January 4, 2011

Kopp Disclosure
(John 3:19-21)

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I stopped drinking to get drunk after puking up a half gallon of kosher blackberry wine about one minute into 1/1/69; and because I was spending too much money at Burger King and not getting much else done, I stopped smoking weed not long after starting college.

Parenthetically, that's why I've always trusted BBPBHO so much more than Hillary's husband.

Though both toked, only Rick Warren's favorite President admitted inhaling; and every child of the 60s knows Bill really...

When BBPBHO was asked if he inhaled, he asked rhetorically in response, "Isn't that the point?"

Yep.

BTW, isn't the big bong from Arkansas the same guy who said he and Monica didn't have, uh, anything other than a cigar together in the...?

Be that as only God really knows, I'm not about to throw stones from my...

Truth is wine, weed, and women have never provided the kind of personal peace that is available to anyone through intimacy with Him.

I mean the kinda peace that Jesus talked about in Matthew 7:24-27.

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The new year began quite dramatically in our family of faith as the Holy Spirit moved on us over 2011's first worshipping weekend - a wedding on 1/1 and two other worship services on 1/2.

Planned by a young bride and groom with uncommon spiritual maturity for just about any age, the wedding's theme was 1 John 4:19. Another clue to the holiness of that service was their request to me as presiding pastor in the first premarital session: "We don't want a show or performance. We want a whole worship service; not just some 20 minute thing. We want the service to last at least an hour with full prayers, Bible readings, songs, foot washing, laying on of hands,..."

Then came Sunday!

Between services, I wrote for prayer support:

I am sharing this with folks who do not need a lot of commentary;
for I can barely articulate what I have just experienced at our first
service today.

Simply, God showed up thickly, convincingly, compellingly,
and lovingly (for, through, in, for).

Right now, as I write, I am, as Wesley said, "strangely warmed"
and transformed and transported.

It/He has begun.

We will never be the same.

I will never be the same; experiencing a few healings that I have
prayed for years so I can witness more authentically as well as
faithfully.

I write to you with a prayer that I shared at the end of the
first service - that He will show up as He did in the first service
in the second service.

Please pray no one misses it/Him.

Blessings and Love!

P.S. Now I will soak and pray the same for you and yours
today.

After the second service, I wrote, "Praise the Lord! God granted our prayers! Both services were...and even our prayer line has changed (815-544-3535)!"

My favorite devotional writer in Oklahoma wrote on 1/3 to confirm the moment: "Praise God! He goes where He is wanted, sought, and hungered for. Evidence that you and your congregation desire for Him...as the deer pants after the waterbrook!"

Then a note from Rockford on 1/4: "3 of us in our church have been coming to church about an hour ahead of time for several weeks now and praying in and over the sanctuary for just this kind of thing to happen: for those rivers of Living Water to just rise up and begin to gush forth, to see real manifestations of God's glory..."

Whoa.

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Between Sunday's services, I soaked/bathed in Him in my study.

Then I prayed, "Lord, I know Satan knows our family of faith is ready to increase our intimacy with You and ministry for You. Please prepare my heart and mind for the attack that will come. I beg Your help to honor You in the attack for Jesus' sake in whose name I pray. Amen."

After the second service, I was asked, "Why didn't we sing old hymns with the organ today?"

I smiled and conversed in a gentle though direct way.

Yes, it/He has begun.

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Some ears are deaf and some eyes are blind to the Spirit.

I am more sad than mad about 'em; because they're missing it/Him and the peace that...

A story from Mitch Albom's Have a Little Faith comes to mind:

The first time Henry Covington accepted Jesus as his personal Savior,
he was only ten, at a small Bible camp in...

One evening...a counselor asked if he'd like to pray with her...

"Yes," he said...

"Do you want to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior?" she asked.

"Yes, I do," he answered.

She took his hand.

"Are you confessing your sins?"

"Yes, I am."

"Do you want Jesus to forgive your sins?"

"Yes."

She leaned her forehead into his. Her voice lowered.

"Are you asking Jesus to come into your life?"

"I am asking Him."

"Do you want me to pray with you?"

"Yes," he whispered...

The next day, a friend of his got a BB gun, and they shot
it at the frogs and tried to kill them.

You can lead a horse to...

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Not everyone at the wedding got it/Him.

Not everyone at the two Sunday services got it/Him.

I know because an undershepherd knows the sheep as well as Savior; and I know you can't get it/Him without loving Jesus by praying/trying to love like Jesus which always includes selflessness, mercy, tolerance, forgiveness, and unconditional favor.

Some people are still looking everywhere and to everything/everybody but the only One who can provide what is needed most.

Psalm 62 comes to mind.

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Blessings and Love!