...ok, i know it's been a while since i've blogged... sorry, but...
I'M IN CANADA, EHH!
i'm doing this junior high camp and it's been super cool! yes, i admit it!!
so far, 57 salvations and last night there were around 100+ teens baptised in the Holy Spirit all at once - plus tons more refilled! It sounded something like this: oeirjljd kjfoeirunnvuuyiekvmkjnvurfueycnvkljhh eruitulnmcnoerjo (now say it really loud) - yeah, that's it! no, i'm not making fun - you punk - don't be all spiritual!! just enjoy the fun of knowing the Lord is moving mightily! just the other night God moved and close to 150 teens were all slain in the spirit -- the altar looked like massive grave -- maybe it was: Galatians 2:20 style!! which means the devil is about to get his!!!
thanks for always praying for me! you share in all the good stuff!!
email me sometime: chillydog1@yahoo.com
STRENGTH & HONOR!
l8'er...
7.03.2003
My fellow warriors, tomorrow we celebrate "FREEDOM"...
... is it freedom to eat hotdogs, throw a frisbee, get a sun tan, jump off a diving board, and watch a bunch of exploding lights in the sky??? I hardly think so! Our forefathers in America fought with every cell in their bodies to ensure that we would become a nation FREE to worship Jesus Christ, the living Son of God! Fields of northeast america were soaked red with the blood of patriots willing to lay down their lives so that you and I may, today, worship the Lord in Spirit and in Truth. Freedom is NOT being able to do whatever you want - no way, that only leads to bondage/slavery. FREEDOM = JESUS! The more you know Him, the more FREE you become! And, as a result, the more FREE others become through your testimony and witness!!
I'm willing to do anything and everything to see that FREEDOM reigns in the hearts of today's postmodern warriors... YOU! Are you willing to pay the price to be FREE?! Ponder this quote:
"Aye, fight and you may die. Run, and you'll live. At least a while. And dying in your beds, many years from now, would you be willing to trade all the days from this day to that...for one chance...just ONE CHANCE to come back here to tell our enemy that they may take out lives, but they will never take OUR FREEDOM!!!" (william wallace ~ braveheart)
"So, Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free..." Galatians 5:1.
so, what does freedom mean to you?? PROVE IT!
IN GOD I TRUST...
... is it freedom to eat hotdogs, throw a frisbee, get a sun tan, jump off a diving board, and watch a bunch of exploding lights in the sky??? I hardly think so! Our forefathers in America fought with every cell in their bodies to ensure that we would become a nation FREE to worship Jesus Christ, the living Son of God! Fields of northeast america were soaked red with the blood of patriots willing to lay down their lives so that you and I may, today, worship the Lord in Spirit and in Truth. Freedom is NOT being able to do whatever you want - no way, that only leads to bondage/slavery. FREEDOM = JESUS! The more you know Him, the more FREE you become! And, as a result, the more FREE others become through your testimony and witness!!
I'm willing to do anything and everything to see that FREEDOM reigns in the hearts of today's postmodern warriors... YOU! Are you willing to pay the price to be FREE?! Ponder this quote:
"Aye, fight and you may die. Run, and you'll live. At least a while. And dying in your beds, many years from now, would you be willing to trade all the days from this day to that...for one chance...just ONE CHANCE to come back here to tell our enemy that they may take out lives, but they will never take OUR FREEDOM!!!" (william wallace ~ braveheart)
"So, Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free..." Galatians 5:1.
so, what does freedom mean to you?? PROVE IT!
IN GOD I TRUST...
546 SAVED IN 2003 so far... !!
AT LEAST one person saved every single day since "the challenge" June 1, 2003!
Over 100 teens reading the Bible, cover-to-cover, over the summer (many reading it through once a month)!!
WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
may God be praised ~ ALL the props go to Him!
now, get up and do something ETERNAL!
l8'er...
AT LEAST one person saved every single day since "the challenge" June 1, 2003!
Over 100 teens reading the Bible, cover-to-cover, over the summer (many reading it through once a month)!!
WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
may God be praised ~ ALL the props go to Him!
now, get up and do something ETERNAL!
l8'er...
6.27.2003
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, man!!! I just had the best "volcanic-like" belch and no one was present to hear it... what a waste! Where are YOU??
