And Another Thing...

Hey beautiful bloggers!

Thanks for all the great messages...everything here is going amazingly well...never experienced anything quite like it...had the best birthday ever!

I want you to know that I'm not trying to be vague or mysterious about my trip here. I know you want more details, but I'm relaying all that I can right now. I really didn't know what I wanted to say about the trip before I left because part of the reason for coming was sort of a "wait 'til you get there and see" kind of thing. And even now, it's very challenging on several levels to try to articulate it all to you. I'm on the other side of the planet in a different day without my computer (mine isn't working here so I'm having to use Debye's), and the schedule really doesn't allow for any down time in which to write. I probably shouldn't have even tried to communicate at all because of the circumstances, but I missed you and wanted to connect, so I figured something was better than nothing.

And even when I get back for Sunday, I will still have to wait to see how much I want to say once I get in the flow of the service. There's a reason why Mary pondered some things in her heart...some things just can't be discussed until the proper time. I want to minister to you Sunday, not just give you a report on the trip. Pastor Ben from Uganda e-mailed a Happy Birthday message to me yesterday that said 50 is about the coming of the Holy Spirit...so I don't know what I will or won't say about my experience in Korea, and what it means for the future on Sunday, but I can assure you that I'll be ministering in the power of the Holy Ghost!

The theme of DREAMING and the realization of DREAMS has been so much on my mind the past few days..."When the Lord turned the captivity of Zion we were as them that dream..."...on that note, remember that today is the 40th anniversary of Dr. King's assassination...his "I Have a Dream" speech changed the world. You have a dream in your heart, too...don't ever give up on it.

I've got to go, but I want you to know that I feel your prayers and your faith and your prophetic words...many of you write how important this blog is to you, and you need to know that it's equally important to me.

Peace....

Just a Word

Hey bloggers...just grabbing a quick minute to post a little something...

If today is any indication of what my next 50 years are going to be like, then I really am going to have "a wonderful life"!

Don't have time to talk...let me just say that God is real, and that today my path made sense like it never has before...today all the pieces fit...today I knew what it meant to walk in my destiny...

"Let the river run...let all the dreamers wake the nations...come, the New Jerusalem!"

Greetings From Korea!

Hey bloggers,

We're here, and everything's amazing! Seoul is so cool, and we've already met people from all over the world who are here for the meeting. Very interesting...

I wrote a neat little article on the first leg of the trip that I was going to post on our layover at LAX, but the first flight ran a little late and I didn't have any time between flights, and now the article is obsolete because it was about the "foolishness" of dreaming (it was meant for April Fool's Day)...

Anyway, I need to crash right now, and I don't know what the schedule will be like tomorrow, so post if you want, just remember that it might not show up until I get back.

Thanks for all the great words. Peace!

Reflections on Turning 50

Wow, I have so much that I want to say, and so little time in which to say it! We’re leaving for Korea early tomorrow morning and I’ve got a lot to do today to get ready for the trip…haven’t packed or anything…but if I find some time later today I’ll write a little more.

But I do want to say THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to everyone for the incredible birthday gifts, cards, money, checks, etc. Your generosity is very humbling and greatly appreciated!

All day yesterday was an amazing day in my life. I loved every part of the service…the worship (especially Let the River Run)…the video birthday greetings from Dr. Mark Chironna, Pastors Carey and Vannie Harrell, Bishop Johnathan Alvarado, Pastor Jentezen Franklin, and my son Jared, who is in Prague...the kids’ production (sort of a mini-Alvin Ailey dance troupe)...Taps, who was so anointed (when I first heard that he was going to dance to Now Behold the Lamb, I didn’t think that it was going to work, but as soon as he started, I totally got it, and it really ministered to me...and it was also great to celebrate with the other 1958 babies.

Judah’s rap and song just totally blew me away. In that one piece he completely captured every part of the message that I preach, and then combined it with a great cover of a 60’s classic (What the World Needs Now), and then ended with the Beatles (All You Need is Love)! Are you kidding me? That’s as good as it gets! And Jonah’s accompanying video translated it and communicated it to perfection (and he slammed on the drums). Dish and Dane (Daniel) were awesome, also, in a very Jimi Hendrix kind of way. I loved it, and was so proud of my boys. And my baby girl made me cry…the things she said are what every dad dreams of hearing his kids say.

And what can I say about Curtis’ “It’s a Wonderful Life” video? It may quite possibly be the greatest gift that I have ever received. I can’t even talk about it yet.

And my Mom was great, and Dad threw down with his too cool, old school preaching style. He did exactly what I wanted him to do.

And Debye was her usual gorgeous and wonderful self. She did a great job pulling all of my birthday celebration together. I loved every part of the service, and absolutely realize how blesed I am!

She and I will be out of the country tomorrow through Saturday. Assuming that everything goes according to schedule, I plan on being back in the pulpit (I need a better, less-religious-sounding term for preaching!) for the April 6th, 10AM service.

I’m taking my laptop with me, but it’s quite likely that I won’t be able to moderate the blog while I’m in Asia. So, if you want to post something, go ahead and send it…just know that you probably won’t see your contribution online until sometime late next Sunday afternoon. You can check back later in the week to see if I was able to post anything from over there.

In case you don't know, I’m turning 50 on Thursday, and I’ll be speaking that day at a leadership conference in Seoul.

Thanks for your beautiful feedback, and thanks again for giving me such a memorable birthday.

I really and truly love you all!

The Art of the Word

For now we are looking in a mirror that gives only a dim (blurred) reflection [of reality as in a riddle or enigma], but then [when perfection comes] we shall see in reality and face to face! Now I know in part (imperfectly), but then I shall know and understand fully and clearly, even in the same manner as I have been fully and clearly known and understood [by God]. (1 Corinthians 13:12 - Amplified Bible)

Again I tell you, if two of you on earth agree (harmonize together, make a symphony together) about whatever [anything and [a]everything] they may ask, it will come to pass and be done for them by My Father in heaven. (Matthew 18:19 - Amplified Bible)

We don't have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He's been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let's walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help. (Hebrews 4:15, 15 - The Message)

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.(Psalms 19:1-4 - TNIV)

O God, listen to my cry! Hear my prayer!From the ends of the earth,I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety, for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me. Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings! (Psalms 61:1-4 - NLT)

That which is now already has been, and that which is to be already has been; and God seeks that which has passed by [so that history repeats itself ]. (Ecclesiastes 3:15 - Amplified Bible)