It is just like dropping a pebble in a still pond. It has a far greater impact than simply piercing the water it is thrown into. Eventually the ripples created will reach every border of the shore.
I also wonder if part of the reason we as a country have not multiplied as we should is due to our unwillingness to take responsibility for anything. We have proven for decades to be poor disciplers. I believe that this is due to our lack of discipline as well as our lack of initiative. My concern is that we appear as a nation to have been lulled into a state of complacency. (This may be a precursor to irrelevance.)
Irresponsibility has to do with denying the duties of our position and that ultimately leads to a failure to attain our purpose and destiny. Imagine the worldwide implications of irresponsibility when a nation with the authority and power of the US acts irresponsibly.
[...] article last week: Acknowledging Faith in the Workplace – Jon Vanverloch of Google (hattip: Transforming Marketplace Ministry). Reading through Jon’s thoughts and verses, I found myself nodding my head in agreement and [...]
Of course, I could help but feel like your were reading a page from my book when you wrote, “If one really wants to ENGAGE their faith and “be the church” they will soon find themselves leaving the church in order to fulfill their heartfelt desire to really “be the church.”” Isn’t it incredible how the Father drops bombs on us all at the same time despite being so far apart. Might have something to do with being of ONE SPIRIT and ONE ACCORD!
Be in prayer for Engage, Gods dropping a nitro load on it and it’s about to blow! Maybe we need to look for an opportunity for a visit!? You’d make a great first guest speaker!
Look at this, the Church being the Church, and we didn’t need some religious group like Outreach, Inc. to facilitate it for us! Who woulda thunk it!
I am so encouraged and excited for you. Even more, I am excited and anxious to see what lies ahead for the kingdom of God. Things are really shaking… It seems the air is thick with anticipation for the revelation God is bringing. Thank you both for your faithfulness. I love you both, but more importantly, I love the King who sent you. Carpe Diem!
Wes, I really appreciate this post. It speaks to something I have always felt in my heart. We know that we were crafted in the image of God and I believe that he demonstrated pride…
Matthew 3:16-17 (The Message)
The moment Jesus came up out of the baptismal waters, the skies opened up and he saw God’s Spirit—it looked like a dove—descending and landing on him. And along with the Spirit, a voice: “This is my Son, chosen and marked by my love, delight of my life.”
According to Dictionary.com,”Proud” means: feeling pleasure or satisfaction over something regarded as highly honorable or creditable to oneself (often fol. by of, an infinitive, or a clause).
It is my contention that God was proud of His son, and He is often proud of us as sons of God. With that, I would think it would be wise that in our pursuit of His character that we too should express delight (pride) in others, in our nation, our family, etc. I believe that the key is that we can express our delight while operating in humility. In other words, we should remain humble in and of ourselves. I believe that the following scriptures which warn against pride, are speaking of having a spirit of pride in ourselves, not that we can’t express delight in others… Proverbs 21:4, Proverbs 16:5, Proverbs 16:18,and Proverbs 18:12.
Like most things in life, I believe the key is balance. The second we begin to respect our nation, our family, our job, etc to a greater degree than we trust the Lord, I believe that is when we experience a spirit of pride, and we get into trouble.
Remember this scripture:
Psalm 111:10 (Amplified Bible)
The reverent fear and worship of the Lord is the beginning of [a]Wisdom and skill [the preceding and the first essential, the prerequisite and the alphabet]; a good understanding, wisdom, and meaning have all those who do [the will of the Lord]. Their praise of Him endures forever.
This is is a timely and yet timeless message. The tyrrany of the urgent is a plot of an enemy with no real tools of his own. He uses our own minds and confusion to distract us from our task. Fear and worry are also tactics he tries to employ. The enemy will gladly utilize our creative and imaginative nature to keep us busy. To me, the greatest weapon we have against him is knowledge. We must know and understand his purpose while staying fixed on our purpose given us from God.
Role revearsal- I don’t think Joseph had a problem working for Pharoah. Nor do I think Pharoah cared that Joseph was a believer. Bottom line: let the results speak for themselves. Over my career I have worked for several non-believing employers, managers, etc. However, just because they didn’t share my beliefs did not mean that they did not retain God-given gifts as employers or managers. I guess I don’t see the real issue for these other employees. If he were attacking their beliefs or philosophy I could at least understand their perspective, but that does not appear to be the case here.
