hpmdave's page

2010-10-18T17:27:00.000-07:00

I just left a delightful dinner meeting with the staff of The Herald of His Coming. We gathered to honor 50 years' of Herald ministry for Lois Stucky. Lois joined the staff as a summer volunteer, working at the most basic levels of ministry,handling mail and addressing materials. Over the years she learned every aspect of ministry from the Moores who founded the Herald. Eventually she stepped into the role of Editor, serving in that position for many years.

Lois's dedication to this wonderful ministry is only surpassed by her devotion to her Lord. 50 years! Think about it! I have friends who are my age who have retired by now and I was just 7 years old when Lois joined the staff...and she's still going strong. There's really no such thing as retirement in the Kingdom of God. Lois has shifted gears, and now serves on the editorial team of the Herald, but her wisdom and counsel is sought by all of us. My prayer is for many more years of service for her. We all need the kind of godly model that she has been for us, especially in the area of steadfastness in ministry.

2010-08-27T13:19:00.000-07:00

I'm sitting and soaking in the Lord's Presence in the prayer room at the International House of Prayer in Kansas City. America's National Prayer Committee is leading a 66 hour prayer time here called Prayer Watch 2010. It's a call to the Church to get serious about prayer that transforms.

In the IHOP setting that means lots of worship and intercessory worship. God has given our NPC leaders various topics to teach on briefly, and then launch an hour of prayer around that topic. SO far we've prayed around the topics of spiritual preparation, reaching the nations with the gospel, praying through wilderness times,university students, praying the "one anothers" for one another, and many more. We will continue to worship and pray until noon on Sunday. You can watch and participate on GOD TV or the IHOP live streaming channel.

2010-07-27T16:47:00.000-07:00

I had a great Sunday morning with the Mountain Christian Church in Joppa, MD. They are doing a great series called "Retro" that looks at some of the ancient Christian practices and how they can impact us today. My assigned topic was "Fasting". It's not a topic that many get excited about. It pretty much goes against everything in our culture.
Most of us are surrounded by food and our only choice is what kind and how much of it do we eat. To be able to have food, but not eat it, doesn't make sense to some people. Our culture pretty much says that about everything. Go for it. Do what feels good. Get all you can....not just food, but every pleasure in life.
So maybe then, Christians do begin to understand this spiritual discipline of fasting. It trains us to say "no", even to things that we are allowed to have. Self-control begins to grow. Fasting really isn't about food at all. It's about training for righteousness.

2010-06-27T18:34:00.000-07:00

Ok, it's not the most serious post I've made....but I'm going on vacation. Even better, I'm going on vacation on the beach in Southern California. Nothing planned. Some novels to read. Lots of long walks along the beach with Kim. Hopefully some really good food at some of the great restaurants in the area(you knew I'd mention this). Interestingly, a week like this is often when I feel closest to God. I think its because I slow down long enough for Him to get through to me.

Of course, there's something about the ocean and it's majesty that draws me near as well. But mainly I think its slowing down. I wonder if its possible to do that when I'm not on vacation? I'd like to think it's possible. I'm pretty sure the Lord would recommend it. I think I'll try it!

2010-06-10T08:02:00.000-07:00

I’ve spent the week in Dallas, TX surrounded by people with beautiful feet. Oh, you know the scripture passage that says, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” I’m with many who have given their lives to bring the good news through translating Scripture. They have exceedingly beautiful feet!

Pioneer Bible Translators is made up of a group of translators, literacy specialists, church planters, and support personnel who are committed to seeing transformed lives through God’s Word in every language. Spending the week here helping with their Pioneer Missions Institute is always one of my greatest privileges and joys. In addition, I’m also able to serve these servants of God through my chairmanship of their Board of Directors.

In the past few years, PBT has grown tremendously in numbers, in finances, and in effectiveness in translating scripture. Everyone here knows why. They have made prayer their main strategy. Prayer isn’t just a side issue to cover things they can’t handle. Prayer is the main strategy and gives focus and direction to everything they do. That’s why God has chosen to bless them abundantly. The rest of us can learn from PBT.

