Dan's Dream

Dan, an intercessor at our corps, had a dream the other day. He was gracious enough to share it with me, so I'm going to share it with you, because it was so awesome!

I dreamed we were in our corps chapel at the beginning of a time of prayer. I could hear "People Need the Lord" playing over the sound system. I was just about to pray when all of a sudden, there was silence (except the music in the background). Then people started to line the altar. These were people I did not know or recognize. They were praying to receive the Lord into their lives.

As you can imagine, I'm having a field day with this one- especially after my prayers for the gift of intercession and my concern over the lost! Bring it, Lord Jesus!

Here's my brief unpacking of this Word for us:
1) we- this is a promise for our whole corps.
2) I could hear- the message of Outreach is going to be heard.
3) all of a sudden- God's going to startle us with this wave of salvation.
4) silence- nothing gets your attention like silence.
5) line the altar- there will be many saved.
6) people I did not know- these are going to be new to our corps family.

I'm going to do everything I can to bring this prophecy into fulfillment. Pray for us to be able to handle all these people and get them assimilated into God's family. Looks like yesterday was just the beginning!

God Answers Prayer!

You know how I've been talking about Outreach lately? I don't remember if I've blogged about asking for the gift of evangelism, but just so we're all on the same page . . . The lost have been weighing heavily on my heart and I asked God to do just that- give me the gift of evangelism.

Now that you're up to speed, I led two new people to the Lord this morning! YEAH! It's been so long, I'd almost forgotten what it feels like. Let me tell you, it feels GOOD! Here's the inside scoop:

I was getting everything ready for the morning service like I usually do. God reminded me that I had talked with him about hanging out in our Soup Kitchen on Sunday mornings so I could chat with people about him. I was a bit nervous, but I was commited to doing it. When I was almost finished with the preparation details, Clarise, one of our prospective Soldiers, came to me and asked if I could pray with a couple from the Soup Kitchen. Clarise is always talking with people about Jesus (I just love that about her)! Naturally, I said yes, and the rest is history! God sure does answer prayer!

God and the angels in heaven are still partying over Chris and Theresa Peal- our newest brother and sister in The Kingdom! Pray for them- they've got lots of "stuff" to yet deal with and we want to be able to walk through it with them. God keep us faithful!

Sometime in the middle of the whole process, I thought: "Isn't that interesting? I asked to be able to lead people to Jesus and I didn't even have to go to them- God brought them right to me! In the very chapel I am so used to praying in on Sunday!" Talk about honoring my Sunday AM commitment.

It's Gonna be Different

Last night our cell group got back together after a way too long hiatus. Oh yeah, the Christmas season was in full swing, I was away for a few weeks- you know- as lame excuses for not getting together as we can think of. [sigh]

Anyway, our new plan is to start going through Peter Wagner's book on Spiritual Gifts, but last night, we decided to watch a DVD of Heidi Baker's presentation at the recent conference I went to. Good stuff! Very challenging- especially since she manifests (big time) all through her preach. That kind of stuff is offensive to many who have not experienced it in the past- or, as she puts it in that very talk- it's offensive to we Westerner's who have huge control issues! And I sensed a lot of offense in the room as we watched last night. [double sigh]

So at the end of the video, I asked a couple of questions, but since I felt that spirit of offense heavily in the room, I actually allowed it to intimidate me and we closed off our time abruptly. We didn't even pray together! Hindsight is 20-20, so as I look back on my failure, I don't feel so good about it. Rats!

Why do we let The Enemy intimidate us? Why don't we just push those feelings down hard and trounce him soundly? He's got nothing over us we don't allow him to have and I'm tired of allowing him to take control!

Jesus forgive me for giving way to The Enemy in whatever form he presents himself. Teach me to better discern his activity and then defeat his attempts to undermine your mission in me.

Next week, it's gonna be different.

Move, Holy Spirit

I was just talking on the phone with a friend and in the middle of a sentence, he said something that really hit my spirit! "The Holy Spirit often moves over people in ways you can't see." Ooo, that's blog material, I'd say!

We get so frustrated with people. Linus (Peanuts comic strip) once said: "I love mankind, it's people I can't stand!" Man, have I connected with that over the years! So much, in fact, that I'm forcing myself to stop cursing myself with such rot. I really do love people, it's just that The Enemy is constantly trying to get me to think differently about God's most precious creation.

