Happy Sunday!

Today (as always), Pastor John's message at NCA was awesome! He gave a great word on the parable of the vine and the branches, explaining why bad things happen to good people. I would suggest listening to it once it is posted on their website.

Today was bittersweet, though, because my worship leader Sam Yacoub and his wife Laura are moving on in God's will for their lives. Sadly, today was the last time I had the honor of playing drums for Sam as a worship leader. Buddy, if you're reading this it's been a great honor to serve with you and God has His hand and anointing on your life! Listen to His call and stay faithful and humble. I'm proud to have you as a spiritual brother. But since you're leaving me, I am forced to post up this AWESOME picture to remember you by...

In other, less embarrassing news, I will once again be studying the Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew 5-7, for thirty days. I may fast and pray during this time so if you keep me on your prayer list ask Him to grant me vision. There is a big reason why I'm doing a thirty day study, but I don't think the timing is right to share it at the moment, so for now I'll leave it a cliffhanger.

Have a blessed Sunday evening everyone!

The Call of the Phoenix...

Ok, so I promise--not everything I post is going to be about birds, but this was a powerful thought that came to me...

Although a phoenix is a mythological creature, it has a beautiful symbolism within it's legend that perfectly summarizes the salvation we receive through Christ. First off, the definition of the phoenix from Merriam-Webster's Dictionary--

phoe·nix \ˈfē-niks\
noun
: a legendary bird which according to one account lived 500 years, burned itself to ashes on a pyre, and rose alive from the ashes to live another period; also : a person or thing likened to the phoenix

So we see here a legend of a bird that burns itself up until nothing is left but ashes, only to be born again. Those last two words... Something seems oddly familiar about them. Isn't that exactly what Christ called us to be? Born... Again? But, the phoenix is a myth. We can't possibly experience new birth, can we?!

Yes we can! BUT--before that can take place we have to realize the one conditional factor. Before we experience new birth we have to experience death. Now, understand that I'm speaking quite literally but not in a physical sense. We must suffer a spiritual death in order to experience the rebirthing Christ commanded we do in order to follow Him. Everything about Christ's crucifixion taught us what we needed to do inside of our own spirit. This concept is also clearly illustrated by the legendary bird. We must suffer the fire before rising out of the ashes.

But why do we need the fire? Look at a refinery. When someone is refining metals such as, for instance, gold, they put it to the fire and melt it down. All of the impurities rise to the surface and are skimmed off, making the gold worth more to it's owner.

Another great example is shone by pottery. I remember back when I was in high school, I had taken every art class my school had to offer. I loved art and, to this day, still do. I was particularly fond of the ceramics class. I payed close attention to how the teacher instructed and he gave us some very strict warnings. "Do not let any impurity get in the clay or when it is fired in the kiln it will burst." We had to be sure to get all of the air pockets, debris, and other impurities out of the clay before molding it. I put great effort into this, but other students didn't. The kiln was fired up with our pieces inside and after about fifteen minutes we all heard a loud POP! The students who hadn't purified their pieces were left with nothing to show for their sloppy work. Their vessels were rendered useless. See, the other important thing we had learned is that once the clay is even partly fired it cannot be repaired. When the unfired pieces break you can wet them and rejoin them, but after the flames, no bad piece can be rejoined together. The vessel is useless.

While living in the old life, no matter how hard we try to break our habits, they can still be rejoined to our life. We need the fire to destroy all of the impure vessels in our lives so we rid ourselves of all that is useless to God. This is not an easy process. The phoenix does not merely burst for the sake of burning, but rather out of necessity. At it's worst of pain, the pressure of fear, the rage of abuse--it lets go of the life it has to gain a new one. Philippians 4:13 does NOT say "I can do all things easily through Christ who strengthens me." and John 16:33 promises strife and hardship. But we also hold the assurance in the end--it is worth it.

So if you are having trouble with abuse, depression, self confidence, placing your faith, valuing your life, loving others, loving yourself, understanding God, or even feeling anything at all...

Search yourself, find the impurities, prepare to suffer the refining fires and remove all the worthless, useless vessels from your life. Burn it all. Die. Rise up. Be born again.

The call of the phoenix is yours...

Why the World Needs Gift of Flight Ministires...

So far I have shared with you my old vision, my new vision, and a parable to help sum up the purpose of it all. I also believe I've already began to scratch the surface of why the world needs GoFM, but before we dig deeper, I'd like to make an important point about the old vision. I don't believe that the old vision of Gift of Flight Productions was a misplaced or incorrect vision. I believe God gave it to me with a purpose, and that purpose was to reveal it to one of you. I believe that while one of you are reading this, God may be speaking to you about GoFP. If He is tugging at your heart and you feel you have the time to take on that vision, contact me on our facebook.

So why do I feel the world needs Gift of Flight Ministries?

