It’s the day before the day before the night before Christmas and the song is “Santa Claus it Coming to Town.” Did I ever tell you about the time I told a little girl there is no Santa?

I was not yet in kindergarten and she was younger still. She was bugging me singing this song when I was trying to watch something on TV. I turned to her and said, “Santa’s not real.” And the adult conversation came to a halt. I knew I was in trouble.

It’s not the last time I got in trouble for speaking the truth.

I like to think I’m more tactful about it now…although there are cases to prove that’s a misconception I hold about myself.

What was that all about? On to the video…

This isn’t the best rendition of the song, but who doesn’t like the ever mystical christmas penguin? Tell me what you think in the comments and Merry Christmas!

I can’t really tell you how long I’ve been blogging on RevTrev.com. All I know is I have over 800 posts and WAY TOO MANY categories. I suppose you can say the same thing about the number of plugins I have as well.

That didn’t keep me from installing one more…and maybe another to help it. I’ve installed the Organize Series Plugin and so wish I had it when I started blogging. You tag your posts when you post them (unless you’re me, then you go through series and label them more tediously) and the plugin adds the series at the top and navigation on the bottom. I’d like to change the CSS to get the color to match my scheme better, but other than that I’m impressed with how painless it is.

Why do I want to set up series? Well, it helps me refresh content. I’m going to be setting up training around some the series I’ve done so I want to get as many people to those series as would be interested in the training. Setting up series allows me to structure the posts from first to last rather than last to first the way WordPress needs to. Finally, it gives me some satisfaction that what I’ve written will be enjoyed beyond the SEO traffic…by the way I’ve discovered my early series had no SEO, so it gives me a chance to better optimize the site as well.

I’ve got a few series set up – you can see them in the sidebar under “Featured Series” I’ll be adding others as time goes on. I’m turning this site into more of magazine feel and back issues are a great resource.

Check a series out and tell me what you think. I appreciate the comments.

I just found out on Twitter that I’ve been published here in the Christmas edition of Go Tell it on the Mountain available here” http://issuu.com/tellitonthemountain/docs/issue8tellitonthemountain
I don’t know what pleases me more…finding out about this great magazine, being asked to submit an article, or finding out so many writers I’ve met on Twitter are featured in it as well.

I don’t think I’ve announced this yet, but in 2012 I’ll be regularly posting different pieces of fiction I’ve been writing. I’m excited to do that here. I’ve been doing it on TrevorLund.com for a while but am using that for ghostwriting now.

Check out the magazine and let me know what you think of it. I’m impressed with issuu.com as well. Maybe it’s time I start publishing a magazine or two myself. If you had a magazine, what would it be about?

It seems this site is always in flux. It’s worse than our house, but that reminds me I need to remodel the bathroom.

I promised myself to stop blogging about what I want to do since I found out it when you tell others about your plans you have a far less chance of getting those plans done. It’s because when we tell, instead of keeping us accountable, we psychologically feel the project is closer to being done than it actually is…I think I’m talking myself out of this blog post.

Ah…I’m calling it Wish List because I’m not certain I can do it all without conflicts in the code or dramatically slowing down the site. I know it might not be possible, but I thought a blog post would remind me for the next week to troubleshoot the solutions I’ve found and I know some of you who read this blog are much smarter than me using WP, PHP, Javascript and coding in general, so any advice you can give would be great.

I want more white space in the design. I also want more content. So here are the 3 things I want to change in the little while.

1. I want the Twitter + Feedburner widget that you can see on TentBlogger.com I found out that it’s only for the Standardtheme, although the company told me if I bought the theme I could hack out the widget.
2. I want a tabbed section for Recent Posts, Categories, Comments, Tags and possibly the “About Me” section I have currently in the header. I found out the one I want is only for the WooTheme.  MichaelHyatt.com uses the Standardtheme but has the WooTheme widget which tells me his programmer most likely hacked the WooTheme. There are days I dream I can hire people smarter than myself so they can take care of all this little whims I get.
3. I set up the space below the Logo to be an image rotator. I’d like to get it to work.

The problem with #2 and #3 is that they’ll likely use javascript that can either conflict or slow down my site or slow down my site because they conflict.

Do have any suggestions for me for widgets or workarounds you’ve used to:

a. Combine counts for Twitter followers and Feedburner stats (plus any other legitimate ones you can think of)

b. Have tabs in a WP widget area – I’d prefer to control what I can place in a tab.

or

c. Rotate Images in WP – it will need to have links connected to the images.

I appreciate any help you can give.

What is the Nature of God? We have the Bible to tell us about God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Let’s take an overview.

