July 19, 2008

Good morning!  I hope this finds you well and with expectant hearts of how God is moving through your continued prayers and financial support while I am preparing for FMA.  I wanted to take a moment to explain why I believe my going to school at FMA is so vital and important in the day that we live in and what exactly it is that you are helping fund.  I remember when I was seeking out and researching the school, feeling an urgency that I want to express.  It was as if God was saying that November, "It's time."

Suppose there is a bomb threat in your apartment building and you fear for your life.  What do you do?  Suppose your wife is involved in a head on collision.  What do you do?  Many would pray.  I've found that people pray when they feel their life depends on it, as if their well being lies in the balance upon the outcome of the circumstances.  Many times these prayers are answered in a way that is favorable to the individual, sometimes they are not.  Imagine if the people all over the earth would not only lift up requests to God for a promise of a favorable outcome, but would selflessly communicate with God and plead for the well being of our world, as though our lives depended on it.  Perhaps they do.

In 2 Chronicles 17, the Bible speaks of an "if, then" clause.  "If my people who are called by my name will HUMBLE themselves and pray, then I will hear from heaven and heal their land."  I believe that the land isn't only a physical land (which is very important to us, as we are farmers) but the land of the heart.  Look at our world today; full of heart ache and loss of identity.  I have thought for some time that those who are up against great adversity that their calling and destiny is proportional to their adversity.  Drugs, teenage pregnancy, abortion, same sex marriage, perversity, the list could go on and on.  What an opportunity to unite as a "dark and perverse generation" to worship before God and pray with sincerity of heart for revival across the world.

FMA's mission statement at http://www.ihop.org says, "Forerunner Music Academy exists to equip musicians to fearlessly proclaim the beauty of Jesus and His soon coming return. By God’s grace we will accomplish this through rigorous musical training, Biblical study, and a fervent pursuit of the spiritual disciplines. As a full-time music school we seek the fullness of God and the power of the Spirit through night and day prayer."

This is why I am perusing a education through the Forerunner Music Academy, to extend the hands of Jesus to the nations, through a lifestyle of prayer, worship and fasting, as though our lives depend on it.  I thoroughly believe that our lives do depend on the power behind the phenomenon of prayer which is intricately woven with worship through music.  In RED MOON RISING, authors Pete Greig and Dave Roberts write that God's "way of taking Jericho makes NO SENSE WHATSOEVER...And yet [HIS] WAY WORKS."  Bringing revival to America and the rest of world may seem much bigger than a present day Jericho, but it starts with "ludicrous obedience."  Prayer sometimes doesn't always makes sense, but it's God's proven way of doing business.  It took Joshua's obedience and it takes our "yes" also.

Mind you, I don't have everything figured out, but the by the Holy Spirit's leading, I'm living out my vision day by day, which continues to develop.  Thank you again for you continued support while I ready myself for an intense season of life at FMA.  God has been so faithful to to provide financially and my current support is at about 40%; I am in need of about $1100 to raise prior to August 1st.  Feel free to email me at the link provided on this blog!  As I had mentioned in a previous entry, once I arrive at IHOP, I will set up an account so that donations can be made as tax deductable-ly.  Blessings and much love to you as you go through your day!