A buddy asked me a great question that I thought many others are pondering.
"If you have time, I’d love to hear your thoughts on it. If a closed ear or back pain (etc, etc) is a spiritual issue (sin / enemy, etc), how is it that medicine sometimes heals those things (w/o prayer, etc)? Does this imply that sometimes it’s not a spiritual issue/problem but a physiological problem?"
Great question. My quick thoughts on that are this.
There are supernatural laws and natural laws. The natural law works and can be effective until a greater law comes. For example, the law of gravity is very real unless the law of flight collides with it. So medicine (which I think is great) works until a greater law (supernatural) supersedes it. So people can be cured by natural medicine but a more REAL truth is that supernatural healing supersedes. It also makes me wonder if medicine is more spiritual then we think. It is in places like Africa. Maybe we have been deceived here in the Western world and divided the two when in reality they co-exist.
The reason we have sickness and pain is the result of sin (you know that). What I am not saying is that someone’s pain/sickness is from their sin (though it could be at times). Rather we live in a spiritually dead world and the results only, always bring death/sickness/sin. When we pray for healing there are physical things happening (ears opening) but it is helpful for me to remember that was not the original intent from God (and we can change it b/c he has given his Bride the authority).
We were created Spirit beings that would never die. Spiritual death brought sin and sickness. And Jesus destroyed that on the Cross, we believe and receive. We now through Christ will never die, because we are spirit beings. We have bought into the idea that we are first physical and then spiritual, scripture is clear on that though. This body is only a container of who we are, spirit. That is why the spirit is dead (who we were truly meant to be) and we attempt to "live" from our soul, until the truth is revealed and our Spirit is born again (it was first born into death and now born again unto LIFE).
Physiological problem? Yes, the mind. Don't be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. That is why it is so important to meditate on the Word. IT is truth not what we are feeling or believing.
For example this is why I don’t believe counseling works. The truth is that Jesus says we are dead and everything has been made NEW! Old is gone, the flesh is dead. We are free, we must believe and walk in it even when the enemy comes and communicates something else. We don’t really believe Jesus has recreated us, because we don’t understand the reality of the enemy who is continually attacking our identity. Which he did to Jesus! But God confirms who Jesus is, “this is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased.” Then he is led into the desert to be tempted.
We are new creations that live from the spiritual realm out so let's not allow the enemy to give us what the Lord has destroyed. The Gospel is power unto salvation, deliverance and healing.
Remember it is our faith that PLEASES Him!
Hope that answers some of your question. Please keep asking. Sorry I may have gone down a few rabbit trails.
Heath
Some responses from friends:
“Consider exploring the counseling thing a bit further. I believe you are right that it doesn't work to completely heal someone. But for some, I think it can help. It doesn't exactly heal; it's more like an emotional tourniquet until they are healed by God. In some ways, perhaps the counseling is more 'practice' on how to speak and listen. When someone is completely shut down and turned off, they can't (or won't) hear anyone. Sometimes including God. Sometimes the presence of a counselor gives the person 'permission' to begin to admit to the nasty things living inside them. But frequently counseling becomes an all-about-me-fest. It's up to the individual not to go there (or at least live there). I look at counseling like taking pain medicine. It may help lessen the symptoms to help you think more clearly about how to treat the cause - but it isn't a cure unto itself. ...and be careful you don't become an addict.”
“Some thoughts about Meds.
Meds only cover the symptom, not the issue. The issue is Evil, and no med can remove it. That is the part of any sickness or disease or Ungodly thing.
Some times it helps because it gets our mind off of the pain or ill feeling or fear, but only by deadening our senses. Hence when we focus on our “pain” (or sin for that matter of fact) we allow it to win the affection of our heart and we “trust in it”.
“You (Lord) will keep in perfect peace (Shalom) the mind that is fixed on you, because he trusts in you.”
Mind is fixed on what I am trusting in! So the deadening of our senses will allow a respite of the symptom and allow sleep or work or rest or even a chance to focus on the praise of our Lord!
The deadening of our senses is not a good thing over all as I believe God uses our senses to communicate with us. Thus “Pharmacia”, or witchcraft style potions and concoctions are to do just that, deaden our communication with the Father. I have turned to prayer after taking certain drugs, but have also found they get in the way of my communion with God, so I try not to take them.
I still use meds, but I have learned to trust God more by seeing what they do to me spiritually.
Theses are just my opinions, non scriptural, but experiential.”
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
My perspective on Healing
After sending out the last update I received an email asking me to pray for an individual. Which I will of course, but it is more fun if you get to. So I have put together a quick reference card :) on my view of healing. I will better it later but some of you don't have time, people are sick.
If we all believe what Christ has for his Bride then we don't need specialist.
A simple straight forward version, I typed out over lunch.
First, I believe it is the Lords will to always heal. Not everyone is healed, but I do believe it is his will. Just like it is his will that "none should perish but all come to repentance", though not all do, but that is his will.
Second, God has allowed Satan to control this world (1 John 5:19). Adam and Eve gave over the control. That doesn't mean God's hands are tied behind his back b/c he defeated the enemy on the Cross (which is where we receive Salvation and Healing from, the second Adam "fixed" what the first Adam destroyed) it is now our role (the Bride who co-labor with Christ) to make on earth what is a reality in the Heavens. "My will on earth as it is in Heaven"
Third, God has given us all power and authority to push back the darkness and bring his Kingdom.
