Do it Again, Daddy! by Pastor Brent Lokker

I’ve loved playing with my boys at every age of their young lives, but some of my most tender memories are of my interactive play with them in their early toddler years, when I would show them my love and affection mainly through my touch and eye contact. We could play a simple game over and over again without it ever getting old, like when I would lie flat on my back and hold them straight up above me with outstretched arms, face-to-face, so that our twinkling eyes locked onto each other. After an anticipatory moment of waiting in that position, I would quickly collapse my arms and engulf them into my chest. They would squeal with delight and I would giggle right along with them in utter joy! Theywould say to me, “Do it again, Daddy!” I needed no coaxing. I would immediately hoist them up for another round of affectionate play. Just thinking about it all these years later instantly brings me back to the sweetness of those adorable toddlers of mine, making me laugh all over again.

My boys didn’t have to twist my arm to make me do that. They didn’t beg me and bug me until I somehow relented against my will. No. The truth is, I wanted to have fun with them, because I absolutely loved being with them and laughing with them. They couldn’t keep me away even if they tried (which, of course, they didn’t). At first,I had to initiate the playful love because they hadn’t experienced it before, so how could they know? Once I gave them the experience of how much fun I could be, there were times when they would approach me and initiate the playful encounters. Either way, it was every bit as fun for me as it was for them.

How much more your heavenly Father enjoys you! His tender affection for you isn’t something He has to conjure up, and He certainly isn’t waiting for you to beg Him to give you some attention. This is the way Papa’s heart always is toward you. He had to initiate true love first or you wouldn’t even know what it was. But the more you experience His genuine affection, the more you learn to initiate fun times with him. Either way, your Papa adores you.

Wild horses couldn’t drag Him away from you! He wants to be with you—not just for this moment— but for every moment throughout all eternity.

(This is an excerpt from Brent's book, Daddy You Love Me: Living in the Approval of Your Heavenly Father) www.DaddyYouLoveMe.com

A Quick Thought About Freedom by Pastor Brent Lokker

As I was thinking about the early fathers and mothers in America who sacrificed so much for us to have the freedom we enjoy, this thought struck me: Although we often think of freedom as synonomous with independence (which is one aspect of freedom) those who fought to gain our freedom were quite interdependent. They desperately needed each other and had to work together closely to make it through the extreme hardships they faced. Those who isolated themselves didn't fare well.

As followers of Jesus, we've been given a freedom beyond our wildest dreams. Yet, the way to live out that freedom is not in isolation, but in community, connection, and interdependence. We need each other! God planned that way.

"It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows. For everything we know about God’s Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself. That’s an act of true freedom. If you bite and ravage each other, watch out—in no time at all you will be annihilating each other, and where will your precious freedom be then?" (Galatians 5:13-15, The Message Bible)

I'm so glad this is God's plan--for us to need each other and learn how to love well. I'm also glad that so many of you have chosen to go there with us. We need you!

Happy Independence Day and Interdependence Day! Use your freedom to love well!

A New Door Has Opened: The new is Here! by Doug Addison

(Doug is a prophet and frequent guest at Blazing Fire Church. Here is a word from Doug posted on the Elijah List two weeks ago. As we are just now finishing our 6 month journey through "Winds of Change," it's a perfect now word!)

A Door Opened in the Spiritual Realm

I released a prophetic word in May about sudden changes coming and the Wind of Change angel. During the weekend of May 30, a new door opened in the spiritual realm that is going to usher in a new season of radical changes for the good.

We had two earthquakes in Southern California and I not only felt both of them, God spoke to me during the shaking.
The first one was on Friday, May 30, a 3.8 that was near San Pedro (Saint Peter, the rock). I heard the Holy Spirit say to "Prepare for something new." God is going to "rock" things and radical change is on the way.

I felt compelled to "prepare" so I bought some earthquake preparedness items. On Sunday, June 1, just before 8 PM and just as I was installing earthquake straps on our new television, another earthquake rocked the Los Angeles area. These were very mild earthquakes and there was no damage. It was a prophetic sign of something new coming. This is not a judgment word. The first earthquake was 3.8 and the second one happened as I was strapping down my "tell-a-vision". This is symbolic that God is bringing new visions and a new foundation for the way to bring these new visions into reality.

