by Pastor Derek Gitsham

“For many walk, of whom I have told you
often, and now tell you even weeping,
that they are the enemies of the cross
of Christ." Philippians 3:18.

It had not taken long for the early Church
to be infiltrated with those who wanted to
cheapen the grace and gospel of our Lord
Jesus Christ. Everyone in the natural realm
longs for an easy life, but an easy life is
not promised to those who would follow in
the footsteps of Jesus.

Jesus said to his disciples, “If any man cometh
after me, let him deny himself, and take up his
cross and follow Me†(Matthew 16:24). He spoke
this to his disciples and the first words out
of His mouth were to let him deny himself i.e.
let him lay down his rights to himself.

The early church … [Link]

I’ve got a favorite pair of jeans that I’ve just about worn ragged, literally. Since I work from home, I spend a lot of time sitting around in them, strolling around the yard, going back and forth from my writing area to the kitchen for coffee, and occasionally doing some work around the house. I wonder what a “day in the life of my jeans” would sound like if those jeans could talk …

“Ouch. Here we go again. You’ve gotta get some of that weight off. You’re stretching my seams to the limit there, Big Guy. Maybe you should be walking more and sitting less? Not to mention the wear and tear on our back end, Fella.

“And we really need to talk about …

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One of the greatest troubadors/poets/songwriters of our time has finally "made it home."

Dottie Rambo's earthly life ended in a tragic accident yesterday morning in southwest Missouri while her bus was on the way to a concert engagement in Texas. Reports say that her entourage hit an embankment, and she was killed almost instantly. Others on the bus are reported to be in serious condition.

This wonderful woman had very humble beginnings in Kentucky, and has lived most of her life proclaiming the good news of the Gospel. Along with her former husband Buck, her daughter Reba, the Singing Rambos swept the gospel music world in the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Their tight harmony as a trio was unparalleled.

Also unparalleled was her gift as a songwriter. I've … [Link]

Text editors are no big deal anymore for writers, are they? Most of the “serious” or finished writing I do is done in Word. I suspect most writers use Word, because so many editors require Word or Word-compatible files.

Yet often, especially when I’m working directly on a website, a good plain text editor is very useful. Do you have such a critter that you use? What is your favorite text editor?

Because most of my need for a text editor involves working on websites, I found one a few months ago that I actually paid money for, but it does many things the many free text editors won’t do.

The software I’m talking about is WeBuilder 2008. You can find it here, if you’re interested. …

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Remembering the Good Stuff!
In my memory, it often the bad days that claim greater prominence! Like it was yesterday, I can recall the puzzlement that turned to fear on September 11, 2001. I can remember the phone calls from my kids, the meeting that I was attending that was cut short as we Pastors scattered to return to our churches and families. I remember, with crystal clarity, the awful morning, March 23, 1985, when I found the lifeless body of our foster son, then a toddler, who had wandered into the farm's pond and drowned, or so we thought. In between frantic efforts at resuscitation and desperate prayers to Heaven, God restored that child to us, but I'll never forget the horrible 24 hours between … [Link]

I live close to my church, so every now and then, a poor person comes to my house and asks for help. Such was the case with a woman who knocked on my door not long ago. From the way she was dressed and the way she spoke, it was clear that she had not been homeless long. She said she needed lodging and help with bus fare to Seattle. To be perfectly honest, I wasn’t in the mood to help. I had just finished a frustrating day at the office and was tired. My wife was sick. We were looking forward to spending a quiet evening alone. And, since I’m being honest, I resented the fact that the only reason this woman knocked on … [Link]

On Sunday, May 18, our congregation will be taking an offering for feeding starving people around the world. It's called "One Day to Feed the World." The sponsoring organization is Convoy of Hope. We will be privileged to have Hal Donaldson, Convoy's president, with us as a guest speaker.

The video above is not the one that we will be showing, but we certainly could.

How does it impact you? (I, for one, was offended at the attack on my ice cream addiction.:)) [Link]

Back on May 2, I had a brief message on my Twitter update that said I was out to shoot bison, but with a camera. It was quite a day.

I made a much longer film for Michael and Colleen to keep as a kind of visual reminder of the bison herd they sold. The longer video detailed the day that started early in the cold morning and ended with a trip to New Rockford and back. However, here are a few of the exciting highlights in this shorter video.

