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3rd Step Live - divine appointments are so COOL!

12/22/2012

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        Another cool God story occurred today, which created a divine appointment for purposes of bringing forth light into the darkness!  
        Today was a beautiful day in Kerrville.  So I decided to go for a run.  As I was thinking about it, the Holy Spirit gave me a strong desire to go “run” the 0.7 mile road circuit over at the Kerrville Cross.  When I got there, about 8:45 am, there was no one there.  As I was finishing my 4th circuit, somebody I know showed up at the top.  She asked me if I would pray for her, which I told her I would gladly do.  She told me she needed direction about a situation which involved her son and him “messing up”.  
        I was given a strong desire to tell her about the prodigal son, which I did, and how he came to “his senses” in a pig pen orchestrated by consequences of his own actions.  No one “bailed him out”.  I was also led to talk to this mom about how the time she invests in worrying about this son and bailing this son out of his circumstances, is taking away time and money from her other kids who are doing well and “doing right”.  I told her that she was teaching the wrong message to her son in that his consequences hit the mom instead of the son, so the son had no reason to change his behaviors as mom would “fix consequences” for him, and the other message to the good children was that doing good did not provide any extra rewards for them from their mother in terms of more time with mother or fun experiences with her that money going to the son’s problems would have paid for. 
        When I finished talking, the mom began to cry and told me what I was saying was confirmation for her. She told me that last night when she was praying about her son, the Holy Spirit told her she needed to “take care of the people in her family who were doing well, don’t waste resources on those who aren’t doing well and continue to refuse correction.” This is a tough message for many people, especially mothers, but God knows best!
        I went on to comfort this lady and let her know that "tough love" was never easy or comfortable, but many times is quite necessary in order for healthy changes in people's lives to occur.  I then prayed for and asked God to grant her the wisdom and strength that she needed!
         It is so cool to me when the God of the Universe sets you up with divine appointments in which "your gifts" are able to bless others IF you let God use you!  I have found out over 27 years of walking with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, that if you allow yourself to be placed "in God's flow" on a daily basis, your life is always exciting, meaningful, and fulfilling!  Come jump in HIS River!  God's will for your life is always better than your own!  
        Have a great day!  God bless you!

        CJDaniel

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3rd Step Live - supernatural living is normal life

11/2/2012

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        Ever wanted to have a super-natural experience?  Well that is what God has made you to have.  He wants you connected to Him in such a way that not only are you able to overcome obstacles, addictions, and other behaviors in your own life thru His power, you are able to use His power to bless others.  The following is an illustration of living in the supernatural which should be normal for all people.
        Today I met a group of 15+ residents of the Grace House down (in S.A.) at The Coming King Foundation Cross in Kerrville.  These ladies got more than the "nickle tour" for
sure.  I told them at the beginning of our time together, that they would all have an "encounter" with the "Living God of the Universe!"  After explaining in detail the vision of TCKF garden, and why there is such a strong presence of the Holy Spirit up on the mountain where the Cross is, I asked them
if they would like to see a "sign" which follows the sharing of the Word of God.  They said "yes" rather skeptically.  I then asked the Holy Spirit of God to reveal God's Shekinah glory to them (looks like gold dust). 
       Well, all skeptism went out the window when 
they all got covered in God's Shekinah glory dust, which shows up at the Cross regularly when we pray for it.  We also had a great time of ministry and prayer in which the Holy Spirit touched each of the ladies.   At the end of our time together, which was probably about an hour, they all agreed they were each walking away with a "touch" from God as well as a greater understanding of the REALITY of His "real love" for them.     
        As a bonus, God wanted me to give them ccpies of my book, "The Little Book - Alcoholism, Drug Addiction & Recovery Made Simple!"  By my count, 13 copies of "The
Little Book" went home with them on God's tab, no charge to them.  God spoiled "His Daughters" today!
        Nothing like "doing the supernatural God-stuff" . . . Who ever said God was boring has never had a "real encounter" with Him! God's waiting to use you! 