I agree. I think Katherine nailed it too. You can no more ask me to leave my faith at home than you can ask me to leave my blood. It is in me, part of me, and is a key element in making me alive.
I am really excited to see the rest of your entries this month. You are reminding me to live according to my future destination, not my present situation. Keep up the great writing!
Talk about a word in season! You have no idea what good timing your post has. Just last night I experienced a very similar event, down to the phone call. I’m really enjoying this series, thanks!
Wow! We met with David K on Saturday and he was talking to us about demanding too. No more asking God to do stuff for us, but expecting it to happen when we demand it because He already gave it to us, we just need to aggressively grab hold of it now. Another great and timely word, Wes.
Why is it that we often act in a manner which would indicate that we are afraid to succeed? This has brought some clarity for me. I would say that is is equally important to develop a plan in order to succeed and that we must Plan to Succeed as we execute the plan.
Interesting perspective. As someone working in the commercial retail marketing world I always find myself torn during the “holiday season”. Without the commercial event known as Christmas I doubt our awareness, compassion, and love fir one another would be expressed. (You certainly don’t see the sane emphasis during Easter.) At the same time I struggle with all the bologna. Seems like everyone wants in on the action with the invention of new holidays that never existed before. Long story short, I embrace the love, the music, the decorations, trees, etc for what they are. I feel they are American’s way of showing that regardless the temperature or weather we are a loving compassionate people who want to reach out to one another. We, here in a family-poor USA, are desperately seeking the warmth and safety of a family. For this I am greatful and appreciative.
As I was reading the Newsweek article I was reminded of a documentary that we just watched this last week about where our food comes from. I believe that church goers are just as curious about where their religion comes from and who has interpreted the Word to be fed to the mass just as more and more people are wondering where their food comes from and what processing it has gone through before it reaches their tables. We feel that we can not trust the ones in charge (of food, religion etc) to give us the pure, natural, unfiltered and unprocessed product any longer and we have to go looking for it ourselves. The further away any product gets from the natural source it is going to be more contaminated and misinterpreted than if you get it form the source. Our society has found that the cafeteria style of religion is not pure and they want that. They have grown tired of bellying up to the bar and being told what to think and believe. It becomes impersonal and filtered. Not intimate and pure.
At this point, my family, as a whole, is outside of the institutional church. That said I do encourage my two young boys (ages 4 and 7) to be involved in a local church where they enjoy developing relationships with other Christians and where they learn the basic tenants of our family’s faith.
We did engage in a home church organization hosted in our home for over a year. It was a great experience, but eventually we felt that the season for the group had passed, so we shut it down. Now, we are waiting on the Lord– He will show us what we are to do next. For now, we receive our spiritual fulfillment through the friendships we maintain with other believers who come from a divers array of Christian doctrinal backgrounds. With the lack of “structure”, we do find it important for us to maintain some form of spiritual oversight in our lives. In order to do this, we do seek council from a couple of mentors who we really respect.
For my wife and I, this has been a somewhat uncomfortable transition. We had both been raised within the institutional church for our entire lives. However, we have found that this new way of serving God has been a positive experience for us, and we have found dozens of other families like ours who have been serving God outside of the institutional church for many many years.
About 5 years ago I stopped attending “Church”. A group of five men and their families had left the church we attended which was Holiness Pentecostal in nature. Inside that denomination there is a growing call for transparency from God. Many ministers turned their license with the organization and many church’s have left that organization.
Our experience was rocky at first, but we found our footing as we all had relationships with God and several of us were ministers ourselves. We had no agenda or politics. Our common goal was simply to enter the presence of God. If God’s presence met us for 2 minutes and lifted, then we stopped. We were able to be shed of our performance for acceptance issues without any programs, budgets or power struggles.
We assembled this way for about 2 years. We met several times a week, causally in work clothes or whatever you had on that day. We worshiped and prayed. We experienced a good number of angelic visitations, prophetic words and direction from God.
Near the end of 2 years,God dispersed us and we have moved on to stable Christian lives. I minister when the occasion permits, but most of my time now is spent seeking God’s direction and counsel. I have learned more than I ever thought possible. My dear brothers back at the organized Church are still trying to save souls and build numbers. I just go about my day and enjoy my life with God. When the opportunity arises, I speak. I do not go out and shake the bushes anymore.
