I must confess that I enjoy reading other peoples blogs more than I enjoy posting on my own!
It's fun to note all of the different styles of blogs - some people talk nonsense and others talk serious stuff. Some Christians are very intolerant when they comment on other peoples blogs - it seems there is an ongoing war between "calvinists" and "armenians". Apparently people can shoebox you depending on what you say on your blog. One blog I read had a calvinist (commenter ... commentator?) condemning an armenian (blogger) to hell. The sad thing is that the "armenian" didn't even know he was an "armenian"!
As a person who hates tags, I try my hardest to keep everyone guessing ... to be quite honest I wouldn't have a clue what I "am supposed to be". If you'd asked me 5 years ago what I was, I would probably have said calvinist. After reading what a calvinist actually believes, now I'm not sure I want to be one of them.
And then you get the "emergent" versus the "pre/anti/non/don't wanna be emergent" (or whatever the opposite of "emergent" is). Probably "traditional"! They tend to be a little less violent verbally, although they still disagree.
And then you have blogs that are encouraging. They build you up in your faith! They share stories about how awesome our God is, and tell about His fame and the amazing miracles He has done on their behalf.
Some use blogger or similar canned format, and others use their own design webpage with awesome graphics and content. Some have great links, and others have no links. Some attract dozens of comments, and others go months on end without a single comment. Chris (over at http://www.foreigndevil.org) has just got 6 comments on a "non" post. That must be a record!
Cyberanger (over at http://www.cyberanger.blogspot.com) has some great links, and has a very enjoyable blog to read. One of the links shown here is about God's grace. I have heard a lot said about grace lately, and this link explains my position on grace very well. Go here to read it ... http://www.gospelfortoday.org/jteachings/fallfromgrace.htm
And then there are the people (like me) who go for months on end and never post. It's probably because we're too busy reading other peoples blogs and leaving comments on them :-)
So as one of my favourite bloggers says ... "I'm tired, and I've run out of things to say".
Saturday, December 10, 2005
Sunday, December 04, 2005
New Creation ...
Whenever I visit Singapore for a few days, I go to New Creation Church ("The Rock") to experience amazing corporate worship, and to receive some good teaching.
The Senior Pastor there is a young man named Joseph Prince, and he teaches on the "Word of Faith" principles and God's grace.
When the Lord first guided my family and me to this place one Sunday several years ago, we were absolutely amazed at the whole experience of heart melting worship and annointed Bible teaching. Many things that previously had not made sense in the Word of God suddenly became clear and easy to understand. The whole service we just sat there and thought to ourselves - how wonderful it would be to attend a church like that in Perth.
I had heard lot's of bad press about the "word of faith" movement, which seemed to be famous for the "blab it and grab it", "name it and claim it" type of theology. I had pretty much made up my mind that I wouldn't want any part of that kind of teaching, and so for God to lead us all to a church that was teaching this kind of theology was a bit of a surprise. Even today, most people that I speak with seem to thing that the "word of faith" movement is all about the infamous "prosperity doctrine". It only takes a quick search of the internet to find numerous sites that slam everything to do with "word of faith" teaching, and some of the men who have taught that theology. Unfortunately, a lot of the "bad" things that are reported are true, but that doesn't mean that everything they said or did was wrong. A lot of the dodgy things that they are accused of were accepted and pursued across a broad spectrum of pentecostal churchs. That doesn't make all of their teachings wrong. The believers responsibility (according to scripture) is to rightly divide the word that is taught, and to weigh it up against the Word of God. The Spirit of the Living God leads us into all truth, using the living Word of God to determine what is right and what is wrong.
I was actually amazed to discover that the contemporary "word of faith" teachers (like Joseph Prince) are very serious about studying the original languages (Hebrew and Greek) that the Word was written in, so that a true understanding of the meaning of the scriptures can be understood. This has revolutionised my beliefs about health, healing, prosperity in all aspects of my life, and what God's grace is really all about.
Anyone who has read most of my blog will realise that God has done awesome things in my life, and I attribute most of this to the things and the principles that I have learned since moving closer to the charismatic camp.
Recently I ordered a whole heap of teaching CD's from New Creation Church, and they have arrived! Needless to say, I have been eagerly listening to them and learning so much - and am looking forward to the opportunity to share some of these principles when I next preach at church.
Also, a friend recently loaned me a Keith Moore teaching tape about how we are blessed, not cursed, because Jesus came to redeem us from the curse of the law. Sometimes we need to be reminded of the truth. How many of us still believe that even as Christians, we are affected by generational curses and suchlike.
I am lately being forced more and more to question what I have been taught, and to re-assess what I believe. But it's all good - I am growing in my understanding of just what exactly Jesus did upon the Cross.
I am blessed beyond the curse, because Jesus died to redeem me from the curse of the law. He died so that I would be healed, and suceed in everything that I do. Wow, what an awesome God we serve. How fantastic that we can call Him Father, and that He calls us His children.
I am reminded to be careful of what I speak out of my mouth, because the Word states that "the power of life and death are in the tongue". I will speak only that which reflects the fact that I am BLESSED, not cursed.
I will believe what God has said in His living Word.
The Senior Pastor there is a young man named Joseph Prince, and he teaches on the "Word of Faith" principles and God's grace.
When the Lord first guided my family and me to this place one Sunday several years ago, we were absolutely amazed at the whole experience of heart melting worship and annointed Bible teaching. Many things that previously had not made sense in the Word of God suddenly became clear and easy to understand. The whole service we just sat there and thought to ourselves - how wonderful it would be to attend a church like that in Perth.
I had heard lot's of bad press about the "word of faith" movement, which seemed to be famous for the "blab it and grab it", "name it and claim it" type of theology. I had pretty much made up my mind that I wouldn't want any part of that kind of teaching, and so for God to lead us all to a church that was teaching this kind of theology was a bit of a surprise. Even today, most people that I speak with seem to thing that the "word of faith" movement is all about the infamous "prosperity doctrine". It only takes a quick search of the internet to find numerous sites that slam everything to do with "word of faith" teaching, and some of the men who have taught that theology. Unfortunately, a lot of the "bad" things that are reported are true, but that doesn't mean that everything they said or did was wrong. A lot of the dodgy things that they are accused of were accepted and pursued across a broad spectrum of pentecostal churchs. That doesn't make all of their teachings wrong. The believers responsibility (according to scripture) is to rightly divide the word that is taught, and to weigh it up against the Word of God. The Spirit of the Living God leads us into all truth, using the living Word of God to determine what is right and what is wrong.
I was actually amazed to discover that the contemporary "word of faith" teachers (like Joseph Prince) are very serious about studying the original languages (Hebrew and Greek) that the Word was written in, so that a true understanding of the meaning of the scriptures can be understood. This has revolutionised my beliefs about health, healing, prosperity in all aspects of my life, and what God's grace is really all about.
Anyone who has read most of my blog will realise that God has done awesome things in my life, and I attribute most of this to the things and the principles that I have learned since moving closer to the charismatic camp.
Recently I ordered a whole heap of teaching CD's from New Creation Church, and they have arrived! Needless to say, I have been eagerly listening to them and learning so much - and am looking forward to the opportunity to share some of these principles when I next preach at church.
Also, a friend recently loaned me a Keith Moore teaching tape about how we are blessed, not cursed, because Jesus came to redeem us from the curse of the law. Sometimes we need to be reminded of the truth. How many of us still believe that even as Christians, we are affected by generational curses and suchlike.
I am lately being forced more and more to question what I have been taught, and to re-assess what I believe. But it's all good - I am growing in my understanding of just what exactly Jesus did upon the Cross.
I am blessed beyond the curse, because Jesus died to redeem me from the curse of the law. He died so that I would be healed, and suceed in everything that I do. Wow, what an awesome God we serve. How fantastic that we can call Him Father, and that He calls us His children.
I am reminded to be careful of what I speak out of my mouth, because the Word states that "the power of life and death are in the tongue". I will speak only that which reflects the fact that I am BLESSED, not cursed.
I will believe what God has said in His living Word.
God answers prayer ...
Ever had one of those prayers that you prayed and then forgot about ... but God hasn't forgotten?
Had one of those this week. Karen reminded me of a prayer that I prayed some months ago regarding something that really irks her and me, but which we both felt powerless to change. So I prayed for the "mountain to be removed", and then forgot about it.
And now it looks like my request will come to pass. And what a blessing it will be. When it happens, I will share the full story here - about how our awesome God "removed" our mountain.
How often do we just accept the situation (translated = mountain) because of unbelief. We are somehow convinced that God doesn't get involved in "un-spiritual matters". I would like to suggest that on this earth this no such thing as an un-spiritual matter. Everything that matters to us matters to our loving and awesome Heavenly Father.
He loves to do miracles on our behalf ... because He can! Because He is God! Because He is King of kings, and Lord of lords!
Had one of those this week. Karen reminded me of a prayer that I prayed some months ago regarding something that really irks her and me, but which we both felt powerless to change. So I prayed for the "mountain to be removed", and then forgot about it.
And now it looks like my request will come to pass. And what a blessing it will be. When it happens, I will share the full story here - about how our awesome God "removed" our mountain.
How often do we just accept the situation (translated = mountain) because of unbelief. We are somehow convinced that God doesn't get involved in "un-spiritual matters". I would like to suggest that on this earth this no such thing as an un-spiritual matter. Everything that matters to us matters to our loving and awesome Heavenly Father.
He loves to do miracles on our behalf ... because He can! Because He is God! Because He is King of kings, and Lord of lords!
Now for something different ...
I was so pumped when Kate DeAraugo won Australian Idol. I must confess that I voted for her a few times, because I believe that she truly deserved to win.
Her voice is so mellow, and she has a beautiful smile which shows how she feels inside. And considering "shark boy's" rude "tuck shop arms" comments, I thought that she showed amazing grace in putting all of the criticism behind her.
The final clincher for me, which convinced me beyond a doubt that she was going to win, was the final night of performances. Her rendition of Mary Mary's "Shackles" blew me away. She was singing it like she really believed it.
So good on you Kate! Well done - you deserved the reward for never giving up - for trying three times to get into the competition.
Can't wait for Kate's album to be released. I might just buy my first Australian Idol related CD.
Her voice is so mellow, and she has a beautiful smile which shows how she feels inside. And considering "shark boy's" rude "tuck shop arms" comments, I thought that she showed amazing grace in putting all of the criticism behind her.
The final clincher for me, which convinced me beyond a doubt that she was going to win, was the final night of performances. Her rendition of Mary Mary's "Shackles" blew me away. She was singing it like she really believed it.
So good on you Kate! Well done - you deserved the reward for never giving up - for trying three times to get into the competition.
