"Dark but lovely..."

Summer So Far

2011-06-14T12:12:00.000-07:00

So far this summer has been fantastic. After graduation I spent the rest of May in Cleveland doing a little work for the Theology Department and spending a lot of time in prayer and study. It was a needed rest, especially after the weird nostalgia of graduation. Everyone rolled out of Cleveland on May 7th except for a small group of us, and I had an incredible opportunity to get alone with the Lord.

Last weekend (June 4) I went to Birmingham for Mason Tanner's wedding, and afterward I was able to spend the rest of the night and Sunday at my old roommates house, Caleb Hughes. His family gives leadership to the Birmingham Prayer Furnace and Hope Culture Church. It was a blessing to hangout with them for a day. As I left it really does seem like they have developed a culture of hope. Being in the community I was edified and challenged to go deeper with the Lord.
That same week my brother and I left for a road trip on Wednesday at 4AM to visit Illinois. He is starting their grad program in the fall and needed to take a trip, so we drove 8 hours Wednesday and came back thursday. That was a long (but very fun) trip. Then Friday I left to go to Augusta GA to visit my grandmother and other Family. Monday I left again to come visit my other grandmother on St. Simons Island. I'll be here till tomorrow, and I must say, it is very relaxing.

So far summer has been a blast. I am looking forward to the next month before I go to IHOP-KC. I will be spending time in Marietta until Riverstone Summer Camp, July 3-8 and on the 8th I will be heading out to Kansas City.

I've been able to do some good reading too. Clowning in Rome by Henri Nouwen has been my favorite. He writes about prayer, solitude, celibacy, and having communion with God. He suggests that everyone in community must take time to get alone in solitude to develop a deeper relationship with those whom you are in community with.
I also read A Tale of Three Kings, by Gene Edwards. He tells a story paralleling Saul and David, with David and Absalom. This book is incredible for any leader and I highly recommend it. He illustrates the brokenness with which David has as a King.
Lastly, I have been reading an old friends blog, Mo Isom. She has an incredible story and I encourage anyone interested to go to the beginning of her blog and read the posts about "Her Story." The Lord has used her powerfully, and it is cool to see.

For those of you who follow my blog, I will be updating my blog/website within the next week. Check back to see how things will change. The URL will still be www.kurtpmiller.com. Thanks!

College Graduate

2011-05-10T15:32:00.000-07:00

I must say, it is weird to think that I am done with Lee. I have finished my school here, but it will be hard to leave. Lee has become a part of me. Friends have come and they have gone, and for a moment I wondered where the Lord was, but He has been faithful to remind me of His faithfulness. The reality is that he has sent me to Lee and Cleveland for a time and season, and the time and season is now up. This is good.

I have learned a lot of new things, met a lot of good people, and given my heart to this school unlike I ever have before, but if I know one thing I know that I have my eyes set on a city who's builder and maker is God, just like Abraham. In the same way that he packed up and left not knowing where he was going, I will too (Hebrews 11-12). I want my vision to be steady so that I am not like a reed shaken by the wind. I planning to go to IHOP-KC for a season right now and don't know much after that, although I am excited and expectant. Lee has given me a desire to incorporate sound theological doctrine, depth, and study into the body of Christ so that we may be rooted and established in His love. My official transcript will state,

Bachelor of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies, with Minors in Biblical Languages and Spanish.

Who knows where this will take me, I simply hope that it will cause me to love Jesus well so that the Lamb may receive the reward of His sufferings.

As I leave Lee, I am thankful to say that I have very few (if any) regrets. In some way this is how the Lord uses the foolish things to shame the wise. I have spent the past three years studying Theology and sitting in a small room praying to a God that I don't see. It seems dumb, but I wouldn't have it any other way. My time at Lee and with the Prayer Room culminated in a Prayer Conference focused on Intimacy with Jesus in which 700 people pre-registered. Somehow the Lord has taken our weak efforts and attempts to bring prayer back to Lee and has made it a central focus of the campus. I am expectant to see what happens at Lee University and in Cleveland TN.

(Now that I have more time on my hands, look forward to more posts)

Reminiscing

2011-03-08T01:00:00.000-08:00

The past couple weeks (or shall I say months) have been a blast. I have literally been having the time of my life. I feel like I am praying harder and running harder in life than I ever have before. But this running does not feel like striving, nor does it feel like a works based faith. Instead, it actually feels like I am operating as a Son. I can't get away from the inner groan of the spirit that is keeping me praying, reading, and digging in the Word.

In a way I feel like I did when the Lord first showed me His love. At that moment (6 years ago) there was a zeal inside of me that was good, but immature and impatient. It seems that after that first year or two that zeal lost a little of it's intensity, but I knew I had to keep my commitments to the Lord (i.e., regular prayer, fasting, and reading the word) despite what I felt. In fact, while the Lord was gracious to give me days where He would show me his love to keep going, I rarely felt much emotion at all. Moreover, the criticisms were prevailing. My life of devotion to Jesus was apparently offensive to some and they didn't hesitate to let me know (although I'm still trying to figure that part out).

I don't want to sound completely negative, there were good seasons for sure, but more times than not the Christian life is characterized by dying to ones-self. That was what I longed to embrace. This continued on (with it's ebs and flows, and highs and lows) until the close of 2010, when my identity was really challenged. The last couple months of 2010, I felt like Satan launched an all out assault on me. At times I even felt a little like Job (though definitely not to the same extent), I would appeal to my friends in attempt to find my identity. While nothing terrible or dramatic was happening in my life, I felt as though there was. To say the least, it was a difficult semester.

Then 2011 rolled in. Things at Lee changed, leaders stepped down and leaders stepped up (including myself). Because this is my last semester at Lee, I actually didn't think I would have this opportunity. Most of my career at Lee was hidden. While I did a lot of good work for various things, it was all behind the scenes, and I felt like that was what the Lord told me to do when I first arrived.

But there was a shift this semester. The Lord took me from hiding to shining. I was launched into operating in a realm of leadership that I feel like is a piece of my destiny and calling. It's hard to put to words, and if I had to, I think I would say it similar to Irenaeus:

The Glory of God is man fully alive.

I don't want to sound young, ignorant, and immature, I can almost guarantee that the time of wrestle will come again. Like I said earlier, dying to ones-self is characteristic of the Christian life. But I do want to soak this time in so that when that day does come and the seasons do change again I can have this memory as a stone of remembrance.

Not sure why I opened my heart up just now, but I hope you were encouraged!

Unquenchable and Consumed

2011-02-13T11:28:00.000-08:00

We are having a Conference at Lee University on March 17-19. The focus is equip people to sustain passion from the place of intimacy. If you are at all interested register at unquenchable.eventbrite.com. If you have any questions feel free to comment. Thanks!

Recent Events

2010-12-21T17:28:00.000-08:00

Here's a brief update (and a random picture I took in Israel).

This semester has been difficult but great. I don't think there has been a time in my life where I have grown and learned more spiritually, practically, and academically. I was stretched more than I knew I could handle, but (of course) the Lord showed me His faithfulness. He helped me when I was in need.

In May I moved in with 3 guys who have grown to be my closest friends (John Bush, Caleb Hughes, and Steve Gilliam). We have had a blast living together, but more than that we started a home group type meeting on Monday nights that has been really powerful for our campus. Each week we have close to 60 students pack into our house and worship the Lord together. It was a great opportunity to learn about the Lord and discipleship. I also think I might have started doing something that is part of my future/calling... Teaching.

I taught 2 of our meetings and realized that it really is something that I love. I had a couple opportunities to teach when I was in high school, but at the time I didn't realize it was a gift/talent that I had, I was just doing it because of the role I was in. The Lord has given me a passion to teach/preach the bible and see people fall in love with Him. I am looking forward to more opportunities in the coming months.

Another recent update (that not many people know) is that I am actually finishing school a YEAR early. I will graduate with my Undergraduate in Theology in May! That's exciting. I have some thoughts about what I will do afterwards, but nothing definite yet. In the end there are 2 things I have on my heart to do: 1) minister to the Lord in some sort of House of Prayer setting (not necessarily IHOP), and 2) teach the bible. Right now I do not know the steps that the Lord will use to get me to those two desires, but He put them in my heart close to 5 years ago, and after waiting, the desire to do them has only grown. This proverb describes it best:

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life. Proverbs 13:12

This verse has vast eternal implications, but practically in my life I have hope to one day sit defore the Lord and gaze at His beauty night and day praying for His justice on the earth. For the past few years this hope has been deferred, but I am believing and trusting the Lord to bring it to pass as a tree of life.

One thing I have desired of the LORD, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, And to inquire in His temple. Psalm 27:4

My soul longs, yes, even faints For the courts of the LORD; My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Psalm 84:2

What does God think?

2010-12-13T10:19:00.000-08:00

Obviously, it has been a while since I wrote a substantial blog and hopefully I will write an update post soon. But for now I want to write some thoughts which I have been entertaining and need a way out of my head. When I came to Lee University I was a little nervous about studying Theology as a major, but as I am finishing up my last year I have grown with a great appreciation for it. Not only that, but already during my break I found myself wanting to continue to read theology (despite the vast amount of complaining about reading I did during the semester). I've come to realize that Theology could be one of the most misunderstood disciplines and should not be seen as boring or unspiritual. Instead, its ultimate end should lead the reader into the Love of the Father and great fascination of who God is.

One of my favorite Contemporary Theologians is Jurgen Moltmann. He is a German theologian who was born in 1926 and was drafted to be a German Solider in WWII. I want to be clear, I do not agree with a lot of his theological stances, but I think he has presented a unique approach to theology which needs to be utilized. His first book was Theology of Hope which was published in 1967. This was not intended to be a Christian Eschatology, but instead present a foundation of hope for all theology (in 1996 he decided to develop this more and write a Christian Eschatology). Soon after Theology of Hope he wrote The Crucified God which was published in 1973, which is where I intend to focus this post.

