When Warriors are Called

He sent messengers throughout Manasseh, and they also were called together to follow him; and he sent messengers to Asher, Zebulon, and Naphtali, and they came up to meet them. Judges 6:35 (NAS)

This past Sunday morning my good friend Ray Morgan went to the Emergency Room of his local hospital. He had been pretty sick for several days and could not seem to get rid of a fever. After several hours in the ER, he was admitted and as of this morning was still hospitalized.

This is not a commentary on his medical condition or the medical treatment he has (or has not) received. It is really about the importance of friends and warriors who are willing to battle for and with us in this life.

After I talked to Ray on Sunday, I began to notify friends and warriors using the various means I have available. These means included Facebook, Twitter and then just sending out text messages, as well as utilizing our ministry prayer network.

In a very short time, the battle was being fought by warriors across the country and around the world. Literally within minutes, responses came back to me from men and women everywhere to let Ray know that they were praying.

Then I began to see a picture. I am a big fan of Gideon. There are a lot of reasons. When Gideon caught the vision of what God had called him to do, he sent out a call for warriors. We know that the Bible records that 32,000 responded to the call. The bible states that, “He sent messengers throughout Manasseh, and they also were called together to follow him; and he sent messengers to Asher, Zebulon, and Naphtali, and they came up to meet them.”

He Sent messengers. He clearly did not have the tools available that we have today to stay connected. Yet, 32,000 responded to his messengers.

By Monday, I had this picture in my heart of the 32,000 warriors gathered spiritually to fight for and with Ray. Some came because I asked them to be there. Many more came because they know Ray and he has impacted their lives. Others came because friends asked them to come. All in all, warriors around the world have responded.

We all need warriors around us. We must do the things necessary in our lives to develop relationships that can be counted on to respond when the messengers are sent out.

I just spoke with Ray and he seems to be getting much better. He is still hospitalized and not sure when he will be released. He also knows that he has warriors fighting as his side for him and with him.

As for me, I am so blessed to know that there are far more warriors out there than the enemy wants to acknowledge. Frankly, this is so cool!

Praying Believing but Believing for What?

I am still evaluating my prayer life based on this morning Devotion from Streams in the Desert. The story related is about a captain of a steamship who was approached by George Mueller while the ship was in a dense fog off the coast of Newfoundland. Mr. Mueller told the captain that he needed to be in Quebec on Saturday. The captain was certain that would not happen. He went so far as to point out to Mr. Mueller just how dense the fog was as that point.

I love Mr. Mueller's statement. "My eye is not on the dense fog but on the living God who controls every circumstance of life."

Then what happens next is one big lesson for me. Mr. Mueller invites the captain to pray about this matter. In the words of the captain, Mr. Mueller prayed, "one of the most simple prayers I've ever heard."

But next point grabbed me. When the captain started to pray, Mr. Mueller told him not to pray. Mr. Mueller told the captain as he restrained him from praying, "First, you do not believe God will answer, and second, I BELIEVE HE HAS. Consequently, there is no need whatsoever for you to pray about it."

When they were done, Mr. Mueller told the captain to open the door and see that the fog was gone and they in fact made Quebec by Saturday.

Here are a couple of "takeaways" for me:

1. When I pray and ask God,do I believe that God may answer, could answer or already has answered?

2. Why ask people to pray who do not believe that God will answer?

3. God hears the most simple prayers. I do not need to try to impress God with my ability to pray.


This causes me to reread James 1:6 .... "But when he asks he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind."

Praying for "Unsaved" Husbands and their wives

I am sure this has not happened to anyone else. It was a morning when I wondered why something so simple was taking so long. I was just buying a book and then heading to something really important. And then it happened!

I had finished my transaction and, frankly, was not totally satisfied with the transaction that had just taken place. I slid to the side of the counter allowing the next person to conduct their business.

As she stepped forward, it was clear that this was a lady who had not had an easy life. She did not appear to be homeless, destitute or looking for a “handout.” She just looked as if life had been tougher for her than many others.

She began speaking to the female cashier by saying, “I am not sure you will remember me, but you helped me a few months ago. You suggested that I buy The Love Dare and I did.” She went on to tell the lady that she was almost finished with the entire book, but she had come to the part where you are to pray with your spouse. Then she told the cashier, “I asked my husband to pray, and he got very angry and mad at me.” She told her that her husband was not a believer and did not want her to talk with him about praying.

Then she told her why she had come into the store. She said that she had no one else to ask and so she asked the cashier if she would pray for her and her marriage. I listened as the cashier asked the lady her name and her husband’s name and then she promised to remember them both in prayer.