Fourth, the thief kills, steals and destroys. So when I pray for someone, I am not asking what is God's will (I believe Scripture is clear on what he desires, this is different then asking God for wisdom or insight into the situation) I am commanding (in Christ) the enemy (and his effects, back pain, sickness, etc.) to move/be gone/let go (how ever you want to say it).
Fifth, If I see things as spiritual and not physical the battle becomes much easier. We can open deaf ears because it is the result of sin and the enemy, not God. I see it as telling the demon to leave/move, get off their ear!
Six, It is believing what the Lord has said, despite our circumstances. It is so easy that non-Christians can perform miracles, prophecy and cast out demons (Matt 7) it takes faith. But we can do it and have relationship so we don't end up in hell. Praise the Lord.
Hope that gives some perspective. Pray with confidence b/c you know Jesus (he knows you) and he has disarmed the enemy.
Heath
If we all believe what Christ has for his Bride then we don't need specialist.
A simple straight forward version, I typed out over lunch.
First, I believe it is the Lords will to always heal. Not everyone is healed, but I do believe it is his will. Just like it is his will that "none should perish but all come to repentance", though not all do, but that is his will.
Second, God has allowed Satan to control this world (1 John 5:19). Adam and Eve gave over the control. That doesn't mean God's hands are tied behind his back b/c he defeated the enemy on the Cross (which is where we receive Salvation and Healing from, the second Adam "fixed" what the first Adam destroyed) it is now our role (the Bride who co-labor with Christ) to make on earth what is a reality in the Heavens. "My will on earth as it is in Heaven"
Third, God has given us all power and authority to push back the darkness and bring his Kingdom.
Fourth, the thief kills, steals and destroys. So when I pray for someone, I am not asking what is God's will (I believe Scripture is clear on what he desires, this is different then asking God for wisdom or insight into the situation) I am commanding (in Christ) the enemy (and his effects, back pain, sickness, etc.) to move/be gone/let go (how ever you want to say it).
Fifth, If I see things as spiritual and not physical the battle becomes much easier. We can open deaf ears because it is the result of sin and the enemy, not God. I see it as telling the demon to leave/move, get off their ear!
Six, It is believing what the Lord has said, despite our circumstances. It is so easy that non-Christians can perform miracles, prophecy and cast out demons (Matt 7) it takes faith. But we can do it and have relationship so we don't end up in hell. Praise the Lord.
Hope that gives some perspective. Pray with confidence b/c you know Jesus (he knows you) and he has disarmed the enemy.
Heath
Monday, January 12, 2009
God is moving or are we finally moving with God?
I know it has been to long since the last update but here is a little something.
Someone made a list of all that has happened at our Tuesday night meetings within the last 6 months or so. I thought you would like to know about them.
I have omitted names where it would be to personal (except for healings).
"Worship God. For the essence of prophecy is to give clear witness for Jesus." Rev. 19:10
1) Rose’s shoulder healed (China) after Scott’s vision (USA)
2) Scott’s knee healed after 17 years of pain
3) Cathy’s shoulder healed
4) Beginning of a healed marriage
5) Father/Son reconciliation started
6) Mike’s elbows healed (“spirit of stupid” broken off!)
7) A fathers conversion to Christ (or reaffirmation) before death
8) Mike’s knees healed after months of continual ache
9) Kelly’s elbow healed
10) Robert’s skin cancer healed (down payment for his Dad’s healing!)
11) A daughter reconciled with her parents (vision of red tractor & palm trees)
12) Grandma Irene’s back pain healed & she sleeps through the night for 1st time in months
13) A ladies relief from depression
14) Kelly’s migraine headache healed (spiritual battle)
15) A couples financial miracle in the “nick of time”
16) Confirmation of a young ladies call to the ministry
17) Spirit of rejection broken off
18) Spirit of foreboding broken off
19) Spirit of condemnation broken off
20) Glenn healed of Leukemia/kidney failure (“completely reversed” w/ “help”)
21) “Bonking ball” (glory of God) heals Kelly’s back in the night (she thought it was a dream)
22) A lady steps over the chain (prophetic word)
23) A young ladies “encounter” with God
24) Scott’s vision of young lady (above) w/ suitcase @ Bethel
25) Young lady (above) deliverance from worry
26) Young lady (above) series of miraculous provision (new life, housing, Bethel, etc.)
27) Prophesies over young couple (amazing)
28) Crystal’s grandma’s living situation including house selling in 1 day
29) A woman’s daughter’s engagement broken
30) A woman’s (above) son’s surgery successful
31) Prophesies over a couple (also amazing)
32) Couple (above) financial/legal court case resolved in their favor (as prophesied)
33) Emie’s back pain relieved
34) A husbands interest in spiritual things revived
35) Spiritual battle over a fathers funeral resolved by the Lord
36) Emie’s vision (call) to live with Georges while in Africa (God’s provision)
37) God provides the Locke’s with special deal on rental house!
