remembering Duke
This was a sad morning at the Watts house. Today we had to put Duke to sleep and send him to heaven. Our 4 year old boxer came down with Lymphoma a few months ago and has had a rough road this past few weeks with late stage symptoms. The good news is that he was able to walk out of the house by himself, the kids got to hug him and say goodbye, and Jack knows he’s in heaven, playing with Grandpa Chip, Cindy the dog, and baby bird. Jack says he’s looking forward to petting him anytime he wants when we get to heaven.
We’re gonna miss Duke. He has looked out for us so many times and been a good friend for walks, playing in the backyard, road trips to the lake, and lots of nights when Mom had to be home with the kids while Dad was away on business. Out of everyone, I know his Mommy is going to miss him the most because he was a constant companion and “popcorn buddy” through so many ups and downs and seasons of life.
prophetic promises
Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. (1 Thessalonians 5:19-21)
What does it mean to put a prophetic word of insight or encouragement “on the shelf”? Someone gives you a “word” about your life or situation or future. Maybe it falls in line with what you already know, or maybe it sounds new. What do you do with it?
I used to think putting a prophetic promise “on the shelf” meant to file it way in the back of my mind to see if it ever comes true. But the Bible doesn’t say to put promises or prophecies “on the shelf” at all. We’re supposed to test every spirit, test prophecy against scripture, and look into the character and lifestyle of the person speaking to us, but we’re not told to put it on the shelf or forget about it until it comes to pass.
God promised Abraham that he would have a son, that he would be blessed and father a nation of countless people. Did Abraham put that prophetic promise “on the shelf”? Romans 4 says that Abraham became stronger in faith as he waited for the promise of a son. His confession got stronger, not weaker, during those years of waiting. He grew more hopeful with time and got more excited about having a son, not less. That doesn’t sound like someone who put the promise “on the shelf”.
In verses 19 and 51 of Luke 2 we read that Mary treasured the events and prophecies surrounding Jesus’ birth and growing up, and “pondered” all of them in her heart.
I like the way these two people treated the prophetic promises and mysterious developments with which they were surrounded. They treasured God’s promises, pondering them in their hearts, rehearsing the details and allowing themselves to get excited about what was happening or would soon happen. Because they operated in faith, trusting God and believing the promises, they grew in excitement. And when things seemed to take a while, they only got stronger. Rather than questioning God, they knew they were getting that much closer.
I believe some promises have to be fought over. When I was born, I was premature with underdeveloped lungs. God promised my Mom that I would live and not die. That was confirmed to her in a card from a friend with a scripture out of the Psalms. But the doctors came in and said I wouldn’t live through the night. Instead of collapsing into tears of doubt and fear, she warred over what she had been promised (I’m not saying she didn’t cry, but that she ultimately rose up in faith). She didn’t just wait to see what would happen. If she had, I probably wouldn’t be here (thanks, Mom!). The promise had been “given” to her, but she had to own it, steward it, rest in it and fight against doubt and fear for it. Can the enemy come in and steal the promises? I believe he can if he can get us into fear and doubt and out of agreement with God. We’ll stop believing, stop trusting and stop letting ourselves get excited about the future we’ve been promised.
This is a big deal for parents of small children, me included. Babies and little kids don’t have the ability to believe for themselves, so it’s up to parents to stand in faith for them. As stewards, it’s our responsibility to cover them in faith at a time when they can’t cover themselves, just like we do in the natural. Whatever we settle for or let into their lives, they’ll have to struggle with later because we didn’t deal with it appropriately. This happened with John’s excema. Katy and I knew he would want to be healed of it later on in life, so we began to stand in faith for his healing as a baby. In a way, we simply applied the faith we knew he would have as a believing teenager or adult. I’m happy to say that because of some practical insight and God’s healing touch, John is free from excema today!