Why don’t you add any verses I’m missing. I enjoy these kinds of group projects.

How do you make it easy to get people interested in helping you tell their friends and connections about what you’re doing?

Make it easy for them to tweet.

On a blog it’s easy to add a reweet or share button. I really recommend the Topsy Retweet Button because it keeps an accurate account of the retweets – something other buttons don’t always do well.  It also counts the tweets as trackbacks and comments tend to get started when a trackback is already recorded. But that’s not what this post is about.

How do you add a Tweet This Button in a document?

Use the Tweet text code:

http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=

and add the pre-populated tweet you want. Now I’ve added the following to a hypertext link in the footer of my Twitter Tips from @RevTrev. The text it’s linked to is “Tweet This Book – Thank You!”

http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=I’m reading Twitter Tips from @RevTrev and am so surprised he’s giving it away for free! http://su.pr/1XnqMW

When the link is clicked the person sees this page:

They can edit or change it or simply hit the “Tweet” Button. The person’s username will be at the top, not mine. And yes, they may need to sign into to Twitter if they aren’t already.

I’ll see over the next little while if that brings me more downloads. I’m also planning on creating more of a landing page for people that should help encourage more people to download the free ebook as well. So far it’s been downloaded 182 times since the new edition.

That’s how I’m using the Tweet This code. But think about how else you could use it  in any PDF. People could tweet the concert details your advertising or deal you have this month on your site. You could use the Google URL Builder to track where people are clicking if you use the code on several different documents. If you wanted to you could you could take the link builder URL to http://su.pr/ and post that link on printed material for people to type in. You’d get the added bonus of people liking it on stumbleupon to bring you more traffic

3 Tips to Remember:

1. the text following needs to be under 140 characters. Use my Character Counter if you want.
2. I’d recommend your username in the tweet so you know when it’s tweeted and you can thank them.
3. I also recommend the StumbleUpon Shortener…SU brings the traffic (as long as you can hold it for more than 1.2 seconds.

Have fun with it!

Do you have any questions about it? Ask them in the comments.

Thanks for tweeting this and my other materials!

Wouldn’t it make more sense for David to wait for his fighting force to recover? The Amalakites where a larger force and they were slowed down with all the plunder. Every man had a stake in the fight and every extra sword would undoubtably be appreciated.

But David had inquired of the Lord and asked what he was to do. He set off to do what he could with the resources he had.

The path of peace is moving the direction you know God has told you to go, using the resources you have available.

That may mean staying back patiently with the baggage, it may mean attacking with even worse odds.

The key here is to get momentum on your side. Hope works well with momentum and a little step can start that momentum. When I pray for someone with pain, I ask them to put a number to that pain. “If 1 is no pain and 10 is the worst you’ve ever felt, what would you say it is right now?”

Once they tell me a number, we can use that to see how they respond to ministry. I pray short prayers and give short commands. After each one I ask “What’s the pain doing? Is it better or worse? What number would you say?” As soon as they notice the pain go down – let’s say from a six to a five – it only takes a few minutes for them to say the pain is at zero!

Why is that? There’s a few things going on that aren’t the topic for this post, but momentum is a big part. Faith builds faith. You only need a mustard seed amount of faith to move a mountain.

Hope doesn’t say, “I can’t do anything.” Hope does what it can and sees greater things done in the future.

What that means is after you’ve heard from God, and refocused – take whatever step you can and don’t be upset if it can’t be bigger.

Step by step by step, impossible situations can change. Hope needs momentum, so get going in the right direction.

To have hope at the end of the rope you need to do what you can. What step can you take today in the direction you know the Father wants you to go?

Find out more at HopeInTransition.com

Last year I learned that people who tell what they are going to do are much less likely to get it done than people who don’t talk about their plans. So since then I’ve been working like a orangutan mother picking mites from her clinging baby to get plans into action.

I don’t want to let the cat out of the bag too soon, but I’m getting so excited about something that I can’t help but share a bit. I can’t let you in on all the details, but I can tell you that you’re going to want to stay tuned.

Everyone one of us needs to know how to hope or know how to help others hope. It’s the most difficult when you’re in the pit. Trust me. I know.

I started hopeintransition.com as a blog but I’ve decided to use another way.

I can’t wait to open the doors to it. You’re going to want to stay tuned. If you’re not signed up to my newsletter, you’ll want to do it soon. I’m getting ready to give a new gift and this one will put back for sale thereafter.

Can you tell I’ve been watching YouTube this afternoon? As I waited for my video to upload I started watching videos by Bill Johnson. Here’s one I haven’t heard in a while. It’s a great one on friendship with God.

Are you  a friend or servant of God?

