E21 Thoughts- Joel Stockstill
“Fire is released to a hungry generation”
During a general session at Empowered 21, Joel Stockstill gave a short message that penetrated my heart. “Fire is released to a hungry generation“, he said.
I often think about how [real faith puts a demand on the power of God]. In a culture with far too many spectators, it is easy to substitute “waiting on the Lord” for simply “doing nothing”. However, the people who experienced Jesus in his short 3 year ministry on earth were desperate people. Hungry people. Are you hungry for more?
Whether it was the “woman with the issue of blood” pressing through cultural barriers to touch the garment of the Healer, or whether it was “Blind Bartimeus” refusing to keep quiet in a crowd, hunger caught the attention of Jesus’ power. Whether it was Peter’s willingness to get out of the boat, or The “Sinful Woman’s” lavish act of worship with a broken alabaster jar, or a group of friends willing to lower their paralyzed brother through a roof to meet Jesus, passion and sacrifice reveal hunger. And hunger invites the power of God.
So today, I asked myself, Am I living life with passion? Am I hungry and desperate for more?” After answering a seemingly obligatory “yes”, I found the next question more challenging.
“Does my life’s worship give evidence of an inner passion and hunger?”
E21 Thoughts- Watch The Main Sessions
Here is a link to view the main sessions from the Empowered 21 Conference in Tulsa, OK.
Many thanks to Streaming Faith for providing this content! And many thanks to Victory Christian Center, Lafayette for sending me!
WATCH HERE
E21 Thoughts- Ulf Ekman (4/10/10)
One of many memorable moments at Empowered21 included Swedish pastor Ulf Ekman. Here are a couple of quick thoughts that continue to roll around in my heart.
1.) “We are all ‘upside-down trees’; our roots are in heaven, and our fruit is intended to fall to the earth.”
2.) “We are all missionaries- called to every nation.”
3.) Our biggest problem is our willingness, not the ability of God’s anointing (supernatural power and ability) to do great works.
4.) ‘Transforming moments‘ are sparked by the gifts of the Holy Spirit in action.
I have a special appreciation for Ulf Ekman. In 1982, Bill Mickler (my pastor- pictured left), 
was an ordinary guy in a critical season of life. He was beginning to get glimpses of God’s direction for his life. Like so many have done before, Pastor Bill needed clear confirmation that he was clearly understanding the things God was showing him. He asked God for “a sign”- that Pastor Billy Joe Daugherty would somehow publicly acknowledge his future in ministry. In Ulf Ekman’s last service attending Victory Christian Center (Tulsa, OK), Pastor Billy Joe Daugherty pointed to Bill (who he did not know personally) in a large crowd, inviting him to come forward to the stage and pray for Ulf Ekman. Pastor Billy Joe publicly recognized and affirmed the love of God that was permeating Bill’s life. That single event was the catalyst that convinced Pastor Bill to trust God’s direction and launch into his future (and I’m so personally thankful he did). Pastor Bill’s [willingness to believe God] remains a milestone in my spiritual life.
What do you think?
Empowered 21 Conference
It’s been an amazing weekend at the Empowered21 conference in Tulsa, OK. This conference is doing an absolutely wonderful work in instilling a hunger and respect for the Holy Spirit’s power in our churches… and in our world. I am so grateful for the work of so many to make this passion contagious cross-generationally and cross-culturally. Looking forward to posting about it soon after I have some time to digest all that I’ve heard, felt and experienced.
I will say that I am in awe of the sense of legacy I feel as I walk around the campus of Oral Roberts University. Not only is it a tangibly peaceful place, but I feel such gratitude for the work of Oral Roberts and His impact I am seeing, again, through this conference. Follow E21 on twitter using the #e21 hashtag. Talk to you soon! ck
