Brutally Compassionate!

Growing up on a farm in Northwestern Wisconsin might seem like a mundane way to experience childhood. There were of course times that were quite mundane, yet others were filled with adventure. As a boy, there are few things that you remember as well as your first fort, your first b.b. gun, the first time you kissed a girl, and actually liked it, the first time you got lost, the time when your parents kissed or swore in front of you, or the first fist fight.

One of my most vivid memories of childhood was the first time I was hit full in the face. My foe had worked out the very mechanics of hitting me: the need for bodily compactness, the proper fist, the assured step forward, the intent in his eyes, the virtue of a solid right. I remember thinking about it coming and an inability to move. I literally was captivated by its trajectory. I remember vividly the sound. If you’ve never been struck in the face your better off for it, but if you can identify, you will recollect the high pitch ringing. This ringing is so invasively present that you want to look to see if anyone else can hear it; of course they cannot. The ringing contributes to your overall sense of delirium. This feeling of floating, then the actual pain hits you and your little break in the day comes crashing down. One becomes keenly aware of the moments that follow.

What I remember of the instance was this sense that I had just achieved something. You know, it was as if I had entered into the realm of manhood. The place reserved for warriors, rakes, and cowboys. As I stood there stunned, because it takes a great deal to knock someone down. I was filled with this urgency to compose myself, and try not to cry. I didn’t. I remember taking three deep intentional breaths; the kind of breath that actually burns it goes so deep. The desire to cry was quickly replaced by a sense of rugged resilience.

A mature youngster would have thoroughly analyzed the situation and quickly discovered some very realistic problems with returning the aggression. I however was not this youngster. Not entirely sure where this impulse originated, I engaged the brute, mostly words at first. Words, vulgar words. You know the kind that you would never say in front of your grandmother. Words, which would strip him of value, dignity, or any sense of pride for his action against me. This was followed by the wind of a left coming at my chin. A near miss that was countered with a direct hit in the right eye of Goliath.

You know you would think that this would give a young guy defending himself against an infidel, a real sense of pleasure. I wanted to feel like I had just saved the day, or that I had at least asserted my will upon the mountain. Perhaps, the mountain had been conquered. However I still felt like I was in the valley. I wasn’t filled with pride, the way a champion should. Instead, I filled with pity, sadness, even a genuine remorse for my adversary.

I must have gotten hit harder than I thought, because I began to be concerned with the details of this kids life. I wondered why this idea to strike me was acceptable to him? I had wondered how many times he experienced this himself? I wondered who taught him to throw a strong right? Did his father strike him? Did he have a father?

As the encounter broke up, and the swelling in my left jaw was met with the swelling of empathy, I found myself broken in an altogether different way. Filled with the weight of my unethical encounter, I saw for the first time how incapable I was of really loving. Not that I was at all enamored with this kid, but the general idea of love for fellow man, had escaped me. In the days following, I became more aware of the damage my words may have caused an already abused kid. I even felt like slugging myself. Interesting how something as simple as turning the other cheek can call out another’s greatness, diminishing violence.

I declare Healing over Haiti!

My heart aches for the people of Haiti. I see through the news and footage online, the people that are in the middle of chaos and poverty. Right now I am praying to see a supernatural miracle of God hit that country so hard, that those people will be blinded by the magnificent light of Jesus!

God sees the devastation in that country and He sees His children hurting and I know that He is going to bless them and cradle them in His arms! Haiti was affected by an earthquake and not by the wrath of God. It is now up to us to pray and DECLARE healing over Haiti right now!!!

Lord, we declare your love and blessing over Haiti! I see you healing them and astonishing them with streams of blessing. You have called us to heal nations!!! I declare that right now they will have as much help as they need so that this country can leave the poverty they are in and become prosperous!!! Holy Spirit move!!!!!

Lets heal the sick, raise the dead! In Jesus' Name!!!

I've been thinking a lot about this whole Royalty thing lately. This has been something that I have struggled with for quite some time. Lately the whole poverty mentality thing has been really pressing my thoughts.

It's no secret that my husband and I have been struggling with finances. I've been more wondering how come when it comes to finances and making wise decisions for our future and our finances that common sense seems to fight against faith. What I mean is that we've been believing for income and finances for sometime now. There was a point when I was thinking, " When is the point that reality of our financial status overcomes the faith that we're trying to walk in?" The struggle weighed on me quite heavily. Knowing that we weren't going to make it much further in the situation that we were in. But God!

