Doug Reed Ministries Blog

Orlando / Pittsburgh

This weekend I began with a leadership retreat that I mentioned in my last blog.  Let me once again say how impressed that I continue to be with the Youth Ministry at Faith A/G.  The leadership of that massive program show us clearly that character and authentic growth leads to success.  Thanks to all at Faith for how well they treated me and all you awesome comments.

From Florida I flew directly to Pittsburgh on Saturday evening and spoke at a College vent at Robert Morris University.  It is a 7000 member business school that has some godly leadership working the campus.  It was a small crowd but sometimes those intimate settings provide the sweetest times in His presence.  This was no exception and we had 2 salivations that night.  I spoke in the AM on Sunday for Pastor Wayne Jackson in the Pittsburgh area.  This was a hungry congregation that just devoured my message and really made the trip incredibly worth while.  We had a powerful time in Gods presence and at the end over 30 responded to get back to a right place with God.  Pastor Wayne, I look forward to being back some time this year. 

All and all, a great weekend. 

I will start a new teaching blog this week called "Your Story."

Faith A/G in Orlando

I am on the plane in Orlando, on my way to Pittsburg for a college event. I just spoke at the leaders retreat of my friend, Jonny Wilson. This is one of the best Youth Ministries in the country. The leaders were sharp and hungry for growth. I love settings like this, it was fun and it really touched me deep to see thier response. More soon...

Reach the World!

Reaching the world is the greatest responsibility we have through one mission at a time.  I hope this finds you doing well.  My name is Brandon Watkiss and I'm the director of Partnership International.  Doug has asked me to share a little about the up-coming missions trips we are facilitating this coming spring.  We have a team from Central Bible College going to New York City...Feb. 28th-March 7th.  We have a team from RMU Chi-Alpha going to Nicaragua...March 8th-15th.  We have a medical team from across the United States going to Northern India...March 5th-19th.  We have a big team from 4 different state going to New Orleans for a building/outreach team (video) in St. Bernard Parish...March 15th-24th.  March is starting our year out with an urgency of our purpose to reach the world!  Below is an example of our trip categories and prices:

Trip Categories:
Construction-building churches, ministry centers, schools, and homes
Conferences-training pastors, business leaders, and church leadership
Medical-providing medical, dental, vision, and pharmaceutical services
Outreach-sharing God’s word through distribution, evangelism, drama, film and relief work
Customized-creating a trip specific to your group’s needs and preferred location (25 trip goers or more)

Trip Pricing:

*All pricing includes ground transportation, lodging, meals, insurance, country fees, PI identity package, ministry supplies, and support staff.
*Prices do not include airfare or transportation to and from the ministry location.
*Prices are estimates and are subject to change and vary between ministry locations.

State-Side-$400-600
Central America-$500-700
South America-$600-900
Asia, Europe, and Africa-$800-1200 

Last Sunday

Yesterday was a great day.   I preached on the subject of growth and maturity in both services.  In the morning we looked at the relationship between Paul and Timothy and highlighted the mentor-ship aspect of their relationship.  I really hit on the truth that even life-long character issues could be resolved through a dedicated growth process.  In the evening we looked at the story of David and Goliath and the fact that God prepared David in obscurity for his destiny.  It was a weapon that he developed in private (a sling) that God would use for a very public victory.  It is our commitment to growth in times of no reputation,  living above expectation when you do not have too, that will prepare you for greatness.  Kingdom advancement is always about the growth process. 

Thanks Kent and Dave for an awesome day,  love you guys!

A new Dog

Many of you have heard me tell stories over the years about our dog "Charlie."  He died this summer and we grieved for about 6 months.  Pictured above is our Christmas dog, a new and endless source of stories for me named Kooper.  I don't really like this pic as it doesn't represent him quite right, but it is the only one we have.  He is currently 4 lbs and will not get bigger than about 5 1/2 lbs. 

Today I leave for Oologah Assembly of God, just outside of Tulsa, to be with  the the church that my dear friend Kent Jensen pastors.  I've been fighting a cold so please pray that I get better or that God will use me even stronger in my weakness.  I've never missed a ministry weekend due to sickness and I'm not going to start now.

Larry Walters

Tonight in my Mens Class I taught on the "Value of Routine"  ( all great people have great routines).... For my teaching,  I pulled out an old story from my Archives;   - Larry Walters... the "lawn-chair Pilot.   Many have heard this and many have heard inaccurate versions.  It is a great illustration that you might enjoy or use if you are a speaker.  I found this awesome link on Wikepedia that gives you the best and most truthful version of this real story.

Here is the link...Download En.wikipedia.org:wiki:Larry_Walters .  

Hope you enjoy it!

