Walking one day in conversation with the Lord I said, ""I want to be used to hear from You in behalf of others - to give them great hope, purpose and direction."

The Spirit's response, ""Yes, and so you shall - but first you must learn to take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ. You must learn to see them through His eyes and not your own. You must not look at them with critical eyes that see weakness, but through 'Genesis eyes' that see past the present into their tomorrow. A critical spirit will short-circuit the flow of blessing into their lives. You must take captive every thought."

"'Yes, I understand..." I said somewhat apologetically. "'But HOW do I take captive every thought? It seems they fly out of my mind before I've had a chance to even perceive what's happening. What do I DO with those things? Give me a picture ... something to 'grab hold of' so that I can gain control over such thoughts not of You."

(Vision) - I then saw in spirit the outside arena of a rodeo in Colorado, much like the one we had visited in Estes Park, Colorado, two summers ago. I saw the shoot where black calves, one at a time, were released from - as the cowboys waited in anticipation on their alert horses. As the buzzer went off, the 'gate' opened, and the black calf sped out, followed closely by a well-trained horse and rider intent on lassoing it as quickly as possible. I saw the cowboy throw the rope over the neck of the calf. I saw the horse break to a halt. I saw the cowboy run over to the calf, throw it to the ground, then quickly bind a cord about its feet. Successful, the cowboy then stood up, threw his hands into the air, and the crowd applauded in the grandstands.

The Spirit then said, "'This is how you master your thoughts; it's much like calf-roping. Horse and rider are alert, watching when the black calf (renegade thought) is about to plunge through the gate. There will come a time, however, when the thoughts will not even have a chance to leave the gate. You will sense when they are about to spring forward and will keep the gate shut."

He then continued, "'You are the rider on the horse; the horse represents My power which carries you forward in a strength not your own. I am your strength, and I am your discernment. I am your conscience within and He who stands at attention at the "gates of your soul.' You are simply along for the "ride." Picture this, however, and it will help you. You are the one who must initiate obedience. You are the one who must "throw the rope' out in determination to take captive every rogue thought. But then, as obedience is seen, it is I who will finish the "contest' of your faith with and for you. I am the breaking power of the horse. I am He in you who then 'tackles' that calf and brings it down to the ground, fettering it with the cords of overcoming faith. And the grandstands? They are those who cheer you on, the great cloud of witnesses that surround you...for they, too, learned the same lessons of soul."

Amazed, at the picture of victory over one's thought-life that He'd just given me, I walked on, feeling much stronger, empowered, inside.

Then He said, ""It will take some work, but you will master this course also in The School of Overcomers. It is called, 'Taking Captive Every Thought,' and I will tutor you well."

(June 6, 2002)

I found myself thinking of all the details that constantly need my attention ... the constant planning for the next special event,, - service,, etc. Tomorrow, a trip to Iowa and Minnesota ... then the "'Father's Day" rush upon returning. ""Does life ever slow down?" I wondered.

I then heard the Spirit say, "Enjoy this moment." He asked, "'Are you at peace?" (Yes, I was driving around doing my route on a perfectly perfect day.) "Are you not enjoying the fellowship of My Spirit?" (Yes, I was - He had guided, blessed and directed me already that day.) "Are not things fine right now?" ("Yes," I answered.)

"Then," He said, "live in THIS moment ... enjoy NOW. Enjoy the health of your body. Enjoy the sights around you..." (While near the airport three of "my" fighter jets took off, going almost vertical, wow. I believe He staged it just for me! What strength I always receive just watching them fly.)

He continued, "Enjoy the breeze, the cool of the day, the formation of the clouds in the sky, driving a vehicle that runs well ... enjoy THIS moment...for in the blink of an eye, it will have passed."

"When your mind constantly reaches into the future, you find little rest. Your "wonderings" are

"wanderings" away from the truth and richness of the present moment. Yes, I give dreams and

visions of your tomorrows ... but only to encourage you with your TODAYS. Your

I believe the gift of His peace will be all the more realized as each of us focus on what He is giving us from His hand during the various moments of each day ... when we stop, for just a moment to thank Him ... for that moment. A rich life is made up of thousands of rich MOMENTS. "Thank you, Lord, for THIS MOMENT in time."

(A moments make up minutes ... a special "moment" can last anywhere from several seconds to several minutes. Make the most of YOUR moments ... they were planned from the foundation of the world, especially for you,, by your Father, Creator God.)

-Psalm 40:5 - "Many, 0 Lord my God, are the wonders You have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount them to You; were I to speak of them, they would be too many to declare."

twh5@msn.com