This week we played for our Workshop of Supernatural Ministry, a video by Bill Johnson, in which he said, "whatever is kept within the walls of the church will die, but whatever we take outside will grow and thrive."
After I went home, I looked at my tomato plants that I started a few weeks ago. I sure was glad I planted them inside, where there was heat and regulated water and food supplies. But the controlled atmosphere is only temporary. It would be folly to try to get my tomato plants to bear fruit indoors. The best they would do is to shrivel and get gnarly if they aren't exposed to the elements as they were designed for. In fact, once mature, my tomato plants were created for the temperate outdoors, because that is where they will bear fruit. Plant them in March and they will die. Plant them in late May and they will thrive.
Likewise with us. Jesus SENT his disciples out to PRACTICE in the towns and villages. They healed the sick, raised the dead, cleansed the lepers and cast out demons. They had some successes and some failures. Then they returned to Jesus for a debriefing. Got some more instructions and tried again. Sounds like the way the church should train!
That is what I hope our Workshops will do. As the weather warms in April, we plan on conducting "neighborhood treasure hunts" in which we go through a neighborhood looking for folks to pray for, to hear their prayer needs, and then to meet those needs through whatever means God provides. We will have the opportunity to practice what we are learning, how to hear God, how to give a word of prophetic encouragement, and how to pray for healing or deliverance. Do it long enough and we will realize that this is who we are and not just something we do.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Let me Proclaim Your Power
It has been exactly a year since I last read this passage from Psalm 71:18. "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 still have it posted in my office. (I know it has been a year because I read a one year bible (NLT) each morning)
As I reflect upon the past year, I have seen at least 3 undeniable healings/miracles. I stand/sit in awe before our King and am amazed He created us to partner with Him in bringing His power and love to this desperate world. God done did it, and I got to be the tool and the witness of His action.
Now, we proclaim it to the new generation! Our youth and adults are hungry to see God at work. Anywhere from 4 to 6 youth attend our Workshops in Supernatural Ministry every Sunday night. They want to make a difference in this world.
Last Sunday evening someone said to me, "you must be pretty excited about seeing this kind of participation in the workshops." I replied, "I have dreamed of this day and the day when we equip an army to minister to our city." I believe I am witnessing a dream become reality. Of course, it really wasn't my dream to start with, God planted that dream in my heart because it was HIS dream, His heart for His church!
I still have it posted in my office. (I know it has been a year because I read a one year bible (NLT) each morning)
As I reflect upon the past year, I have seen at least 3 undeniable healings/miracles. I stand/sit in awe before our King and am amazed He created us to partner with Him in bringing His power and love to this desperate world. God done did it, and I got to be the tool and the witness of His action.
Now, we proclaim it to the new generation! Our youth and adults are hungry to see God at work. Anywhere from 4 to 6 youth attend our Workshops in Supernatural Ministry every Sunday night. They want to make a difference in this world.
Last Sunday evening someone said to me, "you must be pretty excited about seeing this kind of participation in the workshops." I replied, "I have dreamed of this day and the day when we equip an army to minister to our city." I believe I am witnessing a dream become reality. Of course, it really wasn't my dream to start with, God planted that dream in my heart because it was HIS dream, His heart for His church!
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
In Bondage to Being Right.
I had an encounter with a former church member today that broke my heart. He had been posting some negative things about a well known Christian musician and I asked him to be careful on how quickly he judged. What followed was a hornets nest of scripture postings followed by "according to the Authorized King James Version of 1611." It was like an exclamation point being added to a rant that was actually saying, "I need to be right, and can't afford to make a mistake."
His reaction to my questions went beyond being merely defensive, but drove on the offense, to set stakes in the ground on what he believed, why and how it was important that he defend his interpretation as the only correct one.
At first, I wanted to "de-friend" him, then after that I felt like rebuking him or telling him he was wrong. But the Holy Spirit whispered to my heart that those actions were "about me" and not about love. Instead, I concluded that it is my role to continue to plant seeds about the awesome LOVE of God found in Jesus Christ's grace that is available to every believer. We don't have to be right or prove we are right. Love covers over many sins (flaws, faults, etc).
His reaction to my questions went beyond being merely defensive, but drove on the offense, to set stakes in the ground on what he believed, why and how it was important that he defend his interpretation as the only correct one.
At first, I wanted to "de-friend" him, then after that I felt like rebuking him or telling him he was wrong. But the Holy Spirit whispered to my heart that those actions were "about me" and not about love. Instead, I concluded that it is my role to continue to plant seeds about the awesome LOVE of God found in Jesus Christ's grace that is available to every believer. We don't have to be right or prove we are right. Love covers over many sins (flaws, faults, etc).
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Shock Collar
We hired a dog trainer this week. He uses a shock collar. Before you pass judgment upon our cruelty, consider the facts. He brought out his dog which was in his car. A beautiful Austrailian Shepherd, with out a leash! The dog never took his eyes off of his master. His attention was on him without distraction. He hits the button on the shock collar before every command. Seems strange.
Our dog pays attention only when we have something it wants. Like a treat or a toy or affection or a walk. (Seems a lot like me and God.) The purpose of the shock collar is to teach the dog to pay attention to your commands. We saw the lack of this a few minutes later when our dog spotted a bird outside and barked and tensed up and completely and entirely ignored us, even when we touched or grabbed him. He's a good dog and he loves to please us (like me and God). But he gets distracted SO EASILY!