The Word says “Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved”. I don’t give the increase nor do the adding, my Father does.
I think that people need both. Church and Christian friends. I agree that many models of the institutional Church will need to change or become extinct. I think home groups or small groups are absolutely needed, and that going to church on Sunday mornings is still a good thing. I also think that going to church to sit as a spectator on Sunday night and Wednesday night is a waste of time and obsolete. We need more interactive workshops and less seminars. Times have changed, and they will keep changing. Change is the only thing that stays the same. Bottom line is that people need a way to get help, training, and personal interaction to know that they are loved, that God loves them. I went to church this Sunday morning in Grove, OK and it was packed out even after building a new building. There was no where to park, even the overflow gravel parking lot was completely full. I admit that the pastor’s style is very positive, not unlike Joel Osteen, very accepting and no hint of judgment. The perspective of God loves you and accepts you where you are and the way you are and then begins to transform you as you cooperate and allow Him to renew your mind. No judgment and no shame, just love. God loves you, come and be cleansed. Now, after you and experienced his love and forgiveness, then out of gratitude you will willingly choose to try to please Him by obeying his commandments. Love first, discipline second.
I am going to weigh in again. I have been told repeatedly that we quickly approaching a moment when God’s glory will shine so bright that we won’t be able to build a building large enough to house everyone who will come. I believe that.
I am watching some videos of a church in Atlanta “Buckhead Church”. They are different to say the least. The most compelling understanding I get from watching their videos is, they are tapped into where our culture is, and they are bringing the love of God to that culture.
While I really don’t have any interest in an organized religious setting, I live to experience the presence of God. When God’s glory shines and people respond, what are we going to do? What happens when like in the days of Paul, cities are turned upside down and miracles are everywhere? That’s what we are not prepared to handle.
I don’t know that I have any answers to my observations. I will say that even though I am not inclined to join a group just to belong, we cannot sit by an ignore What God is doing.
Great comments guys! Stephanie, I think you nailed the current sentiment of society in general and what a great analogy you used! Thanks for the comment. And Larry, your comments about being in an uncomfortable transition speaks to all of us. Anyone who has made this transition can relate. Jean, I’m the first to admit that God isn’t finished with the local church! We do still need both in America. There is a tendency for those who have left the church to despise it. But, God still moves among his people there and we do need both expressions of worship right now. We are in transition from something to something. The later is clearly understood but the future is yet to be comprehended. Todd, your testimony and your extra 10 cents fully express the vantage point of anyone who has taken this journey to the next level. In short, I learned a lot from all of you. Thanks.
All I can say is, this is the same way I feel on my journey. Just reading your description confirms the same struggles I have. It’s hard enough to find the path when the sun is shining; it’s downright nearly impossible during the storms.
The destination is important, but the journey itself is the real adventure. I’ll encourage you as you encourage me — we WILL arrive at our destinies!!
I say amen and amen. God does not nor has He ever had a Plan B in case Plan A failed. The redemption or restoration of the created IMAGE of God is complete, lacking nothing. The thing that immediately jumped out in that verse was the word nations. God didn’t say make disciples of individuals, He said make disciples of NATIONS. In other words, the created reborn, IMAGE of God can fill the Earth with God’s glory. It’s not “out there somewhere waiting to happen”, making disciples of nations is alive inside us and it flourishes when we believe it…
Hearing God’s voice… I think what scares people the most is the expectation of God’s disappointment or disproval with us. Religion has altered our mindsets to believe we are unworthy sinners saved by grace. Truth says, we are His IMAGE… Period. Our subconscious religious mind frets and fusses at the thougt of hearing God directly. Our imagination is certain God has negative things to say. Truth says, every word from God’s mouth is life, even if it’s in correction. God desires to reveal Himself to His image. We must purpose in our heart to accept His words without regard to our own imaginations. God’s only requirement for relationship is honesty with yourself. That’s where dying is like the rubber meeting the road. God wants us to be transparent with ourselves, relying on HIS finished work of redemption not our religious understanding. If we imagine God based on our religious ideals, we will misinterpret His voice when He speaks. Be transparent, relying on His grace and you will always hear His voice.
