I have been reading in Ezekiel for some time now and this comes at a time that is very difficult for me personally.  I don't really want to get into it all but let it suffice to say that though there's been some very big breakthrough with us...such as our tickets for Japan being purchased and in hand right now there are still other issued between me and God that haven't been so cut and dried.  The struggle to keep on going has been something that's very tough for me at times and this seemed to speak to me.  Ezekiel chapter thirty-two talks about the job of a watchman/prophet.  It says that the watchman is to sound and alarm and warn the people that what they are doing is not leading anywhere good.  I can't say how many times I been in this position and almost always am left feeling like the hated person that's known as some kind of informant or something.  The problem comes with the next part of the scripture that says that if the watchman doesn't warn people then he becomes responsible for their deaths...the people die in their sins and the watchman is accountable.  It's not about wether or not the people listen to the watchman but wether he tells them what God is saying.  I know this is a call on my life like it or not.  I have struggled with this responsibility and always wanted the results of changed lives to back up what God has told me to do but the fact is this is not part of the job description.  Doing the right thing before God is all about obedience to His will that I might fulfill the call on my life and this is true of everyone.  The scripture goes on to say that God doesn't take pleasure in death of the wicked.  He is not someone who enjoys punishment but people seem to think so.  They have this idea that serving themselves and their selfish desires is the best thing that could ever happen to them but it's more like paying a price that's too high for something you didn't really want anyway.  How would you feel if you ordered something from your favorite restaurant and got not only the wrong thing but they over charged you for it?  This is the way it is for all the things we have out there that we think we want but honestly know it isn't God's best for us.  You can't justify it by saying you prayed about it when that isn't even true or maybe you did but God said no and you really do know that but say otherwise....that's called deception and leads nowhere good.  Last part of this that I really like comes up in verse twelve:  the good works of the righteous won't save them if they turn to sin nor will the sins of evil people destroy them if they repent.  Here's the deal:  we must surrender to God's will.  Some who know me might think this is easy for me but it's not at all.  I have desires that aren't always best for me either.  I spend a lot of time airing the things I don't like and very little time in prayer compared to the complaining.  This must stop and we have got to take hold of the things God has for us that are best.  If we think we don't want this we must change our minds via the Word of God and prayer.  Deep down sometimes it may be but all in all I believe that we want to do the right thing.  The right thing can't be found in bars, committing adultery or fornication nor doing any other thing that we truly know isn't best for us or our testimony before God and the world at large.  Time to surrender and have what's really best for us.  Put the childish fantasies away and arise in the maturity that we should have been walking in a long time ago.  We aren't children here and to be childish won't recapture youth but rather make us fools before God and in the eyes of the world. 

Yesterday mom woke me up to tell me that Lovely got the present we never thought we'd get on such short notice:  a way to go to Japan at last!  There are so many times in life when it seems that things aren't moving at all and you can wonder where God could be in it all.  I think we all have known that there's a lot of spiritual activity lately that is pretty intense but I don't think any of us expected in one moment everything for this trip would change like it did.  We are sort of stunned at this time and trying to sort out the many details we need to get figured out to bring a team to Japan.  This time it's not just Lovley and and the kids and I but it's my mom and RD and Julie.  I keep reading Joel Osteen's book and I keep hearing God speak to me.  I have got to put it all into practice.  It's impossible to function without faith and for me in particular I've walked in some real moments of weakness as far as unbelief is concerned.  It's just as much a sin as any other thing out there.  It doesn't make you smarter to doubt nor does it make you strong to confide in people that you need prayer.  This is a moment we've been waiting for many years and now it's coming together in a most supernatural way.  The future looks exciting for now.  God help us to do what is pleasing to you and to make an impact not just on Japan but the ministry as a whole.  I still give credit for Lovely being instrumental in getting us going on this so very long ago.  I am so thankful for her!

Actually there are many purposes of prophecy but for me right now it serves a specific purpose.  More than ever before I feel that the times we live in speak against what God has spoken to us as Christians.  There's an incredible ignorance of the Word of God while at the same time many who know very little condemn the bible and things that God has spoken.  I believe that there must be credible witnesses to the things of God.  It's not that there's always a scientific reason for our beliefs but a steadfast trust in God is manifest in our lives even when we face terrible circumstance.  I often think of people I've seen who have survived the holocaust.  A recent example being the professor at V-Tech who gave his life trying to keep Cho from getting to his students...his actions were those of a man who would face terrible evil...again and not flinch from his responsibility to do all he could to save the lives of others.  This is much the same as our responsibility as Christians.  Lately I've been re-reading the prophecies we have to bolster my own faith and those that would read them.  I believe in a nutshell the purpose of prophecy is to reveal and confirm the word of God and we all need that thus the prophetic focus of my blog lately.  Here's another one:

