Things To Ponder...

Rebuilding the Walls

2010-01-14T09:17:00.000-08:00

A cupbearer in the kings court was never to be sad. In fact, it could get him killed. But Nehemiah had never been sad before in the King's presence. In fact, God really gave Him favor because the King not only asked him what was wrong, but gave him everything he needed to do that which God had put on His heart.

Last night during our Launch Team Meeting for Journey Church we talked a little about Nehemiah. I want to share further on this for your encouragement and the encouragement of our community here in Cambridge.

Nehemiah 1:4 NIV When I heard these things (about the state of Jerusalem), I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.

Nehemiah heard about the state of Jerusalem and he wept, mourned, fasted, and prayed for days. As we (Journey Church) are in this time of fasting (the bible sometimes calls it mourning), like Nehemiah, we recognize the state of things in Cambridge, Boston, New England, and America. Recently, I read some statistics from the Washington Times heralding New England as the New Northwest (http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/dec/22/mississippi-earns-most-religious-nod/). In the past, the numbers of unchurched people were largest in the Northwest United States. That has shifted, and New England now has the greatest amount of "unchurched multitudes," and Massachusetts is in the bottom three. This is saddening, but God doesn’t want to leave us there! He wants to move. He wants to dive into the chaos. He is ready. We are weeping, mourning, fasting, and praying for the state of things here. People who don’t know Jesus are at an all time high. Moral depravity is at an all time low. There are broken hurting people all around us. We need God to come. We long for Him to come in power.

Nehemiah 2:17-18 NIV Then I said to them, "You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace." (18) I also told them about the gracious hand of my God upon me and what the king had said to me. They replied, "Let us start rebuilding." So they began this good work.

God’s hand has been gracious upon us (the Murawski Family). God has provided every step of the way for us to be here, giving supernatural miracles when necessary. Now it’s time to rise up and re-build! You see, New England used to be a hotbed for revival; the Haystack Prayer Meeting, the Mt. Hermon 100, the Great Awakenings (you can study those for yourself). We don’t just long to go back to that, we long for God to surpass it! We say come Lord Jesus, come! Let it rain! We are preparing the field of our hearts for you to rain (Zech. 10:1)!

God's answer to a burden He puts on your heart is always YES! He brought us here to help launch a movement, a kingdom work that bombards the gates of hell that have set themselves up in this place. They are only gates. A defense. It is are job to go on the offensive and bombard them. They will come down and His kingdom will be set up!

Wherever you are, He brought you to that place for victory. What is the burden on your heart? What are the things that trouble you most? You have a God who loves you, hears your prayers, and longs to answer them. Cry out with faith and confidence in the LIVING God and watch Him move!

Settled in the Storm

2010-01-12T06:34:00.000-08:00

My family and our small fledgling church plant here in Cambridge is in the midst of a 21-day Daniel fast to seek God in this New Year. This morning as I was spending time with Jesus, I got the overwhelming sense that God wants to settle our spirits in the midst of the storm. He wants us to be settled secure people who don't budge when the storm rages around us.

In Matthew 8:23-27, Jesus and the disciples got into a boat. "Suddently a great tempest or storm arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But Jesus was asleep. (vs. 24 NKJ)."

The disciples thought they were perishing and Jesus was sleeping...big difference! How could Jesus sleep in the midst of a storm where the waves were crashing onto the boat? Jesus was settled as a person. "Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God...(John 13:3)." Jesus knew the Father was sovereign, in control, living for His good, and He was surrendered to the will of His Father.

Steven Furtick, lead pastor of Elevation Church, sent out a tweet this morning that said this, "Jesus isn't concerned about physical provision, He is trying to do something deeper inside of you."

As you can imagine, planting a church in one of the most unchurched cities and regions in the country (Cambridge/Boston) near the #1 University in America (Harvard) isn't a cake walk. It's been a joy but very difficult. We have changed every part of our lives from our housing, type of environment, ministry role, friends, etc, etc, etc...The storms rage all around us at times. What is Jesus trying to get at in me?

He wants me to be settled in the storm. He wants me to be settled regardless of all the outer circumstances raging around me. Instead of worrying and getting caught up in the moment, He wants me to be at peace in who He is, who I am in Christ, and what He has called me to do.

Wikipedia defines the eye of a storm as: The eye is a region of mostly calm weather found at the center of strong tropical cyclones. Wow! Isn't that amazing? As the storm rages all around, the very center of it is calm? The physical world always reflects the spiritual. Lets take a hint from God and let Him center us in the storm. Instead of responding to all the things that rage around us, we can focus on Him and His goodness, be utterly satisfied in Him, and remain in peace.

Maybe it's just for me, but I thought I would share my thoughts...

