26 Aug

Pausing my Primordial Holler

Posted by joannareyburn in Patiotism
I am reposting a blog I recently read that made me feel like this lady...



I mean I love America. Washington D.C. and all those founding fathers, colonial Williamsburg and History Channel specials. I love red, white and blue, the 4th of July, Jack Bauer, and all things patriotic. I even categorically dislike France to show my support. I love morality, decency, democracy, politics, and activism. I have a hankering for law and upholding the Constitution. I love the Declaration of Independence, and Lincoln's second inaugural address. Everyone in my family was in the military going back generations and in my upbringing, patriotism was a sub-point to godliness. Even writing this, I am reminded at how much I love this country. But.

Maybe that's always been the problem. There's just this lingering question in my mind, "Is this the way of Christ?"



I think there's something in the heart of man longing to be joined to an epic cause, a fight worth fighting, a transcendent belief. That desire to smear on some war paint and lift your sword in the air, holler a primordial holler, and fight for freedom. To hear the anthem swell, the slow-motion action sequence, the victory montage. Raaawwwwrr.

Something about all that is very satisfying, but not very Christ-like.

Sometimes when I read about the martyrs, I inadvertently begin to rewrite their story: "And suddenly, their chains burst from their wrists. Paul and Silas grabbed the battle axe hanging on the wall and moved with decisive agility toward the heathen guards. Swing, slop, chop, [cue epic music] FREEDOM!!" Oh wait, that didn't happen. I'm beginning to notice that what I esteem isn't what the Lord does, and I think this will affect more of my life than a possible career future at CTU.

I realize you probably have no idea what I'm talking about. Well here enters this post.

Recently I was speaking with a pastor whose political views I would describe as “God and Country zealotry.” In the course of our conversation, which had taken its typical political turn, he said, “We must defend Freedom, Democracy and Capitalism in the name of Christ.”

That is quite a claim. But is it true? Must Rousseau freedom, Jeffersonian democracy and Laissez-faire capitalism be defended in the name of Christ? Let’s think about it for a moment.

Freedom. It’s the promise of every empire. It's what Rome and all the rest promise. And it's always what we go to war for. Freedom. Political Freedom. Economic Freedom. Individual Freedom. “The land of the free and the home of the brave.” The vocabulary of patriotic fervor. As if there were no Freedom until Jeffersonian democracy arrived on the scene. So what was Jesus talking about? Jesus and Paul seemed to have a thing or two to say about Liberty and Freedom, but they never breathed a word about political democracy or economic capitalism. Have we been seduced by the blandishments of empire? America may be a kinder, gentler Babylon, maybe the kindest, gentlest Babylon there's ever been (though native Americans and African slaves may beg to differ, not to mention the civilians of Hiroshima and Nagasaki). Be that as it may, America is still a Babylon. And as such it has nothing to do with the kingdom of Christ…other than to be a rival.

Democracy. I agree with Winston Churchill. "Democracy is the worst form of government, except for any other." Where I disagree with Churchill is his assumption that democracy is the way to bring goodness to the world. I disagree with Churchill because I am unwilling to kill on behalf of the state. And in the end democracy requires this. (In the end the beast is always red in tooth and claw.) I realize most post-Constantine Christians are willing to kill on behalf of the state—especially if they are citizens of a currently reigning or aspiring empire. But this has been one of our biggest problems. The early (pre-Constantine) Christians had a different view on the matter. It's interesting how gaga many Christians can be about the early church, but choke on the apostolic and patristic view of empire.

Capitalism. It works. It works because it takes into account the primary motivation of fallen humans: pride and greed. Marx mistakenly thought people would willingly serve the state. They will not. They'll serve themselves and their families. What was missing from Marx's equation was love. And absent the motive of altruistic love Marxism becomes the cruelest form of totalitarianism. And the missing element in the Marxist equation—self-sacrificing love—comes only from the Holy Spirit. Capitalism works because it taps the energy of fallen man and is preferable because it better diffuses power—and power among fallen man is always best diffused. But capitalism is not the kingdom of Jesus. Jesus did not teach socialist economics or capitalistic economics. Jesus taught love economics. But he made no (zero!) effort to enforce his love economics on the wider culture (Jewish or Roman). And Jesus certainly did not endorse the implementation and protection of political or economic systems through force (i.e. violence). Jesus was content to form an alternative society of those who professed faithful allegiance to the Son of Man. These would become the true sons and daughters of the kingdom of heaven. The grand paradox is that Jesus won his kingdom by submitting to a state sponsored execution; by laying down his life and trusting God to raise him from the dead.

