Vision or Dream? Acts 2:17

I had the most awesome, yet weird dream that was more like a vision. It was so surreal. I came to a huge gothic like mansion that was filled with pagans, Satanists, giants and weird looking creatures. Outside the walls of this mansion were peasants in shanties and tents that were afraid of the ones that lived in this huge castle because demons would come and drag them away and kill them, eat their flesh or torture them from time to time. I walked up to the poor and despondent people outside the walls of this dark castle and said, “I am not afraid to face these people and help you. I am covered by the blood of Jesus Christ and filled with the Holy Ghost. That is my protection and I can do this. God CAN protect me and help me save you from this.”
As I walked up to the huge gate people gasped and whispered to me, ‘don’t do it. You’ll be surely killed and they will consume your flesh in the name of their god, the Evil One.’
I turned and as I looked over the crowd gathered there I saw my dad and gave him sign language to start praying. I saw other people in my life that I knew were prayer warriors and I folded my hands, then pointed toward Heaven and mouthed the words, “PRAY FOR ME.” I turned back around opened the gates and walked up to the massive doors.
I beat on the door five times and stepped back. What came to the front door really surprised and scared me, and right away I knew this was going to be rough. This half demon, half man that was at least13 feet tall answered the door. (I don’t know why that number came to mind but I knew it was a 13’ giant.) It gurgled a can-I-help-you greeting and welcomed me in with a sneer on its face. I was immediately sent to a long dining table and told to join a host of people there dressed in Celtic robes and various attire, and feasting on meat and wine. I said nothing to them as I walked past them down a hall to an open ballroom where hundreds of boys and girls were laughing and playing and welcomed me in. They were from youth groups of various churches and some were in Bible College and had all been deceived to stay here rather than leave. I was then led outside the back of this mansion to the back yard where it was nothing but acres and acres of rolling hills with lush grass, and gardens like they have in British castles. I then came to a hole in the ground and the guy that had been leading me popped down into a hole as I followed. We landed on big pillows and slid down into a basement cave-like arena. Spread throughout this dark place were figures in hooded robes carrying torches that put out a tiny bit of light. Guys and girls were running about acting all confused and screaming that something was coming because the white mist was starting to appear. I just watched as I was being abandoned. I tried to leave but couldn’t. The stench of sulphur, brimstone and smoke was coming up out of the ground. Then apparitions appeared all around me that were demons, and spirits of the dead. I started preaching the name of Jesus. I started screaming at them and telling them I was filled with the Holy Ghost, covered by the blood of Jesus and that every sin, disease, sickness, and every demon from Hell must bow down at the name of Jesus. I kept this up constantly for a while as they fell around me and I never got touched. It seemed to me that God had sent me warrior angels to slay them and help me out. Demons with fierce weapons tried to slash, cut and stab me, but as they got close they melted or decomposed as I stretched out my hand and spoke the name of Jesus. One girl was in a white dress and was in a trance, paralyzed and foaming at the mouth. I touched her and asked Jesus to release the demons that made her this way, and she immediately was made new and ran away. After the chaos was over I was immediately surrounded by people who were begging me to tell them more about this power I had. I told them it was not me. It was all God. He is the only way to salvation and help. I don’t remember much after that.
My dream ended but the details were so real. I felt like I was there. What a weird, yet awesome dream.

READ Psalms 40. Hallelujah, let's have church!

I never went to bed last night. Night after night I can not get to sleep. I sleep a few hours around lunch time and then I'm up for hours and hours. I've got a burden on my heart for more of God. I've had spinal surgeries before and the pain radiates down into my right leg and foot and throbs around the clock, non-stop, so that affects me as well. But I've been praying for a job and praying for God to use me in the ministry. I'm not upset anymore about God not answering yet because I've learned that through this period in my life I am growing. I'm learning.