A Proper Response

A dear Pastor friend of mine was recently ridiculed for his passionate urging of the Church to rise up and pray for our new President.  He was called a heretic and said to be cowardly, that He should be praying for the failure of this administration as they do not purely represent righteousness.  It is amazing to me, that the worst attacks still come from those who claim to be the most religious.   Like most of you,  I have mixed emotions today and I am trying to be cautiously optimistic,  I feel joy and sadness at the same time.  I certainly understand that this is Historically,  one of most progressive days that any of us have ever witnessed.  I also am well aware that there are agendas and ideas represented today that do not honor God or the truth of Scripture.  However,  I think this, on some level could be said of all Presidents and all inaugurations. 

What should we do on such occasions as this?  We should pray.  We should hope.  We should enjoy the moment.  We should take courage and tell the truth.  Our authenticity demands that we honor the entire myriad of responses in our hearts.  In doing this we position ourselves for evangelism and we stand up for truth.   I have great hope and great concern,  these opposing emotions create a balance that I will embrace because it is real.  I can love my Jesus and my country.  I can vote my values and still relevantly work within the current climate.

My Pastor friend is a hero who is above the criticism of those who would ignore one part of scripture to justify another.

This picture is of the 2 million plus who showed up in Washington today...

6 in a row...

Six churches in a row,  so far, in just the last two months,  I have heard the same sentiment.  On Sundays when they were not preaching,  the Pastors felt a need to address the economy.  Each of them had incredible things to say that highlighted the "control" of God over our lives.  This thing we are going through is everywhere,  it is bigger than National,  it is Global.  Something that keeps coming to my mind is this, - "the season is for a reason".   When God allows chaos to invade our environment and then proclaims His control,  we are faced with choices:  Will we trust or will will will panic?  Will will climb upward or cycle downward?  Will we believe the original dream He put on our lives or will we allow it to be altered by circumstance? 

Here are a few things I know for sure:

1. When things are happening on such a big scale,  there are ramifications that we may not see right away.  God is drawing the hearts of Men back to Himself.
2. Chaos and crisis challenge and purify our agendas.  The fulfillment of your calling and purpose may not include a personal definition of comfort.
3. The nature of Dreaming is that is is not subject to reasoning.   This part of your brain actually shuts down during real dreams,  which is why you can break time and space limitations and fly with the elephants.  God wants us to trust him,  not the assessments of ourselves or others.  
4. Prayer will lead to peace.  This is the only way to get past our trigger response of leaning on our own understanding. 

None of this takes away the need for wisdom and Spirit led caution.  This season will come and go like all the rest of them.  The times change but God never does.

Faith A/G - Joplin MO

Jeanne and I had a great day yesterday with our dear friends,  the Griffen's at Faith A/G in Joplin.  I spoke in the AM service about Catastrophic Failure and the tendencies we all have that can lead to our own own destruction.  I used the life of Judas as a backdrop and there were over 50 that responded to get right with God.  In the PM I dealt with the subjects of Insecurity and Restoration.  There was such a tender work of the Spirit in the alters at both services.  I had to get back to KC so we left around 8PM Sunday Eve and the whole church was still in the alters seeking God!  I will be back in Joplin tonight for one more service and then back home for a huge week here in the office. 

Next weekend I am in the Tulsa area...

Back in the Game

I will start by admitting that between an insane schedule and some recent sickness,  I have been pretty overwhelmed.  I apologize to those who pray for me and my travels for the lack of updates.  This picture is me  in the office with a desire to update you on the past 3 months or so and the next few weeks.  I will try and blog several times  a week from here on out.   I will do a couple of teaching blogs a month as well.  Here goes....

***In the past 3 months I have been in 10 different states and have had some great ministry experiences.  God has given me the chance to be in front of awesome churches,  mens groups, leadership events and youth conferences.   I go into 09' with a great motivation in my heart about God's restorative  nature.  I know this much,  nothing is too hard for Him... not our sin, our past,  our finances or the challenges of the future. 

I will update you in future blogs as to the missions ministry and so much more.  This weekend I will be at Faith A/G in Joplin Missouri doing a 3 service Life Conference.  Thanks again for all your support and  prayers. 

New web site

I will resume blogging this next week. So sorry for the lack of info and teaching lately but there are some new developments. A new web site... Dougreed.net is days away from launching. We will also be launching a podcast on I tunes by the first of the year. On a minor note, you can now find me on facebook where I give regular short updates of my schedule. I have been super busy and this month has been productive in a big way. More blogs soon!

