"Redemption's Song"
In our recent Men's Retreat Bro. Dean St Cyr preached a wonderful message called "Marching to Zion". He said that the destination of our march determines 'how' we march to that destination. He said one of the ways you can tell when someone is marching towards Zion is that they will have a song as they march. Listen to "Isa.35:10" And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads....." Bro. Dean then proceeded to give me a back-handed compliment. He said if anyone has ever heard Bro. Mickey sing then you know one thing...... he cannot sing. Bro. Dean went on to say, 'in spite of his inability to sing, he keeps singing! Why? Because he is marching to Zion, and with Zion in sight a song is birthed. He even turns the mic on and sings over the mic! Why? A song is born, a song is burning within begging to be sung!

Bro. Dean is absolutely right, I can't sing. But inside there is a song that demands expression. It is 'Redemption's Song'. It is the song of the soul of one that has been ransomed and redeemed. "Psalm 40:3" declares, "And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God....." I say a hearty AMEN to that verse. You see, to the redeemed, it matters not wether or not you can sing and hit the notes, no no, all that matters is that there is a song inside, and that song demands expression and release. It doesn't matter who hears him and who doesn't hear him, he is going to sing anyway because he is marching to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon his head! It burns like fire within!

I have learned that the songs of the redeemed, the songs of Zion have great ability to minister to those who hear the redeemed sing. Listen to "Ps.137:3" For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song.......saying, Sing to us one of the songs of Zion." Wow, did you hear that. The ones who captured the Israelites asked to hear their songs. Those who come to our services who are unregenerate need to hear us sing the songs of Zion, for it will minister to them. It will draw their spirit to the Lord of glory. Make sure the song you sing is a song of Zion, make sure your song comes from that city whose builder and maker is God. I'm reminded of a home group I led a few years ago in Lake Arthur. In the middle of the meeting one night a little old lady stood up and said, Bro. Mickey I have a song in my heart, you think it would be alright if I sang it right now. Of course I immediately sensed the Spirit of the Lord and allowed her to sing. Now, this was an uneducated poor, very poor lady. When she opened her mouth you could only see one tooth in her mouth. She had old worn out clothes, hardly ever wore shoes, could barely read and write. She stood up to sing with no musical accompanyment. When she began to sing you could feel the Presence of God so strong that I could barely stand on my feet. She couldn't sing very well, but I have never heard a more anointed song in all my life, I exagerate not. There wasn't a dry eye in the house. She sang that night and never asked to sing again, but oh that night, I will never forget that night and that song! She sang a song of Zion that ushered in the Presence of God. Its true, I can't sing, but I will not let anyone take my song! Keep singing as you "March to Zion".

"Old Geezers"
I found this on the Internet, thought it was worth reading.

"Geezers" (slang for an old man) are easy to spot:
At sporting events, during the playing of the National Anthem, Old Geezers hold their caps over their hearts and sing without embarrassment. They know the words and believe in them. Old Geezers remember World War I, the Depression, World War II, Pearl Harbor, Guadalcanal, Normandy and Hitler. They remember the Atomic Age, the Korean War, The Cold War, the Jet Age and the Moon landing, not to mention Vietnam.

If you bump into an Old Geezer on the sidewalk, he will apologize. If you pass an Old Geezer on the street, he will nod or tip his cap to a lady. Old Geezers trust strangers and are courtly to women. Old Geezers hold the door for the next person and always, when walking, make certain the lady is on the inside for protection.

Old Geezers get embarrassed if someone curses in front of women and children and they don't like any filth on TV or in the movies. Old Geezers have moral courage. They seldom brag unless it's about their grandchildren.

It's the Old Geezers who know our great country is protected, not by politicians or police, but by the young men and women in the military serving their country.

This country needs Old Geezers with their decent values. We need them now more than ever. Thank God for Old Geezers!

"When a Man Gets Close To God He will say......“Holy, Holy, Holy” This is always the response of those who have seen the Lord. When one is brought into the proximity of His Presence you immediately sense the overwhelming characteristic of God, which is His HOLINESS! In Isaiah’s revelation he sees these might seraphims around the throne and they are crying in one accord Holy, Holy, Holy. We also see this same scene repeated in the Book of Revelation where we are allowed to see the throne, where once again we here the constant refrain Holy, Holy, Holy. Why do these who stand around the throne cry Holy, Holy, Holy non-stop, 24/7’s, why? Let me say that I understand why! My own experience! When I read these angels crying Holy, Holy, I understand that language…..when I read about Isaiah saying “I saw the Lord High and lifted up….., I understand that language…….when I read about David dancing before the Lord, I understand that language…..I understand because I too have experienced these things. Why did I experience those things? I’m nobody special, just another guy like you. I think it has to do with the fact that I passionately pursued the Lord with an insatiable appetite and desire. Everywhere I look in scripture and see men having revelations and visions its because they were pursuing him. I think this is why Tommy Tenney’s book, “God Chasers” resonated with so many. Everyone wants to experience a supernatural manifestation, but it will take a man who will pin his ears back to pursue the Lord with passion and irrepressible determination. od, He will say....."

