Snapshots and Synapses

The husband looked longingly at his bride, observing every detail of her face, understanding every emotion and every thought, watching every movement as she hurried through her tasks. The bride looked at her groom and said: "I've got alot going on today. Can you help me out with this list of chores? Thanks." The groom, without losing eye contact, smiled and said: "No problem. I love you... very much." But the woman walked quickly out the door without waiting for a response, oblivious to the expression of love that her groom had just uttered. This is a story from my life, but it's not me and my wife in the above interaction. It's how I used to look at prayer: one-way communication of what I wanted done. But prayer is so much more than that. It is two-way communication; it's time spent with the spiritual Bridegroom; it's the foundational building block of our relationship with God. It's not that we have to pray... we GET to pray! If we sto...

On Jan 28th, the Lord gave me this word: "You are anointed in peace, but armed for war!" Tonight, I believe He wants me to release this word to you and from you to others. I believe there is a time of upheaval coming, and that it is very important for us to draw close to Him now (and more with each day) so that He can prepare our hearts, minds, souls and bodies for the trials ahead. John 16:33 says: "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." May Christ's Peace, Joy and Presence be with each of us!

I was raised Roman Catholic, which for me was a good experience. Although I'd now categorize myself as a "charismatic evangelical with an appreciation for the liturgy and reformed theology" (or as a friend of mine puts it: "PresboEpiscomatic"), I gained a lot from the denomination of my parents. One of the things I enjoyed about my Catholic upbringing was the liturgical calendar... a structure to the year that reminded me both of my God and my need for Him. One of the seasons in the liturgical year is Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday (today!). It is a forty day period before Easter, during which believers are encouraged to change habits of thought and behavior as they draw close to God through fasting and prayer – specifically in repentance. I personally plan to spend this season in repentance: I repent of the duality in my heart and mind that has not been fully focused on Christ and His Ways. I repent of my judgmental nature, which reflects the personali...

Hi All, Please feel free to pass this on to others. I've been compiling what the Lord has been saying to me about "church" and would like to hear what He's been saying to others. I currently have about 12 pages from the past 2 years (unedited, comments included) where He has been speaking about both the local church and the Church Universal. We are in what I call the Age of Jude, referring to the 2nd to last book in the Bible. It is an age where people are falling out of traditional church -- just as the leaves fall from trees in the Autumn. It is a time of harvest and a time of preparation, where we need to draw closer to Him than ever before so that we have enough "oil in our lamps". It is a time where the Bride is entering maturity. It is a time of hope, produced by suffering. The analyst in me is interested in compiling and analyzing the words He's spoken to His Body. The strategist in me wants to align my tactics with the vision. The child...

Advent: from the Latin, meaning "to come"; generally refers to the first coming of Jesus (God brought peace to man); a season preceding the Christmas celebration. Advent should also be a reminder of His second coming, which is a declaration of war. We are at war for the King, Who is returning. "I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself." (Revelation 19:11-12) Consider this is a proclamation of war in which you are already involved. You ARE in a war zone. The time to pray is now. The time to act is now! Indiana's capital was established in deception and blood. The masonic temple downtown was once the "finest of it's kind" in the world. Pray the blood of Jesus over this land for the curses that have been laid on it....

"Peace on earth and good will to men!" Joy and Peace to all men this Christmas! It truly is a time of Joy; however, for some people, it can be reminder of a loss... a failed expectation. How do we manage through that pain (or come alongside others who feel it)? First, we need to acknowledge the pain. Pain is a gift from God. It is like the indicator light on a dashboard saying: "Some thing's wrong!" Pain is a gift from God that says: "Take action!" The analogy is clearly understood with physical pain. For example: "Remove you hand from the fire." or "Go easy on the sprained ankle." But what about emotional pain? The Enemy always tries to distort God's gifts. The distorted message comes through in the lies we start accepting: "It's too painful to endure.", "It's never going to get better.", etc. But the truth is that all pain is temporary, even though the Enemy uses it to discourage us... to diss...

"Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord." Jude 3-4 "'Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them." Matt 7:15-20 "The ax is already at...