http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGr8as7pPBE
My new favorite artist.
My new favorite song.
EJM – “I felt like I was at a House Par-Tay for JESUS!” January 14, 2009
ONE WORD: “WOW!”
For the past two nights I’ve been getting my praise on in Paducah with brothers and sisters from Eddie James Ministry…okay they have like a million names (like our ministry), but this would be the most familiar. This ministry is raising up a generation in LOVE with Jesus. Taking them off the streets, out of gang life, drugs, addictions, sex, alcohol, hate, bitterness, unforgiveness, fear, shame, guilt, fatherlessness…the list goes on. Basically this family lives RADICAL for the LORD 24/7…at least try to. I LOVE IT! I LOVE THEM! God is soooooo GOOD. Hearing their testimonies made me weep….seeing the Spirit move made me jump…the anointing…the FREEDOM! Sometimes when you worship you feel hindered, because of your own junk, issues, pride…sometimes it is because of the environment…this was NOT the case in Paducah Monday and Tuesday. There was such a FREEDOM to worship – young, old, white, black, Latino, baptist, Pentecostal…they were all getting down! I really did feel like I was at a house party for Jesus.
TUESDAY: The TR staff invited a bunch of youth, filled our cars and took off to Paducah, KY to experience the Lord. Yeah, most of these youth did not have a vibrant/growing relationship with Jesus. In fact, we have been praying for these SPECIFIC youth and have had close relationships with them for the past three years. It was so fun to walk into a church with these kids knowing that they were going to experience Jesus in a different way than normal “Sunday Church”. There’s a spirit of religion in this town, so most likely they have been tainted by that. (I understand this phrase might not make sense to some of you, please email me and I will break it down.) We walk in and shortly after finding some seats right up in front on the floor, they get into it. I’m talking “YOu are Worthy” was the first song…this makes you want to get up and shout. Which I did. The youth are looking at me like, “Ms. Heather, it’s okay to do that in CHURCH?!?!” haha. Some of them were looking like that, others were just bug-eyed and didn’t move for like 30 minutes. What they expected and what they experienced did NOT match up…but I think they were glad in the end. We got crazy in worship, they shared some POWERFUL testimonies of deliverance of all sorts of stuff, and had a type of an alter call. NOT the type that is manipulated by words, pressuring people to come forward, music playing on the emotions in the back…NO! It was the real deal…not a “one prayer” rescues you from hell type of thing either. It was sincere, lead of the Holy Spirit and POWERFUL. Basically Eddie James asked everyone to consider their hearts before the Lord. That title or position DID NOT MATTER. We are all desperate for JESUS! He asked people to just come to the front and kneel before the Father lifting holy hands to Him WHO IS ABLE to save them and give them NEW LIFE. One of the first girls to go up was one that I have been ministering to for about a year and a half. She is precious before the Lord and to me. I have seen her struggle, cry, laugh, smile, question, and yes even surrender. She meant it, it was for real. She is now a NEW WOMAN. Of course, it is a process for each of us…BUT I knew we spoke afterwards that something had shifted in her. A couple other boys also went up….they didn’t make the commitment YET, but something shifted in their hearts too. They are both in 6th grade, my friend Robyn is their teacher. One just asked Stacy for a white Bible and is now reading John as an AR book in SCHOOL! Check it, MANY of the kids in that class are reading the BIBLE as an AR book! haha! LOVE IT! Watch out Cairo…you are about to get rocked by some radical revivalists! There is a stirring at the schools, EACH ONE OF THEM in Cairo. I feel it, I see it, I hear it, I believe it! After sowing nearly four years of prayer in the schools for the teachers, students, administrators, curriculum…he starts to built a little HOPE where there was none. You start to really believe for the things you are asking for…yea! It’s not so far out there, like it was the first day you started praying. A Spirit of faith arises and you PRAISE THE KING! Amen.
