STIRRING THE GIFT

Updates and Ramblings about Joshua

2010-01-16T09:00:00.000-06:00

Well, its been a while since my last confession or blog post. But you can connect with me on twitter @ryanvanderford for more updates. It seems this first month of January has flown by but isn't over yet. We have been blessed to be with our friends The Grant's in Baytown, TX. Peace Tabernacle is a great church and we are so excited to be able to spend the first month of the year with them. God has been doing some big things!

It seems I can't get away from the first few chapters of Joshua. It is a season of transition as Moses has passed away and Joshua is the new leader. God told Joshua in the first chapter Joshua, Moses is dead get up and get over this Jordan. It was something that needed to happen right now, don't waste another moment Joshua. The past is the past, you can change it, fix it or make it better. But, you can get up and step into my promises right now.

It seems our past at times has the potential of slowing us down, hindering us or derailing us from the promises of God for our lives. But, Paul said it best I've got to forget those things which are behind me and reach forth to things which are before. So, make up your mind TODAY i will move forward. To waste another day...talking about...dreaming about...wishing about it. Just start making steps towards what God has for your life.

This is just ramblings from what God has been dealing with me about from the book of Joshua. I will try to share more in the coming days. But, it all starts with getting up and moving forward.

Thought Of The Day #2

2009-09-02T14:12:00.000-05:00

Several years ago the Lord was dealing with me and I prayed a prayer that I have added to my daily prayer. "God show me where I'm at, so I will know where I am going." Some times we wander through life and make decisions with no thought of where it is taking you. We get so caught up in the external motions of living for God we ignore the internal movements away from God. I don't want to substitute movement for motions. In case you have forgotten there is a difference in taking a jog on a treadmill and a jog through the country. You can go through the motions of running on the treadmill and when it's over, your sweaty and tired, then you get off in the same room you started in. You have gone no where, with the feeling you did.
Sometimes we let the feeling make us forget to check where we are. So, STOP! LOOK DOWN! And make sure the road your on is taking you where you want to go.

Jeremiah 6:16 Prov. 16:25 Prov. 21:2 Psalms 119:104

Thought Of The Day #1

2009-09-02T13:49:00.004-05:00

Time is a unique commodity in life. It is about the only thing you can not save. It must be spent. So, make sure the time you do have you use it wisely. Because, you can't get a refund on your time. The time you invest in someone is not wasted. Even if we don't see the end result we want, i believe there is a blessing in investing in someone else's life. Just a thought.

Choosing the Old Paths

2009-08-29T08:36:00.000-05:00

I have found the zone. It's the orange chair in the corner at starbucks with my carmel frap. on the little table. I have so enjoyed my time in Baytown, TX. God has been doing great things! Our hotel is right across the road from Starbucks and I have found myself slipping out to let the family sleep and coming over here to work on things, finish up sermon notes, actually write on my blog and dream a little. God has worked on me so much the past 2 weeks.

He has reminded me that his plans are so much bigger than what I can see. But, if I am not walking with him daily I may miss what he is wanting to show me. I've heard men quote the scripture in blogs and sermons on Jeremiah 6:¹⁶Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. There is lot's to be said on this scripture but this morning for me a 1000 memories rush through my mind of my heritage.

The paths that have been walked before me. I am asking for the old paths this morning. So, let me tell you what paths I've seen. I can remember as a child singing a song in church "I can't even walk without you holding my hand." I dont remember every word of that song and you don't want me to sing it. But, what I do remember is my great grandmother requesting for me to sing that song a lot. There was a mentality not only in her but her generation that they couldnt make it on their own they truly were depending on him. I ask this morning that God would give us the old paths. Our generation has found it easier to try to make it on our on at times and I fear we miss so much of what God wants to do.

God blessed me with awesome grandparents. They are just PaPa and Granny to me. They are both preachers and have been involved in ministry a long time. They are Christians and they give of themselves unselfishly. They have invested so much in our family. There is so much I could tell you about them. But, the one thing on my mind today is I've never seen them looking for an easier way to serve the Lord or let me rephrase that I've never seen how little they could get away with and serve the Lord.

Deuteronomy 4: ²⁹But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.

I am stirred this morning as faces run through my mind that are thinking less is more. My Granny Jackson has told me for years "I'd rather make Heaven by a mile, than miss it by an inch." Why would walk away from the old paths of Holiness and Righteousness just because culture's road is wider. I find that old path is a little more narrow and fewer will walk down it. I believe programs will change, our methods will change but principles don't change and morals don't change. You've got to decide what road you are walking down. I am living in seemingly a different world than my grandparents did when they were 27. I dress a little different, i have more gadgets than they did, my world is a little busier, but God don't let me walk down a different road just because it may be easier. I don't want to miss what God has done for them in my life because I found an easier road. I could go on here, but you get it.

My Parents. Wow. I love them to death. It's possible I turned out like I am because they are both PK's. Ha. I am who I am because of them. They believed in me even when I failed. They loved me even in my mistakes. They have celebrated with me when I succeeded. They loved me the same day in and day out. I am thankful for great parents. My Dad and Mom have blessed me so much and invested in me and my family SOOOOO much. My parents have shown me the power of faithfulness. I was raised in a loving home, they were faithful. I was raised in church, because they were faithful. I was shown an example of a great marriage, because they were faithful. I could go on, but I am pondering the old paths in my life today. We can't settle for less or we will experience less.

