Heart of Music

Wow... its been a minute since I done a blog, so I think it's time to kick it into gear. It's been a couple of days since my last one and it has only felt like 3 days have gone by... I guess with all this working, all my days are starting to run together. Although I feel the weight being put on me, I can definitely feel God's strength being manifested in everything I do. That everything that is happening, is on His terms and no one else's. Every step I'm taking, is revealing another step into the journey He has me on.

So I was listening to music on my way home from work and just flipping through stations. I had a song come on and it used to be one of my favorite songs (before the Lord saved me) and was thinking in my head "Yeahhh dis is my jam right hurr." So I'm bobbing my head and following along to it and slowly just started fading away from it and mumbling  and I start feeling this conviction overcome me. I felt God telling me to turn that junk off and fill your heart with something real right now. I grabbed my Ipod and put it immediately to some JesusCulture, worshiping as emphatically in my car. It's amazing to feel how when your heart has had a change for God, your emotions and heart, become raw and tender to what He draws you to. Let's be honest here, if God would allow us to listen to that type of music, for example, then we would't have any problem blaring it, rapping all gangsta G in your car. But no, God whispers something simple to turn your heart away from it, puts inside of you an emotion that says, no, this is not right. d

And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.

~Ezekiel 36:26 NLT

Be My Escape

How's every body doing? I hope all is well with everyone!

So lately I've been doing a lot more exercising consisting of running, jogging, stretches, workouts and what not. But lately, I've been doing a lot more of running and jogging, and if anybody knows me well enough, it takes a lot to motivate me to run just to be in shape. For me, my thoughts on it, is it's tiring, boring, it hurts, sucks, and takes over time that I could be sleeping, ya know. I've been feeling more of a motivation just to get outside and just go. I haven't realized why until just Friday night.

We had a Community Group leadership meeting at The Refuge and Pastor Robert asked us, if you could be in or create any kind of community group, what would it be and why? I was thinking in my head that I have no idea what I would want to do. I mean I love youth ministry with a passion and I love being just to talk and sit and do whatever, but something else kept coming to my mind. See, I started thinking about why now, am I getting that type of motivation of exercising. I kept remembering everything I went outside just to jog, I never had any kind of phone on me or iPod or anything like that. What I was doing was not just running after God but running with God. Some people might say, yeah okay, you were running, big deal, but for me that's a huge deal. Considering I am the guy who is surrounded by nothing but technology. I work at freaking Best Buy, remember. To me it feels absolutely amazing to be just out there, not being bothered with things around me, but staying on a path that will lead me to a refuge. And God's guiding me, what  could ever go wrong, ya know???

But anyways that's my new found escape!!!! I encourage you all to find yours and utilize it as often as you can.

2 Samuel 22:3~My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge; My savior, You save me from violence~

Life Once Known

Wow here i am. I keep seeing the progression in every moment I experience each day. It's weird you know, it's scary to think there is only two movements, forwards and backwards. Thats pretty much all we have. But there is one worse than both of these l, a life of being stagnant. Not having perpetual motion. God says that He would rather us be hot or cold, but never Luke warm.   If were to be of that, He would spit us out because of the disgust. I mean we have all experienced  that feeling. 90% of the time we know if we drink something, its gonna be hot or cold but we've all experienced that feeling where we picked up that drink, put it to our mouth, took a sip and either spit it out or gagged. Horrible surprise you know!!! Thats how God feels I believe When we come to Him and proclaim the glory with unclean, unrepented hearts and we leave going right back to what we feel is comfortable (to be in the world). There goes God picking up that enticing cup of juice and puts it to His mouth and spits it out because it's not the taste He was wanting.

