Brandon Neil Richards

Not long ago during a time of prayer and fasting I awoke with Europe and Russia heavily upon my heart and mind. I believe the Holy Spirit impressed upon me to pray for a move of God in Europe. I heard "It will begin in Eastern Europe and sweep into Russia." I was then led to make that my declaration as if it is happening now.

Not many days later, still on my fast I had this dream.

I was with my older brother and we were traveling somewhere to play music and I looked over and saw a tornado forming, and began to point it out but no one would even look (there were other people in the vehicle with us).

We arrived in what I remember to be some sort of outdoor camping area that had an outdoor, covered stage. The swirling clouds moved right over top of us and as I was staring at them with my brother. And while we were watching, a helicopter flew into the sky we were viewing and it was hovering and moving very slow- as if it was searching for something. Then suddenly, there was another that zoomed through really fast. The wind had blown it out of control, and trying to gain control it pulled back and it came flying backwards and it hit the helicopter that was going really slow.

They both crashed to the ground about 50 yards apart. I ran over to the first one, noticing the other one was demolished and no way a person could have lived. The one that was flying slow was still somewhat intact.

As I came up to the helicopter, I noticed the pilot was alive and unconscious. The other passenger was a man with dark skin and he was bleeding very badly and had his legs broken. I went to him and placed my left hand back behind his neck and my other across him and drew down close.

The man was trying to breath and speak. I asked him if he was knew Jesus. He heard but couldn't respond. Then I yelled, " Are you born again". He mouthed , "no". I asked Him if he'd like to be and he said "yes", and we prayed.

By that time the rescue personal had arrived and my brother came to me and he walked me back and said, "its going to be ok now".

Then I learned he was from Kazakhstan.

Then I heard the Holy Spirit speak to me in a voice that reminded me of my dad when he was very serious and insistent that I do exactly what He was saying, in other words- you better do it. "Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan."

Then suddenly, I was in a room and on my computer. I was text chatting over the Internet to one of the pastors at my church.

When I told him about the storm and the guy and all that had happened. The pastors dad, who is also a executive pastor, switched from text chat to audio chat. And he told me that God is marking them off for me.

Then I heard in the same voice again, "Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan."

Then I awoke.

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Its inevitable, as we humans recognize that our lives are out of control, unorganized, imbalanced, and ignorant we strive to bring wholeness to our lives by re-inventing and building upon the same ideas, the same principles which we have forsaken in our previous efforts.

This is not a slam on Apple, I think they make great and useful ‘tools’, yet I think the emergent Apple technology’s popularity and other ‘like’ technologies are symptomatic of the spiritual condition of mankind. Beginning with the coming of the iPod we were promised a single place to keep our songs, a place that fits our song into our lifestyle or in this case, “our pockets”. With the coming of the iPhone and iPad, now you can not only keep your songs with you, directions, libraries of knowledge, whatever you’re searching for is right at your fingertips.

We love to keep things close enough that should we need them, we can just pull it out and listen to it, and then whenever we're finished listening to it, we put it back into its place.

We love the idea that we can build our own playlist and “shuffle” it around as much as we want, at anytime we want and it appear “changed” and if we get tired of that or have another need, there's an app for that. It will meet all your needs.

We think our lives are defined by what we wear, how we talk, what we can accomplish and do. In fact, to many people we seem Human2.0™ because we appear to have everything under control. Should we become insecure, we only need to shuffle around our appearance, our speech, charge a new car, or just come out of the closet to feel more self-confident, more honest. The reality is, no matter how many times we shuffle or how many times we change or “accessorize” ourselves, underneath we’re still playing the same songs, the same lies that we are in control, our own saviors.

We think having these gadgets will make our lives easier, free up our time to spend more quality time with what we care about and if used properly they can. Yet, in all truthfulness… they consume us, never let us rest with the constant reminders of its calendar… its tasks… its mail. Webster defines “immoderate attachment or devotion to something” as Idolatry [ http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/idolatry ] and with that we have created idols, symbols of our self serving efforts to save ourselves.

What if we shut off our gadgets, and take them from our pockets? What if we took the time to really see who we are and meant to be? What if we could recognize that the smudges are there to show us how blind we are to ‘The Playlist’... to help us recognize our need to change the Song we listen to? We know we can’t do this ourselves, we only have a limited knowledge. We need someone outside the iPod to synchronize our lives with in order to change our song, we need a savior.

