Spheres, Shifts & Societal Transformation

ITINERARY for TEXAS TRIP

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Francis Hume) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:32:00 +0000

This schedule continues to be a work-in-progress…check back periodically for updates.

Monday, November 9
Fly into Austin at 2pm

7pm—THE JOURNEY under the Tent in Belton, Texas. Hosted by Steve Burke of The Lord Will Provide ministries.

Address
Grothway Square
2427 N Main Street
Belton, TX

Tuesday, November 10
12pm—THE JOURNEY under the Tent

7pm—“Fire & Lightening” in Waco, TX (Mark & Patty Short)
I will be ministering as the Holy Spirit leads.

Address
Worship Room at Budget Printing
630 Texas Central Pkwy. Ste. 102
Waco, TX 76712

Wednesday, November 11
12pm—THE JOURNEY under the Tent
7pm—THE JOURNEY under the Tent

Thursday, November 12
At this point I don't have anything scheduled.

Friday, November 13
10:30am—Tom Dooley flies into Austin airport
11:30am—lunch with Barb Bucklin and key leaders in Austin

Evening—still in the works...check back later for update info.

Saturday, November 14
12pm—Luncheon & Leadership Training followed by prophetic ministry as the Lord leads. Waco, Texas.
By Invitation Only

7pm—Temple Tabernacle Church: Brian Francis Hume

Address: Temple Tabernacle Church
4903 Midway Dr.
Temple, TX 76502

Sunday, November 13
10am—Temple Tabernacle Church: Dr. Tom Dooley

4:40pm—Tom departs from Austin airport

Monday, November 13
9:35am—Depart from the Austin airport

You are INVITED...

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Francis Hume) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 03:41:00 +0000

I've been invited by Pastor Jeff and Theresa Light of Novum Baptist Church to minister at their first night of revival on Sunday, September 27. They are precious friends of our family and I consider it a true honor to be able to minister to their flock at Novum Baptist Church in Reva, Virginia. Reva is located a few miles south of Culpeper. The service is scheduled to start at 7:00pm and conclude at 8:30pm.

I want to invite friends who are within a reasonable distance of Reva to prayerfully consider joining us that evening. However, more importantly, I would earnestly covet your prayers leading up to the service for myself, and for those in attendance. Pray that I may speak precisely what the Father would desire, and to preach with an unction from Heaven. Apart from the anointing of God's Spirit, there is no reason anyone should show up to hear a weak man preach. Lastly, but not least, pray for receptive hearts to be in attendance. Pray that the Spirit of God would do such a deep work that lives would be forever changed for the glory of God.

Click here to see the schedule for the whole week of revival services and for contact info.

For His Glory,

Brian Francis Hume

Upcoming Revival Service at Novum Baptist Church

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Francis Hume) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 03:22:00 +0000

NOVUM BAPTIST CHURCH
1629 Novum Church Rd, Reva, VA 22735
(540) 547-3357 (Church Bldg) (540) 987-9523 (Pastor)
Pastor Jeffrey D. Light

HOMECOMING & REVIVAL SERVICES
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27TH – FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2ND
++Our Choir Will Offer A Special Selection At Each Service++

Sunday, September 27th
11:00 Combined Homecoming Worship, Pastor Jeff Light
12:30 Homecoming Fellowship Meal, All Welcome!

7-8:30 PM First Revival Service
[ ] Evangelist: BRIAN FRANCIS HUME
[ ] Guest Musicians: “The Harbor Lights”

Monday, September 28th, 7-8:30 PM Second Revival Service
[ ] Evangelist: ADAM MEISBERGER
[ ] Guest Musicians: “Immersed”

Tuesday, September 29th, 7-8:30 PM Third Revival Service
[ ] Evangelist: HENRY EZEKIEL “ZEKE” LAM
[ ] Guest Musician: “Adam Meisberger”

Wednesday, September 30th, 7-8:30 PM Fourth Revival Service
[ ] Evangelist: HAGAZI KEBEDE
[ ] Guest Musician: “Lisa Lyons”

Thursday, October 1st, 7-8:30 PM Fifth Revival Service
[ ] Evangelist: JOHN S. FARRAR
[ ] Guest Musicians: “Kenny, Patty, & Marie”

Friday, October 2nd, 7-8:30 PM Sixth Revival Service
[ ] Evangelist: KAMAL SALEEM
[ ] Guest Musicians: “The Sheads Family”

A nursery will be provided for the convenience of those with younger children. We will also serve light refreshments following each of the services. In addition to the special music, the Novum Choir will also present a special selection each evening. Novum is located in the Reva area of Madison county, on Route 605. Please contact Pastor Jeff Light at (540) 987-9523 if there are any questions.

August 2009 Newsletter by Bob Yarbrough

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Francis Hume) — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 01:45:00 +0000

Dear praying friends,

We live in a time when the sensual focus of our culture works to anesthetize our hearts so that we are insensitive to the presence of God in our world. As in the days of Paul, when the pagan culture lulled many into a spiritual sleep, the word comes to us anew: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” [Eph.5:14]. We must constantly guard against the dulling of our spiritual insight and our ability to “hear” the Lord’s “still small voice” that guides us. Many, who have come to the light of Christ in salvation, still walk in darkness. Though they “have eyes, they fail to see” the things of God. And having ears to hear, we have become dull of hearing so that we do not receive the things of God revealed to us by His Spirit [cf. Mark 8:18, 1 Cor. 2:9]. Read, hear and be instructed by the following parable from modern life:

“…ears to hear…”

[A musician is playing a violin in a Washington DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007.]

He played six Bach pieces for about 60 minutes. During that time approximately 2,000 people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After:

3 minutes
A middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.

4 minutes
The violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the till and without stopping, continued to walk.

6 minutes
A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.

10 minutes
A three year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly, as the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. Every parent, without exception, forced them to move on.

45 minutes
The musician played. Only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk their normal pace. He collected $32.

1 hour
He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

This is a real story. The Washington Post, as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities, arranged the entire scenario. Playing incognito, no one knew the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days prior to this, Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the tickets averaged $100 per seat.

The questions raised: In a common place environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty; do we stop to appreciate it; do we recognize talent in such an unexpected context?

One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be:

If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ....... How many other things are we missing?

And for the awakened heart the question comes: “If I do not have a moment to listen to the Lord of the universe who invites me to know His heart and hear His voice, what am I missing?”

Jesus reminded us that, we, His disciples “… should always pray and not faint…” [Lk. 18:1]. Still many of us “sleep-walk” though the world, unconscious of the presence of the Lord of life! Only by prayerful alertness can we escape the darkness of this present “evil day” through which we are called to walk. As Jesus said, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak” [Mark14:38].

In grateful awareness of God’s love and care,
Bob Yarbrough

ON KNOWING CHRIST AS MY LIFE

“God has chosen to make known…this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” [Col. 1:27].

“When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory” [Col. 3:4].

“But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is” [1 Jn. 3:2]

As we continue the teaching of “knowing Christ” as the heart of our gospel [See last month’s letter], we want to emphasize the revelation of the mystery aspect of this truth – that of knowing “Christ in you” as your very life. To state it more dramatically” knowing Christ in you as you! [Your true identity found in your union with Christ by faith]. It was this deeper “knowing” that Paul longed for when he testified: “I want to know Christ… becoming like him…and so, to attain to the resurrection from the dead” [Phil. 3:10,11]. He was longing for Christ to manifest his resurrection life in his earthly body in his lifetime! This is the earnest desire that “groans” in each one of us who have “the firstfruits of the Spirit” [Rom. 8:23].

In the two scriptures above that link our likeness to Him and “when He appears,” the Greek word used by both Paul and John means, according to Vine’s Expository Dictionary of N.T. Words, “to be brought to the light.” It connotes something that is hidden to the natural mind and perception, but “shines forth” when Christ is revealed to the receptive heart. Though it is true that the ultimate “appearing” of Christ is related to the second coming in glory [cf. 2 Tim. 4:1; Titus 2:13; 1 Peter 5:4; Hebrews 9:28], it seems clear that believers are to long for and expect “the appearing” of Christ in spiritual encounters of His Manifest Presence. Such a “spiritual experience” was granted to the disciples gathered at the “breaking of the bread” [Lk. 24:30,31] and to John in his lonely exile on the Isle of Patmos. His record of that experience is preserved for us in the book he wrote – “The Revelation of Jesus Christ”- the last book in our inspired scriptures.

Because such experiences of His appearing have been counterfeited and abused by “false prophets,” down through the centuries, spiritual leaders have rightly warned believers to be wary of them. But, as everyone knows, the reason that counterfeits exist is because there is something real and valuable that presupposes the “fake” distortion. There are “false apostles,” operating in fleshly deception, who have robbed the Household of God of the great “treasure” to be found in beholding the face of Christ. James warns that “…where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and every evil practice” [Js. 3:16]. Still, there remains the promise that we may indeed discover this true “…treasure in jars of clay,” our earthly bodies.

It is for those who patiently “…get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in us” [Js. 1:21] that the Holy Spirit comes to reveal the Son in us! The Lord still today, “…makes his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ” [2 Cor. 4:6]. For those who earnestly seek Him it is written, that “…we with unveiled faces all contemplate and reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed in his likeness with ever-increasing glory” [2 Cor. 3:18].

In coming to “know” Christ, not simply “according to the flesh,” but revealed in us [cf. 2 Cor. 5:16-17; Gal. 1:15,16] , we come to know our true self, “…created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” [Eph. 4:24]. After that we “…glory in Christ Jesus and …put no confidence in the flesh” [Phil. 3:3]. Having come to “know” ourselves as “…a man in Christ…” we confess with Paul: “I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses" [2 Cor. 12:2,5].