I've recently been offered a part time job and part of me was saying, "This is the hand of God directly answering our prayers." and on the other hand part of me thinks, "No, this is just taking your finances into your own hands." I've come to believe that the latter is the lie.

Proverbs 31:13-16 says, "She looks for wool and flax, and works with her hands in delight. She is like merchant ships; she brings her food from afar. She rises while it is still night and gives food to her household, and portions to her maidens. She considers a field and buys it from her earnings she plants a vineyard."

To me this sounds like a woman who is just using the brain God gave her to better her family! God blessed her efforts in every area of her life. Her husband was blessed; her children were blessed. She was even blessed enough to give back to the needy. THIS is the attitude of royalty. This is what God is pouring into my heart, and removing thoughts that argue against His ways.

I find it funny how God has been gently leading me to take and keep this job but I've been fighting Him and "walking in faith." Sometimes I think God answers in the simplest of ways.

I guess I would challenge you to really ask God to search your ways like David prayed, and be blessed in the "mysterious" ways that God will change your mindsets.

God is good! He provides for our every need. Trust and hope in God no matter what your poverty mindset may be. Let God wash over those thoughts and plant His thoughts into your heart! Be encouraged God is taking care of you! His word says, "All things work for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28) ALL things! Even your meager finances are made to glorify Him! We can worship Him knowing that everything is going to work out. Even when it doesn't look like it. All things ~ that's a good word right there!

Kingdom Ethics Reflections

I learned many things over the semester from the Kingdom Ethics class, but the thing that stands out the most to me is how they contrast the difference between base convictions, principles, and rules. Base convictions are like core values, and for Kingdom Ethics they are based solely off of God's character. Example: God is love, God only does good, or God values all life. These base convictions govern our principle. For instance since God is love, then we also should have loving all people as one of our principles. And if God values all life, then we too must hold life a sacred. Out of our principles come our rules. Example: If we value all life, then we must oppose murder on any level as it destroys life. Understanding the relationship between base convictions, principles, and rules has made me more aware of the choices I make and the reasons I make them.

Reading this book has assisted me in being able to fully articulate what I believe about ethics and why.

Pain With Purpose

Pain without purpose erodes our confidence and ultimately crushes our hopes.Pain WITH purpose creates a vision that sets us up for triumph.

It's What I Cannot Live Without!

What would I do without this school? That is an easy question because this school has made into who I am right now! The presence of God is so thick throughout classes and the mouths of our greatly loved pastors and teachers! More and more of you God!!! COME ON!

From a little over a year ago I had no idea what God had in store for me! I am now able to heal people, I am able to bless people, I am able to help people, I am financially secure, I am healthy, I am forgiven, and I am blessed! Only these things can happen through Jesus! The Father sent His son to die for us because He saw something so valuable in us worth dying for!

Heaven is open over us and it is now not just an option to reach up and grab healing, or any other resource, but it is a lifestyle that I commit to live up to! I declare this to be a contagious lifestyle!

Thank you Father in Heaven for bringing your kingdom down and making us princes and princesses!

-Jon Stotts 2nd year Firebrand

What If the Church Fell in Love?

What if the church fell in love? How would we change? What if we removed all of our shaming bumpers stickers about what we perceive as cultural ills and channeled all of that noise into real, supernatural effort to love? How would our message change if Heaven’s Love became our love?

Would we stop threatening the world with catastrophe? Would Jesus’ Word from John 3:16 through 18 sound different to us if we, the church actually fell in love? How would our message change if Kingdom Love became our love?

Would we be far less interested in end times theories that ramp up the pressure of getting ourselves motivated to serve God? Would authentic, passionate love of and for God be enough to ignite our labors? Would wildly loving Christians be far more interesting signs of the times than earthquakes and wars? Would sacrificial love born out of God’s bountiful heart into the lives of Christians be much more intriguing than who the next candidate is for “Anti-Christ of the Year”?

Do we know what spirit we are of when we are in any way pleased or interested in bad things happening to bad people? If hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, diseases and calamities fit into our definition of how unhappy God is have we truly calculated the damage we do to the character of the Father and the true love of Jesus Christ? Have we read Luke 9:51-56 with Christ’s core value of radical love burning in our minds?

