Tony Robinson

The Barbarian Way

2008-08-06T22:24:00.002-05:00

I have started a new book called "The Barbarian Way" by Erwin McManus... I got the audio version of this from itunes and am enjoying listening to instead of reading this book...Im a few chapters in and here are some thoughts I have so far...If you've read it please leave your thoughts...Peace

- People who are fully alive look out of their minds to those who simply exist.
- The more your identity is rooted in God’s value for you, the less you are controlled and limited by what others think of you.
- Barbarians move with God wherever He chooses to go. The civilized Christian has a routine; the barbarian disciple has a
mission.
- Civilized Christians love tradition. The barbarian spirit loves challenges
- The civilized are satisfied with ritual, Barbarians live and thrive in the mystical.
- For civilized people, religion provides stability and certainty; for the barbarian, a life in God is one of risk and mystery.
- If you are a follower of Christ and you have allowed yourself to be domesticated, you have lost the power of who you are and who God intends for you to be.
- Many have grown up in church and have been effectively Christianized but have never genuinely met Christ.
- To be filled with the Spirit of God is to be filled with dreams and visions that are too compelling to ignore.
- What we fear is what we’re subject to; our fears define our master

Driscoll has me cloudy!

2008-08-02T20:43:00.000-05:00

I came across this quote from Mark Driscoll today.. He is the pastor of Mars Hill in Seattle.. The below quote has me a little confused..I mean while I totally agree with it, I also believe there has to be a balance of outreach and in house evangelism ...Even Jesus went to where his disciples were and they followed. Feel free to share your thoughts.

"As long as Christians fail to repent of self-righteousness, we will continue to speak of evangelism in terms such as outreach, which implies we will not embrace lost people but will keep them at least an arm's length away." "... the transformed lives of people in the church are both the greatest argument for, and the greatest explanation of, the gospel. Therefore, it welcomes non-Christians into the church, not so much through evangelistic programs as through informal relationships like Jesus developed with his first disciples ... (this evangelism) considers it vital that lost people be brought close enough to witness the natural and practical outworking of the gospel in people's lives."

- Mark Driscoll

Let's Go Fishing

2008-07-17T18:35:00.000-05:00

In preparation to starting the launch of a2 in a few weeks, I have recently been thinking a lot about "The Game Plan" to reach the lost...To reach the hurting and lost in Bham...We are fishers of men!

Fishing as a kid, we always had to GO OUT and find the fish...Get to where they hang out like under logs, or in coves away from the main lake. You didnt have all the fancy attraction baits, fish scanners, etc... You just went to where they were, presented a simple worm or minnow and usually you hooked one.

Fish are like anything else in that they change with their enviroment(culture). They aren't in the places you are used to looking, (sitting in church waiting to be caught). They have moved into other places like next door, the workplace, etc....The problem is that we stay in the same place fishing and when we don't catch anything, we use gadgets(events) and bait enhancing spray(bounce houses) to help us draw the fish out of their enviroment to one they are not accustomed to.

There is nothing wrong with events to draw people or to enhance fellowship and discipleship. But I'm talking evangelism! Don't you think we should GO and find them where THEY are?

I was reading an excerpt from Brennan Mannings book "The Signature of Jesus" and he made a statement that kicked my tail when it comes to evangelism and the things that should attract the unbeliever..Let me know what you think!

Brennan Manning

" If indeed we lived a life in imitation of Jesus, our witness would be irresistible! If we dared to live beyond our self-concern; if we refused to shrink from being vulnerable; if we took nothing but a compassionate attitude toward the world; if we were a counter- culture to our nations lunatic lust for pride of place, power, and possessions; if we preferred to be faithful rather than successful, the walls of indifference to Jesus Christ would crumble.

A handful of us could be ignored by society; but hundreds, thousands, and millions of such servants would overwhelm the world. Christians filled with the authenticity, commitment, and generosity of Jesus would be the most spectacular sign in the histroy of the human race. The Call of Jesus is revolutionary! If we implemented it, we would change the world in a few months."

Finding the Funny in all things!

2008-07-10T16:33:00.000-05:00

If you know me well at all, you will know that I am always trying to find things to add pun to. Seeing a certain billboard or hearing a song and totally thinking, WHAT WERE THEY THINKING? DO THEY REALLY WANNA GET MADE FUN OF? Well I was looking through some childrens book titles the other day and came across one that owned me, and left my kiddos screaming GROOOOSSSS! As you can see in the picture the book was called "Cooking With Pooh!" I'm sure you could get some good corn dishes going.. I hope you get a kick out of it as much as I did...Sounds Yummy!

Prodigal John Has Done It Again!

2008-07-07T14:47:00.000-05:00

Ok...Prodigal John made a post today that made me cry laughing... He always says stuff we all have thought about.. But today he was on the money.. So sit back, relax, and enjoy reading. Camp Guy with a Guitar!

Camp Guy with a Guitar!

Put it down dude. Seriously, you know who you are. I went to camp with you. I went on a lot of church retreats with you. And some how, you even ended up living on the same floor as me freshman year of college.

I get it, you own an acoustic guitar. You put stickers of bands I have never heard on the outside of your guitar case. You have an interesting guitar strap. You are moody and introspective and somehow when you combine that guitar with the three songs you know and a campfire, every girl on the planet wants to sit near you. Are you kidding me?

Back when I was in high school you knew the simple chords to Poison's song, "Every rose has it's thorn," and Bon Jovi's "Bed of Roses." But I have to believe the newer version of you has updated the material. What are you singing now, Coldplay's "Yellow" or maybe Dashboard Confessional's "Screaming Infidelities?" Maybe you are doing something by the Jonas Brothers now or Maroon 5? What, you're actually singing U2's song, "One?" You are killing me.
I know what you are doing. You have brilliantly found a way to carry around the thing you are best at. (And I use the word "best" loosely.) I am very jealous. What if painting was the thing I was best at? Would it be OK if I just started carrying around a canvas and an easel and then when girls said, "Do you know how to paint?" I could casually reply, "Oh, this thing? I guess I forgot I had it with me." Or maybe I was really good at pottery and could carry around a kiln and a wheel like in the movie Ghost. Because that's what you do. You pretend that you just happened to have the guitar with you. Like the whole thing was just accidental. I know it's not though. I know.

Your instrument isn't even in tune but that doesn't matter does it dude with the guitar? Because it's more about the image, not the music. And what really gets me is that you're going to play a song at youth Sunday this year and people are going to tell you that you should be a worship leader. Hearing that is going to make you start wearing product in your hair and rocking a white belt and when I walk to class at college you'll be sitting on the steps of our dorm with a girl that is way too pretty to talk to me singing, "How great is our God." And when she asks you, "Where did you learn to play like that?" You'll respond by saying, "I just listen to my heart." You are my archenemy dude with the guitar at camp.