Because the anointing of My strength shall go before you--My son, realize that the mantle of Elisha that Elijah had given him , so this anointing has been passed down upon you--that mantle of Elisha, you will take it, you will realize the glory of My Word.  You'll go further than the mantle, because you will be a rewarder of the just.  And My peace shall be upon you and you will ordain many.  And these hands shall touch throughout the world the authority of My leadership, and My glory.  An international anointing shall be of utmost joy within you, and you'll see it and be glad.  For great treasure has been reserved for that vision and the call is upon thee and yea, you're poured out before Me as a pitcher of water is poured out.  My joy is upon you and My strength shall bring it to pass, for I've sealed you.  And as Elisha took the mantle and went into Jericho, the first thing he did was to heal the water.  And you're going to bring great revelation and great healing of the water.  And many that are in error shall be loosed and brought out and delivered, because when you preach the Word, you'll set the captive free.  A GREAT TREASUREY--I will say it again, saith the Lord---has been reserved for your international ministry.

Danielle, in whom is found the excellent spirit.  Sent in the hour of need to express My love unto My chosen servants and My people.  Sent in an hour of persecution in the last hours and yet with power to overcome and stand and lead and be strong to give forth to give forth My word which can, and will, deliver My people.

For My peace and My strength shall rest upon her and stability shall surround her like a garment and she shall not be moved by what she sees or what she hears for her faith shall be strong and she shall not waiver nor cower before the enemy but she shall stand and prevail.  and in her shall My wisdom and My timing be found and the yoke of bondage shall not rest upon her nor ensnare her.

She shall walk with Me and not stumble.  she shall prevail because within her shall be the ministry of the intercessor and she shall travail for My people and shall endure and bring to birth and death shall not overtake because of her travail.  She shall increase for the Increaser's anointing is upon her.  She shall not be diminished.  but she shall have courage and bring peace to many and lead with the integrity as I shall place My hand upon her.

I will hide her from the evil one and she shall be hidden under the shadow of My wings for the prayers of many shall uphold her.  For the people shall recognize the anointing and see the preciousness of the gift and shall surround her with help and favor--she shall find grace and favor with many.

Now is the hour of the most desperate need of My people.  But she shall have given to her the ability to interpret dreams and times and she shall know the seasons and lead My people with integrity for she shall love the people with a pure heart and her desire shall be to serve, not for fame but for the love of her God.  For she shall know Me and walk with Me in hard places but with abundance of grace and I shall anoint her for the hour of need.

Rejoice and be glad for the birth of Danielle for she is given as a reward and a pleasure and a treasure.  She shall also minister to you and cause the balm of Gilead to be known and shall restore.

Though small, she shall be powerful and no one will question the integrity in which she moves to fulfill the purpose of her life and the call of her God.  She shall not turn from that call but shall embrace it from the start and shall prevail.

Enjoy her life and take pleasure in her.  Protect with prayer and the prophetic word and stand with her in all things until the vision be brought to completion.  She shall strengthen you in many hours of distress for her love for you shall be strong, neither shall fail or be turned away.  For she shall never be as a child of this world but of My kingdom.  she shall be My ambassador and shall speak for Me in the presence of powers and her voice shall be heard for she shall speak as one with the authority of the Great King.

Bless her for I have blessed you in her.  Remember she comes from me directly into your hearts and hands for I have trusted you and invested great faith in you that you shall be good stewards of this precious treasure which comes from My own treasury.

For this child is also a daughter of destiny and her destiny is in Me.  And as I brought her forth with a great escape and through political doors, opened by the intervention of My Spirit, so I shall do again and again for her.  She shall tread the nations of the earth and again and again the enemy will try to hinder her or stop her exit from one land to another but he will not prevail fo I will open the doors and the gates and escort her out Myself.  She will not fear but be strong and courageous--a very brave woman of exceptional grace and dignity.

You wonder if she knows what she does in ministry because she is so young but I am building a foundation which will be brought to her remembrance for years to come--she will know from whence she came and so will find it easier to know wher she will go.  Withold her not neither let man's hand stay her form the line for she is in training even now and the results will be manifest while she is still very young.  Neither be surprised when she brings forth wisdom from My good treasury.  neither disregard it but treat her with dignity and respect for in this she will grow secure in her calling--she is a daughter of destiny.

This one shall lead.  Others shall follow but this one shall lead and shall not shun responsibility.  She shall have her father's eagle eye and concern for the nations but her mothers stability and deep wisdom.  She shall bring forth revelation and understanding of the Word and shall preach.  She shall not draw back from the anointing but shall desire after it and the zeal shall drive and compel her in a goodly way.

