Views From The Cross

Foundations

2011-01-07T07:49:00.000-08:00

Dad always said he loved the smell that accompanied dirt being rearranged by the bulldozers that roamed the lots where he built his houses. I can remember him standing there at the edge of a piece of land, where the street ended and the trees began, with a far away look in his eye. This aroma triggered a creative 'saliva' that would send him on a journey to build something. I have never known another individual that had such a drive to build something. He was never happy unless he was creating/building.
While visible progress was desired, it was not the main focus. This seems a little weird to me. While working on these projects with Dad (oh yeah, I was working on them from the time I could manhandle a broom!), I liked the days when the frame was erected, and huge progress was noticeable from the street. I was bored to tears by tractors. I was bored to tears watching Mr. Max, the concrete contractor, dig beams (I think that is what he called them) in the forms for the foundation. I was ready for these guys to get out of the way so that the REAL work could begin, and we could, as they called it, "Make a showing."
Dad 'got it.' He got excited about those initial, boring afternoons. I couldn't care less about tractors, Mr. Max and his shovel, concrete trucks, or exterminators. (I liked nail guns, and similar power operated tools) Why did he enjoy this part so much? I understand now. He spent a lot of money and time during this stage of the project, because he understood the value of a good foundation. He wanted all of the other contractors' work to be the icing on the cake. He wanted it to be level and sturdy.
Dad- "Max, make sure you build those forms 'squarr' (square)."
Max- "Yes sir, Rev. They'll be squarr. Don't they need you at the church right now? Or anywhere other than here, peering over my shoulder?"
Matthew 7
²⁴Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

²⁵And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

²⁶And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

²⁷And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

The only distinction made in Scripture between the wise man and foolish man is the type of foundation that was constructed. Both built houses! No one ever accused the foolish man of failing to build a house! The success of ministries, churches, families, and organizations is not measured by how quickly buildings are constructed, but by how they endure the storm.

The foundation is the stability of the home. How's yours? The foundation is the stability of the heart. How's yours? The foundation is the stability of the emotions. How's yours? Most individuals could trace the turmoil in their lives back to a lack of order and stability.

There is nothing cool about a foundation. No one slams on their brakes while texting and driving, to pull over and stare at an 'awesome' slab of concrete! However, 50 years from now, when great grandchildren gather at this house, huddle around the kitchen table and cheat at checkers, they should thank folks like Dad and Mr. Max for slowing down and construction a proper foundation.

Psalm 127:1 Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

At the beginning of this new year, take some time to verify that God is building with you, and that you are doing life upon the right foundation.

The Lonely Dance Called Leadership

2010-07-26T22:18:00.000-07:00

Have you ever felt like you were dancing alone? You knew God had given you a vision for what 'can be', but you are the only one that can see it?

There have been times in my life/ministry when I felt like the guy in the following video.

Some people choose to be ministry managers, while others choose to be ministry leaders. There is a huge difference.

I challenge someone who is feeling like you are the only one who can hear the beat to keep dancing....

Keep dancing until others can't resist joining you....

If God has given you a vision for your future, your church, your ministry, your family, believe it, and dance like nobody's watching...

You are making a difference..

Don't Get Cocky

2010-01-25T08:13:00.000-08:00

Recently I became aware of the incredible hand of God at work again in my life. It was the undeniable favor of my Creator as He began to arrange and rearrange various circumstances and details in order to accomplish His plan for me. I love it when that happens!

Let's be honest... There are days when you do not feel this way. Yes, I am talking to you! You know there are days when you are painfully aware of your human frailties and shortcomings, and feel like God is giving you just enough rope to hang yourself. You might not hasten to admit this, but we all feel alone at some time or another.

But this was not one of those times. I had been seeing the miraculous hand of God orchestrating the events of my ministry like a master director of symphonic melodies. There I was floating along on cloud nine, feeling invincible, to say the least.

My preaching seemed to be flowing without effort. My kids were behaving. My wife seemed to swoon when I entered the room. I was happily enjoying life in the sweet spot.

Then I woke up this morning, and it seemed like I somehow had developed a hate for humanity sometime during the night. What? Where did that come from? No one had offended me, hurt my feelings, stolen from me, etc. I just seemed to be harboring a bitter dislike for humans in general.

As I drove away from the house this morning, I felt God speaking to me, "Don't get cocky, Hotshot."

I was reminded of the story in 2 Chronicles 31 where Hezekiah destroyed all of the idols and other methods of worshipping false gods of that day. He organized the priesthood again, and seemed to be doing all things right. Much spiritual progress was made in chapter 31.

However, chapter 32 begins like this, "After these things, and the establishment thereof, Sennacherib king of Assyria came, and entered into Judah, and encamped against the fenced cities, and thought to win them for himself."

What is the significance of this?

It is a simple reminder to each of us. Don't get cocky!! Many times, we fight our most difficult battles immediately after our biggest wins. There is never a time to relax your mind, spirit, emotions, or body. Just when you think you have finally made the progress you needed to make, you find yourself besieged by an opponent who desires to destroy you.

1 Peter 5:8-11: (The Message)

Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better 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.

or...

Don't Get Cocky. You still need Him.

Coming attraction:

2010-01-05T16:38:00.000-08:00

Quarterly book reviews!

I will be posting my thoughts regarding various books/authors and making recommendations for your reading lists.

There will be books of various different genres. If you have a favorite book or author, feel free to let me know!

Enough of this... I have to go read a book....

I Can't Win Like This

2010-01-05T08:21:00.000-08:00

I have always wondered why early American armies fought the way they did. I have never understood the concept of marching in a tightly formed line directly into the opposing line of the enemy, just hoping that you had them outnumbered. While I do not profess to be an expert on military strategy, I do know that, in most cases, the act of standing in the middle of a prairie, with bullets whistling by one's head, while fumbling with gunpowder, flint, and a musket does not seem to be the wisest way to fight a war. But it worked. There is no questioning that fact.

As the Frontier stretched westward, Union forces began encountering a new type of opposition. They were no longer fighting opposing armies who utilized the same strategies they did. Subsequently, it did not take long for them to realize that they were fighting a new war the old way, and the outcome was not looking promising.

All throughout the fighting careers of these intelligent, experienced commanders, they had learned to accomplish great victories while utilizing these methods. However, I can imagine the first time they were ambushed by their enemy, as warriors sprang from hidden areas, trees in various camouflaging patterns of war paint, they realized, "I can't win like this!" Never before had an enemy fought them in this manner. This Guerilla Warfare was not familiar to them.

Remember this: New frontiers and revised strategies go hand in hand.

