Friday 8:00 a.m.: Good morning! I am in the car, on my way to O’Hare, where I am hoping to make my Delta flight to Fayetteville, NC via Atlanta. I say “hoping” because snow has moved into Chicago this morning, on top of yesterday’s rain, and air transportation is most certainly going to be snarled today. Lord, help today’s travel, I pray.

Now about Fayetteville. The invitation came from a brother with whom I have been in the past, but who was with another ministry at the time. Now he is with Kingdom Impact Global Ministries, Fayetteville. I do not know if this is their first-ever worship conference, but it is my first time to be with them. I’m scheduled to speak tonight (Lord, help me to get there in time), Saturday morning, and then Sunday in their regular 9 a.m. service.

Saturday 12:30 pm: I had an “interesting” time getting here yesterday. Storms had moved through Atlanta (my hub city) and Chicago (my departing city). So by the time the story was done, I didn’t get into Fayetteville until 11 p.m. last night. Needless to say, I didn’t get here in time for the Friday night service. When traveling is what you do, it’s inevitable that eventually you’re going to have an airport day. Yesterday my number came up, smile.

This morning we had an excellent session. Rangel (the worship pastor) was leading in a sweet time of worship when I came into the room. I spoke on an abiding anointing, and the need for gatekeepers in the house of God. I think the connection was good. Actually, I am wanting to write on this topic, and am asking the Lord for grace to find the time to write.

I was told that perhaps 5-6 churches were represented this morning. A good group of nearly 100 had gathered, and their eagerness for the things of God was clear and strong. They will be holding workshops into the afternoon.

Now I’m back in my room, and will be collected at 7:15 for the 7:30 pm service tonight, in which I am to speak. And then Sunday 9 a.m.

Sunday 5:00 p.m.: Greetings from the air, on my Atlanta-KC flight. About last night: I went into the meeting feeling duress in my soul because I had spent a significant portion of the day trying to get clarity for the Sunday morning message, and just could not gain clarity, so take that into consideration in what I’m about to say. The service began at 7:30 pm, and was a full program of worship and several performances (choir, mime, dance, etc). By the time I got up to speak, it was 9:20 p.m. And I was aware that most of the folks had been at the conference all day long. Maybe I was more conscious of the time than they were, I don’t know, but I found myself wanting to be brief for the sake of the people. At any rate, as I’m in the middle of my teaching, I’m thinking to myself, “This is one of the most unanointed messages I’ve ever delivered.” I had cut the message short in my preparation, and then while at the podium I kept cutting it shorter. By the time it was done (about 30-35 min later), I could hardly figure out what my point was. So I found a way to get off the platform as quickly as possible. I just kept thinking, “This was horrible — and tomorrow is going to be more of the same.” We went out to Ruby Tuesday’s after the meeting, and so I got back to my room shortly after midnight. I spent some time in strong intercession, and then just went to sleep at 1:00 a.m. When I woke up in the night to use the facilities, Job came to mind. I hadn’t even considered speaking on Job Sunday morning. When I got up in the morning, the idea of Job stayed with me, so I quickly threw a few notes together, and was off at 8:30 to the 9 a.m. meeting. I went with Job, and the Lord honored it. Excellent connection, good anointing, sincere response afterwards around the altar. So now you have the inside scoop on how it was for me. I’m coming home with much thanksgiving in my heart for the Lord’s help and kindness–and affection for His people.

Thursday: I leave the house at 11:30 today, catching a flight to Chicago, preparing to minister at the annual worship conference at Eagle’s Nest church in South Holland, IL. This will be my fourth time with them. A great group of Jesus-loving people! I will be with them in tonight’s service, then tomorrow will make my way to Fayetteville, NC.

p.s. If you’d be interested in watching the message on Jacob that I delivered last weekend, you can watch it at http://www.rez.org/sermons.

Friday: We had a great time last night. A good time of worship, and then the Lord anointed me to teach. After I was done, the worship team got into a sweet prophetic flow, and we all just basked in the presence of the Lord for close to a half hour. A precious time.

Thursday: Dear prayer team, it’s a delight to be back in touch with you after a couple months’ hiatus. The prayer retreat was very good, “just what the doctor ordered,” smile. It’s good to be back in touch with you, and it’s good to be preparing for another season of ministry.

