Dave Moore

04.08.09

Yesterday morning I had a meeting to attend in San Francisco. As usual, I planned to ride the BART train, as the meeting location is just a couple hundred yards from the downtown SF station. Because of the time of day it was, I knew that I probably wouldn’t find parking at the nearest station (Pittsburg/Bay Point) and that I would need to drive on over to the North Concord station, which always has parking available, although it’s a much longer walk into the station. As I was leaving Antioch, I asked the Holy Spirit if I should go to the nearest station (Pittsburg/Bay Point) or go on over to the North Concord station. He very clearly said, “No, go to Pittsburg. I have a parking spot there for you already.” Ok! I got on the freeway and headed for Pittsburg. As soon as I pulled into the station and drove down the main road, I saw a woman walking TOWARD her car from the station, in the first row, 4th stall. I instantly knew this was the spot He had reserved for me. I pulled up, put on my signal and waited for her to back out. I have used this station many times over the years and this just doesn’t happen so I knew it was a “Holy Ghost setup!”

As I got out and began to gather my things, I looked up at the sky and was totally drawn to its beauty and grandeur. The clouds were arranged in such a way that it looked as though something was bursting through. I was captivated. Although it was so bright that I could barely look up, I grabbed my cell phone and snapped a picture real quick, not knowing what I was going to see… it was just too bright to look at.

When I put the photo on my computer today, I was in shock and awe over what I saw.

Click the following link to see the photo:  CLICK HERE FOR THE PHOTO

In the center where the sun is, there is a distinct image of Jesus, seated, holding what appears to be (at least to me) a scroll.

For those who would say, “Oh this is just one of those ‘Photoshop’ touched up photos,” I am sorry to pop your bubble, but this is not a manipulated photo. This is exactly what was captured by my Palm Treo cell phone camera.

Our God is an AWESOME God!

I had to call Sprint PCS today to make some changes to my account. Rather than use my cell phone, which usually routes me to a customer service rep overseas, I used my land line at work, which connected me to a rep here in the USA.

She answered and for some reason said this: “Hello and thank you for calling Sprint, this is Ashley in Central Florida, how may I help you today?”

I said, “Did you just say ‘Central Florida’?”

“Yes, that’s right. Central Florida,” she said.

I said, “Are you near Tampa?”

“No, Orlando area,” she replied.

I said, “Have you heard what is going on over in Lakeland?”

“No,” she said. “What?”

And I proceeded to tell her about the HEALING REVIVAL that is taking place there. She said, “Oh that’s pretty cool.”

We went on with our business transaction.

Throughout the call, she would do stuff on her computer and then ask questions and tell me stuff about herself… come to find out (long story short) she is a believer, is about 25 years old, and that although she went to a Southern Baptist church when she was young, she’s been in a small church for about 4 years, which she loves greatly, and it sounded like they are moving in the Gifts, and she is into worship music and singing, and so on…

She told me of a recent death in their family of a 2 year old cousin. But that through the tragedy, God used her to get her sister saved. Wow… thank you Lord for that.

I assured her that no matter how awful things may seem to us, God can always use any situation to do something awesome.

I told her if she knew anyone who was sick to tell them to run on over to Lakeland and get healed!

She said, “Well, my mom. She has hepatitis.” I said “Wow – take her over there!”

“Oh no,” she said. “She’d never go. She doesn’t believe in all that.”

I said, “It doesn’t matter – God can still heal her!”

“Oh no, she’d never go.”

We finished up our transaction, and she started to give me the closing spiel. I interrupted her… “Hey – I have a crazy idea! Why don’t we just pray on the phone right here and now before we hang up, that the Holy Spirit will speak to your mom’s heart and she’ll be open to go get healed!”

“That is a fantastic idea,” she agreed. So we prayed and we agreed.

So now hang on a second… here I am, sitting in my cubicle at work, praying on the phone with a Sprint operator in her cubicle, who is a Christian, in Orlando, Florida!!!!

I told her to get ready – something amazing is about to happen!

So, Holy Spirit – go get “Ashley the Sprint Operator’s” mom! Speak to her heart and let her be drawn to you, to feel your love, and to get completely healed!!! No more hepatitis!

YAY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Isn’t it fun just doing “normal Christianity”? Hahaha!!!! MORE LORD! More opportunities!!!! And MORE LOVE!!!!!!!!!!