Joel 2 Moment

2008-11-20T08:17:00.000-08:00

I believe we are in a Joel 2 moment. I have been sensing this for the last few months. When I say a Joel 2 moment, I mean the latter half of Joel 2. For the past several years, but especially the past 2 years, we have been in the beginning of Joel 2,

Joel 2:12-18 NASB >"Yet even now," declares the LORD, "Return to Me with all your heart, And with fasting, weeping and mourning; (13) And rend your heart and not your garments." Now return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness And relenting of evil. (14) Who knows whether He will not turn and relent And leave a blessing behind Him, Even a grain offering and a drink offering For the LORD your God? (15) Blow a trumpet in Zion, Consecrate a fast, proclaim a solemn assembly, (16) Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, Assemble the elders, Gather the children and the nursing infants. Let the bridegroom come out of his room And the bride out of her bridal chamber. (17) Let the priests, the LORD'S ministers, Weep between the porch and the altar, And let them say, "Spare Your people, O LORD, And do not make Your inheritance a reproach, A byword among the nations. Why should they among the peoples say, 'Where is their God?'" (18) Then the LORD will be zealous for His land And will have pity on His people.

I believe God has heard our prayers. When we do things God’s way we get God’s results. That’s not to say the fasting and praying is over. That’s how you win the battle but it’s also how you keep the victory! Let us not grow weary in well doing but be always watchful and vigilant! You may look at what's happening on the political front, or the apparent darkness all around us, but we are to see with the eyes of faith. We are to set our minds on things above, not on the things of this earth (Col. 3:2.

The latter half of Joel 2 is about what God does as a result of the fasting, weeping and mourning,

Joel 2:19-32 NASB The LORD will answer and say to His people, "Behold, I am going to send you grain, new wine and oil, And you will be satisfied in full with them; And I will never again make you a reproach among the nations. (20) "But I will remove the northern army far from you, And I will drive it into a parched and desolate land, And its vanguard into the eastern sea, And its rear guard into the western sea. And its stench will arise and its foul smell will come up, For it has done great things." (21) Do not fear, O land, rejoice and be glad, For the LORD has done great things. (22) Do not fear, beasts of the field, For the pastures of the wilderness have turned green, For the tree has borne its fruit, The fig tree and the vine have yielded in full. (23) So rejoice, O sons of Zion, And be glad in the LORD your God; For He has given you the early rain for your vindication. And He has poured down for you the rain, The early and latter rain as before. (24) The threshing floors will be full of grain, And the vats will overflow with the new wine and oil. (25) "Then I will make up to you for the years That the swarming locust has eaten, The creeping locust, the stripping locust and the gnawing locust, My great army which I sent among you. (26) "You will have plenty to eat and be satisfied And praise the name of the LORD your God, Who has dealt wondrously with you; Then My people will never be put to shame. (27) "Thus you will know that I am in the midst of Israel, And that I am the LORD your God, And there is no other; And My people will never be put to shame. (28) "It will come about after this That I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and daughters will prophesy, Your old men will dream dreams, Your young men will see visions. (29) "Even on the male and female servants I will pour out My Spirit in those days. (30) "I will display wonders in the sky and on the earth, Blood, fire and columns of smoke. (31) "The sun will be turned into darkness And the moon into blood Before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. (32) "And it will come about that whoever calls on the name of the LORD Will be delivered; For on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem There will be those who escape, As the LORD has said, Even among the survivors whom the LORD calls.

If God allows you to see something from scripture and understand it, then you can have it! A prophetic people pull future promises into the NOW! Don't give up hope, the Lord wants to move. He wants His people to recognize their authority as kingdom people and to pray and move in accordance with His will, "Your kingdom come Your will be done ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN." When God's people get a hold of this truth and began to operate out of their identity as sons and daughters, we will see radical change come to our nation and the earth!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Followers...

2008-10-18T16:38:00.000-07:00

I have now added a "followers" widget. Please become a follower of this blog if you like it! Thanks so much!

God is Moving!!!

2008-09-26T07:40:00.000-07:00

God is moving! Dr. J Edwin Orr said this, “Whenever God is about to do something new with His people, He always sets them to praying!”

I believe we are in a dramatic season of our history where we can change the course of our nation! One person said it this way, “History belongs to the intercessors!” There are 40 day fasts springing up all over the country. I don’t care if it’s one meal a day, lets join in and make history together. Change always starts with a few and then multiplies. Be the voice to ignite your campus in corporate fasting and prayer.

I felt God speak to me about a month ago to do a 40 day fast. I am 15 days into it. It is difficult at times but God has really released a grace in me to do this. ASK GOD FOR HIS GRACE AND THEN DO WHAT HE SAYS!

PLEASE MOBILIZE YOUR STUDENTS TO FAST AND PRAY, ESPECIALLY CONCERNING THESE UPCOMING ELECTIONS. I believe this is one of the most crucial elections in our day. It’s not just about the President, it’s about an agenda that is attempting to usurp religious and personal freedom in our country. The next president will get to appoint judges and possibly a supreme court justice that could tip things in favor of the sanctity of life. The battle must be won on our knees first.