Still, they frustrate. They confound. They confuse. They make me angry (or try to). They irritate. They do a whole bunch of other things that bother me!

Hmm, come to think of it, sounds just like me. Ahem.

How I pray God will open their eyes to the changes they need to make in their lives! But you know what? He hears that prayer. The proof is in the fact that God sends his Spirit to move on them in small ways. He seeps into their consciousness little by little until, one day, you can actually see the difference! He is changing them into his own image! Me too.

Too bad it's not fast enough for us. We want it all done right now ("give me patience, Lord and give it to me right now")! Wouldn't that be nice. Well, maybe not- we can't forget about free will . . . and the fact that God chooses to work slowly in us 1) so that it lasts and 2) so that we don't "burn" in the cooking process.

I guess my job is to continue to be patient in sowing the good seed. God makes it grow in his timing. What kind of farmer would plant a seed one day, then dig it up the next day to see if it's growing?!

Oh! But one day it breaks through the surface! Then slowly it grows into a large stable plant, that Jesus tends with great care.

O Lord, keep moving in the people around me. And open my eyes to see the tiny changes you are bringing to them. Maybe you'd even let me encourage that growth?

Our Foundation of Peace

I was heading to a potentially difficult confrontation one day. I was anxious to get there and get it over with, but God had other plans. The bridge was closed for a couple hours! So as I turned the car to go the long way around, I sensed God tell me I needed more time to prepare myself for the meeting. Instinctively I knew I was supposed to pray on the armor of God from Ephesians 6.

When I got to the Shoes of Peace, it dawned on me that we stand on our shoes. In a real sense, they are our foundation. It was then that I got revelation from the Holy Spirit about standing on peace in the midst of stressful situations. The Christian's very foundation is peace.

That revelation has done me well over the years as I've found myself in all kinds of tough situations. If I am not at peace, I am not standing on the right foundation. All I need do, is quiet myself enough to hear God's still, small voice whisper his peace. It is then I know I am at that place where I can hear God speak even in the middle of great cacohpony! And we're much more able to make a good decision or say the right thing if we are at peace. Jesus' peace. Peace that the world doesn't give (John 14:27). Peace that is perfect (Isaiah 26:3).

I told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have trouble. But be brave! I have defeated the world! - Jesus (John 16:33 (ICB))

You know what? I feel pretty peaceful about my blog toay.

Get with the Program!

We are God's masterpiece! He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. - Ephesians 2:10

God don't make no junk, as the saying goes! Each one of us was planned by God. Not an after-thought, but a deliberate puzzle piece that fits exactly into this grand scheme of things. If there are "bumps," it's so you would fit snugly against the next piece. You're a masterpiece. And his whole purpose (our purpose in life) is to accomplish the things he set out for us to accomplish. These things were planned so very long ago, none of us were around- not even our great-great-grand-parents!

With that thought in mind, it would be good if we had an idea of what it was God wants us to do- ya think? So what are your spiritual gifts? These gifts mix together with your personality, talents and desires so that you are the perfect vessel to complete God's assignments for you. Wouldn't it be a shame if you stood before God on that great day and found out you missed it? Or even just some of it?

You are important to God: 1) because he loves you so much and 2) because he needs you to do certain things so that his plan of grand redemption will come into it's fullness, blessing and reaching as many of his children as possible (he wants them all saved, by the way- there's a lot of work yet to do). Sure, God could do it all himself, but that's just not the way he designed things.

So let's get with the program! Do you know your spiritual gifts? Good- get to it then. Don't quite know what you're supposed to be doing? Find out- ASAP. There are plenty of good books on spiritual gifts and plenty of good people in the body of Christ willing to help you get it all straight. It's too important to ignore. God needs you. Shoot, I need you- you just might be that piece that fits so snugly against me!

- - -
Your Spiritual Gifts Can Help Your Church Grow: How to Find Your Gifts and Use Them to Bless Others, C. Peter Wagner, 2004, Regal Books, Ventura, CA.

Your Spiritual Gifts Can Help Your Church Grow: Help People Find Their Gifts and use Them to Bless Others (Work Book), C. Peter Wagner, 1999, Regal Books, Ventura, CA.
- - -

Keep me Challenged

Home again! I wish it didn't take such a long day to travel, sigh. As I drove away from my house this morning through the canyon walls of snow on both sides of our street, I realized Vancouver rain ain't so bad after all! Ah well, the grass is always greener, they say.

