Sunday, October 18, 2009
So off we go, spiraling ever heavenward and occasionally looking around at the room that we are in to take stock of what's going on with the others on this great adventure.
So we began to recognize the spirit of revelation had come to play with us. A beautiful song came out of it. Beautiful enough that Yvette and I both still remember much of it. Revelation. Of His love for a community that had been listening to their own hearts lying about a God they did not know.
He wanted to tell them that there was no humiliation for them in the cross. That He took all of the humiliation and shame there. ALL of it. There is none to share. He was humiliated once, for all and He is never ashamed of any who come to Him. Never ashamed.
And then the revelation was that shame is the point of entry for fear, and in this current generation, and with their No Fear motto plastered everywhere, it could be achieved when we begin to realize and believe that there is no shame for us. None!
Freedom from shame is the beginning of having no fear.
In the natural I could have some arguments for this, but I'm not supposed to. That's a truth that stands on it's own and there is no valid argument about it. It is shame that separates us from the love of God. Down deep it is shame. There is a wisdom that comes with tempering the fear factor, but that is between you and God.
At this point, the Munchkins made an appearance in my spirit and performed the following- "Come out of the woods- la-da-da-da-dah" and I lost 'em. the following are the words to that song.
Optimistic Voices
You're out of the woods, you're out of the dark, you're out of the night. Step into the sun, step into the light. Keep straight ahead for the most glorious place on the face of the earth or the sky. Hold onto your breath, hold onto your heart, hold onto your hope. March up to the gate and bid it open...
this morning there was a drive in our worship to have the doors open- Dan was singing doors and I was singing gates and we were in harmony. It was a beautiful thing if I say so myself.
So we began to sing to the region around us- come out and be free. Once and for all- humiliation was dealt with- anything else is a lie!
And all the while, a light on the east (I think) wall was strobing like it was trying to impress a disco ball. And when we stopped- it stopped. Amazing.
As I remember more of the revelation I will try to remember to post it here.
Much breakthrough personal, and for the region, as well as the joy that we all experienced being a part of it. It was incredible. God is good.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
When we left Częstochowa we followed the directions we left somewhere behind and did pretty well... Until we were on the wrong side of the line of semi's and missed the sign for the airport.
We decided to go in search of Lubiaz, where the monastery was hosting the located.
Eventually we came upon this sight and oddly, for the next four days there was at least one downpour accompanied by lightning and thunder per day. Quite a show at the show- I don't know if it was connected with the warfare earlier at Częstochowa, but something definitely shifted.
I ran across Andrew Jones and Wolfgang Fernandez that night while I waited for Trevor to get the rental car back to the airport. I hadn't seen them since Austin in 2001 or so and they nboth remembered me which surprised me because we hadn't had any actual contact since then, and my interaction with Andrew was over an early morning stove making chai.
As the producers of this amazing program were busy making certain that all was as it should be, I was wandering about and trying to stay out of the way.
Unicycles wheeling by, stages being built (main stage to the right here), tents being set up- the place was a bustle and I didn't know what I should be doing, so I wandered around a bit...
Then I thought about the acoustics of an old monastery- how cool would it be to play a flute in a quiet space and record it on the memory card on my phone- after all, it was my camera as well.
It was amazing- beautiful, stupendous, would make you cry to hear it... I think I deleted it at some point thinking it was some kind of chatter that I didn't need. More's the pity. More on that later-
Tomek and Trevor got safely back from the airport in only twice the time estimated. Road construction and unreliable GPS are credited, but that is really Trevors story to tell.
Mine is more about the beauty of the storm that night. I hadn't even expected to need a coat. Only in the downpour did I even think a little bit that I may. Plenty of places to hide out away from the weather.
I may tell more tonight, I don't know, but that is some of my adventure. Work bumped up my start time.
Sunday, August 09, 2009
I know, it's about time I started to say something about where I went and what I did and what did I want to do that for- So here it goes
This is a picture of the lair of the black Madonna, (no disrespect intended, I just don't really know what to call this area)
This is the place where the mass is conducted and when I arrived I remember seeing that same bald head in that same attitude when I was there.
(I didn't take a picture in there because my camera has this auto flash thingy and I don't know how to work it yet)
This joint is an old castle I think, as one of the doors has the inscription "Arsenal" over the door and a cannon and balls in relief over the door as well.