I was drawn to Revelation 3:8 that says:

"I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept My word and have not denied My name."

Doors represent new opportunities and seasons. New strength and spiritual authority is coming to those who are weak and have been holding on to prophetic words and promises. The new door has opened and we can expect to see things pick up.

I want to share a few things I have learned about responding to something of this magnitude.

Things Often Look Opposite

As God is on the move and opening news doors, keep in mind that things quite often look like the opposite just before a breakthrough. I keep mentioning this to people because it is crucial to understand this right now. As God is releasing something new in your life don't be surprised if the enemy comes and tries to distract you. A mesmerizing type of spirit is working overtime to get you to look at your problems and not solutions. Old thoughts and behaviors may have recently surfaced, and during a time we should be excited we end up feeling discouraged!

We have to be careful that we don't come into agreement with the attack of the enemy.

"Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in Heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in Heaven. Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by My Father in Heaven." Matthew 18:18–19

Here's some good news: Stay the course and you will break through the fog. June gloom will lift and July through September will have a different feel and spiritual freedom will come.

Limits Are Being Removed

God is limitless so what you can do through His love, power, and strength has no limits as well! You have access to everything you need to succeed. You have peace with God, the power that raised Jesus from the dead is in you, you have the Holy Spirit and God's network of angels. You have God's word and promises and you have friends and people who love you and can pray with you! Yes, you have lot's of resources so be sure to utilize them.



"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

"...but with God all things are possible."Matthew 19:26

The Outcasts Are Coming! The Outcasts Are Coming!

There's a commitment level coming on a generation of people who have been living in a dry time. They will soon come on the scene and have an amazing commitment to the Lord. My entire ministry and life calling is to help these individuals who are "spiritual outcasts." They are already starting to rise up. They are not really in a particular age bracket but they are the best of the best being saved to come on the scene at the right time. What God is doing right now is starting outside of church buildings and it may look strange at first to those who don't have spiritual "eyes to see" as Jesus said.

If you know someone who fits the outcast description, maybe your children, grandchildren, or someone you love is seriously adrift, here's a promise from God to you for them:

This is what the Lord says: "Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded," declares the Lord. "They will return from the land of the enemy. So there is hope for your descendants," declares the Lord. "Your children will return to their own land." Jeremiah 31:16–17

The New is Here!

Expect to continue to see things happen at an accelerated pace. We are moving into a time that we can accomplish more with less effort. Keysfor this new time are to stay at peace and let go of doubt and fear. Ask God to show you what you should focus on specifically for this time.

This is an amazing time to be alive!

Blessings,

Doug Addison


InLight Connection


Email: respond@dougaddison.com


Website: dougaddison.com

Dream Fulfillment by Mark Paulson

(Mark is one of the Blazing Fire Winds of Change home group leaders in the San Jose area)

I remember getting out of rehab and asking God, “I have no idea where to go from here; what do you want me to do?” I don’t think I’ve ever been quite as furious at him as when he replied, “what do you want to do?” He flipped my “perfect will” paradigm on its head.

Life is exciting, spontaneous, and vibrant. Many of us have spent a long time in a culture of fear that feels like it needs umpteen confirmations for every decision. In the early church, however, they said, “it seemed good to us and the Spirit.” While I think a confirmation or two often brings peace and greater fellowship, I also think there is an adventurous spirit within each of us that God created to uniquely put on display. Don’t put your dreams on hold. More times than not, you’ll find God planted that dream. So don’t throw away dreams that seem too big for you. God relishes bringing about big dreams in your life.

When He convinces you of who you really are and you realize the unparalleled security of Abba’s loving embrace, old passions and dreams are awakened with even loftier expected outcomes. He blows the lid off limitations to your co-dreaming with Him! You don’t feel like you’re walking a tightrope because you see your boundary lines have fallen in totally pleasant places with tons of room for wonderment and exploration. Since you live from joyous sabbathing in what He has done, it will not feel like the weight of the world is on you for the fulfillment of your dreams. It will be a totally joyous unfolding of desires fulfilled as His powerful grace gift works marvelously through you and the family He places around you. Go ahead, ask Him for nations!

