Dreaming Big Dreams This past weekend, the golfing world watched phenom Scottie Scheffler rack up another major victory at The Open Championship in Northern Ireland. For those who do not follow golf, there are dozens of professional golf tournaments held every year, but four of them are considered the major tournaments: The Masters, The U.S. Open,   The Open Championship, and The PGA Championship. Twenty-nine-year-old Scheffler has won major tournaments 4 times, including twice at The Masters ; most professional golfers never win even one. He is now just a U.S. Open victory away from becoming the seventh golfer ever to complete the career grand slam. He joins Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and Gary Player as the only golfers to win the  Open, Masters,  and  PGA Championship before age 30. The great golfer, Rory McIlroy, said of Scheffler after his victory at The Open this weekend: “He is the bar that we’re all trying to get to. In a historical context, you could argue that there’s only maybe two or three players in the history of the game that have been on a run [like] the one that Scottie’s been on here for the last 24 to 36 months. Incredibly impressive.” (1) Scheffler is popular with fans, not just because of his incredible skill, but also because of his humility and perspective. God and family come first, then golf, which he adamantly states does not define him as a person, even though he has always wanted to be a professional golfer. Regarding this dream, he states that even as a young boy, he dressed like the pros, who are not allowed to wear shorts in professional tournaments. In an interview, Scottie said, “…growing up, when we moved to Texas, I always wore pants when I used to go practice because I wanted to play professionally. It would be like 100 degrees outside. They’d all be making fun of me, but I always used to wear pants. So as long as I can remember, this is what I wanted to do.” (2) The power of a dream! As I watched Scheffler win  The Open , his statement regarding dreaming and dressing like the pros reminded me of a story I relate in my book, Dream: “When Steve Cauthen was nine, his job was helping his father on the farm. In between pitching hay, he liked jumping on the packed bales, pretending he was on a racehorse. Once when his father said, ‘Stop daydreaming, boy, and put the bale in the truck,’ Steve answered, ‘I will as soon as I win the Belmont Stakes.’ “And sure enough, the young man who began his career by riding a bale of hay went on to win the Triple Crown – at age eighteen! His dream, as a nine-year-old, propelled Steve Cauthen to become one of the most successful jockeys in the world.” (3) Incredible.  The Bible has a lot to say about dreaming. One of the interesting and enlightening insights it provides us is that dreaming and creating both spring from the same Biblical Hebrew word. Yatsar  means “to create”; yetser , a slightly different form of the word, means “imagination, conception, and thought.” (4) Yetser  refers to the plans and purposes formed in the mind, which, of course, include dreaming; yatsar  is the resulting act of creation. So the power to create begins with the ability to dream. Another way to say it would be that dreaming unlocks our power to create or accomplish. Not surprisingly, this is how God functions. Isaiah 46:10 states that He declares the end from the beginning. In other words, He sees or imagines the end result ( yetser) , backs up to form the plan or design, then begins creating ( yatsar ). He dreams, then He creates. Likewise, when God fashioned us humans in His image and likeness (Genesis 1:26-28), He placed within us a level of His ability to imagine and create. We have the God-given ability to conceive something in our minds, which then awakens the creativity and innovation He has placed within us. Like Him, we dream; then we create the dream, bringing it to life. If we don’t dream, we won’t create. Period. But if we do dream, we MUST create. Necessity isn’t the mother of invention; dreams are! Consider these cases in point. We have airplanes because a couple of brothers dreamed of conquering gravity and flying. Eventually, we went to the moon because someone dared to dream we could conquer space. We have lightbulbs because a man dreamed of light without a fire. People continued to dream, and now we have lasers. Telephones were invented because a dreaming mind conceived the outlandish concept of talking through wires. But dreaming begets dreaming, so someone imagined telephones without the wires, and cell phones were born. Crazy! Cars exist because someone dared to dream of a horseless carriage. Henry Ford dreamed of mass-producing these man-made beasts. Another dreamer dreamed of making money by paving roads for those amazing new machines, and, eventually, someone dared to dream of a network of roads all across America without one single stoplight or stop sign. Think about it: Through the innovative minds of a few inspired dreamers, traveling went from horse-drawn, covered wagons on rutted, unmapped trails to air-conditioned automobiles on interstate highways – using a GPS, by the way! Some nerd dreamed of the computer. Someone “nerdier” dreamed they could be portable, not bad since initially, one computer filled up an entire room. Then came the Internet…wireless…Facebook…X…Instagram…Google. And the multizillionaire nerds are still laughing. And tweeting. (Someone even had to dream of new words for all these crazy ideas.) Someone dreamed of a television, and – it was inevitable – some guy dreamed of changing the channel without getting out of the recliner. Yep, along came the remote.    All of these once-unbelievable concepts began with a dream. Dreaming, then, unlocked creativity. And by the way, dreams don’t have to be big to be substantial in their impact. Consider these “insignificant” dreams: Someone got tired of their papers being displaced and dreamed of a paper clip. (They also made sure they were small enough to lose easily, so we would have to buy trillions of them.) Annoyance over trapped food inspired the toothpick dream. A would-be writer grew tired of drawing in the dirt and dreamed of a pencil. A guy with sore feet from going barefoot dreamed of sandals. A woman dreamed of making them stylish. Someone else dreamed of making them comfortable and voilà – flip-flops were born!  No doubt about it! Dreaming unlocks creativity.  God has dreamed and planned a Third Great Awakening in America. It has been almost 200 years since the Second Great Awakening – we’re overdue. I tapped into His heart 40 years ago and have been dreaming with Him ever since. This awakening has begun. And, of course, it will not be limited to America. As Robin Mark says in his classic song, “Revival,”  “Sure as gold is precious and the honey sweet,” (5)   God is bringing this great outpouring of Holy Spirit to the earth.  Thank you, Scottie Scheffler, for reminding me of the power of dreams. Pray with me: Father, You dreamed of family. We are overwhelmed to be part of the answer to this dream. As such, You made us like You – in Your image and likeness – giving us the incredible ability to dream and create. I pray for everyone who reads or listens to this, that they will tap into this ability and become the complete expression of what You intended for them. For anyone who has stopped dreaming due to hope deferred, heal their heart and restore their dreaming nature. Help each of us to make certain that our dreaming involves You and the purpose for which You created us. Let this define us. We know that life’s ultimate fulfillment is found in accomplishing the purpose for which You made us. Give us hearts to dream dreams of eternal significance, not wasting our dreaming nature on temporal things alone. May we all be Kingdom dreamers! Remind us that our prayers for revival are not selfish; they are based on Your dream. You have family members who have not yet been born again. Our prayers birth Your dreams; keep us reminded of this. We ask You today for laborers to enter the harvest fields, just as Christ instructed us (Matthew 9:38). We ask for spiritual rain (Zechariah 10:1); let it be a mighty deluge. All of this we pray in Yeshua‘s name. Amen. You can hear Robin Mark’s entire song “ REVIVAL”  taken from the “ Revival in Belfast”  album here . Click on the link below to watch the full video. Portions of today’s post were taken from my book DREAM , published by Baker Books. https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/sport/other-sport/golf/rory-mcilroy-scottie-scheffler-open-32102136   PGA Tour Facebook post, September 2, 2024. Denis Waitley and Reni L. Witt, The Joys of Working  (New York: Ballantine Books, 1985), p. 33. Spiros Zodhiates, ed., Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible  (Chattanooga: AMG, 1990), 1732. “REVIVAL” songwriters: Bruce Dickinson, Andy Julian Paul, Michael Lee, James Dickinson, Toby Matthew Jepson, Mark Dixon Plunkett. Revival lyrics ©Polygram Music Publishing Ltd. GV, Unichappell Music Inc., Birdwing Music, Forrest Richard Betts Music, Curb Word Music.

