A busy day was had by all

Yesterday was the epitome of busy for me. A 35 page report to be done by noon. Meet sales people, do interviews and spend time on sanity.

Today, I have road trip to Montpelier to do an interview for the New England Flame, coupled with finance meeting.

Long day and I must get ready for it.

Last night after a particularly successful prayer time, I realized like so many of us, I do not spend enough time with it. That is about to change.

A great day

A great day! What constitutes a great day is different to different people. For me, I had the third person contact in regard to the New England Flame for sales position, as well as interviewed and hired another sales person for the other paper.

As I mentioned yesterday, I got hurt on the ice, and so I began praying for a new shoulder. I have seen so many miracles in my life, surely this one will come to pass. And as I began to meditate on it, while taking a shower, the Lord told me we are all joints. (By what every joint supplies.)There seems to be a correlation to the body not operating in the spiritual that has effect on the body not operating in the natural.

In the next few weeks I will be devoting a lot of my time to teaching a school of the prophets. Our first class in how the interaction of the parts of the body are supposed to work and how they are to interact.

It is clear to me that with few exceptions, the current church does not change many people. People understand that there are to be changes and yet many are still tied up in their junk. I have a saying that in America, we have have been inoculated with Jesus, just enough to make us immune to real thing. It is my heart that we press in for more. But, if it was more prayer and more praying, I think we might have been there already. So, it must be greater than that. It must involve the function of people with one another. And part of that is understanding our gifting and our positioning in the body. It is not enough for me to be a prophetic voice or gift to the body, if I do not understand how to flow with others? If I give words that leave people hanging or not able to move ahead? It is critical that I be "part" of the body. I need you and you need me.

So, today will be spent on paperwork. Ugh!

Delivery day

Every other week we deliver newspapers for our company. On this day, my friend Brian asked if he could come along. So, we traveled together through out the day dropping papers, talking about the things of Jesus, etc.. And then at one store I took a terrible spill on black ice. Never saw it, never planned for it. One second up, the next down. Pain ripped through my shoulder. Got back in the van and Brian prayed for me. This morning I am feeling a little better.

How was yesterday over all? Exciting in some respects. People contacted me about the Flame and I got some work done. Disappointed in others. People who promised things were unable to produce.

Unlike the fall which was quick and painful, other things in life some times take a moment or two for the pain to sink in. People make choices for today that cause them pain for tomorrow. Part of the problem with being a prophet is that you see things like that before they do. God, I so await the working together of the body and the willingness of people to receive and to make good and Godly decisions.

In two weeks I begin the school. My heart is prophetic teaching, not just revelation but with activation. And so we begin a week from Sunday. Hopefully my friend Randy can play.

Monday, Monday

Monday was busy. As I try to get a report done for the basement business, I am straight out. Yesterday Brian Shohet, my friend making a run for Congress in 2010, met for coffee at the diner. He is on the solar thing. Energy and jobs are his passion.

From there it was off to meet Bill, take interview phone calls for both the papers. Susan seems to be off and running with things. Perhaps a new guy down in Brattleboro. And then David showed up and we went over paperwork. All of a sudden I was tired. After dinner, I came in and worked till 10:30.

The Lord calls us to a rest, even a double rest as I described of Shunem. It is imperative that I find more time with Him. Today I will be picking up and delivering papers with my friend Brian. Usually, I spend this time with Him.

As the days get longer, and the "doom" hangs over America, I know prayer is the answer and more time spent with Him. It is all in how we plan our days. Finding time is not the answer. Making time to be with Him is critical. David met with Him early. Early insures we have time.

Sunday & The Shunammite

Yesterday I began studying about the Shunammite woman. She was from a place known as "double rest." What was here double rest? Rest from sin and rest from self. Ceasing from oe's own labors. Sounds like heaven to me! You only come to know Shunam after the threshing floor of the Lord. The Shunammite woman experienced the delivery of her promise (A child) only to lose it to death and regain it by resurrection. She was married to the old man, even though she had the promise, and when the child died here efforts upon her knees availed her nothing.

Lots more to go with that.

We drove to Swanzey and the spirit of the Lord broke out in intercession and words of knowledge for healing and the like. I shared about the prophet Elisha in conjunction with the "great" woman and the constraining of the holy man. We had CHURCH!

And then Morgan brought in the altars he had made so far. Wow!

