Let the Blogging Begin!

Hey All,

I have been reading many blogs the past few weeks, and there is always something powerful that comes from those posts. By powerful, I mean something that impacts my heart, and thus, my life. So, I have decided to enter into this world of blogging with the hope that everyone who reads would be powerfully impacted, changed, and inspired to live differently.

The title of the blog, as you can see, is Ignite the Light. More than anything, I desire to see people, young and old, with hearts that are passionate, fiery, and in love with Jesus Christ. Therefore, my goal is to ignite, re-ignite, or fan the flame that is on the inside. (See Song of Solomon 8:6-7, Jeremiah 20:9) There are many themes that I will be writing about and discussing, including intimacy, unity, intercession, fasting, eschatology (study of End-times), the Church, prophecy, meditation, revelation, and many more. I simply desire to be a resource for the Body of Christ.

In John 21:15-17, Jesus asks Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Three times Jesus asks him the same question, and every time, Peter responds, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." Each time Jesus answered, "Feed my sheep." Recently, Jesus has asked me the same question, "Eric, do you love me?" After my response, "Yes, Lord, I love you; you know I love you," He said, "Feed my sheep."

So, as I've prayed about exactly what this feeding looks like, I've been reminded time and time again of Ephesians 4:11-16. Here's my paraphase of that passage: "And he (Jesus) gave the apostles (pastor of pastors), prophets (seers, proclaimers of the "word of the Lord"), evangelists (soul winners), pastors (shepherds of local "flocks") and teachers to equip, (train, hand out tools) the saints (sons and daughters of God, Christians) for the work of ministry (not just "full-time", ministry of reconciliation), for building up the body of Christ (Christians, the Church), until we all attain to the unity (oneness) of the faith and of the knowledge (intimacy, not just information) of the Son of God (Jesus), to mature manhood (and womanhood), to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children (dependent, immature), tossed to and fro by the waves (storms, see Matthew 8:23-27 and Matthew 7:24-27) and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth (God's word, see 2 Timothy 3:16-17) in love (patience, kindness), we are to grow up (mature) in every way into him who is the head, into Christ..."

So, Jesus gave men and women to feed, tend, equip His sheep so that they would mature and become more and more like Him. That is His goal, and therefore my goal: Christlikeness. He is the One that I follow, and He is the model for our lives. He was a man submitted to the Holy Spirit, as he forfeited his deity on the earth. He had a relationship with God, the Father, just like we can have today. (See 1 John 2:6, John 14:12-21, Matthew 3:16-17, and Luke 4:1-2, 14)

In closing, I want to say that the word "preparation" has been resounding in my spirit today, and for the past few months and even year. God has spoken that I am being prepared for something that is coming soon. How soon? I don't know. There are weaknesses that need to be enhanced in my life, and strengths that need to be enhanced. But, even more than being prepared myself, I want to see a people prepared for the coming of the King, without spot or wrinkle. (See Ephesians 5:25-27 and Revelation 19:6-8) And, I want to see a "way", a road if you will, prepared for the Lord, the King, Jesus. (See Mark 1:1-8 and Isaiah 40:3-5)

May the Lord bless you and keep you and may he make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you...

His,
Eric