I Like The Morning

Praying in Tongues and Walking in God's Timing

2011-07-30T12:54:00.000-07:00

Wouldn't you like to say you accomplished everything that God purposed for you to do? The satisfaction and joy of living wholeheartedly for God would be a complete blessing. You could say like Paul, "I fought the good fight, kept the faith, finished the course, "

When I look at the disciples in the book of Acts, they moved in God's impeccable timing. They ministered in Jerusalem at the right time. They moved into Asia Minor at the right time. They preached in Europe at the right time. What kept them at God's perfect pace?

To answer this question, you just have to look at their lives prior to the resurrection. They constantly screwed up. The disciples jockeyed for top positions with Jesus rather than waiting for God to lift them up. They fell asleep in the garden of Gethsemane. Peter rebuked Jesus for talking about going to Jerusalem to die. They doubted and fled when the temple guard captured Jesus. They went back to fishing after the crucifixion. It seemed like they missed the plans and purposes of God at every turn.

Their fortunes changed, however, when they were filled with God's Spirit on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2). From that point on they walked and flowed with the rhythm of God. What kept them in the cadence of heaven? The Holy Spirit. He controlled them now.

It makes total sense. The Holy Spirit has the mind of God (1 Cor 2). When He indwells, He directs according to God's will, according to God's mind. He broke the disciples' will during the crucifixion of Jesus. He primed them for an infilling of the Holy Spirit. They only did God's will from that point on. They died to their own desires and lived for God's.

The Book of Acts could be re-titled the Acts of the Holy Spirit. He led and orchestrated the early churches' every move. He sent Paul and Barnabus out from Antioch; stopped Paul from going into Bithynia; led Phillip into the desert to speak to an Ethiopian eunuch; guided them every step of the way. They surrendered themselves to God. They walked in God's timing because they walked in sync with His Spirit. They also spoke in tongues (Acts 2).

Ephesians 4 and 2 Timothy 4 make the connection between walking in God's Spirit and using time wisely. Ephesians 5:14-21 talks about making the most of your time by not getting drunk on wine, but by being filled with the Spirit; singing to one another in Psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs. It's clear that being filled and controlled by the Spirit helps one to use time according to God's divine plan. Paul talked about being sober in 2 Timothy 4 in order to fight the good fight, to finish the course, and to keep the faith. Again, we see perfect timing associated with the sobering effects of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit keeps us in God's will.

Jude 1:20-21 talks about building yourself up by praying in the spirit, which is another way of saying praying in tongues. It's a way for the Holy Spirit to fill, to empower, and to control one's life. He builds up. He starts to guide again.

When we pray in tongues we recalibrate our lives to once again flow in the timing of God. Peace, joy, and love start to blossom. It's similar to setting up your GPS before embarking on your journey. We listen to the voice coming from this satellite guidance system and obey. We reach our desired destination. It's the same with the Holy Spirit. Once we connect in with His Spirit, the goal then becomes one of walking life out in obedience to the Holy Spirit every step of the way. We accomplish all that God has purposed for us to do because we walk with His mind. We arrive at God's destiny, the church's destiny, our destiny.

As I continue to use my prayer language, the peace and joy of God continues to fill my life. The Holy Spirit guides and directs. There are moments when I step out and start to worry and fret, but the Holy Spirit recalibrates and gets me back into God's timing. I actually saw in the Spirit a chord pulling me forward into God’s timing as I prayed in tongues. I cannot explain it in any other way than my spirit and God’s Spirit coming together as one, then realizing in my inner person that I was walking in God’s perfect will and timing. I just knew that I knew.

Things in the natural confirm that I am walking in God's timing. I find parking right where I need it the most. I make it to appointments on time. I say the right things in the right season. I walk in peace throughout the day. When I get anxious, I turn back to God and recalibrate through praying in tongues. Spending time with God through prayer saves me time throughout the day. That is why Jesus was never in a hurry or frantic. He was walking in divine time. I'm starting to understand this at a deeper level. Christianity is fun and exciting again.

I know this is a little mystical, but isn’t Christianity a supernatural religion – the supernatural and the logical flowing together as one? Jesus was and is the logos of God, the supernatural and the natural, fully God and fully man. We should be the same. We should experience visions, images, meet angels, heal incurable diseases, hear the voice of God, cast out demons, and other supernatural things. We should also study the Word of God and go deep in truth and wisdom. We are also fully man and fully divine. Our lives are filled and covered by Christ, yet we live in the flesh (Gal 2:20). Faith ties the two natures together. The Holy Spirit seals the deal.

Too much of Christianity is lived out in the natural or in the flesh. There is no room for the mystical and the supernatural. All I know is that I was blind but now I see. I finally got it. The Spirit of God wants His church back. The fleshly models of church will be removed and in its place a glorious bride will appear. The church will once again move into the timing of the Lord. The gift of tongues will facilitate this.

God is in a Good Mood

2011-07-26T15:23:00.000-07:00

I used to think that this statement (God is in a good mood) coined by Bill Johnson was a nice jingle but out of touch with reality. "Hey Bill, do you see all the earthquakes? Do you see all the terrorist attacks? Do you see?" Actually, the question should have been, "John, do you see?" Maybe some of you could put your name in this same slot.

Yes, there is definitely evil in this world, but we need to understand where this evil is sourced. John 10:10 states, "The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy, but I have come to give you life and life more abundantly." The thief, the devil, is out to destroy this world. He is definitely in a bad mood because he knows his time is short (Rev 12:12). He is also bad and will obviously be in a bad mood because of his nature; hence, all the destruction and chaos circulating in the world at this time. (It's interesting that the numbers 12:12 are used for the shortness of the Devil's time and the ushering in of God's government. 12 represents the fullness of government.)

Man is also responsible for the predicament on earth. Pollution, wars, some of the weird weather patterns, and other stupidities are because of our own sinfulness. Ecclesiastes 7:29 states, "“Behold, I have found only this, that God made men upright, but they have sought out many devices.” Romans 3:23 states, "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." We have freedom of choice. Many have chosen to do evil.

God is not one to control us like puppets or to unleash evil on man. There is no evil or darkness in God (1 Jn 1:5). God is good (Psalm 25:8, Psalm 34:8). He is also in a good mood (Psalm 2:4. 37:13). He laughs at the devil's schemes. He guffaws at the nations plans. He will cause all things to work together for good (Romans 8:28). The craziness of this world doesn't faze Him. It shouldn't faze us.

His throne room sits in the foundation of all the universe. The atmosphere there should set the spiritual thermostat of the church here. What do you think? In other words, God's attitude should be our attitude. Anything else is stupid, fearful, fleshly, and based in lies. What is the atmosphere of God's throne room like?

It is full of joy. In his presence there is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11). I must be honest with all of you that I once belonged to the GHE (glass-half-empty) club. I criticized everything. I saw only the weaknesses in things. I now belong to the GTF (glass-totally-full) club. I was going to say glass-half- full, but that is theologically inaccurate because God fills us to the brim. He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). He blesses us exceedingly abundantly (Ephesians 3:20). The plates of food he gives us crack under the weight of blessings. Well, getting back to my main point.

The atmosphere of his throne room is filled with joy. When we come into his presence we will be filled with joy (Jude 24). The ground, temple, angels (Job 38:7), everything that makes up heaven oozes with joy. It's thicker than poi; fatter than the pork steaming forth from fresh lau lau (Hawaiian dish). It behooves us then to walk in a place of joy and peace, not fear, anger, stress, worry, or hatred. We are citizens of heaven (Ephesians 2:19) and should reflect its characteristics. We should be the most joyful people on the face of this earth. We represent heaven.

It is filled with holiness, truth, love, and peace. "Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Lovingkindness and truth go before You" (Psalm 89:14). Despite the last desperate moves of the Devil, and the crazy people who follow him, God's throne room atmosphere never changes (Psalm 46). Because of this truth, we should never change from walking in holiness, truth, love, and peace. Again, God's attitude should be our attitude at all times. We need to imitate Him (Ephesians 5:1). His throne room atmosphere is the spiritual altitude we need to soar in. The core of this earth could split open but our core should abide in peace and joy. The throne room is constant.

Yes, God gets angry with his people at times (Zech 1:2), but his anger is only for a moment (Psalm 30:5). His favor lasts for a lifetime. "Someone needs to give a shout at this time!!!! Come on!!!" It's his kindness that leads people to repentance. It's His favor that keeps us standing and walking in joy.

I used to walk in one or only two dimensions of God's character. Maybe some of you practiced the same. I think this was a stupid way to live. The Portuguese have a word for this: babooze. "Stop being a babooze!" We need to walk in the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Some used the quote that children do not have a junior Holy Spirit. I agree. Maybe this is the false truth that many adults walk in. We get jaded by the world and its problems and forget about the fullness available to all who proclaim Jesus as their Lord. We do not possess a junior Holy Spirit, but a super-sized version. We have all of God! Therefore, we walk in the fullness of God's character, especially joy.

Remember this one truth: God is in a good mood and we need to walk in this victorious mind set, too. I want to write more, but I am reserving this for a training time this Sunday. Just spend time in his throne room through prayer (Heb 4:16) and see how your attitude and life will change. I leave you with this victorious throne room image from Psalm 46:

God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride.Selah. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, The holy dwelling places of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered; He raised His voice, the earth melted. The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold.Selah. Come, behold the works of the Lord, Who has wrought desolations in the earth. He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariots with fire. “Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.

The Coming Perfect Storm

2011-07-26T10:56:00.000-07:00

I read and also watched the DVD of this prophetic word from John Paul Jackson about two years ago. I sat riveted as he unfolded the coming storms that would fill the land unless the church repents and turns from their wicked ways. Please understand, I am not focusing on just one church, but 'the church' in America that has lost its voice and way.

It's interesting that the responsibility is laid squarely on the bride of Christ's shoulders, not the secular nations of the world; with America being the focus in this article. Yes, we have been blessed by God for centuries. We have lived off the afterglow of previous revivals and righteous living by the faithfulness of the past. It's time to wake up. We can't keep hitting the snooze button.

I respect this man's heart. He's not one to bring doom and gloom, but a sobering, truthful message that brings health and conviction to the body. Prophets point people to God. This man's finger is raised directly to heaven. I trust him.

This message is public domain and copied from another mail out. It's a timely word for this season. It put things into perspective. Read and be blessed. Yes, strong medicine is a curative and a blessing.

THE COMING PERFECT STORM (Prophetic Bulletin)
PROPHETIC BULLETIN August 2008 (original print date)

I originally wrote this Prophetic Bulletin for the Streams Ministries Partners at the beginning of August. At the urging of my Board, I am now making it a public Prophetic Bulletin. When I first wrote it, little did I know the events that were soon to happen concerning Todd Bentley, the Gulf Hurricanes, Russia’s invasion of Georgia, the trains that would collide near Los Angeles, Sarah Palin’s nomination and the stir that would cause, or September 15’s Stock Market plunge. All of these are early elements of what the Lord called “The Coming Perfect Storm.”

THE COMING PERFECT STORM
by John Paul Jackson

For those of you who have followed this ministry, you have heard me say more than once during the past eight years that from 2009 or 2010, things will become very difficult. I have been praying and hoping that what I am about to write may be averted. However, I am now concerned that without prophetic people speaking up, we will not play our redemptive part in bringing change for the good.

FIVE ELEMENTS OF THE BREWING PERFECT STORM As in the movie The Perfect Storm, the storm I see coming to the United States is a combination of more than one element, and when the elements unite, the storm becomes exponentially more dangerous. However, unlike the movie, this storm is not just a storm of merging weather patterns. This storm is worse; it involves five different elements: religion, politics, economics, war and geo-physical events.

At times these five elements will be so intertwined that it will be difficult, if not impossible, to distinguish which events are driving a particular manifestation of the storm. Massive problems in these five areas will come often, or in combination, and sometimes repeatedly. Each element has potentially several events that will have national and international ripple effects. Some ripples will be worse than others, depending on where you live and how you make your living. Different areas of the United States will experience different severities. Some will experience more economic elements, others more geo-physical elements; some will experience all elements. Remember, it is the combination and the rapidity that will make the storm problematic.

Also, this does not mean all five elements will hit at the most devastating levels. For example, on a scale of 1–10 with 10 being the worst, one element may strike at a six while another strikes at an eight. It is the particular combinations of elements — the proximity of each element as well as the intensity of each element — that will make this storm so difficult and seem to last so long. This storm will not be short-lived; it will come in waves, one after another.

WHY IS THE STORM COMING? This storm is coming because the Church (the Body of Christ) is no longer the backbone of this nation. From our inception, the Christian faith has been the plumb line of decisions made at all levels of life. The Christian founding of this nation is what makes it different from every other nation, other than perhaps Israel. Other nations may have become Christian in their focus, but none were initially formed with Christianity as the core of its DNA.

The Church is to make known God’s manifold wisdom to the world and the powers of the air (Ephesians 2:2). This demonstration to the heavens is not accomplished by speaking to those powers but through righteous living. How we live opens or closes doors for Satan to legally afflict us and even rule over us via leaders who do not know the ways of God. From Adam and Eve through today, the actions of humankind have given room for the enemy to strike and attack us. The only legal way the enemy has access to us is when the hand of God lifts from us, resulting in a space between Him and us. This space increases as we distance ourselves from Him and His ways.

Anytime there is an increased distance between God and humanity, it leaves room for attack to come and for principalities and powers of the air (rulers of darkness) to take up residence. The longer dark powers reside over an area, the more the people begin to call right wrong and wrong right. Here in the United States, leaders arise from the people; in other words, as the people believe and think, so do the leaders who rise from their ranks. Eventually, the lines between right and wrong, as well as the holy and profane, become blurred. The way to God through Jesus and the Cross is no longer seen as an absolute. In fact, absolutes become touted as “intolerance” first in the world and then even within the Church. Yes, there are exceptions to this thinking within the Church, but through compromise, the absolutes of Heaven and eternity are clearly evaporating.

GOD CAN FASHION A DISASTER We are living in the days of Ezekiel and Jeremiah, who prophesied that God can bring disaster on a nation if that nation continually chooses to walk according to its own plans. God spoke this to Jeremiah:

“The instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, to pull down, and to destroy it, if that nation against whom I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I thought to bring upon it. And the instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it, if it does evil in My sight so that it does not obey My voice, then I will relent concerning the good with which I said I would benefit it.

“Now therefore, speak to the men of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Behold, I am fashioning a disaster and devising a plan against you. Return now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good.”’”

And they said, “… We will walk according to our own plans, and we will every one obey the dictates of his evil heart.” — Jeremiah 18:7–12

WHAT ARE SOME THINGS THAT ARE COMING? What are some of the things/consequences that will come? In time, water will be more expensive than oil, and cities will evacuate thousands because there is not enough water to meet their needs. (As Amos 4:7 says, “I made it rain on one city, I withheld rain from another city.”) Earthquakes will strike not only coastal areas but devastate the Midwest as well. Israel will bomb Iran, and anti-Semitism will escalate as fuel costs soar. A dirty bomb will explode in a coastal city. There will be thunderstorms with huge hail, 24 inches of rain in 24 hours, three feet of snow in six hours, record-setting tornadoes with winds of more than 350 miles per hour and tornadoes in unusual places. There will be an unexpected blight that will hit various hybrid seed crops and weaken the yield. In addition, drought and devastation from storms will dramatically cut into various harvests and the national food storage will deplete.

“Now therefore, speak to the men of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Behold, I am fashioning a disaster and devising a plan against you. Return now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good.”’” — Jeremiah 18:11

FOUR THINGS THE CHURCH MUST DO First, the Church must return to knowing God and His ways rather than just knowing about God. We have replaced power with programs, revelation with administration and the Father’s heart with organizational skills.

Second, the Church must learn how to contend for the faith again. We are weak, and we fall away so easily when crisis is not at hand. We have not been tested, and we have lost our resolve. We understand little of the adversary’s plans. We do not know how to debate our faith without becoming angry, and thus we have so few strong, clear, godly voices in political arenas. We have lost our witness — the witness that convicts others and strongly testifies that God is still God and is very, very real. We have lost the witness that demonstrates that God is a personal God in a very impersonal world, the witness that says, “What I do proves God exists.”

Third, the Church must return to the love of God’s Word and the belief that it is infallible and inerrant. This would include the conviction, understanding and knowledge that God is absolute, and there is only one way to know Him: through Jesus the Messiah. We need a new revelation that God’s power is unlimited, His knowledge is unending, His presence is with us always and He never changes. We have made God far too small, and our lives prove it.

Fourth, we will need to declare sacred and solemn assemblies of repentance and corporate fasting in many parts of this nation — a time set aside for rending our hearts before God.

“Now, therefore,” says the LORD, “Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm. Who knows if He will turn and relent, And leave a blessing behind Him — A grain offering and a drink offering For the LORD your God?

Blow the trumpet in Zion, Consecrate a fast, Call a sacred assembly; Gather the people, Sanctify the congregation, Assemble the elders, Gather the children and nursing babes; Let the bridegroom go out from his chamber, And the bride from her dressing room. Let the priests, who minister to the LORD, Weep between the porch and the altar; Let them say, “Spare Your people, O LORD.” — Joel 2:12–17

CRISIS IS THE FRUIT OF FOLLOWING THE WRONG GOD God allows calamities to happen in order to draw us to Himself. What does that mean? It means that God allows us to reap the fruit of that which we serve. Walking in God’s ways brings blessings and fullness of life, while walking in the ways of the “god of this world” will bring the fruit of the god of this world: decay, destruction, deterioration and death. We make our choice, then the choice makes us. Sadly, we are developing a history of wrong choices.

Throughout Scripture, when crises hit the people of God, they turned their hearts to Him, and He heard and took action.

Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. — Jeremiah 29:12–13

May the people of the United States seek the Lord … and find Him. Remember, we still have the promise that if we turn from our wicked ways, God will heal our land.

Love you church. In the coming days, the church will become one again. All the stupid divisions will cease. Selfish ambitions thrown to the side. Petty disagreements will end. False unity exposed. The heart revealed. The coming storm will put all things into perspective.

Revival History Awakenings

2011-07-24T18:03:00.000-07:00

There is only one word to describe this past weekend’s School of Revival History: Awesome! Ray Hughes and Matt Higa took us on an awe-inspiring ride through the Cumberland Gap and the Kentucky Revivals to the beautiful land of Wales and the Welsh Revivals to the island of Kauai and its importance as a catalyst for revival; not to mention everything else in-between, around, and anything that remotely smelled like a revival. It was a rich, savory stew of God’s love poured out on humanity through a span of 400 years. We were all blessed.

Thursday night started with the life of David Brainerd and his sacrificial heart for the American Indians. When most clergy in the colonies looked upon the natives as soulless beasts, Brainerd took it upon himself to share the Gospel of Jesus with his fellow human beings. Many turned to the Savior. He died a young man, but his contribution to the Kingdom still sets hearts aflame for God.

From that night to Saturday, the messages covered people like Jonathan Edwards, John Wesley, George Whitefield, William Cartwright, Francis Asbury, Evan Roberts, Lorenzo Dow, Charles Finney, Sam Jones, Hewahewa, Henry O, Maria Woodworth Etter, Aimee Semple McPherson, Gypsy Smith and a host of other names that changed the landscape of our world and eternity for the glory of God. As I heard all the names and their contributions, these themes stood out: passion for souls; love for God; no fear of man; love for the younger generation; the sovereignty of God.

They all possessed a passion for souls. It seemed like no obstacle would prevent them from proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Asbury and Cartwright were Methodist circuit preachers to the new settlements beyond the original thirteen colonies. They followed in Wesley’s footsteps by covering thousands of miles on horseback, through wind and rain, hostile attacks and thievery, severe terrain and cold. They faithfully preached the Gospel and punched out a few hecklers in the process of evangelizing a wide swath of the population. They did it because they loved people. Their work blessed a nation. Their work populated heaven.

They loved God. Evan Roberts, of Welsh Revival fame, cried profusely from the pews and asked God to bend him, break him, use him to reach the lost. Years and years of developing a keen sensitivity to the Spirit of God while working and praying in the coal mines of Wales created a deep love for Him. I could only imagine what it was like to sit in the pitch dark for hours on end. Maybe he memorized Psalm 139 and contemplated David’s words, “Even in the darkness you are there….” Roberts’ life changed a whole generation. It still effects us today.

They did not fear man. From the eccentricity of Kathryn Kuhlman to the frozen states of Maria Woodworth Etter, they all exhibited a quirkiness shunned by the general religious population. Kuhlman would come out in these chiffon dresses and ask in a high shrill voice from the pulpit, “Are you waiting for me?” Lorenzo Dow wouldn’t take a bath. Whitefield would preach in the fields and moors. Hewahewa turned his back on his ancestral ways and court prestige for the love of God. Aimee brought the world into her Angeles Temple. The list goes on and on. They were their own persons. They could care less how other people felt or thought about them. They obeyed God. They were the foolish that confounded the wise (1 Cor 1).

I saw the sovereignty of God amidst all the different revivals. Yes, there were some common qualities among the revivalists like a hunger for God, humility of heart, radical obedience, and other characteristics. Whatever the case, God will do what He wants to do when he wants to do it. He will anoint a William Seymour after seven years of praying for hours on end, and will do the same for Charles Finney after only one day of crying out. He will pour out his Spirit on a little church on Azusa Street and pass by churches who prayed for years for revival. It’s His choice. He will have mercy upon whom he desires (Romans 9). He is sovereign.

Lastly, I saw and experienced God’s heart through Ray Hughes and Matt Higa. It’s true: it’s caught, not taught. They have a passion for the younger generation to rise up and take the mantle of reaching their generation with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I saw the love. I saw the heart yearnings for the people of God to get passionate again, to get a desire for souls, to get burning hot for God and revival.

A foundation has been set. The dry wood has been placed on the altar. All we need are the Elijahs to call down the flame. The school was awesome! That’s all I have to say. God bless all of you.

Jonathan Edwards: A Theologian of the Heart

2011-07-22T10:35:00.000-07:00

Everyone thinks of Jonathan Edwards as the guy who only penned and preached the infamous sermon Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God. He did more than this piece, but is remembered mostly for preaching this descriptive message about hell and sinners. They lampoon, decry, revere, and evoke every emotion in the human psyche when it comes to their feelings about this message and the man. More often than not, it is looked upon as the worst example of Puritanical religiosity ever foisted upon the American psyche. Sadly, many cannot see beyond their politically correct view of how church and messages should be done. They judge without prayer; they criticize without understanding.

Little do people know that Edwards read this sermon in a monotone voice to his Northhampton congregation. There was nothing special about the delivery. There was nothing special about the church. God just showed up and wrapped himself around the message, then all hell, or should I say, all heaven broke loose. People cried out in fear and fainted. Some fell into comatose states. Many turned to the loving arms of God with a healthy fear, something sorely missing in today's conversion experiences.

God's Spirit then moved throughout this tiny hamlet and set aflame all of the colonies. Another spiritual luminary that rode the rapids of this spiritual renewal was George Whitefield. He was good friends with Edwards. They said he commanded audiences of ten to twenty thousand without a modern PA system; he only had a strong voice to exhort and the Holy Spirit to convict. Many turned to God before the Revolutionary War. The First Great Awakening began in earnest. Thousands turned to Jesus.

People think of Theologians as 'cold hearted brainiacs'. I don't blame them because many fit this bill. Edwards did not. Many scholars crown him as the greatest thinker America ever produced. I think they were right, but he was also a lover of God. You could categorize him as a protestant mystic, caught up in the beauty of God's creation, praying for hours under the flaming red leaves of a New England fall, crying out with joy over the goodness of God.

He states, "Once as I rode out into the woods for my health, in 1737, having alighted from my horse in a retired place, as my manner commonly has been, to walk for divine contemplation and prayer, I had a view that for me was extraordinary, of the glory of the Son of God, as mediator between man and God, and His wonderful, great, full, pure and sweet grace and love, and meek and gentle condescension. This grace that appeared so calm and sweet, appeared also great above the heavens. The person of Christ appeared ineffably excellent with an excellency great enough to swallow up all thought and conception – which continued, as near as I can judge, about an hour; which kept me the greater part of the time in a flood of tears and weeping aloud." (Jonathan Edwards: A New Biography pg. 100). As one can see, these were not the words of a spiritually disconnected individual; on the contrary, these were the words of a burning heart, hungry for more of God.

As I listened to Ray Hughes talk about Edwards and others, my heart started to burn. There is something about the power of story, especially the story of fearless men and women who proclaimed the Gospel, that stirs the heart, sparks the mind, fills the soul. I got impatient again. I wanted to launch out. Many may have felt the same way. Revival fires, even in the afterglow, flowing from the mouth of a fiery home spun preacher (especially this type of preacher), can have this strange effect on hearts and minds.

When I got home, I dusted off my biography of Edwards, which I read about eighteen years ago, and started to read over all the highlighted areas again. I was astounded with how God formed a teacher who carried the power of the mind and the Holy Spirit with such effectiveness and balance. He truly was a theologian of the heart, a warrior poet who contributed immensely to our understanding of revival and intimacy with God.

I recommend Jonathan Edwards A New Biography as a good introduction to this great revivalist, teacher/theologian. He preached for many years in his Northhampton church and ended his days reaching out to the Indians in Stockbridge. During this self imposed exile to the Western most part of Massachusetts, he wrote and compiled his writings into two huge volumes of deep theological thought. This work went on to impact countless lives and transformed the theological landscape of our country. It still reverberates into modern day thought, even into the foundations of our constitution and country. Good work never loses its power, especially the type anointed by God.

He died of smallpox on March 22, 1758 just before taking on the presidency of Princeton University. He said these last words on his death bed, "Now where is Jesus of Nazareth, my true and never-failing friend. Trust in God, and you need not fear." Good words to live by.

Radical Submission to the King

2011-07-20T13:19:00.000-07:00

"And the Lord said to Samuel, 'Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them.'" (1 Samuel 8:8)

The people grew frustrated with Samuel's sons. Instead of leading with integrity, they took bribes, perverted justice, and went after dishonest gain. The people had an honest gripe against Samuel and his heirs. They wanted a king now.

God's view on the situation was surprisingly different. Their rejection of Samuel's sons was a rejection of His Kingship. How could this be? Samuel's sons were perverting their leadership role. They had a right to ask for a king. They were being exploited.

If God's word is God's word, then this example gives us a birds-eye-view of how God views leadership and submission. The people needed to still submit to Samuel despite the obvious weaknesses in his sons and system. David still submitted to a crazed Saul. Jacob submitted to a conniving Laban. Peter even exhorted slaves to submit to unjust masters in his letters (1 Peter 2:18-21). The nation of Israel, by asking for a king, was in essence saying, "We don't want God as our king."

God will ultimately make all things right (Romans 8:28). He is in control. The call of each person is to walk by faith in whatever circumstances they are in. This means seeing the invisible God working behind the scenes, even in unjust situations. Every leader in the Bible had to walk with this understanding.

Honestly, isn't God already King of this world. The ultimate form of government is for people to follow Him. Our leaders and leadership structures will never be perfect, and God calls us to submit to earthly governments and rulers as a sign of our obedience to the true King (Romans 13:1-5, Hebrews 13:17). God is pleased with faith (Hebrews 11:6). The present day forms of human leadership are just a temporary set up before the True King comes crashing through the clouds. God honors humility, not pride. He honors radical faith in our submission to earthly leaders. However, if the earthly leader tells you to go against the teachings of Scripture then you must disobey. You serve a higher King.

Rebellion, the independent spirit, and disobedience are rampant within the world and the church. The US was actually built on rebellion. We rebelled against England and the king. We are a nation built on rights and democratic rule, but the Kingdom of God is a monarchy. Our two world views collide at this point.

This rebellious spirit finds fault in every leader, which is just a ruse to mask their rebellion against God, a convenient excuse to disobey. God allows people to move into leadership, not man. We fight against Him when we fight against earthly leaders. What about Hitler? Mussolini,? Mao? Pol Pot? Nero?

Again, many people did not obey their unjust laws and actions; evil purposes which were clearly against the truth of God. They also represented extreme cases of evil leadership, rarely found in most people's experiences. They were finally removed; washed away by the tide of history; snuffed out by the Almighty. I do not understand all the reasons why they rose up in leadership. Life is a mystery. God is mysterious in his ways (Romans 11:33). Our call is to walk humbly, show mercy, and fear the Lord.

Job was rebuked by God when he asked why he went through so much suffering. He was told in no uncertain terms, "Who are you to ask me the question, 'why?' " Job repented in dust and ashes. God then gifted his humility with a ten-fold blessing. God will bless you ten-fold for your humility and trust.

Let's ask ourselves this question: is God my King? if we say yes, then our lives should be marked by radical submission and obedience. The Kingdom of God will truly take over this world some day. Let's start living like Kingdom people now. Let's start living in a place of peace, hope, joy, obedience, and love. He is King. We need to place our hands over our mouths and be silent. We live in His presence and by His good pleasure.

The Second Great Awakening (Part 2)

2011-07-19T11:55:00.000-07:00

It's interesting to wade through 19th century writings. I'm used to the blunt, concise, staccato, Hemingway style of narration. I never realized how he and others transformed how Americans write. The flowery language of the past has been replaced with efficiency and conciseness. Finney wrote well. He wrote very succinctly for his day. It's just that the sentences are still long and at times convoluted. Whatever authoring style you favor, it's a fascinating read into the heart of early 19th century revivalism.

Did you know that many of our social institutions and churches were founded during this revival. Many hospitals, churches, the YMCA, schools, other philanthropic organizations, even the Mormon faith were birthed from this great move of God (tares and wheat grow together). Church attendance increased. Many came to know Jesus. It set our country in the right direction, and for many years we experienced the afterglow of its blessings: financial, spiritual, social, and educational. This was a true, blue revival. The Toronto Blessing, Lakeland, and even the Jesus Movement were limited in scope. The Second Great Awakening transformed a wide swath of the church and society! It built our nation.

As I look at the present day landscape, we will need another revival of this magnitude to resuscitate our dying country. Only God can breath life into our terminal condition. Only a mighty inundation of the Holy Spirit can save us.

Charles Finney traveled from town to town preaching the Gospel. It's interesting that he didn't preach in any churches, but instead school houses and homes. The church locked him out. They didn't like his direct manner, home-spun English, Arminian theology, and expectation of a response from hearers. He questioned the pious religiosity and formalism of the church. He challenged the use of archaic, theological language from the pulpit. He used simple language with the directness of a court room lawyer (he was a practicing lawyer before his conversion). It worked. Many turned to Jesus. Many found life when pressed to make a decision.