I'm the type of person that prays all the time. Anywhere and everywhere. I love talking to God. In my distress I called upon the Lord. My cry comes before you Lord. Sometimes you have to pray and wait, and wait, and wait. But if you won’t be weary in well doing, in due season you’ll reap, if you faint not. When you pray payday doesn’t always come on Friday. You don’t always pray tonight and expect to reap tomorrow. Just keep praying. When the situation looks hopeless, keep praying. When people shake their heads and say give up, keep praying. Sometimes God likes to wait when it’s impossible, when it’s hopeless, so no one will get the credit except Him. Sometimes He likes to wait when everything is going under and falling apart but if you keep praying, and keep praying, and never stop praying, AND keep crying out, there’s a God that will incline his ear. He will listen. There’s a God that will take note.
Psalms 116 ~ I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.
I'm glad I don't have to pray to a dead God. I'm glad I don't have to pray to a statue or a fake god like Allah or Buddha. I'm thankful that I can pray to a God that WILL hear me. The devil is going to fight you and tell you that God does not want to hear your voice. THE DEVIL IS A LIAR! God is not a mean God waiting on you to mess up so he can spank you, smack you around or laugh at you, with you trying to do right and then turn a deaf ear to you. HE’S A GOOD FATHER. KEEP PRAYING people! KEEP PRAYING, KEEP SEEKING, AND KEEP ASKING. KEEP CRYING OUT. You can call upon the Lord in distress, in trouble, and the Lord WILL answer you. It may not be instant but He will come through.
Psalms 138:3 In the day when I cried you answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul.
Psalm 145:18 The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth.
You can’t just live anyway you want to live and call on Him and expect Him to answer. He will hear the sinner's prayer IF the person is repenting. If the sinner has a contrite spirit, is remorseful, sorry for their ways.
Call upon Him in truth. It don’t matter what your past is, or what you’ve done, but if you repent and call upon Him and tell Him, “Lord, I’ll seek you with all my heart. I'll serve you” God will hear your cry.
Isaiah 30:19 For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: you shall weep no more, He will be very gracious to you at the sound of your cry; When He hears it, He will answer you.
God likes your voice! Get into the presence of God everyday. Before you call, God will answer. He knows what you need. He’s listening. Talk to him. Call upon Him and he will hearken unto you.
Isaiah 58:9 Then you shall call and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, ‘HERE I AM.’
Isaiah 65:24 AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS THAT BEFORE THEY CALL I WILL ANSWER; AND WHILE THEY ARE STILL SPEAKING, I WILL HEAR.
Jeremiah 29:12,13 Then you will call upon me and go and pray to me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek me and find me, when you search for me with ALL your heart.
Lord, I surrender to you my whole life. I seek you constantly. I need more of you. I love you. I can NOT live without you Jesus! Forgive me for not searching for you with ALL of my heart. With all that I am.
If you pray God will whisper to you. He will talk to you. Pray, PRAY, Pray! Wait upon the lord. Don’t faint. If you pray God will remind you that the weapons of your warfare are not carnal. Not of this flesh.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.
If you pray God will visit you. Jesus is not dead. He still heals, and saves, and delivers. Hallelujah! I praise your name, Jesus! Teach me to pray in the Spirit. I know You will hear me.
We mess up sometimes. We pray and get in the Spirit and then decide to quit and be done for the day thinking we’ve touched Heaven and done our part. No, you’re in the throne room. Go with it! Run with it! You’re in the presence of God. You’re getting behind the veil. Pour your heart out. That’s when angels are sent. That’s when answers are sent. That’s when situations turn around in the presence of God. When you get in the Spirit it’s just you and the Lord. It’s the Holy Ghost interceding through you. There’s some situations you won’t know how to pray about. Get in the Spirit. Hallelujah! There’s an enemy that does not want your prayer to be heard. BUT there’s a God who hears.
Matthew 7:7 Ask and it shall be given unto you; seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you.
It does not say just the preacher, it says if you will ask. That's everybody. Lift your hands and say, ‘that’s me.’ Quit accusing God of not hearing your prayer. He WILL hear you if you pray. If you cry out to him in truth. Just talk to God like you would anyone else. He is not moved by words that “move people” and make people say how great of a prayer you can pray. Forget the fancy words. He’s moved by an effectual prayer. Effective means 'having a (desired) result. It means serving as an effective solution or remedy. Pray out of your heart.
Ephesians 3:21.22 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

5 TOOLS OF BEING HONEST WITH GOD

TOOL #1: EXPECT THE GOOD

Anticipate that God wants to help you. Anything that you could ask Him for is infinitesimally small compared to what He has already given to you.

If you don't expect the good, God is not going to invade your space. He wants you to connect to your Father in Heaven. Yet He wants you to work for that understanding.

