Inner Workings

Summer of Love Tour w/TheCause

2007-07-25T12:48:00.001-07:00

Watch Video Updates from the Tour!
Click Here. No fee, but you will need to register. They're AWESOME!

Highlights from TheCall Nashville

2007-07-23T14:21:00.003-07:00

20,000 Join in Repentance Walk down Church Street
Lou Engle gives the Trumpet Call (Joel 2:15-17) and Ricky Skaggs Blows the Shofar
Senator Sam Brownback & Bishop Harry Jackson lead in Repentance

Silent Prayer for the Unborn: 70,000 wearing LIFE tape
3 Couples were married at TheCall - this is Sarah & Jordan (I was the Wedding Planner :)
Christa Black Gifford plays with Michael W. Smith after her wedding to Lucas Gifford!
Releasing the Sound - 300 Shofar Players Lead the Crowd in lifting a Shout to the Lord! It Rocked!

LP Field on 07.07.07

2007-07-17T13:53:00.001-07:00

70,000+ Gather for National Repentance

TheCall Nashville

2007-07-13T11:40:00.001-07:00

TheCall was AMAZING!!!! I hope you were able to come. 70,000+ joined us for a 12-hour solemn assembly at Titan's stadium in Nashville on 07.07.07 to fast, pray, and seek the Lord for a great turning in our nation. Here's a great video report by CBN - Thousands Converge on Nashville to Pray

I was busy with logistics and admin for most of the morning and well into the afternoon...making sure worship leaders/speakers got into the stadium and to the right place, helping solve issues that came up, coordinating weddings...it was fun :)

After the weddings, I was able to mostly be in the event, worship and pray, and seek the Lord. It was phenomenal! Highlights were definitely the weddings (including renewing covenant with the Lord) and the 300 shofar players (Gideon's Army and releasing the new sound).

God did so much in my heart and in the hearts of so many people; I know it will take quite some time to process it all. I believe something shifted that day over Nashville and that we will see the results of our prayers in that city for days, months, and years to come.

May God hear from heaven, forgive our sin, and heal our land! (2 Chron 7:14)

You know...

2007-06-26T16:20:00.000-07:00

You know it's hot when someone asks if you just came back from the gym or the office...

You know it's only 11 days till TheCall when you receive 64 e-mails and send 71...

You know it's July in South Carolina when you see fireworks out your kitchen window and aren't surprised... :)

It's countdown time to TheCall 07.07.07! We are all so excited about this historic day and all that God is going to do. Hope to see you there!

Just want to say I am grateful for the new portable air conditioner recently added to my office...but it's hard to beat 90 degree weather and 75% humidity...I guess I do come home looking a little wilted :)

By the way, I turn 26 this July 4th in case you were wondering :)

We're going LIVE!

2007-05-26T07:36:00.000-07:00

Today is a big day! It is day 1 of our 2-day conference and tonight we will broadcast LIVE on God TV. We are calling this a "PrayerCast" to launch our 40 Day fast leading up to TheCall Nashville. Lou Engle, Dutch Sheets, Will Ford, and Rick Joyner are with us here in Fort Mill, SC, and 5 other cities will join us via satellite. The PrayerCast will be broadcast tonight from 8-10PM Eastern Time. Log onto God.tv, put your mouse on the word Programming on the top bar, and click Watch Now! Following tonight, God TV and other networks will air the recording for the 40 Days leading up to TheCall. Please pray...the PrayerCast is a big logistical undertaking!
Love,
Angela

Record Day!

2007-05-12T13:37:00.000-07:00

Over the past 3 weeks I have traveled to 2 different weddings of friends in KC, Brent & KJ and Brian & Grace, both beautiful, both wonderful. I've also been 3 days in OKC visiting my family :) Loved biking with my bro, having tea with Aunt Elaina, dinner with Aunt Louise, Wal-Mart runs with Dad, movie time with Mom :) Love you all & miss you.

Once I was back in the office, it was full steam ahead. TheCall is less than 2 months away!!! We've got the PrayerCast in 2 weeks, including the Launch of the Summer of Real Love tour, and everyone leaves here to pray in Nashville in just a month! BUSY!

So I counted yesterday, and I believe it was my busiest e-mail day ever...I received 35 e-mails and sent 84!!!!!!!!!! Now that's alot of electronic mail!

Please pray for our team as we prepare for this historic event, including everything leading up to it...PreCalls, PrayerCast, 40 Days of Prayer & Fasting, preparing for the tour...there's alot to do but the Lord's grace is sufficient. Thank you for your prayers!