TUESDAY: I knew I was going both nights with a full car. I just didn’t know WHO was going to be coming the second night, until I was doing some work in Ms. Harper’s (Band Director) office. I was minding my own business when a couple girls come up, “Ms. Heather, where you going tonight?” You see, they had already heard from a couple others that went or were invited…they wanted in. haha. I was a bit hesitant because I didn’t know how to deal with the flood of students that would REALLY want to go, when I only had space for four…the other staff were not going the second night, so it was just me. God knew. I had invited about four that couldn’t come, and He invited four new ones. So, it ended up being three gals (including the one that took the plunge the night before) and one guy. It was funny because I just told them about it THAT day, in fact the male student had not even asked his dad until I got there to pick him up…but he let him go…even though I said we’d be back at midnight. That’s cool. I prep. them a bit before we get there, asking them questions about their experience (I didn’t know these kids as well…just see them at school), tell them what to expect…it’s okay to feel weird…blah, blah, blah. We walk in as they have already started the party…the other girl (who had been there Monday) and I start dancing and hopping around. The others are like stiff boards wondering what is going on…they’ve probably never seen white people get crazy for Jesus like this…haha. The great thing about it is, the ministry is a mixture of all different types of cultures and so was the audience. These kids are the majority in Cairo, so when they are around more white folks, it gets a little uncomfortable sometimes (trust me, I have talked to them about this). So, I am aware of their “reactions” they whole time, just allowing God to do what He is going to do. This night I am less concerned about how I respond to the Lord. I tamed it down the first night, but last night I was just me. I think that’s okay too. I didn’t need to wear a mask or try to be what I thought they wanted or felt like Ms. Heather should be.
They did rapid fire testimonies…they had a different type of alter call prayer…they did personal ministry and deliverance (again, ask if you are curious)…it was sweet. The whole time the youth were a bit hesitant, but VERY curious and God was definitely doing something. One girl went up for prayer, Eddie actually had the whole place pray for her…REALITY of the LOVE of the FATHER. Amen. We all need a good dose of that. Next one of the other girls looks real sensitive, I ask if she wants to go up…she says no, but she would have someone come to her. I find a female staff and she prays over her…on target. This girl was so eager for prayer, she says, “I just need prayer. I need all this stuff broken off.” WOW! Humbling. She couldn’t express in words, but God KNOWS HER HEART! It was beautiful. The other girl kept wanting ME to go up for prayer. I told her I NEED it all the time, but didn’t feel now was appropriate. I even asked the youth to pray for me as I go into the school…they wouldn’t. Too much fear of man…
For the male student…I knew that he wanted prayer from one of the dudes, but was too hard to admit it. So, one of the guys was talking to us afterwards and I asked him to pray for __________. He said, “Yea, I’ve been praying for him all night.” He begins chatting with this guy and he does pray over him…some truth, some destiny, sprinkled with the WORD. My type of prayer, love it. Afterwards the student is really hit by the Spirit and doesn’t know what to think. He is breathing real hard and I ask, “What do you feel?” He has a big smile and says, “Nothing, I’m okay.” “Right, you are getting touched by God.” “He’s feeling something.” We all laugh. It’s all good.
Next thing you know God is breaking through in some other areas. The deal ended a bit earlier, but that’s okay we needed to spend time fellowshipping. We are hanging out with the prayer warrior guy, and some other guys…just free style singing and rapping. This is my kind of fun. The youth were in fear and wanted to sing but were afraid. I felt the Lord was going to break off the “Fear of Man” in a big way, through them singing out loud. Yeah, crazy, because I know I suffered from this too about five years ago. Christian (the warrior) starts going ape nuts singing something absolutely beautiful…my youth are AMAZED. WOW! I say, “Now your turn.” Knowing they have all this comparison and fear. For like half and hour Christian, some other dudes and I are singing trying to get them to join in…FINALLY break through. One of my girls starts singing her favorite song, “slow motion.” This girl can sing! My friend Tiffany (who I met at Books a Million a couple months ago) comes in outta no where and starts singing Amazing Grace. I NEVER knew she could sing like that! Talk about anointing! Next, the dude wants to give it a whirl…he starts singing, “This little light of mine.” Then we all start singing together. It was really ___________________…I can’t put a word to it, but basically, “ROCKED MY FACE OFF!” haha. For real, this stuff blows my mind. Here we are at this worship deal in a town 45 minutes away, that the students found out about a minute ago, now they are getting set free of all this stuff and falling more in love with their Creator. Yea!
Last stop is the basement before we leave. It was really going to be a quick convo…that doesn’t EVER happen with me…I should know better by now. We go downstairs where the 40 EJM peeps are eating. It is really “supposed” to be off limits because they need a break from people (I totally understand). But, I was trying to get in contact with the head dog in charge to set up a Cairo worship deal. The youth come with and I am talking to this brother…telling him about Cairo and why I think it would be a blessing for them to come. THey are going to pray about it. Actually they are doing an IL tour starting in the south…what town do you think they should start in?!? HA! Let’s see, maybe that little one right at the southern tip…hmmmmm….we’ll see.
People are eating, fellowshipping, laughing, singing…I get held up in the room where a man is playing all these Misty Edwards and Rick Pino songs on the piano. A couple other brothers are singing their hearts out, so I join them, why not? Ha. Talk about a unique blend of voices, it just worked. The youth were cool, they were dancing in the hallway with some other people. It really just felt like a big family reunion to me. After an hour or so, we are needing to head out…it’s 11:00 already!