God bless you!  CJD
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3rd Step Live - Divine Encounter goes "postal"

10/31/2012

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        Today I had an interesting, and I would say a
“divine encounter”!  I met my mailman for the first time. I was quite surprised when he said to me, “So how is your book doing?”  I responded,  “Well, it is gaining some momentum finally, but I still need help in raising the public awareness of the book!”  
         Since we had just met, I was curious as to how he knew I had even written a book.  So I asked him, “So how do
you know about my book?”  Then he started playing the “Big Brother” routine . . . “Oh, I know a lot about you, Chris!”  Well this increased my curiosity so I asked if we had met before.  “No, we haven’t met. It just so happens I know some of your people!”  
         Well as it turned out, we had a common friend who told him about me since he knew he was on my mail route.  I
asked the fellow, “Well, do you know what my book – “The Little Book” – is about?  The mailman answered, “No”.  I then told him it was about chemical addiction and recovery from it.  He immediately responded, “I don’t need that kind of book for me. I don’t have that problem.”  I then responded, “Well, statistics would say that everybody knows somebody close to them that is struggling with an addiction problem.  They just may not know about the addiction problem.”  
         
        The mailman paused for a moment, then answered, “well, the person that I know with that problem is not close to me; he lives 1,000 miles away from me, and we have not talked in years!”  
        Being a counselor, I am trained to “pursue the trail” so I asked, “Who might that person  be?”  
        The mailman answered, “It is my brother; he has been an alcoholic for years.”  The conversation finished up with the mailman thinking about checking out my website.  
        We said “goodbye” to each other as he drove on down to the cul de sac delivering mail.  As he drove away, the Holy Spirit told me to give him a copy of “The Little Book”.  I looked in the back of my car, and sure enough I had a
copy. As the mailman was coming back past me, I flagged him down and gave him a copy of “The Little Book”.
        So who knows what that “little encounter” was
all about?  But maybe “The Little Book”will have another opportunity to bring healing and reconciliation in a mailman’s family as well as keeping him from “going postal!” 
        Life surrendered to God is always an adventure!  God bless you!   CJD
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3rd Step Live - prayer for those suffering thru Hurricane Sandy

10/29/2012

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The best way to pray to Jehova Adonai, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, whose Son is Jesus Christ, is to pray God's Word back to Him.  So below are some scriptures I used to create a prayer for those in the midst of the storm called Sandy!

Psalm 93:3-5    The seas have lifted up, O Lord, the seas have lifted up their voice, the seas have lifted up their pounding 
                         waves.  Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea -- the Lord on high is 
                         mighty.  Your statutes stand firm, holiness adorns your house for endless day, O Lord!

Psalm 34:4      I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

Ps 121:1-2       I will lift up my eyes to the hills-from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven
                        and earth.

Psalm 91:1-2    He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of
                         the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust."

Isaiah 43:2       When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow
                         you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.

Ps 125:2           As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people from this time forth and forever.

Ps 124:4-5,8    The waters would have overwhelmed us, the stream would have gone over our soul; then the swollen waters
                         would have gone over our soul.  Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

                        Prayer:  Father God, I come to you on behalf of my fellow Americans, my brothers and sisters in Christ, and
                        all others who find themselves in the midst of Hurricane Sandy.  Father, your word says that you are mightier than
                        the breakers of the sea, mightier than the thunder of the great waters which I know to be true about You over the 
                        course of my life.  Your Word says that my help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth.  You say as
                        your people pass thru the waters that you will be with them.  Your word says as I call on the Lord you will
                        delivered me from my fears and destructions.  So Lord according to your Word and as an ambassador of Christ 
                        (2 Cor 5:20), I declare and decree that your people are safe and sound.  I thank you that as the mountains 
                        surround Jerusalem so you are surrounding your own in the midst of this storm.  I pray father God, that you
                        would also protect and provide for those who don't know you yet as their Father God.  Jesus Christ did not come
                        to condemn but to save.  So I pray that you save all the people from this storm in the natural, and I pray that they 
                        all be saved spiritually afterwards.  You tell us also to pray for our government (1 Tim. 2:1-2).  I pray that our 
                        leaders will walk in Godly wisdom and TRUTH, and that you will direct their steps such that no evil befalls those 
                        in government who are sent to truly help the people.  Protect the first responders and their support crews.  I also 
                        pray and thank you for angelic help . . . that angels from Heaven will be dispatched and stories told of the many 
                        miraculous rescues of people and their families, their pets, their homes . . . In terms of the storm, I speak to the 
                        storm Sandy, and I say, "be still in the name of Jesus, dry up, wither and die in the name of Jesus! I loose the 
                        angels of Heaven to cut you off from your power source, NOW, in the name of Jesus Christ!  Amen!