When the commander of the brigade began dodging arrows, tomahawks and spears thrown at him from an enemy hidden by the roadside, I am sure the first though on his mind was, "I must get off this horse and change uniforms." It would be foolish of this experienced leader to wake up and put on his dress uniform and storm the battlefield.

In the frontier of propagating the Gospel, the cause is still the same. There has not been, nor can there be a change in the reason we fight. There is a frontier ahead of this generation that remains unclaimed for the cause of Christ. I am not suggesting a change in our cause, but we must realize that it might be time for a change of uniform. The methods that defeated the British armies and won freedom for the Thirteen Early American Colonies were effective in Massachusetts, but would fail miserably in Colorado, New Mexico, and Nevada.

While I am aware of the criticism this line of thinking will generate, I also realize that I am not winning this new war by doing the same old things. We have all heard the famous Albert Einstein quote, "The definition of insanity id doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." While this quote has been overused, it has not lost its truth.

Why do you think our troops in the middle east are not wearing basic "army green" uniforms? Because they will be easily spotted and endangered by their old uniform. Notice, a desert camo pattern DID NOT EXIST prior to the 1980's, but a new enemy dictated a change in uniforms. In fact, the desert camo pattern was updated again in 1999 to afford our troop the best advantage available.

I am not suggesting any changes to the flag. Just pointing out that we could use a few modifications to the uniforms and methods.

Good leaders can admit when they are losing a battle because of improper methods.

Are you facing new frontiers? Is there a new war ahead of you as you stand in the sunrise of 2010? Are you afraid to saddle up and go back out there into the fight because you know your strategy is not correct for this fight? Take some time this week and analyze your methods. You just might come to the realization, "I can't win like this."

Finding Your Way

2009-10-12T15:38:00.001-07:00

John 9
6When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,

7And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.

There is something to be said about finding one's way...

He was just a blind man...

He had no vision of the road ahead...

Never had...

Not once had he been able to look down the road and detect danger approaching...

Driving instructors tell us to look as far as we can down the road...

To anticipate change...

For it takes vision to look ahead and anticipate danger...

However, this young man had no way to forecast the upcoming dangers which lay ahead...

Yet Jesus spat upon the ground, made clay, rubbed it into the man's eyes, and told him to go wash in the pool of Siloam...

So the only way he had to get to the miracle was to go HIS WAY...

His way was not the easiest...

His way was most likely not the shortest distance between two points...

It was a wandering way...

A stumbling way...

A way which hesitated at times...

A way of uncertainty...

A way of failure...

A way of mistakes...

A way of desperation...

A way of hunger...

Not the best way...

But it was his way...

The only way he could make it was his way...

There are some who will criticize you for your methods...

Criticize your decisions...

Criticize your choices...

See, your way might not be their way, and that makes them uncomfortable...

But they are not blind and they don't know your way...

Their feet do not fit your shoes...

And they cannot decipher your way...

Do not be discouraged or distracted...

For true vision awaits just beyond your way..

If you are following the instruction of the Master, follow it to the best of your ability...

Follow the only way you know...

Of course there are Biblical absolutes which we must follow...

The command was to "go wash in the pool of Siloam"...

But no further instruction was given...

Make sure your way leads you to and through the unchanging, absolute instructions of the Word of God...

But find your way to the promised vision...

I promise it is worth the trip...

Protecting the Stuff

2009-09-09T16:53:00.000-07:00

I Samuel 30

Ziklag:

Destroyed…

Families captive…

David’s family and the families of his men are captives…

When you think all is burned, stolen, and destroyed…

You still have some stuff worth fighting for…

You might be sick…

But guard your stuff…

You might be battle weary…

But guard your stuff…

You might be wounded…

But guard your stuff…

While you are fighting for the stuff that you lost,

Make sure you protect the stuff you still have…

When you are reaching for new believers…

Hang on to what you have…

You are a hero if you successfully guard your stuff…

In reaching for your new successes…

Keep a firm grip on the stuff that got you there…

While you are enjoying the spoil of victories, remember the importance of those who guard the stuff…

Congratulations to those of you who have successfully protected the stuff…

Pastor, I can’t walk the streets and evangelize…

Then cover us with prayer…

That’s called protecting the stuff…

I can’t give like I want to…

Nobody is going to make a big deal out of my tithe or offering…

Guard your stuff…

No matter what your life looks like, you have some stuff worth protecting...

Your life is valuable...

You bring a talent/gift to the table...

Protect the most important things in your life...

Your stuff...

Take Me There

2009-05-12T08:03:00.000-07:00

During the past few days, I have been considering some things that I have been reading and hearing concerning the future of our movement. I am weary of rhetoric... Rhetoric that changes nothing.... Not a single opinion regarding these issues has changed, regardless of how much posturing, pontificating, postulating, or other forms of posting has been done... I am convinced that, where issues of outward holiness are concerened, opinions will be similar to the brotherly relationship of Isaac and Ishmael... They are brothers, but they have differing core values, and entirely different methods of expressing and executing these values/agendas... Debate will be constant... Tempers will flare... This may come as a shock to you, but I might never come around to your way of thinking on a particular issue...as dismaying as this might be.... However, this morning, my heart aches in my chest... Something inside longs to be fulfilled and satisfied...my soul is a sponge...a vacuum...a repository which, to be brutally honest, is unfortunately devoid of the element necessary for its true satisfaction in this particular area... I am not referring to us being able to reach a consensus on the forum, a middle ground where all parties can come together and sing cumbyah, a place of blissful utopia where there is no difference of opinion... Rather, today, thy cry of my heart is, "Take me away..." Take me away to a place of meaningful purpose...not a place of trivial pursuit... I need a place of renewed passion for the real... I need a place where things are settled in me... I need a place where questions are answered... Recently, I have become aware that I can justify just about any change of 'standard' of 'issue' if I think long enough... My mind will break down data to a place where everything is relative if I so desire... Guys, this is the easy way... However what I am craving this morning is another place... Take me away... To a place... A place where... James 1 is revealed and expressed: 19Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. 21Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. 22But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. 26If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. 27Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. God, take me to a place where relativism is not allowed to dilute pure religion... I will not continue this, if my religion is relegated to simple vanity, repetition, and rehearsal of tradition alone... God, help me to recognize the right of my brethren to apply that, "perfect law of liberty" without my criticism... Most importantly, help me to learn the crux of pure religion--to keep MYSELF unspotted from the world... I live in a world where sin cannot be relegated to a list of black and white rules... That would be great, but impractical... The world is changing at a rapid pace, one in which it is my responsibilty to keep myself unspotted from the world... This requires my following of the Spirit as I navigate through life and its pitfalls, and applying the principles of His word in every situation... Rules can be affected by relativism...principles remain unchanged... Take me there, God... A place where I can really find and exemplify pure religion... I am not there now... Jesus, take me there...

