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The Whole World

The earth is the Lord's...

We are in agreement for P. Joshua Foster's safe return to the Philippines today...and for Pastor Ben Nadiope's safe return to Uganda this week...and for God to supply the needs of those of you who are going with me to both of those countries in a few weeks...and for the success of the Global Peace Festival in Washington D.C. on August 9...and for the mind of the Lord concerning the MEPI trip to Iran...and for CITN to continue to have a global pulpit...and for a blessing on our cyber-congregation all over the world...and for us to find the corn in Egypt...and for His will to be done on earth AS IT IS IN HEAVEN...


Please scroll down and pause the playlist player first...

You see, God’s love for the whole world – His paternal affection for the entire cosmos – was so all-encompassing and complete that He freely gave His unique Son to it, so that anyone from that world who believes in Him would not perish, but would awaken to the fact that eternal life is theirs.

It certainly was never God’s intention to send His Son into the world to pronounce a sentence of condemnation upon it. Rather, He was perfectly focused on saving it...on redeeming the whole of humanity, everyone and everything on the planet...through the gift of that unique, manifested Son.

John 3:16, 17 - John In The Now

All over the world, the Spirit is moving...


What do we need to agree for in your world today?

Communique'

Happy Wednesday, bloggers!

I have several things on my mind that I want to talk about...


First, here's a couple of pictures that we took Sunday after church which Debye just sent me. We had a great time with the kids last weekend, and I must say that the grandparent gig just gets better and better...

















If you haven't read today's AYITN, check it out (it's on the CITN site if you don't have a copy...and why wouldn't you have a copy?!). I think that it's a good follow-up to yesterday's lively discussion about whining (Title: Extra Mile!)...

Again, thanks for your participation in the Million Acts of Service and Kindness. I'm really glad that you "get it". It's important...

And it looks like the GPF is coming together, nicely. Debye and I are on the new promo video for it, which should be up in the next day or two. Rev. Run and some other celebrities just signed on...

Also, be in agreement with me for the global schedule to work out. It looks like the MEPI trip to Iran is for real, and I have been officially invited to go...I've just got to squeeze it in somehow between Uganda and the Philppines...need some supernatural intervention to make all that work out, but I'd really like to go to Iran...

I've been noticing how many of you have written here lately, "I LOVE THIS PLACE!", and I love it, too. The only problem with that, on my part, is that the blog so satisfies my need to create on a daily basis, that it seems to be preventing me from creating other things! My practice since the turn of the millennium has been to author at least one book a year, but since I've had this constant outlet to write and communicate what's on my mind, I haven't been writing anything else. I've started about four different books this year (and I know that I still haven't done Matthew, Mark and Luke In The Now) but so far, nothing has really flowed or kept my attention. And it's nearly August!

I also haven't painted one thing this year!










So I'm also asking that you be in agreement with me for some balance and better time management, because I'm totally committed to the blog, and plan on continuing it. And I wouldn't mind some suggestions for book topics to help me with direction. I need for someone to make a demand on that part of my writing gift.

If I'm not mistaken, I think Obama is in Israel/Palestine today...pray for the peace of Jerusalem (and Ramallah)...

Hope to see you ITB tonight...I'm beginning a new series...

Thinking on Thursday

Jesus replied: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul...and with all your mind". (Matthew 22:37 - TNIV)

Hey bloggers,

It's around 12:45 am...just got checked into our room in D.C...looking out our window I see the Capitol dome against the night skyline, the Washington Monument, and a large dark area that I know is Arlington Cemetery. The hotel is just a couple of streets over from the Pentagon...very cool location...

Every time I come to Washington, I find that I am just as blown away by it as I ever was. As much as I consider myself a citizen of the world, and a globalist, when I come to the nation's capital, I realize how patriotic I actually am, and I get in touch with my love for this country in a very real way. I really do love it...even with all of its faults...

We were in Paris on the 4th of July, and I greatly missed seeing a fireworks show that night...I love fireworks...and I love celebrating what is still great about America...

Anyway, I used the Scripture above because of the phrase "...with all your mind". Jesus said to love the Lord with your mind, as well as with your heart and soul.

