Samuel’s Blog

 Below are real tesimonies from real kids(names changed to protect privacy)that attended Awakening Teen Camp(ATC) at IHOP this year.  We had a total of about 1000 teeneagers from all over the world come through the ATC camp held here on the Missions Base from June 14th-July 21st. It was awesome to see lives radically changed for Jesus Christ over the 5 weeks we hosted these kids. There were so many testimonies from kids at camp as well as people in the community that were touched due to our various evangelistic outreaches we do during each week(nursing homes, homeless,skateboard park,etc). Here are 2 that stuck out to me from teenagers that came messed up from the world and left messed up by Jesus. Bt the way, messed up by Jesus is a good thing…

 

 Dylan. “About 8 years ago I heard about God but I did not know him, I had never been saved.  When I was 13 years old I started drinking and partying and sleeping around. This went on for several years every weekend. This summer it had gotten so bad that my parents finally had enough and told me that I had 2 choices: Rehab or Awake Teen Camp. I came to ATC and the first 2 days I did not want anything to do with this Christian stuff. The 3^rd day there was a call for salvation, the Lord broke through my hard heart and I stood up and began weeping as the love of Jesus began penetrating my heart. My counselor prayed with me and I gave my life to God and was baptized in the pool. I am a Christian now, I am saved”!!  

   “My name is Rebecca, when I was in 6^th grade I got my first boyfriend. He told me I was worthless and did some bad things to me. I started cutting myself and began having suicidal thoughts and basically wanted to die. A few months later I was going to kill myself and had the pills in my hand to overdose with when all of a sudden my phone rang and it was a friend telling me about the Awakening Teen Camp at IHOP. I put the pills down and decided to give life one more chance. The first night at ATC I went forward for the alter call and the Lord met me there. I was completely delivered and I am never going back”!!

 

I hope you are as fired up as I am right now by reading about these lives touched and changed forever by the power of the Gospel.

 

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  I remember when Eli was 6 months old and I was sitting on the futon in our cabin in Florida talking to Allison about how one day Eli would be 8 and he would be going off to camp. At the time, he was a little bundle wrapped in a tiny baby blanket with a big ol’ diaper attached to his bum. The years have gone by oh to quick and now he is 8 years old and the day is upon us. Tommorow Eli will embark on a new adventure as he goes off to Signs and Wonders Camp here in Kansas City. Signs and Wonders camp is where the future Forerunners of America go and get wrecked by Holy Spirit as well as do all the fun stuff  one does at camp like swim, fish, camp, hike, have water ballon fights, burp and fart all night long….ok well…you know how it is. Anyway…check out the conversation between this dad(who is super proud of his 8 year old God Chaser)and his son.

   I just came out of his room after “tucking him in” and this was our conversation…  Eli: “Dad, I am so excited I will never be able to get to sleep”. Me: “Just lay down and close your eyes, you will drift off eventually. Do you think you will get homesick at camp”?  Eli: “Hahahahaa…No way man! I am 8 Dad, I am to old to get homesick. Besides, it is a Christian camp, we will be doing God stuff the whole time, nothing bad will happen…. Dad, did you go to camp when you were a kid”?  Me: “Yeah, I did”. Eli: “Did you get homesick” Me: “Yeah”. Eli: “How old were you”? Me: “9″. Eli: ” WHAT??? You got homesick when you were 9??? What in the world are you talking about. That can’t be true. I am only 8 and I am never going to get homesick”. Me: “Well, if you do and you need to call me or Mom you can and we will come and get you”.  Eli: ” Daaaaad…I would never do that”.     Silence      “You know what Dad”? Me: “What”?  Eli: “I am really going to miss you and Mom”.  Me: ” We are going to miss you to Eli”.    “Good night Dad”  “Good night Eli”.

   Bring back any memories??

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   This was a good article I saw on Charisma’s website ( http://charismamag.com/ )  in the prayer category.  Thought you might enjoy it.

The Tabernacle of Davidby Mike Bickle 

I know much about boring, unanointed prayer through personal experience. But I believe I have found the secret to a vital prayer life. I came across this secret when I was studying the tabernacle of David (see Acts 15:16-17), the perfect model of a 24-hour-a-day prayer and worship ministry. King David assigned musicians and singers, whom he had trained in the prophetic spirit (see 1 Chr. 25:1-3), to worship God continuously before the ark.

