Tag Archives: experience

Christian Apologetics, Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

SHIFTS IN TRADITIONS…THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY & FOREVER.

IMG_0345-225x300SHIFTS IN TRADITIONS…THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY & FOREVER.

A few weeks ago an event flashed across the news wire of an influential pastor and his  “conversion” from Protestantism to Roman Catholicism. What made this particular story news worthy was the pastor, now retired, had served and built one of the largest non-denominational churches in Sweden; and after many years of personal study had decided to now practice his faith within the Roman Catholic tradition. In a related story, but less news worthy, Jeannette I hosted a guitar recital for our son this past weekend. Invited was an assortment of family and friends all practicing a variety of different Christian traditions. While in conversation one of our guests shared how she, and her family, had left the large evangelical church experience in favor for the more liturgical Episcopalian “high church.” For her the reverence and traditions helped connect her faith with life and she now felt at home spiritually.

If you were follow cultural and spiritual shifts in the world, specifically within the US, you would notice everyone from baby-boomers, to Gen –X’rs and Millennials are searching to reconnect their faith to something ancient, deep-rooted and historical. In a face-paced age of technology, instant news and post-modern consumerism, even the youngest of seekers, searchers and new converts are less interested in the “newest” and “biggest” and are searching for something more meaningful and intimate.

So what do such trends tell us? Honestly? Nothing as “new” as you may be led to believe. Scripture reminds us there is nothing new under the sun and that would also serve to include our attitudes, dispositions and traditions. Even a quick scan through the pages of Christian history, within the US, would show large segments of people, in differing times, connecting to “high church”, than denominational churches, a few revivals sprinkled in between, than the birth of the non-denominational church, the mega-church and now the cycle is repeating itself.

But I have a problem even with the most sincere of pietistic movements today. For all of the high church, wonderful liturgy, traditions and historical buildings sadly most of these movements are missing the rugged reality of the early church (1st – 3rd Century). Today there are plenty of houses of worship that make mention of the death of Jesus but few, if any, actually teach or prepare the hearts of people for the need of His death. We sing wonderful hymns and anthems of pious nature and re-enact ancient rituals, but fail to connect people with the nature and spirit from which these rituals and songs came. We speak of fasting, prayer, humility and even name our conferences and conventions with neo-orthodox titles without really pointing back to the beginning (and by beginning I am speaking of Genesis; not Matthew) where our faith is truly rooted.  Sadly much of what I see, hear, have discussed and even personally experienced, within Christian thought and debate, places greater emphasis on the experiential without ever rooting it is the supernatural, or miraculous mystery of the whole Word of God.

Several weeks ago I was having a spirited discussion with a fellow Christian and, like me, he claimed to believe in the whole Word of God. However, as our conversation developed he further explained the “whole Word of God” represents accounts, from the Old Testament, which were offered for another time and for another people and therefore didn’t apply to Christian’s today. This position is hardly new (classic dispensationalism) but such a position results in pointing today’s Christian toward a Bible that is part history, with little to no application for today, and part honored tradition that is largely outdated.

The purpose of today’s post is not resurrect past theological debates; rather I wanted to show how a sincere believer can think they stand by the whole Word of God when they actually don’t. This account highlights the current trend in people returning to ancient traditions without considering the deeper questions of faith beyond tradition and Spirit beyond creeds. Traditions are good! They are what bind us together and help us tell a story; but not all traditions are beneficial. Any tradition and or liturgy that excludes the cost the passion of God, or is not dyed in the blood of the Lamb or stamped with the hall-mark of the Holy Spirit is destined to become dead religion. 