What a great example of ministry I have had in my life. John Vanderford, Horace Jackson, Stan Gleason, Tim Sanders, Terry Black, Jimmy Droke, Jack Yonts Jr., Dan Sharp, Tim Greene and Rick Craft. Those are just a few of the men that have invested in my ministry. I have seen them over the years the road they've walked down. I've seen the anointing of God working in their lives, the power of God in their ministry and the revival God has given each of them. I certainly don't have time to tell you of things in each of their life. But, I will tell you of some common threads that these differnt men have in common. Prayer isn't an extra. Prayer isn't something done for show or for others to hear you. Their greatest prayers were not prayed with the multitude. Prayer wasn't just a scheduled event in their day. But, it was their life. I don't want a new way about prayer I want it to be my life.

Vision, without people perish. The men of influence in my ministry have had vision. Vision for the lost, their church, youth groups and me. They see beyond the natural and God opened their eyes to more. Churches dry up and die without vision, ministries have no vision without their vision, and revival is not possible without vision.

Sacrifice, is continual. If one thing is coming back to me time and time again from these men is the word sacrifice. I can't go in to details. But, it takes sacrifice to see anything greater in God. It requires something on our behalf. I can't name my own sacrifice but God takes me to a place of sacrifice.

I need to wrap it up, laptop battery is coming to an end. So, let me sum up all my ramblings with this. "Less is NOT MORE." If we as a generation want to see GREAT things in God, it will require walking down the old paths. We will not see it by letting our lives be influenced by men of talent or ability alone, we will not get there with just some new modern concept or idea. We will not see greater things by walking down a wider road.

Morning Thoughts

2009-08-26T08:19:00.006-05:00

Woke up this morning early while everyone else slept. Slipped over to Starbucks found a chair and started trying to type out the thoughts in my head. It's an awesome gift to dream. There have been seasons of my life where it seemed the dreams were vague and unclear and times clear and directed. Lately many have asked me the question what is your next step. Hmmmmmmm..... Good question...Next step?
I guess that was my thinking for awhile. When God called you to the ministry he brought you to a staircase and you just climbed and each step took you to a new place. I guess time and age has a way of viewing things a little differently. I feel it is more of a road a journey rather than a staircase where others see your each step. I have always been a planner. I like to know whats going on, whats next, what I need to do, what I need to get ready for. 8 months ago, God dealt with me about my planning. That sometimes I miss the power of the present because of my focus on tomorrow. The past 7 months have been a very exciting time as we have followed God's will and been evangelizing full time. We know that right now we are doing God's will, but what about tomorrow? I'll find out tomorrow. I am living my life a little different. I've realize God's will doesn't just change in a day for my life, he has me on a journey. And if I realize the power of today, do what he has called me to do today, he is leading me into my future. I know it's different...But for this planner, that likes all my ducks in a row....It's helping me to "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy path."
So, the question is...What am I dreaming? Something Big. Because nothing is impossible with God. The most important thing we will ever do is step back for a moment and take our limitations off of God. Put our lives in his hands and say "Lord, Here I Am." I have found that's always a good start. So, look past my grammar errors this morning and take it from this 27 year old today is a powerful day if you will focus on it. Tomorrow will come and it will be affected by the decesions you are making today, the lives your are influencing today, the souls you are reaching today, the prayers you are praying today, the sacrifice that you made today.

Playing Catch Up

2009-08-13T13:13:00.003-05:00

Well...the summer is over...well at least everyone is back to school. It is still HOT. We have had a busy summer, but God has kept his hand on us. June was filled with Alabama Youth Camps and camp meeting. We had the privilege of preaching in Saraland, Foley, Huntsville Alabama then over to Holly Springs, MS. Got to see my dad for fathers day for the first time in years on fathers day.
Then we headed north and attended WI Camp Meeting, Missouri Camp Meeting, Iowa Camp Meeting and Wisconsin Men's Camp. All the camps were such a blessing getting to see old friends and meet new ones. We have preached in West Bend and Green Bay, Wisconsin. Topeka, Kansas, Blue Springs and Kansas City, Missouri. Ames, Des Moines and Tipton, Iowa. Then we headed back home to be with the church in Athens, Alabama. I know that's a lot of places with little description. But we have seen God do some GREAT things this summer! We have been strengthened and encouraged by the fellowship of some great people.
We are gearing up for a trip to Baytown, Texas and looking forward to God doing some great things this month!

I wanted to share some things by some great men who have influenced my life. I don't have time to go in to details. But these are some thoughts that have made me who I am. I want to share these over the next few weeks.

"Church needs to resemble heaven" Pastor Stan Gleason
Rich, poor, black, white, drug addict, business man....you get my drift.

"The people who follow you will be half of what you are" Rev. Tim Sanders
Wow...i cant tell you how many times...i have been in the midst of making decisions...and this thought hounded me....

"His PRESENCE is the PRIORITY" Pastor Terry Black
Enough said...nothing should take the place of the presence of God!

"You can not be effective in ministry if you view your current ministry as a stepping stone" Rev. Jack Yonts Jr.
This man forever changed my life and ministry through his words of wisdom. He is greatly missed.