38) Knee injury reversed after lady falls in Wal-Mart
39) A fathers relationship with his kids improving as prayed for
40) Mike’s brush pile healing w/ Ben, start of reconciliation w/ friend
41) A families “awful bill”-$ arrived to pay
Blessings
Heath
Someone made a list of all that has happened at our Tuesday night meetings within the last 6 months or so. I thought you would like to know about them.
I have omitted names where it would be to personal (except for healings).
"Worship God. For the essence of prophecy is to give clear witness for Jesus." Rev. 19:10
1) Rose’s shoulder healed (China) after Scott’s vision (USA)
2) Scott’s knee healed after 17 years of pain
3) Cathy’s shoulder healed
4) Beginning of a healed marriage
5) Father/Son reconciliation started
6) Mike’s elbows healed (“spirit of stupid” broken off!)
7) A fathers conversion to Christ (or reaffirmation) before death
8) Mike’s knees healed after months of continual ache
9) Kelly’s elbow healed
10) Robert’s skin cancer healed (down payment for his Dad’s healing!)
11) A daughter reconciled with her parents (vision of red tractor & palm trees)
12) Grandma Irene’s back pain healed & she sleeps through the night for 1st time in months
13) A ladies relief from depression
14) Kelly’s migraine headache healed (spiritual battle)
15) A couples financial miracle in the “nick of time”
16) Confirmation of a young ladies call to the ministry
17) Spirit of rejection broken off
18) Spirit of foreboding broken off
19) Spirit of condemnation broken off
20) Glenn healed of Leukemia/kidney failure (“completely reversed” w/ “help”)
21) “Bonking ball” (glory of God) heals Kelly’s back in the night (she thought it was a dream)
22) A lady steps over the chain (prophetic word)
23) A young ladies “encounter” with God
24) Scott’s vision of young lady (above) w/ suitcase @ Bethel
25) Young lady (above) deliverance from worry
26) Young lady (above) series of miraculous provision (new life, housing, Bethel, etc.)
27) Prophesies over young couple (amazing)
28) Crystal’s grandma’s living situation including house selling in 1 day
29) A woman’s daughter’s engagement broken
30) A woman’s (above) son’s surgery successful
31) Prophesies over a couple (also amazing)
32) Couple (above) financial/legal court case resolved in their favor (as prophesied)
33) Emie’s back pain relieved
34) A husbands interest in spiritual things revived
35) Spiritual battle over a fathers funeral resolved by the Lord
36) Emie’s vision (call) to live with Georges while in Africa (God’s provision)
37) God provides the Locke’s with special deal on rental house!
38) Knee injury reversed after lady falls in Wal-Mart
39) A fathers relationship with his kids improving as prayed for
40) Mike’s brush pile healing w/ Ben, start of reconciliation w/ friend
41) A families “awful bill”-$ arrived to pay
Blessings
Heath
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
View from Home.
You can't see the snow on the mountains or smell the pristine air, but wow it is beautiful. In just a moment the sun will slice open the sky as it rises above the mountains.
What a wonderful creator to give us such blessings.
What a wonderful creator to give us such blessings.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Resting
The enemy’s urgency makes our resting and waiting a weapon of warfare.
Resting has brought an amazing tool of warfare for me and the family. My kids prophesied over me when we first moved into our home. Judah said: "as you rest you will grow". Abiel saw a tree planted and the roots spread farther and wider than the tree above ground, through resting. Ashers was a little weird (he's only 3), He saw Jesus standing over a volcano and as the lava came out Jesus picked it up and threw it and it became land. (Interpretation please).
This week we have seen a man who had a flu healed. "100% better than I felt yesterday."
A man who was scheduled for surgery to remove skin cancer on Wednesday healed on Tuesday night. What is even better than that (I believe) is the Holy Spirit washed over him in a refreshing way and he left renewed and full of Life. The doctor examined him and said, "what are you here for again?" "To remove the skin cancer." "There is nothing here." The doc checked his computer to verify and it showed there was cancer. "Well, there is nothing there now."
What is also amazing about this, I told one of the guys who was a part of the Tuesday night meeting and prayed in faith believing for healing, that 4 months ago he didn't even realize he had the gift of healing.
Emie and I are seeing clearer our role here (not just Tuesday nights): Cultivate. Disc up the ground, throw some fertilizer down (we all know what that is, where there is no oxen the stall is clean) and let the Bride use her gifts.
I believe things are opening up and we will see more "meetings/individuals" that we can help. Maybe once we are all rested up the Lord will allow us to go at it full time again (please, please). Until then we rest and wage warfare through wisdom and not busy-ness. It's the difference between being a sniper and a GI with a machine gun.
Please continue to pray as the Lord is opening opportunities up I need wisdom. Tomorrow I am going to a Bible study to connect with a pastor (whom I don't know, never been to the church, etc) to "bless" them. The Lord set it/me up through a dream I had last week. Long crazy story. I drive past the church building daily and one day I prayed the Lord would bless my bros and sisters that meet there. He said, "No, you bless them."
I said, "how?"
He said, "I will tell you later."
Hoping he would forget I drove to work. That night he gave me a dream about meeting a pastor (who was my age) and blessing him. A week later a friend walks into the office and tells me about a bible study that meets on Friday mornings. It happens to the same church I had prayed for and the pastor is my age. Coincident?
