Remember The Touch

When I was a child there was a minister that came to our church to preach, I don't remember his sermon, didn't spend any time with him, in fact, I was only five or six years old and spent most of my time playing with my friend in the pew in front of my mother. What I do remember is that when he gave the altar call he asked for everyone in the building to come and my mother made me go. That preacher stepped off the platform, laid his hand on my hand and I began to weep, it was the first time in my life that I was actually aware of the manifest presence of God. It has been forty years since that night, I have never forgotten it and hopefully never will.

Recently I was watching Oprah and her special guest was the actor Denzel Washington, he was talking about the people that made an impact upon his life, his mother, various school teachers, people that saw something in him and were willing to make an investment in his life. One of those tear jerking moments arose when out of the crowd came a former teacher, one Mr. Washington attributes much of his success to, it was powerful!

As I watched that program I commented to my wife that I pray someone will impact my daughters in that way, that a pastor, a teacher, a person that they respect, will arise, see something in them and pour themselves into my children in such ways that when they are old they will remember them. I pray that someone will stand behind my children in the altars at church whispering prayers over them, speaking encouragement into them, hugging them in the hallway, developing a relationship with them that allows them entrance into their lives. I pray that God will allow me to do the same in others, that those things God has placed in my life will not end with me, but will be passed on to someone that grow and go higher in life than I will ever go.

My mind races to Jan Pennell, a lady in our church who passed away this past weekend, what a warrior, what a special gal she was. One day I was visiting with her and she talked about being in the plan, that it doesn't matter what happens in our lives if we know we're in God's plan. That thought has consumed me, I can see her testifying at church, worshiping and wiping tears from her eyes, smiling as we preach. I can hear her northern accent as she shares of the goodness of God, and am reminded of the night our youth visited her in the hospital and she gave them a life related message from the Lord.

I pray that you remember the touch, the touch of God that is upon your life, and the touch of men and women that have impacted you. I pray that you remember it in the dark times so that it will refresh you, and that you will remember it in the good times so that you can pass it on to others. I pray that your prayer will be, God let me touch others as You have touched me!

Leaving Again...

Thursday I'm flying out to Indianapolis where I will then be transported to Danville, IL for a three day revival and then on to Champaign, IL to a church we pastored for seven years. I'm getting in ministry and traveling mode, asking God to give me the words both of these churches and pastors need, to help me be a friend and blessing to the pastors, to allow the weather to be warm so I can wear my new flip-flops, or as the sticker on them said...male thongs...that certainly creates a visual that will sicken anyone that has ever met me! After looking at the weather report, it may be possible to wear my flip-flops, but it will only be a statement of where I now live, because it's going to be cool...Got to take a coat! I'm looking forward to these meetings, have some mixed feelings, I love Champaign the city, the people and the church there, we pastored there a long time, our oldest daughter was three when we moved there and our youngest daughter was born there. I probably grew there in more ways than I realized, so going back is an honor, but it's always hard to go back, for me, I don't want to go back and relive what was but rather I desire to see what is and what is to come, pray for me! When I return next Thursday I'm home for one week and then off to Africa, Pastor James Eason from Leeds, Alabama and myself are going to Kenya for our first Pastor's Conference! Twenty Kenyan pastors are coming into the bush area for four days of teaching and preaching, I'm excited. On Easter Sunday we will minister at Praise Deliverance Church in Eldoret, this is a massive congregation where Bishop George Gichana is the pastor, and then we're headed home on April 8th...racking up the air miles in the next three weeks! Those of you who read my blog, thanks, I appreciate you stopping by, if you don't mind, when you think of me, whisper a prayer for God's protection, wisdom, anointing, and understanding, ask God to give me compassion and favor, and to watch over my family while I'm gone. Thanks!

Is This That?

Everything around us points to the obvious truth that we may be living in the last days, those times leading up to the return of Jesus Christ. We know that these are the last days because they aren't the first days and we as countless thousands before us await the return of the Lord as will generations that follow us if He should return during our lifetime. There is much conversation concerning these times, conversation that speaks of what the church world should be like, what our lives should be like and how we should be living as we await the return of Christ. The scripture indicates that the last days will be filled with warfare, worship, and work, that believers of these times must be on guard, protecting themselves and preparing others. It is a time filled with promise, Jesus taught that the things the He did His followers would do also and greater. He spoke of an empowerment of the Holy Spirit that would enable His followers to defeat the enemy and conqueror the powers of darkness. On the Day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit came, thousands entered covenant with Christ and His church, a tremendous outpouring followed creating what we now know as the church. The Apostle Peter on that famous day stood declaring that this that which was prophesied, that in the last days the Holy Spirit would be poured out upon all flesh. My question is, "Is This That?" Will Christ return for a church that operates in less power and authority than the one He left? Don't misunderstand me, I'm not speaking of emotional manifestations, I'm talking about believers that are living and walking in the anointing and authority of the Holy Spirit and the Holy Scriptures! Men and women of God who have encountered Christ for themselves and are able to live victoriously in this present world. As a pastor I often see the same people weeping and struggling with the same issues over and over again, things they've struggled with for years and something in my spirit says there has to be more, is this really that?

20th Anniversary

This Wednesday will be our 20th Wedding Anniversary! It's hard to believe that 20 years have gone by so quickly. I can still remember the night I met Julie, I was preaching a revival in Covington, KY and she came to visit, I tried to get a revival with her Dad and ended up marrying her. In fact, though I preached for him often, I didn't get revival until after we were married...hummmm! Julie is absolutely the most fantastic person I have ever met, the most beautiful person in the world. We have had a good life together, traveled as evangelist, pastored, and our greatest accomplishment is the two daughters God has given us. I can't wait to see what the next 20 years will hold. Thursday we're off to St. Augustine for a couple of days, just the two of us...can't wait!

Thanks For Leading Me To Christ!

Last Tuesday evening I had the honor of leading a young lady to the Lord. She came to me during the altar call, said that she felt the need to give her heart to the Lord, wasn't sure how, and then allowed me to assist her in accepting the Lord into her life. It was an exciting moment for all of us. Wednesday after the final service she came by, hugged me and said, "Thanks for leading me to Christ!" In 28 years of ministry I have never had anyone thank me for leading them to the Lord, but I must admit it felt good. There is nothing like ministering to people and helping lost people become found people. Another thing it did was cause me to remember those people that helped me find Christ, my friend David Taylor who went to a church summer camp, gave his heart to Christ and came back telling me about it, God used him to minister to me, Pastor Jerry Holt, who loved me and preached a true word from God, my Mom who lived it out before me, even when being a christian in our home wasn't easy. There are many people in our lives that have impacted us in more ways than one, we owe them our love and appreciation, but in my thoughts tonight I am most appreciative that some one told me about the Lord, not about church and religious jargon, some body told me that Jesus loved me, would forgive me, and would not hold my sin against me...I really appreciate the Lord and those He uses and am humbled that He and they would love someone like me!

