Below are some things I’ve highlighted or pointed out in the first chapter of reading:

Chapter 1 – The Pleasure of God in His Son

• part of God’s glory is His happiness, “good news of the glory of the happy God.”
• Jonathan Edwards – “Part of God’s fullness which he communicates, is his happiness.  This happiness consists in enjoying and rejoicing in himself; so does also the creatures happiness.”
• We are called to share in the happines (very pleasure) that the Father has in His Son.
• John 17:26 – Jesus made known the Father to us so that’s God’s pleasure in His Son might be in us and become our pleasure.

3 Obstacles:

• Nothing in the world has a personal worth great enough to meet the deepest longings of our heart.
• We lack the strength to savor the best treasures to their maximum worth.
• Joys here in the world come to an end – not eternal.

No great treasure can be conceived than the Son of God.

Their love for each (Father and Son) will be our love for them and therefore our loving them will never die!

The radiance of the Son’s face shines first and foremost for the enjoyment of his Father … My fragile eyes will get the power to take in the glory of the Son shining in his full strength just the way the Father does, currently we don’t have the capacity to be able to.  It’s like look at the sun but go blind after looking at it for a while, we are not capable, soon we will be capable to see the Son in all of His glory.

God’s pleasure in his Son comes not only from the brightness of His majesty but from the beauty of his meekness.

Jonathan Edwards – In Jesus Christ, he says, meet infinite highness and infinite condescension; infinite justice and infinite grace; infinite glory and lowest humility; infinite majesty and transcendent meekness; deepest reverence toward God and equality with God; worthiness of good and the greatest patience under the suffering of evil; a great spirit of obedience and supreme dominion over heaven and earth; absolute sovereignty and perfect resignationl self sufficiency and an entire trust and reliance on God.

Jesus except for one time referred to His Father as our Father, situation was in reference to how we should pray.

God holds no blessing from His Son but pours out His Spirit on Him without measure.

John 3:34-35 & Isaiah 42 & Isaiah 61

He gives Him a name which is above every other name (Phil 2:9); he crowns him with honor (Hebrews 2:9); and he glorifies him in his own presence with the glory that he had before the world was made (John 17:5).

Romans 8:32

• Paul’s assumption is that “not sparing his own Son” waas the hardest thing imaginable for God to do.
• AW Tozer – God never changes moods or cools off in his affections or loses enthusiasm.
• Jonathan Edwards – “The infinite happiness of the Father consists in the enjoyment of His Son.”
• GOD IS NOT STOOPING TO PITY THE UNDERSERVING WHE HE LOVES HIS SON.  THAT IS HOW GOD LOVES US.  IT IS NOT HOW HE LOVES HIS SON.

God did not take a holy man up into deity.  He clothed the fullness of deity with a virgin-born human nature, Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God, the God-Man, in whim “the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily.” 

Colossians 1:9

It was His pleasure to make the word flesh.

When God the Father and God the Son engaged to united deity and humanity in Jesus, the Father rejoiced over this act.  He delighted in his Son’s readiness to redeem the world.

Everything hangs on the unbounded joy in the triune God from all eternity.  This is the source of God’s absolute self-sufficiency as a happy Sovereign.  And every true act of free grace in redemptive history depends on it.

Psalm 89:27 – firstborn, highest of the kings of the earth.

Meaning – preeminence and honor and dignity over all the kings of the earth, given to HIM!

Son in whom the Father delights is the image of God and the radiance of the glory of God.  He bears the very stamp of God’s nature and is the very form of God.  He is equal with God and, as John says, is God.

Pleasure of God in His Son is pleasure in himself.

The original, the primal, the deepest, the foundational joy of God is the joy he has in his own perfections as he sees them reflected int he glory of His Son.  (2 Corinthians 4:6)

First deceit of satan in the garden – tempted Adam and Eve to try to be like God in a way that God never intended them to be like him – namely, in self-reliance.

God is the most glorious of all beings.  Not to love and delight in him is a great loss to us and insults him.  It would be idolatry for God to not enjoy Himself.  For us to do this in front of the mirror is the essense of vanity; for God to do it in front of His Son is the essence of righteousness.

Righteousness of God – infinite zeal and joy and pleasure that he has in what is supremely valuable, namely, his own perfection and worth.

The infinite regard that the Father has for the Son makes it possible for me, a wicked sinner, to be loved and accepted in the Son, because in his death he vindicated the worth and glory of his Father.

GET CAUGHT UP IN THE GLADNESS THAT GOD HAS IN THE GLORY OF HIS SON, WHO IS THE RADIANCE AND IMAGE OF HIS FATHER!

Isaiah 26 (in context ch 1-5 overview of Isaiah’s whole message, ch 6 – commissioning and beginning of ministry – TUMULTOUS TIME – King Uzziah died)

Isaiah 26

V 3 – perfect peace

• Don’t confuse anxiety for urgency.  One rooted in reality, other rooted in perplexity (chaos)
• We need to encounter the Lord in private and corporately.
• Growing sense of anxiety in America as the whole world is just starting to be shaken.
• Perfect peace comes in context of prayer, minds set on Him.
• In the midst of shaking, called to wait on the Lord.
  • 1 – Understand why you do what you do.
  • 2 – Need an answer to respond to our loved ones.
• Isaiah – does not desire to go back to the way things once were but rather to remember the name of the Lord and to see His name declared in all the earth.  (American’s are desiring to go back to the way things were, when economy was good – but that’s not the solution)

Isa 6 – death of Uzziah is the beginning and context of this passage, which meant:

• Economic decline came to Israel
• Morale decline in Israel
• Nation became vulnerable to Assyria (fear) – International threat
• Rise of Assyrian Empire, shifting of world powers.
• APPLICATION – Obama currently trying to stand up for America as a world power in the eyes of the world, while China economically etc. (surplus – huge difference to the states right now) – hence speech in Cairo, Egypt.

What did Isaiah see?  (Lord high and lifted up)

• Isa 4:2 – our primary pursuit – see Him lifted up in meditation
• Study of the word – knowledge of God – our portion to seek
• Continue to give yourself to personal and corporate prayer.
• Hab 1:5 – set minds on things above, don’t let the report be the thing that impacts your soul.
• PREACH THE BEAUTY OF JESUS

• Seraphim – burning ones.  What he sees in heaven is what God desires to see in His people on the earth.  WE NEED TO BURN!
• Don’t be consumed with anxiety and fear – be consumed with FIRE – ZEAL for HIS HOUSE!
• 3 Fold Seraphim Anointing:
  • Perceive – revelation – gazing on the Lord (truth of God – words and thoughts)
  • Receive – set on fire – ever increasing fire
  • Proclaim – holy, holy, holy
• John 5:35
• Beauty of God:
  • 1 – Revelation of God’s personality
  • 2 – Revelation of God’s power
  • 3 – Revelation of God’s plan (not left wing or right wing – ABSOLUTE)
• Days of Samuel – word of the Lord was rare.
• Plan of the Lord is completely unpredictable.
• Hab 1:5 – bizarre political realities (God orchestrates it to establish His purpose)
  • 1 – Sovereignty
  • 2 – What we participate in (will of man)
  • Some how the two together result in the perfect reality of God.
• Even with the knowledge of the big picture we still get to chose righteousness.
• Hab 1:1-4 – injustice, immorality, etc.  POLITICAL CHAOS
  • God replies – look to the nations (not going to believe if I tell you)
  • MORE POLITICAL CHAOS COMING!
• We need clarity from above to be in agreement with Him.  He operates in a whole different set of rules.  Wants a bride from all nations.
  • WEDDING + KINGDOM + LEADERSHIP FOR HIS SON = His heart and motivation
• Nations rage because they don’t like God’s leadership.
  • Heaven’s commentary on why wars are fought.
• Wars – want to be in charge and ahead of the game.
  • But if you know there is one nation and one king for the entire earth, what’s the point?
• Dilemma – Israel doesn’t like themselves & Gentiles mad because it’s Israel.
  • God desires a bride from all nations to be in agreement with His Son, therefore having PERFECT PEACE otherwise, will always have a false temporary peace.
• Daniel 7 – winds of heaven – cause – awakening in people’s hearts.
• Isa 6:5 – “Woe is me, man of unclean lips and dwell among a people of unclean lips.”
  • The spirit that believers are picking up on in this hour – UNCLEAN SPEECH (media etc.)  Can notice the shift and change in the criticism of the news and how news is being portrayed.
  • Stay educated but don’t be caught up in language that keeps people earth bound (lack of divine plan)
• Divine Plan – WHOLE EARTH FULL OF HIS GLORY!
• 1 Peter – purpose of liberty – produce bondservants – don’t misuse your liberty.
  • America – has misused their liberty.
  • Don’t get up in arms about losing liberties because we misused them.  God would be a bad father if He kept us in that place where we were misusing our liberty.
• $$$ – liberty – feed the poor, fund Houses of Prayer, evangelism – purposes of God.  Using liberty unto something, HONORING THE LORD!
• Haggai 1 & 2
• Nation shaken over the issue of real estate
• Unclean speech – related to seeing the Lord.  More we see the Lord, more our speech is clean.
• MUST SEE BRIDEGROOM, KING, & JUDGE
• Coal – comes from altar, the altar is the place of prayer, cleansing comes from the place of prayer.