Ultimately, I’m discovering that prophetic promises are something that don’t belong on the shelf. I think that’s an excuse for not operating in discernment. We need to be able to discern things right away, spit out the bad and keep the good, and then stand on what God is telling us. For myself, I’m determined to keep the promises in front of my eyes daily. I’ve forgotten them before and had them ripped out from under me. I’m not going to let that happen again.
love in action
People will literally wear themselves out for something they care about or someone they love. And it’s amazing to watch. Last night, someone needed help moving with very short notice. They had a 26 ft. truck in the driveway and just needed some guys to help. By the time I was able to get to the house, there were already more than a dozen people there and the truck was fully loaded, including an upright piano and some really heavy furniture. That was around 8pm. We had it completely unloaded to a third floor apartment before 9pm (and yes, the piano went up 3 flights of stairs…by hand!!!).
Come on now! This is just a simple example that screams “nothing is impossible when we’re working together in unity!” I wouldn’t have thought a house could be moved entirely in less than 2 hours. I’ve never seen it done. But I saw it last night. It’s entirely possible. It’s just that you don’t normally see that many people with that much energy, all working together to complete a single task. Oh, body of Christ. What is possible when we’re united to the Father’s heart…completely, personally, intimately? With him drawing each of us, directing our steps, showing us what we’re supposed to be doing. What’s possible then? I believe anything.
4 and 8
Jack turned 4 years old today, and I’m so proud of him: a kind and protective big brother who has a sensitive heart, loves his mommy and daddy, loves God and plays hard. We had a fun birthday party yesterday, 
complete with visit to Tulsa’s fire station 32, swimming in the backyard, a fire truck cake made custom by our very own “LB” Pomeroy, and lots of fun with friends and family. I think the best part of my day today will be going home and having a nerf gun fight all over the house and backyard. Katy, you did an amazing job making Jack’s birthday a special memory he will never forget.
And speaking of Katy, today is also our 8th anniversary. Katy Jo, when I look at you I still can’t believe God has blessed my life this much. You are a Proverbs 31 woman. It’s hard to keep up with you sometimes, which I didn’t see coming, but when I look at how you nurture and care for the people and the relationships around us and the life that is springing up, I’m just blown away. You’ve held my feet to the path of love and kindness for so many years when I’ve wanted to write people off, give up or get frustrated. I can see the fruit of love coming up in you, and I know your Dad is just smiling, so proud of his little girl who has truly found the Father’s heart. I think he would say it’s worth it because of this.
And by the way, I know you don’t like this photo, but it means something to me. I could have caught you on a day when you were prepared for the camera, but when I see the mower and tools in the background with you sitting in the barber chair, all I can think of is hundreds of free haircuts, callouses you’ve gotten (and not just in our yard) and all the ways you pour your life out from 5am to midnight on most days to honor and celebrate people, serve the Master and sit at his feet. You couldn’t be more attractive than you are right there. Period.
breakfast in bed, guns and bbq
Thanks to my beautiful wife and two amazing boys, Father’s Day was perfect. I woke up to eggs and bacon in bed, homemade cards and lots of lounging. It was Jack’s idea to hit Bass Pro Shop for some range shooting before we stopped by Billy Sim’s for pulled pork and corn on the cob. The boys swam in the backyard ’til sundown and we went to bed early. It really was the perfect day! Thanks, Katy Jo…you’re amazing.
the wall
Nehemiah 3:5 says that the nobles of Tekoa were unwilling to put their shoulders to the task of rebuilding the wall. They were important people and manual labor was beneath them…technically. However, the “men” of Tekoa went straight to work on the wall. In fact, these same men went the extra mile and worked on another section of the wall in verse 27.
Katy and I are beginning to see the “wall” of prayer. Like a wall, prayer protects, creates spiritual boundaries, stages both offensive and defensive maneuvers, supports watchmen and acts as a filter for what comes in and goes out. I’ve heard it taught that only some are called to a life of prayer. I used to accept that, but not anymore. I believe we tend to see the hard labor of prayer as someone else’s job in the body. That’s convenient, but not true. Every single one of us has been called to the secret place to pull on and discern the Father’s heart, to cry out for unity in the body, to ask for more laborers and lost souls, to be filled with the Spirit on a regular basis.
The Bible is full of examples of unceasing prayer (e.g., Joshua in the tent of meeting) and teaches us to pray constantly. In the Spirit, in the understanding, with songs, with instruments, in the morning and evening, alone and with others, during good times and bad. I’ve struggled with this for years, trying my best to “practice the presence of God” like Brother Lawrence teaches. But it becomes a difficult exercise of always trying to get back into a place that I feel I’ve lost.
