Last week was one of the most productive weeks of our ministry. Strategizing with our team, setting new goals, making important phone calls, ministering to an awesome youth group at Metro, preaching at our church in Manhattan...AND taking my children to the park, working on Paul's amazing quarterback arm, Daddy Daughter Dates (triple D's), dates with my beautiful wife...as you can see, it was an awesome week! Then the unexpected happened...

My wonderful mother always seems to be thinking of ways to bless my twin sister Rachal and I. So anyway, there I was minding my own business when my mama calls me out of the blue. She had been thinking of what she wanted to do for my son Paul and I on our birthday (he was born on my birthday-NOVEMBER 15th in case you're interested). She felt that the right thing to do would be to fly us in and send us to the LSU FLORIDA game...on the 50-yard line!!! I immediately had confirmation in my spirit (ha ha) and within a few days Paul and I were back in my hometown (Baton Rouge) at one of the WILDEST places in the United States...DEATH VALLEY!

First I have to say that my son was so cute wearing his LSU football helmet. When my mama dropped us off at the game and until she picked us up he kept that helmet on! (Of course he took it off to eat his hotdog and dipping dots!) Then the game started...WOW!!!

What stood out to me even more than the extreme VOLUME (Paul screamed the entire time, as a matter of fact I'm sure if you were watching the game on TV you could have heard him) and AMAZING comeback of the Tigers, was the incredible UNITY in the stands. There we were, in THE toughest stadium to play in with a record attendance of 92,910, and the unity among the fans literally blew me away! There I was sitting with a judge on my right side and a CRAZY man on my left and a lady with the LOUDEST voice behind me. As everyone started filling their seats they greeted one another with hugs, high-fives, and unique handshakes. You would have thought they were the best of friends. They even made me feel like they knew me since childhood. Everyone was pulling for LSU and refused to give up. Everyone was there for ONE common purpose, to see the Tigers annihilate the Gators and prove that they are #1 (Ah, how sweet it was to the stadium when they announced the defeat of USC!).

They we were ALL pulling for the victory of 1 game that has absolutely ZERO eternal significance. That night after the game I kept thinking about how far the Church seems to be at walking in true unity. Can you imagine the type of impact the Church could have today if we actually came together with a common purpose? Nothing would stand in the way! It is time to put away foolishness while there are still 2 billion people have yet to hear the name of Jesus! I believe the churches that understand the power and importance of unity will rise up in this hour and see the Kingdom forcefully advance. Churches that are only focused on themselves and their agenda will dwindle and possibly fold in this next season, whereas churches that push the King's agenda will increase and move forward. I have observed this among Pastor Larry Stockstill of Bethany World Prayer Center in Baton Rouge. Already he has been meeting with pastors all across his city, and it is obvious that God is raising him up as a voice not just to our nation, but to our nations' Pastors as well.

This last week I witnessed a unity among LSU fans that was nearly overwhelming, therefore releasing an energy and excitement that was breathtaking, and yet that will pale in comparison to what God has in store for His body of believers as they unite with one accord to see the name of His Son Jesus exalted in the nations of the world!

"Then all the BELIEVERS were UNITED as they lifted their voices in prayer:
...And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give your servants great boldness in their preaching. Send your healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.
...After this prayer, the building where they were meeting shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. And they preached God's message with boldness.
All the believers were of one heart and mind, and they felt that what they own was not their own; they shared everything they had. And the apostles gave powerful witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God's great favor was upon them all. There was no poverty among them, because people who owned land or houses old them and brought the money to the apostles to give to others in need." Acts 4:24,29-35 NLT