Thoughts?

Looking forward to tomorrow?  If I get time tomorrow, I am going to post some thoughts and quotes from the book I am reading right now, Pleasures of God by John Piper.  First chapter alone has blown my mind and I am excited to grow in the knowledge of God, makes me happier each day!  WOOHOO!

Been subbing, singing for different teams on the nights.  Officially this past week, I am on a team and get to receive all the benefits of community on a team and am ecstatic.  For those who I have not talked to too much in person, August 6th it is true, I have a one way ticket back home to Canada.  My family is happy to say the least.  My mom’s dream is that I would live at home forever, God will help her come to reality on that one day.  Anyway, I tried my best to get my visa renewed to stay but under certain circumstances it was impossible and illegal basically.  I am looking forward to starting school this fall back home.  Interested in a Political Science degree joint with a communication degree.  I think it will take me a good 2-3 years to complete, but I sincerely am looking forward to it.  I should find out in the next week or two if I am in for it etc.

Below I have copy and pasted Obama’s speech in Egypt, rather interesting.  Short end commentary … US groppling in the air to make peace in the name of peace instead of Jesus and really trying to poise herself as the constant world leader when in reality she is in the red in her economy and china is in the black close to the amount the US is in the negative.  Sounds like a situation similar to what Isaiah faced in his time when King Uzziah died in Israel, I will expound on this in my next post, tomorrow!  If you want to check out Isaiah 26 and 6, by all means be my guests.  When I reference Isaiah 6, understand and look at Israel’s political situation at that time and the ramifications of King Uzziah dying when Isaiah received His commissioning.   Please also feel free to leave comments on what your thoughts were of Obama’s speech, little discussion etc.

I am honored to be in the timeless city of Cairo, and to be hosted by two remarkable institutions. For over a thousand years, Al-Azhar has stood as a beacon of Islamic learning, and for over a century, Cairo University has been a source of Egypt’s advancement. Together, you represent the harmony between tradition and progress. I am grateful for your hospitality, and the hospitality of the people of Egypt. I am also proud to carry with me the goodwill of the American people, and a greeting of peace from Muslim communities in my country: assalaamu alaykum.

We meet at a time of tension between the United States and Muslims around the world – tension rooted in historical forces that go beyond any current policy debate. The relationship between Islam and the West includes centuries of co-existence and cooperation, but also conflict and religious wars. More recently, tension has been fed by colonialism that denied rights and opportunities to many Muslims, and a Cold War in which Muslim-majority countries were too often treated as proxies without regard to their own aspirations. Moreover, the sweeping change brought by modernity and globalization led many Muslims to view the West as hostile to the traditions of Islam.

Violent extremists have exploited these tensions in a small but potent minority of Muslims. The attacks of September 11th, 2001 and the continued efforts of these extremists to engage in violence against civilians has led some in my country to view Islam as inevitably hostile not only to America and Western countries, but also to human rights. This has bred more fear and mistrust.

So long as our relationship is defined by our differences, we will empower those who sow hatred rather than peace, and who promote conflict rather than the cooperation that can help all of our people achieve justice and prosperity. This cycle of suspicion and discord must end.

I have come here to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world; one based upon mutual interest and mutual respect; and one based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive, and need not be in competition. Instead, they overlap, and share common principles – principles of justice and progress; tolerance and the dignity of all human beings.

I do so recognizing that change cannot happen overnight. No single speech can eradicate years of mistrust, nor can I answer in the time that I have all the complex questions that brought us to this point. But I am convinced that in order to move forward, we must say openly the things we hold in our hearts, and that too often are said only behind closed doors. There must be a sustained effort to listen to each other; to learn from each other; to respect one another; and to seek common ground. As the Holy Koran tells us, “Be conscious of God and speak always the truth.” That is what I will try to do – to speak the truth as best I can, humbled by the task before us, and firm in my belief that the interests we share as human beings are far more powerful than the forces that drive us apart.

Part of this conviction is rooted in my own experience. I am a Christian, but my father came from a Kenyan family that includes generations of Muslims. As a boy, I spent several years in Indonesia and heard the call of the azaan at the break of dawn and the fall of dusk. As a young man, I worked in Chicago communities where many found dignity and peace in their Muslim faith.

As a student of history, I also know civilization’s debt to Islam. It was Islam – at places like Al-Azhar University – that carried the light of learning through so many centuries, paving the way for Europe’s Renaissance and Enlightenment. It was innovation in Muslim communities that developed the order of algebra; our magnetic compass and tools of navigation; our mastery of pens and printing; our understanding of how disease spreads and how it can be healed. Islamic culture has given us majestic arches and soaring spires; timeless poetry and cherished music; elegant calligraphy and places of peaceful contemplation. And throughout history, Islam has demonstrated through words and deeds the possibilities of religious tolerance and racial equality.

I know, too, that Islam has always been a part of America’s story. The first nation to recognize my country was Morocco. In signing the Treaty of Tripoli in 1796, our second President John Adams wrote, “The United States has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Muslims.” And since our founding, American Muslims have enriched the United States. They have fought in our wars, served in government, stood for civil rights, started businesses, taught at our Universities, excelled in our sports arenas, won Nobel Prizes, built our tallest building, and lit the Olympic Torch. And when the first Muslim-American was recently elected to Congress, he took the oath to defend our Constitution using the same Holy Koran that one of our Founding Fathers – Thomas Jefferson – kept in his personal library.

So I have known Islam on three continents before coming to the region where it was first revealed. That experience guides my conviction that partnership between America and Islam must be based on what Islam is, not what it isn’t. And I consider it part of my responsibility as President of the United States to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear.

But that same principle must apply to Muslim perceptions of America. Just as Muslims do not fit a crude stereotype, America is not the crude stereotype of a self-interested empire. The United States has been one of the greatest sources of progress that the world has ever known. We were born out of revolution against an empire. We were founded upon the ideal that all are created equal, and we have shed blood and struggled for centuries to give meaning to those words – within our borders, and around the world. We are shaped by every culture, drawn from every end of the Earth, and dedicated to a simple concept: E pluribus unum: “Out of many, one.”

Much has been made of the fact that an African-American with the name Barack Hussein Obama could be elected President. But my personal story is not so unique. The dream of opportunity for all people has not come true for everyone in America, but its promise exists for all who come to our shores – that includes nearly seven million American Muslims in our country today who enjoy incomes and education that are higher than average.

Moreover, freedom in America is indivisible from the freedom to practice one’s religion. That is why there is a mosque in every state of our union, and over 1,200 mosques within our borders. That is why the U.S. government has gone to court to protect the right of women and girls to wear the hijab, and to punish those who would deny it.

So let there be no doubt: Islam is a part of America. And I believe that America holds within her the truth that regardless of race, religion, or station in life, all of us share common aspirations – to live in peace and security; to get an education and to work with dignity; to love our families, our communities, and our God. These things we share. This is the hope of all humanity.

Of course, recognizing our common humanity is only the beginning of our task. Words alone cannot meet the needs of our people. These needs will be met only if we act boldly in the years ahead; and if we understand that the challenges we face are shared, and our failure to meet them will hurt us all.

