The Times Are Changing!

Over the past few weeks, my life and that of my family has taken a sharp turn. Beginning with this post I hope to lay out a few points that will give you reason to stop and think for half a second. I am fortunate that in my job, when I work nights I can do what I wish for the majority of the time. I used to spend that time watching videos or playing games on my laptop, but ever since hearing Mike Bickle’s Power of a Focused Life message, I have provoked to a higher level in life. I am challenged to attain greater things than just idly wasting away being entertained by all the world has to offer. Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying what all is out there is bad, in fact some is good, but it is not best. I want the best there is for my family. This is a daunting task and one that I am struggling to get my head around, but the cool part is that there are many people around me both geographically and spiritually that are of like mind for themselves and their families. It is interesting to me how many people have come along with me on this journey even though they began it from various starting points.

Step 1 was being awakened to the Power of a Focused Life. This is all about reclaiming the lost hours of your week, attaining vision, setting goals and laying out action plans to achieve the goals all while keeping the focus on reading and studying the Word, our Daily Bread. If you haven’t done so already, please take the time to click on the link above and go through the 4 part series and notes for this. It will change your life.

These messages simmered in my spirit for a few weeks; meanwhile, a small contingent of frozen headed northerners began the Omega Series journey. This is an introductory study of the End Times presented by Mike Bickle and the International House of Prayer. It is a great conversation starter, and headache inducer, but so far, it has been a fun journey. We hit the half way mark tonight.

As the messages and the series were building on one another, our local church had a series of messages based on the Sermon of the Mount and one a couple weeks ago about achieving goals. One interesting thing spoken that resounded around the church was that if a person wants to be successful at something doing it alone is almost doomed to fail. If you find accountability with someone, to hold you on task and spur you on, the chances at success go up an astounding 85%! Here is a link to this message

Bringing everything to the boiling point was the Onething Conference held in KC, MO the last several days of 2008. This marked the 5^th conference I have either attended or watched or listened to. Mike Bickle had sent an email out saying that he thought this was the most important conference he had ever put on in his 30 or so years of doing conferences. He is not one to overly dramatize anything, and I was eager to hear what was to be said, who was to say it, and how it would hit my heart. You can watch the entire conference still here.

All of this material has my head spinning, my heart burning, my spirit yearning, and my life being changed eternally. I am still working on a series that will have more detail and I will be posting it very soon, but meanwhile, spool up on the material liked above. Download any of the teaching notes you can find and most of all, read the Word and pray! This nation and all of us need it more than ever!

 

Getting it Off my Chest Part Deux

Tonight Rachel and I helped in the Children’s, Ministries. It was fabulous to be able to be with the kids and doing what is our passion again. It seems like it was so long ago that we were teaching the little ones at the International House of Prayer in KC. Tonight, the theme was dreams based around the book of Daniel. It has been awhile since I read this book, so this afternoon, I read a good portion.

A few things stuck out to me. Daniel and his 3 amigos were some brave comrades. I was provoked by their brazenness to having done all else, stand. They were determined not to slight God in any way and would literally go through fire for God.

Why is it then that we are not living this reality for ourselves? Why aren’t we raising our children with this boldness? Why do we allow the light in our heart to be extinguished by a co-worker that is ill-tempered? Why are we so, weak? I have an idea why. But what do you think?

I found it rather ironic that this week, my thoughts, prayers and heart were turned to Joel 2 that I referenced earlier. In the children’s service, we were shown a puppet show of the fiery furnace that takes place in the book of Daniel. Do you know why they weren’t burned? Do you know why the soldiers that threw them in the furnace dies, yet they did not. It was because they were blameless and they stood up for God. They didn’t back down. It makes me tremble to think of how unworthy I am of such rescue.

So in answer to the questions posed earlier, I say this; we have little to no light, and are weak for basically two reasons. First, lack of earnest prayer time both corporately and alone. Second, we are too divided. If a nation divided cannot stand, how can a church? Any military strategist will tell you, divide and conquer is the key to victory. Well, this isn’t your everyday battle we are living out. It is a battle that will be unlike anything ever seen in history, and according to Ephesians 6, it isn’t against flesh and blood. So how do we fight it, we pray. 24/7 we pray. As we lay our heads on our pillows at night, we ask God to meet us in our dreams and give us the visions like Daniel had. Dreams that would show us what is needed to be done in the right timing. Ask God for discernment and wisdom. Talk to him and believe! Believe He is the God that made you and has power over all things. If God is for us, who can be against us? For you two readers out there, I pray that you will take these words to heart and get real. Get serious. Ger real serious about your life, both on this, and the other side of eternity because whether you like it or not, eternity is only a breath away.