I've been readin this book called A Million Miles in a Thousand Years. What I've been reading so far is that a lot of us are living ordinary lives, I'm not saying there is anything wrong with that, what I'm saying is that do you think God has designed you to be ordinary? Now think about it, God Almighty, the most important being that has ever existed, created YOU. He didn't create you just to mosey around the world and "live" life. He made you to be special. That's why He created you only in His sight and no one else's. Kinda like we are His little secret plan to something. He sets us off into the world to do something GREAT. He waits for that moment where He sets us up and even tells us "this is the moment" ... And we just stand there dumbfounded or caught picking our noses or even recognizing the moment and running away from it. God sets us up so perfectly at something we are guaranteed to win and we avoid it just like as though there is a brick wall right in front of us and God calls us to strike through it with His force and we put our heads down like that nervous little boy in his first day of class and walk around the obstacle. I mean really come on now, I know all of us have been through this some point in our lives. If God Himself tells us to do something, why aren't we jumping to the occasion and taking over what He has promised victory in. I know I'm totally guilty of this on more than a handful of times.  This is what I'm learning, we need to be more keen and obedient to what He has to tell us. Writing this, I'm thinking "wow I've been a coward" and I know my God has not created me to be a coward at all. He called me to be a warrior on all occasions. So back to what I was saying about the book. The man in the book, Donald, is having a movie written about his life. And the people helping him create it, keep changing everything about it because it's not what people would want to see in a movie. He starts realizing that his life just wasn't that exciting. I feel the same way a lot. And I know God has called me on multiple occasions to stir up my life, it needs a rise of excitement, the plot needs to be kicked up a notch. I can't recall one point in the Bible where Jesus is plain boring... It just didn't happen. Everything he's done, every word he said kept me reading and reading. I've been intrigued more and more to more in depth with what he is telling me and guiding me to do....


To be continued...

~My Heavenly Father~

Elohim God Adonai Lord Jehovah Yahweh Jehovah Maccaddeshem Lord thy sanctifier Johovah Rohi Lord my Shepherd Jehovah Shammah  Lord who is present Jehovah Rapha Lord our healer Jehovah-Tsidkenu Lord our righteousness Jehovah Jireh Lord will provide Jehovah Nissi Lord our banner Jehovah Shalom Lord of peace Jehovah Sabbaoth Lord of Hosts Jehovah Gmolah  God of Recompense El-Elyon most high God El-Roi strong one who sees El Shaddai god of the mountains  El-Olam everlasting God

This is my Heavenly Father. He contains the power of everything. His doings are endless. Not bound by the ways of the world. As we see the world within its entity, He bares witness to it from the inside, outside, above it, below it, around it, and within it. It is His, nothing escapes His eye. When we hold our treasures of the world, His treasure is the world and all that is within it. We are His, our belongings, never were ours to begin with. We find freedom in Him. As the world fades away, He remains because He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. When the world fades, He will continue. Eternal life is obtained through Him. For our souls to endure past this physical being, we must return our souls to Him through salvation. 

"Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades, Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame, And the cry of my heart is to bring You praise, From the inside out, O my soul cries out"

I'm Ready Now

So take this heart and make it new

Make it true, make it like You

Take my hands, I lift them high

They're Yours, not mine to do

What do you say when your heart tells you to run? What do you say if your heart tells you that you can’t make it? What do you say when at times it feels so true?

Especially at times when you feel sunk in the mud and all that’s around you is dirt gunk crap grime and ugliness. It feels at times that your heart is being crushed down by a 12 ton truck and all you can do to save yourself is to say “I give up”. This feeling is unbearable and it controls your mind like it has already happened… how does one fight against something that tells you that you’re good for nothing. Or tells you that, yeah, God has given you a great destiny, but you are never going to be able to embrace it because your entire heart and mind is trapped in this world and you will NEVER be free. The devil will tell you to your face that YOU CAN NOT WIN. That your flesh wants nothing but the desires of what he can offer from this world. It’s horrible to be caught up in this awful ungodly, mind-warped feeling. Our hearts desire so much more than what this world can offer but when our mind comes into play, a lot of times, and our conscience gets caught up in this good vs. evil. Evil makes it so desirable because of the so-called amazing feeling of the comforting temporary relief. You see, if your still stuck in captivity, your flesh will desire the “now” effects. As in what’s going to benefit me now? What’s going to make feel great right now? It’s not worried about what’s going to happen later in life or even how it wants to feel tomorrow. This is where the saying “Live like there’s no tomorrow” and everyone decides to go wild all over the city.