Can't wait for Kate's album to be released. I might just buy my first Australian Idol related CD.
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Snippet #2
Mark Geppert's book - "The Attack Lambs" is one of the most awesome books I have ever read. Here is my favourite excerpt from chapter 4 which is aptly called "Neutralize the enemy".
Mark had been a missionary to Guatemala in the early days of his ministry. At this time - in 1976 - God used an earthquake to open the doors for evangelical outreach into the country.
God had given Mark a burden for small villages in "marginal" areas. He would walk between villages distributing Spanish Bibles. He found huge success in reaching the villagers with the Word of God, until the enemy threw up a challenge. He visited with a co-worker - Gilbert Dilley - in the town of San Jose del Golfo, where they were met by a local elder, Lazuro Ochoa Catalan, and two policemen. One of the policemen was a new brother in the church, and he delivered the news that Mark and Gilbert would not be travelling out to the villages as there was a very important meeting they had to attend. Here is the rest of the story in Mark's words ...
San Jose is the municipal centre of goverment for about thirty small villages extending from the Atlantic Coast Highway to the Motagua River just fifteen miles east of Guatemala City. The Lord had given us small groups in each of the villages and a church in San Jose. Our influence was building in the area and had caught the attention of the government.
As we entered the large meeting room of the town hall, I recognized most of the men. The mayor of San Jose was there as well as the sub-mayors who presided over each community where I had been distributing Bibles. They were easily distinguished by their hats and official sticks.
The mayor greeted me and thanked me for being there. He wanted to know who Gilbert was and said that Lazuro did not have to stay but could if he wanted to. Two of the closest friends I will ever know, both men said they would be glad to stay.
The mayor explained that this was a special and very important meeting because these men wanted me to declare my intention in their communities. When I asked him exactly how important, he said it would be the most important meeting I would probably ever attend.
Calling the meeting to order, the mayor had each man stand in front of a chair all of which formed a circle. He explained to the men who I was, although most of them knew me. He took great pains to formally introduce Gilbert and Lazuro and expressed their desire to remain. He explained my Spanish was fine so there was no need for translation. I would understand their questions and could answer quite well.
While all this was going on I was in the Spirit quietly asking God to neutralize the power of the enemy arrayed against us so His work could go on to bear fruit. When the mayor suggested we start with questions, I immediately jumped in with what the Lord had given me, not knowing where it would lead or even what the next step would be.
"I realize that this is a very important meeting and I want to express my appreciation for your coming all the way to be here. May I suggest, since this is such an important meeting, we follow a custom which we have in my country for such occassions."
They thought that was a good idea and so I explained to them, "In meetings of this importance in my country, we always start with prayer."
They looked at each other and again at me. They were not men of prayer.
"Since this is such an important meeting," I continued to cover their hesitation, "it is important the prayer be done properly. Just custom you understand."
They were getting a little upset with the length of time this was taking, but they were going along with it, just to be customarily correct.
"Now in prayers like this it is customary for us as men to pray with our hats off."
They looked to the mayor who, with a condescending shrug, removed his hat. They too removed their hats and looked around at each other. I cannot recall another meeting in Latin America in which all men had their hats off.
Now I was nervous, but I continued as the Lord gave me instructions.
"Since this is such an important meeting, and we surely want it to go well, perhaps we should follow custom another step."
The mayor was not smiling when his eye caught mine. I had pushed this about as far as I was going to be able.
" Perhaps," I suggested, "we should join hands to pray."
Latin men do not stand around with their hats off holding hands. They looked to the mayor and then to me; you could see the fire in their eyes. I took the hands of Gilbert and Lazuro and they in turn reached out for the others. The men placed their hats and sticks on the chairs behind them and took hands. A nervous laughter went through the place.
Now, feeling very hung out there by the Lord, I said, "I know that many of you are not used to praying and since this has to be right, may I suggest I lead you in prayer and you all repeat the prayer after me."
Somewhat relieved, they were quick to agree.
"Lord Jesus," I began, and they followed. "Forgive me of my sins. Come into my life as my personal Saviour and Lord. Give me the power to be a good man and a good leader for my people, in Jesus name."
When they said "in Jesus name," the earth literally shook! There was an earthquake. The place shook violently from side to side as well as up and down. I was scared to death. Holding Gilbert and Lazuro's hands tightly, I did not open my eyes.
The quake measured 6.5 we found out later. The mayors ran from the building as they were afraid the terra cotta tiles would come crashing down through the wooden rafters and crush our skulls. Taking no thought for important hats or sticks, they dashed from the building.
Now, when a tremor stops, there is complete silence. Dogs do not bark, birds do not chirp, all creation stands still waiting to see if it is going to happen again. As the dust cleared around us, we three stood petrified by the impact of what had happened!
One by one the men re-entered the room, found their hats and sticks, nodded to us and went off to find out the condition of their village. Finally, the head mayor came back in. He put on his hat and, drawing himself to full stature, he said, " I do not know how you did that; but I am authorized to tell you that whatever you need in any of these villages, you have only to ask the man who was in this room and he will get it for you. You are to come tomorrow with your passport and those of your family and friends and you will receive courtesy visas. From this day forward you are the invited guests of the government of Guatemala, you have no need to stop for immigration or customs and, should the national police stop you for any reason, just show them this seal and you will be conducted safely and speedily to your destination."
Satan had not only been neutralized, his attack had been turned against him.
(Note: "The Attack Lambs" is written by Mark Geppert, and is published by Genesis Books and ARMOUR Publishing Pte Ltd - Singapore.)
Mark had been a missionary to Guatemala in the early days of his ministry. At this time - in 1976 - God used an earthquake to open the doors for evangelical outreach into the country.
God had given Mark a burden for small villages in "marginal" areas. He would walk between villages distributing Spanish Bibles. He found huge success in reaching the villagers with the Word of God, until the enemy threw up a challenge. He visited with a co-worker - Gilbert Dilley - in the town of San Jose del Golfo, where they were met by a local elder, Lazuro Ochoa Catalan, and two policemen. One of the policemen was a new brother in the church, and he delivered the news that Mark and Gilbert would not be travelling out to the villages as there was a very important meeting they had to attend. Here is the rest of the story in Mark's words ...
San Jose is the municipal centre of goverment for about thirty small villages extending from the Atlantic Coast Highway to the Motagua River just fifteen miles east of Guatemala City. The Lord had given us small groups in each of the villages and a church in San Jose. Our influence was building in the area and had caught the attention of the government.
As we entered the large meeting room of the town hall, I recognized most of the men. The mayor of San Jose was there as well as the sub-mayors who presided over each community where I had been distributing Bibles. They were easily distinguished by their hats and official sticks.
The mayor greeted me and thanked me for being there. He wanted to know who Gilbert was and said that Lazuro did not have to stay but could if he wanted to. Two of the closest friends I will ever know, both men said they would be glad to stay.
The mayor explained that this was a special and very important meeting because these men wanted me to declare my intention in their communities. When I asked him exactly how important, he said it would be the most important meeting I would probably ever attend.
Calling the meeting to order, the mayor had each man stand in front of a chair all of which formed a circle. He explained to the men who I was, although most of them knew me. He took great pains to formally introduce Gilbert and Lazuro and expressed their desire to remain. He explained my Spanish was fine so there was no need for translation. I would understand their questions and could answer quite well.
While all this was going on I was in the Spirit quietly asking God to neutralize the power of the enemy arrayed against us so His work could go on to bear fruit. When the mayor suggested we start with questions, I immediately jumped in with what the Lord had given me, not knowing where it would lead or even what the next step would be.
"I realize that this is a very important meeting and I want to express my appreciation for your coming all the way to be here. May I suggest, since this is such an important meeting, we follow a custom which we have in my country for such occassions."
They thought that was a good idea and so I explained to them, "In meetings of this importance in my country, we always start with prayer."
They looked at each other and again at me. They were not men of prayer.
"Since this is such an important meeting," I continued to cover their hesitation, "it is important the prayer be done properly. Just custom you understand."
They were getting a little upset with the length of time this was taking, but they were going along with it, just to be customarily correct.
"Now in prayers like this it is customary for us as men to pray with our hats off."
They looked to the mayor who, with a condescending shrug, removed his hat. They too removed their hats and looked around at each other. I cannot recall another meeting in Latin America in which all men had their hats off.
Now I was nervous, but I continued as the Lord gave me instructions.
"Since this is such an important meeting, and we surely want it to go well, perhaps we should follow custom another step."
The mayor was not smiling when his eye caught mine. I had pushed this about as far as I was going to be able.
" Perhaps," I suggested, "we should join hands to pray."
Latin men do not stand around with their hats off holding hands. They looked to the mayor and then to me; you could see the fire in their eyes. I took the hands of Gilbert and Lazuro and they in turn reached out for the others. The men placed their hats and sticks on the chairs behind them and took hands. A nervous laughter went through the place.
Now, feeling very hung out there by the Lord, I said, "I know that many of you are not used to praying and since this has to be right, may I suggest I lead you in prayer and you all repeat the prayer after me."
Somewhat relieved, they were quick to agree.
"Lord Jesus," I began, and they followed. "Forgive me of my sins. Come into my life as my personal Saviour and Lord. Give me the power to be a good man and a good leader for my people, in Jesus name."
When they said "in Jesus name," the earth literally shook! There was an earthquake. The place shook violently from side to side as well as up and down. I was scared to death. Holding Gilbert and Lazuro's hands tightly, I did not open my eyes.
The quake measured 6.5 we found out later. The mayors ran from the building as they were afraid the terra cotta tiles would come crashing down through the wooden rafters and crush our skulls. Taking no thought for important hats or sticks, they dashed from the building.
Now, when a tremor stops, there is complete silence. Dogs do not bark, birds do not chirp, all creation stands still waiting to see if it is going to happen again. As the dust cleared around us, we three stood petrified by the impact of what had happened!
One by one the men re-entered the room, found their hats and sticks, nodded to us and went off to find out the condition of their village. Finally, the head mayor came back in. He put on his hat and, drawing himself to full stature, he said, " I do not know how you did that; but I am authorized to tell you that whatever you need in any of these villages, you have only to ask the man who was in this room and he will get it for you. You are to come tomorrow with your passport and those of your family and friends and you will receive courtesy visas. From this day forward you are the invited guests of the government of Guatemala, you have no need to stop for immigration or customs and, should the national police stop you for any reason, just show them this seal and you will be conducted safely and speedily to your destination."
Satan had not only been neutralized, his attack had been turned against him.
(Note: "The Attack Lambs" is written by Mark Geppert, and is published by Genesis Books and ARMOUR Publishing Pte Ltd - Singapore.)
Random thoughts ...
I'm currently reading "Beyond Jabez - Expanding your borders" by Bruce Wilkinson.
