From Brendon: Deep within my heart has resided a vast error. It was hidden so deep that I was unaware of it until recently and at times still not convinced it even exists. The error is my misunderstanding of the Kingdom of Heaven and how I have been responding to it. Let me break this down a bit. I believe the Kingdom of Heaven, or Kingdom of God, has come to Earth. My response to this has been in error. In many ways I felt that because I believed this and am walking in the grace of God and following Jesus with sincerity, it gave me license to live as I chose and do, for the most part, what I wanted and especially with MY money. Never did I feel or view Biblically that I was allowed to enter into gross sin or rebel, but it was much more subtle than that. Much much more subtle. While reading through Matthew the Holy Spirit spoke to me through a parable for a couple of days, and even though my reading has moved on, my mind and heart continue to meditate on this very short story. Here's that parable:
The Kingdom of Heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Matthew 13:44
In one sense my old thinking was correct. God is not asking me to sell ALL I own and live in poverty for the Kingdom of Heaven. However, this was not my error. My error was diminishing the true value and worth of the Kingdom of Heaven. By giving my life an honest look I saw how I valued my possessions, money, time, energy, etc. as having more worth than Jesus. He MUST be seen as worthy, completely and perfectly worthy of all of me. Just as the man who bought the field knew it was of greater worth than all his possessions. This includes my possessions, money, time, energy, etc. Do I see God's kingdom as great treasure? Or do I see it mixed in as another one of my possessions?
I pray that I see what God is offering me, if I would only be willing to give up all of myself, including my very life. All of my stuff and my worth traded for all of God's Kingdom and His worth? Sounds obvious now.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Two Visions
From Brendon:
VISION #1
I saw a ship headed for shore on a stormy night. Waves crashing against the rocky coast. The ship's captain, crew and passengers were unaware how close they were to danger due to the lighthouse not working properly. Without the lighthouse working properly there was nothing the ship or the naive crew could do as they remained unaware of the dangers awaiting.
VISION #2
There was a beautiful green landscape full of trees, animals, hills and vegetation. It was a wonderful view in every direction. Over this land people declare its glory and majesty and will do all they can to spend time in it. It was a beautiful image I saw. Then it turned. It changed in an instant. The view became a barren, desert land with bare trees. The soil was now a light color and cracked with a thin layer of loose dirt blowing across its surface. Nothing, it seemed, would be able to grow in a place like this.
If you're intrigued by these and want to know what they mean, please email me at brendonandkara@gmail.com
VISION #1
I saw a ship headed for shore on a stormy night. Waves crashing against the rocky coast. The ship's captain, crew and passengers were unaware how close they were to danger due to the lighthouse not working properly. Without the lighthouse working properly there was nothing the ship or the naive crew could do as they remained unaware of the dangers awaiting.
VISION #2
There was a beautiful green landscape full of trees, animals, hills and vegetation. It was a wonderful view in every direction. Over this land people declare its glory and majesty and will do all they can to spend time in it. It was a beautiful image I saw. Then it turned. It changed in an instant. The view became a barren, desert land with bare trees. The soil was now a light color and cracked with a thin layer of loose dirt blowing across its surface. Nothing, it seemed, would be able to grow in a place like this.
If you're intrigued by these and want to know what they mean, please email me at brendonandkara@gmail.com
Monday, October 11, 2010
The Edge of Hell
From Kara: It seems as though the blog has gotten away from us! It's been almost a month and a half since our last post and since then we have wrapped up track one, had a two week break, and finished our first 2 full weeks of track two. It was a good break and I think we're ready to get back to writing about our accounts about what the Lord is showing us in and out of the prayer room.
The emphasis of track two seems to be taking the things the Lord is showing us about himself and his love for people and demonstrating them in the physical realm and outside of the walls of IHOP. This includes street evangelism, which in all honesty I am not very well equipped in, have many reservations, and this past Saturday had the chance to dive into head on. That brings me to the Edge of Hell.
Downtown Kansas City is known for a couple big haunted house exhibits during the month of October. (This isn't my sister Kimmy's "haunted house" that she put on in her bedroom for a birthday party one year...my family is quite creative to say the least). Tons of people, young and old, line up around the block to attend "The Edge of Hell" and "The Beast," and we get to be there to talk to people about spiritual things and pray that the Lord breaks in and saves people.
Not only did I feel super awkward in the social sense, but there was such a heavy spiritually dark presence as Brendon and I walked the blocks of abandoned buildings reconstructed as houses of horror, intermingled with screams, guys with chain saws (sans chain) chasing people around, and Michael Jackson's "Thriller" blasting over the loud speakers. We knew the demons were there and they knew we were there as well. I made Brendon promise that he would be my physical partner the entire night, also because he's been blessed with the gift of gab to talk to random people. I just felt lame...and kind of like I was on a re-con mission.
We had the opportunity to talk with a mother and her young daughter about her beliefs and what she thought about Jesus. She didn't believe that Jesus was the Savior of the world and didn't want to be persuaded otherwise, but it was good to talk with her nonetheless. I wanted to tell her about God's love for her and that He saw and desired her heart as well. Unfortunately that was an afterthought as we walked away. Ah, help me Lord to be bold! We walked together and continued to pray. Later on, the Lord highlighted a middle school boy sitting somewhat out of place among other pre-teen "zombie girls". In a moment of uncharacteristic boldness I introduced myself to him and talked to him about the Lord, his beliefs, his likes and dislikes, and told him what God thought about him: that God had a plan for his life and that he loved him. He had to go quickly as he was being called away. He accepted a few resources we were given to hand out and in my mind I prayed that a wall of fire would surround this young teenager and that the Lord would send his ministering angels and other believers to continue to plant, water and grow that spiritual seed.
Mmm. I guess I did it. And then I realized that it was not really about me, but about the Lord's heart being declared in a way that I was very unfamiliar with and somewhat skeptical. He truly can use anything and anybody to spread the truth of who he is. I also learned that I have a daunting cloud overhead that reads "the fear of man" that often storms above me. This is something I know the Lord is reworking and will continue to put me in circumstances where boldness is required. The last thing that struck me was the necessity of being bold in the arena of evangelism and declaring God's plan of salvation (whether through long-term relationships or "cold-turkey-street-style") because hell is a real place and this life is truly only a shadow of the eternal. Lord continue to make my heart break with the things that break yours.
The emphasis of track two seems to be taking the things the Lord is showing us about himself and his love for people and demonstrating them in the physical realm and outside of the walls of IHOP. This includes street evangelism, which in all honesty I am not very well equipped in, have many reservations, and this past Saturday had the chance to dive into head on. That brings me to the Edge of Hell.
Downtown Kansas City is known for a couple big haunted house exhibits during the month of October. (This isn't my sister Kimmy's "haunted house" that she put on in her bedroom for a birthday party one year...my family is quite creative to say the least). Tons of people, young and old, line up around the block to attend "The Edge of Hell" and "The Beast," and we get to be there to talk to people about spiritual things and pray that the Lord breaks in and saves people.
Not only did I feel super awkward in the social sense, but there was such a heavy spiritually dark presence as Brendon and I walked the blocks of abandoned buildings reconstructed as houses of horror, intermingled with screams, guys with chain saws (sans chain) chasing people around, and Michael Jackson's "Thriller" blasting over the loud speakers. We knew the demons were there and they knew we were there as well. I made Brendon promise that he would be my physical partner the entire night, also because he's been blessed with the gift of gab to talk to random people. I just felt lame...and kind of like I was on a re-con mission.