Arizona Trip

I leave for Arizona on Wednesday Afternoon for a ministry trip that I have been looking forward to for month's.  I will speak at the youth ministry of Phoenix 1st A/G and then on to the District youth and children's workers conference.  My good friend Jesse Watson,  just became the Sr.High youth Pastor at Phoenix 1st.... I am really going to enjoy getting to hang out with Jesse.  Tim Black is the DYD of AZ and has been a friend of mine for close to 20 years.  Tim is such a gift to the kingdom and is one of the most creative and solid leaders that I know.  This conference will be my 6th or 7th event that I have spoke at for Tim. 

Brandon (our missions director) will also attend this trip so we can promote the missions trips for next year.  Needless to say, we need your prayers as there is much on the line this week.  We are really wanting to bless these leaders and we are also believing God for divine partnerships with many. 

Next week I am in the Memphis TN area. 

Blog teaching resume later this week. 

Mediocrity Final - Percentages

In My Humble opinion,  the best commercials on TV right now are the Sonic Drive INN advertisements featuring TJ and Pete.  If you do not get these in your part of the country or have had a Cherry Lime Aid from Sonic then I truly feel for you.  In their latest simple parity TJ admits that unlike the Sonic 100% Angus Beef burgers,  he rarely gives 100% at anything.  He guesstimates maybe 20% as a personal high point when it comes to living out his potential.  Good comedy that like all funny stuff has a major element of truth.  This will not be a smooth segway so I will just say it...  There is no way we can calculate the value of losses to the kingdom of God and his purposes when it comes to a simple lack of effort. 

There is lot of Statistical information available to help us figure out this type of loss.  It is actually an endless sea of information that is impossible to boil down but I think the Sonic Guys have made a decent guess.  The best sources out there say that about 20% of the congregation in an average church carry the giving and service burden.  The stats in the secular workplace seem to be similar when it comes to productivity and effort.  What we cannot really equate is the issue of character, the small omissions highlighted by the truth of what we know we are capable of.  In other words,  you know and God knows what your "true best" is,  even if everybody else is fooled. 

I have found that although the impact of mediocrity can be easily seen in a slothful person, its effects are recognizable inside of all of us.  We just have to become better at picking up on its subtle realities.  You see, Satan is always about taking whatever we will give and he knows that if you cannot be easily defeated then maybe you can be easily minimized.  The point here is that like all sinful tendencies,  it is the truth that will set you and I free.  Are we afraid of the responsibility that would ensue if we allowed God to confirm our potential?   Do we fully realize what He is capable of if we would crucify the flesh and truly submit to His greatness?  These questions may not be welcome to many of us that are already so weary from the pursuit of advancement.  Let me encourage in two ways... First,  it is not about your effort,  it is actually about your weakness and His strength.  Second, only those who who truly live at God's best ever really know the gratification of divine rest.

I'm hungry...

A new blog teaching series will begin soon.

 

Partnership International 09'

I wanted to let you know that there are serious updates on the Partnership International website.  Brandon and I have been working hard on all of the 2009 missions trips and several other visionary and structural aspects of P.I.  This past year our trips grew like crazy as over 400 attended the projects both here and overseas.  We are increasing to 12 trips for next year and expect to see over 800 on them.  God will always bless His pure cause of reaching the lost.  Our relationships are expanding daily and divine favor really seems to be on the missions work. 

Check out the new website and keep checking for applications for the 09' trips which are due out later this month.  The link to the website is located to the right. >>>>

This past Sunday was a cancellation (which I kind of enjoyed) and I got to be with my family.  This week we are in Florida for meetings with Book Of Hope, ..... trip and organization planning for 2009 and I will minister to their staff.

Mediocrity 1 - The need for Change

The desire for change is a popular and powerful theme these days.  It is found in politics, business, culture, the church and in the heart declaration of individuals.  What we want is stop carting around things that are useless for present health or future advancement.  To empty ourselves of out-dated philosophy and to rid ourselves of corruption is an invigorating concept.  What is so relentless about mediocrity is that carries with it a historical baggage filled with the acceptance of things that stopped working years ago.   To change requires a rejection of things and thought patterns that we have become comfortable with.  That is not an easy thing to for anyone to do. 

In one of my sermons I talk about the children of Israel and their dramatic entrance into the promise land at Gilgal.  The comforts and excuses of the old life were generationally bound to them but now they had arrived to a new place.  This 3rd generation since the slavery of Egypt were standing on the land that their Grandparents had dreamed about and their Parents had talked about.  This arrival was met by offers of peace by dozens of surrounding Kings but God was not in those offers.  They represented a compromise,  a mediocre version of what God had promised.  The entire land was to be theirs in victory but they would have to live on a higher level.  In the next 13 chapters 31 Kings would meet their demise at the hands of a people who obeyed their way past the defeated attitudes of those who had blazed a circular trail in th desert.  Forty years of mediocre wandering would end and at least for a time they would walk in a better way. 

