Cafe' Notes

I just relocated!

2009-05-22T15:02:00.002-04:00

Cafe' Notes has found a new home! I have relocated to http://definingwords.wordpress.com/. Please add this new address to your favorites and visit as often as you can.

Parental Rights In Jeopardy?

2009-05-15T21:00:00.007-04:00

Only three stories in the news today. ONE: Pelosi vs. CIA (yawn) TWO: Obama vs. Notre Dame Pro-lifers (I thought Catholics were pro-life by default!) THREE: The Hauser's vs. The State of Missouri (perplexing...)

ONE and TWO were continuances in the cold war between the left and right wing of America. THREE, however, is the story of a court drifting into forbidden territory -the realm of interpreting the rights of parents. Here's the skinny: Thirteen-year-old Daniel Hauser (one of eight children) has a treatable form of Hodgkin's lymphoma. His oncologist prescribed chemo treatments, without which, Daniel will not survive.

After the first treatment made him ill, Daniel refused further treatments. His parents (Catholics) backed his decision and sought alternative medicine through a Native American cult branch known as the Nemenhah Band. Evidently, Philip Landis, the leader of this group spent four months in prison in the 1990's for fraudulently advocating natural remedies. This turn of events understandably alarmed Daniel's doctors who sought legal remedy to save the boy's life. The Hauser's defense was their first amendment right to freedom of religion. Today, the court ruled that the boy's parents must resume his treatments.

I know. You're probably just as conflicted as I am about this story. To be honest, I didn't know what to think or how to feel. Is a 13 year-old boy qualified to make this kind of life or death decision? NO. Should his parents rely on a cult-cook con-artist for life-saving treatment? NO. Should his doctors have intervened to save his life? YES. Should a judge be allowed to force a parent(s) to act in a court-prescribed manner? Ye..NO!

I digress. In this case, yes. But here's the deal. This little sleeper of a story coming out of small town, Minnesota is setting legal precedent for other courts to cite in future rulings. Judge Rodenberg ruled:

"Brown County Family services has demonstrated a compelling state interest in the life and welfare of Daniel Hauser sufficient to override the fundamental constitutional rights of both parents and Daniel to the free exercise of religion and the due process right of the parents to direct the religious and other upbringing of the child."

Whoa...wait a minute. This kind of language spells t-r-o-u-b-l-e. This dog and pony show is a smoke screen for all manner of potential parental overrides. As a result of today's ruling, what will parents be forced to do in the name of life-preserving treatment? Pharmaceutical treatments? Abortions? Sex-changes?

This is how the enemies of freedom work. They prey upon situations that will cause America to be conflicted emotionally, thereby paralyzing the opposition. Who could stand up for the Hauser's in this instance with a clean conscience? I am glad this young man will get a second chance at life. However, it is unfortunate that it is coming at such a high premium. It is a teachable moment for all of us.

Picture: AP News
Original Story: http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=706678&catid=2

Brainiacal Debacle

2009-05-13T09:17:00.008-04:00

Are you ready for the mad moorings of a maniacal mensch? While that sentence sounded absolutely brainiacal, it's every bit as twisted as my thoughts have been ever since last night. My brain churned as I lay awake, hours after bible study with the young people of our church. A fellow by the name of Chuck asked me a question for which I had no answer. I'd like to see what you think. His question went something like this...

If God created our brains, why are we only using 10%? Is there any way to access the rest of our brains, and if so, would that open up possibilities to do super-human stuff?

Great question! What's even stranger about this is I have just completed a sermon CD that touched on this very question. The suggestion was that perhaps Adam and Eve used all 100% of their brains. However, after the fall, the Lord limited man's ability to use our thinkers at full tilt. This cerebral restriction is supposedly God's mercy in action. He knew that even in our fallen state we would invent new ways to sin and eventually destroy one another and this earth with any more than 10%.

Another theory I have heard goes something like this. The remaining 90% of our brains is a hard drive that is recording every moment of every day, only to replay the "video" back for us at the great and fearful judgment seat.

New York University recently released a study that totally debunked the 10% "myth". According to their findings, we actually do use all parts of our brain, however, not concurrently. We only ever run the machine at 10%, but all parts of the machine get used at different moments of the day. In my maniacal moorings, I ponder, "What might we be capable of if we pushed the pedal to the metal?"

Psalm 139:14 "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully [and] wonderfully made: marvellous [are] thy works; and [that] my soul knoweth right well."

Neat Brain Facts
The human brain is about the size of a cantaloupe.

The brain represents three percent of the body’s weight and uses 20 percent of the body’s energy.

The biggest part of the brain is the cerebrum which makes up 85% of the brain's weight. The cerebrum is the thinking part of the brain and it controls your voluntary muscles.

Your brain generates nearly 25 watts of power while you're awake, which is enough to light up a light bulb.

Alcohol interferes with brain processes by weakening connections between neurons.

Every time you have a new thought, or recall a memory, a new brain connection is made between two or more brain cells.

NYU Study: http://journalism.nyu.edu/portfolio/bestof/2008/002013.html

An Unlikely Wildfire

2009-05-11T08:09:00.005-04:00

In prayer at the Lighthouse, last night, we saw visions of wildfires of revival sparking in the dry, arid, desolate places of our nation. Places that were already a little "wet" with the presence of God were not likely to catch as quickly, if at all. Those who are satisfied with the little touch they currently enjoy will not be set ablaze. We saw sparks traveling on the wind, only to alight in unlikely places. The wind is the Holy Spirit blowing afresh on us. Wind also speaks of our voices. Revival fires will spread via word of mouth in these coming days. When God begins to move in your life, tell it!

The Lord has spoken recently about power tools as well. Days ago in prayer, I saw the Lord distributing power tools to His Kingdom Builders. These power tools would make hard tasks easy, and would hasten the process. What has taken weeks, months and years might now take days, hours and minutes. It's always fun to watch the Lord connect the dots for you. I know many reading this get similar confirmations in the headlines, or elsewhere after hearing prophetically from Father. This morning, there was a headline that caught my attention.

Investigators Say California Wildfires Sparked by Power Tools
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The wildfire that has scorched 13 square miles and destroyed dozens of homes in the hills above this scenic coastal city was apparently sparked by a power tool being used to clear brush, investigators said Sunday.