I read the first book and the study/prayer guides about three or four years ago. I remember being so excited by all of the things that I learnt from reading that original book, that I bought three copies to give to my brothers and sister for Christmas presents. I guess I figured that if God could change my life so much with that llittle book, then maybe my family would want to read it too. We had all been bought up in the same "poverty doctrine" church after all.
I remember going to a music practice at a church we were attending about that time in our lives, and somehow getting into the middle of a discussion on the Prayer of Jabez. The keyboards player was quite strongly opinionated about the whole prosperity doctrine / Prayer of Jabez thingy, and I recall him asking/stating the question - "who other than Bruce Wilkinson has benefited from the Prayer of Jabez booklet" to which I promptly replied "just about everyone who has read it!" Turns out (as is usually the case) that he had never read the book, and he had already formed his opinions on why the book was written. (This was in a charismatic church by the way.)
Several years down the track and I still see God answering that prayer every time I pray it. And by the way, I am anti "prosperity doctrine" as the world knows it. So where does the misunderstanding creep into the church.
I have heard countless sermons stating that when God says He is going to prosper us, it DOESN"T mean financially. Give me a break !!! Read about Job, Abraham, and Joseph just to name a few people who God prospered financially because they did what was right in His sight, and obeyed Him.
Weigh this up against the blatant tele-evangelism fund raising that goes on in the USA. You don't have to read many blogs to work out that many Australians include Hillsong and Riverview in the same bunch. This is - I believe - the reason why so many people have chosen to live under an ungodly "poverty doctrine" - out of protest because it is so repulsive to cheapen the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a mathematical equation. ** Give x GOD = more **
The refreshing thing about praying the prayer of Jabez, is that when we ask God to bless us, we don't ask for a specific blessing - God gets to choose what He wants to pour into our lives each day. In other words - we actually let God be God - what a scary thought!
When we ask Him to expand our borders - well watch out - because you've just become a missionary with no limitations. Be assured - God WILL take you at your word.
"Let your hand (favour) be with me" - why wouldn't God answer this prayer? Did God not promise to give favour to those who honour and obey Him?
Asking Him to deliver us from evil (harm) - hmmm - seem to remember Jesus saying something about this.
Asking Him to keep us from causing ourselves pain - not a bad idea however you look at it.
As disgusted as I am with the ungodly "prosperity doctrine", I refuse to live anymore under the ungodly "poverty doctrine". A balanced perspective is what God wants for every aspect of our lives. God has proven to me over and over again that He is the God of multiplication. Whatever it is that we give back to God, He takes it and multiplies it for His Glory, His Kingdom and His fame. Our lives become a testimony to His greatness.
Garth over at "Emerging Blurb" has some interesting thoughts on the same subject - well worth the read.
Here is the link ...
http://emergingblurb.blogspot.com/2005/08/emergent-church-video.html
Let's not throw the baby out with the bath water. Stay focussed on God - the person - not the benefit.
Statistics show that if every Christian tithed as commanded by God's word, the "Church" would have an abundance of funds to wipe out poverty, provide clean drinking water, and evangelise the whole world as we know it today. Food for thought isn't it?
In His abundance for every good work,
Steve
"The Lord's blessing is our greatest treasure - all our work adds nothing to it." Proverbs 10:22
I read the first book and the study/prayer guides about three or four years ago. I remember being so excited by all of the things that I learnt from reading that original book, that I bought three copies to give to my brothers and sister for Christmas presents. I guess I figured that if God could change my life so much with that llittle book, then maybe my family would want to read it too. We had all been bought up in the same "poverty doctrine" church after all.
I remember going to a music practice at a church we were attending about that time in our lives, and somehow getting into the middle of a discussion on the Prayer of Jabez. The keyboards player was quite strongly opinionated about the whole prosperity doctrine / Prayer of Jabez thingy, and I recall him asking/stating the question - "who other than Bruce Wilkinson has benefited from the Prayer of Jabez booklet" to which I promptly replied "just about everyone who has read it!" Turns out (as is usually the case) that he had never read the book, and he had already formed his opinions on why the book was written. (This was in a charismatic church by the way.)
Several years down the track and I still see God answering that prayer every time I pray it. And by the way, I am anti "prosperity doctrine" as the world knows it. So where does the misunderstanding creep into the church.
I have heard countless sermons stating that when God says He is going to prosper us, it DOESN"T mean financially. Give me a break !!! Read about Job, Abraham, and Joseph just to name a few people who God prospered financially because they did what was right in His sight, and obeyed Him.
Weigh this up against the blatant tele-evangelism fund raising that goes on in the USA. You don't have to read many blogs to work out that many Australians include Hillsong and Riverview in the same bunch. This is - I believe - the reason why so many people have chosen to live under an ungodly "poverty doctrine" - out of protest because it is so repulsive to cheapen the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a mathematical equation. ** Give x GOD = more **
The refreshing thing about praying the prayer of Jabez, is that when we ask God to bless us, we don't ask for a specific blessing - God gets to choose what He wants to pour into our lives each day. In other words - we actually let God be God - what a scary thought!
When we ask Him to expand our borders - well watch out - because you've just become a missionary with no limitations. Be assured - God WILL take you at your word.
"Let your hand (favour) be with me" - why wouldn't God answer this prayer? Did God not promise to give favour to those who honour and obey Him?
Asking Him to deliver us from evil (harm) - hmmm - seem to remember Jesus saying something about this.
Asking Him to keep us from causing ourselves pain - not a bad idea however you look at it.
As disgusted as I am with the ungodly "prosperity doctrine", I refuse to live anymore under the ungodly "poverty doctrine". A balanced perspective is what God wants for every aspect of our lives. God has proven to me over and over again that He is the God of multiplication. Whatever it is that we give back to God, He takes it and multiplies it for His Glory, His Kingdom and His fame. Our lives become a testimony to His greatness.
Garth over at "Emerging Blurb" has some interesting thoughts on the same subject - well worth the read.
Here is the link ...
http://emergingblurb.blogspot.com/2005/08/emergent-church-video.html
Let's not throw the baby out with the bath water. Stay focussed on God - the person - not the benefit.
Statistics show that if every Christian tithed as commanded by God's word, the "Church" would have an abundance of funds to wipe out poverty, provide clean drinking water, and evangelise the whole world as we know it today. Food for thought isn't it?
In His abundance for every good work,
Steve
"The Lord's blessing is our greatest treasure - all our work adds nothing to it." Proverbs 10:22
Monday, August 01, 2005
A change is as good as a holiday ...
Silly me ... made mention of wanting to change my tagboard. Next thing I know, my super creative blogger afficcionado son has me changing templates, colours, and every other thing that can possibly be modified ... hehehe :)
Thanks Shane!~!!
Anyway, the new tagboard doesn't take half an hour (small exageration) to load - without text at the end of it all. Frustrating to say the least. Call me a copycat, but Thomas and Shane both changed theirs, and it loads super fast.
Next thing was to find a photo of me that doesn't make me look like a middle aged, married, self employed, well fed man ... IYKWIM (if you know what I mean). Nah, anyway it's probably one of the better photo's of me. I wanted one that was taken 15 years ago, but was out-voted. Seem to remember being out-voted by the same two people when we bought KAREN'S car - I wanted yellow - we got dark blue (a secret ploy no doubt to make it less obvious how dirty it is).
On a more serious note - was wondering how many people out there suffer from OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder). For anyone who has experienced it, or knows or lives with someone who suffers from it, it can be a very misunderstood condition.
Being a Jennifer Garner fan, we hired Elektra last weekend. I also enjoy a serious action movie. It was interesting to note that the character of Elektra (played by Jennifer no less) suffered from OCD. It shocked me to find that there was an aspect of OCD that she experienced exactly like I did when I was younger (before God healed me of it).
I never knew what was wrong with me until after God had healed me from it. I didn't know or understand why I acted the way I did. I kept it secret because I was afraid to let anyone find out about me - in fact the only person I ever shared it with in my whole life (until just recently when I started to talk to my wife Karen about it) was a young friend called Gary whom I led to the Lord when I was in high school (I was about 14 at the time).
I believe the Lord gave me a revelation about OCD just recently when He showed me that OCD and fear are closely linked. I know for me that fear, loneliness, rejection by peers and an abject lack of self esteem all played a central part in my living with OCD for over thirty years. And this was all compounded by a speech difficulty - I stuttered and stammered until well into my twenties. This was largely overcome by the selfless love and support given to me by my precious wife Karen.
Dealing with OCD was different - only God can set you free from that which controls you without you ever really understanding what it is, and how it controls you. I've never told anyone in my family, and my children and wife were left wondering one day recently why I reacted so strongly to someone making fun of a friend who is OCD. It was actually at that point when my spirit identified with this young OCD sufferer, that God dropped into my spirit that this was what I had suffered from for most of my life - I just never knew what it was. Finally it had a name. I was able to mask it by controlling it - instead of letting it control me. I know I have shared in a previous post how singing helped me to overcome my speech problems. Worship really is the key to experiencing healing.
Anyway, praise God that OCD is all in the past. I would welcome anyone reading this blog to leave comments about OCD here if they have something to say that may add to the discussion. Maybe someone can be helped out of it all.
Funny how life is all about putting the past behind us so that we can move into the destiny that God has for us.
By His grace ...
Steve
Thanks Shane!~!!
Anyway, the new tagboard doesn't take half an hour (small exageration) to load - without text at the end of it all. Frustrating to say the least. Call me a copycat, but Thomas and Shane both changed theirs, and it loads super fast.
Next thing was to find a photo of me that doesn't make me look like a middle aged, married, self employed, well fed man ... IYKWIM (if you know what I mean). Nah, anyway it's probably one of the better photo's of me. I wanted one that was taken 15 years ago, but was out-voted. Seem to remember being out-voted by the same two people when we bought KAREN'S car - I wanted yellow - we got dark blue (a secret ploy no doubt to make it less obvious how dirty it is).
On a more serious note - was wondering how many people out there suffer from OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder). For anyone who has experienced it, or knows or lives with someone who suffers from it, it can be a very misunderstood condition.
Being a Jennifer Garner fan, we hired Elektra last weekend. I also enjoy a serious action movie. It was interesting to note that the character of Elektra (played by Jennifer no less) suffered from OCD. It shocked me to find that there was an aspect of OCD that she experienced exactly like I did when I was younger (before God healed me of it).
I never knew what was wrong with me until after God had healed me from it. I didn't know or understand why I acted the way I did. I kept it secret because I was afraid to let anyone find out about me - in fact the only person I ever shared it with in my whole life (until just recently when I started to talk to my wife Karen about it) was a young friend called Gary whom I led to the Lord when I was in high school (I was about 14 at the time).
