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On the Road


Whew. Okay, we are off and running. Meant to get this posted Monday, but the Tour pace has been crazy. Had the first event of the Tour Sunday night in Nashville (which was also simulcast and webcast all over). Because Jesus is good, and I know he is faithful, I’m going to say that it went well. But man was it tough. The day was full of distraction and harassment. Getting lost. Showing up at the wrong location. Running late. It was hard to stay focused. A lot of moving parts, with a brand new event, a new talk for me, so many different people running around, and of course, the warfare. Thank you for praying. We couldn’t have done it without you. I really do believe it went well. I think the webcast is going to remain available for awhile, so I’ll let you know how you can access that as soon as I figure it out myself.

Monday was Spartanburg. It too went well. Yesterday was Atlanta. A crazy day. Radio interview from my cell phone in the car, live TV interview next, then two events. In all of it, God sustained me.

The hardest part in all this is remaining True. To be entrusted with a message so beautiful and so powerful, to cut through all the swirling agendas and warfare and seductions, to just simply offer the true Jesus with clarity, man is that hard. The pull is to tone down a little, or back off, to get distracted, to forget just who God is, to take credit for this and start thinking it's about me, to give in to other agendas. I went to bed feeling all of that, and just a little grieved that some of it happened yesterday. But I had a good time of prayer this morning, and I know God is in this.

As you pray for us today, pray for our travels (Mike and Art are with me) and for the little plane we are using to run all over the place in these first five days. For our families while we are away. Pray against the religious spirit, and all distraction and sabotage. Against compromise. Pray that Jesus fills this, and that we remain True. His ability to be true, whatever the situation, be it adoration or opposition or indifference just astounds me. We want to live like that. Tonight we are in Dallas, and tomorrow in Houston. THANK YOU for praying for us. Together, we are bringing the beauty of the Kingdom and the heart of God. It's working. It is setting hearts free, and drawing so many people back to God.
 

Posted: 4/16/2008 1:42:14 PM by John Eldredge | with 37 comments


Comments
believingthomas
John, praying already, sorry we can't swing an appearance but 5 hours one way just didn't work. But looking forward to the advance in a few weeks! Stay True!
4/16/2008 2:11:10 PM
Melissa Maynard
My husband and I attended the Nashville Conference and had a beautiful time. This message is the true heart of God....Keep up the awesome work and will be praying for you. Thank you and your families for giving so much to God and caring for His people.
4/16/2008 2:33:00 PM
Jack Harrington
John, my wife Susan and I were at the 7:00pm conference last night in Atlanta. I'm the one who was headed home and the Lord had me come back to meet you. I haven't stopped talking about the event. God showed up - in a big way. Remember, my wife is the one who said she summed up the evening in one word - authentic. You're making a difference my friend and running the race well. God bless you!
4/16/2008 3:05:13 PM
Ed Johnson
I couldn't make a conference because my daughter was getting an award at the University of Alabama on Sunday; so I decided I could be an intercessor. And will continue praying that God reaches men's hearts the way He reached mine this past year. He spoke to me through your books. Last week I was buying "Waking the Dead" for a new beiever at work and I picked up your latest "Walking with God". I wish you could read my journal. I've been learning to open my heart to God and listen to His heart too. On 4/13 I did what you said about lifting the hood about agreements. When I did God revealed an agreement I had made back in fourth grade about no one caring or being there for me so I've always lived in a shell not knowing how to connect to others. Well I broke that agreement with the enemy. I asked God for His healing and claimed His promises of His love for me. As I sat quietly to listen for His response I heard Him say to my heart "I'm pleased with you." That's just what I needed to hear. Maybe now I won't crave so much the "that a boys" because the one that really matters takes pleasure in me. Thanks for sharing your heart and life with me. My life, marriage, and relationships are forever changed.
