The Goodman Project

Honestly

2011-06-10T06:53:00.000-07:00

Let’s face it we all need some change. The first step in change is honesty and often the hardest person to be honest with is ourselves. It’s so easy to see the change needed in the world, our city, school, friends, and family but in ourselves… it’s much much harder. It’s like we can see every situation and problem in 20/20 except the ones in us. We can see so clearly what everybody else needs to do… But what we need to do? Jesus spoke in Matthew about the plank in our own eye. We all have planks and sometimes these planks prove to be great microscopes of other’s specks. Look I’m not saying that the speck is not there, oh it’s there and is ever irritating but as long as you have that big old ugly plank impairing your sight, don’t think you’re qualified to do eye surgery. Because you are not. Like I said, the first step to change is honesty. Can I be honest with you??? No, really can I? If I can’t then you should stop reading right now… Really I mean it, if you’re not ready for a healthy dose of honesty then just stop… So you’re still here, that means whether it hurts or not you want to hear the truth. The truth is, Jesus. He is the beginning, middle and end, the way, truth and life. HE KNOWS BEST!!! He sits at God’s right hand, and God is still all-powerful and all knowing. He is all knowing, which means He sees and knows every situation and problem that you are facing. He is all-powerful, which means He could easily remove and destroy every situation and problem. We make statements like, “I just can’t take anymore”, “I’m giving 100%”, and “I’m doing my best”. Here comes that honesty… You underestimate what you can take, overestimate what you give and have no clue what your best is. Just saying… You can take more than you’ve taking thus far, can give more than you’ve given and your best is seated in the heavenlies. So let’s stop basing what we are and can do on those around us and come to the realization that each of us needs change. So find that plank and start removing it. Please don’t make the mistake of thinking one prayer of repentance is going to do the trick. This is a thing that we walk out daily and the situations and problems you’re facing are the tweezers God is using. Honestly

Dagon-it

2011-05-09T08:28:00.000-07:00

Dagon-it
1 Samuel 5:1-5 After the Philistines had captured the ark of God, they took it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. 2 Then they carried the ark into Dagon’s temple and set it beside Dagon. 3 When the people of Ashdod rose early the next day, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the LORD! They took Dagon and put him back in his place. 4 But the following morning when they rose, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the LORD! His head and hands had been broken off and were lying on the threshold; only his body remained. 5 That is why to this day neither the priests of Dagon nor any others who enter Dagon’s temple at Ashdod step on the threshold.
Ya know it’s kinda funny how often we do this very same thing. We try to bring the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords and put Him in a place with all our lil’ fake gods. We try to give each of our gods a fare share of our time, talent and resources. Oh sure we all have lil’ Dagon’s that try to come in and steal what belongs to Jesus. We can try over and over and over but each time our lil’ Dagon’s are in the presence of God they fall to the ground and crumble. Even the Philistine’s after rats and tumors got the idea that every knee would bow and tongue confess… Let us choose this day who we will serve.

Acceptable

2011-04-29T13:59:00.000-07:00

Hey
I just wanted to drop a quick note letting you know some of the stuff God's been speaking. Jesus lived, died, was buried, rose and ascended all out of the Father's love for you. That is how important you are. Once we lived a life of sin. This life was Not acceptable... But now through the mercies of our Father we have the opportunity to live a life that is. A life that is acceptable. This kind of life Romans says is our reasonable service. It is our reasonable service to give ourselves as a living sacrifice. It's not just our reasonable service it is God's perfect will. I call God's perfect will for my life, "destiny, purpose, the plan". So we have the opportunity to discover destiny as we give ourselves as a living sacrifice.
Join us Sunday at Pursuit for more!!!
Love ya
Pastor Joshua

Yeah I'm soft

2011-02-14T14:32:00.000-08:00

Yeah I’m soft
On every occasion a gentleman ought to show the ladies in his life how important they are. Some fellas have asked me why I do flowers or chocolate and cards for mothers, daughters, and sisters. Why not just your wife? Well, my friends, I for one believe daughters in our day and age ought to be taught by daddies how precious they are and how much they are loved. Keep in mind, dad, that daughters need daddies who are not afraid or forgetful and who notice the little things. Every son ought to think of his mom on Valentine’s Day. Dads, its good training for your son to look out for his mom and if he doesn’t learn it from you, then who? What about sisters? Well every brother’s sister has had a Valentines Day that they hated. So why not take the opportunity to let her know that there’s one guy who will always look out for her and love her. Now if you’re a husband asking why should you do something for your wife… Wow! Well just because she is the missing rib, flesh of your flesh, bone of your bone, and has decided to make the most binding earthly covenant with a mug like you. Trust me if you’re asking then your not the easiest chump to deal with and she probably deserves an extra dozen roses just for putting up with you. So gentlemen take it from the brother of two sisters, son of three moms, father of 4 girls and the husband of one amazing wife… Its worth it!!!

Reaper #2

2011-02-02T06:00:00.001-08:00

What you sow today is what you will reap tomorrow. If you sow your time, talent, resources, assets and all the good gifts God has placed on the inside of you into the bottomless pit of your flesh you will from the flesh reap death. Why? Because from the moment Adam sinned flesh was corrupted, corrupted with sin. The wages of that sin is death. BUT!!! If we make the choice today to sow into the Spirit we will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Not just eternal in quantity but eternal in quality.

Reaper

2011-01-31T18:08:00.000-08:00

A fact of life; we are all reapers. What goes around comes around. And everyone takes a sigh of relief and says “Thank God for grace”. Grace gives us the opportunity to wipe the slate clean. To start over in the process of sowing and reaping. Scripture tells us not to be deceived God cannot be mocked, what a man sows he will reap. If one sows to the flesh, he’ll from the flesh reap death; but if he sows to the Spirit he will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Let’s face it, we’ve all sown alot to give our flesh what it wants. Whether it’s the newest phone or car, or perhaps it was just telling that little bit of gossip that we just couldn’t keep in. You see sowing into our flesh is not just fornication and sexual promiscuity. Sowing into our flesh could be that little white lie that you told at work to get ahead. One way or another we’ve all done it, and still do it. Again a sigh of relief and say thank God for grace. Each of us is so very unique and special full of gifts and talents and just good stuff God has blessed us with. Time, talents, attributes and assets deposited on the inside. Many times we waste much of the gifts deposited on trying to satisfy the bottomless pit of flesh. This pit is never full and can never be satisfied. But wait repentance means we have the ability to not just say sorry but change. Change the place we deposit what has been deposited in us. Instead of trying to fill the bottomless pit we can give more to the Spirit and reap eternal life. You see the cool thing about eternal life is it is not just a quantity of life but it is also a quality of life. The heavenly quality. Yeah that’s what I want to reap. I’m gonna sow a little more of me into eternity.

Haiti day 1

2010-03-04T06:20:00.001-08:00

Haiti day 1

Yesterday we flew into Miami. Had a really good time eating Cuban Food, drinking Cuban coffee, and just having a really good time. We awoke before dawn and on a plane by 8 am. My normal enjoyment of the sight, smells and heat was nonexistent today. It was not the tent cities or cracked structure of the airport I remembered from my childhood. I walked off the plane via jetway... I was half way down the jetway when I realized I was not out in the open air. It was short lived; as soon as we got inside we were escorted outside to a bus. From the bus to a hanger made into a make shift immigration station.

As we stepped out of customs I saw many of the familiar faces of those that work outside the airport. Some I've know for 15 or so years. Happy to see they were well and alive. I listened to their stories of how some lost some and many lost all. Everyone living in the tent cities. At the Haitian Governments recommendation most have left their houses to do the structural insufficiencies. Even those that still have houses right now are not living in them. Pastor Antonio's is pretty hard-core, he's not left his house. He still sleeps in his own bed. Though right now it’s all alone as his wife and children are still too scared to.
Pastor told us the stories tonight of the first earthquake. He was driving down Delmas when everything started shaking violently. Many fled the cars to seek safety in nearby buildings only to find that would be the last bad decision they would ever make. How often do we as people seek refuge in the things of this world only to have them cave in on us? A few days later there was a large after shock at around 2 am. Pastor was asleep in his bed when it hit. He stayed in his house, kneeled in the corner and began to pray.
I drive past the heaping piles of rubble. And I mean heaping. You shouldn’t throw 9.0 earthquakes if you live in a concrete house. Some houses are completely flat and I drive by wondering if there was someone's child inside. Other houses are deformed like a teeter totter broken at one end. Streets are filled with debris, dust and broken concrete. Yet as I look at the people they haven't changed. They are not broken. Instead they take it as they always have one step at a time. Trying to scrape some form of happiness in a place where it can be hard to find. As we eat dinner with friends that are more like family, I see the smiles, hear the laughter and listen to the conversations in Creole and I am happy. Happiness still exists in Haiti.

Haiti day 2

2010-03-04T06:19:00.000-08:00

Haiti day 2

Sleeping like Bedouins in a brush arbor lean-to with beds. It was good, real good. Haitian countryside is still one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. Amidst the death, destruction and piles of rubble, the mountains still stand majestic. The clouds circle around set aglow by the sun. One lone coconut tree divides the scene.
Ah a breakfast of pasta and hot dogs with a cup of Haitian street coffee and we're off to church.
Got some good video clips at church. It was great to be back under a Haitian brush and tin church. The praise, passion and perspiration. Praise hard, pray hard and preach hard all make for a killer combo at church. Sitting down to some fried bread and fruit before we head north and back to the unknown. Where will we go, where will we sleep? All good questions yet to be answered.
Wahoo... WOW!!! It is so many things about Haiti that I love. It's the Caribbean breeze on my face, blowing my shirt as I walk down the beach. Still dripping salt water from my shorts onto my feet. Eyes still stinging from opening them too long under the light blue sea. I look at the mountains and miss my childhood spent in this place. I look down at the sea and I miss my Tony and Boo. Watching them jump from ''the cliff'' into the water. I think to myself how quickly life passes and I miss my wife. Her with me in this place. It’s very easy to romanticize, after all I am still just romantic watching the sun set.
For dinner will it be steak or conch? I'm leaning towards the conch. As dad and I walk through the bar to the restaurant. Dad sees a guy at the bar looks like a guy we use to know and sure enough it was. Phil Synder from some 20+ years ago; wow now that's crazy. We spend a few minutes talking about the old days no one wanting to jump into the nowadays. Man some of my earliest memories of Haiti include this guy.
The moon is out tonight, its almost full. The waves break on the rocks below. They’re loose and rolling rubbed smooth by the constant push of the waves. You know it's very possible that these may be the same rocks that were here when I was a kid. As we talked to Phil he introduced us to a friend. This was a friend he'd had in Haiti since 1982. That makes me a little sad, seeing that I haven't ever had that. Hmm... Weird huh???

Haiti day 3

2010-03-04T06:18:00.000-08:00

Haiti Day 3

Slept good last night, woke up in the morning and there were no extra bites on me... But the ones from the first night were still here. I had the thought that maybe the sun would help rid me of these foul red dots that plague my fore arms and ankles. It was a good thought and I was so white. It doesn't hurt... Yet!
drove past where our old house in Montrouis used to be. It’s gone now. So we drove on remembering places we'd been and things we'd done. A crusade over there, snorkeling there. These conversations lasted all the way to St. Marc. We drove by the Duane and harbor. I can remember the Son Ship and others coming in there. Then past the old Catholic church and made our way to the road Amy and Malinda used to live on. I could remember the most horrific bike accident of my young life happening when another guy (who was towing a girl I might add) lost control of his bike and slammed into me head on. Malinda's bike totaled. I still feel bad for busting her bike. As we went along and remembered our old house was down a street to the right. We actually stumbled on it. Wow the memories that came flooding back. The old pump where I'd spent countless hours now had a spigot. The little house was still there. Jenn and me shared the room in the front, dad and mom in the back. Across the drive lived the Bennett's. Scott was probably the coolest person I'd ever met at 10. He had an Atari and a motorcycle. He spoke Creole and had a pretty older sister. I told ya the memories came flooding back. Crazy huh.
Our first day we drove by the apartment where I used to live. Man talk about memories. We'd sleep up on the roof. I can remember conversations I had and watching shooting stars and sneaking out in the middle of the night. Mr. Adams lived right next door and everyone from Ricky, Carleen, Sopia, JJ and so many others in the apartments below. I met a MK that lived on the outskirts of Arcahaie. His family had been here for 8 months, he was about the same age as I was back then. I guess if I had any words of advice for him it'd be to enjoy it. Don't hate it cause you're missing out on McDonalds and Snicker bars. Everybody can have those things. But not everybody gets what you have. So don't hate it cause one day soon it'll be gone and you’re gonna miss it. I know you don't believe it now but trust me its true.

