Class of 2010, sound off!

Class of 2010 makes it sound weird. But we only do one class a year. And your year is 2010. I really can't avoid any of this.

But here you are, checking out the blog, just like you were asked. GOD BLESS YOUR FACE AND PANTS.

Look around, comment if you want, and please bookmark this page. It will be referred to many times over in your future.

Nice to see you fellas! Enjoy your whatever!

How About A Little Resurrection?

Yes, please.

This report is from Tim Senff, who wrote:

You gotta read this, from one of my best friends, Dave Milroy. He partners with a pastor in Uganda named Aloysius. Freaking amazing. This dude Aloysius has stayed in his home multiple times. . Any doubt the Enemy would want to sow by reading 2nd- & 3rd-hand stories is obliterated by knowing people who tell stories like this.

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begin forwarded message
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My brothers ans sisters in Christ,

As I write this email I am still trying to examine some of the recents miracles which happened here in Gulu through our simple ministry programs...

Last Monday I was asked to go pray for someone. I agreed and asked several people to join me. Little did I know that the person in question had died already! Reaching the village, we found a group of 13 mourners who had spent two days at the home of the deceased woman. At this point, I introduced myself and the team to the mourners and asked the people to bring the sick person to us so that we could pray.

The mourners told me that that was impossible, as she'd been dead 3 days. I ordered the people to lift the person and bring her outside the hut because it too dark inside. Instead of leading a funeral service I read a scripture in James 5:6-13 and told the mourners that we love Jesus, who gave us power to pray and heal the sick. I challenged everyone to have faith in God and we started praising God in songs and later prayed.

At the end of a serious prayer I started calling the name of the woman in Jesus name and the woman started responding! There were mixed reactions at first from the villagers doubting wheather it was the dead woman, Esther, responding or someone else. I took another step of thanking God for the miracle and asked the woman to get up, I asked relatives to bring water and give the woman; the woman opened her mouth and drank! We glorified God as the woman begun to open her eyes for the first time after three days and she was able to talk with me. There was a spiritual drama, as a would-be funeral service turned into a deliverance and miracle service.

We left the home late around 9:00pm and I promised the people that the Lord was going completely heal the woman. Before we left the woman answered a salvation prayer and four other people responded to an altar call.

The following morning we recieved a report that the villagers did not go back to their homes all night trying to wait and prove whether the woman would died again or whether she was completely healed.

Thursday was our baptism class and after teachingg the class I briefly shared the testimony to the people around. Imediately two women who recieved Christ on that night of prayer stood up to confirm that the woman had died but she resurrected after our prayers. One said, "I have never seen such a miracle because we were going for burial shortly before the pastor arrived and instead prayed for the woman" Another woman said, "Even the local leader of our village had confirmed that the woman was dead."

Tthis Sunday the woman who was healed from death will be in our Church at Koro and we expect over 60 villagers and the local leader to come and share this testimony and miracle.

Some of the moving stories around this miracle are: how the woman managed to stand up, pick up a basin, and bathe herself (this was shortly after we left). Then she woke the next morning and did her domestic work while the people who had come for her burial were monitoring her steps.

Esther also shared her spiritual nightmare to the relatives and how she managed to escape from the devil.....

Healing Is Real, Too

My daughter has come down with a skin virus related to chicken pox. Itchy warts spread all over the place when they're touched… just like chicken pox (except this virus can live on any surface for 48 hours). It’s called Molluscum Contagiosum (sounds like a Harry Potter spell to me). According to dermatologists, there's no cure. The outbreak can last a couple of months to a couple of years. So wait… my beautiful little girl could have warts and open soars on her face for 2 years and there is no cure??? That's their story and they’re sticking to it.

While praying over our daughter one night, I got the sense from Spirit this was about obedience and not about a virus. Since then we noticed the bumps have spread to Nathan (our 1 year old). He had a festering sore on his back at his neckline. After praying over Nathan as well, we decided to put band-aids on the bumps in an effort to minimize the spread. Later, looking Nathan over (to find the bump so I could band-aid it), I couldn’t find anything! No bump… no wart… no swelling… no hole or scratch marks. Just clean and pure baby skin!

When Nathan ran off to play, Kayleigh exclaimed, “No fair… why did God heal Nathan and not me?”

Two things… I love that she recognized this as God’s work. Second, in the days to come we can work on obedience in full knowledge of a God that reflects Psalm 103:3 who forgives all your sins and heals ALL your diseases. That day is coming!

-from Dave Shay

Adam, Verses Machine

Verses!!! Print out or email these to yourself so you can just look over these as you're bored during the week:

Psalm 27:1-2 The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Acts 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.

Psalms 27:10 Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.

Colossons 1:22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—

1 John 4:7-8 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Religion Discussion Questions

As always, these are meant to get you started and just prime the pump. Confess and repent with freedom (and gusto!) and don't be limited by these questions.

When are you tempted to compare your spiritual life (Bible knowledge, time spent in prayer or study, good works) to others?
When’s the last time you made a significant, spiritual decision based on input you received from others?
When’s the last time you were corrected and it went well?
Have you ever felt controlled or used by a religious organization?
Have you ever confused your relationship with God with your relationship with an institution?
Can you remember a time when you did something, nobody noticed, and it was a problem for you?
Does emotionalism gross you out? OR Do you think it’s not God unless there’s emotion thrown in there?
How do you react to new movements of God? What about immaturity you see in the Body? Does that offend you?
Have you ever felt that if you didn’t attend meetings on Sunday morning that God was disappointed in you?

Reactions to Religion

Got any? Let's talk!

Generational Bitterness Ends With ME.

[This is from Bill P. Steven is going to give his editorial comments as we go...]


The physical illnesses and diseases associated with bitterness, anger, unforgiveness and the related underlings have and continue to stand-out to me. [Bill and I had a conversation last week about this and I said I would just LOVE for him to write about it. So he did! Get ready. First, a little of Bill's background:]

My father died of pancreatic cancer (in 2002) at the age of 50. For several years prior to becoming ill with cancer, he battled rheumatory arthritis. Rheumatory arthritis is literally a crippling illness. Both cancer and arthritis are associated with the strongholds of bitterness and unforgiveness. My father's mother died of colon cancer, and had another sister die of colon cancer. My dad’s brother has also battled arthritis and cancer. There is a generational stronghold of cancer (and probably arthritis) in my grandmother’s family lineage. This is not true for any of my other grandparents including my grandfather, who is my dad’s father, as he is still alive and in reasonably good health at 85. Colon cancer is associated with those who hold onto the sins of others. I do not know for sure what sins of others that my grandmother may or may not have been unable to release. Likewise, I am not aware of the particulars as to bitterness and unforgiveness in my dad’s life. I had a fantastic relationship with my dad and his long sickness and death devastated me for a period of time and continues to impact me today. [That's the set-up: this stuff has been hanging around Bill's family for years and years. Do you think the enemy would take a look at Bill and go, "Not this kid! He's a nice guy! And he's learning how to trust Jesus. I'll just leave him alone..."? Do ya? Yeah, right.]