To break the patterns of the past you must first have a revelation that the past has invaded the present and it is killing you future.  Change cannot just be a rebellious idea that is designed to counter tradition.  You must be willing to do what previous dreamers only dreamed about.  Vision is the easy part of all this,  obedience and a lifestyle of excellence is what is hard.  Success is synonymous with change but change is always synonymous with obedience to God.  The walls of Jericho will fall in front of us if we truly stop questioning and start obeying without question.  This is the "rub" of faith that the mediocre never get past...

A great day today at East-side Tab in NY, NY...  Thanks so much to Pastor Abner and his dear wife for being such great hosts to me.  God has big things for this church on the lower east side!  The hundreds of thousands that live around the church are going to impacted in ways we cannot even imagine.  More later this week!

Eastside Tabernacle - Manhatten, NY

I love this picture of an actual lightning strike on the Statue of Liberty.  It speaks to me in an illustrative way of how God has targeted this city in my heart.  I am back this weekend working with East-Side Tab. which is an affiliate church of the famous Brooklyn Tabernacle.   The Pastor here is a dear friend of mine that I have a Paul and Timothy type relationship with.  We really have kindred spirits and I love his balanced approach to ministry.  Last night I spoke at a back to school outreach and the crowds were so great that we actually had to turn some away because of lack of space.  We saw well over a hundred respond for salvation. 

Today I will speak to the staff of the church and fellowship with their leadership.  I will do a life conference for the church tomorrow am and pm.  This is a really fun church that is hungry for God which makes ministry to them a thrill.  We will also have some meetings in the afternoon about next years missions plans in this city.  I head home early Monday as I have a busy week in the office.

 I will post several teaching blogs this month.  God bless!

Issues with Typepad

I have finally been able to log on to TypePad,  the server of this blog.  They have had issues with the system and it has kept me from being able to post.  Hopefully,  this will be a rare event for them or we will have to find a new source.

This past weekend I spoke on the subject of "catastrophic failure" at my home church in KC.   I used Judas as a backdrop and I believe that God helped many to create new safeguards in areas of weakness.  I am so proud of our church and the staff in here in KC.  The growth of the church numerically has been tremendous but the real story is the quality of the ministry there.   It was so good to be back home!

This weekend I am back in NY at East-side Tabernacle in Manhattan.  I love this great church that is in the heart of NY in a growing and reviving area of the city.  I will speak at a youth outreach on friday evening and will be with the whole church on Sunday AM and PM. 

This morning began for me early in Twin Falls Idaho after a phenomenal Sunday.  I started yesterday in the Boise area (Meridian) and then drove in the afternoon the 130 miles to Twin Falls.  What a day with two of the best Pastors I have worked with all year.  I then (rudely) awoke this morning at 4am so I could make my flight back in Boise at 7:15.   I slept hard on the plane going to Denver for the layover... I did not see any famous democrats in the airport.   I here there is a huge convention in Denver.   Suffice to say that I really needed the coffee this morning at one of my favorite places pictured here.  Denver airport does not have any StarBucks... weird huh.  Thanks for all the support so many of you give.

God bless...

Idaho Trip

This weekend I am in the Boise Idaho area doing several ministry events.  Today I spoke at the Southern Idaho District Christian Workers Conference.  It was a well attended event with a wide representation of different ministries and many Pastors as well as lay leaders.  They kept me busy as I did 3 specialized sessions and the final service for the entire conference.  I spoke on Youth Ministry principles, Mentor-ship, Authenticity and I ended with a message about Confidence.  God really used each of the sessions as well as the extensive hang out time I had with so many. 

I ended the day in Meridian Idaho which is near Boise at a Saturday night young adult service.  God was very much in our midst and the ministry there was a lot of fun.  If you are counting.... that is 5 times in a day that I spoke.  God gave me the strength and I am so honored and humbled that He is choosing to use me. 

Tomorrow (Sunday)  I am back in Meridian at Christian Assembly for the AM service.  I really look forward to being with this great church and their staff.  Pastor Vaughn, the youth Pastor there and I are good friends.  I am looking forward to getting to know their Sr Pastor,  Pastor Ed , on a deeper level.  He seems to have such a heart for the lost and the city God has divinely placed him in.

After the Sunday AM I will spend the afternoon driving to Twin Falls to be with Pastor Paul Finn and the great church he Pastors.  I really enjoy spending time with Pastor Paul.  They are a church I have been with before and I so look forward to being back there.  I have a early flight on Monday that will end this whirlwind of a weekend.   I am really tired tonight so that is it for now....

Thanks again for your interest and your prayers.