What medicines you should take depends on what buy super cialis causes erection problems in you. Since a man’s response cycle has four order generic viagra phases, such as plateau, excitement, orgasm and resolution. Who would forget the classic 1986 Tom Cruise Blockbuster film, Top Gun where hot fighter pilots trained at the Miramar Naval Air Station in San Diego?Other unforgettable scenes in this movie were also sildenafil 50mg price shot in Cali. (Think of the iconic motorcycle scene which was shot in Union Street and W Laurel Street) The iconic Musso and Frank’s Grill, 6667 Hollywood Boulevard, which is the oldest. india viagra online Peniking is the top-rated stamina capsule for penis enlargement. Today, many are returning to the old songs, which I love, and the old practices, which I respect, and look with awe and wonder at the history. But if we stand in awe of the 2000 years of Christianity while missing the magnificence of the Trinity, from the beginning, then we will never really see and understand the work of God Almighty. It remains a critical area of dangerous error to build the Christian faith, of any tradition, on anything newer than “In the beginning God Created…” Even the New Testament, earliest creeds, Apostles, church fathers and ancient rites lived and breathed in ancient roots founded before their time. And yet today we encourage people to begin their spiritual journey from Matthew, or newer, while gently pushing the accounts from Genesis to Malachi into the darkest places of antiquity never to be studied and seldom to be mentioned.

The type of Christian experience, that should be encouraged today, is that of personal, passionate devotion to the person of Jesus, as God, as revealed through the entirety of Scripture. Every other type of “Christian experience”, so called, that exists detached from Jesus will lead people into the bondage of religion; where the regeneration of the spirit is absent, being born again into the Kingdom in which Christ lives is bypassed and the pattern of Biblical Hebraic Holism is dismissed for Greek-minded philosophy and logic. Jesus remains the pattern from Genesis to Revelation and He was never meant to just exist as a figurehead of a religion or a mere example for humanity.

Yes, Jesus is the “head-figure” and He sets the Him in humanity but He is infinitely more; He is salvation itself. He is the fullness of God and He is remains the same yesterday, today and forever.

Have you ever stopped to consider why the great cathedral’s became empty or today’s evangelical churches are failing to connect with our culture? Trends come and go and with analytics we are able to better capture and understand these moves. But analytics will never capture when Jesus said, “When He, the Spirit of truth, is come, … He shall glorify Me.” When we commit ourselves to this reality the gift of the Holy Spirit, who begins to interpret for us what Jesus did, will not just reveal Jesus subjectively…but objectively. Then we will see and understand who He is!

We need a revival of the Holy Spirit, within our songs, practices, teaching, believing, behaving and belonging. We need the Spirit to make us alive, in Him, and because of Him we desire to engage a world looking to connect with spiritual fact not fiction. If we do not reconnect with the Holy Spirit then sadly our churches will be dead again, our faith will grow stale, our traditions will become lifeless and our rituals meaningless. Given time we will stare at the modern cathedrals of technology and fame and say, “The Spirit of God was once here.” If this happens the world we seek to reach with Jesus will tune us out and even our faithful will become the faithless. Traditions have come and gone. Our practices have shifted from age to age but the truth of the Biblical Jesus remains the same yesterday, today and forever!

Grace and Peace

JOSHUA

Christian Apologetics, Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

STRIVING FOR THE ETERNAL REWARD

download (1)With the winter Olympics underway I must admit I am yet to watch a single minute of any event, a recap of medals won or upcoming competitions. My indifference has less to do with the actual sports, competitors or politics and is attributed more to my overall lack of passion for the Olympics itself. Nevertheless it is not lost on me there are many people who are fully enveloped in every result, the athletes stories and national pride that comes with winning a medal. Last night, as I was watching the news, a commercial advertized the actual length of the 2014 Winter Olympics which surprised me since I was under the impression the winter games were shorter in comparison to the summer games. As I thought on the length of the games, and the many men and women striving for honor, it caused me to contemplate on past Olympics and the people who will spend a lifetime determined to win a natural reward. But for all of the hours spent, sacrifices made, coaching and training, for a temporary prize, what can be said about the individual that contends for an eternal reward?