When God Interrupted Me The Hebrew word for intercession,  paga,  is fascinating. Although in our thinking, “intercession” is typically associated with prayer, this Hebrew word does not necessarily refer to prayer. It has several nuances of meaning, all of which can be done through prayer. The basic concept of  paga  is “to meet.” The meeting can be between people, animals, or even inanimate objects, as in two people’s lands “meeting” forming a boundary. A meeting or encounter can be good or bad, pleasant or unpleasant, intentional or accidental. Any type of meeting is paga .  Lightning striking or “meeting” the earth is paga.   “Meeting” with God in prayer is  paga.   Two or more individuals “meeting” to discuss the future, plan an event, or for any other reason is  paga.   A weapon “meeting” an enemy is  paga,  therefore is used for attacking, striking, or even impaling with a sword.  A bull’s-eye when shooting a gun is paga – bullet “meets” target.  Carrying a load for another – their burden “meeting” your strength – is paga.   So, why would this word be used for “intercession”? Because intercessory prayer accomplishes all of these things. It creates meetings between God and man. It forms boundaries of protection around people and places. It releases God’s light, lightning, and glory into the earth. It wars against our spiritual enemy. It carries burdens for others, and so much more.  When you began your prayer with, “Father, I meet with you today to…” you were using the literal meaning of paga.  When you said, “Father, please meet with so-and-so,” you were literally asking for paga.  When you said you attended a “prayer  meeting, ” you were much more accurate than you knew – Prayer Meetings are aptly named! Jesus said our prayers can connect heaven and earth –  paga  (Matthew 6:10). God wants to meet  with people through our intercession. We can “carry” cities, nations, and government leaders to Him through intercession. God reconciles people to Himself through us. Second Corinthians 5:18-19 states that He  “has reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ.” But the verses do not stop there. They go on to say He has now “given to us the ministry of reconciliation.”  God meets with people through us! Our part in this ministry of reconciliation takes place in various ways: through sharing the gospel with people, by helping to send and support others who spread the gospel, and certainly through intercessory prayer. Webster even uses “reconcile” in its definition of intercession: “to act between parties with a view to reconciling those who differ.” (1) In intercessory prayer, we place ourselves “between” God and an individual, becoming the reconciling link. When, for any reason, we meet  with God on behalf of another, becoming the connecting link between them, intercession has occurred.  Susan Morin was an intercessor, a link between God and people, a reconciler. She connected heaven and earth, impacting destinies: “Wanting to do something for God, Susan committed to pray during her forty-five-minute daily commute and asked God for whom she should pray. A note at work caught her attention. ‘I’m sorry this payment is late. I have been seriously ill. Thank you, Beverly.’ Susan knew she was to pray for her, but not knowing any details, it was difficult. As she faithfully interceded, however, God’s great love for Beverly was imparted to her. Susan sent her cards, explaining how God loved her and had led Susan to pray. No responses came, but Susan continued praying. “Nine months later, Beverly’s husband called. Having found Susan’s well-worn cards, which evidently meant a lot to his wife, he wanted to share what had happened. Although diagnosed with lung cancer, Beverly had never experienced any pain. Church had never had any real part in their lives, but two weeks before she died, Beverly had asked to be baptized. The night before she died, she told him it was OK; she was going home to be with her Lord. “Susan was overwhelmed that God had used her to reveal His love to Beverly, allowing Him to meet with her and reconcile her to Himself.” (2) PAGA!! I have witnessed miracles of healing as God  met with people. In 1980, I was on another of my many journeys into Guatemala. On one occasion, Ceci, another couple, and I were ministering to an elderly lady who had recently come to Christ. We had gone to her home to encourage her and have a short Bible study. Approximately six months earlier, this lady had fallen from a step-stool and severely broken her ankle. As is often the case with the elderly, the fractures were not healing well. Her ankle was still badly swollen, and she was in much pain. While visiting with her, we sensed that God wanted to heal her ankle, right then. After sharing this and asking for permission, we instructed her to place her leg on an ottoman. Then, we began to pray, sort of. Has God ever interrupted you? He did so to us on this occasion. When I stepped between  her and God to ask for a  meeting,  the presence of God filled the room so powerfully that I stopped in mid-stride and mid-sentence. I had taken only one step toward her and uttered only one word: “Father.” That’s all He needed! It’s as though God was so eager to touch this dear lady that He refused to wait any longer. What I’m about to relate may sound overly dramatic, but it’s exactly what took place. The presence of the Holy Spirit filled the room so strongly that I froze in my tracks, stopped speaking, and began to weep. Ceci and the other couple also began to weep. The lady we were ministering to began to weep. Then her foot began to bounce up and down on the stool for several minutes as she had a powerful encounter with the Holy Spirit — a meeting!  The Lord healed her and filled her with His Spirit. He wants to meet with others through your prayers. Don’t be intimidated – Jesus has qualified you to represent Him. Don’t let past failures deter you. Be like the small boy playing in the backyard with his bat and ball: “‘I’m the greatest baseball player in the world,’ he said proudly. Then he tossed the ball in the air, swung and missed. Undaunted, he picked up the ball, threw it into the air and said, ‘I’m the greatest player ever!’ He swung at the ball again, and again he missed. He paused a moment to examine bat and ball carefully. Then once again he threw the ball into the air and said, ‘I’m the greatest baseball player who ever lived.’ He swung the bat hard and again missed the ball. “‘Wow!’ he exclaimed. ‘What a pitcher!’” (3)  Keep the faith! Pray with me: Father, we  meet with You today, asking You to  meet with others through our prayers.  Meet with prodigals and unbelievers, drawing them to You. Save and restore. Meet with those who need deliverance from strongholds – set them free. And meet  with those who need to be healed, both physically and emotionally.  Connect with people through our prayers, bringing heaven to earth. Release the power of Holy Spirit to break through barriers, heal wounds, open spiritually blind eyes, and reconcile people to Yourself. We ask that You do this in schools, on campuses, in offices, government buildings, homes, and backyards. Replace deception with truth, confusion with soundness of mind, and rebellion with obedience. Heal relationships, painful memories, and broken hearts.  Meet  with government leaders today. Impart wisdom, understanding, ideas, and strategies. Meet  with pastors and spiritual leaders, imparting wisdom and revelation to them. Restore to them passion, fire, and first love, where needed. Meet with Kingdom-minded business leaders, providing them with insight, creativity, timing, quality employees, and great prosperity.  Kingdom of Christ come! Will of God be done! On earth as it is in heaven. In Yeshua’s name, amen. Click on the link below to watch the full video. Today’s post was adapted from two of my books, Intercessory Prayer  and The Essential Guide to Prayer , both of which are published by Baker Books. The Consolidation Webster Encyclopedic Dictionary (Chicago: Consolidated, 1954), 384.  Alice Gray, Stories for a Faithful Heart  (Portland, OR: Multnomah, 2000), pp. 207-211. Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen, Chicken Soup for the Soul  (Deerfield Beach, FL: Health Communications, Inc., 1993), p. 74.

God’s “Kiss” for Suffering Humanity I lived in Colorado Springs at the base of Pikes Peak for 25 years. This majestic mountain towers 14,114 feet and is one of the nation’s great tourist attractions. It was at the top of this grand mountain peak that Katharine Lee Bates received her inspiration to write the song “America the Beautiful.” Thousands of people drive to the pinnacle of this mountain every year to enjoy its panoramic views. Other people – of dubious wisdom, in my opinion – actually climb it. You don’t have to do so with ropes, spikes, and such; there is a steep trail several miles long that winds its way to the top. I’m told it takes about eight hours to make the trek, and eight weeks to recover from the pain! One day, I found myself thinking that I might try this, but I quickly recovered from this momentary imbalance and promised my spasming body that I would never again think such an insane thought. A friend of mine once climbed it with his two kids and several other young children. I don’t know what possessed him to do this, but we did recommend several weeks of psychiatric care for him. We also agreed not to tell the local social services that he led his children on this journey. Surprisingly, his kids still love him and want to remain in his care. He told me that it took ten and a half hours instead of the typical eight, because the kids had to stop frequently. He ended up carrying their burdens – the packs, water bottles, lunches – most of the way. Serves him right! They should have made him carry them, as well.  They all bragged about it later; I think it was due to a lack of oxygen. Mount Calvary Christ climbed a mountain while on earth. He loaded our “burdens” on His back – sin, sickness, suffering, despair, rejection – tied them to a cross and carried them to the top. The mountain was Calvary. Several times, He staggered under the weight of our burdens, but love drove Him all the way to the top. Isaiah said our sins and other weaknesses were “laid upon” Him (see Isaiah 53:6 KJV), and He carried them away. The words “laid upon” are translated from the Hebrew word paga,  which is also the Old Testament word for intercession. Fascinating. One of the meanings of intercession is to have someone else’s burden “laid upon” us; “taking the place of another.” Jesus “took our place” at Calvary, and our sins were “laid upon” ( paga ) Him. (1)  What a beautiful aspect of intercessory prayer. Acting on behalf of others, we make requests for them, partaking of Christ’s priestly ministry of intercession. Spiritually, the conditions and burdens of others are “laid upon” us, and we “bear” their weaknesses. We don’t do so in the sense that Christ did, of course, as the Redeemer. But we represent and release what He did, bearing the burdens of others through prayer. Consider the following verses: “Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to his edification.”  (Romans 15:1-2) “Bear one another’s burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2) “And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.”  (1 Corinthians 12:26) Jesus was often moved with compassion (see Matthew 9:36-38; 14:14; 15:32; and others) and has “poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit”  this same love (Romans 5:5). We are to be agents of love, filled with the compassion of Christ, living not just for ourselves, but accepting the privilege of extending His love on the earth. To do this effectively, we must allow Him to love through us, motivating us with His compassion. The great teacher on prayer, Dick Eastman, expresses this beautifully as he defines compassion in his book, Love on Its Knees . “Compassion is derived from the two Latin words com  and pati, com  meaning ‘with’ or ‘together’ and pati  meaning ‘to suffer’ or ‘to hurt.’ Combined, these expressions describe one who  ‘suffers with’  someone in need or ‘hurts together’ with those experiencing pain. “Compassion is more than mere pity. It is love in its dynamic phase, love released through action. It is a life of involvement in the struggles of others.” (2) Epaphras experienced this true compassion for the believers in Colossae, who were being led into deception: “Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. For I bear him witness that he has a deep concern  for you” (Colossians 4:12-13, emphasis added). This verse tells us our prayers can produce growth and maturity in others! The following story is told of Francis of Assisi and how an impartation of Christ’s love drastically altered his life:  “Born into a wealthy Italian family, Francesco de Pietro Berardone seemed headed for a life of abundance. However, all that changed one afternoon in a transforming moment while he rode his pony around the city. Turning a corner, the pony abruptly halted, and Francesco was shocked by the sight in front of him. A leper, with his body partially eaten away by the disease, stood in the path. Sickened by the man’s appearance, Francesco turned away and was about to return home. “But the Spirit of God suddenly opened Francesco’s eyes to eternal realities, and, as he looked again at the leper, he recognized his own spiritually depraved condition as being worse than the dying man’s leprosy. He leapt from his pony, embraced the leper, and gently kissed the suffering man as he gave him his bag of gold. Francesco had been baptized with the compassion of Christ, and his life would never be the same. He surrendered to his Savior outside the city of Assisi, and continued his life of compassion, becoming one of history’s most remarkable spiritual warriors.” (3) Francis of Assisi was a mere human, like you and me, but he allowed the great Lover of the universe to penetrate his human soul. He was introduced to the power of intercession as the burden of this pitiful leper was “laid upon” him.  Millions of spiritual lepers are waiting for someone to touch them with God’s love. We must leap from our comfortable “ponies” and fall to our knees, allowing the compassion of Christ to become ours. He wants to kiss suffering humanity with His healing lips, doing so through our lives. Pray with me: Father, we want to be touched by Your heart. Enable us to receive Your love for our brothers and sisters who are struggling. Your word tells us, “If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it” (1 Corinthians 12:26). Raise up a company of intercessors who are willing to have the burdens of others “laid upon” them, that they might intercede from Your heart of compassion.  And allow us to feel Your heart for unbelievers, who so desperately need You. Raise up intercessors in this hour, who will birth through their “labor” the millions of souls You intend to save. Give us the heart of the great Shepherd who left the 99 and went looking for the one. Bring revelation to the church that we can truly release the power of Christ’s salvation through our intercession. And while it may not be the subject of this teaching, we remember to pray for our government, as your Word instructs us. Give wisdom to the president and his team, our legislators, and our judges/justices. Remove those in our government who oppose and dishonor You, and anoint those with hearts to follow You. Send revival and reformation to America and throughout the earth. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen. Portions of today’s post were taken from my book The Essential Guide to Prayer , published by Baker Books. Click on the link below to watch the full video. James Strong, The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990), ref. no. 6293. Dick Eastman, Love on Its Knees  (Tarrytown, NY: Chosen, 1989), p. 28. Ibid., p. 26-27.

The Wrong Schematic “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:1-2) Recently, when I was a guest on Flashpoint with my friend, Gene Bailey, the subject of same-sex marriage was brought up. It was mentioned that a significant number of Christians now believe that homosexuality and same-sex marriage are acceptable in the eyes of the Lord. None of us participating on the show agreed with this belief. We love those in the gay community, but we cannot compromise what the Scriptures teach: God created humans as male and female, and marriage is intended to be between one man and one woman (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:24; Matthew 19:4-5; Romans 1:27; Leviticus 18:22).  The drifting of the church away from a biblical worldview, accepting Scripture as the final authority for all of life, has created great harm. The Bible must be our standard for truth, period. It is the benchmark from which all issues and boundaries must be measured. A humanistic standard that says there is no absolute truth, that all truth is relative, leaves us unmoored and guided by our own wishes, lusts, philosophies, moral standards, societal norms, and so on. This is the theme of the book of Judges: “Every man did what was right in his own eyes.” The inevitable result of this philosophy during the period of the judges was chaos, violence, gross immorality, selfishness, and wickedness of every sort. In the body of Christ, it has led to heresy, a lack of power, dim lights, and savorless salt for society and our culture (see Matthew 5:13-16). I made the statement on Tuesday night’s program that revival — millions of people being born again — will help us overcome the deception in our nation much more quickly. It took half a century to reshape Americans’ thinking away from God and biblical principles. It need not take 50 years to transform our nation back to His ways and will.  Our opening verses for today’s post are very insightful in this regard. Verse 2 of Romans 12 tells us to be transformed, not conformed. Conformed is from the Greek word suschematizo. (1) You can easily see the word schematic in the second portion of this Greek word, which is a diagram or drawing, blueprints that serve as the plan from which something is built or formed. The word carries the connotation of forming, shaping, molding, or fashioning something according to a particular pattern or design. In biblical times, it was actually used for pressing something in a mold. The prefix of this Greek word, sun  (the “n” is dropped in this usage), means “together with.” Putting these definitions back into the verse, the Holy Spirit is saying, “Don’t be changed from without. Do not allow the culture around you to be your schematic. Don’t allow your thinking and beliefs, and therefore your actions, to be designed and shaped together with the world around you.” He then gives us the alternative: “be transformed.” This comes from the fascinating Greek word metamorphoo , (2)  from which we get the English words metamorphosis and metamorphose. Think caterpillar and butterfly. And its important to remember that the transformation or metamorphosis that occurs in a caterpillar does not occur from without,  but from within. The end result, a butterfly, is already encoded into the caterpillar’s DNA. It simply becomes... what it is! We could never take an earthworm, wrap it into a cocoon, and nurse it into a butterfly. Not in a million years. It simply isn’t in the earthworm’s DNA. But a caterpillar can transform into a butterfly, and a born-again person can transform into the image of Christ.  This verse in Romans 12 is telling us not to be shaped from without, but be transformed from within. The Message Translation says, “be changed from the inside out.” J. B. Phillips’ translation says essentially the same: “Let God remold your minds from within.”  When we are born again, our spirits are made new (2 Corinthians 5:17), and God writes His laws in our hearts (Hebrews 10:16). Through this “we have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16). As we draw near to the Lord through worship and spending time in His Word, He metamorphoses us — transforms our thinking from the inside out — according to this image of Christ He placed in our spirits when we were born again. Second Corinthians 3:18 says we are transformed, metamorphosed, into His image from glory to glory.   The “renewing of the mind” in this passage refers to allowing God to fashion our thinking and actions into what He has already created and written in our hearts or spirits. The nature of Christ is encoded into every believer’s spiritual DNA. Discipling believers and nations, therefore, (Matthew 28:18) does not rely solely on the power of information. Rather, as believers read or are taught the Word of God, this information bears witness to what is already written in their hearts.  This is why I state that revival — millions of people being born again — will enable us to change mindsets in our nation much more quickly.  The heart or spirit  of every true believer knows it is wrong to kill a baby in the womb. The heart  of every true believer knows God created humans as male and female, and that marriage between two men or two women is unnatural. The  heart  of a true believer knows that sex outside of the marriage covenant is sin. Romans 12:2 instructs us to allow this truth in our hearts and in God’s Word to renew our thinking and shape our actions. And finally, I would add that we must not allow ourselves to be intimidated by those who misrepresent our beliefs and actions. It is NOT hateful to agree with God by stating our belief in HIS standards and laws. We CAN love someone who commits sin, even as we disagree with their actions or lifestyle. We CAN love and respect those with unbiblical lifestyles, without accepting their actions as appropriate. Do not allow the world to shape you through their accusations and mislabeling. Never compromise what God teaches in His Word. Never.   Pray with me: Father, we, the body of Christ in America, have compromised regarding Your Word and ways. We have allowed those around us to conform us to their beliefs. We are now paying a heavy price for this. We have a disoriented and confused generation. Our kids believe their bodies are a mistake, and professors, legislators, and Supreme Court justices state that they can’t define a man or woman. Children try to change their gender, doing irreparable damage to their bodies. And preachers are afraid to talk about it. Please forgive us. We repent, and ask You to help us reverse the damage. The power of a true revival will change our nation. Send the “greatest of all revivals” You have spoken of. Write Your laws and truth on millions of hearts. Remove deception, erase lies, and restore soundness of mind. We know You will do this in love and through Christ’s redemption, not through condemnation. You said the preaching of the gospel, the good news, releases Your power to save (Romans 1:16). Raise up powerful messengers to proclaim the good news with fire and love. We ask for this in Jesus’ wonderful name. Amen.  Our decree: We declare the eternal and infallible Word of God, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). Click on the link below to watch the full video. James Strong, The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990), ref. no. 4964. Ibid., ref., no. 3339.

