Stuff on my heart

I'm just meditating on some things that have happened recently, which seem to be a repeat of past events as well. It has to do with the church, in general, but more specifically about the church in Quebec.

I love my city and my province and my country, but there's stuff that really bothers me, especially in the church. Now, this is not an attack or judgment on the church... Because I love and believe in the church. It is Christ's body! And so, that's why I want to be very careful what I write... And that's why for the moment all I want to post is the following Scripture passages, and when I have the words I'll write what's on my heart.

"Therefore, brethren, since we have full freedom and confidence to enter into the [Holy of] Holies [by the power and virtue] in the blood of Jesus, By this fresh (new) and living way which He initiated and dedicated and opened for us through the separating curtain (veil of the Holy of Holies), that is, through His flesh, And since we have [such] a great and wonderful and noble Priest [Who rules] over the house of God, Let us all come forward and draw near with true (honest and sincere) hearts in unqualified assurance and absolute conviction engendered by faith (by that leaning of the entire human personality on God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness), having our hearts sprinkled and purified from a guilty (evil) conscience and our bodies cleansed with pure water. So let us seize and hold fast and retain without wavering the hope we cherish and confess and our acknowledgement of it, for He Who promised is reliable (sure) and faithful to His word. And let us consider and give attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up (stimulate and incite) to love and helpful deeds and noble activities, Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another, and all the more faithfully as you see the day approaching." - Hebrews 10:19-25

"The [uncompromisingly] righteous shall flourish like the palm tree [be long-lived, stately, upright, useful, and fruitful]; they shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon [majestic, stable, durable, and incorruptible]. Planted in the house of the Lord, they shall flourish in the courts of our God.[Growing in grace] they shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be full of sap [of spiritual vitality] and [rich in the] verdure [of trust, love, and contentment]." - Psalm 92:12-14

Be blessed!

Prisoners of Hope

I just read this article by Victoria Boyson. Man, it was awesome. Read it here! I will share my thoughts a little later.

Morning Prayer... A Sacred Cow?

I am not--usually--a morning person. I have gone through seasons in my live where I have been. There was a period of about 6 months from November 2000 to about March or April 2001, where I would go to bed, earliest, midnight, but more often than not, I got to bed around 2:00 am. At the same time, I was waking up at 5:00 am without an alarm. I would then get up and go prayer walking for about 30 minutes to an hour, and come back to our fellowship centre for our morning prayer at 6:30 am. And then I'd be off to work. THAT WAS OF GOD!

Normally, I can get up early with the help of my alarm, but I'm usually very groggy. I can focus and concentrate for a short period, like for prayer, but then all I want to do is go back to bed.

Normally, I have trouble eating soon after I wake up. I prefer eating an hour, even two hours, after I have finally woken up--fully and completely (Tragically Hip reference ;) .

Normally, I seem to be more productive in the evenings, and I'll go as far as to say, I'm more productive late at night. At least, looking back at my experiences, this seems to be true. I tried the "waking-up-early-to-get-more-things-done" thing, and it really did not work for me. The reality is that the afternoon or late morning is my MOST productive times, but if I wake up too early, I'm tired and want a nap during the afternoon.

OK, all this to say that I'm not a morning person (man, I can be long-winded sometimes). So what brought this on. Well, it's that whole "waking-up-early-to-spend-time-with-God doctrine" the church seems to advocate in whatever way: by clubbing you over the head with it or in some more subtle ways. But, can we say it really is a doctrine? Do we have Scriptural references that defend this notion?

Well, of course, there is the famous Mark 1:35 passage: "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." We tend to focus on the very early part, but the fact is that never again does Scripture mention Jesus going to pray early in the morning. It does however mention Jesus praying at pretty much any time before performing certain miracles, and a couple of "all-nighters" (one of them being the night in Gethsemane). Also, from Mark 1:35, I believe the main issue or lesson was the whole idea that Jesus went to pray in a solitary place. I absolutely believe and agree with the need for personal one-on-one time with God in prayer. If you are living a "Christian" life, yet you have little or no solitary prayer time, let me be so bold and say, you are then far from where God wants you to be. But I digress.

The reason for this little "rant", besides getting others to think and ruffle a few feathers, is to say that all this is really a moot point with the 24/7 movement happening all around the world. Prayer and worship is no longer to be just for a few minutes or hours in the morning and that's all. No God is looking for an army of warriors who will keep watch and fight 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. That's why we have people who LOVE waking up at the (excuse the expression) God-awful hours of the early morning, and others, like me, who are not bothered by going to bed at 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 in the morning! God needs us all. The people of this land need us. I know that this is stirring something in some people. I know that there is something in your vision that includes this vision of prayer and worship going on 24 hours a day... Even when half the world is sleeping (hey, they can't fight it then, right?).