We had the opportunity to talk with a mother and her young daughter about her beliefs and what she thought about Jesus. She didn't believe that Jesus was the Savior of the world and didn't want to be persuaded otherwise, but it was good to talk with her nonetheless. I wanted to tell her about God's love for her and that He saw and desired her heart as well. Unfortunately that was an afterthought as we walked away. Ah, help me Lord to be bold! We walked together and continued to pray. Later on, the Lord highlighted a middle school boy sitting somewhat out of place among other pre-teen "zombie girls". In a moment of uncharacteristic boldness I introduced myself to him and talked to him about the Lord, his beliefs, his likes and dislikes, and told him what God thought about him: that God had a plan for his life and that he loved him. He had to go quickly as he was being called away. He accepted a few resources we were given to hand out and in my mind I prayed that a wall of fire would surround this young teenager and that the Lord would send his ministering angels and other believers to continue to plant, water and grow that spiritual seed.
Mmm. I guess I did it. And then I realized that it was not really about me, but about the Lord's heart being declared in a way that I was very unfamiliar with and somewhat skeptical. He truly can use anything and anybody to spread the truth of who he is. I also learned that I have a daunting cloud overhead that reads "the fear of man" that often storms above me. This is something I know the Lord is reworking and will continue to put me in circumstances where boldness is required. The last thing that struck me was the necessity of being bold in the arena of evangelism and declaring God's plan of salvation (whether through long-term relationships or "cold-turkey-street-style") because hell is a real place and this life is truly only a shadow of the eternal. Lord continue to make my heart break with the things that break yours.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Becoming by Beholding
From Brendon: I've discovered that I try to behold, really try, by gritting my teeth and closing my eyes really hard so I can try and see more of Jesus, but it turns out all I am doing is gritting my teeth and closing my eyes hard. No beholding is happening. I'm still trying to figure this out. However, I have a feeling its easy to stare at and behold Jesus. Maybe it's as simple as reading His word, meditation, prayer and worship.
This is how people become like Jesus. This is how the saints throughout history have drawn close to Him. It's no different from the Apostles to the children. Looking at Jesus, gazing upon the throne. To paraphrase 1 John 3:2, "When you see Him, you will be like Him."
Maybe feeding the hungry, clothing the poor, building homes in Mexico for those who didn't have one and giving away money doesn't make us more like Jesus. Without a doubt we can learn his heart and SHOULD be His hands and feet by doing these things, but until we behold Him and create a lifestyle of beholding Him, just wanting to see more of Jesus (because when we see Jesus we see the Father, John 14:9) then we'll never do these good deeds out of an overflow of love, but rather out of a sense of duty or because we find it personally satisfying. "If I have not love..." then these things, for these reasons, are just noise, clanging cymbals. Service must come from an overflow, which we can only receive from Him. Jesus has given us the ultimate tool in the Holy Spirit to help us behold Him through prayer, worship, His word and fasting. When we do these from love we are also able to move in power and boldness to effectively move the Kingdom forward.
We cannot muster revelation of Jesus, we receive it. It's easy to not do this, even when everyone around you talks about Him, sings about Him, and makes Him their lifestyle. We are a people prone to do good works and call them the better or greatest work. King David, with all his riches and authority had it right when he said, "One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple." Ps. 27:4
This is all in order to accomplish in our lives the greatest commandment. "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, soul, and strength." We seek to love Him this way, because it is the way He loves us, and makes us like Him.
This is how people become like Jesus. This is how the saints throughout history have drawn close to Him. It's no different from the Apostles to the children. Looking at Jesus, gazing upon the throne. To paraphrase 1 John 3:2, "When you see Him, you will be like Him."
Maybe feeding the hungry, clothing the poor, building homes in Mexico for those who didn't have one and giving away money doesn't make us more like Jesus. Without a doubt we can learn his heart and SHOULD be His hands and feet by doing these things, but until we behold Him and create a lifestyle of beholding Him, just wanting to see more of Jesus (because when we see Jesus we see the Father, John 14:9) then we'll never do these good deeds out of an overflow of love, but rather out of a sense of duty or because we find it personally satisfying. "If I have not love..." then these things, for these reasons, are just noise, clanging cymbals. Service must come from an overflow, which we can only receive from Him. Jesus has given us the ultimate tool in the Holy Spirit to help us behold Him through prayer, worship, His word and fasting. When we do these from love we are also able to move in power and boldness to effectively move the Kingdom forward.
We cannot muster revelation of Jesus, we receive it. It's easy to not do this, even when everyone around you talks about Him, sings about Him, and makes Him their lifestyle. We are a people prone to do good works and call them the better or greatest work. King David, with all his riches and authority had it right when he said, "One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple." Ps. 27:4
This is all in order to accomplish in our lives the greatest commandment. "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, soul, and strength." We seek to love Him this way, because it is the way He loves us, and makes us like Him.
Monday, August 30, 2010
"10 Weeks To A Softened Heart" And Then Some...
From Kara: We are now in our 10th week of our internship and time has flown by! We only have two more weeks to go before we are finished with track one. The Lord has shown me so much of Who He is and has greatly expanded my view of His heart, the heart for His people, and the end times. But even yet, I still feel like we've only begun. So, after much prayer, Brendon and I have felt lead to continue our internship with International House of Prayer to participate in their second track. This track will take us into mid December and we will celebrate Christmas with the Wiksell side before heading back for good to ol' Vancouver. However, as always, the Lord is free to change our plans to His desire.
This past week, the Lord used an amazing teaching by Matt Candler titled "Introduction to Intimacy with God" to stoke the flame of my heart to drawing near to Him. It also helped put a finger on why there have been many times in my Christian walk when I have felt restless, unsatisfied, frustrated, and bored. This was a two part teaching where he and his wife Dana tag-teamed the topic of intimacy with God and further understanding the heart of Jesus as Bridegroom towards his Bride the Church. (The following has been borrowed from his notes).
Matt presented the idea that the greatest crisis of our day in the church is found in the depth (or lack) of relationship with Jesus; that much of the church's activities, organizations, and focuses are often shallow, hollow, and void of the true intimacy of a REAL and PERSONAL relationship with our Savior. Matt stated that there are three interrelated facets in cultivating this intimacy: 1) His invitation to us 2) Substance found in relational knowledge 3) Overflow of this knowledge in love, communion, and pleasure with Him. His main thesis was that Jesus is a person/identity who is to be known relationally which can only be in attaining knowledge of him. This knowledge, however, is not purely academic/cognitive, but experientially based out of the foundation of love that draws us to deeper degrees of understanding and desire for Him. Matt stated the following:
"When applied to intimacy with God, the substance of knowledge is found IN THE FACE OF CHRIST (2 Cor. 4:6) and brought INTO A RELATIONAL CONTEXT THROUGH PRAYER."
"The treasure of the knowledge of God is not a question of purchasing the right teaching series, attending a certain service, living a particular place, experiencing a vision, or finding a specific book. Scripture makes it very clear that the height of God's self-disclosure (revelation) is found in beholding the Godman, Jesus."
"In the this light of the pandemic of burn-out and disillusionment within the body of Christ becomes less enigmatic. One can invest themselves with great fervor in religious activities but their spiritual growth will be stunted and their heart unsatisfied if their pursuit is not an overtly relational one centered on the man Christ Jesus."
Wow. I've felt that! Burnout, religious activity (thinking I was doing an activity because I loved the Lord only to truly be doing it to please man and to gain approval from God), disappointment, becoming jaded, and bored. I have tried numerous things, as well, to beat all of the above. And really, my heart's true desire is to come into intimacy with JESUS in "prayerful, adoring study of the person and work of Christ within the context of obedience." (Matt Candler).
After being a Christian for almost 20 years and hearing multiple teachings and right words of truth devoted to topics similar to this, I felt like this one actually sank a little deeper than the rest. Perhaps the Lord needed these past 10 weeks to soften the soil of my heart in order to make it go deeper this time. I hope it goes deeper still.
