Forerunners

Forerunners need to remember that they are “out front” and therefore need to keep their expectations of others in that perspective. If they were all out there with you, you would not be a forerunner.

I believe that the purpose of a forerunner must be to find the land of their calling and set up a homestead or a weigh station there until they are met by those who follow, having found the safety of definition and a knowledge base for those coming after.

They know the pitfalls because they have been exploring the land close in to this place that has become home to them and may well be where they hear Him call, “Well done, my good and faithful friend”. They have seen the dangers, dangers that the next generation will have an answer to, while they may not.

Forerunners past have taken shortcuts and banned perceived dangers unable to bare the risk and not yet knowing the full benefit of a God-given design or dream. They are sometimes talked down to and succumb to someone who speaks with authority, someone who finally seems understand the quest that they have been on- but followed the a contented trail where the snow melted around footprints first and looked worn by the time that they got on it, but as the trail becomes less obvious, their walking staff becomes the length of their confidence.

Often these are the trails where generation next jumps from, beginning their adventure in bravado of unknown consequence, reckless in the eye of the forerunner past.

As a forerunner I look at those forerunners behind me and wonder how they could possibly be content with the meager ration that they have foraged of God’s goodness and grace. I can’t settle for that! I MUST have MORE!! There HAS TO BE MORE!!!

But I must to remember that was the cry of every forerunner before me, and if the Lord should tarry, I will be remembered in this very same way. The shadow cast by those whose floor is what was once my ceiling will overwhelm the great pinnacles that I reach, and rightly so, but I pray they will remember me with grace.

Amazing grace will be my rising ceiling
Amazing grace will be my tower floor
Amazing grace will be my bread of life
Amazing grace will be mine forevermore

Sankofa

To go back and retrieve what was left behind and bring it forward for redemption.
In Gods economy nothing is without purpose. There is nothing that He cannot find value in.
Those things in your past that shames you need to be brought forward and used to fuel the fires of your both your passion and your crucible.
Nothing is wasted.
Nothing is without purpose in your redemption story.
Romans 8:28 says that ALL things are work together for the benefit of those who love God and are called according to His purpose.
Those things of no future benefit are meant to be burned in the crucible and you are then made free of them.
Those things that withstand the heat are meant to be building blocks structuring your prosperity and your testimony.

Last night I was privileged to go to Silverdale and play with some friends and just reach up into heaven and see if we could reach the throne. Not in a haughty kind of way to see if God was there as some others have done in the natural, but see if we could touch His heart. Of course we are the type to believe that we can and He is a loving God who pays attention to our hearts and hunger for the best in our environment.
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.

Sorry- departure from where we have been- AAAHHHHHHahhhhhhhhhhhh- What can I do to get the music that is in me out of me? there is just too much and I don't have the time or the knowledge to get it out. I can't even find on outlet to get it on line so I can share it. I may explode

This is Ravi "Jojo" Landge, one of the young international mover and shaker types that came to the Kaleijscope (I never have really looked at the spelling of that, in Polaish or otherwise). He has a band in India called "Wild Fire Tribe'' and they have permission to worship in a chain of coffee shops and find other places to call God's love into the room.

He is one of many young minds that were there to receive a passed baton of creative ministry, passion and to

be recognized as a young lion being turned loose in his region.

He spoke with passion when he had something to say, challenging the older generation to keep their focus and rekindle the boldness of their youth. And he made new friends everywhere his path took him.

Here at lunch we began to play, as we became a band when Annika,here seated next to Jojo, brought instruments enough to share.

Music happened every where. And Nuno, on the other side of Annika played a kazoo in a way that I had never heard before. I had never heard an anointed kazoo, but Nuno played the shofar on his kazoo and it was amazing.

After our bout at the Black Madonna, the weather became volatile. I don't know if it's always like that in Poland in July, but you can

see here how nice it looks (even though Jojo is wearing a

sweatshirt) and the day looked to be beautiful, we began to seek out a venue to play in and found the hallway, entryway, it was the gate by which a horse drawn carriage might enter the courtyard of the site- and we began to play on the steps.

Before long, Jojo was leading all of these people, who came in to join a jam session, in some choruses that they all knew.

Props to you my friend! You know how to fire up your generation! I hope to see you again soon!

So this is Diniz and Andrea from Brazil, Actually, I think that this picture is in Brazil, but no matter.