Day 4 Haiti

2010-03-04T06:17:00.000-08:00

Haiti day 4
It’s hard to believe we're flying today. But before that there is a lot to get done. Ah we got time. Let's do an early morning swim and our video work then we'll head out. Got to get up to Kenscoff and the traffic is... Well the same as it always is, crazy. Stop, go, stop and stop some more. Three hours of traffic only to find out the reason I was headed up to Kenscoff was down in the city today. Ah that's alright. Got to eat some griot and banan pese. It seems like I spent most of my day in traffic. There's nothing like having three days of sweet Haitian memories only to sweat my way through three hours of Haitian traffic. Oh well life is good and I'll be touching down in Miami in a few hours. Funny this trip went so fast. I can't wait to get back. We've got a lot of work ahead and it's already begun.

10 days to Pentecost

2009-12-17T08:16:00.000-08:00

Goal: See God face to face
How: By fasting and praying for 240 hrs.
Why: To shed off the restraints of the past and sustain an atmosphere in which destinies can be received and souls changed through crazy encounters with Jesus.

Jan. 2nd 2010. For 10 days the leaders, members, and supporters of the Pursuit Church based out of Fayetteville, NC will set themselves apart to fast and pray for a burning flame to be released first in their hearts and then over their entire city. This portion of time will be spent seeking God and His will for the lives of all who participate and the lives that will be touched through the breakout ministry that will inevitability follow this massive gathering of passion, desire, repentance, and restoration. In the Bible the founders of the Christian Church spent 10 days fasting and praying for the will of God to be released over their city, and after this 10 day siege of the heart of God, He released His Spirit over them and Pentecost was born. At the beginning of the New Year, the newly released founders of the Pursuit will seek this same pouring out from God. As part of this consecrated time, participants will join together at the newly constructed prayer room for the Pursuit Church to keep a constant fire of prayer burning before God 24 hrs a day for the full 10 days. These teams will be in the room at various times of the day and night seeking change, leading the new members, learning from the Spirit, and standing watch over their city. This wont be the first for the veterans of the prayer movement sweeping America and Fayetteville, but each time God has always done something new and even more spectacular than in the past gatherings, and this time maybe no different. The Pursuit Church has decided to make no resolutions this new year, but to bring a revolution.
This isn’t your mom and pop’s resolutions, so if you are looking for a challenge, curious to find your destiny, or even skeptical of this whole endeavor than I openly invite you to come out and see what this is all about. Check out www.PursuitLife.com for more information.

Availability?

2009-11-19T06:16:00.000-08:00

So I was driving on my way to work this morning and I started thinking....I know...not the smartest thing for me to be doing...especially behind the wheel....lol.......So as i was driving and thinking about life and God and stuff like that....it came to me that just like my job requires me to be available at all times....so God wants us to be available and open at all times.
Working in the Hospitality industry, mainly in the food service department, we are required to be flexible and keep ourselves as open and available as possible to changes in our schedule and to fill in if needed. Things can change at the drop of a dime and sometimes, no, almost all the time, that means someone will have to be called in to serve and at times that may mean doing more than what is part of their "job description." I could probably do a whole sermon on the similarity between the hospitality industry and the life a christian, but for right now i just want to show the main thing that got me meditating.
Are you available? Could God call on you to step up and do something that someone else decided not to do? Would you answer? How much are you showing God your availability to serve His Kingdom and the souls that are either in it now or He is sending you to bring in?
I encourage you to stay open and available to God. It could be the one moment that you say "here I am Lord, send me" and He sends you straight into your destiny and your life and the world is changed forever, simply because you were available.
Just a thought. Loves and Hugs!
Written By Mike Wing

Pursuing...the story behind the passion

2009-11-06T07:43:00.000-08:00

A symbiotic life form that is a representative of the reality of what is and what will be. As I type these words a group of Christian believers are gathering at the home of their mentor, leader, spiritual father, friend to discuss the launching of a new church. Not just a new church, but more of the final birthing of a vision that has laid inside the hearts and souls of those called to bear such a dream, such a vision, such a reality of revival. From the day their chosen leader saw the flames over the Market House in the first of many great glory smackdowns, to the sudden release of that same vision to those who were fortunate, no, blessed, no, honored, to be in that sacred place; to the slow and often times painstaking labor of nurturing, protecting, sharing, and planning for the birth of this holy vision, this sacred child of revival, all who were the elect were being prepared for this great day. Though many have fallen away, some to return, others to remain wandering amidst the fog of confused identity and fallen dreams, the desire to see this come to pass has burned deep within those that were open to receive, those open to be selected, those open to be branded by the steel rod of Revival, of Repentance, of True Discipleship, of True Worship. Many have come against this birth of a new breed of holy warriors, just like many in the past have fought to destroy the bearers of a new regime, from the days of Rome to the satanic days of Hitler; yet through the fires they come. They seem to be a sort of unique brand of character, of strength, of loyalty. They stand as one and fall as one, all while singing praise to the One who is the reason for their very existence. To speak of this is sending fear through my very heart, for to speak of such things is an honor, a holy duty, to be the voice of the silent ones.
Written by Mike Wing

Fathers Arms

2009-10-29T08:37:00.000-07:00

For my children there is no place safer than my arms. No concrete bunker or underground layer can compare to a living breathing always loving father. My children may never fully realize the extent or the lengths to which I would go to protect them. A concrete bunker cannot compare to a living breathing loving father.
It’s funny isn’t it. We try to surround ourselves with all the things this world has to offer. We fill our lives with as many comforts as we can. We lock ourselves in the bunker of this world and pray this world will keep us protected. Only problem is, is that heaven and earth will pass away. All the big strong things we believe in and put our trust in will all pass away. The storms of life will blow and burst and flood. Situations will explode leaving only the remnants of a broken life behind. All the while our loving Father holds open His arms and beckons us come. Come and enjoy the absolute protection of your Fathers arms.

Love ya

PJ

WOW

2009-10-06T13:30:00.001-07:00

Psalm 89:34
No, I will not break my covenant;
I will not take back a single word I said.

Covenant: an agreement, usually formal, between two or more persons to do or not do something specified;a solemn agreement between the members of a church to act together in harmony with the precepts of the gospel

Devotion: profound dedication; consecration. earnest attachment to a cause, person, etc. an assignment or appropriation to any purpose, cause

Commitment: the act of committing, pledging, or engaging oneself, a pledge or promise, to hold at high priority.

Promise: to afford ground for expecting,an express assurance on which expectation is to be based; Synonyms: word, pledge, covenant, agreement. warrant, assurance, or promise: I give you my word I'll be there.

Loyalty: the state or quality of being loyal; faithfulness to commitments or obligations; constancy

Faithful: Consistent in the performance of duties or service. Reliable, trusted, or believed; true to one's word, promises, vows, etc.

Luke 16:10-12
Faithfulness inspires confidence and assurance. Confidence is something that over time inspires a sense of value. God and others will look at you as being valuable and reliable. Also, how much you value something is shown by how faithful you are to it.

A faithful person disciplines themselves to do what they should do. It involves saying "yes" to some thing's and "no" to other things.

A faithful person can be counted on; is on time for appointments; keeps his commitments and honors his word, EVEN IF IT HURTS

Psalm 15:1-4
1 Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord?
Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?
2 Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right,
speaking the truth from sincere hearts.
3 Those who refuse to gossip
or harm their neighbors
or speak evil of their friends.
4 Those who despise flagrant sinners,
and honor the faithful followers of the Lord,
and KEEP THEIR PROMISES EVEN WHEN IT HURTS.

When we practice unfaithfulness in little things we have the potential to exercise it in big things.

Priority: highest or higher in importance

Colossians 3:23
In all the work you are doing, work the best you can...

To pursue excellence means that as representatives of Christ we do all things well for His glory.

Excellence is not to be confused with perfection.
The latter puts one under the law. The former has to do with avoiding mediocrity.

All of this is so imperative to The Launch!
When we broke covenant together we made a promise to HONOR God, The Pursuit, Josh and Amber, and our fellow partners..
This means in ALL areas! If we are asked to FAST and PRAY we FAST and PRAY. If we are asked to be ON TIME were not just "on time" but we are EARLY. If we are asked to be at meetings then we are there "even to our hurt"... If there is a need to be met then it is to be met over and above! If there is junk going on in our lives, with our families we get a grip on things, THROW AWAY OUR THOUGHTS and SELFISH DESIRES and MOVE ON! If we are asked to tithe.. I mean really come on, we shouldn't even have to be asked by man because GOD commands it..

Lets show God we mean business about this launch guys! When we show God we can be faithful with the little things He will us bigger things! How dare us ask God to work on our behalf but we aren't holding up our end of the deal!

I heard a quote today "Fasting starves the flesh and enriches the Spirit! As we walk more by the Spirit and less with our flesh we will see greater breakthrough.."

As I am fasting I am finding myself way more into doing word studies...I guess this note is a result of it :)
Written By Jessica Goodman

Un-com-for-t-able

2009-09-22T10:19:00.000-07:00

If you haven't already listened to the daily devo I posted today, check it out. It goes with what I'm gonna discuss. It's called Sheep vs. Goats.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays at our church we give out food boxes. Often times the front office will be crammed full of people. All in need, looking to be helped. This is simply part of what we do. Anyway, today as people came in it struck me the discomfort felt when approached by the needy. You know what I'm talking about, the feeling you get in you stomach when a guy with "will work for food" comes up to your car at a stop light. Or how about the one that always catches you at the gas station needing $5 cause his car ran out of gas a few miles back. The homeless guy downtown that asks for a few bucks. Most feel a little uncomfortable when faced with "the needy". Maybe we're uncomfortable with the poor. Maybe even irritated by the request. Set back by someone invading our zone of comfort. Breaking into our personal airspace with there need. A need we did not create, a need we didn't make happen...and why should we be responsible for it.
Well, well, well!!!
Is this you? Do you in someway feel these very same feelings? Don't worry you are not alone. Many of us feel this way to some degree. But what should we do about it?
I'm glad you asked!
I think we should take a look at what Jesus had to say about it. In the story of the sheep and the goats the sheep get to enter into rest and the goats get to enter into hell. Whats the difference? The difference is what they did and didn't do. Sheep feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, visit the prisoner, set free the captive. Now let's contrast that with Matt.7 when many will come in that day and say Lord, Lord, and Jesus will say,"Depart from me I never knew you". Then they answer him saying, "Didn't we cast out demons and heal the sick in your name". Basically it's like this, it doesn't matter what kinda healing or deliverance ministry you have, if you're not in love with HIM and showing that love to people. I mean low, down, and dirty showing the love. I mean you, you, you... Not sending someone or sending some money, but you getting down and feeding, clothing, setting free. If you're not then I hope you are paid up on your fire insurance cause baby, your gonna need it.
That's about all for now.

Love ya

PJ

Total Eclipse Of Your Heart

2009-09-18T17:24:00.000-07:00

Each of us at one point in our life or another have heard the story of creation. You know the whole in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth... We see the spirit hovering over the face of the deep. Hovering over the nothingness, some translations even say chaos. That's what the Spirit of God did for us; came and hovered over our deep places, over the chaos... Then God said let there be light and there was light. We opened our heart to Jesus and the light of God came and illuminated every dark place.
We see on the fourth day God creating the sun, moon and stars. In our day to day life there are three major players to life as we know it, the sun, the moon and our very own earth. The moon was made to reflect the light of the sun. There are some nights we see the moon, other nights we can't. Some nights there's a lunar eclipse. That's when the world cast a shadow on the moon. How many times in our own life does the world cast its shadow, when we are to be a reflection of the greater light. Our heart becomes totally eclipsed because we've sat too long in the shadow of this world.
Today step out of the worlds shadow, reflect the light that has been illuminated in your heart to others.

Love ya,

PJ

P.S. Hit the launch sermons tab, then daily devotions to hear the podcast.