I believe the Lord gave me a revelation about OCD just recently when He showed me that OCD and fear are closely linked. I know for me that fear, loneliness, rejection by peers and an abject lack of self esteem all played a central part in my living with OCD for over thirty years. And this was all compounded by a speech difficulty - I stuttered and stammered until well into my twenties. This was largely overcome by the selfless love and support given to me by my precious wife Karen.
Dealing with OCD was different - only God can set you free from that which controls you without you ever really understanding what it is, and how it controls you. I've never told anyone in my family, and my children and wife were left wondering one day recently why I reacted so strongly to someone making fun of a friend who is OCD. It was actually at that point when my spirit identified with this young OCD sufferer, that God dropped into my spirit that this was what I had suffered from for most of my life - I just never knew what it was. Finally it had a name. I was able to mask it by controlling it - instead of letting it control me. I know I have shared in a previous post how singing helped me to overcome my speech problems. Worship really is the key to experiencing healing.
Anyway, praise God that OCD is all in the past. I would welcome anyone reading this blog to leave comments about OCD here if they have something to say that may add to the discussion. Maybe someone can be helped out of it all.
Funny how life is all about putting the past behind us so that we can move into the destiny that God has for us.
By His grace ...
Steve
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
Snippet # 1
In his book - "The Attack Lambs - prayer that changes the world" - Mark Geppert shares this story. Following are some excerpts from his book (in italics).
The story is set in Nepal in 1983 when Mark was trekking from village to village - distributing Christian literature and praying for the sick. Pretty gutsy stuff to do considering that jail terms were one year for converting, three years for leading someone to the Lord, and six years per person for water baptism.
They had just been handing out about two hundred tracts, with great response. They came into a village of Panchat - town of Gaighat, Sagamatha province. They entered the place in the heat of the day, and stopped to rest on a stone wall near the local school ...
"The children were attracted to the two very different looking Westerners. They ran over to see us and were very curious about what might be in our rattan baskets. Our porters, also weary from the journey, were looking forward to spending the night in this town and had left us there on the wall to fend for ourselves , while they went to make arrangements. The crowd of children grew and two of the braver boys, perhaps ten years of age, began to open the baskets. We let them.
Across the way from us was a man in legal garb. Attorneys in Nepal have a very distinctive haircut and robe. This was obviously a man of some legal influence. As the children began to open the baskets and shout with joy at the books they found, this man turned and hastily headed toward the police station.
Calling to the porters, I expressed my concern, but they were not inclined to move quickly. So we Westerners took off as fast as we could go and left them behind. We were certain there was going to be a problem. We were right."
... cutting to the chase - Mark was caught, arrested and bought before the Chief District Officer (CDO) ...
"As I walked back down the trail to face certain difficulty, the Lord spoke to me, "If you deny Me before man, I will deny you before the Father."
The voice was as clear as day. The certainty of its tenor gripped my heart so that minutes later when the CDO asked, "Are you a Christian?" it was very easy to say, "Yes." When he further asked, "Are you a baptised Christian?" It was even easier to say, "Yes sir, I have been baptised three times," (once as a child, once as an adult believer, and once in the Holy Spirit).
As I said that, the same voice spoke to me saying, "I live to make intercession for you." It was so real. No one else in the room heard it. The CDO never heard it. But there was Jesus telling me He had the situation under control. He was standing in a major gap in my life that day. He was drawing together these events and the perfect plan of the Father.
After lengthy dialogue in which I shared the message of the Gospel with the CDO, he decided to let me go, along with our team. His exact words were, "I have decided to show you grace." Where did a Hindu official come up with the word "grace?" God was speaking through him. Instead of six hundred years in jail, I was going on with the rest of our scheduled trek.
Six months later, that same man walked out of his office and from a clear blue sky was struck dead by lightning. It was reported in the Kathmandu paper and the Christian brothers in Nepal saved the clipping for me. For years I thought about that lightning strike as retribution; you know, "Touch not mine annointed, and do my prophets no harm" (Chronicles 16:22). But one morning the Lord corrected me. "Rather," he suggested, "see how much it took for Me to get a pampered, self-centred, Christian preacher over to Nepal to share the faith with that man, knowing he had just six months to live."
(Note: "The Attack Lambs" is written by Mark Geppert, and is published by Genesis Books and ARMOUR Publishing Pte Ltd - Singapore.)
The story is set in Nepal in 1983 when Mark was trekking from village to village - distributing Christian literature and praying for the sick. Pretty gutsy stuff to do considering that jail terms were one year for converting, three years for leading someone to the Lord, and six years per person for water baptism.
They had just been handing out about two hundred tracts, with great response. They came into a village of Panchat - town of Gaighat, Sagamatha province. They entered the place in the heat of the day, and stopped to rest on a stone wall near the local school ...
"The children were attracted to the two very different looking Westerners. They ran over to see us and were very curious about what might be in our rattan baskets. Our porters, also weary from the journey, were looking forward to spending the night in this town and had left us there on the wall to fend for ourselves , while they went to make arrangements. The crowd of children grew and two of the braver boys, perhaps ten years of age, began to open the baskets. We let them.
Across the way from us was a man in legal garb. Attorneys in Nepal have a very distinctive haircut and robe. This was obviously a man of some legal influence. As the children began to open the baskets and shout with joy at the books they found, this man turned and hastily headed toward the police station.
Calling to the porters, I expressed my concern, but they were not inclined to move quickly. So we Westerners took off as fast as we could go and left them behind. We were certain there was going to be a problem. We were right."
... cutting to the chase - Mark was caught, arrested and bought before the Chief District Officer (CDO) ...
"As I walked back down the trail to face certain difficulty, the Lord spoke to me, "If you deny Me before man, I will deny you before the Father."
The voice was as clear as day. The certainty of its tenor gripped my heart so that minutes later when the CDO asked, "Are you a Christian?" it was very easy to say, "Yes." When he further asked, "Are you a baptised Christian?" It was even easier to say, "Yes sir, I have been baptised three times," (once as a child, once as an adult believer, and once in the Holy Spirit).
As I said that, the same voice spoke to me saying, "I live to make intercession for you." It was so real. No one else in the room heard it. The CDO never heard it. But there was Jesus telling me He had the situation under control. He was standing in a major gap in my life that day. He was drawing together these events and the perfect plan of the Father.
After lengthy dialogue in which I shared the message of the Gospel with the CDO, he decided to let me go, along with our team. His exact words were, "I have decided to show you grace." Where did a Hindu official come up with the word "grace?" God was speaking through him. Instead of six hundred years in jail, I was going on with the rest of our scheduled trek.
Six months later, that same man walked out of his office and from a clear blue sky was struck dead by lightning. It was reported in the Kathmandu paper and the Christian brothers in Nepal saved the clipping for me. For years I thought about that lightning strike as retribution; you know, "Touch not mine annointed, and do my prophets no harm" (Chronicles 16:22). But one morning the Lord corrected me. "Rather," he suggested, "see how much it took for Me to get a pampered, self-centred, Christian preacher over to Nepal to share the faith with that man, knowing he had just six months to live."
(Note: "The Attack Lambs" is written by Mark Geppert, and is published by Genesis Books and ARMOUR Publishing Pte Ltd - Singapore.)
Monday, July 18, 2005
It can't be ...
Yes it is! One month since I last posted. And so much has happened!
My oldest son - Thomas - is home from Thailand. It's been fun having him home. We used his birthday as a good excuse to go and run rampant at Zone 3 (laser games for the uninitiated) with a heap of his mates and family. Even had people drive down from Muka (Mukinbudin for those not in the know) to help celebrate. Unfortunately his departure to go back for a second term of staffing DTS in Chiang Mai will be here before we realise it. Good news is Karen and I have already booked to go up to Thailand in October to visit him. Yee-ha! Now that #2 son has his drivers license, Karen has found this new fangled thing called FREEDOM.
Next few months will be oh so busy. My oldest brother is moving from Muka to Perth (retiring from farm life) next month, and things are kinda busy at work and with family stuff. One more trip to Tanzania soon (possibly August) to collect some stuff that we left over there, and a hectic work schedule back here in Perth.
Preached last weekend at Bethel - expounded the "keys of the kingdom" using the book "Shattering your Strongholds" by Liberty Savard as a reference. Awesome truths contained in those passages from Matthew. Message really impacted some people - even considering the length of the sermon. I know that when a speaker has my attention, it doesn't matter how long it goes for - just so long as the information keeps flowing. Some people do switch off after 20 minutes though - 5 seconds is all it takes me if the message is boring or uninspiring. I seem to have this hunger for annointed teaching that is not being met. I should start downloading Joseph Prince messages, or something like that. I'm sick of "motivational" messages week after week. Or dry teaching loaded with facts, but no passion or annointing.
I'm reading my way (again) through "The Attack Lambs" by Mark Geppert. I have been thinking of sharing snippets of the stories he tells in my blog. There are some absolutely awesome accounts of amazing miracles that God did for him. Most people reading this blog will find it hard to get a copy of this amazing book because it is only sold in Singapore. Last visit to Singapore, I bought about 5 copies of this book to give away to friends, etc. He has also written a challenging book called "Bridges - getting from A to B" which turns the traditional concept of church government and leadership structure upside down. I don't imagine that most current church leaders would take kindly to it because he challenges the traditional pyramid sturcture for leadership, and suggests that the Biblical model is actually a horizontal model with everyone being accountable to everyone else - instead of the normal situation where often the pastor or leader is not really accountable to anyone else.
I've been really challenged lately about the need for a church where politics is outlawed (church politics that is) and where the word is preached powerfully every week, and where awesome worship takes place regularly. I believe that such a church would be flooded with people who want to experience a life giving church from week to week. People could stay and worship as long as they liked, and there would be no "booting out" of people just because the person on lockup wanted to go home. Some people might think I'm crazy, but I reckon a church like that would be a runaway success. Might have something to do with the fact that I believe that's the kind of church God wants - a church that is passionate about Him, and hungry for Him. A church where people fit their lives around God, and not vice versa. A church where the worship team is more interested in engaging God than the "audience".
One can only dream ... and hope ...
Steve
My oldest son - Thomas - is home from Thailand. It's been fun having him home. We used his birthday as a good excuse to go and run rampant at Zone 3 (laser games for the uninitiated) with a heap of his mates and family. Even had people drive down from Muka (Mukinbudin for those not in the know) to help celebrate. Unfortunately his departure to go back for a second term of staffing DTS in Chiang Mai will be here before we realise it. Good news is Karen and I have already booked to go up to Thailand in October to visit him. Yee-ha! Now that #2 son has his drivers license, Karen has found this new fangled thing called FREEDOM.
