I walk into the convenience store today to get a nice ice cold beverage. I see Dee, a muscular african-american woman. I don’t know her first name, but I know her name is Dee. I wonder.. what is that short for? I like Dee. She is always happy. She cusses quite violently sometimes (MF this, and MF that), but somehow her always cheerful disposition seems to offset that aspect of her personality. I put my the wares up on the counter and close the transaction. She says.. thank you kindly. What is it about Dee? I find myself curiously attracted to her in not an erotic sort of way, but just her spirit I guess. That cheerful disposition complete with lots of curse words.
I open my plastic Dr. Pepper bottle with a yellow twist top to uncover a series of numbers and letters. 1 in 6 Wins! Maybe, this
will be my miracle. What will I do if I win though and she divorces me? Will I cash in before or should I delay it until after the divorce? After all, should she have rights to this winning top since she is the ONE who wants to leave….. perhaps this will be the opening thought for my next book. A carefully interwoven plot line that walks backwards through my story of betrayal, murder, rape, incest, violence, multiple children’s lives, a Bible, 4 calves, a goat, a caught ostritch (o boy I’ve over done it again) and a little boy asking his mom why we are here.
I need to learn how to write first I guess.
Anyway, so today I was listening to a broadcast about prophetic annointing and stuff like that. I find it curious. The site offers such lovely things as “pomegrante” annointing oil, “prophetic” worship CDs, teaching, and so forth. Eat the orange and toss out the rind I guess. I do recall reading somewhere once that the oil did have a purpose though. Apparently, annointing one’s self in oil enhances one’s prophetic or as we call them now a days, psychic gifts, particularly for things like astral projection.
I bought one of their “prophetic” teaching mp3s. I find myself irrestistably drawn in by the “higher” faculties our minds are touted to possess and trying to learn all I can learn about spiritual warfare and such to get rid of these pesky demons, minions, and ministers - some more sinister than minsister attacking my family.
Anyway, as I listened to the teaching it wasn’t quite as “charimatic” as some of the groups that are out there, but did seem to reveal a number of things in the New Testament that I never quite “got” from a spiritual perspective. I had often looked at it purely from a historical and doctrine perspective. There are much deeper things being said still.
Here are my notes:
Jesus sitting in a boat….sleeping…… until….. the guys call out to Him. He awakens and SPEAKS peace to the storm. When He is done, He says something like.. “nice faith losers” in modern parlance.
Curious… how did He sleep through the storm. Answer.. perhaps He lived in the spirit world and thus was at peace through the storms. He is challenging us to do the same. I have my own storm I guess.. my own marriage is all but dead now.
Does God test us?
From somewhere in the OT – The prophet asked the King to strike the ground with arrows to win the battle. The King only struck 3 times. Since the prophet only struck 3 times and not 5 or 6, it was determined that he would win 3 small battles, but not the war. Israel gets beaten down because of this.
What is the lesson here?
Leaders without passion cost everyone who follows.
John the Baptist the greatest prophet of them all, though no records of visions, healings, etc.
John came to the forefront after 400 years of absolute silence from Heaven, in the most spiritually barren time in history, but he had perhaps the most significant job in history up to that time. Jesus said that John was the greatest man born of woman, yet those who are least in the Kingdom are greater than John. This has always puzzled me.
The guy says.. if you think that He was referring to just to Heaven that our Western minds think of you missed the point.
John went baptizing in water so He could find the Messiah!
The guy continues imagine John saying as he is baptizing folks ….. Nope you’re not Him, nope your not Him. John refers to the Messiah’s baptism…. the Messiah is going to baptize you in God Himself. There was nothing that would attract anyone to Jesus - He was reportedly noone special from an appearance perspective. John then gets some divine revelation – look over there – behold – the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world as he points to Jesus.
John says – I need to be baptized by you. It was the one thing that John lacked apparently – baptism of the Spirit? Jesus is … well let’s do this properly so that ALL righteousness may be fulfilled.
Jesus says that John is the greatest born of woman.
John is the greatest on this side of the river, that is the Jordan… you know crossing over and stuff into the promised land.
That side of the river has access to more than John ever had access to though and so do we!
Jesus is trying to help John, finish well.
The guys says.. everyone can be all Christian style during the easy times, but for the rough times how do we get through? We feed our hearts on what God is doing, not what He hasn’t done! Well, that rings true for me. He seems to be working hard core on many other aspects of my relationships. I need faith and trust still that He is working on my wife’s heart.
The guy continues… Jesus did not come to show us what God could do. He came to illustrate what one man could do if He completely yielded to God. I wonder.. have I really yielded and surrendered completely?
What happend to ol’ John though after all that hard work? He got stuck in prison. Who did he prepare the way for? The one who releases prisoners from prison and he gets stuck in prison and his head lopped off.
Jesus is reported to say something like Blessed is He who is not offended in me.
The report of John the Baptist dying – being killed… soon after Jesus met up with him. When Jesus learned of it, He withdrew to His place of prayer. He departed to a deserted place.
