Category: Friendship

Categories
America Friendship Living It Out In Real Time The Life of Faith The Mysteries of God The Secret Place

The High Cost of Influence (A Lesson from Crazy Horse)

Crazy Horse2         One of our mission teams returned from South Dakota this past week, having seen and experienced some amazing things in and around the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. While there, they had the opportunity to visit the Crazy Horse Memorial – a mountain that is in the process of being blasted and carved into the shape of the famous Oglala Lakota Indian warrior. There are some interesting facts surrounding the memorial…

RushmoreThe Crazy Horse Memorial is the largest mountain carving in progress. All four of the 60-ft heads from Mount Rushmore would fit inside Crazy Horse’s head. The carving is 641 ft long and 563 ft high.

Although the sculptor, Korczak Ziolkowski, died in 1982, his wife and 7 of his 10 children carry on the work and the dream.

All of the money used to finance the project comes from private donations and admission fees for the attractions related to the monument.

Even though Korczak was offered $10 million in government funding on two separate occasions, the Memorial organizers refuse to accept any government funds.

So why, if the organizers are needing funds would they turn down such a generous donation? Why would anyone in their right mind refuse to accept help that is offered for something of that magnitude?

It could be that the Memorial organizers understand the value of allowing (or not allowing) someone else to have influence over them. It could be that they grasp the concept of caution when allowing someone to speak into your life.

Consider this story from I Kings 13:

By the word of the Lord a man of God came from Judah to Bethel, as Jeroboam was standing by the altar to make an offering. 2 By the word of the Lord he cried out against the altar: “Altar, altar! This is what the Lord says: ‘A son named Josiah will be born to the house of David. On you he will sacrifice the priests of the high places who make offerings here, and human bones will be burned on you.’” 3 That same day the man of God gave a sign: “This is the sign the Lord has declared: The altar will be split apart and the ashes on it will be poured out.”

4 When King Jeroboam heard what the man of God cried out against the altar at Bethel, he stretched out his hand from the altar and said, “Seize him!” But the hand he stretched out toward the man shriveled up, so that he could not pull it back. 5 Also, the altar was split apart and its ashes poured out according to the sign given by the man of God by the word of the Lord.

6 Then the king said to the man of God, “Intercede with the Lord your God and pray for me that my hand may be restored.” So the man of God interceded with the Lord, and the king’s hand was restored and became as it was before.

7 The king said to the man of God, “Come home with me for a meal, and I will give you a gift.”

8 But the man of God answered the king, “Even if you were to give me half your possessions, I would not go with you, nor would I eat bread or drink water here. 9 For I was commanded by the word of the Lord: ‘You must not eat bread or drink water or return by the way you came.’” 10 So he took another road and did not return by the way he had come to Bethel.

11 Now there was a certain old prophet living in Bethel, whose sons came and told him all that the man of God had done there that day. They also told their father what he had said to the king. 12 Their father asked them, “Which way did he go?” And his sons showed him which road the man of God from Judah had taken. 13 So he said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” And when they had saddled the donkey for him, he mounted it 14 and rode after the man of God. He found him sitting under an oak tree and asked, “Are you the man of God who came from Judah?”

“I am,” he replied.

15 So the prophet said to him, “Come home with me and eat.”

16 The man of God said, “I cannot turn back and go with you, nor can I eat bread or drink water with you in this place. 17 I have been told by the word of the Lord: ‘You must not eat bread or drink water there or return by the way you came.’”

18 The old prophet answered, “I too am a prophet, as you are. And an angel said to me by the word of the Lord: ‘Bring him back with you to your house so that he may eat bread and drink water.’” (But he was lying to him.) 19 So the man of God returned with him and ate and drank in his house.

20 While they were sitting at the table, the word of the Lord came to the old prophet who had brought him back. 21 He cried out to the man of God who had come from Judah, “This is what the Lord says: ‘You have defied the word of the Lord and have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you. 22 You came back and ate bread and drank water in the place where he told you not to eat or drink. Therefore your body will not be buried in the tomb of your ancestors.’”