Next few months will be oh so busy. My oldest brother is moving from Muka to Perth (retiring from farm life) next month, and things are kinda busy at work and with family stuff. One more trip to Tanzania soon (possibly August) to collect some stuff that we left over there, and a hectic work schedule back here in Perth.
Preached last weekend at Bethel - expounded the "keys of the kingdom" using the book "Shattering your Strongholds" by Liberty Savard as a reference. Awesome truths contained in those passages from Matthew. Message really impacted some people - even considering the length of the sermon. I know that when a speaker has my attention, it doesn't matter how long it goes for - just so long as the information keeps flowing. Some people do switch off after 20 minutes though - 5 seconds is all it takes me if the message is boring or uninspiring. I seem to have this hunger for annointed teaching that is not being met. I should start downloading Joseph Prince messages, or something like that. I'm sick of "motivational" messages week after week. Or dry teaching loaded with facts, but no passion or annointing.
I'm reading my way (again) through "The Attack Lambs" by Mark Geppert. I have been thinking of sharing snippets of the stories he tells in my blog. There are some absolutely awesome accounts of amazing miracles that God did for him. Most people reading this blog will find it hard to get a copy of this amazing book because it is only sold in Singapore. Last visit to Singapore, I bought about 5 copies of this book to give away to friends, etc. He has also written a challenging book called "Bridges - getting from A to B" which turns the traditional concept of church government and leadership structure upside down. I don't imagine that most current church leaders would take kindly to it because he challenges the traditional pyramid sturcture for leadership, and suggests that the Biblical model is actually a horizontal model with everyone being accountable to everyone else - instead of the normal situation where often the pastor or leader is not really accountable to anyone else.
I've been really challenged lately about the need for a church where politics is outlawed (church politics that is) and where the word is preached powerfully every week, and where awesome worship takes place regularly. I believe that such a church would be flooded with people who want to experience a life giving church from week to week. People could stay and worship as long as they liked, and there would be no "booting out" of people just because the person on lockup wanted to go home. Some people might think I'm crazy, but I reckon a church like that would be a runaway success. Might have something to do with the fact that I believe that's the kind of church God wants - a church that is passionate about Him, and hungry for Him. A church where people fit their lives around God, and not vice versa. A church where the worship team is more interested in engaging God than the "audience".
One can only dream ... and hope ...
Steve
Saturday, June 18, 2005
The sun is shining ...
Well, it's Saturday morning again, and the rain has stopped - for now anyway. I love the sunshine. I'm a summer person. Cold, wet, rainy days do nothing for me. I'm a fair weather person - beach sand and surf is the way to spend your relaxing hours. God, why didn't you miraculously give us a house near the beach? :D)
I've spent the last two weeks (since SYG) reading lot's of blogs of people who are all seemingly linked to each other . There seems to be a common theme running through all of them - many of them are youth pastors or workers who are embracing a movement known as the emerging church. As best as I can comprehend the ethos of this movement - it seeks to make church and Christianity relevant to young people - which is a noble concept. I can't help but feel when I read the blog posts and some of the resulting comments that we have somehow adopted the notion that we have to make the Gospel relevant for it to be accepted. We see a move away from traditional worship, and a general trend away from traditional church buildings and processes.
I am literally torn in two directions with my feelings about this situation. Whilst I can agree with the need for change in the way we "do" church, I know that many of these churches are unlikely to attract older people who have grown up in the more traditional church vein of life. Is this their intention? I am the first person to stand up and say that legalism, and tradition for the sake of tradition, needs to be dealt with. I have suffered severely at the hands of church leaders who must keep a grip on power and control at all costs. The result for me by opening up my heart to God in my pain and rejection - was that He took me and my wife Karen through an incredible journey of visiting three charismatic churches over two years - none of which were perfect - but all of which sowed things of the Spirit into our lives, and stretched us in our faith and walk with God.
The reality is that most young people are looking for something of worth and value in their lives, and the lives of others. These things are only to be found in the person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ. I guess the reason why older people and older traditions have trouble relating (so we are told) to the youth of today is because they have changed so much in there lifestyles, social definitions, expectations of life and family, and the general breakdown of families and our social/moral structure. I also believe that much of the generational void in the church has been created by the church itself, and the leaderships that insist that we must have a separate youth ministry at all costs. It could be percieved that our youth don't want to have anything to do with older people and older traditions (such as hymns, etc) and that older people don't want to have anything to do with youth and youth emerging traditions (such as Shaker's worship music, mosh pits, etc). I honestly believe that the division between the two "generations" is people created, and hellishly inspired.
The Bible (God's divine and inspired Word to us) clearly does not speak about us having two types of churches - one for youth and one for old. It calls us to meet in the middle ground. It calls us to lay aside our prejudices and divisive thoughts and behaviour. The youth need the older generation - the experience and counsel that can be drawn upon is valuable for the spiritual growth of a younger and newer Christian life. The older generation need the youth so that we don't forget how to enjoy life and have fun, and to not take things too seriously all of the time.
I am so blessed to have an awesome relationship with my three children. I count them as true friends, and always have since they were born. They are a precious gift from God, and Karen and I have poured our lives into them - determined to make a difference in their lives and to see them grow up as healthy, balanced, Spirit filled, world changing followers and disciples of Jesus Christ. And now they are all impacting in a positive and life changing way into other young peoples lives.
I want to make it clear that I am not anti emergent church movement. If it enables the youth of today to meet with Jesus and be transformed, then I am all for it. I just wonder how it looks to the world - who are always looking to the church for direction, whether we acknowledge it or not - when they see a church that appears to be divided against itself. I have studied church planting in depth, and am actively involved in missions (reaching the lost - both here and overseas). Most church plants are emergent in nature (well, at least some of the concepts are there) in that they often start in a home, or a borrowed or rented place. They are usually informal and don't have a paid pastor. They may meet infrequently, or more than once a week (not just on, or not even Sunday).
It saddens me that the enemy is allowed to use the same tactics over and over again. He's used the gifts of the Spirit to divide churches into fundamental and charismatic, and now he is using worship and music to divide the churches into young and old.
My point in all of this rambling is that it is all about our attitudes. We have to learn to reach out to each other, and to embrace each other, and to encourage each other. We can worship alongside each other if we are prepared to love each other. This love demands that we accept each other even if deep down inside we struggle with each other. Only God can bridge that gap! We shouldn't have to change church to make it acceptable and relevant to others - WE SHOULD CHANGE OURSELVES! And yes, then there is by default an expectation that others will change and accept us.
If this personal revival is allowed to take place, the hymns versus youth worship music debate/division/dilema will be stripped of it's power, and we will all learn to worship alongside each other. Informal chats about spirituality and life will go hand in hand with powerful, convicting, preaching of the Word of God. Lifestyle evangelism will complement congregational worship and church life.
Let's not divide the Bride of Christ - let's unit it with one voice, one purpose, and one spirit. This can be done because we listen to one Voice, have one Purpose, and are led and indwelt by one Spirit!
If Jesus was to plant a church here today, what kind would it be?
"Lord God, we pray for the youth of our nation. Would you loose from them the spirit of darkness and lawlessness that is causing them to destroy their lives, and would you bind them - each and every one of them Lord Jesus- to Your will, Your purpose, and Your destiny for their lives."
"Oh, and ditto for us older generation."
I've spent the last two weeks (since SYG) reading lot's of blogs of people who are all seemingly linked to each other . There seems to be a common theme running through all of them - many of them are youth pastors or workers who are embracing a movement known as the emerging church. As best as I can comprehend the ethos of this movement - it seeks to make church and Christianity relevant to young people - which is a noble concept. I can't help but feel when I read the blog posts and some of the resulting comments that we have somehow adopted the notion that we have to make the Gospel relevant for it to be accepted. We see a move away from traditional worship, and a general trend away from traditional church buildings and processes.
I am literally torn in two directions with my feelings about this situation. Whilst I can agree with the need for change in the way we "do" church, I know that many of these churches are unlikely to attract older people who have grown up in the more traditional church vein of life. Is this their intention? I am the first person to stand up and say that legalism, and tradition for the sake of tradition, needs to be dealt with. I have suffered severely at the hands of church leaders who must keep a grip on power and control at all costs. The result for me by opening up my heart to God in my pain and rejection - was that He took me and my wife Karen through an incredible journey of visiting three charismatic churches over two years - none of which were perfect - but all of which sowed things of the Spirit into our lives, and stretched us in our faith and walk with God.
The reality is that most young people are looking for something of worth and value in their lives, and the lives of others. These things are only to be found in the person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ. I guess the reason why older people and older traditions have trouble relating (so we are told) to the youth of today is because they have changed so much in there lifestyles, social definitions, expectations of life and family, and the general breakdown of families and our social/moral structure. I also believe that much of the generational void in the church has been created by the church itself, and the leaderships that insist that we must have a separate youth ministry at all costs. It could be percieved that our youth don't want to have anything to do with older people and older traditions (such as hymns, etc) and that older people don't want to have anything to do with youth and youth emerging traditions (such as Shaker's worship music, mosh pits, etc). I honestly believe that the division between the two "generations" is people created, and hellishly inspired.
The Bible (God's divine and inspired Word to us) clearly does not speak about us having two types of churches - one for youth and one for old. It calls us to meet in the middle ground. It calls us to lay aside our prejudices and divisive thoughts and behaviour. The youth need the older generation - the experience and counsel that can be drawn upon is valuable for the spiritual growth of a younger and newer Christian life. The older generation need the youth so that we don't forget how to enjoy life and have fun, and to not take things too seriously all of the time.
I am so blessed to have an awesome relationship with my three children. I count them as true friends, and always have since they were born. They are a precious gift from God, and Karen and I have poured our lives into them - determined to make a difference in their lives and to see them grow up as healthy, balanced, Spirit filled, world changing followers and disciples of Jesus Christ. And now they are all impacting in a positive and life changing way into other young peoples lives.
I want to make it clear that I am not anti emergent church movement. If it enables the youth of today to meet with Jesus and be transformed, then I am all for it. I just wonder how it looks to the world - who are always looking to the church for direction, whether we acknowledge it or not - when they see a church that appears to be divided against itself. I have studied church planting in depth, and am actively involved in missions (reaching the lost - both here and overseas). Most church plants are emergent in nature (well, at least some of the concepts are there) in that they often start in a home, or a borrowed or rented place. They are usually informal and don't have a paid pastor. They may meet infrequently, or more than once a week (not just on, or not even Sunday).
It saddens me that the enemy is allowed to use the same tactics over and over again. He's used the gifts of the Spirit to divide churches into fundamental and charismatic, and now he is using worship and music to divide the churches into young and old.