Finney began the whole mass conversion and crusade tradition. Before then, salvation and evangelism happened through indirect means. Calvinism promoted a hyper-sovereignty view of conversion. God gave faith. God gave repentance. God made the heart to choose Him. If this wasn't happening in your life, then you shouldn't turn to God. You were not ready. Finney blew this out of the water by putting the responsibility firmly in the sinners hands. He demanded a response to the Gospel message.

The fascinating thing about all of this is that both sides preached truth. God is in control, but we also need to choose. It's a partnership. Man tends to polarize theology and church life through their misguided thinking and stupidity. Division is just sin. It's plain and simple. Calvinism and Arminianism have been at each others throats for centuries. Finney, the revivalist, revealed a new and old facet of God's grace during this move of the Spirit. He made the Gospel understandable again to the common folk. He raised up the imago dei view of man by giving him the noble duty of choosing who and what to believe in. God is sovereign and man is made a little lower than Him. He has a God given responsibility to make right choices.

I will end it here. I need to run. Bless you folks. I will write more tomorrow."Where's my Finney book? Ha! Where's my Bible?"

Charles Finney and The Second Great Awakening (Part 1)

2011-07-18T11:51:00.000-07:00

"Without any expectation of it, without ever having the thought in my mind that there was any such thing for me, without any recollection that I had ever heard the thing mentioned by any person in the world, the Holy Spirit descended upon me in a manner that seemed to go through me, body and soul. I could feel the impression, like a wave of electricity, going through and through me. Indeed it seemed to come in waves and waves of liquid love; for I could not express it in any other way. It seemed like the breath of God. I can recollect distinctly that it seemed to fan me, like immense wings." (The Autobiography of Charles Finney. Pg. 20.)

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This was the conversion experience of one of the greatest evangelists that ever walked the earth. He had been crying out to God that whole day and in the evening all heaven dropped down and filled his soul. Soon after this experience, every time he talked about God, people got convicted and found a secret place to give their lives to Christ. It only snow balled from there. Millions came to know Jesus through his ministry. The presence of God surrounded Finney's life because he lived in His presence. God did the work, not Him. He just surrendered and let the Holy Spirit have his way.

I do not like formulaic Christianity because it never works. William Seymour spent years praying for more of God's Spirit, but Finney spent only one whole day, or very little time in comparison, and received his baptism of fire. Why the difference in experiences? I do not know; nor will I try to figure this out. God is just good and He will do what he wants to do when he wants to do it. Romans 9:16 states, "So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy."

The only similarity between the two was a hunger for more. God fulfilled his promise found in Deuteronomy 4:29, "But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul." They found God, not religion.

Both were not formally trained at seminary or received the equivalent of a college degree. They were self taught. For those who have similar backgrounds, be encouraged. God will empower any willing vessel to accomplish His will. For those who have received formal training, be encouraged, too. God chose Saul of Tarsus and turned him into a spiritual wrecking machine against the works of the devil. The guy had the equivalent of a Phd or more before embarking on his role as an apostle for Jesus. Yes, knowledge can puff up, but God is good at humbling and squeezing out the pure oil from our lives. Don't worry about not being humble enough. That's God's job. Just go for it.

This will be a very brief article because I am still finishing up the autobiography, but I would like to share these truths from the pages already read. Finney was firmly convinced that without an encounter with the Living God, there could be no power to do ministry. What do I mean by encounter? I mean an empowerment by the Holy Spirit to do the greater things. I am also convinced of this truth. Not only is it Biblical (Acts 1:8); it's also very practical.

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He states, "But there was another defect in brother Gale's education, which I regarded as fundamental. If he had ever been converted to Christ, he had failed to receive that divine anointing of the Holy Ghost that would make him a power in the pulpit and in society, for the conversion of souls. He had fallen short of receiving the baptism of the Holy Ghost, which is indispensable to ministerial success." (pg 55.) The proof is in the pudding. With the Holy Spirit you produce fruit. Without the Holy Spirit you produce nothing. It's that simple. It's not rocket science. Brother Gale was the Princeton trained Presbyterian pastor of Charles Finney's village. He had no power. He ate from the tree of knowledge rather than from the tree of life (God).

Jesus, Paul, the disciples, Seymour, Finney, Moody, Sung, Whitefield, Edwards, Wesley, and every minister that eventually kicked okole (butt in Hawaiian) for God had an encounter with the Living God through the Holy Spirit dropping on them in some fashion and form. D. L. Moody's experience was mild in comparison to Finney's. He was just walking on the streets of Boston when The Dove landed on his life with greater power. Joy filled his soul. Everything looked brighter! Jonathan Edwards had the same experience. John Sung, the Chinese evangelist, met the Holy Spirit at liberal Union Theological Seminary. He was then thrown into an insane asylum because he was preaching Jesus and rebuking his professors for preaching lies. God discipled him amidst the schizophrenics for months. He cried to be released, but God used these humbling experiences to shape the vessel for the Holy Spirit to use.

Please understand, I am not talking about the Holy Spirit coming upon your life at conversion (Ephesians 1:13), but a second or third or fourth or fifth or sixth or....... experience. God can infill many times (Acts 1:8, 9:17-19). He's God. He can do whatever He wants. God nailed me with his Spirit in the fall of 1993, but since then, He has filled me on more than one occasion. He saved me in 1984, but I only started to move in a level of power in 1993. It's been increasing as I walk with Him, but I want more. I want the Holy Spirit to consume my life. How about you?

Why am I writing this? Being honest with you, if you do not want your share of the Holy Spirit I will take your portion. Ha! It's Biblical. The first shall be last and the last first. The person who didn't use their talent forfeited it to one who used theirs. Just read the parable of the talents. It's in black and white. So, if you don't use your talents, I will take it when offered by God.

I am playing off of Pastor Dean's rascally message that spurred the congregation on to want more of the Holy Spirit and God's blessings. Rest assured, the gifts and blessings of God are inexhaustible. He has more than enough to give everyone their fair share or more. The defining issue is this: How hungry are you? How hungry are you for pure octane God? He will meet your desire. He promised (Numbers 23:19, Deut 4:29).

I will share more later when I finish reading this autobiography. Love you guys. Drink deeply from the fountain of God.

The Mountain of The House of the Lord (Isaiah 2:1-4)

2011-07-15T20:33:00.000-07:00

"The word which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. Now it will come about in the last days The mountain of the house of the Lord Will be established as the chief of the mountains, And will be raised above the hills; And all the nations will stream to it. And many peoples will come and say, "Come let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, To the house of Jacob; That he may teach us concerning his ways. And that we may walk in his paths." For the Law will go forth from Zion And the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And He will judge between the nations, And will render decisions for many peoples; and they will hammer their plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, And never again will they learn war." (Isaiah 2:1-4)

I believe this passage talks about Revelations 21. The nations will come through the gates and bring their glory into the New Jerusalem. It will be a time of peace. It will be a time of grace. It will be a time when every tear will be wiped away. It will be a time when Jesus will rule and reign. The theme of Revelations is this: we win. Until then, we will battle the forces of darkness, and at times it may look like we are not winning but losing. Don't be disheartened, the Lord has overcome through the cross.

In the midst of the battles, God will provide supernatural protection. He did it in the past, he will do it again. He protected Noah and his family, Lot and his two daughters, the Israelites in Egypt, and the disciples in the New Testament. Yes, many died a martyrs death, but they were protected until they were promoted into glory. They did not die before their time. We will not die before our time. Be encouraged, God will provide for his people in miraculous ways during these challenging and exciting days.

Jesus stated that the gates of hell will not prevail against the church. This means that Christians will go from triumph to triumph until the Second Coming of Christ. Darkness will be exceedingly dark, but light will be exceedingly bright. We will shine like the stars (Daniel 12:3).

Does this mean that all evil will be vanquished before the return of Christ? No. Jesus will be the only one to vanquish the Devil and the Anti-Christ. Until then, many will turn to Jesus, with the ultimate day of triumph belonging to the Lord. Praise his name.

Instead of having seven mountains of influence (Lance Wallnau's seven mountain theory), we will have only one, the mountain of God. Everything is marching toward this one goal. The Devil will try to counterfeit this Godly one world government with his own version with the Anti-Christ at its head. It will not work. The government of God will trump all others. It will be the only one standing.

Some say that Christians are too heavenly minded to be of any earthly good, but I say that to be of any earthly good one needs to be heavenly minded. It's the ultimate motivation, encouragement, and hope we have as Christians. The joy of the Lord is our strength. Joy must be grounded in the faith realm. It must be fixed in the eternal. Joyless people are earthly people. Our hope is grounded in eternal life and the ultimate triumph of our Lord. We march with this type of victorious mind set.

This is a short, but important article. I pray it has encouraged you. Stay tuned for my write-up on Charles Finney and the Second Great Awakening. Aloha. Love you folks.

The Days of Noah

2011-07-15T11:32:00.000-07:00

California will allow the teaching of gay history to kindergartners? The law just passed. I'm not condemning this great state, but making the point that the world is being inundated by a flood of evil at this time. Homosexuality, wars, radical Islam, euthanasia, corruption, and other forms of demonic influences flood the land even as we speak.

God regretted ever making man during the time of Noah. He then unleashed the reservoirs of heaven on the evil 'running amuck'. The only other time he completely annihilated a whole society was the incineration of Sodom and Gomorrah. Perversion and homosexuality were so rampant in these cities that the men, young and old, wanted to have sex with the two angels sent to rescue Lot. Now, that's sick! We can surmise that the world Noah walked in was just as evil or more. Why would God drown the whole thing and save only one family? He saved only Lot and his family. The resemblances are uncanny.

If we use the rise of radical homosexuality as a marker of the times, then we truly are living during the days of Noah. Perversion is hitting all age groups and every corner of this world. This is not just an American phenomena. Taiwan also passed similar legislation for their elementary school children a few years back. The Anti-Christ spirit fills the atmosphere. Secular humanism and Radical Islam also carry this same spirit in different wrappings. They are on the rise, too.

The question then that begs to be answered is this: how should we live? Radically! Yes, we need to live radically! Paul lived this way. He fought the good fight, kept the faith, and finished the course while suffering in prison. He pushed it to the limit. He wrote about it in his second letter to Timothy. His zeal never flagged.

It doesn't matter what prison, salt mine, or rock quarry you are in. We are all called to live wholeheartedly for Jesus! We are not called to live in a bunker mentality and wait for the rapture. I agree with our senior pastor about this stupid way of living. Yes, times are dark, but are we really that surprised? Come on! Let's wake up and smell the Kona coffee! The book of Revelations is not there for just decorative purposes. We are living in the most exciting times in the history of mankind! I can already smell the coffee!!!!

Jesus told us that we would experience persecution in these last days. The Chinese Christians have gotten a head start. We are next! God will refine and empower his church because he wants a spotless bride. If you have been feeling dislocated, disassociated, or just plain dissed, then God is driving you to his feet to have a real, bonafide relationship with Him. Hey, that's a novel idea? God saving us so that we would have a relationship with Him. "Who would have thought?" Beloved church, it's time to trash religion and pursue intimacy with the living God.

If you are caught up with comfort, your retirement, social security, material goods, a neat and comfy church, the latest conference, or all the other mirages of our modern lifestyle, then it's time to get your eyes on Jesus. It's time to turn on your prophetic, healing, words of knowledge, and other gifts in order to save those drowning in their sins. The years of peace and storage of spiritual resources will now be called upon by Your Master. It's time! It's time to live for eternity. Everything on this earth will burn some day (2 Peter 3:10).

Soon, many of us will be flung out to the utter most parts of this world. God is repositioning many of us geographically for the end time harvest. It's his army! He can do whatever he wants. The Gospel will be preached to everyone and then the end will come. Let's pray that we are not one of those sidelined by our own sins and complacency.

I had a dream about one year ago in which I saw a foreign army invade the shores of our island. It was a huge army that stormed down upon us. It wasn't a good thing. Whether this was an actual invasion by a foreign power or a demonic invasion, both are not very promising. Well, the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdom of our Lord and Savior some day. The rats of this world are scrounging around for every last bit of worldly morsel before they get exterminated. Everything will be melted down, including our national debt, including our nation. Only one mountain will rise in the end (Isaiah 2:1-4).

Yes, we are living in the days of Noah (Matthew 24:37-39). People were marrying, eating, drinking, living normal lives, and then the rains came! It came hard. The down pour is coming. Get out your umbrellas and start singing the Gospel in the rain! It's time to get crazy for Jesus and go for it. Oh yeah, many of you, get your suit cases ready, too. Don't expect to come back. At least don't expect to be sitting in the days to come. Hawaii may be your base, but it may not be. California may be your point of origin, but not your final destination. In other words, you may not be living tomorrow in the same place you are living in today. It's a launching point. See you in China, South East Asia, Philippines, the Pacific Rim, Jerusalem, or in the clouds? Aloha!!!

William Seymour and God's Glory

2011-07-13T10:52:00.000-07:00

I walked on the very spot where modern day Pentecostalism began. It's not much today. Cement covers the ground where the Apostolic Faith Mission once stood. A Japanese Cultural Center owns the property now. It looks like a typical downtown location you would find in any major city.

However, in 1906, a black pastor by the name of William Seymour led a full blown revival from this unassuming location that has impacted over 600,000,000 lives. Today, only a plaque commemorates the location of God's greatest revival in the history of mankind since Pentecost. It became the cradle of Pentecostalism and of revivals throughout South America, Africa, and Asia. It served as a catalyst to trigger continual revival for the last century. In other words, the Azusa St. outpouring kicked butt!

As one can see, the fires that began one hundred and five years ago still burn brightly throughout the present world. This is testament to God's ability to carry out his will despite man's frailties. I just finished reading two books about William Seymour and a book about the Azusa Street revival (thank you Bob Aisawa) and one theme stood out: God likes to use the weak and the foolish to accomplish the great (1 Cor 1).

History repeats itself over and over again. It gives us a perspective on things so we don't get too high and mighty about our importance, so we don't worship the wrong things. Abraham, Moses, Jacob, Joseph, the disciples, and every leadership team throughout history had their weaknesses so that God got the glory, not man. He shines out amidst our foolishness. The Bible glorifies God and puts man in his place.

Yes, there is Psalm 8 which proclaims we were made just a little lower than God, but higher than all other created beings, even angels. We are important to God. We are special. We are made in the image of God. I'm just making the point that God's purposes still blaze forth despite our propensity to screw things up.

William Seymour was a son of former slaves. He came from the heart of segregationist Louisiana, a place brimming with white hooded racists, still smarting from their defeat by the Yankees, still taking out their frustrations by lynching and oppressing the black population. As you can see, It was not a great place to live if you were an African American. In other words, it wouldn't be high up on one of those Parade magazine quality of life surveys. I just couldn't picture how a burning cross on the front lawn would increase curb appeal. The Louisiana of the 1870s was not a pleasant place to live.

As one could surmise, he and his family still lived in a form of slavery despite the Emancipation Proclamation. The Jim Crow laws reigned. The blacks were still considered lower than dogs. A white person could could kill a black person for just about anything, even suspicion for a crime. From this oppressive locale he moved to the Midwest (just as racist) and then finally to Texas to study Bible under the leader of the Topeka outpouring, William Parham.

Parham was known to have led a bible college that experienced an outpouring of the gift of tongues. Some consider him the father of modern day Pentecostalism because of this, but his extreme racist views and accusations of sodomy somewhat tarnished that position of honor. He died in obscurity. Whatever the case, Seymour chose to study under this white supremist because he preached a third experience Christianity; the experience of speaking in tongues as a sign of being baptized and saved by the Holy Spirit.

Seymour submitted to further humiliation by sitting outside the classroom on the back porch because he was not allowed to study with white students in the same room. Parham left the door open half way so William could take part in the lecture. He was such a nice guy. Actually, God used these humbling experiences to shape and form his servant for the role of a lifetime, the role of a revivalist.

It was said that Seymour memorized every sermon and teaching of Parham. He was hungry for God. He humbled himself to learn. After making the most of his time in Texas he finally received a call to serve in Los Angeles, California.

He wanted to pastor, but the church that called him locked him out of the sanctuary because they disagreed with his extreme holiness theology; primarily his views on sanctification and tongues. They even put a pad lock on the door. God continued to crush this man so the pure oil of life would flow.

With no church to call his home, he did the second best thing: pray with other crazy people. They met on Bonnie Brae street in a semi-big house and sought the Lord together for hours on end. Seymour prayed for five hours a day for three years prior to moving to LA and then upped the ante by consuming seven hours a day before the mighty outpouring in 1906. The guy couldn't get enough of God. He wanted the pure stuff. The rest were also very hungry for God's presence and the gift of tongues.

Seymour preached the third experience despite the fact he did not speak in tongues. Maybe this was why he prayed so much and sought God. Being a man of integrity and faith, he cried out for the gift everyday for years. The dude had perseverance!

Then during one prayer meeting God decided to open the flood gates and inundate his people. The rest is history because major healings, deliverances, other supernatural occurrences, and movements have since spawned off from this initial outpouring. The world has never been the same.

William Seymour was an extremely humble, soft spoken, unassuming man. His preaching was not that great, almost inaudible because of his quiet demeanor. The guy also put a box on his head for hours until he felt the presence of God moving in the service. He would then take it off and pronounce major healings in-sync with God's initiatives. Limbs grew out, tumors disappeared, eyes opened, ears unstopped, and a white glory cloud of his presence filled the humble church building. It must have been mind blowing to experience such an outpouring.

He also preached a pretty whacked-out theology. For instance, he believed in baptizing people only in the name of Jesus, complete physical sanctification, speaking in tongues as the sign of salvation, and a host of other oddities. The rest of the teachers were also pretty extreme. Did God care? Did it stymie His attempts to carry out His will? Did it stop Him from reaching 600,000,000 lives? No, no, and absolutely no.

I'm not saying theology is unimportant, but in comparison to having the right heart, it pales. God looks at the heart (1 Sam 16:7, 1 Chron 16:9). He draws near to humility. God can work out the kinks of theology, but character takes time and perseverance. This is the gold refined in fire (Revelations 3).

The Azusa leadership had this at the beginning. They walked in sweet unity by worshipping together as blacks, whites, Asians, and other ethnic groups. Racism was thrown out the window. They worshipped as one. God commanded the blessing (Psalm 133).

This blessed unity didn't last very long. After about a year, things started to unravel, and in about fourteen years, William Seymour and his wife, Jennie, were scrounging for funds and rejected by their former friends and associates. Yes, he still preached to a congregation of 24, but was basically shunned by the leadership of Los Angeles. Racism, legalism, the religious spirit, division, and other ills reentered the picture. He died in 1922 praising his Lord and Savior with these words, "Oh, I love my Jesus so." He wasn't bitter, only thankful to his God for the opportunity to serve.

The old building was finally condemned and razed in 1931 due to its dilapidated condition and potential as a fire hazard. Today, the Japanese cultural center of Los Angeles sits on the once hallowed ground of Azusa. Only a plaque, a sign, and a grapefruit tree from that era remain. The rest has been covered over by asphalt and cement.

What were some lessons I learned from William Seymour? God will do what he wants to do despite our weaknesses; God blesses humility and the right heart, not theologies; God blesses people, not buildings; God just blesses; God is not into man-made monuments; God doesn't rest in past glory; God doesn't share his glory; God likes to use weak vessels; God is God.

There are other lessons, but these are the few I gleaned. History has a way of making you less uptight as a person. God shines amidst our sinfulness and weaknesses. From the garden until now, man is not that impressive – God is. We can now step off the pedestal and remove others off the place that rightly belongs to Him. If anything, Azusa has taught me this truth: All glory and honor belongs to Him.

Liko and Anniversary Dresses

2011-07-12T09:22:00.000-07:00

I like buying dresses for Jan and Aimee. I fake the moaning and groaning when I pull out my wallet, but in reality I enjoy seeing eyes light up and smiles spread out from ear to ear. Maybe it's a birds-eye-view of God's heart toward us. He likes giving good gifts. I know I do when it comes to my wife and daughter.

Yesterday was our 19th anniversary. Can you believe it? We've been married for over 19 years. Some of you can boast longer; many are only a few years into marital bliss or fog. Whatever the case, marriage is great! It's both beautiful and sobering to realize the twists and turns, bumps and boulders, joys and sorrows that marriages endure along life's arduous way. It does get better over time. It takes work. It takes repentance. It takes laughter. It takes going shopping together at Nordstroms and picking out dresses. It takes finding the sales rack amidst the 'bling' blinging-away at all unwary husbands and boyfriends who chase their excitable women around stores like this.

Aimee used the common area in the waiting room as a runway to show off the latest summer apparel from the kid's section at Nordstroms. She blared out, "Okay everyone, we are going to present to you the beautiful dresses." Then she strutted out and spun around in her colorful new wardrobe. Jan did the same, minus the announcement.

During this whole process, Liko, the Nordstroms sales lady, kept a fresh supply of dresses coming into the fitting room, smiling away at our whole family. She asked, "Is this a special occasion?"

"It's our 19th anniversary" I replied. She went on to say, "Wow! That gives us, who aren't married, hope!" She thought it so cool that a man would go out and spend the time to pick out dresses for his wife and daughter. Please understand, I am not boasting but revealing how easy it is to witness for the Lord. I personally believe that Christian marriages are one of the most powerful tools for evangelism in a world racked by dislocation and fracture. Ephesians chapter 5 is really a manifesto on witnessing to the lost. Christ and the church are compared to the husband and wife in a beautiful melding of colors and textures. These Scriptures are breath taking to behold. I encourage you to read it in that light, the light of evangelism.

The Holy Spirit soon gave me a vision of Liko standing on the deck of a boat and looking across the ocean. I said, "I know this sounds strange, but sometimes God gives me visions for people, and he has given me one for you. Would you like to hear this?" She responded with a quizzical, "Yes".

I then shared my vision and her initial response was, "I get sea sick on boats."

"I don't think it is a literal boat you are on, but a symbol of a yearning to travel over seas somewhere." Her eyes then widened and she excitedly shared that she wanted to travel to Hong Kong to see her sister. The yearning has not abated since who knows when and she continually plans everyday on how to get over there.

She was blown away. It was such a simple and timely word. Couple this with our family witness and you had the makings of a powerful two pronged attack. She kept asking what church Jan and I attended, and said she would like to come and check us out. She shamefully admitted that she had not been to church in a long long time, but wanted to set the foundation right in her life for a good marriage.

We prayed for her right outside the fitting room and blessed her with a good marriage, health, finances, and other things. We didn't feel like we had to pull out the Bible or bring her all the way home. We were living the Bible in front of her. It was powerful seed and fertilizer for a future harvest.

I was stoked. God made it easy again. Not only were we having fun shopping at Nordstroms, but he made it doubly fun by witnessing to a few people in the women's and children's sections of the store. It was naturally supernatural. It was how it should be.

God is truly good at what he does.

The Trumpet of the Lord

2011-07-12T00:30:00.000-07:00

Jesuswalk.com

Until I became a Christian, my life mirrored a guppy swimming in a tide pool with sea slugs. You could call it a shallow lifestyle. I took things at face value and didn't blink an eye. "Oh yeah, the sun, air, moon, and stars, all just happened. God, he existed, but was not interested in us, and I was definitely not interested in him. When was the next party?" These were some of the unspoken and spoken thoughts that coursed through my egotistical self during my BC days. Life became one superficial experience after another.

Now, after twenty seven years of following God, I still think I swim in a shallow bath tub, but at least I realize my position before an infinite God. Maybe this is how life should be lived: humbly. Romans 11:33 states, "Oh the depths of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!" Who can understand the ways of God? No one can. If we could figure him out, then He wouldn't be God. We would be. That's kind of scary. I would make a terrible God. You would, too.

Well, I don't want to be The Almighty. I've been there, done that. It doesn't work. However, I do want to learn about creation and the different spiritual meanings associated with it. Take for instance the trumpet or the horn. Before Christianity took root in my heart, Louis Armstrong, Herb Alpert, Chuck Mangione were the only reference points to the trumpet. It was a jazz instrument. I still value it as a 'sachmo' sound maker, but it is more than an entertainment thing.

The Bible uses the word horn or trumpet 114 times each, 228 times when combined. That's kind of interesting to me. The number 100 means full reward and coincides with Abraham receiving his promise at age 100. The number 14 means double anointing. So together you have this power packed meaning: the full reward of double anointing. It's also been doubled in the Bible and therefore intensified with this interpretation: the full reward of double anointing times two. The horn or the trumpet is God's symbol, based on Biblical numerology, of tremendous authority and power.

Easton Bible Dictionary defines the horn in this manner:

Horn — Trumpets were at first horns perforated at the tip, used for various purposes (Josh. 6:4,5). Flasks or vessels were made of horn (1 Sam. 16:1, 13; 1 Kings 1:39). But the word is used also metaphorically to denote the projecting corners of the altar of burnt offerings (Ex. 27:2) and of incense (30:2). The horns of the altar of burnt offerings were to be smeared with the blood of the slain bullock (29:12; Lev. 4:7–18). The criminal, when his crime was accidental, found an asylum by laying hold of the horns of the altar (1 Kings 1:50; 2:28).

The word also denotes the peak or summit of a hill (Isa. 5:1, where the word “hill” is the rendering of the same Hebrew word).

This word is used metaphorically also for strength (Deut. 33:17) and honour (Job 16:15; Lam. 2:3). Horns are emblems of power, dominion, glory, and fierceness, as they are the chief means of attack and defence with the animals endowed with them (Dan. 8:5, 9; 1 Sam. 2:1; 16:1, 13; 1 Kings 1:39; 22:11; Josh. 6:4, 5; Ps. 75:5, 10; 132:17; Luke 1:69, etc.). The expression “horn of salvation,” applied to Christ, means a salvation of strength, or a strong Saviour (Luke 1:69). To have the horn “exalted” denotes prosperity and triumph (Ps. 89:17, 24). To “lift up” the horn is to act proudly (Zech. 1:21).

Horns are also the symbol of royal dignity and power (Jer. 48:25; Zech. 1:18; Dan. 8:24).

Harper's Bible Dictionary defines shofar this way:

shophar (shohʹfahr), the horn of an animal formed into a musical instrument. The biblical shophar was a ram’s horn (Josh. 6:4-13). Although it was possible to fashion a shophar from the horn of a sheep or goat, later Jewish tradition preferred that it be made from a ram’s, the animal Abraham substituted for the sacrifice of his son Isaac (Gen. 22:1-14). The shophar is mentioned many times in the Bible, beginning with Exod. 19:16, the revelation at Mt. Sinai, where the loud blast of the horn caused the people to tremble in fear. The Israelites were commanded that when they entered the land God would give them, they were to proclaim the Jubilee Year with a blast of the shophar (Lev. 25:9).

In the Bible, the shophar most often signifies an important announcement or a call to arms (Judg. 3:27) and was the means by which Joshua conquered the city of Jericho (Josh. 6:4-5). As an instrument, the shophar was also used as part of a musical ensemble (Ps. 98:6). In the Jerusalem Temple, the ram’s horn was an integral part of the rituals.

The book of Numbers describes the first day of the seventh month as the ‘Day of the blowing of the shophar’ (Num. 29:1). Postbiblical Judaism termed this day Rosh Ha-Shanah (cf. Ezek. 40:1) and a prescribed sequence of notes are to be blown as a call to repentance with a long blast at the conclusion of the Day of Atonement. Jewish tradition, based on Isa. 27:13, maintains that the shophar will be sounded to usher in the final messianic redemption (cf. Rev. 8-9). The shophar plays a prominent role in the eschatological battle described in the War Scroll from Qumran. L.H.S.

Wikipedia defines the horagai (Japanese triton horn) in this way:

Religion

The conch is used by Buddhist monks for religious purposes. Its use goes back at leastomizutori (water drawing) portion of the Shuni-e rites at the Tōdai-ji in Nara. Each Shugendo school has his own conch shell melodies. 1,000 years, and it is still used today for some rituals, such as the
The hora is especially associated with the Yamabushi, ascetic warrior monks of the Shugendo sect. The yamabushi used the trumpet to signal their presence (or movements) to one another across mountains and to accompany the chanting of sutras.

Military

In war, the shell, called jinkai, or 'war shell', was one of several signal devices used by Japanese feudal warriors known as samurai.^[1] A large conch would be used and fitted with a bronze (or wooden) mouthpiece. It would be held in an openwork basket and blown with a different combination of "notes" to signal troops to attack, withdraw, or change strategies, in the same way a bugle or flugelhorn was used in the west. The trumpeter was called a kai yaku (貝役).

The jinkai served a similar function to drums and bells in signaling troop formations, setting a rhythm for marching, providing something of a heroic accompaniment to encourage the troops and confusing the enemy by inferring that the troop numbers were large enough to require such trumpeters. Many daimyo (feudal lords) enlisted yamabushi to serve as kai yaku, due to their experience with the instrument.

The sound of jinkai is often used in motion pictures and television dramas as a symbolic sound effect indicating an impending battle, e.g., The Last Samurai or the 2007 Taiga drama Fūrinkazan, but both of these screen renditions use deep, resonating monotones, not the melodic tones that yamabushi used for relaying messages.

As you can see, the (shofar) horn, trumpet, horagai are all instruments that call people to battle, symbolizes authority, and denotes power. What is God saying to all of us in this season? This is just my sensing: God is calling us to arms. Many are blowing their shofars, trumpets, and conch (horagai) shells to gather the troops for a significant mobilization before the great harvest, tribulation, and if I may say, the second coming of Christ. These signs are not just coincidental, but deliberate by God. He is saying to all of us, "Wake up!"

He has armed, empowered, and set the stage for a gigantic harvest. We just need to shoot the gap. Banzai!!!!!!!!!

Today, I had the opportunity to share prophetically the love of God with two people at Ala Moana. One may be coming to church this Sunday with her girlfriend. God rocked her world. He truly is good at what he does. I just risked, God did the rest. Blow the horn of the Gospel to this dying world!!!! It works.

If you are available at 2:00 PM on Friday (7/15), please join Gavin and me at center stage, Ala Moana to go treasure hunt, prophesy, heal the sick, cast out demons, share the Word, or whatever the Holy Spirit wants to do. The more the merrier if you ask me. Actually, it's so much fun, I've been doing it by myself over the last week in various places. God has touched a bunch of lives already. Love you church.

Like my football coach used to say when I asked him what he wanted me to do before being put into the game, "Vierra, just go out there and hit some body." In other words, "Just do it!" Let's go and allow the Holy Spirit to hit some people with His love.

If you can't make it this Friday, you have ample opportunity during the week to allow God to do his thing through your life at work, play, neighborhood barbecues, Safeway, Trader Joes, Disneyland, CPK, Tamashiro Market, or wherever. "Just do it!" Smile!

Hebrews 12:1-3: It's Just a Matter of Focus.

