Wednesday November 9th I spent the better part of 2 hours in a prayer and worship service with a group from Generation Church in Matthews - Charlotte, NC. The setting was an old gym with a small stage. There was nothing fancy about the place but there was something very inviting. The dated lighting and curtain on the stage is something you see trying to be replicated by urban area artistic prayer houses and churches which I find very appealing.
Prior to the service I met the pastor of Generation Church. He was very welcoming and not overly talkative. In our conversation he asked me if I would be uncomfortable if people pray in tongues during the service. I smiled and said I think I am in the right place.
The service started with a CD being played that was a mix of worship leaders from Misty Edward of IHOP-KC to Jason Upton. Typically CD style worship is less inviting to me but last night it was incredible. After 30-45mins of worship and barley audible praying in the Spirit around the room the pastor started praying over the microphone. From time to time he would walk around the room and hand the microphone to others and they would pray, some in English, some in Spanish and some mixed in praying in the Spirit. You could sense the Lord's presence in a tangible way and an increase in the way we view Him.
I was personally reminded of how GOOD God is and how He is faithful to fulfill His promises in our lives. Also the thoughts of why were are here began to churn and I was reminded of how many times I have heard people say upon the death of another "It was his or her time to go". This lead me to ask myself "Why am I still here?". If there is a time for most of us to die prior to the return of Jesus, the time we have here must have a purpose. To know that God can allow us to be or remove us from this life at anytime, leads me to believe even more so that His dream for us is not complete if we are still here. Now there is a response required to this revelation, what then should we / I do? Interestingly enough I had started working the exercises in the book Dream Culture By Andy Mason from Bethel in Redding, California. Rediscovering dreams in our heart is one of the keys to living the plan that God has for our lives. Ridding ourselves from fear and never believing that anything is impossible is often where we get off track.
I will leave you with this. 2 hours in His presences increased my faith and re-established who He is and how His dream is wrapped in flesh. He had a dream before your were born and wrapped that dream in flesh. It is time we allow His perfect love to cast out all fear and go after the dreams He placed inside of us.
Blessings on the journey.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
A Heroes Harvest Weekend
A Heroes Harvest www.aheroesharvest.org September 8 - 11, 2011
Joplin Family Worship Center (JFWC) -
Joplin, MO
The link above is the pre-registration point for the Heroes Harvest Weekend at the Joplin Family Worship Center in Joplin, MO, September 8- 11, 2011.
Our Goal
We want to gather 2000 people over the weekend to build a donations storage facility at Joplin Family Worship Center (JFWC). On May 22, 2011 tornadoes destroyed one third of the city of Joplin, Missouri. Since that time, JFWC has been a point of distribution for clothing, food, building supplies, and furniture. Many of the donations have been kept under tents. Tell your friends and join us to make a difference!
Monday, July 11, 2011
Christ in you the Hope of Glory
July 10th, 2011 Christ in you the Hope of Glory
Tonight I am reminded of the verse Colossians 1:27 "Christ in you the Hope of Glory". The reason I am reminded about this verse is due to a conversation with my neighbor who is going through a divorce. As we are standing in the front yard this evening talking about random things, she starts telling me about some of her deepest pains. I know instantly to keep my heart engaged with what Holy Spirit is instructing me to say. Steping out of line with someone of the opposite sex can lead to a very painful place that is counterproductive to what the Lord has for the person in need. As we continued to talk Holy Spirit instructed me to listen intently to what my neighbor was saying. She revealed how she was abused in all manners as a child amongst other horrific experiences and the fallout she has seen in her life as a result of the pain. I often recall this verse when someone opens up out of what appears to be nowhere. Much like when Mary was carrying Jesus and as she approached Elizabeth, John the Baptist lept in her womb. When we are carriers of the very spirit of God, there is a reaction inside of others that are hurting or lost that allows them to open up. They usually do not understand that they have just came in contact with the spirit of God but it is wise to let them know that it is not me that has helped you but the Helper himself. This is where we can take their hand and place it in His hand. We then take the role of an encouraging cheerleader, lovingly cheering them in the the safest place they will ever know. The embrace of Jesus and a loving Father will change them forever.
Tonight I am reminded of the verse Colossians 1:27 "Christ in you the Hope of Glory". The reason I am reminded about this verse is due to a conversation with my neighbor who is going through a divorce. As we are standing in the front yard this evening talking about random things, she starts telling me about some of her deepest pains. I know instantly to keep my heart engaged with what Holy Spirit is instructing me to say. Steping out of line with someone of the opposite sex can lead to a very painful place that is counterproductive to what the Lord has for the person in need. As we continued to talk Holy Spirit instructed me to listen intently to what my neighbor was saying. She revealed how she was abused in all manners as a child amongst other horrific experiences and the fallout she has seen in her life as a result of the pain. I often recall this verse when someone opens up out of what appears to be nowhere. Much like when Mary was carrying Jesus and as she approached Elizabeth, John the Baptist lept in her womb. When we are carriers of the very spirit of God, there is a reaction inside of others that are hurting or lost that allows them to open up. They usually do not understand that they have just came in contact with the spirit of God but it is wise to let them know that it is not me that has helped you but the Helper himself. This is where we can take their hand and place it in His hand. We then take the role of an encouraging cheerleader, lovingly cheering them in the the safest place they will ever know. The embrace of Jesus and a loving Father will change them forever.
