Homeless Outreach

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What each picture is all about:

1. Scott Thompson got a word at Jesus Culture Dallas that whenever he'd go into a city, there would be a white-breasted hawk as a symbol that God is giving him the keys to that particular city. From the moment we got to the parking lot for our outreach Christmas party, a white-breasted hawk flew into a tree that overlooks the parking lot. He stayed til we started to pack up.

2. The Hug Line: All the homeless men had to line up and come through our "Hug Line" in order to get a Christmas gift (hygiene kits, blankets, ponchos, hats, gloves, and scarves), coffee, hot chocolate, candy and cake. 

3. Our friend Jonathan got up out of his wheelchair for the first time in TWO YEARS about 3 weeks ago. He's been practicing walking every day and wanted to take 2 laps around the parking lot to show us how good he's been getting. He has had severe rhumatoid arthritis, but God is healing him more each day. 

4. These four are all significant. The top left corner is our weekly homeless outreach team praying in the parking lot. This is the parking lot where all the men gather to get hot meals from other churches, and lots of love from us. We have taken back this territory for the last 5 months and are seeing incredible changes happen...people leaving and getting jobs, people getting healed, people wanting to pray with us for their friends....and so much more. The top right corner is Warren holding Jonathan's hand as they walked around the parking lot. "Every place that the sole of your foot treads will be yours" Deut 11:24. The bottom left picture is of Drew Kaiser praying before going down to the parking lot. And the bottom right picture is of Ralph praying over all the beds that the men sleep in every night. 

Blogger won't let me post any more pictures right now, but I'll add some a little bit later. 

Identity

This post will be short, and hopefully I'll expand on this topic later on, but I wanted to touch on the importance of knowing our identity. 

When we become a Christian, every sin, past, present, and future gets nailed to the cross. We become engrafted into Christ's lineage and we are no longer "sinners," but saints. So when people say that they are a "sinner saved by grace," that's not right. We no longer claim sin as our own. It is no longer a part of our nature. We have a new nature and we have the mind of Christ. We have stepped into the "holy priesthood." We are adopted sons and daughters of God. To still claim anything from our old nature would mean that a)we don't believe that God's work on the cross was sufficient to cover all of our sins or b)we have forgotten what we lost and what we gained through Christ. 

We need to know our identity.  We live out of who we believe that we are. If we believe we are sinners, we are only going to see the multitude of sin in our lives. We won't see the incredible gifts God has placed inside of us, nor will we want to grow those gifts for His glory. If we believe that we were made for "greater things" than Jesus did (John 14:12), we will live to a higher standard of purity and of righteousness because we fully know and believe in who we are. We will see God's standard, and know that Christ in us makes that standard possible. Nothing is impossible with God. 

The prophetic is hearing God's voice for someone else. The purpose of the prophetic is to call out the "gold" in people. To bring out who God has created them to be. To cast a vision for the anointing that they have and the call on their life.  Scott Thompson tells a story about how purity was a big issue in his life around the time when he became a Christian. But he had all these people around him telling him that he was going to "break the chains off of a generation." We need people to remind us of the amazing things that we are called to do. Sometimes we are so bogged down in sin that we can't see the call on our lives. We're still in the "process" of realizing our call and vision. 

In our homeless outreach, we don't point fingers and tell people what they're doing wrong. We tell them how great they are and what incredible things they are capable of. Having the gold in them called out reminds them that they are called to greater things. That they are better than their situation. They feel empowered and not defeated. They feel loved and encouraged. They start living like they believe they are awesome and worth it and capable of chasing after the big dreams God placed inside them. They want to believe that they are great and talented, but the world keeps shouting at them that they are worthless. Sadly much of the Church screams the same message.

 "All creation is longing for the sons of God to be revealed..." (Romans 8:19). All creation is longing for us to start walking in the fullness of who we are. To rise up. To believe that we are called to do "greater things" than Jesus did. To heal the sick. To raise the dead. To love and give extravagantly. To know the presence of God and feel the shifts of His Spirit. To make earth as it is in heaven. Not to sit in a corner and say we aren't good enough, that we don't have the skills, to say that there is nothing good in us...saying that there is nothing good in the creation does not glorify the Creator. 

