Being a prophet is something like putting out a new car color.
Recently, in the community I live in I see a lot of weird green cars by a Korean manufacturer Kia. Part of me jokes and says, “can you imagine being a marketing guy for a car company and saying let’s pick a really ugly color and see how long before it hits.” Continue reading Marketing Life To The Majority
Fear How Bad It Is
In the community I lived in there was a very wealthy man. Selfmade he was. He came up from the ranks of being a machinist and cook. He learned the value of money and he learned to be very good at. So good that he was one of the wealthier businessmen and real estate owners in the community. He made wise decisions with money. He made wise decisions with people. He gave, he honored and he did it well. Continue reading Fear How Bad It Is
Someone asked me what I thought equipping means.
Ephesians 4:11-12 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherd] and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, Continue reading From Organic To Viral
I see things. I see how things are going to be. I see what will happen. (I recognize I can change those things with my words. See my book, The Drones Of Heaven. A way to change your world with your words.) With that part said I am not always sure of the timing. I have also learned along the way. Continue reading Plan Do Not Project
A daughter’s birthday. 3 grandchildren asleep who never see their father. An early morning chat with a friend. Today is a day to reflect on my role a little as a dad.
The last few years have been “different.” My message has changed. My season has changed. And, well…I have changed. A lot of it has to do with the message I embrace. The grace of God, undiluted, without a doubt. Continue reading The Value Of Father
Last night my daughter Amy and I went for a motorcycle ride. During that time we discussed marriage, Christianity, children, education and friendships. People are hardwired for friends. Friends can add value or devalue you. In fact the scriptures often talk about friends. Choosing friends? Sometimes keeping the scriptures at hand are important.
While working on my book over the last few months I found this:
1. My sons and daughters, choose your friends wisely in the days of your youth, for they shall determine the way you go. 2. A good friend rejoices with you in the praise of God but a bad friend fills your heart with violent thoughts. 3. A bad friend entices you to do evil but a good friend prevents you from sinning against the Lord. 4. A good friend praises you when you speak words of wisdom but a bad friend laughs when you cuss and blaspheme. 5. Good friends will rejoice with you in the days of joy that lie ahead but all the wicked together will despair in the futility of their lives. 6. The Lord knows all your thoughts, He hears every word that comes out of your mouth, and He observes all your deeds. 7. Seek, then, friends who meditate on God’s word, friends who delight in edification, and friends who are zealous in good works. For you are not unaware of the reward awaiting the righteous and you not ignorant of the punishment prepared for the wicked” (Quotes & Things David Collins-a paraphrase of Proverbs 24)
Yesterday we celebrated my birthday, but really what we celebrated was friends and friendship. People who joined us plugged in, whether to help put food on the table, hang out with someone in need, clean up or just be there. (I think sometimes just being there is a large part of the equation of friendship.)
Over the years I noticed a trend. The trend is the moving away from the value of friendship. Whether it was caused by a faster pace of living, swings in the economy, the internet or the idea of social media I am not sure. What I do realize in the interest of “time management” coupled with the infractions of any one of the afore mentioned causes, we have lost the value of community and face to face living.
In the church I have heard the word destiny used to describe what God can do for “me” and in some associations how destiny can help the body. But if in the process, we lose try to bypass our hardwired sense of community and friendship we lose value.
This morning I think about this single scripture. John 15:5 said this “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” No branch can live without the life of God in him. “Apart from me you can do nothing.” He is truly saying “you need me” but He is also by inference saying this is my “body.” He could have used many a picture, but He chose a vine. Branches connected to Him. Therefore being connected to one another.
I believe we are mounting up for a revival of relationship, rightly discerning the body of Christ, stretching hands out to those about us. How much greater our influence over time than to have the ability to sow in those we come in contact with? If we do not penetrate darkness in our homes and our community by the expression of Christ through our beings, what value is there to exporting it?
I value the friendships I have. They have made me who I am. I am thankful.
2 Dreams About Crime
Do you ever wonder where you dreams come from or the whys. I do. All the time.
I was out late last night for the fireworks, baseball game. My daughter and grandchildren were going to spend the night. By the time I crawled into bed it was approaching the 1AM side of life. I went to sleep. 5AM hit hard. I wandered out, started the coffee and turned the AC on. I went back to bed and fell asleep.