Held Captive By Strange Priorities

I want to be the first to admit that I am not the father of Anna Nicole's baby! I've been faithfully married to my beautiful wife almost 20 years and she is my one and only love! With that said, I am amazed at how consumed our world is with finding out who her baby's father is, where she should be buried, and who's going to get the money...if there is any! Does it strike you strange that this woman's death has elevated her to levels she only dreamed of in her life...Do you ever ask yourself...Why? What is strange to me is that she is in the news, on talk shows, and being discussed by the biggest and the best while thousands of men and women fight a continuing battle in Iraq, children are kidnapped, molested, abused and abandoned on a daily basis, people are dying and going to hell, and we simply want to know who is Anna Nicole's baby's father is! I don't mean to seem without compassion and certainly hope for her sake they find her father, but should our world be held captive during the process? Is this the really important stuff or have we become a spin-off in the reality tv world? Perhaps it's one of those crazy thoughts in my own mind that reminds me how often my priorities can become misplaced and how that I can become consumed with things that are important to me, but not necessarily news for my world, at least not lasting news! I hope they get this mess straightened out, and again, don't mean to sound harsh, but I do believe something is out of whack here...maybe it's just me!

Pressing Through The Crisis

Have you ever had a crisis of faith? A moment when you needed to reevaluate your beliefs and needed to do it now? I have. It's not that you question your beliefs but you question do you really believe what you believe. There are moments when I have found myself asking myself and the Lord why do I believe what I believe, do I really believe it, or is it just something I've heard all of my life. Crisis moments bring us to this place from time to time, does it just work when things are going well or will it work in the darkness? This week I'm in Alabama preaching a meeting at Rock Christian Center with Pastors Kevin and Diane White. We're having an awesome meeting, the Lord is speaking through His Word and needs are being met. What makes this meeting particularly special to me is the Pastor Diane is being treated for cancer, yesterday she took a chemotherapy treatment and arrived at church ready to worship, she is so courageous, a powerful woman of God. As I watch this family walk through this time of crisis in their lives I am amazed at the strength the Lord is giving them. They're not looking for sympathy, or for people to smother them, they believe God is healing Diane, are proclaiming that healing, and are leading their congregation forward into a bright new future. Whenever I think of crisis moments I think of three men in a fiery furnace, a king leaning over the edge asking if their God will deliver them, and their response, "O yes, and if not!" Their confidence was not in the deliverance but the deliverer. I think of Paul in Acts 27, a storm is raging and all hope that they will saved is lost, but Paul stands boldly proclaiming his confidence in God, of his encounter and revelation of a God that is able to walk with us during life's greatest storms. Crisis is the litmus test of our faith, I for one want to pass the test!

American Star

Our school had a talent show today and I was one of the judges. It was awesome, kids from 3rd grade up to 7th, singing, dancing, jumping rope, and doing karate...one little girl tried to break a board but didn't, though I wasn't certain that she wasn't going to break her partner...I wanted to be Simon, but we weren't allowed to voice oral opinions, just work off of prepared score sheets...it was a hoot. The funny thing was there were girls that would do a serious spiritual song and then go into "Free Ride...Take It Easy!" I'm telling you it was phenomenal...I'm happy to be a part of a Christian School! What also happened was we saw little leaders and mini worshipers arise, the Bible speaks of children being arrows, the important thing about arrows is they are powerful only if directed, we get to direct the arrows!

A Word From The Word

I felt like a newlywed today, just like when my wife and I were newly married and just beginning our pastoral ministry...we went to make hospital visits together. Our girls were with friends, one went to the beach and the other went to the mall...so Julie and I went to Tampa to make a hospital visit. On our way we stopped at Home of the Gyro on MLK Blvd. It's a little corner place that has some of the oddest combination meals you've ever seen, gyro's and chicken gizzards, or gizzard's and rice, wings and gizzards...I had the gyro platter, the sandwich was huge, took both hands to hold it and meat fell out of it, very good. While we were ordering I noticed behind the counter the proprietors 3-4 children sitting watching television, one of the boys had a well used Bible in his lap and was holding and reading while watching TV. I asked him what he was reading, the Bible he said, but what are you reading I continued to ask...then I asked him to give me a word from the Word, he didn't quite understand what I was asking, his Mom tried to explain, but it was his sister who go it, and she began to quote and give me scripture reference..."In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God..." It lit my fire! Last night I watched the video "One Night With The King", the story of Esther. There was a place where Esther was called to read for the King, at first she read from his favorite scrolls, and then she began to tell the story of Jacob and Rachel, quoting the Word of God with such passion. I love the Word, love to hear it quoted and love to hear it read. A few years ago I was attending a Senior Adult Convention and the Happy Goodman's were there, not my style of music, but I was there with senior members of my church. Johnny somebody was one of the singers and he began to quote Revelation 22, it sent chills and thrills through my spirit, the Word is powerful, it will stand alone and work! Years ago I was preaching for Clarence Bear in Stillwater, OK, he told me something that I've never forgotten, he said, sometimes God gives us one thing to say, but we preachers have to add all this other stuff around it, we spend thirty minutes telling them what we've got to say, but God only wanted about ten minutes of it! There's probably truth in that! The Word is quick and powerful sharper than any two-edged sword...and a Word from the Word is welcome in my life at anytime!

Connecting Where It Counts

I am a huge reality television fan. I love Survivor, $40.00 Per Day With Rachel Ray, American Idol, and Nashville Star. Recently I was watching Nashville Star when one the judges shared a golden nugget with a contestant, his advice to this young wannabe star was simple, "Learn to connect with the crowd!" The jest of the message was that it doesn't matter how well you sing or play an instrument, how good you look or if you can dance, all of these things are important and will have a great deal to say as it pertains to your success...but if you don't connect with the crowd, you won't make it! There's a spiritual aspect to that isn't there? Jesus did three things when He was on earth: 1) He met people; 2) He mended people; and 3) He ministered to people. Jesus connected with His crowd, He was genuinely concerned with their lives, He hung out with them, He loved them, and he loved on them. When He spoke to them He identified with where they were, where they had been, and where they needed to go, and He initiated the opportunity for them to get there. The amazing thing about the Lord is that He wasn't religious, He developed relationships and whenever He spoke to people He gave them a relevant answer...He connected with them. I want to connect with people, to be a true communicator, not just a good orator, or a gifted person in a certain area. The world is full of people that speak well, that know the right things to say and the right way to say them...I want to identify with them, see where they are and where they need to be, and to enable them to get where they're going...Pray for me that I will connect with the crowd in the right way at the right time and that God will minister through me to others!

