We love the new and improved. The latest model. The updated technology. The latest and greatest. Sometimes this happens with people. As they age, corporate America looks for the newest hot shot. The up and comer.
A person can live and be effective well into their senior adult years. Senior adults still have a lot to offer. Wisdom, leadership, love, prayer and even pastoral ministry.
I was surprised to learn the ages of some very prominent pastors. Charles Stanley is 87 and still preaching at FBC Atlanta, GA. Church Swindoll is still going strong as a pastor at 85 in Frisco, TX. John MacArthur is still faithfully expositing the word of God at 81. David Jeremiah still serves faithfully at Shadow Mountain Community Church at 79. John Piper still writes books and travels adn preaches at 74. Tony Evans still serves as Senior Pastor at Oakcliff Bible Fellowship at the age of 70.
Just because a person ages does not mean they are no longer useful. Who said just because a person gets older they do not have a great deal to offer. I watch when some men retire. They are bored to death. One of my neighbors often drives around the community to waste time. He plays golf daily, but that does not seem satisfying. He has no purpose.
The aforementioned pastors still have purpose. They still contribute. They still have a reason to get up every morning. I have always admired those who are active and productive in their twilight years. My pastor, who retired from my home church after 34 years, is now pastoring a smaller church. He has had knee replacements and battled other ailments. He still faithfully proclaims God's word in his middle seventies. That inspires me. Another friend of mine who just turned 60 went out and ran two miles the other day just to see if he could do it. Our chairman of deacons is 67 and still hauls and stacks hay by himself.
I am pushing 54 and have no plans for retirement. I want to serve Jesus as long as I am physically and mentally able to do so. I feel like I am just hitting my stride. Growing older has challenges. Aches and pains. Health issues. The mind does not recall like it used to be able to do. There is still service that can be done. There is still ministry for Jesus to be done. There is wisdom to impart.
Don't use your age as an excuse not to be active and productive. I am betting you still have a lot to offer.
Tuesday, June 30, 2020
Monday, June 29, 2020
Spring Creek Revival Day Eight Part Two
We gathered for the evening service last night. I met with people in the prayer room like we have done previously. The crowd was like a normal Sunday night crowd. It seemed to me it was different than previous nights. Some of the excitement seemed missing. It felt like a normal Sunday night which we did not pray for.
In the middle of worship, led by Damon, I felt a prompting to change the message again from the one I planned. Three times I had no peace about preaching that message. Three times I shelved it in favor of God's direction. A lady named Kelly Peel gave a powerful testimony. I felt stunned listening to it. I had no idea how much hardship and pain she has overcome. She has so much joy I would never have known her background. She testified through tears. Very powerful and moving.
When she stepped down from the stage, people met her in the aisle hugging and comforting her. So much for social distancing. It was a tender moment.
I did not preach last night. I taught from Acts 2:42-47. In the end, I challenged people to go around the room and love on each other. What a beautiful sight for a pastor. I truly saw the love of a family of God expressed. I saw the tender work of God. People were loved, affirmed, and built up.
In a meeting earlier that afternoon, the deacons did not feel we should extend the meetings. I felt torn but saw no justification in doing so either really. I keep feeling this is not the appointed time. We took steps forward, but it is the not the appointed time for the real outpouring.
With that tender time in the Lord, the revival meetings faded into the pages of history softly without fanfare. It does not mean my heart for God is dampened. It means more prayer. A and the work of shepherding this flock resumes. Wednesday night we pick up in Ephesians 2:11 where we left off. On Sunday mornings we will either resume going through Revelation or move it to Sunday nights and follow God's guidance.
I received a report earlier today that 829 people viewed the Sunday morning service. That is both exciting and humbling. We will continue our online presence and continue our relentless pursuit of God.
I have to say in conclusion that, while we enjoyed some great times with God, this was not true revival. We enjoyed revival meetings where God touched hearts. For that we are grateful. Should you want to stay up with what God is doing here please visit the Spring Creek facebook page. You can find it on our homepage at www.myspringcreek.org. You can enjoy these blogs through our church webpage or by going to www.followhard638.blogspot.com. May the relentless pursuit of God continue for all of us.
In the middle of worship, led by Damon, I felt a prompting to change the message again from the one I planned. Three times I had no peace about preaching that message. Three times I shelved it in favor of God's direction. A lady named Kelly Peel gave a powerful testimony. I felt stunned listening to it. I had no idea how much hardship and pain she has overcome. She has so much joy I would never have known her background. She testified through tears. Very powerful and moving.
When she stepped down from the stage, people met her in the aisle hugging and comforting her. So much for social distancing. It was a tender moment.
I did not preach last night. I taught from Acts 2:42-47. In the end, I challenged people to go around the room and love on each other. What a beautiful sight for a pastor. I truly saw the love of a family of God expressed. I saw the tender work of God. People were loved, affirmed, and built up.
In a meeting earlier that afternoon, the deacons did not feel we should extend the meetings. I felt torn but saw no justification in doing so either really. I keep feeling this is not the appointed time. We took steps forward, but it is the not the appointed time for the real outpouring.
With that tender time in the Lord, the revival meetings faded into the pages of history softly without fanfare. It does not mean my heart for God is dampened. It means more prayer. A and the work of shepherding this flock resumes. Wednesday night we pick up in Ephesians 2:11 where we left off. On Sunday mornings we will either resume going through Revelation or move it to Sunday nights and follow God's guidance.
I received a report earlier today that 829 people viewed the Sunday morning service. That is both exciting and humbling. We will continue our online presence and continue our relentless pursuit of God.
I have to say in conclusion that, while we enjoyed some great times with God, this was not true revival. We enjoyed revival meetings where God touched hearts. For that we are grateful. Should you want to stay up with what God is doing here please visit the Spring Creek facebook page. You can find it on our homepage at www.myspringcreek.org. You can enjoy these blogs through our church webpage or by going to www.followhard638.blogspot.com. May the relentless pursuit of God continue for all of us.
Sunday, June 28, 2020
Spring Creek Day Eight Part One
I write this often, but it is true. How do I try to put these things into words God is doing. I can tell you what songs we sang this morning, but can'tI write anything to make you feel the depths of God moving in our hearts. I can't make you understand the volume which people sang today. You cannot see the tears of those singing or feel their passion. You cannot see the joy on their faces to sing old songs hundreds of years old and new songs just a couple of years old. All sang in praise to the One worthy of all praise.
God's hand was on Sherman and Tammy again this morning. Tammy pounded that piano making beautiful music pour out of it followed by her amazing voice. Sherman led us in some of the greatest worship I have experienced. Simple and sincere. Hymns. Modern worship songs. All directed to our Lord and King Jesus. Every song building on top of the previous into a crescendo of hearing the word of the Lord. I love the fact that they both worship in leading worship. It is not a performance. It is pure worship exalting God the Father and King Jesus.
I preached from Luke 7:36-50. About a sinful woman in brokenness coming to Jesus to worship and be transformed. She found salvation in Him and He forgave her. Jesus' last words to her was to go in peace. How I pray that those who hear this message online would find that same peace.
Today, I felt more than ever that God might save someone watching online. I fully expect to be contacted by email from someone who found forgiveness and salvation like the woman in the story. I just checked my email and none yet. God is still working.
I got to pray with a woman who testified about how much Jesus has changed her this week. It is obvious. I can see it on her countenance.
We closed the service singing, "At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light and the burden of my heart rolled away, it was there by faith I received my sight and now I am happy all the day." They sang that as a prayer. Passionate. Worshipful. Prayerfully. Sincerely. At the end people clapped, I heard several loud shouts of, "Amen." An older gentleman exited first with tears in his eyes. I could only smile. Smile while we sang. Smile talking with people afterward. Even smile while writing this for our cups are full. Still we ask for more Lord.
People came out of the service radiant. Two told me they were so excited they felt like doing cartwheels down the aisle. One texted me this afternoon telling me she prayed during the service and felt like God would save people who watched online. Another lady texted me a little earlier asking if she could give her testimony tonight. She is nervous. The last time she did so she said she cried the whole time. Absolutely she can testify. Not one testimony this week was planned. They have all be prompted by the Holy Spirit. He is still moving.
Sadly the Atens packed up this morning feeling like it was time for them to move out. In no way do I feel like God is done. We will gather tonight to worship the same Jesus, sing His songs and dig into His word. I fully expect God to keep working in our midst. It is day eight and I feel like we are picking up momentum. I look forward to what God does in the second service.
God's hand was on Sherman and Tammy again this morning. Tammy pounded that piano making beautiful music pour out of it followed by her amazing voice. Sherman led us in some of the greatest worship I have experienced. Simple and sincere. Hymns. Modern worship songs. All directed to our Lord and King Jesus. Every song building on top of the previous into a crescendo of hearing the word of the Lord. I love the fact that they both worship in leading worship. It is not a performance. It is pure worship exalting God the Father and King Jesus.
I preached from Luke 7:36-50. About a sinful woman in brokenness coming to Jesus to worship and be transformed. She found salvation in Him and He forgave her. Jesus' last words to her was to go in peace. How I pray that those who hear this message online would find that same peace.
Today, I felt more than ever that God might save someone watching online. I fully expect to be contacted by email from someone who found forgiveness and salvation like the woman in the story. I just checked my email and none yet. God is still working.
I got to pray with a woman who testified about how much Jesus has changed her this week. It is obvious. I can see it on her countenance.
We closed the service singing, "At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light and the burden of my heart rolled away, it was there by faith I received my sight and now I am happy all the day." They sang that as a prayer. Passionate. Worshipful. Prayerfully. Sincerely. At the end people clapped, I heard several loud shouts of, "Amen." An older gentleman exited first with tears in his eyes. I could only smile. Smile while we sang. Smile talking with people afterward. Even smile while writing this for our cups are full. Still we ask for more Lord.
People came out of the service radiant. Two told me they were so excited they felt like doing cartwheels down the aisle. One texted me this afternoon telling me she prayed during the service and felt like God would save people who watched online. Another lady texted me a little earlier asking if she could give her testimony tonight. She is nervous. The last time she did so she said she cried the whole time. Absolutely she can testify. Not one testimony this week was planned. They have all be prompted by the Holy Spirit. He is still moving.
Sadly the Atens packed up this morning feeling like it was time for them to move out. In no way do I feel like God is done. We will gather tonight to worship the same Jesus, sing His songs and dig into His word. I fully expect God to keep working in our midst. It is day eight and I feel like we are picking up momentum. I look forward to what God does in the second service.
Saturday, June 27, 2020
Spring Creek Revival Day Seven
It is hard to believe it has been seven days. In many ways they feel like a blur. The night started in the prayer room. That is a good place for it always to start.
God has used Sherman and Tammy to pull out so many powerful songs from the past. When I hear them, I am taken back to encounters with God over the years. Those songs still have life in them and the Atens have the life of God in their hearts when they sang them. Many worship ministers can play and sing all the right notes. That does not mean their heart hits all the right notes. With Sherman and Tammy, you know they are leading worship as an extension of their own private worship we just happen to get to sit in on. Each night has been different with a different set of songs to minister in a fresh way. What God has used them to do is far beyond what I can describe. It is one of those things where you would just have had to be there.
Connie Wright gave her testimony tonight. A testimony about not playing the piano for 40 years and God calling her back to that ministry and opening that door at Spring Creek. She said she was nervous, but I could not tel.l She daily gives God her yel. God used her powerfully. She is a blessing to many people and helps me immensely with many projects.
I shared from Genesis 18:1-17, Gen 21:1-3, and Romans 4:17-24. All about God giving promises and praying in faith tenaciously until God does what He said He would do.
I felt a specific leading for the invitation tonight. I felt a call to ask those watching online to share prayer requests through Facebook. I promised I would pray for each request sent by name before going to bed which I did. What an honor to be trusted with those. We cut the camera and live feed off at that point.
We spent the rest of the invitation asking people what they needed prayer for and having people pray for them. I am not sure what time we started this. I do know when the service ended, the clock showed ten minutes to nine. Nearly two hours in God's presence and it seemed barely an hour to me. We prayed for lost people tonight and their salvation. We prayed for spiritual awakening. We prayed for the removal of demonic influences. We prayed for health concerns. We prayed for believers who have backslidden. There were many prayer requests. The temple got saturated in petitions and intercession tonight.
At the end, I talked about the tug of war in my heart concerning whether God is done with the revival meetings or whether He still has work to do. The in person attendance has not been great all week. That has not dampened the enthusiasm nor the thick presence the Spirit of God among us. That has remained consistent in every service. I do not know if that translates into people's homes as they watch online. I pray it does. At this writing, there have been over 200 views of the service tonight. Since I have been at Spring Creek, we have never had 100 people in attendance. That amazes me that so many watched on a Saturday night! The numbers have been similar all week. There is some kind of ministry there. We are still learning how to be more effective at it.
Those over 200 are joining us and are participating. They are right along with us in song and the word. Now, if they were all present in person there is no way we could dismiss what God is doing. Since we cannot see them or how God is working in each of them we get discouraged. I see barren pews with my eyes. I see fatigue on many of the people showing up. I am blown away so many are tuning in live or watching the service later. I pray God would spread it. It has been a long week. The work of God has been good. We are praying about what God wants us to do going forward.
We asked Sherman and Tammy to stay with us through Sunday morning. They graciously accepted. We all wait in anticipation. It will be day eight. We have asked God to make it evident what we are supposed to do going forward. Now it is off to bed before I get up early to prepare the message for in the morning and to seek His direction and will for these meetings. I believe He will guide in both situations.
God has used Sherman and Tammy to pull out so many powerful songs from the past. When I hear them, I am taken back to encounters with God over the years. Those songs still have life in them and the Atens have the life of God in their hearts when they sang them. Many worship ministers can play and sing all the right notes. That does not mean their heart hits all the right notes. With Sherman and Tammy, you know they are leading worship as an extension of their own private worship we just happen to get to sit in on. Each night has been different with a different set of songs to minister in a fresh way. What God has used them to do is far beyond what I can describe. It is one of those things where you would just have had to be there.
Connie Wright gave her testimony tonight. A testimony about not playing the piano for 40 years and God calling her back to that ministry and opening that door at Spring Creek. She said she was nervous, but I could not tel.l She daily gives God her yel. God used her powerfully. She is a blessing to many people and helps me immensely with many projects.
I shared from Genesis 18:1-17, Gen 21:1-3, and Romans 4:17-24. All about God giving promises and praying in faith tenaciously until God does what He said He would do.
I felt a specific leading for the invitation tonight. I felt a call to ask those watching online to share prayer requests through Facebook. I promised I would pray for each request sent by name before going to bed which I did. What an honor to be trusted with those. We cut the camera and live feed off at that point.
We spent the rest of the invitation asking people what they needed prayer for and having people pray for them. I am not sure what time we started this. I do know when the service ended, the clock showed ten minutes to nine. Nearly two hours in God's presence and it seemed barely an hour to me. We prayed for lost people tonight and their salvation. We prayed for spiritual awakening. We prayed for the removal of demonic influences. We prayed for health concerns. We prayed for believers who have backslidden. There were many prayer requests. The temple got saturated in petitions and intercession tonight.
At the end, I talked about the tug of war in my heart concerning whether God is done with the revival meetings or whether He still has work to do. The in person attendance has not been great all week. That has not dampened the enthusiasm nor the thick presence the Spirit of God among us. That has remained consistent in every service. I do not know if that translates into people's homes as they watch online. I pray it does. At this writing, there have been over 200 views of the service tonight. Since I have been at Spring Creek, we have never had 100 people in attendance. That amazes me that so many watched on a Saturday night! The numbers have been similar all week. There is some kind of ministry there. We are still learning how to be more effective at it.
Those over 200 are joining us and are participating. They are right along with us in song and the word. Now, if they were all present in person there is no way we could dismiss what God is doing. Since we cannot see them or how God is working in each of them we get discouraged. I see barren pews with my eyes. I see fatigue on many of the people showing up. I am blown away so many are tuning in live or watching the service later. I pray God would spread it. It has been a long week. The work of God has been good. We are praying about what God wants us to do going forward.