I WILL BE SENDING OUT AN UPDATE SHORTLY, INSTRUCTING STUDENTS HOW TO REGISTER TO VOTE EVEN IF THEY ARE AWAY AT COLLEGE. WE NEED TO BE ENCOURAGING OUR STUDENTS TO GET REGISTERED, GET INFORMED (ON GOD’S CONVICTIONS FROM THE BIBLE AND ON THE CANDIDATES) AND VOTE!!!

Maybe you could devote a special time to talk about this in your group. God is very concerned over justice issues. We have also posted a voters guide telling the different convictions of the two candidates on our website at the bottom (www.basiclives.com)

Don’t let this moment in history pass you by. Now is the time to begin organizing prayer meetings, half nights of prayer and all night prayer vigils.

As this is happening, we are planning our conference about prayer and intercession called, “Prepare the Way.” Who could have known! We are praying that God would teach His people and give them grace to live a sustained life of prayer AND THAT PRAYER CULTURES WOULD BEGIN SPRINGING UP ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES EVERYWHERE!

Dear College Students

It has been on my heart for about the last week to do this. I want to encourage you, please vote! You and I have a responsibility in this country to help shape its destiny. The right to vote should not be taken for granted. You are now out of mom and dad’s house and old enough to fight in a war, you should be voting.

I put together this email to help you know how to vote. I have listed several websites that will help you. If you are away from home, you can still vote! If you are a resident of the place where you go to college, you just have to re-register there. If not, you can do an absentee ballot. The first step is to register to vote.

Below are several websites that will help you with this process. There is even a specific one for college students.

Lastly, I want to encourage you to vote your values. Not necessarily values you have learned through television or your college experience but convictions. Convictions are defined as “fixed or firm beliefs.” Our fixed and firm beliefs must be founded on the authority of God’s Word, otherwise it’s based on a “good idea” and good ideas don’t always last. Think of all the good ideas you have had over the course of your life. How many of them have come and gone? Our convictions must be based on the unchanging authority of the bible! Here are my personal values I hold dearest when voting, in order of priority:

1. The sanctity of life – Psalm 139, Ezekiel 35:6 and many other passages
2. The protection of the institution of marriage as one man and one woman (This starts all the way back in Genesis)
3. Justice Issues – the poor, immigration issues, etc…
4. The War
5. The Economy (no matter what happens we are under God’s economy and these other issues above can affect the state of the economy)

Specific Websites to Help You

1. Register to vote - http://www.rockthevote.com/rtv_register.html
2. How to Vote - vote bible based convictions, not learned or accepted values of the day - http://www.ivotevalues.org/
3. Here is some info specifically for those who have just moved away to college and how to vote either in your college town or by absentee ballot. - http://www.declareyourself.com/voting_faq/voting_faq_449.html#moved
4. Other websites that walk you through how to register and the ins and outs of voting:
http://www.declareyourself.com/home/home.html
http://www.ivoteyouvote.com/
http://www.registertovote.org/?gclid=CKGKvYGq9JUCFRqiQQodhHKwiQ

Together lets rise up and change the course of our nation!

Holiness

2008-08-23T04:03:00.000-07:00

It's funny, after years of grace teaching and understanding justification (that we are rendered innocent by what Christ did and it has nothing to do with us), I still find my heart and my mind thinking I am going to "do holiness" and once I have it THEN I can ascend the hill of the Lord.

Psalms 24:3-4 ESV Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place? (4) He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.

In reality, it's the opposite. Listen how Bob Sorge puts it in his book, Secrets of the Secret Place, "Holiness is not an inherant quality we carry; it is a derived quality we take on. Holiness has but one source, the Holy One. Holiness has to do with proximity to the throne. I am holy only to the extent I abide in His holy presence." He goes on to say, "I used to define holiness by what we don't do, but now I define it more by what we do. Holiness is found in drawing near to the holy flame of the trinity."

In other words, how can we become holy if we are not in the presence of the Holy One? We often think we are going to do this holiness thing. If only we could become holy, then we would have better fellowship with God. But grace and justification tells us we were not and are not worthy but because of Jesus shedding His blood to pay for our sin, we are made righteous, rendered innocent, and able to come into His presence any time day or night without shame.

Now please don't misunderstand me, we need to be holy. I am just suggesting that the way become holy is not be working on it in our own strength or by human efforts. Instead, we must daily draw near to the Holy One, surrender our hearts, digest His Word and let Him do His work on the inside. The more time we spend with the Holy One, the more holy we become as we put off the old ways and put on Christ.

Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, (9) not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

The same concept applies to anything in the kingdom. Grace is a gift that we access through faith! It's not our works that justify us or that make us holy, it's the grace of God, the empowerment of His Spirit to be right and do right. It's believing by faith in the work that He has already accomplished on the cross!

