The Faith to Stand

The church here in Tucson that we have had the privilege of being a part of is called New Song Foursquare Church. It has been a real blessing for our family because it is hard enough moving to a new place and trying to find schools for the kids and work and housing. But to have a church that welcomed us into their family so immediately was an absolute blessing. One of the the many things I love about New Song is the way we start the sermon every week. We hold up our Bibles and say the following:

This is my Bible.

It is God speaking to me.

I am who it says I am.

I can do what it says I can do.

I can have what it says I can have.

So I open my heart to a receive a word from God

That will change my life forever.

This very idea has strengthened my faith. The idea that I am who God says I am. In Ephesians 6, Paul teaches us that we are in a spiritual battle. He then tells us how to put on our spiritual armour. In verse 16 it says to pick up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one. I find it interesting that the flaming arrows often represent questioning our identity. He tries to get us to doubt our security as sons and daughters of God. If he can get us to look down upon ourselves due to our circumstances and keep us from entering boldly into God's presence, he will do so. It is in these times when we are often feeling really low, looking at our circumstances, staring at our weaknesses and being disgusted with ourselves where we do not have the strength to return fire and attack. But that is not what the scripture says. It says to lift the shield of faith. Faith is described above in the words, I am who God says I am. We choose to believe that God is who He says He is and we are who He says we are. So no matter what difficulty or trying time you might be facing, remember that by simply speaking those words aloud, you take away the enemy's power to steel, kill, and destroy what God is doing in your life.

So stand by faith today. God has a plan and He is faithful to complete His plan. It may not happen in our timing, it may require some suffering. We may even find ourselves questioning it, but His promises remain. Nd if He promises us something, we can rest assured that He will complete it. So stand firm, reminding yourself often of the above statement, and know that God is moving on your behalf and He longs to give you all that He has reserved for you.

The Power of our Testimony

In John Chapter Eleven we read about a story where Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. It is a familiar story and I love to use it to minister to people about suffering. Many people suffered throughout the story. Lazarus suffered to the point of death. His sisters suffered wondering why Jesus stayed away when he had the power to heal. Those who had come to comfort them suffered with the reality of who this man Jesus really was. Why didn't he do something for someone he loved when he had done so much for strangers along the way. It even says that Jesus wept. He was overtaken by his emotions and the compassion he had for all those he loved who were hurting. Then He did the impossible: he brought a man back from the dead who had been dead for four days.

What struck me recently about this story is in the twelfth chapter of John, verses 9-11. A great number of Jews were coming to see Jesus and to witness with their own eyes Lazarus alive. As a result, the chief priests were seeking a way to kill Lazarus, because on account of his testimony, many Jews were becoming followers of Jesus. This struck me as I read it because when I started my ministry seven years ago I was told by God to share my testimony with every man he put in front of me, and he would open doors for me and take care of my family. That is what I have been doing ever since.

Being here in a new place, with people who think differently and do things differently I have been more hesitant to share my testimony. The biggest motivating factor was for fear of persecution. But when I read this passage and realized that my testimony is going to make the enemy afraid and I am going to be persecuted as a result, I have found a renewed passion to do what God has asked me to do. It is becoming clear that my doing so will probably make things more difficult here. But God never promised our lives would be easy when we follow him. He just promised He would take care of us. As I was praying about this today I got a peace that comes form knowing who has my back. The enemy, the world, other believers can only do to me what God allows them to. And every person who wants to shut me up or discourage me is another platform on which to share the good news.

Same Book, New Chapter

As we were preparing to move, all I knew of God's plans were what He revealed to me at the time. I wasn't sure if we would be doing the same thing we did in Minneapolis or if we would be doing something brand new. God told me that one of the purposes of the move was for Jean to be a resource to other people. That is starting to manifest itself here. She has been helping some friends of ours here in Tucson with their autistic son. He is making strides in how he communicates his needs and doing things differently than before. The purpose is to get people to see the big picture of where their child can and will be. If we look at our present struggles and circumstances through the lens of what it will accomplish in the future, we are empowered and encouraged instead of discouraged and hopeless. We were also able to make connections with the down syndrome community here. I see big possibilities for Jean and her business. She has already been approached by parents who want to help their children read and communicate more effectively.

One of the things that is helping Jean is that she has been hired by a local school district. This district is very cutting edge in how they do inclusion. In fact her job as a special-ed teacher will be to work closely with a team of adults that includes regular-ed teachers as well as para-professionals. They call this position an inclusion specialist. When I look at all the training she has received the last several years, and the lessons she has learned from Joseph and working with other educators, I am excited to see her do her dream job. My hope and prayer is that this opportunity will lead her to greater opportunities to affect long-term change in the disabilities community.

