Fathers' Day is coming, Evotion.

Eleven years past, my life took a determined direction to help fathers.

 

Through working with the National Center for Fathering and congregations in the OKC area and CBMC and The Oklahoma Family Policy Council, we have seen thousands of families blessed.

 

Many years of early morning prayer vigils predate that thrust.  Grasping how important fathering is to the Father impassioned that thrust.

 

Through speaking to minister conferences, service worker events, foster parents, men's weekend retreats, Sunday morning services, radio, and television and hosting multi-church events for fathers, parents, and fathers and daughters - fathers and families have been built.  Many devotions have been targeted across the world promoting the love of fathers for their children.

 

Over the next two weeks, I'd like to share some anecdotes of men, who have fathered into my life.  Some fathered for a season, some for a lifetime.  The Father has blessed my life with greatness through the blessing of receiving from many fathers.

 

First, let me share an anecdote from my just published book, "No Leader Before".  One lesson from the life of Hezekiah is illustrated by my dad.  He taught me how to face the wall.

 

II Kings 20:1: In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death.  And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live. 2: Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, saying, 3: I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight.  And Hezekiah wept sore. 4: And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the LORD came to him, saying, 5: Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD. 6: And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.

 

Never give in, never give in, never; never; never; never - in nothing, great or small, large or petty - never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense”

 Winston Churchill quotes (British Orator, Author and Prime Minister during World War II. 1874-1965)

 

Tenacity

Testing times tell the tale of tenacity or terror.  Hezekiah chose tenacity.  Hezekiah again appealed to God's anointed for prayer and counsel.  Hezekiah again trusted in God.  Hezekiah turned his face to the wall.

 

No Distractions

When we face the wall, there are no distractions. 

When we face the wall, we allow nothing else to influence our thoughts and prayers.  When we face the wall, nothing matters but our relationship to God.

When we face the wall, we have decided to trust God and God alone. 

When we face the wall, we lay down our ways and imaginations and ideas and thoughts and give God room to do whatever. 

When we face the wall, we allow God to set the course. 

When we face the wall we close all the doors of our ideas and present an open heart and mind in which He can work. 

When we face the wall, we give all the options of who, what, where, when, and how to God's preference and choice.

 

Dad

My dad taught me to face the wall.  Over life, he reached top certifications as a financial examiner and a public accountant without a college degree.  Today, you can only take the test after you have a degree.  He beat the odds.  I am confident there were many nights of frustrated facing of walls that wanted to stop him.  He faced the wall with determination.

 

During WWII, he was placed in charge of interrogating German prisoners.  He had no knowledge of the German language.  Given a French/German dictionary, he took what he knew of Spanish, applied it to the French and began conversing with the German soldiers.  Over time, he became an effective interrogator.  He faced the wall with determination.

 

There were plenty of times we gave him opportunity to face the wall with our problems.  Each of my brothers and my sister have had events that would test the courage of any father.  He stood ground, supported, faced the wall alongside, and saw us through.

 

 

RESPOND WITH ACTION: Ready to face the wall?  Ready to quit trying to make it happen your way?  Ready to all God all the options of space and time?  Face the wall.  Give Him the challenge.

 

PRAY WITH FAITH: Lord of Life, Father of Love, God of my Salvation, we face the wall.  You know our frame.  You know our circumstance.  You know our heart. We face the wall.

 

God, we lay down our might.  God, we lay down our ideas.  God, we lay down our preferences and right.

 

God, we face the wall.  God, we open the ears of our heart to hear.  Speak what we do not know.  Our knowledge is too limited.  Shout what we cannot imagine.  Our creativity is stunted.  We face the wall.

Phil Larson
405-388-8037
508 Tumbleweed Dr.
Yukon, Ok 73099

to unsubscribe reply with unsubscribe in the subject line.

Ok, Pentecost is June 12th, Evotion. You get two weeks of celebration.

June 12th is Pentecost. That celebration marks the birth of the body of Christ through the pouring out of the Holy Spirit, into the City of God, the body of believers.

