Living by Faith

In Romans Chapter one Saint Paul quotes Habakkuk 2:4 stating that the just shall live by faith. The same verse is quoted in Paul’s letter to the Galatians and also in Hebrews. Assuming we are the justified ones, what does is mean to live by faith? What does it mean to have faith as a way of life?

The writer of Hebrews defines faith as “being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see”. The Greek word for “see” in Hebrews 11:1 is “blepo” and it means “to perceive by the senses”. So, a lifestyle of faith mean to live with a certainty that isn’t based upon what we can perceive naturally. Are you still with me? To live by faith means to live supernaturally.

We, the just were created to live by faith, by “pistis” in the Greek. Our life then is to be actions based upon a belief, sustain by confidence. I call that last sentence the abc’s of faith. Hmm… so how are you doing with that? Yeah, me neither.

Maybe it gotten too easy to rely upon the resources we have all around us to have to live by faith? Heck, I’ve got email and cell phones and computers and Wal-Mart’s just a few blocks away. How much faith do I really need to live by? In “A Man Called Blessed” Ted Dekker describes faith as jumping off a cliff, sounds about right to me. OK, now if I can just find a safe place to put my cell phone, palm pilot and laptop…

Well, I believe a day is close at hand when we will all be tested in this area. Maybe we should get into the practice of it now. I heard it said once, referring to 1 Cor. 3:12 – if all the hay word and stubble in our lives is going to be burned in the fire, why not just get rid of it all now… interesting thought. Employing that same logic, how about if we learn to live by faith now?

I once heard John Wimber say that living the Christian life was as easy and as difficult as this: “Listen & Obey” To the degree that I can listen to God and then obey what he says to do… to that degree I will be living by faith. Why don’t you practice doing that this week… listen and obey.

If you need help with the listening part check out Streams Ministries Institute for Spiritual Development 101 Course – “The Art of Hearing God”. It’s powerful class that has had a life changing impact upon me and my church. It's helped us build character and increased our ability to hear God when he speaks to us.

I leave you with one of my favorite John Wimber quotes:

"Faith is spelt RISK”

Copyright © Tom Zawacki 2006

Freedom & Friendship

In John 15:13 Jesus said
“Greater love has no man than this that he lay down his life for his friends.”

In the Message Eugene H. Peterson puts it this way:
This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends.

In Strong’s Concordance the Greek word used here is philos and it’s defined as:
“a friend, an associate or a companion”.

Strong’s goes on to add this:
“one of the bridegroom's friends who on his behalf asked the hand of the bride and rendered him various services in closing the marriage and celebrating the nuptials”.

This word is used 29 times in the New Testament and all 29 times it’s translated “friend”.

So, friend here is a close friend a trusted friend, someone who might be the best man at your wedding or at least a groomsman. Someone you want with you, standing beside you on one of the most important days of your life.

The New American Heritage Dictionary points out in it’s Word History that:
A friend is a lover, literally. The relationship between Latin amcus “friend” and amo “I love” is clear, as is the relationship between Greek philos “friend” and phileo “I love.”

So there is a clear historical connection between friendship and love.

Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines friends as:
One attached to another by affection or esteem, an acquaintance.

Here are some interesting quotes about friendship

"Truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and impossible to forget." G. Randolf
"A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out." Walter Winchell
"A true friend is someone who is there for you when they would rather be someplace else." Len Wein
"The road to a friend's house is never long." Danish proverb
A friend is one who knows us, but loves us anyway. Fr. Jerome Cummings
Who finds a faithful friend, finds a treasure. Jewish Saying
"The only way to have a friend is to be one." Ralph Waldo Emerson
What is a friend? A single soul dwelling in two bodies. Aristotle
The best way to destroy an enemy is to make him a friend. Abraham Lincoln
"Friendship multiplies the good of life and divides the evil." Baltasar Gracian (1647)
“The best mirror is an old friend." George Herbert
A friend hears the song in my heart and sings it to me when my memory fails. Anonymous
Plant a seed of friendship; reap a bouquet of happiness. Lois L. Kaufman
A friend loves at all times." Proverbs 17:17
"One loyal friend is worth ten thousand relatives." Euripides (408 B.C.)
My friend is he who will tell me my faults in private." Solomon Ibn Gabirol
"There can be no Friendship where there is no Freedom." William Penn
"A friend is a present you give yourself." Robert Louis Stevenson
An honest answer is the sign of true friendship. Proverbs 24:26
A single rose can be my garden, a single friend, my world. Leo Buscaglia
Only your real friends will tell you when your face is dirty. Sicilian Proverb
The language of friendship is not words but meanings. Henry David Thoreau
A true friend is one who overlooks your failures and tolerates your success! Doug Larson
Most people walk in and out of you life. But only friends leave footprints in your heart.
Friendship is the only cement that will ever hold the world together" Woodrow Wilson
"If you judge people, you have no time to love them." Mother Teresa
"No man is useless while he has a friend." Robert Louis Stevenson
"A true friend stabs you in the front." Oscar Wilde
Be slow in choosing a friend, slower in changing." Benjamin Franklin
"Promise you won't forget me, because if I thought you would, I'd never leave." Winnie the Pooh
There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship Saint Thomas Aquinas
Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down. Oprah Winfrey
Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: "What! You, too? Thought I was the only one." C.S. Lewis

Tonight I was fortunate enough to spend the evening with some of my closest friends. These are the people I could call in the middle of the night and tell them I need help and they would be there as fast as humanly possible. Not until they arrived would they ask what the need was.

These are the people who would take a bullet for me and I would take one for them

These are the people I want to be with when I’m at my best or my worst – they’ll tell me the truth either way

These are the people I laugh with and the people I cry with.

These are the people who have seen all my strength’s and all my weakness and love me any way

These are the people I can be real with and they can be genuine with me.

These people are my friends and I’m free to be me with them.

These are my friends: Rich & Lynda ~ Duane & Dawn and I would lay down my life for them!

I’ve never felt so free!

Copyright © Tom Zawacki 2006

Prophetic Sound-Bits

(I just received this from Paul Keith Davis in his WhiteDove Ministries April 2006 E-Newsletter. It seemed like a timely word and I wanted to share it with you. Bob is one of the most anointed men I’ve ever met and Paul Keith walks in very high levels of integrity and prophetic wisdom. Please take these words to heart.)

Prophetic Sound-Bits
By Bob Jones & Paul Keith Davis

Bob Jones called this week and felt a special emphasis from the Lord on certain aspects of the 2006 Shepherd's Rod that he felt we needed to reiterate. It was with much enthusiasm that Bob shared how many of these directives have already generated fruit both spiritually and naturally. The Lord is doing a quick work! Things are being escalated in order to align us with God's purpose. We trust you will also be encouraged and activated from this emphasis.

From Shepherd's Rod 2006
Part 1 – Part 2

Nashville will continue to be a focal point and a strategic city. There is a special grace being extended for songwriters and musicians to capture spiritual truth and convey it.

This will result from the same stream of creativity that is coming to the Church in the form of worship. Nevertheless, this form of music will have positive and beneficial messages sent in the Nashville arena.

Sing a New Song

The Church should look forward to mightily anointed songs that have never been heard on earth to emerge from the worshipers. The treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden in Christ are accessible to be released through psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.

This will be revelatory truth that eye has not yet seen nor ear heard. These new sounds have not yet entered into the heart of man. Nevertheless, the Spirit of Christ is searching the depths of His heart to bring these realities into this present day.

When this occurs there will be a spirit of deliverance that accompanies the new sound. Many people will be set free from addictions, oppressions and infirmity simply by apprehending God's heart in this atmosphere of God's anointing that will be created by this fresh deposit of worship. They will be songs of deliverance.

And they sang the song of Moses, the bond servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, "Great and marvelous are Your works, O Lord God, the Almighty; Righteous and true are Your ways, King of the nations! Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy; for ALL THE NATIONS WILL COME AND WORSHIP BEFORE YOU, FOR YOUR RIGHTEOUS ACTS HAVE BEEN REVEALED — Revelations 15:3-4

This new sound will not only remember the works of Christ; it will produce them.

