DEPENDS WHERE YOU LIVE…..

continuing….The economic situation continues to confound . Seems to me that the 'experts' are as confused as a termite in a yo-yo ! I`ve heard about people – good Christian people – panicking and deciding to sell their stock and 'get out while they can.' I am not even going to attempt to advise you on the economics . That is your call . I`m interested in how and why people make decisions , how much they depend for their future peace of mind and well-being on issues completely out of their control and based solely on material values . This is a really good time to check out where your confidence lies and how much you know of God`s voice and the 'umpire' of Holy Spirit in your soul .

My friend Michael Dearinger read a scripture to me yesterday : John 16:33 : “I have told you these things,so that IN ME you may have peace. IN THIS WORLD you will have trouble . But Take Heart ! I have overcome the world .” A clear choice there . We can either live IN HIM or live in THIS WORLD . Now , of course we live in this world in the sense that we breathe, eat , love and work etc , but what the Lord is saying is that your sense of peace depends on living in Him -the solid Rock – and not being sustained by a bankrupt , morally deficient and rebellious world .

I wrote a short while ago about a friend who lives in Zimbabwe . The rate of inflation , last week was 230,000,000% – I`m not making this up ! That`s 230 million percent . Insanity , of course . My friend hammered home to me as I marveled at how he was managing to prosper , build and spread the Kingdom in such circumstances : ' Andrew , I don`t live in Zimbabwe , I live in the Kingdom.' I was rebuked and encouraged at the same time . So where do you live ?
IN HIM , I hope . The Kingdom is here and is advancing .

A COUNTRY GOES BANKRUPT…

I read today in the British press that every citizen of the country of Iceland owes the rest of the world 116,000 British pounds ( approx $ 200,000) and has essentially defaulted as a Nation State . A 4 billion pound bailout from Russia is on the cards . You don`t need me to tell you that the economic situation is dire ! If you have investments in the Stock Market it makes horror reading . So , how`s your heart ? Where your treasure is , that`s where your heart is !

Thinking and praying today , bearing in mind my responsibilities as a Dad , Grandad and Husband along with many Ministry portfolios , my heart remained calm and blessed thanks be to God ! If my entire confidence for the future were in the Market , I would be most concerned , certainly in the immediate future . However , I read today that God would bless our food and water and we would live a full life span . I further read that while there was darkness all over the land ( of Egypt ) , yet God`s people “had light in the place they lived,” What is it like where you live ?

I`m not suggesting laissez- faire or casual dismissal . This is , for sure , a huge wake up call . What do we trust in ? What do we actually believe – by which I mean 'stake your life on ??' It`s a wake call away from materialism and waste of time and money 'stuff' , living on 18- 30 % credit cards ,living beyond our means and thinking that life consists of the things we possess . It`s nothing of the sort . What is happening is actually showing us that all that system is already bankrupt . It`s cisterns that can`t hold water… to be continued….

LOSING 2 OR 3 GENERATIONS..

Reading 'Time' magazine the other day I was startled . The article was about childbirth around the world . Here`s a quote : ' In 1985 the World Health Organization estimated that 500,000 women died in childbirth each year . By 2005, despite medical advances, that number had risen to 536,000.' I then went on to read from a UNICEF representative in Sierra Leone : ” We will lose two or three more generations , but the core message is one of hope.”

This blog is absolutely not intended to be critical of these organizations . Basically , we applaud all efforts to help the poor and the needy and the people involved here are at least in the arena and doing all they can . This representative was just being truthful . The whole article is about the the very small amount of money and , of course trained supervision ,it takes to improve an individual woman`s chances of survival and health. I`m thankful that the info is out there and the process might be gain some momentum .

I thought about the Church . I wonder how many generations we might 'skip' and lose before we make the right kind of investment in discipleship , commitment and 'fathering' a generation . An emphasis on people , rather than spiritual experiences or ministries , investment in the next generation of raw recruits who can be lion-hearted world changers, a calling out of a generation to get a full harvest and inheritance . For too many Christians , 'the core message of hope' is to 'fly away , O Glory…' and 'to get that mansion just over the hilltop.'

Heaven has been secured in Christ . Leaders should be getting their followers ready for earth , with all its messiness , pain and terrible beauty. It`s hard for me to conceive or accept that 2 or 3 more generations will be lost before we realign with God`s core values. That would be my grandbabies and their children . So do we write them off or make some changes ??

PRICE IN THE CITY ..A SCANDAL..

I`ve been running and away from the tech box – as part of the journey went to Spain and am now making arrangements to start Leadership Training Center there should be 1 March 2009 . For those of you who are interested , we will let you have full details asap . One of the reasons we want this Center is to train radical leaders who will connect with the hurting and desperate and kick hell out of the systems that so degrade and abuse human beings . To hell with the devil indeed and it`s time to get some blood on the sword – the sword of the Lord and His Spirit – NOT blood of human beings for whom there is nothing but love and acceptance . But the pulling down of strongholds and systems in heavenly places , so that people can go free from the prisons they are trapped in. We`re fighting principalities and powers.