It should be noted that the crucifixion of Jesus Christ is the final damning indictment upon the ethics of empire. Rome claimed to stand for freedom, peace and justice—but in the name of their empire they murdered the Son of God. The religious leaders of Jerusalem were co-conspirators in the imperial crime of deicide because they too were “practical men” who had pledged their allegiance to the empire. Witness their allegiance: “We have no king but Caesar.” In that moment they completely betrayed their WWMD? wristbands (What Would Moses Do?).

Allegiance to empire is the result of the idolatrous worship of pragmatism. “This is just the way the real world works.” But I reject the “real world” and its bloody pragmatism. I know my position is radical. So be it. I believe it to be radically Christian. Dangerously radical. Why, it could get a man crucified. Or if he happens to be a citizen of the empire, perhaps just mercifully beheaded. We must realize that the Roman Empire didn't kill Christians for religious reasons. Rome couldn't care less about personal religious preference. The Roman world had plenty of religious liberty. (It was during medieval Christendom that religious liberty was lost.) The apostles and early Christian martyrs were executed, not for religious reasons, but for political reasons. For confessing that Christ was emperor and not Caesar. For preaching the gospel of the Pax Cristus instead of the Pax Romana. Will we dare to preach the gospel of the Pax Cristus instead of the Pax Americana?

I've got nothing against America. It's a fine empire. I'm a citizen and a beneficiary of its prosperity. And I certainly have enough patriotism to cheer for America in the Olympics. But America is not the agency through which the liberating gospel of Jesus Christ is brought to the nations. The liberation of the nations through the proclamation of the gospel is the mission of the church! God didn't "raise up America." Every empire engages in that kind of propaganda. God raised Christ from the dead and poured out the Holy Spirit upon body of Christ—the church. Nationality doesn’t mean a thing. God’s nationalistic agenda ended with Christ. Now his agenda is advanced through the global church. National identity is utterly insignificant. Oh, I understand that to the nations of the world it's everything. Indeed, they'll kill for it—go “shock and awe” on their enemies with their hand on their heart pledging allegiance. But that's just it, they're the nations of the world and not yet disciples of Jesus Christ.

Jesus didn’t “shock and awe” his enemies. He forgave them and allowed himself to be crucified (when he could have summoned an army of angels). Why? You can't win a war that way! You've got to kill the enemy s.o.b. (to paraphrase General Patton). But as Christians we believe that Jesus did win a war that way. We believe he won the whole world that way. We do believe that, don't we? We do believe that Jesus won, don't we? We do believe that Jesus is Lord, don’t we? We do believe that Jesus currently reigns as King of Kings, Lord of Lords, President of Presidents, Prime Minister of Prime Ministers, don't we?

And since (if) we believe that Jesus is Lord, we're not all that concerned about what Caesar does or what empire claims to rule the world these days. They’re all impostors.

Jesus is Lord.

It's a political statement.

I'm a radical. Or at least I’m trying to be. A dangerous, kingdom of God radical. The empire should be wary of me and my kind. Sure, we are productive, law abiding citizens—harmless as doves. But our ideas are subversive. They are the seeds of the kingdom that grows by night. Our ideas about Jesus and his alternative way are the leaven in the imperial dough. They are the radical Jesus ideas that subvert the false pretense of empire. Caesar doesn't save, Christ does. Caesar isn't Lord, Christ is. The empire doesn't bring peace, justice and freedom, the kingdom of our Lord does.

I am a radical.

I will not adapt the radical kingdom gospel of Jesus Christ to the self-serving values of the empire and conspire to turn Christianity into a civic religion of the state. That's the whore riding the back of the beast. Which has been ever popular these past seventeen centuries.

I am a radical.

Out of wisdom and a desire to be effective (and perhaps from a sense of self-preservation) I tell it slant. Like Jesus did. Parable, allegory, allusion and story work better than in your face prose (as I am recklessly doing here). I tell it slant, but I tell it. I tell it because of what I have seen. The empires of this world are beastly. All of them. Egypt, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome, France, Germany, Britain, Russia—America too. But the Lamb has conquered. Worthy is the Lamb.

