February 7, 2008

As I began my drive to work this morning, my mind was perusing the question of what I might write about today. As I drove along, I kept observing some of the more obvious signs of spring–things such as the early blooming maple trees and the gatherings of the now fattened robins, preparing for their return to states north of us, whose ice and snow are saying, "Not yet." I also began to think about those of us who have developed a bond with the land, whether by necessity or desire. That bond awakens something in all who love the land, to bring out their implements for preparing the ground and to ready it for the planting of the seed. None of those folks spend much time studying their calendars or the weather reports; their spirits are revived, their memories are awakened, and they are eager to get started. Like children who, even though they know it is not quite Christmas yet, cannot conceal their excitement, these folks know that it is not yet safe to plant, but have to get started anyway.

Many of us once loved to dig in the dirt, whether to plant food crops or just to make our yards pretty, but our love affair with such things has waned, and if the urge to dig and plant stirs us at all, we can quickly quieten it with various and sundry excuses.

As I was meditating on that thought and thinking about how near death must seem to people–old, young, or anywhere in between–when neither their memories nor the signs of spring evoke in them thoughts and plans about planting. Now, if they contemplate anything, it will be more about dying than living. Perhaps they have either not heard or believed the promise of Yahshua to us who have received Him as Lord, "Whoever believes in me, shall not die."

Even as I was pondering these thoughts, I saw an aged man; he was sitting in a swing in his yard in front of his house. Because the air was quite cool, he was dressed in heavy clothing and had a toboggan pulled over his head. It was not his clothing that caught my eye so much as the position of his body. It was slumped forward, not as though he was preparing to get up and get busy with the things of spring, but as though the person inside was so resigned to the nearness and reality of death that neither spring nor memory could arouse in him the will to become involved. There he will while away his remaining years, which may be few, but who can say they will not be many?

Holy Spirit then began showing me some parallels in my life (and probably yours) to those things which I had just then observed in the natural realm. I was no kid at the time I was saved, so the things which I experienced could not be explained away by simply calling it a youthful thing. A veteran of four years in the U.S. Air Force, married, expecting our first child, two years in the arena of what is now known as consumer finance, I was, or so I thought, settled into the life of a professional. Then, Holy Spirit came calling and my whole world, as I thought it would be, was quickly and decisively changed and rearranged.

The earth was not shaking, nor were the heavens being punctuated by bright flashes of intense light, followed by thunderous rumblings, but my life quickly and thoroughly changed. The changes in my life were not the results of waves of emotion causing a rippling effect that could simulate change; the changes in my life were more the result of decisions to choose whatever course of action that would lead to my knowing Christ in an ever increasing way and position me to live in alignment with Yahweh’s purpose and will for me. The result of those choices led me to attend every scheduled meeting, not because I was trying to be religious or wanting to appear good. I simply wanted to be present with my newly-found brothers and sisters. I went to learn, and I did–in every meeting. I wanted to be present, just in case something of Holy Spirit’s doing happened and things of that nature came. If our Ekklesia did not have something scheduled, I tried to find something elsewhere. If there was a Bible study somewhere, I wanted to be there, simply for the joy of learning. When there were outreaches such as jail or street meetings, I was there. If there was not something scheduled, I became an outreach of one–knocking on doors, passing out literature and witnessing at every opportunity. Now, after more than fifty years, none of that has changed. The reason? By the grace and wisdom of the anointing I made the decision to be a man of choice–enjoying the emotions of the moment, but not being controlled by them.

My heart aches for the cause of the Ekklesia; only a few (to my knowledge) have chosen to be like-minded. Now many have withdrawn into what I can only describe as a winter of the soul. There is no desire to know more, nor do more. Nothing excites them anymore. Spring means nothing to them–their tools of planting and harvest have been laid aside to rust. Nothing excites them–neither the bells of Christmas, nor the songs of Easter. They sit in their seats, pulling their clothes to their bodies, oblivious to the fact that any life of the spirit, any warmth of the soul, has fled–and they wait for death. If that is you, there may be one opportunity to arise and shake yourself, one more time. Think about it.

I do not recall having ever presented to you a list of things about which I asked you to pray, but now I am.

