therstblog

I remember the first time i got high, I am not glamorizing or approving drugs!, but i thought I was invincible. I thought I could walk on water, then i met God. Mind you when I met Him, I had been “saved” since I was 12, sometime had passed before my first encounter with Him. Let’s just say I was no longer concerned about being high or using drugs ever again!!!

In disscussing the names of God my hope is that we all have such an encounter with God. To know every aspect possible of the One who loves us more than anyone on the face of the earth. It is my hope that with each new name discovered that you discover another side, another part of His personality, another area of interest. I have discovered that you cannot trust anyone that you do not know, so lets get to know Him.

(el el-yone’)
The Most High God

Use in the Bible: In the Old Testament El Elyon occurs 28 times. It occurs 19 times in Psalms. El Elyon is first used in Gen 14:18.

Variant spellings: None

TWOT Reference: 1624g, 1624h

Strong’s Reference: 5945

El Elyon in the Septuagint: ho theos ho hupsistos — the God most high

Meaning and Derivation: El is another name that is translated as “God” and can be used in conjunction with other words to designate various aspects of God’s character. Elyon literally means “Most High” and is used both adjectivally and substantivally throughout the Old Testament. It expresses the extreme sovereignty and majesty of God and His highest preeminence. When the two words are combined — El Elyon — it can be translated as “the most exalted God.”(Psa 57:2)

Further references of the name El Elyon in the Old Testament: Gen 14:18; Gen 14:19; Gen 14:20; Gen 14:22; Psa 57:2; Psa 78:35

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I get so frustrated at the thought of people being only given a portion of the truth, or given just enough of the truth to feel good. Let me explain.

I was reading a blog today, one that I frequently read and find highly informative, and helpful, but I read something in that blog that made me mad, not at the author of the blog, per say, but at a sentiment portrayed in a story told in the blog. Im getting there I promise.

The story was about a young man who was “GIVEN” a certain amount of time to live, by some highly certified, classified, specialist in his/her field no doubt. The story went on to tell how even until his death he never once complained, nor did he say anything negative, he simply continued to share his love of God with everyone who would listen. He loved God and would praise Him even in the midst of a life ending illness. I admire the young man for his faith, his strength, and more importantly for his courage. I am sure you are patiently waiting for the part that upset me. Well here it is.

When someone gives you something you don’t want, why would you keep it? Did he want to die? Did he only want the time “Given” to him? Was there more he could have done for the Kingdom had he had more time to LIVE?

I will make it even more plain for you. It’s your birthday, or anniversary, or Christmas and you are “GIVEN” a gift that does not fit, is the wrong color, or you simply do not like, what do you do with it? Do you keep it because you dont want to hurt the other persons feelings? Do you wear the tie that doesnt go with any suit you have? Do you pretend that you love the gift and get home and bang your head against the wall trying to figure out if the person hates you for “GIVING” you such an awful gift? Or do you take it to the store and return it for something you truly wanted? Be honest!

If you are like me, you smile, say thank you and dream of running to the store and returning what was “GIVEN” to you, however good the intention. YOU TAKE IT BACK! You ask for the receipt, and I love that today gifts usually come with a GIFT RECEIPT!

I could not help but think about this young man, who was “GIVEN” something he obviously did not want. Yet he settled, mind you he made the best of the gift, but he settled. Why didnt he ask for the receipt? Wht didnt he trade what was “GIVEN” to him in for something he wanted, like LIFE instead of death?

Here is where the half truth comes in. Did he even know he could return or exchange what he was “GIVEN”? Did he even know to ask or look for the receipt? If you didn’t know now you know. If ever anyone, and I mean anyone, I dont care how many TV stations they are on, who respects them or what their title is, if they GIVE you something you don’t want, politely say thank you, smile (because we are to walk in love) and ask for the receipt!!!

Negative reports about your health, negative words about who you are, or casting doubt about something you are believing God for, something you need God to do for you, calling you out of your name, I could go on forever; but the bottom line is you dont have to take it. I wish I could have been around to tell that young man that Jesus came that we might have LIFE, not just any kind of life but LIFE. A life that is not governed by what we see, hear, or even are Given, but is governed by the Word of God.It is in that very Word that says that Jesus bore our sickness and disease and by His stripes (each lash that went across his back and side) WE ARE HEALED! Now, there are some who say, “It was God’s Will”, Frankly anyone who would say that does not and cannot know the God of Abraham Issac and Jacob. Because His will is Life, and Life more abundantly. Does that mean you wont have troubles, or situations or circumstances, no not at all, but what it means is that even in the midst of those situations and circumstance YOU WIN!

I tell you what, if you wanna GIVE me a gift, GIVE me a gift card so that I can get what I want… JESUS!

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I would imagine that since the bible became the popular tool for growth, literature, and major discussion and debate people have attempted to make analogies or links between the bible and books we use in our everyday lives. In my quite time today I began to ponder several of those comparisons and dissect them, well OK it wasn’t me but the Holy Spirit, here is what we came up with.

There is the ever popular, ever religious, and cliche “How-To Guide”, then there is “The Book of Promises, then something i never thought about until today “The Wish Book” and lastly there is my absolute favorite “The Lifestyle Guide”. Lets take them in this very order, we will start with “The How-To Book”.

