Want to join a miracle in the making?

Dear Servant,
God put it on our hearts to start a Christian orphanage/foster home for kids (that we affectionately call The Lodge) on the west side of Indianapolis. We have grant writers, social workers, volunteers, construction companies, attorneys, etc. starting to line up behind this amazing thing that God is doing!
We met with the master builder on a Wednesday and asked him what it would take for him to understand that God is moving in miraculous ways, not just luck or coincidences, but miracles. We specifically asked him, “Mike, what do you need to see so that you will surrender to God on this project and do it His way and drop all of our silly logic?” He said he would need to see property in hand and $250,000 in the bank. That was Wednesday, and by that Saturday we were offered 22 acres of land that has already been zoned for an orphanage and counseling center in which to build on. You tell us…is God in this?
Now it is time to raise the $250k. Will you help us somehow? Will you be a part of the miracle that God wants to deliver? Go to youtube.com and search for the video under “Dynamis Mission”, it is the first hit. Take a look. Then go to the web site at dynamisministries.org. Let us know where God is leading you. Spread the word far and wide! He still moves mountains!
In Christ,

Brian
Dynamis Ministries
The Power of the Spirit in Motion

Today's Song Kutless- That's what Faith can do

Everybody falls sometimes
Gotta find the strength to rise
From the ashes and make a new beginning
Anyone can feel the ache
You think it’s more than you can take
But you are stronger, stronger than you know
Don’t you give up now
The sun will soon be shining
You gotta face the clouds
To find the silver lining

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do

It doesn’t matter what you’ve heard
Impossible is not a word
It’s just a reason for someone not to try
Everybody’s scared to death
When they decide to take that step
Out on the water
It’ll be alright
Life is so much more
Than what your eyes are seeing
You will find your way
If you keep believing

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do

Overcome the odds
You don't have a chance
(That’s what faith can do)
When the world says you can’t
It’ll tell you that you can!

Surrender and exposing the lies

So how is life? Are you tired of the rut? Is it just a series of events?  Christian or not, do you ever wander if this is as good as it gets? If you are feeling this way you should know there is another path, an infinitely more amazing path.  I know that I give you glimpses into my life through this blog.  If I wrote everything down, every encounter, every story...you would not believe me and probably think I was out of my mind!  For that matter, I have no desire to boast except to say how AWESOME our God really is.

I can honestly tell you that my daily life is FULL of ADVENTURE, packed with PURPOSE and MEANING and any movie script or novel pales in comparison at this point. Not because of what I’ve done, but because of who He is and what He accomplishes through people like you and me.  Do you crave adventure?  Do you desire purpose, meaning and deep relationship? Of coarse you do, we were designed by God for it!

Starting in December, I am going to teach a Sunday school class at Kingsway on everything that I have come to understand, the things that have brought me to this place.  I want to see EVERYONE out of bondage and living a daily miracle filled life! Yes, it does exist!!!  If you are hurting, emotionally scarred, trapped, depressed, full of anxiety, feeling empty, addicted, afflicted, stuck in coping through life, haven’t figured it all out, stressed, tired, lonely, broken, messed up, want more of life...come.  If you think you have it all figured out (I haven’t), don’t bother, He can’t help you right now.

You have to be in the place where you are willing to SURRENDER. Say I quit, I give up.  I can’t do it my way anymore, my way stinks.  I give it ALL to you Lord!  You have to really want it.  I admit that I am a failure on my own accord.  I screw it up every time I do it MY WAY.  Now that I’ve given up and surrendered, let’s do it your way.  I give you my schedule, my preferences, my time, my talent, my money, my job, my spouse, my kids, my problems, my pains, my everything...my life.  It belongs to you.  It was really yours to begin with, but I’m just now admitting that. I am finally broken of my selfishness, now please Lord, build me into what you wanted me to be.

The question now is, how do I go forward?  I don’t even know what that looks like.  I’ve been doing it my way for so long.  Me too.  We are going to build on surrender in class.  He is going to show you the path, in practical application, of how to live life in full surrender and bring you to a place of joy, peace, adventure and purpose like you never thought possible.