This past week, the Lord used an amazing teaching by Matt Candler titled "Introduction to Intimacy with God" to stoke the flame of my heart to drawing near to Him. It also helped put a finger on why there have been many times in my Christian walk when I have felt restless, unsatisfied, frustrated, and bored. This was a two part teaching where he and his wife Dana tag-teamed the topic of intimacy with God and further understanding the heart of Jesus as Bridegroom towards his Bride the Church. (The following has been borrowed from his notes).
Matt presented the idea that the greatest crisis of our day in the church is found in the depth (or lack) of relationship with Jesus; that much of the church's activities, organizations, and focuses are often shallow, hollow, and void of the true intimacy of a REAL and PERSONAL relationship with our Savior. Matt stated that there are three interrelated facets in cultivating this intimacy: 1) His invitation to us 2) Substance found in relational knowledge 3) Overflow of this knowledge in love, communion, and pleasure with Him. His main thesis was that Jesus is a person/identity who is to be known relationally which can only be in attaining knowledge of him. This knowledge, however, is not purely academic/cognitive, but experientially based out of the foundation of love that draws us to deeper degrees of understanding and desire for Him. Matt stated the following:
"When applied to intimacy with God, the substance of knowledge is found IN THE FACE OF CHRIST (2 Cor. 4:6) and brought INTO A RELATIONAL CONTEXT THROUGH PRAYER."
"The treasure of the knowledge of God is not a question of purchasing the right teaching series, attending a certain service, living a particular place, experiencing a vision, or finding a specific book. Scripture makes it very clear that the height of God's self-disclosure (revelation) is found in beholding the Godman, Jesus."
"In the this light of the pandemic of burn-out and disillusionment within the body of Christ becomes less enigmatic. One can invest themselves with great fervor in religious activities but their spiritual growth will be stunted and their heart unsatisfied if their pursuit is not an overtly relational one centered on the man Christ Jesus."
Wow. I've felt that! Burnout, religious activity (thinking I was doing an activity because I loved the Lord only to truly be doing it to please man and to gain approval from God), disappointment, becoming jaded, and bored. I have tried numerous things, as well, to beat all of the above. And really, my heart's true desire is to come into intimacy with JESUS in "prayerful, adoring study of the person and work of Christ within the context of obedience." (Matt Candler).
After being a Christian for almost 20 years and hearing multiple teachings and right words of truth devoted to topics similar to this, I felt like this one actually sank a little deeper than the rest. Perhaps the Lord needed these past 10 weeks to soften the soil of my heart in order to make it go deeper this time. I hope it goes deeper still.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Wedding Day
From Kara: We've taken a break from writing these past few weeks as we were privileged to go back home to spend time with friends and family. Among the reasons for the trekking back to the Northwest, was for one of our dearest and "bestest" friend's, Kirsten Palm (now Lalor!), marriage covenant to Brian!
The wedding was beautiful, Kirsten was even more beautiful, but the most beautiful thing was to witness Kirsten and Brian's love for each other and the faithfulness of Jesus in the midst of this union. This couple LOVES the Lord and will undoubtedly be greatly used in the Kingdom for the Lord's purposes.
Talking with Kirsten the last couple weeks before the wedding, I was able to see her longing, excitement, and hope not only for the upcoming ceremony, but for a life built together in unity as one. Before Kirsten and Brian met, we had been praying steadily for a husband that would come to Kirsten who loves that Lord with all his heart, mind, soul and strength. (One with an Irish accent would not be too bad either, Lord.) We knew he was out there, just not sure when or how! Ah, the Lord is faithful!
As we're back in the prayer room, a continued theme for all those who are familiar with IHOP is the Bridal Paradigm, in the sense that we as the church are the Bride of Jesus and he will come again and we will be united, fully One, one day. Jesus loves and pursues us as his beloved. This is something that the Lord has been trying to teach me, that I am fully loved and LIKED by God! This unwinding identity has helped to fuel a greater longing and endurance to pray and to be excited to sit before his feet and seek to listen what he wants to reveal. I know that he is coming and I know that he who began this good work will be faithful to complete it when he comes again. I'm not sure when, I know a little bit about how, and I know fully he will come and he desires to partner with us to let his Kingdom come. I wait for that day with great longing, excitement, and hope!
A prayer I've been seeking to meditate on: "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power together with all the saints to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." (Eph. 3:16-19). And if we pray this we can be sure he will hear and answer!
(So, Kirsten and Brian, this is my prayer for you as you begin this new and exciting journey as husband and wife (and all you reading as well!). Brian, I am blessed to have you as a brother in the Lord and I am confident that you will love Kirsten as Jesus loves the church. Kirsten, you are a beautiful, amazing, tender, gracious, merciful, faithful, loyal, and graceful woman. I am so blessed to call you friend!)
May we wait with eager longing and great expectation for the day of being united with our Beloved. Let's get ready! We have a wedding to attend.
The wedding was beautiful, Kirsten was even more beautiful, but the most beautiful thing was to witness Kirsten and Brian's love for each other and the faithfulness of Jesus in the midst of this union. This couple LOVES the Lord and will undoubtedly be greatly used in the Kingdom for the Lord's purposes.
Talking with Kirsten the last couple weeks before the wedding, I was able to see her longing, excitement, and hope not only for the upcoming ceremony, but for a life built together in unity as one. Before Kirsten and Brian met, we had been praying steadily for a husband that would come to Kirsten who loves that Lord with all his heart, mind, soul and strength. (One with an Irish accent would not be too bad either, Lord.) We knew he was out there, just not sure when or how! Ah, the Lord is faithful!
As we're back in the prayer room, a continued theme for all those who are familiar with IHOP is the Bridal Paradigm, in the sense that we as the church are the Bride of Jesus and he will come again and we will be united, fully One, one day. Jesus loves and pursues us as his beloved. This is something that the Lord has been trying to teach me, that I am fully loved and LIKED by God! This unwinding identity has helped to fuel a greater longing and endurance to pray and to be excited to sit before his feet and seek to listen what he wants to reveal. I know that he is coming and I know that he who began this good work will be faithful to complete it when he comes again. I'm not sure when, I know a little bit about how, and I know fully he will come and he desires to partner with us to let his Kingdom come. I wait for that day with great longing, excitement, and hope!
A prayer I've been seeking to meditate on: "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power together with all the saints to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." (Eph. 3:16-19). And if we pray this we can be sure he will hear and answer!
(So, Kirsten and Brian, this is my prayer for you as you begin this new and exciting journey as husband and wife (and all you reading as well!). Brian, I am blessed to have you as a brother in the Lord and I am confident that you will love Kirsten as Jesus loves the church. Kirsten, you are a beautiful, amazing, tender, gracious, merciful, faithful, loyal, and graceful woman. I am so blessed to call you friend!)
May we wait with eager longing and great expectation for the day of being united with our Beloved. Let's get ready! We have a wedding to attend.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Glory to Glory
From Brendon: Have you ever been in a thunderstorm? I mean REAL thunderstorm with lightning shooting across the sky right over your head, hail, thunder that shakes you to the core, and curtains of rain that constantly pound the Earth?! If you have then you know the awe and fear, maybe just slight, that it creates in you and there's a hope and a looking forward to it happening again. If you haven't experienced this, then you need to spend some time in the Mid West. Believe it or not, I'm not going to use this as a jumping off point for a spiritual lesson, although we all could. Feel free to ponder on that if you like.
I'm going to share something simple that God has been pressing on mine heart.