2007-04-06T11:12:00.000-07:00

Hi Friends,
Happy Easter Weekend!
Mom recently visited me in South Carolina. Here is a picture of our trip to Charleston. This is at the lighthouse at Folly Beach. I love the Beach!
Love & Blessings!

2007-03-03T11:56:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,
Thank you for your patience and your faithfulness! I've had things to post lately, but I always want to include a picture...not having a digital camera makes this a little difficult!

Things have been pretty busy in preparation for theCall (new website coming soon)! I've been traveling quite a bit on the weekends. I've taken two weekend retreats to Moravian Falls, NC, a beautiful, peaceful place in the foothills of the Brushy Mountains where our friends are pioneering a contemplative prayer community. The land was settled by the Moravians in the 1700's and then dedicated to Jesus. It is an incredible place of rest and peace.

Last week I was in Redding, CA, visiting my friends at Bethel Church. I attended a conference there, went to some school of ministry classes, and got to attend different meetings at the church. I have heard incredible things about this church and city over the years and was so privileged to get to spend time there. I was also so welcomed and honored while there. Thank you to all my friends there, old and new!

Today I'm going with some friends to see Amazing Grace, the William Wilberforce movie. I've heard great things about it and am looking forward to what it holds!

Much Love and Many Blessings!
Angela

Here's Rhonda!

2007-01-24T20:05:00.000-08:00

Monday, January 22, 2007, was the 34th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Our team was there on Capitol Hill along with over 100,000 people for the March for Life. Interesting to note that the press reported it was mostly teenagers...

This is Rhonda. She joined us last fall. This is her wearing LIFE tape and worshiping outside the Supreme Court (Capitol building in the background). I didn't make it on this trip but was up to DC a few weeks ago. I love standing in that place.

Conference Pics

2007-01-19T19:21:00.000-08:00

Here are some shots from the conference:

Jason Upton ministering on Sunday night...

A view of the newly restored "MainStreet" - meals were served here and "Whoville Academy" Kids Ministry was in one of the store fronts. Isn't it beautiful!?!

Relaunching TheCall

2007-01-15T16:19:00.000-08:00

Many of you know I have begun working for TheCall. TheCall began in 2000 when 400,000 people gathered on the Mall in Washington, DC, to pray for our nation. TheCall is being rebirthed this year (by TheCause) with a gathering in Nashville on 07.07.07. It's the perfect time.

This weekend we put on TheCall Relaunch conference here in Fort Mill, SC. It was our first conference held at MorningStar Ministries, and it was wonderful. I have coordinated 3 major conferences for TheCause and this one was the most organized and well run. Thank you to the MorningStar staff for all their help and everyone from TheCause for all their hard work.

There is still so much to process after everything that happened and everything spoken this weekend. I have this great affection in my heart and gratefulness to God for all of the speakers for this conference. They are true fathers and mothers to us and are so faithful to the Word of God and to what He is speaking and doing now in the earth.

I am also so grateful for each of our worship leaders and how they usher us into the presence of God. Each of them, in their own unique and anointed way, reveal to us different aspects of God's nature. It is a beautiful thing. Oh, for the day we will worship Him forever.

God continues to speak of the importance of this day (07.07.07) and gathering in Nashville. Dutch Sheets spoke to us on "7" being the number of covenant and God inviting us to recovenant ourselves to Him this year. These next 6 months are months of preparation and separating ourselves to God. God, give us grace to divorce things not of You and give ourselves fully to You.

Happy New Year!

2007-01-01T10:23:00.000-08:00

The last three days I've been at the Ramp with some of my best friends as well as about 1300 youth. Lou Engle, Dutch Sheets, Karen Wheaton, and Damon Thompson spoke to us some incredible revelation on this generation and the significance of 2007. It was definitely worth being in a car for 20 hours to be there!

At the pinnacle of importance this year is TheCall Nashville. On 07.07.07 we will gather at the Titan's Stadium in Nashville to cry out to God in repentance on behalf of our nation. We are asking for a great youth revival to once again sweep the nation. I believe this day will go down in history. Visit our website and make all necessary preparations to be there.

Happy New Year to you all. May it be one of blessing for you and your family and may we see America turn back to God.

ChristmasTime

2006-12-24T16:28:00.000-08:00

In the Baumgardner world, Christmas means cousins. It may be only once a year that I see them all (which is too little), but I always look forward to seeing them at Christmas.

I love how 6-year-old girl Bailey asked this Christmas if she and I were family. I said, yes, we're cousins. Later she explained that we were both right-handed and right-footed because we were cousins. :)

This year "Grandma" got all the little cousins towel-animals.

