The words of an old hymn just popped into my head. Here they are ...
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever,
I will sing, I will sing.
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever,
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord.
With my mouth, will I make known
His faithfulness, His faithfulness.
With my mouth, will I make known
His faithfulness to all generations ...
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
God is soooooooooo good ...
My new shed/workshop/garage is going to start being erected today - yay!!! (Only been waiting since October)
Things are busy already at work - 2006 is going to be a fantastic year for our (God's) business, because He is blessing our efforts. Did He not say that He would cause us to prosper in everything that we do!
I am believing for many opportunities this year to preach and teach more. My desire is to get back involved in worship ministry, and to sow truth and life into every one that I meet or minister to.
I found someone who is going to possibly be able to fix all of our brick paving and limestone wall messes that we were left with. Another yay!!!
And I am married to the most wonderful woman on planet earth, who truly rocks my world.
And it's all because of God's promise to me - that He knows the plans that He has for me, and they are plans to prosper me and not to harm me. Plans to give me a hope and a future.
Where would I be without Him? Where would I be without Jesus and His finished work of the cross? Where would I be without His Holy Spirit?
Jesus nailed it when He said that only God is truly good. Only God could truly love me and bless me the way that He does.
Things are busy already at work - 2006 is going to be a fantastic year for our (God's) business, because He is blessing our efforts. Did He not say that He would cause us to prosper in everything that we do!
I am believing for many opportunities this year to preach and teach more. My desire is to get back involved in worship ministry, and to sow truth and life into every one that I meet or minister to.
I found someone who is going to possibly be able to fix all of our brick paving and limestone wall messes that we were left with. Another yay!!!
And I am married to the most wonderful woman on planet earth, who truly rocks my world.
And it's all because of God's promise to me - that He knows the plans that He has for me, and they are plans to prosper me and not to harm me. Plans to give me a hope and a future.
Where would I be without Him? Where would I be without Jesus and His finished work of the cross? Where would I be without His Holy Spirit?
Jesus nailed it when He said that only God is truly good. Only God could truly love me and bless me the way that He does.
Monday, January 16, 2006
Leadership in the relational church ...
Continuing on with the theme of life in the relational church, here are some more thoughts from Wayne Jacobsen ...
Clearly Jesus warned his disciples that in God’s reality leadership serves a different function than it does in the world because it is not based on management. Yet many books on Christian leadership today are so easily adapted to the business world. That alone should make us stop and question.
Jesus didn’t view leadership as the power to command, but the passion to serve people as they sort out what it means to live as God’s children. In the last decade my understanding of leadership has changed completely. I used to see it in terms of power—thinking leadership was defined by influence, institutional power or the value of their giftedness.
That’s not so in God. Those who have helped me most to grow in Father’s love, surprisingly enough, don’t hold positions of power but simply loved me enough to point out the way to God’s heart and then let me decide if I wanted to follow it...
I guess that it's true (when I think back) that the pastors/teachers who have influenced me the most over the past few years were all gracious, humble, and yet were not perfect!
It is also so true that we are all looking for the perfect church … which means something different to every person I know. The one thing “perfect church” seekers have in common is a desire to find a place of community where they can grow in Christ – a place where grace is the rule (we already have grace from God, but rarely receive it from man) – where we can exercise our gifts for the glory of God, and for the building up of His body.
I want to be in a church were the spiritually lost take priority over programs, buildings, and every other thing that gets in the way of being missional in the true sense of the word.
Why are churches spending tens of millions of dollars on flash buildings and other frivolous pursuits when children and women in Tanzania (I have been there and seen it with my own eyes) have to walk 10 kilometres or more to collect muddy disease infested drinking water from a well or creek?
My desire is to be Christ centred, Christ focussed, and as a result of that, to become more like Him. To act like He would act, to do what He would do, for His priorities to become my priorities, to rejoice when He rejoices, and to grieve when He grieves.
I feel like He is gently guiding me in the direction that He has planned for me – to make a difference in this world. To declare all of the awesome things that He has done for me, so that others can catch the vision.
And church can be a very good training ground …
Why house church isn't the answer ...
Found an interesting article by Wayne Jacobsen on the website "Lifestream.org" which has an excellent discussion on why "House Church" may not always be the answer people are looking for.
Here is a small excerpt ...
Oh... and by the way, we recently left a mainstream Pentecostal church to join a brand new home church.
Here is a small excerpt ...