Why didn’t you think it was possible?  Because there is a liar among us.  He is the father of lies and he steals away God’s truth in our hearts and replaces it will lies and half truths.  Satan has been busy lying to you and me, keeping you away from the life God desires and you desire.  He tells you, promises you that you can fill up that pain, that emptiness through stuff, movies, relationships, whatever.  The truth is it just makes it worse.  He is a liar!  Even now you have probably thought that what you are reading can’t be had for you, or “Brian’s really stretching it this time, I don’t deserve what Brian is talking about, my life is ok the way it is, I have time to fix my life later.” I don’t know what he said to you, but he is LYING TO YOU. STOP LISTENING and call him what he is, a liar!

He feeds me lies everyday.  Who are you Brian, to be helping people?  Who are you to write a blog on such subjects?  Who are you to teach Sunday school?  People will turn on you for writing such pointed stuff.  I will tell you who I am, nothing, but Satan...you are missing the point with your lies.  HE, JESUS, my savior is EVERYTHING.  Through HIM alone I can accomplish such things, be empowered to speak the truth, be bold for Him and expose your lies Satan.  You have lost this battle!  YOU LOOSE now go away, flee from me!

Tell Satan you are aware now of his lies he tells you.  You know what they are.  You know what he says to you.  You are not good enough.  Lie! You have to fix your own life, before getting right with God. Lie!  You’ve done too much wrong, too much damage and there is no going back. Lie! Lie! Lie!  You are not someone who can make a difference. Lie!  Your problems are too big to be dealt with.  Lie!  Everything is hopeless. LIE!!!  You don’t have time for church or Sunday school. Lie!  That you are going to "find happiness" by some other means than God Himself.  What a HUGE lie!!! What crap is he feeding you?  Think about it, identify it, then tell him he’s been busted!  You’ve caught a thief stealing away your life.  NO MORE!

He will give you a million reasons why NOT to come to Sunday school.  Why to even stop reading this blog.  He is squirming in his seat, desperate and will do anything to pull you back into the box where you are controlled, managed. If you aren’t struggling with Satan at all it’s probably because you gave up; you are defeated.  He doesn’t need to bother you.  You have been disabled and taken out of the fight.  WAKE UP CHRISTIAN!!! Know who your enemy is.  Know that he is real, know that he wants to destroy you, your family, your friends, your marriage...everything!

What will you do now?  Satan has no power over you.  What are you waiting for? Take him head on and tell him exactly where to go, back to hell!  Fight for your life in Christ!  Break free from any bondage that his lies have caused, the lies that weigh you down.  This is one HUGE step towards your complete freedom in Christ.  His burden is light for you, I know. I rarely talk about my personal storms directly because they are just noise. It is ALL in His hands and when we focus on him and cast aside the liar everything else fades away.

Will you join me?

I love you more than you know, but He loves you so much more than you can understand!

Brian

P.S. If you can't get to class because you live outside of Indy or whatever, then I will send you a book, but it is only half of the equation for what we will be learning.  Send me an email with your name and address at wheelergroup@gmail.com and I will mail it to you.  If you are coming to class, don't worry, you will have a copy of the book too! :)

P.P.S. If this is your first time on the blog take a look at past entries.  It will shine some light on what's going on.

P.P.P.S. My next post will be on how God is moving through people right now in Avon, Indiana.  Check out our newly established Charity caring for Orphans/Foster kids, families and single moms at dynamisministries.org We are also connected to a sister organization that focuses on broken marriages at riseofthehome.com If you need help, this is the place to start.

"Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)"


Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I'm found
Was blind, but now I see

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed

My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy rains
Unending love, Amazing grace

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbear to shine
But God, Who called me here below
Will be forever mine
Will be forever mine
You are forever mine

The Story of Candice

I prayed for a month that God would help me come up with a great gift from the heart for my wife’s 30th birthday; something that required effort, time, talent and showed my love. It’s the opposite of what I had done in the past, usually I would buy something expense or exactly what she had asked for. This one was going to come from the heart. Finally God helped me figure out what I could do for her, make a fused glass piece of art. I have no reference point for where the idea came from except what was put on my heart and mind. I had zero experience with fused glass, I was clueless. It was going to require research, learning a new skill, a lot of time, much effort and talent: Perfect.

I’ll save you all the details because this is not the account of a birthday present in the making, but what happened AFTER that. After researching the right place to make it, I went to talk to the local artist and teacher (Greg) at his studio on a day that I didn’t have the kids. Greg is a wonderful Christian man, we had many great conversations. We discussed his studio and how people come in from all over to learn the skills of glass work and actually rent time in his studio making pieces to sell for a living. I shared with him my current trial and he shared what he has been through in his life. We had a wonderful time and agreed I should come back to make the piece at his studio.