I am a radical.

I'm not taking the easy road and I'm not playing it safe. My conservative friends think I'm liberal. My liberal friends think I'm conservative. I am neither. I'm totally off the charts. I've opted out of the illusion that politics of either stripe even has the possibility of being faithful to Christ.

This is my confession. It comes from what I have seen. The empires of this world are beasts, but the Lamb—the little lamb as if slain—has conquered. It’s the absurd comedy of God. It’s our gospel. It’s the hope of the world. You can see it too, if you want to. But you have to really want to see. Because it will cost you.

Vicit agnus noster, eum sequamur.

Our Lamb has conquered, let us follow him.

Confession of a Radical by Brian Zahnd


Post Script

As I went to bed after posting this, I felt like I really needed to add that, like lots and lots of things, I don't agree with everything that Brian said, but I did find his post to be a good challenge to me. I'll elaborate on some of those things here:

Firstly, I think God likes nations. I went to bed thinking and praying about one question, "Lord, what do you think about our nation? Do you want it to exist? Did you have a national plan for America? Do you still?"

Doing a little Biblical study, throughout the Old Testament, the Lord uses specific nations. Unfortunately, it's usually to discipline Israel, but there are a multitude of Scriptures referencing nations in the Millennial Kingdom, (I could go more in depth here, but you can look up Jesus' involvement of nations like Egypt at His return in Isaiah on your own) so clearly Jesus doesn't just make nations go "poof" away. And before He comes, I still believe every nation, not just ours, has the invitation to come into agreement with the plan of God, to nationally agree with God's heart, and to bless Israel.

I believe that prayer and intercession on behalf of our country is right and true. When I read Daniel and think about principalities of nations, Greece and Persia, I wonder if there's a principality of America. I think to myself, "If there's a battle between an archangel and a principality over my nation, I want my prayers involved and making a difference."

One could potentially walk away from a post like this with a very negative slant on America and hopeless attitude - that is definitely NOT the reason I'm challenged by it. We are mandated as believers to pray for those in authority over us. If we are so called by the Lord, we are to be actively involved in our government and politics. We have quite a Biblical legacy in Daniel, Esther, Joseph, Zachariah and many others in the Bible in following the leading of the Lord even when it involved "affiliation" so to speak with a corrupt government. And as a gentle reminder, I'm sure Daniel's position was a LOT WORSE than say, being a senator in America? But Daniel's priority was to follow the leading of the Lord and to be faithful to Him in the midst of a corrupt environment, not to become so black and white that He was incapable of being obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

What I'm rethinking in my heart isn't some regurgitation of "Myth of a Christian Nation," it's the desire that in ALL things, Christ would have the preeminence. Before patriotic loyalties, before self-importance whether individual or national, that JESUS would have the first place, that I am CHIEFLY a citizen of His kingdom that is eternal, and an American second. I just need to get my priorities straight, to set my affections on things above, and not have them all bound up in these earthly things.

As with all my posts, it's just food for thought and meditation, not something definitive, concrete and immovable. I appreciate your patience, consideration, and disagreement. It's provoking.

Blessings,

Joanna May

Misty Edwards - Devotional Set 2002

I'm getting all nostalgic today - this is a devotional session from 2002, back in the small trailer, before Misty had a full band and click tracks came into the prayer room. The sound quality is rather poor, but when I listen to it and remember those 10 pm sets in the trailer on Friday nights, when everyone who sat in the prayer room leaned forward intently, eyes closed, in dialogue with the Lord. Where there wasn't room to bring your laptop or a backpack full of commentaries, and the air freshener sounded like the "psst" of an angel.  Where there was complimentary coffee brewing in the lounge outside the prayer room, and everyone at 6 am had their little styrafoam cup full.  Where you sat on the front row, and looked the worship leader square in the eyes, and random homeless people or traveling vagabonds slept along the walls at all hours.  Where everyone prayed, and sang, and stood and swayed and paced.  There were no cameras, sometimes there wasn't even a sound man, and it was hot, and it smelled, and it was so authentic.  It's hard knowing that prayer room will never exist in that form again.  But when I listen to sets like this, I remember the simplicity of my own devotion (along with some immaturity, and being a bit out of tune).  But it makes me happy, and it makes me miss those days, and look for ways to make my own current expression less "hip" and more real. To simplify all this "diversity" down to the "one necessary thing" once again.  