True spiritual humility consists in knowing that apart from Him, we are nothing and can do nothing, while at the same time knowing that “…he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit.” [1 Cor. 6:17]. As boldly as Jesus Christ confessed, “I and the Father are one” [Jn. 10 30], so may we boldly declare what Jesus said of us: “On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you” [Jn. 14:20]. Fixing my mind on Him, seeing Him as He is in me, I come to know in spiritual reality: “I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me!” [Gal. 2:20]. Continued….

Andrew Strom: HOW FLEETING IS LIFE

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Francis Hume) — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 17:22:00 +0000

Most of you will have heard the sad news of the passing of two pop icons in one day yesterday. Farrah Fawcett was 63 and died after a long battle with cancer. Michael Jackson the "prince of pop", aged only 50, died in even sadder circumstances. How tragic that even the vast machinery of fame cannot shield its many lost sons from a lonely, miserable existence and an unhappy end.

No doubt Farrah Fawcett could look back on the glory years when young women around the world imitated her hairstyle and her "look". I can remember as a kid watching "Charlie's Angels", though I have to admit far preferring "The Six Million Dollar Man" as a 10-year-old. She will be remembered as a battler to the end, an icon of her era. But oh, how fleeting is life. And oh, how empty is fame. And oh, how pointless is earthly success when eternity stretches before all.

Michael Jackson could have looked back on years of pop gloryand superstar fame - when his dance moves dazzled the whole world. But then came the surgeries, the bizarre behaviour, the ugly allegations, the court cases, the hundreds of million$ of debt.

Like another famous "prince" of pop (actually - his father in law -Elvis Presley), he seemingly died unhappy and alone, his "comeback" unrealized, his fame a chain around his neck, his death a shock in one still so young. Elvis died at 42, and now his son-in-law Michael at 50. Fame seemingly does not take good care of its own when they pass their "use-by" date. And so the ephemeral idols of our shallow culture continue crashing down."

"For what is your life?" asks the apostle James. "It is a vapor thatappears for a little time, and then vanishes away."

"Vanity of vanities," says the Preacher of Ecclesiastes, "All is vanity... All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again."

If it is one thing we can learn from the life and death of every 'icon'on this planet, it is that we all must live with eternity in view, not the fleeting charade of this present world. As Leonard Ravenhill so eloquently asked, "Are the things you're living for worth Christ dying for?"

A sad day.

Send feedback to - prophetic[at]revivalschool[dot]com

God bless you all.

Andrew Strom.

Writers Workshop by Francis Frangipane

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Francis Hume) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:23:00 +0000

Writers Workshop
July 21 - 22, 2009

Join Francis Frangipane and Arrow Publications for a writers workshop July 21-22, 2009 at River of Life Ministries in Cedar Rapids, IA. Pastor Frangipane will share insights on various aspects of the writing process.

Topics will include:
• Do you have something to say?
• Writing the vision: the power of anointed words
• Go with the flow
• What to do when the flow itself goes!
• Perfecting your writing style
• Releasing your passion into words
• Hiring an editor
• Pros and cons to using a publisher, co-publisher or self-publishing
• The joy of having to do a rewrite

There will be plenty of time for questions and answers with each session.

A new generation of writers are being raised up. So, do not despise the day of small beginnings. The Holy Spirit is raising up individuals with something important to speak to the body of Christ. Your arena may be books or articles, plays or movies, or even music, but your experiences with God are important. You can help others through their difficulties by writing how the Lord helped you through yours.

Please consider joining Pastor Frangipane and River of Life Ministries here in Cedar Rapids, IA.

God bless you!

Workshop Dates: July 21-22, 2009
Information:
• To carpool to Iowa or share hotel accommodations, visit our Message Board.
• We cannot provide childcare for this event.

Workshop Location:
River of Life Ministries
3801 Blairs Ferry Rd NE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402

Registration fees per person: $45.00; $70.00 with audio CDs Please note that payment must accompany or be submitted with your registration form in order for you to officially be registered.
• Register Online (link provided at the bottom of this page)
• Mail Printable Form or Fax - 319-395-7353 If signing up more than one person, please print out this registration form for every person registering.

Writers Workshop
Arrow Publications, Inc.
125 Robins Square Ct
Robins IA 52328

All registration forms and fees must be received by July 16.

Media: Audio (CD) recordings will be available by pre-ordering or at the seminar.

Check-in: Check in time begins 5:00 p.m.
Session Times: (projected) The first session will begin Tuesday evening at 7:00 p.m. and the final session will end at 4:00 p.m. Wednesday.

Accommodations: Cedar Rapids Marriott, 1200 Collins Road NE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 524021-800-396-2153.
We have a block of rooms at the Cedar Rapids Marriott reserved at a group rate of $74.00 per night through July 7, 2009 (does not include tax). This is a beautiful hotel with an indoor pool and whirlpool, fitness room and a restaurant located in the hotel. Please use the reservation Group code incinca to receive this special rate. You can use this direct link to the Cedar Rapids Marriott. Please select the exact dates you will be staying and number of guests.

Camping: Camping is available at Pleasant Creek State Park - 9 miles from the church
Meals: A light lunch will be provided Wednesday (freewill offering). A list of area restaurants will be provided at the seminar.
Airport Information: The Eastern Iowa Airport (CID) is only 15 minutes from the church. If you will be staying at the Cedar Rapids Marriott, contact them for free shuttle between the airport and hotel.

LINK: http://www.frangipane.org/cgi-bin/gx.cgi/applogic+ftcontentserver?GXHC_gx_session_id_FutureTenseContentServer=fa2d30f08184f9ea&pagename=faithhighway/10000/1000/728/2008page13

WHO IS the GREATEST PROPHET?

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Francis Hume) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 04:41:00 +0000

WHO IS the GREATEST PROPHET?-by S. Hill

Would that be Ezekiel due to the intensity of his visions? Would that be Isaiah due to the accuracy of his revelation of Jesus? Would that be Daniel due to his wisdom and ability to interpret dreams that kept him at the power centers of two world empires? Would that be Enoch who had such a powerful encounter with God that he literally was not here anymore?

According to Jesus the greatest prophet was John the Baptist who came preaching "repentance for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand". So far as we know John never had a vision, dream or angelic encounter. Yet Jesus called him the greatest prophet!

How many prophets do you know who are preaching repentance?

It is difficult for them to preach repentance from the practice of casual divorce and remarriage since such would close "ministry doors" to them and offend folks who pay for their conferences and buy their books. But Jesus did so in Matthew 19:9!

It is difficult for them to preach repentance from selling the gospel and making merchandise of the people of God since most have embraced the same values. But in Matthew 10:8 Jesus commanded us to freely give as we have freely received. In II Corinthians 11:5- 21 Paul said that the difference between the true and the false was not in message, anointing or gifting but in how they related to the people and money!

It is difficult to for them to preach repentance from self promotion, the love of position and title since most have embraced celebrity status but Jesus did so in Matthew 23:1- 12.

It is difficult for them to preach repentance from seeking special experiences and angelic encounters since those experiences are their tickets to "prophetic" status in a world that values experiences above obedience. But Paul did so in Colossians 2:18- 19.

You cannot preach repentance from inside the camp! You support the camp. You can only preach repentance from outside. The court prophets support the court. The prophets from the wilderness are free to preach repentance. That is why Hebrew 13:13 calls us to follow Jesus outside the camp.

Jesus said that "the pure in heart shall see God".

The result of true repentance should be a pure heart to see God. Once you see God the claims for revelation from the prophets will literally be seen in a different light. Once you see God all dreams, visions and words will take their proper place. That some talk about third heaven experiences as casually as a trip to Pizza Hut and claim to be able to teach others how to have them, shows that they have never been farther than their own imaginations.

Maybe the fascination of the general church world with the supernatural experiences, dreams, revelations is simply because few of them have ever seen God? Maybe we put prophets in a wrong place because we do not have God in the right place?

Maybe we would be less fascinated with "supernatural experiences" if we understood the vision of God that Jesus presented to us? Yes, He came to show us the Father but He also said that if we served the least, we served Him.He placed the face of God on every suffering child.

The pure in heart will see God and when they do the whole religious game of status, money, recognition, book sales and numbers will fade away. They will see God and they will see His face as the face of human need and they will serve.

Jesus is the greatest Prophet!
Hear Him!

SOURCE:
www.harvest-now.org

Matt Sorger: Just Show Me the Stuff!

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Francis Hume) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:52:00 +0000

Just Show Me the Stuff!
Personal Reflections by Matt Sorger

I am witnessing an alarming trend in some of our charismatic circles and services. I travel full time on the road all across the United States and other parts of the world. Each week I am ministering in another state to a new group of hungry believers wanting to live in the fullness of God’s Spirit. Several times in the last few months I have encountered a disturbing and grievous observation. Before I share it with you, let me give you some of my personal background.

A FIRM FOUNDATION

I was saved at the age of 14. I am thankful to have been raised in a solid Bible preaching, Spirit-filled church. The word was always given a priority. An understanding of living a holy, sanctified life was always preached with conviction. I took my first steps of walking, living and ministering in the Spirit there. As a young pastor I was given some room to begin to spread my wings as the anointing and power of God began to move through my life. I took full flight when I launched out from pastoring six years ago to travel full time in a “prophetic revival” ministry.

My years before pastoring were spent seeking God as a young person, spending time in personal devotion and study of the word, as well as nearly four years in a great Bible school in Rhode Island where I served as class president during my time there. Upon graduation I stepped into the pastoral ministry. I learned many valuable things during those years that I carry with me to this day. Life experiences have a way of shaping you into the person God has called you to be.