As I was driving home that afternoon, pulling up the exit ramp to Rockville Road, I noticed a girl standing on the side of the road. She couldn’t have been much over twenty three. She was holding an all too familiar sign; please help. Except the sign indicated she had a three year old and a six month old baby. I rolled down my window and asked her if she needed food because I knew better than to give her money. It’s usually not spent on wholesome things. No, someone had already provided her a meal. Well, I guess that’s it then, what more can anyone do for her. I pulled onto Rockville Road heading home. A hundred times an encounter such as this had ended the same way; ask, and then move on with life.

I suddenly felt overwhelmed with the feeling that I should turn around and help her. How? I don’t know, but I’m certain I should try. I went to a convenient store close by and grabbed some flavored waters and drove to the nearest parking lot to the intersection. I hopped a fence and waded through the high grassy field that separated the parking lot from the off ramp. She saw me coming and was looked quite confused; this must not be a normal event for her. Me neither.

“Raspberry or pomegranate,” I inquired harmlessly. “I’m sure me being here is not good for business, but I’ll only keep you a few minutes if it’s o.k. with you.” Thankfully she obliged. Her name is Candice. She has a three year old daughter, Sophia, and a six month old son, Ricky. I drilled down to make sure she wasn’t just making this stuff up. Sure enough, it’s a heart breaking tale. Her husband had abandoned her when she told him she was pregnant again. Her brother-in-law had compassion on her and watches the kids sometimes while she begs for money or does odd jobs, like mowing a lawn, to get by. She can’t seem to find employment and besides she has a great big chip on her shoulder of bitterness that she wears on her sleeve. I can’t blame her, but it would be difficult to make a good impression to be hired by anyone.

I’m at a loss at this point. What am I doing here Lord? How can I help her? I’m in way over my head. So I pray silently, quickly. Lord what would you have me do? What would Jesus do? That’s when it hits me. He would teach! Jesus doesn’t usually give someone a meal for the sake of a meal. He would teach them how to live, the skills to prosper. “Give a person a fish and they will eat for a day. Teach a person to fish and they will eat for a lifetime.” Where do I go with this one?

“Candice, if you could start all over, do anything you want for a living, what would it be?” She looks at me bewildered. This in NOT reality she seems to have written on her face. “Look, just indulge me for a minute. If you didn’t have the life you have now. What did you love in high school? Math, Music, Art, Science, English, what?” I’m grasping for a connection. “I hated Math!” she says. “O.k. now we are getting somewhere. So math is out. What are you truly passionate about? What would you love to do? Anything.” There is a long pause and she seems to dig deep for an answer that really means something to her. For the moment she has escaped her surroundings; the cardboard sign, the glaring judgmental eyes of passing strangers, her humbling, pride swallowing life to simply survive. I can see an answer formulating on her face.

I will NEVER forget her answer.  I was frozen where I stood in awe of the connection that I had just made in my mind.  It was as if time stood still for a moment, everything was silent...a moment of extreme clarity.  The very reason God had sent me down a certain path and had implored me to talk to her.  "If I could do anything, anything...I would take broken pieces of something and mold them together into a piece of art." I was stunned.  How could this be?  The only words I could get out were, "like glass? Could glass be the pieces you put together?" She confirms my question, "Yes, but could I really make a living doing something like that, something I love?"

The rest of the account is mine alone, just as all of the other amazing moments over the last few months are.  I made mention of them in my entry entitled, "Would you believe me."  I only share a part of this recent story to pull all of the pieces together from my other entries.  I give God all the glory and credit for what He does through my life and the blessings from it.  This is not about me, which is one of the reasons I am cautious to share other accounts.  I want you to see how everything is intertwined as I wrote about in "God's Incredible Economy."  We only need to listen for His leading, have enough margin in our lives and be obedient to follow Him on these paths.

Was it simply an incredible coincidence that my answer to a prayer request was to make a fused glass piece of art as a present?  Was it simply an incredible coincidence on that very day of being in the studio, being informed people can and do make a living from being taught this skill... I run into a person, the very person in need and a begger no less...the one thing they would love more than anything was to make art?  You do the math. Not just improbable, impossible!

