NATHAN "NATIONS" ALLEN: KINGDOM POET

I am pleased to introduce to you an anointed poet who ministers with grace and ability. His name is Nathan S. Allen and I had the privilege to listen to his presentation one day last week and the Holy Spirit led me to invite him to share his ministry and experiences as a poet on Bernard's word. This is the first time that I have presented a poet on this site and I know that you will be blessed by his story and his poetic ministry that will offered at the bottom of this page. Allow the Holy Spirit to minister to you through Nathan's words.

Nathan S. Allen is a minister, poet, spoken word artist and author of Expressions from A Contrite Heart. Writing from an early age, Nathan has been charged to minister to the body of Christ through the pen. A prophetic scribe through Voices of Christ Literary Ministries International, he ministers especially in the areas of sexual and relational brokenness. His spoken word name is "Nations" and he ministers at various events around the Atlanta area. He also maintains a blog that can be found at http://www.spiritualhardcandy.wordpress.com.

Nathan obtained his Bachelors of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Tennessee in the summer of 2000.

1. When did you first know that you were a poet? I knew that I was a poet from an early age because I always had a way with words. Probably came from always having the longest Easter speech out of the kids when I was little. I always won writing contest when I was in them during my grade school years.

2. Do you have any mentors who influenced your art? Theresa Johnson and the VOC ministry are the only real mentors I can think of. This ministry has shown me the real reason the Father has given me the gift of writing. I no longer I try to write from the flesh. I do my best to make sure what I write is under the leading of Yeshua and that my motives for being a poet/spoken word artist is pure.

3. Share with us your first public appearance as a poet? My first appearance as a poet came in a secular club. I read a piece I had written and it was well received. The piece was secular in nature and I had become infatuated with Def Poetry Jam that came on HBO. I wanted to be seen and noticed.

4. What advice do you have for aspiring poets? Aspiring poets should be authentically themselves and not try to mimic anyone else. They should also learn to hear the voice of God and write His words, not theirs. They need to ask themselves if their writing moves people to change or at least challenges them. Is what they're writing increasing heaven or increasing hell?

5. How has the church embraced your gift? For the most part the church has embraced my gift. I have received several invitations to minister in different congregations. My home church loves it when I come to town because I do a piece during Sunday service. I believe that my gift is embraced because I'm ministering through poetry, not entertaining.

6. Do you have any future projects? I am currently working on my first novel and am looking to record a spoken word CD.

Be blessed by this poetic offering from Brother Nathan titled "It's time to move forward."

GRADUATION! IT'S TIME TO MOVE

Today my son, Bernard Quincy Boulton. known as Quincy, graduates from the George Washington High School in Danville Virginia. I've been reflective of Quincy's journey from kindergarten to graduation, since yesterday when I attended the graduation of Dan River High School because three of that class of graduating seniors, Vivica, Mariah, and Antwone, are members of the church that I currently serve as pastor.

As I reflected on my son's graduation today a memory appeared. I saw the first day that I carried Quincy to school. I walked him to his classroom and when I turned to leave he said, "No Daddy don't leave me." He was afraid and my heart was breaking as I assured him that he would be fine and I would be back to pick him up that afternoon. I was an emotional wreck as I walked out of that building crying silently to myself, not wanting anyone to see how affected I was by son's entrance into the school system, change had entered his life and our lives as well. The next year we moved him to another school, after we was so callously treated by the principal of that "Christian School." That School, Abundant Life Christian Academy, wold be Quincy's school for the next year and a half. Me and Vantoria was resolved in getting Quincy a Christian education because we wanted him to shaped by an institution that embraced our Christian beliefs. In Quincy's formative years we wanted him exposed to an environment that supported the manner in which we were raising him. It was difficult because we had very little money, but the sacrifice was worth it.

Along with his attendance in school we also enrolled Quincy in Sylvan to strengthen his reading skills. The closest Sylvan Learning Center was in Burlington North Carolina and twice a week me and Quincy drove to Burlington, an hour's drive from Danville for his studies. Quincy's initial tuition was paid for by his Godmother, Daveida Wallace. Daveida, known as Dee, went home to heaven in January of this year.

In the spring of 2000 the Boulton's moved across the country, twelve hundred miles to serve in another church. Not sure of the Christian schools in that city we decided to enroll Quincy in public school. Our first conflict with his teacher came when she suggested that Quincy stop talking about his father so much because it was making the children who didn't have fathers at home self conscious. For the first time me and Vantoria  had to assume our roles as Quincy's  defenders and advocates. After dealing with us that teacher very quickly backed away from her "Quincy can't talk about his father in class anymore" stance.

After a year in that state Quincy would continue his education in two more public schools system. Because he has had such a love for the Lord and a consecrated walk as a believer he has faced many challenges and persecutions. Many days he would be so tired and discouraged from the price he has paid to walk before his peers as a Christian. But I've taught him that his assignment in every school that he has attended is to love his enemies and pray for them. And to confess his faith and believe God for greater things.