The first dream-I was somehow working undercover in a community much like where I lived. I recognized the building style and even some of the people. In the dream some well known people were using their influence to control people. Their method was through a medication familiar to many former drug or opiate users. Suboxone® or buprenorphine. The purpose of this medication is to provide enough of an effect so as to avoid withdrawal and yet provide a ceiling of sorts-no super high.
Agonist-An agonist is a chemical that binds to some receptor of a cell and triggers a response by that cell. Agonists often mimic the action of a naturally occurring substance. Whereas an agonist causes an action, an antagonist blocks the action of the agonist and an inverse agonist causes an action opposite to that of the agonist. (Emphasis mine)
In the dream I found myself working to uncover what they were doing. I found that the people were just as addicted to the “replacement” as they were with their first choices of heroin and such. What I also found was that they felt bad, guilty and without value or hope.
At one point I found the table set up before one of the buildings. On the table was a Bible with a cutout carrying these medications. As I thumbed through and found the hidden hollow, the men pulled guns. I took off running as fast as I could. They were older and I was faster but I did not think I could keep it up. I ran up in the woods and they continued to follow. The dream ended there as I thought “climb a tree” or “hide in a cave.”
Dream 2
It happened seemingly on top of the first. In the dream I had been identified as one who advocated “freedom without restraint” and many were opposed. They had control of people’s money, housing, food and even relational choices. I found myself forced “underground” sharing the scriptures of His freedom, His calling, His hope. Many were “brainwashed” as to what scripture said, often taking it out of context and reducing it to rules. As I explained that the scriptures were not a set of rules to govern by, but in fact the representation of a person in Jesus Christ, I was found guilty and chased.
I began to speak loudly against the controls, the laws that held in bondage. Throughout the night and day, I found myself going house to house. Each house once darkened, turned to light in my wake.
I awoke.
It is clear to me that the “law” will not work or set people free. Whether that law is from the Old Testament or a rule made up in the minds of men to have people act proper.
James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
1Corinthians 15:56 The sting of death [is] sin; and the strength of sin [is] the law.
In both cases, men used the law to constrain, to withhold the goodness of God. We are on the cusp of an outpouring of His grace in this country. It is not rules but relationship. It was once said that “rules without relationship breed rebellion.” Much of what we see in this country from our schools to our government and even to much of the church is a system of flaw, empowering sin by the setting of rules with no understanding or grid (Acceptance of Christ is part of that grid.) for change, for it has little value. We have exchanged education for enlightenment. We have traded relationship for rules. Cared more for godly experience than Godly expression. And in many cases wrapped it in scripture to make it “right.”
We are in the midst of a change. Many will be surprised. We are encouraging people to imbibe more of the same. I have said for years we have “inoculated people with just enough Jesus to make them miss the real thing.” Perhaps that is wrong on one level meaning that if they get Jesus, it is His job to overhaul. At the same time has our presentation of Christ and who He is made them have no hope?
Even as I type this I see a groundswell of His goodness. Is it too easy? Yes! Perhaps that alone is what pulls it out of the realm of “us” and puts it into the realm of “Him.” 1 Corinthians 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
Do not steal from others what is His to give. Do not offer a Jesus not in keeping with New Testament realities.
Wired for Sound
In my years as a believer I have no recollection of not waking up with a song in my mind. This morning was no different. As the lyrics from The Anthem were flying through my mind…
He’s calling wake up child it’s your turn to shine
You were born for such a time as this
He’s calling wake up child it’s your turn to shine
You were born for such a time as this
Such a time as this
Of course I had just been shaken out of my reverie by my youngest grandson. He immediately went back to go to sleep, but me, it was 5AM. And I knew the return of sleep was not on my radar screen.
So, I dutifully got up, made coffee and started the laundry so it would be done when my wife awakens.
I wrote a few hours ago a few things that were on my heart about missed opportunity and went in to take a shower. I often have devotions of a sort in the shower. Sing a few songs, declare, decree, pray. Me and the water and God. (The voice of many waters!) So, embarrassing as it is I found “rubber ducky, you’re the one” coming out of my mouth. I chuckled and found a more spiritual song. I returned to The Anthem for a moment. The next thing I knew I was in a vision.
VISION
I saw a large hand reaching into rooms and buildings shutting the lights off. Rooms went from frivolity and fun to darkness. Surprise overtook. I heard whimpering, quiet whispers, loud voices demanding an answer and the shuffling of feet and the moving of people. Stores, schools and yes, even churches. Communities and cities and towns were dimmed. In the midst of the areas, other lights grew brighter.