Verse 22, immediately goes up to the mountain to pray. Jesus was tempted in all points that we are… as soon as He hears about John’s death the one you love the most, and the Word never came from Heaven.. to release John…. Why? Jesus went to get alone with the Father.
After this they brought to Him all that were sick. Disappointment can not be allowed to just hang there. It must be dealt with. I guess Jesus dealt with it by healing a bunch of folks after the fact. That’s what I’ve been trying to do, minus the miracle healings. Reminds me of another principle I learned recently…. love that is given out is returned… we are to give.
The guy says…Jesus messed up every funeral He attended.
We have our modern theology built around the inactivity instead of the activity of God. He has so thoroughly put us in charge that we have been given the responsbility to decide what happens. In the absence of truth, lies prosper and thus the New Age movement… the power of God seems to be demonstrated outside of the church now a days. Medical miracles and what not.
We now say that the apostolic age is over, thus prophecy and miracles largely denied. We have deceived ourselves and given up that aspect of our faith, when that is what we were supposed to be doing all along.
To put this into contemporary terms, we may use an excuse not to help the poor:
The poor will always be with us so let’s not help the poor.
He then goes into the concept of “false humility (141 hits)“. This is a new one for me. Sort of… hey look at me fall on a sword. I added the concept to one of my other sites I just started.
Jesus revealed that the Kingdom of God is within you. Seems to agree with quantum mechanics at least as much as I know about it at this juncture.
He says.. we now say, that ”God works in mysterious ways”, which is our cop out way of saying… God is Evil! When we tell someone that God is good, that is when we get flack.
Jesus was illustrating what a man could do when rightly related with God.
If you pray against disease or for miracles now a days you’re considered a nut case. He goes on to describe various healings, resurrections, etc. He explains that he has no idea why some cancer patients are healed when prayed for and others are not. Makes me think… why are some marriages restored and some not?
He continues ..the whole mystery of the old testament was to lead you to Jesus.
For example, Job… the answer was Jesus. If you didn’t read Job and get pointed to Jesus, you missed it he says.
A seed is to fall into the ground and die to give new life. I think.. hmm is that what must happen to my marriage?
Psalm 6, we receive a 7 fold annointing for what is lost.
If it dies, request a 7 fold annointing…… Mothers Against Drunk Drivers, Red Cross, etc. etc. Tons of examples of this. I think of another person at another marriage restoration ministry. She has been standing for her marriage since 1992 or 1993. I think.. geez.. is that insane.. no… look how many people she has helped restore marriages, yet her own has not yet been restored. Is that what will happen to me? I’m not that strong dang it. I want my wife and family back together back dang it.
He goes on to talk about David. David had many of his first victories in private. Fighting lions, tigers, and bears. Then he comes up to fight this goliath guy… no worries… God has my back. Where did he get that confidence? With his private victories as a shepard. … God had to wait until he was ready for a public victory to use him. Where he had enough trust and spiritual discernment to pull it off.
The guy continues .. one of our failings as Christians is to not understand divine justice in our lives. God HAS to deliver justice – He would prefer to deliver mercy because mercy triumphs over justice every time, but we seem to prefer justice now a days.
Divine justice as applied to the king. The king is responsible to God. Reminds me of another principle, David’s justice was applied to himself (106 hits) in the measure that he distributed it. Jesus said the same thing.
… a seed falls into the ground and dies to produce… a flower (101 hits)!
Every loss though… that’s not the end of the story..
Your area of greatest of loss is an invitation to experience the greatest victory…
As I was getting to the end of the broadcast he started speaking about deaths in a family, other of life’s troubles, and then he just had to go to troubled marriages. It touched my heart I guess. I felt a sinking feeling in my stomach. Why did he have to go there? For a few seconds as he was talking about this… I sort of started thinking .. dang it. I guess I may have to let my marriage go, but at least I may be able to help others stop this from happening – perhaps this is my 7 fold annointment eh? As I was thinking this, I heard a very high pitched sound in my head.. it is something that my ears have done from time to time for no apparent reason. It was sort of that same sound after shooting a large caliber weapon without ear protection.
I was thinking about this whole annointing thing and once again my muscles started to spasm uncontrollably all over my body.. extreme tension.. I tried to relax, but nothing doing. This goes on for about two minutes… the ringing is still in my ears, and then the power goes out in the building… the generator clicks over almost instantly. I look over at my clock on my phone as the power goes out… it says 4:44 (144 hits). I’m thinking great… another multiple of 11 thing that I’m probably making up as I’m going along. I get ummm…..directed to Acts 4…
Act 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken wherein they were gathered together; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
Act 4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and soul: and not one of them said that aught of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
Act 4:33 And with great power gave the apostles their witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
Act 4:34 For neither was there among them any that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
Act 4:35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto each, according as any one had need.
Act 4:36 And Joseph, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, Son of exhortation), a Levite, a man of Cyprus by race,
Act 4:37 having a field, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
Another street minister buddy calls me up. He needs help with his web site (99 hits). Yet another mentor that God has put into my life. I had a nice long conversation with him. He shares many insights that he has learned. I love learning from folks.. picking up their insights that would have taken me 30 years of experience to understand. He has wisdom. I listen attentively. Hopefully there isn’t any rhind to throw out after I eat this orange.