When you think of How-To, you think of Home Depot, the bike you got your daughter for Christmas with the instructions in Chinese and German, but now English. You think about how you hate to read directions to put anything together. “Just give me the picture, and I will go from there”, we have all said it. (I’m speaking to the men here) Granted the Bible could be considered a How-To manual, I guess rather than plumbing you might look up healing, or rather then which way do the handle bars go and what size bolt and nut do I use, you might look for instructions on how to pray.

Think about this one thing for a moment, how many men do you know who read the instructions? For anything? If we change our perception of the bible, which would probably be easier than getting any man to read the directions “before” he starts the project, would men be more prone to read the bible?

If it was the TV Guide would they pick it up? If we called it something other than an “The Basic Instructions for Basic Living E_____” (not sure what the “e” stands for) that men would take notice of it, open and find truth in it.

The next time your husband, father, brother, son, nephew or male friend decides to put something together or fix something, watch how long it takes before he grabs the instructions, that is if he ever grabs for them. Then ask yourself, this very same question, When have you known any man to “read the instructions” of anything?

Next will be “The Book of Promises”

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WHEW!!!!

Today, or rather yesterday, had me running the obstacle course from you know where! I left the house around 12:30 to buy a pair of sneakers for my oldest son for school. Well after 2 hours and six stores, NOTHING!!!!

I love to shop, grew up shopping, and KNOW how to find a bargain, so if you share the feeling, then you know my frustration. I was outdone, I couldn’t fathom not being able to find an all white pair of sneakers in a size four. What I found was the right shoe the wrong price, or the right price the wrong shoe, or worse the right shoe, the right price, but no size fours. So I headed home defeated, whipped and out of my wits. I shared with my wife that I was at a lost, and would come home, rest play with my other son, and take my mind off of a day that i could not forget fast enough. I had made up my mind that I would come out later on and take my needs to another part of town.

I left at 7pm that evening, Atlanta traffic is not pleasant, so timing that was crucial. I predetermined my route, the order of stores, and that when i got to the last store I would buy something, anything, just so that this torture would be over. Got to the first store, again I am telling you someone somewhere was playing a trick with my head, the perfect show, the very perfect price, and of course NO SIZE FOUR! I walk over to the next store, nothing, it looked like there was a clearance sale and everyone in the city knew about it but me. So I gathered myself, got my thoughts under control, and made my way to the ninth and final store. I walked in the store, already defeated, already prepared to give up or better yet, give in. I made my way to the shoe department. I stood there, I am sure I looked puzzled and out of place, but I stood there believing to find something that fit, something that would be the answer to my prayers, something that would allow me to go home and rest assured that I had found the one thing that would make me and my family happy. (I know a little too deep, but trust me you will get it in a minute) I was about to walk away when I heard something (hint, hint) that said look down, go now. I walked over looked over the rows of shoes on the wall, and i saw a tag as big as Texas that read “4″!!!! 

I almost turned a cartwheel, finally after such a long, frustrating, and defeating day I found the perfect shoe, the perfect price, the perfect fit. I was done! Mission Accomplished!

Now take a moment to reflect on this story and think about what it must have been like to find the church home you now attend, more importantly think about others who have never been to church or who are in dire need of a church home, but just cannot seem to find “the perfect fit”. To them I say don’t give up, you are not defeated. Just when you want to quit, or stay somewhere you really don’t like, or you know you cant get what you need, but the music is good, or the women are pretty, or well you get my point.

To those of you who have found “the perfect fit”, try being a little more considerate and remember what it was like when you too, did not know whether you were going or coming. Try being a lot more open and loving to those in need of assistance. In all of the store I visited today, not one person, and there was at least one person in every store who saw me losing it, ever asked if they could find something for me. Does this sound familiar?

Have you found your size four?

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As promised I am posting several pictures of our first baptism that took place on 10/07/07. On this day Rose Andre made it known to God, man, and the enemy that she is a child of the Most High God by following Christ into death and raising with Him in the newness of life… c 4 yourself!

This, is the first of many to come, whether Lake Lanier or wherever, souls will find there place in the House of God!

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How many times times have you heard someone say, “I don’t know how this happened (something bad), God must be angry with me!”? This could not be further from the truth. Why do we have this image in our head and hearts that God is some angry man in the sky who is watching and waiting for us to mess up so He can FIX US?

In this series “To Know Him” We are going to discover, discuss and reflect on the true nature of Abba Father.

How does THE God get such a bad reputation? Who is handling His PR?

The saddest thing is that the church or many Christians feel this very same way about God. How is it that the same God who is love, 1 John 4:7-18, could have such an anger management issue amongst the very same body of “believers” who call Him Father?

WE DON’T KNOW HIM!  

We know who our parents knew, who someone else knew and shared with us, we know the God we see on T.V. or in cartoons, We know the stories- mostly fables; however, we have never spent any time getting to know God for ourselves. All throughout the bible references stick out like a sore thumb of how God desires our companionship and longs for time with YOU! And we wonder why our relationships don’t work.