Hebrews 6:1….. Oh how love the in your face politeness of the author…. I remember the first time I read that verse with understanding. Imediately I envisioned a multitude of foundations as if someone had started building a subdivision, but stopped at the foundation. Here and there I saw a few structures being built. If we don’t move into the maturity of being Sons of God, we’ll never build structures on our foundations. With no house built, is it any wonder we invite the world to look at our pretty foundations and they find us shivering in the cold & drenched in the rain with no cover for protection. No wonder the world wants little to do with our foundational lifestyle.
Oneness… What a cool idea. Over and again the word ONE is used to describe our relationship with God as a Father, the Son’s relationship with the Father, and our relationship with each other.
On the day of Pentecost, it was ONE Spirit that poured Himself out on ONE people to become ONE Holy Nation. Oneness in relation is good!
Wes,
My book is at the printer now and will be available by this coming weekend. Much of the genius of Wesley and Wilberforce was innovative use of new technologies which I chronicle.
We have to do the same.
Steve
Steve,
I’m really glad to hear the book is getting published. Let me know how I can get a copy. I’m very interested to read what you wrote – not just about the use of technology but about the move of God in that era and how it compares to our current situations. Thanks for the note.
Wes
EquipThem.com operates exclusively on the gifts and support of the people who benefit from this blog and those who have been touched and changed by the ministry of Apostle Wes and his wife Karen.
Thank you for your faithful support
and generous gifts.
Now you are taking the fight to the Lie! You Go man!
The word Jesus occurs 1269 time times in the N.T. and 911 times in the Gospels!
Point taken. My point was simply to demonstrate the difference in what Jesus and the apostles talked about.
It is just like dropping a pebble in a still pond. It has a far greater impact than simply piercing the water it is thrown into. Eventually the ripples created will reach every border of the shore.
I also wonder if part of the reason we as a country have not multiplied as we should is due to our unwillingness to take responsibility for anything. We have proven for decades to be poor disciplers. I believe that this is due to our lack of discipline as well as our lack of initiative. My concern is that we appear as a nation to have been lulled into a state of complacency. (This may be a precursor to irrelevance.)
Great analogy Larry. We are not islands unto ourselves.
Irresponsibility has to do with denying the duties of our position and that ultimately leads to a failure to attain our purpose and destiny. Imagine the worldwide implications of irresponsibility when a nation with the authority and power of the US acts irresponsibly.
[...] article last week: Acknowledging Faith in the Workplace – Jon Vanverloch of Google (hattip: Transforming Marketplace Ministry). Reading through Jon’s thoughts and verses, I found myself nodding my head in agreement and [...]
great words!
Dude! That’s fantastic!
Of course, I could help but feel like your were reading a page from my book when you wrote, “If one really wants to ENGAGE their faith and “be the church” they will soon find themselves leaving the church in order to fulfill their heartfelt desire to really “be the church.”” Isn’t it incredible how the Father drops bombs on us all at the same time despite being so far apart. Might have something to do with being of ONE SPIRIT and ONE ACCORD!
Be in prayer for Engage, Gods dropping a nitro load on it and it’s about to blow! Maybe we need to look for an opportunity for a visit!? You’d make a great first guest speaker!
Look at this, the Church being the Church, and we didn’t need some religious group like Outreach, Inc. to facilitate it for us! Who woulda thunk it!
One Love,
Rev.Black
Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom!
Thanks Wes. This helps. It makes me think… and really want to laugh. Be Blessed and whole in Jesus Name!
Thanks Larry! I am blessed and whole in Jesus Name!
I am so encouraged and excited for you. Even more, I am excited and anxious to see what lies ahead for the kingdom of God. Things are really shaking… It seems the air is thick with anticipation for the revelation God is bringing. Thank you both for your faithfulness. I love you both, but more importantly, I love the King who sent you. Carpe Diem!
Wes, I really appreciate this post. It speaks to something I have always felt in my heart. We know that we were crafted in the image of God and I believe that he demonstrated pride…
Matthew 3:16-17 (The Message)
The moment Jesus came up out of the baptismal waters, the skies opened up and he saw God’s Spirit—it looked like a dove—descending and landing on him. And along with the Spirit, a voice: “This is my Son, chosen and marked by my love, delight of my life.”