We asked Sherman and Tammy to stay with us through Sunday morning. They graciously accepted. We all wait in anticipation. It will be day eight. We have asked God to make it evident what we are supposed to do going forward. Now it is off to bed before I get up early to prepare the message for in the morning and to seek His direction and will for these meetings. I believe He will guide in both situations.
Still Believing
I sit here on the eve of the seventh night of the revival. We have enjoyed some wonderful times in the Lord. We have also encountered spiritual warfare. We have expended ourselves in the battle. Prayers have been offered night and day. Now, we come up on the last scheduled night.
We have pleaded for God to do more. I have personally pleaded for God to spread His move to other churches in other towns. We have not received word that has happened. These meetings have not lived up to the things God put in my heart in the months preceding. I am torn. My eyes and my brain tell me we enjoyed some good times in the Lord. I had a son get saved. It was worth it for that alone.
My spirit says something completely different. That God wants to do more. That He holds back for some reason, but at any moment could unleash His great revival move in astounding ways. I have asked the Atens to stay over for tomorrow morning. None of us see any reason to extend the meetings beyond that by what we see as of now.
It is not what I see with my eyes that moves me. It is what I see through the eyes of faith. It is the burden and conviction I carry like a mother carrying a child in the womb. Something to give birth through hard labor. Only in my case, it is giving birth through travailing prayer of a great move of God.
My physical eyes tells me the attendance has been small all week. Yet hundreds watch the service online each night. At last count 256 viewed last night's service. We have never had that many worship in person sicne I have been there. God is doing something. None of us would doubt extending the meetings if those hundreds were present physically in the sanctuary. A lady called me today to testify how God is working in her and her family through these meetings. Due to spiritual warfare she is not able to be there in person. She is one of the hundreds watching online. God is doing something.
Two families from two different churches have attended the meetings almost every night. God has worked in them. Everything in me tells me God is not done. So I come to tonight with expectation and I come in the morning believing God to confirm what He keeps stirring in my heart. I am still believing. Still believing for more Lord.
We have pleaded for God to do more. I have personally pleaded for God to spread His move to other churches in other towns. We have not received word that has happened. These meetings have not lived up to the things God put in my heart in the months preceding. I am torn. My eyes and my brain tell me we enjoyed some good times in the Lord. I had a son get saved. It was worth it for that alone.
My spirit says something completely different. That God wants to do more. That He holds back for some reason, but at any moment could unleash His great revival move in astounding ways. I have asked the Atens to stay over for tomorrow morning. None of us see any reason to extend the meetings beyond that by what we see as of now.
It is not what I see with my eyes that moves me. It is what I see through the eyes of faith. It is the burden and conviction I carry like a mother carrying a child in the womb. Something to give birth through hard labor. Only in my case, it is giving birth through travailing prayer of a great move of God.
My physical eyes tells me the attendance has been small all week. Yet hundreds watch the service online each night. At last count 256 viewed last night's service. We have never had that many worship in person sicne I have been there. God is doing something. None of us would doubt extending the meetings if those hundreds were present physically in the sanctuary. A lady called me today to testify how God is working in her and her family through these meetings. Due to spiritual warfare she is not able to be there in person. She is one of the hundreds watching online. God is doing something.
Two families from two different churches have attended the meetings almost every night. God has worked in them. Everything in me tells me God is not done. So I come to tonight with expectation and I come in the morning believing God to confirm what He keeps stirring in my heart. I am still believing. Still believing for more Lord.
Spring Creek Revival Day Six
Two times yesterday I thought I had the message only to change it later. Just before noon I felt a peace in one direction and spent time studying. God preached it to me before I preached it to the church. He does that often.
Just a few miles before arriving at Spring Creek last night I felt unrest about the message. When I pulled into the parking lot another passage came to my mind. In the prayer room, I thumbed through my concordance to find that latest passage. I read through it, but questioned whether that was really the direction. Even after the others joined me for prayer I did not feel settled.
I spent much of the worship time praying. Pleading for God to give me peace. Then Sherman, Tammy and Brooke went into the song, Holy Spirit Rain Down. We sang it as a prayer. I felt more inclined to preach the passage I looked up in the prayer room. I pleaded with God to give me insight. I did not feel prepared and hoped the Atens would continue leading us in worship which they did. I begged for anointing of the mind, mouth and the heart. A prayer I've prayed thousands of times before preaching. Then, it was time.
I preached about the man who took his demon possessed son to the disciples for help but the disciples were unable to cast the demon out. When Jesus showed up he called them an unbelieving generation. The father asked Jesus to help his son if he could. Jesus took offence to the phrase "if you can" and said, "All things are possible to him who believes." Immediately the father asked Jesus to help his unbelief. This story is found in Mark 9.
We saw more people come forward last night to the altar than in any previous service. The sanctuary turned into a battlefield as people went to war in prayer over different issues. I saw people on bended knee last night all across the front. Couples, individuals, guests, members, leaders. I felt last night was a pretty powerful night only topped by my son getting saved a few nights earlier.
God did it again. He gave Sherman the perfect song for the invitation. I learned earlier in the week Sherman does not plan these songs in advance. He listens to the message and follows the leading of the Holy Spirt for the song that best fits. God nailed it in him again. Last night he sang an old song, "God Will Make A Way Where There Seems To Be No Way." We sang that song as a prayer as God worked all across the sanctuary. Many burdens were laid down. Many victories were won. We had hundreds watch the service online, but I don't know if they could feel the presence of God the way we did going to war for people last night in prayer. I sure hope so.
We had several guests last night. There were people there for Sherman's birthday. Friends from years gone by. There were people from Granbury in attendance who ministered with the Atens at the marriage conference we held back in February. We were also blessed to have former pastor and wife Jase and Tami Waller. Jase and Tami were and are beloved in Seminole and just as loved at Spring Creek. It broke the heart of the Spring Creek flock when they felt God calling them to a new ministry. It was Jase who recommended me to Spring Creek. A gift I will cherish forever.
During the invitation, I felt like we needed to have people gather around them to pray over them. When I started talking about how much Brenda and I love the Wallers and how thankful we are for the foundation they laid at Spring Creek we are building on today I got choked up. My voice cracked and I got misty eyed.
When they came to the front, I bet 90% of those in attendance surrounded Jase and Tami laying hands on them and praying. What a beautiful sight and sound. We concluded the evening by singing "God Will Make A Way," one last time.
We enjoyed fellowship with several of those in attendance after the service. In fact, we visited with Jase and Tami until after 11:00 p.m. Which meant we rolled back into our driveway after midnight. Brenda and I both fell into bed exhausted. That is the reason I did not get this written until later this morning.
Saturday night is the last scheduled service In my heart, I believe God wants to do so much more. I seek Him for direction about extending the meetings through Sunday at least, or if this has run its course. May God give wisdom and clarity as to what He wants. May God give me messages for Saturday night and Sunday morning.
Just a few miles before arriving at Spring Creek last night I felt unrest about the message. When I pulled into the parking lot another passage came to my mind. In the prayer room, I thumbed through my concordance to find that latest passage. I read through it, but questioned whether that was really the direction. Even after the others joined me for prayer I did not feel settled.
I spent much of the worship time praying. Pleading for God to give me peace. Then Sherman, Tammy and Brooke went into the song, Holy Spirit Rain Down. We sang it as a prayer. I felt more inclined to preach the passage I looked up in the prayer room. I pleaded with God to give me insight. I did not feel prepared and hoped the Atens would continue leading us in worship which they did. I begged for anointing of the mind, mouth and the heart. A prayer I've prayed thousands of times before preaching. Then, it was time.
I preached about the man who took his demon possessed son to the disciples for help but the disciples were unable to cast the demon out. When Jesus showed up he called them an unbelieving generation. The father asked Jesus to help his son if he could. Jesus took offence to the phrase "if you can" and said, "All things are possible to him who believes." Immediately the father asked Jesus to help his unbelief. This story is found in Mark 9.
We saw more people come forward last night to the altar than in any previous service. The sanctuary turned into a battlefield as people went to war in prayer over different issues. I saw people on bended knee last night all across the front. Couples, individuals, guests, members, leaders. I felt last night was a pretty powerful night only topped by my son getting saved a few nights earlier.
God did it again. He gave Sherman the perfect song for the invitation. I learned earlier in the week Sherman does not plan these songs in advance. He listens to the message and follows the leading of the Holy Spirt for the song that best fits. God nailed it in him again. Last night he sang an old song, "God Will Make A Way Where There Seems To Be No Way." We sang that song as a prayer as God worked all across the sanctuary. Many burdens were laid down. Many victories were won. We had hundreds watch the service online, but I don't know if they could feel the presence of God the way we did going to war for people last night in prayer. I sure hope so.
We had several guests last night. There were people there for Sherman's birthday. Friends from years gone by. There were people from Granbury in attendance who ministered with the Atens at the marriage conference we held back in February. We were also blessed to have former pastor and wife Jase and Tami Waller. Jase and Tami were and are beloved in Seminole and just as loved at Spring Creek. It broke the heart of the Spring Creek flock when they felt God calling them to a new ministry. It was Jase who recommended me to Spring Creek. A gift I will cherish forever.
During the invitation, I felt like we needed to have people gather around them to pray over them. When I started talking about how much Brenda and I love the Wallers and how thankful we are for the foundation they laid at Spring Creek we are building on today I got choked up. My voice cracked and I got misty eyed.
When they came to the front, I bet 90% of those in attendance surrounded Jase and Tami laying hands on them and praying. What a beautiful sight and sound. We concluded the evening by singing "God Will Make A Way," one last time.
We enjoyed fellowship with several of those in attendance after the service. In fact, we visited with Jase and Tami until after 11:00 p.m. Which meant we rolled back into our driveway after midnight. Brenda and I both fell into bed exhausted. That is the reason I did not get this written until later this morning.
Saturday night is the last scheduled service In my heart, I believe God wants to do so much more. I seek Him for direction about extending the meetings through Sunday at least, or if this has run its course. May God give wisdom and clarity as to what He wants. May God give me messages for Saturday night and Sunday morning.
Friday, June 26, 2020
Hope Against Hope
One of the definitions for hope is to have confident expectation. Hope floats in the tranquil seas of smooth sailing. Hope is gouged by large icebergs of trials and tribulations. Hope takes on water and begins to sink when compromised. So the question is, how do you hope against hope? Or to put it another way, how do you maintain hope when facing hopeless situations?
Let's face it. You are either going through something now, beginning something now, or just coming out of some trial. It is part of the curse of living in a sin infested world. It does not take much to get us distracted and to lose hope.
How do we become people of hope against hopeless and impossible odds? I only know of one way. Stay in God's word and believe what He says instead of what you see going on around you. Admittedly, that is hard to do. We are bombarded with flaming arrows shot like thousands of archers on a battlefield. All we have for protection is the shield of faith. Faith that God is trustworthy and reliable. Faith that nothing is impossible with Him. Faith that He is able. He is strong enough, mighty enough, powerful enough to handle everything that will ever come your way, including death.
That is really the worst life can throw at us. Death. Even in death the child of God can have hope against hope. We have a natural drive to want to live. Hope in God ushers confident expectation that a better future awaits. Everlasting life. A glorified body. Eyes on Jesus and continuous worship around the throne of God. Many we loved have already experienced all of this. One day the redeemed will too. Death is not the end. It is the beginning. It is graduation day. It is promotion to a higher existence than we have ever known. In hope against the natural desire to cling to life here, we hope in home beyond the skies. Therefore, when death comes for us, we can face it bravely and confidently. For followers of Jesus death has lost its sting. The process of dying might be challenging. Even then, God will remain faithful.
Many are facing some of the worst days of their life in these chaotic times. Bad news abounds. Everything seems to be coming unraveled. There is still hope. Confident expectation for the Christian. God will not fail us. He will never leave us or forsake us. He has brought us out of tight spots before. He can do it again. Hope in His faithfulness.
Also, take hope Christian the rapture is imminent. As things line of with prophecy, we are on the cusp of leaving this world forever. We may endure a little suffering for a season. One day, I believe very soon, God will call His bride home and send his angels to snatch us away. That is a hope and promise we should confidently expect. There is a reason to hope against hope.
Let's face it. You are either going through something now, beginning something now, or just coming out of some trial. It is part of the curse of living in a sin infested world. It does not take much to get us distracted and to lose hope.
How do we become people of hope against hopeless and impossible odds? I only know of one way. Stay in God's word and believe what He says instead of what you see going on around you. Admittedly, that is hard to do. We are bombarded with flaming arrows shot like thousands of archers on a battlefield. All we have for protection is the shield of faith. Faith that God is trustworthy and reliable. Faith that nothing is impossible with Him. Faith that He is able. He is strong enough, mighty enough, powerful enough to handle everything that will ever come your way, including death.
That is really the worst life can throw at us. Death. Even in death the child of God can have hope against hope. We have a natural drive to want to live. Hope in God ushers confident expectation that a better future awaits. Everlasting life. A glorified body. Eyes on Jesus and continuous worship around the throne of God. Many we loved have already experienced all of this. One day the redeemed will too. Death is not the end. It is the beginning. It is graduation day. It is promotion to a higher existence than we have ever known. In hope against the natural desire to cling to life here, we hope in home beyond the skies. Therefore, when death comes for us, we can face it bravely and confidently. For followers of Jesus death has lost its sting. The process of dying might be challenging. Even then, God will remain faithful.
Many are facing some of the worst days of their life in these chaotic times. Bad news abounds. Everything seems to be coming unraveled. There is still hope. Confident expectation for the Christian. God will not fail us. He will never leave us or forsake us. He has brought us out of tight spots before. He can do it again. Hope in His faithfulness.
Also, take hope Christian the rapture is imminent. As things line of with prophecy, we are on the cusp of leaving this world forever. We may endure a little suffering for a season. One day, I believe very soon, God will call His bride home and send his angels to snatch us away. That is a hope and promise we should confidently expect. There is a reason to hope against hope.
Thursday, June 25, 2020
Spring Creek Revival Day Five
This was the hardest day by far of these revival meeitngs. I fought toxic thoughts all day about what God is doing and not doing during these services. The message did not come as easily as the previous days. Then a little before noon I felt impressed in the direction of Ps 63:1-4. A message about the relentless pursuit of knowing God.
Once I knew the passage the message flowed. I have preached this passage before. The study today was fresh and the word felt fresh in my heart. I got the notes on paper and then sat back and went over the whole message prayerfully in my mind. I love to sit still before God think through the passage and message point by point. God preaches them to me before I ever preach them to others.
I still fought the toxic thoughts on the commute to Spring Creek. Many questions swirled in my mind. Did I really hear from God about this revival? Why hadn't He broke through? What held God back? I did not have answers to any of those questions.
I got into the prayer room to sit before the Lord alone asking Him to prepare me to be His vessel. After a while, four others joined me. We poured our hearts before the Lord pleading for Him to work and thanking Him for the work He has already done.
How would I describe the worship. Diverse. Heavy. Nostalgic. Once again the Atens took us to the very throne of God. When I use the word diverse, I do so because we sang two songs more associated with Black Gospel Music. I loved it. I think God loved it too. He loves all styles of music. We often get locked into our preferred style.
I say heavy because The Revelation song is all about worship before the throne of God. It was like I actually stood there pouring my heart out in praise among the rest of Heaven. I could not praise Him deeply enough. Reverently enough. Loud enough. Sincerely enough. He deserves so much more.
I say nostalgic because many of the songs we sang tonight took me back to my youth group and college days. In my mind, I was transported back to Super Summer at Baylor University the summers of my junior and senior year in high school. Moments of long ago encounters with God flashed across my mind. We sang those songs back then drawing near to God. They had life in them then and they had life in them tonight. God used the Atens to once again set the table to deliver God's word.
The message tonight challenged us to all stay on the relentless passionate pursuit of knowing God. We unpacked a few verses lay after layer, word after word. I felt God helping me. I saw several on the edge of their seat hanging onto the word of the Lord. A challenging word. I felt the truth coursing through me with passion, conviction and earnestness. A strange things happened during the preaching. God moved in my life. The truth encouraged me and worked on me. It changed my attitude and enthusiasm for the rest of the revival. God preached to me through those verses.