2010-04-20T19:20:00.000-07:00

Unless a higher court overturns the ruling, the National Day of Prayer will no longer be a government endorsed event. I'm saddened by that, but for the nation, not the Church. The Church never has and never will need the backing of the government to pray! I'm saddened that the U.S has shifted so much culturally that some people of influence no longer believe we need prayer. May this shocking ruling draw the saints of God to their knees in prayer for our nation!

2010-03-05T10:29:00.000-08:00

I just returned from back-to-back meetings of two Executive Committees that I serve on, The Mission America Coalition, and the Awakening America Alliance. During these meetings of godly Christian leaders, ideas flowed profusely that will have a positive impact on our nation. The MAC group focuses on evangelism in the U.S., while the AAA is a group that encourages revival and spiritual awakening in the nation.

The Church in the U.S. has never had a paucity of ideas. But in the midst of the flow of ideas in these two groups, there was something else that is markedly different. There was a very real awareness that what we need in the nation is a supernatural move of God. He may or may not choose to work through our ideas and initiatives. But both groups realize that it is a powerful new work of God that is desperately needed in the Church in the U.S. That fills me with great joy and peace!

2010-01-30T09:22:00.000-08:00

Our nation is in good hands! Don't misunderstand me, I'm not talking politics or human government here.I'm talking God! Kim and I are in Phoenix right now, having just finished the annual meeting of America's National Prayer Committee. What an amazing group of people! The NPC is made up of about 100 prayer leaders from around the nation.
As we prayed for the nation and shared what God is doing, I began to realize that the U.S. is really in good hands. We often look to the news and the political situation and shake our heads in dismay. But the real power is not in Washington DC or on Wall Street. It is in the hands of the Almighty Creator of all things. And He has chosen to intervene in the affairs of nations when His people get serious about prayer. Listening to the members of America's National Prayer Committee cry out to God on behalf of our nation has given me great hope for the future. God is in control! His people are praying!

2010-01-11T20:28:00.000-08:00

This is one of those fun weeks where I get to teach in multiple churches. I started this past weekend in Belleville, IL. The St Matthews UMC is an exciting, Bible-believing fellowship that desires to become a House of prayer. Today (Monday) I shared on Spiritual Warfare in Brownstown, IL for a monthly gathering of men from 17 Christian Churches. Their wives were invited for this meeting. Good response from a wonderful group of Christians.
Tomorrow, I drive to New Albany, IN to share with the leadership of the Northside Christian Church. This dynamic congregation continues to grow rapidly, reaching the unchurched with the Gospel and making a difference in their community. The next day will be a strategy session with leadership of the National Missionary Convention and the Restoration Revolution group. It's exciting to see the priority these groups are placing on prayer.

2009-12-29T13:47:00.001-08:00

I think this week, between Christmas and New Years is my favorite week of the year. The self-imposed pressure of preparing for Christmas is fun, but now it's time to relax. I love to spend this week at home...polishing off some of the left-over Christmas goodies, watching movies, reading...and best of all...organizing. Yeah...I know...sounds weird, but I really enjoy this time of year for polishing off end of the year filing, and getting things ready for the next year.

It's also a wonderful week for prayer. I love using Phyllis Tickle's Divine Hours book as a way to bring much Scripture into my prayer times. She does a great job during this week of keeping me focused on the season of Christ's coming into the world, long after the presents have been opened and the festivities have died down.

2009-09-10T07:11:00.000-07:00

I'm in NYC for the Awakening America Exec meeting and the Cry Out America Prayer service tomorrow. There is something very sobering, looking out my window into the huge crater where the World Trade Center used to be. I sat outside my hotel last night, wondering what it would have been like to have been here 8 years ago when the terrorist attack occurred? The hotel where I'm staying was badly damaged in the attack.

The Cry Out America prayer initiative tomorrow is an attempt to help America see that what happened 8 years ago was a wake up call. Unfortunately, most have not awakened. We stumble along in spiritual blindness, somehow hoping that everything will get back to normal, whatever that is.

