Intense Searching

Have you ever lost something that you just knew was still around, you just had to find it? You turn the car, house, office, briefcase, whatever you can find and wherever you have either been or think you've been or even thought about going in hopes that the item will show up. I have, it's one of the most frustrating feelings in the world, especially when you either don't find it or it was right out in the open and you looked over it forty times...Kind of like loosing your keys and they're in your hand! In Luke 15, Jesus told the parable of three lost things: a Lost Sheep, a Lost Coin, and a Lost Son, while He dealt primarily with the concept of being lost, He also revealed the necessity of intense searching. The fact that the lost item had such value that it could not remain lost, it had to be found regardless of the time and cost it took to find it. We generally use these scriptures to describe the lost sinner, the person who doesn't know the Lord and have a walking relationship with Him, but what if it goes beyond that? What if we can be saved, know and love the Lord, and still be lost? Is it possible that we become lost to ourselves, to others, and yes, lost to the relationship we have with Jesus, but not lost from Him? Is it possible that there are times when we lose our joy, our spunk, our desire, our intensity and must seek diligently until we find it? I think so, personally, there have been times when I just wasn't certain who I was anymore, I knew my geographical location, but wasn't sure of my place there, I had to search for myself, had to refind myself, and sometimes it required intense searching... I've also found that I and my stuff are usually where I left them, much like the student who came to the prophet sorrowful that he had lost a borrowed axhead. The prophet asked a simple question, "Where did it fall?", to which the student, in the water...he knew exactly where he lost his edge and I contend that most of the time we do too...We just have to look for it!

Lost Thunder

After years of being the "Big Dog" and the only pet in our home, thanks to the baby kitten, Gizmo has lost his thunder. A baby kitten is cute and cuddly, cries allot and needs much attention, is small and light as a feather, he's just a baby...and is getting that new child attention...So our dog looks like he might be depressed. On top of that the kitten has him on the run, he's afraid of it, I keep calling him a girl, which is better than my usual daily dose of calling him an idiot! I think I've lost my thunder a few times, moments when I wasn't sure of who I was, where my place was, and wondered if I really fit. Nothing anyone could say or do was enough to make me feel better or change the way I was thinking, I just had to work it out...Maybe I can learn a lesson from my dog!

Stormy Winds & My Two Sons!

Last night in Jensen Beach we felt the effects of Tropical Storm Noel, rain came along with strong winds, at times I thought the tent was going to blow over. Yet, the Lord revealed Himself through His Word and by the working of the Holy Spirit. As simple as this sounds I am so thankful that God knows who we are, where we are, and how to touch our lives, if it were not for the Lord where would we be? While I was gone there was an addition to our home, a new kitten...He is so cute and crazy, one minute he's licking on my finger, the next he's trying to eat me...I've fallen in love with him already! And then there's Gizmo, our Shitzu. We've had him since our 15 year was in third grade and until today I've never actually touched him...I don't touch dogs...Period! Today I guess I felt guilty for paying so much attention to the new addition that I actually petted him a couple times and let him ride in the car with me...I'm quite confident it won't become a habit, but it stretched me to say the least!

Today's Stuff

Since August I've been traveling like a crazy man, been to Chicago, Kenya, Illinois, Ohio twice, and am presently in Jensen Beach, FL. Tonight I preach in a tent revival, last night there water in the tent, and the Lord revealed Himself in a beautiful way, I'm going home after tonight's service. Saturday I'm off to Illinois, and then home for four weeks...PTL. In all of my travels I have come to appreciate the goodness of the Lord, the protection and provision of the Lord, my wife and children, my pastor and church, and my own bed! There really is not place like home, I'm clicking my heels right now. There's also a new addition to our home, Coco, a six week old kitten, I left yesterday afternoon and he moved in shortly afterward, we haven't met but I am confident that we'll be fine. Thanks to all that read here, I'll write something good later, just wanted to stop by and say hello!

They're Back.....

Leave for a week and what do you get when you return? Northerners, Yankees in Cadillacs and RV's, eateries stuffed to the gills with 80 year olds asking for the senior discount, telling the waitresses what to do...and Walmart, aisle filled with shopping carts and motorized wheel chairs! I suppose it's good for our economy, and on the most part they are beautiful and wonderful people, they can't drive or walk fast, but that certainly isn't a character flaw. After all, we always say the South is going to rise again, who knew it would as the result of Yankees who couldn't stand the cold so they came to the kitchen! From one Yankee to 50,000...Welcome Home...We really are glad you're here!