Lord, deliver us a heart of no compromise. A heart that is crazy in love with. It’s amazing how You provide us a feeling of no abandonment when we leave it all up to You. God, You give me all I need to survive this world. You’ve also given me the power to change my world and the world You’ve put me in. How could I ever  say no to You when given me every reason to live in You. God, I ask that You would reveal the preparation of the road you’ve directed me on.  Push me to the limits and beyond because I know that Your wings will carry me.  This is it, You’ve already won the battle, it’s already won, what else is there. I mean why resist? Why should I keep this feeling of failure when failure does not exist in what You create. It is perfect. It is ripe. It is beautiful. Father, I am hungry for more of You. To dive into Your ocean of grace.

²⁸ Do you not know?
       Have you not heard?
       The LORD is the everlasting God,
       the Creator of the ends of the earth.
       He will not grow tired or weary,
       and his understanding no one can fathom.

 ²⁹ He gives strength to the weary
       and increases the power of the weak.

 ³⁰ Even youths grow tired and weary,
       and young men stumble and fall;

 ³¹ but those who hope in the LORD
       will renew their strength.
       They will soar on wings like eagles;
       they will run and not grow weary,
       they will walk and not be faint.

---Isaiah 40:28-31

                                                       

We need a life completely souled out to Christ, completely abandoned, completely passionate to Him.

Beyond Nearsight

Whatever it takes Lord, It is Your will! I will do as You say, Walk where you please, Father know that I am Your servant for all of eternity... Let me be a vessel for Your Kingdom come!


An easy comment for anyone to say. It's a lot easier said than done. Can I get an amen on that! It's very simple to say this but once you fall upon the struggles of opposition, that's where the broken bones and scars are created. The toughest pains come in once you fully committed come to Christ and open your heart to where He wants to move you. It's your flesh fighting your with your God-given soul. The devil knows that your flesh is tender and gives in easily because it is of this world. That's how you know that the devil is scared. He is scared of what we will become, when we are in alignment with our true destinies. We all need the strength of Job, one who through all that happened to him, family wiped away from him, all his livestock and servants taken, Job was even covered in nasty boils all over his skin and so other many things going against him. The thing about Job is that he feared God and was faithful to Him. Many men spoke harsh things to him accusing him to be a wicked man because of God's judgments. Even his wife spoke against him, telling him to curse the Father. Still, Job spoke nothing against Him. 


A lot of times, we crumble when we feel the pressure. We feel the weight of our world getting heavier and heavier. God will put things and allow things to be put on us to see how far we are willing to go for His kingdom, but the great thing is that God is always there with encouragement and love, pushing you every step of the way. He will never give us so much that we cannot bear the pain and the burden. I'm writing this and was thinking of an awesome way to represent how this is and this is what I got:





We feel the weight of the world on our shoulders, so much that it feels like we cannot bare the load towards the goal. It hurts, it's painful, its scary, and it feels like we can't make it. Knowing exactly where the goal is but being blind to how to get there is frightening. Know that God is there and He is there to keep you going. In any instance that you feel the opposition, just STOP, and let the first thing that comes from your heart and mouth be a glorifying word. Let it be a moment of praise saying God, although I feel the weight and pain of the world, You still have victory over my heart. You still keep this warrior from crumbling. That's exactly what I say right now as I am typing. God although i can't picture my next step because I'm not totally sure how to, I can still imagine what beauty that will be at my goal. This is what keeps me driving,oh Lord. Everything that You have for me at every checkpoint is worth every scar torn to this body. Thank You God for keeping the warrior at work. Never do I want to become stagnant to growth in You. 




'Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'
---Isaiah 41:10

Mine or Yours?

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.... So god created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

Genesis 1:1, 27

cre·a·tion  [kree-ey-shuhn]

*the Creation, the original bringing into existence of the universe by God.