Here’s another question a reader sent me recently. You can read more of the answers here.

Question:

What Can You Tell Me About Burdens?

Answer:

Beatriz,

There are burdens we are meant to bear and burdens we aren’t supposed to carry. I wrote this series to help people know the difference. I’ve done a series on “Living Light“  is that what you were looking for?

It covers topics like:

• How to Not Grow Weary
• 4 Ways to Practically Stay Yoked with Jesus
• Are You Carrying A Yoke That’s Not Really Yours?
• 3 Steps to Cast Your Cares on the Lord

I’ve got a booklet in the works with the working title “How to Live With an Easy Yoke”. As more people tell me they’d like this information, I move it up on the priority board.

Blessings

~Trevor

It’s my wife’s birthday! I can’t say enough good things about Karen. Really. I can’t. I’ve tried and it doesn’t even come close to describing her…and I love to use words.

Did you know she made the necklace and ear rings she’s wearing today? She made some for somebody in church before that. She writes songs, she photoshops, she does cards and crafts and is teaching herself piano. She knits..or crochets…I think it’s both, but I know its one. She makes her own clothes when she can’t find the style she’s looking for. She bakes really good bread and makes amazing meals. She cares about people and even though she says it’s hard to make friends, she’s made friends with a lot of people you’d expect and a number of people I’d never expect.

About My Kaz

Her tenacity exceeds my own.
Her patience it astounds me.
Her gifts and talents I adore.
Her thoughtfulness dumfounds me.

She’s quick to listen and to care.
She seeks out hidden truth.
She builds up and encourages,
those who need a sleuth.

She ministers the Kingdom,
She reveals God’s good words.
She balances justice and mercy.
She confronts the fallen third.

Her wisdom is earned and from above.
Her insight is share with her courage.
Her gifts are cared for and tended well.
She does it all to encourage.

This woman, my wife, my best friend
Is someone so amazing.
She’s an incredible mother, fantastic friend
And deserves so much more praising.

Love You Kaz!

Scripture tells us to hope in God alone. I can show you how I’ve learned to test I’m doing that in the book Hope in Transition. For now let’s consider the verses.

But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD,
I wait for God my Savior;
my God will hear me. Micah 7:7 (New International Version)

And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:5 (New International Version)

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 43:5 (NIV)

You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness,
O God our Savior,
the hope of all the ends of the earth
and of the farthest seas, Psalm 65:5 (New International Version)

Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD his God, Psalm 146:5 (NIV)

Do any of the worthless idols of the nations bring rain?
Do the skies themselves send down showers?
No, it is you, O LORD our God.
Therefore our hope is in you,
for you are the one who does all this. Jeremiah 14:22 (NIV)

What other verses do you know that help you to hope in God? Love to hear them.
Find out more at HopeInTransition.com

My wife Karen was told she would have to start experimenting on human embryos at work. We were confident it was time for her to quit and God would take care of us. We were so excited to leap off a cliff. It turned out her stand for the unborn changed what her employer could compel her to do. It became an ethical case study for doctors. All good news, except we found ourselves surrounded with the most intense flames of  our lives. Relationally, financially, emotionally, it’s by far been the toughest stretch of our marriage.

I wanted you to know that we have earned the right to teach on hope but I don’t want you to think it’s been nothing but bad. I have had more life-changing experiences with our life-changing God than one book can contain. It’s been amazing what’s He’s shown me…no, entrusted to me. We’ve also seen more miracles than we ever have before. We’ve had months when every week we’ve seen someone healed in church or on the street. We’ve had long stretches of getting another unexpected cheque as soon as we deposit the last one. We’ve made incredible connections with incredible people that I know will continue throughout this life and the next. And we really know how to hope at the end of the rope.

Find out more at HopeinTransition.com

Oh the joys! A couple of weeks ago I realized all my sites got hacked. It took a while to find the holes and plug them up. It took longer to remove the 450 links to pharmaceutical companies on my sites.

I had to manually clean them all out.

Now I see I missed a link. I don’t see any signs of open doors so I’m confident the security I put into place is holding.

Still it’s been inserted 140 times on this site alone. I’m trying to remove them as I cough on my keyboard and finish up my message for the weekend.

I will have all of them cleaned up tonight (Friday March 4th) but if you see any “buy cheap drugs” links in my copy, can you let me know? If I’ve missed another few links there could be thousands of links on a site with so many posts.

Thanks so much. Don’t worry there is no way your computer will be infected with this malware. It was a server hack that happened. It affects my site not our browsers.