We've taught for years the mistaken notion that we need to go to church to fill up on the life of God. Not true! We can only fill up on God's life through a transforming relationship with the Father through his Son. We were never meant to come to fill ourselves with church, but to live full of him and then share his life together with God's people.
Here is the problem with most of what passes for church life today, including many house churches: Rather than teaching people how to live dependent on Jesus Christ, it supplants that dependency by its misguided attempt to take the place of Jesus in people's lives. Instead of teaching them how to live in him, they make them dependent on the structures and gatherings of what we call church. Our expressions of church life just become another thing to stand in the way of people living deeply and fully in him.
It's well written, and Wayne earnestly encourages people to centre their dependence on Jesus himself. Well worth taking the time to read in my opinion, as are many of the other articles on Lifestream.org website. Click here to read the full article.Oh... and by the way, we recently left a mainstream Pentecostal church to join a brand new home church.
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Let's get rid of the Pastor ...
Seems a bit radical doesn't it. But if this article from "Present Testimony Ministry" is anything to go on, if begs a thought or two.
Frank Viola has written a book called "Pagan Christianity: The Origins of Our
The article in question takes excerpts from this book and unpacks them in quite an orderly and well researched fashion. To say that he challenges the position of our modern church pastor is an understatement. Here are some excerpts from the article ...
He is the fundamental figure of the Protestant faith. He is the chief, cook, and bottle-washer of today’s Christianity. So prevailing is the Pastor in the minds of most Christians that he is better known, more highly praised, and more heavily relied upon than Jesus Christ Himself!
Remove the Pastor and modern Christianity collapses. Remove the Pastor and virtually every Protestant church would be thrown into a panic. Remove the Pastor and Protestantism as we know it dies. The Pastor is the dominating focal point, mainstay, and centerpiece of the modern church. He is the embodiment of Protestant Christianity.
But here is the profound irony. There is not a single verse in the entire NT that supports the existence of the modern day Pastor! He simply did not exist in the early church.
Pretty much in your face for an opening statement, but I must admit, it did keep me reading right to the end of the article. The bluntness continues ...
The Pastor is in the Bible . . . Right?
The word “Pastors” does appear in the NT:
And he gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as PASTORS and teachers (Ephesians 4:11, NASB).
The following observations are to be made about this text.
* This is the only verse in the NT where the word “Pastor” is used. One solitary verse is a mighty scanty piece of evidence on which to hang the entire Protestant faith! In this regard, there is more Biblical authority for snake handling than there is for the modern Pastor. (Mark 16:18 and Acts 28:3-6 both mention handling snakes. So snake handling wins out two verses to one verse.)
* The word is used in the plural. It is “Pastors.” This is significant. For whoever these “Pastors” are, they are plural in the church, not singular. Consequently, there is no Biblical support for the practice of Sola Pastora (single Pastor).
* The Greek word translated “Pastors” is poimen. It means shepherds. (“Pastor” is the Latin word for shepherd.) “Pastor,” then, is a metaphor to describe a particular function in the church. It is not an office or a title. A first-century shepherd had nothing to do with the specialized and professional sense it has come to have in modern Christianity. Therefore, Ephesians 4:11 does not envision a pastoral office, but merely one of many functions in the church. Shepherds are those who naturally provide nurture and care for God’s sheep. It is a profound error, therefore, to confuse shepherds with an office or title as is commonly conceived today.
On the subject of ordination, here are Frank's views ...
The Fallacy of Ordination
In the fourth century, theology and ministry were the domain of the priests. Work and war were the domain of the laity. What was the rite of passage into the sacred realm of the priest? Ordination.
Before we examine the historical roots of ordination, let us look at how leadership was recognized in the early church. The apostolic workers (church planters) of the first century would revisit a church after a period of time. In some of those churches, the workers would publicly acknowledge elders. In every case, the elders were already “in place” before they were publicly endorsed.
Calvin and Luther apparently did their bit ...
From Priest to Pastor
John Calvin did not like the word “priest” to refer to ministers. He preferred the term “Pastor.” In Calvin’s mind, “Pastor” was the highest word one could use for ministry. He liked it because the Bible referred to Jesus Christ, “the great Shepherd of the sheep” (Heb. 13:20). Ironically, Calvin believed that he was restoring the NT bishop (episkopos) in the person of the Pastor!