Honesty is a great policy, so I'll follow this great policy and let you know that I'm torn between terror and excitement. All because God is asking for transformation. Yes, He's asking me. Yes, God does a work in our hearts to cause transformation, but if I choose I could refuse maybe He would leave me alone, or I say "YES" to His calling on my life and I get to partner with Him in this age and see Him use me in some extraordinary things. Right now, that struggle is over lifestyle. Let me lay out what my life was like before moving our here: wake up and spend 30-60 min. in prayer, reading the Bible, go to work, count the hours before I was able to get home, get off work and go home, cook dinner, eat dinner, watch a movie or an episode of Lost with Kara then go to bed and sometimes we would pray for 10 minutes together in bed. Not bad, it was comfortable and every now and then we would meet up with friends or go hiking...something cool and really fun. Actually, I really enjoyed that life, but I knew I wasn't really seeking after Jesus (Deut. 6:4). There's the issue. God is calling me from that seeking of comfort, the reading His Word as duty, boring times of prayer and selfishness. He is calling me to see His Word as the primary pleasure in my life (that's craziness, right?), see people as the very children of God and prayer and fasting as transformative, and as a lifestyle. Here's a great verse:
"And we all, with unveiled faces, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." (2 Cor. 3:18) In verse 16 Paul says that when we look to the Lord the veil is removed. I believe this is not just that moment when we are saved but it is a continual, as we keep on looking the veil is removed more and more. The glass that we see through dimly is a little less dim the more we say "YES" to Him and agree to partner with Him. The GOD OF THE UNIVERSE WANTS US TO BE HIS PARTNERS! Can't wrap my head around that one. That's what I'm terrified and excited to do. May our Creator, who is God, give us grace to have our greatest pleasure in life be Him.
I'm going to share something simple that God has been pressing on mine heart.
Honesty is a great policy, so I'll follow this great policy and let you know that I'm torn between terror and excitement. All because God is asking for transformation. Yes, He's asking me. Yes, God does a work in our hearts to cause transformation, but if I choose I could refuse maybe He would leave me alone, or I say "YES" to His calling on my life and I get to partner with Him in this age and see Him use me in some extraordinary things. Right now, that struggle is over lifestyle. Let me lay out what my life was like before moving our here: wake up and spend 30-60 min. in prayer, reading the Bible, go to work, count the hours before I was able to get home, get off work and go home, cook dinner, eat dinner, watch a movie or an episode of Lost with Kara then go to bed and sometimes we would pray for 10 minutes together in bed. Not bad, it was comfortable and every now and then we would meet up with friends or go hiking...something cool and really fun. Actually, I really enjoyed that life, but I knew I wasn't really seeking after Jesus (Deut. 6:4). There's the issue. God is calling me from that seeking of comfort, the reading His Word as duty, boring times of prayer and selfishness. He is calling me to see His Word as the primary pleasure in my life (that's craziness, right?), see people as the very children of God and prayer and fasting as transformative, and as a lifestyle. Here's a great verse:
"And we all, with unveiled faces, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." (2 Cor. 3:18) In verse 16 Paul says that when we look to the Lord the veil is removed. I believe this is not just that moment when we are saved but it is a continual, as we keep on looking the veil is removed more and more. The glass that we see through dimly is a little less dim the more we say "YES" to Him and agree to partner with Him. The GOD OF THE UNIVERSE WANTS US TO BE HIS PARTNERS! Can't wrap my head around that one. That's what I'm terrified and excited to do. May our Creator, who is God, give us grace to have our greatest pleasure in life be Him.
Mary Didn't Got No Rolodex
From Kara: The Lord continues to draw my heart close to his with a variety of speakers and teachers that I have been blessed to listen to. I pray many of the things I'm hearing and chewing on will transfer to the prayer room as well. This past week we had a variety of speakers including the following that were all powerful, many of which focused on the transforming power of the Lord. Here is a sampling of people and events we experienced:
-Peter Loth was a Jewish WWII Holocaust survivor that experienced a myriad of atrocities(both during and after the war) and whose family lineage can be found in the Holocaust museum in Washington DC. He has spoken internationally and has authored "Peace by Piece," his own biography and journey of forgiveness towards the Nazi regime. The underlying message he sought to bring was forgiving those who have hurt us as Jesus has (whether "small" or "large" offenses). It was a powerful testimony and one I am blessed to have listened to in person.
-Tom Cole and his wife are founders of the inner healing ministry "Pure Heart," a happily required course for IHOP interns. He came to talk about the course and gave us a summary of his own testimony, which included experiencing emotional distance/disconnection from his biological father, two accounts of sexual abuse he sustained by men he knew when he was a child, struggling with homosexuality, living as an openly homosexual man for many years, experiencing the love that Jesus had for him through a believing woman he worked with, who also invited him to church and was soon saved. This was a powerful testimony of how the Lord can use us as his tangible hands and feet to lead others to truly know him.
These were two speakers that stood out. IHOP also hosted a youth focused conference this past weekend that we helped out at, "Fascinate." This conference called youth around the nation to a devoted and consecrated life and calling out strongholds that distract, affect time management, those things that can subtly make long roots in one's heart (including adults): media and social networking sites, which was the theme during the section I attended. The call was to help increase a fascination with Jesus and increase a long lasting devotion/intimacy with him. Oh yeah! And we were able to have a time to be prophesied over(encouragement/edification/strengthening)by more vetran staff students of IHOP.
As you may have noticed, this is all a bit random and scattered. In a way, this is how my brain feels right now...but in a positive way. There is so much that I want to sit, process, and chew on. These themes of forgiveness, inner healing, and consecration continue to roll around in my skull. (Even more so, we are being BLOWN AWAY by a teaching/study on Revelation by Corey Stark--leader of the "Intro to IHOP" section of IHOP. Thesis: Revelation is all about Jesus. Wow! Good, good stuff). I desire to take these things, among others, to the prayer room and often times I have a hard time pulling from the Rolodex of teachings/themes to meditate and contemplate. (And I realize now that this blog may be more for my processing rather than for your ease of reading. Forgive me for that!)
And then, what I really just need to do is quiet my mind and put the Rolodex away and be as Mary, listening to her Rabbi; sitting and gazing at Jesus (Luke 10:40-42). Because, really, it's all about him. Lord help me to make this a reality. Even when I'm scattered, random and distracted, help me to gaze. Because as our teachers eloquently stated, when we behold Jesus we become like Jesus. Amen.
-Peter Loth was a Jewish WWII Holocaust survivor that experienced a myriad of atrocities(both during and after the war) and whose family lineage can be found in the Holocaust museum in Washington DC. He has spoken internationally and has authored "Peace by Piece," his own biography and journey of forgiveness towards the Nazi regime. The underlying message he sought to bring was forgiving those who have hurt us as Jesus has (whether "small" or "large" offenses). It was a powerful testimony and one I am blessed to have listened to in person.
-Tom Cole and his wife are founders of the inner healing ministry "Pure Heart," a happily required course for IHOP interns. He came to talk about the course and gave us a summary of his own testimony, which included experiencing emotional distance/disconnection from his biological father, two accounts of sexual abuse he sustained by men he knew when he was a child, struggling with homosexuality, living as an openly homosexual man for many years, experiencing the love that Jesus had for him through a believing woman he worked with, who also invited him to church and was soon saved. This was a powerful testimony of how the Lord can use us as his tangible hands and feet to lead others to truly know him.
These were two speakers that stood out. IHOP also hosted a youth focused conference this past weekend that we helped out at, "Fascinate." This conference called youth around the nation to a devoted and consecrated life and calling out strongholds that distract, affect time management, those things that can subtly make long roots in one's heart (including adults): media and social networking sites, which was the theme during the section I attended. The call was to help increase a fascination with Jesus and increase a long lasting devotion/intimacy with him. Oh yeah! And we were able to have a time to be prophesied over(encouragement/edification/strengthening)by more vetran staff students of IHOP.