The Greatest Move of God I want to encourage you in a moment, but first, I want to mention the attacks on our ICE agents. In the past six months, there have been 79 assaults on ICE agents, an increase of 690%. Numerous individuals on the left are total anarchists, including many of their leaders. Their lust for power has driven them to shocking levels of corruption and depravity. This craving for power influences them more than the 300,000 “misplaced” children, the trafficking of many of those children, hundreds of thousands of fentanyl related deaths, the future fulfillment and procreative ability of thousands of children, the misuse of billions of taxpayer dollars, and so much more. These lawless elements of the Left are liars, thieves, anarchists, racists, God-haters…and they are violent.  The anarchists have now targeted ICE agents for harm. These law enforcement officers have been shot, hit with rocks and bricks, assaulted with clubs, shoved, and hit with fists – all for enforcing America’s laws. Shockingly, elected officials on the Left are attempting to aid these anarchists in identifying agents, in order to terrorize and harm – not only them – but their families. We must pray for the protection of these officers. Without supernatural intervention, one or more of them will likely be killed.  A Word from a Patriarch Now, for some good news. I have profound respect for Dr. Bill Hamon, founder of  Christian International , and without question, the patriarch of the modern-day prophetic movement. Bishop Hamon is 90 years old and has been in ministry for 70 years. There is no one whose prophetic voice I trust more. He recently shared the following: “I want to share with you something God stirred deeply in my spirit during our Day 7 Rally Cry of the Global Prayer Watch. “The Lord spoke to me clearly that we are standing on the edge of the greatest move of God the earth has ever seen. His glory is not coming in a trickle – it’s coming like a flood. The waters are rising, and it’s time for the saints to take their place as warriors and decree with authority. “This is not a season to be silent. We must rise up, join our shields of faith, and release prayers that shake nations. When we pray in the spirit, we enter enemy territory, uncover strategies of darkness, and release Heaven’s counterattack. “We’re not just praying—we’re legislating in the spirit. I may be in my 90s, but I’m still in the fight. And so are you. The enemy has tried to convince many of us that we’ve lost our authority. But I’m here to remind you, Jesus gave us ALL power, and now is the time to use it.  “In Him we live and move and have our being  (Acts 17:28).   In His name, we cast out devils (Mark 16:17). In His name, we bind and loose (Matthew 16:19). In His name, we decree, and it is established. (Job 22:28).  “Don’t let how you feel dictate how you war. You may feel weak or tired, but your words still carry the full backing of heaven. Take your stand. Speak with boldness. Intercede with fire. And believe that what we birth in the spirit will manifest in the natural. “The devil is a liar. The watchmen are awakening, and the church is rising in power. The knowledge of the glory of the Lord shall fill the earth as the waters cover the sea (see Habakkuk 2:14).  “And we’re going to see it in our day!” There is much to process in this word. I suggest you read it again and truly digest it. Among other things, it states that we’re moving into the church’s greatest hour, and that the earth is about to experience the greatest move of God in history. It encourages us to prepare.  We must cast off discouragement, push through tiredness, and remember whose we are. “Speak with boldness,” the prophet said, “intercede with fire, and believe that what we birth in the spirit will manifest in the natural.” Take this to heart from this giant of the faith.  Quote of the Day And I leave you with the quote of the day, from then General George Washington, at the disbanding of the army after America’s successful War of Independence: “I now make it my earnest prayer that God... would incline the hearts of the citizens... to entertain a brotherly affection for one another, for their fellow-citizens of the United States at large, and particularly for their brethren who have served in the field. And finally that He would most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves, with that charity, humility and pacific temper of mind, which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our religion, and without an humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy nation.” (1) Pray with me: Father, firstly we want to thank You for this encouraging word through Dr. Bill Hamon. We believe it to be true: we are moving into the greatest outpouring of Your Spirit in history. Your glory will cover the earth like the waters cover the sea. May we be found worthy of participating in something so holy. We take heed to His admonition to stir ourselves, as Paul admonished Timothy, remembering who we are  in You,  and our assignment of working with You.  We can – and we will – cast out demons, bind and loose their activities, and make Spirit-led decrees for You.  Lord, we know that America will not fully turn around without the revival You spoke of through Bishop Hamon. It will break off deception and depravity, it will restore common sense, and it will tear down walls of hatred.  Also, we pray for our ICE agents and all those in law enforcement. We ask You to protect them as they operate in the authority given to them by the laws of our nation. We also ask for protection for their family members and homes. We ask You to expose and oppose the work of anarchists. Bring it to nothing. Dry up their funds, expose their plans, and unravel their networks. Save them, yes, but please also do whatever it takes to stop them. All of this, we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. Our decree: We declare that we will do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with the Lord, as the Scriptures state and George Washington prayed for us. (Micah 6:8) Click on the link below to watch the full video. From The Washington Papers , edited by Saul K. Padover, as quoted in Decision Magazine , February 1976. Taken from: The Light and the Glory, Peter Marshall, David Manuel, (Tarrytown, NY: Fleming H. Revell Company), p. 339.

You Are God’s Poem In this world of chaos, war, unrest, and political turmoil, it is always great to hear some good news. I want to encourage you today with a few reports from the recent Healing Summit, June 27, in Ohio. Actually, two of the healings didn’t occur there in Ohio but in a church elsewhere that has also been conducting healing services. We have heard many reports/testimonies of healing, ranging from joint pain to cancers to emotional disorders. Some healings were instant, others began that night and continued until completed. Here are three remarkable testimonies: “I am a member of Kingdom Impact Center, Aurora, Illinois under Pastor Pat McManus. [Pat is one of the leaders who works with us in these healing summits.] We have participated with Tim Sheets in the Healing Summits, hosting them by livestream in our sanctuary. We also conduct other Friday night healing prayer meetings, conducted by Pastor Pat. “Recently at one of our Friday night sessions, while meditating and praying for the people I know that need healing, I received a word from ABBA: ‘Why have you become so complacent?’ That is not trivial and stopped me cold. I retreated to the corridor so I could walk, pray, and try to understand the message.  “Upon returning to the sanctuary I heard Pat praying for heart conditions. I repented immediately for not seeking healing for a heart condition I’ve had for most of my adult life: Aortic valve issues, atrial premature contractions, intraventricular conduction defect, erratic EKG and hypertension. My heart and my heart valves were not in sync.  “I put my hands to my heart saying ‘Father please, please touch my heart. Please fix my heart and make me whole.’ I felt a slight pressure on my chest as if someone touched me ever so softly. Everything stopped - no sound, no motion. I don’t remember breathing. And then everything was normal again, except that I knew without doubt my ABBA Father healed my heart. “On July 2, 2025 they performed a Transthoracic Echocardiogram. I have had more than a handful of these and the results were always the same.” Jim then shared the actual entire test report in its entirety. His heart was now working perfectly, everything was normal. The report ended with the following summary from the nurse: “Hi Jim, “Your echo results were reviewed and the pumping ability of your heart is normal. This test looks at the pumping ability of your heart, the size and function of the valves, and the size of the chambers. No significant abnormalities were noted.  If you have any questions, please let us know.” What a great testimony! Pat shared another testimony with me of a lady whose kidneys needed a miracle. She said:  “I was a dialysis patient for approximately 3 1/2 years. I have been healed of acute kidney failure.” She then shared the latest test results of her creatinine level, which was in the normal range, and said, “My kidneys are healed and I have been officially discharged from dialysis.” This is wonderful! Still another lady, whom we’ll call Sarah, shared her testimony at this most recent Healing Summit, but the healing did not occur then. She had attended the previous summit, April 4, to receive prayer for a very rare condition. I do not recall the technical language or name of the condition, but somehow her own body was attacking her lungs. Because of this, it was very difficult for Sarah to breathe. She actually had to download an app on her phone to monitor her oxygen level, and supplement her oxygen as needed. She checked it while at the summit and it was in the 70s, which is not good. Sarah was prayed for that Friday night, April 4. She came once again to the Healing Summit a few weeks ago, not to be prayed for again but to share her testimony and show us the graph on her app. The graph, which was dated, showed that from the time she was prayed for in April her oxygen level started rising…and never went back down! At this recent summit, it was at 98%! Sarah said, ‘I can’t tell you the relief of not having to be on oxygen!’ No doubt! Don’t Give Up! I wish I could tell you that everyone we prayed for was healed, but that would not be true. What I can tell you is that many people were healed, both there and around the nation. And I am quite confident that healings will increase in number dramatically over the coming months. We are moving into a new season of the supernatural gifts of Holy Spirit being released. Don’t give up on your healing.  Hebrews 10:35-36 reminds us that we don’t always receive answers as quickly as we would like, but encourages us to persevere in our faith. The Passion Translation offers us a beautiful and unusual version of these verses:  “So don’t lose your bold, courageous faith, for you are destined for a great reward! You need the strength of endurance to reveal the poetry of God’s will and then you receive the promise in full.” ‭‭ “The poetry of God’s will”  - what a unique phrase. The same Greek word that The Passion Translation translates as “poetry,” poieo , (1)  is also used in Ephesians 2:10. This verse states that we are God’s “workmanship” (KJV). The Passion Translation once again uses the word “poetry” to translate this word: “ we have become His poetry.” I am praying for you as you persevere in believing for “the poetry of God’s will”  to manifest in your life. Let’s ask Him now for more miracles. Pray with me: Father, we thank You for these healings and miracles. We also thank You for others who were touched in Ohio and around the nation. However, our hearts go out to those still needing supernatural healing, and we are asking for their breakthrough, as well. Please give us an increase of Your healing power in this season. Heal every manner of disease and affliction, including depression and mental disorders. Deliver people from their pain and suffering. We pray for a release of the gifts of Your spirit: gifts of healing, the working miracles, the gift of faith, and words of knowledge. (1 Corinthians 12) Use these gifts to produce extraordinary miracles that not only bless the recipient but draw attention to Christ and His redemption.  We continue to lift up the people in the flood ravaged areas of Texas, New Mexico, North Carolina, and elsewhere. Bring help to the workers as they search for victims, bring comfort to families that have suffered loss, and help communities rebuild. Sustain people as they struggle with their faith in these tragic situations. And we continue to pray for the transforming power of revival to come to our nation and the nations of the world. The rains of revival have begun; now, increase them, we pray. We ask for all of this in the holy name of Jesus. Amen.  Our decree: We release our faith today by declaring God’s eternal and powerful Word, “By His stripes, we are healed!”  (Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24) Click on the link below to watch the full video. James Strong, The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990), ref. no. 4160.

