Heart

But the LORD said to Samuel , "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature , because I have rejected him . For the LORD sees not as man sees : man looks on the outward appearance , but the LORD looks on the heart . "

Misty Edwards

She is on some kind of break from her regular schedule at IHOP. Neverthless, you can watch excellent inspirational live video of IHOP-KC at www.theprayerroom.tv.

Drawing prayer

The Warrior's Cave

I found this website today. Probably some of the most radical worship/music/dance expression I've seen. If you know of other sites or video's let me know. It's a ministry out of Georgia called The Warrior's Cave. I guess it's referencing the story of the prophets hiding in a cave during the time when Jezebel was killing off all the prophets.

Watch this Youtube video of the worship.

Lift up my Hands and Sing In Front of Others?

Ps 57:9 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will
sing praises to you among the nations.

"Give thanks" in this verse literally means to "throw your hands up".

So David says he will throw his hands up among the people and sing to
his God among the nations. David felt that God was to be praise
outloud and expressively around others, anywhere in the world.

H3034

ידה

yâdâh

yaw-daw'

A primitive root; used only as denominative from H3027; literally to
use (that is, hold out) the hand; physically to throw (a stone, an
arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended
hands); intensively to bemoan (by wringing the hands): - cast (out),
(make) confess (-ion), praise, shoot, (give) thank (-ful, -s,
-sgiving).

How to Pray for this Election

Fervently and with energy.

Pray for the swing states.  This link is a great prayer guide tool for you to use.
http://txapn.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/releasing-the-prophetic-destiny-of-a-swing-state.pdf

Pray with Energy and Fervency

16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one
another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has
great power as it is working. (ESV James 5:16)

I was surprised to find that the NASB says "The effective prayer of a
righteous man can accomplish much."

The word translated effective in Greek is:
G1754
ἐνεργέω
energeō
en-erg-eh'-o
From G1756; to be active, efficient: - do, (be) effectual (fervent),
be mighty in, shew forth self, work (effectually in).

This looks like its saying, "The "energized and fervent" prayer of a
righteous man can accomplish much. That sounds more motivating than
"effective". It's harder for me to know what praying effective looks
like. If someone asked me to pray with energy and fervency, this I
could picture and be motivated to try.

Throw Your Hands Up Spontaneously

Ps. 54:6  With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to you; I will give thanks to your name, O LORD, for it is good.

This is an example where the English translation does not do the original Hebrew service.  I would translate this as:

I will spontaneously give you a sacrifice.  I will throw my hands up in the air and worship you O LORD for it is good and you are good and it's good altogether.

The word translated praise in English is this:

ידה
yâdâh
yaw-daw'
A primitive root; used only as denominative from H3027; literally to use (that is, hold out) the hand; physically to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively to bemoan (by wringing the hands): - cast (out), (make) confess (-ion), praise, shoot, (give) thank (-ful, -s, -sgiving).
(H3034 Strong's Number)

The word translated "freewill" means "spontaneous."

It's like your walking along and whoa!  I feel the urge to throw my hands up because I'm feeling his goodness.  He's good, and it's good to acknowledge that.  It make me feel good to do it too.

Worship Paintings

I found this website called The Worship Arts.  The link leads to the section on painting but there are other sections to explore.  I hope to search out the key words, "prophetic worship, prophetic arts, prophetic dance, prophetic song, etc and see what sites and images appear.  I would do this in 1996 and not much would appear, just a few sites here and there.  Man, it seems that the internet is being invaded by the prophetic.  Looks like its time for me to explore and see what I find.  Excuse my Mexican-American slang, but "these are my homies."

Urgent Prayer for this Election!

This is a forwarded Letter from Dutch Sheets. I agree with its statements.

The italicized 3 paragraphs are the excerpts that I thought were the most poignant and sharp. Please take time to read them; for those of you who are interested, agree with and feel passionate about this matter, the full letter follows after these excerpts:

"The reality in America is that you don't need to control Congress or the White House to rule the nation. You only need 5 people – 5 out of 9 on the Supreme Court. And for decades those who disagree with just about everything you and I stand for have been in control! "

"You may question whether President Bush was the right choice; obviously, he has made some blunders in his tenure as president. But two of his decisions alone left no doubt he was God's choice: Roberts and Alito. These two Supreme Court Justices have proven critical in the process of breaking the hold of humanism, death and anti-God agendas that have ruled the Court for 50 years."

"Just as many of you do, I too, want to see a first black President, but not Senator Obama. To allow that noble and godly desire, the economy or one's position on the war to trump this issue of life and death for the innocent unborn is simply wrong. The scriptures teach that if we choose first to exalt righteousness and turn from evil, God promises to heal our land (see Proverbs 14:34; 2 Chronicles 7:14). It is righteousness that exalts a nation, not wealth, prosperity or armies."