4/16/2008 7:17:52 PM
Dan Shoaf
Hey John, I surprised my wife with tickets to the Spartanburg event. We had a long drive in from North Carolina...kinda like a date...but with a third wheel named John! Just wanted to say that we were encouraged and inspired as always. God pointed me to some important stuff while I was there and took me back to some stuff that I need to revisit. The whole time I could feel the spiritual weightiness in the room--not just the reality of the kingdom, but the enemy's work as well. There was some serious opposition there, but it was kept at bay! Keep the faith. Stay the course. I'll be praying for you and for the coming Advanced Retreat! Grace and Truth, my brother.
4/16/2008 7:26:43 PM
JD Morris
John, I met you in Spartanburg during the intercession before you spoke. I was the youngest guy there. Anyways, I wanted to thank you for reminding me that God can speak to me. I read your book and it brought me back to an experience I had a few years ago when God spoke to me. For some reason, I enjoyed the experience and never went back to it. But your book has called me back to God's voice in my life. Since opening it up, he has spoken to me and my wife as well. Tonight he spoke to me about an issue that I have not revealed to anyone and I believe it is going to change my life. Thank you. God bless your work.
4/16/2008 8:18:30 PM
Daniel John
John, we attended the Spartanburg event. We've followed your journey and have been mentored by the truth of your message since Sacred Romance. We thank you for your faithfulness and steadfastness. We have had an opportunity to pass on to others in our circles the encouragement that we left with that night. Religion is not the answer. Walking with God is! Thanks for reminding us. You're in our prayers.
4/16/2008 9:10:07 PM
Greg Benesch
John - I agree with much of your revelatory teaching about the heart of God and Hisdesires for us--but your approach to answered prayer has me really scratching my head: Are you saying that if one prays for good weather for an outing and it doesn't happen--it is due to a lack of faith on our part? How do you differentiate your take on this from the misguided "name it and claim it" theology?
4/16/2008 10:00:00 PM
Todd Jenkins
John, I will be praying for you urgently today - for you, your staff, your little airplane, against the "religious spirit" and all of the other spiritual attacks that are coming against you this week. The Lord did speak to me this morning and He wanted me to pass on this encouragement to you today - Isaiah 61:1 and Isaiah 41:10. God bless you today in your journey. See you in Golden!
4/17/2008 3:28:52 AM
Mary Ann Stowe
Hi John, Heard you last night in Dallas and wanted to thank you for allowing God to speak through you to my heart. My husband and I had an amazing time of prayer and listening afterwards and this morning I pulled out the pursuit of God by Tozer(after you mentioned him) and found that last month(3/25) I had put it up for whatever reason and when I opened it to read, I had written a vs.& a prayer. Ps 46:10 - Be still and know that I am God" and a prayer to "silence my heart noise so that I can hear you." Of course the irony is that I was in Chapter 6, The Speaking Voice, I just wasn't listening then and now I feel Him letting me know that even though I failed to listen He was speaking. How blessed I feel that He has been patiently waiting for me to find my way back to Him. Whew! I feel exactly what you said last night - "way to go God" I received much clarity for many things and I thank Him for you and your message. My heart is light today as it should be. Prov 4:23
4/17/2008 6:05:22 AM
Emmy
John- I have been praying and will continue to pray! Was in Atlanta for afternoon session... your message was so powerful... beautiful... clear... and true to Jesus, just as you wanted it to be! What I love is your heart behind it! Your authenticity. You passion for getting us to see... to get it... we truly were invited in! Thank you! I wish I had words to describe what God did in my heart! I have such a hunger to know God that intimately... to talk to him, to HEAR from Him! Really! : ) So exciting! I am so thankful to God for this ministry! God has used you all to change my life! (and my husbands... We were both blessed to do Captivating and Wild at Heart this year!) So please know it is our honor to pray for you and everyone at Ransomed Heart! God Bless- Emmy
4/17/2008 6:22:56 AM
Peter Brath
John - I dragged one of my friends to the Spartanburg event (he was hemming and hawing up to about 2 hours before we needed to leave - although afterwards he was singing a different song). I had the pleasure of meeting you back in the intercessor room prior to the event (I was the one whose wife had just returned from the Captivating retreat). From the prayers and feelings invoked there, to the messages in the presentation, I want to thank you. My wife and I are so grateful for the ministry of Ransomed Heart, and for the inspiration to, as you said, "come closer" to Him and walk with Him more intimately. We have been changed forever.