Here you go. The herding of the last of the bison. Two bulls, named General Sherman and Ivan the Terrible.



Thanks for reading. Please consider visiting my web site for a look around.

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The Sunday service was spectacular.

First, I lost a sheet of music so after the entire congregation had been readied and was waiting to sing, they instead got to watch me fumble around in my books and even look under the piano bench. Michael, who was leading worship, said that "we can just sing this one a Capella." Oh, the words I lack to describe the moment of horror when I realized that the song that was up on the overhead was nowhere to be seen.

Eyes! All eyes on me!

How dumb I did feel, sitting in front of the piano, wondering where the music I had pulled out not an hour earlier had gone to. After the opening song, while everyone walked around and greeted each … [Link]

A quick personal update: My family has been busy moving into a new place for the past four days, thus the blog silence. We are almost finished, thank God! In other personal news, I won a 40GB Apple TV loaded with all of the films created by the awesome folk over at Modern Parables. I’m an even bigger fan of Modern Parables than I was yesterday! And yesterday I was a big fan! This rocks, obviously.

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Others before me have gone much farther into holy mysteries than I have done, but if my fire is not large it is yet real, and there may be those who can light their candle at its flame.

—A. W. Tozer

If I were to examine my life and discover what man has contributed more to my own spiritual growth, it would be no stretch to say that Aiden Wilson Tozer has enlarged my knowledge of God in great ways. No other Christian author has made me think and weep like Tozer has, and I believe I would not be writing this blog if not for him. In fact, I may not have been very much of a Christian presence anywhere if it were not for …

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Services began with a bang in New Brockton Alabama at Freedom In Christ Assembly.

New Brockton Alabama is a special place as it is the birthplace of a revival that was the genesis of the Assemblies of God in Alabama. It also birthed other fellowship, churches and Spirit filled denominations. For years I have felt God has wanted to do a fresh new work in this area, and the hunger and thirst for God is evident He is doing just that.

We are also just a few miles from Samson Alabama and our friends at New Life Worship Center. God is strategically placing people and pastors in these areas to re-dig the wells of living water. NOT recapture an old glory that has fulfilled it’s purpose; …

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Looking for a break this week? Close your eyes for 5 minutes and dream a great big dream, something that will drive you closer to your goals. This week, I'm going to be spending a lot of time working on a book I'm writing about customer service, and putting some… [Link]

One person’s tools may be another person’s toys, right? My wife loves to work in our large, somewhat overgrown backyard when she has some spare spring and summer moments — so I bought her a rechargeable electric week whacker for Mothers’ Day. Wasn’t that just special?

(For those of you who are concerned about how we celebrate Mothers’ Day in our household — our son, daughter, and son-in-law came over and put on a big pizza feed for all. Is that better?)

Sure, I could have bought something like candy, a nice dinner out with the family, a ring or necklace. But she really wanted the weed whacker, so that’s what I got. And, yes, she really has let me know she’d rather I not mess …

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I know this has been around for a while, but it's still priceless. Enjoy!



And if you really want to laugh (or cry), here is her response to emails asking for a "Dad's Version":



Anita Renfroe is a Christian Comedian and you can check out her website here. [Link]

For some reason, in the UK we celebrate Mother's Day in March. Actually, this morning I was surprised to be able to attend a church in the European city I am visiting at the moment. There they celebrated Mother's Day, as well as Pentecost. The sermon was like a clear trumpet note for the type of experiential Chrisitanity I long for each of us to grow in. At the end, I had the opportunity to share that it seemed to me God was putting a bright future before the church and saying if they would "look at him and do likewise" as Gideon told his small group to do, they would know a season of great blessing.

Anyway, since this is an international blog, and, frankly, … [Link]

Definitely had some fire shut up in my bones this weekend. Whenever I talk on the topic of dreams I get pretty passionate. I know talked a little louder and a little faster than usual. But I felt like I wasn't going to be able to say it all.

If ever there was a dreamer, His name is Jesus! And when we put our faith in Christ, we become part of the greatest dream ever dreamt–the redemption of humankind. Our Heavenly Father doesn't just want to save us from our sin. He wants to turn us into kingdom dreamers! And one way He does it is via the Holy Spirit conceiving God-ordained and God-sized dreams in us.