Proclaiming Our Passion

I read an article today about blogging, it suggested that we should blog about the things we are passionate about which really got me thinking, what am I passionate about? Starbucks is an addiction for me, I love Caffe Mocha with a shot of vanille, Duece De Leche...when they've got it, and an occasional Caramel Macchiato. Wherever I am I do my best to eat my way through that town or city, Tony Paco's in Toledo, Webber Grill in Chicago, Ach & Lou's in Aurora, The Columbia in Tampa, Jenny's Diner in Louisville...my list is endless and yes, I am overweight...170 lbs today! But what am I passionate about? I love Jesus, He is everything to me and I want to know Him, love Him, reflect Him, and to please Him. I have an awesome family, a wife of 20 years, two phenomenal daughters, a mother who continues to be amazing, a sister that I'm quite proud of, Im quite passionate about them. Ministry, I'll celebrate 29 years of ministry this July, 26 of them I have been full time either as a evangelist or pastor. I love being in ministry, love church, people and pastoral families...God has given me the choice occupation, it hasn't always been easy or pleasant, but it is fulfilling and I would never want to do anything else. And lastly, writing, I love to write, to express my thoughts, to share my feelings, to release the voice within me. I'm not always confident that I'm doing it well, I'm just happy to do it. So from this point on, I'm going to boldy proclaim my passion. What are you passionate about? What are you doing to make it work for you? Can I join you in the journey?

I'm on my way! The reservationist is on hold, but we are patiently waiting, Dali Chicken is my earnest quest!

Adjust The Settings!

We have a calendar on our church web site that shares all the monthly activities of our church. It's not a fancy thing, quite basic in nature, but it allows us to share what we do and for others to participate in which ever activities interest them. Last week I just happened to venture by our web site and check the schedule, you won't believe the shock that over took me when I noticed that all of my entries simply read: "Busy", the times were correct, but it just said "Busy!" I wasn't sure how that happened and was hoping that no one else had noticed, or at least no one I knew...well, you know it couldn't be that easy, someone stopped by my office today and mentioned it...I was horrified, well, bothered to say the least.

Quickly I emailed our web host and asked how to fix this error of mine, what is it that I need to to, after a brief response from him I went to my calendar provider and low and behold, the checking of one box opened my calendar to the whole world...I just needed to adjust the setting.

There's a spiritual lesson to be learned here, often in life we see things as blurred and out of sync, life as we know it is out of adjustment and we don't know what to do. If you're like me, and you are, we look for all sorts of things to correct our situations, we call people, email them, ask their advise, all the while hoping for some complex answer to solve our simple issue...We need to check the settings!

The settings are those places in our lives where God has made deposits, the entrance points of the Holy Spirit where He has touched us, places that in times past have been rearranged by the Lord to improve our serve. Settings are those areas the Word of God speaks to directly in us, things we don't have to pray about, we just have to do them. Isn't it amazing how we can avoid the settings and ask God to move in places He's already in, to speak about things He's already addressed? We get so busy in life that we look for something quick and easy, or we believe our situation is so unique that we overlook the obvious...check the settings!

When I was a new convert my mother talked about my shine, the glow of the Lord in my new found relationship with Him. As I learned to walk with Him I quickly found out that Christianity doesn't remove humanity, and that I continuously needed to adjust my shine so that I could continue to reflect the glory of the Lord...Sometimes we just need to be tweaked!

Habakkuk 3:2 (The Message)

1-2 A prayer of the prophet Habakkuk, with orchestra: God, I've heard what our ancestors say about you, and I'm stopped in my tracks, down on my knees. Do among us what you did among them. Work among us as you worked among them. And as you bring judgment, as you surely must, remember mercy.

How I need to hear a word that renews the awesomeness of God to the very core of my being! To be reminded and to actually remind myself that it's all about Him and not me. I don't want to return to the good old days, I want to make sure I'm where I'm supposed to be today...To make sure I'm still connected. Lord, let me hear Your words and be in awe, to be afraid in a godly reverence, not afraid of You, to be to fearful of offending You...This is my prayer today!

Kids

When my wife and I married we agreed that we would wait five years before we had children, after all, we were going to be evangelists the rest of our lives and may never have kids...too busy working for the Lord you know! Our first children was born within a month and half of our fifth anniversary, while we were in our second church...so much for life long evangelism. After Kaitlin came around we were never having any more children, I couldn't imagine loving another as much as I loved/love her, then we went on vacation, there was a baby epidemic in North Carolina where we were vacationing and I came home wanting another little one. Today I'm home with my eight year old, she's got a fever and a tummy ache, so I brought her home from school, she went immediately to bed and I haven't seen her since. It bothers me when my kids are sick, when I can't fix the wrong things, sick things, inner things, when I can't make things different for them. I struggle when I don't have all the answers, when I have to tell them no, or that we can't afford it, or not now. It bothers me when they struggle and when they hurt...I want to make it better. I wonder how the Lord feels when we struggle? Our issues and struggles, our sickness and our pain are no problem for Him, but I wonder how God feels when His kids are sick?

USF vs UCF=64 to 12 Several of the guys from our church ventured to Tampa today for the football game between USF and UCF. It was a great game, I had a wonderful all beef hotdog and a huge coke, great fellowship, and our team won...I am the most non-athletic person on the face of the earth, but enjoyed being with my friends and am glad our team won! All I can say is....Go Bulls!

Where Are You Going?

