St. Louis, The World is Watching

During the height of The Ferguson Riots, I wanted to say something, do something but didn't know exactly what to say or whether it was the right time to say anything at all. It seemed like everyone had an opinion, whether good or bad, and shared, sometimes explicitly, how he or she felt about the situation, often saying things that, unfortunately, can never be taken back.

My wife and I silently watched in shock as our beautiful city became a global point of attention for what seemed to be something unreal, almost like watching a horror movie.

We'd just moved into our new home in a new community and were busy adjusting to our new space. We tried to stay focused, but we felt fear trying to creep into the door of our heart. 

I remember holding our son while he slept and started walking and praying in the spirit around around bare living room. Then, I heard the Lord speak very clearly "Drive fear out of your city. Perfect love casts out fear." That was a seed, and I knew what to do from there.

I was driving a few days later, and the Lord laid on my heart an idea to host a men's prayer breakfast. It had been a while since we had one of our Men's Chat & Chew Sessions, and guys from all over were asking when the next one would take place. I was like "Ok Lord! I get it. I hear you!" LOL!

So, this Saturday, September 6, 2014, we will have a Men's Prayer Breakfast to unite as men, fellowship, be empowered by the Holy Spirit and go back and impact our communities, one relationship at a time.

I'm really excited about this! I have a heart for prayer and intercession and know that "If we win the men, we win the community!"

Here's our prayer strategy:

- That our city would have a heart for intercession. (2 Corinthians 7:14)

- Begin to write out specifically what God is showing you in dreams, visions and impression on your heart regarding peace, unity and the Kingdom coming to earth. (Joel 2:28, Matthew 6:10)

- Pray with your wives, children and family on a consistent basis. (1 Peter 3:7)

I'm inviting my brothers of all races, backgrounds and walks of life to attend. If you're a father, bring your sons. We will provide a light continental breakfast (you know I love to eat), you'll be able to connect with other great brothers from our region, you'll be able to spend time in the presence of the Lord and leave refreshed, recharged and ready to serve your family and community.

Here are the details:

Event: Men's Prayer Breakfast

Date: September 6, 2014

Time: 8 am

Cost: FREE!!!!!

Venue: Faithworks Fellowship Ministries

Address: 3116 Locust, St. Louis, MO 63103

St. Louis (and Men and Women of God), the world is watching! The earth is groaning for the manifestation of the sons of God (Romans 8:19). Let's take our Kingdom authority and be salt and light in the world.

Special thanks to my wife, Hope Church Family and friends, Faithworks Fellowship Family, volunteers, worship band and everyone for helping make this happen! I love you guys!

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to give me a call at (314) 384-6524 or via email at propheticflow@gmail.com.

See you Saturday guys!

Out of Darkness, Into the Marvelous Light

I was driving to the bookstore and in my head, I heard the theme song from a very popular movie. I looked up the tune on YouTube and started watching the video. The music was playing, but I had to cut it off halfway through. Something just wasn't right...

Then, these words flowed from my lips:

"Thank you for calling me out of darkness and into your marvelous light...

Thank you for calling me out of darkness and into your marvelous light...

Into your marvelous light..

Into your marvelous,

Into your marvelous,

Into your marvelous light..."

I kept singing it over and over until I reached the parking lot of the bookstore. I went inside, grabbed me a chai tea latte and began to write this blog post.

Music is a very powerful tool. It's one of the most beautiful expressions of art given to us by our Heavenly Father. But, in the wrong hands, it can become a weapon of mass destruction.

Lately, my ears have been very sensitive to music. It's like I have a new filter and my spirit can't (and won't) tolerate some things anymore. Even this past week, I've had to make some tough decisions, musically but obedience to God is more important to me.

Many of us who are big music fans have a tendency to get "lost" in the beat, often ignoring the lyrics. I'm guilty of this myself. In this movie's theme song, it wasn't necessarily the lyrics but the melody that didn't sit well with me.

Honestly, I shouldn't be surprised. My wife and I couldn't finish part 1 of this particular movie series because it was too weird. So we knew part 2 would be even worse.

What saddens me is that this song was written by some of our favorite artists. All of which who seem to be forging down an even darker path.

Matthew 15:11 says "It is not what enters the mouth that defiles the man, but what proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles a man."

