Guest Posts Wanted: The Hand of God November 21, 2009
Posted by bajanpoet in Bible Study, Christianity, House Church, apostolic, deliverance, links, personal, testimony.Tags: Christianity, guest posts, interactivity, requests, testimonies, The Hand of God
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I’m thinking of doing a series of guest posts on my blog. I wanted to have several different perspectives on people’s definitions and experiences with the hand of God – however you felt like elaborating on it.
Is anyone interested? How has the hand of the Lord been moving in your life? I know this blog almost has a ‘niche’ for the supernatural and testimonies, but I had this idea and wondered how it would ‘fly’. I’m thinking of writing having the posts under the main heading “The Hand of God” with whatever you want to title it as the sub-title. “The Hand of God: My experience with God” or something like that.
I was thinking of doing it starting in two weeks time – give you all time to come up with something in the spirit (or should that be Spirit 
) of the blog. Respond if you are interested! I’ll add every single one I get, so it might go beyond a week , but in the spirit of community, it will get more people who visit here to interact more – and we will all learn about God and each other!
Calling for a Counter Culture October 27, 2009
Posted by bajanpoet in Christianity, House Church, House churches, apostolic, emergent, links, missional, new churches, personal, prophet, prophetic, testimony.Tags: Christian, church culture, counter culture, prophecy, prophetic, prophetic essay
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I’ve had a message the Lord gave me about 3 weeks ago that has shaken me up – again. God has been speaking to me about the fact that he wants to create what he called a ‘counter culture’ of Christianity – which is not the same thing as the religious culture of having Christian music, Christian apparel and stuff… but really, really impacting society by bringing in Kingdom thinking and Kingdom principles. I emailed it out to a couple friends (okay, about 20) asking for input, and Archie put it straight on his blog – go to it here – http://wp.me/pwYvw-w. I am also attempting to attach the document itself here – until I do get it done sucessfully, you can get it from the above link. (Update: Here is the link to the Counter Culture document itself. Finally figured out how to get it done!)
Disclaimer – For those who read the text of the email on Archie’s website I wasn’t thinking at the time I sent my original email that it would go beyond the Caribbean – at least not yet …. so the original wording is specific to that region. (“Yeah, right,” I can hear some of you saying. “You didn’t think it would get out?”) The other thing is that the wording seems to single out my Christian experience at my tertiary institutions, but underneath God is really speaking to the fact that he wants to interact with society in a real way, in a new way.
Life Together: Authentic Friendships May 22, 2009
Posted by bajanpoet in Christianity, devotional, links, missional.12 comments
Continuing on our journey of discovery, this is the second installment of the Life Together series, where we are exploring corporate life together, with Rev Rick Warren and Purposed Driven Life.
Here’s the devotional in its entirety.
Now, to my thoughts. The first thing that jumps out at me is this quote:
Authentic fellowship is not superficial, surface-level chit-chat. It’s genuine, heart-to-heart, sometimes gut-level sharing.
Now I know that most people cannot even fathom this level of intimacy in their assemblies, but to me that is a shame – a travesty! To be known completely and to know completely – oh the JOY of it! You would not know until you stop how limiting living behind masks is. This goes far deeper than, “How are you?” “Fine.” “How are the children?” “Oh they’re good…” This level of authenticity is not for the faint-hearted. It is challenging…
It happens when people get honest about who they are and what is happening in their lives. They share their hurts, reveal their feelings, confess their failures, disclose their doubts, admit their fears, acknowledge their weaknesses, and ask for help and prayer.
My church family know my weaknesses, my sins .. just recently there was a great healing of my own personal emotions when I went to them confessing something I had done which was pretty serious, but having them all surround me and pray. As fear of rejection is one of the things I struggle with from time to time, one member prophetically discerned that I was still carrying guilt about the past actions (which went against what I was saying with my mouth!)
Then, on behalf of the group, she publicly recieved me and accepted me … that broke me – I fell on my face sobbing, as the guilt poured out in tears! After a long time of them literally surrounding me and praying over me as I was crouched on the floor, I was able to stand, whole, healed – and accepted!