Does our definition of love require God to be angry and unsatisfied? What role does fear and punishment play in our revelation of God, especially in the face of Jesus, who told us that seeing Him is seeing the Father? Does our definition of love drain the Gospel of real power? Does our definition of love weaken and possibly neutralize the very Word of God which we adamantly require the world to believe? Are we experts in theology and novices in love?

What would happen if the church fell in love?

I’m just asking questions.

Happy Thanksgiving FBSM!!!!

I just wanted to let you all know how truly thankful I am that you have chosen to submit your lives to FBSM. Though the year has proved difficult for many of you, I want to take a moment to remind you all that you are truly in the right place at the right time. 10 years from now I can assure you that you will look back on these days and thank God for all that you were a part of. I would love to hear what your vision is for the future of FBSM, and ask that you post it as a prophetic word for those who would follow in you footsteps. As you all go into this next year, my word over us is love. A love that daily draws us to do things that take even greater risk. I know that many of you are no strangers to risk lately, but I feel that you are heading into a season of health and prosperity of soul that surpasses merely money, or physical needs. You are amazing. Know that you are loved and how thankful I am for who you are.

To all in firebrand!!!

The other day in pastors prayer at church I was taken by an image that flashed in my mind. The image was leaders from living word constructing a mast. Like for a mighty ship. The mast was enormous, covering what had to be acres. There were timbers laying in stacks to hold the large mast as it lay on the ground being constucted. I was then taken in a moment to what was apparently the raising of the mast. This it took many more people, probably hundreds maybe even a thousand and all were grabbing, gripping, pulling ropes attached to this great mast.

In what seemed like days the mast was finally raised and was ready to be given a sail. Remember this is all happening in brief moment during pastors prayer. I remember looking up the length of the mast and not being able to see the top. It was higher than the clouds. As the sail was attached it made a loud crack as the wind caught it. We all stood with a great sense of accomplishment, urgency, and fear as we watched. It became quickly apparent that something would have to be done to steer this sail, yet none of us knew where we were headed. As the vision continued I was taken to heights far above the sail to see that the sail had literally caused the earth to move on a different axis. All at once I was gleefully terrified! Seeing that the effects of our labor had the ability to change the world, and create momentum that would effect everyone on the planet.

During this vision I heard 3 words totally unknown to me at the time. First was the word "matveh" which later I learned from Stongs concordance means, "that which is spun/yarn/fabric" Second was the word "hadesh" which I am still researching but have found that it is about a piece of poetry, artistic worship. Third was the word "lamech" is actually a name. The name of Noah's father (Gen. 5:31) He was seventh in decent from Seth. The name means, "man of prayer; powerful; youth; strong young man; conqueror; one who overthrows; destroyer; the strikerdown." Similarly this man wrote a song that is an antediluvian poem called, "Lamech's sword song." I think that God may have been trying to tell us of his urgency in establishing kingdom direction and knitting us together like a sail to direct the wind of change that is coming through artistic expression and worship.

Fall Registration for FBSM

It's time to put out the word that our fall trimester starts a new year of Firebrand School. We have had such a good time in our first year! Everyone is learning....including the staff! Help us get out the word to any and all prospective students!!

I also want to take this opportunity to list the core values of our spiritual covering, Bethel Church Redding California, which also FBSM's heart-beat:
1. God is in a good mood. It's time to RE-present God to the world.
2. All things are possible. The supernatural should be natural.
3. Humans are significant and matter in all of God's plans.
4. The work of Christ is finished and complete. No promise of the Bible is off the table and awaiting another day.

Additionally, the following ten qualities are values of our life together with Bethel and their Global Legacy church network. Where revival is, these qualities will be evident:
1. God is known as only good.
2. An apostolic government is caring for the church.
3. Joy and hope abound!
4. Risk and faith abound!
5. A culture of honor is in place. It is deep and wide, from side to side, top to bottom and bottom to top.
6. Generosity is common.
7. A prophetic culture places a high value on the gift and gifts of the Spirit.
8. Worship and the Presence of God are viewed as precious and primary. (Worship is the response to the treasure of God's Presence)
9. The release of the supernatural is both natural and sought after.
10. A culture of grace empowers ALL and calls to account ALL.

