I don't know about you, but I'm excited about 2010. God does great things with 10's as it is a number of completion for many events.
What I would like to do, unless ill advised by an editor, is take this year and post 100 pieces of prose from a book I've put together called the Joseph Factor. It will be available on Amazon.com, but my goal is to get the word out ahead of time and just get some feedback and hopefully bless some people on the way. My second goal is the selfish one of contributing to 500 sales so that I don't have to pay the publisher anything to pick it up.
So, for the next 100 posts, we will be entering the story of Joseph, God's original dreamer, complete with typos and all for your viewing pleasure. This is a piece that chronicals Joseph's rise to prominence and parallels his life with my own search for the dream of getting married to my wife Amy. A process of preparation emerges that applies to everyone with a dream.
Starting next week I'll put the posts up one by one, but if no one is watching or reading them, I'll probably stop. So help me here, join in the read, and I hope you'll be blessed.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
This Week is Thanksgiving
All know the fruit, few know the root. The Pilgrims, a rag-tag bunch of seperatist "harried" out of the land of England decide to make a new nation. The "were enlightened by the word of God" and decided to reform their ways, "no matter what it costs them. And cost them something it would," writes William Bradford in his History of Plymouth Plantation.
For ten years now I've studied the Pilgrims at Thanksgiving. They are the faithful minority that changed history. Here's how:
Radical Obedience to the word of God--Their promise was that they would walk in all the ways of God known to them, and that He would make known to them.
Covenanted Relationship--They binded themselves together first into a church and later into a "civil body polick" in the Mayflower Compact which became the foundation for the American system of government by consent.
Perseverence--Man, they went through some trials. Separated from loved ones, persecuted, starving, dying, freezing, landing in a "barren and desolate wilderness" with no houses or friend to welcome their weatherbeaten bodies. (66 days on a ship.)
And Gratefulness--No matter what the Pilgrims faced, it seemed like they always saw His face. His hand was guiding them, and they were accutely aware that their sufferings were a part of a bigger picture. Oh, to have this perspective.
So now I sit in my paneled home, my lighted and warm computer, civil government providing my every need, worshipping freely and I have the gall to be unthankful. Oh for mercy.
The season calls me to remember sacrifice, and to be grateful for oh so many blessings. Few such examples are left from which nations can spring.
All know the fruit, few know the root. The Pilgrims, a rag-tag bunch of seperatist "harried" out of the land of England decide to make a new nation. The "were enlightened by the word of God" and decided to reform their ways, "no matter what it costs them. And cost them something it would," writes William Bradford in his History of Plymouth Plantation.
For ten years now I've studied the Pilgrims at Thanksgiving. They are the faithful minority that changed history. Here's how:
Radical Obedience to the word of God--Their promise was that they would walk in all the ways of God known to them, and that He would make known to them.
Covenanted Relationship--They binded themselves together first into a church and later into a "civil body polick" in the Mayflower Compact which became the foundation for the American system of government by consent.
Perseverence--Man, they went through some trials. Separated from loved ones, persecuted, starving, dying, freezing, landing in a "barren and desolate wilderness" with no houses or friend to welcome their weatherbeaten bodies. (66 days on a ship.)
And Gratefulness--No matter what the Pilgrims faced, it seemed like they always saw His face. His hand was guiding them, and they were accutely aware that their sufferings were a part of a bigger picture. Oh, to have this perspective.
So now I sit in my paneled home, my lighted and warm computer, civil government providing my every need, worshipping freely and I have the gall to be unthankful. Oh for mercy.
The season calls me to remember sacrifice, and to be grateful for oh so many blessings. Few such examples are left from which nations can spring.
Friday, September 18, 2009
HOPE
For the past couple of days, I've had a good time feeding on hope. Hope does not disappoint because the Love of God is poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Here's another fun one, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing that you may be filled with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."-Somewhere in Romans 10 or 11. This was such a fun passage for me because it showed me the desperate desire I have to have even hope as a gift of the Holy Spirit.