I've been reading some blogs and message boards and have become disturbed at the belief system of many Christians. It appears that more believers are believing less and then we wonder why unbelievers don't believe in Christ. There appears to be a surge of questioning of Biblical truth, I I am reminded of the words of the Prophet Isaiah who said that if the foundations be destroyed where will the unrighteous appear? If we as believers question the foundational truths of scripture, if we no longer believe that scripture is divinely inspired, that Jesus is the only way, or that there is a hell, if we no longer believe that a person must repent and turn to Christ, why should some one who doesn't know the Lord want to? I've also noticed that while there is a questioning of hell, there isn't any questions about heaven...Let me suggest that we can't have our pie and eat it to...If there is no hell, there probably isn't a heaven! I'm all for progression, for making the church relevant, check out New Vision Ministry Center in Louisville and you will see a progressive church that has taken foundational truths and implemented them into an extremely progressive setting, I love it...Yet I am concerned that there is with some a turning and questioning of truth that is unhealthy. Jude said we must earnestly contend for the faith...fight for the truth! We are called to study the scripture, which most definitely includes asking questions and knowing for ourselves, not just accepting a belief system at face value...but the Word of God works, it speaks for itself! After Jesus fed the multitudes the Bible says that many of His disciples went away and walked with Him no more. Jesus asked the twelve, "Will you also go away?" The response is incredible, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You are the Christ and You have the words of eternal life!" Where are you going?

Hangers, Ings, & Things

I have some issues and am probably in need of some serious counseling or Prozac, or both! Can anyone explain to me how clothes hangers disappear in the same house they were used in? At my house I do the laundry during the school year, without fail each week we are short a hanger or two, and no one knows how that happens. Also, when you remove a clothing item the empty hanger should never be left among the clothes still hanging, it should be placed in a designated spot, but each week I search for hangers...frustrating! And then, there's this thing of not using the "G" on ing words, like going, showin, doin, leavin, complainin, eatin...etc. What's up with that? It's kind of like preaching from the Book of Revelations instead of the Book of Revelation or talking about the Fruits of the Spirit instead of the Fruit of the Spirit...I told you I have issues! Not that I'm perfect, but it isn't hard to take the hanger off the rack and it shouldn't disappear if it's placed in the right spot and adding a "G" and leaving off an "S" wouldn't hurt anyone would it? Of course, my issues are just my issues...In fact, maybe this is just about me in the first place! And isn't it amazing how easy it is to see others issues and to make them our own, when in truth, we're still a work in progress ourselves! Maybe it's not counseling or Prozac that I need after all, perhaps I just need to relax and let life take it's course, it will all work out in the end!

Whew...I'm Not Going To Jail!

My income tax is due this Monday, I mailed my information to my CPA last week from Ohio...to the wrong address...my tax stuff is lost in USPO space and there are three actual working days before taxes are due...was I scared or what? It's the last thing on my mind when I go to bed and the first thing when I get up, wake up in the middle of the night...right there on my forehead. Today I was able to get the information together, faxed and already heard back some good news! Whew, I just knew I was going to be involved in a prison ministry from the inside and am so thankful that I'm not!

New Release

Several Years ago I began to send out e-devotionals to the congregations that I was pastoring. It began as announcements with a thought attached and became a devotional. Now I write bi-weekly if not weekly, usually sharing a thought, a life event, or a prophetic insight, and some times something just plain stupid. This past week I decided to write a book using these devotionals, it won't be a novel or a spiritual revelation, no it will be a thought on paper, the rantings and ravings of a man on a journey, of a person with a passion to release something that is deep within his belly. I'm pretty pumped about this, this first writing will be a office produced experiment, my secretary will create a colorful cover, we'll use our church binding machine and it will be a short production, but it is a start and I'm excited. Inside of each of us there is something waiting to be released, something God has placed deep within us and is waiting to see what we do with it. Call a seed, a kingdom deposit, a gift or a talent, whatever it is, it's there and we all have it...whatever it is! If someone asked me what I would do if I could do what I want to do, I would write all the time and preach on the weekends. If I could live by preaching on Sundays and writing, it would be awesome...not that I don't like what I'm doing now...I do...I'm talking about that living your dream stuff we all have...Whatever I do, I want to be creative, to glorify God, to bless others, and to make a difference in other peoples lives! What's inside of you that needs to come out?

Refreshed

I have just concluded a series of revival meetings in Elyria, OH, and am now spending a couple days with my friends. My flight leaves on Saturday afternoon and I can't wait to get home. I've missed my wife and daughters, our oldest daughter Kaitlin has been sick, but she is doing better, the Lord has ministered to her. She also informed me that if I were to buy her something it would help...I offered to share my new House of Blues shirt...she's not buying the offer! I've missed my world, Oasis World Outreach, Heritage Academy, the babies in K-3, my office and my pastor. I've missed Florida, there really is no place like home! While I've missed all these things terribly, I needed to be here and will leave with a refreshed spirit. Something happened in my spirit this week, I felt no pressure to perform, didn't need to be anything I wasn't, the people received me...for me! Service after service I shared God's Word, and they received and responded to it, they pulled the preach right out of me and allowed me to say what I felt the Holy Spirit said to me...And then we went home! Perhaps it's just a preacher thing, but it was a joy to minister to people that simply loved God and wanted His Word and that enjoyed hanging out with a little fat guy from Florida. I will return home fresh and renewed, ready for the next place, encouraged and ready to love God, love people, and to tell them of the awesome grace of God...it's our mission you know! PS: For those who think my wife doesn't really exist, this is our picture at a recent Tampa Bay Devil Rays game. I'm looking old and fat, she's still hot after all of these years! She's younger than me of course...I married up!