I'd love to hear from you. Let's mobilize this army. I especially looking for you Canadians out there. We seem to always be a few steps behind. BUT no more. We will be frontrunners. There will be a sound out of Canada that the world has never heard. Rise up warriors and cry out to your King! ... Any time of the day ;) Had to slip that in! Down with the sacred cow!

Be blessed.

I will give you the House!

While we were worshipping on Sunday at church, this is what I heard from GOD:

"I will give you the house."

The first thoughts through my head were, "Thank you, Father, for the house you are giving me and Cindy." But then I got this strong sense that it was not just a house for me and Cindy, but also the House of the LORD... i.e. our very own church building! Then I sensed that it also was referring to the International House of Prayer & Worship. God was saying He would give these to us... Of course, that always accompanies or requires some kind of action from us. We have to take some steps of faith and start doing things, as if, we are going to get these things.

I'm glad to say, we took our first step as a church towards getting our own church building. We went to see a Franciscan church. The main sanctuary has not been used in 20 years. But the problem was that we have no kitchen, no fellowship room, no classrooms. So we go on and take step number two!

Stay Tuned!

Been sick...

It's crazy... I've been through this sine wave of illness for the past 2 months! I get quite sick, then I recover 80%, and then--WHAM--I'm sick again! I haven't been able to fully recover my strength... And the fact that I am fasting does not make it better. Though I did read somewhere that when you fast, you body focuses on other matters in the body other than digesting food. And so, in theory, fasting should help when you're sick.

It hasn't helped me!

Anyway, it's also made it hard to spend time with God... Real quality time. But He's always talking... It's just these darn clogged ears! :)

I know that the LORD is the God of Healing. By Jesus' stripes I am healed. I know. So I know that this is just a distraction to keep me from God... Which I will not allow to happen. I will press on! I will push forward! I will see God's goals for my life for 2005 fulfilled! AMEN!

Plans for our cathedral/church

I'm sick and tired of the building we're in. What a pain it is when you are trying to serve and worship God, and do His will, but you are not allowed to fully use the building you are in. The days of renting are over. The days of having non-believers dictating what, where, when and how we worship God is over! AMEN! HALLELUJAH! Last night at our prayer meeting, GOD brought a few thoughts back to mind. I've been thinking about these things for the last couple of months, but the idea and vision as a whole came together last night. You'll notice that I use the pronoun "we". The reason is that this is a decision and a plan that needs to be executed by my church, led by my pastors. And I am more than willing to do more than my share to see this come to pass. Anyway, here is the plan.

1. We need to decide exactly what we need out of a cathedral... And we should not minimize it!

a) We need parking for at least 100 cars (even if it is on the street)
b) We need classrooms
c) We need a sanctuary that seats at least 500
d) We need a sanctuary that is heated
e) We need a kitchen that can serve a meal for 200 people
f) We need an area that can be converted into a coffee shop/lounge
g) We need a fellowship room for after services by the coffee shop
h) We need a gymnasium where kids can run around, with basketball nets!
i) etc... This is still in the works with the pastors.

2. We need to put together a professional fund-raising campaign and presentation.

The reason for this is that, right now, we don't have many people with deep pockets in our church. However, I believe that there are many wealthy people and companies just waiting for us to present to them our vision, and they would be more than happy to support and fund us to buy our new cathedral.

3. We need to decide on an amount that would be "sufficient" to buy our cathedral.

$1,000,000?

4. We need to make a huge fund-raiser poster to put in the sanctuary on Sunday.

This would give everyone a visual of how our campaign is going and to encourage everyone to own the vision and to do their part.

5. Last, we need to declare, promote, and display our vision of our cathedral.

When we see it with our eyes of faith... Then we will be able to conceive it in the natural as well!

Feeling Depressed

I'm not having a good day at work... I'm really frustrated... I'm not a computer technician, but that's been the bulk of my work. I'm also sick and tired of not knowing how long I'll be here. I'm sick and tired of not having any definite direction for my career. I'M ALL OVER THE PLACE!

I'm tired of working in technology.

I want to get planted in the career/ministry I'll be working in for the rest of my life!

I'm tired of not knowing where I'm going. I'm tired of doing crap I don't like. I'm tired of working just for a paycheck!!!!

What's my dream job... It involves music (playing, listening)... It involves writing (on the web, blogging, screenplays, movies, maybe a book)... It involves teaching... Being with people... Talking to people about Jesus... It has to be creative in nature... And it pays well!

Is there a job like that out there? I don't know!!

But I refuse to allow depression to enter my life ever again. Even though I may not like where I am... It is GOD's will for my life right now. I just pray for some breakthrough for me and my wife.