Graduation means, a completion and a move. Today my son completes his primary school education, but he is completing so much more. Today when I watch him walk to receive his diploma, he will do it with confidence. My son is no longer that scared little boy who didn't want me to leave him on that first day, he is a confident young man, confident in God and in himself. Quincy's completion of his public school education is also his completion of a season in his life that has been full of potential. problems, promises and persecutions. At times Quincy has not always liked what he has gone through but he has grown because of it.

The Spirit revealed to me recently that I as ascend in the things of the Spirit so will my son, because of our covenant commitment to one another. Where I go he follows me. As I receive promotion in the Spirit my son will receive promotion in the Spirit.

Because Quincy has completed this season in his life now he can move on to the next season of his life. And he will have many moves because God is the God of movement. God is taking Quincy from glory to glory and from faith to faith. I am excited about my son's future because of his sincere desire to serve God and do his will. And it has been my great privilege in his life to speak into him what God has for him. Just a few days ago Quincy looked at me with a little concern etched in his face and he said, "Dad what if it doesn't happen?" When I looked at him and saw the fear in his face the Spirit released this word from me, "It's going to happen son. What you are desiring is going to happen. God says so." The concern on his face was replaced with resolve.

My son is qualified to move because of what he has completed. I am led to speak to many in the body of Christ this morning. You are qualified to move because you have completed a season in your life. You stayed focused and faithful in the season that you were in. You have endured some hard places and faced some hard situations but you stayed and now God says to you "Graduate." It's your time to move. Move.

         

KINGDOM THINGS ARE TAKING PLACE ON FACEBOOK

I'm always blessed when I read about God kingdom connections that are being made on Face book. Some of the most fruitful kingdom connections that I have made in the last two years have been made on face book. I want to share with you one of those kingdom connections.

It was a Tuesday night in April and I was coming home after teaching at the New Mine Creek Church. On that particular night there was an urgency in spirit to get home get in on a conference call that was being sponsored by the Financial Breakthrough Network, headed by Samonia Whisonant. Teaching on the conference call was Apostle Kevin Ford. His presentation was electric. It really ministered to my spirit and released a fresh rhema word to increase my faith in the area of finances.

Apostle Ford leads a prayer Call on Monday nights for men through his network called Global Men Prayer Network. I've attended every prayer Call but one, since I heard Apostle Ford that Tuesday night in April. Although it's a prayer Call it's more than a prayer Call. It is a time for men to get together and encourage each other. It's a time for men to receive the wisdom of Apostle Ford as he teaches the meditations that the Holy Spirit places on his heart. It's a time for men to connect on the phone from different  places throughout the United States.

A brotherhood is being built through weekly Monday night Call. An international brotherhood is being birthed. Men with the heart of David are connecting across denominational lines, and doctrinal lines and racial lines. We are being unified in the Spirit and I haven't seen this kind of concerted effort reaching out to men since Promise Keepers in the 1990's.

Brother I challenge you to find your way to this gathering tonight. The Prayer Call starts at 9:00 p.m. EST. The call in number is 1-218-895-0196. The access code is 6367729#. This is a safe place and a refuge from the isolation that men sometime find themselves in. I can guarantee you that you will not regret being here. The link for Global Men Prayer Network is http://www.facebook.com/groups/gmpnetwork                

PURE MINISTRY Part 2

2 Corinthian 11:3 "BUT I FEAR, LEST SOMEHOW, AS THE SERPENT DECEIVED EVE BY HIS CRAFTINESS, SO YOUR MINDS MAY BE CORRUPTED FROM THE SIMPLICITY THAT IS IN CHRIST"

On last week I started a discussion on the topic of pure ministry. I was challenged by the Holy Spirit to examine my own ministry and determine it's purity before God. Of course ministry is the continual act of service to either God or man or both. Ministry is the work that one does because they have knowledge of their spiritual gifts, abilities and assignments that God has given to them to perform.

Pure ministry is ministry done without hidden agendas and ulterior motives. It is being faithful in executing your call with the desire to please God and bless people.

Today as I continue this discussion I want to discuss what defiles pure ministry.

Once a person starts to operate in their gifts which determines the ministry that God has called them to they must always be on guard for Satan. He is our arch enemy and he loves defiling what is pure. 

Paul reveals the strategy of the devil in 2 Corinthian 11:3. Satan uses deception to corrupt pure ministry. Deception is being cheated by believing a false appearance. First Satan works on the vision of the ministry. In the beginning the person is all about God and doing His will. But if a person in ministry is not careful the vision will become more about his will and desires over God's will and desire for that ministry. And that where deception comes in.

If Satan can get you to change the vision of ministry then you will change the voice of ministry. In the beginning it was all about saying what God said. Your motive was representing the Word of God to the world. But now it's more important about what you say and what you think and what you want others to hear.