The trip home was long, but uneventful. My last flight from Boston to Bangor was delayed, so I ended up finally getting in the house about 1-1:30ish. I figure I was up almost 19 hours with only a short 1/2 hour nap on the plane. And no bumps or free tickets this time- too bad!

So far, I've filled Deb in on about 1/10th of everything that happened. There was so much blessing in those 2 weeks, I find it hard to believe it all really took place. Each event and each person helped to make my stay at The War College seriously memorable! I do hope I can keep in touch with many of the Martyrs session (hint, hint, you guys!). Of last year's session, only 2-3 keep in touch on a regular basis. They all bless me deeply and I am so much the better for their camaraderie. God bless 614 Vancouver and all who connect there.

Now I pray I can keep up the high level of activity and ministry. I don't want to come down off the mountain. O Lord, keep me challenged!

A Mixed Blessing

My final day in Vancouver was a mixed blessing. Of course God continued to use me and the team he gathered around me for prayer ministry. I started early in the AM and went straight through until late evening watching God minister healing and freedom to his people- all quite literally! It was awesome, as always, because our great God is awesome!

Then I finished the day receiving a special blessing as Heather gave me the full massage treatment. She's a registered professional and I wish I could have stayed awake to enjoy it even more! But I feel wonderful, so I know she let God bless me through her. I slept especially well last night!

I'm looking forward to getting back home again, though. It's always good to come back home with renewed excitement for ministry! The ministry in Vancouver is exciting and powerful. God is doing a wonderful work there through his chosen people- including the students. They are growing and The Kingdom is growing. Praise God for this breath of fresh Holy Spirit blowing through the world. May it touch more lives daily as God multiplies those who receive His Gospel message of great joy and peace.

The mixed part is that I'm wishing I could have stayed. Maybe not permanently, but a least 2-3 months longer! O well, I'm coming back again for Booth-Tucker Institute (BTI) in July, where I will get to be a student. Why not plan on joining me? (details on ArmyBarmy.com)

Drum Roll Please...

It's official. Bangor, Maine has two War College students coming to help with the fight this summer. I am excited! And I'm excited that when the announcement came, they were excited too! We officially welcome you both

Aurora Atell

Travis Roberts

and promise to start praying for you and your combined ministries in Bangor right now!

One of your assignments will be to BLOG (remember what that was like Jon Howell?), so why not get started right now. That way we can get on the same page and get to know you both before your arrival in Bangor. You will want to hit the ground running full steam ahead! (If you already blog, respond to this post with your blog address)

I expect I'll put up some personal info about each of these Martyrs in the days to come. Watch this space. For their current War College testimonies, go to this link:

http://www.thewarcollege.com/student2005/Testimonies05.html

That Loud Clattering Sound

This week I have been teaching War College students, but God is still in the process of teaching me. I get fired up in the middle of good discussion, so I've had lots of opportunity to burn- and the flames are still licking at my spirit! I already told you about one major epiphany, so here's another: God has refined my "techniques" of deliverance ministry. I've been mentored by some of the best, but after years of working back and forth between the two techniques I've learned from them, I can now say I have my own style. Might I say (with humility) that it's so much easier now! I don't even break a sweat, because the "pray-ee" now does most of the "work!"

In as short a nutshell as I can get, it goes like this:

I used to cast out demons only through direct confrontation and speaking right to them- "get out!" I learned that from my first mentor and it works. Then I added an inner healing style of ministry where we would allow the Holy Spirit to guide the prayee to a memory and find Jesus in that place. He would invariably heal that memory and change their perception of that event. In the process, any demon associated with the memory would be gone at the end. But I often found finding that memory wasn't always easy and took some time.

Then I read brad Jersak's book "Can You Hear me?" (again, referrenced in the sidebar- if you haven't bought it yet, what are you waiting for?!?) and I started leading people through listening prayer with Jesus. This week I discovered that in listening prayer, Jesus can deal with demons. And at the end, they're just as "gone" as they were in direct confrontation or inner healing! Talk about revelation!

So that's the style God led me to use most of this week. Sure there are times when other methods are more appropriate- like when a demon chooses to manifest in a person: confront the demon directly and get it over with. Demons are not worth wasting your time with! Get in, clean house, get out and watch the result of the healing! Lives are seriously changed!

But the best part, is that this method is easily transferrable! On the last day of class, I "taught" the students how to do it! I can hardly wait to hear of their results as Jesus empowers their prayers for others. True, not all are gifted in deliverance ministry. But, as I taught these students, we all still have a Christian role to cast out demons.

