Oh Lord, HELP!

I think this statement may be the most important one I have ever written. It's simple, something we may agree with, and yet where is this church...

• I believe the Church is built by the Holy Spirit. (basically look at the New Testament, especially Acts)
• The Holy Spirit uses Gifts (people) and gifts (spiritual abilities) to accomplish this (Ephesians etc).
• The outcome is a Church showing love towards each other, His power at work and His presence with us. (for presence I do not mean that happy feeling after singing a few songs, think more about what Jesus presence was like in the Gospels & Acts)
• When the Holy Spirit is overlooked as the builder, the Church relies more on events and entertainments to attract people. (it's the equivalent of putting up a banner saying 'We have no power', the sort of things Jesus never had to stoop to).
• The Church may be extremely successful with this agenda but it is ultimately doomed to stagnation and overtaken as the Spirit finds a people who will be obedient to Him.

I just feel sometimes like I will go mad if I sit through yet another service which is identical to the last. One you can set your watch by. One where it feels Holy Spirit was somehow left outside...and if He was, would we have noticed anyway? You know that verse: 'behold I stand at the door and knock', you realize that wasn't spoken to unbelievers? That was Jesus knocking on the door of the Church. He wasn't there!

I feel like I may just be sick the next time the church suggests going out on the street to give away eggs at Easter or cakes at Christmas...I want to see a church known for healing, for miracles, for supernatural signs and wonders...not balloons and free pens.

Oh God, how did we get in this state? How do we get out of it? What will you have to do to us to get us back on track? Are we really your supernatural people here on Earth? It doesn't look particularly like it to me.

Difficulties

I was recently invited to a conference on the Prophetic. We were asked before hand: What is your gift and how is it used in the body? How do you see your gift developing?

It was the last part of this question that got me thinking the most. And I came up with the answer: With difficulty.

I see that difficulty split into 2 parts:

1: Difficult because as I am finding, when you decide to yield to the Holy Spirit, and make that vow to the Lord, he actually takes you seriously. A lot more seriously than perhaps you would have liked. And he enrols you on a course of discipline and scourging. The word scourge isn't pleasant. For me it brings up images from 'The Passion Of The Christ' where the whip digs into the table and pulls it to pieces before being aimed at Jesus. Yet that is almost exactly the correct image. The whip comes and digs deep at the flesh life and pulls it away. You may pray STOP LORD!, but he will not listen, there is no turning back from what you have signed up for, so you may as well save your breath in that direction. The Lord is determined to make you not into an automaton or slave that will do as your told, but a son or daughter that he can trust with the most costly of gifts and secrets. He sets about refining our response times to obedience. How long does it take you to obey when he highlights something in your life that is wrong and needs to be put right or when he tells you to step out in his name? Years, months, days, minutes, seconds? It's not pleasant. It hurts. It's difficult to go through but if we are going to become the people he wants we have to be stripped of all that is fleshly. The upside to this, of course there is one, is you will find yourself driven to that secret place where Jesus becomes all, and where your relationship is watered and buds. All this happens for enlargement, for blessing, for expansion, but don't be fooled, it takes time, maybe a very long time and is painful. That is why I see this and expect it as a difficult time.

2: The second reason why I see our growth as difficult is because we are up against a huge monster that is masquerading as a beautiful idol. It's our traditions. Make no mistake, this is maybe the biggest obstacle to the Holy Spirit building the church as he sees fit, our traditions. Our agendas. Our plans. Our ideas. You may say that your gatherings are ordered by the Spirit, that it is just right. Let me ask a question then. Do you think the Spirit want's to do the same thing week in, week out in your gatherings? Do you think it is acceptable for the same few people to expect the Spirit to turn up at their beck and call to give them an hour's long preach every week? What about Easter, Christmas, Mothering Sunday, Harvest time etc? We roll out our typical agendas every season with no thought at all that the Spirit may have other plans. This idol of ours is a real monster, because try and cut of it's head by a change of direction, a different agenda and we find it's gone and grown another head! How are we going to kill this thing? This old wineskin that cannot hold the new wine? I think part of the answer is to allow the body to grow in gifting. To allow the prophetic word to be dwelt on and like a rudder, steer the ship. We need to allow worship to reach new heights. So much can be achieved in 5 mins before the Lord in worship. Maybe it's time to get the oil out and anoint our musicians, praying over them to take us to where Jesus is and before long I believe we will realise the idol is toppling.

Is Something Wrong?