We don't like hearing the words of the Apostle Paul to Timothy, "But mark this, there will be terrible times in the last days." As we consider past tragedies, we must prepare ourselves for future tough times. More than ever, it is time for the Church in America to be on its knees. Whether they know it or not, our nation is dependent upon a praying Church.

2009-08-27T21:17:00.000-07:00

Kim and I are enjoying the beauty of Colorado Springs this week while meeting with the Executive Committee of America's National Prayer Committee. One of our favorite parts of the meeting each year is the time when we pray for and with the staff of the National Day of Prayer Task Force. This year there was a special urgency and passion. There was a real sense that our nation is in trouble and that the only answer would be God's intervention through the prayers of His people.

As we prayed, the beautiful board room of Focus on the Family, overlooking Pike's Peak, was transformed into a sanctuary of prayer. Tears, powerful passages of Scripture, passionate prayers for our beloved nation blended together and rose as incense before the Lord. It was a glorious time of intercession.

Though that prayer meeting has ended, the task of praying for our nation has not. Whether it is praying prayers of repentance over the lukewarmness of the Church, or intercession on behalf of our governmental leaders, we need you to join us. It is time for the Church in America to pray as never before!

2009-08-07T21:30:00.000-07:00

I have a confession to make. I enjoy Facebook. Yes, I know that many waste too much time on it. But,if you can manage your time well, Facebook and other social networking sites are great ways to stay in touch. I'm increasingly discovering that I need to work on my relationships. I like people, but have often not been good at staying in touch. Facebook has been a great help for me and many like me.

If you are on Facebook, be sure and join our group: Friends of Harvest Prayer Ministries. It's a great way to connect with our ministry. We try to put announcements there about HPM, as well as using it as a place for discussion on prayer. Hope to see you online!

2009-07-14T13:40:00.000-07:00

It's vacation time. Kim and I are visiting her folks in Laguna Beach, CA. It's a beautiful place to rest, walk the beach, pray, eat, and visit with friends. We spent the morning walking the beach and then both of us are reading for recreation. Kim is finishing up Bill O'Reilly's latest, "Bold, Fresh Piece of Humanity", and I'm working on Walter Isaacson's "Einstein". There's something about a good biography that always inspires me to be a better person.

2009-06-24T14:20:00.001-07:00

How do you respond to the events going on in the world? An economy that is the worst in decades? Nuclear weapons in the hands of the unstable? A cultural war in our own nation? The most natural response is that of fear or worry. We are a nation medicating itself because of our high stress levels.
Many years ago, President Frankin Roosevelt told a nation paralyzed by fear over the Great Depression that the only thing they had to fear, was fear itself. Fear paralyzes us and prevents us from taking the actions needed to address the issues we face. I believe that Jesus is saying to the Church today…the only thing you have to fear is fear itself. Do not be afraid….look to Jesus. God has not abdicated His throne. Nothing has taken Him by surprise. The kingdom is advancing! It is not a time for fear, but courage. May our churches be places where courage is given and fear is banished.

2009-05-27T19:24:00.001-07:00

North Korea tests nuclear warhead! Iran close to going nuclear! Anybody else wondering if we are seeing significant pieces moving into place that may indicate the soon appearing of the Lord? Whether or not the events relate to the Second Coming, Christians are to deal with these issues without fear or anxiety. Jesus told us that he will give us his peace. It is a peace that is different from the world. The world’s peace is dependant upon circumstances remaining calm. The peace of Christ is intended to guard our hearts even in the midst of turmoil.

2009-05-11T20:45:00.000-07:00

Thursday, May 7th was another great National Day of Prayer. Thousands of prayer sites across the nation were filled with millions of believers gathered to seek the face of God. In Washington DC, many leaders from our nation's Capital assembled in the Caucus Room of the Cannon House Office Building for a powerful three hour prayer service. With Shirley Dobson leading, we heard from Beth Moore, Dr James Dobson, General James Amos, Shaun Alexander, Vonette Bright, Paul Cedar, and a number of members of America's National Prayer Committee. All of this was woven together with worship and prayer to make a powerful impact on those present and the many watching on GOD TV.