-Trevor

PS. I’m actually laughing at some of the placement of the links…

“Jesus Christ is [your Canadian Pharmacy]”
“I trust the Lord and [buy prozac]”
“God is [your online source for cheap drugs]“

In our last post in this series of “How Big Is Your But?” I wrote about if we really have any options but to obey God. Of course it’s our choice to disobey, but often we excuse it to the point of not even acknowledging that we are not doing what He’s told us to do or doing what He’s told us not to do.


Here are three lies I first saw on Perry Noble’s blog. They are worth repeating in this context.

1. “Someday”

One of the biggest lies we can tell ourselves when God clearly speaks to our hearts is “someday!” “Someday” is easy because we can say it and, in our hearts know that we never actually are going to do what He’s told us to do.

“Someday I will get help in my marriage.”
“Someday I will invite my friend to church.”
“Someday I will begin reading my Bible.”
“Someday I will get serious about my physical health.”

What is it that He’s telling you to do?  Life is way to short for us to get at the end of it and have regrets…”someday” needs to be today.

2.  “Someone”

Christians are the best people in the world at taking what God has told them to do and try to make it everyone else’s calling as well.

Your burden is your responsibility!

Stop expecting other people to do what He’s calling you to do!  He didn’t call any of us to merely be informants and tell people what to do…but rather He called us to make an impact by carrying out what He has so clearly burdened our hearts with.

You are the “someone” who needs to step up and do what He’s put in your heart to do!

3. “Somewhat”

If I was to ask you whether or not you are doing what God has called you to do would you answer “somewhat?”
Partial obedience is complete disobedience.

We can’t halfway do what God is calling us to do and expect Him to be happy with a half hearted effort. Caleb followed God wholeheartedly. He endured the consequences for the sins of others. For a lifetime he wandered apparently aimlessly as he waited for everything he knew to die off.

If God’s called you to do something then He will complete His work when we our faithful to complete ours.

…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:6 (NIV)

The Good News

The good news is that, contrary to what I tell my kids, delayed obedience is still obedience.

How can I say that? Look at the Jesus told the parable of the two sons:

“What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’  ‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go. Which of the two did what his father wanted?” ?”The first,” they answered.  Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. Matthew 21:28-31 (New International Version)

It’s not too late for you to obey now. Don’t forget Caleb. 85 years old he said “Give me my hill country, there are giants there with fortified cities and I want it.”

Don’t let the same fear and worry that stopped you the first time you saw those giants stop you ever again.

What giants are you facing? I’d love to pray with you.

photo credit: nutrition education

How to Know Whose and Who You Are

a message by Trevor Lund

From identity springs destiny. Until we more firmly grasp Whose we are, it doesn’t really matter who we think we are. Knowing Whose we are empowers us to live out His dreams for us.

This message may not tell you anything you don’t already know, but it will help you to not just hold it as an idea in your head or a sentiment in your heart, but work out its implication in every area of your life.

“Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

Download audio file (whoyouare.mp3)

Buy Now

Available in CD or MP3 Download from Expectancy Press

About the Speaker:

Trevor Lund is a Christian Speaker, Author and Lead Dreamer for Expectancy Ministries. He lives with his beautiful wife and kids in Edmonton Canada and blogs at RevTrev.com

How do we steward our destiny? There comes a time for us to “go” and as we go, we need to go as Jesus went.

Jesus Set the Pattern

I can’t tell you when it’s time for you to go. But I’m glad to say Jesus gave us the pattern for how we are to “go”. In John chapter 20 Jesus was already crucified and buried and rose again. His disciples where hiding behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders and Jesus appeared and showed them his hands and side. Then He said: “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”  As the Father sent Jesus, so Jesus sends us. The same manner and the same means and with the same Spirit in which the Father sent the Son, so the Son tells us to “go”.

So How Did the Father Send the Son?

From the context, we see “the going” is earmarked by peace.  He said; “Peace be with you” Jesus earlier said: So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Jesus’ walk is permeated with peace. He didn’t fear storms. He didn’t fear demons. He didn’t fear men. He didn’t fear impossibilities.  I think we can see how He walked in that peace.

He Kept in Step with the Spirit

Jesus only did what He saw the Father do He only said what He heard the Father say. The intimate relationship that Jesus had with the Father is what’s available to us today.  As we go, we don’t have to worry, because we keep in step with the Spirit.

He Obeyed

Jesus obeyed to the point of death on the cross. The widow obeyed the prophet and took what she had and took what she borrowed and in faith poured out the only thing she had of value.  As we go, it’s not just that we have this mind-shattering relationship with the creator of the universe, it’s that we obey what He tells us to do.