Hidden Warriors

Many of the ones who are called to play a key role in this responsibility are not even known on earth; but they are known in heaven. These spiritual warriors have received the imputed righteousness of God and carry His influence.

They have captured the attention of Heaven and it is now time to arise, like Moses from the wilderness, and exercise their delegated authority.

For a season, David was hidden in the cave of Adullam. When the time was appropriate, he and his mighty band emerged in strength to execute the commission of God. So shall it be with this company.

Although the call is for the entirety of the Church, those that will be used most notably in this battle will be many who are yet unknown in a public forum; but they are well-known before the Throne of Grace. Their reward will be great, once victory is achieved.

The heart of this message is for God's people to adhere to His standard of righteousness. Purity and maturity will prepare us to carry great mantels of authority needed for this commissioning.

A primary part of our mandate for this season is intercession for our nation and Israel. A deposit of anointing and authority is being allocated for those who will apprehend it.

Although we are focused on the prophetic promises for the future, much will be determined by our willingness to embrace this present responsibility. Winning this battle will lay a platform for the achievement of many prophetic promises granted to us as a corporate body and as individuals.

Angels on Assignment

More than 25 years ago I began reading a book about the life of Roland Buck. The name of the book was “Angels on Assignment”. I recall being completely fascinated by Buck’s supernatural encounters, thinking how “cool” it would be if I could have those same experiences. At the time I was a young and very impressionable 16 year old Christian.

While attending our weekly prayer meetings in the basement of Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Brooklyn, NY a well meaning older believer saw me carrying a copy of “Angel’s on Assignment” along with my Good News Bible. The man, whose name I no longer remember, cautioned me in a very stern manner against reading this book. That it was filled with lies and deception. Not knowing any better I put the book aside and along with it my desire for the supernatural.

It took over 20 years for that desire to be restored. As you have read from previous posts God has been doing some amazing things in my life and I am eternally grateful, however, I can’t help but wonder what might have been or what I may have missed over that quarter of a century?

I never threw away that copy of Angel’s on Assignment. I’ve held on to it all these years and can see it on my bookshelf from here. This book was the spark that lit a fire within me and I want to share it with you. The book is available free online, you can read it online or download it and print yourself a copy. Roland’s daughter Sharon White has even written a sequel “The Man Who Talked with Angels” and you can read it online for free as well.

May this book spark your passion for God as it did mine…

Copyright © Tom Zawacki 2006

11/11 Angels of Destiny

I find myself flying throughout the universe within the very heart of God. Galaxies, star clusters, planets, sights, colors and sounds zoom past me. At one point I see multiple planets where various categories of angels or more accurately heavenly beings dwell. These angelic type beings are very large and white, pure white, like marble statues. Just looking at them I’m suddenly filled with the knowledge that these heavenly beings carry the purposes of God and the destinies of men and women. They are eager and ready to be sent. Some are very old carrying the destinies and inheritances of generations.

I knew that some had been sent but the people who initially received them wearied of the responsibility and laid them down. Others belonged to those who had served faithfully and finished their work. They were now waiting for their next assignment. Some had never yet been assigned - some because it was not yet time and others because no one had ever asked for them.

11 Heavenly Beings
Floating above these planets, looking upon these majestic beings I knew that some of them belonged to me, I was their assignment. So with a boldness and freedom that this amazing atmosphere affords I asked the Lord to give me what was mine. Instantly three heavenly beings where launched forth and entered my heart like streaks of brilliant white light. Maybe it was because there were so many waiting to be assigned or maybe it was because I felt so completely safe and secure, I’m not sure but I asked for more, “Lord give me more, a double portion” and five additional beings where launched. Just like their brothers, like brilliant rockets, they too entered my heart. My body reacted to their entry, almost like being shot but without the blood or pain. A third time I asked the Lord for yet more and three final beings where dispatched. Eleven heavenly beings in all carrying the purposes of God and the destinies of men and women… dispatched… assigned… to me.

Military Dress
As I stood there, floating actually an angelic being flew up to me and placed golden epaulets on each of my shoulders, the type worn by naval captains. Next a second angelic being approached and placed a purple sash across my chest from my right shoulder to my left hip. A final being approached and placed a white naval hat upon my head. It had a black, shiny black brim on it reminiscent of the type of hat a naval officer would wear. It’s now that I remember that today is Veterans Day

GO!
As I look around I can see planets and stars and comets, the heart of God is alive with activity. I feel a great rumbling; all of creation seems to be shaking. Suddenly I hear the voice of God command GO! I find myself launched from the mouth of God and heading toward the Earth like a missile. I’m brilliant with sparkles of light and color trailing behind. I see myself impact the Pacific Northwest of the United States with great power. Three things happen simultaneously upon impact. First I see a ripple in time and space spreading out from the point of impact in Southeastern Washington State through the entire Northwest. Next I watch a trail of light looking very much like the original, jump from Kennewick, Washington to South Central Japan, landing in the Kobe / Osaka region. Finally, the light I bring, like fire from the heart of God ignites the fuses of many other people, some from my church and others from the region. I see many others launched like fireworks or missiles from Kennewick throughout the world. I saw people sent to Russia, Mexico, China, Japan, Africa, Australia, Eastern Europe the UK and other countries.

It’s the Father’s love and it’s, from the very heart of God. It set captives free and launches them into their destinies. I know that this is the light and the fire I have carried back with me.

Back On My Face
At this I… recover and find myself still on my face in the center of my little Montana log cabin. I get up and quickly record this amazing encounter in the pages of my journal. It took me days to recover emotionally. Just the though of these events brought me to tears. Many days later I was able to share it with my wife and daughter, later some close friends and then the church. What does it all mean? Well, I discovering a little more each day. Understanding is coming but I don’t know, not completely and for now I’m comfortable with that, I trust God. His love for me is overwhelming, it’s comforting. I feel safe and secure. He knows what he’s doing and he will bring it all to pass.

This is the end of my 11/11 experience but God isn’t finished, there’s more. On January 10, 2006 I had another very powerful supernatural experience, actually two. I’ll write more about them in the near future.

Copyright © Tom Zawacki 2006

11/11: Swallowed by God

I offer you the details of this experience as honestly as possible. I don’t pretend to comprehend it’s fullness nor do I feel the need to defend it. Rather, I’m simply telling my story. These events took place just as I’m about to share me.

The Sword
As I lay prostrate on the cabin floor in the presence of the Lord, I am suddenly taken into the Spirit. I see the Lord standing before me; I’m facing him on my knees. The Lord takes a sword, raises it above his head and says “I consecrate you and set you apart for myself”. As the Lord says this he takes his sword and passes it down through the center of my being. Through the top of my head then down through my heart, my gut and finally through my groin. Oddly, I wasn’t spit in two, the sword simply passed through me. As it did, I knew it had profoundly impacted my mind, my passion, my courage and my intimacy.

The Breath of God
Next the Lord put a sword in each of my hands, he placed his thumbs in my eyes and his mouth over my mouth… he actually breathes into me. At this point I am undone. My entire being goes numb. It was as if my circuit breaker popped. I was completely overwhelmed by the breath of God and lost consciences. I’m not sure how long it took me to recover, but when I did I was even more amazed.

Swallowed by God
I open my eyes and see the mouth of God. It’s open wide and overtaking me, He consumes me. I’m swallowed by God and I descend into, not his digestive system but his heart. In this place I experience the most exhilarating freedom of my life! Complete, uninhibited limitless freedom, I feel safe, totally secure and loved like I have never been loved before. Within the heart of God I spin, I twirl, I dance and I fly with inexpressible joy.