I am going to steal your guitar and replace it with those big hand bells and the white gloves that handbellers (or is it just 'bellers') wear. Let's see how easy it is to get girls to go on dates to Outback Steakhouse when all you have to play is a gigantic bell.

What's Your Mission?

2008-07-06T16:00:00.000-05:00

I wanted to post a blog from a guy named Traver Dougherty, who is part of Church Multiplication Associates. Very interesting! Please feel free to comment.
===============================
Recently I attended the Sunday service of a church looking to be “missional.” Knowing my research interests, a key staff person spoke with me about a whip-bang event they’re planning, complete with free food and bounce houses for the kids. “We’re trying to reach out to the neighborhood,” she told me.

Although I didn’t mean to, I think my heart went numb. My simple question is this one: When will we come to understand that “missional” isn’t the next event, but the next breath, all that we are, used of God, led by the Spirit to usher in the Kingdom to any and all “dark” places? “You [not free food or bounce houses] are the light of the world” [Mt 5:14]. I tell you the truth, as long as we think in terms of events we’re sunk in the water.Does this mean bounce houses and hot dogs are off limits? Absolutely not. For example, my friend Scott Wilson makes use of his Big Red Bus appropriately; that is, he doesn’t see “Big Red” as a tool, but as a blessing. There’s a difference. Scott puts it this way, “We want to love people whether they ever love our God or not.” When we use tools, we manipulate. When we bless, we’re a blessing.In the end, motives will always find us out. And too often, when we “do” events, we’re looking for a “return,” thereby “objectifying” people. Instead, let’s be faithful to embody the gospel, sow the Word (often by sharing verbally), let God bring a harvest, and reap when the time is right.When it comes to missional, think nets, not hooks. Jesus said, “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of people” (Mt 4:19). Notice the imagery. Hooks are baited, attractional. Nets of relationships, however, are all-encompassing and those in the process of being “caught” are swept away in a torrent of love.
Now, with Jesus at the helm, let’s go throw our nets on the other side of the boat.

Create In Me A Clean Heart!

2008-07-04T12:23:00.001-05:00

One of my friends from TX was just talking about Keith Green and it made me go to Youtube and watch the Keith Green story..Living in Tyler TX for 8 years, I often made the 10 minute trip north of the city to Garden Valley, to see the ministry sites of YWAM, Teen Mania, and Last Days Ministries, which I believe is Mercy Ships now. People like Leonard Ravenhill, Dave Wilkerson, Dallas Holm, and Keith Green all had ministry sites there.

After watching the Keith Green story I am reminded of his rawness and incredible ministry.. I say rawness because he presented the gospel as is... No bells or whistles... No sales pitch... Just Jesus! I was inspired because of where I am in ministry...Starting a new journey is exciting but I want it to be raw...Just Jesus! So my prayer is Lord, strip away everything that is not running torwards you..Let me think in terms of eternity and not time and to realize that No Compromise sometimes means No Compensation!

I posted segment 1 of the video from YouTube...You can watch the others from this page...

Things they didn't teach you at the School of Rock!

2008-07-04T10:55:00.000-05:00

I was surfing the net today and found out some cool things about one of my favorite bands, U2. I'm sure some of the U2 crazies out there(Goins & Harris) already know this...

1. When U2 first formed, the band name was not U2 but FEEDBACK

2. I have always wondered if Bono had a real name like Sting and Marilyn Manson(Brian Warner).. Well found out his real name is Paul Hewson..Bono is Paul Hewson. So if I ever get to meet him, you know I'm gonna say "WHAT UP PAUL!"

Worship Leaders! Is this you?

2008-06-25T09:48:00.000-05:00

Ok...One of my new favorite blogs is entitled..."Stuff Christians Like" All of you need to check it out because it's soooo hillarious. Well the author, Prodigal John likes to make fun of Worship Leaders and the post I read today had me laughing so hard. Even if you arent a Worship Leader I think you will find this amusing. The following is from the post entitled "Talk Singing" Enjoy!

TALK SINGING

Then this in question is "talk singing," that beautiful collision of lyrics and speech that often comes about when a worship leader gets brave and decides to ad lib a little. It's not singing exactly, although they often try to make it melodious. It's not talking exactly, although it's not an official lyric either. It's this weird hybrid. There is a chance you have never experienced this, to which I say, "for shame good sir, for shame." If not, here are the most common uses of talk singing:

1. The surprise song
Sometimes a worship leader will kind of pretend she's not about to sing a song. As if she's having a normal conversation with you, she'll say, "Me and my husband we're talking this weekend. We were sharing a coffee to discuss some issues we're facing and we realized ... everyone needs compassion, love that's never failing, let mercy fall on me." And before you know it, you moved from hearing about weekend coffee to being a verse deep into the song "Mighty to Save."

2. The middle riddle
Different worship leaders express praise differently. Some make the worship leader face and finish the song. Some however, use any pause in a song to do a little talk singing. And when they add it to the middle of the song, they often make it in the form of a question or because I want to rhyme today, a riddle. It can look like this: "How great is our God, sing with me, how great is our God, and all will see ... Will they see it in your life this week? At work? At home? Thank you Jesus. Will they see it on the highway as you commute? Will they know how great is our God?"

3. The prayer breakdown
Did you ever ghost ride a bike when you were a kid? This is when you would just jump off while you were riding and let the bike continue for a few seconds without you until it crashed. Sometimes, just ending a song can feel like a ghost ride. You're singing along, there's lots of momentum and then it just ends. To prevent a worship song ghost ride, many worship leaders will try to help you reenter the atmosphere by slowing things down gently with a prayer. It can go like this, "My heart will choose to say, Lord blessed be your name, your name Lord, we just lift up your name. We just lift it up in song and in life, in our hearts and our home. Blessed be your name Lord. This day, this week, this forever. Amen."

I have a fear that eventually, I am going to write so many worship leader focused posts that they are going to rise up against me and throw me in a dumpster. But I'm not afraid. If they ever surround me, I'll throw a graphic t-shirt, with a design that kind of looks like a tattoo, on the ground. While they fight over that, I will flee. (I kid. I kid.)