I was thinking about this passage while I was reading some of your comments from yesterday, because everything that was posted here reflected the expressions of people who love the Lord their God WITH THEIR MINDS! You ALL have such great minds (speaking of which, I was glad to hear from Abraham in Cairo, Egypt yesterday...very interesting stuff)... You're all so articulate and insightful...it really makes spending time with you every day here a pleasure...in a word, you amaze me...

Many of us came from a religious background that discouraged thought...we were taught that thinking was nonspiritual, and would ultimately lead to humanism and secularism. But I find, instead, that in this vibrant, Christ-community, God is exalted, His presence, power and greatness are celebrated, and that love rules among thinking people.

Seriously, I have genuine affection and respect for all the contributors here. It's obvious that you put a great deal of time and effort into your posts...clearly, a lot of thought goes into what you say...and I appreciate it. You all inspire me and challenge me...your iron sharpens my iron...

We'll be in meetings all day today (I've got to get up in just a few hours), but feel free to blog. I love when there is a lot of dialogue here, and I can moderate it, even when I'm engaged in doing other things.

We're staying in a beautiful suite, and Debye's already asleep in the next room...but I'm going to sit here a little while and look out over the amazing city of Washington D.C., and just take it all in.

When we get back to Covington on Friday morning, Daisson and Christina and my beautiful granddaughter, Sofia, will be at the house waiting for us, and we're going to spend the day with them. How great is that?! They'll be at church Sunday.

Have a wonderful day today, think great thoughts, and love the Lord your God with all your MIND!

What's on that great mind of yours right now?

All kidding aside, I want to give God a praise for what happened in N. Korea today. In case you don't know, they blew up a 60-foot cooling tower at the Yongbyon nuclear facility, dramatically destroying the most obvious symbol of their recent nuclear proliferation. The tower isn't too technically significant--North Korea could easily build another one--but its destruction is the nation's latest step back from the brink of nuclear confrontation with the United States and its allies.

I don't say a lot about our president. I was taught that if you don't have something good to say, don't say anything at all. But today I am rejoicing that something like this happened on his watch, and I will gladly give him props for being a part of the peace process. It's certainly better than hearing him call NK part of the "Axis of Evil". Kim recently prophesied that Bush wouldn't leave office in disgrace...I don't know...it was just nice to hear about this today.

Peace on earth, good will toward men...

Come, the New Jerusalem! (Pt. II)

First of all…BLOGINTHENOW is four months old today! Thanks to all of you who have helped to create this very loving and prophetic cyber-community! I hope that it means as much to you as it does to me…

Secondly, I had a really great day yesterday…my time with Pastor Ben (and Kettly) was very enjoyable…they went with me to the TV interview (which went extremely well…watch for it if you get Daystar or Word…and it will also be aired on Streaming Faith) and to the King Center. Then Pastor Lee took me to an amazing dinner at the High Museum of Art in honor of two new exhibits that you should check out. The first one is called The Road to Freedom (on view through October 05), in which you can witness the Civil Rights Movement in pictures…a ground-breaking exhibition of powerful and compelling photographs. The second one is called After 1968 (also through October 05), in which you can examine seven contemporary artists' ideas of the Civil Rights Movement's legacy. It’s a companion exhibition to Road to Freedom. Then I ended the evening with a phone conversation with a blogger (who may or may not want to comment about it) that was all about restoring broken fellowship and healing old wounds…good day, all day long…

I loved everything that you wrote yesterday in response to my article about the New Jerusalem, and I want to say a little more on the subject of its’ coming here on today’s article (I don’t want to say too much more about it because I want to save the good stuff for my sermon Sunday). But I feel the same way as Peacemaker, who commented yesterday that “there is so much going on both inside and outside my head”…

Let me try to address some of what is going on in me today...

When we were with Israelis in Jerusalem a few days ago, hearing their viewpoints and seeing the world through their paradigm, I could completely understand their position on things pertaining to their nation, and on what they believe to be the will of God concerning it. Then, when we crossed over into Palestine and met with the Muslim Palestinians, my heart so went out to them, and I could feel their pain and frustration…and I completely understood their viewpoints, as well. I even understood their view of the will of Allah. In fact, I was so flooded with the Spirit of Understanding all week long that I could see the points of every group, including the Evangelicals and Dispensationalists! I mean, if you’re spiritually sensitive and aware, Israel, especially Jerusalem, can really mess with your mind!

