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This weekend I was reminded how much I have compared to the rest of the world. I saw footage at church of some African slums that I visited in February. Heard about widows that lived with 12 or 17 orphans to keep them off of the streets. I was reminded that only 8% of the worlds population owns a car. Then that night as i was watching Extreme Makeover home Edition, I saw a story about young boy who was physically challenged.

All of the things I saw and heard reminded me how grateful I should be. My life is not perfect, but I have been given so much.

That is a lesson that i have been trying to teach my kids while at the same time I have been working to teach them that even if things got difficult and our peace and perspectives were challenged God is still good. Of that I have no doubt.

This past Sunday I had a fun opportunity to share a service with a pastor friend of mine. I was in town to train some coaches and although it was last minute he wanted me to come and participate in their services and work with their parents in the afternoon.

Pastor Bob was in the middle of a series on prayer and his entire message was excellent. It was both encouraging and practical. But there was one statement that stood out to me. He said, “Prayer is the WORK and ministry is the prize.”

He talked about how we often pray in preparation thinking that the real work begins when the message begins to go out, but he reminded us that is not the case. It is the prayer that is the hard work. It takes struggle. It implies battle. And it is prayer that makes ministry effective even before ministry has begun.

Those were great thoughts for me to ponder and chew on.

I want to encourage you today that your diligent and aggressive prayer is making a difference. You are winning battles and softening hearts. You are creating spiritual momentum for our King and taking the wind out of the sails of the enemy.

And, if you want to join the prayer team for Groundwire, you can sign up to receive bi-weekly prayer updates at www.broadcasthope.com.

Thanks for all you do.

I have been thinking about Gideon this week. What must it have been like to be outnumbered when you had 32,000 in your army and in the matter of a couple of hours see God take it down to 300? I can’t fathom, but there is one thing I know. God wanted to use Gideon to defeat the enemy, but He wanted to make sure that all credit and glory went to Him.

Today as I look at goals and dreams that are too big for me to accomplish on my own, God has me out of my comfort zone. He wants to fulfill His plans and accomplish His vision, but He doesn’t want me relying on anyone other than Him. He wants me clinging to Him for answers and crying out to Him for miracles. So that is what I am going to do.

The strategies sound crazy and the goals seem extreme, but if they weren’t, I wouldn’t really be going after anything meaningful.

God is big enough, bold enough, and capable enough to so some crazy things, and because I am pretty average and have to rely on Christ, when He comes through…when he moves mountains and opens doors that confound the wise, the world will know it was all God.

Take some time to read Judges Chapters 6 and 7 in the next couple of days. Perhaps God encourage you with some things He wants to do in and through your life.

I am in Sacramento this weekend hanging out with church youth workers at the National Youth Workers Convention. A couple of hours ago I got into a conversation with some about blogging. Because I encouraged them to blog, i figured I had better as well.

Nothing heavy on my heart tonight just thinking about how grateful I am that God is alive and how he pursued me. Thinking about the relationships God has blessed me with and how much my family and friends mean to me. I know it isn’t November yet, but I would love to hear what you are grateful for. In this world we often think about what is wrong or what we need. Sometimes we forget to rejoice in the little things that we don’t deserve but get to enjoy. So…that is the challenge. It is your turn to share with the group. What are you grateful for?

Can’t wait to read your input.

I am in Phoenix this week and we are working with Clear Vision Studios to bring Groundwire to video. Shot the prototypes today and should have them up and available in the next month or so. I am excited to see how they turn out.

I have been so overwhelmed with the different technology out there and know that it represents different and effective ways to present the amazing love and hope of Christ. I am praying about what that looks like and trying to overcome my own internet ignorance. Interesting times. If you have any ideas, I would love to hear them.

“My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.” Ps. 62:1-2

I don’t care what you are facing, God is in control. There is no need to fear. He is a rock…your rock and if you lean on Him, if you trust Him, you will not be shaken.

Don’t give up.