Anyways, thanks for those of you sending me feedback today about my blogsite! I'm glad to hear that you're reading it, applying it, sharing it -- whatever. Mad props to Anita ~ she was the first to respond! You should all check your local hallmark store in the very near future for her new line of greeting cards: "Anita's Almost Affirmations" -- you'll love them!
keep reading - the thing on gossip is pretty decent...
you are my friend!
bye...
( chillydog1@yahoo.com )
Anyways, thanks for those of you sending me feedback today about my blogsite! I'm glad to hear that you're reading it, applying it, sharing it -- whatever. Mad props to Anita ~ she was the first to respond! You should all check your local hallmark store in the very near future for her new line of greeting cards: "Anita's Almost Affirmations" -- you'll love them!
keep reading - the thing on gossip is pretty decent...
you are my friend!
bye...
( chillydog1@yahoo.com )
Ok, i thought i'd do a little lesson for all my "blog fans" today... this is something that I challenge you to FIRST apply to your own life, then if you want, hook up with some of the ppl in your life and share this...
My whole goal in all of this is that we may be as holy as possible and deal with any/all junk right when it raises it's ugly head... you know?!
So, take this Bible study to heart and then, preach it, teach it, share it, bear it and most definitely WEAR IT! ha... you can feel free to trash it if you want too! just don't trash it to someone else - that would be gossip... ouch!
The Sin of Gossip
If you claim to be religious but don't control your tongue, you are just fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. James 1:26
INTRODUCTION:
1. One of the greater problems facing the student ministries and Christian friendships is gossip.
2. Gossip is a very real sin and yet it is laughed off as a joke.
3. Let’s dig deep into what it is, so that we can eliminate it!
DISCUSSION:
I. Definition of Gossip.
1. Dictionary definition: “groundless rumor or malicious lie; also, chatter; slander, whispering," and so on.
2. Examples:
a. Talking behind another's back.
b. Passing stories on regardless of where they came from.
c. News gathered and broadcast by phone, visitation, email, IM, etc.
d. Passing of opinions and ideas that may hurt someone.
e. Having a really poopy heart & then letting it flow out of your mouth... gross.
II. A Gossiper May Be Described as a:
1. Liar. (Prov. 11:13; 18:8; 26:20, 22; Lev. 19:16.)
2. Big mouth. (1 Tim. 5:13; 2 Thess. 3:11; 1 Pet. 4:15.)
3. Meddler. (Deut. 2:5; 2 Kings 14:10; Prov. 17:14; 20:3, 19, 24; 26:17.)
4. Rumorer. (2 Kings 19:7; Isa. 37:7.)
5. Whisperer. (Prov. 16:28; Rom. 1:29,30; 2 Cor. 12:20.)
6. Mutterer. (Isa. 8:19; 59:3.)
7. Murmurer. (Ex. 15:24; Jude 16.)
8. Slanderer. (1 Tim. 3:11.)
9. PUNK (1 Chilly 1:23) - ha...
III. The Cause of Gossip.
1. Many simply have an urge to tell all the news they hear. A lack of discipline or self-control prohibits them from remaining quiet.
2. Others are jealous of certain people and therefore talk about them. This stems from personal insecurity.
3. Still others have a grudge against certain ones and consequently spread rumors about them.
4. And finally, some just have such a lame life that all they have left is trashin' someone else. pathetic.
IV. The Result of Gossip.
1. It makes a person worthless to the cause of Christ.
2. It ruins friendships that have existed for years.
3. It ruins many people's names and even their very lives.
4. It hurts the cause of Christ in more ways than one.
V. Replacing Gossip.
1. Practice the golden rule... sounds cheesy - so what! just do it!
2. Have a kind word to say about everyone or smile & say nothing.
3. Talk to your friends and family about spiritual/eternal stuff.
4. Always seek to catch others doing things right!
CONCLUSION:
1. Use the tongue to the glory of God.
2. Learn to control the tongue. (James 3.)
==================================
ok... so, that's it! listen, would you mind doing me a super huge favor?! IF you actually visit my blogsite and enjoy stuff like this, would you mind emailing me to say: "yeah, i like it and i read it" or, "nah, don't bother" -- email me: chillydog1@yahoo.com
My whole goal in all of this is that we may be as holy as possible and deal with any/all junk right when it raises it's ugly head... you know?!
So, take this Bible study to heart and then, preach it, teach it, share it, bear it and most definitely WEAR IT! ha... you can feel free to trash it if you want too! just don't trash it to someone else - that would be gossip... ouch!