Romans 8:32 ESV He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

I like to say it this way, "God already gave us the best, why would He withhold the rest?"

Let's renew our minds today with the word of God, put aside the notion that we are going to "do this holiness thing," and receive the grace of God flowing to us. Let's get in His presence (how can we know and become like someone that we don't spend time with?) and be conformed to the image of His Son as we come into His holy throne room and fellowship with Him at the highest possible level. IT'S ALL BECAUSE OF WHAT CHRIST HAS DONE! I leave you with this,

Colossians 2:6 ESV Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him.

YOU RECEIVED HIM BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH, SO WALK IN HIM!

The Elisha Generation

2008-08-01T08:10:00.001-07:00

August 1, 2008

Dear Friends, Pastors, and Leaders,

I am so excited to announce the launch of Elisha Generation Seminars. The concept of the Elisha Generation has been a dream in my heart for some time now.

The focus and thrust of Elisha Generation Seminars is two-fold:

1. To empower and equip you and your church or ministry to reach the 18-30 generation through The Catalyst Project (see website).
2. To impact the whole body of Christ through teaching and preaching as well as Word-based and experiential encounters with Jesus Christ.
3. To personally minister to the 18-30 generation.

As you can see from the brochure, we are focusing our efforts on a few specific areas but we are willing to “tailor” these seminars for your church or ministry.

I love to minister to youth, young adults and college students, and to the whole church body. I could come for a day, a weekend or a multi-day trip to minister to all three groups if you like. My wife Gina may also be available to minister in worship (contact for details).

Please contact me at kent@elishageneration.org or 585-624-7930 if you would like to hear more about these seminars or speak with me personally.

The website is also now online. You can visit us on the web at www.elishageneration.org where you can get more details and listen to ten-minute segments of different seminars.

For a generation,
Kent & Gina Murawski

Jack of All Trades Master of None

2008-07-11T08:34:00.000-07:00

You know the saying, “jack of all trades master of none.” I was just thinking this morning about my calling. One of our (Gina and me) primary callings is “to help lead a generation of young people in the worship and adoration of God.” Not simply worship as in music, but in worshiping God with our whole lives. The word worship means "adoration." The word actually gives the connotation of a dog licking it's masters hand. Not that we are dogs, but the type of adoration a dog has for it's master.

We feel a specific call to mentor and spiritually parent world changers. We truly want to “Reach and Release the Next Generation” both personally and by equipping others to do the same. Once we release them, we may not be able to counsel them in all the different areas they are released into, but we can certainly in a parental way help them and continue to walk with them. I realized while thinking about this that we are not called to be experts in everything but experts in a few things.

For me, the primary thing is to be an “expert” at one thing – intimacy with Christ. To know Him is not only my highest calling but yours as well. It’s through intimacy and relationship that God can use our lives to produce abundant fruit (John 15:1-8).

Secondly, I want to be an “expert” at knowing and shepherding my wife. She is the most significant relationship in my life next to Jesus. I have the desire and responsibility to take care of her, know her, and see her grow into all that God has called her to be and do.

Thirdly, I desire to be an “expert” at building and shepherding my children. They are my most important disciples. If I fail at this, I have failed!

Lastly, I want to be an “expert” in my ministry calling. The same concept applies here, “jack of all trades master of none.” We need to be focused in our calling. In order to be focused we need to know our giftings and callings and then use that as a filter for new opportunities. If they line up with our life calling and vision, great! If not, I would be very hesitant to take it on unless Jesus specifically speaks to you. For me, my focus and calling is to “help lead a generation of young people (specifically 18-30) in the worship and adoration of God.” Along with that goes the desire to see the older generation mentoring and spiritually parenting the younger generation. I believe the young generation has the passion and zeal to take the gospel to all the earth but not without the wisdom and experience of the older generation. Furthermore, I want to teach and train others to reach and release the next generation. Finally, I am called as a teacher and preacher to the body of Christ.

A lot of good opportunities have come my way, some even within my calling, but I have had to discern which ones fit AND which ones God is asking me to embrace. I am very hesitant to take on new responsibility unless it fits within my calling and I feel Jesus is asking me to take it on.

I desire my life to be focused and effective. After all, I am only one person. I have a limited amount of resources, time, and energy. I desire to maximize my life and I pray you will do the same!

Warning!

2008-06-05T06:28:00.000-07:00

Recently, I have been disturbed by all that is going on with homosexual marriage, both in New York State and California. Several months ago while at IHOP, the Lord gave me a vision while I was in the 24/7 prayer room. In the vision, I was standing up on a high stone wall as a watchman. As I looked out over the horizon, I could see a large black cloud of dust looming and moving closer rather quickly. As it came closer, I could see riders cloaked in black and riding black horses. They were surrounded by this black dust cloud. I felt the Lord showed me that an attack was being released from the gates of hell upon the Church. The black riders were the homosexual movement.