My point in all of this rambling is that it is all about our attitudes. We have to learn to reach out to each other, and to embrace each other, and to encourage each other. We can worship alongside each other if we are prepared to love each other. This love demands that we accept each other even if deep down inside we struggle with each other. Only God can bridge that gap! We shouldn't have to change church to make it acceptable and relevant to others - WE SHOULD CHANGE OURSELVES! And yes, then there is by default an expectation that others will change and accept us.
If this personal revival is allowed to take place, the hymns versus youth worship music debate/division/dilema will be stripped of it's power, and we will all learn to worship alongside each other. Informal chats about spirituality and life will go hand in hand with powerful, convicting, preaching of the Word of God. Lifestyle evangelism will complement congregational worship and church life.
Let's not divide the Bride of Christ - let's unit it with one voice, one purpose, and one spirit. This can be done because we listen to one Voice, have one Purpose, and are led and indwelt by one Spirit!
If Jesus was to plant a church here today, what kind would it be?
"Lord God, we pray for the youth of our nation. Would you loose from them the spirit of darkness and lawlessness that is causing them to destroy their lives, and would you bind them - each and every one of them Lord Jesus- to Your will, Your purpose, and Your destiny for their lives."
"Oh, and ditto for us older generation."
Saturday, June 11, 2005
Saturday arvo - looking out my window ...
Well, I've just gotten down from the roof where the gutters needed a small clean out. Nowhere near as much as they used to collect before all the gum trees got chopped down around our house.
Our house is about 20 years old, and was on a semi-rural property before the developers came through and bought up everything around us. We weren't exactly overjoyed at the prospect of having neighbours again because that was the reason why we moved to Southern River in the first place - to get some space between us and people.
The fact is that I didn't want to leave suburbia originally - even though I was born and bred on a farm at Wialki - north of Mukinbudin. But circumstances caused us to move, and God led my precious wife Karen to this house on 1 acre of land just down the road from Thornlie Christian College where our children were attending school. When she first convinced me to come and look at it one Sunday afternoon after we had been for a drive with the kids, there just happened to be a home open!! We walked through the house, and I was quite impressed (I am very critical of things, and quite hard to please sometimes - just ask Karen). Two things - it was way out of our price range, and it was a long way from any shops, etc. Strange how a country boy can become kinda used to suburbia and all of it's comforts - whilst still not really enjoying living in the city.
We needed to move from where we were living though, so we started to pray about the situation. To cut a long story short, there were about 7 other offers on this property, and so we just committed it to God. He did some awesome miracles - one by one all of the offers fell through for one reason or another (divine intervention actually) and eventually - when we had actually handed it back to God and said "Lord if you don't want us to have that house, then please give us the grace to accept it and get on with our lives" - our offer ( for substantially less than what the vendors were asking) was put on the table. And God gave us our beautiful home on 1 acre of land in the bush with horses alongside us, and peace and quiet like you would never believe was possible. Just like being on a farm! This was about 12 years ago.
About 5 years ago - when things were not going too well in our business - the bank tried to take this house and our business away from us. We owed them a lot of money, and they made a demand on us that was impossible to meet. At one PCLC friday night service, I was crying out to God, full of fear and totally devastated by the prospect of my family losing everything and being thrown out on the street. I asked God what was going to happen to us, and our house. I heard God's voice saying "Steve, it was by a miracle that I gave you that house, and it will be by a miracle that I will save it". And He did - and it was an awesome miracle.
Several weeks after that prayer, during another friday night service at PCLC, I cried out to God about our business. His voice spoke back to me and said " Steve, I will build a business that will be beyond your imagination - but I will build it". And He did, and continues to do so. Reminds me a bit of that passage that says "that unless God builds the house, he that labours does so in vain".
So how does that relate to gutters and trees? Simply that there are times when we lament the loss of things in our lives - like all of the beautiful shady gum trees that used to fill our gutters with lots and lots and lots of leaves - but we lose sight of the fact that He always replaces them with something better. We now have lots and lots of neighbours - something that I was never really keen on - but the fact is that most of them have never heard of Jesus and what He did for them upon the Cross. He has not only traded our ashes for beauty - but He has traded our rural sanctuary for neighbours - lost and dying neighbours - a mission field right her on our doorstep, next door, behind us.
"God, I am so sorry for all the times that I've wanted my old life back, or wanted something different than what you want for me. Help me to see past all of the things that I miss, or regret, and show me the true calling of a disciple of Christ - to speak the Word of truth and life into the lives of those around me. Give me a love for my mission field next door."
Wouldn't you want to have a Christian neighbour if you desperately needed to hear about Jesus?
Our house is about 20 years old, and was on a semi-rural property before the developers came through and bought up everything around us. We weren't exactly overjoyed at the prospect of having neighbours again because that was the reason why we moved to Southern River in the first place - to get some space between us and people.
The fact is that I didn't want to leave suburbia originally - even though I was born and bred on a farm at Wialki - north of Mukinbudin. But circumstances caused us to move, and God led my precious wife Karen to this house on 1 acre of land just down the road from Thornlie Christian College where our children were attending school. When she first convinced me to come and look at it one Sunday afternoon after we had been for a drive with the kids, there just happened to be a home open!! We walked through the house, and I was quite impressed (I am very critical of things, and quite hard to please sometimes - just ask Karen). Two things - it was way out of our price range, and it was a long way from any shops, etc. Strange how a country boy can become kinda used to suburbia and all of it's comforts - whilst still not really enjoying living in the city.
We needed to move from where we were living though, so we started to pray about the situation. To cut a long story short, there were about 7 other offers on this property, and so we just committed it to God. He did some awesome miracles - one by one all of the offers fell through for one reason or another (divine intervention actually) and eventually - when we had actually handed it back to God and said "Lord if you don't want us to have that house, then please give us the grace to accept it and get on with our lives" - our offer ( for substantially less than what the vendors were asking) was put on the table. And God gave us our beautiful home on 1 acre of land in the bush with horses alongside us, and peace and quiet like you would never believe was possible. Just like being on a farm! This was about 12 years ago.
About 5 years ago - when things were not going too well in our business - the bank tried to take this house and our business away from us. We owed them a lot of money, and they made a demand on us that was impossible to meet. At one PCLC friday night service, I was crying out to God, full of fear and totally devastated by the prospect of my family losing everything and being thrown out on the street. I asked God what was going to happen to us, and our house. I heard God's voice saying "Steve, it was by a miracle that I gave you that house, and it will be by a miracle that I will save it". And He did - and it was an awesome miracle.
Several weeks after that prayer, during another friday night service at PCLC, I cried out to God about our business. His voice spoke back to me and said " Steve, I will build a business that will be beyond your imagination - but I will build it". And He did, and continues to do so. Reminds me a bit of that passage that says "that unless God builds the house, he that labours does so in vain".
So how does that relate to gutters and trees? Simply that there are times when we lament the loss of things in our lives - like all of the beautiful shady gum trees that used to fill our gutters with lots and lots and lots of leaves - but we lose sight of the fact that He always replaces them with something better. We now have lots and lots of neighbours - something that I was never really keen on - but the fact is that most of them have never heard of Jesus and what He did for them upon the Cross. He has not only traded our ashes for beauty - but He has traded our rural sanctuary for neighbours - lost and dying neighbours - a mission field right her on our doorstep, next door, behind us.
"God, I am so sorry for all the times that I've wanted my old life back, or wanted something different than what you want for me. Help me to see past all of the things that I miss, or regret, and show me the true calling of a disciple of Christ - to speak the Word of truth and life into the lives of those around me. Give me a love for my mission field next door."
Wouldn't you want to have a Christian neighbour if you desperately needed to hear about Jesus?
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
C-day is here ... and almost gone.
Well, it's Tuesday night and I am updating my blog as promised so that the results of my visit to the hospital are made known.
The Dr did end up cutting part of my shoulder out to remove the BCC. How do I feel about that? Well, it aches for starters, and I know that over the next few days it will probably give me a hard time, but I know that nothing has changed as far as I am concerned. I still believe in miracles of healing, and I am still wondering in my heart why God did not heal me miraculously, but I know that nothing changes the truth of the scripture that says "by His stripes I am healed". I know that Jesus didn't only die to give me eternal life, but that this earthly life would be full of blessing and fulfillment. That includes good health. The prophet Isaiah states it plain and clear. He was wounded for our sicknesses and diseases.
So how do I rationalise away all of the sicknesses in Christians? Joseph Prince from the "New Creation Church" in Singapore tells the story of how Kenneth Hagan said that he gave thanks to God for doctors, because they kept him alive long enough for him to learn about God's miraculous healing. There is a lot of truth in that. My own knee got trashed in a skiing accident, but then God healed me right before (literally a half hour) I was to climb several hundred steps at a temple in Laos whilst doing a prayer and warfare walk on a missions trip. But this was one year after the accident. Why not be healed straight away, or why did the accident happen in the first place? I know several people (personally) who have been miraculously healed of cancer, and not just a BCC, but serious life threatening stuff. Why them and not me, or others I know who are struggling with sickness.
I believe the answer lies in my determination to know more of God, and to know Him more. I have experienced miracles in my life, so I know from experience that He does them ... even today ... but in this case I suspect that He has a higher purpose for this event. Even now, I am believing for a complete recovery from the operation, and I know that God has me in the palm of His hands ... safe ... secure ... I am a child of the King.
I remember when my wife Karen was talking with me about the vision God gave her of me being healed in Laos (provided I was obedient and went on the missions trip) - I asked her why did God allow it in the first place - and she said she felt that God had told her it is was so that I could identify with the sick and suffering people who were in need of healing. And so I am believing for a ministry of teaching the truth about healing, and being able to identify with those who desperately need a touch from God.
Yes, God does still heal today. No, He didn't miraculously remove the tumour from my shoulder. That doesn't change the truth of His word, and I will continue to believe Him for the impossible, because if I don't, then I may never see another miracle. Every day I believe Him for the impossible in some area of my life.
So I will lift my hands and my eyes to the heavens, for that is where my help comes from. God is still ruling and reigning over creation, and as long as I let Him rule and reign in my life, I know there are exciting times ahead.
I guess I will be preaching on Sunday that His grace is sufficient for me in every situation. I would love to see someone get miraculously healed during the service. Let's see some shackles broken, some captives set free, some lives restored! Who knows what will happen. One thing I know for sure - I will be worshipping and praising God with all of my heart, for He is good, and His mercies endure forever.
Hallelujah - for the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad, and give the glory unto Him!