In Moses’ time, the glory on the ark was hidden in the holy of holies behind a thick veil. But in David’s tent (tabernacle), there was no veil to keep the people from seeing the glory of God. It was unprecedented: David set the ark of the covenant in open view!  Instead of the thick veil Moses used, David made musicians and singers into a human veil around the ark. He organized 4,000 musicians and 288 singers to minister to God in shifts that rotated 24 hours a day (see 1 Chr. 6:31-33; 15:16-22; 23:4-6; 25:7). In fact, David released these worshipers from other duties so that they could make prayer and worship their full-time occupation (see 1 Chr. 9:33).

I believe God will fully restore the tabernacle of David–which is the very embodiment of intercessory worship before the beauty, holiness and glory of God–in the generation in which the Lord returns (see Acts 15:16-17). I believe it will be the means of releasing the fullness of salvation and revival for all the nations. Through this model of intercessory worship, the Great Commission will be fulfilled so that every tribe, tongue and nation will be present on the last day (see Rev. 5:9; 7: 9-10; 14:6; 15:4; Matt. 24:14).

God has already begun His work of restoration. In May 1983, our church hosted a citywide effort that involved 21 days of prayer and fasting for revival. In the midst of our intercession, the Lord spoke to us in a dramatic way. He told us that one day He would establish among us a 24-hour-a-day prayer ministry in the spirit of the tabernacle of David.

At the time, we were not at all sure what God meant. But 16 years later we took a giant step in our journey to see this long-term vision fulfilled. Last year, I resigned as the senior pastor of Metro Christian Fellowship in

Kansas City, Missouri, in order to give myself full time to a citywide prayer ministry.

On May 7, 1999, we signed a lease on a 200-seat prayer building about one mile from our church. We began with 13 hours a day of intercession, led by worship teams. Then on Sept. 19 we began to worship and pray 24 hours a day.

We are clearly in the embryonic stages of development. The pattern we have established thus far is that we sing and pray the New Testament apostolic prayers, the hymns of Revelation, the Song of Solomon and the Psalms in a corporate, antiphonal way. We do this in the form of 84 prayer meetings a week, each one lasting two hours and folding seamlessly into the next. Each two-hour segment is led by a worship team. We also engage in spiritual warfare for revival in the cities of the earth.

We have raised several hundred thousand dollars toward an annual budget to supplement some of the singers and pay for the building. We believe it is essential for a core of musicians and singers to be involved full time and to receive financial support (as commanded by God through King David in 1 Chronicles). This frees them to go deeper in God and learn to flow in the Spirit as a team. The benefits these worshipers provide the church are well worth what it costs to release them for full-time service.

Perhaps God is calling you to be a part of His end-time purposes to restore 24-hour-a-day worship and intercession to the church. If so, I encourage you to press in to Him and follow His direction for establishing a local “prayer furnace.” Jesus is not coming back to a prayerless people but to a bride who is on fire with passion for Him.

In David’s tabernacle there was no veil to keep the people from seeing the glory of God. 

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 I read this on my friend Julia Palermo’s blog( www.juliapalermo.wordpress.com ) and had to paste it here and give her some props for the below statement.

 ”More and more the Lord confirms to me that the only safe place is the place of prayer; the only effective place is the place of voluntary weakness (i.e. fasting); the only dynamic place of change is the place of discipline and obedience; the only way to radical holiness is by encountering the Lord’s utter joy and delight in us; and the only way to love the Lord and His creation well is to experience His jealous love toward us”.

Though in a place like IHOP-KC it should be given(ahem’) that we all would walk in such a mindframe, but I find it increasingly hard to maintain this  mandate. So, for what it’s worth, I am spurred on to accomplish the task at hand. In the words of Moses: ” You will find Him when you seek Him, when you seek Him with all your heart” .

   Thank you Julia for reminding me of what I am doing.  

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june2008.doc

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http://lindahargrove-godblog.blogspot.com/

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Awhile back my father in-law, Buzz, had a dream where the Lord told him “If the Church does not cry out over the issue of abortion, the rocks will”. Buzz told me(in all his scientific-ness)that he thought the rocks crying out means tectonic plates shifting, which means EARTHQUAKES!! Not long after this there was an earthquake in Illinois. For the record, Planned Parenthood had just opened a huge abortion clinic in Aurora, Il. Then another in China, which has a dark history with abortion. So, when I recieved an email with the below dream attached from John Kilpartick, I was pretty shaken up to say the least. Read below:

Sunday, April 27, 2008 - Vision

“As I was approaching the Daphne Civic Center for Sunday morning service at Church of His Presence, I had a vision which lasted for about two or three seconds.  In this vision, I saw the ground buckling before me.  It was so real that I actually moved aside to avoid what I was seeing.  I knew immediately that it was an earthquake, and the thought crossed my mind that the damages of this earthquake could have the potential to exceed those of Hurricane Katrina of 2005.  Please understand that I am not saying that the Lord told me this.  It merely crossed my mind.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008 - Dream

I awoke trembling and shaking at 5:00 in the morning after having a startling dream.  This was one of the three most profound dreams that I have ever had during the ministry the LORD has called me to.  I feel that this dream is an addendum to the vision I had on April 27, 2008.