Good times in ATL

2008-06-06T21:37:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite cities in the world is Atlanta. I got the opportunity to go and hang out there for 2 days this week. Why? Only to spend quality time with my family! I have a good friend named Priceline that helped us to do this rather cheap. Can we say Grand Hyatt in Buckhead for $65. Oh yea! I also talked Centilia, the front desk manager into upgrading us to an executive suite for no charge. I have an upgrade mo-jo anointing! lol..... So we were so pimpin in the hotel... We also went to the GA Aquarium for the first time..All I can say is WOW...

We capped it off with lunch at the OK Cafe... It was tasty! I sooooo shattered my diet with fried pickles! We are headed up to Pigeon Forge this week to do a little red neck vacation with my parents...lol...Activities will include.... Funnel Cakes, Turkey Legs, Go Carts, and an Old Time Photograph.lol...JUST KIDDIN... Golf and sleep!

Lord I Apologize...Bless the Pigm!ees Down in New Guinea

2008-05-31T10:59:00.000-05:00

Ok...let me go ahead and pre-apologize if this offends you.. Me and Amy bent over laughing at this and I just had to share it with my friends... You go Sister Paula..First Musical Fruits!

The Most Expensive Cell Phone in History!

2008-05-29T15:22:00.000-05:00

I'm writing this post to laugh and not complain... This situation has got me to the point of laughter! Ok...here goes!

I got Amy a new cell phone for our anniversary and in return I inherited her old one, which i liked! Well we went to Florida to visit family this past weekend and while I was in a movie, I dropped the phone and it exploded! It ceased to work! I took it to get it checked and was told there was no hope.

Well I pay an extra $5 a month on my cell phone bill for equipment protection insurance. This covers accidents and your phone being stolen. I started the process to make a claim on the phone and had to make 2 different trips to Kinkos, which was miles away from where we were staying. I had to fax them the proper documents they needed to process the claim..

When they FINALLY approved the claim, they informed me that there was a $110 deductible for my phone. WOW...I swallowed hard and payed it cause I need a phone.

When we were pulling out of Tallahassee on Tuesday I realized that I had left my ID at Kinkos after faxing a copy of it. So we turn around and head to Kinkos and as I'm getting off of the exit ramp, I pulled into the other lane and didnt see the car that I side swiped..The only thing hurt was my pride! I got a ticket from the police and went on my way. I have my new phone now and I'm gonna take it with me everywhere I go!

Phone Insurance= 15 months x $5 = $75
Deductible= $110
Gas for Kinkos trips= 4 gallons @ $3.99=$15.96
Cost for faxes and copies= $10
Traffic Citation= $126
My Collision Deductible for Yukon= $500
Rise in Insurance Premium= Im scared to guess
Total Cost for New Phone= $836.96

Phil And His New Buddy

2008-05-24T09:42:00.000-05:00

The family and I made a trip to Tallahassee Thursday to see my brother in law and his family. Most of you who read my blog know Phillip and his family so you will enjoy this. If you have read Phil's blog lately you will know that he has been talking about buying a scooter.Well I got the awesome opportunity to go with him to pick it up yesterday. The scooter store was really cool. There was nothing in there that got less than 75 miles per gallon.

Many of his friends have been joking with him about the raw power he is going to experience behind that 125cc engine. Well I will be coming home wanting to buy a scooter. They are actually cool and he can go a month without putting gas in it. Thats right! Phil's model, THE BUDDY 125 gets up to 92 miles per gallon with a 2 gallon tank on it.

Well being the nice person I am... I wanted to chronicle this historic event and bring my video camera along for the ride home.. I will say I am a very talented person to have driven while shooting video.. I came back and very quickly put a video together so you could enjoy it as much as I did...lol... So...sit back...relax...and welcome Phil and his NEW BUDDY!

Wilkerson at his best........

2008-05-16T20:24:00.000-05:00

I've always admired the work that David Wilkerson has done for Jesus... I read this story below today and wanna know your thoughts... A Christless Pentecost! Some of this was powerful...

“The following is a prophetic warning from Azusa Street 75 years ago, concerning the dangers of a Christless Pentecost!

Frank Bartleman was an eyewitness to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in 1907 at Azusa Street, Los Angeles. He has been characterized as the Reporter of the Azusa Street Revival. Nearly 75 years ago, during the outpouring, he wrote a tract warning of a Christless Pentecost. He warned:

“We may not hold a doctrine, or seek an experience, except in Christ. Many are willing to seek power in order to perform miracles, draw attention and adoration of the people to themselves, thus robbing Christ of His glory, and making a fair showing in the flesh. The greatest need would seem to be for true followers of the meek and lowly Jesus. Religious enthusiasm easily goes to seed. The human spirit so predominates the show-off, religious spirit. But we must stick to our text - Christ.

“Any work that exalts the Holy Ghost or ‘gifts’ above Jesus will finally end up in fanaticism. Whatever causes us to exalt and love Jesus is well and safe. The reverse will ruin all. The Holy Ghost is a great light, but focused on Jesus always for His revealing.

“Where the Holy Ghost is actually in control, Jesus is proclaimed the Head - the Holy Ghost, His executive.”

In another place, Brother Bartleman warned: “The temptation seems to be toward empty manifestations. This does not require any particular cross, or death to the self-life. Hence it is always popular.

“We may not put power, gifts, the Holy Ghost, or in fact anything ahead of Jesus. Any mission that exalts even the Holy Ghost above the Lord Jesus Christ is bound for the rocks of error and fanaticism.

“There seems to be a great danger of losing sight of the fact that Jesus was ‘all in all.’ The work of Calvary, the atonement, must be the center for our consideration. The Holy Ghost will never draw our attention from Christ to Himself, but rather reveal Christ in a fuller way. We are in danger of slighting Jesus - getting Him ‘lost in the temple,’ by the exaltation of the Holy Ghost and of the gifts of the Spirit. Jesus must be the center of everything.”

I do not take Brother Bartleman’s warning lightly. The danger of a Christless Pentecost is very real today. I say to you it is possible to gather Spirit-filled people in one place, praising and lifting up their hands - and still have Christ walking among them as a stranger!

It’s true He said, “Where two or three have gathered together in My name, there I am in their midst.” (Matt. 18:20 NASB) But He can be in our midst as a stranger! Ignored, unrecognized - even by those who meet in His name! The Jews gathered every Sabbath in the synagogue to speak of His name, and to prophesy of His coming. They praised the name of the Father who promised to send Him. They spoke the Messiah’s name with awe and reverence. Then, when He came and walked among them - He was not recognized! He was a stranger to them!

Christ, a stranger in the midst of a Spirit-filled congregation? A stranger in the midst of those who speak His name - who worship the Father who sent Him? A stranger to those who sing His hosannas who call Him “Lord, Lord”?