For guys like Victor and Mike

2009-02-26T15:59:00.000-08:00

Why did He do it?

Why did He care?

Why did He endure?

Why did He notice?

Why did He not defend Himself?

Why did He accept the humiliation?

Why did He endure the Cross?

Why did He lay down His life?

Why did He return to this same group of people who had just crucified Him as the the Holy Spirit?

Why does He continue to be ever-vigilant?

Well...

For guys like Victor and Mike...

I met Victor last week...

I could not get into the apartment complex that I originally wanted to do outreach in, so I drove down the street to the neighborhood where, according to law enforcement, 70% of the narcotics traffic in Galveston County are either sold or pass through the run-down houses that line the streets.

I got out and started placing postcards on the doors of the homes...

I was not alone...

My Father-in-law, Greg, and my six year old son Gavin were with me...

The two of them took one side of the street and I took the other side...

I had no explanation for this, but I looked across the street and told Greg to go ahead and go down another street, and I would finish the one we were on by myself...

After I finished and was headed back, I saw a man walking toward me...

I slowed my pce inorder to intersect him before I turned down the other street...

As I introduced myself, Victor's eyes began to water...

He began to share his story with me...

Two degrees in Engineering and Mechanics...

Wife divorced him...

Took the kids...

and the house...

and the cars....

and Victor is now living on the streets...

I began to tell Him about the love of God...

and tears began to flow...

from both of our eyes...

and as I asked more questions, I discovered that Victor is a backslidden Pentecostal...

Needless to say, Greg and Gavin finished the other street while I talked with Victor...

When they walked up, my little six year old Gavin witnessed his daddy with an arm around a homeless man's shoulders, tears dropping to the pavement, praying in the middle of the street...

Why did Jesus do it?

For guys like Victor...

Meet Mike...

I met him today...

As I was finishing mowing the grass (for the first time since we moved in this house a couple of weeks ago)...

My neighbor came outside to empty her trash...

I looked at her and said, "Would you like me to cut your grass?"

What?! Of course! Huh??

So she goes back inside, and I mow her grass...

While I am finishing the trimming, a car pulls up and a young man gets out with his backpack over his shoulder...

--Enter Mike--

He looks at me with a befuddled look on his face...

Two questions are running through his head...

1. Who is the potbellied guy in my front yard?

2. Why is he mowing our grass?

I nodded and said hello, and he walks inside...

After a few minutes Mike comes out and asks if I would like a glass of water...

and we start talking...

Mike is a high school junior...

Wants to go to TSU when he graduates...

for a degree in music...

says he wants to produce recordings...

rap...

"Like them rappers be doin'"

I smiled and talked music for a few minutes...

And set Mike, Desmond, and their mom's infilling with the Holy Spirit as a personal goal over the next few weeks...

See, in all of our feverish attempts to build churches and community relations, we are in danger of forgetting why we have the Holy Spirit...

Why do we have it?

For guys like Victor and Mike...

2009-02-19T12:21:00.000-08:00

Ever wonder if anyone cared??

Wonder if God exists?

Or if He was aware of your desperate circumstance?

Ok, so if God really does exist, and He is actually aware of your circumstance, the next question is obviously, "Does He care?

And if He cares, how will I even know or recognize it when it happens?"

Glad you asked!

This is where the family of The Crossing comes into the picture!

The only way Jesus Christ can show His love, compassion, and concern for you is through His body of earthly believers.

That's us!

Your new family awaits with arms outstretched at The Crossing.

We are aware that you are like the rest of us:

You have family issues...

You deal with guilt from your past mistakes...

You seem to be surrounded by 'drama'...

Your relationships do not seem to be living up to their potential...

Your finances are in turmoil...

You feel unfulfilled even when things seem to be going well...

We know. We have all been there.

But, guess what!!?? WE CARE!

We are commissioned by Jesus Christ to be His avenue of approach to your life...

The Crossing is not about 'church folks' sitting around celebrating the fact that we have it all together and criticizing those who do not.

We are creating a church with an atmosphere where hurting lives can be healed and mended by the power of the Holy Spirit.

An atmosphere of hope...

An atmosphere of change...

An atmosphere of deliverance...

An atmosphere of worship...

An atmosphere where families meet Jesus... and are never the same...

Who cares?

The Crossing cares.

Three Years Later

2009-02-08T18:27:00.000-08:00

Three years ago today I stood in a cold little building and preached my first message to the two members of The Crossing (f.k.a. Soul's Harbor Pentecostal Church)...

My first message to them was "Keep Standing Until the King Arrives."

I told them that the King was on His way...

and He was going to anoint, empower and strengthen them to do so...

The following Sunday, I preached "A Message For The City."

I told them that God was about to revolutionize their church...

They were going to see what they had not been able to see previously...

And we hit the ground running...

Clueless...

Thought we were ready to pastor...

hahahaha

Green as a gourd...

And we kept on pressing...

Trials came...

Opposition arose...

Fear gripped us...

Faith propelled us...

Favor led us...

Discouragement came knocking...

people came...

people left...

I just kinda figured that, since I was such a fantastic preacher, the community would hear about the church...

and the media would want to come and do a feature on the new guy in town...

people would flock to the place...

money would start rolling in...

Talent would begin seeking me out...

yeah...

not so much...

Other opportunities that were much more stable, secure, and prestigious were offered...

but God spoke to me and said, "Do not choose blossoms, son...choose buds"

and the great opportunity was turned down...

friends and family asked me, "Are you crazy?"

no...

just hungry....

The Sunday following this decision...

I sat in my little office and wondered two things...

1. What can I possibly say to this church today that would encourage them?

2. Will I ever catch that stupid rat that ate all of my books in this office??

so I gathered myself up and plastered on a smile....

opened the office door and walked out to begin service....

and there sat six new families on our chairs...

God is faithful....

If I could say anything to myself, my family, and my precious church three years later...

it would be...

"Keep Standing 'Till The King Arrives"

He is still coming...

still going to anoint...

still going to revolutionize our church...

still going to show us things we have yet to imagine....

The King is on His way....

Three years later...

Coolest Gift Ever...

2008-12-21T21:02:00.000-08:00

A while back little Eric(3 years old )started coming to our church...

He was immediately fascinated with my ties...

One Sunday I brought Eric a tie...

He has been wearing that tie with every outfit...