Today we start with one of the many names of God, I figure how can you truly know someone if you don’t know there name, or in this case names? My desire is that this section encourages you to seek a sincere, honest and open relationship with HIM!

El Shaddai

(el shad-di’)
All-Sufficient One, Lord God Almighty

Use in the Bible: In the Old Testament El Shaddai occurs 7 times. El Shaddai is first used in Gen 17:1.

El Shaddai in the Septuagint: theou saddai — God Shaddai; pantokratôr (for Shaddai) — the Almighty

Meaning and Derivation: El is another name that is translated as “God” and can be used in conjunction with other words to designate various aspects of God’s character. Another word much like Shaddai, and from which many believe it derived, is shad meaning “breast” in Hebrew (some other scholars believe that the name is derived from an Akkadian word Šadu, meaning “mountain,” suggesting strength and power). This refers to God completely nourishing, satisfying, and supplying His people with all their needs as a mother would her child. Connected with the word for God, El, this denotes a God who freely gives nourishment and blessing, He is our sustainer.

Further references of the name El Shaddai in the Old Testament: Gen 17:1; Gen 28:3; Gen 35:11; Gen 43:14; Gen 48:3

as taken from blueletterbible.com

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The days are starting to run together.

And can I just say that the enemy is not excited at all about my commitment to this fast, to my desire for a renewed and deeper intimacy with my God, and the result of this 40 day period. He has reared his ugly head on day two and I laughed!!!

Not one of hose shallow, well that was kind of funny laughs, but a deep gut laugh, the one where you almost use it on your self.

Let me get to today!!! Or well Sunday.

We had our first Sunday service. Since the inception of the ministry we had been having service on Saturday, so today was special. Mind you none of us really knew what to do with ourselves on Saturday, it seemed as if we had an extra day in the week.

Not only was it our first Sunday Service but we had our first baptism and it was GRAND!!!

I will have pictures this week! We did it old school style, in the lake, Lake Lanier to be exact!

I am learning a few things about my body as well. Fasting can bring up some issues you didn’t know you had, but I am always glad to learn anything about the one and only body I will have on this side of Glory!

Until tomorrow, I hope everyone has an awesomely blessed week, and remember God said He will never leave you nor forsake you, so no matter what it looks like, feels like, or what you are doing, He is right there with you!!!

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I have fasted for a week, a day or two, but 40 days???

After an interesting day like yesterday, there was a moment during my quite time where God called on me to fast, to wake up at 6am and spend at least the first hour of my day with Him, if not more.

My goals:

1) total surrender of my will for His Perfect Will (Mat 26:39)

2) clarity, direction and strategy for the building of His ministry (Psa 37:23)

3) instruction for personal finance growth (Isa 48:17) and debt cancellation (Romans 13:8)

4) to better understand who God has called me to be and what He has called me to do (Joshua 1:1)

I hope to be able to give insight to the growth, and most importantly to the brokenness felt during this time of fasting. To be naked before God, and transparent before man is my desire, as i increase daily in favor with both!!!

AMEN!

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Today was a tough one…

It never ceases to occur, the minute i am tired, worn out, or burnt out; the enemy seems to locate me like a scud missile. So in the midst of having a hum drum morning, i felt like i could not find my place, i could not seem to breath; so i turned to the one person who ALWAYS has my back, knows my heart, and loves me as much as i love her… my wife!

So I share my thoughts with you..

I think i have to stop reading about other church’s growth for a
while… today, and im thinking its cus im tired, that it is really
affecting me, i was almost in tears just now and had to walk outside
just to get some air…

for a brief moment i asked the same questions that have already been
answered, am i doing the right thing? why arent we growing? what is
wrong with me, that no one wants to come or bring their friends? would
our two families move with us? what am i doing wrong? do i know what
im doing? or am i just pretending to knwo what im doing?

now i know all of the answers to these questions are YES and AMEN, but
i had a brief moment of dispair, of doubt, of who the hell do i think
i am. It has passed and i am fine, but i KNOW there are some things
that must be made to happen. I must pray like i have never prayed
before, I must shutup and listen to God, and most importantly i must
RELEASE fully the burden of being anxious and worrying about growth
and am i the one, and am i doing this right. I must RELEASE it ALL!!!!

I think this will be one of my new post this week. I need to write
more in my blog and dig deep into whatever fears or questions. I have
the greatest spiritual father in the world. I have the greatest father
in the world, I have the greatest wife and “partner” (lol) in the
WORLD, and I have the greatest children and church family in the
world. Yesterday was proof positive that there are people out there
looking for A Peculiar Place, and what God is doing in our lives.

I am not Jesse, I am not Andy, I am not Creflo, or Ed, I am LLOYD
OWENS, the chief operator of A Peculiar Place and husband, and father,
and son, and brother, and friend, most importantly I am God’s favorite
Son!

I love you baby, i dont know how or where I would be if It were not
for you. The fact that you are here and support me/ us, means more
than words can ever say!!!

This is not and wont ever be easy, quick, or effortless, It is WORK,
it is MINISTRY, and i would not want to do this with anyone else!!!!

ok i have to quit because the tears are coming back…

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