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At the Mission Delray we are a multi-cultural, Spirit-filled church. Here is one manifestation of that.
Intercession in Spanish, English, Creole, Portuguese.
1 CommentI went to the Voice of the Apostles conference this year for the first time. I was extremely familiar with the speakers at the event but was looking forward to hearing them all together. On top of that Jesus Culture was leading worship so it looked like a win on all fronts.
The conference is held at the Lancaster County Convention Center which is not really near anywhere. I flew into Baltimore, rented a car and drove the couple hours to the event. The parking garage was full, as it was every other time I tried to use it, so I had to park a few blocks away. When you get in the convention center there were two things you immediately notice, the venue is massive, and a third of the seats are reserved before the door opens.
This is not an auditorium or an arena. It’s 7,000 people in something like 80 rows of chairs all on flat ground. The first night we were something like half way back and you could barely see the stage. I have no idea what the folks in the back saw. Heidi Baker was speaking and the first thing she did was say there were open seats in the VIP section and I took off running. I am not ashamed to look foolish to be able to see the conference I paid money to see.
I wound up on the third row. Pretty sure Che and Bill were talking about me.
Heidi poured her heart out then wound up face down on the stage for the rest of the night. When I left she was still there. The next day she talked about how embarrassing it was. That’s what it is like to be Heidi I guess.
The next morning we devised a plan to show up when the doors opened to get decent seats, then go back to the hotel to eat breakfast and whatnot. We showed up an hour before the doors opened and wound up with seats about a quarter of the way back, about row 20 or so.
Steve Swanson lead worship during the day and Jesus Culture lead at night. Steve is really anointed. For some reason it was way easier to enter into worship when he was leading. It was really good when he lead.
That day the speakers were Larry Randolph, Bill Johnson, Heidi Baker and John Arnott. To understand this you have to understand that these are the folks (Less Larry), together with the host Randy Clark and the other speakers Che Ahn and Georgian Banov that form the Revival Alliance. Basically they are a group of friends in ministry. They get together once a year and have a conference. They invite a prophet, let Randy’s sons speak in smaller rooms, and have a good time.
The day sessions were all great. That night John Arnott spoke on the father heart of God and it was amazing. I had heard him speak on this a bunch of times both live and recorded but this was really good.
I am a big Jesus Culture fan both musically and personally. I love their music and everyone I have met from their group was really cool. But something about the venue really did not work for me when they lead worship. It felt more like a concert then a worship session. They sounded amazing but something did not work for me. At one point I found myself in front of the subs and thought I was being assaulted. I did snap this pic to let the folks back home know all was good.
I think part of the reason worship was difficult was how crowded it was. Check this out.
On day 3 I heard Che Ahn speak in person for the first time. He was even better than I thought he would be. He spoke on prophetic evangelism and told lots of personal stories. Really amazing stuff. The favor this guy has with world leader is kind of mind blowing and really provoked me. That night he spoke about the orphan spirit, again talking a lot about his personal testimony. This message provoked the most study when I returned home.
The final morning Randy Clark spoke on impartation and laid hands on everything he could get to. After that I had to run and drive back to Baltimore to catch my flight.
If you go to VOA for teaching or a concert you will be sadly disappointed. It is just not that kind of conference. The greatest part of the whole event was being around thousands and thousand of folks who “get you.” They have this same revival DNA. They are excited to hear about your testimonies. They are seeking miracles signs and wonders in the streets. They are pressing in for more. There was just an atmosphere of faith that surprised me.
I operated in a level of prophetic anointing that caught me off guard. I don’t really have the language for it but I prophesied on levels I never had before. The accuracy and depth of the words was astonishing. Also, every time I had a word for someone they gladly received it. Some folks wanted me to wait while they brought out a voice recorder. There was no weirdness or having to explain myself.
Also the healing miracles I saw were really on another level. I don’t mean the miracles the speakers did, I mean the ones I saw when I prayed for people in the audience. There was lots of opportunity to do this and again, the folks were more than happy to have you pray for them.