Super Slow Sunday

Our town from April to October is somewhere between 40,000-50,000 people, from November to April we are around 90,000-100,000 people...they come from Ontario, New York, Michigan, Ohio, and everywhere else in between. Today as I was traveling to lunch after church and to make a hospital visit after lunch it seemed like every slow poke in the United States had converged on Zephyrhills! Instead of being Super Bowl Sunday it's Super Slow Sunday in Florida! My wife reminds me that we too will grow older some day, I told her that when these wonderful folks cross the Florida state line they should have to sign an agreement to drive the speed limit...and maybe even 5 miles over! Go Bears!

I Long To...

I'm in one of those contemplative moods today. Our daughter turned 15, got her driver's permit, ate a huge adult sized steak for lunch, and looks like a grown woman...I'm getting old! I've also felt odd today, my neck hurt and my ear was numb, so I decided I was having a stroke, I'm not, but thought I was for the good part of the day...last year I was having a year long heart attack...I'm not a hypocondriac...but I'm working on it! I long to be a productive person. I don't want to be average, mediocre, or to just get by. It is my hearts desire to make a difference in my world, to touch others in a way that leaves a deposit, and impacts the world around me. My success and significance no longer depend on the recognition of denominational leaders or the approval of those surrounding me, though I value both, I want to please the Lord...and myself. Recently I've come to realize that if I'm not happy with me no one else can be, I must be content knowing that I've been obedient to the Lord. Some days I wonder if I've made a difference in any one's life, if there is anything that I've done that really matters...I'm not whining, just saying I long to make a difference. It doesn't have to be in the limelight, I just want to hear Him say...Well Done!

Kaitlin Is 15!

Fifteen years ago at 11:14 in the morning I became the father of one of the most tremendous people in the world...My daughter Kaitlin! Today she is crossing a threshold of time that I'm not quite ready for, I'll pick her up from school, drive to the courthouse in Dade City, watch her take her driver's test, and hopefully bring home a elated new driver.(She Passed!) In Florida you have to take an online drug test, do the written test at the DMV, and pass the vision test...she'll do fine! Then we're off to pick up her new Vera Bradley backpack...which is an entirely different subject, it's her money! Then off to lunch...she's calling it a Daddy-Daughter Day, but it's really all about her, and it should be. I'm proud of her and am excited to see what the Lord has for her future, she loves God, wants to serve Him, speaks with a prophetic edge, and wants to be attorney! What a girl!

YeeHaw Junction

We went through this Famous Florida spot in the road this weekend, right pass the world famous Desert Inn and the Bluegrass Festival...Just kept going...a bit too famous for me!

The Middle Seat

I flew home from Atlanta yesterday, had a great flight, but I had to sit in the middle seat. I've never quite understood how airlines assign seating or how you end up with the boarding section. Air Tran boards by section and it doesn't seem to matter when you print your boarding pass, I was the 11th person to check in and still ended up in zone 6, and in row 15, which I quickly switched. Ended up in row 10 which is great, just behind business class with plenty of leg room, I just had to sit in the middle seat. There was a large man on the aisle and I was afraid that he was going to crowd me, but he didn't, a lady at the window, plenty of room on both sides...Great Flight!

Connecting The Events

Western Christianity it appears has become an event oriented commodity rather than a journey of relationship. We talk to God when we need something, when we're in trouble, or when we don't have anyone else to talk to...God forbid He doesn't answer, or answer in the way we think He should...We'll show Him and not talk with Him for awhile! I see this happening in church, if we don't have the right events people don't come, if we have too many events people don't come, and there is a constant changing of the rules...we pastors just aren't sure what the rules are. The thing about it is, it isn't just happening in church, it's happening inside of us. If I feel good today I will talk with the Lord, or if I need Him to help me out, if my kid is sick, if I've received a bad report from the doctor...if. It's not that we don't love Him or that we're not thinking about Him...or is it? Or maybe, and this is where I think it is, we're not in love, so we don't have as much in common with the Lord as we do with the events that we compare the Lord to! O God, this is my prayer today, help me to help myself, while I ask You to create new hunger in me, let me also recognize my responsibility, You can't pull out of me what isn't in me! You won't force me to love You, to pray and talk with You, to read Your love letters to me...Help me to initiate the effort, You've already initiated a relationship with us, help me to respond. I know that if I make an effort You will go beyond my ability to comprehend and do exceeding and abundantly above all that I ask or think...Let me not only love You when You answer my prayer or deliver me from evil, or send a check in the mail, or make me feel goosebumps. Help me to be in love with You when it's hard and dark, when nothing seems to be happening and even when hell is breaking loose...I want to simply love You for You....everything else is icing on the cake! Amen!

Lord, I Am Hungry...Make Me Hungry For You!

The theme at our church for 2007 is "Redigging The Wells!" We have been discussing the difference between digging a well for the first time and the need to redig a well after it has been contaminated and clogged up with stuff. Last night our pastor was preaching about redigging the wells of hunger, today it has hit me hard, I've been hungry for many things in my life, but am I hungry for God? I say that I am, but in truth there are times when I've allowed other things to satisfy my hunger...so was I actually hungry for God or just hungry? God make me hungry for You...not just for Your hand, but for Your heart. Lord make me so hungry for You that just another good service will not do, so that my favorite song will not satisfy, but only Your presence will do. I'm not asking just to feel better, or to say that I've been blessed, I'm asking You to conform me to Your image until I no longer resemble myself in action, attitude, and that even my appearance is more reflective of You....Make Me Hungry For You!

Need I Say More? Just Don't Call Between 8:00-9:00

What He's Done For Me!

I have this song in my head today and it won't let go of me. Somehow I have managed to get a song on my Ipod, I'm not sure if it's from a Clint Brown CD or Martha Munizzi, but the words keep going through my mind..."What He's Done For Me Is So Amazing...How He Loved Me So, I Cannot Explain, I Once Was Lost, But Now I'm Found, Was Blind, But Now I See...And What He's Done For Me...He Will Do For You!" Earlier this week I started to blog of my frustration with our world, of the actions of our leaders and of the attitudes of people in general. People just get on my nerves some days, and I'm quite positive that I get on peoples nerves...This week I have just felt fed up, but that's a negative report and I didn't want to blog that way...so I didn't blog at all! Then I started to write about our spiritual journey and the current shifting in the spiritual realm and of our need to remain faithful..You know, it's about staying in the line when you feel like getting out...but I didn't really want to preach. So today I wanted to say that what the Lord has done in my life is so amazing! He has been so faithful to me, even when I'm not faithful to Him, when He knows that I could do better and I'm lazy...He still loves me and continues to take care of us...I love Him and am amazed by Him! Maybe you will stop by my blog, and you won't find a book review, a prophetic promise, anything all that interesting...but what you will find is the testimony that God is faithful and the assurance that you can count on Him!

And The Gators Win! Need I say more? At My house it was me and the girls against the wife from Ohio And the Gators win! I didn't even watch the game and don't like sports And the Gators win!