By not answering you, God is telling you that you've got a problem, that you need to change. That's doing us a big favor. Because if He wouldn't do that, we'd just remain stuck in our illusions, unclear on the idea that God can do it all.
If you don't anticipate God's help, then you have lost sight of God as your Father. So God breaks the flow in order to realign your focus.

Focus on the fact that God wants everything good for you. When you do that, He'll move mountains to answer your prayer.

TOOL #2: BE SHOCKED IF YOU DON'T GET IT

Nothing God does is by accident. If things don't go smoothly for you, your first reaction should be: "What's going on? Why is God doing this? Why is He trying to get my attention?" The Almighty knows how to get our attention. When we forget that He loves us, He sends a red light to refocus us.

God is not hurt when we ignore Him. We are. God has no needs and doesn't need a relationship with us. It is we who need a relationship with Him. Our greatest pleasure is being in touch with God. That's why He arranges small mishaps to get our attention. All for our own benefit.

TOOL #3: LISTEN TO GOD'S LESSONS

If you are serious about a relationship with God, then you understand that God is always teaching you.

When life is suddenly full of inconveniences thrown your way, stop and ask: Why is He trying to get my attention?

When the problems are larger than minor inconveniences - i.e. an auto accident or financial stress, then God is calling out to you on a different level. There is something deep within yourself that you need to rectify. God controls everything in your life: the troubles and the solutions.

Don't wait for God to push you off a cliff and catch you. Pay attention now and ask: "What do you want from me, God? What is the message? And if You want to get my attention, please do so without too steep a cliff!"

TOOL #4: FOCUS ON WHAT YOU WANT

To get our prayers answered, we have to be clear that what we are requesting is really the right thing -- and not just some momentary whim.

Many times God sends us what we truly need, but we don't recognize it because we haven't done the work of clarifying our needs! God's answer -- whether yes or no -- always tells you something important about yourself.

So before you ask, make sure it's good for you.

TOOL #5: MAKE AN EFFORT

Prayer is not an escape from personal effort or responsibility. It is a vehicle for us to refine our choices, and to realize that God is the source of all that we accomplish.

Prayer focuses us on reality, and keeps us in touch with where our life is heading. It's not just a pipe dream. You have to work for what you want. If you're half-hearted, you're not serious about it.

When you pray, reevaluate every step of the way:

Do I really want to accomplish this? How much am I prepared to sacrifice for it?

Is it worth the price? Are my goals realistic and right for me?

The purpose of life is growth. Prayer is not a magic button to escape that process. By compelling us to make an effort, God gives us the means to truly grow.

God is always waiting for your call. The lines are open. Toll-Free. Pick up the phone today.

Pray Until Something Happens (PUSH)

"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3
Pray until you want to pray, pray until you can pray, then pray until your prayer prevails - in all seasons.
"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express." - Romans 8:26

There’s an old song with the refrain, “Just keep on praying ‘til light breaks through.” When you don’t feel like praying, that’s when you need to. You need to pray until you do feel like praying. You see, you’re not praying by yourself. The Spirit is praying through you and for you, helping to present your petitions to the Father — petitions that perhaps you yourself are not even capable of expressing. Do not approach God with your hands full of the brass of your emotions. Rather, approach Him with hands and heart full of the sweet incense of His worth. Just keep praying.

Witness and Watch!

"Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come." (Mark 13:33). Nothing like a jolt from God to start the day. As though life isn't stressful enough, now God suggests everyone be on call, ready and waiting, fully dressed, when the time comes. LOL. Well, I'm trying my best.
"It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch." (Mark 13:34). God is the man, going on the journey, leaving us, his servants in charge of his world, guardians of his creation. His servants wait at attention until he returns.
Tomorrow, the 10th of August I'll be clean and sober 6 months. That part has been easy, but the part I have had to work on is watching my tongue and my attitude. I was under the watchful care of my younger brother, Roger, for a little bit. (sarcastically, but lovingly speaking) He helped me a lot.
I've been watching, praying, asking God to allow me to get back into ministry and serve somewhere. My best friend and brother, Leon Birdd in Dallas, TX has a ministry to the homeless there. www.soulministry.org He has asked me for years to come and help him and be a part of it. He knew I was struggling with issues and continued to pray for me.
When I used to live in Dallas years ago back in 1990-1994 Leon and I smoked pot and drank every single weekend. I played the guitar and sang at bars there and was a bad influence but never told him about church, God, salvation. Honestly I wasn't in the right place to do that and didn't want to. A couple of weeks after I left and moved to Florida a man witnessed to him and Leon immediately gave his life to Christ and wanted to do something for Jesus. He started witnessing to the homeless and taking coffee to them downtown and asking some restaurants to donate left overs and now it is a huge ministry there with a couple of other church volunteering.
I used to work at Baylor University Medical Center in downtown Dallas and my old position is open and I'm trying to get back on. It looks like I have a good chance, but please pray for me this week. I leave Tues, Wed, or Thurs. I lost my license back on February 9th due to my DUI but supposed to get them back Monday. (tomorrow) However, I have to wait on the BMV to process the information from my insurance company. Cathy is staying here in Indy and I am going to try to come back once a month. The shift at the hospital I am trying to get has a 7 days on, 7 days off shift, so it will be easy to come home when I want to.
I'm so excited to be a part of "my" church in Dallas once again. An awesome Pentecostal, Holy Ghost filled church that's on fire for Jesus and seeing things happening. Pray for me as I minister to the street people and whoever else I have a chance to witness to in Dallas, Texas. I love you all!

