Estimates being bantered about are that around 5,000 or so came to the Todd Bentley event here in Ft. Mill yesterday. My guesstimate beforehand was 8,000 so we'll just call it a close call as a guesstimate. I think it was a good event, many were touched and many also found out what a ZHOP is.
Image via WikipediaMatthew is now on the road, heading into year 2 at the Forerunner School of Ministry in KC. We're aiming to get him there in time for Allen Hood's orientation tomorrow afternoon. We drove out to get him all gassed up for the road after Caryn made us breakfast. It was different for me than the January goodbye. That one was hard, the first really for him leaving home. But even this time I had a great sense of pride and pleasure in his choices. I hugged him, he was grinning at me like he loves his awesome papa, and I pushed my Mazda into gear knowing you can't go back this way again. He's a young man, finding his way forward into God's love and brilliant plan. He was leaving the gas station just behind me, I turned right and he was waiting to go left. And just so you know, I squinted and stared in my rearview mirror, following his journey westward as long as I could. And then he was gone, into the cool of the morning where he is more God's than I could ever explain to him. The excellent part of that is that God will show Matthew that Himself.
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My interview yesterday went well, talking with a recruiter. They tested me and I graded high as a VBA developer and MS Access architect. Sounds like they may have a small project for me quickly.
And we're gearing up at ZHOP today, as are all ministries in the immediate area. Todd Bentley will be on an outdoor platform to preach and pray for the sick. There are at least 50 latrines set up and many water stations under tents this morning. I'm expecting great things from a good God, the One who so loves the world that He gave His only-begotten Son so that whoever believes in Him would have eternal life. We are turning the ZHOP parking lot into a "Todd Bentley Holy Spirit Tailgate party"... what a day. What an amazing group of people we're running with!
Image via WikipediaWe had a few really great days down in Charleston with family down that way. Very relaxing, low key. The pace for me immediately picks up again, I've got an interview this afternoon thats come up. That, plus getting Matthew ready to drive to KC tomorrow is big. And Todd Bentley is bringing his ministry team to the grounds just between ZHOP and MorningStar where they will be praying for the sick and the broken. The field is being cleared and a platform set up, it will be intense! +++ Thank you, God, for some time away. I love the way You love my family! +++
With the fam in Charleston for a few days. The Holy Spirit has gloriously led me back into the word in Song of Solomon 5 and 6. Oh, to be wooed and drawn again! I love the way a follower of Christ can know the rush into awakened love, such as is depicted in Psalm 73.
We find a "Psalm of Asaph" when we read this, so possibly this "chief musician" and David collaborated in articulating the human experience that is available when one interacts with God's Spirit in being refreshed by God's love, even rescued from wavering doubt:
21 Thus my heart was grieved, And I was vexed in my mind. 22 I was so foolish and ignorant; I was like a beast before You. 23 Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand. 24 You will guide me with Your counsel, And afterward receive me to glory. 25 Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. 26 My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
At the beginning of these verses, the Psalmist has been wrestling with the apparent comfort and leisure of the ungodly, which in its moment strengthens their taunts against the sincere believer in God. It is but a passing vapor which seems to justify their despising of those who have become "fools for Christ". Verse 3: "I was envious of the boastful when I saw the prosperity of the wicked." The Psalmist confesses that it rendered him/her into a state of emotional paralysis, a creature of no better spiritual state than a mere animal ... "like a beast before You".
But God continues to lead this worshipper, dulled for a moment by the spritual bludgeoning of both their circumstances and the ungodly. But the rush into awakened love begins by the moving of Christ's Spirit! "I was foolish and ignorant... You hold me by my right hand!"
Wonder of wonders, the "eyes" begin seeing and the "ears" can hear again. The exhilaration of a heart moving in love transpires. The reality of eternity becomes clear again, and the thrill of knowing God's faithfulness touches the inner man. In lovesickness, the worshipper says with a whole heart:
Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none on the earth I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail, but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever.
She/He says my confidence is not in my ability to love you well, but in the reality that you love me so remarkably well. You, Jesus, are my strength. Even when I've struggled with faithlessness, You remain faithful. So good and strong and kind. You, You alone, are the strength of my heart. And my highest joy is that I will have You forever.
Estimates being bantered about are that around 5,000 or so came to the Todd Bentley event here in Ft. Mill yesterday. My guesstimate beforehand was 8,000 so we'll just call it a close call as a guesstimate. I think it was a good event, many were touched and many also found out what a ZHOP is.
Image via WikipediaMatthew is now on the road, heading into year 2 at the Forerunner School of Ministry in KC. We're aiming to get him there in time for Allen Hood's orientation tomorrow afternoon. We drove out to get him all gassed up for the road after Caryn made us breakfast. It was different for me than the January goodbye. That one was hard, the first really for him leaving home. But even this time I had a great sense of pride and pleasure in his choices. I hugged him, he was grinning at me like he loves his awesome papa, and I pushed my Mazda into gear knowing you can't go back this way again. He's a young man, finding his way forward into God's love and brilliant plan. He was leaving the gas station just behind me, I turned right and he was waiting to go left. And just so you know, I squinted and stared in my rearview mirror, following his journey westward as long as I could. And then he was gone, into the cool of the morning where he is more God's than I could ever explain to him. The excellent part of that is that God will show Matthew that Himself.
Image via WikipediaWe had a few really great days down in Charleston with family down that way. Very relaxing, low key. The pace for me immediately picks up again, I've got an interview this afternoon thats come up. That, plus getting Matthew ready to drive to KC tomorrow is big. And Todd Bentley is bringing his ministry team to the grounds just between ZHOP and MorningStar where they will be praying for the sick and the broken. The field is being cleared and a platform set up, it will be intense! +++ Thank you, God, for some time away. I love the way You love my family! +++