I don't believe God set this fire to prove a point, neither am I glib to see mass destruction. I do, however, marvel at God's ability to speak through anything. It's time we employ the power tools God has given us. What are they?

1 Corinthians 12:7-11
"But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another [divers] kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will."

One note of caution. Power tools are not meant to be used inside the living room of the house. In order to spark a wildfire, you have to use your power tool outside the house. Speaking plainly now, we want God to start a revival in the church... inside the church... inside the four walls of the church. This is a good desire, however, in order to have the massive scale national awakening we all seek, we have to take it out of the "house". It's always good to bless each other with our spiritual gifts. I love encouraging my brothers and sisters in the house. But, we've been doing that for years! It's time to hit the streets, friend. Who knows, but your power tool just might spark the next blazes of revival.

Here's some power scriptures to meditate on:
Mark 9:11 "Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power."

Luke 24:49 "And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high."

Acts 10:38 "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him."

Colossians 1:11 "Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power."

AP Photo: May 7 Firefighting aircraft drop retardant on the flames burning over a ridge into Rattlesnake Canyon near Santa Barbara, Calif.

Revival Archives: Brownsville 1995

2009-05-06T13:13:00.005-04:00

When the Brownsville Revival broke out in the mid 1990's, thousands from around the world flocked to this small Florida town to experience the outpouring. Many thousands were saved and transformed by the power of God. Some controversy soon followed the revival because of some peculiar "manifestations" of the power of God on some who were a part of the outpouring.

As I understand it, there was a link between the Toronto Blessing and the Brownsville Revival that many are not aware of. Evidently, leadership from Brownsville had visited Toronto, and had "caught the fire." What ensued was a beautiful blossoming revival that took another vein than Toronto, but resulted in a huge swell of souls in the Kingdom.

While the content of this video may be disconcerting for some, I felt it might help explain some of the phenomenon of intercession that is re-emerging in the Body of Christ on larger scale. I welcome your comments and questions in this forum.

Do You Get Me?

2009-05-04T07:44:00.004-04:00

A funny, terrible thing happened this morning. When I signed on with the AM Cafe' at 5 o'clock, there was a technical malfunction with my microphone connection. For all I could tell, the microphone was coming in loud and clear. My headphones, which give me an over-the-air monitor, came in perfectly. What everybody else in West Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania heard was what one faithful listener described as "a drive thru speaker gone bad." Once the problem was discovered (at around 6:00), I used another studio to finish the Cafe' and will have our engineer attack the problem at his earliest convenience.

This little scenario got my hamster wheel a-turnin'. How often have we communicated with others in what we thought was clear and understandable terms, only to discover we weren't getting through at all? Perhaps we were inadvertently misunderstood. Once I even gave a friend of mine what I thought was a high compliment, only to watch her wince in bewilderment. She had heard a snide remark. Egats! What happened?

Inbox/Outbox Malfunction
All communication has two parts: a sender and a receiver. Sometimes, the sender's "outbox" is jumbled with too much information. Ever been overloaded with today's schedule, yesterday's unresolved issues, and anxieties over tomorrow? Sometimes we cannot sort through all of our internal messages (stress), causing an unintentional mixed signal.

As a receiver, our inbox can be overloaded with unprocessed mail as well. This can cause us to receive a new message through the grid of somebody else's communique. If someone rejects us, it casts a dark light on everything else we hear, until we lay that comment on the altar of prayer.

Let's face it. We are not always at the top of our game. Fatigue or stress can hinder us from communicating clearly. When I'm tired, I can come across ambiguously, indifferently, or worse yet, negatively. My heart can say one thing, and my face another.

Our expecations of what someone is about to say are just as important as what they are actually saying. Have you noticed that if you are expecting someone to be angry or short with you, that's exactly what you'll hear? Husbands and wives can attest to this. Fights usually break out when one partner merely expects the other to be angry. It's so important that we live by the 1 Corinthians 13:7 rule that love "beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things." We should believe the best about what our spouse, friend, coworker, family member communicates with us.

Dealing With It
If you get into a negative conversation with someone, ask that person to "put it another way" for you. You may find that they don't really intend to offend after all. There may just be a little static in the lines. If they do intend to offend, take the comment to the altar and ask Father what He thinks. They may have a point, but lack the grace to make that point inoffensively. The possibility exists that they are operating under the influence of the "accuser of the brethren." We all have at one point or another. If this is the case, we forgive, move on, and make the conscious decision that we will not allow that message in our inbox to taint every other message that comes in, today.

Father, teach us to speak clearly and gracefully in every conversation. I choose not to use inflammatory speech that may create conflict. I also ask for your grace to discern through active listening, today. I will believe the best in brotherly love. Grant me the humility to ask for definition from others when I am confused or fail to understand. Be glorified in all my conversations, Amen.

The Fear of Error Part 2

2009-04-29T17:59:00.009-04:00

In order to dispel the undue fear of accidentally surrendering to a spirit of error, we must define what that "spirit" truly is. It does exist and is a threat to the church, however, it is much harder to fall into than the religious spirit would have us believe. The phrase "spirit of error" only turns up once in scripture in 1 John 4:6.

"We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error."

This entire chapter is an entreaty to the church to watch, but not succumb to the fear of accidentally tripping and falling.

Denying Christ In You
John delineates two earmarks of a spirit of error. The first is the Gnostic myth that attempted to overwrite New Testament church doctrine. 1 John 4:3, "And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that [spirit] of antichrist." The Gnostics taught that Jesus did not actually come in the flesh of humanity (as all flesh is perversely corrupt and nonredeemable). In their opinion, Jesus came as a spirit masquerading as flesh. Today, other false religions, such as Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, and Muslims also hold this view of Jesus.

This error goes beyond not being able to profess that Jesus Christ was born of a woman. The error persists in denying the fact that Jesus was a man who worked miracles by the power and indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The religious spirit of error would have us believe that Jesus was not a prototype or the first born of many brethren as Romans 8:29 clearly states. It would have us believe that Jesus was an unreproducible super/God/human that none of us could emulate.

Jesus was all God and all man. However, he emptied himself of his "God" abilities when he was born of a woman. The Weymouth New Testament translation of Philippians 2:7 says, "Nay, He stripped Himself of His glory, and took on Him the nature of a bondservant by becoming a man like other men." Think of it, Jesus could have sinned! I am eternally grateful, however, that he chose not to else there would be no atonement for us.

