Satan gives nightmares. God gives dreams. The Bible is filled with references of God giving the young and old alike dreams. Not just for their sake but His glory. It has been a whirlwind month. On May 3, Ruth I drove 220 miles to Richmond, VA. On Friday, May 4, my son, Andrew and I drove 4oo miles to Pennsylvania and on Saturday, May 5 my good friend, Gary Purvis and I drove nearly 800 miles (round-trip) to Greensboro, NC to preach four times in two days at the beautiful Life Community Church – Home of Jesus and Jake Thornhill. God really blessed. However, I hadn’t been home for 36 hours and I boarded a plane to Los Angeles, CA on Thursday, May 10-Sunday May 13. As I type this I have a 11AM flight to Atlanta tomorrow and will preach TWO revivals at two different churches in the next five days in the Peach State (May 16-17) at Grace Point in Macon, GA and May 18-20 with friends Lex Luger and Evangelist Ronnie Dean in Calhoun, GA. I am blessed to minister each night.

Words cannot describe or Websters’ define how fortunate I am to have had the high honor to witness firsthand what I knew all along. The Dream Center is not only the real deal but a living, loving community that serves, shines and stretches out to help meet needs and watch dreams become reality.  Pastor Matthew Barnett is one of my heroes. I have been an admirer of his for several years and it was a JOY to finally catch up with him. First of all, the “greats are gracious.” Pastor Matthew wrote the foreword to our new book “BLESSEDNESS OF BROKENNESS.” He didn’t have to do that but he constantly and consistently lives to bless and sow into others. He is part of the solution and never the problem.

My goal was to thank him firsthand for his ministry and investment in my life and he gave me a personal tour along with a dozen other local leaders. I landed at LAX on Thursday and my first stop after getting the rental car was driving straight to the Dream Center. The staff at the Dream Center is second to none. Their hospitality and humility are off the charts and their facilities are state of the art. Even better than the bricks and mortar are the lives that truly make up the church. Over 700 people live daily on the property of the church. They feed 2,000 meals daily and serve 14,000 meals every single week. That is not exaggeration but evangelism!

In 1994, they bought an old hospital and converted it (literally) into a church. They are living the motto: “The church was never intended to be a museum for saints but a HOSPITAL for sinners.” They also get the fact: “Go after the folks, no one wants and God will bring you the folks EVERYONE wants.” Truly, “the least” matter most to God. The Dream Center looks for a need and then works to fill it. Today, 210 families are on the waiting list to live at the Dream Center. Homelessness for years was about individuals or couples but more than ever entire families are destitute and living on the streets.

Pastor Matthew and his staff took us up to the 12th floor and went on the roof of the Dream Center and the view took my breath away. You could see the ENTIRE Los Angeles skyline from the roof and I thought of Jesus whom wept over Jerusalem as sheep having no Shepherd. God has strategically placed Pastor Matthew to minister to both Hollywood and the homeless and everyone in between.  Their church lives to Exalt Christ, Encourage Christians and Evangelize a Culture back to Christ. The Dream Center has renovated a room at a time to restore it to brand new. Even more important than “room by room” they have restored, redeemed and remodeled individuals whom were recently far from God now to be walking, talking disciples of Jesus after being dipped into God’s great grace. Watching Pastor Matthew interact with his community, members of his team, loving on the least the most and taking time out for a glorified goofball like me moved me to tears. Honestly, I wanted to kiss his shoes! The Bible says “Blessed are the FEET of those whom bring the Gospel.” Not to worship him but the One whom his footsteps follow. In a world filled with cubic zirconias – Pastor Matthew Barnett and the Dream Center are the genuine article.

That evening, they ushered us up front at the gorgeous Angelus Temple. It seats over 3,000 and 100 years old. Every Thursday night they bring in a guest speaker and recently they have had Pastor Mark Batterson, Steven Furtick, Perry Noble and other Christian leaders and that night – they had CHURCH! Scores of people responded to the Gospel after that service and Jesus is certainly the star of the show. The Dream Center is reaching recovering drug addicts, rescuing teens from prostitution, families are being fed, needs being met and souls saved graduating from sinners to saints now serving in the Savior’s Army.

After working for two U.S. Presidents and a couple leaders in between, I have been blessed to meet a few folks in life. Without question, it is eternally evident that God has raised Pastor Matthew Barnett to be one of the greatest leaders I will ever meet. That brother was born to minister. It was icing on the cake for my dear friend, Brandon Crouch and his bride, Marley to drive two hours on the LA Freeway to hang out with us that night. He also wrote a chapter in our new book. At the worship service that night to my right a couple rows backs were teens whom literally just left a life on the street and were finding freedom in faith in Christ. At that same service to my left was a pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers with arms uplifted in worship serving the Lord with his wife. Ironically, on Easter Sunday – Grammy Winner Stevie Wonder showed up un-announced and worshipped at the Dream Center. It is so true – go after the folks no one wants and God will bring you the folks everyone wants. At the foot of the cross, the ground is level and everyone needs Jesus.