For we have learned from recent experience that when a financial system weakens in one country, prosperity is hurt everywhere. When a new flu infects one human being, all are at risk. When one nation pursues a nuclear weapon, the risk of nuclear attack rises for all nations. When violent extremists operate in one stretch of mountains, people are endangered across an ocean. And when innocents in Bosnia and Darfur are slaughtered, that is a stain on our collective conscience. That is what it means to share this world in the 21st century. That is the responsibility we have to one another as human beings.

This is a difficult responsibility to embrace. For human history has often been a record of nations and tribes subjugating one another to serve their own interests. Yet in this new age, such attitudes are self-defeating. Given our interdependence, any world order that elevates one nation or group of people over another will inevitably fail. So whatever we think of the past, we must not be prisoners of it. Our problems must be dealt with through partnership; progress must be shared.

That does not mean we should ignore sources of tension. Indeed, it suggests the opposite: we must face these tensions squarely. And so in that spirit, let me speak as clearly and plainly as I can about some specific issues that I believe we must finally confront together.

The first issue that we have to confront is violent extremism in all of its forms.

In Ankara, I made clear that America is not – and never will be – at war with Islam. We will, however, relentlessly confront violent extremists who pose a grave threat to our security. Because we reject the same thing that people of all faiths reject: the killing of innocent men, women, and children. And it is my first duty as President to protect the American people.

The situation in Afghanistan demonstrates America’s goals, and our need to work together. Over seven years ago, the United States pursued al Qaeda and the Taliban with broad international support. We did not go by choice, we went because of necessity. I am aware that some question or justify the events of 9/11. But let us be clear: al Qaeda killed nearly 3,000 people on that day. The victims were innocent men, women and children from America and many other nations who had done nothing to harm anybody. And yet Al Qaeda chose to ruthlessly murder these people, claimed credit for the attack, and even now states their determination to kill on a massive scale. They have affiliates in many countries and are trying to expand their reach. These are not opinions to be debated; these are facts to be dealt with.

Make no mistake: we do not want to keep our troops in Afghanistan. We seek no military bases there. It is agonizing for America to lose our young men and women. It is costly and politically difficult to continue this conflict. We would gladly bring every single one of our troops home if we could be confident that there were not violent extremists in Afghanistan and Pakistan determined to kill as many Americans as they possibly can. But that is not yet the case.

That’s why we’re partnering with a coalition of forty-six countries. And despite the costs involved, America’s commitment will not weaken. Indeed, none of us should tolerate these extremists. They have killed in many countries. They have killed people of different faiths – more than any other, they have killed Muslims. Their actions are irreconcilable with the rights of human beings, the progress of nations, and with Islam. The Holy Koran teaches that whoever kills an innocent, it is as if he has killed all mankind; and whoever saves a person, it is as if he has saved all mankind. The enduring faith of over a billion people is so much bigger than the narrow hatred of a few. Islam is not part of the problem in combating violent extremism – it is an important part of promoting peace.

We also know that military power alone is not going to solve the problems in Afghanistan and Pakistan. That is why we plan to invest $1.5 billion each year over the next five years to partner with Pakistanis to build schools and hospitals, roads and businesses, and hundreds of millions to help those who have been displaced. And that is why we are providing more than $2.8 billion to help Afghans develop their economy and deliver services that people depend upon.

Let me also address the issue of Iraq. Unlike Afghanistan, Iraq was a war of choice that provoked strong differences in my country and around the world. Although I believe that the Iraqi people are ultimately better off without the tyranny of Saddam Hussein, I also believe that events in Iraq have reminded America of the need to use diplomacy and build international consensus to resolve our problems whenever possible. Indeed, we can recall the words of Thomas Jefferson, who said: “I hope that our wisdom will grow with our power, and teach us that the less we use our power the greater it will be.”

Today, America has a dual responsibility: to help Iraq forge a better future – and to leave Iraq to Iraqis. I have made it clear to the Iraqi people that we pursue no bases, and no claim on their territory or resources. Iraq’s sovereignty is its own. That is why I ordered the removal of our combat brigades by next August. That is why we will honor our agreement with Iraq’s democratically-elected government to remove combat troops from Iraqi cities by July, and to remove all our troops from Iraq by 2012. We will help Iraq train its Security Forces and develop its economy. But we will support a secure and united Iraq as a partner, and never as a patron.

And finally, just as America can never tolerate violence by extremists, we must never alter our principles. 9/11 was an enormous trauma to our country. The fear and anger that it provoked was understandable, but in some cases, it led us to act contrary to our ideals. We are taking concrete actions to change course. I have unequivocally prohibited the use of torture by the United States, and I have ordered the prison at Guantanamo Bay closed by early next year.

So America will defend itself respectful of the sovereignty of nations and the rule of law. And we will do so in partnership with Muslim communities which are also threatened. The sooner the extremists are isolated and unwelcome in Muslim communities, the sooner we will all be safer.

The second major source of tension that we need to discuss is the situation between Israelis, Palestinians and the Arab world.

America’s strong bonds with Israel are well known. This bond is unbreakable. It is based upon cultural and historical ties, and the recognition that the aspiration for a Jewish homeland is rooted in a tragic history that cannot be denied.

Around the world, the Jewish people were persecuted for centuries, and anti-Semitism in Europe culminated in an unprecedented Holocaust. Tomorrow, I will visit Buchenwald, which was part of a network of camps where Jews were enslaved, tortured, shot and gassed to death by the Third Reich. Six million Jews were killed – more than the entire Jewish population of Israel today. Denying that fact is baseless, ignorant, and hateful. Threatening Israel with destruction – or repeating vile stereotypes about Jews – is deeply wrong, and only serves to evoke in the minds of Israelis this most painful of memories while preventing the peace that the people of this region deserve.

On the other hand, it is also undeniable that the Palestinian people – Muslims and Christians – have suffered in pursuit of a homeland. For more than sixty years they have endured the pain of dislocation. Many wait in refugee camps in the West Bank, Gaza, and neighboring lands for a life of peace and security that they have never been able to lead. They endure the daily humiliations – large and small – that come with occupation. So let there be no doubt: the situation for the Palestinian people is intolerable. America will not turn our backs on the legitimate Palestinian aspiration for dignity, opportunity, and a state of their own.

For decades, there has been a stalemate: two peoples with legitimate aspirations, each with a painful history that makes compromise elusive. It is easy to point fingers – for Palestinians to point to the displacement brought by Israel’s founding, and for Israelis to point to the constant hostility and attacks throughout its history from within its borders as well as beyond. But if we see this conflict only from one side or the other, then we will be blind to the truth: the only resolution is for the aspirations of both sides to be met through two states, where Israelis and Palestinians each live in peace and security.

That is in Israel’s interest, Palestine’s interest, America’s interest, and the world’s interest. That is why I intend to personally pursue this outcome with all the patience that the task requires. The obligations that the parties have agreed to under the Road Map are clear. For peace to come, it is time for them – and all of us – to live up to our responsibilities.

Palestinians must abandon violence. Resistance through violence and killing is wrong and does not succeed. For centuries, black people in America suffered the lash of the whip as slaves and the humiliation of segregation. But it was not violence that won full and equal rights. It was a peaceful and determined insistence upon the ideals at the center of America’s founding. This same story can be told by people from South Africa to South Asia; from Eastern Europe to Indonesia. It’s a story with a simple truth: that violence is a dead end. It is a sign of neither courage nor power to shoot rockets at sleeping children, or to blow up old women on a bus. That is not how moral authority is claimed; that is how it is surrendered.

Now is the time for Palestinians to focus on what they can build. The Palestinian Authority must develop its capacity to govern, with institutions that serve the needs of its people. Hamas does have support among some Palestinians, but they also have responsibilities. To play a role in fulfilling Palestinian aspirations, and to unify the Palestinian people, Hamas must put an end to violence, recognize past agreements, and recognize Israel’s right to exist.

At the same time, Israelis must acknowledge that just as Israel’s right to exist cannot be denied, neither can Palestine’s. The United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements. This construction violates previous agreements and undermines efforts to achieve peace. It is time for these settlements to stop.