We asked each of the boys what they were.

Owen said...Lion
Joel said...Penguin
Jonah said...Towel

It's a Foggy Day

2006-12-14T10:45:00.000-08:00

There's a thick fog in Fort Mill this morning. I've already thought twice today that it was snowing!!! I'm thinking this fog may be the closest thing I get to a White Christmas in the Carolinas. :)

Tomorrow I head home for Christmas. I look forward to being with my family for the holidays and visiting friends back home. I also get to do those annual things like go to the eye doctor, the dentist, and get my hair cut (well, I do that twice a year;).

Then I go to the Ramp for New Year's where Lou will be speaking and I'll get to see lots of my friends from Alabama. Merry Christmas to all!!!

Beautiful Day

2006-12-04T17:11:00.001-08:00

2 Wonderful pieces of News today:

the Announcement of the adoption of Jadyn Annabelle Wheelis (click picture then click "Meet Jadyn")

& the Announcement of Senator Brownback's bid for President! (click banner)

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas?

2006-12-01T20:25:00.000-08:00

It's starting to pop up everywhere...twinkle lights, Christmas tree lots, even stockings hung over our flip-a-switch fireplace. But something's missing...where's the snow?

We've had 70 degree weather in the Carolinas for almost a week. And yesterday's LOW?...63! There's something wrong when I need air conditioning on December 1st!

Despite the incongruous holiday weather patterns, there has truly been something special about spending this season with my Cause family in South Carolina. There's a feeling of warmth and safety and family here like I've never known. I'm grateful that the Lord has placed me here.

In fact, I officially became a Fort Mill, SC, resident today! I got both my South Carolina Driver's License and new South Carolina cell phone # in one day...and it wasn't even planned. :)

So I hope the weather's nice where you are and I hope we do get snow once this season!

LIFE Jeep

2006-11-19T10:41:00.000-08:00

This is my Jeep. It came to my attention last week (when talking to my brother who forgot I had a Jeep) that not every one knows about my Jeep. It's a 1991 Jeep Cherokee Laredo and we call it the LIFE Jeep. A year ago last July a woman from Maryland called wanting to donate her Jeep to the Cause. She was so excited that it was "RED, for the blood." She went on to say that she had been involved in pro-life work and had hauled posters around in the trunk. Well, now I am home from South Dakota and am glad to be driving around my LIFE Jeep again. I even hauled some Bound4LIFE banners around in it for a conference a couple weeks ago. :)

Face of the Pro-LIFE Movement

2006-11-09T10:05:00.000-08:00

The Supreme Court began hearings of a partial-birth abortion case yesterday, the day after the elections. As soon as our newest interns completed their 21-days of prayer and fasting for the elections in Fort Mill, they drove through the night to stand at the Supreme Court beginning at 7AM.

Our very own Brooke Amabile, whose family I moved to DC with in January of '05, is featured on this CNN article and this Yahoo News article on the abortion ban. It's been 2 years since we began our stand at the Supreme Court with LIFE tape. The movement has spread and the LIFE tape is gaining momentum across the country. I love when people say, "Oh, you're the tape people!"

Today is my last day in South Dakota. I fly back to Charlotte tomorrow morning. Our team is busily packing up our Sioux Falls office...getting ready to send everything back home. I will miss the wonderful people of South Dakota and fighting this battle with them.

Here's a pic of me and the Amabile girls (except Allie) at Mount Rushmore...Andrea, Brooke, and Hannah.

In Response

2006-11-08T07:23:00.000-08:00

I have a few things to share today. The final report in South Dakota is 44% (148,664 votes) for LIFE and 56% (185,934 votes) against.

In response to all the prayer we have sown in this state, I believe Isaiah 55: 10-11 is true:

“ For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,
And do not return there,
But water the earth,
And make it bring forth and bud,
That it may give seed to the sower
And bread to the eater,
So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."

In response to other elections, 1 Timothy 2 is as true as ever and remains our mandate:

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.

Election Day

2006-11-07T12:46:00.000-08:00

Well, we just got back from our last siege at Planned Parenthood. Standing out there, I was struck that this could be the LAST DAY this abortion clinic is open. This could be the LAST DAY of abortions in South Dakota. This could be the LAST DAY that the shedding of innocent blood is legal in this state.

Over the past 3 months as we've been standing here for LIFE, a day care has moved in next door to the Planned Parenthood and we've watched a HUGE playground be built right outside. Today as we walked up to stand on the wall, we were delighted to see children playing on the playground! What a testimony of LIFE next to this clinic of death.