What will become of Candice? Can people change? Only God knows the whole picture, but I believe He is working in the lives of people to do just that.  He wants to work through you too.  What's that you say, "but I'm not worthy, I fail every day, I have evil thoughts, do evil deeds, I'm selfish, a sinner, a reject, I feel like I can't even get my own life in order."    ...Me too. We all fall short.  We all feel less than capable or qualified at times.  That is why we need Jesus.  Don't let Satan fool you, lie to you, keep you beat down.  You are precious in His sight, always will be...No matter what you do.  Go be His hands and feet, I know you can.

Jesus is very fond of you and so am I,
Brian

Today's song touches my heart for so many reasons, please take time to read the lyrics or bettter yet listen to the song & video on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhOJW4Uwy3c
I can't get through this video without crying.

Does anybody hear her by Casting Crowns

She is running
A hundred miles an hour in the wrong direction
She is trying
But the canyon is ever widening in the depths of her cold heart
So she sets out on another misadventure just to find
She's another two years older
And she's three more steps behind

Chorus
Does anybody hear her? Can anybody see?
Or does anybody even know she's going down today
Under the shadow of our steeple
With all the lost and lonely people
Searching for the hope that's tucked away in you and me
Does anybody hear her? Can anybody see?

She is yearning
For a shelter and affection
That she never found at home
She is searching
For a hero to ride in
To ride in and save the day
And in walks her prince charming
And he knows just what to say
Momentary lapse of reason
And she gives herself away

(Chorus)

If judgment looms under every steeple
If lofty glances form lofty people
Can't see past her scarlet letter
And we never even met her

He is running
A hundred miles an hour in the wrong direction

Would you believe me- July 21, 2009

Dear friends and family,
I hope you are well. I am better than could possibly be imagined. If I told you that I have seen more miracles in the space of a few months than in the course of a lifetime, would you believe me? If I told you that every day, every single day without exception, I have encountered someone who by divine appointment was there to lift me up or for me to share my story with as encouragement or share the wisdom I have learned through counseling to help them in their troubles, would you believe me? What if I told you that EVERY time Satan threatens my hope and starts to cast the seed of doubt that I am rescued in that moment, that EXACT moment, by a song, a verse, a text message, a phone call, a passing stranger…I could go on. Would you believe me?

I ask because I’m not sure I would have believed myself a few short months ago that life could be lived in the space of His will so abundantly. Oh I’m not saying that I didn’t believe that God takes care of me, loves me or that I wasn’t walking with Him before. Now though, it’s as if I am truly alive in the way He always intended. Each day, every moment He permeates my thoughts, speaks loudly to my heart, calls me to action to speak boldly on His behalf by the Spirit. Can you identify with me?

I have a new understanding of relationship, of communion with the Lord. If there is anything we hold back and keep for ourselves; whatever we don’t give over to Him…it creates loneliness, separation. In our loneliness, we cope. We cope because we are not with God in this area, we are alone by our choices. We may have a healthy relationship otherwise except with this one thing we won’t give to Him.

Our coping takes many forms and usually as an overindulgence of something; food, entertainment, shopping, work, sports, exercise, romance novels, video games, pornography, affairs, etc. We are searching to remedy our loneliness and the stress that comes with it. Have I struck a chord? It did with me.

I share this with you not to condemn anyone, but to show you the path to freedom. I share this because I love you. Jesus and I are especially fond of you. :) You may not feel like you need this message, but maybe you know someone who does. Who am I to share this with you? I am nothing, I know little. My knowledge is limited, but His ways are great. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.

Would you believe me if I told you such things as these?

Sincerely with all my love,
Brian

Today’s song- Hillsong – You hold me now

On that day when I see
All that You have for me
When I see You face to face
There surrounded by Your grace

All my fears swept away
In the light of your embrace
When Your love is all I need
And forever I am free

Where the streets are made of gold
In Your presence healed and whole
Let these songs of heaven rise to you alone

No weeping, no hurt or pain
No suff'ring

You hold me now
You hold me now

No darkness no sickening
No hiding

You hold me now,
You hold me now

In this life I will stand
Through my joy and my pain
Knowing there's a greater day
There's a hope that never fails

When You're name is lifted high
And forever praises rise
For the glory of Your Name
I'm believing for the day

When the wars and violence cease
All creation lives in peace
Let these songs of heaven rise to you alone

No weeping, no hurt or pain
No suff'ring

You hold me now
You hold me now

No darkness, no sickening
No hiding You hold me now,
You hold me now

For eternity
All my heart will give
All the glory to Your name