Israel must also live up to its obligations to ensure that Palestinians can live, and work, and develop their society. And just as it devastates Palestinian families, the continuing humanitarian crisis in Gaza does not serve Israel’s security; neither does the continuing lack of opportunity in the West Bank. Progress in the daily lives of the Palestinian people must be part of a road to peace, and Israel must take concrete steps to enable such progress.

Finally, the Arab States must recognize that the Arab Peace Initiative was an important beginning, but not the end of their responsibilities. The Arab-Israeli conflict should no longer be used to distract the people of Arab nations from other problems. Instead, it must be a cause for action to help the Palestinian people develop the institutions that will sustain their state; to recognize Israel’s legitimacy; and to choose progress over a self-defeating focus on the past.

America will align our policies with those who pursue peace, and say in public what we say in private to Israelis and Palestinians and Arabs. We cannot impose peace. But privately, many Muslims recognize that Israel will not go away. Likewise, many Israelis recognize the need for a Palestinian state. It is time for us to act on what everyone knows to be true.

Too many tears have flowed. Too much blood has been shed. All of us have a responsibility to work for the day when the mothers of Israelis and Palestinians can see their children grow up without fear; when the Holy Land of three great faiths is the place of peace that God intended it to be; when Jerusalem is a secure and lasting home for Jews and Christians and Muslims, and a place for all of the children of Abraham to mingle peacefully together as in the story of Isra, when Moses, Jesus, and Mohammed (peace be upon them) joined in prayer.

The third source of tension is our shared interest in the rights and responsibilities of nations on nuclear weapons.

This issue has been a source of tension between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran. For many years, Iran has defined itself in part by its opposition to my country, and there is indeed a tumultuous history between us. In the middle of the Cold War, the United States played a role in the overthrow of a democratically-elected Iranian government. Since the Islamic Revolution, Iran has played a role in acts of hostage-taking and violence against U.S. troops and civilians. This history is well known. Rather than remain trapped in the past, I have made it clear to Iran’s leaders and people that my country is prepared to move forward. The question, now, is not what Iran is against, but rather what future it wants to build.

It will be hard to overcome decades of mistrust, but we will proceed with courage, rectitude and resolve. There will be many issues to discuss between our two countries, and we are willing to move forward without preconditions on the basis of mutual respect. But it is clear to all concerned that when it comes to nuclear weapons, we have reached a decisive point. This is not simply about America’s interests. It is about preventing a nuclear arms race in the Middle East that could lead this region and the world down a hugely dangerous path.

I understand those who protest that some countries have weapons that others do not. No single nation should pick and choose which nations hold nuclear weapons. That is why I strongly reaffirmed America’s commitment to seek a world in which no nations hold nuclear weapons. And any nation – including Iran – should have the right to access peaceful nuclear power if it complies with its responsibilities under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. That commitment is at the core of the Treaty, and it must be kept for all who fully abide by it. And I am hopeful that all countries in the region can share in this goal.

The fourth issue that I will address is democracy.

I know there has been controversy about the promotion of democracy in recent years, and much of this controversy is connected to the war in Iraq. So let me be clear: no system of government can or should be imposed upon one nation by any other.

That does not lessen my commitment, however, to governments that reflect the will of the people. Each nation gives life to this principle in its own way, grounded in the traditions of its own people. America does not presume to know what is best for everyone, just as we would not presume to pick the outcome of a peaceful election. But I do have an unyielding belief that all people yearn for certain things: the ability to speak your mind and have a say in how you are governed; confidence in the rule of law and the equal administration of justice; government that is transparent and doesn’t steal from the people; the freedom to live as you choose. Those are not just American ideas, they are human rights, and that is why we will support them everywhere.

There is no straight line to realize this promise. But this much is clear: governments that protect these rights are ultimately more stable, successful and secure. Suppressing ideas never succeeds in making them go away. America respects the right of all peaceful and law-abiding voices to be heard around the world, even if we disagree with them. And we will welcome all elected, peaceful governments – provided they govern with respect for all their people.

This last point is important because there are some who advocate for democracy only when they are out of power; once in power, they are ruthless in suppressing the rights of others. No matter where it takes hold, government of the people and by the people sets a single standard for all who hold power: you must maintain your power through consent, not coercion; you must respect the rights of minorities, and participate with a spirit of tolerance and compromise; you must place the interests of your people and the legitimate workings of the political process above your party. Without these ingredients, elections alone do not make true democracy.

The fifth issue that we must address together is religious freedom.

Islam has a proud tradition of tolerance. We see it in the history of Andalusia and Cordoba during the Inquisition. I saw it firsthand as a child in Indonesia, where devout Christians worshiped freely in an overwhelmingly Muslim country. That is the spirit we need today. People in every country should be free to choose and live their faith based upon the persuasion of the mind, heart, and soul. This tolerance is essential for religion to thrive, but it is being challenged in many different ways.

Among some Muslims, there is a disturbing tendency to measure one’s own faith by the rejection of another’s. The richness of religious diversity must be upheld – whether it is for Maronites in Lebanon or the Copts in Egypt. And fault lines must be closed among Muslims as well, as the divisions between Sunni and Shia have led to tragic violence, particularly in Iraq.

Freedom of religion is central to the ability of peoples to live together. We must always examine the ways in which we protect it. For instance, in the United States, rules on charitable giving have made it harder for Muslims to fulfill their religious obligation. That is why I am committed to working with American Muslims to ensure that they can fulfill zakat.

Likewise, it is important for Western countries to avoid impeding Muslim citizens from practicing religion as they see fit – for instance, by dictating what clothes a Muslim woman should wear. We cannot disguise hostility towards any religion behind the pretence of liberalism.

Indeed, faith should bring us together. That is why we are forging service projects in America that bring together Christians, Muslims, and Jews. That is why we welcome efforts like Saudi Arabian King Abdullah’s Interfaith dialogue and Turkey’s leadership in the Alliance of Civilizations. Around the world, we can turn dialogue into Interfaith service, so bridges between peoples lead to action – whether it is combating malaria in Africa, or providing relief after a natural disaster.

The sixth issue that I want to address is women’s rights.

I know there is debate about this issue. I reject the view of some in the West that a woman who chooses to cover her hair is somehow less equal, but I do believe that a woman who is denied an education is denied equality. And it is no coincidence that countries where women are well-educated are far more likely to be prosperous.

Now let me be clear: issues of women’s equality are by no means simply an issue for Islam. In Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Indonesia, we have seen Muslim-majority countries elect a woman to lead. Meanwhile, the struggle for women’s equality continues in many aspects of American life, and in countries around the world.

Our daughters can contribute just as much to society as our sons, and our common prosperity will be advanced by allowing all humanity – men and women – to reach their full potential. I do not believe that women must make the same choices as men in order to be equal, and I respect those women who choose to live their lives in traditional roles. But it should be their choice. That is why the United States will partner with any Muslim-majority country to support expanded literacy for girls, and to help young women pursue employment through micro-financing that helps people live their dreams.

Finally, I want to discuss economic development and opportunity.

I know that for many, the face of globalization is contradictory. The Internet and television can bring knowledge and information, but also offensive sexuality and mindless violence. Trade can bring new wealth and opportunities, but also huge disruptions and changing communities. In all nations – including my own – this change can bring fear. Fear that because of modernity we will lose of control over our economic choices, our politics, and most importantly our identities – those things we most cherish about our communities, our families, our traditions, and our faith.

But I also know that human progress cannot be denied. There need not be contradiction between development and tradition. Countries like Japan and South Korea grew their economies while maintaining distinct cultures. The same is true for the astonishing progress within Muslim-majority countries from Kuala Lumpur to Dubai. In ancient times and in our times, Muslim communities have been at the forefront of innovation and education.

This is important because no development strategy can be based only upon what comes out of the ground, nor can it be sustained while young people are out of work. Many Gulf States have enjoyed great wealth as a consequence of oil, and some are beginning to focus it on broader development. But all of us must recognize that education and innovation will be the currency of the 21st century, and in too many Muslim communities there remains underinvestment in these areas. I am emphasizing such investments within my country. And while America in the past has focused on oil and gas in this part of the world, we now seek a broader engagement.