The Sin of Gossip
If you claim to be religious but don't control your tongue, you are just fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. James 1:26
INTRODUCTION:
1. One of the greater problems facing the student ministries and Christian friendships is gossip.
2. Gossip is a very real sin and yet it is laughed off as a joke.
3. Let’s dig deep into what it is, so that we can eliminate it!
DISCUSSION:
I. Definition of Gossip.
1. Dictionary definition: “groundless rumor or malicious lie; also, chatter; slander, whispering," and so on.
2. Examples:
a. Talking behind another's back.
b. Passing stories on regardless of where they came from.
c. News gathered and broadcast by phone, visitation, email, IM, etc.
d. Passing of opinions and ideas that may hurt someone.
e. Having a really poopy heart & then letting it flow out of your mouth... gross.
II. A Gossiper May Be Described as a:
1. Liar. (Prov. 11:13; 18:8; 26:20, 22; Lev. 19:16.)
2. Big mouth. (1 Tim. 5:13; 2 Thess. 3:11; 1 Pet. 4:15.)
3. Meddler. (Deut. 2:5; 2 Kings 14:10; Prov. 17:14; 20:3, 19, 24; 26:17.)
4. Rumorer. (2 Kings 19:7; Isa. 37:7.)
5. Whisperer. (Prov. 16:28; Rom. 1:29,30; 2 Cor. 12:20.)
6. Mutterer. (Isa. 8:19; 59:3.)
7. Murmurer. (Ex. 15:24; Jude 16.)
8. Slanderer. (1 Tim. 3:11.)
9. PUNK (1 Chilly 1:23) - ha...
III. The Cause of Gossip.
1. Many simply have an urge to tell all the news they hear. A lack of discipline or self-control prohibits them from remaining quiet.
2. Others are jealous of certain people and therefore talk about them. This stems from personal insecurity.
3. Still others have a grudge against certain ones and consequently spread rumors about them.
4. And finally, some just have such a lame life that all they have left is trashin' someone else. pathetic.
IV. The Result of Gossip.
1. It makes a person worthless to the cause of Christ.
2. It ruins friendships that have existed for years.
3. It ruins many people's names and even their very lives.
4. It hurts the cause of Christ in more ways than one.
V. Replacing Gossip.
1. Practice the golden rule... sounds cheesy - so what! just do it!
2. Have a kind word to say about everyone or smile & say nothing.
3. Talk to your friends and family about spiritual/eternal stuff.
4. Always seek to catch others doing things right!
CONCLUSION:
1. Use the tongue to the glory of God.
2. Learn to control the tongue. (James 3.)
==================================
ok... so, that's it! listen, would you mind doing me a super huge favor?! IF you actually visit my blogsite and enjoy stuff like this, would you mind emailing me to say: "yeah, i like it and i read it" or, "nah, don't bother" -- email me: chillydog1@yahoo.com
6.23.2003
ok... i've just gotta praise God! i'm 7 hours away from boarding a plane to glasgow, scotland and then on to chicago... and then, eventually, home. yes!
my trip in belfast, northern ireland has been... well... amazing, awesome, incredible -- you get the picture! each time i've been here (7 times if your counting... and, i am) i've had great teams and each of them share in the foundational groundwork that allowed this team (my youngest ever) to ROCK belfast!! we planted a student outreach and a community church in 10 days! i think the staff here in belfast is bewildered and overjoyed with the results!
you know... i had a vision and a dream for this (along with my friend here, jonny - the director/pastor) and time after time we inched closer - then this time, things broke open wide! wow! God's timing is perfect - although at times it may seem way off but HE proved Himself again! man, i love HIM so much!
so... i'm away to pack... tears streaming down my face. why me? why here? how?? i don't know... but i'm so grateful to serve my King and be at the heart of His passion: missions! thank YOU for praying for me and reading these nocturnal ramblings! you're cool!
i'll write again from the states!
and by the way, i'm returning home on my 14th wedding anniversary! it's time for the jester to return to his Queen and three princesses! I HAVE A VIRTUOUS WOMAN OF WAR -- WOW!
ok... i'm really signing off now. peace.
my trip in belfast, northern ireland has been... well... amazing, awesome, incredible -- you get the picture! each time i've been here (7 times if your counting... and, i am) i've had great teams and each of them share in the foundational groundwork that allowed this team (my youngest ever) to ROCK belfast!! we planted a student outreach and a community church in 10 days! i think the staff here in belfast is bewildered and overjoyed with the results!
