As I started searching out new worship music, I got excited with what I was finding. Merchant Band, Justin Rizzo, Jonathan Stockstill, and Isa, just to name a few. Look them up on Google or in iTunes, and be amazed!

Anyway, after much searching and downloading, I had finally put together a playlist of about 12 songs that I intended on using for my prayer time tonight. I got everything together, and I opened up the prayer with inviting the Presence of God to be with me. By the second song, I was on my knees crying harder than I ever have, and I mean EVER!

So what was it that turned me into a little baby on the floor? Besides the tangible Glory of God that had filled the room, I was blessed by the most beautiful vision I have ever had.

In the vision I was in a field. The grass was greener than I have ever seen it on earth. The sky was bluer and everything else around me was more vibrant. At first I was by myself, and then people from all over came towards me. They were laughing and screaming, and saying, “come on! We’re going to go praise Him!” They didn’t run, but they flew. Their faces weren’t really like human faces, but more like lights that were pure and shining in the same vibrant way that everything else was. As we are rushing to our destination, it is then that I see Him. More beautiful then ever. He is huge; bigger than any measurement. Suddenly all the little spirits were caught up to Him. Their praise made me cry, and praising with them was something that I look forward to doing again. I was caught up with them also, and we began to rise up to His head. All the praising spirits (myself included) circled around His head forming a crown. On His arms their were angels that played instruments, and at His feet were more worshippers. As this beautiful moment continued, I was trying to speak out (in the natural). I couldn’t say anything except the name of Jesus. I cried out His name and was taken into another vision.

He came on something that looked like a chariot. He was in the sky, and He rode on the clouds. The winds carried Him to me, and He rescued me from where I was. Now, I was completely sobbing. No sound was coming out of me at this point because of how hard I was crying. Then I had the vision of Him being crucified, with Him saying, “now you can be with me”.

I wish these moments never had to end. Someday, they never will!

…but apparently this blog must continue! I have gotten some extremely uplifting comments that have made me realize that this blog has been used by God. In addition to the comments I have received, the defining moment for my decision to continue on was when a good friend revealed to me that he was donating the amount of money that I needed to renew my website.

You know who you are, and I am so grateful for this gift, and honored to know you!

My one year blogging anniversary is coming up, and I’ll be celebrating it with the release of my next web-design! I’m excited…again!

Here’s a quick word that I started receiving a minute ago from Holy Spirit. Basically, there is an attack on Christian blogs that is going on in this season. The amount of Christian blogs is growing rapidly, and it is creating a ripple effect around the world. Obviously, this is going to make the devil unhappy, and I believe he is going to continue to try and bring down the many wonderful Christian blogs that are out there.

Stop! Don’t allow him to have the victory. The internet is full of lies, and we have to continue spreading the Truth. I urge all of my readers that have their own blogs to think of new and exciting ways to promote their blog. I have even thought about getting a bumper sticker that simply says, “www.awesomepurpose.com”. Whether you realize it or not, your blog is part of your ministry, and it is under attack. Let’s start to fight back!

I would also encourage Christians to keep their blogs “Holy”. Severely limit the arguments that turn personal, get rid of entries that speak negatively against Christians (unless you know they are in error and you may expose the error in love), and abstain from all forms of evil. I recently saw a few Christian blogs that used Google Ads, and the adds contained pornographic pictures, and links to websites that shouldn’t be on a Christian blog. Please consider whether the few dollars you might make off of those ads is more important than your viewers being exposed to the filth that can damage their perception of you. That’s another thing, your words are strong, and they represent who you are. Keep that in mind when writing, and at the end of your post, ask yourself, “does this bring Glory to the Lord?”.

It’s funny that I haven’t had any major topics to write about lately. I feel like there’s some kind of wall that is stopping me from learning anything new. This usually happens when God wants me to marinate in the things that He has already taught me. This allows the things I learn to take root, and become a part of the new creation that He has called me to be.

I’ll be honest, I get impatient during these moments; especially when I feel like God is being a little more silent. I don’t like going long without hearing from Him.

I have to renew my website soon, and I’ve actually considered not renewing it. In other words, that would be the end of Awesome Purpose. I know people are coming to this site, and I’ve met some interesting people through this blog, but I don’t know if I’m really helping anyone. Do I have anything to offer? Nobody leaves comments. How am I supposed to know what people are getting out of this blog? What’s the point in continuing something if it isn’t interesting enough for people to comment.

The other day was my first day at the gym. Not my first day ever, but the first day of my new gym commitment. I’m ready to start feeling good about myself.