We are saints that have been created in God's image. It's time that we live like we believe who God says that we are. 

I'll Stand By You

I've heard this song a million times, but yesterday I heard it on the radio and it sounded different. Maybe I just finally listened to the words and the heart behind the song, but it really moved me. Carrie Underwood sang it for "Idol Gives Back" and it put the song in the context of those of us who have plenty, rushing to the aid of those who have little. Idol was doing a huge push for people with AIDS in Africa, and those that live in dire poverty. The video clips were raw and uncut, but there was such a beauty in the people that they showed. Idol ended up donating millions of dollars to help those in need. To help those in the world who don't have access to any kind of medical care, food, water, shelter, or schooling. They put forth a tremendous effort to bless others, and it was such an honor to see America rise up and stand for a cause bigger than itself.

There are also parts of this song that I believe God sings to us. "nothing you could confess would make me love you less" "let me see you through because I've seen the dark side too" "let me come along because even if you're wrong, I'll stand by you" "take me into your darkest hour and Ill never desert you." I think the message of "I'll Stand By You" is beautiful and complete. a picture of a God with the heart of a father, rushing to the aid of His children. oh how He loves us so.


Oh, why you look so sad?
Tears are in your eyes
Come on and come to me now
Dont be ashamed to cry
Let me see you through
cause Ive seen the dark side too


When the night falls on you
You dont know what to do
Nothing you confess
Could make me love you less


Ill stand by you
Ill stand by you
Wont let nobody hurt you
Ill stand by you


So if youre mad, get mad
Dont hold it all inside
Come on and talk to me now
Hey, what you got to hide?
I get angry too
Well Im a lot like you


When youre standing at the crossroads
And dont know which path to choose
Let me come along
cause even if youre wrong
Ill stand by you


Ill stand by you
Wont let nobody hurt you
Ill stand by you
Take me in, into your darkest hour
And Ill never desert you
Ill stand by you

And when...When the night falls on you, baby
Youre feeling all alone
You wont be on your own

Ill stand by you
Ill stand by you
Wont let nobody hurt you
Ill stand by you


Take me in, into your darkest hour
And Ill never desert you
Ill stand by youIll stand by you
Wont let nobody hurt you
Ill stand by you
Wont let nobody hurt you
Ill stand by you

-The Pretenders, "I'll Stand By You" (as sung by Carrie Underwood)

Finding Vision and Purpose

http://www.kvministries.com/blog/?p=41


This is a blog by Kris Vallotton (his son wrote this particular entry) regarding the election and where we stand as a nation. He casts a vision and a purpose for the Church during this "season." It's so challenging and convicting to me. I hope you guys enjoy it!

School

Right now, Patrick and I are at Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry (a church and school plant from Bethel in Redding, Ca... www.ibethel.org, www.ibethelatlanta.org). We have class on Monday and Tuesday nights from 6:30-9:30, outreach to the homeless every Sunday afternoon, and home group every other Thursday. We also read lots of books, do book reports, and do homework for every day of the week. Needless to say, it's a huge time commitment. But there is a grace for us to be in school during this season. Thankfully, it has proved to be more of a blessing and a catalyst than an obstacle.


Last week, we spent a lot of time interceding for America and the election. We made declarations and spoke life over the United States. People had some cool words that they shared about our great nation. Never has my passion for America been stirred up so deeply in me. One word was about the Statue of Liberty being a prophetic declaration. She is holding a book of authority, she is walking in power, she has a crown on her head which says she is royalty, and she knows her identity. With her torch, she is lighting the way for people groups all over the world to come and to gain freedom and to find their identity. This time of declaration and intercession gave me such a hope for America. With any President, God wins. He can win with any hand, and we can come into agreement with His heart and what He wants to do. God did not make a mistake by electing Obama as President (although many would disagree). It was His idea. He has a purpose. And regardless of how we feel, we have to choose to believe that God is always good, and that He has our best interest in mind, and He works ALL things out for our good. Life and death is in the power of the tongue, and we have to keep speaking life. But we still have a responsibility to pray for our leaders, cry out for mercy and for justice, and for righteous decisions to be made. We are citizens of heaven and will live according to those principles and standards.