you know... i had a vision and a dream for this (along with my friend here, jonny - the director/pastor) and time after time we inched closer - then this time, things broke open wide! wow! God's timing is perfect - although at times it may seem way off but HE proved Himself again! man, i love HIM so much!
so... i'm away to pack... tears streaming down my face. why me? why here? how?? i don't know... but i'm so grateful to serve my King and be at the heart of His passion: missions! thank YOU for praying for me and reading these nocturnal ramblings! you're cool!
i'll write again from the states!
and by the way, i'm returning home on my 14th wedding anniversary! it's time for the jester to return to his Queen and three princesses! I HAVE A VIRTUOUS WOMAN OF WAR -- WOW!
ok... i'm really signing off now. peace.
6.06.2003
ok, i'm on vacation... in hillbilly country USA... ugh! it's been weird but really awesome to see my parents.
it's funny how God stops you in your tracks to restore you, instruct you and then, release you. i've realized that I really needed rest but would never have taken it willingly. but, here, i've been able to crash & i feel like i'm much stronger for it. i'm ready for a crazy summer!
my prayer is that I may be a FORERUNNER for Jesus!
l8'er...
it's funny how God stops you in your tracks to restore you, instruct you and then, release you. i've realized that I really needed rest but would never have taken it willingly. but, here, i've been able to crash & i feel like i'm much stronger for it. i'm ready for a crazy summer!
my prayer is that I may be a FORERUNNER for Jesus!
l8'er...
5.27.2003
holiness...
ever wonder what, exactly, is holiness (besides the current condition of your socks)? Jesus tells us to be holy like He is holy... whoa! HOW?!?
i guess it brings me back to the realization that ALL of the attributes of Jesus (including holiness) have much more to do with me gettting out of the way than my feeble attempt to get somewhere on my own. there's nothing holy about me... NOTHING! the Word says that all of my "righteousness" is like filthy rags compared to HIM... but, IF i get out of the way, die to self, deal with sin and let the Lord invade every single cell of my body - guess what? i start behaving like Him: loving, sharing, serving, honoring, exalting, smiling - you name it!!
i DO want to be holy - and, ultimately, the only way for me to get "there" is to fill the God-size "HOLE" inside of me with Him and NOTHING else. now that's holiness -- filling all the holes of my life with HIM.
whew! that's it!
well, i better go... i've got some HOLE-FILLIN' to do!
l8'er...
ever wonder what, exactly, is holiness (besides the current condition of your socks)? Jesus tells us to be holy like He is holy... whoa! HOW?!?
i guess it brings me back to the realization that ALL of the attributes of Jesus (including holiness) have much more to do with me gettting out of the way than my feeble attempt to get somewhere on my own. there's nothing holy about me... NOTHING! the Word says that all of my "righteousness" is like filthy rags compared to HIM... but, IF i get out of the way, die to self, deal with sin and let the Lord invade every single cell of my body - guess what? i start behaving like Him: loving, sharing, serving, honoring, exalting, smiling - you name it!!
i DO want to be holy - and, ultimately, the only way for me to get "there" is to fill the God-size "HOLE" inside of me with Him and NOTHING else. now that's holiness -- filling all the holes of my life with HIM.
whew! that's it!
well, i better go... i've got some HOLE-FILLIN' to do!
l8'er...
5.26.2003
last night was incredible!!
220 teens, 21 visitors and 12 salvations!
we had families visiting from the area looking for a church home for their teens and within' the first 5 minutes they were crying stating: "we have never seen teens who love Jesus like this"!!
the altar service at the end, was so unique and amazing ~~ too weird to explain... it was simply a "God thing"!
i'll share more l8'er about some details & application... but, i'm off to join 80+ dv8'ers at the baseball park -- yeah, it's minor league but with all of "us" there, the outreach will be big time PRO!
peace...
220 teens, 21 visitors and 12 salvations!
we had families visiting from the area looking for a church home for their teens and within' the first 5 minutes they were crying stating: "we have never seen teens who love Jesus like this"!!
the altar service at the end, was so unique and amazing ~~ too weird to explain... it was simply a "God thing"!
i'll share more l8'er about some details & application... but, i'm off to join 80+ dv8'ers at the baseball park -- yeah, it's minor league but with all of "us" there, the outreach will be big time PRO!
peace...
