The 2nd Wave Is Coming!

Our church has just concluded a phenomenal series of revival meetings! It would be quite difficult to put all that God began into words, it would most certainly involve many adjectives, and take several pages, and then it would only describe the perspective of what can be visibly seen, not those things taking place internally. Did I tell you this has been a phenomenal meeting? If I were to try to share my thoughts and the things that caught my attention and to place them in a nutshell I would have to say that I have captured three things: 1) The enemy would like to kill the dream, but to do so he would have to kill the dreamer...and he doesn't have that power or authority; 2) Life will seek to steal our praise, when we lose our praise we lose our passion, when we lose our passion we lose our power, when we lose our power we open the door for the enemies of our souls to take us out; 3) There is a 2nd wave of revival coming and it will be greater than the first! I am an avid movie fan, love new and exciting movies, but I've noticed that usually when a movie goes over well and the producers decided to create a sequel, that the sequel usually isn't as good as the first. For some reason something is usually lost, it's dull, lacks creativity, it fails to have a wow factor, and if the second works, the third in the series rarely has what it takes to draw my attention and cause me to want to take notice of it. When God does something, He does it big and He does it right. He has the uncanny ability to make all things new, even when it looks outwardly like it's all over. I get this picture in my mind of Genesis 1, when the scripture says the world was without form and void, in the original Hebrew text it says that the world was a chaotic mess, but God spoke into the mess and created a beautiful new world. Take a trip through the scripture and you consistently find God walking into the middle of messes and restoring them, releasing His glory into the lives of broken people, healing hurts, restoring loss, and mending things that have been ripped apart....And then He speaks with a commanding resolve: "The Glory of the Latter House shall be Greater than the Former House!" The 2nd wave is coming, another opportunity for God to work in your heart and life, don't allow what you see presently to deter you from what is to come! Jesus went to a wedding, they ran out of wine...and Jesus showed up and showed out, the governor of the feast said, "You have saved the best until the last!" Somehow I believe that's exactly what God is doing right now, it may not look like we thought it would, may not come the way that we planned, but God is on the move and the best is yet to come!

Get Ready!

Change You Can Believe In

The theme of Barrak Obama is that he is advocating change we can believe in, seeing that the majority of Americans agree that we need change, he theme is quite appealing...my question is what are the changes we need and what will he do to make it happen? I say this with a great of respect, with grave concern, and with a spiritual side of me raging to get out. We all want change of some type at some time in our lives. In fact, change is a necessity if we are to progress in life, whether it be physical, financial , or spiritual. We all change, I see more fat and more gray hair each day, I didn't ask for them, they just arrived and now I have to deal with it. I need believable change, something others can see and want to follow, freshness in my life, new ideas and to be more effective in every aspect of my existence...the question I face is how do I change in a positive manner? What is it we're looking for? Will a new president be able to accomplish this? In our homes, churches, and jobs, what changes need to be made, how will we make them, and how can we make them work? Understand this, I am by no means slamming Sen. Obama, I'm simply borrowing from his campaign slogan and asking the question, how can change that we believe in take place?

What If...

In many of the circles I am involved in people are always looking for the next big event! They're praying for revival, a spiritual outpouring of unlimited measure that is going to finally, once and for all change everything and make the world a better place. It's certainly a worthy cause, one I would definitely like to see take place...but what if... What if the outpouring is already here, lives are already being changed, needs are being met, and the revival we so desperately desire is already in the world, we just need to tap into it? The prophet Joel talked about renewal and restoration in the final days of man upon the earth, he emphasized the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that would revolutionize mankind. Turn a few hundred years and a couple of pages from the Old Testament to the New Testament book of Acts, the Day of Pentecost to be exact...The apostle Peter is standing before the crowds, filled to the overflowing with the Holy Spirit and saying, "This is that which the prophet Joel spoke of!" So if this was that, then has the outpouring ceased, has the Spirit stopped being poured out, or is He as the scripture seems to indicate being poured out without measure in the earth and in the lives people who are hungry and thirsty...Is it possible that issue at hand is not if the Spirit is coming, it's are we receiving, are we experiencing the fullness of the God life, are we walking in and walking out the revelation of the Holy Spirit, are we enjoying what God is offering to them that can receive Him? It's just a thought...I want to live and walk in this that is that!