Our God Reigns!
Pastor Randy Dean

In Love With FBSM!!!

I just want to welcome you all back to Firebrand School of Ministry Spring Semester! I look forward to seeing all that God will do over this next semester. I have thoroughly enjoyed watching the spiritual health grow and develop in each of us as individuals, as well as watching the corporate body. Finally, I would like to thank you all for your many prayers for supernatural healing and provision for my family and I through my recent neck injury. "Open Windows of Heaven in 2009" (PRD) Be Blessed, Live Blessed, Share the Blessing!

Pastor Darren

the enemy of your soul

The enemy of your soul wants to rob, kill and destroy you. The devil hates you. What he has come to rob, kill and destroy is your future, purpose and destiny. The devil does not care if you have every thing or nothing. He doesn't care if you are rich, and live in a mansion, with a pool, three cars, a yacht, a summer home and all the fixins. He doesn't care if you live in a shack, if you have even one car or any luxuries or even necessities. The devil does not care if you are crippled, or not. If you are sick or well. He doesn't care if you are a nice person, or not. He plain does not care about the relationships of the people around you. He is not about robbing the things that you have. (although he will, if that is what it takes.) He doesn't want your stuff. He doesn't really care if you do or do not have stuff. His real and only goal is to cause you to doubt the promises of God. To not believe what God has said. Just as the serpent said to Eve in the garden of Eden, "God didn't really say......" Now you fill in the blank....... "God didn't really say that this sickness would be healed...." "God didn't really say that you would lead your people out of this hellish excistance they are in." The enemy of your soul wants to rob, kill and destroy the very word that God has spoken to you. Now, how he does that comes in sly ways that look like an accident.... or in his lies and deception, makes things look like this is God's will for your life or the people around you. He can create nothing. His power is in deception, lies, robbing, killing, and destroying. Whether he uses outside things in your life to cause you to question or the antichrist spirit is whispering in your ear, "God didn't really say that, did he?" He is wanting the same outcome. To rob, kill and destroy your destiny in and for the one true God that does say "yes I am the way, the truth and the life!" Jesus is saying don't look back just come and follow me and I will show you great and mighty things. You will heal the sick. Signs and wonders will follow you everywhere you go. You will lead your people out of Egypt. You will have life and LIFE in abundance. You will do greater things than I.
Stand against the enemy of your soul. Stand in what God says. When you have done all else, just stand. You do not stand alone. We stand together. Do no do this on your own strength. Don't just hang on to the rope dangling in mid air. Wrap the rope around you and let the rope hang onto you. Don't just hang on to the promises of God in your own mind and reason. Wrap God's promises around you and swing free.........

I Say Again, THIS SCHOOL ROCKS

We are about to conclude our first trimester. Students are fighting to catch up on their homework and instructors are trying to catch up on grading their homework. Thursday marks the end of the the fall trimester.

Today we had yet another Holy Spirit melt-down. Pastor Darren led in a prophetic session and God was amazingly PRESENT. I am in awe. Last Thursday the Holy Spirit stepped in in a similar way and we were overwhelmed. Classes melted into a "Kingdom Come".

A prophetic word came forward today that blew my mind. God used our school name and said, "Firebrand School I have called you to see the heavens opened above you. I call you up into the heavens to be completely soaked into the power of the Kingdom".

Hey, Firebrand....lets take God at His Word and launch into the heavens!

Darren Hose Benefit

A benefit account has been established in the name of "Darren Hose Benefit" at Anchor Bank New Richmond, WI. The address is Anchor Bank PO Box 475 New Richmond, WI 54017-9935. Or you can simply go to that bank and give any amount to a teller and tell them it is for the Darren Hose Benefit. Keep praying!
Pastor Randy

