Let Every Heart

I am counting down the days to Graduation and my wedding. Everyone says and knows that this semester is going to go fast and yet we are still surprised that, in fact, it is. This is a interesting time in my life, a strange and significant time where their is a natural tension between making decisions and waiting.

This last week in my alone time and time with God, this theme that had been recurring in my mind was finally made clear. For some time this theme was just lingering there, kind of like background music. This theme is "Prepare Him Room".

I know it is not longer advent season, but somehow the words "Let every heart prepare him room" seem to resonate with me. I guess I'm in some sort of advent season. It's a time of waiting that is not empty or static, but is filled with hope and is preparatory. I know that somehow there is a change coming in my relationship with God. I feel that the answer to my often frenzied schedule and desire to somehow be less busy (a.k.a in charge) is going to be answered. I know it may look different than I expect, but I know that advent means that Christ is coming.

After long years of praying, serving, leading, and letting those things run me down instead of filling me up, I desire to be closer to God and I know I need it. I really want Christ to be the center of my life. I have let other things grab my attention and keep it. I have taken on responsibilities that may be good but not the best fit for me. I have let my own pride and zeal, along with things I really do enjoy, call the shots of what I am involved in.

So here I am. Tired. Ready to move on. Needing some time to reflect and be restored. And I feel called to "prepare him room". I don't know exactly what that will look like. I guess I'll be trying to listen to God and act boldly as I hash that out with Him. But I'm also really encouraged. God will bring me to that most necessary place of rest, 'shalom', and restored relationship with Him.

God is good!

God is good! Really, really good!
I just found this post that I had written in October and looking back I can see how God completely has led me through the entire process of going on an adventure with Him, even when I didn't realize it.
It's encouraging to see so many of my hearts longings answered so clearly (I'm sure God had a big part in putting those longings there).

If you know what my summer is like and want to know why I wrote what I did (see above)
Click here-Hungry for Adventure

A Psalm/Prayer

O God, my God, You are the God of
Death to life
Chains to freedom
Brokenness to healing
Guilt to forgiveness.
You are the God who brings breath to dry bones; hope to a people without hope.

Lord, come and bring Your divine exchange to my life.
Awaken things within me that have been sleeping.
Let me wipe away the dust of complacency from my eyes.
Rinse away that which tricks me into thinking I can't come close to you.
Instead give me urgency, vision, and boldness.

Breathe, breathe, breathe into me!
Fill me with Your breath of life.
Let hope saturate my blood and flow through my veins;
always multiplying and bringing life to dead and broken places.

O God, My God, You are the God of nothing into something;
Come and bring Your divine upside downs into my life.

I want to be awake and alive!!!

Unattractive news: Kenya

For the last month or so there has been this incredible clash amongst two tribes in Kenya. It all started with an election that is thought to be rigged. People have been killed. Families have been displaced. Just last week the leaders of the two opposing parties have announced plans to work together for peace.
Kenya has been on my heart lately and this story had me upset today. It also upset me that this isn't seen as important. It isn't newsworthy. Since it isn't getting much coverage anywhere else I'm posting it here.

Kenya School attacked

Pray for the Middle East

Check out this article from the BBC Turkish MPs back attacks in Iraq.

Thoughts on The Call...a month later

A month ago I was flying into Nashville to meet two friends from school Cayla and Ben. It's amazing to think of all that took place during that one day and all that has happened since. Looking back it all seems so surreal. I know that The Call was a turning point, not only for me but for the Church and the nation, even though the full impact has yet to be seen. It's difficult to even put into words all that I experienced and all that God did but I will try.
The morning of the 7th we got up early and hopped a taxi with a few others from our hotel. We were meeting with thousands of others for a repentance walk. The walk was a 2.7 mile walk down Church Street from the park to the stadium. The focus of the repentance walk was not to point fingers at sinners on our way but to repent for our own sins and for the sins of the Church. Lou Engle said before the march (paraphrase), "The reason we have no voice in our culture is that we are consumed by the same sins as those outside of the Church."
Thousands of people started the day on their faces weeping, interceding, and repenting.

Then we started to walk. The whole walk was done in complete silence and as we started walking through the grass it sounded like rushing water, which reminded me of the passages in scripture about a "voice like many waters." It was so powerful to be united in repentance and prayer as we walked down Church street. As we got closer to the stadium we could hear the music and the voices singing "Holy, Holy, Holy." We walked into the stadium and moved from repentance to praise.

The Call officially started at 10am with corporate repentance and forgiveness. Leaders from various people groups would ask for forgiveness for the sins that group had committed against other groups. For example, white leaders asked for forgiveness from Native Americans and African Americans for the sins committed against them. Once this happened specific ethnic groups were asked to stand and we prayed for our brothers and sisters in Christ. Typically I am not one to cry or like crying but I couldn't help weeping most of the morning. That morning my tears became my repentance, praise, and intercession.