More on "Mediocrity" later this week.

Mediocrity - Introduction - The Prolification

The greatest enemy facing our nation and culture today is the practice and ultimate prolification of mediocrity.  It is everywhere we look and even though it is often called by other names,  it is really just plain old mediocrity.  We see it in the lack of vision that has caused our energy crisis and in our out of control debt which has been caused by a lack of restraint.  I (and all of us) could go on and on about the rapid and now consequential rise of the mediocre.  What is sad is that when less than average behavior and thinking invades leadership, it is passed on to the masses.  To prolificate is to reproduce at levels that involve DNA and genetics with generational reprocution's.  Spiritually, this is deeper than just procreation, it is the influence of character that changes everything.  It carries the impact of the original source from the old to the young and from the leader to the follower.  Prolification is about the authentic transfer of who we really are from one generation to the next. 

To battle this epidemic of mediocrity we need examples of sacrificial excellence.  Revolutionary change is needed in this war for our future and it is time that the church recognizes its place in the battle.  Many are involved in sin because of dissatisfaction that flows out of a boring lifestyle that they were taught by their parents and leaders.  This issue is the real enemy among us because so many other things grow from its roots.  When we stop progessing, the influence of our lives does not stop but it does change.  We can unconsciously teach others that "position" is everything because there you can rest on your past and simply enjoy life.   We must not allow weariness to stop us from paying the price of greatness.  Meticulous and childlike obedience and even curiosity should exist in the hearts and minds of us who are influencer's.  This is in full recognition that the transfer of what we represent will happen faithfully even if we are not faithful. 

My son is reading a book called "Do the hard things" (see on list to the right) that was written by a teenager.  It is a cry against the prolification of mediocrity that that has created such low expectation in our youth.  He recently shared with me that he was tired of being celebrated by others for being such a good student/person.  He talked about the low "bars" that he so easily jumps over and how God has been pushing him to raise the standard.  Many Christian adults do not even process themselves this way and I believe thier lack of desire for growth is totally against Christ-like thinking.  My 16 year old is setting short and long term goals and challenging the insecurities of his young life.  This teaching series is meant confirm that same looming desire in each of us for something more, something better.....

This weekend I am at 1ST A/G church in Iolo KS.  This is a little out of the way town in south east Kansas that Jesus loves.  I have a long friendship with their great young Pastor and I am enjoying spending time with my good friend.  We have had two powerful services and we run through Monday night.  This next weekend I speak at the Southern Idaho District Christan Workers conference.  I will also be with two great Churches on Sunday morning and Sunday night.  More reports on my travels in the next few days. 

Back from Vacation

This is a picture of sunset at Lake of the Ozarks which is about 150 miles from my house. My family and I spent this past week with some dear friends in this cool setting.  Jenna (my 6 year old) turned out to be quite the fisher-girl.  She took to the lake like a fish to water which was really fun to watch.  All of us had such a good time and we really do feel more rested.  This is one of the first times in years that I actually turned off my cell phone and put up my computer and just chilled.  I did preach both of the Sundays but other than that, we were just vacating the entire time.  God did so much this summer but you do get tired from the battle. 

This week Brandon (our missions director) and I are starting the finalization and preparation process for  our 2009 trips.  Partnership international grew by over 115% this year and we expect a strong continuation of this in 2009.  We are in the process of getting out the information on 15 missions trips.   I am also working hard on my speaking schedule for the  2CD half of 2009 and finalizing all of the fall details for 2008. 

This weekend I am in a little town in Kansas with a great growing congregation and a terrific young  Pastor.  This will be a four service life-conference type setting with a general spiritual growth theme.  The following weekend I am speaking at the district youth workers conference in Idaho. 

Teaching blogs will resume soon.

Emotions - Final

What is truly worthy of your emotional energy?  When I first saw this picture I was reminded of this question from one of my previous teachings.  It is a profound assertion that could change your life forever.  Emotion is energy and the strength that is in you is weakened when you waste that energy on things that do not have significant long term value.  Many people waste their life by giving their "best strength" to things that are not worthy of the effort.  Jesus did not live this way,  He never wasted emotional strength on the many injustices that came His way.  I think this was a part of how He maximized the divine moments of His life.   The change He brought to His world and to eternity was in part due to the fact that He was a phenomenal manager of His emotions. 

These past few months I have pondered and studied the idea that God who is omniscient (all knowing) allows Himself to experience emotions.  Everything from love to anger, even surprise and disappointment is found in the scripture.  God chose this as a part of His nature even though He could easily override or even veto the process.  This fact is expressed in the Father and in the Son without a protective barrier from the negative. To live in the open expanse of possibility takes courage and self control but the payoff is worth it. 