"Just because there is a good sandwich in the trash can doesn't mean it's ok to get in the trash can to eat it." Granny Jackson
Yea...dwell on that one for a moment...It'll come to you...

"I'd rather make HEAVEN by a mile than miss it by an inch" Granny Jackson and others I am sure.

More thoughts to come.......

Prayer Request

2009-04-04T17:49:00.002-05:00

We are so excited about what God has been doing as we have traveled and been a part of so many great churches. I wanted to share 2 prayer requests with our friends and family.

Our home is currently for sale and has been shown several times. With us going in and out of town there is of course times it would be more convenient for it to sale. But regardless of when it sells, we do need it to sale to relieve the pressure of taking care of it and of course the financial pressure.

Also, we are realizing the need for a little larger vehicle. Pray God would let us know the right time and the right vehicle we need to adjust to. We are wanting a mini-van with around 60k miles on it. I know that is specific, but I believe God can work out the perfect deal for us.

So, as you say your prayers. Please remember these two request.

Peshtigo, Wisconsin

2009-04-03T21:50:00.002-05:00

Wednesday night we were blessed to be in service with the Pastor Dale Welch and the exciting church in Peshtigo, Wisconsin. God is doing great things with such a great group of people! God did some great things Wedneday night and we were blessed to be in service with such a great church. We were blessed hearing such great testimonies before and after service about what God is doing in the lives of the saints.

March Madness

2009-04-01T12:49:00.006-05:00

The past few weeks have been amazing to see what God is doing all around. We left Texas and made our way home. It was great to be with First Church and see what God is doing! Sunday Night God meet us in such a mighty way as God ministered to needs. I am glad to call First Church Athens, home.

Friday we got things wrapped us at home and headed to Arkansas. Friday and Saturday we had such a great time with our friends the McChristians. I think I tore a muscle or

something playing Nintendo Wii. =) Saturday Night we had the chance to connect with First Church of Batesville leadership team and get focused for their friends and family service. The Parmley's are fantastic people and we are looking forward to being back with them when God allows. Sunday was such a fantastic day as visitors came in and the church did such a great job serving and ministering to every guest. It was such a honor to be with them.

Sunday Night we slipped over to Newport to be with the Seargant's (some of our good friends). They are doing such a wonderful job ministering to the congregation. Sunday Night we experienced such a refreshing move of the Holy Ghost. There is no substitute for authentic hunger for God.

Monday after a great lunch with the McChristians and the Parmley's we hit the road to St. Louis to spend the evening with Heather. (A GREAT FRIEND from Athens) Tuesday we hit the road to Wisconsin. It was cold when we arrived and noses begin to run. We had the great honor of attending WI District Conference. All I can say is WOW. Oshtoff Resort and Hotel was great, the Boyte's did a wonderful job with the music, and Bro. Mooney...no words for such a great move of God and the way the Lord used him to minister to us.

Sunday we were blessed to be with some GREAT home missionaries in De Pere, WI. Bro. and Sis. Fraser are doing a fantastic job! We have made life long friends. God ministered in a great way! The trio from Green Bay did a fantastic job. It's amazing how God uses conversation's to minister to you. And, it has been so great the people we have got to spend time with and how every conversation seems to build a little bit more in us!

March is over. We have been from Texas to Wisconsin. And, It is awesome to see what God is doing in every city, the way he uses men and women of God who have submitted to his will. We are blessed to spend a few weeks with my father-n-law and mother-n-law in Waupaca, WI. We are able to help them with the Church and some work around the house. I am excited because I get to do a NEW series with their church the next 2 weeks called "Recovering Stolen Goods."

Keep us in your prayers this month, we are in need of selling our home quickly and making right decision's as God continues to lead us and guide us.

Baytown Recap and Ramblings

2009-03-12T16:11:00.004-05:00

We had such a great time in Baytown with Pastor and Sis Grant and Peace Tabernacle! It is such a great church. So many people involved and all the smiles make you feel like it is home. God did some great things Sunday morning and Sunday night and we are looking forward to being back in Baytown as soon as God allows.

I have been blessed the past 6 weeks to spend some time with some great Pastors. The Grant's were lots of fun and we treasure the time we got to spend with them. It has been exciting to see how God blesses Cities and Churches with men that are all different but they are a perfect fit for where they are ministering. "And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding. " (Jeremiah 3:15) So, it is amazing to see who God gives each church and city to fulfill his purpose.

I have loved the past few weeks being able to ask questions and talk about things that God's laid on my heart and to find so many that God is directing the same way. I am a firm believer in building a council of men for our lives to keep us balanced. It worries me in conversations with people that are so easily influenced by just one person. I am ranting and raving I am sure...But, scripture is clear in Proverbs 11:14 ¹⁴Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

So, there is a safety in keeping yourself surrounded by men and women who you allow to speak into your life. I have a Pastor and no one will take his place in my life. But I also have friends, evangelists, teachers, missionaries,other Pastors and mentors that I have opened my life to.