 

Friday Thoughts

How long has it been since you last sat and pondered what the desire of your hear is?  When is the last time you made a list of goals and put it somewhere you would see it every day?  When is the last time you looked at the list, prayed over it, and made a plan to do something about it?  There is a familiar saying, “aim at nothing and you hit it 100% of the time”, how many of us are aiming at nothing?

I am determined to not waste time.  I have been on this drive for a long time now, and am only now-even defining what that really means.  We all heard as kids that we could be anything we wanted to be in life.  Most of us then heard later that this wasn’t true. I believe that we can become whatever we want, the key is to set goals.  Set the goal of the vision, then the milepost goals as I call them.  Mileposts give you a marker to shoot for between the beginning and the ultimate goal, it allows for recognition of success in midst of the journey.  Also, it is necessary to set baby step goals.   Occasionally, when the going gets tough, we have to set goals to get through the next hour, much less the next day.  It is important though to make sure we continue moving forward and to never give up.  My grandfather gave me a great piece of advice, courage + determination = success.

Last night as I was listening to Bill Johnson of Bethel Church in Redding, CA. speak, he made a comment that I really liked in relation to what I am saying.  He was talking about the armor of God.  God provokes us to move forward and seek after Him.  This is why if you read about the Armor of God, there is no armor on the back of us.  God is behind us.  How many times in life have we been doing our own thing, neglecting God, but when we turn back to Him, He is right there.  We don’t have to even take a step besides turning around and saying “help”.

So take a few minutes today, search your heart, write a few goals, and send up a prayer.  I don’t and I don’t want you to waste another day shooting at nothing.  Take aim and call for God’s fire to light the fuse on your vision.

 

Could it be? Would it be? Should it be?

Today was my Friday.  Wednesday is my Saturday and Sunday, and last week was my vacation.  I left both of you readers with a hook, or a tease last week.  I spoke of a wind blowing.  A wind of change.  While I don’t yet know the destination of the sailboat I mentioned, I do know that the boat has motion to it again.

As mentioned previously, I have been praying and seeking after a vision.  I want something akin to what Moses had.  I want a personal revelation of why I am on this rock called earth.  While being a part of IHOP and helping advance the prayer movement is good and I believe a noble cause, it is Mike Bickle’s vision, not mine.  I am all about being a man of prayer and am finding I actually like to pray and talk to Father above.  But I am still contending for a vision that will sustain me through life. And even recently, I believe some of this has started coming into focus.

All my life (well since I was probably 4-5), I knew I was called to preach.  Not necessarily to huge crowds, but most likely over coffee or dinner.  At the same time, in the core of my soul, I long to be int he outdoors.  I long to be a part of God’s Creation at all times.  I honestly think I would love to be a fishing/hunting guide, or perhaps a better fit would be The Wilderness Family.  Me and my family, in the middle of Alaska without anything to sustain us but the land.  Oh God, let it be!!

But here I am.  In KC.  In the heart of America.  So how does that work?  Enter my good friend We’ll call him Greg to protect the innocent. Greg goes off to Cabelas almost two weeks ago and while there, guess who showed up?  God.  Greg’s heart became so alive with-the idea of being in the outdoors and coupling that with a ministry.  Greg gets home and immediately calls the only thing wild he knows (me) and tells me all about his idea.  I about fall off my chair thinking, “wow this could actually work.”  See, Greg has read Wild at Heart by John Eldridge and even attended one of the “Boot Camps” they offer.  He said it was amazing and we could pattern our ministry after this, helping see men’s hearts come alive again to God and then do the same for wives, and families!  What an awesome idea and adventure.

So we have talked at length about it and thought about it and been praying about the potential ministry.  Even today, I was reading the Bible and wondering how I could ever have anything to say to a bunch of men/peers that would help bring their hearts closer to God.  I came across the scripture that says “confess your sins one to another”.  I paused when I read it and thought how rare it is that people confess their sins to each other to  be held accountable.  So today, I was honored when a person confessed to me.  It was a kiss from God, making His word alive to me when I needed it most.  How is it that we children of God can go through life, largely on our own?  No wonder there is every drug imaginable for every symptom you can think of.  Imagine if everyone confessed sin to their peers and walked through life with maturity and accountability.  What a different hunk of rock floating through space this would be!