Today is a remarkably warm November Day in South Dakota. With a high of 70 degrees and beautiful sunny weather, there is no excuse for people to not get out and vote.

I love this scripture my friend Salli shared because it reflects the confidence I have in my heart right now towards God's victory: "By awesome deeds in righteousness You will answer us, O God of our salvation, You who are the confidence of all the ends of the earth." Psalm 65:5

Final Days

2006-11-04T21:16:00.000-08:00

We had an incredible time at the Silent Siege today with upwards of 200 people on the wall. Teams from IHOP, YWAM, and Virginia are here to join us in the last days of this battle for LIFE in South Dakota.

Please pray for our friend Tom Rooney. Tom suffered a small heart attack tonight and is going in for an angiogram. *click photo for news interview*

Tom is a significant and influential leader in the abortion battle here in South Dakota and has become a dear friend to us. We know that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Eph. 6:12). So please pray God's strength for the Rooney family and that the enemy's schemes will not prevail.

Fall Break

2006-10-23T20:06:00.000-07:00

Mom & Dad drove up from Oklahoma City to visit over the weekend. We drove out to Rapid City together to see some sights. Here are a couple of highlight photos.

Rain at Mount Rushmore

Snow in the Badlands

Thanks Mom & Dad for the visit! Love you much!

Have You Seen This?

2006-10-15T21:57:00.000-07:00

Scalia says Constitution silent on abortion

Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia in a debate today with the ACLU president said that "unelected judges have no place deciding politically charged questions when the Constitution is silent on those issues." He makes the point that "liberal judges in the past improperly established new political rights such as abortion." Note that he also warns, "Someday, you're going to get a very conservative Supreme Court and regret that approach." C'mon!

I believe Scalia is referring to the right to privacy used in deciding Roe v. Wade and legalizing abortion in America. It is interesting to note that the right to privacy is not mentioned in the Constitution but is taken from what is called the penumbra, or gray area of the Constitution.

I believe God is right now removing this gray area and revealing abortion as a black and white issue. The line is being drawn in the sand. In South Dakota, every person must pick a side. Will you vote Yes or No for Life?

Me & Amy

2006-10-14T21:20:00.000-07:00

This is my friend Amy. She's my roommate here in South Dakota. We'll be living together when we're back home in Fort Mill, too. She's great.

We're in Rapid City this weekend where we're holding some prayer gatherings. I'm encouraged to see all the pro-life signs in people's yards out here. The latest poll shows the state split 45% for life & 45% against. That means there's 10% undecided. Keep praying!!!

Love ya'll, Angela

Call to Prayer

2006-10-10T21:41:00.000-07:00

The Supreme Court announced today that they will not rehear Sandra Cano's case Doe v. Bolton (see Court rejects Roe v. Wade companion case). I remember standing outside that same Court in February '05 grieving when they also denied rehearing Norma McCorvey's case Roe v. Wade.

But I think the Washington Post nailed it on the head when they declared that now South Dakota Becomes Abortion Focal Point. All eyes are on South Dakota to see how this state will vote Nov. 7. The Post expects "Voters to Decide Fate of State Ban," but I would go further and say that it is the voice of the intercessor agreeing with heaven that will see the ban upheld.

It's not yet determined...let's pray!!!

Another Baby to Brighten Our World

2006-10-07T12:29:00.000-07:00

Stella Ray is here! Making her entrance yesterday, Oct. 6th, at 4PM, Stella weighed in at 5 lbs, 9 ozs and is 19 inches long. The first baby born to my good friends Brandon and Beki Grissom, Beautiful Stella was born at 34 weeks but wanted to come much sooner...

It's significant that Stella was born yesterday...the same day that Doe v. Bolton was reviewed again by the Supreme Court. Doe was the companion case to Roe v. Wade and removed the trimester limitations of abortion. Stella tried to be born much earlier than she was...even at a time in her life when she still could have been legally aborted.

Stella's birth and birthdate are a testimony of life. Stella Ray translates "Kingly Star." Like Queen Esther, another royal "Star", Stella was born for such a time as this! May her life bring light to many. Dear Stella, may you shine like a star in this universe, as you hold out the word of life.

Congratulations, Brandon and Beki. We love you, bless you, and are praying for you and your little star.

LifeSong

2006-10-05T11:56:00.000-07:00

I just finished reading The Scarlet Letter. Our team was inspired to read it based on a dream an intercessor had in South Dakota. In the dream, she was given the letter "A" and told, "You must put this on."