Psalm 2:8
Ask of me and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.

Learning to Love by Pastor Susan Fochler

Some years back, my daughter Karen decided she really wanted a dog. Like REALLY wanted a dog, so she started praying and scanning the want ads. Russ wasn’t quite so sure as his experience with pet dogs hadn’t always been the best. Eventually Karen found a promising ad, so we all hopped in the car to visit a family wanting to give away their dog because of a new baby.

Maisie wasn’t much to look at when we met her. She was covered with dirt from living in a dusty backyard. But the first moment she looked at us with those infinitely deep brown eyes filled with affection and acceptance, we knew she was ours. Even Russ was amazed, she liked him! After we brought her home and cleaned her up, we discovered a beautiful sable and white silky soft fur coat, funky “yoda” ears and soft, fluffy white paws. And those eyes that never stopped smiling.

Unconditional Love Feels Like Something
From then on, everyone who met Maisie encountered a dog that communicated, head to toe, that she loved them and was happy to see them. Even the mailman! We had a neighbor who had never liked dogs yet found her irresistible, and was constantly sneaking her food, much to our chagrin. When people came for ministry, particularly during a tender moment, Maisie would snuggle up as close as she could to provide comfort. Her presence oozed “I want to be with you, feel with you and breathe your air!”.

Learning to Receive
The day eventually came when Maisie’s health was failing so much we had to make the heart-wrenching decision to let her go. I had never known how painful it could be to lose a pet. She had taught me so much, and ministered to my heart a level of unconditional love I did not recognize fully until it was time to say good-bye. I weep even today as I’m thinking of her; how easy it was to feel safe and completely myself with her, hugging her and feeling her delight in being so close. I am amazed that God would use a family pet in such a way to help my heart heal; I appreciate now, as never before, how legitimately important a pet can be to a person.

Needing to Learn is Normal
Like many of you, I didn’t experience this kind of love growing up. My parents hadn’t either. The practical needs of my physical body were addressed, but rarely did I feel enjoyed or valued at home. I tried to keep myself scarce and out of the way so I wouldn’t cause any problems. It has been a process over decades to learn that someone might actually enjoy my presence and look forward to seeing me. It started with marrying into the Fochler clan, where I began to let down my guard and be seen and known. Russ and his sisters have helped me learn how to engage in true fellowship, communicating with and not just talking over one another. And I am ever grateful for how much they have taught me about love.

We are on this Journey Together
Like my beloved Maisie, I am learning to enjoy and value each one who comes my way, no longer feeling so threatened by misunderstandings and differing perspectives. Receiving God’s tender love, with yielded heart, then allowing His river to pour through me to others is vulnerable and unpredictable yet so much more fulfilling than the relative safety of emotional isolation. This love of Jesus Christ is much bigger and ever-available than we can comprehend; and it’s ours for the asking. Don’t give up on yourself; we’ve all had a lot to learn on this journey. Our God’s great joy is in helping us learn the profound power of genuine love while we are still living on earth; He is the best teacher and most faithful friend we could ever ask for!

With much love and appreciation for you;
Susan

Love Looks Like Something by Brent Lokker

One of the amazing privileges I’ve had is to go out with other believers to the streets of San Francisco late at night to bring a warm meal and a kind word of God’s love and acceptance to the homeless who are huddled in doorways or along back alleys. One particularly impactful experience for me occurred on my very first venture out. Feeling somewhat unsure of ourselves, our group approached several homeless men who were sheltered in the entryway of a store long after closing time, the smell of urine lingering. The men were jovial with us, clinging to their alcoholic beverages of choice concealed in crinkled-up brown paper bags. We handed out prepared meals to the grateful men. While pouring out a cup of hot coffee to an outstretched trembling hand, I was suddenly drawn to the side, where another of their group was lying flat on the ground, intoxicated beyond the ability to sit up or stand with his friends.

I approached him, knelt down to be close to his face, and asked, “Do you want something to eat?” His closed eyes flickered open for a moment, attempting to focus on the face of this unfamiliar voice that was addressing him. Without uttering a word, his eyes closed again and he retreated to his inebriated, semi-conscious state. Undeterred and filled with an inexpressible compassion for this young man, I leaned in closer and said in a soft and warm tone, “You have a Father in heaven who loves you with all His heart.”