What I'm Reading This Week

I Want To Live For God!

I know that sounds kind of strange coming from a pastor, but I really do want to love Him with my whole heart and to live for Him in a way that pleases Him and expresses to others how awesome He is. Recently I was reading a message board that is mainly comprised of denominational ministers and members, by the time I got done I was asking myself why I was in the ministry, and even further, I wondered if I had read this first would I want to be a believer? Don't take me wrong, I well realize that there are negatives in the world, have some in my own life, being a Christian doesn't exempt us from trouble, it means we don't go through it alone, it gives us insight, wisdom, power, and direction, it really is the abundant life...not just secure death. Abundance and prosperity in life to me are having what I need to do the will of God and to become the person God sees me as. So I will have more month than money at times, get frustrated, yell at my kids, not like my job, wish I could stay home on Sunday occasionally, go anyway and worship my way through it...and at the end, I'll be alright! When all is said and done, living with Christ is much better than living without Him, because no matter how much I screw up, and I do...too much and too often...He still loves me, lives in me, and listens...you can't go wrong with a God like that! I really do want to live to for Him!

My Foot

I was walked from my office to get my car next door this afternoon when I stepped on a broken bottle in the sand. It was one of those that was broken with a label on it, so it was flat. Looked at my shoe and there was nothing so I kept going, then I felt something, almost like stepping on a sticker, pulled off my shoe and there was a tiny shard of glass stuck in my foot...can you believe it? I've been punctured! It didn't go through my shoe and there wasn't any sand or anything in my shoe, just that piece of glass in my foot...it can only happen to me! It's Monday!

• My Life Today

My Mom made it in from Chicago Wednesday after 7-8 hours in the airport

My wife has the flu

My baby is spending the night at her friends house, I miss her and she's only been gone 2hrs

My oldest is in her room watching movies...She's driving now...a really great kid

I'm going to Virginia next Saturday!

What Happens In The End Is What Counts The Most!

Our pastor shared a powerful thought during his message yesterday, he was relating life to a football game when he made the statement that the best and most important part of a football game is what takes place at the end. As I was watching the Super Bowl last night I found his words to be true, after all that was said and done, the game was decided in the last thirty-five seconds of the game, at fifty seconds the Patriots were winning and looking as if they were taking the trophy home, fifteen seconds later everything changed. The Apostle Paul likened our walk with Christ as a race, reminding us that we all run, one wins, so we must run to win. He also reminds us not to grow weary in our well doing for we will reap if we do not lose heart. At a time when life seems to be becoming more difficult there is a tendency to relax rather than run, to grow weary in our walk rather than pushing and pressing into consistency and the greater things of life and of God. One of the problems I see among Christians is that too often we want everything the easy way, feel like some one owes us something, that we deserve for free what others have paid for, impart something into me, but don't ask me to pay for it...I want to be blessed, close to God, to obtain His benefits and blessings, but I don't have time to be committed...can't come to church for 2-3 hours a week, though I can watch a three hour football game. This morning on CNN.Com, I watched a priest who said that there is a progressive distancing from God, he also said that the working of our enemy satan is real and effective, not because satan has more power than God, but because he is being given more space...He's getting attention! Of late I have been dealing with the concept of relevance, of being real, of relating to people in a way that makes sense and that impacts their lives. What I realize in my heart is that I am where I want to be until I do what I need to do to get where I'm supposed to be. I know, I've said this before, but it is true, I won't get out of debt until I quit spending, won't lose weight until I change my eating habits and exercise and I won't be closer to God until I do what the Word says! Don't have to pray about it, need no further prophecies, no preacher to call me out...We have an entire book, a catalog if you will of God's words concerning our lives. We are at the end of the race and how we run right now determines if we win or not!

Our Baby Is 16 Today!