So I am heading there this Friday to see how I can bless them. And to think that all of this came as I rested and slept.
Isn't this so much fun? Why did I ever try to "do" ministry differently?
Maybe resting and waiting really is warfare.
-- Heath
Resting has brought an amazing tool of warfare for me and the family. My kids prophesied over me when we first moved into our home. Judah said: "as you rest you will grow". Abiel saw a tree planted and the roots spread farther and wider than the tree above ground, through resting. Ashers was a little weird (he's only 3), He saw Jesus standing over a volcano and as the lava came out Jesus picked it up and threw it and it became land. (Interpretation please).
This week we have seen a man who had a flu healed. "100% better than I felt yesterday."
A man who was scheduled for surgery to remove skin cancer on Wednesday healed on Tuesday night. What is even better than that (I believe) is the Holy Spirit washed over him in a refreshing way and he left renewed and full of Life. The doctor examined him and said, "what are you here for again?" "To remove the skin cancer." "There is nothing here." The doc checked his computer to verify and it showed there was cancer. "Well, there is nothing there now."
What is also amazing about this, I told one of the guys who was a part of the Tuesday night meeting and prayed in faith believing for healing, that 4 months ago he didn't even realize he had the gift of healing.
Emie and I are seeing clearer our role here (not just Tuesday nights): Cultivate. Disc up the ground, throw some fertilizer down (we all know what that is, where there is no oxen the stall is clean) and let the Bride use her gifts.
I believe things are opening up and we will see more "meetings/individuals" that we can help. Maybe once we are all rested up the Lord will allow us to go at it full time again (please, please). Until then we rest and wage warfare through wisdom and not busy-ness. It's the difference between being a sniper and a GI with a machine gun.
Please continue to pray as the Lord is opening opportunities up I need wisdom. Tomorrow I am going to a Bible study to connect with a pastor (whom I don't know, never been to the church, etc) to "bless" them. The Lord set it/me up through a dream I had last week. Long crazy story. I drive past the church building daily and one day I prayed the Lord would bless my bros and sisters that meet there. He said, "No, you bless them."
I said, "how?"
He said, "I will tell you later."
Hoping he would forget I drove to work. That night he gave me a dream about meeting a pastor (who was my age) and blessing him. A week later a friend walks into the office and tells me about a bible study that meets on Friday mornings. It happens to the same church I had prayed for and the pastor is my age. Coincident?
So I am heading there this Friday to see how I can bless them. And to think that all of this came as I rested and slept.
Isn't this so much fun? Why did I ever try to "do" ministry differently?
Maybe resting and waiting really is warfare.
-- Heath
Friday, November 14, 2008
She is having her first birthday.
Our little girl is 1 year today. It is amazing what can happen in a year. We were all sitting on a bed in South Africa waiting for this angel to come. She slid out and has not stopped.
Tomorrow we celebrate with cake.
The other three are keeping up their end of the deal and growing into young children. There is never a dull moment for mommy.
I told Emie the other night, "that's because it's hard to raise a Locke, we're world changers."
When we sterilize life, ministry, etc. so no one can mess up, then no one does anything. I heard someone say, "God put two trees in the Garden." GOD DID! He set it up so there could be a potential mess up. He choose Judas to be over the finances, His disciples argued who was the best b/c Jesus believed in them."
So much more, but I am glad my kids are wild (there is a difference between wild and disrespectful and/or disobedient) and struggle with each other. We are raising martyrs not manikins. Ones who can think and will face opposition. What a great place to work it out at home. I don't want religious em ty vessels but Peters who will swing the sword (after all Jesus did tell them to bring the swords) but are willing to be corrected.
OK so back to Elianna's birthday, she turns one today. God has truly "answered us with grace." Now if she could just sleep through the night.
Heath
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Sunday, September 21, 2008
HS Sweet Hearts!?!
If I were born in the fifties I would not have taken my eyes off this hottie.
Of course sportin' a bow tie like this it was destiny we would go steady. After 10 years of marriage I feel as if Emie and I are shifting into second gear now. With four beautiful children, amazing friends (who we miss), crazy God adventures, seeing the Holy Spirit poured out on us and others, witnessing healings, provision beyond calculation, traveling the world and connecting fewer times than Emie would like, here we are entering another decade of marital bliss. How could God be so faithful to us?
Emie and I had a strange beginning to our relationship (as many of you know). God spoke clearly to us on the same night that we would be married. The only hitch was we were not dating, nor were we close friends. So what were we to do with this revelation? Well, Emie freaked out and told me to drop off the face of the earth.
I was excited, I had found "the one." Life was going to be great. I had been given the most attractive, intelligent, driven women I could have ever asked for. I was told I needed to marry a housewife, but what I wanted was a teammate who would change the world with me. All the years I had been praying for my wife, Emie was the answer. She embodied God's reply to my heart. How could I have been so lucky?
Of course I do wonder why she has put up with me (maybe she didn't pray hard enough).
Over the last ten years I have taken her up and down, over and around the world. She has learned to be content with plenty and with little. She has had to re-establish a home 11 times, 4 of which while living with other families. She has put her desires (which mean "of the Father") aside countless times to fulfill what I believe God was asking of us. She has mothered our children amazingly and poured herself into discipling them for the Kingdom.
