I am constantly seeking to find the presence of God with the intensity  that I experienced in Pensacola, Fl from 1995 to roughly 2003.

What an amazing time it was.  While doing my best not to look back and always moving forward with my faith, I must confess every move of God in my life since then has been measured by the experiences of those days. Before moving on, it is important to state that it’s not fair to measure any move of God with another. God moves in particular seasons for particular reasons. It’s His good pleasure to pour out His Spirit when, how, and where He wants to.

Well…

Is it possible God is stirring the waters of that area again? If so, it’s not coming from Pensacola, Fl but Daphne, Al through the shepherding of man who knows what revival is all about.  Pastor John Kilpatrick’s church plant, Church of His Presence, has begun to have amazing manifestations of the Holy Spirit in their services.  While some of you may not recognize his name when placed beside names like Steve Hill or Lindell Cooley, Pastor Kilpatrick is the man who preceded both those men of God and laid the foundation for what became the greatest outpouring of God in American history.

If anyone knows what revival looks like, it’s him.  I honestly feel that if any man can be trusted with revival and know how to pray for it again, it’s him.

Look below at the logo and click on it to see what they are already calling the “Bay of the Holy Spirit Revival”. What do you think is going on?

I’ve done something someone like me should never do. I’ve committed to running a half marathon.
I know. I know. You may be saying your excited for me but down deep your asking the same question i keep asking… why?
Honestly i don’t know.
Im not in shape. Im not a good runner and trust me i don’t look good in runner’s gear.

Honestly, i don’t really want to. I need to.
I need the challenge. I need to reach for something bigger than myself and remember that anything is still possible.

Now that ive got that out of the way let me say im pretty freaked out by it. I’ve only ever run about 7 miles at one time.
I need some definite accountability.
More on that later as well.

For now just know that i ran tonight as part of day one of week two. It was great.
There you go. That’s the basic insanity.
Im in it too man. Im even thinking of doing a podcast too.
AND, guess what… more on that later.
Peace.

Someone who is truly interested being the best leader they can be is ALWAYS learning.

It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been doing whatever you aspire to, you’ve not arrived yet. There’s always something more to learn, a new idea to be heard, a great lesson yet to be encountered.
One of the best things you can do for yourself is to embrace this concept and be proactive about it. That way, when trouble or conflict comes, you will have a better idea of what’s going on and will not allow yourself to feel like a victim of circumstances.

There are many ways to learn more about being a great leader.
Books
Magazines
Teaching cds
Teaching dvds
Blogs
etc.

All these are important.
However, to be great you must also become creative. Think outside the box. Allow yourself to take the limits off what you’ve always thought about something and be unique. Unique gets noticed.

One way to learn leadership is by learning from other leaders. A very ‘right now’ way of doing this is through social media. Have you ever thought about following someone you respect on Twitter or Facebook. I know this may sound different but it’s a unique way to gain insight on how excelling leaders work and process their lives.

Here’s some interesting ones to try:
http://twitter.com/johncmaxwell
http://twitter.com/stevenfurtick
http://twitter.com/perrynoble
http://twitter.com/JohnPiper
http://twitter.com/LisaBevere
http://twitter.com/BrianCHouston
http://twitter.com/DarleneZschech
http://twitter.com/EdYoung
http://twitter.com/AndyStanley
http://twitter.com/RickWarren

“For the lips of an immoral woman are as sweet as honey, and her mouth is smoother than oil. But in the end she is as bitter as poison, as dangerous as a double edged sword.” (Proverbs 5:3-4)

It appears Solomon has some past experience in this or was close to someone who did. Only someone who’s seen the effects of addiction or known someone close to you who did can truly appreciate how dangerous it is.

Addiction starts out as something enjoyable; a stress reliever. Before you realize it, there’s an overwhelming desire to do something you know you shouldn’t. I was deeply moved after reading an article once about a man who had dealt with an addiction for over 15 years. He talked about how much he didn’t want to do it. He planned not to do it ever again. However, once the ‘moment of desire’ came around again, he felt helpless to stop it.

