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The earth displays His glory. We are all carriers of something!

8/16/2019

Today, I will finish out my vacay adventures with two of my many highlights. I got to see two launches and an incredible rainbow. Two totally different launches. One was a cargo launch and the other was a satellite launch that will transmit information to Africa. We put on our NASA shirts and hats and red chucks and out the door we went to see what had been scheduled.

It is a rarity that there would be two launches this close together. One was delayed but, went up later in the week; which we still got to see, and the other was right on time. It matters what you are carrying. What you carry changes what you leave behind. Moses was carrying the afterglow of being in God's presence and it caused his face to glow. As I watched each rocket go up, I noticed how different they looked. I paid attention to the aftermath, one left almost nothing. The other left a vapor that lasted a long time. Both man made. Both carrying something of value.

The above is the Satellite Rocket. Notice the ice shield as it travels through our atmosphere, and where it left our atmosphere. This one left the greatest aftermath. You knew something was there, long after it had taken off. It was carrying something to transmit information. The other one was just carrying stuff-cargo.

This one above is the one carrying cargo. It was louder after the initial take-off, but little to nothing remained to let you know anything happened. Stuff really doesn't matter as much as information, what you know and who you share it with.

Then there is this one. However, this one is my favorite. I'd never seen a full arc of a rainbow. It was breath taking. God made this one. This one is a sign of his promise to us. (Genesis 9:16) When this one was gone, it was gone. No sign was left. It was the sign. I thought if you miss something man made you may be able to see the aftermath. But, if we miss God's timing we miss it all. In the picture below you can see it was doubled on both ends. I not only got to see the full rainbow, but I got to see a double full rainbow. It was amazing. It showed up and then it was gone. I didn't get up early to see it. It wasn't advertised. We didn't all put on a certain shirt, hat, or shoes to look cool to get up early and walk to see it--nope, it just showed up. God is like that. God wants us in the right place at the right time. He promises us so many things, but we just don't obey... we don't do what we need to do--to see what God wants us to see.

What we carry matters. What we leave behind matters. But what is of far greater importance is Who we know, and what we know about what He said. Do you know Jesus? Do you know what He promised. Are you sure you will be where you need to be? We are to be carriers of His presence here on earth. When we show up is there evidence that we have been there? Does our presence cause others to stop and ponder their relationship with Jesus? Are we spending more time trying to see what man made rather than spending time seeing and learning about what God made?

ACTION STEP: Take a minute today and read your Bible. Get to know God better. Find out His perfect will for your life. Where does God want you, right now? Does he want you to go to a road called Straight? Does He want you to come up the mountain? Come out of the cave? Who does He want you to meet? A man named Saul?

God has plans for us. God wants us to carry something. The choice is ours. Will it be Cargo, Information, or a Promise?

Have a great weekend.

I will share with you something new on Monday.

Don't forget to register if you are a woman for my 2019 Intensive "Raising Kings". Click here to learn more http://restorationchurchintl.org/women-of-witness.

If you are man you won't want to miss this conference in October, click here for more information or to register http://restorationchurchintl.org/men-of-honor

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Wrong and Right environments for us.

8/15/2019

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First off let me say that I am in no way bashing surfing or surf boarding, I am simply making this an example of being in the right place as opposed to the wrong place, and what we believe. I am also continuing to share the experiences I had while on vacation with my family, and some of the revelations and conversations I had with God while I was away. Lastly, I do not want to scare anyone away from the beaches and shores. It would be like telling you not to drive, or fly, because of accidents. Things happen to everyone so please, just hear what I'm saying and realize I was simply having one of my "God moments", where He and I were talking.

We were all just fishing off the pier when one guys string started singing. Whatever he caught grabbed the bait and took off. He started to reel whatever it was in and it was bending his pole, and giving him the thrill of a lifetime. We all started moving toward his side of the pier to see what he'd caught. To my surprise, it was a shark. When it broke through the water and started its ascent to the pier a surfer yelled, "Do you have a net?" The young man that was fishing with his son looked at his Dad, and his Dad was already shaking his head, "No". Obviously, if you can net it you can keep it. If not you have to take it to the shore, where they mark them and return them to the water. This surfer was braver than I. He shouted up to the young man, "Well then, I will walk him in for you."

