Locusts, Fire and a Plumb Line

May God have mercy on us in America.  The judgment of God seems to be upon our nation.  Let us repent and line up with His holy plumb line!

Amos 7

 ¹ This is what the Sovereign LORD showed me: He was preparing swarms of locusts after the king's share had been harvested and just as the second crop was coming up. ² When they had stripped the land clean, I cried out, "Sovereign LORD, forgive! How can Jacob survive? He is so small!"

 ³ So the LORD relented.
      "This will not happen," the LORD said.

 ⁴ This is what the Sovereign LORD showed me: The Sovereign LORD was calling for judgment by fire; it dried up the great deep and devoured the land. ⁵ Then I cried out, "Sovereign LORD, I beg you, stop! How can Jacob survive? He is so small!"

 ⁶ So the LORD relented.
      "This will not happen either," the Sovereign LORD said.

 ⁷ This is what he showed me: The Lord was standing by a wall that had been built true to plumb, with a plumb line in his hand. ⁸ And the LORD asked me, "What do you see, Amos?"
      "A plumb line," I replied.
      Then the Lord said, "Look, I am setting a plumb line among my people Israel; I will spare them no longer.

 ⁹ "The high places of Isaac will be destroyed
       and the sanctuaries of Israel will be ruined;
       with my sword I will rise against the house of Jeroboam."

Amarillo By Mornin'...Actually Early Afternoon

I'm leaving tomorrow for Amarillo, Texas.  It is quite the place...tons of feed lots and the overwhelming smell of cows.  Why Amarillo? Will and Julie Ratliff.  They have stepped out by faith to begin an organic church expression.  Will was sent out by the church he was on staff at and got a marketplace job.  This in itself is heroic, however it is nothing compared to the exciting disciplemaking journey they are beginning.  I have had the joy of coaching them over the past couple of years and can't wait to see what God does with them this next season.  Pray for them and for the Father's continued wisdom. 

Kingdom Simplicity Challenge

Men Arise...Back from Canada

Blessed and full of joy, I have returned from Victoria.  The men at the retreat clearly began the journey towards becoming a unit that will fight spiritually for their wives, children, family, friends, and workplaces. 

I never cease to be in awe of how God uses the simplest of realities in my own life to bless others.  The strengthening of my own masculine walk in Christ is being drawn upon by other men for their healing.  This is what Jesus meant when he said that we would bear fruit...fruit that would last.  To be His servant is an endless source of great joy.

I also preached to the Awakening Canada church on Sunday night.  I taught what the Lord has been showing me about the parables.  I was nervous, as I always am in opening new things I have discovered in the Scriptures, but the Spirit prevailed.  I am humbled to teach God's word.  I am blown away how it changes minds and hearts.  The word is truly powerful.

Now I am home.  It is a precious time to be fully present with my children after being gone for 5 days.  I love doing ministry, however, they remain my greatest investment of time, energy, and love.  Bringing Brennan up in the ways of Jesus and shaping his masculine journey is what will change the world.  Nurturing Elisabeth to be a confident, inwardly beautiful woman of God is the stuff that will transform nations.  They are my primary stewardship and my two favorite people!

Thank you for each prayer while I was gone.  Their value will only be known fully when we go to be with the Lord.    

Trip To Canada

Please pray for me as I leave tomorrow for Canada.  I'll be speaking at a men's retreat during the weekend and preaching at Awakening Canada on Sunday.  My Mom will be leading a women's retreat simultaneously.  Pray for a mighty outpouring of God in salvations, deliverances, healing, and deeper commitment and intimacy with Christ.

Your prayers are precious to me and powerful in helping me fulfill my calling.