23 When the man of God had finished eating and drinking, the prophet who had brought him back saddled his donkey for him. 24 As he went on his way, a lion met him on the road and killed him, and his body was left lying on the road, with both the donkey and the lion standing beside it. 25 Some people who passed by saw the body lying there, with the lion standing beside the body, and they went and reported it in the city where the old prophet lived. (NIV)

Wow! Although the man of God did as the LORD commanded him in the face of Jeroboam, he failed when it came to the “harmless” request of the old prophet. It was that failure that cost him his position, his heritage, and his life.

So what does this say about how you should react when someone speaks into your life? Does that “word” reinforce or contradict what you know to be God’s will? Has the still, small voice of God already spoken to your heart something that you feel someone else is trying to divert you from? Is the person speaking to you someone you know to be a person of integrity and Godliness, or an “old prophet” who will say anything hungry and eager ears want to hear?

In I John 4, John tells us to “…not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”

Just remember the three “P“s when it comes to allowing someone to speak into your life…

Prove. Has the person speaking proven themselves to be a person of integrity and Holy-Spirit power?
Prayer. Take the time to pray about what you have heard. Ask God to guide you in His wisdom.
Peace. Allow the peace of God to be a sign that what you are hearing is from Him.

Make sure that any “word” you are given is from God. If it’s not, even the most “well-intentioned” word can become a curse.

Categories
America Friendship Living It Out In Real Time The Life of Faith The Mysteries of God Through The Looking Glass

Dancing With the Fishes

Through the Looking Glass      A couple was walking down the beach when they saw a man dancing in the sand up ahead of them. As they approached him, they realized he wasn’t dancing at all. Instead, he was picking up starfish that had washed up on the beach, and was throwing them back into the sea. They called out to the man…

“You know, there are thousands of starfish here? You’ll never be able to rescue them all. It’s not going to make a difference!”

Without looking up, the man reached down, picked up another starfish, and threw it into the surf.

“It made a difference to that one,” he replied.

When we see the problems facing our country and the world, it is easy to lose hope. Jesus even said, “In this world you will have trouble…”

But then He said (and I can see Him smile as He replied)…

“Cheer up! I have overcome the world!”

“But the world is so big,” you may be saying. “Where do I start?”

Look down at your feet, and then out from your feet 5 yards in each direction. Do this multiple times a day (constantly is good), and every time you do, realize that the area you see is your mission field at that moment. Pick someone you know, or maybe even a complete stranger, and make a positive difference in their life today.

Question: “How do you change a world that needs Jesus?”

Answer: “One heart at a time.”

On a related note…

As you read this, we have a mission team from Abba’s House on it’s way to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota to spend a week ministering to the people that live there. We are believing for great things for the team and the people they minister to. Please pray for safety, favor, and open lines of communication to hearts hungry for the love of Jesus.

If you would like to keep up with the team, you can follow them on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/abbashousemissions

You can also follow them at:
http://www.ronphillips.org or http://www.abbashouse.com

Categories
Friendship The Life of Faith Through The Looking Glass

Faithful Are The Wounds

Through the Looking GlassI like this quote by British author J.R.R. Tolkien:

“Faithless is he that says ‘farewell’ when the road darkens.”

It reminds me of the words of Solomon:

A friend loves at all times,
And a brother is born for adversity. ~ Proverbs 17:17

So what is your definition of a true friend…

The one that gives expecting nothing in return?

The one that is willing to tell you the truth even if it means making you angry?

The one who can sit with you in silence during your darkest hour, and not say a word – who understands that just being there is enough?

The one you trust to hold the other end of the rope you are dangling from the proverbial “cliff” by?

Solomon said that “faithful are the wounds of a friend”. Does that mean faithful are the wounds a friend gives us? Or, could it possibly mean that faithful are the wounds a friend named Jesus took on your behalf?