The context of the anti-Christ spirit of error is key because it presents itself oh so cleverly in our day. While no Bible-believing Christian would adhere to Gnosticism overtly, that anti-Christ spirit has sneaked into the church house with seemingly very humble ideas. This demonic influence defies the fact that Christ is again born in the flesh every time a person accepts Him as Lord and Savior. According to Steve Thompson of Charlotte, NC, this "anti-Christ" spirit is really, "anti-Christ in you."

The entire point of Jesus' earthly ministry was not to prove he was God. His life was an example to us of how man can live, fully possessed and surrendered to the Holy Spirit and in right relationship with Father. Any doctrine or teaching that detracts from the knowledge that (1. Christ still inhabits flesh by the indwelling and baptism of the Holy Spirit), and (2. Christ empowers you and me to do the promised "greater works" of John 14:12) is an "anti-Christ" spirit at work in the body.

Denying the Brotherhood
The second and final earmark of the spirit of error as taught in 1 John 4 is sectarianism. In verse 6 we read, "We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he who is not of God heareth us not. By this we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error." One who acts in an independent spirit, not acknowledging scriptural authority or biblical leadership is in error. Further, John writes that a demonstration of love and open armed fellowship among the brethren is an indicator the Spirit of truth indwells. The following verse reads, "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God."

Here are 10 signs of a religious spirit of error based on John's criteria.
1. A belief that we are error free.
2. A belief that we are the only group that possesses the truth.
3. A belief that Father holds me or my group in higher regard than others.
4. An unwillingness to interact with people of other denominations or fellowships.
5. Feeling called to a ministry based on correcting other's error.
6. Dealing with guilt because I could never live up to Jesus' standards.
7. Cannot envision oneself doing the works of Christ.
8. A belief that only "perfect" super-saints are qualified to work miracles.
9. Argumentativeness
10. Will reject new revelation or experiences in God for fear of falling into error.

Zut alors! (French for "well then!") I think it is safe to say that the spirit of error is more likely to enter through divisive sectarian perfectionists masquerading as the "true remnant" than it is through hungry seekers open to the manifestation of Isaiah 43:19's "new thing."

Picture originally appears at: news.com.com/2300-1025...31-2.html/

The Fear of Error

2009-04-29T06:24:00.006-04:00

The fear of error is one of the most paralyzing forces at work in the body of Christ. Naturally speaking, paralysis keeps us from moving and functioning. It can even make us dependent on outside help to accomplish even simple tasks. God's church must overcome this paralysis that hinders progressive revelation.

Historically speaking, fear induced paralysis has a way of eventually diminishing after a move of God picks up momentum. Let's take a look at the origins of the fear of error and see if we can relieve some undue spiritual duress in the body.

On a simple Google trip around the world, I visited some interesting sites this morning. Check these amazing statements out!

"Doctrinal error leads to the eternal damnation of the soul!"
"Doctrinal error destroys lives."
"The spirit of Error is a lying spirit and most of God's people are sitting under it!"
"Error gets a foothold when we ask questions about God's Word."

From what I gather, a spirit of error is any teaching that disagrees with what our church, denomination or affiliation currently adheres to. Some groups even go so far as to teach that if you do not fully concurr with their interpretation of scripture, you'll not make it into Heaven! That is the height of spiritual error, my friend. God is so big that one group, denomination, or even generation cannot contain the full revelation of Him. There are mysteries about our precious Lord that will be revealed throughout eternity. Friend, we'll never uncover the full revelation of His glory, honor, riches and splendor... ever. If we could, our God would be finite. Pop! My limited human brain just popped it's cork, how about yours?

The inflammatory statements posted above are just indicative of the fear tactics the religious spirit will use to keep us inprisoned. If we are afraid to embrace new understanding that is revealed in God's Word, we'll never mature and come into the unity of the faith. No believer is 100% error free. None. Do you want proof? The Apostle John writes in 1 John 1:8 wrote, "If we say that we have no sin (error), we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." Parentheses added.

Why must we admit this? If we are closed off to revelation and understanding, we will never welcome a new move of God. Why would Paul pray in Ephesians 1:17 "that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him?" Are you open to the revelation and knowledge of Christ? Great, I thought so! More on this very soon.

Let's Share Thoughts

2009-04-27T19:39:00.003-04:00

After a cup of joe, time to reflect and a few days rest, Women of Valor is still ruminating in my spirit. I can't get away from the tremendous move of the Spirit we enjoyed together at the Wisp Resort, April 16-18. It is a virtual annual reunion as many of the ladies return year after year to receive strength and encouragement. What a great joy it was to meet so many new and fresh faces!

I want to thank each lady who supported "The Return of the Ark" and "We the People Declare." Lisa and I signed a good many books and met great women who are hungry for a move of God in America. We draw strength from the connections we make. Women of Valor is a great place to meet and connect with friends.

His Grace Outpoured
There were so many God "moments" throughout the weekend. Each speaker brought a word that the Lord saw fit to confirm in the altars with an outpouring of His grace. Our own Valor team was encouraged by the tremendous results we witnessed in ministry with our Valor friends. After the Friday AM session, nearly 2/3 of the attendees came forward for prayer and deliverance. That altar service lasted until nearly 2 PM. Friday evening, we held our annual "prayer tunnel." This is a marvelous time for every lady to be ministered to by each of our conference speakers and Valor team. Some women were so powerfully touched by the Holy Spirit, that they had to literally be carried through. I found it difficult to make it through on foot, myself. Thank God for great ushers with strong backs! Speaker Audrey King later confirmed what we all felt that night. She said the Lord showed her a river of electricity flowing through the altar. It was that river that carried many women away in freedom.

It Only Gets Better
Perhaps, the best was yet to come for the Lighthouse family. After spending several months in prayer, and many days in advanced preparation, we were ready for something big. God did not disappoint. He showed up and wowed us with His exceeding abundant love for three days straight. It was this continual basking and soaking in the glory that finally culminated in an unprecedented outpouring at the Lighthouse Sunday morning following.

Thomas and Sheila Slone were lined up to speak... but that never happened. It all started early. The church meets every Sunday for prayer an hour before service begins. I arrived at 8:55 only to walk in on an impromptu worship service already in progress. Robbin began a sound check that turned into a full fledged worship set. Lisa took the platform at 9 to begin pre-service prayer. About five minutes into leading us in intercession, the Holy Spirit took over. Thank God for Mom (Pastor Sharon) who was able to navigate gracefully through what God wanted to do. To be honest, I cannot describe the breakout in much detail as Lisa and I were incapacitated for much of the time. The glory of God fell upon us that hour, and the manifest presence of God was more than our physical bodies could stand. There were places in the sanctuary where you could not stand for the anointing.