In my own life, I am aware that bitterness and unforgiveness have been strongholds. I was much more critical of people and unforgiving at earlier ages (high school, college and young adult). I see now that much of that actually was influence from my father. I have no blame for my dad; I am disappointed as a son who does not want to think that his father had shortcomings.
I have been struggling with pain in my right hip, groin and lower back for the past year or so. After several doctor visits, MRIs, medical procedures, etc., they have determined that my right hip has significant deterioration and arthritis, presumably from some type of accident (car or bicycle) or athletic injury at a younger age, as there are no other signs of arthritis in the left hip or any other joints. My doctor seems convinced that this extreme arthritis could have only been caused by such an accident or athletic injury. I, however, have no recollection of such injury as a child or teenager. [Anybody else find this mildly weird?] Long before the doctor diagnosed my symptoms as having been caused by arthritis in my hip, I believed the physical pain to be associated with a spiritual issue. Long before the strongholds class, I could not get past a feeling and idea that I needed to somehow “release" this spiritual issue so as to literally loosen up my hip and groin and release the pain and tightness. [Where do you think that "feeling" came from? I'm putting my money on the idea that it was the Holy Spirit speaking to Bill.] More than ever, I believe this to be true and confirmed to me previously by others in our community and now in this stronghold class. [Alright!]

When I began the Strongholds class, I knew that bitterness and unforgiveness would be major strongholds for me to break. I did not suspect, though, that anger had any hold or effect on me. I think that is because I associate anger with people who are mean and/or violent, which is not me. However, it has become clear to me that I need to deal with and repent from anger in my life: [Get ready. It's about to get crazy good!]

The Tuesday before the first Strongholds class, I went to the bathroom and then stood up to find the toilet full of blood. Later that day, this again occurred. Both times there was a LOT of blood – not just a few drops. On Tuesday night, I went down to the basement to feed our cats. As I squatted down to put food in the cat bowls, I noticed several red drops below me on the concrete floor. I was bleeding through my boxer shorts, and the pair of pants that I was wearing was soaked in blood. [WHAAAAT?!??! ANYBODY ELSE EVER BLED STREAMS OF BLOOD OUT YOUR ANUS!??! Yeah, me neither.] After I calmed down, I realized that the blood resulted from a hemorrhoid. Before that night, I did not even know what exactly a hemorrhoid was. The very next night in our strongholds class, Steven mentioned that anger was associated with aneurisms and that varicose veins and hemorrhoids were a form of aneurism. [Bill is making me look like a genius, but I was just reporting what I learned from reading A More Excellent Way.] I have had no symptoms of a hemorrhoid since that day and may I never again. [Right on!! So what exactly did you do about it, Bill?]

It is clear that the Lord wanted to get my attention and he did through my own bright red blood. Not only was I to repent from bitterness and unforgiveness, but also from anger--then pray for release and freedom.

Like I said, I know anger, bitterness and unforgiveness all to be strongholds that want to destroy my soul just as cancer and arthritis destroy flesh. I also know anger, bitterness and unforgiveness to be generational in parts of my family. My prayer is simple and I frequently repeat it to the Lord: “Forgive my sins! I forgive those who have sinned against me, I want to be released from the strongholds of anger, bitterness and unforgiveness. Save my soul, have your Holy Spirit battle against my flesh, and drive bitterness, unforgiveness and anger from me, from my boys and my future generations”

I know the Lord can free me from my past and past generations of sin, anger, bitterness and unforgiveness. I have no agreements with anger, bitterness and unforgiveness and do not desire for them to be any part of my life. I know that the Lord can change my future and break off these generational sins and physical ailments and diseases. I now believe strongly that a short life and cancer is not the expectation because of my father’s family history. The Lord can wipe the slate clean and forever change the future for me, my boys and my future generations!

[Holy smokes! This guy is for real! What a great story! If you guys want to hear more stories like that, you need to come to the worship celebration on Aug 5. Also, I encourage you guys to continue to take your place of authority over these craphead spirits and command them to get off your property. Bill had a massive God Light Bulb come on and now stands against those powers that sought to take him out. Let's take a tip from Bill and assume our posts as our family's resident sentinel. Way to be, Bill! And thanks for sharing openly with us about your story (and anal leakage).]

The Hippocratic Oath

Though it's not obligatory, many physicians take this Oath as a rite of passage before practicing medicine. See if you think there's anything concerning about this...

I swear by Apollo, the healer, Asclepius, Hygieia, and Panacea, and I take to witness all the gods, all the goddesses, to keep according to my ability and my judgment, the following Oath and agreement:

(Any problems so far? Uhhhhhh...)

To consider dear to me, as my parents, him who taught me this art; to live in common with him and, if necessary, to share my goods with him; To look upon his children as my own brothers, to teach them this art.

I will prescribe regimens for the good of my patients according to my ability and my judgment and never do harm to anyone.
I will not give a lethal drug to anyone if I am asked, nor will I advise such a plan; and similarly I will not give a woman a pessary to cause an abortion.
But I will preserve the purity of my life and my arts.

I will not cut for stone, even for patients in whom the disease is manifest; I will leave this operation to be performed by practitioners, specialists in this art.
In every house where I come I will enter only for the good of my patients, keeping myself far from all intentional ill-doing and all seduction and especially from the pleasures of love with women or with men, be they free or slaves.

All that may come to my knowledge in the exercise of my profession or in daily commerce with men, which ought not to be spread abroad, I will keep secret and will never reveal.

(Here comes the kicker! Ready for some promises of protection and provision? How about some threats of doom, thrown in for good measure?)

If I keep this oath faithfully, may I enjoy my life and practice my art, respected by all men and in all times; but if I swerve from it or violate it, may the reverse be my lot.

The Corporate Spirit

When a corporation prizes those who are heroically overworked in stress-filled jobs, a siren song whispers to everyone else in the organization: Make your job difficult, stretch yourself thin, stress yourself out and eventually you, too, may be honored with executive approval. If you desire the blessing of the Mighty Corporate Fathers: work longer hours (than is sensible); take on more responsibility (than is sensible); make your job harder (than is sensible). Do this, and your sacrifices will be celebrated and your worth confirmed.

This cultural seduction plays into the old illusion that if we just work hard enough, and if we just work long enough…
We will finally be found valuable…
Finally be found lovable…
And finally find security.

Gordon MacKenzie, Orbiting the Giant Hairball

Dora (who, because of her background in rejection, was a prime candidate for the occult) found herself wrapped in a warm blanket of corporate strangeness when she worked at Campbell’s Soup, Inc. I found it so odd that they repeatedly referred to their employees, in mailers and promotional materials, as a “family”. I had never worked for a corporation of that size before, and found that language bizarre. “Honey,” I would say, “you perform a service for those people, and they pay you for your time. That’s an employer/employee relationship. That’s not family. That’s not how family works.”

But it’s just how they say it. They mean, ‘We like each other. We’re nice.’

Well then, they should say, “Campbell’s Soup: A Very Congenial Atmosphere For Employment.” I don’t like them re-appropriating terms that don’t belong to them. It bastardizes the word “Family”, which is not okay with me. Schools do the same thing. But just because they call themselves my family doesn’t mean they are.

[She assumes a look that says, “You are, once again, overstating something minor.”]