According to Dictionary.com,”Proud” means: feeling pleasure or satisfaction over something regarded as highly honorable or creditable to oneself (often fol. by of, an infinitive, or a clause).
It is my contention that God was proud of His son, and He is often proud of us as sons of God. With that, I would think it would be wise that in our pursuit of His character that we too should express delight (pride) in others, in our nation, our family, etc. I believe that the key is that we can express our delight while operating in humility. In other words, we should remain humble in and of ourselves. I believe that the following scriptures which warn against pride, are speaking of having a spirit of pride in ourselves, not that we can’t express delight in others… Proverbs 21:4, Proverbs 16:5, Proverbs 16:18,and Proverbs 18:12.
Like most things in life, I believe the key is balance. The second we begin to respect our nation, our family, our job, etc to a greater degree than we trust the Lord, I believe that is when we experience a spirit of pride, and we get into trouble.
Remember this scripture:
Psalm 111:10 (Amplified Bible)
The reverent fear and worship of the Lord is the beginning of [a]Wisdom and skill [the preceding and the first essential, the prerequisite and the alphabet]; a good understanding, wisdom, and meaning have all those who do [the will of the Lord]. Their praise of Him endures forever.
Good comments Larry! I appreciate your insights. And you are right. Balance is key.
you go guy
Hey Michael!
Good to see you on my site. Thanks for the comment.
Hope to see you more in the future.
Wes
This is is a timely and yet timeless message. The tyrrany of the urgent is a plot of an enemy with no real tools of his own. He uses our own minds and confusion to distract us from our task. Fear and worry are also tactics he tries to employ. The enemy will gladly utilize our creative and imaginative nature to keep us busy. To me, the greatest weapon we have against him is knowledge. We must know and understand his purpose while staying fixed on our purpose given us from God.
Role revearsal- I don’t think Joseph had a problem working for Pharoah. Nor do I think Pharoah cared that Joseph was a believer. Bottom line: let the results speak for themselves. Over my career I have worked for several non-believing employers, managers, etc. However, just because they didn’t share my beliefs did not mean that they did not retain God-given gifts as employers or managers. I guess I don’t see the real issue for these other employees. If he were attacking their beliefs or philosophy I could at least understand their perspective, but that does not appear to be the case here.
I agree. I think Katherine nailed it too. You can no more ask me to leave my faith at home than you can ask me to leave my blood. It is in me, part of me, and is a key element in making me alive.
Great message! Really looking forward to the series this month!
Thanks for this! The kids and I read this while eating breakfast this morning. It was a good start to the day.
I am really excited to see the rest of your entries this month. You are reminding me to live according to my future destination, not my present situation. Keep up the great writing!
Talk about a word in season! You have no idea what good timing your post has. Just last night I experienced a very similar event, down to the phone call. I’m really enjoying this series, thanks!
Excellent and timely word, Wes. Thanks for the reminder!
Wow! We met with David K on Saturday and he was talking to us about demanding too. No more asking God to do stuff for us, but expecting it to happen when we demand it because He already gave it to us, we just need to aggressively grab hold of it now. Another great and timely word, Wes.
If we can see it, we can BE IT!
Why is it that we often act in a manner which would indicate that we are afraid to succeed? This has brought some clarity for me. I would say that is is equally important to develop a plan in order to succeed and that we must Plan to Succeed as we execute the plan.
Interesting perspective. As someone working in the commercial retail marketing world I always find myself torn during the “holiday season”. Without the commercial event known as Christmas I doubt our awareness, compassion, and love fir one another would be expressed. (You certainly don’t see the sane emphasis during Easter.) At the same time I struggle with all the bologna. Seems like everyone wants in on the action with the invention of new holidays that never existed before. Long story short, I embrace the love, the music, the decorations, trees, etc for what they are. I feel they are American’s way of showing that regardless the temperature or weather we are a loving compassionate people who want to reach out to one another. We, here in a family-poor USA, are desperately seeking the warmth and safety of a family. For this I am greatful and appreciative.
Lets call the miracles forth together! Demand them to manifest! (Not by our own authority, but the authority that God relegated to us.)