Another thing the Lord showed me was that I would reap the benefits of someone else sowing. And my previous post focuses on a focus on deliverance. Well I have been ministering alongside the Tucson Gospel Rescue Mission. The head chaplain for the men's facility has given me an open door to minister there. I have seen great opportunities to share my heart with the guys. Every week I am there, I see God send me men who are not new to recovery. The mission has done a great job of sowing into them and now God is sending them to me to reap the benefits. We are currently planning a Community of Men group that will focus on helping men who graduate from the recovery program get assimilated back into their community. I will work with the men to use the principles they have learned to change their lifestyles and build a support community or themselves. Right now, I am working with two guys, and my plan is to pour into them and prepare them to lead others into community in the future. So my opportunities are coming in what I know and what I am good at. But along with that is a new found focus on deliverance. The Lord has been showing me what spiritual strongholds are present here and preparing in me the knowledge and approach to battling them. So I will focus on three main components in my ministry here: breaking spiritual strongholds, healing prayer and strategies for living out our deliverance and healing. Stay tuned for more information, and thanks for your support and prayers.

The Front Line

It has been brought to my attention recently that Tucson is a demonic gateway to the United States. What this means is that there is a greater openness to the supernatural. And it also means that there are several demonic influences allowed to have influence here. It is basically like there is a battle going on over the border. Satan has always had control of the border, allowing certain things to flow into the United States through Tucson. But God is sending people to Tucson who are equipped to do spiritual battle and take back the border. In other words, God is going to do something in the United States, but it will not come until the borders have been taken back from the enemy.

This information fills in the blank for me about why we are here. While I was preparing to come on this move, I had several times of worship and prayer. Often during these times God would show me visions and things that were pieces of a puzzle, but not the whole thing. Many of them had to do with spiritual warfare, secrets of the enemy and what strongholds are prevalent today. He told me during one of these times that He was going to send me somewhere to make preparations; to begin to prepare for a move of God. During one vision, I saw myself doing demonic deliverance in a large church service setting, and saw training centers where people were trained to help people walk out their deliverance.

This information also makes sense when I see all the spiritual opposition that we have faced since we have been down here. The enemy has tried to put wedges between Jean and I, turning little things into giant things that make us question each other and not want to work together as a team. We can't seem to get too settled because our minds are bombarded with worries and doubts and fears. We see so many reasons why us moving here makes no sense. We gave up great schools in Minneapolis and great jobs and ministries to have to start all over again. We are having difficulty finding employment and are in need of another vehicle. But we don't have the resources to buy one right now. We believe God and His promise to provide for us, I just point these things out as the types of things the enemy is telling us.

When we moved into our apartment complex the Lord told me He was giving it to me. He had me walk around the complex for six days and on the seventh day to do it seven times. What the Lord showed me was amazing. On the last time around I saw a vision of demons that were allowed to reign in this place. They were bound by the wrist and their mouths were covered so they could not speak. Then He told me they were bound for ninety days and I was free to minister without opposition for that period of time. It has been awesome to see the opportunities I have had to share with some of my neighbors. They are open to the good news and several have expressed interest in studying the Bible further.

We have also seen God perform miracles right before our eyes. Every week people are getting miraculously healed of diseases, including cancer. Doctors continue to be baffled by what they are seeing. Demons are being forced to release their grips on people's lives and people are walking in freedom from depression, and fear, and other physical manifestations.

The greatest thing we have experienced do far, however has been God invading us with His love. We have been participating in an intensive discipleship program for the past three weeks. The teachings, the devotions, the journaling has opened Jean and I up to see God completely differently and ourselves differently as well. Just today I was floored by the idea that God created me in order to show me His love and His blessings, that Jesus willingly went to the cross to win me back and that He is preparing a place for me so that we can be together forever. I am motivated more than ever to participate with Him in what He is doing in Tucson.

Will you pray for us? Will you allow God to use you to fight this battle or souls, for families, for freedom, for an invading of the world with His love?

Bound By the Spirit

"And now behold, bound by the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me." Acts 20:22-23

These were Paul's words to the men that he had discipled. They were afraid for him, because the Holy Spirit had warned them that Paul would be bound. Yet Paul's response was that he was already bound by the Spirit. His future was secure because he knew who was leading him. There are three reflections based on what Paul was saying that I want to share with you, and then let you know how this affects Jean and I as well.