Emie has never once complained about what her Father has asked of us. She only wishes she could devote more time and energy to him. She is an ocean yet to be discovered and a treasure yet to be spent. The world is in for a shocker when God fully releases her into her destiny.
Coming from dysfunction junction myself I am in awe how God has blessed me so much with a woman who selflessly gives and can still laugh with me. Emie is my earth angel sent from heaven. I never thought I would ever admire someone as much as I do her (now if I could only tell the way she needs to hear it).
We have had our struggles (like all) but have learned to get up and fly again. We have seen the best of times and the worse of times. I guess that is what being married is all about, loving when our spouses are jerks. And wow have I been a jerk (that happens to be Emie's favorite word to describe me when I am in my element).
When we mutually submit to each other (as if we are one) then anything is possible. I am the luckiest man on earth to have such a woman as I do. And my children are equally blessed to be raised not only with a mother who adores them but who loves Jesus more than herself.
My prayer is that the world will see the Master in this masterpiece he has created between Emie and I. And though we weren't around in the fifties maybe we'll make it fifty more years. If we do I know this lady of mine will be just as hot then as she is now.
I love you babe!
Of course sportin' a bow tie like this it was destiny we would go steady. After 10 years of marriage I feel as if Emie and I are shifting into second gear now. With four beautiful children, amazing friends (who we miss), crazy God adventures, seeing the Holy Spirit poured out on us and others, witnessing healings, provision beyond calculation, traveling the world and connecting fewer times than Emie would like, here we are entering another decade of marital bliss. How could God be so faithful to us?
Emie and I had a strange beginning to our relationship (as many of you know). God spoke clearly to us on the same night that we would be married. The only hitch was we were not dating, nor were we close friends. So what were we to do with this revelation? Well, Emie freaked out and told me to drop off the face of the earth.
I was excited, I had found "the one." Life was going to be great. I had been given the most attractive, intelligent, driven women I could have ever asked for. I was told I needed to marry a housewife, but what I wanted was a teammate who would change the world with me. All the years I had been praying for my wife, Emie was the answer. She embodied God's reply to my heart. How could I have been so lucky?
Of course I do wonder why she has put up with me (maybe she didn't pray hard enough).
Over the last ten years I have taken her up and down, over and around the world. She has learned to be content with plenty and with little. She has had to re-establish a home 11 times, 4 of which while living with other families. She has put her desires (which mean "of the Father") aside countless times to fulfill what I believe God was asking of us. She has mothered our children amazingly and poured herself into discipling them for the Kingdom.
Emie has never once complained about what her Father has asked of us. She only wishes she could devote more time and energy to him. She is an ocean yet to be discovered and a treasure yet to be spent. The world is in for a shocker when God fully releases her into her destiny.
Coming from dysfunction junction myself I am in awe how God has blessed me so much with a woman who selflessly gives and can still laugh with me. Emie is my earth angel sent from heaven. I never thought I would ever admire someone as much as I do her (now if I could only tell the way she needs to hear it).
We have had our struggles (like all) but have learned to get up and fly again. We have seen the best of times and the worse of times. I guess that is what being married is all about, loving when our spouses are jerks. And wow have I been a jerk (that happens to be Emie's favorite word to describe me when I am in my element).
When we mutually submit to each other (as if we are one) then anything is possible. I am the luckiest man on earth to have such a woman as I do. And my children are equally blessed to be raised not only with a mother who adores them but who loves Jesus more than herself.
My prayer is that the world will see the Master in this masterpiece he has created between Emie and I. And though we weren't around in the fifties maybe we'll make it fifty more years. If we do I know this lady of mine will be just as hot then as she is now.
I love you babe!
Better than the Ark?
Though King David and all Israel were singing before God with all their might, with all kinds of musical instruments God was still not in it. Neither did he tell David to move the Ark of the Covenant. It was “the right thing to do” they all agreed, but it was not God’s thing to do, at least not his way of moving.
As a result when they came across the threshing floor, the most level place, the oxen stumbled. Mr. “Strength-in-Self” aka Uzzah puts his hand out to steady the ark and finds himself dead. “David was now afraid of God” and named the place “outbreak against strength in self, aka Perez-uzzah.
As a result an obscure gentleman receives a box. Obed-edom wakes up one morning to realize the King is bringing God over, in a box. “There was only one time God ever put himself in a box and he said, ‘If you touch this thing I’ll kill you’ (Graham Cooke).”
The result is astonishing; the Lord blessed him and his entire household. He is so blessed that David hears about it and wants God back.
What happened to Obed-edom’s house for the king to become jealous and want the Ark back? Did his crops grow larger, goats produce more milk, and/or his pigs have a record litter? Was his marriage outstanding, kids get into the top universities? Was he voted mayor? Did his businesses make the Fortune 500 list? What could have happened in three short months that everyone knew that God in the box was tangibly impacting his “entire” household? Whatever it was his mother-in-law was reaping the benefits and it was not just spiritually. I can’t help but believe we are in a better position than Obed-edom was. “God no longer dwells in things made by human hands” (Acts17:24), he dwells in us, his Body, his Temple, his Bride.