Wears it to daycare...

WEars it to church...

Wears it outside while playing...

hahahah

today, Mr. Eric comes up to me after church with a little gift bag in his hand...

I kneel down and pull out the tissue paper to reveal...

yup...

a new tie....

I look forward to exchanging ties with Mr. E for years to come...

I love Christmas!!

A Pile 'O Presents

2008-12-21T21:01:00.000-08:00

I am sitting next to a huge pile of wrapped presents...

It was probably the most fun I have had this Christmas season...

Going to Toys R Us and finding a gift for every kid in my church...awesome!!

I am filling out the last of the cards (each with a personal note from Pastor) to these kiddos...

There is a pile of Gamestop gift cards, ITunes gift cards, Barnes & Noble giftcards, Connect Four, Chutes & Ladders, Mouse Trap, Don't Break The Ice, Sorry, Trouble...

I love Christmas!!

Stupid Cow!!

2008-10-09T12:49:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was ticked off at that stupid cow...

I was mad at the cow...

The cow that trampled the young man who works for me...

Broke some of his ribs...

So, in turn, he called in sick...

This caused quite a problem yesterday in the schedule of the retail store I manage...

Stupid Cow...

I was mad at the boy...

Because his ribs were broken...

I was mad at the lady...

because she had made other plans and could not come in to cover the shift...

I was mad at the girl who had the audacity to go wedding dress shopping on her day off and not sit at home waiting for me to call her in to work...

It was Wednesday!!

I needed to be at church, but now I had to sty late at work to deal with a mess started by a Stupid Cow...

Church starts in 30 minutes, I m barely going to make it in the door in time...

And what is this????

A customer needs my attention SPECIFICALLY??

OK..

He looks me in the eye and says, "I know you are trying to get to church..."

Whoa!

How in the world did he know I was headed to church?

I slowed my frantic pace and began to listen...

Listen...

Not only to the customer, but to HIM...

"Where do you go to church, Myron?"

I turned to him, handed him a card and told him I was the pastor, and I might get fired tonight if I don't make it to Bible Study on time...

The folks at the church just can't get enough of my preaching!! haha

I boxed up his wife's boots, when the next question came, "What religion are you?"

Pentecostal...

"Really, I was raised Pentecostal!"

"Where?" I asked.

"Do you know where Diboll, Texas is? Also, there is a huge campground in Lukfin that I used to attend all the time."

Wow.

While I was preoccupied with the agitation I felt toward the Stupid Cow, God was positioning me for purpose...

If the Stupid Cow had not trampled the boy...

and the lady had not already had plans...

and the girl had not been wedding dress shopping...

I would not have had the opportunity to meet Mike and his wife...

The steps of a good man are ordered of the Lord...

Relax...

Do not buck and pull against His hand when it leads you out of your routine...

He just might be positioning you for purpose...

Ananias, don't resist the leading toward Straight Street...

God is positioning you for purpose...

Jesus sat outside the city and told his disciples to go in to the city to "a place where two ways met" and there they would find a colt tied...

Never forget...

God knows where his colts are tied...

The colt might have felt overlooked...

abandoned...

under-utilized...

frustrated...

But he was positioned for a purpose...

and...

had he pulled away from the position he was in...

he would have missed the greatest ministry opportunity that would ever come along in his lifetime...

Friend, if you get out of position now, you will not be able usher the Savior into your city...

Don't let your anger at a Stupid Cow cloud your vision of where you are being led...

Driving Under The Influence

2008-09-24T07:57:00.000-07:00

Recently I was involved in a discussion where this question was asked:

"How does a pastor reach all segments of society in his city?"

I submit that the answer is found in Driving Under the Influence...

Drive the streets of your city...

under the influence...

tears clouding your vision...

begging God to open doors to reach into your community...

and then be willing to walk through the ones He opens...

weep as you see toddlers playing outside in nothing but their diaper...

while daddy sits on the porch drinking away their grocery money...

as you see the yard service cutting the lawn of the lawyer who owns half the real estate in the area...

and beg God for an in-road...

Yup...

It's called DUI

Driving Under the Influence..

get a burden...

Stop praying for God to GIVE you a burden...

and GET a burden...

it is your choice how much you decide to carry...

and remember...

burdens not accompanied by a plan lead to the most frustrated pastors who leave after 2-3 years...

make a covenant with the land...

and stay...

A burden for the lost does not leave room for career moves...

Do I have this down to a science?

Absolutely not...

But it is the only thing that will work...

It is what will fuel your marketing efforts...

The Danger of Newfound Freedoms Part 2

2008-08-07T20:40:00.001-07:00

I might have mentioned this to one or two of you before... Recently, you might have heard of a fatal crane collapse at Lyondell/Citgo Refinery in Pasadena, TX. My father-in-law is over safety at this particular plant and watched the whole thing take place... He saw the crane begin to waver... heard the groaning of the thick steel as it teetered precariously... He was sending the call for help before the 2nd largest crane in the world crashed to the ground... He prepped all four fatalities to be transported... He sat up most of the night unable to sleep as each time his eyes closed he saw the falling crane over and over... As the investigation ensued, the reports came back that it was the crane operator's first day to run this crane... The Supervisor of the project had taken the day off... So the entire crew on the crane that day was new to that particular project... They were not new to the crne, but they were new to the project... For some reason, they could not get the counter weights fastened securely to the backside of the crane... So the order was given to tilt the crane more and more to one direction so they could fasten the clips to the crane itself... once it reached a certain angle, the crane could no longer bring itself upright... and it began... a painfully slow wavering... a giant piece of steel that had no control of its movement any longer... those on the ground could hear the creaking, but they could not stabilize it... they could see the uncertainty of its movements... They could even see the look of terror on the face of the crane operator as he realized what was happening, unbuckled his seat belt, and tried to pum to safety... all because there was a lack of counter-weight... This crane fell... lives were lost... families were shattered... because of the unbalanced movements of newfound freedom... I'm sure the crane felt great without the weights.. but there was imminent tragedy just after the abused freedom... You know the situations... You can hear the creaking as the wind begins to move that which should be strong enough to move the world... You can see the wavering of the unweighted phenom... No one questions his ability to produce... No one has any doubts about his ability to do great things... but all you can do is watch in horror as you realize with great despair that he has removed the counter weights and is feeling the false security of newfound freedoms... Those things that seem to weigh you down and seemingly impede your instant success are the very things which will keep you from toppling and crushing everything beneath you... beware the peril of newfound freedom

The Danger of Newfound Freedoms

2008-08-06T14:24:00.000-07:00

I have felt this on me heart recently. You may not need to hear this as much as I need to write it down.