Over the past two weeks, there have been significant things happening in both New York and California and I felt it was time to release this vision. The following is a report from Albany; the New York State Capital:

ALBANY — Gov. David A. Paterson has directed all state agencies to begin to revise their policies and regulations to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions, like Massachusetts, California and Canada.

In a directive issued on May 14, the governor’s legal counsel, David Nocenti, instructed the agencies that gay couples married elsewhere “should be afforded the same recognition as any other legally performed union.” The revisions are most likely to involve as many as 1,300 statutes and regulations in New York governing everything from joint filing of income tax returns to transferring fishing licenses between spouses.

Legal experts said Mr. Paterson’s decision would make New York the only state that did not itself allow gay marriage but fully recognized same-sex unions entered into elsewhere. The directive is the strongest signal yet that Mr. Paterson, who developed strong ties to the gay community as a legislator, plans to push aggressively to legalize same-sex unions as governor. His predecessor, Eliot Spitzer, introduced a bill last year that would have legalized gay marriage, but even as he submitted it, doubted that it would pass. The Democratic-dominated Assembly passed the measure, but the Republican-led Senate has refused to call a vote on it. Short of an act by the Legislature, the directive ordered by Mr. Paterson is the one of the strongest statements a state can make in favor of gay unions.

California

The California Supreme Court will not stay its decision authorizing homosexuals to "marry" in that state, even though voters will consider a constitutional amendment to ban the practice in November. The court issued its 4-3 decision Wednesday. This snippet comes from a larger article. You can read the full article at,

http://www.onenewsnow.com/Legal/Default.aspx?id=130848

Here's the point, even though this is about to be voted on in November, by the people of California, this court sees fit to push the agenda of a few on the masses. This is not the way courts are to operate. That's why checks and balances exist. Some of these courts are renegade courts trying to force their will on the people. A wise man once said, "government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth" (Abraham Lincoln in the Gettysburg Address).

So, what can we do? We must stand up and fight! God's system of family and morality is at stake. The further we get from God-ordained family, the further our nation will fall into darkness. I believe we need to intercede as well as act. In NY, you can contact the governor directly by email ( http://www.state.ny.us/governor/contact/index.html ) and let him know how you feel about this. You may also contact your state senator and assemblyman to let them know.

Or, you can call this phone number 518.474.8390. I called this phone number myself and told the person I was in objection to what Paterson is doing by recongnizing same gender marriages. They asked me for my zipcode and documented it. It was simple and quick.

As far as California goes, I'm not sure what the procedure is other than to vote in November to pass the marriage amendment. I'm sure you can find out more online.

Please take a few moments to call the governor or send an email. They do keep track of these things and if there is a public outcry, there is a good chance it will stop or slow things down. With no public outcry or action, things will surely move forward, just like it did in Roe V. Wade. It's time for the body of Christ to be what God made us to be, "a city on a hill!"

Perseverance

2008-05-26T19:38:00.000-07:00

I just finished watching Amazing Grace for the third time. I am inspired by William Wilberforce's efforts to see the slave trade abolished in Great Britain. He and others fought tirelessly for 15+ years and were finally able to see it through. There is something to be said of perseverance in all this. I believe perseverance may be the hardest part in any battle. It slowly chips away at your enemy's stamina until finally in a moment of weakness, he gives up. God knows all about perseverance, doesn't He?

I believe abortion is the slavery of our day. I believe it is every bit as paramount as that issue. We say, if I were alive in that day, I would have fought for the abolition of the slave trade. But here we are, in the throws of such a fight, and many sit on the sidelines in complacency. The stakes are just as high. I wonder, will our nation maintain it's heritage of freedom? Have we made massive mistakes in things like the slavery and what we did to Native Americans? Absolutely, but in the end, our nation made a choice to make it right; right before God. I wonder, will we do the same in this fight? After 50 million babies, will we make it right? Will we choose righteousness and justice, and issues that are supremely important to the heart of God.

I am reminded of Lou Engle in this fight against abortion. Every time I hear him, he is passionately defending the right to life of the unborn. Here I am, only having been in the fight for a short time and yet feeling weary at times. I'm praying God gives me the perseverance to see this through. I can't imagine the feeling Wilberforce experienced that day in parliament when the slave trade was abolished throughout the whole British Empire. I often imagine the day when the holocaust of abortion will come tumbling down and what those who have fought tirelessly to see this great wrong righted will feel in that moment. I only pray I am one of those who has had the perseverance to see it through. Whether it be in prayer or some larger role, it does not matter to me, but only that I have persevered.

Those of you who want to be involved yet don't know how, check out www.bound4life.com

Everyone can pray, vote, and obey!