If Christ dwells in us then shouldn’t all aspects of our life be abundant? We are the Light, shouldn’t the world be a little blinded? We are the salt, shouldn’t they be thirsty? Better yet, we are co-laborers with Christ. "We know that the world around us is under the power and control of the evil one" (1 John 5:19), shouldn’t we be getting it back? Maybe we have had a wrong perspective, one that can't wait to leave this earth, that we no longer occupy ourselves with bringing His Kingdom now. . . . “His will on earth as it is in Heaven.” We have settled for preaching the gospel and getting people saved, only to have forgotten about preaching the Kingdom so the saved have something to do.
As Christians, we bring the very presence of God into everything. We have access to wisdom the world has yet to discover. When you show up at work believe what is reality. “Don’t be content with sitting in the Heavens, rather operate from it (Lance Wallnau).” Bless your pagan boss, Joseph did! It was Joseph’s sinful boss that God used to catapult him into his destiny.
I have had some great times at my current job. I see it in two parts; one to slow me down so our family can enjoy some stability. Emie is still the love of my life. After ten years of marriage I am still awed by her. With the days coming closer to having our own place, she has become a new woman.
Secondly, this new journey has taken me deeper into my destiny. I am getting wonderful training and being challenged in a new environment. The last 5 weeks have been an adjustment from having a boss to little time to hang with the family. Through it all, I have seen God show up in the market place. There are no professional ministers, we all minister. Life is ministry and we advance the Kingdom of God wherever we find ourselves.
In the last week I have had the opportunity to pray for one co-worker who had a pinched nerve in his hip. This created a twitching down his leg and he could only sit for a few minutes before he would have to stand up. Being a Christian himself, it wasn’t difficult to convince him to let me pray. I did and he sat the rest of the day without pain and the following Monday was still in shock that he was healed. God had not only rocked him in the healing but also rocked him back into a revived life.
Another co-worker (who is not a Christian) had the flu. After a day of kicking myself for not praying for her immediately I got the boldness to ask. After I briefly prayed, she said she didn’t feel anything. As she was talking, the shock was kicking in because all her sinus pressure had disappeared, then her ears cleared up. She couldn’t believe it.
Yesterday I was able to communicate the gospel to another co-worker who was living the player life. He was very open about his selfishness in relationships, so I was very open in how he probably should reconsider his lifestyle. We had a fascinating conversation about not lying, trust, character and integrity. I shared the simple truth of being separated from God and in darkness to being alive in Christ. I communicated that whether he agreed with his pastor/priest the truth is, he was still accountable before God with his life. He could not blame his view on God because of a priest he didn’t like. I could see the fear of God come over him and the wheels spinning.
It has been an amazing week on the job and I can see things rising in the supernatural realm. The Lord has also given me amazing dreams in my sleep that are glimpses of what is to come. What exciting times we live in.
If an obscure man named Obed-edom aka worshiper can be blessed, then the ones who worship in Spirit and Truth and put “no strength in self” can be blessed and have some left over to generously give away. We are better than the Ark, because in Christ, everything prospers.
Who knows maybe a king will be jealous of your blessing and come offer you a better job than the “prison” you’re in now.
Blessings
He@th
As a result when they came across the threshing floor, the most level place, the oxen stumbled. Mr. “Strength-in-Self” aka Uzzah puts his hand out to steady the ark and finds himself dead. “David was now afraid of God” and named the place “outbreak against strength in self, aka Perez-uzzah.
As a result an obscure gentleman receives a box. Obed-edom wakes up one morning to realize the King is bringing God over, in a box. “There was only one time God ever put himself in a box and he said, ‘If you touch this thing I’ll kill you’ (Graham Cooke).”
The result is astonishing; the Lord blessed him and his entire household. He is so blessed that David hears about it and wants God back.
What happened to Obed-edom’s house for the king to become jealous and want the Ark back? Did his crops grow larger, goats produce more milk, and/or his pigs have a record litter? Was his marriage outstanding, kids get into the top universities? Was he voted mayor? Did his businesses make the Fortune 500 list? What could have happened in three short months that everyone knew that God in the box was tangibly impacting his “entire” household? Whatever it was his mother-in-law was reaping the benefits and it was not just spiritually. I can’t help but believe we are in a better position than Obed-edom was. “God no longer dwells in things made by human hands” (Acts17:24), he dwells in us, his Body, his Temple, his Bride.
If Christ dwells in us then shouldn’t all aspects of our life be abundant? We are the Light, shouldn’t the world be a little blinded? We are the salt, shouldn’t they be thirsty? Better yet, we are co-laborers with Christ. "We know that the world around us is under the power and control of the evil one" (1 John 5:19), shouldn’t we be getting it back? Maybe we have had a wrong perspective, one that can't wait to leave this earth, that we no longer occupy ourselves with bringing His Kingdom now. . . . “His will on earth as it is in Heaven.” We have settled for preaching the gospel and getting people saved, only to have forgotten about preaching the Kingdom so the saved have something to do.
As Christians, we bring the very presence of God into everything. We have access to wisdom the world has yet to discover. When you show up at work believe what is reality. “Don’t be content with sitting in the Heavens, rather operate from it (Lance Wallnau).” Bless your pagan boss, Joseph did! It was Joseph’s sinful boss that God used to catapult him into his destiny.