He poses a question which directs the rest of his book asking, "What does the human cross of Christ mean for God?" It seems like since Christ has died the church has only sought to define the cross in relation to what it means to us and the freedom, salvation, and future we have in Christ. Without neglecting this foundation, could the cross actually mean something for God too? Moltmann explores the dimensions of this in a profound way suggesting that maybe God suffered the loss of his fatherhood in the death of His Son (Expect a post soon discussing more of Moltmann's theology of the cross, but for now, lets continue exploring what prayer means for God).

Recently, one of my favorite professors at Lee made a comment about the current Christian Charismatic understanding of Intercession and prayer. Without quoting him directly he basically compared the churches understanding of intercession as a works based faith and something we do in order for God to act. This is a completely false understanding of prayer because God is outside of every being and needs no one nor nothing to do what He pleases. While I agree with this, immediately a thought popped in my head similar to Moltmann's question with the cross, "What does the saints intercession/prayers mean for God?" While God clearly doesn't need these petitions, could it be that he has set his Kingdom up in such a way to have full bridal partnership in the place of prayer? Could this be similar to the way he used Moses and other leaders in the bible? Could the wedding really be God's ultimate goal?

While God clearly doesn't need us to accomplish His plans, He has invited us to partner with him as His bride. It's the same as in a marriage, while the man is the head and leader he does not do everything. As the Bride of Jesus we are alongside of Him serving Him, we are with him where he is (John 17:24). In His meekness he has given us the freedom to join and to pray His will into existence. For so long I equated meekness with humility until I read this definition by Josh Hawkins:

"Meekness is the restraint of power for the accomplishment of a higher cause. Though outwardly they may all seem similar, we must not confuse meekness with humility or weakness... when someone is meek, they possess power but restrain from using it for themselves. Instead, they operate in humility and use their power for a redemptive purpose... The glory of Jesus’ meekness is that every time He was presented with an opportunity to use His divine power to shield Himself from the full-brunt of the human experience, He did not. He continually used His power as God for the benefit of others. Not once did Jesus warm himself up on a cold night, subdue His hunger pains when He went without food, or silence the mouths of His accusers when lies were spoken about Him." Click Here to read more.

His decision to set up His Kingdom so believers partner with Him in Intercession to accomplish His purposes is His meekness. Clearly He could do whatever He desires in a moment, but instead he has set standards in place that even He Himself will not cross. Just as he used Moses to release the plagues on Pharaoh and to speak to the people of Israel. In the same way He wants to use our prayers to affect those people and places we pray for. This should transform the way we pray, and instead of begging God to do things we should pray knowing that he desires to answer the things we are praying for more than we do..

But then what? Is the end goal prayer? While prayer is a fantastic demonstration of bridal partnership it is only perfecting humility and meekness within us, so that one day we will be ready to marry the Lamb. We will be a pure and spotless bride. This present evil age will end in the return of Jesus, and those faithful followers will be gathered with Him and celebrate at the Marriage supper of the Lamb.

Thoughts?

Cool Story

2010-10-17T07:08:00.000-07:00

A few nights ago I went to the Marietta Square (Downtown Marietta, GA) to hang out with a friend. We hung out under a Gazebo and talked for a little while, when all of a sudden we started getting visitors. We had 3 homeless men walk by and talk to us at different times.

First, a man walked by and stopped and looked at us (almost doing a double take to look at me). Then he looked at us and asked the most random question saying, "Haven't I seen yall up here before? Aren't yall christians, don't you come up here and pray for people?" The answer to that was yes, but it had been close to a year (or more) since I had done outreach at the square. So I told him we were christians and we'd love to pray for Him. Then he sat down and told us a pretty sad story also trying to get some money. We listened to his story and then prayed for him. I ended up also giving him a little money, but it was difficult. It seemed like he was lying, but I felt like the Lord was just saying, "so what, just give him a something." After he left we tried to figure out what just happened. It was so weird because his first question was, "Are yall Christians, and do yall pray for people?" We didn't even have a bible or anything that would make him know we were christians. We decided it was probably the Holy Spirit and reflection of Jesus showing Him love, and he knew we had to be christians. Interesting...

Then a little while longer we had another visitor. This one was a little more shady, but he didn't stop long. He walked by the Gazebo and just said a few comments which i responded to. But he didn't bother to ask us for anything and just continued on his way.

Finally, we met our friend Turbo. Before he came over we saw him dancing on a brick ledge and he was actually a really good dancer. After that he walked by us and wasn't going to say anything when my friend decided to say, "Nice Dance moves." He said thanks and continued to walk, then did a double take and joined us on the Gazebo. He proceeded to say, "You really think so?" and our response was, "Yes it was awesome!" Then in the most humble way he said, "Well, you see, I don't really have a home, and I try to do that to make money." We responded sympathetically really wanting to help him. As we continued to talk we told him we were christians and wanted to pray for him. Then He told us that he goes to Stonebridge Church (which is a church plant from Riverstone). After that we prayed and prophesied over him. it was incredible. i really sensed the Lords pleasure over Tavarace (Turbo was his dance name). We didn't end up giving him anything, but as he walked away I was gripped and knew I had to give him something. So we called him back over and gave him some money.

I'm really not sure what the point was for these three men, but it was an incredible night and words really can't describe the compassion from the Lord which we felt. We sensed the Lords pleasure in an incredible way.

Rain 2010

2010-09-09T04:49:00.000-07:00

Here is the Promo Video for our Solemn Assembly (based out of Joel 2), Rain 2010 at Lee University.

Tertullian

2010-08-28T07:49:00.000-07:00

Here is a little encouragement from Tertullian for the Morning. This is Chapter 3 of his writing called, "The Prescription Against Heretics." The Lord is long-suffering and gracious with us. Hope it encourages you as it did me.

Chapter III.-Weak People Fall an Easy Prey to Heresy, Which Derives Strength from the General Frailty of Mankind. Eminent Men Have Fallen from Faith; Saul, David, Solomon.the Constancy of Christ.

It is usual, indeed, with persons of a weaker character, to be so built up (in confidence) by certain individuals who are caught by heresy, as to topple over into ruin themselves. How comes it to pass, (they ask), that this woman or that man, who were the most faithful, the most prudent, and the most approved in the church, have gone over to the other side? Who that asks such a question does not in fact reply to it himself, to the effect that men whom heresies have been able to pervert ought never to have been esteemed prudent, or faithful, or approved? This again is, I suppose, an extraordinary thing, that one who has been approved should afterwards fall back? Saul, who was good beyond all others, is afterwards subverted by envy. David, a good man "after the Lord's own heart," is guilty afterwards of murder and adultery. Solomon, endowed by the Lord with all grace and wisdom, is led into idolatry, by women. For to the Son of God alone was it reserved to persevere to the last without sin. But what if a bishop, if a deacon, if a widow, if a virgin, if a doctor, if even a martyr, have fallen from the rule (of faith), will heresies on that account appear to possess the truth? Do we prove the faith by the persons, or the persons by the faith? No one is wise, no one is faithful, no one excels in dignity, but the Christian; and no one is a Christian but he who perseveres even to the end. You, as a man, know any other man from the outside appearance. You think as you see. And you see as far only as you have eyes. But says (the Scripture), "the eyes of the Lord are lofty." "Man looketh at the outward appearance, but God looketh at the heart." "The Lord (beholdeth and) knoweth them that are His; " and "the plant which (my heavenly Father) hath not planted, He rooteth up; " and "the first shall," as He shows, "be last; " and He carries "His fan in His hand to purge His threshing-floor." Let the chaff of a fickle faith fly off as much as it will at every blast of temptation, all the purer will be that heap of corn which shall be laid up in the garner of the Lord. Did not certain of the disciples turn back from the Lord Himself, When they were offended? Yet the rest did not therefore think that they must turn away from following Him, but because they knew that He was the Word of Life, and was come from God, they continued in His company to the very last, after He had gently inquired of them whether they also would go away. It is a comparatively small thing, that certain men, like Phygellus, and Hermogenes, and Philetus, and Hymenµus, deserted His apostle: the betrayer of Christ was himself one of the apostles. We are surprised at seeing His churches forsaken by some men, although the things which we suffer after the example of Christ Himself, show us to be Christians. "They went out from us," says (St. John, ) "but they were not of us. If they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us."

Chastening

2010-08-26T06:58:00.000-07:00

The Lord is so faithful to bring us to a place of complete dependence on Him. He will do all that it takes to rid us of the props that hold us up, so that we only rely on Him. Through a strange series of events, this is the place I am in right now. While it is difficult at different times, the strangest part is that I actually want to receive this from the Lord. The reality is that this is His goodness towards me. He would rather be merciful on me and show me my weaknesses than let me continue in my arrogance.

The Lords is showing me a dimension of humility in a real way. Often we think of humility as servanthood etc, which is a huge element of humility, but another dynamic (which I am learning) is that I am not in control of my life. Sure, we can do practical things such as serve to be humble, but when God actually shows us Himself we are forced to a place of submission to His majesty. This is humility. I'm realizing again that I still cannot do anything. No matter how often I try and control my life, I will fail. It's starting to become humorous to me when I look in hindsight, because for some reason I still make plans for my life even though I know that the Lord always comes and changes them.

The most important thing in a season like this is endurance. When the Lord takes us through the fire we must be willing to receive it in humility. If this is something you can relate to I would encourage you to listen to Misty Edwards' teaching from the Prayer and Prophetic conference this past weekend at IHOP-KC. She gives and exhortation based out of Hebrews suggesting that we have to have an eternal perspective in order to persevere, because it makes our problems in this life much smaller. Click Here and look for her teaching in the Video on Demand Section.

Psalm 16:5-11

2010-08-18T04:45:00.000-07:00

"O Lord, you are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; you maintain my lot. The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; yes, I have a good inheritance. I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel; my heart also instructs me in the night season. I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will rest in hope. For you will not leave my soul in Sheol, nor will you allow your holy one to see corruption. You will show me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

A Poem

2010-08-17T17:17:00.000-07:00

Here is a poem by an awesome man who has had incredible influence in my life. It'll make you wrestle with God.