For Mother's Day we gave away lip balm made by … [Link]

Allow me to walk you through my Mother's Day - so far - with my new camera! Yippee! The best part of this day is - it's not over yet! So far it has been one of the best days of my life. Seriously. It started out early as usual with me getting all ready for church before the sun came up, then getting my family up and ready. Bobby came over at 7 am this morning to join us for Mother's Day. He took a photo of us outside the house this morning. Savanna's eyes were closed during the pic, but oh well, at least she was smiling. :-) Has anyone besides me noticed how tall my daughter is lately? She's always been … [Link]

‘Preparing for revival’  is the major theme of the SBC Pastors’ Conference in Indianapolis June 8-9. Under the title, "Prepare for Rain," the conference will focus upon the role of prayer and brokenness in spiritual renewal. According to Pastors’ Conference President Michael Catt:

“…but the reality is we don’t have praying churches that are longing for revival. If there’s not prayer and brokenness in revival, our churches are not going to do a better job of evangelism because carnal people don’t have a burden for lost people."  …

“The Pastors’ Conference needs to be for guys who are rolling into town on four flat tires, ready to resign. I’m praying that God so moves in that room that it’s no longer about where are we going …

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Christians across the U.S. are being summoned to a time of prayer and repentance to be held on Saturday April 26 at the National Mall in Washington, D.C.  Also, the services will be shown at satellite venues in 31 states. Participants will worship, pray, and be encouraged to repent of their own sins. Organizers hope that this will lead to a national revival.    ~ *Top

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J. Lee Grady writes about the Lakeland revival in his Fire In My Bones article this week (Wed. 4-23-08).  A must read! 

Also over at the Revival Blog , Carl has a documented  account of a girl with a broken arm healed at the meetings.    ~

Can’t help but wonder if this is the beginning of the ‘big one’ or only a ‘foreshock’. I live in earthquake country and every time a large earthquake hits (5.0 or above) we wonder if it is the main event or only a large foreshock of the ‘big one’ to come latter. What ever it is it is God and it is good. Lord, let it spread across the whole country from shore to shore. Amen.     ~ *Top

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Update: Beauregard Revival- David Copeland reports:

“We ended our fourth week of revival services last night at Beauregard Revival Center in Opelika Alabama. The Holy Spirit did not disappoint us!

From the outset the Holy Spirit was pulling people closer to Him even again! When there is such a strong pull of the Spirit for people to come closer to Jesus, it makes me wonder if that is what Enoch felt as he walked with God; and then God took him!"

Lakeland, Fl @ Ignited Church: Carl Thomas writes about this ‘Move of God’, which began on April 2,  on the Revival Blog.

Response: Keep it coming Lord, let the flame spread across the entire country and into every wineskin and denomination.   ~ *Top …

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Friday’s devotional from Charisma Online has several thoughts that I would like to share. Is it even possible for Revival to come to your city? I have even read a number of articles lately (I refuse to link) which claim that America is past saving. I believe that Francis Frangipane puts that idea to rest with an affirmative perspective that really includes us all:

Your City Is Ripe for Revival

Today’s message is from Francis Frangipane.

Today many cities are ripe for revival. What hinders the turning of the people’s hearts? The answer lies with the church, with our sins of self-righteousness, apathy and unbelief.

The Lord said, “If My people humble themselves and pray . . . I will heal their land.” Whether or …

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Now in the 3rd week at Beauregard Revival Center in Opelika, Alabama. It is starting to get exciting! Read David Copeland’s Monday April 7th report.

David started preaching a revival series on Easter Sunday and it was originally scheduled to last through Wednesday March 26.

It is my hope that soon every church across the nation will begin to experience God in a real and tangible way–that is what I am looking for. I have become convinced lately that ‘Revival’ will probably look somewhat different at every church and place that the Spirit sovereignly descends upon.     ~ *Top

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The 2nd Anniversary of this blog went unnoticed while I was flat on my back nursing some kind of bug.   Charismatica Blog started two years ago on April 2, 2006.