Today I am traveling to Loveland, CO, so that I will be present to minister at a Friday 11 a.m. session at the Convergence conference of Resurrection Fellowship, Loveland, CO. I think this may be my fourth visit to Rez, truly a lampstand church in the northern region of CO. John Stocker provided excellent leadership to the church for many years, and has given the reins recently to a young man named Jonathan Wiggins who is doing an outstanding job. I look forward to meeting Jonathan for the first time, and to being with this amazing church family once again. (Rez also happens to be the church in which my son-in-law, Ben, was raised.)

I am scheduled to speak Friday 11 a.m., and in their weekend services. They have four weekend services — Saturday 4 pm, 6 pm, Sun 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. The plan is for me to speak for 3 services, and in the Saturday 6 pm for the video of the 4 pm teaching to be shown in the 6 pm service. In this manner, I will have to speak only 3 times. Thanks for your prayers.

p.s. This week we received our sample copies of the Portuguese translation of my GLORY book, printed in Brazil by an American missionary. Please bless this translation in your prayers!

Friday 4:30 p.m.: We had a wonderful time together this morning. Tom Ewing, joined by his wife (voice) and son (guitar) and daughter (keys/voice) led us in a sweet time of worship. Then Todd Hudson of Denver spoke, my first to hear him, really enjoyed his message. Then after a brief ministry period I spoke. I spoke on taking the stronghold of Zion, I seemed to have clarity in my spirit to go with that message. The word seemed to be well received. The clock ran out so there was no time for ministry at the end, we all broke for lunch. Several swung by to express their identification with the message.

Afterwards I enjoyed lunch with a friend of mine in the area who now lives in Estes Park, it was great to catch up. I’ll be returning in a bit for the 7 p.m. service, in which John Stocker will be speaking.

By the way, the smoothness of transition from John Stocker to Jonathan Wiggins as senior pastor of the work here is just amazing, totally a divine kiss to this church and region. It’s uncommon for the baton to be passed in a large church in such an auspicious way.

The conference ends Saturday morning with Jonathan Wiggins speaking. Then at 4 p.m., the first of the four regular weekend services here at Rez commences. I am scheduled to speak in that service — and again twice on Sunday morning — thanks for your prayer help!

Saturday 3:00 p.m.: A quick report on this morning’s worship service, it was quite unlike any other I’ve ever been in. At one point a quadriplegic in a wheelchair came forward with a prophetic word. Afterward the word was given, as well as a couple others, the worship leader (Dave Powers) asked him to supply him with rhyming lines, so that he could then sing those lines after him. Over the course of the song, the quadriplegic provided 5 pairs of rhyming lines, which got crafted into a song on the spot. By the time it was done, we were all singing the new song together and rejoicing before the Lord. Just amazing. You can go places in the river of God when you have worship leaders who are willing to get out of the boat and walk on water. Then pastor Jonathan Wiggins delivered a message that was just stunning. A wow morning.

Saturday 10:00 p.m.: The Lord really helped me in the 4:00 pm service, I sensed His presence and help in a clear way. Good receptivity among the saints. Then they showed the video in the 6:00 p.m. service. I sat through the video myself, that’s an “interesting” experience, to watch yourself on video. But I felt I should be present. The folks in the second service seemed to interact well with the video, clapping, etc. I think it worked. In the morning I will attempt to do both services live.

After the Sat. 4:00 service, I had a delightful visit for around 45 minutes with Jim & Sheri Grossman. Many years ago, Sheri sang alto on our worship team in Canandaigua. A bad surgery has her in a wheelchair now, but I was amazed to learn that she still rides her motorcycle! (3-wheeler) It even carries her wheelchair! They are continuing to lay their lives down for so many people, it was a privilege to reconnect with them.

Sunday evening: I’m home now after a good trip — especially aided by a direct flight from Denver, smile. This morning’s services were excellent, the Lord gave me good vocal strength to do both services, speaking about an hour in each. The hand of the Lord was evident in His help, and the connection with the saints seemed to be very positive. Lots of appreciative comments, and a neat response around the altar, especially in second service. So I’ve returned home with a thankful heart, so appreciative for the privilege of declaring the word of the Lord.

Good Saturday afternoon! I hope y’all have had a wonderful Thanksgiving week. I just finished dropping my parents off at the airport for their return trip home, we had a DELIGHTFUL week with them and our other guests, the Schrader’s. Nonstop food, fun, fellowship, felicitous thanksgiving.