Throughout the rest of the day we would transition from worship, intercession, confession, personal and group prayer, and short lessons on themes of The Call. I received a huge breakthrough and freedom from past sins. I had waited so long to be free from that sin which hurt me and caused injury to other relationships. That was a huge part of what God did in me during The Call. I left feeling free and new.

God also used The Call to remind me who I am in Him and what I am called to do. It was very encouraging.
Another powerful part of the day was corporate communion. We all took communion together and committed ourselves to the Lord.

Worship was also powerful that day. The expression of 'warring in worship' was definitely the case. Since a-capella with 50,000 people is also something I highly recommend. Most of the time we would be gloriously stuck singing "Holy, Holy, Holy!" for long periods of time. I think that when God brings so many together to consecrate themselves to Him that is the most fitting thing to sing.

Just a week or so ago I received another huge breakthrough of feeling God's presence, enjoying being with God, and receiving revelation on the Word again. It's been months, starting maybe a year ago and really intensifying in February. He was faithful to lead me, teach me, and strengthen me during this time. I feel like the verse "I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living" Ps 27:13 was so true. There were so many times where my only choice was to cling to the truth of His word that He would reveal Himself again. He is so good!

P.S. I'll probably post some pictures of the event soon.

I'm back

Hey. I just returned from The Call in Nashville! (California was great by the way). It was one of the most beautiful, powerful, life-changing days I've had in my life. I'm still processing everything. I'll have to give a full update once I journal, reflect, and rest up. Until then I leave you with what happened towards the end of the day (There was a repentance walk at 7am, The Call started at 10 and ended at 10=long day)
Watch:

Fasting!!!

I am heading to The Call this summer and I am way excited to be partnering with God's heart and interceding for my generation and this nation. Here is some more information about the 40 day fast leading up to The Call. Be sure to check out www.thecall.com for more information. If God lays it on your heart please pray for those who choose to fast, for the grace to fast and press into Jesus, as well as praying for the event itself (they are expecting 100,000 people to come).

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God has graciously raised up Lou Engle to call America to a 40 day fast. Lou has mobilized thousands of leaders who are committed to this vision as well. All the major Christian TV networks are announcing it to get the word out - it is time for America to fast and pray as a nation. The article below, written by Lou, explains the urgency behind this initiative. The IHOP-KC family is standing with The Call and believers during these 40 days. Please forward this to everyone you know who has a heart for America.
www.fastandpray.com



There are moments in history when a door for massive change opens, and great revolutions for good or evil spring up in the vacuum created by these openings. In these divine moments, key men, women and even entire generations risk everything to become the hinge of history, the pivotal point that determines which way the door will swing.

The rebellious generation of the ’60s seized its moment, and history crashed into the deep abyss of drug addiction, sexual immorality, hatred for authority and a rejection of the law of God. In 1967, there was a culminating and defining moment in that rebellion, when 100,000 young people, ages 15–25 flocked to San Francisco to experience the hippie movement. This mass convergence was sparked by the hit song, “San Francisco” (Wear a Flower in your Hair). Once there, these young adults experimented with LSD, pot, casual sex and Eastern mysticism in what became known as the “Summer of Love.”

When these newly recruited ‘Flower Children’ returned home at the end of the summer, they brought with them new styles and ideas, flooding the cities of the US and Europe with a message that opposed authority and scorned conservative morals. This counterculture rebellion was fueled by music and art, which rapidly shifted global culture.

For 40 years, we have been falling headlong into a black moral morass in America along with the western world. We are reaping the waves of destruction in every sector of our post Christian society. Can America survive another 40 years? We are declaring “NO! A thousand times NO!” Unless a massive spiritual shift occurs at this moment, our children will live under an antichrist system and Godless enculturation that will bring about the demise of America, as we know it.

But God has a prescription for such a massive shift and it is revealed in the power of the great transitional 40-day fast. God, in His sovereign control over the parade of history, delivered the Israelites out of Egypt. Longing to release a moral code that would give foundations for righteousness, for time and eternity, God summoned Moses to a 40-day fast on Mount Sinai. Through this fast, all of history changed and the law of God was delivered from Heaven to Earth. Therefore, if America is going to return to God, it must recover that law again as its foundation for truth.

Elijah, at the height of Jezebel’s cultic dominion over Israel fasted 40 days, broke the spell of Jezebel off of his own life and received a mandate to anoint the next generation. Elijah’s fast unleashed a movement that toppled Jezebel’s regime of hell, which perpetrated the destruction of family, the killing of innocent children, the silencing of the voice of God’s people and the widespread culture of sexual immorality. The fruit of this fast culminated in the utter destruction of Baal worship in Israel.

Also in the fullness of time, the Glorious Gospel era was born when Jesus fasted 40 days and those who sat in darkness saw a great light. Clearly the 40-day fast is Heaven’s great transitional prescription, moving nations from failure to fulfillment of promise. Is it any surprise that when Jesus was to enter into His great sacrifice—where death would be swallowed up in victory—Elijah and Moses appear with Him on the Mount of Transfiguration. All three were together as the 40-day fasters. They presided over the great transitions of history.

