The Insomnia Chronicles

Prayer Force, part 2

NOW IS THE TIME TO BEGIN

If you are not sure how to pray, don't despair! Everyone had to begin sometime. Just talk with God respectfully but openly. Talk with Him as your Father. Jesus taught us to pray, "Our Father ...". Recognize God as a loving Father. Recognize Jesus as a Friend and a Brother. Recognize the Holy Spirit as your Comforter and Guide. Come to the Father in Jesus' name (John 14:6; Hebrews 10:19). Begin your prayer with confession of any unconfessed sins. In this way the blood of Jesus cleanses us and prepares us to really relate to God. "Enter his gates with thanksgiving..." (Psalm 100:4). Thank God for forgiving your sins, for coming into your life, for making you His child. Then just talk with God, asking Him for whatever you need. Thank Him and praise Him for His answer. Spend time also asking for His Spirit to help you to pray. Talk to the Holy Spirit. Tell Him you want to know Him. "Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us..." (Romans 8:26). The Holy Spirit will guide you into all the truth (John 16:13) and He will teach you to pray.

Prayer Force, part 1

WHY PRAY?

1. We pray because we love God. We spend time with God in prayer and communion because we love him. Just as a man and woman in love desire to be together and communicate, so we - if we love God - will desire to be with Him and to fellowship with Him in proportion to our love for Him (that means it should grow & grow).
2. We pray because we depend on God. God is our source. He is our life (Colossians 3:4). Through prayer we receive the comfort, the strength and all the other resources that we need in life - both naturally and spiritually. Prayer - relationship with God - is as necessary to the spiritual life as air to the natural life. You're not all that... HE is!  Tell yourself, tell Him... TELL OTHERS!
3. We need to pray in order to resist temptation. "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation" (Mt. 26:41). A lot of the messes we find ourselve in are the result of the sin of prayerlessness. Where there's lack of prayer, we get weak, others get weaker and Satan gains the advantage in our lives. And that sucks!
   
4. We need to pray because God owns everything (Psalm 24:1).  God gave responsibility for the earth to Adam and his descendants. We must invite God to work here. We must claim His dominion - and consciously seek His welfare throughout the land. If no-one invites God to work here, Satan (the god of this world through man's universal rebellion - 2 Corinthians 4:4) will dominate the affairs of people and eventually this will bring a judgment we don't want. By inviting God often and specifically, multitudes can be saved that would otherwise be lost.
5. We need to pray because God commands us to pray. "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful" (Colossians 4:2). "Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up" (Luke 18:1). The need to pray is as great as the authority of God which commands us: "pray continually" (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Prayer is so vital to all that God wants to do on the earth, and so essential to us, that God commands us to do it all the time. We should even deny ourselves sleep and food at times in order to pray more and with greater power. (Matthew 6:16; Luke 6:12; Luke 21:36; Colossians 4:2; 2 Corinthians 11:27).

Prayer is our Holy occupation. Is not just a 'feel good thing' that we do but a mandate from our Lord. We need to do it more and more.  We must learn to live in the reality of His continual presence.  Our "amen" should not be a period but a comma in our ongoing dialog with our Savior.  He's always there - ready to communicate.  Prayer is living. 

• what does prayer mean to you?
• do you have a prayer time and/or a prayer life?
• which of the (above) 5 stood out to you? why?
• how often does God speak to you in prayer?
• on average, how many minutes do you pray?

most deaf 2 ...

I've got a plan in place to find "silence"... 

in about 2 hours, I will be disappearing.  Gone...   POOF - outta here! 

One of the guys in my life is an emmy award winning videographer (stephen) - such an amazing & humble guy. Well, he's on a 4-5 week video shoot in Vietnam right now.  And, he left me the keys to his downtown condo - which overlooks Detroit river & downtown skyline (... Windsor, Canada too...).  He was so excited at the thought of me "retreating" in his crib while he was away.  So cool.  Yeah, so with Bible, Journal, a few pens and some sweats, I'm disappearing.  I'll reemerge on Friday for my son's (maximus aslan) birthday!

Can't wait to hear nothing.   

And then, eventually, begin to hear His still small voice.

I'll wait for this.  I want to wait. 

Today, I read a few words from my friend Soren Kierkegaard... I liked what he said, God loves silence.  Silence in relation to God is strengthening. Absolute silence is like a lever, or like the point outside the world which Archimedes talks about.  To talk lightly about God therefore, is a depletion that weakens.  God hates it when we gossip with others about our relationship with Him. To do so is sheer vanity, or else it is cowardice and lack of faith, because one does not really rely upon Him.

