I have heard that the symbol of a vehicle in a dream often means ministry. That is what makes last night's dream so intriguing. In fact, I hadn't even remembered the dream until we were on our way to church and we came across a train that was passing in front of us.
The dream: I dreamt I was driving behind another car as it approached a railroad crossing. The gates were down at the crossing but the car in front of me went around them and tried to beat the train. The train consisted of a single engine which was speeding down the tracks, which screeched to a halt and missed the car. (I recall being amazed at this). Then, after the car left the scene, the engine immediately resumed its high speed (and sped up like a race car) and I was amazed at this too!
As it comes to interpretation, here is what I hear: The train is our ministry. Obstacles have come and we have slowed to avoid collisions (and possible injury to the parties). Now obstacles are gone. The ministry will resume to full speed very quickly!
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Power and Love Conference
Jennifer and I attended a "power and love" conference this past week. A grueling 4 days x 14 hours a day, it was an intense experience for us. The teaching was so well balanced, but what was so life changing was the opportunities we had to "practice" what we were learning. At each lunch and dinner break, we were to go out in 2's (or 4's) and strike up conversations with strangers in our paths and/or pray for people we came across. The goal was to "demonstrate the love of God."
This was the first paradigm shift for me. I thought the goal was to heal people. I learned that the goal was to show people's God's love...and healing was just one of many ways to do that. One experience pointed this out to me: We were at Denny's and before we ate our dinner, I asked the waitress if she had a family member who might need prayer. She immediately teared up and said her sister (who had cancer). Then she thanked us for caring enough to ask. It was at this moment I realized the truth of what our teachers had told us. It wasn't about us healing folks. It was about God's presence permeating a situation and demonstrating His tangible love and concern for people.
We had countless other encounters with folks, and heard incredible testimonies from others who were amazed that God would use them so easily. The lessons learned?
1. Pick the longest line at the store, and strike up conversations with people to discover their needs. Then ask if you can pray with them...and bring God's love and power to bear in the encounter.
2. It's not about me.
3. The power of God is often restricted by our lack of faith that is motivated by LOVE.
This was the first paradigm shift for me. I thought the goal was to heal people. I learned that the goal was to show people's God's love...and healing was just one of many ways to do that. One experience pointed this out to me: We were at Denny's and before we ate our dinner, I asked the waitress if she had a family member who might need prayer. She immediately teared up and said her sister (who had cancer). Then she thanked us for caring enough to ask. It was at this moment I realized the truth of what our teachers had told us. It wasn't about us healing folks. It was about God's presence permeating a situation and demonstrating His tangible love and concern for people.
We had countless other encounters with folks, and heard incredible testimonies from others who were amazed that God would use them so easily. The lessons learned?
1. Pick the longest line at the store, and strike up conversations with people to discover their needs. Then ask if you can pray with them...and bring God's love and power to bear in the encounter.
2. It's not about me.
3. The power of God is often restricted by our lack of faith that is motivated by LOVE.
UNO: Convoy of Hope
For months we have been a part of a movement called U.N.O., (Unity in Northeast Ohio) of churches who have been praying for a move of God to revive and make His Presence known in our area. Then, a few weeks ago, we finally did Convoy of Hope at the Lake County Fairgrounds...1500 volunteers from 58 churches got involved...from health clinics, hair cuts, free shoes, to kids zones and food tents. All free.
Jennifer and I chose to work in the prayer tent. It got pretty hectic, because everyone who wanted to leave, left through the prayer tent. At one point, a family with an elderly grandmother came through and she hobbled to our prayer circle. We found out she had a bad knee...very painful and ligaments were all bad, and cartilage was all gone. So we prayed for her knee, which she described as an "8" out of 10 on the pain scale. As we prayed, she began to tell us her knee was getting hot inside and that it felt like something was moving around in her leg. We asked her to tell us what her pain level was...it was a 2. We prayed again. After that she touched her knee and said, "thats wierd, its cool to the touch but burning hot inside." And all the pain was gone. She stood up and didn't wobble. She was careful and amazed. She didn't believe in this "stuff" before. God had showed His love to her.
The very next family was a family from our church. Their daughter was wearing a knee brace because at her softball game last week, a kid hit her knee with an aluminum bat...and it hurt terribly. She couldn't even bend it. We prayed for her. Within seconds, the pain was gone, and she stood up, took off her brace and bent her knee back to its full back position...and laughed! God had healed her!
Funny thing, for the past 2 months, I had had severe knee pain. That day it vanished from me as well. I didn't even know when it stopped, except when we were leaving I noticed my knee no longer ached.
