It’s a wonderful thing…the way that God works. I spoke with Pastor Kris this morning for a few hours and at one point during our conversation he mentioned how the writers of the Bible would repeat things or re-emphasize them in order to reinforce their importance. At the moment I find myself sitting about 3 feet from the chair that I sat in almost exactly one year ago when a trip to Mexico changed my life, and my perception of God and his plan for my life. That trip, that resulted in a book, new friendships, a move to Birmingham, the founding an organization and ultimately a new understanding of surrender to His will, was the turning point in my life thus far. Thus, as I sit here in the coffee shop that we spent our last few moments of our trip at before starting the long drive home a year ago, I can’t help but smile at how God reminds me of the things that I forget sometimes. In times when I get frustrated, lost or confused He always brings me back to where I need to be.

I’m a little more rushed for time than I realized when I started writing this…so I’ll be back in a few days to finish…but be thinking and praying on that…on how God always brings us back to where we need to be…even when we wander or stray. Keep Roger and myself in your prayers as we go back into Mexico in the morning for a few days to finish our documentary. We love you guys and miss you, and appreciate your prayers more than you know. To be continued…

Hi all,

This is Paul, and although I feel like I should probably make a more thorough introduction, I don’t really have time right now. Let it suffice to say that I’m the video guy at Bedouins, and I love you all. Yes, you.

I’ve been going back and forth for a few days, and I finally made the decision to make the trek to Lakeland, Florida, and see for myself the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that is sparking revival there. It wasn’t a difficult decision, apart from the finances ($3.50 a gallon? Really?) but it definitely goes against my old nature. I’ve always been a very logical, and by extension cynical, guy. It seems a lifetime ago now, but I studied philosophy at university, and did particularly well in symbolic logic. Which makes sense, I’ve always enjoyed the process of comprehending, abstracting, and dismantling arguments. For a long time, this included testimonies of signs and miracles.

What I’ve come to realize lately, and I thank the Lord for this daily, is actually one of the oldest chestnuts that everyone is familiar with, who’s spent time in a Southern Baptist church:

There isn’t, and never will be, a rigorous proof for, or against, the existence of God or miracles; there’s only faith.

How many times have I heard that, or something very like it? But I’m only now coming into a better understanding of its reality, and gravity. There’s only faith. (Which is not to say that we can’t comfort ourselves with evidence for His existence and goodness. It’s everywhere, and it’s breathtaking! But God never meant for our experience of Him to be founded or maintained on the strength of our systema.)

Lately I feel like I’m starting fresh, like I have new eyes. I know why He’s called the comforter, because I experience His comfort when I cry out to Him. I know why He’s called Jehovah Jireh, “The God who Provides,” because my needs are always met, often in unexpected, extremely unlikely ways. I’m coming to a place where I can start to make out the contours of a Life Well Lived, and it looks very much like a life wholly surrendered to the God who lives inside me.

Not the God I can prove.

Of course, I have several reasons for going to Lakeland, some personal, and some I feel like sharing. Perhaps foremost among these is the fervent desire to take part in revival! I’ve been so many things in my life, and I know with absolute certainty that neither possessions, nor knowledge, nor travel, nor friends, nor even family will ever truly satisfy. The good things in life, like family, health, prosperity, etc. are good precisely for the reason that they echo dimly the relationships we’ll have and the fullness of life we’ll experience when we see Him face to face! What I want now, so much more than money or experiences, is to just play some part in the unfolding of His will for our generation.

I believe Lakeland has a part to play in the revival of our nation. I believe that He’s calling us back to a lifestyle of singleminded devotion, and He’s preparing a flame to be poured into the hearts of those who are willing to be His vessels. I believe that we’re living in an unprecedented time! I believe all these things because He’s tugging on my heart, not my mind. There’s no proof I can give, there’s only faith. I’m coming to realize this is a very good thing.

More soon! I love you guys…