Click here to Read it!

Vision at Lee

2010-08-12T20:36:00.000-07:00

Click here if video won't play.

God is Love

2010-07-21T13:50:00.000-07:00

I just finished doing a study on John's use of love and hate in 1 John which has tenderized my heart before the Lord. If your familiar with the text of 1 John, it is clear that he is adamant about communicating love to his audience. Not only that, it is also likely that he was writing in order to bring truth to the divinity of God's Son Jesus by coming against the antichrists that prevail in the world.

While doing some research I came across a quote that stopped me in my tracks. It says:

"[Based on his intention of Christology and significant statements about love, he] draws a genuine theological connection between them, rooted in the concept of the incarnation as the revelation of the God who is love." (Brackets added).

Jesus was born of a virgin and was a sinless man. He is 100% Man and 100% God, the God-Man. This is the purpose of John's first letter. He wants to center the doctrine of Christ around divinity and love. Jesus is God and God is love. These are both incredible statements that we will search out for all eternity.

John uses the simplest (and most repetitive) language to communicate the the most profound theological concepts. Our lives must center around this Man. Colossians 1 says that He is to take the preeminence in all that we do. He is the center of life, the Word that became flesh, the Savior and Redeemer, who is 100% Man.

Hope you enjoyed reading. I encourage you to read both 1 John and Colossians 1.

Good Stuff about Jesus

2010-07-10T13:36:00.000-07:00

Here are a few resources I want to recommend to you about Jesus.

Jesus Manifesto - By Leonard Sweet & Frank Viola:

I am not finished reading it yet, but I have been gripped with the reality of Jesus Christ and he must be exalted in all things. Click Here for Amazon

Thought this was a good read for today by Dana Candler and wanted to recommend it to you: Click Here

Riverstone Summer Camp

2010-07-01T12:47:00.001-07:00

Get ready to see a generation of Revivalist! July 4-9.

Here is a link to watch the live web-streaming. I highly recommend it! Click Here

Dependency

2010-06-19T18:02:00.000-07:00

Recently the Lord has been opening my eyes more and more to my utter weakness and need for Him. This sounds great, but trust me, it is a grueling process, although totally worth it.

When speaking about the weakness of humans Dana Candler said, "How we must not evade it, deny it or ignore it, but rather acknowledge and embrace it." This is what I want to do in this season, no matter what the cost. But do I really? If I did then when the option of humility looked at me directly in the face I would choose to embrace it, but currently I do not want to do that every time and am asking the Lord for patience and grace.

The world is telling us the exact opposite of what the culture of Jesus' kingdom should be. I am writing this because I have been experiencing a unique wrestle with it recently, and honestly, I am a little tired of it. Just as Paul said, I do what I don't want to do and I don't want to do what I do. Life has interesting dynamics, both good and bad, but I want to get to the place to where I live my life the same even when no one is looking. When living in the midst of the pressures of life and expectations of men (especially doing ministry stuff), I want to be able to set my gaze and live my life before the eyes of one Man, no matter the situation. He is worth it and worthy of all my heart all of the time.

2nd Coming

2010-06-04T13:04:00.001-07:00

I am currently stirred with urgency about the Second Coming. It is discouraging when this topic is brought up among the church because of how taboo it is. Throughout the past 100 years there has been many ideas proposed concerning this topic, and because of this there has been a mysterious confused precedent set to approaching the book of Revelation, or any eschatology (study of last things). This is an understandable problem, but after going to Israel I am stirred with urgency to pray for the spirit of wisdom and revelation about the coming hour.

In 1948 Israel was restored back as a country for the Jews and then in 1967 Jerusalem was set back up as the capital of this city. Not only is this one of the best proofs for Christianity, but arguably one of the greatest miracles in all of history. 1900 years ago their city was destroyed. The Roman Empire made it illegal for Jews to enter. Not only did it's people not lose their ethnicity, but they kept their original language which some scholars say could be 3,000 years old. This is incredible. The Messiah will not return until all of Israel cry's out, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord." Jesus quotes this in Matthew 23:39 and it comes from Psalm 118:26. The people of the city said it in the day of Jesus, but He was addressing the Leadership in the city (the Sanhedrin). For 2,000 years this was impossible, but now it is possible again.

In Romans 10 and 11 Paul Talks about His desires for Israel to be saved and says that this "mystery" will happen before the restoration of all things. These are statistics given by David Sliker,
In 1999 there were 2,200 messianic believers in Israel. In 2009 there were 10-15,000 Messianic believers in Israel. In 10 years the number of believers has increased by 700%. That is unbelievable.

There are many other things concerning this that are happening in the earth today, but the point is that we must watch and pray. In Mark 13:33 Jesus says, "Watch and pray, for you do not know when the time is." We are commanded to know the times and seasons that we are living in. For 2,000 years the 2nd Coming has been impossible, but for the first time in history the scriptures are lining up and its likelihood is increasing. I encourage you to pray about this and ask the Lord to open your eyes to what the Spirit is saying in this hour.

Update - I highly recommend this article by Josh Hawkins - Click Here!

Faith

2010-05-26T06:26:00.000-07:00

I was reading an article on the Gift of Faith by a friend, Josh Hawkins, and wanted to encourage you to read it. Click here to read it.

Successful

2010-05-25T10:21:00.000-07:00

Throughout Christianity it seems like we have distorted the truth of what it means to be successful in our life with God. When we serve and give in ministries we usually don't primarily do it for the people. Most times we are not confident in who we are before the Lord and so we serve in order to prove ourselves to God. This is completely wrong. The truth is that God is in love with us and we don't have to prove anything to Him.

With this truth in place we can now serve people with a pure motivation instead of having the secondary purpose of trying to gain God's favor. This truth has started to rock me. I have been trying to serve in this way and it makes life so much easier. It makes it to where we want to serve people because we are doing it while delighting in the father.

SO GOOD!

Israel

2010-05-20T09:12:00.000-07:00

Well, obviously I was not able to update each day while in Israel. I had limited internet, but more than that our schedule was packed for most of the days while we were there giving me little time to update. I am now back in Marietta and it is great to be home, although I already miss Israel. It was a hard place to live at, but it was also a hard place to leave.

We flew into Tel Aviv and went all the way up north to where the tribe of Dan would have been located, then all the way south where we floated in the Dead Sea, and we finished in Jerusalem - the City of the King. Here are some pictures with some small comments, hope you enjoy them! (The descriptions are under the picture, and you can click on them for a bigger picture).

This is Jaffa right near Tel Aviv. It is where Ezekiel went in Ezekiel 3.

This was a baby of the owner at a place we ate lunch. She was so cute! They were a Druze which is a break off from Islam.

This is a view from Mt. Carmel that looks over the Megido Valley. Mt. Carmel was where Elijah called down fire from heaven. The Megido Valley is also known as the Valley of Armageddon which is in Revelation 16:16.

These are ruins from Caesarea where Jesus did some of his ministry. Although, this was likely ruins from a Crusader Castle.

Beautiful Caesarea

Me standing on a 2,000 year old Roman Road. Now that is crazy history.

Looking over the Valley of Megido again, but from a different place.

Another Shot of the Valley of Megido, but this time from Mt. Tabor where the transfiguration is believed to have happen.

Me sitting on a Donkey :-). We went to a guy who reenacted what a normal jewish life would have been like 2,000 years ago. It was tons of fun!

This is a city called Hiafa, just to the North of Tel Aviv. Located on Mt. Carmel. It is one of the largest Sea Harbors for Israel.

This is a big hole in a mountain at Caesarea Phillipi that Pantheistic tribes believed was Hades. So it was likely that when Jesus asked Peter, "Who do you say that I am." in Matthew 16:14 they were standing here, and when He said, "I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." BEcause this hole was believed to be Hades and is in Casarea Phillipi.

This was one of my favorite parts. That whole passage just came alive at a new level with this perspective.

These are the waters at Casarea Phillipi. The water was so clear that they say you can drink out of it. I did :-)

THis is a place called the Golan Heights. Beautiful.

These are the Vultures that fly around in the Golan Heights. Some of them go up to 6 feet in Wing length. That is crazy. It is also thought that these could be the birds mentioned in Rev 19:21 that will gorge themselves on the flesh of kings.

This is Mt. Gamala in the Golan Heights.

Me on our Boat! We took a boat across the Lake of Galilee. THis was the same water that Jesus walked on!

This is a monument put where it is believed one of the feeding of the multitudes took place.

The church on the Mount of B-attitudes.

This is a beautiful picture at the Mountain of B-attitudes over looking the Lake of galilee. This place was glorious. The place where Jesus set up the culture for HIs Kingdom.

This was a Canaanite gate that was found and dates back to the time of Abraham, and even believed that he walked through this gate. Wow.

This is the Church of the Primacy where it is believed that Jesus had breakfast with the Disciples.

Peter house

Boat

This is En Gedi where David went and found the streams of living water that flow in the desert.

Beautiful En Gedi again.

These are Date pits that were probably from 2,000 years ago. They also have some in a museum. Crazy.

This is a picture of Qumran which is in the desert. The dead Sea scrolls were found here which date back to 100 BC. They were matched with the scrolls of the bible word for word. This is the greatest proof for the bible that we have.

Another beautiful picture of the Galilee.

This is a picture with a Jewish scholar at the Tomb of Samuel.

This is a picture of the Tomb of Samuel. This was very interesting. This group was a Jewish sect that believes Samuel is interceding for them based on Psalm 99.

People swimming in the Dead Sea. All you do is float!

The beautiful sunrise over the Dead Sea.

Picture of me with our tour guide Gedion. He was awesome!

Picture of Jerusalem from our Hotel

This is Kahlin in Hezekiah's Tunnel. This was a water way from the time of Hezekiah. That is over 3,000 years old. Wow!