Yes! Absolutely yes! It is not only possible - it is happening among God’s chosen people today!

Let me show you three ways in which we are making Christ a stranger in our midst! May the Holy Spirit take away our spiritual blindness so we can once again see Him as He really is - LORD OF ALL!

I. We Make Christ A Stranger - By Giving The Holy Spirit Pre-Eminence Over Him!

Christ, and Christ alone, must be the center of life and worship!

“And He is the head of the body, the Church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the pre-eminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell… ” (Col. 1:18-19 KJV)

“That in all things He might have the pre-eminence… ” That is - distinguished and spoken of above all others. Having first place in all things. Not even the Holy Spirit is to be exalted above that name! The upper room must never overshadow the Cross! We dare not think of Christ as simply the one who sent the Holy Spirit. In other words, “Thank You, Jesus, for sending someone better.” Christ sent the Holy Spirit to reveal His own fullness within us.

When the Holy Spirit becomes the center of our attention, the church gets out of focus! The Holy Spirit descended upon Christ as He came out of baptismal waters, and the Father said of Him: “This is My beloved Son - in whom I am well pleased . . . ” The Spirit descended bodily like a dove, but the focus was on the Lamb of God - who taketh away the sins of the world. Not the dove, but the Lamb!

Christ told His disciples of a coming Pentecost, when the Spirit would be outpoured for a single purpose: It was to be a power given to lift up the name of Christ! “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me . . . unto the uttermost part of the earth… ” (Acts 1:8 KJV)

Jesus made it clear that when the Spirit comes He will not draw attention to Himself, but will focus on Christ’s words. He will exalt Christ.

” . . . when He, the Spirit of truth, is come . . . He shall not speak of Himself . . . He shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of Mine, and shall show it unto you. All things that the Father hath are Mine: therefore said I, that He shall take of Mine, and shall show it unto you.” (John 16:13-15 KJV)

Jesus said, “He will show you My glory, My power, My Kingdom. He will remind you of all My words.” The primary work of the Holy Spirit is not fellowship, although He does bring believers together as one in Christ. It is not ecstasy. It is not simply to teach us an unlearned tongue. The Spirit has come to exalt Christ! To guide all mankind to the truth that Christ is Lord! It is not enough to say the Spirit has brought us close to each other - He must bring us closer to Christ!

We praise a Christ to whom we will not pray! We have become a praising people, but not a praying people. For many of God’s people the prayer closet is a relic of the past. “Why ask God for what He has already promised? Just get hold of the promises and simply command deliverances!” We no longer want Christ as much as we want what He can do for us. We want an escape from pain and suffering. We want our troubles to vanish. And we are so caught up in our escape from pain, we lose the true meaning of the Cross. We refuse crosses and losses - no Gethsemane for us! No nights of agony! We don’t even know this suffering, bleeding, resurrected Christ!

We want His healing power. We want His promises of prosperity. We want His protection. We want more of this earth’s goods. We want His happiness. But we really don’t want Him alone!

The Church once confessed its sins - now it confesses its rights.

How many of us would serve Him if He offered nothing but Himself? No healing. No success. No prosperity. No worldly blessings. No miracles, signs, or wonders. What if - once again we had to take joyfully the spoiling of our goods? What if - instead of clear sailing and problem-free living, we faced shipwreck, fears within and fightings without? What if - instead of painless living, we suffered cruel mockings, stoning, bloodshed - being sawn asunder? What if - instead of our beautiful homes and cars, we had to wander about in deserts in sheepskins, hiding in dens and caves? What if - instead of prosperity, we were destitute, afflicted, and tormented? And the only better thing provided for us was Christ?

Very few of God’s people pray anymore! They are too busy working for Jesus to talk to Him! Ministers especially have become so busy doing kingdom work, they have little or no time left to pray. There is time to visit, to build, to travel, time to vacation, to attend meetings, time for recreation, reading, counseling - but no time to pray!

Preachers who do not pray become promoters. They become frustrated building contractors. When they lose touch with God, they lose touch with their people and their needs. Preachers who don’t pray have egos that spin out of control. They want their own way. They substitute sweat for unction (anointing).

Evangelists who do not pray become stars, storytellers. They lack humility, so they manipulate crowds through emotional gimmicks. The cry of many pastors is, “Oh, God, where can I find an evangelist who doesn’t care about money, or who is not promoting something? One who can bring heaven down and make Christ real! Oh, God - give me a praying man to bring my congregation to its knees! ” The shame of this generation is that we have too many talented men of God and only a few who have touched God in prayer.

There is even less praying in the congregation! I’m 100% for getting prayer back in our public schools! But that’s not God’s real problem! His problem is getting prayer back in our homes! His problem is to get His own chosen people to pray! And you are a phony if you fight for school prayer and neglect secret-closet praying yourself!

The fullness of the Spirit is the fullness of Christ. If you do not have a consuming love for Christ, you do not have a Holy Ghost baptism! Christ, the baptizer, sent the Holy Spirit to fire our souls over lost humanity, to get us out into the highways and hedges to reach the unsaved. To shake up our lazy lifestyles and get us to doing His work. The blessed Holy Spirit will be grieved, and finally withdraw, the moment men try to exalt Him above the Son of God! He will not permit His power to be abused by those who want only the gift and not Christ, the Giver!

What is a true Holy Ghost meeting? Is it where people all speak with tongues? Or where people are healed? Where saints jump for joy? Where saints are prophesying? More - much more than that! It is where Christ is being exalted, where His holiness pierces the soul, where men and women fall before His holy throne, broken, humbled crying, “Holy, Holy.” The moving of the Holy Spirit is a moving closer to Christ, deeper in Christ, with a greater submission to His Lordship!

II. Christ Is Made A Stranger When People Praise Him, But Will Not Pray To Him!

Do we pray? Oh, yes! When we need something. We have the formula down pat - “in the name of Jesus.” All we need Him for is to countersign our petition checks before the Father.

I am weary of hearing people say, “This is such a busy age - l have no time to pray. I’d like to, but I don’t have time. ” No! It’s not lack of time; it is a lack of desire. We make time for what we really want to do. Look at our Christian young people! Wasting hours of time playing Pac-man, Galaxy War, goofing off, bored, restless, looking for some action! But no time to pray! No time for Jesus! Oh, God! Somehow! Some way! Get this generation on its knees. Not just the Lord’s Prayer, but a daily communion with Christ.

Our Savior, who has the care and concern for multiplied universes, has the time to pray just for you! He takes the time to intercede for you before the throne of God (Heb. 7:25), and you say you do not have time to pray to Him!