Let me stop for a second to make sure that we’re all on the same page in reference to the scripture above. Solomon is talking about a particular situation referring to a man who needs to be faithful to his wife and not fall into adultery. While that is an important lesson for all married couples to remember, this scripture can just as easily speak to any addiction that wants to entice you. It’s pleasure lasts for a moment but the bondage lasts a lot longer. Men, women, boys and girls; no one is immune to the threat of having addictions in your life.

What are addictions?
Addictions are things we indulge in and cannot control. Addictions are bondages. Addictions can be good things that have taken control of us. Addictions come in all shapes, forms and sizes.
Addiction to money
Addiction to sex
Addiction to popularity
Addiction to being needed
Addiction to food
Addiction to TV
Addiction to success
Addiction to anger
Addiction to power
Addiction to control
Addiction to need to feel validated
Addiction to feeling wanted
Addiction to alcohol
Addiction to various substances (prescription drugs, illegal drugs)
Addiction to adrenaline

The list could go on and on.

Where do addictions come from?
I honestly believe addictions seldom have to do with the actual thing enslaving the person. There are exceptions to every rule but most of the time the ‘cause’ and the ‘effect’ have little to do with each other.

A young lady that was abused when she was young is now a constant victim as an adult. She lashes out in anger at everyone around her not because she’s really even angry at them. She’s angry because of her innocence lost and feelings of being alone. She’s alone and scare that someone will do it again. She clings to her anger and bitterness in times of weakness.

A boy who’s now a man struggles to overcome pornography. What started out as a way to feel affirmed and desired by the non-judgmental pictures has now become a monster in his life. He fights the urges the way someone would fight alcohol yet there are no AA meetings for him to go to.

Another boy was told that he would never become anything. He’s useless, worthless, fat, too thin, ugly, too short, too tall, too odd, too whatever to ever make anything of himself. Now, as an adult, he’s addicted to money, position, control and power. He’s consumed with proving the negative influences wrong no matter the cost. He’s sacrificed his wife, his kids and even his own health to accomplish this goal. He’s achieved success but he’s also unhappy, alone and desperate for true freedom.

I read in an article once about a man who struggled with lust. In the end he said his issue had nothing to do with what he was actually looking at. He said it was the feeling of being accepted.

If you grew up in a place with only positive voices and role models in your life, consider yourself very fortunate. On the contrary, most have done just the opposite. They’ve been lied on, mistreated, verbally and emotionally abused, physically abused, cheated, misunderstood and misrepresented by those closest to them.

What can I do about them if myself or someone I know is dealing with something?

• Realize the root of the issue.

Just like we discussed above, don’t allow yourself to think so straight forward about things.

Someone’s addiction to alcohol may have nothing to do with the actual manifestation. True, that’s how it manifests itself but if the root is not dealt with, they will only find something else to fill that void.

• Realize that addiction is a spiritual thing.

The reason for the addiction is because at some point in their life, there was a void. No matter how that void came to be, it’s there just the same. In pain and in need, they turned to something that brought them some momentary satisfaction.
That void can only truly be filled by God. Anything else simply won’t fit. It will not fully satisfy. Maybe for a short time it’ll get better. However, eventually the joy and satisfaction will fade.
God is a drug that doesn’t fade. He’s a person who does not leave. He’s a confidence that cannot be shaken. He is the source for true, lasting freedom and satisfaction.

• Don’t be afraid to seek out help.

Many people do not have anyone in their lives which they can truly trust. If you’re like this don’t give up. You have an untold treasure chest of help on the internet. There are support groups and people out there who have been or are going through the very same thing. Find support and encouragement. Don’t go through this alone.

• Realize the ultimate help and satisfaction you need comes from God.

You need a lot of Him and His Word in your life to renew your mind and set you on the right track. If you’re dealing with something, you can’t expect one verse a day to be enough spiritual food to last you 24 hours. The Word of God is food for your spirit. You need as much of it as you can. If you were in Iraq, do you think you would be eating a few crackers everyday. NO! You would be eating every time could in order to keep your strength up so you would be prepared for the next possible battle.