5.19.2003
ok... it's been a while since my last blog... sorry. things have been crazy awesome and fast paced ~ seems like the last 7 days just flew by!
know this: the uprising continues and satan is being punk'd hard right here in fort wayne! last night over 210 students joined us in the dv8 big house for an intense illustrated message but long before the presentation ever began, the Holy Spirit hijacked our worship service and we had more fun than any of us can ever remember - then, right in the middle of it, 7 teens accepted Christ! yeah! needless to say after that kind of worship & altar call, everyone was juiced for the message and it did not disappoint (no, not because of me - ha! my part was small)... our anointed students were awesome as nearly 20 filled the stage each with a unique part to play ... by the end, the altars were bum-rushed as teens threw themselves at the feet of Jesus.
friends, God is calling us to "live deliberately" ~ simply defined: LIVE ON PURPOSE. in a world full of people simply existing, we are called to LIVE! ...and, if you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much space!
on a seperate subject (kind of), the matrix reloaded sucks - don't see it! if you did see it, pray for God to free you from the images that are meant to stay with you & rob you of purpose and joy... ok, so, yeah... i give it TWO THUMBS DOWN! disagree? please see philippians 4:8-9... enough said.
alright - time to get back to the battle! press on mi amigo! you're not alone and through Christ we can't lose! L8'er...
know this: the uprising continues and satan is being punk'd hard right here in fort wayne! last night over 210 students joined us in the dv8 big house for an intense illustrated message but long before the presentation ever began, the Holy Spirit hijacked our worship service and we had more fun than any of us can ever remember - then, right in the middle of it, 7 teens accepted Christ! yeah! needless to say after that kind of worship & altar call, everyone was juiced for the message and it did not disappoint (no, not because of me - ha! my part was small)... our anointed students were awesome as nearly 20 filled the stage each with a unique part to play ... by the end, the altars were bum-rushed as teens threw themselves at the feet of Jesus.
friends, God is calling us to "live deliberately" ~ simply defined: LIVE ON PURPOSE. in a world full of people simply existing, we are called to LIVE! ...and, if you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much space!
on a seperate subject (kind of), the matrix reloaded sucks - don't see it! if you did see it, pray for God to free you from the images that are meant to stay with you & rob you of purpose and joy... ok, so, yeah... i give it TWO THUMBS DOWN! disagree? please see philippians 4:8-9... enough said.
alright - time to get back to the battle! press on mi amigo! you're not alone and through Christ we can't lose! L8'er...
5.14.2003
the battle wages on -- the devil is freakin' out and he's totally ticked off... (good!)
in order to continue experiencing the power & passion of God's awesome presence (like what happened on Sunday night), we must understand that each step we take deeper into enemy strongholds will result in hellish reactions. failure to live in God's perfect will each and every moment 24/7 isn't just reckless, it could be deadly... someone once said: "bigger levels, bigger devils" -- you can't afford to just talk a big game... LIVE IT... LIVE IT LARGE... LIVE IT LOUD!
have you really, REALLY prayed today - does the devil know your name??!!
press on, fight hard, fight even harder, and never, ever quit!
INVICTUS!
in order to continue experiencing the power & passion of God's awesome presence (like what happened on Sunday night), we must understand that each step we take deeper into enemy strongholds will result in hellish reactions. failure to live in God's perfect will each and every moment 24/7 isn't just reckless, it could be deadly... someone once said: "bigger levels, bigger devils" -- you can't afford to just talk a big game... LIVE IT... LIVE IT LARGE... LIVE IT LOUD!
have you really, REALLY prayed today - does the devil know your name??!!
press on, fight hard, fight even harder, and never, ever quit!
INVICTUS!
5.13.2003
Here's an email from one of my heroes regarding the DV8 Live service on Sunday night... enjoy!!
"Capt,
Here's basically my day yesterday:
I went to my brother's church in Indy Sunday morning and it is a good church that is growing uncontrollably and they are Baptist. I talked to my brother Jason for a while about there beliefs and stuff on the Holy Spirit and talked a lot about the Holy Spirit.
I started home at 7 from Indy and I was driving by myself. I left my brother Jeff's graduation after he did the prayer and his name was announced. I left early cause I was disappointed I didn't get to go to Dv8 live and was hoping to stop by church and at least see what God had done.
As I was driving I turned off the radio and began to pray for dv8 live that night. I prayed for a little while but I just ran out of things to say and that's not a normal occurrence. I stopped and got something to eat and then after eating I turned on the radio and after searching through the radio stations decided they were all trash and turned it off. Then God just told me to pray in tongues and I began to pray in tongues. Having no idea what was going on in Dv8 I just began to pray and tongues.