But because I could see everyone’s point…and because I believe that each point is valid…I became more convinced than ever before that the “Israel of God” that Paul talked about has to be a SPIRITUAL ISRAEL, that can only be interpreted and understood IN THE SPIRIT! The most profound moment of our trip, for me, was standing with Muslims and Jews and people of other belief systems on the very spot where Jesus wept over Jerusalem, and hearing an Israeli man (who is not a Christian) read these words from the Apocalypse (the Revelation) … “And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.”

Then he cried out “Come, the New Jerusalem!”

When it was my turn to speak, I ended my part with singing these lines… “Let the river run…let all the dreamers wake the nations…come, the New Jerusalem!”

That’s all I want to say about that here…I’ll talk about it more on Sunday. By the way, and just so you’re aware, this weekend at CITN will manifest one of the most amazing outpourings of the Holy Spirit that we have ever seen. Just thought you’d like to know…

One thing I do want to leave with you, however, is this Scripture, and all I can say about it is, “let he who has ears, hear…”

Those who want to make a good impression and a fine show in the flesh would try to compel you to receive circumcision, simply so that they may escape being persecuted for allegiance to the cross of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). For even the circumcised [Jews] themselves do not [really] keep the Law, but they want to have you circumcised in order that they may glory in your flesh (your subjection to external rites). But far be it from me to glory [in anything or anyone] except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) through Whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world! For neither is circumcision [now] of any importance, nor uncircumcision, but [only] a new creation [the result of a new birth and a new nature in Christ Jesus, the Messiah]. Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule [who discipline themselves and regulate their lives by this principle], even upon the [true] Israel of God!
(Galatians 6:12 – 16, AMP)

These people who are attempting to force the ways of circumcision on you have only one motive: They want an easy way to look good before others, lacking the courage to live by a faith that shares Christ's suffering and death. All their talk about the law is gas. They themselves don't keep the law! And they are highly selective in the laws they do observe. They only want you to be circumcised so they can boast of their success in recruiting you to their side. That is contemptible! For my part, I am going to boast about nothing but the Cross of our Master, Jesus Christ. Because of that Cross, I have been crucified in relation to the world, set free from the stifling atmosphere of pleasing others and fitting into the little patterns that they dictate. Can't you see the central issue in all this? It is not what you and I do—submit to circumcision, reject circumcision. It is what God is doing, and he is creating something totally new, a free life! All who walk by this standard are the true Israel of God—his chosen people. Peace and mercy on them!
(Galatians 6:12 – 16, The Message)

Whoever are wanting to put on a fair face in the flesh, these are compelling you to circumcise only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ Jesus. For not even they who are circumcising are maintaining law, but they want you to be circumcised that they should be boasting in that flesh of yours. Now may it not be mine to be boasting, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything, but a new creation. And whoever shall observe the elements by this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, also on the Israel of God.
(Galatians 6:12 – 16 , CLNT)

Selah!

Come, the New Jerusalem!

Yesterday Avatar asked where the BLOGINTHENOW picture (left) was taken, and the answer was that I was standing in the (dry) Pool of Bethesda in Old Jerusalem. Today I’ve replaced that picture with the one above, taken in front of the Dome of the Rock (formerly known as the Mosque of Omar), arguably the ultimate symbol of the impasse that religion can (and typically does) create between people...one of the most intense places on the planet. Usually, I smile in pictures, but I'm not smiling here for a reason.

Under the Jordanian rule of Jerusalem, Jews were at one time forbidden from entering the Old City. Israel took control of the Dome of Rock during its victory in the Six-Day War in 1967. According to a posthumously-published interview with Haaretz, General Uzi Narkiss reported that on June 7, 1967, a few hours after East Jerusalem fell into Israeli hands, Rabbi Shlomo Goren had told him "Now is the time to put 100 kilograms of explosives into the Mosque of Omar so that we may rid ourselves of it once and for all." His request was denied; according to Goren's aide Menahem Hacohen, he had not suggested blowing up the mosque, but had merely stated that "if, during the course of the war a bomb had fallen on the mosque and it would have – you know – disappeared – that would have been a good thing." Later that year, in a speech to a military convention, he added: "Certainly we should have blown it up. It is a tragedy for generations that we did not do so. […] I myself would have gone up there and wiped it off the ground completely so that there was no trace that there was ever a Mosque of Omar there." Shlomo Goren also entered the Dome of the Rock with a Torah book and the shofar.

