A Miracle for Michael

I feel like writing Michael J Fox a letter. I just got finished watching most of Katie Couric's interview with him (since it was taking 3 times as long to watch with all the "buffering" I didn't watch it all) and I am sad, moved with compassion toward him and others in his condition, but a little miffed about the fact that he is endorsing pro-death candidates.

His claim is that we should at least be able to use embryonic cells that are going to be destroyed any way. This issue is so complex. I cannot confirm or deny if we are, in fact, destroying embryos that were created in the invitro fertilization process. What I do want to tell him is, "why not trumpet the research using adult stem cells, that are being proven to produce results?" In addition, I would love to say to him, "do you know that the LORD heals?" "Why don't you petition HIM for your healing, instead of petitioning an earthly government for further destruction of human life?"

The whole thing is a bit wearying. I am sad at the state of my once favorite Family Ties actor, Michael J Fox. I would never wish his condition on anyone, nor do I believe he has to live with it. I do, however, wish that we would all turn our hearts back to the LORD, which would result in some extremely quick healing. I pray the LORD would heal Michael J Fox, and make him a sign and wonder to the entire medical, scientific, political, and voting communities.

God, do a miracle for Michael!

Last night I had the honor of praying for a sweet woman, Chloe. She was visiting with one of our senior leaders, who shared with me her situation. She is five months pregnant with her fourth child. She is also fighting breast cancer. Against the advise of her doctor, she and her husband decided to keep her baby and trust the Lord for her healing (she is not going into surgery or chemotherapy) and the health of her baby. I am amazed at many aspects of this situation, but I am primarily marveling at the fact that she is an answer to our prayers, in that she is willing to give her life for the child, if need be. This goes completely against the grain of society, even in the western church, that if we get a negative report from a doctor, we have been so quick to believe it, instead of the report of the LORD. Instead of choosing the path of convenience and self-preservation, she is choosing LIFE for her unborn baby and trusting that the LORD as a perfect leader and healer of her body. Please contend with us for complete healing.

We siege tomorrow. Please pray!

Here's a slideshow of the Siege from Oct. 7th. Enjoy!

CLICK HERE for slideshow

Today was comical, angering, and peaceful all at the same time. The day started off great. I got some sleep and woke up to spend some time before the Lord in my wonderfully quiet apartment. Then I got going to make some kimchi. For those of you who may not know what this tasty korean treat is, I highly recommend speedily making your way to the local asian market to purchase some (you can also find it in some major grocery stores). It is spicy fermented vegetables that are amazing with any meal of the day. Seriously, I have eaten it for breakfast before. Besides tasting good, it is so good for you too.

After I finished the kimchi I began to cook our meal for dinner to take into the HOP with me. As I was speedily chopping an onion (because I was running low on time for getting to the HOP for my set by 3:30) I also chopped my finger. Thank God I didn't chop it off, but only a semi-minor slice. I bled profusely while trying to finish sauteeing some veggie, pack my stuff to go to the HOP, and then get it all in the car. I raced to the HOP to get there in time for a few minutes of briefing. Upon parking my car and going to get my stuff out of the backseat, I realize that the food I'd just prepared spilled out of its container, and the sauce went everywhere. I was so mad. Then I walk inside and find out that my set was cancelled anyway, and all that rushing, including my near-mortal wound were all in vain. I was further angered.

A few moments later I calmed down and realized that the Lord knew it would happen and it wasn't the end of the world. In addition, I now had more time to contemplate His goodness.

Just a few minutes ago a good friend who's been away at school came in. I haven't seen him in a few weeks, so it was a wonderful surprise, adding another element to my rather schizophrenic day.

I am in the middle of some kind of transition and I can't really put my finger on it. God has His finger on some stuff, however, and that makes for some interesting days. Today I had Egroup at 7am, which is exciting, but a challenging hour for me to be there (I'm up late from being on the Evening Section schedule). I always enjoy egroup, as it is a time to connect in community with my IHOP friends, discuss some challenging passages, and have the opportunity to ask questions.