My Daughter Is Sick...Would You Pray For Her?

Last night our youth pastor brought our oldest daughter home from dance practice saying that her chest had been hurting, her pulse was racing, and she was having difficulty breathing. My wife took her to a Urgent Care facility where they got her calmed down, did a breathing treatment and determined she doesn't have pneumonia. We're not certain what is going on with her, but she has not well for several weeks, has headaches quite often and simply needs the touch of the Lord. I'm in Ohio, so while I can't really do anything for her, I want her to be well and I believe that God heals and that when people pray God moves. For me it really is that simple. So if you read my blog today, would you mind whispering a prayer for my baby? Thanks!

Lost Lives

Brittney Spears lost custody of her children today...it's really a sad thing. I don't watch her and am neither a fan nor defender of her. She has made choices on her own and is now reaping what she has sown, but it is still a sad thing, after all, our society created her and now it's going to crucify her. Here is a person with charisma, talent, finances, and two precious children, she has issues and has not been able to resolve them. Recently her return to the stage was less than perfect, greatly criticized, and now her private life is being made public. But tonight when she gets home it won't be a secretary or publicity agent or a nanny explaining to her children that they can't live with Mommy anymore, it will be Brittney. Can she or should she return to show business, she probably can, I wouldn't. I would get my act together, my children back into my life, my addictions under control and tell the rest of the world where to go...this girl needs Jesus and some people in her life that aren't saying what she wants to hear but what she needs to hear. She needs people that have the ability to create an atmosphere of restoration and healing. Lost people lead lost lives, they simply need to be found...I pray someone finds Brittney before it's too late!

Cleveland Rocks!

I'm in Elyria, OH this week with my good friends Thom and Janet Cody, they have a great church and are such awesome people...I love being around them! We've had three phenomenal services, there has been no pressure to perform, just open to allowing the Holy Spirit and the Word of God to work in their lives. They have a number of older people, these people have absolutely blessed my soul beyond words, they worship, they receive the Word, and they respond to it. I love to watch them praying in the altar and ministering to one another, it's fantastic! Elyria is just outside of Cleveland, yesterday I went to Cleveland, visited the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, ate lunch at the House of Blues...I know, I'm such a sinner, but the Lord must not have minded too much, He still used me last night! The city is awesome, if it didn't get cold and lots of snow I could probably live there...That Florida weather just can't be beat, but Cleveland Rocks!

Where In The World Are We?

I consider myself an open minded person, a positive thinker, even though I go on sometimes here about being depressed, wore out with people, frustrated with cranky old men, I really am open to allot of things. With all of my heart I want to be progressive and relevant, a discerner of the times with an understanding of what we ought to be doing, especially as it pertains to being a believer of the Lord Jesus Christ! With all of that said, I am bothered. Last week I was watching Extreme Home Makeover, the builders were creating a new home for a lady who had several children with HIV/AIDS, the team went to some type of concert where a young child, couldn't have been over 12 said that her church kicked her out, that her pastor told her and her family that they weren't welcome, it would be best for them to find another place to worship...It ticked me off. How can we say that we are believers, that Christ dwells in us and yet take this kind of approach. Isn't the church in the people business? Didn't Jesus come to seek and save the lost, to heal the sick, and to mend the broken hearted? Aren't we supposed to do the same things He did and greater? Or have we come to the point that church is about us, that we're supposed to feel better, collect a long list of prophecies, weep over the lost that aren't in the building and then avoid them at all cost? I spoke with an angry, hurting pastor today, a person hungry to see ministry take place in his congregation, but the people simply want a good sermon on Sunday and to be left alone. Where are we in this end time world? Is this really the church we want Christ to return for?

Minding Your Own Business

I was getting fuel in my car a few days ago, my wife was sitting in the car enjoying the air conditioning, when an older man pulled up to the pump next to me. He noticed that my car was running and then proceeded to ask me if my car was running, I told him it was and he then asked me again if it was running..."You're not supposed to pump gas with your car running, why don't you turn your car off?" "I don't want to!" Was my reply, he then turned and complained to his wife. Why did this guy care if my car was running, he didn't work there...People simply wear me out?

How Full Is Your Glass?