Come on, babe! It’s just like the word, “church”! That word can’t be borrowed or slapped on a building! It’s offensive! That word is too precious! An organization isn’t a church- a church is the body of Christ! And a corporation can’t be a family! They will not always love you! Their love for you- if that word even applies- is PERFECTLY conditional! Stop making them millions of dollars and see how many years you remain part of the “Family”!

(While we’re on the subject of precious words, don’t EVER call two people in homosexuality “married.” This is one of the many places where we’re going to have to oppose the U.S. of A.)

I can’t say she was totally convinced, but when she started learning about the occult and idolatry she was more interested. I’ve asked her how many times corporate headquarters have called her since she quit—you know, just to check on her, see how she’s doing. Interestingly, they haven’t called.

Some family.

So be wary, you Smart and Talented Men, of the Corporation telling you they will provide you will security, provide for your future, protect you from the financial storms ahead, blah blah blah. They may be lies based on good intentions (most of these people don’t know better than to talk that way, and I don’t blame them), but they’re lies nonetheless. Take a tip from Neo and unplug from the mainframe. (By all means, keep doing a great job and accept the paycheck! I’m not saying quit your job.)

I’m wary of the School spirit, I’m wary of National Pride and, yes, I’m wary of the Corporate Spirit, too.

Alcohol Embargo!

this, from Brett Cassidy-


I remember it like it was yesterday. My Dad was visiting for my fraternity's "Dad's Weekend" in 1998 and we were both returning home from the bars, no doubt stumbling a bit. Then, in all seriousness, and my Dad can be scary serious, he said to me, "Brett, you're grandfather was an alcoholic. That's why your grandma divorced him. And I'm an alcoholic. You need to be very careful with this booze so it doesn't happen to you." Granted, he had just spent the night buying me drinks.

Fast-forward several years and I had not taken his warning to heart. I drank multiple nights a week, trying to fill up some loneliness, trying to fit in, trying to get myself to that fun-loving drinker personality. Ugh. It didn't work.

So when I received a DUI in November of 2003, I felt really thankful to God, even though my relationship with Him wasn't that great. Seemingly non-existent is a better way to describe it. Yet, I feel like he was watching over me, and I was grateful my traffic incident was a simple traffic stop, not a mangled car crash, driving the wrong way on a highway or anything that put me, or more importantly, others in danger.

The next step was to go to church, because I felt guilty for being gone since my teen years. Also, I need to do some cleansing prior to my court date. That was my old way of thinking. Everything turned out fine...suspended license for a bit, some fines and a 3-day weekend program that had the worst food I've ever eaten.

That spring, I hadn't fully changed my ways. No more driving if I drank, but I still drank. My buddy Bryan and I were in a bar one Thursday night, and we both spoke about feeling "a need to be in church" for some reason or another. He mentioned hearing good things about this church in Oakley. I remembered it being an HQ and was always mystified by it.

We went that Sunday, and both of us have been going ever since. He had to pick me up those first few weeks, and when he couldn't go, I drove myself with that suspended license. "God wanted me there" I surmised...I'm still not sure about that. God probably would have been better with a bus or walking.

My drinking still existed, but it was becoming less and less a part of me. Less bars. More understanding and reflection on the emotions I would have about drinking. Definitely more self awareness.

So in the December classes when I learned about how the enemy passes curses down generations, I felt an immediate prompting from God in that room.

Alcohol.

You need to stamp it out.

You do NOT want to risk passing this on.

Do I have to? I mean, I have it under control.

Come on Brett. Is it that big of a sacrifice?

I guess not.

I sat in quiet time with it for a few days, and then just kind of launched it at my wife without prepping her. She disagreed. Thought I was overreacting. Started providing situations where it would be weird and awkward if I didn't drink (something I had done a few years ago to myself).

You don't want your non-believing friends to think you have to stop drinking to follow Jesu,s do you?

Well, no.

And I dropped it.

So when, after Wednesday night's meeting, I stood with guys praying and laying hands on Bryan (yes that Bryan) because he felt the Lord calling him to give up drinking, well, that wasn't a random coincidence.

I told my wife what Bryan told me was going on in his life, how he felt prompted supernaturally. I asked if she remembered when I talked about it. She was embarrassed. I didn't blame or accuse her, but I DID let her know I was on a drinking embargo until further notice.

I'm finally heeding the warnings of my earthly father and my Heavenly Father on this one.

Occult Questions to Consider For Small Groups

I neglected to define the occult in this way, though the last question below alludes to it: wherever you go to get Life's Big Questions answered is what you worship. If you go to a horoscope for guidance in those times, it's idolatry. If you go find somebody who'll prophesy to you, it's the same as going to a tarot card reader: dirty. So here's the questions. Process through them with the LORD, and bring your answers ready to your small group...

What in your life promises provision or protection? What have you looked to for those things? Where do I seek peace other than in my Father?
What "outside" allegiances have you made? (Isaiah 30:1-3) Ex: Church, school, fraternity, company
Are there people in your life with common strongholds as you? Identify who takes you down into the same pit they’re in and obscures your view of Jesus.
Is there any thing in your house (or place) that’s been ‘given over’ and defiled? Does anything in your house or office remind you of sin, lead you to lust, make you meditate on evil? Has anything in your life become an idol? GET RID OF IT or, if it’s a location, REPENT and reclaim the space.
Where’s the FIRST place you go for healing?
Where have I made secret oaths or kept family secrets?
What is your access to information? Where do you get the big questions of life answered? Identify ANY place you get that besides Jesus.

Occult Comments

We talked about idolatry and occult tonight. How'd that go? Questions?

Fear Teaser

Actual ad from a magazine. We won't be dealing with fear for about 5 more weeks, but this was too good to pass up. Do you think the enemy's interested in taking your money away based on fear?

I do.

Brett Cassidy, Man Among Men

Brett Cassidy guest writes with some nuggets:

1. My small group met tonight. We were unsure about "denial", and how to root it out in our lives. Was it in place for specific events, how do we find that out, etc? We surmised that Jesus called us to "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." (Matt 4:17), and for us to be doing anything but this was in fact denial. So, all the "I don't really have a problem with Unloving, my thing is Bitterness", or "I'm good with this", "blah, blah, blah". The enemy has hoodwinked our class to think we are not being assaulted with each and everyone of these on a daily basis.

2. Soul Ties...we took some creative liberty with this. Someone in our group mentioned that he thought of his wife for this because she was the only woman he had ever been with. This included pre-marital sex, a time of separation, and then eventually getting together and getting married. Through listening to him, he had a soul tie to her former self, the sinful flesh she had before she received Jesus and became a new creation. His image of her continued to be tarnished by not seeing his wife with God's eyes, but still being connected to her "former self".

Celebration & Worship Night Scheduled!

Sam Hills gave me a great tip the other night when he said, "You know, the dudes in this class are really starting to break open in worship- it's too bad you can't harness that a little better."

I said something like, "Yeah, but you know how much I like to talk for 90 minutes straight Sam- that is a non-negotiable. Also, where'd you get that cool hat?"

Thinking on it more, though, a couple of things came to mind:

1) You dudes really are bringing the worship kind of strong, in the last couple of meetings
2) I ALWAYS feel like I cut the worship time off short so we can get to content, content, content
3) I am SO encouraged by the stories that get passed around, and I know we only have time for a fraction of those to actually be shared in the meetings.