A few hours after the Israeli flag was hoisted over the Dome of the Rock in 1967, at the conclusion of the Six-Day War, Israelis lowered it on the orders of General Moshe Dayan, and invested the Muslim Waqf (religious trust) with the authority to manage the Temple Mount-Haram al-Sharif in order to "keep the peace". Groups such as the Temple Mount and Eretz Yisrael Faithful Movement wish to relocate the Dome to Mecca and replace it with a Third Temple. Since Muslims consider the ground under the Dome to be sacred this would be a highly contentious move, and would provoke violence. The majority of Israelis also do not share the movement's wishes. Most religious Jews feel that the Temple should only be rebuilt in the messianic era, and it is their belief that it would be presumptuous of people to force God's hand. However, some Evangelical Christians consider this a prerequisite to Armageddon and the Second Coming of Jesus. This view is steeped in the belief that there will be a prophetic rebuilding of the Temple in place of the Dome of the Rock.

Actually, I’m not smiling in the picture for several reasons, and I’ll share those reasons this coming Sunday as I present a little pictoral tour of our trip to Israel/Palestine. I’ll also reference each of the theological viewpoints mentioned above. I’ll have a good, inspiring word for you (it’s Father’s Day), but I believe that you’ll also learn some things from the information that I will share with you that will, at the very least, help you know how to pray for the current situation in our world. I’ll even adress Barack Obama’s visit to AIPAC this week.

It’s going to be a very powerful weekend…Kim Clement on Saturday night…my Father’s Day sermon on Sunday…and then Kim Clement again on Sunday night (both night services at 7 PM).

Today I’m going to give Pastor Ben Nadiope a little tour of Atlanta, particularly the King Center. I haven’t had a chance to spend a lot of time with him since he got here from Uganda, so I’m looking forward to that. By the way, several of you have asked about going to Uganda with me in Septmeber, and I’ll have some information about that for you, shortly. Also, as I mentioned yesterday, I’m planning on ministering for Bishop Tommy Smith in the Philippines in late October, and I’ll make that trip available for anyone who wants to go, as well.

Also, today I’m doing an interview with the publisher of Hope Today Magazine, which will be aired on Friday, July 11 on the Word Network and Streaming Faith and Daystar. I will appear inside the July/August issue of the magazine, which will be on newsstands the first of July.

And I want to say that I miss some of our regular bloggers (I won't mention any names)...maybe you're all on vacation. If not, then where is the love?

Stay cool today...

And walk in peace...part of the reality of the coming of the New Jerusalem is that it is built on the two basic truths of the gospel...LOVE GOD/LOVE OTHERS...peace with all men (even the religiously intolerant)...

more about this tomorrow...

Saturday, 5/24 - Saturday, 5/31

Hey bloggers…I’m going to post here for the whole week because I’m not taking my laptop to the Middle East. Here’s the day by day information so that you can keep up with us, and can know how to agree in prayer with us for each day…