Sometimes you can't just drum up hope if you know what I mean. The past week or two, I've just been angry. Angry at kids, angry at wives, angry at employees, at the world, at God I'm sure and no matter what I tried I just couldn't get over my pessimism. I had no reason to complain, but for lack of a better explanation, I was just p.m.s.
So finally, I had it out with God and asked for help. Help to Hope. Help to know why I was feeling so mad. He took me to Psalms 42 on the drive to Raleigh today, and I meditated in it all the way down 264. "Why are you downcast Oh my soul, and why are you disquieted within me?" It's not like we ever get a clear answer.
No major problems. Have great job, family, health, money, etc. No reason to be down, but why is my soul disquieted. The Psalmest says, "I go about mourning because of the oppression of the enemy." No doubt we have an enemy. No doubt he oppresses. But the questions is how to get out of this.
David gives a couple of ways out. 1) I remember Your lovingkindness in the land of the Jordan.--all those times it seemed impossible that God bailed me out. This gives me hope for now and hope for today that it will be OK. 2) "He will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night His song shall be with me." You've got to find your Song in the night. In the times of darkness, when your soul is down, you must find a song of praise to lift you out of our misery.
The song of the Lord, the rememberance of His deliverance. Put those two together and they can give me hope when nothing in my PMA overcomes my Pms. God is the God of all hope, and my prayer is He will fill you with joy and peace in believing, and with a song of faith, your soul will continue to hope in God. We need HIM.
Sometimes you can't just drum up hope if you know what I mean. The past week or two, I've just been angry. Angry at kids, angry at wives, angry at employees, at the world, at God I'm sure and no matter what I tried I just couldn't get over my pessimism. I had no reason to complain, but for lack of a better explanation, I was just p.m.s.
So finally, I had it out with God and asked for help. Help to Hope. Help to know why I was feeling so mad. He took me to Psalms 42 on the drive to Raleigh today, and I meditated in it all the way down 264. "Why are you downcast Oh my soul, and why are you disquieted within me?" It's not like we ever get a clear answer.
No major problems. Have great job, family, health, money, etc. No reason to be down, but why is my soul disquieted. The Psalmest says, "I go about mourning because of the oppression of the enemy." No doubt we have an enemy. No doubt he oppresses. But the questions is how to get out of this.
David gives a couple of ways out. 1) I remember Your lovingkindness in the land of the Jordan.--all those times it seemed impossible that God bailed me out. This gives me hope for now and hope for today that it will be OK. 2) "He will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night His song shall be with me." You've got to find your Song in the night. In the times of darkness, when your soul is down, you must find a song of praise to lift you out of our misery.
The song of the Lord, the rememberance of His deliverance. Put those two together and they can give me hope when nothing in my PMA overcomes my Pms. God is the God of all hope, and my prayer is He will fill you with joy and peace in believing, and with a song of faith, your soul will continue to hope in God. We need HIM.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
The Coming Glory
Today, I was reviewing Jonathon Edwards' on concerted efforts of prayer by the church. His main point in asking for increased prayer for God's Kingdom to come is that many Old Testament passages promise a measure of glory and gospel coverage over the earth that was never realized before Christ and has yet to be seen since His coming. For that reason, these prophecies remain unfulfilled, and the job of the church is to pray until they come into being.
He quotes passages in Isaiah of the ends of the earth seeing His glory, the isles hearing of His love, all nations coming to worship Him, and of course, my favorite: the earth will be filled with the glory of the Lord just as the waters cover the sea.
Do you believe? Can you believe this is the future God has for us. Edwards argues that although every knee will bow to Jesus in Judgement, there are other implication of He and His people inheriting the earth. It's a promise of fullness, all nations being blessed in His seed, all the land coming under the ruling of the One who created it all in the first place.
I, for one, am tired of a half-powerful Gospel which lasts just long enough to hold up against the forces of Anti-Christ. A survival mentality has stripped the church of their commission to occupy until He comes. What does it mean to occupy-to fill every enemy land. To fully possess. Not a word of all God spoke to Joshua was left undone, and we must fully believe the Gospel has the power to totally transform tribes, nations, and peoples of the earth with the mustard seed destined to grow, the leaven destined to spread throughout the whole earth.
