iLog 2009: Days 24 & 25

Day 24: Tuesday
The day started out as usual and ended deep in thought. I honestly don't remember how or why it ended there. I remember thinking that night, "why am I so thoughtful?" I don't remember any conversations or events that would have caused me to be so reflective, but there I was, late at night,...reflective.

We had dinner next door at my parents' house, because my mom is out of town and my dad, not wanting to be a bother, won't ever eat with us unless we tie him up and sit him down to eat. So, we did. And he liked it! (Didn't you?)

Yes, that paragraph revealed something interesting, didn't it? I live right next door to my parents. They live in the same house in which I grew up, and now my family and I live next door. Very cool. Many benefits: free babysitting, pool, cable TV, fun (and sometimes free) meals. This could go on and on. I'm just thankful (as is my wife) that my mom is unlike poor Ray Barone's mom on "Everybody Loves Raymond." I don't think we would've lasted too long had that been the case. Thanks, family, for loving and supporting us the way you do. We love you guys!

Day 25: Wednesday
OK, sappiness over, let's continue. I wrote this in my journal at 4:23 in the morning:

I am deep in thought. I have been since last night. At least, that's the best way for me to describe it. I do not feel sad; I do not feel depressed; I just feel ponderous. (side note: 2Nu song, anybody? Anybody?) I feel like the Holy Spirit is wanting to touch me - move me in some way, but am I hindering it? Oh, God, no! I don't wish to hinder Your spirit's move in my life. - Please, speak to me, Lord, for your child is
here, listening.
- I have read 2 Chronicles 13 & 14 and John 9:13-10:21
- Those who obey the Lord find peace. Obedience leads to peace - not necessarily with our enemies, but peace with God. Oh, Lord, teach me that I may obey your commands.

The two words I got out of this morning were "obey" and "peace". Cool. I encourage you to read those passages to see what the Lord may have for you. Be encouraged.

Soli Deo Gloria

iLog 2009: Day 22 Addendum

Sunday:
We had some friends come over for lunch, because re:Think's wife had a dream she wanted to visit about with us. So, as we are eating spaghetti, she explains her dream. I'll let her tell you, so, I'm sorry, you will not hear it here. This isn't about that.

After her dream explanation, re:Think, the husband, describes a dream he had the same night. They were similar but different, and I'll let you hear it from him. This isn't about that, either.

So, Bridget starts to tell about a dream she had Saturday night as well. Since this isn't about that either, she'll have to tell you about it. All three of them sat at our table and were just so smug and "la-dee-da" about how spiritual they were that they all had a dream and I didn't. Well, that's not exactly the case. I would've shared my dream with them, but I decided to let them bask in their "spiritual superiority". (please hear the tongue in cheek here)

This is about MY dream.

I actually had three distinct dreams Saturday night, but only one do I remember in detail. Obviously, this is the dream that I shall depict for you. Actually, I need to start a couple of nights earlier, so let me esplain. No, there is too much. Let me sum up.

Bridget had an episode where she rebuked fear and immediately I hid under the covers. Apparently, fear didn't leave without one more jab, but this one was aimed at me. Fair enough, I got over it. Bridget still teases me.

So, fear comes back Saturday night. I can tell because my dream is odd and weird, and not scary, but I remember feeling afraid. I kept stabbing this seemingly nice guy who was meaning to do us harm, but he was not affected by my efforts. I end up in that half asleep/half awake state and realize that it is only a dream. Thoughts of rebuking this fear came to mind, but I was tired and really didn't want to mess with it. So, I laid there for a few minutes in this odd state of being afraid, but not really, being asleep, but not really. Doesn't make much sense, I know, but how often can one clearly describe one's dreams to other people?

Finally, something happened, I don't remember what, and I decided to take action. However, for whatever reason, I decided to bind fear. I bound fear's mouth, arms, and legs to where fear couldn't do anything but be bound in the name of Jesus Christ. I rolled over and started a different, less fearful, dream.

I find it interesting that we all had dreams of some sort of significance Saturday night. I find it funny that I had three dreams while everyone else only had one. Ha. So, to not let pride take over any more than it already has, I digress.