So thank you co-heir of the throne for confessing to me and honoring me by asking to be held accountable.  But even more importantly, thank you for cementing in my heart to chase after that vision that is beginning to take shape.  I went out and bought Wild at Heart today.  While it may not be the most theological bok ever written, I have a feeling it is going to be a great day to spend afew hours of my Wednesday.  Blow, winds, blow!

 

Happy Days!

My heart is especially alive today. Granted, by this time tomorrow I will be at my vacation destination, but beyond that, God is up to something.  We have been praying and working through a few things lately.  I have been asking God for a vision that is long term and big.  I want to know that everything I do, day in and day out is not in vain.  Sometimes it is really to think otherwise.

So, as we have been thinking about, and kicking up dust on whatever may be out there for us to pursue, an almost undetectable breeze began to blow.  Even when we were least expecting it, it blew.  While we slept and dreamed, it blew.  It never gained strength or became much more that enough to move a dandelion seed, but it blew none the less.  Now, after seemingly a long time sitting in a sailboat, unmoving, waiting for a gust of wind, the sail popped full of a breeze, and momentum is stirring again.  Stirring the core of the heart, stirring the family into things only once thought of, and even then not in fullness.

How is that for a hook and a riddle for you faithful two readers?  Is it tantilizing enough?  Are you curious?  Well, so am I.  Know that for the next week my family and I are not only spending quality time together, we are asking God to cotinue the work begun.

Please be praying for the winds to blow.  There is a bunch going on and it is GOOOOD!

I will be updating the blog while we are gone fishing and hunting for God

 

A New Beginning at a New Site!

I have to say that I am totally happy with wordpress right now. The switch over was really simple and the extra features here are pretty cool. The ease of customizing is great! I already have a new picture at the top and will be spicing things up even more over the next week or so.

There has been a lot happening on the Pleasants frontier lately, so let me do this in semi-chronological order.

The beginning of January came and went so fast it could be argued that aliens came and abducted me and brought me back abot 30 minutes ago, but knowing that didn’t really happen, suffice it to say TONS happened. We had a guest from Alaska that was here for about 12 hrs as she was on her way to Springfield, MO to stay with a friend. Springfield is a good 3-4 hr drive from the KC airport (major hub) so they stayed the night with us on thier way back. I never even got to see them as my day starts at 6am most days and doesnt end until I crash about 10pm.

Later that week, Kenny and I were invited to attend what was probably the first ever WEATHER BLOGGERS meeting. I am huge fan of weather, and I have to say, KC has some fantastic extreme weather. We went to the local NBC studio and listened to the weather team, headed up by Gary Lezak tell us all about what they do. Mr. Lezac even has a theory on a recurring cycle that sets up in Oct-Nov and continues through the following August. This year the pattern of major storms has been on a 42-46 day cycle, and it has been fascinating to watch weather repeat itself. Here is a picture of Kenny, myself, Gary and Stormy the dog. We had a lot of fun and it was “boy’s night out”. The Weather Hounds

So next came another guest from Alaska. We didnt get to know her too well while were in Alaska, and it’s a shame. She is a great lady and has a great heart for kids and God. We talked a bunch and as it turned out, helped her make up her mind what to do on the house she purchased while she was here. Right now , a bunch of her stuff is in my garage waiting to be placed in the house once closing is finished.

So as the end of the month approached, we heard about the weather ocne again turning cold and we were out of firewood. At the same time, a friend affectionately referred to as Cornhusker showed us a local building surplus store that carries everything to build a house, but we focused on tile. We decided to change the tile of the fireplace and in front of the fireplace and by our sliding glass door leading to our deck. We used Travertine tile which is simply gorgeous and the job came out great thanks to the help of a great friend. Before/During Construction , After tile laid, w/o grout on Fireplace, Tile in front of door w/o grout NOTICE THE DECK!!

So now the last week of January is here and what are we up to? Next week we are gone for the weekdays to Big Cedar with a group of friends. The first 2 days will be just our family, but then it will be a total of about 20 people enjoying a lodge-like atmosphere and kicking back. When we get back, we jump right back into the deep end of Prayer Ground management with a conference right away and special sessions at church that are going over the Song of Songs and End Times. We do allof this while home-schooling the kids, having people over regularly and trying to find time to do things like laundry, dishes and showers.

Thank God for 24hr prayer and 24 hrs in a day!