Jewish men praying at the Western Wall. The primary reason they pray here is because this is the closest they can get to what would have been the temple. This area is only 1/8th of the whole western wall and it is all the Jews have. The Muslims own the Temple mount.

Another picture of the Western Wall.

This a picture of the Garden Tomb at Golgatha. It is very likely that this was the tomb of Jesus although we will never know for sure. All that matters anyway is that He is alive and His body will never be found.

This is the Tomb of King David.

This is a little Jewish boy that I fell in love with. The Lord broke my heart for Him. He is the one in the middle.

This is Christy Lynch on a Camel. It looks like they were both smiling, but I think the Camel was pretty mad.

This is a picture of Jerusalem from The Mount of Olives.

This picture explains the main thing I gained from the trip. Don't get me wrong, it was incredible walking where Jesus did and the Lord really opened up my heart and let me experience Him through this, although there is a day coming that will be so much greater. Jesus is going to return again and He is returning to Jerusalem. Romans 10 and 11 talk about Israel and Paul says that all of Israel will be saved. This is the Lords will and I believe it will happen.

While walking around and interacting with the Jewish people the Lord broke my heart. They have been pushed away for 2,000 years and groups have always attempted to kill them (such as the holocaust, etc.). Currently they are struggling to have their own country because of Palestine. The tension between the two groups can be sensed in the atmosphere. Therefore, we must pray for them, for their peace, but more than that for their salvation. They are the Apple of His eye.

I hope this encourages you as it did me. Thanks!

Israel Day 5

2010-05-14T06:50:00.000-07:00

Israel has been incredible so far. I will make a longer post later because I am currently paying $4.00 for 30 minutes of internet. Thats Crazy!!!! But here are some sweet pictures from our first few days at Galilee.

And I have eaten a ton of Hummus. I have a new favorite food!

One of those pics is an old synagogue dating back to the 4th Century. Wow!

Cya Soon!

Israel Day 1

2010-05-10T11:13:00.000-07:00

We made it to Israel safe! Obviously we are all tired, but we went ahead and went to Japa (I think thats how you spell it) in Tel Aviv. We were standing next to the place where Jonah left! This is also the same place where Tabitha was raised from the dead in Acts 9 and where Peter had his vision in Acts 10.

It is a crazy reality to be over here. One of the craziest things was hearing all the Muslims pray. Right around 7:30PM we started to hear all these voices. It was the muslims praying. It was a really sobering thing.

Well, hopefully I will update more soon! thanks for checking in!

Update

2010-05-08T20:25:00.000-07:00

Well, It has been a little while since I have updated, and for all you regular readers I apologize tremendously. School is now done, and it finished in a fantastic way. The Lord continued to move in power and it was lots of fun! Finals week was hard, but great at the same time. Now, I am leaving for Israel tomorrow!

I am going on a trip with my school (Lee University) to Israel. We leave tomorrow and will be back on May 20th. I realize this was a quick update, but I must go. I am going to try and update while in Israel. If not, get ready for pictures as soon as I get back. THanks!

2010-04-21T18:34:00.001-07:00

I want to be back in eden.........................................

Faith

2010-04-09T19:35:00.001-07:00

I was doing some reading and came across a fantastic quote by Jonathan Wesley that I thought would be good to blog. Check this out:

"Pride had already destroyed the very angels of God. It was likewise in great measure owing to this, when the tempter said, 'Ye shall be as gods' (gen 3:5), that Adam fell from his own steadfastness and brought sin and death into the world. It was therefore an instance of wisdom worthy of God to appoint such a condition of reconciliation for him and all his posterity as might effectually humble, might abase them to the dust. And such is faith. It is peculiarly fitted for this end, for he that cometh unto God by this faith must fix his eye singly on his own wickedness, on his guilt and helplessness, without having the least regard to any supposed good in himself, to any virtue or righteousness whatsoever. He must come as mere sinner, inwardly and outwardly, self-destroyed and self-condemned, bringing nothing to God but ungodliness only, pleading nothing of his own but sin and misery. Thus it is, and thus alone, when his "mouth is stopped," and he stands utterly 'guilty before God' that he can 'look unto Jesus,' as the whole and sole 'propitiation for his sins.'"

Wow. I want to be humble.

Life is good...

2010-04-04T13:20:00.000-07:00

Well, today is Easter. What a day. The day that we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, and the fact that this power gives life to our mortal bodies. Wow. That truth is far beyond my human words (and I can not even grasp what I just wrote). Wow.

On another note. I have recently been wrestling with how hard life can be, but finally the Lords grace snapped me out of it. When I get caught up in everything I have to do and get so focused on me I am just being selfish. Since I am at home I started thinking about all my parents are doing in their lives right now and it really put it in perspective. I really do not have any struggles right now. In fact, I should be rejoicing at how easy life is for me! Haha. I mean all I do is pray, learn more about God, read, and study spanish (sometimes, not nearly enough though). So basically, I am living the best life! Haha.

Well, thats it for now. Hope this encourages you. haha. Cya

Eternity

2010-04-03T11:25:00.000-07:00

Recently I have been reading one of my textbooks for my Systematic Theology class and the Lord really began to grip my heart with some things. It seems like today most of the church is usually focused on this present evil age that we are living in and we loose site of what is coming. I noticed this so much that when I started to hear things about eternity I began to wonder if what I was hearing was even biblical. Yet, as I continue to dig in the word and read many top theologians, or any christian writers for that matter, I am seeing that this eternal perspective is not a new thing. In fact, the restoration of all things is the longing in Gods heart and the point of all of scripture. God wants to have His dwelling with man. Although it seems as if this stream of thinking has been limited to the elite and the theologians and is not very common among regular church attenders. I hate that and really want to change it!

In fact, this seems like a tragedy. This problem is not the fault of either the leaders of the regular church attender, but it is likely the fault of both of these groups. When you ask a christian what the Kingdom of God is the common answer is, “Love, Joy, Peace, and righteousness in the Holy Spirit.” And that is an incredible answer! But it is only one side of a two sided coin. We are living in what can be called the present evil age and are eagerly awaiting for the age to come. In this current age the primary manifestation of the Kingdom of God is love, joy, peace, and righteousness in the Holy Spirit, but the point is that this expression is incomplete and fallen. We do experience this now to an extent, but if that is our end goal it is depressing! Because the reality is that there is an age coming where that will be the continual sense and emotion of what we are feeling.

I would continue to rant on this, but let me briefly discuss my point in all of this. I have not been doing this very long, but personally, as the Lord has given me the grace to have an eternal perspective it has strengthened me tons more than any other type of teaching or self-help message. It seems like we are so busy trying to help people in the temporal life (which I think is completely valid, and I am not discrediting) that we are not looking beyond to what is coming. My personal experience has shown that when I see the greater glory of the coming age then my pain in suffering in this age is minimized to an extent to where it hardly even matters. Ultimately, I want to start communicating to people the Coming Kingdom instead of trying to give them practical advice of how to live their lives, because if we could just have a vision of God and eternity everything in life would start to fall together.

In 1 Corinthians 15:20 Paul is talking about the Resurrection from the dead and how Christ is only the first-fruits. It is evident through Paul’s life that He was waiting for the Immanent return of Jesus, but it did not happen in His life. When I think of this I want to live in the same way. Whether Jesus is coming back in 50 years or 500 I want to live with an urgency on my heart just as Paul did. Paul had a vision of heaven and was excitedly looking forward to the resurrection. In light of the easter season, lets rejoice that Jesus has conquered death, but more than that, that He is only the first-fruits of all of us who believe. Meaning that we will one day be raised with Him!

Wilderness Outcry

2010-03-30T13:13:00.001-07:00

I want to encourage and recommend this to all of you who are hungry for the Lord to break into America. This gathering is going to be powerful and I can't wait to see what happens. Please Visit http://www.wildernessoutcry.com/ for more information. This thing is going to shake the nation.

This is profound

2010-03-22T07:19:00.000-07:00

My friend Josh Hawkins put out this twitter today and it really hit me. He said:

"Pride and condemnation are symptoms of the same disease - trusting in your commitment to Him instead of His commitment to you." (Click Here for Josh's Website)

That is such a profound statement and when I read it it really began to rock my heart. I often rely on my focus on the Lord and how much time I spend with Him instead of realizing His great desire for me.

Another statement that rocked my heart was something Tom Tanner said at Riverstone Church yesterday. He was telling a story about a time when he wasn't able to talk to his wife for two days because he didn't have cell phone service, and he said:

"I wasn't guilty about not talking to her, I just missed her."

This is how intiment I want to be with Jesus. To the point where I don't feel guilt and shame, but instead I just long for Him. I miss spending time with Him, not because I have too, but because I miss HIm and love Him. Wow. What a revelation.

Revelation 1:1

2010-03-15T14:10:00.000-07:00

I began reading some notes that a friends of mine (Samuel Clough) has on the book of revelation and I was struck by his notes on the first verse as He began to expound on Revelation 1:1. I have not spent much time meditating on this verse until today and the spirit of revelation came and struck me. In the past I usually skip over this verse thinking I want to get to the meat of the Book, but I have just realized there is no meat without this verse. It says:

“The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place.”

I am used to hear people say that the book of Revelation is not primarily about getting a sequence of events, but I never really believed them. Today I was struck with this reality. It is not given in order to reveal a sequence of events, but to reveal the attributes of God and show who Jesus really is.

The word ‘soon,’ in the first verse is incredibly significant. Obviously, in the natural it has been 2,000 years since this was written and since the word ‘soon’ was scribed. So is it still coming soon? The reality is that for God 2,000 years is a blip on the map in the span of eternity. 2 Peter 3:8 tells us that for God one day is 1,000 years and 1,000 years is one day. So God is outside of time. If this is true than why would He use the word ‘soon’ if it was more than 2,000 years away for humans inside of time? I began to meditate on what Samuel Clough suggests which is that this word primarily describes the urgency that is Gods heart for that hour.