We work feverishly for a Christ we ignore. We will go anywhere, do anything, in His name. But we will not pray. We will sing in a choir. We will visit the sick and the prisoners. But we will not pray. We will counsel the hurt and needy; we will stay up all night to comfort a friend, but we will not pray. We will fight corruption! We will crusade for morality! We will stand up against nuclear weapons! But we will not pray!

Most of all, we don’t pray because we really don’t believe it works. Prayer is a bloody battleground! It is where victories are won! A place to die to self! A place where a holy God exposes secret sin! No wonder Satan tries to hinder prayer! A praying man sends a shudder through hell. That man or woman is marked because Satan knows prayer is the power that crushes his kingdom. Satan is not afraid of power-hungry saints, but he trembles at the sound of a praying saint!

III. Christ Is Made A Stranger In Our Midst When We Want His Power More Than His Purity!

Reader Harris, an Englishman and director of The Pentecostal League of Prayer, once challenged a congregation on this matter of power and purity. He said, “Those who want power, line up to my right. Those who want purity, line up to my left.” The congregation lined up 10 to 1 - for POWER!

In the book of Acts, Pentecost was synonymous with purity more than power. Peter told the council at Jerusalem what God did at the house of Cornelius, “God…giving them the Holy Ghost, even as He did unto us…purifying their hearts by faith… ” (Acts 15:8-9 KJV)

Who is the man or woman of God who has power? Is it the one who can heal the sick and raise the dead? Is it the one who can best talk in tongues and prophesy? Is it the one who draws the most people and builds the greatest church? No! The one with the power - is the one with the purity! “… the righteous are bold as a lion.. ” (Proverbs 28:1 KJV)

The prophet Malachi prophesied of a supernatural purge coming to God’s house.

” . . . the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple. .. but who may abide the day of His coming? And who shall stand when He appeareth? For He is like a refiner’s fire, and like fuller’s soap. And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and He shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.” (Malachi 3:1-3 KJV)

This is a dual prophecy. He speaks of Christ’s first coming, and also of His second! He will come again suddenly, as a thief in the night. But first, He will purify His Church.

We are not ready for the coming of Christ! Is this the Church triumphant? Covetous. divorcing, depressed, worldly-minded, grasping for materialism and success, competitive, lukewarm, adulterous, rich and increased with goods, unaware of spiritual blindness and poverty, pleasure-loving, recreation-minded, consumed with sports, politics, and power - is this the Church Jesus is coming for? Simply coping, filled with fear and anxiety, satisfied only to have good health and happiness?

My Bible says He is coming back for an overcoming Church! A Church without spot or wrinkle! A people whose affections are on things above! A people with clean hands and pure hearts. A people who are looking for His coming! A people with a “new Jerusalem state of mind.”

The question is no longer, “What can my faith get me? What miracle will He perform for me?” The question now is - “How shall I stand before Him? How shall I make it at the Judgment?” ” . . . who shall stand when He appeareth?” (Malachi 3:2 KJV)

The question is no longer, “How do I feel - how do I get happiness? How do I get the desire of my heart?” The question is - “Can I withstand that moment when I stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ? How can I withstand when I’ve lived so carelessly, so selfishly, so neglectful of His great salvation?” The central issue now has nothing to do with this world at all. At issue is - “HAVE I NEGLECTED CHRIST IN THIS MIDNIGHT HOUR?”

The purge is going to begin in the pulpit! ” . . . He shall purify the sons of Levi… ” (Malachi 3:3 KJV) God is going to accomplish that by “turning up the heat.” God is going to make things so hot, so fiery, so intense, God’s men will be driven to their knees! This is the fire of the Holy Ghost! It is the fire of persecution. It is the fire of tribulation. The fire of unbelievable hardships, ridicule, gossip, financial problems. He is going to shake everything that can be shaken! He is going to shake, and scrub, and burn, and purge - and purify!

No man or woman of God will escape the purging! God is determined to get all the dross and filth out of us. The purge will spread from the pulpit to the pew! Get ready, saints! God is getting ready to expose all sin, all adultery, all foolishness! The Holy Ghost is going to reprove us of sin. How can you play games when God puts you in His crucible and turns up the fire? Your Holy Ghost baptism is going to have some fire put to it now!

Malachi said - “…the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven: and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up…” (Malachi 4:1 KJV)

God also promises to bring down the strongholds of the enemy! He is going to once and for all let the devil and the world know who has the power!

If God is about to do all that the prophets predicted He would - WHAT A GLORIOUS FUTURE JUST AHEAD!

* A purged, purified ministry!
* A Church that God is calling back to repentance and holiness.
* A people washed, cleansed - offering praises in true righteousness.
* A revival among our young people! Drug strongholds coming down! Alcohol and divorce no longer prevalent among God’s people.
* The sound of prayer - intercession!
* A people of God who will discern between the holy and the unholy!
* Everywhere, God’s people turning again to the Word.
* A tested, tried people, once again devoted to the Person of Jesus Christ!
* His Person being lifted up to draw all men to Him!
* Christ no longer the stranger in our midst, but CROWNED - PRE-EMINENT!
* A Pentecost that truly exalts the name and power of Jesus Christ, the Lord of all.

By David Wilkerson

Belly! Beeeeeee Gooone In Jesus Name!

2008-05-12T09:15:00.000-05:00

How odd that when I said this, my belly responded in a low growling voice..." I will for a Reese Cup!"

I have been disgusted with the weight I have put on in the past year since moving to Alabama... Too much Dreamland and Kevin Kelley specials at the Diplomat.Or maybe it was when I scraped my knee the other day and instead of blood, I saw gravy! Anyways, I have always been somewhat in shape and not obese.....Well that has changed in the past 15 months..I knew it was time to do something the other day when Michael Bloomberg called and asked if I would be interested in moving to New York for the summer to shade Central Park... lol...

For real, I was sitting on the couch the other day and surfing through the channels when I saw the 700 club on... On the show was the editor and chief for "Prevention" magazine. She was talking about the new Flat Belly Diet. It gained my interest because I knew I had to do something now. I watched and was like,,,, Ok Lord... Give me a confirmation. I turned the channel to Good Morning America and there was the same lady talking about the diet.

So I went online and signed up immediately.. I have been on it for 5 days and have lost 5 lbs already. I feel great as well....It amazes me how much better you feel when you put the right things in your body.