"Awesome Men's Retreat"

We praise God for giving us a spiritually vibrant men's retreat. Friday night we had over 60 men in attendance. We really didn't advertise outside our church much. You could feel the Presence of the Lord from the very beginning. We heard from the heart of God. Our four speakers really sought the Lord for what to share with our men. Bro. Mickey Istre opened with a word from God that in essence said, if you are going to know God you need a revelation of God. Then our Pastor Bro. Tony Bourque came with a word which said that if we are going to be the man of God He wants us to be then we will have to men who are willing to take a risk. Then Bro. Dean St Cyr came with a word that said we are marching to Zion, which means we are marching home! Then Bro. Bobby Watkins closed it out with a word that said we need to be men of brokeness. The worship was dynamic as the Presence of God filled our hearts and refreshed our spirits. Saturday we still had 48 men show up. Its my prayer that those men who met with God this weekend left looking...........looking for a city whose builder and maker is God!!

"Men's Retreat Preview"
“Why is This Revelation So Crucial?” As we have stated earlier, you can never know God apart from a revelation of who He is. When we talked about Job, Isaiah and Peter did you notice something? Did you notice that in each instance that we observed a revelation there was another “R” word that immediately came forth. That “R” word is ‘Repentance”. We don’t hear much about repentance today. I really don’t think we understand what that word means and how we should live a repentant lifestyle. Many think that you repent one time when you are first saved. Its not trendy to preach repentance nowadays. Its not politically correct in the church to mention this word from our pulpits. But when we look into the Bible we discover that this is one of the keys to living a Godly life. Listen to “Isa.57:15” For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, WITH HIM ALSO THAT IS OF A CONTRITE AND HUMBLE SPIRIT, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” Wow, did you hear that? Who will God dwell with? With him that is a of a contrite and humble spirit…….A man with a contrite and humble spirit is a man who walks in repentance. The word ‘contrite’ here means bruised, broken as in a heart that is repentant. Now listen, you know what God is looking for tonight? He’s looking for a man he can dwell with, a man He can walk with, a man He can talk with, a man He can fellowship, a man He can empower, a man He can anoint, a man who can stand for Him, a man who can speak for Him, a man who can stand in the gap and make up the hedge…….He is looking for a few good men!! Right here in this verse we find the secret to God’s dwelling presence interacting with us in our daily lives. If we can walk with a contrite heart, a broken spirit, Then we will find God’s Presence hovering near. His Presence will draw near not to the proud and self-sufficient but to the humble, repentant and man who needs some help. He is looking for men with an empty cup! Listen to the Apostle Paul, “And I bretheren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you…….” Whoa…hold the show….What did Paul say…….not to know anything? Wow! Let me ask you a question. When you turn on your Christian TV today, do you hear any preacher saying I have determined not to know anything among you….” Not on your life. Everybody is an expert today. Everybody is so proud, haughty, arrogant and self-suffiecient all prancing around like proud peacocks making pronouncements in the Name of the Lord. Back to the Apostle Paul. When you listen to a man like Paul say I determined to know nothing among you, we are listening to a man with a revelation! Paul has seen something, Paul has perceived something, Paul has learned something which he is sharing with us in his epistles, if we can but hear him. Well, what was one the things Paul learned? He learned how to be a man with an empty cup! Listen to “2 Corr. 12:10” Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: FOR WHEN I AM WEAK, THEN AM I STRONG.” Wow, did you catch that?

"A MODEL CHURCH" - Part IV

“The Fire of God” The other component we find in the upper room birth of the church is the fire that fell on them that day. “Heb.12:29” declares that our God is a ‘consuming fire’! I’m convinced of just that…..just what……that our God is a consuming fire. The closer I get to God, the more I learn of Him in the scriptures, the more I’m convinced that He is a consuming fire. The scriptures says that He dwells in an unapproachable light. I’m convinced that is the unapproachable light is the light that is emanating from the consuming fire of His Person. We serve an Awesome God, and the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord. Today we have lost all concept of who God is. There is no fear of the Lord anymore. On the day of Pentecost God, for the first time personally interacted with His people. And when the fire fell it was God in His zeal to reveal Himself released tongues of fire to say to the people…..this is who I Am……I Am a consuming fire. I am come to consume, consume your sacrifice, consume your praise, consume your worship. It was the Lord saying I’m am burning with love and passion for you. It was the Lord manifesting Himself as burning fire in an effort to ignite our hearts with fire for God. I am not a cold, indifferent, passive God…….I am a God who is alive with passion, I am a God who moves in wind and fire. To feel the fire is to feel His Presence! How many times have I ministered at the altar with an unction and anointing, and without fail at the end of that altar work I would find myself perspiring…..why? The fire of His Presence as He would flow through me in ministering to His people. You can’t get near the fire of God without that fire cleansing you and purging you of anything not pleasing to the Lord. So, the fire of God is a sanctifying fire. You can’t get close to a fiery God without catching fire yourself.