So, I says to myself, why don't we just do a big worshippy blow-out when we get done with this class? Yeah! We could sing it up to the LORD for his good good delivering ways, share stories of our redeemer battling those things that set themselves against us, and just have a big time! Sam also mentioned how good it would be to have some open time to minister to one another, so we'd like to make some room for that, too. Basically, we want a worshippy, prayer-y carnival of fun and joy. And you're invited. As is your spouse. And anybody else in your community that you want to share this moment with. I can assure you that attempts will be made toward good music (I'm about to get on that), and I can PROMISE you that the stories shared will be encouraging and make you want to lift up your hands to a Savior who loves us that much. (It'll basically be like this:)

Anyhow, it's August 5th (the Wednesday night after we're done), in the chapel. Pencil it in! My wife's class of 40 women and their spouses and friends will also be invited (and they've got killer stories to share, too), so we'll have a good-sized crowd there. It's gon' be STRONG. I encourage you to put the time aside, start working on child care... whatever you need to do.

Sweet. I'm excited about it.

David: Man!

David is, after Jesus, probably the best picture of where we're headed in the Spirit. And one of his greatest exploits was facing and killing Goliath. Some guys asked about where he talked about killing a lion with his bare hands, and it's in the Goliath story. Here's an excerpt from I Sam 17:

34 But David said to Saul, "Your servant has been keeping his father's sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37 The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine."

Big Nuts David. I love his confidence. Now, he refuses to wear Saul's heavy coat of armor (which represents the law), and instead struts out there free and easy, facing 9-foot Goliath, who's wearing armor and carrying a sword. David is carrying a SLINGSHOT. And this is what he shouts across the field of battle at Goliath:

45 David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give all of you into our hands."

Then David RAN AT GOLIATH. This boy, no more than 17, carried Goliath's head all the way back to Jerusalem, the capitol, and showed it off to everybody. David knew The God Who Fells Giants.

So don't get too squeamish, men, when I encourage you to get in touch with your emotions, worship with abandon, and weep before the LORD (and your family). There is a masculinity in the LORD that is powerful, brave, and worth reverence. Anybody with me?

The God Who Makes Babies

I have to post this somewhere. Why not here? It's about people getting set free, so.

There is an Infertility Community Group at Crossroads, which is just what it sounds like: a support/prayer group for couples who're not conceiving. Dora and I spoke at this group last year, before we were pregnant, and basically told these people that rejection is the reason we weren't getting pregnant and that we were going to fight this thing to the death and that we would win, not rejection, and we would be pregnant because God said so. Then we did get pregnant (! praise God!), and they asked us back in April to share our story and encourage the folks in the new class.

After the class, we prayed and prophesied with people, breaking off this infertile nonsense (it's anti-Bible, by the way, to think that it's in God's will that some people "just weren't supposed to have children". Hogwash). I prayed with two couples, and Dora prayed, along with another woman, with three. We just got word tonight that, out of those five couples, THREE have since conceived. Holy smokes. These are people who were told that, to even have a CHANCE of conceiving, they would have to do in vitro fertilization. One of the couples was told that they would simply never conceive (but we've heard THAT one before. Bah).

When God gave us our daughter in January, I came to know him as The God Who Makes Babies. He is still on his delivering, body-fixing, baby-making throne today. And I praise him praise him praise him!

Unloving and Addictions

Any thoughts? Comment? Stories to tell?

I was thinking about soul ties while in the shower tonight. I don't know if any of you guys doubt whether these are real, but I was thinking, "If relationships and community are so important for us, and represent TRUTH to us, wouldn't the father of lies have some sort of perversion or imitation of this reality? Of course he would. Soul ties are one version of that."

Bonus Poverty Info

There were some questions about a spirit of poverty during the Rejection teaching. Poverty is something that can be seen in lots of places, even among people with money, as I said. Here are some other bits I found that are worth passing along...

Ecc 5:10 Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless.

A spirit of poverty keeps us from being what God created us to be by convincing us “God is not able.”
• It keeps us from receiving our full inheritance and blessings (including being freed up in deliverance!)
• It isn’t as much not having, as being afraid you won’t have.
• It convinces us God is a “god of scarcity,” rationing his blessings. This is a lie. (Ps 37:18-19 says God will give his servants 'plenty', Philippians 4:19 says that God will supply all your needs. And check out Ps 37:25!)
• A spirit of poverty can stem from a religious spirit (unity is mentioned as a source of blessing in Psalm 133. Religion, as well as bitterness, produces disunity). God blesses unity. There is no blessing in division. And where’s there’s no blessing, there’s poverty.
• It keeps us from giving generously, and makes us selfish out of fear of not having. God does not need our money, but when we give, we experience his nature, as God is a Giver!

Rejection Lecture/Small Groups

Alright dudes, lemme have it.

You just heard a big throw down on the subject of Rejection, not to mention being inspired by Gollum's self-deliverance. So, what are your insights and comments? Come and let us reason together, snoop.

Green Vomit = Deliverance!

This, from Andrew Peters:

I recently spent some time over in India, and find the spiritual climate there “oppressive” at best, and downright “hostile” most of the time. For me, that means that any doorway the enemy has had success in attacking in my past he’ll come at full force while on the ground there.

Last time I was there I experienced some temptation around pornography (which was unexpected), and while I didn’t submit to that, I still was on my guard this latest time. What ended up happening, though, was a much more subtle attack that was just as deadly to my spirit. All week, as I went about my business, I was hearing (in my head) a lot of harsh things about my body/body image/overall health. I was constantly hearing things like “Man, you’re so ugly. You have got to lose some weight” or “Wow you look fat. You’ve really let yourself go.”

At the time I didn’t think anything of it (I hadn’t listened to Steven’s talk yet), until my final day there. I received an email that morning from a friend. Here it is...

Hey dude,
I got an email from Rachel tonight... (Don't listen to the enemy right now)... Tara's prayer for you is that you will be filled with the Holy Spirit to the point of throwing up. Crazy but it feels right somehow. Anyway, we love you.

So I sent him a note back, thanking him for the encouragement, and letting him know I felt great physically and I HATED throwing up. In that moment, though, I just said a simple prayer to God, something along the lines of “God, if I need to throw something up to get more of you, I’m up for it.”

I hit send on my email, stood up from my desk, and IMMEDIATELY started dry heaving. Violent stuff. My initial reaction was, “Of course I am...this is all totally in my head...,” but I decided to go with it and see if the Lord had something for me. I ran to the bathroom and sat down on the floor, and just kept dry heaving into the toilet. Thankfully I had some music on I like worshipping to...so there I sat, alternately dry heaving and singing. If this sounds weird to you...good. It was super weird for me.

So as I was sitting there, the following thought came to mind...”Accusation and body image.” Suddenly the Lord revealed what had been going on the whole week I was there. It was like some curtain had been pulled back. I just started repenting for all the times I’d wished I had a different body, and for agreeing with the enemy that somehow my body wasn’t good enough. I told (out loud) the spirit of accusation that he had to leave, because I was in Christ, and had the power to kick him out. I think I ended with something along the lines of “spirit of accusation, get out.” Right when I said that, I had three violent dry heaves, then a stream of green bile came out of me. Not like “Exorcist” fire hose stream, but a line that was disgusting and tasted like bile. Then it was done. I just sat there on the floor, and started crying. Suddenly I started looking at my body, and I was amazed at how beautiful it was, and how it all worked. I started thanking the Lord for my hands, and feet, and how I could walk and run and jump. I probably sat there another 20 minutes, just considering all that stuff, and how awesome the Lord had created me.