I was raised in the home of an incredible man and woman of God...

Dad was a church builder of the like I have rarely seen since especially in my generation...

There were no gray areas with mom and dad...

The rules were never changed, or even bent a little for us kids...

What a fine Christian example they have been in my life...

Time passed...

I got older...

Went off to TBC...

Acted like an idiot most of the time (which has not changed much since!)

Fell in love...

Got married to a beautiful, but unfortunate girl...

Sat under another awesome pastor, Rev. Ron Macey...

For three years i listened...

observed...

cheered him on as he preached...

thought to myself, "When I pastor I will ____________"

Then it happened!

A little church asked me to come and pastor them...

And I had IT!!

IT!!

Newfound freedom was mine...

I could do whatever I wanted...

No one telling me yes or no...

and I began to explore said freedom...

I began to look into all areas of life for inspiration...

direction...

friendship...

etc...

I began to test certain boundaries...

see what the difference would be if I allowed this or that 'thing'...

It has led me to the realization...

While, as Apostolic ministers, we will never all agree on all of the 'standard' issues, there are some things that are non-negotiable...

In recent discussions with a minister friend of mine, we began exploring the subject of the "Emergent Church"

I told him, there are some new methods out there that might not be so bad in and of themselves...

But everything has its price...

I want to have a true Apostolic church in this present day...

To all of the young men out there who might read this, please be careful with your newfound freedom...

There are some things that are non negotiable!!

How long has it been since you have laid in the presence of God, unable to move, broken, unable to say anything but a sobbing "I love you Jesus" ?

Since you were in a church service where the power of God was so thick that no one could leave?

Since you saw a physical healing take place?

Since you were used in the operation of the gifts?

The church that I see emerging is a powerless one...

It is being built on absolutely no foundation...

When the current trends are no longer hip, what will it cling to?

The Apostolic message of the Cross, the New Birth, and holy living is timeless!!

While creation changes, the Creator never does...

Be careful when you are faced with newfound liberties!

Your church/ministry is an algebraic equation where for whatever is subtracted from one side, something of equal value will be subtracted from the other...

You will give up something in the Spirit for every consecration in the flesh you remove...

I have seen it...

Please be careful with newfound freedoms...

The Sound of the Church

2008-06-25T16:56:00.001-07:00

⁴⁶And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging.

⁴⁷And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.

Imagine the sounds this man heard on a daily basis…

Daily he heard the sounds of children playing in the streets…

Women talking as they made their way to the wells carrying their empty pots..

The sounds of their feet making heavier steps on the return home…

Sounds of the animals…

The donkeys pulling the load of the carts…

The lambs being hearded skittishly

All of those sounds were there today…

But then…

There was a different sound…

It was a change in the atmosphere…

It was a sound he had never heard before…

It was the sound of the followers of Jesus Christ…

The sound of the Church…

There are a lot of sounds that are heard by those in our communities…

But…

The Church should give a different sound…

A peculiar sound…

What sounds is your church making?

His knowledge that Jesus was present was solely dependant upon the sound of the Church…

Pastors, give a certain sound…

So you saints can echo that sound in the street of your cities…

The certain Sound of the Church…

Just because...

2008-04-29T20:03:00.001-07:00

Samuel was just a lad...

A miracle baby...

became a miracle lad...

We know he saw much more than little eyes should absorb while hanging around the temple...

Eli's boys were doing their thing and getting by with it...

And Sam is just doing his best to be faithful...

Soon...

After he has been tucked in bed...

A voice speaks to him...

And he runs to Eli...

Again the voice speaks...

And Eli is the destination of choice...

The third time, he says "Here I am, Lord."

Just because you are called does not mean you are ready...

Just because you are called does not mean you can discern the voice...

Just because you are called does not instantly qualify you for certain things...

One must hone their gift...

One must perfect their gift...

Paul told us...

1 Corinthians 12:31
But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

Just because you have been anointed does not mean you have learned a more excellent way...

Too many guys are making moves into certain arenas...

Just because...

Be careful of the dangers of just because...

How many times as a kid did Mom or Dad tell you not to do something, and you ask, "Why?"

Only to have them answer, "Just because."

They knew something you did not know...

Just because...

Why should I spend more time discerning the voice?

Just because...

2008-04-04T05:52:00.000-07:00

A Familiar place…

It did not take long…

Just a few moments were enough to re-kindle that old feeling…

Brought on by that familiar place…

Many a morning had been spent at this familiar place…

Early mornings…

Mornings sometimes spent with others…

Sometimes alone…

A business place…

Many a meeting had taken place there over the years…

Agreements were made…

Plans were changed…

Adjustments were made…

Nothing really notable about the place itself…

But rather the agenda covered…

Just an dimly lit prayer room at Royalwood UPC…

But when I knelt there a couple of days ago…

I remembered the meeting held and issues settled in this dimly lit meeting room...

That old familiar feeling was still there…

Because HE was still there…

He never left…

The familiar place…

Do you have a familiar place where you life can be changed and restructured through the power of prayer?

Many people have a place…

But it is not FAMILIAR…

Get a place and spend some time there…

Enough time to make it familiar…

Buds or Blossoms?

2008-03-19T15:56:00.001-07:00

The other day, it fell my lot to do some work around the church...

Easter is coming...

Need to fix up the flowerbeds and freshen them up with new colors, etc.

My day led me to Houston Garden Center...

There I began to browse through the different plants and shrubs which were available...

While examining a particularly beautiful blooming shrub, the individual who was with me made the statement...

"When choosing the proper plant for your garden, do not look at the blossoms, but rather the buds."

I was astounded at the simple wisdom of this statement...

It matters very little what is blossoming on the plant right now...

The more important thing is the potential for future blooms...

What is there right now will wither away...

But the buds indicate the life held within the plant...

When facing decisions...

and choices...

regarding the future of your life, family, and ministry...

Choose buds over blooms...

There may be a place available that looks great NOW...

But what will it look like when the current blooms are no longer present...

and there are no buds on the branch...

Choose buds...

Buds do not beautify immediately...

Buds have no smell...

Buds are almost invisible to the casual observer...

However, buds are the indication of a secure future...

Blooms look good now, but wither quickly...

Someone reading this is facing a decision regarding your future...

Choose the buds rather than the blossoms...

Captive...not slain.

2008-03-12T18:51:00.000-07:00

1 Samuel 30

¹And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire;

²And had taken the women captives, that were therein: they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away, and went on their way.

As bad as a day could get...

David's emotional forecast was bad and getting worse...