I want my own business to grow to the point where I don’t have to work at the multi-billion dollar greed machine known as Walmart. I’m tired of working third shift, and running a business in the day just to pay my bills. This has been such a humbling experience as well. Every night I have to ask myself, how did I go from being a somewhat successful design consult, to stocking shelves in ghetto-mart? Oh I forgot, God wanted to teach me something. Isn’t the lesson learned yet? I knew I was too good for that place when I started. I dealt with it though, and I have persevered. I have met some wonderful people (which I know were Divine appointments), but I don’t feel any different. Forgive me if this is pride, but I still feel like I’m too good for that place. One thing is for sure, Walmart has a serious judgement coming to them. Every night I am forced to throw out carts full of bread. Perfectly good bread too. It’s depressing.

I’m ready to move on. I’m ready for some change. I’m ready to leave this decaying country, and I would if I didn’t think that the rest of the world was decaying as well. Does anyone love where they live?

I don’t want to be single forever. I just thought I’d throw that out there while I’m spilling my heart.

I need a vacation.

I need a new church. I want a church that I can be a part of. I’ve thought about joining a home church, or maybe even starting one. I’m tired of big churches. I want a church that meets on the hilltops. I want a church that doesn’t have to bleed it’s congregation dry with all of the false tithing messages. I don’t believe in tithing. Ever since I stopped, I have been blessed with enough money to pay my bills and to give joyfully. I love giving. I just don’t believe in throwing my money on the tablets.

I really want more friends that I can hang out with. People my age that can come over and pray with me, or that I can just go to dinner with. Why do I feel so separated from the world? Other Christians have friends, and bible studies, and mission trips, and vacations.

Yeah, I’m rambling. I need to do that sometimes…

One of the things that has always amazed me is how God can position people to be exactly where they need to be for His own purpose. Often times, I’ll look back on the road that I have already traveled and I am overwhelmed with amazement.

Here’s an example scenario that occurs in my brain —- I lived in Pennsylvania, and hated it. I knew I wanted to get out of there as soon as I could. I loved Orlando, Florida because of vacationing here so it was always my dream to move here by myself. I can’t explain it, but it gave me hope. When I graduated, a series of events made the dream a reality. I moved here by myself, and lived by myself. I got a job at Red Lobster, and met a girl named Cassandra who led me to the Lord. My life didn’t really change much, and in fact I got a little worse, before I got better. We both got jobs at TGI Friday’s because we learned that we could make more money. Shortly after I was fired for calling in sick. I had never called in sick, and I was never late so it was completely unjust for me to be fired. However, about a month later I got a job as a design consultant at a furniture gallery. I worked there for a year, and one day a new lady got a job there. She happened to be a Spirit-filled charismatic/Pentecostal, and opened my eyes to many new things. I was filled with the Holy Spirit, delivered from homosexuality, smoking cigarettes, and more.

What if I had never moved to Orlando?

Isn’t it amazing where each little day to day event can lead us? Often times I worry about whether or not I am messing up God’s plans, but in the past, I didn’t even know He had plans for me, and He got me where He needed me to be. I’m not sure what plans He has for me now, but I trust that they will be done according to His will.

Here’s another fun example —- The other day I had a lot of things to do. I planned my whole day and I was set on accomplishing all my errands. Groceries, mall, a couple merchandise returns/exchanges, etc. Well, the day started out okay, but when I got to the mall it hadn’t opened yet, and it wasn’t going to open for a couple more hours. Frustrated, I decided to leave and skip it for another day. On the way home, I had the urge to treat myself to a nice breakfast. I called my friend (who just happens to be the Spirit-filled lady I mentioned before), and asked if she wanted to meet me there. After begging her for 20 minutes she finally decided to come. It took her about half an hour to get there, so I was a little frustrated. I started eating anyway, and when she got there we had a good time. We were getting ready to leave, and the Holy Spirit started manifesting so we had prayer in the parking lot, and it was awesome!

On the way home I was at a light, and I looked at the car next to me with shock. It was my mother at the same stop-light in a city of over 200,000 people. I laughed, and took it as a sign that I was right where I was supposed to be.

How has God repositioned you through the years? Do you find this aspect of life as amazing as I do?

I had a shirt made for my business the other day, and it just so happened that the lady making them is a Muslim. My words are emphasized.

“I’m from Turkey, which is a Muslim nation.”

“So you’re a Muslim?”

“Yes, but I’m not like other Muslims. I believe in God, and He loves me, and gives me what I want.”

“Oooooh.” Immediately, the Holy Spirit was dealing with me to witness to this lady.