It was a treat to be a guest the next day at TBN studios in Santa Ana, CA and God showed up! We will post that video soon and we are already in talks with producers about the privilege to return in the future. God is so good. In closing, what dream(s) has God birthed in you that you may have miscarried? Dreams you aborted or were told not of God? The Bible notes: “You were running well – who HINDERED you?” God showed me years ago, that Joseph in the Old Testament was a “dreamer.” He was the first person we read in Scripture that his own brother’s tried to keep him down. Most folks want you to do well but sadly not “real well.” Joseph’s brother despised him not only for his dreams but that he had the audacity to dare to do them. It was said: “Anyone can dream at night but those worth watching are those whom dare to dream by day.” Joseph’s brothers were not jealous of his colorful coat but the colossal call of Christ on his life. Praise the Lord that you cannot keep a “good man down.” Even better, you cannot keep the God Man down (because on the third day) He arose from the dead victorious over the grave. Sin couldn’t hold him but your heart can!

Ironically, 22 years ago I considered forsaking college and was going to move to Los Angeles “by faith” and start a ministry reaching out and up to Hollywood celebrities. The fact is the answer is not in Hollywood’s stars but Heaven’s only Son. It is awesome to see Pastor Matthew and his team ministering to all those whom God places in his path. Today, the Dream Center has expanded and over 250 churches have become “dream centers” all across America. It is fitting that the City of Angeles has some of the brightest angels at Angelus Temple and a church that still dares to Dream. I guess you could say they got an angle on angels God is NOT coming back for beautiful, brick buildings but blood-bought believers and the L.A. Dream Center is Heaven on Earth. Thank you Pastor Matthew but even greater - THANK YOU JESUS! WATCH this great clip of the Dream Center http://www.dreamcenter.org/about-us/

As I grow older, my desire is to complain less and encourage more. For years, I have said “Better to be a good example than a poor excuse.” Very few things get my goat but one of them is the failure to use turn signals as a motorist on the road.

You have been there, seen them or at times even been one. You are sitting at a stop sign and cars are coming down the road and either intentionally or accidentally you wait (almost for eternity) to figure what another car is going to do and they FAIL to inform you and everyone else what direction they will go. This is not only selfish but delays time and progress. For a guy who lives on planes, trains and automobiles it is frustrating to say the least.

First of all, it is a PRIVILEGE to be on the road. We take way too much for granted and we all could be bicyclists or pedestrians instantly if our license was revoked. Secondly, it’s not only a privilege but a PRICE must be paid in order to drive. Insurance is not cheap to stay on the road these days and some not only drive nonchalantly but un-insured too. That is another blog for another day. Lastly, it is not PRODUCTIVE to others when we omit to publicly share the road or inform other motorists by use of our turn signals which way we are going.

BUCKLE UP – as frustrating as the rules of the road are and common courtesy this post is not just restricted to motorists but individuals who fail to use TURN SIGNALS by their lives on the freeway of life. My first sermon I preached was in 1982 (age 10). As President of John Hanson Middle School in 1985 (age 13), I had the privilege to speak daily to 1,100 students and faculty giving speeches and morning announcements. In 1998, I was ordained into the Gospel ministry at Cresthill Baptist Church in Bowie, MD and since that time I have officiated over 140 weddings and 80 funerals. Adam Sandler was the WEDDING SINGER but at one time I felt like a “wedding speaker.” Officiating weddings and funerals is an honor. Plus, I never waste an opportunity to preach the Gospel. At one funeral in 2003, I witnessed 65 bikers get saved after the message. GO GOD! The Lord allowed me years ago to learn that God is near to the broken-hearted. Plus, at funeral homes folks are “dying” to hear the Gospel Truth. The last funeral I preached two months ago in Maryland we had 23 souls trust Christ (at the funeral home)!!

Personally, when we love folks we can easily lead them. Leadership is more than looking over your shoulder to see if anyone is following you but are we following God and serving others. That is the question and that is leadership! Honestly, it is a travesty when an individual says they know Christ as Lord and Savior and yet by their conduct and conversations one has no clue whom their allegiance is for. It’s either for self, Satan or the only Savior, JESUS. Turn signals are to notify everyone we pass which direction we are heading. Laziness is not an excuse for driving or living. Just because you know where you are going doesn’t mean everyone else does. Driving is not selfish and either should Christians. Just because a preacher may give you kind remarks at your funeral doesn’t mean God will give you a pass if we failed to make things right with Him before death. Our only hope is accepting “by faith” the sacrifice of Christ on the cross and believing in His death, burial and resurrection. Without Him we are hopeless. However, to the Christian death is not a hopeless end but endless hope.

“STYX” in the 80′s sang a powerful song “SHOW ME THE WAY.” May we all take an inventory of our life and stop living for self and honor God and all those around us. Watch and read the lyrics to the song below and we cannot be content going through the motions but must be INTENTIONAL with our lives.