Luther also did not like the word “priest” to define the new Protestant ministers. He wrote, “We neither can nor ought to give the name priest to those who are in charge of the Word and sacrament among the people. The reason they have been called priests is either because of the custom of the heathen people or as a vestige of the Jewish nation. The result is injurious to the church.” So he too adopted the terms “preacher,” “minister,” and “Pastor” to refer to this new office.
And my final snippet from Franks article/book is bound to raise the ire of most people ...
Now that we have unearthed the roots of the modern Pastor, let us shift our attention to the practical effects a Pastor has on the people of God.
The unscriptural clergy/laity distinction has done untold harm to the Body of Christ. It has ruptured the believing community into first and second-class Christians. The clergy/laity dichotomy perpetuates an awful falsehood. Namely, that some Christians are more privileged than others to serve the Lord.
Our ignorance of church history has allowed us to be robbed blind. The one-man ministry is entirely foreign to the NT, yet we embrace it while it suffocates our functioning. We are living stones, not dead ones. However, the pastoral office has transformed us into stones that do not breathe.
Permit me to get personal. The pastoral office has stolen your right to function as a member of Christ’s Body! It has shut your mouth and strapped you to a pew. It has distorted the reality of the Body, making the Pastor a giant mouth and transforming you into a tiny ear. It has rendered you a mute spectator who is proficient at taking sermon notes and passing an offering plate!
All in all, a pretty interesting read. And I thought I was being radical reading Mark Geppert's book - "Bridges: Getting from A to B" which seriously and convincingly challenges the pyramid shaped style of modern church hierarchical leadership. Sounds like I'm talking up the emergent/post modern church model doesn't it?
I'd be interested to hear your comments on Frank Viola's article, but I would ask one thing. Please read the article first!
Also, has anyone else read Mark Geppert's book "Bridges: getting from A to B"? Definitely worth the read in my opinion. I think it may be hard to get hold of here in
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Good stuff ...
One blog that I enjoy reading is His Method by Bruce Chant. Bruce has this uncanny knack of finding the most interesting links and articles.
One excellent gem he recently dug up was this post by Bob Kauflin on his blog "Worship Matters". You can read it here, or read Bruce's subsequent post on Bob's post here. (It's interesting that Bob's blog address is Worshipmatters.blogs.com and mine is Worshiprules.blogspot.com) So thanks Bruce for alerting me to Bob's excellent blog - I am sure that I will become a regular reader.
There's a link on this comment about backmasking which has a subsequent link to a website known as talkbackwards.com - this is a very interesting read. Brings back memories of the John Todd tapes we all listened to in the late '70s. Hmmm ... I think I still have my copies somewhere!!
Another goodie is the link Bruce has to Ed Stetzer, who is a church planter ... among other things. Bruce's post is here. The page that the link goes to is pretty ordinary, but at the bottom of the text are these words ... For fun, you could read a scathing critique of Dr. Stetzer here.
And so I did, and it was very interesting. It links to a site called "The Christian News and Views On-line Newsletter". It's an article about several aspects of the modern church, including "worship". Here is a sample line from that text ...
In the world of the church, promoters of "ancient-future" faith are making a splash with a theology of worship that blends early Christian practices with a postmodern culture.
Whilst I agree with some of the things the writer says, I found myself disagreeing with most of what he wrote in the complete article.
Here is another example of what the author says about "there's a new faith in town" man Ed Stetzer ...
One excellent gem he recently dug up was this post by Bob Kauflin on his blog "Worship Matters". You can read it here, or read Bruce's subsequent post on Bob's post here. (It's interesting that Bob's blog address is Worshipmatters.blogs.com and mine is Worshiprules.blogspot.com) So thanks Bruce for alerting me to Bob's excellent blog - I am sure that I will become a regular reader.
There's a link on this comment about backmasking which has a subsequent link to a website known as talkbackwards.com - this is a very interesting read. Brings back memories of the John Todd tapes we all listened to in the late '70s. Hmmm ... I think I still have my copies somewhere!!
Another goodie is the link Bruce has to Ed Stetzer, who is a church planter ... among other things. Bruce's post is here. The page that the link goes to is pretty ordinary, but at the bottom of the text are these words ... For fun, you could read a scathing critique of Dr. Stetzer here.
And so I did, and it was very interesting. It links to a site called "The Christian News and Views On-line Newsletter". It's an article about several aspects of the modern church, including "worship". Here is a sample line from that text ...