Flying
In this place I knew that the entire universe easily fit within the heart of God. I could see the universe from end to end and there was still room to spare on either side. I was flying through galaxies, star cluster and the far reaches of the universe. The colors were amazing, especially the reds, blues and brilliant bright whites. Light and sound were all around me, everything was alive! It was strangely peaceful yet exhilarating both at the same time. What could possibly happen next?

To Be Continued…

Tomorrow: Angels of Destiny

Copyright © Tom Zawacki 2006

11/11 Continued

A Call
After that late night encounter with the presence of the Lord I slept very well. I was awakened at 6:49 AM to the sounds of the cabin door opening and someone calling my name out loud “Tom”! I sat up, looked around the small cabin, saw that the front door remained locked and laid back down to sleep.

A Dream
I awoke for good at 8:04 remembering a dream. In my dream I’m reading through teacher evaluation forms. In the natural I’m an instructor for Streams Ministries Institute for Spiritual Development. At the end of each course we ask the students to fill out an evaluation form giving us feed back on the class and the teachers. They’re scored numerically. In my dream I’m reading my evaluation forms. Repeatedly the comments were “He spoke with authority, he spoke with authority, he spoke with authority…” However, the score I received was only 5.1, an unusually low score. The score 5.1 reminded me of an earlier experience in the Spirit the Lord used to communicate Romans 5:1-2.

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand”.

For years I have been asking the Lord for more, more of Him, more of a supernatural life in the Spirit. With this dream the Lord was saying yes, reminding me that he has provided me access into the spiritual realm.

The Kalispell 101 Class
At the same time I’m in Whitefish for this wedding, members from my church were helping to lead a Streams 101 class in Kalispell, Montana, just 15 minutes away. It struck me as curious that at exactly 11:11 AM on 11/11 I was sitting in a very nice church building listing to my close friends teach the Streams 101 class - “The Art of Hearing God”.

I returned to my cabin after lunch, I had few hours to myself before the ceremony. I returned to the same kitchenette table as the previous night, I removed my socks and shoes and began to study the word. Remaining barefoot was an act of submission and humility. It was a physical reminder of my encounter with the Lord the previous night and that this was a holy ground.

Logos
I meditated on scripture verses from the prophet Isaiah. These verses have had personal significance to me over the last few years, verses such as: Isaiah 61:1-7, Isaiah 11:2-3 and Isaiah 11:11. I also took time to study what I call the great number two’s of the bible, those who had served others faithfully and graduated to a position of leadership, for example; Joshua to Moses, Elisha to Elijah, Peter to Jesus & Timothy to Paul, this study included their commissioning.

Joshua’s Commission: Joshua 1:1-9, 5:13-15
Elisha’s Commission: 2 Kings 2:1-18
Peter’s Commission: John 21:15-19
Timothy’s Commission: 2 Timothy 4:1-5
Isaiah’s Commission: Isaiah 6:1-13

At this point I could once again feel the presence of the Lord in the room. Like the night before I sensed the Lord’s presence behind me and to the left. This time I decided to get on my face. I laid down in the middle of the room, in the exact spot I sensed God’s presence. That’s when things really got interesting!

To Be Continued…

Tomorrow: Swallowed by God!

Copyright © Tom Zawacki 2006

11: A Time of Transition and a New Move of God

Doug Addison is a good friend who has had a significant impact on my life and the life of my church. About two years ago Doug wrote a great article concerning the number 11. It’s a “timely” read which underscore the importance of my own 11/11 experience. I hope it encourages and inspires you as much as it did me!

For more info on Doug or his ministry InLight Connection click here or here.

11: A Time of Transition and a New Move of God

Written by Doug Addison
Saturday, 08 May 2004

Have you noticed the number 11 coming up a lot lately?

Have you noticed the increased frequency of the number 11 popping out at you? ...On your clocks, in your dreams, in your everyday life? Have you recently awoken at 1:11 or looked at the clock and noticed 11:11? I believe that God is telling us to get ready for some major transition coming to the church and the world. I have felt this in my spirit for some time now and as I have traveled and talked with other leaders, many are also sensing the same thing.

11 is the number of revelation and transition. I have been researching revival and moves of God from the past. I noticed that since Israel became a nation in 1948, a move of God's power would come every 11 years or so. You can follow this 11 year cycle back to 1906 Azusa Street Revival as well.

In 1950, there was an incredible Healing Movement in which God anointed great healing evangelists like William Branham, AA Allen, Oral Roberts and many others. They actually would empty out hospitals and bring the sick to their tent meeting, and people were miraculously healed.

11 years later around 1961, the Charismatic Renewal movement kicked into high gear. Previously only Pentecostals sought the fullness of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. During this move of God, Methodists, Catholics, Presbyterians, and many other denominational Christians began getting filled with the Spirit.

11 years later in 1972, God answered the prayers of many people and sent the last known revival in America; The Jesus People movement. Hippies began to get saved and pour into churches everywhere. Unfortunately, many Christians did not recognize this as being from God and rejected this move. The hippies forever changed the way we experience church services by influencing the music and the casual dress (Thank you Jesus!)

11 years after that in 1983, John Wimber and Peter Wagner came together and began teaching a course at Fuller Seminary on Signs and Wonders of God for today (Course MC510). They introduced the idea that the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the power of God was not just for a few anointed leaders, but for every Christian who wanted them. This was known as the 3rd Wave Charismatic Movement and started many new charismatic churches such as the Vineyard Christian Fellowship

Add 11 years and we come to 1994, which was a great move of God called the Toronto Blessing. The Holy Spirit began to touch people with laughter and power. Paul Cain had prophesied this to the Vineyard years before that God was going to visit the Vineyard again when John and Carol (Wimber) are not. Most people did not understand that this prophesy was about John and Carol Arnott of the Toronto Airport Church. Millions of people from all over the planet have visited this church and their lives have been changed.

If we add 11 more years, we come to 2005. I believe the next move of God coming will be an evangelistic harvest. God will begin drawing the most strange and unusual people to Himself. And I would expect that just as in the moves of God in the past, many Christians will reject this move because it will be messy. People will come into the church who will need to be cleaned up. Tattooed, pierced, new age, gay, you name it, the radical outcasts are about to come to God!

I shared this with Larry Randolph and he had been teaching that 2005 was the year that will parallel the 11th son of Jacob: Joseph. God spoke to Larry that a Joseph anointing will pour out next year and bring with it marketplace and dream evangelism.

This is an exciting time to be alive! We need to prepare for this next move of God? Which I will write more on later...

Doug and his wife, Linda, are founders of InLight Connection located in Moravian Falls, North Carolina. Doug teaches courses on hearing God, dreams and visions, and the supernatural. Doug has been a pastor, church planter, and was the former National Dream Team Coordinator with John Paul Jackson's Streams Ministries International. He now trains and leads Dream Teams and Prophetic/Power Evangelism outreaches throughout the United States and around the world.

Psycho Geometrics

(ok, ok, ok, I will get back to the 11/11 experience, I promise…)

When it comes to staffing ministry, one of my personal philosophies is to put the square pegs in the square holes and the round pegs in the round holes. Put people in the place that fits them. Better yet, find out who they are what they’re gifted or called to do and then make room for them. In other words, create the square hole for the square peg.

While driving around today I began to extrapolate upon this philosophy and consider how it might apply to our interpersonal relationships. Imagine for example that we are like the Tupperware “Shape-O-Toy” pictured above. We have holes in us that were designed to be filled by others. We have God shaped holes and spouse shaped holes and children shaped holes. We have holes in the shape of a best friend, mentor, protégé or pastor.

The healthy relationships in our lives are represented by fitting the right shapes in the right holes. Unhealthy relationships, on the other hand, are identified when we try to jam a shape into a hole it was never designed to fit.

Maybe you’re thinking to yourself hey, nothing seems to fit! Could it be that our holes have become misshapen? Some of us have experienced repeated abuse or dysfunction. So much so that anything and everything seems to fall through, both in and out. Is it any wonder we have trouble sustaining a relationship. Maybe you’ve tried to use a shape as a “one size fits all” and expect for example, a spouse to meet all of your relational needs, when what you really need is a friend. Or maybe you’re like me and you’ve discovered that sometimes you’ve tried to have people fill the relational needs in your life that only God was meant to fill.