Have you ever started making one of those flat pack furniture products? I have, and on more than one occasion I've got to the end to find something didn't fit or was in the wrong position. It's disheartening. You want to take a hammer to the whole thing, but instead you take another look at the instructions and try to find the place where you went wrong, and then take it apart and put it right.

I've just been thinking of this, this lunch time. I think something's wrong. In the Church. Somewhere, quite a long time ago, maybe even before we were born, something has not been done right, and just when we think we are near completion we've ended up with something defective.

What were we building? Maybe some of us don't even have any idea. I'm no expert, I'm nobody, but I was hoping to see the Church, The Body to move and act just like the Body of Christ should. In power, in love, in presence, in a dimension that I've only read about happening someplace else, some time else.

I'm tired. Tired of people talking about the presence in the meeting while I wonder why I missed it, and if it was His Presence, is it possible to miss it? What would it be like, His presence? Maybe I wouldn't even be able to stand. Maybe there would be laughter, tears, maybe even some falling over dead?

And what would His Power be like to see in action. Maybe people being healed there and then on the spot, and that this wouldn't be a one off or a story we drag out from the locker: 'remember when this happened", but a daily thing. Maybe people would be challenged as the Holy Spirit was allowed to take charge of the Church He is building, rooted to the spot in fear of their lives if they do not repent there and then. Maybe miracles would be seen, wonders and signs.

Is this all pie in the sky, or is this incredible description actually the life style of what should be your average, normal Christian?

So, where did we go wrong?

There's no sync button

I recently bought a new computer, and even more recently upgraded the hard drive. What makes it easy to not lose any information during these upgrades and changes is the ability to sync things. All your old files, web pages, passwords, nearly everything can just be synced so you are right back where you were before the upgrade.
The Holy Spirit doesn't like sync buttons.
When he 'upgrades us' through the process of the Cross, even what we considered the best part of our old lives, the bit we think of as 'not that bad' is unwanted by the Spirit. He doesn't want any of that old life coming through.
What I mean by that is, sure you may have been a good accountant before you were saved, and after you probably are still a good accountant. But, whatever skills you bring with you, or think will be an asset to the body...aren't.
It is only when there is sacrifice (death) does the fire come. Or to put it another way, only after the Cross has done it's work on you or any part of your flesh that has tried to cling on does the Spirit empower.
I know that's not the best news to all those working merrily away in their own power, in their own strength to their own ideas and agendas, but unless the Cross does a thorough work the Spirit will not place his seal of approval in empowering on your work.

Being Lonely

I usually cycle to and from work.

A very regular site on my cycling trips are the (what I call) 'Gadget Zombies'.

Gadget Zombies seem to waddle in a strange zig zag pattern, not looking where they are going, because there attention is fixed to their phone. Or they do not hear me asking to move over on the cycle path because they are plugged into their iPod.

It seems gadgets in and especially out of the house are becoming more and more prolific. And although they can be extremely useful I think for the most part they are causing a lot more harm than good.

I'm not talking about radiation or unseen waves of some sort, not even ear or eye damage, I'm talking about loneliness.

I think if asked, 100% of people would say loneliness is not a good thing, and I would probably say the same, except there is a part of life where loneliness is healthy.

There are times in life when we feel alone, apart from everyone else, we feel a hunger in us for something we can't put our finger on. These are times that are designed for human beings to crave and long for their maker. That is a very healthy thing to do. Not just healthy, but essential for life. I mean real life.

Unfortunately, those times are becoming scarcer and scarcer as we fill them up with Facebook and music and what is, on the whole, just inane.

Try this: Turn your phone off. Leave your MP3 at home. Don't bother with the TV or PS3 tonight. Turn the PC off. Go for a walk, or just sit quietly. Let your hunger lead you to the Lord.

T Austin Sparks

I'm a bit stunned.
A few months ago, whilst on my weekend college course: School of the Word 2, we were discussing authors. T Austin Sparks was mentioned as a man worth reading. The Tutor also told us there was a church in the States whose ministry is to freely send his books to people.
I looked it up, and sure enough, found: http://www.austin-sparks.net/articles/bkcatalog.html

Rather than e-mail, I wrote a letter, and sent it air mail.
To be honest, I'd forgotten all about it, but last week I had a delivery of over 16KG of books!!!

I'm stunned. Blessed. Booked up to the gills!

Ern Baxter MP3 Library

I've just finished burning a 3.51GB DVD with 428 messages on from Ern Baxter.
All are freely available for download here: http://brokenbreadteaching.org/index.html

Are We Radical?