If the Church really rose up and knew her identity, and started to work and move from a place of victory and authority, we would not need a government/political party to do the Church's work. To fight for the things that the Church should be fighting for. The poor/homeless should find love, acceptance, encouragement and strength from us, not the government. The Church can draw out greatness in people, it can make them realize their dreams and equip them to go after those dreams. If God has placed a dream in them, there is a grace there for them to pursue that dream. We have a responsibility for the widows, and the homeless, and the unborn babies. But we have to know who we are and what we carry in order to receive and to steward the things of heaven here on earth.

New Addition to the Soundtrack of my Life

"Heavenly Day" by Patty Griffin

Declaration

When we're young, the only thing we can do to communicate that we need something is to cry. We cry because we're hungry, we cry because we're thirsty, and we cry because we're tired. If we want anything, we cry. 

As we get older, we learn to communicate a little differently. Let's use a glass of milk as an example. Maybe when we're two or three we can say the word "milk" or point to it. As we start to grow we can start to reach the milk ourselves, and then reach the glasses, then later pour the milk without having to ask our parents to get it for us. But there is a progression of crying out for it when we're young, asking for it as we get older, then taking the liberty to get it ourselves. 

I think that is how God intends for our faith to be. If you ever spend any amount of time in prayer and not ask for anything, you will start to see God give you the things that you needed that you didn't ask for. Like any good father, God knows our needs. He knows our desires. And He wants to give us those things in our heart. Luke 18:8  says that He will respond "speedily." But He wants to see us trust that He will provide for our needs, and then learn to take another step forward. To start to get up and get things for ourselves. He wants to see us move from a place of crying out and asking for things, to a place of declaration. God tells us in Ephesians 2 that we are seated in heavenly places now. In Zechariah 3:7, that there are courts in heaven that we have a say in now. All authority in heaven has been given to us. We are powerful. 

We usually limit grace to a ticket to heaven. But grace is an entryway into the realm of the impossible. We have access to higher realms. We have faith in something that is greater than us. We have access to power that breaks strongholds. power that moves mountains. power and love that radically change people. power and love that defeats armies. We can have confidence that when we make declarations, the atmosphere shifts. Heaven moves. God wants to show Himself. He wants to encounter people in radical ways. He wants to see His children rise up in faith believing that the God who loves them will show up on their behalf. So let's rise up and be bold. Let's pray for the sick and declare that their bodies come into alignment with the Kingdom of God. Lets speak Truth and prophecy to people who need encouragement and direction. Lets practice accessing heaven and bringing it into the now. 

Baby Bailey

This is our new kitten, Bailey. She is super snuggly and sweet and we love her! I hope you all get an opportunity to meet her sometime soon (while she is still teeny tiny!). 

She has developed a funny habit of wanting to sit on my back when i bend over, or wanting to climb up my shoulders and sit between my shoulder blades while I am standing. The first picture is of me bending over on the computer and Bailey sitting on my back watching me over my shoulder. She couldn't be cuter!

Culture of Honor

This is my response to a blog about Todd Bentley to the author, he asked for our thoughts so I thought I'd post mine:


http://www.ibethel.org/regarding-todd-bentley/


This is a link to a response that I like very much regarding Todd Bentley. I think it's important for us to develop and keep a culture of honor. This church in Redding, California has found a way to recognize different anointings when they see them, and look past the things that they might not agree with. Whenever someone speaks at Bethel Church in Redding, the pastor will never tell you what he didn't agree with. He wants to train the church to recognize different anointings and different moves of God in different people. And sometimes those come in unlikely and maybe even uncomfortable forms. The important thing is to learn to see God, instead of the human. To recognize the "Truth" wherever it is. If we focus on the good, and learn to honor fellow believers even if we have small differences in doctrine, we get closer to understanding the heart of the Father. Just like the dad in the Prodigal Son, he did not care about the mess his son had gotten into. He loved his son and wanted to honor him and bless him just for being his son.


As believers we are going to keep being divided as long as we remain critical, and see the human error rather than the potentially mighty move of God in someone. Todd needed believers to support him (by supporting you don't have to agree with every last stroke of the pen), to love him, to honor him, and to pray for him. I believe that Todd has an amazing anointing to heal the sick and raise the dead. I know several people personally who encountered God in ways they never had before in Lakeland. Todd ushered in God's presence no matter how you look at it.