I know God doesn't have a shock collar, but sometimes I wish He did. I have so much to learn about listening and paying attention!
Our dog pays attention only when we have something it wants. Like a treat or a toy or affection or a walk. (Seems a lot like me and God.) The purpose of the shock collar is to teach the dog to pay attention to your commands. We saw the lack of this a few minutes later when our dog spotted a bird outside and barked and tensed up and completely and entirely ignored us, even when we touched or grabbed him. He's a good dog and he loves to please us (like me and God). But he gets distracted SO EASILY!
I know God doesn't have a shock collar, but sometimes I wish He did. I have so much to learn about listening and paying attention!
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Treasure Hunting 2011
On Saturday, Jennifer and I went with a group of Christians from a number of churches to do a treasure hunt in Painesville and to minister to the homeless. I have to admit, Zack Barton, the young man who organized this, has an burning passion to minister to the people of our world. He regularly schedules these in Cleveland, in the middle of winter!
I had a special treasure, an elderly man sitting outside a book sale in the Library. He was sitting on a bench and I had just come out of the restroom, and figured Jennifer must be in the restroom as well. So I sat next to this man and struck up a conversation. It is so easy to talk to someone by simply being friendly. Before long, I noticed his hand was black, so I asked him if he was on blood thinners. He replied yes. Just then, Jennifer emerged from the restroom with an elderly woman smiling from ear to ear. She pronounced, "I found my treasure!" And she explained how they met in the restroom and she was about to have cataract surgery and needed prayer. This woman was the wife of the man I was sitting next to! They both agreed this was no "coincidence." So we also prayed for him and his leg (which had vein surgery a year ago) that he would be able to be healed sufficiently to get off of the Coumadin. They were all smiles.
My only regret was not asking them more about their journey with God. Each experience is a valuable lesson!
I had a special treasure, an elderly man sitting outside a book sale in the Library. He was sitting on a bench and I had just come out of the restroom, and figured Jennifer must be in the restroom as well. So I sat next to this man and struck up a conversation. It is so easy to talk to someone by simply being friendly. Before long, I noticed his hand was black, so I asked him if he was on blood thinners. He replied yes. Just then, Jennifer emerged from the restroom with an elderly woman smiling from ear to ear. She pronounced, "I found my treasure!" And she explained how they met in the restroom and she was about to have cataract surgery and needed prayer. This woman was the wife of the man I was sitting next to! They both agreed this was no "coincidence." So we also prayed for him and his leg (which had vein surgery a year ago) that he would be able to be healed sufficiently to get off of the Coumadin. They were all smiles.
My only regret was not asking them more about their journey with God. Each experience is a valuable lesson!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Fasting and Prayer 2011
After our January "21 days of fasting and prayer" this year, we came to some of the most powerful insights for our community that I can recall as a result of one of these fasts. Among them was the passage from Luke 4:18-19. "THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED, TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD."
This passage was heard by at least 2 people at the same moment during our Sunday Prayer and Praise time. The next day, a young man from our congregation called me to ask for help breaking free of his addiction to alcohol! As a result, we revisited the passage and began to declare it over ourselves and our community.
We believe that 2011 will be a year of "the Lord's favor" (Year of Jubilee). We found out later that 2011 is the 200th anniversary of the town of Madison, Ohio, where our church family is located. We believe that God desires us to take His "Good News" to every home in our community. But in a different way than merely shouting it at them. We are called to live it before them.
About 5 years ago, we had a mission team visit that wanted something to do...so we asked them to go door to door and ask people for prayer needs. They found many people opened their doors and their hearts because we weren't try to "get something" from them, but were instead serving them. Since that time, we have learned how to do "treasure hunts," give prophetic words and listen to the Holy Spirit whisper in our ears. So as a result, 2011 is the year in which we will be actively going to homes in our community to minister "prayer" and to see what God is doing. Quantity won't be the goal. Meeting needs with the love of God will be. In fact, when a need is uncovered (a sick relative for example) we will ask the team to follow up. Visit the sick relative in the hospital and pray with them. If a need is for home repair, let's mobilize a team to help out. We must BE THE GOSPEL. (the Good News of the Kingdom (reign) of God.)
This passage was heard by at least 2 people at the same moment during our Sunday Prayer and Praise time. The next day, a young man from our congregation called me to ask for help breaking free of his addiction to alcohol! As a result, we revisited the passage and began to declare it over ourselves and our community.
We believe that 2011 will be a year of "the Lord's favor" (Year of Jubilee). We found out later that 2011 is the 200th anniversary of the town of Madison, Ohio, where our church family is located. We believe that God desires us to take His "Good News" to every home in our community. But in a different way than merely shouting it at them. We are called to live it before them.
About 5 years ago, we had a mission team visit that wanted something to do...so we asked them to go door to door and ask people for prayer needs. They found many people opened their doors and their hearts because we weren't try to "get something" from them, but were instead serving them. Since that time, we have learned how to do "treasure hunts," give prophetic words and listen to the Holy Spirit whisper in our ears. So as a result, 2011 is the year in which we will be actively going to homes in our community to minister "prayer" and to see what God is doing. Quantity won't be the goal. Meeting needs with the love of God will be. In fact, when a need is uncovered (a sick relative for example) we will ask the team to follow up. Visit the sick relative in the hospital and pray with them. If a need is for home repair, let's mobilize a team to help out. We must BE THE GOSPEL. (the Good News of the Kingdom (reign) of God.)
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Vehicle Dreams
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!
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!
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