I met them my first night in Lubiaz after the whole hanging out and waiting thing- we stayed at the same B&B outside of Luibiaz in some other place that I can't tremember... A "Retreat House" that was difficult to find. The first drive out there, we had two drivers, each with a GPS (and each equally lost) and we went to the wrong house first , but got directions I think... all I heard was in Polish, but I didn't hear them yelling or anything.

Anyway, we get in and Diniz is carrying the bags and he puts them down and grabs his hips and stretches his back- you know, the international symbol for "my back hurts" so I asked if I could pray for his back.

I prayed for a minute and then asked him through his wife who up until then was his interpreter, adn he was healed. I had made a new friend through the miraculous power of Jesus healing power.

Andrea said that Diniz has always wanted to be able to speak english, but couldn't and I thought, "hey, we're on a roll here," so I prayed and asked the Holy SPirit to teach him english through the night...

The next morning- I was his interpreter. He strill didn't speak english, but we had a connection and for e few days after, if Andreas wasn't around and he just wanted to make conversation, he would grab me and say, "You- interpret- me" with a big grin on his face because he thought it was pretty funny too.

Brazil is a definitley in the book for next years choice destination.

When the plane landed in Poland, the weather was fine- actually perfect, like an early fall day here. The sun was out, I was glad for sun glasses, but not hot, juts nice.
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.

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

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.

From Todd:

"I'm not quite convinced that the best part of going is returning, but I'm trying that part out now"

"Now if I can stay awake today and sleep through the night- no more jet lag!!! (I think)"

Camping Pictures.

Pictures from the trip.

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

contending for unity between the nations

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^)

Todd Reports:

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...

There is a necessary tension between definitions, language, boxes and freedomto redefine ourselves. If we call ourselves apostle, prophet, evangelist, etc, we give others the right to define us, tell them what to expect from us- and yet their definition or understanding or definition of a word may not line up with how we ourselves would want to be defined with regard to the tasks set before us.

Our discussion leaned more toward definitions in secular terms so that the church wouldn't have the ability to "pigeon hole " us while the world, we in and those of, would have the freedom to express our callings and visions unfettered by tainted and deficient language.

Hello! the roundtable is going well and growing each day as more delegates from around the globe arrive. Brazil, Germany, Macedonia, Greece, India, Portugal, Venezuela, Czeck-Republic, Hungary, Thailand and even Poland! Many friends being made, many friendships getting deeper and you can see the river of youth that is going to shape the church as it responds to todays cultural necessity.

There is an excitement for nations that is papable in the eyes of these young men and women dedicated to the cause of Christ. They have already been broken before the cross as they witness the church missing people groups and cultures and they are dedicating their lives to pursuing a healthy church body in their home nations as well as those that hear the whispers from the Holy Spirit wooing them to be todays model of Abraham's servant drawing the Bride to the side of the Master.

I am encouraged by there hearts and their longings. Bless the Lord for a hope and a future.

Last night I heard an incredible band called Masala- I think that they are in the "pre" stage of life, but my gosh they were fun. Eclectic Southeast Asia, Jamaican dub urban hip-hop throat singers. Absolutely WILD!!! And in a short time a band called The Violet Burning, for those of you who have been around for a day or two... and Elisabeth ;^)

Hello from Poland! weather is nasty, drum has no voice, jet lag is killing me- I'm having a great time!!! Connecting with ministries from Brazil, Greece, Portugal, Beijing, London... The next step.. is Sunday moving on to Greece, and then Spain. Slotfest is an amazing event done every year here in Lubiaz- you should come next year if you get the chance! Next update when I know something new LOL

Well, that went well. For us. But I couldn't for the life of me figure out why I was getting dirty looks from everybody.

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!!!

It's 03:30 a.m. and about 6:30? there. 9 hours difference... and I'm jet lagging, sleep deprived a little and going to attempt to say a little, so...

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 US side and he took me across because of passport insufficiencies.

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 04:30 am and our ride to the airport arived at 05:00. We got to the airport and went to check in with our electronic boarding passes and there was a problem that they didn't want to explain until we got checked in.

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 Toronto to Duesseldorf was going to be a forced march for a little over half a click. Crazy. We arrived at the gate in time to hear the final boarding call announcement.

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 7/06/2009 06:14:00 PM