Take time to celebrate at The Cathedral at 7700 N. Council at 7pm, a group of Full Gospel churches will celebrate in praise and preaching and joy. Some 30 congregations have agreed to support.  This is on June 12th.

June 5th "The Sing - Citywide Worship" is at First Methodist Church downtown 131 NW 4th, at 6pm hosted by led by Charlie Hall, Joel Limpic, Ben Hill and Marcy Priest.

Take time to celebrate in joy the source of Joy, the Spirit of Christ in the City of God where you live.

Phil Larson
405-388-8037
508 Tumbleweed Dr.
Yukon, Ok 73099

to unsubscribe reply with unsubscribe in the subject line.

The Spirit of Joy

The Irregular Daily Dose

Psalm 46 Continued - Hope in God.

Psalm 46:There is a river that brings joy to the city of God, to the sacred house of the Most High.

There is a fountain. There is a river. There is a spring.

Living waters.

Wells of salvation.

They bring joy.

They bring joy to the city of God, the gathering place of His people, and the location to which we come.

Psalm 127:1 If the Lord does not build the house, the work of the builders is useless; if the Lord does not protect the city, it does no good for the sentries to stand guard.

Isaiah 45:5 God's glory will cover and protect the whole city.

Hebrews 11:16 Instead, it was a better country they longed for, the heavenly country. And so God is not ashamed for them to call him their God, because he has prepared a city for them.

Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come." And let him that heareth say, "Come." And let him that is athirst come; and whosoever will, let him take the Water of Life freely.

This psalm of joy brings us to the water of the Holy Spirit as the source of joy and life. He is continually flowing in the life of every believer. He is the source of joy springing inside of our hearts. He is in the City of Believers, the City of God, bringing us to the Eternal City.

This weekend is Pentecost. That celebration marks the birth of the body of Christ through the pouring out of the Holy Spirit, into the City of God, the body of believers.

Take time to celebrate.

There are two rejoicings in the city of Oklahoma City this weekend that mark unity in the body of Christ.

At The Cathedral at 7700 N. Council at 7pm, a group of Full Gospel churches will celebrate in praise and preaching and joy. Some 30 congregations have agreed to support.

At First Methodist Church downtown 131 NW 4th, at 6pm hosted by led by Charlie Hall, Joel Limpic, Ben Hill and Marcy Priest.

Take time to celebrate in joy the source of Joy, the Spirit of Christ in the City of God where you live.

Phil Larson, 405-388-8037'
508 Tumbleweed Dr.
Yukon, Oklahoma 73099

A Mighty Fortress is God for Evotion

Psalm 46

God is our shelter and strength, 
      always ready to help in times of trouble.
 ² So we will not be afraid, even if the earth is shaken 
      and mountains fall into the ocean depths;
 ³ even if the seas roar and rage, 
      and the hills are shaken by the violence.

 

While updating "Like None Before",  a devotional book study of Hezekiah's leadership, the present application of ancient words stirred me.

 

This psalm was written after an army of millions stood at the door of the city and were turned back.  It is one of the greatest miracles of deliverance.

 

Martin Luther used it as inspiration for "A Mighty Fortress". 

 

Though the tornadoes crash and waters rise, He is God.

Though the politics confuse and decisions consternate, He is God.

Though life rejects my way and people pursue pain, He is God.

Though economies rattle and companies crumble, He is God.

 

He is God, Evotion.

He is God in the crashing.

He is God in the rising.

He is God in the confusion.

He is God in the consternation.

He is God in the rejection.

He is God in the pain.

He is God in the rattle.

He is God in the crumble.

He is God.

He is Faithful.

He is Ever Present.

He is Ever Good.

He is Ever Forgiving.

He is Ever Powerful.

He is Ever Knowing.

He is on the side of Evotion.

 

Phil Larson
405-388-8037
508 Tumbleweed Dr.
Yukon, Ok 73099

to unsubscribe reply with unsubscribe in the subject line.

Has life been delivered into living?