I want to define to you what I consider “prophetic revival” ministry. For me “prophetic” means hearing and then declaring a true word from God, either through preaching and teaching God’s heart as revealed in His word, or declaring and speaking forth an unctioned word from His heart. But even that kind of prophetic word will be solidly rooted and grounded in scripture. “Revival” holds a dual meaning for me. I see it as stirring up the church for a deeper passion for God and learning to live and walk in the power of the Holy Spirit and then seeing that passion overflow through the lives of believers into the world around us. The power of God in the life of the believer cannot be contained by oneself. It must overflow and impact the world around us.

AN ALARMING TREND

Now I must share with you an alarming trend I have witnessed taking place. I have even experienced it in my own meetings! Because this is hitting so close to home I can no longer be silent. I am a man of deep convictions. And it is time for me to share them with you. Recently, after a meeting I was standing near my resource table greeting people. A woman approached me to share of the wonderful overflow of the Holy Spirit she had experienced from the meeting the day before. She could sense a whole new level of God’s presence with her. It was clear she had been deeply touched. But she proceeded to share something with me that caused me to raise a “red flag.”

She said, “You know, when you started preaching, I thought, I have heard this before. I really came looking to hear something I had never heard before. But the presence of God in the meeting did have a profound impact on me, and I am not the same.” I rejoiced over what the Lord had done for her, but at the same time I grieved.

That same week a pastor I was having lunch with shared with me his thoughts concerning the meetings we were holding. We had only finished one day of meetings when he shared his thoughts with me. The night before I had preached a word the Holy Spirit had placed on my heart. After the preaching of the word I proceeded to be led by the Spirit in calling some folks out from the audience and prayed for them with a clear demonstration of God’s presence and power. I left the meeting rejoicing.

The pastor didn’t quite feel the same. He said to me, “You know, if the preaching of the gospel could have gotten the job done, it would have been done a long time ago. What we need are the signs. I just want to see the stuff. I don’t want you preaching. Preach just a few minutes. We want the miracles.” Only once before had I had such pressure put on me to “perform." It became apparent very quickly to me that what they were really wanting was a charismatic show. They wanted the “signs following” with no preaching of the word. I’m sorry; but I am making an announcement to the world. I am a WORD preacher.

I see an alarming trend. In the prophetic movement, it seems we may be unintentionally cultivating a mindset where the truth of the power of the cross and blood of Christ are no longer good enough. We need signs, signs and more signs. A life transformed by the power of God’s amazing word is no longer enough. “Let me hear and see something new. Something I have never heard or seen before, something that will wow me!” So we have hundreds of hungry believers fascinated by and following stories of supernatural encounters that have been, at times, exaggerated by charismatic personalities. Trust me when I say I have seen stories stretched and exaggerated to be something they never originally were. And I have seen people eat it up like popcorn and cotton candy. I want you to hear my heart in this. I am all for supernatural encounters. I have had many myself and I know of others in ministry that have had some beautiful, real, life-changing supernatural encounters with God. But I am not into charismatic hype or manipulation. Just say it like it is. Don’t exaggerate, add to or blow something up just to make a good story or to sell a bunch of CD’s. I am not being negative. I am seeking to bring balance back into a movement I am so proud to be a part of -- a movement that didn’t just want to hear empty words, but wanted it backed up with real substance, power and glory.

I want the real thing! I want the real manifest presence of God. I want the real miracles, the real signs and wonders, the real angelic encounters (as God chooses to give them to me.) I don’t want a hyped-up version. I don’t want to just hear something new and different, just for the sake of hearing something I have never heard before. I want my everyday life encountered in a real way by God’s word and anointing. I want to hear something that I can apply to my life. I want the fullness of God’s word to renew my mind, change me from the inside out and fill my life with real power and glory.

People who only want to hear something they have never heard before are in serious danger of opening themselves up to a gospel that is different from the one we find in scripture. If you are running around only looking for a new revelation without first putting into practice the hundreds of revelations given to us in God’s word, you are looking in the wrong direction. God has not called us to be flakey. He has called us to be solidly grounded in Him, to preach the gospel in season and out and to impact the world around us as salt and light.

I love the prophetic. I love the supernatural. But the moment we start wanting signs without the word of God, we are in trouble. And this is what I have been seeing. Recently I had two pastors in different parts of the United States both proceed to tell me that they wanted the preaching of the word to be kept to a bare minimum with an emphasis placed on the signs and the wonders. I need to set the record straight. Signs FOLLOW the preaching of the word. If you become a sign seeker apart from the word of God, you will become ungrounded and will reproduce that in your ministry. It will build an unhealthy and weak foundation in people’s lives.

THE MOST PRECIOUS SIGN

The sign I am most after these days is the sign of a life transformed by the gospel of Jesus Christ. I want to see people hungry to truly apply the word of God to their lives and not just want to hear something new, but put into practice what they already know. I want to see people walking in love. I want to see people living righteously. I want to see people knowing who they are in Christ so the devil can’t continually beat them up. I want to see people experience the abundant life Jesus came to give them. I want to see people preaching the gospel in power, laying hands on the sick, casting out demons and raising the dead. But we can never forget that the power of the gospel is revealed through the foolishness of preaching. Not just preaching our good stories, but preaching the word of God with power and authority. A sign without the word points nowhere.

I want to encourage the body of Christ in these days to evaluate everything you have believed and be sure it is pure gospel. Go back and read the New Testament from cover to cover and ask the Holy Spirit to write upon your heart the full counsel of God’s word as revealed in the New Covenant. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you into all truth and to be sure your foundations are strong and solid. Never neglect God’s word. It has the power to change your life. As you soak in God’s word and in His presence, you will truly live a Spirit-filled, Spirit-empowered life that will make a real difference in the world around you. Go and be the salt and light God has called you to be. And always remember, there is power in God’s word and in the Holy Spirit to give you power for life!

Che Ahn: No Shortcuts to Character

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Francis Hume) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 04:36:00 +0000

This is a brief article by Che Ahn on Ministry Today. In light of all that we've experienced in the charismatic stream in the past year, this message is critical for all to embrace. This especially needs to be heeded by those of us who minister frequently in the power of the Holy Spirit in a context that is visible to others. Read on...

Integrity is one of the permanent foundations of ministry

Recently I was asked to contribute a chapter for a book compendium by various authors. The subject was “power ministry.” I was thrilled. There were so many stories I could tell of the Holy Spirit’s working in my life!

Then I asked the Lord what He desired for me to write—and the whole scenario changed. The chapter instead explored the permanent foundations of power ministry: prayer, humility, and—most important—character and obedience.

As leaders, the impetus is on us to set these examples. That’s why I’m writing this column.
Billy Graham once said the three greatest areas the church needs to work on are: (1) integrity, (2) integrity and (3) integrity. In strict dictionary terms, integrity is the “quality or state of being complete; an unbroken or perfect condition; wholeness, soundness, entirety.”

I went on to investigate honesty—the synonym of integrity. It’s a mammoth word, meaning: “Respectable, creditable, commendable. One that will not lie, cheat or steal. Truthful, trustworthy, straightforward. Upright, and free from deceit. Genuine, pure, frank and open. Honorable and reliable.”

That mouthful being said, think how most leaders are introduced: “So and so pastors a 1,000-member church”; “This woman has a TV show, is the author of five books and travels extensively”; “Our distinguished guest today has a Ph.D. from ImaStar Seminary.” But could you imagine if we were introduced solely by our character traits?

I stay in reverential fear of the Lord at how easy it is for us to deceive ourselves and nurture hidden indulgences or sin. I run to those I am in covenant relationship with at the first sign of a satanic trap to bring me down. I don’t trust my flesh as far as I can throw it. None of us should.
We are in an hour now when God’s glory is being displayed in increasing power and majesty. His reputation is at stake, not just ours. We have no right to do what we please. Truly, we are not our own (see 1 Cor. 6:19-20).

It’s all wonderful and exciting when we give our lives to Jesus or receive an ordination. Yet it’s just like a marriage or any valuable long-term relationship. As the years go by and we are pressed time and again, the truth of who we are and what we will choose to do and be when under pressure will come to the surface.

It has been said that “what you do in secret shows who you really are.” We may pursue some kind of sinful behavior and think no one notices. Even if it takes the outside world a while to pick up on it, “God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing” (Eccl. 12:14).
There are no shortcuts to character. If there are areas in your life that need special attention, humble yourself and seek healing or restoration. Confess and repent. Seek wholeness in your life and relationships. Allow the Lord the time He needs to build you so you will not fall.

Likewise, if you know a brother or a sister headed toward or fallen into sin, then “hold them back,” as Proverbs 24:11 (NASB) says. Warn them. Help them. It is a “truthful witness [that] saves lives,” according to Proverbs 14:25 (NASB). We’re all in this together.

When the day is done, forbidden pleasures do not last. They may bring sickness and even death (see Ps. 38). How much better to hear Jesus say for eternity: “Well done, My good and faithful servant. Enter into your reward.” That’s my heart’s desire.

Ché Ahn is senior pastor of Harvest Rock Church in Pasadena, Calif. One of his greatest joys is simply joining the Father in what He is doing today.

ARE WE TO JUDGE?

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Francis Hume) — Sun, 17 May 2009 05:54:00 +0000

This past Wednesday, May 13, I logged onto Facebook. Immediately it appeared that the majority of my Facebook friends were making some reference to either Lost (which was the night of the season finale) or American Idol. In somewhat of a provocative but facetious manner, I wrote a “tongue in cheek” update at 10:51pm: “It seems that 90% of my FB friends are either Lost or Idol watchers.”

Honestly I didn’t anticipate the series of comments that would follow within minutes that progressed to an avalanche spanning four days. I want to invite others into this fascinating dialogue amongst those who have engaged thus far concerning this vital issue of judging.