There are a lot of religions in the world, and various sects within them. I’m not talking about ‘religion’, I’m talking about the only Savior for our lives, the only one who can give us life and that is Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God. He is the only God, and the only way to peace, truth, life and know one can “synchronize” themselves with God but through Him. Not Buddha, not Muhammad, not Mary nor any other professed way to God… those are all man made, all idolatry, vanity and rely upon our efforts to save ourselves when we already know we can’t [ Proverbs 14:12, 1 Peter 2:24].

If you in all honesty realize that you are in need of Savior, the Bible states:

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life [ John 3:16 ]” and that “...whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” [ Romans 10:13 ]

It’s as simple as that, Salvation through Christ isn’t complicated as there is nothing more that you have to do but cry out to God and turn from your own way to His way and believe that He is the Son of God, that He died for our sins so we wouldn’t have to die in them, and then confess with your mouth that He is your Lord. If you’ve done this, then God will send the Holy Spirit to bear witness that you are now a child of God [ Romans 8:16 ], then I encourage you to begin “synchronizing” with God through reading the Bible, “The Message Bible, The New International Version, and The Amplified” are great versions and easy to understand. Another way to “synchronize” is to pray and just talk with God, find a church and get connected with other Christian people.

Lastly, if have questions or you’ve made a decision to follow Jesus today, I’d love to hear about it. Leave a comment below.

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The man who helped Jesus carry His cross. I wonder the conversation that might have taken place that we are unaware of; or even if there was a conversation of words at all, but instead just a glimpse of His beaten eyes and countenance-- that we "just know" the direction to go and walk-- in the direction that the mocking pushes us, the direction the beatings make us stumble toward, the direction that shoves us along the path of our lives which lead ultimately to the cross and death.

I wonder how many times that man was hit with punches, spat upon, and hit with stones aimed for Jesus.

I wonder how that must’ve changed His life when finally he reached the mount and Christ was lifted up. In the same way this man must’ve realized that when it was finished, he helped crucify the Lord and was once part of the crowd but now chosen to stand and join Him in the path of His sufferings.

I wonder how his friends that saw him must’ve reacted and what his words were in reply. Did he seize the opportunity to reply with what he gained from Christ during that walk or did he respond in ridicule and just join in with their mocking. I feel like that is why we don’t see many disciples, because few have walked with Him truly, few have a limp themselves and instead of walking and enduring with Christ they stand along the side and become one with the crowd and they become silent and afraid to speak for they too might suffer along with Him.

I find myself now still stumbling along, not clearly seeing the way; not having direction but that walking forward to the place of death His lamp shines before me giving me enough direction to see another step. His light reveals that I’m not “all that” but one chosen to carry my cross in His path. The jeering, the mocking, the suffering I see and feel and even when I’ve often stumbled the wrong way from the blows and decisions I’ve made. Even then, I turn and re-see His suffering and know the worth I’ve gained from it because He gave it all for me. Its because of this I can stay on the path, return even, and go it alone even if no “person” is pouring into my life, what He’s poured into me I can pour out to others. I think that’s what happened with Peter and John in [ Acts 3 ] when they encountered the lame man. They weren’t rich in money, they most likely only knew they were going to do what they knew to do at that point in their lives, pray. And on the way, this man cried out for gold and silver, which would’ve only satisfied him temporarily- yet Peter, being a denier, observer throughout Christ’s sufferings, knew what he had been given, he knew that thing God deposited in Him, so he poured out and into the lame man. Likewise, I believe there are a lot of lame people in the church that need to be picked up and realize what they’ve been given- someone desperately needs it.

I know where I’ve been and where I’ve come from and I remember that my sin held Him to the cross, not at my hands, but from His love that flowed along that road for all to see. I think its time for people to quit begging for things they don’t need and use what they have already been given. It’s time for others who use the word christian as a buzzword to get up, quit being “the lame man” at the temple. Either be a disciple or get out of the way and back into the crowds, its time for Christ to come through and show us the way.

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I recently read about a national prayer gathering and it really made me think about our motivations in prayer. Why do we pray? Why do we go to God in prayer? Are we moved by fear or by faith to pray?

Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please  and  be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly  and  diligently seek Him [out].

There's nothing I can think of that is more exciting than praying and encountering God. Whether its for just knowing Him better or form a hedge around a prayer target and intercede for a person, country and watch God answer. What would life be like without being able to go into prayer and hear the Lord for ourselves. A prayer initiative, a movement for the country, this is good, this is right. Let's encourage that!

I would like to address something I believe is important to this initiative, though it isn't 'my movement' - yet if I'm the Christian I should be, then it should just naturally be an ever growing movement, in participation with the Holy Spirit, reflected in the daily prayer time. Coming together to agree in faith and not for fear should be our motivation. God is pleased by faith, not fear.