One last thing, I had talked to Eddie the night before and asked if I could pray over him and some of the team. He is on his way downstairs to rest and I stop him and his PA in the hall…”Can I pray quick.” Of course. Beautiful. We all join up (some of their team) and pray. Holy Spirit inspired words, I have nothing.
God is good. I love my family. The end…or the BEGINNING!
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Christian…I think you need to teach me these dances…lol.
Talent December 22, 2008
Yeah, I pretty much want to be Coffey’s friend. He’s an amazing brother in the Lord.
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Expression 58 December 20, 2008
Shawn Boltz…a passionate man called to minister in Hollywood. Watch out, the Holy Spirit is sending a new wave of power, love, compassion, and revival to the Hollywood scene. Sound unlikely? Why wouldn’t the King of Glory transform one of the most INFLUENTIAL mountains of our society. It’s not too big. He’s too big!
Check it…
Shawn and Sally Podcasts (Interviews with Hollywood “missionaries”)
Isaiah 58
“Shout it aloud, do not hold back.
Raise your voice like a trumpet.
Declare to my people their rebellion
and to the house of Jacob their sins.
2 For day after day they seek me out;
they seem eager to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that does what is right
and has not forsaken the commands of its God.
They ask me for just decisions
and seem eager for God to come near them.
3 ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say,
‘and you have not seen it?
Why have we humbled ourselves,
and you have not noticed?’
“Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please
and exploit all your workers.
4 Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife,
and in striking each other with wicked fists.
You cannot fast as you do today
and expect your voice to be heard on high.
5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,
only a day for a man to humble himself?
Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed
and for lying on sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast,
a day acceptable to the LORD ?
6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness [a] will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
“If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.
11 The LORD will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.
12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.
13 “If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath
and from doing as you please on my holy day,
if you call the Sabbath a delight
and the LORD’s holy day honorable,
and if you honor it by not going your own way
and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,
14 then you will find your joy in the LORD,
and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land
and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.”
The mouth of the LORD has spoken.
I am in love with Coffey Anderson’s music December 4, 2008
So, if you were wondering what to give me for Christmas…
American Idols Shout to the Lord April 18, 2008
I dont’ even watch American Idol, I heard about this through some friends…I had to check it out for myself on Youtube.
America’s idols…must bow down to the Lord.
SMG: Day 41 April 4, 2008
This afternoon the whole staff met to go through “Steps to Freedom”, which was put together by Neil Anderson. Gary and Sharon had gone to a training seminar a couple weekends back and wanted to lead us through these steps. All of us have gone through inner healing stuff before, but it was good to again recognize our need. We may recieve more training this summer, but our hope is to walk through this with people in the community. I am not really a counselor, but the Holy Spirit IS, and we approach it that way. Leading them to the Holy Spirit and allowing Him to heal their wounds. I am asking for wisdom as we enter this “new door”, I don’t take lightly that the Lord is entrusting His sheep to us. They are His people, and we need to handle their lives with care. Pray for us that wisdom and discernment would abound as we walk this road of inner healing with the people in our community.
Uprising was mobile again this week – brought worship to the Club House building at Elmwood. Talk about a modge podge group of people coming together. Usually this group is composed mostly of children, and the only adults are the Two Rivers staff along with our regulars. This time however, there were only a few kids and many adults. People came who we have been building relationships with for the past few years. It was so interesting as I looked around the room. We really are a group of misfits! Young, old, black, white, recovering addicts, people suffering from mental illness…sinners the Lord has redeemed. That’s what it comes down to, we all have been made clean only by His sacrifice and resurrection. We have been delivered and set free.
Earlier today our team was practicing worship – the harp and bowl method. This is probably on my top ten list of favorite things to do. I was created to worship (and that doesn’t always include singing). “Harp and bowl” refers to the golden bowls of incense that are filled with the prayers of the saints (noted in Revelation). Let me break it down: We have a couple people on guitar and usually one playing the keyboard as we sing. Someone will lead a prayer (taken from scripture – sometimes called an Apostolic prayer) and we will sing about it. Of course there are little cues and there is a bit to say about getting comfortable with this new method of worship, but I love it! You sing the scripture, you sing what is in your spirit, you sing a new song to the Lord. It’s all pretty much amazing if you haven’t tried before, I strongly encourage it. You can even be by yourself with the Lord and sing out scripture to Him.
My classroom called life...Kingdom lessons 