Page Title
sept/oct 08
| Wednesday, October 29, 2008 Today has been consumed with tonight! Preparations have been the order for the day as we have been getting ready for the bonfire tonight. And I must say (though I am bias) that tonight was a superb night. I was able to eat six hot dogs, stand next to a 20 foot flame, sing songs and spend time with some of the people I love most – my church family. Life is good! For a lack of wood the fire goes out (that certainly was not the case tonight). Proverbs 26:20 _______________________________________________________________ Sunday, October 26, 2008 Wow! Today was just a spectacular day. The service this morning was incredible; top to bottom it was a seamless masterpiece. God is truly incredible at what HE does…which is everything…of which HE is perfect! And if service was not life altering enough, I supervised (of course) a trip to High School Musical 3. Troy and Gabriella have certainly left their mark upon me!!! The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice! Psalm 97:1 _______________________________________________________________ Wednesday, October 22, 2008 It seems as though revival has ended tonight...not! We will continue in the same move God brought about a little over two and a half years ago. God is not finished! Fan into flame the gift of God. 2 Timothy 1:6 _______________________________________________________________ Monday, October 20, 2008 Yet another incredible night of revival! But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 1 Timothy 5:8 _______________________________________________________________ Sunday, October 19, 2008 With two incredible services under our belt, there is no doubt revival has begun. Heather’s parents flew in on Saturday and her father (Thomas) kicked off Sunday with a bang. The entire morning service was comprised of our church lying prostrate before God and repenting! Sunday night brought on a great sermon and an even greater altar service. We truly serve an awesome God! Do not neglect the gift you have. 1 Timothy 4:14 _______________________________________________________________ Saturday, October 18, 2008 The last two days have been jam packed with voting and presentations. Yes, you guessed it; I was involved with our minister’s state meeting. I was appointed to the teller’s committee (I helped counted votes). I was also, very surprisingly, elected to the state youth board! Overall, it was a good weekend – and it is not even over yet. Revival starts tomorrow and I believe many share my feeling; expectation. I expect God to move mightily!!! If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you. Proverbs 25:21-22 _______________________________________________________________ Wednesday, October 15, 2008 I’m feeling a bit under the weather today! I believe my time spent in the basement sweeping and straightening up stirred up a little dust which in turn stirred up a little allergic reaction which in turn stirred up me feeling a bit under the weather…I trust that makes good sense. I am certainly striving to feel a bit over the weather at this point. Yes I know, I have become quite wordy…it’s only a reflection of our presidential candidates in their pursuit to (not) answer all the important questions and fill our time with a lot of jargon!!! On a much more positive note, church tonight went rather well. God has this incredible tendency to do things quite well. Yes, the Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. Psalm 85:12 _______________________________________________________________ Sunday, October 12, 2008 Today has been an outstanding day! Service this morning was exactly what God wanted; multiple decisions to follow Christ…it just does not get any better than that! We took a few hours off for the afternoon and the leadership met back for our monthly meeting. The body that God is putting together is undoubtedly on its way to becoming unstoppable. I am so proud of what God is doing in and through our leadership. If nothing else, today has served as a great reminder…the best is yet to come! I am greatly encouraged. Give thanks in all circumstances (not for, but in…there is a difference)! 1 Thessalonians 5:18 _______________________________________________________________ Friday, October 10, 2008 I went to visit and pray with my friend Dennis at the hospital today. And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all! 1 Thessalonians 3:12 _______________________________________________________________ Wednesday, October 8, 2008 The highlight for today was tonight! The combined Youth Service went extremely well. Pastor Tony, his wife, his staff and the youth he pastors did an outstanding job tonight. I am certain this is only a sign of things yet to come…the best is yet to come! The proof was in the pudding; one came and got saved while (I believe) five others rededicated their lives back to Christ. I am a little partial I must admit, I did serve as a Youth Pastor for over a decade! Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. Colossians 3:23-24 _______________________________________________________________ Tuesday, October 7, 2008 They say a picture says a thousand words...I think they were right! And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Colossians 3:14 _______________________________________________________________ Sunday, October 5, 2008 All has gone well the last two days…I know you were worried considering Heather and Preston’s absence! Kennedy, Luke and I hit ‘The Great Escape’ and viewed ‘The Beverly Hills Chihuahua’ yesterday. This morning went even better; the altars were filled with one saved, one rededicated and one filled with Holy Spirit (and I am sure there were many more results!!!). The church then met at Hick’s Orchard for a late afternoon of apple picking and cider donuts. Not to mention Heather and Preston rejoined us this morning! It was good day! Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. Colossians 2:6-7 _______________________________________________________________ Friday, October 3, 2008 Heather and Preston left this morning for a weekend conference as the rest of us (Kennedy, Luke and I) remained on the front lines. We will somehow manage I’m sure. Anyways, we had an incredible prayer service tonight! It was certainly one of the best. The plan is to revive our monthly prayer service and to add a day of fasting just prior to our meeting. Some things will only come about by much prayer and fasting! Again, I sense something different is stirring! Have a great weekend! The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:5b-6 _______________________________________________________________ Thursday, October 2, 2008 It has been a couple of days…did you miss me!!!??? Things have been quite calm; kind of like the calm before a storm. The type of storm I am speaking to is the type we will all welcome. The sort of storm that covers, saturates, nourishes and fosters the kind of growth we are all craving! I read in Isaiah today – “(God says) Shall I bring to the point of birth and not cause to bring forth? Shall I, who cause to bring forth, shut up the womb (Is. 66:9)?” God has us on the launching pad and He will not fail to launch! The righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity. Proverbs 24:16 _______________________________________________________________ Monday, September 29, 2008 Besides administrative responsibilities tackled throughout the day, I had an incredible night at church! The men gathered for a tremendous night of prayer and I believed God heard our requests. God did not just hear, but I believe He has responded…I am just waiting to see His response(s) manifest! I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6 _______________________________________________________________ Sunday, September 28, 2008 Just when you think you’ve got it figured out…God comes along and does things a bit differently. That is probably the best way to describe this morning’s events. The altar was flooded during worship and that is precisely where God was accomplishing His business. I am so glad we prepare and plan only to submit ourselves to the leading of the Holy Spirit. I suppose my spiritual gun is always loaded, but it is God who squeezes the trigger! What a great day!!! Enlarge the place of your tent and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes. For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left, and your offspring will possess the nations and will people desolate cities. Isaiah 54:2-3 _______________________________________________________________ Saturday, September 27, 2008 Where have the three days gone; I feel as though I have been in a daze!!! That’s the best excuse I could come up with for not blogging since Tuesday…I hope it works. Anyways, I sit here before my laptop, it’s 10: 30pm and Sunday morning is only hours away. God has given me a Word for our church and I am pretty excited about tomorrow morning. I am convinced it is the season for new things at Living Waters! I am ready to be debt free (as a church and as an individual), I am ready for the Kingdom of God to advance (right here in Upstate NY) and I am ready for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Joel 2 and Acts 2 style). I wholeheartedly believe it is time – God’s time. See you in the morning!!! For at one time you were in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the Light. Ephesians 5:8 _______________________________________________________________ Tuesday, September 23, 2008 A full day back home is finally under my belt. It seems as though I had a million small things to do today. Beyond what needs to be done, I am wiped out from the revival. It may not appear as a draining event, but revival has a tendency to be physically exhausting (especially for the one preaching). In the end, it is always good to be home!!! For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 _______________________________________________________________ Monday, September 22, 2008 Today was primarily spent on the road; ten hours to be precise! There is certainly a great week of revival behind us, but an even greater revival is before us all. GOD is up to something! The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our God will stand forever. Isaiah 40:8 _______________________________________________________________ Friday, September 19, 2008 It has been a very productive week thus far! People are getting saved, delivered and filled with the Holy Spirit…it doesn’t get much better than that! I found a good espresso bar in town and I’ve marked out a three mile track for walking, in many ways I have found my home away from home. I truly love what God is doing here, but I can’t wait to get home! For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 _______________________________________________________________ Wednesday, September 17, 2008 Monday…prepared for revival (all day). Tuesday…traveled to revival (Appomattox, Virginia). Wednesday…revival has begun! For those who are less informed or disinterested, I am in Virginia at John Ezzo’s church holding a revival. We are in the heart of the (I believe) Blue Ridge Mountains, and it is absolutely gorgeous here. God has an incredible plan for this church, Tree of Life East, and I can’t wait to see all HE desires to do! Be praying for us!!! Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off. Proverbs 23:18 _______________________________________________________________ Sunday, September 14, 2008 We had a bit of a homecoming today! I shared the story of the prodigal son 'improv' style, and many responded by coming home. God is faithful! We also had lunch with a new family that has started coming to church, they seem like really good down to earth folks. And to top off the night, we had an extremely productive leadership meeting. Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Galatians 1:3-5 _______________________________________________________________ Saturday, September 13, 2008 Happy Birthday to my lovely wife! Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the good sense of your words. Proverbs 23:9 _______________________________________________________________ Friday, September 12, 2008 Things went a little more to plan today than yesterday! I was able to go and visit with Brother Young and make it home in time enough to make preparations for dinner guests. We had some dear friends over with what turned out to be a lovely evening! The highlight was that Mike (one of my dear friends) made necessary repairs to my La Pavoni (my extremely exquisite espresso machine)!!! In God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me? Psalm 56:11 _______________________________________________________________ Thursday, September 11, 2008 I had a really great intention today! I was headed to Albany to visit a fellow minister who is in the hospital, Rev. Michael Young. However, all my brake lights decided to stop working and I was on a whole new quest. What I thought to be an under an hour job turned into an all afternoon project. Alas, all is well and working thanks to the Cadillac dealership, patience and the Chey-guy! Beyond car troubles, worship team practice went well and we were busy readying ourselves for Sunday. Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55:22 _______________________________________________________________ Wednesday, September 10, 2008 After an extremely late and productive meeting last night with Elders, today began with a bang! I was off to Queensbury to offer my chauffeuring services and then to the hospital for a visit. After some lengthy phone calls, the afternoon was upon me and service was before me. All in all it was a good day. By the way, Dr. Dan did a fine job tonight! If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. 2 Corinthians 11:30 _______________________________________________________________ Monday, September 08, 2008 Yet another mundane Monday…I suppose that is precisely what one needs after a wild weekend (that’s a positive wild for those of you wondering). The Glorias went home, Kennedy went to school, Heather (along with Luke & Preston) went to WalMart and I proceeded with business as usual. Beyond the ordinary, there is nothing else to report. For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends. 2 Corinthians 10:18 _______________________________________________________________ Sunday, September 07, 2008 How time flies when you’re having a good time…perhaps that’s why Friday and Saturday are missing!!! All in all (no pun intended for those in church on Sunday) it was a jam packed fun filled weekend. The Glorias – Paul, Maureen & Melissa – came from Baltimore for a weekend visit; it was quite pleasant. Paul, who is an electrician, did some outstanding and much needed work on lights and plug-ins, I was very appreciative. We toured Lake George on Sunday and had ice cream at Ben & Jerry’s. And may I not forget, we had an awesome service on Sunday; we invited God and He showed up! Don’t stir up or awaken love until it pleases. Song of Solomon 8:4 _______________________________________________________________ Thursday, September 04, 2008 It appears (to me) that our best is yet to come! God spoke to me on Wednesday and truly concreted His thoughts today. His opportunities are always prevalent, it is up to us to seize the opportunity and become the tool God uses to make it happen. We cannot take His grace for granted! There is a season for everything, there is an appointed time for every matter, now is the time of God’s favor and today is the day of salvation. Whatever your hands find to do, whatever the opportunity is before you; embrace it, give it all you’ve got and don’t look back (See [God says], I am doing a new thing. It’s right in front of you. Forget the former things. Don’t dwell on the past. God is making a way!). It’s time. Say not, “Why were the former days better than these?” For it is not from wisdom that you ask this. Ecclesiastes 7:10 _______________________________________________________________ Wednesday, September 03, 2008 Despite having an incredible service tonight, there was a young lady who had an even more incredibly bigger day! Kennedy’s first day of second grade was today. Perhaps Heather and I were a bit more excited than she was. Overall she had a good day, but she did mention something about being bored and hot. Again, tonight’s service was yet another awesome move of God! God is faithful and His love endures forever. Let my words be few. Ecclesiastes 5:2 _______________________________________________________________ Tuesday, September 02, 2008 Mentoring, hospital visits, phone calls, second grade school tours, cost analysis for future growth, school shopping…just another day in paradise! Trust me, I’m not complaining (I wouldn’t trade the life God has blessed me with for another), I’m just blogging. And yes, as you have supposed, it has been quite a productive day. I can’t wait to see what tomorrow holds! For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1 _______________________________________________________________ Monday, September 01, 2008 Today we celebrated Labor Day by laboring! We all (Heather, the kids [minus Preston of course] and I) cleaned the house the entire morning in preparation for a lunch/meeting. The day became a little more enjoyable after the morning ended. It turned out to be quite a productive day! If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17 _______________________________________________________________ |
The Glorias.
The big school girl!