In memory of Bob Martin ~ 1931 – 2013
“Faithful”

Categories
Friendship Healing Living It Out In Real Time Miracles Out of Nowhere The Life of Faith The Mysteries of God The Secret Place

What A Difference A Year Makes

As I sit in my office contemplating the last year, I am overwhelmed by a profound sense of thanksgiving. At this time a year ago, I was lying in a hospital bed, recovering from open heart surgery.

As many of you may (or may not) know, a year ago things were very different in my life. After more than a week of exhibiting some very serious symptoms, my family, staff, and friends began voicing their concerns. My son, Ronnie Jr., had been out of the country preaching, and while he was away, had a heavy burden for me. He and his host pastor prayed and interceded for my life, and upon returning home, tried to convince me to go see my doctor. Reluctantly, I did so, and was diagnosed with “severe sleep apnea”. However, that diagnosis did not quell the stirring of the Spirit for those concerned about me.

On that Friday, I was taken to the emergency room, but everything was deemed “normal”, and they sent me home. Now, anyone who knows anything about Spiritual Warfare has heard of “generational curses” or “generational demons”. I believe that generational demons can play a strong role in our lives if we fail to recognize their patterns and method of working. Looking back on my case, this is very obvious… my own father was sent to the emergency room twice the week he died. Both times he was sent home, being told he was okay. A couple of days later, he was gone – at the age of 69.

After being released from the ER, Ronnie and I had a couple of discussions. He was still concerned, but I tried to assuage his fears. I had speaking appointments, a church to shepherd, and much to do. Going in for medical tests – being poked and prodded by doctors and nurses – just did not fit into my schedule. In frustration, Ronnie contacted a dear friend of mine by the name of Ron. He asked Ron to talk to me, and try to convince me to go have some tests done.

On Sunday, April 15, Ron spoke to me, and convinced me to change my plans. I was actually scheduled to leave the next day for Louisiana to speak in the very area where my ministry began. After hearing the concerns of my best friend, my son, and others, I decided to cancel my trip, and go for the tests. On Tuesday, Ron picked me up and took me to the hospital for a stress test…

I failed miserably.

As the providence of God would have it, when I failed the stress test, my cardiologist just happened to be there. Two nurses in the room who “just happened to be Christians” immediately laid hands on me and began to pray. The doctor immediately took preventive measures, admitted me, and sent me for an arteriogram. It was at this point they discovered that I had extensive blockages – what doctors term “the Widow Maker”. Among others, I had a 4cm blockage (100%) in my main artery.

Now, what makes my trip to Louisiana significant is that I was going to the very place (the 9th Ward) where my ministry began… a place and time of poverty, struggle, and depression for my family. I firmly believe that the enemy was taking me back there to kill me, for had I not had those tests, the doctors believe I would have been dead within hours.

I was put into intensive care, and they proceeded with surgery the next morning. I came through the bypass surgery and was put into recovery. It was during my time in recovery that I had a sensation that I was choking, and I heard the voice of the devil tell me, “I’m going to kill you!” But before fear even had a chance to take hold, I heard the voice of an angel say, “You’re a liar!” It was then that I saw a golden blanket descend on me. I felt the Holy Spirit telling me that this blanket was my prayer cover. I went back to sleep, and woke up to the beautiful face of my wife telling me everything was ok, and that I had made it through.

They moved me back to the intensive care unit, where I noticed one nurse in particular who seemed to be there a lot, almost like a guardian angel. She was working a double shift, and I came to learn that her father had come to a saving knowledge of Jesus toward the end of his life through the ministry of Ron Phillips from Abba’s House. This kind nurse said that the Lord told her to take care of me, and even though hooked up to wires and tubes, I had the opportunity to pray with her.

Over the next few days, God gave me the opportunity to rediscover the joy of the simple things in life – things like getting to sit up in a chair, walk down the hallway, or carry on a conversation with a friend. There is so much in life we take for granted.

My experience was a wake-up call. While I have made a living and lifetime out of feeding my mind and spirit on the things of God, I failed to take very good care of the “earthly temple” that God entrusted to my care. However, I have learned that living a “life more abundantly” is all inclusive… body, mind, and spirit.