• Take the advice of Solomon.

Now that we’ve discussed this further, let’s end this with reading what Solomon had to say about the subject. There’s a reason why he’s known as the wisest man to ever live. His words, which were inspired by the Holy Spirit, can inspire and strengthen you today.

Proverbs 3:3-11 (New Living Translation)

3 Never let loyalty and kindness leave you!
Tie them around your neck as a reminder.
Write them deep within your heart.
4 Then you will find favor with both God and people,
and you will earn a good reputation.

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
6 Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.

7 Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.
Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
8 Then you will have healing for your body
and strength for your bones.

More information is on its way.
Thanks

Romans 8:28 (New Living Translation)

You know, when my wife and I first started talking about having kids, I always thought of them as something for us. We wanted to have kids. We. Us. We. Us. It was hard to think of them as anything other than our new accomplishment. Much like purchasing a new car or buying a new guitar. I didn’t know how else to think not having experienced what being a parent was all about.

Then, in one day everything changed. My first little angel was born and my life quickly changed. I never knew how much I could love someone. How much I could care for someone else without any concern for myself. I realized at that moment this little girl had conquered me in an instant and she would probably never let me go. I didn’t want her to either.
It was so wonderful that I told myself I could never feel that way about anyone else. Then, sometime later when our second child was born, it happened again.

Wow.

Then, as the days and weeks began to fly by, I noticed I was looking at God completely different. I no longer saw Him as just my Savior, my Deliverer, my Healer, and my Friend but also as my Heavenly Father. My daddy. I saw Him as a loving parent who cared more deeply for me than I ever realized was possible.

The love God has for us goes so much deeper than we can ever imagine. There’s no sin He will not forgive and no hurt He cannot heal.

I remember when my first little began talking our world quickly became a much louder. We loved it….well most of the time.  She could finally verbalize what she was feeing and what she needed. I still just melt every time she says, “I love you daddy.” Our smallest baby is still learning her words and so far all she can tell me is, “da da”.  The effect is the same.

You know, God is the same way.  He loves to hear us tell Him how much we love Him.  We’re all in different stages of our relationship and development in Him.  Some of us can ‘talk His ears off’ about our love for Him and His importance in our life.  Others, through inexperience or issues in our life, can only say “da da” in His presence.  It’s all the same to Him.  What concerns God the most is not our words but the passion in our hearts.

Have you told your Heavenly daddy how much your love Him today?  Have you taken time to set aside all your needs and issues to simply express His importance in your life?

Make Him smile today.

Video 1

Video 2

Where: Rainsville

Time/Distance: Total 40 minutes

Notes:

First run in over a month.

New shoes, New earphones, New course (sort of) and no prep…. It wasn’t bad for the first run in over a month. This is always the worst time; just getting back into it.  Especially when it’s so cold. Oh well, I’ll love it when I’m back to running 6 and 7 miles at a time during the Spring.

John 4: 4-16

^“4 He had to go through Samaria on the way. ⁵ Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. ⁶Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. ⁷ Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” ⁸ He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food.

⁹ The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans.^[b] She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?”

¹⁰ Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.”

¹¹ “But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water? ¹² And besides, do you think you’re greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?”

¹³ Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again.¹⁴ But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”

¹⁵ “Please, sir,” the woman said, “give me this water! Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come here to get water.”

¹⁶ “Go and get your husband,” Jesus told her.”

What was the point of Jesus telling her this?
Do you think He really meant that she wouldn’t be thirsty ever again?

Since you’ve began your relationship with Christ, have you ever been thirsty?
Of course you have.
I don’t know about you but the more I learn about God, the more thirsty I become.

So, what exactly is Jesus talking about here.

I think He’s trying to say that once you find His ‘water’ or His fullness, you’re not going to be satisfied with anything else. You won’t be thirsty for anything else again. We’re talking spiritually of course. Sure, your carnal nature may still hunger and thirst for the carnal things but that’s where the Bible talks about ‘crucifying the flesh’.