Be encouraged. Rebuke and bind fear in the name of Jesus. You'll sleep better.

iLog 2009: Day 18

Wednesday

Good things today: got the first song for the CD ready on Reason (I really want version 4), helped Eddie and Joan with their recording stuff, and attended our last Life Group meeting as one, big group. Look for a sample of the song and more details over on Sounds sometime today. Came across this quote on Frank Viola's Facebook page:

"A dead thing can go with the stream, but only a living thing can go against
it." - G.K. Chesterton

Great thought. I know that being a living thing doesn't mean one will automatically go against the stream, but to do so, one does need to be alive. Fill me with your life, oh, God, and guide me.

Soli Deo Gloria

Pre-Immersion

Immersion (from Dictionary.com):

1. an act or instance of immersing.
2. state of being immersed.
3. state of being deeply engaged or involved; absorption.
4. baptism in which the whole body of the person is submerged in the water.
5. Also called ingress. Astronomy. the entrance of a heavenly body into an eclipse by another body, an occultation, or a transit. Compare emersion (def. 1).–adjective
6. concentrating on one course of instruction, subject, or project to the exclusion of all others for several days or weeks; intensive: an immersion course in conversational French.

Well, we're not taking a immersion course in conversational French, but we are going to take one in conversational relationship with God. For the month of February, Bridge and I will immerse ourselves in God and in our music. We hope to grow immensely during this time, and hopefully our music will reflect that.

Over on the Sounds From the Batcave, I wrote:

Seasons change. Wisdom grows. Philosophies evolve. Passions intensify. God remains the same. Music reflects it all.

Our prayer for this time of immersion is for God to reveal himself in fresh ways, for him to draw us closer to him and each other, to gain insight and wisdom into his will for our ministry, for new and fresh music to be born (and recorded and produced), to come close to completing the CD, to set a release date, and to just walk with our Lord. Will you join us in this prayer?

I will keep you up to date on the goings on during the immersion. I'm sure there will be a lot to talk about. I hope so, anyway. Be encouraged.

Soli Deo Gloria

OK Senate Bills 472 & 308

I never really thought I'd be one to get into a fight like this, but apparently, I am. There are two new bills to be proposed in the OK senate on Monday, February 2. I first saw this story here. It intrigued me as I felt our home schooling rights were being stepped on a little bit. So I started doing a little research.

First, I found this. I felt a little better considering the Chairman of the Senate Educational Committee, State Senator John Ford said,

“Our home school community is a vital asset to this state. The way home schooling parents currently educate their children is a process that has worked fine, and I feel it is important for them to have the freedom in determining what will best serve their children’s needs.”

So, he, at least, is opposed to these two bills.

Upon further research, I discovered the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) was in action on these two bills. See here for Bill 472 and here for Bill 308.

So, where do I come in on all this? We home school our children. My wife has prayed about it since we started having children, and we pray about it before every school year. We didn't home school Bobo or Bear until we moved to Altus. We have absolutely nothing against Altus schools, we just felt the Lord was telling us it was time to teach our children at home. Again, we pray about it before every school year, because we don't want to be disobedient to God. We will put them in the public school system as soon as God doesn't want us to home school anymore. This is the Lord's will for our life in this season, so we do it.

We believe it is a parent's right and God-given duty to teach his or her child(ren). See Proverbs 22:6 and Ephesians 6:4 among others. The fact that society has created public (and even private) school systems to teach children en mass, does not change this truth. In fact, it endangers it. Read Matthew 18:6, 7 and 14. Does a worldly school system not put a stumbling block in front of our children?

Both of my parents were school teachers. My mother-in-law still is. They taught/teach with integrity and respect to the children, their parents, and God. I have nothing against the teachers. They are doing their job. We, as parents, are doing ours. If the government feels the need to control that, then we are headed for a sad day indeed. I encourage you to pray about this issue and then act as God would direct you. Read up on it yourself, and make up your own mind. Don't just take my word for it. Be encouraged.

Soli Deo Gloria.

Crossing On Faith

In my attempt to journey through the Kingdom, I have entered a new valley. It is a dark valley for the moment. I cannot see what is ahead or around me, and I know that I can't go back in the direction from whence I came. Even that is starting to fade, and frankly, it's a little scary.

During my last year, year and half, in Montgomery, TX, the 23rd Psalm took on new meaning for me. Generally used for comfort during times of great grief, namely deaths, I found great hope in exploring all of its implications. Honestly, I owe that to my pastor at the time, Dowen. He helped point out a lot of significance this passage of scripture had for my life. As I started writing this post this morning, the passage was brought back to mind, so I re-read it. From the NRSV:

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths
for his name's sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff -
they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
my whole life long.

