Tina said to me the other day, "honey, I am proud of you AND I need a vacation". Why? You might ask.

The reason is I have always prayed for God's fire to rain down in our church. That God would bring His power to us. I have always prayed that way. Early on as I prayed for His fire and His power, never realizing that with it comes purging. So God upset my applecart. He said if you want my fire and my power and my glory, your old self is going to go. I endured many things that really tried me. The result is that I think I am closer to the color of gold, than the color of dirt.

Over the last few months I have stepped up my quest for purity and holiness, continuing to ask God for the fire. Last weekend I preached on the endtimes and God was going to have a spotless bride. Others in my church prayed for the same things; holiness, purity and righteousness. By Monday morning I was firmly embattled as the Lord began to move through the church( I would use the words "rip through" but I don't want any theolgy debates!!!) By Tuesday all sin that had not been confessed was being exposed. Those in sins of indulgence were seeing there lives flung open before them. By Saturday evening after spending days of 7am to 11pm walking my way through the damage, (not feeling it is over yet!)employing all the wisdom I could find, I went to bed. I didn't even sleep that night. I found myself praying for all those involved and then moving to those I know. This I know-if there is a call on your life and there is sin, God is not going to wait after He's given the warning. Suffice it to say what I witnessed last week could only be God.

Where do I stand? I know that this type of shaking, this pruning is so necessary. I know that God tells us to judge ourselves lest we be judged(1Cor.11). I used to say the greater the call the greater the anointing, now I say the greater the call the greater the purging.

Brothers and sisters, He is coming. Make no mistake. Last week Tina and I received a bill for nearly $20,000 for something that had been resolved 3 years ago. I take it as a sign to shake our tree. (Also a sign to never be a partner in business!!!). We have seen our marriage strengthened by what is going on around us.

And what was the result of this pruning? Yesterday's service went off the charts. We saw people making steps at forgiveness and reconciliation, moving in the Spirit. As we played worship, something miraculous began to happen. And I think its still happening. So why the vacation? Because I think we need a break to refocus. We are two different people. I love excitement and living on the edge(otherwise you take up too much room!!!) and my wife likes knowing where things are going. But we need a few days, so somewhere in the middle of all this week, we may disappear.