*an original product of the mind

Where did we forget that we must fulfill what we were created to do? Where did we go wrong into doing the complete opposite from what God has destined us to do?... I see it every day, people going out, doing "there" thing, not God's thing. I thank the Lord that we do have people out there though who are living out what their calling is. We need more and more inspirational people that live in that and can cast vision on how to live it out. I, myself have caught me numerous amount of times straying off the way of the original pathway carved out from God. It's painful, it's dark, it's lonely, and it's not of the natural. Why is it so hard to keep the promised path? Why does our abundance for curiosity consume our flesh? Why do we fight so hard to attempt to see in the darkness that God has forbid us to stay away from? What I am saying can be interpreted or misinterpreted in many ways. So let me be clear of what I am saying. A lot of us are pursuing a lifestyle or career that was not in our original design. Why, when we have clear understanding and even guidelines to what our lifestyle should be (read your bible and you will find it, I promise). 

Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires. The mind of a sinful man is death, but the controlled mind by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, no can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.

Romans 8:5-8

Ever since God knocked me over the head to tell me to walk where I can see, it's been harder to keep pursuing that "I" was going after in a career. It's been harder to take steps in to that place knowing that He's telling me that that is not what I created you for. I keep saying "God, I know, I know. I've seen my destination on the map but how will I get there?" I'm typing this and I am thinking of a way to imagine it. OK, don't laugh, it's kind of like one of those games where like there's a map, and the only way you can reveal the entire map is to walk steps towards that goal. And every advancement you make, it reveals a little bit more in front of you, but only enough to keep you going. Hmmm okay okay okay, horrible example. Thank you for those who understood what I'm talking about. But trusting in Him makes life so much easier. I can see myself walking more towards what He wants me to do with my goals and what to do with my career. I'm beginning to let go more of what I want to do and let Him take the wheel of the car. I don't have to ask God how will I get there anymore because He has told us in Jeremiah 39 "I will save you; you will not fall by the sword but will escape with your life, because YOU TRUST IN ME declares the Lord." Aha, a great moment, as when the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah to give a strong message Ebed-Melech, a servant of King Zedekiah who had Jeremiah imprisoned, to God was going to destroy the city. Bold thing to say to somebody. As God told him that He would rescue Jeremiah, so He did when the guard had released him. Also the guards' life was spared for following through with releasing Jeremiah. But anyways sorry about getting off subject a little.

Let us all take a moment right now, as we are reading this and think, pray, and listen. Are we doing what our original design was? When God created us in His image and instilled in us a specific design of a destiny, are we now living that out? Think, what can we do to operate in what He has for us? I've envisioned my destiny and it's very clear, I am going to do whatever it takes for me to reach that final destination on the map. I can't pursue the career I wanted to have before because it no longer makes me happy. It doesn't satisfy my spirit. God has awakened me to start running. No time to get the sleep out of my eyes, I've already lost my time to do that. 

So God, I thank You for such a beautiful design for my heart. Forgive me for beating away at a life you haven't promised. Thank You so much for reeling me back in to where I need to be. Give me the strength and courage to keep pursuing Your plans in my life. Lord I ask that You would place in my life a personal mentor that would guide my eyes to what You have for me and coach me in it. I love You Father, thank You so much for freeing my heart and soul to speak louder than my flesh! 

Amen

Vision to Desire

Wow what an awesome night of worship we had tonight at Vertical. God moves like no other. His grace is absolutely consuming and amazing. God gave me an awesome message of even more promise to my future in Him. I had a vision of me speaking over a crowd, an uncontrollable, and unmaintainable Christ-driven, God loving Jesus Freaks. I had an image of me leading them to a battle. They all had great powerful armor and weapons.

It was such a beautiful site for me to see this that I couldn't help but smile.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor or God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield o faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
---Ephesians 6:10-14

This is a call out to all of us. I'ts time to put away our childish toys and our childish ways. It's time to have our spiritual growth multiply and expand to our peers and family. It's time for us to gather and shout revival in this city, this state, this country. I pray for a city-wide revival every day for the youth in Concord. That word will spread that a strange, consuming atmosphere will fall upon Concord and people will be drawn to it. This will happen.