  This actually makes me a ‘tweener’ in the blogosphere. The ‘ancient sages’ came before 2003, the ‘mature’ webloggers started in 2004-5, then came the popular deluge of blogs starting in 2005-6 -’the adults’. The path was already well worn when I started in 2006, yet so much has happened since in the blogosphere it will be interesting to see what comes next–we are really still at the beginning of this web genre.   

This was actually my 2nd blog. I started blogging at ANSWERS For The Faith a month earlier on March 5, 2006.  My original …

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This is not an April fool’s day joke! There is a new Internet ministry, Adopt a Terrorist for Prayer (ATFP), which is urging Christians to adopt a terrorist and pray for them. Just as Jesus Christ instructed his disciples to love and pray for their enemies.

The ministry has pictures of all the major known terrorists and suggests that you select one (adopt) to pray for. As ATFP founder Dr. Thomas Bruce states:

“People can go to www.myatfp.org to learn about nearly a hundred prominent at-large and captured individuals identified by the FBI and State Department as either terrorists or terrorism sponsors,” the ministry founder said.

He added, “Visitors can then find a terrorist to pray for, as well as see how many others …

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Here’s an update on the Jena revival began on Feb. 17 in a Jena, Louisiana Baptist church which didn’t even have a pastor at the time. Now it has spread across racial lines and is bring healing to a community that was severely divided by a racial incident at the Jena Highschool. 

(Photo: Karen L. Willoughby -Baptist Press)

Last year, Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton led a rally in this town of 3,000 that saw some 20,000 people descend upon Jena in support of "Jena Six". Now in the same field, a tent holding 1,000 has been set up for the continuing revival.

L&A Baptist Church pastor Jimmy Young said concerning the revival:

“In the Bible, seven is the number of completeness. God is doing …

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I found myself saying in an email, yet again, that I am "better on paper.*" I say it a lot, usually as an excuse as to why I'm hesitant to meet people who only know me by my writing.

That’s such a disappointment, I would think.

I’ll say things in writing that I won't say in person.

But then I stumbled upon 2 Corinthians 10:1 and finally saw something in it. It's repeated again, in 10:11.
This is from a chunk of scripture where Paul is addressing those questioning his authority, and in amongst a lot of other good things, he talks about how, in person, he may seem meek while in his writing, he is bold. I'd suggest having a go at the entire chapter (or book) rather … [Link]

Joel wrote the sweetest letter nominating me for the Wind FM’s Mother’s day contest.  I actually got runner up and won a beautiful floral arrangement from Village Flowers & Mercantile.  His words are the greatest gift though.  Thanks Joel!

Copyright © 2008 GentleWhisper.com - By Amy Maxwell. [Link]

We honor our ladies today on this traditional mother's day. Wendy is speaking this morning at BCC and she has a really moving message. I am so proud of her. It is outside her comfort zone big time, but she has put her whole heart into this message. Wendy is not only a great speaker and teacher of the Word of God. She is a great mom to our three kids. I am thankful for the way she mothers our kids.

After service we will go see our moms. We will head to Morenci, then to Hudson. I was thinking last night of my mom and the struggles she has faced in life and now physically and how spiritually she gets stronger. I praise …

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We begin services today at Freedom In Christ Assembly in New Brockton, Alabama. Allen and Wendy Burdett have buried themselves in the work there in New Brockton and have purposed to have  revival at any cost!

Last Wednesday a visitation from the Lord began. People repenting. People being healed and delivered. People’s hearts waking up to the reality the Jesus is not playing games with us! He wants us to make a whole hearted sell out to Him!

I praise God for all He has allowed us to see in the last two months! But please pray for us! In my heart I know there is even more God has and He wants to do, but I wander how many churches are really willing to wake …

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Lo and behold, what a coincidence! Bigtime Catholic blogger Amy Welborn and my friend Surfer51 are both blogging on the same subjects, which are Canadian preacher Todd Bentley and what's going on in Lakeland, Florida. I really don't know anything about Todd Bentley, and so I can't comment about him. But what I do know is that depending on the Internet is not the best way to understand what's [Link]

This is a phrase I've heard quite often in the past five years, and I'd like to take a moment to challenge it, because so much is at stake.