On education, we will expand exchange programs, and increase scholarships, like the one that brought my father to America, while encouraging more Americans to study in Muslim communities. And we will match promising Muslim students with internships in America; invest in on-line learning for teachers and children around the world; and create a new online network, so a teenager in Kansas can communicate instantly with a teenager in Cairo.

On economic development, we will create a new corps of business volunteers to partner with counterparts in Muslim-majority countries. And I will host a Summit on Entrepreneurship this year to identify how we can deepen ties between business leaders, foundations and social entrepreneurs in the United States and Muslim communities around the world.

On science and technology, we will launch a new fund to support technological development in Muslim-majority countries, and to help transfer ideas to the marketplace so they can create jobs. We will open centers of scientific excellence in Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia, and appoint new Science Envoys to collaborate on programs that develop new sources of energy, create green jobs, digitize records, clean water, and grow new crops. And today I am announcing a new global effort with the Organization of the Islamic Conference to eradicate polio. And we will also expand partnerships with Muslim communities to promote child and maternal health.

All these things must be done in partnership. Americans are ready to join with citizens and governments; community organizations, religious leaders, and businesses in Muslim communities around the world to help our people pursue a better life.

The issues that I have described will not be easy to address. But we have a responsibility to join together on behalf of the world we seek – a world where extremists no longer threaten our people, and American troops have come home; a world where Israelis and Palestinians are each secure in a state of their own, and nuclear energy is used for peaceful purposes; a world where governments serve their citizens, and the rights of all God’s children are respected. Those are mutual interests. That is the world we seek. But we can only achieve it together.

I know there are many – Muslim and non-Muslim – who question whether we can forge this new beginning. Some are eager to stoke the flames of division, and to stand in the way of progress. Some suggest that it isn’t worth the effort – that we are fated to disagree, and civilizations are doomed to clash. Many more are simply skeptical that real change can occur. There is so much fear, so much mistrust. But if we choose to be bound by the past, we will never move forward. And I want to particularly say this to young people of every faith, in every country – you, more than anyone, have the ability to remake this world.

All of us share this world for but a brief moment in time. The question is whether we spend that time focused on what pushes us apart, or whether we commit ourselves to an effort – a sustained effort – to find common ground, to focus on the future we seek for our children, and to respect the dignity of all human beings.

It is easier to start wars than to end them. It is easier to blame others than to look inward; to see what is different about someone than to find the things we share. But we should choose the right path, not just the easy path. There is also one rule that lies at the heart of every religion – that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us. This truth transcends nations and peoples – a belief that isn’t new; that isn’t black or white or brown; that isn’t Christian, or Muslim or Jew. It’s a belief that pulsed in the cradle of civilization, and that still beats in the heart of billions. It’s a faith in other people, and it’s what brought me here today.

We have the power to make the world we seek, but only if we have the courage to make a new beginning, keeping in mind what has been written.

The Holy Koran tells us, “O mankind! We have created you male and a female; and we have made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another.”

The Talmud tells us: “The whole of the Torah is for the purpose of promoting peace.”

The Holy Bible tells us, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”

The people of the world can live together in peace. We know that is God’s vision. Now, that must be our work here on Earth. Thank you. And may God’s peace be upon you.

It’s my sabbath, day of rest, where I get to do whatever i want in moderation of course.  WOOHOO!  So … I figured let’s update the little blog I have neglected over the past week or two, MY BAD!

Singing Journey:

Alright, so over the past month and a half, this may sound crazy, but I have been trying to walk out in this thing that God really put on my heart and it was drumroll …. SINGING.  And at first I did not know what that meant or looked like.  There were some different things said by other people that I felt confirmed things that were already in my heart.  Long story short, I started to try out to be a singer at IHOP etc.  Keep in mind, that I love worshipping Jesus, but never took on a mindset of being able to lead others (you know what I’m thinking here – TALENT) to do it which blows my mind.  So … anyway, I tried out twice in the past couple months and what may seem discouraging actually encouraged me even more to strengthen the gift He put inside of me and go for it.  After a third time this past week and of course with some voice lessons, something I would have never dreamed about has opened up for me.  So … all that to say I am really excited and nervous about this new deal.  I will keep you posted and if I find out times I am singing, I will get them to you, so you can be awake at the early watches of the morning 12am to 6am – WOOHOO!  You can listen or even watch the live stream online – it’s pretty tight.  If you want more specifics about it, please feel free to call or email and I can walk you thru more details of that journey and/or the webstream.

Story about one of my classes (QUALITY):

I appreciate not only the teaching that is strengthening my faith at this place but the teachers so so so much.  Ok, so a week ago, one of our teachers is about to teach on forerunner messengers and starts to go through the content.  In the class she regonized the anxiety that her flock had for their future as we discussed the topic.  There are some pretty messed up mindsets about what a prophet, forerunner, and messenger are and even what young people need to strive to become in our culture.  Prophet, Forerunner, Messenger are really all the same and anyone can do it in any walk of life, who is called by the Lord (prophet in context of encouragement and exhortation, office of a prophet I think is quite different).  I think this concept confuses the generation that is being raised under the mindset of “go make money and make a name for yourself”.  John’s slogan over his life was that we must decrease so that the bridegroom Jesus may increase, this is what a friend of the bridegroom does.  I want to be found as His friend. 

My bad, little preachy there, back to the class … so … she senses the anxiety the students have while she is teaching, and the class is silent for 2-5 min.  Then we break out into a time of ministry, “if people are fearful or anxious about your future, stand up and receive peace from the Lord tonight” etc.  And we pray for each other in the room in the middle of class.  I have never been in a class setting like that and it opened my eyes to see the love of the teachers here.  They don’t just see a body filling a seat but genuinely care about the condition of each one’s hearts because God does.

DAILY SCHEDULE – Classes

After that story, now let me update you on all the classes I am taking and then you can start to get an idea of what I hopefully will post on this site regularly.

• Sunday Part 1 (6pm – 8pm)  – Forerunner Christian Fellowship – AKA Church – random teachers share here.  Next week going to hear from the dude that did the whole 23 min. in hell, looking forward to hear what he has to say.  Last week Shelley Hundley shared about prophecy, SO GOOD!  I am still digesting this message and developing more of my notes from it – if you want to gettem let me know and I’ll email them to you.
• Sunday Part 2 (10pm – 12am) – Class on the Life of David – OMG – stinking excited about this.  Looking forward to seeing and understanding how God showed him mercy and loved him.
• Monday (10pm – 12am)  – Foundations of a Forerunner – LOVING THIS CLASS.
• Tuesday (10pm – 12am)  – Small Group Discussion / End – Times / Great Exchange / Small Group Prophecy – what’s been done the past couple weeks – sounds like the open random, whatever is needed time.
• Thursday (10pm – 12am)  – Student Connection Time - If you know who Stuart Greaves is, well … he either teachers or answers any questions the students have from different things they’ve read from the week.
• Friday (6pm – 8pm) - Encountering God Service – Teaching specific to Intimacy (Currently going through the features of Jesus in the book of revelation and how it moves us to love Him more.)
• Saturday (6pm – 8pm)  – Encountering God Service – Teaching specific to End-Times – understanding the book of Revelation in it’s full detail.
• In the midst of that, I also help out at an inner city prayer meeting on Monday’s, and it really is a highlight of the week because it just a connection time with the hurting and broken that Jesus loves so much.  I love praying with them and seeing their passion and zeal for the Lord.
• Prayer Room – 12am to 6am which most of you knew.  I also get to be in there Friday nights from 8pm – 1opm, and Tues 8pm – 10pm.  Saturday nights I go to an e12 (End-Times Small Group – 8:30pm – 10:30pm) which is outside of my Internship requirements IHOP small group I was in before.  Then a Nightwatch Staff Mtg on Sat night too (10:30pm – till I go to the prayer room)
• You might think, where does food and sleep come into play, well … 6:30am – 3pm I sleep.  Eat, Breakfast, Dinner (8-9pm ish), then Lunch (2am ish)
• pretty packed hunh?  I love it!  Keeps me out of trouble – LOL.