This past week I was very privileged to attend the Leadership Advance at Bethel Church in Redding, CA. The event was a 3-night, 2-day conference, designed to “Advance” pastors and leaders in the “church” – not just the Redding church, but the Body of Christ in general. There were pastors and leaders from literally all over the world in attendance. I love the fact that instead of calling it a “Leadership Retreat” it is called a “Leadership Advance!”

From the very first meeting on Monday night, it was quite apparent that there was something very different about this conference. I felt the GLORY of God the moment I walked in the door of the sanctuary. Bill Johnson, the senior pastor of Bethel Church, spoke after the extended time of amazing worship was over. He affirmed that this event would not be focused on teaching, but rather on impartation.

Over the course of the conference, each time we assembled, the power and fire seemed to just intensify. Faith was rising, expectancy increasing. Each meeting was started with an incredible time of worship – a time of total unity among the Body – just loving on Jesus. During this conference, I began manifesting in a way I had never experienced before – an involuntary “bobbing” of the head and shoulders, almost as if I was trying to “duck” under the waves of GLORY that were washing over me. I have experienced many different forms of manifestation of the Spirit’s power on me, but this was quite new to me.

On the last night (Wednesday), things had intensified to a new level. During dinner at the Red Lion Hotel, where about 400-500 of us had gathered to eat (they couldn’t accommodate everyone at the church), something broke out at the end of the meal that would change many in the room forever. We heard someone scream and then cheering and applause. Apparently, someone had been healed of a long-time problem in one of their joints. The young man who had been part of the miracle asked if anyone else in the room needed a miracle, and within moments a healing revival had broken out in the room! At one point, I turned around to observe and saw a group of people laying hands on one of the waiters who had his eyes closed and his hands lifted toward Heaven. Wow! What a sight!

Our ministry associate Sue Littlejohn was sitting next to me at our table, and had raised her hand for healing of a partially blocked ear. She was growing impatient that the “group” hadn’t seen her and come to pray for her as well. I looked at her and said, “Well – do you want to get healed?” She of course replied with a yes. I immediately heard the Holy Spirit tell me how to go about it so I told her to close her eyes and hold still. I reached around her head and laid my left hand on her left ear and as I blew in her right ear I ripped my hand away from her left ear, and BAM! IT OPENED IMMEDIATELY! Yahoooooo!!!! Holy Spirit – you’re amazing!

We left the hotel SUPERCHARGED and went to the church for the final meeting of the conference. After another time of extended, intimate worship, Bill Johnson spoke very briefly and then instructed us – once again – to begin praying for each other, which we gladly did.

I prayed for those adjacent to me for a short time, and then made my way out into the aisle to pray for a good friend and ministry associate, Mike Dowling (San Francisco House of Prayer). Mike and I began praying for each other – and that is when something truly amazing began to happen to me. Mike began stating that he felt the FIRE on me. Over and over he told me, “I feel the FIRE on you! You’re on FIRE! You’re on FIRE!”

I truly was on fire. My body’s temperature had noticeably increased and I was dripping with sweat. I was in a GLORY ZONE that I had never previously experienced. I found it increasingly hard to stand. I began “bobbing” again… it was difficult to walk… as though I was wading through molasses on the floor.

I wanted to share a couple of testimonies with Bill Johnson, so Mike helped me make my way to the front where Bill was sitting on the edge of the stage imparting to people. I shared with him what I intended to, and then said, “Well – since I’m here, you might as well give me an impartation.” He grabbed my hand and what happened next was the strangest and most powerful experience I have ever had, to date.

I was driven to the floor by the Glory of God and the amazing power of the Spirit and found myself on my face unable to rise. As I knelt there with my face on the carpet, I suddenly realized that the noise of the room was gone, and I was in a secret, dark place that was holy. Holy Silence. It was like I was literally taken into the heart of God.

I don’t know how long I was down there, but it could have been much longer than it felt. When I stood up, Mike was right there speaking with one of the associate pastors. He had me lay hands on and pray for the associate, and shortly afterward he introduced me to another pastor from Hawaii who I prayed for as well.

On the drive home Thursday, I barely remember the 3-1/2 hour trip, as I was completely blasted, and talking/praying on the phone with several different friends.

Something changed in me. I experienced a new fire, and new glory, a new love for all of creation.

More Lord. More……… Love……….

This morning as I was having my coffee and sandwich as Starbucks, a woman came and sat next to me while waiting for her drink. Then I saw another young lady (high school senior) come and stand in the same area to wait for her drink. I heard the Holy Spirit say, “As soon as this woman gets up, the young lady will sit down next to you.” Sure enough, within moments the woman got up and the high school senior sat down.