Walk him in! Are you crazy? You're in the water with a shark and you're going to walk him in? I was stunned. He was swimming around the surfer snapping at him all the way in. The surfer would jerk him up out of the water and walk a ways, and then put him back in the water for a moment, then hold him up again. A crowd was gathering to see what all the commotion was about.

The lifeguards showed up and then I guess a conservationist, or some trained authority arrived on the scene. She grabbed the shark with the help of a few other people, which seemed effortless while the shark was laying on the hot sand. She tagged it with a sort of tag gun, and then, walked to the water and released it.

Mind you now this shark must be pretty angry by now--and she released it! She released it back into the ocean where it came from, where the surfers were surfing. They had all just seen what was caught. They all had just seen one of their own (the surfer) walk the shark onto the shore, and they just saw it released back into the water they were surfing in? Am I really seeing this? Why would they stay out there? Why are they seemingly oblivious to this apparent threat?

These are all real pictures I shot with my camera. This is a true scenario. I am still in amazement. I stood there in awe and ask, "God why are they so unmoved by all of this? Why do they just keep surfing, knowing that there are not just one but several sharks out there and many are even bigger?" I mean I had looked into the water and saw several with my own eyes, with their unmistakable sway as they swam through the waters. Many fishing were catching smaller ones, and just throwing them back in.

God was faithful to answer me. "They don't believe it will happen to them. They believe they are the exception. They believe they can get away with it. They believe like all the other times it might happen to someone else but not them. They believe the fun they are having is worth the risk." They believe.

As I was having this conversation with God I finally got it! It was what they believe. What we believe determines our behavior, our choices, our actions, our decisions. It all comes down to what we believe. Even the Bible tells us when we read in Mark 5:36 and Luke 8:50 and several other scriptures tell, "believe only." What we believe matters. But, where we are also matters. If we are in the devils territory we better know what we believe. I have since learned that sharks sense fear. Their radar tells them when the electrical currency sends out fear when we are afraid, it tells the shark the animal, or person in this case, is easy prey because it is hurt or weak. The shark goes after the easy prey.

What message are we sending out to the devil? It may not be as important when you're sitting in the pew on Sunday, but what about when you are swimming in dangerous waters Monday through Saturday? What about when you are on the Mission field, or worst yet, when you are where you know you shouldn't be? Too many so called Christians are surfing in dangerous waters, forgetting what they once believed. The devil is there. We are not always the exception to the rule, but the devil will lead you to believe you are.

ACTION STEP: Where are you playing? What do you believe? How are you handling the devil when you've seeming got him on the line? Have you marked him?

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We were created to standout!

8/14/2019

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On my recent Vacay I did what I always do, I take way too many photos. It's like the whole world is eye candy and my eyes are two years old. "Oh look at that, ooh look over there. Wanna go see that?" I want it all. That being said--I take pictures, lots of pictures. I want to share them all. Maybe that's why I do this Blog? Maybe that's why I preach? Lord, maybe that's why I do everything? I want you to experience all the wonderful things in life that I experience. I want you to know Jesus! Ice Cream! and, and, and, and, Oh and these flowers that I don't even know the name of!!!

It was early. I mean I don't even think God was up yet? Just kidding....I know, "He never sleeps nor slumbers..." Psalm 121:2-4 However, I am a 7-1-3 or a 3-1-8 the final decision has not been made but, if you want to get along with me, when I'm creatively speaking just go along with me, laugh with me, and let me tell my story. I wish you could see my face. I'm smiling because so few of you know what I am talking about, but I will save that for another day. In the meantime go read up on the real "Christian Version" of the Enneagram. A good book on the subject is, "Road Back to You" by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile

So, back to my story. It was like 5 AM, $#%&%$#. Yeah, I know. Right? My eyes were barely open. But, these flowers! They made my eyelids shoot straight up. I thought Lord these must be called, "The Bird of Paradise" flower. I mean surely that's their name. Although truly, I have no idea what they are, so feel free to comment to today's Blog.