2011-07-10T10:35:00.000-07:00

Did you ever feel like Peter walking on water: waves crashing, wind blowing, walking on shifting liquid, and only the faint image of Jesus in the distance as a reference point? It's kind of unnerving. I can understand why Peter sank. I would have drank sea water, too. Yet, Jesus challenged him by saying, "Oh you of little faith!" It wasn't the initial step that Jesus honored, but completing the journey of faith. He was almost there. He had a little faith and Jesus expected more. He needed to complete the first step by stepping all the way to the feet of Jesus.

That's our journey. It's not how we start, but how we end. Hebrews 12:1-3 can help. It states, "Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart."

It used to bother me that I have an audience in heaven watching my every move. Talk about an intrusion of my privacy. It even made me uncomfortable that I had to meet up to the standards of the super stars found in Hebrews 11's hall of faith. Not anymore. I'm in the race whether I like it or not. I might as well run, and run well. You might as well run, too.

The key to victory is to keep your eyes on the glorified Carpenter from Nazareth, not on your sins or obstacles, but Jesus. He will purify you from your sins, give strength to overcome obstacles (maybe even remove them), infuse power to endure till the end. Peter had to keep his eyes straight forward. If he did, he would have made it to the end on that stormy night.

David kept His eyes on his Maker. Psalm 25:15 states, "My eyes are continually toward the Lord, For He will pluck my feet out of the net." Countless Psalms speak to this truth. David, even though he hit some bumps along the way (big ones, too!), finished well. You will finish well.

It doesn't matter what comes against you. As long as you lock your vision onto the Lord through prayer, you will finish the race of faith. It's just a matter of focus. Let's finish this race well. Love you church!

Prophetic Ministry at 24-Hour Fitness

2011-07-09T13:58:00.000-07:00

insidesocal.com

Armed with a new found zeal to touch lives with the Gospel, I ventured forth to the neighborhood 24 Hour Fitness. Joaquin Evans, our conference speaker, is an activator par excellence. He kept saying, "God is good at what He does. We just need to let Him do his thing through our lives." That was simple enough for me.

I jumped into the weight room and turned on my Holy Spirit sensory button. Actually, there was nothing I turned on. I just showed up. God did the turning on. I immediately got a small neck pain sensation when I walked past this behemoth of a man squatting over 425 lbs. I asked God to confirm and the pain continued to linger on as I pushed more weights on the fly machine (maybe it was the strain of the weights. Ha!). I finished my set and walked over and tapped him on the shoulder.

He pulled his earphones out and gave me an astonished look. I asked him, "Hey bro, my name is John Vierra and I know this is kind of strange, but do you have a pain in your neck and shoulder? He replied, "No". I smiled and gave a quick explanation of why I asked. He smiled and didn't seem phased. I moved on to work on my lats. "Maybe it was the other guy across from him?" I chalked it up as a learning experience.

Then the Lord showed me a young Hawaiian guy doing shoulder presses. A vision in my mind's eye of him being sucked down into a whirlpool and him waving a white flag flashed before me. I applied a different strategy. I asked the Lord to confirm by bringing him to me. The guy soon walked over and sat right next to me as I worked on my biceps. I finished my set and introduced myself in the usual fashion. I asked him if he felt like he was being sucked down into a whirlpool and losing control of his life. The guy was definitely shaken and seemed scared. He paused and defensively said, "No, I go to church!" The funny thing was that I never asked him if he went to church.

I then went on to say that God showed me that he was going through a very difficult time in his life and that He was with him. He loved him enough to show me this vision. He kept nervously denying that he was going through any problems. I said, "That's cool, but can I just pray God's blessing on your life?" He said, "Sure." So, between the shoulder press and deltoid machines, I prayed God's abundant blessings on the young man. God's presence was there. Whether he was lying or not, I don't know. It's in God's hands. I'm not responsible to save, but only to share God's love. I remembered, "God is good at what He does." We shook hands and continued on with our weightlifting.

I kept moving forward with my work out. "This is way more fun than just lifting weights" I thought to myself. I went to the dumbbell rack and the Lord gave me a vision in my mind's eye of the tall Chinese guy next to me. He showed me that he was pretty happy with his life and that he was going on an airplane very soon. I turned around and introduced myself and said, "Hey, God gave me a vision that you are pretty happy with your life and that you are taking a plane ride soon." He smiled and said, "You know what, my girlfriend and I were just talking about a plane trip this morning! We need a vacation!" I gave a silent, "Yes!"

I shared that God loved him so much that he gave this vision to me. He was blown away. I prayed for his trip and gave him my card. He seemed super encouraged and blessed. We both parted ways at the dumbbell rack dumbfounded by the goodness and graciousness of God! He truly is good!!!

I finally finished with the weights and moved down stairs to the elliptical machines. As I pumped my legs up and down, Aimee's gymnastics’ coach came into view. The Lord immediately gave me a vision of her letting go of a bunch of colorful balloons into the sky. There was some regret and sadness, but as she drove away, the grass around her got greener and greener." This vision was in color and I knew without a doubt that God wanted to get a hold of her.

This lady is one of the fittest people I ever met. She moves quickly, too. After she finishes her workout, she immediately races out of the gym. I would have to work fast to catch her. As expected, she jumped off the stair-climbing machine and walked toward the door. I called out, "Hey, coach Tracy!" She stopped and smiled, and I went on to share my vision.

Her eyes started to water and her head began to nod. She went onto share that she has too many good things going on in her life, and needs to let go of some of them (colorful balloons). She thanked me profusely for sharing this vision. I shared that God loved her so much that he gave me this word and picture for her. She walked away with a smile that stretched from ear to ear. God is so good.

I was stoked. I realized that I was walking in the miraculous at the Hawaii Kai, 24-Hour Fitness. I just waited for his presence and then acted on it. It was pretty simple. Joaquin crystallized it for me in such a simple and powerful way. I will never be the same.

In this past month, everything has come together. Issues have been resolved with people, gifting has been activated, and my walk with God has gone deeper. It's God's timing. I believe many of you are experiencing the same thing. My encouragement to all of you is to run with it and never look back. It's a new day. Truly, God is good at what He does!He is truly winning!!! We need to rule and reign!!! 444!!!!

"He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." (Phil 1:6

"You Gotta have Heart"

2011-07-09T12:18:00.000-07:00

livingwell.com

Remember this song from the 1950s? It spawned off from the heady days of wholesome Hollywood productions and the post-war industrial boom in America. You could do anything if you had the right heart! America, the land of opportunity and expansion for people who didn't give up, who lived honestly!
You could say the same for the people who follow God.

There is something about the heart that God really values. 1 Samuel 16;7 states, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature because I have rejected him. For God sees not as man sees. For man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." Why the heart? God blesses truth. The heart contains the essence of a person, the real core of a personality, the true nature of a man or a woman. Psalm 51:6 states, "Behold, Thou dost desire truth in the innermost being, And in the hidden part Thou wilt make me know wisdom". God promotes the heart. It's just that simple. If you want to be used by God, then your heart needs to be right, not your outward looks or actions.

Jesus even said in the Gospels that many honor him with their lips but their hearts are far from him (Matthew 15:18). 2 Chronicles 16:9 states, "For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely his. You have acted foolishly in this. Indeed from now on you will surely have wars." What is God looking for? He is looking for right hearts. He will bless the right heart, not height. Many have chosen the outward path and their personal and public life resemble a battlefield. They have chosen war and turmoil. It's a high price to pay.

As I was having my QT today, the Lord highlighted Romans 2:29, "But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter, and his praise is not from men, but from God." God marks his people in the New Covenant not by outward circumcision anymore, but by placing his Spirit into our hearts. Ezekiel 36:26 states, "Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." He searches the hearts (Jer 17:10). He searches to see if we make use of this inward circumcision and gift of His Spirit. He watches to see how we live in private, away from the applause of man, the fleeting praise of the masses. It takes faith to live from the heart. God is pleased with our belief (Hebrews 11:6).

The word heart is used 859 times in the Bible. It represents the only thing God looks at. If there is fear, anger, ambition, selfishness, lust, impurity, or any other form of uncleanness, then it is spread out before the Lord like stinky fish drying in the noon day sun. He sees everything (Jer 23:24). He also sees goodness. He saw the heart of David and blessed him. He will bless you.

Psalm 139:23-24, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way." That's a good prayer. This prayer made David a man after God's own heart. He realized that if left to his own discernment he would not see the blemishes and stains on his inward man (Proverbs 20:9). He needed to have the Holy Spirit to help him.

Paul stated in 1 Timothy 1:5, "But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." If you are walking in a good conscience, pure heart, and a sincere faith, then you are living well in the Christian faith.

Shakespeare said that all the world is a play, filled with actors, colored by costumes. Prov 27:19 states, "As in water face reflects face, So the heart of man reflects man." We cannot hide from God. We cannot hide from man. Our real selves eventually leak out for all to see. The olive press of trials reveals the character of man.

Therefore, we might as well live honestly before God and man now. Yes, it's messy and people will wonder why you are so transparent, but in the end, you will be made whole. It will result in the peaceable fruit of righteousness. Nathanial was a man without guile, not like Jacob the usurper. God thrashed this deceiver in the wilderness and with an MMA trained angel, who took out his hip in a wrestling match and left him with a limp. Ouch! God will spare no expense in getting our hearts right.

So from one sojourner to another, keep persevering in your walk and training with God. He is making you into gold. He likes 100 percent pure grade without any impurities. He's into quality, not quantity.

Consider it all joy my brethren when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance, and let endurance have its perfect result. That you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (James 1:2-4)

Galatians 2:20

2011-07-08T11:57:00.000-07:00

desicolors.com

I am under the sneaky suspicion that all of life after we come to know Jesus is an opportunity for God to kill us (2 Cor 4:11). Actually, it is more than a suspicion; It's Biblical. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German Theologian and martyr, was right when he said, "When Jesus calls a man, He bids him to come and die."

All of our experiences, knowledge, training, and everything, which we thought was overly important, leads us down the executioner's path so that the head of pride can be chopped off. I'm not saying that skills or character acquired have no value; I'm saying that ultimately people turn to God because of God's Spirit in us (2 Cor 5:20). We are just earthen vessels that carry God's glory (2 Cor 4:7). We (the rebellious will, not our personalities) need to get out of the way so that the dunamis can work. We need to die in order for God to flow.

Yes, God blesses beyond our wildest dreams. He gives us abundant life by removing guilt and shame; replacing it with joy and peace. The fleshly will gets in the way of this happening. That's why he kills it. More life will flow because of this work.

Galatians 2:20 was Paul's life theme, "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me." You have all your daily requirements in this verse for a fulfilled life in Christ.

First, you have vitamin death that kills the stubborn fleshly will that gets in the way of you being useful to God. Then you have vitamin Christ who fills you with everything you need for spiritual strength and wisdom. Third, he gifts you with faith so that you stop being a chicken and believe and risk for God. Lastly, he covers your life with unconditional love so that you can handle all the rejection you will face for preaching in his Name. It's also good to know that you have a Father who loves you. Dads promote destiny and vision. When all of these four things are operating in their fullness, then I think you become an unstoppable, wrecking machine against the works of the Devil and a powerful force of life for God. How can the enemy kill you if you are already dead? Just think Keanu Reeves in the Matrix.

Every successful minister of the Gospel is dead to themselves and alive to God. Jaquin Evans, Doug Schneider, David Damian, Bill Johnson, and other ministers have one thing in common: they are dead to their own selfish will. God crucified them all. God is doing the same with us. We can fight it and prolong the pain, or we can willingly walk up the scaffolding and place our head on the chopping block. Don't worry. It will be over before you know it. Just surrender.

Please understand this one point: it is the rebellious will that God kills, not our personalities and gifts. God infuses our whole being, who we really are, with his Spirit and makes a beautiful painting out of our lives. It's the Spirit working in partnership with us that brings glory to God. If it wasn't like this, what would separate us from Buddhism and its teachings on emptying one's self? It's a mystery how God blends the two for his purposes. I just rest in Him. He knows what he is doing.

This is not a very long article. Actually, to write more would take away from the punch of Galatians 2:20. Just read this verse and ask the Holy Spirit to make it true in your life. It's time.

Take out Coffee, Constipation, or Relationship?

2011-07-07T12:11:00.000-07:00

whispersoftheheart.www.com

I remember going into a restaurant in Portugal and asking for take-out coffee. They gave me a strange look, like, "What planet did you come from?" They finally found a Styrofoam cup lying around in some closet and poured me a cup of espresso; actually two cups because they needed to fill the cup to at least half way. Only in America and other frazzled nations would you have people drinking and eating on the run so much. Task is more important than relationships in our post-modern world; goals more valuable than sitting and talking with family. We have paid a price for our unbalanced living.

The church has paid a price, too. I never thought the Mercy Season, this new season of the church, would be so mind boggling different from past seasons. Relationship is key; enjoying God the goal. Last night as I listened to our guest speaker talk about ministry, I chuckled to think about how many times I have pursued service in the church like a weight lifting work out or like someone who has constipation. You try to force it and it just doesn't happen. Actually, you could get injured and pull a muscle in some unknown region of your body if you are not careful. Ouch! The spiritual fiber of intimacy is a good thing.

"Don't try too hard" the speaker humorously quipped. I smiled. It's a whole new season of just resting, relaxing, and restoring a relationship with God that should have been there from the very beginning of our lives, from the very beginning of time, from the day we received Jesus into our hearts. I think Heidi Baker stated it perfectly when she said, "Pursue intimacy and ministry just happens."

Adam just hung out with God and then he was told to name the animals. It wasn't that difficult. He walked and was blessed. When did we get into this Cain mentality of building cities rather than walking with God like Enoch? Just read through Genesis and you will find the godless line of Cain built cities, but the godly had God as their shield and defender. Abraham wandered in the wilderness with God by his side, not some gate or wall. Only in the perfect season did God give his people a city, but they soon turned from him when they got comfortable and trusted in mortar and brick rather than the Almighty. Relationship is everything.

What do we trust in? Where do we find our security? God blesses those who trust and believe in Him (Hebrews 11:6). Faith is not some goal or task, but it is a state of 'being'. It's a lifestyle mindset. "Trust and obey for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey." We are called to have relationship with an invisible but tangible God. Why do I say tangible? The third person of the Trinity makes this possible. I truly love the Holy Spirit! He makes the Christian life livable by bringing the manifest presence of God into our hearts, lives, and churches. You can touch God through the Holy Spirit.

Forgive me for my rambling. I am writing as I think and meditate on last night's message, life experiences, knowledge of Scripture, my coffee, a chicken sandwich, and my present quiet time with God. This is fun for me. I hope it blesses you.

For those who have been caught up in the cycle of works and striving in your Christian life, this article is just for you. I belong to a host of recovering ministerial professionals who are now reaping the blessings of a renewed relationship with God. Don't be discouraged if you have been sweating bricks and stressing out in your past walk with Him. Just start walking and resting with the Almighty again. Hang out with your Father and 'talk story' as we say in Hawaii. Obey when he tells you to do something. It's just that simple.

Eternal life is to know the Father, not build a giant skyscraper for God. Moreover, don't look at your past Christian life as a failure because even Jesus said that a religious scribe/teacher who comes to know Him in the New Covenant brings out treasures new and old (Matthew 13:52). God doesn't waste anything. He will cause all things to work together for good (Romans 8:28). You become extra powerful when plugged into intimacy. Just look at Paul the Apostle as an example of a former constipated minister who moved into greater freedom and 'dunamis'.

Be wary that the old establishment will try to mock and discourage you from moving into the new, and even the new will make fun of you when you try to walk aright. The religious spirit is an equal opportunity employer. You find it in both camps. Just bless and move on. Every good move will encounter obstacles.

In regards to the mercy season, just look at Plumbline Ministries and Arthur Burk for an in-depth understanding of this new phenomena on the church. I will write more. I have to take my daughter to art lessons. I don't want to be late. Ha!

The Power of a Thankful Heart

2011-07-05T11:14:00.000-07:00

forhisglorycreation.com

Cynicism abounds. Judgment reigns. A friend of mine called and said, "John, God has blessed you because you have turned away from being judgmental". That was a sobering word to a guy who prides himself in critiquing anything and everything that moves. Last week was a watershed week for my walk and ministry. The trickle of calling and destiny began. What made the difference? I started to thank God for everything. I let go of judgments. I grabbed onto thankfulness.

When you think of it, why not be thankful? First, we will live forever (John 5:24). That's pretty awesome when you plumb the depths or even wade the shallows of this truth. Eternity means eternity. God doesn't mince any words – eternal life baby!!!!!!

Second, God will cause all things to work together for good to those who love Him and to those who are called according to His purposes (Romans 8:28). How can you fail if you love God? He will bring all the disparate pieces of our life together and produce something good, something beautiful. God wastes nothing. If he said it, He will do it. It's a done deal.

Third, We will never be separated from God's love (Romans 8:38-39). God just loves us. He loved us when were sinners (John 3:16). He loves us now. Based on 1 Corinthians 13, God's love toward us is patient, kind, not selfishly jealous, humble, not easily angered, full of faith, enduring, forgetful of wrongs done to him, and hopeful. We are part of his family (John 1:12, 1 John 3:1, Ephesians 1:5). That's real security.

Fourth, God has given us a chance to live, breath, eat, thrive, and have a chance to receive all the goodness of creation. We are called to rule and reign. We are called to rejoice.

It's the only logical response for the created being to have toward a God who has blessed us beyond our wildest dreams. He didn't have to create, but He did. Honestly, a thankful heart is a pure heart – a heart that sees God and the things of God.

Why not thank God for the eternal, invisible things like eternal life, his love, his providence, and other things in the realm of faith. You will soon start to see more visible blessings to thank God for. A thankful life is a ruling and reigning life. It's an abounding life! Praise the Lord!!!!

Ruling and Reigning (Part One)

2011-07-01T22:18:00.000-07:00

photopumpkin.com

I used to think it was the stuff of fantasy movies: the supernatural world of Scripture. When you think about it, the Bible depicts a spirit world of principalities, powers, demons, and angels. God and the Devil duke it out, with man as the chief agent of their initiatives. You have the children of God on one side and the children of the Devil on the other vying to extend their ruler's domains. Yes, we live in a world of MacDonalds, Hummers, PTA meetings, i-phones, and other visible, mundane, physical things. However, Paul made it clear that the spiritual dictates the material (Epheisans 6:10-18). We fight not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers in the heavenly places. There are invisible forces behind the disguises of this neon lit world.

The ancients had no problem reconciling the spiritual and physical world. They lived in both without any sense of conflict. Yes, some of their methods were a little hair brain (divining chicken entrails and the like), but their understanding of curses, blessings, witchcraft, sicknesses, demonic activity, angelic involvement, and other supernatural things were spot on when compared to the intellectually bright but spiritually blind of today. They lived in both worlds, but respected and understood the invisible world as the dictator of all things. We need to get back to this healthy understanding. We need to wake up and smell the coffee of an Ephesians 6:10-18 world again. We need to rule and reign over the the demonic realm. Our weapons are mighty to destroy strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4-5), but many fail to utilize the vast resources available to them.

Let me use an example from last week. I just received this mind blowing, destiny changing prophecy from a respected first nation's pastor, Louis Barragan. It was a word spoken in the right season. It was a word that activated me into the perfect timing of God. It was later confirmed in a Sunday morning sermon I gave and through other people who witnessed the time. I blew the trumpet of the Lord and people responded. It was a kairos moment for me and for Catalyst Church. I shot the gap. Pastor Barry shot the gap, too. We all walked in God's perfect timing. We all did our part.

After riding the spiritual high of that Sunday, I moved into Monday morning still on cloud nine. Little did I know that God was going to give me a lesson in spiritual warfare that afternoon at LAX. We were going through the TSA checkpoint and I was stopped. The machine would not pick up my Mobile boarding pass. I had to go back and print out one from the check-in machines in the front of the terminal. That was easy enough. I went back through TSA again and experienced no problems. Then I decided to buy a coffee for myself and an iced tea for Dean. The drinks were pretty simple, but they took unusually long to receive, especially the iced tea for Dean. As we walked to our gate, Dean stopped and said, "John, let me pray for you. The enemy is coming against God's perfect timing for you."

He saw the repetitive delays at the TSA line and Starbucks as a subtle attack from the Devil. He prayed and then I got on the plane earlier than others. This early boarding was confirmation that something was broken in the spiritual realm. I then received the numbers 444 as a confirmation of God's perfect synchronization and a summons for me to rule and reign over all creation, especially demonic activity and time.

Ephesians 5:14-16 states, "For this reason it says, "Awake sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you. Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil." When we choose to obey and submit to God, we place ourselves in the timing of God. However, even when we do this, the enemy will attack and that's when we need to use our spiritual weaponry of prayer and The Word. The days are evil. Evil will try to steal your time so we need to break its power through prayer. If we do not control it, it will control us. The Kingdom of God is taken by force, and the forceful will conquer darkness by force.

I spent time with God that Monday morning. I submitted myself to Him. Yet, I still needed to be proactive about the enemy trying to steal and defile my life, primarily God's timing. I needed to swing the sword of prayer and the Word as I wore the full armor of God. Many think that just walking around in the full armor of God makes one an effective warrior of God. In reality, it only makes us an easier and gullible target. We need to swing the sword of prayer and The Word to fully complete the combative package or warrior assemblage. As Ephesians 6 states, "We need to pray in the Spirit at all times." It's a fluid lifestyle, not static.

Yes, TSA lines and Starbucks coffee seem slightly trivial in comparison to more monumental decisions and initiatives in life, but it's these little battles that prepare you for the bigger ones. It's the lions and the bears that prepare you for the Goliaths.

Since my experiences at LAX, the enemy has ferociously come against my time. He even stole Jan's i-phone for a few hours. Each time he has come, I stood firm in the shield of faith and prayed against the different irritations (the enemy is a mosquito compared to God). I then filled my life with praying in tongues and worship. Jan has done the same. She then found her i-phone and I have seen things clear up in my life. Traffic amazingly moves quicker, parking is found, money is available for needs, and joy and peace permeate the heart. I think I am starting to get this ruling and reigning thing. I am also walking in thankfulness and not judgment. The latter can definitely blind you from seeing the timing of God.

I learned that a submitted and prayerful life helps one to rule and reign over sickness, time, circumstances, wrong attitudes, attacks from people, judgments from people, and basically everything in creation. Moreover, having the right perspective of yourself also helps you to move into the right timing of God. King Saul, for instance, did not have the right perspective of himself. When called into kingship he hid behind a pile of luggage. He was insecure.

This insecurity plagued him throughout his Kingship and caused him to rely on his flesh rather than God. The results of this confused life led to this catastrophic end: missing the perfect timing of God and dying prematurely (Jeremiah 17 talks about this). He sacrificed the lamb before the arrival of Samuel because he feared the people. He didn't kill all the Amelekites when told by God to do so. He tried to kill the anointed of the Lord, David. The kingship was then taken away from him and given to one more worthy. His wrong assessment of himself and extreme insecurity blinded him from seeing the perfect timing of God. Sadly, many fall into this camp. Lance Wallnau, a reputed prophet/teacher, stated only twenty percent in the body of Christ ever reach their true destiny or full potential. That's scary.

Brothers and sisters, I haven't arrived yet. I'm learning just like you. However, like you, I want to make the most of this short life given to me. I want to please God. I believe this one statement can help us to walk in the perfect timing of God: we need to live a submitted, prayerful, and sober life. What do I mean by sober? We need to have a sober understanding of who we are and then accept ourselves as beloved by God (1 John 3:1).

I have more to share. It's still stewing at this time. I will write further installments on this topic as I study, apply, and see success (Ezra 7:10). God bless all of you as you pursue the high calling of God.

444

2011-06-29T09:46:00.000-07:00

itmakesenseblog.com

We just landed in LA, my body lethargic from sitting confined for five hours, my mind a little fuzzy, too. I turned on my i-phone and saw the numbers 444. It flashed out from its small screen. It was the time in Hawaii. The phone soon recalibrated with the satellite system and gave me the actual time in LA, but the original number caught my attention. I took note and stored it away in my mind as something significant.

After spending five life changing days ministering in LA, I once again found myself turning on my i-phone to check for the time and messages. I just boarded the plane to Hawaii and was getting situated when I pressed the button only to find these numbers jumping out at me again: 444. The wheels of my mind began to turn. It was the time in California.

Whenever I see a series of numbers like this, I take notice. I really take notice, however, when it happens to me more than once. Intensification and repetition are some of the ways God tries to get our attention – tries to teach us something (Samuel's call in 1 Samuel 1:3, Jesus asking Peter if he loved him in John 21, the use of 'truly truly' by Jesus). This was one of those times. The Bible speaks about numbers a lot. We see seven, twelve, ten, the infamous 666, and other numbers strewn throughout the Bible, beckoning us to decipher, adding depth and mystery to Scripture. I'm not talking occult numerology that's steeped in the demonic, but numbers placed in the Scriptures to give us more meaning to the richness inherent within God's Word. The number 7 represents completion, perfection, and holiness. God completed creation in 7 days. He said each day was good and perfect, the seventh day being a holy Sabbath unto the Lord.

The number twelve speaks about government (the twelve tribes of Israel, the number of apostles). The number 666 represents an intensification of the number six, which means man or flesh. Why do I say six means man or flesh? The book of Revelations says so (Rev 13:18). The anti-Christ, who will institute this number, will embody the deification of man and Satan in its fullness. There are many more numbers we could talk about, but I want to hone in on the number 444 and my time in California.

The number 4 in the Bible means to rule and reign over creation (Genesis 1:16-19). A write up on www.biblestudy.org states it this way:

“Now the number four is made up of three and one (3+1=4), and it denotes, therefore, and marks that which follows the revelation of God in the Trinity, namely, His creative works. He is known by the things that are seen. Hence the written revelation commences with the words, "In the beginning God CREATED." Creation is therefore the next thing—the fourth thing, and the number four always has reference to all that is created. It is emphatically the number of Creation; of man in his relation to the world as created; while six is the number of man in his opposition to and independence of God. It is the number of things that have a beginning, of things that are made, of material things, and matter itself. It is the number of material completeness. Hence it is the world number, and especially the "city" number.

The fourth day saw the material creation finished (for on the fifth and sixth days it was only the furnishing and peopling of the earth with living creatures). The sun, moon, and stars completed the work, and they were to give light upon the earth which had been created, and to rule over the day and over the night (Genesis 1:14-19).

Four is the number of the great elements—earth, air, fire, and water.

Four are the regions of the earth—north, south, east, and west.

Four are the divisions of the day—morning, noon, evening, and midnight. Or in our Lord's words, when He speaks of His coming at evening, midnight, cock-crowing, or in the morning (Mark 13:35). We are never to put off His coming in our minds beyond tomorrow morning.

Four are the seasons of the year—spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

Four are the great variations of the lunar phases. “

Psalm 44:4 also states, “Thou art my King, O God; Command victories for Jacob.” The ruling and reigning theme comes through loud and clear in this verse. God commands the victory through Jacob, through us.

The whole healing conference for me had this one reverberating theme: ruling and reigning in the timing of God. I would be remiss to not say that God was already speaking to others and myself about this message of being sensitive to the seasons of God, the ‘kairos’ moments, the ripeness of harvests, and living triumphantly in it. God was speaking and I was listening. In other words, I am not basing this article on just my i-phone clock. It was just a part, a significant part mind you, of all that God was trying to say and do during our time in California.

We started our time on Thursday with ministers from Evergreen SVG. If one could describe grace and fun wrapped up in a beautiful package, they would be it. It was a good reunion with special friends.

As we were rambling down one of the large LA free ways, one person shared that her husband also saw the numbers 444 when he finished a race. It was his finishing time in a running event. His physical body took him over the threshold of the finishing line at the right time. He didn’t stumble over the line. He ran over the line. He ruled and reigned over the finish. Yes, he may have been tired, hurting, breathing hard, but he finished. I think it was significant that God showed him this number in a running race. The Christian life is like a marathon. Time plays a factor in both. Confidence and endurance are key.

Friday rolled around and we found ourselves in the cradle of Pentecostalism, Azusa Street. From this humble spot in Los Angeles (the city of angels), God birthed a revival that impacted more than 600,000,000 people. All the charismatic and Pentecostal churches find their origins in an old stable converted into a church, led by a black pastor, who received revelation with a box on his head. Yes, you could say it was a bit bizarre, but the impact of Pastor William Seymour and his leadership team was huge. They pleased God over man. The world has never been the same. God's fire still burns.

As I walked over the cement covered spot that was once the Azusa street chapel, the theme of ruling and reigning in God’s timing came to mind again. God blessed a bunch of people who live victoriously in His perfect time. Yes, there may be things in the land that God blessed; however, God chose a period between 1906 to 1909, in a place called Azusa Street, to drop a miracle on the world through a people willing to obey and shoot the gap at the perfect season; through a people willing to rule and reign at the right moment.

After our inspiring time at Azusa, the healing conference began on Friday night with another important timing thing, protocol. Pastor Louis Barragan, a native American Indian, opened up the conference by blessing it. Since they were the original inhabitants of the land, God has given them spiritual gatekeeper status. They have the power, by the grace of God, to open the door of blessing in a very powerful way on conferences or any initiatives for God. They bring forth the blessing of the land onto all who come after them. I do not fully understand the mystical nature of this connection of first nations people and their power to bless, but the fruit of their prayers is quite evident. I believe it has something to do with honor. God loves when we honor one another. He commands the blessings when we honor and walk in unity (Psalm 133).

In his gracious and gentle way, Pastor Barragan blessed the conference and the host church, New Song Christian Fellowship. He then called Dean and I onto the stage and blessed us both with a prophecy and gifts. I was completely caught off guard by this summons. He gave me a Horagai conch shell and Dean an arrow, both signifying instruments of war and victory. I only met this man for a few seconds the night before, but the Lord spoke to him about me. My heart leaped for joy. I was released into the new through a first nation’s leader who hardly knew me but spoke words that described my heart and passions. It was my timing from God to rule and reign in this season.

The rest of the healing conference saw God rule and reign over the lives of many people through miraculous healings. Many with Fibromyalgia were completely healed. Prophecy also flowed. God sovereignly touched lives while Dean spoke. No one touched them, only God. It was their time of restoration.

Then Sunday rolled around and God sent Dean to The Light Christian Fellowship and me to The Catalyst. Little did I know that God was beginning to launch me into the new thing at a place anointed by God to cause change. A catalyst is an agent added to facilitate a chemical reaction and then dissipates once the important change occurs. I believe Pastors Barry and Dale Deguchi are called to lead their church to be this type of agent in their community and wider world. They are called to bring radical change through their unique leadership style. They are called to unite and bless.