It's hard to believe, but our little girl will is 16 today! Born in Glasgow, KY, we have drug her from Kentucky to Illinois, back to Kentucky and now to Florida and she remains sane, a straight A student, on the church dance and praise team, speaks incredibly when called upon, and is a hoot to be with! Can you tell I am one proud Daddy!

Opportunity To Serve

I found this web site that gives a terrific opportunity to serve others. Go to www.freerice.com, you then click on the correct definition of a word, for every correct answer a grain of rice is given to someone in need. It's pretty cool, it's free, and it makes you think, three of my favorite things!

Florida Volunteers

I went to vote today, my voting precinct is in a senior adult mobile home park, on my way in a woman walking her dog, carry a baggy of poop waved at me to slow down. Once inside the average age was 70 plus, I was tempted to yell, "I Like Mike!" And then there's the volunteers at the hospital, all with dual hearing aids and still unable to hear. My wife reminds me we will be there quicker than we think, so I need to be nice because I will want others to be nice to me when I'm that age. Florida is a wonderful place, awesome weather and wonderful people, it is senior adult heaven, and the rest of us just have the honor of hanging out with them!

Progressing

I may be going through a mid-life crisis, manopause, or preparing for a nervous breakdown, or maybe I'm just being reflective...that's my vote...I just keep asking myself and others am I relevant? Am I stuck in the mud in my lifestyle, mentality, religious views and ministry style? Have I been able to maintain relevance and not look and act like an old man trying to look and act young? Have I been able to progress in a relevant manner without loosing my true identity? We've all seen the men and women who were aging that tried to look and act younger, I don't telling you that a 70 year old man or woman in short shorts just doesn't work. Nothing like an 80 man with an ear ring or a 85 year old woman with a tattoo....auuugh! Certainly it is possible to progress in life, keep up to date, be who we really are, and to become who we're supposed to be...isn't it?

Freezing, Family, and Fun

I'm in Champaign, IL this week, the coldest weekend of the year, Sunday morning it was 2 degrees when I woke up, last night and today we've gotten snow, though its now 20 degrees! But I am having a blast, I've spent time with family and friends, eaten at my favorite places and enjoyed the blessings of the Lord...What else can a man ask for!

Neilism's On The Run I begin revival services in about ten minutes in Alvin, IL, population 316. My grandmother pastored this church in the 1950's, I praying that my roots produce fruit. This weekend is supposed to be the coldest weekend this year, below zero wind chills. My Florida fanny is freezing. This week I will eat thin pizza from Monicals, Italian Beef from Niro's Gyro's, lunch at the Courier Cafe, spend time with my cousin Randy and visit friends. I will also preach for Pastor Cedric Nesbitt at the Glory Center in Champaign, IL. My daughter Kaitlin needs a healing, she's been having daily headaches. God is able, He is faithful, and He is loving. She believes, she loves Him, and she needs Him. I need Him!

Let The Games Begin!

American Idol 2008 begins this week! Now Tuesday nights will have me busy, my DVR will be in full swing with The Biggest Loser and American Idol on the same night and some of the same time!

Just Anxious To Matter

There's line in the movie Pearl Harbor that speaks to me, a young pilot has just arrived in London, lives are ending one after another and this young pilot who has just shown up asks the British officer to get him into a plane as quickly as possible. The officer asks him if all Yanks are as anxious to die as he is, the young pilots rely is powerful, "No Sir, Just Anxious To Matter!" Isn't that the quest of most? We want our lives to matter, to know that we have impacted someone's life in a positive way. I have to admit that I often wonder if I have ever made a difference in anyone or if anything I've ever done has been significant. This afternoon I was in an auto parts store where I ran into a single Dad and his son, this father reported to me of the progress his young daughter is making in school, a child that my wife taught a couple years ago, a child that goes to another school but still talks about Ms. Julie. God has not called us to seek significance, He has called us to make a difference, if we do that we will be significant. I don't know about you, but I am anxious to matter!

When You Think Of Me...Pray For Me!

