Send the Fire

Last night at church, we had a night amount of time just crying out to God. I was glad... because that's what i had on my heart to do. I didn't really want to hear another message (i'm kinda tired of hearing messages, although there is a time and place for preaching). but last night while gathered as a congregation to pray and seek the Lord for Him.

I know i mention the word 'revival' a lot on my blogspot. One concern i have is that it was just be a buzzword. And i know a lot of times, churches have a week set aside in the year for a revival. this is a topic that has been on my heart for years. I would probably say for a good 8+ years. A number of years ago, the Lord messed me up in such a way that i can't sit idly by. My heart yearns for a greater depths of the Lord and His working. It may not always feel like it or seem like it, but while on this planet, my heart burns to see Jesus made known.

in any case, my heart longs to see the Holy Spirit 'poured out' upon this earth. Sometime ago, the president of FIRE, Dr. Micheal Brown, wrote what he calls a 'sarcastic prayer for revival'. You have to understand before reading this that this is coming from a New York Messianic Jew.

"Prayer for a 'Nice' Revival"
Not too loud and not too long;
We want a nice revival.
Nothing heavy, weird or wild;
Our first goal is survival.

Make our church grow big, dear Lord;
Give us souls galore!
And bless our new faith budget, God;
That’s what revival’s for!

We’re praying and we’re fasting, Lord;
Please send Your Spirit in power.
And do whatever You see fit --
Just keep it to an hour!

Send the river, send the flood,
Send Your mighty rain.
Send Your glory down, O God:
It will be to our gain.

And now we close with this request;
We pray with heart and soul:
Send a great revival, Lord --
But leave us in control!

“Prayer for a ‘Nice’ Revival,” MLB

I've been in many different services where the presence of the Lord has been, probably what many would consider, unusually strong. Now, part of that bothers me that many might consider it strong. I don't like the idea of being able to play church. That's just boring. But real revival is messy. Forget about keeping the hair nice and combed and keeping the nice face on. It's going to mess you up. Some of you reading this know far better than i do about the reality of that. I've experienced a sliver of what some of you might have.

But last night, it just kinda felt weird. Not like in a bad way, but many are hearing about what's going on in Lakeland, Florida with Todd Bentley. I've watched numerous different viewings of it and his style is a bit different that what i like. But people are getting healed and saved. And their will be fruit from it and that's one of the best ways to judge it. But i went into the meeting last night and was like "God, i'm grateful for what your doing in Lakeland and i would love to go down there. But God, right now i can't. So Lord, do it here. Prepare my heart, mind and life for what your about to do.

May we always be vigilant and test what is going on by the Word of God. Not our own experiences and feelings. But if its a God thing, judge it according to the scriptures. And be careful what you ask for.

Happy Birthday Israel!

Happy Birthday Israel! And many more! I bless you as a nation and as a people in the name of Yeshua! May you reside in peace and joy.

Israel celebrated her 60th Birdthday on May 8th. Throughout the media we have been reminded how hard these 60 years have been, and how much the people of Israel had to sacrifice in order to have a country of their own in 2008. Many special guests are visiting Israel to celebrate together with us. Thousands of tourists also flooded the country to show their support of Israel and the Jewish people. Leaders of various countries around the world have congratulated Israel on her anniversary. The atmosphere here is special, and it seems that, even if just for a day, many people here have decided to stay away from criticism, voicing dissatisfaction and complaining. It's during these types of celebration that we can say without hesitation - "All Israel are Friends (Comrades)."

The Following are some articles from Dateline Israel, a news briefing i get.

During this special time we would like to share with you a couple of things that were forwarded to us and blessed us tremendously. The first one is a link to the video made 30 years ago, showing a conversation between Barbara Streisand and Golda Meir on Israel's 30th anniversary, with Barbara then singing the Israeli Anthem: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uPHaioopKM. The second is a power point made especially for Israel's 60th Birthday, which you can VIEW BY CLICKING HERE. (For best viewing save the file to your computer when prompted.)We hope you will be blessed just as we have been with these two exceptional resources.

NIZKOR! WE SHALL REMEMBER AND NEVER FORGET!
By Katy Sorsher Smith

Today I already consider myself as one of the previous generation. At thirty I find that I am completely different - even from those in their early twenties, and truth be told - it really scares me. It seems that we have completely different values, as if we have been raised centuries apart. The younger ones seem to forget faster, and the voices rising up today from every direction surprisingly of the generation older than mine are promoting the growing ignorance of this and Google and MySpace generations.

How quickly does the world forget! How quickly the enemy raises up new opposition to the army of God! I was taught that we should never forget. Today’s generation is taught tolerance and acceptance which is nothing more but ignorance and apathy in my eyes. This self-consumed generation is easily swept by propaganda and words that are pleasant to their ears. You don’t have to search for it what I call 'The Obama Phenomenon' is self-explanatory.

But I am determined to never forget. And not only today, Holocaust Memorial Day, but every day!