As you may have noticed, this is all a bit random and scattered. In a way, this is how my brain feels right now...but in a positive way. There is so much that I want to sit, process, and chew on. These themes of forgiveness, inner healing, and consecration continue to roll around in my skull. (Even more so, we are being BLOWN AWAY by a teaching/study on Revelation by Corey Stark--leader of the "Intro to IHOP" section of IHOP. Thesis: Revelation is all about Jesus. Wow! Good, good stuff). I desire to take these things, among others, to the prayer room and often times I have a hard time pulling from the Rolodex of teachings/themes to meditate and contemplate. (And I realize now that this blog may be more for my processing rather than for your ease of reading. Forgive me for that!)
And then, what I really just need to do is quiet my mind and put the Rolodex away and be as Mary, listening to her Rabbi; sitting and gazing at Jesus (Luke 10:40-42). Because, really, it's all about him. Lord help me to make this a reality. Even when I'm scattered, random and distracted, help me to gaze. Because as our teachers eloquently stated, when we behold Jesus we become like Jesus. Amen.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Lesson from the Rock Gym
From Brendon: This week I would like to share with you something from my journal on July 15th.
"Last night I had a vision of myself at a rock gym climbing a 30 ft. wall, and I was at the top. I was roped in and everything was good, safe and I was feeling well accomplished because I just climbed to the top. All I had to do now was let go and be belayed to the floor, but I couldn't, or wouldn't do it. I was happy at the top and felt no need to let go, but I felt God say, "Let go, I am the rope." Of course I respond, "I know you have me." That was the crazy part about all this, I KNEW He had me secure, but I couldn't let go. Not that I was unwilling, but I felt more like I was unaware of the fact that I was still holding on to the wall. "Let go," He would say again very patiently. "Okay," I responded with a smile and feeling safe and secure in my Father's arms, yet there I remained. Soon I conceded and took my feet off the wall. "There, now you have me, all of me. See how you're supporting all my weight?!" I was so proud of myself. My hands were still holding the wall and now I'm parallel to the floor."
This is where the vision ends, but it's VERY clear what it all means. The wall is what I needed/ need to let go of and Jesus is the rope. What's funny though was my ignorance of needing to let go of anything. Let's jump to later that night at the Student Awakening (which you have to check out if you haven't yet. www.ihop.org). God is moving powerfully amongst the people bringing deliverance from anxiety, sexual immorality, addictions, and anything you can imagine. In me though God points out 3 things: Fear of Man, apathy toward injustice, and comparison. "Let go!" So this time I really do let go. These three things hinder me and many others from doing the will of God on the planet. Imagine a Christian who worries about what others think of him, isn't concerned with making wrong things right, and then looks around at all the other Christians to see how he's doing and for his identity. Not good. He is not yet done with me though, he is now working on strengthening these weak areas, and I know I keep looking back at the wall to which I used to cling, so I pray for grace in weakness. Everyday He is faithful to provide the ability to let go and embrace Him. He never holds it over me, He never smacks the back of my head or gives me a discouraging word, but only more of Himself, more love. Once again Jesus delivers me and so He will continue...making me more like Him.
Surrender all and Jesus is faithful to reveal Himself to you in increasing glory each day. Seek Him with all your heart, soul, and strength so your heart is positioned for more of Him. Beloved, He REALLY loves you.
"Last night I had a vision of myself at a rock gym climbing a 30 ft. wall, and I was at the top. I was roped in and everything was good, safe and I was feeling well accomplished because I just climbed to the top. All I had to do now was let go and be belayed to the floor, but I couldn't, or wouldn't do it. I was happy at the top and felt no need to let go, but I felt God say, "Let go, I am the rope." Of course I respond, "I know you have me." That was the crazy part about all this, I KNEW He had me secure, but I couldn't let go. Not that I was unwilling, but I felt more like I was unaware of the fact that I was still holding on to the wall. "Let go," He would say again very patiently. "Okay," I responded with a smile and feeling safe and secure in my Father's arms, yet there I remained. Soon I conceded and took my feet off the wall. "There, now you have me, all of me. See how you're supporting all my weight?!" I was so proud of myself. My hands were still holding the wall and now I'm parallel to the floor."
This is where the vision ends, but it's VERY clear what it all means. The wall is what I needed/ need to let go of and Jesus is the rope. What's funny though was my ignorance of needing to let go of anything. Let's jump to later that night at the Student Awakening (which you have to check out if you haven't yet. www.ihop.org). God is moving powerfully amongst the people bringing deliverance from anxiety, sexual immorality, addictions, and anything you can imagine. In me though God points out 3 things: Fear of Man, apathy toward injustice, and comparison. "Let go!" So this time I really do let go. These three things hinder me and many others from doing the will of God on the planet. Imagine a Christian who worries about what others think of him, isn't concerned with making wrong things right, and then looks around at all the other Christians to see how he's doing and for his identity. Not good. He is not yet done with me though, he is now working on strengthening these weak areas, and I know I keep looking back at the wall to which I used to cling, so I pray for grace in weakness. Everyday He is faithful to provide the ability to let go and embrace Him. He never holds it over me, He never smacks the back of my head or gives me a discouraging word, but only more of Himself, more love. Once again Jesus delivers me and so He will continue...making me more like Him.
Surrender all and Jesus is faithful to reveal Himself to you in increasing glory each day. Seek Him with all your heart, soul, and strength so your heart is positioned for more of Him. Beloved, He REALLY loves you.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Running Fast
From Kara: The Lord continues to unwrap parts of my heart to experience greater intimacy with Him. Sometimes I'm receptive towards his promptings and have great times of fellowship with Him in the prayer room. Other times I find myself struggling to stay awake to engage in reading or prayer. I'm glad He knows our weaknesses. We serve a gracious Maker.
Speaking of graciousness, He's brought us into a season of learning and seeking to practice more of the discipline of fasting. We're reading "The Rewards of Fasting" (which I highly recommend) (Bickle and Candler) and it has truly opened my mind and heart to a discipline that is often neglected in the Christian circle for a variety of reasons (particularly in my life), but as the authors assert, it is and should be an integral part of our relationship with the Lord. It provides an avenue for breakthrough, insight, healing, and most of all tenderizing one's heart to greater intimacy with him. I won't go into all the details the book offers (as they also provide a clear outline of difficulties and dangers of fasting as well) but it has challenged me to seek an often intimidating and uncomfortable spiritual discipline.
Hence the graciousness. Fasting is just hard (at first). Thoughts of bread, pizza, and the buttered asparagus (??...oddly enough) danced through my mind this past week when I should have been meditating on the Lord and entering into worship. It can be easy to get down on yourself for this. Or, conversely, think yourself more highly than you ought when you are "bearing this burden." (Perhaps He thinks more highly of me because of my "sacrifice!") Oh little lamb. We serve a gracious Maker.
As the leaders have reiterated, with any spiritual discipline, the more we are confident in our relationship with Jesus and what he thinks about us (that he loves us and even LIKES us! And that we cannot earn this) we can experience the disciplines, particularly fasting, with an outcome of greater intimacy and tenderness from our Savior. And that makes it less hard. Even highly desirable.
This seems to be a discipline in and of itself, believing that God delights in me as a father delights in His children. It might take me awhile, but I'm glad He promised to continue this good work until the day of completion. And in the meantime I'll ask for an extra helping of grace. I am confident He will deliver.
Speaking of graciousness, He's brought us into a season of learning and seeking to practice more of the discipline of fasting. We're reading "The Rewards of Fasting" (which I highly recommend) (Bickle and Candler) and it has truly opened my mind and heart to a discipline that is often neglected in the Christian circle for a variety of reasons (particularly in my life), but as the authors assert, it is and should be an integral part of our relationship with the Lord. It provides an avenue for breakthrough, insight, healing, and most of all tenderizing one's heart to greater intimacy with him. I won't go into all the details the book offers (as they also provide a clear outline of difficulties and dangers of fasting as well) but it has challenged me to seek an often intimidating and uncomfortable spiritual discipline.
