Musings of the Minstrel

Last night was a night I will not soon forget! I saw and felt an incredible heart moving response to the needs of others by the wonderful people that God has allowed me to pastor. I told the story of the the "Good Samaritan" with some supporting scriptures concerning sharing what we have received with those that have need. In a way that I cannot describe the sweet presence of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Our bus ministry director (Jennifer Pelton) had presented the church staff an opportunity to help the 170 children that ride the bus every Sunday. At the conclusion of my message, I presented the opportunity to TRC...I was blown away. People surged to the front to adopt a child from the bus. We all committed to pray, love and give them a gift this year for Christmas, but also to build a relationship with these children.

I could not hold back the tears as I thought about the love that was being displayed last night.

James 1:27

Many of you have wondered about the song that is looping on my blog. It is one of my all time favorites by my favorite group, Commissioned! Boy were those the days! They were cutting edge and I would listen to their projects for hours. This particular song was not one of their big hits, in fact most don't remember it. It was released in the closing moments of this group. I will never forget the first time I heard this song. I was driving down the 5 through Los Angeles , I stuck in this cd and began to listen. When this song came on, I kept playing it over and over and tears began to roll down my face. I was just beginning to experience some blessing and promotion in my music and ministry. Everything was clicking and I was living in the overflow. This song confronted me to my core. I had to pull over because the tears just kept coming. It was one of those forever moments. Now, so many years later, this song still pulls at my heart as a deep reminder that in the midst of my success and accomplishments that Jesus is still in love with me and wants to spend time with me. This thing called Christianity is a relationship. He longs to spend time with us and show us His love. Maybe this song can touch that spot in your soul and woo you back to a little time with the lover of your soul.

I am requesting prayer from all of you that believe God still works miracles. There is a little 11 year old girl in our church who has been attacked by an unknown virus or bacteria. The doctors are still not sure what it is yet. She has been on life support for survival. This has been a very devastating thing for this family. Her name is Farah Scott. I am asking for all of you to say a prayer. We are seeing some improvements. She is now becoming coherent. She tried to talk to me yesterday, so these are good signs. Let's bombard the throne of heaven and get Farah home in time for No Limits.

Many of you have been praying for Christopher Lombardo (a 12 year old boy in our church who is battling the terrible effects of Crohn's Disease). He had a tube put in his stomach today that will allow his body to receive the nourishment he needs. He came through the surgery fine and is recovering. It looks like he will be released in 4 or 5 days in time for No Limits. Please continue to pray for Christopher.

We have arrived in Delicias. We got in late last night. We landed in Chihuahua and then we crossed the lonely desert in the darkest of night (sounds like a novel). It was quite an experience. We were out in the middle of nowhere when we came upon a truck that was parked blocking the road and there were several men  standing behind it.   Paul and I looked at each other and said "Get ready"... talk about an adrenalin rush. As it turned out they were just broke down and pushed their truck out of the way and we made it in to town.

 We found a hole-in-the-wall taco shop....Oh my word! Unbelievable tacos. (Don't you wish you were here?)

Since we have arrived, we have learned that our coming here is more important than we realized. Some of the pastors that we are meeting with have not yet been baptized in Jesus name. We are going to be teaching them. These pastors are coming believing that God is going to give them a new revelation. Pray fervently for us. This could be the key that we are searching for.

Nothing moves God like prayer! Nothing moves a church like prayer! Nothing moves the world like prayer! For us here at TRC the month of May is a time of prayer and consecration. The entire month we are giving ourselves to extra prayer. We believe that God is going to show up and show off. James 5:16 "...the effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much". Notice it does not say "droning prayer" nor "ritual prayer" but rather "FERVENT PRAYER". The word "fervent" is originally "energeo" from which we get our word "energy". Let our prayers be prayed with energy and not just out of habit. Prayer is not an item off the christian "to do" list, but is to be a conversation with our Creator. The word "availeth" = to wield power. It is on our knees that we can operate in the dimension of spiritual power and athority. So, lets see what God will do if we will "humble ourselves and pray" this month. I invite you to join us throughout the month as we stir up the gift that is with in us.
Please let us know about the things that happen as a result of your prayers.