I like Edwards because he is totally Biblical, finding passage after passage that cannot be fulfilled but for a historic outpouring of the Spirit which propels the church beyond anything we've yet to experience. He says it must start with us, being gripped with a spirit of prayer, and as people see God's people aflame, multitudes will be drawn to the heat.
Rather than gather his escatology from the Washington Post, or Hollywood snapshot of end time scenerios, or of obscure rapture passages, Edwards offers a systematic view of a growing church from Genesis to Revelations, always growing, becoming brighter, under the sovereign Hand of God, with the express purpose of spreading over every portion of God's created earth. Pray for that!
He quotes passages in Isaiah of the ends of the earth seeing His glory, the isles hearing of His love, all nations coming to worship Him, and of course, my favorite: the earth will be filled with the glory of the Lord just as the waters cover the sea.
Do you believe? Can you believe this is the future God has for us. Edwards argues that although every knee will bow to Jesus in Judgement, there are other implication of He and His people inheriting the earth. It's a promise of fullness, all nations being blessed in His seed, all the land coming under the ruling of the One who created it all in the first place.
I, for one, am tired of a half-powerful Gospel which lasts just long enough to hold up against the forces of Anti-Christ. A survival mentality has stripped the church of their commission to occupy until He comes. What does it mean to occupy-to fill every enemy land. To fully possess. Not a word of all God spoke to Joshua was left undone, and we must fully believe the Gospel has the power to totally transform tribes, nations, and peoples of the earth with the mustard seed destined to grow, the leaven destined to spread throughout the whole earth.
I like Edwards because he is totally Biblical, finding passage after passage that cannot be fulfilled but for a historic outpouring of the Spirit which propels the church beyond anything we've yet to experience. He says it must start with us, being gripped with a spirit of prayer, and as people see God's people aflame, multitudes will be drawn to the heat.
Rather than gather his escatology from the Washington Post, or Hollywood snapshot of end time scenerios, or of obscure rapture passages, Edwards offers a systematic view of a growing church from Genesis to Revelations, always growing, becoming brighter, under the sovereign Hand of God, with the express purpose of spreading over every portion of God's created earth. Pray for that!
Friday, March 13, 2009
Finishing my thoughts on a Holy Spirit bath. There's a deep need in us lately to relax in the presence of the Lord. At his Presence is fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore.
Been reading lately of Jonathon's Edwards and the end of things designed by God. His purpose in creating, setting man on the earth, sending His Son to redeem, according to Edwards is ultimately His Glory. You know, if you've tasted what we are talking about here. Glory being a tangible presence of peace and order, the knowledge of all perfection, and rest that comes when Jesus passes by. Don't go without this.
It's like Moses asking humbly from the mountain and the cloud, "Lord, show me your glory." Pass by me Lord and let me linger. When the father said yes, is was just a glimpse. "You may see my back, but no one can see my face and live." When the Lord passed by--the glory was His name--full of goodness and truth, loving, merciful, ever forgiving with perfect justce. It caused Moses to fall down and worship, which I am sure you have done if your have been there.
There's a hunger in this generation to taste something of God that really satisfies. They are after His Glory. And the end of all things, according to Edwards reading of Scripture, is that the earth be filled with that Glory. Jesus was all about glorifying the Father--glorify your name.
The Glory here is the extension of the goodness of God. The sharing of Himself, the replication of perfection, immulation, efulgence, the rubbing off and effusion of the divine nature. God's goodness demands to be shared on the earth, jealously yearns for communion with creation, and is ultimately destined to bring many sons to this glory.
Have you tasted it lately. Have you lingered in His presence. Have you come to know Him and desire a tangible meeting with the Father as Moses did on the mountain. That's where I'm at after a long week of work--every prayer answered, every need met, every dream fulfilled, yet still drawn to a presence of Jesus larger, sweeter, peacefuller and fuller than anything we can see here. Show us your Glory.
Been reading lately of Jonathon's Edwards and the end of things designed by God. His purpose in creating, setting man on the earth, sending His Son to redeem, according to Edwards is ultimately His Glory. You know, if you've tasted what we are talking about here. Glory being a tangible presence of peace and order, the knowledge of all perfection, and rest that comes when Jesus passes by. Don't go without this.