Ok, so follow this…

Psalm 139:14 says that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made”.
Psalm 8:3 says that all of creation was “set in place” by God.
And Jeremiah 29:11 says that God has a plan for each of us.

It sounds like God knows what shape we are and where we were designed to fit. It also sounds like He knows what our holes are and what we need to fill them.

Lord, shape us with your hands. Put the right pieces in the right places. Take the square pegs out of our round holes. Repair or replace the broken pieces. Oh God, make us whole. Amen

Copyright © Tom Zawacki 2006

(Psycho-Geometrics is a method using geometric shapes to define personality types, for more info click here or here)

On the Lighter Side...

(I’ll continue the 11/11 encounter tomorrow)

Just for the fun of it check out these unusual websites… enjoy!

Sites Unseen this has to be the largest collection of unusual Christian websites I’ve never seen. I found most the sites below on this one. Proceed with caution this site will eat up hours of your life if you let it!

PostSecret confession is good for the soul, a 21st century confessional, ok this isn’t so light but it is unique. (discretion advised)

Sacred Ink to tattoo or not tattoo that is the question… they said yes. (hey Na, hint, hint)

Prayer House Art let the page load, very cool art work, I love the colors

Church Sign Generator now this could be fun… send me your best signs ideas

Do-It-Yourself Impressive Theological Constructs this one made me laugh out loud!

The Optus Tennis Challenge ok, this has nothing at all to do with Christianity but it is a simple, fun and crazy hard game.

Church of Fools a virtual 3D online church building… why, I have no idea?

Copyright © Tom Zawacki 2006

Eleven Eleven Everywhere

Sometimes it’s the little things that get your attention, the usual and natural things that are suddenly revealed as unusual and supernatural. So it was with this wedding.

I’d been given a prophetic word from an extremely credible source that something good is going to happen to me on 11/11, November 11th, 2005. Instead of sequestering myself in the nearest prayer closet I kept my commitment to officiate a wedding 7 hours away, for dear friends in Whitefish, Montana. The groom’s mother, (fully aware of the 11/11 word I‘d received) asked me if I had noticed that there were 22 people at this wedding, 11 from the groom’s side and 11 from the bride’s side. There were 11 men and 11 women. To top it off both the bride and groom had traveled extensively as missionaries for YWAM, and yes, he had been to 11 countries and she had been to 11 countries as well! Every doubt I had, questioning if I was indeed in the right placed was completely washed away. I was surrounded by elevens! I was absolutely in the right place at the right time. I had a divine appointment with God.

Interestingly my experience with the Lord began at sundown on the 10th. Here’s an excerpt from my personal journal:

11/10/05 - 10:15 PM
“I can feel the presence of God. The room seems to be alive with the activity of heaven. I feel as if I’m not alone. I feel a mixture of excitement and fear. 11/11 is less than 2 hours away… Something has changed in the Spirit - an intensity – an anticipation, I feel it even now”.

I brought only two books with me, my journal and my bible. The only other reading material I had was the November, 2005 E-Newsletter from WhiteDove Ministries. Paul Keith and Wanda Davis had ministered here in the Tri-Cities many times in the past few years. Through hosting these events we have become friends. I have great respect for Paul Keith and I eagerly look forward to their newsletter each month. It had arrived the night before I hit the road for Montana, so I printed out a copy and threw it in my bag.

Paul Keith had written a wonderful article titled: “As I Was With Moses”. Not only was the article well written but it carried an anointing on it. I read and reread the article. It spoke of Joshua’s commissioning. This led me into the word, for the next hour I studied Joshua 1:1-9 and Joshua 5:13-15. Verses 14- 15 impacted me powerfully:

“Neither," he replied, "but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come." Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, "What message does my Lord have for his servant?" The commander of the Lord's army replied, "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy." And Joshua did so.”

Another Journal excerpt:
“As I read verse 15 I realized that I was barefoot (I’m almost never barefoot) and a holy terror over took me, I was afraid to open my eyes”

The Presence of the Lord had fallen so heavily on the room that all I could do was hide my face in my hands, cry and shake. The fear of the Lord had hit me. I stayed in that posture for a long time. I was sitting at a small kitchenette table alone in my cabin. I could sense the powerful presence of the Lord just behind me and to my left. At some point I final gathered up enough courage to peek over my left shoulder. I was both disappointed and relieved to see that no one was in the room with me. However, there remained a powerful sense of God’s presence right in the section of the room. I went to bed just before midnight expecting to meet with the Lord on that very same spot the next day.

To Be Continued…

Copyright © Tom Zawacki 2006

A Fractal Art Gallery by Ken Keller
Curl 11 by Ken Keller

11/11

One of the main purposes for writing this blog was to have a forum for recording my supernatural experiences. I’ve already chronicled my Baseball Vision (3/29 post); today I will begin recording my 11/11 experience.

This supernatural encounter actually began on October 22, 2005. I had just spent the week in Bartlett, NH attending a Streams Ministries Teacher Training course with my wife and four members of our church. As I was leaving the hotel I saw Aaron Evans. Aaron is a wonderfully gifted man who serves as Vice President of Streams. As I walked over to say my goodbyes, Aaron looked at me and said “Eleven eleven, yep November 11th something good is going to happen, you call me on the 12th”. The spiritual weight on his words impacted me significantly. I thanked him, said goodbye and promptly recorded his words in my journal.

It’s interesting; over the previous few weeks I had been noticing 11’s and especially 11:11, on digital clocks, timers, speedometers and TV channels. It seemed like anything that could have an eleven on it did. I recall thinking to myself that God was trying to tell me something but I was unsure what it was. I’d looked up various 11:11 scripture verses but nothing seemed to hit me. Aaron’s words however, did. It wasn’t a scripture verse but a date the Lord was communicating to me.

My first thought was to clear my calendar for November 11th and spend the day in worship and prayer. However, when I checked my palm pilot I remembered that I was committed to officiate a wedding in Whitefish, Montana for that date. I had spent weeks working with the young couple, the groom’s parents are close friends, leaders in the church and the wedding was just 17 days away. I couldn’t bail out on them at the last minute. If something good was going to happen to me on November 11th, it would have to happen while I was in Whitefish.

The bride and groom had planned a simple affair with family and a few close friends in a beautiful Montana log cabin lodge. The plan was to drive over on the 9th and head back on the 12th. For that reason the family graciously provided me with a private cabin. Any doubts I had about officiating the wedding were soon to be profoundly washed away.

To Be Continued…

Copyright © Tom Zawacki 2006

Ted Dekker

Short blog today, I saw an orthopedist for a hand condition called “trigger finger” and he gave me a couple surprisingly painful cortisone shots in my right hand. My hand is tender and a little swollen so, typing isn’t fun at the moment.

This spiritual journey I’ve been on has caused me to explore freedom, passion and creativity in new and different ways. One creative outlet I have thoroughly enjoyed has been reading the work of Ted Dekker. He’s a Christian Author who enjoys going out side the box. His Circle Trilogy: “Black”, “Red” & “White” was awesome. It spoke to my heart powerfully about the Bridegroom’s passionate love for the bride. I’ve also enjoyed “Three” which is being made into a movie. “Blessed Child” has been my favorite so far, narrowly beating out the Circle Trilogy. The purity of the main character Caleb and his ability to walk in the Spirit provoked me to jealousy (in a good way). …And I’m about 75 pages away from finishing “A Man Called Blessed”. I plan to read everything he’s written

Do yourself a favor and check out his website. Do yourself a bigger favor, get hold of anything Dekker has written and read it! You too will be blessed.