We then went and hung out with friends as the snow stacked up driving home with accidents all around us. Last night we just hung out with dinner (Some killer mac and cheese!) and had fun.

Men and the like

Yesterday at a breakfast meeting we dealt with the tough issue of pornography and me. It was 2 plus hour meeting. Great input, etc..Then over to my meeting with Morgan about the altars. We covered all the bases. The pieces themselves, where to get them made when we get more orders coming in and all other things related. Then Brian called and I had to tell him I could not make it. Inner Acts (Phil and Wendy) can not make it because of the snow. Then back home to meet Bill and Dave. Dave brought me all the paper work for the RID-U system. Cass is back from college. Then Tina and I and the family hung out.

Spiritually, I feel like the Lord is saying believe for the best and prepare for the worst. He has given me a message about see, do and constrain. Will share on that tomorrow.

catching up

This has been a week of catch up. Yesterday I was visiting clients and trying to get articles out for both the bridal and the regular sections of the paper. They are done. Only one more thing to do and the paper is ready. Yippee!

Had a lot of snow but it all melted quickly. Talked to Matt and Cass. Matt is in the dumps and Cass is not feeling well, but will be home this weekend.

I was asked where I thought I fit at VC.. Long talk with Roger, explaining the regional piece. Haven't talked to Tina yet.

Getting very excited about the meeting tomorrow about family altars. We shall see. David is supposed to be coming over about the Rid-U.

Life is interesting

Yesterday I was in the middle of everything being close to done, but not finished I sit here this morning in anticipation of what God wants to do. And I feel it is something big.

I have meditated on many things in recent days. A friend of mine is contemplating pastoral ministry. Fortunately, for him, he is pastoral. So many of us with out the pastoral gifting have tried this approach only to fail or hurt people. Me, I tend to fall on the prophetic side. I love people, but I frequently do not know how to get them to the next level. One time he and I had a powerful meeting. We saw and endorsed people's futures, pointed out areas of the past that needed to be resolved, etc.. And while we were standing there afterwords having a bite to eat, a woman came up to me and asked me about what to do for her granddaughter that had been abused. I worked as hard as I could to comfort her, but the reality of it was, I had come to the end of my gifting. That of encouragement and destiny. I grabbed Mike, the pastoral gift of the two of us, and pushed him towards her. He prayed for her and comforted her, like I could not. It was awesome.

And so in the last few days, I have watched once again. A pastoral couple (Both pastoral) going to the rescue of a family that so skillfully works the system. It is draining their finances and their health. With a prophetic voice they would be cautioned and the like. For instance this young man is on disability and does not want prayer because HE MIGHT BE HEALED! Another pastoral friend has undertaken another couple we have worked with. They are draining this pastoral couple, even as they lose their home. And yet another local pastor was fired because he does not preach fiery sermons, because he is the pastoral side of gifting.

When the church realizes that Jesus gave five (possibly four, if you think it is pastor-teacher) distinct gifts for the equipping (Means aligning, like a chiropractor does.)then we can move on. And each person needs to be supportive of the other gifts.I spent 10 plus long years trying to be who God did not intend me to be. My heart cry is "let us labor together."

Our own agenda

I read this story this morning.

The Prayer Request

Leroy went to a revival at a local church and listened intently to
the preacher.

After awhile, the preacher asked anyone with needs to be prayed over
to come forward to the front of the altar.

Leroy got in line and when it was his turn, the preacher
asked, "Leroy, what do you want me to pray about for you?"

Leroy replied, "Preacher, I need you to pray for my hearing."

The preacher put one finger in Leroy's ear and he placed his other
hand on top of Leroy's head and prayed and prayed and prayed for a
miracle.

After a few minutes, the preacher removed his hands, took a few steps
back and asked, "Leroy, how is your hearing now?"

"Leroy replied thoughtfully, "I don't know, It's not until next
Wednesday."

It made me realize that too often we have our own agenda and miss what is being said or what is needed. Now, I am a clarifier. I ask the person if what they said is what they said in their own words. Drives my wife crazy. When I first started using this technique, it nearly ended our relationship. But, the problem was, not only is she wired and plumbed differently, but she talks from a different background. It sure was difficult.

Sometimes following God's agenda is harder than we think!

Yesterday, a dear friend from Atlanta was here. She was a former bodybuilder, stripper, etc., and she is hilarious. Her and her husband worked with 28 strip clubs in their area bringing girls out of the life style. And like me she does not pray quietly. She often moves into travail and laughter. We had a great time and enjoyed some lunch with her after. She is such a blessing. When she heard about the family altars, things broke loose.

