The War College Sessions (Vancouver)

I thought it would be fun to put the pictures of all The War College (Vancouver) sessions up in one place. These are the pictures I had taken during my last class each year out in the back alley. NO WAY am I going to try to name everyone (but I bet I'd do pretty well anyway- especially since some of these people have become friends and family over the years). There are some great memories here! And more memories than pictures, because not everyone was available for the picture {sigh}. Notice how the graffiti changes every year!

Death and Glory, 2004
Of special note: My daughter Jenn, my adopted daughter Heather, my "wish she was my daughter" Acacia, Bangor Scholarship recipient Sam, Bangor intern Jon . . . uh this isn't going to work- they're ALL special and I said I wasn't going to name them all!











Martyrs, 2005
Of special note: My son-in-law Josh, my "wish she was my daughter" Baracah, Bangor scholarship recipient Linsey, Bangor Interns Travis and Aurora.










Holy, 2006
Of special note: Sister of my son-in-law Kirsten (the homie), Bangor interns Joel and Denise.











Revolutionaries, 2007
Of special note: Uh, still working on that, but I'm sure a few will rise to the occasion!













So there you have it. Doesn't it look like they're all having so much fun (except for Rob, in the top picture. But he really was smiling inside)?

If you're interested in attending, go to their web site and check things out. Canada not your thing? That's okay, there's a War College in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA and a couple of others in the works for the near future (Africa, Australia, etc).

Hallelujah!

Freedom Writers

We just got back from watching the movie "Freedom Writers."

WOW.

I had wanted to see the movie for some time, but recently read a review that almost changed my mind by stating "If we wanted another 'Dangerous Minds,' we would have asked for it." Well to that I say "If we wanted another BAD movie critic's review, we would have asked for it!" How could someone be SO wrong about a movie? I'm glad I went anyway!

This is the kind of movie I like to see- it's a true story, it's hopeful and positive, and it ends well (in other words, I don't have to leave thinking up better endings). I cried many times as the story unfolded so personally. If you haven't seen it yet- what are you waiting for?!

Rather than offering another review, which you can find all over the Internet, I want to address two types of people seen in the movie that drive me crazy. Warning! Spoiler Alert (movie details will be discussed- don't read any further yet if you want to see the movie first)!

1) The spouse that leaves (because things change or get hard).
How sad is that? And I don't mean sad as "causing sorrow; depressing," rather "deplorable; sorry." I have very little understanding for people who give up on a marriage relationship because the other person grows, changes or becomes successful. That is truly a self-absorbed person and we all know the world's smallest package is "someone all wrapped up in themselves." They need an inner healing or something. "For better or for worse" means just that (end of diatribe; that's all I have to say about that).

2) The person who fights against another person because this other person is successful at doing things differently.
The teacher Erin had to report to became utterly deplorable (there's that word again; twice in one blog!) as the movie progressed. She became obsessed with Erin's getting around the system. She took it all personally and became the villain of the film just because "we don't do things that way." Instead of being glad for Erin reaching these kids and helping them make something of their lives, she actually grew to hate the kids and even Erin. Hate is such a strong word, but you could see it in her face and actions. She fairly shook with rage as she spoke against Erin and her kids.

I guess the reason this affects me so strongly, is because there are really people out there like this woman (I know because I've met them; even combated them once or twice). They lose all objectivity in their quest to defeat the person(s) they grow to hate. I say "grow to hate," because they usually don't start out that way- they develop the hatred as they see themselves somehow belittled by the successful person. It all becomes a personal vendetta to see them put in their place.

What SHOULD happen, is this person should see that the new person is doing something new and be glad for the change if it is working. Some ways of doing things just don't work any longer and should be tossed away if they are not producing results. Why we keep doing things because "it's the way we've always done them" is beyond my understanding; I just don't get it. Nothing is that sacred that we can't change the way it is presented in order to get better results. People change. The way we reach them will necessarily change as well. And that's a good thing.

This is particularly true for the Gospel. I could go on about that, but I'm sure my readers can make the jump from movie example to real life experience.