Repentance (means to turn around and forsake the error of our ways). TURN or BURN is not popular preaching but it is Biblical. Today, may we not only drive differently but live openly that all whom see us coming have no doubt where we are heading. Both in this life and the one to come. People are watching, lives are at stake, time is of the essence and more than ever – PEOPLE NEED THE LORD. Good Christians “keep the faith” but commited one’s SHARE THEIR FAITH. True, we find only ONE WAY to Heaven but life is not a one way street. As kids of the King, we need to be loyal, loving and LEAD the Way to JESUS! By God’s grace, I don’t pray if Heaven is real – I know it is and I can no longer be satisfied driving without the concern of everyone else. On the road of life, may we DRIVE all DOUBT away for all who see us us pass by. That is not only good for motorists but messengers of the Gospel. Just because you know where you are going doesn’t mean everyone else does. In the lyrics of STYX may we all use our “turn signals” and SHOW THEM THE WAY!

It was an honor to return to FOX NEWS LIVE this weekend, April 6 (Good Friday) with Lauren Green on “SPIRITED DEBATE” to talk about various issues ranging from Easter, pending lawsuits on college campuses related to religious groups among students and the role faith and prayer is already playing in Presidential politics. It was a privilege to be on the panel with Lauren and guest Rabbi Steve Burg talking about life, love and the Lord.

Society suggests that “politics and religion” don’t mix and most prefer we dismiss them all together but being born in Washington, D.C. that is practically all I have ever known. Ironically, my mother almost went into labor with me while she worked for the U.S. Capitol Historical Society in 1972, and I could have been delivered in the Halls of Congress. Most come to Washington to run but I could joke: “I was BORN to work here!” The Lord has really blessed and today (like the Apostle Paul) desire daily to die to self and live for God to bless others. Indeed, it was a true honor to serve God and Country while working two decades on Capitol Hill. Today, my focus is trying to get JESUS elected into the hearts of humanity.

Honestly, the things we need to talk about the most some prefer to sweep them under the carpet but it is a privilege to share insight, humor and the Gospel Truth. Please pray for all my friends at Fox News and media outlets around the globe. It’s not easy being on the front lines and they need our prayers and support. Please continue to keep all our elected leaders in prayer. People need the Lord.

It is true pertaining to Easter that had Jesus remained dead He would just be another man murdered but because He arose from the grave that proves He alone is the Messiah. The resurrection reminds us all that the Lord not only loves but LIVES! As kids of the King, we don’t serve a dead god but the Living Lord!!

IT’S OFFICIAL! Our new book “THE BLESSEDNESS OF BROKENNESS” is released and available for sale! It has been a labor of love and 87,400 words, 210 pages later it is ready to be read. Pastor Matthew Barnett of L.A. Dream Center, Dr Junior Hill & Zoro, international drummer graciously wrote the foreword.

Have you ever sat in an audience and thought “I bet that singer or speaker has led an easy life? Everything they touched must have turned to gold or born with a “silver spoon” in their mouth? The fact is, the folks that I admire most have endured the most. In 1992, I preached a sermon called “The Blessedness of Brokenness.” God gave me both the title and text and I have come to the conclusion that God doesn’t use the “blessed” but broken the most. What religion says is a “dead end” God uses as a launching pad to victorious living and notes “I’ve just begun.” Mark Lowry was right that “God tends to use broken pots because they leak more water.” An anointing oozes out of broken vessels because the cracks reveal Christ’s grace, mercy and love.

The Lord opened the door for me to have 17 dear friends co-write the book and you can see the line-up here. The book features friends ranging from Hollywood actress, Brenda Epperson whom played Ashley for seven seasons on “The Young and The Restless” to opening up on a world-wide tour with Grammy Winner Lionel Richie to Christian author and speaker, David Edwards powerful chapter “Dealing with Doubt.” Hear Andy Williams, former drummer to “Casting Crowns” share about Christ & Crowns as he reveals his faith walk in “Born to Drum.” Be BLOWN AWAY by my friend and mentor of 20 years Evangelist Tim Lee’s testimony “Standing Tall – After the Fall.” Glean from former Gaither Vocal Band singer Buddy Mullins as he writes about “Performance to Peace” and be inspired by Acton Bowen in the words of “USHER” who called him “Pastor to the stars” as he shares “Grief to The Grammy’s.” World Wrestling Champ Lex Luger graduated from “The Total Package” to complete package after “The King of Ring met The King of ALL Kings.” Think E founder Matt Brown paints a poignant picture that our dreams are overrated if God is not the author of them and Dr T.A. Powell, pastor and online professor at Liberty University will bless you big time! Be inspired by Sam Glenn, former TEEN MANIA’s “Acquire the Fire” speaker share “The Gift of Failure.” Learn firsthand about life after death of Tammy Wallace (member of FBC Woodstock) who lost her beloved husband, Creig to cancer and my personal pastor, Rev Marvin Harris whom lost not one, two, or three but FOUR children under the age of two to die from a congenital heart disease. Marvin was “lost” without Christ but received salvation after his children’s death and but thanks to God’s grace for the last 25 years served in ministry! Romans 8:28 is still in the Book! Glean from Shelley Hendrix, founder of Church4Chicks and fellow Fox News contributor & Jamey Ragle’s “Beyond Brokenness” will minister to you profoundly. Grandson to the world-wide ministry of Trinity Broadcast Network, Brandon Crouch shares “Hollywood to the Holy Land” and many others!