Intercession began well up inside us for one another and for the Body of Christ. At one point, an intense fear of the Lord gripped me, and caused me to want to hide. It was during that awe-striking moment that the Lord began to speak through us about the fear of the Lord and the Spirit of Holiness that was coming back to His church. The very thoughts and secrets of the heart were being revealed that morning in a most fearful way. God began to plead with congregation to repent and consecrate our lives to Him as never before. I believe we tapped into a move of the Holy Spirit as recorded in some of the historic accounts of the "Great Awakening." Before we knew it, noon had come and gone. There were so many operations of the Holy Spirit being divinely orchestrated in our midst, all accomplished in God's order. The main service never officially "started." It all melded into one glorious demonstration of the presence of God.

At one point, I looked up from where the Lord had me pinned to the altar and saw that well over half of our Sunday morning crowd had filled the floors of the altars. Many others were in their seats, honoring what God was doing. Some experienced God tangibly for the first time.

An explosion of Glory to this intensity has never hit the Lighthouse before. Believe me, over the past year, we've enjoyed some amazing times in His presence. This Sunday morning, however, was different. I could be wrong, but I believe it was a result of basking in Him for 3 days-straight. I am learning the longer we remain in His presence, the more our glory inhibitors and resistors are worn down. As we live in this world, day in and day out, distractions dilute the glory. When we focus on Him, and for extended periods of time, it is easier to access Heavenly realms.

The key, is to live a life of focus on Christ. If only we could look on Him, morning, noon and night, there would be no inhibitors keeping us from the glory. I believe it is possible to work a real job, maintain a real family, and live in the real world and yet be laser-focused on Jesus. After Women of Valor, that is now my aim. It's not good enough to see His glory one weekend a year. I am now ruined for normal life! Just think of post-resurrection disciples, who lived a life of such focus, that they became carriers of the glory day in and day out. Their very shadows and handkerchiefs healed people! My friend, if they did it, so can we.

Habakkuk 2:14 declares, "For the earth will be filled With the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, As the waters cover the sea." You see, His Glory already covers the earth... we just don't know it. We are so full of the knowledge of this world, the knowledge of the flesh, the carnal things. When we come alive to the knowledge of His Glory that already fills the earth, we'll have no trouble communicating and releasing that glory into lives.

Friend, His glory is with you now. As you read this blog, His glory surrounds you. Do you know it? Focus on Him. Breathe Him in and receive the Holy Ghost!

What's the Probability?

2009-04-19T21:16:00.003-04:00

I was reading a Nasa report moments ago which suggested that people are 45% more likely than they think to be struck by lightning. One person in 300,000 claim to have been struck. Women of Valor has just concluded and I witnessed the Lightning of God striking again and again. The Lord gave us a prophetic word in advance that centered on the Battle Hymn of the Republic. "Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord, He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored, He has loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword... His truth is marching on!"

The kind of lightning and electricity we witnessed and experienced over these recent days was more of a defibrillator for the heart. There is resurrection power in His lightnings. We experienced a continuation of that visitation this morning in service. I will write at length about it in a future post. You know they say, if you've been struck by lightning before, you're more likely to be struck again!

If you attended WOV 2009, please share your story, testimony, prophetic word, praise report, etc... by clicking on the comment link at the bottom of this post. When I hear from enough of you, I'll tell you my story ;)

Grace and peace.

What Father Said...

2009-04-19T20:19:00.002-04:00

This will be a most unusual post. What I am about to share is a chronicle of intercessory prayer that erupted Friday night at Women of Valor. After the service formally concluded, many of the Valor team lingered in the river of His presence. Some of the attendees remained with us, hungry for what we sensed God still wanted to do in and through us.

Lisa Butler, Stacey Blubaugh, Margaret Vis and I formed a "prayer pod" and began to press into the glory. I saw a vision of which I will relay to the best of my ability. The spirit of prophecy began flow through all of us, and then the number grew. Bits and pieces were added by so many of the Lighthouse intercessors, that I cannot distinguish who said what, but God is the source. I will miss much of the details. I hope my sisters can reply to this post and fill in the blanks.

The Vision
I saw a lattice on the side of a house. I wanted to climb it, but was afraid it would not hold me. I heard a voice in my spirit say, "It's OK, it's reinforced." About that time, Lisa said aloud to me... "It's secured!" With confirmation, I proceeded to climb the trellis till I reached the roof. Once there, I saw children playing and frolicking in the yard. I knew at once I was atop Father's house. His children were enjoying the riches of His manifest presence. About that time, I held on to the chimney for safety. Out of the chimney, a smoke began to rise. Father said, "I am kindling a fire, and the shekinah glory will not and cannot be contained in my house." It has to get out of the house!

I noticed the children in the yard were playing with tools of trade as toys. I saw hammers, tools, business devices, computers, etc... An understanding came to me, that the family of God has been playing with the gifts and graces that God has given them when they should be using them to take the Seven Mountains. (For more about the 7 Mountains: www.reclaim7mountains.com) I heard myself say, "No wonder we are lacking with a spirit of poverty! It's time to make some money. Get to work! Build the Kingdom!" I believe there is a maturity coming to the saints who are awakening to the fact that they hold the tools necessary to build His Kingdom.

At that point, I looked to the horizon above the yard and saw dark and looming clouds. I heard the sound of the abundance of rain. The Latter Rain will fall in such abundance that the enemy will suffer destruction. No sandbags will hold back this torrent. It is judgment on the wicked and blessing on the righteous. Hard times will come, but God's people will ride the torrent of the waves. Claudia spoke of raging rapids. She cried out "Take the plunge!" I saw gemstones bubbling up on the surface. We will ride the waves of His glory as streams become rivers and rivers become oceans. The oceans speak of nations.

The vision (now a group vision) took a shift. We saw fires over Europe. Specifically London, England and Lisbon, Portugal. God is going to visit those two cities in particular with intense fire.

