Meet you in the War Room

"Fight for It!"  Don't Surrender!  It is worth everything you have within you to keep.  You must do everything that you can do to keep it.  It is a coward that surrenders and let's it all go away. The Love you had is worth it, as is the memory of that feeling of being complete.  The decision of giving up on the relationship is being a coward.  It is truly a miracle that Jesus didn't give up on us.  Oh, He could have and think of all the testing He got in fulfilling the purpose and plan of His Father.  

Every relationship has trouble and difficulties.  I know, I was most of the difficulties in my relationship with my beautiful wife.  I was a control freak and didn't even realize it.  I thank God that He isn't one.  Why do you think we have free will?  How can you love someone or something without free will? It is the ultimate freedom to Love.  Controlling someone or something is just so wrong in any relationship. So is giving up! I know that I'm going to touch some nerves here and that's okay.   The Lord showed me that He was in control and that for me to understand His Love I had to bow down to His Will.  His words to me as I let my controlling issues pass. "I will bless you and I will still Love you."  

For Jesus loved me First, and I really believe that will all my soul.  My key to freedom was forgiveness.  I was able to truly forgive myself and others through the Lord.  After all, He was beaten and tortured mercilessly for me and you.  He Fought for it. He didn't surrender!  He gave it all in His nakedness on the cross.  Our lamb of God, our redeemer.  It didn't end there, He was buried in a Tomb and rose again in Victory, but wait, He ascended into the Glory of Heaven promising His Return.  He Promised!  He didn't surrender with His relationship with me or anyone else.  He told me that He loved me and that He wouldn't abandon me.  I believe Him.  Shouldn't you?  

So why do we treat the ones we love with such distaste, is it because we can't change them to what we want?  Or is it because we see in them the things that remind us of our failings.  Are we jealous of each other because he/she does something so much better than we do?  Why do we do that?  It  is due to our own insecurities and issues.  I know because that has been me.  When people find out how long I've been married , often the response is, "Really, how could you stay with someone that long, or how did you find someone to put up with you that long?"  I laugh.  It has nothing to do with me or my wife.  It has to do with the Lord.  Oh, I'll give my wife most of the credit because it's true.  She fought for me, She didn't surrender. She always  prayed that I would be the Man that God desired for me to be. She saw the potential for a Warrior King, a Legend in His own Mind, she saw it in me, even when I couldn't.  

Relationships need nurturing and care.  The Lord uses His Word and our Prayers to reach His inner most chamber.  The War Room, where He reassures His creation. Yes, we are His creation.  He wants us to fight for our marriages and our families.  It is the legacy of His Love for Us.  I'm going to continue to Fight for marriages and relationships and be the Leader that He has called me to be.  I won't surrender for the Savior is with me.   He is waiting for you to pray and fight for Him and this world.  Don't be remembered as a coward.  Stand up and fight for your current situation.  If you believe in the Lord you will do it with all your heart, mind, strength, and soul.  

See you in the War Room.

How crazy is this?

How crazy is this?  We spend our lives walking around in a daze.  Not paying attention to the real world around us.  I'm guilty.  When you leave the sanctity of your castle, you glance at the neighborhood quickly as you hurry to your car.  All is good.  The checklist in your head is checking off all the items that you know need to be taken care of as you progress.

Door locked, check.  Glance at it to make sure.
Neighborhood Free of People, check.  Look around once more to see if anything is out of place. Nope, good.
Glance at car before entry, check.  Dang it's dirty, note to self, wash this thing please, check.
Unlock door, check.
Climb inside, insert key, check.  Oh, put on the seat belt, it's only a short trip, put it on, check.
Check the station, volume and rotate to desired mood setting station,  check.
Turn on key, check.  Glance around inside then outside, listen to car sounds, check.
Put car in reverse, check.  Slowly back up toward street, check.
In the street, watching for other vehicles, children, or distractions, check.

Mind blank, body on full auto, check.  Driving, check.