Have you ever noticed that once you’ve experienced God there’s just something inside of you that will not be satisfied with anything else. That’s a God-sized void that can only be filled with Him.

HOWEVER, we also do go through dry times. This ‘living water’ Jesus is speaking of is something that is just that, alive. God doesn’t want you to be stale and stagnant in your relationship with Him anymore than you want to have an unfulfilling relationship with your spouse. The idea is to keep your relationship with God fresh, active and meaningful in your life.
Therefore, from time to time, He’ll allow the river you’ve been drinking from (spiritually) to dry up in order for you to move on to another place in Him.

Think about it from the Bible. Let’s look at the nation of Israel in the Old Testament. If God had of kept them in the desert and kept feeding them manna every day, they would’ve never made it to the land promised to them. He had to lead them. That’s why the cloud of God would move. He didn’t want them to set up a permanent residence in the desert. If he had of let them stay in the same spot for the entire 40 years, they might of never made across the Jordan River into Canaan simply because after 40 years, they had ‘set roots’ where they were at.

Now let’s go back to this river drying up thing we were talking about.  Don’t forget we are speaking of the river as a metaphor for the presence of God.

God will sometimes allow the river where you are to dry up so you will have to go looking for Him again. He knows it’s part of our nature to get comfortable somewhere, make a permanent settlement in our minds as to what God does and how He operates and then get stagnant.
Some of us may have said figuratively before, “Surely this is the only way God moves. This is where God’s river is. There can’t be another one. This is where He does His work. Through this river and only through this river.”

THEN……… one day, that river dries up.
Oh no. What happened?
Did God forget me?
Have I sinned?
Does God not move anymore?

There have been some who’ve created entire Christian denominations simply out of God moving His presence and they never followed. Then, because God had moved away, they declared He didn’t do those things anymore. He still moves, just not in your area. He never intended you to build a house where you were only supposed to pitch a tent.

How is your walk with God right now?
Are you experiencing a fresh move of God in your life?
OR
Are you feeling dry, discontent, maybe even a little ‘left out’ by God?

Do you see others around you be blessed, being prosperous and achieving their spiritual goals while you are simply trying to hold on? You don’t want to quit and give up but at the same time you simply don’t know what’s wrong.
You may even be saying, “I don’t get it. I’m doing everything I’ve always been doing but not getting the same result.”

God may have moved your water. You may have built a house where God only wanted you to pitch a tent.

Could that be it?

So what do I do? I’m in a desert place in my relationship with God and didn’t even realize it. However, now that I know I’m here how to do I find Him again? How do I find the river (His presence) again?

1.Review the map for indications of water.
We all know what our map is…. God’s Word. Immerse yourself in God’s Word again. Allow His Word to speak to you. If He doesn’t at first, that’s okay. Keep reading. Sometimes you can be so dry it may take a little more than at other times.

2.Look for other signs of life in the area.
Now is not the time for you to become judgmental and skeptical if your true desire is to encounter God. You must look beyond attitude of, “I don’t do that” or “God doesn’t move like that”. If you want to stay thirsty, keep your pious attitude. But, if you really were in a desert and you really were truly thirsty, you wouldn’t care about anything other than getting something to drink. It wouldn’t matter what it looked like or who gave it to you. If you’re thirsty enough, you’ll drink it. Of course, be sure to use temperance. Make sure you are always in line with the Word of God. That being said, If you’ve never danced before the Lord, maybe it’s time to dance before the Lord. If you’ve never fasted more than a couple of days, maybe it’s time to boycott the kitchen. How thirsty are you for His presence and fullness in your life?

Lastly,
3.Keep looking.
God’s not trying to punish you. He’s trying to move you. He wants to be found. He wants to take you from glory to glory. The place between the glory is not always the joy but the reward is so worth it.
Let me say again that God wants to be found. He wants you to have a powerful, active, sincere relationship with Him. Don’t give up.

Worship Survival Guide: Survive by Worship.