Saturday, May 24____________________

Today is Judah’s graduation...he is graduating from Eastside High School in Covington, and the commencement exercises for his school will be held this morning at Church In The Now (the final one of three held at CITN this week). It just seems like yesterday that Debye and I were sitting at a restaurant with John and Jane Conyers, talking about how they and we were trying to have a baby, and, literally, in just a matter of days from the time of that conversation, Debye was pregnant with Judah, and Jane was pregnant with Aaron. Now it’s 2008, and Aaron graduated last night from Rockdale High School, and his commencement was also held at CITN. Back then the ministry was housed in an old, converted grocery store, and at the time we wouldn’t have even imagined that our church (then called Word of Faith Christian Center) would one day be called Church In The Now, and would sit on 43 acres on I-20. It nearly seems surreal to think that we had those babies that we talked about that night in Shoney’s restaurant, and now those babies are young men, graduating from High School in a building that, at that time, we wouldn’t have known would or even could exist. But, really, on some level, I always saw a picture of today’s events in my spirit. For years I carried an image of a church like CITN in my inner man, and then along the way, I developed an inner picture of a property that could house that ministry. I even had a picture of Judah in my spirit…long before he was born I visualized a tall, young man who looked like Debye (because I wanted her to have a family member that looked like her), with long, blond hair, who sang and played the piano under the anointing. Judah’s Senior Class voted for him to sing a song at today’s graduation, and when he does, I will see the manifestation of a picture within a picture within a picture…the young man I saw, playing a song in the building I saw, which is the home of the ministry that I saw. Amazing. After his graduation we will have lunch with the whole family, and then Debye and I have to head to the airport. Agree with us today for a safe flight.


Sunday, May 25____________________

Today I have a great word for you. Even though I left the country several hours ago, I will be ministering at CITN today through new, very cool technology. Judah will also be ministering with me, as he emcees the service, and leads worship with Bliss (the Mix’s worship band). I didn’t want to have to leave so quickly after his graduation yesterday…wanted to stay and spend the whole day with him, but it couldn’t be worked out…so it would really mean a lot to me, and would make me feel better about having to be away today, for you all to come out and support him ITB. And please don’t forget to give. The church requires a lot to function. On top of the bills, staff payroll, utilities, taxes, mortgage, insurance, etc., I need to send some support to Safehouse, and to Bishop Tommy Smith in the Philippines (I received an honorarium from speaking in Washington last week, and sent it straight to him), and we are completely underwriting the meetings in Uganda, on top of everything that needs to be taken care of here. If everyone just does their part, we’ll be OK…and that goes for the hundreds and hundreds of households who stream every week. If just all the regular streamers supported the church, we would have more than enough. So whether you are ITB or ITS today, PLEASE DO YOUR PART! And tell me what you think about the new technology. It’s going to be an awesome service! At the same time, Debye and I will be arriving in Jerusalem, and attending the orientation for the Interfaith Summit on Peace in the Middle East, and meeting the Ambassadors for Peace from Israel and Palestine. Agree with us today for a wonderful outpouring of the Spirit at CITN, for all of our financial needs to be met, and for us to have favor with the people here in the Middle East.


Monday, May 26____________________

Today we are in Jerusalem. We begin the day with Interfaith Prayer and Fellowship (the theme of the summit is “Bringing the Family of Faiths Together for Peace”). We have the first MEPI Plenary Session on Historical Perspectives. Then we will go sightseeing in the Old City of Jerusalem, visiting the Mount of Olives, the Garden of Gethsemane, Mount Scopus, the Western (or Wailing) Wall, Church of the Ascension of Christ, the Tomb of Mary, the house of the Upper Room, the Tomb of David, and the Basilica of the Dormition Abbey on Mount Zion. After dinner we will walk the Stations of the Cross, and visit the 700 year old home of an Ambassador for Peace in the heart of the Old City. Agree with us today for open communication and understanding.


Tuesday, May 27____________________

Today we are in Jerusalem. Once again we begin the day with Interfaith Prayer and Fellowship. Then we attend Plenary Session II – “Abrahamic Faiths: from Coexistence to One Family Under God”. After lunch we will have Plenary Session III – “Israeli Perspective and Roundtable Discussion”…Then it will be time for dinner and then we will have more fellowship with the internationals. Agree with us today for the formation of covenant, and for a manifestation of the anointing.


Wednesday, May 28____________________

Today we are in Jerusalem. Again we begin the day with Interfaith Prayer and Fellowship. After breakfast we leave for Ramallah. Once we are there, we will attend Plenary Session IV – “Palestinian Perspective and Roundtable Discussions”. Afterwards we will tour Ramallah…I WILL ALSO BE MINISTERING TONIGHT AT CITN VIA STATE OF THE ART TECHNOLOGY!…I have a great word for you about the Fruit of the Spirit, and you’re going to love it! Agree with us today for protection as we travel in Palestine, and for open doors of ministry.


