Next weekend I’m in Chicago, back to you Friday

p.s. My mother-in-law sent me this video which encourages Catholics to vote based on values:

Please agree with me in prayer for what I call “an intimacy anointing,” that is, an anointing that flows from intimacy with Jesus, and moves others into intimacy with Jesus. Pray also for my voice please, I was especially sore last night. Thank you for leaning into the Kingdom with me as we contend for eternal fruit that gratifies the heart of God.

Friday 10:00 p.m.: Excellent launch tonight. Kent Henry did a great job, both in the prayer/worship service, and in leading the worship response after the message. Nailed it. The Lord helped me to speak on the Song of Solomon, and we got through the first 3 chapters tonight. In the morning we will hope to complete the book. There was some tiredness in the group (not surprising for a Friday night), but an eagerness to connect with the word of the Lord. May we all be refreshed in the morning!

Saturday 3:00 pm: Super conclusion today. I received so many comments from folks who had never understood the Song of Solomon, and how meaningful it was for them. Just amazing appreciation for understanding into this wonderful book. And Kent Henry did a great job of nailing it afterwards — there really are few worship leaders in the earth who are able to customize their response to the word in such a specific, confirming way.

Next up: I’m speaking in the two morning services at Metro Harvest Church in Menomonee Falls, WI. My second time at this excellent church. Have a great Lord’s Day, I’ll be back in touch tomorrow evening.

Please come with me in the Spirit. Agree with me please for clarity of direction in each message, for a powerful anointing to rest upon the ministry of the word, and for vocal strength.

Thursday 11:30 p.m.: Great night tonight. Strong anointing on the message. Then Morris Chapman led us in a sweet time of response. I concluded the message with those under 30 forming a line across the front of the sanctuary, and then those over 30 came in front of them and prayed and prophesied over them. Then the Joseph generation in turn prayed and prophesied over the Jacob generation. There was a strong spirit of worship in the house, a wonderful start to the conference.

Thanks for praying me into the throne zone!

I’m having a great time connecting with so many friends here.

Next: I speak Saturday 3:00 pm. I’m prepared to bring a message on the Queen of Sheba, a message I’ve never delivered before, thanks for your prayer help. Tomorrow I look forward to receiving from the ministries of LaMar Boschman and David Ireland.

Saturday 10 pm: I’m just back from a worship concert with Kari Jobe and her band. Excellent evening! A great conclusion to the conference.

This afternoon’s 3:00 session was a bit tough — in part because every was exhausted. Everyone was laboring to track with me, but they were all tired. Every teaching has to have its first time, and today the teaching on the Queen of Sheba had its first time. I hope the Lord continues to grow and strengthen the message for me.

Next: Sunday 10 a.m., with Morris Chapman leading worship.

Sunday 3:00 pm: Excellent service today, what a treat to minister with Morris, who moves with such prophetic sensitivity to the leading of the Holy Spirit. The Lord graced me with a strong anointing in preaching, and the ministry afterwards at the altar was rich and meaningful. Folks hung around and soaked in the ministry of the Holy Spirit. I’m coming home with much thanksgiving to God for an excellent weekend.

Next: Friday to Wisconsin.

Saturday April 14: Good morning from Glendale, AZ, where I ministered last night. The event is called the Contend Worship Conference, hosted by Harvest Church in Glendale, and this is now my third time to be with this event. The eagerness of the saints here to give themselves to the Lord in worship is refreshing. Last night I spoke on following the river of the Spirit in worship, and the Lord helped all of us, both in the delivery and receiving of the word. I am ministering again this morning, 10:15 a.m. Phoenix time (12:15 Central), and have prepared my heart to speak on Ahaz’s great mistake of replacing the old altar of worship.

Saturday afternoon: Excellent session this morning, the Lord’s help was present. Thanks for praying me through!

Next: I am ministering tomorrow morning in the two morning services of Harvest Church — the host church for this conference. 9 and 11 a.m. Thanks for prayers! And may you enjoy a wonderful weekend in the Lord’s embrace!