I had seen her in there many times over the past months, and we had merely exchanged a smile on numerous occasions, but had never spoken to each other, so it startled me slightly when she sat down next to me and talked to me. I suppose I should have expected it, since the Spirit told me that she would be sitting down next to me.

We began a casual exchange, which led to talking about the fact that she was graduating in June. I asked her what she planned to do with her life upon graduation, to which she replied – without hesitation – that she wanted to be a fashion designer and live in New York or Paris. I felt an immediate confirmation in my spirit as she said this. I could literally see her – operating in complete confidence – in this capacity.

After the conversation quieted down a bit, I turned to her, looked her straight in the eye, and asked her, “Do you believe in God?”

“Oh yeah!” she replied. “We used to go to [the Catholic church] all the time, but not anymore.”

I then went on to bless her and give her a prophetic word about her future, which caused her face to literally LIGHT UP! She was taken aback.

“That is the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me!” she exclaimed. “You just made my day!”

I could feel that she was so excited she wanted to give me a hug, but it just wasn’t appropriate yet.

She left the coffee shop almost floating on air! Even the manager commented about how nice it was – whatever I did – that made her so happy.

As I drove away, I began declaring over her life that she will come into a relationship with Jesus, and prophesying that she would in fact be a very successful fashion designer who will affect others in the industry for the Kingdom, and that her designs would be Holy Spirit inspired!

Thank you Father for this encounter… I look forward to the day, in the very near future, that I get to pray with her to accept Christ as her Savior.

My First Time in Vegas

On Monday morning, April 14^th, I flew out of Oakland for some business meetings in Pittsburgh, PA. Since I was connecting through Las Vegas, I arranged to meet and have lunch with Annie Lobert, who will be speaking at our Love Without Limits conference in July. We met at and had lunch in the “Rainforest Cafe” at the MGM Grand Hotel. What an amazing lunch experience! Annie is a very intelligent and real person. She genuinely loves everyone, and her love for Jesus shows in everything she says and does. During our time of fellowship, the Holy Spirit showed me some things about her, which I shared with her, and in the character of the prophetic word, encouraged and strengthened her. The Holy Spirit is so amazing! When it was time for me to head back to the airport, she offered to give me a ride. On the way, we listened to a CD called “Deluge” by a band from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, that had recently been at her church in Las Vegas. Wow! I fully intend to buy it as soon as I get home.

Adventures in Rental Cars

I landed in Pittsburgh Monday night about 11:00 PM and upon arriving at the rental car counter, I learned that they were “out of cars” and had nothing for me, even though I had reserved a car two weeks in advance. The poor guy at the counter was sweating, as he attempted to work with his competitor right next door to get me a “full size” car at the same rate. No such luck. I attempted to make him feel better by telling him that this felt like I was in the Seinfield episode where Jerry and Elaine are at the rental car place and they are out of cars, and Jerry says, “Obviously, you don’t understand what the word ‘RESERVATION’ means!” He laughed with me at this; I think it made him feel a little better.

Wringing his hands and holding his forehead, he said, “I do have one thing up my sleeve. I actually do have one vehicle left. I will rent it to you at a reduced rate because it uses more gas.”

I asked him what it was. He told me it was their top of the line “Luxury SUV.” Wow! Not only did I get the BEST they had, but at a much lower rate! Abba loves me.

Pittsburgh

I drove my “Luxury SUV” around Pittsburgh and attended my meetings for the next three days, experiencing the city that I had never visited before with the guidance of my business associates (architects) who live there. The first night, they treated a group of us to an amazing dinner downtown at a steak and seafood

restaurant called McCormick & Schmick’s… truly outstanding food. The second night, on the recommendation of one of them, I visited the “Little Italy” district and ate at a family-style restaurant. Again, outstanding food! One thing I found interesting about this area (and the East in general) is how many people smoke, and how many places that allow it. As I ate my dinner Wednesday night, I had people on either side of me smoking while we ate.

The Tourist

Thursday was our last meeting. Afterward, the architects recommended that I experience the “South Side” that night and gave me directions to a great little Italian restaurant in the downtown section of this oldest part of Pittsburgh. What a cool place! The homes in this district – which were built over 100 years ago for the steel workers – are all at least two stories and sandwiched no more than two feet apart. (Almost ALL of the homes in this part of the country are brick construction and have basements. What happened out west?) I drove around the South Side downtown area for about 20 minutes, unable to find a place to park (it was really packed), and finally gave up. I ended up at Olive Garden near my hotel.