Family Feud

As I sit in my office minding my own business a feud has begun in my home between my daughter and my wife, the subject: Who will win Monday evenings game between the Florida Gators and Ohio State. My wife is a native of Ohio, her father believes no one can beat Ohio State, of course, when we lived in Champaign, IL and the University of Illinois stomped them, a long distance phone call was made. My daughter is speaking loudly for the Gators, and I must say, I'm putting my money on the gators as well. The in-laws have also made their way to Florida today, just in time for the big event, so it's three to two, but I'll get the baby involved and the odds will be even!

Moving, Shaking, The Church Is Quaking!

I've been reading a message board that consists mainly of denominational ministers and members, I have a love hate relationship with that board...Love to hate it and hate to love it, at times I think I'm simply addicted, swear I'm not going to read it, have basically quit posting there, except when it just gets to me, and then I rarely use my real name, a pen name is perfectly acceptable, so my name is__________! There's been some discussion there concerning the emergent church, a movement within the Body of Christ that seems to have no denominational ties, it simply is the desire of men and women of God that want to see the church become what God has always intended for it to be. In this movement there appear to be many schools of thought, some I agree with, some I'm not sure of, and some I'm absolutely opposed to. What interests me is that concept that regardless of where the church has been, is, and will be, it is always emerging, it is constantly rising up in every generation to insure that the message of Christ and the Gospel are embraced. For some this movement is a matter of style, of cultural relevance, the ability to relate to the surroundings the congregation is located in. For others, it is separation from what is deemed traditional and the moving into the mystical realm of worship and ministering unto the Lord. To me, serving God is mystical, it is a mystery to me how a virgin could conceive a child and give birth to the savior of the world. It is a mystery to me how the Holy Spirit can operate in this earth in the manner that He does and it would work. It is a mystery to me how that we can believe in One that we have never seen, and yet, He remains real and relevant regardless of culture, community, and has never been hindered by time, traditions, or our inability to comprehend everything about Him. Christianity is a mission, it is about taking the message of Christ to people wherever they are, it's about finding a way to connect with people, to expose them to Christ and their need for Him. Personally, I love charismatic church, enjoy the emotional worship, the dancing and the praise, I love the spirited preaching and the overwhelming presence of the Lord...but when the books are closed and the day is done, what label we're under and how we did it really won't matter...All that will matter is that our names are written in the Book of God and that we have led others to Christ so their names could be there too! Call me simple, I'm just trying to get to heaven and take some with me!

Got Contacts Today!

My daughter Kaitlin and I went to the eye doctor today, she got some glasses for reading and I got contacts and new glasses. Funny thing, since my last visit two years ago my right has changed and needed a stronger prescription...the doctor said he didn't know why it's just the way it is! So now I've got to learn to stick my finger in my eye! They take you through a trial run, I got the right one in and out quickly, but had a more difficult time with the left side...Thank God I got the glasses!

The Donald

I saw this man on the Today Show this morning and he absolutely wore me out. I'm afraid to state my opinion because some how he might read this and sue me... but he wears me out!

Napping Neil

Have you ever had one of those days when you're just tired? Not of anything in particular, but of everything in general. That's me today, I went to bed at a normal time, slept fairly well, nothing bothering me today that wasn't bothering me yesterday...nobody bothering me today that wasn't bothering me yesterday...I'm just tired. I'm thinking about doing like Johnny Depp did on the latest Pirates of the Caribbean movie, paint eyeballs on my eyelids, sleep sitting up at my desk all day...I'd probably start drooling or snoring...or both, and give it away...Can't win on days like this can you!

The Race Is On...

The book reading contest has begun, and I intend on winning! Last night I began reading a book by Bishop Eddie Long, I'm a couple of chapters into it and it looks like a good read. From there I'm on to a book by Ted Dekker, an excellent author...I'm not certain if Kaitlin has started reading or not, I think I'll wait until I've read four or five books to ask...that way I'm ahead and can rub it in! I'm a wonderful father...can't you tell?

Mixed Feelings

Saddam Hussein is dead, hung and to be buried with his sons. New reports across the world are reporting this historic event, I flipped back and forth from CNN to TLC last night awaiting the news of his passing, and now I'm numb. In the beginning I spoke highly of taking him out, the things he allowed and was involved in were atrocious, if anyone deserved to die in my opinion, he did...But now that he's dead I'm not quite certain how I feel. Glad, relieved, saddened and concerned. A historic evil has been removed, his reign truly has ended, but he was a soul, a husband, and a father. The families of those he murdered must be relieved and rejoicing, but in Lebanon his children weep...I'm probably more for his death than against it, I am concerned about the response of those who favored him, how will this affect our world...and what about his soul? The scripture says that the soul that sins will die, that all have sinned and the wages of that sin death. It also states that the way of the transgressor is hard, this was definitely a tough way to go. My mind is racing on this issue, I don't want to lose out with God, for my life to become so self centered that I live without remorse or concern and lose my way. I read today on a message board where someone said that Saddam is today in hell, no doubt that is true, what is also true is that I don't want to go there...nor do I wish that on anyone else, regardless of how evil they are, I always pray that some how they have the opportunity to make things right with the Lord. Saddam's death was probably the right move, but I hope it serves to others as a wake up call, God is on the throne, He is coming soon, and we must be prepared, it's closer than we think!

Neil's Book Club

Last week our family was going some where and conversing about one thing or the other, you know how you do when you're in the car, talk about everything and everyone. At some point I mentioned that I haven't been reading like I should, I love to read and will read most anything, I've got books on my desk at the office, next to the bed, beside the bed and under the bed in our bedroom, then there's the bathroom reading, magazines in one corner, a Bible and a couple of books in the other...all neatly placed I must add...my wife does not deal with a mess one iota! So I'm talking about not reading like I need to and that beginning the first of the year I'm going to get back on track...and Bam, the challenge is on, Kaitlin, our fourteen year old daughter says, "I'll read with you Dad, two books per month for a year, whoever loses buys dinner!" Of course, this is coming from an unemployed person, so regardless of the outcome, I'm buying...but it is a race and I will win! My mother bought me John Grisham's new book, "The Innocent Man", it is fantastic, 336 pages and I'm on 225, it will be on the shelf by the weekend...of course Kaitlin sets the rules as we go...this one doesn't count...the race begins in January...I will win...Have I said that already! I feel like my mind has become a bit mushy, need to get it renewed with some good reading, to stretch my thoughts and imagination and to fill my spirit with new life...new stuff! Can't wait! Care to join the club...I'll buy you virtual dinner...which means I'll post a picture of what you would be eating!

Thank God For His Unspeakable Gift!