Authenticity is the exact opposite of what you find in many churches. Instead of an atmosphere of honesty and humility, there is pretending, role-playing, politicking, superficial politeness, and shallow conversation. People wear masks, keep their guard up, and act as if everything is rosy in their lives. These attitudes are the death of real friendship.
It’s dangerous to be this open:
Of course, being authentic requires both courage and humility. It means facing our fear of exposure, rejection, and being hurt again.
That’s the sad truth. Instead of havens of holiness… most churches represent political parties – bickering and one-upmanship abound! It’s disgusting… rather than a place of peace and safety – a ‘city of refuge’ where those hurting can come to be healed and protected, most churches attack more than they assist – especially their own. Thank God it is not all like that!
Echoing the devotion’s question – who would want to take the risk of being ridiculed, ostrasized and hurt – again?
Because it’s the only way to grow spiritually and be emotionally healthy. The Bible says, “Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed” (James 5:16 MSG)
My own experience bears this out. My prayer is that for those hurting, the Body of Christ would again represent healing and wholeness rather than separation and pain. Like others (Jonie, Jennifer, Annie, to name a few….)
And you don’t have to look into a ‘traditional’ gathering in a building to fine authentic friendship in the Body of Christ! I have found authentic friends for life right here on the blogosphere – either by commenting on their blogs or having them commenting here on mine! The friends I have found here have borne me through some crises in my own life and have become wrapped around my heart – all without seeing them face to face (yet!)
Is there authentic friendship in your life? Do you see life together either with a group, either online or offline?
Rhythm of Life – Walking with God with the Church May 4, 2009
Posted by bajanpoet in House churches, links, missional, new churches, personal.Tags: discipleship, Christianity, rhythm of life, balance, personal discipline
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I had the privilege of reading this great post recently at From Eden to Zion, where the author speaks to his rhythm of life that he commits to as a bare minimum to interact with the body of Christ. You can read the article here.
He also mentions here how he incorporates rhythm in his daily life – his daily rhythm.
For his weekly rhythm he said, “My weekly church rhythm mirrors the following verse from Acts 2:42 – “All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.””
He intentionally builds these aspects into his weekly rhythm and into his interactions with the body:
“I know many of you probably would like to ideally see these four things happen in your life by accident as you value them more but I’ve found, for myself, if I commit four time periods to these elements every week, they actually happen pretty much every week. In the past, when I committed myself to these things but refused to design them into my rhythm (hoping they would “just happen”) I would look back at months where they just didn’t happen.”
The intentional building relationship into his life and ministry is so interesting … I am trying to work out balance in my own life!
What you might find missing are leadership meetings, worship services etc. which are a part of my monthly rhythm but not weekly.
What I like about this is that he has specific things that he has designated to be done and specific times. Reading his post about his daily rhythms is also interesting as well.
I also like what he said shows us what we are committed to
I love comparing rhythms instead of mission statements because what we do in a week better demonstrates what we are actually committed to.
Makes me wonder what I am committed to!
I will echo his question at the end – I commented at the end of his blog, but I don’t think I answered it!
Read the articles, post a comment on his blog, but come back here and discuss:
What elements are a part of your weekly rhythm with other disciples? How do you engage in these areas? How have you determined what elements are essential to do every week?
Deliverance and Healing April 24, 2009
Posted by bajanpoet in Christianity, links, personal.Tags: Christianity, deliverance, deliverance ministry, healing, need deliverance, need healing, questions
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Finally I have gotten around to this question of deliverance and healing… I know I promised I would look into it. Actually, a post on another site I visit brought it up, and I decided I would link to it. I like what it said, and I agree with it. So go here to read the full article…
What about people who truly believe or truly want to be free but cannot get their breakthrough? – as a couple people who have gotten into contact with me are…
Why do some get their deliverance easily and others don’t? Is God unfair?
Repost: The True Meaning of the Cross April 8, 2009
Posted by bajanpoet in Bible Study, Christianity, devotional, links.Tags: Christianity, Easter, ponderings, true meaning of the cross, what is the cross, who is Jesus, why did Jesus die
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I am reposting this article here for two reasons – it is the most sought after post on my blog (still!) AND Easter is coming! Fine time to think about … The True Meaning of the Cross! Here we go…
I am putting a link here that I want people to visit. This website is so deep! It is Biblical teaching at its best. I’ve been reading things about House Churches and the Biblical fear of God…. but it was the teaching on THE MEANING OF THE CROSS that made me put up this blog entry. (The above link opens a new window.)