RP Year
Top image: Just prior to surgery
Bottom image: December, 2012 (8 months later)

It’s now April, 2013, and I feel very thankful to be alive. I am thankful for the life God has given me, and for the second chance at being the best husband, father, grandfather, friend, and pastor that I can be. I am thankful for morning cups of coffee, looking at the sunrise, and making the most of the life God has blessed me with.

God has slowed me down a little, but not in a bad way. He has just made me more observant, has taught me to listen more to others, and care about what affects them. He has taught me to look for the lonely and hurting, and to take the time to hear what they are saying, not just be an advice-giver.

I am looking forward to many more years serving the King, listening to His voice, and sharing His Good News with anyone with an ear to hear.

Categories
Friendship Healing Living It Out In Real Time Miracles Out of Nowhere The Bible The Life of Faith The Mysteries of God The Secret Place

Whys, Lies, & The Mysteries of God

Why?

It is the single word ground into the bloody soil of every battlefield in the world.

It is buried in the rubble of every civilization, state, and neighborhood that has been devastated by a natural disaster.

It lies in the ashes of the burned-up dreams of a family that just lost everything.

It can be heard in quiet, night-time sobbing of a little girl whose mother just succumbed to cancer.

It resonates in the screams of a father as he buries his son.

It is the shortest, most-asked, and

least-answered question in the English language.

Why?

You’ve heard it asked thousands of times, and while there are sometimes physical reasons that events happen in our lives, reasons – even good reasons – don’t answer why.

Or, to be more specific…

Why did God allow this to happen?

Whether you are just wondering, have gone through something that you have come to terms with, or are in the heat of that emotional torture right now, I don’t presume to have an easy answer for you, or have anything to say that is going to make the pain magically disappear. In reality, I believe we have a very skewed, 21st Century perspective of life, pain, and suffering (and I’m as guilty as the next person). We don’t want to believe that “bad things happen to good people”. We cannot conceive a loving God who allows tragedies and atrocities to occur. We stand on the words of Thomas Jefferson and claim “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”, while forgetting the words of Jesus that promised, “…In this world, you will have trouble…”.

Quite honestly, it is a mystery… pure and not-so-simple.

Mystery… one word that encapsulates the very nature of God.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. ~ Isaiah 55:8

The Bible is filled with references pertaining to the mysteries of God. The word mystery, by its very definition, means something that is difficult or impossible to understand or explain. There is not the time, knowledge, or vocabulary to begin to explain either the mysteries of God or the mystery that is God. However, there is truth that, while it may not give us answers, can give us hope.

All of us are going to see difficult times. Because of the Fall of Adam and Eve, and the subsequent curse that altered the course of human history from a state of perfection to what we find today, we will all face problems, suffer hardship, and experience death. It all goes back to the verse I mentioned earlier…

… In this world you will have trouble…

But the hope lies in the rest of the verse:

But take heart! I have overcome the world.  John 16:33

While suffering in every conceivable way is part of the deal our ancestors signed in the Garden of Eden, Jesus assures us that He has it all in hand because He has overcome the world.

Whatever we are going through, HE has already been there. Bad things do happen to good people. If you don’t believe me, just think of Jesus. While being the sinless Son of God, He was falsely accused, suffered at the hands of sinners, and was killed in a horrific way by sinners.

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. ~ 2 Corinthians 5:21

The mystery of this verse lies in the first 4 words: For He made Him… When Jesus went through all of the agony of being our sacrifice on the cross, God didn’t just watch it happen, or even allow it to happen… He MADE it happen. He wrote the law that provided our way of escape as a result of the fall, and then executed the plan even though it would cost Him His only Son. He did that for you.