I wondered if my words were registering with this man in his present condition, but I continued. “God hasn’t forgotten you. He’s with you all the time and He is always for you.” Still no response or acknowledgement of my affirming words. Yet somehow I knew that my voice of hope was not falling on deaf ears. “He’s so proud to call you His son,” I told him. In that instant a tear welled up in his eyes and rolled down his cheek. He opened his eyes again, this time with more clarity, and looked directly into my eyes with an expression of shame mixed with hope.

I could almost hear his thoughts pleading, Could this possibly be true?

Peering into his precious soul through the gateway of his eyes, I reiterated the truth of the Father’s acceptance and approval. He never actually spoke a word to me, but his eyes communicated his sincere gratitude, and there was a glimmer of hope that had not been present before. I prayed a blessing of peace over his heart before our team continued on in our journey to encounter others who needed food for their stomachs and hope for their souls. I will probably never know on this side of heaven what impact those words of the Father’s love and acceptance had on that young man, but I know they weren’t wasted.

Love is never wasted, because love always wins!

Our Papa of love says:

Rain and snow fall from the sky. But they don’t return without watering the earth that produces seeds to plant and grain to eat.That’s how it is with my words. They don’t return to me without doing everything I send them to do. (Isaiah 55:10–11 CEV)

Every person on the planet is hungry for love. Who can you love today?

This is an excerpt from Brent Lokker's book, Daddy, You Love Me: Living in the Approval of Your Heavenly Father(www.DaddyYouLoveMe.com)

Born to be Loved! By Brent Lokker

Last weekend I had the extreme joy of performing my nephew’s wedding in Idaho. While there, I was able to go golfing with my brothers. On one particular hole, I was feeling the wind in my face and simultaneously feeling a great love for myself and I said out loud to no one in particular,

“I love me when I love me!”

It was a carefree, joy-filled moment that I instantly began to ponder. It’s almost as if the Lord was saying, “I don’t want you to miss the significance of this moment. Capture this more and more because I want you to live in this reality.”

We all know that we are supposed to love ourselves and love others (Jesus did say, “Love your neighbor as yourself” in Mark 12:31), but when we actually do feel love for our own selves, something changes. We’re able to enjoy ourselves and enjoy the life we have instead of being saddled with discouragement.

Clearly the million dollar question here is, “How can I have this kind of love for myself?”

To get the answer, look no further than to Jesus (now that makes sense!) who said,

“As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34)

“As I have loved you…”

Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross proves once and for all that you are worthy of being loved! Jesus says to you, “I choose to love you because you’re altogether loveable! I’m the one who decides your worth because I made you. And I say you are worth being loved. It’s settled forever. I love you!”

You might be thinking, “But I feel like I’m failing in life—I have so far to go.”

Yes, it’s true that you have a journey ahead of you still, but look behind you and see how far you’ve already come!

It’s one thing to intellectually agree with what I am saying, but it’s an entirely different matter to put it into action. I urge you—no, I challenge you—to go look in a mirror right now, staring directly into your own eyes, and tell yourself, “I love you!”

Now try it again like you mean it—with more feeling and being gentle and kind to yourself.

How did that feel? For most people, it almost feels wrong. That’s a clue we aren’t used to loving ourselves and we're still doubting our worth the way Jesus sees us. Agree with His assessment that you are loveable and look in the mirror one more time.

“I love you!”

By the way, don’t be afraid that this will lead to being prideful. Think about it—people who are arrogant and conceited actually don’t love themselves enough and so they have a need to tear others down to try and make themselves feel better. People who genuinely love themselves because they experience the love of the Father are humble—they know where the love is coming from!

Now here’s the amazing part: when you actually love yourself, others around you will feel loved as well because it’s oozing right out of you! Really! Classmates, co-workers and, yes, even family members will want to be around you more as you love yourself more.

I am declaring over you today a heightened awareness of the Father's love that is cascading over you at every moment! You were born to be loved and you are designed to freely give what you have freely received!