The fires in London began to rise and swell. Someone said, "London is burning!" The flames of which threw sparks that began to jump across the channel. France was sparked aflame by the fires of London. Downing Street came up, which too began to burn in the flames of the Spirit. This is the street where some of the political figures of England live and work.

Friends, pray for Europe. I look forward to reading what I missed in the Glory. Please contribute, if you were there! Use the comment link below.

Transformers

2009-04-07T07:46:00.004-04:00

Women of Valor is only 9 days away and we are gearing up for a big time. In many advance prayer sessions, God has spoken to us about great power and glory that is to be released during the meetings at the Wisp Resort in McHenry, Maryland. Some of the prophetic words that have come forth involve talk of great Holy Spirit electricity, high voltage power, the current of healings and miracles. We have come to know this manifestation of God at the Lighthouse, and affectionately call it getting "zapped" or "whacked"... I don't mean to be "cute" but when the power of God shows up, it is like an electric current that can be felt by many as electricity.

Have you ever been in worship when the Spirit of the Lord became evident? You may have felt the hair on your neck stand up, or goosebumps on your arms that notified you of His presence? This is the electricity I speak of, however, the intensity of this electricity is 220, not 110. Some people have reported the same physical sensations before lightning strikes. The point of this type of visitation from the Lord is transformation. Here are some people who have experienced similar visitations.

Rodney Howard Browne
In July of 1979, Browne reported he felt fire from his head to his toes. “Suddenly the fire of God fell on me. It started on my head and went right down to my feet. His power burned in my body and stayed like that for three whole days.” On the 4th day he no longer was enjoying this “ anointing” and thought he was going to die, being tortured from this fire and asked for it to be lifted. From that time forward his ministry and message had changed.

Benny Hinn
“When I was a little boy, I saw the Lord in this dream. It was really so real, it was really a vision because when - when He appeared to me my body became electric just like electricity, went through me and when I awoke, that electricity was still on my body” (Benny Hinn, This Is Your Day, June 11, 1997).

On Friday, August 21, 2008, I had an experience with the electricity of the Holy Spirit. During ministry time in a conference setting (of all places), for over an hour the raw voltage of the Holy Spirit coursed through me. I didn't ask for it. I didn't know it even existed in this form! But the power of God flowed through me, transforming me for greater service. I cannot begin to describe the intensity that I experienced, as it was quite frightening and nearly painful to my physical senses.

This type of electricity is not only tangible but transferable. I believe it will be transferred to many who are present at Women of Valor. How does this current flow? Jesus said of the baptism of the Holy Ghost, "Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." (John 7:28) The Holy Spirit is invisible just like electricity. The Holy Spirit is also tangible and real just like electricity. Although electricity is invisible, it produces visible results. Streams, currents, shockwaves of power, flashes of heat, geysers of healing virtue may flow freely out of any believer.

Just how does the Holy Spirit flow? Two ways, primarily. Through the laying on of hands and through our words. In Matthew 8:8, the Centurion told Jesus, "Speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed." Jesus sent the Word of His power across town to raise the dead.

In Acts 8:18, "And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money." Notice, Simon could see the Holy Ghost was given with visible results. Simon wanted to buy the ability to transfer that electric anointing that brought such tremendous benefits.

You can't buy it. The only way you can be a distributor is by being "transformed" yourself. In the tranformation process, you become a "transformer." Just as in the picture above, the transformer takes raw power and converts into a form more manageable for household use.

If you are coming to Women of Valor, get ready. I sense Him even as I write. He desires to encounter you and transform you for His Glory!

More Signs in the Skies

2009-04-07T07:36:00.003-04:00

Here's a picture that scientists say happened 17,000 years ago. This "hand" that you see is high energy x-rays that are radiating from the nebula around the red star PSR B1509-58. This star has evidently "pootered out" and has condensed to the size of a sphere 12 miles across. It now spins 7 times/second in a dizzying display of cosmic light.

Space.com says this unusual picture resembles a "hand reaching for some eternal red cosmic light." Jesus said in the end-times there would be signs in the heavens. What does this sign say to you?

Photo: Space.com
Original Story: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,512767,00.html

Hot Off the Press

2009-03-27T15:40:00.015-04:00

It's too hot to handle! Our latest work has just arrived from the publisher, today! We the People Declare is a project that Lisa Butler and I began writing June 22 and completed on July 22, 2008. We only recently finished making the last edits and revisions just in time for a Spring release. At the close of this post, I'll give you the back cover blurb to whet your appetite. But, let me tell you the story behind We the People: A New Revolution of the People.

One Tuesday night last summer, at the close of an evening service, the Lighthouse experienced a "breakout." That's what we call an explosion of the presence of God that usually results in supernatural demonstration. That night, spontaneous intercessory prayer erupted with travail and group prophecy. About 10-12 of us formed an impromptu circle of travail and began to prophesy that we (America) must revisit the founding documents of our forefathers. The Holy Spirit instructed us to come into agreement with their original thoughts and intents. Their ideas of freedom that were written in ink and blood forged a covenant with God for the creation and preservation of a land of liberty. This heavy vein of intercession and prophecy lasted for a couple of hours. When the intercession lifted, nearly the entire congregation had remained. People were riveted to what the Holy Spirit was saying about the future of our nation.

From that day forward, Lisa and I planned to obey the Lord. We consecrated June 22 -July 22 for research, investigation and intercession. The book is a result of that one-month period. Nearly every night, we met with our laptops and hearts open for a heavenly download. I drank a lot of coffee, and Lisa, hot tea... and we cranked out something special. Believe it or not, I miss those nights at Lisa's dining room table. So many tears, laughs, not to mention burning hands and shaba shivers!

Here's a sneak peak:
Something monumental is about to transpire. A new government is being birthed in our generation. If we participate, a righteous government will emerge. If we fail to act, the wicked will determine our future. We The People: A New Revolution of the People is a fresh look at the founding documents of America and a unique perspective on the values and vision of those who wrote them. This compilation of our founder's inspiring words will ignite a new generation to make their mark on history. We The People are in a position to open the gates of this nation to allow the Kingdom of Heaven to invade. This new revolution of the people will not succeed without you.

Find Your Role As Together, We:
-Unveil the biblical roots within the founding documents of our nation.
-View God's perpetual Covenant with our founding fathers.
-Learn the secret of protocol that authorizes us to operate in Heavenly realms.
-Prophetically declare America's future with Biblical and historical agreement.
-Prepare to inherit Isaiah 22:22'S Key of Authority.