“So what do you think about Jesus?”

“Well, He is a prophet from God, and sometimes God sends down prophets to help His people.”

By now, the Holy Spirit was practically screaming at me, and there was only one thing that I could think of to say.

“So what do you think it meant when Jesus said, “I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me?”

Her face suddenly changed and she said, “I don’t like to talk about religion.”

To which I responded, “isn’t it great that we live in a country where we can talk about religion, and not have to worry about being killed for our beliefs?”

Turkey just happens to be a place where Christians are persecuted and even killed for their beliefs. Unfortunately, she closed the door, and it would have been wrong for me to take it any further. She was nice though. Really nice, and very smart. I hope some day her intelligence will lead her to the Truth.

Please pray that this seed will be watered by the Holy Spirit and that she will come to know the Savior!

Alright, I realize that the title of this post might sound like I am discrediting the work of Jesus Christ, which I am not. It is only Jesus Christ who has saved us, but if the Jews didn’t reject Him, we might have never heard the message!

God led me to some pretty mind blowing scriptures the other day. I encourage you to read all of Romans 11. While you are at it read 10, 7, 8, 9 in that order as well. Here are some highlights from Romans 11:

“But through their false step and transgression salvation [has come] to the Gentiles, so as to arouse Israel [to see and feel what they forfeited] and so to make them jealous.”

“But if some of the branches were broken off, while you, a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among them to share the richness [of the root and sap] of the olive tree. Do not boast over the branches and pride yourself at their expense. If you do boast and feel superior, remember it is not you that support the root, BUT THE ROOT THAT SUPPORTS YOU. You will say then, Branches were broken (pruned) off so that I might be grafted in!”

“Lest you be self-opinionated (wise in your own conceits), I do not want you to miss this hidden truth and mystery, brethren: a hardening (insensibility) has [temporarily] befallen a part of Israel [to last] until the full number of the ingathering of the Gentiles has come in.”

One of the things that I was wondering about recently was the whole “elect” and “chosen” thing. I couldn’t wrap my mind around the fact that God would chose people to be saved, and others to perish (also knows as double predestination). Something just didn’t fit. However, I couldn’t see how the scriptures made sense with the clear use of the words “elect” and “chosen”. After reading the chapters mentioned above, I finally got it. Israel is the chosen people. They just are, and it’s not for us to figure out. However, when we believe in Jesus Christ, we are grafted in, and we become the chosen and elect. Those who don’t believe aren’t the chosen, but it doesn’t mean they can’t become the chosen if they do start believing. So, God answered my questions with these scriptures. Double predestination is wrong, and God did not create anyone to go to hell.

Don’t you just want to hug a Jew and say, “thanks for missing it [the Gospel] for my sake. Now will you just believe already?”

You know, I have met a lot of Christians who say bad things about Jewish people, and it’s always kind of baffled me how one can call themselves a Christian and disrespect the Jews. Do they not realize that Christianity is Jewish? Have they forgotten that Jesus was actually a Jew? I have a deep respect for these people. After all, if they are good enough to be God’s chosen, they are certainly good enough for me!

This post is somewhat of a follow-up in regards to my last post titled, If Jesus Had a Car.

Often times when we think of having a ministry, we get the image of a pastor preaching to a large congregation, or maybe a famous televangelist, but we forget that some of the ways that we can minister are in our every day life. We don’t have to be in church to spread the Word of God. In fact, more Gospel sharing should be going on outside the church. After all, if you are in the church you should already know that Jesus Christ died for you sins. I know that isn’t the case, but that’s another topic!

So what are some ways to grow your ministry? First, realize that your life is about Him, and should be glorifying Him at all times. That alone is something that a lot of big time ministries have forgotten. If we take that love with us everywhere we go, and truly abide in Christ, then that is the greatest witness we can have. I believe that a lot of people want to believe in Jesus, but all they see is hypocritical Christians, and it turns them off. The desire is there, but when Christian’s are acting the same as everyone, unbelievers simply shrug us off and say, “I can act like that, if not better, without that Jesus guy.”