In the world of the church, promoters of "ancient-future" faith are making a splash with a theology of worship that blends early Christian practices with a postmodern culture.
Whilst I agree with some of the things the writer says, I found myself disagreeing with most of what he wrote in the complete article.
Here is another example of what the author says about "there's a new faith in town" man Ed Stetzer ...
He says that people want something mystical-magical-supernatural and spiritual. Too often, postmoderns feel they're meeting an alien culture when they encounter evangelical Christianity, Stetzer says. He says it’s not the job of the unchurched postmodern to enter our culture. It is our job to invade theirs. In other words, the lost in sin should not be expected to make a “change”, it is the job of the church to “change” and CHANGE it is doing.
Stetzer says that churches should worship “experientially”, while Christ says we are to worship God in spirit and in truth. (John 4:23) The Nehemiah Project church-planting center at “Southern Baptist Seminary” in Louisville, Ky. says, “postmoderns want to “experience” God. They want to FEEL God. They want to MEET God on familiar, informal, personal, relaxed terms. BUT, the Bible teachers that people are to FEAR God.
Dunno about the magical/mystery thingy, but the supernatural and spiritual is a given when God is involved in Church by His Spirit.
The article raises lots of issues about worship such as drama, dancing in church (worship dancing??), banners, pageantry, and reciting creeds, etc.
I have my own ideas about these things, and I am what most people would call traditional in this respect (if there is such a thing as traditional post modern). Having been involved in using some powerful YWAM dramas during missions outreaches in Thailand, I have seen the Holy Spirit mightily annoint these dramas with amazing results. They never cease to impact me, and I have seen some of them dozens of times. The question remains in most peoples minds though that do these things belong in a church worship service? In my mind, if they cause people to seek God's face, then why not! If they are there purely for entertainment, then I say forget it!
Banners and pageantry? Symbolism for the sake of symbolism is just symbolism - nothing more. Meeting around the Lord's Table for Communion is Sooooo much more than symbolism - it is obedience to Christ's command.
Whoops, I did it again ...
I (and Karen ... and Camille) just sent our second son Shane off to Thailand to do a DTS with YWAM in Chiang Rai. And our first son - Thomas - is still leading a DTS team outreach with YWAM students from the Chiang Mai DTS that ends in Feb this year.
What an experience! Firstly getting Shane (love you son) onto that plane, and then dealing with the adrenaline deficit that has hit since yesterday morning. And then hearing (last night) that Thai Airways misplaced his backpack - in other words it didn't turn up at Chiang Rai airport baggage carousel with the rest of his gear!
Karen was feeling the stress a bit when she heard the news ... and she reminded me this morning that it wasn't fair because we had specifically prayed that his baggage would NOT get lost. Hmmm ... crisis of faith here potentially for me ... until God inspired me that if we prayed it in Jesus name, then it would surely come to pass. And so I said to Karen, it's not lost - just misplaced. Shortly after, I rang Shane on his mobile to be informed that he was at the airport picking up his backpack :-)
Isn't God good, and He is true to His word.
It seems so strange having our two boys both overseas on missions. As I just said ... God is good. Just when we thought it would be really quiet around here with only Camille (my daughter) and Karen home, and knowing that Karen and I are going to Thailand to help Thomas bring all of his stuff home in February, and Camille would be by herself (no bro's or folks) - one of Camille's old school friends decided to move back to Perth and needs somewhere to stay. So Camille has temporarily lost another bro, but gained a "sister". So as Shane would say ... "welcome to the hood Rebecca!"
Tomorrow morning I am preaching (sorry ... bringing the word) at 11/9 Church in Langford. This is the new house church Karen and I have been attending. It started on September 11th, 2005 - which expains the name (pronounced "eleven nine church").
It's funny how God's Spirit moved in a number of loosely connected people at the same time last year to leave their established churches and to step out into something new. Karen and I had both felt that it was time for us to leave Bethel Life Centre for several months, and eventually decided to make the move in August last year. When the pastors there asked us where we were going, we answered that we didn't know yet, but that God was leading us into something new to do with missions. Maybe a church with a HUGE focus on missions, or a new church! After all, missions is our passion ( oh okay ... and worship).
Karen and I both feel that one day we would like to do a Crossroads DTS with YWAM (thats a DTS for oldies like us). I have known in my spirit for some time that we were destined to be a missionary family. It is slowly coming to pass!