But, yes it was early. I'm not a morning person. I am more the bump into things and drop things kinda morning person. But, check these things out. Who makes flowers that look like birds. I know you can probably do a pretty mean balloon animal and tie him up to look just like a dog, but God gave someone that idea to make a balloon so He still gets the credit. Sorry.

My eyes wide open snapping photos of the bird flower, I am totally awake. I'm like talking to God now. I know right? He's probably wondering whose talking, because He's not used to hearing me that early! God you make awesome stuff. God why did you make these flowers to look like birds? I kept firing the questions at God, after all one of His many titles has to be Botanist. Right?

Since we all figure everyone else, thinks like us, I didn't expect Him to answer; but He did. God you have my full attention even at 5 AM...just saying. "I made them to standout!" Yes, You did God--I thought to myself, yes You did. Because, they caused me stop, stop in my half-dead state of trying to wake up and take pictures, gather my little family together instead of continuing to the Pier to fish, and just stop and look at what You made God.

"I make everything to stand out!" "I made the sun, the sun flower to turn his head, the fish, the moon, smells both good and bad and just because I'm God...and I want you to standout too!'

ACTION STEP: Stand up, wake-up, and stand out for Jesus!

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It's not over till it's over.

8/13/2019

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Storms come in to all our lives. This time the storm came and I wasn't home. I thought at first that was a good thing. Until I returned to the aftermath. The electricity had been off for a full two days. That meant all the ice had turned to water in my freezer, and then ran onto my kitchen floor. None of my food remaining was any good. The house was dark and it was impossible to unpack, and so I showered by flashlight and went to bed. The next morning, as light began to shine I heard the sound of a saw. Several people were still sawing their way out of the fallen trees. When I finally threw on my running shoes, and hit the pavement I began to see all the damage that had been done. One particular oak tree along my path was badly damaged. These are some of my photos of that oak tree, and what I learned.

If you will begin to zoom in on the top dead leaves you will see the little acorns hanging on. They have experienced a fall and the branch they are attached to has been severed from the tree. It's been three days since that Microburst Storm Cell hit and already the decay of the branches and leaves has begun. I thought it interesting three days as Jesus was in the grave three days, that we too experienced a fall, that we too were separated from the source of life. I had to stop. I knew God was speaking to me. The rest of my run would wait. Stop running I hear Him saying to us all.

As I continued to survey this branch I saw the little acorns hanging on. They were perfect. They didn't look like the fall had hurt them at all. That's when the Lord spoke to me. All of us were affected from the fall. We are all like that acorn. We were all severed from the tree of Life. When Adam sinned our connection to God was broken. The life of God was no longer flowing into us and death was inevitable. But, we are the seed of Adam. We are still able to produce. It's not easy knowing where this acorn came from (Adam), and seeing where and how far it has fallen (from God's presence), but unless it is eaten it will live. It will also produce (but after it's kind--sin) but there will be many years, many days of rain (tears), days of drought (times away from God's presence), before we see what the strong Oak can become. However, it must get planted. It must grow roots. It must stand. It must experience a rebirth. Can you hear the message inside of the message?

On most of the branches there were several acorns. Usually, there were at least two and sometimes several hanging on together. Jesus never leaves us. Death and dying were all around them, but they were hanging tough. I reached down and took one from the branch. It was well attached but it had only been three days. I thought it's easy when we are hanging on to something (like our healing or our children or our marriage), to hang on for three days, but what about three weeks? Three years? Thirty years? I knew they would eventually let go. I knew in order to survive and become what they were destined to become, they would have to let go, and go through a process of dying to all they had previously known. I hope you hear what the Spirit is saying. I know God is speaking to many of you. "Let go and trust me--I have a plan for you. But, first you must let go."

As I held the acorn in my hand. It was to me perfect. I decided to take it home. As I continued to run again I heard the Lord speaking to me, teaching me. People take what does not belong to them because they like the way it looks, it interest them, they have their own plans for how they will use it. Their plans are not my plans. Their purpose for what they take into their hands is not my purposes. This is what the enemy of your life wants. Satan wants you in his hand. Satan wants to keep you from my original purpose for your creation. I came that you would be set free from satan. I carry you in my hand. I can snatch all who are captive, from the hand of the enemy.