At their church I preached a message entitled: You Need to Risk. As I look back on that day, it would be God to use me to help catalyze and be catalyzed at the same time. God doesn’t waste his initiatives. At the end of the message, Pastor Barry shared his heart and laid out a challenge to the rest of the congregation to go for it with God. Many came up front to rededicate their lives to God and to their churches calling. It was a turning point in the life of this body. It was a turning point in my life.

I could go on and on, but I want to acknowledge a few people that blessed my heart during my time in California. I want to thank Barry and Dale Deguchi; Ron and Gayle Tanaka; David, Sharon, Debbie, and Hashi Hino; Ed Salas; Ron and Carol Miyake; Mark and Jenn Bello; Ross and Ida Akamine; Bob and Nancy Aisawa; Laurie Kodama; and a host of other wonderful saints who exemplified true Christianity to me. God is raising up all of you to rule and reign in this kairos moment. He is raising up all of us to be catalysts for Him. It's time. It's time to shoot the gap!

In the next few days, I will write more about what is simmering in my spirit in regards to ruling and reigning. The stew needs to simmer a little more before I serve it. Ha! I had to bring food into this article. Oh yeah, check out Langers in LA if you want a special pastrami sandwich experience. It will melt in your mouth.Thank you Bob, fellow foodie, for introducing us to many culinary delights.

Aimee's Art Class and Daddy's Lesson on Judging

2011-06-21T19:01:00.000-07:00

I pride myself in being on time to things. Yes, there is the occasional two to three minute late arrival, but for the most part, I am usually early. As you all know, I just wrote about being non-judgmental. I loved that article. It was packed with truth. I waxed eloquent. I also set myself up.

This past week I had quietly judged someone in my heart for always being late. It wasn't as if the assessment was wrong. The person was and has been late for almost everything they attend. "Help me, Jesus!"

Well, this morning I had the honor of bringing my daughter to her first art class. It started at 10:15 AM and I was going to leave early to get her there on time. She was going to get the best seat and I was going to get the best parking space. It was a done deal. Super daddy was taking her to class.

As my daughter did some work on the home computer, I typed away with my first article using my laptop. I planned to leave at 9:30 AM to get her there in plenty of time. I finished early and went into the kitchen to look at the time. It said 8:30 AM on the clock. I looked again and saw 8:30 AM. I was good for time.

I doodled around in my office for a few more minutes when all of a sudden I looked at the clock and saw 9:55 AM!!! "What? I thought it was 8:30 AM? Aimee, we need to go now!!!!!" I grabbed my wallet and keys, pulled Aimee into the car, and sped down Lunalilo Home Rd. It just so happened that every light on this desolate stretch of road was red. "God, this is my daughter's first Art Class! Help me!" I finally made it to Kalanianaole Highway and raced down the road only to hit almost every red light again. "John, how could you be late?" I said to myself.

I traveled like this all the way to Aina Haina, when all of a sudden I hit bumper to bumper traffic. "Jesus, why me?" It was already 10:10 AM. Then the Spirit of the Lord spoke to me. "You're late because you judged another person for being late." "What?" I heard the same words again, "You're late because you judged another person for being late." I started to smile. I thought, "You are right, God. Thank you for disciplining me. Thank you for loving me enough to set me straight." I drove with a different perspective.

We finally made it out of traffic and to her art class fifteen minutes late. Luckily, the teacher was still getting the kids situated in their seats and had not started the formal class yet. I walked out thanking God for this sobering lesson. I continued to think about what happened as I walked through the Art Academy. These verses flew through my mind.

Romans 1:21 states, "For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened." This passage talks about the downward spiral toward destruction for any human being who stops thanking, honoring, and worshipping God. Judgmentalism is the opposite of thankfulness. When we are not thankful, we are judgmental. It's the polar opposite of thanksgiving. It leads to destruction.

When I judged this person for being late all the time, it literally blinded my physical eyes from seeing the real time. I kid you not. I saw 8:30 AM when it was really 9:30 AM. It darkened my perception from seeing the truth – in this case, the truth of time. I missed the timing of Aimee's appointment with art. It affected her life. I am thankful no serious repercussions transpired. She did not miss anything. This is the mercy of God. Life, on the other hand, is not so merciful, but brutal to continual violators of this truth.

Jeremiah 17:5-6 states, "Thus says the Lord, cursed is the man who trusts in mankind. And makes flesh his strength, And whose heart turns away from the Lord. For he will be like a bush in the desert. And will not see when prosperity comes, But will live in stony wastes in the wilderness. A land of salt without inhabitant." These words are sobering. A heart that turns away from the Lord is an idolatrous heart. To get to this level of false worship, one has turned toward unthankfulness and judgmentalism to the extent where they can't see the timing of God's prosperity. They can't see the move of God. They are blinded from their destiny. They are blinded from the timing of God. They sit in waste places.

Judgmentalism takes us out of the timing of God's destiny. Thankfulness restores it. It opens the eyes again (Romans 1).

Wasn't this a sobering lesson? I'm not talking about not discerning evil and calling a spade a spade. This is important. The issue is the heart behind the judgment. Jeremiah judged Israel from a place of complete heart brokenness for the people of God. He loved them. He judged to bring redemption and hope. Love motivated him. He received blessings from God for his heart attitude, not cursing. However, please be aware that there is a fine line between judging with the right and wrong heart. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you.

I need to watch my heart for from it flow the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23). We need to watch our hearts. Destiny hangs in the balance. We don't want to miss the timing of God. Love you, church.

A-Mill, Pre-Mill, Post-Mill, and Stupid-Mill

2011-06-20T11:28:00.000-07:00

eurpage.com

Honestly, I've not run into too many people who hold strong feelings about eschatology (last days theology). In the 70s and 80s people debated this stuff to the point of nausea. People sliced and diced prophecies, the book of Revelation, and even each other over the Second Coming of Christ. Jesus said no one would know when he would return, except the Father. Could this be a veiled warning not to get too caught up with his second coming, eschatology, or even theology? Was this an indirect correction to focus on more important things like the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20)?

I've come to the conclusion that it will all pan out in the end. Jesus will return no matter what stupid, eschatological position one holds. I say stupid because it's our extreme views or non-views that at times keeps us back from really doing the work of God. Many have made the Second Coming the defining motivation for how they do ministry.

Yes, it motivates and encourages to know Jesus will return some day. It's our hope. It's not wrong. It provides some level of accountability. However, he hasn't returned yet. There is still a lot of work to do. Miles to go before we sleep. No time to stop before a forest on a cold and snowy evening, or in our case, a white sandy beach. Whatever the case, people are caught up in the clouds when they need to be on earth.

For instance, if you are Pre-Mill, then you are most likely Dispensationalist and expect the world to get darker and more evil until the rapture (believers being transported to heaven before the tribulation). Their proof texts are Noah and his family being saved from the flood, the Israelites being delivered from Egypt, and 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18. There are other biblical passages, but the focus is God delivering his people from impending doom. So how would you conduct ministry with this type of view point? How would you live?

Many have taken a bunker mentality. They have gotten their personal lives in order and are waiting to be raptured. They look at the news and say to themselves, "See, the world is getting darker and more evil! The sky is falling!" The problem with this chicken-little view is that it produces an ambivalent attitude toward reaching the world with the love of God. "It's all going to burn up anyway" many would say.

Then there are the A-Mills who believe the saints are already experiencing the Millenium (the thousand year reign of Christ) in heaven. Jesus said a day was like a thousand years or a thousand years like a day; thus, rendering the numbers more symbolic than real. With this view, believers in heaven have been living in the Millenium for two thousand years and counting. "If people are already experiencing the Millenium than there is really nothing to look forward to on this earth. Let it go to pot. God will clean it up when he finally returns to establish the new heavens and new earth." Actually, A-Mill means no Millenium and no rapture. They have taken a a very strong sovereignty position when it comes to the initiatives of man and God. God will save the world despite what we do (Romans 9:16). As you can see, extreme A-Mills have also taken a bunker mentality when it comes to reaching the lost with the Gospel.

Then you got the Post-Mills who believe the world will get more and more Christianized until the Second Coming of Christ. "We are called to bring the Millenium reign of Christ to earth! We will hasten the second coming of Christ!" It's a very optimistic view of the world. It's a very responsibility centered view. It's also a very man-centered view that gives us much of the responsibility to bring heaven to earth. The Christians are like yeast that will leaven the whole world little by little until we become completely holy and pure. "Things are getting better and better" they say. This view was predominant before WWI, but the carnage and blood of trench warfare infused cynicism into the hearts and minds of the church. WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Same-sex Marriage, the rise of radical Islam, and other evils didn't help the Post-mill cause either. The tribulation of the Book of Revelation, and Jesus saying many will fall away, also puts a crimp into this positive outlook. What about Jesus' other words in Matthew 7:13-14 that talk about only a few finding the path to life? Whatever the case, society, as a whole, has gotten worse. Post-Mill theology and reality don't really connect.

I personally lean toward the Post-Mill position because it calls us to be proactive and to make a difference in this world. The problem with this position, however, is the big elephant in the living room: no complete restoration until Jesus returns. Evil will still run rampant in society until Satan and the Antichrist are thrown into the lake of fire. Should this stop us from sharing the Gospel and making a difference in this world? No. Are we not to obey despite what's happening in the world? Yes. Will we still see small pockets or big swaths of society turn to God? Yes. The gates of hell will not stand up against the church of Jesus Christ. However, is God's victory predicated upon the whole world turning to Jesus? No. Our job is to preach the Gospel to the world and nations. It's God job to save. It's man's responsibility to believe. People still have a choice to believe or not believe.

However, the focus is God and not us (1 Cor 3:6). We are called to obey and rejoice in God's triumphal outcome. God causes growth. He causes growth that will last. We ride his wave. His kingdom will come despite what man does.

Then you have the Stupid-Mill people who could care less about any theology or the Great Commission. They haphazardly go through the Christian life picking and choosing what they want to believe in, and hopefully, just hopefully, they will be alright when they see Jesus face to face. They are the ones who live distracted, worried, worldly-centered lives, and dwell in the realm of "It's okay to sin because God will forgive me anyway. God is love. God will understand. I attend church every week." Actually, they are the fools that Jesus talks about in Matthew 25:1-13. They will not be ready. Their oil lamps not filled. The lamp of character cannot be filled by a gas pump. It takes time.

Actually, if you are either A-Mill, Pre-Mil, Post -Mill, or a mixture of the three, then it is okay. Why? If you care enough to think about Scripture and come to a position, then you care enough about your walk with God. I would just add one more thing to your view: The Great Commission. Isn't it about obedience anyway? All the positions are Biblical; they all speak some truth; they all believe Jesus will return. We are still called to bring the Gospel to the nations (Matthew 28:18-20). That never changes no matter what end-time theological view we have. We must obey the last command of Jesus no matter what the earth or society looks like. Parting words from the creator of the universe does carry some weight. Don't you think? The worst position is being the run-of-the-mill, comfort loving, Stupid-Mill person, who smiles at every message from God, but never thinks and obeys. That would be bad. That would be really bad.

My friends, hearing and obeying is key at this time. A real personal relationship with God is key. Being awake spiritually is key. I guess the best position to have if you really want to have one is this: Jesus. Everything will flow into Him one day. He will cause all things to work together for good.

(Just for your information, the title contains the abbreviated forms of amillinialism, premillinialism, and postmilliniaism. All are different theological views of the end times. I would encourage you to get Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem to get a well rounded view of this topic and other doctrines in the Bible)

Only Dead Men Take Mountains

2011-06-16T02:27:00.000-07:00

mudpress.com

I had to race home from our Wednesday night fellowship in order to write down these thoughts from the Lord. As Chris Fujino was preaching, his message triggered these ideas. As he was talking about Daniel and Joseph, I realized they were dead men. They became influencers for the Kingdom of God because they died to their desires and their flesh. The Spirit of God held full sway over them. They had no self will because they submitted to the Lord's chastisements and became malleable in the hands of God. They only did the Lord's will!!!

In these past few weeks we have been talking about the seven mountain strategy. God wants to place key people in these seven mountains of influence: religion, media, government, education, business, arts, and family. He desires to place covert influencers inside the internal workings of these mountains to take them over for the Kingdom of God. He cannot do it through proud, self-willed, ambitious, and donkey-like people. He can only use dead people. It's not about smarts; it's about hearts. God can gift with knowledge and wisdom in a flash. Character takes time. He wants people who will do his will and only his will. Dead people cannot be tempted by the devil and cannot be tempted by pride. They make the best influencers.

That is why God will thrash you and break your pride. He will break your will in order to release the true oil and fragrance of your character and spirit – the stuff that really influences. Honestly, I have come to this place in my walk with the Lord: I have no rights. We have no rights. Peter states that we have been bought with the precious blood of the lamb. My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth when I stand before the cross. My desire for rights vanishes at the feet of the one who gave up his rights.

For example, Daniel went through severe chastisements from the Lord by being exiled from his nation and sent to Persia. He was an alien, a conquered people, a nobody, and made to feel this way by the Persians. His only solace was in praying to his God. As he grew in humility, he also grew in wisdom and knowledge. He slowly rose up the government mountain until he became an influencer of kings. Joseph had a similar story. They both had to die in order to fly high!

Jesus had to die in order to be the true king over every nation, tribe, and tongue. He said to his Father, "Not my will, but Thine be done!" His death brought life to all. His mountain crushes all.

Galatians 2:20 states, "I have been crucified with Christ and I No Longer Live, but Christ lives in me. And the life which I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself up for me." The great apostle had died to his desires and lived only for God. The Damascus road experience along with his twelve years in Arabia killed the old Saul and raised up a Paul. He became the primary writer of the New Testament and planter of many churches throughout the Mediterranean world.

Jesus said in the Gospels that unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it cannot bear fruit. Only dead seeds produce live trees.

Luke 9:27 states, "Then he said to them all, 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." When Jesus calls a man to follow him, he calls him to die. Only the dead take mountains.

Abraham was dead to himself when he received Isaac in his old age. Peter was dead when he received his commissioning in John 21. Jonah was dead when he preached to Ninevah. Noah was dead when he started to build a boat on dry land. Moses was dead when he led the people out of Egypt. They all died to their self-will or pride in order to fully carry out the Lord's will.

If leaders don't help one to die, then they are poor leaders. They are not preparing you to take mountains. Again, only the dead take mountains.

I remember dying to myself in my first job out of college. The pay was bad, the working conditions horrible, and I was headed for a law suit because of what my company was doing prior to my employment. I was ready to quit, but the Lord told me to stay for the sake of His house (Psalm 122:9), not the company house. As I died to my desires, the Lord caused me to raise up the first Christian club at a local college in Hawaii. It was an awesome God moment as I looked back. An education mountain was reached. The club is still going strong after twenty one years. I am not sharing this to boast, but it is what it is. I had a once in a life time experience in taking an education mountain. It was mind blowing, for God used a twenty three year old to do the job. He can use anyone. He can use you.

It's time to rejoice in our tribulation because we are growing in proven character (Romans 5:3-5). Only dead men and women take mountains. If you are dying right now, then praise the Lord for his goodness. If you are being thrashed by God, then rejoice in your amazing fortune. He is making you into a mountain taker. Submit and learn.

The Path of Injustice Leads to the Path of Kingship

2011-06-11T10:37:00.000-07:00

How do you walk among people who judge you? This is not easy. I for one have experienced this firsthand. Feelings of indignation, justification, anger, false shame, false guilt, and other emotions rose to the surface, wanting expression, desiring righteousness. Have you felt this way? If you have, then you have walked with kings.

I know for a fact that most of the times, if not all, the judgment is not just. Many times it is flat out wrong. Why do I say this? No one knows the heart and no one knows the full story. The church of Jesus Christ is filled with good and loving people who judge. Not everyone does this, but many violate Matthew 7 without a blink of an eye. Division is caused by our pride. Sadly, when we judge, we get judged in return. What goes around comes around. It's that simple.

It matters not whether one believes in the law of reaping and sowing. If you run a red light you will still be taken out by a flat bed truck or get a ticket; the latter being way more preferable. If you jump off a cliff the law of gravity states you will go splat on the ground. If we judge it will boomerang back. This law never changes whether we believe in it or not. We reap what we sow. Whatever the case, I want to take this to another place, a redemptive place.

First, what do you do to remedy the predicament of being judged unjustly? Nothing. "What do you mean, nothing?" Yes, do nothing. The Lord sees all. Everything is laid bare before his eyes. He will vindicate your life or he will convict you of the sin. Either way, his good purposes are carried out. Maybe this side of heaven, injustices will fall on deaf ears, but before the Lord, he will make all things right. He will wipe away every tear.

Whatever we judge people for, we will be judged with the same judgment. I have experienced this. It's pretty sobering. We look at specks when logs protrude from our own eyes. Whatever the case, if you are being judged right now, think back and see if you have judged someone. If you have, (even if you have not), let the discipline of God work its good in your heart. Repent and forgive. Don't fight it. Don't seek a solution. Let humility sprout up. Let the stripes on your back bring forth Christ-likeness. Watch the hand of God move. Remember: you walk the path of kings.

Turn with me to Psalm 37:1-6. It states, "Do not fret because of evildoers, Be not envious toward wrongdoers. For they will wither quickly like the grass And fade like the green herb. Trust in the Lord and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord; And he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He will do it. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light And your judgment as the noonday."

Joseph and Jacob turned to God in their trial. Every man or woman of God was betrayed and grounded down unjustly in order for them to turn to the Lord and to sink deep roots into true security. God turned it into a redemptive thing. When God makes something right, he makes something right, and the corporate body will give witness to the truth. Like the Psalm, our responsibility is to come before the Lord and delight in Him; He will bring forth our righteousness and judgment as the noonday sun.

Actually, when we get judged falsely, the Lord may clean out other areas of our heart. Did this happen to you? This happened to me. I was judged for something that I felt no guilt for doing. Before God, I knew I was clear and right. However, there were other things going on in my heart that I was clearly guilty of, and in God's sovereignty, he cleansed them out through being judged for something else. I thank God for the severe cleansing. God doesn't waste betrayal, judgment, and other injustices. Anything that drives you to God is a good thing. Holiness is the result.

The kings of old walked the path of being judged unjustly. David had his Saul. Jesus had his Caiaphas. I am not saying your situation is as intense as David's or Jesus' trials (or maybe it is). I am saying that trusting God and continuing to forgive in the midst of these trials is redemptive and preparatory for promotion in the Kingdom of God. Without this fire, you cannot handle the fire of leadership.

Being judged unjustly by people brings forth the vindication of God. He knows. He will make right. Our responsibility is to walk with the Lord. Our responsibility is to become more like Him. Make it work for you. David did and he became a king. Jesus did the same and he became the King of Kings.The path of injustice leads to the path of kingship. We rule and reign through its tutelage. It's how we handle judgment that makes all the difference. Forgive and bless.

St. Patrick, Francis Xavier, the Puritans, and The Seven Mountain Strategy

2011-06-10T11:08:00.000-07:00

factoidz.com

Lance Wallnau has reawakened an evangelistic strategy dormant for many centuries. His teaching on the seven mountains brings back into focus this important piece of wisdom: evangelizing the places of influence. Many in the past did the same.

St. Patrick focused on the Irish Chieftains and turned Ireland to God. He brought the presence of God through signs and wonders and the preaching of the Gospel into the government of Ireland, which at that time was made up of countless tribes. Once he turned their hearts to God, the patch work fiefdoms of Ireland turned to God.Today, despite being a nation filled with civil unrest, it ranks as one of the highest in church attendance and a Biblical world view. This is phenomenal when you look at the rest of secular Europe and their disdain for anything Christian. Patrick's work still reverberates.

Francis Xavier, a Jesuit missionary, evangelized the daimyo (warlords) of feudal Japan and turned whole villages and cities to the Lord. It was recorded that Japan had over 750,000 Christians during the sixteenth century and was just about to tip toward a full blown national revival, but two shoguns, Hideyoshi and Ieyasu, systematically purged the nation of any visible remnant of Christianity. Many were told to recant or face torture and execution. Many apostasized their faith or died in the name of Jesus. Whatever the case, the converted population was pretty sizable for that period of time. Xavier did well.

The Puritans, other colonial Christians, and their descendants took all seven mountains of authority in America, and for a time, the blessings of God flowed into every corner of influence. We were the strongest economy, had the best educational system, possessed strong family values, produced wholesome entertainment, modeled true democracy, practiced orthodox Christianity, and reported honest news. We exemplified for a time what a nation would look like when Christianity held the reigns of authority. Today, most of the mountains in the US, except for a few religious hills, are controlled by the Devil.

Lance Wallnau, with his teachings on the seven mountains, reignites our passion to get back into the fray and retake lost spiritual territory through a focused attack on the seven key mountains of influence. What are they? The government, education, arts, business, family, religion, and media mountains are the main ones. They make up the power blocks or places of influence for every nation on this earth.

Instead of just proclaiming the Gospel in a hit-or-miss fashion geographically, he challenges Christians everywhere to take a more laser guided attack on the authority structures of these mountains. If you control the top, you control the mountain. If you control the mountains, you influence the nation. If you influence the nation for the kingdom of God, you fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). It's chopping down the tree with the head of the axe rather than the handle. It's bringing the presence and power of God into the heart of these mountains and rising up in influence through a Luke 2:52 life. It's leaving the four walls of the church and getting into strategic places for the purposes of God.

In Luke 4:5-6 Satan tempts Jesus with these words, "And the Devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomever I will give it." These words reveal that kingdom, power, and glory go hand in hand. Every nation has level of power and glory that has been defiled by the Devil. He controls it. He gives it to whomever will bow to him and to his values (Luke 4:7).

In the garden, Adam and Eve forfeited their right to rule and reign over the kingdoms of this earth. Satan usurped their place through deception and now controls the world (1 John 5:19). The true power and glory of the nations are now shrouded and used for demonic purposes, but the Lord has disarmed and destroyed the authority of the devil (Col 2:15). Jesus and His church now rules and reigns (Matt 16:18). The bride armed with this truth needs to now retake these nations and uncover their true glory and power for the Kingdom of God. We are called to blow apart the demonic veil over the nations, kick out the demonic squatters, and retake our rightful positions. We do this by infiltrating each mountain of influence from the inside, not from the outside. We must become like Esthers, Daniels, and Josephs again. We must subvert the works of the Devil. The true glory and power of the nations must shine for God. Too many in the world have bit into the apple of temptation and settled for demonic glory and power. They follow the Usurper and will find themselves usurped into hell.

When Christians get into positions of influence within these mountains, nations become changed; the Great Commission becomes a reality (Matthew 28:18-20). All of the seven mountains carry a treasure that honors and belongs to the King of Kings. Revelation 5:12 states, "saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing." The religion mountain carries honor; the media mountain carries blessing; the arts mountain carries glory; the government mountain carries power; the education mountain carries wisdom; the family mountain carries strength; the business mountain carries riches. They all belong to Jesus. The Kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of our Lord and Savior. We walk and conquer in that glorified eventuality.

In the days to come, I will write more on Lance Wallnau's Seven Mountain strategy in order to further establish this ground breaking teaching. We live in exciting times. Get ready to be launched. I got my helmet on. It should be a lot of fun.

Hari Kojima and Childhood in the 1970s

2011-06-09T18:15:00.000-07:00

Hari Kojima is dead. I can't believe it. I remember him as this young man alongside an inebriated Bruce Carter cutting fish on Let's Go Fishing. The guy was amazing with the sashimi knife. I remember him leaving very little meat behind as he deftly cut flesh off the backbone of a fish. He was so precise and fast. I chuckled as Bruce Carter slurred while he advertised for Olympia Beer (the guy had a few before the show), and as he tried to keep up with Hari's quick movements and staccato Pigeon. They made a classic pair.

Being honest with you, a part of my childhood died when I found out about his death yesterday. He epitomized local Hawaii in all of its goodness. I knew I could turn the TV on at 4:00 PM on Sunday and watch Hari cut fish. There was a sense of comfort in the regularity of this show. So many traditional places and friendly faces are passing away. Crass modernity now replaces the local mom and pop culture that was so much a part of the Hawaiian scene during the 1970s. Do you remember Arakawas? I loved the fact that they placed the bamboo fishing poles next to the sardines. Their display chaos was actually the local style of order. You need sardines to chum the water when fishing. Oh well, time marches on. My childhood memories become fainter and fainter.

Forgive me for being so sentimental, but Hari Kojima represented the laid back, home spun, Tamashiro Market, poke lifestyle to all of us kids who fished for aholehole in Kuapa Pond using eighty cent loaves of Loves bread to chum the water (that was a mouthful). He fished a lot on the east side of Honolulu, especially at Kahala Beach. He may have fished Kuapa Pond, too.

Hari Kojima, we will miss you. You brought a lot of joy and humor into our sleepy Sunday afternoons. If you didn't put on Let's Go Fishing, we would have been stuck with only the Lawrence Welk Show. You can only take so many polkas and accordions before you get nauseated with the whole pre-World War II entertainment thing. The Wild Kingdom was okay, but that got old real fast, too. Mr. Perkins could not stand up to the Crocodile Man, even if he wore those cool safari outfits and wrestled a baboon.

Well, I better stop this walk down memory fading lane. I enjoyed getting this out of my system and talking story with you. God bless you all.

Whiner, Weiner, or Wheenie?

2011-06-06T16:40:00.000-07:00

instructibles.com

When an elected official tweets nude pictures of himself and sexually explicit messages to six different women, this should be grounds for expulsion from public service. What do you think? Of all people, Mr. Weiner and other politicians are in office because people trusted in them. How can you trust someone who does these kinds of things? How can you trust a weenie man?

I know the dude was proud of his various body parts, but to twitter pictures of himself is the ultimate in narcissism and perversion. To make matters laughable or worse, he expects to still stay in office.

A hundred years ago, if a public official was caught in adultery or in some other form of sexual misconduct, he was summarily drummed out of office amidst the hoots and howls of the press and society. It was shameful and rightly so. It was a healthy form of shame that caused people to deal with their stuff. Shame is not a bad thing in certain circumstances. Today, any type of shame is bad, and transparency with our weaknesses, no matter how damaging to others, is a good thing."Yes, it was me that showed my bulging underwear on Twitter and when can I sign a new book deal or go on a talk show?" This hasn't happened yet, but our society parlays shame into money making opportunities. Just look at Charlie Sheen and his rant tour. Where is the shame?

Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y is a seven term congressman married to a woman who works for Hillary Clinton. Talk about the political repercussions and juicy, comedic fodder for the late night talk show hosts.

I don't hate Mr. Weiner. I don't even know the guy. I just think men like him, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, Arnold Schwarzenegger, John Edwards, and a host of undisciplined, testosterone filled males need to do just that, get disciplined. They need to think with their brains and not their libido.There is no fear of God anymore. Sexual sin is out of control. The people who follow them suffer.

The energy to lead during these trying days is being siphoned off by unbridled sex. Greece, Egypt, Rome, the Ottoman Empire, and today, the United States of America are destroying themselves from the inside out through the perversion of something good. Sex was made for marriage, not for casual dating. It's a good thing within the confines of holy matrimony. The river of our sexual drive finds a healthy flow within the protective banks of marriage. It's been in flood stage for too long.

Our modern, progressive culture under estimates the power of sex. Many think they can play with fire and not get burned. It's treated so casually; however, the Bible states when we get married and consummate with sex, we become one with that person spiritually. When we have uncontrolled sex with many, we become one with multiple people and the result is a weakening and fragmentation of our person. Confusion is rampant within the highest levels of leadership. Ethics are out the window. Weakness reigns.

Does cheating on one's husband or wife speak about one's character to faithfully carry out the duties of a public official? Isn't it a position of trust. Isn't it a position where you are faced with bribery? Yes, Yes, and doubly yes.

Let's look at it this way; if one betrays the most important person in one's life (wife or husband), then why would anyone not think twice about betraying their country for their own personal advancement? Isn't cheating on your wife or husband a selfish act, a self-promoting act, a betrayal of the highest order?

"Get real, John. Boys will be boys. Men will be men?" Actually, I am getting real. There is more to men than their sexual drive. What about courage, sacrifice, strength, kindness, gentleness, love, patience, justice, the desire to protect, and being a good provider? What about these things? To define men by their sexual conquests is to devalue and demean. Sadly, many have chosen the path of giving free expression to their beastly drives. They live out a self-fulfilling prophecy. Somewhere along the line they implode when the pressure gets too hot and their true character gets exposed for all the world to see. It's just a matter of time before it happens.

Rep Weiner needs to resign and bow out graciously. This would be the noblest thing to do, not fight to hold onto an office he forfeited by his own stupidity. He has a choice between being Mr. Weiner or Mr. Weenie. All men have this choice. Let's choose wisely.

A Few More Thoughts on Just War

2011-06-04T11:42:00.000-07:00

Just recently another major Al-Qaida operative bit the dust via a drone missile attack. The terrorist dominoes continue to fall in the midst of a topsy turvy world. Tornadoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, spiraling inflation, astronomical debt, and double digit unemployment make the recent advances in the fight against terrorism seem pale, but should we look upon it in this light? Is it a small thing that a leader of an organization bent on killing non-Muslims is taken down! No. Is it okay to rejoice? Yes. Does this mean jumping up and down and throwing a big party? No.

It means I can rejoice and applaud the government for protecting and doing its God mandated job. The church cannot send out troops to destroy evil. That is not their role. Their role is to save the lost. Government provides law and protection so that its citizens can live in peace ((Romans 13).

Someone said I lacked love for writing my article applauding the efforts of SEAL TEAM 6 and their killing of Usama Bin Laden. It made me think. I didn't get offended, but it bothered me. I thought, "Am I unloving?" That's not a good thing. Love is an important characteristic for a Christian. They kind of go together. So it made me ask the questions, "What is love? Am I loving?"

1 Corinthians 13 states, "Love is patient. Love is kind. and is not jealous......Does not rejoice in unrighhteousness, but rejoices with the truth." We all agree, God is love (1 John 4:8). We all concur that we are to follow God's example of love (Ephesians 5:1). God rejoices in truth. Does he not rejoice when governments follow through with their responsibilities to deal justly with evil (Romans 13:3)? I'm not talking about wrong use of government force like the overthrow of the Hawaiian Monarchy. That was clearly evil. That was a pure power play of a stronger force against a weaker. I'm talking about when a government decides to take out the likes of Adolph Hitler, Pol Pot, Benito Mussolini, Usama bin Laden, and other miscreants who think that killing millions of innocents is justifiable.