I want to log this journey! I want to be the Jared of the church....mmmmmmm...yeeeessssss brother! I want my BMI to be double digits again. I want this belly to be GONE! Check it out for yourself if you are struggling against the belly demon! www.flatbellydiet.com

Clapton Loves Jesus

2008-04-14T20:21:00.001-05:00

I was so inspired by this article I read in Christianity Today. I know this will be a great read for all Clapton fans! Read the article below and let me know your thoughts! I also found his song "The Presence of the Lord"...This song was made popular on the 1969 Blind Faith tour. Listen to it if you get a chance....It made my soul smile...

Eric Clapton, In the Presence of the Lord

If testimony and evidence mean anything, Eric Clapton is in a good place. In February, he earned his 19th Grammy (for The Road to Escondido) and reunited with Blind Faith bandmate Steve Winwood for three widely acclaimed concerts at Madison Square Garden. The North Korean government invited Clapton to become the first rock musician to play the last bastion of true Communism; he has yet to decide whether to accept the invitation. In 2007, Clapton completed a 133-date world tour, hosted the second Crossroads Guitar Festival to raise money for his substance abuse center in Antigua, and hit The New York Times bestseller list with Clapton: The Autobiography. He's been happily married to Melia McEnery Clapton for six years, and they have three little girls who think the world of their daddy, without a thought for his troubled past.

This all seems pretty sedate for the man whose work with a Gibson Les Paul led counterculture enthusiasts to declare on subway walls that "Clapton is God," the man "adopted" by Muddy Waters and commissioned to carry on the legacy of the blues. But his road has seldom been smooth. From the age of 9 when he learned that he was born out of wedlock to his "auntie" and an unknown Canadian soldier, he struggled to find a safe place. Feelings of isolation and insecurity haunted him throughout life, drawing him to the gritty alienation of the blues. But there is a spiritual side of Clapton that was scarcely known. It almost always influenced what he thought and did, and the kind of music he wrote and played.

Clapton never set himself up as a model of Christian faith, and admits as much. He grew up in rural Surrey attending a local congregation of the Church of England, and in his autobiography, wrote that he "grew up with a strong curiosity about spiritual matters, but my searching took me away from church and community worship to the internal journey." The foundation of his minimalist faith is reflected in the favorite hymn of his youth, "Jesus Bids Us Shine":

Jesus bids us shine with a clear, pure light,
Like a little candle burning in the night;
In this world of darkness, we must shine,
You in your small corner, and I in mine.

That implicit recognition that we serve God individually — in our own "small corner" — made sense in a working-class neighborhood where Clapton found little spiritual encouragement.

By 1969 he was drawn to the genuine warmth of Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett, who opened for Blind Faith on their 1969 tour. Delaney's "persona of a Southern Baptist preacher, delivering a fire and brimstone message … could have been off-putting," observed Clapton, "if it wasn't for the fact that when he sang, he was … absolutely inspiring." One night, Bramlett challenged Clapton to start singing: "God has given you this gift, and if you don't use it he will take it away." Clapton, always unsure of himself, followed his advice.

Just days later, two Christians came to Clapton's dressing room after a show, probably drawn by the performance of "Presence of the Lord," the showstopper on the Blind Faith tour. To young believers, the song seemed like a tentative response to 1 Samuel 6:20 — "Who can stand in the presence of the Lord, this Holy God?":

I have finally found a place to live
Just like I never could before
And I know I don't have much to give
But soon I'll open any door.
Everybody knows the secret,
Everybody knows the score.
I have finally found a place to live
In the presence of the Lord.

As Clapton's legend grew, so too did his destructive behaviors. Within a year of his conversion he became addicted to heroin, kicked it, but moved on to alcohol, sexual promiscuity, and a string of failed relationships. "Bad choices were my specialty," he said. In 1987 he hit the bottom. Failing through a month of rehab, he fell to his knees and finally "surrendered" to God, dedicating his sobriety to his newborn son, Conor. Four years later, when Conor died in a fall from the window of a 53rd floor of a Park Avenue apartment, Clapton admitted, "There was a moment when I did lose faith." Still, he found the strength to present a session to his Alcoholics Anonymous meeting on "handing your will over to the care of God." Afterward, a woman confessed that he had taken away her "last excuse" for drinking, a confirmation to Clapton that "staying sober and helping others to achieve sobriety" is "the single most important proposition" in his life.

In his autobiography, Clapton elaborates on the beginnings of his prayer life — that 1987 rock-bottom moment at the rehab treatment center.

"I was in complete despair," Clapton wrote. "In the privacy of my room, I begged for help. I had no notion who I thought I was talking to, I just knew that I had come to the end of my tether … and, getting down on my knees, I surrendered. Within a few days I realized that … I had found a place to turn to, a place I'd always known was there but never really wanted, or needed, to believe in. From that day until this, I have never failed to pray in the morning, on my knees, asking for help, and at night, to express gratitude for my life and, most of all, for my sobriety. I choose to kneel because I feel I need to humble myself when I pray, and with my ego, this is the most I can do. If you are asking why I do all this, I will tell you … because it works, as simple as that."

John Powell is associate professor of history at Oklahoma Baptist University.

My Stomach Hurts!

2008-04-07T14:32:00.000-05:00

Ok, if you are like me you watched this video and got a good chuckle..But as I watched it a second time, I began to feel uneasy and here is why.

My first question is...Was God within 50 miles of that? I would say no!The spotlight wasn't on God whatsoever but on the 2 gentlemen involved. Imagine you invited a friend to that service you had been praying for many years to get saved... Finally, you get them to come with you and the highlight of the service is two preachers having a conversation in tongues with one another..Do you think that your friend would be drawn to a relationship with Christ through that? I think he or she may leave thinking....."WOW"...I dont wanna sign up for this."

Now I truly believe in the gifts of the Spirit...Tongues being one...Another being wisdom...Another is interpretation... Did I miss the gift of "Conversations in Tongues?"I feel like wisdom shoulda kicked in and these guys would have realized that this would not do anything for the body. Where was the interpretation? I dunno... Just watch it and decide for yourself.

Still Purdy at 30

2008-04-04T09:29:00.000-05:00

Well today my incredible wife woke up being 30 years old. She got chicken minis in bed, the girls crawling in the bed telling her Happy Birthday, and an Edgars Strawberry cake along with some of our best friends will be waiting on her at her favorite restaurant for lunch.. This would make for a pretty good Bday... Only one thing has put a frown on her face today. 30...30...30....I remember that day oh so many years ago..The day I turned 30 when everyone..(including Amy) made fun of my oldness...To lose the vibrancy of the 20s....It was depressing..Lol...I got through it..So as I began to reflect this morning about the woman I met when she was 18. Smiles just began to come.. She is still as beautiful today as then... She has grown into such a wonderful mother.. Yes we do have 3 amazingly beautiful kids. She takes care of us so wonderfully... She has unconditional love for me that is priceless... She genuinely cares for people and never meets a stranger... She is my biggest supporter and my best critic...We are reaching 10 years in this journey and I am excited that I can look forward to 40...50...60...70...Rapture..lol, with her. Happy Bday Babe!