A Tale of Two Lions #2

2009-09-17T04:35:00.000-07:00

Pt.2
...First only warm brown eyes in the tall golden grass, eyes that almost glowed, and did not blink staring deep into the heart of the fearful child. If Na’fi had not been so gripped with fear he would have seen that the beast was majestic in size and color. He was really a very beautiful lion. Both lion and child eyes locked. Then in a moment the lion’s attention was diverted to something behind the young boy. In an instant his look went from warm and glowing to that of fight. Eyes keen and focused, locked on something beyond where young Na’fi stood. Full of questions, should he flee or fight, should he keep looking at the oncoming beast or turn to see whatever had captured the great lion’s attention. After what seemed like hours but in reality it was only a few moments, Na’fi began to turn. Slowly, slowly he turned. After turning the full ninety degrees but not moving his feet, Na’fi saw a much smaller lion, scrawnier. His mane and fur all much darker, his face and look much harder. Eyes as black as the darkest night, eyes that looked not at the larger lion but looked straight into the heart of fear of the young child. The lion seem to feed off of this fear, wielding a strength in destruction, stealing the very life from the boy. Frozen in fear, breath slow and heavy, pins and needles covered every inch of the young boy’s body. Suddenly there came the same deafening roar, shaking the very ground beneath, causing even the trees and the grass to take notice. It seemed for even a moment that the mountains bowed down. Shaken from the trance young Na’fi turned once again to face the great golden lion. As their eyes locked a feeling of overwhelming comfort came over the boy, a sense of strength began to fill his heart. Staring into one another’s eyes the lion seemed to say “focus on me, don’t turn away”. Just as this was happening the other lion began to come into Na’fi’s peripheral vision, circling him, snarling and growling, doing all he could do to take the attention of the boy off the greater lion. Circling over and over again, lunging as if to attack but only testing the young boy’s resolves and focus. Then finally as if unable to take anymore, consumed with hatred, rage and blood lust, the black beast crouched prepared to leap at the small and easy prey. Just before the kill the evil man-eating beast looked to the great lion with defiance and almost smirked then said I’m taking yet another. Then focusing on his prey he pounced. With a flash the great golden lion dove in between feast and foe. With his mighty right paw he lay waste to his enemy. Na’fi eyes wide still staring unmoved as the great lion stood over his prey. From the bushes came the village hunters with shouts and clicks with high-pitched screams. Hurling spears at the already defeated man-eater, spear after spear piercing the dead lion’s flesh. Na’fi’s father in one swoop tossed his son onto his back and safety. In the midst of all the commotion the great lion with his golden mane and beautiful brown eyes had disappeared into the tall savanna grass unseen by the villagers.
Later when telling the story around the fire the village men would exaggerate the part they played in the execution of the great man-eating beast. But Na’fi knew the truth, the truth that out there somewhere was a lion looking over him. Na’fi now grown still walks across the savanna and when he looks hard enough sees those wonderful brown eyes watching over him.
The End

Love ya

PJ
PS. You can also check this out at the daily devotion site with commentary.

A Tale of Two Lions Pt.1

2009-09-16T04:56:00.000-07:00

A Tale Of Two Lions
Young Na’fi was only four when one day he ventured out of the village. His mother, father and older sister had all assumed purhaps that some one else was watching young Na’fi. Each busy about their daily tasks, young Ni’era, Na’fi’s older sister was twelve and it was her job to see the family had drinking water. So she was down in the center of town where there was an old lever pump that missionaries had put in long before she was born. She pumped and pumped that old lever pump filling up the five gallon bucket that she would carry on her head on the return walk home. Sa’bel, Na’fi’s mother was behind the house tending to the laundry. Hunched and squatted over a large metal bowl, she scrubbed the laundry by hand with her bar of lie soap. Galbo, Na’fi’s father had been in the jungle for two days. He and five other men from the village had gone out to the jungle when the roar of the lion had begun. Sa’bel had told both her children not to fear the night before, but both Na’fi and Ni’era could see the fear in their mother’s eyes.
The roar of the Lion the night before was a tell tale sign that a man-eater was somewhere lurking in the not so distant tree line. Their father was out there too. The danger was very, very real for both the villagers and especially to the men on the hunt.
Other than the men of the village being gone this day had begun like most others. There where chores that needed to be done, the work that was at hand. Amongst the busyness of the day Na’fi was not being watched. As the day progressed Na’fi adventured farther and farther from the village. Before long the adventures brought him to the tree line and Na’fi was a hunter as his father was. With a broken tree branch for a spear he cleared the other side of the tree line into an open savannah. It was so vast, so big, a whole new world on the other side of the tree line. There was a path cutting through the center of the savannah reaching to the distant mountains. The mountains where so large and looming gray in contrast to the warm brown of the savannah, their peaks reaching to the clouds.
There Na’fi stood between the jungle and savannah with the mountains as the backdrop. A thunderous roar came from the high grass just thirty or forty yards away. The roar was so loud it caused Na’fi to jump uncontrollably, then freeze, unable to move as the shadowy figure began moving toward him.

Love's Chain Reaction

2009-09-13T11:36:00.000-07:00

So many of us are not really burning balls of passion on a continual basis for our Lord and Savior. Oh sure we get hot, and sometimes we get cold and usually we ride the fence in the middle. Not because we want to, but because it’s just so easy to settle for mediocrity. There are just so many things that have the ability to alter our focus off our Father. It’s ok to keep these things in our peripheral vision but there is only room for one on the throne of our heart. The one that keeps our attention and keeps our focus is the one for which we will burn. The one for which we burn is the one for which we act. Action, action, action! Faith without it is dead, love without it is dead, life without it is dead.
Rev. 2 calls the church at Ephesus to return to her first love, to repent and remember from the heights she had fallen. Today let us remember, let us retrain our focus, our attention, our passion… Our ACTION!!!

Love ya

PJ

First Love

2009-09-12T17:04:00.000-07:00

The past days we’ve been talking about the action of love. This morning I awoke considering the depth of God’s love for me. The habitation He created in just six days, the sun, moon, stars, majestic mountains and I could literally go on and on. I stand in awe of all He has made. Then as an encore He formed man and blow the breath of life into him. They would walk in the cool of the day together. As we so often do, man fell. But God in all His love didn’t leave us, oh no. He came to our rescue, by sending His own Son. This Son died a terrible death, a death of extraordinary pain and anguish. All out of Love. There is no mountain that would not be crossed no sea too far… Our Father crossed the span of all man’s sin out of love. WOW!!!
Perhaps this is why Jesus said the first command is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, and strength. What kind of love can man have to compare with the type of love shown to us? None zero. That is why the first command is that we love Him; it is through this intimacy with our Father that we learn, Love. If we are ever to really learn to love that love must first be poured into us. This real love only has one source.
As we read the other day about Paul’s insane life: the hardship, beatings, shipwrecks and the list goes on and on. Why would a man undertake all these pains and junk? One reason he had been taught how to really love and was willing to die for and did die for the one he loved. STOP. Question. How can we really say we would die for our faith if we don’t even pay our tithe? How can we say we would take persecution if we can’t even show up to church on time? I realize this isn’t you but if it were I would question your honesty. How about we put our words into action. Let’s just try to show God how much we love Him. Not with lip service this time but with action. Perhaps if we looked just a little closer we would see that love is like faith and without action it is dead.

Love ya

PJ

That's How I Want To Love

2009-09-12T08:09:00.000-07:00

New Daily Devotion up today.

Listen to the podcast here
or download it here.

Paul's Love

2009-09-11T04:40:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone... Good morning
Just posted a new podcast, check it out. Just hit the launch sermons.
It's a continuation on Paul's love. A love of action not just words.
That's how I wanna love today.

Love ya

PJ

Listen to the podcast here
or download it here.

Paul is the man

2009-09-10T03:42:00.000-07:00

Wow!!! As I read our daily Bible reading, I am once again reading Paul's boasting. It's insane!!! Even Paul says,"I am speaking as a fool". Then he goes on this rampage of the many exploits he'd encountered. "I've worked harder, been in prison more, been beaten with rods, stoned, shipwrecked"... The list goes on and on! I really suggest you check it out its in II Cor. 11 towards the end of the chapter. As I read his words, I couldn't help but think of the letter I wrote to you yesterday. You remember, I spoke of being in love and how there's nothing you wouldn't do for the one your in love with. Man, all of us say we love Jesus like that, but I don't know any of us with a resume like that. That's the life, the love of a man crazy about Jesus. Not just a man that spoke words of love, but a man that made it happen.
The story of the stewards really makes a good point. There where three guys all given different amounts of money. Two of them went out and made something happen. In a place where there was nothing they produced something. No excuses, they did what had to be done to produce the results. Many talk about there love, but I think love is like faith, that is where there is no action it's dead. Stinky, dead love.
I think of all the words I've spoken to God, that where nothing but gas, a lot of hot air. Do I mean them? Yes! Are they passionate? Yes! But I want my words to be more than words, more than feelings. I want them to be my action, I want them to tell the story of my life. I want that story to be a love story filled with adventure and action. Not just hot air!!!

Love ya

PJ

Giving

2009-09-09T11:11:00.000-07:00

I sat today considering the Lord and our ability to give to Him. It is true that in the book of Job it says, “Who has given to the Lord that He might repay.” It is true that God is so large, so big and so awesome that all things are yours. Still He has given us stewardship over the things in our life. We should do all things as unto the Lord, we should give as unto the Lord and live as unto the Lord. Jesus is our Lord, the figure of absolute authority, the ultimate, the utmost. As such we should give to Him. He is also our husband and we His bride. As this He is to be the love of our life. I remember when I first started dating my wife. WOW!!! If I could reach the moon I would have given it to her. No river, no mountain, no ocean could keep me away. All I had I would give. It’s that way today. One funny thing about it is, if I didn’t have what she desired then I would find a way to get it for her. If I didn’t have the money, I would get the money, then get it for her. Like most guys that are crazy in love, there are few things that I wouldn’t do to give to my wife. God is just that crazy in love with you. The question is, are we that in love with Him. How far are you going to give to God?

Love Ya

Listen to an awesome testimony here or download it here.

Where Is God?

2009-09-02T14:34:00.001-07:00

Well sure the easy answer is that God is everywhere. Of course He’s everywhere, everyone knows that. Oh I agree a great many of us know it with our heads but in our hearts, yes with our hearts and our actions we don’t believe. I’ll give you an example. The last time you sinned, I mean the last time you sinned big. Oh I don’t know what it was or were you where. But we have all sinned big. Can you remember the last time you sinned and it was a biggie. Well what if Jesus had been standing there in the flesh, looking at you with His eyes of love, nail holes in His hands. Come on, He would not have had to say a word, you and I both would have dropped the sin and run from it as fast as we could. Let me stop right there and say this is not a word on you and the ugliness of your sin. It is on the other hand a word on which you truly believe and don’t believe. I would like us to get to the place where we really, really believe God is everywhere. Not because I want us to be overcome with condemnation.

You see once we come to the true knowledge that God is everywhere. Then no matter where you are, whether in your car or at work, whether at home or school. Once we come to the realization that there is a loving, wonderful and awesome Father that is always there, always watching, always caring, always longing for a relationship. Waiting for you to believe, that He’s right there waiting for you to believe.

Love ya

This one's for you

2009-08-27T06:34:00.000-07:00

God is not simply one who walks among the clouds and holds stars in His hands. He is and does but He is not only a far off God. He is a God so mighty and so powerful and awe inspiring. Creator, majesty and beyond all we could fathom or grasp. Could it be that we think He's so big, so wonderful and we so small and insignificant that chances are small that He would notice us. BUT HE DOES NOTICE YOU!!! He is great and awesome and He wants to be all up in your face. I mean every area of your life. He wants to have a part in every breath you take. Every decision and every task, every hurt and every pain, every triumph and every victory. EVERYTHING!!! There is not a moment in your life that takes place that God doesn't want to be involved in. Will you let Him? Will you allow Him to not just be a far out God but also be a God that reaches far in. A Father that is intimately involved in every area. Let us be co-laborers with God. Ones that walk hand in hand. Hand in hand at home, work, church and hanging out... Good, bad, up and down lets us allow God to be intimate.

Love ya

PJ

You can do it!!!

2009-08-06T07:43:00.000-07:00

In our fast pace and very hectic life it is so easy to be consumed. Get up, get coffee, get to work, get home, get dinner then get to bed. The days roll by and we wonder where they went. It is not the life we hoped for as a child. The dreams having faded to just a hope of being able to make the ends meet. The cycle of life rarely changing, only when we have a bump in the road do we stop and evaluate. Life can literally pass by years at a time and nothing ever change. Then we look back when we're 92 wondering what it was all about, wondering where the years went. This, this is not life, this is living on life support. It's being hooked up to the system, letting it drain you of all you have and when its done you die. This is tragic and it shouldn't be this way with you. SO STOP!!! Right now just have the courage to STOP!!! Take a moment, take a breath. Breathe in and let it out slowly.
God made the Sabbath Holy because He knew something about us we often forget. He knew we needed a moment, a breath. A moment to reflect,catch our breath and refocus on the dreams our Father has placed inside of us. You've got to much inside of you to continue living on life support. Come on, you can do it... Do it NOW !!!