The dreamer says, I was stunned at seeing the letter and could only think of Hester in the novel, The Scarlet Letter. I felt a tinge of the shame and humiliation she had to bear in wearing the scarlet letter. I said, rather indignantly, "I can't put this on! What would people think? I've never committed adultery and I've certainly never had an abortion! And why is this letter red anyway?"

Then suddenly the letter unfolded (like paper doll cutouts) into three A's. The person said, "See the letters stand for Authority - Abolish - Abortion. Behold, I give you authority to trample over snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy." Again I tell you that you must put this on and take this new level of authority. The letters represent the blood of Jesus who paid the price for this authority to be released for the freedom of little souls. You must Arise in Authority to Abolish Abortion. "

It's an incredible dream and the story is incredibly significant to this battle we're in.

Yesterday, we left our office and I heard a song on the radio that stunned me. It's by a group called Casting Crowns on their latest album called - check this out - LifeSong! Here are the lyrics:

she is yearning

for shelter and affection

that she never found at home

she is searching

for a hero to ride in

to ride in and save the day

and in walks her prince charming

and he knows just what to say

momentary lapse of reason

and she gives herself away

if judgement looms under every steeple

if lofty glances from lofty people

can't see past her scarlet letter

and we never even met her

Wow. It's time for the church to bear the reproach, to welcome the outcast, to care for mothers, and to adopt babies.

Here she is!

2006-10-05T09:22:00.000-07:00

Savannah Zoe Bohlender is here and in Mother's arms!

For those of you who don't know Randy & Kelsey Bohlender's story, it's an incredible testimony of the goodness of God and redemption of life.

Bless you, Randy and Kelsey. Congratulations Jackson, Grayson, and Zion on your new baby sister.

Welcome, Zoe! You've got a great family.

When does life begin?

2006-10-03T20:54:00.000-07:00

President Bush & "snowflake baby"

Psalm 139:13-16

2006-10-03T19:30:00.000-07:00

For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
your eyes saw my unformed body.

All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be...

Mount Madison

2006-10-02T16:19:00.000-07:00

It's been said that when God wants to do something in a generation, He releases dreams.

This week Beth had a dream...

Matt Lockett writes, "Beth had a dream two days before where she saw a satelite view of the southeastern corner of South Dakota. She was above the Sioux Falls area with a Who (the Whos of Whoville characters from the Dr. Suess book Horton Hears a Who). They turned to the north, west and south as the Who shouted in its small voice, "South Dakota!" As those words were shouted in each of the directions, four mountains rose up from the landscape and towered over the state- two to the north, one to the west and one to the south. Beth isn't familiar with SD geography and had no idea of what the locations might be. I asked her if she could point on a map and show me where they were. I quickly scribbled with a highlighter without looking at each place she pointed. One of the spots was right on the town of Madison! She didn't even know that we were scheduled to minister there this weekend. Could it be that God is wanting to elevate the praying Church of Madison for the ending of abortion? "

Last night we ministered in Madison, SD. We had an incredible prayer meeting there with 5 of the 13 churches in the city. Near the end of our meeting, a local pastor got up and shared with us an incredible event...

He said that the city of Madison recently changed their motto from "In Touch with the World" to "Discover the Unexpected!!!" Could it be that a city and a church turn from trying to be relevant to tuning into what's on God's heart? Who would expect that out of South Dakota the nation would begin to be legislated? Could the whole world be saved by the smallest of all? ...

Don't Quit

2006-09-29T21:56:00.000-07:00

www.facingthegiants.com

The Time of Birthing

2006-09-29T20:52:00.000-07:00

Now that you've all seen our little Revival, let me brag on another sweet child that's come to grace our world. Here is William Hunter Hood.

Hunter was born September 5th at 10:39 weighing 7 pounds, 7 ounces and 20 inches long. Here is the entire Hood family...Tommy, Lindsay, Hope, and Hunter. Bless you all!!!

I find it very significant these babies were born in September. I recently read on Cindy Jacobs' website, "September is the ninth month and time for birthing. Labor will begin at the fourth and be over by the twenty-second." How interesting that Hunter was born on the 5th and Revival on the 21st...both in the month of birthing.

We also had a very intense time of laboring in intercession during our 21-days that began the night of the 21st and was over by dawn on the 22nd. Interestingly enough, the 22nd was also the Jewish New Year. I pray our 21-day fast birthed something in the Spirit in South Dakota and that, because of our prayers, LIFE and not death will prevail in this state.

Revival is here!

2006-09-26T20:09:00.000-07:00

Welcome Revival Israel!!!