Too bad there are those out there who cannot.

Prophetic Titles

One of the special things God did for me this year during prayer ministry times, is give me a "Prophetic Title" for each person I prayed with (I say each person, because there are many people who wish to get involved in such prayer ministry, not just the current session of students. In fact, there are a few past students who have scheduled a prayer time with me every year I have returned!).

I mentioned these titles a couple of days ago. Simply put, they are a way God sees the person. It is prophetic, because (like all prophecy) the individuals have to agree with the title and move toward it for the truth it represents to become a reality. For instance, Jesus saw Peter as a Rock. Peter had to accept that and help it come into being in himself. If we disagree with such things they will not come into being.

Some of these are truly exciting to me, so I hope each person will receive them, agree with their truth and move in that direction.

I asked if I could publish these on my blog and got the okay, so here they are (not in any particular order and I hope I get all the names right!):

Matt Armstrong - Quiet Strength
Donny Melanson - God is my Power
Matt Elcome - My Pure One
Catherine Marquis - Explorer of My Mysteries
Lisa Stewart - My Worthy One
Becky Austin - Receiver of My Radiance
Crystal Myers - My Playful One
Andy MacDOnald - My Strong One
Lynn Wagner - My Priceless Jewel
Olivia Munn - I Pour Into This one (I was heavily impressed with this!)
Kirsten Ivany - Simply Trusting in Me
Juan Reyes - Abandoned to Me
Regan Lipsett - My Treasure
Holly Warren - My Obedient One
Stephanie Lines - Beloved of God
Stephie (last name?) - My Princess
Cristina Edmonds - At Peace With Me
Nicole Brindle - Blessed Beyond the Curse
Ian Smith - Full of My Wonder
Dawn Paulson - The One That I Want (with the music from the musical Grease!)
Jeremy Strain - Mighty Warrior
Lynne Cawker - My Precious Bride; My Sun Ray

Did You Know Jesus Can Play Basketball?

I'm back home in Bangor now, but I've got so much to say about my visit to The War College, I'm not sure how I can possibly cram it all in here! I'll probably miss half of it, but I'll try my best to share in the next few days. I've even been energized to blog more, so maybe you'll see me get back to the daily blogging I did for over a year straight. Hope you can handle it all (heh, heh).

Each War College session seems to take on a "personality" of its own. I discovered this one's quite by accident during my prayer ministry times. Not all, but many students had a very similar experience with Jesus: he had them stop "running" around and sit with him. That was the gist. In fact one student spent the entire hour doing nothing, but sitting with Jesus- together watching a sunset. At one point, they were heard to mumble to those supporting her in the prayer time: "I'm sorry, guys, that nothing more exciting is happening!" But I wasn't sorry at all. Sitting with Jesus tends to "radiate" his awesome presence to everyone in the room- at least I get that wonderful sense of God's presence and can sit there as long as Jesus wants to!

So I gather this session of students is very industrious! Perhaps almost too much? If you want to see my thoughts on "Being Over Doing," you can look back to my Saturday, August 12, 2006 Blog entry. I had to remind quite a few of this truth this year.

Here's a great personal testimony of one of my prayer ministry times. I got permission to give you this reference to Lisa's Blog where she talks about her experience. I was again pleased we were meeting in the War Room, so such a deliverance like this was easy and painless! Actually, we had quite a bit of fun playing basketball and such. Lisa (who started out the most nervous of anyone this year) found out Jesus can play basketball BIG time!

I praise God for his deliverance! It is available to anyone who wants it and I have been witness to dozens and dozens of such times of prayer and victory. Why should we let demons mess with us anyway?

Hallelujah!

Another Wonderful Day!

Hmm. I'm still wondering why my class on The Apostolic is always the least intersting for the students. Every year, they seem to zone out during these couple of hours- that is except one or two who seem to really catch on. Maybe that's the idea (it sure seems true for the rest of the body)- only some are meant to "get it?" I wonder why The gift of apostle is so confusing to many?