Copyright © Tom Zawacki 2006

“In essence, my books boil down to God's pursuit of man, and man's pursuit of God. My protagonists are rarely Christians, but rather people thrust into extraordinary situations that ultimately lead them to God. Fiction allows me to put flesh on dogma and make this pursuit real”.
Ted Dekker

**UPDATE** Check out these “TED ESSAYS” He’s speaking my language!

Outside the Box; Inside the Circle

Peering Into the American Church

Observations on the Bubble

The Preacher & The Eggs

Do you suffer from PBC? I’ll get back to that in a second, first a quick joke.

The Preacher & The Eggs

There's this preacher and one day he's running around the house looking for his tie. While looking in closet he found this shoe box, opening it up he found 3 eggs and $100 in cash.

He turned to his wife and asked what it was. She replied, "Well I didn't tell you because I didn't want to hurt your feelings."

The preacher said, "Well, what is it and why would it hurt my feelings?"

She replied, "I've been keeping this box for 25 years, since we got married. Every time you've preached a bad sermon I've put one egg in this box."

The preacher thought, well that's not too bad, 3 bad sermons in 25 years. Then he asked, "Well, what's the $100 for?"

His wife replied, "Every time I got a dozen eggs, I sold them to the neighbors for $1"


I’m not sure if my wife has a similar shoe box in our closet however, if she did, there would have been an additional egg in it this afternoon. Over the past 20 years I’ve preached hundreds, maybe thousands of sermons, today wasn’t one of the better ones.

As expected the church was full for Easter, I have wonderful people. Worship was awesome, as usual. I had prepared well, I liked what I had planned to say but, I just couldn’t get there. There seemed to be a disconnect somewhere between my heart, my head and my mouth. I don’t know, maybe there was a disturbance in the force? My people love me and are willing to extend me lots of grace, for that I am thankful.

As a younger man, still a novice at leading Sunday morning worship, I would play the wrong guitar chord or sing the wrong note and it would ruin my whole day. Heck it would ruin part of Monday as well. Twenty years later I’ve mellowed a bit and learned a few things.

Although I strive for excellence in serving the Lord and my desire is to offer my people fresh spiritual bread, sometimes I’m just going to miss it. Scripture says that His mercies are new every morning. That comforts me; every day is a new beginning.

I’ve also learned a few things about grace. Grace is the antidote for PBC, Performance Based Christianity. What does that mean? That means I get to be real, I get to be genuine, I get to be honest. It means I don’t have to be perfect, I don’t have to always look good and neither do my people. Now that’s freedom!

Paul wrote to the church in Rome:

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

I think it’s theologically sound to find room in those verses for a lousy sermon.

To all my people, thanks for loving me and pray for fresh bread.

Copyright © Tom Zawacki 2006

Resurrection Hope

There is so much that has been said and that can be said about Christ’s resurrection from the dead. It is the cornerstone of our faith. Personally, Christ’s resurrection gives me hope. From a natural perspective all seemed lost on Good Friday. It was a crushing day for Mary, Peter, John and the rest of the disciple. In their place I would have felt emotionally devastated, defeated, confused and desperate. However, by Sunday morning everything changed, everything.

What looked like the end… was the beginning.
What looked like losing… was winning.
What looked like defeat… was victory.
What looked like death… was life.

As a follower of Christ, the power of the resurrection is still at work in me. This infuses me with hope! No matter what my circumstances might be, no matter how bad things might look, I have hope. To quote an old Christian song “thought it seems like Friday night, Sunday’s on the way”. (Does anybody else remember Carmen?)

What if my present circumstances are only a Friday night and my Sunday is coming? To all of you Friday night-ers out there, what ever you do, DON’T QUIT! Hold on to hope, resurrection hope.

Lord, give us the grace we need for our Fridays and the faith we need for our Sundays, amen

Happy Easter!

Copyright © Tom Zawacki 2006

And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. (Saint Paul, Romans 8:11)

Never, Never, Never Give Up! (Winston Churchill)

It's Gonna Be Worth it All

To commemorate Good Friday we met at the church and watched Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ. It is such a powerful movie. I’m deeply moved every time I watch it. Christ’s passionate love for us is vividly displayed in an extremely profound way.

One of the most important messages of Good Friday is the fact that the story isn’t finished yet. The gospel didn’t end with Good Friday and thank God, neither did Gibson’s portrayal of it. Sunday is coming, resurrection is at hand. There’s hope for us, no matter our circumstances – our story isn’t finished yet, your story isn’t finished yet!

We worshipped for a while after the movie. One of the songs we listened to was Rita Springer’s “Worth it All” from her “Effortless” CD. It touched my heart so. The movie reminded me that I was worth it all to Him and the song reminded me that He is worth it all to me. Read the words, listen to the clip and let it touch your heart too. It really is gonna be worth it all!


Worth it All
by Rita Springer

I don't understand Your ways
Oh but I will give You my song
Give You all of my praise
You hold on to all my pain
With it You are pulling me closer
And pulling me into Your ways

Now around every corner
And up every mountain
I'm not looking for crowns
Or the water from fountains
I'm desperate in seeking, frantic believing
That the sight of Your face
Is all that I needI will say to You

It's gonna be worth it
It's gonna be worth it
It's gonna be worth it all
I believe this

It's gonna be worth it
It's gonna be worth it
It's gonna be worth it all
I believe this

You're gonna be worth it
You're gonna be worth it
You're gonna be worth it all
I believe this

You're gonna be worth it
You're gonna be worth it
You're gonna be worth it all
I believe this

You can listen to a part of the song by clicking here

Copyright © Tom Zawacki 2006

Ordinate or Inordinate Passion

In Saint Thomas Aquinas’ Summa Theologica he puts passion into two categories; ordinate and inordinate. According to Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary Ordinate means orderly, regular or methodical and inordinate means disorder, irregular and “not limited to rules prescribed, or to usual bounds”. So, there are some passions that are in bounds and others that are out of bounds. Now, ordinate can also mean ordained. So, it’s fair to say that there are passions that are ordained and other that are not, some that are redemptive and some that are not. To simplify it, there are positive and negative passions.

Years ago someone told me that feelings aren’t good or bad they’re just feeling. It’s what we do with them that determine their virtue. I believe and Saint Thomas seems to agree, that the same can be said about passion. With this concept in place the next obvious question is what are ordinate passions and what are inordinate passions. I see them as two edges of the same sword; let me take a “stab” at this... no pun intended. It’s not so much the feeling but what we do with them.

Ordinate Passions are redemptive and foster freedom. They’re selfless and self sacrificing. They produce life, they’re constructive – they give. They’re genuine and characterized by love.

Inordinate Passions are just the opposite. They’re foster bondage, not freedom. They are selfish, they take, not give and at others’ expense. They’re destructive to the point of death. They’re a counterfeit characterized by lust.

I fear that the church has throw out the baby with the bath water. We’ve experienced so many inordinate passions and so few ordinate that we just decided to get rid of it all. Passion needs to be redeemed, it MUST be! We are in a divine romance. Jesus our Bridegroom has an ordinate, ordained, passionate, extravagant love for us His Bride and He is seeking a passionate lover in return.

There is a beating in my chest even as I type these words! I want to trumpet it from mountain tops. Church, the Bride of Christ arise, awaken from your slumber, the Lover of your soul awaits you. Let us together throw off the traditions of men and the fear of man that has robbed our passion and freedom. Let us run, with reckless abandon into the arms of our Bridegroom to feel His embrace, to drink from His cup and dance with him.

Oh God, restore passion to your church. Grant us great faith to risk again. Set us free from the fear of receiving a counterfeit. Let us drink of your pure love, your deep passionate love for us. Make us to be the pure, spotless Bride ready to receive you, Amen.

“Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth for your love is more delightful than wine”. Song of Solomon 1:2

Copyright © Tom Zawacki 2006

"Worship" by Expressionest Painter Cornelis Monsma

Freedom & Passion

If you’ve been reading my blog you know that the concepts of freedom and passion have consumed much of my writing. Over the past few hours I’ve been contemplating why there is so little of both within the church? I have a few thoughts; let me share them with you.