I've been re-reading some of my old books, and finding them very challenging. Even though they were written at different times for different generations they are still very poignant today. Arthur Wallis's book The Radical Christian is a case in point. Find a copy or dig out your old one and prepare to be challenged afresh.

• Without the Holy Spirit active in the church, or body, are we alive?
• Is it possible for a body of Spirit filled people to not be radical?
• Do we bend to His will, or expect Him to work within our structures?
• Is the Sunday gathering a completely predictable affair?
• When and if the Spirit challenges complacency, do we agree, say wasn't that a good word and then do nothing?
• In smaller gatherings (life group/house group) are we able to coast along without much interference?
• Do we really worship?
• Do we like happy praise songs, but the quieter worship songs drag on a bit?
• Is there a continuing stream of new growth in the body that stays?
• Why don't new people stay?
• How easy is it for people to come through the narrow gate?
• The prophetic word is nice on a Sunday, but would we miss it if it was gone?
• Are Tongues and the Prophetic about as much of the gifts of the Spirit we see or expect.
• We see where change should come but don't want to upset anyone?
• Do we look to natural methods or supernatural?
• Is good looking media more prevalent than Spirit life?

Shocking Billy Graham

No disrespect intended with this post because of the funny picture, this is a genuinely shocking question:

Dr. Billy Graham once made a critical analysis of the Church systems in general and came to the conclusion that "The Holy Spirit could leave the church and it would go right on doing 90% of what it was doing; and NOT KNOW that the Holy Spirit had left."

So, it begs the question:

If the Holy Spirit was to leave your church, how much activity would just carry on? 

The Highlighter Challenge

I recently heard of this challenge Bryn Jones made to a group of Leaders.

Take 3 different highlighter pens.

Start at the beginning of the New Testament.

Highlight in different colours each time you find something written about:

• Who You Are In Christ
• What You have In Christ
• What You Can Do in Christ

Bryn said that one of the biggest challenges facing the Church is for Christians to find their identity in Christ, and this was a very practical and clever way to help find that identity.

Bryn Jones: The Restorer

You may remember that I recently found Bryn Jones's website, The Restorer. From my contact attempts I don't think the website is being maintained, and since the content is freely available, I decided to compile it into a book:
LINK
It's an A4 223 page perfect bound book. I have set the cost so I do not make any profit from this book, you will only pay for print and delivery.
Print charge is: £5.58 which is an absolute bargain.

A Real Pearl

I found a real pearl of a website!
It's http://www.therestorer.net/rhome.html
A website about Bryn Jones, including his teachings and downloadable audio files! It's a bit tricky to get the audio, but I found viewing the page as a source and then seeing the weblink for the audio files managed to get me 800+ MB of MP3. Not all worked, but what I got is worth it's weight in gold!

And, whilst I'm at it, how about this site: http://www.revival-library.org/
It has old publications etc. Some free to download, some as PDF's for purchase. I got free some MP3's about Smith Wigglesworth, but they have PDF's such as Arthur Wallis's minutes from his 3 main meetings or the complete Restoration Magazine library!

History

Did you ever realise before that The Cross is quite literally at the center of history?

Funny Quotes

Some funny quotes that can hit home more than you may expect:

Some people are kind, polite, and sweet-spirited-until you try to sit in their pews.
Many folks want to serve God, but only as advisers.
It is easier to preach ten sermons than it is to live one.
The good Lord didn't create anything without a purpose, but mosquitoes come close.
When you get to your wit's end, you'll find God lives there.
People are funny, they want the front of the bus, the middle of the road, and the back of the church.
Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on your front door forever.
Quit griping about your church; if it was perfect, you couldn't belong.
The phrase that is guaranteed to wake up an audience: "And in conclusion."
If the church wants a better preacher, it only needs to pray for the one it has.
God Himself does not propose to judge a man until he is dead. So why should you?
Some minds are like concrete, thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.
Peace starts with a smile.
I don't know why some people change churches; what difference does it make which one you stay home from?
A lot of church members who are singing "Standing on the Promises" are just sitting on the premises.
We were called to be witnesses, not lawyers or judges.
Outside of traffic, there is nothing that holds this country back as much as committees.
Be ye fishers of men. You catch them - He'll clean them.
Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous.
Don't put a question mark where God put a period.
Don't wait for 6 strong men to carry you to church.
Forbidden fruits create many jams.
God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.
God grades on the cross, not the curve.
God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.
He who angers you, controls you!
If God is your Co-pilot - swap seats!
Prayer: Don't give God instructions - just report for duty!
The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us.
The Will of God will never take you to where the Grace of God will not protect you.
We don't change the message, the message changes us.
The best mathematical equation I have ever seen: 1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given.
"Father, bless this person in whatever it is that You know he or she may be needing this day!"