I remember during one of the last services that I worship led at Thornlie CoC about 5 years ago, that I played a segment of a video recording of Bill Gaunson's message (just before he was killed in that car accident) where he says "the only kind of Christian God wants is a missionary minded Christian". Those words obviously really impacted me, and it was not long after that when God turned our lives upside down and started preparing us for what lay ahead.
And so Shane is just beginning a 5 month experience of discipleship and cross cultural missions in nothern Thailand, and Thomas is drawing to a close his 3 year involvement in the Chiang Mai DTS - firstly as a DTS student, and then 2 years of staffing.
God has grown Thomas into an awesome leader, and a fine young man whom I am looking forward to spending time with again when he returns to Perth in February. If you want to read what God is doing in Thomas' life at the moment, go here ...
If you want to follow Shane's journey over the next few months, go here ...
And in 5 months it's back to Thailand for Shane's graduation. We're already praying for God to bless us with cheap airfares so that all 4 of us can go back for the big event. Hmmm ... I wonder if the kids will come to Karen's and my graduation if we do a Crossroads DTS?
To quote Napoleon Dynamite ... "peace out".
What an experience! Firstly getting Shane (love you son) onto that plane, and then dealing with the adrenaline deficit that has hit since yesterday morning. And then hearing (last night) that Thai Airways misplaced his backpack - in other words it didn't turn up at Chiang Rai airport baggage carousel with the rest of his gear!
Karen was feeling the stress a bit when she heard the news ... and she reminded me this morning that it wasn't fair because we had specifically prayed that his baggage would NOT get lost. Hmmm ... crisis of faith here potentially for me ... until God inspired me that if we prayed it in Jesus name, then it would surely come to pass. And so I said to Karen, it's not lost - just misplaced. Shortly after, I rang Shane on his mobile to be informed that he was at the airport picking up his backpack :-)
Isn't God good, and He is true to His word.
It seems so strange having our two boys both overseas on missions. As I just said ... God is good. Just when we thought it would be really quiet around here with only Camille (my daughter) and Karen home, and knowing that Karen and I are going to Thailand to help Thomas bring all of his stuff home in February, and Camille would be by herself (no bro's or folks) - one of Camille's old school friends decided to move back to Perth and needs somewhere to stay. So Camille has temporarily lost another bro, but gained a "sister". So as Shane would say ... "welcome to the hood Rebecca!"
Tomorrow morning I am preaching (sorry ... bringing the word) at 11/9 Church in Langford. This is the new house church Karen and I have been attending. It started on September 11th, 2005 - which expains the name (pronounced "eleven nine church").
It's funny how God's Spirit moved in a number of loosely connected people at the same time last year to leave their established churches and to step out into something new. Karen and I had both felt that it was time for us to leave Bethel Life Centre for several months, and eventually decided to make the move in August last year. When the pastors there asked us where we were going, we answered that we didn't know yet, but that God was leading us into something new to do with missions. Maybe a church with a HUGE focus on missions, or a new church! After all, missions is our passion ( oh okay ... and worship).
Karen and I both feel that one day we would like to do a Crossroads DTS with YWAM (thats a DTS for oldies like us). I have known in my spirit for some time that we were destined to be a missionary family. It is slowly coming to pass!
I remember during one of the last services that I worship led at Thornlie CoC about 5 years ago, that I played a segment of a video recording of Bill Gaunson's message (just before he was killed in that car accident) where he says "the only kind of Christian God wants is a missionary minded Christian". Those words obviously really impacted me, and it was not long after that when God turned our lives upside down and started preparing us for what lay ahead.
And so Shane is just beginning a 5 month experience of discipleship and cross cultural missions in nothern Thailand, and Thomas is drawing to a close his 3 year involvement in the Chiang Mai DTS - firstly as a DTS student, and then 2 years of staffing.
God has grown Thomas into an awesome leader, and a fine young man whom I am looking forward to spending time with again when he returns to Perth in February. If you want to read what God is doing in Thomas' life at the moment, go here ...
If you want to follow Shane's journey over the next few months, go here ...
And in 5 months it's back to Thailand for Shane's graduation. We're already praying for God to bless us with cheap airfares so that all 4 of us can go back for the big event. Hmmm ... I wonder if the kids will come to Karen's and my graduation if we do a Crossroads DTS?
To quote Napoleon Dynamite ... "peace out".
Saturday, December 10, 2005
Why blog ? ...
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".
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".
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
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