A lot of my morning was spent straightening out books, bills, etc., and they are caught up so, I can do my taxes.

Supposed to snow today. A little. I guess we can live with a little.

Last night I spent time with Jacob. The girls were at coffee. So, we had fun. His favorite book to read. Little Ducklings.

Everybody home

There are certain circumstances where I flow well. Working on taxes and books and having family members in the house makes it difficult. My wife and others were home and I thought I would get work done. Well, that did not happen. So, I bit the bullet and hung out with everyone. That was cool! Got a nap in and then back to work.

Worked hard on my altars' project.

Here is a link to my family altars page.
http://photofieds.com/SubPage.asp?ID=50&MenuSys=Y&SID=165

Pictures will show up soon.

I know God is moving in this.

Our friend, Cindy, from Atlanta is up and coming over to pray with us. Many things are happening.

Valley Photofieds is moving ahead slowly. Hopefully, our new sales people will work out well and get us on the path to prosperity.

RID-U, our basement project, (http://www.businessindustrial.net/ridu.html), is moving slower than David and I would like, but there is some grant money coming available to help families in need and they are looking to us to help. Now we just need a really good sales person to come alongside.

Our altar project is closing in on completion and will be readying for sales.

The New England Flame is on hold, as we pray for a working partner.

Our cartoon/picture project is getting close as we ready for the motorcycle season.

And that is it for today.

Valentines

Last night Tina and I had a wonderful meal at a local restaurant. $25 covered everything. I left a large tip, but where else can you eat for $25? I had salmon, clam chowder and the most awesome cheese cake. Great service. Who would of thought? And as Tina pointed out, it was our 15th Valentine's Day together.

And that was on top of a great day with my grandchildren. Lots of fun.

Today we will head over to Swanzey to be with friends and then back here for another service in Springfield. A friend of ours is here in Springfield, visiting from Atlanta.

So, what am I pondering? The Lord has been taking me through a view of the Old Testament. Revealing new things to me. I think there is so much New Testament believers miss out on as they push through the New Testament, that the "flavor" if you will, gets lost. Without the OT, it is hard to understand the NT and I think that Is why people give up. Part of the reason I think people never make more progress is their misunderstanding of what "was" before they get to what "is."

I am pondering next steps. Trying to figure out what the Lord is doing in my own life. Ironic, how prophetic people, often miss what God is doing in their life.

Moving out

My daughter moves out shortly. I am writing her a letter with tears running down my face. She left once before. It was not so good. She had pulled a knife on her mom and a few days later she went to live with here dad(Really just a sperm donor.)A lot of bad things happened.She made a lot of bad choices. This time I think it is OK. I will just miss them

Checking in with the Lord

I am a romantic. I love the involvement life has. I love the fun, the way things work. But right now some of it is painful. I have a nearly 2 year old grandson who has been a great part of my life. His father, is well, non-existent. I would love to tell him how much he has missed. I would love him to plug in. On the other hand I am probably the only dad this boy has ever known. And my wife, she has been experiencing tremendous pain from an injury. The meds they give her do not create a peaceful environment. They cause mood changes and mood swings. Life changes from one moment to the next. That which was "okay" yesterday is not a problem. All one can do sometimes is walk away and pray. Only yesterday I took her to the hospital for more tests and evaluations. Some of it is created by stress, some by her job, some by posture because of her job. Regardless, pain is pain.

There is a lot going on. Here I am. 53. I own a paper with a partner who went through a divorce and bailed. I have taken on burdens and can't seem to make the corner. I have been a full time minister who is in transition from pastorate to prophetic. I am helping another gentleman with his business because he has a great product and a great work ethic. Another friend came out with a book and I feel sure that I am to help him. Another friend has asked me to be his campaign manager in his run for the House Of Representatives. I feel the Lord calling me to the "Family Altar project." And I spend a lot of time with God trying to figure out things. I tried to give away a newspaper I ad to a friend, but he is now in sin mode. Add three lovely grandchildren and five of our own children and life fills up fast.

So, God? What is the plan for today?

may sound stupid, but...