I'm not saying governments are perfect. Abortion, euthanasia, and same sex marriage speak to its extreme failures. The church must stand in the gap on these issues. However, the church should rejoice when it, the government, does the right thing. God rejoices in truth. We should rejoice in truth. I rejoiced in the truth of the architect of 9/11 being taken out. Is this not an aspect of love? Is there not a justice and truth side to love? Yes, I believe 1 Corinthians 13 speaks to this.

I also believe in helping the poor, being faithful to my wife, being faithful to my promises to people, honoring my father and mother, raising my daughter in the things of God, being generous with my resources, and loving people the best way I can. I know you believe the same.

I like eating steak, hanging out with true friends, speaking the truth, and yes, I am proud to be an American. I'm also proud to be a Christian. I'm not perfect. Who is? However, this emasculation of the church is sickening to me. Please understand, I am not angry at the people who criticized me. I actually love them. I really do. I'm angry at this warped, insipid definition of love foisted upon the church in a season when the church needs to show the full spectrum of God's character – love and justice being some of them. Jesus walked in grace and truth. Let's pray we walk out this mandate in the best way we can.

The Accuser and the Orphan Spirit

2011-06-03T10:39:00.000-07:00

hishighestministries...

Do you feel guilty all the time? Do you feel like you never measure up to God's standards? I used to feel that way, too. Life seemed like you were always living to apologize or to cower in lowly fear before an austere God. Many in the world feel this way. Many in the church feel this way. Why?

Could it be that God is not behind those feelings? Could it be another voice? Revelation 12:10 states, "Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now, the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night."

God never accuses. He convicts. He convicts the world of sin and judgment in order to turn people toward hope (John 16:8, 2 Cor 7:10). Satan constantly accuses unto despair and hopelessness (Zech 3:1). God never condemns the believer (Romans 8:1). Satan always condemns. He condemns night and day. He steals night and day. He destroys night and day.

The Lord directed me to Romans 3:24 this past week. It reads, "being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus." What does being justified mean? It means the believer is completely innocent of all past, present, and future charges (Romans 5:1). He is pronounced righteous forever (Rom 5:1). He is forgiven forever. It is also a gift. You cannot earn justification, you just accept it by faith. A gift is a gift, not subject to any fine print clauses or stupid rules on the back of some sweepstakes ticket. It's pretty straightforward and legitimate. Too good to be true? Still not feeling the love, yet?

Think about it this way: if living a perfect life was the only way God would love you, then no one would be loved. Why? No one on this planet, including Christians, can live a perfect physical life; therefore, no one would be loved. Jesus did not die on the cross so that no one would be loved (John 3:16). That would be ludicrous. Love is key (1 Cor 13:13). That's what sent him to the cross. Without love, no one could move into freedom or even live. Unconditional love unlocks the shackles and removes the bondages over our broken emotions and lives. He can now love us perfectly because he has made us perfect forever (Heb 10:14). He loves us forever (Rom 8:38-39, Ephesians 2:1-10). We are part of his family forever (John 1:12).

If you cannot think of any sin or wrongdoing on your part, but still feel this uneasy guilt of some hidden thing that alludes you, then you are hearing the voice of the devil. Rebuke it in the name of Jesus (Zech 3:2). He is doing what he does best: accusing the saints. If he cannot kill you, he will try to immobilize you through guilt and shame. God will always communicate clearly about what he wants you to confess, release, and repent of. He will supply this need (Phil 4:19). If you have to confess, confess it and be free (1 John 1:9). Please understand that you are a saint who sins and one who belongs to God's family. You are not a wretched outsider, but a beloved insider with God (1 John 3:1).

The orphan spirit is rampant throughout the church of Jesus Christ. People feel inadequate and unloved. They constantly feel outside the family of God when this is far from the truth. John 1:12 states, "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." We are his beloved children (1 John 3:1). The debate on whether this is an actual spirit or an emotional stronghold doesn't really matter. It is both. The devil accuses and people believe the lie. A spirit and the unbelieving mind keep many in bondage.

It's time to rebuke and believe again. Ephesians 6:13 states stand firm against the evil forces hiding behind the veil of the natural world. Please remember that the devil is good at making people feel guilty. He has many years of experience. He has perfected the craft of stealing, killing, and destroying people. He is persistent so stand firm and don't give into the lies.

I would venture to say that the accusatory voice you are hearing each day is not God, but the devil. God loves you (Rom 8:38-39); he perfected you (Rom 5:1, Heb 10:14); he calls you his child (1 John 3:1); he forgave you (Eph 1:7); he gave you eternal life (John 5:24); he chose you (Eph 1:4); he gave you the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:13). We are set to live a very victorious and emotionally stable life. We should walk like royalty (1 Peter 2:9). God bless you all. It's time to be free.

Sovereignty and Intentionality

2011-06-02T11:10:00.000-07:00

sfexaminer.com

How could any human orchestrate the journey that Joseph took from a Dothan pit to the pinnacle of power? No one has the ability to do this on their own. God sovereignly planned for Joseph to occupy a seat of power next to Pharoah in order to save the nation of Israel from starvation. God’s hand painted a beautiful mosaic of divine happenings. It was an amazing story of man's partnership with God.

Yet, Joseph had to make some choices along the way to stay on this divine path toward fulfilling his destiny. He had to be intentional. He had to pass the tests of bitterness, unbelief, purity, and fear. There were others, but these four stand out as some of the greatest challenges to Joseph and even to us.

How do we balance God’s providence and our own efforts? I think it is a lot like surfing. We ride the wave that comes our way. At the right moment we start to paddle in order to catch the momentum of the ocean inspired swell. It’s a timing thing. We didn’t generate the wave, but placed ourselves in the right position to take advantage of its natural propulsion.

So when the test of offense comes to drive us toward bitterness, we choose instead to ride the wave of forgiving offense and belief in God’s ability to cause all things to work together for good (Romans 8:28). When the test of immorality comes, we choose the wave of purity (or fleeing out of the room). When the test of unbelief comes, we choose the wave of faith. When the test of fear comes, we choose the wave of courage. Tests come in waves.

Then the big set of destiny comes barreling toward us and because we passed all the other tests, we are now in position to start paddling to catch the momentum of this God inspired surge. However, if we don’t paddle, the wave will pass us by. Joseph passed a lot of previous tests and when pharaoh asked him to interpret his terrifying dream he shot the gap of this Banzai Pipeline wave and brought the presence of God into the courts of Egypt. He astounded all with his interpretation. He was intentional when his moment came. He rose. God wants us to rise, too.

Many in the Bible hit the mark and even missed the mark of divine timing. Esther approached the king at the right time and saved her people from annihilation. David slung his stone at his moment and entered the courts of kingship. Moses led his people out of Egypt at the right opportunity and disqualified himself from entering the promised land in another. King Saul missed his chance by disobeying God when the wave of testing rolled into his life. The tests are extreme when it comes to their consequences and rewards.

It takes an ability to flow with God’s momentum. There is work involved, but God causes the growth and ascendency (Psalm 75). It’s work, but not work. Do you know what I mean? It’s a rhythm thing. It’s a flow thing. It’s an abiding thing. It takes patience to wait for the set and intentionality to catch it. All the while we are floating on God’ s waters’ of destiny, bobbing up and down, swishing with the currents, dangling our feet in its briny depths.

God is sovereign and we are intentional. May we all catch the waves that God sends us, especially the big one of destiny and calling. Ride well.

Kung Fu Panda, ADHD, and Inner Healing

2011-05-30T13:45:00.000-07:00

picasaimage.com

Yesterday, I watched the latest Kung Fu Panda movie with some friends. It started with just a few pandas and then it grew into a mighty school of Kung Fu Panda enthusiasts that took out about three rows of chairs at the Kahala Theaters. It was fun to tramp through Kahala Mall with this laughing, fun loving mob. People gave us strange looks, but that made it even more fun.

Before the movie, I got into the whole panda spirit by eating at Panda Express. I ate kung pao chicken, chicken and string beans, fried rice, and I drank a pepsi. I was still hungry. I was looking forward to eating more in the theater. I told you I was getting into the spirit.

What did I think of the latest Kung Fu Panda movie? I think Kung Fu Panda has ADHD or the producers had too much Starbucks coffee – one or the other. I really do. The movie had this disconnected, frenetic feel to it; like it was trying to do too many plots at one time without ample development. The Panda was running around trying to find inner peace, heal abandonment issues, protect his village, lead the furious five, defeat an evil war lord, fulfill the typical Kung Fu revenge plot, and save China. Talk about a wounded warrior or a wounded healer. This panda exemplified the modern day over-extended, distracted person to the tee.

Please understand that my critique of an animated panda movie is also a sign of a mild psychological disorder or the writings of a person wanting to see the producers take Kung Fu Panda II to the next level. I loved the first movie so much. I'm still conflicted by this one. The panda was funny but serious, shallow but deep, stupid but smart, vulnerable but strong, imaginary but real, calloused but sensitive, a panda but a human. That's it. They made him too much like an inner healing counselor or therapist. They should have called the movie Kung Fu SOZO Healing Panda.

It's true, He tried to do SOZO healing on an evil peacock. Too bad the peacock would not connect with his inner child issues and instead chose the life of an evil warlord. He was almost there. I could see it in his bulging eyes. The peacock almost turned from the dark side to light. If he just forgave his daddy peacock, he would have gone down the road of benevolent ruler, not destroyer of China. Where was Jesus in his early Peacockian years? Alas, another one bites the bait of Satan's poppycock.

I paid money to watch a Panda do Kung Fu and say funny things. Yes, there were some fight scenes, and he did say some funny lines, but it got too SOZOish. No, I am not dealing with abandonment issues and reacting to the movie because its dredging up painful memories from the past. I did tear up, however, when mama panda said goodbye to baby. It conjured up the whole Dr, Zhivago snow scene thing. Well, that's another story. I won't go there. It's too painful to approach at this time.

All kidding aside, I enjoyed hanging out with my friends and stuffing my face with popcorn and kakimochi. I personally think the price they charge at concession stands for popcorn and other things is evil. It's diabolical. It's Satanic. That's just my opinion.

I laughed at the panda trying to counsel the peacock and even when the Furious Five did hug therapy with each other. It was very cute. It was very 'touchy feely'. It was so 'Oprahish'. It was very 21st century. Hey, pandas are cute and 'touchy feely'. Maybe the directors really did connect with the true essence of Pandahood and not Yin and Yang Buddhahood. Whatever the case, I had a lot of fun. Please see the movie despite my crazy critique. It's still very enjoyable. The kids loved it – the adults too!

Buying Gold Refined by Fire

2011-05-25T17:21:00.000-07:00

goldenmoney.ca

Romans 3:10-18 is not very complimentary about us. Actually, it's extremely bad. It reads, "as it is written, There is none righteous, not even one; There is none who understands, There is none who seeks for God; All have turned aside, together they have become useless; There is none who does good, There is not even one. Their throat is an open grave, With their tongues they keep deceiving,The poison of asps is under their lip; Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness; Their feet are swift to shed blood, Destruction and misery are in their paths, And the path of peace they have not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes.” The human race became utterly corrupted after the fall. Roman 3:23 further states, "For all have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God." No one is innocent before God.

It makes sense then when I read about men like Dominique Strauss-Kahn and Arnold Schwarzenegger, who, despite their lofty positions and sacred duties in life, would act so beastly or stupidly. What was the president of the IMF thinking when he was trying to rape a house maid? What was Governor Arnold thinking when he fathered a child at the same time his wife, Maria Shriver, was also impregnated? They were all despicable actions, but it makes sense now.

It makes sense now when I read about a mom who drives off a bridge into the water with her kids in the back seat, killing herself and them. It makes sense when I look at humanity. It makes sense when we look at our own hearts, It makes sense when I look at my own heart.

The sin nature of man makes it crystal clear. We arer utterly wretched, sinful, wicked, despicable, and dead to the things of God. He then takes his spiritual defibrillator and shocks us back from the dead through the sacrifice of his son. The flat line kicks back into undulating life. We get rid of our burial shroud. A whole new adventure begins. We live again by His Spirit.

When God decides to put his Spirit in us we need to realize the major reconstruction project He is embarking upon. We need to understand one thing in regards to sanctification: He will put new wine into new wine skins. The decrepit house of our old life is non-salvageable. He doesn't just change the wallpaper in one of the bathrooms. He condemns it. He brings the bulldozer, wrecking ball, and steam roller to bear on the whole thing in order to raise up a whole new house. 2 Cor 5:17 states, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation. The old has gone and the new has come." God kills the power of the old nature so that the new one can rise up (Romans 6:4). Yet, the old nature still tries to rear up its ugly head even after it has been disempowered (Rom 7). This is testament to the stubbornness of the old. It doesn't like playing second fiddle to God's Spirit.

God doesn't care, the sanctification process still begins with a vengeance. His Spirit works mightily to transform us (Col 1:29). He also brings to bear outside forces that cause us to turn to God for comfort and strength. Many still focus on their sinful behavior and wonder why they still struggle with the same sinful habits and attitudes. Only by focusing on Christ, not our sins, can we become like him; can we become a true son of the King (1 John 3:3, Heb 12:2).

Therefore, he lovingly allows people to betray, offend, ridicule, and prick our pride so that we turn to him. He allows other Christians to hurt us with misguided correction in order for us to pray for them. It is oil upon our heads (Psalm 141:5). It's transformational. He even allows non-believers to test us and transform us. He allows hurt to happen to our children to grow them up; maybe even grow us up. Ultimately, our believing children are in his training camp, too. Let's be wise not to short change their training. God allows all in order to see him more clearly.

He places us in a cramped starting gate to grow us in patience and love. We can kick and kick against the gate but he will not open it until the right time. God is extremely focused on doing a good job. That is why the fire is so hot. He doesn't mind our cries for help because he knows gold will come forth from his efforts. He sees the finished product. He sees the beginning from the end.

Job speaks to this in chapter 23:8-17, "Behold, I go forward but He is not there, And backward, but I cannot perceive Him; When He acts on the left, I cannot behold Him; He turns on the right, I cannot see Him. “But He knows the way I take; When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold. “My foot has held fast to His path; I have kept His way and not turned aside. “I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food. “But He is unique and who can turn Him? And what His soul desires, that He does. “For He performs what is appointed for me, And many such decrees are with Him. “Therefore, I would be dismayed at His presence; When I consider, I am terrified of Him. “It is God who has made my heart faint, And the Almighty who has dismayed me, 17 But I am not silenced by the darkness, Nor deep gloom which covers me." Job understood the reason for the trials and tribulations. God was making him into gold. That's why James considered it all joy (James 1:2-4). Paul looked upon it as momentary light affliction (2 Cor 4:17); the writer of Hebrews as sons of God training (Heb 12:7).

Why does he put us through this fiery ordeal of training? He wants us bear more fruit on earth and receive more reward in heaven (John 15, 2 Cor 4:17). It's unto blessings. It's unto real treasure. It's unto true fruitfulness. That's why he melts us down completely to remove the dross of our sin nature to reveal the true gold. Dietrich Bonhoeffer stated, "When Jesus calls a man to follow him, he bids him to come and die." We are called to die to the old so that the new can arise.

Jesus beckons the lukewarm Laodicean church of today to open the door and buy gold refined by fire (Rev 3:14-22). He calls us to take up Christ-like character. He could care less about our great teaching, big buildings, fancy conferences, material wealth, and anything that doesn't promote Christlike character. We don't become like Jesus in an air-conditioned, cushy environment. We become like Jesus when we hang out with Jesus (Acts 4:13). We hang out with Jesus when we experience pain (Matt 11:28-30). Some turn to other distractions like people, shopping, food, alcohol, drugs, TV, work, or other things when confronted with trials and tribulations. We are called to turn to Jesus in this season. It's our choice. It's our choice to buy gold refined by fire.

Harold Camping and False Teachers

2011-05-24T15:45:00.000-07:00

Am I missing something here? Do we not have a book that helps us to know God and his ways? Didn't people die translating this thing into English? Didn't people die trying to put it into any language? Didn't people die defending its contents. Hasn't it stood the test of time, persecutions, burnings, false teachings, denunciations, and other obstacles. Doesn't it work? Isn't it the truth? Isn't it God's Word?

That is why I am having a problem with people following this guy, Harold Camping, and the idiotic prophecy about the world ending on May 21st. Matthew 24:36 is crystal clear: "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the son, but the Father alone." What is this verse saying? NO ONE KNOWS WHEN HEAVEN AND EARTH WILL PASS AWAY! ONLY GOD KNOWS! Let me repeat, ONLY GOD KNOWS!

So who is Harold Camping? HE IS A FALSE TEACHER! Why? He taught something contrary to the Word of God. Paul even called these people anathema (accursed) (Gal 1:8-9). God won't tell him or any other prophet wannabe when the world would end because that is privy information for himself alone. No one will know the exact date or hour, only God.

I do believe we live in the last days. We don't need a bejeweled televangelist or some multi-million dollar ministry telling us the obvious. The signs are all around us (wars, rumours of wars, increasing earthquakes, tsunamis, pestilence, and FALSE TEACHERS/SNAKES). However, because we live in such a time, we need to be always ready. Christians throughout the ages, despite the dire apocalyptic future, need to be ready in season and out to meet God. No one knows when they will be promoted to heaven and leave this physical world. Again, we don't need some bony fingered kook telling us to do this. It's a given that we should be vigilant in peace and tumult (Matthew 24:42).

That is why we need to know the Word of God. If many of those people who sold their homes, invested their life savings, and gave away all their possessions knew about Matthew 24:36, they would not be in the predicament that they are in today. Jesus said he would come like a thief in the night and no one would know. His only admonition to us: BE READY (Matthew 25:13)!

We also need to know and walk in God's Spirit. He is the Spirit of truth who will lead us into all truth. He wrote the Bible. The Spirit and the Word are friends. He is not some amorphous being who helps us indirectly to follow God. He is God's Spirit. Ask him for help directly. He will speak to our hearts and open up the Scriptures. It's that simple. We don't need a seminary degree to study the Scriptures. We do need an intimate walk with the Lord, fellowship to keep us accountable, good leaders who fear the Lord, and a disciplined heart to study and pray. The Spirit of God also protects us from legalism and spiritual pride, which can be another form of false teaching (1 Tim 4:1-6). Just look at the pharisees for proof in this area. The Spirit binds it all together in love.

I feel extremely sad for the elect (believers) who fall prey to these charlatans or false teachers. The Apostle Paul and others warned us of an increase in deception during the last days (1 Timothy 4:1). Jesus warned us of many false prophets arising (Matthew 24:11).

Harold Camping was easy to spot. There will be others less noticeable but more destructive in their heresies and conduct. These are the ones to be wary about, but not overly worried. If you are walking with God and know the truth, you can spot them from a mile away. His sheep know His voice (John 10:4).

I am still amazed at the amount of people who followed this guy. It reveals to a great extent the spiritual readiness of God's church. If many fall to an eccentric 89 year old weirdo, then what about the slick false prophet espousing half-truths? Maybe this is a warning shot across the bow of the church. Maybe God is protecting many from a bigger fall. Just stay close to Jesus and read His Word. He will protect, prepare, and propel. He promised (Matthew 28:18-20).

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work –2 Tim 3:16-17.

Of Mice and Men

2011-05-23T09:53:00.000-07:00

etsy.com

Tragedy, kindness, jealousy, hatred, and the indomitable will to survive saturate the pages of John Steinbeck's powerful story of two friends, George and Lennie. The two tramped together finding seasonal ranch jobs in order to some day save enough for a home deep in the mountains of Salinas, California. There, they would "liv off the fatta the land' and live free. It was their dream.

George, out of obligation to Lennie's aunt, chose to take care of his dim-witted friend and bemoaned the burden of always bailing him out of trouble. The last job almost killed both of them because Lennie innocently grabbed a ladies red dress in order to feel its softness, but failed to let go when the lady screamed. They hid from a lynch mob in an irrigation ditch and escaped unharmed. George never let Lennie hear the end of it. Lennie always apologized, went right back to talking about their dream home, immediately forgot about why they fled the last town, dreamed about petting rabbits. He was like a six year old child in the body of a giant. He was innocently dangerous.

From the start, the reader already knows the story will end in tragedy. It has that feel about it. Lennie finally makes the ultimate mistake of killing a woman by accident and George has to put him down with a gun to the back of his head. Lennie never knew what was coming. He was talking about rabbits when the bullet severed his spine from his brain. George had no choice. The posse was right behind their heels. It was the act of a loving friend saving his friend from being brutally lynched. Tragedies cannot get any better. It was beautifully sad.

The book left me thinking about our mortality. Eventually, time, like a revolver to the back of the head, takes us out and we go the way of all men. Our physical bodies become food for worms. We have no idea when or where it will happen. Our only security is God.

I remember reading Arnold Schwarznegger' biography Pumping Iron as a young nineteen year old. He talked about the early years of lifting weights and the exhilaration of seeing his muscles grow big. It was then that he told his parents he wanted to stop believing in God. He stopped going to church. He had no use for weak Christianity. Only fools believed in God.

In a recent photo, the sixty-three year old former Governor of California, bodybuilder, movie actor, restaurateur, Conan the Barbarian, and Terminator looked like a broken man. He looked worn out and old. The recent news of him fathering a child with his housemaid and his divorce from Maria Shriver now defines the man who seemed nontarnishable. He now seems fragile. Time is catching up. The god becomes human.

Pro wrestling superstar Randy "Macho Man" Savage died after having a heart attack while driving his Jeep Wrangler. He was fifty eight years old. The man fought Hulk Hogan and crashed folding chairs on people's heads. He even fought Peter Parker with his dorky spider suit in the first Spider Man movie. The man bristled with muscles. He physically towered over people. He now lies on a cold granite table in some morgue. Another god became human.

When you are in your twenties, you feel like you could live on forever. Your body felt tight and strong. Jeans fit well without you forcing the button to fit. You could eat a teriyaki pork plate lunch from Jolly Rogers on Waialae with two scoops rice and extra mac salad at twelve in the morning and still lose weight in your sleep. Life seemed like John Travolta doing his famous walk on the streets in Saturday Night Fever, feet clicking on the pavement to the beat of the music, heart pumping strong, life rolling on forever and forever.

Mortality hits us all like a freight train. I have no idea why I am writing such an article. Maybe it is the adrenaline drop after a busy Sunday. Maybe I need to give vent to the inevitability of life. Maybe it is the Holy Spirit giving me commentary over recent happenings in the news. If it is okay with you, I don't want to pin point it now. I just want to write.

Psalm 49:20 states, "Man in his pomp, yet without understanding, is like the beasts that perish." Man without God leads to a foolish life; it leads to a beastly life. The gas tank of youth will finally run out and all that will be left is a broken car of a body that cannot be taken to a Honda dealership for a new one. We are stuck with only one make, model, and year. We make the most with what we have.

Ecclesiastes 12:6-8 states, "Remember Him before the silver chord is broken and the golden pitcher is crushed, the pitcher by the well is shattered and the wheel at the cistern is crushed; then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it."

We will all end up before the true God one day. The good thing is that our spiritual life does not have to end in a Steinbeck tragedy. Jesus' physical tragedy led to his and our spiritual triumph. It doesn't end with death. One took on the tragedy for us to move into the victory. I like that ending.

1 Corinthians 15:52 states, "in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed."

Who knows when, where, or how we will leave this earthly life. Ultimately, why worry about it. All the best laid plans of mice and men will eventually lead into the saving arms of God. We will definitely "liv off the fatta the land'.

I tell you the truth. Whoever hears my words and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned. He has crossed over from death to life - John 5:24

A Steady Flame

2011-05-20T09:53:00.000-07:00

I like looking at the afterglow of charcoaled kiawe (mesquite)). It's peaceful. The fire once blazed hot and red torching steak and marshmellow alike. Now, only a soft glow remains. The fire still burns with a gentle flame ready to burst forth with more added fuel, but it abides now in rest. That's how the Christian life should be. You can't live at a high flame all the time. A steady fire is all that is needed.

Sometimes when the game is on the line, God pours more of His spiritual fuel to accomplish a task that requires extra power. He knows when you need the extra dunamis (power). Just rest and walk with Him. He will add when it is appropriate.

John 15:4 states, "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me." This verse carries a peaceful sense about it. It's faith-filled. It's steady. It can burgeon forth with fruit or get cut back for another day of greater fruitfulness. All the while it abides in the True Vine, Jesus. The fruit will come. The flame still burns.

Our senior pastor talked about Enoch the other night. It was an intriguing message that highlighted one of the more enigmatic figures in the Bible. Not much written about this 365 year old patriarch, except for two verses. Gen 5:24 states, "Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him." Hebrews 11:5 further states, "By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; AND HE WAS NOT FOUND BECAUSE GOD TOOK HIM UP; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God." You don't need much more than this. These few words speak volumes. He walked with God and pleased him so much that he never experienced the pain of death. God just decided one day to translate Enoch into the next dimension of heaven.

Just think, he didn't have to go to Hosoi mortuary, get embalmed, get cremated, do a big funeral, make bulletins, cater food from Kanedas, and get buried at Hawaiian Memorial Park in a plot overlooking Kaneohe Bay. God just beamed him up. That's the way to go. He was a steady flame.

Did you ever wonder that maybe God wants to do that with all of us? I can't see why not. He did it before. He can do it again. All we have to do is walk so closely with Him that when we pass from this life into the next, it would be like another day with God. He could translate our bodies instantly or we could pass away and leave the shell of our body behind. Whatever the case, we will be with God. The only difference from this physical life is that we will see him so clearly. No more flesh to get in the way. We will see him as he is.

Right now, I am typing away on my i-pad with the sunlight streaming through the kitchen window, Yuban coffee wafting through the air, Mynah birds squawking away, my Mother-in Law talking with her brother through the walls into our house, and God's presence so close and precious. I love it. I love real life with God. The sights, sounds, and smells of life intermingling with my walk with God. We roll with the punches.

For too long I have lived Christianity in my own strength, two strides ahead of God, worried and stressed out. It's time to walk like Enoch. It's time to walk with God. It's time to be a steady flame. How about we do this together? Like my friend Joe Onosai would say, "Let's do this!"

The Laughing God

2011-05-19T11:31:00.000-07:00

"Jesus, save me!" I cried haplessly to the Lord to stop making me laugh. Now, this was a very foolish thing because why would I ask the person instigating the whole laughing affair to save me from laughing my head off? It's like crying out to your father to stop tickling you when he is grinning in delight. I laughed so long and hard that my back and stomach started to ache. I couldn't stop. The senior pastor's wife and another pastor only stoked the flames more by praying for me while they laughed uncontrollably, too. They carry a kolohe (rascal) anointing.

As I thought about last night's mid-week service, I realized God melded the Word and the Spirit into one complete package. We shared from the pulpit about the importance of delighting in the Lord from Psalm 37:4. We shared that delighting carries the power to enjoy, to pamper, and to restore. I felt all three as I rolled off the chairs and laughed my head off under last night's anointing.

Many were laughing and they could give you their testimony, but this was what happened in my heart as God swept me into experiencing Psalm 37:4 in a deeper way.

First, I got closer to my fellow brothers and sisters. It brought me back to my post Christian days when my wrestling buddies and I would get completely inebriated with beer after a tournament. Friendships were forged during that time. All decorum would go out the window. We just laughed, cried, and sang out of tune. Under that spirit, a bond was created. We are still close today.

Please understand me, I am not promoting getting drunk with alcohol. I am promoting realness. The unity with my high school friends, as debauched and intoxicating as it was, lasts till today. If I see them on the street, we naturally click into friendship. It's like the years didn't do anything to our bond.

I felt the same thing happening with my spiritually inebriated friends last night. All properness went out the window and uproarious laughter took control. I believe God created a deeper bond with us last night. Ephesians 2:21 states, "in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord." The Spirit of God was building us all into a holy temple in the Lord. He was fitting us together, bonding us as one, erecting a church.

There was an authenticity with the whole experience. It felt right. We've all been in fake church meetings or conferences that promoted false unity – but the Holy Spirit doesn't do fake. He drops down on or ambushes people and gets them all drunk in the Spirit. He's not proper, but very rascally. He makes a party to promote unity. This makes complete sense.

On the day of Pentecost, the witnesses thought the disciples were all drunk. Acts 2:13 states, "But others were mocking and saying, 'They are full of sweet wine' ". For those familiar with wines, we all know sweet wine is a liquor or a dessert wine. It usually contains more alcohol, about 30 to 40 percent alcohol. The disciples looked and were plastered, not by wine, but by the sweet wine of God’s Spirit. God created drinking buddies at the inception of the church. He needed to create a strong bond of unity for the rigors ahead. He did it Holy Spirit style.

Secondly, God healed my heart. Under the anointing, my heart was ready to explode. The laughter seeped into the different crevices and caverns of my inner person and started to do a work. How do I know? I feel different today. I feel lighter. I feel more joy. I feel more whole. As I shared earlier, to delight in the Lord is to come under the restorative power of the Lord. He restored in a natural, fun, deep, and real way. He did this with me last night. The shalom (peace, wholeness, health) of God fell and I will never be the same.

Thirdly, God deepened courage. Psalm 2:4, 37:13, and 59:8 all talk about God laughing at his enemies. There is nothing more disconcerting to a foe than laughter. It's the sign of complete confidence, peace, and strength in your abilities. It causes our enemies to fidget in uncertainty while it builds faith in us. As I looked at the crazy and turbulent world, my heart began to worry a little. "What will happen to my family? Will I be able to provide for wife and child?" As God released his refreshment last night, those fears disappeared. I bonded with god’s confidence. He will make a way. He will provide and even prosper those who trust in Him (Phil 4:19, Eph 3:20). He caused me to laugh at the surging waves and darkening skies. Dark and light are alike to him.

Lastly, God poured out joy. This goes without any further explanation than this: in his presence there is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11). It is the best form of strength (Neh 8:10). Enough said.

As you read this article, some of you may be saying, "Oh no, John has gone the way of Kathryn Kuhlman and Rodney Howard-Browne. John has become a heretic. John has lost it." I don't know about Rodney Howard Browne or the others – I don't care – but I do know this: I was blind but now I see. Yes, I have lost it. I have lost fear, worry, anger, insecurity, hopelessness, and a host of other things in a deeper way. I have not arrived at complete perfection, but who cares. I am enjoying the journey with my new drinking buddies. I like God's sweet wine. We serve a laughing God! Draw near and laugh, too.

The Initiating God

2011-05-18T11:31:00.000-07:00

We love because God first loved us. Being honest with you, I cannot get into the whole bride of Christ thing. I'm a guy. You catch the drift. I know it is theologically accurate and politically correct to connect with your feminine side, to connect with the bride thing, but I like to eat my steaks medium rare and watch Jason Bourne kick butt. I actually have the whole series and I am proud of it, too.

Well, before you judge me as insecure or in denial to my softer side, I will venture forth into the wonderful world of Christian theology, specifically the agape love of God.