We are all hurrying and scurrying to find that perfect gift, to get it in on time, and make sure it's the right size. Perhaps your spouse has sent you with a list, cut out pictures so there is no mistake and told you where to go and where to find it at the store...My spouse has been known to literally lay my hands on the item so when I return without her there will absolutely be no question of what I'm getting. Shopping is warfare, we are battling time, prices, and crazy people, just to find the right gift...when the right gift has been with us all the time! I am the proud new owner of an Ipod Shuffle, it is cute and provides me with great entertainment and joy, but it's not the perfect gift. No, that gift came wrapped in flesh in a barn, God wanted us to know what He looked like so He put on a face and came when men needed Him the most. Inside of Him were all the ingredients that we needed to live our lives successfully; joy, peace, gentleness and kindness, healing, hope, the Holy Spirit, and more. Christmas isn't about a day it's about a person, it isn't about Ipods it's about incarnation, it isn't about Target it's about Truth, it isn't about wrapping paper it's about the unveiling of the Son of God to the sons of men...it isn't about today it's about eternity! Thank you for visiting this blog, for allowing me to share my thoughts and prayers, my insights and my insanity, thanks for hanging out with me, you are my blessing...you are my Christmas present! I honor you and wish you a Merry Christmas and a Blessed and Prosperous New Year!

My New Toy

I got my first Christmas present yesterday, my wife bought me a Ipod Shuffle, it arrived yesterday afternoon...She let me open it up and play with it...it's pretty cool! I've wanted an Ipod for quite some time, was too cheap to spend 150.00 on a Nano, so when I saw the Shuffle I knew it was for me...you know it could become like so many other toys I just had to have and end up on the shelf or in the car...so spend less until I know I'll use it is my motto. I loaded up a song list, I've got 36 songs and some sermon podcasts in it and wore it while going around the block. The only thing is I wasn't sure where my song list came from....come to find out my daughter has uploaded a CD on my Itunes and now I've got her song list...not too bad, Martha Munnuzi, mixed it with a few Christina Aigular, combined with Clint Brown and Pastor Bryan Cutshall, makes for some interesting listening...I'm pretty pumped up...at least as pumped up as I get!

Consumed By The Journey

Tomorrow night is my night to preach at our church, as the associate pastor I preach the last two Wednesdays of each month...I'm up tomorrow. Last week as our senior pastor was teaching I was drawn to Deuteronomy 6, I was particularly drawn to verse 23 when it says, "Then He brought you out in order that He might bring you in..." Then speaks of something that follows something, that after certain things took place, then He accomplished what He promised them. Western Christianity is consumed with events and instantaneous blessings. Our prosperity is measured by the abundance of things, the amount of revelation, and our ability to testify of God's abundant blessings on our lives. Don't get me wrong, I believe in prosperity and abundant living, I appreciate revelation and believe it is operative today...but I also believe that we are in the midst of a process...a journey. Trek with me here for a minute, for every one person sitting in church on Sunday that has just received a great revelation, there are seven that can't feel God, haven't heard His voice, didn't understand what the pastor just said, and are wondering if they're spiritual or not. They read their Bibles and watched christian television as well as all the popular books, they may have gone to a Bible study where people are sharing their latest revelation and they're sitting there wondering...What in the world is wrong with me? To which I loudly am going to reply...Nothing, Absolutely Nothing...Enjoy The Journey! I'm not meaning to sound cynical and believe me when I say I believe God speaks, that He gives revelation knowledge, that He blesses His children, I believe in the prophetic and the power of God to do exceeding and abundantly above all that we ask or think...it's in the Bible you know! What I also believe is that most blessing comes as the result of our ability to remain faithful during the journey...That while we were on our way to the blessing, we were diligent, we were obedient, we were considerate, we were generous, we kept our minds set on God and one day crossed the line into the place of blessing...it wasn't a huge event, we were just where we were supposed to be and once we got there we didn't stop doing all the stuff we did before, we were just blessed to be blessed and then became a blessing to others...Journey and Process...There's something to think about!

I Fried Dill Pickles

Every time I go on a fast I look up recipes, not that I ever cook anything, I just look them up, write them down, and talk about fixing them when I can eat. Several years ago I found this recipe for fried dill pickles, it's really simple, take 1 cup of milk, put a teaspoon of flour, one egg, a little salt and pepper, and a few drops of worchershire sauce into the milk, dip your pickles into the solution, and then roll them in flour that you have also salt and peppered. Then put them into the fry daddy and wait till they float to the top...Awesome...That is a absolute truth...and an adjective! I made some and took them to work yesterday, our office manager loved them as did several of the people in our school. Last week a guy from our church brought me deep fried peanuts, you put whole raw peanuts, in the shell into the fryer, and then eat them shell and all...Pretty good, a little different, after my first one I thought I had a hair ball, but you get used to it! Last night my wife and oldest daughter wanted a few pickles so I fried us up a batch, I'll have to drink gallons of water and walk many miles to make up for this exursion off my diet...but it was worth it!

Walking Out The Adjectives

An adjective is a word that describes another word, it enhances the meaning of that word, allowing us to have a fuller understanding. For example, if I say, "My wife is so beautiful", I am saying that she is above average, beyond normal, something exceptional...and she is! This morning my mind was filled with the thought of walking out the adjectives in life, and especially as it pertains to my walk with Christ. The Word of God is filled with descriptive words concerning the Lord, phrases and concepts released through the simple addition of one word...adjectives! So when we read verses that tell us that Christ came to give us an abundant life we recognize that He desires for us to live beyond the average humdrum life, that when Paul says we are more than conquerors, we understand He doesn't want for us to just get by. If I read that the Lord is My Shepherd, I understand that there is someone guiding me personally, it's not just a corporate event. So when I tell some one "God Bless You!" I'm not just imparting my blessing, but getting God in on the equasion...adjectives count, they are more than fill in words, they enhance the conversation...so what if we walk out the adjectives, living in the fullness of what God says to us about Himself, what He is saying to us about us, and what is He saying to us about others! We all have friends and then we have good friends, and then there are our close friends...what if we relate to these people according to what we say about them? If you are my close friend, we should be close, if you just a friend, or some one I've met, it will certainly be seen in how I relate to you...Am I making sense? Perhaps I am living in my own little world here, but according to my understanding of God's Word, life is a journey, filled with all sorts of events and emotions, we meet all types of people, and life isn't always what we planned it to be...but life never takes God by surprise, it's always what He planned for it to be...so He adds adjectives to our normal everyday lives, spicing things up, increasing where there is lack, and encouraging us to keep walking when we feel like giving up...He is So faithful, His grace is Sufficient, and His mercy is Everlasting, His redemption is Plenteous, and in Him we are Complete! I think life would just feel a little bit better if we walked out the adjectives!