Isaiah 41:13 (NiV)
"For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you."

Psalm 31:15 (KJV)
"My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me."

ACTION STEP: See yourself in the hand of God. See yourself free from whatever has held you captive. Get planted into a local church. Start growing by reading your Bible and listening to a pastor and some teachers online and in a local church. God has big plans for you.

Jeremiah 29:11 (KJV)
"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."

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Don't just make a difference, be the difference.

8/12/2019

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Hey family, friends, facebook followers, and you my faithful Blog journey Buds. It is great to be back from our first ever family vacation with our children and their children. I got to admit I miss the early morning hugs and cuddles from my grandsons. I would wake up and walk out into the living room and hear, "Noooonnnnnnnaaaaaa...", then brace all 130 pounds of myself while my 5 year old grandson ran towards me like a charging bull for his hug. Yeah, I was in heaven. It made me think of God and how He must wish we would all wake up and call upon His name, and wrap our arms around Him. Okay, sorry. I get so carried way thinking about family and loved ones, and how much they mean to me.

Back to reality! Vacay was amazing. I had so many God moments. I guess when we are in the "work-mode" we have them too, but fail to ponder on them because we are in such a hurry. Let me share one of my many, we will get to the the rest later this week so stay with me. You are in for some crazy revelations I received and want to share.

No, this photo was not a mistake. I took it on purpose. I stopped my run--dead in my tracks to take this picture. Here on the beach all alone for my morning run I almost trip over this guy. Where did he come from? Why was he here? Who grows alone? Why bother fighting the sun and sand to grow here? It made me think of how hard life is at times. Why do we keep pressing ahead? Why am I even out here running in the 90 degree weather, sun beating down on me, feet hitting the hot sand, working my body when I could be sleeping and eating Dunkin? Because--I want to not just make a difference, I want to be the difference!

This little bushy plant was making a huge difference in the landscape. He was shouting out to perhaps only me, "I matter". "I have a purpose!" "To someone I mean the world."

If you look closely, you can see he is providing shelter. This little plant is holding on and staking out a place of refuge and safety for someone else. As I bent down to snap this photo, I saw the little creature run for cover. "You're keeping this little guy safe", I said to myself. "You are suffering through to survive so this little creature can have a safe refuge." My mind traveled as it mostly does back to Jesus. How He suffered so we could all get out of this world alive--so we could have a safe refuge.

I always bring my revelations from God back to me and my world, my responsibilities and actions. Am I suffering so others can get what they need? What cost am I paying to show others I care? Does my life matter, even to one person? Do I stand out among the vast landscape as a shelter?

ACTION STEP: As you go about your day ask yourself the question, "Am I making a difference?" "Am I willing to pay the price to suffer to make a difference?" Then decide to be the difference! You got this! God's got us! We are better together!

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You are a Winner #5 of 5

8/2/2019

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No Blog all next week!
But first let me finish what I started on Monday, "Our You are a Winner Series!

True freedom is not found through a casual glance at the claims of Christ, but one must be willing to "dwell" in the Word of God.

This is not a 30 day trial of faith. Jesus is not talking about a 12 week Bible study. Jesus offers freedom to those who abide in His Word. Abide comes from the root word abode meaning home or dwelling place. The word picture communicated is one of moving to a new home. It represents a significant and ongoing change in one's life.

The second concept of abiding is place or location. Jesus declares that true freedom is found in, "MY word." Freedom is not found in self-help programs, legalistic religion, the teaching of Buddha, or Muhammad. Freedom is not found in the pop psychology of Dr. Phil, Oprah, or through selfish indulgence of unrestrained sin. True and complete freedom is found in Christ.

Most of us have experienced the crunch of high gasoline prices. When my teenage daughter asks to ride with her parents because she doesn't want to use the gas in her car, you know that gas is expensive. Imagine if congress allowed drilling for oil in my backyard to help reduce the cost of gas. What do you think the impact would be upon prices? None! Why? Because they aren't in major oil reserves in my backyard! The soil deposits in this geographic region do not contain the chemicals necessary for producing large quantities of fuel like those of Texas, Alaska, or Saudi Arabia. Not matter how hard I work and no matter how sincere I believe, digging for oil in my backyard will not produce the desired result. To get oil, you must dig where there is a deposit of oil.