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3rd Step Live - God's little billboards

10/25/2012

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        Cool little God story . . . Yesterday, I was in my prayer closet and was praying about the next steps in the marketing of "The Little Book – Alcoholism, Drug Addiction & Recovery Made Simple!”  I had been praying for about 20 minutes and had reached that place of “stillness of mind, great peace, and warmth of the soul” as God’s presence flooded the room that I was in.  
         As I was basking in God’s presence, the little “bling” noise on my phone went off letting me know that I had a message.  Normally, while in prayer, I would ignore this, but I felt like I was to check it out.  
         I leaned over and got my phone and pushed the button to bring the message up.  Lo and behold, it was a message from my Nigerian Pastor friend, Israel, who I had not talked
to in weeks.  He had texted me a message which said, “I was thinking about you and God gave me a prophetic word for you!  You are to ‘go forward as planned!  Your goals and dreams are coming to pass now, in Jesus’ name!’”  This gave me the confirmation that I was looking for to go forward in the direction I was considering!
        I always love it when God puts a "billboard" in your path saying, “Go this way!”  Remember God is there for you, too!
Whatever situation you are in, He knows the way out!  Give Him a listening ear; He is trying to show you the way to your
promise land  

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3rd Step Live - amazing detox by God?

9/4/2012

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            A few weeks ago, I was up at "The Kerrville Cross" hanging out with the increasing presence of The Holy Spirit that is there at that site.  As I was there, one of my fellow board trustees came up to me and asked me to pray for a young person who was a poly-substance abuser - heroine, opiates, alcohol, etc.  
            This young person was about to go to a detox facility in the next 48 hours; and then afterwards go to rehab.  I don't remember exactly what we prayed, but certainly part of it was to "fill" this person with the power of the Holy Spirit as well as to drive out the "obsession" for using as well as to neutralize the "craving" for drugs/alcohol. 
        Well, I heard back from this person through a friend that what should have been a detox of at least a week due to the opiate and heroin use, was shortened to just a few days as they had NO withdrawal symptons at all.  This person is now several weeks in rehab and doing very well.  This person reports that a "spiritual awakening" occurred that night at The Cross that has forever changed their life.
        Amazing what God can and wants to do for our lives, our addictions, our recovery, and more if we will just turn to Him, connect with Him, and ask for His help!
        Go God go!  He really is the best drug counselor around; He has the Power to transform yo
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#7 CJD & God - 3rd Step Live!

8/10/2012

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            Well, life continues to be a "wild adventure" in my life.  Much God stuff has been going on as I have made myself available for ministry at The Kerrville Cross which is part of The Coming King Foundation prayer garden in Kerrville, Tx. 
            The other day I was led by that "still small voice" to go up to the top of the "hill" where the 77' 7" Empty Steel Cross is.  I walked by a group in which one man was talking to another man who was sitting behind the wheel of his car drunk, with his woman friend standing outside of the rear door of the same car listening in.  The one man was asking the other two if they knew Jesus, and whether or not they knew if they would go to Heaven or not.  The person who was "evangelizing" appeared to be frustrated with the two and walked off. 
            After a few more steps, the Holy Spirit told me to go back and talk to the same two folks - the one man who was drunk sitting in his car, and his woman friend who was still standing up beside the car.  I went over to them and asked if they had been talking about "salvation" which they both said they had been.  Being led by that "still small voice", I asked them if they had ever seen or witnessed a "supernatural" manifestation of God.  They replied "no".  I then, following the leading of the Holy Spirit, asked the Holy Spirit to cover them with the Shekina glory of God, which looks like sparkly glitter.  The Holy Spirit then proceeded to cover both of these with this glitter like substance. 

Well, if you have never seen a supernatural touch by God, you can imagine the "shock" of both these people, especially the fellow that was drunk . . . he became "sober" very quickly. 
            I explained to them that this supernatural phenomena is nothing more than a sign revealing the reality and power and love of God for people on planet earth.  I then asked the man if he might want to be "connected" with this "real God" thru His son Jesus Christ.  The drunk fellow received Christ as his Saviour.  I then asked if they would both like a "touch" by God that would forever change their life.  I then layed hands on both of them and asked the Holy Spirit to reveal the Father's love to them. The man became more at "rest" and the woman teared up.  I then felt a release and left them, but I encouraged them both to come back again for another "touch" from God.
            I don't remember all else that happened, but I got into the "flow" of the Holy Spirit of God and prayed for several more people that showed up about various personal needs that they all had.  After finishing, I checked on the property needs of The Cross, then I left, to begin the rest of my day . . .
            Following the Spirit of God is always an adventure . . . anyway, tired now!  Going to bed!  Hope this encourages you to "connect" to and "surrender" more to God / Higher Power.   God Bless you!     CJD
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#6 CJD & God - 3rd Step LIVE