These States Get It! The states of Tennessee and Louisiana have both declared July as months of prayer and fasting. Texas recently declared a day of prayer regarding the floods that have occurred there. Intercessors For America reports regarding these proclamations: “Both Tennessee and Louisiana have decided to dedicate this month to prayer. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry announced this for his state at the beginning of July, issuing a proclamation. In this proclamation, he called ‘upon the people of Louisiana to come together during the month of July in a season of prayer and fasting, seeking God’s blessing, protection, and wisdom for our state and our nation.’ “Tennessee State Representatives Mark Pody and Monty Fritts introduced House Joint Resolution 51  earlier this year. The bill, signed into law by Governor Bill Lee in early May, establishes July as a month of prayer and fasting that will be celebrated annually. This comes after Tennessee also dedicated July, 2024 to prayer and fasting. “These are not, however, the only states honoring the Lord in prayer. Texas also recently declared July 6 as a Day of Prayer. Governor Greg Abbott issued the proclamation in response to the devastating Independence Day floods, writing, ‘I urge Texans of all faiths and religious traditions and backgrounds to offer prayers on that day for the healing of individuals, safety of our first responders and public safety officers, rebuilding of communities, and restoration of the region struck by this disaster.’” (1)  Why This Is Significant  From a biblical and spiritual perspective, these proclamations are more than symbolic—they are strategic acts, rooted in the biblical truth that “the fervent prayer of a righteous person avails much” (James 5:16). These God-honoring proclamations serve several critical purposes: 1. Aligning the Heart of the State with God’s Heart When a group of people declares a period of prayer and fasting, it signals a collective recognition that human efforts alone are insufficient to address the complex issues facing society—moral decline, economic uncertainty, racial division, and spiritual apathy. It’s an act of humility, acknowledging that divine guidance and intervention are paramount. True change begins in the spiritual realm. Prayer and fasting are not just rituals but strategic tools for shifting atmospheres—breaking spiritual strongholds, awakening the church, and preparing the ground for divine breakthroughs. 2. Invoking God’s Favor and Intervention Throughout Scripture, fasting and prayer are associated with seeking God’s favor during pivotal moments—such as Israel’s national fasts, Solomon’s dedication of the temple, and Nehemiah’s rebuilding efforts. Declarations today echo these biblical precedents, expressing dependence on God’s mercy. By dedicating a time for collective fasting and prayer, states are asking God to intervene in their affairs—protecting communities, restoring morals, healing divisions, and revitalizing faith. 3. Fostering Spiritual Revival and Awakening Obviously, all of America needs spiritual awakening, and this starts with God’s people humbling themselves and seeking His face. These declarations serve as catalysts by igniting hearts and mobilizing their states toward renewed faith and purpose. They are also a call to the church to rise up, pray fervently, and become the moral and spiritual backbone of society. When churches unite in prayer, it creates a powerful spiritual synergy that can influence the entire region. 4. Breaking Strongholds and Overcoming Darkness We know that cities, states and nations can be under the influence of principalities and powers—forces of darkness that seek to hinder God’s plans. Prayer and fasting weaken these forces. Scripture teaches that some spiritual battles require fasting to break certain strongholds (Mark 9:29). They are not just spiritual disciplines, but weapons in the believer’s arsenal. Declaring these months of prayer and fasting can lead to the breaking of strongholds, corruption, and deception. 5. Promoting Unity and Corporate Repentance Such declarations create unity among churches, denominations, and citizens. When people come together in a common purpose, it fosters reconciliation and healing—both vertically (with God) and horizontally (with one another). These proclamations call for repentance of sin, and as 2 Chronicles 7:14 teaches us, repentance is one of the prerequisites for corporate healing. (2 Chronicles 7:14) 6. Preparing for Spiritual and Societal Transformation Finally, proclamations such as these position the states for transformation spiritually, socially, and morally. They lay the groundwork for policies and cultural shifts rooted in biblical principles, influencing education, government, and our communities. Conclusion In essence, proclamations of prayer and fasting by states like Tennessee and Louisiana are more than ceremonial gestures—they are strategic, biblical acts that acknowledge the spiritual roots of our societal problems. They call God’s people to humble themselves, seek His face, and declare His redemption over their land. These declarations are crucial steps in the process of awakening and revival. They remind us that change begins with prayer—fervent, persistent, and united prayer. They are acts of hope, faith, and obedience, trusting that God is willing and able to bring about the transformation our states and nation desperately need. May these months of prayer and fasting in Tennessee and Louisianna, and the day of prayer in Texas, serve as a rallying cry for the church to rise up, to intercede, and to believe that a spiritual awakening is not only possible but inevitable—when God’s people pray with faith and humility. May Texas find healing and recovery. Pray with me: Heavenly Father, We come before You humbly and boldly, lifting up our nation in prayer. Lord, we have acknowledged many times that we are in desperate need of Your intervention, and we do so again. We ask for Your forgiveness for the sins that have tainted our land—disobedience, rebellion, corruption, division, and neglect of Your truth. Wash us clean by the blood of Jesus, and renew a right spirit within us. Father, we pray for a spiritual awakening across our nation. Stir hearts to seek You earnestly, to turn away from darkness, and to embrace the light of Christ. We thank You for states like Tennessee and Louisiana that would take the bold step of proclaiming entire months as periods of prayer and fasting. Raise up more states to be so bold, becoming beacons for our nation.  Pour out Your Spirit in revival, transforming lives, families, communities, and leaders. We pray for moral integrity to rise again in our society. Instill values rooted in Your Word—truth, justice, mercy, and humility. Heal the wounds of division and strife, bringing reconciliation and unity. Remove the blindness that blinds our leaders and citizens alike, opening eyes to Your truth and guiding us in righteousness. Lord, we trust You fully, and believe that You are turning this nation around. We declare Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. We thank You for Your faithfulness and for the hope we have in Christ Jesus. May Your glory fill our land once more. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. Our decree: We declare that the redemptive mercies of King Jesus are being released over America to heal our land. Click on the link below to watch the full video. https://ifapray.org/blog/states-dedicate-july-to-prayer-and-fasting/

The powers of darkness do not like the Appeal to Heaven flag, which is not surprising since it is a call to prayer. This flag, commissioned by George Washington and proudly flown by our Founding Fathers, generated prayer that birthed America. And the following vision, given to Gina Gholston, reminds us that God is not finished with this important banner. The vision and its meaning will encourage you. The title of her vision and comments is: Two Flags Becoming One America recently celebrated her 249th birthday. I firmly believe it is by God’s sovereignty and for His purposes that our nation exists. It’s not with haughty pride that we believe and state this, but with sincere desire to honor Him and ensure that His original intentions for America are fulfilled. We have been entrusted with this prophetic destiny; we must humbly and intently take our place as His representatives in order to see it fulfilled.    On this past July 4th, I was reminded of a significant vision the Lord gave me in 2020. Though Dutch shared this vision with you a few years back, I felt the Holy Spirit wanted us to revisit it.    On May 28, 2020, I received a vision of an American flag being wadded up in someone’s hands. It was then spread out once again, and had become wrinkled, thin, and weak. Then, the flag began to “bleed,” becoming saturated with blue and red stains, which completely covered it. In this stained, wrinkled and weakened state, it looked as if the flag would simply fall apart.    Then, I saw an Appeal to Heaven flag float downward. It was laid over the top of the stained and limp American Flag, completely covering it. However, the Appeal to Heaven flag not only covered the American flag - it actually penetrated it! As it did, the stains from the bleeding began to disappear and the stars and stripes began appearing again. The American flag was being revived and re-formed.  When finished, the two flags had not only been united, but were also forged into one solid piece of steel. The Appeal to Heaven flag had been infused into the American flag, and was now part of it, though the appearance of the combined flags was that of the Stars and Stripes. And the Appeal to Heaven flag had solidified the American flag.   Then I heard the Lord say: “This is what I Am doing! I Am forging together the church and the nation. This will strengthen the nation again. America will revive, heal, rise up and reform as the nation I birthed it to be.”   God’s Original Plan Our roots as a nation are not in our flawed history; they’re in Almighty God, for it was He Who birthed America to be a radiant light of His love and salvation to the world. Imagine the pilgrims who first came to this land, standing on the shoreline of their destiny, breathing a deep sigh of relief that they had survived the voyage. Imagine them falling to their knees under the overwhelming awareness that what was unfolding in the days ahead was about God’s plan of the ages. These pilgrims were not just carving out a new life for themselves; they were taking their place on the timeline of history, building their part of God’s plan. I cannot imagine the mix of emotions within them as they felt the sands of the New World beneath their feet, and gazed upon this beautiful land. Their initial thoughts were definitely toward God, for they planted a cross, prayed and declared, “From these very shores the Gospel shall go forth to not only this New World, but the entire world.”   