This book reveals tragedy to triumph becoming trophies of God’s grace while proclaiming the Gospel Truth. The book had been brewing in me for exactly two decades but God finally gave me the green light to release it. Our prayer is that this book will bless you and help you view brokenness in a different light. In the words of my buddy, Mark Shelton: “I met God on the mountain but the Lord in the valley.” Indeed, God is a present help to the broken heart.

It is medically proven that a bone becomes stronger after a break. Andy Stanley is right when he notes: “God may showcase His strength on the platform of your weakness.” God never wastes a trial and where man discards the Messiah delivers. When Jesus fed five thousand, He took the bread and broke it after giving thanks. The irony is that lad’s lunch in the Lord’s hands after being broken enabled him to be part of God’s ministry to witness Him firsthand feed the masses. Jesus then instructed the disciples “gather the fragments that nothing be left.” After finding a feasting in fasting I now realize that the LORD LOVES LEFTOVERS and relishes in resurrections. Only God enables imperfect people to promote His perfect Son! What man throws away God sees as a treasure and He uses our brokenness to draw us closer to Him and gives us a greater reach to minister to others.

Grab your copy TODAY! This book is featured on AMAZON, Borders, Books-a-Million, Barnes & Noble, etc or you can buy it on our individual websites or product table. All orders on my website come with a signed book and FREE shipping. Feel free to share the word on FB and TWITTER #BlessednessofBrokenness @FrankSheltonJr

Enjoy! Like the title to Dr T.A. Powell’s chapter in the book just because you are down doesn’t mean you are out. SEE REVIEWS below and/or ORDER your COPY today on AMAZON!

Back in October 2011, I called one of my childhood heroes and dear friend, MEADOWLARK LEMON. He answered the cell in his rich, deep voice and said: “Brother Frank!” It’s a fact: “The Clown Prince of Basketball” always makes me laugh!! The Lord had laid him on my heart and I told him that the next time he was in St Louis, Missouri to let me know because I had a church or two who would be thrilled to host his ministry.

In life, we need more DOOR-KEEPERS not gate keepers. Doorkeepers “open doors” but gate-keepers attempt to keep them closed. What the iconic Basketball Hall of Famer said next floored me but shouldn’t have surprised me. He said: “Frank, ironically I will be in Saint Louis, MO on December 3, 2011 attending my good friend, ALBERT PUJOLS annual gala for his foundation that evening.” Without missing a beat the Harlem Globetrotter legend said music to my ears and as I type this I can still hear the tune of “Sweet Georgia Brown” playing in the background of my mind. He said “Brother Frank, I appreciate you trying to open a couple church doors for me and I want you to meet me in St Louis, MO on Saturday, December 3, 2011 as my personal guest and I will introduce you to my friend, Albert!”

HOLY SMOKES! Meadowlark knows EVERYONE and if Fat Albert showed up I wouldn’t have been surprised or dissapointed but I knew who he meant. In ministry, it can be lonely at times and it is a JOY to try to open doors for friends. Honestly, it was my honor just to call him to say “hi” and my only intention was to assist with a referral that the next time Meadowlark was coming through town he had an open invite. The irony is it could have been any one of hundreds of cities across the Country but I felt God leading me to call him specifically and share St Louis. It was definitely a “God thing.”

As a kid, I loved basketball and lived for it too! We played basketball indoors on fancy courts and outdoors on busted backboards with missing nets. We played in rain, sleet and even snow! We played in the dark and as soon as the sun came up! At one time, I couldn’t get enough of playing hoops and after playing three years of high school ball I coached Parks & Recreation a couple seasons while in college. Those were good times! No joke, I knew what it was like to “ride the bench” and also the thrill of leading the league in scoring. One game I never played and another night dropped 31 in a single game!

My mother shared with me one night after a game as I was drenched in sweat walking to our car (before I had my license) and hit me with this truth that has stayed with me since. She said: “Frankie, almost everyone dreams to hit the game winning shot and get their picture plastered in the paper but just as (if not) more important is the guy (or gal) who will un-selfishly give the assist. The crowd may remember the one who scored but the coach will remember the one who found the open man to win the game.”

Those words have danced in my head and have been embroidered on my heart for the last quarter of a century. Sports teach us so much in life and “teamwork” goes a long way. Before hanging up, Meadowlark said: “Frank, I really appreciate you doing this. I also want you to introduce me at both services at the churches you line up on Sunday, December 4, 2011.” PRAISE THE LORD! The irony is I was trying to open a door for him and wasn’t planning or needing to be present. However, by thinking of others – others think of us. In the morning, thanks to my buddy, Ronnie Dean “The Preaching Machine” and Rev. Dan Hartley we got in a Baptist church in Farmington, Missouri and my dear friend, Pastor Myles & Valerie Holmes of the beautiful First Assembly of God Church in Collinsville, Illinois hosted us that evening. We had a time and you can see that video introduction below.