When you are in your darkest night, there will be no shortage of people making inappropriate (and even stupid) comments. Some people truly want to help, but don’t know what to say, so they say the wrong thing. Some people just want to be judgmental, give you your why in the form of condemnation and criticism, and throw gasoline on your emotional fire. If either of these describe what you have gone through, you are in good company… consider Job. Everything that happened to Job was simply because Satan wanted to prove a point, and God took the challenge – at Job’s expense. When the bottom fell out in Job’s life (along with losing his possessions and health, he tragically lost his ten children), his “friends” showed up, and immediately started telling him everything he may have done wrong. His wife even chimed in, telling him to “curse God and die”. However, after all of the criticism, nay-saying, and unsubstantiated accusations from his friends, Job was vindicated. Not only was Job restored and blessed (even more than previously), but the very people who criticized him had to go through Job in order to be forgiven by God (see Job 42:7-10).

Whatever life sends your way, none of it gets by Him.

The fact of the matter is that God has a pretty profound list of whys as well. Why did God have to allow Jesus to go through all of the frustration, humiliation, sorrow, pain, and death? Why did He decide to offer a faithless, ungrateful, and fallen race a second chance with Him? Why did He decide that we were worth loving when He knew we would fail Him over and over again?

It’s a mystery I don’t understand.

But… I’m sure glad He did.

Categories
Friendship Living It Out In Real Time Miracles Out of Nowhere The Life of Faith Through The Looking Glass

Who Is Writing Your Future?

Through the Looking Glass           As we approach the anniversary of the assassination of one of America’s greatest presidents later this week, I am reminded of this story:

Robert Todd Lincoln
Robert Todd Lincoln

Robert Todd Lincoln, son of President Abraham Lincoln, was once standing on a crowded railroad platform when he was pushed up against the side of the train by the pressing crowd. Suddenly, the train began to move, and Robert fell into the space between the platform and the moving train. Facing serious injury or death, he felt someone reach down, grab his collar, and lift him up to safety. As he turned to thank the person who had saved his life, he instantly recognized the face…

It was renowned actor Edwin Booth, the older brother of John Wilkes Booth.

Lincoln
President Abraham Lincoln

Following the assassination of President Lincoln at the hands of his brother, Edwin recalled that the memory of saving the son of the slain president was one of the only things that kept him sane in the dark months that followed the night of April 14, 1865.

Is your past is checkered by the notoriety of others, or maybe by your own actions?

If so, I have good news for you…

We serve a God who is bigger than our past, mightier than our memories, and makes all things new!

The past is what it is.

Trust Jesus to write your future.

Categories
Friendship The Life of Faith

Thanks

Just wanted to take a moment to say thanks to everyone who is following my blog. It is both inspiring and humbling to know I have so many friends out there, and I hope that what you find here is uplifting to your spirit, and encouraging in your walk with Abba Father.

I do want to remind everyone of a few of things…

First of all, don’t forget the Monthly Grab Bag. Tell your friends to sign up. Just by “following” my blog, you are automatically entered for the monthly giveaway. Just click on “The Monthly Grab Bag” tab at the top of the page to find out what the giveaway is for the month.

Next, please remember that this blog is interactive. That means I want to hear from you! I really want my blog to be a conversation, so I need to hear from you to make that happen. If something you find here inspires you, God uses it in your life, or you just want to leave a comment, feel free to do that. I’m always interested in your thoughts on the topics I write about. Please understand, however, that due to the amount of “spam” that blogs attract, all comments first go to my webmaster for approval. So, if you post a comment, but don’t see it immediately, please be patient. We’ll get to it soon. If, for some reason, you do not want your comment to be made public, please let us know that too. Otherwise, we’ll assume that it is ok for your comment to be a part of the conversation.

Last of all, help us spread the word about “The Heart of Abba”. This blog is meant to be, not just a place “of ” discussion, but a springboard “for” discussion. It could be that something you or a friend see here becomes a launching-pad for a personal conversation – a “door-opener” for you to speak into the life of someone else the Good News of Jesus. That is what it is all about, and we’ll rejoice with you for the courage and encouragement you find here to share your faith.

Thanks again for being a part. I hope everyone has a great weekend – God bless!

Categories
Friendship The Life of Faith Through The Looking Glass

Nothing But The Blood

Through the Looking Glass     The Petersen House in Washington D.C. is the house across the street from Ford’s Theatre where a mortally wounded Abraham Lincoln was taken after being shot by John Wilkes Boothe. A few hours later, Lincoln succumbed to his wounds and, as then-Secretary of War Edwin Stanton observed, passed into the ages.