Hence the graciousness. Fasting is just hard (at first). Thoughts of bread, pizza, and the buttered asparagus (??...oddly enough) danced through my mind this past week when I should have been meditating on the Lord and entering into worship. It can be easy to get down on yourself for this. Or, conversely, think yourself more highly than you ought when you are "bearing this burden." (Perhaps He thinks more highly of me because of my "sacrifice!") Oh little lamb. We serve a gracious Maker.
As the leaders have reiterated, with any spiritual discipline, the more we are confident in our relationship with Jesus and what he thinks about us (that he loves us and even LIKES us! And that we cannot earn this) we can experience the disciplines, particularly fasting, with an outcome of greater intimacy and tenderness from our Savior. And that makes it less hard. Even highly desirable.
This seems to be a discipline in and of itself, believing that God delights in me as a father delights in His children. It might take me awhile, but I'm glad He promised to continue this good work until the day of completion. And in the meantime I'll ask for an extra helping of grace. I am confident He will deliver.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
My Humbled, Learning Heart
From Brendon: Well, the first week is over. We've seen laughing in the Spirit, singing, praying in the Spirit, healing, weeping and repentance. I love it all. If I were to highlight my favorite moments this week my blog would be much, much longer than Kara's (which I highly recommend you read if you haven't).
God is opening my eyes and my heart more to Him each day. Before I came here I rested much of my relationship with God on what I KNEW, with my mind, He wanted and what He had taught me in the past along with my current knowledge base. I've learned that does not matter to Him so much as my present state of relationship to Him. He wants me NOW, and ALL of me. Jesus wants to (present-tense) be in relationship with me and keep me close. God the Father is wanting to bless His children, WANTING to pour out vast amounts of His love upon us if we would only position our hearts in a way to receive it from him. Before this I thought my 30-45 min. every morning of "quiet time", being patient, reading Christian Literature and not raising my voice, made the Father happy. Not so much. The relationship was stagnant and my joy in Him was rare. HOW AWFUL! He is waiting, just WAITING to pour out His fullness over us! Instead of receiving that, I would comfort myself or choose to be entertained. Sometimes I wouldn't really choose either, but just sit surfing the internet with mind numbing material.
This is only the first week and I have experienced more of the sweet love of Jesus and the Father by the power of the Holy Spirit than I have in my lifetime. All I have done is received it and said "yes" to whatever the Lord had. There is another critical factor here and it is that we are in a community of people who have said "yes" to the fullness of His will. Such a thing would not have been possible without such a community.
I'll end with a verse I've been meditating on: Proverbs 9:10 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; the knowledge of the Holy One is revelation." Do we fear the Lord? Really? Or just know we should? Knowledge is not academic, but intimate, as a husband knows his wife. It is this knowledge of Jesus that leads us to revelation of Him, because it is in that place that he is willing to reveal it to us.
I love you all and I pray that you would experience Proverbs 9:10.
God is opening my eyes and my heart more to Him each day. Before I came here I rested much of my relationship with God on what I KNEW, with my mind, He wanted and what He had taught me in the past along with my current knowledge base. I've learned that does not matter to Him so much as my present state of relationship to Him. He wants me NOW, and ALL of me. Jesus wants to (present-tense) be in relationship with me and keep me close. God the Father is wanting to bless His children, WANTING to pour out vast amounts of His love upon us if we would only position our hearts in a way to receive it from him. Before this I thought my 30-45 min. every morning of "quiet time", being patient, reading Christian Literature and not raising my voice, made the Father happy. Not so much. The relationship was stagnant and my joy in Him was rare. HOW AWFUL! He is waiting, just WAITING to pour out His fullness over us! Instead of receiving that, I would comfort myself or choose to be entertained. Sometimes I wouldn't really choose either, but just sit surfing the internet with mind numbing material.
This is only the first week and I have experienced more of the sweet love of Jesus and the Father by the power of the Holy Spirit than I have in my lifetime. All I have done is received it and said "yes" to whatever the Lord had. There is another critical factor here and it is that we are in a community of people who have said "yes" to the fullness of His will. Such a thing would not have been possible without such a community.
I'll end with a verse I've been meditating on: Proverbs 9:10 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; the knowledge of the Holy One is revelation." Do we fear the Lord? Really? Or just know we should? Knowledge is not academic, but intimate, as a husband knows his wife. It is this knowledge of Jesus that leads us to revelation of Him, because it is in that place that he is willing to reveal it to us.
I love you all and I pray that you would experience Proverbs 9:10.
Monday, July 12, 2010
A Heart Awakened
From Kara: We finished our first full week here at IHOP and what a ride! Our schedule felt busy but not overwhelming. I felt full in the midst of the busyness rather than drained or merely hanging on by a thread. The Lord has brought a confirmation that he is working on my heart to tenderize and bring more of his felt presence to me. Praise Him!
We had our time in the Global Prayer Room (which is the 24/7 room devoted to time spend singing through the Word and interceding corporately and individually for nations/cities and praying for revival of America), listening to teachings in the mornings with our Intro group, meeting with our small group to share a meal Wednesday night, serving as an usher in various services, helping out with the Children's Equipping Center on Sunday, and then our time in the Student Awakening (starting back in November of 2009, this awakening has continued until today and is demonstrated as gatherings on Wednesday through Saturday evenings. The Lord brings his manifest presence and as the body calls out for repentance, revival, and transformation of hearts to live out the first commandment to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength as we prepare for the Lord's return. More on that to come.)
It's difficult to know where to begin in all this. There is so much that the Lord is doing both in my heart and externally among the body of believers, not only in IHOP but all over the world. One thing that I really appreciate is that during our times when the Intro students meet, the leaders stress that our time here is not about IHOP. Our vision must be expanded beyond ourselves and even the internship. It's not about this organization that the Lord is growing exponentially. It's about Him. I will try and highlight and muse over two things about our time this past week. (Lord help me to be concise!)
- CEC (Children's Equipping Center, or rather IHOP for the kiddos. I actually thought they should have called the CEC "Lil' Hoppers." I digress.)
Both Brendon and I were assigned to work with the 6-7 year olds to serve during Sunday mornings. Our first Sunday was mostly being introduced to the program, the kids, and the schedule. People kept saying that we'd be wrecked (a positive thing:) ) by what these kids will teach us about the Lord and how to have faith like a child. I may have arrived a bit jaded in working with kids as I went in with more of a casual attitude. (Don't get me wrong I love, love, love them, but I've been around much tragedy in my former job as a child and family therapist, so I think this is much needed). We were able to sit in on the teaching and worship time for the children. It's really like a little church service as they are seeking to train up the children in the foundational truths of Scripture and the Lord. Older kids lead worship (quite skillfully) and little ones would close their eyes, raise their hands to the Lord, and dance before him! (Nothing like that to warm a jaded heart). During the teaching there were questions from six year olds to the teacher like, "What does revival mean?," and "What does consecration mean?" What?! Amazing. Let the little children come to Him indeed.
-Student Awakening (Wed-Sat 6-10ish, also broadcasted live at ihop.org).
My brother-in-law Marshal said to go to IHOP with an open heart and an open mind. Our IHOP leaders said words like, "When people manifest..." Mani-whaa??, said the Conservative Baptist pastor's kid. So, needless to say, all of this is really new to me. When the leaders talked about people "manifesting," (manifesting the power of the Holy Spirit)I really didn't know what to expect. The first night when one of the leaders went up to help enter us into a time of experiencing a greater move of the Spirit, there were giggles, laughter, shouts all over the room and some began to jerk, sway, fall and shake. Prayers for healing, repentance, revival, and transformation all included as well. I resonated with the leaders statement that said we are not seeking experience only but for a true transformation of heart and mind to live a life of righteousness and consecration before the Lord. So if you are here for some "shakes and giggles" and then going home to return to an un-holy lifestyle, let conviction come, beloved. Amen.