Throughout mankind's dubious history, God has always initiated the first move. He made us. That's pretty initiatory. He also loved us enough by sending his son to die on the cross for all our stupid sins. You would think that we would look at the lowly millipede and realize, "Gee, those little legs and body are pretty amazing! Maybe someone wiser than me made it or should I mention the G word? Maybe God made it! Wow! What a novel idea!"

With all this evidence around us, you would further think that we would seek out this God who made the millipede, the mynah bird (maybe not the mynah bird), the gecko, the limpet, the mango, the coconut, our eye balls, the air, the water, the sun, the moon, and all the other fascinating things in creation. Sadly, mankind is too bakatare (stupid) to raise their eyes from creation and look for this loving God who created this thing called life. It's like looking at a painting by Monet and saying, "He didn't create it. The tooth fairy farted it out." The denial of The Master Painter, God, is that absurd.

In the midst of our foolishness, God initiates his love towards us. He reaches out into our mud pit and saves us from destroying our lives with drugs, sex, alcohol addiction, gluttony, hate, revenge, murder, thievery, witchcraft, self-rejection, and other destructive past times. He spoke, "Forgiven! Finished! I love you!" Our lives went through a metamorphosis and we became joyful, peace-filled, and full of love. Yes, it didn't happen over night, but it happened. God initiated and we responded.

"Okay, okay, it's like a dance. Wait! How about I use a surfing analogy? Whew! I saved my manhood!" Surfers wait for the ocean to initiate a wave before they ride. It's the same in the Christian life. We wait for God in prayer and he initiates his presence and inspiration. We then experience deeper levels of revelation as we read his word; we then sense God's love at the inner core of our being; we then ride the wave of his spirit into a deeper relationship with Him.

As I shared in earlier articles, I lived to achieve. I strove, drove, and wove myself into an anxiety filled knot. I got saved by his love and then I lived to earn something I already had. We’ve all been there and done that. We’ve all worked for his love.

It’s time to rest and let God initiate again. Don’t strive for his love. Rest in his love. Don’t strive for his presence. Rest and wait for his presence. He will come (James 4:7-8). He already loves us. He already abides with us.

All you women out there, please forgive me for my male dominated article. Blame Matt Damon, Mark Wahlberg. Keanu Reeves, and all the other male stud actors who make being male really an awesome thing. I love you church. Beef rules!

We love because he first loved us - 1John 4:19

Delighting in the Lord (Part 3)

2011-05-17T14:31:00.000-07:00

Weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning. Now with all the serious stuff out of the way, we can talk about other steps to grow in our delight of God. It's morning time. Yeehah!!! These two spiritual disciplines work for me: worship and speaking in tongues.

First of all, God is definitely in a good mood. Nothing can block his goals or plans. He never gets frustrated. His plans always turn out for good. He is sovereign. When we worship, we align ourselves with the joyful nature of God. We align ourselves with His victory. In his presence there is fullness of joy.

I used to worship by looking at song sheets. That's okay. We all have to start some where. A better way, however, is to memorize the songs and sing it from the heart. When we memorize, we internalize. The song becomes a part of us. We become the song. It falls right into line with Romans 12:1-2 when it states that we become a living sacrifice of worship. We can worship throughout the day with fresh songs streaming from our lips. We surround ourselves with His joy.

Singing out favorites like Shout to the Lord became more meaningful when sung from memory. I saw different meanings and connected with the heart of God more readily than if I had just sang from a paper or a power point image. Try it. You will see and feel the difference.

Secondly, I speak in tongues as I walk throughout the day and in my private times with God. Jude 1:20-21 talks about praying in the spirit to build yourself up in love. It truly does build you up. The language of heaven drips with joy, peace, and love. When we speak out this gift, the atmosphere changes. Life changes. Everything becomes brighter and in alignment with the will of heaven. We speak the very words of God when we speak in our prayer language. Heaven comes down and glory fills our souls.

This is a very short article, but that's okay. I could write more and will, but the beauty is in just doing it. The proof is in the pudding. We will grow in our delight of God. Love you folks!!!!!

Delighting in the Lord (Part 2)

2011-05-17T10:52:00.000-07:00

Webster's dictionary defines delight in this way, "A high degree of gratification, joy, extreme satisfaction, something that gives great pleasure". The word delight in Hebrew is 'anag' and it means, "take great delight in, refresh oneself in, make merry over".

Can we say that we have a high degree of satisfaction in our relationship with God? Does relationship with our Father in heaven give us great pleasure? Do we desire Him more than the things of this world? If you say yes to these questions, then keep up the good work. You are on your way to a very fruitful life. If you cannot say yes to any of these questions, then you are an idolater who finds his security in the flesh and have given yourself to performance. It's okay. Just admit it. Christendom, especially the Western kind, is filled with idolatry. We take delight in the things of this world rather than God.

Don't you feel better now? Confessing and repenting brings healing. You don't need five years of inner healing counseling to be healed of idolatry or performance orientation (working for God's love). All it takes is an honest talk with our Father in heaven on a daily basis. He will heal. All we need do is draw near. That's what happened to me.

God's cleaning up the church at this time. I saw it before moving into this new season of ministry. I saw church as too comfortable and too lax in their pursuit of God. We were too tidy and too sterile in our running after the Almighty, including me. A change was needed.

In this season, God is causing the people of God to go vertical through the apostolic. Apostles cause pain. Change causes pain. They both compel you to turn to God. They build in love, but are rarely buddy buddy with you. Time and apostles don't wait when it comes to God's agenda.

A silent and methodical restructuring of church is occurring before our eyes. Why? Cataclysmic change will hit the world within the next two to five years. If we don't get close to God now, we will fall away. Jesus said, "In the last days many of the elect will fall away." What does this mean? Many in the church will fall away through delusion or unbelief. If your church is not challenging you to turn to God, then get out of that church. It's not preparing you for the challenging times ahead.

Let me get more specific. If your church is causing you to turn to the pastor, teacher, or any of the fivefold rather than God, then it is locked into pleasing people. Comfort will not turn you to God. You are being lulled into sleep when you should be wide awake and growing in your relationship with our Papa in heaven. If you are receiving no correction or rebuke from the pulpit along with encouragement and exhortation, then beware. I mean it.

Hear me out! We are preparing for a war on all levels at this time. The church is asleep. Wake up!!! If you are offended now, just wait a few minutes because major offense is coming down the pipe that will literally rock your world. John Bevere will not help you at that time. It's time to get ready. It's time to delight in God. It's time to find our greatest enjoyment in the pursuit of the Father. Turn off the internet for a change! Turn off the TV! Build a lifestyle around relationship with the Father.

I love you church. I really do. Do anything and everything that will cause your vision of God to get clearer. Remove every impediment and encumbrance (Hebrews 12). The world will radically change soon. God is mobilizing His church. God bless you.

Delight Yourself in the Lord

2011-05-16T16:30:00.000-07:00

"Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart" - Psalm 37:4

Did you ever look at Psalm 37:4 and say in your heart, "I agree"? Then you walk away and ask the question, "How?" I understand the dilemma. How do you enjoy God? How do you delight in the Almighty? How do you rejoice in an invisible, omnipotent being?

I can't say I'm an expert or that I have arrived, but I am enjoying God in a deeper way this season more than ever before. I am starting to get it. The cool thing in this whole business of delighting is the blessing of simply enjoying God and His presence without any admixture. It's like getting a Jamba Juice without any boosts. Well, maybe not quite like this, but you know what I mean.

My whole Christian life up to about a year ago was filled with trying to achieve things. I was a great 'striver'. Pastors are notorious when it comes to living in the jittery realm of adrenaline rushes and building monuments to God, vision filled ones; hidden under the guise of unselfishness, washed over with holy sound bites from the pulpit. Honestly, I'm sick of the hypocrisy. Maybe you are, too.

I strove to study the Bible, disciple young believers, lead people to Jesus, graduate cum laud at seminary, win awards, build a church, teach theology, attend conferences, teach apologetics, write articles, lead worship, preach messages, be a senior pastor, and anything and everything that would further the Kingdom of God as I understood the Great Commission to be (Mattthew 28:18-20). I worked my butt off. Maybe you have done the same in your own way.

Little did I know that I was delighting in achievement rather than God. Yes, there were times I delighted in God, but more often than not I enjoyed checking off my internal achievement list. At times, I also enjoyed the applause of men rather than the applause of heaven. Let's be honest, we all like it when people like us. The sounds of heaven get drowned out by the laughter and clapping of friends and strangers. Please don't get me wrong, I loved God and loved people. I am just stating the reality of what goes on in all of our hearts. We love God, but sin dwells in us, too. The heart is deceitful above all else. We try to earn God's love through works. God purified my motivations in this season. God may have purified your motivations, too.

The only way we can readjust is to spend face to face time with God by giving him the first fruits of our day, preferably the first few hours. Time with God equals the right perspective on life; the right perspective with people; the right perspective on who we are. Many pastors (not all) lack perspective because they get caught up with people, programs, and principles, not God.

In my past religious life, I rejoiced in appearing spiritual and productive over really experiencing the blessing of an in-depth walk with Jehovah. Busyness and wrong priorities can do this. The outward took precedence over the inward. Things got blurred. In this season, God stripped away my titles, my awards, my responsibilities, my false personages, my former job, and every type of hollow security in order for me to gain more of Jesus and become authentic again. Maybe he is doing the same in your life. Actually, he gently asked me to give up my false securities. I listened and obeyed. I thank God for hearing at the right time. He's not so subtle when he really wants to get your attention a second time. First time obedience is a good thing if you value your life.

Paul states in Philippians 3:8, "More than that I count all things as loss in comparison to knowing Christ Jesus My Lord. For whom I have suffered the loss of all things and count them but rubbish in order that I may gain Christ." I finally understood what it meant to count all things as dung in comparison to knowing Jesus. How did I come to this place? How did I start to really delight in God?

The pain of dying to false securities can either make you bitter or better. I chose the latter by turning to Jesus with my anger, frustration, and praises. In the simplicity of praying out all my concerns during breezy, night time walks in my neighborhood, the Lord started to direct me to relationship again. He reminded me that being right and accepted by him were the basis of joy and delight. I reveled in God's forgiveness of my sins. I confessed and repented; I felt clean again. I exulted in God's unchanging love for me (Romans 8:38-39). I bubbled over with joy as I understood the gift of eternal life afresh(John 5:24). I rested in my sonship (Ephesians 1:5). I delighted in the important.

He even revealed his meticulous care over creation and his wisdom in how he put it all together. I praised him from deep within. As I looked at the trees, mountains, sun, moon, and stars, I could understand David's heart in Psalm 8. I wrote a few songs during my times in His presence. It was both humbling and joyful.

Anger cropped up its ugly head at times (it still does), but I laid them aside and turned to God over and over again. The enemy and our flesh are relentless when it comes to pulling us back into pride and rage. There were times when my prayer walks lasted into the wee hours of the morning. I found by coming back to the simple joy of understanding my salvation and God's love for me, it completely extinguished any negative emotions. Peace then returned. Perspective regained.

God's love, forgiveness, and all other spiritual benefits can never be taken away (Ephesians 1-3). If we build our securities on them, we erect our lives on a strong foundation. Other things can be stolen, destroyed, and seized from our lives. The loss of the temporal has the potential to cause pain in this life. That is why Paul and we suffer the loss of all things. It's only natural to suffer, but it's the path toward real joy. Affliction turns us to God. Once we delight in our eternal God and in his eternal love, we become like a strong, immovable mountain (Psalm 125:1). Ministry or life built on this foundation will endure any type of trial, liberate from pleasing people, and infuse a spirit of thankfulness and joy, not obligation. The Bible states, "The joy of the Lord is our strength." It truly is.

The second part of Psalm 37:4 is He will fulfill the desires of your heart. Honestly, it becomes a non-entity when you start to enjoy God. It truly is the chief end of man (Westminster confession). The Spirit of God and his Word dance a wonderful waltz in your heart. Joy grows. Peace envelops. Love overwhelms. Depth happens. God's favor overtakes your life.

It's time to let go and delight.

Choose the Truth over the Lies

2011-04-29T10:42:00.000-07:00

Choose the Truth Over the Lie

Modern Psychology did the American public a disservice. Instead of offering hope, they severely undermined the institutions of marriage and the family. It's true. Freud, Skinner, and a host of other Atheistic psychologists took a jackhammer to our Judeo-Christian foundations and replaced it with the shifting sand of behaviorist lies and regressive- memory confusion. Wrecked marriages, rebellious children, sociopathic adults, and misguided sexual orientation (homosexuality and lesbianism) lie strewn about in the wake of their psycho- babble deluge. Their psychology is useless for any good; set on a course for hell; fit only for the refuse pile. It’s time to flush it down the toilet.

Jesus condemned the Pharisees for transforming their disciples into 'twice the sons of hell' as they had become. These foolish medicine men of the mind have done the same with our culture and society. Like the traveling hucksters of old, they pitched their elixirs of mental healing bliss to the gullible masses, promising the world, delivering emptiness. It's no wonder that hell walks around on two legs in most of our communities today. Modern psychology spews forth lies. Many have succumbed. The Devil has had a field day.

The bedrock of any nation is the family. If you destroy this institution, you destroy the country and eventually civilization. What can we do?

God has a plan. He always does. It’s starts with one family who decides to utterly reject Freud, Skinner, and the rest of their useless theories and choose God’s way over their politically correct garbage. It only takes one committed family or person - just one. God likes to use the remnant.

A domino effect then occurs and soon others follow the train, and together they mount a holy rebellion against the world system. The more the devil tries to eradicate this movement, the more this weed continually grows. The Kingdom of God operates this way. It starts small and becomes a gigantic oak tree. The yeast will leaven the dough. The gates of hell will not prevail against God’s move. It will not win.

I would like now to repeat the comparisons between the world’s values and God’s values. It just makes the choices clearer. As an added exercise, try to find the verses that match the values, even the bad ones. I have added a few more value comparisons to the list. Take them all to heart and live again.

The world system promotes self-esteem; God promotes humility. The world system promotes reasoning with arrogance; God promotes shutting up and discipline. The world system promotes therapy; God promotes repentance. The world system promotes a child-centered family; God promotes a husband and wife centered family. The world system promotes intelligence; God promotes character. The world system promotes the flesh; God promotes the Spirit. The world system promotes money; God promotes God. The world system promotes comfort; God promotes thankfulness in all circumstances. The world system promotes entertainment; God promotes purity. The world system promotes the temporal; God promotes the eternal.

The world system promotes narcissism; God promotes loving others. The world system promotes entitlement; God promotes responsibility. The world system promotes the easy road; God promotes resourcefulness. The world system promotes all roads; God promotes The Way, The Truth, and The Life. The world system promotes the ends justifies the means; God promotes holiness at all times. The world system promotes the path of death; God promotes the way to life.

Hear what the Spirit of the Lord is saying. Choose life. Love you folks.

A Complete Rejection of Worldly Values

2011-04-26T12:26:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had one of those 'aha!' moments? Those moments when it all comes together and you see things for what they truly are? I just had one today.

Ever since God told me to lay down my rights in my pursuit of Him, the issue of holiness has taken front and center stage. I can't say the process of being scrubbed clean by God is an enjoyable one by any stretch of the imagination. If anything, it is painful, excruciating, and not pleasant at all (Hebrews 12). However, it was and is needed.

I laid down my securities in a title, money, knowledge, responsibilities, everything, for the express purpose of finding my securities in God (I'm still in process, too). Again, if I were completely honest with you, I would not have chosen this path of pain because the broken glass found along the way shredded my feet and lacerated my hands. God knows us. He knew me. He tells us to go into the promise land, but leaves out the details of the desert, scorpions, sharp rocks, betrayal, false accusations, and other slight incidentals that would deter us from undertaking such an arduous journey. Yes, he does warn us in the Scriptures about the hardships, but for some reason we forget or we don't realize the severe reality of these words. In hindsight, I thank God for loving me enough to deal with my character. I pray you are saying the same.

Romans 8:29 states that God wants us to become like Christ, the firstborn among our non-Christian family and friends. James 1:2-4 speaks of the same thing. God is serious about holiness. God is serious about character. If you are not, may the Lord have mercy on you. Anything that can be burned up, will be burned up. We will not be judged for our lack of knowledge, but for our unwillingness to obey what we already know (2 Cor 5:10).

The 'aha!' moment was this: I realized God is calling us to completely reject the value systems of this world. I mean completely reject them. I always knew about 1 John 2:15-16, but only in these last days do I see the value and power of these verses. Whether it is parenting, marriage, ministry, money, personal relations, education, everything, He is challenging us to apply Biblical, holy standards to it all. It's not legalism, but realism in the truest sense of the word. The things of this world are passing away and the new is preparing to break open upon us like a flood.

My wife and I are teaching a parenting class and God is revealing how blind we parents have become when it comes to His standards in child rearing. Actually, we have become blind to a lot of things. These are just a few of them. Our world system promotes self esteem; God promotes humility. Our world system promotes reasoning with arrogance; God promotes shutting up and discipline. Our world system promotes therapy; God promotes repentance. Our world system promotes a child-centered family; God promotes a husband and wife centered family. Our world system promotes intelligence; God promotes character. Our world system promotes the flesh; God promotes the Spirit. Our world system promotes money; God promotes God. Our world system promotes comfort; God promotes thankfulness in all circumstances. Our world system promotes entertainment; God promotes purity. Our world system promotes the temporal; God promotes the eternal. Our world promotes the path of death; God promotes the way of life.

Beloved church, the heart is deceitful above all things. We cannot love God and mammon at the same time. We cannot love the world and God at the same time. We cannot hold back from following God. It's time to lay it all down and follow. It's time!

John

Francis Schaeffer, Anthony Bourdain, and Left-Over Beef Bourgignon.

2011-04-19T09:38:00.000-07:00

Have you ever eaten beef bourgignon? It's basically beef stewed in wine, herbs, buttered onions, and nutmeg seasoned mushrooms. Oh yeah, there is bacon in it. It doesn't sound too basic, does it? Well, the origin of this dish traces itself back to provincial France, where leftover wine, scrap meat, and veggies found their frugal home in some farmer's pot. Nothing went to waste. Stews excel at this.

I like my stews a day old. A fresh stew is kind of edgy and sharp compared to a stew that sits in the refrigerator or on some stove for fifteen to twenty-four hours. The ingredients blend and mellow out to produce pure ambrosia to the taste buds. I made some yesterday for my sister's birthday and only enjoyed it today after it matured in the chilly climes of my refrigerator. The meat fell apart, the sauce balanced out, the atmosphere quieted down, Anthony Bourdain waxed eloquent with one of his snide remarks, and I just soaked it all in. You can't beat it: watching No Reservations, eating left-over beef bourgignon, and crunching on some toasted french bread.

Why would I title this article in this way? They all represent a certain depth and maturity. Yes, they all bring a level of seasoned wisdom in their pot of life.

Anthony Bourdain worked as a chef for many years before hosting No Reservations. He graduated from the Culinary Institute of America and worked in the deep recesses of many kitchens honing his craft before he embarked on his TV career. The guy is a complete pagan, but I like him. He is honest (He'll tell you if he doesn't like your food. He doesn't have this Rachel Ray perpetual smile on his face), down-to-earth, drinks like a fish (more like a grouper), and is super witty. He likes eating barbecued cow intestines from some Ecuadorian food stand in the middle of Quito. He's also at home in some five-star restaurant in Spain, eating miniature eels at $200.00 a plate. The guy has a cast iron stomach.

There is a depth to him. Maybe it comes from being a writer who observes the subtleties of life, or from working with the hardworking line cooks, sous chefs, and dish washers who could care less about your degrees and more about your ability to get good food out on time without screwing up. Hard work matures you. Working in a kitchen toughens you up.

His show marries sharp humor, an extensive knowledge of food, interesting locales, discussion on a wide array of topics, and a non-touristy take on the world. It's a deep show. It's a provocative show. It's a show that goes well with left-over beef bourgignon.

I also picked up a book and author that I always wanted to read but never seemed to grab off the book shelf before today. I read How Should We Then Live by Francis Schaeffer. It was and is still a great classic. The man was a theologian/philosopher/historian/prophet, who wrote such insightful pieces about our culture and about being an influence within the market places of life. This book kept me reading throughout the day despite frequent interruptions by my daughter's requests for snacks, wife's comments about her reading, and Clifford, The Big Red Dog barking out his story. I was determined to find out what ever happened to Western Civilization and its once proud biblical foundations. "Hey, it's tough being a warrior poet, or, in my case, a warrior, daddy, hubby poet."

This book gives you a comprehensive grasp about the ideas and idea makers that shaped Western Civilization. He states, "This book is written in the hope that this generation may turn from that greatest of wickedness, the placing of any created thing in the place of the Creator, and that this generation may get its feet out of the paths of death and may live." I think it should be mandatory reading for every Christian leader who desires to make a difference in this dark world. On second thought, I think it should be mandatory reading for everyone, especially the morally confused leaders of our country and state. They need help. They really need help. They really really need help.

Schaeffer traces thought patterns from Ancient Rome, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the Reformation, the Enlightenment, the Scientific Revolution, Modern Philosophy/Theology, and their subsequent effect on humanity and civilization. Truly, when man casts off belief in God, he chooses confusion and death. We see the effects of secular humanism all around us.

The Bible states, "The fool says there is no God." Do I have to say anymore? What is the practical application from this article? Take time to go deep on things. Don't just settle for the shallow explanations because most often than not, they are full of lies. Meditate. Chew. Marinate. Then put it on paper to seal it on your heart and mind. Plato once said, "An unreflected life is not worth living". I think the dude was onto something. What do you think?

"How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers. 4 The wicked are not so, But they are like chaff which the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. 6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the wicked will perish." Psalm 1:1-6

The Beauty of Being

2011-04-15T14:18:00.000-07:00

How do you soothe the heart of someone who just lost a loved one? What do you say? What do you do? After this past weekend's funeral, words or actions do not carry the same weight for me anymore. It rings hollow. Just being there provided the blessing. Just hugging. Just crying alongside. Just listening. These things mattered the most. I know these fall under the category of doing, but they followed the foundation of being.

Silence is a lost art. I used to frown upon admonitions to live in silence because I thought it was a way for quiet people to control expressive people like myself from being real. "Hey, if you want to be quiet, that's your choice. Don't rain on my parade!" Actually, silence truly brings out your real self. Words sometimes mask your insecurities and fears. Your character shines or fizzles for all to see in the nakedness of silence.

This past weekend we spent time ministering to a family member that just lost his wife to a massive heart attack. We flew up to Maui to be with him. I witnessed firsthand the power of just being and not speaking. There were a lot of words shared, meals eaten, prayers invoked, songs sung, and sights seen, but what ministered the most was just being there. Our presence spoke to his heart.

Job 2:11-13 states, "Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that was come up on him, they came every one from his own place; Eliphaz the temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite: for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him. And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they lifted up their voice and wept; and they rent every one his mantle, and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven. So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great." Now, if they just stayed in this position with Job they would have done more than enough. When they opened their mouths, they became the foolish counselors we find in the later chapters.

"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father , full of grace and truth" (John 1:14). Jesus didn't even open his mouth, but he was already impacting lives. Could it be that God put us through all the fire of last year to emphasize being over doing? Our countenance and character speak volumes. They make more of an impact than our words. What do you think?

Christ-likeness comes through closeness; true being comes through being with the Great I Am.

You are Here for Such a Time as This.....

2011-04-11T10:47:00.000-07:00

There comes a time in your life and in the life of a church when you realize why you exist. The meaning of the 'why' carries great import for many whether we think about it or not. It's a water shed experience when God reveals some of his blueprint for our lives. It's like coming out of a dark tunnel into the bright sunlight. Mordecai's words to Esther, "....and who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14) I pray this scripture and my article will help crystallize your importance in the great strategy of God. He wants you to sign up for his army! He doesn't need you, He wants you!

1 Peter 2:9 states, "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession. That you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." We are also royalty raised up for such a time as this! God put you on earth for these end times! Hear this again! God put you on earth for these end times! Do you feel the glorious weight of destiny? It is the weight of glory!

Japan has just experienced a tremendous shaking. An earthquake and tsunami can have this kind of effect on a nation's psyche and confidence. Many are seeking a permanent rock to anchor their lives on. That rock is Jesus.

We have the honor to point the Japanese people to our Lord and Savior through our giving, prayers, teaching, presence, obedience, and most importantly, God's love. All of us play some part in this end time harvest. Dean's trip to the devastated Sendai area with monies and supplies opens up an avenue for His love to pour through in the years to come. It's God's way. It would be God to use a former drug addict, now cleansed and filled with the Holy Spirit, to be his apostle to the land of the rising sun. I rejoice for Dean, for the church, and for God. He gets all the glory. Again, it's God's way. All of us were covered in mud and sin before we met Jesus. None can boast before God. He raised us up, hosed us down, put us all on firm ground, and gave us wings for such a time as this. God is good.

Calling and destiny focuses your life. You tend to lay aside selfish agendas, past hurt, anything that encumbers, in order to fulfill the Masters orders. Reaching Japan is one of those orders.

In the days to come, it may be Japan, India, Malaysia, China, Indonesia, Africa, and other unreached parts of the world. Our lives and our churches will be called to make great sacrifices in these last days. I believe God will bring in a gigantic harvest and then the end will come. The tribulation will hit like a freight train and then Jesus will crack through the clouds. It's time.

Church, Aslan is on the move! It's time to wake from our slumber and mount up with wings like eagles. Love you.

Kula Memories

2011-04-08T12:54:00.000-07:00

I like Maui, especially Kula. I am writing this blog on a veranda overlooking Makena and the island of Molokai. It's simply beautiful. Fern, Paklan trees, Avocado, gardenia, and a barking Labrador/Rottweiler wagging her tail create the atmosphere for this semi-creative endeavor. I say semi-creative because I'm half awake while rapping on my minuscule i-pad. The caffeine still needs to kick in. Laptops are also more conducive for creativity. That's just my opinion.

In a few hours, I will be conducting an inurnment service on the green slopes of Kula. They will spread her ashes on a grassy hill under her favorite childhood tree, the Paklan. It gives off a beautiful fragrance that leaves you wondering if you smelled a gardenia or a tubarose. I like the mystery associated with the scent. It's a fitting place for her memorial.

This is a poem I wrote for her special time.

Kula, Kula, "Open Meadows"
Let your clouds caress my heart
Green grass, stretch out to eternity
Vista of waves, sooth my soul.

I remember the smiles and the laughter
Trips abroad. Memories made.
They still go and on like the horizon.
Never ending. Never quitting.

Life has come full circle.
Paklan tree reunion
Sweet sweet smells of childhood.
White petals bring me back home.

Kula, Kula, "Open meadows"
Open your arms to me.
Embrace me as your daughter.
Kiss me with your dew.

Well, I have to go. Time to bless the ohana. Life is one big adventure. I will write more later. God bless you.

The Beauty of Sacrifice

2011-04-06T20:23:00.000-07:00

I remember walking on the historic piece of ground called Little Round Top at Gettysburg, PA. It's where the Union and Confederate armies fought a life and death struggle on a little mound of hill to determine the fate of our country. To think that an insignificant mound in a Pennsylvania forest would be the place where the course of a whole nation would be decided boggles the mind. The stars and stripes eventually prevailed by holding the extreme flank of the union line against repeated attack. They did it at a very high cost.

As I looked out over the edge of the hill and down the steep embankment, I could picture the gray armies of General Lee climbing up toward sure death. It was a steep hill. Many died. The serenity of the place belied the ferocity of that day's battle.

On Little Round Top, families erected monuments after the war to honor their sons who died at Gettysburg. One such memorial featured the bronze face of a young first lieutenant who flung his battalion at the confederate armies spilling over the ridge. He knew the gravity of the situation. His battalion was the first to arrive on the scene only to find a horde of enemy troops ready to flank the Union position. If he didn't stop them, the whole defensive line would have caved in, and they would have lost the battle, and most likely, the war.

This lieutenant graduated first in his class at West Point and a bright future awaited him. He sacrificed it all by leading his battalion straight into the enemy lines, losing his life in a hail of bullets, throwing the Confederates off the ridge, and saving the Union in the process. He was only twenty four years old. The haunting eyes from his memorial stared into my very soul, asking me if I would make the extreme sacrifice for a greater cause. I didn't know how to answer at the time. Who can answer such a question with integrity during a time of peace? It was for another day.

I felt a little queasy walking on ground that at one time gushed with the blood and guts of thousands of troops who died defending and attacking this same spot. It felt even sacrilegious to even be there. Hallowed ground has that kind of effect. Courage and honor draped the whole battlefield.

As I wrote the inurnment message for that afternoon's service at Punchbowl, those same feelings washed over me again. It's been over fourteen years since our trip to the Gettysburg battlefield, but the feelings still linger. The vision of row upon row of former warriors at this Pacific cemetery triggered them.

The National Cemetery of the Pacific holds the ashes and bones of soldiers, pilots, and sailors who fought in WW I, WW II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and even the Spanish American War. Ernie Pyle, the famous WW II war correspondent, died on the battlefield and is buried here. Many other heroes rest in this same sacred place.

There is something beautiful and pure about living and dying for others. It's the ultimate in giving. Yes, we give our money, time, and other material goods, but when you give your life, you're giving your all. Once you die, you cannot make any more money or acquire any more material possessions. You're saying in essence, "I give you my most prized possession, my life."

The men and women who fill the land at Punchbowl made that sacrifice when they joined the military. Yes, some were drafted into the wars against their will, but they still obeyed and fought. They still paid the price. They still served unselfishly.

The person I helped honor a few days ago served in the Korean War. He lived beyond the conflict, raised a family, worked on Oahu, enjoyed parties, retired from work, and experienced life to its fullness. I have to think that these were the just rewards of a life well spent. Whether he died on the battlefield or later on in life, his willingness to lay it all on the line made him a hero. Heroes dwell here. They sanctify the ground at Punchbowl.

Jesus stated in John 15:13, "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends." He gave his all for us on the battlefield of Golgotha. It was there that he repulsed the enemy of our souls and secured forgiveness and eternal life for all. He won the war on that day so we could live today. He calls us all to make the same sacrifice for each other. We might be called to make the ultimate sacrifice, but each time we live unselfishly, we follow His beautiful footsteps. We make the same beautiful sacrifice.

Sacrificing your life and time for others leads to a beautiful life. The Spirit of the Lord spoke to my heart as I looked at all the past warriors. I said, "Yes".

The Unknown Soldier

2011-04-05T01:53:00.000-07:00

Today, I helped with a funeral service at The National Cemetery of the Pacific, Punchbowl. I like driving into this former volcano that served as a place for human sacrifices during the days when the Kapu system (ancient Hawaiian law) held sway in the islands. Yes, the Hawaiians sacrificed humans on this spot.