My challenge to you and to myself from these teachings on emotions is to stay in thick of life.  Allow yourself to feel without taking the bait and selling out on a single emotion.  You can manage your reactions so that they become Spirit led responses.   Just like God,  we can temper our actions with grace and also know when aggression is called for.  God would not have us to live on the roller coaster ride that tosses us whatever direction it desires.  With His help we can turn daily victories into a lifestyle of balance and true Spiritual growth. 

Finally back Home...

I finally am back in KC with my family for some down time and some much needed office work.  This picture is of Jenna (my 6 year old) at a wedding that she was a flower girl in.  She is eating wedding cake here... this is one of the many things I missed this summer.  She understands but is really glad to have her Dad back home.  This summer was definitely one of the best of our ministry and it still has several more opportunities.  Thanks for all the prayers and comments and for the patience on my lack of teaching blogs.  I will be back on this soon as God has put several topics on my heart. 

This past weekend I was with Brian and Jennifer Ross at Englewood A/G in Independence Missouri.  This is a great church that has grown and flourished under their ministry.  Brian is a good friend of mine from my college days and Jennifer and I are actually out of the same youth ministry.  This Church has layers of outreach in the city and has a Dream Center ministry as well as 2 satellite locations.  I spoke on passion Sunday and it was received in a huge way.  God is so faithful to show up and speak directly to the point of our greatest need.

This Sunday I am at with Eddie and Lauri Hawkins in Covington Tennessee just outside of Memphis.  I will be speaking 3 times in our Life Conference format and will deal specifically with Restoration.  I have great history with Eddie and Lauri that is similar to that of Brian and Jennifer from this past week.  This will be Logan's (my summer intern) last event.  He has done a tremendous job and has very much proved his great worth to me and the ministry.  More on the TN trip this weekend. 

God bless...

New York 08' - 2

I am currently on my twelfth day here in NY and God is doing amazing things.  I miss my family terribly but I know that there are divine appointments for me here.  Our second part of our team of 157 has arrived and we will finish or mission later this week.  The students and leaders have been exceptional and each of the has served in a unique and gifted way.  I am amazed at how well someone will serve if they know there is a connective purpose behind there efforts.  In other words, they are a part of a big picture vision that is making a difference.  This is not easy ministry here in one of the most diverse cities in the world.  People can be rude and tough... plus the Spiritual dynamics are extreme, sometime literally intensifying from block to block. 

Last night in Tompkins Square Park on the Lower East side of Manhattan I had one of the most difficult conversations in my ministry. It was with someone who is very convinced that there is no God.  He was cussing and approaching the stage of our organized and fully permitted open air meeting.  After he had to be removed by force, I had a chance to talk with him.  God loves this man... if only Christians had his level of boldness and articulation.  There is real deception in the world today and not everyone is currently open to the Gospel.  The good news is that God can reach deceived minds and even the hardest heart.

This week our team has been involved in soup kitchens, homeless shelters, ministering to the homeless on the streets, aids wards of hospitals, prisons, children's homes, VBS's, open street services, clowning ministry in Time square and a dozen or so more anointed outreach efforts.  They have laid it on the line on every level in record heat after nights in bunk beds with rooms that have no air-conditioning.  We are called to join in the sufferings of Christ and are promised that even in the midst of ridicule that there would be great power.  Partnership International teams have lived up to this truth all summer long.

I spoke at the the church of Long Island Teen challenge this past weekend.  This is a Christan based drug and alcohol rehab program that has over a hundred men and women.  What stories I had the privilege of hearing.  I met a friend named John who was a sharp as they come.... you would never know that he was a heroine addict 6 months ago.  I could go on and on but I am running out of time.  I preached on the Prodigal son and it was so impacting to watch God move and change dozens of lives.  We donated a table full of our CD's to the program and I am already getting the best feedback. 

So sorry for the lack of teaching blogs lately.  My routine has been insanely interrupted but I will get back to them soon.  My normal preaching schedule will resume early next month.  We need your prayers like never before.  You might even consider supporting our missions work on a regular basis... simply post a comment with your address and e-mail and we will get the information to you.  God bless.

New York City Missions 08'

These past 10 days have been a real whirlwind and my blog entries have suffered as a result.  My last entry spoke of the New Mexico Youth Camp.  Since then I have been in Texas, Honduras,  Minnesota Family camp and now New York.  God has been so very real and His anointing has magnified the efforts of our service.