First off, I've seen a great need in the world for restitution with the church. There have been a great number of people who have been abused, mistreated, neglected, rejected, cursed, ostracized, humiliated and worse--all by the institutional church. Because of the failures of these churches to convey God's love to people, many have been left with a sour taste in their mouth every time they see a steeple. We can reach them again. Though they may never want to go to "church" for the rest of their lives, they can be fed and fellowship with other believers through this ministry. The goal, obviously, is to soften their hearts enough that the organized church no longer has that foul stench to them, but if all else fails feeding sheep is more than enough for us. Sadly, everyone has seen the picket signs and heard the condemning words and it's up to us to assure the masses--we are not that church. We don't follow a God who hates sinners, we follow a God who loves them enough to send His Son to take their place, be their example, and SAVE them. The world needs restitution. The world needs a fresh starting point. The world needs Gift of Flight.

On a second note, I've noticed and already posted the fact that we're all busy. We have jobs, we work first shift, second shift, third shift, split shifts, twelve hour shifts, doubles, triples, quintuples and then don't forget the kids have soccer, you need to get your oil changed, and when are you going to cut the grass, do the dishes, and shower? In all of this I do my best to make time for church, but some people work Saturdays, Sundays, and all other days we have church services. So what if these hectically paced humans had an option to join into the discussions on, say, facebook? What if they could watch a few motivational YouTube videos and study on them throughout the day? What if they had a podcast that acted as a sermon that they could load into their iPod, Zune, or various other MP3 player and then listen to it while at work? The world needs a ministry that could provide this. The world needs a readily accessable gospel. The world needs Gift of Flight.

My last point begins with the following statement--The CHURCH needs Gift of Flight. Too often we see churches fighting to claim better ministries, build a bigger church, a better church, claim more comfortable pews, better music, a more exciting pastor than what their neighbor church down the road has. This is not furthering the Kingdom. This is also why Gift of Flight Ministries is not typically affiliated with any particular church. Sure the GoFM leadership team and I attend and promote Niles Christian Assemby but this ministry is not exclusive to, nor part of that church. We created a facebook page to give an option, for those who will use it, to post messages in a message board about outreaches, new ministries, worship ideas, and ANYTHING regarding their church setup, in efforts to share ideas rather than hoard them. We're not here to support a divided church. The church needs direction. The church needs unity. The CHURCH needs Gift of Flight.

Parable of the Two Birds...

I was thinking to myself on the drive to work one night about the meaning of Gift of Flight Ministries and the meaning of it's name. Over the course of this vision, it has meant several things to me. At first it was a vision of a free recording studio for Christian artists who couldn't afford to pay a studio and get God's message out there. This ministry was called Gift of Flight Productions. I came to learn
that it would be bigger than that. The second wave was a total reboot. I threw away the idea of a studio due to lack of space, time, and funding and replaced it with an evangelism ministry at NCA (Niles Christian Assembly). A ministry where people who normally would never set foot in a building with a steeple could learn about the free gift of salvation through fun and non-threatening events with no message other than the example we, the believers, would give them... No--we're closer and that may be a part of it, but it's still bigger. Then I came to see a movement online where the body of Christ was meeting through social networks, hearing sermons and spiritual dialogue through podcasts, and building relationships online. It was another way that those who had been burned by the institutional church could be fed and continue to keep the command of not forsaking the fellowship of believers. This also helped the bedridden and sick who couldn't leave there homes. I was intrigued to say the least. The only trouble I had was that this movement also claimed that because God is love, sin doesn't separate us from Him. After all how can you reject salvation and grace when it is a free gift?

So what does this have to do with Gift of Flight Ministries? What revelation was given to me through this? Why did God give me a fascination with birds and flight?

Reason 1: truth and correction for what I like to call "the Christian Hippie Movement."

I saw a vision in my spirit of two young birds in a nest. Neither of them had ever flown or even attempted to leave the nest before. They knew naturally and had been taught by their mother that there is more than just this nest. They had also been taught that they both had a free gift, the gift of flight. They didn't do anything to earn this free gift, they were destined to have it before they even hatched. Then the mother bird did as birds in the wild do. She told the two it was time and pushed them out. As they fell toward the earth below one of the young birds started to flap his wings with a passion, giving it his best effort to take flight. His brother looked at him laughing and said, "What are you doing? Flight is a free gift, you don't have to work for it. Quit flapping like a fool!" At no more than a moments notice their conversation was over. The bird who was struggling to fly began to hover at the ground. He saw his brother, lifeless, laying on the floor of the forest. Proof that even though flight was a free gift, they could still fall from it. The bird who survived accepted his free gift and USED it! The one who was arrogant and ignorant to the truth didn't truly accept his gift because he didn't use it or apply it to his life...

"For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone WHO BELIEVES IN HIM will not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 (NLT) emphasis mine.

Reason 2: encouragement and strength for believers.