The phrase, "belonging before believing," suggests that unbelievers should feel included in the Body of Christ so as to cause them to be more open to believing. One writer in my own denomination has even suggested that every church board should have an unbeliever on the board. Now, I'm certainly not one to suggest that we should not be extra-nice to unbelievers who come to our worship services, but I would suggest that they should understand that it actually means something to be a Christian, and that passing from death to life is not a line … [Link]

This is the second sermon in the OASIS series.

The letter A in OASIS reminds us that we will be people who seek to "advance God's kingdom."
Sounds good, and a bit churchy, doesn't it?
But what exactly is the “Kingdom of God?â€Jesus speaks of it again and again in his parables and in the famous "Sermon on the Mount."
We must understand what Jesus means when he speaks of “the Kingdom†— not merely because we look to it as a future reward (Heaven), but also because it affects how we live and think right now.
We prepare for the future kingdom by living in it today, obeying what our King teaches. As we live in faith, we recognize God’s rule in our own experiences in this world, … [Link]

I have decided to start a new series of blog posts. From time to time I am going to post about heros I have met or heard about. I don't have many heros and the ones I do have are usually are not the types of heros that most would choose to emulate.

Todays hero just happens to be the governor of Alaska. She is a 44 year old Republican, but I guess you have to be in some sort of party to get elected. She just found out that she is pregnant. That is always good news. Here is the story.

Alaska governor eager to rear child
May 5, 2008
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — The results of Gov. Sarah Palin's prenatal testing were in, and the doctor's tone … [Link]

Tonight was Casey's prom and, along with her parents and aunt and a few other friends, we took photos and saw them off at about 5:00 pm. Here are some pictures from tonight, taken with my new camera that I got for Mother's Day .








With Casey's parents, Norm & Susie Wrona.
Casey insisted on styling Dustin's hair for the prom. It was rather humorous. He would NEVER do this if it wasn't for Casey. I mean this is sooooo not him. We got a great chuckle out of it. Larry snuck a photo. Everyone was finding it entertaining and we heard Dustin say, "Casey, shut the bathroom door!" (He didn't want anyone coming in to see … [Link]

Today we held our CCFG picnic in the great outdoors… the great cold and wet outdoors.  I usually love these events, but goodness it was cold. We’re normally slathering on sunscreen not huddling under blankets.  Oh well, it was four fun filled hours with fellow chaplain candidate families.  You can’t beat that, no matter what the weather.

While we were shivering, Joel was flying to California.  He’s gone for a few days of Army training.  He’s gone a lot since returning from Afghanistan.  I miss him.

As soon as we returned from the frozen tundra of Nichols park, I fell into a four hour coma.  Upon awaking, I enjoyed a soy green tea latte and stared at my computer screen for a couple hours.  I feel …

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Going with my mother through the supermarket today was exasperating. Every aisle brought a new person to talk to.

“Say, didn't I know you 12 years ago when I was on the Social Service board?"
“Well, hi! I haven't seen you for a while!"
“My goodness, how are you doing!"

I finally had to say she had used up her talking allowance.

My mother knows all but seven people in the state of North Dakota.

I’m pretty sure about that.

I’m a "get in get out" kind of shopper. That didn't happen today, however. She did not pay any heed to my talking guideline, for she is a good and social woman.

I should be like that. But, I'm not. If I go to get tomatoes, that's all I do. No talky.


Thanks for … [Link]

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Every so often I realize with a great deal of pain that I forgot everything I told myself not to forget. This, for example. Or this tidy little summation. Or, maybe this, which I didn't really write but latched onto in a later post. Or maybe I ought to remember just about any and all things I've written here.

But I don't remember my own writing, my own ideas, my own admonitions. I'm all or nothing, even in remembering and forgetting.

I was doing my usual archiving and computer cleanup a few days ago and I realized I'd sent one person 175 emails to his 75. 70 percent of the communication, the effort, was mine. Staring at the numbers, which are facts that can't be shushed even … [Link]

My mom used to sing “I’d Rather Have Jesus” at bedtime.  That song remains the most soothing song in the world to me.  And, she imparted a value in me for the things of God through her voice.  My mom works hard, lives grace, and loves me, my wife, and kids beyond belief.

Kelly was my friend, then my girlfriend, then my wife.  Now she is the mother of my three children while excelling in the aforementioned relational attachments to me successfully negotiating me into watching chick flicks on Friday nights instead of Iron Man. She develops our kids to be self sufficient, bright, adventurous, and to have an inquisitive heart for who Jesus is.