• Honduras - On Sunday Night (June 29th) I left a great church in El Paso TX after a strong Sunday AM service on the subject of Passion.  I literally only had about 30 minutes to spare at the restaurant that afternoon with the Pastor and His wife.  From there I arrived in San Pedro Honduras and met Brandon (our missions director) who was on his way to meet a team of 35 in the UK.  We had a 2-3:30 AM staff meeting at the Bible School that night as we both had early travel.  Brandon headed to the airport and I took a 6 AM bus ride to the ferry that would ultimately get me to Roatan Island where our team of almost 80 was working.  I served and ministered to that great team for 2 days.  We really reached the schools and villages of the east side of the island with Scripture distribution and presentations of the God-Man (Jesus Film).  This trip was conducted in relationship with the great ministry if Book of Hope International.  I am so proud of the 250 plus that are working with Partnership International teams this summer.
• Minnesota - On Wednesday July 1st I traveled 21 hours from Roatan Honduras to Alexandria MN to the A/G District Camp grounds.  I spoke at 4 major sessions there including a phenomenal Men's gathering and a heart felt missions service in which we took an offering for our International Pastors Conference project.  This camp is one of the best family camps in the nations and it has thousands of people come through in the course of a week.  Brother StJohn is the district superintendent and is a close friend and dear mentor of mine.  My family met me in Minnesota for this one so we could all be together for the 4th of July.
• New York City - On Thursday July 10th Logan ( my personal Intern) and I left for New York City.  We were preparing to meet a team of 150 in NY over the course of 2 weeks.  We are working with N.Y.S.O.M. - New York Urban School Of Ministry which is a short term missions outreach to the 5 Burroughs.  They are highly organized and have our team very busy this week.  A large variety of compassion based ministry is happening this week.  The 7 teams of 14 (for week one) are going to soup kitchens, homeless shelters, aids wards of hospitals, burn wards, various feeding ministries, street ministries and Church plants during their time in NY.  Please pray for me and the P.I. staff as this is our busiest month of the year.  We even have another team of 50 in Missouri working with a young Churchh plant and various other evangelism efforts.  On a side note... I really do love the culture and the food here in NY.  It is truly one of my favorite cities in the world.

I will try and post another teaching blog this next week and get you some real time reports on th NY team and the Missouri group.  Tomorrow I preach at a wonderful church here in the city of NY.  Thanks again for your faithful interest and prayers.

New Mexico Youth Camp

This picture is of the view here in Ruidoso NM where the District camp ground is located.  We are here working with a couple of hundred students and their leaders.  God has been specifically moving in the area of self-worth and identity issues.  Last night the alter time went for around 2 hours as the students cried out to God for counsel about their destinies.  Deep hurts that were perpetrated by verbal wounds were dealt with directly.  God is speaking new words of life and destiny upon anyone who is hungry for purpose. 

A special thanks to Jerel who is the brand new DYD of New Mexico A/G.  He is a ball of energy and is doing a phenomenal job.  I also want to thank the great Youth Pastors that I have met this week.  This leadership crew is one of the best I have worked with.

From here I will minister in ELPaso TX  and then it is on to Honduras to meet a large team of workers in San Pedro. 

Emotions 2 - Our Example

Oscar Wilde once wrote:  "The man who is master of himself can end a sorrow as easily as he can invent a pleasure.  I don't want to be at the mercy of my emotions.  I want to use them, to enjoy them and to dominate them."  I am not sure of the faith of Oscar but do really like the sentiment behind this quote.  Far too many of us live in a viscous cycle of out of control emotions.  It is a real weapon that Satan can use to manipulate every area of our lives.

The true master of emotions is the one who mastered every area of His life, Christ Himself.  No one has faced circumstances that were more overwhelming, chaotic and ultimately lonely than Jesus.  His earthly support structure was sketchy and inconsistent and His mission was overwhelming.  In the end even His heavenly council would have to leave him to do what He alone could do.  His own Father would turn His head as Christ became our sacrifice for our sin.  Opportunities for frustration flowed out out of legitimate moments of victimization and betrayal.  Yet,  Christ would never took the bait and ultimately would be the greatest example we will ever have of emotional control.

This aspect of Jesus character would culminate in the Garden of Gethsemane.  His supporters and closest friends were sleeping when he needed them the most.  His betrayer (one of the 12) was on his way with religious murderers following eagerly behind.  The church, his friends, society and governmental justice would all let Jesus down.  In the Garden the pressure of His mission would come out and He would actually sweat drops of blood.  It is a medical possibility that under extreme distress the body will actually detox in the most literal way.  Emotionally induced poisonous chemicals were coursed through Him as the weight of the world crushed in.  His emotions were screaming out and yet His prayer was one of submission to the will of the Father.  We have a truly great example.... especially if we are willing to follow it. 

Our next teaching blog will look deeper into the emotional expressions of Christ. 