And underneath the surface, the Lord was drawing my heart to look at myself and others in a new identity. His identity. From Mike Bickle's "The Rewards of Fasting,": "The gap between knowing that God loves us and actually experiencing that love is rooted in living from a false identity based on the way people receive us, rather than on how God receives us. How we think and feel about ourselves is greatly impacted by those whose opinions we value most...God wants our identity and sense of value to be rooted and grounded in the knowledge of His affections for us (Eph. 3:17-18). That is where our hearts come alive!"
That is my prayer for you. That the Lord would give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation, that the eyes of your understanding may be enlightened, that you may know the hope of your calling in Him, and that you my know the riches of his inheritance in you; to paraphrase a saint of old. You are loved.
We had our time in the Global Prayer Room (which is the 24/7 room devoted to time spend singing through the Word and interceding corporately and individually for nations/cities and praying for revival of America), listening to teachings in the mornings with our Intro group, meeting with our small group to share a meal Wednesday night, serving as an usher in various services, helping out with the Children's Equipping Center on Sunday, and then our time in the Student Awakening (starting back in November of 2009, this awakening has continued until today and is demonstrated as gatherings on Wednesday through Saturday evenings. The Lord brings his manifest presence and as the body calls out for repentance, revival, and transformation of hearts to live out the first commandment to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength as we prepare for the Lord's return. More on that to come.)
It's difficult to know where to begin in all this. There is so much that the Lord is doing both in my heart and externally among the body of believers, not only in IHOP but all over the world. One thing that I really appreciate is that during our times when the Intro students meet, the leaders stress that our time here is not about IHOP. Our vision must be expanded beyond ourselves and even the internship. It's not about this organization that the Lord is growing exponentially. It's about Him. I will try and highlight and muse over two things about our time this past week. (Lord help me to be concise!)
- CEC (Children's Equipping Center, or rather IHOP for the kiddos. I actually thought they should have called the CEC "Lil' Hoppers." I digress.)
Both Brendon and I were assigned to work with the 6-7 year olds to serve during Sunday mornings. Our first Sunday was mostly being introduced to the program, the kids, and the schedule. People kept saying that we'd be wrecked (a positive thing:) ) by what these kids will teach us about the Lord and how to have faith like a child. I may have arrived a bit jaded in working with kids as I went in with more of a casual attitude. (Don't get me wrong I love, love, love them, but I've been around much tragedy in my former job as a child and family therapist, so I think this is much needed). We were able to sit in on the teaching and worship time for the children. It's really like a little church service as they are seeking to train up the children in the foundational truths of Scripture and the Lord. Older kids lead worship (quite skillfully) and little ones would close their eyes, raise their hands to the Lord, and dance before him! (Nothing like that to warm a jaded heart). During the teaching there were questions from six year olds to the teacher like, "What does revival mean?," and "What does consecration mean?" What?! Amazing. Let the little children come to Him indeed.
-Student Awakening (Wed-Sat 6-10ish, also broadcasted live at ihop.org).
My brother-in-law Marshal said to go to IHOP with an open heart and an open mind. Our IHOP leaders said words like, "When people manifest..." Mani-whaa??, said the Conservative Baptist pastor's kid. So, needless to say, all of this is really new to me. When the leaders talked about people "manifesting," (manifesting the power of the Holy Spirit)I really didn't know what to expect. The first night when one of the leaders went up to help enter us into a time of experiencing a greater move of the Spirit, there were giggles, laughter, shouts all over the room and some began to jerk, sway, fall and shake. Prayers for healing, repentance, revival, and transformation all included as well. I resonated with the leaders statement that said we are not seeking experience only but for a true transformation of heart and mind to live a life of righteousness and consecration before the Lord. So if you are here for some "shakes and giggles" and then going home to return to an un-holy lifestyle, let conviction come, beloved. Amen.
And underneath the surface, the Lord was drawing my heart to look at myself and others in a new identity. His identity. From Mike Bickle's "The Rewards of Fasting,": "The gap between knowing that God loves us and actually experiencing that love is rooted in living from a false identity based on the way people receive us, rather than on how God receives us. How we think and feel about ourselves is greatly impacted by those whose opinions we value most...God wants our identity and sense of value to be rooted and grounded in the knowledge of His affections for us (Eph. 3:17-18). That is where our hearts come alive!"
That is my prayer for you. That the Lord would give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation, that the eyes of your understanding may be enlightened, that you may know the hope of your calling in Him, and that you my know the riches of his inheritance in you; to paraphrase a saint of old. You are loved.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Ode to T-storms, Fran and Lost Sheep
From Kara: Ah...Midwestern T-storms. As a child of the NW I though myself to be well versed in various forms of rain and encounters with storm clouds. Not so. I'm actually a wee babe when it comes to understandings such as sudden Kansas rain fall.
It was an overcast afternoon yesterday (but still 82 degrees...sticky). I decided to go for a run as I have committed myself not only to try and expand my spiritual disciplines but also my physical disciplines (please pray for me). My mother-in-law Fran and I both looked outside at the gloomy sky. We talked about how it was nice to run with a light rain to keep you cool. And indeed it is.
As I set out on my way I noticed the sky looked particularly dark, a little more so than it did when I left. No matter, continue on, Self! Some light rain drops hit my head. Refreshing. All of a sudden, though, the little scattered drops were transformed into a downfall of blinding sheets of water. I was almost giddy. How fun! Like running in a shower...
My giddiness soon turned into slight concern. I heard the low and progressively louder rumbles of thunder and a few flashes of lightning. Then I was a little more concerned. This is where my vast inexperience with all things Midwestern came in. What is the likelihood I would be struck my lightning? If I'm the tallest object out in the open would that increase my chances? I'm around all these trees, is that safe? I decided to run back home.
As these thoughts were hopping around in my brain, cars began to pull over to the side of the road as the sheets of water made visibility nearly impossible. More thunder. And more lightning. I calculated where I was and still had a good 5 blocks to go. Water poured on top of me and my shoes made a lovely squishing sound as I ran through small rivers on the side of the road. The people who were pulled over must have thought I was crazy. I felt crazy.
As I turned the bend and saw the house I let out a little "whoo-hoo!" I made it! But then I looked down the street and saw the tail lights to Fran's car ahead. She was out looking for me! I didn't know if she saw me, so I ran back to the house and waited a bit and then called her to let her know I was safe...and drenched.
And now a spiritual application with all this (you knew it was coming). I thought back when I turned the corner and saw Fran's car. I didn't mention it before but when I saw she had gone out to find me I got a little teary. She was out looking for me because she was concerned! She cared about me enough to venture out in a torrential downpour to make sure I was okay! I thought about the Shepherd and the one lost sheep from the 99. The lengths our Father goes to seek us out. It's a beautiful thing.
So it turned out to be a pretty decent run. A little physical exercise and a spiritual truth included. But most of all, I was reminded of the true love our Father has for us and the lengths he will go to re-claim us to himself. And also reminded of what an amazing mother-in-law I have. A true servant through and through. Thanks Fran, I love you.
It was an overcast afternoon yesterday (but still 82 degrees...sticky). I decided to go for a run as I have committed myself not only to try and expand my spiritual disciplines but also my physical disciplines (please pray for me). My mother-in-law Fran and I both looked outside at the gloomy sky. We talked about how it was nice to run with a light rain to keep you cool. And indeed it is.
As I set out on my way I noticed the sky looked particularly dark, a little more so than it did when I left. No matter, continue on, Self! Some light rain drops hit my head. Refreshing. All of a sudden, though, the little scattered drops were transformed into a downfall of blinding sheets of water. I was almost giddy. How fun! Like running in a shower...