8/4/2012

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            Today was a busy day, went to Woman's Aglow meeting this morning and heard a good word from the speaker as well as got a referral for counseling which I was not expecting.  Afterwards went to lunch, then came home where I spent some time getting some thank you letters out to some good friends of mine who have helped me promote "The Little Book - Alcoholism, Drug Addiction &  Recovery Made Simple!", which you can buy at my store.  
            Anyway after that, I went to UPS to send off the letters as well as packages of books to other folks.  Then I went to church where I do some volunteering with the kid's ministry.  We had some rowdy kids who were older than our younger kids.  I did a quick prayer asking God how to handle this "mixed group" of different ages, and instantly the idea of "play charades" flashed in my mind.  Well the idea worked well in reeling in the kids, especially the older ones.  As it turned out the older kids had never played charades.  We then did our Bible lesson which all were attentive too.  
            As I was rapping it up, it occurred to me (that still small voice) to pray and ask God to physically touch each of the kids as well as reveal his "Shekinah Glory" which is a supernatural "gold-like" glitter substance that forms on people sometimes when you ask God for it.  I prayed for it, and God was faithful to reveal a "little bit" of this substance on the hands of some of the kids.  
            After my time with the kids was over, I went out for coffee with friends.  When I left them it was about 10:30 pm.  I drove home, and by the time I pulled into the driveway it was about 11:00 pm.  As I open the door to get out, the Holy Spirit tells me to "go up to the Cross", which is at THE COMING KING FOUNDATION prayer garden in Kerrville.  So I hopped back in the car and drove over there expecting several people to be there.  
            When I arrived, I found no-one at all was there.  I felt like I was to stay for awhile, so I got  out of the car and went up and sat inside of the 77' 7" steel cross.  God put several things on my mind, especially praying for the blessing of the Hill Country of Texas and its people.  I prayed in the Spirit for a little while when finally I felt a "release" to leave.  It was now about 11:30 pm.
              As I got into my car to leave, immediately a truck and a car drove up to the top of the plateau where The Cross is.  The Holy Spirit nudged me to walk over to the truck.  As it turned out, it was filled with a woman, and her sister and her partner, and two kids who came from S.A. to see the Cross after seeing it on the TV news the day before.  The other group was coming from a wedding.  I asked them all if they would like to "see" God's Shekinah glory . . . I prayed for them and most of them were instantly covered with the "golden glitter" substance on their hands and arms.  They were all rather shocked about it, but it did get their attention to the reality of God.  When I asked them if they knew Jesus, they all responded "yes".  When I asked if they had any prayer needs they immediately started sharing different situations.   I prayed with them for those needs to be answered . . . now its up to God to see what He is going to do in their situations.  
            Now as it relates to life situations, look at the little adventure with God that I would have missed out on as well as the 8 people who came to the Cross at 11:30 PM if I had disregarded that voice when I was in my driveway which asked me to "go to the Cross" - and instead just jumped in the shower and then gone to bed?  What have you been missing and are missing out on by not being connected to God / Higher Power and/or being obedient to His voice?  Think about it . . .  God bless you!  
                                    
CJD
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#5 CJD & God - 3rd Step Live

8/1/2012

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           Well a lot has been happening since my last post . . . quite a bit of supernatural God stuff going on.  Most of it is occurring at The Coming King Foundation prayer garden which has the 77' 7" cross on a hill in Kerrville. 
            Tonight I was praying with others for a woman who was a single mom and was struggling financially to support herself and her daughter.  As we prayed for her, I saw a picture of this woman in my mind's eye standing in a field of Daffodils falling backwards into these flowers, landing softly as if falling into a mattress.  Then I heard that "still small voice" of the Holy Spirit say, "Tell her that God will catch her.  All she needs to do is fall back into my arms and trust Me!"  After hearing this, I waited until the other few persons praying for the lady had finished before sharing what "I saw".  
            When I shared with this lady about seeing her falling into a bed of Daffodils and that God would catch her in her situation, the lady began to tear up and cry.  She told me that Daffodils were her "birth flower" . . .
 