Then I stood up, and that was that. What’s funny to me (apart from green bile), is when I got back recently, I’ve had a number of people come up and say things like “Man, you look great. Really healthy. Are you losing weight?” I just smile and say thanks.

ap

PS-I listened to the accusation talk on my flight home...and felt like yelling out “Hell Yea!” after much of what was discussed...but I didn’t. Thought that’d be inappropriate.

Recommended Rejection Reads

As we get into the subject of rejection, I thought I'd throw out a couple of good books on the subject. MANY of you are going to find that rejection is a huge stronghold in your life (got accusation? look for rejection.); I think we may find this to be the most common and successful dude in our group. It results in all sorts of things: abandonment issues, performance, feelings of worthlessness, drivenness, addiction, fear, bitterness... you name it, basically.

So, for those of you who're going all out, and want the graduate degree in getting clear of these shenanigans, I'm throwing out some books.

Here.

They.

Are!

Victory Over Darkness, Neil T. Anderson
Life After Rejection, Jonas Clark
God’s Remedy For Rejection, Derek Prince

"Kindred" spirits

All right, let me say first that this stuff is NOT in the Bible. Purely drawing-conclusions-as-I-process-what-I'm-seeing. So dogmatism is not allowed. Basically, the scriptures are silent about this sort of thing, so I'm just reporting as an Experienced Guesser. Dig?

All right.

Dave Schuster was asking me about the subject of 'kindred' spirits the other day. We've observed, and heard from other people, too, that there's an attraction between people who house the same evil spirits. Rebellious people flock together. All the self-hatred kids at high school wear their black clothes together in the same corner of the cafeteria. All the kids who deal with the pride/insecurity cocktail hang out. Addicts find each other at parties. People who want to have sex find each other. (I always wondered why I didn't have all these opportunities for sex like other people I knew, or like you see on TV. It's because that stronghold isn't in me and, when somebody whose eaten up with fornication is on the prowl, they go looking for somebody ELSE who's eaten up with fornication. And that ain't me. I have my OWN issues...)

There's a real comfort in being around people who struggle with the same stuff-a not-healthy kind of comfort. (Now, if you're above board, and both pursuing God with all your heart, it can be really good--think of AA.) More likely, though, these folks let each other off the hook in all sorts of ways: "Well, at least you did heroin you got from somebody you can TRUST. And you didn't hurt anybody else, right?" or whatever. We're great at feeling justified in OUR sin by letting the OTHER person off the hook. Makes us feel like our stuff is okay, too. We also need people be aware of our sin who don't have struggle in that area. Like:

I was talking to a friend a couple of months ago who said, "My girlfriend and I have decided to not have sex anymore. But we still mess up. Like last weekend, I mean, we were making out and we got naked..." I yelled "WHAT!??!"

He later said, "Hey I really appreciate your reaction. Most of the people I'm around don't blink at that; they think it's weird we don't just go all the way whenever we want."

Now that guy NEEDS people like ME around- his reference point bites! So if all he does is hang around with people who're sleeping around, what do you think he's going to do when he's tempted? *I* think he's going to have sex.

So the better idea is to be aware of your strongholds and be wary of close relationships with folks who have the same issues. Just know that it's dangerous. You'll give each other "grace" that's really excused sin. Not okay, obviously...

Migraines Can Kiss My Grits.

I have suffered from migraine headaches since I was in middle school (around 5th grade). I don’t seem to have typical “oh, just turn of the lights and I’ll be okay in a few minutes” episodes. Mine are more symptomatic of a stroke – numbness in my fingertips, tongue feels swollen, side of my face gets numb, short term memory loss to top it all of (can’t remember my name, address, or form a sentence), excruciating pain and lots of nausea. I had a really good one while on a business trip in Park City, Utah. The Canyons Resort had just opened and I “lost my lunch” in one of their elevators. Was rushed to the ER, shot up with some Demerol and grabbed a the red-eye back to Cincy. Good times...

So there’s the setup. You can probably imagine after hearing that the spiritual root of migraines is Accusation (specifically, guilt over conflict), this session quickly became personal (in a good way). What I began to realize was that I could trace my many migraine episodes to unresolved conflict – either with myself or someone else. Very eager to walk out of this one. This weekend I was fortunate enough to have some conflict that wasn’t resolved quickly. Wouldn’t you know it, I began to get some numbness in my fingertips. Are you kidding me!!?? Took a couple of Advil and began looking over the cliff I was about to jump off. The conversation went something like this “you sucker, you’re about to drag your whole family (including newborn) into St. Luke’s ER...what an awesome dad, husband, and father you are.” Then it hit me...meditate on what the Lord says about me. So I went to my accusation notes and starting reading scripture over myself - Romans 8:31-35, Job 10:15, and finally the memory verse:

But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— Colossians 1:22

Over and over and over and over and over and over....I kept reading this and repeating - Lord, I am not accused. I reject you, Accusation. You have no authority here. I break you off and bind you up in the name of Jesus. I am reconciled by Christ’s physical body through death and am presented holy in his sight, without blemish and I am FREE of accusation.

And what started as a migraine...was washed away.

What did I learn? Aside from how much God loves me and how he loves to keep his promises and that I can take him at this word - as I was driving to work today, James 4:7-8 kept popping up for me.

...So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.

I am not accused.

- from David Russell

Accusation Small Groups

Stories to tell?

Please?

National Strongholds

Last week, on the way home from the accusation lecture, David Russell said, "you killed me with that stuff about diabetes coming from accusation and a lack of a strong male. Did you know that black Americans are nearly twice as likely to have diabetes as white Americans? And I think we all know about the chronic absence of strong males in black families in this country..."

I'd never put those two together, exactly, but I did know that black Americans are 2-3 times more likely to have sickle cell anemia, and they're also out of whack with hypertension, asthma, and coronary heart disease. WHAT IS UP WITH THAT? Also, let's go ahead and ask why the irresponsible male, the overworked, embittered woman, and the screwed-up family unit is so common in black America that sitcoms are built around these stereotypes.

Let's expand that: why is obesity so common among Hawaiians and Samoans (and Americans)? Why does the world think of slavic nations as depressed and grim? Why are Germans thought of as unfeeling automatons? Why are asian fathers so regularly severe with their children? Why do first generation Americans feel such pressure to perform? Why is AIDS higher in poor countries? (P.S.- don't waste your breath telling me it's "lack of education".) Why is poverty racial in many areas of the world? Why is rebellion seen as an American (and Australian) characteristic? Etc. etc. etc. etc.

To me, it's simple: there are national and racial and even generational strongholds. So, when America was BIRTHED out of rebellion against our British authority, doesn't it make sense that rebellion and independence would be transmitted in our national DNA? If blacks in America lived and died with a slave mentality that said "we're worthless" for generations, would freeing them from that slave system instantly dissolve that spirit of rejection and accusation? Of course not. It must be repented of and broken off. If America put INTO LAW at its outset that all religions are equal, don't you think that spirit might show up on down the line if it's not dealt with? I do.