I want to stay balanced, I want to stay focused, I don't want to get caught up in situations or circumstances, I want to fulfill the will of God for my life, I want to be a part of the great commission. So, my prayer is God make me sensitive and aware to your voice. Help me to stay surrounded by a Godly counsel. Give me men and women of faith and prayer that challenge me and impact me. God surround me with men and women of anointing that will encourage and direct me. God keep me in the multitude of counsel.

I have seen to many lone rangers and those that seclude themselves from a balanced counsel in their lives that get caught up with issues that come and go. God has always had men and women of influenced that were anointed to speak to their time and their world. So, keep them in your life, surround yourself with them.

It hasn't been pretty or perfect but it's what God has stirred in me today.

Trying To Catch Up

2009-03-08T08:15:00.002-05:00

It is Sunday morning and it feels like this week just ran by and all I have left is a lost hour this morning. But, God has been good. We spent last week in the Jackson area preaching in Raymond and Pelahatchie and God showed up in a mighty way. Walls came down in Pelahatchie and looking forward to hearing the reports of what God has done.

We came down to Baytown on Friday and have so enjoyed the weather! We went and toured the U.S.S. Texas and San Jancinto Park which was really neat. I love history and walking around a vessel with so much history was a cool thing.

We are excited about being in Baytown, TX and looking forward to what God is going to do today! Keep us in your prayers!

FEBRUARY

2009-02-26T13:11:00.000-06:00

These are pictures from Memphis, Scottsboro, Meridianville, Green Hill, Fayetteville, Smyrna and Huntsville. God has given us a great month! This is a photo recap of February.

Smyrna Recap

2009-02-23T12:01:00.003-06:00

What a great weekend in more ways than one. We were blessed to be with Pastor Saddler and the Pentecostals of Smyrna. A great church in a shopping center! I love it! My dream is to have a store front church located in a city like theirs. They have done an incredible job in mentoring and raising up leaders. God is truly blessing them with a great harvest. I was blessed to have some great conversation and fellowship with the Saddlers that challenged me and gave me lots of stuff to think about.

Sunday was a great day! God truly blessed us Sunday morning with such a great move of his Spirit. The altars were full with a 30-40 minutes of prayer and commitment. I am thankful for what God does when we invite him in and give him room to move.

Can't wait to be back in Smyrna and beliving God for great things!

Keep us in your prayers this week as we are trying to get stuff together to be gone for about a week and half. We are heading to Montgomery friday and saturday for YouthExplosion, and headed to preach in Mississippi the weekend and spend a few days with my grandparents and then down to Baytown, TX. So, we are putting some miles on the chevy! We are still believing God is going to help us with our house quickly! We will be getting a real estate agent this week to get this moving a little quicker.

Meridianville and Fayetteville Wrap UP

2009-02-17T16:45:00.005-06:00

Sunday was a busy and exciting day! It took all day Monday to catch up but God gave us a peaceful day on Monday. Sunday morning and Sunday evening we were with Pastor and Sis. Overton and Calvary UPC in Meridianville, AL. They have a beautiful church building and great people. God brought us Sunday morning to a great place of commitment and Sunday evening there was a great hunger in the service for a new and fresh experience with God. A lady slipped in the service that had not been to the church in 20-30 years and came right down to the altar and weeped before the Lord. It was a great thing to see fresh hunger get ahold of lives.
Sunday afternoon we were blessed to be with Pastor and Sis. Fannin in Fayetteville, TN. They have done a great job remodeling their building and the congregation was so diverse in culture and age it made it feel like heaven. God met us in a great way as several guest filled in the altars with the saints.

We don't always understand everything or comprehend everything but God knows exactly what and when things need to happen. This is our 3rd week evangelizing full time and God has blessed us in a great way. We still have many needs with trying to sell our home and getting things together for the next few months but God has given me this peace that wakes me up in the morning and keeps me going throughout the day. Scripture says that we should "Trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not unto our own understanding, and he shall direct thy path." I believe that is the stage we are in now, allowing the Lord to direct our paths. If you are reading this and there is an area of your life you are unsure about or things you don't understand remember when we allow God to step in everything is going to be OK. I've stopped trying to figure everything out and realized he is in control. The when, what, how, why is no longer a issue if we realize he will do what needs to be done!
Keep reaching forth.

Catch Up

2009-02-12T21:13:00.004-06:00

Before we got home from Memphis pain was filling my lower back. When we got home I was down in my back and couldn't walk for the first time ever in my life. Last week was some kind of challenge. But, gradually the week got a little better. And, this week the chiropractor is trying his hand in my mess. My bottom two disks are worn down. (Excuse me that I don't know the technical reason.) So, needless to say I had a long week last week and still not 100%.

This past Sunday we were blessed to be in Green Hill, AL with Pastor Shockley. God did some great things. We had 2 young ladies seeking the Holy Ghost. And, they made great steps towards what God has for them.

Then Wednesday we slipped over to Scottsboro, AL to be with Pastor Ingram and the New Life church. We had a great service as God prepared us for a year of the suddenly. Keep Pastor Ingram in your prayers as he deals with some health issues.

We have been busy this week trying to get the house ready for sale. So, pray pray pray that the Lord helps us sell this thing quickly. I am trying to get things done with a sore back so things are kind of slow.