Steve
The Dr did end up cutting part of my shoulder out to remove the BCC. How do I feel about that? Well, it aches for starters, and I know that over the next few days it will probably give me a hard time, but I know that nothing has changed as far as I am concerned. I still believe in miracles of healing, and I am still wondering in my heart why God did not heal me miraculously, but I know that nothing changes the truth of the scripture that says "by His stripes I am healed". I know that Jesus didn't only die to give me eternal life, but that this earthly life would be full of blessing and fulfillment. That includes good health. The prophet Isaiah states it plain and clear. He was wounded for our sicknesses and diseases.
So how do I rationalise away all of the sicknesses in Christians? Joseph Prince from the "New Creation Church" in Singapore tells the story of how Kenneth Hagan said that he gave thanks to God for doctors, because they kept him alive long enough for him to learn about God's miraculous healing. There is a lot of truth in that. My own knee got trashed in a skiing accident, but then God healed me right before (literally a half hour) I was to climb several hundred steps at a temple in Laos whilst doing a prayer and warfare walk on a missions trip. But this was one year after the accident. Why not be healed straight away, or why did the accident happen in the first place? I know several people (personally) who have been miraculously healed of cancer, and not just a BCC, but serious life threatening stuff. Why them and not me, or others I know who are struggling with sickness.
I believe the answer lies in my determination to know more of God, and to know Him more. I have experienced miracles in my life, so I know from experience that He does them ... even today ... but in this case I suspect that He has a higher purpose for this event. Even now, I am believing for a complete recovery from the operation, and I know that God has me in the palm of His hands ... safe ... secure ... I am a child of the King.
I remember when my wife Karen was talking with me about the vision God gave her of me being healed in Laos (provided I was obedient and went on the missions trip) - I asked her why did God allow it in the first place - and she said she felt that God had told her it is was so that I could identify with the sick and suffering people who were in need of healing. And so I am believing for a ministry of teaching the truth about healing, and being able to identify with those who desperately need a touch from God.
Yes, God does still heal today. No, He didn't miraculously remove the tumour from my shoulder. That doesn't change the truth of His word, and I will continue to believe Him for the impossible, because if I don't, then I may never see another miracle. Every day I believe Him for the impossible in some area of my life.
So I will lift my hands and my eyes to the heavens, for that is where my help comes from. God is still ruling and reigning over creation, and as long as I let Him rule and reign in my life, I know there are exciting times ahead.
I guess I will be preaching on Sunday that His grace is sufficient for me in every situation. I would love to see someone get miraculously healed during the service. Let's see some shackles broken, some captives set free, some lives restored! Who knows what will happen. One thing I know for sure - I will be worshipping and praising God with all of my heart, for He is good, and His mercies endure forever.
Hallelujah - for the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad, and give the glory unto Him!
Steve
Friday, May 06, 2005
Thank God it's Friday ...
Well, it's the end of a hard working week!
It's been a tough one, with long hours, and lot's of frustration. People seem to have an uncanny propensity to make life hard for you when you least need it. Like the people who undid a whole days work by deleting some crucial files off of a compact flash memory card. The problem was that we had to work all day through till 4.30am the next morning to rectify the problem. It didn't have to be that way, but someone's thoughtlessness caused it. It's been a week of fighting to make schedules, and to keep promises and commitments to clients and other people.
I managed to shoehorn in a visit to my skin cancer clinic today to find out what the verdict is. They want to operate next Tuesday. I'm still working through how I feel about it. I used the Aldara cream treatment and it seemed to work well, with lots of improvement on the outside of the skin, but my Dr says that the BCC is still under the skin, and must be cut out to remove it completely. I guess I'm wondering why God hasn't answered my prayers for healing YET!. I know that it's only Friday evening, and so God still has 3.5 days left to do a miracle, but there is always that thought that maybe He won't. Or maybe it's an exercise of faith. What would be awesome would be if on Tuesday I rockup for surgery and the Dr looks and sees that the BCC is completely gone. Then, what an awesome opportunity to share Christ with him, and to avoid the pain of going under the scalpel.
My experience has been that in every hard test of faith that we enter into, there is always a desire on our part to see a quick and painless solution. This is not always what God has in mind. He wants what is best for us, but He wants us to grow in faith and intimacy with Him first and foremost. Does this mean I give up on praying for and believing for a miracle of healing. Definately NOT! It makes me more determined to seek the miracle that I believe Jesus died on the cross to secure for me.
The hecticness of this past week ( and quite a few before it) has helped me to realize that our enemy wants to squeeze the life out of us. And he does this by making us so busy that we become inwardly focussed - in survival mode sometimes. He attacks us on every front - financially, time with our family, health, and material possessions that break or are taken away from us.
Sometimes we become convinced that we have to fight - and this is true - we do have to fight, because the scriptures state that we are in a war against the enemy and his minions. But the truth is that we don't have to fight the enemy - Jesus has already done this and won. The person who we have to contend with is ourselves. The biggest battle or fight is waged within - to maintain relationship with God such that the will and purposes of God take place in our lives every moment of every day. His will is that I should be healed. How do I know for sure? Because the scriptures say that Jesus died not just to give me eternal life, but to heal me of my sickness and diseases. By His stripes I AM healed. Sickness will come and try to attack us, but we don't have to let it conquer us or rule us. We have the victory because Jesus won it on the Cross of Calvary.
Well, next Tuesday is C-Day. I guess my theology will be tested, but the funny thing is, it doesn't worry me. Whatever happens, God is still AWESOME. He still healed my knee in Laos on the missions trip. He still saved our home and our business. He still has done countless awesome miracles in every area of my life.
Whether I stand in the pulpit to preach on Sunday 15th May nursing a sore shoulder - proclaiming that God's grace is sufficient to see me through every challenge that I face - or whether I stand in that puplit to preach and declare the miracle working power of God is still at work in my life - nothing changes the fact that I owe my life to God and it is His to deal with as He pleases, because He loves me, and He would never harm me. He has promised to remember the thoughts that He has towards me. And they are thoughts to give me a hope and a future - to prosper me and not to harm me.
God does not change His thoughts towards us. Can we afford to change our thoughts towards Him? My post next Tuesday night on this blog will reflect what my attitude towards God is at that time, and I declare now that I will still be praising and worshipping Him no matter what happens. It may just affect the way YOU see God though. I pray that the end result will not cause you to lose faith in God's ability and desire to still perform miracles of healing today. I pray that whatever happens you will be challenged to seek His face, and to cry out "Glory to the King"!
Safe in the arms of Jesus.
Steve
It's been a tough one, with long hours, and lot's of frustration. People seem to have an uncanny propensity to make life hard for you when you least need it. Like the people who undid a whole days work by deleting some crucial files off of a compact flash memory card. The problem was that we had to work all day through till 4.30am the next morning to rectify the problem. It didn't have to be that way, but someone's thoughtlessness caused it. It's been a week of fighting to make schedules, and to keep promises and commitments to clients and other people.
I managed to shoehorn in a visit to my skin cancer clinic today to find out what the verdict is. They want to operate next Tuesday. I'm still working through how I feel about it. I used the Aldara cream treatment and it seemed to work well, with lots of improvement on the outside of the skin, but my Dr says that the BCC is still under the skin, and must be cut out to remove it completely. I guess I'm wondering why God hasn't answered my prayers for healing YET!. I know that it's only Friday evening, and so God still has 3.5 days left to do a miracle, but there is always that thought that maybe He won't. Or maybe it's an exercise of faith. What would be awesome would be if on Tuesday I rockup for surgery and the Dr looks and sees that the BCC is completely gone. Then, what an awesome opportunity to share Christ with him, and to avoid the pain of going under the scalpel.
My experience has been that in every hard test of faith that we enter into, there is always a desire on our part to see a quick and painless solution. This is not always what God has in mind. He wants what is best for us, but He wants us to grow in faith and intimacy with Him first and foremost. Does this mean I give up on praying for and believing for a miracle of healing. Definately NOT! It makes me more determined to seek the miracle that I believe Jesus died on the cross to secure for me.
The hecticness of this past week ( and quite a few before it) has helped me to realize that our enemy wants to squeeze the life out of us. And he does this by making us so busy that we become inwardly focussed - in survival mode sometimes. He attacks us on every front - financially, time with our family, health, and material possessions that break or are taken away from us.
Sometimes we become convinced that we have to fight - and this is true - we do have to fight, because the scriptures state that we are in a war against the enemy and his minions. But the truth is that we don't have to fight the enemy - Jesus has already done this and won. The person who we have to contend with is ourselves. The biggest battle or fight is waged within - to maintain relationship with God such that the will and purposes of God take place in our lives every moment of every day. His will is that I should be healed. How do I know for sure? Because the scriptures say that Jesus died not just to give me eternal life, but to heal me of my sickness and diseases. By His stripes I AM healed. Sickness will come and try to attack us, but we don't have to let it conquer us or rule us. We have the victory because Jesus won it on the Cross of Calvary.
Well, next Tuesday is C-Day. I guess my theology will be tested, but the funny thing is, it doesn't worry me. Whatever happens, God is still AWESOME. He still healed my knee in Laos on the missions trip. He still saved our home and our business. He still has done countless awesome miracles in every area of my life.
Whether I stand in the pulpit to preach on Sunday 15th May nursing a sore shoulder - proclaiming that God's grace is sufficient to see me through every challenge that I face - or whether I stand in that puplit to preach and declare the miracle working power of God is still at work in my life - nothing changes the fact that I owe my life to God and it is His to deal with as He pleases, because He loves me, and He would never harm me. He has promised to remember the thoughts that He has towards me. And they are thoughts to give me a hope and a future - to prosper me and not to harm me.
God does not change His thoughts towards us. Can we afford to change our thoughts towards Him? My post next Tuesday night on this blog will reflect what my attitude towards God is at that time, and I declare now that I will still be praising and worshipping Him no matter what happens. It may just affect the way YOU see God though. I pray that the end result will not cause you to lose faith in God's ability and desire to still perform miracles of healing today. I pray that whatever happens you will be challenged to seek His face, and to cry out "Glory to the King"!
Safe in the arms of Jesus.
Steve
Saturday, February 19, 2005
We're back ...
Wow, it's Saturday afternoon, and we're back home from Thailand (well Karen, Camille and myself anyway). We got in about 8-00 this morning, and got picked up from the airport by our precious niece Phillipa (thanks Pip) and when we got home we quickly freshened up, got dressed up, and headed off to the Art Gallery of WA to see Camille's two selected paintings being exhibited in the Year 12 Perspectives show. Bumped into my old English teacher from Merredin High School whom I haven't seen in yonks. He even sort of remembered me ... scary.