All I'm saying is, we can historically identify the spiritual roots of our country and race. Why don't we repent of that stuff too?

The Devil is a Paper Lion

POINT: the devil's power is real, but is teeny-tiny compared to the Spirit Who lives in us. As such, his tactics are lies and deception. If we don't recognize his bluff, we'll be backed into a corner with fear and intimidation. "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" is in there somewhere.

STORY: I'm studying occult right now for our next class (gonna be a good 'un). I was lying in the bed this morning somewhere between sleep and waking when I just KNEW that some little beastie had hopped up on the bed beside me (I was lying on my stomach and my head was turned away from where this thing was). [Aside: I'm not crazy.] I also KNEW that he was holding a sheet of thin plastic material, like the bags they put over your dry cleaning. [Aside: this KNOWING is something that happens both in prophecy and in dreams. Like "that guy looks like Marlon Brando, but I just KNOW that it's my buddy Dave!". Aside 2: I'm not crazy.] Before I really had time to process what I was 'seeing' in my spirit (if you're cool with that terminology), I heard this thing wheeze a little snort then put this plastic bag over my head, tightening it around my neck. Obviously, this thing had an intention of suffocating me. [Still not crazy!]

I laid there for a moment, thinking to myself, "Really? THIS is the tactic, here?" then, very easily (with one hand), I tore an opening in the 'plastic sheet' (I don't remember if I physically made that move or if it was just done in a spiritual state), then turned my head around to where the little dude had been (That was physical; he wasn't physically there). I felt a little put out by the run-in, very annoyed. I said something like "you spirit of suffocation and death and torment, get out of my bedroom and my house in the name of Jesus. I command you off my property. Don't you ever come near my or my family again. I speak peace and life and health over this room and house. We breathe EASY in Jesus." Then I laid back down.

BELIEFS:
1) I really don't think I'm nuts. I told this story to my wife and she didn't blink. We believe the enemy wants to kill us but he has NO POWER if we don't give it to him. This story didn't surprise my wife or worry her, because she's cool like that.
2) Giving in to fear IS an option. You can go there if you want to. Not me, boy. Saying NO to fear is also an option.
3) Fighting the enemy can be as simple as tearing a hole in a plastic bag and declaring Jesus' goodness. I decided long ago that if the enemy ever showed himself on my property, I wasn't going to just say Jesusy things at him and hope he goes away, I was going to go AFTER him. David killed a lion with his bare hands, and I'm like David. I trample on snakes and kill lions, just like my big brother Jesus does. The devil is no match for the Spirit of God in us.

A Labels Story

This is more of an occult story but we talked about labels Wednesday so it fits if I force it.

You guys all know that we can let ourselves be labeled by something other than our spiritual identity (that is, as sons). God is VERY serious about protecting this territory:

One day, I was sitting on the john when I looked down at the boxer shorts I was wearing. (Now, you should know this about me: I think that what's printed on underwear is totally irrelevant, so I use that canvas as a place to have some fun. The stranger the print, the more I'm into it. I say, zany me up on the undershorts. Solid color? Stripes? WHAT? What a waste. Why not mix it up?) Anyhow, the boxers I was wearing had a sort of cartoon representation of a sexy nurse and the word LOVESICK repeated throughout. It's just kind of silly and pointless, right?

Um, right.

'Thing is, God spoke to me that day, on the throne, about those boxers.

"You lovesick?"

"Um, what? Sir?"

"Are you lovesick?"

"Excuse me?"

"I said, Are you lovesick? Are you starved for love? Are you looking for some trampy vixen to come take care of you?"

"No, I'm not. I'm pretty satisfied with the love you give me."

"Then what are the shorts about?"

"Oh these? They're just a little kidding around. Purely novelty. I wouldn't worry about them."

"I'm concerned with lies around your life. Seems to me that this is not only a lie, it's a lie about the greatest stronghold you've had in your life- unloving. That's a big deal to me. You think this is a small billboard for this message, but it's not the billboard that concerns me- it's the message. I consider this underwear impure."

Now, aside from the fact that the 'impure' comment could've been directed at my hygiene--and I can appreciate the humor there--I'd heard enough. I changed my shorts and stopped off at my closet on the way to the trash can. I also found a pair of boxers that said "Heartbreaker" with exploding Valentine's Day hearts on them.

"You a heartbreaker, then? Do you break people's hearts? Is that you?"

"No, sir, it's not. I'm not a heartbreaker. I'm a peacemaker. I mend broken hearts, like Daddy does."

"Right."

So I had two fewer pairs of boxer shorts at the end of that day. I did put on other boxers--so I wasn't freeballing--but I did feel mighty free.

Accusation Lecture Bits

How did you guys react to the Accusation lecture? If you have questions or comments, please speak up!

A couple of extra bits for you:

1) Adam asked for the passages that I read over you guys during the worship time. They are:
Micah 7:18-19 Who is a God like unto thee, that pardons iniquity, and passes by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? He retains not his anger for ever, because he delights in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.


Joel 2:13 Don't tear your clothing in your grief; instead, tear your hearts." Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful. He is not easily angered. He is filled with kindness and is eager not to punish you.


Isaiah 43:25 I, even I, am he that blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and will not remember your sins.


Isaiah 54: 17 “No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is from Me,” says the LORD.
Psalm 31:20
 In the shelter of your presence you hide them from the intrigues of men; in your dwelling you keep them safe from accusing tongues.
James 1:5 
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
Psalm 25 (that was the shame and rescue psalm)

2) David Russell said it struck him when I mentioned diabetes (and that it commonly has a specific root of rejection by a prominent male), that this disease is rampant among the black community (which, interestingly, has absent fathers to epidemic proportions). If we look at specific races, we can see there are diseases which attack them uniquely, based on the spiritual roots of that culture/people group. The same is true of nations: specific diseases attack specific nations, and you can look at statistics and know how to pray for different parts of the world. Why is cancer so prevalent in the United States? Why are we the most obese nation on earth? Why is HIV (which is rooted in rejection) so rampant in Africa? Etc.

3) I wanted to share with everybody a great website I was turned onto by Sara Argenta that has helped me as I prepared for the accusation lecture and I plan on continuing to refer to it. It talks about all sorts of deliverance-type issues, and does a nice job of breaking the whole thing up into bite-sized articles. The anti-self bondages. Guilt and shame from sexual sin. Is God upset with me? Like I said, I really this guy and, for those of you who're interested in further study, it's a great resource. I've added it to the recommends on the right, but it's called Greatbiblestudy.com (a pretty bold url, but I'm gonna let it slide).

First small group meetings!

You guys met with your small groups and talked through bitterness! So... how'd it go?

I'm depending on you guys to tell me stories of what's happening! Let's hear them dudes!

Feeling Weird?

Hey guys, if you felt a little woozy coming into the room last night, just know that you're not alone. It's kind of an ominous feeling to go "okay... we're about to unearth all the stuff I've spent 25+ years trying to stuff down? Yikes..." I get that. Also, please know that I haven't taught this stuff before, at least not like this, and sitting in front of 50 of you is also kind of unsettling for me. We're all a little wobbly in our gait right now, and it's cool.

