The Lord is My Strength

Hey, bloggers...thanks for your words of support the last few days...I feel the love...I drove up to Nashville last night to see Box Stars perform (they've never done better)...nice to get out of town for a minute...they have two more gigs here tonight so they're staying, but I'll be back on the road headed home, shortly...hope (need, want, desire, expect, etc.) to see CITN ITB tomorrow...peace on your part of the earth, and good will to you all...

Though the fig tree does not blossom and there is no fruit on the vines, [though] the product of the olive fails and the fields yield no food, though the flock is cut off from the fold and there are no cattle in the stalls,

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will exult in the [victorious] God of my salvation!

The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds' feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]! For the Chief Musician; with my stringed instruments.

(Habakkuk 3:17-19, Amplified Bible)

Wisdom From Clarence...

"Dear George: Remember - No Man is a Failure who has Friends..."

And Another Thing...

"My staff...they comfort me..."

Pardon me for taking a little license with the 23rd Psalm...I know David was referring to a different kind of "staff" there, but I want to use the phrase to thank the men and women who work with/for me for their strength, commitment and attitude during this very difficult time...you were all amazing yesterday at Staff Meeting, and I was inspired by your words...

I know many of you in the CITN community are waiting for me to update you on where things currently stand, but I'm just having to take everything a day at the time right now, and I don't want to say more than is necessary in the event that a miracle might be taking place behind the scenes...

Bloggers, thanks for your words here...and to those of you who are being silent because you don't know what to say, let me please encourage you to speak up so that I don't interpret your silence as indifference...I want to believe that you care about what is happening...

Also, thanks for all the apology/repentance messages that I've been receiving from non-tithers/non-givers who feel responsible for the situation...I appreciate the remorse, but that's not really helping...if you want to make a difference, write a check...every little bit helps...it's that simple...just keepin' it real here...

One other thing...those of you who have left CITN for various reasons over the years that have contacted me recently through e-mail or Facebook or by sending a message through someone else telling me that you made a mistake and regret leaving, three words: PLEASE COME BACK! If you left because of something I did, forgive me...if you left because of something you did, I forgive you...you haven't burned your bridge here, and it would be a real strength to us all to see some friendly familiar faces right now...I'm just sayin'...

And yet still another thing...I meant what I said last night in the service about wanting everyone to have a Merry Christmas...seriously...enjoy the holiday, and we'll deal with whatever afterward...

"Welcome, Welcome
Fah who rah-moose
Welcome, Welcome
Dah who dah-moose
Christmas day is in our grasp
So long as we have hands to clasp!"

Oral Roberts (1918 - 2009)

I'm not really in writing mode right now, but I wanted to acknowledge the passing of Oral Roberts today...I may post something more about him later, but for now let me just say that many (if not most) in this generation have no real comprehension or appreciation of how revolutionary, pioneering, cutting edge, out of the box and visionary this man was...truly an original, and ahead of his time in nearly every area...the above photo is from Life Magazine, July 1, 1962...

WAIT ON THE LORD

Hey, bloggers...thanks for all the feedback here and on Facebook from Sunday...and thanks for all the calls, texts and e-mail (btw, at the time of this posting there is some issue going on with the church mail...don't know what it is, but I know they're working on it)...I haven't responded individually to any of your messages, but I've read them all...sorry the streamers are so upset about recent changes, but, in all honesty, the issue at hand is much larger than just that one area...please allow me to get my thoughts together and process all that is happening in my life and ministry right now...as soon as I can, I'll write and post something that will address all your concerns and suggestions...in the meantime, know that I love and appreciate you all (thanks to those of you who have bought The Gospels In The Now...hope you're enjoying it)...

Why would you ever complain, O Jacob,
or, whine, Israel, saying,
"God has lost track of me.
He doesn't care what happens to me"?
Don't you know anything? Haven't you been listening?
God doesn't come and go. God lasts.
He's Creator of all you can see or imagine.
He doesn't get tired out, doesn't pause to catch his breath.
And he knows everything, inside and out.
He energizes those who get tired,
gives fresh strength to dropouts.
For even young people tire and drop out,
young folk in their prime stumble and fall.
But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.
They spread their wings and soar like eagles,
They run and don't get tired,
they walk and don't lag behind.

(Isaiah 40:27-31 - The Message)