"I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." John 16:33 (NLT)

At the beginning of the vision I wasn't sure what type of bird I was seeing, but as it continued it became more relevant and apparent to me. The surviving bird flew into the sky with great joy, tossing in the wind, diving toward the earth, jetting back towards the clouds! He was young, free, and full of joy--but then the tests came. With one great storm I saw a time lapse of his life and saw what he would become. When the storms came he hit them head on, not backing down, trusting in his gift. He sailed into hurricane strong winds and suffered trial after trial learning that just because he was able to fly didn't mean life would be joyful 100% of the time. I saw him disappear into the clouds. Time seemed to pause as I wondered what would become of him. My vision then shifted towards the sky where I saw him emerge from the storm to fly above it as a majestic eagle. He trusted in his gift and it carried him through and above the storm until it had passed.

"But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31 (NLT)

I hope this blesses you as it blessed me.

the new vision...

The Internet, eh? I, while having a busy, hectic lifestyle, still was able to use the world wide web! Then I got to thinking about ALL the times I had invited people to church events only to hear them say, "I really am interested, but I don't have the time for church."

My usual mental response to this was one of judgement. "So you're telling me you don't have time for God, but you have time for facebook, twitter, blogs, emails, radio and more?" even now that argument still holds water, but I feel the judgmental attitude behind it did my evangelism more harm than good. So rather than trying to argue this fact I felt God calling me to shift my thinking.

How could I respond to someone saying they had no time for church without inflecting condemnation? Why not appeal to them instead? A website, a facebook, some blogs and podcasts, all the things they could do on their own time! Why... Not... USE THEM?

"I'm sorry Kevin, I don't have time to come to church." Well then read what Jennie Conrad learned in church Sunday by reading truthfully speaking.. "I'm too sick to get out of the house today, I can't go to church." Then study what Joe Lanza is studying on His Death will Purge.

Now, I'm not one to believe you have to go to an institutional church in order to receive salvation, but Christ did command us not to forsake the fellowship of fellow believers. As iron sharpens iron, men sharpen men and we need a setting for accountability that the institutional church provides. However Christ never said HOW we had to fellowship. So why not use the world wide web to support the world wide church?

But do we have the time? I'd be willing to guess that half of you are probably reading this on a smartphone right now. Truth is, I wrote this on my iPhone. We all have the time and a ministry such as GoFM, limits our excuses and leaves us no reason NOT to study the teachings of Christ. Remember that uncompromising job I was telling you guys about last post? I wrote over half of this while I was on my lunch break.

We ALL have the time.

the old vision...

So, years of waiting, procrastinating, and flat out laziness to get to where I am today. First I have to say, I'm sorry. I have started so many things I've never finished. But now--This. After studying the book of James, I learned something interesting...

"Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it." (James 4:17 NLT)

So James wrote in his letters that procrastination is a SIN? Wow--Indeed it is! So once again let me apologize for my lack of initiative. Now let me reassure you, it won't be like that this time! But this post is not about how it will be this time, it's about the first vision, Gift of Flight Productions.

I had a vision of a way to help Christian musicians get their voice out there and start sharing their voice and vision. It was a ministry, non-profit, where I would build a recording studio and rent time out for free to artists who met the criteria. Being a Christian musician myself I understand how hard it is to make a name for yourself and how much debt one can accrue trying to record even just an EP. So, I would give them the free gift of recording and promotion in effort to help them take off. I'd give them the "gift of flight." It was a good vision, yes, but God wanted more out of it and through confirmation after confirmation showed me that this was not what He had in mind for me. I don't have the time or equipment or space necessary to run a ministry like that. Maybe someday it will be a part of the GoFM list of ministries but as for now, it's going to the back burner...

Then I got to thinking (which is dangerous, I know) and I prayed to God, "God, I know You have given me a vision and purpose for ministry and I know you've even given me a name for it. God, what am I supposed to do with Gift of Flight? What CAN I do with Gift of Flight?" Then He gave it to me. He said to me, "You have an uncompromising work schedule, a family who requires your leadership and full attention, and when the day is done you still seem to have time for the internet..."

Aha!

What? I Forgot I Had This Thing!

But now that I've stumbled back over it I'm going to put it to good use! As you can see in my previous posts I, as a person, may have been funny (may being the key word) but I was also quite immature and was a MAJOR procrastinator. I chose to leave the old posts up because they were a part of who I was, and I want you all to see how Christ can truly transform a person and restore them to their full purpose... and, to be honest, I also think they're kinda funny.

It has been literally years in the making and the Gift of Flight concept has an entirely new direction and also a new name. What was once going to be called Gift of Flight Productions is now much more than I had theorized and has been renamed, Gift of Flight Ministries. Although I had procrastinated it's birth for years-- now, though I'm not advocating or excusing my own lack of ambition, I see the reason I did. The vision was great but it needed more and God wanted more out of it. Over the next week I will post up one blog per day to explain the old vision, the new vision, and why the world needs GoFM.

Starting with my next post!