfulness. It has helped me to realize that I am in God's employment and He will provide everything I need because I am doing what is pleasing to Him.

"and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.
1 John 3:22

I have posted a little slide show to give you an idea of what our trip was like. The slides range from the smelly hotel we staying in the first night,(we all shared the same bed and smelled like one big cigeratte!), to the YWAM house we stayed in the second night, as well as some pictures of the sights and the people we met while we were down there. Enjoy!

To Every City

God has been doing a neat thing in me and the lives of the people I love. He is calling us out to be proactive in spreading the gospel of His Kingdom. I have always wanted to travel this country and call this nation to repentance and revival. I don't want to simply call them to it, I want to see it happen!
I believe that God is calling my wife (Susie) and I to go to many of the major cities of this country and minister in the churches as well as the streets. We are seeking a true revival of righteousness.
So far our journey has taken us to New York NY, New Orleans LA, and Asheville, NC.
I don't want to sound brave because I'm not but I know that God is making me brave. It has definitely been stretching and a trial of faith so far but we have come out victorious.

Psalm 92:1-2 says: "It is good to give thanks to the Lord and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning and Your faithfulness at night,".

The lovingkindess of God is His covenant love with us. He is bound by His word to His lovingkindess. Jesus promised to take care of ALL our needs are we are believing Him. We are binding Him to His word, His lovingkindness, and EVERY night we have been able to declare His faithfulness. I am looking for the greater things that are still to come. Come Lord Jesus, come! Bring revival for Your name sake. Amen.

--Karl Gessler

P.S. To avoid the confusion, the girl in the picture with me is my SISTER Bethany, not my wife, Susie. Susie took the picture :)

We're "big" in Oregon!

Recently I received a phone call that I didn't expect. A man from Astoria, Oregon had heard one of our songs off of a sampler CD and wanted to know where he could find sheet music. Awesome! A worship leader on the other side of the country will be singing one of our songs! That's what we wanted. We haven't played a concert since our CD was recorded, although we continue to lead worship in different settings, so it's hard to get the songs out there.
I'm looking into the possibility of making sheet music available at our website, www.zealouscore.com. I'll admit, the site needs a bit more media, and that would be a practical addition.
It's possible that this summer will be spent recording a Christmas album. Time and money will tell. We'll just jack up the AC and start a fire in the studio - make some hot chocolate, etc. My friend who recorded our last album (PitCore Recording - gipitt@hotmail.com) has expressed an interest in the project. Hopefully my recent musical training will prove useful.