A few years ago, my daughter told my wife that she was pregnant and was not going to keep the child. Now, Alyssa is actually my step daughter, but she would tell you I am her dad. And so that battle for an unborn child began. Many thought I should be happy she was not having an abortion, but that thought never crossed my mind. The idea of the pain and suffering she would go through wondering about that child were more my thoughts. (I am one of those people who is always thinking ahead.) And with those thoughts I began my prayers for that child to come home. I alienated a lot of people by telling them we would have no other conversation other than the child would be here. Even as Alyssa gave the child up for a closed adoption. That my friends, was the longest 28 days of my life. This child living with someone else when I had a promise from God. But, then, on Mother's Day, she made the decision to go get him. Jacob came into this household and for months and months I just sat with him on my lap, praying his destiny into his life. Now, nearly 2 years later, she is moving out. Not far, but far enough.

He won't come up the stairs and climb on the bed and ask me to read to him. He won't come home looking for me.

May sound stupid, but sometimes being a grandfather is hard...

Filling in the blanks

So much of life is spent filling in the blanks. Grab a computer and it is forms that some have simplified with auto-fills, but it is about following a sequence. And while they all ask similar questions, it is clear that there is a large amount of information needed and used somewhere somehow. And life is a lot like that. There are things that come up and the trick is to put yourself (or not) in that blank. Sometimes it is helping a child or a friend, sometimes shoveling off the roof, because that blank has opened in the weather.

Yesterday I felt like life had a direction of it's own. And blanks kept opening up. Honestly, I prefer the ones where I can live out my "agenda" a little more. The result? I feel like I wasted a lot of time. Time has a high price for me. I do not like looking back as having wasted it.

Some cool things. Amy is feeling better. Cass is coming home this weekend. Matt is doing pretty good. Tyler got a lot accomplished. Alyssa and I had some talks that concern me a little but I think overall things are well.

I lost a check yesterday and a gentleman found it. Called me up and told me. Don't know him. Pretty impressed though.

Tina is not felling well. Her shoulder is bothering her quite a bit. Has an appointment in DHMC today. We will see. It definitely affects her moods.

Was up at 1AM praying and thinking about the next few days. There are things I wanted to accomplish but have not. Will try and get them done.

Hopefully I will be a more completed page today rather than a piec that fits here and there.

A long day

A long day. What do people do without Jesus?

The beginning of my day was good. Spent time talking about the things of God with two friends. We discussed the move of God on the horizon. We know it is there. It is more about positioning ourselves for what is coming, coupled with the fact that the enemy does not want it to happen.

I then began to deliver our newspaper. I determined to be smiling with every person I met.I am going to tell you it was pretty hard. So many just looked down trodden by everything. I kind of know how they feel. In the beginning I was listening to the Song Of Solomon. Later I caught more and more news. I will tell you it made me angry. It certainly feels like those in authority are not listening to us. I listened to some clip of people asking for cars, kitchens, benefits, etc..

A friend sent me a letter about revival. Certainly, I agree. I just know it will probably not happen in the church.

My friend wrote me that the first of three altars is complete. The second should be done by the weekend and hopefully the third sometime next week. I went and looked at finishes, stones for panels and bases yesterday.

As I cruised through NH and VT on the route I had lots of time for thinking. I am convinced that this project is for such a time as this. The family being called back to prayer. This is not a religious piece, but a place where will be reminded of their God.

Last week a pastor I knew passed away. Another woman we had been praying for as well. She had been in a coma for a long time. And a woman had a heart attack. My salesman's wife. In the middle of it, my brother contacted me to let me know about an old friend who had died. Most likely with out Jesus. It was a long week and it caused me to realize just how we could be without Jesus. Seems funny coming from me, as I am out in the world every day. He and I used to party pretty good in those days. So, I am pretty sure from what I heard that is the cause.

The world is moving pretty quickly. We can choose to move as quickly and miss things, or we can enter the rest of the Lord Jesus.

These altars are to be a reminder of Him. In some cases to be a memorial to those who went before us. In others a reminder of His goodness. A place where people can gather to celebrate Jesus. Without Jesus, we are toast. We need Him. The altar calls for a place of sacrifice. A place to give up some of that busyness. A place to be reminded about friends and family, and to gather with them. A place where family will be uplifted rather than downtrodden as it is with so many TV programs and the like. A place where women are equal and do not feel l4 kids is "not enough." If this next generation is not taught about Jesus, they are doomed. Socialism is on the rise. Oh, I know the "end times" are upon us, but we can gather all we can to take with us. Isn't that the comfort of Him?