This is liberating…this is why I can say we “steward a prophetic call.” Your prophetic call is entirely on His shoulders. It’s what He’s entrusted you to share with others.  You steward the treasure He’s entrusted with you. You manage the destiny He has planned for you. You’re responsibility to move in your prophetic destiny is to keep in step with the Spirit and obey what He says. It’s an amazing partnership deal. There is no downside to this…as long as you understand God is good and in a good mood.

He Had Friendship With God

The final point of “As the Father has sent me, so I send you” is that as we keep in step with the Spirit, and as we obey what He tells us to do, Jesus says that we’re no longer servants, we are His friends. We are His friends because we know the Father’s plans.

As we go, we go in peace. We go in peace because we keep in step with the Spirit and obey what He says. Because we obey what He says, He know longer calls us servants He calls us friends. He calls us friends because He reveals all the Father reveals to Him.  Our steps are ordered by God because we are friends with God.  As the Father has sent the Son, so the Son tells us to go.

photo credit: Jos Dielis

There is going to be a time as you steward your destiny, that the time will come to “go.” When you’re waiting for it, I know there are days you don’t think it will, but if it’s from God and you’ve stewarded it well, your destiny will come about.

There came a time with the widow women in 2 Kings 4:1-7:

She went and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.”

The prophet said, “Go…” There will be a time when God says, “Take it out into the open, show people what I’ve poured out through you. They’re going to find it valuable.”

“Going” means it’s time to take public what you created in private. It means you launch that business, run for office, shoot that movie, write for that newspaper, start that ministry…whatever He’s put in you to help fulfill your destiny. It’s time to “go,” when everything is filled.  I’m not saying you won’t need to be re-filled, I’m saying everything is so full, you can’t keep it inside. I don’t want you to lose sight of the call. You’re not meant to be behind closed doors forever. Having a room full of supernaturally filled pots is useless.  You’ve got to make public use of what He’s given you in private.

As you go, the steps fall into place. Let me explain what I mean: The widow never asked, “Who do I sell to?” or “What price do I set?” or “Do I sell here or there?” or “Do I try to undercut the competition?” or “Do I sell with my story?” or “Do I leverage the oil I have to get more empty jars that I can fill up with more oil?” or “Do I wait until the fast until the price of oil goes up?”

No. Every indication is she went and did what she was told. Her kids were going to be slaves. She would have obeyed to went out and sold.  The prophet said, “go” and we can assume she went.

It’s how we go that’s the important thing. Jesus set the pattern and we’ll discuss that in the next post.

Do you have questions about when it’s time to launch out in the public? Put them in the comments and I’ll do my best to answer them.

photo credit: m.eckelberg?

Has God really promised good to us? The fourth verse of John Newton’s “Amazing Grace” has us singing it so…what does the Bible say?

There are two great verses that tell us our Good God wants good for us. I know there are many more, but these two come with the conditions

Promises for good

O fear the LORD, you His saints;
For to those who fear Him there is no want.
The young lions do lack and suffer hunger;
But they who seek the LORD shall not be in want of any good thing.
Psalm 34:9-10 (New American Standard Bible)

For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
The LORD gives grace and glory;
No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
Psalm 84:11 (New American Standard Bible)

Now from these verses we see that there are conditions for the good things of God.

I’m not telling you to be religious. If you think I am, keep reading this blog.  I’m not saying we need to simply follow rules. The rule we follow is to keep in step with the Spirit.  I’m not agreeing with a mindset that says, “You’re not good enough to receive the good things of God.” He really does love us.

The conditions are for those who

• Fear the Lord
• Seek the Lord
• Walk uprightly (do what’s right)

Examining the Conditions for getting the good God has for us

We can’t assume we know what we need to do to fear the Lord, seek the Lord, and even walk uprightly.

Do a search online for “fear the Lord” and you’ll get some theologians tell you there is no such thing as forgiveness and others say that since perfect love casts out all fear, there is no reason we need to fear God today even though the fear of the Lord is many times mentioned in the New Testament.

Search the Bible for “seek the Lord” and be surprised when it’s hard to find what you expect to find. I expected things like “pray longer, pray louder” and especially “fast.” Some of those the Bible includes…but God is much more concerned with attitude than action.

Can we really do what’s right in a world that says, “What’s right for you, isn’t right for me?” The only way we can is to see what the Bible says is right, agree with God He knows what’s best for our own good, and do what He says when He tells us to do it. Yes, we need to keep in step with the Spirit.

What I’m getting to is that I can’t make assumptions that we’re all on the same page. So I want to take time to examine what it means to Fear God, Seek God, and do what’s Right.

Over the next few posts we’ll look at both the benefits and ways the Bible says we can do all three things. Hope to have your questions and comments.