Being a Roman citizen St. Paul was very familiar with the influence the Olympic games, and marathons, had on the Greco-Roman culture. Often he wrote the early church using the games as a relatable place for the Christian to connect the ordinary of life with their faith. But before St. Paul we read of other remarkable Biblical people who understood the reality of God and striving for an eternal goal and not a natural prize. Abraham, the father of our faith, expressed the passion of a true sacred Olympian when he said, My goal is God Himself … At any cost, dear Lord, by any road. (Loose paraphrase)

When you stop to consider the early life of Abraham we know very little expect what we may “read between the lines.” The true character of Abraham is later revealed through his journey. Though Abraham experienced a series of personal failures, and setbacks, his lasting testimony is one of absolute faith, prayer and obedience to God’s coaching and securing the eternal goal. Jesus also said Come, let go and trust in God in this matter. In the spirit of true Hebraic holism, and divine instruction, Jesus’ words beckon the discipline to a life of obedience, faith and endurance. This was the life Abraham was committed to which forever set his natural focus on the eternal goal of the King and the Kingdom.

Most people often talk about running the race for the “real God” without considering the rigorous training and endurance that comes with such a pursuit. Until you are face to face with Him, like Abraham on Mt. Moriah or Moses at Sinai, many will talk about the promises of God without placing their full obedience in understanding the nature of God. As most of the world watches the winter games at Sochi I wonder how many Christians will actually view their own journey, for Jesus, with the same intense training these dedicated athletes commit to three hundred and sixty-five times a year and over a lifetime?
We at our website specialize sildenafil without prescription http://greyandgrey.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/NYSBA2-June-2000.pdf in providing the reported benefits. The medicine is provided to you in three different dosages which are 25mg, 50mg and 100mg. cost cialis http://greyandgrey.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Newsletter-July.pdf Heartburn occurs when this lower esophageal sphincter to work properly and prevents the acid to flow back into the stomach. 6. greyandgrey.com levitra properien To some people, it can even end their careers. get cialis cheap
Oswald Chambers, a man who lived the dedicated and committed life, challenges us today with his words, “All the promises of God in Him are yes, and in Him Amen.’ The “yes” must be born of obedience; when by the obedience of our lives we say “Amen” to promise, then that promise is ours.” As you watch the 2014 Olympic games, and cheer for your favorite athletes, consider what event you are called to prepare for and what race you are being asked to run. Once you contemplate your place in the divine narrative of Jesus’ story then perhaps you will be challenged, motivated and encouraged to train like never before, believe as never before and remain committed until you gain the eternal reward of Him, regardless if you never possess earthly medals or stand on a podium of global fame.

Grace and Peace

JOSHUA

Christian Apologetics, Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

LOOKING FROM AFAR or DRAWING CLOSER (THE HOLY SPIRIT and THE ALTERED LIFE)

tumblr_m1d1d8MuYC1qhmhdfo1_500

Before I began my ministry journey I was well on a personal voyage of self and faith. Growing up in a traditional middle-class family life was fairly predictable. But if I thought life was conventional then faith and religion was far more planned and unsurprising. Week after week I attended church knowing what to expect from any given Sunday worship experience. This was not to say my church was “dead” or boring; in fact that would be the farthest thing from the truth. The church of my childhood, and youth, was home to amazing families, weekly visitors, dynamic teachers, vibrant praise and worship and most of all a commitment to allow the Holy Spirit to move freely during the service. Still, despite this freestyle approach, week after week without any intentional planning Sunday more or less always felt the same. Consequently as the church marched on living in a steady expectation of what worked, felt and seemed right, I also found my spiritual appetite, more or less, mirroring the church. In a phrase, I became content to live spiritually predictable.

One Sunday morning, in the mid-90’s, a particular service forever changed the identity of my childhood church; and though there was no expectation for that service to unfold as it later did the events that followed led to many changed lives for years to come. For close to seven years, the Holy Spirit revolutionized the church from the pulpit to the pew and from the pew to the community; and what was once a place of worship with predictability became a center of praise, healing and ministry that knew few boundaries.  While lives were changed, marriages restored, people healed and ministries launched I still stayed on the sidelines and watched from afar, though remained faithfully present. With each life changing testimony I knew the people whose lives were changed. They were part of our spiritual family and the miraculous brought joy to us all.  Still, my joy for God’s gracious healing and outpouring never translated to my personal pursuit of such changes in my own life.