Love ya

PJ

Dove's Resting Place Part 2

2009-08-01T05:33:00.000-07:00

Gen. 1:2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

It's the Father's kindness that leads us to repentance, the Holy Spirit coming and hovering over us as He did over the waters in the book of Genesis. One major step in our maturity as believers is coming to the realization that though our sin offends God, it hurts us. The longer we remain in sin the more beat up we get. AAHHH and even in our sin and God's offense to that sin He still draws us to Himself. When we are all broke down, formless and void the Spirit hovers. The Spirit continues to hover until He finds a place to rest. He who began a good work will be faithful to complete it. The Holy Spirit knows just what is needed, enough pressure to shape but not break. He desires that we be all that He's created us to be. He also realizes that the greatest hindrance to our success is the one staring back at us in the mirror. And we thought it was Satan. If our desire is to be the best we can be, if we want to fulfill our destiny, then the key is not higher education or self help books... Instead the key is creating in ourselves a place where the Spirit can rest. Is the Holy Spirit able to rest in you or does He continue to fly over the waters of your heart as in the days of Noah? Holy Spirit find a resting place in me today.

Love Ya

PJ

Dove's Resting Place-Part 1

2009-07-29T18:00:00.000-07:00

Gen. 8:9 but the dove found no resting place...

In the story of the great flood we find in the book of Genesis the earth had been destroyed. All but a handful of people had been killed, drowned in the greatest flood every known. Days turned into weeks and weeks into months as the boat God told Noah to build was tossed on the raging sea. Things had to have been miserable. Noah sends out a dove and I imagine his heart sank when the dove came back because it had no place to rest. How many times in our life has the dove been released to find a resting place and He finds no place?

Love ya

PJ

Oh Captain, my Captain!!!

2009-07-28T06:00:00.000-07:00

In the very first book of the Bible in the very first chapter it talks of the Spirit hovering over the face of the deep. Hovering over the waters.
In the very last book of the Bible all the way in the back it talks about the great whore sitting on the waters. Later on in the chapter it says that the water is the nations, all people and all tongues. There are great battles that take place in the heavenlies as to who will hover over the waters of our generation.
In the story of Noah the entire earth was covered with water. Noah released a dove and the dove returned because it could find no place to rest. The dove was once again released two thousand years ago and has since been looking for a place to rest.
Come rest on the waters of my life... Oh captain, my captain...

Love ya

PJ

Leftovers

2009-07-25T16:41:00.000-07:00

God doesn't want your leftovers...
Jesus speaking to the Phoenician woman said, "Should the king give the children's food to the dogs?" The woman responds by saying even the dogs under the table get the crumbs. We pray for God's best, we believe, we cry out. We ask God to pour out His blessing, we try to take back what satan has stolen.
Ain't it funny that we ask God for His best but what do we give Him? We give Him our luke-warm, half-baked middle of the road christianity. All the while asking Him for His best. There is another story if we turn back to the Old Testiment of Elijah. There was a famine in the land and God sent Elijah to a widow's house. A widow's house, not a rich man's house, or a governor, not a mayor but a widow. A woman that had almost nothing. God required that this woman give her best. Did she want to give her all??? NO!!! Did she have extra to give??? NO!!! Did she give her best, her all??? YES!!!
Perhaps next time before we ask God for the best He has to offer, let us first give of our best. The best of our love, best of our time, money, devotion... The list goes on and on. Not that we can earn or purchase or do anything to deserve the best of heaven. This is not about us earning. We don't give our love to earn something from Jesus. That's prostitution... Someone who gets paid to give love to someone else is a prostitute. There are two women in the book of Revelation, The bride and the whore. One gives the best of their love expecting nothing in return. Only loving to love. Loving because they were loved first. I pray that we learn to give our best. Not cause we are looking for a return. The only return we want is love, intimacy, presence... You see my friend That is the best of our King!!!

Love ya,

PJ

Wakey Wakey!!! Falcon#2

2009-07-23T11:31:00.000-07:00

Romans 7:19 For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want.
6 days later... I told the story of so many things God opened up and revealed to me on Friday night. The night of WAKEY WAKEY!!! It was the most... Ah you know I went over all that already. If you've not read it go ahead and skip down and read Falcon #1.
One of the things that continues to reverberate inside of me is when the Lord said to me, "You know what to do...Humble yourself... Pray... Fast!!!" Man at that moment I made all kinds of promises. "God I'm gonna humble myself, I'm gonna pray more and fast. The proof is not in the number of promises I am able to make. Instead its in the promises I keep and continue to keep if the following days, weeks, months, and years. Is our experience a series of one night stands or is it a blissful marriage. One night stands are definitely easier and require less. But one thing to remember is when you put less in you get less out. The same thing applies with our relationship with Jesus. You see Jesus has placed all of His love on us. When we live in a series of one night stands we move out of position to receive the rewards of marriage. When we humble ourselves, pray and fast we position ourselves in a place that says, "I am commited to this relationship". It's not for God's sake that we live this. Its for our sake. Man God is so cool like that.

Love ya,

PJ

PS. Cosider this we call it an awakening. We the alarm goes off there are those that get up and then there are those that just hit snooze and roll over. WAKEY WAKEY!!!

Fire at Falcon

2009-07-17T20:14:00.000-07:00

The fire fell at Falcon tonight... If you were there you experienced God. It was the most crazy, insane prayer meeting I think I've ever been a part of.
God has always impressed me with the rain. From the time I was a boy growing up in Haiti til This very night. I was at Bethel Church in Redding Ca. recently and got a prophetic word that among other things said, "God rains down where I go... Not just spiritually but also physically". It was raining in Redding at the time and they'd been experiencing a drought.
Tonight shortily after I arrived at the Octagon Tabernacle my wife text me and said, "huh, looks like rain". Sure enough it looked like it might just rain.
I was already smoked even before prayer began. As things began really warming up the rain began to fall. So I stepped outside and began to cry out to God for His outpouring. Almost urging God on I prayed for Him to amaze me. It began raining harder and lightning began to flash.
I fell into a deep state of travailing in the Spirit for God to awaken the watchmen, awaken the warriors, awaken the intersessors. It was so intense for I can't say how long. At some point God knocked our lights out. With a flash of lightning and a crash of thunder the room went dark. I was still travailing, gripping the pew where I knelt, drips of sweet dripping from my brow to the hardwood floor below. And I travailed... Then suddenly out of nowhere I felt a tickle and my Abba father filled me with such a happiness. God spoke, "remember, you know what to do. Pray, fast, seek my face, I will be found". Over and over again God spoke this, then He said, "step outside, walk with me". "Huh, God its pouring outside". "Come walk with me let me rain on you". Stepping outside our comfort is always hard and scary. But that is faith. So I went outside. Walked out in the field next to the Tabernacle. The lighting was flashing in a circle all around us. The thunder shaking the ground beneath us. One big bolt flashed in front of me, it was so close that I could see it disentegrate into flashes just before the thunder shook me. It was the second largest of the night and yes it scared me. I was standing in an open field. Yea maybe it was time to head inside. SUDDENLY with an insane impact and flash of light, the biggest one of the night hit. I jumped like a... Ah I don't know what. The silver fire continued to fall from heaven as it rained on my face. I stayed a few more minutes, still scared and very in awe. God is scary and awe-ful, He's also really good.
All in all it was amazing. Bonnie Bost closed us in prayer and as she said,"amen" the thunder clashed one last time and shook the room as if it where on cue. After a night like that I can only believe it was God voicing His Amen to the evening.

Love Ya

PJ

Wakey, Wakey!

2009-07-17T14:34:00.001-07:00

Tonight at 7 pm, a large group of us will be heading up to Falcon, NC. For anyone in the know, Falcon was the birthplace of revival on the East Coast back in the day. A Pentecostal Holiness preacher traveled out to the Azusa Street revival in Los Angeles and brought back a spark to light a fire here. Tonight, our fervent prayer is that the Lord will once again awaken the fire here on our side of the nation. If you can, gather together with us at the Octagon Tabernacle in Falcon at 7 PM as we call upon the Lord to Wakey, wakey the spirit of revival once more!

Love ya,

PJ

Chasing Butterflies

2009-07-15T06:30:00.001-07:00

Chasing Butterflies

Often times when as we walk through this life its hard to see the forest through the trees. It's hard to stop and smell the roses.

It's like an episode of survivor, where we are fighting just to make it. So much to do, so little time. We are trekking through life and rarely really enjoying it. We think thoughts like, "once I get here", or "I'll do this one day". Then it seems like life is one series of fast paced races to another just trying to reach the goal we had set out for. Let me stop for a moment and say that this is a good thing. Its good to have goals and ambition and the will to fight for the desires God has placed inside you. But today take just a moment or maybe two to see the forest in all these trees. Smell the roses. Like an elusive butterfly, moments can pass us by never to return. So stop, pull out your butterfly net, and chase a moment today.

Love ya,

AWE!!!

2009-07-10T07:08:00.000-07:00

God is AWEsome!!! Yet, there are those who are not taken by God. Those that don't stand in utter AWE. Those that don't fear or tremble. There is a feeling from the surface of our soul that reaches down into its very depths. A feeling that eludes all wordly descriptions. Yes HOLY, yes AWE, yes FEAR but also joy, peace, wonder and amazement. It is the feeling I feel when I'm met by my Father and King. These meetings sometimes take place when I expect them or I should say when I've positioned myself in a place of meeting. Then other times like a cool breeze on a hot summer day, like an unexpected kiss from my child, or a smile from my wife... AWE!!! He'll be there or I'll be there either way we'll be together and I'll feel all those feelings. Man, I love intimacy, I love the fire, the presence, I love my Father.

Love ya

PJ

FIRE

2009-07-02T17:39:00.000-07:00

Hey,
Just want to keep everyone posted. We've changed the name and format for the TV show "Bread of Life". It's hot, with new music, footage and teaching. We did the first shoot today and the rough footage looks really good. It will be airing on Fridays at 5pm so if you get a chance check it out... The new name is "Global Warming," and it's taken from Jesus' saying, "I've come to set a fire and I wish it were already kindled." I wish it were too, so come on and join with me as we set this world on fire. Fire, fire, fire, there's a fire shut up in my bones. An internal combustion that John prophesied when he said there is one coming after me that will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and FIRE. Elijah called down fire on Mt. Carmel, so how bout we call down fire on the globe.
Oh yeah!!! Global Warming is GOOD.

Love ya,

PJ

2009-06-29T10:00:00.001-07:00

This is gonna take a minute #5

2009-06-28T06:21:00.000-07:00

Each one was a life that God desired I impact. What's worse than the missed opportunity was in my Fathers next words. "Son," he said, "Each time you've refused to unwrap the gift I gave you it feels the same to me as it did the night Peter denied. Son don't deny me, unwrap your gift." In a flash the permeateing light of the Father was gone. Jesus and I stood on the gold pathway. Jesus looked at me with a slight grin and said you see.
Then we walked and talked a moment longer.
The reason I wanted to explain such a intamite part of my life was another vision I had just the other day during my worship time. I saw the Lord and there was a huge vat, I mean it was huge. It was filled with a translusiant liquid. It was very similiar to the sea I had seen in my experience of heaven. It was the most beautiful blue green that glowed with Gods glory. Everything about the liquid in these vats reminded me of heaven. It reminded me of holding hands with Jesus, and the nakedness I felt in the Fathers glory. (yet not ashamed). The joy, peace everything it was like liquid heaven. In this vision The Father was asking His people to direct Him as to where we would have them pour out these huge vats of liquid heaven. I believe God is wanting His people to arise and point out places that we desire heaven to be seen. People, places, things, items. God is desiring for His people to partner with Him, to get close to Him and hear His heart. Some may say well I can't pray for heaven to be poured out on this or that, or this person or that person. They don't deserve it. Well never do you deserve to direct God's vat of liquid heaven. I don't deserve to be the one telling of the visions. None of us deserve any of this. But God has offered us heaven and He also allows us to be vessels of Heaven. His liquid heaven.

Love ya,

PJ

This is gonna take a minute #4

2009-06-27T08:41:00.000-07:00

The Father handed me a solid box made of Gold as He did He said "Open it, it is a gift for you." I turned the box around and around trying to figure out how to open it. The Father once again said "Open the gift I've given you, my son." "I can't," I replied. "Son open the gift I've given you'," comes this time with a little frustration. I turn the box over and over trying to open it, pulling tugging but the little box wouldn't give. I knew with each passing moment my Father's frustration was growing. Each time He spoke there was more displeasure even hurt in His voice. I began to weep at the thought of me displeasig Him. God's next words changed my life forever. He said, "Son open the gift I've given you, for everytime you don't open the gifts I've given you, you deny me. The feeling I feel when you deny me is the same I felt the night Jesus was betrayed and Peter denied." I was totally crushed, broken, a mass of sobbing tears and repentence. I thought of oh so many times God had spoken to me, given me words, told me to act. Instead of obedience I questioned, "God is that you?" So many times struck with fear, I questioned my way to inaction. Man the flood of memories, stuff I had long forgotten, played out in front of me. Even though it happened in a flash, I saw each instance with vivad accuracy. The guy at Wal-Mart, the mom in the parking lot, the prophetic word for the waitress, so many pasted I lost count.
All most done!!!