And it wasn’t just me ministering. I was laying on the floor one session when I felt like I should sit up. I sat up looking if God wanted me to pray for someone when an older man walked up to me and asked if he could pray for me. I did not really think the ministry time was applicable to me but I like prayer so I agreed. This man went on to quote what seemed like whole chapters of Scripture over me. You know those little phrases of encouragement you know? This guy knew the Scripture, then the next twenty or so. He went from Ephesians to Philippians to Romans back to Ephesians then on and on. When he was done he got up and when I tuned around to thank him he was gone. I literally could not find him.
On the last morning I was in worship with Steve Swanson leading. One line from one song resonated in my spirit and it would not go away. That turned into a vision. At the end of the ministry time when Randy got to me that vision became a prophecy and a call for this season of my life. I can’t overstate how profound it was.
If you went not understanding this group and their history together all you would have seen was an overcrowded conference. I went to encounter God and I did.
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As I have talked about a little too much, I have been fighting a cold and Sunday morning it was really dragging me down. I will be glad when it is completely gone.
When I am sick I get a little testy. This is not one of my greatest attributes. Nothing gets me more irritated then a lack of excellence when serving God. We have to tighten up on that.
Khamille and the team did a great job in worship. W finally did some multilingual worship. At The Mission Delray, we have folks who come who barely speak English. We have Spanish, Portuguese, and Créole speakers. Looking forward to the day we can have translation in service.
I also can’t wait till we have services in different languages. I think folks can live with preaching being translated but there is something about worshiping in your native tongue that really makes a difference. We have to figure a way to service the spiritual needs of this area regardless of race or ethnicity or socio economic background. The churches in Delray Beach are so racially divided I a praying for more multicultural houses of worship to be established.
I preached on us desiring more of God and His glory for His benefit. It is not that complicated but seems to be lost in this church generation.
At the end of service I had to dip for a road trip to Gainesville. I am blessed to have folks on my team who are well able to minister in my stead.
Tracey and I have not been to Gainesville in years and years. I got right with God there and they rarely have an evening service. So when we heard they were having a special Sunday night service with Banning Liebscher we wanted to drive up to see Pastors George and Suzanne Brantley at The Rock of Gainesville.
It was a little surreal being there. We left so long ago and so much has transpired in our lives since then.
Tried to make this a super short post per my friend Randy’s exhortation but the battery died. So now that I am back up several hours later, here is the rest of the story.
Tracey and I were sent out from The Rock of Gainesville to south Florida in 1999 to help start a church. We lost touch for a while. Banning Liebscher gave me a word one day that I absolutely did not understand. About a year later I understood it had to do with my relationship with Pastor George at The Rock of Gainesville. After that I reconnected with my spiritual roots in Gainesville. This was my first time back since then.
It was a real honor to be in there. They don’t normally have a Sunday night service so when I got their newsletter about Jesus Culture being there it seemed like the perfect opportunity.
I am not a fanboy. To my knowledge, I don’t have any living idols. There are people I greatly admire from a distance. People that know me know I am a big fan o Chris Quilala’s music. My worship team refuses to do Burning Ones because I am so fond of it they are fearful of not doing it well enough. Well, Sunday night I ran out to my van to get my little video cam. When I came back in the building Chris was standing in the lobby and a girl was getting her pic taken with him. For a moment I considered it then I said to myself, “I can’t be that guy.” I shook his hand told him I was at VOA and asked if he remembered me. I told him I was about in row 40 over on the left. We laughed, told him I enjoyed his music and went on with my life.
After the service he was packing up his gear and I went and talked to him for a while. I told him about wearing out Burning Ones in my discipleship class and my bootleg recordings of him and Steffany Frizzell that I played so much that folks on the worship team did one of her freestyles as a worship song. We joked a little then I took a pic with him. After that folks said I was “that guy.” Whatever.
Chris is super cool people and has unusually big hands for his frame. That’s what I remember. I am thinking about offering him a volunteer position on my staff. I am sure it will be tempting. Far less travel and an opportunity to work retail to support his family.