New Jersey

Friday morning, I got up and headed east for New Jersey. I had arranged to have dinner with my friend Christine – who will be coming out in November to be part of our Rock Tha Bay music and arts festival. She is a rapper and hip-hop dancer who lives just north of Newark. She also has a ministry there called “Spirit Blaze.” She is a DJ on a local radio station, with her own weekly show called “Spirit Blaze Radio,” and is about to launch “Spirit Blaze TV” – a webcast video program that will go live later this Spring.

Since I was not in any hurry to get across the state of Pennsylvania, I chose to go through Harrisburg and Hershey (my wife has always wanted to go to Hershey) and just check things out. I was disappointed to find that Hershey is just a big amusement park and was not at all what I had pictured in my mind. However, it did give me the opportunity to see some truly amazing land while driving some two-lane highways. The homes and farms, and just the greenery that make up this state are beautiful. Pennsylvania is a place made up of rolling hills covered by trees. I can only imagine how beautiful it is later in spring when everything starts to bloom and the trees have their leaves again.

I made it into the Newark area just in time to meet with Christine after she got off work. We went to an outstanding little Italian place (did I mention that I LOVE Italian food?) called Bensi and had a great time of fellowship (not to mention the great food). Afterward, we went to the corner Starbucks and had more fellowship, encouragement, and just generally sharing our hearts and God’s love. She is very excited about coming to California in November, and is really looking forward to meeting everyone.

New York

I got up Saturday morning, after having a bad hotel experience, and left the area heading east. I figured since I had never been to New York either, and I was already that far, I MUST go see New York! (Thankfully, I had an “unlimited miles” rental car!) I crossed the river through the Lincoln Tunnel and ended up on 42^nd Street in Manhattan. Wow! What an experience! I drove around Manhattan for a while, and then made my way south toward Brooklyn. I was hoping to get a glimpse of Lady Liberty, but it just did not happen. I drove through Brooklyn and on to Staten Island, and then down the New Jersey Turnpike. What a MISTAKE that was! I was stuck in a huge traffic jam… 10 miles per hour for about 20 miles.

The Liberty Bell – or Not

I had planned to go see Philadelphia – and the Liberty Bell – while I was there, but after losing so much time on the turnpike, I had to get right to the airport, as I had a flight out of Philadelphia at 5:10. I made it to the airport just in time, only to find out that the flight would be about two hours behind schedule. Normally, that would be fine – however, this minor inconvenience was going to cause me to miss my connection to Oakland in Las Vegas, and I would be spending the night – unexpectedly – in Las Vegas.

Donald

As I boarded the plane in Philly, I noticed the window seat in the first row was vacant. Since I knew that this was a completely full flight, and I was in the “B” boarding group, I figured I should grab it to ensure that I would not be sandwiched in the middle seat. The person I sat down next to was a former “linebacker” for some football team – I just know it. He was African-American and about 6 foot 6 inches tall and probably about 45-50 years old. Through his movements and traveling accessories, I quickly discovered that he had some sort of a back injury. As time progressed, it became quite apparent that he was in a great deal of pain. He made several trips to the rest room, just to get up and walk a bit.

I prayed about speaking to him; I asked the Holy Spirit about sharing with him on healing. The Spirit encouraged me to go ahead and talk to him. After I introduced myself and learned his name was Donald, I told him that I couldn’t stand seeing him in so much pain, and wondered if he would like me to pray for him. In my mind’s eye, I could see an amazing miracle waiting to happen, as he had already told me that he had an injured disc in his lower spine. I could see myself gently laying my hand on his back and commanding the disc to be healed. I could see his face – in amazement – as the pain left his body completely. I could see us becoming friends and staying in touch over the years.

Much to my dismay, he declined having prayer! I wanted to say, “Are you crazy? Do you have any idea what you’re passing up here?” Instead, I politely said to him, “Well if you change your mind, let me know, ok?” He wasn’t rude about it – he was actually a very humble person. He quietly said, “Oh no, I’ll be alright,” as beads of sweat ran down his forehead from the excruciating pain he was in. At one point he even wiped away tears.