Friends

Julie and I have just returned from an incredible weekend in Alabama! We along with our daughter Kaitlin went to minister in a couple of our friends churches, but what we received while there is beyond words. First, I spent time with two of my favorite people in the world: Julie, my wife of almost 20 years and my very best friend, Kaitlin, my almost 15 year old daughter, who most of the time stays in her room...together we braved the cold Alabama weather...it was in the 20's at night, Kaitlin hoped it would snow...I rebuked that spirit quickly! Then we went to Moody, Alabama, where our good friends James and Debra Eason pastor, had a wonderful church service, ate pizza and fellowshipped after church, created a blog for James(see jathinks.blogspot.com), and stayed out to after midnight. Sunday we were off to Sylacauga to Church On The Rock, the real purpose of our trip. The pastors there are Kevin and Diane White, awesome people! Diane had a breast removed on Thursday, was in church on Sunday, and is believing God for a total healing, it was incredible to see the working of the Holy Spirit in this family's life...these Alabama family's are just great and we are so blessed to call them friends! On our way home our friend Rick Sexton called and chatted for 30 miles, it is a great thing to have friends!

Alabama Here We Come!

Saturday my wife Julie, our oldest daughter Kaitlin, and myself will be taking off for Sylacauga, AL! It's rather unusual for Julie and I to travel together, and a sure sign that there is a God and He is soon to return that Kaitlin wants to go with us...perhaps it's the prospect of missing school...who knows? I for one am excited that she wants to be with us, most of the time she's shut up in her bedroom only coming out for food or to comment on the television program we're all watching on separate TV's...does that make sense? We're on mission, our good friends, Pastor Kevin and Diane White are going through a difficult time, Diane's health is not good, she's in a Birmingham hospital, Kevin needs to be with her not in the pulpit. So we're driving up to preach at Church On The Rock in Sylacauga, stopping off in Moody, AL on Saturday to preach at Praise Assembly for Pastor James Eason...I am excited! Pray that we minister to the people God is sending us to, that we are able to minister to them where they are and leave a deposit of grace, love, and comfort, a specific word for a specific people, and that beyond what we say, that what we do will be hope and strength during this time!

Surviving The Shift

This is the word that has been in my spirit throughout the day...not certain that I understand it completely or that it is time for me to explain it totally to myself...but for now this is what I'm hearing in my spirit...Times are a changing! If you read CNN online today you'll find an article stating that President Bush has heard from the Iraqi Commission and now realizes somethings need to change in our war in Iraq, it's time for a shift. You will also read of typhoons in the Philipines, weather shifts, and some of the most ridiculous attitudes in the history of mankind. There is a shifting taking place. Shifting speaks of movement, sometimes it is up and down at other times it's forward or backward, and it is also from side to side...it's all about change...movement that brings us into new dimensions, new levels, it requires a response to an action that we may or may not have initiated, but we must react to. As a minister who doesn't want to come across overly spiritual, like one that has the word on everything or who has a red God phone next to his bed...I sense God is doing a different work in the earth...I'm just not sure what He's doing...Years ago it was revival, that was the watch word, and we believed that revival was going to escalate our churches into growth and maturity...if we could have revival everything would be all right...some churches had it and some didn't, some thought they did and didn't, some thought they didn't and did...we've moved on from that phase, and it was an important season...but now I sense God desiring to remind us that He is in control, and that church and being a Christian really isn't about us, it's about Him. The way that we do church and how we live as believers is being challenged, there are many streams of thought, some misguided signals and directives...we're all right and we're all wrong...we want to grow and be big...we're just not sure how...As individual believers we desire to put the principals we've learned from church and personal study into practice and live victoriously...really we do...until the car breaks down, the kids get sick, a payment is due, and the lists goes on...how do we balance our faith between what we do in church and how we live at home...and then there's this shifting...we sense that something is on the spiritual horizon...but what? The question is can we survive the shift? As God takes us from where we've been to where we are, and from where we are to where we're going...will we move with Him? Can we accept His movement and allow Him to take us places we've never been, to unchartered territory, and trust Him that when it is all said and done...we will have fulfilled His purpose because we simply obeyed Him? I know I've rambled along...I'm just thinking out loud!

Reality TV...Gone Too Far!

I am an avid fan of television programs like Survivor, Super Nanny, and Wife Swap, reality television is fun...until today...I've seen it all! While surfing between commercials I found my way to USA Network only to find that rather than showing Monk, Law and Order, some movie or even a rerun, they're showing MLG Pro Circuit....Now we're supposed to sit on the couch and watch other people play computer games on their computers...Get A Life!

Remember To Read

This morning I received a devotional that quoted Dr. H.A. Ironside and John Wesley concerning the importance of reading, especially when it comes to believers and ministers in particular. From the time I was a child I've loved reading, read at an eighth grade level when I was is second grade. It has been my habit over the years to read everything I can get my hands on, often having books next to my bed, in the bathroom, in the family room, and at the office...I didn't say I finished them all, just read lots of stuff. Over the past few years I've slowed down some, gotten busy, and to be truthful, I've gotten lazy, by the time I get home from the office I don't want to think, so I sit in front of the television or even the computer, but don't stretch my mind. Today I was reading some blogs and came across the profile of one man who under the tab of favorite books put, "Love To Read". It stirred something in my spirit, the Bible teaches us to give attendance to Bible reading, the Apostle Paul while prison asked for books to be brought to him...I've never seen a bookstore that didn't absolutely have something I needed...or wanted at least...I'm going to give myself to a fresh dedication to reading! When our oldest daughter was entering kindergarten she wanted to know if she would learn how to read. For Kaitlin it was the highlight of her educational life to learn how to read, and now she reads all the time, is a straight A student and has determined that her life goal is to be an attorney...a mind is a terrible thing to waste! So my challenge today is Remember To Read!

Where Are Your Accusers?

I read something today that has got me thinking, the question was asked if the male prostitute that exposed Pastor Ted Haggard for homosexuality and drug use had been arrested...after all, while Pastor Haggards acts were illegal and sinful, so were this prostitutes...And, someone has to pay, it's the American way...it's the way of humanity...exposure requires recompense! Don't get me wrong, I think Haggards acts are shameful, that he should be removed from the ministry and restored...and restored...and restored...To God, the church, and prayerfully his family, let's do it in this order: God, his family, and the church. Chances are he will never be in the limelight again, he may never have a national audience, and perhaps should never, but what a loss to the body of Christ it would be if this man was lost for eternity and if after a period of restoration, a time in which his issues are resolved, his family and marriage restored, and his wife in total agreement...was not given the opportunity to minister to others from the lessons he has learned from this tragedy in his life! Ted Haggard is out of the limelight now, forgotten by the media, and so is his accuser, he had a moment in history and now he's forgotten too. I wonder if anyone reached out to him? Do you think anyone shared with him the power of the Blood of Jesus and the Gospel to set him free? Wonder if he will face the music for his actions, for his sins, or will he ride into the sunset, laughing at the stupid christian that couldn't control his emotions? Should this man get away scott free? I don't have an answer that I can share, I'm asking you...what do you think? If it were you, where would your accusers be?