Someone came forward during my invitation prayer. When I walked down the steps, he was already on his knees deep in prayer. Another came and another. Many prayed in the pews. Then Sherman sang the perfect song for the invitation. An old song by Rich Mullins called Step by Step. A couple of lines nailed the whole night, "I will seek You in the morning and learn to walk in Your ways. Step by step You will lead me and I will follow You all of my days." Memories of early morning encounters with God rushed to my memory. I recall singing that song as a college student at Howard Payne with all my soul. I have been on that early morning relentless pursuit for decades now and am more zealous to do it after tonight than ever.
After dinner with the Atens, Brenda noticed I had a text while driving home. It was a lengthy text from the man who came forward tonight while I prayed for the invitation. God met Him powerfully. He wrote, "It felt like I was the only one in there and you were talking directly to me." God does that. He meets people where they are and moves in them. That is why we are holding these meetings.
We are scheduled to meet Friday night and Saturday night. I prayerfully pray we go through Sunday and well, we'll see what God does after that.
Once again we had over 100 views of the service and counting. From as far away as Arlington. I am well aware in these days revival can happen in homes just like in sanctuaries. I know God is working.
For now my focus is on bed and seeking Him for next message tomorrow night. It is ten minutes after midnight. Way past my bedtime. Time for a little rest before He calls me to resume my relentless pursuit of Him.
Once I knew the passage the message flowed. I have preached this passage before. The study today was fresh and the word felt fresh in my heart. I got the notes on paper and then sat back and went over the whole message prayerfully in my mind. I love to sit still before God think through the passage and message point by point. God preaches them to me before I ever preach them to others.
I still fought the toxic thoughts on the commute to Spring Creek. Many questions swirled in my mind. Did I really hear from God about this revival? Why hadn't He broke through? What held God back? I did not have answers to any of those questions.
I got into the prayer room to sit before the Lord alone asking Him to prepare me to be His vessel. After a while, four others joined me. We poured our hearts before the Lord pleading for Him to work and thanking Him for the work He has already done.
How would I describe the worship. Diverse. Heavy. Nostalgic. Once again the Atens took us to the very throne of God. When I use the word diverse, I do so because we sang two songs more associated with Black Gospel Music. I loved it. I think God loved it too. He loves all styles of music. We often get locked into our preferred style.
I say heavy because The Revelation song is all about worship before the throne of God. It was like I actually stood there pouring my heart out in praise among the rest of Heaven. I could not praise Him deeply enough. Reverently enough. Loud enough. Sincerely enough. He deserves so much more.
I say nostalgic because many of the songs we sang tonight took me back to my youth group and college days. In my mind, I was transported back to Super Summer at Baylor University the summers of my junior and senior year in high school. Moments of long ago encounters with God flashed across my mind. We sang those songs back then drawing near to God. They had life in them then and they had life in them tonight. God used the Atens to once again set the table to deliver God's word.
The message tonight challenged us to all stay on the relentless passionate pursuit of knowing God. We unpacked a few verses lay after layer, word after word. I felt God helping me. I saw several on the edge of their seat hanging onto the word of the Lord. A challenging word. I felt the truth coursing through me with passion, conviction and earnestness. A strange things happened during the preaching. God moved in my life. The truth encouraged me and worked on me. It changed my attitude and enthusiasm for the rest of the revival. God preached to me through those verses.
Someone came forward during my invitation prayer. When I walked down the steps, he was already on his knees deep in prayer. Another came and another. Many prayed in the pews. Then Sherman sang the perfect song for the invitation. An old song by Rich Mullins called Step by Step. A couple of lines nailed the whole night, "I will seek You in the morning and learn to walk in Your ways. Step by step You will lead me and I will follow You all of my days." Memories of early morning encounters with God rushed to my memory. I recall singing that song as a college student at Howard Payne with all my soul. I have been on that early morning relentless pursuit for decades now and am more zealous to do it after tonight than ever.
After dinner with the Atens, Brenda noticed I had a text while driving home. It was a lengthy text from the man who came forward tonight while I prayed for the invitation. God met Him powerfully. He wrote, "It felt like I was the only one in there and you were talking directly to me." God does that. He meets people where they are and moves in them. That is why we are holding these meetings.
We are scheduled to meet Friday night and Saturday night. I prayerfully pray we go through Sunday and well, we'll see what God does after that.
Once again we had over 100 views of the service and counting. From as far away as Arlington. I am well aware in these days revival can happen in homes just like in sanctuaries. I know God is working.
For now my focus is on bed and seeking Him for next message tomorrow night. It is ten minutes after midnight. Way past my bedtime. Time for a little rest before He calls me to resume my relentless pursuit of Him.
Followers and Likes
Looking at the analytical statistics on my blog earlier, I noticed something I never paid attention to before. There is a category to keep track of how many follow this blog has. I have none. Zero. Zilch. Nata. The more I thought about it the more I thought that is how it should be. I do not want anyone following me. I want all people following Jesus. I want my life to be one big arrow pointing people to Jesus.
People boast about how many follow them. I understand it is an enlarged platform to get a message out. I still prefer people to follow Jesus not me. I am a man. A mortal with a fallen sin nature. It is only a matter of time before I let someone down. I do not deserve to be put on a pedestal. I am not a person to be admired. The only good in me is what Jesus has done and continues to do. Follow Him. Admire Him. Exalt Him.
In this age of social media, I came out of seclusion and rejoined. For one reason. To promote Jesus. I have no interest in any other thing. I do not read newsfeeds. I post my writings about Jesus or truth from the Bible. I do not write for "likes." In fact, I fully expect some of the things I write will not be liked because it will hit hard. It will challenge. Sometimes the truth hurts. People often do not like the truth.
You have no interest in what I ate for breakfast. What my kids do. What our dog did in the dining room I had to clean up. I will not be enslaved to "likes" and what others think of me. My focus needs to be on what Jesus thinks of me. How is my life honoring Him. Does He like the way I'm living? So I returned to social media to point others to him.
The late evangelist, Vance Havner, often said, "I've come to comfort the afflicted and to afflict the comfortable." My sentiments exactly.
Follow Jesus. Like Jesus. No, love Jesus. That is my whole life message.
People boast about how many follow them. I understand it is an enlarged platform to get a message out. I still prefer people to follow Jesus not me. I am a man. A mortal with a fallen sin nature. It is only a matter of time before I let someone down. I do not deserve to be put on a pedestal. I am not a person to be admired. The only good in me is what Jesus has done and continues to do. Follow Him. Admire Him. Exalt Him.
In this age of social media, I came out of seclusion and rejoined. For one reason. To promote Jesus. I have no interest in any other thing. I do not read newsfeeds. I post my writings about Jesus or truth from the Bible. I do not write for "likes." In fact, I fully expect some of the things I write will not be liked because it will hit hard. It will challenge. Sometimes the truth hurts. People often do not like the truth.
You have no interest in what I ate for breakfast. What my kids do. What our dog did in the dining room I had to clean up. I will not be enslaved to "likes" and what others think of me. My focus needs to be on what Jesus thinks of me. How is my life honoring Him. Does He like the way I'm living? So I returned to social media to point others to him.
The late evangelist, Vance Havner, often said, "I've come to comfort the afflicted and to afflict the comfortable." My sentiments exactly.
Follow Jesus. Like Jesus. No, love Jesus. That is my whole life message.
Hunger
God created us with appetites. We must have food. No matter how many times we eat, eventually those hunger pangs will return and we will need another meal.
God also created us with a void in our souls. An insatiable hunger that only He can fill. People try to fill it in other ways. They use sex, drugs, alcohol, activism, making money, attaining more possessions, achievements and a host of other things to fill this void. None suffice. God created that void for Himself. He alone can fill it.
There is a young man who trusted Jesus as Savior back in the winter. He has a job that requires him to work nights. He has to close the business. Even after closing, he shows up for revival services. He got there toward the end of the service last night. He sits on the front row. He sat down and looked to another lady and said, "What did I miss?" His hunger for God in inspiring. He makes no excuses. He years for more of God.
I wish that all of God's people had that kind of hunger for Jesus. We are far too easily amused. Satisfied with lesser blessings. We don't hunger for God like we should. Other things take on a higher priority than they should. The things of God take on lesser priority.
What is the difference between the young man who works at night, but hungers to see what God is doing, and those smugly satisfied with other things. Everything our souls crave can only be fulfilled and satisfied in God and His Son Jesus.
May we live all our days to increasingly hunger for Him.
God also created us with a void in our souls. An insatiable hunger that only He can fill. People try to fill it in other ways. They use sex, drugs, alcohol, activism, making money, attaining more possessions, achievements and a host of other things to fill this void. None suffice. God created that void for Himself. He alone can fill it.
There is a young man who trusted Jesus as Savior back in the winter. He has a job that requires him to work nights. He has to close the business. Even after closing, he shows up for revival services. He got there toward the end of the service last night. He sits on the front row. He sat down and looked to another lady and said, "What did I miss?" His hunger for God in inspiring. He makes no excuses. He years for more of God.
I wish that all of God's people had that kind of hunger for Jesus. We are far too easily amused. Satisfied with lesser blessings. We don't hunger for God like we should. Other things take on a higher priority than they should. The things of God take on lesser priority.
What is the difference between the young man who works at night, but hungers to see what God is doing, and those smugly satisfied with other things. Everything our souls crave can only be fulfilled and satisfied in God and His Son Jesus.
May we live all our days to increasingly hunger for Him.
Voices
In a world of millions of voices echoing just about as many messages, I question how important my voice is. I am no great orator. I am no best selling author. I have no great platform. Like so many others I do have a message. One resounding message. A message I have sounded for three decades. I play this one note repeatedly in the orchestra of life. I pound this same drum incessantly. I sing the same tune and write this same truth.
Jesus is the answer for the world today. He is my all in all. I owe Him my whole life. I play this same note over and over again. In what I preach. In what I write. Hopefully in what I do.
Jesus is Savior for the sinner. He is Deliverer for those in bondage. He is refuge for those in troubled times. He is Shepherd for the lost sheep. He is Peace in chaos. He is the hope for eternal life to the dying, He is comfort for the grieving. He is love for the unwanted and unlovable. He is King for His followers. He is Master to His servants. He is Lord of the Universe. He is the Light of the world. He is the Bread of Life. He is alive seated at the right hand of His Father. He is coming again. When He comes every knee will bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord.
He is my Champion. My Captain. My Shepherd. My King. My Lord. My Master. My Redeemer. My Savior. My Prince of Peace. My Alpha and Omega. My Lion of Judah. My Emmanuel. My Jesus.
In a world of millions of voices with millions of messages He stands alone. His message is timeless. He has outwitted, outlasted and outmatched all other religious leaders They are in the grave rotting but He lives resurrected. He is loved by millions. Praised all the world. Served by an army of followers. He has been read globally for thousands of years. People live for Him. They have bled for Him. They have died for His cause.
This is my message. Jesus. I live to make much of Him. He is my one message. Though my voice is small and my platform tiny, I still sound this one note. I still pound this one drum. I still write this same truth. Jesus is the only answer for the world today.
Jesus is the answer for the world today. He is my all in all. I owe Him my whole life. I play this same note over and over again. In what I preach. In what I write. Hopefully in what I do.
Jesus is Savior for the sinner. He is Deliverer for those in bondage. He is refuge for those in troubled times. He is Shepherd for the lost sheep. He is Peace in chaos. He is the hope for eternal life to the dying, He is comfort for the grieving. He is love for the unwanted and unlovable. He is King for His followers. He is Master to His servants. He is Lord of the Universe. He is the Light of the world. He is the Bread of Life. He is alive seated at the right hand of His Father. He is coming again. When He comes every knee will bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord.
He is my Champion. My Captain. My Shepherd. My King. My Lord. My Master. My Redeemer. My Savior. My Prince of Peace. My Alpha and Omega. My Lion of Judah. My Emmanuel. My Jesus.
In a world of millions of voices with millions of messages He stands alone. His message is timeless. He has outwitted, outlasted and outmatched all other religious leaders They are in the grave rotting but He lives resurrected. He is loved by millions. Praised all the world. Served by an army of followers. He has been read globally for thousands of years. People live for Him. They have bled for Him. They have died for His cause.
This is my message. Jesus. I live to make much of Him. He is my one message. Though my voice is small and my platform tiny, I still sound this one note. I still pound this one drum. I still write this same truth. Jesus is the only answer for the world today.
Wednesday, June 24, 2020
Spring Creek Revival Day Four
Life has taken on a familiar routine. God usually wakes me early to pray. I got back to bed for a short nap. When I get up for the second time I pray more for the message. When the text is revealed then the word studies and research follow. This all lasts through lunch.
After lunch I watch a video of a sermon or something inspirational. Next, I workout in the garage. Then it is time to shower and get dressed. I often sit in silence in the living room waiting on Brenda to get home from work meditating on the message. We rush out the door and normally get to Weatherford by 6:00 p.m. I scurry off to the prayer room for some time alone before others join me there around 6:30 p.m. to bathe the service in prayer.
During worship tonight the greatness of God filled my heart and mind. At times, I could not sing. I kept thinking about how truly great God is and how insignificant and ordinary I am. It was while contemplating these things I felt a cold chill go down my spine. It seemed that the Holy Spirit filled the room. I could only question who are we to come before holy God? Who are we to draw near to Him or sing His praises?
The message came from the whole 15th chapter of I Samuel. A message about obedience and submitting to authority. God's authority. Before I preached, I stood humbled by the greatness of God in the pulpit. Declaring that greatness in comparison to our lowliness in prayer.
The message by far was the hardest of any thus far. A call to submit to God and obey Him. A clarion call to repentance. I felt God speaking to the people. The message lasted about 45 minutes. When I extended the invitation, the atmosphere felt heavy. It seemed like people were stunned wrestling with how to respond to God. People were somber. I got out of the way to see what God would do.
A father came down to pray and soon his son came to pray with him. Another young man came forward. Nobody else. What happened behind me I cannot tell you. I did not see it. After a bit, I got up and offered a closing prayer but asked Sherman to lead us in worship a little longer. People had the freedom to leave if they wanted and I guess they wanted. When I finally left my seat to go to the back, very few people remained.
I went to back pew in the middle section and leaned on it with my hands. I felt tired. Spiritually and physically. I really did not feel like talking. My eyes fixated on the screen and the two words written on it, "More Lord." I prayed that under my breath over and over again. The yearning tears at me inside.
I felt God's presence, but did not see any visible evidence tonight of revival in other than the three who went to the altar. I am not suggesting people did not encounter God in their seats. I am honestly reporting I do not know what God did. It seemed like some were convicted. Whether they repented or not only God knows. I also do not how God moved for those watching online.
I did see one of our deacons ministering to a young man who showed up late when he got off work. That young man is hungry for God. They remained on the front pew for some time. I am blessed to serve with GREAT deacons. It is not just a title for these men. They are genuine servants.
I was surprised to hear that over 400 people viewed the service last night online. 200 of them viewed it live. Tonight we had someone from New York watch the service. He grew up in Spring Creek and is now planting a church in Coney Island.
The thought did dawn on me, standing at the back of the room, that God can work and spread His movement just as powerfully and further than our in person services. I know I just want more of God. I want this nation to experience His greatness. I want the world to know the greatness of my King Jesus. If God wants to use social media to do His work, so be it. More Lord.
It feels like we are making very little headway. We have at least three more services to go. I felt for a long time they would go longer than this coming Saturday. God will determine that.
My day ends with an hour drive back home. It goes by quickly as Brenda and I talk about what God did. Iwolfed down a couple of hot dogs from QT for dinner. Everyone else in my family had ChicFilA. Then, I come to this little office to jot down my thoughts. Tomorrow I will do it all over again. I cannot report that genuine revival has come yet. I can report that a remnant is hungry. We keep praying like a battering ram for breakthrough.
The impact of this revival just might be felt more online than in person. Either way, I still want more Lord. I still hunger for His greatness to be displayed. Lord willing, I will get up and do it all over again tomorrow trusting tomorrow might be the night when God sends revival fire.