For myself, I believe in and practice what I describe as "living in prayer." In other words, I want my life to be a life of prayer, rather than a series of prayers. However, I recognize that there are times and circumstances that call for more than prayer in a general sense; there are situations in which our praying needs to be more than personal and more than general. Some issues go beyond ourselves and encompass us all, as one body–one in the Spirit.

Here are some matters that affect us all, and about which I am asking you to pray, and pray until we achieve our objective.

At this time, we have two families engaged in our continuing mission to establish new Ekklesias of Christ’s Kingdom in localities where Holy Spirit has directed. Paul and Vivien Spell are laboring to establish The Rock of Atlanta, in Acworth, Georgia. A number of months were spent in simply securing a facility. That was accomplished and soon, the building was furnished and made suitable for our purpose. I had hoped for a quick path to self-sufficiency, but to this time, the progress has been very slow. We have spent and are spending a large amount for advertising, but that has not produced. So, at this time, I am asking you to make it a point to undergird Paul and Vivien in their ministry. Pray that the work will be established by the working of signs, wonders, and miracles. Pray that among the people who come will be those who can enable the ministry to reach self-sustaining status, quickly.

Steve and Sherri Skinner are establishing The Rock of the Shoals in Florence, Alabama. The Shoals is the name given to that area in north Alabama on the Tennessee River, and includes Muscle Shoals, Tuscumbia, Sheffield, etc.. The Skinners were fortunate to be able to secure a facility that is very strategically located and well suited for their purpose. They were able to prepare the building and commence meetings right away. To this point, the response to their ministry has been very tepid, to say the least.

Now, back here there are some things that we need to make happen. It has long been my belief that we should be a working prototype of the five-fold ministry. Though we have prayed and prophesied to that end and have achieved a measure of success, that vision yet remains unfulfilled. I have not given up on that vision; it is always on my mind. I ask you to support me in this matter and pray with me toward that objective.

This year’s Easter is earlier than usual, so that means that our First Fruits offering comes early. In some ways (natural) that is not a good thing, considering the present mood of the nation. Kingdom people are not bound to respond as people of this generation; we can choose to not consider those factors in making our decisions. Pray for yourself and this entire body that we will be bold in a time of trouble and that we will do valiantly to the praise of Yahweh. Kingdom come, His will be done.

Each gathering of us of The Rock can be made to be significant or it can be just another meeting, and none of this rests on Yahweh; it rests on us–just me, just you. The Spirit is willing and if we be willing and obedient, we shall eat the good....

Let us look to Holy Spirit within us and believe Him to empower us to work so awesomely that there will not ever again be a wistful desire to return to some mystic time of the past, because we are caught up in the now of Yahweh’s glorious presence.

I thank you now for taking my requests to heart. Fold up this paper, place it where you will be most likely to see it– in your bible or your TV Guide, whatever works better for you, and let us encourage one another.

During my transition from 2007 into 2008, I made some promises to myself; one of which was that I would, by Christ’s authority invested in me, not again preside over "just another assembly," but rather I would establish the agenda of each meeting accordingly as I discern the intent of Holy Spirit.

What a wonderful time we are experiencing as each meeting is marked by a special significance. While no one meeting can encompass and express all of the many issues of interest and concerns of those who are assembled, when one person is helped, everyone else is encouraged because they know Yahweh is not a respecter of persons and their help will be forthcoming.

When you are assembled together with us, rejoice as you see me helping others, then go and tell those you have opportunity to speak to, to come and hear a man whose ministry is shaping your life.

Tonight (Wednesday) I will complete the three nights I set apart to endeavor to help Apostle Steve Skinner in the early days of establishing The Rock of the Shoals in Florence, Alabama. I give you a good report. The high attendance was 37 and the number of individuals who attended is about fifty. Now, only a few of the new attendees can be considered as prospects, but the interest of this many people is significant. A good number of these people are in ministry and are wanting to know more about the five-fold ministry. Thank you for praying.

There are many other things in my spirit to tell you about, but not now–I must get this to JoAnn or you won’t even get this.