My Future, My Prospering, My Goals - 2005

Isaiah 40:1-5; Isaiah 55:12-13; Isaiah 49:8-9

I have a LOT of ideas. I want to do so much. But invariably, I get overwhelmed or frustrated that I barely get anything done. Maybe it's also been because I have never felt like I knew what was really my purpose and my reason for being on this earth. 2005, I believe, is a very different year. And so I am focusing on 10 things I want to accomplish or see come to pass in my life this year. I know that each one is part of a bigger picture for my life, but at the same time are all interconnected in some way I have yet to fully see or understand. I just humbly and prayerfully lay them at my LORD's feet and leave many of the details into His care.

1. Put together a fund-raising campaign, and buy our cathedral!!!
2. Baby - Cindy and I are actively praying and "working" at this one... And a number of people have said we'd have twins... We'll see :)
3. Have a family income of $100,000/year - This is Cindy's, but I am agreeing and believing with her. Once she gets a full-time position, we will basically be there.
4. Buy a single-family home - this again is Cindy's, but I am agreeing with her and riding her faith on this one. With the market the way it is, and our finances the way they are, it WILL require a miracle from GOD. But He's more than able!
5. Put together business plan for the 24/7 House of Prayer & Praise - it will be a non-profit organization, so I need to get some info of how they are run.
6. Put together business plan for my coffee shop idea - incorporate the name.
7. Put together business plan for the traffic/driving awareness program.
8. Establish Project Revelation as a real, viable, working company - look into incorporating it.
9. Be consumer debt free
10. Go to Kansas City to visit their International House of Prayer.

Setting Priorities

There's a lot I want to write about -- nothing new -- and with three separate blogs and a church web-site, I've got the space and place, just not the time. However, I read something today that I received in my email from one of those daily "God's Promises" emails. (If you want to get that email just click here and subscribe to the "God's Daily Promises". Be careful, there's other ones there too. Make sure you read carefully before you click anything. That's how spamming starts!) So that's where I want to start.

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Seeking God's will first brings perspective

How do I set priorities?

". . .And He will give you all you need from day to day if you live for Him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. "

Matthew 6:33

Be intentional about priorities. Set them and tend to them first. Only then will your life have its fullest meaning.
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That's a new way of putting Matthew 6:33. The more traditional translations sound more like this: "But seek first His Kingdom and His Righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." I know this. I know it's good. I know it's true. And if you've been a Christian for some time, you know this as well.

But how hard is it to do in such a society as ours?! How hard is it to put God as our top priority every day?! I'm not making excuses and I'm not shirking my responsibility, but honestly, with work, family, friends, church (!?! Yeah, church responsibilities CAN be devoid of any service/worship to GOD) and your own needs/wants, how do you practically make God your priority?

Well, every day, we make something our priority based on many factors: ease of doing it, brings joy or happiness, brings money, get instant or fairly quick results/fruit from it, etc. So, we do prioritize. Where your heart is, that is where you will put your priorities.

Let's not kid ourselves. The reason you don't take part in more things with the church or do more things for God is that, deep down inside, you have other priorities. But the reality is, as God's children, He is our number one priority... At least He should be. And the great thing about it, when we do make Him our number one priority, then ALL the other stuff will be taken care of. Boy, THAT is where, I believe most of us get hung up. We don't really believe everything else will be taken care of. And I think I have the reason why. We separate the two!

Serving God and make Him a priority is one thing. Prayer, worship time, service, that is all separate and for God. BUT, my work, my family, my needs are a whole other entity that require my attention and time as well. NO.

When we change the way we view what service and worship to God is, then we can see that it is all part of the same thing. Why are we so dualistic (I don't know if that's the right word here) in the west. We need a more holistic approach to life. WHATEVER we do, we must do it as if we are doing it for the LORD. Heard that one before? (1 Corinthians 10:31)

I think too many Christians take Matthew 6:33, and say, "OK, I'll give God my morning devotion time." What? That's 10 minutes? 30 minutes? Maybe 1 hour? Don't get me wrong that's great... But then what about the rest of the day? God doesn't want us all to become monks and "worship" Him 24/7 (though there may be some of us out there). But He does want us to put Him at the forefront of everything we do. In that way, we do put Him first in all things!

I remember a few years back when I was a TA at Condordia University. I was administrating a lab exam. And there was this Indian student (from India, not native), and before every question, I saw him put his hands together, bow his head, and mutter something under his breath. He was praying (to some hindu god). I was amazed at how he was giving each question to his god before he even attempted it. Now, maybe it was because he wasn't prepared and he did not know what he was doing (he failed the exam). Nevertheless, the point was that even in such a small, seemingly insignificant thing, his god was made a priority.