Sunday 4:30 pm: Greetings from the airplane, we’re in process of boarding for Salt Lake City, where I connect to K.C. We had a wonderful time this morning in the house of the Lord, strong ministry, good connection. Afterwards they took me to an authentic Mexican restaurant, the real stuff! So I’m coming home with much thanksgiving to God. An excellent conference, good Sunday morning, great time connecting with friends (Erik & Tammy Eskelund and their kids from Cape Cod were among the guests with whom I enjoyed reconnecting), fabulous weather — a delightful weekend. Thanks soooo much for your prayer help!

Next up: Thursday I go to the Philly area for a worship conference. Back to you in about 4 days.

Thanks for coming with us to Cape Cod, and for leaning into prayer and the Spirit for the Lord’s agenda for this weekend. We are partners with Him! Please agree with us for clarity of direction, power on the messages, and for vocal strength.

Friday 10:30 p.m.: Just back from a good time with God’s people. Good spirit in the house, good response to the preached word. We were delighted when Joe & Debi Lopes walked into the meeting, a couple that we have known since our earliest days at Zion Fellowship in Canandaigua, NY. Great people, they were stalwart helpers as we were launching into pastoral ministry. We have many fond memories, it’s was great to look out and see their shining faces as I spoke tonight. And we’re getting along famously with our hosts, Erik & Tami. They’re lodging us in their home, so we’re enjoying a sweet, personal time with them and their kids.

Next: Marci speaks at a women’s meeting at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow (Saturday). Then I speak in the 7:00 p.m. meeting.

Saturday 11:00 p.m.: Excellent time tonight. The Lord helped me in the delivery, and a precious time of prayer followed around the altar. Such a good spirit in the midst. Marci and I are enjoying the fellowship so very much. After the service a whole gang of folks came over to enjoy ice cream together, lots of laughter and affection.

Sunday 7:00 p.m.: Greetings from the Boston airport, where Marci and I are waiting to board our direct flight to K.C. We had a marvelous time this morning in the house of the Lord, it was a wonderful Palm Sunday celebration. The Lord graced me to share the word, sweet response around the altar afterwards. Then a super lunch (curry chicken) at the pastor’s home before heading out for the airport. Thanks for praying us all the way through!

On a separate note, please pray for our youngest, Michael (22), who is leading a team from the ACTS School to Turkey for 2.5 months. They are leaving just about right now as I write to you. May the name of Jesus be exalted in Turkey!

Next: Wednesday evening I’m speaking at home meeting in Overland Park, KS — just a 20-minute drive from our place.

Saturday 9:30 p.m.: Good trip today, I arrived to mid-80s temps. I’m suffering so. Picture perfect weather. I had the delight, during the 45-minute drive from the airport and then during an early dinner, to hear the pastor’s story. Wonderful! A good group of saints gathered for tonight’s meeting, and the Lord helped me to speak on the life of Jacob. I didn’t feel the Lord leading me toward any kind of altar call, but the worship team came up afterwards and led us in a meaningful response. Afterwards, the folks just hung around for the longest time and visited with one another. Sweet spirit of family in the midst.

I’ll be collected at 9:40 a.m. for the 10 a.m. service tomorrow.

Sunday 9:00 p.m.: Great time with the saints this morning. Good spirit of worship. Good anointing on the message, good connection with the believers. The Lord helped me, and I have returned home thankful for the faithfulness and goodness of God. My spiritual family just got larger, my heart is full.

Up next: Friday Marci and I travel together to Cape Cod.

Friday 10 p.m.: Great night tonight at IHOP. The Lord chose to grace the message with a strong anointing, excellent connection with the saints, warm response around the altar afterwards. It’s a message that most people can relate to because we all carry the hope that God is writing a story with our lives. The link may change, right now it’s posted at:
http://www.ihop.org/resources/2012/03/23/jesus-the-consummate-author/

Schedule: Friday morning leaders meeting; Fri p.m. meeting; Sat. a.m. mtg; Sunday morning. Return home Monday first thing.

Please agree with me in prayer for clarity of direction, for help with jetlag, and for a strong anointing upon the word of God. (and as always, vocal endurance)

Friday 5:00 p.m.: We had a great time this morning, even though I was in a little bit of jetlag zone, the Lord’s grace was strong and He carried it. I spoke on Envy, there seemed to be a good connection with the leaders. I met Jarrod Cooper, the other guest minister who is speaking in the conference this weekend, I look forward to hearing him tomorrow morning. I’m off now to supper and tonight’s meeting.