This is a profound reality and my heart has been pricked by the Lord. It could have just said, ‘to show his servants what must take place,’ and omit the word soon. But instead He included it. This shows the deep desire and passion in Gods heart for Jesus to receive the reward of His suffering as described in Eph 1:18. God desires for the earth to return to the way it was with Adam in Gen 1-3. He longs for us, as humans, to dwell in fellowship without any hindrance of sin. The problem is that we are so fallen we have no clue what we are missing. We do not know what it was like when God dwelt with man. But the reality is that this is the ultimate end in Gods heart and it is where the end of all things is going. He wants this so much that we desires that Jesus be revealed soon. He longs for men to dwell with Him again.

I hope this encourages you to ask the Lord for a spirit of Revelation into His word. Sometimes I think I have things figured out, but then the something like this strikes me and I realize I hardly know anything. This book is so profound and it reveals the heart of God. Bob Sorge says, “The more time you spend in the ‘logos’ (written word), the greater your chances of receiving a ‘rhema’ (spoken word).” We usually ask for the thunder and lightning encounter with the Lord and don’t realize that He has given us an incredible way to encounter Him in His word. Yes the dramatic encounter will come, but until then I am going to encounter Him as much as I can in the written word!

The Ground is Growing

2010-03-12T19:57:00.000-08:00

It has been a few weeks since I have posted, but the Lord has been doing fantastic things and it has been incredible. I have been super busy, but life has never been better.

I am so stirred that we are living in an incredibly urgent hour. The Holy Spirit is doing something so unprecedented in our nation right now. There is hunger stirring all across the nation and the Lord is responding to answered prayer.

About a year and a half ago we began a prayer meeting at Lee University. We are beginning to see answered prayer. But more than that there have been many laborer's in Cleveland praying and warring for Lee. We recognize that we are beginning to live in the fruit of answered prayer and it is unbelievable. This is more than just a good meeting. The Holy Spirit is beginning to touch us with power and it is unbelievable. I have been a part of emotional meetings and camps, but I am so stirred by the Lord and convinced that this is not like that. The work that is happening is lasting and people are getting set free from addictions in an instant.

We gathered Monday - Thursday night of this past week to wait on the Lord. Each night there were anywhere from 25 to 100 people at each meeting and there was an enormous amount of hunger. We are on the verge of something big in America, and this is the real deal! Colleges students are giving up other lesser pleasures and running to Jesus. So good.

I want to encourage you to check out our blog at www.outpouringoncampus.wordpress.com for more updates and testimonies!

Strangers

2010-02-27T05:22:00.000-08:00

I have a book called, The Valley Of Vision. This is a book of Puritan prayers and devotions. I picked it up to read this morning and the one I turned to is called "The Saviour." Towards the end it goes,

"May I feel that I am a stranger and pilgrim on the earth,
Declaring plainly that I seek a country,
My title to it becoming daily more clear,
My meetness for it more perfect,
My foretaste of it more abundant."

These few lines are incredibly rich with deep revelation of scripture. Hebrews tells us that we really are pilgrims searching for a city who's builder and maker is God. The reality is that we will never be fully satisfied in this age, but only partially. Our actual inheritance and glory is in the age to come where we will dwell in fullness with God on the earth in the New Jerusalem.

As we are here on earth we begin to get little pieces of it where the Lord will touch us, but in reality this is just a foretaste of the coming kingdom when we will live in communion with God. In Mark 14:25 Jesus says, "truly I say to you, you will not drink of the fruit of the vine again until you drink it new in the kingdom." Jesus is telling us that our ultimate fulfillment will be in the Coming Kingdom, but even now there are tastes of this wine and kingdom which is evidence of heaven touching earth.

I would encourage you to watch this video of one of the songs that has come out of the IHOPU Student Awakening. This is exactly what they are singing of, that in that day we will drink of the marriage wine for real! Enjoy!

The Yes

2010-02-23T05:45:00.000-08:00

I was just resting and reading Song of Solomon 4:9 and the Lord just began to show me His love. All it takes is for us to have the 'yes,' inside of us. It doesn't matter how many times we mess up or fall on our faces in our relationship with the Lord. The 'yes' inside us just needs to be sincere, no matter how weak it is. When we long to be with Him, He will satisfy us.

Because of that 'yes,' He is looking down and smiling at us. He is saying, 'well done, now let me fascinate you.' The yes is something that postures our heart to receive more. We get into this weird and wrong mindset that since we haven't prayed in a few days, or weeks, than we are far from the Lord and have to go through a season of condemnation, or guilt, or something that can make right what we have done wrong. But the Lord is saying, "Just come to me. Turn your heart to me 100%."

I would encourage you to keep saying yes throughout the next couple days, even if you feel weak and feel like your yes doesn't mean anything. Try it out and see what the Lord does!

Becoming like Christ

2010-02-22T05:30:00.000-08:00

As I have been reading Ephesians 4:15 just popped out at my heart. This is what Christianity really is. We are "to grow up in every way" in Christ, to be on the way to the fullness of our new humanity in Him.

There will be a day when we will be with Him in fullness. We will see Him and immediately we will be like Him. Until that day we grow in our love as we serve and love each other. This has really been hitting my heart, because it is really only about one man, and we are becoming more and more like Him. Let it hit your heart!

Kelly Clark wins Bronze

2010-02-19T07:41:00.000-08:00

I watched this video and just started crying at the way the Lord is invading our culture. She played a "Heaven is Here," by Jesus Culture on her run. Then I looked up Kelly Clark on Wikipedia and she is a women after Gods on heart. I would encourage you to watch this and pray for the Lords favor on these men and women. She as a lover of Jesus and is not ashamed!

http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/assetid=9ecb9e75-f28a-4307-87a9-2d7f99ad3cbf.html#w+halfpipe+final+r1+k+clark+usa

Jesus and Water

2010-02-17T10:25:00.000-08:00

John Piper put a thought on twitter and this is what he said,

"Jesus and water. He made it. Calms it. Walks on it. And turns it into wine."

This provoked my thoughts and affections for Jesus and thought it would be a good nugget to share. I long to fall in love with this man Jesus, both His humanity and divinity. He is God and He is man, and He is alive. Let us fall more in love with Him.

The Man Jesus

2010-02-06T20:05:00.000-08:00

I am currently taking a Systematic Theology class and our first topic has been Christology (the study of Christ). I have reviewing my notes for a bit and decided I'd write a blog about Jesus. After studying for about an hour I wanted to weep and fall on my face because of who this man really is. I realized how little I know about Jesus, yet how important He is in this hour. I literally felt like my insides wanted to explode, and I sat back and had no clue what to do other than say what Job said, "Behold our God is great and we do not know Him."

The reality is that God became a man. I MEAN GOD BECAME A MAN!!! [I still don't even know what I am saying when I type this] The Son is an eternal being, and before He put on flesh He was with God for all eternity past. Yes, our salvation is based off of the Cross of Christ, but I feel like we may have forgotten about the Incarnation by looking only at the Cross. The truth is that the Incarnation displays just as much of our Salvation. The LOGOS (John 1) makes for Himself a completely moral nature!!

Read this quote from Dr. Cross a couple of times and see if your heart does not burn within you:

"The human soul and mind (being in the very image of God) constitute an intermediary link through which deity can "consort" with flesh so that what deifies and what is deified can become one God."

The fellowship of divinity and humanity was in Christ. In one person, Jesus Christ, is a sharing of properties unique to each nature. As a mediator, the God-Man must be divine and human fully.

Read this quote from Thomas Oden and let it hit your heart:

"In this way the deity participated in the Passion (suffering) of the humanity and the humanity in the majesty of the deity without blurring or confusing either."

We must begin to fall in love with Jesus. He is the God-Man. There is none like Him, and I want Him to be my only obsession. I want to spend hours meditating on the glory of this man, and fall deeper in love with Him!!! I hope this encourages you.

Recent Nuggets

2010-01-25T10:43:00.000-08:00

Here are some things that I have been chewing on recently, enjoy.

This question has been stirring my heart a ton. I think of it multiple times a week if not daily. Here it is, "What is stirring your affections for Jesus?" I want to get to the place where this is my focus. To where beyond ministry and anything else involved in my life, I am mainly worried about my love for Jesus. I encourage you to ask yourself this question.

Also this quote has been ringing in my head regularly, "We do not grieve as those who have no hope." The season many of us are in right now is interesting. I have experienced a couple of deaths in the past few months of some incredible people (Derek Loux, Julia Roan). This is very interesting because personally the Lord has been pouring out tons of joy into my heart, but these deaths are still hard. When Derek Loux died this is the quote that many read. Since I have read it, it seems that the hope that is found in Christ is increasing in my life.I have never had such a revelation of the hope which Christ brings, and this is incredible. I encourage you to look to Jesus for hope, because it is there. Enjoy.

Patience

2010-01-25T05:33:00.000-08:00

This morning I was praying through Colossians 1:11 which says,

"That you may be strengthened will all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience."

And also 2 Thessolonians 3:5,

"May the Lord direct your hearts into the patience of Christ..."

Each of these verses should have profound impact on us. I realize sometimes that I get really excited about certain things and don't want to wait very long for them. In these times we must look to Jesus. We really need to see how patient He has actually been. He died on a cross 2,000 years ago for His bride who is still ugly and divided. We as the church often fight with each other and don't love each other, but Jesus is still waiting in all His glory for a bride who is pure and spotless. When this happens, then He will return.

As I begin to meditate on the patience of Christ it gives my soul great rest to realize that He has been waiting much longer than I have for anything. He wants to give us some of His strength as seen in the Colossians passage. He who has an abundance of might wants to strengthen us with might.

As you are anxious I encourage you to pray through these passages.