Our pastor began a new sermon series this morning that spoke to my heart. He's talking about "Attitude Is Everything!", that how we perceive our lives determine how we live, that perception is about positioning ourselves, it means that we make a decision as to how we will relate to a thing, and how we relate to it determines the outcome. Do I see the glass half empty or do I see it half full? The line of half is the same whether it be empty or full, the difference is we either see it almost to the top or almost to the bottom, either at the beginning or at the end. If I see a thing almost over then I will begin to shut down, slowing my pace and preparing to end my journey. If I see it half full, I will understand that I'm closer to the top and believe that I'm in the winner's circle. It's easier to see empty than full, but it's necessary to see full rather than empty. When we see full we see success and accomplishment, we see potential and believe that God is turning things around. He we see things determine our approach, and how we approach a thing determines others responses. I'm not talking about false reality, I'm talking faith, works, a positive attitude, and confidence that God is not finished with us! How full is your glass?

K & M

Today is our youngest daughter, Madison's birthday. She is eight years old, blond, blue eyed, weighs 40 pounds if she's wet and wearing a heavy towel and shoes. Such a beautiful with a spirit that is kind and calm, she loves the Disney channel, the computer, her friends, and her hero is her older sister Kaitlin. Kaitlin calls Maddie her " mini-me!" Both of our children are hilarious. Happy Birthday Baby!

Kaitlin, our 15 year old is a phenomenal child, she's driving now, looks and acts like she's at least 23, sometimes has quite the attitude, and is brilliant. She is a prophetic young lady, sees spiritual things in unique and unusual manners, dreams prophetically, speaks in the same way, and yet has the ability to keep her feet on the ground and not be off the wall. She wants to be an attorney, I want her to send me a monthly check so I can retire!

Julie and I are so blessed to have such beautiful daughters, when they were little I was always afraid something would happen to them, I would go into their rooms and pray over them in their sleep, if they weren't moving I would touch them lightly to make them move or to hear them breath...I don't do that anymore, though I still want to...Now I just pray for their protection, for wisdom, that they continue to walk out their salvation, and that God will begin now to prepare men for them that can keep up with them, provide for them, and that will love and protect them as I do...Call me sentimental, I am a blessed man!

I Am Blessed

I'm sitting in the home office of my friend Darrell in Galesburg, IL., we've had a fantastic revival, the Lord has ministered in a special way. This week I've had the opportunity to fellowship with a fantastic family, minister to a wonderful congregation, share our missions ministry, to which a crowd of 28 people gave an offering of 750.00, and I have enjoyed time with ministers of Illinois. As I age I am coming to appreciate people and value relationships in a deeper manner. Don't misunderstand, I've always loved people, but these days I value friends and family more than ever in my life. It's important to me to make a deposit in others, appreciate not only what they deposit in me, but who they are to me. This evening my best friend of 20 years will pick me up after church, drive me three hours to his home and we'll spend the day together in Chicago doing all sorts of things, it's going to be awesome...I want to make an impact on some one else's life, to be awesome to them as so many have been to me and to always be thankful...always.......! The picture I'm using today is a picture of my Kenyan brother and sister, Titus and Dorothy, they pastor two churches in the bush country, serve as the bishop of Mike Sloan Ministries International/Missionaries In Action Kenya, and most of all are two of my closest friends. We email weekly and when I step off the plane he is waiting for me, drops everything to spend the two weeks I am there and make sure I am able to accomplish my goals...We spend hours talking and asking each questions, discovering the most of our differences aren't all that different after all...We're depositing into each other's lives...Who can you make a deposit in today?

I Will Wait For The Children!

Several years ago a prophetic word was given to the church I was pastoring that said the Holy Spirit would be poured out upon the earth prior to the return of Christ in an unprecedented manner. We've heard that, read it in the scripture, and believe that it not only will happen, but is presently happening around the world. What spoke loudly to me in that word was the next phrase, "And I Will Wait For The Children!" God is a covenant God, He thinks in generations, not just who is here today, but who is to come. One of the Psalms states that these things are written that a generation yet to be born may praise the Lord. There is something about the children, about future seed that captures the heart of God. While the concept of children causes my mind to consider small ones and youth, to God, who is the Ancient of Days, He considers all of us children, and He is waiting for us to step into what He is doing. Scriptures assures us that in the last of days the earth will be filled with the glory of the Lord, glory is heaviness or weightiness, the awesome presence of God that consumes our lives. To those who can see it, it's already here, others continue to wait. I was reading yesterday in the book of Habbakkuk, where the prophet prays that the people will receive an awareness of the glory that will cover the earth...That's what I pray for today, an awareness, let me see what I haven't seen, let others observe the fullness of God's grace and glory, and may many son's and daughter's be born into the Kingdom!

Freezing In Illinois

Yesterday I flew back to my home state of Illinois to preach revival for my good friend Darrell Garrett. I am from the Chicago suburb of Aurora, Darrell pastors the Harvest Church of God in Galesburg, about 3 hours from my home. When I left Tampa it was in the mid 80's climbing toward the 90's at a rapid pace, when I arrived in Moline it was 64, declining at a rapid pace. We went out to eat last night and it was 64, in the hour it took for dinner the temperature dropped six degrees to 58...I went immediately to Walmart and purchased a light coat...I'm freezing to death! Here we are in Mid-September and they turned the heat on...I love my friends and really enjoy this little city, but have to admit...There's no place like home....Florida!