Friday 11:00 p.m.: Good meeting tonight. I spoke on how Ahaz replaced the old altar with a new altar, and how we need to revisit and reclaim the old altar of worship. A simple message, the saints were open, easy to minister to. Excellent spirit around the altar at the conclusion.

Next: Saturday 9:30 a.m. service, Jarrod speaks first, then I speak around 11:15 a.m. (Saturday 6:15 a.m. Central).

Saturday evening: We had an excellent time this morning. I enjoyed Jarrod Cooper’s colorful ministry a whole lot. He’s a passionate storyteller. And then the Lord graced me to speak on Loyalty, His presence was with us, and the connection with the saints seemed to be good. My desire is to speak this message into the DNA of the entire body of Christ, if I could have the chance.

I heard a word today for the first time, used by Jarrod Cooper in his sermon, a colloquialism used here in England that I’ve never heard before: plonker. It’s a slang word here for an idiot. Don’t be a plonker!

I’m just back now from some fabulous Fish n Chips. Wow, England is the place for fish & chips. The haddock was exceptional, the fries were meaty and delightful, the vinegar was perfect, and the tartar sauce piquant. The ketchup was so-so, just not close to Heinz, that’s all. This Canadian-born boy is now happy, he’s had his fish n chips.

Happy 58th today to my brother, Sheldon (my only sibling). A St. Patty baby. Sheldon holds a position of significance in the Presbyterian Church USA, many demanding responsibilities, please hold him up in prayer as he leads the presbytery in Pittsburgh. Sheldon, may this be a year of unprecedented divine favor and anointing and wisdom. I’m so proud to have you for my brother. Your gentleness, kindness, and giving of yourself is a sweet fragrance before the Lord.

Next up: Sunday 11 a.m. They wanted me to speak four times in three days, and so instead of speaking the two Sunday services, I spoke twice on Friday. So I’m not doing the 9 a.m. tomorrow. I’m thankful they’re releasing me from that. I’m prepared to speak in the 11 a.m. on Jacob’s life. Thanks for praying me all the way through! (And I look forward to the day when I can speak His praises ALL DAY LONG!)

Sunday 8 a.m.: I’m just back from an invigorating walk on this Lord’s Day. It’s a cool morning, I wanted my earmuffs and gloves on. Overcast, shocker. Lichen-covered tree trunks. Typical for northern coastlands, you have an intriguing mix of cool temps and bursting flowers. Crocuses and daffodils everywhere, even roses and other flowers. Pansies that were obviously planted by hand. Why do I like pansies? From a child on. Somebody needs to exercise pigeon control in England, wow, they have the run of the place. I like that there is very little litter lying around, the people seem to care enough for their land that they don’t litter like we do in America. What is wrong with America and roadside litter? I’m stymied on that one. Going to head off to breakfast now.

Sunday 3:00 pm: Excellent time this morning. Today is Mother’s Day in England, so we enjoyed fussing over the Moms today. My message on Jacob didn’t seem to me to be very Mother’s Day oriented, but the pastor’s wife afterwards was very eager to assure me it was “perfect” for a Mother’s Day message. (In case you can’t tell, I’m still not fully convinced, smile.) At the close of the message, the front filled with Moms who felt a connection to the message, and we blessed them all in prayer. So I’ll be coming home with a peaceful heart.

Monday’s trip (tomorrow): 5:30 a.m. pickup, 35-minute drive to Birmingham airport, 8:00 a.m. flight to Atlanta, I should by home by 6:00 p.m. (11 p.m. England time).

The event is an annual “Praise Forum” sponsored by YWAM Switzerland, under the leadership of Sylvain Freymond. Sylvain and YWAM have published three of my books in French (Secrets, Exploring, River), and now for the first time we will meet personally and minister together. I will work with a French interpreter in my three sessions. I am scheduled to speak Thursday 8:30 p.m., Friday afternoon, and Saturday 8:30 p.m. I am told this event usually draws around 400 worship leaders, musicians, and artists from around Europe. I am looking forward to this unique opportunity to speak into the DNA of the worshiping community of the French-speaking church. Also ministering with me is Luc Dumont of Canada, my first time to be with him. (he is French-Canadian)

Venue: www.centredevie.ch

Thursday 2:00 p.m.: Luc Dumont and I both arrived into Geneva around the same time, were picked up together at the airport, and we’re now both safely in Neuchatel. We’re checked into our hotel, and have had lunch with the host committee. These are amazing people here, I’m already in love with the whole lot of them.