Culture
The first is culture. I was raised in a white middle class (lower middle class) family. Much of my Christian experience has been of the charismatic flavor but among predominately white, fairly conservative people. Not a typically demonstrative demographic, at least when it comes to faith. Our passions are compartmentalized. Socially, it’s completely acceptable to scream at your television on Sunday afternoon if your team is winning but it isn’t OK to scream out your praise Sunday morning at church.

Respectability
As white American Christians we’ve been conditioned to be reserved, contained and controlled in our expressions of faith. Which brings me to my second thought – respectability, we value being cool and hip (am I dating myself again?). We want to fit in. We want to look good, not foolish. We ask ourselves “what will people think of me if I…”

We had an interesting experience this past Sunday morning. I love my church; I’ve got a great group of people. We’ve done some pretty creative things over the past few years and most of our folks have handled it very well. I was a worship leader for many years, for that reason (and because I trust them) I give my worship leaders a lot of leeway. They pick the songs they want and we worship until, well until we’re done. As we broke from our pre-service prayer Lynda, this week’s worship leader said “I think we’re supposed to drop the first two songs and begin with just the drums”. We’re use to Lynda’s spontaneous creativity so no one was put off by her statement. I said “great let’s do it”. So without a gathering prayer or introduction we began – percussion and drums only.

It took our folks about 5 minutes to realize that the service had actually started. It took another 5 minutes for people to realize that this wasn’t just an introduction to the first song. We worshiped for about an hour and I bet the first 30 minutes were with just the drums. It was a passionate, soulful expression of love for God. It was out of the box, even for most of us. It didn’t follow the normal Sunday routine, there weren’t any lyrics displayed overhead, there wasn’t the sound of guitar or keys. It was different and for a long time most of our folks were just spectators. Little by little, one by one people began to catch on and engage. Slowly, people were able to get past the awkwardness of the moment and the fear of looking foolish and just worship. Respectability will keep us from going outside the box, it will keep us bound and our passions contained.

Fear
Which brings me to my final thought for this posting, fear is another reason for the lack of freedom and passion within the church. Most of us, heck, all of us have been relationally wounded by someone close to us. When I’ve been hurt I put my shields up and I withdraw. Why, because I’m afraid of being hurt again. Here’s the problem, when I cut myself off emotionally from people, I also cut myself off emotionally from God. 1 John 4:20 backs this up: “For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen”.

I’ve discovered that if I want intimacy (with God or people) I’m going to experience pain, it comes with the territory but it’s worth it. If I allow fear to keep me from intimacy I will never be free to experience passion. So, Culture, Respectability & Fear – these have been some of my personal hurdles.

Lord set me free from my cultural shackles. Set me free from my need for respectability and my fears of what others might think of me. Fill my heart with passion for you and grant me freedom to express it – completely, amen

“Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets”. Luke 6:26

Copyright © Tom Zawacki 2006

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

The church I pastor (the Bridge) is affiliated with John Paul Jackson’s Streams Ministries International. We are a member of the Association of Bridge Churches.

On April 7th 2006 I received this article from John Paul titled: A Picture is worth a Thousand Words. I read it and thought you might enjoy it. In the next to last paragraph John Paul recommend a simple exercise to help you grow in revelatory gifting. Do it and be blessed, I have!

A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words

By John Paul Jackson

God holds more mystery than an Agatha Christie novel. It doesn't take a three-decker brain to figure that out. Just open the Bible at random, and you'll quickly see that He's no "see-Spot-run" first-grade reader. God's mysteries run so deep and complete that at times, Einstein's theory of relativity seems more tangible than God does. Why do you suppose He's like that?

Over and over again, the Bible shows God's attributes instead of just coming out and stating them, so in order to really grasp what is going on, you have to "read the white," or read between the lines. The prophetic is often like that, because God loves the deep things that take time and more time and focused intimacy with Him to understand. So He speaks in parables; He gives metaphors and writes us stories and speaks in dreams and visions and other strange events that can't necessarily be understood at first glance.

For the Christian, nothing of worth, nothing of any value at all, exists outside intimacy with God, which is one reason why the Bible says He cloaks Himself with darkness (Psalm 18:11). He does this so that we will search Him out and find Him--something that takes time and more time and focused intimacy with Him to do.

God loves metaphor--in other words, to tell a good story, and one of the main rules in creative writing is "Show, don't tell." Describe. If your main character is nervous, don't just come out and say so--that would leave you with boring, dry writing that wouldn't inspire anyone to take out the trash, much less want to talk to God. Instead, when you're writing, show the details. Describe what the character's doing; help the reader to see her. Use pictures. Why? Because a picture is worth a thousand words, and it takes time and more time and focused intimacy with God to truly understand His metaphors.

The Bible shows God; it paints pictures of Him. Because of this, long, drawn-out meditative times with Him are required. Some of His metaphors are more obvious than others, but no matter their simplicity or complexity, the Bible and its word pictures can be understood only through the Holy Spirit's revelation.

In the same way, creation also paints pictures of God. The Heavens do declare His glory, the skies His handiwork . . . The rocks do cry out, and all the earth professes His splendor! These are pictures of Him, of His characteristics and attributes, how He feels about you. Read the white, and you'll see the world around you in ways you never have before.

Look for Him in the everyday. Experiment and see what He tells you. Take some time this week to study an object--any object at all--and ask God what He would tell you about Himself through that object. You will be amazed. It will open you up to a whole new world, one that interacts with God at a deeper level than you may have thought possible.

God speaks in the everyday. He writes His glory in the stars, but He also writes His glory in the notebook on your desk. He declares His splendor in colossal, mind-boggling prophetic encounters, but He also declares it in the simple greeting given by a neighbor. So keep your eyes open this month and watch for Him. The whole world speaks unendingly of His glory--and it takes time and more time and focused intimacy with Him to begin to understand how amazing He truly is.

Copyright © 2006 John Paul Jackson, Streams Ministries International. All rights reserved.

Fatigue

Wow, life has been busy lately. All good stuff but very busy. I’ve spent time with good friends, got a few projects taken care of around the church, enjoyed a date night with my wife and had a great Sunday service. The worship was exceptionally good. Corporately we seemed to go to a deeper, more intimate place with the Lord, had a powerful ministry time and then lunched with other friends.

There’s good tired and bad tired, at least in my book. Good tired is more productive than bad tired. This past week has been a good tired, but tired nonetheless. A few years ago the Lord spoke to my heart and told me that “fatigue was my enemy”. Over the years this has proven to be very accurate. I’ve learned a few things about myself, when I’m physically weary I tend to:

* Have a more difficult time extending grace to others or myself.
* I seem to be more critical and less patient.
*I tend to make poor decisions when I’m tired. I’m more inclined to make decisions born of my soul than by the Spirit.
* I’ve also notice that I’m more apt to complain, whine might be close to the truth.

Jesus said that “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit”. I’ve also noticed that when I’m fatigued I produce more flesh than spirit. Maybe you’ve noticed the same things about yourself?

I’ve heard it said that “rest is a weapon”. I’m not sure who coined the phase but it rings true. Our culture values activity over rest. Almost everyone I know has a palm pilot or day-timer over filled with demands upon their time, mine included. We don’t do rest very well at all. After many rounds with an over booked schedule and it’s close companion fatigue I’ve learned a few lessons.

First of all I’ve learned to rest when I can. Mine isn’t a typical 9-5 job, 60 hour plus work weeks are common for me. That being the case, I’ve learned to enjoy the down time when I can get it. Rest truly is a weapon. It’s especially powerful when I combine it with the presence of God. Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know I am God” says it well. I’ve had many supernatural experiences by employing the simple truth in this short verse.

The second lesson I’ve learned is when rest eludes me and fatigue has over taken me, is to simply keep my mouth shut. The critical and judgmental thoughts might swirl through my mind but they do not have the right to come out of my mouth. Proverbs 17:28 puts it this way: “Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue”. I’ve discovered that one of the best ways to put out a fire is to stop throwing logs on it. Sometimes, my words born of fatigue have been nothing more then one more log on the fire.