God sent his son who lived a perfect life and then, according to the plan of God, they rejected Him, whipped Him etc and God looked at all Jesus’ suffering at the hands of men and considered that to be payment for all our sins against Him.
That is heresy. The deepest form of heresy. You can be wrong about a lot of things but if you are wrong about the cross you are in trouble.
What? Our common conception of what happened on the Cross is heresy? What does the Bible teach about the Cross, then?
God‘s word says that if anyone declares the sinner to be right when he is not right is an abomination before Him. So if God declared you to be right when you were not right, If God simply forgives the wicked, He would become an abomination, according to His own word. He would become wicked. Imagine a judge sitting up there in his place on the bench, forgiving a murderer and letting him go. He would no longer be a just judge.
God is a just judge and God justice demands he throw men in hell
Therefore if God is a just God He cannot forgive… He must punish the wicked, That is the point of the whole Bible. All through the Old Testament we see animals dying.. it is symbol and type of the final and ultimate sacrifice.
More excerpts ….
Perhaps it is becoming a little more clear as to why God had to die. If he justifies the wicked person and declares the sinner to be righteous He, according to His own word, becomes an abomination. God can not simply forgive.
The law… God law demands that the sinner has to die.
Now the only way that God can forgive sinful men is if God who made the law and God who demands satisfaction .. comes down Himself and pays the penalty.
So what are we saved from?
When some one says they have been saved, the question to be asked is saved from what? Many people will say from sin. This is simply not true! Sin was an act you did. Sin isn’t going to throw you in hell. You have sinned, but sin is not a living being that going to judge you then throw you into hell.
What you have been saved from is not a what, it is a who.
Much more then, being now justified by his blood, shall we be saved from the wrath of God through him. Romans 5:9. [Emphasis Added]
You have been saved from God. God is the judge of all the universe. YOU have sinned and made yourself an enemy of God. So when you stand before Him, He will judge you and throw you into hell.
Wow…. really…. never looked at it like that…. that’s – well, that’s true! ouch.
So we realize we have to be saved from God and His punishment, but how is that punishment to be done away with? When Jesus was dying on the cross it was not the nails in His hand, or the crown of thorns or the Roman spears that save you. The suffering that men heaped upon Jesus is not that which pays for the crime. God did not look on that suffering and okay Good Enough!. What paid for your sin is written in Isaiah 53:10 and 12
Yet it pleased Jehovah to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of Jehovah shall prosper in his hand.
Usually when you hear a sermon or preaching on Isaiah 53, it usually centers around verses 3,4,5, and six, which talk about the suffering heaped on Jesus by men. Very rarely do you hear about Isaiah 53:10.
It pleased the Lord to crush Him.
Isaiah goes on to say
“…[He] was numbered with the transgressors; Yet He Himself bore the sin of many, And interceded for the transgressors.” (Isaiah 53:12)
So how is the Cross the way of salvation?
How is it that that cross saves you? Because Jesus bore on the cross all the sin that God hates. The sin of all God’s people, from the first man ever saved on the face of the earth to the last man ever saved on the face of the earth was placed on His son.. the sins of all of God’s people. Everything that should be poured out on sinful creatures through out eternity, God throws down on His only begotten Son in a matter of moments. Crushes Him under the weight of His own justice.
When Jesus said let this cup pass from me, people think it because He did not want to go to the cross. They usually imagine it was the physical agony that He did not want to go through…
No, Jesus wasn’t thinking about nails in His hand, about spears and crowns of thorns or Roman soldiers. He was thinking about the fact that He had never been out of the Father’s bosom. That He had never been separated from His Father and now the Father was about to turn His face away from His Son. The Father did not turn His face away because He did not want to see His son suffering, He turned His face away Because His son had become detestable. Which is why Matthew 27:46 tells us..
“About the ninth hour [3:00 PM] Jesus cried out [quoting Psalm 22:1] with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli, Eli, Lama sabachthani?’ that is ‘My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?’”
Wow. Lord, Jesus…..