I guess this post is more about me giving you some insight into my daily schedule and what actually happens here.  FYI – I AM LOVING IT and God is really moving on my heart as I seek Him out in pursuit of understanding what He looks like and how He sees me.  The theme that the Lord keeps speaking to me is that I will become what I am looking at.  Theology of beholding is becoming what you are looking at.  I know there are things in store for my future to do for God and I am doing things for Him NOW, but this is a season of getting DEEP roots before moving.

So … it’s now time to wrap this up and maybe tomorrow I will give the next couple values I said I would deliver on, because I said I would, just wanted to change it up a little.  Leave a comment with any thoughts you have.

Oh … I also have been actively helping with Exodus Cry, quickly realized this last week that it was a little too much for me to do as an intern, and am hoping to jump on full time after my internship, we’ll see what God has in store.  But … Monday, May 4th, 7pm – FSM – Justice RALLY!  Going to be a good time of really gaining the Lord’s heart for those in captivity all over the earth.

Quick little nugget I have been chewing on this past week – actually what I sang for my audition to, ENJOY!

Psalm 42:1-3

As the deer longs for streams of water,

     so I long for you, O God.

I thirst for God, the living God

    When can I go and stand before him?

Day and night I have only tears for food,

     while my enemies continually taunt me, saying,

“Where is this God of yours?” 

# 4 IHOP Value of Enjoyable Prayer & Exodus Cry

Well … it has been a good past two days.  This is probably my fastest turn around on blogging – oh be proud!  Well … I wanted to get the next Enjoyable Prayer Value went over tonight and give a quick little update on Exodus Cry.  I am really excited about this event that is coming up for Exodus Cry.  WOOHOO!

So today, I met with a couple people in Exodus Cry and they are doing a Justice Rally in conjunction with Lou Engle’s “The Call.”  We will be showing the 22 weeks video at FSM on May 4^th @ 7pm.  Both Lou and Benji will be sharing and apparently I am supposed to help head up the marketing for it in KC.  I feel like this is so nuts, but at the same time it’s my strength and using what God has put on the inside of me so I am excited at the same time.  The only thing that’s crazy is that I am an intern at IHOP with a pretty full schedule already.  I pretty much am planning to work for Exodus Cry 12-18 hours a week and then from 10pm – 6am my time is committed to FITN except for Fri – Sun when I have to be at service at 6pm.  So it’s going to be intense but I think God’s grace and favor is over it.  PRAY FOR ME.

Value # 4 – Cultivating a Prophetic Spirit on the Musicians

·         Mystery of music is in the being of God.  He is a musician (this is interesting – I don’t see scripture directly stating this but I could see where the idea comes from Rev 4-5, and other ones I am about to share.)

·         Music is the greatest form of entertainment in every culture – I would say this is true of what I have experience thus far, haven’t been to every culture but I think it would be true, not stating therefore it is, but let me know your thoughts.  LOL.

o   Because of this being evident in other cultures could elude that music is within the human spirit.  (rational sounds right but once again, I don’t have enough understanding on this to say if it’s true or not.)

·         Combination of anointed music and preaching brings new dimensions.  Think of this at stadium events, sounds right.  (Rev 4-5)

·         King David invested a great amount of resources (time and money) into cultivating anointed music and singers

1 Chronicles 25:1-3 

 1 Moreover David and the captains of the army separated for the service some of the sons of Asaph, of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, stringed instruments, and cymbals. And the number of the skilled men performing their service was: 2 Of the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asharelah;[a] the sons of Asaph were under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied according to the order of the king. 3 Of Jeduthun, the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, Zeri,[b] Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six,[c] under the direction of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with a harp to give thanks and to praise the LORD.

1 – Ask yourself why did David invest so much into this?  He knew the dimension of cultivating prophetic musicians in the Spirit does not come automatic.  It comes through much intentional training and impartation.  It takes time.  Critical to a vibrant spiritual atmosphere in the Church.

2 – NOT enough to just add a couple songs that are good.  Musicians must cultivate a prophetic spirit that flows like a river inside of them.

·         Elisha the prophet asked for a musician to release the anointing of the Spirit:

2 Kings 3:15

15 But now bring me a musician.”
Then it happened, when the musician played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him.

·         Trumpets and harps are prominent in God’s End-Time strategy as seen in the book of Revelation.  God releases His judgments on the earth through the music of Divine trumpets.  (Rev 8:13; 9:14).  They were also important in King David’s prayer ministry (2 Sam 6:15; 1 Chr 13:8; 1 Chr 15:24, 28; 16:6, 42; 2 Chr 5:13; 7:6; 13:12, 14; 15:14; 20:28; 23:13; 29:26-27; Neh 4:20; 12:35, 41)

·         Prophecy release in context of a music.  Playing in moment of the Spirit.

Thoughts on the scripture and how it gels together?

Let me begin by apologizing, it has taken me quite some time since my last post.  My bad, my schedule definitely got a kick in the pants after receiving my new internship schedule.  Has been intense for my time management but I know the treasures in store at the end are well worth it.

For all those that have sent me their mailing addresses and some close friends who did not but I know your address Teen Mania etc., I’ll be sending a letter with a bit of an update, probably hit the mail next week.  If you’ve been following my blog then most of the information might be a little redundant, except you’ll have a pretty piece of paper, with my pic on it and the official update for each month of the internship.  Be expecting three of them (one each month).  Sincerely, I am excited to stay connected with people and give regular updates and feedback on things that are going on.  Please feel free to email any prayer requests you might have or questions or just updates on your life.  If you are wanting a letter, be sure to get your address to me before this Friday and you will be guaranteed ready to go to receive them.

Promise of Enjoyable Prayer – FOR EVERYONE!

Isaiah 56:6-7 

   “ Also the sons of the foreigner
      Who join themselves to the LORD, to serve Him,
      And to love the name of the LORD, to be His servants—
      Everyone who keeps from defiling the Sabbath,
      And holds fast My covenant—
      Even them I will bring to My holy mountain,
      And make them joyful in My house of prayer.
      Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices
      Will be accepted on My altar;
      For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.”

The only prayer that is going to continue, “night and day” is that which is enjoyable.  That is why it is so foundational and critical be in a place where prayer is enjoyed.  There will definitely be up’s and down’s but by the Lord’s grace the moments that satisfy and you see and feel God on your heart, will be what keeps you in the place of endurance to not give up (which is a part of value # 12).  In the Isaiah passage I list above it is highlighting that this is both for Jew and Gentile (gentile – the foreigner).  Most significant passage related to enjoyable prayer has to be Revelation 4-5.  To sit and behold the beauty of God that is described in heaven and not be fascinated by the majesty of God is impossible for one that is hungry for God and seeking to know what He looks like and who He is.  This helps unlock the beauty of God which energizes our hearts in the place of attaining enjoyable prayer.

Other good passages to lock into for descriptions on enjoyable prayer are – Isaiah 56 & 62, Psalm 149, and Revelation 4-5.

I am going to list the 16 Values here for you in this post.  Then go deeper with the first three that I have gone over with my “core” group of guys.  Yes, all my friends from the HA I am practically in a core all over again, this time just for 3 months and I don’t live on campus, God is good and merciful, even in the little things.

Value # 1 – Enjoying Intimacy with the Beautiful God

Value # 2 – Necessity of combining Worship and Intercession

Value # 3 – Praying in the Spirit and Spontaneous Singing – developing a flowing heart

Value # 4 – Cultivating a Prophetic Spirit on the Musicians

Value # 5 – Antiphonal Singing and Team Ministry in Prayer

Value # 6 – Agreeing with God’s heart and joy in Answered Prayer

Value # 7 – Joy of Evangelism, World Missions and Serving the Poor

Value # 8 – Path to Fullness – Joy in loving and needing the whole body

Value # 9 – God-Centered Spiritual Warfare

Value # 10 – Biblical Prayers using God’s Language

Value # 11 – IHOP-KC Platform Ministry Style – Exalting Jesus

Value # 12 – Necessity of Perseverance – Staying engaged in prayer

Value # 13 – Militant boldness against the works of darkness

Value # 14 – Convictions of Coming Revival and the Victorious Church

Value # 15 – Revelation of the End-Time Judgments of God

Value # 16 – Structure and Leadership in Prayer Meetings

Alright, I know it appears a little overwhelming, but now you’ll see where I will be going in the next couple weeks I think.  I really do appreciate the emphasis in scripture when the disciples asked, “Teach us how to pray.”  So … definitely something I am learning and even questioning and challenging in this season.  There are different things that I hear that I sometimes don’t agree with but the vision and over arching principles I sincerely believe to be true or I would not be here.

