A Reflected Prophetic Word

I posted a prophetic word yesterday. It was well received and proved to be helpful to a number of the folks that read it. That part is good.

But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that Father was speaking to me in the midst of it. That also is good, though it's a little more awkward, I suppose.

First, here's that word: 

--

Interesting few days.

In the last few days, I’ve had interaction with a wide variety of folks:

·         An author who insists that Christians are still obligated to obey the whole law, and how dare I declare that the Old Covenant is past!!!
·         Some folks who are angry at me because I teach that God is good and kind and well represented in Jesus.
·         A friend who insists that the Resurrection was metaphorical, not literal.
·         Several “unbelieving believers” whose whole world view is built on their poverty spirit and whose theme song seems to be “I can’t! I need someone to do it for me!”
·         A “prophet” who is convinced that his job is pointing out fault in every congregation he visits (and who never visits a congregation a second time).

As I was reflecting on these, I felt Father’s sadness. “These are manifestations of the influence of an antichrist spirit,” he murmured softly.

That’s certainly not saying, “They’re the Antichrist!” or even “They’re possessed.”

It’s just acknowledging that these are some of the ways that an “anti-Christ” spirit works to influence God’s children. These are some of the accusations that the antichrist spirit makes against God, against Jesus, against the Cross.

As I reflected, the quiet voice continued, “How will you respond to them?” and I knew that my response must not include anger or rejection or resignation.

There is one thing that stood out in my heart in response. Sure, I must love them, but that’s not a real answer. The thing that stood out to me is that I need to be careful not to change my message in response to them. I must not react to them in anger, rejection, or resignation; I am not permitted to change my message because of them.

If I don’t speak of who God really is in me and to me, then it’s not really my testimony, it’s just empty words. If I soften the message in order to placate some, or if I sharpen it to make it hit others harder, then these voices that carry the echo of the antichrist have shaped my message, my heart. My message would likely carry further, but it would not carry the truth I want it to.

And then my voice would also carry a manifestation of the influence of an antichrist spirit.

I’m thinking that this is not where I want to go. There be dragons down that path.

--

As I reflected on this, Father began to speak to me about what I'd just written: "Son, did you notice: you're being opposed by an antichrist spirit. You need more prayer support."

Oh my. That's true. That's the gist of what I just wrote about, isn't it?

And as I'm writing about this, I'm reminded that I am (or I probably should be) dealing with grief on several fronts. That's not (or it shouldn't be) an insubstantial investment as well. (Observation: death sucks!)

So I'm asking for prayer support. I'd be delighted if several folks were to pray for myself & my family, and the NWP community on a regular basis. But I won't turn my nose up at "I'll pray for you when God brings you to my mind!" I'm honored that you would consider it!

And thank you!

NWP                                                               

Website: www.northwestprophetic.com

Musings: www.pilgrimgram.com
NWP Books: https://www.facebook.com/NWPBooks

Twitter: www.twitter.com/nwprophetic

Facebook: www.facebook.com/northwestprophetic

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/11nwp11

Contributor: http://apostlesprophets.blogspot.com/

Google+: https://plus.google.com/114850489228624072660

And now Mewe: https://mewe.com/join/northwestprophetic

Fall 2014

Y’all have no doubt noticed that Facebook has exercised its (formidable) brute force, and made me change my name from “Nor’west Prophetic” to “Al Mack.” Didn’t love that. And they don’t respond to complaints, but that’s normal for them.

That one was easier to notice. What may be less obvious is that I’ve been hanging around Facebook less than usual. That’s not in response to their shenanigans, though they’re certainly not helping. I’m just finding myself with less time than I usually have had available.

Of course, being enrolled in two schools probably contributes to the lack of time. Add details like working full-time, managing a family business, counseling folks in crisis, and raising a family, and you end up with a pretty full life. You know. The usual.

I’m kind of tired. I’m resting in my Father, and I’m in good shape, but I’m tired.

Someone may ask, “Are you leaving Facebook?” And the answer is, “Heck no! But I might be hanging around in the Facebook lobby less often than usual.”

Someone else might ask, “Is this a prayer request?” And the answer is, “Heck yes! You’re my friends and family! Who do we go to for prayer? Our friends and family!”

So thanks. Thanks for understanding, and thanks for the prayer support. You guys are awesome! 

--

NWP                                                               

Website: www.northwestprophetic.com

Musings: www.pilgrimgram.com
NWP Books: https://www.facebook.com/NWPBooks

Twitter: www.twitter.com/nwprophetic

Facebook: www.facebook.com/northwestprophetic

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/11nwp11

Contributor: http://apostlesprophets.blogspot.com/

Google+: https://plus.google.com/114850489228624072660

And now Ello: https://ello.co/nwprophetic

April 2012

The winter has been remarkably full.

Frankly, it’s been too full of funerals for my liking, but that’s what happens when the guard changes. For some, it was a relief. For some, an injustice. For at least one, it was a triumphant return home to accolades and festivities. A mutual friend said it best: “Darn it! He ditched us!”