The good news is that it’s not up to our own discipline, emotional energy, force of will or mental capacity to grasp the things before us. God graciously empowers us to do the very things he requires of us. In “The Release of the Spirit” Watchman Nee explains that our spirits long to have constant fellowship with God, but the trouble is with the hardened shell of the soul. When unbroken, my thoughts, criticism, planning, emotional swings, and willfulness all act independently to hinder what the Spirit is trying to work out through me. In essense, because of the Spirit’s presence and work in me, my spirit is ready to fellowship with God, to touch other people, to pour out from the anointing that’s available. But because my thoughts, the way I feel about things and my will to have things a certain way, are so powerful and insistent , I’m having to use my soul to sit at the wall of prayer. Instead of my spirit being the free vessel, my soul becomes the constricting filter by which I experience God, receive revelation, minister to others, etc.
So, I’m at the wall, reading Watchman Nee and hanging out around John 15 right now. I’m asking God to search my heart and shine his spotlight of truth into my deepest motives and the things I say in my mind when I’m not paying attention. In the meantime, we’re beginning to see bits and pieces of God’s heart more and more. For the lost, for the body of Christ all over the world, for this new generation of young people, for kids and baby Christians. And we’re just taking it to the wall.
Jeremiah, Barney and $3.33
I don’t look for weird things to happen. In fact, I try very hard to ignore them and stick to what I’m sure of. But sometimes you just can’t ignore the obvious. It started on our stop in Vicksburg on the way to Pensacola a couple weeks ago. When I checked in at the hotel, the girl at the desk gave me the electronic keys and said, “You’ll be in room 333.” Instantly, I was hit with Jeremiah 33:3. It was the reference my parents put in the front of my first NKJV study Bible when I graduated from high school. I don’t think a week has gone by since then that I haven’t thought about that Scripture. It has always been important to me. As I was walking away from the desk towards the car I felt the Holy Spirit saying, “Ben, call to me and I’ll answer you.” I told Katy about it when I got in the car.
The next morning we stopped for gas before leaving town. I pre-paid with cash and then went in to collect my change. I picked up a bottle of water for Katy and then went to the register. As I stood there I wondered, “Wouldn’t it be cool if my change was $3.33?” And just like that, the girl rang up my water and there on the register was my change…$3.33! So I smiled and walked to the car and told Katy. We both just laughed and recognized that God has a pretty funny sense of humor.
To make things more interesting, two nights in a row this week I’ve sat up in bed in the middle of the night, wide awake. Both times I’ve looked at the clock and it has been 3:33am. This morning, right after my alarm went off and I hit snooze, Katy and I both sat up in bed because of a noise coming from downstairs. It sounded like a dog barking. Katy stuck her head out the door to listen and said, “It’s one of Jack’s toys. Sounds like it was left on and has a short in it.” So I fumbled down the stairs at 5:30am and began to recognize the sound of Barney like a broken record, repeating the same syllable over and over again. How long it had been stuck like that, I don’t know. But as soon as my feet hit the tile floor, it said clear as day, “Hello, friend. Let’s spend the day together!” Ha! Now that’s rich. I just had to laugh. I was going to sleep in, but that dumb toy got me downstairs and now I was wide awake to hear it say that! I just stood there and thought, “There’s no end to the creative and quirky ways that God will draw us…and even trick us…to seek him, call on him and spend time with him.
Needless to say, I get the point. God is getting through loud and clear. I’ve been spending some time in the book of Nehemiah. I’ve never thought about Nehemiah as a book about prayer, but God is opening my eyes. I’ll throw some things out here in a couple days as I dig a little deeper.
home from pensacola
What an amazing trip! This was my fourth visit to P’cola since last October, Katy’s third, Jack’s second and John’s first. It was intense, fun, exhausting and powerful all at the same time. We discovered just how quickly 4 kids can destroy a house, especially when the rain keeps them inside for days at a time! We spent some time at the beach, feasted on some amazing smoked pork compliments of Arnie, and got to spend some much-needed time with the P’cola Harbor team. God showed up like he always does, and we experienced some powerful times together in worship, prayer and teaching. Katy and I were really encouraged.