Still on the run from Saul...

And driven away from the Philistines because of his feigned madness...

He and his ragtag band of misfits made their way back home...

As they neared the city, smoke filled the horizon ahead...

Thick, black smoke that could only mean one thing...

Fear and horror gripped the men as their pace quickened...

And over the next swelling hilltop, their eyes fastened upon the scene and their worst fears were realized with a sickening feeling in like a brick in their stomachs...

Ziklag had been destroyed...

Completely...

David and his men were devastated...

They wept until there was no more power to weep...

In fact, his followers discussed stoning him...

⁸And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.

You know why God told him to overtake them and recover all?

Because the women and children...

Which they loved so dearly...

Were merely CAPTIVE...

not SLAIN...

Your life might look like the smoldering ruins of Ziklag...

The small purpose and position of Ziklag...

Lies ruined by fire and smoke...

And the things you hold so dearly have been stripped away...

The tears flowed freely at first...

But now you "have no more power to weep."

You shall pursue...

Overtake...

Recover...

All...

You will recover all...

Because your "ALL" is not slain...

Merely captive...

And...

Like David...

When you walk back in to Ziklag...

You will be returning with more than you lost...

For God has a way of repaying...

I have seen His way...

They are Captive...not Slain.

It's All Good!

2008-03-12T18:35:00.000-07:00

t’s All Good

Gen 41:34-37
34 Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years.

35 And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities.

36 And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine.

37 And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants.

I. Creation.

God is an awesome God…

He is the Creator of all things…

It was the power of His spoken Word…

Word that would later become flesh and dwell among us to atone for our sins…

This Word when it was spoken altered the natural elements…

In fact Genesis 1:1 says “…God created the heavens and the earth.”

1:2 “And the earth was without form and void.”

How could God with so much ability and power create something that was without form and void?

Did He make a mistake?

Did He underestimate cost projections?

Did his material list exceed budget, thus causing Him to cut corners?

I say NO A THOUSAND TIMES NO!

God makes no mistakes…

He does not create failures…

Your life may seem ‘without form and void,’ but you are not here by accident.

He then began to take what had already been created and chisel away at it in order to improve upon His creation.

Your life is a creation of the almighty…

If you have been filled with His Spirit and baptized in His Name, you have the authentication of the Master Designer’s signature upon the canvas of your life.

He began to make improvements upon His creation.

Is anybody here glad that God is still making improvements in your life?

You are in a dangerous place when you no longer feel the abrasive sandpaper of the Word being spoken into your life and IMPROVING you.

God, keep improving me!!

The old Sunday School song says, “He’s still working on me to make me what I ought to be. It took Him just a week to make the moon and the stars, the sun and the earth and Jupiterand Mars. HOW LOVING AND PATIENT HE MUST BE, ‘CAUSE HE’S STILL WORKING ON ME.”

God began to change things that were without form and void, take a step back to admire His work, and this was His commentary: It is Good.

My title today is: It’s All Good.

He saw the light and it was good…

He thought the dry land being separated from the seas was good…

He saw the vegetation: grass, herbs, trees…that was good too

Light was divided from darkness, and that was good…

He created the animals after their own kind and saw that it was good…

Then he made man on the sixth day…

Took a step back to get a good look…

Said to Himself (Because He had searched and found no other God to talk to) “Ii is very good!”

He had just made man…

It was still very good…

Man was His prize creation…

Made in the very image of God…

The first Adam; mirror image of the second Adam.

The most intricate of His creations he saved until last…

Was it because He needed practice?

Was it because He wanted to hone His creative skills?

Did he need to work His way up the creative ladder?

Absolutely not!

The reason that He waited until everything else was done to create man was ….

If He had created man first, God would have heard nothing but Adam informing Him of all that was still not finished.

Look at somebody and say, “It’s all good!”

It may not be finished, but things are good…

II. What’s good about that?

In our text, we peek into the lives of a nation that was on the brink of starvation…

Pharaoh had just had a dream that no one could interpret…

None of his advisors had an answer…

He looked in the universities for an interpretation…

He interviewed his sorcerers to no avail…

But there was a dirty little Hebrew man down in a dungeon…

He had been kidnapped and beaten…

He had been sold into slavery…

He had been resold…

He had been seduced…

Falsely accused…

Falsely imprisoned…

Forgotten by the cup bearer…

Now he is called upon to interpret a dream…

Pharaoh the future looks bleak…

You better enjoy the next few years, because famine is coming…

Pharaoh, an unsaved man, looks at this situation and says, “It’s All Good!”

In his eyes, and in the eyes of his servants the thing looked good.

Facing famine…

It’s all good!

Joseph now is facing his brothers…

All that terrible stuff that has happened to me, you meant it for evil, but God meant it for good…

It’s all good!

Ruth 2:22-23
22 And Naomi said unto Ruth her daughter in law, It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, that they meet thee not in any other field.

23 So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother in law.

What’s so good about that?

You have lost your husband and your sons…

You have come back home with your tail tucked between your legs…

You are living off of the charity of others…

What’s so GOOD?

She had something in her spirit that was in tune with the mind of God…

It may mot be perfect, but it is good!!

2 Chron 19:1-3
19:1 And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem.

2 And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD.

3 Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God.

Jehoshaphat, you are heading down the wrong road, but there is still good in you.

Some of you constantly allow the devil to win the battle of the mind…

He tells you that because of your shortcomings, you are useless to God…

I am here to tell you that you may not have all of your ducks in a row today, but there is good to be found in you!!

You still have the potential to become something great for God!

It’s all good!!

Neh 13:30-31
30 Thus cleansed I them from all strangers, and appointed the wards of the priests and the Levites, every one in his business;

31 And for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good.

Nehemiah understood it…

There are a lot of things that God could remember me for…

My prayer is God remember me for the good things that I have done…

I know that there may be fewer good things, but, God, block all of that other junk out and remember the GOOD.

Ps 119:71
71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.

David had been afflicted as much as any man…

He had been betrayed…

He had been abused…

Saul had tried to kill him on many occasions…

He was anointed to be king, but he fled to the caves…

He was supposed to live in mansions of royalty, but he dwelt with a band of misfits.

He knew that he deserved better, and that was what hurt so bad…

How can you say that it was GOOD that you were afflicted?

Well, it was not easy, but it was good…

It was not pleasant, but it was good…

It was painful, but it was good…

It was embarrassing, but it was good…

He knew that even though he had been anointed as a young man, he still had to pay his dues…

This is a message for all young whippersnappers who have had the anointing oil poured over your nappy head and hairless face…

You may have the oil, but you still have to earn your place!!