You would laugh at my computer connection. My power cord is plugged into a European adapter, which doesn’t work in Switzerland because Switzerland has their own kind of power plug, unique from the rest of mankind. So the European adapter is in turn connected to a Swiss adapter. So my power adapter is plugged into two other adapters. And I’m off to the races.

I’ll write more later, but am going to grab a jetlag-enhanced nap right now.

Thursday 5:15 p.m.: I am up now, after hitting my snooze alarm about 6 times. Supper at 6:00 pm, then service at 7:30 (in which I speak). As I said, I instantly fell in love with the leaders of this forum. The worship movement here was “mothered” in large part by a sister named Linda who came to Switzerland from Iowa as a single missionary with YWAM because of a word she received from the Lord, to write songs in French for the church here. She produced a worship songbook that ended up going all over the French-speaking world because there was nothing else like it. (That’s what launched their publishing ministry.) She has raised up other leaders who have taken over primary leadership of the worship/YWAM ministry since those early days, but she continues to serve here (now married to Tom Panci) and inspire the movement. Tom and Linda are my hosts. I’m trying to figure out why it’s taken me till now to meet such tremendous saints. The current leaders — Rolf and Sylvain — are top caliber people. I feel relaxed in my heart that I’m with like-minded people, and I feel that I can just be myself and deliver my heart.

This forum is led by a group of around 20 worship leaders, pastors, and leaders of various capacities, who have been getting together for years to encourage one another in the ministry of worship. This annual conference grew out of that camaraderie. Around 25-30% of Switzerland is French-speaking, and they all mostly live in this SE corner of Switzerland (called Suisse Romande), so this part of Switzerland is the primary target audience of this ministry. About 30% of the attendees will come from France, but most come from this area (in which Lausanne is a principal city).

Driving from Geneva to Neuchatel took us past two lakes, and the topography of the area reminded me in a way of the finger lakes region of NY State. Except that there are well-manicured vineyards everywhere.

Thursday midnight: Tonight’s meeting was a good start. Not a “home run,” but good. We’re off. The interpreter and I are gaining a cadence. I’m going to get clearer distance from jetlag. So we’re on a good trajectory.

Next up: I’m speaking Friday at 3 p.m. (which is around 8-9 a.m. USA time). Thanks for praying!

Friday 5:00 p.m.: I’m just back from the 3:00 pm workshop, in which I spoke from Deut. 10:8, one of my life verses. I sensed the Lord’s grace clearly upon the message, I believe it was a good and meaningful connection for the group. I had a different interpreter (Rolf), and our connection also seemed to be very good. I’m grateful for the opportunity to impart to these excellent saints.

I also enjoyed my lunch with Rolf today, who helped to orient me to YWAM’s ministry in Europe and especially in the French-speaking world. I think he said there are something like 26 nations in Africa which have French as their national language — a carryover from colonialism. This has made the spread of the Gospel so much easier in Africa. It’s fascinating to hear how the Lord uses the French-speaking believers here to sow into Africa. Just wonderful.

Saturday: Switzerland quiz of the day: To what is the word Skoda a reference? Do you know without using Wikipedia? If not, don’t feel badly, I wouldn’t have known either. I passed a Skoda dealership in my walk, hence this little quiz. (I’ve been enjoying the 12-minute walk between my hotel and the church. It’s nippy and windy, but I have ear muffs and gloves and so the walk is quite delightful. Gorgeous blue skies today.)

My room is bare and very sparing. But at least it’s small. This is how CH (contraction for Switzerland) has become one of the richest nations on earth, through frugality and modesty. America could learn something here.