What an Image of Your Beauty You've Created

So I sit hear thinking, and thinking really hard on what to blog about tonight. I feel the need, or desire. No better yet compulsion to write about what God wants me to share. So I'm laying here, listening to my iTunes, and I have it only shuffle on just some awesome worship music. Holy, by Matt Gilman starts playing... I hear it and I'm just like wow God, I can't to be able to be with You. If you don't know the lyrics, they go a little something like and I'm also posting the song on here as well, just push play on the video below:




Here we are, God, come before the throne of grace
Here we are, God, come before the mercy seat
I can see the lightning, I can feel the thunder
I can hear the voices proceeding from Your throne
Twenty-four elders bowing low, casting down their crowns of gold
And four living creatures crying out, day and night, night and day

Choruses:
Only one word comes to mind
There’s only one word to describe

Holy, holy, Lord God Almighty
There is no one like You
You are holy, holy


Three songs later, the version by Jesus Culture starts playing, so I'm just like yeah God, I think I get what You're trying to tell me. He wanted to remind me of what an awesome God I serve. Can I get an Amen! Every time I hear this song, I love to close my eyes and imagine what a glimpse of Heaven will look like when I finally get there. I mean if you listen to the song, it will send chills down your back just imagining. And then it's like, when you get there it's like, wow, this is a billion times more glorious and perfect than I could ever imagine. What a God we serve. If there was ever a way I could imagine the way Heaven was described, this song absolutely fits the profile.

Revelations is broken up into eight parts:
1. Letters John writes to the seven churches and to be sent throughout the history of the earth.
2. Worshiping God
3. The opening of the seven seals
4. Sounding the seven trumpets
5. Observing the great conflict
6. Pouring out the seven plagues
7. Seizing the final victory
8. Making everything new

The eighth part of Revelations starts in Chapter 21. The way it describes how beautiful and pure it will be is absolutely amazing. The song Holy is only a small simple little taste of what God has in store for us once we are there.

Be Prepared!!! It will blow you away

Is Purpose Or Opportunity Driving You?

And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
----2 Peter 1:19-21

pur·pose [pur-puhs] - the reason for which something exists or is done, made,used, etc.


call·ing [kaw-ling] - a call or summon to a vocation, profession, or trade

I've been praying diligently for God to give me a direction on this blog. I feel a lot that this is more directed towards me, so as I write, know that this is for my heart, but not limited by its dimensions. So it has the power to touch yours as well. This past year, more like past three years, I've been battling and battling my destiny. It has always been a decision of either pursue ministry, or pursue riches and success without oppression or limitations. These two have always clashed together. I feel that God has given me many roads towards success, some of which are easier than others, but none the less, promising. God gives us options on paths; better yet call it free will. You see, every step taken was already written, though even if we had the power to go back and redo that step and do it differently, God still already has written what that step may be. I hope I'm not losing y’all; this is a lot easier to explain in my head than writing down, so if I'm losing you, I apologize. So anyways if this makes it easier to understand, for every different option that we COULD make, God already knows every reaction to every one of those steps. 

So back to what I was saying, I feel that God has given me great opportunity and light in many directions, as for us all, but for every opportunity that we are given and though those opportunities are numerous, we only have one calling. The question is will you answer it? For great example, let’s look at Moses, a man given enormous opportunity against all odds, but later called to his true purpose. Also, Peter and Simon in Matthew 4; men who had great success and opportunity as fishermen, but Jesus called to them and called them to their true purpose, discipleship. Me, I have great success in what I am doing right now, and if I choose to pursue it and move with it, will claim a great opportunity. Little snag though, it's not my purpose, my purpose is His ministry, not just living in Christianity, but beyond transforming into a leader of my people, community and nation. I've been given this vision; will I live up to it? Or will I fall short of what God calling for me may be? 