As this situation transpired, I thought about what Jesus must have felt – knowing that He had the power to heal people, but just having them scoff at him and his “ministry team.” I reflected on the passage where He instructed the disciples that if they went into a town that didn’t receive them, to just kick the dust off their shoes and move on. My flesh wanted to press the issue with my new friend Donald, but deep in my spirit, I knew that I should just continue to show him love and kindness.

I did everything I could to make him as comfortable as possible, assisting him with his seat belt, etc. My heart went out for this man, and I continued to pray that the Holy Spirit would open up an opportunity to minister to him. As we left the plane, I gently encouraged him and said goodbye, as an airport attendant wheeled him up the ramp.

Viva Las Vegas?

Once in the Las Vegas airport, I confirmed that I had in fact missed my connecting flight, but somehow my suitcase made it and was on that plane to Oakland without me. Fortunately, while in Philly the airline agent put me on standby for a Sunday morning flight from Vegas to Oakland. I sat down with my briefcase and opened my laptop to try to find a hotel.

It wasn’t long before I discovered that there wasn’t only a prize fight in town that night, but also a law enforcement convention, and most of the rooms in town were sold out. I found a smaller hotel that had some rooms, and headed there in a taxi, thinking it was really close to the airport.

Once the fare hit about $27, I asked the driver how much farther it was. About this time, the freeway came to a stop. There was a major accident. Come to find out, the hotel I selected was in the northwest corner of Las Vegas, and we were still quite a distance from it. The driver suggested that we get off the freeway and he would help me find a little “mom and pop” motel. Bad idea.

He dropped me at a place called “Holiday House Motel” and I handed him $30. First clue that this was a big mistake – sign at counter: KEY DEPOSIT – $10 CASH ONLY. Upon entering my room, I immediately discovered this was not a motel where people go to “sleep.” Was I in some kind of nightmare? Was I really still on the plane and just dreaming? Unfortunately, I was in fact awake, and this was my present reality. I was really in the most disgusting room I had ever been in my entire life. In fact, it was so bad that I didn’t take my clothes or shoes off (what was the point? I had nothing with me but my briefcase). I folded back the bedding and flopped on the bed, which sank about a foot under me. Unfortunately, I wasn’t about to fall asleep due to the noise in the adjacent rooms.

I quickly grabbed by iPod and put on some good soaking worship music, praying to the Holy Spirit to just “knock me out” for a few hours so I could be somewhat rested before heading back to the airport in the morning. Thankfully, after a short time, I was asleep. I think I woke up at least 10 times in the following five hours though; car alarms, doors slamming, women laughing, and so on.

To the Airport!

Promptly at five o’clock A.M. my alarm went off. I was so happy to know that I had slept at least four hours! The people in the adjacent rooms were still having the same parties. Dear God. I guess it really is “The City That Never Sleeps.”

I grabbed my briefcase and headed straight to the office to get my $10 cash back for the room key, and then out to the boulevard to catch a taxi for the airport.

I arrived in ample time to get my boarding pass and have the biggest Starbucks Coffee I could buy. I went to the security checkpoint and sipped my coffee, watching hundreds of people go through security at 5:30 in the morning, heading home from “Sin City.”

It’s really remarkable to see how people dress in Las Vegas. It’s also hard to believe how many people choose not to sleep here. It was quite apparent that some of these people had been up all night – partying, gambling, doing whatever they do – and came straight to the airport in their evening attire! It’s fun to watch other people watching these people too. What’s really amazing to me as I watch these large crowds of people is the fact that each and every one of them have different DNA, different fingerprints, different irises, and that God knows how many hairs are on each one of their heads. He knows them by name. He formed them in their mother’s wombs. He loves and has amazing plans for each one of them.

I finished my coffee and got in line to have my body scanned and my belongings x-rayed. I found my way to the gate and sat down to check my e-mail.

California – Home Again

I was so relieved to touch down in Oakland, knowing that I would be home in less than two hours. I was really missing my family at this point, and couldn’t wait to get home and have a shower.

It was great to see the east coast and have fellowship with my two amazing sisters in Las Vegas and New Jersey, but it was so nice to get back home, back to the routine.

I am so blessed by the Father. I have an awesome wife, amazing kids, a great job, a nice home, clothes to wear, a good dog, amazing friends and brothers/sisters in Christ… God is so good. He loves us so much.

Throughout my entire trip, the one thing that kept echoing through my mind was this: “The steps of a righteous person are ordered of the Lord.” Over and over. Day after day.

No matter where I go, or what I do, I know that I am doing what He wants me to do.

Love.