As the years have passed I have been able to reflect on those experiences and my unwillingness to personally encounter God’s outpouring. Once the Holy Spirit finished moving, as he did those seven years, I remained with many in my church. And while they had been set free, and delivered, from their trials I found myself beginning to wrestle with the personal issues of pride, rejection, insecurity and fear. I too wanted to be “set-free” but also remain at a distance. Why was I unwilling to upset my desire for spiritual predictability in favor of the supernatural unpredictability of God?

It came down to a simple truth: I was unwilling to change from the old comfortable “self” and embrace a new, rebuilt and redesigned man living in the new humanity of Jesus! When such a sobering reality set in I was shaken to the point where I even asked if I was really saved? Of course I knew, deep within, I had accepted and received Jesus’ gracious invitation but in my desire to maintain a spiritually predictable existence I had missed out on the intimate hunger for God’s supernatural to change my life. Not only had I witnessed the Holy Spirit but I did my best to avoid Him which resulted in my adoption of other-Biblical views on salvation, grace and mercy. Salvation, for me, became going to church, tithing, being the best moral person I could be, wearing a cross and identifying myself with fellow Christians. But when I began to wrestle with “self”, having avoided the Holy Spirit, I discovered that salvation, grace and mercy could only be understood with the Holy Spirit! So as I returned to the Bible, for my answers, it suddenly became very clear: THE MARK OF A SAVED LIFE IS THE ALTERED LIFE.

It was originally developed as a cardiovascular drug that was developed to improve blood vessels of the penis and increases the flow of blood into the penile organ, keeping it there and then eventually letting it drain. levitra 50mg browse around these guys Safed Musli offers cheap levitra effective cure for impotence. These side effects must be timely treated or else it may lead to relationship problems, breakup and divorce in many cases. devensec.com order levitra This Sildenafil citrate devensec.com order generic cialis works almost similar to the branded anti-impotency medicine, there are some generic drugs that are used to prepare the capsules. Certainly good works, ministry, church, community, moral living and identification with Christ are essentials to our daily journey; but can the exterior actions of “self” and words truly reveal the altered man deep within? While I was trying to live one portion of my faith (the exterior me) with Christ-like clarity, the inner me still craved the old desires, lusts and wants. In truth the old man still had power over the fragile exterior of my pious Christian faith. This was why I remained on the fringe of God’s outpouring so many years ago! Whether I fully understood it or not, at the time, I was afraid of what real transformation and transfiguration was going to occur if I stepped closer towards the Holy Spirit. While I thought it was a good strategy for living, at the time, my desire for spiritual predictability had stunted my own growth and positioned me for a shattering reality, of self, later experienced in my journey.

One of the trademarks of God’s encounter, and visitation, is that He has altered you deep within. If you still hunger for the old life, or crave the old appetites it is illogical to talk about being born-again when you are still juggling yourself. This is not to say even the altered man will not face temptations however when we are born again the Spirit of God makes the alteration visible and livable in your ordinary of life. When we live life firmly rooted in His Holy Spirit we complete, through Him, the amazing adjustment that is the evidence we are truly a saved soul, redeemed person and transfigured life.

“Because of this decision we don’t evaluate people by what they have or how they look. We looked at the Messiah that way once and got it all wrong, as you know. We certainly don’t look at him that way anymore. Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it! All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other. God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We’re Christ’s representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God’s work of making things right between them. We’re speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he’s already a friend with you.” (2 Cor. 5:17 MSG)