4/17/2008 7:08:52 AM
Robin Stevens
John, I was at Spartanburg Monday night. I was not disappointed and was so greatly pleased my boyfriend attended. Waking the Dead has meant more to me than any other book in my life other than scriptures. I wrote a short item about you, trying the exercises at the meeting Monday and also at home yesterday and hearing what God had to say to me. It's at http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/717929/walking_with_god.html Thank you John for an awesome night Monday. You are in my prayers as you continue your tour and for your families at home as well. One day I hope to attend a Captivating event!
4/17/2008 7:47:33 AM
David Felts
John, I talked to a friend via email last night who attended one of you events in Georgia, and here are his comments: "I stood in line for about 20-25 minutes to even see him. It was his second event of the day. He welcomed me, signed my book and engaged me as if I was the first person he had seen in weeks. It was incredibly humbling. I had thought of a few thousand things to say to him and couldn't remember one of them. I babbled out some stuff and he just rolled with it. He is amazing." After reading this blog, I thought you might like hearing what my friend Sam said about you. You're doing great, keep at my brother you are truly an authentic & real man and it shows to those you meet....strength and honor.....
4/17/2008 8:27:03 AM
charlie smith
John, I was able to join with you in the "pizza foyer" in Nashville - God truly desires to have a deep and meaningful relationship with His people. Religion has robbed us of so much. Keep up the good fight. God bless bro!
4/17/2008 8:46:53 AM
Brad Brinkley
After we attended the event in Spartanburg, my friend said to me, "The whole time, all I could think was, 'Man, I'm listening to a true prophet.'" We love you, John, and we're definitely praying for you and yours. Just be who you claim to be. Show God's people that you live what you teach. All manner of things shall be well.
4/17/2008 9:57:20 AM
Carey Warren
John - looks like you've become a bona fide Christian celebrity. Pass this test and you'll reveal God's glory. Fail and the message God has given for us will be ruined. May you and your team remain true and steadfast, walking in Messiah's grace & protection!
4/17/2008 11:32:26 AM
Heidi Starbuck-Main
John - Again, I just want to say thank you so much for all that you and your staff do. For the message you give to each of us and showing us how we can be free and walk with our God. Honestly, you looked very rested when my husband and I saw you in Spartanburg. I pray God continues to give all of you strength, rest, clarity and bind the religious spirit. I pray also for your families as I'm sure it's just as hard on them when all of you are away. Thanks again for meeting with us. God Bless!
