SEASON OF INCREASE FOR DIVINE ENCOUNTERS

When Holy Spirit releases revelation to The Sons and Daughters of God it is not just for enlightenment to access a higher plain of knowings or understandings. The encounter is not about accessing more or better ideas. Stopping there is like a mother entering labor to birth her baby but decides she should talk and think some more about the process of birthing before she continues.  

When Holy Spirit opens what was before clouded eyes to see, blocked ears to hear, hard and calloused hearts to the wonders of Uncreated One, it is for empowerment to experience the many facets of wonder of I Am. To gain and hold an idea from an encounter only makes for good conversations about impacting lives including our own. To gain and hold an experience from an encounter is life changing for self and all with whom shared. This is where an encounter should lead, for then, and only then, one is alive.

Consider This

Consider this, a flower, while in darkest cover of shade seeks even the smallest amount of the sun's available light. The flower, while in shade, light, or total darkness, strives not to be a flower,  for the flower never looses it's identity. The flower, intricately aware of the shadows that may surround it,  will strive to be in the light as much as possible for it needs, it must have, light to survive. It's striving is to be in the light! However, truly, the shade shapes the flower as it strives to be in the light. The end of the flower's encounter with shade and shadow reveals a facet of beauty added to the stature of the flower that would not be there otherwise. It's shape does not make obscure the flowers identity. Oh, how much it is shaped by the shadows that cause its struggles to stay in light. Psalm 38:5-22

How I Celebrated My 67th Birthday

Well, I have decided to write about my birthday experience for 2017. On my Birthday this year I spent the day doing what I normally do. Not being a huge fan of making a big deal out of my birthdays I carried on with my regular routine on the 28th. Routine and i get along fairly well and have for as long as I can remember … and those go back to when I was two years old. Yes, I do have memories of when I was two. But those would be for another story.

So, Denise, my wife of 47 years, says to me Wednesday evening just before retiring for the day, “Roger, wouldn’t you like to do something special for your birthday this year Perhaps go out to eat at a nice restaurant … or a show … something that you would like to do for yourself.” This made me stop and think … and I realized that I would like to do something special for my birthday! So we discussed our option of when and determined that Friday, tonight the 30th, would be the date but what to do was still a bit fuzzy. Earlier this afternoon I decided to go out for a steak. Birthday 67 celebration was on like Donkey Kong! 

Now mind you, I am talking not just an ordinary steak. But a real nice, mouth watering, thick, juicy rib eye, seasoned and cooked to perfection! Done so in not your ordinary eatery offering steaks but a real nice place with servers dressed in black and white, serving you from a cart kind of place. A place that has soft music playing in the back ground in a setting that says CLASS A DIGS HERE! 

A place that does not have peanut hulls and Lord only knows what else scattered about on the floor. And Music that has you wanting to linger at the table and enjoy the dinner’s fare; not jump up and Boot Scoot your partner across that peanut hull ladened floor. 

Before you get the wrong idea let me quickly say I do my share to keep those places in business and please do not take me wrong I am not slamming those places as to quality of food, or property. I have my favorite among them that I frequent and I enjoy the food at a reasonable price in an atmosphere that is exciting … well it sets a rhythm to chew by for sure even if it is not all that healthy for the normal digestive system or safe from choking hazards! And yes I do my part as to adding peanut hulls to that floor! But still I go there for good food and servers friendly and motivated to do a good job. 

But tonight, For my 67th birthday I wanted nice restaurant, awesome steak, with casual dress. And it happened!

As I discussed the possibilities with Denise we began to name places that we might visit. Several are good but not pushing the right button in the Birthday Boy until Denise said there Is George’s in Sheffield. Did you hear that ring??? I did!!

So off to Georges Steak Pit we went. First of all let me warn you that if you wish to try this for yourself be sure to not do what we did and go to George’s downtown Sheffield. You will be disappointed unless you have called ahead and have a private party / sitting arranged. Thank God there was no such party there when we walked up to the door cause if there had been one we would not have been properly dressed, not on the list, but would have been totally embarrassed. NOT how I would have wanted this adventure to end.

So walking back to our parked car just up the block Denise and I began to research where the Steak I so desperately longed for was actually located.

Finding the address and getting the app opened to direct us we ventured out of our parking space onto the main road for just a short drive to the actual location of George’s Steak Pit. 

Now here I have to confess that I and Siri, Goggle Maps Gal in this case, do not always see eye to eye. You see, Siri and her Google counter part are AI and I … well I am a man. Ladies, you know how we men are we just will not ask directions! AND, if offered we will adapt those directions to how it works out within the male thinking process. 

That said, I made not just one but at least three wrong turns! Once we arrived, that is according to Google Map Gal, I parked the car in the first available parking space, and getting out  went several yards up an alley way on foot to confirm what I was being told! 

Once I had visual confirmation we were indeed at the restaurant and not a doctors office or admin office for the hospital that was all around the restaurant, I motion to Denise to exit the car and join me. 

Now we had heard how good the steaks are at our chosen destination. We know up front that this is suppose to be a nice place. It lived up to what we heard. 

The hostess greeted us then lead us back through narrow halls passing rooms for private parties, then into a well decorated and charming dinning room. Our table was perfect.

Our server, dressed in black and white, greeted us with menus, took our drink orders, and gave us ample time but not too long to look over the menu to make our decisions. Several steak choices were offered. I finally stuck to my original idea and formulated the rest of the plan for my meal … a glass of Merlot (not the kind from a box or the bottle with a kangaroo), French Onion soup (not from a mix), the Rib Eye Special, 12oz of perfection according to the menu, and a desert ( we would later choose Strawberry Cake), and also an after dinner coffee for me, not just any coffee, an Irish Coffee! My plan complete I then patiently waited for the server to return cause I was ready to execute. Not the server, the plan.

The soup came out and it was totally delicious! Now I usually will not leave any cheese on the side of the bowl … you know ... when the the cheese topping melts and sitting top of the soup and kind of drapes over the edges of the bowl and down the sides … Cheese is cheese! However, Being on my best behavior in this fine restaurant and wishing not to embarrass Denise or myself I refrained from scraping the cheese of the sides of the bowl.

Now when the steak came out … I honestly wanted to applaud!  It looked and smelled marvelous! Now, when I ordered I explained to server when she asked how I would like my steak cooked that I like my steak somewhere between medium rare and medium. I knew I was in a real fine restaurant by her response … “We can handle that.” and they did. This was hands down the best steak I have ever eaten. I do not lie. I do not jest! THE. BEST. STEAK. EVER! I told Denise, “Honey, get your phone out and take a picture of me and this steak together cause I want to frame it and hang it up on my office wall to remember it by!” It was that good!

The merlot was perfectly paired to the steak! It reminded me of why I like wine with a meal. 

Then desert. As to having desert or not Denise mentioned it was my birthday so I should choose as to having desert or not … I was not leaving with out desert! And that after dinner Irish Coffee … must stick to the plan!