I just have to register my amazement on one thing. The hotel offers its patrons a free breakfast, and it is amazingly sparing. Coffee, juice, bread, butter, jam, croissant. That’s about it. Yesterday we were lavished with a plate of sliced prepared meats, this morning no such fancy fare. What’s stunning to me is that I’m in Switzerland and breakfast includes no cheese. Not that I need it…I just would have assumed it came automatically attached to everything. Haven’t seen any cheese yet. But chocolate, yes.

p.s. From Wikipedia: Škoda Auto (Czech pronunciation: [ˈʃkoda], more commonly known as Škoda, is an automobile manufacturer based in the Czech Republic. Škoda became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group in 2000, positioned as the entry brand to the group. Its total global sales reached 684,226 cars in 2009 and 85,000 for the month of March 2011.

Tomorrow (Sunday) I will be collected at 5:10 a.m. and taken to the Neuchatel train station, where I will take the first of two trains, arriving eventually at the Zurich airport, in decent time for my 9:30 a.m. flight to Atlanta. Home by 9 p.m. Sunday, Lord willing, thanx for prayers.

Sunday 5:40 a.m.: Greetings from the Neuchatel-Bienne train. I am taking the first of two trains (transferring in Bienne, or Biel if you prefer the German name) that will take me to the Zurich airport. Taking the train to the airport is saving somebody from having to make the 2-hour drive to Zurich at this unsightly hour. I will just need to be on my toes, to get off at the right place and then get onto the right train to Zurich. Their system is quite clear and logical, it’s just that being in a foreign language and no ability to talk sometimes leaves a person a bit unsure of themselves. But I’ll do fine with the Lord’s help.

Wish I could see the countryside, though. I reckon the sun will give me a little peek as we get closer to Zurich.

The signage in the train station is in 3 languages: French, German, and Italian.

Last night’s meeting was a good finale to the conference. I spoke on following the river of God in corporate worship, and the grace of the Lord was evident upon the message. From what I could tell, the receptivity to the word was positive and open. I was doubly blessed that my book on that topic has been translated into French by my hosts, so the message in book form is also now able to make its way to the reaches of the French-speaking world. As well as the DVD of the evening message. I was stunned to learn that there are more French-speaking nations in the world than any other language (did they say 47?), the preponderance being in Africa. So a book in French has the potential to touch many nations. Many of the French-reading nations do not have the economy to buy books, so YWAM tries to give some away, as they’re able, in such cases.

I am coming home this morning with a grateful heart to the Lord for the privilege of both meeting and imparting to such a tremendous group of folks here. I chose to return home from Zurich rather than Geneva, even though Geneva is a bit closer to Neuchatel, because Zurich offers a direct flight to Atlanta, and I will get home at a much more decent hour than embarking from Geneva (which would take me first to Amsterdam).

Up next: Thursday I head back to Europe, this time to Wolverhampton, England. It’ll be interesting to see how my body does with the jetlag whiplash. Back to you in around 4 days.

Today I’m on my way to Detroit, to minister this Sunday morning at Zion Christian Fellowship in Troy, MI. Scott LeLaCheur, pastor. I’ve enjoyed a sweet connection with this church over the years, beginning with Daniel Gardner, then his father Leonard, and now also with Scott. I will have 30 minutes in first service and 45 minutes in second (8:30 and 10:00 a.m.). What is on my heart is to speak openly from my own journey of faith, to encourage and strengthen the faith of those who are waiting on God for His promises. How God uses the journey to write a story with our lives. “Jesus the Consummate Author” Thanks for praying into that!

On another note, you may recall my reporting to you about a worship service at Resurrection Fellowship, Loveland, CO, that was out of the box (Dave Powers, worship leader). They have posted that worship service to their site, you should be able to watch it (if you’re interested) by going to this link: http://player.vimeo.com/video/37608278?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0%22%20width=%22640%22%20height=%22360%22%20frameborder=%220%22

You want to start watching at the moment where the quadriplegic brings a prophet word to the conference.

Sunday 3:00 p.m.: Excellent morning. The Lord gave me a clear word and strong anointing. Enthusiastic response. Thanks so much for praying me through! I’ve had a sweet time of fellowship and reconnecting with these tremendous pastors and wonderful church family.

Next up: I have a short week, flying on Wed to Switzerland. Back to you in 3 days.