            She asked me how I knew about the Daffodils.  I briefly explained to her that I didn't know, but God did.  And He wanted her to know how much He loved her by passing onto me a "small detail" of her life to her.  This helped her realize that God is in "the details" of her life . . . she just needs to trust Him!
            Other things have been going on also, but I am just too tired to write about it now!  Just know that a life "connected" and in relationship with God will be the greatest and most exciting adventure of your life.  It is better than a 270' zip line ride; better than skiiing down a black diamond slope in a foot of powder snow; better than even eating my mom's chocolate mousse!  You don't want to miss this adventure with the creator and lover of your soul . . . get connected to the Creator now!
            God bless you . . . don't forget your "daily bread" tomorrow!

CJD
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#4 CJD & GOD - 3rd step LIVE

7/17/2012

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            Well I am posting from a hotel lobby in Kerrville where I am staying with my dad who came into town today.  Has been a "wild" Holy Spirit day of being "in the flow" with God.
            It started with me waking up and just focusing on praising God and thanking Him for another day.  After a time of doing that, a picture was formed in my mind of a gift bag being given to me.  As I was looking in this bag, I noticed it was full of unusual jewels . . . I wondered who this bag was for . . . I then heard a voice say that the bag and its contents were for me.  I suddenly realized that God was entrusting me with some unusual jewels.  I felt God's joy rise in me and became excited about what was going to happen to me for this day.
            After breakfast in the hotel, I "felt led" to take Dad over to "THE COMING KING FOUNDATION" prayer garden where the big 77' 7" empty cross is.  We met my daughter's mother there, where I scooped up my little one and proceeded to the top of the hill where the "Kerrville Cross" is.  At the top we had an unexpected meeting with a stranger named  Bobbie, who had set up an entire music DJ system with speakers all around "The Cross".  Very reverential praise and worship music was playing loudly, filling the air with the "Sound of Heaven".  We talked with Bobbie for at least 30 minutes in which he described his journey to "THE Cross".  He had been "told" by God to get in his car and drive to Kerrville without knowing why.  Upon his arrival, he saw "THE Cross", and the Holy Spirit told him to come up to the cross at the top of the hill and set up HIS Music.  As it turned out, he was not a "flake" but a nationally recognized producer of Christian music in the National Christian community.  The more we talked, the more I knew this man was being used by God to create an atmosphere for God to come visit Kerrville in a physical manifestation of his power.  These were things that a group of us have been praying for and about for several years for Kerrville, but of course Bobbie did not know that!
            After this "divine appointment", with Dad having been touched by this man's testimony of blind obedience and resulting supply by God for this man's journey, we all went back to the hotel for a swim.  I was able to call the founder of THE COMING KING FOUNDATION, Max Greiner, and another prophetic woman of God friend of ours to come to lunch at the hotel after our swim . . . both of their schedules were "divinely" open and they agreed to meet up with us.  
            At lunch, discussions ensued about Bobbie, about God, about the many tangible touches of God on planet earth in modern times - "Welsh Revival", "Azusa Street", "The Toronto Blessing", and "The Brownsville Revival" and how it appeared Kerrville was being "set up" as the download for a great move of God.  
            As lunch was breaking up, the Holy Spirit spoke to me about having Max and our lady guest and myself pray over my dad for a spiritual impartation and an increase of the Holy Spirit's presence in Dad's life.  Everybody agreed to do this, and Dad willing accepted this.  We went out on the porch of the hotel restaurant where we had a prayer meeting that I think forever changed my dad's life.  All I can say is the Holy Spirit showed up in a big way, and my Dad was visably touched.  Look forward to tomorrow to see more of the results of this "touch" on Dad's life. 
            The rest of the day, I guess God gave us a pass for just loving on each other.  Dad and I and my daughter had great fun with each other.  I had a little test though dealing with my sudden loss of my cell phone.  That was easily handled though when I chose to turn that inconvenience over to God so as to continue in the flow of loving on my family - went to the park with my Dad and little girl; then went to get some soda drinks; and then went down by the river, having fun walking along it; and then winding up at a restaurant for dinner.  None of this was "planned" by "me", I was just finding "the flow" of the Holy Spirit and following it.  But this day, was just another typical "3rd Step Day"! 

I pray for you that YOU find HIS flow for you today.  Of course, it all starts with getting your "DAILY BREAD" from Him in the morning.  Take care!   CJD
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    Christopher James 
    Daniel, LPC

    Counselor and Author of "The Little Book - Alcoholism, Drug Addiction & Recovery Made Simple!"

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