As I said earlier, strawberry cake was our choice out of at least five different choices. My mom always made me a strawberry cake for my birthday cause it was my favorite. When I took that first bite I admit I teared up a bit. It was very much like mom’s. Oh, and the server had placed a candle and lit it up when she served the cake to us. I got to make a wish and blow out the candle. Later we learned the server’s mom would bake a strawberry cake for the server’s birthday as it was her favorite.  Did I mention that our server was a delightful person and fantastic at serving! 

I just had to write about how I celebrated my 67th birthday! Thanks for reading. 

My Praise Belongs To You

I can testify of your faithfulness from generation to generation. 

Evident in all my days you've graciously made away.

For me, my wife, my daughters and sons and my grandchildren, the little ones, who are not so little now. 

You show me your goodness, your kindness in so many miracles, and how! 

In the face of all your tender mercies I bask in your light glorious, always covered by covenant, under the shadow of your wings. 

Here is the thing, I can not be silent, for this is who I am,

My praise belongs to you. My praise belongs to you! 

From the lifting of my hands, to my bowing down, or a dance before your throne.

 My praise belongs to you. My praise belongs to you! 

From the shout of joy, a strum’n my guitar, or in total silent awe. 

My praise belongs to you. My praise belongs to you!

- By Roger Humphreys

I HAVE A QUESTION: WOULD JESUS VOTE?

I Have A Question: Would Jesus Vote?

I have had a serious question rolling over in my thoughts now for several days. Actually this question arose the night of the Last Presidential debate almost immediately upon my walking out of my own living room about mid debate.

I really see no use in the debates. They give us, the voters, nothing to sink our teeth into. If the debates were lemon meringue pie there would be only meringue, no lemon pie. 

The commentators are the winners, in my opinion, because they go home satisfied. All be it via their own pompous egos so bloated on their own self worth gorging themselves upon the idea they are actually contributing something worthwhile by presenting questions regarding subjects they claim are the issues the public wishes to hear about and learn more about when in truth their questions are regarding nothing more than what they the commentator believes to be important and that has absolutely nothing to do with which one of the candidates will be a better President. It has everything to do with the commentator taking advantage of a public stage so their presence before the camera can go out to all the world spewing words from their so called intelligence only to be about hawking their own agenda which is nothing short of manipulating public opinion in favor of the commentator’s own candidate or more likely their personal favored political platform.

The media will argue their guild is above reproach when it comes to politics. This is what I think about that, for the most part, members of the media are a Haman building a gallows for a Mordecai in the street while at the same time blowing his own horn before the King’s court trying to gain control of the kingdom by persuading the King to do Haman’s biding. Meanwhile the whole time there is a backroom agenda to do away with any thought, deed, person, or people that stand in the path of a Haman’s lust for power. 

I am sick and tired and completely fed up with the pompous, arrogant, and self glorifying, self serving media that wish to manipulate the out come of our national elections, campaign after campaign.

Ok, now that my rant is over, here is my question: Would Jesus vote? Next question. Would Jesus vote for Donald or Hillary? Remember WWJD? I really would like to have an honest and qualified answer to my questions. 

Now before any reader of this begins to try to answer let me reiterate that I seek an honest answer from a qualified expert. I know of no one, sorry friends and family, alive that can honestly answer as a qualified expert my questions therefore I do not seek nor expect any reader to try. 

But honestly, my questions are real and born out of my own frustration in the process that has become smoke and mirrors keeping the real issues out of sight of the voting public which is nothing more than total disrespect for the American People! Politicians think the American public are wimps and exist only to serve the Politicians’ agendas which are more like schemes to get more money and power for themselves rather than to serve the American People.  Members of Media are no better in a open attempt to strong arm voters into seeing things the Media’s way!

Bottom line, I need and I want an answer to my questions. I read this morning of a move in Israel to elect a High Priest. Let him who has ears hear. I also read that recently coming to surface is a unique gem stone that no expert can explain just how it exist. Speculation is the gem stone could belong to the legendary Urim and Thummim used in Bible times to determine God's will (Ex. 28:30, 1 Sam 28:16). 

Now I do not wish to insult Holy Spirit who has been given as a helper and comforter, teacher, and guide. However, at this point, I have to confess I am a bit interested, and yes weak for that, in having access to the Urim and Thummim to light up and spell out the answer to my questions.  Problem is more than my not having access to that stone … the stones answered by lighting up and spelling out in ancient Hebrew the answer from God. Well, I do not have the ability to read Ancient Hebrew, nor modern day Hebrew … although FB will translate modern day Hebrew. Anyway, I am having to depend upon my only resource when I have questions like this. That resource I have already mentioned, Holy Spirit. 

Over the years I have never had a question that was not completely answered with complete honesty and from one completely qualified to answer. Sometimes it was what I hoped and wanted to hear too. More often than not, Holy Spirt led me to other questions, questions I had to answer myself, for I was the only one qualified to answer.  Honestly, I had to think for myself. I had to listen to my own opinion. I had to take my own advice. I had to trust me. Taking into consideration not so much what others opinion might be, nor what their thoughts or feelings were. Man’s heart is just too deceptive even to the point of deceiving his own self. Nope, the only one I could ever depend on has me chewing on some other insights that come out of having access to the panorama of life experience of those who lived before my time. Putting politics aside. Putting personal comfort aside. Putting on a cloak of humility and listening for the servant’s heart not the self serving heart. It is a tough call through all the smoke and noise but interesting enough when I quieted myself before the Ancient of Days, while looking at the circumstances that perplex and trouble me, within my view I see the answer lighting up … and I did not even have to know ancient Hebrew.

By the way, the important question and by that also its answer, is not so much WWJD, as wonderful a platform that is to stand on and launch out from, but in reality, it is this, what will I do in these circumstances, and what is my motivation in the doing. In Faith I will vote for the servant heart not the self serving heart.  I give unto Caesar what belongs to Caesar and I will give to Uncreated One what is His.

The Face Of Honest Humility

This morning my wife and I trekked to the local Farmer’s Market that is not far from our apartment’s location here in Florence, AL. I was not expecting to receive anything there but some really fresh and yummy vegetables grown locally. We got those but something more weighty.

We had walked the length of the bazaar and had returned to the first stand upon our entering. Here I was going to purchase some of the best looking corn I had seen all season, I wanted to wait until we were on our way out before picking up the heavy load so I would not have to carry it far to our parked vehicle.

At the stand was a farmer, his wife, and their son. Based on their age I would say the young boy that eagerly stood to wait on us as I approached would have been the youngest son of this middle aged couple. I was instantly impressed with the lad as he took our order and immediately began to work it up. He paused briefly to politely ask his father to bring the necessary bag needed to place our order in. The dad was already in the process of getting more bags, never said a word but came to the lad with the requested bag, turn nodded and offered a smile our way. The mother had taken payment and was returning my change, smiled and cheerfully said thank you. At that point the lad handed me our bagged purchase saying “thank you” as he did. 