Growing Up Is Hard To Do!

When I was growing up there was a Toys R Us commercial with a little jingle that said, "I don't want to grow up, I'm a Toys R Us Kid..." I don't remember much more, but the concept sticks in my mind today as I press closer to 50 than I am 20, am the parent of a 8 year old and a 15 year old, and am now teaching young adults ages 18-30. The goal that I have chosen to accept is to assist these people, my children by birth and my children in ministry, in becoming adults with a purpose, to help them discover who they are, what their purpose is, and how to become what they are destined to be. The amazing thing to me is the examples many youth have to follow, adults that are outwardly mature but inwardly stagnant, stuck in yesterday, kicking and screaming about others that aren't growing while they themselves remain immature. Jealous, worried about someone getting into their space, pastors and ministers that fret that someone may take their sheep, all the while insecure themselves. Perhaps it's the place I find myself at in life presently, I have nothing left to prove, know who I am and have decided that if they leave me I never had them or only had them for a certain season...but I refuse to let others dictate my maturity level...I need to grow and I don't want to grow out I want to grow up! I don't want to get fat on stuff that isn't healthy, I want to mature in the things that have the ability to make lasting and healthy changes in my life. I'm rambling again, but I really do want to grow up!

British Haircut

I had a seven hour layover in London's Heathrow Airport and was absolutely bored to death. While sitting there I noticed this photo booth thing sitting to the side and a smiling man getting his hair cut. It's the latest thing in London, so on my return trip I ventured into the Hair Pod and my newest friend Dasso cut my hair. The cost was 11 pounds, about 22.00 US, the guy did a good job, I almost feel British!

Mixing It Up

On our recent trip to Africa we encountered a demon possessed woman, during the worship time she would worship God, speak in tongues and screech like a cat. We heard her toward the end of the service and simply prayed that God would cause anything that was not of Him to cease, and it did. I spoke with the pastor about it the next day and he told me that this woman was mixing Christianity with witchcraft, a fairly common practice throughout Africa. As I thought on this it seemed to me that we as believers are equally guilty at times of mixing our relationship with the Lord with other things, perhaps not as extreme as witchcraft, but is it possible that our priorities are compromised as we try to make Christianity fit our mold? The constant theme of scripture is God desiring our whole heart, to be put and sought first, promising that everything we need will follow if we love Him first and more than everything...but we...or should I say I, sometimes say He's first, but in reality put Him somewhere in the mix...down the line somewhere. God wants to be first,He deserves to be, but only I can make Him first...I can't afford to mix!

Life Is Good!

Our team returned from Kenya last night, tired but excited about the good things the Lord did in and through our lives. We spent nine days in the country, beginning with ministry in the bush, we prayed over property that will be the home to a new medical clinic, preached at a convention where children touched our hearts deeply, and visited new churches. In Eldoret we met new pastors and renewed our friendship with old ones, in Mosoriot we preached in a church with bamboo walls and in Flax we experienced the manifestation of the enemy, in both churches we saw souls saved. In Nairobi we visited the Bomas and saw traditional African dances and made a trip to the Animal Orphanage...For nine days we did not stop...it was awesome! I also experienced an awakening, a spiritual renewal and refreshing...probably too private to share all...but a wonderful expression of grace...Life is good...God is great! I'm glad to be home!

It's Kenya Time!

Tomorrow morning four of us will board a plane, fly to Chicago, eat our way through a five hour layover, and then off to London and then on to Nairobi. This is my seventh trip, the second this year, I'm anxious and excited. Two of the people going with me have been before and for one of them it will be her first. We will travel Machakos Tuesday evening and participate in a convention in the bush area of Kengami on Wednesday and Thursday. Friday we will travel to Eldoret and minister in the village of Flax on the weekend, then back to Nakuru and Nairobi and on home the 30th. It seems as if we've left and returned already!

I want to make a difference in someone's life this week, to impart something that will birth a positive change, that will give direction and encouragement. The need is great and we can't meet it all, but we can make a difference, pray that we will!

My New Computer

I bought a new laptop computer last week, a Toshiba Satellite, a lovely piece of machinery that I intend to absolutely wear out. It was working great until yesterday, everything is plug and play and I was plugging and playing. Came into the office yesterday morning plugged everything in, everything worked except my internet connection, I had lost my IP address. I called Best Buy and was shifted to the Geek Squad who wanted 159.00 to come fix it, it is one week old...can we say free? I then called Toshiba and was on the phone for an hour with them and then my internet provider for an hour who wanted to send me back to Toshiba...I wouldn't go! My provider arranger for a free service call, while I was waiting my friend Rick suggested I reset the network modem...Fear comes all over me...can't afford to have a network of nearly 20 computers down, and I'm leaving for Kenya on Monday...Service tech can't fix it, not familiar with Vista, and he suggest the reformatting of my hard drive. This evening we shut down the modem, turned it back on and I'm back in business...God has not given us the spirit of fear!