We made our way, I was sent to do a little recon while Trevor waited for instruction from on high. This icon is very loved and we needed to be aware of who and what and all as it was the height of the pilgrim season and this is the number three most loved relic/icon in the Roman Catholic faith and I was getting dirty looks from everywhere apparently for wearing shorts (tho' Trevor didn't and he doesn't wear trousers either.)
So I went in and fund where we needed to be and we shared communion out side of the building and off we went. We went in and did what God asked us to do and He provided things that we hadn't expected, but greatly appreciated, and out we came.
Outside there was a peace that was new. Swallows were flying out in the courtyard that weren't there before and the time was about 1100 as mass was just beginning. The swallows were flying as though there was a fresh hatch of flies. Chirping and flying in a certain ecstacy-
It's nice when a plan comes together. I wish that this post did
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
For those of you wondering whether or not that is a polska in my hand it is not- it was a small flute that I always kept with me in case something were to break out that I would regret not being a part of.
This one was about the food. For about $5 you could get chicken and rice or a nice spaghetti or something I couldn't pronounce, but of course, once your mouth is full that's a good thing.
This young lady was playing on a 200 year old violin, and making it sound her own, young and vibrant. She kept up with Jojo and the rest of us with ease. I wish that we had the means to record some of that time. With a dozen drummers it was a little loud, but it was very good.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
This was during our time in worship. Joseph (my drum) was taking a little vacation due to the high humidity in Poland- he had no voice, so I had to find other means to worship and minister... This was effective as well.
This is not what it looks like, although it was very warm in that room and I was jet lagging pretty heavily, I was not asleep.
I used the brooms because of the humidity and not wanting to stretch the drum skin by beating it with something heavy and hard.
This is warfare here- The Brazilian Christians sent missionaries to Portugal and the Portuguese thought of them the same way most of the world sees missionaries from the US who are excited by their new revelations.
Denny Hurst on the left, who has recently moved to Lisbon, Portugal and was there to represent Portugal and Olgalvaro Bastos of Brazil in the red shirt doing warfare on the drums
Todd Adams I don't know that we'll have internet access in Madrid, but bless you all and thanks for praying. Athens was a success. On to Madrid. This is going to be really fun when these reports are about worship gigs 8^)
Monday, July 13, 2009
In Athens now... Not picking any fights- but seeing some amazing things happen. Chatting with new friends from Kaliedjeskope (how did they spell it and why that way?) {It's Polish for the one that you can't spell in English, either} Poland was hard to get around in because of a different alphabet... Greece isn't any easier... I wonder how Brazil will be next year...
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
I was trying to figure out whether it was the pious look of a Polish supplicant or if I just incited something deep within people to distrust strangers, or just what it was.
Then I thought that I may have an idea... I'm a skinhead. Well, I'M not a skinhead but I look like a skinhead. To someone who doesn't have eyes to see.
At the end of our assignment we sat in the courtyard and felt the peace roll in.
I watched the clouds roiling, and when I went to take a picture or a video, they would slow.
And then the swallows came in and chirped and flew in circles around the courtyard- they looked full of joy unspeakable. And there were more of them flying about the compound as we walked out.
Anyway, we completed our assignment there and got good and thoroughly lost on our way back. I didn't mind... It was autobahn... How fast is 170 KPH? I'm just wondering. I'm pretty sure that I had never driven that fast before.
We missed the airport exit because the sign was hidden behind a big truck. We looked to find our way to Lubiaz, and couldn't figure out where we were for most of the trip, but we did find our way and then finding our way to the Retreat House where we are staying, well let's just say it's kind of satisfaction you feel when after you have been lost driving around and then locals get lost looking for a place not far away from where you are.
Poland is beautiful, the people are beautiful and I'll be happy to come back someday, but- it's a big world with a lot more to see. Some of it has come here to see me, and more of it is waiting for me to come there.
But today belongs to Poland... WIECEJ RADOSCI!!! MORE JOY!!!
Monday, July 06, 2009
It's
The adventure so far: a little more detail.
I'm pressed for time so it's still not going to be hugely detailed, but-
AMTRAK wouldn't take my case, or the amount of luggage that I was biging up with me, and so I ended up driving up with Ramona and Andrew. This was Ramona's first act of ministry since her ordination 4 hours before we left.
We met Trevor on the
Then Trevor saw the second incarnation of the box to send Joseph in (very large drum, actually almost the size of the restrictions for air travel) and so we took two rubbermaid boxes and destroyed their usefulness for anything else and successfully covered Joseph and the Lord protected its coming and going and the enemy was foiled in his attempts to stop its travel...