The New Wine

2010-01-16T15:35:00.001-08:00

A few nights ago (Wednesday 1/13) we had our first prayer meeting in Hughes Hall for the semester. We were praying for about an hour when we just waited on the Lord. All of a sudden a few of us started to receive the joy of the Lord. A few began laughing and experiencing the delight of the father. After about an hour there half of us were drunk the holy spirit (Acts 2). We continued to experience joy and overwhelming peace and just couldn't stop laughing.

We proceeded to walk out in the halls and pray for guys that were still awake. Each time we prayed the Lord would pour out His gladness. When I turned around and looked at what was going there about 7 guys rolling around laughing on the floor! I realize that it is not about the manifestation or even the laughing. Ultimately the point is that most of us were set free from the fear of man and another guy was set free from nicotine! This is what it is about! If the Lord has to make us look like fools to the world so we can be free from bondage, I want it!

The next night (Thursday) we were scheduled to have our dorm small groups. We decided to meet all on one floor and just wait on the Lord. After about an hour the Holy spirit again fell on us in power. Guys who hardly know the Lord are being set free from guilt, shame, and condemnation. He is touching us with His delight.

There have also been multiple testimonies of the Lord releasing healing at Lee. When we got here a guy in our dorm had a torn ligament in his foot, and was healed! A girl in a dorm had a hurt leg and was in a lot of pain, then a couple girls went to pray for her and she didn't hurt at all. Another girl was healed from pain in her back!

We recognize the Lord is on the move and we are agreeing with Him. We are only expecting this to increase. I would encourage you to check out this blog: www.outpouringoncampus.wordpress.com for more updates and testimonies. Thanks!

Longing for Jesus

2010-01-10T14:36:00.000-08:00

Recently I have been realizing more and more my need for Jesus. I have returned to school for the spiring semester and am seeing what a conscious effort it is going to take to fight to keep my heart alive. I want Jesus to be the only thing I depend on.

I have been reading a book by Dana Candler fro IHOP called, "Mourning for the Bridegroom." It's a fantastic book and I highly recommend it to any follower of Jesus. We are in a season that is between the 2 advents of Jesus and since we are ultimately made to be with Him we should long for Him.

This groan on the inside of us is a gift from Him, and it increases our love for Him.

Onething Conference 09

2009-12-29T22:48:00.000-08:00

I am currently at IHOP, at the Onething Conference. It has been fantastic thus far. I feel so at home out here. Plus the Lord is beginning to pour out the fresh wine that is going to prepare the church for the end of the age. Hopefully I will post more soon, but for now it's sleep time.

P.S - there is also a ton of snow here!

Derek Loux

2009-12-23T16:40:00.001-08:00

Derek Loux was a father of 10 children who are all part of IHOP-KC. Please remember them in your prayers as Derek passed away after a car accident. Please visit their blog for more information. This is hard time for many.

http://louxfamilyblog.com/

Offense

2009-12-21T19:55:00.000-08:00

Mark 7:25-29 says:

A woman whose little daughter had an evil spirit heard about Jesus. She went to him and bowed down. 26 The woman was a Greek Syrophoenician by race. She wanted him to drive out the demon out of her daughter. 27 He said to her: Let the children be fed first. It is not proper to take the childrens bread and cast it to the dogs. 28 She answered: Yes Lord, even the dogs under the table eat from the childrens crumbs. 29 Then he replied: Thanks to your answer you may leave for the demon has gone out of your daughter.

This is such an interesting verse. Recently a friend of mine was taking about this verse and he had some profound revelation about it. If you look at it Jesus is actually calling her a dog. That is crazy! But it was a test to see her reaction. The Lord wanted to see if she was going to be offended by Him, or if she would still receive Him.

Imagine if your pastor called you a dog and didn't want to pray for you because of all the others to pray for! Well that is what happened. When we are offened by people we aren't trusting the Lords leadership in our life. So I challenge you not to be offended by people, but instead forgive them and trust the Lord.

Good Quote

2009-12-20T19:41:00.001-08:00

Here's a good quote from a friend of mine, Peter: when you minister from the presence you wont burn out because its fun! You are just enjoying being with daddy!

Jesus

2009-12-17T16:57:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I was in an interesting funk for a little bit and I wasn't sure what it was. So I got my bible and just went to pray a little. I was hoping to read a little bit, but then I realized that wasn't going to help much. So instead I began to meditate in Isaiah 53. Wow. It so fantastic. As I began to stare at this beautiful passage the Lord brought me back to the realization that everything is about His Son Jesus. Everything we do must come back to Him and if not then it is a waste. I just was so amazed it how overcome I was when I began to meditate on the person and character of Jesus. It such a beautiful thing that the Lord did for me.

Corey Russell is a teacher at the international House of Prayer in Kansas City, and I remember him saying one time that we need to get free from reading the bible in a year. The point behind what he is saying is that we really need to start to go deep in who Jesus actually is. I realized that I know so much about God and the bible but the real question is whether or not I actually know Him, instead of just about Him. So I would encourage you to grab a passage you like (a verse or 2) and just sit on it and ask th Lord about it for a few days, weeks, months, or even years and see what you get. I mean that is pretty much all we're going to be doing for eternity, Right?

2009-12-17T16:51:00.001-08:00

Hey everyone! I am posting this from a text message on my phone. Pretty cool huh?

Unprecedented Move

2009-12-11T20:15:00.000-08:00

This semester of school finished up this past Tuesday, and it was a great semester. I really began to enjoy some of my classes and will likely miss 1 or 2 of them, but I guess that will be ok. I am also looking forward to some of the classes for next semester.

Most of you may have heard of the awakening that is going on at The International House of Prayer in Kansas City (IHOP-KC), but if you haven't I recommend you check it out. They have been experiencing a wave of the Holy Spirit in a new and fresh way. Recently they invited Bill Johnson (Bethel Church in Redding CA) and John Arnott (Toronto Airport Fellowship) to speak into what the Lord was doing. While they were there Mike Bickle, John Arnott, and Bill Johnson along with their spouses came together on one platform in unity and agreement with what the Lord is doing.

Personally, I believe this is huge for the church. Although I doubt there was ever dissension among these men, just the fact that they came together before the nation and before the Lord is going to be significant in the church. These are 3 rivers that have a huge influence among the church, and now they are even in unity before the world.

Personally, I have watched many of the services via the free webcast and it has been a huge blessing. Not only that but my faith and expectation for the Lord to release something like that anywhere in a spontaneous way has increased tremendously. Why wouldn't the Lord want to release the Holy Spirit and power while I am eating lunch with friends? Why wouldn't he want everyone in a restaurant to get saved? He just wants a willing vessel that He can use.

Amen! Lets go after this together!

P.S - the picture was my friends Timothy with Bill Johnson at a conference we went to yesterday. I thought he was pretty bold to ask for a picture. Enjoy!

Hosea

2009-12-05T11:47:00.000-08:00

I was studying/meditating in Hosea and decided I wanted to make a post about it. What a fantastic, but drastic book.

The book it self can be divided in two parts: 1-3 and 4-14. 1-3 can really be noticed having a 2 part story and a 3 part oracle from Yahweh. The story is found in 1:3-9 and 3:1-5 while the oracle's are 1)1:10-2:1, 2)2:10-12, 3)2:14-23. The book as a whole is about the prophet Hosea marrying a prostitute named Gomer as a comparison to Yahweh's relationship with Israel and the church. There are a few highlights that I would like to mention.

Story Part 1
1:4 - Hosea is told to name his son Jezreel. Jezebel was the one who made Jezreel famous. (Try and follow this history, it's important). God ordained the destruction of Jezebel and ordained it to happen by Jehu in the Valley of Jezreel. The problem is that Jehu enjoyed destroying Jezebel. So in Hosea, the Hebrew word Jezreel actually means, "God Sows," but because of Jehu and the blood he shed it was likely that the Jezreel was misunderstood to mean, "Blood Flows.' Imagine naming a child, Bloody. That could be equivalent to someone naming their child Columbine today. This is the severity of the prophet Hosea. Imagine the effect that had on his family.

1:6 & 8 - These veres mention his other two children who are illegitiment. The girl in v. 6 is named not loved, and is likely illegitiment. Then in v. 8 his other son is named not my people. With this being His name it is almost like the Lord undoing all of the Torah History which says, "I will be your God and you will be my people." They have been spending years trying to establish this, then the Lord says, 'you are no longer my people.'

Story Part 2
In sum, this is the Lord telling Hosea to go and buy back Gomer. She has been unfaithful, but the Lord says, "Love her as the Lord loves the Israelites," (3:1). Wow. What a crazy challenge.

The 3 Part Oracle (I'm not going to mention all 3 parts).
Basically this is the Lord saying that He is going to have mercy on His people. God has been separated from His people. Part 3 concludes in 2:12-23 by talking about the re-marriage of god and His people. He is going to take her to the vineyard (a place of Romance) and be with her again. Not only that, but the once illegitimate children will be re-adopted! So it is like a baby shower and a wedding all at once!

Part 2 - Hosea 4-14
This section goes into more detail about the Israel forsaking the Lord, then concludes with the Lord returning to His people. Here are a few highlights:

4:6 - The knowledge that He is talking about here is knowledge about God. The problem is that the children are illegitimate rather than being children of a covenantal marriage. So the knowledge is more specifically knowledge about Covenantal intimacy, which would produce children of covenant.

11:8 - This could be one of the most powerful verses. The Lord says,

"How can I give you up Ephraim? How can I hand you over Israel? How can I treat you like that Admah? How can I make you like Zeboiim? My heart recoils within me; all my compassion is aroused."

We often think that the Old Testament only emphasizes judgement and wrath, but this shows Grace! This is one of the deepest revelations of Gods heart. The word recoil is a strong word in this context. What is it like for the Lords heart to recoil? Its almost like he's having a heart attack! This is the passions of God.

I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did. In sum, we must see the faithfulness of the Lord. We are always unfaithful, but He is always faithful and will never leave us. Even if we run to other lovers 1 million times a day, He is faithful to us. He will come and buy us back, no matter the cost. He wants us, His heart recoils and his compassion is aroused for us. He longs just to be with us.