In that moment I discerned here before me was the face of honest humility. I also saw the dilemma of our nation in that same moment as well as discerned the solution. 

The dilemma: I fear that those who are the most qualified to lead America are too humble to step into the role. That leaves a void. A void that is going to be filled. It has been with those who are foolish, greedy, and lusting for power! The most qualified are so honestly humble they choose to not seek leadership roles, at least in the most public positions such as representatives of and for the people. Our government is based on a Republic forum, one that should have every person, not special interest groups, fully, honestly, and humbly represented. Our house is no longer there. It is been filled with something different. Something not balanced. There is little honesty and far less humility than was originally intended.

The solution: Placed securely in the hands of the Ecclesia is the solution: An honest and humble appeal to Heaven. This is our only hope of the house being cleaned and then refilled with honest humility. 

We need those like this hard working farmer and his family to step up into public leadership roles. Honest. Humble. Heroes. For in hard times they hold together, continue to work hard, are truly thankful for what they have, genuinely care for their fellow man and willing to share what they have. With Honest Humility they trust God. That is the person I want to lead me. 

We need to grasp that the solution is not in our voting as important as that is and I am not advocating to stop voting. It is not in debate. It is not in learned lectures. It is not in another inspirational book. It is within individual and corporate appeal to the only one who can do something to change the core of a man and a woman. To cut a seared conscious. Turn a stiff neck. Soften a harden heart. Set at liberty a possessed spirit. 

Dark Time

There is a coming darkness to America the Nation. This darkness will not prevail even though it will cover and cloud over the people. The darkness will not prevail because of the lights that will shine in and out of the darkness. These lights will not be hidden but set upon hills … like Mount Zion … though surrounded by the darkness the lights can not and will not be contained by darkness. For the lights will be as signals drawing many out of the covering cloud of darkness; these drawn out ones will then join in the shining forth of light … there will be thousands times tens of thousands shining from Mt Zion. It will be as though darkness never existed.

Another Weeping Prophet ... Part 2

I was given another dream last night. Very detailed full of Americans being Americans. The setting was not decades ago! It was not decades away! IT IS NOW!

There is an event coming that Americans are not ready for. In the dream everyone was moving to a court room. In the dream I was very much aware of a sense that a ruling by the sitting judge was about to be handed down … judgment was about to be rendered. I knew from the behavior of the citizens in my dream they were totally unaware of the pending ruling. However they should be aware and should be concerned for it had to do with all as we all moved to a point of just being outside the doors of the court room where the ruling would be made public!

America is JUST OUTSIDE THE COURTROOM DOORS!

At first I could not understand why everyone was so unaware regarding the appointed time to be in the court room. I saw that the judge was in his chambers just off the court room. He was sitting on the edge of his desk looking over the transcripts of the proceedings. He had his robe on but the robe was not fastened in front. I could see his white shirt and his tie. He appeared to be in deep concentration as he read. I could see that he was almost finished with his decision. JUDGEMENT WAS NEAR!

I knew from the behavior of all the citizens the majority were unaware of being just outside the courtroom doors let alone the imminent judgment about to become public. I became greatly concerned for the majority of the citizens would be caught completely off guard by the ruling that was about to be handed down.

The citizens were distracted completely by their lives. Some were pursuing higher education. Some were pursuing marriage. Some pursuing careers. Some were working a job. Some were involved with their children in sports events. Some were pursing the Arts. Some were pursuing ministry.

EVERYONE WAS COMPLETELY ABSORBED IN THEIR SELF INTEREST.

Ministers who answered the call soon found any chance of ministry greatly hindered as their ministry wrecked due to their distractions of the nature of loving the Church more than they loved The Head of the Chruch, Christ Jesus.

THESE GAVE THEIR HEARTS, MINDS, and SOUL TO THE PURSUIT OF THE CHURCH, NOT TO THE PURSUIT OF CHRIST!

I had the sense that caught unaware there would be no time to adjust to a life post judgment. Now is the time to turn ourselves around  and rather than turn our backs on God to turn our faces toward Him.

From Jeremiah 3 Holy Spirit had be read:

…“Yet concerning all these things,
you say, ‘I am innocent;
surely he’s no longer angry at me.’
Here, I am passing sentence on you,
because you say, ‘I have done nothing wrong.’
You cheapen yourself
when you change course so often —
you will be disappointed by Egypt too,
just as you were disappointed by Ashur.
Yes, you will leave him too,
with your hands on your heads [in shame].
For Adonai rejects those in whom you trust;
from them you will gain nothing.” Jeremiah 3:34b-37 (CJB)

Another Weeping Prophet

I had a dream last night. That is not unusual. It is also not unusual for me to awake from the dream and not have a clue what it means but feel a very heavy weight. This morning the dream I was given disturbs me and I would not mind if I did not know what it means ... but I do. The weight of it has me posting this with a urgency and honestly I do not know if this is really a good idea. After all, how many will read what I write? And of those who might read who will respond to Holy Spirit if they do not know how to respond?

I am not certain there can be a response to this. Like the prophet Jeremiah I watch my people turn from the Truth and with determined vigor in their steps begin to run to any Lie.

I fear for a people, my people. I have seen a coming of such a bold and cunning lie, so alluring, that I fear that even the watchmen set on the wall for the American church and America will not see the threat, will no longer hear truth, and no longer sound an alarm but will themselves not only buy but will eat and will swallow that lie.

 Within our own seats of authority on every mountain of our society there are those who are the mouth pieces of the lie. These agents of the lie are being honored and called good when in them is all manner of rottenness and death. Their words and deeds are sweet to the deceived and a hope to those about to be deceived. Their way is a way that leads to nothing that is life. Shrouded in the cloud of darkness are those who follow them and they can no longer see the coming cloud of glory that carries The Hope ... and they do not care.

What I was lead to this morning in the scriptures alarms me and should alarm any who read and hear: "Has A nation changed gods, when they were not gods? But My people have changed their glory for that which does not profit. 'Be Appalled, O heavens, at this, and shudder, be very desolate', declares the Lord.

'For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, to hew for themselves cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. Is Israel (America) a slave? Or is he a homeborn servant? Why has he become a prey? The young lions ( terrorist ) have roared loudly. And they have made his land a waste; His cities have been destroyed, without inhabitant. Also the men of Memphis and Tahpanhes have shaved the crown of your head. Have you not done this to yourself, By your forsaking the Lord your God, when He led you in the way? But now what are you doing on the road to Egypt, to drink the waters of the Nile? Or what are you doing on the road to Assyria, to drink the waters of the Euphrates? Your own wickedness will correct and your apostasies will reprove you; know therefore and see that it is evil and bitter for you to forsake the Lord your God, and the dread of Me is not in you,' declares the Lord of host." Jeremiah 2:11-19. NAS

My prayer is: Holy Spirit help us not be deceived. Open our eyes to see and help us not turn away for what is truly good and right. Help us to recognize and repent from our wickedness and that we will quickly turn and run away form our apostasies back to You.