Tuesday, June 23, 2020
Spring Creek Revival Day Three
Like last night, Brenda and I arrived at the church at 6:00 p.m. I went to my office to highlight a few things in my notes and then headed to the prayer room. Three other men joined me at 6:30 p.m. to bathe the service in prayer. I knew the word of the Lord for the night would be very heavy.
Once again the hand of God rested heavily on the Atens in leading us in worship. Sherman, Tammy and Brooke have all been blessed with beautiful voices. They are also talented musicians. That does not tell the whole story. They lead worship from their own worship.
I found great encouragement in words in several of the songs that dealt with grace, the freedom we have in Christ and our chains being gone. I thought back to chains of my past and could sing tonight that they are gone. Jesus set me free. It is one thing to sing spiritual songs. It is a whole other matter to sing at the top of your lungs to Jesus for what He has done for you. I don't know how long the worship, but it seemed to end way too soon for me.
I strode to the pulpit with resolve. The scripture for the night was Luke 13:10-17 about the woman Satan bound for 18 years. The message dealt with freedom from bondage. As part of that message, I had to share three experiences when I was sexually abused as a child. By a neighbor and some cousins. Brenda told me on the way home she had never heard me share one of those stories. Not something I enjoy sharing. It is embarrassing. God dealt with it, saved me and brought wholeness into my life. I seldom even think about it. Yet, it fit into the message tonight. Through Jesus I am not a victim but have His victory.
When the invitation was extended, a young couple who got saved back in February, went to the counseling room with some of our counselors. They were back there a long time and I never did hear what happened. If you were watching from home, I can tell you the camera could not capture what happened off camera. Brenda and I are still trying to process it.
A husband and wife went to the altar to pray together in a tender moment. Two wives prayed together at the altar. Several sang joyfully in the congregation. After a while, I went to the back of the sanctuary to soak in all God was doing.
I saw several heads bowed crying out to God. Others stood hands raised in worship. Sherman played song after song. Though I announced to the crowd there would be no official ending of the service and they could leave at anytime they felt inclined to do so, nobody did. For thirty straight minutes people either sang reverently and sat in God's presence taking it in. Sherman went seamlessly from song to song.
It was at this point the real move of God began. A grandmother and her grandson got up to leave. We visited briefly on their way out. A few moments later the teenage grandson came back in and sat down in a pew. The grandmother followed close behind and whispered to me, "He said he was not ready to leave." I wanted to shout hallelujah. A little later I saw that same grandmother with her hands lifted in worship.
A lady talked to me in the foyer about a person she had carried anger in her heart toward for a long time. As she prayed through this, Sherman played a song that the person she was mad at used to play. Though this person has been dead for some time she has been bondage to anger and bitterness. She testified in that moment when Sherman played that song, God set her free. She felt God used Sherman to sing that song just for her from the Lord. We rejoiced that she left tonight free for the first time in a long time.
We were blessed to see a former member of our youth group from 29 years ago. Allan is married with three children. I could hardly believe when he told me he was 41 years old. He leads worship at his local fellowship and works with students. What a joy to see him and hear how God is using him.
Toward the very end, a young man approached me. He asked if he could visit with Brenda and I in my office privately. Brenda was busy visiting with people in another part of the room, and I still had people wanting to talk to me. I assured the young man I would as soon as I could get Brenda's attention. Several minutes passed before the three of us convened in my office.
It was evident the young man was distraught. When we all sat down he said, "I think I faked getting saved when I was young. I don't think it was real." Brenda and I were shocked. Totally unexpected. He was definitely under conviction. I asked if he had prayed to receive Christ that night. He had not and we all bowed our heads. He prayed his own prayer. Through broken sobs he managed to pray, "God I need you. I've done so much wrong. Please forgive me and come into my heart." It was a sincere prayer offered from a tormented soul. I looked up and asked the young man if he really meant what he prayed. He assured me he did. Brenda reached over to hug him and I walked around the desk to do the same. God saved another soul tonight. Not just any soul. He saved our youngest son Turner!We are still trying to process it.
Turner felt he needed to call someone to apologize and make amends with he had recently offended. The angels are rejoicing. He said God had dealt with him for the past three days going back to the first service of the revival when Neal Mclaughlin shared his testimony about serving as a deacon, Sunday School teacher and treasurer even though he knew he was not saved. God used that testimony to save my son. HALLELUJAH! God saved and set Turner free tonight. The angels are still rejoicing. Brenda and I got home about 45 minutes ago. We are still processing.
All in all God did not finish working in this meeting until 9:00 p.m. Two full hours of worship and ministry. The melodies of Tammy, Sherman and Brooke, the weighty presence of God, the deliverance of several people, THE SALVATION OF MY SON made this the best night so far. IT IS ONLY NIGHT THREE. What will God do next? We will soon celebrate baptism. Now my son is also my brother in Christ. HALLELUJAH!
Once again the hand of God rested heavily on the Atens in leading us in worship. Sherman, Tammy and Brooke have all been blessed with beautiful voices. They are also talented musicians. That does not tell the whole story. They lead worship from their own worship.
I found great encouragement in words in several of the songs that dealt with grace, the freedom we have in Christ and our chains being gone. I thought back to chains of my past and could sing tonight that they are gone. Jesus set me free. It is one thing to sing spiritual songs. It is a whole other matter to sing at the top of your lungs to Jesus for what He has done for you. I don't know how long the worship, but it seemed to end way too soon for me.
I strode to the pulpit with resolve. The scripture for the night was Luke 13:10-17 about the woman Satan bound for 18 years. The message dealt with freedom from bondage. As part of that message, I had to share three experiences when I was sexually abused as a child. By a neighbor and some cousins. Brenda told me on the way home she had never heard me share one of those stories. Not something I enjoy sharing. It is embarrassing. God dealt with it, saved me and brought wholeness into my life. I seldom even think about it. Yet, it fit into the message tonight. Through Jesus I am not a victim but have His victory.
When the invitation was extended, a young couple who got saved back in February, went to the counseling room with some of our counselors. They were back there a long time and I never did hear what happened. If you were watching from home, I can tell you the camera could not capture what happened off camera. Brenda and I are still trying to process it.
A husband and wife went to the altar to pray together in a tender moment. Two wives prayed together at the altar. Several sang joyfully in the congregation. After a while, I went to the back of the sanctuary to soak in all God was doing.
I saw several heads bowed crying out to God. Others stood hands raised in worship. Sherman played song after song. Though I announced to the crowd there would be no official ending of the service and they could leave at anytime they felt inclined to do so, nobody did. For thirty straight minutes people either sang reverently and sat in God's presence taking it in. Sherman went seamlessly from song to song.
It was at this point the real move of God began. A grandmother and her grandson got up to leave. We visited briefly on their way out. A few moments later the teenage grandson came back in and sat down in a pew. The grandmother followed close behind and whispered to me, "He said he was not ready to leave." I wanted to shout hallelujah. A little later I saw that same grandmother with her hands lifted in worship.
A lady talked to me in the foyer about a person she had carried anger in her heart toward for a long time. As she prayed through this, Sherman played a song that the person she was mad at used to play. Though this person has been dead for some time she has been bondage to anger and bitterness. She testified in that moment when Sherman played that song, God set her free. She felt God used Sherman to sing that song just for her from the Lord. We rejoiced that she left tonight free for the first time in a long time.
We were blessed to see a former member of our youth group from 29 years ago. Allan is married with three children. I could hardly believe when he told me he was 41 years old. He leads worship at his local fellowship and works with students. What a joy to see him and hear how God is using him.
Toward the very end, a young man approached me. He asked if he could visit with Brenda and I in my office privately. Brenda was busy visiting with people in another part of the room, and I still had people wanting to talk to me. I assured the young man I would as soon as I could get Brenda's attention. Several minutes passed before the three of us convened in my office.
It was evident the young man was distraught. When we all sat down he said, "I think I faked getting saved when I was young. I don't think it was real." Brenda and I were shocked. Totally unexpected. He was definitely under conviction. I asked if he had prayed to receive Christ that night. He had not and we all bowed our heads. He prayed his own prayer. Through broken sobs he managed to pray, "God I need you. I've done so much wrong. Please forgive me and come into my heart." It was a sincere prayer offered from a tormented soul. I looked up and asked the young man if he really meant what he prayed. He assured me he did. Brenda reached over to hug him and I walked around the desk to do the same. God saved another soul tonight. Not just any soul. He saved our youngest son Turner!We are still trying to process it.
Turner felt he needed to call someone to apologize and make amends with he had recently offended. The angels are rejoicing. He said God had dealt with him for the past three days going back to the first service of the revival when Neal Mclaughlin shared his testimony about serving as a deacon, Sunday School teacher and treasurer even though he knew he was not saved. God used that testimony to save my son. HALLELUJAH! God saved and set Turner free tonight. The angels are still rejoicing. Brenda and I got home about 45 minutes ago. We are still processing.
All in all God did not finish working in this meeting until 9:00 p.m. Two full hours of worship and ministry. The melodies of Tammy, Sherman and Brooke, the weighty presence of God, the deliverance of several people, THE SALVATION OF MY SON made this the best night so far. IT IS ONLY NIGHT THREE. What will God do next? We will soon celebrate baptism. Now my son is also my brother in Christ. HALLELUJAH!
Monday, June 22, 2020
Spring Creek Revival Day Two
Brenda and I arrived at the church around 6:00 p.m. Soon after I made my way to the prayer room to get focused for the evening. I quieted my soul in God's presence and drank in the silence and the solitude. I reiterated prayers prayed all day long. I read the text again to let it sink into my mind and heart.
I walked out a quarter to seven to get the microphone. To my surprise Herb and Sonja Rios walked through the doors. We labored along side them in Seminole. They experienced the revival there. Not longer afterward, Mark and Trisha Beaty came in with a friend in tow. They too were in Seminole. Both families have since relocated and came to visit. What a blessing. They have tasted real revival.
A young man named Marshall caught my attention. He talked with me in the office telling me God prompted him to give his testimony. We set it up for tonight. Marshall gave a powerful testimony. He got saved at an early age and then experienced something that should never happen in any church anywhere at anytime. He got bullied in the church. Ridiculed. Humiliated. It happened so frequently he grew to hate the church and eventually turned away from the Jesus who saved Him. He did his own thing for many years. Then he ended up in a hospital fighting for his life. God used a nurse to get his attention back on Jesus. Six months ago Marshall married Sherman's and Tammy's daughter Brooke.
One song in particular moved me. I never heard it before. I cannot even remember all the words, but two lines moved me to tears. The song emphasized being in the presence of Jesus. Here are the two lines that spoke to me. I want to stay longer and I want to gaze deeper. I want to know You. Those words could have been taken right out of my prayer journal. How God has filled our hearts during the worship. We have not been in a hurry. We have tarried to praise the King. We have stayed longer and gazed deeper.
The message revolved around Jacob wrestling with God from Genesis 32:24-31. Specifically when Jacob said, "I will not let You go until You bless me." I honestly cannot tell you what happened during the first part of the invitation. I went to the altar to get hold of God and ask Him to bless the people in attendance and those watching at home. I pleaded for God to pour out His blessing.
When I returned to my seat, one of the deacon's wife came and sat next to me. She commented joyfully, "For the first time I lifted my hands tonight in worship. My hands are usually cold but tonight they are warm." I could not keep from smiling.
I felt a burden to go pray for someone when she left. I could see people doubled over in their pew praying. I see some backs heaving up and down as some wept. Others were caught up in worship again. Some went to the altar and ministry also took place out in the pews.
Toward the end, I sat in the back pew to take it all in. I prayed for the visitors from other towns and from sister churches in town. May the flames of revival spread to those places. A message settled in my mind that everything is on schedule during these meetings. I will testify they have started slowly.
Mark Beaty reminded the same thing happened in Seminole. He commented, "If we had stopped at the normal four day revival on Wednesday we would have missed God working. It started slowly and really picked up at the end of the week." God used those words to reassure we are on the right path. With that day two is in the books.
It already feels like we have met so much more than just two days. There is much more to come. I ask for more Lord, I ask You to do it again Lord.
I walked out a quarter to seven to get the microphone. To my surprise Herb and Sonja Rios walked through the doors. We labored along side them in Seminole. They experienced the revival there. Not longer afterward, Mark and Trisha Beaty came in with a friend in tow. They too were in Seminole. Both families have since relocated and came to visit. What a blessing. They have tasted real revival.
A young man named Marshall caught my attention. He talked with me in the office telling me God prompted him to give his testimony. We set it up for tonight. Marshall gave a powerful testimony. He got saved at an early age and then experienced something that should never happen in any church anywhere at anytime. He got bullied in the church. Ridiculed. Humiliated. It happened so frequently he grew to hate the church and eventually turned away from the Jesus who saved Him. He did his own thing for many years. Then he ended up in a hospital fighting for his life. God used a nurse to get his attention back on Jesus. Six months ago Marshall married Sherman's and Tammy's daughter Brooke.
One song in particular moved me. I never heard it before. I cannot even remember all the words, but two lines moved me to tears. The song emphasized being in the presence of Jesus. Here are the two lines that spoke to me. I want to stay longer and I want to gaze deeper. I want to know You. Those words could have been taken right out of my prayer journal. How God has filled our hearts during the worship. We have not been in a hurry. We have tarried to praise the King. We have stayed longer and gazed deeper.
The message revolved around Jacob wrestling with God from Genesis 32:24-31. Specifically when Jacob said, "I will not let You go until You bless me." I honestly cannot tell you what happened during the first part of the invitation. I went to the altar to get hold of God and ask Him to bless the people in attendance and those watching at home. I pleaded for God to pour out His blessing.
When I returned to my seat, one of the deacon's wife came and sat next to me. She commented joyfully, "For the first time I lifted my hands tonight in worship. My hands are usually cold but tonight they are warm." I could not keep from smiling.
I felt a burden to go pray for someone when she left. I could see people doubled over in their pew praying. I see some backs heaving up and down as some wept. Others were caught up in worship again. Some went to the altar and ministry also took place out in the pews.
Toward the end, I sat in the back pew to take it all in. I prayed for the visitors from other towns and from sister churches in town. May the flames of revival spread to those places. A message settled in my mind that everything is on schedule during these meetings. I will testify they have started slowly.
Mark Beaty reminded the same thing happened in Seminole. He commented, "If we had stopped at the normal four day revival on Wednesday we would have missed God working. It started slowly and really picked up at the end of the week." God used those words to reassure we are on the right path. With that day two is in the books.
It already feels like we have met so much more than just two days. There is much more to come. I ask for more Lord, I ask You to do it again Lord.
Spring Creek Revival Day 1 Part 2
For the first time in months Spring Creek gathered for a Sunday evening worship service. Over the years as a pastor and revivalist, Sunday nights have been my favorite services. Admittedly, the size of the crowd was down. Much like what would we have on a normal Sunday evening. That did not dampen our enthusiasm. I prayed that God would move so powerfully and deeply that the impact of His move would be like that of a crowd much larger.
God's anointing is on Sherman and Tammy Aten. God has used them powerfully to usher us into His holy presence. His presence fills the room. It not something you so much see as it is something you feel deep in the soul. You just know God is there. Holy Spirit is brooding over us getting ready to breakthrough.
God led me to preach from Isaiah 43:18-19. In essence, the message was about God doing a new work. The word new in that passage means fresh or current. The challenge was to believe God to move in our lives and fellowship in a fresh and current way. To move past stale lifeless religion. The message was hard. A message specifically laid on my heart at the prayer cabin.
Thus far, God is targeting His people first. He is calling us to repentance, to freedom from bondage, and to a fresh updated relationship with Him. When I gave the invitation, not one single person came forward to the altar in response. Not one. The moment was somber. A holy hush hung over the sanctuary. The only sound to be heard was the prayerful songs Sherman sang.
Such moments are hard to recapture. If you had been there, you might have been tempted to get discouraged, because of the small crowd and the lack of response during the invitation. I assure you that is not my heart. God has put deep things inside me about these revival meetings. Some things I am not at liberty to share at this time. I believe greater things are to come. I am confident Yahweh has come. His breakthrough is just moments away.
Like I have dreamed, I see the work of God building like a swell in the ocean. It may look like very little is happening on the surface, but look deeper. Like an ocean swell building momentum. I have no doubt God is building momentum. His swell will eventually become a wave. That wave will catch us and lead us closer to Him.