My anger is stirred up every time someone even as much as entertains the thought of the severity of the holocaust being exaggerated and so much more when people outwardly and without shame deny it ever happened!

Sadly, these voices are growing louder and louder while the voices of survivors are getting thinner and thinner - as every year less and less of them remain to tell about the horrors of what humanity put them through. But if you've talked to a survivor once in your life, if they let your fingers slide on their skin where the numbers are engraved forever leaving their mark, you will not be able to forget.

The headlines of Israeli newspapers online were filled with anti-Semitism this past week:

Ukraine started selling Hitler dolls, and the manufacturer says they consider them to be in the same category as Barbie dolls! More products like these dolls will follow, depending on the sales. 'The Hitler figurine features moveable arms that enable it to reproduce the Nazi dictator's infamous salute, and consumers are able to choose from a variety of outfits, including "early days Adolf" and "wartime Adolf".’ (Ynet News, 4/26/08)

A Jewish leader in Germany this week suggested that the ban on selling Hitler’s book, Mein Kampf, should be lifted, also saying it should be published and available to everyone online. His suggestions have been, thank God, rejected - at least for now.

To top this, Jean-Marie Le Pen, infamous for his remarks about the Holocaust, now says that gas chambers in Auschwitz and other death camps did not exist, and that the prisoners were merely workers in these labor camps. If I could, I would dare him look in the eyes of a survivor from one of the camps and say that.

How can anyone stay apathetic to these remarks and not speak against them? Well, most of us don’t, even though I think we should. One voice is, of course, just one voice, but if joined together, we will be heard!

However, this generation does not seem to care. Totally consumed by their own desires they simply choose NOT to remember. Well, not only them. We, too, seem to forget, or sometimes bluntly ignore the fact that there are people today determined to wipe off the face of the earth other people they don’t like… We seem to dismiss the fact that a leader openly says he wants to wipe Israel off the map. Do we really think he’s just being misunderstood or is making empty threats?

Will we again remain silent and hide behind “God will have His way anyway?”
We should never forget! We should never allow this again! Our children and their children (should the Lord tarry) should never forget either.

When the alarm sounded in Israel this morning, every person, every student, every child stood silently in Honor of the victims of Holocaust. Let’s remember with them. Let’s remember not just today but every day! Let’s fight the enemy with prayer and intercession for Israel. Let’s petition our Lord and Savior to plea with the Father to fight again for Israel, asking Him what can we personally do.

NIZKOR! WE SHALL REMEMBER AND NEVER FORGET!

Personal Note: There were a few pictures that i couldn't carry over from my email. And another side note... why is it soo much to ask for people to start recognizing Israel and the Holocaust? If they want to deny that, why not just deny the Pearl Harbor or some other major disaster?

Running the Race

I just got back from a ministry trip in Biscoe, NC. For those of you who don't know where thats at... don't ask me because i don't really know either. It's kind of what you might call a 'po dung' town out there somewhere. Meaning, its a really small town.

In any case, one of my friends here asked me to go w/ him and pray for people. I'm always amazed at how much God uses me, despite who i am. It's like He's saying, "I'm going to use you, despite the fact that i know who you really are..."

So i get there Friday night after driving for about an hour. I go walking into the building and they pretty much got under way right away. So no debriefing for me. I just jump into the mix and see what happens. Later on, i step outside and see that they have a sign on the wall that says "Revival with FIRE School of Ministry". i'm like, 'oh, ok.." (i hate to be critical at this point in time, but you can plan a revival like you can plan a snow storm. I laugh whenever people say "oh, we're having revival at church that week." ok...)

in any case, from what i understand of the end result of the weekend... the Lord really did a deep work at this church. everyone was very thankful we came. which is cool. Personally, i guess i'm used to much more intense times of prayer and worship... but the key thing is is that they were encouraged and challenged.

The Lord was raising up spiritual parents during this weekend. Also, our whole team had to give prophetic words for people in the church there. Now, normally, i don't flow in that type of activity. Personal prophetic words aren't necessarily my field of expertise. But I was more or less put into. So it was time to go swimming... like it or not.

On a side note, i was able to get some four-wheeling in! It was great! My buddy there had a 4-wheeler and he took me out on a trail nearby his house. I somewhat grew up on them so i was like jump on and ride!

PA Happenings

Well, i'm back in North Carolina by now. I got back last night around 6pm. i think i might have set a personal record for driving back. probably starting out somewhere around 9:15 am or so and getting back to my house here about 5:50 or so. (you may voice your approval or disapproval only if you've ever had to do numerous 8+ hour drives by yourself). i was really proud of my little car... traffic was light and no major traffic blocks.

the trip was good i thought. I was able to get a show at Sight and Sound there. Me and my mom went to see Daniel and the Lion's Den. I've been a couple shows there. They're a bit pricey, but i think that for Christian entertainment, its pretty good. I mean, you'll usually fork out about $40 or more for a sporting event or some other form of entertainment. At least this had solid Biblical elements to it.

