ChaplainChas

Well I've been threatening, and it's time to start making due. I'm trying to settle on which compilation of CD's/mp3's to get of the Exodus International Freedom Conf, and my plan is to listen again, and comment on each (Main Session at least). But for now let's take a running leap into general thoughts:

Registration: actually went quite smoothly. It was disappointing to not be able to get a shuttle service as part of the package, but we got a Great service from Ashville to Ridgecrest. We were met by a 500 year old (OK, 91?) volunteer with just the most humble, helpful spirit, to show us where to go!

Alan Chambers: Led the first Main Session. I can easily declare w/o hesitation that this was by far the best session I have ever heard him give. What a blessing! Here are a few notes from his talk.

GOD LOVES YOU! -- This was awesome b/c I've been saved for years and years and just in the past 6 months I've began to accept that Jesus Loves me, Jesus likes me, God the Father likes and loves me, God the Holy Spirit loves me and likes me! Me! Inconceivable! But true.

I Cor 6:11, reminds me that God is not 'wringing his hands, wondering what to do with you" now that you've accepted His offer of Salvation! He's not surprised by sexual sin!

...How can I judge someone who's just trying to survive? Someone that's so hungry (emotionally/ relationally starved) they'll eat out of the garbage can.

God wants to meet those needs, too! He's the real thing.

How awesome to be able to live the BULK of our lives with believers in church, not 20 years in support groups.

And finally, the prayer that God will 'help me deny what comes naturally to me (Sin comes naturally!)!

Wow. I can hardly wait to listen to this again. I'm sure there'll be more.

Hmmmm. I think I'll stop with that for this particular post! Perhaps I'll be able to refine the way I enter these as time goes on, but I really wanted to get this ball rolling!

Look out!

Blessings!
ChaplainChas.

Labels: Alan Chambers, Exodus, Exodus Freedom Conf, God, prayer, sin

As I begin this post, Mindy Boyd, a facebook friend from Exodus and WiseDoves is setting up for her segment in an outdoor concert here at Main Street Java, in Souderton, PA. The benefit is for Alex's Lemonade Stand. I believe there's a bigger group here for Mindy than for the last two performers. As a side note, why on earth do 'sound engineers' feel the need to push the upper limits of volume?

She sounds great!

We got to hang out/ fellowship for quite awhile before she went on.

As she sings about 95, I'm more and more distracted, so I'll sign off for now!

Labels: Alex's Lemonade Stand, Main Street Java, Mindy Boyd

I rarely post twice in the same day, well, same week even, OK, same month!

BUT, I am feeling numb at the moment.

I've traveled/ volunteered with Greg Laurie and the Harvest Crusade since 1997.

I just received a brief note informing me that his son (age 32) was killed in a car accident.

I am literally numb as I type this.

Please pray for his family, his church, his crusades and his relationship with Abba!

Tearfully,
ChaplainChas.

We will overcome
by the blood of the Lamb
and the word of our testimony!

This perhaps unintentional themesong from the Exodus Freedom Conference last week seems to also be becoming my mantra in my journey into freedom from death into life, from darkness into light and from bondage into holiness!

There's so much to say, a lot of which has already been said, but for me I just think about my encounter with God. In my recollection this was the first time I've SO strongly felt the presence of God that I truly had to remove my shoes, for the ground upon which I was standing was Holy! If I thought it would not have attracted attention to me from God's work I would have fallen into the aisle to kneel or perhaps even prostrate myself (I know, I'd have been a fire hazard! BUT the Holy Spirit's fire was there...).

This was my third conference with Exodus, and I loved it.

Sigh.

I truly hope to post more, but the tyranny of the urgent is upon me.

More soon,
Blessings!
ChaplainChas.

Labels: Exodus, Exodus Freedom Conf, fire, God, holy groud, Holy Spirit, overcome, shoes

"Jesus in Your Name we pray,
Come and fill our hearts today...

As morning dawns and evening fades,
You inspire songs of praise...

Your Name is a strong and mighty tower
Your Name..."

Sitting here at Charbucks for my regular Sunday afternoon catchup online and reading. They actually have some bizarre stuff on the radio so I'm listening to the practice CD (well, iTunes) for CCQ and 'Your Name' is very inspirational (by Paul Baloche(sp).

There's healing and salvation and comfort and joy in the Name that is above all Names, the name of Jesus, the Christ, the Son of the Most High God! I KNOW! It makes no sense to one who does not have the Spirit of the Living God inside; but that doesn't negate the FACT that it's true!

I misplaced my sWord for a bit of time this week. Ended up buying a pocket dagger for the Conference, since I won't be back to HARVEST USA until after the conference (that's where I left it). It's taking getting used to, and I prolly won't be writing any notes in it! Red letters, onion skin type paper, leather (smelling) bound! Almost like a real Bible!

I LOVE reading biographies. Maybe that's why I like the Old Testament so much. Anyway, I'm reading Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret and am reminded again of the Exchanged Life. I'll have to put a bit in here about that sometime. Better yet, get the book.

Ending for now,
Blessings!
ChaplainChas.

PS: Last day of work spent about 45 minutes discussing Jesus and religion with three other crewmen... Pray for new life!

Labels: Bible, Conference, Jesus, Starbucks, sWord, Your Name

God has taken me through some pretty interesting places in life. Perhaps some day I'll share some of them here, but I'll just let that hang out there.

I've found myself stating more and more frequently that I 'hate my job. My full time job, that is, working as a Paramedic. The most frequent response I get to that statement is to the effect of:

Why on earth would you hate that? You get to help people who need you!

Blah, blah, blah, get a grip, blah, blah, blah.

My part time job is better. I get frustrated on occasion, but that's only natural, isn't it? Overall I love it, am useful, am appreciated, am growing, am learning... I help broken people learn to breathe again, especially in certain areas of their lives. I am not a counselor. I am a discipler.

:::Dramatic Pause:::

I want my own Coffe Shop and Bookstore.

Don't know where that came from.

:::Extended Dramatic Pause:::

Well, I guess I need to go spend some time with Jesus!

Blessings!
ChaplainChas.

Labels: blah, Bookstore, Coffee Shop, God, hate, Jesus, job, learn to breathe