First, none of who are followers of Jesus Christ is in charge of our future. When we make Jesus our Lord and master, we give Him control over our decisions, our actions, even our thoughts and beliefs. We recognize that God is sovereign and His knowledge and power are far greater than anything we can come up with on our own. Paul said that when he referred to being bound by the Spirit. He had to go to Jerusalem, there was something inside of him that made any alternative uncomfortable.

Second, we have no control over the outcome of our obedience. Paul knew that every town he went to he would face opposition, some more severe than others. But he did not let the possible outcomes stop him from fulfilling his mission. He was driven by a force that was more powerful than human reason and intellect. He constantly went into a hostile environment because he was sold out to his mission. We too, need to live our lives the same way.

Third, Whatever happens, just roll with it. Paul would go into a town and didn't know if it would be a quick passing through or if he would have to set up shop and stay there a few years. But he had no where else to be. His primary focus in ministry was the task that laid before him. That is how we need to live our lives as well.

As I reflected on this passage this week, I was struck by this thought. If we had known the obstacles we would have faced in Tucson thus far beforehand, could we have gone with such confidence? I knew we would face difficulty, but I thought things would be easier than this. Faced with this realization, I have come to the conclusion that I too am bound by the Spirit. I do not know what the future holds, nor do I know what the outcome will be of our move. All I can do is roll with it and whatever happens, its His will. I pray that you will come to a similar place in your life as well.

A Quick Update

I wanted to post a quick update for those of you who are following our blog posts. We are staying in an apartment complex that is rich with opportunity. The weather here causes people to want to be outside, which suits our family perfectly. We have met a lot of the children in the complex and I have had some great conversations in the laundry room getting to know others, hearing their stories and looking for points of connection. We have been richly blessed by our new church family in Tucson. They have been quick to offer us encouragement, invitations for dinner and even physical blessings. We moved into our apartment with nothing, and now it is mostly furnished thanks to others who have blessed us with their extras. God is faithful to provide when we walk in obedience to him.

Jean and I have found a school that we believe will be the best fit for the boys. We are excited to get them into school and allow them to begin to make new friends and gain new experiences through that. Nothing is without its challenges though. Many of the things we were able to do for Joseph's education will be a challenge down here. But God has assured us that He is advocating for Joseph. He would not call us here without providing for the needs of our family. So we just have to trust Him with things thsat we have no control over and pray for favor as we begin to affect educators in Tucson.

I will begin building a Tucson chapter of Community of Men next week. It is difficult when I am an outsider and unknown here. I have nothing to go on except God's promise to me seven years ago when I first started the ministry. He told me to share my story, He will open doors that I cannot, and He will provide for my family. That has been the case the last seven years, and I trust it will be moving forward as well. God Bless!

Hurry Up and Wait!

The title of this post really fits well with how I have been feeling the last few days. I want to give you an update of what has happened and explain myeelings about it as well. I spent a lot of time the last several months preparing for this move. We gave all our stuff away, we said all our goodbyes. We rented out our house, and quit all our jobs. We went round and round trying to figure out wha God was doing, and waiting to see what would happen. When He told me to head to Arizona I was feeling nothing but excitement. I couldn-'t wait to see what God had for us to do whatever it was I was ready for it. Whenever I come blindly into anew city I usually start with looking up a church in my denomination because it gives me some instant credibility and there is shared values and beliefs. So we prayed about it and went to a church that we've.t God was directing us to. It turned out to beexactlywhat wehad hoped. An awesome church, with a heart for discipleship and building community, am emphasis on accountability and training up leaders. That fits with what God has been showing me for a while. Th pastor and his wife have a child with autism and that caused us to relate to one another on a whole other level as well. So things were lining up and it seemed like God had laid things out.

Then I began to realize that I have entered into a whole new world. This culture is very different from the one I was raised in and even from theone I have lived and ministered I for the last fifteen years. I realized that it would not be a quick transition but that I had some learning to do, and that I have to put in the time to build relationships and earn people's trust, because I am very clearly an outsider. Jean and I are up for the challenge. Butwerealizedthat we had to be committed for the long haul if we are to see God's purpose for us here come to fruition. So we are looking for housing and facing the realization that we need to find work, find furniture, and find some sort of school for the boys to attend.

How am I feeling about all this? Mixed emotions would describe it pretty good. I was not thinking Iq would hurry up and wait. But God told me that this pastor has something to deposit into me while I am here. It is something that I will need for my future ministry. He also told me that Wewill be a blessing to this church as well. I have to trust God in everything, and He continues to ask more anymore of me. I have no where else to go, and noting else to do but to trust the Lord and to wait for Him to make our paths straight as we acknowledge Him in all our ways.

I am currently typing this from my iPad which makes editing documents more difficult. I ologize for the gram