The Hawaiian name for the place is Paowaina, hill of placing human sacrifices. I wouldn't want to drive up to one of those ceremonies, being a makaainana (commoner) and all, but the grounds have since been transformed into a resting place for the many heroes who served and died for our country. It's beautiful today. It's serene today. It's full of mosquitoes today. "Slap! I got one!"

One feels like you're going back into time. Driving past the Papakolea sign, you then ascend over this rise that gives you a panoramic view of Honolulu and a feeling like you're in the clouds, like you could touch them, like you could fly. I could see in my minds eye sailors dressed in their vintage 1940s white uniforms walking up the pathways. It has this From Here to Eternity feel about it. "Hey, isn't that Burt Lancaster?"

I drove up early to sit in some quiet alcove between the memorials to write my message. I parked my car and trudged up one of the grassy slopes overlooking the main field. The sun drenched lawn shimmered under the blue expanse. I needed just a quiet spot away from the many tourists and funeral goers. "There must be some lonely, desolate spot of WWI vets that receive very few visitors. Manuel Dando, died 1942, perfect! Let me sit next to you, Manuel, and write."

I sat down and started to pen my words, when all of a sudden the ear splitting sounds of a leaf blower shattered the tranquility of my sanctuary. I hate that thing. "What ever happened to good old rakes? I like the sound of that thing. Remembering your loved ones and leaf blower does not match."

I observed the whole place was manned by a large crew of maintenance and yard people with these loud monstrosities. They filled the park with their golf carts and gardening paraphernalia. They also carried walkie talkies like the Secret Service and talked on them constantly. I got it! That's what they were - the CIA disguised as yard men. I always wondered why this cemetery looked so good and felt so safe. No terrorist attack will occur here. This was the reason. I walked over to another hill.

I soon noticed something different as I moved among this new section of granite stone. The grave markers all had Unknown Soldier engraved on them. Hundreds of past warriors pushed out from the ground like lone sentinels reminding us not to forget.

It made me sad to think about all the moms and dads who never found out about their missing sons from the Korean war. Maybe some of them lay here. Who knows if they were aspiring lawyers, doctors, teachers, or presidents before the conflict began? They walked. They breathed. They studied. They dreamed. They loved. Today, no one knows who they were. Life can be cruel.

That's why it gave me great comfort to know that God knows. Psalm 139:7-12 states, "Where can I go from your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, Even there Your hand will lay hold of me. If I say surely the darkness will overwhelm me, And the light around me will be night, Even the darkness is not dark to you, And the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to you."

We cannot escape from God's presence. If we were shot down on some battlefield, God would know. If my Christian son was missing in action, I know I would see him again in eternity. There is a hope beyond the grave with Christ. What is unknown to us is known to God. What is mysterious to us is not mysterious to God. There are no unknown soldiers in the Kingdom of God. He remembers all. He knows all. God is with us.

The Sound of Silence

2011-04-04T01:59:00.000-07:00

Do you remember this song by Simon and Garfunkel? It came from a turbulent time, a time that transformed our country from a traditional God fearing nation to a progressive God hating one. One decade unraveled everything. It boggles the mind.

We are reaping the whirlwind from that era. Confusion reigns. That is why silence is needed. What do I mean by this?

We need to be silent in order to hear the voice of God above the din of modernity. The cacophony deafens the ears. Wisdom shouts in the streets but the horns drown out her plea. She exhorts, "Listen to me and live!"

I personally think I talk too much. Yes, I admit it, I can't seem to rest my tongue. I don't want to blame my Portuguese heritage because I know most Americans have the same problem. We can't seem to shut up.

It's time for silence. Lamentations 3:29-31 states, "When life is heavy and hard to take, go off by yourself. Enter the silence. Bow in prayer. Don't ask questions; Wait for hope to appear. Don't run from trouble. Take it full-face. The worst is never the worst." These are good words.

Just the simple act of silently waiting upon God can transform your life. God speaks to restful hearts, prayerful hearts. He will guide us through the treacherous waters of the new millennium. Silence is needed.

The Heart of David

2011-03-28T09:52:00.000-07:00

“I want to have the heart of David.” Really? I remember saying these famous last words many years ago not knowing what I was asking for. Maybe you remember saying the same, impulsive prayer. It’s not a bad thing to ask. It’s just a loaded request. It requires perseverance.

God develops this kind of heart through the crucible of pain. Ouch! If one is able to weather betrayal, rejection, shame, hatred, jealousy, unforgiveness, all toxic emotions, and come out with a heart free from bitterness and full of love, then one understands the path towards maturity. God enlarges the heart via suffering. There is no other way. He looks for these kinds of burnished disciples.

God rewards and promotes hearts. 1 Samuel 16:7 states, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature because I have rejected him. For God sees not as man sees. For man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." God passed by all of Jesse's strapping young sons and chose a young, ruddy boy who had an insatiable desire to talk to God and play his lyre in the wilderness. His heart was right towards God and man. He traveled light.

2 Chronicles 16:9 states, “For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. You have acted foolishly in this. Indeed, from now on you will surely have wars.” He searches high and low for someone like David. He will strongly support and promote this kind of person.

Does it come about naturally? No. So how can one develop a heart like this? How is a heart like this forged? How do you grow a heart like David’s? First, the heart of David is the heart of God (1 Sam 13:14). God wants us all to be like him (Matthew 5:48). Worship leaders or worship team members do not have the corner market on this most noble of quests - this heart quest belongs to everyone.

Secondly, before I dive into the how, I would like you to see what the finished product looks like. Turn with me to 2 Samuel 1:1-27. This chapter talked about the death of Saul and David’s initial response. Instead of rejoicing over the demise of his enemy, he mourned. He tore his clothes. He wrote a funeral song extolling the virtues of his king. He commanded all to remember the lyrics and tune. He was thankful for Saul. He honored Saul.

Many people would have done a jig upon hearing this type of news. David had been betrayed, hunted, falsely accused, speared, and rejected by Saul. He had lived in the discomfort of the wilderness for many years running away from this blood crazed individual. However, he never once lifted up his hand against the Lord’s anointed. In death he still honored and respected this deranged king. This is the heart of David.

What is the difference between obedience and submission? We can obey outwardly, but our inner man could be standing up against authority. Submission is obeying and respecting the person or persons giving the order. Submission requires a heart that wants the best and loves the leader issuing the commands. The heart matches the actions. It’s not being a doormat; it requires great faith in God’s sovereignty to work through fallible people. Ultimately, submission to earthly authority is submission to heavenly authority. David trusted God while he honored Saul. He may not have fully trusted Saul, but he trusted God would work everything out (Rom 8:28). This is the difference between a disciple of Jesus and a doormat of the devil. We need to do the same.

How does one develop this type of heart? We can’t. Only God can, but we can cooperate to help the process along. Hebrews 12:1-17 gives us a window on the steps toward full maturity.

1. Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. 4 You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin; 5 and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, Nor faint when you are reproved by Him; 6 For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, And He scourges every son whom He receives.” 7 It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. 11 All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. 12 Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed. 14 Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled; 16 that there be no immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal. 17 For you know that even afterwards, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears.

Please forgive me for laying out the process in a how-to format because the journey toward perfecting the heart is not so cut and dry. However, if one will apply these truths in the midst of the challenges of life, one will grow up into full maturity.

First, one needs to turn from all sin, any hindrances, and keep their focus on Christ through prayer and staying in His presence. David stayed in the presence of God. We need to do the same. One needs to lock onto His face. Second, one needs to trust in God; that his perfect plan will come about through the trials and tribulations they encounter. Practicing these two things will ensure a heart free from bitterness and one full of love. Many have gone down the path of anger, unforgiveness, and bitterness, derailing their destiny and call. They defile many in the process. Those who entrusted themselves to God within the discipline developed the peaceful fruit of righteousness and moved on into the promise land (v.11).

All Christians are called to have the heart of David. It’s really the heart of God. It focuses on pleasing God over pleasing man, honoring over shaming, forgiveness over unforgiveness, blessing over cursing, seeing the good over seeing the bad, thankfulness over ingratitude, patience over impatience, kindness over meanness, magnanimity over pettiness, love over hate, and faith over unbelief. It’s a noble quest. It’s the only quest.

My Daughter's First Birthday Sleep Over

2011-03-17T12:01:00.000-07:00

I am now typing away on my laptop amidst the whispers of five excited little girls who should be sleeping by now. Their chattering softens the silent walls of our house. Little girls can have this effect you know. Giggling, whispering, sneezing, coughing, and the occasional, "Aimee, stop stepping on my legs", emanates from our living room.

I laugh knowing they will have a hard time waking up tomorrow morning. I'm not worried. They will catch up on their sleep in the days to come. Tonight is for laughter and fun, plus all that cake, ice cream, and juice doesn't help in the sleeping department.

It's been one week since my daughter's birthday and time marches on without any apologies. It's relentless. The bus of time doesn't wait for stragglers, even for smiling grannies with grocery carts. Actually, when I think about it, it doesn't wait for anyone. At least it's fair.

What was here yesterday is gone tomorrow, never to be repeated, never to be experienced again. Five year old Nieces, who sat on my lap listening to stories, are now sophomores in college, some are even mothers. My daughter is growing up before my eyes. The world is growing up before my eyes. Maybe I am getting old. Maybe it's both. Maybe I could write my own version of Ecclesiastes. Maybe I'll stop this idiotic comparison thing.

I apologize for getting too nostalgic and sentimental, but I share a truth. Make every moment count. I'll do one even better: make every moment count for God. Paul stated in 2 Timothy 4, "I have fought the good fight, I have kept the faith, I have finished the course." Jesus shared in the Gospels that he had completed the work God sent him to do. I pray we will be able to say the same thing when we pass from this life into the next.

Love you folks. I'll leave you with this profound statement from the Westminster Confession: "What is the chief end of man? To glorify God and enjoy Him forever!" That's good. That's real good. Have a great day everyone.

Japan: My Thoughts and Prayers

2011-03-14T22:30:00.000-07:00

This is not a theological write-up. This is just my heart on paper. Please bear with me as I share my pain, sadness, and hope as I watch the people of Japan suffer under extreme trial and tribulation.

I caught myself today just tearing up while gazing at the devastation in Northeastern Japan. I couldn't stop crying. I can't stop crying now as I write this blog. Maybe it's because I was born there back in 1965; visited during expo 70; wrestled there in 1983; lived there in 1990; returned in 2010. My heart is there. Yes, I am Portuguese, Chinese, Hawaiian, and Japanese, but a big part of me is still in the land of the Rising Sun. A big part of all of our hearts are there. We feel their suffering.

As I witnessed the forbearance of the people waiting patiently in line for water, sharing food with one another, cleaning up their neighbor's stores, coming together as a nation, I felt proud. Like one friend said today, "They are shining."

In the midst of tragedy, a flower blooms. The character of any person or nation is tested under trial. They are passing the test. Their light shines. They set the standard for the rest of the world who will also face their own challenges in the days to come. May we have the same strength! I will end this short blog with a prayer. Pray with me.

Dear Father in heaven,
We thank you for the people of Japan. We thank you for creating them. We ask that you comfort, strengthen, and save your people. Stop any radiation from spreading. Provide for all their physical needs. Find those still alive under the rubble. Empower the rescue workers. Prevent anymore tsunamis and earthquakes from devastating their land. Turn many toward true salvation in you. Pour your Holy Spirit throughout the land. Bring revival! Bless Japan! We love you God. We love the people of Japan. We know you have heard this prayer (1 John 5:14-16). Amen.

Love you church
John

Love: The Plumb Line

2011-03-09T12:56:00.000-08:00

Please bear with my meditations before I even begin to write the main body. I'm writing about a sensitive topic. I'm writing about a redundant topic. I'm writing about grace and love. Why would grace and love be so sensitive a topic? Maybe it will cause guilt, condemnation, and conviction to those not living out these traits in their every day life. Maybe it will cause anger to those who believe they are living a grace filled life even though they are not. Maybe it will affirm and encourage you in your walk. I don't know. Everyone will have their own take on this writing. Whatever the case, I encourage you to read on.

The question I ask myself and others when they assess the quality of their Christianity is this: are we walking in true agape love? Not just receiving it, but giving it out, too? Love must be the driving inspirational force of a life, of a church, not power, not ministry, not prophesy, not healing, not efficiency, not excellence, and not all the other myriad things that tempt the Christian to compromise their ultimate calling. Agape love must reign supreme. It must be on the ascendancy.

It's true: by experiencing God's love and giving it out, we then experience all the other fruits of the Holy Spirit, not the other way around. We love because he first loved us. God is love and when we spend time (abide) with Love, we produce the fruit of Christ-like character and Christ-like gifts (John 15). By abiding in Love we bear much fruit. I believe John 15 speaks to this.

How do we treat the weak? How do we view the sinner? How do we honor those who don't deserve honor, let alone those who do? How do we speak truth in love? How do I love my spouse. How do I love my children? Hey, when I look at 1 Corinthians 13, I see my shortcomings, my failures, I fall on my face before God and cry out, "Help me become more like you, God." He will answer this prayer (1 John 5:14-15). He will answer your petitions.

1 Corinthians 13 is the plumb line on whether our life is meeting up to God's standards. If there is no love, then there is no life. It's just that simple. If there is no love, then there is no church. If there is no love, then there is no Christianity. If there is no love, then we have become useless to the Kingdom of God and even to this world.

Nevertheless, this is the beautiful thing about Christianity: 1 Corinthians 13 convicts but it also gives hope. God is love (1 Jn 4:8). This means He is patient, kind, not jealous (in a fleshly way), not a braggart, not arrogant, not easily angered, forgetful of wrongs suffered, and does not act unbecomingly. He is all the beautiful character facets of 1 Corinthians 13 and more. He directs all His refractions of love towards us, the ones who fall short, the ones trying but failing. We can grow because we are loved. Judgment never grows people up. It only curses the giver and receiver (Matthew 7:1-6). Jesus came to save and not judge. Actually, he is the only one who can mete out righteous judgment (he can see the heart) so we might as well lay down the gavel reserved only for Him. It will only break our arm in the end. It will definitely break our heart.

Jesus' love grows us up. It's His kindness that leads us to repentance. We become better as we hang out with Him.We become better as we love one another.

Please understand that agape love can be characterized in many ways. It can be tough. It can offend. It can appear mean. Jesus rebuked his disciples harshly for their immaturity on many occasions. He challenged them. He even told His premier disciple, Peter, "Get behind me, Satan!"The motivation, however, was a deep love for Peter and his fellow fishermen, and it must be the same for us. He believed in them. "Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."

I love you church. Continue to grow in His love. Pray for me. I will pray for you.

If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing. Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part; but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away. When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13

P.S. I am putting together a Bible interpretation lesson on 1 Corinthians 13 or some other passage so you can interpret the Bible for yourself. I agree with Pastor Dean that the Lord wants us to be able to interpret the Scriptures for ourselves. Stay tuned as I collaborate with the leadership team.

Grace, Grace, Grace (Part 2)

2011-02-21T15:13:00.000-08:00

Christianity, when distilled down to its bare essentials means this: love. 1 Corinthians 13 states, “Love is patient. Love is kind, and is not jealous, love does not brag and is not arrogant. does not act unbecomingly. Is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered. Does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth. Bears all things. Believes all things. Hopes all things. Endures all thing. Love never fails……”. It's the defining mark of a disciple of Jesus (John 13:34-35).

Being honest with you, I’ve been the generous giver, willing receiver, selfish withholder, and semi-miser of this most important of character traits. Come to think of it, 99.9 to 100 percent of the body of Christ has the same form of spiritual schizophrenia when it comes to love, so I don’t feel that bad. It’s a process. It takes time to develop. It's a slow maturation process, but it's the sign of maturation.

You would think that a deep understanding of God’s forgiveness would result in a deep love for others. However, somewhere along the line, many lose their vision and they get lost in the fog of fear, insecurity, or selfishness. They get comfortable. They get complacent. I know I did.

Reading Brennan Manning’s Ragamuffin Gospel further deepened my understanding of God’s grace. It’s a refreshing book. For those of you who haven’t read any of his stuff, I encourage you to pick up a copy of his writings and be blessed. He was a former Franciscan Priest, a recovering alcoholic, and now a Christian writer and speaker on the topic of God’s grace. He experienced a deep level of it and now he shares his insights with all. It’s powerful, life changing stuff.

You could call his book extreme, but isn’t God’s grace extreme? That’s why I like it. It rings true. It’s a clarion call to the church to not forget why it exists. We are a conduit of his amazing grace.

Every church needs to grow in love. Some are overly gracious and condone sin; some are overly punitive and judge every little infraction; some are loving to only a few; some are so caught up with filling their seats that people are looked upon as dollar signs. Many churches have lost their way. Many are still on course and growing.

Is this an indictment against the church in the world, in Hawaii, or my church? No. It’s really not. Growth in this area is a process. God is transforming his bride into something spectacular. I see the brightening glow of the tattered bridal gown. It’s awesome. This article is just a reminder to keep things basic. I like simple. I like to ask this question in order to assess the depth of my spiritually. I ask God, “How am I doing when it comes to loving you and loving people?” It’s a good plumb line.

I know I have a ways to go when it comes to really loving people with the unconditional love of God. Thomas Merton said this about Christians. He stated, “A saint is not someone who is good but who experiences the goodness of God.” We love because he first loved us. As we enjoy the goodness and love of God, we will flow with love towards one another. It’s pretty simple. I like simple. I know you do too. I love you church. Rest in His grace.

The Supernatural Must Break into Relativity

2011-02-10T16:47:00.000-08:00

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“Tambry Young, an advocate for Citizens for Equal Rights, told lawmakers of her pending 30th anniversary with her partner and urged passage of a bill she said would "allow our family to be treated with dignity and fairness that all families are entitled to and that most families have taken for granted." (Star Advertiser, February 9, 2011)

In a world of relativity, what gays are fighting for seems right and justifiable. They love each other and have adopted kids. They are law abiding. They all live under the same roof. They should get all the benefits that a married couple gets. SB 232 is their ticket to greater civil rights and freedoms. “How dare the Christians and other religionists stop us from our inalienable rights.”

First, to argue with the radical homosexual agenda is almost impossible because we argue from different premises. They argue from a relative world. We argue from an Judeo-Christian world view. They believe truth is sourced in each individual, we believe truth is sourced in God and his Word.

What is the definition of relativism? Webster’s dictionary defines it this way: “A view that ethical truths depend on the individuals and groups holding them”. Based on this general definition, they believe that homosexuality is normal and should be recognized as normal by the rest of society. They base their beliefs on their personal experience; what they think is right; what they hold as truth. The Christian bases their moral beliefs on the Bible.

Hear me out on this. It's not the true Christian that condemns homosexuality and other sins, but the Bible. Yes, there are some nut cases out there who spew a religion of hatred toward gays and lesbians. They visit the funerals of soldiers who have died in battle and cry out that they deserved to die because America promotes homosexuality and abortion. I personally think there is a special place in hell for these folk. They make me sick.

However, what is real love? Is it real love to tell people that what they are doing is okay in God's eyes? Is it okay to let people drive off a cliff? Of course not. Whether we like it or not, we have to be salt and light. Honestly, I would rather go on my merry way and let people do what they want. It's a lot easier. I do not need the head ache or stress. I'd rather go surfing or snuggle up with a good book at Starbucks. But the Scriptures and the Spirit of God say otherwise. They compel me to reach out and love.

Yes, the interpretation of Scripture is subjective, but there is not much interpretative leeway when it comes to homosexuality. The Bible’s view about this lifestyle is crystal clear (1 Cor 6:9, 1 Tim 1:10, Lev 18:22, Romans 1:1-32). It is a sin, an abomination, an action that leads to spiritual and even physical death. The Old and New Testament vouches for this position. There is no wiggle room for any other interpretation, none whatsoever.

Despite this overwhelming prohibition against homosexuality, one has to believe in the Bible as absolute truth in order to submit to it. That is why to debate them or even politicians, who do not share a Judeo-Christian worldview, is basically futile. Relativism is deeply embedded within our culture and leadership. It will be difficult to uproot. It’s a scary place to be.

That is why something from outside our natural laws must break into our hermetically sealed relativistic world. Supernatural healings, deliverances, prophesy, signs and wonders, and words of knowledge must break forth upon this pagan world. It’s the same type of situation that Paul the Apostle faced in the first century. The supernatural opened the way for the Gospel to be preached (Acts 3). It worked.

God desires none to perish, but for all to come to know Him, including the gays and lesbians. They are in extreme bondage; requiring extreme evangelism; needing extreme love. The supernatural will pave the way for the Word of God. All that is required is faith, love, and boldness. We cannot debate them into the Kingdom of God. People want to experience 'the stuff' as John Wimber, the founder of the Vineyard Movement, stated so many years ago. They want to meet God, not some three point sermon.

Easier said than done, but we are called to use all of our spiritual arsenal against the forces of darkness. This is a new season for the church. It is a season of breakthrough.

Yes, some will not believe even if they see someone rise from the dead. The supernatural cannot convince a heart that is dead set against God. The majority of the pharisees stand as evidence to this sad phenomena.

Whatever the case, we are not responsible to save, but to share. Time is running short. The fullness of time is upon us. It's time for the church to rise up into its true calling and maturity. It's time.

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of God be reconciled to God

2 Cor 5:20

God Answering Ancestral Prayers and The Raising Up of New Millenial Leaders

2011-02-07T19:28:00.000-08:00

Last night we had dinner with some very dear friends from our seminary days, Martin and Farideh Wilson. They were not attending seminary at the time, but they were a family we drew close to from church. It was a special reunion, complete with an awesome meal and great conversation.

The feast consisted of Persian dishes of seasoned rice wrapped in grape leaves; a stew of pomegranate, walnuts, and chicken; a yogurt and cucumber relish; and rice covered in saffron. Some of the dishes dated all the way back to ancient times, maybe even to the times of Daniel and Cyrus. They were delicious.

As the night progressed, we found out that they had just begun to pastor a Persian speaking church in the greater LA area. Their pastor just up and left, and their church, bereft of a leader, asked them to take over the pulpit.

Both husband and wife come from a rich Christian and Jewish heritage. Martin’s father, Dr. Christy Wilson, was my Mission’s professor at seminary and served in Afghanistan as a missionary for many years before coming back to the states to teach at Gordon-Conwell. During his time at the school, thousands of missionaries were sent abroad. Martin’s grandfather also served as a missionary to Iran. He can trace his spiritual lineage all the way back to the robust Christians and high land warriors of Scotland, the William Wallace kind.

Farideh can trace her lineage back to Queen Esther. She is Iranian with this rich Jewish stream of royalty coursing through her veins. Her parents and grandparents were strong Christians in Iran, boldly proclaiming the Gospel there and even here. Her mom is still a vibrant evangelist to the Muslim population in LA. Their heritage is nothing less than rich.

As I pondered their journey into ministry, I saw this trend occurring throughout the church today: the raising up of new types of leaders. God is revisiting the prayers of parents, grandparents, great grandparents, basically all of our ancestors. He is a faithful God. He may not answer our prayers in our lifetime, but the fulfillment will come maybe in our children or grandchildren. Maybe it’s happening in you.

Dr Christy Wilson silently prayed many years ago in John Wimber’s class that signs and wonders would erupt in his cherished Afghanistan. John, through the gift of word of knowledge, proclaimed out loud to Dr. Wilson that God would fulfill his desire for the gifts of the Holy Spirit to pour into his beloved country. Today, Dr. Wilson’s grand daughter has a desire to go back to Afghanistan to serve. Maybe she is the answer to his prayers. I think she is.

Dean, senior leader of Unified…, shared once that his father prayed for him during his days as a drugged out delinquent. He cried out to God and said something like this, “If you save my son, I will give him completely to you.” Rodney shared that his father gave him to God at his birth. My grandmother prayed for me daily. A relative or friend may have prayed for you. God has answered those prayers. He is faithful to answer prayers made according to his will (1 John 5:14-15). God’s faithfulness is raising up a whole new crop of leaders.

He is also raising them up from all walks of life, especially from the secular realm. From store managers, financial consultants, computer programmers, translators, engineers (help them Lord. Ha!), airline workers, and other career sectors, God is raising them up. They may not have formal theological training, but God is empowering them by His Spirit and filling them with His Word. “Hey, this sounds kind of familiar. I remember Him doing this with a bunch of fishermen if I recall”.

A lot of times, formal theological training can get in the way and stop one from really becoming useful to God. They begin to rely on their knowledge rather than the Holy Spirit. That’s not good. I’m not saying seminary training is bad. I was one of those strange souls that really enjoyed studying the Greek, Hebrew, Church History, and all the other classes. God told me to go and get formal training. I am claiming Luke 13:52 for my own life. God can use a former Pharisee or Navigator. He did it before! He can do it again. Ha!

Our friends were serving faithfully at their Persian church, networking with other families, loving on them, leading former Muslims to Jesus, working at their secular professions, when they were called into full-time ministry. Jan, Aimee, and I just happened to be fellowshipping with them when we found out all this had transpired.

We rejoiced with them. We worked as a team. Aimee drew pictures of their three daughters (prophetic art blessing), we talked about them moving in greater anointing of the Holy Spirit, and capped off the fellowship time by prophesying and praying.

We felt like Barnabus, affirming the work of God on their lives. We just told them these words: rest in your calling. God already invested rich treasures in their lives. We just encouraged them to go for it!

God is raising up new millennial leaders for these exciting and challenging days. The Lord has revealed this trend to all of us. He is answering the prayers of our ancestors and placing people into positions of influence. He is training them in unconventional ways, but the product is superior to anything man could ever do.

Like the Wilsons, many are being called up into the ranks at this time. The sons and daughters of God are being revealed to all of creation. Rejoice! Rejoice! Rejoice! Aslan is on the move. God continually blows my mind with his awesome and mysterious ways.

I love you folks. Go for it church!!!!! Rest in your calling. I’m choosing to rest in mine.

The Disney Way

2011-02-07T19:24:00.001-08:00

The Disney Way

Is there a point of over saturation? I am now hiding away in Gepetto's house nursing a coffee, while Aimee and Jan are galavanting in Fantasyland. My daughter is a roller coaster fiend. My wife is also of the same spirit. They both like it fast and furious.

"Daddy, let's do it again!" After regaining my equilibrium I would like to answer "Aimee, let's try It's a Small World." I need the tranquil setting of small people from all over the world singing the same tune over and over again as I lazily float down a 'happy happy', we-are-the-world, atmosphere. I'm for world peace. I even like the song, It's a Small World. One can achieve harmonic convergence in a place like this. Don't worry, I am not converting to the New Age movement. I'm just Disneyfied.

What does it mean to become Disneyfied? It's a state of mind that leaves you craving for Mickey Mouse ice cream sandwiches, turkey drum sticks, faster rides, spectacular light shows, pictures with every Disney character that walks by. I must admit, this place is fun.

Honestly, when my wife asked if we could go to Disneyland for a short vacation, I gave a quiet moan. I like the laid back atmosphere of the Big Island or Maui over the frenetic pace of Disneyland. However, this trip has been very restful and very encouraging. I'm glad we came. It's true, rest and peace are an internal quality not dependent on externals (Romans 5:1). Rest and peace comes from God. Walking with Jesus at Disneyland is the best! Forgive me, I had to get spiritual on you, but it's true, Jesus and Disneyland make a great vacation combination. Come to think of it, Jesus and any place make a great vacation combination.

I stand amazed at the quality and detailed excellence found in this place. The flowers, wood engravings, rides, street lamps, attitude of workers, entertainment, and basically everything are done with precision and care. No stone has been left unturned in producing the ultimate entertainment experience for everyone who walks through their hallowed gates.

Proverbs states, "Do you see a man skilled in his work. He will stand before kings and not common men." Walt Disney valued quality. He would spare no expense to achieve the effect he wanted. This resulted in financial difficulties for many years until the quality produced the eventual cash flow he predicted. Kings and queens now visit his magic kingdom. The spirit of excellence carries on. The wealth continues to flow.

The church can and has learned a lot from this focus on excellence, but to some extent it has co-opted reliance on the Holy Spirit with following man-made principles. We see this in the extreme versions of the seeker friendly movement driven by a huge overhead burden that God never intended for them to have.

Being in full time ministry (the paid kind) for the last twenty years as a missionary and pastor, I continually stand amazed at the patience and love of God. He continually partners with us. He likes it too. I've seen the good and bad in the lives of people. I've seen it in my own life and in the lives of others. I've seen it in leaders, lay leaders, semi-lay leaders, and complete loafers in the church. Yet, God continually expands His kingdom using imperfect vessels filled with His perfect Spirit. He builds despite us. Yes, it's His grace, not our exceptional skills or gifts. I'm convinced of this.

Paul states in 1 Corinthians, "I planted, Apollos watered, but God caused the growth." We do play a special part in ministry, but ultimately God gets all the glory. He is the one who grows His church.

I am now on United Flight 83 bound for home. I leave Disney impressed with their attention to detail, but really blessed by the greatness and mercy of God. All things come from His hands, even this trip to Anaheim. I am thankful and humbled. The turkey legs were good too.

A Beautiful Sword in the Hand of God

2011-01-13T14:25:00.000-08:00

Take away the dross from the silver, And there comes out a vessel for the smith" (Proverbs 25:4).

Did you ever watch a sword maker at work? It's pretty amazing. I traveled to Japan a few months back and listened to a seventh generation, samurai sword maker share how he pounds out a beautiful piece of art from a rough slag of iron ore. The metamorphoses from raw to refine impressed me.

Each firing and subsequent drive with the hammer released more impurities from the raw metal. Finally, a pure state of iron was reached. It was time for the sword to be shaped. To make the sword without this purification process could prove disastrous in the heat of battle; the sword would crack wherever there was an impurity. It meant life or death.

Today, there are no samurai battles to be fought, but the same meticulous care is taken by God with the sword of our lives. Are you going through a firing process? Do you feel pounded on the anvil of life? If you are following God, then welcome to the wonderful world of heat and hammer. You are not alone. Every son or daughter of God goes through the same treatment (Heb 12:8-11).

I observed an interesting insight about the hammering process. Before the smith can work with the metal, it has to be purified first; it has to be cleansed. Before it can start to move toward the finishing process, the firing from the charcoal must burn out the dross. To start the finishing process prematurely would result in a defective weapon. Bubbles and cracks would appear. The weapon would fail in the heat of battle.