Can you hear that loud clattering sound? Demons are quaking at the sound of Martyr's foot steps! What are you guys waiting for? (Martyr's is this year's TWC session name).

World traveler

Yesterday I went to a circus, a horse race, the dock of a bay and finally a Pirate's Galleon! Sound like I'm traveling around the world? Actually, it's much more fun than traveling- these are the places Jesus is taking people (in their imaginations) to show them things about their life and his concern for them. I'm just along for the ride! And what a fantastic ride it's been! I can hardly wait until we start praying again today!

Here are some excerpts:

One person was taking suitcases of junk off their backs and giving them to Jesus. Then Jesus was tossing them (with glee!) into the ocean at their feet. He even threw one very dark suitcase a long ways out to make a point (we got it!). Talk about freedom! And you should have seen Jesus' swimsuit!

One person was in a horse race, but was the only one running- sounds like you have no choice but to win! The cool part was that Jesus was running right along side of them! Then he gave them their very own Shield of Faith! I want one! Oh, that's right, I've already got one!

One person saw their own private circus where Jesus was a Lion (sound familiar?) jumping thru hoops to pursue their family and catch them. They've been praying for their family to come to Jesus. Sounds like that's just what Jesus wants too!

Another had an interesting visit to a huge sailing galleon where Jesus was steering the ship. They were standing on the bow in the wind (I asked if Leonardo DiCaprio was there! He wasn't). Then Jesus began showing them around the ship. There were some interesting visuals for them to learn- like the gangplank- where they could push off anything that didn't belong in their life. I love the thought of making The Enemy walk the plank! They were even given a new pirate's sword to use and take care of! Swashbuckling adventure, that!

What we are all learning (without a shadow of a doubt), is that wherever you are, Jesus is always there with you. We don't always think to look for him and he's not always obvious, but nevertheless, he is always there. If we ever feel alone, all we have to do is settle down long enough to find where Jesus is and listen to what he has for us right then. It's a powerful lesson to learn. Makes a difference when you get it down pat.

So it's off on more excursions again today. I just love being a world traveler!

I wonder if I could get air miles for this?

The Fruit is Change

Yesterday started with a spiritual attack that kept us locked out of our classroom. It seemed no one could find the keys. So did The Enemy win? No, we just marched down the street and piled into Steve and Danielle's place! It was a tight setting for class, but it served the purpose and we had a blessed time. Sidetracked, but not derailed.

Then off to prayer ministry times- four scheduled for today. Each one today, was an opportunity for listening prayer, a la 'Can You Hear Me?' (by Brad Jersak). Same style of prayer, but completely different personalized sessions- God designed just for the "prayee." He's so awesome like that! No canned formulas for God. He never does the same thing the same way twice- he's too creative for that and he loves us individually, just the way we need it. Personalized. In fact, every prayer session I've ever done, either inner healing or deliverance, has been unique. Customized.

But you know the one thing that is always the same? The one thing that always happens in every session I have ever been a part of? God shows up. Not for me or the ministry team, but for the person being prayed for. Always. Every single time. And he relates to them in just the way they need him at just that moment. In the end, they finish in Jesus' very presence, being comforted with whatever it was they needed. And change? Yeah, the fruit of Jesus showing up in our lives is always a marked change for the better.

I can hardly wait to see that fruit in these people's lives!

My Head Exploded!

Yesterday, someone asked me if I was "wasted" yet. I've been very busy teaching and in prayer ministry, but I'm just warming up! I can't be tired yet, I've still got 5 days left! PTL!

In yesterday's class we covered some of my favorite material from my notes- Demonology and Our Authority. My favorite, because I'm gifted (spiritually) in the area and I just love to see the little light bulbs go off over student heads when we talk about things the church has been woefully ignorant of for years and years. I mean, when was the last time you heard a sermon about demons or how we can deal with them in our lives (or rather out of our lives)?

Anyway, we were discussing Lucifer's fall and his abdication of his heavenly position as the head worshipping angel (the one who covered Gods throne) and a student asked (thanks Nicole!) in effect: "So if Lucifer left the worship position empty, does that mean it falls to us to fill that spot and worship God?" Right about then my head exploded. Well, not really, but you get my drift! Think about that for awhile! I know, a lot of this is speculation (or what I choose to call factulation, because there is some foundation of fact all this), but it is awesome to think about anyway!