Happy Mother’s day to the two amazing moms in …

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Sally gives her answers to a “Pentecost Friday 5″ of personal questions from her fellow Revgals. I don’t propose to join in this female pastors’ little game. But, in the light of current discussions, here is my answer to the bonus question

What would a modern day news coverage of the first Pentecost have sounded like?

There will be more Baal worshippers than Christians in Jerusalem by the year 50!

According to a new publication Religious Trends, the number of Christians shows a decline from 12 just two months ago to 11 last week. At this rate of decline there will be just two Christians left in 20 years time.

Philip, a spokesperson for the Christians, suggested that these statistics are misleading because they do …

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Listen to Obama speak. He says he has been in 57 states, has one more to go, but that he has not been in Alaska or Hawaii yet. Huh? "ONE more to go" but he has not been in Alaska or Hawaii. And he has somehow already been in 57 states? People, the man is a talking head, nothing more. Now, don't you know that if this had been W. it would have been all over the mainline media. But this one you have not seen or heard… until now.

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Maybe some of you, my readers, have been offended by my recent posts about charismatic phenomena and the Todd Bentley revival in Florida. Or maybe you know others who have.

I was a little surprised to read a post by Jim West which, I hope, puts any doubts about these matters into proper perspective. Jim presents a poem by Charles Wesley based on the rather obscure Bible story of Eldad and Medad, Numbers 11:26-30. Here is one stanza:

Moses, the minister of God,
Rebukes our partial love,
Who envy at the gifts bestow’d
On those we disapprove.
We do not our own spirit know,
Who wish to see suppress’d
The men that Jesu’s spirit show,
The men whom God hath bless’d.

Let us indeed have the …

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I linked here in passing to the ongoing revival led by Todd Bentley in Lakeland, Florida. You can find out what is going on at Todd’s Fresh Fire Ministries site, which includes a page with live video streaming during the meetings, and recordings of previous ones, although the latest recording currently listed (which I have watched part of) is from 5th May.

The site also includes a blog. The latest post includes a report on Thursday evening’s meeting. Here are two extracts, taken from among many testimonies of healing and deliverance:

What can be said that hasn’t already? What God is doing here in Lakeland, FL is simply indescribable and amazing. As we continue to gather each night the presence comes stronger and like never before. …

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I’m sure you’ve heard of this truly amazing family in Arkansas with 17 kids, haven’t you? In fact, they were on the “Today Show” yesterday (Friday) with the revelation that child number 18 is expected on New Year’s Day. (Part of the humor in the announcement included Mother’s Day presents from the kids. Several of the daughters had gotten together and bought mom some clothes, explaining on camera that she was generally pregnant so much that she her wardrobe was almost entirely maternity clothes!)

The story of this family, the Duggar family of Tontitown, Arkansas, has been in the press a lot in the last few years. The dad, “Jim Bob” Duggar, apparently was a state legislator briefly and ran for other state offices in Arkansas. …

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CHEESEBURGERS ARE ON THE WAY!!! Everybody SHOUT NOW!!!

There’s so much to report on what's going on with our family this weekend…

Today is our last day of our 50 day challenge/fast. I am soooo ready to eat. :-) Seriously, the fantasizing about red meat is almost OVER. Reality is upon us my friends. We are going to break the fast with a group of people from church, tomorrow at lunch, at Logan's steakhouse. That's where I really wanted to go, to get a ribeye steak (I think theirs are the best) and some of those yummy yeast rolls!!! I can hardly wait. We are going to be celebrating all day! Later on that night, once the food from Logan's has settled, we're getting together with our …

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This is a really good post about Lakeland.  Patsy got sent to Lakeland by her folks and tells her tale.  What I really like about the testimony is that she did not say that Lakeland is a Panacea for all things ministry.  Instead, she knew God was moving and she prepared herself to not […] [Link]

Here’s a great post on HA to help explain 20th century history to Obama. HOPEfully it will help him CHANGE his policy of negotiating with terrorists, something every DEMOCRAT president has held as official policy (except Carter, but including Kennedy - whom they say Obama reflects). [Link]

I don’t have any great insight for you here. I’ve mentioned in earlier posts that wikipedia.com is a very quick, easy, and useful writing resource.