Ruined

2008-05-19T07:58:00.000-07:00

I am ruined for Him. Once you experience and encounter the Living God, you are spoiled for everything else. Things that once satisfied seem cheap and meaningless in comparison to Him. He fills every nook and cranny with His Love. He washes, cleans, fills and renews. I would rather spend one day in His courts than thousands elsewhere. When I don’t experience Him or I go some time without truly seeking Him, my heart yearns for Him like a lover. He embraces me and holds me in His arms. Nothing can replace Him, nothing can compare to Him, and no one is like Him. He is absolutely unique. He defines me. I died and my life is now hidden with Him. I am crucified. Daily my flesh undergoes death to be like Him, until the point where He defines me so much that I look like Him, smell like Him, talk like Him and act like Him. And one day, when Christ who is my life appears, I also shall appear with Him in glory! Suddenly, this Christ, who is my life, appears and the Christ inside of me rises to meet Him and be like Him, worshiping Him forever and ever. I am totally satisfied in Him, wrecked for anything less, shining with the light of His face. Totally enamored and engulfed in His overwhelming Love. I wait for Him for I can’t live without Him. He is my breath, my being, my joy, my addiction. Without Him I am nothing. I can’t even tie my shoe or take a breath. I live for His joy, His pleasure, His glory – everyday seeking to become like Him that I may bring glory to His name, for this is why I was created. His love spoils me. How can I love anything else above Him, for He is Love and He shared this love with me? What is my name? I am just an ordinary follower of Jesus, friend of God, loved one, God worshiper, Christ lover. He carries the name “I AM” and I carry the name “His.” He defines me, He created me, and He sustains me. He is I AM, and I am ruined.

Above and Beyond!!!

2008-05-01T07:23:00.000-07:00

The Lord abundantly surpassed our expectations at the Spring 08 Conference as we tackled the issue of family! Know that each of you, our supporters in prayer and finance, share in the spiritual fruit from this conference! Coming into it, we knew many would have a negative connotation of family. Often times, we view heavenly things through an earthly filter. For example, if we have a negative experience with an earthly father we tend to view Father God through the same lens. Listen to this testimony from Cher; “My dad left when I was 3 months old and I have had no relationship ever since. When I saw the name of this conference (We are Family), I didn’t even want to come. Saturday night when we talked about the Father Heart of God, I have never felt the presence of God like I did that night. It was like God lifted a huge burden off of me and healed me in this area. I feel so much lighter!” There was a tangible and powerful embrace by Father God for every person on Saturday night!

On Friday night, 7 people committed their lives to Christ (see picture at bottom) and many more responded to a time of repentance—turning away from sin and toward their Father, God! There are many lives that will never be the same!

Friday night salvations!!!

In love with Jesus!!!

Girl receiving Ministry

Please Pray!

2008-03-31T06:31:00.000-07:00

Please pray for our upcoming conference this weekend. Close to 500 college students from all over the Northeast will gather in Syracuse, NY for a weekend of encountering God, equipping, worship, and impartation. Here are some guidelines for prayer, thanks so much!

1. Pray for our keynote speaker (Kent Murawski – Friday & Saturday evening / Pastor Mike &
Judy Tomford – Saturday morning / Greg Ross – Sunday morning). Pray that they would have
the mind and heart of God. Pray that they would have the ability to communicate with clarity
and power. (I Cor. 2:1-5)

2. Pray that the student’s hearts would be open to God’s word (Heb. 4:7, 12, 13). Pray that the
students would receive salvation and the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8 & Acts 2:37).
Pray that students would receive an impartation of a Christian world view and a clear purpose
for their lives (Eph. 1:15-23).

3. Pray over the atmosphere in the hotel and conference room. Pray that the kingdom of God
would be established and released in the building. (Matt. 6:10)

4. Pray over the technical aspects of the conference such as the sound equipment, video
equipment, etc. We want to operate in a level of excellence in order to minimize any
distractions from the atmosphere of the conference.

5. Take authority over the enemy and any plans that he may have to influence the meeting or anyindividual person at the conference. (Matt. 16:19 / Luke 10:19)

6. Pray that the BASIC staff, worship leaders, speakers, emcees, and volunteers would flow as
one stream in “the river of God”. (Eze. 47:9-12 / Rev. 22:1, 2)

7. Pray that God’s purpose would be accomplished at the conference in accordance with the
Scripture and theme that He gave us for the conference.

Theme and Scripture: We Are Family – John 13:35
“By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

General Scriptures to Pray:
1. Luke 4:18
2. Acts 1:8
3. 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
4. Ephesians 1:15-23
5. Ephesians 3:14-20

A Life of Prayer

2008-01-24T06:53:00.000-08:00

Lately, I have been pondering the subject of prayer. As Christians, we all believe that prayer is important but I wonder do we realize that a sustained life of prayer is grace driven! If you are like me, you have tried this prayer thing before but find yourself frustrated when you aren't able to sustain it or do it consistently. Could it be that we are trying on our own strength that which can only be accomplished by God's empowerment?