Love ya

PJ

This is gonna take a minute #3

2009-06-26T09:49:00.000-07:00

So we turned and walked back to the path and in a mere blink we were surrounded by a light that revealed in and out. I could feel it on the inside of me permeating every absolute fiber that is me. It was such a bright light and feeling. Again not the kind of brightness that would make you wince and cause you to close your eyes. I think even for a second I may have squinted and winced as a common reaction to such brightness. Then after a moment I realized that no squinting is necessary in this light. In that moment I knew I was standing in the presence of my father. We all know that God is everywhere and He is but when I tell you that being ''IN'' this Presence is different, its as different as different can be. The difference is a cup of water verses the ocean, their both water but man there is a difference. As I stood in The Glory had it bask in me and realized the presence of my Father and King I felt not fear but Awe total and complete Awe. Awe of God, awe of where I was, awe of how it made me feel... Awe in just every way. Total and completely permiated by love, joy, peace... Though I felt awe I didn't feel fear.
Little more later!!!

Love ya

PJ

This is gonna take a minute #2

2009-06-25T12:04:00.000-07:00

So my savior takes my hand and leads me through the gates of heaven. I feel only joy, and peace with absolute contentment... AAAAHHHH it is so good walking with Him communicating without words because none are needed. For those who know me, you will understand why this next part means so much to me. As we walked a bit He lead me just to the right of the path. Through the grass and over to a ledge looking out on the crystal sea. Perfect 5 to 6 foot rollers of the most blue green translucent water that had its own glow and sparkle. Understand that this place had no sun, there was no directional proportion to light. Our sun shines its lights and the light it generates radiates from one place to another. But in heaven where light comes from Gods glory there is no start and stop place everything is simply alight with light. This light, Gods glory makes everything some how brighter and more full of color. A light that shines through objects and not from one point to another causes objects to give off more than just the beauty on the outside but also that which is on the inside can be seen. So as I looked on this sea of glass, I didn't just look at it but into it. After a moment I looked into Jesus' face and with a look of happiness... Or better yet if a chuckle had a look this would be it. He looked at me and with or without words and said, ''Now isn't that time... But I knew you would want to see''...
Stay tuned for #3

Love ya

PJ

This is gonna take a minute #1

2009-06-25T08:13:00.000-07:00

I've shared in the past the vision I had of heaven, weather; a vision or reality I'm not sure. But what I do know is as I worshiped one evening during a 24/7 prayer meeting I experienced heaven. As I worshiped...Whoooosh and I was standing on a grassy hill surrounded by a beautiful landscape. The landscape of grass covered rolling hills had a small worn path leading to a gate made of pearl. As my gaze focused on the gate it began to open and there stood Jesus standing on not so much a road as a sidewalk made of gold. Without saying a word Jesus bid me come. As Jesus took my hand in His, not holding my hand with our fingers cupped but instead with our fingers woven. You understand the difference. One way is the way you hold hands with a friend or prayer circle the other is the way you hold hands with a lover, someone your intimate with. Keep in touch for the rest of the story.

Love ya

PJ

Heaven's Yes

2009-06-24T07:04:00.000-07:00

Proverbs 27 says...
Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
Man, that word last night sharpened the sin outta me. Good stuff!!!
So many times when we hear that scripture it brings almost a negative feel to it. To be sharpened would mean to say that I'm not as sharp as I should be and I need others to help me be all I can be... WAA!!!
Really this sharpening should take place often and from all directions. From sermons, mentors, pastors, heck nature, friends, moments and life, all kinds of stuff can sharpen us... If we will let it. Example, last night you would have had to been dead not to be sharpened by the sermon. For those who haven't seen it... It was well... INSANE!!! (Damon Thompson first night at the 220 conference)
Yeah it had an impact... I had a follow up impact right after the sermon, I was talking to a friend, a fellow youth pastor and he brought up a sermon I had preached a few years back at a conference he was hosting. (Pastor Jayson from G-boro NC). Not just the sermon but that time in my life was crazy brutal, in a good way. To be reminded of that moment after the sermon aaahhh... It was like a one, two punch. There is something on the inside, a desire for purity, holiness. It's a desire to be consumed' a desire for the river, for the wind, for the rain, for the fire. I had a vision the other day of the father with large, I mean huge vats of heaven and He was pouring it out on His people as they directed Him through interseccion. So come on lets have heaven poured out, lets consume hell with a double shot from the vats of God and transform a desolate dry place into Heaven. YOUR WILL BE DONE ON EARTH...

Love ya

PJ

There's a Need!!!

2009-06-23T16:44:00.000-07:00

Ya know I've tasted of the supernatural, drank from the river, basked in the glory, been touched to the inner core with passion, melted in the presence, laughed, cried jumped, danced... the list could go on and on and on. What it all comes down to is that I am not satisfied with anything other than.I cannot be satisfied with anything other than God. God God and more and more and more of God. In everyway possible... Jesus, Holy Spirit full all on that I can possibly contain. I cannot, will not be happy or satisfied or content until then... And again and again and again... Yes I want it all!!!

Love ya

PJ

How can I???

2009-06-20T16:16:00.001-07:00

How can I ever do the things Christ did if I don't first catch a glimpse at how he felt?
How can I live how He lived, do what He did, heal how He healed, walk how He walked?
How can I???
Everything is based on seeing how He saw, feeling how He felt... I always talk the talk of wanting to do what He did. But am I willing to feel what He felt? Not just at Calvary! But the compassion He felt for the multitude, the frustration of faithless followers, the pain of betrayal! What deep emotion caused Jesus to weep at Lazarus's' tomb, or sweat drops of blood at Gethsemane.
OOOHHHH!!!!
REALLY!!!
Could I handle it???
Father take me one step at a time one foot in front of the other. Catch me when I fall, teach me to walk in your steps...

Love ya,

PJ

God Is!!!

2009-06-18T08:26:00.000-07:00

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

We could also say, “God is” to each of these things… God is Love, God is joy, God is peace, God is patience, God is kindness, God is goodness etc… For those that like to make it personal they could say, God gives me love, God gives me joy, God gives me peace, yes God gives me patience, kindness, goodness etc. For those that want to make it really personal can pray a prayer today that says…
God you are my Love,
Father you are my Joy and peace,
Jesus you are my patience and my kindness
You are so good, so faithful and so gentle
I ask you to control myself today…

Love ya

PJ

Intimacy

2009-06-16T14:54:00.000-07:00

New Sermon Up!!!

Moments

2009-06-14T06:55:00.000-07:00

There are different moments we all experience. Some good, some great, some make us weep and still others take our breath away. I think it's important to recognize and appreciate the moments we live. I remember dropping each of my children off at school for the first time and sighing and even allowing a tear to fall as they walked away. Yeah I'm a sap, I know... There are moments that come and go and are never seen, never recognized. I like to see and recognize, even drink those moments in whether happy or sad. Even in sadness there is importance... why you ask??? It helps me appreciate the person, place or thing at that given moment.
I am living in a moment and drinking in what it has for me... Whether sweet wine or bitter.

Love Ya

PJ

Prayer Furnace

2009-06-12T13:20:00.000-07:00

Alright everybody!!! Calling all prayer peps. Its time to turn it on. Call it a special meeting call it mandatory call it whatever you want, just be there tonight... The Prayer Furnace @ 7pm at CCC. Its time to pray so let's get our prayer on...

Love ya

PJ

Intimacy and Fire...

2009-06-10T19:33:00.000-07:00

Focus on what's in our heart and coming out our mouths... Pray* Fast* Word... Just do it!!!

Love ya

PJ

Heart and Tongue

2009-06-10T11:38:00.000-07:00

From the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Man, I say some of the ugliest things, some of the meanest, some of the most ungodly. Now I don't say these things all the time. Usually I speak descent... good things... I think... But really if my words are a reflection of what's in my heart I shouldn't even be satisfied with the good and the descent. NO!!! My words should be great, speaking only of the greatness of God and others. You say but some people are not great and it would be a lie to speak such great things about them... I say, OOHHH!!! Man was made in the image of God and though we have fallen a great distance from perfection, there is still the ability for greatness even in the worst person. For God so loved ALL... and we ought to love all with our words and actions. When we love with our words, we reflect the Godly greatness thats inside our hearts. I'm watch'n my words!!!

Love ya

PJ

Brian Hardin from Daily Audio Bible @ IHOP-KC

2009-06-05T15:52:00.000-07:00

Prayer Room

I am sitting in Kansas City at the International House of Prayer as I write this. There is genuinely something very special about sitting in a place where prayer and worship goes on 24 hours a day and never stops. It's been going on for over a decade and it shows. It's really quite remarkable. One of the most striking aspects of this place is the median age of those involved. Most are in their twenties. They've given up whatever they have to to sacrifice their lives calling out to God. On the one hand we could look at this as irresponsible. They are, after all at the prime age to begin the process of making their way in the world. It's these years that really count when it comes time to retire. Even as I write those words on the page here I cringe. I suppose it all boils down to what worldview you have. What culture you are choosing to embrace. What kingdom you've chosen to serve.

It's almost midnight here. There are probably two or three hundred people praying right now. This will go on all night, all day tomorrow and all night tomorrow night. It simply never ceases. I've spent about 12 hours in the Prayer Room this weekend. I could spend another 12 easily. I'd stay in here all week if I could. Sitting here it all becomes so clear and I scratch my head and wonder what is wrong with we Christians sometimes. I'm not saying we have to all commit ourselves to a lifestyle of day and night prayer but sheesh. How many hours do we pray each day? How many minutes? How many seconds. Think about it. I have prayed along with this rotating, never ending prayer movement for the end of abortion, for revival in the hearts of the youth in California, for God to raise up 10,000 twelve year olds who would give themselves to God at a young age like Christ in the temple. It goes on and on and I'm humbled at how selfishly I pray usually. This weekend has taught me much but one of the more profound things is that it's REALLY and TRULY not about us and we REALLY and TRULY have to stop saying those words and still making everything about us. We have to REALLY and TRULY start living it.

Twenty somethings giving themselves to a life of sacrifice believing that it matters that they cry out to God day and night. I see almost no affects of the outside world here. Not in a wierd way like the real world doesn't exist. Quite the contrary. They are praying for the real world but are unaffected by it. It holds no appeal for them. They really could care less who wins American Idol. I see people crying before the Lord in profound love. What happens on the latest TV show or who wins the game this weekend is just not that important when you have an audience with the King and He smiles on you. Ughh. It's so sad the things we go to for life. The things we substitute for the real life Jesus offers. I see very little depression or self absorption around here. This probably has something to do with staying in the presence of the Lord as well. I have a lot of processing to do and I've managed to scribble out another stream of conciousness post that probably makes little sense but hopefully conveys some emotion. I am ever more convinced that we cannot live the life Jesus offers and that we're supposed to live without the Word of God every single day and without a genuine and fervant prayer life. It just won't work any other way and we have to stop pretending it will and sacrifice whatever we must in order to give our lives to God.