Frankly it reminded me of being in the bar business. The clock set 10 minutes ahead to insure all would be out. “Last call for alcohol” roughly a half hour before. And then darkness. People shuffling towards the door. All but an advertising light or two illuminating the exit. To return to their homes.
In an old paradigm I would have thought the worst. But I saw it was the hand of the Lord. The Lord is shutting out churches? What? The brightness that grew in various buildings was also church buildings.
I continued to watch. The hand moved slowly. And then I realized that there were people from time to time in His grasp. Picked up and moved. They were looks of surprise, some of dismay, some of anger. I heard voices bemoaning the move, the change. “What about me” was a popular refrain. “But I thought..” another.
I was reminded of Paul carrying out the will of God, reconciling people to Christ, implementing the “Great Commission.” As he readies for Asia, he hears no. Forbidden by The Holy Spirit. The Macedonia call is there. Paul immediately moves. The result all of Asia opens up! He later shares greetings from the 7 churches of Asia. I then thought if you want reach billions you must have a “product” that can reach billions. And a plan!
The vision ended. But even as it closed I “heard” this.
“In the coming days I am going to extinguish the unproductivity (Not the people) in people’s lives and in their sphere. I have plans for people that they have not seen, not understood. There are places that will close and places that will prosper. There are dreams that will be realized and efforts that will be futile. There is a move in this nation, even the world that as I raise up sons who shall move unfettered, bringing forth the goodness I have instilled in them. A change of people and resource.Many are the people of God who have misunderstood, but soon all will see. Be not fearful at the changes, the moves, the light. For in this season, there will be shifts and turns but my plan is unfolding. In this hour many will cry for they lack not understanding, but it is in this hour I will call forth sons who will carry out my purpose. There are those that will prosper in this day and many will be surprised. Be not worried for those that have not heard for soon they will see. They have not listened, even shrugged off my words, but in this day and in this hour I will make them hear.”
(Even as I write this the Lord said to me, “you understood not my hand for your move in the previous days, but shortly you shall see.” Uhhh…OK….)
I felt as though some were being removed not because they had wronged but because the Lord needed them. I felt the word “community” once again impressed upon my heart. I felt the Lord was removing some because of others dependence on them and not on Him. (Wow!) I felt there would be churches that would grow because of the desire to father, to release and to see sons come forth, not of the house, but of the Lord. I felt that the desire to uplift and provoke to goodness, love and grace were a mandate.
All I can say is, I am too excited!
DUCKS
Ducks have always invaded my life on some level. I am sure there is a reason. One of the biggest kinds of trouble I got in as a small child was lassoing all of the neighbor’s ducks, yanking them up into my tree house, boxing them up and putting them in my dad’s garage…And the rubber duck my wife was given by a friends(Learn to float on the waves) and the subsequent rubber duck Christmas ornaments. And Jacob and I read this book for years together. Make Way For Ducklings . I am sure there is a greater revelation on ducks…maybe one day..
I can hear the footsteps of my King
I can hear His heartbeat beckoning
In my darkness He has set me free
And now I hear the Spirit calling me
He’s calling wake up child it’s your turn to shine
You were born for such a time as this
He’s calling wake up child it’s your turn to shine
You were born for such a time as this
Such a time as this
And I can hear a holy rumbling
I’ve begun to preach another King
Loosing chains and breaking down the walls
I want to hear the Father when He calls
He’s calling wake up child it’s your turn to shine
You were born for such a time as this!
(x4)
Such a time as this
This is the anthem of our generation
Here we are God, shake our nation!
All we need is your love,
You captivate me!
(x4)
I am royalty, I have destiny,
I have been set free, I’m gonna shape history!
(x8)
I’m gonna change the world! (x7)
Updated: The Anthem Guitar Chords
Em C G D – repeat for the whole song. Enjoy!
Lyrics are copyright Jake Hamilton
Who comes to your church? I often ask myself does it look like those of Jesus’ companions. Tax collectors, prostitutes and those not “allowed” in church. I can honestly say our fellowship looks more and more like that. I am excited about that! Why? It means they feel welcome. Did you know they felt welcome to be with Jesus, despite their sins, their strongholds and their belief?
Many of my friends are crying out that “God lost America” yesterday. If He is that weak then why would you serve Him? I assure you He is not. The difficulty for many is to realize God gave a group of people all authority here. It is on us.