I wanted to share an email I got from Brett Cassidy earlier today. He was also confessing some of what he was feeling, and I thought he put it well: "...I thought the singing at the front and end was great. I certainly felt the enemy organizing the underlings to combat the meeting. Personally, I was anxious, nervous and short of breath as I approached the room. I feel like I can see those little buggers jumping up and down on my chest, trying to keep me from feeling comfortable, and definitely from singing..."

Wow! I like the honesty! So guys, understand that worship IS warfare. When I say "this feels a little goofy to me, but I'm going to sing this song anyway...", I'm being a good soldier, there. When you get together in your small groups and say "okay, I barely know your name, but I'm going to tell you about the time I was molested and maybe you can pray with me..." you're GOING TO WAR. It matters, guys. BE BOLD. RUN HARD AFTER GOD. And, for God's sake, BE REPENTING LIONS.

Proverbs 28:1- THE RIGHTEOUS ARE BOLD AS A LION

Forgiveness

David Valentine sent me this song tonight. His iPod 'randomly' started playing this when he got into his car after the class tonight. Weird!

I think I might create a playlist for each stronghold we look at.



Mason Jennings, Forgiveness

Sitting on a bench in an old time station
Waiting for a train to forgiveness
I've brought no baggage, i've come here alone
Looking for a way to forgiveness
All these broken pieces of arrows in my side
I thought i could run with them, i know now i can't hide, so
I'm looking out upon the darkness down the tracks
Looking for the light of forgiveness
Call it bad company, call it what you will
My heart just won't let you go, i love you even still
Sadness and death, they both come along
So i sing this song called forgiveness
All these broken families, people taking sides
Hardly even bothered me, i never even cried, so
I'm crying on a bench in an old time station
Betting all i've got on forgiveness

BITTERNESS

Okay fellas.  You heard it.  Matthew 18 says we'll be "handed over to the torturers" if we don't forgive from our hearts.  So...

You got any questions?  Any comments?  Did any dots get connected for you?

I'll quote the great Don Henley:

What are these voices outside love's open door

That make us throw off our contentment and beg for something more?

I've been trying to get down/ to the heart of the matter

And my flesh gets weak/ and my thoughts seem to scatter

But I think it's about... forgiveness.

Healing is Hip!

Four years ago, I began experiencing severe hip pain – mostly when I walked.  I would take a step and as I planed my left foot, the pain would be so intense, it would almost bring me to my knees.  I went to an Orthopedic doctor and he x-rayed my hips, came into the exam room and said “you have the hips of an 80 year old man.  You should not run anymore or do anything strenuous.  Your only option is for me to do a total hip replacement.”  In shock and with a major eye-roll, I limped out of there as fast as I could.  I figured I would just have to live with the pain.  Maybe if I just stretched, it would feel better?  I did massage therapy.  I did physical therapy for a spell, it just didn’t seem to do any good.  I was 32 at the time.  Flash forward to last spring, while at the men’s retreat, a few of my new friends from San Diego put their hands on me and prayed – specifically for regeneration in my hip.  Instantly, I begin to feel this strange heat and warmth inside my upper thigh and hip.  I knew I was healed.  That warmth stayed with me for four days.  Fast forward to October ‘08, I started getting numbness (or a pins and needles feeling) behind my left knee.  I went to a different Orthopedic doctor, he x-rayed my hips, came back into the exam room and said...”what did you do? You have the hips of an 80 year old man. I see fractures, bone fragments, and arthritis (oh my)  What did you do?”  He sent me away to get an MRI and when I returned he offered, “looks like I’ll need to send you down for surgery you have a torn anterior labrum.  It’s not going to get any better.”  He sent me to get a 2nd MRI – I finally got this in a few weeks ago (March).  I went in to his office to get the results, he walked into the exam room with a curious look on his face.  He said “how do you feel?”  I told him “tight”.  He replied, “there’s a lot of this going on in the NFL now.  You have a hip impingement.  Carson had the same thing, did some therapy and was good as new in 2 months.  After a couple months of therapy, you should be as good as new.”  No need for surgery.  No need for a full hip replacement.  I don’t have the hips of an 80 year old man.      This outcome wasn’t the result of hours upon hours of work in the gym or ANYTHING I did.  I didn’t DO anything from October to March – much less 2005 to 2009.  This miraculous healing has happened because of the Lord’s loving kindness and his tender mercy. Over these 4 years, he has dealt with bitterness and rejection in me and delivered me. He just LOVES me and has driven these things out little by little.  He does what he says.  He is who he says he is.  He’s so good and so patient.  Praise God. 

-from David Russell

Small Group Info

What are we going to do in these groups?

You're going to respond individually to the stuff that gets taught.  At the lectures, we'll probably do some big, wholesale repenting--but you need to do some specific, 'retail' repenting, too.  Your small group is there to let you spill the beans of your story, confessing and repenting, then agree with you as you ask for healing.  They might just pray for you, too!  Nice.  

That's really it: say the last lecture was on fear.  So you walk in the door, having thought and prayed about it for a week, with a ready list of stuff you need to unload- events in your life where fear got a hold on you, and thought patterns you recognize in yourself that give place to fear.  You each tell your junk, repent before each other, and then confess God's truth over that issue.  Easy.  Okay, not easy, but simple and straightforward.  You can totally do this.

Who's leading these things, anyway?

Strictly speaking, the Holy Spirit will be leading the meetings.  Yes, there is a Point Man for each small group (really, just somebody that Tait can communicate with, for streamlining purposes), but that guy won't be 'running the meeting'.  You each have the responsibility to prepare for the meeting and come ready to share.  And each of you are going to have to be bold enough to tell the enemy to leave, ask the Holy Spirit to minister and, yes, to pray for each other.

Where are we meeting?

That's up to your small group.  If you have nowhere else to meet, you can meet at the Crossroads Atrium, but a park bench will work better, and a living room is best of all.  Think about it: you guys are going to be praying with each other, getting quite intimate and open, and you don't need to be somewhere where you've got to shout to be heard, or are going to feel conspicuous with your heads bowed or whatever you need to do.  Your group will decide on a place (again, somebody's home is best- why not rotate?) and a time (it doesn't HAVE to be Wednesdays at 7, but haven't you already got that time protected?).  Then you're on!

Can I skip the small groups and just come to the lectures?

You're asking if you can just get some info but wimp out at the personal risk of being real in front of some dudes who're in the same spot as you and just want to help one another get free.  Um, no you may not.  The point of the class isn't to Learn Cool Stuff, it's to get free and learn (by experience) how to deal with the enemy.  It's also a great crash course in ministering to each other, because that's what you'll be doing.  You can't learn that sitting alone, even if you've got a Bible with you.  We were made for community, and that's going to happen in this class.

You are really pretty good at answering my questions.

It's pretty easy, seeing as how we're the same person.  But thanks just the same.

Late to the Strongholds Par-Tay?

Gents:

I have had around 10 men inquire about joining the Strongholds class (which begins the evening of April 22nd, a Wednesday, at 7pm in Crossroads' Kids' area, room 154, for 13 weeks, ending July 15) who didn't make the December meetings.