We are looking forward to this weekend. It will be a long day but we know God has great things in store for us. Sunday morning and evening we will be in Meridanville with Pastor and Sis. Overton and then the afternoon service we will be with Pastor Fanin in Fayetteville, TN. Pray we see an outpouring of God spirit.

Lot's to do as we follow after what God has called us to do.

Memphis

2009-02-02T07:37:00.003-06:00

It was such a blessing to be in Memphis yesterday! God did great things! Downtown Memphis is a great place to be and at The Downtown Church it is awesome! It is such a great church and the power of God took over the service. I love the Bridgeforths and they are doing such an awesome job downtown. We jumped in the car and headed over to TPC for 1 o'clock sunday school and attended the young marrieds class. It was very good. Great group of couples. Then off to the 2 o'clock service. I love the Memphis church, it is a church filled with worshippers. This is the first time i have preached in Memphis in almost 7 years, and they didn't waste any time getting with me. God did some great things at the altar. THANK YA JESUS.

The following is the link from tpcmemphis.org
2/1/2009
Broadband (386 kbps)
Are You Preparing for Drought Or Draught
Ryan Vanderford
Sunday Worship Service

We will have pictures from the downtown service uploaded later today. Thank you everyone for your prayers.

Uno

2009-02-01T08:33:00.003-06:00

Well, it is day 1! Our first Sunday to be full time evangelists. We are excited about this day, being back in my home church. So, many things come to my mind today about the sermons, classes, services and songs that changed my life.
I am very thankful for TPC, Pastor Black and staff that took the time to influence my life. We are excited about starting this new part of our journey here in Memphis.
For the past 4.5 years there have been very few Sundays I have not been in Athens. So, this morning was a little different for us. We are praying for First Church today that God does GREAT things! Bro. John Wolfram is in Athens today and I hate we missed him.
Pray we have a great move of God today downtown Memphis this morning and at TPC this afternoon.
You can log on @ www.tpcmemphis.org for the service.

The Countdown

2009-01-29T08:29:00.004-06:00

Well, only one more day on staff here in Athens and we are headed out. We are excited and also saddened. First Church Athens is a great church and I am excited about what God is doing and going to do in this Church. From young to old everyone has made us family and we are so blessed. We are excited about those that are stepping into leadership and those that God is using for a great revival here in Athens.

We will be in Memphis this weekend, and we are excited. Sunday morning we will be at The Downtown Church, the daughter work of TPC. Bro. Hall Bridgeforth leads the church and is a great guy. The Downtown Church is a storefront downtown Memphis and we love every time we get to be with them. The Sunday afternoon we will be minister at The Pentecostal Church Of Memphis. Bro. Black has been one of my Pastors and mentors of my life and I am excited to start our new chapter of our ministry back at the church that invested so much into me. You can catch the service live on the Internet @ www.tpcmemphis.org at 2 PM.
We are excited to be able to spend time with friends and family this weekend. Keep us in your prayers that God does amazing things this weekend.

Finally Home

2009-01-24T20:15:00.003-06:00

We had such a great week in Alexandria, La this week. Because of the Times was awesome. That about sums it up. It was a great week and it is going to take the next few weeks for me to process everything that God gave me this week.
We are excited about what God has in store for us, we left this week excited about our dreams that God has given us. Tomorrow is our last service on staff here in Athens, and a range of emotions and feelings are settling in on me. The past 4.5 years has been a great journey for my wife and I. We have learned and experienced so much while serving the great saints of First Church. I am excited about where the church is headed and know God is putting all the pieces together for the next step in their journey. We would not be where we are today if it wasn't for the family that has adopted us here in Athens.
As we step into the new part of our journey we know God is going to go before us and prepare our way. Just help us pray the next few weeks we are able to get our house all ready and sold. We have several other things we know God is going to put in to place. Just bind together with us it happens speedily. We are about to be on the road quite a bit and keep us in your prayers that our travels are safe.
Our schedule is coming together for the next few months. But, we want God to take us to the right places at the right times. We have a burden to be able to assist Home Missionaries this year. We want to be able to go in for 7-10 days and help with outreach, advertising, music and services with churches with bi-vocational Pastors and home missions churches. So, pray with us that God helps us get finances in order for us to be able to do this in 2009.
And, most of all help me pray for REVIVAL.

The Horizon Of A Vision

2009-01-10T20:55:00.004-06:00

No matter where we are in life God still has so much for us. I believe that each of us God has a place in him we have not seen yet. Paul said "Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" Of all the things Paul accomplished in his life there were still some things he had his eye on, there was something on the horizon of his life.

During the past year God begin to deal with my wife and I and put a burden in our spirit. I'll be honest what we felt we could not see. What God was doing was not clear to us, but we just kept on praying. Late in 2008 God begin to bring us on the horizon of our vision. After four and half years of being a part of a great church God begin to show us the new part of our journey. We are just 3 weeks away from launching out into traveling full time and I can't tell you I have all the answers, I can't tell you i am not nervious, but I can tell you "i follow after."
Keep us in your prayers the next few weeks we have several major things we need God to do quickly.

PRAYER LIST
-We are trying to sell our home on our own and we are praying that it will sell by mid-march.
-Of course our schedule. Not just to have a full schedule. But to be in the right places at the right time.

These are just the two major focuses on our prayer list at the moment.

