wierd day.

Have you ever just had a day when all is just wierd? It was a good day, a quiet day at work, which is few and far between so in that sense it was wierd. But it was more than that. My brain today was all over the map. It started with a strange doc's appointment... far too odd to describe, let's just say it was... interesting. Then a long wait for the medication refills, which required a call to work saying I would be late. Then walking from there to work and running into more patrons on the street than I did at work today, and a day at work that went both fast and slow. It's just been one of those days I guess. Maybe if I just go lay down and sleep it will all be better in the morning. night!

Pray and serve... together... again...

I had a really good day at work today. It wasn't so much because it was a quiet, uneventful day, though of course that helps, but it was more because I felt focused and clear about my purpose in being there.

In our devotions at work we talked about Colossians 4:2-6, and verse 12. They are verses primarily about prayer being vigilant (NKJV) to pray, with thanksgiving, but also to pray for Paul, who was in chains for the gospel. He asks specifically for them to pray SO THAT there would be an open door for the word, that he might speak it in a way that it is made manifest in the earth. Then verse 12 is about Epaphras, who labored fervorantly (NKJV) or wrestled (NIV) in prayer that the Colossians would stand perfect and complete in the will of God.

First of all, I know that I tend to talk about prayer alot, and that is because it is very important to me, but these verses helped me in my continuous struggle of how to bring prayer and ministry to and with the poor together.

Prayer softens the ground... it opens doors for the gospel to go forward, it once again is a both and! Then it is all about thanksgiving, thanking God for what he is already doing, coming into line with that and making His Word known. And my favourite part of all of this is verse 12. Some truly are called to LABOR INTENSELY or WRESTLE in prayer for others.

Secondly (or are we on thirdly?) Paul was in prison when he wrote this and his admonishion to those in Colosae was to allow Jesus to BE thier life, to put off old things and put on the new, to pray, to speak boldly, and to act with wisdom, and speak with grace. There is not a seperation of some do one and some do the other, we are called to ALL. But at the same time, ones like Epaphras had a great zeal to pray for those he loved and worked alongside, and ministered to. That is who I want to be.

So today, as I was at work, I could rest in the knowlege that YES, feeding the poor and caring for others and attempting to restore dignity IS a large part of my calling in life, AND right alongside it is to pray for doors to be open, for ground to be softened, and to labor intensely and wrestle in prayer for the ones God puts on my heart.

When I came back from Kansas City a couple of weeks ago, I knew that God was stirring much in my heart. I want to see a prayer room developed for the poor, the addicts, the broken in whatever way that looks like in the inner city, like Hope City and yet whatever that would look like here in Winnipeg. Today (amongst other things) has strengthened that resolve.

I'm sure there is much more to say on this in the future. I ask now though, that those of you who are faithful readers of this blog, would pray... that the doors may be open and that I may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God, but especially in regards to a "New Hope City" here in Winnipeg.

And so the journey begins

cool pic

my niece Jenna took this picture. I love it!

What would you do for 14 1/2 hours?

some people read (gloria)

Some play video games (Benj) Some people are fascinated by the scenery (allie)
Some people drive (stephen) well I think he was driving...
Once the ride gets longer... some people fight (I had NOTHING to do with this picture!)

And others, well... play with their hair

But most importantly... we all cried out "COW"

July 4 -- KC style!

heading home.

well, I guess this is it. I'm sitting in front of Higher Grounds waiting for the Fligglets. We drive home today. It has been an astounding week, complete with the craziest fourth of July nieghbourhood firework display I have ever seen... Pictures to follow!

Fligglets are here... gotta go!

Chase... too cute for words

the least likely

Gigi at Hope City
One of the forgotten ones

Lisa at the sound booth

Yesterday morning I had the amazing privilege and experience of going into a group home of severe schitzophrenics. There are a number of them in the core area of Kansas City and a couple of the Hope City staff have been cultivating relationships with the group homes and going in to preach and pray. Because it's what I get to do this week, I tagged along with Lisa and Gigi.

There were two tables with mostly men and a few women waiting for us when we arrived. Gigi led out with a prayer and speaking about Hope (Hope City... yah, it works) She talked about how our hope is in God, and that he works ALL things out. Lisa followed that up with talking about God getting us through the struggles and asking who wanted more from God. Gigi sang a song that was a response song and it was all about saying YES to God in all circumstances. The folks sang with gusto!

The prayer time, for me, was a humbling experiences. Each of the folks, one by one, came up for prayer as Lisa, Gigi and I layed hands on them and prophesied over their lives. One man was in tears as he heard the words of hope and took them in. Another man asked to help him be sure he was saved. As Lisa walked him through a prayer, the true conversion of a heart was evident in his eyes.

These are the forgotten ones. These are today's version of lepers. Not so much "unclean", but forgotten all the same, or at least avoided out of fear and misunderstanding of the disease. These are men and women that I felt God pour out His compassion and love on in that room yesterday.

I will never forget it.

Day 2

What???? I've only been here two full days? It's intense man... it's intense!

Yesterday Lisa and I hung out all day by running around for Hope City. In all that running, we talked alot about all the things that have happened since I left as well as well... what God has been saying.

Mike Bickle on Sunday spoke on prayer and how to pray. It was a message that those at IHOP and those of us associated with the HOP's around the earth have heard many times, but the basics are always good. I wasn't yet here, so didn't hear it, but the "after shocks" I not only heard but have been experiencing.

A woman who lives with Lisa and her family had a dream on Sunday night that basically was a rerun of the service from Sunday. In the dream she heard Mike say "i keep saying it, but nobody is listening". That has, in Lisa's words, "jacked" us all up. I've been a Christian since I was 13. I've been taught how to pray, how to read scripture and how to answer the Sunday School questions with "GOD, PRAYER, or the BIBLE" which ever one fit.

I also have spent 2 1/2 years at IHOP, been hours in the prayer room, but find myself to be guilty of the accusation of YOU AREN'T LISTENING. By the way, it's not Mike saying we aren't listening to him, it's that we aren't listening to GOD. God is getting ready to break into the earth with His glory and when it comes, it will come right along with His judgements. Am I ready for the shaking that God tells of in His Word? Am I grounded enough in His love and truth that I won't be shaken? They are hard questions, especially when even with all my talk of prayer and the importance of it, and the time spent in prayer, I don't know if I can answer with a definate YES, I am listening.

There was a recent car accident here in the city where 3 people died, and it hits close to home for Lisa's family. The quickness in which these young people lost their lives is staggering. Three families torn apart because of one bad decision. It's a little more complicated than that of course, but it made the last two days of asking the question "ARE YOU LISTENING?" even more poignant.

I believe that God is of course full of grace and compassion, but He is also a jealous God, not jealous OF me, but jealous FOR me. He wants my full heart, mind soul and strength. He wants it so much that he will do whatever it takes to get it.

Jesus, help me GET it. Help me HEAR what you are saying. Open my heart and mind and especially the eyes and ears of my heart!

back to KC

I am back. I am once again in the land of 24/7 worship and prayer, and it is good.

I went to Hope City again last night too and remembered the goodness of the Lord. We were praying from Philippians 1 :9-11 and asking that God's love abound more and more for the folks in the city. It was so good to be amongst a people who come from such a struggle as drugs, alcohol, and/or poverty who cry out for those like them.

At one point, one of the pastors who attends spoke about how we often think and even pray that people would "hit rock bottom" in order for them to recognize the need for and want their world to change. He reminded us that it is GOD'S GOODNESS that moves us to repentance. It made me realize I still have a lot to learn about how to pray for the broken in our society.

I miss this.