Meadowlark then said: “Frank you can sit at the table with me the night before at the gala in St Louis with Albert Pujols and by the way, I am going to buy your airplane ticket.” CHRISTMAS CAME EARLY and it is true, you cannot outgive God. At the V.I.P. reception Meadowlark introduced me to countless people and it was an honor to shake hands with 91 year old baseball Hall of Famer Stan “THE MAN” Musial. Plus, met Hall of Famers “Mr Baseball” Don Mattingly, Lou Brock among others. Meadowlark graciously introduced me to Mr & Mrs Albert Pujols and their witness for Christ is AMAZING! Together, they are doing an awesome work of providing for the poor in the Dominican Republic and providing love and joy to children with Down Syndrome. You can read more about the Pujols Family Foundation.

That was an evening I will not soon forget and it was the very weekend before Albert announced that he was leaving the World Series Winners St. Louis Cardinals and would be playing for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Albert is considered one of the greatest baseball players to ever swing a bat. Meadowlark’s iconic jump shot is second to none. Meadowlark was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame and 2003, and Albert is already guaranteed in the future. Even better than being named into man’s Hall of Fame both are in God’s Hall of Faith.

In life, sports, business and even ministry we may never hit the game winning jumper or crush a homerun ball nearly 600 feet in a World Series to win but we can all seek to serve and open doors for others with the power of the assist. Jesus said “The greatest among you would be the servant” and in the words of Pastor Ed Young, Jr “if you are not serving than you are SWERVING.” Not everyone can score or swing nor speak or sing but all of us can shine by serving.

You cannot go wrong when you are on the LOOK OUT to bless others. Zig Ziglar said: “The doors you open for others God may open for you.” God is great and Meadowlark and Albert are gracious. Right now, ponder how can you bless someone today. Mother Teresa was right – “God didn’t call me to be famous but faithful.” However, by being faithful you may be able to minister with the famous. The greatest blessing is to be a blessing. We are never more like Christ than when we give and forGIVE. Mature people promote and think of others. Insecure folk belittle others and think only of self. Be a winner NOT a whinner.

We all win when we promote the Lord and help others. The Lord taught me years ago that if you love on the folks that no one knows God will allow you to meet the one’s everyone knows. Regardless, if anonymity or celebrity may we all seek to credibly represent Christ and promote others before ourselves. One of my favorite Bible verses since childhood notes “Your gift will make room for you and bring you before kings and great men (Proverbs 18:16).” Ironically, in another translation it says “A gift opens the way for the giver and ushers him into the presence of the great.” Buckle up, this one will bless you “A gift OPENS DOORS for the one who gives it and brings him into the presence of great people.”

Your gift doesn’t have to be charisma, credentials or contacts but should be Christ-like compassion, class, courtesy and consideration of others. Without question, I also believe grace and generosity opens doors as well. Praise the Lord and thank you Meadowlark! If it were not enough to re-unite with Meadowlark for the weekend, sit next to him as his guest, grab a couple meals together on the road, tag-team preach at two churches in two states over that one October phone call I got one more gift for the road. A beautiful autograph of Albert (below) and one more from my dear friend and fellow evangelist, Meadowlark. My desire was to GIVE and ended up getting. Its the gift that keeps on GIVING! It is a privilege to promote others.

Today, I’m so thankful that I called that day back in October 2011, desiring only to open a door for a true friend. Ironically, I can still hear my mother saying “the crowd may remember the one who scored but The Coach (JESUS) will remember THE ASSIST.” We all win when we promote Christ and each other. The Bible notes: “One plants and another waters but THE LORD brings the increase.”

NEXT WEEK: Frank was a guest on SARAH PALIN RADIO - Feb 6, 2012. The producer of Gov Palin’s radio show invited him to share for 14 minutes LIVE “on air” honoring President Ronald Reagan on his 101 birthday. Enjoy!

Well, its here and will be over before you know it. Sunday, February 5, 2012 is  SUPER BOWL XLVI. Yes, I love the game and equally enjoy (most of the commercials) during the “epic” show. From the classic “Mean Joe Greene” commercial by Coca-Cola in 1979, or a cameo of Sly Stallone in 1983, for the United Way or cute kid last year dressing as Darth Vader trying to start his Daddy’s Volkswagon we have all seen our share of advertisements for big brands during the big game.

This VISA commercial started to air a couple of months ago and I don’t know about you but instantly I knew this would be a future blog and/or mini sermon. We all like to win and  this would be a great prize to take TEN friends to the Super Bowl. My parents went to the Super Bowl in 1992, in Minneapolis, MN when our beloved Washington Redskins beat the Buffalo Bills. Hard to believe it was exactly two decades ago Sunday!

The commercial above is a classic. The acting is awesome and euphoria is evident that comes from winning the PRIZE and secondly the PRIVILEGE to invite friends to the big game. Who would you pick? Who would you bring? Who would make the cut? Worse, who would be “left out.” Notice in the ad before being notified that “they won” their lives were dull, meaningless and heading down a dead end path. Existing but not really living but when the INVITE came everything changed!

God gave me something that I have been preaching on the past few years that I ocassionally close with at the end of my sermon. The reason this commercial resonated with me is because I have been doing it for the past few years. Perhaps you recall the old Western posters that may have hung in a post office or nailed to the wall of a saloon and in bold letters it noted “TEN MOST WANTED.” The government or some guy was looking for them and it usually wasn’t good!