So, take my advice, if fatigue is also your enemy – shut up and rest!

© Tom Zawacki 2006

The Redemption of Passion

As I continue my exploration of the fullness of freedom I’ve made and unexpected discovery; passion and how powerful it can be. Over the past few months I’ve been exploring various forms of creativity. I’ve created a few painting, I’ve started reading an AMAZING author (Ted Dekker), I’ve learned a few new songs on my guitar and I’ve begun writing this blog. These experiments with creativity seem to have opened a crack into the realm of godly passion. I’ve caught a supernatural glimpse into the passionate love that Jesus the Bridegroom has for his bride the church. And it’s more powerful than I’ve ever imagined.

Personally, I’m convinced that this love of God is extravagant, passionate, powerful and the highest expression of freedom. I’m convinced because I’ve experienced it. This passionate, extravagant love of God releases extraordinary power! My heart’s been touched and my head has followed. Hmm… Now that’s a problem isn’t it, the head following the heart. It’s also what’s kept passion imprisoned.

The American church operates in just the opposite manner, the heart follows the head. We are permitted to feel and experience only after we have established a historical and biblical president with a sound theological foundation. Any experiences outside of that established order are suspect at best and demonic at worst. Which accurately describes the Pharisees relationship with Jesus.

Biblically and historically first God moves and then understanding follows. Every documented move of God has been unprecedented. It’s the way of faith. His ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). We serve an out of the box God who refuses to be contained by the limits of our intellect. So he does things that rock our world and maybe sometime later we catch up and understand pieces of it. In other words God works from heart to head. If we’re honest with ourselves we’ll admit that we’re afraid of operating this way and the source of our fear is our need to be in control. Yet we serve and worship a God who is beyond our control. God’s not out of control, just beyond our control.

Most of us associate the word passion with ungodly emotions. It’s OK to be passionate about sports or food or politics or sex or even religion, but God? Can I be passionate about Jesus, with Jesus? I want to see the word passion as well as the practice of it redeemed. The Bride is designed to be passionate for her Bridegroom.

Allow me to offer you some food for thought. What did Jesus mean when he said: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30)? Is it possible to love with ALL your HEART and ALL your SOUL devoid of passion? I can’t imagine how.

How about this in 2 Samuel 6 we read how in his underwear, David danced before the Lord with all his might. Was this not an extremely passionate expression of David’s love for God? David’s wife Michal was offended by her husband’s passionate and undignified worship. As a result she was barren the rest of her life. Who would you rather be in this story David or Michal, the one who was passionate or the one who was casting judgment as she observed from a distance? I’ve been a Michal for far too long, I want to be a David.

In an attempt to allow my head to catch up with my heart I was reading Saint Thomas Aquinas’ Summa Theologica where he addresses this question: “Whether there can be moral virtue without passion? In short his answer is no. He writes that “Virtue overcomes inordinate passion; it produces ordinate passion”. So, virtue and passion aren’t diametrically opposed, rather virtue produces passion! I like it and I want to see more of it - in my church and in my life. Passion is powerful, to quote a friend it’s “scary wonderful” so be it.

Lord, stir up pure, holy godly passion within my heart. Touch my heart with your passionate and extravagant love and make me fully the man you created me to be.

© Tom Zawacki 2006

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands Psalm 19:1

Redneck Church

I grew up in NYC, in my early 30's we moved to Clarksburg, WV to plant our first church, talk about cultural whiplash! A local pastor emailed this to me it reminded me of wild & wonderful West Virginia years, enjoy!

Redneck Church

1. You know you're in a redneck church if... The finance committee refuses to provide funds for the purchase of a chandelier because none of the members knows how to play one.

2. You know you're in a redneck church if... People ask, when they learn that Jesus fed the 5000, whether the two fish were bass or catfish, what bait was used to catch'em.

3. You know you're in a redneck church if... When the pastor says, "I'd like to ask Bubba to help take up the offering," five guys and two women stand up.

4. You know you're in a redneck church if... Opening day of deer season is recognized as an official church holiday.

5. You know you're in a redneck church if... a member of the church requests to be buried in his 4-wheel-drive truck because "it ain't never been in a hole it couldn't get out of"

6. You know you're in a redneck church if... The choir is known as the "OK Chorale".

7. You know you're in a redneck church if... In a congregation of 500 members, there are only seven last names in the church directory.

8. You know you're in a redneck church if... People think "rapture" is what you get when you lift something too heavy.

9. You know you're in a redneck church if... The baptismal pool is a #2 galvanized "Wheeling" washtub.

10. You know you're in a redneck church if... The choir robes were donated by (and embroidered with the logo from) Billy Bob's Barbecue.

11. You know you're in a redneck church if... The collection plates are really hubcaps from a '56 Chevy.

12. You know you're in a redneck church if... Instead of a bell you are called to service by a duck call.

13. You know you're in a redneck church if... The minister and his wife drive matching pickup trucks.

14. You know you're in a redneck church if... The communion wine is Boone's Farm "Tickled Pink".

15. You know you're in a redneck church if... "Thou shall not covet" applies to huntin' dogs, too.

16. You know you're in a redneck church if... The final words of the benediction are, "Y'all come back now, ya hear". God Bless and don't fergit ta say yer prayers.

For more laughs check out The Back Pew

A cheerful heart is good medicine... Proverbs 17:22a

(c) Tom Zawacki 2006

Passion

Last night Nadine and I had a date night. For years we have been careful to regularly put time aside just for us. Last night was one of those nights. A new movie just came out titled “Take the Lead” staring Antonio Banderas. My wife has loved Antonio Banderas ever since his first Zorro movie! To make things even better (for her) this movie had dancing in it, ballroom dancing. Nadine loves dance. She studied ballet for 9 years as a child and dancing (disco – am I dating myself?) was a significant part of our courtship.

So, are you getting the picture here? This was a Major chick flick! I went to this movie as an expression of my love for my wife. Hey, I’m a real man, I can sacrifice $15.50 and 2 hours of my life for the woman I love. What I didn’t expect was the way it would impact me.

Now don’t get me wrong, this wasn’t a great movie and I doubt it will find itself in contention at Oscar time. But half way through the movie sometime was stirred within me. Much to my surprise I cried through the second half of the movie, I cried walking through the parking lot to my car and I really cried once in the safety of my tinted windows hidden from the throngs of exiting movie goers.

Dancing is creative, it’s romantic, it’s sensual and it’s passionate. Banderas tells his students in the movie that dancing is two people, a man and a woman moving as one. For weeks now the Lord has been revealing to me the love the Bridegroom has for the Bride. It’s another expression of God’s love for us. The passion between husband and wife is different than the love between Father and son. As a father I comprehend the paternal love of God for me. Lately he has been revealing a much more intimate and passionate side of His love. The love the Bridegroom has for the Bride.

Half way through the movie the combination of sights, sounds and inspiration touched something deep within my heart, passion. It was powerful and frightening. I suddenly realized that I’ve allowed myself to taste but a tickle of His passionate love when there is a vast reservoir available and ready to burst forth. I felt like the proverbial boy with his finger in the dike. While sitting there I decide to allow myself to feel the feelings, let them come up and not restrain them, control them or push them aside. As I did I caught a glimpse of the rich depth of God’s love. It was vast and deep and powerful, able to do the even the most impossible. What happens if I completely remove my finger from the dam? Dare I let go completely? Why not!

Still feeling the feelings as I write, no doubt there is much more to be revealed.

© Tom Zawacki 2006

Freedom

Angel Rescues Saint Peter from Prison

by Bartolome Esteban Murillo

FREEDOM

by Tom Zawacki

It’s Dark
It’s Vast
It’s Cold
I’m Lonely

Who am I?
Why am I here?
What am I doing?
Where am I going?