Toward the end of egroup, I got hit with the reality of my heart on a few unnamed issues, which sent me into high introspection stage. I'm not sure I have anything settled, except after repenting and accepting the Lord's forgiveness, I know it is crucial that I dive into His word for reaffirmation. What was especially stinky about the whole thing is that during it all, the Accuser came in with some nasty accusations. You'd think that I would begin to recognize a pattern by now, but I am only beginning to see what is really truth and untruth about who I am and what the Lord says about me. At the end of the 4pm Intercession set, I asked for prayer, because by then He revealed to me that it was oppression that was coming against me (the number one sign should have been that I did not want to pray). I immediately felt a release, especially after this one woman prayed for me, exactly what I had whispered silently to the Lord.

Later tonight we had a meeting for the children's ministry here at the HOP. It was amazing to be a part of a team who is so whole-heartedly willing to give their time and effort to pour into the next generation. We had a great time of sharing, preparation, and prayer. Oh, to be entrusted with teaching the young ones!

Kyle's Graduation

For those of you who couldn't make it to our friend Kyle's graduation from Basic Training, I went on your behalf. Columbus is only about 2 hours from IHOP, so I drove down on Thursday and stayed with Kyle's sweet mom, Tracey. Friday morning (after the sleepless night that Lou prophesied on the conference call - it renewed my beliefs in prophetic declarations) we rose and went to the graduation.

It all started with a firearms demonstration set to the wonderful American classic "Bad to the Bone". Just a few selected troops did this demonstration and the whole time all I could do is cry. I tried to turn off the intercessor in me, but it just didn't work. The demo was highly realistic and all I could think about was what it would be like for our troops (Kyle especially) as the events of the End Times unfold. All that to say, it was not such a joyful occasion as I had hoped, but at least I was able to put on a smile for Kyle. I did cry and intercede all the way back to Atlanta, though. We HAVE to pray for our troops!

Later that afternoon I stopped by the airport to say hello to my dear friends April & Eddie Brown as they had a layover here on their way to Moravian Falls. While there I saw a number of our Army men leaving for Iraq (I know this because I asked) and got all teary again. I felt the Lord moving so I asked a couple of guys if I could pray for them. I think that it shocked them. Their names were Brown and Stephens. Please pray for them by name. They were so receptive to prayer and they may have even had a tear in their eye when we parted. I guess all my crying was good for something.

quick update...

Just a quick post...

Yesterday was a long day. A good friend of mine had major surgery and I've been gripped with it all week. Just as we were praying for her at the 10am yesterday, we got word that she was out of surgery and is doing pretty well, regarding the circumstances. God is so good!

Afterward, Jenn and I taught the Metro Atlanta Master's Commission a more in-depth LIFE message (most of them heard me 2 weeks ago at Fusion). They were so courteous and attentive. The LORD has given us such a gift by teaming us up with them. It is really because they are joining in this fight that B4L ATL is able to move from 1 to 2 sieges a month. For all you Cause peeps, I know this doesn't sound like much because we sieged the Court every day, but it is a big deal to try and mobilize an entire city to meet at one spot. It is a beautiful thing the Lord has done. The coolest part about Masters joining us is that I asked their leader to give us a liaison to work with. Her name is Charity and she is from South Dakota. That's right folks, South Dakota. I feel like that is such a kiss from heaven and that the Lord is using that to link the fight going on out there for the ending of abortion with our beautiful city of Atlanta. Charity even said her folks went to all the JHOP meetings in Rapids City and had a blast watchin all the youth go for it. She also said that her pastor there is stirred and preaching the LIFE message there on Sundays - hallelujah!

Today will be a fairly normal day, as I make my way to the House, then later I get to drive down to Columbus, GA, to see my good buddy Kyle graduate from Basic Training at Ft. Benning. I am really excited about this cause he still doesn't know I'm coming and some of his other friends from KC are going too.

Saturday we Siege. Then Saturday night the Lord opened a door for us to share the LIFE message in Rome, while some peeps from IHOP do some harp and bowl intercession. It should be sweet.

TTFN.