During a personal retreat in December, God started working mightily in me to birth a life of sustained prayer. Since that point, my prayer life has increased exponentially. It was supernatural, God was moving and I responded. Can we really do anything without God? The answer is yes, but it usually ends up in frustration and defeat. Since my retreat in December, I have had a heart to pray like never before. I have typically been spending 2-3 hours a day in prayer. Believe me, I don't say this to boast but only as a testimony to God!

Here are a few things I noticed as God enables us to life a life of sustained prayer:

More sensativity to the Spirit
Less likely to sin and grieve the Spirit (because we recognize His presence more)

Let's face it; most of us could use more prayer! We usually err on the side of too much action and too little prayer. Please understand, I believe faith without works is dead and that prayer will always lead us to action BUT if we are really being honest with ourselves, prayer if often the thing that gets pushed under the rug.

If we truly want to see transformation on our campuses, in our lives, and in our situations; it must be fostered by a life of intimacy and prayer.

I recently had a dream. My son has a matchbox style monster truck jeep that we (notice I didn't say he) play with. In my dream, there was a similar remote control jeep. In the dream, the jeep suddenly morphed into a giant life-sized monster truck! I felt the Lord was speaking to me that my vehicle of ministry just got a whole lot more powerful because of the life of prayer he was birthing in me.

As for me, I have had it with powerless preaching. Not that I ever aimed for it to be powerless or that it even was totally powerless, but I believe the missing link in our pulpits and lives is prayer. Over the past two months, I have been diligent to make sure when I am preparing for a message, I also take time to stop studying and pray. In fact, I am praying until I get a breakthrough. The old time pentecostals would call it "praying through." In other words, I pray until I feel in my spirit there is a breakthrough and authority. It has ranged anywhere from 45 minutes to 3 hours before there is a breakthrough. At that point, I am confident that whatever purpose the Lord wants to accomplish will be accomplished. It's preaching with power rather than just nice words. I have noticed a significant difference not just in my preaching (it carries much more authority) but in peoples responses, sensativity to the Lord, and faith for healing and miracles.

1 Corinthians 2:1-5 NASB 1 And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. 3 I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, 4 and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.

Ask God for the grace today to transform your prayer life. The book I recommend is called The Blueprint by Jaeson Ma. This along with the Lord's sovereign work in my helped to fan my prayer life from an ember to a raging fire.

Broken and Brave

2007-11-15T18:28:00.000-08:00

A good friend of mine, who also happens to lead a music ministry called Holyfire, has a song named, "Broken and Brave." In the song, he is describing the current generation of young people. Recently, we (B.A.S.I.C.) had our Fall 2007 Northeast Conference where close to 500 college students and young adults gathered for a time of worship, equipping, healing and impartation. On Friday night, the speaker shared a message called "Out of the Shadows" (the theme of the conference was "Out of the Darkness"). The challenge that night as he closed his message was to enter into a time of repentence but not in the typical sense of "you and God." The crux of his message was from James 5:16,

James 5:16 - Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. (NLT)

He had the prayer leaders come up first and then strongly exhorted the students to find a leader and began to specifically confess your sin. Now, the main point of this article is not to cover the power of accountability and confession, maybe that will be my next one. Instead, as several students came and confessed to me, I realized in a new way that we (I'm 32) and the generations after me are a broken generation. There were confessions by students of molestation by pastors, addictions - pornography, masturbation, drugs and alcohol; confessions of struggles with homosexuality, suicidal thoughts, sex with boyfriends or girlfriends and multiple partners. You name it, I think we heard it. As I thought about the brokenness of our generation, not only did my heart break but I began to think about how this qualifies us to be used by God in a mighty way. Let me explain:

Psa 51:16-17 - You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering. 17 The sacrifice You desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God. (NLT)

You see, if we respond the right way to our brokenness - in a Godward direction, this qualifies us to be used mightily by God.

James 4:6 - But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, "GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE." (NASB)

Also, Peter exhorts us in his writings that if we will humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, at the proper time He would exalt us (1 Peter 5:6). Part of humbling ourselves is this very thing we are talking about - confession! It takes humility and brokenness over our sin to be able to share these ultra personal things with someone and have them pray for us!

I believe if this generation will bring their brokenness to God through confession and other means, we will experience the greatest move of God the world has ever seen. The scripture is clear that where sin abounds grace abounds much more. Because this is an severely broken generation, it qualifies us to be an extremely fruitful generation. Brokenness brought to God results in fruitfulness! This brokenness qualifies them to be the last days generation who may usher in the return of the Lord!

I will end with the words to the song "Broken and Brave" by Holyfire (www.holyfiremusic.com)

I don't have to pretend this is the real thing

It's as real as it gets what more can I say?