I met some great men of God from India when I was in Milton Keynes a few days ago ( Milton Keynes Christian Center ) . They have planted 2000 churches and have many mercy missions and orphan outreaches . I asked them whether it is really true that you could buy a girl for $75 . They confirmed that it is true but then added almost matter of factly : ” But that is for a city girl…you can get a village girl for $10 .” I nearly fell over . That is 3 cups of coffee for a human being and then , you know, you get to keep her . Keep is not the right word . Retain will do it . Keep implies at least a little care . These poor children and teenagers are subjected to unspeakable abuse and then often just discarded . Read Seth Barnes` blog today please – just go to the links page- one of our teams is in Vietnam . Just read it please ..

You bet your life we want to train some leaders and young warriors to go kick the hell out if this trash and see prisoners set free…..

A GLOW IN THE DIMMING LIGHT…

I`ve reached Portugal on this journey and am with Joao in Lisbon . Friendship and covenant for more than 17 years . Having a good time . Go to Spain Sunday evening to look at places that look like they will work for us a training center .
I had precious moments earlier this week in Nottingham . Spent several hours with Dad and a joyous evening with David and the family . What a blessing !

Dad is 92 in a few days . We received a word from the Lord when he was 86 that he would live another 6 years . He made it and the word from heaven , even though apparently pushing the envelope , has proved to be correct . How great is our God and how great is HIS name !! Stop what you`re doing for a second and shout out His name and glory in His goodness to us ! I remember Bonnke saying years ago : 'God`s word in your mouth is the same as God`s word in His mouth !' Speak it out.

Dad is not doing brilliantly . I looked into his eyes and the light of life was a bit dimmer . It`s bitter/sweet . In answer to my questions , he told me that he did not have anything else to do and knew that he had run his race . So it`s not a bad time to go home . But he has been a shaft of light in the darkness and a city set on a hill . Our earth needs all the shafts of light it can get . How are you shimmering and glowing ?

In moments when we spoke in tongues together or sang an old favorite ( and remembered !) hymn or worship , I saw Dad`s old and dimming eyes , spark to
life and shine . The spirit is alive and well . Alive to God ! Deep down he is a very healthy and exuberant young man !! I cannot tell you what that did for me . Body and mind may be creaking along , but what a glow in the dimness ! SO if it is time to go home , the light is on and the valley will be but a shadow as he passes on to Glory . Run the race , so that there will be no regrets….

A LITTLE GIRL AND A CHURCH…

The wedding day ( last blog ) was fantastic – all day , all food , all emotion ,
all worship , all love , all giving , and receiving ,all dancing , all rain !! Didn`t matter . Rain was irrelevant – we had tents ! Lyndsy was beautiful , Timo sang her a great love song , the worship in Church was God centered and very powerful . We worshipped the Lord for probably 40 minutes with the Bride and Groom along with almost everybody else with arms raised and loud , joyful , whispered praises and dances . Brilliant !

My weekend was a little crazy . Holland Friday for the wedding , London ( for Missions conference in Milton Keynes) Saturday , Holland Sunday – for Transfer of Headship in the church in EDE , London Monday – fellowship , staff meeting and leaders` evening ( at a spa !) . This is Tues morning – off to see Dad and meet up with David and the family . Dad has not been doing very well , but he has run his race ! Henceforth a crown of righteousness…. Back to Sunday in Holland… Dave and Bernadette started the church in EDE 16 years ago with a few young friends . It is doing well and the time came for something we have anticipated and planned for from the start …the handover of headship to a 'son in the house'. What Joy !

This is something we believe in – inheritance built up , handed over to mature sons and daughters , and grown even more quickly and strongly . It seems a Godly way to do business. Authority distributed and not accumulated . Apostles (fathers) serving and not lording ! David and Bernadette were brave and strong , a few tears , lots of emotion and the handover to Bruce and Angelique was wonderful . The responsibility and the authority – they always go together- landed on their shoulders – and it did !! 4 hours of covenantal blessing with great worship , finished up with good food and renewed energy. Another chapter , maybe even another Book , Biblical obligations fulfilled , sons in the Lord who fill us with Godly pride and joy . Could be worth it after all…..!

A PROMISE TO A LITTLE GIRL..

I`m in Holland . In 1992 I met David and Bernadette Frederiksz at a conference in Reormund in Holland . We became friends and in all those intervening years our friendship has blossomed into covenant and deep commitment . I was there when David and Bernadette started a great kingdom church in Ede , Holland . It still thrives today . This Sunday will be a significant day in the church and I`ll try and blog on it . We have been through winters ans summers together and are making plans to build again in Europe . When we met , Lyndsy , their daughter was a very little girl. We became good friends then and Uncle Andrew , now kinda Papa Andrew , and Lyndsy are still good friends . I promised her that when she was going to marry , I would be there . Today is the day !