May the Holy Ghost quicken us with a healthy spiritual appetite, a keen anticipation, and a faith-producing attitude. Then we shall have Pentecost, and when the spiritual atmosphere is right, the rain from heaven will fall.

Dreams Undone

For there I go among the reeds
Of waters shallow amidst my dreams
And drink thereof and play again
While thinking I shall once attain
The abandoned cycle of myriad tears
To wander on for a few more years

To cry, to touch, to contemplate
To run away from hidden fate
Is naught but ache within my mind
And knowing I shall never find
The portal back into my world
Of conscious awakening unfurl

I beheld the brilliance of the sun
And awoke with dreams undone
And wondered if I’ll make that jaunt
And trek that realm again to haunt
But if I can never find the gate
Sleep never will I consecrate

copyright 2009. - Greg Patterson

Ah, I'm back! I haven't written poetry in a while. My life's been a mess for a few months, but I'm glad God got my attention 70 days ago and woke me up. I love to write all kinds of stuff, but one of my love's is poetry. It only means something to me and there's not really an interpretation. YOU decide what it means for you. I usually dream everynight and remember 95% of them. This is a poem about dreaming. BUT...about one specific type of dream, or subject I have dreamed about for years. No need for analysis. Just enjoy.

PEOPLE ARE PEOPLE AND NO ONE IS PERFECT

Recently I heard someone venting their frustrations about people in their church neglecting to care about their issues, but rather shunning them, judging them, and falsely accusing them of something they did not do. This person had finally realized, through prayer that God was telling them that people are just people. No one is perfect. We’re all human beings and we all make mistakes. Not even the sweetest and most adept pastor, or his board members, or common church goers are perfect and exempt from failing, and letting people down. This issue was one of my biggest problems growing up because I always got my eyes on people. When I did something wrong and someone would “let me down” by judging me, gossiping about my situation, or act like they were holier than everyone around them it would hurt, and I would start hating church and thinking God is the way they were acting. I remember when our church had a major split back in ‘85, and how much it devastated me. I guess I thought these certain leaders and members in our denomination could do no wrong. I had put them high on a pedestal. I didn’t know I was setting myself up for a “let down.”
I now realize if you want to be accepted and admired by others, you forgive them. The next time they do something irritating, don’t start feeling angry and let yourself get down in the dumps. Try to understand them and forgive them. Think of how much you love or appreciate that person even if you don’t feel like thinking that. Let the good feelings dominate and stay positive. Think about why others might be judging you. What must their lives be like? Are they envious of you because you can smile and still praise God no matter what bad stuff you’ve gone through? Never mind these people - get them completely out of your life. Take a good look at yourself in the mirror and say this aloud: "I am who I am, and I love myself, accept myself and those who judge my exterior will find it harder to know my interior". This world was made for you, and it was made for your neighbors as well, so make the best out of your experiences. Instead of pointing out the bad things about a situation, think and note the good things about it. "Look on the bright side" as they say. Learn how NOT to care what people think about you. The only way to do that is not to care what they think about you. That means that you have to stop trying to get their respect.
Just hang on because God has something good for YOU! Keep showing God you LOVE Him, keep showing God you NEED Him, and Keep WAITING on Him. Remember, waiting on God brings us to His plans. And waiting on God is to hear Him, to receive His plans and purposes for our lives.
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”