For years we built a fence to keep “them” out. If you think I am talking about immigration you would be wrong. I am talking about the fence we “built” around the church. Before I was saved, I was a them. Now I am an “us”? Does that really make sense in light of scripture?
The Supreme Court ruling yesterday does nothing for me except to highlight the need for “limited” or smaller government. There are many reasons for limiting government. One is people get to live life as God intended it…with freedom. Whether that freedom sends “chills” up your back or not, that is the freedom God intended and Jesus advocated. He never was “okay” with their sin but He wasn’t okay with them being outside His “reach” either. I want small government. My opinion, my choice. (Have you read the papers? Are you seeing any overriding value to “bigger is better” when it has to do with control?)
With that said.
There is a difference between influence and control. Jesus never intended to “control” anyone. Dominion “can” come by control, but it is better when the people buy into it.
For years our “us vs. them” mentality has grown. We have taken scripture, used it without context, to control or condemn, and forgot about love. We pulled our children out of schools and bemoan the lack of educational values, including morality. (I am not against Christian schooling or home schooling, my question is your reasons. My wife and I have done both.) Paul said “And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?” Romans 10:14
One of the reasons I appreciate being in business and around people is I am around the “sinner.” I was speaking to a friend of mine who works in business. He was “bemoaning” the fact that employees are getting saved and coming to work saying “I am interested in church.” He said it makes it hard to find people to work Sundays!
God never intended our reach to be confined to a building of “good” people. His intent all along was to reach the broken, the downtrodden, the sinner. He intended His death, burial and resurrection for all mankind.
After 20 plus years of life with Him, I feel I can say so many have become “churchified,” failing to be subjects of the King, hence the word Kingdom, that sight of the goal has been lost. It tells us that the “heathen” was given for our inheritance yet many poo poo the idea of the lost, their thinking on various subjects and more.
Let me be frank. We have lost inventors, singers, businessmen and more because of our ungodly attitude towards people. We have acted like the world too often to have influence a lot of the time. If our neighbors do not know we are believers that to me, is a problem. If our coworkers do not know that is a problem. And last but not least, if our children do not know. In the latter I am speaking of the child who goes to church and sees parents “pose” for the cameras and go home, lacking love or affection.
Before we denigrate those in Congress, the Senate, the Presidency or the Supreme Court we must look at our own actions. I am painfully aware of the difference between a believer and an unbeliever. I know the end game. I am not saying do not hold those accountable to their oaths of office. BUT, do not hold them to a higher standard than you hold the church.
All sin was paid for. Theirs, yours and mine.
Let us get back to the place of practicing the walk of Jesus. Not in a religious manner but with the love that He walked in.
I read today of a famous pastor and government leader who in light of the Supreme Court ruling on DOMA said, “Jesus wept.” If Jesus wept, it is because His church is quick to point the finger anywhere but at their own efforts. We pulled out of government, we pulled out of schools, we pulled out of life, all for the sake of bad teaching and theology. We missed the very thing He was trying to do. Establish HIS kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven.
If you are dismayed about the ruling, can I suggest it is time to search one’s soul and ask the obvious. Have I influenced those about me with His goodness? Have I made known His name? Have I condemned or have I freed? Have I locked them out and locked myself in?
For the sake of this generation I lay down my life(My thinking, my desires, my hopes and I supplant them with his!) to carry out His words and His will. God was not looking for a democracy or a republic. He was looking for a people. For He is God and that is a theocracy. Where He is the head and we are the body.
And that folks…is a wrap.
The culture of grace is at hand…
This morning I received an amazing letter from a friend of mine. He has not be around that long. It was pretty amazing. Over the last few weeks, He has seen the blessing of God and His hand move. Last night he wrote me to tell me of many new blessings, but here is the last part.
“So last night for the first time in 17 years I ran 2 miles . When I got off the treadmill I was sweating but hardly winded. AMAZING .I realize that 2 miles may not seem like much but for me with all my “issues” that was like running a marathon. God is amazing , his word is true, and he is always faithful. Thanks for listenin.”
Frankly , I needed to hear it. The last few days have been rough. Lots of amazing things have been happening. But lots of difficult things have happened too. I have felt like “lots” has been on fire. Finances, health, etc.. But you can never give up or stop contending. God did not promise you a rose garden. I rejoice in the fiery trial because there is a promise at the end. 1 Peter 4 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. Continue reading The Garden Culture Of His Grace