I got to Dv8 about 9:00 and when I pulled in I could find a parking spot by the morgue so I knew something big had happen cause everyone was still there! I walked in to hear the drums still playing and I couldn't wait to get in cause I knew God had done something crazy! I walked in and Tony Meek sprinted up to me and put his arms around me and began frantically telling me what had happen and was just going nuts! I had never seen Joy on the faces of dv8 students like I had that night. The spirit in the room was just amazing! You could feel it when you walked in and it automatically put permagrin (permanent grin) on my face! I heard so many testimonies from fellow leaders in the youth group that had an excitement I've never seen them have. I then talked to Pastor Chilly and he gave me the CD of the night and I rushed home ti listen to it.
My parents were in bed and I set up the CD player and opened up the first page of my brand new journal with expectancy. I listened as people got saved and then Pastor Chilly spoke his message on the CD. I had been disappointed that I had not been there tonight but God always has his planning and I believe I was more in tune and in to that message than any message I had ever been before. I knew from the beginning that I was taking it to a level that night higher than I had ever before and I was going to meet with God like never before even in my house with just me and my dog. I had no doubts in my mind God was going to change me. I was so in to the message that I yelled out "I want it all" more than once and one time even woke up my parents. I had totally forgotten about my surrounding for a couple moments.
As the message ended Pastor Chilly was going to give his altar call and the CD cut off! Fellow warriors and dv8 had told me about the altar call and how Pastor Chilly had yelled out "Fire" and that's when everyone was filled so I stood up yelled "I want it all!!!" and then paused and yelled "FIRE!!!!!!" and began to be filled with the spirit like never before and spoke in tongues like never before. I had been filled with the spirit before but had not always felt like when I was speaking in tongues that it was God but I just knew I had no control of what my mouth was doing it and it was doing it uncontrollably! I went to my knees and began crying and just prayed for a long time! I then went to bed as it was already extremely late! Man that was SO AWESOME just writing about it gets me exited!
Then today I woke up and I was speaking as soon as I woke up and God was just so real today throughout the day and there were so many things that normally I would have done that before I did them My "counselor" was there to remind me not to and I was guided with who to talk to and what to do and what to say. IT WAS TIGHT! and right!
That's it....thats the ball game!
Joel "
warriors, you KNOW it's real when it happens away from the church buildings, worship music and pumped-up peers... especially when it continues right onto the high school campus and beyond! things are getting crazy and i love it! strength & honor... cC
"Capt,
Here's basically my day yesterday:
I went to my brother's church in Indy Sunday morning and it is a good church that is growing uncontrollably and they are Baptist. I talked to my brother Jason for a while about there beliefs and stuff on the Holy Spirit and talked a lot about the Holy Spirit.
I started home at 7 from Indy and I was driving by myself. I left my brother Jeff's graduation after he did the prayer and his name was announced. I left early cause I was disappointed I didn't get to go to Dv8 live and was hoping to stop by church and at least see what God had done.
As I was driving I turned off the radio and began to pray for dv8 live that night. I prayed for a little while but I just ran out of things to say and that's not a normal occurrence. I stopped and got something to eat and then after eating I turned on the radio and after searching through the radio stations decided they were all trash and turned it off. Then God just told me to pray in tongues and I began to pray in tongues. Having no idea what was going on in Dv8 I just began to pray and tongues.
I got to Dv8 about 9:00 and when I pulled in I could find a parking spot by the morgue so I knew something big had happen cause everyone was still there! I walked in to hear the drums still playing and I couldn't wait to get in cause I knew God had done something crazy! I walked in and Tony Meek sprinted up to me and put his arms around me and began frantically telling me what had happen and was just going nuts! I had never seen Joy on the faces of dv8 students like I had that night. The spirit in the room was just amazing! You could feel it when you walked in and it automatically put permagrin (permanent grin) on my face! I heard so many testimonies from fellow leaders in the youth group that had an excitement I've never seen them have. I then talked to Pastor Chilly and he gave me the CD of the night and I rushed home ti listen to it.