I might blog...  or just scribble in my moleskine off-line.  not sure.

bye.

p.s. I'm here (no where) - it's brilliant.  I just came down from the rooftop - through the darkness rises our city skyline, the ambassador bridge, canada and beyond.  I immediately got chocked up, why? I'm not even sure.  there's destiny here - awaiting my brokenness, submission and silence.  I felt like Daniel (chapter 6) determined to seek God, Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. - a lot of time will be spent on the rooftop. the wheels of vision have already begun...

most deaf...?

I, normally, don't mind noise, craziness, or even chaos - I seem to thrive under those kinds of circumstances! I mean, c'mon, I live and work in the inner-city, and I have 5 kids and a dog! It's a crazy-fun-noisy-little-world I live in! 

Yet sometimes, even for me, there seems to be an inner calling for peace... I guess I just need things to chill a bit in order to really concentrate and hear what's being said or grasp the bigger picture.  Vision is blurry or dim when decibels and distractions are out of control.

God speaks...   
"lately, Chilly, it's been difficult for me to enjoy our time together - all the noise inside your head - the questions, comments, second-guessing, vain arguments, over-thinking, blah-blah-blah, it's all too much!" 
        - yeah, He speaks to me like this. 

HE was right, of course!  I'm unloading without listening, I'm all over the place in my thinking and I'm getting frustrated. Not at anyone/anything - just in general (which is worse to me).  I need His voice, influence, guidance and grace...  I need to shut up - but, it's hard making my brain shut up, my lips are tight but there's a three-ring circus in full affect underneath the big-top of my cranium!

God persists...
"Shhh, my son, - take a deep breath and let it all go.  Quietly and repectfuly listen to my heart ... pump-pump, pump-pump, pump-pump ... that's all you need to hear right now.  I'M here." 
        - He's here! 

Shutting up is wise.  He will eventually speak and I will be ready to listen.  Until then...  "pump-pump..."

God I'm Ready to Shut Up and Listen ...I'm speechless, in awe - words fail me. I should never have opened my mouth! I've talked too much, way too much. I'm ready to shut up and listen.  Job 40:2, 4-5 msg

                    Shhhhh,  chilly

• what's your 'noice limit'?
• how do you find quiet?
• when was the last time it was totally quiet for an hour?
• do you talk too much during prayer?
• shhhhh...

seeking MORE.

We have begun another week of war (WOW) at Real Church.  Seven days of prayer, fasting and increased Bible study is how we begin each month.  There's no doubt that this monthly discipline is connected with our increase in faith, joy, finances and miracles. We would love to have you join us!!

For those of us who consider ourselves true Christians, prayer [Greek: "proseuche"] is "communion with God". Through prayer we actually experience relationship with God. The quality of our prayer life then determines the quality of our relationship with God. Prayer is talking with God. Prayer is listening to God. Prayer is enjoying the presence of God. It can take many forms - for example: worship, confession, thanksgiving, praise, petition (asking for things), waiting (silent, listening and sensing of God) and warfare (command).

Prayer is not simply saying words. It is not repeating formulas. God is looking for heartfelt relationship. We are told by Jesus not to make meaningless repetitions of words when we pray. (Mathew 6:7).

There is a lot of prayer that never reaches God. "The proud Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer" (Luke 18:11). "The prayers of a person who ignores the law are despised" (Proverbs 28:9). Not to mention prayers offered to false gods, dead prophets or to the devil. And there are those religious prayers or traditional prayers that can be uttered without heart.

Prayer must be from relationship rather than religion or ritual. It's a heart thing...  I challenge you to spend more and more time communicating with the lover of your soul.  Seek to know Him as you are known by Him.  Refuse to simply ponder "prayer" and get busy PRAYING.

• What lesson have learned, that's improved your prayer life?
• Is prayer FUN?  Explain...
• What can I (we) pray about for YOU this week?

who's listening?

When you put on your next prayer-performance, I'll be looking the other way. No matter how long or loud or often you pray, I'll not be listening. And do you know why? Because you've been tearing people to pieces, and your hands are bloody (Isaiah 1:15 msg).

man, if you're gonna pray, pray for REAL!  confess, repent, stop treating people like crap, and love God 24/7. 

                        be sincere...

                                                                        pray.

Heart

Today, as I press on, I feel the tremors of war. There's an increasing intensity to the pounding of my heart.  Our enemy is really angry - this past weekend he got punk'd hard in Hamtramck!  His outrage comes as no surprise.  I'm not alarmed. I'm not afraid. However, I'm not taking his hatred and maniacal plans for granted. There's no doubt that he is dangerous - he would love for me/us to get all prideful over a few victories. Big talk is nothing UNLESS it's spoken in prayer and in Jesus' name.

Though an army besiege me,  my heart will not fear;  though war break out against me,  even then will I be confident. Psalm 27:3

my prayer:
God, cause my heart to beat so loud that it hurts the ears of the enemy and sends panic through the hidden ranks of the air. May it be a mighty warring beat that creates chaos and confusion to every scheme of our adversary. Use me. Help me not back down or sit out. I want to stand blameless and strong. May I be a fearless, servant-hearted, warrior for the King of Kings. ~ chilly

            Join me in the fight!!
                    Click 'comment' and add a line to my prayer...