One of the highlights of last night was the surprise visit of three young ladies. Two of them are daughters of my good friend, and former pastor at Spring Creek, Jase Waller. The other the daughter of the former chairman of deacons and chairman of the search committee that brought me to FBC Seminole, Mark Beaty. I developed a special bond with those ladies when I got to serve as their pastor when they were teenagers. They are grown now. All three school teachers.
One of my prayers has been and will continue to be that God will deeply touch those who come to visit and send the flames of revival back with them to their local assemblies. I met a lady and her daughter who visited last night from a sister church in town that I have specifically prayed for God to send the fire of revival to their congregation. This is all much bigger than Spring Creek.
There is much praying to be done as we eagerly prepare and anticipate what God will do in day two. Remember you can watch the services on Facebook Live. Just find Spring Creek Baptist Church in Weatherford, TX on Facebook at 7:00 p.m. or come in person to
Spring Creek Baptist Church
100 Spring Creek Road
Weatherford, TX 76087
God's anointing is on Sherman and Tammy Aten. God has used them powerfully to usher us into His holy presence. His presence fills the room. It not something you so much see as it is something you feel deep in the soul. You just know God is there. Holy Spirit is brooding over us getting ready to breakthrough.
God led me to preach from Isaiah 43:18-19. In essence, the message was about God doing a new work. The word new in that passage means fresh or current. The challenge was to believe God to move in our lives and fellowship in a fresh and current way. To move past stale lifeless religion. The message was hard. A message specifically laid on my heart at the prayer cabin.
Thus far, God is targeting His people first. He is calling us to repentance, to freedom from bondage, and to a fresh updated relationship with Him. When I gave the invitation, not one single person came forward to the altar in response. Not one. The moment was somber. A holy hush hung over the sanctuary. The only sound to be heard was the prayerful songs Sherman sang.
Such moments are hard to recapture. If you had been there, you might have been tempted to get discouraged, because of the small crowd and the lack of response during the invitation. I assure you that is not my heart. God has put deep things inside me about these revival meetings. Some things I am not at liberty to share at this time. I believe greater things are to come. I am confident Yahweh has come. His breakthrough is just moments away.
Like I have dreamed, I see the work of God building like a swell in the ocean. It may look like very little is happening on the surface, but look deeper. Like an ocean swell building momentum. I have no doubt God is building momentum. His swell will eventually become a wave. That wave will catch us and lead us closer to Him.
One of the highlights of last night was the surprise visit of three young ladies. Two of them are daughters of my good friend, and former pastor at Spring Creek, Jase Waller. The other the daughter of the former chairman of deacons and chairman of the search committee that brought me to FBC Seminole, Mark Beaty. I developed a special bond with those ladies when I got to serve as their pastor when they were teenagers. They are grown now. All three school teachers.
One of my prayers has been and will continue to be that God will deeply touch those who come to visit and send the flames of revival back with them to their local assemblies. I met a lady and her daughter who visited last night from a sister church in town that I have specifically prayed for God to send the fire of revival to their congregation. This is all much bigger than Spring Creek.
There is much praying to be done as we eagerly prepare and anticipate what God will do in day two. Remember you can watch the services on Facebook Live. Just find Spring Creek Baptist Church in Weatherford, TX on Facebook at 7:00 p.m. or come in person to
Spring Creek Baptist Church
100 Spring Creek Road
Weatherford, TX 76087
Sunday, June 21, 2020
Spring Creek Revival Day 1 Part 1
Where do I even begin? I awoke to overcast skies and the looming threat of rain. I rejoiced. Why? The last day of the Shake The City Prayer Guide recounted a thunderstorm where God reminded me revival is like rain. It nourishes and refreshes. Sure enough, God sent rain just as the service was about to begin. There is no way that is coincidence.
In a counselors meeting, one of our deacons shared His testimony. It was almost word for word things God put in my heart to preach for the service this morning while away at the prayer cabin. He shared that testimony before I preached.
We started the service in prayer. My eyes moistened at the altar praying to begin the service. My eyes leaked even more as song after song drew us further into God's presence. I had to wipe my eyes several times on the front row. I can't describe it. Other than to say the presence of God weighed heavily on us. In the middle of singing, I reached over for my Bible with my eyes closed. When my fingers felt the worn leather of the cover in my grasp I felt a surge shoot into my hand and up my right arm. It felt like the God of the Bible, with all those testimonies and truth of His word, filled me in that moment. I have never experienced anything like it. I can't explain and dare not try to define it. I report what I experienced and leave you to your own interpretation. In that moment the tears dried and I felt resolved to deliver the message from Matthew 11:28. "Come to Me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest."
I delivered the message He put on my heart. A message inviting people to come to Jesus who are weary and heavy laden to find rest in Him. Many came forward to unload burdens. Many sought the Lord for His peace. Some prayed with others. Nobody got saved, but I would just add to that statement nobody got saved yet. I believe it is coming.
God made Himself manifest today. He confirmed His will to pursue Him these days. He showed up and made His presence apparent. I am not discouraged, but greatly encouraged. There is much more, so much more to come.
All in all it was a good start. We will reconvene in two hours to do it all over again. I look forward to our time together tonight. Sunday nights have always been my favorite services over the years. Please stay tuned for what happens next.
In a counselors meeting, one of our deacons shared His testimony. It was almost word for word things God put in my heart to preach for the service this morning while away at the prayer cabin. He shared that testimony before I preached.
We started the service in prayer. My eyes moistened at the altar praying to begin the service. My eyes leaked even more as song after song drew us further into God's presence. I had to wipe my eyes several times on the front row. I can't describe it. Other than to say the presence of God weighed heavily on us. In the middle of singing, I reached over for my Bible with my eyes closed. When my fingers felt the worn leather of the cover in my grasp I felt a surge shoot into my hand and up my right arm. It felt like the God of the Bible, with all those testimonies and truth of His word, filled me in that moment. I have never experienced anything like it. I can't explain and dare not try to define it. I report what I experienced and leave you to your own interpretation. In that moment the tears dried and I felt resolved to deliver the message from Matthew 11:28. "Come to Me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest."
I delivered the message He put on my heart. A message inviting people to come to Jesus who are weary and heavy laden to find rest in Him. Many came forward to unload burdens. Many sought the Lord for His peace. Some prayed with others. Nobody got saved, but I would just add to that statement nobody got saved yet. I believe it is coming.
God made Himself manifest today. He confirmed His will to pursue Him these days. He showed up and made His presence apparent. I am not discouraged, but greatly encouraged. There is much more, so much more to come.
All in all it was a good start. We will reconvene in two hours to do it all over again. I look forward to our time together tonight. Sunday nights have always been my favorite services over the years. Please stay tuned for what happens next.
Saturday, June 20, 2020
The Hour At Hand
Time ticks down toward the revival hour,
To behold God in His transforming power,
We have prayed much with great fervency,
Crying out for our community urgently,
From our sins we turned and repented,
Seeking You in prayer we've not relented,
Now the appointed revival hour at hand,
Believing You for a renewing in the land,
Holy Spirit please ignite our souls afire,
Jesus may You be our heart's one desire,
We are in a relentless pursuit of You,
Not content to seek from a distant view,
Now the appointed revival hour at hand,
Believing You for a renewing in the land.
Have Your Will And Your Way
As I sit down to write this, we are on the final 24 hour countdown toward the first scheduled revival meeting starting June 21 at 11:00 a.m. Time has flown since God first put the idea of such a revival in my heart. It soon became much more than an idea. It became a calling. I felt compelled God willed us to do this. Most of you know the story by now how I battled doubts. Twice pulling out in my mind only to be convicted by the Holy Spirit.
The last time fought in the prayer room after going months where I did not hear from God. For weeks on end I pleaded with God to speak to me. I frequently went to the prayer room to sit before Him begging Him to break the silence. One day He did. He did so by convicting me of the sin of unbelief. He showed me that trying to pull out this revival was rebellion. That unbelief and rebellion were the reasons He remained silent. He very clearly and firmly called me to obedience by faith. I settled it right there and resolved to follow through. Since then, God has broken the spiritual drought with seasons of refreshing.
My doubts stem from an experience I had in Kermit, TX back in 2017. I also felt called to hold a Shake The City Revival in that town a few years ago under a tent. God gave me dozens of dreams. He provided for the tent, the lodging and meals. It all seemed to fall into place. A church allowed us to use their vacant lot to put up the tent for free. I entered that time with so much expectation I made frequent trips for Bible studies and prayer meetings. We stayed a week and most nights barely had a dozen people under a tent that would seat hundreds. We met and worked with some wonderful people there like the Urguidi family. The whole event failed miserably in my eyes. I felt humiliated night after night. In hindsight, I left that town with some wonderful new relationships but feeling like a failure.
It was those memories that caused me to hesitate on following through at Spring Creek holding another such revival. There is a huge difference between revival meetings and true revival. I've had my belly full of revival meetings. I never planned on having them again. God had other plans.
I felt clear instructions from the Holy Spirit about these meetings. He led me to contact the Atens to lead worship. My heart sunk when they told me they would be out of the country. I went through two other people and they fell through as well. Then the Corona virus. The Atens' schedule cleared up, not only for the beginning of these meetings, but also for the months of July and August. That was a major God intervention.
In these weeks of prayerful preparation, I have sensed repeatedly the Atens are going to play a huge role in these meetings. Much more than leading worship. I believe they will be weapons in the hand of God against the forces of evil. I am honored and humbled to serve along beside them again.
God also impressed on me to start the meetings on June 21, which as you know, is Father's Day. It is a national holiday. Only God impressed on me it is THE FATHER'S DAY. Meaning it is a day that He wants to do something beyond what we can conceive. A day when He gives the gift of a supernatural move from Him.
He also prompted me to lead the church into 70 days of unified devotions and prayers leading up to the revival. I wrote material and added it to the material we used in Seminole in preparation for that revival. We nearly doubled the devotions and time of prayer in the current book. We started April 12th Resurrection Sunday. Now we are on the final countdown. By the way, that material is available for free to download on our website at www.myspringcreek.org. Just click on the Shake The City Revival tab.
Lastly, God moved me to have a consecration service tonight. Really it all boils down to one last prayer meeting. The Corona virus stopped our plans for home prayer meetings over the past few months. Other than on Wednesday nights, this will be first time the church will gather to pray corporately. We will also celebrate communion in an act of fully dedicating ourselves to whatever He desires to do.
I sit here both excited and wishing we had more time to pray. More time to get ready. More time to prepare our hearts. In the end, I know that while our preparations have not been perfect, we have obeyed what I was instructed to do. I know that collectively hundreds of hours of prayers have been lifted up to God to have His will and way in Spring Creek. In addition, I personally pray God expands the work to sister churches in town and beyond.
So with all that in mind, all that swirls in my heart and mind, and all the dreams and visions I sit here both excited and wondering what I could have done to prepare better. It is in these moments I am reminded of a simple truth. This is all about God. This is all about Jesus. It is not about me. The call to do this originated with Jehovah. The instructions on how to lead the church to prepare came from Him as well. Revival only comes from Him. Not from me. I am powerless to renew people or draw anyone to salvation. I am just a vessel. I am not in pursuit of revival. I am in pursuit of God. I hunger for more of Him for me personally and for the church God has assigned me to shepherd. Come Lord Jesus. Have your will and your way.
The last time fought in the prayer room after going months where I did not hear from God. For weeks on end I pleaded with God to speak to me. I frequently went to the prayer room to sit before Him begging Him to break the silence. One day He did. He did so by convicting me of the sin of unbelief. He showed me that trying to pull out this revival was rebellion. That unbelief and rebellion were the reasons He remained silent. He very clearly and firmly called me to obedience by faith. I settled it right there and resolved to follow through. Since then, God has broken the spiritual drought with seasons of refreshing.
My doubts stem from an experience I had in Kermit, TX back in 2017. I also felt called to hold a Shake The City Revival in that town a few years ago under a tent. God gave me dozens of dreams. He provided for the tent, the lodging and meals. It all seemed to fall into place. A church allowed us to use their vacant lot to put up the tent for free. I entered that time with so much expectation I made frequent trips for Bible studies and prayer meetings. We stayed a week and most nights barely had a dozen people under a tent that would seat hundreds. We met and worked with some wonderful people there like the Urguidi family. The whole event failed miserably in my eyes. I felt humiliated night after night. In hindsight, I left that town with some wonderful new relationships but feeling like a failure.
It was those memories that caused me to hesitate on following through at Spring Creek holding another such revival. There is a huge difference between revival meetings and true revival. I've had my belly full of revival meetings. I never planned on having them again. God had other plans.
I felt clear instructions from the Holy Spirit about these meetings. He led me to contact the Atens to lead worship. My heart sunk when they told me they would be out of the country. I went through two other people and they fell through as well. Then the Corona virus. The Atens' schedule cleared up, not only for the beginning of these meetings, but also for the months of July and August. That was a major God intervention.
In these weeks of prayerful preparation, I have sensed repeatedly the Atens are going to play a huge role in these meetings. Much more than leading worship. I believe they will be weapons in the hand of God against the forces of evil. I am honored and humbled to serve along beside them again.
God also impressed on me to start the meetings on June 21, which as you know, is Father's Day. It is a national holiday. Only God impressed on me it is THE FATHER'S DAY. Meaning it is a day that He wants to do something beyond what we can conceive. A day when He gives the gift of a supernatural move from Him.
He also prompted me to lead the church into 70 days of unified devotions and prayers leading up to the revival. I wrote material and added it to the material we used in Seminole in preparation for that revival. We nearly doubled the devotions and time of prayer in the current book. We started April 12th Resurrection Sunday. Now we are on the final countdown. By the way, that material is available for free to download on our website at www.myspringcreek.org. Just click on the Shake The City Revival tab.
Lastly, God moved me to have a consecration service tonight. Really it all boils down to one last prayer meeting. The Corona virus stopped our plans for home prayer meetings over the past few months. Other than on Wednesday nights, this will be first time the church will gather to pray corporately. We will also celebrate communion in an act of fully dedicating ourselves to whatever He desires to do.
I sit here both excited and wishing we had more time to pray. More time to get ready. More time to prepare our hearts. In the end, I know that while our preparations have not been perfect, we have obeyed what I was instructed to do. I know that collectively hundreds of hours of prayers have been lifted up to God to have His will and way in Spring Creek. In addition, I personally pray God expands the work to sister churches in town and beyond.
So with all that in mind, all that swirls in my heart and mind, and all the dreams and visions I sit here both excited and wondering what I could have done to prepare better. It is in these moments I am reminded of a simple truth. This is all about God. This is all about Jesus. It is not about me. The call to do this originated with Jehovah. The instructions on how to lead the church to prepare came from Him as well. Revival only comes from Him. Not from me. I am powerless to renew people or draw anyone to salvation. I am just a vessel. I am not in pursuit of revival. I am in pursuit of God. I hunger for more of Him for me personally and for the church God has assigned me to shepherd. Come Lord Jesus. Have your will and your way.
Friday, June 19, 2020
A Revival Dream
I see a male lion in a large open air cage. The door to the cage is open and the lion is free to leave anytime he wants. He walks out and walks up to me. I am not scared for the lion does not intend to harm me. He rubs his nose and mane against my arm in a sign up deep affection.
Without warning the lion roars. So loudly it hurts my ears and makes the hairs on my neck stand up in reverent awe. I feel the roar all through my body. I am awed at his power. The force of the roar is so powerful the trees sway in bend like in a hurricane. The sound of the roar carries for miles. When people hear it, they stop what they are doing and look up. At the same time, alarm clocks go off for all the people. They are drawn to the lion and make their way to him.
The lion leaves my side and leaps upon a large flat rock several feet in the air. I can see the muscles in his legs as he sits down. The wind blows his mane gently0. He is awesome to behold. He sits waiting on people to gather. When they arrive he lets out another ferocious roar louder than the first.
At the second roar two things happen simultaneously. All the other beasts flee in fear. All the people bow down prostrate paying homage to the lion.