Ah well, there was still very good discussion in the Spiritual Gifts portion. I love good discussion with interested students! In fact there was some ideas brought up which will give me something to think about for awhile. Way to go, Jeremy!

Then I had lunch with Steve & Tara. Good conversation; great company. The food wasn't bad either!

So we continued with some great prayer sessions yesterday. There is always a WIDE range of experiences because there is an even wider range of people. No two prayer sessions are EVER even near the same! I am always amazed at that. Whenever I think I know what's about to happen, Jesus takes it in a direction I never expected. God is so creative and fun!

After my last prayer ministry session, I went to Knee Drill. I was refreshed by the wonderful praises ringing up to God! Then they asked me to get in the center of the whole crowd and they prayed for me. VERY good! Individual prayers and then everyone all at once- whew! It went right through me! I have never felt so appreciated as I do here. So many people tell me how glad they are I have come and give of myself. It's very humbling and yet it build me up like nothing else.

Aaaahh . . . I love it here!

Then to top off a great day, I spent the last few hours of the day chatting with Danielle. That is always one of my favorite things about spending time in Vancouver- I get to chat with Danielle! She is so funny, creative and wise. The apostolic fairly radiates from her through her cool personality and I soak in everything I can get. I always laugh heartily, learn a lot and get my creative juices flowing to apply to my own situation back in Bangor. There goes God again- blessing me through others.

That's what it's all about. I pray God can always easily bless others through me.

Wednesday

Another great day in Vancouver! And can you believe it? It was sunny! I know- Whoa! Not a drop of rain in sight. A rare occurance and very cool.

Class went well with a lot of good discussion. I tend to think well in such settings, so my brain was in high gear and I actually came back from most of my tangents.

Prayer ministry was even better. I got a student who is very good at listening prayer, so once we got started she took off! At one point she experienced something very similar to something I experienced years ago and when I closed my eyes I was back there in the full glory of God's presence. I have often wished I could do that, so that was a special blessing for me.

In prayer with another student, we also encountered our first false Jesus image this year. So many people have a "false" image of what Jesus is like- eg: "Jesus is mad at me, so he punched me." Obviously, Jesus wouldn't do that, so we kinda know it's not really him! But people seriously have false impressions of what he's like, so it's very good to break that and let them find the real Jesus. Their whole understanding of God realigns. Good stuff.

God is continuing to give me prophetic "titles" for each person I pray with this year. Kinda like Jesus calling Peter "Rock." He was notthing like a rock, but that's how Jesus saw him and Peter was able to have that title to live up to. I believe he did in the end. Hopefully the students will live up to these as well. I will probably post them all here later.

Yesterday my day went as long as Tuesday, but I didn't feel all wasted at the end. I think God is giving me strength (duh!). Eagle's wings are kinda cool. Besides, I can crash on my long flight home Saturday so why not go all out until then? :) The great part is that when I have any break inbetween sessions, I can stay in the War Room and just soak. Soaking is good. Gotta love soaking!

Today I teach 2 classes and only have 3 prayer sessions after that. Then it's Knee Drill (powerful prayer meeting)! I'm also hoping for a "dusting off" session for me sometime before I leave.

On with God's day! Until next time . . .

"Daily" Blog

Heh, heh.

Yeah, I was hopful. However, I've been extremely busy these last couple of days! We started out with a small session of War College students and longer prayer slots to schedule. But those quickly filled up so we added another session at night and squoze a couple in here and there. End result: I've been going full out and I think there's still someone not on the schedule. I got back to my room around 9:30 last night; morning came a little too quickly for me!

Needless to say, I've been having trouble taking the time to blog "daily." But I've got a few minutes now, so let's get started.

This year it was decided to hold my prayer ministry sessions in the war room (614's 24/7 prayer room which has been going strong for over 2 years, I believe!). That fact alone seems to have attributed to the "easy" sessions I'm having. Last year some of the sessions were a bit rough- dealing full on with demons and such. This year, we're having a lot of quiet times with Jesus. So much so, that one student was heard to say during her prayer time: "I'm sorry nothing exciting's happening. But Jesus is just sitting with me." "I'm sorry?" Ha! Those are the times when I get some of the overflow, so I can bask a bit in Jesus' presence as well. Not too shabby, I'd say! Actually, I love it when that happens!