Logan and I arrived in New Mexico tonight.  Get this... they lost the luggage of our entire plane!  You explain that one to me!  I actually had to buy clothes so I could do the service tomorrow.  Pray for my lost bags.  More on the New Mexico trip on the next blog.

The Next 2 Weeks

My next couple of weeks are super busy with many exciting ministry opportunities.  Logan, my summer intern and myself will leave this Saturday for New Mexico.  That will spring fourth the following schedule:

• ***Sunday the 22cd I am with Charlie Sullivan at Radium Springs A/G in New Mexico.  This is a new church for me and we are doing both the AM and PM services.
  

• ***The 23rd - 27th I will be speaking at the New Mexico District youth camp.  I am really excited to see what God will do in this generation and with the leaders.  I am looking forward to hanging out with Pastor Jerel who is the new NM DYD.

• ***I will minister in El Paso Texas at 1st A/G for the AM service with Pastor Phillip Sanders.  This is a new church for us and I am real excited to meet Pastor Phillip.

• ***On the evening of the 29th I head to San Pedro Sula Honduras to meet a team of around 75 students and leaders that are working with Partnership International.  Brandon, (my missions director) and I will connect for a few hours as he is meeting another team in the UK.

• ***Wednesday the 2cd of July I head all the way to Minnesota to speak at the A/G District family camp.  This was a last minute booking as I am filling in for Gordan Anderson (North Central College President) who had a scheduling conflict.  I am honored to be there and I am looking forward to spending time with Clarence StJohn who is the District Sup. and one of my spiritual dad's.

As you can see things are a bit crazy but I am sure that it will be a lot of fun.  My family will meet me in Minnesota on the weekend of the 4th which is great.  They are so good at rolling with the punches that ministry can throw at a family. 

Thanks for your prayers and interest...

More on Emotions soon.

Emotions 1 - Generational Issues

Emotional control should be a skill that is passed down from those who influence us the most.  Unfortunately this seems to be a rare event for most of people.  I meet individuals of all ages that have no knowledge of the true peace that flows from the ultimate earmark of maturity.  I am of course speaking about the control of ones emotions.  The ultimate expression of underdeveloped character is a life directed and driven by feelings.

A child is the greatest example of both my stated point and the perfect argument against it.  We all know that children lack the growth internally that is required to combat negative emotions.  They are truly a victim of circumstance in this arena as they simply lack the weapons to mount a defense.  On the other hand,  no one can celebrate with more purity the joy of emotions than a child.  We see in children two powerful lessons of the emotional life that come from opposite perspectives.  The key is control and this key will open up a world of both opportunity and blessing. 

These are big issues that involve how we were raised and ultimately how we learned to cope and comfort ourselves.  I am convinced that the worst sins are connected to the worst emotions.  I am equally convinced that God cares deeply about how we feel and wants to help us.  In fact, the best tools of our Christian walk (worship, fellowship, prayer, preaching and the written word)  - all drastically affect our emotions.  The next few teaching blogs will look at how we can gain the ability to both overcome and celebrate our emotions.   Jesus actually lived out the principles that we will look at.... so the illustrations will be obvious and powerful. 


This past week I was at Arizona District Youth Camp and I ministered at Prescott 1st A/G.  These nights were some of the more powerful of the year so far.  I am amazed at the depth of hurt in so many youth these days.  Self worth is a massive issue here and God really seems to use my own story in such a big way.  Issues such as lust and addiction are almost always accelerated and promoted by the lack of self esteem.  What thrills me though is how quickly our Youth respond when God reveals true destiny.  This week was one where the heavens were truly open and God's heart was obviously moved.  A special thanks to Tim Black who is the DYD of AZ and one of my best friends.  I also want to thank Pastor Steve and Brenda for Hosting Jeanne and I on Fathers Day.  We love you guys.... our picnic was a lot of fun!

More on my summer schedule in a couple of days...

Where in the World is Doug Reed?

Hi everyone, this is Jeanne (Doug's wife).  Doug has been on the road and unable to blog so he asked me to send you a quick update of what is to come in the next few weeks/months.  As always summer has come upon us like a whirlwind.  Doug is speaking as I type at a youth camp in Arizona where he will be for the remainder of the week.  After the camp and a Sunday service in Prescott, AZ he will come home for a few days.  Then it is off to another camp in New Mexico and from that camp straight to San Sula Bay Island in Honduras where he will lead a team of 75 youth/adults on a 10-day missions trip.  When he returns there will be more church services then off to New York City to lead 2 missions trips back-to-back with over 100 youth/adults.

As you can see, it is quite a schedule.  Please pray for anointing, safety and rest (when he can get some)!  Doug will blog just as soon as he can, but I just wanted to let ya'll know what was happening in our world right now and the coming weeks.