Revival was born in South Carolina this past week. My dear friends Carla & Brandon Thompson birthed this beautiful little girl on 9/21/06 at 9:22 AM. She was 7.1 ounces, 19.75 inches long.

Carla was in 43 hours of labor in this home birth. Little Revival was born with her umbilical cord around her neck and was having trouble breathing, but surrounded by the prayers of the saints she came through.

Before we knew Carla was in labor, we were in Rapid City, SD, with Eddie James singing "Revival Fire is coming down, coming down, coming down!" and "Your sons and daughters shall be saved." During the service, we got news of the birthing and the place went crazy! Everyone jumping, dancing, rejoicing. Even the balcony was shaking! Our songs were intercession for this little one.

Isn't she beautiful?!?!

Wounded Knee

2006-09-20T15:58:00.000-07:00

It was a 14-vehicle line up on our way to Wounded Knee yesterday. I counted 11 different state license plates...South Carolina, North Carolina, South Dakota, Illinois, Missouri, Maryland, Texas, California, Massachusettes, Nebraska, and Wisconsin! Now you see why it's so hard to answer when people ask where we're from!

The good news is our bus has returned! After repair work in New Mexico and Colorado, our Red Rider bus was driven by our newlyweds JJ & Carolyn to meet us here in South Dakota. Now we can continue our 24/7 prayer on the bus as we travel city-to-city.

Our time at Wounded Knee was powerful. We prayed there, took communion, and sang over the land where horrible atrocities took place. It is still a wounded place in our nation and for the Native Americans.

A Native pastor met us there and shared something very significant with us. He said when the SD governor passed HB1215 to outlaw abortion, the Oglala Sioux President stated that she would set up an abortion clinic on the reservation because the reservation is not under the US government.

After her declaration, the tribal council impeached her and voted UNANIMOUSLY to outlaw abortion on the reservation! We learned a common Native phrase that means, "Children are Sacred." Amazingly, there was a pro-choice man on the tribal council. He thought that women should have a choice, but then he thought of the children and said, "Who's speaking for them???"

How significant that the First Nations people are the First Nation to declare and write into law that Children are Sacred. May this set a precedent for the state of South Dakota, for the nation, and for the world.

Winds a' Blowin

2006-09-18T22:24:00.000-07:00

We've spent our last week in Pierre, SD, the capitol of this great state and home to 14,000 people. I've had zero cell phone service and finally got wireless when I walked outside and stood in a certain spot.

Pierre officially welcomed home South Dakota's Vietnam Veterans this past weekend. The city tripled in size as 32,000 people joined in the celebration! We helped to pass out water at Saturday's parade. See how Matt Lockett links this significant event to our being here.

Another interesting event of the week is how the winds started blowing and didn't stop! Our fair weather turned chilling and wind-whipping overnight. You won't believe this but the 20+mph winds yesterday BLEW OUR TENT DOWN!!!

We had already decided to move into the sanctuary because the rain had made the tent so muddy, so no one was in the tent. But it was all hands on deck to pull out our sound equipment and instruments before the whole thing came down.

It was quite a sight to see...one whole side of the 60' x 180' tent and stakes lifting up 6' in the air and coming down again. Wish you could've seen it.

By the way, unlike you learned in grade school, Pierre is pronounced "peer." Don't let a local catch you saying it wrong!

This is Incredible!

2006-09-17T22:42:00.000-07:00

See this article from the Washington Post...President Bush prophesies a Third Great Awakening!!!

Movin' On

2006-09-11T20:47:00.000-07:00

I'm sitting on the couch at Denny & Loretta's house in Sioux Falls. This has become my new home this past month, and it really feels like home! I should be packing right now since we leave for Pierre in the morning. I'm still sitting here either because I don't really want to go or my stuff just seems all over the place...maybe both.

Sioux Falls has become our new home. As a few of us drove last night to Dalesburg Baptist to preach out in the middle of the cornfields, we were all saying how much we love South Dakota. We really have fallen in love with this state and the wonderful people here. We have been welcomed with open arms and learned life can move a little slower, a little friendlier, and people enjoyed so much more.

To give you a brief overview, the tent meetings were awesome. Eddie James and his team drove out to be with us for two weeks. Saturday night the Lord breathed on his new song in which we sing "Your sons and daughters shall be saved." It has become our new declaration over South Dakota. South Dakota, Your sons and daughters shall be saved.

During LifeLight, a Native American woman presented to Lou 5 smooth stones to fight giants in South Dakota. This was very significant because we believe we are fighting the giant of abortion and one of our common sayings is "Giants were meant to fall." Only a few days later, a Native American pastor transferred to Matt dirt from South Dakota. He said he was transferring spiritual authority over South Dakota to Bound4LIFE!