Onward Comrades,

Do as I say... pt1

2009-05-14T11:04:00.000-07:00

There is and old saying, "don't do as I do, do as I say".
Recently in our Bible reading we've read two different stories of fathers that had some missed up view points. One was a priest the other a king, both where at the top spot in the nation of Israel. Eli was the high priest that carried more about the ministry then his sons. As I read of the sorry state of Israel in those days. I see a man that on two occasions was more concerned about the ark of the covenant then his sons. This is something we men in ministry have to be on guard against. Men like Eli truly miss the point. The put more love, life and concern into a box covered with gold. Now I hear some of you, "yes but that box represented God". I would say yes you are absolutely correct. It represented God, but you can trust me when I say it was stil a box not GOD. That's one of the mistakes we make, confusing the ministry for our God. Eli did this and it cost him, his family even his life. If ministry is a pretty golden box that causes you to take your attention off your family, you may want to check it!!!
Stay tuned for part 2

Love ya

PJ

I believe

2009-05-11T18:42:00.000-07:00

The Word says that the enemy comes to kill, steal, and destroy. Oh I believe he does, on so many occasions and in so many ways. Often time I consider the story that Jesus told of the sower and the seed. Tonight I don"t wish to cover the whole story. Instead I wish to highlight one part. There was some seed that was thrown into the weeds or thorns. When this seed started showing promise, it burst forth with such vision, such life. But before you know it the cares and worries of life came and strangled it, they killed it, they stole it and finally it was destroyed. Yes, the enemy comes to crush the very life of God from us, from our dreams, and our hopes. The cares and worries of this life are tools in his arsenal, and he's not afraid to use them. So consider right now your life, your dream, your vision, and protect them. Don't allow anything to come in and steal what the Lord has placed inside you. Because Jesus told another story of talents and each person was responsible for what was given to them. God has placed such greatness inside of you... And He holds only you responsible. Love Ya PJ

MOMS

2009-05-10T10:14:00.000-07:00

I am a man with many mothers. I have a mom, a stepmom, mom-in-law and spiritual moms. They're all my mothers; they all love me, care for me, and wish only the best for me. And I love and honor each of them for the major roll they played in my past present and future.
Beverly K Goodman passed away on August 2, almost 12 years ago. She was and still is a shining lady in my heart. She was all that a mother should be. She had her own personal grace and a heart that still, as I think about it, amazes me. I remember her walk, her talk, the way she carried herself. One of the things I miss the most is walking her down the center isle at church on Sunday to her seat. It's funny the things we miss.
Both my mother in law and step mom have helped to fill the emptiness and loss. Dont get me wrong no one will ever replace, but a man will always need a mom. Those that walk through life without allowing someone to fill that place are incomplete. So to both mom Patty and Vic I want to thank you, I love you and you help fill my life and make it what it is.
All my other moms you know who you are. You are those older ladies that help keep me straight. You encourage and correct, your words of wisdom and love often push me forward to a place I could not make it to alone.
To each of you I want to say thank you and I love you.

Love ya,

PJ

Heading Home pt.2

2009-05-08T21:40:00.000-07:00

Where was I, ah yes the city by the bay, and being slammed by the rain.
It was our last night in California and we had basically gone full thritle, ninja still all day. It had been and insanily full day and come 9pm my traveling buddies where dropping like flies. Seeing cross eyed with sunburnt faces from hvaing the top down on our convirtable Pt Cruiser was a good sign that if I was going anywhere it would be alone. So I set off for a little bakery I knew about that was open late and was only a few blocks away. At least I thought it was only a few blocks. Anybody that's been down to the wharf knows if your gonna walk anywhere from there its most likely gonna be up hill. So after a few blocks on my uphill trek I quickly came to the conclusion that the canollio wasn't worth it. It's good, but my feet where screaming, ''not that good''. So after little debate with the rest of my body I hooked a left and began my meander back down. The city was hopping with sounds of live music and smells of great food. I heard someone playing live acostic guitar and play the harmonica. There in a small park area was a guys just rock'n out like he was the only person in the world though many had stop to listen. I found my spot about 10 feet away leaning on a pole, I just closed my eyes and drank it in. The bay breeze blowing in my hair, the moment was spiritual... After a long musical intrlude, my personal mistro begin in his hispanic blues style, the story of the sheep and the goats. I was drawn in, great style, great story. Stood there for a half hour or so just drinking in Jesus. As I walked back to my room I thought of all the peps that hate this city for the darkness it represents to them. Then I thought of Jesus and how he met me there. Allot like salvation, Jesus can shine through the darkest, dark, the hardest heart, the grimest situation and shine His light. The question for you and I is... Will you stop and see it.

Love ya

PJ

Heading Home pt.1

2009-05-08T15:39:00.000-07:00

Making my way home from Cali. Just spent the better part of a week drinking from the open keg that's poured out over Bethel Church in Redding. It's been a great week. On the last day of our trip we where in the city by the bay, San Francisco. I know a great many more spiritual people than me really detest this town. Maybe I just haven't reached that level of spirituality but I love it here. The people, the smells, the history. Walking through the exploratorum at night. The smells of sea food down at the wharf. The night life, homeless and of coarse the world famous bushman. The food is outstanding and both bridges are majestic. I know many people that would disagree but really I don't care. They have their favorite places and I have mine.
Anyway enough of that and on to my story. So I spent the past few days just drinking in the love of God. It was great! I had two really powerful moments. The first was as I was being prophesied over They started with some of the normal God wants you to know He loves you then out of the blue laid a slam on me that was insane. Most of my prayer peps know I love to pray for rain. I had an article from the paper posted on my fridge for months of a night we had a prayer meeting and there was a deluge over our city. Once we where doing a week long prayer meeting and I don't think it stooped raining the whole time. The area we where in had been experiencing a drought and the day we should up it started raining. When I told my wife she said, ''yeah it looks like you brought the rain with you.'' We both just laughed and went on enjoying the humor of the co-incidents. So I was up getting my word when this girl says, '' The rain follows you''. Instantly I was slammed, snotting and crying. Yeah it was good, really good. So was the rest of the word but that's for another time.

Love ya

PJ

Sticks and stones

2009-05-05T23:02:00.000-07:00

Matt. 7;3 “Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 “Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? 5 “You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.

So let's just face it we have all been guilty of hypocrisy at this level. Man it's so hard not to be. I mean really its so much easier to see the faults of others and cover our own. In an Old Testament story Noah got drunk, then got naked and one of his son's exposed the father's nakedness to the others. For exposing his nakedness Noah cursed his son. Its more than just pulling sticks and stones from our eyes. Its about exposing others weakness while ours stay safely hidden. AAAHHH!!! This really stinks and its so hard to do. We always want to believe the best in ourselves and glorify that. In others we can just examine the facts and expose them. After all it is fact.
Right??? Wrong!!!
The Bible says speak the truth in love. It says truth, not fact. What is truth? The truth is the Word and we know according to John 1, that in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. Jesus is the Word made flesh. So with that said the truth about someone is whatever Jesus says about them. Proverbs say's love covers a multitude of sin. I guess it stands to reason that we would cover our own sin if that's who we love best... Man I told ya it stinks. I hate my own sin.

Love ya

PJ

Act Now!!!

2009-05-04T08:43:00.000-07:00

''This is a limited time offer''... ''You must act now''... ''If you call in the next 5 minutes''... ''Today only''...
Faith must be acted on in the now, if you don't you probably won't and the longer you wait the more you hesitate the greater the chances are you won't act.
As a kid growing up on the Weeki Watchi river we would spend many Saturdays tubing down the river. The Weeki Watchi is a crystal clear spring feed river in central Florida, its best known for it's mermaids. Towards the end of the 5 hour tubing trek there was a place called Hospital Hole. Hospital Hole is a Huge hole in the river that opens to a series of caves. Above the hole was a tall, tall oak tree. We'd jump into the river from a branch that was 60 feet from the surface. Once hitting the water we would scramble to the surface. It was the eeriest feeling when you would swim over the hole and only the bravest would try to swim in. It was as though the abominable river monster would reach up and drag you into its layer. I can remember so vividly climbing the old slippery cut pieces of two by four that had been nailed to the tree. To climb up was likely the most dangerous. Once you got to the branch I'd look down at nothing but a vast amount of air between myself and the river. Some would look and freeze, thy would just stop moving, some would attempt a climb down. Once you've climbed to the top, gotten all the way up the easiest way down is often the scariest... JUMP. One thing I learned from that old oak and eerie cave in the river was that longer you stood there and starred down the more your courage drained. The more your courage drained the better the chances were that you would chicken out. It's that way with faith, if you don't act and act now then slowly the courage to act drains. Occasionally a crowd would gather and begin to chant, ''jump, jump, jump,''. There are times in our faith that God will send individual's into our lives as faith starters. We may not like these people but they push us forward, forward into faith. So today let me be that person, the person that is chanting up to you, jump, jump, jump... JUMPED NOW!!!

Love ya

PJ

Oh you have little faith

2009-05-03T06:36:00.000-07:00

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen... Faith comes by hearing, hearing the Word of God. Faith has evidence, it has evidence because it has action. Newton said for every action there is and equal and opposite reaction. In the realm of heaven the reaction of our actions is compounded, it is multiplied. Then we receive based on what we we've sown. So in the realm of faith we could follow this method backwards. Look at what we are receiving, what we receive is what we've sown, compounded. What we've sown, that is acted on. Our actions our based on what we beieve. What we believe is based on what we've heard.
AAAHHH!!!! FATHER, I believe only help my unbelief... Let me expect what you expect, see what you see, do what you do!!!

Love ya,

PJ

We Are Next Level

2009-05-02T11:41:00.001-07:00

WE ARE NEXT LEVEL YOUTH from CCC Media on Vimeo.

Time is a beast

2009-04-29T06:30:00.001-07:00

Has it really almost been 10 years sence Y2K. You gotta be kidding me. I was living at my house in Rockfish. My family was getting ready to move to Haiti as missionaries. I remember it so clearily, we took a picture on our front porch at sunrise with a sign that said ''Happy New Year, Y2K''. It's so crazy how fast time moves, it never stops, it never slows. It just moves and moves and moves. Its up to us to ride the wave. It's up to us to get in the flow, to paddle out. Everyone is given time, it is a precious gift. Some use their time and do amazing things, others waste it away. Which will you be today... Be careful ten years will pass you by in the blink of the eye... And where will you be.

Love ya

PJ

Balance

2009-04-29T06:30:00.000-07:00

I hate balance. Yes it's right, yes it's good and yes when you don't have it things get out of whack... Ok so maybe it's not balance that I hate but the out of whack I experience. Balance is something I need more of, what can I say I tend to be and individual of extremes. Go hard, go fast, go, go, go...
Then BAM!!! My body says slow down. At this point sometimes I listen other times, well no I don't. Then it says stop or I'll make you stop... Again sometimes I listen... At some point if I keep it up fatigue sets in and I'm down for a few days. This is extreme and I realize many disagree. They say I shouldn't push so hard. They are probably right.
But to give your all for something, to push yourself to your limits, then to lay down at the end of the day knowing you had nothing else to give. Paul, Peter, Jesus where all extreme. Life, love, and death are all extreme. Our world, our society, our city is extreme.
Live like you mean it!!!

Love ya,

Pastor

2009-04-26T09:34:00.000-07:00

It never fails to humble me when someone calls me pastor. What does it mean to be someone's pastor. Is it a mentor, teacher, shepherd, a father... The meaning probably differs from person to person. Just as the level of commitment will differ from person to person and the level of love. Really it's the same with our relationship with God. We call Him God, Lord, Father and Friend, but our level of Love and commit differs from person to person. To some God is a casual friend, some only know Him as savior, to others He is Lord, still to others He is Father... Oh and check this out it doesn't matter what you call Him. He is what He is to you by what you do. Just like people who call me pastor. Ok I can see I'm losing you so let's try some examples. Some may call me pastor because they hear me preach. Some because they try to do what I preach. To others there is a deep love and relationship. There are some that when correction comes they leave... Offended. I'm not humbled by these instead I'm angered. But then you have those that listen, trust and follow. Why, because of the love, then when correction or instruction comes so does repentance. This touches to the very soul of me, it causes me to repent and draws me ever closer to my Senior Pastor, Jesus Christ. This drawing closer to others and God comes through the tough stuff. Its the good and the bad, the tears and the laughter. It's found in the not letting go and I'm not letting go.

Love ya

PJ

What's the difference

2009-04-24T14:09:00.000-07:00

As we read of the great heroes in the book of Judges, then later of many great warriors, prophets, and kings oftentimes I pray, ''Father make me like this one or that''. As if one day I'd be one way then the next be another. As if there'd be no process just a magical bam. Whether we're taking it back or having faith for the thing we want most. What makes us think we can circumvent the process. I mean do we really think we can ''take back'' what's been taken from us without a process? God so believes in process that He sent His Son. God is Holy, really HOLY. He will not put aside who He is just so we can heap more stuff into our earthly stock pile. He will bless us with the stuff but only after the process. The funny thing is that after the process the stuff or position or power never matter as much... Hmmm!!! Maybe thats the point.