4/17/2008 12:09:31 PM
David in Atlanta
John, thank you for your obedience and courage and believing the Father when he told you "you are bigger than this" and that you had voice for the masses; not just your clients. The Father is so good; let me tell you a quick story. I was at the 4/15, 7 pm Atlanta event, and raised my hand 3 times toward the end of Q&A, but you did not call on me. I was ok with it because the question I had, the Father prompted you to answer later in your story, when you spoke about the "bigger fire" was Alanta (Southeast). This is so cool; I wanted to ask you "When did you hear God tell you he was going to give you a voice-a bigger "public" voice? And in your wrap-up after Q&A you told us the story of building a bigger fire when your were camping, and that during one of your counseling sessions shortly after that, God said "your good at this, but I want you to reach/speak to many more people." That was so confirming for me that God heard my question and answered it without me ever having to ask it. You see John, I believe God has given me a voice, and it is a "bigger" voice. There is this fire in me to share the reality of his love and grace in a public and tangible way (writing, plays, short movies, etc), but I don't know how he wants me to go about it. I have been fighting despair over how religious our "churches" are in Atlanta and that so many people hunger for authenticity. In addition, begin a part of a men's purity ministry, I see how so many men (me included) grew up fatherless, and need fathers in their lives. I am trying to make a difference one man at a time, but there are so many who are hungry and need healing. So, I am praying that God will strengthen and focus your voice, everywhere you go, and that he would raise up men in the southeast to walk in your foot steps. God Bless you, bro! Peace
4/19/2008 8:31:25 AM
Denise in Nashville
I attended your Nashville appearance and while it seemed that this was very stressful and challenging for you, it was quite the opposite for me…the effects of having been there, listening to you and others who asked questions of you. When I talked to family and friends about my thoughts about having been there, I told them that I felt comforted by your words. I also received confirmation to do something that God was telling me to do. I’ve learned that there are things he asks me to do that for me are simply about obedience to his will. And in the moment, even though they don’t appear to lead me to the things that I think I really want, there is always a purpose beyond my understanding that eventually is eventually revealed to me. Since I have a tendency to do things on my own, try to control all the details, one of my biggest challenges is doing things he asks me to do. I went home that evening and finished the task he asked me to do. Where this will lead or what it was about doesn’t matter to me as much as doing what he asked and feeling at peace as a result. It was a reminder that he has my best interests at heart and there’s no reason for me to hesitate or question when he asks. Listening to you say that you have the same challenges in wondering if you’re hearing him correctly, helped me to understand that stalling is non-productive and often counter-productive to knowing God. Your comments about his word and all of the examples of him talking to people and many notable examples of him telling people to do things that seemed utterly absurd helped me to understand that I’m not always going to know at the outset the purpose or meaning of his instructions. But over the past few years since I first read your book “Waking the Dead”, I have come to a better understanding because you have been willing to talk about and share your experiences with others, not all of whom are in agreement with the things you have to say. I am glad that you continue to do this and that you are making personal appearances to talk to people because I think it helps us individually to have the courage to dismantle long held religious beliefs that keep us from knowing God in a one-on-one relationship and have an everyday relationship with him. I felt blessed by being able to hear you personally speak. May the God of all comfort be with you as you continue to minister to those who seek to experience the intimacy you describe in their own relationship with him.
4/19/2008 10:54:47 PM
Alex Snow
It is so great to read everyone's comments. I felt a huge spiritual weight in the room during the talk and later that evening and into the next day I was dealing with serious warfare. It is so refreshing to see that I am not alone in this. I am praying for us all!
4/22/2008 1:12:49 AM
David Virginia Beach
John I met you in Spartenburg S.C on April 14 and had the pleasure hearing your lecture and attended the book signing I had brought my wild at heart book for you to sign because I could'nt afford walking with god so I waited in line for about 30 mins so I could get you to sign my book when I did gst to see you your assit was asking same questions about were i came from so i told her virginia and that I had came with 3 of my wild at heart buddies to hear your lecture which had whated to do for many years since I read wild at heart she ask me about your new book and I told her i wanted to get one but that I could'nt so she pulled one out and handed to you and you signed them both It was the best blessing I had gotten and it was all God it was the 2 blessing I had that that day and it has changed my life in many ways John. I read the book in 2 days and what God has shown me thru your book is just the beginning of the jouney God has opened my heart to because everything I have been doing for the last 4 years is caming into play because I am letting God work in my life and I am listening to him and hearing from him I never through I would ever have the relantionship with my Father in Heaven the way I have today because of your books You are a blessing John and I am so grautuful God has a man like you to help us find our true Hearts in our Heavenly Father God bless you and your team I hope to met you again soon when I get to go to the 4 day retreat in colorado providing Its Gods well and I hope your will as well
5/2/2008 8:25:25 PM
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