It's like Moses asking humbly from the mountain and the cloud, "Lord, show me your glory." Pass by me Lord and let me linger. When the father said yes, is was just a glimpse. "You may see my back, but no one can see my face and live." When the Lord passed by--the glory was His name--full of goodness and truth, loving, merciful, ever forgiving with perfect justce. It caused Moses to fall down and worship, which I am sure you have done if your have been there.
There's a hunger in this generation to taste something of God that really satisfies. They are after His Glory. And the end of all things, according to Edwards reading of Scripture, is that the earth be filled with that Glory. Jesus was all about glorifying the Father--glorify your name.
The Glory here is the extension of the goodness of God. The sharing of Himself, the replication of perfection, immulation, efulgence, the rubbing off and effusion of the divine nature. God's goodness demands to be shared on the earth, jealously yearns for communion with creation, and is ultimately destined to bring many sons to this glory.
Have you tasted it lately. Have you lingered in His presence. Have you come to know Him and desire a tangible meeting with the Father as Moses did on the mountain. That's where I'm at after a long week of work--every prayer answered, every need met, every dream fulfilled, yet still drawn to a presence of Jesus larger, sweeter, peacefuller and fuller than anything we can see here. Show us your Glory.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Several months later, we are in the new year with a new president with a new agenda. We are praying desperately for him and his catalog of Trojan Horses designed to jumpstart an economy under judgement.
In the midst of the fallout, however, God has us right where He wants us I am sure. I believe we are a nation experiencing the trials of Job. How much pain and trimming will happen before we curse God and die. The rain is falling on the just and the unjust. Both sides losing jobs. The good news is that the war is old news, and in the midst of our search for personal peace and prosperity, we have forgotten the fears of enemies abroad. The only thing to fear is fear, and we have met the enemy, and we are they.
So America, experiencing recession is also experiencing revival. Don't know if you've seen it lately, but Jesus is all over the news. From life testimonies like Kay Yow, to innaugural prayers, we are suddenly feeling a need to call out for help from above. "Is this the fast I have chosen."
In the midst of lean and lack, Job was able to see God in a dimension he had never before experienced. He was no longer simply a blessed man, righteous with a hedge of protection. Instead He came face to face with the God who made the intracacies and extremities of the universe. "I had heard about you with my ears, no I have seen you with my eyes, and I am appauled." Ashamed at how greedy, and meee centered I've become.
In these days of uncertainty, I believe God's opening a view of Himself we've yet to encounter. I see it in the prayer meetings, in the worship service, in the impromtu conversations where His work burns in our hearts. Don't miss Jesus on the Emaus road. As all is stripped away, enter as Job did in honest conversation with our Maker.
In the midst of the fallout, however, God has us right where He wants us I am sure. I believe we are a nation experiencing the trials of Job. How much pain and trimming will happen before we curse God and die. The rain is falling on the just and the unjust. Both sides losing jobs. The good news is that the war is old news, and in the midst of our search for personal peace and prosperity, we have forgotten the fears of enemies abroad. The only thing to fear is fear, and we have met the enemy, and we are they.
So America, experiencing recession is also experiencing revival. Don't know if you've seen it lately, but Jesus is all over the news. From life testimonies like Kay Yow, to innaugural prayers, we are suddenly feeling a need to call out for help from above. "Is this the fast I have chosen."
In the midst of lean and lack, Job was able to see God in a dimension he had never before experienced. He was no longer simply a blessed man, righteous with a hedge of protection. Instead He came face to face with the God who made the intracacies and extremities of the universe. "I had heard about you with my ears, no I have seen you with my eyes, and I am appauled." Ashamed at how greedy, and meee centered I've become.
In these days of uncertainty, I believe God's opening a view of Himself we've yet to encounter. I see it in the prayer meetings, in the worship service, in the impromtu conversations where His work burns in our hearts. Don't miss Jesus on the Emaus road. As all is stripped away, enter as Job did in honest conversation with our Maker.
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