My desire is that we would each commit ourselves wholeheartedly to pursuing Christ himself with a humble and contrite heart. I’ve found from personal experience that when I’m in a posture of worship and humility before the Lord of Lords, the King of Kings, it is in that place that I’m most able to see from His vantage point. Hence I’m able to seize the Truth in a manner that doesn’t puff me up; instead it causes me to bow my face even lower in the dust while simultaneous stirring my heart deeply to be a conduit of the gospel. Revelation from the Lord as revealed through the Scriptures MUST deal with both the heart and the mind. When we neglect one (i.e., heart, mind) it invariably affects the whole. Christians should set their hearts upon the Lord to pursue Him wholeheartedly which includes one who diligently exercises the mind “to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)

I have more to write, but let me start by posting the dialogue up to this point on the issue of judging. I’ll be the first to confess that I haven’t studied this important issue thoroughly in the Scriptures; but my heart has been stirred to do so. I want to desperately know the heart of God in this matter so that I may better reflect the true nature of Christ. This may—well, I’m pretty confident that it will—require that I am willing to change my own assumptions concerning this issue. Again, the goal isn’t simply the attainment of “head knowledge”—but rather the ability in my heart to seize the Spirit of revelation and wisdom (Ephesians 1:17) so that I may be conformed to His image.

I think you’ll find the thread insightful.

In the Secret Place,

BFH

Brian Francis Hume—(10:51pm, May 13)
“It seems that 90% of my FB friends are either Lost or Idol watchers.”

Jason Lon Jacobs—(10:57pm, May 13)
Either way, it's a sad condition. Pray for their salvation or for holiness added to their salvation.The Holy Spirit will not LET me watch such unholy things. I detest it.

Tracy Parsley Kane—(10:59pm, May 13)
me too, I do not watch either one

AC—(11:01pm, May 13)
thanks a lot jason. thanks

Christee L Brindzik Jones—(11:02pm, May 13)
I'm part of the 10% :)

Erin Wright—(11:05pm, May 13)
uuummm, was "jason lon jacobs" for real? Pray for their salvation or for holiness added to their salvation? Seriously?

Juan M. Deleon—(11:38pm, May 13)
I watched both tonight! Did I just lose my salvation?!

Cathy Jean Coulson—(12:09am, May 14)
I’m neither

Jason Lon Jacobs—(12:19am, May 14)
Do you watch things on TV that God absolutely despises? Can you sit there and enjoy things that are so completely contrary to everything that God has told us about Himself? If so, then maybe you don't know God.

Psalm 101...
Romans 6:22
2 Corinthians 7:1
2 Peter 1:5-9

Christians are to be completely separate from this world.

"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." 1 John 2:15

Amy Valentine Buhrman—(7:12am, May 14)
Ah! So a singing competition (where one of the strongest players is a fine Christian gentleman) is too worldly, but the Internet and Facebook are a-okay...ah, how we "Christians" love to pick and choose, judge and condemn, though we are certainly not called to do so...such a debate!

AC—(7:36am, May 14)
Jason, I don’t appreciate you being judgmental. Be careful what you say on facebook, it gives Christians a bad name. You dont know me or anyone else on here that watches those shows. So be careful, you are coming across as very judgmental. Thanks.

Cyndi Brown Logsdon—(8:13am, May 14)
We don't get either of them here in Turkey - but I must confess, I sure enjoyed being in the states last year and catching a week or two of Idol. :)

Christian Fletcher—(10:32am, May 14)
Examining one's own heart is something a christian should do on a regular basis. If the Holy Spirit urges you to not watch Lost then by all means don't watch it, but be careful when telling someone they are not a true christian or have false salvation or are lacking in holiness because they are doing something you don't approve of. It can lead to legalism and we all know where legalism got the church in the days my Christ walked the earth. If the Holy Spirit is leading you to confront somebody, be careful of your delivery because you are already telling someone that something is wrong in their life and too often I see christians with good intentions do more harm because of a harsh delivery.

Thank you, Jesus, for your grace in my life.

Christian Fletcher—(9:42am, May 15)
Let us all be careful not to judge. I believe that Jason's intentions are good. He is trying to further the kingdom and provoke us to examine our hearts and that is commendable. Idle time is not just idle time. I, personally, do not believe that watching Lost or American Idol is detrimental to my health as a Christian. I also don't believe that having a glass of wine with dinner is either. However, there are several people I will not have a glass of wine around because it is something they struggle with. I do believe that there are families who place TV above all things in their lives. If that's the case they need to not watch TV just as the alcoholic needs to not drinkthat having a glass of wine with dinner is either. However, there are several people I will not have a glass of wine around because it is something they struggle with. I do believe that there are families who place TV above all things in their lives. If that's the case they need to not watch TV just as the alcoholic needs to not drink.

Jason Lon Jacobs—(10:03pm, May 16)
Juan, the question is not 'did you lose your salvation'. The question is, are you truly saved? I do not and cannot judge the heart of men. Only God can do that. So, examine yourself to see whether you are in the faith.

http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=5220621750

Amy, it's not an innocent singing competition. It's called "American Idol". Does it not promote idolatry? The name says it all. Does it glorify God? Paul said whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all of the glory of God.

Amy and Alysson, we as Christians are absolutely called to judge one another. I have followed the words of Christ and have not judged harshly or hypocritically. Paul also tells us to Judge. Have you not also judged me by calling me judgmental. That, of itself, is hypocrisy.

Jason Lon Jacobs—(10:06pm, May 16)
Alysson, you're right. I do give Christians a bad name. The world hates me, as it hated Jesus. Jesus promised it would be so. When was the last time you were persecuted for Christ? Don't you know that friendship with the world is enmity towards God? But make no mistake, I love people. I love lost people and saved people. I love those who bless me and those who curse me, yet it is not I who loves, but Christ in me. And I don't have to know you or anyone else here because I know men and women in general. I know that many man and women profess to know Christ with their lips, but deny Him by their actions. Christ is either everything or nothing. I don't judge the hearts or intentions or motives of men and women. I judge their actions.

Jason Lon Jacobs—(10:56pm, May 16)
Christian, I ask this tenderly. Why were you so quick to correct me and defend the others? A true Christian will grow in holiness. What does "holiness" mean? You say that the Holy Spirit will convict some Christians of watching a certain show and not others? How can the Holy Spirit be divided? If something is unholy, a Christian will know! And it's not simply me who doesn't approve. I quoted several Scriptures in support of what I said (to which no one has made mention, nor has anyone backed up their position with Scripture).

Legalism isn't the issue - lawlessness, self-righteousness, disobedience and unholiness are the issues. But since you bring up legalism, maybe you should define it (since the term is thrown around these days)You say that "you personally don’t have a problem with watching Lost or American Idol". It doesn't matter what you think - it matters what God thinks. Judge those shows (and all others) against what God has said is wicked, then decide

Amy Valentine Buhrman—(11:01pm, May 16)
Romans 2:1: "You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same thing." ...we need to speak out against sin, but we must do so IN A SPIRIT OF HUMILITY. If we look closely at ourselves, we may find that we are committing the same sins in more "socially acceptable" forms.

Matthew 7:1: "Do not judge, or you too will be judged." (Christ's own words...) ...Christ tells us to examine our own motives instead of judging others.

Romans 14:10: "You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat." ...Each person is accountable to Christ, not to others; many times Christians base their moral judgments on opinion, personal dislikes, or cultural bias.

Jason Lon Jacobs—(11:07pm, May 16)
Christian, you really cannot compare the consumption of a glass of wine to the filling of your mind with sinful, wicked, unholy "distractions". This is not a Romans 14 issue - nowhere close.

Let me ask one final question. 250,000 - 300,000 people die EACH DAY - most of them don't know Jesus. WHY do Christians waste their life with "entertainment"!? Can you really imagine the Apostles watching TV after being commissioned by Christ and compelled by the Spirit to tell others about such a wonderful Gospel?

"Do you see? Do you see, all the people sinking down? Don't you care? Don't you care? Are you gonna' let them drown...Jesus rose from the dead, and you - you can't even get outta' bed!" -Keith Green

Amy Valentine Buhrman—(11:07pm, May 16)
Here's the thing...any of us could go on and on, quoting Scripture, spouting our beliefs, putting one another down (intentionally or not). We can make case after case, based on our various interpretations of the Word. I do not judge you, and I don't make assumptions; I don't know any of you. I don't pretend to know your heart for Christ, though it seems evident to me that each and every person who has responded to this post has a strong faith. Jason; I appreciate the strength of your conviction, though my own opinion is that the presentation (were I not of good heart) would cause me to run far, far away. I do not know you, just as you do not know me. I do not judge you; I do apologize if that is the appearance that I presented. There is a rather large difference between disagreement and judgment. I truly do find all of this discussion quite interesting

Jason Lon Jacobs—(11:25pm, May 16)
Amy, thank you for your loving reply. Thank you for using Scripture, too. I agree that various cases can be made based upon "personal interpretation" of Scripture. There is but one TRUE interpretation. Only one! Let's seek the truth. Jesus promised us in John 16:13, that when the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide us into all truth. Let us all seek to rightly divide the Word.

Romans 2:1 is not speaking to Christians, but to those who don't know God. (Read Romans 1:18-32 for context)

I'm curious, in your opinion, how does a person humbly speak out against sin? And how can that person prevent themselves from being labeled "judgmental" when speaking out against sin? Is it even possible?

Jason Lon Jacobs—(11:31pm, May 16)
(...cont...)

Matthew 7:5"You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."

Jesus gives us permission - actually commands us - to remove the speck from our brother's eye BUT not until we've removed the plank from our own eye. I've removed the "TV plank" from my eye, so I can freely speak against one or two specific (specks) shows.