Love Ya

PJ

WINDS

2009-04-23T02:45:00.000-07:00

An often time there begins a stirring in the spirit. It is so faint at first that many pass by never even recognizing its light touch on their face. Like a light spring breeze that carries the smell of jasmine so faint, even delicate. But none the less it is there. Whether we feel it, or sense it, or are completely ignorant to its presence. It is there! And it being there does no depend on us. It can’t because we are unreliable when it comes to such things. At times we are so sensitive and other times we are so dull. Yet for those that have an ear, will hear. If we listen… The breeze of heaven is blowing. The wind of the spirit is a wind of change. It moves, that which can be moved. It shakes that which can be shaken.
We don’t like to be moved. We don’t like to be shaken. We don’t like to change. Yet when the wind blows, change is inevitable. Like a curled up child deep asleep under the covers we cling to the warmth of what we know. The wind whispers, “awake, awake”. We stir, yet we cling. The wind speaks, “awake, awake”. We feel the discomfort, yet we cling to our comfort. The wind of the spirit, the wind of change continues to blow, continues to swirl… Building, growing.
STOP… Can you hear it… Can you feel it…

Love ya

PJ

Like a virgin

2009-04-22T17:36:00.000-07:00

Jesus tells a story of 10 virgins... 5 wise and 5 foolish. Which am I and how do I know? Sure we would all like to say we are the wise, the elect. Ok, check this out. All the virgins went out to meet the bridegroom, all had lamps, all had fire, all waited on Him. Hey all of them even went to sleep. The only real difference I see is the wise had oil and the foolish didn't. So many follow and fall away. Many burn with intense passion, then burn out. Allot of people wait and wait and wait and wait. Is there oil in the lamp. Oil comes from a passion for His pressence. Not just words as a matter of fact its more than actions. It's passion!!! Passion is word, action, love, heat... It is deep desire, a craving, an absolute NEED. Today I would that we desire, crave, have an absolute need for the presence of the one we love. Jesus Christ.

Love ya

PJ
PS. The oil is all about relationship... In the closing words of the story the bridegroom says to the foolish '' I never knew you''.

Alright

2009-04-22T12:39:00.000-07:00

IT'S A BOY...
ZION MICHAEL due September 30, 2009
Continue to keep Amber and the baby in your prayers.

Love Ya

PJ

Acts 1 is before Acts 2...

2009-04-21T03:36:00.000-07:00

We long for another Pentecost... For the Lord to bust out with a suddenly, a BAM. Something like what Isaiah had in chapter 6 of his book or Like what Elijah had atop Mt. Carmel. That thing that the 120 experienced in the upper room. We desire heaven to bust out with a sound like a mighty wind, that fills our whole house. Tongues of fire to sit on us...
Now just wait a minute, I have to stop for a little time-out... This is some freaky stuff. If God showed up in any given church like this on a Sunday it would really mess up the way we do things. The whole game plan would be thrown out the window. Often times when the plan is thrown out the religious quickly leave with it. In their place comes the freaks. Those who seek out the para-normal, the super natural. You know the weirdos...
So that's what we say we want... Hey you know me I'm down with it. Bring on the wind, fire and freaks... (Time-in)
So we know that one comes before two and if chapter two is our desire then maybe we should take a look at what chapter one contained. Acts 1:12-15 talks about 120 of them coming together continually to pray. We know they where all in one accord praying for a long period of time when God broke out from the heavens. I lack all three of these things in my life.
#1. I need to work at being in one accord. Building up, not tearing down my brother, devoting myself to his destiny. Loving him not hating.
#2. Pray, Pray, Pray. Our prayer life should reflect an intimacy, love and passion for our creator.
#3. They where in continues prayer for 120 days. That's a long time. Some friends and I are almost done with a 40 day period where we've prayed daily from 5-am. This is not easy. Of course non of this is.
Continuous prayer in one accord was the prequel to the promise. Yet many times these are the weakest areas in my life.
Pray for me and I'll pray for you.

Love ya

PJ

Kindness

2009-04-20T02:47:00.000-07:00

It's your kindness

Rom. 2:4 Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?

Later in Romans it says ''oh the depths of the wisdom and knowledge of God''. In the vast measure of Gods wisdom and knowledge He draws us with His kindness, His mercy, His love. He doesn't beat the broken... The biggest sinner is simply broken, held captive, lost. God sees this messed up, broken down part of us. A part of us that angers and hurts Him. Now me when I am angered and hurt I could lash out and crush. But the father is so secure, and so loving, so wise that he reaches into the vast resources of His love and draws us... To Him!!!
He doesn't get us back, or seek revenge... Those are things we do... But His ways are higher than ours, His thoughts are higher, even as the heavens are higher than the earth. Today let us not run from that loving kindness, instead let's embrace it...

Love ya

PJ

WOW!!! Be Here!!!

2009-04-19T09:37:00.000-07:00

BBQ Report

Hey guys... WOW!!! What a week.
5-7am prayer daily, prayer and practice Monday, then our last Wednesday night service... 'Why our last Wednesday night service', you ask... Well this Saturday we kicked off Saturday Night Live @ Next Level. We had an insane BBQ, with food, water balloons, extreme dodge ball, basketball, UFC fighting and the list gos on and on and on. The good news is it wasn't just for this past Saturday. We are launching 9 new cells and will be meeting every Saturday @ 6pm. See you there.

Love ya

PJ

MY 3 S's

2009-04-12T08:44:00.000-07:00

Everyone one of us has necessities... Most of us have the same basic necessities. We need food, water, shelter and love. These are not the type of necessities I am talking about today. We all also need solice. A place where we find ourselves, can hear ourselves an hear God. It's a place where are soul is quited our breath is steady, it causes our heart to beat and our soul to smile. Have you found your place, do you escape there often. My place is the 3 S's... that is Sun, Surf and Sand and it's a place I don't visit enough. Find your place and escape there often for this may very well be the place you find yourself.

Love ya

PJ

Why Do We Pray?

2009-04-09T13:42:00.000-07:00

Why do we pray for God to guide us in His steps? Then stand still!!! So many times we pray all kinds of elaborate prayers to God then never do anything. We pray countless hours for our home, city and country. We pray for revival, we pray for the outpouring, we pray for the FIRE!!! We have even come up with really spiritual sounding sayings like, “I’m waiting on God” or “I haven’t felt lead”… WOW!!! What kind of insanity is that??? The Word says Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. He has moved, is moving and will continue to move. Let’s not blame our inactivity on God. If we are not in a place where God is leading, let’s get in that place. If we are not in a place where He is guiding, then let’s get in that place. Just because we don’t see God moving around us doesn’t mean He’s not moving. It just means we are blind. Jesus came to give sight to the blind, so they could follow Him. So let’s follow Him, let’s step… One step at a time, one foot in front of the other.

Love Ya,

PJ

Why do very bad things happen to very good people.

2009-04-08T03:28:00.000-07:00

Some days are harder than others. On some days very bad things happen. Many times those bad things happen to very good people. Not perfect people but really good people... Why??? It can't all be sowing and reaping because I look at some of the trash I've sown and dear lord if I reap it... Well it might possibly kill me. Yet what I reap is covered in grace. Even though I don't deserve it, God gives His goodness even in the light of all my badness. How is it then that I see some people that lack that measure of grace... It just seems like for a good person they go through a lot of bad. Granted I am in no place to see and judge the heart of man, nor question. But this I do know only because of my experience. If I search for God then I am able to find Him. I don't always find the answers. I don't always find what I think I need. But I do find a Father, a friend. No matter what it is I face I find someone who knows and loves me no matter what... And that's enough

Love ya

PJ

Awake

2009-04-07T17:17:00.000-07:00

How often do we daze off and slumber... No I'm not talking about our nightly prerequisite. I'm talking about in our salvation in our own personal Christianity. Ok let me turn the question around... How often are we truly awake to all that GOD has for us, to the intensity of love, grace, power and authority that where purchased on the cross. When I stop to consider all the scriptures that have been written then read by us modern day maniacs. Man I know there is more to be had, more to be lived, more to be done... Father I want more of you... Awaken me, body, soul and spirit!!!

Love ya,

PJ

PRAISE HIM

2009-04-02T12:21:00.000-07:00

So I found myself reading the end of the book of Psalms. Starting from chapter 144 til the end every chapter tells us to "PRAISE HIM"!!! We find ourselves at the end of one of the best books in the Bible and I mean holy cow... How many times can one be told to praise him. Then as we look closer we hear a call for all to praise, for the mountains and the trees, the sun and the sky and every nation. Praise Him, Praise Him, Praise Him let this day be a day of crazy praise.

Love ya

PJ

The unmovable was moved for ME!!!

2009-03-31T03:06:00.000-07:00

Without end, Satan tried to remove God from His throne. Jesus Christ – the Lion of Judah, Alpha and Omega, Mighty Warrior, the All Unmovable, the All Unshakable, the All Unbreakable One – was never weak, nor lost. He never lacked, nor despaired.

But then I moved Him. He looked upon me and saw a miserable, broken existence -- a life that had no life. He saw me shaken. Broken. Gripped with fear. He recognized my lack, and my despair. He saw that I was deaf, dumb, and blind; and He was moved.

I moved Him. The Unmovable. The Unshakable, the Unbreakable, moved… by me. He was shaken, and broken for me. He that could see the depths of the universe, and a man’s heart, was blinded. The One that could hear every thought became deaf. The One who’s voice created life, became dumb.

Love ya

PJ

Was Moses Bitter or what???

2009-03-24T09:01:00.000-07:00

Alright so we have been hitting the O.T reading pretty hard. We get to the church every morning at 5am, pray hard for about an hour or so then go into our daily Bible reading. Then to finish it off we spend the final few minutes listening to the voice of the Lord. Today as we where listening a thought came to me. It was a thought I couldn't shake. Looking over the past few days Bible reading, Moses had a real hang up with the whole I told you to speak to the rock thing. I mean time and time again he blames the children of Israel for the fact that God wouldn't let him enter into the promise land. Today he even had the nerve to bring it up one more time and God said, "That's enough"... I don't remember him repenting, I just remember him blaming others... I know this about God, He is faithful to forgive those that repent even in the Old Testament. One name "David". Hello, he slept with another mans wife then murdered the husband. But because he humbled himself and repented... God forgave!!!
David didn't blame Bathsheba for bathing on the roof. He simply repented and God forgave. Man doesn't elevate humility but God sure does...
Today let's not blame others for our sin and it's consequences... That breeds bitterness, let's simply humble ourselves.

Love ya

PJ

FYI

2009-03-18T11:49:00.000-07:00

Hey wanted to let everybody know that we've started a morning prayer session. Some crazy prayer person suggested we commit to pray at the log building from 5am-7am for the next 40 days... So if your up come and join us.

Love ya

PJ

I caught a glimpse today

2009-03-17T11:54:00.000-07:00

I caught a glimpse of salvation today. So many days and in so many ways we walk through life with no real grasp of salvation. The joy that should be experienced, the love and greatness of it all. Our modern day church life falls well short of what God has for us, not just in heaven but right now. We've all heard the story of the prodigal son. The son that left his fathers house with his pockets full of cash only to waste it all on a sinful life. Many have heard this story and all have lived it in one way or another. All have sinned and fallen short of God's glory. You have, I have we all have. We still sin and continue to fall short, saved or not. Those that have received salvation have made the walk home to their Father, fallen to His feet and said I'm not worthy to be your son, please take me as your servant. Our lives carry many similarities to this story. How about the Fathers response? He says, "bring the best robe, put it on my son, shoes for his feet and a ring for his hand!!! Come let us celebrate, kill the fatted calf" and this is the part that caught me today, "my son I thought was dead is now alive." That is such a powerful thing as a father to believe one of your children is dead.
Sunday night Amber and I thought we lost the baby she is pregnant with... We knew or at least we thought we knew. We have 5 children and have gotten pretty good at this, we know what to expect and when to expect it. That was until Sunday night. You never think it will happen to you. Tragedy never comes when you are expecting it. It sneaks up on you at 1am in the morning when your dead asleep. What could we do, we cried, allot, we prayed allot and we set our minds to praise God no matter the situation. Today we went to the doctor only to confirm what we already knew and to be sure Amber was alright. They had to run all the test then do and ultrasound. I was like the father in the prodigal son sitting on his porch. Suddenly and image came up on the screen and then that ba-bump, ba-bump that I knew was a heart beat. Amber and I began to cry shamelessly as the one we thought was dead was alive. Tears of such overwhelming joy. I think today I caught a glimpse of salvation.

Love ya

PJ

Read it!!!

2009-03-14T10:25:00.000-07:00

Man, today's Bible reading from Psalm 57 is amazing... God is my place of rest in the midst of the hurricane. Even when the lions come and desire to eat me, you send orders from heaven and save me. God soar high in the sky fill the whole earth with your Glory... I will call my soul to awaken, my mouth, my voice all of me will sing. You know that in order to praise God like this in order to call out such a depth and passion from inside of you, you have to have been through some stuff. The kinda stuff that when you get out of it you fall to your knees and weep tears of such joy, and love and thankfulness. Like a mother that thought her baby was gonna die and then they live, or the news that the lump was not cancer or you walk away from a car crash that should have killed you. Thats the kinda stuff that causes you to reach into the very depths of your being and praise with such a pure love. Its not the generic stuff that we often offer on Sunday mornings when the mood, tempo and sound all have to be just right. When real praise, pure praise starts to happen nothing else matters only that I voice some measure of what is going on inside of me because if I don't I will explode. I want to touch the heart of God Like Ps. 57 has touched my heart. If only we worried about touching the heart of God and ministering Him as we do appealing to people.
In the Old Testament services revolved around God. Not how can we get more people, make them more comfortable so they'll come back... I could go on but I better stop.