What things so ever she sets her heart for and her mind to she shall do well so present to her truth and instruct her in the way so that she might be interested and respond to My glory and my instruction.  Teach her and train her by precept and by example as well as by the book.  She will watch all you do and consider it.  She is very sharp and quick so do not be surprised when she sees and quickly repeats what she sees--make sure she sees what you want her to do!

Make a league between you.  Confirm your relationship with her and honor it.  Give her place for she is the first born and this is rightfully her place.  Let it be secure to her.

Now the treasure of her life is unfolding.  Guard over her with great joy for she is of supreme value.  Enjoy her for she is meant to bring you pleasure and joy.--she is your reward and the first fruits of that which is between you.  She is also a miraculous answer to prayer and never forget that for I have done great things to bring her forth in the land of freedom while yet the door was open.  Her call is first unto this nation for she is a gift to it, then unto the nations of the world as I make the way and open the doors.  It will come in time.

Let the child be a child for in this there is protection.  Guard over her innocence and sincerity.  Look to me for help and guidance in raising the child.  Give her respect for she is the daughter of destiny.  Stand guard over the treasure but remember always to enjoy the treasure for it is meant to be a great blessing to your life.  And her life will also be a great blessing to Me and to My people.

This has been a time of real need for decisions without the means to do anything much in any outward way.  I keep thinking of that which I've heard before:  multitudes and multitudes in the valley of decision.....oh yeah, I've been here before.  Where are we going?  What should we do to make things better for the future of the ministry and our children?  Right now there's so much up in the air.  How and when do we go to Japan?  Where does North Carolina fit in all of this?  I'd crack if I didn't have Lovely and my mom to talk to.  I feel like a broken person.  How can I do a thing now since I'm still like most everyone else...shattered finances and no means naturally speaking to do anything....I can't even help myself let alone others.  I know that the future is at stake but feel totally powerless to do anything about it.  I'm drawn to Mark 12 that speaks of the Lord leaving his vineyard in the care of others...I believe that this has a relevance for us where we're at today.  The people that were watching the vineyard abused the people the Lord sent and cast them away and even killed some of them.  The worst was that when He sent His son they killed him in the hopes that they'd take the vineyard for themselves and use it as they would.  There are two things here that grab my attention.  #1:  The vineyard at large belongs to the Lord and there's no way that it can be stolen or misused because there's still the Lord of the harvest who will do what He wills with His property.  I feel this is directly speaking of the ministry here.  There has been much that has seemed to abuse the ministry and rob us all of feeling that we're worth anything.  I can't say how tired I am of seeing everything spat apron by those that have no clue just what God is doing...I myself have been guilty of this though and hate that in myself.  #2  There's this whole thing about the vineyard being given to others....now historically this is talking about us as Christians who had a chance to come to God through Jesus Christ whom the Jews rejected initially but at the same time I see a hope for the ministry here because I know that while some feel that they can live without God and the ministry there will come a time when they'll see that they're nothing without it.  This has not been a hard concept for me because I have never felt like much...I was never accepted in school and felt that the ministry was my only hope on every level.  I would have nothing today without it and I refuse to reject it and in the end cut my own throat by doing so.  I don't care where the ministry goes I will be found with it because without it I have nothing.  I believe this strongly enough to not waste my time drinking and doing things that bring reproach to God and the church....I can't bear to take the chance that this stuff would hinder me when push comes to shove?  Who of us can afford to not be ready?  I don't want to have an empty lamp when the Lord calls on me and then I have to find a way to get back in condition to serve Him.  The bible says be sober...I figure this means literally and figuratively.  How can we hear His call when we drown our sorrows in destructive living?  We never know when this call will come.  Israel missed the hour of their visitation because Jesus wasn't who they thought He should be...He didn't fit their ideas...you need a sober mind and a willing heart to recognize the hour of your visitation.  The bible talks about setting aside things that easily trip you up...I don't want to be out of shape when my time comes...not just for my sake but for my kids and the future of the ministry.  What we have not thought we wanted has become the capstone of the arch...maybe it's way past time to live up to being a Christian and stop expecting benefits for doing wrong all the time.  I don't think it's a good argument to tell the Lord we got bored and so these things happened.  The children of Israel tried that argument when Moses went up on the mount to receive the ten commandments and said...oh, well we just were having a little party here and threw in some jewelry in the fire and this golden calf jumped out...it didn't work for them then and it won't work for us now.  I admit fearing what the future holds...I don't know what's going to happen but I will not turn back now...there's nowhere for me to go...here I am Lord.