The wrinkles of a not-so-perfect history cause some to believe that the prophetic destiny of America is weak, irrelevant, and forever lost. Or perhaps even that no such destiny ever existed. But it did, and America shall be saved, her righteous history and destiny restored.   In this vision of 2020, the Appeal to Heaven flag was representative of the prayer movement in our nation. Our sincere return to God, along with our fervent, righteous prayers have become a force that is strengthening the nation. Because of this, America will revive, heal, rise up, and reform as the nation God birthed it to be.   The Church has been awakened, at least in part. There is a remnant that has been aroused from their slumber and remembered their divine heritage. The destiny of God in us has met up with the timing of God for us, and caused a vicious passion for God’s Kingdom purposes to be restored. We see the distress that we are in, yet we believe and know that transformation is coming! We hear the voice of the Lord echoing through time: “If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).   We are not given to despair; we are given to fervent prayer. And God will heal our land. His words to Israel are fitting for the church and for America: “Fear not, for I Am with you; be not dismayed, for I Am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).   America is NOT defeated. She may be battered and bruised, but she will not die. We will live and declare the works of the Lord! We are one nation under God! The verdict has been determined: “America shall be saved!”  Pray with me: Father, we, Your church, have been built up and strengthened to advance Your Kingdom in America and the world. You have empowered us to release Your life, awaken hope and send Your light into the earth to dispel the darkness. We will utilize our spiritual weapons to pull down every stronghold and stop hell‘s attempts to overthrow Your original purposes for America. We know that life and hope are being restored. An awakening has begun that will surge across the land and awaken the conscience of our nation. Holy Spirit’s wind is blowing, hope is rising, darkness is retreating, and You are strengthening America! As we declare our faith in what You are doing to restore America, we also continue to pray for those affected by the floods in Texas, New Mexico, and North Carolina. Please bring comfort to those impacted, as they deal with loss and devastation. We ask for Your help and protection to the rescue teams as they continue to search for victims. And we ask for grace to those ministering to hurting people. We also continue asking that supernatural wisdom be given to government officials as they work to “flesh out” the restoration beginning in our nation. We pray for President Trump, Speaker Johnson, Majority Leader Thune, and those working with them. We also ask for Your protection and wisdom over our leaders at the state and local levels. And we pray for Your protection over those in ICE and other law enforcement agencies. Please help us end violence and bring peace to our land. In Jesus’ name we pray all of these things, amen. Our decree:   We declare that America will revive, heal, arise and reform, becoming the nation Yahweh birthed her to be. You can learn more about Gina Gholston at GinaGholston.com . Click on the link below to watch the full video.

The God of Providence At the Constitutional Convention in 1787, brilliant Founding Father Benjamin Franklin called for prayer to end the contentious impasse being experienced. We quoted from his speech in a recent post  [7/2/2025]. A portion of his appeal stated: “I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth -- that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings that ‘except the Lord build they labor in vain that build it.’ I firmly believe this; I also believe that without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the Builders of Babel.” (1) Without question, Franklin and those gathered with him at the Continental Congress believed that God wanted and needed to be involved in the birthing of America. On that specific occasion, they asked for His help in fashioning the Constitution of the United States of America. Just let that sink in. God was involved in every facet of forming this nation, including our Constitution. In this challenging time when some are trying to remove the influence of America’s Judeo-Christian roots, keep yourself reminded of this.  I am always shocked and bewildered when I hear Christian leaders ignorantly deny that America was God’s idea. In their ignorance, they sometimes sign onto the blatantly obvious attempt to silence patriotic Christians by using the ridiculous phrase “Christian nationalists.” Many of them contend that the only nation God has ever birthed was Israel. However, Job 12:23 tells us, “He makes nations rise and then fall, builds up some and abandons others” (The Message). It is contradictory, at best, to assert that God would form a nation (Israel) in order to birth the Messiah, but wouldn’t do so for the primary purpose of spreading the good news of His redeeming sacrifice. To believe that God formed America for the purpose of propagating the gospel in no way insinuates that other people or nations do not also exist for divine purposes. As believers, we are all called to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and extend His Kingdom on earth. The assertion simply means that this was the primary purpose for America’s existence. The Delivering Fog In Franklin’s passionate appeal for prayer, partially quoted above, he also referred to God’s frequent help during the War of Independence, describing it as “frequent instances of a Superintending providence in our favor.” (2)  Some of the testimonies of God’s intervention in the Revolution involved the weather. Moms For America recounts one such example: “The Battle of Brooklyn found the American forces surrounded by 32,000 British soldiers, trapped near the East River. The British dug trenches around the Americans, planning to finish them off. They awaited British ships to arrive to cut off any possible escape route. “The ships never arrived! Though the plan was set, the wind became still, and they couldn’t sail into place. “It rained all night, and George Washington used all available boats to begin shuttling his troops across the river to safety under cover of darkness. As morning approached, he still had a large percentage of his soldiers awaiting transport. “Their loss could mean disaster for the American Revolution. “Then, a heavy fog settled over the American and British troops. Even after daybreak, the fog lay like a blanket upon both. When it finally lifted, the British were astonished to see every sign of their adversaries gone! The mysterious fog saved the American revolutionaries from capture, or worse.” (3) “The event was documented by Major Benjamin Tallmadge: ‘As the dawn of the next day approached, those of us who remained… became very anxious for our own safety…At this time, a very dense fog began to rise off the river, and it seemed to settle in a peculiar manner over both encampments. I recollect this peculiar providential occurrence perfectly well, and so very dense was the atmosphere that I could scarcely discern a man at six yards distance.’” (4) The God of providence came through! Speaking of providence, Douglas S. Winnail recounts a providential miracle for the United States…before we even existed! When God was still shaping George Washington to be our first commander-in-chief and first president, Winnail said of the young Washington: “…the fact that he lived to lead this young nation was due to Divine Providence—the intervention of God in mankind’s affairs for a purpose. In 1755, during the French and Indian War, 23-year-old Colonel Washington was one of 1,400 British troops under the command of General Braddock. They were marching to capture Fort Duquesne, near Pittsburgh, when they were attacked by a French and Indian force. During the battle, ‘Braddock was killed, and every officer on horseback was shot, except Washington.’  “The young colonel [Washington] later wrote to his brother, ‘But by the All-Powerful Dispensations of Providence, I have been protected beyond all human probability or expectation. I had four bullets through my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet escaped unhurt, while death was leveling my companions on every side of me.’  “A Native American who fought in the battle stated later, ‘Washington was never born to be killed by a bullet! I had seventeen fair fires at him with my rifle and yet could not bring him to the ground.’” (5) The God who declares the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10) was preserving and shaping the first president of the United States of America…before there even was a United States of America! And this providential God is not finished with our nation. Pray with me: God of Providence, remind us today to keep our focus and gaze on You in this strategic hour of history. May we not be distracted by world events, the clamor of those who don’t like our patriotism, or any other tactic of the enemy. Keep us reminded that You are ruling in the affairs of men, and that we must listen carefully to You for our instructions and guidance. Six times in Daniel 7, You said of Daniel that he “kept looking.” After each time You gave Him a vision and instructions, he “kept looking.” We must do the same.  We ask for Your guidance as we pray for America and her role in the coming worldwide revival. We ask for this guidance for those working to restore our nation. Lead our President and his team, as well as our legislators and leaders at the state and local levels. Give us a strong America so that we might serve Your purposes in our generation (Acts 13:36). Motivate the church to rise up as never before and contend for Your purposes. Fan the flames of intercession where they may have dwindled, and bring Your fire and passion to the church. Give a renewed hunger for Your presence and Your cause on the Earth. AND GIVE US LISTENING AND HEARING HEARTS! All of this, we pray in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen. Our decree: We decree that He who began a good work in America will finish it! Click on the link below to watch the full video. ___________________________ Benjamin Franklin. June 28, 1787. James Madison, Notes of Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787  (1787; reprinted NY: W.W. Norton and Co., 1987), pp. 209-210. David Barton, The Myth of Separation  (Aledo, TX: WallBuilder Press, 1991), pp. 108-109. Gallard Hunt and James B. Scott, Ed., The Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787, Which Framed the Constitution of the United States of America,  reported by James Madison (New York: Oxford University Press, 1920), pp. 181-182. Tim LaHaye, Faith of Our Founding Fathers  (Brentwood, TN: Wolgemuth & Hyatt, Publishers, Inc., 1987), pp. 122-124. George Bancroft, Bancroft’s History of the Constitution of the United States  Vols I-X (Boston: Charles C. Little & James Brown, 1838), Vol. II. Stephen Abbott Northrop, D.D., A Cloud of Witnesses  (Portland, Oregon: American Heritage Ministries, 19887), pp. 159-160. Ibid. https://momsforamerica.us/blog/5-surprising-miracles-from-god-that-helped-make-america-great/   https://www.tomorrowsworld.org/magazines/2017/july-august/miracles-of-the-american-revolution   https://www.tomorrowsworld.org/magazines/2017/july-august/miracles-of-the-american-revolution