You don’t deserve the the PALACE until you have PAID.

You don’t deserve the THRONE until you have come THROUGH some things.
Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

As long as you love God, and you are following His purpose for your life, It’s all good!!

Your way may not be easy, but it will be good.

“All things”

Have you ever seen a mosaic piece of art?

All of those little fragments of glass…

Fragments of previous purpose…

Shards of shame and second guessing…

Somehow God, the Almighty Artist, is able to take all of those fragments, pieces, and shards and piece them together into a masterpiece that cannot be purchased with silver or gold, only blood…

Have faith today!!

Your life may not be awesome yet, but it is good.

Your family may not be great, but it is good.

Your marriage may not be perfect, but it is good.

Notice that God did not look at creation and say it is “finished”…

He said it is GOOD…

Ps 37:23
3 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

You may not be a great man, but you are good…

Because you are good, your steps will be ordered by God.

Ordered steps are easier to take…

Ordered steps have direction…

Your church may not be perfect, but it is good…

My home is not awesome, but it is GOOD!!!!!

It’s All Good!!

Finding your way

2008-02-27T19:49:00.000-08:00

6When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,

7And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.

There is something to be said about finding one's way...

He was just a blind man...

He had no vision of the road ahead...

Never had...

Not once had he been able to look down the road and detect danger approaching...

Driving instructors tell us to look as far as we can down the road...

To anticipate change...

It takes vision to look ahead and anticipate danger...

This young man had no way to forecast the upcoming dangers which lay ahead...

Yet Jesus spat upon the ground, made clay, rubbed it into the man's eyes, and told him to go wash in the pool of Siloam...

So the only way he had to get to the miracle was to go HIS WAY...

His way was not the easiest...

His way was most likely not the shortest distance between two points...

It was a wandering way...

A stumbling way...

A way which hesitated at times...

A way of uncertainty...

A way of failure...

A way of mistakes...

A way of desperation...

A way of hunger...

Not the best way...

But it was his way...

The only way he could make it was his way...

There are some who will criticize you for your methods...

Criticize your decisions...

Criticize your choices...

See, your way might not be their way, and that makes them uncomfortable...

But they are not blind and they don't know your way...

Their feet do not fit your shoes...

And they cannot decipher your way...

Do not be discouraged or distracted...

True vision awaits you...

If you are following the instruction of the Master, follow it to the best of your ability...

The only way you know...

Of course there are Biblical absolutes which we must follow...

Make sure your way leads you to and through them...

But find your way to the promised vision...

Going Beyond the Gate

2008-02-15T06:00:00.000-08:00

Going Beyond the Gate

Est 3:8-10
8 And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them.

9 If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king's treasuries.

10 And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy.

Est 4:8
8 Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people.

Est 4:13-14
13 Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews.

14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

Est 5:1-3
5:1 Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house.

2 And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre.

3 Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom.

Mordecai was faithful.

He was always at the gate.

Not a day went by that did not find him sitting outside the King’s gate.

He was a faithful man.

Rain or shine; just like the postman.

He had been there when two men came out whispering in low tones about their plot to kill the king.

Had he not been faithful, the king would have been assassinated.

His simple faithfulness saved the king’s life.

No fanfare for him…

He did not require any special attention or recognition. He was just happy to be a servant of the king.

Never did he make a big deal out of his heroics. He was just a faithful man.

Another day came when he encountered something at the gate.

Haman, the prime minister, came riding by on his horse. In his pride, Haman wanted the people he passed by to bow in reverence to him.

Mordecai, being a devout man of God, would never bow in worship to any man. He refused to do so publicly.

He stood for what he believed to be true.

This infuriated Haman to no end.

He devised a plot to kill all of the Jews just to get to Mordecai.

Mordecai was at the gate when he heard of this plot.

His faithfulness at the gate allowed him to know that his life was in jeopardy.

Not only his life, but the lives of his family and friends.

He puts on sackcloth and ashes. This was a sign of mourning and sadness.

Despair gripped the nation of Israel when they heard what would become of them in a few days.

Esther the queen sent word to Mordecai to change his clothes and come to see her.

He refused, but sent word to her.

“I have been a faithful man. I have stayed here at the gate for year after year. I have seen many things in my lifetime here at the gate.

But today, being at the gate will not be good enough.”

Mordecai knew that some problems could be handled at the gate.

Some issues were easily handled at the gate...business transactions...real estate deals...marriages, etc

However, when lives were on the line, he knew that someone had to get beyond the gate and into the throne room of the king.

Sometimes you need an AUDIENCE WITH THE KING.

He told Esther that this was her opportunity to be a savior to her people.

No one was allowed to enter the king’s presence unannounced.

You would certainly be put to death on the spot if the king did not extend his royal scepter to you.

Life of death hung in the balance. . .

She had no choice but to go into the king’s presence.

There are times in our lives when being at the gate of the Spirit will get us by.

Many times our faithfulness will be good enough to take us through certain situations.

However there are other times when we must go beyond the gates and into the throne room of the king.

In the Old Testament, they were unable to approach the ark of the covenant.

There was a place that only one man could go once a year.

It was the Holiest of Holies.

Unapproachable by ordinary people.

However, when Jesus came and was crucified, the veil that kept people out of that place was torn from the top to the bottom.

Now we can push past the veils of tradition.

Now we can push beyond the gates of inadequacy.

There is an open gate in front of us.

No longer do we need to feel intimidated by God.

We should fear and respect Him, but He is a loving merciful Savior.

“For God so loved the world….”

You are here because He Loves You!!

Available to us today is His healing presence.

You don’t get your healing at the gate. You get it in his courts.

You don't get deliverance from sin at the gate, you get it in His throne room.

You receive your breakthrough when you get beyond the gate.

There are some “gate” prayers that you need to abandon.

There are some “gate” consecrations that are now inadequate.

Your faithfulness is good, but only the gate to your miracle.

If you can figure out how to get your request into the throne room, you entire family can be saved.

And it is when you make into the throne room that those who have been trying to destroy you will be discovered and handled.

Ps 100:4
4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

David understood that thanksgiving would lead you to the gates.

Thanksgiving was a good first step.

But Praise would lead you into His courts.

There is a difference between Thanksgiving and Praise.

One will get you there, but the other will get you IN.

Please do not sell yourself short and be satisfied with a life at the gate.

The throne room awaits.

The High Cost of Free Provision

2008-02-06T19:25:00.000-08:00

I recently heard a story of some men who wanted to hunt and capture a bald eagle.