When the Israelites were poised to move into the Promise Land, spies were sent out for 40 days. When they returned carrying an evil report, a whole generation was infected with unbelief and they turned their back on the Promise Land. God’s sentence on that generation was “And your sons shall be wanderers in the wilderness for forty years and bear the brunt of your infidelity until your carcasses are consumed in the wilderness. According to the number of the days in which you spied out the land forty days, for each day you shall bear your guilt one year, namely forty years, and you shall know my rejection.” (Numbers 14:33–34) It was 40 years of judgment for 40 days failure.

Conversely, the great prophet Ezekiel received a 40-day prayer assignment for a 40-year failure of Judah’s iniquity. “Lie again on your right side, then you shall bear the iniquity of the house of Judah, forty days I have laid on you a day for each year.” (Ezekiel 4:6) It was clearly 40 days prayer for 40 years of failure.

When Jesus fasted 40 days and was tempted of the devil He quoted from the book of Deuteronomy saying “It is written man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” And again, “You shall not tempt the Lord thy God” and again, “You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you worship.” Jesus, in His victory over Satan, was quoting the book of Deuteronomy, the portion of scripture delivered by Moses to the generation who failed in the desert. Jesus, in His 40-day fast, was clearly identifying with that passage of scripture and the generation that came out of Egypt. As an intercessor in His 40-day fast, Jesus was fulfilling what a generation had failed in for 40 years.

Forty years are up! Could the Church of America in a 40-day fast deliver a nation out of a 40-year curse? We have scriptural precedent to believe for such a turning! Therefore, we are trumpeting a call to 40 days of fasting like Moses, Elijah, Ezekiel and Jesus. We must bear the iniquity in 40 days of fasting and intercession for the past 40 years of divorcing God in America, embracing a culture of sexual immorality, hedonism, materialism, abortion and the rejection of Christ in public places. But we are also calling for 40 days of fasting and prayer for the greatest outbreak of Kingdom power, in signs and wonders, and the spiritual awakening in America that will collide with this present darkness and topple its cultural dominion over our people. Thousands went on 40-day fasts in 1946 and in 1947, the great healing revivals broke out. In 1948, the Latter Rain outpourings began, Bill Bright and Billy Graham’s ministries were born, and Israel became a nation. Could it be that the 40-day fast preceded this explosion of power by the Spirit? After Jesus’ 40-day fast, the scripture says He returned in the power of the Spirit. Yes the promise of Joel 2 is that after the fast, “I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh…”

Forty years ago, in 1967, the Jesus Movement broke out. A youth revival started on the streets swept across the country, exploding on college campuses and coffee houses. People were being saved everywhere. Now 40 years later, we are crying out for God to do it again, way beyond the Jesus Movement!

In 1967, in a war and obviously by the supernatural hand of God, Jerusalem was taken and once again brought under the control of the state of Israel. This was a monumental signpost in the shifting of eras. The dispensation of the times of the Gentiles was now beginning to shift to the times when Jerusalem will become the last days focus for God’s activity in the Earth. For 40 days, we are joining Israel in a 40-day fast crying out to God that Israel would see their Messiah and they would begin to receive their greatest spiritual awakening since the days of the Apostles.

Brothers and sisters, moments like these come only once in a lifetime. To miss such a moment could mean missing the purpose of God for a generation. The generation that refused to cross over the Jordan did not know that they had only one day to make the decision, and missing that day meant 40 years in the desert.

Even now we are receiving reports that other countries are calling 40-day fasts. Could we be in a Global 40-day season of fasting (like Jesus), to see a global outbreak of light when great darkness is covering the Earth? Beginning the evening of May 28, we are calling two generations to 40 days of fasting and prayer culminating on 7–7–07, the perfection of time. In a massive, national gathering of fasting, intercession, repentance and worship, we seek to declare our desire to remarry the Lord. We want to cross over into the promise land of national revival. We want to break this 40-year curse. May thousands seek God in water, juice and Daniel fasts from May 28 through 7–7–07, The Call in Nashville.
What would happen in America if for 40 days we sealed the electronic cultural sewer that flows nightly into our living rooms and instead, spent our strength seeking the Lord? What if tens of thousands of fathers and mothers across our nation fasted for 40 days repenting and cleansing themselves of inward toleration of sexual immorality, pornography, addiction to food, entertainment and materialism? What if they prayed daily for their spiritual and physical children to see them converted to Christ and freed from rebellion, from addictions, depression and suicide? What if the young generation fasted for 40 days to be cleansed from lust, media addiction and rebellion toward there parents, believing that a double portion of the Holy Spirit would come upon there lives?