In this dream I saw the words wind and water.  I only saw the words but did not actually see any wind or water damage.  I then found myself overlooking a river which instantly became so wide that I could no longer see either of its banks.  The dream then shifted, and I was with one of my parishioners running through what appeared to be an old abandoned school house.  This empty building began to shake.  The shaking was so violent and severe that it was like the bucking of a wild horse tossing us around.  My teeth were clapping so hard from the impact that I tried to clinch them to prevent this from happening.  In this dream I knew I was experiencing a massive earthquake.  The sounds were so catastrophic that the thought crossed my mind that the devastation could likely exceed Hurricane Katrina of 2005.   I did not see the devastation behind me; I only heard it.  In all of my life I have never heard such catastrophic sounds.  These were the scariest sounds I have ever heard.  The dream then shifted once more and concluded with two names on what appeared to be an old Spanish map.  One name read Indianola and the other Europa.  When I awoke, I was shaking as if I had chills and fever.  I could not stop trembling.  All through the day I felt as if I had just had the dream 10 minutes ago. 

This dream so shook me that my wife and I immediately went to the internet to do some research.  I also contacted some close friends in the ministry and reliable intercessors concerning this dream.  What we found was startling.  There are towns called Indianola, IL, Europa, MO, and Indianola, MS.  These towns run in a line from North to South with Europa, MO being near the middle of them.  The Mississippi River runs between them with Europa, MO being by the epicenter of the New Madrid fault.  After seeing this, I believe the dream could be concerning a devastating earthquake on the New Madrid fault.  Many reputable friends in ministry have felt that this dream was not to be interpreted as a spiritual dream because they felt that it has literal implications.  Even now, two days later the intensity of this dream is the same.

I do not want to come across as an alarmist concerning what I saw.  I also don’t want to put fear in the public or the Body of Christ.  However, I cannot help but feel that God gave me this as warning to prepare us for the days ahead and to pray concerning this matter.  Please know that I did not see any time frame as to when this may happen.  Please pray with me concerning this vision and dream.”  www.johnkilpatrick.org

 Not that his dream was related to abortion, but it seemed pretty crazy that Buzz had a dream about it happening and it happened, then Kilpatrick had a dream about it happening and it happened. Hmmmmm…

samuel

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Hey, I thought you might enjoy this little bible study on the legitimacy of Houses of Prayer and raising money to fund one and the people there-in.  I find it interesting that King David found it worth his time and money to pay musicians and singers, in fact, it was on the top of his agenda. And it is on the top of God’s agenda today.

A Biblical basis for House of Prayer

A brief look at a few scriptures (there are many) on the House of Prayer and day and night prayer

The heart cry of the House of Prayer.
Psalm 27:4 One thing I ask of the Lord this is what I seek, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.

We want to establish the House of Prayer in the spirit of the Tabernacle of David. Our desire is to build the house of the Lord, where people young and old, can come and minister before the Lord night and day, gaze upon his beauty, encounter Jesus, meditate on scripture and pray and worship 24/7.

We want to partner with heaven, as King Jesus establishes his kingdom across the earth, and pray and intercede for the church, and the nations. That we, as the Body of Christ, would be rich in the knowledge of God, truly knowing the emotions of Gods heart, and have revelation and understanding as we watch and wait for the second coming of Jesus Christ!

The House of prayer loves the local church and Body of Christ, and is not an initiative to replace already existing forms of prayer or the church, but it is to stand and partner with the church, and pray for the church. We are just one part of the body, and our mandate from heaven is to intercede and pray for the fullness of God to be made manifest in the Body of Christ. We are called to be watchmen on the wall, to declare the day of the Lord is near, and to be messengers of the gospel in the earth.

New testament

Luke 2: 25-38
Simeon, was righteous and a devout man who lived in Jerusalem. He spent his time in the temple, in the place of waiting and watching for the Messiah to come to Israel. The Holy Spirit revealed to him that he would see the messiah before he died, and the Holy Spirit led him into the temple. Because he was in the place of waiting and watching, praying and seeking the Lord, revelation was given to him. Revelation about the first coming of Christ, and understanding of what was take place in Israel.

Anna was a widow who was in the place of prayer fasting for 60+ years. She never left the temple, but worshipped night and day, fasting and praying. She knew what was going on in the hour that she lived in, because she was in the place of prayer. She had clarity and wisdom and revelation. She was the first evangelist in the New Testament, for after she saw Jesus in the temple, she left and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Israel.