Value # 1 – Enjoying Intimacy with the Beautiful God

Psalm 27:4

One thing I have desired of the LORD,
         That will I seek:
         That I may dwell in the house of the LORD
         All the days of my life,
         To behold the beauty of the LORD,
         And to inquire in His temple.

·         David’s life long pre-occupation was to sit and gaze on the beauty of God.  This was central to the prayer ministry led by King David.  He is the delight and the pleasure of His people forever.

·         The revelation of God’s emotions and affections (burning desires) was also part of David’s special focus.

·         The combination of God’s beauty with His emotions for human beings provides the essential ingredients to enjoyable prayer.

·         Pray Ephesians 1:17-19 over your heart.

·         Power to engage in night and day prayer is found in having a heart that soars in God.

·         PRIMARY FOCUS IN PRAYER – MUST BE ON GOD, rather then all the sin and activity of the enemy, it’s part of prayer but NOT the main focus.

·         Psalm 149 & 16 – David’s writes of God’s please, delight, and affection for His people.

Psalm 149:2

Let Israel rejoice in their Maker;
         Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.

Emphasis – enjoying GOD!

Psalm 149:4

For the LORD takes pleasure in His people;
         He will beautify the humble with salvation.

Emphasis – God delights/takes pleasure in us.

Check out Song of Solomon 1:5 and see God’s delight for us.

·         First person of the trinity is a tender Father, and the second person of the trinity is a passionate bridegroom.  Need to run into the doctrine of the Church being the bride.  It is the title Jesus emphasizes through John at the end of Revelation 22:17, “Spirit and the Bride, say, ‘Come.’”

·         God beautifies us by us searching Him out.  Behold God without a veil.  Anywhere we can encounter the Lord.  This is such a practical principle that we sometimes lose sight of.  In perspective, it is the most humbling thing we can do.  Something that is in secret that receives no recognition, but we lose sight that it’s the place of where all power and authority lies.

Isaiah 62:2-6 

2 The Gentiles shall see your righteousness,
      And all kings your glory.
      You shall be called by a new name,
      Which the mouth of the LORD will name.
       3 You shall also be a crown of glory
      In the hand of the LORD,
      And a royal diadem
      In the hand of your God.
       4 You shall no longer be termed Forsaken,
      Nor shall your land any more be termed Desolate;
      But you shall be called Hephzibah,[a] and your land Beulah;[b]
      For the LORD delights in you,
      And your land shall be married.
       5 For as a young man marries a virgin,
      So shall your sons marry you;
      And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride,
      So shall your God rejoice over you.
       6 I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem;
      They shall never hold their peace day or night.
      You who make mention of the LORD, do not keep silent

·         New name – refers to understanding our new spiritual identity as being delighted in by God.

·         Identity first found as lovers of God.

·         Night and Day prayer (Isa 62:6) is fueled by the confidence and assurance that God delights in us (Isa 62:2-5)

Value # 2 – Necessity of combining Worship and Intercession

Revelation 5:8

Worthy Is the Lamb

   
Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

·         Harp and bowl – harp (instrument – worship), bowls (pouring out prayers of the saints).

·         Spiritual warfare – agreement with God’s heart.  Worship – agreement with who God is.  Intercession – agreement with what God promises to do.

·         When we declare the truth of who God is (worship), then our faith expands to then agree with what He promised to do (intercession).

·         Be pre-occupied with who He is, then it will sustain our faith in interceding for the revival He promised to release.

·         Something that might be cool to look at is the establishment of the model of worship that Solomon establishes which David had envisioned (2 Chronicles 6-7)

Value # 3 – Praying in the Spirit and Spontaneous Singing – developing a flowing heart

·         Two ways to sing spontaneously – Spirit and Understanding

1 Cor 14:14-15

…I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.

·         Sing short phrases from scripture, and unlock things that were hidden before, this coupled with singing in the spirit is a place of deeper connection with the Lord.

Singing in the Spirit:

1 Corinthians 14:2-4

For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. 3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. 4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.

·         Point is obviously a deeper connection of your spirit to God’s.

Singing with Understanding from Scripture:

Ephesians 5:19

speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,

Colossians 3:16

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

My bad for making this a bit long but hope you enjoyed it.  Let me know your thoughts and like I said before I am looking forward to being in contact with many of you.  Blessings!

-          Shawn Vrieling (many of the notes LOL came from my little manual for the internship so please don’t think I typed this up myself, some of it is me, but their copyright is that it’s my right to copy, but just putting that out there if you thought some of it was sheer brilliance because I didn’t formulate this stuff, for real, peace!)

LOL! – I thought this posted two days ago which is why your getting a double wammy for posts today.  ENJOY!

So … I don’t think this post will be any sort of in depth teaching or study … just a quick update.  I had my first day in the internship yesterday!  WOOHOO!  This is so weird, I feel like I am going through gauntlet all over again except I don’t live with the guys in my small group.  WOOOHOOO!  Yeah, for being independent and having my own place to go lay my head early in the morning to rest.

So I met my “Core Leaders” yesterday, it’s weird, there’s only 7 guys in the group I think and we have 2 core leaders, but I think it’s because both of them are so busy and so we’ll probably only see one of them out every so often etc.  Well … anyway, last night was the meet and greet, policies, and then testimonies with group.  Was pretty chill and I think will be a good humbling experience for me.

It’s been a long time since I was an intern and to be under a lot of rules and policies for the next 3 months could easily be perceived as annoying or aggravating etc. but I am starting to look forward to being under the systematic covering.  Very different perspective right now but I know in the end 3 months is so short and it’s going to fly by and the sacrifices will be worth it.

I am really looking forward to burn team meetings.  Basically core leaders inspire us each night before we go to the place of prayer with whatever is on their hearts and then we go at it from 12:15am to 6am.  Pretty sweet.  My core leaders are Matt Smoler and Jonathan Baldwin.  They are a about a year or two older than me and I appreciate their wisdom and understanding and things they’ve gone through in life. 

So in the past couple weeks God has really been making me more aware of the role Israel plays not in just the great commission but in God’s heart and how strategic His chosen people are for His reign on the earth.  Well … get this … Matt is a Messianic Jew.  I was ecstatic, to know that I will get to learn from him for the next 3 months.  Then … the other big thing which you can see in my past couple blog postings are the things that God has been teaching me about Him coming and reigning on the earth as King and what that means in the context of Justice.  Well … Jonathan … he is going to be doing the Justice Institute this coming fall and he is an avid gun-ho bound4life dude.  He leads the sieges I think for the KC area and really has a heart for Justice.  So in my mind I refer to one as Israel and the other as Justice and to say the least I am excited.

Burn team was cool last night too.  Psalm 134.  I feel like I have had vision for the prayer room and my purpose and everything coming to KC etc.  But I know these next 3 months is going to be so refreshing, refining, and exactly what God wants to impart into me.  I feel so blessed right now and could not have asked for more from the Lord.  He has given me everything that I need for this season and really proven himself faithful.

Orientation/Gauntlet (lol) is over this Sunday, thank God!  I am excited to start jumping into some classes.  I also just recently agreed to work part time for Exodus Cry on the side, and will hopefully more proactively be working on vocal lessons.  Few people knew about the voice lessons, but just some different things that God has been depositing into me about it and I think the timing is right to really practice it and learn to walk out in confidence in something God’s put inside of me that I have never really unlocked.

That’s the quick little update.  Please leave a comment with any thoughts you have and I look forward to hearing from many of you in the near future.

Psalm 134 (New King James Version)

Psalm 134

A Song of Ascents.

 ¹ Behold, bless the LORD,
         All you servants of the LORD,
         Who by night stand in the house of the LORD!
 ² Lift up your hands in the sanctuary,
         And bless the LORD.
         