You are, You are the Father I need

You are, You are King

I hold the hand of the orphan

I sing it out in the silence

This is what we are - broken and brave

And I will dance in the healing

To see the nation kneeling

This is what we are - forgiven and saved

This is thicker than blood, it's larger than life

Jesus inside of us, this is the real thing

You are, you are the Savior I need

You are, You are King

Acceleration

2007-11-11T17:36:00.000-08:00

I'm enjoying this blogging thing. It's kind of fun to keep an online journal, so to speak, of your thoughts. I want to talk a little bit about "acceleration." Websters Dictionary defines acceleration as, "to cause faster development, progress, or advancement." Late in 2006, the Lord gave me a short mental image of a plane speeding down the runway and taking off into the distance. As I questioned the Lord, I felt as if He said "2007 will bring acceleration." At the time, I took it as an acceleration in ministry. I thought of more speaking engagements, greater opportunities, and larger numbers. I'm still believing for those things in accordance with His will but I've come to understand this acceleration in a different way.

As 2007 comes to a close, there haven't been more speaking engagements. There have been some great opportunities and slightly larger numbers. You see, God's thoughts and ways are not our thoughts and ways. Listen for the wisdom in His Word,

Isa 55:8-9 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. 9 "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts. (NASB)

In Psalm 103, the Psalmist speaks of the children of Israel knowing the acts of God, but Moses knew the WAYS of God. There is a big difference of course. You can know the acts of a person from a distance but the ways of God can only be learned up close. When God speaks a word to us, many times it has much more meaning than we attach to it. We think one way and God thinks another.

This year has honestly been the hardest year of our lives. We have been tested severely, in many areas. I have come to understand this word acceleration in a different way. I believe what God has been doing in me is accelerating my inner growth...and this can be painful! Think of a growth spurt. Many times those who grow several inches in one year experience some side effects. Pain in joints and limbs as well as clumsiness, weakness and coordination problems. It's not much different as we experience accelerated spiritual growth! We are clumsy, off balance and weak. We experience pain and discomfort as growth comes at an accelerated rate.

In the past week, I have had two different people mention how God had spoken "acceleration" to them. As I got excited with them, I also cautioned them. I told them how God had spoken that word over my life but with this acceleration also comes accelerated inner growth and it's painful! My point wasn't to discourage them but to help them understand God's ways. He is always more interested in our character over our calling. He will not allow us to move beyond a certain point, our glass ceiling if you will, until He has His way inside of us.

I want to encourage and caution you. Acceleration in His kingdom is awesome, but it also means accelerated growth on the inside. So be ready, keep your focus on Jesus, and let Him have His way. He will sustain you through every growing pain, all your clumsiness, and your weakness to get the end result: Christ in you, the hope of glory!

Confused Evangelicals

2007-11-07T11:02:00.000-08:00

I was so distraught by a recent article I read that it became the catalyst that provoked me to finally start my own blog. The article came from the Los Angelas Times concerning televangelist Pat Robertsons endorsement of Rudolph Guliani. Here is the link if you would like to read the article, http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/politics/la-na-endorse8nov08,0,1001840.story?coll=la-home-center

Moving on, the article tells of Robertsons endorsment of Rudolph Guliani as the next Republican president. In it, and I quote, Robertson says, ""To me, the overriding issue before the American people is the defense of our population from the blood lust of Islamic terrorists," he said. "Our second goal should be the control of massive government waste and crushing federal deficits." Robertson also said that these issues "should trump conservatives' concerns about Giuliani's support of abortion rights."

I agree, these issues Robertson speaks of are very important, but if we as followers of Christ don't stand up and speak for those who are silent, namely unborn babies, who will?

Proverbs 31:8-9 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice. (NLT)

How can the senseless murder of millions of babies (4000 per day) not take priority in those who follow Christ? I truly believe with all my heart that America will not experience another awakening until we see the practice of abortion ended in this country.

Guliani is confused at best. Although these words have come from his own lips, "I'm against abortion, I hate it," He gave a total of $900 to Planned Parenthood in 1993, 1994, 1998, and 1999. How can you be against it and hate it and yet give to organizations that practice it and at the same time believe that "the choice should ultimately be left to the woman?" (www.thepolitico.com/news/stories/0507/3876.html)

I think this quote by Guliani should sum it up for those of us who are followers of Christ, "I am pro-choice. I'm pro-gay rights." When asked about whether he supports a ban on partial birth abortions, he said, "No, I have not supported that, and I don't see my position changing." Enough said. (CNN.com, "Inside Politics" Dec. 2, 1999)

Psalm 139:13-16 - You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. 14 Thank You for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. 15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. 16 You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in Your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. (NLT)

As a follower of Christ, I don't want to vote for anyone who isn't sternly and unashamedly pro-life. If neither candidate is staunchly pro-life (notice I didn't say "anti-choice") I will vote for whichever one leans more in that direction. Although abortion and gay rights are not the only issues on the table for me, they along with other moral issues are at the top of my list.

If we don't speak for the unborn, who will?