40DAZED!!

I can honestly say that the last 40 days have been the greatest 40DAZE of my life.  Our times of daily prayer, fasting and study of His Word have been miraculous. We read the Bible, outloud, continuously, cover-to-cover in 65 hours and 35 minutes (starting on Wednesday afternoon and ending early yesterday morning) - so powerful! And we just completed our first weekend with two services:  NightLight - Satrudays at 8pm, and the Awakening - Sundays at 11am. Wow!!  Just living by the simple PRAY FIRST lifestyle has really changed so many things in me and us...

You ever have one of those "good tired" feelings?  You know, when you're exhausted but so glad for the reason you're so torched. That's how I feel.  It's not just a physical thing because of the fasting or all the extra work (and sleeplessness) this weekend...  it's spiritual too.  It's like reaching a new mark in the weight room, yeah, I feel like I've lifted more than ever before in the spiritual realm.  That's so God! So, I embrace the tenderness from the workout because I know I'm getting stronger and doing things at a level that I have not been able to in the past...  more prayer is now required.

As promised, I want to share the opening video from last night's NightLight - so, here it is for your enjoyment - I think it's amazing & powerful... let me know what you think!

Lastly, I want to leave you with the quote of the day (for me, at least)... one of our faithful attenders, whose whole family is part of our church, walked into my office this afternoon and said, after being in both services:

                "Pastor, you did a "#@&*" good job!!"   ~ ha! Classic!  (edited per request)

Weekend Plans?

Last night, during our daily prayer meeting (40DAZE), I was so blessed for so many reasons... here's a few:

• our new year's theme - PRAY FIRST - has really caught on and miracles are happening
• all three of my daughters (ages 15, 12 & 7) were praying their guts out
• the Bible-Read-Through, (cover-to-cover in less than 3 days) was taking place and one of the guys reading was a first time visitor from last Sunday's 'Awakening'
• there's a girl named Lisa that loves Jesus so much - she's precious to us
• our staff is so excited and focused - fasting has only made them stronger
• we have more men attending prayer meetings
• Valentine's Day, for us, had to do with God's LOVE...
• my wife concluded prayer with amazing devotions on 'integrity'

And, now, it's Friday. Only one day until we kickoff our new service, NightLight.  There's so much to do, yet I feel no stress or concern - this is God's church - He will lead and we will be quick to obey!  IF, you're from the greater Detroit area - please join us this Saturday and Sunday!  It's going to be a PARTY!

So, regarding YOUR weekend plans:

• How will you spend this weekend? 
• How will you make sharing your faith deliberate rather than random/accidental?   
• How often does 'The Great Commission' determine how you live? 
• Will today be greater than yesterday?  

can you say: PACZKI?

The streets of Hamtramck will be soon be crammed with people, from near and far, all in search of something sweet, round and fat (no, not me!)... very funny!  They are in search of the notorious: PACZKI! Even as I write this, the air is filled with the smell of fried dough and sugar as polish bakeries all over our city bake these things all night in order to have them ready tomorrow from 5am - 7pm!  Lines will be several blocks long with people craving those polish pastries and various media (TV, Radio, Paper, etc) will pack store fronts & street-corners.

A pączek (singular name for plural: paczki) is a deep-fried piece of dough shaped into a flattened sphere and filled with plums or other sweet filling. A traditional filling is marmalade made from fried rose buds. Fresh paczki are usually covered with powdered sugar, icing or bits of fried orange zest. Pączki have been known in Poland at least since the Middle Ages.

Traditionally, the reason for making paczki has been to use up all the lard, sugar, shortening, eggs, and fruit in the house, which are forbidden during Lent (a religious time of fasting)...

Hamtramck is known to be the only U.S. city to organize an annual Paczki-Day (Fat Tuesday) Parade, and lines can be seen up to 24 hours before the deep-fried delights go on sale at the numerous local bakeries. Many bars in town open early in the morning, and provide free entertainment, a party atmosphere, and even Paczki-clad mascots. The Paczki-Day celebration in this town is even larger than many areas have for St. Patrick's Day.  Here, prunes are considered the traditional filling, but many others are used as well, including lemon, strawberry, chocolate, bavarian cream, blueberry, custard, rasberry and apple. Due to French influence, paczki are eaten on Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday).

So, what's the spiritual application?  Simple: I'll be out among the people, praying the God allows me to share His authentic love (far beyond ritual or religion) with others.  Yeah, I think it's a bit ridiculous to gorge oneself with fattening donuts as a way of preparing to fast... but, I won't get into that this year. I want to reach people for Christ.  So, Paczki Day is Jesus Day in Hamtramck for me!