Many were concerned over the lack of involvement of the President. In addition to not having a White House prayer event, we also did not have representation from the Executive Branch for this important prayer event. I was sad for the President. It was a wonderful opportunity for him that has passed. Perhaps next year? But the publicity actually helped the NDP event and I believe encouraged many to attend that had forgotten about it in the past. Even at our Capital Hill event, we saw double the number of Congressmen than we usually see. God is good! This event never has been about the White House. It's really much more about your house than the White House. America, we've got to keep on praying!

2009-05-03T17:54:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow (May 4) I fly to Washington DC for the National Day of Prayer and the many meetings that surround that day. I've done this for many years. But I have a strong sense that this years' NDOP may well be one of the most important in our nations' history. It surprises no one for me to say that the United States is in a crisis. Though the economic, terrorism, and health crises are very real, the most significant crisis is that of faith.

What is desperately needed in the United States is a new Awakening in the Church to the Lordship of Jesus Christ! We get mad over government spending, greedy bankers, and inept corporate leaders, but the only force on earth that can change their hearts is the Holy Spirit. It is time for the Church to rise up in prayer and worship that touches the heart of God and brings mercy to the land. "In repentance and rest is your salvation; in quietness and trust is your strength".

2009-04-22T20:52:00.000-07:00

I've been enjoying Transform World Houston these past few days. I just left an amazing prayer meeting. Amazing because of who was there. A group of about 40 international believers from probably 15 different countries were upfront, praying loudly and passionately...not for their own nations, but for mine. Their tears were flowing as they interceded before the Throne of God on behalf of the United States of America.

It was an awesome thing to witness...and then to join in. I had the privilege of inviting the large crowd of American believers to join in with their international brothers and sisters in praying for God to move upon our nation. With much humility, a deep repentance, and confidence in the mercy of God, we cried out for our nation. I left the prayer meeting with hope and expectation. Now my prayer is: "God, multiply prayer meetings like this across our nation. May your people spend much time seeking your face on behalf of your work in our nation."

2009-04-12T20:48:00.000-07:00

I guess I'm a little more traditional than I thought I was. Today I went to a very traditional Easter service. I absolutely loved it. I'm still in awe of the experience...and of course, the Lord who prompted the experience. There was a full choir, a wonderful orchestra, and absolutely every one of my favorite "Easter" hymns. The message was a solid, biblical message on the Resurrection of Christ.
Don't get me wrong. I love new stuff. Worship teams, rock bands and new Christ-focused worship music excites me and often leads me into a passionate experience of Christ's Presence. But when it comes to Easter...give me the good old-time religion!

2009-04-03T07:00:00.000-07:00

Sitting in the Indy airport waiting to head to Tulsa, OK for a weekend of teaching. The last 6 weeks of ministry have been amazing. Virtually everywhere I have gone, the passion for prayer and response to the teaching has been off the charts. I'm wondering if the financial crisis is finally beginning to have its good effect...that of turning people back to God. Instead of trusting in our IRA's and Wall Street, perhaps we're beginning to trust God.
I heard a good friend say recently that this economic crisis should not be looked at as a test, but a tool. Tests you just endure. Tools you use. "Lord, may this time of economic uncertainty be a tool in your hands to transform you people into a people of true and lasting faith.

2009-03-03T11:16:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the big gap between posts. I've tried several times to post something new, but my computer prevented me. I know it sounds like a lame excuse, but it's true. I finally had to bring in reinforcements to overcome the resistance. So...here I am again.
Now...to make this whole thing spiritual. Same thing happens to me occasionally in my spiritual life. Gaps! Times when I'm not aware of God's presence in my life. Oh...He's still there. He doesn't come and go depending upon my awareness. Thank God! So, the adventure of my life is to narrow the gaps of unawareness.
Sometimes I need to call in the reinforcements. Often I find I need help spiritually in staying connected. Sometimes the help comes in the person of a person...a friend who calls and encourages me to walk close to God. It might be dropping into our prayer room and soaking up the worship going on, allowing it to re-focus me on what is really important. Sometimes it is a good devotional that allows me to daily be reminded of the astonishing fact that Christ has come to dwell in me.
No more gaps, Lord. "I have set the Lord always before me." (Ps.16:8)