So if Lucifer was the head worshipper (kinda teaching and guiding the other angels in worship), he was probably assigned to teach humankind how to worship too. Then he falls from his high position and God fills the vacancy with humankind. Yeowch! Now I can see why our worship of God makes Satan so angry! And why he causes so many kinds of divisions and distractions around worship. He knows the power of it all and wants it all for himself. But I bet he just can't stand having people accomplish what he failed so miserably at!

And think about what our worship means to God and the heavenlies. If we don't do it, who will? I know there are other angelic beings continually worshipping God, but you can follow my lead, right? Our worship of God is seriously important in his grand scheme of things!

Now put that under your belt and get out there and worship! Our God is so worth it and we've got so much more of it to do!

God is Completely Faithful!

One of my goals in life is to live as much as possible in God's manifest presence. That's where God has become physically real to me- usually through a physical sensation. It's awesome!

However, it's dawned on me that while I want to live in his manifest presence, I don't have to. I thank God for those times he chooses to reveal himself to me in that way, but I'm actually OK without it, because I know he's there. That's his promise and I can count on him like no one else!

God is not a man, that he should lie. He is not human that he should change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it though? - Numbers 23:19

How incredible is that?

I praise you, God, for your faithfulness. I can trust you completely and my hope in you will never be put to shame.

God is Good!

Today was my first teaching day at The War College. After a powerful half-hour session of praying the Bible (good job, Heather!), we moved seamlessly into class. Yesterday, I discovered that Baracah had shared some of my first day's material ahead of me (she took one of my seminars before!), so I only had to add a tiny emphasis to the "Can You Hear Me?" section. We then practiced on one of the students and God shared some effective encouragement that had many common threads. I tell you, "Can You Hear me?" is an awesome book. You should get it yesterday and read it ASAP. You can find the link to the author's website on the left.

We then had a debriefing for the recent conference. Elaine was so full of wisdom, she spilled over on everyone! Much was not only heard, but grasped and I could see many little light bulbs going off over student heads! I love that! Great good will come of that session and we will all be the better for it.

Then on to my scheduled prayer ministry sessions. To make 3 long stories short, I 1) saw God heal 3 major inner wounds and put that person dead asleep in His arms for a much needed healing rest! 2) witnessed some "opposites" come closer together by understanding what's been going on in the spiritual realm over them, and 3) watched as another person cast 3 demons out of themself! They were so effective, I wondered why I was even there.

Man, God is good! I can hardly wait for tomorrow!

A Link in a Long Chain

I landed my first shift in the 614 War Room today and I was excited as I headed over to room 504 at The Empress Hotel. Shifts are 3 hours long and they have been going 24/7 for almost a year. Awesome! I believe they started shortly after my last visit last February.

The room is painted a deep royal purple with gold accents on the trim. It's beautiful. The room is furnished with a single carpet, a desk, 3 different types of chairs, a CD player (with plenty of CDs), a huge world map on the wall and assorted pictures and scripture verses posted throughout the room on the walls. There are many candles, a plant, a guitar and incense, if wanted. Lots of books and Bible versions adorn the desk. There are prayer request books, plenty of paper and the schedule of time slots- completely filled in for 3 weeks.

When alone, the first thing that hit me was the heritage of prayer that has already been built up. It was incredible! I sat there in awed silence as it hit me how I was becomming a single link in a long chain of prayer that was filling the Bowls of Heaven. God's Spirit was heavily present in the middle of this grungy welfare hotel. I sat in silence while listening to Lindell Cooley (my new favorite worship leader, click the CD link on the side of this page)- transfixed in God's loving embrace. He is so awesome and majestic!

Before I knew it, time was up. But I wasn't very well done yet. I need some more cooking. Lord, raise the temperature and put me back in for a lot longer.

Intimacy Conference

I've not had much time on the computer these last few days, because we head out to the conference early in the morning, then get back very late each night. We've been going to a conference on intimacy called "The Secret place," hosted by Todd Bentley. I've never been to one of his conferences, nor heard him in person, so I was looking forward to this one. However, I must say, the best part of this confrerence, is getting to listen to Heidi Baker. Actually, you don't listen to Heidi Baker, you experience her.

