Snapshots and Synapses

It's so easy for me to be distracted by the many things I need to do, and the more I do, the more there seems that needs done: work, exercise, family obligations, bills, prepare, sleep (what's that???), etc. I can sometimes rise up in the morning with this pressure of "get going", "get DOING!", "RIGHT NOW!!" And it's not enough, never enough, for all that I MUST do. And putting on my project manager hat, doing 3 Point estimates, I just know it can't be done. What needs to drop off the radar for the day? What needs to be cut out, either temporarily or permanently, so I can keep the main things juggling? And then there's the "task" of having a quiet time with God, that one-on-one time that I can check off as a magic ward against all the curses and calamities of the day, both those I know about and those to which I'm oblivious. But when I just rest in His Presence, stop doing and start being, I start to hear Him sing so...

Amos 4:6, 10 (New International Version) " I gave you empty stomachs in every city and lack of bread in every town, yet you have not returned to me," declares the LORD. "I sent plagues among you as I did to Egypt. I killed your young men with the sword, along with your captured horses. I filled your nostrils with the stench of your camps, yet you have not returned to me ," declares the LORD. Joel 2:11-13, 15-7  (New International Version) The LORD thunders at the head of his army; His forces are beyond number, and mighty are those who obey His command. The day of the LORD is great; it is dreadful. Who can endure it? Rend Your Heart "Even now," declares the LORD, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning." Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. Blow the trumpet i...

I was helping out with the Children's Ministry this past weekend, and the lesson focused on the story of Rahab (Book of Joshua 2 & 6). Now, not a whole lot is known about her: she was a prostitute (didn't mention this detail to the kids) lived in the less desirable area of town helped out a couple Israeli spies was spared from the destruction that hit her city of Jericho through the grace of God became the mother of Boaz, who was husband to Ruth and the grandfather of King David, and through David , she was an ancestor of Jesus. (See Matt 1) Tell me God's grace and love aren't awesomely cool! God knew Rahab's sordid past, but He looked beyond it, into her heart and made her great! He established her, even set her aside from destruction, to become a foundation stone for the Kingdom of Israel and the Messianic throne!! But as cool as all this is, I've known it for years and can sometimes take it for granted... Pitiful, huh? It hits my head, but not my...

A friend of mine sent an email about an imminent terrorist threat, puportedly sent by a Juval Aviv. My reaction: According to SNOPES, this is a hoax. ( http://www.snopes.com/rumors/soapbox/juvalaviv.asp last updated almost a year ago) However, anyone who has ever been involved with security in the military would agree with the assertions attributed to Mr. Aviv. The recent call by the Obama administration to "overhaul" our intelligence community is a signal being sent to all terrorists to act while we're in a state of flux (makes me wonder if the president isn't trying to find a reason to demand sweeping changes since the Christmas day event was NOT actually successful); you don't make quick changes to mission critical systems, but rather, you enhance, test and eventually replace system errors when shortcomings are discovered. The Lord gave me this word: " I am about to destroy a nation tall and strong, a people feared by many nations. And then I shall ra...

When Jesus told us that the whole world was against us, the Greek word used in Scripture for "world" was cosmos . Now, cosmos is more than just the universe, it's the whole order of the universe. In other words, the way of the world . But we know from Scripture that Jesus is The Way, The Truth, and The Life . As counter-intuitive as it may seem to follow The Way , that is exactly what we're called to do. It's both freeing and scarey to let go of all the things we've been told about taking control of our destiny and handing it all over to Him. He provides the resources and He controls the outcome . All we're responsible for is faithfulness in doing what He's called us to do. Freeing and scarey, huh? But it's only as we let go of the outcome, trusting in Him, regardless of what resources we think are available, that His power is truly demonstrated though us. When we are weak, His strength is revealed! This means, the whole order of the univer...

We are in the process of planting a Vineyard church in the Fort Ben area of Indianapolis. As the details become clearer, the site will be updated; however, this much is clear: God is definitely the One coordinating the details! As I had prayed about this decision, not wanting to move forward until I heard the Lord's direction, the conversation went something similar to this: me : So where do You want me to plant a church? Do You want me to plant a church? God : The harvest is great but the laborers are few. me : So where do You want me to plant a church? God : It doesn't matter. Just take Me with you. me : How about the Fort Ben area? I love the way that it's a dividing ground between different demographics. (Note: yeah, I can talk like that... fortunately, God understands my vocabulary) God : I will bless it! It is yours to take and I'll open the doors for you. So with that, having heard the Still / Quiet Voice, I went home to be with my family. The next ...

NOTE: earlier posts originally published on the Indy24x7Prayer Yahoo! Group   Peace!