I was up all night building and 11:oo pm to
The plane that we were originally booked on was not going to malke the trip and they changed it to a smaller plane which meant someone was going later.
This was not an option for us as we had two other connecting flights and we didn't know that
We are now in the city of the black Madonna and have been praying about our part.
We covet your prayer as well. Amen
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Posted By Brother Bear to the toad less travelled at
Sunday, July 05, 2009
If things are going according to plan (and I think they are), then Todd & company is on an airplane right now, winging his way over - let's see, I guess he'd be heading over northern Canada - on his way to Poland.
It will be a long ride. Please pray for rest (they were up most of the night re-building a drum case), for strategy, for perspective, and for all the usual "travelling" stuff: health, good connections, great relationships, etc.
Final Roundtable UpdateFinally, the 2nd Global Roundtable begins one week from today, Wed. at 10am and we have a really cool group of leaders coming. We have a number of Festival Directors, Network Leaders, Pastors and Church Planters, Missionaries, Bible Translators, Editors, Musicians and Creative Ministry leaders. I think we will have an amazing time together.The newly update delegate list is belowAlso, we have some great news, Violet Burning will be leading our worship session on Fri. morning and Michael Pritzl will lead the Fri. morning roundtable session.Festival fee free for all DelegatesAlso, the leadership of SLOT told us this week, that they have decided in appreciation for the work we are doing, the distance some of us are traveling and because they really we feel privileged to host Kalejdoskop, that they would like to make the festival free for all delegates, not just those who have scholarships.Morning Roundtable SessionsWe have a few updates on our Morning Roundtable sessions.Wed. - Wolfgang Fernandez - "Creative ways of funding your ministry"Thurs. - Andrew Jones - "Going Apostolic" - Focus on igniting movements to reach your countryFri. - Michael Pritzl - "Altar Building", making our offering to God, wherever we are on the earth, in our rooms, at church, at colleges, clubs, festivals, wherever we are making music, we are building altars and offering our lives, our hearts, our praise to the Living God.
Sat. - Olgalvaro Bastos Jr “Inspired, not Copied”, discussing about how ministries, nowadays are copping successful weapons, but are not seeking for revelation on how to work on God’s Behalf.Morning Worship timesPlease remember to bring an indigenous instrument from your country, to join in with our drum intercession focusing on different regions and issues.Newly, update Delegate ListGlobal Andrew Jones - Boaz Project -Poland Radek Grygoruk - SLOT Festival Director -Poland Krzysztof Słaboń - SLOT Program DirectorCzech Republic Tomas & Monika Koblasova, Freakfest,Czech Republic Sasa Flek - TaCesta -Czech Republic Lukasz (Jumper) Firla - Godarchy ministryCzech Republic Darek Firla - Tentwork ministryUkraine Oksana - UPfestUkraine Slavic - UPfestRomania OlgaMacedonia Scot Brower - 24/7 prayerMacedonia Alpin Ponikolov - Glasnost ChurchGreece Philemon Armenis - FusionSpain Carlos Laborada - Coverbacks Motorcycle ministryPortugal Denny Hurst - Rock on RockPortugal Claudecir Júnior Church planterPortugal Nuno Soars EnglandFrance Simon Bourn - Associate Director of OM in FranceNetherlands Max Paans - Jesus Freaks International ?Germany Hajo Muller - Jesus FreaksGermany/USA Annika Mongan - The Refuge FloridaEngland Martin Brown - AsylumEngland Jonny Baker - CMS, Grace, Alternative WorshipEngland Ian Nicholson - The Matrix Trust/ 24-7prayerEngland Adam Dyer Yeovil Community Church / Urban WarriorsBrazil/England N - Rodrigo Veiga Tribal Generation MissionaryBrazil Olgavaro Bastos Jr. - Tribal generationBrazil Deniz & Andrea VargasBrazil Ronei Jr. - Sao PauloIndia Ravi Joseph Landge - Wildfire TribeThailand Gary and Ineta Lansdowne - YWAMFar East Wolfgang Fernandez - Next Step nowUSA - Becky Garrison, Senior Contributing Editor for Sojourners and The Wittenburg DoorUSA - Todd Adams, Olympia WA - Drum IntercessorCanada Trevor Macpherson - Underground Railroad
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"Using a gift that God's given you, while in prayer, your connection is broadband now."