The Lord showed me early on that the government looks for some but God is on the LOOK OUT for all! Like a Ferrari with no brakes, I share with them that most folks who don’t attend church are “missing in action” not because they don’t believe in God but no one believed in them to invite them. WORD OF THE DAY: “You may not believe in God but Jesus believes in you!” Defense wins championships but OFFENSE builds the Kingdom. We need to get a burden for our friends without Christ and in case you missed the memo as born-again believers we have the winning ticket (JESUS) and yet too many are content going to the “Super Bowl” (Heaven) alone! At the conclusion of my message I remind the audience to get out a piece of paper and write TEN MOST WANTED at top. Write the names of ten loved ones (family/friends and even enemies) who you know need Christ. Write their names on that list, put it on your refridgerator and begin to pray for God to work in their lives. Each time you go get milk in the midnight hour or pass by the kitchen you will begin to pray privately for their public salvation. No one needs to know what its for (just you and God) and when you get a burden for others is when you can really become a blessing for God.

Those that pray and fast for the souls of others will see God firsthand do an AMAZING work in your midst. God will strategically like pawns on a chess board begin to put people in your path where you can demonstrate the love of God to them. Share the Gospel with folks, dare to be different and invite them to church. Take them out for coffee, invest in their lives and watch God snatch sinners heading for Hell and get delivered to be destined for Heaven. As souls are saved, scratch off their name on your list. The key is get them off your list and in Lamb’s Book of Life. Each one can reach one!

Back in October 2011, I preached chapel at Truett-McConell College in Georgia at the invite of my good friend, Dr Emir Caner and shared “I evangelize not because I am an evangelist but because I am a commited Christian.” As Dr Johnny Pope reminded me in 1993, “Frank, don’t just keep the faith but SHARE your faith.” Mediocrity is not an option in ministry and too many got enough of Jesus to get them to Heaven but apparently not enough to get a burden to reach souls heading on the highway of Hell. Not glamorous but the Gospel Truth. 

A farmer once shared “You will never see a harvest until you learn to water your crops.” Friends, when was the last time you cried yourself to sleep over the condition of another’s soul? At age 10, we had a contest whoever brought the most kids to VBS would win a prize. I couldn’t sleep for a week but decided then and there I needed to care more what God in Heaven thought of me than friends on Earth. In 1982 (age 10) I asked God to use me in love but boldness to invite friends to church and by the end of the week 22 friends came with me!

 With salvation I had already won the PRIZE but now have the PRIVILEGE and responsibility to share Jesus with others. Last year, counting Praisefest Ministries “Cruise with a Cause” where 23,000 souls crossed over from death to life in Jesus while in Jamaica and me preaching nearly 200 times in 17 states and a couple countries the Lord allowed me to witness firsthand with a front row seat seeing nearly 30,000 souls come to faith in Christ in just over one calendar year.  That is not exaggeration but evangelism! Regardless, if you see ten or ten thousand we each need to be about our “Father’s Business” and be in the soul saving ministry.

Without question, I love the rich voice of Morgan Freeman and in this commercial he shared regarding the SUPER BOWL that its “the most epic day in America.” For those without Christ, sadly for far too many it is but we whom hold the winning ticket (salvation found only in faith in Christ) can be more than a game changer but a LIFE CHANGER for those whom need God. We need to dare to share Jesus with Biblical boldness. FACT: The Lord is the biggest name and souls of men is the biggest game. Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Mercedes, Verizon, Apple are all brands but what are you doing  to advertise and introduce JESUS to those in need of His saving grace?

Not long ago, I preached at church and saw a family of five in one row and an elderly couple sitting behind them. Before the sermon as we were singing hymns of praise I noticed the woman behind this group of five had the biggest smile on her face and she was beaming with pride from ear to ear. I didn’t know the family but the grandmother looked familiar. Right before the sermon, I said to her: “It is so good to see you today and I notice you are smiling. Is this your family in the row before us?” With the world’s biggest smile and tears in her eyes she said “Preacher Frank, you preached a couple months back about coming up with a sign that read “TEN MOST WANTED.” Wiping tears from her eyes, she said “Frank, I did what you said and today, is the first time my son and his entire family came to church as a result of praying for them.” Friends, you cannot put a price tag on that. GO GOD!

Like most of you, Ruth & I have reservations to have nachos with dear friends at their home to watch the game on Sunday. Since childhood, I love sports but also know that the “NFL” to most mean National Football League but those who have played or know the game in and out also attest it stands for “Not For Long.”  We are here today and could be gone tomorrow. Some preach as if they have 30 years to connect. As an evangelist, I am mindful I may not have 30 minutes. Its worth repeating: “Ministry – urgency = catostrophe.” We don’t  have forever to rescue those dying without Christ.

Sunday’s game is temporal but the souls of men is the bigger game because it’s ETERNAL. When the game is over, the tv turned off, the trash taken out and the last friend has gone home for the night may you ponder more than ever what TEN friends will you bring to the biggest event ever (Heaven)?  As a Christian you already won – the question is just how many are you bringing to the BIG GAME? After all, you hold the winning card (Christ).