Are You Ready?

You can order your copy, by visiting www.hesalive.net, click on Melissa's page. There is an order form there. Thanks for supporting our latest endeavor!

More Grace for Greater Power

2009-03-27T09:14:00.003-04:00

T-minus 20 days until Women of Valor 2009. Words cannot describe the inner rumbling in my spirit when I even begin to think about what God could and will do in the span of three days. Let me take a moment and tell you what amazing biblical things have happened in three-day spans.

Genesis 40:13, Joseph said to the Royal cupbearer, "Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thine head, and restore thee unto thy place." A word of deliverance will come to those who have been wrongly imprisoned by circumstances.

2 Chronicles 20:25, "And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil of them (Ammon and Moab), they found among them in abundance both riches with the dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away: and they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much." Some are going to be laiden down with the spoils of the battle they've been waging!

Matthew 12:40, "For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly..." Some are going to come out of this 3-day weekend, ready to obey the assignment of God on their lives!

In Acts 9:9, we read how Paul had an encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. It is written, "And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink." At the close of those three days, Ananias prayed for him and the scales fell off his eyes, glory!

In Matthew 27:63, Jesus said, "After three days I will rise again." Resurrection power!

What are you expecting? Reply to this post and let us know. I will be posting more about Women of Valor, soon.

Run Into the Cloud

2009-03-25T08:05:00.009-04:00

Last Sunday, I spoke at the Lighthouse about The Path to Reformation. The church is on a collision course with reform. How long have you been feeling reform brewing within? Before we succumb to impatience, we must understand that reform begins in men's hearts, not institutions. When you read the accounts of great reformers like John Wesley, George Whitefield, Jonathan Edwards, and Dwight L Moody, you'll find that they all had a personal supernatural encounter with God that was a catalyst for sweeping change among the masses.

For the church to make this current transition, we must have a radical one-on-one encounter with God that will transform us into the reformers we incredibly desire to be.

Stand Out From the Crowd
We are the hindrance to reform... not governments, denominations or religious institutions. When God wants to birth something new, he just needs a womb. Mary was complicit with God's desire to birth, as was Peter, Paul, Justin Martyr, Charlemagne, St. Francis, Martin Luther, John Huss, John Wycliffe, John Wesley, Count Von Zinzendorf, Charles Finney, John G. Lake, Amy Semple McPherson, Oral Roberts... (just to name a few.) However, we are more than a womb to Heaven, we are the beloved Bride of Christ! If you look at the bride, today, she is quite immature, sullied, and aloof from her suitor. Jesus is, (and always has been) wooing His bride to a place of intimacy and purity.

When Moses delivered the children of Israel, they were a generation that had never known I AM. One of the first orders of business was to call the entire nation to Mt Sinai where God desired to reveal Himself to them. Moses instructed them to cleanse themselves and wait for the Lord to show up. Exodus 20:18-21 in the AMP says, "Now all the people perceived the thunderings and the lightnings and the noise of the trumpet and the smoking mountain, and as [they] looked they trembled with fear and fell back and stood afar off. And they said to Moses, You speak to us and we will listen, but let not God speak to us, lest we die. And Moses said to the people, Fear not; for God has come to prove you, so that the [reverential] fear of Him may be before you, that you may not sin. And the people stood afar off, but Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was."

When God showed up to encounter them, they refused to engage Him. Notice they stood "afar off" for fear they would die. Moses entreated them that God was only going to prove them that they would cease sinning. Can I suggest that the same phenomenon happens today whenever God shows up. There are those who resist and stand aloof for fear because the sin-nature within cries out for survival. I see this exemplified when the power of the Lord enters a service. Some draw near to Him while others stiffen and withdraw.

What is the purpose of the encounter? If we, like Moses, run to the cloud, we are sacrificing our sin-nature in order to become more acquainted with the I AM. This is really no sacrifice at all! Many of us struggle in our aloofness to conquer a sin-nature that can only be devoured by the fiery presence of God. Wouldn't it be easier to run into the cloud? Not to do so angers God.

In Hebrews 3:11-12 God said of the children of Israel, "Accordingly, I swore in My wrath and indignation, They shall not enter into My rest. [Therefore beware] brethren, take care, lest there be in any one of you a wicked, unbelieving heart [which refuses to cleave to, trust in, and rely on Him], leading you to turn away and desert or stand aloof from the living God."

The reformer is one who has spent time in the cloud. It's in the cloud of His presence that we are transformed. The sin-nature dies and reformation begins. Lord, send the cloud of Your presence... Your weighty kabowd. I'm ready for an encounter!

I Came To Fulfill

2009-03-18T07:34:00.007-04:00

Law vs. Grace. It's the case still being heard in the "supreme court" of religious thinking. Do we abandon the law to embrace total freedom at the risk of lawlessness, or worse yet... anarchy? What is grace? Some define it as a license to live untethered from the pole of unrealistic restriction. Others define it as divine favor in spite of and in response to human weakness. The purpose of this post is not to refute these definitions, but offer something fresh to the discussion that I found in scripture last night.

What did Jesus have to say about the law? He embraced the law of God while expressing concern over the law of the Pharisees. During the 400 years of Divine silence that preceded Jesus' arrival, the Jewish religious institution had constructed a complex code of conduct that would make the IRS tax code look like first-grade arithmetic. Rather than drawing near to God in earnest expectation of salvation, they designed a method to righteousness apart from Him.

Pharisee law was based on insecurity (a synonym for fear). The insecurity was a result of living aloof from the reassuring presence and voice of God. God's law is based on love for Him and man that can only be realized by connecting with Him. Jesus exposed their insecurity when He claimed to live in the freedom authorized by His Father, God.

This Jesus accomplished without ever violating the law. In Matthew 5:17 Jesus said, "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil." Fulfilling meant violating the Pharisee's interpretation of the law, not the law itself. Their interpretations were suspect, not the letter (similar to what we see in America, today). The law, our Constitution, is just. It is simply our court's interpretations of our Constitution that are suspect.

Law vs. Grace Revisited
Paul teaches that to live in grace is freedom from law. Romans 13:9 says, "For the commandments, 'You shall not commit adultery,' 'You shall not murder,' 'You shall not steal,' 'You shall not bear false witness,' 'You shall not covet,' and if [there is] any other commandment, are [all] summed up in this saying, namely, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" Love is the sum and end of the law. In the loving action of laying down His life as the only possible sacrifice for atonement, Jesus perfectly fulfilled the law and satisfied its requirement for mankind. So, why then, are we still trying to satisfy a debt that has already been paid? That debt, in effect, has been destroyed... quite like a mortgage burning after it has been paid off.