Fear
Hopelessness
Despair
An Earthquake?

But Then
A Crack
A Glimpse of Light

Blinding Light

The Impossible

Hope

An Opened Door
Freedom

© Tom Zawacki 2006.

The More I Seek You

We’ve been doing a new worship song the past few months titled “The More I Seek You” by Zach Neese. Here are the lyrics:

The More I Seek You
by Zach Neese

The more I seek You
The more I find You
The more I find You
The more I love You

I wanna sit at Your feet
Drink from the cup in Your hand
Lay back against You and breathe
Feel Your heartbeat
This love is so deep
it's more than I can stand
I melt in Your peace
It's overwhelming.

This song stirs something deep within me. I think it’s the passion and intimacy communicated through the lyrics. When I hear the words I envision a romantic encounter between the Bridegroom and His bride.

I met with a few local pastors earlier today. I had the privilege of leading them in worship and we did this song. As we sang I sensed the Lord offering each of us His cup. Would we accept the cup from his hands and drink? It seemed to me that the cup represented what he had called each of us to do.

I told the guys that there were two ways we could view this cup. The first was as a noble knight standing before our King in his court, as an expression of honor and a commissioning into our next assignment.

The second is very different. It’s the cup pictured here in Zach Neese’s song. It’s the cup from the hand of the Bridegroom extended to his beloved bride, a cup of his passionate and extravagant love.

Both pictures move me. To be commissioned by my King or romanced by the Lover of my soul. However, I’ve discovered that love will take me where duty and honor alone fails me. When I consider the condition of the world and the state of the church I’m convinced that we need to experientially know the extraordinary love God has for us. I believe that if we can grasp even a glimpse of how wide, long high and deep Christ’s love is for us, that it will stir up faith within us. Faith based upon love, a secure and confident faith born of love. That kind of faith will go anywhere and do anything because we love the object of our affections and we’re secure in the knowledge of his love for us.

Love really is greater than anything. It’s greater than any vision, mission, strategy or plan we might have. Personally, I find great freedom in love. The world is desperate for love and the purity and freedom found in it. May we not only drink of this love but share it with everyone we encounter.

Do yourself a favor, take a moment now, listen to this song, feel the passionate love of God for you and drink…

© Tom Zawacki 2006

The More I Seek You ©1999 CFN Music All rights reserved. International copyright secured.CCLI song #4447991

Rubbing the Wrong Way

I have an awesome wife. Not many men get to marry their childhood sweethearts, but I did. In a couple of months we’ll celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary, pretty cool. Together, over the years, we have learned some wonderful lessons.

As newlyweds we discovered that reddi-wip will remove paint from freshly painted walls.

We discovered that poison ivy can cut your honeymoon short.

We discovered that American Express really does expect you to pay the full amount at the end of every month.

As new parents we discovered that we actually were allowed to unwrap our newborn from that tightly wrapped baby blanket no matter how scary the maternity ward nurse was.

We discovered that potty training your first born while eight months pregnant with the second child is NOT a good combination.

And neither is looking after your 3 year old son while watching the Giant’s play football on Sunday afternoon.

We’ve discovered that no matter how much I like to cook (and I’m pretty good at it), she is STILL the Queen of her Kitchen!

We discovered that only mommy knows how to comb out an 8 year old daughter’s hair, daddy just won’t do.

We discovered a double standard when our children would date. I was fine when my son took out a lovely young lady on a date. But Mamma, grumbled in the back ground.

We also discovered that when our daughter would date - Momma was all smiles and giggle while I would growl, stare him down, offer a "grip of death" handshake, while holding a finely tuned, 5 horse powered, extra sharp chainsaw in my left hand

We’ve learned that everyone else goes away, and that we better like each other. As God has moved us around the country we have left some awesome friends behind. Heck, even our children will grow up and move on… that being the case, we had better like each other, and we do.

We’ve learned that in the best of times and the of worst times, I want her there with me, There is no one else I would rather celebrate with. She is the one I look to for encouragement and her presence comforts me.

We have also learned that when I ask her to rub my back, she’ll do it but she tends to rub my back in the places hers is hurting, I do the same thing. Occasionally I’ll be asked to rub her feet, not a problem. However, I’ve noticed that I do tend to rub her feet where my feet hurt

So here’s today’s $64,000.00 question… Do you touch, rub, reach out, care for, cook, listen to or even pray for others where you personally desire to be touched?

We give love in the form we desire it. Gary Smally’s best selling book “The Five Love Languages address this well. Smally defines the love languages as:

Physical Touch - Words of Affirmation - Receiving Gifts - Quality Time & Acts of Service.

My love language is “Words of Affirmation, my wife’s is a combination between Physical Touch & Acts of Service. What’s yours?

Lord, help us to love freely, no strings attached… Help us to rub others the "right" way , Amen.

The Dugout

(This completes the baseball vision, your comments and questions are welcomed)

The Dugout
After walking the bases the Lord led me over to the visitor’s dugout. I remember thinking “Lord why are we in the visitors dugout, I want to be the home team”. He told me that this was a traveling team and that Heaven was our home, that we were strangers and aliens in this world (Hebrews 11:13, 1 Peter 2:11). As we entered the dugout I knew that I was the manager of this team. Although I hadn’t met the players I could see their uniforms. They were white (representing purity) with a five pointed star on them. The Lord told me that this was an all star team of five fold ministries (Ephesians 4:11) and that I would manage them. My role wasn’t to be the one playing the game but rather to help the players become better at their positions.

Helmets & Swords
As I looked to my left I saw the racks which held the players helmets and bats. Instantly I knew that these were helmets of salvation. Instead of bats the racks were filled with swords. Each sword was different with gleaming blades and handles of gold, encrusted with multicolored jewels. The handles were molded perfectly to fit the hand of it’s owner. I knew that these were the Sword of the Spirit, the rhema word of God (Ephesians 6:17). As I looked at these helmets and swords I knew that they were for the purpose of prophetic evangelism.

The Championship Rings
While still in the dugout I turned to my right and the Lord had in his hand a jewelry box, he opened it to reveal a ring. This was a championship ring. I knew that each player on the team had his own ring. The rings were gold with the words “Dread Champion” (Deut 11:25) written on them. Each ring had a precious stone surrounded by diamonds. I saw rubies sapphires, emeralds and clear large diamonds. I knew that this team would never lose so long as they played as a team valuing unity and love (Ephesians 4:2-6). These rings symbolized the victory and authority these players would walk in. I knew that the Red Sox, who had won the World Series just four nights earlier, were a prophetic sign of this team, those who would walk victoriously in the anointing and never give up.

While in the dugout I knew that there were people back in the trainer’s room symbolizing support people and I also knew that this team had a jet representing national and international travel.

The Great Cloud of Witnesses
What was once a simple field was now a full professional baseball stadium. The stands were full of people who I knew were the great cloud of witnesses from Hebrews 12:1. There is the music of heaven in this place and it has the passionate feel of a sporting event. The witnesses are cheering us on! They are crying:

He is worthy! He is worthy! He is worthy!

I knew they were saying that He is worthy of our lives, He is worthy of our best, He is worthy of any cost. They were exhorting us to live lives worthy of the calling we have received. (Ephesians 4:1). Don’t give up no matter what the score! As they cheer they are all pointing in the same direction, up toward the Owner’s box.

The Lord
As I turn to see where they are pointing I see the Lord on his throne in brilliant white glory. He is positioned atop the stadium with the light of his glory overwhelming everything and anything around Him. I am far from Him and can barely make out the form of a person seated on the throne through the brilliant pure white light. I explode in tears and worship Him. The next thing I know I am sitting in my seat that the conference.

Prologue
I believe that this open heaven experience has in it divine strategies for my life. I am also aware that there is yet more to be revealed specifically what is on those bases, who specifically these players are and what they represent. I believe the children from the earlier experience are the players the Lord has for this team. Give me wisdom and understanding Lord, let the game begin, amen.