I ended 2008 with a full time job (albeit one that didn't pay every bill, but it paid most of them) and a part time job. I begin 2009 with 4 part time jobs. Right now, I'll only be getting paid for 3 of them, but that 4th one is what I know God wants me to do. So. Dark valley? I can't see a heck of a whole lot. Bright horizon? More than you and I can imagine!

While I know God is walking me through this particular valley (like he does every valley) he doesn't promise a peaceful valley. While he promises to be there, to give peace and comfort and rest, the valley and the journey aren't going to be easy. That's why it's called a dark valley or the valley of the shadow of death - not very pleasant imagery.

However, this I know: the other side of this valley will be like a land flowing with milk and honey! While I desperately already want to be on the other side, I know that I've got to journey through this. It's in the journey that God reveals his glory, and I don't want to miss it. What started the idea for this particular post came from Ephesians.

As someone was praying over us recently, he said that it was important to daily put on the full armor of God. So, after reading that passage again, I came across verse 18 of chapter 6:

Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.
Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak.

That is my request of you. Pray for me. I may not be in chains, but I am to be an ambassador. So, "I must speak". "Pray that I may declare it boldly." And pray that I may learn what I need to learn, so that this valley isn't necessarily a long one, but one that bears much fruit for the Kingdom. After all, that's all I'm doing - journeying through the Kingdom. Crossing on faith.

Soli Deo Gloria
R.C.

Talk Is Cheap Part 2

I actually wrote my poem before reading this passage. God just worked it out that this was what I read next. He's so cool.

2Some men brought to him a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven."
3At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, "This fellow is blaspheming!"
4Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, "Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? 5Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? 6But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...." Then he said to the paralytic, "Get up, take your mat and go home." 7And the man got up and went home. 8When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to men. - Matthew 9:2-8 (NIV)

It is much easier to say, "Your sins are forgiven," than to say, "Stand up and walk". For when you say that someone sins are forgiven, you can't actually see that. But to tell someone to stand up and walk would require them to actually do it! It's a little thing I like to call "action". Oh, all that talk about forgiving sins and talking a good game is easy. People can't tell if your sins are really forgiven. Bet tell somebody to walk, and they don't do it? Hoo boy, you're in trouble! There's not only not any action, but there's no visible action. People can see that you're a phony, a fake, a hypocrite.

Fortunately, Jesus is not phony, fake, or a hypocrite. His words carried his authority. The man actually got up and walked. And his sins were forgiven. Talk is cheap, but the cost of following Jesus is not. We can talk about it all we want, but until we actually (I guess I found the italic button, huh?) get up and walk, and put some action behind our words, then we're just wasting our time. And the time of others. And God's time.

O, God, I don't want to take the easy way out and just talk. I know the cost is high to follow you, but I also know the cost is high to say I do and not. Forgive me when that happens. I'm sorry. I repent of my lazy ways. Help me to get up and walk this day. I love you.



Soli Deo Gloria

VOTE!

don't vote party - vote righteousness

don't vote race - vote righteousness

don't vote sex - vote righteousness

don't vote pocketbook - vote righteousness

don't vote age - vote righteousness

don't vote charisma - vote righteousness

don't vote looks - vote righteousness

don't vote fear - vote righteousness

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. Proverbs 14:34

Father, God, You are God and You are in control. I thank you for the opportunity to elect our leaders. Today, I hand this nation's election over to You. Your will be done, Your kingdom come, on Earth as it is in Heaven. Have mercy on us as a nation, O God. I turn to You. Be our rock and our fortress. I ask for peace and joy in the midst of this tumultuous time. Whatever happens today, You are still my God, and You are still my hope. Thank You for the blood of Jesus; thank You for the love of Jesus. In his mighty name I pray.

Soli Deo Gloria

Wake Up Call

This morning, I checked up on some blogs that finally posted after a few days absence. I also checked out Tall Skinny Kiwi's blog on the "10 Commandments of Blogging." I then read his previous post, and was suddenly awakened to a side of the world I usually choose to ignore. It's not pretty.

The IDOP (International Day of Prayer) is coming up November 16. While our nation needs prayer, so do these guys. Check out the web site OpenDoors.