The complete letter is below:

Due to IRS rules, this letter is from me personally and is not from any of the ministries I am associated with. (Also because of IRS rules, I cannot send it to my ministry database and therefore need your help in getting it out.) Do with it as you see fit, but my desire is that you forward it to as many praying friends as possible.

October 20, 2008

Dear Praying Friend,

In 2000, I wrote the 2nd most important letter of my life—a call to prayer for the elections of that year. I'm now writing what may be my most important letter. I knew the importance of those elections in 2000 was beyond any in my life up to that point and that the spiritual warfare surrounding them would be unlike anything any of us had ever seen. That letter was read by millions of people and I believe millions of them responded by praying. I also believe the prayers turned the tide.

You may question whether President Bush was the right choice; obviously, he has made some blunders in his tenure as president. But two of his decisions alone left no doubt he was God's choice: Roberts and Alito. These two Supreme Court Justices have proven critical in the process of breaking the hold of humanism, death and anti-God agendas that have ruled the Court for 50 years. I assure you that more devastation—the shedding of innocent blood, immorality, decay of the family and an erosion of our godly heritage—has flowed into our nation through that institution than any other door in America. Many times more. The poison allowed into America through their decisions is beyond any of our abilities to articulate. The reality in America is that you don't need to control Congress or the White House to rule the nation. You only need 5 people – 5 out of 9 on the Supreme Court. And for decades those who disagree with just about everything you and I stand for have been in control!

In Bush's two terms, the process of turning this around began with the appointments of Roberts and Alito. Now, we win some cases 5-4 and lose some 4-5. (We barely outlawed partial birth abortion. The vote of one judge saved thousands of babies from this horror.) We need one more conservative Justice for a consistent majority, then more to build a strong majority.

In Obama's own words, "the next president will appoint at least one, perhaps two or more Supreme Court Justices." He's right. Almost certainly two or more older, liberal Justices are waiting until after the elections to retire, in hopes of Obama winning and appointing more liberals to replace them. And he certainly would. He voted against the confirmation of Roberts and Alito. So did Biden. And Biden led the fight against Justice Thomas several years back, another of the 4 solid conservatives. Make no mistake about it, the two of them do have a litmus test for Supreme Court Justices, and a major part of that test is Roe vs. Wade. McCain and Palin, on the other hand, both have very strong pro-life positions. This alone makes the choice for President simple. To vote for the 2nd and 3rd most liberal senators (Obama and Biden), both of whom are firmly and blatantly proabortion, would be unconscionable. Obama has actually said that if he wins, he would like his first action as president to be the signing of the Freedom of Choice Act, which would eliminate every other law against any aspect of abortion (partial birth abortion, parental notification, etc., etc.). And with a democratic majority in the House and Senate, pretty much any legislation he and Biden want to pass will be a slam-dunk. There are many other unrighteous positions they hold but this position alone makes the choice easy. If they win this election, it will set America back decades in the cause of life and the restoration we seek.

Just as many of you do, I too, want to see a first black President, but not Senator Obama. To allow that noble and godly desire, the economy or one's position on the war to trump this issue of life and death for the innocent unborn is simply wrong. The scriptures teach that if we choose first to exalt righteousness and turn from evil, God promises to heal our land (see Proverbs 14:34; 2 Chronicles 7:14). It is righteousness that exalts a nation, not wealth, prosperity or armies. If we will finish the process of removing the curses of death and anti-God laws off of America by electing a president that will continue to shift the Court, God will grace us with breakthrough in other areas such as the economy, the war against terrorism, etc. My faith is not in a person, and certainly not a political party, for the healing of America, but I know God's word and His ways well enough to know that our decisions do move Him to action or inaction.

Now to the heart of my reason for writing this letter (I realize I am "preaching to the choir"—most of you who know or listen to me are conservative enough to vote for McCain and Palin.) I have not written any appeals for prayer concerning this election because:

1) others have, and

2) I believe our movement has matured to the point that the prayer

base of the Church is already praying.

But I now feel the need to raise my voice. I am appealing to you to pray for these elections the next two weeks like you've never prayed for any in the past. Faithfully. Passionately. Boldly. Ask God for His mercy and grace.

We deserve His judgment for removing His influence and authority from our government, schools, homes and businesses; for the killing of 50 million babies; for leading the world in the consumption and exporting of pornography; for passing laws to reject His; etc. But mercy triumphs over judgment and in His wrath He remembers mercy. In 2000 we actually lost the popular vote and won the election—talk about grace! Please pray for this grace to be released again.