If you look at the history of revivals and revivalists, you'll notice that at the end, the "main player" usually gets burnt out, tired, and broken. Moves of God can happen quickly, and when someone is pushed ahead of the group to lead, they rarely have an opportunity to build in extra accountability, prayer support, and to get friends alongside them to help them lead. Without those things, anyone would burn out and get tired and feel lonely. Believers are meant to be honored and supported by each other, without being divisive about every detail. I think in times like this, we need to storm the gates of heaven on behalf of our brother in Christ, rather than sitting at the dinner table picking him apart. We need to show honor and love to all believers. If we can't love the Body, how can we love the lost? the homeless? the poor?



We have to first know and feel the love of God for us, before we can unconditionally give it. We should work from love not for love. from victory not for victory. and from a place of rest rather than for a place of rest. We have been fully equipped with everything we need, we just have to believe we have it, and then act on it.

The Necessity of the Spirit

God has been putting some thoughts on my heart recently that I have loved. Each thought is unique, and might appear somewhat scattered, but it will make sense in the end.  :) 

In old Jewish traditions, a man would propose to a woman. He would then leave to go and  "prepare a place" for her. He would build a house, or add a room onto the house he already had for he and his bride to live in. The girl would continue about her business for months or even years, waiting on her groom to finish their place. But she would always leave a light on in the room she was in, so that when her groom would come back to get her, he would know where to find her and know that she was ready. She wouldn't know if he'd come for her during the day or at night, so leaving a lamp lit was a necessity. 

We have to be ready for Jesus' return. Being ready for Him to come in the middle of the night and find us still waiting patiently for Him. I want Him to come back and find me faithfully waiting.  Letting my light shine all the time so that He'll know where to find me and know that I am ready for Him to take me away. I want Him to see my white garments and know that I am for Him only. 

* * * *

John the Baptist was someone in the Bible who embraced his calling to the fullest extent. He existed to pave the way for Jesus. To prepare the way for Him. To prepare people for His coming. All He did was announce the coming Messiah. He proclaimed His goal and His power. Not only did He announce the coming of Jesus, but also the fact that Jesus was going to baptize people with the Holy Spirit and with fire. John the Baptist lived completely yielded to his calling. Everything about him pointed to Jesus. He waited actively, fervently, and passionately  for Him. 

John the Baptist announced Jesus' first coming. And he did that well. But we're here to announce Jesus' second coming. To help prepare ourselves and everyone else around us for the Bridegroom's return for us. We are the John the Baptists of today. We're meant to prepare the way for Jesus to come. We are brightly lit lovers of God, shining so that not only will everyone else see the light, but Jesus will know right where to find us when He returns.

* * * *

After Jesus was crucified, He came back and appeared to over 500 people, telling them not to leave Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit came upon them.  However, only 120 were still there to receive the Spirit when it actually came time for the outpouring. This small group was fervently awaiting the Holy Spirit, spending time in prayer and worship until the Spirit came upon them. They had a unity of heart and really went after what Jesus had promised. And they were the ones who received the gift of the Spirit and the anointing and power to move and walk in the same power that Jesus had.

 In the same way that a bride would wait years for her groom, and John the Baptist fervently waited and announced the coming Lord, people were called to passionately wait on the Spirit's arrival. It was those who were completely yielded to the coming Jesus that received the outpouring of the Spirit. People who were so wrapped up in everything about Jesus. Wrapped up in God's purposes for them. I want to be completely wrapped up in and engulfed by Jesus and His love and purposes. Fully empowered by the Spirit. 

But we have to seek out the deeper things of God, passionately and fervently praying for them and awaiting their arrival...but those who seek find. People had to wait on the Spirit, but were blessed immensely for not losing focus and not forgetting that the Spirit was coming. That there was more to be had. It was only the 120 faithful that received the overflow of the Spirit and were able to fully walk in the power that Jesus had. I want to shine. To glow with the radiance of God's presence. To walk in power that comes from above. That changes atmospheres. That makes heaven invade earth. I want to proudly receive Jesus and His entering in to my life. I'm ready for His return. And He will find me patiently, actively, and zealously waiting for Him.