Years ago I conducted a revival for a lady pastor by the name of Evelyn Zingmark, she pastored an awesome church in Waukegan, IL. When she went there it was about to close down, at the time I was there she was averaging around 250 on Sunday mornings, one of the Sundays I was there Roland Harper of the Chicago Bears was in attendance, his wife and children attended there often. One of my favorite memories of that meeting was at the closing of each service, when she dismissed the services she would ask the Lord to keep us in a place where He could speak to us and we could speak with Him. I will never forget those words and often think, "God, let there be people in my life that pray for me when I can't pray for myself, let there be people that You bring me to their minds, even without my knowing it, that call upon the God of heaven on my behalf, and God, let me be to others as I desire of God for myself! So today, tomorrow, or in the future, when you think of me, pray for me!

Grace

I was visiting Phil Hoover's blog this afternoon and he had the words of a song concerning Grace on it and I got inspired. Grace is God's unmerited or undeserved favor, I can't quite explain it, don't deserve, but am so thankful for it. I understand that if He gives me what I deserve I'm done for, I also understand that if I receive grace I must also give it! My wife and I teach a young adult class at our church on Wednesday nights, last night I shared four seeds for a new season of life: 1) I was to be a better communicator; 2) I want to complain less; 3) I want to compliment more; and 4) I want to consecrate all...I realize that without God's grace it is impossible for me to do these things, without the grace of family and friends it is impossible, because I will mess up, I will fail and drop the ball...but grace says that in the face of failure God gives us the power to get up, to receive strength and forgiveness, and to live the overcoming life! The words of a song come to mind:

"There's no other word for grace but amazing No other explanation will do Unmerited favor, a song that I sing There's no other word for grace but amazing!

I Hear The Lord

2008 is here, it hasn't been a huge event in my life so far, ate a couple cinnamon rolls, gave away some stuff to a church member and helped load it in the truck, sent out two text messages and plan on doing as little as possible today! My wife bought me a new computer desk for our home office that needs to be put together...I'm still looking at the box and thinking about it...needs to be done this week, my inlaws are coming next week...pray saints..pray! In the midst of all my foolishness I feel like I am hearing the Lord speaking into my spirit, started this past Sunday and continues today as I ponder what this new year holds. My plan is to lose weight this year, 30 pounds, 12 of them this month, to eat healthier and to be more diligent, I've lost before but I've also found it, this time I need to lose it for good! The spiritual side of me is crying, screaming out inside of my spirit man, there has got to be a change in you, there are things that must take place, be released, be renewed, and to be removed, a line has been drawn, the question is will I cross it? This morning a friend emailed me with a simple but profound word, "Expect the Unexpected!" Another friend shared on an online forum of his feeling this this is the time when he and his church will determine who and what they are really going to be and do...So what is it the Lord is saying to me? What can I share with my friends that read this blog that will give them prophetic insight? 1. The shifting continues! To shift something means to adjust or to move, usually it gives one the idea of gradual movement, ever so slight, but it is movement that creates change...There has been a shifting in the heavenlies and God is moving us, the Body of Christ into new arenas, the shifting is not over, in fact, it may have really just begun! 2. The shaking begins! The writer of Hebrews says that God will once again shake the heavens and the earth, removing the things that can be removed and establishing those things that cannot be shaken. I sense a shaking taking place, we will not be able to do business as usual, whether that be in our personal, relational, or spiritual lives, even in our financial situations, things are being shaken to reveal who and what we really are. This shaking will enforce the promise of God in our lives because it will remove the fluffiness and reveal the true content and character of our hearts! 3. The settling! Our world is at unrest, Kenya is near civil war, the death of a loved leader in Pakistan, troubles and trials in our homes and jobs, people are at unrest. In the midst of all of this God has promised to establish us and to settle us, He will cause peace in the midst of the storm, calm while the world around us is swirling. Notice something here, He will not always remove the problem, nor will He remove us from the problem, He will give us peace and a sense of being settled in the middle of the storm. 2008 has just started, it starts in a busy and frustrated world, but it holds phenomenal promises...get ready it's going to be a wild and wonderful ride!