We are God's Best Tools

2008-04-04T09:06:00.000-05:00

In a book I've recently picked up, The Master Plan of Evangelism, Robert Coleman, comments, "When His (Jesus') plan is reflected upon, the basic philosophy is so different from that of the modern church that its implications are nothing less than revolutionary...His concern was not with programs to reach the multitudes but with men whom the multitudes would follow...Men were to be His method of winning the world to God. The initial objective of Jesus' plan was to enlist men who could bear witness to His life and carry on His work after He returned to the Father."

If the church leader is to be like Christ, not only in character but also in ministry methodology, he must prioritize the investing of his life in the lives of those people who will bear the maximum responsibility for the future ministry of the church. One of the best models for developing a philosophy of leadership development is the example of Jesus Christ in the training of the twelve disciples. (The category titles below are taken from Coleman's book.)

Selection (People were His Method)

Just as Jesus took very seriously the selection of those he trained, so must the church planter. He must look for those who are faithful, available and teachable. He must seek to find those who have a genuine heart to grow in Jesus Christ. When challenging such leaders to start a training process, the church planter should not hesitate to follow the example of Jesus by making clear the cost of discipleship and setting high the leadership group commitment.

Association (He Stayed with Them)

Since Jesus became intimately involved in the lives of His disciples, so should the church planter be in the lives of those leaders he is seeking to develop. The church planter must learn to schedule time with his leaders apart from normal church functions. He should schedule periodic lunches, times to share a meal together, leadership retreats, etc. The church planter should seek to visit each leader's place of employment. He must learn how to ask questions about each leader's work, goals, aspirations and greatest temptations. He must learn the fine art of sincere, empathetic listening.

Consecration (He Required Obedience)

Jesus sought to create in His disciples a lifestyle of consecrated obedience. One of the most important ways for the church planter to see such a lifestyle developed in his leaders is to pray for them and with them. The more the church planter associates with the leaders, the more he will learn of their deepest needs. Setting aside regular times to pray for the emerging leaders is a vital and necessary part of leadership development.

Impartation (He Gave Himself Away)

In developing His disciples, Jesus gave himself to them by imparting to them spiritual truth about life. Likewise the church planter must seek to ground his leaders in all the basics spiritual disciplines of the Christian life, such as Bible reading and contemplative prayer; regular times for personal, family and corporate worship; the discovery and development of their spiritual gifts within the church, etc.

Demonstration (He Showed Them How to Live)

One reason Jesus had such a lasting impact on His disciples is that like no other man, He practiced what He preached! The church planter's personal walk with God is probably one of the most important factors in developing godly leaders. There is no message quite as clear and powerful as that of seeing first-hand the realities of Jesus Christ being demonstrated in the life of their pastor.

Delegation (He Assigned Them Work)

Jesus developed His leadership team by delegating major ministry responsibilities to them. In following Christ's example, the church planter must never forget the power of involvement in ministry. An ancient Chinese proverb says, "Tell me- I forget, show me- I remember, involve me- I understand." Each leader must be given at least one major area of responsibility. These delegated ministry responsibilities can play a vital part in the spiritual development of the emerging leaders.

Supervision (He Kept Check on Them)

Jesus made a point to get with His disciples following their ministry tours in order to hear their reports and instruct them in light of their experience. From this model the church planter should be reminded of the importance of proper supervision and follow up on ministry assignments. Without proper supervision, the job will often times just not get done. The church planter must learn not only to delegate the ministry task but then to supervise the process until the task is completed. When a delegated job is not carried out it is usually more of a reflection on the church planter's lack of supervision than the faithfulness of the man to whom the job was given.

Reproduction (He Expected Them to Reproduce)

Jesus imparted vision to His disciples. He made them feel as if they were part of something much larger than themselves. He fully expected them to reproduce their lives in others and thereby play a major role in making disciples of all nations. The church planter should learn from this example the importance of motivating leaders with a vision of investing their lives in the lives of others in order to have a lasting impact for Christ upon our world.

I Have Found My Retirement

2008-03-30T09:31:00.001-05:00

Ok....read this article and if you want the stock info on this company let me know! Wooohooooooooooo. And to think this was discovered in Tifton GA!

Researcher: Discovery could end energy crisis

By Jana Cone/reporter

TIFTON —
A Tifton agricultural researcher says he has found the solution to the world’s energy crisis through genetic modification and cloning of bacterial organisms that can convert bio-mass into hydrocarbons on a grand scale. The local researcher believes his groundbreaking discovery could result in the production of 500 to 1,000 barrels of hydrocarbon fuel per day from the initial production facility. The hydrocarbon fuel — commonly known as oil or fossil fuel when drilled — will require no modification to automobiles, oil pipelines or refineries as they exist today and could forever end the United States’ dependence on foreign oil, he said.

J.C. Bell, who brought the world powdered peanut butter, has spent the last four years, identifying the bacteria that produces hydrocarbon and then finding a way to genetically alter it so that it could produce hydrocarbon in greater volume.

Bell cited a USDA study that projected it was possible to produce two billion tons of bio-mass that could be converted to hydrocarbon with some modification to agriculture and forestry practices.

Pamela Serino, Chief of the Department of Defense Energy Support Center at Fort Belvoir, Va., said she was very excited about Bell’s technology. “The DOD Energy Support Center is the energy purchasing arm of the defense logistics agency,” Serino said. She said she became acquainted with Bell when he met with a senator about his hydrocarbon research. “We give support to the Hill,” she said. “When he was briefing the senator, we were there to see if his technology was viable.” Serino said her job was to question the science behind the technology. “It looks good to me,” she said.

Serino said she envisions a near future where “we have multiple regional energy sources.” She said the growth in China and India makes the work in bio-energy more critical.

Now that his discoveries have been patented, his corporation formed — Bell Bio-Energy, Inc. — and his government communications established, Bell announced his discoveries to the local press on Friday morning.

“I have received a tremendous amount of support from the state and federal government,” Bell said. “I could not have gotten this far without the help of (U.S. Sen.) Saxby Chambliss, (U.S. Sen.) Johnny Isakson, (Rep.) Jim Marshall, (Rep.) Jack Kingston and Floyd Gabler, the deputy undersecretary of the USDA.” He said, “They have opened doors for me at the Department of Defense and the EPA and EPD.”