My parents were in bed and I set up the CD player and opened up the first page of my brand new journal with expectancy. I listened as people got saved and then Pastor Chilly spoke his message on the CD. I had been disappointed that I had not been there tonight but God always has his planning and I believe I was more in tune and in to that message than any message I had ever been before. I knew from the beginning that I was taking it to a level that night higher than I had ever before and I was going to meet with God like never before even in my house with just me and my dog. I had no doubts in my mind God was going to change me. I was so in to the message that I yelled out "I want it all" more than once and one time even woke up my parents. I had totally forgotten about my surrounding for a couple moments.
As the message ended Pastor Chilly was going to give his altar call and the CD cut off! Fellow warriors and dv8 had told me about the altar call and how Pastor Chilly had yelled out "Fire" and that's when everyone was filled so I stood up yelled "I want it all!!!" and then paused and yelled "FIRE!!!!!!" and began to be filled with the spirit like never before and spoke in tongues like never before. I had been filled with the spirit before but had not always felt like when I was speaking in tongues that it was God but I just knew I had no control of what my mouth was doing it and it was doing it uncontrollably! I went to my knees and began crying and just prayed for a long time! I then went to bed as it was already extremely late! Man that was SO AWESOME just writing about it gets me exited!
Then today I woke up and I was speaking as soon as I woke up and God was just so real today throughout the day and there were so many things that normally I would have done that before I did them My "counselor" was there to remind me not to and I was guided with who to talk to and what to do and what to say. IT WAS TIGHT! and right!
That's it....thats the ball game!
Joel "
warriors, you KNOW it's real when it happens away from the church buildings, worship music and pumped-up peers... especially when it continues right onto the high school campus and beyond! things are getting crazy and i love it! strength & honor... cC
5.12.2003
ok, i've just got to brag about my Lord for a few minutes...
God is so amazing and awesome! last night at DV8 He simply took over and we all just stood back stunned by His presence.
i had wrestled for most of the weekend with what the Lord wanted me to preach on Sunday night. i knew that sunday was mom's day and that our weather wasn't expected to be the best, so it was likely that our numbers would be down a bit. i had been promoting a late-night "pentecost-type" prayer meeting for friday, may 16th... yet, God kept speaking to my heart to be ready on sunday. i reasoned with Him and myself: "but God, i'm expecting leadership teams from 2 "non-charismatic" youth ministries, our numbers will be down, we usually have lots of catholic and Lutheran teens on Sundays, etc..." so, i prepared another message...
i remained torn between the two messages (i guess, to be honest, i was torn between my way or God's way... yeah, you're right, obedience). so, as i sat on the stage steps during the offering, 2 messages in hand... i was still wrestling with, well, myself. it's crazy! we had just had six more teens accept Christ at the end of worship, we had tons of visitors (around 20), our numbers were down but still respectable (175 - hey, that's 55 more than Acts 2:4)yes, the visiting leadership from youth groups was there, and...
well, i bowed my head one more time, and prayed, "Lord, i'll do whatever you tell me to do. you want me to preach on Your Holy Spirit, don't you?" and the Lord responded, "i've been blowing the wind strongly all weekend to get your attention - what you've felt physically outside, you are about to feel spiritually inside." - i got up, looked at our worship leader and said, "get ready, things are about to get crazy! i'm throwin' down a message on the Holy Spirit and everyone's gettin' it!"
from that moment on, God took over! First in me, then quickly through me and ultimately throughout the building. at the altar call, we had AT LEAST 97 people baptized in the Holy Spirit (i think we had way more than that, but this is the amount that i was able to personally confirm) with loud evidence of speaking in tongues simultaneous - that's right, all at the same time they began to speak, then every other teen in the place (except for 2) joined in!! hey, even my armor-bearer perry was baptized in the spirit right at the same time as his ladies - their whole home is bi-lingual now! the outpouring in the altar lasted 1.5 - 2 more hours. eventually parents began to arrive & joined us at the altar as well. we were even joined by Pastor Campbell and Sherri - needless to say, they were thrilled!
i can't even imagine what's goin' on today at schools across our city even as i type this!
ok, i'll stop ~ may God be praised and receive all of the glory!
i learned another lesson on obedience this weekend and God changed a generation!
to be continued...
thanks to all of you who pray for me! you're a part of all of this!!