We don't engage. Check, no really check.

Now let's engage not enrage one another.  Yup, let's engage NOT enrage one another!  We live in the best country in the world. The best!  Everybody wants to come to America and have the Freedom we have.  Our founding Father's built this Nation.  Our History shows the struggle to maintain it.  We have had disagreements and arguments between our ideals before.  It has even caused the Civil War.  Our families have banded together to make this a land of opportunity.  When things haven't gone the way we expect them to go we have all had the opportunity to vote and make a change.  We have engaged the process.  We are facing a difficult time.  The economy is not good. Look around you.  How many businesses are no longer there that were there four years ago?  I'm not placing blame here, I'm wanting you to engage.  Each time you go to the gas station to fill your car up, is it more or less than four years ago?  Engage with me.  I'm still not placing blame.  What has the government done for you in the past four years?  Should it have done all that for you?  In the past four years have you left a job for any reason and are no longer receiving any help?  Are you working two jobs now that don't compare to the job you had four years ago?  Engage with me.  I'm still just asking questions.  Do you really know the inner circle of the White House?  Really?  Can you name the Advisers to the President?  Do you know the members of the Senate?  The members of the Legislature?  Are you scared of what will happen to our country after the election?  Why are you so scared?  There are three branches of government and there are checks and balances in the system.  In the past four years who had control of the Senate?  Who had control of the Legislature?  Why couldn't they and the President build a budget?  Please still engage with me. Do you think that the next four years are going to be better if the present folks, the Senate, House of Representatives, and the White House stay the same?  The nation voted four years ago for change, it changed. Was the result today the answer you were expecting?  If it was, so be it. If it wasn't then who should be changed?  Do you know which President has used the most Executive Orders in the History of the Nation to gain unlimited power without using the other branches of the Government?  Do you think that is a good thing?  Why is the use of fear driving this election?  Do you actually think that women are going to become second class citizens and have no rights after this election?  Why?  Don't women in the countries we are currently fighting in have great freedoms?  Don't get enraged, just engage.  Don't we have more citizen rights than other nations?

Please engage this voting season.  Please don't enrage.  We have done that in our History before and it hasn't been good for anyone.  We may disagree, but we should have more to agree on together than anything.  When we think that one party is fighting to take away rights, look at the big picture.  Where else in the world could people have the opportunity to do pretty much everything and complain about it?  No where else.  If you think that it is better somewhere else, then please move there, cause I've been there and someone there would love to take your place.  Don't  enrage just engage.

So Engage with one another, Don't enrage one another. Check.

Time to Worship

God, what kind of service are we having here?  I'm just not feeling it Lord.  Can't the lights be better? Can't the music be more moving and inspirational?  Why don't more people sing joyfully? Why is the Worship team look like they are just doing a chore?  What is going on here Lord!  I'm just not feeling it, and look there are so many people missing this morning.  They're probably spending time traveling or sleeping in.  Man, I'd sure like to do that on a Sunday. Why doesn't the Pastor preach more from his heart. It's the same ole thing, Lord I'm not getting any meat here.  What am I supposed to do?  Please tell me Lord cause in fifty minutes everyone will be rushing to head out the door to do all the activities that they have planned.  You know Lord we are even studying in our small group about not rushing around and getting caught up in the world.  I wonder how my fantasy football team will do today?  I should have paid more attention to the sports shows this week as my Wide Receivers aren't really getting me any points.  Oh, yes dear, I'm paying attention.   What's this?  You want to recognize us and give us credit for our Service to our Country.  Oh my God, there are so few of us left and we look so much older.  Why do I feel this way?  

The Lord begins to share His Grace with me.  It isn't about what I desire in the message or service or the singing.  It isn't the fault of anyone else that I feel the way I feel because I have missed it this morning.  I have done the Lord a big disservice.  I am not Worshiping!  What?