Thursday, May 29____________________

Today we are in Ramallah. As we did in Jerusalem, we begin the day with Interfaith Prayer and Fellowship. Then we attend the Closing Session: “Strategies for Peace – Non-violent Social Change.” I’ll be ministering some time today, and we’ll also be touring the Dead Sea. Agree with us today for favor on the ministry, and for the making of peace.


Friday, May 30____________________

Today we begin the day in Ramallah, and then spend some free time, sightseeing on our own with some of our pastor friends. Later in the day we leave for the airport in Tel Aviv to fly all night. Agree with us today for a safe flight.


Saturday, May 31

Today we return home! Agree with us today for a prosperous culmination of the trip.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.
(Psalms 122:6 - NKJV)

P.S. Check out the new info on the ICCC site. Go to the CITN site and under "About Us", go to "Staff and Care Pastors", and under my picture click on the link for ICCC.

The Earth is the Lord's! (And then some)

In the last few days and hours, all over the globe, there have been cyclones, volcanic eruptions, tornadoes and earthquakes, among other disasters, that have claimed the lives of literally thousands and thousands of people, worldwide. It's really very hard to get your head around the enormity of the number of casualties, and, as I said in a recent article here, I believe that something is definitely going on with the planet.

Al Gore, along with many others with his world-view, believes that it is the inevitable fallout from global warming. Most evangelicals and fundamentalist Christians believe that it is the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy...signs of the times...a prelude to "the Apocalypse", as they believe it to be. My personal belief is that it is evidence of the whole creation groaning in painful travail, waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God according to Romans 8...the birth pangs for the new earth. Whatever it is, it is certainly unsettling to see what has been happening, even right here in our immediate area.

Today a Christian minister was lamenting the fact that, because so many of these disasters were happening in predominately Buddhist and Hindu (and some Islam) nations, that thousands and thousands of unknowing people who were dying in these catastrophes were being hurled into eternal hell because they had most likely not embraced Christianity or acknowledged or confessed Romans 10:9, 10 (even though they don't have Christian Bibles).

A few years ago I might have believed that myself. Now I believe in the what the Scriptures really say, in the love and mercy of God, in His plan to restore all things, and all of humanity, and in the Last Adam's ultimate triumph over the first Adam.

I don't have all the answers, but I know that it is not His will that any should perish, and that He is good, and His mercy endures forever. I also believe in the power of prayer...pray for your planet today. It's a great day to be alive!


I have some more things to say, and will probably be back here later today...

















In the meantime, what is in your spirit today concerning these things?

___________________________

Hey bloggers,

I said earlier that I had more to say on this subject, and so I’m adding this part many hours later. At the time of this writing there are about 26 comments posted, and let me just say how impressed I am by all of your keen insights, and how proud I am of you as a blog community. You have all brought up some very interesting and compelling points, all of which I basically agree with on some level, and I appreciate the balance of intelligence and compassionate sensitivity that you all show.

As a student of history, I certainly am aware that natural disasters have always happened, and I also realize that with constant, 24 hour news coverage, it may appear that more is happening now than has happened in the past in this area. But you have to admit, the last few days and hours have been pretty intense.

And yet, at the same time, there is such an amazing move of God happening in the world right now…a great awakening is taking place. I realize that there are some Christians who interpret this awakening as “the great falling away”, and I understand their paradigm. I was raised on it. And let me just say, for the record, that I do believe that John 14:6 is the truth. I do believe that Jesus was speaking rightly when He said “no man comes to the Father but by Me”. As the perfect embodiment of the Christ, He established Himself as the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and that is an absolute in my heart and mind.

But the same Jesus said that those who were not against Him were for Him. John the Baptist said, “Behold, the lamb of God WHO TAKES AWAY THE SIN OF THE WORLD.” The best-case scenario is found in John 3:16…that “whosoever would believe in Him would not perish, but would have everlasting life.” But, thank God, verse 17 follows verse 16, for those who have never heard, or who have not had the proper influences in their lives to cause them to believe in Him…“For God sent not His son to condemn the world, but that THE WORLD THROUGH HIM MIGHT BE SAVED!” He is the Savior of all men, ESPECIALLY those who believe.