My we once again fear You, Holy God.

To Flourish In The Courts Of Our God

For me, and for that matter everyone living, there are many things on the plate for this morning, later today, and the evening. It was no different than yesterday's bill as it will not be for tomorrow's. To be alive is to have a full plate on any given day, at any time during the day. At least that is the way I see it and I do not think I am to far form being TDC on this matter. My prayer is that I can clearly see which morsel on the plate in front of me is appropriately beneficial and therefore worthy of my pursuit.

Now at play is a choice. To know me is to know that "choice" is a topic which comes around often when I am sharing my thoughts. That is because we humans have multiplicities of opportunities to choose and that is major on the spirit and flesh list ... for whoever. Well maybe not for a zombie ... technically a zombie is no longer human ... BECAUSE IT HAS NO CHOICE!

Anyway, to the task at hand, I wanted to journal about last night's assembly at Global Harvest Church. It was amazing on so many levels. By the way I used the word "assembly" rather than "gathering" because it is significant which one I use. I learned a

lesson this past week while at the Contending As One conference in Cartersville, GA. Both words are equally useful and rich in meaning. However one can occur without the other just as one can not occur unless you first have the other.

Let me explain. It seems that each of us carry a part of a whole when it comes to God's purposes. It does say in the scripture for us not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together which paints a picture of getting together for fellowship, study of the word, and ministry through Holy Spirit to each other. Here is my explanation from my new found understanding. When we gather it is much like pulling the bagged parts out of a box containing a bicycle and laying those parts out side by side to make sure each part needed is present and accounted for. You can stop there with just gathering the parts but if you do you will not have a working bicycle you just have the "gathered" parts. If you choose to take the next step and "assemble" the parts at some point you end up with a completed and useable bicycle which was the intended purpose of the gathering. Last night at GHC the parts were gathered and assembled!

 During the music with singing last night I got a picture that a portal had opened and that Heaven had come to Earth in the room. I spoke into the mic something like this ... " A portal just open and there is an exchange going on ... Heaven is coming into this room right now! God's Kingdom has come here in this place and now here it is as it is in Heaven ... Right now it is on Earth as it is in Heaven!"

After the service as we worked putting equipment away, Pastor Dan Taylor came over to me and said something like this: " I wanted to tell you personally that during worship I saw this room begin to break away from the earth and rise up toward Heaven while at the same time I saw Heaven begin to open and come down toward this room and then the two met and Heaven filled the room and surrounded us! It was at that very point I heard you say into the mic "Heaven is here now!" We both rejoiced at the goodness of God for Holy Spirit had confirmed the event of Heaven and Earth blending in that space and time!

Psalms 92:12-15 reads:

"The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the LORD; they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, to declare that the LORD is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him."

So I being today in my old age am praying for clear vision as to what is to be pursued today from my plate and fully expect it to be fitting for the day as Holy Spirit assembles my part into the purposes of God for this day at this time and in the space I occupy.

RH

Upside Down And Backwards

I and my wife, Denise, have been on a journey together for going on 45 years. In itself our marriage has been an awesome adventure. Denise and I are so opposite form each other and as a friend pointed out this weekend I must have been drawn to her for just that reason and truth be told I have to admit the little lady has help a lot in shaping who I am today ... the good things one might choose to see in me just to be clear.

Anyway about the "journey", at least the chapter of it that occurred this weekend, February 5-7, 2015, which is what this post is suppose record. The chapter is full of the usual stuff of life and then the not so usual stuff of life. There was the natural and then the supernatural.

This past Thursday through Saturday noon we spent in Cartersville, Georgia. Now this is not our first time to be camped out in this north central Georgia Town. It is our second visit. The first had us on an assignment by Holy Spirit to hear of deep spiritual roots from the past that sprang froth out of this historic area. Our second visit was connected to the first. Denise puts it as being layers being applied one to another.

Both assignments have to do with God's purposes for America and our part in the unfolding.

If you have trouble grasping the concept of someone being on assignment from God for a single individual or nation, or nations, then I suggest you read the book of Acts, in particular the account of Ananias who was assigned by Holy Spirit to pray for Paul of Tarsus, and then the account of Peter and his afternoon vision / dream given him to prepare him for Heaven's assignment to go to the home of Cornelius, a Gentile, to pray those of that household would receive Holy Spirit and there witness a sovereign move of God that revealed He intended to and had already included the nations in what Holy Spirit was releasing into the Earth at time.

Anyway, back to this weekend, I could take some time here and write of what was encountered but honestly I do not know if I possess the capacity to do it justice. What I will do is journal a single end cap Holy Spirit put on the whole event.

The Contend As One Conference ended promptly at noon Saturday. Denise and I said our goodbyes to our close friends Dale and Pat, whom we met on another assignment of a few years ago when on a trip to Ireland, and were on the road headed home with some planned stops along the way. A beautiful day for a drive too! Perfect weather for a February in the South.

Denise had the iPad out plotting our trip as I was navigating to our first stop. She made remark about the strangeness of the map lay out on the iPad. By this time we had stopped to get something to drink for the road. So cutting the engine off I looked over at the iPad and saw what she was talking about.

The image of the map displayed had Atlanta as the hub but every thing around was not correctly oriented. What I mean to say is that where we were on the map, Woodstock, was showing as North East of Atlanta rather than South West as it should have been. The road numbers were the same but every town, city, land mark was backwards, not the letters, the locations.

Denise expanded the view so we were looking at the South East Region states. Tennessee was south of Atlanta. Florida was North of Atlanta, Birmingham was East of Atlanta as was Jackson. However, Savannah was West of Atlanta as was the Atlantic ocean. You get the Picture.

We set there for a few minutes talking about how crazy this was while several times Denise closed and reopened the app only for it to reopen in this, as she put it, Upside Down And Backwards configuration of the South East Regional States.

After the third time we decided that we could proceed ahead and move in a southward direction on Hwy 92 as we knew this would get us going in the right directions toward home.

Then as we were still looking at the screen there was a flicker and then the map actually flipped right to left! The content was now back showing landmarks, cities, towns, in there correct locations!

Now in that very moment I heard in my spirit something like these Words: "Though America has appeared to be turned upside down and backwards I will turn and flip and set back in right order America."

We had spent the weekend in an opened Legislative Assembly of the Ekkclesia, this was our assignment to be a part of that body of representatives to pray, intercede for America and then to agree and align with God's purposes to come! For it to be on Earth as it is in Heaven!

I believe that our iPad's glitch was arranged by Holy Spirit as a visual reminder and a personal prompting to speak out loud, to declare, what was accomplished by this open Assembly's simple trust and obedience to come before God at the designated time and place to pray, intercede, agree, and align.