And so, the conclusion:
And if the day comes that you stand before this Holy God who is about to pass judgment on you without having your sins paid for by His Son, then be afraid, be very afraid, as the wrath which made Jesus say ‘let this cup pass from me’ is about to descend on your shoulders.
Remember that when you hear about Jesus dying for you, you know now that it is more than just some whips. While one cannot possibly depreciate the physical suffering it was nothing compared to the Son of God being crushed by His own Father. Comparatively those whips were nothing. And when He cried out “It is Finished” that meant ‘Paid In Full’. If you are a Christian, God can never pour out His wrath on you. It is impossible because His son drank it. It does not exist anymore. There is no more punishment left for you. But if you are not a Christian you don’t even want to know what awaits you..
Why did Jesus die on a Roman cross? He died for the sins of ungodly mankind, to save us from the wrath of God, and to make peace between us and God. “Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ…” (Romans 5:1).
It was a long post… and there’s much more to that article…. but … I’m speechless.
If you are reading this right now, and you have been impacted by these excerpts, or this article, and you don’t yet know Jesus – if you would like to escape God’s wrath and become a positive son of God because Jesus paid your price in full…. say this prayer with me.
Father God, I recognize now what you have done in the Cross. I acknowledge that I have sinned and deserve your punishment. However, I recognize that Jesus has paid for my sins with his own blood… and all I have to do is receive him. I turn away from my sins now, and accept what Jesus’ blood has bought for me – my life! I repent of my sins, and say to you, “I want to be a new creature in Christ.” Thank you Jesus! Amen
If you have prayed this prayer…. respond to me by posting a comment. If you have been impacted, share the site with others.
Missional vs. Attractional vs. House Church Models all have the SAME flaw « From Eden to Zion December 10, 2008
Posted by bajanpoet in links, missional, new churches.7 comments
Should I call this my Eden 2 Zion series? I’m reading another post from this website Missional vs. Attractional vs. House Church Models all have the SAME flaw today, and it has to do with the flaw in focus – all of these “forms” of the church are trying to build the church:
The missional model believes you build the church through being “incarnational” which often means small communities living life with non churched people, enfolding them into community as they move toward a belief in the Gospel. Attractional churches set up excellent programs usually centered around a worship service that draws the non churched in and slowly works on building a belief as they move visitors through a defined assimilation process. House churches critique both models believing you build the church by gathering believers together in a shared common life.
The premise of this article is that “All three models miss the point.” Jeromy points out
”We are never commanded to build the church. We are never commanded to plant a church. We are never encouraged to develop church building models of any kind. We don’t build the church.”
The true ‘mission’ of the church, as stated by the article, is:
Jesus has already weighed in on this debate. Listen to two thing he said, “I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18), and “Go and make disciples….” (Matthew 28:19).
Making disciples should be the goal, which would aid int the organic reproduction of the church. As he suggests:
Thousands of churches emerged through Paul’s ministry but he didn’t build them, they emerged as Paul proclaimed the gospel, made disciples and released the 5-fold ministry (Ephesians 4:11). [Read this for one example of this in the city of Ephesus]
He goes on to cite an example of a friend of his who has seen this principle in action. How did the churches in his example form? He suggests, “ through the training of disciples NOT through the planting or building of churches.”
He links to other articles on his blog, which has a lot of posts on this topic, as his ministry uses this paradigm for church reproduction.
How do you think this would work in practice, if the Church stopped building itself and tried focusing on making disciples? (And I note that the wording is very deliberate here – disciples, not just converts.)
Happy 1 year anniversary to ME!!!!! October 3, 2008
Posted by bajanpoet in links, personal, testimony.Tags: anniversary, blog, first year, prayer
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WOW…. who would have believed it? I just checked my archives and just realized it – September 27th was my blog’s first birthday!!!!! What a bad parent…. I forgot! lol
Anyway, I’m just greatful to God Almighty that I’ve been able to keep at this for a WHOLE YEAR… and then some! Let’s get ready for a new year!