He shares with me… respect all people no matter their faith. I think Paul said the same thing. Seems like Jesus did to. Peter had a nice vision about it including a few lizards to boot.
If you have something to offer them that they can take that will make their life better then it will draw them in. We go over the Muslim expression Aslelamlakah.. yeah I can’t spell it, but it means something to the effect that if you respect me.. I respect you. It is interesting to note the different approaches that different people take. Different members of the Body I suppose. His definitely isn’t fire and brimstone.. its more about relationship building. Others I have dealt with have a firmer hand for street folks. I guess it is situational.
He continues though… says that the devil will take away what we love the most. I’m thinking to myself. Well that makes sense. No wonder he’s after my wife and family so much then.
He goes on… if you accept that you she will no longer be with you… just accept that possibilty… then… the devil has no more power. Accept it. It makes sense. Reminds me of something Jesus said about anyone not willing to give up family, etc. was not worthy to be His disciple. It all makes sense now. The reason being that.. the devil will attack those things and use them against you I think to myself.
He continues… God gives us the best right? Not just what we need? In ministry he says… it is day by day. He provides daily. He says don’t be frivolous with His money, but ask for help and He will provide. He says that it happens every day for him in his street ministry. Reminds me of the motorcycle tribe of Judah thing I wrote about awhile back (119 hits). He provides. Really and truly… freaking weird, wild, and all crazy style just in time delivery of money, or whatever is needed for a man and his ministry. It has happened to me a bunch. So.. we give to others our best. Another street minister introduced me to this concept about a week ago. My friend continues… I see a homeless guy who is hungry. I buy him not just a hamburger. I love him. I ask him if he wants ice cream too after his meal is finished. If it looks like he is just looking for a hit.. well then I don’t give him money, but instead offer to take him to a restaurant.
He continues… he admits…gay people bug me sometimes. I don’t like what they do… but I love them. I guess I know the feeling. I recall meeting the “coolest” gay guy I had ever met one time. He was gay, not flamboyant… just gay. Didn’t know why… but was matter of factly about it, that it was something he struggled with, but he doesn’t like to make people uncomfortable. I think of some of my friends who had “come out of the closet”, yet we knew all along…
He continues…You don’t have to like what someone does to love them. Makes sense. He recounts a story of his about a gay man with aids that he helped. He told the man… “I love you and so does God”. The man seemed to respect the honesty, and said “noone has ever told me that”. People only tell me that when they want something.
He continues to share other nuggets with me. Sheer wisdom. I’m trying to soak up as much as I can. Steve shows up. Steve….. hey what’s going on buddy? “I’m sorry man, I forgot your name”. That’s okay… Steve says.. well I got out of jail after being in there for 24 days. I’m eye balling Steve…. his eyes are big. He has put on some weight, but my gut tells me that he is looking for a hit. He asks for money. I was trained to discern when they are looking for a hit, but didn’t matter anyway as I was out of cash. My street minister buddy offers $10. Steve is elated! I’m still eye balling Steve though. His eyes are huge. He just got off of a hit and is looking for another. Dang it Steve. Fighting forces that I have no idea about… mercy.
Steve continues on with his $10 into the sunset.
My minister buddy and I continue. He tells more stories about divine orchestration in his life to help spread the kingdom. Simply amazing stories. Adventure. I don’t want adventure… I want my wife back! I love the stories though. Working for God is so entertaining… it is never boring it seems. I want more, but I want my wife back. An interesting dichotamy I guess. Peter had a wife – why can’t I have my wife back. Focus on what God is doing, not what He’s not doing!
Steve is out of jail after 24 days… what message is that to me? Seems to tie into the broadcast I listened to earlier about John the baptist, and my friend who had just gotten out of prison.
Anyway, he continues….with other nuggets. I asked him about some of these experiences I have been having? I said am I going crazy or is this normal? He says… no no… it’s normal… that’s what it is like. He says this bit of wisdom though… some are for you in private… and some are for you to share.
The last bit of wisdom he shares is this… sometimes we can be so into God… that God can’t use us anymore. That hit home. That is pretty much a lot of what ran my wife off. Sinking feeling. Did I become so zealous that He can’t use me anymore I wonder… I think about this all the way home. I’m so obsessive compulsive about many things I do. Is it possible to become so obsessed with God, that even He needs a break or some “space” I wonder?
Paul never seemed to stop though… whaddya mean your wife is sick and you need some time off? You loser.. I don’t have time for you! I’m no Paul though.
I get home. I fire up my other computer. As it comes up… I notice this passage from another ministry (111 hits) ….from Isaiah 61:1 (in KJV 1611 baby!):
Isa 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord God is vpon me, because the Lord hath anointed me, to preach good tidings vnto the meeke, hee hath sent me to binde vp the broken hearted, to proclaime libertie to the captiues, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound:
Mercy. Don’t bash people. But what if it is really bad I wonder. I saw a picture in my inbox of an 8 year old child having his arm ran over by a car for stealing food in a middle eastern country. Is forwarding that email okay? Free the prisoners, yeah baby.
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