I'm In A Mood

I can't explain it all here, but I am in a mood and need to get through it! I'm leaving for Kenya on Monday morning, have a almost six hour lay over at O'Hare in Chicago, which means Italian Beef, Thin Pizza, and more than likely a Chili Dog...last meals before British Airways food! So how I get the feeling I won't do anyone any good if I can't get my head clear!

This Is How I Feel Today!

Feeling Stirred

There is a rumbling in my spirit today that I simply cannot get past. Perhaps its because I'm preaching in the morning, or because I'm preparing to depart for Kenya on the 20th, or maybe the Lord is trying to speak to me, and I'm just not listening well. I don't feel concerned, afraid, or warned, I feel stirred, as if there is something on the horizon, perhaps my Isaac is about to appear. I am convinced that God is raising up a new generation, not new in the sense of age, but a people of passion, perception, and perseverance. This generation will be open to whatever He is doing, will appreciate the past that got them to their present, but will not be bound to yesterday, their favorite verse will be found in Joshua when God said, "You have not passed this way before!" This movement of the Lord will not be like any previous movement, there will not be anything to compare it to...this will be the new thing that springs up, we've heard about it, prayed about it, it's time to be about it...Stir It Up!

While In Chicago I Ate This!

It's Time!

I keep forgetting that since this is my blog I can write whatever I want...I want to be casual and I want to be serious...I want to be prophetic. I'm weary of hearing what is going to be, I'm ready for it to be...It's time!

Does This Make Sense?

I'm flying out to Chicago tomorrow and have been busy this afternoon making sure all of my affairs are in order: printed out my boarding pass; spoke with the pastor where I'll be preaching; found out my cousin wasn't going to be able to pick me up so I needed to arrange transportation. I called a car rental company that advertised a good price online, they have a store a few minutes from my mother's home so I could drop it off with no problem...The problem is that because I was wanting to drop off this car at a different location than I was renting it at I was going to have to pay 70.00 for the car itself, 50.00 drop off fee, plus 1.00 per mile on the travel, so now for a 70.00 rental I'm paying probably 150-170 for this car...does that make sense? I've made other arrangements with a different company and will be out about 82.00 plus a full tank of gas...these people wear me out!

Seasons

I had the privilege of ministering at the Living Waters Church of God in Sebring, Florida yesterday. This church is pastored by my good friends John and Pam Schneider, I've been there a couple of times in the past few months, it's an exciting place to be. One of the things that I noticed was the freshness, the other times I was there things were good, but they've added some new staff, their worship team is good, there is a spirit of refreshing there that invigorates you, excitement fills the air. On the other hand, I talk with other pastors and church members that are experiencing difficult times, moments in the lives and ministries where they don't understand what God is doing, they feel as if they've lost their way and wonder which road to take next. Seasons is my answer, this is a season of shifting, transition, and process, I believe God is moving in the lives of His people, but He is doing in ways that are unfamiliar to us, but very familiar to Him. We like change until we need to change and then we don't want to change too much, we enjoy our comfort zones...even though we don't want to admit we have them! You cannot escape a season, you have to walk through it, to endure hardship, and to learn the lesson of the process...easier said than done. One pastor said that he felt like he couldn't hear the Lord right now, so what should he do? My answer, hold on to the last word He spoke until He speaks another...God's Word always works! I want to be faithful in whatever season I find myself in and find great comfort in the words of the Apostle Peter: Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you. Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing more than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You're not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It's the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won't last forever. It won't be long before this generous God, who has great plans for us in Christ-eternal and glorious plans they are!--will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does! (I Peter 5:7-10 The Message)

I'm Going Home!

For a 45 year old man this will sound strange, but I am so excited, I'm going home to Illinois next weekend! I've been wanting to go back to the Chicago area where my Mom and sister live for a few days, but haven't been able to work it out. I've also wanted to preach a revival somewhere before I leave for Kenya in mid-August. This morning I had my good friend Pastor Ken Holt from Chicago on my mind, gave him a call, left a voice mail and hung up. About 30 minutes ago he called, said, "You won't believe this but this morning I was next door on top of a ladder and said to myself, I need to call Neil for revival in August!" Talk about a God thing...I'm going home! I've missed my Mom this summer, it's too hot for her to come to Florida this time of the year, we'll fly her down in November for three weeks, but I get to go this time, it will be awesome! You will never know what the Lord has just done in my life, just trust me when I say it is both a sign and a wonder at a good time in my life! Did I say, I'm going home!