David is coming to pick us up in twenty minutes for an all day Dutch wedding . Love it ! All day – that`s more like it . I`ll preach a wedding blessing , David will marry his precious daughter to good man of God , Timo , and we`ll laugh and cry . Great day in prospect . A couple of things occurred to me as I thought about it ; one , we have all been friends , ever deepening, for a very long time , so it can be done ; second , promises made , even a long time ago , should be kept . We need to be as good as our word and our word needs to be as good as God`s . He kept all His promises – oh how glad we are : when we were unfaithful He remained faithful .

And HIS friendship with us is everlasting , ever deepening and ever more fulfilling and joyful . SO …..today , remember all those promises and vows – keep them , stay bought into your good friendships. For me today , Lyndsy`s big day , is such a joy and blessing . I`m here as promised , all of us kept alive by Grace . Remember, little people grow up , but they do remember what we promise them….

OUT OF SIGHT….

More or less continuing on from yesterday ….in one of my daily meditations ( Bob Gass) , I read today : ' God planted a garden..' The thought was , that when a seed is planted it disappears from human view . Then I received Gary`s blog ( Gary Black) and he spoke about last night being the first meeting of a g42 church plant in Colorado Springs . I wondered how long that seed had been hidden !

I am between flights with not much time and so have not done the research , but I seem to remember reading about a particular type of seed that emerges once every seventeen years . At any rate , many years . So my thought was as I flew into DFW , how many seeds , PLANTED BY GOD , are hidden from human view , waiting to burst forth and produce a golden harvest . Out of sight , doesn`t mean it doesn`t exist . I know there are seeds in me that are still hidden from human view and sometimes it take faith and guts to keep on going . You may be the only one that knows it !

I know this : you`re carrying something . God gave it to you . Planted it deep in your soul and has entrusted you to be His representative and carrier. I would like to call that out of you today , if I could . It`s not dead . At the smell of
water , a meeting with the right tribe , a word from a prophet of God with a word of life , a dream in the night ; something will activate you . It`s in you . HIS word ( the seed ) will not return to Him empty . Rise up !

LONG HAUL…

Olympics are over ! Phelps was phenominal . The sprinter Bolt from Jamaica was one of a kind . Some of the races were the best I have ever seen – unbelievable finishes ! Quick off the blocks and drama filled finishes in these explosive events which grab and hold our attention . Great starts , great finishes . If only life was about great starts and great finishes , the drama would probably energize us and hold our attention . Well , if you`ve lived more than a couple of years , you know different .

It`s the bit in the middle . 'The midst of the years.' The stitch only half way through the marathon , the dehydration in the searing heat of the day . That sounds a bit more realistic ! Bit more like real life . I received an email today from one of the young lions that God has ordained that we train and release . He is begging us as 'fathers in the Lord' to keep pressing in to his generation one of whose characteristics is that like the instant , the 'cool' , the moment . Endurance , Fear of the Lord , brokenness , authority , end of wandering , staying on the job till the sun`s gone down seem like a foreign language and almost universally unknown.

They are asking us to press into them and teach them this new language . ( Psalm 78) Well , it`s the long haul that counts – the loneliness of the long distance runner and all that . Not an emotion packed commencement or just a dazzling graduation , but the ability and commitment to keep on keeping on . 'Cast your bread on the waters ( keep on casting it on the waters) . For you will find it after MANY days .'

ARROGANCE…??

Paul is one of my heroes . No brainer really , I`m sure you`d agree.
Here`s a bit of his life : he`s involved in missions offerings and poverty relief from some of the churches in Europe who apparently could afford it ; he`s about to travel to Jerusalem with their gifts ; he has a big plan to go Spain soon afterwards ; on the way there , he tells the Christians in Rome that he intends to pop in to spend a few days with them ; he knows he needs to be delivered from unbelieving people who mean him harm ; and he`s not quite sure of the reception that awaits him in Jerusalem . I mean the man is not idling his motor. He`s not coasting but is intensely involved and busy .

He proclaims boldly : 'I know that when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the Gospel of Christ.' All this in a few verses in Romans 15 . Is he nuts ? Arrogant? Presumptuous ? ” I KNOW…!! ” Apparently
not . He knows some secrets : Christ in me , the hope of Glory ; more than a conqueror; nothing will separate me from His love ; be filled with the
Spirit.' Knowledge believed and applied . It`s a decision. Today , you are as filled with Holy Spirit as much as you want to be . You practice God`s Presence as much as you choose to . HE is always available , amazing to me but true , it`s me that is sometimes unavailable . Circumstances don`t rate with Paul . Emotions are not pandered to . God`s on the throne and He`s for me .

(Check out Seth Barnes`s blog the last few days – on the links page . Lively discussion on 'Lakeland revival'. Food for thought .)