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18 Aug

Mark Mathis Music

Posted by joannareyburn
Quick note: Mark Mathis, a personal favorite singer, songwriter, friend-of-my-friends is giving away music!!! Check it out, download some songs, and share with your friends. I am so inspired when amazing musicians and artists share their music, and I'm excited to hear rumors of more of this approach coming soon from other IHOP-KC artists. http://markmathis.bandcamp.com/

John Sheasby - Pursue Life

in Audio Teaching, LIFE


This is a radical message that still challenges the way I think about kingdom living. More from John at http://www.liberatedliving.com/


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Joanna Reyburn Album Teaser

in Album Teaser, Devotional, Soaking, worship


Image

This is raw, unfinished, unedited and unmixed, but here's a preview of the project I'm currently in the studio working on. I had to share a little tiny bit. I'd love to hear your thoughts! Blessings, Joanna


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23 Feb

More than "More Lord"

Posted by joannareyburn in Outpouring, prayer, revival
I was in a meeting the other day where there was altar ministry that sounded like "More Lord!!!! We aren't satisfied, we must have more!!!" It was tenacious, it was persistent, and almost militant, and I was just irritated. I wish I could tell you that I have a clear, audible word-of-the-Lord about the situation, but I don't. I do have some impressions, thoughts and questions that weigh heavy on my heart and I've got to share them.

The Lord said that He has given us everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3) that's past tense, that we have every spiritual blessings in Christ (Ephesians 1:3) and that He will supply all our future needs according to His glory (Philippians 4:19). He also said that we are seated with Him in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6) and are complete in Him. (Colossians 2:10).

Jesus said that if anyone asks, they will receive (Matthew 7:7). That if anyone is thirsty, ask for a drink and He will give living waters (John 7:37-39, Revelation 22:17) and that if anyone wants to come, you must believe that He really will open up His heart. (Hebrews 11:6)

Then why do we pray and minister corporately like we do? I feel like the church at large is still talking to the Lord like He's angry and withholding, that you have to arm-wrestle Him just to get a morsel. Many prayer meetings feel like we're trying to grab God and shake "it" out of Him - whatever "it" is that we're praying for.

Many people at this point would refer to the parable of the "persistent widow" in Luke 18 to contextualize this type of "We-aren't-Satisfied" prayer, but I have mixed feelings about that one too. I am convinced that the parable of the persistent widow is a contrast, not a comparison. Jesus was not comparing the Father to that unjust judge. He is not suggesting that the way that widow approached the judge is an example for the way we should approach the Father. It is not a new prayer strategy or intercession model. He's saying, "HOW DIFFERENT is our Father! Will He not bring about justice for His chosen ones?! We get to relate to Him so differently!"

Besides, the context of this parable is the question: “When will the Kingdom come?” We have one very safe prayer: Come Lord Jesus. We can pray that prayer unceasingly with boldness and confidence knowing that we are in perfect agreement with His heart when we say "Come." In this confidence and love, we can be persistent without being insolent. So why do we keep coming to God like He's the unjust judge we have to pester?

When it comes to revival prayer, for praying for the release of the manifestations of the Lord's heart in signs, wonders, healing, deliverance, outpouring of presence, love and power, it's not usually the Lord that's getting in the way, it's us. WE are the ones in the way. We could all do with a little less "send more Lord" and a little more "I receive what you've provided."

So many times I feel like we blame shift responsibility to the Lord when it's really our responsibility. We act like if He doesn't want to come, then we're not getting anything and it's all His fault. We then are "barren" because God isn't doing something, not because we are in compromise or simply not receiving or spending time with Him. It's so much easier when it's all wonderfully Calvinistically His fault.

From what I've noticed throughout history, the prayer of the revivalists isn't just asking God for more externally, no, they are asking God for help to receive internally. This is best summarized in the prayer of Evan Roberts, the Welsh revivalist, “Oh, Lord, bend us!”