I have had some great times at my current job. I see it in two parts; one to slow me down so our family can enjoy some stability. Emie is still the love of my life. After ten years of marriage I am still awed by her. With the days coming closer to having our own place, she has become a new woman.
Secondly, this new journey has taken me deeper into my destiny. I am getting wonderful training and being challenged in a new environment. The last 5 weeks have been an adjustment from having a boss to little time to hang with the family. Through it all, I have seen God show up in the market place. There are no professional ministers, we all minister. Life is ministry and we advance the Kingdom of God wherever we find ourselves.
In the last week I have had the opportunity to pray for one co-worker who had a pinched nerve in his hip. This created a twitching down his leg and he could only sit for a few minutes before he would have to stand up. Being a Christian himself, it wasn’t difficult to convince him to let me pray. I did and he sat the rest of the day without pain and the following Monday was still in shock that he was healed. God had not only rocked him in the healing but also rocked him back into a revived life.
Another co-worker (who is not a Christian) had the flu. After a day of kicking myself for not praying for her immediately I got the boldness to ask. After I briefly prayed, she said she didn’t feel anything. As she was talking, the shock was kicking in because all her sinus pressure had disappeared, then her ears cleared up. She couldn’t believe it.
Yesterday I was able to communicate the gospel to another co-worker who was living the player life. He was very open about his selfishness in relationships, so I was very open in how he probably should reconsider his lifestyle. We had a fascinating conversation about not lying, trust, character and integrity. I shared the simple truth of being separated from God and in darkness to being alive in Christ. I communicated that whether he agreed with his pastor/priest the truth is, he was still accountable before God with his life. He could not blame his view on God because of a priest he didn’t like. I could see the fear of God come over him and the wheels spinning.
It has been an amazing week on the job and I can see things rising in the supernatural realm. The Lord has also given me amazing dreams in my sleep that are glimpses of what is to come. What exciting times we live in.
If an obscure man named Obed-edom aka worshiper can be blessed, then the ones who worship in Spirit and Truth and put “no strength in self” can be blessed and have some left over to generously give away. We are better than the Ark, because in Christ, everything prospers.
Who knows maybe a king will be jealous of your blessing and come offer you a better job than the “prison” you’re in now.
Blessings
He@th
Friday, September 5, 2008
MLK
“I say to you, this morning, that if you have never found something so dear and precious to you that you will die for it, then you aren’t fit to live.
You may be 38 years old, as I happen to be, and one day, some great opportunity stands before you and calls upon you to stand for some great principle, some great issue, some great cause. And you refuse to do it because you are afraid.
You refuse to do it because you want to live longer. You’re afraid that you will lose your job, or you are afraid that you will be criticized or that you will lose your popularity, or you’re afraid that somebody will stab or shoot or bomb your house. So you refuse to take a stand.
Well, you may go on and live until you are ninety, but you are just as dead at 38 as you would be at ninety.
And the cessation of breathing in your life is but the belated announcement of an earlier death of the spirit.
You died when you refused to stand up for right.
You died when you refused to stand up for truth.
You died when you refused to stand up for justice.”
-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
From the sermon “But, If Not” delivered at Ebenezer Baptist Church on November 5, 1967.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Friday, August 29, 2008
Monday, August 11, 2008
Where are we?
Okay, so I'm officially changing our updates from Locke Adventures to Locke Life BECAUSE HOPEFULLY we'll be keeping it on the low with adventures! Many of you will be glad to hear that we are landing in the Porterville, California area for awhile. Settling? I hope so, for a few years at least. Working? As always, but this time Heath has been hired at a citrus farm here as a project assistant (project manager). He starts tomorrow. Housing? We'll be staying with our friends Mike and Jonelle for a bit longer until we find a place for our family to settle. As amazing as God has been at providing hosts who are gracious and loving through the last 3 years, we are ready for some space of our own.
Heath and I felt that we may not be back in Portland for awhile as we drove off to the unknown in June. Once landing in Lindsay, CA and staying with our friends, Jonelle and Mike, we felt like we were home in many ways. Ministry has been a lot of fun here and we feel like they are family (as they truly are). Our family is very tired, physically, emotionally and spiritually as we have had to pick up and move every 3 to 6 months for the last year and a half. As you look at our life, there are many ways to interpret the last year and a half and each of you will come to your own conclusions. Some will believe that due to all the upheaval in our lives, it may be evidence that we should've never sold our house and embarked on the adventures of the last 3 years. Others will look at our life and think we had a good adventure. Others will just be frustrated by our constant wandering and gypsy lifestyle. And some of you have lived every step of the way with us, gleaning the good stuff that we were able to pick up through our travels and lessons the Lord put before us. I'm sure there are a variety of other interpretations of our life.
You may conclude what you want, it won't affect us much! What really matters is how we feel that the Lord is looking upon our last 3 years of adventure and what he is seeing for our future. And as much as we have seen plans change, difficulty upon difficulty, and not being able to see what's ahead, we are confident that we have been walking this journey in obedience to the Lord. We are by no means convinced that difficulty = out of the will of God. In fact, as you read Scripture, nowhere is it proposed that when you are obeying and walking in the will of God that life works out as you plan with no difficulty or change.