This morning we dragged the kids around the UF campus so they can know what a real school looks like so they are not tempted by a counterfeit like FSU. I am sure it was thrilling for them to hear things like, “I used to live there.” or “I used to ride my bike through that tunnel.” or “I had classes in that building.” Lucky kids indeed.
This morning we woke up and did nothing for a while before the trek home. Thanks to those who kept us in prayer.
Videos will go up tonight or tomorrow as I am sure pics and podcast as well.
Goodnight.
2 CommentsI have been out of pocket most of the week so you might get a flurry of posts this weekend. Here are some pics of Isaac getting his yellow belt in BJJ. This is his third belt.
We like BJJ because it doesn’t have any of that Eastern spirituality you get with most martial arts. Also, the instructor, Rodrigo Mendez is really good with the kids, firm but patient.
Ju Jitzu is basically grappling and wrestling. It’s not like fighting and respect is constantly stressed. Overall we have been really please with the class and Isaac’s participation.
Aired 2/13/2010 – Releasing the fear of the Lord.
Wes Hall – The Spirit of The Age
Yeah, it’s Wednesday night but I have been pretty ill. I don’t know exactly what has been happening but ever since I went to Nicaragua in January I have been fighting something. Pray I finally get the victory.
Sunday morning I felt really bad. Before service I was in my little prep room trying to keep it together.
When I finally got it together I went out to worship. The worship team has really hit their stride lately. Worship has been really good. We started doing this song With Everything by Hillsong and it has really resonated with The Mission folks.
So let hope rise,
And darkness tremble
In Your holy light,
And every eye will see
Jesus, our God,
Great and mighty to be praised.
Kind of hard not to rock those lyrics in worship.
We were supposed to start a multi-lingual thing in worship this week but we ran into technical difficulties. By faith it will happen this week.
My boy was a greeter today. First time. I was really proud of him. He has wanted to be an usher but this suits him a little better.
I love to bring folks on stage to tell testimonies of what God is doing in their lives. You never know what you are going to get. This week I had someone share a testimony of being drawn closer to Jesus after receiving the Baptism while driving home in her car. It was an amazing email. She was a little nervous on stage. It makes no difference to me. I think it is way more authentic when you have non-pros up on stage more often.
I shared a message about Simon, Peter, John, and Phillip I have never heard preached before. I have never heard a message anything like it. I know it was straight from the Holy Ghost. Catch the podcast here and the video here.
I am pretty sure I could have shared it with less humor. I just could not help it. Some of the stuff in Acts 8 is hilarious.
You have to remember that the folks in the Bible are real people with real issues and real concerns.
At the end I had an altar call for folks to renew the conviction of the Holy Ghost in their lives. More on that another time.
After service I had a meeting with my ministry team leaders. Had good fellowship and cast vision for about three hours. When it was done I was completely spent. Didn’t realize I was running on anointing way past my natural ability. I have been in bed pretty much ever since.
Lead the book club this morning. About half hour into it I thought I might lie down on the floor for a few hours. At the end I went home and slept for several hours. (If you are looking for something to pray for throw me on your list)
I have the entertainment committee meeting for the Christmas party tomorrow night. Nothing is gonna keep me from that! This year it is on!
Be the first to comment!I have been in bed all day fighting this cold. Tomorrow I will write my Monday Morning Musings. Till then, here is the worship and word from service yesterday. I never knew the story surrounding Simon the Magician was so funny.
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They ran this for the first time during the Super Bowl. I don’t remember what year. Every time I see it I laugh.
Wonder what would happen if we had one for the setup team?
3 Comments![hallelujah night flyer pic2[1]](http://www.carlthomas.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/hallelujahnightflyerpic21.jpg "hallelujah night flyer pic2[1]")
Every end of October I watch the church trip over itself regarding Halloween. I find the whole thing embarrassing to say the least but probably not for the reasons you think.