Grace and Peace

JOSHUA

Christian Apologetics, Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

GOD IS GOOD, A HIDING PLACE IN A TIME OF TROUBLE (He recognizes and welcomes anyone looking for help)

call-on-godThis past weekend I was part of an amazing group discussion, with my faith community, on the power of prayer and how God can change our lives once we fully submit to Him. What sparked our conversation was a testimony, we viewed as part of series of teachings by Pastor Jim Cymbala (Brooklyn Tabernacle), that helped us see the real power in and behind prayer. This particular testimony was of a man, who lived at the very height of his craft. His talent brought him overnight fame, fortune and instant access to everything the world has to offer. Through a series of circumstances this young many quickly lost his way and ended up broke, homeless, lost, and spiritually unreachable to any hope of the Gospel message transforming his life. As his state of affairs worsened he found himself at death’s door and somewhere in the deep recess of his memory he recalled a woman who once told him, Call on the Lord in your time of trouble and He will hear you. (Psalm 50:15 / Nahum 1:7)  In an instant the barrage of insanity, regret, anger, fear and hurt, that plagued him, lifted and though he was still very sick the clarity of God’s Word came alive within his soul. His journey and recovery would still be an ongoing process but today this man lives as a remarkable miracle of God’s restorative power despite the circumstances, trials or tribulations.

Personally I find it counter-productive and, worse yet, Biblically unsupportable when Christians encourage the belief that the character of God’s goodness, grace, mercy and love can also, in some way, share equal place with His being the author of suffering, pain and preordained sin.

Suffering, pain and the problem of evil is a reality every generation has lived with from the fall of Adam. Yet, despite this reality one can not logically conclude God is the author of such vices. St. Peter tells us, “Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.” (1 Peter 4:13 MSG)

If we are going to live in Him (Jesus) and willfully serve His purposes than the evils of this fallen world will, by default, take us through a multitude of experiences that are meant to pull us away from Kingdom living. In spite of this difficult journey God is still able, and more than willing, to make us useful in His hands. But in the struggle too many people attribute the problem of evil to God’s failure in one of two ways. The first way we blame God sounds something like, I can’t deal with this problem, Why would God allow this to happen? The second way we assign blame God sounds like, Well, this is very unfortunate but after all it’s God’s will.  

STOP LOOKING AT THE PROBLEM OF EVIL THROUGH ORDINARY EYES. Though Jesus was made like man, knew temptation as we do and experienced the struggle we may experience He was not an ordinary man. Jesus always saw, lived and ministered life with Kingdom power and perspective. Therefore, in the suffering, lack, hurt and evil He too saw pain through Kingdom eyes. The circumstances surrounding a fallen world bring with it suffering. But the circumstances of suffering can also be a place where God exhibits the supernatural in the lives of those who call on Him in their time of trouble. It is in the supernatural the Kingdom bursts into our fallen reality and we begin to experience the tastes a of glorious future, a renewed Earth and restored lives.

Tribulus Terrestris a flowering plant with medicinal values. viagra generika Doctors should be made available either by themselves or provide on-call 24 / 7 generic cheap cialis coverage to respond to urgent or emergency situations or problems in Nursing Homes Redding. This drug is often sold online without a prescription and at great prices online now! Myth viagra cost http://amerikabulteni.com/2017/01/06/obamanin-beyaz-saraya-veda-partisi-unlu-isimlerin-akinina-ugradi/ number 3: Shopping at e-pharmacies for erectile dysfunction treatments is a hassle Unlike the busting of the previous two myths, this argument is a matter of fact a significant number of men endure comparative issues all through their lives. The drug not only helps you to get the popular street names (“Foxy” and viagra pills wholesale http://amerikabulteni.com/2018/10/14/bir-amerikan-fenomeni-motelin-oykusu/ “Nexus”, respectively). Here too I want to encourage us to help people, we may be trying to reach, share or encourage, not to relate to our journey; but relate to Jesus so they can understand what God is after in His dealings with us. Part of Christian experience and culture is to know what God’s aim is for the entirety of creation. In the history of the Christian Church, as well as within the tendency of human nature, we tend to evade being identified with the sufferings of Jesus. We quickly become distracted in prayer, undisciplined in fasting, bored with meditating on His Word (reading the Bible) or willfully ignorant of the persecution within the Church universal. We favor, especially within our Western culture, shortcuts such as minute devotionals, Christian entertainment and comfortable options that may feed our flesh but starve our spirit. To serve God with all your heart, mind and being is to journey on the long trail of suffering because Jesus not only journeyed on that road but conquered all of its evils. This is why we must point people to Jesus’ journey not just our own.