I bring it up again today because I just realized I’ve consulted the site myself just today something like four times — and it’s only early afternoon here.

I find myself drawn to the ease of using it and the incredibly comprehensive nature of content. You can find almost anything in wikipedia. Just today, I’ve used it for quick references to “Leave It to Beaver” and Jerry Mathers, conservative religious leader Bill Gothard, an Arkansas family with 17 kids and another on the way, and some information about collectible action figures.

So keep wikipedia bookmarked and handy. It isn’t the most …

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I just ran into a fascinating quote on the importance of people. If there was one man I remember who embodied this, it was Henry Tyler, who was my mentor. He made you feel like you were the most important person in the whole world when you were speaking to him. I had the privilege of meeting John Piper at New Word Alive, and he had a similar effect on me. Go read what he has to say about this quote from C. S. Lewis: It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you … [Link]

I hardly ever read the blog of that famous acerbic wag Mark Shea‡, although he has a big following and a big reputation as an apologist for the Catholic Church. But he did manage to say something I thought was interesting:Endless war for the sake of peace costs trillions. Amazingly, the people who used to say "government is the problem" believe in the all-powerful ability of the government to fix [Link]

Melinda At Starbucks § 2.6.0 Walking up to the door, I opened it for poor Rupert, who was just then coming in. He was carrying a large knapsack with him instead of his usual travel suitcase on rollers. That was odd I thought to myself going out the door. He didn't say anything to me but just stared blankly as he walked over to the counter to get his municiple-subsidized Starbucks drink, holding [Link]

Jim Bakker's son, Jay, is joining the pro-homosexual rights group, Soulforce, in having a picnic outside of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas.
Here are two lines from the article: (Joel) Osteen has been largely silent on LGBT issues. But for Bakker, "That's as destructive as speaking out against the LGBT community."

Maybe someone can help me here. How is this not a soft form of spiritual thuggery? Can anyone do what Jay Bakker is doing on any issue? Should I camp outside the Catholic Church next week? [Link]

Every once in a while someone sends me a two-pack of Lou Malnati's pizza. It's no secret. I love Malnati's. I'm seriously not trying to manipulate anything here. But it makes me so happy. This one came anonymously so I don't know who to thank. But I have my suspicions!

By the way, whenever we eat Malnati's we almost always end up yelling "breath through your nose" at some point because someone will get a cheese strand stuck in their throat. You have to breath through your nose until you can cough up the cheese, chew it some more, and swallow again. Last night it was Josiah's turn! "Breath through your nose" has become part of the experience.

PS. If you send me a pack of pizzas … [Link]

This is a leadership lesson Sun Tsu’s Art of War style:

Sometimes you just have to break things and burn things down to get people where they need to go.

Have you ever had someone tell you that you shouldn’t burn bridges?  Me too.  It is good advice…sometimes.  In the case of mission, sometimes you just have to grow a backbone and leave yourself with no exit plan.  When you’re backed into a corner, you have to fight because there is only one way out.

Tactically, you shouldn’t position an army between your enemy and a body of water (river, lake, or ocean).  In the event of a retreat, you’re in mega trouble. But, sometimes there are more important things than survival.

Counter-intuitive lesson to be …

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I found this watercolor of a dragon guarding his treasure in Jeremiah’s backpack yesterday. I’m terribly impressed with it. I think I might have to frame it.

Copyright © 2008 GentleWhisper.com - By Amy Maxwell. [Link]

When my knees hit the floor of my living room on the afternoon of March 27th, 1972, there was no doubt in my mind as to what a mess I had made of my life. It is just as true, however, that, when I arose, a realization of having been somehow given a second chance possessed my heart. Yet, when asked if an assurance of my being “saved†had come, I answered in the negative. Such ecclesiastical use of [Link]

Todd mentioned another (now-dead) revivalist that I had no info about, so I looked him up: John G Lake. He’s got an interesting website.

Here’s what made me sit up and pay attention at 6 am…

“If you are ready to manifest His presence rather than just soak in it, JGLM is an effective way to make a difference in the real world.”

If you are ready to manifest His presence rather than just soak in it

Yes yes yes…

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