Well after spending some time last night reading a few blogs of friends I am inspired..... to what I'm not sure. Certainly some of this is quite narcissistic to some degree. Oh well... at least it exercises the brain and the fingers to think about more important topics than what we're usually engaging our brains in.

I have been thinking about life over here near IHOP. Certainly it has this aura of being such a fantastic place where a person can meet God - but I am now convinced it's a whole lot easier to visit than to stay!

Most days I am totally engrossed in accounting work - which is so on the opposite end of the spiritual scale than is other traditional religious occupations! For me the challenge is to live outside of working this work for some personal success - or just to get by (we only JUST get by - that is itself a challenge!) financially.

Well isn't this the challenge for everyone! Onto more important topics... had to include a picture of Isaac on our SA trip.

Understanding events in the Middle East (past, present & future)

Certainly, the Middle East has been heating up over the last few years with greater and greater intensity. We heard a message on Sunday night regarding the role of Israel in the Middle East - and in the End Times.

In all my 36 years - I've never heard anyone preach on Zecharaiah 12-14 - how God will bring Israel "to her knees" - to provoke her people to accept Christ. It's a mysterious plan - and a grand one all at the same time. Here's a study guide to this passage - and we intend to study it ourselves. Who's teaching this stuff out there - who will press in to understand these times? We will be sending out the audio cd on this! We think it important to understand and prepare our lives and hearts for the times ahead. We think there are places (like South Africa) that are plagued with an underlying Anti-Semitic spirit - quite evident in the way the church is half-asleep to this biblical prophecy.


Israel’s victory, suffering and world leadership (Zech. 12-14)

A. Section one (Zech. 12:1-13:6): Israel’s sudden military and spiritual victory
1. All the nations will gather against Jerusalem: a military and political assault (Zech. 12:1-3)
2. Israel’s military victory: Israel is unified and anointed like David (Zech. 12:4-9)
3. Israel’s national repentance and conversion: the outpouring of the Spirit (Zech. 12:10-14)
4. Israel’s national cleansing: from sin, idols, false prophets and the unclean spirit (Zech. 13:1-6)

B. Section two (Zech. 13:7-14:2): Israel’s suffering – the remnant will be refined in the fire
1. Israel will pass through much tribulation to refine the remnant to be saved (Zech. 13:7-9)
2. Jerusalem is temporarily taken and captives are deported (Zech. 14:1-2)

C. Section three (Zech. 14:3-21): Israel’s victory by the return of Jesus as King of the world
1. Jesus returns as the King of Israel to deliver her from her enemies (Zech. 14:3-5)
2. Jesus’ Kingship is announced by miracles: unusual light and living water (Zech. 14:6-8)
3. Jesus is exalted as King over all the nations (Zech. 14:9)
4. Jesus’ capital Jerusalem is leveled, exalted and safely inhabited (Zech. 14:10-11)
5. Jesus will punish all the nations that rebel against His leadership (Zech. 14:12-15, 18, 19)
6. The Gentiles shall be converted and unified with Israel in worshipping Jesus (Zech. 14:16-19)7. Israel will be the first entire nation to walk holy in every area of their life (Zech. 14:20-21)

In Kansas City

Well now that we have landed back home.... the reality of trying to live this lifestyle of prayer sets in! I returned back to work on Monday July 3rd. Well all were pleased to see me (of course - duh!).

We have been reading certain chapters out of a book called "the quest for the radical middle" - an account of the history of the development of the Vineyard Association of churches. We experienced some hesitancy over IHOP (the International House of Prayer) - whilst in South Africa. Well no wonder!! The book seems to be a level-headed and studious account of what happened in those days. The interaction between Mike Bickle, Paul Cain, Bob Jones and the leadership of the Vineyard really was full of difficulty in the 80's. It's no wonder the Vineyard Association doesn't have happy thoughts of IHOP (Mike Bickle's current ministry) or anyone associated with the "Kansas City Prophets".

Well what's my point..... it does give us more insight into the history of this ministry we're a part of. We love this place and the spirit of prayer - however the historic difficulties between the Vineyard and the KC Prophets is uncomfortable - seen as our history is linked to BOTH!

We just want to love Jesus and experience the fullness of life in Christ. These other things can become a distraction.

Robert