2009-01-06T07:05:00.000-08:00

I'm in the middle of one of those intense times called "writing a book"! I've had the opportunity to write several over the past few years and I've discovered that I do better if I can get away and immerse myself in the writing for some days. That's where I am now. So why blogging? Because sometimes you need to just walk away from the project for a while...even if it's to do some more writing on a blog.
The topic is pretty fascinating for me. The working title is: "Prayer and the End of Days". Without trying to be predictive regarding the Lord's return, the focus of the book is: How do you pray when you see things happening that might relate to the Second Coming of Jesus? There are obviously a lot of ways you can go with a topic like that. I'd appreciate some prayer on my behalf, that I would write a very helpful book for those who are concerned(rightly)about the crises going on around us. Thanks!

2008-12-23T20:39:00.000-08:00

Okay, I'm into slowdown mode. It's December 23rd, the presents are bought (most are wrapped), it's cold outside, and time to quit working. It's a time for Christmas movies, football, lots of food, family and friends...and above all, it's time to celebrate Jesus. We love watching the nativity section of the old mini-series, "Jesus of Nazareth". Of course, a good Christmas Eve service is essential.
When you travel in ministry like we do, there is something intensely spiritual about staying home. Kim and I are looking forward to this next week of enjoying family, friends, home, and Jesus.

2008-12-13T20:36:00.000-08:00

Kim and I just returned from a wonderful Christmas concert performed by the Terre Haute Children's Chorale. Our good friend, Anita Gambill directs this talented group of children. Accompanied by a local bell choir, it was a great evening of listening to Christmas music.
There is something very special about children's voices. An innocence and purity is projected. When children sing about the birth of Jesus, it takes the celebration to a new level. While at the concert, I briefly closed my eyes (I didn't want others to think I was sleeping) and found myself thinking about singing angels, shepherds, and a stable outside Bethlehem. Children singing to The Child. It's what Christmas is all about.

2008-11-13T09:37:00.000-08:00

I confess that I love to watch election results. Always have! I stayed up too late on Nov.4th, but I had to find out for sure who would become our next president. I stayed up even later to listen to the concession speech from John McCain and the acceptance speech from Barak Obama. Both messages were excellent.

Since that day, I have found myself led by the Spirit, multiple times each day to pray for President-Elect Obama. As I watched his acceptance speech in Grant Park, it seemed to me that I saw the burden of the Presidency fall upon him. Watch the clips from his speech again. Note that the normal easy smile and cheerful demeanor is absent. It was almost as though we could see the enormous pressures of leading our nation in these difficult times come crashing down upon him.

He needs our prayers. My conservative political beliefs are a stark contrast to President-Elect Obamaʼs stated policies. That however, does not lessen my commitment to the scriptural injunction to pray for those in leadership over us. I have asked the Lord to allow me to do that with joy and sincerity. I have written Senator Obama to let him know of my commitment to pray regularly for him, especially through this crucial transition period.

I would encourage Christians to pray earnestly for the man who will be our next President. Perhaps you might even be led to send an email to his office and let him know of your prayers. That would be a real encouragement. If you are not yet a part of the Presidential Prayer Team, now would be a good time to join. It would be a real tragedy, if, when administrations change, Christians quit praying for our national leaders. Now, more than ever, our fervent prayers are needed.

2008-10-24T10:46:00.000-07:00

Last week in Colorado Springs I heard a disturbing statistic...only one-third of Christians in the US vote. That is appalling to me, both as an American and as a Christian. I certainly understand the frustration of people who are fed up with the whole election process, but we cannot let this frustration keep us from doing the right thing.
I urge you to vote! Though I certainly cannot use a ministry site to promote a particular candidate, I can encourage to consider one overwhelmingly important issue: LIFE! It is quite popular today to hear Christians say that their vote is based on more than a single issue. There are many important issues: the war, the economy, justice issues, the environment. All of these should concern us and help us make decisions concerning our vote.
Personally however, those other important issues only come into play after I see how a candidate views the critical issue of life. Our Creator has formed us (Ps.139) and our nation is facing judgment as long as we continue to kill innocent unborn children. I plead with my brothers and sisters in Christ to consider the pro-life position to be the foundation upon which other positions must be viewed. We must vote our values.