I've stopped worrying about offending people. I've stopped picking and choosing my words and walking on eggshells with people. I don't try to offend, but I definitely don't soften the blow. Speaking out against sin and unholiness will never feel good to the hearer. Look at how they reacted and what they did to Jesus. Sure, I tailor my message as the Holy Spirit leads, but speaking out against sin is a serious thing. I trust in the SOVEREIGNTY of GOD and the power of the Spirit to convict, convince and save - not in the persuasiveness or delivery of my words.

Jason Lon Jacobs—(11:46pm, May 16)
(...cont again)

This doesn't give me license and freedom to go around saying mean or hurtful things, but I say what needs to be said and I know that God will take care of the rest. When I am wrong, God will discipline me, sometimes by another brother or sister.

Romans 14 doesn't apply to Christians judging or correcting sin or unholiness in one another. The context is in judging one another based on the consumption of foods which were previously forbidden by the Law of God given to Moses. The greater lesson is that love for one another limits our Christian liberty - as Christian pointed out earlier.

I too am enjoying the discussion.

Finally, when it comes to entertainment, the only question we need to ask ourselves is this: "Is it godly?" If the answer isn't a CLEAR YES, then reject it!

A Word to Graduates

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Francis Hume) — Sat, 16 May 2009 13:24:00 +0000

This is the time of the year when there are many across the nation graduating from high school or college or some higher level educational program. I found on Stephen Mansfield's blog a list of 10 things that he highly recommends for all graduates. For those loved ones that are graduating this year, why don't you take the time to compile your list of ten things that you would highly recommend to them as a new graduate.

Stephen's 10
09 August

A dear friend and faithful reader of my blogs recently asked me to write some advice to his son on the occasion of the young man's graduation from college. He didn't want explanations. He wanted the simple maxims that play in my head as I live my life. It was an interesting assignment and I thought I would share what he has come to call "Stephen's 10" and in the same spare form he requested. Use these. Make them your own. Most of all, live an exceptional life, for heaven's sake!

1. Take God seriously and very little else.

2. Live everyday as though it were your last, for one day you are sure to be right.

3. History favors the bold.

4. You have a destiny and your destiny is fulfilled by investing in the destiny of others.

5. We make a living by what we earn and we make a life by what we give.

6. The best things in life are seasonal.

7. Thoreau said the mass of men live lives of quiet desperation. Don’t be one of them.

8. Life is too short for bitterness, anger and self-pity. See them as the enemies of your happiness.

9. A change is as good as a rest.

10. Do something every day that scares you.

E.M. BOUNDS by Stephen Mansfield

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Francis Hume) — Fri, 15 May 2009 03:42:00 +0000

Today I came across two things concerning Franklin, Tennessee that caught my attention. Firstly, I found an article that I had read several years ago; at that time I saved it so that I could reread it. I tried to find it on http://www.mansfieldgroup.com/ where I originally saw it, but was unable to locate it. Anyways I am posting this excellent piece on the life of E.M. Bounds, who is one of my heroes of the faith. Most should be familiar with his writings on the topic of prayer.

Secondly I came across on CNN tonight a story about a body of a Union Civil War soldier being uncovered in Franklin, Tennessee. As you will read below, the Battle of Franklin had a significant impact on the life and ministry of E.M. Bounds.

I've been to Franklin several times and it is a city that I'm drawn to. I'm looking forward to the day when I will go back to minister again.

E.M. BOUNDS by Stephen Mansfield

His name was E. M. Bounds and, though few may know of him, his books still sound a valiant trumpet call to intercession for those who have ears to hear. With titles like Power through Prayer, Prayer and Praying Men, The Essentials of Prayer, and The Possibilities of Prayer, this revered pastor, author, military chaplain, and prayer warrior has issued a Spirit-empowered call that continues to echo through the corridors of time. Yet if few know of him, even fewer may be aware of his incredible ministry during the War Between the States and the amazing impact he had on Franklin, Tennessee, just after that War. It is a story that bears telling, and retelling, among a people called to walk in his steps.

Edward McKendree Bounds was born in 1835 to Christian parents in Shelby County, Missouri. His middle name came from the famous Methodist circuit rider, Bishop William McKendree, who planted churches from the Atlantic coast to Missouri. As befit his name, Edward was an exceptional young man. In 1854, after "reading the law" as was the custom at the time, he was admitted to the bar at the astonishing age of eighteen. He quickly became one of the most respected attorneys in the area, but in 1859, to the surprise of all, he closed his office. Something had changed in Edward, and only his friends knew that it was a fresh encounter with the Lord Jesus. He began to devour the Scriptures and he read every John Wesley sermon in print. He also consumed the writings of Jonathan Edwards, whose biography of David Brainerd filled him with a passion for prayer. Edward's hunger for God increased and as his Heavenly Father filled him to overflowing, his heart longed to draw others into the transforming intimacy he had discovered. Finally, in 1860, his desire was granted when he was "Licensed to preach the Gospel of Christ" in the Methodist Episcopal Church.

His first pastorate was in Brunswick, Missouri, yet, in the sovereignty ofGod, it would not last long. In the fall of 1861, six months after the start of the War Between the States, Bounds was sitting quietly in his red brick church when Union troops rode up and took him into custody. He had once publicly voiced his opposition to the confiscation of churches by Union troops and for this offense alone he was beaten and consigned to a federal prison at St. Louis. This injustice would have crushed most men, but Edward was a different breed of man, one who had surrendered fully to his Master. Rather than nurse a destructive bitterness, he began to minister to the angry, hurting souls around him. So effective was his ministry and so respected was the character of this godly man, that following a prisoner exchange early the next year, Edward was sworn in as a Chaplain in the Confederate Army.

He now found himself in John Bell Hood's Army of Tennessee and a more war-weary band of soldiers have rarely existed. These veterans had seen many a preacher appeal for converts in the quiet of the camp only to flee to the comforts of home when the firing began. Chaplain Bounds was a refreshing change. The soldiers learned that when the fighting broke out, they could find Bounds on the front lines, exposing himself to danger, and drawing fire as he shouted encouragement to "his flock." The men loved him. He was barely over five feet tall and as thin as a rail and when he made his rounds carrying a full backpack, the men laughingly called him "the walking bundle," for the man could scarcely be seen under the huge load. Edward would always smile, eagerly wave, and then turn to the next soul that required mending.

Then came the Battle of Franklin. On November 30, 1864, General Hood launched a frontal assault against the entrenched forces of Union General Schofield near a town south of Nashville called Franklin. It was a hasty, rash move and in a charge as dramatic as anything seen at Gettysburg, 18,000 Confederate soldiers were hurled against Union lines. It was a bloodbath and Hood lost 6,252 men that day, including thirteen general officers. Many prisoners were taken, and among them was Chaplain Edward Bounds. For days afterwards, Edward's heart-wrenching task was to dig mass graves for the very men whose souls he had tended. All the while, though, he sang hymns, quoted Scripture aloud, and offered encouragement to his fellow captives. Finally, after more than two weeks of this horror, most of the prisoners were released on condition that they not take up arms again. Edward accepted and left for his home in Missouri. His business in Franklin, however, was unfinished.

Early in 1865, Edward returned to Franklin. With all his heart he had loved the men in those horrible mass graves----he knew their hurts, the names of their wives and children, the shape of their fears----and he simply couldn't leave them there. He conceived a project to properly bury the dead and commemorate their lives. His vision moved a local farmer to donate some land and during the hot summer of 1865 some 1, 496 Confederate soldiers were exhumed and buried in the new cemetery on the hills of the Carter Farm. He even raised seven hundred dollars to pay local men to tend the graves. But it was not enough for Edward. He made a list of all the men from Missouri he buried at Franklin and published it in the Missouri newspapers to inform the families and generate even more support. Tenderly, he placed the list in his own wallet where it remained until the day of his death forty-eight years later. Throughout his life, he visited the families of his men, wrote them letters, and even helped acquire scholarships for the children of the men he had prayed with in those smokey Confederate camps.

But there was something else stirring him, as well. He had noticed, along with other believers, how a spiritual heaviness hung over the town of Franklin. One might expect this of Nashville, for during the War years it had been a center of prostitution, drunkenness, and the occult that was so much in fashion in the mid-1800's in America. Franklin was different, populated largely by Christian people. Perhaps it was the horrible bloodshed of those six hours on November 30th, or perhaps it was the depression of defeat that blanketed the South. Edward did not know why it was there, but he knew it had to go and that prayer was the key.

Since there was no Methodist pastor in Franklin, Edward became the pastor of Franklin's Methodist Episcopal Church. While fulfilling his pastoral duties, he continued to seek God for a strategy to break the darkness that covered the city. Finally, it came. Before long, he called upon the men of the city to join him in prayer. Every Tuesday evening, he proposed, the men would gather in the town square and cry out to God for their city. It must have sounded as strange then as it does today. Yet, the men came, and following Edward's lead, they knelt in the center of the town square and prayed, faithfully, every Tuesday for months. It worked. The darkness began to leave. What is more the Spirit of God began to touch hearts and the city experienced what can only be described as a spiritual awakening. In fact, Pastor Bounds' own church grew from a handful to over five hundred people. Once again, a faithful God granted an outpouring of his Spirit to believers who faithfully persisted in prayer.

Pastor Bounds remained in Franklin for two more years and then moved to Alabama. In time he married, had children, inherited property, and discipled many young men in the ministry. His life was filled with intense seasons of prayer, effective seasons of ministry, and fruitful seasons of writing. Indeed, his books on prayer, filled with wisdom acquired from so many battles both spiritual and human, are still the best to be found on the subjects of prayer and intercession.

Yet nothing stands as a testimony to the man quite like his pastoral ministry to the men who fell at the Battle of Franklin, their families, and the beleaguered city of Franklin. What kind of man is it who risks death to encourage others in Jesus? What kind of man quotes Scripture and sings hymns while burying the men he has pastored? What breed is it that can dig up almost fifteen hundred bodies only to bury them again in a manner that befits their sacrifice? What devotion cares not only for the men who have fallen but their children and even their grandchildren? And what kind of calling leads men to cry out to God for their city when others are lost in blackest despair?