A deceived ministry is motivated by what Satan has shown it instead of what God has said. Satan deceives through three areas: The lust of the eye (what I see is what I want), the lust of the flesh (what  I want is what I should I get), the pride of life ( I do what I want with what I see and what I can get). Ministry loses purity when it loses God's vision and God's voice. In Revelation 2 the church at Ephesus lost pure ministry when they lost their vision which was to love Jesus first. And Jesus warned them that they were about to lose their voice if they didn't get back their vision. Their voice was their lamp stand which is influence in their community. History records that this church did lose their lamp stand because they lost pure ministry.

Satan loves nothing more than corrupting pure ministry by corrupting the mind of the one who ministers. If Satan can corrupt the mind he can corrupt the the ministry which comes from the mind. It is vitally important to protect your mind because it is the gateway to ministry. Out of the mind comes knowledge, thoughts, creativity, memories and understanding.

Pure ministry comes from the knowledge of God which fills the mind with the thoughts of God. The thoughts of God releases your creativity, which is the fruit of your imagination. The memories of times that you shared with God and which God used you to bless others with your ministry becomes sweet recollections that you can relive over and over again. And you come to understand God's will and purpose for your life.

When the mind is corrupted the knowledge of God is replaced with self knowledge and human knowledge. Thoughts become self centered and egotistical. Your creativity becomes motivated by money and altruistic motives. Your memories become self seeking and distorted and your understanding becomes cloudy.

When Satan gets the mind he gets the ministry. Don't let Satan corrupt your mind. Fill it with the Word of God. Think the thoughts of God which comes out of God's Word. Protect your creativity by recognizing that all your gifts and abilities comes from God to be used for His glory and not your bottom line and reputation. Keep the memories of God's presence in your life and in all things get understanding that comes from knowing God's plan and purpose for your life.

If your ministry is impure repent and ask God to restore you to purity which in Jesus Christ. I believe that the God's people are in a season where God is judging ministry with fire and the only ministries that are pleasing God are those ministry that are pure like gold and silver, and precious stones. Judgment is in the house of God and impure ministries are being exposed and dismantled by the fire of God's judgment (1 Corinthian 3:12-15).  

PURE MINISTRY Part 1

2 Corinthians 11:3 "BUT I FEAR, LEST SOMEHOW, AS THE SERPENT DECEIVED EVE BY HIS CRAFTINESS, SO YOUR MINDS MAY BE CORRUPTED FROM THE SIMPLICITY THAT IS IN CHRIST."

I've been teaching at the New Mine Creek Church on finding and maintaining balance between soul, spirit and body (1 Thess 5:23). As I wrote the material that I taught yesterday I was led to the verse from 2 Corinthians that is written as the introduction of this post.

From this one verse the Holy Spirit took me on a journey yesterday that continues to this very minute as I write these words. I was led by the Holy Spirit to examine my ministry and to judge it asking myself if it is pure. And as I judged the ministry which God has given me the Holy Spirit caused me to share with you the same challenge. Is your ministry pure? As I consider the meaning of the word pure I was led to another word that describes pure ministry and that is word is sincere. Sincerity is the ability to be honest and open. A sincere ministry will operate without hidden agendas and ulterior motives.

As I considered pure ministry I looked at the ministries that God has given me. He has called me to be a worshipper and an intercessor. He has given me the ministry of husband and father. he has given me a ministry of pastor, preacher and teacher of His Word. He has given me the ministry of scribe, writing stories, life lessons and teaching material. He has given me a publishing company that published my first novel in 2009 and will be publishing my second book this summer.

As I looked at all of these responsibilities that I operate in according to the gifts and abilities that Abba Father has deposited in me I took a careful look at the purity of the ministry that He has called me to.

I considered a second word that describes purity and that word is faithful. A pure ministry will be faithful to God, and faithful to people. Pure ministry is consistent. It is being devoted to what you have been called to do.

Then I dealt with why is pure ministry so important? The analogy that the Holy Spirit brought to my mind was that of running water washing over and cleansing everything that it touches and flows through. In that same way your ministry is like flowing waters touching and reaching every person who receives it. If the ministry is not pure than what pours out of you affects the person to whom you minister. If what comes out of you and me is contaminated then we contaminate the person that we minister to.

Pure ministry cleanses and purifies the one who receives it. Our ministry is pure because the source of the ministry is Christ and He is pure, without blemishes and spots. As we operate in Him who is pure then what pours out of us will be pure.

David, the second king of Israel had a pure ministry, although he was not perfect. His ministry was pure because he was a God seeker. He was sincere about what he did and he was faithful to the very end. When confronted about his sin he was humble. Not only did David bless his kingdom as he ministered to Israel but he is still blessings today thousands of years after he died.

Seek to be pure in your service to God and man. Be pure in what you do in the service of the Lord. Don't contaminate the gift that God has given you by selfishness and ambition. Let the waters of your gifts flow out of you to bless every person who receives what you give. Be the river that is needed to cleanse the house of God.

The next time I write I am going to show us what defiles pure ministry. God bless you.