2008-09-27T12:25:00.000-07:00

I've spent the last two days in London for a gathering of prayer leaders from around the world. It's been an amazing time. There are 60 of us from probably 25 countries. We've heard stories of God's praying Church that have inspired and encouraged us. There have been rich times of prayer and significant periods of strategic planning for the future.
In the midst of this, I've spent a lot of time thinking about the Church. First of all, that our weekly gatherings should be like this: deep fellowship, encouraging stories, praying together, and planning for the future. I've also thought about how the Church and the prayer movement ought really to be one and the same. How exciting it will be when the Church gathers to share awesome answers to prayer and to strategize how to deepen and enrich the prayer lives of others. May it happen soon Lord!

2008-09-13T08:07:00.001-07:00

I’m writing this sitting in the Millenium Hotel overlooking Ground Zero. It’s Sept.11, 2008 and the site has none of the normal construction activity for the building of a memorial. Instead, the families of victims are walking down a ramp into the heart of the site to pay honor to their family members lost in the 9-11 attacks. Looking out my window I can see the two skydivers who have huge American flags attached to them as they float slowly to the ground during this service of commemoration.

I'm here, along with many others to participate in Cry Out America today. Last night we led a Solemn Assembly that was broadcast by GOD TV. Today we join with many of you around the nation at noon as we gather in prayer meetings to repent of our sins as the Church in our nation. As I see the hurt and anger in so many here in New York, I realize again that our only hope is for Christ to once again make Himself known in power in the midst of His people. Please keep praying for revival!

2008-08-30T18:13:00.000-07:00

I spent last week in Colorado Springs for the North American Prayer Summit. Prayer leaders from Canada, Mexico and the United States came together for three days to report on what God was doing in the prayer movement in their nations and to pray for each other. We had a marvelous time and God met us in a powerful way.
The reports were encouraging. God is continuing to call His people back to Himself in prayer. All three nations are seeing an increase in prayer.
Probably the most encouraging time was simply our prayers with and for each other. We discovered new members of our Christian family. Language and cultural barriers fell before time spent in the Presence of God together. A unity that is possible only through Jesus became evident in our midst. In leaving this meeting, I realized that if this diverse group of people could experience such amazing unity during those three days, it was ground for much hope for the Church as we learn to pray with and for each other.

2008-08-22T13:18:00.000-07:00

I've really been enjoying the Olympics. Every four years I stay up late watching these amazing athletes from around world as they compete for the gold. Kim and I have been talking about why this is so fascinating to us. I think it has to do with cheering on young people who have paid the price to compete at the highest level in the world.

These athletes are all disciplined. They forgo other pleasures for the thrill of competition and excelling at one particular event. None of them casually decides to compete in the Olympics the week before it begins. For many, the Beijing Olympics is the culmination of years and years of training.

Simple application to my life, and maybe yours. My spiritual life and achievements will also require years of discipline and training. I will find myself giving up other pleasures that I might excel in the realm of the spirit.

We struggle with this concept because we also know that apart from the intervention and help of the Lord we cannot begin to experience spiritual victory. So we trot out an old phrase like, "Let go and let God" and turn the TV on. Somewhere I need to grab the concept that depending upon the Lord does not mean that I ignore the need for spiritual discipline and training. So we hear the Apostle Paul using athletic terms to describe his effort to grow in spirit and truth: "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." ( Phil.3:13-14)

2008-06-30T05:24:00.000-07:00

Floods, fires, earthquakes, tornadoes, typhoons…is anyone else noticing the weirdness of our weather? I know we’ve always had such things. But, the intensity does seem to be picking up. It’s enough that it has me praying a very specific prayer. I’ve been asking the Lord to allow me to live as one of the sons of Issachar, of whom it was said, “they understood the times in which they lived and knew what Israel must do.”