Monday, January 3, 2011
God's heart for the marketplace
Father, how do you feel (what is important) about the marketplace?
I love the marketplace. The marketplace is a place of coming together, there are many different types of transaction and ways of interacting. Much more of a persons character is exposed in the marketplace than is in the church. The marketplace is where I connect you to life long friends, those marvelous comrades that will come alongside you and build with you. One of the most beautiful aspects about the marketplace is that people will be real with you if you pursue authenticity. Unlike the religious facade that has plagued the “church” those in the marketplace that believe in Me but are disconnected, are searching for someone to find them out. They are looking for the meaning of life, even in the midst of an understood vain pursuit, they are looking for ME. They chase the perceived life of success all the while knowing that it is as empty as a mirage in the desert.
The great thing about the marketplace is it gives my children that have accepted me and are pursing me, a door into the lives of non-believers. How many people do you know in the marketplace that would not dare step foot in a church?
You must always remember that you are a tool in My hand, I am not a tool in your hand. By fulfilling the purposes I have for you, there are great benefits but the primary reason you are here is for My glory, not your own. Your achievements, promotions, relationships, experiences and possessions are worthless apart from my purpose. These things will never help your ministry or help you reach your destiny unless you understand where these gifts come from and what they are intended to be used for. Just as in the millennial kingdom, the position I put you in is for the glory of My name and for you to use your position to build character in your own life and relationships with those around you. Just as Jesus said he is about My business, so must you. Your position in the market place is to be a witness as to who your Father is. Without even noticing it, you already show in your daily life who's voice you are listening to. My desire for you in the marketplace is to live a life of evangelism, there are annointings that are available to those in the marketplace that are not available to others. If the full time ministry worker needs 10 hours per week in my presence uninterrupted, those in the marketplace need much more. The marketplace is full of every kind of evil. This is where the demons need to be confronted, the captives set free, the lost or wandering saved, the light to shine before all men.
All of these things are wonderful parts of the marketplace but they are often pursued in the wrong manner. Many have been hurt or their hearts have become cold toward ME due to tactics used by my children in the marketplace. First and foremost if you do not have more of a desire to minister to ME in the marketplace you will be like the sounding gong and crashing cymbals. Your primary purpose in living is to love and glorify ME. Learn to love ME in the mundane and in every area of life. I am not just a one or two day a week kind of Father. I have chosen to love and enjoy you for all eternity. I never need a break from you. You are my delight. Allow Me in, ask, invite Me in to your life outside of church. There is so much about Me that is undiscovered because you confine me to the walls of a building. I am an excellent builder, I have ideas that are the definition of genius, I want to share everything I have with you.
Fulfilling the great commission is very important to me but it will only be fulfilled by those that seek to love me well in every arena of life.
I love the marketplace. The marketplace is a place of coming together, there are many different types of transaction and ways of interacting. Much more of a persons character is exposed in the marketplace than is in the church. The marketplace is where I connect you to life long friends, those marvelous comrades that will come alongside you and build with you. One of the most beautiful aspects about the marketplace is that people will be real with you if you pursue authenticity. Unlike the religious facade that has plagued the “church” those in the marketplace that believe in Me but are disconnected, are searching for someone to find them out. They are looking for the meaning of life, even in the midst of an understood vain pursuit, they are looking for ME. They chase the perceived life of success all the while knowing that it is as empty as a mirage in the desert.
The great thing about the marketplace is it gives my children that have accepted me and are pursing me, a door into the lives of non-believers. How many people do you know in the marketplace that would not dare step foot in a church?
You must always remember that you are a tool in My hand, I am not a tool in your hand. By fulfilling the purposes I have for you, there are great benefits but the primary reason you are here is for My glory, not your own. Your achievements, promotions, relationships, experiences and possessions are worthless apart from my purpose. These things will never help your ministry or help you reach your destiny unless you understand where these gifts come from and what they are intended to be used for. Just as in the millennial kingdom, the position I put you in is for the glory of My name and for you to use your position to build character in your own life and relationships with those around you. Just as Jesus said he is about My business, so must you. Your position in the market place is to be a witness as to who your Father is. Without even noticing it, you already show in your daily life who's voice you are listening to. My desire for you in the marketplace is to live a life of evangelism, there are annointings that are available to those in the marketplace that are not available to others. If the full time ministry worker needs 10 hours per week in my presence uninterrupted, those in the marketplace need much more. The marketplace is full of every kind of evil. This is where the demons need to be confronted, the captives set free, the lost or wandering saved, the light to shine before all men.
All of these things are wonderful parts of the marketplace but they are often pursued in the wrong manner. Many have been hurt or their hearts have become cold toward ME due to tactics used by my children in the marketplace. First and foremost if you do not have more of a desire to minister to ME in the marketplace you will be like the sounding gong and crashing cymbals. Your primary purpose in living is to love and glorify ME. Learn to love ME in the mundane and in every area of life. I am not just a one or two day a week kind of Father. I have chosen to love and enjoy you for all eternity. I never need a break from you. You are my delight. Allow Me in, ask, invite Me in to your life outside of church. There is so much about Me that is undiscovered because you confine me to the walls of a building. I am an excellent builder, I have ideas that are the definition of genius, I want to share everything I have with you.
Fulfilling the great commission is very important to me but it will only be fulfilled by those that seek to love me well in every arena of life.
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