Hey everyone!

What a blessing it was to go the conference in Chicago! I had an excellent time and I just wanted to share some thoughts from the speakers I heard.

God has a relentless passion for us. This is evident in Scripture. We look at it and know that His love has infused each and every part of us, never letting us go, but ALWAYS sustaining us. We know that He has kept us and draws us to Him by His own goodness and mercy. And through that we can know that even though passion and fire may wane toward Him, we are never put out!

When at the conference, I heard two very important speakers address the Holy Spirit in their sermons. The first man, Francis Chan, talked about the difference between the church in Acts and the church now. I was so blown away but his candid revelation of the church today. In Acts, that church was unstoppable because they allowed the work of the Holy Spirit to do what It wanted to do and accomplish. In comparison, the church today is stoppable, utterly and totally. And what a sad, sad thing that is. Where is the fire? Where is our desire to be activated by the Holy Spirit? Francis Chan is right in saying that we've forgotten it.

Another preacher delved deeper into this topic. Harvey Kerry is a pastor in the poorest area code in the nation, Detroit, MI. Pastor Kerry said that the reason the church is so stoppable is because we don't know who we are, we've forgotten the power we have, and when that has happened, we've lost the power. "Changed people change people" is a quote he left us with, nothing that when the power of God encounters us, we are never the same, and that is what we cannot forget. Even further, he said (and I love this) "You can't change others until the change has happened in you."

So, church of America, have we forgotten to encounter God in our daily lives? Since when did He only become available on Sunday? We, the called and faithful, need a new declaration! We need to be witnesses, no matter how much we love our comfort. Get out of that complacency! If we want a world to change, we must remember the power of God dwelling in us to relate that change to the world. We need to seek God, we need to fast, we must continue casting vision, and rely on His strength and provision! Where have our hearts forgotten this?

I am filled with passion to transform the faith of our generation and the ones to come! Who will join me? Ask God to give you that passion! Future generations need our passion for the Gospel! And it indeed is good news!

Be blessed y'all.

"Two things I ask of you; deny them not to me before I die: Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say 'Who is the Lord?' or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God." Proverbs 30:7-9 (ESV)

Hello again! Just wanted to say a quick word--plus I hope you all had a blessed Easter! 

I read this prayer this morning and it really spoke to my heart. It talks about being a truthful person, always subservient to God. I love what is written about being neither rich nor poor. I long for this prayer to be the one that I pray continually.

I am so excited for this week! I am going to a conference in Chicago and I think it will be phenomenal. The teachings I am going to look exceptional and they should be great. 

But that's all I got for now! Sorry it's not much! 

God bless!

Brandon

Hey everyone!

Uffda! It's been awhile since I've posted on here! I hope everyone is doing great!

Today, I've been working on curriculum for an awesome opportunity for the youth and young adults of Fargo/Moorhead for this summer. It's called FEED and I believe it will be awesome! I'm so excited that we're going to do something like this in Fargo! I hope people come and are really stretched in their faith!

Also, today, I've been listening to country music...I have to say that I believe there is nothing better! :)

Well, along with fighting a flood over the past few weeks, I've been catching up on some reading. I guess catching up isn't the right phrase to use; more like getting into some deeper reading. I have recently finished a wonderful book called "The Pursuit of God" by A.W. Tozer. It's an excellent read, and I highly recommend it. I also started a new book by John Piper called "Finally Alive." It's very interesting so far, but I really am enjoying it too.

And, of course, I'm still running and training for the marathon. This weekend I'm set to run 20 miles--Woo! But I'm excited! I love running!

Well, I hope everyone is doing well and you all had a blessed Easter! Christ is risen indeed! God bless you all!

Romans 7: 4-6

Brandon