Moses fasted 40 days and mentored a spiritual son named Joshua, which means the Lord saves. Elijah fasted 40 days and threw his mantle on a double portion son, Elisha, which means the Lord saves. Also, John the Baptist fasted in the desert and prepared the way for a double portion son named Jesus, which means the Lord saves. Jesus fasted 40 days and unleashed the apostolic glory of the eternal Son of God into the Earth. What if we are preparing a generation for the greatest day of salvation in history? And so, what if tens of thousands of both generations fast together and gather on 7–7–07 for The Call Nashville in LP Field, to cry out to God in a Joel 2 moment for great national returning to the Lord?

The parade of history has brought us into a profound generational landmark, and a great vacuum has opened again. If the church does not seize this moment, Muslims will! Antichrist rage will! Sexual perversion will! Anarchy will! But now is the time for key men and women, even an entire generation to risk everything to become the hinge of history, the pivotal point which determines which way the door will swing in America and in the nations of the Earth. It's 40 Days or 40 Years—seize the day!

We will be launching this fast with a worldwide simulcast on GOD TV on May 26, 2007. For all information on the 40-day fast and The Call Nashville please visit our websites.40 Days for 40 Years

Amazing post!

I am called to be an intercessory missionary. That's right I'm going to go sit in a room with a bunch of other people(or no one) and worship God as well as saying back to Him what He tells me to say (praying) for the rest of my life. I'm so excited!
A place and group of people that has encouraged me, taught me, and I feel a certain attachment to is the International House of Prayer in Kansas City (www.ihop.org). If that is where God leads me, that is where I'm heading after college.
Today I came across a post by Dave Sliker, part of Ihop leadership and author of End-Times Simplified, on his blog He is at the door . The Ihop is undergoing a new season, noticeably different after their 7 year anniversary in September this year. Most noticeable is the new stage and their new partnership with God TV. This post explains the changes going on. This excerpt is my favorite part and is a beautiful and sstunning observation of what God is doing at the Ihop. It makes me excited and a little nervous about stepping into this environment.

"Fast forward nearly four years - December 29th, 2006. On Friday afternoon I happen to check the news during a small window of free time from my conference responsibilities - Saddam Hussein was to be executed that evening.
(For a chilling recounting via some solid reporting of the hours, and events, leading up to Saddam's execution, go here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/07/world/middleeast/07ticktock.html?ei=5065&en=528a2d4d48836088&ex=1168750800&partner=MYWAY&pagewanted=print)
I shot a quick email to Mike, Allen, Stuart, and a few others as an FYI. Then I jumped in to lead the 5 PM intercessory prayer meeting, which was probably one of the liveliest, action packed two-hour prayer meetings I've ever been a part of. I did not have a moment to think about the evening or the email.
At about 6:50, as we were transitioning off the platform for the next team, Misty grabbed me. She was a bit worked up, which was unusual in itself. "Mike's been looking all over for you!" She said quickly. She quickly filled me in on what was going on - Mike wanted to turn tonight"s worship time into an intercession time for Saddam and the Middle East, involving the God-TV viewing audience, led by myself and six other intercessors he wanted me to find. He wanted to begin almost immediately after the worship time began. The worship time began in less than 10 minutes.
Misty, Brent, and myself hurriedly rushed to the side of the stage as we all worked together to gather the different intercessors. Allen was out - he was preaching that evening. We found Corey and Stuart. Wes was sitting in the third row. Shelly was at her little spot. Before we could even think about what was happening, as worship was well underway, Misty got the signal from the platform. It was time. We were up. Someone shouted over the music to me - "Line us up!" No one wanted to go first, so I volunteered myself.
Since I constantly find myself in the most interesting of situations, before I knew it I was standing up front, waiting for Mike to finish his prayer so that I could take my turn. I was surprisingly calm. I rehearsed a little bit of what I wanted to pray in my head: that the Prince of Peace would be the true King of the Middle East. That mercy would triumph in Baghdad. I wanted to rebuke opportunistic demons and ask the Lord to hold back the works of darkness. I wanted God to quiet the storm of men's hearts and souls, that the Holy Spirit would establish the peace of God. I wanted God to establish the believers in Baghdad in peace, confidence, and power through His Spirit.
In a minute, it was over for me. I went back down the stairs and reflected for a moment on what had just happened - on what I had done and what we, together, were doing.
Rory and Wendy Alec, the founders of God-TV, have a vision. Their desire is to establish a context for the prayer room to be a vehicle to interpret judgment and revival for the nations in the days to come. It occurred to me that in that very moment, in that little arena with 15,000 people; and in front of millions via God-TV around the world, that we had begun to step into that role just a little bit. We had, in a moment, shifted the hearts and minds of thousands of young adults who were part of the group that applauded the execution of Saddam at the beginning of the meeting when we announced it. Now they were huddled in small groups, praying for his salvation.
I sat for a moment in awe of the Lord. "Why us?" I asked quietly in prayer. "We're so simple, so simple" I whispered to myself. The answer came suddenly: "The wisdom of leading a thousand prayer meetings..." The Lord spoke to me in that moment.
I began to weep. And weep. And weep - for quite some time.
The sentence concluded: "so that you are not crushed by the magnitude of the moment."
It was stunning to me, the dignity of our calling as intercessory missionaries. The routine, the mundane, the repetitive and stubborn manner in which we show up to the prayer room, day after day after day, grab a microphone, and ask Him again to change the earth. It struck me that, in the brilliance of His leadership, seven intercessors walked onto a platform in front of millions of people and actually prayed to a Man. They didn't preach, they didn't teach, they didn't get lost in the moment or themselves. They just closed their eyes and talked to a Man. And they weren't crushed by the magnitude of the moment. Simultaneously, hearts were shifted. I believe the heavens were shifted as well - just a little.
As we stepped in that evening in just a little bit to a little piece of our calling and mandate as the International House of Prayer in Kansas City, we did something momentous, something significant, in the plain, simple, mundane act of doing what we do in weakness and brokenness every day.
And I am not sure if, after those moments, anything will ever be the same here again. We have come to a turning point as a people as a ministry. A true new season is upon us. It will surely be messy, and truly be painful at times. But it will also be glorious for those who signed up for the honor and the privilege of watching the true Leader of the prayer movement orchestrate His great plan to usher in the end of the age, and the final moments of history that culminate with His return.
I can't wait to see what's next."