But I am also asking you for something more than normal prayer. For those of you who understand spiritual warfare, I am asking you to also include this aspect of prayer. There is no doubt that we have entered a Daniel 10 moment in time: "Then he said to me, 'Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, I have come in response to your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding me for twenty-one days; then behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia'" (Daniel 10: 12-13 NAS). The spiritual warfare in this election is incredibly fierce, and just as it was in Daniel's day, is all about the restoration of a nation. And also like Daniel, we must keep praying until we win the battle in the heavens.

In August of this year I predicted that September would mark a shift in momentum for these elections. This happened with the appointment of Sarah Palin as the Vice Presidential nominee (who is a true Esther in our generation), but when the economy began its meltdown and the media ramped up their unprecedented attacks on Palin, that momentum wasn't sustained. But we can see it turn again if we approach this battle as the spiritual warfare it truly is and bind the evil forces involved (see Matthew 16:18-19). The reality is that this election can be the breakthrough we need to fully shift the Court (and ultimately our nation) or it will be an immeasurable setback that could take many years to reverse—if ever.

Please understand what I am saying: if we engage in this battle and do what I am asking—in mass—we will win; if we do not, we will lose. I, for one, don't intend to allow the latter. I am in Washington, D.C. now (October 20-22) with Lou Engle and a team of prayer leaders from around the nation to war for this election. Join us! Lose some sleep, miss some meals—pray! Pray like never before for these elections. And as you do, involve yourself not only in petitioning prayer but also in spiritual warfare. Use your God-given authority over the plans and strategies of satan's kingdom. Bind all witchcraft that is working to control the outcome, including occultic powers that are suppressing truth. Release Christ's Kingdom rule in every way the Holy Spirit leads you.

Don't be deceived and don't lose hope (if you have to, turn off the TV.) It is not too late to turn these elections. God is plenty powerful enough to do so. The real question is will we rise to the level of prayer and spiritual warfare necessary to release that power. And remember, we don't need a majority of Christians who are willing and able to do this—only a praying remnant. We can do it!

`

Here are some practical suggestions to consider:

1) Fast (a meal a day; a day a week; a Daniel fast; 3 days; 10 days; TV; etc.) and spend the time praying.

2) Agree in prayer with someone everyday for God's will to be done.

3) Form/participate in prayer groups regularly. Churches could pray everyday.

4) Take time in every gathering to pray. (Take 15 minutes in every service to pray for the elections. Turn an entire service to harp and bowl style intercession—worship and prayer combined.)

5) Join 2 or more on a conference call and pray for 15, 20, or 30 minutes.

6) Pray on the way to work (and on the way home).

7) Pray before you go to sleep.

8) Pray before church services.

9) Ask God to give you His strategy—He will!

In His grip,

Dutch Sheets

Power to Change the Weather

(1Sam 12:18) So Samuel called upon the LORD, and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day, and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.

Here is an example of a man of God calling on the Lord to change the weather. Elijah was another and Jesus another. Joshua asked for the sun to stand still, another astonishing act.

This is the kind of action that God's people are allowed access when they walk in consecration to their God.

Sucked into the Prophetic Worship Vortex 1 Sam. 10:5

What was going on here? Samuel tells Saul what is about to take place and explains that he will become a new person.

These prophetic people come down from a hill prophesying and playing music perhaps dancing and Saul gets close to them and zap, he's prophesying too and afterward, he's a new person.

This kind of stuff is happening again and will continue to happen in our meetings. We need people prophesying and being made into "new" people.

1Sa 10:5

After that you shall come to Gibeath-elohim, where there is a garrison of the Philistines. And there, as soon as you come to the city, you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place with harp, tambourine, flute, and lyre before them, prophesying.

1Sa 10:6 Then the Spirit of the LORD will rush upon you, and you will prophesy with them and be turned into another man.
















THIS IS NOT MY PAINTING. GO TO THE URL ON THE PAINTING TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ARTIST.
www.rikberry.com

Unshakeable Kingdom

Heb 12:27-28
This phrase , "Yet once more , " indicates the removal of things that are shaken -- that is , things that have been made -- in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain .

Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken , and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship , with reverence and awe ,

So I have a kingdom that is unshakeable? Lord help me not to be so shakeable.

God TV Broadcasting in Greater China

During the annual fund raiser for God TV called Missions Week, Wendy Alec, one of the heads of God TV, announced that they now have access to two more satellites to broadcast from.  They will now be broadcasting into greater China and the surrounding area.  This is great news. 