We see this in the New Testament all the time. Paul didn't exhort the church of Ephesus by crying out to God for a change in the atmosphere, he spoke to the Ephesians calling them into the knowledge of Jesus. Let me illustrate with a parody of sorts, imagine if Ephesians 1 started with
"Oh God, the church in Ephesus needs more! They are not satisfied, they must have more! Now God, don't withhold yourself! Rend the heavens God, rend them over Ephesus right now God. Do what only you can do."
How weird would that have been.

Now I feel like I need to put a little disclaimer in here: I don't think that type of prayer is necessarily bad when it's in the right context, for example if you are having a time of intercession over a region. In that situation, you are agreeing with the heart of Jesus, or other believers for a spiritual shift in heavenly realms of authority, like the displacing of the Prince of Persia in the book of Daniel (Daniel 10:13-23) - but that is not the Pauline example of ministry to believers.

What Paul did in Ephesians 1, and all of his letters of exhortation to churches, and a great example of how to minister to believers even today, is to speak the truth of God to their spirits calling them into the recognition of the finished work of the cross, a full reliance on the blood of Jesus, inviting them to the place of receiving, the casting down lies and misconceptions about God, and coming into specific agreement with the plans and purposes of God.

A breakdown of Ephesians 1

1. Jesus Christ has blessed us with every spiritual blessing.
2. You are chosen by Him.
3. Because of Him, you are holy and blameless in his sight.
4. It is His pleasure and will that you walk in sonship.
5. In Him you have redemption, forgiveness, and inclusion into the mystery of God.
6. Did I say you were chosen?
7. You have been sealed by the Holy Spirit
8. You will know his hope, riches, glory and power.


I would LOVE to see more ministry-to-believers time at the altars looking more like that and less like "AHHH, we don't have enough!" I'd love to hear your thoughts too.

Blessings,

Joanna

Jonathan Rizzo - Drink of the Marriage Wine Prophetic Song

in IHOPU Student Awakening, Jonathan Rizzo, Julie Meyer, Renewal, Wine

14-minute clip of worship and a powerful prophetic song with Jonathan Rizzo and Julie Meyer from Tuesday, December 8, 2009.


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Audra Lynn Hartke - Holy Spirit Song

in Audra Lynn, Live IHOP Set, Prophetic Song, Renewal


I flipped on the webstream at IHOP-KC today to catch this awesome prophetic song by Audra Lynn Hartke and got rocked sitting at home with my dog. More Lord! Release those songbirds that sing straight from your heart! I hope you enjoy this, I know I'm putting it on a soaking mix. For Audra Lynn cd's, check out her stuff from Forerunner Music


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07 Dec

Worship to get Rocked By

Posted by joannareyburn in Heidi Baker, Holy Spirit, Kevin Prosch, Recommended Worship
With the awakening that's going on at IHOPU, I'm having a personal renewal in my private worship times. I notice there are some songs that just carry that atmosphere of heaven breakthrough, and I've decided to start sharing my soaking mix.

This song is from a live worship recording called "The Gift" with Kevin Prosch and Heidi Baker

18 Nov

Practicals on Living in an Outpouring

Posted by joannareyburn in allen hood, Bill Johnson, IHOPU Student Awakening, John Arnott, Outpouring, Renewal, Shelley Hundley, Wes Hall

Ways to keep your mind, will and emotions healthy to receive all that the Lord is doing during seasons of refreshing

The Lord is doing incredible things in Kansas City right now through the outpouring of His Holy Spirit. I was inspired to write, not about what the Lord is doing for those who aren't here, (check out www.ihop.org/watch if you haven't heard about it) but about what to do for those of use who are here in the thick of it, or for others who find themselves in an outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

When I think about previous outpourings, renewals or awakenings, I think of Toronto, Brownsville and Lakeland. When I think about what I would term "revival culture" or people who have cultivated a lifestyle of encounter with the manifest presence of God, I think of Bethel with Bill Johnson. From these, there are practical dynamics and lessons learned. We should desire to receive the council of those who have gone before us. From what I've gathered, they have rather profound insights. In all honesty, none of the following thoughts originated with me, they came from asking questions and receiving some advice, reproof and exhortation regarding the way I was living and ways to create a "revival culture" in my own life.