Without warning the lion roars. So loudly it hurts my ears and makes the hairs on my neck stand up in reverent awe. I feel the roar all through my body. I am awed at his power. The force of the roar is so powerful the trees sway in bend like in a hurricane. The sound of the roar carries for miles. When people hear it, they stop what they are doing and look up. At the same time, alarm clocks go off for all the people. They are drawn to the lion and make their way to him.
The lion leaves my side and leaps upon a large flat rock several feet in the air. I can see the muscles in his legs as he sits down. The wind blows his mane gently0. He is awesome to behold. He sits waiting on people to gather. When they arrive he lets out another ferocious roar louder than the first.
At the second roar two things happen simultaneously. All the other beasts flee in fear. All the people bow down prostrate paying homage to the lion.
Thursday, June 18, 2020
Prayer Cabin Day Four
The Lord awoke me early to seek Him. What a glorious encounter I enjoyed with Him. Such a deep enriching time followed that by 8:00 a.m. my cup was already overflowing. The time in His presence persisted for three and a half hours. I got so caught up in Him I lost track of time and my surroundings. I will long remember this time with Jesus. That one encounter was worth the whole trip.
I went on another prayer walk and went down to the pier where I sat for an hour. The wind blew stronger yesterday. I watched the water moving in much bigger ripples than the previous day. Then something dawned in my mind. The water yielded to the power of the wind and flowed in the direction the wind blew it. That is what I am supposed to do. That is what God’s church is supposed to do. We are to submit and give ourselves to flowing in the direction the wind of His Spirit blows us. That means we must get rid of our predetermined agendas. The water did try to resist the wind. The flowed wherever the wind wanted to blow it.
We come to God with our plans, our traditions, our set ways. We say things like, “This is the way we have always done it, or we have never done that before.” None of that matters. We must flow like water in whatever direction the wind wants to blow us. Worship must be Spirit led. Life must be lived influenced and driven by the Spirit. This is foreign to many. Just like there is power in harnessing the wind and yielding to it so is there in the Holy Spirit.
I had another interesting experience on my prayer walk. I traversed the long dirt road from the cabin back toward the entrance of the property. A massive bull slept against the barbed wire fence under a shade tree. All week I’ve noticed this hulking creature of power. I guess he did not hear me because of the wind blowing. My feet caught a rock and kicked it startling the bull awake. In a flash he jumped to his feet bewildered who or what had snuck up on him.
My host told me an interesting story about that bull. He purchased him a week ago. The bull went into the pasture with the other cows thinking he was the new king. Only problem is a much smaller bull had ruled that pasture for some time. The smaller bull had fought off other bulls over time. The bigger bull had never had to face or fight another bull. He got soundly whipped by the smaller bull. After that, the bigger bull would not even graze near the other cows but stayed to himself.
Satan is like the bigger bull. Intimidating. Powerful. Yet, we who make up God’s people, though smaller can defeat him if we know how to fight in prayer. For way too long the enemy has intimidated the people of God into silence and defeat. We see the end results in our society. It is time to take the fight to the devil and take back ground he has stolen in our lives, families, congregations, and communities. It will not be an easy fight. Let us remember we face a defeated adversary operating on borrowed time.
With that the prayer retreat has come to an end. I leave for home on Thursday. I leave full, focused and fired up. I look forward to seeing Brenda and my sons. I also look forward to seeing the Spring Creek
Wednesday, June 17, 2020
Prayer Cabin Day Three
Many people would find time in the prayer cabin monotonous and boring. I’m eating it up. I have not watched television in days. I don’t know what else is happening in the world other than talking to Brenda about our family. Days here are filled with prayer, reading, listening, prayer walking and fellowship with one of best friends in the world who manages this place. I definitely feel the prayer cover of many who are lifting me up during this retreat. It has been very special.
My day was highlighted with three events. Around noon I took a prayer walk. At the end I walked down to the boat house. I found a rocking chair and lugged it to the end of the pier to pray. There was not a sound other than choir choruses of birds chirping and the occasional fish splashing in the water. I felt the gentle breeze and saw the small shimmering ripples across the water. My tranquility got interrupted by a foreign noise. I knew it was mechanical but had no idea what could make such an awful racket disturbing my peace. The noise did not last long. Suddenly the water began splashing around behind me. I turned to see what in the world was happening. Then it all came together.
The noise I heard was a fish feeder going off. The splashing of the water was fish in a feeding frenzy. I watched for a while and then a prayer formed in my mind. “God, I want to be that hungry for You. You are constantly feeding truth and revealing Yourself. I want to hunger for You as eagerly as those fish feeding.”
Later that afternoon, my host took me to pick up Tucker’s car from a mechanic. I needed to get some minor repair work done on it while here. Another man showed up at the same time we did all waiting on the mechanic. After some time, I asked the other man, “Do you know any good news?” He responded that his good news was he just got off work. I replied, “I know some better news than that. Jesus Christ loves you so much He went to the cross and died so you could be forgiven of all your sins.” The man looked at me for a moment. His words penetrated deep. He said thoughtfully, “That’s not good news. That is the best news. It is the best news of all. Yeah. That is the best news.” He is right you know. The message of Jesus is not just good news. It is the best news.
During the evening I got caught up in reading a book about prayer. Especially prayer that opposes the forces of darkness. The thought occurred to me that the prayers of God’s people ought to be like an areal attack from bombers dropping explosion after explosion on enemy targets. I shut the book to pray on this. I thought about my life at how ineffective so much of my praying has been. I begged God to teach me how to pray. It was with that prayer on my lips that I drifted off to sleep.
The fourth and final day at the prayer cabin awaits.
Tuesday, June 16, 2020
Prayer Cabin Day Two
How do I even attempt to explain what time in this cabin is like? Suffice it to say God meets me here. I spent a good deal of yesterday in prayer. Praying for the revival of course. Asking Him for direction about what to preach. Listening for His instructions. Praying for my family. Praying for the Spring Creek flock. I even took a prayer walk. I concluded the day with some reading.
It is difficult to try to describe encounters with Yahweh. It is frustrating reaching for language that will never fully explain what I have already experienced. As I wrote the day before, this is sacred soil. I come to this prayer cabin to seek and soak in God. I have no other agenda. Complete isolation. Uninterrupted hours of solitude. I bring a hungry heart for more of God.
Sitting still before Him requires discipline. Often my mind wants to rush ahead with the next thing on my to do list. An ever expanding list. There are always sermons to prepare, blogs to write, phone calls to make, administrative details to plan, a flock to shepherd, a new book to write, and well you get the picture.
To intentionally slow down, slow the mind, and sit still before God takes focus. If I hurry through devotions, He seldom speaks to me. If I come unhurried into His presence and linger, He often penetrates the clutter of my mind with words of instruction, affirmation, exhortation and at times rebuke. I crave Him. I yearn for His words of life more than anything.
I sat at the little dining table pouring my heart out in prayer yesterday morning. I asked if He had anything to say to me. Slowly a picture formed in my mind. A picture of me trying to preach in brokenness and tears. All I could manage to say was, “Come to Jesus.” With that picture and those words in my head I knew the first message for the revival.
Later that day while prayer walking, I felt deeply impressed with four revival prayers. “More Lord.” “Do it again Lord.” “Bend us Lord.” “Shake the city Lord.” I rushed back to the cabin so I could write them in my journal not to forget them.
Then last night. After reading a chapter in a book about God revealing Himself and speaking to people through various methods. I closed the book, set is aside on the couch, and bowed my head. I asked if there was anything God wanted to reveal to me. I sat still before Him for some time. After several minutes passed a message formed in my head. I like to equate these times like someone tuning into the right frequency on a radio. When I got tuned in the message came. Clear instructions about the upcoming revival. I hurriedly jotted those instructions down in my journal.
When it ended, and this encounter did not last long, I sat awed. Humbled that God would choose to speak to me. Humbled that He would choose to use me. Who am I? Just an average middle-aged guy from east Texas with many flaws. I am not worthy. Not worthy to be His child, His preacher or to ever have Him speak to me. What a joy to commune with Him.
He has already met me here. I have two full days left before I return. I can’t wait to see what encounters God will bring to me next. The pursuit of Him continues
Monday, June 15, 2020
Prayer Cabin Day One
We enjoyed another great day of worship at Spring Creek. When the last person left, I hurried to the house to pack my bags for a long- anticipated trip to the prayer cabin. The prayer cabin is a place nestled in deep east Texas among the Pine trees. It is a place God has allowed me to have access to for the past 25 years. I come here to pray, write, and be renewed.
The prayer cabin is a small two- bedroom house with brown wood siding. It has a brick fireplace, though I have never seen it used in all these years. The cabin has a small kitchen, two bathrooms and a living room with furniture well over 30 years old. The dining table serves as my desk where I journal and write.
The prayer cabin is located two and a half hours from Weatherford, TX. I traveled through Fort Worth and felt relief to leave big city life in the dust. I reached my destination landmarked by two cemented statues of eagles lining the dirt road onto the property. Many years ago, this place was named Eagles Rest Retreat. Ironically, I have seen eagles on this place many times over the years.
The long dirt road to the back of the property leads to the prayer cabin. You drive through a gully and through two security gates to get here. The cabin sits in the middle of 400 acres. A pine thicket lies to the left when you pull up. Pine trees always make me feel at home. You can take the boy out of east Texas, but you can never take the east Texas out of the boy. To the right sits an impressive log house with several bedrooms. The back porch of the cabin overlooks a beautiful tranquil 90- acre private lake. Just beyond the lake are rolling hills of pasture and another thicket of trees.
This is holy ground. A place I’ve encountered God repeatedly. Sacred soil. It has been a long time since I was last here. Even longer since I was here for a real prayer retreat. The longest of my entire ministry. So long I can’t remember the last time I spent more than one night here in a row.
I am grateful for a wife and a church who understand why I retreated. They know I did not come here for a vacation.
When I unloaded the car I settled in and voiced a prayer. “Lord, I ask You to meet me here in the most profound way You ever have in all the times I have come to this place. I ask You to fill me. I came for no other purpose than to seek You and receive what You have for me.”
With that prayer, I have been off and running. Praying. Reading. Reflecting. A buffet of silence and solitude other than the chirping of the birds and drop by visits from the host. I have three full days scheduled to be here. I hope to make the most of them.
Saturday, June 13, 2020
Another Revival Dream
In a dream I saw a great chess match taking place between God and Satan. God moved first and then Satan would countermove. Down below on earth, when God moved it resulted in life, salvation and deliverance. When Satan counter moved, it resulted in sin, destruction and death.
The chess board began to fade into a large television monitor. I looked closely and saw myself in the Spring Creek sanctuary praying alone. I was dressed in armor. Overhead dozens of demons flew around in a frenzied fury. They did not touch me but they were there swarming. Then in a concentrated rush they all attacked me. The deacons and their wives came in wearing armor and fighting the demons off me. Sherman and Tammy came in and began singing. When they started the singing the demons became helpless. They were defeated and fled.
I went to the front doors and looked outside. I saw dark storm clouds on one side with what seemed like millions of demons swarming overhead Spring Creek. The clouds grew darker and darker obscuring the light. On the other side, the skies were clear and myriad of angels gathered to war with the demons. Tensions were high as a great battle was about to begin.
I went to the prayer room alone to cry out to God for messages. Parchment papers floated down from the ceiling. I took them and ate. They became like molten lava in my soul and felt like a volcano about to erupt. In the sanctuary, people began to gather. Many came in with shackles and chains looking tired and defeated. I came out to deliver the message and chains fell off people. They ran out rejoicing to tell others and bring them. We all celebrated with joyous worship led by the Atens.
The flames of revival spread. Far beyond Spring Creek. To other churches. To other states.
When the last person left I fell into bed exhausted. God ministered to me in my sleep. He awoke to pray and the whole scene repeated itself.
Outside the marquee read, "Revival Continues nightly."
That is the dream. I do not write this lightly. We are entering into war. I already feel it. The attacks have started. Prayer covering is needed for the Edwards and Atens. God is greater. I believe He has set Spring Creek in His crosshairs. He has targeted us for a special season. We have not earned it and we certainly do not deserve it. It is His sovereign choice. Like a train barreling down the tracks that you can hear from the distance, He is coming. He is coming powerfully and He means business. We have been preparing for 62 days. We have set aside the next 8 days for continued preparations.
I leave for time away at the prayer cabin after our worship gathering tomorrow morning. Lord willing I plan to return on Thursday in time for C.P.R. If the dvd comes in time, we are going to show a revival story called "An Appalachian Dawn," on Wednesday night. Unfortunately, we will not be able to broadcast this on Facebook live because of copyright laws. On Saturday night June 20th, we are gathering for a Revival Rally at 7:00 p.m. in the Spring Creek sanctuary. We will worship, hear from God's word, and celebrate communion. Most importantly, we will pray.
The revival meetings start on June 21 at 11:00 a.m. I have asked the deacons to open our first meeting with each of them praying. I will invite the congregation to the altar to pray afterward before we sing the first note of the first song. We will gather again that night at 6:00 p.m. The rest of the meetings will begin at 7:00 p.m. We have not scheduled an official ending date. God will choose that date when He has done what He wanted. We have not done a great deal of advertising. God will advertise for Himself when He moves powerfully in our midst. Come Lord come. We are waiting on You.
I remind you all. Revival is costly. God will require more praying than you have ever done. He will require reprioritizing of schedules. He will demand first place in everything. Do we really want Him to come and move in our midst? Do we truly desire for Him to have His will and His way in our lives, families, and church? Do we long for Him to move turning the hearts of the community and nation bac to Him? I hope you are getting ready. It will not be long now.
The chess board began to fade into a large television monitor. I looked closely and saw myself in the Spring Creek sanctuary praying alone. I was dressed in armor. Overhead dozens of demons flew around in a frenzied fury. They did not touch me but they were there swarming. Then in a concentrated rush they all attacked me. The deacons and their wives came in wearing armor and fighting the demons off me. Sherman and Tammy came in and began singing. When they started the singing the demons became helpless. They were defeated and fled.
I went to the front doors and looked outside. I saw dark storm clouds on one side with what seemed like millions of demons swarming overhead Spring Creek. The clouds grew darker and darker obscuring the light. On the other side, the skies were clear and myriad of angels gathered to war with the demons. Tensions were high as a great battle was about to begin.
I went to the prayer room alone to cry out to God for messages. Parchment papers floated down from the ceiling. I took them and ate. They became like molten lava in my soul and felt like a volcano about to erupt. In the sanctuary, people began to gather. Many came in with shackles and chains looking tired and defeated. I came out to deliver the message and chains fell off people. They ran out rejoicing to tell others and bring them. We all celebrated with joyous worship led by the Atens.
The flames of revival spread. Far beyond Spring Creek. To other churches. To other states.
When the last person left I fell into bed exhausted. God ministered to me in my sleep. He awoke to pray and the whole scene repeated itself.
Outside the marquee read, "Revival Continues nightly."
That is the dream. I do not write this lightly. We are entering into war. I already feel it. The attacks have started. Prayer covering is needed for the Edwards and Atens. God is greater. I believe He has set Spring Creek in His crosshairs. He has targeted us for a special season. We have not earned it and we certainly do not deserve it. It is His sovereign choice. Like a train barreling down the tracks that you can hear from the distance, He is coming. He is coming powerfully and He means business. We have been preparing for 62 days. We have set aside the next 8 days for continued preparations.
I leave for time away at the prayer cabin after our worship gathering tomorrow morning. Lord willing I plan to return on Thursday in time for C.P.R. If the dvd comes in time, we are going to show a revival story called "An Appalachian Dawn," on Wednesday night. Unfortunately, we will not be able to broadcast this on Facebook live because of copyright laws. On Saturday night June 20th, we are gathering for a Revival Rally at 7:00 p.m. in the Spring Creek sanctuary. We will worship, hear from God's word, and celebrate communion. Most importantly, we will pray.
The revival meetings start on June 21 at 11:00 a.m. I have asked the deacons to open our first meeting with each of them praying. I will invite the congregation to the altar to pray afterward before we sing the first note of the first song. We will gather again that night at 6:00 p.m. The rest of the meetings will begin at 7:00 p.m. We have not scheduled an official ending date. God will choose that date when He has done what He wanted. We have not done a great deal of advertising. God will advertise for Himself when He moves powerfully in our midst. Come Lord come. We are waiting on You.