I may even add more to this later today. In the meantime, I don’t know if you noticed or not, but the picture of the drinking deer has a structure in the background that reminds me of something out of Asian architecture…something that you might see in China or Myanmar (the Land of Pagodas)…I put it there to remind us all to pray for our brothers and sisters in those nations who are suffering even as I write this. They make up a huge part of the Family of God…our family…and those who have lost their lives are with the Lord. The Scriptures say “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord”, and that is a universal promise.

That’s all for now. Keep up the beautiful correspondence. I love you all.

He Will Pour Out His Spirit On All Flesh!

Hey bloggers,

We’re home now…had a wonderful time in NYC…

Every time I’m there I stop in for a few minutes of reflection at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on 5th Avenue. I don’t know why exactly, but I always sense a strong presence of God in that place, and He speaks to me there, usually through some confirmation in the daily prayer book that they use in the Mass.

Today was no exception. Deb and I had lunch and then we walked over to the church before leaving for the airport. I sat down in a pew and began reading what I thought was the selection for today, but she came over to where I was sitting and asked if I had read the liturgy for tomorrow, 4/13, which I hadn’t…but it was all out of the
2nd chapter of Acts about the coming of the Holy Spirit, which is what I had just told her over lunch that I was going to talk about tomorrow! Confirmation!

I was going to wait until Pentecost Sunday to bring this message, but I think that I’ll begin a new series on the Holy Spirit tomorrow because I have a sense of urgency about this word.

I’m sure that I’ll mention all of this in tomorrow’s service, but if you read this tonight it will help prepare your heart for an outpouring in the next few hours…

In Job 33:4 the Holy Spirit is referred to as the "Breath of the Almighty"…
In John 14:16, 26 and in 15:26 He is called "The Comforter"…
Hebrews 9:14…The "Eternal Spirit"…
Psalms 51:12…Free Spirit…
In Acts 5:3, 4 He is simply called “God”…
…"Good Spirit" (Nehemiah 9:20; Psalms 143:10)…
…"Holy Spirit" (Psalms 51:11; Luke 11:13; Ephesians 1:13; 4:30)…

Unless there is a change of plans, I will observe all of the titles/names of the Holy Spirit in the sermon/series…if you are a part of CITN or cyber-CITN, go ahead and begin meditating on these things so that you’ll be on the page with me…

Also, be in agreement for us to have the mind of the Lord on this…Deb and I have been invited to Israel the second week in May to engage in some peace talks with Muslim leaders…trying to work out all the details…I confess that our steps are ordered of the Lord…

I love you all…

Pentecost In The Now!

When the Feast of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Without warning there was a sound like a strong wind, gale force—no one could tell where it came from. It filled the whole building. Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks, and they started speaking in a number of different languages as the Spirit prompted them.

There were many Jews staying in Jerusalem just then, devout pilgrims from all over the world. When they heard the sound, they came on the run. Then when they heard, one after another, their own mother tongues being spoken, they were thunderstruck. They couldn't for the life of them figure out what was going on, and kept saying, "Aren't these all Galileans? How come we're hearing them talk in our various mother tongues?

Parthians, Medes, and Elamites; Visitors from Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and ASIA, Phrygia and Pamphylia, EGYPT and the parts of LIBYA belonging to Cyrene; Immigrants from ROME, both Jews and proselytes; EVEN CRETANS AND ARABS!

"They're speaking our languages, describing God's mighty works!"

Their heads were spinning; they couldn't make head or tail of any of it. They talked back and forth, confused: "What's going on here?"

(Acts 2:1-12 - The Message)


In my "Pentecost" painting at the top of the page I connected three powerful images...the Holy Spirit...the world...the Tower of Babel...what's your take on that?

...and here's an acrostic I just wrote...I may use it for a sermon outline next month on Pentecost Sunday...


PENTECOST IS ABOUT:

P - ushing limits

E - mbracing diversity

N - etworking nationals

T - ranscending culture

E - mpowering believers

C - ommunicating truth

O - vercoming divisions

S - eeing globalism

T - aking dominion


...All over the world, the Spirit is moving....are you ready for it?