I did get to witness a new first for me though. When one student was meeting with Jesus, she was in a hard place. Jesus appeared playing the piano. The student moved over and sat beside him. Jesus put his arm around her and kept playing on the outer keys. He then nudged her to play with him on the inner keys. She started playing with Jesus and it dawned on me he had given her the spiritual gift of music at that moment in her life! Wow!

Yesterday, two different students had to use their "Sword of the Spirit" on some demons. To put it mildly Demons don't respond very well to The Word of God when it is used correctly! To sum those moments up: those demons are gone! I'm expecting those students to see some marked change in their lives from here on out.

God has been giving me a simple Word for each student I am praying for so far; sort of a prophetic statement about them or a new title for them. Here are a few: Mighty Warrior, Beloved of God, Strong One, Receiver of My Radience, Full of My Wonder, Priceless Jewel, etc. This is very cool! Maybe I'll put the full list up when I finish.

Today, class delves into Demonology and our Authority. That's probably my favorite section of my teaching notes (probably because of my particular giftings). However, it is truly a misunderstood facet of our Christian walk. When we grasp our true placement in God's order of creation, real power can come from that. Demons shudder when faced with that truth from a person who really knows their place of authority over them.

Well, I need to get moving. Another long day ahead of me! Thanx for your continued prayer support!

Back in Vancouver Again

I'm finally in Vancouver after an all-day trip through Philly and Las Vegas. There's got to be a quicker way to make this trip! Quicker and easier on the tail bone. Ah, but it's all worth it to teach at The War College. For that matter, just to be in the vicinity of the people at The War College.

For those of you "in the know," I've been battling sickness over the last few weeks which seemed to explode on me just a couple days ago. Sensing I had to make it to Vancouver for God's purposes, I asked a group of people from my corps to pray over me Wednesday night. It was a powerful time in which I received confirmation that I was under attack.

So I sent out an email asking some trusted friends to pray. I know I missed a few trusted friends, but I was feeling bad and it was late . . .

So I've been receiving some great responses to my request from these friends. They are still coming in and I'm still hoping for continued covering prayer, but here's the result so far: The closer I got to Vancouver, the better I felt (all day long)! I don't feel like I have (had) a cold at all right now! PTL!

Please keep praying- specifically for my throat, because of all the talking I need to do over the next week. I'll be using throat lozengers like crazy!

So for now, I'm back to daily blogging so you can all keep up with the events of my week. Here's to God's Spirit cutting loose in a BIG way!

The Watchmaker

Here's a wonderful video about a watch . . . and you. Take a look- it's not very long and well done. Click on this link below:

http://www.kids4truth.com/watchmaker/watch.html

Isn't it strange that so many people can't see the obvious? Actually, it's not strange at all- it's just that people don't want to deal with the truth so they create anything they can think of that will help them avoid having to cope with God.

Too bad. God isn't like a galactic traffic cop hiding around the corner just waiting for you to screw up. He's like a loving father who just wants you to come back home again. He misses your company when you go away.

Always remember:

I have a maker
He formed my heart
Before even time began,
My life was in His hands

He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
And hears me when I call

I have a Father
He calls me His own
He’ll never leave me
No matter where I go

Our Contract of Friendship

After serious & cautious deliberation, our contract of friendship has been renewed for another year (2007). This was a hard decision to make, so let's try hard not to screw it up!

My blessing for your 2007 is as follows:

May peace break into your house and may thieves come & steal your debts. May the pockets of your jeans become magnets for $100.00 bills. May love stick to your face like Vaseline and may laughter assault your lips! May your clothes smell of success, may happiness slap you across the face, and may your tears be that of joy! May all the problems you had, forget your home address! In simple words, may 2007 be the best year of your life!