 COMING UP: Next week - “THE ASSIST” featuring Meadowlark Lemon & Albert Pujols

Paul & Silas were en route to prayer meeting (church) and interrupted by a woman with a demonic spirit. She was the first “Damsel in Distress.” She made her living as a fortune teller. Paul and Silas in kindness but boldness shared her future was a dead end without trusting Christ as Savior. True friends and genuine Gospel preachers will tell you what you need to hear NOT what you want to hear. When Paul shared Jesus with her the demonic spirit immediately departed from her and she got gloriously saved! Moments before she was enslaved by Satan but now a daughter of God.

HAVE YOU EVER DONE THE RIGHT THING and yet, got in trouble. Paul and Silas extended grace but got grief. They just honored Heaven but now going through Hell. The leaders escorted these two Christians to the town square and didn’t bless them but beat them, shackled them and tossed them in prison with their “back’s against the wall.” When you are in prison (solitary confinement) you do a lot of thinking with time on your hands.

I shared in my sermon that you will learn three things when your down and out.

1) WHO YOU ARE (When you get to end of you is BEGINNING OF GOD)
2) WHO YOUR REAL FRIENDS ARE (A friend of mine was in prison briefly and shared that not a single one of his “party” friends ever came to see him while incarcerated).
3) WHO GOD IS (self help is something but GOD HELP is EVERYTHING!

The SITUATION was Paul and Silas were honoring God. They were going to church but God orchestrated their steps and enabled them to bring church to this woman in need of God. She now got her reservation for the Palace but they got thrown in the prison. Even Jesus had to endure Good Friday for us to partake of Easter Sunday! Scripturally what seems like a temporal demotion is often a ETERNAL promotion! #ThatWillPreach Paul and Silas learned their SALVATION was still their SOLUTION. When your back is against the wall we need to do four things like never before.

PRAY – Paul and Silas began to pray. “When you are down to nothing – God is UP to something.” Plus, when you kneel before God you can STAND before any man. We need to fear (respect) the Lord more than worry what man can do to us. God is eternal. Man is temporal.

PRAISE – At their lowest point they worshipped God on High. You cannot worship anxiety and the Almighty at the same time. We need to stop telling God how big our mountains are and start telling our mountains how BIG our God is! They never pouted but began shouting praises to the Lord while in prison. The guards heard about their God. Convicts heard their caroles of Christ, singing of their Savior and their HYMNS about Him!! Divinity Dejavu – once again, these lost, shackled sinners couldn’t make it to church so their witness brought church to them! EVEN in jail!! FACT: Paul and Silas (not ELVIS) was the first to sing JAILHOUSE ROCK! #ThankYaVeryMuch

PROBLEMS – Will tempt you like never before to compromise, cut corners, cheat and leave Christ out of the equation. WORD OF THE DAY: “When you are TESTED. God can be TRUSTED.” Cling to God’s PROMISES in the midnight hour or as Dr Adrian Rogers said: “Never doubt in the dark (or dungeon) what the Lord taught you in the light.” Your world may shake but the Word of God never moves. Faith in Christ is a firm Foundation. When you read and trust God’s Promises your problems will evaporate and experience the PRESENCE of God in a powerful way. The Bible says: “I have yet to see the righteous forsaken” and true to His Word, the Lord sent an earthquake, the jail cells flew open and Paul and Silas were set free. The irony is they were free even when hand-cuffed. With the Lord we find liberty and you cannot contain God in a box or handcuff His Holiness (read that again). Atheists are actually in “prison” while walking with no shackles but Christians are free even in confinement.

Paul and Silas shared the Gospel with their jailors and led him and his entire family to the Lord (while they were in prison). Your dissapointment may be a Divine Appointment to shine God’s Light and love to dark people in dark places (even dark prisons). I closed with this story and the church went wild. The next time your back is against the wall may you be reminded to honor Christ even in your darkest dilemma. Plus, others are watching how you deal with adversity. Let them see the Almighty in you.

“More than 24 years ago, Pam and her husband Bob were serving as missionaries to the Philippines and praying for a fifth child. Pam contracted amoebic dysentery, an infection of the intestine caused by a parasite found in contaminated food or drink. She went into a coma and was treated with strong antibiotics before they discovered she was pregnant.

Doctors urged her to abort the baby for her own safety and told her that the medicines had caused irreversible damage to her baby. She refused the abortion and cited her Christian faith as the reason for her hope that her son would be born without the devastating disabilities physicians predicted. Pam said the doctors didn’t think of it as a life, they thought of it as a mass of fetal tissue.

While pregnant, Pam nearly lost their baby four times but refused to consider abortion. She recalled making a pledge to God with her husband: If you will give us a son, we’ll name him Timothy and we’ll make him a preacher. Pam ultimately spent the last two months of her pregnancy in bed and eventually gave birth to a healthy baby boy August 14, 1987. Pam’s youngest son is indeed a preacher. He preaches in prisons, makes hospital visits, and serves with his father’s ministry on ocassion in the Philippines. He also plays football. He doesn’t preach in pulpits but in massive stadiums. However, they both preach on Sunday’s. Pam’s son is Tim Tebow.”