WOW! I'll say it again- WOW! I'll even say it backwards- WOW! She is incredible! I knew we were in for a treat when they introduced her after the praise and worship, but they had to practically drag her out from the floor between the seats. Worship of her Jesus had reduced her to (what we at the conference came to experience as) an octopus on crack! She was so under the power of the Holy Spirit, she couldn't stand up- she preached mostly from the floor. But there was no question, this was God at work, because immediately, you could sense the presence of God in the place. Her words were powerful and full of prophetic conviction. This was true each time she spoke. This is truly a woman sold out to God and under his full control. I would encourage you to follow and support her world-changing ministry (www.irismin.com).

Graham Cook also spoke some good words for us. However, I was distracted by his sometimes harsh condemnations of various kinds of people. For instance: in so many words, he told us that those who "have" to use the title apostle are not really apostles. What's up with that? It's supposed to be a secret? Then he later asked who in the room was an intercessor (to speak to them about something). So if you have the gift of intercessor, you can call yourself such, but the gift of apostle, you cannot? Sorry, it was hard enough for God to convince me that I was an apostle and that I should tell people such (if on the subject). I'm not going to be bullied by someone who obviously has an issue with apostles (ah- want me to tell you what I really think? heh, heh).

Anyway, I believe I've actually gotten all the new War College student names down! Woo hoo! Of course, there's still a bit of a pause for some of them as my mind works through whatever it is that's helped me remember. Now last names and where they're from- that's probably not going to happen. I'm looking forward to next week's teaching and ministry times.

Oh, almost forgot- we cast a small demon out last night. Looks like there'll be more of that ahead. Praise the Lord!

First Full Day

One of my goals these next 2 weeks is to learn all I can about small groups and discipleship. So I plan to attend a few cell groups and chat with people about their discipling routines. Last night I hung out with the leaders cell group. Because there are a variey of schedules going on here at a time, the size of the group grew as the evening progressed. Other than the fact that we went around the group asking for a personal spiritual report since the last meeting, the group functioned much as my small group at home. The personal report was a good step toward accountability, which I should be thinking more about.

Other than that, the day was fairly uneventful. I walked around the East side, picked up some apples and some M&Ms (Don't tell Deb about the M&Ms!). After Warrior Academy, Jenn came by, then Josh. We headed out for Starbucks and I got a pepermint hot chocolate (their drinks are always bitter, but no Dunkin Donuts anywhere in sight). Then I went to the harborlight for dinner with Josh Ivany. We had some good conversation and an interesting beef stew. I'm not used to eating so early (4 PM) for dinner. I hope to get to hang out with more students soon and get to know this session.

Today, we head out to the conference with Tod Bentley. I am so looking forward to it!

Safe and Sound

I've finally arrived safely in Vancouver! Not that I was ever "unsafe," it just took me almost a day longer to get here . . . I was bumped (at my request). I ended up with a $300 flight voucher, a night in the Boston Airport Hilton with lunch, dinner and breakfast vouchers. Not bad- and they got me to Vancouver by 12:30 PM today. Although, I must complain, that they damaged both my bags. Ugh! Not again!

On my first flight yesterday, God showed me one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. While just clearing the cloud cover (it was dark and a bit dreary below), I witnessed the Grand Canyon of clouds! It was so beautiful! The sun was brightly shinning on them and I could see huge canyons of light and dark everywhere. It was a spiritual experience and God spoke to me about his magesty throughout it all. We truly serve an amazing God!

Later, in prayer, God showed me some growth at our corps that I hadn't seen before. It was encouraging to say the least!

Elaine and Hannah picked me up at the airport and we had good in-depth conversation all the way in. I especially loved the look I got when I told Hannah, Jenn was my little girl!

While leaving the customs section, someone said to me: "have a wonderful time!" But I immediately thought- no, not wonderful, I want God to make me very uncomfotable while I'm here. Uncomfortable with my own life-style compared to those of the people in Downtown Eastside Vancouver. And later, in Bangor. Convict me Lord!

On Special Assignment

I'm spending the next 2 weeks in Vancouver, Canada teaching and getting blessed at The War College (January 10-24). I'm not sure what kind of computer access I'll have or what time I'll be able to give to this blog, so please understand if I can't keep up the daily entries.

Don't get out of the habit of checking "Light Seeker." If possible, I hope to give you daily updates of my exploits. At the least, I'll have tons of material to write about when I do get back!

I will appreciate your prayers while I'm on this special assignment "at the cutting edge of mission, outreach and service."

Bring it on!