If someone has a "dark heart," darkness comes out. The same is true for someone who's heart is full of light - light proceeds from him or her. It's like the other saying"You shall know a tree by the fruit it bears." (Matthew 7:16)

I believe those words "thank you for calling me out of darkness" were from my soul, reminding me of those days I wallowed in the night: my bouts of loneliness, depression, attempted suicide, identity and low self-esteem issues. But it began to rejoice in the goodness of the Lord by saying the latter "...and into your marvelous light" - finally being free to live and love without fear or condemnation.

The Real Love Project is a snapshot of my journey from darkness into light - chronicling my days of looking for love in all the wrong places and finally being awakened by the One who loved me first.

I can't wait for you to hear this record.

"Are You Afraid of the Dark?"

I was born in the 80‘s. Grew up in the 90’s.  I loved shows on Nickelodeon  like Doug, Rugrats and the scary storyteller show “Are You Afraid of the Dark.” 

Every Friday night, I looked forward to hearing the new scary stories they would come up with and tell around the campfire.  I had this strange fascination with scary movies.  My dad would scare the living daylights out of me and my younger sister with movies like Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th (We used to call them “Jason” movies. LOL!), and others.  

Are You Afraid of the Dark was on the lighter end of the scary spectrum. Their stories were more mysterious and didn’t involve much violence or seemingly haunting images.  

As I think back to my love/hate relationship with scary movies, it makes me think of how much I really was afraid of the dark.  

Most grown men probably won’t admit this, but I was literally afraid of the dark even up to my senior year of high school.  We always kept the hall light on at our home in Moss Point, Mississippi.  I couldn’t go to bed without my closet door being completely closed and I NEVER went to bed with my bedroom door closed.  I was literally afraid of the dark.  

I grew up, went to college, graduated, got my first job out of college, moved to a new city and had progressed greatly in life.  I “thought” I was over that.  Ain’t it funny how when you think you’re over something, it mysteriously shows back up?!  And at the most inopportune times?

Last year, I attended an awesome men’s retreat at a ranch in the Rocky Mountains in Colorado.  This was my first time there and we were staying in a great facility.  The log cabin was divided into different rooms and we even had bunk beds!  Cool!  LOL!  

I was having a great time, learning and sharing with the guys.  On my second night there after having a powerful session during the day, I woke up in the middle of the night and felt this overwhelming fear and anxiety come upon me.  I laid in bed, tried to go back to sleep but couldn’t.  My heart started to race.  Tears started to flow down my face.  All of a sudden and I kid you not, the room changed from the log cabin in the Rocky Mountains to my old bedroom in Moss Point. 

As a kid, I had a bunk bed that would face my window, and I promise there would be times where I thought there was a burglar or some guy standing outside my window waiting for me to go to sleep so he could break in and get me.  Well, this time in my “dream” or whatever it was, I saw myself as a little boy again, laying in bed, crying silently because I was afraid that something was either gonna jump out of the closet and get me or that “man outside my window” would break in and get me.  

There’s more to this story...

I was doubly afraid because this “nightmare/dream” phase always seemed to be too real.  There were times when I would be asleep but I would be in a dream, trying to wake myself up.  Then there were times where I would be awake and it seemed like something wasn’t right.  This time, I didn’t know which realm I was in.  

I eventually fell back “asleep” but woke up really groggy and was kinda introverted for most of the day.

On the last day of our retreat, we were in our last session and prepared to take communion.  It was really cool because our small group leaders were the ones that served us the communion.  After having some real heart-to-heart talks that weekend, all of us shared a common bond of true brotherhood.  The leaders served us communion one a time.  When it was my turn, one of our small group leaders turned to me and said “Kenny, you’re a good man.  You’re clean.  You’re forgiven.”  Those words opened up the floodgates of my soul and tears began to stream down my face.  I took the communion, sat back down in my chair and began to sob uncontrollably.  I’m normally a “crier” but I hadn’t been able to cry at all up to that point.  Guess I made up for lost time?! :)

Heading back home, I was able to really reflect on how I allowed the fear of the past and the fear of the unknown rule and dominate my life.  A major lesson learned from this experience is that when you expose fear to the light  aka the truth, it’s stronghold is broken.  Darkness must surrender to light. 

So I pose this question to you...

What are you so afraid of?

What’s in the “dark” that keeps waking you up at night?