My giddiness soon turned into slight concern. I heard the low and progressively louder rumbles of thunder and a few flashes of lightning. Then I was a little more concerned. This is where my vast inexperience with all things Midwestern came in. What is the likelihood I would be struck my lightning? If I'm the tallest object out in the open would that increase my chances? I'm around all these trees, is that safe? I decided to run back home.
As these thoughts were hopping around in my brain, cars began to pull over to the side of the road as the sheets of water made visibility nearly impossible. More thunder. And more lightning. I calculated where I was and still had a good 5 blocks to go. Water poured on top of me and my shoes made a lovely squishing sound as I ran through small rivers on the side of the road. The people who were pulled over must have thought I was crazy. I felt crazy.
As I turned the bend and saw the house I let out a little "whoo-hoo!" I made it! But then I looked down the street and saw the tail lights to Fran's car ahead. She was out looking for me! I didn't know if she saw me, so I ran back to the house and waited a bit and then called her to let her know I was safe...and drenched.
And now a spiritual application with all this (you knew it was coming). I thought back when I turned the corner and saw Fran's car. I didn't mention it before but when I saw she had gone out to find me I got a little teary. She was out looking for me because she was concerned! She cared about me enough to venture out in a torrential downpour to make sure I was okay! I thought about the Shepherd and the one lost sheep from the 99. The lengths our Father goes to seek us out. It's a beautiful thing.
So it turned out to be a pretty decent run. A little physical exercise and a spiritual truth included. But most of all, I was reminded of the true love our Father has for us and the lengths he will go to re-claim us to himself. And also reminded of what an amazing mother-in-law I have. A true servant through and through. Thanks Fran, I love you.
Monday, July 5, 2010
The Beginning (Part 2)
From Kara: Last Friday we had our orientation for IHOP and we will begin to have a full week of our regular schedule this upcoming week beginning Tuesday, July 6th. Mondays will be our Sabbath and we will be at IHOP Tuesday through Sunday, in the prayer room, going through teachings with our group (about 75+ people) and being involved in helping out around the house of prayer.
Thanks to Drew Pick (one of our friends at Imago Dei Vancouver, our home church in Washington) who unknowingly inspired our title for this blog. I laughed when he termed IHOP "International House of Prayercakes," as a combination of IHOP the pancake house and IHOP the prayer house :). Wit and humor included, I thought this is a great title! And to draw even more depth out of this clever term, "prayercakes" brought to mind the image of the Lord providing manna from heaven for the Israelites as they were positioned in the wilderness. As the Lord provided these "cakes" from heaven for his people, so my prayer is that we can offer worship/praise/proclamations of His worthiness back to God in this season.
All that to say, Drew Pick, you are a funny, funny man.
I find my heart in a tough place and not so easily drawn into the atmosphere of surrender and grace that IHOP provides. The leaders at IHOP are true servants and have a passion and fire for the Lord that is encouraging during this season. The fast paced, task focused track that I have been on for the past few years seems to have made my heart less pliable than I thought. I know the Lord will be working on softening and opening me to himself, but it will take some time. I guess that's why John Piper fittingly described prayer as an act of waiting. My old "friends" Anxiety, Doubt, and Comfort still call from the corners of my mind and tempt me to sit with them for awhile. Lord, please help me to find company in the rest of your arms and be content with waiting under the shadow of your wing.
Friends and family, thanks for walking with us during this time. We love you all and as the Lord walks with each of you, let us know how we can be of support through intercession on your behalf.
Thanks to Drew Pick (one of our friends at Imago Dei Vancouver, our home church in Washington) who unknowingly inspired our title for this blog. I laughed when he termed IHOP "International House of Prayercakes," as a combination of IHOP the pancake house and IHOP the prayer house :). Wit and humor included, I thought this is a great title! And to draw even more depth out of this clever term, "prayercakes" brought to mind the image of the Lord providing manna from heaven for the Israelites as they were positioned in the wilderness. As the Lord provided these "cakes" from heaven for his people, so my prayer is that we can offer worship/praise/proclamations of His worthiness back to God in this season.
All that to say, Drew Pick, you are a funny, funny man.
I find my heart in a tough place and not so easily drawn into the atmosphere of surrender and grace that IHOP provides. The leaders at IHOP are true servants and have a passion and fire for the Lord that is encouraging during this season. The fast paced, task focused track that I have been on for the past few years seems to have made my heart less pliable than I thought. I know the Lord will be working on softening and opening me to himself, but it will take some time. I guess that's why John Piper fittingly described prayer as an act of waiting. My old "friends" Anxiety, Doubt, and Comfort still call from the corners of my mind and tempt me to sit with them for awhile. Lord, please help me to find company in the rest of your arms and be content with waiting under the shadow of your wing.
Friends and family, thanks for walking with us during this time. We love you all and as the Lord walks with each of you, let us know how we can be of support through intercession on your behalf.
Friday, July 2, 2010
The Beginning (Part 1)
From Brendon: The beginning really starts back in the fall of 2009. Kara and I had been longing for a more disciplined life of study, prayer, and fasting for the Kingdom of God. Kara's sister had finished a 3 month internship with IHOP (Int'l House of Prayer) several months earlier and we saw the impact it had had on her relationship with the Lord.
Now, a bit of background. I'm from the Midwest, totally Midwestern boy. My Dad is from Iowa, my Mom is from Nebraska, they met in Missouri, I was born in Oklahoma, grew up in Kansas, college in Colorado and my brother went to college in Missouri. Through and through, I'm Midwest. Kara and I moved in to my parents house in Overland Park, KS. So this is coming home for me and I'm really excited to be here and have Kara experience a hot and humid Midwest summer.
IHOP had been in my life just about since it went 24/7 10.5 years ago. It is a place of God's presence, anointing, and part of a global prayer movement that He has been raising up for generations. The growth of the Prayer movement is now growing exponentially and we are excited to come on board during such an amazing time. The purpose of this blog, like most I guess, is to keep you up to date on what the Lord is teaching us and revealing to our hearts during the 25 hours a week we spend in the prayer room. Please check out the webstream of the prayer room at www.ihop.org. Then click on the Prayer Room icon on the lower left of the screen. You'll be surprised at what you see. It's not a webstream of people sitting quietly in a circle doing popcorn prayer. It is dynamic, it is full of worship and it is a blessing to the Lord and to millions around the globe. Join us in this time. We want to be in prayer for you and your ministries. Blessings to you all.
Now, a bit of background. I'm from the Midwest, totally Midwestern boy. My Dad is from Iowa, my Mom is from Nebraska, they met in Missouri, I was born in Oklahoma, grew up in Kansas, college in Colorado and my brother went to college in Missouri. Through and through, I'm Midwest. Kara and I moved in to my parents house in Overland Park, KS. So this is coming home for me and I'm really excited to be here and have Kara experience a hot and humid Midwest summer.
IHOP had been in my life just about since it went 24/7 10.5 years ago. It is a place of God's presence, anointing, and part of a global prayer movement that He has been raising up for generations. The growth of the Prayer movement is now growing exponentially and we are excited to come on board during such an amazing time. The purpose of this blog, like most I guess, is to keep you up to date on what the Lord is teaching us and revealing to our hearts during the 25 hours a week we spend in the prayer room. Please check out the webstream of the prayer room at www.ihop.org. Then click on the Prayer Room icon on the lower left of the screen. You'll be surprised at what you see. It's not a webstream of people sitting quietly in a circle doing popcorn prayer. It is dynamic, it is full of worship and it is a blessing to the Lord and to millions around the globe. Join us in this time. We want to be in prayer for you and your ministries. Blessings to you all.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)