In the morning I make the 80-minute drive to Riverside Church in St. Joseph, MO. (10 a.m. service) I was with Pastor Tim Doyle once before in another context, but this will be my first time to be with him since he launched this church plant. The work is strong already, running around 150 adults I’m told. It’s nice on a holiday weekend like this to be able to stay home and have a “local” ministry opportunity. I’m looking forward to it.

I’m in prayer today, seeking the Lord for a clear word. Thanks for your prayer help today, and please join me in the Spirit tomorrow by attending your local church as together we exalt the name of Jesus, with all the saints worldwide.

Sunday afternoon: I’m back home after a good road trip to St. Joseph and good ministry at Riverside Church. The saints were very attentive, and responded well at the end to the word of the Lord. This church has a very vibrant youth group and a very committed worship team. Strong core of committed saints. I bless this work now in my prayers, that the Lord would enable them to make a strong impact for the Kingdom in St. Joseph.

Thanks for praying me through!

Up next: Wednesday I leave for Korea, where I’ll be ministering at a worship conference with Klaus.

Sunday 5:30 p.m.: We had a very good service this morning. The saints here are really hungry for the Lord. They pressed into worship together. And then during the ministry of the word, they were very attentive and receptive, easy to minister to. I had a great time with them, both in worship and in fellowship. I feel enriched to now have this church family eternally part of my family. Good ministry, good connection, much thanksgiving.

Speaking of which, HAPPY THANKSGIVING! So what are you doing for Thanksgiving? We’ve got a grand time planned. My parents are flying in tomorrow from Pittsburgh to be with us for the week. Also coming for a couple days is the Alan Schrader family from Bloomfield, NY. So we’re going to have a grand party at our place this week, offering much thanksgiving to God!

Up next: Sunday I have scheduled some local ministry so I can be home for the weekend. I’ll be speaking this Sunday morning in St. Joseph, MO. Just a little over an hour from our home. Glad to be home, and glad for the privilege of ministering locally. Back to you Saturday.

Friday morning: I’m heading out first thing this morning for Boise, to be at the first-ever Harvest Worship Institute at Church of the Harvest. I’m speaking at the closing session of the conference, Friday night. Then I’m staying over Sunday morning to be at River Valley Community Church. Also ministering at this Worship Institute are Howard Rachinski and Katy Wade and Portia Sumner (great people!), as well as the host ministry team. I have driven through Idaho, but it occurred to me that this will be my first time to actually minister in this great state. So I’m looking forward to being with these saints.

Saturday 11 a.m.: We had a marvelous time last night, a great conclusion to the worship conference. The pastor’s daughter Kari leads worship here, is doing an amazing job. She was joined this week by Portia and Katy from Shiloh Church in Oakland, CA — two prophetic songbirds. When I finished the message, Katy and Portia and team took over. They nailed it. A blanket of the presence of God filled the room. You didn’t want to stand. Everyone at the altar just went to their knees, so aware of the holiness of God. The message was on “worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.” Truly we were in His holy presence. Afterwards we had a sweet time of fellowship with the ministry team, which was extended today at the breakfast table in our hotel. Just a marvelous time of reconnecting with dear friends.

Friday: I leave the house at 5 a.m. this morning to fly to El Paso (via Atlanta), and then take the 90-minute drive from there to Alamogordo, NM. This will be my second time to Cottonwood Christian Fellowship, to minister at their annual worship conference. I had a great time with these saints last year, and am looking forward to being with them again. There’s great sincerity and hunger for everything God has for us.

I am scheduled to speak once daily, Fri/Sat/Sun. Thanks for your prayers for vocal strength (it’s been a sore week), for clarity of direction in the word, and for the power of the Lord to be present with us.

On another note, this week we received our sample copies of the French translation of FOLLOWING THE RIVER (produced in Switzerland). Please join us in believing prayer that this translation would have a strong impact among the worshiping communities in the French-reading world.

I am also reminded that today TheCall Detroit is happening — let’s join in the Spirit with our brothers and sisters in Detroit as they have set aside 11-11-11 to call upon the Lord for His help and visitation in America.

Grace to you in your intercessory ministry before the throne!

Friday 11:00 p.m.: Great launch tonight. I spoke about burning in holiness in the throne room, and the Lord’s grace was upon the message. I think everyone sensed we were in the presence of Jesus.