"You cannot pray for revival for one half of the body of Christ while forgetting
the other half which is suffering under restrictions." - Brother Andrew

I don't know who Brother Andrew is, but he is so right. Our praise team worked on a new/old song last night. It talks about hearing God speak and "oh, this changes everything." Yes it does.

Soli Deo Gloria

"...therefore...hope..."

ACF's men's retreat is this weekend. As of right now, I'm going. However, I'm not sure what my boss was thinking when he said I could go, unless he thought the rest of the employees at the station could handle both him (station manager) and me (program director) being gone. To add to the distress, our AM morning guy informed me that he would not be there Thursday or Friday. I will be gone Friday. Matt is gone all week. Added pressure will be upon the rest of the staff. Can they do it? I think so. They're going to have to handle it. Fun stuff, I'm sure.

I'm currently reading from the gospel of John. This morning was the passage about Jesus turning water into wine. The commentary from my Life Application Bible mentioned how most of Jesus' miracles were the renewing of fallen creation: blind to see, lame to walk, dead to rise, etc.

That is interesting. I guess I never looked that much into it. It makes sense. The Author of Life rewriting a bad story line. Isn't that what he does for you and me? He redeems fallen creation. Thank you, Lord, for being our savior. This from Lamentations 3:21-24:

But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
"The Lord is my portion," says my soul,
"therefore I will hope in him."

I give you the situation at the station and the men's retreat to ask for your prayers. I give you the passages of scripture to encourage you. Therefore hope.

Soli Deo Gloria

Love Note Day

Today is Love Note Day. So here are a few notes of love:

To my wife:
I love you. I can't describe it any better than that. You are my sunsushine. You make me happy; you can make me mad, but you don't do that very often. You put up with me. God has said that our marriage was a miracle; well, I'm glad it's our miracle. I'm proud of our children. You are a wonderful mother, and you'll only get better. Thank you for 10 1/2 years of marital bliss (most of the time)! I love you.

To my children:
I love you. You guys are the best. From #1 son to baby girl, you are my pride and joy. You are so much fun, and I love coming home to a family excited to see me. Thanks for being so cool! I love you.

To my family ('rents and others):
I love you. Thank you for your love and support throughout my life. Thank you for loving my little family. Thanks for letting us use your pool and cable and internet and sugar and kool aid and Oreos and everything else. You guys are my foundation. I love you.

To my friends:
I love you. Whether you're a new friend or one who's been with me through the permed hair and Speedo stages of life, you are one of my most valued treasures. Thank you for making me laugh, for laughing with me and at me. You are the best. And I'm sure you owe me money. I love you.

To my God:
I love You. You saved my life. You are my rock, my fortress, my provider, my savior, my joy and my strength. You are the Ancient of Days. You are the Alpha and Omega. You are awesome. Thank you for Jesus. Thank you for loving me and forgiving me and bringing me this far. I look forward to continuing our journey together. You are life. I love You.

No More Sleepy Prayers

This morning came early. Of course, when bed comes late, morning tends to do that. SLEEEEEPY! I know I have a long day ahead of me. Usually, I have a chance at a nap around lunch time, but today I have a remote from 1 to 4, so no nap today. Early bed is a possibility. We'll see how it goes.

My only option then is to completely rely on God. So, I pray. "God be my strength, and my sustenance. Be my joy, and give me energy for the day." Oh, it is very easy to lay my head down on my desk and snooze for another 30 minutes, or so. But, I know that God wants to meet with me. And I want to meet with Him.

So, I read a little; I pray a little. I read a little, I pray a little. I don't close my eyes - that could be dangerous. I look at things I've written down over the past couple of days (which is quite a bit, actually). I start searching through my notes: several ideas for blogs, or lessons, or sermons, or something. I start looking up different scripture, like a treasure hunt. I start praying in the spirit. I suddenly find myself awake and not near as sleepy. The Lord has given me strength and energy for this morning meeting. Don't get me wrong, I could go back to sleep pretty easily. But the trick now is I don't want to go back to sleep.