I remind you all. Revival is costly. God will require more praying than you have ever done. He will require reprioritizing of schedules. He will demand first place in everything. Do we really want Him to come and move in our midst? Do we truly desire for Him to have His will and His way in our lives, families, and church? Do we long for Him to move turning the hearts of the community and nation bac to Him? I hope you are getting ready. It will not be long now.
Thursday, June 11, 2020
Jesus Is There
These have been difficult days. The first half of 2020 is unlike anything we have ever experienced. Jesus has been there each and every day.
I talked with a grieving lady today. Jesus is there. On the long drive to the funeral far away Jesus is there. I talked with a wife and mother facing an unexpected trial. Jesus is there. For the ones laid up in the hospital trying to recover facing set back after set back, Jesus is there.
For the jilted spouse in favor of a newer model Jesus is there. For the distraught parents pleading for the return of their prodigal child Jesus is there. Jesus is there with the prodigal convicting, chastising and breaking. For the out of work people struggling to survive and hold onto any hope, Jesus is there. For the overworked medical workers Jesus is there. For those scared Jesus is there.
For the churches struggling to hang on Jesus is there. For the discouraged ministers, who have seen the death of dreams and visions, Jesus is still there. For those caught up in chaos and confusion, Jesus is there. For those depressed Jesus is there.
Jesus is there for the heavy laden. Jesus is there for the lonely and forgotten. Jesus is there for the ones who keep getting doors slammed in their face. Jesus is there for those facing incurable disease. He is there for the child of God drawing their last breath on this planet before stepping into eternity and everlasting life.
I admit sometimes it does not feel like Jesus is there. He does not always appear to be working. He is admittedly silent at times. He is there. There with strength to get through the next trial and over the next hurdle. There to bring peace to conflicted and tormented minds. He is there for the brokenhearted holding the broken pieces in His hands. In time, He is able to put it all back together. He is there working. Helping you to press on when it would be easier to just give up. He is there keeping a spark of faith flickering. He is there in impossible situations. Truly nothing is impossible with Him.
He is there in the darkest night when the inky black of the night sky mirrors the heart. He is there when you cannot even form a prayer. Prayers only come in the form of trickled tears compiled from deep seated pain and sorrow. He is there.
Joshua 1:9 (NASB)
9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
How can I say that with confidence? Frist, I have experienced it over and over again. Secondly, He promised us in His word. He is with us wherever we go.
He said He will never leave us or forsake us. Hebrews 13:5 Jesus is there. He will always be there. It may not feel like it. It may not look like it. It might not even seem like it. Don't believe that stuff. Believe what is word says. Jesus is there.
I talked with a grieving lady today. Jesus is there. On the long drive to the funeral far away Jesus is there. I talked with a wife and mother facing an unexpected trial. Jesus is there. For the ones laid up in the hospital trying to recover facing set back after set back, Jesus is there.
For the jilted spouse in favor of a newer model Jesus is there. For the distraught parents pleading for the return of their prodigal child Jesus is there. Jesus is there with the prodigal convicting, chastising and breaking. For the out of work people struggling to survive and hold onto any hope, Jesus is there. For the overworked medical workers Jesus is there. For those scared Jesus is there.
For the churches struggling to hang on Jesus is there. For the discouraged ministers, who have seen the death of dreams and visions, Jesus is still there. For those caught up in chaos and confusion, Jesus is there. For those depressed Jesus is there.
Jesus is there for the heavy laden. Jesus is there for the lonely and forgotten. Jesus is there for the ones who keep getting doors slammed in their face. Jesus is there for those facing incurable disease. He is there for the child of God drawing their last breath on this planet before stepping into eternity and everlasting life.
I admit sometimes it does not feel like Jesus is there. He does not always appear to be working. He is admittedly silent at times. He is there. There with strength to get through the next trial and over the next hurdle. There to bring peace to conflicted and tormented minds. He is there for the brokenhearted holding the broken pieces in His hands. In time, He is able to put it all back together. He is there working. Helping you to press on when it would be easier to just give up. He is there keeping a spark of faith flickering. He is there in impossible situations. Truly nothing is impossible with Him.
He is there in the darkest night when the inky black of the night sky mirrors the heart. He is there when you cannot even form a prayer. Prayers only come in the form of trickled tears compiled from deep seated pain and sorrow. He is there.
Joshua 1:9 (NASB)
9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
How can I say that with confidence? Frist, I have experienced it over and over again. Secondly, He promised us in His word. He is with us wherever we go.
He said He will never leave us or forsake us. Hebrews 13:5 Jesus is there. He will always be there. It may not feel like it. It may not look like it. It might not even seem like it. Don't believe that stuff. Believe what is word says. Jesus is there.
A Revival Dream
I dreamed last night of a long line of cars turning from Highway 51 into the Spring Creek Baptist Church parking lot. Every space was occupied. The vehicles kept coming. They lined up across the street by the fence to the cemetery. Others parked on the grass down toward the tabernacle.
I could see families walking into the glass doors. Their knees nearly buckled when they walked inside because of the strong presence of God. When Sherman and Tammy Aten began singing, the weighty awesome presence of God drenched those in attendance. The Spirit empowered worship melted the resistance of even the hardest hearts. Many could not sing from weeping in God's glorious presence.
I saw myself preaching with torpedo like messages that found their intended targets. I saw people repent of sin. I saw people get saved. I saw regular baptisms and joyous celebrations of new life. I saw many on bended knees at the altar doing business with God.
At the conclusion of each night I heard two prayers offered in unity repeatedly. "More Lord. Do it again Lord."
O God, may it be so for the glory of Your name and the furtherance of Your kingdom.
I could see families walking into the glass doors. Their knees nearly buckled when they walked inside because of the strong presence of God. When Sherman and Tammy Aten began singing, the weighty awesome presence of God drenched those in attendance. The Spirit empowered worship melted the resistance of even the hardest hearts. Many could not sing from weeping in God's glorious presence.
I saw myself preaching with torpedo like messages that found their intended targets. I saw people repent of sin. I saw people get saved. I saw regular baptisms and joyous celebrations of new life. I saw many on bended knees at the altar doing business with God.
At the conclusion of each night I heard two prayers offered in unity repeatedly. "More Lord. Do it again Lord."
O God, may it be so for the glory of Your name and the furtherance of Your kingdom.
Tuesday, June 9, 2020
The Dash
Right across the street from my office is the Spring Creek cemetery. There are graves there dating back to the 1800's. Whether old or new, most graves give the date a person was born and the day they departed for eternity. Sometimes in-between those dates is a dash. The dash is most important.
We celebrate when a baby is born and cry later when the baby grows old and dies. The dash is important because that represents what a person did with their gift of life. If they invested it as a good steward in eternity or squandered it away on foolish selfish living.
If you are reading this, you are still living out your dash. Still writing the pages of your history. What will God say when you come to the end of your life and stand before Him? What kind of life will you offer Him. Make not mistake, you don't barter your way into Heaven based on your good works. You only gain entrance into Heaven by previously having put your faith in Jesus for salvation by faith.
I am thinking of the judgment every believer will endure with the quality of life we lived. All our works will be tested by fire. What an eye opening day that will be. Some who appeared very successful outwardly will be exposed as frauds. They may still be saved but barely make it into Heaven. Others who appeared as nothing will come out with God's praise, "Well done good and faithful servant."
How you live your life matters. What you do with your days matters in eternity. If you waste your life on compromised convictions and half hearted devotion, it will be revealed that day. Whatever you squeeze into that dash will be revealed. What will God say of your dash? It is not too late to amend your ways and repent of sin.
We only have one shot at this thing called life. The things that will stand the test of God's refining fire are often not the things the world prioritizes. The things the world emphasizes will burn up. We will shamed to see how much of life we wasted on achieving and earning nothing. May that not be the case in your life.
1 Corinthians 3:10-15 (NASB)
10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it.
11 For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
12 Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,
13 each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work.
14 If any man's work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward.
15 If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
We celebrate when a baby is born and cry later when the baby grows old and dies. The dash is important because that represents what a person did with their gift of life. If they invested it as a good steward in eternity or squandered it away on foolish selfish living.
If you are reading this, you are still living out your dash. Still writing the pages of your history. What will God say when you come to the end of your life and stand before Him? What kind of life will you offer Him. Make not mistake, you don't barter your way into Heaven based on your good works. You only gain entrance into Heaven by previously having put your faith in Jesus for salvation by faith.
I am thinking of the judgment every believer will endure with the quality of life we lived. All our works will be tested by fire. What an eye opening day that will be. Some who appeared very successful outwardly will be exposed as frauds. They may still be saved but barely make it into Heaven. Others who appeared as nothing will come out with God's praise, "Well done good and faithful servant."
How you live your life matters. What you do with your days matters in eternity. If you waste your life on compromised convictions and half hearted devotion, it will be revealed that day. Whatever you squeeze into that dash will be revealed. What will God say of your dash? It is not too late to amend your ways and repent of sin.
We only have one shot at this thing called life. The things that will stand the test of God's refining fire are often not the things the world prioritizes. The things the world emphasizes will burn up. We will shamed to see how much of life we wasted on achieving and earning nothing. May that not be the case in your life.
1 Corinthians 3:10-15 (NASB)
10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it.
11 For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
12 Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,
13 each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work.
14 If any man's work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward.
15 If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
Focus On Living
I talked to a lady recently I used to serve as pastor. A very kind and generous woman who blessed my family repeatedly. I got word she had the dreadful disease of cancer. I called to pray with her and check on her on one of my commutes between Runaway Bay and Weatherford.
She told me when she first got diagnosed she cried and got depressed. That is understandable. What she told me next sunk in deep in my mind. She said after praying, the Lord brought her to the point to focus on living each day and not on the future. That is good advice for all of us.
Many face adversity. Adversity that can dominate our focus and prayers. While in the struggle we forget to live. That sounds odd I know. I am not talking about breathing. I am much more focused on living. Many people breathe but do not live. They exist. They plod through uneventful days. They endure the monotony of the mundane. They fall into the same routines. They have work schedules. If they are retired, they probably have a television schedule knowing what comes on at what time. It does not take long before even the television is filled with re-runs.
Today I challenge all of us to focus on living. If you are able, go outside. Look at God's creation. Enjoy the blue of the sky, the white of the clouds, the green of the grass (or brownish yellow if you live in Texas in the summer.) Take in the splendor of flowers. Savor your food instead of wolfing it down. Detect the different spices and flavors. Enjoy someone today. Maybe that means a phone conversation or a personal visit. Maybe it means writing a letter to brighten someone else's day.
While you can live. Live with all your might. Enjoy the simple pleasures. Really feel the cushions in the chair as they support you. Look at the craftsmanship of the furniture. When you get in bed, enjoy the mattress and pillows. Feel the covers in comfort as they envelope you. Eat off the good dishes even if you have to wash them.
Occupy your mind with something beneficial. Prayer and mediation on the Bible. A good book. Listen to music. Detect the different instruments. Listen to the lyrics. And at least once today, go outside or look out a window. Look to the sky. Be reminded of how big God is and that He wants to commune with you.
We can get so busy surviving life that we forget to live life. Trials will always come in some shape or another. The Edwards family has had some in recent days. Trials do not mean we have to quit living. We can still live in the middle of suffering. The lady I talked to with cancer can testify to that. So can numerous others I have seen.
Let us approach life like a sponge. May we soak up the experiences and simple pleasures daily. Afterward, may God squeeze us out to pour blessings on those around us. Soaking and getting poured out to benefit others is a great blessing. That is the essence of living. While we still have the chance, let us live.
Even though my friend has cancer, her words ring true for us all. None of us knows how long we have left to live. What we can do is live with all our might this day God has given us.
Psalm 90:12 (NASB)
12 So teach us to number our days, That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.
She told me when she first got diagnosed she cried and got depressed. That is understandable. What she told me next sunk in deep in my mind. She said after praying, the Lord brought her to the point to focus on living each day and not on the future. That is good advice for all of us.
Many face adversity. Adversity that can dominate our focus and prayers. While in the struggle we forget to live. That sounds odd I know. I am not talking about breathing. I am much more focused on living. Many people breathe but do not live. They exist. They plod through uneventful days. They endure the monotony of the mundane. They fall into the same routines. They have work schedules. If they are retired, they probably have a television schedule knowing what comes on at what time. It does not take long before even the television is filled with re-runs.
Today I challenge all of us to focus on living. If you are able, go outside. Look at God's creation. Enjoy the blue of the sky, the white of the clouds, the green of the grass (or brownish yellow if you live in Texas in the summer.) Take in the splendor of flowers. Savor your food instead of wolfing it down. Detect the different spices and flavors. Enjoy someone today. Maybe that means a phone conversation or a personal visit. Maybe it means writing a letter to brighten someone else's day.
While you can live. Live with all your might. Enjoy the simple pleasures. Really feel the cushions in the chair as they support you. Look at the craftsmanship of the furniture. When you get in bed, enjoy the mattress and pillows. Feel the covers in comfort as they envelope you. Eat off the good dishes even if you have to wash them.
Occupy your mind with something beneficial. Prayer and mediation on the Bible. A good book. Listen to music. Detect the different instruments. Listen to the lyrics. And at least once today, go outside or look out a window. Look to the sky. Be reminded of how big God is and that He wants to commune with you.
We can get so busy surviving life that we forget to live life. Trials will always come in some shape or another. The Edwards family has had some in recent days. Trials do not mean we have to quit living. We can still live in the middle of suffering. The lady I talked to with cancer can testify to that. So can numerous others I have seen.
Let us approach life like a sponge. May we soak up the experiences and simple pleasures daily. Afterward, may God squeeze us out to pour blessings on those around us. Soaking and getting poured out to benefit others is a great blessing. That is the essence of living. While we still have the chance, let us live.
Even though my friend has cancer, her words ring true for us all. None of us knows how long we have left to live. What we can do is live with all our might this day God has given us.
Psalm 90:12 (NASB)
12 So teach us to number our days, That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.
Monday, June 8, 2020
Get Ready
There have been many sleepless nights. Tears have fallen like rain drops from heaven. God's word has been read, studied, and applied. Many have fasted. The doors of heaven have been knocked on incessantly. Sins have been revealed and repented from doing further. Prayer has bombarded the kingdom of darkness like bombs in an air raid. People have united for 57 straight days and counting with one passion. To ask God to revive His church at Spring Creek and other churches.
At the time of this writing, we are only 13 days away from the first meeting. In one last moment of preparation we will gather the night before for a revival rally. A time of cleansing and prayer for God to move powerfully. That will take place on June 20th at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary at Spring Creek. Then, on Father's Day we begin.
Why Father's Day? That is what God laid on my heart back in the fall of 2019.
Many people pursue revival. They thrill to hear the stories. The wonders of God moving like He has done in revivals past. They want to see such things with their own eyes. They want to experience such a move in their day.
That is not on my mind as I prepare. My focus has been and continues to be on pursuing God. I want more of Him in my own life. I want more of Him for the people of Spring Creek. I want more of Him for sister churches. I want more of Him for this town and county. I want more of Him for this nation and world.
May we not get misguided. We should not be in pursuit of revival. We should be in pursuit of God. To hunger and thirst for Him more than we ever have before. To yearn to discover more of Him. To get to know Him in fresh ways. To be engulfed in Him. To see more His glory like Moses prayed for and experienced from the cleft of the rock.
Revival is a sovereign choice from God. He sends it where He pleases on whom He pleases. Some have never seen or experienced a genuine revival. Others have reaped revival rewards. That should not be our aim. Our one aim must be the pursuit of God. To cling tenaciously to Him. To follow hard after Him. To sprint wholeheartedly toward Him.
His Spirit is blowing gently now. I sense it. Like the calm before a storm. In the spirit realm I sense He is preparing to reveal Himself among the hungry and thirsty in fresh ways. He is coming to clean up His church. He is coming to call us back to Himself. He wants a spotless bride for His Son Jesus. He is coming intent on having His will and His way in people's lives. I feel the wind of His Spirit blowing and moving swells in the ocean of His plan. The swells slowly build and will crescendo into wave after wave of His visitation. I hope you are getting ready.