Also the Carr's live at 7pm EST.

Love ya

PJ

I've repented

2009-03-13T09:30:00.000-07:00

One of the definitions of repent is to think differently... A few days ago I was questioning my ability to endure the book of Numbers. But wow!!! Here I am now eat'n it like sushi on a Saturday night. Most people don't like sushi, they won't even try it... The book of Numbers is hard to feast on the first few chapters but now like I said WOW!!!
Yesterday's reading told of Aaron running to take his censer and wave it before the Lord between the living and the dead. In essence he was drawing a line and saying to this plague of death, "You will not pass". Much like Gandolf in the Lord of the Rings, when he faces off with the fiery beast from the underworld. This story of Aaron is found in Numbers 16. Moses spoke to Aaron and told him to fill his censer and make atonement for the congregation. These where the same ones that wanted to kill Moses and Aaron. With out a moment to lose Aaron takes his stand. Get the picture, people are dropping like flies from this killer plague. (like some 1970's horror movie) These plagued people had just been trying to kill Aaron and out he comes to save them. I highly recommend you go back and check the story out. I want to be like Aaron, run out among the sinners of this world and draw a line that says... "Death, abortion, homosexuality, abominations, sin, and lust you are not allowed to go any farther... You've raped my people, land, city and county and that stops NOW!!!" I will stand between the living and the dead, between the porch and the altar, I will humble myself and pray, I will fast, I will cry out for the salvation and redemption of Fayetteville.

Love ya

PJ

What is it???

2009-03-11T06:38:00.000-07:00

What is it to stand at the edge of your destiny then turn around. What is it to be able to look into the eyes of your dreams then have to turn back. Numbers 14 the people stood at the edge then rebelled, saw their destiny, their promise then complained. They choose the wilderness over the promise land. They choose a place that was harder, dryer and rockier, but it was what they knew, it was what they understood, it was a place that required no faith. They murmured about where they where and they complained about where God had brought them. Its not a matter of location its a matter of the heart. Whether the desert or the promise land, God desires our faith because our faith is an indication of our trust and love.
Let us not just look at God's promises but let's cross over in faith.
PS. If you have opportunity today go to www.dailyaudiobible.com and listen to yesterday's reading and commentary.

Love ya,

PJ

I found it

2009-03-07T05:53:00.001-08:00

Numbers 9
When the cloud rested in a place that's where the Israel stayed. When it went up they packed up. If it was a day, month, week, or year, no matter. They cloud represented, and was a sign of the Lord being with His people, covering His people. The cloud didn't follow them, they followed it. The people didn't follow Moses or Aaron, the cloud didn't follow Moses and Aaron... They all followed the presence of God...
While in the desert that is often our life God desires that we love Him and others. That love takes faith. Not faith in the desert, everyone can see the desert and knows that it's there. Not faith in man, because man is man and will fail. But faith in an all loving, all knowing, ever present, presence that we are to follow through the desert. Jesus said you didn't choose me, I chose you... At the calling of His disciples He said, "follow Me". This is a daily thing, where the cloud go's we are to go, where it stays we are to stay. Today, find the presence of God in your life and follow it. You maybe surprised when you look up and find yourself in the promise land.

Love ya,

PJ

Numbers

2009-03-04T10:32:00.000-08:00

So I hope everybody is keeping up with their Bible reading...
One question!!!
Is it really nonspiritual to have a least favorite book of the Bible? I love reading the Old Testament, I even enjoyed the book of Leviticus again. All the ways you can prepare the fatty lobe of the liver makes for some good times. Then we have the book of Numbers, I know God has something for me in here... I guess I just have to look harder to find it...

Love ya

PJ

Christ Cannibal

2009-03-03T12:43:00.000-08:00

After feeding the five thousand Jesus had to slip through the crowd because they wanted to forcible make Him king. The ever persistent group followed behind Him. That's when Jesus laid the whammy on them...

He says, "check it out guys, I know you enjoyed the fish and the bread but now you if you want eternal life you gotta eat my flesh and drink my blood."

Now as modern day Christians we understand this as Holy Communion... But for these guys they thought they actually had to eat the flesh and drink the blood. Many of the disciples were like, AH... NO... UM... I don't think so, and up and left... Man talk about serious crowd control.

It's not much different today... People doing the church thing, talk'n the talk all saved on Sunday. But when the going gets tough where do all the Christians get off too.

In the midst of the blessing everybody wants an open tap to the church... getting drunk on the new wine... Eating the fish and bread.

Then Jesus comes in and says if you wanna go any further you gotta eat my flesh... That's when everybody begins to vanish, feeling the call to go somewhere and do something else... Anything else!!!

Christ Cannibal....

That's my next bands name

Love ya

PJ aka Christ Cannibal

New Sermon Up!

2009-02-18T13:23:00.000-08:00

Hey Everyone,

THERE IS A NEW SERMON UP!!! AAAHHHH... So check it out. LOVE YA!

God Bless

PJ

Catch a Fire

2009-02-12T07:13:00.000-08:00

Hey guys what a weekend we got this weekend... Better look out the insanity begins right now.

Today at noon Cliffdale Christian Center main sanctuary...

Calling for the wave of revival to crash on our city.

Then tomorrow night kicking off at 11pm once again CCC main sanctuary...

The Mid-Night Burn... Oh yeah nuf said!!!

Closing out the weekend with 24 hours of Holy Ghost High.

Check it out, we'll be starting off at Manna Church at 7pm and finishing the night and next day at the CCC log building. YES it will be 24 hours of insanity. Come for 2 minutes or 24 hours. It doesn't matter just be there.

Anyway that's it for now!!!

Love ya

How He Loves Music Video (NLY)

2009-02-10T06:01:00.000-08:00

Hey Everyone,

So going along side the other post yesterday... here is a music video dramazation that we made here at Next Level Youth to the song "How He Loves". It was written by John Mark McMillan but here performed by Jesus Culture with Kim Walker. I hope it changes your life and do not feel scared to spread the glory along to your friends, fiends (no typo) co-workers, family, and basically everyone in your address book. I hope you guys have a blessed day and that God does a miracle plus through you.

P.S. Just click on the title of this post... or click here.
P.P.S We have a new podcast episode with Hector Prince.. check it out here.

Itunes

God Bless

PJ

Love Is

2009-02-09T08:20:00.000-08:00

I believe God's greatest invention is love. It so cool. It's like a cool breeze on a summers day. A hot bath in the winter. Its like mom's soup when your sick. It's a father's correction when we miss up. It lasts and never fails. It stands by to it's own hurt. It believes when no one else does. It desires to see the best in others and hates to see the worst. It follows through to the end. It empowers and renews. It goes above and beyond, over the top and does what needs to be done to get the job done. Love is a feeling, love is a choice, love is an action.

Love ya

PJ

Tap Out

2009-02-06T04:56:00.000-08:00

Nobody likes to tap out... Its one thing to get knocked out but it's almost more humiliating like saying uncle when you tap out... Like you really don't want to give up but the pain is just to much to bear... Man punch me square between the eyes and make me see stars but don't make me beg for mercy... That sucks!!!
God promises not to put more on us than we can handle... If this is true why do I tap out so often??? Maybe the reason is that I'm not on the tap, taping into the all that makes God... Well God. God can't be measured, He's got more and puts more at our desposal than the furtherest reaches of our imagianation can fatham. The problem is not with the supply... Nope it's with the demand. We try to run on our own gas and its so weak and tanted that it soon runs out or clogs up and we're left at the same place... Getting choked out be a stinking wimpy demon...

Love Ya

PJ

Vis-a-Rev-Des

2009-02-04T11:36:00.000-08:00

It's easy to see where God has moved in the past. It's not always easy to see Him moving in the present. It is with great difficulty we look at Him in the future. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. What He did is what He's doing and will continue to do. I call it Vis-a-Rev-Des, catch a Vision for the Revolution, it's your Destiny.

Love ya

PJ

Never

2009-01-30T10:13:00.000-08:00

Never allow your day to be so busy, so full, so hectic, so good, so bad, so tragic, or so joyful that you don't take time to be in love. I'm not just talking about a few brief moments at the beginning and the end. I mean take time to love and to be loved. Fall in love with God. He's already so in love with you. Take time to love others, show them you love them don't just assume they know.

I love you,

PJ

Rocks and Roses

2009-01-29T12:35:00.000-08:00

Throughout life we walk on rocks and roses. The times we’re on the rocks always seems so long, while the time walking in the roses seems all to short. So often we fail to realize that it’s the over the rough ground that makes the smell of roses so sweet. We fail to see that the roughed path of life is indeed a journey meant to be enjoyed whether the ground is hard or soft. Often the hardest roads lead to the greenest pastures. So if you’re covering a rough patch then don’t look down instead look up you’ll see the sun is shinning and the clouds are clearing.

Love ya,

PJ

Pluck it out!!!

2009-01-27T11:17:00.000-08:00

Matthew 18:9

And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away.

How many times do our eyes look on the things they shouldn't, or our hands touch things they shouldn't? So do you believe that Jesus means what He says? If we were to take his words literally then the church would be full of blind, mutilated people. Yet we say we believe, we confess, profess, jump and shout. We stay attached to our eyes, while those same eyes look on things they shouldn't. Perhaps it's not entirely necessary to go to those extremes. But I will make a few suggestions. If your laptop causes you to look at things you shouldn't, throw it out the window, or if HBO makes you stumble then have it shut off. How about those friends that lead you into sin, get rid of them... I mean the list could go on and on and on and on... So maybe we wouldn't have to pluck out our eyes or cut off our hands if we just cut off the stuff we should not be attached to...

Just think about it...

Love ya,

I'm always on His mind

2009-01-26T11:29:00.000-08:00

Hebrews 7:25

Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

As you go through today with your many hopes, prayers, thoughts and dreams. Take just a moment to consider that no matter where this day leads, whether triumph or failure, whether high or low, whether good or bad, there is one thing you can know.

You are always on HIS mind. Right now in this moment this very second His thoughts are on you.

Love ya,

Who do you say???

2009-01-25T08:25:00.000-08:00

Jesus speaking to His discipes asks, who do people say that I am... Then He looks at Peter and asks, who do you say that I am? Peter answered, you are the Christ, the Son of God.
People, tradition, religon and this world all try to tell us who God is. Many see Him as a prophet, religious, hard and traditional. But today I don't care how others see Him, today I want to know how you see Him. But not just how do you see Him. The Bible says you are made in His image you bear that image. So perhaps a better question is who does your life say that He is? Does your life say He is love, peace, joy and grace. Cause God is LOVE.

Love ya

PJ

Onions anyone???

2009-01-23T06:21:00.000-08:00

The onion is not the center dish, the lead actor in most meals. No it plays more of a supporting role, the food that makes other food taste better…
Moaning, groaning and complaining every step of the way Israel wandered through the wilderness. At one point they said, “that’s it we are going back to Egypt, we want onions”. Oh the taste of the onions in Egypt… they are so tasty… I gotta go back and get me some onions. I remember once while we lived in Egypt we ate some onions, oh they where so good.
We like to hope we are so different from the stiff necked, rebellious nation. Many times we will never go back to Egypt, the place of our captivity. But there is always something trying to hold us back, hold us in captivity. Yes our sin, yes our shame, or bitterness, pain, hurts and turmoil’s of this life. There are other things, things that are more subtle that try to hold on to us also.
God made this life as a journey. We start in one place and end up in another, all the while bringing either light or darkness to those around us. There are times on this journey when we look back and remember when…ah the good ol’ days… Man the onions where so tasty back there… Maybe I should go back… It wasn’t really all that bad and besides there’s onions.
Last night I was reflecting on some of my past victories… I could smell, taste and touch them for just a moment… Then I began thinking how tasty them onions where. Now I’m not talking about sin, I’m simply talking about the way things where. The only problem is we can’t enjoy the onions of Egypt and the land that flows with milk and honey. Egypt is the past, whether good or bad it is the part of life that is behind us. The part of life that is in front of us is so much sweeter, so much richer, so much fuller than those onions. Often we spend much of our life wondering, tossed around between past and future.
God has a calling on our lives and its not found in Egypt, its not found in onions, it’s not found in the past.
Look up ahead… There is a land just for you, a land flowing with milk and honey. It’s not behind you, so stop looking back.

Love ya

PJ