The simple answer is that these are the characteristics of Jesus. What E. M. Bounds had learned was the secret of prayer, and how through the surrender that persistent prayer produces, Jesus pours his life, his heart, and his character. This is the meaning of the life of E. M. Bounds and this is the nature of our Lord.

© 2004 Mansfield Group

Stephen J Hill's SPRING NEWSLETTER

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Francis Hume) — Thu, 14 May 2009 20:44:00 +0000

A dear friend of mine sent out his newsletter today that I want to share with you. If you're a pastor, I would HIGHLY recommend that you consider bringing S.J. to minister to your church. He is a true father in the Lord to many around the globe. And regardless of what others say about him, I think he's pretty funny too! Enjoy!

SPRING NEWSLETTER
Stephen J Hill
May 14, 2009

Hi Everybody,

I can't believe it's May already and time for another newsletter. I pray that you're continuing to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ and living in His loving embrace! I've been quite busy the last couple of months with trips to Louisiana, the Philippines, Texas, Illinois, and Holland. I also leave this weekend for meetings in Indiana. I've really enjoyed sharing my passion on the Father's love, as well as getting to meet some great people. If you're interested in keeping up with our traveling schedule, you can visit our web site at www.sjhill.com.

A VICTORIOUS ESCHATOLOGY

For several years, I've been deeply concerned about the prevalent negativity I've seen within a large segment of the Body of Christ concerning the future of our planet. It has made me realize that our eschatology (what we believe about future events) will determine how we live in the present moment. For example, in the early 70's, I watched as men chose not to pursue any higher education because they believed Christ was returning at any moment. Now, many of them are in their late 50's and early 60's, and they're disillusioned because of the direction their lives have taken. Some of them have never liked their jobs, and now they're wondering why they bought into all the speculation presented by the popular "prophecy preachers."

I remember a man who wrote a book years ago that consisted of 88 reasons why Jesus was returning in 1988. Much of his eschatology was based on the belief that what Jesus predicted in Luke 21:32 would take place 40 years (the length of a generation, according to some) after the birth of the nation of Israel in 1948. Still others taught that Jesus was coming again in 2007, 40 years after Jerusalem became the capital of Israel in 1967.

What's sad is that this kind of speculation continues to this day as the "prophecy preachers" scramble to peddle their latest products. And, I'm amazed about how dogmatic many of them are concerning their interpretation of Scripture, especially the Book of Revelation. But how many of you even realize that much of the prevalent thinking about "end-time events" is less than 200 years old? John Nelson Darby started promoting his new beliefs in the 1830's, and they were later popularized with the 1909 printing of the Scofield Reference Bible. While Darby's views were initially rejected by much of the Church of his day, they're now widely embraced by many churches and denominations, as well as many radio and TV preachers.

Now that I'm 60 years old, I'm personally tired of all the speculation and dogmatic, fear-based preaching about "the end." I'm tired of hearing so much about the Antichrist and the mark of the Beast when much, if not more, is said in Scripture about the mark or seal of God placed on believers. And, regardless of your views about the Book of Revelation (Please don't write and ask me about mine; this is not the point of my newsletter.), it was actually an unveiling of Jesus Christ, and not Antichrist.

Speaking of Antichrist, do you realize that during World War II, many in the Church came to believe that Hitler was the Antichrist? Later, it was thought that Henry Kissinger was the Antichrist. I even read a book about 12 years ago that suggested Prince Charles was the Antichrist. Now, I'm hearing Christians clearly stating that President Obama could very well be the Antichrist!

Enough already!! When are we, as Christians, going to quit speculating about "the end" and start doing something about the future of our children and grandchildren? I believe we've been given more authority in prayer than we realize, and we've been called to be "salt" and "light" to this world. And, that's why I'm writing this article. Jesus has invited us to partner with Him in the earth to help accomplish His purposes. There may be those individuals who want to usher in a New World Order and a One World Government, but why aren't we praying against it? Are our views of "the end" actually keeping us from doing the works of the Kingdom? I think this is a valid question that needs to be addressed by everyone of us.

None of us can be dogmatic about how things are going to turn out in the future. But I do know we're called to love this hurting world and model the Father's love to our generation. Each one of us has a sphere of influence, and Jesus wants to use us to advance His Kingdom. Can we please do less arguing about "end-time events" and do more to change the social climate around us? I pray you'll hear my heart through the things I've shared in this newsletter.

Thanks for your continued prayers. Pam and I really appreciate them!!

Love,

S. J. (Steve) and Pam
P. O. Box 910
Harrisburg, NC 28075

www.sjhill.com
stevejhill[at]juno[dot]com

APOSTOLIC PASSION: THE KING OF GLORY IS COMING TO AUSTIN

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Francis Hume) — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 05:03:00 +0000

Psalm 24:7-10—Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is he, this King of glory? The LORD Almighty—he is the King of glory. Selah

In March of 2008 I was invited to minister at a regional conference—Embracing God’s Glory—in Temple, Texas. The first night during the conference I spoke briefly with a woman who was attending the conference who was from Austin, which was approximately an hour south of Temple. I was scheduled to minister at the main session Friday night and Saturday morning.

While I was preaching Saturday morning, the Holy Spirit suddenly directed me in the middle of my message to declare the following to the woman from Austin I had met briefly the first night: “The King of glory is coming to Austin, the King of Glory is coming to Austin, the King of Glory is coming to Austin!” Each time I declared it, it came forth with greater authority. It was a prophetic declaration that was from the very heart of God—never before had I felt any inclination to pray such a thing concerning Austin. Immediately following this prophetic declaration, God’s tangible presence permeated the meeting room. Silence filled the room as hearts were fixated upon the King of Glory. This session that was intended to only be for 90 minutes, went on for almost four hours.

Obviously Austin is on God’s heart in this hour.

Two days later on March 17th I had the opportunity to minister at Luke 4:18 Ministries (under the leadership of Barb Bucklin) in Austin. There was a word stirring in my heart for the church in Austin concerning apostolic passion—yet I did not sense it was time to release it then. Instead the Lord moved powerfully upon those in attendance as I ministered prophetically to roughly 30 different people. It was an intense time in the Lord as lives were touched and changed.

Afterwards as I was riding back to Temple, I knew that I had to release the word on apostolic passion before flying out of Austin on March 20. I contacted Barb Bucklin to set up a time to meet at the Capital building in Austin to prophetically declare this word over the city as a whole: The King of Glory is coming to Austin as apostolic passion is restored to the Church.

APOSTOLIC PASSION

What is apostolic passion? My definition-in-progress is as followed: An undying steadfastness to glorify God by fulfilling the “original mandate” for which one has been sent to accomplish. Hence this needs to be further delineated in order to fully comprehend the framework of this Spirit-cultivated motivation within the heart. It is one whose heart is fully congruent (i.e., submitted, surrendered, pliable, fashionable, obedient) to the heart of God. It seeks the glory of God above all else, at all cost—to the demise of the praise of man.

In order to better understand what I mean by apostolic passion for the glory of God, I want to share a story with you.

During October of 2004, my wife and I visited the historic home of James and Dolly Madison called Montpelier, located in Virginia. This is approximately an hour from our home. James Madison is one of the Founding Fathers of our Nation and was the principal draftsman of the Constitution, thus the namesake, “Father of the Constitution.” Henceforth his influence is indelibly imprinted upon the formation of the United States of America.

Unknowingly to us, this historic home was under a work of restoration, which commenced in December of 2003. Although we were able to walk through parts of it, it was all under heavy construction. The DuPont family had recently given the home to the Montpelier Foundation with instructions to renovate it; therefore the objective was to restore the mansion to the one originally inhabited by the Madison family during the 1820s.

We learned that during an in-depth, meticulous architectural and archaeological examination of the home, it was determined that the expanded DuPont home still contained much of the original parts of the Madison era home. Little did I know that I was about to undergo an intensely personal lesson on the apostolic passion that the Father desires to be evident today in apostolic men and women. This life-changing lesson was epitomized by the tour guide—indeed, a man who was passionate about uncovering anything that was an original Madison. I was fascinated by the absolute passion of the tour guide. He would take us to various parts of the home to show us where they had discovered an original Madison pattern, material, wallpaper, wood, window, or painting. In doing so, he emanated such commitment, dedication, and determination.

The home had been modified over the years as subsequent owners built additional rooms to the original Madison structure. During the early part of the 20th century, the wealthy DuPont family added massive wings to the original Madison home; therefore the deconstruction phase reduced the sprawling mansion from 55 rooms to 22 rooms. This restoration project was purposed to remove everything that had been added on so that it was the exact representation of what James and Dolly Madison lived in. However, as stated earlier, they had to painstakingly ensure each room that was deconstructed didn’t contain any valuable originals of the Madison home. This required commitment. Nothing could be glossed over or eliminated without the utmost care to ensure nothing valuable (i.e., a Madison original) was discarded.

The tour guide was exhilarated about anything that was an original Madison—I was dumbfounded and awestruck at the same time. I couldn’t help but reflect on the reality that if this tour guide was this passionate concerning Montpelier, how much more passionate should I be concerning my Heavenly Father’s house—the glorious Church.

My heart was stirred that day.

I could no longer be comfortable with my own comfortableness concerning my lack of “passion” for the things on God’s own heart. Immediately following this visit to Montpelier, the tour guide’s passion served as a benchmark to me of the passion of apostolic ministry to restore the church to God’s original intentions as revealed in the Scriptures. Our passion for anything in this world should be pale compared for our passion for Christ Jesus and the Church. This is the hour that the Lord is bringing forth apostolic leaders who are passionate about God restoring the Church to its original mandate!