As we were driving into Perth to the exhibition, we were playing a new Hillsongs CD that Karen just bought. Track 5 really got to me. I kept hitting the replay button so that I could hear it over and over. You know how sometimes a song just grabs you and won't let go - this was one of them. As I listened to it speaking about how the Lord is my Shepherd, and how the enemy cannot touch me because I am a child of the Most High God, my spirit started to well up inside of me. I started feeling all hot, and thought at any moment I would burst into tears - not a pretty sight for a 40 something year old man with his wife and daughter sitting in the car - doing 100Kmh down the freeway. Sometimes a song just connects - Spirit to spirit - and before I know it I am overwhelmed! It's interesting that one of my favourite songs is Hillsongs' "Overwhelmed" - and every time I listen to it I get truly overwhelmed by the message it brings, and the emotions that it releases in me. I can't listen to it without tears welling up in my eyes, and a deep sense of His Holy Spirit's presence. I believe that these songs are "truly annointed" songs, and they carry an annointing that is released upon the listener. When I listen to songs like them, words of knowledge and understanding start to flow, and God speaks deeply into my heart about things that matter a lot to me (just typing this blog, I can feel the Holy Spirit rising up inside of me).
I'd only just looked over at Karen minutes before the song started, and noticed that she was crying. I didn't have to ask her what was wrong ... I sensed it in my spirit that she was grieving about being back, and leaving Thomas behind in Thailand for another 4.5 months. Immediately I felt that same grief, and was thinking about how hard it is to leave someone behind whom you deeply love and miss. And then that song started playing (God's timing is ALWAYS perfect) and He started speaking to my spirit the verse from Matthew 16: 24-25 which goes like this ... "if anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.
For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake shall find it."
I knew immediately it was a word of comfort for Karen and me, and later realised that it was a word for Thomas too. When I got home I checked my emails, and there was a prophetic bulletin update from Rick Joyner - and there on page 5 was that passage from Matthew 16: 24-25. I realised then that God was sealing that word into my heart. And strange as it may seem, that word of comfort convinced me once again that it is all worth it. I know that God has Thomas exactly where he wants him to be for now.
To worship at his new home church in Chiang Mai, to meet his "adopted mum", and to meet his church family, and to be honoured guests at a dinner held for all of us was overwhelming. I know it will be months until we see him again, but I would rather release my son into God's puropse for his life and to see our life of nurturing him "in the way that he should go" come to fulfillment in his destiny, than to be selfish and try to hold onto him.
I am so blessed to have three wonderful children who all want to "seek, serve, and follow Christ". The only thing the Boy's Brigade motto should have added to the end of it is ... "to the ends of the earth". We were destined to be a missionary family.
I am so happy that Shane was able to stay on with his bro' in Thailand for another three weeks ... just to hang out and do the things that brothers do!
The enemy cannot touch him because he is a child of the MOST HIGH GOD. The Lord is my Shepherd, and I will lack nothing. He is my rod and my staff, and He comforts me. He leads me beside still and peaceful waters. He prepares a place for me at His table.
Hallelujah! Prajow san dee (Thai for "God is good")!
Abiding in Him, hiding in Him, abandoned to Him,
Steve
As we were driving into Perth to the exhibition, we were playing a new Hillsongs CD that Karen just bought. Track 5 really got to me. I kept hitting the replay button so that I could hear it over and over. You know how sometimes a song just grabs you and won't let go - this was one of them. As I listened to it speaking about how the Lord is my Shepherd, and how the enemy cannot touch me because I am a child of the Most High God, my spirit started to well up inside of me. I started feeling all hot, and thought at any moment I would burst into tears - not a pretty sight for a 40 something year old man with his wife and daughter sitting in the car - doing 100Kmh down the freeway. Sometimes a song just connects - Spirit to spirit - and before I know it I am overwhelmed! It's interesting that one of my favourite songs is Hillsongs' "Overwhelmed" - and every time I listen to it I get truly overwhelmed by the message it brings, and the emotions that it releases in me. I can't listen to it without tears welling up in my eyes, and a deep sense of His Holy Spirit's presence. I believe that these songs are "truly annointed" songs, and they carry an annointing that is released upon the listener. When I listen to songs like them, words of knowledge and understanding start to flow, and God speaks deeply into my heart about things that matter a lot to me (just typing this blog, I can feel the Holy Spirit rising up inside of me).
I'd only just looked over at Karen minutes before the song started, and noticed that she was crying. I didn't have to ask her what was wrong ... I sensed it in my spirit that she was grieving about being back, and leaving Thomas behind in Thailand for another 4.5 months. Immediately I felt that same grief, and was thinking about how hard it is to leave someone behind whom you deeply love and miss. And then that song started playing (God's timing is ALWAYS perfect) and He started speaking to my spirit the verse from Matthew 16: 24-25 which goes like this ... "if anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.
For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake shall find it."
I knew immediately it was a word of comfort for Karen and me, and later realised that it was a word for Thomas too. When I got home I checked my emails, and there was a prophetic bulletin update from Rick Joyner - and there on page 5 was that passage from Matthew 16: 24-25. I realised then that God was sealing that word into my heart. And strange as it may seem, that word of comfort convinced me once again that it is all worth it. I know that God has Thomas exactly where he wants him to be for now.
To worship at his new home church in Chiang Mai, to meet his "adopted mum", and to meet his church family, and to be honoured guests at a dinner held for all of us was overwhelming. I know it will be months until we see him again, but I would rather release my son into God's puropse for his life and to see our life of nurturing him "in the way that he should go" come to fulfillment in his destiny, than to be selfish and try to hold onto him.
I am so blessed to have three wonderful children who all want to "seek, serve, and follow Christ". The only thing the Boy's Brigade motto should have added to the end of it is ... "to the ends of the earth". We were destined to be a missionary family.
I am so happy that Shane was able to stay on with his bro' in Thailand for another three weeks ... just to hang out and do the things that brothers do!
The enemy cannot touch him because he is a child of the MOST HIGH GOD. The Lord is my Shepherd, and I will lack nothing. He is my rod and my staff, and He comforts me. He leads me beside still and peaceful waters. He prepares a place for me at His table.
Hallelujah! Prajow san dee (Thai for "God is good")!
Abiding in Him, hiding in Him, abandoned to Him,
Steve
Friday, February 04, 2005
Proverbs 3:5
I'm sitting here at my computer at work, and my eyes just caught the little verse of scripture that I keep propped up against the monitor. Its from Proverbs 3: 5 and reads like this ...
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart.
Lean not on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths."
I often stop during the day to ponder that verse.
On the back of the card in faded biro is a message that says ...
"To Stephen
Love Mum & Dad
Happy 32nd!!!
Birthday"
I am so blessed to have the most wonderful Mother-in-law, and even though my Father-in-law has gone to eternity, my memories of him are precious too. After all, with God's help, they created the most beautiful girl to walk the face of this earth ... my wife Karen.
And I suspect that Mum didn't know, but a piece of her sits in front of me every day at work in the form of this amazing little scripture card that serves to remind me of the truth ... that my Heavenly Father loves me.
Hallelujah! That card has inspired me for the past 15 years.
I'm going to have a great day. God has truly blessed me! I think I'll put some worship music on and let His goodness overwhelm me while I work.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart.
Lean not on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths."
I often stop during the day to ponder that verse.
On the back of the card in faded biro is a message that says ...
"To Stephen
Love Mum & Dad
Happy 32nd!!!
Birthday"
I am so blessed to have the most wonderful Mother-in-law, and even though my Father-in-law has gone to eternity, my memories of him are precious too. After all, with God's help, they created the most beautiful girl to walk the face of this earth ... my wife Karen.
And I suspect that Mum didn't know, but a piece of her sits in front of me every day at work in the form of this amazing little scripture card that serves to remind me of the truth ... that my Heavenly Father loves me.
Hallelujah! That card has inspired me for the past 15 years.
I'm going to have a great day. God has truly blessed me! I think I'll put some worship music on and let His goodness overwhelm me while I work.
Thursday, February 03, 2005
This is the day that the Lord has made ...
Well, today has been an interesting kind of day. Thursdays are always kinda different.
My son Shane got his logs today - only a short jump from here to actually having his drivers license. Now comes the car, fuel, rego, insurance, tyres, etc ... yahoo ... look what you've got to look forward to Shane. A moped is beginning to sound good :D)
Some good things have happened today ... not all of it has been good news ... but being told the truth is better than not knowing at all. To finally be told why someone has been holding up progress on an important project means at least I am now equipped to deal with the matter. Sometimes people do not realise the effects of their actions, but it can seriously affect a small business when people are pedantic and sit on important paperwork. If there is any good outcome from this revelation today it would be that I am more determined to cross my I's and dot my T's when dealing with the unknown. Give ol Nick (Satan to the uninitiated) an inch and he will take a mile. Have to constantly remind myself that he is under my feet, and that I am the Head and not the tail.
I'm reminded of the Robin Mark song where the lyrics go ...
"This is the day that the Lord has made,
We were meant to rejoice and be glad in it ..."
I don't necessarily have to rejoice in the day itself (or the situation), but in it's Creator ... the awesome living God ... the God who has declared that He knows the thoughts that He has towards me, and that they are good thoughts. Like all other battles where we may feel powerless, this one will almost certainly be won on my knees!
Well I've shared whats on my mind today. I know that I can do all things through Christ, whose power, whose love, whose wisdom, whose Spirit ... strengthens me.
Can't wait for next week. Off to Thailand to see Thomas. Holidays here I come!!! I can taste the Tom Yum already ...
My son Shane got his logs today - only a short jump from here to actually having his drivers license. Now comes the car, fuel, rego, insurance, tyres, etc ... yahoo ... look what you've got to look forward to Shane. A moped is beginning to sound good :D)
Some good things have happened today ... not all of it has been good news ... but being told the truth is better than not knowing at all. To finally be told why someone has been holding up progress on an important project means at least I am now equipped to deal with the matter. Sometimes people do not realise the effects of their actions, but it can seriously affect a small business when people are pedantic and sit on important paperwork. If there is any good outcome from this revelation today it would be that I am more determined to cross my I's and dot my T's when dealing with the unknown. Give ol Nick (Satan to the uninitiated) an inch and he will take a mile. Have to constantly remind myself that he is under my feet, and that I am the Head and not the tail.
I'm reminded of the Robin Mark song where the lyrics go ...
"This is the day that the Lord has made,
We were meant to rejoice and be glad in it ..."
I don't necessarily have to rejoice in the day itself (or the situation), but in it's Creator ... the awesome living God ... the God who has declared that He knows the thoughts that He has towards me, and that they are good thoughts. Like all other battles where we may feel powerless, this one will almost certainly be won on my knees!
Well I've shared whats on my mind today. I know that I can do all things through Christ, whose power, whose love, whose wisdom, whose Spirit ... strengthens me.
Can't wait for next week. Off to Thailand to see Thomas. Holidays here I come!!! I can taste the Tom Yum already ...
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