Some scripture to consider:

Scriptural prophecy is distinct and clear in its purpose.

2 Peter 1:20-21
20 [Yet] first [you must] understand this, that no prophecy of Scripture is [a matter] of any personal or private or special interpretation (loosening, solving).
21  For no prophecy ever originated because some man willed it [to do so--it never came by human impulse], but men spoke from God who were borne along (moved and impelled) by the Holy Spirit.

Test and Prove and keep the good.

1 Thessalonians 5:19
19  Do not quench (suppress or subdue) the [Holy] Spirit;
20  Do not spurn the gifts and utterances of the prophets [do not depreciate prophetic revelations nor despise inspired instruction or exhortation or warning].
21  But test and prove all things [until you can recognize] what is good; [to that] hold fast.

Scriptural prophecy all point to Jesus the Messiah's plan of redemption for all nations to win them to the faith.

Romans 16: 25-26
25  Now to Him Who is able to strengthen you in the faith which is in accordance with my Gospel and the preaching of (concerning) Jesus Christ (the Messiah), according to the revelation (the unveiling) of the mystery of the plan of redemption which was kept in silence and secret for long ages,
26  But is now disclosed and through the prophetic Scriptures is made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, [to win them] to obedience to the faith,

Revelation 19:10
10 ... For the substance (essence) of the truth revealed by Jesus is the spirit of all prophecy [the vital breath, the inspiration of all inspired preaching and interpretation of the divine will and purpose, including both mine and yours].

The marketing of this gathering is suggesting that God will bring judgment upon this nation. This just isn't so. The biblical context in which they were pointing out is for the Jewish nation... we're not the Jewish nation. It doesn't apply to America, or any other country. If it did, then Iran, Russia, China, Vietnam, Germany, Cuba and all the other nations of the world would have also been gone a long time ago from judgment. Remember Grace? Has the Lord returned yet to judge the world? It makes me wonder the motivation behind that style of marketing.

This is the same presumptuous chatter we heard from some talking about Haiti making a pact with the devil brought God's judgment, and some presumptuously prophesying the hurricane was God's judgment on New Orleans.

Now please let us put it in the correct perspective and light.

We know that the devil controls the forces in the air and all the world around us. (1 John 5:19, Ephesians 6:12)

If God wouldn't destroy Sodom if it contained ten righteous men, then surely God and His people in America will be safe regardless of our government. (Genesis 18:23)

We should pray for our country.
We should pray for our leaders, both good and bad.
We should also pray for the citizens of this country who voted to put them in office.
We should also pray for other nations, so as not to be self serving.

... and all by and in and through faith.

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Some time ago, I awoke from a dream the Lord had given me, in regard to someone that I had recently began working with and it was quiet disturbing. The dream went something like this.

There were three things noticeable:

1. The person was wearing black and he wanted something I had knowledge-wise
2. The setting background that was like a theater stage with black curtain
3. Myself dressed normally.

This person approached and seemed to be begging me for something he wanted from me and was using flattery to try and get me to give it. I didn't give in and said, "No."

Next, this person tried again and was trying to use a little information he had about me to get more of what he was after from me, I didn't give in and said, "No." and began feeling very frustrated.

After this, he began to have this perverted, domineering attitude toward me as if he couldn't let me deny him of what he wanted. He tried again to force what he wanted out of me, and he laid a hand on my right arm. When that happened, I physically shoved him backward and in rage screamed, "No! I'm done with you, Go away!"

That was the end of the dream.

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I used to draw.
I used to write.
I used to play music.
I used to smile.
I used to understand.
I used to be happy,
but now I'm human.

The answers aren't as important to me as the question. I always question the question.

So many of you read my various writings on God, or the supernatural and think that Brandon is some sort of super christian or holier than thou and I can see that I am not doing such a great job in communicating what I'm wanting to communicate. Often my writings are produced from things I've gained during the pressure-fight-tension that I face day to day. So I'm going to begin to crack open the vial of Brandon, just so you can know, I am human.

From the outside I'm the tree (see: http://www.brandonrichards.com/the-gardener-2 ) that's well maintained, maybe standing out as the model tree. But under the canopy, where the fruit is picked, its an ecosystem of never ending darkness.

You can give it any name if you want, but my battle is with depression. I don't know how I got here, or why. I can't put it into an equation or solve it. The only thing I know to do, I don't even have the strength or the will or fight to do anymore... I'm tired... of hearing Bible verses about putting on the garment of praise... of people wanting to fix me... I'm tired of the tail you've pinned on this donkey. I can't just snap out of it.

