The Defining Spiritual Moment of My Summer...

...Happened in Istanbul, Turkey on July 17th at about 4:00 am (?). It was one of the most vivid and real dreams I've had. It didn't feel like a dream in the sense that it felt more like reality- the spiritual intersecting the natural. Here it is as I recorded it in my journal...

"I heard a terrible noise outside. I can't remember the exact sound, but the feeling it evoked was fear. A frightening, "I'm about to die" kind of fear. I have a clear vision of this demonic being who had the form of a man, but looked like a man mixed with beast. He was performing an unspeakable sexual act with two women. He sent in his buddy (similar to him in form and evil, but lesser in power). I saw him fly in though our window, which was open (and was also "physically" open). These demons seemed to have their home in this section of Istanbul. He came over me and I rolled over, pretending to be asleep. After reporting to his boss that I was asleep, the boss wasn't satisfied. So he came to see me for himself. As he came in the room, I heard the terrible stench of alcohol. He leaned over me, as I slept (actually pretended to sleep) with my mouth open. As he lowered toward me his alcohol breath became overwhelming. He was trying to go mouth to mouth (not to kiss, but to breath into me). I awoke (in my dream) and saw his hellish figure over me. He raised his hand and came in to kill me. I could only get out the words, 'Help me. Help m...' I seem to remember trying to say the name 'Jesus' but I couldn't get it out. All I could say was "Help me." But before I could even get out the second 'me' something from behind tapped (clubbed?) him on the back. Whatever or whoever hit him I don't know. I didn't ever see them, but their action was calm and effortless. The hellish demon fell to the ground. I seem to remember the beast dissolve into a pile of sand, which disappeared. My fear vanished, as I knew that God had commanded the devil to be struck down. The line from Luther's great hymn is what stuck out to me, 'One little word shall fell him.' I awoke, and immediately shared the dream with Tim."

The meaning of this dream or vision has given me great hope in the power of Jesus, whose Name is above all names. It has given me more resolve in praying, "your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."

I'm also heading into a season of ministry where I'm expectantly optimistic about the work of the kingdom at Iowa State University and abroad. I'm convinced that "the arm of flesh will fail [us], we dare not trust our own." (click here for the old rhyme).

Moreover, I'm supposed to preach on Daniel 10 at Cornerstone in a month. I'm convicted of my need to be more aware of the spiritual battle around me and to be steadfast in clinging to Jesus.

I'll end with a toast to the God who is able to vanquish the enemy with a word... Soli Deo Gloria.

The Shack

Although I haven't landed on my opinion about this book, Mark Driscoll has the best take I've heard yet on The Shack (click here).

My life in a nutshell

This is a good summary of my life.

I was on my way out to the compost pile with watermelon and egg shells stacked on a plate. 

Literally one second after Leatha said, "Mark, do you need some help?"...

Pictures

My sister and her family were in town. The kids love seeing their cousins from So Cal.

We celebrated my return from Turkey by going to the Story County fair. Here we are in with the Swine... if you're not from a farm community, you'll never fully appreciate how bad it sucked to be the Prodigal Son.

One of the dangers of any county fair in Iowa- poop on the wheel of your stroller. Who knows what animal it came from... As we walked into the hog barn, Leatha said, "this is why I don't eat pork."
You can never be too safe when learning to walk and ride your fisher price toys. I guess it's what happens when you're a one year old at the mercy of your safety conscious sister.

When I was little, the only helmet we wore was our skull. Speaking of which... I just got busted with an elbow playing basketball. This is the poor man's stitches... I was even too cheap (or lazy, one of the two) to go to Walmart to get some super glue.

Convergence

This was my Turkey reading on the plane. I'm on a journey to not just be open to, but expecting God to do supernatural, unexplainable work among us.

Since I'm suspicious of most charismatics (due to my own pride, to be sure), I've had to read guys that I respect as scholars. Sam Storms is another great example (I already posted on J.P. Moreland's new book).

This book was actually a lot more helpful than Moreland's. Although I'm not a huge fan of his writing style (he over does his disclaimers and often repeats himself), he covers most of the issues I have thought about. For example, the role of dreams, visions, deliverance, the voice of God in guiding us, etc.

Sam's voice is one we cannot ignore. I love his graciousness in giving the benefit of the doubt, avoiding harsh judgmentalism at all costs. I appreciate his desire to bring God's people together on this issue. It's well worth the read.

Turkey pics

These pictures are little "touristy" but it's the only time I thought to snap some shots w/ Tim's iphone.

This is overlooking an Armenian city that was hopping just 80 years ago- now is desolate. I thought of my friends, the Hartounian brothers. God bless you and your Armenian brothers.
An ancient minnerette on top of the castle. Great place to pray over the whole city.

The Grand Bizarre in Istanbul, where you could get lost so easily. It's basically a 400 year old mall.

Hagia Sophia (Holy Wisdom) church and center of Christianity for 1,000 years. It was overtaken and converted into a mosque. Otto Turk declared it a neutral historical sight about 70 years ago.
The Blue Mosque just a couple hundred years from the Hagia Sophia. They tried to make the Mosque bigger, but couldn't succeed- they fell about 15 feet short. Legend has it the architect was killed b/c of it.
This is one of the few mosaics left in the church. Christians tore them all down during the iconoclast controversy in the 10th century. Some were covered by plaster by the Muslims, and ironically the ones they covered are the few that survived.
This is one of the entrance doors to the church. You can see how the Muslims busted the sides off the cross and put them in the shape of an arrow.
This was where the guards stood in the church. You can't see it very well, but this marble is literally worn down where the guards stood. This marble is about 1500 years old. Apparently, if you stand in one place for 1500 years, you'll make a groove in solid marble. Amazing.
Inside the Hagia Sophia. Where my elbow is on the ledge, there is Viking graffiti.
Everyday we crossed the Bosphorus straight, which separates Istanbul and Europe and Asia. So everyday we crossed continents.
Tim snapped this while I was daydreaming on the train. The ride made us both sick, and Tim encouraged me, "Don't think of this as an unnecessarily long Metro ride, think of it as a cheap tour of Istanbul." Perspective is everything.

Highlights of the trip-
- seeing the Cornerstoners who are all doing an incredible job. I'm so proud of you guys!
- a vivid dream that I will never forget. Perhaps I'll share it when I speak on Daniel 10 at Cornerstone.
- sharing the good news with a Turk on the plane ride back. I've never shared with a more hungry person. It was a divine appointment for sure.
- praying over a city in Eastern Tky, a city of 500,000 with a handful of believers.
- hearing the testimonies of 3 Turks, which confirms that any time someone is saved, it's the greatest of all miracles.
- Hanging with Tim Lubinus, a great brother in the Lord. He is one of the sharpest m's I've ever talked to.
- Being reminded that reaching the nations should be a top priority of every church. Why? Because it's at the top of God's list.