In 2009 let it be a year we ask God to open our eyes to what he has for us to do. Is it time to take your worship to the next level? Our faith? Our prayer life? Is it time to invest more into your ministry? What is it? I promise you there is something that God has for you to do greater this year. So, get to the horizon of your vision. Because without a vision, people perish.

Hab 2:1-3
(1) I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.
(2) And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readith it.
(3) For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

WRITE THE VISION AND MAKE IT PLAIN! Get to the horizon of your vision.

Christmas and End Of The Year Wrap Up

2008-12-31T11:59:00.002-06:00

The past week has been swamped! I love Christmas time, time with family and friends, of course good food, can't forget the presents and all the good times during the holidays. We were blessed to be with my family during Christmas and Lisa's family now new year week. I have had a crazy week, we were almost to Wisconsin when we received the call about the passing of a great man and friend in our church, Greg Steelman. So, I caught a flight yesterday and headed back south for the funeral and the fly back to Wisconsin to drive Lisa and Rylee home. So, needless to say I am a little tired of travel. So, many things I could say about Greg Steelman and his fight with cancer. But, I guess the one thing that I will say is he finished he race strong and made heaven his home. We will miss him.

Dec. 31st....today is the last day of the year and so much on my mind for the new year. Lot's of changes for our family this next year as we step out in faith. Sadness, nervousness, and excitment all mix up in one. But, we are excited about a new year and a new part of our journey. I am reminded daily to keep my dreams bigger than my memories. HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

The LOVE Of My Life

2008-12-15T12:24:00.002-06:00

I wanted to just take a minute to express how important and vital my wife Lisa is in my life. She stepped along side me over 6 years ago in this journey and life has never been the same. We are getting ready for a new part of the journey in our ministry and she is a constant source of joy for my life. She is a great mom, a great wife, and an annointed and talent singer and musician. She is a worshipper, she desires apostolic revival. I am thankful that God has given me a wonderful wife to walk hand in hand with. I am so blessed. I love my wife, Lisa.

Memories and Dreams

2008-12-14T08:47:00.005-06:00

It has been a while since I have posted and I am putting this on my new year’s resolution to make a priority in 2009. But, as the year comes to a close so many things rush through my mind. What could I have fixed?, what could I have done better?, what didn't I do?, what did I do? and thousands of other questions roll through my mind this time of year. It seems the past has so much influence on the way we live our life. Maybe it's just me but at times I seem to evaluate each step by the previous. We look back before going forward. Now, I know that our heritage and all the good things of our past can challenge us to go further. But, the reality of life is we let the negative and bad things of the past dictate how far we think we can go. I have heard the saying if your memories or bigger than your dreams you may have a problem. So, as you close down this year and reflect on the past make sure your dreams or bigger than your memories. Paul said it like this. "Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Php 3:12-14)

The Harbor

2008-08-23T00:03:00.007-05:00

It is so easy at times to just to go through life taking care of what we think is important, checking off the chores, and rushing through our list of responsibilities. And while we all have things that must be taken care of, we were never intended to stay in Harbor. We have a purpose, and we have a calling to go. In scripture we find Paul being called a "chosen vessel" and Acts 1:8 we find we have received power to be a witness.

"A ship is safe in port, but that's not what ships are built for." Grace Hopper

We can continue down the road of taking care of what we think is important or we can get out of the Harbor and fulfill our purpose. Our Pastor recently challenged us to the "GO WEEK." Each day we had a specific focus. Friday night we were to feed someone that doesnt attend church. So we assisted my brother-n-law in hosting an event for some of his co-workers. Four of his coworkers showed up for a great time of fellowship. What was the purpose someone ask, connections. It's called leaving the harbor. We also took the youth group out from 9 PM - 10 PM, for a drink run. Don't get scared. We hit all the parking lots, skating rink and other venues in town with teenagers hanging out and passed out soft drinks and invitations to our block party and revival service. God opened a door for us to connect with all sorts of folks. Ships are built for fulfilling the purpose of the vesel. We have a purpose to be fulfilled.

Do what you can, come up with some inventive way to connect with your friends and family, and share what God has done in your life. You'll be surprised what happens when you plant a little seed. God gives the increase. And don't ever forget ships are not built to stay in the comfort zone.

Mat 22:9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.

Insights from Psalms Pt. 1

2008-08-17T13:24:00.003-05:00

We are constantly bombarded with thoughts, ideas and activities that are no where near what the Word of God teaches us. The messages that come in to our life are constantly pulling for our attention, our priorities and our faith. How to we handle or filter these messages to our "JUNK FOLDER" and do we get rid of the "SPAM" in our life. I don't have a new suggest or teaching. But, I do find that a simple answer is HIS WORD. David understood a lot even though he only had part of what we have today. God's word is vital to having a relationship with him.
Psa 18:30 As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.Psa 33:4 For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.Psa 56:4 In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.Psa 68:11 The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.Psa 107:20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction's.
Do you see it ? These are just 5 of the 58 verse in the book of Psalms where David places a priority on Gods Word. And, because he placed a priority on THE WORD he was able to have a better understand or "filter" on everything around him. David realized that an occasionally experience with the Word was not enough. If his life was going to be different he had to get up close and personal with Gods Word. "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." Later he wrote "I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word."
There is something powerful about his Word. Are you ready to experience life change ? Are you ready to filter out the JUNK messages of this World and tune into messages from God. Then don't wait another day, don't wait for Sunday, get in his word today. There is no excuse for not having God's Word a part of your everyday life. His Word is STILL relevant to ever issue of our life, it STILL has the answer to every question. Get the "FILTER" in your life and you will find a new strength and direction.
For online Bible resources be sure to check out biblegateway.com or e-sword.net . Both free resources to explore God's Word.