Rejection. Its a terrible thing. Damned be anyone who rejects another person. You have no idea what you're doing. I think people in cliques deserve something bad.

My fight began when I was young, literally I fought everyday at least in my mind and often physically. In 1st grade, I would constantly get punished. Sometimes I deserved it, like the time me and a friend stole chalk and wrote every curse word we could think of on the big rocks in the playground -or- the time I was playing kick ball and this guy Edwin always made us lose so one day I cut in to him. I guess I deserved what I got for that. Other times and often, a certain teacher had it out for me- any excuse she could find she'd paddle me. I hated her.

Middle school I became a legend, in fact I'm still talked about there today. I didn't do anything spectacular like shoot the winning basket in a basketball game. I didn't kick a field goal to win a football game - but rather, I gushed blood from a mouth wound inflicted by a guy I didn't know who decided one day he'd pick me to show how great he can fight. I bled all over the place and had to have several stitches through my lip and gumline. I almost lost a few teeth. Yes, it hurt- but not as bad as no one standing up for me. I had been assaulted, where was my defender? The other guy got two days off. I was punished the rest of the year. When he came back, he and his friends made game of me. In gym class I became the punching bag of a certain individuals... the every day school bus ride always presented some confrontation. Turn up the other cheek, well I did and it sucked. I bet none of you have.

High school was another brick in the wall and it didn't fit.

Today I'm 36 and to most I appear to have it figured out, have a beautiful caring wife who I don't deserve, three crazy beautiful girls that look like their mom and now even a dog which probably looks more like me. They are all healthy for the most part. I'm thankful too. I realize it can be worse, but I've never taken the mentality or tried to compare myself against other people to make myself feel better. This also the reason I doubt I will ever travel to a 3rd world nation on a 'mission'. I know the world sucks, I don't need to go there to experience it.

Hope is a 4-letter word and I have no change.

Lately [my poor wife would say since we've been married] I can't seem to keep it together. The truth is I've been like this since I can remember. I get creative bursts in the work that I do, but then completely overwhelmed by it to the point I can't make myself 'do' anymore- I do often get angry and say things I probably shouldn't. Other times, which is most of the time I just want to sleep and I try... but when I try I just wake up more exhausted than before.

The damage I'm causing to my family I'm sorry for, I'm sure they don't understand. I know I don't intend to hurt or damage or take advantage of anyone. I often fight away the bad thoughts of ending it. I don't think I would do that, but I have thought about it. Who hasn't?

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Wherever you set your foot... whatever you set your hand to, whatsoever you ask... the fact you're in an invisible spiritual kingdom that can be appropriated now in the physical by and through faith means you (I, us Christians) have the kingdom authority to do those things. We can't mistep, or fumble, or mis-appropriate.

Walk in the Spirit. Speak in the Spirit. See in the Spirit.... the authority and Providence of that Kingdom is your governor or controlling entity once you're its citizen.

Galatians 2:20 - You aren't in control if you're crucified and dead. Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit. So are you if He lives in you. He keeps you, whether you want to act like Jonah or not... that's up to you. Jesus wasn't always floating around, he worked hard, probably had bad clients, probably got picked on by his brother.. and He definitely knew how to fish. He also knew that at anytime He could call forth a legion of angels. ( so can we by faith through prayer.)

Galations 3 outlines what being in Christ means.

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A recent post by Rick Warren entitled, Serving From the Heart and a recent video at TED.com from Mike Rowe of 'Dirty Jobs' brings up a similar but differing concepts of work. Which one is right?

I've heard it all my life, " Figure out what you love to do -- that which God gave you a heart for -- and then do it for his glory!" and I'm sure you have too. I believe these kind of statements leave people, especially Christians in what I call suspended animation. They never do anything because they don't know what to do and expect to find work they enjoy. In essence it creates a type of 'Spiritual Welfare' where we expect God to highlite and ...insert angelic music here... a golden path to which we walk and have it easy.

This is not the life you're expected to live:

Genesis 3:17-19 we have an account of the what the curse of sin brought upon man.

17 To Adam he said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat of it,’ “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life.
18 It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field.
19 By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.”

But even before this we find that man was given work to do in taking care of the garden.

This is an area that I believe misleads a lot of people. Mixing work with calling is a very delicate subject. On one hand a person is called to do something they wouldn't normally do.

Numerous biblical examples of this.