Strength & Honor,
chilly ~ Acts 20:24
God is so amazing and awesome! last night at DV8 He simply took over and we all just stood back stunned by His presence.
i had wrestled for most of the weekend with what the Lord wanted me to preach on Sunday night. i knew that sunday was mom's day and that our weather wasn't expected to be the best, so it was likely that our numbers would be down a bit. i had been promoting a late-night "pentecost-type" prayer meeting for friday, may 16th... yet, God kept speaking to my heart to be ready on sunday. i reasoned with Him and myself: "but God, i'm expecting leadership teams from 2 "non-charismatic" youth ministries, our numbers will be down, we usually have lots of catholic and Lutheran teens on Sundays, etc..." so, i prepared another message...
i remained torn between the two messages (i guess, to be honest, i was torn between my way or God's way... yeah, you're right, obedience). so, as i sat on the stage steps during the offering, 2 messages in hand... i was still wrestling with, well, myself. it's crazy! we had just had six more teens accept Christ at the end of worship, we had tons of visitors (around 20), our numbers were down but still respectable (175 - hey, that's 55 more than Acts 2:4)yes, the visiting leadership from youth groups was there, and...
well, i bowed my head one more time, and prayed, "Lord, i'll do whatever you tell me to do. you want me to preach on Your Holy Spirit, don't you?" and the Lord responded, "i've been blowing the wind strongly all weekend to get your attention - what you've felt physically outside, you are about to feel spiritually inside." - i got up, looked at our worship leader and said, "get ready, things are about to get crazy! i'm throwin' down a message on the Holy Spirit and everyone's gettin' it!"
from that moment on, God took over! First in me, then quickly through me and ultimately throughout the building. at the altar call, we had AT LEAST 97 people baptized in the Holy Spirit (i think we had way more than that, but this is the amount that i was able to personally confirm) with loud evidence of speaking in tongues simultaneous - that's right, all at the same time they began to speak, then every other teen in the place (except for 2) joined in!! hey, even my armor-bearer perry was baptized in the spirit right at the same time as his ladies - their whole home is bi-lingual now! the outpouring in the altar lasted 1.5 - 2 more hours. eventually parents began to arrive & joined us at the altar as well. we were even joined by Pastor Campbell and Sherri - needless to say, they were thrilled!
i can't even imagine what's goin' on today at schools across our city even as i type this!
ok, i'll stop ~ may God be praised and receive all of the glory!
i learned another lesson on obedience this weekend and God changed a generation!
to be continued...
thanks to all of you who pray for me! you're a part of all of this!!
Strength & Honor,
chilly ~ Acts 20:24
5.08.2003
INVICTUS...
the latin word meaning "an unconquerable spirit"
my friend, unless you have INVICTUS you surely will NOT make a difference in these final days of spiritual conflict.
physically, i have been a literal wreck and yet, i press on and become much more than a mere survivor... HE makes me a champion.
INVICTUS!
either you have it or ...
the latin word meaning "an unconquerable spirit"
my friend, unless you have INVICTUS you surely will NOT make a difference in these final days of spiritual conflict.
physically, i have been a literal wreck and yet, i press on and become much more than a mere survivor... HE makes me a champion.
INVICTUS!
either you have it or ...
5.06.2003
happy cinco de mayo! ok, a day late but - hey - i'm still up so it feels like monday.
anyways...
i spent 2 hours on a hard plastic chair at the departement of motor vehicles (ok, you're right, i didn't just sit there ~ i'm way too hyper for that but the 2 hours of "waiting" is accurate)... nice way to spend a beautiful afternoon. people don't smile much in there - so i must have freaked out 50 or so! just making eye-contact with as many as i could all the while praying silently straight into them. that's how i make time fly ~ it was cool.
then, after some mexican food (a must on may 5th) i spent some time cleaning my wife's vehicle... ever learned anything profound while washing a car?? i did: i really love my wife and don't deserve her! yeah, i had to learn it again - blessing her, blesses me (just wait to mom's day this sunday)!!
"if you want the latest upgrade for your walk with God, download more of Him" l8'er...
anyways...
i spent 2 hours on a hard plastic chair at the departement of motor vehicles (ok, you're right, i didn't just sit there ~ i'm way too hyper for that but the 2 hours of "waiting" is accurate)... nice way to spend a beautiful afternoon. people don't smile much in there - so i must have freaked out 50 or so! just making eye-contact with as many as i could all the while praying silently straight into them. that's how i make time fly ~ it was cool.
then, after some mexican food (a must on may 5th) i spent some time cleaning my wife's vehicle... ever learned anything profound while washing a car?? i did: i really love my wife and don't deserve her! yeah, i had to learn it again - blessing her, blesses me (just wait to mom's day this sunday)!!
"if you want the latest upgrade for your walk with God, download more of Him" l8'er...
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