There are workshops and various sessions throughout the day tomorrow. Then I’ll share again in the Saturday 6:30 p.m. service.

Saturday 10:00 a.m.: I had a delightful breakfast with a couple on our intercessory team, Evan and Sophia who live about 3 hours north of here, and made the trip down to take in the Friday evening service, and then do Saturday breakfast with me before heading home to their responsibilities. Sweet!

Saturday 10:30 p.m.: We had an excellent finish tonight to the conference. I spoke on following the river of God in worship, after which I set us all up for a “practice session,” in which we practiced singing new songs to the Lord based on Scripture. Everyone gathered around the front altar area with their Bibles, and we had a very sweet time of extolling the Lamb of God and singing Holy Holy Holy. It seemed to me that for many of them they were participating in something like this for the first time, so there was a very sincere spirit upon it. It seemed to me that ending the teaching in some practical application helped to strengthen the retention and relevance of the word. I think everyone will be coming back in the morning with expectation that it will not be “church as usual.”

Sunday 4:30 p.m.: We had another wonderful time together in the Lord’s house this morning. Sweet spirit in worship. Good anointing upon the word. The saints were very attentive, taking in every word. The folks here expressed heartfelt appreciation for the ministry this weekend, so I’m returning home with my affection cup overflowing, and with much thanksgiving to God.

Sunday 3:30 p.m.: Had a great time at My Father’s House today. I’ve known the Naedele’s for years, and yet for some reason this was my first time ever to be at their church. They have a neat church family, good spirit in the midst, lots of passion in their worship ministry, very open hearts. Good anointing, good connection. I’m going home with much thanksgiving to God for again being able to speak the word, and for sharing in the marvelous fellowship of the body of Christ. I’m telling you, the family of God is a GREAT family to belong to!

Friday morning: Today I fly to Buffalo, NY, to prepare for Sat/Sun ministry. Saturday morning and afternoon I am teaching 2 sessions at a training seminar at Elim Christian Fellowship in downtown Buffalo. Although carrying the same name, this church is not connected to the Elim in Lima, NY with which I am licensed. Founded by its current pastor, this church mushroomed under his ministry and is now one of the leading churches in Buffalo, especially in the African American community. I have been requested to speak specifically on “Unrelenting Prayer.”

Saturday 7:00 p.m.: We had an excellent time this morning. About 100 of the church’s leaders gathered, several of them commenting on remembering my previous visit in 2005. After a delightful time of worship and soaking in the presence of the Lord, I shared two sessions. The Lord’s grace was on both sessions, a good anointing, and a good connection with the saints. I think the ministry was significant. Thank you for praying me through two one-hour sessions back to back!

Sunday 4:00 p.m.: We had a delightful time this morning at Zion. Dave Rose and team did a great job with worship, a couple prophetic words came forth, the presence of the Lord was strong. Chris and Joan gave an uber gracious welcome to us. I ended up bringing the word I had prepared. After preparing it, I had much uncertainty, and so was leaning hard into the Lord for clarity. I thought perhaps the Lord would put me onto a different, unexpected message in the middle of worship. But as it turned out, I felt to stay with my preparation. The Lord entered into it with me, put a good anointing on the message, and the saints seemed to be edified and strengthened. The altar filled with people responding, and they hung out for quite a while, just basking in the awareness of the Lord’s nearness.

Afterwards we grabbed a quick lunch at Wood’s — Pontillo’s pizza — together with Josiah & Laura Travis, Sylvia Evans, and Bonny Hoeflein. Now, I’m sitting in the back seat of Bonny’s car, writing to you as Marci and Bonny are visiting in the front seat. Bonny is taking us to the airport since she lives so close by.

We had a fun time in Canandaigua. It was mostly about food and friends, smile. In addition to the five meals the Wood’s served us in their home on Saturday, they took us to a German restaurant that is new to town since our last visit. It was a great eatery. And our waitress was Savannah Jones, one of the young ladies in the church. Joan clobbered me in Scrabble, so it was a great day. And great weather, especially considering the big snow storm that has hit just south of us.

So Marci and I are heading home with our “affection cups” overflowing. We are so thankful to the Lord for the honor of the continuing relationship with this church that we pastored for 13 years, and which still continues to be in the forefront of our hearts always.

Next weekend I return once again to western NY — this time to Buffalo. Back to you on Saturday.