As it is, I have no plans on repeating this class, so I want as many guys as want to be involved to get in on it.  I didn't do the December classes to raise the bar for entry; what I intended to do with those meetings was to make sure we were all on the same page before getting into the nitty gritty of specific spirits' tactics and how to deal with them.  We have to be on the same page with foundational issues like:

- Are demons real?  Did they just go away?  Isn't it just kooky folks who believe in goblins?

- If the kind of demons that Jesus dealt with (and taught his followers to deal with) are still out there, how are they arranged?  Where do they get their assignments from?  What's their goal?  How do they operate?

- Do these demons attack people at their core?  If I'm a believer, can one still come after me?  

- What business do I have talking to a demon?  Who's more powerful, me or him?

- I've heard people blame illness on 'spiritual oppression' or some other kind of spiritual mumbo-jumbo.  Is that kind of talk legit?

WE WILL NOT BE ANSWERING EVEN ONE OF THESE QUESTIONS IN THE CLASS.  THAT's why we did the December classes.  The classes starting in April will assume we're all in agreement to the answers of the above questions.  

So what I'm REQUIRING of guys who didn't make it to the December classes is that you listen to two lectures and get notes to study.  You can find it all here.  This isn't just so that you agree with me; it's so that everyone in your small group will be on the same page.  It will NOT be okay for the small groups to get bogged down, for instance, in minutiae about how Jesus cast out demons, when we're trying to deal with your personal history of addiction.  The small group times are crafted to do very specific things (namely, be a place for you to confess and be ministered to), and canNOT be a discussion board.  If I sound a lit-tle protective, it's because I am.  A lot protective, actually.  

Again, I'm asking any guys who want to join in to listen to the MP3s, STUDY the notes (not just a cursory glance), and THEN get back to me.  AFTER you've done those things, email me and tell me you want to be in the study, and I'll happily add you to the roles and make sure you have a small group.

Hope this makes sense to everybody.  Email me with problems.

Here's the schedule

April 22- Week 1- Bitterness, envy, jealousy lecture
April 29- Week 2- Bitterness processing w/small groups

May 6- Week 3- Accusation lecture
May 13- Week 4- Accusation discussion w/groups
May 20- Week 5- Occult lecture
May 27- Week 6- Occult discussion in groups
June 3- Week 7- Rejection lecture
June 10- Week 8- Rejection discussion in groups
June 17- Week 9- Unloving, Addictions lecture
June 24- Week 10- Unloving discussion in groups
July 1- Week 11- Fear lecture

July 8- Week 12- Fear discussion in groups
July 15- Week 13- Walking Out lecture

Here are the guys

As stated previously, if you're not on this list, then you're not in the class--at least in my mind.  So this is the list for checking: 

1) Am I here?

2) Which of these guys might I like in my small group?

Aaron Morgan   Adam Elrod   Andrew Peters   Andy Rittichier   Bill Patterson   Brett Cassidy Brett Little   Bryan Kaiser   Carroll Roberts   Chris Browning   Chris Heiert   Colin Manly   Darin Yates    Dave Richey    Dave Shay    Dave Stansbury    David Githuku    David Russell David Schuster    David Valentine    Don Hunter    Geoff Ranson    Greg McElfresh    Gregg Wells    Jason Eads    Jason Singh    Jay Schneider    Jeff Holland    Jeff Schlaudecker    Keith Harper    Kyle Ranson    Lucas Cole    Mark Botto    Mark Matson    Matt Bonne    Matt Wilhelm Michael Beausejour    Michael Kuremsky    Michael Lake    Nathaniel Wildstone    Paul Argenta Paul Caron    Paul Owens    Peter Zimmer    Ray Stolarski    Rob Rendle    Rob Seddon    Ross McLain    Sam Hills    Sasha Grieco    Seth Sanborn    Seth Williams    Steve French    Steve Rose Steven Hromadka    Tait Paul    Tal Richards    Tim Kaiser    Tim Senff    Tom Hagerty    Will Skillman

Miraculous Deliverance Through Blood Healing!

Three Friday nights ago I was with our Bible Study.  One of the group members got a text about the 13-year-old son of a friend.   He had a strange rash and fever, and was rushed to Children's Hospital.  Our group members sent texts out to folks to pray right then.  I felt prompted to go be bedside with him.  At 2:45am I was allowed to go back as the boy’s minister.  I prayed over the boy and was prompted specifically to pray over his blood.  So I did.  His fever broke right then… the first time in days that it was normal.  The family (aunts, uncles, friends, grandparents) and I prayed together.  A peace fell on us all.  An intimate circle of strangers for me.   But a brotherhood in Christ for everyone around.

 

The hospital brought in an infectious disease person to evaluate the situation the next day.  The news was that the boy had contracted a very rare Mena Caucus that has been known to kill in a matter of hours.  Three days later the boy was at home receiving treatment.  The next Sunday, I was at church services when a woman came up to me and gave me the biggest and warmest hug ever.  It was the boy's mother!  She said that she'd made a promise to God that if her son came home alive she would find a church, and now she was doing just that.  God Be Praised!! He has risen and risen the dead in me.

-Dave Shay

Prayer Silences the Accuser!

In early December, a man came into Crossroads and was generally disruptive, drawing attention to himself by singing VERY loudly and carrying on as such. When I approached him at a table and asked him to stop singing (that kind of thing is part of my job at Crossroads), he immediately accused me of being a member of the "Klan" and trying to keep him from singing about Jesus. I asked him his name after sharing mine, and he told me he would not tell me his name, because if I knew it I would ask him to leave. I told him I wouldn't, but he continued to refuse to give me
his name. He became more and more belligerent, making all kinds of claims, including that I was keeping people from hearing about Jesus and that I was wrong to think he was possessed by a demon (which I had NEVER said a word about). As he spoke I noticed that his eyes were continually rolling back in his head. 

He kept repeating that I had no authority to remove him, and that he was here with permission. At that point I figured I was dealing with something more than just a disruptive dude hanging out in our atrium. I began to look around for some back up, but saw no one. At that point I told this guy/thing that I wouldn't ask him to leave (the man), but that he would be silent. He said he would not, at which point I asked him if I could pray for him. He got VERY loud at that point, and said I absolutely could not. Oh well. The SECOND I began to pray that this thing would be silent in this guy, he shut up. I took a peek up to see what was going on, and the guy's eyes were back in focus and he was just staring up at the ceiling. So after praying for a minute or two, I stopped, and to my right there stood one of the other guys from our class, Dave Stansbury. Yes!

As Dave tells it, he was standing across the atrium when he saw me sitting at the table, and something in his gut told him to come help me. He said he immediately heard "Leave it to the professionals" and "You have nothing to offer there," but Dave remembered he DID HAVE AUTHORITY and he walked on over. Thank goodness. When Dave introduced himself and asked this guy his name, the guy looked at him a moment, then said "Flanagan. My name's
Flanagan." We had a nice conversation with Flanagan for a minute or two, then he  (Flanagan) said "I'm going to leave now." To which Dave replied "Great! I'll walk you out." And away walked my friend Dave and Flanagan, who was not the same person who had walked in.

Dave ended up praying for this guy again in the parking lot before sending him on his way. So...way to go Dave! Thanks for listening and responding.

-From Andrew Peters