TLA
Friday, July 03, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
It has been said that you could capture a flea and out it in a jar with a lid on it and it will learn not to jump so high as to hit the lid. Then when you remove the lid, it's life is dictated by it's experiential limits.
This is how it is with me. I was born into a jar with a lid on it being taught the constraints and limits caused by sin, the fall, my flesh instead of the knowing the freedom of ownership, stewardship of the earth, the kingdom I was born to rule in.
I learned to walk within the boundaries of the world fallen filled with traps and pitfalls. Born to live by the sweat of my brow, not the authority I was born for. Born to live within the same boundaries that those who taught me are bound to, emulating their interaction, their fear, their bondage imagined.
Now I have been born of the spirit. Born of a second Adam and I, too, am now without defect, though my flesh has memories of it and longs the for the safety and security the bonds.
Now I am free from the natural boundaries and definitions that were sides on the box. I am learning evermore to walk out from beneath the curse that I was born under and into a world of freedom from sin and fleshly hungers. Born again with a natural mind, learning to invoke His harvest and be the lord over it in His name. Learning to rule and reign over every creature as I am given a choice to reign or die the pauper that the despiser hopes with nothing but empty pride, a bell with no clapper
Monday, February 16, 2009
Raise your vision.
Sounds pretty simple, eh? You'd think so. But in this day and age where all the little churches have we have to raise our vision.
I live in a state capitol where you would imagine that every politician is vying for position. I'm not quite the insider there and so for me to say would be pure conjecture, BUT I am an insider in the church. And I have ears to hear.
We have at least two pastors claiming to be the apostle over the city. One went so far as to invite people around town to kiss his as- er- rin-uhhh-apologize for doing things without his approval.
People who have lived here for a long time and have the city and it's welfare deep in their heart.
A city where evil runs rampant. There are black houses, owned ostensibly by a satanist whose strategy to take over the town is to by real estate and have a voice by virtue of literal ownership.
Many of us have been concerned because the man using the strategy has purchased two houses and painted them black across the street from one of the churches.
This church is now for sale.
Some friends of mine stopped in to see what the scoop was and while I was very happy that they hadn't been run out, but they weren't interested in the least about holding the ground, either. That joint is for sale and if the dentist wanted to buy it they might be willing to sell it to him to extend the vision of the that church.
Now we went in to pray a blessing on the church and after moments I knew that I should get out before they ask me to agree with them in prayer because my integrity took a hit. I couldn't think of anything other than how their vision was about their own church. There was nothing about how it would seriously affect the city.
They referred to the pastor as the CEO and it was all about his vision, but it wasn't about any future but there own.
There are a large number of people who don't know why they moved to Olympia other than they were lead here. I'm one. I came to Oly for Oly.
I can see, I believe that God would make our fair little burg a place where people could come to hear Gods voice clearly. Answer questions about what is the best way to touch the throne and hear destiny. People enabled by the Spirit of the Most High to hear about their value and get clues to success.
And we have men claiming to be the watchers on the wall who are sitting like Humpty Dumpty looking over their own backyards as tho' it's the apple of God's eye.
Who am I to say so, but I think that there are many on the wall whose eyes face outward, watching for the work of the enemy and anxiously awaiting destiny.
Lord, We're here! Look here! What would you have us do? Raise our eyes to destiny greater than we can conceive!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Yesterday when my heart had swelled and and the scabby part broke open again and the longing within came spilling out, the oddest thought came to me.
I shared it with my good friend Dave and he immediately became concerned for (and I appreciate him for it) my life.
I called him on the phone and it went something like this...
Dave: "Hello, Tumwater City Zoo"
Me: "I don't think dying as a consequence even enters someones mind when they contemplate suicide"
Dave: " "
Me: "I think that their only consideration is to stop hurting because it has become unbearable"
Dave: "Uhm... "
Me: "Just thinking about a disturbing thought I had yesterday"
Dave: "What kind of thought would that have been?"
Me: "The thought came to me that carbon monoxide would be a pretty painless way to go"
Now, my friend needed some assurance that I wasn't looking to do anything drastic and I was happy to provide that, but the realization is that people who take that road aren't really thinking of its permanence. It's about making whatever they are reacting to stop.
I don't know quite why I got this revelation, but there it is.
There is more to this, but I haven't gotten it yet. Probably like most times I'll be driving and won't be able to go anywhere with it, but then again, it will come up when it should.
Don't solve a temporary problem with a permanent solution. Jesus is there and has made the way for you to talk with His Daddy- try that first. It's a little more flexible application.