One more thing. A couple got saved. That's the best part of all. Actually, 150 people got saved. We had the privilege of leading 2 people (a couple) into the Kingdom of God. They were among the very last people in the Fairgrounds at the event to leave. Without sharing details, I can simply say "wow God." They were so hungry and broken...and ready to give their lives to Jesus.
Jennifer and I chose to work in the prayer tent. It got pretty hectic, because everyone who wanted to leave, left through the prayer tent. At one point, a family with an elderly grandmother came through and she hobbled to our prayer circle. We found out she had a bad knee...very painful and ligaments were all bad, and cartilage was all gone. So we prayed for her knee, which she described as an "8" out of 10 on the pain scale. As we prayed, she began to tell us her knee was getting hot inside and that it felt like something was moving around in her leg. We asked her to tell us what her pain level was...it was a 2. We prayed again. After that she touched her knee and said, "thats wierd, its cool to the touch but burning hot inside." And all the pain was gone. She stood up and didn't wobble. She was careful and amazed. She didn't believe in this "stuff" before. God had showed His love to her.
The very next family was a family from our church. Their daughter was wearing a knee brace because at her softball game last week, a kid hit her knee with an aluminum bat...and it hurt terribly. She couldn't even bend it. We prayed for her. Within seconds, the pain was gone, and she stood up, took off her brace and bent her knee back to its full back position...and laughed! God had healed her!
Funny thing, for the past 2 months, I had had severe knee pain. That day it vanished from me as well. I didn't even know when it stopped, except when we were leaving I noticed my knee no longer ached.
One more thing. A couple got saved. That's the best part of all. Actually, 150 people got saved. We had the privilege of leading 2 people (a couple) into the Kingdom of God. They were among the very last people in the Fairgrounds at the event to leave. Without sharing details, I can simply say "wow God." They were so hungry and broken...and ready to give their lives to Jesus.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Walking on Water
I have had my share of self-doubt lately with handfuls of people leaving the church for "greener pastures." Some have felt we were moving "too fast" and others felt we were moving "too slow" in pursuing the supernatural ministry. Yet in the middle of it all, I have felt a supreme conviction that I have been following God, even if I missed His methods and tried my own.
A few weeks ago, while mowing my lawn and listening to my mp3 player and worshiping as I do while doing yardwork, the image of Peter walking on water came to my mind. So I asked God, "would you ever have anyone walk on water again?" To which He replied, "If it suited my purposes, I would."
Two days later, we went to "the Wave", a local worship event and the leader asked if any pastors were present to come forward for prayer. Jennifer and I did so and several people prayed over us. Then something really odd happened. A lady approached me and asked if she could pray for me. As she did, she said she got an image of me "walking on water." I really was blown away. What was God saying to me?
As best as I can tell, in my understanding, I am to keep my eyes OFF of the circumstances (lower attendance and finances) and ON Jesus. The wind and the waves will only distract me from my Goal!
A few weeks ago, while mowing my lawn and listening to my mp3 player and worshiping as I do while doing yardwork, the image of Peter walking on water came to my mind. So I asked God, "would you ever have anyone walk on water again?" To which He replied, "If it suited my purposes, I would."
Two days later, we went to "the Wave", a local worship event and the leader asked if any pastors were present to come forward for prayer. Jennifer and I did so and several people prayed over us. Then something really odd happened. A lady approached me and asked if she could pray for me. As she did, she said she got an image of me "walking on water." I really was blown away. What was God saying to me?
As best as I can tell, in my understanding, I am to keep my eyes OFF of the circumstances (lower attendance and finances) and ON Jesus. The wind and the waves will only distract me from my Goal!
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Philemon 1:6
Philemon 1:6 and I pray that the fellowship (participation) of your faith may become effective (energized) through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for/in Christ.
opwv h koinwnia thv pistewv sou energhv genhtai (5638) en epignwsei pantov agaqou tou en hmin eiv Xriston;
Study Thoughts: The our faith becomes energized and participatory through the knowledge or acknowledging of every good thing which is in us in Christ.
Conclusion:
I don’t need more faith, more anointing, more double portions…I need to acknowledge what is already in me in Christ! I need to release what is already in me, not try to obtain something I don’t have!
opwv h koinwnia thv pistewv sou energhv genhtai (5638) en epignwsei pantov agaqou tou en hmin eiv Xriston;
Study Thoughts: The our faith becomes energized and participatory through the knowledge or acknowledging of every good thing which is in us in Christ.
Conclusion:
I don’t need more faith, more anointing, more double portions…I need to acknowledge what is already in me in Christ! I need to release what is already in me, not try to obtain something I don’t have!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Discipleship
Psalm 71:18 said to me yesterday, "Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your POWER to this NEW generation, your mighty MIRACLES to all who come after me."