Jesus declared there is a deposit of truth in His words that can set you free indeed! Jesus is in the business of making winners. Jesus knows where to dig and if you ask Him, He will show you. His Word is full of all that we will ever need.

ACTION STEP: He is so much bigger than anything that can keep us from winning. We were created for VICTORY! Reach up for all you need. Reach out with all that has been given to you and help others across the finish line. HE is bigger and so are you! Because He lives inside of you!

SEE YOU IN A WEEK!
GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU!
YOU ARE LOVED.

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You Are A Winner #4 of 5

8/1/2019

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Thanks for traveling along with me as I share on how to be a "Winner" or why you are a "Winner"-whether you feel like one or not. I am convinced many do not live at the level of winner because they are content at being a loser. We can not be reluctant or complacent when it comes to living a winning life. There is a way that seems right to sinners but is not right for "Winners".

Some people place their faith in Christ, while others believe what Jesus preaches and don't taken the next step--which is placing their faith in Him. This is not ignorance, that I talked about yesterday. Some are not arrogant either, because they recognized a need for Christ, but they are unwilling to surrender to the Lordship of Christ. It is one thing to have fire insurance, and a totally different thing to surrender yourself to what He tells you. By this I mean He becomes the Boss, and He calls the shots in our life. It is like this song, "Jesus take the Wheel."

A little bit of freedom is to some acceptable, instead of trusting Christ for abundant freedom and radical winning. Attending a synagogue or church service, offering some sacrifices or bringing the full tithe, and celebrating the traditional "holy day" festivals like Christmas is okay for most people. However, Jesus offers true freedom from the top shelf instead of settling for the cheap prizes at the bottom shelf. The chains of poverty and being stuck as a loser have been broken.

A friend shared the story of taking his four-year-old daughter to Chuck-E-Cheese. On previous visits she won a few tickets and was limited to choosing prizes from the bottom shelf at the redemption center. But on their last visit to Chuck-E-Cheese, the daughter hit the jackpot on one of the games winning a large number of tickets. As they were going to the redemption center to claim her prizes she said, "Daddy I don't have to choose from the bottom shelf this time. Today, I have enough for the good prizes on the top shelf."

I am convinced most individuals who call themselves "Christians" live complacent lives choosing blessings from the bottom shelf, when abundant freedom is available. However, I also believe there is an Army of Believers rising up with broken chains held in victory over their heads declaring they are winners! They know the power in the name of Jesus.

Jesus identifies a process for experiencing true freedom with the words, "If..then." The process should not be confused with a legalistic formula. He does not say, "If you have a daily quiet time with thirty minutes of prayer, tithe faithfully, and only miss Sunday School twice a year, then you can be free." While Jesus does not prescribe a formula, His words do reveal a way in which things operate in His kingdom. For example, you are free to watch the sun rise each morning, but you must do two things to see it. You must get up early in the morning, and you must face east. If you sleep until ten o'clock and look west, you will miss the sunrise even though you are free to watch it. Why? Because there is a way things work.

The little word "if" is a big concept in the kingdom of God. The word represents an invitation. True freedom will not attack you; rather you must respond to God's invitation to accept His complete freedom. As we have already discussed, most do not accept God's offer.

ACTION STEP: What about you? Whose driving your life? Who is in the front seat holding the wheel and calling the shots? You? Then, today make the decision to move on over into the passenger seat. Decide that where He leads you will follow, what He feeds you will swallow. Yes, I know sometimes it's a huge pill to swallow to say, "I'm sorry or, please forgive me." But, if you want to be a winner--this is what it's going to take. Dying to self, and sacrifice are normal occurrences for Winners.

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Forward>>

The earth displays His glory. We are all carriers of something!

Wrong and Right environments for us.

We were created to standout!

It's not over till it's over.

Don't just make a difference, be the difference.

You are a Winner #5 of 5

You Are A Winner #4 of 5

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