In The Mood Yet?

For some strange reason I am having a difficult time getting into the Christmas spirit. Our lives are fine, my wife and I are getting along and I even like my kids this week...but I just can't find myself in the mood for Christmas. Perhaps it's the thought of going to the mall and stores, the rummaging through racks and piles, looking for the perfect gift, or at least the gifts my wife has listed for me...I'm just not in the mood. Julie announced last night that tonight is the night for the Christmas trees to go up, notice that I said trees...got to have one for the living room and one for the den, and then we'll probably have to have them for the girls rooms...baby trees, but trees none the less! Am I sounding like Scrooge yet? I'll get over it and eventually into the Christmas spirit...about January!

Home Today

After a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday I'm home today with a sick wee one! My youngest daughter has been running a fever for a couple of days, I thinks she's worn out, so we've stayed home from work and school. A day of pampering and the Disney channel should cause her to feel better, and for me, a day of boredom from the Disney channel will cause me to appreciate work!

Black Friday

Well, I did it...said I wasn't going to, promised that anyone who did was crazy, but I did it...Went shopping this morning! Now, I didn't go at 4:00 AM, or even 5:00 AM....No, I woke up at 7:45, was out the door by 8:00 AM, eating coffee and a doughnut by 8:30AM, and back home by 9:00 AM! Pretty good huh? I went to Walmart, got a couple hot items, went to Lowes, walked right in and out....took longer at the local BP station to pay for my refreshments, thanks to some lady who needed to discuss everything from her credit card not working, her smoking history, and her dogs bone...why is it that people need to leave their stuff on the counter when others are standing in line and yap? Perhaps my day of shopping has ended, I got the things my wife felt were important, so maybe I can be done...one never knows these things...but I did it and survived! Let me admit that it really wasn't all that bad, Walmart where I live is always crazy, especially when our northern friends have ventured south...and they are here....but that's a totally different post, one that will more than likely be written after a day of hazardous driving, one when my now low BP rises...Today it's all about shopping...I did...I'm Done! My next adventure will take place just before Christmas, when all in one fatal swoop I venture to the mall and stores to buy for the only person I buy for...My Wife...Takes 1-2 hours, all I do is go where she tells me, buy what's on the list, try to remember the clothes that she actually put my hand on and said, "This is the one I want!" After that, it's done for another year...I'm tired just talking about it!

Freezing To Death

It's only 60 degrees here in Sunny Florida! Last night it got down into the 40's, and I don't mind telling you that I am freezing my Yankee Butt Off! We turned the heat on last week and last night I turned it up to 75 degrees, so this morning at 5:46 AM every smoke alarm in my house went off, evidently the heat got the vents and lints warm enough to create a bit of friction and off they went! Our daughters were coming out of their rooms, I'm running, (Yeah, Right!) to turn the heat down and make sure we weren't really on fire...My wife, didn't phase her one bit...we did this last winter too! Hopefully we're going to warm up by the weekend...I have turned into a Floridian, came to the office this morning with layers of clothing, a t-shirt, a shirt, a lined jacket, and I wore socks! What is this world coming to?

What Is The Average Price For A Soul?

Gerald Fraller of Tampa is having some financial problems, as of November 13th he is no longer employed, his car blew up, he is unmarried, and has done all that he can to amass the necessary finances to no avail...so now he's selling his soul...Really! It is a contest and the reward is his soul, to the lucky person who wins Gerald's soul and helps him change his life goes the reward of: Certain control over his life such as: a percentage of his taxable income, at least 500.00 per year, the ability to plan his wedding, even the setting of the date, a profit ownership of any intellectual business he comes up with, the right to choose his children's first names, and much more, you can read it all on his web site: www.winmysoul.com. Of course, there is a buy back clause, Gerald can buy his soul back for the price of 1,000,000.00 I heard this on the radio this afternoon and thought certainly this must be a joke, I then read his web site and was amazed...How do you sell your soul? It then dawned on me that many have sold their souls for much less. Jesus said, "What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and then loses his soul?" It makes one wonder what will you give in exchange for your soul?

My Greatest Florida Fear

We're having cold weather this week at night, it's supposed to be in the 70's in the day and the high 40's at night. My wife is already asking should be we turn on the heat...I fear I'll wake up to see my palm looking like this!

USF FootBall Versus Oasis World Outreach Men

The University of South Florida played Syracuse this afternoon in Tampa athe Raymond James Stadium...It is a massive and quite beautiful stadium, I think it seats 60,000+ people, has exspensive but good food, and great seating all around...but I'm not sure they were ready for the 24 men from Oasis World Outreach. We converged upon them with excellent tickets given to us by a friend...two things in life you never pass up: 1) Free Food; 2) Free Ballgame Tickets!

We arrived around 11:00 AM for the 12:00 Kick-Off...mind you, I am not a sports fan at all, in fact, as we left we saw a Tampa Bay Buccaneers player, I didn't have a clue who he was, Rando somebody...nice Escalade though. Our seats were in section 133, rows C-E, on the 20 yard line, on the Syracuse side...needless to say, our group, a couple in particular ranted and raved, were actually louder than the cheerleaders, and we had a blast...and to top it off...USF Won!

What a delight it was to spend the day with friends, I hope to do it again sometime...I'll get my wife to tell me more about football before I go!

Now

Several months ago I came to the realization that my health had entered a crisis point, my blood pressure was 176/110, my chest was hurting, my left arm was hurting, it was a constant thing, something had to be done. Over a period of years I had allowed this thing to get out of hand, I researched blood pressure, heart disease, symptoms of heart attacks and strokes online, knew what was coming my way...and I truly believe I was headed that way until I had a right now experience. My family and I were on vacation in Chicago, staying with my mother, I checked my BP, was in pain, got scared and started walking. That week I began to walk twice a day, for at least thirty minutes, pumped the water in, drank apple cider vinegar with water, all the herbal supplements like garlic and cayenne pepper, daily aspirin...and I prayed and promised...and for the first time in my life I followed through...I had to make a difference....Now!

The Bible is filled with Now moments, you read phrases like: "Now it came to pass", or "Now Faith Is", or "Today is the day of salvation, Now is the accepted time!" There is something about living and moving in the Now. The old saying never put off until tomorrow what you can do today really does make sense, but not to us procrastinators...we like to wait, put it off, look for a more opportune moment, hope for something to change...I had been telling myself what I needed to do for years...but there came a moment when I had to make a decision.

In the Kingdom of God I sense that same spirit arising within my spirit, that this is a Now Time. That God is calling us to do things we've known He wanted us to do for years...Now! That this is a prophetic season, things in our world are changing rapidly, and if we're going to make a difference...it must be Now!