I believe that is a most appropriate prayer for us today as we find ourselves surrounded by dramatic weather shifts, culture wars, economic upheaval and the threat of terrorism. “Lord, help us to not act as though everything is normal. Please give us insight and understanding of our times. If these things happening in the world around us are a part of the preparation for your Return, then wake up Your People to begin to live differently. Show us how to pray and how to live in such a way that every moment counts for You!”

2008-06-03T18:04:00.000-07:00

On May 26th I went to Paradise. No...not heaven. This particular Paradise was a field about 30 miles south of Kansas City. It was a unique gathering of about 3500 young people (and a few of us older folk). We had one purpose only...to assemble before the Throne of the Lamb and worship Jesus. There have certainly been many other gatherings to worship the Lord and they have often attracted many more people. But this was different.

There were no celebrities on the stage. As a matter of fact....no one was on the stage. It was designed to emulate an empty dais upon which a throne could be placed. The musicians were hid from sight behind the stage. A jumbotron screen provided words to songs and extensive passages of scripture that focused on the person of Christ.

This was no mere entertainment venue. You didn't come to Paradise asking what you were going to receive, but rather you declared, "Lord....here is my heart." It was all about Jesus.

Some have asked me why the attendance was so low. I don't really know. Perhaps the price of gas...maybe the uncertainty of a very unusual format...maybe it was asking too much for some. What I do know is that those who came and fully entered into the worship and prayer were impacted significantly by the Presence of Jesus. I'm gratefully to the visionary brothers and sisters who led us into this simple field in Kansas to meet with the King of Kings.

2008-05-25T06:48:00.001-07:00

Back from vacation...and desperately in need of a vacation! No, not because of the typical frantic sightseeing of many vacations. This was one for the books. Soon after we drove to Washington DC with Kim's folks, we realized her Dad was not well. A trip to the hospital confirmed a mild stroke. So...the rest of our time focused on Jack and his recovery. I'm please to tell you that he has had a wonderful recovery and is now back home in California. Kim accompanied her parents home to provide some care along the way and at home.
Though so many of the things we planned on seeing and doing, went undone, in many ways it was still a remarkable time. If family is important to you....and it is to us...then this was a wonderful time. Kim and I were able to be with her parents at a critical time. Kim's sister and brother-in-law were there with us and we formed a good team of care-givers. Because the stroke was mild and recovery began almost immediately, we were also able to slip away occasionally to see a few things. We also were able to persuade Kim's mom to come with us to supper a few days. You really realize in times like this how important it is to have good family relationships.
It was also a time when we saw God move in significant ways. The timing was great...being with Jack at this critical time. The damage was minimal. The doctors and nurses were awesome. Jack has determinedly pushed through this crisis and is well on his way toward full recovery. Thank you God for being present in our family throughout this situation.

2008-05-14T17:49:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I'm a little slow. This is my first blog. I've planned on it for years, but just now got around to it. Thanks goes to my assistant, Dean Gambill for setting this up for me. Most of my blogs will center around prayer....no surprise there. It's what I do. But I do want to just share about other things as well. For instance, this year is a great one to talk about elections and the whole weird process of choosing a President.

Right now I'm getting ready to go on vacation. Kim and I are taking her parents to Washington DC. Her Dad, Jack, is a Marine veteran of WWII and has never seen the WWII Memorial in Washington DC. So, we'll drive there and meet up with Kim's sister Ruth Ann and brother-in-law Phil. Of course, Kim and I were just there two weeks ago for all of the activities happening around the National Day of Prayer. I guess that was just the advance party for this trip.
As always, the NDOP was great. In some ways, the event on Capitol Hill seemed even more significant this year. Perhaps it is the awareness of the struggle going on for the soul of a nation...but it certainly was a time of great prayer and encouragement.
We got home from that trip and immediately jumped into the 10 days of prayer leading up to the Global Day of Prayer, which was May 11. By the way, when we were in Washington, those who went to the White House told us that the President shared that he hoped that someday there would be an International Day of Prayer. Someone needs to tell him about the Global Day of Prayer. There's already over 200 million of us gathering for prayer on that day.
Enough for a first blog. I hope to hear from some of you. I'll respond after we return from vacation.