For the record, my family does not celebrate Halloween. We aren’t scared of it, we just don’t acknowledge it. You may or may not, that’s between you, your conscience and God. That’s fine. Be filled with whatever you decide.
But whatever you do please don’t say you are “redeeming Halloween.” I see people claiming to do this every year and they look more and more ridiculous doing it. How do the “redeemers” look ridiculous? Let me elucidate:
1. Their first argument is almost always that Halloween was never a pagan festival. They weave every conceivable festive action in the Fall and say it is the antecedent of the holiday. They ignore all the death, perversion, and demonic imagery that goes along with this “festival of harvest”, ignore all saints day, ignore the obvious links to the night of the dead. That’s fine. You can do that.
But if the holiday was never evil, why does it need to be redeemed? Your own language defies your logic.
2. They say this is the one night of the year that folks come to their house and we should use that activity as an open door for the Gospel. AMEN! I agree! But when folks show up at your door what do they get? A hand full of candy and maybe a track? Just adding a little God booklet to the mix is redemption? If that was redemption we would have needed nothing more than the OT. If that is redemption stop preaching the Gospel in your church. When someone comes to you broken and lost hand them a fist full of candy and a bible then pat them on the head.
3. They say that every day is a day of celebration for Christians so we should rejoice with those who rejoice. In other words, the fact that I am a Christian, and I am doing it with a heart toward God, it’s value is redeemed. Isn’t that like setting out to redeem a brothel by fornicating in it? Or redeeming a bar by getting drunk in it? If you wanted to redeem a brothel or a bar you have to change what happens there, not just join in with a "heart toward God.”
Jesus wants us to love good and hate evil. Not turn evil to good by doing the evil thing.
You may not think trick or treating in costume is evil. I think you might have a solid argument by saying, “I don’t believe in Halloween. My kids like to wear costumes and get free candy. So we do that when they can.” There you go. Be honest. That’s your conviction. No problems there.
Don’t mix some hyper-religious talk and sound super spiritual because of it. Don’t pull the God card. You make us Christians who are doing real biblical stuff (like healing the sick, casting out devils, preaching the Gospel) look bad. Make your decision and stick with it.
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Today is my day off but it feels like another of those days off that wasn’t. At least I got my shower clean.
I feel like I say this a lot but it was a great day at The Mission Delray. As a church we are really moving into the area God has given us to take.
When you line up with heaven’s purposes God sends all the resources needed to fulfill that purpose. That is what we have been seeing, Heaven’s resources. It has been amazing.
Met with the Mission Kids workers this morning. Really proud of them rolling with all the changes. I know it has been a lot of work and but we have seen amazing results.
Today I was taught “Patience: I will wait without complaining.” That’s a good word.
It was Fifth Sunday so we had the bounce house and for the first time had youth ministry. Results? We had a youth baptized in the Holy Ghost.
BAM!
We had two more filled with the Spirit in the service.
BAM!
We continued out Manifesting the Glory series. I don’t know if other folks are getting things but God has been taking me on a Master’s Level course on this stuff.
I could not be more proud of the folks who serve at The Mission Delray. Amazing people doing amazing stuff for Jesus.
We had some amazing testimonies from our Evangelism ministry. The problem with this anointing of evangelism is the preach gets on folks and if I give them the mic its hard to get it back.
I have to talk less about crack and meth in my messages.
I did an impersonation of a woman in childbirth to illustrate something. It almost got away from me. Had to bring it all back in.
Had an altar call and I was almost freaked out at the level of anointing in the ministry time. If I told you you might not believe me.
Lidia Pereira really blessed me by setting up a pastor’s appreciation thingy. I get really uncomfortable with these things but when I was reading the cards last night I was overwhelmed. Thank you all who wrote a note or gave me a gift. I love you more than the folks who did not write a note or gave a gift. You are my favorite! lol
A whole bunch of folks invaded a Cuban restaurant and tore the place up. Tracey kept trying to get us to quiet down but it was futile.
Service videos are rendering, should be up in a few hours. Podcast and pix to follow I am sure.
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