And lastly, some interesting quotes from the Dalai Lama

The Dalai Lama was once asked what surprised him the most in life and his response was man, “because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then he dies having never really lived."

Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.

There is a saying in Tibetan, “Tragedy should be utilized as a source of strength.”

No matter what sort of difficulties, how painful experience is, if we lose our hope, that’s our real disaster.

Keep Going

If ever God spoke to me through a signpost, this was it.
We were all on our way home from a holiday in Tenby and I saw the clouds settled in the valleys, so we stopped the car to take some photos. About 10' away was this sign, completley on it's own. I have no idea what it was referring to, but it spoke to me and is speaking to me at a time when life is very hard going.
In the past I've been so dull to hearing God, I think I made it difficult for Him to speak to me by my super spiritual expectations. These days I just take what ever He's giving.

Keep Going.
Keep Going.

Treasure Chest

I just love the Bible, the Living Word of God.
I find reading the Word like running my hands through a chest full of treasure.
Sometimes I don't always appreciate the worth of what my hands are holding, and sometimes I am so amazed at a particular gem that I pick it out and just look at it. Letting the light fall on different facets and seeing different things.

Sacrifice

I come into work today heard these words on the radio:

But I've shined like a diamond through sacrifice

here's the full song:

Dolly Parton
The Sacrifice lyrics
Well, I've sacrificed time with family and friends
Gave up vacations for work without end
24/7, 365
But I was willing to make the sacrifice

But empty or full, I've carried my pale
You don't drink the water if you don't dig the well
Through blood sweat and tears I have built a good life
But it didn't come without sacrifice

But I was gonna be rich no matter how much it cost
And I was gonna win no matter how much I lost
All through the years I kept my eye on the prize
You ask if it's worth the sacrifice, the sacrifice

I think about Jesus and all that he gave
And the ultimate sacrifice that he made
He is my strength and my guiding light
And he's taught me that nothing's without sacrifice

I was gonna be rich no matter how much it cost
And I was gonna win no matter how much I lost
I wanted success and, brother, I've paid the price
And, yes, it's been worth the sacrifice, the sacrifice

I was gonna be rich no matter how much it cost
And I was gonna win no matter how much I lost
Grindstones and rhinestones have made up my life
But I've shined like a diamond through sacrifice

I was gonna be rich no matter how much it cost
And I was gonna win no matter how much I lost
But I hope God will tell me, 'Well done, my child
You've won your reward through your sacrifice, the sacrifice'

The sacrifice
But sometimes I wonder in the still of the night
Is it really worth the sacrifice
I've often laughed and I've often cried
I've often failed but I've always tried
I made the sacrifice

I Surrender!!!

I Surrender! Please…don't kill me!

We talk about surrendering to God a lot.

I surrender this situation…
I surrender this problem…
I surrender this attitude…
I surrender to the Holy Spirit…

I have some bad news for you though if it's followed with the line 'please don't kill me', because Jesus doesn't take prisoners.

When we become Christians, we should be surrendering our lives to Him. We say, I get off the throne of my life and hand the seat to you. It's for you to rule and reign from.

What does Jesus do with our surrendered self? The same thing He does to anything that surrenders to Him, He takes it to the Cross and nails it to it until it's dead. Sorry, no cushy cell or slap across the knuckles, it's the death sentence.

Of course, when you die on the Cross you are resurrected again with Him, you are Born Again, A new creation, the old has gone, the new has come.

Thinking on all this the other day I had a picture of a freshly dug grave, and a pair of hands reaching up scrabbling at the dirt trying to get out. That's not surrender. Surrender is lying down and letting that person die. Letting the flesh be crucified so the Spirit can soar. Letting the earth cover you and killing you off.

After we become Christians we aren't finished surrendering to Him. Jesus said we should DAILY take up our Cross and follow Him. The Holy Spirit, who has come and made His home in us, calling us His Temple, will point out more and more things to us that need to go. Attitudes, situations we are involved with, conditions we have, that need to die. We have to surrender them. Let them go. Don't try and cling on to them, picture them being taken to the Cross and nailed there.  When we agreed to make Him Lord, He took us seriously.

Then wait to see what God replaces them with…because God always fills a gap. There are no vacuums in the Kingdom, where there is a space in your life the Holy Spirit rushes in to fill it.