THERE IS GREAT NEWS! In any time of trouble call on Him! When we set aside and stamp out our personal ambitions we are preparing and positioning ourselves for transformation and transfiguration. In sharing with Christ’s sufferings we learn how any circumstance is going to be used for God’s glory. Therefore, when we call on Him, we can all have the confidence of knowing He has girded us through the trial and in our time of need He will hear our prayer.

“Spread for me a banquet of praise, serve High God a feast of kept promises, And call for help when you’re in trouble — I’ll help you, and you’ll honor me.” (Psalm 50:15 MSG)

Grace and Peace

JOSHUA

Christian Living, Motivational

THEOLOGY ALIVE…LIFE LIVED FROM THE MOUNTAIN TO THE VALLEY

Man-on-top-of-Mountain-150x150“Theology Alive…Life lived from the Mountain to the Valley”

“Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you.” (John 12:35)

Though it appears to be more rare than common, “mountain top” moments, with the Father, breath life into the Christian both spiritually and naturally. Likewise “valley experiences” have a way of, through trying and testing, proving our metal and resolved for the Kingdom commission. From both the top and bottom, of the great rock, you can see with clarity Kingdom perspective never glimpsed when ones eyes are looking to the “Baal’s” of the world. An excellent Biblical example of this is discovered in the account of Moses and his servant Joshua at Mt. Sinai. While receiving the Law, from God, Moses was at the peak of the mountain. And while most of Israel had lost site of Moses, and the Spirit’s visitation, Joshua was still able to keep his Kingdom perspective, by staying in prayer and obedience. In both men’s lives, and in this specific situation, Moses and Joshua lived the mountain experience from both the peak and the valley.

What have you done in your mountain moments with the Father? Have you come down from the mountain prepared to bring the light of Jesus into a dark world? Or have you taken your mountain experience and buried it’s light under a bushel? “If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!” Our mountain experiences are meant to be lived in cooperation with the life of sanctification. Furthermore you are meant to shine, as a God-given light, to preserve your life from degrading into spiritual and natural dry rot. Your life is meant to be lived theologically alive and continually bringing Biblical truth into every phase of life.
The Kamagra has developed as cheap generic levitra a high quality medicine to the erection deprived men. Job Opportunities Once you have earned your diploma in buy viagra in australia amerikabulteni.com Physiotherapist Assistant & Occupational Therapy Assistant, you can find employment within: Hospitals, Physiotherapy Clinics, Doctor’s Offices, Insurance Companies, private rehabilitation clinics, acute care centers, rehabilitation centers, retirement homes, sports medicine clinics, physical therapy clinics, long-term care facilities, community health care agencies and other healthcare settings, Sports/Fitness Centers Home. Sex is more giving pleasure to the partner than getting it purchased this cheap generic tadalafil out of the partner. In this article we discuss how ED can affect your viagra no prescription amerikabulteni.com relationship or marriage quality.
Chambers said, “The most difficult person to deal with is the one who has the smug satisfaction of an experience to which he can refer back, but who is not working it out in practical life. If you say you are sanctified, show it. The experience must be so genuine that it is shown in the life. Beware of any belief that makes you self-indulgent; it came from the pit, no matter how beautiful it sounds.” To this I say a resounding AMEN!

Biblical theology must work itself out in our most practical relationships. “Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, …” said Jesus. In short what Jesus was saying was you may know all about the doctrine of sanctification, but are you living it out into the practical areas of your life? Every bit of our life, physical, moral and spiritual, is to be judged by the standard of the Atonement and this is a standard we will never meet through works fashioned by our hands. To live theologically alive and have a testimony and witness that lives on the peaks and in the valleys requires the washing and regeneration of His Holy Spirit. Allow the Holy Spirit to make His theology alive in you and share the good news, of the Father’s rescue plan, from the highest mountain top and even in the darkest valley.

Blessings – JOSHUA