How often do we do that? How often do we recognize the our God, the True and Living God, the One and Only God, has given us everything we have: family, friends, work, church, clothes, food. How often do we thank and praise Him for all that. You know, I am so thankful to God for the first two and a half years of marriage with Cindy, during which we went through some real tough financial times. Once we went two weeks eating instant noodles because we could not buy anything else. But it taught us to trust God for all our needs. The amazing thing was that even though we were VERY tight on cash, working part-time only (unable to find full-time work), we never lacked. We never missed a mortgage payment. We never missed a car payment. We never missed a meal, for a reason other than fasting... And trust me, we did not fast all that much in those first couple of years.

So how do we put God first, practically. I think, again, the Apostle Paul gives us the clue. "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Be blessed!

Obeying God brings great joy

Obeying God brings great joy

How can I be happy in the midst of difficult circumstances?

"Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through. . . . Instead, be very glad—because . . . You will have the wonderful joy of sharing his glory. "

1 Peter 4: 12-13 NLT

As 2005 has started, I am on fire for God. I am so happy. I am so full of joy. But 2004 was a tough year. I was "joking" last year in January, saying "it's been a tough year!" And the year was only a couple of weeks old. But it was: Financially, relationally, career-wise, family-wise, church-wise. I was unsure of who I was, where I was going or even what I wanted to do. I went through many fiery trials.

But, now as those trials have ended I can look back and see that they were for my good. They made me strong. They "forced" me to grow. So don't be alarmed or freaked out by trials. Yes, they are tough at the moment, but you will come out of them, and when you do you will see the great and positive change. So learn to be glad, because the joy that comes is so great! Thank you, LORD!

Father, thank you so much that I could share in your glory on this earth and at this time. May Your light in me shine bright in 2005 for others to see You and come to You!

Happy New Year.

Well, Happy New Year!

It's been a while since I've written anything, but the holidays were really good. I have to thank and praise God for that. Christmas day was actually enjoyable from start to finish (You have to understand that, with my family, eventually, someone will invariably say something that will hurt or offend another family member, or we'll get into some big argument--it's not that we're bad people, it's the way we learnt to talk and deal with out feelings... But it DIDN'T happen this year! I had a really good time with my folks, my brother and his wife).

With my first posting of 2005, I want to send out a blessing to anyone who is reading this (all one of you :). But how many people are reading this is unimportant. What is important is that I am declaring this over the web!

2005 is a year of the Lord's favour... If you will believe it! For the last month and a half, that's all that I've been hearing, reading and seeing... The Lord's favour! Ultimately, what that means is that we will receive preferential treatment when we go to work, or school, or church, or when we meet others, when we try to close a deal or a sale, or in what ever other area you can think of. It doesn't mean will will not have to do our part. But it DOES mean we will see results we weren't expecting, if we're persistent enough. Let me explain with two examples out of my own life.

The first is how Cindy and I bought our house. At the time (nearly three years ago), I was only working part-time as a teacher at Dawson, and my contract was up in June. We were getting married in May. Cindy was only working part-time and was in school. I had huge amounts of debt, plus car payments. My debt ratio was insanely high (your debt ratio is some calculation banks do that compares your salary to your debts... And normally, it should be less that 30% or so... I was somewhere over 40 or 50!!!) We also did not have to down payment for the house. But I believed that this house was to be ours. I believed God would give it to us. At that time, I had no concept of God's favour... But nevertheless I believe God would do it for me. And what did He do?

Well, we got approved for the loan (miracle #1) and I didn't close all my other debts (miracle #2). We got the house for $18,000 less than the asking price (miracle #3). I moved in one week before our wedding (miracle #4). The monetary gifts from our wedding paid our down payment and more (miracle #5). And we got to live in the house rent/mortgage payment free for three months (miracle #6). THAT is the favour of the Lord.

The second example happened more recently. Cindy and I applied for a line of credit so that we could consolidate our consumer debt. I still had a whack-load of debt, plus our tax return payments for 2003, which we could not pay due to our financial situation (I still was only working part-time as was Cindy). Anyway, we had been to the Royal Bank, and they declined us because my debt ratio was too high. Besides the payments would have been over $500 a month, and we could not handle that (I was missing payments on the credit cards because we were paying over $500 a month on them). So on Cindy's faith, we went to the National Bank and asked for a line of credit, which is actually more difficult to get than a personal loan, because the payment plan is more flexible. To make a long story short, we got it... And the only reason is the favour of the Lord!

So go out in 2005 and believe that God's favour is upon you in everything you do. Expect to be blessed. Expect to receive preferential treatment. Expect to get the unexpected!

Be blessed.