I pray everyone takes this subject into consideration, are you doing what you can do or are you doing what you are meant to do? Don't think that everyone is called into ministry to be called to be a pastor, or reverend, or pope or whatever. But whatever you do, let it be God's ministry for you; let it be what God calls you to be. If  it’s the business world, bus driver, teacher, fast food restaurant, lawyer, doctor, salesman, rapper, farmer, it doesn't matter what it is, but let it be of Him, let it be of His ministry working outward through your heart and to your actions so that it pleases Him. 

"Your Love Never Fails..."

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. Love never fails...

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8, 13

Most of us know these verses or have even heard parts or a friend quoted them on Facebook. A lot of us perceive that we know true love, but have never felt the warm sensational embrace of which it has originated from. A lot of us proclaim to have experienced the LOVE, but don't know the Father or even deny His favor. How is it that we feel that we can show true love to one another without knowing and believing the ultimate act of love that was nailed to the cross? I'm not just talking about love for your partner, but love for one another. How many of us can say we have never fell short of loving everyone no matter what, no matter what pain they've caused? I know I can't. In the end, the backbone of our emotions at some time or some point will get in the way. But there is always hope, there is rehab to this disease. And the rehab center is in Him. Knowing, believing, understanding, and committing to His word will set you free. If you think about it, the Bible is all a true love story, starting with creation and companionship to rescue and salvation to healingsand resurrection. It even has love songs in it for you. Great example the book Song of Solomon:

Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.

---Song of Solomon 8:6

This entire book, front to back, is a love story for you and I both, for everyone. So what I am saying is, how can we understand something like true love without knowing its origin? How can you say that you love one person but not another when it says in 1 Cor. 13:8 " love never fails..." If you fail to love another but claim to have true love... that is just hypocrisy? Love never fails, that means there is love for everyone. 

So I leave you with this final scripture:

We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.

Again John reiterates these points concerning love. The reason why we love is because God loved. (1John 4:11) There are those who only give lip service saying that they "love God" but demonstrate hatred towards fellow Christians. When it comes to love, don't go simply by what people say. (And just as an aside, this is one reason why husbands are often reluctant to say "I love you", because it is such a vain and shallow way of expressing love.)  But concerning the love of the brethren, once again I point out what Jesus said, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. “John 13:34,3 

-----I pulled this from a website, here at Click here

So God, I thank You for creating love. Such a beautiful, wonderful thing. The love that we show is nothing compared to what You show us.  I ask that You continue to bless us with Your pure love. You are so amazing God. Thank You once more Father.

Powerful Prayer

Hello there friends and neighbors


How art thou this wonderful evening...err whatever time of the day you are reading this. So I was going through my journals today, just looking at some of the stuff I had written and kept for a long time... Like I got some stuff from like 2005, back in ole PH days. I came across a sermon my Senior Pastor at The Refuge had spoken about Prayer on April 25 2009. The sermon was simply called "Nike Prayer" It got me thinking as I read a few key verses he had included in his sermon. In Romans 8:37-39 it says:

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

A lot of this comes into connection when you think about the attitude we have when we pray. Just as Jesus said to his disciples in Mark 11 "... whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours". I believe that when Jesus said that even if you believe in it, it takes more than just knowing it, but to walk in it by faith, as if it has already been granted. Prime example, a lot of our kids at Vertical this summer at Verge camp; Sean Smith spoke on a powerful message on obtaining your prayer language. Some of our kids there received it; others were bummed because they saw everyone else speaking it, but not them. Those that didn't were hurt, but the next night, they kept pursuing and pursuing after which He had promised. In the end, behold, they received they're answered prayers. It's not that God couldn't do it that night or even didn't want to do it that night. But more of, will you be faithful even after He didn't fulfill at YOUR time of need. God will do things which may seem like it's happening to late, or even not needed to the person being affected, but God has a purpose and plan for EVERY second in this world. Everything that I do, you do, everyone does, is already written, already completed. There's not a thing in this world that will give God a surprise. So if you're going through a tough time right now or feel like you’re not in the right place, stop what you're doing, step back, analyze what God is trying to tell you something and go into deep prayer over your situation.