Introduction I love many of the church’s hymns. However, some of my greatest memories from the early days of the Charismatic/Jesus People Movements are singing the praise and worship “choruses,” as we called them. We referred to them as such because they were typically short, like the chorus of a hymn. Some were only one word, like the Hallelujah chorus. They rarely had verses.  The simplicity of these songs was part of Holy Spirit’s brilliant plan. The young generation of that era rebelled against extravagance and form; we wanted things simple and real, sometimes to a fault, like living in communes and wearing few clothes! When we came to Jesus, the Holy Spirit gave us simple songs.  We also had rejected authority, the establishment - including, unfortunately, our parents and their traditions. We didn’t want their hymns. So when we came to Christ He simply said, “Give ‘em some simple choruses for now. They’ll come around.” And His most brilliant aspect of the plan was that He put in the hearts of our generation to use the Bible as our songbook. “We don’t need those fancy hymnals,” we boasted. “We sing the Bible!” Little did we know He was using this singing of His Word to renew our minds, remove our rebellion, and feed us on the bread of life. Holy Spirit is so smart! One of my favorite “choruses” of the day was taken from Psalm 20:6-8: “Now know I that the Lord saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy Heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.”  (AKJV) The primary portion of the song was verse 7, “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.”  It drove into my heart the revelation that we must look to the Lord first for our provision, protection and strength. We would do well to remember this today.  “Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain”  (Psalm 127:1; AKJV). Ben Franklin quoted this verse from Psalm 127 at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 when suggesting more prayer was needed for wisdom and to overcome disagreements and other obstacles. We must remember its message today. My friend, Jay Comiskey, sent me the following information to encourage us as we build a protective prayer “dome” over America. It is entitled: THE IRON DOME SHIELD OF INTERCESSION In 2024, the Israeli Military (IDF) demonstrated a remarkable air defense system to protect their people. Guy Cohen, a Messianic Jewish leader from Israel, described this remarkable system: “Israel now has a multi-layered defense array. Our current system is surprisingly effective against almost all attacks from missiles, rockets, and UAVs. The IDF armor consists of the following defensive weapons: The Iron Dome, David’s Sling and The Arrow defense system. They each cover various distances, from close-range missiles all the way up to threats at the edge of the atmosphere. Currently, yet another level is being developed - laser technology.” (1) As you know, Israel has been attacked by several enemies over the past 16 months. From Hamas in the South, to Hezbollah in the North, including the nation of Iran, multiple thousands of rockets and missiles have been fired at Israel. Miraculously, very few of these weapons have reached their target. Israel has been amazingly spared much death or damage. How? The Jewish people worked relentlessly (with the USA) to develop these Iron Dome Systems to protect their nation from evil missiles and rockets. They have won the defensive battle for their country. This has allowed their military to go on the offensive  and severely cripple Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran! On January 27, 2025, President Trump announced, we “need an Iron Dome for the USA!” He repeated this call in February. (2) Sometimes the Lord uses “signs, wonders and other indicators” in the natural to help us see a parallel truth in the spiritual realm. 1 Corinthians 15:46: “However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual.” Israel has once again become an important SIGN to God’s Ekklesia in America: It is time to build and operate our own Iron Dome Shield of Intercession over our Country! The Holy Spirit is calling us to partner with Him in building a mighty Iron Dome system of prayer and intercession to protect President Trump, his agenda, and our country . I believe God’s Prayer Army is at a unique place of maturity to build this spiritual Iron Dome of protection for America and all the nations. In Dutch’s book, Watchman Prayer , Chapter 7 is entitled “ Armed and Loaded with Prayer .” He shares how our prayers build strategic boundaries. Our job as watchmen and women is to protect and empower God’s purposes on earth. I believe Holy Spirit is giving His people profound wisdom and revelation from the Scriptures to protect America.  Here are some powerful building blocks to operate an effective spiritual  defense system throughout our land: All Authority … Matthew 28:18: “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” Luke 10:19: “ Behold, I give you the authority …   over all the authority of the enemy , and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” The Alpha and Omega Revelation 1:8: “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Exceedingly Abundantly Above … Ephesians 3:20: “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” No weapon formed against you Isaiah 54:17: “No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me,” says the Lord.” Angel Armies Psalm 103:20-21 (NLT): “Praise the Lord, you angels, you mighty ones who carry out his plans, listening for each of his commands. Yes, praise the Lord, you armies of angels who serve him and do his will! The Lord is teaching us how to build His spiritual “Iron Dome Shield” over America. Ask for wisdom and revelation from Holy Spirit regarding what to PRAY and DECREE into a current reality over President Trump and all those in authority. He will give you insight. There is a clichè in football that says, “Defense wins Championships.”  Let us build a defensive “Iron Dome Shield” over our country that will cause “America to be saved.” Pray with me: Father, as we build the protective prayer dome over America, give us willing hearts and hearing ears. Motivate intercessors and faithful believers throughout our nation to take seriously the warnings about praying for protection over America. Remind us that we can see our “turning point” take place this spring if we use the weapons of prayer mentioned in   yesterday's post . We will not make the mistake of placing our trust only in our government or military. We want and need wise leaders and a strong military, but our first and foremost trust is in You, not “horses and chariots.” We have prayed over America’s borders and waterways; we have obeyed other instructions telling us how and when to pray. We now make bold declarations of faith that we will continue to build and fortify Your protective dome/shield, and we will keep it in place through our prayers and decrees.  We declare that America shall be saved, both physically and spiritually. America shall be revived, restored, and reformed. She will pick up her mantle once again of being an evangelist to the world, funding, resourcing, and taking the gospel of the Kingdom to the ends of the earth. Amen. Our decree:  We decree that though some trust in chariots and some in horses, we will remember the name of the Lord our God!   Click on the link below to watch the full video. https://www.tikkunglobal.org/post/iron-dome-and-the-full-armor-of-god   https://www.timesofisrael.com/trump-signs-executive-order-to-develop-american-made-iron-dome-missile-shield/

Giving Thanks for Answered Prayer Today, we give thanks for the breakthroughs we have received. There are varying opinions regarding the Big Beautiful Bill. Some conservatives rejected it, believing that it still spends too much money; many others, however, believe it is a good start in turning around our nation. Without getting into the weeds of the bill, which I would not even be qualified to do, here are some victories we should all celebrate: The bill bans Medicaid payments (yours and my tax dollars) to clinics offering abortions—even for non‑abortion care. There will be no federal funds for abortion. Planned Parenthood took a huge hit.  $350B was allocated for border walls, enforcement, and deportation of illegals. We can take another step toward appropriate immigration, vetting those who come into America (thereby stopping criminals), requiring that they learn our history, agree with our ideals, and ensure that they assimilate into our culture. We want compassionate, but also wise, orderly, and conditional immigration policies (just like heaven).  Medicaid (yours and my tax dollars) is no longer permitted to pay for “gender transitions.” No money for surgeries or blockers.  When able, a person receiving Welfare and Food Stamps (SNAP) must work, as the Bible teaches (2 Thessalonians 3:10). The Child Tax Credit received a slight increase. Up to $25K of tax-free income in tips, and up to $12,500 in tax-free overtime pay (which would be $25,000 when a couple files jointly). This may not sound like much, but to lower-income households, it is huge. The bill also ensures that nearly 90% of Social Security beneficiaries will no longer pay federal income taxes on their benefits, providing meaningful and immediate relief to seniors who have spent a lifetime contributing to our nation’s economy. The first national school voucher plan was approved, which will help all but the wealthiest families pay for private school and other educational expenses. It is a compromised plan, and states must opt in, which, of course, most liberal blue states will not do, but it is a good beginning. We are making progress.  Thanks For Leadership Changes Passing a comprehensive piece of legislation often resembles a complex political ballet, requiring deft and complicated negotiation, strategic compromise, and relentless persistence. The recent journey of the “Big Beautiful Bill” through Congress exemplifies these challenges, particularly for House Speaker Michael Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, who played pivotal roles in shepherding the legislation to passage. From the outset, the “Big Beautiful Bill” faced significant hurdles. The bill’s expansive scope -- aiming to overhaul infrastructure, bolster economic growth, and address pressing social issues -- generated both enthusiasm and opposition across the political spectrum. While many advocates championed its ambitious vision, others raised concerns about its costs and potential unintended consequences.  