As we turned southward headed home I spoke out loud with authority what I had heard Holy Spirit give to say. So to document clearly I close this journal entry with a version of that declaration:

"Though America has been Upside Down and Backwards by choice I have heard the remnants’ cry and will turn and flip America back to My purposes and America will fulfill the rightful and legal Destiny I have spoken!"
  

Afternoon Thought

There are times I "hear" my own thought and when this happens I then "listen" to my thought. What I mean is there are times I know a thought has not originated with me but it is in me. Some would say the "small quite voice inside me" is talking or something like that.

Truth is, each of us have this experience often but what it boils down to is a choice to "hear" a choice to "listen".

At some point this past week I either read or heard about an elderly Asian gentleman walking with his twenty something grandson on a very noisy street. The two were walking along this major thoroughfare passing people engaged in life. Automobiles, sirens, people talking, shouting, babies crying, a type setting each of us have experienced.

As the two walked along the grandfather suddenly stopped and began to look all around. The grandson paused in his steps, turned toward his searching grandfather who exclaimed to his grandson, "I hear a cricket!"

For a moment or two the grandson just stared at his grandfather in total disbelief. He then replied what most of us would have I quite imagine, "I can barely hear you above all this noise but did you just say that you heard a cricket?"

The old man responded with a confident nod and an equally confident, "Yes."

The grandfather backtracked a few steps and turned up an alley the two had just passed. He began to turn over cardboard boxes, lift up papers, looking for the cricket. While doing this the grandson was following, wearing on his face a grin that was more of a smirk. After walking a good ways into the alley, the grandfather came upon a medium size tin can and with the toe of his shoe pushed it aside.

There fully exposed was a small cricket! The smiling grandfather bent down and caught the cricket in his hands and held it to his grandson who just laughed out loud. Placing the cricket back on the pavement, the grandfather walked back toward the street again followed by his now amazed grandson.

The two resumed their trek on the major street. They had not gotten far when the grandson touched the old man's arm stopping him and said, "Grandfather", tell me, how is it that you heard that cricket above all the noise but no one else did, including me?"

The grandfather took the younger’s arm with his right hand while holding out his left arm toward the grandson with his left hand extended palm up and said, "Give me some coins."

The grandson looked puzzled as he reach into his pocket for a all the change he had and placed it his grandfather's palm. At this the old man took a few steps forward and motion for the younger to follow him. After a few more steps the old man took the coins and tossed them high up into the air letting them all fall to the sidewalk.

All those in close proximity quickly stopped, turned toward the sound of the coins, and looked down for them.

The young man without understanding looked at his grandfather who said to the stunned Youngman,

"Grandson, the reason you and all these others did not hear the cricket is because you only will hear and respond to what you have trained your ears to listen for."

Very often the small voice is speaking but our heart and our attention is set on something or someone else.

Anyway, my thought was this afternoon: "It is not so important to lead people into church as much as it is important to lead people into the Kingdom."



 

Below I have shared a link that I hope you the reader will take time to view. You may or may not be interested after looking at the link but I hope you will take that look. Most likely you know that Adrienne is my daughter but then there are some who may happen upon this blogg that did not know this bit of information. If you know my daughter personally you have an opportunity to get to know her heart a bit more. If you do not know her then this is an awesome introduction to someone who is walking out her destiny. Being her dad I most often see her with her long blonde hair caught in the wind as she is riding her bicycle with all her 7 year old legs can muster! Even then she was full of adventuresome energy always covered in a grace that carried her safely. Not afraid to try and willing to stick with it until whatever it was accomplished. Most of the time it was an action that spoke volumes of who she was destined to be and I am so proud of her ... blessed to see with these father's eyes the beautiful, graceful, and anointed vessel of honor who carries the presence of the Uncreated One in our midst.https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1857600301/even-a-sparrow

Upon Pondering Recent Rise Of Persecution Of Christians

Sometimes I just have to write out my thoughts and feelings. Well here goes!

When before in time has Darkness pushed harder against Light?

Where, upon this globe, whether flattest plain or raised mount,

leafy forest or foamy fount,

ever has rawest Evil lay such violent siege

upon bastilles of the just; strong high towers of the right?

Now a full front charge from Hell’s emboldened thieves!

 

Who of any past generation has been a witness? Either strong or faint?

Why now the dragon’s rising flight but for an unholy obstruction,

Leviathan unleashed fiery breath bent on complete absolute destruction?

Of all who embody the sacred trinity faith hope love.

A coming against Adam’s sons, Eve’s daughters, no matter if sinner, or saint,

To vanquish once and for all a gentle dove.

 

What action now, by royal ambassadors, are Heaven and Earth to see?

Hope’s illuminated stand or a coward’s flee?

Truth given a voice found in solidarity through Redeemed’s loud out cry,

Confronting Gates of Hell manifested in misleading words from Lie?

Or a muteness as Darkness tauntingly ask: “Can you not hear the timely towing of death’s bell for all keepers of the faith?”

 

Hear this Darkness, we in Light are no longer waifs!

Fear this Hell, I AM is Light displayed through His Only Begotten!

Those not found in The Light of Eternal One are already forgotten!

　

" Planted "

I like to think of myself as strong, self sufficient, able to stand on my own. A lot of that has to do with certain life experiences from my childhood I had to overcome and by my late teens to early twenties I had found ways to stand strong, that is, not be intimidated by others to a point that I totally would shut down. By my late twenties I had gained an attitude that I was not going to be pushed away, denied, or discounted. I was going to push back, stand my ground, and show that I had value, something to bring to the table! I am now in my mid sixties and have unlearned a lot over the years. The thing that I unlearned the most is that true strength comes not by standing on my own, alone ... but depending on another to help me not just stand but walk and sit when necessary. My pride was my source, my arrogance my shield, my education my armor, and my physical strength my sword. How foolish of me! In truth I was planted by Eternal One and all the processing of life directed by Holy Spirit. This brought me to the revelation of truth ... joy is my strength; joy comes only via one source; it is not internal but external. I had nothing to do with where I was planted! I had nothing to do with processing life, Eternal One planted me with purpose, from design, created exclusively for the pleasure of Eternal One. Holy Spirit producing that fruit from me is my joy. The following is from Spurgeon's Morning And Evening and caught my attention so that I could not wait until tomorrow to blogg about it ( it is the reading for the 13th not the 12th of August ). This spoke to me about myself a volume in a matter of a few seconds it took to read, hence my attempt of a blogg above. Please read this and my you be blessed as I was. R "The cedars of Lebanon which He hath planted." — Psalm 104:16 Lebanon's cedars are emblematic of the Christian, in that they owe their planting entirely to the Lord. This is quite true of every child of God. He is not man-planted, nor self-planted, but God-planted. The mysterious hand of the divine Spirit dropped the living seed into a heart which He had Himself prepared for its reception. Every true heir of heaven owns the great Husbandman as his planter. Moreover, the cedars of Lebanon are not dependent upon man for their watering; they stand on the lofty rock, unmoistened by human irrigation; and yet our heavenly Father supplieth them. Thus it is with the Christian who has learned to live by faith. He is independent of man, even in temporal things; for his continued maintenance he looks to the Lord his God, and to Him alone. The dew of heaven is his portion, and the God of heaven is his fountain. Again, the cedars of Lebanon are not protected by any mortal power. They owe nothing to man for their preservation from stormy wind and tempest. They are God's trees, kept and preserved by Him, and by Him alone. It is precisely the same with the Christian. He is not a hot-house plant, sheltered from temptation; he stands in the most exposed position; he has no shelter, no protection, except this, that the broad wings of the eternal God always cover the cedars which He Himself has planted. Like cedars, believers are full of sap having vitality enough to be ever green, even amid winter's snows. Lastly, the flourishing and majestic condition of the cedar is to the praise of God only. The Lord, even the Lord alone hath been everything unto the cedars, and, therefore David very sweetly puts it in one of the psalms, "Praise ye the Lord, fruitful trees and all cedars." In the believer there is nothing that can magnify man; he is planted, nourished, and protected by the Lord's own hand, and to Him let all the glory be ascribed. Psalm 104:16 Day 14