"The joy of the Lord is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:10) Whose joy gives you strength?

More than once during Israel’s history, it has been humbled, brought low, and subjugated to the authority of another people–a people who enslaved them.

The rise and fall of any people existing as a nation is always related to that nation’s response to the word of Yahweh; obedience always leads to exaltation; failure to obey, whether through ignorance or choice, always leads to humiliation.

In time, whether it be four hundred and thirty years in Egypt or seventy years in Assyria, Yahweh has always initiated a return of the dispersed to the land of their destiny. The initial moment of such a restoration begins as Yahweh reveals Himself in glory to a man whose response to Yahweh’s inquiry of: "Whom shall I send?" is "Here I am, send me."

Such a man was Nehemiah, whose story is in the book of the Bible that bears his name. As for himself and his family, life for Nehemiah was quite good, but as he considered the plight of the greater number of his people, he began to search for a way whereby he could relieve the oppressive burden laid upon His people. Through fasting and prayer he expressed to Yahweh his deep concern for his people, and Yahweh in turn called Nehemiah to the task.

Such individuals as Abraham, Moses, Nehemiah, Nolan, and you appear to others to be so strong that they have no need of approbation, and in some ways that is true, but not always, nor in all circumstances. Even an Elijah will have his own personal cave of despair.

A friend once told me about a man, whom I only knew by name and reputation. That man’s name was synonymous with "great preachers." He preached many camp meetings marked by marked numbers of participants, as well as signs and wonders. Accolades from other notables, as well as the common people flowed toward that man. Year after year he was sought by men who were his peers, in every way. Yet, among all the accolades spoken and written about him, the one that mattered the most to him, was conspicuously absent.

That man, in the sun-setting season of his life and ministry, confided to my friend that not once in all of their years together nor in any of his successes, had his wife ever spoken the words he most wanted to hear: "I am proud of you." We can never honor Yahweh unless and until we honor those through whom Yahweh is showing up in our lives. We cannot receive Him, unless we receive them.

Nehemiah set out to lead a return of his people to Judah. He soon learned that his trip would not be "a walk in the park." In the words of an old song, he began to experience what every would-be leader experiences: "fightings and fears, within and without." He needed help; he needed encouragement–lots of it. He soon learned that what he desired and needed the most would not be found in either the faces or the voices of the people. So, in the words of an old spiritual, Nehemiah learned to "look away to Jesus," and what he saw and heard was: "I am proud of you," and he wrote this ever lasting truth: "The joy of Yahweh is your strength." Back in our charismatic days, we sang and we danced joyfully to the words and the music of "The Joy of the Lord is my Strength."

I look into the faces of those to whom I am faithful; I listen intently to their voices. All I need to know is that they are proud of me. I can contend with and triumph over every enemy, whether from within or without, so long as I know that those who matter to me, are proud of who I am.

One year ago, Matt Powell was chosen to replace the outgoing basketball coach at Gulf Coast Community College. No sooner than he learned of becoming the head coach where he had served as assistant coach, did he follow through on a promise he had made. He chose Jonathan Murner, son of Scott and Deana, as the very first player to whom he gave a full scholarship. The team, under its new coach, practiced hard and played hard, but though its record was an improvement over recent years, it was not as good as had been hoped for.

I have no reason to believe that Coach Powell ever second-guessed himself about making Jonathan his very first player, but I would be surprised if Jonathan did not wonder what Coach was thinking, because though he and the team had a good year, it was not the stellar performance they had hoped to write into the record book.

By his action in the final team meeting, Coach said to everyone present, "I am proud of you." Then he said to the team, "I want to tell you why I chose this young man, Jonathan Murner, as my first scholarship recipient. I chose him because he is a winner."

My guess is that those simple words spoken by Coach Powell will be all the strength that Jonathan needs to help him through the off season and get him ready for his next season.

If anyone ever needed to hear someone say: "I am proud of you," certainly Yahshua did, and His Father’s approbation: "This is my son, in whom I am well pleased," was all the strength he needed to sustain him.

Whose joy furnishes you your strength? Who is waiting and wanting to hear you say, "I am well pleased"?

Never withhold from another what you alone can give.