The Mind of Missions

My friend and son in the ministry, Pastor Troy Yanosik of Life Christian Fellowship in Jensen Beach, Florida just returned from his first missions trip. He spent this past week in the mountains of Jamaica where he ministered the Word of God nightly and touched the lives of the wonderful Jamaican people daily. We've just gotten off the phone and you can hear it in his voice, he saw poverty as he's never seen, children without shoes, people who's only running water is the rain and what drips from the trees and is collected in a barrel, they have no to little money, and yet their hearts are open to the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. Pastor Troy has come back with a desire to purchase tennis shoes, or runners, as he called them, I'm not sure where that runners thing came from, but he is a Canadian, perhaps it's a northern thing. He's determined to make a difference in the lives of this people and I'm determined to help. What touches me more is the transformation of his heart, it happens almost every time a person leaves the country, you see things you've never seen before, or beyond that, things you've never allowed yourself to see. My wife and I pastored our first church in the appalacian mountains in Eastern Kentucky, there people lived in shacks and had little financial ability, and while it affected me, it was different when I went to Kenya for the first time. Today I realize that need is everywhere, and it isn't my job or my calling to change a person's culture, it's my opportunity, my mission to help change their climate by sharing my resources and the love of God with them. For me, this is the message of the missional mindset, we have talked church, we have discussed what needs to be done, it's always just about to happen, but now is the time for us to step up to the plate and make it happen. How easy it is to weep over homeless and hungry people, to walk past shoeless children, and to say these people need to do something about their situation, but it's our opportunity to assist them on their journey! When I returned from my first missions trip I was devastated and realized how greedy I was, I wanted to tell everyone how good we have it in America. I still feel that way, but I now understand that we have been blessed to be a blessing, and there is need and poverty everywhere, it is emotional, financial, physical, and spiritual, and we can all in some way make a difference in some one else's life...it's the missions mindset!

Thanks to my friend Barb at Tidbits & Treasures I've been awarded this Blogger Reflection Award and a Seed Planters Award! Thanks Barb for thinking of me, you along with many others have made blogging a joy and a requirement of both reading and writing!

Madison

I had lunch with my seven year old daughter Madison today, it was kind of cool! She spent the night last night with her friend "B", came to my office around 10:30, suitcase in hand and ready to go. Her Mother and sister were out and about, so she entertained the office manager and senior pastor, drew a picture, signed it, and now it's hanging on the wall in the office manager's office. Finally, and not too soon, we were off for lunch, Taco Bell her favorite place, was closed for some odd reason so we ended up at AW/Long John Silver...She left looking like a pirate queen. What a kid!

My Newest Addiction

I leave the office early on Fridays and usually come home to vege. The past two weeks I've found myself hooked on TLC's program "What Not To Wear". I'm not a girly person at all, am not into all the latest fashion, but I have to tell this program is hilarious. I watched it yesterday from around 3:00 PM until 9:00 PM, now, I did take a break and go eat, but came right back, my little one went to her room, it wore her out! It's amazing how bad some people dress and feel good about it! Whew, good thing my wife is working on me! I also watched Pastor Jim Raley from Calvary Christian Center in Ormand Beach, FL, he was on TBN, preached the house down! TBN gets on my nerves, there was an hour and a half of singing and then they give this guy 25 minutes to preach. The music was good, but it seems to me that if you bring a guy from Florida to Nashville to minister, you give him time...he came on at 11:35 PM, but it was so good. Check him out at www.calvarychristiancenter.com. This guy is the real deal, has preached for us a couple of times, we love his ministry! Check out Pastor Raley and What Not To Wear!

Monday

You know that Monday is my least favorite day of the week, it should be Monday on Thursday. This Monday has been a great day, things were not hectic at the office, I got to leave at 2:45 and don't have to work tomorrow, it's my 45th birthday, I'm lucky to be able to get out of the bed in the mornings! I'll spend the day with my wife, go to a staff meeting tomorrow night, eat Sonny's BBQ there and enjoy time with my fellow co-workers, and it will be Tuesday...not Monday! I've been busy today preparing for an upcoming trip to Kenya, I'm taking four others from our church and will be gone two weeks the later part of August, it will be awesome! We are hoping to travel south into the land of the Maasai, a wonderful tribe of people that are yet to rise to modern corruption, the only tribe in Kenya that are allowed to bring their spears into city limits, it's going to be great! It's hot here in Florida, but I'd rather be hot now and warm in the winter than warm now and freezing my hiney off this winter. I'm rambling...I know! We had the most awesome service at church yesterday, the Holy Spirit simply breathed upon us and we were refreshed in His presence. I love the Lord!

Becoming New

Have you ever noticed that people who talk about progressing often want to go back in order to go forward? As a revivalist I've often heard pastors and church members talking about how we need to get back to old paths or that what we need is an old fashioned revival, they want to go back to get something that they remember as being good. I realize that we do have to return to our first love, to remember where we've fallen from, and to turn back to God, but I also realize that we can't stay where we were or are, our return is to reconnect and then to move forward. Dee Hock, founder and former ceo of Visa said, "The problem is never how to get new, innovative thoughts into your mind, but how to get the old ones out!" Isn't that the struggle Jesus had with the Pharisees? They had a learned knowledge of who and what God was all about, and when the visible revelation of God came into their very midst, they couldn't receive Him because their perception was clouded with the past. They had an idea of what it was supposed to be like and couldn't get past what they thought to get to what was! Jesus came to make all things new, I think that is not only at the moment we receive Him, but throughout our entire journey with Him...I want to become new!