My own house, substantially less full than before, has now become an “empty nest,” except that it’s seldom actually empty, which is really the way we prefer it. The lovely Mrs and I have enjoyed the rumored peace and hypothetical quiet. It’s been wonderful to re-discover the magic in our un-distracted (well, less-distracted) relationship. I think I’m in love.

We’ve also enjoyed a stream of fire-filled young warriors filling our home and our lives, who have inspired us and helped us not become complacent. Did you know that God is up to something in the generation behind us old Jesus-People saints? It’s very exciting! Pray for them! Make room for them! Befriend them. (But don’t try to keep up with them. Just sayin’.)

I have to say that I have been treasuring knowing these folks. Yes, we’re older than most of their parents, but they don’t seem to hold that against us. They’re a great deal of fun, they ask such amazing questions, and they remind me of the kind of passion that I’ve wanted to live my own life with.

It’s on our hearts to host a number of gatherings for saints of all ages over the summer. We’ll see how well that desire gets turned into action. I’ve been learning about such gatherings of saints; maybe more accurately: “I’m unlearning quite a lot about home groups.” We’ve had one coalesce into our living room, and it’s been an interesting education, as well as wonderful fellowship. I won’t bore you with the details, but the most recent thing that Papa said to me about it was, “Purpose? Why do you need a purpose for fellowship?”

The online resources of Northwest Prophetic have been around for almost a decade now (since early 2003), and we haven’t hidden ourselves. Recently, and without any change in how we do things, it appears that NWP is becoming more known, becoming less hidden than before. It’s always interesting how these things change. I’m really quite curious to see what God does with the new visibility. 

One of my desires has long been to help bring maturity to the prophetic movement in the Pacific Northwest. On one hand, that’s involved some really fun one-on-one times with individuals, and some fascinating small gatherings. With the new visibility has come a new flock of relationships, many online, some local, some regional. Some of the ones that challenge me the most (and thereby are most effective in bringing maturity to my own prophetic movement) are out of state, or nearly so.

(Note to self: don’t ever try to help others grow into maturity without being willing your own self to be stretched and challenged to more personal maturity. It doesn’t seem to work that way.)

Thanks for the prayers. Thanks for the friendship.

Website: www.northwestprophetic.com

Musings: www.pilgrimgram.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/nwprophetic

Facebook: www.facebook.com/northwestprophetic

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/11nwp11

Contributor: http://apostlesprophets.blogspot.com/

Google+: https://plus.google.com/114850489228624072660

Looking forward to 2012.

I almost feel obligated to say something profound about 2012, but why? There are enough people talking about it already. Next….

The California trip was an interesting success. Always interesting to combine the geeky with the prophetic. Probably can’t say too much about the trip, but I could tell I was walking in a bubble of grace and I was startled by the clarity of vision in the area. Let me summarize it by saying that I expect a grassroots movement of the Kingdom in SoCal. I’m used to God doing stuff there, but grassroots? That’s kind of new.

I’m much more focused locally right now. And by “locally,” I mean my bride, my kids, the folks around me. Relationships are king right now, and while I’m seeing that personally, I believe that relationship (more than program, membership, etc.) is a big deal to God right now too. In that context, we’ve encountered some remarkable battles recently. It’s not surprising that Jesus showed up and showed out each time, nor that the demons don’t like eviction notices. I’ve appreciated covering prayer, for myself, my family, and the folks alongside.

I have observed that a whole lot of folks in this movement (“prophetic movement”? “Kingdom”? “apostolic age”?) have been hit with a couple of trials recently. I’ve watched a very large number of leaders facing an unusually strong issue of discouragement in the past two or three weeks, and I’ve felt that myself. I’ve observed a goodly number of confident leaders wrestling with their confidence and their mission, and I suspect this is connected to the movement from membership to relationship.

You know, God is pretty cool. He manages to be an omnipotent, omniscient creator, and still be passionate, involved Daddy at the same time. I think I like it that way.

Trip to the Big City

I'll be leaving tomorrow mid-day for a trip of about 4 days to Los Angeles, the City of The Angels.

I'll be traveling alone (apart from those angels, and your prayer covering) down on Sunday, back on Wednesday. This is a working trip. I'll be nerding out down there: nerd school on Monday; nerd practice on Tuesday. And lots of meals with other nerds. (And some geeks, too.)

On a recent nerd trip, I traveled with a co-worker. I had prayer covering, but he was mostly uncovered. When we got to our hotel, we learned that it was hosting a convention for the pornography industry. Yikes. The whole hotel felt slimy, but I felt the bubble of prayer support around me.

During the course of that trip, my co-worker and I were doing nearly everything together: meals together, to and from the trade show floor together, to and from the hotel room together. But there were maybe five times that we got separated, and the difference in prayer covering showed up: we were apart for just a moment or two, but in those moments, he ran into some of the stars of the porn industry, running around the hotel in the same condition that they did in their movies.

I never did see the poor girls who couldn't afford any clothes, but he ran into them several times, but only when he was separated from me. I felt bad for him, but I really enjoyed the protection around me that came from people back home praying for me.

So I'm asking for prayer!

● The usual protection during travel, and also smooth connections.

● Protection from pornography conventions, or the local equivalent. Ick.

● Excellent learning and profitable meetings.