That is why you cannot put a spiritually young person into leadership too quickly. It will set them in their immaturity and result in a potential crash down the road; maybe even a moral break down or any of the other ministerial failures so prevalent today. The rush to promote has resulted in a massive collapse of the church leadership hierarchy. Impatience has bred sub-standard quality. The focus on knowledge and degrees apart from character development has resulted in illegitimate sons and daughters running once-upon-a-time, legitimate ministries.

You cannot work on refining ministerial skills until the character is formed. To pursue fine tuned skills apart from character development would result in a defective minister. That is why the waiting room is so important. It's the place where rebellion is burned out.

The hardest piece of dross to burn out of the ore of character is rebellion or pride. It takes a lot of pounding. God likes to use his favorite tool for this purpose: another human being, especially leadership. He will offend, hammer, beat on, and steam roll every bit of arrogance out of our lives using leaders, the rough kind too. He loves us too much to present a poorly made piece of work. He is a craftsman. He loves to say, "That's good!"

Our ability to submit to leadership with the right attitude is a good indicator of our growth in character. It takes great faith. Like Joseph, we need to understand that God can work out his good even through fickle human beings (Genesis 50). That's why we can submit to even unjust leaders. God is still in control.

This is very hard for us Americans, who like to voice our opinions whenever our boundaries are crossed. Maybe its better if we just quiet our spirit for a season and look for the wisdom of God in our situation. We may find his hand and chisel in the process. We may find our destiny and calling.

The art of sword making is a lost art today. Only a few submit themselves to the rigors of this craft. I would venture further to say that only a few want to be beautiful and strong swords for God. Too many opt out of the furnace and settle with only becoming defective pieces of work. They choose to become illegitimate sons and drop out of the discipline of God. They will serve in some capacity, but not reach their full potential apart from God's perfect process. It's their choice. It's our choice. I pray we choose the best.

A Select Arrow

2010-11-10T18:32:00.000-08:00

A Select Arrow

I’m a ‘towny’. I didn’t grow up in Waialua or Haleiwa, but Hawaii Kai. I fished Moanalua Bay and snorkeled at Hanauma, but I never hunted with a gun or bow. The extent of my outdoors, He-man exploits were limited to a fishing pole and a diving mask. But I always desired to be thrown out into no-man’s land with only a bow, some arrows, a retractable Bowie knife, some matches, and ten Snicker’s bars. Hey, what if I don’t hit a rabbit or deer? I need something to sustain my fragile neuromuscular system.

I have always had a fascination with the bow and arrow. It’s an amazing piece of technology, especially the composite bow. My friend Tim on the Big Island hunts with a composite bow. He actually let me fire it behind his house in Volcano. The initial pull is hard, but then it becomes effortless. When you let the arrow go, it zips through the air with amazing power and speed. It packs the power of a long bow in a weapon half or even a third its size.

When I read Isaiah 49: 1-3, “Listen to Me, O islands, And pay attention, You peoples from afar. The Lord called me from the womb. From the body of my mother He named Me. He has made my mouth like a sharp sword, In the shadow of His hand He has concealed me; And He has also made me a select arrow, He has hidden me in his quiver”, it reminded me of all the hidden warriors in the church. It reminded me of you.

You know who you are. God is shaping and crafting you in secret, away from the prying eyes of the world, from the religiosity of spiritually dead churches. You know there is more; you know that God has called you to bide your time and deepen your relationship with Him. Relationship is everything to you, not religion.

You are a select arrow in the quiver of God. God will pull you out and fire you one day. Just be patient and grow deep in conversation with the Lover of your soul. The time will come. He is training you in secret.

Whether you are a pastor, teacher, engineer, doctor, carpenter, business person, secretary, apostle, fireman, loan officer, cook, fry cook, pantry chef, sous chef, or any of the multitude of other workers out there, you are still a select arrow in the quiver of God.

You need to see yourself that way. You need to see yourself as special in the eyes of God. If you are doing things not so special in His eyes, then stop. Get back on the right path again; thinking right thoughts; walking by faith. Just remember you are in His quiver, never to be discarded, but ready to be fired in the right season.

You may be a towny, semi-towny, or a complete countrified person. It doesn’t matter. With the right training, you will fly straight and true for the Kingdom of God. Don’t give up. Stay encouraged. Fight the good fight. Imua! (go forward)

Jogging in the Quiet

2010-11-07T01:07:00.000-07:00

I like the feel of solid pavement

Strength surging through my legs.

Rhythmic clops on silent, sunny streets

Nobody to distract.

Only the sound of my shoes tapping on the meditative asphalt bell.

Keeping me focused on this rare moment of solitude.

I feel good.

Wispy clouds in the distance.

Wind blowing through the dampness.

Drying up yesterday's tears.

I'm glad to be alive!

Strength rising up through the land.

Muscles contract and relax.

Climbing up mesquite lined hills; descending down manicured streets.

Solitude and rest found in the simple.

While jogging in the quiet.

The Name that Unleashes Power!

2010-11-02T10:33:00.000-07:00

"And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).

This is one of the most powerful declarations in the Bible. There is no other name, except God the Father's, that can shatter the darkness over a state and bring life to those in bondage. Jesus is the name above all names.

Last night, during our worship service, as we lifted up the name of Jesus, the atmosphere became more and more charged with power and heavenly expectation. Something special is going to happen today at the polls. Something special is going to happen in the state of Hawaii. Something special is going to happen in our lives. When we lift up the name of Jesus, we unleash a spiritual force into the atmosphere that blesses, saves, and empowers. Life begets life. There is no life apart from Jesus.

The world lives under the weight of guilt, shame, and death. Many in the church live under this same crushing oppression. Many still live under the Law. It was never meant to be that way. In the garden, it was just man, woman, and God, no law. Relationship based on trust, obedience, and love kept the pristine connection alive and well. It was relationship, nothing else.

When we sinned this relationship was shattered and death entered into our reality. The Law then became a tutor to lead us to Christ (Gal 3:24); the law made sin utterly sinful (Rom 7:13). However, let me ask you this question: Do we still need a tutor when the Master Instructor is in the house? No! We do not serve under the Law of Moses anymore. We do not serve under Law of 'do this' or 'do that'. We serve under the priesthood of Melchizedek, not the Levitical one, not the temporary one. We serve under the Law of Christ! He is the fulfillment of the Law (Rom 10:4)!

I used to live every day confessing my sins and asking God to forgive me (1 John 1:9). It was the first thing that came out of my mouth when I spent time with Him, not praise or adoration, but guilt, shame, and false humility. It was like I was crucifying Christ all over again, every day, every moment - it was a sickening existence. Many in the church live like this. Many in the world live like this. Jesus came to set us free from this crappy existence (pardon the French), but living under any type of yoke is like wading through sewage. Why do we focus on waste product, when it has already been flushed away by the cross. Whom the Son sets free is free indeed (John 8:36)!

Instead, we should start off our day with praise to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Isn't that a novel idea! As we focus on him, he will reveal any wrong attitudes and sins (Phil 3:8-15). The focus is not on our dead carcass, but on the Living Christ. Do you see the shift in our thinking? However, this is not license to continue to sin, but permission to grow in relationship with Jesus. It's a focus on the master tutor, not some antiquated system of do's and don'ts which has no power to save. Only Jesus saves!

Hebrews 12:1-2 challenges us to continually fix our eyes on Jesus in a heart of worship and He will reveal our sins and encumbrances. It's not the other way around. When we came to know Jesus we became ohana or family with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (John 1:12, 1 John 3:1). We were adopted, never to be abandoned. Doesn't this sound like unconditional love? If we are unconditionally loved, what more do we need? Unconditional means unconditional! We are free! We can be who God has made us to be. Who cares if people reject you or me. We are unconditionally loved.

Do you see the power in the name and life of Jesus? John 10:10 states, "The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy, but I have come to give you life and life more abundantly." Are you tired of living the way you've been living? Then return to Jesus and receive life.

This is not a gimmicky article to make you say some stupid prayer and satisfy my desire for control and power. That would be sick. However, if your prayerful action results in you being set free from guilt, shame, anger, drug addiction, lust, unforgiveness, hatred, and every other piece of sewage floating in your life, then this would be a step of freedom into true life. Even if you have been a Christian for many years, start afresh with this prayer and begin to live again!

If you are tired of living under these types of oppression, then say this short prayer from the heart.

"Dear Jesus, Thank you that you love me. I believe that you died on the cross for all my sins (sewage). I believe that you are the son of God - the only one who could deal with my junk. Please forgive me for everything. I choose now to walk in relationship with you. Thank you for forgiving me and starting me on the road to abundant living now and eternal life to come."

If you said this prayer from the heart by faith, then there is nothing more you need to do to begin a relationship with God. Just start talking with Him. Just start walking with Him. Let the Holy Spirit teach you about His love. Let the words of the Bible wash over your heart and heal you. Don't complicate this pristine beginning, just relate. You are completely forgiven (1 Jn 2:1-2). You are free from condemnation (Romans 8:1). God bless you on this new way of living. God loves you deeply! He is gentle and humble of heart and you will find rest for your souls (Matthew 11:29).

"For God so love the world that he gave us his only begotten Son,

That whoever believes in Him shall not perish

but have eternal life."

John 3:16

MIyamoto Musashi, Stubborn Mules, and Holiness

2010-10-28T10:30:00.000-07:00

I watched a classic samurai movie last night by Hiroshi Inagaki called Miyamoto Musashi. For those not familiar with this historical figure, he was the most famous swordsmen in Japanese History. He defeated many a foe, but his prowess with the blade also crossed over into the corporate world of today. Many business people still use the Book of Five Rings - principles of swordsmanship - as a guiding force in the combative realm of board rooms and offices. You may have seen it on a bookshelf somewhere. As you can see, his renown transcends into other realms. However, he was, first and foremost, the quintessential samurai, who lived and died by Bushido, the warrior code.

If you break this philosophy down into its basic components, there are many good traits to it, many bad ones too; like hara kiri and hatred toward weakness. Bushido is devoid of mercy. A true warrior needs kindness and justice to temper his blade. The samurai had a lot of justice, but very little of the latter. You saw it in WWII during the Rape of Nanking and the Bataan Death March. Weakness and surrender were frowned upon and treated with contempt. This lack of compassion still haunts the nation today.

Whatever the case, these thoughts are not the main reason for this article. The prime focus for this piece is character development, the numero uno preoccupation with God. He can gift us with tons of charisma in an instant. Supernatural endowment is a piece of cake for him. The download can occur within a nanosecond. However, character is what he is looking for; it's the only thing he is looking for; it's what he yearns to find. 2 Chronicles 16:9 states, "For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His...."It takes time to develop. No amount of spin can compensate for a lack of this rare quality.

Without solid character, we will implode under the weight of responsibility and gifting. Train wrecks abound today within Christendom. Ministers are falling into sexual sin, financial corruption, power issues, pride issues, and a host of other character illnesses. The water is revealing holes in the boat of their lives; the fire is finding air bubbles in the facade of their beautifully glazed earthen bodies. The fire will get even hotter.

Miyamoto Musashi, as a young man, was a stubborn mule of a man, a wild beast, untamed, full of unbridled passions. Doesn't he sound like us before we met God; maybe it still sounds like us. He was then caught and locked in a room with Buddhist Sutras to read and reflect on; not the kind of thing aggressive people like to do. It was here that he learned patience, thankfulness, and the art of true swordsmanship. He realized wisdom could take him farther than aggressiveness. He won many a battle by playing on people's weaknesses, especially over-aggressiveness, his former Achilles heel.

God throws us into his rubber, waiting room of life to develop patience, kindness, humility, obedience, and the character needed to serve Him effectively in this dark world. James 1:2-3 is right. We should consider it all joy when we encounter various trials. God loves us so much that he doesn't want us falling apart, doing stupid things, snorting like a stubborn mule. He wants us perfect and complete, not missing anything. Character development is not just some heavenly past time - it's everything!

It's not that we are too weak, but too strong for him to use. We believe we can do life on our own strength. That's the fatal mistake. We compensate by gaining more knowledge, more titles, more roles, more responsibilities, and more shallow cosmetics to cover over our weaknesses. God is in the business of revealing our weaknesses so we trust Him for greater strength. It doesn't matter what we do, the fire will reveal all our vain attempts to cover up our nakedness. The fire is coming. It will get even hotter.

When we come to the place of deep thankfulness for the trials we face, we start to move into real effectiveness with God. We start to arrive. We start to see things clearly, for unthankfulness brings deception and confusion (Romans 1); thankfulness brings clarity. It's like standing on top of a mountain and seeing the wide open vista of green pastures and blue lakes again. We see God once more. We see his purposes and plans.

The stone of humility then gets placed into the foundation of our lives. The building becomes impregnable. How can you topple a person who is already low? The center of gravity in this person's character is unmovable, unshakable, and unalterable. Holiness of character shines out like gold in their lives. It's what true heroes are made of. It's what God is after.

And not only this, but we exult in our tribulation, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance, and perseverance, proven character, and proven character, hope. And hope does not disappoint because love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit given to us (Romans 5:3-5).

We can exult because God is blessing us through the trials we face. He will cause all things to work together for good in our lives (Romans 8:28). Instead of throwing us into a room of Buddhist sutras, God throws us into a waiting room of trials with His Holy Scriptures and Spirit. We are not alone. We have all we need to grow in godliness and effectiveness.

The key is this: will we kick at the gates, or wait patiently for God to open them in his timing? Will we be Jacobs to manipulate things? It's up to us. His timing is inscrutable. He is transforming us into disciplined warhorses, not stubborn mules. He's transforming us into warriors.

The Melchizedek Priesthood

2010-10-25T14:07:00.000-07:00

I'm not at the level of sensing Melchizedek dropping into a service like Dr. Paul Cox. I'm not going there. I don't see purple light beams, feel pains on my head, or experience the twelve elders pow wowing around my life. Do you? However, I am intrigued by this enigmatic figure in the Bible and I can't stop thinking about him. In an earlier article, I pointed out that Melchizedek was Jesus. I still believe this.

However, let me ask you this question: how do we practically live out the Melchizedek priesthood in our own lives in real time, not fifth dimensional time? That's the question. Let me be perfectly honest with you, I don't think anyone has the complete answer. I don't have a complete answer, but I have a thought.

I've worked as a banquet coordinator, a groundskeeper, a line cook, a dormitory maintenance person, a housing coordinator at HPU, an English teacher in Japan, an English teacher in Hawaii, a funeral plot salesman, a loan manager (more like a loan shark manager), an assistant pastor, a senior pastor, and now, a senior associate leader in transition in a church experiencing transition in a world going through transition. It's been a wild ride to say the least. I need some coffee now. Make it two cups of coffee. Make it Kona coffee.

I've been told that I was smart, stupid, a good writer, a bad writer, a good leader, a bad leader, a good speaker, a bad speaker, rich, poor, insecure, secure, controlling, passive, and other things that were true, half true, and completely false. I was told I made too much money, too little money, too stubborn, too lenient, too everything. Were you told these things?

What do I say to all of this? I don't want to be super spiritual at this time, but "what the hay" here it goes. I am understanding this verse(Phil 3:8) at a deeper level through life experiences. I'm seeing its application to the Melchizedek priesthood. But before I go there, let me digress a bit.

Maybe I'm enlightened. Maybe I'm SOZOfied. Maybe I'm a forty five year old man who values reading Madeline to my five year old daughter, likes seeing UH kick butt on the football field, enjoys the feel of dirt between my fingers, loves the feel of my laptop keyboard clicking away into the wee hours of the morning (I-pad now), and likes having leisurely walks with my wife around my overly manicured neighborhood. I'm liking and seeing the good in simple things. I'm liking, seeing, and experiencing Jesus in these supposedly mundane acts. Jesus is becoming more real now. This is a good thing. Philippians 3:8 states, "More than that I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things and count them but rubbish in order that I can gain Christ."

Eureka! I am having a revelatory moment right now. I rejoice when my brain functions properly and not in the haze of a stomach full of mac salad and beef stew. Word of warning: Don't eat a big meal when you want to think. This feat could be accomplished in your svelte twenties, but don't try it today. Polynesian paralysis will set in. Well, back to my main point.

The Melchizedek ministry is simple. He pops on the scene and blesses Abraham with wine and bread. He has no genealogy, no beginning, no end, no mother, and no father. He has no baggage. He is not legalistic. He's God. He's Jesus. Paul the Apostle, the other Apostles, you, me, and the rest of the peanut gallery were in bondage to the Law, Levitical priesthood, titles, roles, and the flesh. We can count all these as loss because we now walk in the model of the Melchizedek Priesthood. We can walk simply with God in a new relationship, in a new covenant (bread and wine), in a new simplicity without condemnation and wrath. Jesus Christ offers us a simple fellowship meal of bread and wine, body and blood, forgiveness and love. There is no law or any other baggage in this new priesthood. All have been covered by the blood. We walk in grace now.

Just think Garden of Eden again. It's just you and the Trinity walking in liberty. Hey, that rhymes! Maybe I can add poet to my resume. Maybe not. Whatever the case, God is saying we are maturing off of following God from a list of do's and don'ts. It's about putting your hand into the hand of The Man who created this unbelievable world we live in. It's about letting the Holy Spirit do His thing. It's about simply walking with God. It's about walking in unconditional love. There was no Law in the Garden. There is no legalism now.

So what do I say about my past, present, and even future? What do I say about your past, present, and future? It's New Covenant Day for all of us! Jesus (Melchizedek) greets us now after the victories of the past few weeks and years, and gives us new bread and new wine. Like Abraham, we can collect the booty lost to the enemy of our souls. We can reclaim real living again in this new Melchizedek priesthood. We can breath again. Life is good! Not walking in perfectionism, but grace.

Revelation

2010-10-20T13:29:00.000-07:00

Revelation

Sunlight breaks on the mind
A eureka moment!
So sublime

Lightning streaks across the sky
zig zagging
Banzai!

Works not allowed
Tiresome toil
Rest required
The devil's foil

Prayer at four
Flow with the Spirit
Feels just right
Spray on the bowsprit

New day approaches
God's voice precious
More than gold
So delicious

It just happens
Right position required
Active waiting
Soon refired.

Revelation, revelation
Misunderstood
Not nirvana
But true Godhood.

The Revealing of the Sons of God

2010-10-16T18:51:00.000-07:00

During our Men's Gooder Friday meeting yesterday, I saw this vision of a multitude of men, including many of our own, glowing like red cinders, rising up out of the ground. They looked like a red wave growing in size.

It felt like a much anticipated event, a holy moment, something man could not create, a new song rising up out of the hearts of these men straight from God. Romans 8:19 flew through my mind as beheld this vision in my mind's eye. It states, "For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God."

This verse and the three that follow talk about the end times, the new heaven and earth, where the glorified sons of God will walk through His renewed creation once again. The land, trees, water, and animals are waiting in anticipation to be set free from their corrupted states; brought on by the fall of man, and they groan and suffer the pains of child birth until now. They await the rising of the sons of God. They want to be free too.

I sensed this image was God's way of reassuring myself, and all of us, that he is raising us up into true sonship. It's not a matter of sexual orientation, but more the status of a son. We are all, men and women, first sons of the King, endowed with full inheritance rights. We are loved. Everything that belongs to our Father, belongs to us. We are his sons and we will walk a renewed creation one day. A new song will come forth from our lips one day.

This body that we walk in will be changed in a twinkling of an eye, and we will be clothed with our eternal clothing from on high. Our lives are covered by the blood of the lamb and by the passion of his love for all of mankind. We are a giant red wave growing in size. God is making us into his passionate sons walking in resurrection power!

We were once motivated to be disciples of Jesus, but now God is motivating us to be sons. Discipline is a just a shallow motivation to follow God in comparison to obeying God out of tender hearted love. There is no fear in love. Just a heart that says, "I will follow you 'Abba Father'. We can follow earthly leaders now out of complete assurance and peace because we are sons of the True King. How can anyone cheat a son who has an eternal inheritance, no moth, rust, or sinful human being can touch our treasure in heaven. We can serve freely now. We can love freely now. We can walk freely now.

The vision comforted and excited my heart. God has an eternal, glorifying purpose for all the training he is putting us through. He is making us into true sons who walk in complete security. All creation can see it. They are waiting in anticipation for all of us to be revealed in these latter days.

As we were worshipping, I sensed angels singing along with all the men. They were with us and not on stage. They truly are here to serve, worship, and honor the king. They do not want our applause. Some of the angels were upholding some of the men and others were lifting up their hands in worship. It was awesome. Some even sat on the rafters listening to the men share during our fellowship time.

After the children's conference and sozo prayer, God has activated my discernment big time. It's blowing my mind. It's crazy good! It's true what Bill Johnson shared about growing in the Spirit. If we want revival in our lives, we need to go to places where there is revival. This kills the independent spirit and causes us to be dependent on God and to be in community with others. We cannot grow in only solitary confinement. We need to seek God with all of our heart personally and corporately. We are doing this and being blessed.

I need God. We need God. Apart from Him, we are nothing and can do nothing. God's love, the ultimate fruit, is growing in our hearts, delivering us from past wounds, freeing us from past offense, building us up into true sons.

Brothers and sisters, be encouraged. Take advantage of all the conferences coming into our house at this time. Take advantage of the Spirit led conferences in your cites. Hearing Pastor Dean's heart last night about his desire for all of us to move into the greater things of God, only deepened my respect for him. Both He and Kerry love God and you, the church, His bride, His pride and joy. Don't hang back. Jump in the water. Serve with humility.

God is preparing to reveal his sons at the end of time. The red wave is growing! Jump in the water and let Him cover you from head to toe!

What can make me white as snow? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. Hallelujah!

Be blessed-Johnny V

Angels in Our Midst

2010-10-13T14:18:00.000-07:00

"I felt the wind blow into the service and I heard a thud on stage" I thought to myself. "What was that?" Then intuitively, I sensed an angel landed in our church, next to the microphone stands, below the banner. He was about twenty feet tall and very broad. I saw him in the spirit.

This was new for me, this sensing of angels. I used to look at those ultra spiritual people with a jaundiced eye; the ones who saw and sensed every little rustle in the trees, or cloud formation, as a message from God. You know the kind. They were just plain weird to me. I thought to myself, "Get a life will ya!"

Now I was the one who saw and sensed this stuff. It was exciting, new and uncomfortable. I asked God, "Why did you let me sense the landing of an angel?" I heard in my spirit, "He is here to give a message to someone." Theologically, it made sense to me. The word angel comes from the Greek word angelos, messenger. Messengers bring messages. It's that simple.

Please understand that I do not believe you can add new revelation to the Bible. The Canon of the Old and New Testament are closed to any additions. However, messages that fall into Scriptural alignment are fine and needed during these times of great darkness.They give us specific directions on how to live and walk out the Scriptures. If we discount angelic messages, then we should discount all messages from people too. Aren't sermons messages from God spoken by sinful human beings filled with the Holy Spirit (we hope)? Looking at it from this angle, I would trust a holy angel more. Angels have the heavenly angle! Ha! The key criteria is this: does it align with Scripture and do they point to Jesus. All messengers must submit to this plumb line, angel or man. If the angel points to themselves, then it is a demon. Rebuke it in the name of Jesus. If the man points to himself, then he is an idiot. Rebuke the spirit of stupid out of him. I should know. I have first hand experience with this one, if you know what I mean.

Demonic activity has increased, so angelic activity has increased at the same pace. Or maybe it is more like this: they have always been active and we are recognizing the obvious now. Look at all the paranormal shows on TV today. It's amazing. Ghost hunting and other shows, which highlight the supernatural, are proliferating throughout the land, ad nauseum. We are finally recognizing that the spiritual world is alive and well. We are escaping from our Enlightenment jail cells that said only observable, quantifiable and scientifically proven reality is reality.

The ancients had a respect for the spiritual world, but for hundreds of years, they were looked down upon as uneducated kooks. The scientists were the super heroes that would save the day. They would rescue us from our ignorance. The Bible states, "The fool says in their heart there is no God." You could re-word it by saying, "The fool says in their heart there is no spiritual world." Who are the fools? The answer is pretty evident.

Well, I saw this angel on stage ready to give a message to someone. So I thought it was for our pastor. I walked up to him and said, "I never did this before, but I think there is an angel on the left side of the stage and he wants to give a message to you. You need to walk over there."

Being the open man that he is, he walked over to the left side of the stage and waited for the message. Nothing seemed to happen, so I chalked it up as a learning experience for me. He may have been waiting on the Lord for confirmation. These kinds of things require resting and waiting in the Spirit. We moved on in the service.

That day, we had a guest speaker and she felt like God wanted her to give a mother's blessing to the congregation, but she never did it before. She then proceeded to walk over to the left side of the stage to give the blessing. She waited on the Lord for instruction.

I was blown away. She walked to where the angel was standing. She then gave the blessing - a very powerful blessing - and soon I didn't sense the angel anymore. He was gone. I was stoked. I wasn't a kook. The angel came to help our speaker during a very difficult time in her life. He was there to help her with the message. He was there to bring revelation from God.

I wonder how many times in our life angels came to help us and we were unaware? I think a lot (Hebrews 1:14, 13:2).

This life is an adventure, especially when we walk in the Spirit and with angels. It's time to accept true reality. It's time to understand that we live in a spiritual world veiled by the physical. It's time to focus on the eternal. It's time.

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen;

for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

II Corinthians 4:18

Every Day is a New Day

2010-10-07T10:21:00.000-07:00

Do you like the morning? I do. It marks the start of a new day when I can brew a pot of coffee, read my Bible, write these crazy blogs, pray about things, and color with my daughter in her new princess coloring book. It's also a time when I can start afresh. Every day is a new day with God.

Psalm 30:5 states, "For His anger is but for a moment. His favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may last for the night. But a shout of joy comes in the morning." I am not writing about this topic because I sinned greatly or boldly yesterday. I am not trying to overemphasize his grace because I am suffering through pangs of guilt for some past infraction. No, I am just awestruck with the fact that every day, every moment, every hour, every minute and every nanosecond can be new with God.

Face it. We all screw up at times. We either bury it deep down in our heart, beat ourselves unmercifully for our stupidity, kick the dog unmercifully, or we can really deal with it in the right way. Trust me. I tried the other ways. They don't work.

1 John 1:9 states, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." For some reason God wants me to bring my junk to him. Actually, he wants me to bring my junk to him moment by moment because he loves me. He doesn't want me carrying any of it in this gift of life given to me by Him. He wants me to travel light and to stay light. Plus, I hate big suitcases, especially the guilt stuff once strapped to my back.

This whole saga we call life is God's opportunity to woo us back to him in relationship. However, we need to choose to come to him. He won't force us. Relationship means everything to Him. It should mean everything to us too, but our pride gets in the way.

That's why the morning time is so powerful for me. It marks a demarcation line from yesterday's foolishness into a new day of possibilities with God and with others. It can truly be a new day for all of us if we choose to make it so.

The Fish Did it to Me

2010-10-06T10:34:00.000-07:00

Those weird undersea creatures at the Bishop Museum did it to me. Yes, those razor toothed, bioluminescent, weird, beautiful and strange fish made me rethink my ministry for this season. How about this for a novel idea: I only want to serve the Lord and not man?

There is something pure and artistically true to do art for God and for art's sake. Am I Michelangelo or something? No, maybe it's because I just enjoy it, or I just like the sound of the keyboard rapping away, or I want to experience the freedom of doing something for God first, or I just enjoy putting my heart on paper, or in this case, electronic paper.

God made those deep sea fish for him to enjoy and visa versa - the fish enjoy swimming for his pleasure too. He saw all that he created, and it was good. I want to do the same.

I will write and not publicize. As men wandered to the depths to finally find these fish, I pray the Holy Spirit will guide people to this blog site to read my crazy rantings and occasional deep thoughts. Ha! I am not doing this to please anyone too. I am finally doing this because in my heart it feels right.

I love writing. I love people. I love God. I love my family. I love you.

Please do not get offended if I do not send you reminders of my writing. It's just that we all go through different phases in our walk with God. I am in one of those transitions. I want to please him and him alone. I want to do art for the sake of just doing art, not do art that fits into someone else's square hole. I don't do squares, neither do you. As I embark on this journey of liberation, my prayer is that my writing will in turn bless you. I don't want to give you junk.

P.S.
This may change down the road. I also do not want to get stuck in the "I will never..... " syndrome. For now, I will just write and enjoy this season. God bless you.

The Holy Spirit Makes Us All Temples of God.

2010-10-06T03:18:00.001-07:00

At one time, the presence of God dwelt only in one geographical location, the temple in Jerusalem. It served as the anchor and strength of a subjugated people, an occupied people, a people who served under the lash of Rome. The temple gave them meaning and significance; it also gave them a sense of pride, they knew they truly were the people of God because He dwelt with them.

When Jesus died and rose again, he sent the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, His presence, to dwell with each of us. The physical temple of God was completely destroyed by Vespasian's legions and new ones raised up through the lives of every believer. Instead of one temple in Jerusalem, we now had millions of temples throughout the world spreading the presence of God. We, the Christians, are now the temple of God (1 Cor 3:16).

He came to dwell in us when we received Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord (Ephesians 1:13). He became the pledge of our inheritance in heaven. Yes, our flesh is weak and prone to corruption like any physical structure battered by the elements, but the earthen vessel of our lives carries the glory of God (2 Cor 4:7). We carry God. We go from glory to glory, Christ-likeness to Christ-likeness, transformation to transformation.

In one sense, who cares if the Muslims put up their multi-million dollar mosques throughout the world. God's plan is way more cost efficient, effective, thorough, and powerful than any demonic strategy employed by false religions and cults.

God with us, in all of us, Emmanuel, is the ultimate strategy of reaching the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It's a mind blowing spiritual reality to contemplate; to finally comprehend that God's Spirit dwells inside each of us. We become infinitely valuable because The Valuable One dwells inside of us. Air Force One, the President of the United States's plane, becomes Air Force One because he dwells there. Whatever plane he flies on becomes Air Force One. He gives it value and authority, not the other way around.

God, in his fullness, chose to dwell inside of us, therefore we are His temples - we are the priceless ones. We become valuable and authoritative in a world of puffed up chests and empty crowns. We will eventually inherit and rule over this world created by God. Where ever we go we bring God's presence to activate worship, the spreading of God's Word, the drawing of wealth, the convicting of sin, the forgiveness of sins, the joy of the Lord and abundant life to all we come across.

We carry the fragrance of Christ that brings the aroma of life or death to all we come into contact with (2 Cor 2:14-17); to those open to God, life, to those closed to God, death.

We become the center of importance because The Important One dwells inside each of us. We carry eternal life, the Gospel of Jesus, the ultimate Truth that will save people from an eternity in hell, and transfer them to the Kingdom of God, His Heavenly Paradise. We have to understand that we are the true temple of God that dispenses life to people drowning in their sin. We are the temple of God.