"STOP!"   What?  "STOP!"   What!  "STOP!"  Whoa, Is that You Lord?  Oh, My God, it is You!  Your Holy Presence has come upon me.  Worship!  Worship!  Worship!  For He is Holy, Holy, Holy!   Forgive me Lord!  I am so ashamed, Father that I would have my mind running wild and being so disconnected to you.  I adore You my Father!  YOU redeemed me, forgave me, and died for me and here I am to worship You and I am withholding Your Grace from me this Morning.  Forgive Me.   I rend my garment and throw the dirt and ashes on me Lord for such Shameful Behavior.  I am so unworthy for all your Grace and Love.  

Lord make in me a New Heart!  Change me Father as only You can.  

"WORSHIP ME!"  I am  Lord, I raise my Soul to You and Thank-you for letting me See You this Morning!  Oh Father!  I See the Joy that the Worship Team has for You!  They are singing Holy Words to You!  I praise You Father! Yes, I hear the Word from the Pastor that You want me to Hear!  Oh, Father I cry out to You!  The tears I shed are the offering to You this morning in WORSHIP!  You are showing me that I need to come prepared to Worship every moment that I come to you.   Thank you Father for showing the Words that I need to read and place on my heart this morning. 

1 Peter 4:12-19

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His Glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.  If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.  On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.  But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters.  Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him be not ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.  

For the time has come for judgement to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?  Now

"If the righteous one is scarcely saved,

Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?"

Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.

Let me Worship You my King!   Thank-you Lord, for showing me through Your Holy Spirit what I need to be the example of Grace you have given the Church.  In 1 Peter 5, You speak to me, that I need to Lead by Example. That we humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt us in due time, casting all our care upon Him, for He cares for us.  Yes, Father we all will read these powerful words and understand that we are to Exalt and Worship You!   And as we greet one another with a kiss of love, Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen. 

My desire is that you take this message to heart. That it isn't the fault of anyone else but you, if you aren't prepared to Worship the Lord each and every moment you go to Him.  Be Thank-full for the Servants of the King that prepare and humble themselves when they Worship the Lord and share with others. So give them Thanks for they are here to Serve the Lord with Joyful Hearts.  So the next time you come to Church be Prepared to Worship, because He is God and He will know.  

My Rock and Fortress

For you are my rock and my fortress; 
Therefore, for Your name's sake, 
Lead me and guide me.  
Pull me out of the net which they
  have secretly laid up for me, 
For You are my strength.
Into Your hand I commit my spirit;
You have redeemed me, O Lord 
   God of truth.

Ps. 31:3-5



For you are my rock and fortress, this is a powerful image when you have a visual.  Imagine that the extremes of weather, time and life won't do much to this rock. Jesus is our rock and fortress. That alone would be enough, but like the commercials say "...but, wait there's more..."  Therefore, for Your name's sake, Lead me and guide me. This couldn't be any stronger, it's not my  name sake or Joe Bob's, Billie Jeans, or anyone else, it is Your Name's sake.  The Creator of the Universe.  The CREATOR, not some nebulous thing that you can't comprehend, well maybe it's tough to think of Him that way. The Father of us all.  Pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid up for me,  We aren't talking the internet although now a days it could be.  This is all the stuff that circumstances and events that our enemies and the evil one lay up on us.

The deception and lies in life that we are constantly bombarded with. We know exactly which ones that affect us spiritually, physically, and mentally when we don't focus on the life the Father has blessed us with.  Man, I've been there in the net trying to struggle free and it just wasn't working.  Thankfully someone would remind me that it's not me alone, that I needed to quit taking my struggles back from the Lord. This is something that I do often, not meaning to, but it just happens.  I like being in control of my Life, but I like having Him being in Control of me.  It makes is so much easier.  Humility is a great motivator for me as I begin to see some of the Plans of the Lord as they relate to me.  He is wonderful in moving the life around me and letting me catch a glimpse of His "God Moment."  The kind of moment when you know you are in the presence of the Holy Spirit and He is making something wonderful happen.  That is a beautiful thing.