The *Bible Exposition Commentary gives a beautiful description of this transaction.

"There are two ways to destroy a thing: you can smash it, or you can permit it to fulfill itself. An acorn, for example, can be smashed with a hammer, or it can be planted and allowed to grow into an oak. In both instances, the destruction of the acorn is accomplished; but in the second instance, the acorn is destroyed by being fulfilled."

Jesus in effect destroyed the law by being planted three days in the ground. Glory! His resurrection is as the mighty Oak bursting through the ground... all from the broken little acorn buried beneath. That mighty oak of Grace now sways in the winds of Freedom, and all from the shell of the law that once held us encapsulated. Today, I marvel as He continues to reveal the beauty of what He did for us all. According to Galatians 2:20, we were buried with Christ, and now the life we live is by faith in Him and what He did for us. So enjoy the winds of freedom!

*(from The Bible Exposition Commentary. Copyright © 1989 by Chariot Victor Publishing, and imprint of Cook Communication Ministries. All rights reserved. Used by permission.)

The Coming Collapse of the Church

2009-03-13T09:43:00.000-04:00

A well-meaning brother in the faith has written an infuriating but revealing article that appeared online this week. The gist was this... American Christianity is dying and will disappear within a decade. He asserts, "Millions of Evangelicals will quit. Thousands of ministries will end. Christian media will be reduced, if not eliminated. Many Christian schools will go into rapid decline."

Alarmed, yet?

What is the cause of our demise? In Michael Spencer's estimation, we are too politically conservative, too unrealistic in our cause, too disconnected from the next generation. We will not be able to sustain the oncoming political and sociological persecution. Millions will fall away. The only hope of surviving the fallout, is to become more "orthodox" and return to the religious root of our "faith".

It is obvious this precious brother is not evangelical, however, he is concerned about our national spirituality. I cannot fault him for reading the proverbial tea leaves, but I offer a rebuttal.

The fires of persecution only devour and destroy that which is not truly of faith. Malachi 3:2 says, "But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he [is] like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap." We think that the Lord only comes to us in joyous celebration. Malachi knew that when the Lord would visit his generation, He would bring demolition to unauthorized works, and a cleansing of the good that remained. Persecution is a refiner's fire and a fuller's soap. Could it be the Lord is about to visit His church in such a way?

Don't fear. The fire is glorious! It truly is the best and the worst of times at once. Think of the New Testament church at Jerusalem. They were enjoying revival evidenced with miracles, signs, wonders, and daily conversions. They were meeting daily in each other's homes for fellowship and communion... then Herod stretched forth [his] hands to vex certain of the church (Acts 12). He killed James and arrested Peter because it pleased the Jews. The persecution began!

When we read this, our immediate reaction is to blame evil, jealous Herod and the religious crowd. But we fail to see the larger picture. The Jerusalem church was more than content to enjoy revival in the comfy bubble of their beloved City of Peace. God's desire was salvation not only for Jerusalem, but for the nations. Their racial and religious prejudices kept them from seeing God's ultimate plan for all people. God ordered the persecution since His church resisted His order to infiltrate the world.

Let's admit the truth. Our generation has resisted the prompting of the Lord to invade the culture of our global society. We have settled into a form of apathetic rebellion. Persecution is once again necessary to break us out of that rebellion.

The even better news is this. Historically speaking, persecution has never been successful in destroying Christianity. It only refines and strengthens the cause. The hotter the fire, the more intense our desire grows. During the great Reformation a saying emerged, "The martyr’s blood is seed and/or fertilizer for the spread of the gospel." For every saint that was murdered, hundreds came to Christ. I'm not intimating that there will be loss of material lives for the sake of the gospel in America. However, the principle applies.

Get ready for the heat. Get ready for the Harvest. Reformation is here.

View the article in its entirety at: http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0310/p09s01-coop.html

I Think I Believe

2009-03-06T11:35:00.016-05:00

Pop quiz: What is faith? Most people get a spiritual hernia trying to define it. Some settle for the trite explanation, “Faith is belief in God.” I am a collector of simple definitions seeing how I am a simple person. Here is a gem that fell in my lap, this morning. “Faith is who we are, not what we believe,” -Rick Joyner. Now, before the hamster in your head goes on strike, let’s see what the Word has to say about faith.

According to Hebrews 11:1, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen, right? Absolutely! The word substance, in the Greek is hypostasis meaning, foundation, quality, and nature of a person or being. Your nature as a person, and your quality of being is a direct reflection of your faith. You and your faith are inseparable. You are the essence of your faith and you are living out the sum total of your revelation of God. Jesus is known to have corroborated this many times in scripture.

Matthew 8:13, “And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, [so] be it done unto thee.”

Matthew 9:29, “O woman, great [is] thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt.”

Matthew 15:28, “O woman, great [is] thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt.”

Mark 5:34, “And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.”

Luke 7:50, “And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.”

Luke 8:48, “And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.”

No doubt, faith is a powerful force. Proverbs 23:7 tells us that as a man thinks in his heart, so is he. Believers usually get this, so we tend to introspect and internalize our focus in an attempt to “grow” more faith. So much emphasis is placed on the external practices of faith that are believed to produce “faith-filled” results. Friend, we have the cart in front of the horse. The outward practices are a revelation of the inward faith that already exists.

Faith cannot be generated by straining to produce a faith-filled vocabulary, or by attempting to control the flow of undesirable thoughts that spring up from our hearts in times of stress and pressure. The beginning of faith is facing the truth that we are living the reality of our current revelation of God. If don’t like our reality, we must have more revelation of who He is.

True faith is beholding Jesus. When our faith is inferior to our situation, we must look on Him. It's time to get our focus off the problem, off our lack of belief and onto the One who is the author and the finisher of our faith. Often, I feel like the man in Mark 9. He, like all of us, experienced an impossible situation. His son was possessed and could not be delivered by the disciples. When he approached Jesus, he said, "If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us." The response was, "'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes."

The situation changed once the man had the revelation that with Christ, nothing is impossible. The man earnestly replied, “I believe Lord, help my unbelief.” His words were honest, they were honorable, and they produced results.