Thanks Arnie and Sheree for opening your home. And thanks to the McCall kids for sharing your toys for 4 days. Tony and Alisha, can’t wait to see photos of Maci Rain. I just hope she’s ready for Jett, Aaron and John!
After months and months laboring in prayer, teaching, doing local ministry, and being faithful to connect and communicate across great distances, God continues to establish the team in some physical ways. Housing, better jobs, favor with employers and ministries, open doors in the community and miraculous provision at every turn. Here a little, there a little, line upon line, one thing at a time. At the end of the day, God does everything he says he will do. His word never lies, and he is completely faithful, 100% of the time. He’s good. He’s love. And I can’t imagine doing this thing any other way!
filled with the Spirit (pt. 3)
Something I’ve been noticing about this area over the past few years: the enemy has worked really hard to leverage abuses and mistakes in the church in order to marginalize the Spirit’s involvement in our gatherings, both small and large. Why? Because he knows the Holy Spirit is our source of power as followers of Christ. Our character comes from his fruit in our lives (Galatians 5), he reveals the truth and connects us to the Father (John 14 and 16:5-15), he gives us power over sin (Romans 8), he gives us divine guidance (Acts 13:1-4), and he gives the signs, wonders and gifts that the world can’t refute, confirming the truth of the Gospel (Mark 16:15-18; Acts 6:8-10; 13:6-12). No wonder he works so hard to separate us from our source. If he can do that, then we’re just doing this thing in our own understanding, with lots of hard work and planning and Excel spreadsheets and fundraising. The scary thing is that we can do some pretty impressive things, naturally speaking, with creative ideas, hard work and some cash. But there are some things we can’t accomplish, Kingdom-wise, no matter what our resources are if we don’t have the full manifestation and operation of the Spirit’s power in our lives.
Every aspect of the Spirit’s involvement is critical, but I want to focus on his gifts in this post. When it comes to these gifts, which I believe are under attack right now in the body, we need to ask ourselves a few basic questions about our lives as believers individually and as corporate bodies that gather weekly:
1. Are we “eagerly desiring” spiritual gifts, especially the “greater” gifts as Paul teaches in 1 Corinthians 12:31? If not, is there a fear of the potential messes of abuse, disorderliness, or manipulation? Is that enough of a reason to ignore the manifestation of the Spirit in the church that’s intended to heal, grow and encourage the body?
2. Are we providing an environment somewhere/somehow in our homes and our churches where sick people can be healed by the laying on of hands? Is this something that we look forward to and expect to happen in our gatherings on a regular basis? When was the last time someone was miraculously healed at a gathering of some kind?
3. Is there an environment somewhere/somehow in our church where the normal Christ-follower can learn about, exercise and be mentored in the use of spiritual gifts such as discerning of spirits, a word of knowledge or wisdom, prophecy, the public manifestation of tongues and the interpretation of tongues?
4. Are we OK with 80% of our church spectating as 20% do the work, or are we expecting as Paul did that every believer attending our church will participate in the encouragement of the body through the use of the spiritual gifts they’ve been given for administration, helps, showing mercy, teaching, working miracles, healing the sick, prophesying or speaking publicly in tongues for someone to interpret (see every and each one in 1 Corinthians 12:6,7,11).
driving to Pensacola
On our way to Florida to spend a few days with our good friends at the P’cola Harbor. We just stopped in Vicksburg, Mississippi for the night. I think Jack loves hotels more than the beach…really. The pool doesn’t open until 9am, so the boys were a little bummed that they didn’t get to swim, but I think the sausage, cheese omelets and fruit loops were enough to distract them. Last night we ran into a really cool couple from McAlester, OK. They’d been on a motorcylce ride across country and wouldn’t you know it, they had just come from P’cola, FL and had gotten rained out because of all the storms. They offered to let Jack sit on their AMAZING bikes, but Jack was a little shy.
Well, better get up to the room so we can hit the road again. Can’t wait to spend some time with our Florida friends, even if it is raining.