Almighty God, I give you this blog again as a commitment from my heart to yours. I started this blog as a chronicle of the mighty things you have been doing in my life, and I want to continue to use it in this manner. But God! I never saw the love coming! I have met some solid friendships here – Tam, and Darla, Praise365 and Tola…. and so much more people than I have ever interacted with without ever seeing them face to face ONE TIME. But you know what? I want that to change! So, God, I bless you for this piece of heaven right here online (on earth doesn’t seem appropriate!) and I ask that more people are blessed by this blog, more people are helped by interacting with YOU through me. Let us band together again, Jesus, to see demons run from the name that is above every other name! Let us link arms, Holy Spirit, so that as you release words of prophecy through me that those reading will be blessed. And all of this – ALL. OF. IT. I give back to the most wonderful FATHER I could ever hope for – my Eternal Everlasting FATHER GOD – JEHOVAH.
AMEN
Hearing God’s Voice: Realigning with Purpose September 11, 2008
Posted by bajanpoet in links, personal.Tags: being like Christ, Christianity, personal, purpose, realigning
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Today I’m hearing God speak to me through the blogosphere: I’m realizing that he wants this time of seperation to be a refocusing, a realignment with purpose and vision.
Here are some of the posts I’ve been led to this morning:
AjR says in his post “You ‘think’ you Know – You have no idea!” that Jesus was not defined by his birth (in a manger) or of what the people in his hometown thought of him:
“Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? Are not His sisters here with us?”
….
The people were basically saying, “Jesus, we know your whole family, therefore we know you… they’ve done nothing extraordinary, so who are you to think that YOU are going to do or become anything extraordinary?”
He was referencing Mark 6:3, and even with others’ negative view of Jesus, he knew who he was and what God’s purpose was for him!
Check out his last paragraph – pretty challenging!
Don’t box yourself in today! Don’t let others either! Jesus just kept on going… and the people that didn’t recognize it, they missed out on some free food (see Mark 6:33-44). Today, you may feel like Joseph’s boy, or Mary’s girl. You may be Johnny’s brother and Sue’s sister. But you have a purpose today! Walk in it!
Pur•pose: |ˈpərpəs|
• the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists
• a person’s sense of resolve or determination
• have as one‘s intention or objective
Also, Echoes Of Redemption challenged me to be ‘like Christ’, and challenged me with these words:
A few times, ministry becomes the soul focus of my life, forcing everything else out of sequence. When ministry becomes the god of the minister, the minister fails at ministry.
I’m definitely checked by that quote. I must make sure that my time of seperation ensures that God alone is the one who gets my allegiance. He also comments
“In God’s Kingdom it matters that I become more like Him. It matters that I am prioritizing Him above all things. I must be discontent with anything less than Christ.”
That’s my goal – to be discontent with anything less!
I am allowed to love what I do. God intended that. He probably even dreams of it. But above anything else I do, I am supposed to be like Christ. To seek first His Kingdom, knowing all these things will be added.
You mean I am supposed to like what I do? *phew* I thought I was becoming too happy in the Lord! But with that being said, I am still supposed to seek the kingdom first! Lord, help me to balance properly!
UPDATE: Have to add this – this one comes from Pastor Tim’s blog – he’s speaking about ‘Christian Cursing’ and is talking about Paul insulting the High Priest in Acts 23:1-5.
In effect, Paul calls the judge a stinking hypocrite
This was more flesh than spirit
Correction, it was all flesh and no spirit
Immediately after losing his temper and being thrown in jail – he is comforted by the Lord:
He did not need an angel He needed a Friend
Acts 23:11 ¶ But on the night immediately following, the Lord stood at his side and said, “Take courage; for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also.”
He says nothing about the failure
Speaks to him about the future
But most importantly STANDS AT HIS SIDE right after he loses it
Now that is one incredible God
Stands closest when we blow it most
Now I needed that!!!!!!
Blog chronicling miracles! July 4, 2008
Posted by bajanpoet in links, testimony.Tags: blog, Dudley, link, miracles, testimony
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You know what? I love the Tag Surfer – you find some great blogs that have the same tags that you have in your own posts. Here’s another blog I found just now that I plan to keep tabs on… I love watching God work in and through the lives of his people. I love how he extends his kingdom through random people who are committed to “doing the stuff.”
Here’s the blog: Miracles on the streets of Dudley – I don’t even know where Dudley is…. but I’m just so excited to read what God is doing!