“A Model Church” biblically speaking is a church where you can sense and feel the wind and the fire!

"A MODEL CHURCH" - PART III
“The Wiind & Fire of God” That day in the upper room was a momentous day for those gathered there. The reason they gathered was to receive this enduement of power from on high. They didn’t know what that was. They had never experienced the wind and fire of God. The didn’t know the way of the Spirit that was about to fall on them that day. They were about to experience God in a way they had never known before, but would become the way of the church from that day forward. God invaded that upper room in a manifestation of the His power and might. The two components, wind and fire, were substative as well as symbolic of a new way of church, and a new way of life for them to live. God is speaking to us in the wind and in the fire. The WIND, an unharnessed, untamed dynamic is symbolic of the Spirit’s movements among us. God was teaching them a new way of church. He was breaking them out of the cold, dead-letter religion that Judaism had become. But now He was making the church bone of his bone, flesh of His flesh. He was providing them with way that they could flow with Him and become one with Him. The way of the Spirit. Jesus said, the wind bloweth where it listeth…..meaning it blows where and when it wants to, where it needs to. The wind will attune you to me, He will usher you into my Presence, He will take you beyond the viel. The wind will animate you with supernatural energy and power. Now church will be according to which way the wind is blowing. In other words God is telling us, don’t put me in a box, don’t box me in with mundance routine. Don’t try to harness the wind. The wind wasn’t designed to be harnessed, but was designed to be free to move about as it wills. The Spirit of God knows what to do, He knows where to go. We have done a very good job of boxing the Spirit of God in where He has no room to move spontaneously in our midst. There are wholesale denominations and organizations who know nothing of the wind and fire of God. Who know nothing of how God moves in wind and fire. Consequently we still have many churches still having Old Testament services where there is no wind and fire of God. They are still steeped in the dead letter of the law, stale, stoic religion that doesn’t know or interact with the God they claim to worship. The Apostle Paul writes to the church at Corinth to instruct them on how to interact with the Spirit of God in relation to the gifts of the Spirit in a service. So, we know that this is what God wants in His church because He inspired Paul to instruct them on how to allow the Spirit of God to operate in their midst. So, Paul writes about the attitude we should come to a church service with as we find in “I Corr.14:26” How is it then, bretheren? When ye come together, every one of you hath a pslam, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.” In other words when you come to church be ready to engage, to interact, to move in the spirit, in the gifts of the spirit…..be ready to flow with the spirit. Learn how to flow with the wind that blows. This is a very critical component of any service. Why? Because effective ministry depends on the movement of the Spirit. He leads into areas of ministry that are needed in that particular service in those particular hearts that are in attendance. In today’s church culture, even among the ranks of Spirit-filled organizations, there needs to be some sound Biblical teaching on the ways of the Spirit. I find this to be one of the major missing dynamics in the churches today. Its my prayer that we once again Suddenly hear the sound of a might rushing wind!

"A MODEL CHURCH " - PART II

“TARRY” I want to talk about that word ‘tarry’. We don’t hear that word anymore, nor do we see the philosophy and perspective of tarry ye! In Acts 2 we find the SUDDENLY of God responding to the TARRY YE of Jesus in Luke 24:49, Why? Because God found a heart willing to wait for Him and on Him. We live in a world that is in a hurry. Wait has become a taboo way in our pell-mell paced world today. Even our services today are tailored in a manner to keep moving from the beginning to the end. We have to keep everything moving, no dead spots, no empty mics, no silence. We have lost our ability to wait on God. Preachers get nervous if there is nothing going out over the mic. So we script our services out from start to finish and God forbid any deviations in our agenda. Consequently there is no room for Christ in the Inn of our services. No room to tarry, no room to wait for the suddenly of God! Churches today are bereft of the Presence of God because we give no place for the supernatural suddenly to surge in our services. Churches today need to learn how to make room for the spontaneous supernatural surge of God’s Presence to invade our services. Why? If we don’t experience the supernatural component then all we will have is a natural limitations of a man-centered service. That kind of service can help no one. We must engage the supernatural in order to draw strength from the Presence of the Strong one in our midst. “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength…..” There is so little power in the church today because there is so little Presence today! We need to slow down, and wait upon the Lord if we want to experience the ‘Suddenly’ of God.