I may not be "old" but I have been gray for over 20 years! And I do want to proclaim God's power and miracles to the new generation!
I may not be "old" but I have been gray for over 20 years! And I do want to proclaim God's power and miracles to the new generation!
Revive to Survive
Last week, after a tough couple of days and some troubling news concerning several of our members deciding it was time to move on, I was have difficulty sleeping (Tues. March 23rd). Waking at 2:30 am to let the dog out, I went back to sleep, or at least a twilight sleep and had two words appear in my mind. "Revival" and "Survival." A voice told me that the difference between these two words is minor, just a few letters, but the meaning of these two words is much more significant.
When I awoke, I tried to recall the words, and only remembered "revival.' But a day later, in a conversation with Jennifer, the word "Survival" came back to me and the impact of the dream/vision became clearer.
Then, on Friday night, we went to the "Wave" at Gateway to see some friends and to celebrate God together. I asked several people for prayer and shared the dream with them. They were very encouraging. But on Saturday, the strangest thing happened. It was stranger than having a donkey talk, actually. As I was watching the College Basketball playoffs, a banner rolls across the bottom of the screen, an advertisement for a vitamin water. What did it say? "Revive2 Survive.com"
This impacted me greatly, as I realized that if I merely try to "survive" as a pastor or a church leader, or to help the church to merely survive, to maintain the status quo, the present state, or to backtrack to keep people from leaving, I will be in "survival mode." And there is no future in that. If anything, survival is a living death. The only option is Revival. "If my people, who are called by My Name, HUMBLE themselves and PRAY..." (2 Chr. 7:14)
When I awoke, I tried to recall the words, and only remembered "revival.' But a day later, in a conversation with Jennifer, the word "Survival" came back to me and the impact of the dream/vision became clearer.
Then, on Friday night, we went to the "Wave" at Gateway to see some friends and to celebrate God together. I asked several people for prayer and shared the dream with them. They were very encouraging. But on Saturday, the strangest thing happened. It was stranger than having a donkey talk, actually. As I was watching the College Basketball playoffs, a banner rolls across the bottom of the screen, an advertisement for a vitamin water. What did it say? "Revive2 Survive.com"
This impacted me greatly, as I realized that if I merely try to "survive" as a pastor or a church leader, or to help the church to merely survive, to maintain the status quo, the present state, or to backtrack to keep people from leaving, I will be in "survival mode." And there is no future in that. If anything, survival is a living death. The only option is Revival. "If my people, who are called by My Name, HUMBLE themselves and PRAY..." (2 Chr. 7:14)
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
God's Presence
On Valentines Day, God did something special in our services...that took us all by surprise. About halfway through our singing, our worship leader stopped the services and called us to press in to God, that halfheartedness wasn't enough! Then, a few minutes later, another member piped up prophetically and asked if we could open the altar for people to come forward to seek the face of God.
As the front of the church filled, I went to my knees and asked God what I should do. After all, I had a well written sermon that I was certain that came from God. God answered me with love and firmness, "they aren't here to hear you..they are here to meet Me." That was enough for me, and I set aside my agenda and we called the body to intimacy and prayer. One member proclaimed that we are Jesus' valentine...He loved us to make us HIS. That cut us to our hearts. Weeping. Then others called out for laying down our lives and agendas. More weeping. Prayers were offered, some introspective, others in adoration of God and His Suprising Move!
Then I shared how just this week I had read in the Didache how the early church proclaimed the Word first and worship followed ...because the purpose of the Word is to point us to encounter/revelation with God.
Subdued but peaceful, we parted. One lady called us on the way home to say "I feel free, and light as a bird" and she was giddy! Another couple who brought their unsaved daughter said, "this is what she needed!" (an encounter, not a sermon).
We look forward to learning how to encounter God and not tell God what to do!
As the front of the church filled, I went to my knees and asked God what I should do. After all, I had a well written sermon that I was certain that came from God. God answered me with love and firmness, "they aren't here to hear you..they are here to meet Me." That was enough for me, and I set aside my agenda and we called the body to intimacy and prayer. One member proclaimed that we are Jesus' valentine...He loved us to make us HIS. That cut us to our hearts. Weeping. Then others called out for laying down our lives and agendas. More weeping. Prayers were offered, some introspective, others in adoration of God and His Suprising Move!
Then I shared how just this week I had read in the Didache how the early church proclaimed the Word first and worship followed ...because the purpose of the Word is to point us to encounter/revelation with God.
Subdued but peaceful, we parted. One lady called us on the way home to say "I feel free, and light as a bird" and she was giddy! Another couple who brought their unsaved daughter said, "this is what she needed!" (an encounter, not a sermon).
We look forward to learning how to encounter God and not tell God what to do!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)