Paul to make tents when his passion was to preach the Gospel.
Noah to build an ark and become a zookeeper, when he was a winemaker
Joseph to be a slave and leave his family, when he was the favored son of his father and wanted to stay home.
Moses to return to Egypt as liberator of his people, rather than stay away and forget his past.
Jonah to go to Ninevah, he even tried to run from his prophetic duties, but went whether he wanted to or not. He had to be made to submit.
Jesus the carpenter, when He was called to die for the sins of the world… you don’t think he wrestled with it? He did so much that he asked for the cup to be removed if possible.

Most certainly they were called, and most certainly none of them enjoyed it.

Work for work’s sake, there is nothing wrong with menial jobs, or hard work. Where in the Bible does it state that we have to enjoy work? Or do work that makes us happy? Sure if you can find it, do that, but if you can’t… work, and any work will do.

I believe its time for this lie to cease, spiritual welfare isn’t going to happen. Work or don’t eat. Its that simple. If you work, you will eat. Physically you will be satisfied. Work and do the work as if Jesus is your boss, you will be satisfied and blessed. Go to work and give - rather then get, and you will be given blessings, so much that you can’t contain it all.

I’ve been wrestling with this whole concept for about a month. There are times where I do not enjoy my work, there are times when I want to quit and walk away. Its in these weak moments that you’ll often hear, the concept of ‘work you enjoy’. Mainly from people who have never enjoyed their work- hoping you will. Or from spiritual leaders who think or have forgotten because of their elevated platform of influence what it is to be man and work the land.

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Today I was heading to the store to pick up some coffee, my wife’s decaf wasn’t doing it for me. As I put my shoes on and announced where I was going, Jewel Grace my four year old, said, “Daddy will you need a helper? Jane is unavailable, so I’ll go with you and be your helper” She put down her toys and came to me for my answer. It took me a moment to respond because at the same time I was hearing the Lord speak to me about her.

I told her I wasn’t even going to ask Jane, I was so glad she asked because I needed her help. She didn’t care where we were going, just that she was helping her daddy.

Its fascinating when the Lord speaks to me through my children. Just previous to this little conversation I had been praying to ‘help’ my God. The reality is God doesn’t need my help, but He chooses to use us if we’re willing to follow.

Jesus chose His disciples by the words “Follow Me”, He said (Matthew 4:19, John 1:43) Some dropped everything they were doing, and followed. Some left their families, their businesses, their jobs and didn’t even ask where they were going. Others wanted to say fare wells to their families or bury their dead relatives and didn’t return to follow the Lord (Matthew 8:22). Jesus went on to say “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me (Matthew 19:21)”.

What does it mean to follow Jesus?

The definition of the word ‘follow’ so revealing, you should read it for yourself:
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Follow

• Becoming fishers of men, or instead of satisfying our carnal self (catching fish), we satisfy the needs of others(fishers of men). (Matthew 4:19)
• Plowing the ground for harvest. Plowing is the preparation of the soil for planting, and we plant for a harvest. Praying is spiritual plowing. We pray over the grounds we have to seed. We pray for the lost, we pray for harvest.  (1 Kings 19:19)
• Severing the tie and forsaking dead works (1 Kings 19:19-21, Matthew 9:9, Matthew 16:24, Matthew 19:21)

The Price

I’ve often heard from some of the faith leaders of our times about the mysterious, ‘price.’ I never understood ‘what’ the price was, I always had hoped that one would just tell us what the price was so I could start paying it. When in fact, I was really stupid. The price is something that only the owner of the thing can give you. The price is different for each person. For some it may be family, for others it may be a business, for others it may be servitude. The easy way to find out what the price is, is to ask God what you must do to be His disciple. I’d almost bet that you already know. It’s that thing that preoccupies your time and gets in front of your relationship with God. It’s that thing inside that says, No I will do this myself. Sadly, many do not pay the price.

God wants our loyalty (Luke 9:62), this will often mean sacrifice, service, and contentment to follow despite what others may be doing(integrity). Enduring the weather(spiritual warfare) and not giving up on the fruitless stony ground, but continuing to plow until the stones are no longer an issue of sowing.

A couple of years ago I heard the Lord sing to me, “Come over the mountains, Come across the sea…” beckoning me to follow after Him. After these words there was only a solid tone of music as if someone where holding in a note on the keyboard. The progression waited… the note reverberated through me as if the next part of the song were waiting on me.

I believe just as He sang that to me and the progression is waiting, He is also beckoning all of His children to follow Him, to go where He goes, to pay the price.

Will you pay the price?
What is your price?
Will you be His helper, or are you unavailable?

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