The future? We aren't sure. But as Paul, sometimes he worked as a tentmaker as he ministered and sometimes he lived by the support of others. All the while, he ministered. Right now, we are being led to a season of stability of circumstance for the sake of our kids and the sanity of their very tired mommy! All the while, we will be ministering. As we get into a routine and gain some structure to our chaotic life, I will be able to update a bit better.
We have no change of address yet and will keep you posted on that. Our cell phone is still 971-404-6128.
***IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE REMOVED FROM OUR UPDATES LIST, JUST ASK. NO FEELINGS WILL BE HURT.
Thank you all for your continued encouragement and support through this crazy journey. We couldn't have done it without you. If you have any questions, just ask. As always, our lives are an open book!
Love and peace to you all,
emie for the locke fam
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Family Union
Southern California has been a hot time. With temperatures in the 100’s it is noting short of Hades. I believe 111 was the high, but the reassuring aspect is by 11pm it is down to 95 degrees.
It has been years since my siblings have been in the same town together. We have all found our home away from home. So when our brother graduated from Police academy we migrated back to our old stomping grounds. It was great reconnecting having cousins meet for the first time, celebrating birthdays and realizing how old our parents really are.
White shirts for everyone pull out the cameras and let’s call it a family reunion.
I am so proud of my younger brother Darrell. He has spent every weekend the last 11 months putting himself through the Police Academy. Unlike Oregon (get hired first and then sent to academy) he has had to push through the months hoping that in the end he will get hired onto a law enforcement agency. It has been difficult and yet entirely rewarding.
The graduation ceremony was the typical pomp and circumstance, introductions and speeches. My brother kept me up-to-date with his progress and standings in the class so I knew he had a shot at one award. It was marksmanship/firearms he had the best chance of getting. The class shot over 1500 rounds over the last 11 months, using hands guns and shotguns in many different scenarios. The award description was read to the audience stating that the recipient had scored a perfect 100%. A gasp fell over the audience and shouts followed as Darrell Locke was mentioned as the receiver. What a stud.
Awards were given for Report writing, Weaponless Defense, Physical Training (which my brother should have gotten, politics!) Outstanding Practical Performance, Leadership and Overall Achievement. What I thought was the most prestigious award given was in honor of a SWAT member who was killed in the line of duty. The recipient of this award was chosen after an extensive interviewing process to see if they displayed that same attitude for duty, would go above and beyond what was expected and be “true blue” in all areas of life.
As the testimony of this fallen SWAT officer was being described there was not a dry eye in the room. It seemed that no one was worthy to been granted such a high honor as this young man had display in his service for community and career. The award went to Darrell O. Locke for his character, selflessness and attitude that Officer James Rapozo had displayed 10 years earlier as he took point on a warrant arrest of a criminal in his home. As Officer Rapozo entered through the front door he was met with gunfire that claimed his life, but not his legacy. My bro is a stud and we are so proud of him.
California is still hot but we plan on staying around for one more week. Then we head up north through Utah (see my sister again) and into Montana to finish the reunion of relatives. Thanks for the prayers, encouragement and love along this trip.
Blessings
Heath
It has been years since my siblings have been in the same town together. We have all found our home away from home. So when our brother graduated from Police academy we migrated back to our old stomping grounds. It was great reconnecting having cousins meet for the first time, celebrating birthdays and realizing how old our parents really are.
White shirts for everyone pull out the cameras and let’s call it a family reunion.
I am so proud of my younger brother Darrell. He has spent every weekend the last 11 months putting himself through the Police Academy. Unlike Oregon (get hired first and then sent to academy) he has had to push through the months hoping that in the end he will get hired onto a law enforcement agency. It has been difficult and yet entirely rewarding.
The graduation ceremony was the typical pomp and circumstance, introductions and speeches. My brother kept me up-to-date with his progress and standings in the class so I knew he had a shot at one award. It was marksmanship/firearms he had the best chance of getting. The class shot over 1500 rounds over the last 11 months, using hands guns and shotguns in many different scenarios. The award description was read to the audience stating that the recipient had scored a perfect 100%. A gasp fell over the audience and shouts followed as Darrell Locke was mentioned as the receiver. What a stud.
Awards were given for Report writing, Weaponless Defense, Physical Training (which my brother should have gotten, politics!) Outstanding Practical Performance, Leadership and Overall Achievement. What I thought was the most prestigious award given was in honor of a SWAT member who was killed in the line of duty. The recipient of this award was chosen after an extensive interviewing process to see if they displayed that same attitude for duty, would go above and beyond what was expected and be “true blue” in all areas of life.
As the testimony of this fallen SWAT officer was being described there was not a dry eye in the room. It seemed that no one was worthy to been granted such a high honor as this young man had display in his service for community and career. The award went to Darrell O. Locke for his character, selflessness and attitude that Officer James Rapozo had displayed 10 years earlier as he took point on a warrant arrest of a criminal in his home. As Officer Rapozo entered through the front door he was met with gunfire that claimed his life, but not his legacy. My bro is a stud and we are so proud of him.
California is still hot but we plan on staying around for one more week. Then we head up north through Utah (see my sister again) and into Montana to finish the reunion of relatives. Thanks for the prayers, encouragement and love along this trip.
Blessings
Heath
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