Friends, if Pam compromised, cut corners and left Christ out of their decision making process they would have missed out. Tim would have missed out. We would have missed out on what God has done with this boy whom grew to mature as man to shine Light with the whole world watching. “Trust in the Lord with ALL thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding but in all thy ways ACKNOWLEDGE HIM (God) and HE will direct thy paths.”

WHEN YOUR BACKS AGAINST THE WALL – hit your knees, raise your hands and praise God through it all! People are watching and God is worth worshipping.

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Code Orange Revival – Vision from Pastor Steven from Elevation Media on Vimeo.

Sorry for the infrequent posts as of late. My ten part blog “HELPFUL HINTS” came out every Monday before the Holidays and ever since I’ve been tying up all the loose ends on my new book. Yesterday, I finally finished it “THE BLESSEDNESS OF BROKENNESS” and now in the hands of the publisher in New York. It is 18 chapters, 84,500 words, 302 pages and co-authored with 17 other friends and release date is the week of my 40th birthday (February 20, 2012).

Pastor Matthew Barnett from the L.A. Dream Center, Dr Junior Hill & Zoro, “The Minister of Groove” international drummer to Grammy Winners Lenny Kravitz, Tom Petty, Michael Jackson, Earth, Wind & Fire and others wrote the foreword to the book. Zoro, is a Godly man and we went to Guatemala together for Compassion International and both are honored to be speakers for them to “help rescue children from poverty in Jesus name.” Honestly, I am excited about the book and I pray you will read it to reconsider the power of brokenness in your life. Adversity is not your enemy but a friend you just haven’t met yet. My prayer for you is that you will both reconsider hardship and experience revival with Him.

Speaking of REVIVAL, I am so excited about the burden for souls and vision that God gave Pastor Steven Furtick at ELEVATION CHURCH. They are kicking off their “Code Orange Revival” tonight hosting 12 Holy Spirit packed services promoting an old school revival at 6:12PM EST. It’s called “Code Orange” because that is a term stressing an urgency that something big is going to happen. I have always said: “Ministry – urgency = Catostrophe.”

People will criticize what they don’t know or have never experienced. FACT: Revivals are not obsolete its just TOO many Christians and church leaders are “out of order.” In the words of QB Tim Tebow: “Critics criticize, “Haters” hate but winners win!” Dr. Bailey Smith said: “Its not that revivals don’t work its that pastors and their people aren’t willing to work.”

Honestly, I couldn’t be more proud of Pastor Steven and he has invited a plethora of anointed, God called ministers to preach at his home church in Charlotte and it will be available online for the entire world to watch. God is going to do something HUGE with this revival. In my heart, I already know God will save thousands and touch millions during the next 12 Days of Glory but my prayer is that just as my new book reminds all to reconsider our seasons of brokenness that this revival will help leaders reconsider the responsibility and realization that revival is urgently needed. We still have a Hell to shun and souls to be won!

Dr. John R Rice powerfully penned: “There is a wicked, Christ-denying, unbelieving slander abroad in the land. I hear it everywhere I go. It disgusts me, and I believe it nauseates God. It is the lament of power-less preachers. It is the alibi of dry-eyed Christian workers, without passion, without burden, without tears. It is the prattle of premillennial Bible teachers who never have revivals and who rarely win a soul. The slander is this: “We can’t have great revival now like Finney and Moody and Torrey and Chapman and Billy Sunday had.” That is a doctrine directly of the Devil. It minimizes the power of the Gospel. It pictures God as old and weak, unable to cope with the increasing wickedness of the world. It ties the hands of preachers. It makes prayer seem useless. It closes the door of faith. It belittles the love and grace of God. It would make the gates of Hell prevail against the churches.”

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” II Chronicles 7:14

Dr. Rice goes on to say (buckle up): “The trouble is not with the Harvest but the reapers. The basic facts about sinful men have never changed, and the basic facts about the power of the Gospel have never changed. The harvest is white. Souls are lost. Notice that the Lord said revivals depend on “my people,” that is God’s people, the unsaved. God never promised a revival if sinners met a requirement. He promised a revival when the people of God grew humble and prayerful, waiting on God and confessing and forsaking sin. When there is no revival, the trouble is not with the wicked world; it is with the saints of God.”

Regardless, of your denominition our disposition towards souls must be UNITED. We need to cling to the cross and exalt Christ and preach Him crucified and coming again sooner rather than later. Pray for this revival in Charlotte and that it would spread like wild fire in countless hearts in North Carolina and abroad. Revival is bringing back to life saints that were stagnant and evangelism catches sinners from Hell and present them blameless by the blood of the Lamb to our sinless Savior in Heaven. My prayer is that this revival will impact preachers corporately and individually to reconsider and host them in their churches. As always, may revival begin with me.

Rock on Pastor Steven and thanks for standing up when it was so easy to play it safe and stay seated. Love you brother!

Code Orange Revival Promo from Elevation Media on Vimeo.