Oh I Want To See Him

Earlier today a longtime friend of mine, Rev. George Arnett, from Southeastern University days, posted on FB, as I read his shared thoughts something begin to stir in me that later surfaced as a memory of a song form even further back in time when I and Denise were freshly transplanted from the Methodist Church into the Assemblies of God. Now, that is another story for another time, back to the memory and song. At first I began to sing the refrain over and over in my head, “Oh I want to see Him, look upon His face, There to sing forever of His saving grace; On the streets of glory let me lift my voice, Cares all past, home at last, ever to rejoice.” The song, Oh I Want To See Him, written by R.H. Cornelius in 1916, was one of my favorites old hymns during the years we were at Huffman Assembly of God in Center Point, Alabama. Denise and I had experienced nothing like those meetings before in all our years of growing up in the Church, she Methodist and I Southern Baptist. I did a search for the song on-line and found it. Grab my guitar and began to play and sing it my style. I was really not prepared for what occurred next. I had a vision. As clear as I can see the monitor screen in front of me as I type now I saw Brother Charles Greenaway on a street dancing to the rhythm of “Oh I Want To See Him”. I was not even prepared for my response to that vision. Looking on that and seeing the joy on him reminded me of the very small window here on Earth I had to sit under his ministry. Taken by the sense of "belonging" like I have never felt before I wept and laughed at the same time! I love my AG influence. I can never call it a heritage, not really, because I did not grow up in that movement. But influenced I was and still am and I am very thankful for those years and those whom Father had cross my and Denise’s path and us theirs. I embrace the AG as I do the Baptist and the Methodist history my wife and I have. God was in it! Over all I have come to understand that the Body of Christ is diverse and yet it is one. How wonderfully rich I and Denise are today because of those dear saints, many having gone on before us now, whom Holy Spirit used to build us up, equip us, and send us out. And the list of friends … so diverse, each one so wonderful. I believe that as Father created each of us He made each a unique instrument to release a certain sound needed to fully express His composition for His concert eternal. You and I, each of us, have a place and a part in His exquisite symphony orchestra formed for the express purpose of releasing our God given sound within that compiled assembly called the Church as He conducts and directs each movement He has composed. Traditionally there are four movements to a symphony piece. I believe you and I are now just over the threshold into the fourth movement. The sound we were destined to release is for that movement. So, Look to the Eastern sky … and watch ... He is coming to the finale. Maranatha. Here is the song: Oh I Want To See Him As I journey through the land, singing as I go, Pointing souls to Calvary—to the crimson flow, Many arrows pierce my soul from without, within; But my Lord leads me on, through Him I must win. Refrain: Oh, I want to see Him, look upon His face, There to sing forever of His saving grace; On the streets of glory let me lift my voice, Cares all past, home at last, ever to rejoice. When in service for my Lord dark may be the night, But I’ll cling more close to Him, He will give me light; Satan’s snares may vex my soul, turn my thoughts aside; But my Lord goes ahead, leads whate’er betide. When in valleys low I look toward the mountain height, And behold my Savior there, leading in the fight, With a tender hand outstretched toward the valley low, Guiding me, I can see, as I onward go. When before me billows rise from the mighty deep, Then my Lord directs my bark; He doth safely keep, And He leads me gently on through this world below; He’s a real Friend to me, oh, I love Him so.

Garden Tips

We have all seen it. The yard in the neighborhood that is to die for. Beautifully landscaped with nothing dead. Everything lush green or showing bright colors of reds, yellows, blues, white, pinks, purples ... nothing brown unless it was suppose to be brown according to the book. Now I have never had a yard like that but I have had a few that were presentable. One in particular I remember when we moved into the house the frame work was there thanks to the previous owner's landscaping vision and skill. However, it had been neglected for at least one season perhaps two; things were not as they could or should be. After a survey of the grounds, we had 3/4 of an acre to work with, I had to come up with a plan and my plan was to try to find my dad's gardening books he had left me at his passing not long before our acquiring this place. My dad always would have answers for me. He faithfully was there when I had been an adolescent, teen, youngman going off to the Navy, entering marriage, becoming a father, how to repair this and that. It seems he was still holding some answers for me. I found those books that had dad's written notes along side the paragraphs and began to study about the plants I had and what to do to bring them back and maintain them so that year after year we could look upon their beauty and reap the reward of their fruit, mainly flowers. One plant was a rather large azalea bush located on the front corner of the house with enough sunlight but it just did not seem to be fairing well. Reading I determined it needed some natural nutrients and what it would need through out the season to keep it healthy and producing. I went to the local nursery and made my purchase of all, there were several, the items suggested by the book and rushing home I went to work. It took some weeks to notice a change but change it did. The plant responded as the book said it would and new growth came upon the limbs even while the former less healthy growth was still there. Change happen once the roots were fed the nutrients that would allow the azalea to thrive. At first it was all about the soil and the roots in the soil. Azaleas are surface feeders meaning the root system is close to the surface of the ground so only a light scratching and moving of the soil was needed to get the applied nutrients into the soil and close so the roots could benefit. Next came water to wet the soil and the nutrients so a blending could happen again so the roots could benefit. This was all under ground out of sight but change happen immediately upon the application process ... the roots responded as they were meant to respond and began to absorb the water nutrient tea. I mentioned that on the surface the change did not manifest for several weeks. When it did it was springing forth from dormant "buds" already in place on each limb. They had been ready ... waiting for the moment to produce new growth of leaves. These were green and not the brownish color of the former older existing growth that barely did the job of changing the light of the sun into food needed to produce fruits. Now there would have been fruit, of flowers, on the plant for the older growth was performing ... just not with an abundance of fruit ... which I, as the owner gardener, desired from this plant. You see I knew the pant was alive. I knew the plant had fruit in it. I also knew that the plant was perfectly placed and the size of it was right for where it was placed. The soil was ok but the natural nutrients needed by the plant had been all but depleted from the neglect. The plant needed the gardner to help or it would eventually stop bearing fruit and die. So, with a process, change came that very first season. However, it was the years after that, six all together, neighbors and friends would comment on that plant and how beautiful and full it was each season. I would smile real big. The Kingdom of God is like a garden.