For You are my strength.  Oh, yes, Father you are my strength.  You give us the Power to move forward when we are down. You give the strength to Love someone that we normally would rather not be with. You give us the ability to gather together to serve You in extraordinary and supernatural ways.  We don't have it in us to be that strong for one another.  It is only through You, Jesus that we have that strength.

Into Your hand I commit my spirit;  Into Your hand Father I commit my spirit, this isn't a physical thing it's a spiritual and supernatural essence of our being.  We can think of the times as children or as a parent or grandparent of reaching out to the one we trust and love and wanting that touch.  It is grace to see a small child reach out their little hand and want to have someone take it and give them comfort.  We give the Father our Lord Jesus our hand to take our spirit and give us comfort and shelter.  When I was deathly ill this past year that was my prayer, Lord into you I commit my spirit, what comfort that was knowing that He had me in His hand.  He gave me comfort and peace and told me it wasn't time for me to go yet, that He had plans for me to complete before I could be with Him.  Thank-you Lord.


You have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.  I am redeemed. I am delivered from sin and its consequences by means of a sacrifice offered for me the sinner.  (Webster's loose definition).  The sacrifice was Jesus Christ who unselfishly gave Himself up for not only my sin, but the sin of the world.  That includes you and all of us.  Why is it so hard for people to understand?  For God so loved the world that He gave His  only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.  John 3:16-17.
 
What more can we ask for?  We can't do this alone, for we have a Savior that is right there, meeting us with open arms and is as Loving as we will ever know.  Where will you place your Love, for me it is founded on my Rock and Fortress, Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Heavenly

I'm currently sitting in a living room watching a Florida Football game with our hosts Bruce and Marcy. They are heavenly sent. We are enjoying their company and hospitality thanking the Lord for their faith and Love for Jesus. We have worshipped, prayed, laughed and talked together like friends that have known each other for ever.

We have such a kinship in the Father. Would you believe that we had never met in person prior to our arrival two days ago? It's true. We had only talked three or four times on the phone prior to coming to visit. The power of the Holy Spirit brought us here. We stepped out in faith to come to a place that the Lord wanted us to see and experience. There is so much more to tell and the Lord will give me wisdom to share this heavenly experience with you.

God Bless

Kingdom Journeys

What comes to mind when you read Kingdom Journeys as a title? Probably numerous things such as a fantasy, romance, adventure, historical, religious, spiritual or even a non-fictional story. All of these would be true depending on the content of the book being read.

I want to share with you a book that will touch you in a profound way unless you are so callous that you don't care about anything. Or you aren't interested in lives that are touched by a Love so Devine that it can only be from the Creator. Then this Blog isn't for you.

Before I go any farther in this, I want you to know that I've only met Seth Barnes in passing. We shared a smile and a small hand shake before we both worshipped our Lord in a group of community full of world racers and some family members. Worship should always be that great.

Sonja and I are at this place because of a Devine appointment. We don't know what is in store for us and that is okay. We put our walk and faith in the Hands of Jesus. We are being Blessed by dear friends, Bruce and Marcy that prior to two days ago we had only met through FB and their blessing of being the coaches for our daughters world race. We have true fellowship and friendship through Jesus and the Holy Spirit. It is as if we have known them forever and have such a mutual Love of the Lord that transcends humanity. I digress and you need to read on.

Kingdom Journeys: Rediscovering the Lost Spiritual Dicipline, written by Seth Barnes. This wonderful insightful book is about real events and real stories from those who have taken a Kingdom Journey. A Journey or quest to do more for others and discover the reality of what Jesus has in store for your life.

The desire to do more to see more and be more is what everyone struggles with early on in their life. Trying to have that great adventure or dream before the world comes crashing down on you anchoring many of us into a place we never thought we'd be. Sometimes into a box that we can't break free of unless Jesus breaks it down and releases us from that bondage of a life unfulfilled.