End note: I just want to thank my mother, Sharon Johnson, who has encouraged us since the beginning of this year at the Lighthouse to focus like never before on Jesus.)

Heaven on Earth

2009-03-04T21:10:00.003-05:00

Lance Wallnau shares with Patricia King about how we can experience Heaven on earth. Food for thought.

Giving Birth... Finally!

2009-03-04T09:36:00.002-05:00

At He's Alive Radio, we've been pregnant for 13 months. Shew! Finally... as of noon yesterday, our brand new site has launched. I've been quiet for a few days during the last big push, but boy, what a joy it is to finally have the new.

We now have the ability to communicate directly with the listener through a number of options. We also can stream recent broadcast highlights and maintain the site ourselves. If you haven't visited the site yet, feel free to stop by at www.hesalive.net and let me know what you think.

A Summer of Rage

2009-02-24T09:58:00.007-05:00

People are angry, and that anger is about to give way to rage. I just returned from a prophetic conference at Morning Star Ministries where Bob Jones shared how 2009 would be a year of Anger. People all over the world are angry about the financial state of the nations. The government is the target of all the angst. Just today, this prophetic insight was corroborated by a blog post that surfaced on Yahoo. According to Glenn Reynolds, Britain faces a Summer of Rage. By his observation, “Middle-class anger at economic crisis could erupt into violence on streets.”

I can sense anger rising in the local community. Listen to the conversations in the drug store, coffee shop, and even in church. People are upset at the lack of prevention, correction and direction. This anger can lead our nation two ways, into the path of life or the path of destruction.

Anger, itself, is not wrong. Numbers 12:9 reveals to us that God experiences anger. "And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them; and he departed." That word anger in the Old Testament refers to a fire of zealous or jealous passion. Notice how God's anger was kindled? This means, something sparked the flame of emotion within Him. Psychologists tell us that anger is a secondary emotion, meaning it is the result of a first or primary emotion. Here are some of the emotions that spark anger:

hurt
disappointment
frustration
bitterness
jealousy
embarrassment
irritation

Anger Lifts Restraint
These "primary emotions" can trigger or spark the blazes of anger within. Once anger is kindled, it removes the inhibitors that keep us from acting. Several years ago, my husband, daughter and I were in the parking lot of a restaurant where we happened to overhear a very loud and violent argument just two cars over. My husband immediately became irritated at a man who berated his wife and kids openly. He then noticed this man was a danger. His secondary emotion was a fire in the belly (anger) that stirred him to intervene. Normally, Jonathan would mind his own business. However, the flush of justified emotions removed the inhibitors that would keep him from acting to protect this woman and her children.

Proverbs 29:2 says, "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn." Anger is necessary to stir the Body of Christ to arise to our rightful place of authority. If we sit in the seat of irritation, the unrighteous will ascend. Imagine what evils are accessed and released when the unrighteous are stirred by their anger. There is no redemptive power in them. It's time to arise and access Heavenly direction... we are at a tipping point.

Check out the blog post concerning the "Summer of Rage" for yourself: http://pajamasmedia.com/instapundit/70893/

Get Your Bearings

2009-02-16T07:06:00.007-05:00

Looking at this picture, you could be overwhelmed. The designer of this sign calculated the distance from that specific locale to each one of those destinations. The onlooker walks away knowing precisely where they are in relationship to each of these places.

Where are you, today? Where are you in relationship to where you used to be... and more importantly, where you need to be? That distance is called transition. Here are some interesting synonyms for transition. See if any of these fit you.

Changeover
Evolution
Conversion
Shift
Move
Switch
Alteration

The idea of transition is that you are not merely being moved from one place to another, but that you are metamorphosing from one state of being to another. That, my friend, is your crisis. The question of this crisis is not "How do I get from Point A to Point B?" The truth is you can't in your current state. You must be converted in order to get there. The journey is not territory covered. Rather, it's you being converted to enter your destiny. Jesus said in Matthew 18:3, "Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven."

Remember how zealous Peter was to enter the Kingdom with Jesus? The night of Jesus' betrayal, Peter assured him, "Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death," (Luke 22:33). Peter did not realize he could not follow in his current state of being. Jesus tried to explain this to Peter in verse 32, "But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren."

Let's start asking God, "Who am I in relationship to who I am becoming?" Don't be surprised if He answers by showing you the sign post. Jesus, our sign, said, "I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life... no man comes to the Father but by me."

Expect Heaven to Invade Earth, Through You!

2009-02-11T17:38:00.002-05:00

Enjoy this 8 minute clip of Bill Johnson on the 700 Club. It's time we begin thinking that the impossible is not only possible, but logical!

The Ruins

2009-02-06T18:06:00.003-05:00

Sunday morning, the Lord gave me a vision and a subsequent prophetic word. I was walking toward the ruins of what once was a glorious city. All that remained were the foundations and a few pillars in tact. Some pillars lay toppled. There were a few beautifully carved sculptures left behind to testify of the generation that had built what was now devastated.

The Waste Places

The ruins, the waste places I saw were what is left of the Kingdom conquests of prior generations. Wonder and sadness filled my heart at why it would have come to such a state. "Why, God, should Your Kingdom suffer such loss?"

His answer came to me. The remaining vestiges were the pure elements of the Kingdom. Men and women had mixed building materials of humanism, religion, and error. Out of grace, mercy, justice, and judgment... Father allowed a succeeding generation to raze and destroy the amalgamated growth.

The generation before us seemingly "undid" all the Kingdom growth of the previous move of God. That generation, God's "wasters", were on assignment to winnow away until only the pure materials and foundation remained.

Father gave me 1 Corinthians 3:9-13.

For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, [ye are] God's building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

With this came another scripture... One that I remember was spoken over our house years ago. Isaiah 58:12, "And [they that shall be] of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in."

The Admonition

There was an admonition in my spirit. It is time to build. We are to build the waste places, but proceed with care. We must not allow our life's work be an amalgamation of soulish ambition or human agenda, else the next generation will be permitted to waste it again, to its purist elements. We must build patiently and deliberately. If rapid growth is our concern, we will acquiesce to using wood, hay and stubble. Kingdom materials come as the King supplies.

Friend, these are the most exciting times the earth has ever seen. Let's take our sword, and trowel in hand and begin the work we were created for.