I could not stand back at this point. This was not a prayer that should wait or one that the lady should have to wonder if they were really lifted up in prayer. I stepped back to the counter and asked the cashier and the lady to join hands with me and I prayed.

It was not just a prayer for her or her marriage, but I sensed that she had probably never had a blessing prayed over her. So pray I did. Yes, I prayed for her, her husband and her marriage. I also prayed a blessing over her as a daughter of the “King.”

Before you get crazy and think how lucky she was that I was there…..I was the one who God allowed and gave the privilege of being a part of His work.

In our weekly prayer list, we are asking our team and anyone who reads this to pray for the ladies married to non-believers. Pray for the ladies, their husbands and their marriages. In doing so, I believe that God is allowing us to be a part of His great work.

Becoming Believable

I have received a great deal of encouragement from so many friends and family. As of yesterday, Sunday, August 9, 2009 my weight was 233 lbs. I started at 258.5 lbs on June 1. The bottom line is that I have another 24 lbs to go and I am shooting for December 31 as the date.

Let me give you some observations.

1. Initial successes are easier but long term habits are much harder but far more important in life. A friend told me that he had lost 210 lbs. I stared for a moment and he clarified... "Yea, I have lost 30 lbs 7 times."

2. It is said that you will find time for the things that matter to you. I had talked a great game and even made some great charts about losing weight. I did not translate any of that planning to a place on my schedule. What really matters will find a place on your schedule.

3. Support is amazing. My biggest supporter is Billie. She encourages but she also makes sure that healthy food options are available. The guys around me are very important. Quick notes and calls to see how I am doing and actually ask "What is your weight, now?" Not a bad question for a guy who "went public."

The next 24 lbs will be the toughest for a couple of reasons. First is that I have dropped the easy to lose pounds. Secondly, I must now coordinate my eating and exercise with the increased demands of a Fall travel schedule.

So here is the deal... You may ask me about my weight anytime. Drop me a note or yell at me when I am on the platform getting ready to speak. BUT WOULD YOU ALSO ASK ME ABOUT MY DAILY DEVOTIONS, PRAYER LIFE AND DAILY WALK?

I want every area of my life to represent Christ well. It is all on the the table.







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Manly Men with Manly Toys Building Godly Men from Little Boys

Manly Men with Manly Toys
Building Godly Men from Little Boys


Every year the men of EV Free Church of Eaton (Colorado) set up camp about 70 miles “west of nowhere.” They have tents of every size and shape as well as campers and trailers. In addition, men bring ATV’s, dirt bikes, rifles, shotguns, pistols, revolvers and hunting bows. Most importantly, they bring their Bibles and their sons and grandsons.

This past weekend was incredible. There were over 100 men and boys, from Grandfathers to grandsons. Ages ranged from 3 years of age to nearly 80.

Each day, starting after breakfast, men were engaged in the lives of their sons. Whether it was helping them ride a dirt bike or helping them hold a shotgun for the first time, dads were with their sons.

Each evening and on Sunday morning, men sat with their sons, son-in-laws, grandsons and brothers. There was worship, teaching and prayer. Two men stood to respond to an invitation for salvation, while holding their young sons in their arms. Sons watched their dads and grandpa’s kneel in prayer.

Here are some of the other really great things about the weekend.
1. Every dad was a dad to every boy. Think about that for just a moment. Every man there treated every son as his own. That means that every man watched out for every boy there. It means that every man did not hesitate to jump in and help every boy without worrying about whether or not it was “OK.”
2. Every dad could get help and still be a man. The security of the environment for each man to learn in front of his son, if he needed help, and then teach his own son was powerful. Sometimes the most powerful teaching moment for the son came in watching his dad ask for help, learn something new, and then turn and teach him.
3. Men were not afraid or embarrassed to “worship.” NO, I mean really worship—in song and prayer.
4. In addition to the fun, every father and son cut/split wood for the camp; and they participated in preparing, serving or cleaning up after a meal. Everyone was a “stakeholder” in the camp.

A huge “Thank You” to Pastor Craig, Pastor Jeff and the men’s leadership team for allowing me to be a part of this event. This was a weekend I will not forget.

As a note…. Every year the men do the same type of weekend with their daughters and granddaughters. Yes, they bring out the ATVs, rifles, shotguns, pistols, revolvers, hunting bows, dirt bikes. And, yes, the men enjoy worship, teaching and prayer with their daughters and granddaughters.