The following is the manuscript for a message I prepared this past week and delivered last night (February 8, 2014) to Global Harvest Church. Its framework came out of a dream I was given on October 8, 2013. I can not recall ever working on a sermon with as much clarity in the leadings of Holy Spirit. From the revelation of certain parts of the dream's content, to include contacting the person specifically named in my dream regarding the focus for the sermon: "forgiveness" ... I, like my friend was amazed. However, being amazed is not the goal nor the intent for this occurrence. We are at the threshold of a move of God upon and in this Nation as well as the Nations that is unprecedented by any other recorded move that was poured out from Heaven upon humanity. If you, who chose to read this, think that I am in anyway wanted to sound my own horn ... please remember with me that God once used a donkey to deliver a message to a man ... perhaps He has again ... the message is not from me ... I just know that I could not be silent. Let the harvesters come forth and the harvest be great according to His purpose. May you glean much from the following. TITLE: WALK IN FORGIVENSS, SIT IN FORGIVENESS, STAND IN FORGIVENESS KEY: WALK .... SERVANT / PRIEST SIT ...... LEADER / KING STAND .... APOSTLE / PROPHET KEY SCRIPTURE: Deuteronomy 30:16 “If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it.” Psalm 55: 16 - 19 “…I call to God, and the Lord will save me. Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice. He redeems my soul in safety from the battle that I wage, for many are arrayed against me. God will give ear and humble them, he who is enthroned from of old, because they do not change and do not fear God.” I was praying and meditating about tonight … what I was to hear and see from Father for you … us … tonight and Holy Spirit reminded me of a dream I was given in October of last year … I believe, partly, within this dream there is a mandate for us to carry out in this new year … in this new season that we have transitioned into; where we are to prepare for the harvest of harvesters and the harvest that will then be gathered into the Kingdom of God. As I pondered the dream, it characters, its rhythms, the circumstances, I was given directions. First I was to contact the person I could contact who was named in my dream and was now being highlighted by Holy Spirit. Then Holy Spirit highlighted someone I could not contact … for he has been dead for some time. But still I could observe, hear, and learn from recorded history one of this person’s life events. Holy Spirit laid out the frame work of what was in Father’s heart to be communicated regarding a principle our being successful in carrying out the mandate for this new season we find ourselves thrust into. SET UP BY READING THE DREAM Now first allow me to set this up by laying out my dream for you so you can have some kind of platform to gather with me to begin the journey in this story Holy Spirit is telling, hopefully together we can successfully glean fruit for our knowledge, understanding and ultimately our benefit. I had this dream in October 8th of last year (2013). As I often do I wrote down the details afterwards during the morning of the dream. { It surprises me each time how detail of the dreams unfold as I write it out } HORSE AND PONY SHOW SURPRISE OUTCOME: In the dream I found myself along with my wife Denise and our first born, Sonia (now in her forties who here was age 7 or 8) standing in what appeared to be a continuous passage way that circumference the rather large stadium; all under the concrete seating. There was a major event, a Rodeo, going on that we had been spectators of and we were now waiting in this area to catch a glimpse of a very famous equine star … a Shetland Pony. As I ponder the dream seeking a revelation of its pictures I am struck by a couple of things: this “famous small pony” having greater fame than the larger more powerful and impressive horses in the event. The Lord wants to say “Very often My intent, My truth, My hidden treasure, My presence, is found not in the large, powerful, that esteemed higher by public opinion, but most often found in the small almost obscure.” For instance volumes have been written about the Welsh Revival … but one account, to me, stands out from to show just how far reaching and impacting the move of God was on the people, their animals, their work, THEIR LIFESTYLE . The historical account of the “pit ponies” of Wales, a rather small pony much like a Shetland Pony in size perhaps a little larger and stocker, were said to have started having great difficulty in performing their task because the “pit ponies” could no longer understand their master‘s commands. Why? Those “changed” masters’ commands no longer contained cursing. The “pit ponies” had to be retrained or “changed” because of the impact Holy Spirit was having on the masters’ hearts! My point? The revival truly impacted people where they lived. Even the livestock were changed! This is where we are headed but it will be vastly different in appearance and vastly more impacting than the revivals of old. I am one that holds to, as many do, of another great awakening coming to America … in fact I believe it has already begun but has not yet moved into hyperspace mode we anticipate. In fact, historically the sentiment of the faithful regarding the “state of the church” in America for the 1857 awakening and then again in the1904 and again in the 1950’s and then the 70’s has striking similarities to what is being said of the “state of the church” in America today. The other thing that stood out to me is what I strongly believe to be the prerequisite of each out break, every break through to be A GRASSROOTS PRAYER MOVEMENT. The faithful fervently and earnestly praying for God’s Presence, Holy Spirit’s lifestyle changing power to come in fullness of Heaven‘s glory. Once we stop praying for God to judge our land and start praying for him to heal our land and really mean it … He will come … but I will promise you this it will not be on the wagon drawn by the very large powerful work horses nor will it be by the larger than life personality riding on the back of a very fit polished stallion. It will be as the Shetland pony amongst the giants that will be outstanding and remarkable! In my dream I heard spoken a name of someone I know. This person name was associated with a particular action: FORGIVENSS. Friday, Holy Spirit had me contact this person who is a FB friend. We had an amazing conversation. I asked this person if they could to give me their insights or practice about forgiveness since this seemed to be Holy Spirit’s intention. Here is a break down of what was shared. Obedience Formula: Hear the command, Choose to obey (Walk it out in Authority), Rest in that Choice (Sit in Joy), Trust for the Outcome of the Choice (Stand in Faith) Yesterdays forgiveness : Be obedient to forgive those who hurt (sin against) you deeply. Obedient to what Jesus said ( in red ink) Matthew 6:14-15 “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Daily forgiveness: This one had to do with on going personal relationships and knowing that one person is in relationship with another there will be offenses. Spousal, friend, co worker, children you name it there will be offense but the joy in this was the choice of pre-forgiveness in other words not taking up an offense even when the occasion rises that you could be offended. Like water rolls off a duck’s feathers and keeps the duck completely dry choose to NOT BE OFFENDED! Again this leads to great joy and strength and the absence of bitterness as one walks in forgiveness. Self Forgiveness: this one is coming to grips with the offenses you have caused other people as well as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is simply choosing to forgive yourself and not listen to the Accuser of the Faithful who would have you believe otherwise that you are not worthy of forgiveness yourself … you failed God by not keeping his commands, his statues, his rules. This lie will keep you impotent in your prayer walk, faith walk, and walk in holiness. Important it is to forgive one’s self. To Cap it off my friend said of these that if the choice to forgive had not been made and walked out the outcome would be one of becoming “bitter“ not “better”. Bitterness would negate any chance of changing in fact it would ensnare and cripple. But the “better” was describe as having come to a CHANGE IN HEART and was able to look upon all who had offended no longer with hate and bitterness but with true compassion … "when Jesus saw the crowd, He was moved with compassion". I further quote my friend with this: “… this is my sign that I can know I have completely forgiven, when I feel that compassion!” DAVID IS NOW KING: Now this brings me to the second person named in this dream: David King. I have to say that at first I thought David King was a real time person too. I do not know a David King. But in my dream he was very prominent in the proceedings and the outcome of the important event. At first I thought he possibly was connected to my friend … I asked in our conversation. Amazed at her response she did know of a David King by way of a dream sometime ago. My was able to point me to this real time person. However, as I investigated and pondered this did not seem to be the intended focus Holy Spirit desired . So I pondered a bit more while walking Peanut ( out one year old Doxie) and I got the focus: This was to look at David who now was King. The character in my dream was David the King! That lead my thoughts to an event in David’s journey with God when as King over Israel he made a choice to not go to battle as was the time and season for him as king would go to war. He stepped into a place where he did not overcome temptation and we got the story of David and Bathsheba where A man who was the Apple of Gods Eye, A man after God’s own heart, coveted another man’s wife, plotted that man’s murder, had it carried out, and entered into an illicit relationship with the widow. And was publicly exposed by God’s prophet. It is in Psalm 51 we have a writing by David recounting when “he remembered his sin” and threw himself upon the mercy and grace of a forgiving God asking God to restore him in His salvation and once again release the joy of that divine relationship into the soul and spirit of David. He asked that Holy Spirit not be taken from him and that he, David, not be cast away from the presence of God. He spends the first 12 verses in penitence confessing his sin nature and his rebellion against God. The last seven he with anticipation of receiving his sought forgiveness, writes of his deep gratitude and how he will publicly display that gratitude before all men. Holy Spirit does not want us to focus on the sin of David while he was king. But instead he wants us to focus upon the repentance and the restoration … forgiveness sought and the forgiveness given. Close with Psalm 55: 16:19 The power of the Gospel to change a person, a people, is in it message! God has come to dwell with men! That God has made a way for that to happen! He desires not one to perish but for everyone that will to come and be in covenant with Him through Jesus Christ who is “The Way.” We have here an old testament account of how God saves completely, God forgives Completely, “…I call to God, and the Lord will save me. Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice. He redeems my soul in safety from the battle that I wage, for many are arrayed against me. God will give ear and humble them, he who is enthroned from of old, because they do not change and do not fear God.” This thought is what God is communicating … we are called to be Servant / Priest, Leaders / Kings, Apostles / Prophets. Workers of the Forever Kingdom that has come to Earth through Christ Jesus. Our task now is to pray for harvesters and for the harvest! If we step into the task, take on the mission, answer the “Now Call” to wage the battle for the dream that is in Father’s very heart (Matthew 3:16) then you and I must be willing to be and live changed lives … we must be people who not only humbly receive forgiveness but with humility forgive! For only then will our prayers be as those of David the shepherd boy, David the warrior worshiper, David the chosen and anointed King, and find wings uplifted by the wind of Holy Spirit and swiftly rise up into the very presence of our Great God, capture His eagerly willing ear, delight His Father’s heart, and fully aligned with Him, reap what is our soul’s desire to see the lost found, the captive set free, the lame to walk then run, and the mute to open their mouth to offer sounds of joyful and thankful praises to the Lamb of God! Before we can be any of these we must be like Christ Jesus. That requires for each of us a change of heart. A change that can only come through the power of Holy Spirit indwelling us. Forgiveness and humility are our clothing. Like my friend, named in my dream, has come to understand and now practices The Spirit of God calls us to be like David: praying to make a difference … that when God moves and the next humbling comes, and it will come, that in the humbling there will be a change of hearts, a turning to repentance and an entering into the bliss and joy of God’s faithfulness to forgive!