The premise is "When in a Move of the Holy Spirit" - and this is particularly focused towards people who are involved in altar ministry, administration, deliverance, platform ministry, ushering, singing, worship leading, etc. etc.

1. Eat Food If you have an ambitious fasting regimen, transition to something like a Daniel fast, no caffeine, or fast only one day a week.

I was in an internship a few years ago and we talked to Bob Jones about fasting, and He said "When the Bridegroom is with you (referring also to an unusual season of visitation) you don't fast, but when He's not there, then you fast."

2. Stay Hydrated Drink lots of water. You will get dehydrated really really fast, and then you will wake up with swollen gunky eyes, chapped lips, raw face, and you will feel worn down in your body and be more susceptible to colds or the flu.

3. Try some cranberry juice I know this sounds strange, but a few years ago, I was leading worship at prophetic classes with Shawn Bolz and Paul Keith Davis. Every night after worship, my lower back would BURN in pain and I could hardly even get to my seat. Finally, Paul Keith pulled me aside and shared with me that how Bob Jones' always drinks cranberry juice. Bob had said that when you were ministering in a flow of the anointing, that you needed to take good care of your kidneys, which he called the Biblical "reins." He said that's where the anointing flows from. Now I didn't ask a lot of questions or try to figure out the who's, what's, and why's of all that, I just started drinking cranberry juice and more water and I noticed that the pain was GONE.

For inquiring minds, here are more Scriptural references for Bob's perspective on kidneys and "reins."

Reins: the kidneys, the supposed seat of the desires and affections; used metaphorically for "heart." The "reins" and the "heart" are often mentioned together, as denoting the whole moral constitution of man (Ps. 7:9; 16:7; 26:2; 139:13; Jer. 17:10, etc.)

Paul Keith also suggested finding a friend or leader that you trust to pray for you, or if you can't find somebody, putting your own hands on your lower back and asking the Holy Spirit to fill you up, refresh and sustain you if you're feeling that type of pain during or after ministry.

A Note on Intercessors If someone is engaged in a dynamic ministry where the Lord is really resting on them - whether its a minister, worship leader, prophetic singer, or someone with an unusual anointing during altar ministry, (in our case people like Wes Hall, Allen Hood, Laura Hackett, Shelley Hundley, Ed Boasso, Graeme Walsh, Steven Beauchamp, and so many others) they may need some "back up" or prayer that the Lord would continue to flow through them, cover them from attack and fill them up. This is why many times in different churches and conferences (Bethel, conferences with Shawn Bolz or Paul Keith, and many more) you will see someone standing behind the singers on the platform - a platform intercessor - or someone following behind a minister during altar ministry.

A word of caution: Don't start praying for someone you don't have relationship with at close proximity without their permission. What I do during the IHOPU awakenings is to pray for Wes and Allen from wherever I'm at: "Lord bless Wes and Allen right now. Holy Spirit, cover them, sustain them, fill them up. Release your ministering angels to them even now God, strengthen their bodies, renew their spirit man.." Speaking from my experience as a worship leader, it is more unsettling to have a stranger pop up behind you and start praying (you hope).


4. Eat healthy. I've experienced this scenario firsthand: It's 1:30 am and you've been in the meeting for 8 hours. You're starving, and nobody wants to go home and cook at 1:30, and nothing else is open! So you go to Buffalo Wild Wings for the 10th day in a row.

I also observed junk food eating behind the scenes at a more recent outpouring and thought to myself, "You guys have been eating that? No wonder you feel bad! It's not warfare, it's your diet." 65 days in a row of junk food will make you feel terrible. The Holy Spirit is not going to transform that deep fried, sugar covered, bacon marinated junk into fruits and vegetable in your stomach. You need to make healthy choices that will help sustain your "weak frame."

Now like I said, I understand (I've been to BWW twice already as have an entire worship team) that no one wants to cook at 1:30 am. But you need to become deliberate about eating healthy! Some friends of mine have a plan: we're getting 10 or so people together into a little cooking co-op where a couple of us will leave the service around 11:30 to go prepare some food, and the other 8 can come after the service and we'll all eat together. We rotate houses, and cooking responsibilities and pitch in some funds. You can get some of your friends together and do something like that and you'll save lots of money, feel better because you'll be eating better, and you'll have great redemptive fellowship in the afterglow of the Holy Spirit.