For Speaker Johnson, the challenge was especially difficult in balancing the diverse priorities within the House, and he demonstrated incredible wisdom and skill. The bill required not only broad support but also careful navigation through a fractious caucus with varying ideological perspectives. Building consensus meant making difficult concessions, trimming certain provisions, and addressing ideological objections. The Speaker’s leadership – and no doubt his stamina — was tested as he worked tirelessly to unify moderates and conservatives, engaging in behind-the-scenes negotiations and offering assurances to secure enough votes for passage. Herding cats would be easy compared to herding our Congressional politicians.  Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Thune faced similar complexities. He had to negotiate with moderate as well as ultra-conservative Republicans, often using amendments and procedural tactics to gain consensus. The intricate process was further complicated by the need to reconcile the Senate version with the House’s amendments, requiring delicate negotiations and strategic compromises. Both leaders also had to contend with external pressures, including lobbying efforts from interest groups, public opinion, and media scrutiny. These two men, relatively new in their positions, did exceptional jobs of balancing the legislative priorities with political realities.  Ultimately, the passage of the "Big Beautiful Bill" was a testament to their skill, wisdom, perseverance, leadership, and political acumen. It demanded immense effort, strategic negotiation, and the ability to find common ground amid diverse and often conflicting interests. The successful passage marked a significant legislative achievement, showcasing the leadership of Johnson and Thune in navigating one of the most challenging legislative endeavors in recent history. And, of course, President Trump helped shape the bill and push it through the finish line. Much of it included his “promises made, promises kept.” We are told he made numerous calls, explained his positions effectively, as well as offered assurances regarding future progress in areas of concern. It truly was a team effort. Thank you, President Trump, and thank You, Lord, for placing him in office. We give thanks for all members of Congress who are standing up for righteous and honorable legislation, often having to deal with threats of physical violence, endure false accusations, face political threats, and even persecution to do so. God is answering our prayers and sending righteous leaders to serve in Congress. It is a challenging – and often thankless -- responsibility. We thank them, and we certainly give thanks to the Lord. Our responsibility is to continue doing our part in the spiritual realm. Prayer releases the power of God, and our spiritual warfare binds demonic plans and activities. Divine-human cooperation is always needed to see His plans move forward, including restoration. The necessary involvement on our part has begun, and we will not stop. We will not despise  small beginnings (Zechariah 4:10), nor will we settle  for them. Pray with me: Father, we thank You for President Trump and the team he has around him, Speaker Johnson and righteous House members, Majority Leader Thune, and other godly Senators.  We are grateful for the incredible changes taking place in our government and the turnaround occurring in our nation. Though this has only begun, we give You praise. We ask that You would continue to remove the ungodly from our government, and give us wise, righteous leaders in Washington, D.C. We also ask You to protect these leaders, their families, and staffs from harm. We also pray for the continued transformation of our judicial branch of government. Thank You for the victories we have experienced, but we know much greater transformation is needed. Give us judges who honor You, Your Word, and the Constitution. We ask You to remove those who oppose the principles of Scripture, and who legislate from the bench.  And finally today, Lord, we pray for the leadership in the body of Christ. Give them wisdom to lead with insight and understanding. Open their eyes to receive the revelation of Your will and Word. Renew passion where it has waned, restore any loss of “first love” for You (Revelation 2:4), break off from them any “hope-deferred” (Proverbs 13:12), and heal them from the wounds of betrayal and rejection. Increase the anointing of Holy Spirit on their lives and ministries, strengthen their homes and families.  All of these things we ask in Christ’s name, amen.  Our decree: We declare that we will persevere in our responsibility to partner with God in prayer, and in opposing the plans of satan’s kingdom. Click the link below to watch the full video.

Taken from the words of a great hymn, today’s title is: “When Darkness Seems to Hide His Face” I would like to take another day to pray for the people in Texas before moving on to other subjects. I have spent the morning (Monday) grieving over the tragic and heart-wrenching stories. I simply cannot imagine the level of emotional pain many people are experiencing. At the time of this writing, 82 people are reported dead, a number that will most certainly rise. Ten children are still missing from the Christian camp, and 41 overall in Texas.  It is impossible for words to eliminate or lessen the grief in situations like this, but it is a balm and a comfort to know others care. Author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once talked about a contest he was asked to judge. The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child. The winner was a four-year-old boy whose next-door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman’s yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there. When his mother asked him what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said, “Nothing, I just helped him cry.” (1) I have always found the words of Jesus in Luke 4:18 comforting during times such as these. As part of His “mission statement,” He declared that He had come to bring “healing for the brokenhearted” (TPT). Jesus understands what it means to have a broken heart. The Message Bible uses the word “battered” to describe the brokenhearted. Indeed. And the Amplified Bible describes it as those “crushed by tragedy.”  The “weeping prophet” Jeremiah, while looking at the smoldering ruins of Jerusalem and grieving the loss of many lives, stated his trust in the God of hope: “This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope…Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘Therefore I hope in Him!’” (Lamentations 3.21-24 NKJV) Today, I have been reminded of the words of the great hymn, The Solid Rock:   “When darkness seems to hide His face,  I rest on His unchanging grace. In every high and stormy gale,  My anchor holds within the veil. “His oath, His covenant, His blood,  Support me in the ‘whelming flood. When all around my soul gives way,  He then is all my Hope and Stay.” (2) The Anchor of Hope It is impossible to go through life without tasting the bitterness of tragedy, and the associated darkness does indeed try to hide His face. That’s when we cling to Him – He is our Anchor of Hope. The words of this great hymn are taken from Hebrews 6:18-19. It says:  “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil.” The Old Testament word for “hope,” tiqvah, actually means “a cord used to attach something.” Isn’t that a great picture!? Our hope tethers us to Him similarly, the Hebrew writer was stating that our hope in Christ anchors us. I am praying this for the people of Texas.  The same biblical author stated that our hope in Christ also keeps us moving forward. Hebrews 10:23 tells us to hold fast to the confession of our hope. “Hold fast” comes from a Greek nautical term meaning “to set one’s course.” (3)  In Acts 27, sailors in a fierce storm had to “set their course” for shore. Our faith in Christ keeps us from being blown off course during life’s storms. I’m praying this for them, as well.  The great poet Emily Dickinson captured the sustaining power of hope in one of her beautiful poems: “Hope is the thing with feathers That perches in the soul And sings the tunes without the words  And never stops at all.” (4)  “At the Royal Palace of Tehran in Iran, you can see one of the most beautiful mosaic works in the world. The ceilings and walls flash like diamonds in multifaceted reflections. “Originally, when the palace was designed, the architect specified huge sheets of mirrors on the walls. When the first shipment arrived from Paris, they found, to their horror, that the mirrors were shattered. The contractor threw them in the trash and brought the sad news to the architect. “Amazingly, the architect ordered all of the broken pieces collected, then smashed them into tiny pieces. He glued them to the walls to create the great mosaic of silvery, shimmering, mirrored bits of glass.” (5) God knows how to take broken hearts and transform them into restored mosaics of His grace. I am praying that He does so for those “battered” and “crushed by tragedy” in Texas. I am declaring over them that darkness will not be able to hide His face, and that their anchor indeed, holds fast.  Let’s do so now.  Pray with me:  God of Hope, we thank You for Your desire to fully heal and restore life to broken hearts. We are grateful for each time You entered our hopeless situations and met us in the dark place of despair. Thank You for pursuing us with Your relentless love, restoring our souls. We take hold of the arms of the hurting in Texas and hold them up. We cry tears of love and intercession for them, identifying with them in their pain. Strengthen them, comfort their battered hearts, and remind them that You are the ever-present help in times of trouble. Remind the grieving parents who lost children that they are with You, in the place of eternal joy and life, and they will see them again in heaven. Comfort the hearts of traumatized children, allowing no stronghold of fear to take root in their lives. Give the pastors and counselors words of comfort and wisdom to share with the hurting.  Father, You have promised to cause new life to spring forth, even from the barren recesses of hopeless hearts. Because of Your tender mercies, we declare over our hurting brothers and sisters that their lives will one day flourish again. Even though they may walk through death’s valley, they will remain anchored to the God of Hope, who will sustain them through the pain and restore their hurting hearts. All of this we pray in the name of our Savior and Healer, Jesus. Amen. Our decree:  To the hurting people of Texas: We hold up your arms and declare strength to hold fast and remain anchored. Click on the link below to watch the full video. https://www.midnightangel308.com/most_caring_child.htm   “My Hope Is Built” by Edward Mote, Public domain. James Strong, The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990), ref. no. 2722  Emily Dickinson, The Poems of Emily Dickinson , R. W. Franklin, ed (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1999), poem #314. Alice Gray, More Stories for the Heart  (Sisters, OR: Multnomah Publishers, Inc., 1997), pp. 220-221.