On The Matter of Faith

Faith is an interesting positioning of the human heart. On one hand it stretches the heart to higher levels of trust and obedience; most often before empirical evidence is available. On the other hand it pleases God.  For us to embrace faith, of which its substance is hope, we align with the open door into the Kingdom of Heaven and do then easily move into that realm of the " not seen". Once present there, we gain such revelation with understanding which does stretch the human mind, and awakens our spirit.

Faith effects my heart, challenges my mind, and quickens my spirit. My having faith does please my God, My King.

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,  the evidence of things not seen." -  Hebrews 11: 1

"Therefore He who supplies the spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? ~ just as Abraham "believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, "In you all the nations shall be blessed." So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham." - Galatians 3: 5-9

Last night during the gathering of saints at Global Harvest Church, Pastor Bo Walker made a comment that God always sees in the now. Events and people are with Him and before Him always in the present. Our past is before Him now. Our future is before Him now. Our current breath, thought, act, is before Him now! He sees all that not through the filter of time but through the filter of  His son, Jesus The Christ. It is you and I who have a perspective of past, present, and future and because of this filter you and I will categorize and address places, events, people, and indeed revelations through the filter of "time".

That said, fourteen years from this coming April (2014) Bob Westbrook wrote a teaching regarding " "Damascus Annihilated" (April 9, 2005) posting his work in an online blog titled "Trumpet Sounds".

In my personal opinion there were are some good and useful insights there as to how to look at world events as we venture into the new year of 2014. There are things coming we need to be aware of and for which we need to prepare. Let us prepare not as fear my try to ditate but only as Holy Spirit guides. That way we face the future in perfect peace.

I personally have just read "Damascus Annihilated" for the very first time. It may seem odd to you but not to me that I am just now coming to read something, I believe, is playing out on the World's stage even as we breath. In God's kingdom, timing of revelation is often as much a mystery as that being revealed was before it was revealed. You should get some kind of prize if you followed that. Alas no prize for you from me though. May the revelation of that what is coming be your prize.

I am placing here the link to "Damascus Annihilated" by Bob Westbrook April 9, 2005,( http://www.trumpetsounds.com/isaiah17.html ) that will take the reader to that article/teaching at the "Trumpet Sounds" page.  I must confess that I have more than one reason for using my blog to post this link. Mostly so I can easily access it in the future. Also by doing this here I follow the permission to use "Damascus Annihilated" as stipulated by Mr. Westbrook, and last but not least partly for you the reader as you may benefit form what this insightful teaching reveals from Bible prophecy out of Isaiah 17.
Maranatha, my friend.

RH