● This is not a "Ministry Trip," but I expect some good things to come of it. I can't help but feel that I'm representing the Northwest on this trip to the Southwest.
● Pray for my family, staying behind: wife & kids, and important relationships.
● Pray specifically against fear/anxiety - in me, and in the family staying behind me.
● And pray that we'll see who He is in and to us this year.
So thank you! Thanks for your prayers!

Introduction and Such.

I’m not fond of talking about myself, our ministry. But Papa has been challenging that mindset, and warning me that we need to gather more regular prayer covering. Cool. So I get to write about us. AND ask for prayer support. So we’ll see if this works. I make no promises about consistency. Let’s see if I can make this something of an introduction.

I’ve stepped back from my leadership role in local congregations for several reasons, but mostly because God said to, and then he confirmed it six or eleven times. It’s been the busiest “stepping back” season I’ve ever seen: We’re taking more ministry trips than I’m used to, though still not a lot, and none of them high-profile. I’m working full time, and building an addition to our house; I’m increasing my time in the cave with Papa, and I’ve done a couple of weddings recently. We’re closing up an estate; I’m starting to write a book (that’s a way bigger task than I had thought), I’ve taken on an additional part-time job or two, and I’m loving being with my family more! (Gee. Now that I write this down, no wonder I’m tired.)

Family. I am a husband to a glorious woman, and father to three amazing grown kids. There are several other kids (some older than I am) who also call me “Dad,” and I love that as well. It sure seems like the concept of “fathering” is a big deal in the Kingdom of God. I observe that “fathering” is clearly on Father’s heart, and I meet so very many people in his family who are desperate to be fathered. Some of them know it. I’ll probably write about this topic at some point. It’ll probably end up in the book, too.

Team. Team ministry is a beautiful thing, and I’m committed to it. I’m just learning about ministry as a community. It’s very cool! When Paul traveled - the Book of Acts teaches us so much - he always had a number of people with him, including Luke who wrote about it. When I travel for ministry, I’m usually travelling with my friend and “brother from another mother” Todd. Todd’s a ferocious warrior and a gentle pastor, with a substantial prophetic gift and an apostolic call that he’s been exploring. Often Sue goes with us, and she brings a tenderness and a depth of insight that I really admire. She’s taught me that “fierce mercy” is not an oxymoron.

We three have been working together for many years. It’s fun how God works with us. Sometimes he’ll speak to one of us about a team assignment, and that one becomes (for lack of a better term) the apostolic leader of the project, and the others come under and support that leadership.

Right now, Sue leads a prophetic fellowship we’re all part of. When we travel across the mountains, generally Todd leads, and he leads as a warrior, not usually as a pastor. On this side of the mountains, I often lead the team. More and more, there seems to be no leader among us, beyond the Spirit. But always, God has been with us, and pretty much always it’s been about releasing people into what God’s called them into. Pretty much, the leader needs more prayer than the other team members, so it’s not necessarily a good thing to be the leader.

Sometimes I teach, sometimes Todd teaches. Once in a rare while, it involves a pulpit, but it almost always involves hands-on ministry, and frequently involves a battle in the heavenlies in one way or another, and often involves equipping others for that battle.

And regularly, we work with others, many others. We are friends with a “General” in the faith, and one or both of us travel with him sometimes. That’s never boring. And whenever possible, we bring others with us, and meet more where we’re going. There are camps of some glorious and ferocious people scattered around the region that we’re finding ourselves building relationship with. It’s always fun to cross-pollinate as we’re working and fellowshipping together.

And we try to never go anywhere without prayer covering. It’s been our experience that people are often happy to cover the trip in prayer, but the biggest attacks come after we return, and that may because it’s less interesting to cover people after a trip with prayer. Our last trip, we didn’t think to ask, not knowing we were heading into battle. So Father woke some folks up to pray for us. I love it!

I’m working with a new team as well, where I do not lead, but I do bring some perspective. I’ve been invited to join with an amazing group of young lions: men and women, unchurched all, who gather weekly to eat together, study the Word together, pray together, and then smoke pipes together. Most of them are on the streets sharing food (both natural and spiritual) with the hungry every week, too. I admire these guys so much.

“Ministry” is so much more about relationships and so much less about programs these days. And while it doesn’t stroke the ego as much, it does seem to be more effective at impacting peoples’ lives.

I spend a fair bit of time with a few blogs (the key ones: Northwest Prophetic, The Pilgrimgram, and Apostles & Prophets), and a Facebook presence where we’re talking about the Kingdom. I make no claims that I’ve got this thing down! In fact, I grew up in a religious environment, so making the transition from “the church age” to “the kingdom age” is work. I actually think it’s that way for most people.

I don’t do this. I don’t write long, elegant prayer letters. I tend to be a direct communicator. “Need prayer. You in?” works for me. But if “ministry flows from relationship” (as a friend of mine wrote recently), then it seems to be important to be real with people. So this is me. This is us.

Need prayer. You in?

(And thank you! Thank you very much.)

Informed Intercession.

God has said to let people know how to pray for NWP. I'm setting up a page for that purpose:
http://nwpprayersupport.blogspot.com/