"Prayer is not based on formulas or technique, but based on Relationship with our Father."

It's not about how well you can perform a practiced prayer or reciting a traditional prayer.

But anyways, what I'm getting at is God is always faithful. He's not on your time, but His.

So God I thank You for being all-knowing... That You know exactly what's supposed to happen, when it's supposed to happen, and how it's supposed to happen. Without You being here, there would be mass chaos. God, You are so good, we are all so amazed at the magnificent power that You contain. I ask that You would continue to have You're favor on everything that I do. That every step I take will be Your will and not my own. Grant me the power to make God-moves and not DeShaun moves, Father. I love You.
Jesus Name,
Amen!

Calling All Youth Leaders!!!

Hello Ladies and Gentlemen,

I sure do hope everyone is doing very well as you are reading this. You guys have been an excellent crowd so far, and I thank you for you listenings and readings. I've been having a few troublesome ideas circulating around my mind with my previous performances throughout my latest journeys prior to attending Verge as an adult youth leader. For the first morning session, if I do recall, We had a phenomenal guest speaker, Pastor Mark Benson of The Rock Family Worship Center http://www.therockfwc.org/,  who spoke on Youth Leadership and honoring thy Youth Pastor. A lot of things he spoke on were expectations, plenty of which I feel as if I felt short of. I know I'm not the only one who thought that, can I get an Amen! But I digress, Pastor Mark threw out some astronomical statistics about Youth Ministry and its Youth Pastors, for example the average span that someone is in pastoral ministry for the youth is ONLY 6 MONTHS. I want to take a second and thank my pastor, Pastor Porter, for being so committed and loving to myself and to everyone who he has had a chance to encounter. So are started to dig up some more statistics, now take in consideration, these statistics are from one source, they are about pastor's in general, and its from 2007... BUT the numbers are still incredibly insane.

*100% of all pastors have had an associate and or seminary buddy who has left ministry because of burnout, conflict in their church, or from a moral failure
*89% of the pastors we surveyed also considered leaving the ministry at one time. 57% said they would leave if they had a better place to go—including secular work
*77% of the pastors we surveyed felt they did not have a good marriage
*71% of pastors stated they were burned out, and they battle depression beyond fatigue on a weekly and even a daily basis.

These are only a few numbers that I had found, if you wish to read more on them, please take time to go to Pastoral Statistics Here... Like I said this is only one source and its from 2007, I know numbers have fluctuated but its still relevant.

Which brings me to the final problem... Why are a lot of us, speaking to youth leaders, student leaders, anyone who has anything to deal with youth ministry, not relieving our pastors and continuously showing out gratitude for everything that they're doing. I mean, they're "only" raising up out next generation in the world to become our next doctors, lawyers, presidents, teachers, minister's, counselors, and what not. They deserve so much more, I know mine does. I've known my pastor for about 5-6 years now. He was the only youth pastor to connect with me on a personal level. He's invested so much more time into, that he feels somewhat responsible for the outcome of my life. Now that's being a youth pastor.

So leaders, lets take time to show appreciation to our youth pastors here in America. Lets make their lives as less stressful as we can. Whatever that means to you, whatever you can do. I'm pretty positive that they will appreciate it.

So Father, I ask that you bless the Youth Pastors as they steward Your children, Your chosen generation. God I thank You that the ministry that You have blessed and called Your own, is being operated and brought together by my pastor. Thank You for appointing his authority in my life and giving me the opportunity to have him speak into my life and give me guidance.
In Jesus Name,
Amen!

God's Encounter

So yeah, I'm sitting here late at night eating a little bit of breakfast and dinner at the same time... That's right people, some Reece's Peanut Butter Cup cereal and peperoni pizza from dominoes at the same exact time... Only ballers think of stuff like that. But I digress, I really am enjoying this whole blogging idea of putting my thoughts, concerns and motivations in writing.