The first day, before dawn broke, they placed a fish upon a rock in the eagle's territory and moved far away to observe with their binoculars. They watched as the majestic bird circled and watched the fish, obviously uncomfortable with the feeling, but intrigued by the fish. He finally landed a little distance away and watched the fish through his keen eye, as well as observing the surroundings suspiciously. After a while the beautiful creature made its way close to the fish and began to feed. The hunters held their ground and only watched.

For an entire week, their strategy was the same. Only placing the fish where the eagle could see it and retreating to their hiding place to watch the goings on.

The second week began with them placing the fish on the rock, but adding a large net above. It was placed just high enough so that the eagle could walk beneath it and reach the fish without obstruction. This, the eagle did not like! Warily, he made his way toward the fish, knowing that something was definitely out of order, but loving the taste of the free meal.

At the end of the week, the hunters placed their fish upon the rock and tied their ropes to the net and moved away. When the eagle arrived that day, he walked under the net with no hesitation at all, and was surprised to hear the slithering sound of the snare falling into place around him.

Why did the hunters not put the snare in place earlier?

The eagle was much too wise to fall prey to this aggressive approach. However, it was the gradual dumbing down of his sense of survival that lefd him to walk knowingly under the snare.

He then had to pay The High Cost of Free Provision.

There are times when the enemy knows that he cannot deceive us with the aggressive approach, but if he can whet the appetite with provisions which must not be hunted, he can use them to entrap those with the strength to fly high above his snares.

There is a danger in partaking of free provision...

There are battles which the enemy will willingly surrender, so that we will become comfortable in an arena in which we were not designed to dwell.

27And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.

28And afterward when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the LORD for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner:

29Let it rest on the head of Joab, and on all his father's house; and let there not fail from the house of Joab one that hath an issue, or that is a leper, or that leaneth on a staff, or that falleth on the sword, or that lacketh bread.

30So Joab, and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.

31And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David himself followed the bier.

32And they buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept.

33And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth?

34Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: as a man falleth before wicked men, so fellest thou. And all the people wept again over him.

Abner should have never advanced outside the gate of the the city of refuge, but because he was deceived by one who was a perceived friend, his death was that of a fool.

There are places, spirits, associations, and ministries that are placed into the lives of God's anointed that serve only to dumb down their senses of danger and their desire to hunt for themselves.

There are some things that can only be attained when we HUNT for ourselves.

Beware the free provisions, sometimes they cost much more than we would be willing to pay.

The Anointing

2008-01-28T23:21:00.000-08:00

Ever feel like God's purpose in your life has not been fulfilled?

Ever wonder if you will ever see the promises of God come to pass?

Does it seem as if you are spinning your wheels and every effort is in vain?

I mean, you KNOW you are anointed, and you have no doubts that you have been called an chosen by God.

If this were not the case, you would not be wasting your time sacrificing to this extent.

You could go back to school...

Get a better job...

You could follow a different career path that would be more lucrative and stable for you and your family...

I think each of us feel this way at times, which is not uncommon among the anointed.

Why must we exert such effort in order to simply survive??

The weariness of the mental pressure and the onslaught of spiritual opposition keep you under a cloud, it seems.

But faithfully, you maintain your pace and keep placing one foot in front of the other, never admitting or revealing your inner struggle to those around you, including family.

Your spouse knows, but cannot intervene, for she/he knows that inside of you is a battle which cannot be won in the flesh.

Alone you trudge wearily, determined to keep your face turned to the beckoning lantern of the Spirit who, for much of the time, leads in silence.

Where are the ministering angels who visited Gideon and Joshua?

The scent of the oil is no longer in your hair, and there is no visible evidence remaining of the contents of that horn of anointing that spilled its contents over your head a few years ago.

It would be much easier if you could still catch the scent.

Instead you reek of normality and every day life. No special aura surrounds you as you bask in the rays of the Son.

Why?? How?? When?? Where??

These questions ricochet in the halls of your spirit with the same confusing racket of a pinball arcade.

Your mind drifts to the Word as you grasp for some comfort or solace for your fear of slipping away into anonymity and uselessness.

It is then that you remember the ruddy little hero, David.

Just an adolescent with no pretense or experience when the gnarled hands of the prophet shakily poured the anointing oil upon his head.

He tried his best to keep a low profile, knowing that ten others in the room celebrate his promotion with deep reservations and a hint of jealousy.

He did not instantly need an entourage or a publicist. He just went back to the lonely hills where his few young sheep awaited.

Back to the grindstone of normal life.

We know about the giant...

It was not the anointed's desire for battle or his confidence in his skill that drove him down to the creek's edge and through to the opposing hillside.

It was his sense of justice and injustice. It was the anointing that quickened his perception of the CAUSE.

His questioning eye flickered over the cowering soldiers, but his question was not, "Is there not a warrior?" Only a fool could look at the hardened men and miss the signs of the warrior.

There was no shortage of strength.

There was no shortage of valor.

The missing ingredient was the anointing which quickened the words to his lips, "Is there not a CAUSE?"

The cause can only be seen by the anointed.

It is hidden from those only strong in the flesh.

The anointing sharpens the perception of the cause.

After the celebration is over, again he slips into the shadows.

He will always deal with jealousy and its wicked betrayals now, because the secret is out.

Years pass, and his most memoirs tell of him running for his life.

Dwelling in the musty darkness of caverns along with others who, lacking his anointing, have a strong sense of honor and duty, and they will follow him as he follows the cause.

It was many years between the day of his anointing and the day of his crowning.

Many trials, betrayals, and bittersweet relationships paved the way from anointing to the throne.

In your distress and loneliness, never forget that you are anointed!!

That same anointing will quicken your senses, and the cause will be clearly evident.

Those closest to you will not understand why you choose to fight certain battles.

They choose to wait and sharpen their swords rather than join the fight. Lifting weights by the brook, comparing biceps, and stretching while you approach an enemy which they are possibly more QUALIFIED to fight than yourself.

Do not be discouraged!!

You may not be able to catch the scent of the oil right now, but keep following the cause.

It may be a few long years still, but a throne awaits you.

The beacons of your end game flicker in the distance.

You can, and will, reach your crowning.

In the meantime, God is going to position individuals in your life who may not have the best resumes, but they possess the steel of greatness.

Even now you will begin to hear the echoes and the shuffle of footsteps as your help arrives.

Do not be weary in well doing, for in due season...

There is a season coming due for someone who is reading this.

Most will have stopped and gone on to something more important, but you have kept reading, because the bell of your spirit is being rung by a mallet wielded by the hand of the Master.

Your help is on the way.

Your crowning will follow.