So, glorify God at all times and in all seasons. Recognize that you carry your ministry with you. Pay attention to how you are being perceived by the world. One of the latest things God has put in my heart is the idea of a “traffic ministry”. In my last post, I described how Jesus would act if He had a car. There are simple things we can do while on the road that could help shift the country’s negative view of Christians. Use your turn signal. I can’t think of how many times I see people who don’t know how to use a turn signal. It might not seem like a big deal, and it usually isn’t. However, stick a Jesus bumper sticker on your car, and the slightest slip up will cause people to shake their head and say, “wow, some Christian they are.” The mind connects the dots and forms opinions. In contrast, put that bumper sticker on your car and start doing something crazy like rolling down your window at a stop light and saying, “hey there! I hope you have a great day today! You are loved!” Then speed off (if you are blessed with a fast engine) and let them be shocked and amazed when they see that you are a Christian. The mind connects the dots. Sure, they might think you are crazy, but on what grounds? Is it really so crazy to tell a stranger to have a good day? Or to tell them that they are loved?

God is big. He’s huge. How can you not want to tell everyone about Him? If He’s blessed you with a car, then start using it to glorify Him. It doesn’t have to be a boring ride to work. We don’t need to be upset about gas prices, or angry at less experienced drivers. If we start using our vehicles the right way, maybe God will start to bless us more. Its just a thought!

By the way, I don’t endorse speeding, but when the light turns green, it is okay to “give her a little gas”.

I was recently inspired to write this article as a result of a random act of kindness that the Holy Spirit led me to do in a Target parking lot. If Jesus had a car, what would He do with it?

1. He’d always have jumper cables in His car; prepared to give anyone a jump start.

10. He’d never get mad at people who were driving and talking on their phones, but instead pray that the person on the other line was okay, and not in any kind of trouble.

Can you add to the list? What does your driving habits say about you?

You know, many say “actions speak louder than words”. Well I say, “drivers speak louder than bumper stickers.”

I was watching a video clip from Perry Stone, and he was talking about how he thinks that one of the most troubling sins in America is unbelief. I just started looking at his website, so I can’t say I agree with everything that he says, but I did enjoy this particular message.

I don’t think our sins look any different to God, but I know they look different to humans. For instance, murder does not have the same earthly punishment as lying. Now, he says that unbelief is a sin, but I’m going to take it farther and say that it is a spirit; the spirit of unbelief.

The spirit of unbelief penetrates the surface of our body in a very sneaky way. It usually comes in through the ears from others who are spewing words inspired by these little devils. Once in the body, it travels to the heart. It travels quickly, but what it does when it gets there is a slow process that can lead to death.

It begins to harden a persons heart by building little calluses over the surface. The calluses then grow roots and they take over the entire heart, pushing out Truth and replacing it with lies. The heart is then hardened and quite possibly might never recover.

Yes, I believe the spirit of unbelief is a great threat to America, and to Christians all over the world. Legalism, and discrediting the works of God is one way to let this spirit in. Sometimes, we know more when we know less.

This spirit actually came into me within the last few months, and I didn’t even realize the calluses it was building. For a Christian, we have one antidote, and it’s not penicillin. It’s only our Lord Jesus Christ that can rescue us. His Spirit pushes out the calluses and the demon and renews the mind.

Recently, I said to myself, “I heard from God more, and had more fruit when I had less knowledge.” Think about it! Why do people in third world countries have all the miracles happening? Because they don’t have science, media, and legalistic Christians to shut down the things of God. They simply believe. If someone in their tribe is raised from the dead by a man of God using the name of Jesus, they don’t sit around and debate whether it was a true or false miracle, and if it lines up with scriptures.

God opened the eyes of my heart, and I was able to see clearly how the spirit of unbelief had begun to do its dirty work. I put an end to it, and made some promises to myself (and God).

1. I will give no more of my time to blogs, websites, or people that discredit the works of God out of ignorance.
2. I will not judge any testimony, sign, wonder, or miracle that points to Jesus, but rather praise God for everything that is from Him.
3. I will seek the Spirit of Truth regarding all things, and trust that He who has started a good work will finish it!

So, did I rub some of your calluses the wrong way?

Behold, a new layout is coming on the internet, and every eye will see!

Alright, maybe not every eye, but I can dream right? I didn’t really plan on doing a new layout for awhile, but today I started playing around with some possible ideas. I was a little scared at first because of how much I liked this layout, and how hard I worked on it. I thought to myself, “how will I ever surpass the beauty that is in what I have come to know as Wood Version 4.0?”

Suddenly, in all my frustration the anointing hit, and I was back in business. It took me a month to do Version 4.0, and this design was done in one day! Not only that, but I can’t stop looking at it! It is far better than anything I could have ever imagined!

Am I being conceited? Absolutely not! I know where my talent comes from, and He is worth every word of praise that comes from my lips.

Pictured above is a sneak preview of Version 5.0, and this is a rare glimpse! I usually don’t reveal the layout until it is posted on the web, but I’m much too excited!

I’m hoping to share the real deal by next week…