The past few times I've had the privilege to pray with a group of people have been interesting. One meeting, I walked in after they had already started praying, and the room was quiet. At first, I was afraid I had missed an ominous announcement or something. The prayers seemed timid; everything lacked punch or enthusiasm, or something. God was stirring in me. I didn't want to come in with some big, boisterous prayer, but I felt God was wanting more out of what was going on. So, I started quietly, but then allowed the Spirit to build up. I kept hearing, "Wake up! Wake up! Wake up! Wake up! Be alert! Be alert! Be ready! Be ready!" I could tell as I was praying, that the Spirit started moving among the others. It was as if new life had been breathed into the soul of our prayer time.

Just a few days later, I had a similar experience. The first couple of people to pray prayed long, relatively boring prayers. Had I kept my eyes closed, I would have fallen asleep. I know this because I suddenly jerked up after a couple of minutes of "meditation." Embarrassed, I opened my eyes and looked around to see if anybody noticed. Satisfied, that I wouldn't undergo any significant ridicule for sleeping through prayer time, I decided I better keep my eyes open. In fact, I got up and started walking around. Again, I could hear the words, "Wake up! Be ready!"

So, I wrote this down: Do I have a blood lust? What is this desire to wage war on the enemy? This passion? This burning, yearning for more - NO MORE SLEEPY PRAYERS! Wake up! Be alert! Jesus is coming!

Oh, I really want to press in to God. Press in to the things He has for us. Jesus is preparing a place for his bride; His bride (us, the church) should be preparing for his return! We don't want to be found asleep and unprepared do we? I sure don't. Wake up, church! No more sleepy prayers!

Father, help us to find the balance between this passion for more and the rest we find in Your tenderness. Your love is amazing, and Your grace is sufficient. Wake us up. No more sleepy prayers.

A Vision Song

Oh, God, be the voice of a
scattered generation
waiting on your spirit to move
Oh, God, fill our hearts with a
current revelation
of how to show the world your love

And we sing, "Alle, Alleluia!"
We sing, "Alle, Alleluia!"
We sing, "Alle, Alleluia!
Alleluia to the Lamb!"

Oh, God, to your throne, help us
lead our generation
yearning for your spirit to move
Oh, God, fill our hearts with the
joy of celebration
as we show the world your love

And we sing, "Alle, Alleluia!"
We sing, "Alle, Alleluia!"
We sing, "Alle, Alleluia!
Alleluia to the Lamb!"

We cry, "Holy! Holy! Holy!
is the Lord, God Almighty!
Worthy is the Lamb of praise!"
We cry, "Holy! Holy! Holy!"
is the Lord, God Almighty!"
With lifted hands and voices raised
Cry out, "Holy! Holy! Holy!
is the Lord God Almighty!
Worthy is the Lamb of praise!"
We cry, "Holy! Holy! Holy!
is the Lord, God Almighty!
Worthy is the Lamb of praise!"

Oh, God, be the voice of this
chosen generation
ready for your spirit to move
Oh, God, send us out ready to
take back every nation
as we show the world your love

And we sing, "Alle, Alleluia!"
We sing, "Alle, Alleluia!"
We sing, "Alle, Alleluia!
Alleluia to the Lamb!"

And we sing, "Alle, Alleluia!"
We sing, "Alle, Alleluia!"
We sing, "Alle, Alleluia!
Alleluia to the Lamb!"

A Blessing

The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD Make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you;
the LORD lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.

Numbers 6:24-26 (NRSV)

Redeem the Day

Wars around the world;
hungry boys and girls;
they seem so far away;
oh, redeem the day. Redeem the day.

Homeless on the streets;
we ignore the least;
we just look the other way;
oh, redeem the day. Redeem the day.

You are Justice; You are Truth.
We are fallen far from You.
Christ Redeemer, hear us pray,
"Come, redeem the day. Redeem the day."

Words that are meant to hurt
and rob our neighbor's worth
we find easy to say
oh, redeem the day. Redeem the day.

Corruption is all around;
lies and deceit abound;
this just can't be the way,
oh, redeem the day. Redeem the day!

You are Justice; You are Truth.
We are fallen far from You.
Christ Redeemer, hear us pray,
"Come, redeem the day! Redeem the day!"

Hear Your people's cry;
we will not be denied.
Save us from decay
oh, redeem the day! Redeem the day!

Ignite our hope again
as we turn away from sin
help us lead the way
to redeem the day! Redeem the day!

You are Justice; You are Truth.
We are agents sent by You.
Holy Spirit, help us obey,
and redeem the day! Redeem the day!