We did have some cops stop at our tent to check the decibel level, but they were very friendly and helpful. Even when I went to pull the permit for our silent prayer siege at the abortion clinic, the traffic sergeant I was working with said he saw our nightline video at church the week before! We've had great favor in South Dakota. Pray for us as we go on to the state capitol Pierre.

This state is rockin'!

2006-09-08T22:23:00.000-07:00

It's been a week since LifeLight began and the prayer hasn't stopped since!
So much has been going on...the tent, prayer sieges, cops, dirt, stones, firestarters...I guess there's alot I need to fill you in on!
Until I get to that, go here for updates. :)
Blessings

Who's 4 LIFE

2006-09-02T13:06:00.000-07:00

Nearly 18 months ago, one of our young people received a dream in which she was in an attic where there was a series of children's books that were needed for the future. Outside the building where the books were stored was a large sign that read, "The Who."

The next day after hearing this dream, our founder Lou Engle, received an e-mail about the book Horton Hears a Who and how it relates to the abortion issue. The story is about how Horton the Elephant rescues the tiny Who's, so small they can't even be seen, by declaring, "A Person is a Person No Matter How Small."

It quickly became clear that this book and its successor Horton Hatches an Egg (about the spirit of adoption) were key in this movement for LIFE. We even hosted a "Who" Children's Conference last October in which hundreds of kids came to pray for the ending of abortion.

Lou received further revelation of "the Who's" yesterday in our prayer tent at LifeLight. As you know, we've come to pray in this state because it is the first to pass a bill that outlaws abortion, a bill that must still be approved by popular vote. We have marveled that there are only 775,000 people who live in the state of South Dakota - that's the population of Indianapolis alone. South Dakota is ranked 46th in population.

Yesterday as we prayed for the babies, Lou came up to the microphone and said, South Dakota is the Who! South Dakota is the Who! For the last line of the book declares, "and the whole world was saved by the smallest of all."

South Dakota, though you are small, you are highly esteemed by God on High. You are important, valuable, and critical in this battle. Thank you for standing strong. Thank you for taking a stand for LIFE. Who knows...maybe the world will be saved by the smallest of all.

2006-08-30T21:03:00.000-07:00

Only 36 hours left till LifeLight.

Beginning Friday morning, upwards of a quarter of a million people will converge on 160 acres for the largest Christian music festival in the nation.

Tomorrow, on the same grounds, we will set up the stage and sound system for our Prayer Tent where we will begin worship and intercession every morning at 10AM and not stop until we have to.

A lot has gone into this event – prayers, logistics, mobilization, planning. On my end it’s been mostly finding out who of our team is coming and getting things ready. We have over 100 Cause people coming in to pray for LIFE in South Dakota! Who knew that the most inconspicuous state would become center stage in this battle?

Our friends are coming in from San Francisco, DC, Orlando, Charlotte, Kansas City, Dallas, Phoenix, and Colorado Springs! About 20 got in tonight and there was much celebration. :) I’m looking forward to everyone getting here. There’s something special and significant that happens when our covenant community comes together.

This weekend we’re believing for thousands of young people to be awakened to the significance of their prayers and that a state would sway towards LIFE.

Come, Lord Jesus!

King of Kings

2006-08-26T14:03:00.000-07:00

I took the picture of this lion at the San Diego Wild Animal Park. Being so near this majestic animal gave me chills. One little kid was so overcome at the sight of the lion that he kept squealing over and over, the Lion is King! the Lion is King! the Lion is King!

I'm puzzled when people excuse themselves from getting involved in the LIFE movement based on the notion of separation of church and state. How could we separate God from government when Jesus is the KING OF KINGS and LORD OF LORDS?!?!?! He is the creator of government, and of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end.

Our team has been discussing how this battle is more a spiritual one than a political one. We can lobby and debate and campaign all day, but the real weapons of our warfare are prayer and fasting.

The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes. I am convinced that the seat of government is the place of prayer. We are called to bring the Kindom of God to earth. We might as well get started for He is coming back to rule the planet forever.

Yes, the Lion is King, and He rules over all.

Thy Kingdom Come, Lord. Thy Will Be Done.

Yes on 6

2006-08-23T19:26:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was praying through the 10 Commandments and was struck when I got to #6 - Thou Shalt Not Kill. This is so foundational in the Word of God - to respect LIFE.