Bell said he never considered ethanol for his research. “He who burns his food goes hungry,” Bell said. “That’s an old Chinese proverb.” Instead he concentrated on bio-mass and hydrocarbons. “If it grows it’s bio-mass,” Bell said. Bio-mass is any living or recently dead biological material. Hydrocarbon is an organic compound consisting entirely of hydrogen and carbon. Decomposed organic matter provides an abundance of carbon and hydrogen and is naturally occurring in crude oil.

Sources for bio-mass to be converted to hydrocarbon fuel are the forestry industry, pulp plants, agriculture and waste derived from the construction and demolition industry.

“This is the ultimate recycling,” Bell said. “Environmentalists should rejoice. We are only using waste products.” Bell said his company would take all of the waste of the plants: The tree limbs and tree tops, husks and cob of the corn, wheat stubble and corn stover.

Bell said that with ethanol, “The United Stated would have to totally rebuild our infrastructure.” He said, “We wanted to make hydrocarbon that could immediately be pumped.”

Bell said the original idea came from observing cows expel gas. “That is natural gas,” Bell said. “Cows release methane gas.” He said the gas is created by bacteria in the cow’s rumen or stomach. “These bacterial organisms are responsible for biological conversion of bio-mass into hydrocarbons,” he said.

With his research complete, Bell is in the process of building his pilot plants and production facilities. At the pilot plants, the bio-mass will be tested to select bacterial strains, bacterial genetic modification will be tested, revision of production protocols will be established, and a determination will be made of the best method of bio-mass conversion.

“We are exploring several locations for our pilot plants and production facilities,” Bell said. “We have the opportunity to put our plants in several locations.”

He estimated the budget for the research facility to be at $60 million annually and the production facilities at $250 to $300 million a year. He anticipates being in full scale production by October 1, 2009.

Wherever this is located, the community will reap tremendous economic benefit,” he said.

Bell cites a number of benefits of bio-mass conversion: The energy shortage issue can be effectively addressed, it is a totally renewable energy source, it calms global warming fears, utilizes industrial waste and supports the agriculture industry.

“We can reduce the waste stream by 70 percent,” he said.

jiào bìng Yē sū (chinese translation of Church and Jesus)

2008-03-03T17:13:00.000-06:00

This will be a fun exercise if I get some participation here.

One time I heard a story about a youth group in TX that I want to tell you about. There were many non-church kids that began coming to the youth group (much to the dismay of more conservative parents). Several times during both the singing and the sermon there were puzzled looks on the faces of these kids. They didn't understand what was being said. It was like they were being spoken to in chinese.

This story made me think about all the "churchese" that we were speaking and I began to understand why evangelizing my generation is so difficult. It got me thinking, does our generation even understand church language? How much insider language do we Christians use?

The picture above is the Rosetta Stone which was the key to deciphering Ancient Egyptian culture. It contains laguage in hieroglyphics, the written langauge of Egypt and greek. Because it contained all three they were able to decipher the unknown language through the known language. Maybe we need a Rosetta Stone for people who didn't grow up in church.

So here's the fun part: think of a really churchy sounding phrase and add it in the comments. I'll get things started with some examples. As you write your phrases, begin to think about how non-churched people have NO idea what we are talking about.

Churcheese Phrases:

'Grab hold of the horns of the altar.'
'Apply the blood of Jesus.'
'Use your prayer language.'

My Popeye Moment

2008-02-26T20:17:00.000-06:00

Ok ok.... Let me preface this entry with the disclaimer that by NO means is there any pun intended by saying Popeye! I know I have one eye! I have come to grips with it! Enough said! lol...

Anyways, we all know the soft spoken Popeye! He is a great guy who just minds his own business and takes care of his woman Olive Oil. I think they were Christians too... She wanted to say at her wedding she was Extra Virgin Olive Oil...(I had to go there..sorry)

Well you know the story. Whenever Bluto would mess with Olive Oil, Popeye would crush a can of spinach into his mouth and whoop tail, always leaving Bluto bruised and saying NO MAS!

Moses had his Popeye moment in Exodus Chapter 2 when he was out watching his people(the Jews) being beaten and treated so badly in the name the Egyptian empire. He came to the point when he determined he wasn't gonna take it anymore and wanted to do something about it. It's like the Jewish people where his Olive Oil and he had seen her messed with enough. And so the story goes that he led them out of captivity.

I had a Popeye moment today. My wife is certainly my Olive Oil! But in this instance, my Olive Oil was my dreams and passions for ministry. They have been messed with and I had to pull out the ole spinach can today and do something about it. It was a boldness I have not felt in a long time that was fueled by the Holy Spirit.

Let me encourage you that when the Bluto's of this life mess with your Olive Oils(your passions for family, ministry, etc.)and stick their ugly head into your life, don't be afraid to open up that can of Whoop Tail...

Peace!

Learning To Fly

2008-02-23T21:37:00.000-06:00

Well I am finally here... The world of blogging.. Just one letter away from a style of folk dancing with really funny shoes made out of petrified wood. I am reading a book that is messing me up. Im sure many of you have heard of the Ragamuffin Gospel. I had heard about it several years ago but never picked it up until last week. As I read, I thought about the process I went through a few years ago to obtain my Pilots License.

I had trained and trained for several months making many mistakes along the way. But the day came when it was time for the big CHECK RIDE with a FAA inspector. These guys are no joke. They are all ex-military pilots who thrive from seeing you sweat on exam day.

Well we lifted off from the runway with me in the driver seat. I turned west heading towards Dallas TX. I was 10 minutes or so into my flight when he asked me to perform a maneuver that I didn't do to well. (See Below)

LOL....Just kidding! I did a little better than that. Anyways, I finished the rest of the exam and flew all the way back to the airport just knowing that I had flunked and wouldn't be given my license. All I could focus on was the time and money I had blown and the disappointment I would live with.

We landed and went into the Hangar. The examiner left me for 10 minutes without saying a word and then returned and handed me my wings and said "Congratulations, you are the newest pilot in the world."

In my mind I thought, what about the time I blew it? How could you grant ME this license? This is so how I have been in my walk with God. I've been on this journey, preparing daily for the prize... To get my wings someday! But I often walk around thinking, I've blown it so many times, I can't do this!

Ragamuffin Gospel has SO changed my thinking. I am so reminded that one day when I stand at his throne, he is gonna walk to me and say..Congrats, you have earned your wings...Enter into the joy of the Lord! What a day that will be! This book has so reminded me that I am accepted into Gods kingdom BY HIS GRACE ALONE and that he loves me so much!