"Kickin'" doesn't even begin to describe...

Friday edition (i'm just sayin' ), regular readers know the routine - it doesn't get anymore random than this...

• Really excited about Sunday's service! I told you last week that we would be doing things different - it's really come together - can't wait for the Lord's Supper segment of the service; not only will it be special from the "remembrance" side of things, but the music...
• If you were with us last Sunday you heard me hype the fact that you CAN'T BE LATE because... well, I can't tell you. Let me just say that technology is a wonderful thing when it comes to reaching the world... i've already said too much, but if you miss the top of the service don't say that i didn't warn you...
• If you missed my video update yesterday, check it out here to hear my interview with "Barnes & Miner", our comedy team headlining our "Nite of Laughter!" - Come on... you know you REALLY need to laugh.
• I spoke with our mission team yesterday. I AM SO PROUD OF THEM AND THE WORK THEY'RE DOING!!!
• Confession: i have had the most spiritually intense 3 weeks of my entire ministry. I tell you this to let you know that I am living out the stuff that I preach and guess what: it's true and it works. Brokeness precedes blessing - Hallelujah!
• Super Saints Alert (those who are casual readers or struggle with the good/evil thing happening in the spirit realm - this is the part where you think I've lost it  ). I want you to know that I have been informed by people "in the know" that satan is at work in this region (did i hear a big collective, "DUH!"? ). He's not working the way you think - He is in churches all around our region causing problems among believers. It's rampant right now. It is worse than at anytime in the past 2 years! If you know about this stuff you'll know that satan stirs up trouble when he needs to distract us from our mission (in other words, when he's scared). How does he do that? By making believers argue and doubt their mission because he knows when they aren't unified they can't be about their mission. 
• by the way... don't "read into" that. People have a tendency to think that you're speaking in code and trying to figure out "who" or "what" you're talking about - I said it all and I'm not referring to any particular thing. As a matter of fact, I struggled to sleep all nite as my spirit was restless and in a mode of what appeared to be intercessory prayer. I have friends in other churches throughout our region who have shared with me the struggles they are having. Our response: pray. (I am). Remember, "our battle is not against flesh and blood" - when you struggle with people you're praying in the wrong direction. Everytime.

On the other side of that I have also had an incredible 2 weeks:

• 2 messages that spoke to me exactly where I am at if they touched no one else...
• an unbelievable men's conference coming up in which i will be one of the speakers ("really? Are you sure you want ME to speak?")
• meetings with people in the Pembroke area about "the Gathering" that, well, were tremendous. God seems to be so in this...
• an unbelievable rehearsal Wednesday nite where i unveiled new music to the band and choir - WE WORSHIPED...
• i am walking so close to Jesus right now - He has shown me so much about my personal mission in the past 2 weeks. As a matter of fact, He has taught me so much that I have received a boldness (remember that word, hyde park?) that is beyond anything I've personally ever walked with. There's something about having a clearer understanding of "who" you are and what that means in the way of your calling - as you begin to see what He wants you to see and recognize that His sovereignty is at work in your life you can let your guard down and be amazed at what He's done and is doing all around you - even when the storms are blowing, you know that you're safe in "His house" that is built with the right kind of foundation.

So, next week I will try to expound (Lord willing) on the bottom 5 points - Can't wait to worship with you on Sunday... Gotta go - i got an appointment with HIM and I'm about 10 mins late! (He's always so forgiving  ). I love ya'll so, so much - return some on a brother sometime, will ya?

Comments

[Cyndi]

I'm with you Mike P.! I'm loving on you and your family right now, and pray that you remain right where you are...but continuing forward in Him.

You are so right, Satan is on an all out attack these days and he has good reason to be scared...his time is more limited than any of us know. With that said, it is more important NOW for "US"..."Christians"...to LOVE ONE ANOTHER and give one another a break. Why??? Because his time REALLY IS SHORT and he knows it. If his time is short...then ours is even shorter!! We HAVE to use it wisely and WIN SOULS for the cause of Christ. We have NO TIME TO LOSE, and we need to keep our eyes on the prize...the HIGH CALLING! AMEN? After all...read the back of the book...he not only loses big time...be WE WIN!!!!!! ETERNITY with the MOST HIGH!!!!!

[Janice]

Loving you with some JESUS love Mike, your blog always inspires me! I am "indentifying" with ya on these things, hope you and yours have a worship-fully blessed day! In our prayers, ~Janice~

[mike p]

Cyndi - Amen AND amen... Let it be so, Lord Jesus! Much better than i could have said it.

Janice - thanks. Your posts on the message board always inspire me. And I HAVE had a worshipfully blessed day, so far - thanks for the "love".