THE KING OF GLORY IS COMING TO AUSTIN

As I stood on the steps of the Capital in Austin, I shared this story with this band of committed believers who continually long to see the King of Glory come to Austin. I exhorted this group to persevere in prayer to become an apostolic company of men and women who obeyed the original intent of God’s heart as revealed in the Scriptures. Together we welcomed the King of Glory to Austin. And we consecrated our hearts afresh to the Lord in unity that no man would take any credit for what was His alone to glory in. Therefore the thrust of apostolic passion is wholehearted concern with the original intent of God’s heart—God is glorified as mankind extends His kingdom throughout the earth.

So what does this look like for the church in Austin and beyond?

More to come….

Ed's Recommended Leadership Books

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Francis Hume) — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 18:34:00 +0000

I am always on the lookout for good leadership books to read. Often I’ll spend time on Google to find leadership bibliographies in order to track down worthwhile sources. Also I like reading book reviews on Amazon to get a feel for certain books that I'm considering purchasing.

A few months ago I came across Ed Brenegar's website while researching a specific topic in leadership. I enjoyed his articles and contacted him to express my appreciation. We have continued a rapport through Facebook. Ed is the owner of Community of Leadership, which is a "consultancy speciallizing in leadership development, change management and transition planning." He describes himself on his Facebook page: "I am a husband, father, Presbyterian minister, business man, Boy Scout leader, and writer, columnist and blogger." He has also served as a professor in leadership thought.

Last week I asked him to consider sharing his top recommended leadership books—he graciously obliged. Here is the article: A Leadership Book List.

It is an excellent list for those involved in organizational leadership and who desire to build an ongoing framework for successful leadership that is action-oriented and not just theoretical.

Check out the list. Do any of the books appeal to you?

Your Chance for a Free Leadership Book

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Francis Hume) — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:42:00 +0000

There is a blog that I frequent called Leading Blog that is currently giving away five free copies of a book by Marcus Buckingham called The Truth About You: Your Secret to Success. Within leadership thought, Marcus has been a rising, steady voice this decade concerning the need to capitalize on your stregnths in order to maximize your leadership potential.

All you need to do is go to the Leading Blog post and leave a comment: http://www.leadershipnow.com/leadingblog/2008/11/stimulus_package_1_free_book_t.html#comments.

This Friday they will select five winners. It would be great to see some of my readers possibly win a few of the books! God bless you!

Billy Graham's Prayer For Our Nation

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Francis Hume) — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 15:16:00 +0000

Billy Graham's Prayer For Our Nation

Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem. We have abused power and called it politics. We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us , Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and Set us free. Amen!'

Commentator Paul Harvey aired this prayer on his radio program, 'The Rest of the Story,' and received a larger response to this program than any other he has ever aired. With the Lord's help, may this prayer sweep over our nation and wholeheartedly become our desire so that we again can be called 'One nation under God.' If possible, please pass this prayer on to your friends. 'If you don't stand for something, you will fall for everything.'

NOTE: I reprinted this from Jaeson Ma's blog.

Stand with Beth Hislop

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Francis Hume) — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 21:50:00 +0000

When I ministered at the Embracing God's Glory conference in Temple, Texas last March, the worship was led by Beth Hislop. She did a phenomenal job—her love for Jesus enabled all to focus solely on Him during worship. Honestly I don't think I would've been able to minister at such a high level of the anointing at the conference apart from the worship she led. Without question I came to a deeper appreciation for her ministry during that time—now I know firsthand the value of the heart that she possesses.

I want to stand with her in what the Lord has called her to pursue in this hour. Read on and prayerfully consider standing with her as she stands before God for our Nation.

Dear Friends,

This is an urgent request for prayer and emergency support. I have been asked by Matt Lockett, the director of Bound 4 Life, to come and serve at the Justice House of Prayer in Washington, DC. (http://www.jhop.org/) I believe this is a summon from the Lord for me.

I received a call from Matt last week. Since Lou Engle has asked all of the teams and interns from all of the JHOP’s to go to San Diego for 40 days of prayer and fasting leading up to The Call San Diego and the Elections, Matt is assembling a team to fuel the JHOP in DC. Because of the vital need for intercession to go up in DC leading up to the election, and for the continued presence at the Supreme Court, Matt asked me if I would be willing and available to be on the team for the Facedown 40 and come live in DC starting on September 18th. As the leadership of the Fredericksburg Prayer Furnace is releasing me and sending me, I will be joining the team as I feel God is calling me to lay aside that time to serve Lou, Matt, the cause for the ending of abortion and crying out for mercy during the next few months leading up to the elections in November. I believe this is a pivotal point in the History of our nation. I believe that the next 7-8 weeks will shape the course of our history.

I believe that God has summoned me to go, but financially I cannot do it without your help. I am sending this letter as a request for emergency support. God is my provider, and He has shown himself so faithful to me! I had several dreams last night of getting gifts and of prosperity financially, so I know He will provide. With that said, I really felt led to take this step of faith to ask you if you would prayerfully consider donating financially, a one time gift, to support me while I am at JHOP.

Many of you know I am in the process of raising support as I am now on full-time staff with the Fredericksburg Prayer Furnace. I will still continue my fundraising for the last months of this year and for next year with the official launch of the Prayer Furnace. However, I do not have the finances at this point to support myself enough to go to DC. Having looked at my finances and needs, I need to raise $800 by Sept. 15th in order to go to JHOP. I will also need another $800 by the end of my time in at JHOP in November.All donations are tax deductible. (http://www.theprayerfurnace.org)/

In 1999 Bob Jones spoke that the next president would come out of Texas and he would be a Burning Bush, and that IF the church would pray, in the second part of his second term he would do more to end abortion, restrain the homosexual agenda and to put prayer back in schools.” Then the word went on to say, “…if the church will pray, we will get eight more years of righteousness.” I believe the time is urgent to pray. We are already in a historical moment with these elections. As our nation decides who will be our next president, we must pray. Also, I ask for your prayers as I enter into this battle. Our team will be small. 12 people. But we will fight in intercession and worship for our nation and for our next president and for the ending of abortion.

Thank you so much for your prayers and consideration. I am so excited about what the Lord is doing and is going to do. I am excited to go fight, for our country and for our leaders, in intercession.

During the 40 days, as a team, we will be consistently sending out updates on what is going on and you will be able to watch video clips of the prayer room online. I will let you know how to access this information once it is set up. If you have a twitter account, we will be sending out updates on that as well.

If you could please consider responding within the next 5 days, And as always please keep me and the team in your prayers. Blessings to you!

I love you.

Bethbhislop[at]theprayerfurnace[dot]org

You can send your checks, made out to: Fredericksburg Prayer Furnace, to:

Beth Hislop
255 Maryfox Rd
Tappahannock, VA 22560

All donations are tax deductible and you will receive a receipt in the mail.

Great Quotes!

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Francis Hume) — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 01:46:00 +0000

These quotes came in an email from the Revival Center.
More GREAT QUOTES- www.Sermonindex.net

"God is not looking for brilliant men, is not depending uponeloquent men, is not shut up to the use of talented men in sendingHis gospel out in the world. God is looking for broken men whohave judged themselves in the light of the cross of Christ. WhenHe wants anything done, He takes up men who have come to theend of themselves, whose confidence is not in themselves, but in God."- H.A. Ironside

"Being broken is both God's work and ours. He brings Hispressure to bear, but we have to make the choice...All day longthe choice will be before us in a thousand ways." - Roy Hession.

"Let me learn by paradoxthat the way down is the way up,that to be low is to be high,that the broken heart is the healed heart,that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit,that the repenting soul is the victorious soul,that to have nothing is to possess all,that to bear the cross is to wear the crown,that to give is to receive,that the valley is the place of vision."-Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions.

"When we become too glib in prayer we are most surely talking to ourselves."
- A. W. Tozer

"When filled with holy truth the mind rests."— C.H. Spurgeon

"IF you want to be the first among your brothers and sisters, then you have to be a bond-slave, not only to Christ, but to your brothers and sisters." - Stephen Kaung

"We must frankly face the fact that there is in this teaching a revolutionary element which could be dangerously subversive of our existing ways of thought. Let us admit that it is part of the fallen human nature of ecclesiastics, no less than of others inresponsible positions, to desire always criteria of judgement which can be used without making too heavy demands upon the delicatefaculty of spiritual discernment, clear-cut rules by which we may hope to be saved from making mistakes -- or rather, from being obviously and personally responsible for the mistakes. We areuncomfortable without definite principles by which we may guide our steps. We fear uncharted country, and the fanatics of all kindswho, upon the alleged authority of the Holy Spirit, summon us withstrident cries in all directions simultaneously. Only those who havenever borne the heavy burden of pastoral responsibility will mockat the cautious spirit of the ecclesiastic." - Lesslie Newbigin

"Some people read their Bible in Hebrew, some in Greek; I like toread mine in the Holy Ghost." - Smith Wigglesworth

"I am convinced that many evangelicals are not truly and soundlyconverted. Among the evangelicals it is entirely possible to come into membership, to ooze in by osmosis, to leak through the cells of the church and never know what it means to be born of the Spirit and washed in the blood. A great deal that passes for the deeper life is nothing more or less than basic Christianity. There is nothing deeper about it, and it is where we should have been from the start...What we need is what the old Methodists called a sound conversion. There is a difference between conversion and a sound conversion. People who have never been soundly converted do not have the Spirit to enlighten them. When they read the Sermon on the Mount or the teaching passages of the epistles that tell themhow to live or the doctrinal passages that tell how they can live,they are unaffected. The Spirit who wrote them is not witnessing in their hearts because they have not been born of the Spirit. That often happens." - A W Tozer.