Thank you IHOP

Thank you International House of Prayer for making the GBF (global bridegroom fast) free to watch all this week.
Listened to some Merchant Band this morning.
Enjoying some Misty Edwards-ness right now. Amazing!

"You are stronger in my weakness

So I'll lean into Your strength.

You are greater when I diminish

So I'll lean into Your grace"

On my mind and in my journal

Here are some things that have been on my heart lately:

Holiness- I feel like God wants to raise up holy people on this campus. I have always replied with a"Yes!!!!....ummm...how?". Finally I feel like I have the beginning of an answer. As usual it is something that is simple, but it impacted me deeply. Here's the excerpt from my journal:

"God didn't say, 'Be holy' and leave it at that. He said, 'Be holy, as I am holy." He is our role model. He is our example, our blueprint, our mold. He is the one we are to look to in order to learn about what holiness is. As we look to Him we will be transformed into His likeness. Then we will be holy as He is holy."

The power of prayer- It seems like everyday I become more and more convinced regarding the power of prayer. God continues to show me the futility of my efforts apart from Him. More and more I feel the burden to pray. It's amazing and painful all at the same time.

"Prayer is as vast as God because He is behind it. Prayer is as might as God, because He has committed Himself to answer it."- Leonard Ravenhill.

Sterling College: "It's time to decide." 1 Kings 18:21

God wants our hearts. He wants people who won't play games and will love Him wholeheartedly.

Update on The 25...a week later

The 25 went really well. We ended up getting all the slots filled (last minute sign-ups are the best). What was exciting for me was to see some freshman stepping up and taking leadership. We've got some cool up and coming worship-leaders on campus.
This 'hours of prayer' was a lot different than the 48 last spring. The whole campus seemed really dead, nobody was around (which never happens), but the prayer room had a steady stream of people. It always seemed like a very intimate setting, never having an overwhelming amount of people in the prayer room at once. It seemed like God wanted to really work in individuals lives a lot more than the group as a whole. God really knows best and knows that this is a time when most people are so tired of school and a just itching for thanksgiving. I think that this was a time more for sowing things (a.k.a. not seeing with our eyes what God is doing but paving the way for things to come) than reaping (getting to see the fruits of our prayers). God is wise to hide such things.
It was a good time for me, though being in charge of everything is crazy. It was crazy in that God allowed me to participate on what He is doing on campus through prayer. I loved it though. I could organize to facilitate prayer any day. God continued to confirm in me what I am called to do, what I was created to do and that is a miracle in itself. It is also really refreshing and is helping me focus a lot more on what is important.
Praise God for the 25! Let's keeping asking for "More!" and praying for the next 'hours of prayer' in the spring.

The 25

The 25 hours of prayer is upon us!
That was a little melodramatic.
No, strike that...
It is exciting.
Last year The 48 was amazing. Getting that many people to pray for that long and seeing such a dramatic change in people's lives is definitely not something accomplished by human efforts.
Though this is a crazy time of year people are signing up (we still need more slots filled though. God will provide). I know that God is going to move again as we come before Him in prayer. God answers the cries of the hungry, thirsty, desperate, and lovesick with Himself.

Pray for us as we pray.
Pray that those who are hurting and heartbroken to find healing.
Pray for those who are confused that they would have clarity and discernment.
Pray for those who are looking for meaning in life, that they would find their definition in who God is and who God has made.
Pray for those who are questioning, that they would be answered.
Pray that God would move in amazing ways on this campus and cause people to love God and each other in a new way.

Fall Breather

Fall Breather, one of the best ideas for a break ever, was last Monday and Tuesday, which means an awesomely long weekend. Instead of just hanging out at home all the time, which I did last year, I lead a school trip up to the International House of Prayer-KC (referred to as the ihop from here on out). How did I get this super-cool responsibility? Because I'm a chaplain, that's why! (By the way, I love all of my chaplain duties it's amazing!)

