The Medical Detectives show taping today

Miracle Detective is a brand new book by Randall Sullivan. It is also becoming a TV show for Ophra's new network which begins early next year.

Because of the piece that Nightline did on me with the medical study which seems to medically show that tongues does not come from the message center of the brain, Miracle Detectives contacted me to see if they can do an episode on the relationship between speaking in tongues, and miracles.

Today more than a dozen of us gathered in the sanctuary to pray together, in tongues and in English while they taped us and interviewed some of us afterward. It was an interesting experience.

None of the 7 crew members claimed to be believers in Christ, but both of the two that I ask, said they felt His presence in the room as we prayed. God really moved into our little prayer time, making Himself felt as we called on him in English and in our prayer language.

Then they interviewed Ed Funk and Daniel Barnard about how their lives changed after they were saved and filled with the Holy Spirit. Earlier they had also interviewed Sandy Cullison about her medically verifiable healing from tumors, and  other health issues. Cindy Janczyk told about her experience with The Holy Spirit, as did Matt Topper, Jason Shue, and Tyler Belfiore, who just started speaking in tongues last week!

Of course we don't know how editors will spin it, and what the final product will look like. I know that I am a goofy enough guy that they could use these things a lot of different ways. But however God chooses to use me, I am confident that He will orchestrate our feeble efforts for His higher good!

That you-all, who prayed with me.

Things that make me cry on Father's Day

Lot's of Dad's feel so much pain on Father's Day because of choices their kids made. I, too, cry a lot each year these days, but not because of bad choices my kids made. Quite the opposite.

And please forgive me if this sounds braggadocious. God has been extraordinarily good to me with my kids, and this proves it. And in case you worry, please know that I am well aware that I do not deserve all these kinds words that my kids lavish on me (in this case Candace), but I feel I would be somehow just wrong if I didn't honor HIM by sharing it. She (they) makes me cry in the best sort of ways.

3 John 1:4 has become a favorite verse recently: "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth".

So here goes the nice things Candace wrote me this evening:

Hi Dad,

I've gotten so many compliments on what a great job I did during Harvest Cry.  People complimenting my leadership left and right, my way with kids, my organization, my work ethic, even the decorations, which I barely even touched!  When I protest about the decorations and try to give Izetta credit, they just shake their heads and chalk it up to "delegation".  haha, I am so very blessed.

And so, I want to thank you.  I have grown up under the best leader I know, and I seem to have amazing insights that come very easily to me, but shock the socks off of people! You and mom taught me those things that come second nature.  I didn't realize until this past year how differently I think than most people...even most Christians. You taught me basic leadership skills from as early as I can remember.  Things that seem so simple!  And I remember learning things right along with you and mom all along the way.  You included us in your learning processes a lot, and in your relationship with God, I just can't seem to get over the blessings that have come from that!!  You prayed favor over us constantly, in which I am now living and leading!  

After Johannes' message in the 9:15 service, I realized that I rely on the Holy Spirit for answers constantly with kids, and He always comes through for me!  Just last night, I had two girls who wanted to get baptized AGAIN, and their parents didn't know what to tell them.  Neither did I, but they were looking to me for answers, so I took a deep breath, confidently marched over to the girls, and started talking.  I had no idea what I was going to tell them, I was feeling a little panic-y, but after I bumbled through it for a minute, suddenly, I was giving them a GREAT answer!  I didn't know what I was saying until I said it, and it was at that moment, not before, that I realized I told them exactly what they all needed to hear.  That was the Holy Spirit!  He comes through for me like that CONSTANTLY, and I have you to thank for teaching me to rely on him.

You are such an inspiring man of God, and I just keep reaping the rewards from your life of service to him. I am soooooo blessed to be your daughter AND employee.  Thank you for giving me to opportunity to serve your church alongside you.  I'm tearing up as I write this, because I don't know how I can ever thank you enough for trusting me with such a big job, at such a young age.  You saw and prophesied the leadership in me before I could even dream it. You've always believed in us, given us big jobs, and taught us to be leaders.  I will never stop receiving the blessings for that as long as I live.  My children will know those blessings as well!  

Thank you, thank you, thank you Dad.

I love you.

Growth of the Kingdom in Adam's County

Below is a report from The American Religious Data Archive that details some surprising stuff. For example, since 1990, Adam's county grew 16% in population and 22% in total church adherence. The AG in Adam's County, grew 330%!


Here's the report:  http://www.thearda.com/mapsReports/reports/counties/42001_compare80.asp

But while I am glad there are huge gains in 'market share' (percentages of people connecting to church), the report also details what I want to focus on next- more of the 41,000 who are still disconnected, feeling unloved, unwanted, or out of order with God.


Adam's County is part of the Cold Northeast. That is, we are part of the least evangelized portion of America. 54 million people live here in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.


An estimated 45 million of them will spend eternity in Hell. 


THAT is the number that calls out to my soul morning, noon, and night. These are friends, colleagues, family members, and total strangers, but all of them matter deeply to God -and to every person who loves Him!


"With the right lever, I could move the world" is something like Aristotle or somebody said.


I believe strategy is that lever. I also believe that one day, God will give that lever to someone He can trust with His precious people, and that this person will be hugely instrumental in bringing them in.


If you are a parent, you may be raising that person. If you care enough about your neighbor to invite them to church, you may be inviting that person.


Or you may be that person. I pray that you are. God give us strategy to make a difference for the 45 million.




Source: http://www.pray4gcr.com/downloads/GCRTF_Progress_Report.pdf