Matthew 21/Mark 11/Luke 20
Jesus comes into Jerusalem, and he goes to the temple, and his heart is overcome. He sees that the temple has been turned into a business. People are buying and selling, and with righteous anger, over turns the tables and rebukes the people, is it not written “My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations, but you are making it a den of robbers.”

Jesus addresses the people of Israel and said, you did not know the time of your visitation, because the house of prayer was a mess. Because you weren’t waiting and watching in prayer and worship, and you turned the House of the Lord into business, they had become distracted with other things, and they suffered big consequences. They did not recognize Jesus as the Messiah.

Acts 13- church at Antioch was a church of fasting and praying, and from that place, sent out messengers, endued with power from the Holy Spirit.

Old Testament

King David, established and financed 228 musicians and 4000 singers to minister to the Lord, day and night in the Tabernacle of David. He built the House of the Lord, and it impacted the whole nation of Israel.

In the days of old, Isaiah prophecied what was on the Lord’s heart,  “And foreigners who bind themselves to the Lord to serve him, to love the name of the Lord and to worship him, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it, and who hold fast to my covenant- these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar: FOR MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL NATIONS.” Isaiah 56:6-7

Day and night prayer

Jesus tells his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He shares about a persistent widow, who goes consistently and puts forth her plea for justice to a judge who cares not about God or men. Even though he doesn’t fear God or care about men, but because of her consistent cry for justice, he gave her justice. So Jesus says:

Luke 18: 6-8 “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man come, will he find faith on the earth?”

This has been on my heart lately as we persue Jesus in the House of Prayer. I want to say to the Lord “Zeal for Your house has consumed me” and mean it.

May you find Him today as you seek Him.

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April is almost over, can you believe it? The flowers are in bloom here in the mid-west and it seems that winter is finally past. I am so glad to because this Florida boy was feeling the effects of a long winter. Anyway, we hope you are doing well and the Lord is blessing you this spring.

    Our family has been invlolved in so much already this year and the Lord is really opening up some doors for us to minister His word in strategic places. So, i wanted to take the opportunity to write about my recent ministry trips. In mid-March I went to Alma, Arkansas with Corey Russell and a team of about 15 from IHOP where we ministered for 3 days at Crossroads Church. The Lord really moved in Alma and we saw the alter full each night as the prayer teams ministered. Many renewed their commitment to Jesus, were healed, delivered and touched by the power of God. The Lord is transforming this small Northwest Arkansas town and we have commited to take teams there every three months to strengthen and encourage the work that is going on in Alma, Arkansas.

   April 1st I flew to Crawfordville, Fl. to visit my home church River of Life and meet with the leadership of FireFall IHOP. Wednesday April 2nd I had the opportunity to minister at River of Life and again at the end of the service the alter was filled with people seeking a fresh touch from God. The FireFall Prayer Room is doing great as teams of musicians and singers have been crying out to God almost daily for over a year now. One local Pastor even said that one of the things attributing to the recent number of salvations in the community is the constant prayer going up from the Prayer Room. The atmosphere is changing and the Lord is truly building His House of Prayer in Wakulla County!  I left Wakulla on Friday(after a much needed fishing trip on Thursday with some guys from the local IHOP)and headed for The Call in Montgomery, Alabama. I have to say, this was the most intense Call I have been to. Local Churches and Government officials joined Lou Engle, Mike Bickle and The Call team for a day of fasting and prayer in Montgomery. Walls were torn down as Alabama took a mighty stand against abortion, racism and human trafficking. Black hands joined white hands and together cried out to God for a change in Alabama and America. Many people were saved and their faith renewed to run the race that has been set before us, and best of all the Lord was glorified in Montgomery, Alabama. Leaving Montgomery on Saturday night I went to Birmingham and rested up for Sunday morning. Sunday I met with the pastor of Warrior Assembly of God where I was speaking. Let me tell you, this church is hungry for God!  It was evident when at the conclusion of the service almost the entire church came forward for the alter call. Holy Spirit moved in Warrior AG that morning as people were touched by the power of God. It was awesome.  I had a great trip and cannot wait to be back in Warrior, AL on June 4th(Allison is preaching)and then onto Wakulla County again.

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My buddy Reagan Miura from Hawaii has been hounding me to find some  skateboarding pics of myself from the early days. So, for your very own viewing pleasure i have included them for you to “gawk” at. It is amazing how time passes, and in these photos i look like i am around 12 years old…indeed i was about 15-16. These pics were taken in downtown Birmingham, Alabama circa 1990-1995(give or take a few).  Enjoy!

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