    For years, his blood-stained pillow remained on display – a testimony to the horrific events of April 14, 1865, and the violent death of one of our greatest presidents.

     A while back, some friends of mine visited the Petersen House only to discover that the pillow had been removed, and placed into storage. The only item that contained the blood of the Great Emancipator had been taken out of public sight, and put into a place where it could, potentially, be forgotten.

     As Christians, we must never let it be forgotten that it is only by the blood — the blood of Jesus — that we have been forgiven. We must never forget the price that was paid when Jesus spilled His blood, and willingly gave up His life out of love for us.

     In this time of history revisionism and self-obsession, as well as being an appropriate reminder during this Holy Week, may this story remind us all that we must never lose sight of the ONLY thing that can save us… the blood of Jesus.

Categories
Friendship Living It Out In Real Time The Life of Faith Through The Looking Glass

How to Change the World (with a Frog as Your Spokesman)

Through the Looking Glass        When James and Richard met at a convention, they seemed destined to work together. They entered into a creative partnership, and led a team of performers that brought smiles to the faces of children and adults alike for decades.

Speaking about working with his team, James once said that…

“I’ve never felt any sense of competition with anybody, we’re all friends; we’re all good friends.”

Isn’t that how the Body of Christ should be? No competition… just each person operating in their gifts, while celebrating the gifts of others while we press toward a common goal: Reaching the world with the love of Jesus.

James ‘Jim’ Henson and Richard Frank Oznowicz – aka ‘Frank Oz’- were the driving force behind the Muppets, making the world laugh at the antics of Kermit the Frog and his friends.

If a small group of puppeteers can make the world smile, how much more should a unified Body of Christ have the ability to change that same world through love?

DR mapThis week…

I will be ministering with a small group of very gifted friends as we bring the light of Jesus to the people of the Dominican Republic. We will be ministering to local pastors (as well as their wives and staff), and doing street evangelism. In the evenings, we will be holding open-air crusades at a local sports stadium, and sharing the Gospel to the masses in the Santiago area. My son, Ronnie Jr., will be ministering at these events, and sharing the word God has laid on his heart for the people there. It is going to be a powerful time of salvation, healing, and Holy Spirit power.

We are praying that lives will be forever changed.

We are praying for a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the people of that area.

We are believing God for thousands of souls to be added to the eternal roll of the Kingdom of God.

Will you join us? Will you pray for our team? Will you partner with us in prayer for the salvation of the people of the Dominican Republic?

Keep following along this week. I will be commenting and keeping you updated as often as possible.

We are believing for God to change the Dominican Republic… one heart at a time.

Have a blessed week, everyone!

Categories
Friendship Living It Out In Real Time The Life of Faith

Run to Win (A Bear Story)

I am reminded of a story I once heard…

Two friends were hiking through the woods when they happened upon a bear. Hoping they had not been noticed, there hopes were quickly dashed when the bear, still a ways off, began to charge them. Panic seized them, and one began to run as fast as he could away from the rampaging bear. The other, who was several yards behind his friend, quickly sat down, ripped off his hiking boots, and began strapping on his sneakers, which were in his backpack.

As the first friend passed the second, he screamed, “What in the world are you doing? You can’t outrun that bear!”

“No,” came the reply. “But I can outrun YOU!!!”

In Hebrews 12, Paul implores us to “run with endurance the race set before us”.

In 1 Corinthians 9, he tells us to “run in such a way as to obtain [the prize]”.

Sometimes we feel like we’re running to something, and sometimes if feels like we are running from something. However the race looks to you, God wants you to run it to receive the prize. As the saying goes, “Be in it to win it!” He who called you will also equip you (Phil. 1:6). Whatever race He has called you to run, He has made a way for you to come out on top. Just trust in His goodness and His strength, and run to win.

You can do it! That’s a promise from Him (Phil. 4:13).