All in a day

I allowed myself to overdo it in the moving department and paid for it. Yet, the office is finally moved and I am happy about it. At least the landlord can deal with his side of things now. Tyler was real helpful with the moving part. Thank God.

Last night I began to realize that the family altars project is more necessary than ever. The prototypes ought to be completed this week and then it is time for next steps. Right now, it just kind of swirls in my head.

Surprise payment yesterday for the paper. That was really helpful. This week has been a series of surprises in that realm. It kind of began a week ago Friday.

Alyssa is preparing to get her first home on her own. Things seems to be falling into place. Hopefully, she can keep her sanity in it all. Spoke to Matt yesterday. He just went through a breakup and so far he is on top of it, but as I pointed out, he may not have digested it yet.

So, as I sat here nursing my back, I think about the scripture where Jesus says, "my yoke is easy and my burden light."

Thinking it through

The last few days have been a lot of dreams. Dreams that indicate
a change in my own life as well as that of the church.

Yesterday was fun at church. Was able to talk to some others about a group of things that are keeping me thinking. Was able to connect about the family altars with Morgan and hopefully he will have some prototypes ready this week. Came home for a quick lunch and a prayer meeting.

Other than that life is pretty unexciting, which may not be a bad thing.

Was up a lot last night praying for the children and grandchildren. And the Lord has been dealing with me about honor and how we honor people. I think "whatever" is not honoring people, but do not let me think I escaped. It has definitely made me think back to a time with a spiritual dad asking me to do something unbiblical and how I handled it.

I knew something was up

For the last few days I have devoted a lot of time praying because my stomach was bothering me. Finally, I asked my wife if she had changed the coffee. "oh, yeah." So, now we know. My stomach is a coffee snob and cheap coffee just makes me ill.

I spent a lot of time yesterday playing with the grandchildren. That was certainly worth it and lots of fun. Unfortunately, I had to devote a few hours to getting my office moved and recycling.

Recycling. There is an interesting concept. For it to be fiscally successful, oil prices must be up. And when it is down, the recyclers just stockpile. Now, in our community, it is not one stop shopping. First you get in one of two lines to get rid of garbage. (And hey, these guys won't accept recyclables in your trash EVEN IF you are paying for it!) Then the line breaks out into 6 lines. (Come on. Isn't this how the Nazi's did it? What happens if this is all a big set up and one Saturday morning they decide to get rid of all the people???) You can tell I "love" recycling. But, I spend more time trying to figure out what papers go where and what plastics go where and even tin cans now. Life was so much simpler in the "old" days. But I emptied my van of all the newspapers and headed home. Worked outside because it was warm.(It was 50 degrees at 5 this morning.)

And I ate some really good turkey soup my wife made and because of "caffeine withdrawal" and being up at 2 that morning I called it a day around 7. My grandson, Jacob came in 3 times to say good night.

Originally

Originally, this was going to be a communique of the prophetic, etc. And some of it will be, but mostly it will be a diary of what is going on in my life.

Yesterday was full day. One of my employees called to tell me his wife had had a heart attack. It was deadline for our paper and that threw things out of gear. She seems to be all right having had 3 stints put in.

And I visited with one of my clients who has run into a long run of bad luck. Mostly, the main issue is his health and that of his wife. She has severe diabetes.

And a lot of my day was spent with my grand daughter Mariah, who was home sick yesterday.

A long day.

Today, I will go and clean out my office after the landlord has conceded he can not stop the mold and I will then try and enjoy the beautiful weather. I have been suffering cabin fever.

Cabin Fever increases with every little extra amount of sunlight we get. We realize how down we are about certain things. How many friends we have not seen, how many hours of television have been accumulated. In a few short weeks we will go to Daylight Savings Time.Why? Originally it was thought to save electricity, but I am convinced it is to save one's sanity. We do not have to come home in the "dark." It seems "warmer." And we can send the kids out.

Now many people do really suffer from light deprivation and it causes depression. Over the years people have been "killed" as the result of going to work in the dark, coming home in the dark and well, welcome to New England in the winter. Whatever sign of global warming people want to embrace, I am not seeing it happen here this year.

Now there are a few signs of cabin fever.
Tangled Christmas lights putting people over the edge.
Wondering which snow bank your car(Or motorcycle is under.).
Developing PMS(Parked Motorcycle Syndrome)

Have a great day!