In an earlier blog, I mentioned what I feel God's priorities are for our corps in 2005. They are Conviction, Covenant, Discipleship and Outreach. Today, I briefly mentioned these four in our service. While there's a whole lot more there to unpack, this is the gist:

It's all about Outreach. If we're not actively involved in bringing new people into the party of God, we're sadly misdirected. We don't need any more pew-warmers. So all the other items lead us to this final one.

But first, Conviction- Conviction that we need to be doing more (than we typically are) to reach the lost. If the Holy Spirit will speak to us and we do not sear our consciences (by ignoring his voice), but listen to his nudging, that Conviction should lead us to care about the lost- those who Jesus eagerly leaves the 99 to find. These lost are dying without God and Jesus is all about reaching them, so they won't have to spend eternity without him. These lost are our brothers and sisters. Do we really care? Not just in word, but in deed? Do we do anything about their predicament? O Holy Spirit, convict us. Teach us your heart for the lost.

Next comes Covenant. If we are soldiers of The Salvation Army, we have signed a covenant, in effect saying we will spend our lives reaching the lost. Are we doing it? A covenant is pretty binding. Does our word mean anything? We need to return to our first love- or at least our first promise.

Then we need to be actively involved in some kind of discipling activity. We should be discipling one or more who have been on the way less than us and we should be in a continual process of being discipled by at least one who has been on the way longer than us. This is what keeps us sharp and able to fight against The Enemy.

Finally, we come back to Outreach- the focal point of it all. O Lord! help me to care enough to do something about the lost! I don't exactly know what it is yet, but I'm willing to do it. Teach me. Convict me. Bring it on!

New England Temperature Conversion Chart

After that last post, I've got to put this one up. It's all true!

New England Temperature Conversion Chart

60° F: Southern Californians shiver uncontrollably. People in New England sunbathe.

50° F: New Yorkers try to turn on the heat. People in New England plant gardens.

40° F: Italian & English cars won't start. People in New England drive with the windows down.

32° F: Distilled water freezes. Maine's Moosehead Lake's water gets thicker.

20° F: Floridians don coats, thermal underwear, gloves, wool hats. People in New England throw on a flannel shirt.

15° F: New York landlords finally turn up the heat. People in New England have the last cookout before it gets cold.

0° F: All the people in Miami die. New Englanders close the windows.

10° below zero: Californians fly away to Mexico. The Girl Scouts in New England are selling cookies door to door.

25° below zero: Hollywood disintegrates. People in New England get out their winter coats.

40° below zero: Washington DC runs out of hot air. People in New England let the dogs sleep indoors.

100° below zero: Santa Claus abandons the North Pole. New Englanders get frustrated because they can't start their "kahs."

460° below zero: All atomic motion stops (absolute zero on the Kelvin scale).People in New England start saying, "cold 'nuff for ya?"

500° below zero: Hell freezes over. The Red Sox win the World Series
(dab) . . . ah, now we're going to have to rework this last one!

Moses Shovels?

In Maine, this is REALLY funny.

Our Army Heritage

I've been hearing a lot about our Salvation Army Heritage lately. It almost seems that everywhere I turn, someone is arguing the case that we should not lose or forget our heritage. But before we talk inteligently about our heritage, we need to be clear what we mean by it.

The good ol' American Heritage Dictionary (ha! did you catch that? Heritage!) puts it this way:

Something passed from one generation to another:

• legacy
• inheritance
• tradition
• birthright
• family possession
• estate

I'm OK with some of those for our Army, but others I'm not. For instance, we should be concerned about our Legacy- that image which has been left to us by our forebearers. Family Possession, on the other hand, reeks of inbreeding- something just for us and no one else.

I think the important thing to remember here, is that our heritage is not brass bands or our songbook. It's not uniforms and flags. It's not even our symbols and logos. Our heritage has not been left to us in "things." We can do without these things. Our heritage is

1) Listening to the Holy Spirit,
2) Enthusiasm for God and
3) The willingness to do whatever it takes to reach the lost.

If we do these three, we are doing the very things at the heart of our Army (and, I believe, God's purpose for our Army). If we listen to ourselves or the world more than we listen to God, we might as well give up our fight. The war just can't be won in that manner. If we just put our enthusiasm into new programs or old memories, we end up deader that the proverbial doornail.

If we are only willing to go so far to get the attention and salvation of the lost people around us, we have sold our soul for a mess of porridge. This includes hanging onto things that are making us irrelevant to the world around us.