Snow in Cle-vegas!

2009-12-05T04:37:00.000-08:00

Well, I woke up this morning (a little chilly), but opened my blinds to see Snow! Everyone said that it might, but I never believe that stuff, I mean it's december 5th, that never happens.

But here it is! The glory of God. He is so beautiful!

Well...

2009-11-27T14:11:00.001-08:00

I guess it's been about 20 days since my last post and I'm probably due for another. Eeeeek. Sorry about that (to all my hopeful readers). Life has been incredible the past few weeks. The Lord is releasing a new thing across the earth. If you haven't heard the International House of Prayer has been experiencing a unique outpouring of the Holy Spirit. They have been having extended meetings and are continuing to have them 4 nights a week. The Lord is beginning to refresh the church and call his bride unto Himself so that in that day she will be pure and spotless!

Well, hopefully I'll make a sweet blog soon, but who knows!

P.S - I'd love to know my readers, so comment if you read! (if there are any at all...)

Nakedness

2009-11-07T19:45:00.000-08:00

Yes, that is a very interesting title for a blog, but I just connected a few dots regarding the end of the age and decided I really wanted to write a blog about it.

Matthew 21:18-22 is the passage where the fig tree withers. Well a little while back I was with a spiritual father of my generation (Tom Tanner, the Pastor of Riverstone Church) and this is what he suggested about this passage. First, fig trees are supposed to have both leaves and fruit at the same time, but this tree did not have any fruit. If the tree is Israel God is looking at Israel and cursing them for Hypocrisy. They look great with their leaves, but at the core they cannot produce fruit and all they have is religion.

With this in mind, looking back to Genesis 3:7 we see the Adam and Eve covered themselves with fig leaves. So could it be that they were covering themselves with a form of Religion? Did they lose the glory of God that covered them and needed something to look good before God and chose a type of religion?

While I was thinking about this I then read Revelation 3:17-18 where John is addressing the church in Laodicea. He is rebuking them for what they have been saying. Then verse 18 says, "I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness..." So he tells them that they have shameful nakedness. It is likely that this is close to the previous 2 passages with nakedness. It could be that he is rebuking them for the spirit of religion that they are under.

Now it is obvious that there is a religious spirit, especially today in America. Before this point I was under the assumption that it was more than likely a sign of the time, but here is scriptual evidence that says in that day people will be naked and looking for things to cover themselves, but the reality is that jesus is the only one who can give the white garments to wear.

I hope that all made sense and was encouraging. It really provoked me to fall in love with Jesus. Have a great day!

En Español

2009-11-03T17:18:00.000-08:00

Yo he querido hacer un escritura en español porque necesito practicar mí español. Pero, ya tu no entiendes esto lo siento, pero ya tu entiendes por favor ayudarme con mis errores. Yo tomo la conversacion clasé de español y quiero obtener la lenguaje, pero para es muy deficil hablar. Cuando escribiendo yo puedo hacerlo porque puedo pensar, pero cuando tengo hablar con personas tengo miedo. Las personas en mi coligio son muy bueno en espanol.

Pero, yo aprendo hablar español ya esto es el dure cosa hacer.

Gracias por leer mi escritura. Espero que la te gusta. Adios!

Interesting

2009-11-02T18:58:00.000-08:00

Well, I was doing pretty good for a while as far as the consistency of my blogs were going. But I decided to drop the ball. This just seems like the most logical thing to stop doing when things get a little busy. For all you readers who are out there (if any other than myself) I do apologize for letting you down. Like I said, things have been quite busy... but at the same time pretty good as well.

About a week ago I went on a retreat with a few of my Professors to Horns Creek. It was a fantastic retreat. My favorite was getting to know the professors in the Religion department of my school. There are some great people at Lee that I had no clue about, but now I do.

That is the biggest thing that has been going on. Other than that I have been longing to love Jesus in the manner that He is worthy of. Sometimes I just feel so lovesick. There are obligations that take up a lot of my day sometimes and I really just want to rest and hang with Jesus. In sum, I long for the day when we will dwell with God and He will walk amongst us in complete unity and love.

Thanks for reading!

Hunger

2009-10-10T05:50:00.000-07:00

Wow. Life with Jesus is an interesting thing. It seems that the longer we are in this relationship and the more that it seems we should know, the less we actually feel we know. As we continue to go on it is like our capacity for hunger increases and we are never satisfied. A good friend phrase it this way, "When you ask God to fill you up He does, but at the same time he expands the capacity of what you hold." So it is like we are filled, but now we still are full because he filled our hearts, then he expanded them. (I am not sure if that makes since to you, but it did to me).

As humans we are in utter need of God to come through for us. We have to depend on Him for every little aspect of our life.

Here is one more little nugget. I have been looking at the B-Attitude in matthew 5 a good bit lately. These statements are critical in Gods Kingdom. They are things that are really precious to His heart. As I was reading them there was one thing that was really highlighted to me. First, to an extent these can happen in this age, but I feel like a big point of these is to contrast the to ages. For example, when it says, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." This is primarily pointing to the age to come when we will be completely comforted. The point is that we are supposed to mourning for Jesus today because He is not with us. Jesus also says this in matthew 9:15.

I have also been seeing an interesting comparison between the prophet Jeremiah and Jesus' definition of the Kingdom. But that will be my next post, hopefully.

Have an excellent day!!!

2009-10-04T07:53:00.000-07:00

This weekend was a big weekend at Lee University. If you know anything about me you know my heart for prayer in general, but especially massive gatherings of prayer and fasting. Well that is what happened at Lee yesterday. We had a Solemn Assembly at our school yesterday led by the students for the city of Cleveland and Lee University. By the end of the day there were probably over 600 people there. I am positive it was the start of something in this city. When you get that many people hungry for something more than food God is up to something and is opening the heavens.

Personally, I was really encouraged. When we pray we sometimes don't see immediate results, but we must keep pressing because they will come. God is moving at the sound of our voice. We will probably have a video coming to promote the next Rain soon that I will post so you can see more. But ultimately what I am trying to say is that God is on the move in this generation and he is beginning to pour out His spirit on all flesh. Keep praying!

Soliloquy about Jeremiah

2009-09-30T13:06:00.000-07:00

On Monday I was in my Old Testament Prophets class and our teacher, Dr. Rickie Moore (an Old Testament Scholar), read to us a soliloquy that he wrote about Jeremiah. This is written as if it were Jeremiah's reflection at the end of his life. This is probably better understood read aloud, but this will have to work. It really spoke measure to me, so I wanted to share it with you and pray that it'll do the same for you.

"I remember when He first called me to be his prophet
I was young then, so young that in fear I drew back,
but so young that in ignorance I stepped forward.
Forward into that presence so strange yet so familiar,
A presence suddenly which I did not know,
but which seemed to have always known me.
I felt surrounded almost smothered,
yet more alone than I ever knew anyone could feel.

It was as if nothing else existed, only myself and His word.
And then as that word came on me it was as though even I ceased to exist.
His word filling an consuming all of me and all of the world.
So in those times when I appeared to be bold or before the crowds or the priests or the officials,
Don't be mistaken I was not bold, no more bold than a dead man,
would that God had left me there,
But each time after HIs word left me
the weaknesses of my living flesh returned with greater force than before.
I longed to be understood, to fit in, to join in the festivities, to live just a normal life,
but who could believe how abnormal life had become.
Yes who could believe, who would believe?
That was the question of my life, a question I know I ask a hundred thousand times,
Was I Gods agent to turn my people to believe,
or just a lone witness against their unwillingness, their inability to believe.
Will you tell me which?
How do you expect me to intercede for more people and at the same time proclaim their judgement.
Why don't you answer me, can't you see my crying?
Or is it you who cries?

At the first He promised that He would be with me.
How was I to know that he meant it as a warning,
How was I to know that no one could ever be prepared to be with such a God,
A God who inflict such suffering on His own, His own self.
Enough questions, my questions have brought only silence,
but it is His silence."

I hope you enjoyed this. Thanks Dr. Moore, I appreciate all you have meant in my life.

Today is Today

2009-09-26T09:02:00.000-07:00

Well, today is today. Not sure where that came from, just felt like doing it. There have been a lot of incredible, fun, life changing, excellent things going on lately, and sometimes the only things I know to do is thank the Lord for where He has me. At the same time though this it is hard, grueling, gut wrenching sometimes. But, the Lord is Sovereign and in control.

Trusting in the Lord is a difficult thing to do, and this week I have really experienced that. It is so easy to just decide to quit everything and do what you really want to do (or what you think you really want). But then you realize then you realize that that would not be who God created you to be. We are overcomers, and if we are where the Lord wants us to be then we need to walk there in our identity as He has called us.

This is what I have been learning in a big nutshell. This applies to multiple facets of my life (especially in the past week). It is time to consciously fight for our identity. If we don't then Satan will subtly come and speak lies which we usually end up sowing. Thus, where there is a sowing of something naturally there is a reaping. If we sow lies we are reaping a false identity. I challenge you today - Fight.

Urgent Message to Pray

2009-09-24T17:10:00.001-07:00

This is a message from Lou Engle. Please pray for America tomorrow.

"Convergence

It is critical that the church in America understands the times and what needs to be done now. The natural things speak of the invisible. Natural happenings on the earth are revealing something that is going on in the spiritual realm. There is a great spiritual conflict with a rising tide of Islamic boldness being manifested. Several happenings are converging this week. First of all, our President has recently proclaimed, honored, encouraged the Muslim holy days of prayer and fasting called Ramadan. He was very silent on the National Day of Prayer but very vocal on the support of Ramadan. Interestingly at the same time a major Christian leader of the Emergent Church called for forty days of fasting and prayer in the same Ramadan period with the goal that the church will better understand our Muslim friends. We are all for understanding but we must have spiritual discernment as to the spiritual dark powers that are being invoked into our nation.