This past week, I've heard so many miraculous testimonies from God's children at Vertical while they were at Verge 2010 in Sandestin, Fl. So many mind-blowing, near impossible things had began to shake the hearts of the students and the leaders. Many of the students found clarity in the voice of God, others found clear direction from a prophetic word of envisionment from Him. I, myself, as you have learned in my blog before this one found clear understanding of my purpose in Him. One of the greatest miracles that I have witnessed was a number of out students of Vertical who attend The Refuge obtaining their prayer language from. If you are not familiar with prayer language, I urge you to read Acts 2 in the bible. If any further questions come up please send a note of get in touch with someone who has a clear understanding of it. But I continue, seeing these wonderful children go after something they've pleaded for, for so long, finally receiving that blessing, is one of the greatest moments in my life so far. I mean the testimonies are heard after the encounter, the excitement I seen on their faces as they ran up to me, telling me of their wonder. Everything that I seen from these students, I know that they will carry that moment with them for the rest of their lives. Not just live in that only moment, but utilize it as a tool. Just like Sean Smith said, (not in exact words) one of the biggest problems with our journey as Christians is experiencing a moment like that and then waiting and waiting for that exact experience to happen rather than going after the will of God and pursuing what he has to offer. So remember, for all of those who have experience the power of God and want to keep that love and experience fresh and fruitful, and for those, who were like myself once before who lost what that feeling felt like, go after Him for and seek His power and glory. Below I am leaving a few verses that will hopefully enlighten you and motivate you.

“Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.”
---1 Chronicles 16:11

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door

will be opened to you.”
---Matthew 7:7
 
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have
received it, and it will be yours.”
---Mark 11:24


Lord, I thank you for such an amazing encounter in such a desperate time in the students lives this past week, as well as my own Father. God, I pray that You will keep us in the palm of Your hand, keep us thriving for more of You and who You are. Lord, let us pursue with more than just out hearts but with our minds, bodies, souls, and emotions. Thank you for such a momentum changing envisionment You have instilled in me. You have granted me with such an honor with the purpose You've given me.
In Jesus Name,
Amen

Transition

Dear friends, family and all other whom this may concern,

First due off, I would like to say welcome and thank you for taking interest in my blogs and I pray that these words will give you food for thought and inspirational for you as well.

Well, we're off... This week has been absolutely incredible attending Verge 2010. Pastor Scott and Britt Silcox have outdone themselves once more with this years event. Everything went completely and utterly God-inspired and magnificent. God has reached me more this past week and given me more clear thought into who I am and what, where, how I am supposed to be to live out my freedom in Christ. A lot of things clicked in me when listening to the amazing evangelist Sean Smith of http://www.seansmithministries.com/, Pastor Mark Benson, and Pastor Don and Angie of http://www.huntsvillemasterscommission.com/. A lot things in my life that I feel that I've been motivated to be changed and challenged.

One of the most pivotal prophetic envisionment that I received was where my future lies. I am one to always put myself inside of a secure box, that's kept inside walls of protection and clear guidance. A place where physical desires are exceeded but emotional and spiritual satisfactions are sub par. Time and season is near to where difficult movements will be required of me, uncanny transitions that will seem somewhat irrational and unexplainable but deemed necessary to reach what God has desired me to do. As of right now, God has shown me going into Full-Time ministry. The teasing part is, is that He has shown me THERE in that exact place, but not shown me HOW I get there. As of right now, it seems that would be one of the hardest, most difficult obstacles be in my path transitioning from where I am in my career pathway to align with what God's pathway for my soul to be.

"Therefore, son of man, pack your belongings for exile and in the daytime, as they watch, set out and go from where you are to another place. Perhaps they will understand, though they are a rebellious house.
--Ezekiel 12:3

Having the power, courage, faith, strength is what I have gained from God's promising words of wisdom. How I get there will more be of acts of faithfulness. He will guide me as He guided His people to the promise land with pillars of clouds and fire. He has me right where He wants me to be to make the steps that He want me to make. Everything is designed according to how it needs to be fulfilled.

So, in the end, I ask of You Father to take me as You will, I will do the things of which You have instilled in my heart. I will walk and run faithfully to destiny. Father I am Yours.