I think of the house churches and underground Christians who will be blessed by such a profound prophetic voice as God TV that is uniting many Christians in the prayer movement around the world. 

Guitar Solos and Praying in the Spirit

There is something special about a good heart-felt guitar solo.  I was listening to the prayer room live feed from IHOP-KC and this guy went off on a guitar solo after the chanting of "There will never be another like you," had ended.  It was a sweet ride. 

People have asked me about speaking in tongues before, and one of my favorite answers is an analogy about jazz.  I tell them that speaking in tongues is like a good jazz solo or in this case a good guitar solo.

 When in prayer, one can pray scriptures, one can speak what is on the heart and  one can pray in tongues.  This is where the person goes into free-flight much like a musician playing a solo from his heart.  You move past language and grammar and just pray what comes out of your heart.  I think that praying in tongues and playing a solo spring from a similar place deep inside the soul and Spirit.  Both processes are somewhat prophetic in the nature of their inspiration and expression.

And without faith it is impossible to please him , for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him . (Heb 11:6)

We WILL be rewarded for seeking him.

Hebrews 10:24-25

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works ,
not neglecting to meet together , as is the habit of some , but encouraging one another , and all the more as you see the Day drawing near .

Heb 10:24-25

Stir each other up to love and good works. We need each others prayers and encouragement.

Another palm centro drawing using jazzy draw

1 Sam 3:7

Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD , and the word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him . (1 Sam 3:7)

How does the word of the Lord get revealed to you, and where do I sign up?

Caring to Know God's Heart 1 Sam. 2:35

 And I will raise up for myself a faithful priest , who shall do according to what is in my heart and in my mind . And I will build him a sure house , and he shall go in and out before my anointed forever .  (Sam 2:35)

It's so important to listen for God's heart and mind.   Not many stop to hear his will, nor care to.

Here God is speaking to Eli about his uncaring attitude as high priest.  His two sons are sleeping with women around the tabernacle and bullying the people who come to sacrifice. 

Prayer:  God, I would like to have a heart like Samuel's that you describe as doing what is in your heart and mind.  He was in tune with and in step with your heart, mind, and spirit.

God wants to raise up people like Samuel that will raise up King David's and judge fairly in the land. 

Love embrace

Please Pray for this Election and All Our Leaders

As you vote this November. Please spend time seeking God for wisdom on your decision.

There is blood guilt on America and if we don't repent and change, God will shed blood on this land to atone for that blood. The previous great injustice against human life in America was slavery and lots of blood was shed because of that.

Abortion is the civil rights issue of the day. We must fight for the rights of the babies. I think that one day we'll look back on the days of abortion and view it like we do slavery. We'll talk about THOSE people who wanted legalized abortion and the crazy reasons behind it much like we now talk about Those people who wanted slavery in American and their reasons for it.

Abortion seems to me to be undercover eugenics. The killing off of mostly poor African Americans. I have heard as a pro abortion argument many times: "Well, do you want the poor having more babies that will grow up to be the poor and raise the crime rate and spending on welfare."

I'm sure there were good arguments for slavery too.

It's about life. 50 million lives already purposely snuffed out.

How can people say they are Christian and be pro abortion? The Bible states: "Before you were born I knew you." God had plans for us before we were even created. So to be a pro abortion Christian you either have to be turning a blind eye when you vote for pro abortion candidates, or have a very loose interpretation of the Bible. This is human life. This is murder. Stop fighting for the rights of the strong and fight for the rights of the powerless, the unborn.


The economy will be the front and center issue this election. But, not in the eyes of God. Is he concerned about the economy or is he more concerned about the killing of innocent lives? Sometimes his thoughts are not ours.

When considering your stance on abortion, please consider the day you stand before God to give account for your life. Please, as Christians we should do everything in a matter that would please Him. To be a Christian means that he is uur Lord and we serve His will. If you believe that you can look Jesus in the face and tell him you were pro-abortion/pro-choice because you thought it was what would please him, then please vote pro-choice with a clear conscience.

Also, the Supreme Court nominations are at stake with this next president.

As you vote, please don't just make a rash decision based on the current economic troubles. Think long term. Think about how you will view your vote on the day you stand before God, especially as it relates to humans not killing each other, healthy families, and morality in general. What kind of world do you want your future generations to grow up in.

I don't want to live in a country that gave me the right to kill my children. I look at them now. I had the right to kill them. My government gave me that permission and said it was OK. No man should have that kind of power. That's scary.

More palm phone drawings

Today Oct. 5th is the day of prayer for jerusalem.

It's the first Sunday in October every year.

Ride to waco pharmacy

Lunch break listening to ihop-kc on my laptop.