The Purpose Of The Message

2008-08-11T08:50:00.007-05:00

Trying to get back in some sort of routine after a crazy summer. We had two awesome youth camps this summer I was privileged to be a part of. Two crazy weeks of running the fireworks stand, camp meeting, taking care of things while Pastor was away and then, I had a week of beautiful weather in Wisconsin spending time with Lisas family.

All summer it seems there has been one constant theme in my thoughts and dreams. "I've been brought out." Now, dont get me wrong I have been raised in a wonderful home and have a great apostolic heritage. I was shielded and protected from so many things. But, I have countless friends that have had similar backgrounds but still it didnt change their life. I was 11 at Gateway College in St. Louis for Missouri Junior Camp. It was hot, it was my first camp in Missouri. But, Justin Gleason and I both made up in our minds we were going to get the Holy Ghost that week. And, it was Tuesday Night as The Kings Clown preached a illustrated message about Noah that I came to the altar lifted up my hands and "God Brought ME Out."

It was no longer a message my family believed, it was no longer a message I just heard preached. But, the message had changed my life. Its been since that day where I am constantly reminded that the message was never intended to be keep silent in me. The only reason I was brought out, its because I had family, friends, and ministers that live, taught, and preached "GOD BROUGHT ME OUT." I have grown to understand there is a purpose for the message; we truly have been brought out of darkness into this marvelous light, that we should show forth the praise of him that brought us out.

The Old Testament there is an unfolding drama. He was a baby that shouldn’t have even been alive. But, a mommy and daddy hid him away. Then as time went on they put him in the river in a basket. And, God took that baby right into the enemy’s house. He was raised and protected right in the midst of who was trying to destroy him. And, there came a day that Moses walked before Pharaoh and said, I've been brought out, the meaning of his very name. But, he said Pharaoh God has given me a message that I cant keep to myself, the purpose of the message was not to keep to myself, "LET MY PEOPLE GO." I wish I could have seen old Pharaohs face as the one he thought he would destroy stood before him and declared victory for the captive.

The New Testament has the wonderful account of a Baby Born. The Baby was thought to have been killed with all of the rest under the age of 2. But a day came as Herod was comfortable on his throne that the reports started coming in from all around about miracles, signs and wonders being done by Jesus. Herod thought he had things under control, as Jesus was lead to a cross. All of Hell thought that they had silenced the MESSAGE, it was 3 days later. Jesus arose from that grave and took the keys to death, hell and the grave. A made a way for you and me. I believe his voice pierced hell "LET MY PEOPLE GO."
Isa 53:5(5) But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

John 10:10 "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. "

So, just like Paul understood in the NT the message isn't for you to keep to yourself. The message isn't something just to come in to church and sing and shout about. The message has a purpose. The message isn't just to think about or get happy about. The message has a purpose. The message isn't just for a preacher to preach or a singer to sing. It has a purpose.
Mat 22:9(9) Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.

Question: Where would you be if someone hadn't fulfilled the purpose of the message? He has done too much for us to stay quiet any longer; he has done too much for us for us to be complacent. It’s time to fulfill the purpose of the message. Don’t wait another minute share with someone the message that God brought me out and he wants to bring you out.

When Kings Go Forth To Battle

2007-09-24T13:04:00.000-05:00

2 Samuel 11:1 And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.

Through out the ages of time there have been many battles. The agenda behind each battle may have varied, but when great men were drove to the place of making a decision of declaring war against an adversary, they made a person decision get involved in the battle.

Napoleon was known for being a man of many great victories. What drove him into every battle, Napoleon stated “Death is nothing; but to live defeated and inglorious is to die daily.” Napoleon was not afraid of the battle.
God never intended for you to live a defeated life. God desires for you to live and walk in victory. But, we are the ones that have to decide as Napoleon that living defeated is to die daily. We are the ones that have to decide it's time for battle.
David was a great king, battle after battle he had seen the victories. David was not afraid of facing a adversary, he wasn’t afraid of the enemy. He knew the Lord was on his side, and decided time and time again to fight. 2 Samuel Ch. 10 you find him involved in the victories against the Syrians and pushing back the children of Ammon.
But, 2nd Samuel Ch.11 2Sa 11:1 And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.
For some reasons or the other David felt it was time for a break, I mean all that David had done, surely he could take time and relax from the battle and enjoy the benefits of his palace. Everything he had fought for, surely there would be nothing wrong with sending everyone else out to battle.
The problem was not David’s right to rest, the problem was it was time for battle and David tarried still at Jerusalem. The root definition of "tarried" means to sit down.
We are in the midst of a battle on a daily basis. The Bible records that 2Co 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

“Carry the battle to them. Don't let them bring it to you. Put them on the defensive. And don't ever apologize for anything.” Harry S Truman