By the way, I checked my BP this week it was 138/88, not ideal, but for the first time in several years I'm in prehypertension range rather than secondary stage...I'm still working on it, going to get where I need to be, I've lost around 30 pounds, got 5-7 to go...I'm appreciating the process...Now!

If Not For Grace

I've finished reading an article by J. Lee Grady concerning the fall of Ted Haggard and the response we should have concerning this vital matter to the body of Christ. As I was scrolling down the page I saw the add for a book by R.T. Kendall on the subject of grace...and my mind stopped there...If not for the grace of God where would I be? If not for God's grace where would you be? Would you be reading this blog? Would you be concerned with the things that concern you now? Our nation has come to an intersection, a crossroads of sorts, it is a political crossroad as the power base of our nation shifts. It is a spiritual crossroad as the Body of Christ enters a time of shifting, the church as we know it is changing, it is shifting and adjusting itself to the times we are living in, the spiritual climate of our day is different than ever before...If it were not for God's grace and His keeping power...none of us could stand. This afternoon our worship pastor came into the office, she has been through more than most could stand, her kidneys began to fail when she was a teen-ager, over the past year she's been on dialysis, and in June she had a kidney transplant. Since that transplant she has been in and out of the hospital, dealt with kidney stones, calcium issues and other things. This afternoon she came in rejoicing, sharing of God's faithfulness and of His goodness...she spoke of how God has been faithful to keep her, of what she learned in the darkness of her trial...it's been the grace of God. Today my mind is strained, I'm stressed, my spirit is stretched...but God is faithful and His grace is sufficient. I am thankful that when we are struggling, His grace is sufficient, that when life is difficult...His grace is sufficient...when we don't what step to take next...His grace is sufficient...If not for the grace of God where would we be? I am thankful for God's grace, goodness, and faithfulness...and I encourage each of you to rest in His grace!

Shout One
Some Times You Gotto Shout!

The News

My addiction to CNN Online, Reality TV, and several news boards is beginning to wane, especially to church related message boards...I am frustrated with the religious crowd, the secular crowd isn't quite as lethal and at least you know what you're up against. Please forgive me, I don't mean to be negative, but I am continuously amazed at the attitudes of Christians, it's as if they gloat in another person's failures, are quick to draw conclusions and pass judgements, I sometimes wonder what is the difference between the believer and the non-believer...and then I remember...there's still good news amongst the bad news.

Two days ago Ted Haggard was the big story, he's out of the pulpit and out of the picture now, today's news is Iraq and the upcoming midterm elections...by Thursday my left shoe could be the highlight...one never knows!

There is good news, it never changes, it is always relevant, it always works...Jesus is Alive, He is in Control, and His Word remains the best news we can ever hear. I'll get over my frustration with message boards and politicians...but I will always need to hear that Christ is the answer!

John the Baptist went through some frustration, found himself in prison and needed to hear a word from the Lord. The word was: "Even though you're in prison, and things are looking bleak, the blind still receive their sight, the lame still walk, and you're blessed if you don't get uptight and all offended in Me!" (NPS Version)

Who Will Stand?

1 Peter 4:18 (The Message) 17-19It's judgment time for God's own family. We're first in line. If it starts with us, think what it's going to be like for those who refuse God's Message! If good people barely make it, What's in store for the bad?So if you find life difficult because you're doing what God said, take it in stride. Trust him. He knows what he's doing, and he'll keep on doing it.

This morning I awakened to a devastating news report, Ted Haggard, a leading evangelical, charismatic pastor, has been accused of a three year tryst with another man along with an accusation of some type of substance abuse...laying in bed this morning I literally screamed...NO!

Understand my words here, I'm not sentencing the man, condemning, or saying that I have made a judgement of his innocence or of his guilt...I'm saying, not Ted Haggard...and then I'm saying, O God, let it not be me...while I believe in God's keeping power I also understand my personal responsibility to guard my heart...there are some things God isn't supposed to do...I am responsible for me, to me, to my family, and to those around me...to those that I lead.

The thing that is impressed upon my spirit today is that this man has been accused of something horrendous, and that it is subtle reminder that all of us are a target of the enemy and of our own flesh...don't be offended, but you have to keep the little preacher in the pulpit! One man said that there are three things that will destroy a minister: 1) Self; 2) Sex; and 3) Silver

The things we are seeing today are nothing new, David had issues, one of his sons raped his half sister, and Solomon, wise as he was had women problems. Gehazai had money problems as did Achan, Judas, and Annanias and Saphira, and there are plenty of biblical examples of men and women in scripture that were full of themselves, pride destroyed their lives simply because they forgot God desires to be first.

I'm no judge nor jury in this case, I pray that this is a case of a man with a vendetta trying to destroy some preacher, and that he will be exposed and Pastor Haggard will be exonerated. I also pray that each of us will guard ourselves, pray for the protection of the Holy Spirit, and that we will remember that these last days are filled with opportunity, we decide which ones we'll partake in!

Being Missional

Ok, I sound like a broken record, talking about the same thing...again...Being Missional! Have you ever noticed how faddish we are in America? Have you ever noticed that few people, especially churches, follow through and simply become what they started out to become? It seems to me that we're constantly trying to reinvent the wheel and that it must be confusing to the people we minister to because one minute this is the way it should be, the next minute we were doing it all wrong and need to do it this way...and we wonder why we aren't getting very far.

Being a believer is totally about change, being new creations, about going from glory to glory, from one level to the next...but it's also about knowing who we are, what we're all about, and getting there...bringing as many with us as possible. It seems to me that being missional is about having a clear cut understanding of who we are, of what God desires for us to accomplish and developing that mission as our purpose...it will require tweaking and adjustments, it will means some things remain and some things have to go, nothing in this life last forever, even the good stuf...I mean afterall, the chalk board was cutting edge at one point...not anymore...But being a missional person in my opinion means that I have identified who my loyalty is to, and am committed to carrying out His plan, adjusting my life and methods...but never losing my identity in Christ...so that my ministry, the church or ministries I am associated with never lose sight of the goal, it never becomes lost in the stuff...it is always clear...Or I am I just dreaming?

After almost 28 years in full time ministry I still want to win people to Jesus, to build a multi-ethnic congregation that has destroyed the barriers that have hindered previous generations. I desire to see people worship in total abandon to the Lord, for dynamic praise and worship to pour out of the lives of a people totally consumed with God. I pray for a church that is missions minded, one that reaches out of itself into the lives of others, a generous church, that loves and lives to give...a church that provides for others and itself all the things necessary to minister to the people that are presently in attendance and for those that are to come...a prophetic church, one that hears the voice of God and one that speaks like a lion roaring, sounding out the message of heaven...an apostolic church, one that is not content to keep what it has inside, but sends out ministers, members, and missionaries into the harvest...a training church, one that understands the need to prepare before propelling...Am I dreaming? Am I missional?