A total of 9 students went, which was just the perfect amount. The students who went were also perfect for this trip. I feel like God hand-picked them to go on this trip. Though I knew everyone on the trip and knew they were responsible, there is always that fear that the leader will become the baby-sitter, in a sense. Thankfully I never had to do that and never felt the tension between simultaneously being a friend and a leader. The whole trip was amazing, God was definitely leading it and blessing it. Logistically, which is my least favorite part, everything went so smooth. I was never stressed by anything and nothing that could've gone wrong did.

Also, the students who went, and myself included, were all impacted by God while we were there. We spent most of our days in the prayer room and just soaked in the presence of God. We also had some group meetings to pray together and talk about what we had been experiencing.

For me, it was amazing to see how everything came together in the end. David, my chaplain co-chair and a pretty cool guy, had been planning this for a few months wondering how everything would really come together. It was neat for me to bring others (I'm friends with most of the group) to a place that is so close to my heart and see them experience it. It was amazing to pray with them and talk to them about what they were experiencing with God and to see them flourish in prayer and Bible study.
















Photos from www.ihop.org

Current Events: Israel and the Middle East

If you don't know what is going on with Israel or don't care read this article: Escalation ripples through Middle East .

Throughout history Israel has been in a almost constant skirmish with other nations (in fact Israel means 'he struggles with God'). In recent years the main disputes have been territorial and mostly with the Palestinians. Though there were concessions made about a year ago there is no peace. I really don't know why anyone expected there would be. Then Hamas, a political group dedicated to destroying Israel, took control of parliament, and therefore the government, back in January. Thing heated up again when Hamas kidnapped an Israeli soldier and Israel responded by firing on Government buildings in Palestine. As a result of Israel's actions many Palestinians are living without electricity or clean water and many have gone weeks, if not months, without any kind of pay. Surely, the poorest of the poor are suffering the most.

Now Israel is blaming Hezbollah for the kidnapping of two Israeli soldiers. It's a great time to be an Israeli soldier (sarcasm). As a result, Israel is bombing airports, main roads, and other means of transportation/commerce. As the article mentioned, things could easily spiral out of control all across the middle east and ,in turn, the world.
I believe that though tensions might ease for awhile the conflict is far from over and peace is not even close to being a reality, but it is a distant hope for now. It's going to get worse over all before it gets better.

And with that being said it is time to pray. In Isaiah, God speaks to the prophet concerning Israel. God knows the extreme trials that Israel has been through and will go through as well as the fear they face and the violence they are using. God tells Isaiah to bring His words to the people to comfort them.

Isaiah 40 (NIV)
Comfort for God's People

1 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.
2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD's hand double for all her sins.
3 A voice of one calling: "In the desert prepare the way for the LORD ; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God.
4 Every valley shall be raised up,every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level,the rugged places a plain.
5 And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken."

6 A voice says, "Cry out." And I said, "What shall I cry?"

"All men are like grass,

and all their glory is like the flowers of the field.
7 The grass withers and the flowers fall,

because the breath of the LORD blows on them.

Surely the people are grass.
8 The grass withers and the flowers fall,

but the word of our God stands forever."
9 You who bring good tidings to Zion,

go up on a high mountain.

You who bring good tidings to Jerusalem,

lift up your voice with a shout,

lift it up, do not be afraid;

say to the towns of Judah,

"Here is your God!"

10 See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power,

and his arm rules for him.

See, his reward is with him,

and his recompense accompanies him.

11 He tends his flock like a shepherd:

He gathers the lambs in his arms

and carries them close to his heart;

he gently leads those that have young.

12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand,

or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens?

Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket,

or weighed the mountains on the scales

and the hills in a balance?

13 Who has understood the mind of the LORD,

or instructed him as his counselor?
14 Whom did the LORD consult to enlighten him,

and who taught him the right way?

Who was it that taught him knowledge

or showed him the path of understanding?

15 Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket;

they are regarded as dust on the scales;

he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust.

16 Lebanon is not sufficient for altar fires,

nor its animals enough for burnt offerings.
17 Before him all the nations are as nothing;

they are regarded by him as worthless

and less than nothing.

18 To whom, then, will you compare God?

What image will you compare him to?
19 As for an idol, a craftsman casts it,

and a goldsmith overlays it with gold

and fashions silver chains for it.

20 A man too poor to present such an offering

selects wood that will not rot.

He looks for a skilled craftsman

to set up an idol that will not topple.

21 Do you not know?

Have you not heard?

Has it not been told you from the beginning?

Have you not understood since the earth was founded?

22 He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth,

and its people are like grasshoppers.

He stretches out the heavens like a canopy,

and spreads them out like a tent to live in.

23 He brings princes to naught

and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.
24 No sooner are they planted,

no sooner are they sown,

no sooner do they take root in the ground,

than he blows on them and they wither,

and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.

25 "To whom will you compare me?