In the midst of battle, its easy to look around the house of God and see what has been accomplished, and feel like its time to sit down and let someone else go in to battle. But, I never read about retirement in the army of God, there are still to many behind us that need us on the front lines. They need to see us in the prayer room tearing down high places in the spirit and they need to see our worship in the midst of the battle. It's time we stop fighting on the defensive side, its time we go to battle aggressively against the spirits that war against our souls.
Winston Churchill stated “We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender."
When David sat down when it was time for battle was the very time in his life that he found himself on the rooftop, uninvolved in the battle, as sin slipped into his life. Now is the time for battle. I wonder what messes could be avoided, what attitudes, and spirits could be avoided, what marriage problems could be avoided, what church problems could be avoided if we were out fighting in the battle, instead of sitting down in the palace. If we would move out of our comfort zone, we would see a progressive church instead of a defensive church. Its time prayer meetings are called in attack formation instead of recovering from the attack. Its time you worship in the attack formation instead of the defensive formation. Its time we start fasting in attack formation instead fasting after we have felt the attack of the enemy.
It's the TIME , When Kings Go Forth To Battle.

Listen to entire message

I've Got Leaving On My Mind

2007-09-19T17:53:00.000-05:00

1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 1Th 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Several months ago my heart was stirred and I have found myself pondering a simple question. I have begin to look at everything I do, everything I think, everything I plan, I am looking at my home, and my life. The answer to this question is obvious, it seems we answer this question without thought at time, but I fear that our obvious answer, our quick response is not that answer that shows in our life.

The question that needs to be answered, will determine how our eternity will be spent.

WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND?

Several months ago my wife awoke early in the morning, I woke up to hear her praying and turned to check on her and she begin to unfold the dream she had dreamed about the endtimes, she told me early in the morning about the things that scared her in the dream, and she said Ryan, the thing that stood out to me the most is that it felt like it was soon, everyone was not much older than they are now. Immediately her dream drove me to prayer, because to often do I think about heaven as being something so distant.
The past few months every heaven song I have ever heard has played through my mind. "Some glad morning, when this life is over I'll fly away." "There shall be light in the evening time, " "This is the church of the book of revelation and one of these days we're going to move a little higher." "I'm going to take a trip, on the good ol gospel ship." "When the roll is called up yonder ill be there." "This world is not my, I'm a just a passing through. My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue." "What a day that will be, when my Jesus I shall see. When I look upon his face and thank him for his grace." "When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be." "We're going to sing, and shout and dance about when we get over yonder, oh want we have a time."

I will be honest with you, I have heard preaching all of my life. I can count on one hand the services that I have missed. I have heard good preaching since I was a child from my Grand Pa's, Pastor Stan Gleason and Pastor Terry Black. I probably can not recall every sermon my Papa Vanderford preached during the time I attended there as a child, but I can tell you before we dismissed during that prayer, I can quote it about word for word, God keep your hand upon us until we gather together at the appointed time, and help us to be ready to hear those wonderful words, well done thou good and faithful servant.

For the past 25 years my family, my pastors, the ministries that God has put in my life have all be preaching he is coming back soon. These past few months as I have prayed and thought about it. My mind has been filled with men and women of influence in my life, what made them so powerful to me. Of all the ways they influenced me, the one common thread through their ministries, is they had heaven at the forefront of everything they did or said. Their sermons, their songs, their lessons, their talked all had heaven as a priority. I realize that we have to be in this world, but biblically I realize that we don't have to be of this world.

I believe there was an era of time the devil was trying to convince the church that hell wasn't real, I think in 2007 he is trying to keep heaven off our mind. I believe the devil is reminded very quickly about the damage that can be caused in his agenda, when a holy ghost filled apostolic man or women gets heaven on the forfront of their minds. I believe his mind drifts back to the apostles. They lived each day as it was there last, they testified, they preached, they prayed, the literally believed that Jesus Christ was coming back during their lifetime. My mind begin to wonder what would happen to us if we got leaving on our mind. What would happen if in the morning we woke up and said you know what this could be my last day, If you don't know, or you cant imagine. I can, I believe we would be getting reports from our local schools of students that caused a disturbance, because a prayer meeting broke out during some conversation, I believe there would be new bible studies started, I believe prayer rooms would be full, I believe we would sort through our homes, our priorities, our life just to make sure our bags were packed for leaving.

LEAVING ON MY MIND by The Bowman Family
This old house I'm living in it sure needs some repair;
The windows and the shutters are letting in the cold, cold air.
I say to myself, I'm gonna fix them if I can find the time;
But all I've been getting lately is leaving on my mind.
Lately all I've got is leaving on my mind; It seems that's all I think about most of the time;
And soon and very soon I'll leave these troubles far behind;
Lately I've got leaving, leaving on my mind. So I guess I should be looking for a better place to live;
But I can't seem to get excited about this world and what it can give;
I couldn't care less if I could buy it all with one solitary dime.
For what good would this old world do me with leaving on my mind?
Lately all I've got is leaving on my mind; It seems that's all I think about most of the time;
And soon and very soon I'll leave these troubles far behind;
Lately I've got leaving, leaving on my mind.

WHATS ON YOUR MIND?