As I was reading the Newsweek article I was reminded of a documentary that we just watched this last week about where our food comes from. I believe that church goers are just as curious about where their religion comes from and who has interpreted the Word to be fed to the mass just as more and more people are wondering where their food comes from and what processing it has gone through before it reaches their tables. We feel that we can not trust the ones in charge (of food, religion etc) to give us the pure, natural, unfiltered and unprocessed product any longer and we have to go looking for it ourselves. The further away any product gets from the natural source it is going to be more contaminated and misinterpreted than if you get it form the source. Our society has found that the cafeteria style of religion is not pure and they want that. They have grown tired of bellying up to the bar and being told what to think and believe. It becomes impersonal and filtered. Not intimate and pure.
At this point, my family, as a whole, is outside of the institutional church. That said I do encourage my two young boys (ages 4 and 7) to be involved in a local church where they enjoy developing relationships with other Christians and where they learn the basic tenants of our family’s faith.
We did engage in a home church organization hosted in our home for over a year. It was a great experience, but eventually we felt that the season for the group had passed, so we shut it down. Now, we are waiting on the Lord– He will show us what we are to do next. For now, we receive our spiritual fulfillment through the friendships we maintain with other believers who come from a divers array of Christian doctrinal backgrounds. With the lack of “structure”, we do find it important for us to maintain some form of spiritual oversight in our lives. In order to do this, we do seek council from a couple of mentors who we really respect.
My wife and I also attend the online ministry webinars of a couple of phenomenal teachers who we have great respect and affinity for.
http://www.kimclement.com/
http://www.lancelearning.com/
For my wife and I, this has been a somewhat uncomfortable transition. We had both been raised within the institutional church for our entire lives. However, we have found that this new way of serving God has been a positive experience for us, and we have found dozens of other families like ours who have been serving God outside of the institutional church for many many years.
About 5 years ago I stopped attending “Church”. A group of five men and their families had left the church we attended which was Holiness Pentecostal in nature. Inside that denomination there is a growing call for transparency from God. Many ministers turned their license with the organization and many church’s have left that organization.
Our experience was rocky at first, but we found our footing as we all had relationships with God and several of us were ministers ourselves. We had no agenda or politics. Our common goal was simply to enter the presence of God. If God’s presence met us for 2 minutes and lifted, then we stopped. We were able to be shed of our performance for acceptance issues without any programs, budgets or power struggles.
We assembled this way for about 2 years. We met several times a week, causally in work clothes or whatever you had on that day. We worshiped and prayed. We experienced a good number of angelic visitations, prophetic words and direction from God.
Near the end of 2 years,God dispersed us and we have moved on to stable Christian lives. I minister when the occasion permits, but most of my time now is spent seeking God’s direction and counsel. I have learned more than I ever thought possible. My dear brothers back at the organized Church are still trying to save souls and build numbers. I just go about my day and enjoy my life with God. When the opportunity arises, I speak. I do not go out and shake the bushes anymore.
The Word says “Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved”. I don’t give the increase nor do the adding, my Father does.
I think that people need both. Church and Christian friends. I agree that many models of the institutional Church will need to change or become extinct. I think home groups or small groups are absolutely needed, and that going to church on Sunday mornings is still a good thing. I also think that going to church to sit as a spectator on Sunday night and Wednesday night is a waste of time and obsolete. We need more interactive workshops and less seminars. Times have changed, and they will keep changing. Change is the only thing that stays the same. Bottom line is that people need a way to get help, training, and personal interaction to know that they are loved, that God loves them. I went to church this Sunday morning in Grove, OK and it was packed out even after building a new building. There was no where to park, even the overflow gravel parking lot was completely full. I admit that the pastor’s style is very positive, not unlike Joel Osteen, very accepting and no hint of judgment. The perspective of God loves you and accepts you where you are and the way you are and then begins to transform you as you cooperate and allow Him to renew your mind. No judgment and no shame, just love. God loves you, come and be cleansed. Now, after you and experienced his love and forgiveness, then out of gratitude you will willingly choose to try to please Him by obeying his commandments. Love first, discipline second.
I am going to weigh in again. I have been told repeatedly that we quickly approaching a moment when God’s glory will shine so bright that we won’t be able to build a building large enough to house everyone who will come. I believe that.