Or who is my equal?" says the Holy One.
26 Lift your eyes and look to the heavens:

Who created all these?

He who brings out the starry host one by one,

and calls them each by name.

Because of his great power and mighty strength,

not one of them is missing.

27 Why do you say, O Jacob,

and complain, O Israel,

"My way is hidden from the LORD;

my cause is disregarded by my God"?

28 Do you not know?

Have you not heard?

The LORD is the everlasting God,

the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary,

and his understanding no one can fathom.

29 He gives strength to the weary

and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,

and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD

will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint.

Like Isaiah, it is time for us to pray for the comfort and peace of Jerusalem on God's terms. It is time to cry out and tell them that "all men are like grass", that this life is just a breath, just a moment. The only peace is God's peace.

"But if [Israel's] transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their fullness bring!" Romans 11:12

I heart Prayer

That is a statement that continues to grow in truth. It seems the more I pray the more I love it. I'm not telling you this so you think I'm all super spiritual and amazing. I'm telling you hopefully to encourage you, whether you love, hate, or are currently indecisive about prayer. I am not by any means a super prayer warrior, in fact most of the time I avoid it until I ache inside. It's only when I spend time in prayer that I remember that I really do love it and is not as hard or inconvenient as I thought.
Here is a few reasons why I love prayer:

I get to talk to God and He talks back!- It is such an amazing blessing to be able to communicate with the One who made me, knows me fully, and knows what's happening. He enjoys it when I join with Him in prayer. That's right, I did put that He talks back. This 'talking' comes in different forms such as: an internal audible voice, a sense in my spirit, a verse in the Bible, a dream or vision, or from another person. He wants to talk to me more that I could ever want to talk to Him, which blows my mind!

I don't have to know what I'm doing- When I first became a Christian I was incredibly uncomfortable praying out loud. Even by myself I didn't feel confident in my prayers. As I've grown I've realized that God doesn't need my prayers to be eloquent or even make sense to others. Plus the Holy Spirit is helping me out. "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will." Romans 8:26-27 (NIV).

I can learn about God's heart- As I continue to pray God continues to teach me more about what He desires, what His will is, and how He acts. By praying scripture I am aligning my heart with what He has already revealed about Himself and how He answers prayers. Also, I can come to understand more about how God feels about other people.

I can join with Jesus in intercession- As God reveals what is on His heart I can join with Him in praying to see it fulfilled on earth and in heaven. "But because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them." Hebrews 7:24-25. It amazes me to know that there is something so much bigger going on and that I can be a part of that.

I think that the best part about this list is that this isn't something only I do or will experience. Anyone can learn these things and yes, enjoy prayer.

I am looking forward to a lifetime of learning how to make better conversation with God, especially that part about listening.

Finally!

After a rather discouraging week of realizing that I hate t.v. and don't have much to do I got a break. Thursday Jen B. , my R.D. at school, called me up and invited me to a weekend at the IHOP (prayer, not pancakes). I was able to go, since I haven't planned anything. We got there just in time for the Friday night Encounter God service (EGS) and my favorite worship leader, Misty Edwards, spoke and it was amazing. Saturday I got up early and did the Special Olympics Bun Run with Ang, Trav, and Jack. It was a lot of fun! After than we went to brunch at First Watch and returned home to nap. After napping, feeding the Jack, and playing with the Jack, Travis dropped me off at the IHOP. I ended up being in the prayer room for almost 7 hours straight.

This weekend was what I needed. After running after meaningless entertainment and feeling stuck where God seems far away I have returned refocused and refreshed. Soaking myself in the Word, worship, and prayer reminded me of God's faithfulness, worthiness, and how much I want to know and love Him.

Weekend at Ihop and with family=success.

Take that boring summer!

Remembering The 48

Yesterday Jen, a few others, and I took down the prayer room. It has been open all day and some evenings ever since The 48. We took down the posters, the information signs, the post-it notes, the art work, the Bibles, the hymnals, and the chairs. Everything, except the architecture, serving as a sign of what God's been doing on campus and that this is a house of prayer has been taken down.
It was sad. The year is ending. All the students are parting ways for the summer. Faithful seniors who have been monumental in the prayer happenings on campus are moving on. For awhile, this room that we prayed over, prayed in, cried in, sang in, danced in, and changed in will no longer be used for prayer.
It was sad, however, it was also joyful. As I placed the post-its filled with prayers and praises and the posters filled with testimonies of break-throughs of hearts and lives changing I was reminded of God's faithfulness, of His power, of His love, of his Grace, His goodness, and His holiness. Though the people are leaving and the space is empty God was (and is) here, present in our lives and on our campus. The 48 was not a dream and though the memory may fade for some, the impact of experiencing the presence of God will forever wound many for love. People have been changed. I have been changed. God is faithful. What He has promised He will do and He has done.

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,

and your dominion endures through all generations.

The LORD is faithful to all his promises

and loving toward all he has made.