Do you want that? Do you yearn for Him? Are you starving to feast on Him instead of the garnishes of this world that never satisfy? Is He the object of your most passionate pursuit? He is coming in power and He means business. By all means, we must prepare ourselves. We must put away sin and give Him our undivided attention. He is a great King. We will not offer Him polluted and defiled sacrifices in our praise and devotion. He deserves our very best.
Get ready. He broods overhead waiting to pour Himself out upon us. All appears calm now, soon He will come like a tempest. Soon we will experience the gale force winds of His Spirit poured out drawing us and others closer to Him. Get ready. Redeem the time. Get ready.
At the time of this writing, we are only 13 days away from the first meeting. In one last moment of preparation we will gather the night before for a revival rally. A time of cleansing and prayer for God to move powerfully. That will take place on June 20th at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary at Spring Creek. Then, on Father's Day we begin.
Why Father's Day? That is what God laid on my heart back in the fall of 2019.
Many people pursue revival. They thrill to hear the stories. The wonders of God moving like He has done in revivals past. They want to see such things with their own eyes. They want to experience such a move in their day.
That is not on my mind as I prepare. My focus has been and continues to be on pursuing God. I want more of Him in my own life. I want more of Him for the people of Spring Creek. I want more of Him for sister churches. I want more of Him for this town and county. I want more of Him for this nation and world.
May we not get misguided. We should not be in pursuit of revival. We should be in pursuit of God. To hunger and thirst for Him more than we ever have before. To yearn to discover more of Him. To get to know Him in fresh ways. To be engulfed in Him. To see more His glory like Moses prayed for and experienced from the cleft of the rock.
Revival is a sovereign choice from God. He sends it where He pleases on whom He pleases. Some have never seen or experienced a genuine revival. Others have reaped revival rewards. That should not be our aim. Our one aim must be the pursuit of God. To cling tenaciously to Him. To follow hard after Him. To sprint wholeheartedly toward Him.
His Spirit is blowing gently now. I sense it. Like the calm before a storm. In the spirit realm I sense He is preparing to reveal Himself among the hungry and thirsty in fresh ways. He is coming to clean up His church. He is coming to call us back to Himself. He wants a spotless bride for His Son Jesus. He is coming intent on having His will and His way in people's lives. I feel the wind of His Spirit blowing and moving swells in the ocean of His plan. The swells slowly build and will crescendo into wave after wave of His visitation. I hope you are getting ready.
Do you want that? Do you yearn for Him? Are you starving to feast on Him instead of the garnishes of this world that never satisfy? Is He the object of your most passionate pursuit? He is coming in power and He means business. By all means, we must prepare ourselves. We must put away sin and give Him our undivided attention. He is a great King. We will not offer Him polluted and defiled sacrifices in our praise and devotion. He deserves our very best.
Get ready. He broods overhead waiting to pour Himself out upon us. All appears calm now, soon He will come like a tempest. Soon we will experience the gale force winds of His Spirit poured out drawing us and others closer to Him. Get ready. Redeem the time. Get ready.
Two Prayer Meetings
I went to a prayer gathering for Parker County last night out in a park with some of our members. Several hundred people gathered to pray from area churches. Though surrounded by others, there were many times I felt alone with God. Locked onto Him in prayer. Like nobody else was even present.
Gathering with that many people to sing and pray moved me deeply. What a blessing to see so many gathered to stand in the gap for our town. I even ran into a former parishioner from a previous church.We enjoyed a sweet reunion. I also saw a person who visited Spring Creek for the first time yesterday morning. She was there and we had the chance to visit. What a great ending to a great day.
For some time I have felt the burden for Parker County. Many times I don't kow how to handle or pray under such a burden. I found great comfort last night in the fact I am not alone. This same burden is shared by many. We are all in this battle together.
I also attended another prayer meeting last week we call C.P.R. I experienced something totally different at that prayer meeting. Nobody else came. It is a come and go prayer time open to the community from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The idea is that people would come during lunch for whatever time they could spare to pray. . No one showed. Nor the week before. In fact, many times that prayer meeting is neglected. People are busy. People have jobs and cannot get away. I understand.
It saddened me though. Not that being alone with God is a sad thing. Sometimes it is a lonely thing.
The stakes are high. Eternally high.
Satan is all in. His wicked forces are unleashing fear, chaos and destruction on our communities. While Satan is all in, the church seems hesitant to engage the enemy in this war. While I applaud prayer gatherings like we enjoyed last night, make no mistake about it. It is going to take more than a one night prayer meeting to win this war. The war is fought in the prayer closets of believers daily. The war is fought in prayer rooms in local churches. The battle is fought when believers get together to pray consistently, like the senior adult ladies have been doing for multiple decades in one town.
People in the church say prayer is important. So little time is given to prayer privately or corporately. Some studies say the average Christian barely prays 15 minutes a day. People bustle with activity. Prayer meetings are some of the least attended meetings any church offers. They are getting harder to find. Especially real prayer meetings where people intercede and go to battle. It is a battle. A battle for souls.
Satan will do and has done all in his power to destroy lives. He will go to any length to blind, deceive and steal souls to hell. The church plans, programs and promotes their next big push. The church does many things, but rare is the church who devotes significant time and effort to prayer.
I long for the day when C.P.R. prayer rooms will be hosted by other churches. Where we take turn hosting them and join other believers in pleading for the souls of Weatherford. Tens of thousands of souls. I yearn for a day when pastors get together for no other purpose but to pray with one another. Not to talk ministry or endure endless meetings shuffling ideas. Get down to the nitty gritty business of praying for our city.
One pastor asked us last night to sit still before the Lord and ask Him to speak to us. I think God did with me. He wants other churches involved in C.P.R. and He wants pastors to pray together consistently. I have already reached out to some of them. I hope and believe that God multiplies a prayer movement in Parker County.
Gathering with that many people to sing and pray moved me deeply. What a blessing to see so many gathered to stand in the gap for our town. I even ran into a former parishioner from a previous church.We enjoyed a sweet reunion. I also saw a person who visited Spring Creek for the first time yesterday morning. She was there and we had the chance to visit. What a great ending to a great day.
For some time I have felt the burden for Parker County. Many times I don't kow how to handle or pray under such a burden. I found great comfort last night in the fact I am not alone. This same burden is shared by many. We are all in this battle together.
I also attended another prayer meeting last week we call C.P.R. I experienced something totally different at that prayer meeting. Nobody else came. It is a come and go prayer time open to the community from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The idea is that people would come during lunch for whatever time they could spare to pray. . No one showed. Nor the week before. In fact, many times that prayer meeting is neglected. People are busy. People have jobs and cannot get away. I understand.
It saddened me though. Not that being alone with God is a sad thing. Sometimes it is a lonely thing.
The stakes are high. Eternally high.
Satan is all in. His wicked forces are unleashing fear, chaos and destruction on our communities. While Satan is all in, the church seems hesitant to engage the enemy in this war. While I applaud prayer gatherings like we enjoyed last night, make no mistake about it. It is going to take more than a one night prayer meeting to win this war. The war is fought in the prayer closets of believers daily. The war is fought in prayer rooms in local churches. The battle is fought when believers get together to pray consistently, like the senior adult ladies have been doing for multiple decades in one town.
People in the church say prayer is important. So little time is given to prayer privately or corporately. Some studies say the average Christian barely prays 15 minutes a day. People bustle with activity. Prayer meetings are some of the least attended meetings any church offers. They are getting harder to find. Especially real prayer meetings where people intercede and go to battle. It is a battle. A battle for souls.
Satan will do and has done all in his power to destroy lives. He will go to any length to blind, deceive and steal souls to hell. The church plans, programs and promotes their next big push. The church does many things, but rare is the church who devotes significant time and effort to prayer.
I long for the day when C.P.R. prayer rooms will be hosted by other churches. Where we take turn hosting them and join other believers in pleading for the souls of Weatherford. Tens of thousands of souls. I yearn for a day when pastors get together for no other purpose but to pray with one another. Not to talk ministry or endure endless meetings shuffling ideas. Get down to the nitty gritty business of praying for our city.
One pastor asked us last night to sit still before the Lord and ask Him to speak to us. I think God did with me. He wants other churches involved in C.P.R. and He wants pastors to pray together consistently. I have already reached out to some of them. I hope and believe that God multiplies a prayer movement in Parker County.
Wednesday, June 3, 2020
Eighteeen Days And Counting
Spring Creek Baptist Church is only 18 days and counting from the start of revival meetings. We have been praying and preparing for 52 days. I have done so for much longer. I wrestled with many doubts about such revival meetings. I doubted. I resisted. I tried to dismiss the call from God.
He persisted. He instructed. He convicted. In time, I repented and submitted. So began this journey of preparation. We started preparing Eater Sunday as a church body collectively. Day by day we have gone through the same devotion material. Material that you can access for free at myspringcreek.org. Just click on the Shake The City tab to get your copy to be used in your life and with your church. Over the course of the past several weeks, God has pointed out blind spots in my life. He has shown the search light of His truth into areas of my life where I fell short of His glory. In some ways it has been a painful time. It has also been liberating.
It is hard to believe we are a little over two weeks away for the first revival meeting. While I cannot see evidence of His reviving work yet, I believe He is working. I trust He will accomplish His purposes. I pray He is preparing all of us.
The first meeting is scheduled for Sunday morning June 21 at 11:00 a.m. On Saturday night June 20 at 7:00 p.m. we will host a revival prayer rally. I will share briefly from His word and we will hold a good old fashioned prayer meeting in the beautiful sanctuary at Spring Creek. I have continuously prayed that God will spread His reviving work to Harmony Baptist Church, Emmanuel, Brock Baptist, Northside, First Baptist, Faith Community and all over Parker County and beyond.
Will you join me in praying Elijah's prayer in I Kings.
1 Kings 18:37 (NASB)
37 "Answer me, O LORD, answer me, that this people may know that You, O LORD, are God, and that You have turned their heart back again."
He persisted. He instructed. He convicted. In time, I repented and submitted. So began this journey of preparation. We started preparing Eater Sunday as a church body collectively. Day by day we have gone through the same devotion material. Material that you can access for free at myspringcreek.org. Just click on the Shake The City tab to get your copy to be used in your life and with your church. Over the course of the past several weeks, God has pointed out blind spots in my life. He has shown the search light of His truth into areas of my life where I fell short of His glory. In some ways it has been a painful time. It has also been liberating.
It is hard to believe we are a little over two weeks away for the first revival meeting. While I cannot see evidence of His reviving work yet, I believe He is working. I trust He will accomplish His purposes. I pray He is preparing all of us.
The first meeting is scheduled for Sunday morning June 21 at 11:00 a.m. On Saturday night June 20 at 7:00 p.m. we will host a revival prayer rally. I will share briefly from His word and we will hold a good old fashioned prayer meeting in the beautiful sanctuary at Spring Creek. I have continuously prayed that God will spread His reviving work to Harmony Baptist Church, Emmanuel, Brock Baptist, Northside, First Baptist, Faith Community and all over Parker County and beyond.
Will you join me in praying Elijah's prayer in I Kings.
1 Kings 18:37 (NASB)
37 "Answer me, O LORD, answer me, that this people may know that You, O LORD, are God, and that You have turned their heart back again."
The Man I Once Was
Today I have given some consideration to the man I once was. I did not enjoy that walk down memory lane. Specifically I refer to my life before Jesus.
I lived as an idolater. Football served as my god. I bowed at the shrine of the pig skin and those who excelled at the game. Roger Staubach. Randy White. Tony Dorsett. Earl Campbell. They were more than heroes. They were idols. I bowed to them though none of them knew me or cared about me.
I lived in rebellion to authority. Parental. School. Police. The only authority I readily submitted to was my coaches. To faithfully serve my idol I had to do what the coaches commanded. In some ways I lived untamable.
I grew up angry. Angry because of sexual abuse. Angry because of physical abuse. Angry without a regular father figure. The closest thing I had was my maternal grandfather. He died in my turbulent teenage years leaving me adrift. I fought out of insecurity. Easily offended. Quick tempered. Ready to fly off the handle.
I gave into unbridled lusts. I did not withhold pleasures. I indulged in wicked behavior. I felt neither shame nor remorse. My morale compass came from friends who indulged in the same activities I did. I trusted in the law of the masses. If it brought pleasure, and others did it so did I.
I struggled with low self esteem. I was taught self worth came from accomplishments. For me that meant excelling in football. I thought if I played great others would like me. If I played poorly I thought others disapproved. I brought this mentality into the early years of my ministry as well.
Perhaps my greatest sin was my stubborn pride. God has worked on that area of my life like a stump grinder chipping away at a stump until it is gone. Ground to saw dust. God had to break me. Even after getting saved He had to chastise me severely. It took decades to grind that pride down. I resisted every step of the way. God is opposed to the proud and that meant much of my life God opposed me.
Jesus transformed me October of 1983. He blindsided me with His love and grace. I can honestly say I never saw it coming. Doris Roberts did. She is married to Charles Roberts. They lived in my neighborhood. I often played football in the yard next door to them as a boy. As a teenager, I flirted with a girl who lived across the street. Charles Roberts is a pastor. Doris saw me and prayed for me. She commented she was praying for me to get saved. God heard and answered. It was the youth minister from their church who shared the gospel with me the night Jesus rescued me. Right then and there my life was transformed. I am not saying I got perfected that night. His sanctifying work began that night and continues to this day. I did get forgiven. Jesus did write my name in the Lamb's Book of Life.
I can say I am not the man I used to be. He has done so much. I cannot praise Him enough. I don't like the man I used to be and can still sometimes fall back into. I am His man. Hoping to be more like Him. Desiring to be continually transformed by Him. Wanting to continually praise Him.
I lived as an idolater. Football served as my god. I bowed at the shrine of the pig skin and those who excelled at the game. Roger Staubach. Randy White. Tony Dorsett. Earl Campbell. They were more than heroes. They were idols. I bowed to them though none of them knew me or cared about me.
I lived in rebellion to authority. Parental. School. Police. The only authority I readily submitted to was my coaches. To faithfully serve my idol I had to do what the coaches commanded. In some ways I lived untamable.
I grew up angry. Angry because of sexual abuse. Angry because of physical abuse. Angry without a regular father figure. The closest thing I had was my maternal grandfather. He died in my turbulent teenage years leaving me adrift. I fought out of insecurity. Easily offended. Quick tempered. Ready to fly off the handle.
I gave into unbridled lusts. I did not withhold pleasures. I indulged in wicked behavior. I felt neither shame nor remorse. My morale compass came from friends who indulged in the same activities I did. I trusted in the law of the masses. If it brought pleasure, and others did it so did I.
I struggled with low self esteem. I was taught self worth came from accomplishments. For me that meant excelling in football. I thought if I played great others would like me. If I played poorly I thought others disapproved. I brought this mentality into the early years of my ministry as well.
Perhaps my greatest sin was my stubborn pride. God has worked on that area of my life like a stump grinder chipping away at a stump until it is gone. Ground to saw dust. God had to break me. Even after getting saved He had to chastise me severely. It took decades to grind that pride down. I resisted every step of the way. God is opposed to the proud and that meant much of my life God opposed me.
Jesus transformed me October of 1983. He blindsided me with His love and grace. I can honestly say I never saw it coming. Doris Roberts did. She is married to Charles Roberts. They lived in my neighborhood. I often played football in the yard next door to them as a boy. As a teenager, I flirted with a girl who lived across the street. Charles Roberts is a pastor. Doris saw me and prayed for me. She commented she was praying for me to get saved. God heard and answered. It was the youth minister from their church who shared the gospel with me the night Jesus rescued me. Right then and there my life was transformed. I am not saying I got perfected that night. His sanctifying work began that night and continues to this day. I did get forgiven. Jesus did write my name in the Lamb's Book of Life.
I can say I am not the man I used to be. He has done so much. I cannot praise Him enough. I don't like the man I used to be and can still sometimes fall back into. I am His man. Hoping to be more like Him. Desiring to be continually transformed by Him. Wanting to continually praise Him.
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