prayer

I want to share what God is saying to me about the election. It's so amazing how it fits in with Pastor's preaching, isn't it? We do have an amazing God!
On election day, I voted at 10:30 in the morning. I voted for John McCain, knowing that he was not who was going to become president. It is the right, priveledge and responsibility of the people to vote. It was a busy day and I didn't check to see who actually won the election. The next morning was early morning prayer at church, I still didn't check or know the outcome, but I knew, and was very excited about it. In prayer, God said, pray for the nation.
In intercession, the Spirit showed me a mulitude of people crying out for a king. Many of these peoples were being led by racial motivation only. God gave them their king. There was still a great excitement with this. Because God was saying "If My people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray, and turn from their ways, then I will heal their land. The excitment is in the greatness of our God and those things that look impossible are the very things that are possible with Him! It would not be seen as a miracle from God if the election went the other way. God is ALWAYS in control. Then, that night at church Pastor Randy preaches on Barak Obama being like King Cyrus. And God having his hand on him. This is so good! So exciting! What an exciting time in history! In this culture of honor, I honor this man. He is very intellegent, and we are in for a totally cool ride. But again, I want to stress that the people of God, those called by His name, must turn from their own ideas, ways and thoughts on this whole thing and pray!! God will hear our prayers and heal our land!!! He hears our voice and we are living under an open heaven in this place! God forgive us for being prayerless. Forgive us for doing our own thing, we want your will and your ways for this country. For all of the peoples. For generations to come. Use this man, Barak Obama, to carry out Your plans for Your kingdom. Transform his heart before our very eyes. Heal our land on earth as it is in heaven!! God, let President Bush finish his tasks well and go out of office with honor.... And bless our new President. May you bless him and keep him, and may your face shine on him... Your will be done, Your Kingdom come, here on earth as it is in heaven! amen. I encourage you to keep praying for our nation!! Love you guys!

The Healing Lab Rocks

The healing lab has been awesome! Sometimes it is hard to recognize how God works because He works in ways we don't always understand. As students of the Firebrand School of Ministry, the healing lab has allowed us a chance to experiment in a classroom setting that actually allows God to move. We have had the opportunity to gain "Bible experience" by praying into heaven where God shows us what He is doing and what He wants us to do. We have a potential that we can live up to, if we so choose. That potential includes how much of heaven we bring to earth. So, we need to move how God leads. This means not limiting Him by how we think He operates. God "colors outside of the lines"- He shows Himself in unusual ways. For example, we have been seeing and finding feathers all over the church. Some would say this is a coincidence, but I say, "Thank you God", for thinking of us! I have learned I have to allow God to move outside of my "box" of thinking. He will do things outside of my reasoning mind! He can, He is God! We, as Christians, should be able to see God when He moves! Look for Him.

Healing Lab Reports

In the last week we have done 2 healing labs for my class, "Kingdom Culture". I challenged the students with the very words we are learning, "Bible knowledge without Bible experience is worthless." The first time we did it I asked for those in the class with any physical issues to share them with us. The first student had a knee problem and everyone went after it in the manner that the Father was showing them. Long story short, after 3 attempts in 3 different approaches, the knee got healed! Then, the second student shared about her shoulder pain. I instructed everyone to "pray into heaven and see what God is doing." Almost instantly God spoke through 2 or 3 students to "speak the Word" of healing without any one moving. It was awesome.

In the second "lab" I instructed everyone to start praying into heaven and have God show us who needed prayer without anyone tipping their hand as to their need beforehand. If I remember correctly, all 5 students in the class received a Word that was completely accurate for the need of someone else in the room.

Like I said in an earlier post, "This school rocks."

On the first day of school, God gave me this scripture.......
Behold, I am about to kindle a fire in you, and it will consume every green tree in you as well as every dry tree: the blazing flame will not be quenched and the whole surface from the south to north will be burned by it. all flesh will see that I, the Lord, have kindled it; it shall not be quenched. Ezek. 20:47-48
I am reminded of it again. Get ready! God is going to consume you again and again! He is the all consuming fire that is set as a seal upon your heart! Isn't He awesome!! He is an all consuming Forest fire!!
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire! His winnowing fork is in His hand to thoroughly clear His threshing floor, and to gather the wheat into His barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. Luke 3:16b-17
All consuming fire, Come baptize us! again!

Congrats!!! to Megan and Tyler!!
See you when you two get back from the honeymoon!!
Wedding memories to treasure!
Bring us pictures!

This School Rocks

Yea, yea, I know....I'm biased....but it's still true; this school rocks. This first year class of 7 is a complete pleasure to teach and lead. Thank you FSoM! I am completely proud to be your spiritual father. Pastor Randy Dean