I am watching some videos of a church in Atlanta “Buckhead Church”. They are different to say the least. The most compelling understanding I get from watching their videos is, they are tapped into where our culture is, and they are bringing the love of God to that culture.
While I really don’t have any interest in an organized religious setting, I live to experience the presence of God. When God’s glory shines and people respond, what are we going to do? What happens when like in the days of Paul, cities are turned upside down and miracles are everywhere? That’s what we are not prepared to handle.
I don’t know that I have any answers to my observations. I will say that even though I am not inclined to join a group just to belong, we cannot sit by an ignore What God is doing.
That’s my 10 cents.
I say AMEN – AMEN and AMEN…. Did i mention I agree?
Great comments guys! Stephanie, I think you nailed the current sentiment of society in general and what a great analogy you used! Thanks for the comment. And Larry, your comments about being in an uncomfortable transition speaks to all of us. Anyone who has made this transition can relate. Jean, I’m the first to admit that God isn’t finished with the local church! We do still need both in America. There is a tendency for those who have left the church to despise it. But, God still moves among his people there and we do need both expressions of worship right now. We are in transition from something to something. The later is clearly understood but the future is yet to be comprehended. Todd, your testimony and your extra 10 cents fully express the vantage point of anyone who has taken this journey to the next level. In short, I learned a lot from all of you. Thanks.
All I can say is, this is the same way I feel on my journey. Just reading your description confirms the same struggles I have. It’s hard enough to find the path when the sun is shining; it’s downright nearly impossible during the storms.
The destination is important, but the journey itself is the real adventure. I’ll encourage you as you encourage me — we WILL arrive at our destinies!!
I say amen and amen. God does not nor has He ever had a Plan B in case Plan A failed. The redemption or restoration of the created IMAGE of God is complete, lacking nothing. The thing that immediately jumped out in that verse was the word nations. God didn’t say make disciples of individuals, He said make disciples of NATIONS. In other words, the created reborn, IMAGE of God can fill the Earth with God’s glory. It’s not “out there somewhere waiting to happen”, making disciples of nations is alive inside us and it flourishes when we believe it…
The Lord is gracious to provide the opportunity to have the ministry of your journey bless the lives of my family and I. What an encouragement!
Hearing God’s voice… I think what scares people the most is the expectation of God’s disappointment or disproval with us. Religion has altered our mindsets to believe we are unworthy sinners saved by grace. Truth says, we are His IMAGE… Period. Our subconscious religious mind frets and fusses at the thougt of hearing God directly. Our imagination is certain God has negative things to say. Truth says, every word from God’s mouth is life, even if it’s in correction. God desires to reveal Himself to His image. We must purpose in our heart to accept His words without regard to our own imaginations. God’s only requirement for relationship is honesty with yourself. That’s where dying is like the rubber meeting the road. God wants us to be transparent with ourselves, relying on HIS finished work of redemption not our religious understanding. If we imagine God based on our religious ideals, we will misinterpret His voice when He speaks. Be transparent, relying on His grace and you will always hear His voice.
Hebrews 6:1….. Oh how love the in your face politeness of the author…. I remember the first time I read that verse with understanding. Imediately I envisioned a multitude of foundations as if someone had started building a subdivision, but stopped at the foundation. Here and there I saw a few structures being built. If we don’t move into the maturity of being Sons of God, we’ll never build structures on our foundations. With no house built, is it any wonder we invite the world to look at our pretty foundations and they find us shivering in the cold & drenched in the rain with no cover for protection. No wonder the world wants little to do with our foundational lifestyle.
Oneness… What a cool idea. Over and again the word ONE is used to describe our relationship with God as a Father, the Son’s relationship with the Father, and our relationship with each other.
On the day of Pentecost, it was ONE Spirit that poured Himself out on ONE people to become ONE Holy Nation. Oneness in relation is good!
Wes,
My book is at the printer now and will be available by this coming weekend. Much of the genius of Wesley and Wilberforce was innovative use of new technologies which I chronicle.
We have to do the same.
Steve
Steve,
I’m really glad to hear the book is getting published. Let me know how I can get a copy. I’m very interested to read what you wrote – not just about the use of technology but about the move of God in that era and how it compares to our current situations. Thanks for the note.
Wes