You also might want to get some cliff bars to keep with you - 8 hours of ministry is a long time.

5. Get Plenty of Rest This isn't a time to push your body to the point of exhaustion. You may find yourself needing a lot more sleep than you did before, that's normal and okay.

6. Eliminate the Unnecessary. Stay faithful with what the Lord has really called you to: Mike used the example of continuing to feed the homeless, but if you're doing lots of unnecessary "stuff" consider downsizing. Suspend your end-times Bible study for a season, cancel meetings, and simplify your life so that you can fully receive all that the Lord has for you during this season. When you look back on this time years down the road, you're not going to regret being as involved as you can, but you may regret not being more involved.

7. Keep your Devotional Time Maybe before this, you've been able to have devotional time in the prayer room, but with all that's going on in there now you may to need to carve out quiet time ALONE with Jesus. There, He's going to speak, minister, fill you up, and sustain you. Don't think that because you're spending 8 hours praying for people at an outpouring service that you can suspend your personal devotional time. The Lord will meet you in such sweetness during these private times - He will meet you with that same manifest presence that is there during the altar ministry for impartation to others if you take the time.

Another note: During the meetings or prayer room ministry time, remember that you can switch back and forth from praying and releasing to personal receiving. Your "ministry mode" doesn't have to last the entire time, you can have sweet personal encounter, and transition right into praying for others.

8. Keep Taking Your Day Off Nightly meetings will ebb and flow, and some nights will be "better" or "stonger" than others. That's just how it works. Don't feel like if you take a night off that God is not going to meet you anymore. There is NO condemnation for resting your body or spending time with you family. Even in the midst of the most dramatic healings, miracles, salvations and power demonstrations that we look forward to in the capital letters REVIVAL, you're still going to need a Sabbath and some time off with your family.

Some people throw themselves so into a renewal that their family suffers. You don't want your wife or children to acquire offense towards the Lord because you're not stewarding your relationships.

9. Realize that You are going to be Sensitive Things that didn't bother you before may grieve your spirit now. It's good to keep that in mind that in your conversations and activities before you ask those "Why do I feel this way" questions. Keep in mind that you may feel the presence of the Lord or manifest when you're out to eat and get prophetic words for the barista at Starbucks, or you may be grieved at a film you used to enjoy. Be extra vigilant about what you allow to enter your "gates" (eyes, ears, etc) because it will strike your heart in a heightened way.

10. Backlash is Real Francis Frangipane's "New Levels, New Devils" is real: If you're experiencing breakthrough, freedom, joy and increased manifest presence, the enemy doesn't like that. You will need to stand your ground in agreement with the Lord over hopelessness, depression, shame, condemnation, disqualification and other lying "fiery darts" the enemy may deploy in an attempt to take you out. Stand Firm, declare agreement with the Lord OUT LOUD and use the Scripture.

11. Remember The First and Second Commandment If this awakening continues and grows here in Kansas City, there may be quite a lot of people who come for a touch from the Lord. After a while, His sweet presence can become viewed as a commodity that is passed around: "Blam Blam Shaba Blam...Get 'Em, Blam."

We can become sidetracked by the unique sensation of His manifest presence, and overwhelmed by the numbers of people. We will need to continually remember that we are called to love the Lord our God, not just His tingles but His Person, and to love our neighbor. Not neighbors as if they are a mass group of people, but neighbor singular, dealing with each one as an individual as we're praying at the altar, prophesying, singing, or even just running into them in the bathroom.

12. Make Lists of Stuff you Really Need to Do I'm noticing this for myself: I am preoccupied with Jesus. That is an AMAZING thing. After years of being preoccupied with me, this is way better! Some unexpected side-effects are that I'm forgetting to do some stuff I need to do, like trash day, grocery shopping, and going to the bank. Errands that previously were just a natural part of your life may completely slip your mind because you're thinking about JESUS, which is AWESOME, but you do still need to pay your gas bill. I've started making a sticky notes I take everywhere with me:

1. Eat
2. Walk and Feed Dog
3. Talk to Parents
4. Pay Utilities
5. Trash Day is Wednesday
Sounds a little silly, but it may be necessary for you like it is for me.

Love to hear your comments
Copyright © 2010 Joanna Reyburn May | All Rights Reserved