Nothing is Useless!

So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and steady, always enthusiastic about the Lord's work, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. - 1 Corinthians 15:58

I needed that this morning! There are times when you begin to feel like nothing you do really matters anyway. Then God leads you to this verse and reminds you that even though you don't always see the results of your work, there are results! In fact, nothing done for God is useless. Coolest!

You see, we're always walking forward; looking ahead (so we don't trip or fall). Most results show up behind us after we've moved on to the next thing. Why not take a brief break today? Stop looking forward for a few and look back. Can you see all the fruit growing along the path right where you've been walking? That's it- right there! See the results? Nothing was useless!

O Lord, allow those reading this today to see their fruit. Give them the blessing of open eyes to their impact on the world around them.

A Powerless Church?

"The world is not interested in paying any attention to a powerless church. If the promise of the Gospel cannot affect the daily routine of our lives, it offers nothing less than a panacea . . . I am convinced that as the world is drawn toward more and more occult powers and experiences, people will not give ear to a powerless Church." - David Canistraci

Only by the power of the Holy Spirit evidenced in our lives can the church make any kind of impact in today’s world. What about it? Are you playing church or are you showing them the real power of the creator of the universe?

Plain and simple: I am not interested in a powerless religious experience. If Jesus can't make a difference in my life or those around me, I'm outta here.

Notice I haven't left yet? PTL!

Listen to me!

Come here and listen to me! I'll pour out the spirit of wisdom upon you and make you wise. I called you so often, but you didn't come. I reached out to you, but you paid no attention. You ignored my advice and rejected the correction I offered.
- Proverbs 1:23-25 (NLT)

Jesus so wants us to receive his wisdom! He calls out to us often, but how often do we really listen? Are we so caught up in our own little world that we have no attention to pay the one who deserves all our attention?

How intentional are you about spending time with God and really listening to him? I hope you don't just read the verse at the top of your daily devotional and figure that's what God gets today- "after all, I have things to do."

Today, I started (rather re-started) my early morning face-time with God. I've been "catching as catch can" lately and it just wasn't enough to satisfy me . . . or God. So I finally screwed up my resolve, set my alarm to 6:00 AM (yawn) and shut the door to my study.

I'm listening, Lord. What do you have to say to me today? Got any good advise?

4 Priorities for 2005

Yesterday God gave me my four teaching priorities for the year of 2005. I'm not sure where we're going with them yet, but I will soon. And then, watch out! Because God has some awesome plans for the Bangor Corps this coming year. Here they are in order:

1) Conviction
2) Discipleship
3) Covenant
4) Outreach

Watch this space! I'm sure I'll elaborate on these here, as I get revelation.

I do See Miracles

Dec 24th I talked about a couple signs of God's blessing- one particularly being miracles. Make no mistake- I want to see miracles regularly in my ministry! But the more I thought about my comment, the more I realized I have seen miracles in my ministry.

The first I'm aware of, was years ago when I was the counselor of a cabin at music camp. One of the guys came down with strep throat and after seeing the doctor, was heading home later the next day. In my morning face-time with God, he was nudging me to pray for this boy's throat. I was scared, so we had quite a long "argument" about it! Finally, I gave in, because I thought my heart was going to jump out of my chest if I didn't obey! To make a long story short, we prayed, his throat was healed and he finished the whole camp session with no problems. The doctor even gave him a clean bill of health. I was in awe of God, but the memory of it all faded in a couple of days.

Most recently, we had a woman who's knee was so sore, she could not walk without severe pain. The doctor said the cartiladge was gone and she would need surgery. She was in agony for a long time- she could not afford the surgery, so even missed almost 2 months of work. We prayed for her during a healing service. During prayer, I "saw" an image in my mind of something like flat plastic growing into two shapes like fingers, but still connected. She felt better right away and has been back to church and work ever since. No surgery was necessary! But even the recent memory of that miracle has faded and hardly anyone talks about it anymore.

I can list some others, specifically as they relate to inner-healing and casting out demons (one of my spiritual gifts), but the common thread I can see clearly now, as I write, is that after the initial rush, the reality of the miracle faded away very quickly and I moved back into the routine again- always hoping to see miracles in my ministry. Hmmm- I wonder what that's all about?

I guess I do see miracles in my ministry! I'm thinking that I would see more if I spent more time talking about what God has already done and praising him for it all.