The privilege of meeting some of the people that support, mentor, pray and coach those out in the world doing the Lord's will is a blessing. This great commission doesn't just happen, it has numerous people working tirelessly for the Kingdom setting up logistics, training, coaching, spiritual guidance, loving prayers, and a burning passion to reach and serve the lost. It is heavenly, I would say amazing, but I've been over using that term since we arrived here.

Sonja and I are coaching some young racers that returned over three weeks ago from the race and have been thrust back into their world far different from when they left over 11 months ago. Their lives have been forever changed by the Lord. We need to give them the love to see what plans He has for them and nurture them forward with their lives. They have been given a glimpse of a depraved world and have seen Christ working His salvation for the lost through them. Now they are back in a world that they had walked with friends and family prior to the race. Their lives are no longer the same. The Lord has taken them to a heavenly place, showing them His Love and Grace in a fallen world.

They yearn for true meaningful discussions about their experiences and what changes that the Lord has made to their lives living for the Kingdom and not for the world and it's desires. Embrace them and give them that Love from the Father. We shouldn't let the world turn them back to what they were before.

Legacy of Memory

Memories are such a wonderful thing. Right?  Right!? Okay, memories can be such a wonderful thing.  Or memories are not such a wonderful thing. What comes to mind when you think of a memory?  Do you think of something wonderful or something so painful that you hurry to think of something else?  Come on! You can be honest with yourself as you read this.

Let's explore this a little bit more.  Memory as described by Webster's,"the mental capacity or faculty of retaining and reviving facts, events, impressions, etc., or of recalling or recognizing previous experiences."
So memory is what you make of it. Right?  Mental capacity or faculty is a necessity.  The ability to grasp or hold the memory is important. So is the retaining or reviving it.  The it could be any of the facts, events, impressions, smells, previous experiences, sounds, etc.   There is a lot to the memory thing isn't there? What helps you remember?  Is it a random thought, or specific concentrated effort to bring back something that was experienced or not? 

Now here comes the hard part to this little post.  What do you remember as one of the most significant things that has ever happened to you in a positive way?  If you are like me, there are quite a few of them, but for the sake of this discussion, which one is the most significant to you?  Knowing my twist to the rest of my predictable blog posts, I'm going to go out on a limb here and say it was the first time you encountered God on a personal one-on-one.  Remember?  I can tell you He does. He put you in a place where you had only one of two options.  Listen to Him or reject Him.  I've heard people say that God called them by name and rocked them to their knees. I've also heard people say that He pursued them and the first couple of times they didn't respond and so Jesus went out of their lives until He came back.  There is no judgement here from me about that one.  That's their story and they can stick  with it.  I would think that Jesus was there the entire time.

So what was it to you.?  Where were you and what were you going through?  Did He pick you up and comfort you from a broken sinful condition?  Did you have someone with you or were you all alone?  What did it feel like having the burden of sin taken from you?  What a relief knowing that it wasn't up to me to do all, be all.  Was that you too?  Did you have a Bible with you or did you cry out for Him with all your soul and let the God moment bring you to His Grace?    Remember.  The memory after that moment of Grace should be one of great joy.  It should be.

Paul and Timothy had it so right in  Philippians 1:1-11,  Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ,  To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:  I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; just as it right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of  grace.  For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ. 
And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense til the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. 

They were remembering.  They were joyful in those memories.  Isn't it the same for us?  Didn't you have fellow bondservants that mentored and prayed for you as a new believer?  My prayer to you is that you had someone or somebodies that helped you, but unfortunately there are some that we don't help guide along for whatever reason.  We need to make absolutely sure we build wonderful memories of those that come to the Lord in faith. They need our Love given from the Father and shared through the Holy Spirit.  We must do this. 

To throw the curve now.  One of my best memories is the day, I saw my wife for the first time and she caused me to fall totally out of my mind head over heels for her.  The next are those of watching each of our children being born, and baptized later in Christ.  So my prayer for you is to build those memories and talk about them as they are your legacy for living a life for the Savior.