I was able to hang out w/ some friends from the past and my family. Sunday night, we had a small family get together. so my mom and dad and younger siblings piled into our recently bought station wagon. me and my brother picked on my younger sister the whole time the way down. it was total fun.. lol.

Wednesday night i was able to go and hang out w/ the youth group from my home church there. they ended up praying for me and bringing some words which were on the mark... i was soo proud of them! it was neat to see them stepping out and praying and prophesying somethings into my life! some of them were just recently Baptized in the Spirit just in September and were exploring some benefits to that! Go for it guys! i'm proud of you.

i was also able to hang out some at our local house of prayer and sit in on a class there and participate in a few worship sets. Things are heating up back there, and its exciting to check it out and see what the Lord is doing. He's awakening His Bride in this hour!

Just a few things...

I'm currently taking some time off in PA. I had some paid time off at work, so i decided to take it. God seems to be doing some major changes around here. Which is good. It's needed. I was having dinner w/ a good friend of mine last nite and he was telling me that some of the people that he knows and is ministering to are getting kicked out of their house for truly going after God. They're going a different route of their parents and family and they're loosing a lot to follow the Lord. I thought about that and was like 'How would i handle that?'

Right now, we are in an election year. And none of the candidates i can vote for w/ a good conscience. I'll probably be writing in a candidate when it comes time to vote. Here is what i feel is happening: Mostly all the candidates are too liberal. They are all supporting issues that go against what the Word of God says. They all want to make a difference, but not in the right way. Only God can save our nation. A political agenda won't do it. Only getting on our face and asking God for mercy and to walk in His ways will do it. He is giving us free will and He's looking to see how we will choose. He's not a dictator. He's a loving Father who wants the best for His children. And at times that means He pulls back and allows us to see the error in how we handle it and what we'll choose. And right now, i don't think we're choosing wisely.

Of course, there are certain ones out there who have their own agenda. And the bad part about that is is that they may be few in number, but they're at the top. That puts them in control. These individuals want to live a lifestyle that isn't Christ centered and they're putting it on the rest of us. All i can say to that is is to live it up while you can. Because you will be called to account for how you live.

In any case, i'm not happy with how things are going. People want a better society but they don't want to have to turn to God for it. We want all sorts of blessings, but we don't want to have to pay any sort of price for it.

The first place i turn for this to is to examine my own life. What do I need to change? Then, since i grew up in the church and am currently serving in it and feel that the church should be leading out in everything, i look to see what needs changed in there. Sticking out head in the sand over the problems isn't going to help anything. Just 'doing church' really only hurts the problem. It's not easy to tackle issues at times, but it is necessary.

I'm not attempting to be an alarmist in any way. More than anything, i want people to find a peace and rest in the Loving Arms of Jesus. But i also don't want to turn a blind eye to problems that are there. I've had teenagers come up to me and tell me that they're struggling w/ homosexual thoughts and feelings. i simply said "oh really? what can i do to help you get through that?"

The Church of Oprah

This sounds like Universalism through and through. Everyone doesn't get to Heaven just by being good. There is only One way in and thats through Jesus. If you empty yourself of everything and start inviting spirits in, you are asking for a demonic oppression and possession.

What you should be doing is clearing your mind and life of all sin and asking Jesus to come and 1. Heal the wounds of the past. 2. cleanse you from all unrighteousness. 3. Fill you with His Holy Spirit. That's when you will become a better person. When you start praying to God and start reading the Bible.

It really does sadden me to hear that people are actually speaking this stuff. Some may think that I like to write these things. But I don't. We as Americans have a duty. We have a duty to show the world that, in Jesus, we can make this place better. You may wonder why the world hates Christianity. One of the reasons is is that they associate Christianity with Hollywood. They think that that's what all American Christians are like. Someone once asked me why i think guys like bin Laden and his folks hate us. Probably one reason is is because again, they're putting Christianity with Hollywood.

Folks, we're in a spiritual battle here. Plain and simple. I've been to other nations. I've been to Haiti and seen what a country consecrated to the devil looks like. I've been to the Philippines and seen what it looks like to worship everything under the sun. Being a 'good person' just won't cut it. You have to turn from your sinful lifestyle.

Why does God let bad things happen? Because He loves us enough to let us make our own choices. God isn't a dictator.

Listen, i'm not going to say something like stop watching these daytime shows... you take that up with God. You allow Him to speak to your heart. The tv is just a tool. Just throwing a bunch of rules and regulations at you isn't going to change much. I would rather you say 'I don't want to' versus 'I'm not supposed/allowed to.'

I Salute You....

Got this in an email and i decided it's worth putting in here. Have you saluted and thanked a veteran lately? To the men and women in our Armed Forces, i salute you and thank you for your time and courage to defend my freedom. My hat is off to you... i once heard it said that there is no such thing as an atheist in a foxhole. May the Lord bless you and may you feel the presence of God and His heart towards you.

Lord, grant our leaders wisdom and understanding as they make decisions, especially during this time.