 ³ The LORD who made heaven and earth
         Bless you from Zion!

Internship – Support Raising

REJOICING!  First half of my post … okay, so for the past month I have been walking down this process of hopefully getting into the internship here at IHOP.  I think some here that and think, “why fret, anyone probably gets accepted,” which could be true for the most part. 

To say the least it seems I am an exception.  I have been doing night watch prayer room for the past two months on my own and they have an internship in the night called Fire in the Night.  They also have a day time internship called Introduction to IHOP, Intro.  So … with me being Canadian, it did not seem like it would be possible for me to do the internship because of the technicality of my VISA etc.  And then on top of it I was trying to see if I could do Intro in the night, because for Fire In the Night you have to live in the dorm but I just moved to a new house and really wanted to stay with the guys I just moved in with.  (Really good place and cheap rent J) 

Long story short, after a month of figuring this stuff out, 2 days before the internship starts, I AM IN!  God is so good and I felt like I knew this was supposed to happen but I just didn’t see it all working out in the natural.  PRAISE GOD, HE DID IT! 

Justice - Judge of the Earth

Ok … now the whole Judge of the earth deal.  This is just something God has really been gripping my heart with in context of justice.  Been reading Isaiah a lot lately and it paints such a clear picture of Jesus returning to the earth and having the justice He wanted all along on the earth.  These are my own notes of just things I’ve thought of since being in the prayer room, thinking of Jesus as the King and Judge of the earth, and the great need that is evident on the earth today.

Matthew 5:6, 9

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled … Blessed are the peacemakers,

For they shall be called sons of God.

Isaiah 9:7

Of the increase of His government and peace
      There will be no end,
      Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
      To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
      From that time forward, even forever.
      The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

Isaiah 11:4

But with righteousness He shall judge the poor,
      And decide with equity for the meek of the earth;
      He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth,
      And with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked.

Isaiah 2:2-4

2 Now it shall come to pass in the latter days
      Thatthe mountain of the LORD’s house
      Shall be established on the top of the mountains,
      And shall be exalted above the hills;
      And all nations shall flow to it.
       3 Many people shall come and say,

 “ Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
      To the house of the God of Jacob;
      He will teach us His ways,
      And we shall walk in His paths.”
      For out of Zion shall go forth the law,
      And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
       4 He shall judge between the nations,
      And rebuke many people;
      They shall beat their swords into plowshares,
      And their spears into pruning hooks;
      Nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
      Neither shall they learn war anymore.

2 Corinthians 3:18 – You will become what you look at!  What are you looking at?

The following is not a step by step procedure where you graduate from steps 1-3 and move on to live out only 4-7.  Each one builds upon each other, which is critical to remember.  You are building upon a foundation in the knowledge of learning to love God rightly and experience His love for you the way He designed it to be.

1 – Adoring Gaze (Mary of Bethany Heart)

2 – Discover the Knowledge of God (His character and emotions toward me – Bridegroom, King, and Judge)

3 – Assurance of being enjoyed by God (Even in your weakness – He loves ME!)

4 – Produces ability to reciprocate that enjoyment (I love God)

5 – Begin to enjoy and love yourself (I love myself)

6 – Grow in ability to love others (I love other people)

7 – Step into faith and power dimension activated by love. (Ministry for God)

Remember – don’t leave one and graduate to the next.  If you stop gazing and looking at the Son even if you are at #7, you will need to come back to #1 and gaze, but it’s not a matter of a process that you go through this 7 step guide every single time.  There are different moments in life and the lies of the enemy that can cause us to slip.  Ask God to silence the accuser when it’s concerning the most important aspect of life, understanding God’s love for you.  As you understand the way God sees you, it will dictate the way you live and serve Him.

Foundation – SERMON ON MOUNT LIFESTYLE – Acknowledge that you are poor in Spirit – really our need for God.

# 1 – Adoring Gaze:

·         Luke 10:42

·         Martha is bothered and disturbed

·         There’s an attitude of a fear of missing out – we need to have this attitude when it comes to His presence.

·         LOVERS OUT WORK WORKERS

o   Can work without love, but cannot love without work.

·         To be connected to the servant of all means that we can’t help but SERVE.

·         Martha – she makes smaller things VERY BIG.  Stressing out over something you shouldn’t even when you miss out on the biggest thing of ALL.

·         So … how do we cultivate the adoring spirit we need and not be bothered (Practically … become students of His emotions – what are God’s thoughts towards us)

# 2 – Students of His Emotions

·         Practical Steps: 

o   Consistent communication, sing God’s word, meditation and writing, slowly chewing the word, thankfulness, “I am my beloved and You are Mine” – ask for revelation.

o   Reading Jesus’ interactions in the gospels – look at His heart of compassion – see how He interacted and encountered people.

§  Think about which gospel story/situation is your favorite and ponder, why?

# 3 – Assurance – God loves ME

·         2 LIES WE WRESTLE WITH IN REGARDS TO OUR ASSURANCE:

o   1 – He only enjoys us when He approves all areas of your life.  This mentality is massively dependent upon us and earning love etc.

§  Mt 5:48 – “Be perfect” – this is the pursuit of 100 fold obedience.

o   2 – When He disciplines / corrects you, you think He rejects you.

§  Truth – HE DISCIPLINES THOSE HE LOVES – check out Hebrews 12

·         No greater love than this that a man should lay down His life for another, ALWAYS remember:

o   Jesus, Man from heaven who sat on the throne and was exalted to the highest place, not only became a man and humbled himself, but went to the lowest place, died a criminal’s death and demonstrated His love, while we did not deserve it, He chose to die and endure the pain and anguish because there was a joy set before Him.  That joy was us being one with Him as He is ONE with the Father.  This is the most powerful fact and is the essence of the assurance we have.  He proved His love for us.

# 4 – Able to Love GOD

·         Mt 22:37 – “YOU SHALL”

·         God commands it and declares it that we will love Him with all of who we are.

·         Key hindrance to enjoying God

o   Filling self with other comforts, therefore don’t know what it’s like for God to love you

o   Lack of understanding – therefore FEAR

o   Believing lies of the enemy.

# 5 – Enjoy and Love Self

·         There is no way you can touch the Creator, the one that made you, likes and enjoys you, and not be transformed to really like yourself.

·         This is the process of beholding and becoming – 2 Cor 3:18

·         Jesus – not once ever beat himself up.  We need to get rid of the phony false humility we so often walk in.

·         Phil 2 – Consider others better then yourselves – this means to prefer the other person, NOT he/she has a higher value or better quality, so they must be better etc.

·         Jesus loves me the same as the Father loves His Son, Jesus

·         You know you are walking this out, when you are regularly saying, “Rather be ME than anybody else.”

·         Also realize that when you don’t love yourself, even your physical frame, you are in a way telling the potter that He did not know what He was doing when He made you.  This is arrogance on our part and a clear indication that we don’t love ourselves.

# 6 – Ability to LOVE OTHERS

·         Cannot love others until you love yourself.

·         Mt 22:39 – “love neighbor as yourself.”

·         We may think we have love for other people but really it’s an outlet to attempt to love ourselves by other means other than God, which really is not real love at all for we know that God is love.  If it’s not from the overflow of our love for God, it’s really just good intentions and a kind gesture rather than really wanting to give of ourselves to another person.

·         If we do not first learn to love and enjoy ourselves, then we have no standard in which we are to love others by.

·         Also if you lack in the love you have for yourself, it will be very difficult and near impossible to receive love from others, you won’t even recognize it as love.

# 7 – Faith and Power Activated by Love

·         Book of Acts

·         Don’t even stop – you’ll never take a break from gazing and loving – when you struggle and are deficient – the key is to GAZE on Him, be reminded of all of 1-6 when you gaze on Him.

·         This is not compartmentalized either, builds on each other.

·         This last step is where you become the WORKER, you will have His heart for people and genuinely care and find yourself in the place of intercession.

·         This is how in the book of Hebrews it talks about us coming to the throne boldly with confidence, it’s because we are confident in LOVE (God).

·         Whatever is our pre-occupation is what we will become.

Matthew 22:37-39 (New King James Version)

Let me know what you think.