Psalm 145:13

Joy and Sadness. An interesting paradox, though not unexpected. Life from death. Beauty from ashes. A paradox that does more than perplex and amaze, but creates desire for that which I mourn for and that which I rejoice over.

Worship and Intercession

Last night Jen, Cayla, Paul Son, and I traveled to Chase, Ks, to check out the Harp and Bowl House of Prayer. We had become connected with Alan, the director, during The 48. One of our schools cleaning ladies goes to their church and had told them about The 48 continuing. Alan and the director of children's ministries, Melinda, came to Kilbourn Prayer to see what we're up to. They've offered their facilities and resources to us and have really made us feel welcomed.

We had a great time! They even invited us to come up and sing with them. I took advantage of the opportunity and was really blessed. We all came away feeling refreshed and encouraged. It's incredibly encouraging to know there are other people so close to us (30 minutes) that also have a desire to see night and day prayer and lives transformed by Jesus. Jen and I returned this morning for their Sunday services.

This was very refreshing for me. All the crud that I'd been carrying around this week just doesn't seem like such a big deal now. Once you are connected with the one thing that really matters things of no consequence seem so obviously that, inconsequential. I am reminded again and again that the place of prayer is not a burdensome place but a place of joy and communion/ joy in communion. Like Misty Edwards says (paraphrase), "If you want to live a life of transcendence, get into the place of prayer. Prayer has real impact."

"And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints."And they sang a new song... Revelation 5:8-9a

The 48: Update

Here is the update on the 48 hours of prayer that I promised.
I would like to start off this post by saying WOW! God is AMAZING!!! This shall set the tone for the rest of my post.
Prayer started Tuesday night at 8pm. We did last minute set up a few hours prior and worked out some last minute kinks. We were able to use Heritage Hall in Cooper (the coolest, oldest building on campus), which is the original Chapel. The prayer room felt cozy right away, complete with an art center for drawing praise,prayer, and scripture, poster board to write prayers and poster board to write praises, post-its to write thoughts about whatever(some really profound and personal stuff usually) to stick to tables, windows, and walls, and plenty of sprawl space.
The model of combined prayer and worship worked well. It helped sets flow, people engage in worship and prayer, and took the stress off of just praying on the mic or worship leading for an hour.
Many hearts were changed, awakened, and healed, evident in the remnants of prayers and the praise reports left around the room.
My favorite praise reports were:
" I met Jesus! I met Jesus!" and "God has healed me of my eating disorder."
My favorite post-it was:
"I don't want to leave this place. It's the only place my heart is at peace."

As we came to Thursday Jen (my R.D. and the one who found out about campus transformation) and I were both hearing sentiments of people wanting the prayer to never stop. Many who came loved that there was a place devoted to pray night and day, and that it was a safe place to grow in their relationship with God.
Prayer was supposed to be over at 8pm that night. We even had a group come in to play for us. IT HAS NOT STOPPED!!!
As we came to a 'close' last night each of us felt that God wanted to make 24-7 prayer permanent on campus. We're not sure where it will continue, how we will pay for it, and if we have enough people, but we are hoping in and praying to God. If He wants it to happen it will. The campus has changed so much already. There is unity where there once was division. The had been healing in broken relationships. People are taking notice of a faith that is not forced, but powered by willingness and love of prayer.
It still seems so surreal to me. God is AMAZING!!!!

What is also exciting is what is happening when people leave the prayer room. My good friend Paul Son, a senior who is from Korea, was up praying all night and felt that God wanted him to preach to the campus. Paul was unsure because he doesn't like to be boastful or to offend people. He felt like God wanted him to preach Friday in the Cafeteria at lunch. Paul was hesitant,but mostly confused about why God would use him. God started to reveal to Paul how He feels about people on campus and why He sent Jesus to the cross. This is a short paraphrase of what Paul said,

"I asked God, "But Lord, you loved your son so much. Why did you let him suffer? Why didn't you stop it?!" And God responded to me, "For you. For you."

Paul was faithful and stood up in the middle of caf at lunch today (with many prayer warriors praying for him), Bible in hand, and relayed the things God had put on his heart; that God so wanted these people, his sons and daughters, to be with Him that he sent his son. The whole caf was silent and motionless as Paul spoke and wept in front of them. After he spoke he asked those who wanted to take a stand for Christ, to claim Him as their God. In one swift moment everyone in earshot stood up and bowed their heads. Paul prayed and many more gathered around him. "Amen", Paul prayed, and everyone sat back down, wiped their tears, and finished their lunch. It was so surreal. It's probably one of the most powerful things I've ever seen in my life. I feel as if I have witnessed a miracle.

Please keep praying for our campus as we continue in day and night prayer. Pray for us who are organizing it that we may follow God's lead as He established 24-7 prayer in His way and His time on campus. Pray for strength, energy, and healing. At the 'end' of prayer last night we found that our cry was mostly for more. Please join us in asking God for more of His presence, provision, blessing, healing, Spirit, and love on campus!
Thank you!!!