Living Proof

Matthew 9: 10-11 While Jesus was having a meal in Matthew's house, many tax collectors and other outcasts came and joined Jesus and his disciples at the table. Some Pharisees saw this and asked his disciples,

Why does your teacher eat with such people?

Among Us

Life gives up great truths as we embrace great truths. Jesus is here. Jesus is among the living. Jesus rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, and intercedes for us at the right hand of the Father. Now.

Parallel Worlds

Heaven and earth are intertwined. The will of the Father is to be expressed on earth. The Spirit of Christ lives inside of the believer to express the mind of Christ and power of God.

Engage

Jesus engages people. Jesus goes where people live. When His Spirit lives in us, we think and act the same way. Jesus delivers us into power for living so He can deliver us into the issues of others. We don't escape, we engage with Him.

Let's Pray

Father, I am looking for today's engagement. Somewhere in this day is a truth I need to grasp. Somewhere in this day is a person I need to engage. Somewhere in this day is a living of expression of Christ in me, the hope of glory, waiting to be let out so others can see You through me.

Pour into me a spirit of engagement. Assist me to see that I have been delivered into power in order to be delivered into issues. This world groans for the day when the delivered permeate society and there is no safe place for issues to hide from Your love.

Phil Larson
405-388-8037
508 Tumbleweed Dr.
Yukon, Ok 73099

to unsubscribe reply with unsubscribe in the subject line.

It is better to trust in the Lord than.......

It is better to trust in the Lord than to live in disappointment.  When He appoints, no one can disappoint.

It it better to trust in the Lord than to live in discouragement.  When He gives courage, we are as bold as the lion.

It is better to trust in the Lord than to live in disenchantment.  When He enchants, our life is vibrant.

It is better to trust in the Lord than to live disheartened.  When He strengthens our heart, there is no fear.

It is better to trust in the Lord than to live disillusioned.  When He gives vision, our lives are changed and our future is secure.

 

It is better to trust in the Lord, Evotion.  Always and at all times in all challenges.

 

Stay strong.

Stay blessed.

Phil Larson
405-388-8037
508 Tumbleweed Dr.
Yukon, Ok 73099

to unsubscribe reply with unsubscribe in the subject line.

The Blessing of Self Control

The pressures of life demand a response. 

A friend once said to me, "Every time you face information, you must respond." 

Another friend once counseled me, "You can either respond or react.  Choose."

Yet another friend advised me, "You have 20 seconds to decide how you will respond to news."

These three wisdoms, Evotion, were delivered over a 20 year period in different settings.

My greatest friend, the Creator, advises me to seek wise counsel and make plans before going out to do great exploits.  He also consoles me that the most circumspect will fall seven times, get back up, and be restored, if they let Him be the one in whom they put their trust.

 

Respond or react.  Choose.

When we respond to medicine, we improve.

When we react to medicine, life is not good.

We can respond or react by choice to most situations. 

Response breathes life. 

Reaction breathes death.

 

Isaiah 9:6
..... And he will be our ruler. He will be called, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

 

In Christ, I have access to the self-controlled ability to respond and not react.  Sometimes I use it.  Sometimes I don't.  The results usually speak quite quickly as to which I chose.

 

Let's Pray

Father, Your Holy Spirit offers Himself as a governor of our thoughts and heart and action.  You give us the ability to "put on" Jesus as if He were a suit of clothes covering our humanity and frailty with an armor of protection.  Help us to follow the wisdom of Your Holy Spirit and take on the counsel, the peace, the wisdom, the mercy, the truth, and the strength of heart and mind available in Him.  Surely, this day is full of opportunity to take the wrong path, react and find ourselves in a mess needing cleanup.  The same opportunity under self-controlled response can become a blessing to others and advance our cause and create life.  Touch me.  Touch my friend, Evotion, at those precious moments with strength of heart, stability of mind, and quickness of life-giving spirit to respond.

 

Phil Larson
405-388-8037
508 Tumbleweed Dr.
Yukon, Ok 73099

to unsubscribe reply with unsubscribe in the subject line.