Cause for Concern

At the same time, on the 25th of September, Muslims are calling for a Muslim Day of Prayer in Washington DC (http://www.islamoncapitolhill.com/). They are calling for 50,000 Muslims to gather and pray on the DC Mall. This is the exact word of one of the Sheikhs who is leading this historic gathering, “Muslims should march on the White House. We are going to the White House so that Islam will be victorious, Allah willing, and the White House will become into a Muslim house.” These are not empty words. They speak of a dark spiritual intent and a coming day of great trouble to America.

A Divine Moment

Now one of these events is enough to awaken us to this significant throbbing moment, but when they all converge it becomes a massive spiritual alarm that must be responded to by the praying Church. However, I believe in this moment of divine providence God has raised up on the stage of history a little “Esther” that if we pray and fast for her she could be a major voice to expose the dark under-belly of Islam and radiate a bright hope for a day of salvation for Muslims in America.

Headlines

On Monday, Rifqa Bary, a young 17-year-old woman, will be in the headlines of US news. Four years ago, while living in a very devout and radical Muslim home, Rifqa met Jesus in a powerful way as her savior. She hid her conversion, began praying secretly, and began hiding her bible from her parents. Then, on Facebook, her love for Jesus was exposed to the radical Muslim community in Ohio. Rifqa’s father demanded that she renounce Jesus or he would kill her as is commanded by the Koran. As a radiant believer in Jesus she refused to renounce her Lord and fled to Orlando where she was taken in and cared for by a Christian Church and family. Now, the father is appealing to the courts to bring her back under his custody. Major television networks have already covered her story. How must the Church of America respond in this moment for our sister who is a part of the Body of Christ?

A Major Sign

This convergence, I believe, is urgently summoning us in the midst of the rising tide of Islamic influence in America to recognize that our God is above every god and that if we return to Him with all of our hearts and call upon Him with fasting and prayer then God could use what the enemy meant for evil to bring about a great day of salvation for Muslims in America, of which Rifqa is but a major sign.

Here is The Call

First of all, we cannot be passive as a Church to let these kinds of developments go on without being challenged in the spirit. Our fight is not against Muslims, it is against principalities, powers, and forces of darkness. We are calling the Church of America at the end of Ramadan, from September 21st through 25th, to five days of concerted prayer. On Monday, we must pray that God would grant supernatural wisdom to the courts so that the testimony of Jesus would be proclaimed and that the best situation for Rifqa and her family would take place. We must pray for Rifqa to be bold in proclaiming Jesus that even thousands of Muslims would hear and be awakened to the love of Christ. She has already said that this is not about her but about many Muslims coming to Jesus. We must pray for her lawyers who are being bullied, threatened, and challenged on every side. On Friday, September 25th, the Muslim Day of Prayer, we are calling the Church of America to fast and pray that Muslims would be moved by the Holy Spirit, convicted by the testimony of Christ, and even be visited by Jesus in dreams. We must pray that God would restrain the spiritual powers behind Islam and grant us the great awakening that we desperately need for America.

Let us hear the call to prayer and not miss this moment,

Lou Engle"

The Upside down Kingdom

2009-09-17T09:05:00.000-07:00

This is such an intriguing topic to me. Mainly because it is totally opposite of what I want to do the majority of the time. I do not understand it, but for some reason the way of the Kingdom is to go low so you can go high. We obviously see this in the life of Jesus, especially in the Sermon on the Mount. During this message to the people Jesus did not demonstrate His power, instead He spoke about the foundations of His Kingdom. After He spoke the peoples response is seen in Matthew 7:28-29, "When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teachings, because he spoke as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the Law."

This blows me away. How can you be so amazed at someone who is telling you humble yourself and forgive other. Someone who tells you that it is not all about you. But because of the power and truth on His words the Holy Spirit convicted their hearts.

I also want to point out where this is seen in Isaiah. This starts in the song seen Isaiah 42:1-4 where Isaiah is talking about the servant of the Lord (often seen as Jesus):

"Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my spirit on Him
and He will bring Justice to the Nations.
He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets.
A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick He will not snuff out.
In Faithfulness he will bring forth Justice;
He will not falter or be discouraged
till He establishes justice on the earth.
In his law the islands will put their hope."

This has messed me up as I have meditated on it a tiny bit. If you look at it the main description is a servant who is weak and lowly. It says He will not cry out or raise His voice in the streets. Also it says, "A bruised reed he will not break..." etc. Now I don't claim to know what most of this stuff means, but it blows me away that Isaiah says that this is the one who will bring justice. The one who is weak and lowly; who will not be the loudest among the people, but instead the quietest and meekest.

As I have been meditating on these passages I have been wanting to put them into practice more and more. Just today I had an opportunity where something was done to me and it was probably wrong. But I heard the Lord asking me how I was going to respond. It is so easy to respond in anger and just hord up bitterness toward the person, but in the Kingdom of God we are to respond in meekness and forgive them. I don't understand it, but this releases power both in our lives and the other persons.

I hope this encourages you as you seek to live a life worthy of the calling He has given you. Cya!

Strengthening yourself in the Lord

2009-09-15T05:13:00.001-07:00

Lately I have been realizing my great need for the Lord. So often I think I can do things on my own, but the Lord in His grace stops me in my tracts and shows me I have to rely on Him. This is a subtle thing, yet it still happens. I will just be going trough life day by day and then turn around and realize I have hardly been using the Lords strength and instead have been using my own.

Ephesians 3:16 says, "that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man..."

This is what I want. I want to be strengthened with divine might in my inner man. I am tired of trying to use my own strength. We have access to everlasting strength that never grows weary or gets tired. There is so much depth in this verse that we need to tap into. I have known this verse for a while, but when it actually hit me what I was really saying it messed me up. We cannot get tired of this prayer.

Hope you all are enjoying my blog. Please comment and let me know what you would like to see me write about. I am completely open to suggestions. Right now I am just posting random thoughts. Hope to hear from you!!

Psalm 19

2009-09-10T09:54:00.000-07:00

Hey there readers (if there are any). I realize I haven't been posting much (what else is new), but here's a few thoughts if there is anyone still reading. Today in our Chapel Dr. Cross spoke on Psalm 19. This idea is something that regularly amazes me since I found out about it. He was mainly making a distinction between the Hebrew words of "Elohim" and "Yahweh."

Both of these words are seen in this Psalm. It starts by declaring the majesty of God in His creation. The hebrew word for God here is Elohim. Then as one keeps reading to verse 7 the author uses "LORD" in our bibles, which means Yahweh. I do not just want to present this to you as an interesting difference, but instead I want to try and relate it to our hearts.

Traditionally Elohim is seen to display the majestic attributes of God (holy, worthy, mighty, powerful, etc.) whereas Yahweh is used to show the personal relationship of God (loving, always near, etc.). When we read this Psalm with this in mind it completely changes everything. Verses 7-11 are specifically talking about the law of the Yahweh and its characteristics. I want to start thinking of the law as part of my love relationship with Jesus, not just a set of rules and to do's, but something that causes me to fall more in love with Jesus.

Jesus said in John 15:10, "If you obey my commands you will remain in my love..." This is the only way to love. I have been asking the Lord to shift my paradigm (perspective) on obedience so that I would not just obey for obedience sake, but instead I would obey to fall more in love with Jesus. Those who love Him will obey His commands.

I don't understand how this works, and to be honest it sometimes offends my mind, but I want it! Looking at Psalm 19 shows us that there is something intimate about obeying the Lords commands. I hope this encourages you today, I know it has me! Cya!

"May the words of my mouth, and the meditations of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer. Amen."

Dreamers

2009-09-01T12:28:00.000-07:00

If there is anyone who reads my blog you have probably already seen this video, but here it is anyway. This is a song called Dreamers, by Daniel Bashta. Every time I listen to it the Lord reminds me of how faithful He is, and that He really is calling me higher.

Lee

2009-08-30T06:06:00.000-07:00

Well, as many of you know I am back at school now at Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee. So far everything has been pretty good. The Lord is stirring some interesting things at this school, and it is awesome that He has invited me to be a part of it.

Lately my heart has been longing really be what Jesus had in mind for the church to be. Honestly, I have no clue what that is, but I do know that it includes loving people. For some reason I feel like he had a little more in mind than getting together with others who believe in Jesus once a week and then hiding our faith from everyone else throughout the week. I want to feel the aches that Jesus feels for one soul who doesn't know who He is. I want my heart to burn like His.

Because of this, me and a few of my friends have been going around town just trying to love people in Cleveland. We don't want anything in return, we just want to demonstrate the love of Jesus. Last night we were praying and asking the Lord where He would have us go, and two of us heard CVS. When we got there we noticed a family that had a flat tire. Obviously, that is where the Lord was leading us. So for the next 30 minutes we just hung out with the family and helped them change their tire (and they really needed some help). It blew me away what one little act like this does to people. Afterward we were talking to the mom, and she said, "I bet yall wern't planning on changing a tire when you came out to CVS tonight."

We proceeded to look at each other and responded, "Actually, we kind of were. We were praying and asking the Lord where to go and He led us here to help you."

In the end they were really blessed by the Lords love and compassion for them. I want to challange us to really be the church as we live life. Lets demonstrate the love of Jesus to those in need. The Lord loves it when this happens!!!

Prayer Room

2009-08-23T10:21:00.000-07:00

Check out the prayer room that we have in our dorm this year at Lee University. It is 2 doors down from my room, and I love it. You better believe that I will be spending a little bit of time in there...

Welcome

2009-08-22T20:55:00.000-07:00

Welcome all readers, new and old! This is my (new) blog. It really is not so much new as much as it is a continuation of an old blog site. Unfortunately, I have left all my old blogs and not brought them to this site, but if you are interested in reading them please comment and let me know. I have a feeling that I am going to enjoy this much more than my previous blog (or at least for a few weeks until it becomes a burden).

I hope that you enjoy this as much as I will.