But what struck me is that it's the 6th Commandment - It's the 6th Law. And on the ballot, the South Dakota abortion ban is labeled as Referred Law 6. The vote is on Referred Law 6. South Dakotans are literally voting to uphold the law of God.

God's 6th Law - Thou Shalt Not Kill.

C'mon South Dakota - Vote Yes on 6.

The Red Riders are Coming!!!

2006-08-22T07:59:00.000-07:00

Only 10 Days until the LifeLight Festival here in Sioux Falls where Bound4LIFE will host worship and prayer 12 hours a day. I've been in touch these past 2 days with our Red Rider teams who are now spread across the country. We will all be converging in South Dakota in September to pray for the abortion ban.

I'm so excited about this ban because South Dakota can set a precedent for all other states. This is what we've been praying for these past 22 months as we hold "silent sieges." God is moving and things are shifting and it's now the Church's opportunity to stand up and let it's voice be heard in heaven and on earth.

The picture is from our Red Rider Tour in California last month. That's us worshiping atop Mt. Helix, a high place in San Diego. I'm looking forward to all my friends coming together again to pray for the destiny of a nation.

Building a Wall

2006-08-19T22:30:00.000-07:00

Ezekiel 22:30
So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.

Today 100 people made a wall...between Planned Parenthood of Sioux Falls, SD (the ONLY abortion clinic in the state) and Roosevelt High School across the street...interceding for the life of the unborn and praying that God would have mercy on this state and that the shedding of innocent blood would cease.

Our primary mandate to be here as Bound4LIFE is to fast and pray for the ending of abortion. We had a prayer meeting tonight, and our main cry was that God would awaken intercessors across this state. It feels good to be in South Dakota. It is clear there are intercessors here that have been praying for years...and God is answering. What they have sown in tears they will soon reap with joy. Psalm 126:5-6

Victory!

2006-08-17T19:38:00.000-07:00

The Lord is good.

Two abortion clinics in Orlando have been closed and the medical license of their owner suspended.

One year ago this week, a small Bound4LIFE team led a silent siege at this abortionist's main clinic in Orlando. A local House of Prayer has continued it weekly to this date. Today, its doors are closed "indefinitely."

The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

Wild Water West

2006-08-16T20:41:00.000-07:00

Today was my first full day in South Dakota. I love it.

It was also Miss Taylor Lockett's 12th Birthday.

Taylor, Matt's oldest daugher, had only one request on her birthday - that no one worked.

So we let the cell phones ring and headed off to Wild Water West Water Park (say that 10 times fast!). My favorite part was sliding down their 65-foot water slide and seeing cows grazing in the neighboring field! Only in South Dakota. :)

The Water Park is also home to the LifeLight Festival in September where Bound4LIFE will fuel a prayer tent and release the LIFE message to upwards of 300,000 people!

As last Saturday's local news indicated, we are already impacting the state.

2006-08-09T12:24:00.000-07:00

I've now officially joined the world of bloggers. I remember when I first heard the word...blogger. All the young teeny-bobbers seemed to know what it meant. I, on the other hand, felt old...well, not really.

My young friends explained to me that it's a web log...or, blog. cute.

I've restrained from jumping on the band wagon due to various reasons...time restraints, too much work, but mainly I wasn't sure how I felt about revealing the inner workings of my heart to a world of people I'd probably not even met.

Well, I named my blog Inner Workings, not because I will reveal all the thoughts of my heart on the internet, but because that's how I feel right now...exposed. I've been pondering lately that it is good to let your heart be vulnerable and not in control all the time. However, please excuse me if I do not reveal the depths of my heart online. That's just going overboard on the vulnerability factor.

However, I have created this blog to keep all my friends and family updated on where the Lord is leading me and what is going on in my life. Those who have been in the loop know that I've lived in something like 5 different states in the last 3 years. It's tricky counting because every location seemed to be bordering another state. One common question I'm asked is do you live in North Carolina or South Carolina? I just try to stick with "the Carolinas."

Well, friends, this first post is to let you know I'm moving once again...not permanently, only temporarily... to South Dakota. Yes, South Dakota, who would've ever guessed?!?!?

The reason is that the South Dakota legislature passed a bill to ban abortion in the state. The Governor signed it into law. However, through a petition, it is now going up before a public vote November 7th. The South Dakota populace now gets the chance to decide if they want abortion legal in their state or not. This is historic.

I fly to Sioux Falls in 5.5 days to join other Bound4LIFE team members in establishing an office and mobilizing SD for the Vote! http://www.bound4life.com

The purpose of this blog is to keep you, my friends, up to date on the battle for LIFE.

more to come...

love you all