"No Task will be so sordid and base, provided you obey your calling in it, that it will not shine and be reckoned very precious in God's sight." - John Calvin

"With all your getting get unction." - Leonard Ravenhill

"When the Lord reveals His will to us and we obey, our mission will be a success regardless of the results." - Chinese housechurch leaders, Back to Jerusalem movement

"Those who are God's true witnesses are firmly anchored in Him, in love or in suffering, no matter what God may give or take away. They do not set much store by their own methods; if they prove helpful to their spiritual life, well and good. But God, in his loving foresight, often shatters their foundations and thus they frequently find themselves thwarted. If they want to keep vigil, they are obliged to sleep; if they like to fast, they are made to eat; if they would like to keep silence and be at rest, they have to do otherwise. In this way, everything they cleave to crumbles, and they are brought face-to-face with their bare nothingness. Thus they are shown how total is their dependence on God, and they learn to confess Him with a pure and simple faith, with no other support to sustain them."- Johannes Tauler.

"Worship renews the spirit as sleep renews the body."- Richard Clarke Cabot

"It is simply absurd to say you believe, or even want to believe, in Him, if you do not do anything He tells you." - George Macdonald

"The saintly Andrew Bonar used to soak his pillow with tears every Saturday night in Scotland as people below trampled the streets returning from the taverns and shows. He would cry from the depths of his agonizing heart, 'Oh! They perish, they perish!'" (doesn't list author)

My Polish Bride

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Francis Hume) — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 00:56:00 +0000

Long ago I set up a blog for my wife with the intention of utilizing it to write out her testimony. I called it Aneta's Sacred Rendezvous: A Life Set Apart. I thought the title was appropriate for Aneta because my wife is indeed a worshiper! She is one who longs to present her heart to the Lord, and to Him alone.

Since meeting her over eight years ago I have heard her share her amazing testimony countless number of times—yet, I thoroughly enjoy hearing every second of it. It reminds me of God's goodness to us. And it causes me to pause and reflect upon the fact that I have the most amazing woman as my wife—that is a reality that I refuse to allow to slip the grasp of my appreciation and affections. So while my love is visiting her family in Poland along with our growing daughter, I have been writing out her testimony in her absence.

Although I have a lot of details missing, I have posted my first jab at this project. Here is the first draft of many more to come. You can check it out here:

Aneta's Testimony (Part 1)

Let me know what you think. Some of you may have known her from the "early" years of her walk with the Lord or during her time at CFNI...please feel free to provide any feedback so that I can improve Aneta's story—a story that I am ever grateful for.

A Great Quote...

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Francis Hume) — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 21:40:00 +0000

“What man actually needs is not a tensionless state but rather the striving and struggling for some goal worthy of him. What he needs is not the discharge of tension at any cost, but the call of a potential meaning waiting to be fulfilled by him.”
— Viktor Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning

Gary Borgendale of St. Paul, Minnesota

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Francis Hume) — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:01:00 +0000

Dear world wide believers in Christ:

Peace and joy from a fellow laborer in Minnesota, USA, Gary Borgendale.

Over a year ago, God impressed upon me the importance of prayer for the Republican National Convention. I did not understand what all this meant, but I initiated a call to prayer leaders and pastor leaders in St. Paul.

The 2008 Republican Convention will be here next week, running from September 1 – 4 at the Excel Center in St. Paul (www.gopconvention2008.com). For four days the world will be viewing St. Paul. The United States presidential conventions are second only to the Olympics for media coverage, surpassing even the NFL’s Super Bowl. Yes,the city chosen is St. Paul, named after the Apostle Paul, the great leader of the early church and whom God choose to minister to the Gentiles.

The GOP Prayer Team was formed consisting of prayer ministries leaders (Steve Loopstra, Sandra Roesner and Char Herzog) and pastors in St. Paul (Mike Smith, Bob Battle, and Cher Moua). The Prayer Team is not under the RNC, but believe it is our Christian responsibly to pray for major events held in our city.

We chose the following Bible verses to represent our efforts:

"I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth." 1 Timothy 2: 1-4

This is our mission of the GOP Prayer Team

We desire to honor God and exalt the name of Jesus Christ by praying and serving in a non-partisan way for all aspects of the 2008 Republican National Convention, for the welfare of our nation, peace, protection and positive economic impact of our communities and guidance and wisdom in the political process.

God has put His people in ALL the right places; from political leaders, facility leaders and security personnel. Estimates are that 45, 000 people will be here for the event, plus 10-50,000 protesters. I believe America is on the verges of judgment. God cannot continue to turn a blind eye to the nearly 50 million babies that have been aborted nor with the continued efforts to remove Christianity from the public square. We are in a greater spiritual battle than a political battle. We have been praying and fasting for the Democratic convention this week, praying for the lost and the safety and security of the city. God has impressed upon me the need for our spiritual brothers and sisters from around the world to pray for us in Minnesota - to stand in the gap. Will you do this for us?

We have been praying for 6 areas:

Police and Security
Media
McCain Campaign
Protesters
Delegates & alternates
Workers & volunteersWe have great expectations that 1000’s will be led to the Lord.

Please let me know if you would be willing to pray for us. Please forward this to other leaders around the world.

Thank you for your willingness to partner with us as we serve Christ.

God Bless

Gary Borgendale

GOP Prayer Team Leader
612-598-9101
Web site: http://www.prayertransformation.com/RNC%20prayer.html

Psalm 74

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Francis Hume) — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 04:59:00 +0000

Psalm 74
A maskil of Asaph.

1 Why have you rejected us forever, O God? Why does your anger smolder against the sheep of your pasture?

2 Remember the people you purchased of old, the tribe of your inheritance, whom you redeemed—Mount Zion, where you dwelt.

3 Turn your steps toward these everlasting ruins, all this destruction the enemy has brought on the sanctuary.

4 Your foes roared in the place where you met with us; they set up their standards as signs.

5 They behaved like men wielding axes to cut through a thicket of trees.

6 They smashed all the carved paneling with their axes and hatchets.

7 They burned your sanctuary to the ground; they defiled the dwelling place of your Name.

8 They said in their hearts, "We will crush them completely!" They burned every place where God was worshiped in the land.

9 We are given no miraculous signs; no prophets are left, and none of us knows how long this will be.

10 How long will the enemy mock you, O God? Will the foe revile your name forever?

11 Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand? Take it from the folds of your garment and destroy them!

12 But you, O God, are my king from of old; you bring salvation upon the earth.

13 It was you who split open the sea by your power; you broke the heads of the monster in the waters.

14 It was you who crushed the heads of Leviathan and gave him as food to the creatures of the desert.

15 It was you who opened up springs and streams; you dried up the ever flowing rivers.

16 The day is yours, and yours also the night; you established the sun and moon.

17 It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter.

18 Remember how the enemy has mocked you, O LORD, how foolish people have reviled your name.

19 Do not hand over the life of your dove to wild beasts; do not forget the lives of your afflicted people forever.

20 Have regard for your covenant, because haunts of violence fill the dark places of the land.

21 Do not let the oppressed retreat in disgrace; may the poor and needy praise your name.

22 Rise up, O God, and defend your cause; remember how fools mock you all day long.

23 Do not ignore the clamor of your adversaries, the uproar of your enemies, which rises continually.

Ministry Trip Update

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Francis Hume) — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 16:21:00 +0000

Right now I am in Temple, Texas getting ready for our four hour drive to Sweetwater, Texas with Draper Smith to minister. My recent trip to Minnesota with Steve Burke was awesome! Once I return to Virginia, I will do a write up on both trips. The Lord did amazing things during this trip and I can't wait to share it all with you.

Please keep Draper and I in prayer as we minister together Friday, Saturday and Sunday. We are anticipating great things on this trip. The Lord wants to do a deep work in the hearts of those who come out for the meetings. I will be preaching throughout the weekend on "Finding the Silver Lining" which will help believers to understand why God permits storms in our lives; and I will be teaching on how to maximize what God desires to do within the storm instead of simply just hanging on for dear life!

I will try to update as time permits.

For the Cause,

Brian Francis Hume

Ministry Trip to Texas & Minnesota

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Francis Hume) — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 00:19:00 +0000

I'm about to embark upon a ministry trip to Texas and Minnesota. I will leave Friday night for Texas where I'll meet my good friend Steve Burke of The Lord Will Provide ministries. Steve is a passionate man-of-God who thrives living life on the edge! We don't really know what to expect on this trip, but I know that there have been things percolating within my heart to release prophetically over this state. This is a critical time for that region.

Then I fly back to Texas to minister at a revival in Sweetwater, Virginia from August 8-10. I will be ministering along with Draper Smith whom many of you know. Draper ministered there two months ago. At that time he mentioned to the pastors that he felt that something was about to breakthrough in their church—Draper encouraged the pastors to invite me to come and minister there. Evidently I had met Jason and Beverly Trupp when I ministered at the Encountering God's Glory conference back in March. I could vaguely recall what I had said to them, but I did receive an email several days ago from the pastor that was encouraging:

"I don't know if I ever told you what happened after you prophesied to us at the conference in Temple. You said it would be another two months in the wilderness. News we were not want to receive, I assure you. Two months later, nearly to the day the phone rang and we were chosen as the pastors of this church and hired at the school on the same day. God so easily swept open every door and ushered us into our destiny. It's not because you spoke a wonderful, happy, make-us-feel-good word that we want you to come, but because you spoke the truth accurately and boldly. We give God thanks always for you, Brian."

Praise God! What a blessing! Draper and I will be ministering Friday, Saturday and Sunday night. Also we'll be ministering at the Sunday morning service.

The location is Cornerstone Fellowship Foursquare Church. Call the church for directions: 806-237-2991.

Please pray for me as the Lord leads. I'm expecting great things on this trip!

For the Cause,

Brian Francis Hume