"There is a difference between making the Gospel relevant, and trying to make it suitable to culture. Relevant means that we discard the baggage that we have attached to the Gospel--such as theological jargon--so that our message can be better understood. Suitable is when we try to make the Gospel another positive thinking, get rich scheme which has all too often been the case with many North American churches."
I read this on Brian Leport's blog and it immediately struck out at me. He was summarizing an interview with Donald Miller who speaks on "hip" the Gospel. This instantly caught my eye because it is something that has constantly been on my mind. How do I capture the young adult crowd without them thinking I have lost touch with the times? How do I show them that what mom and pops believed actually works for us without being seen as an "old woman"? With my more serious nature, how can I show them that I have way more fun now than I ever did before, and its not because I’m serious but because it is simply enjoyable?
First of all, it took and is still taking some soul searching. I am always considered the older sibling when I hang out with my older sister. I can’t stand that. So, obviously there is something I needed to adjust in my life that would break me out of this old hag phase and back into the times when I could be the younger sister. This required and still requires much work, but the change is awesome. It is also an outreach tool for younger crowds. I am one of them and not an outsider.
Secondly, I am learning how to bring The Word to them in relevant terms. For instance, I would not go speak in my 5-year old son’s classroom using the vocabulary I would use at work. This is the age when story time is peak hour and animation will make you their best friend. Even a walk to the store can be a fun filled story when I bring it to their terms. So relevance is right on point, when spreading the Gospel. You have to think about who you are talking to, where you are, how you met them, etc. Analyze before you react. This way you can become proactive instead of dreadfully reactive.
I know there are many more points to touch on, but these are the two I have been working hard to develop. To reach a certain audience takes research and dedication. It takes adjustment where necessary and complete change when something is completely broken. It is not easy to evaluate yourself so seek the advice of others. I think my friends have been wondering about me because of all the questions I am asking about myself. Someone has even asked if I have been reading those self help books. I laugh because I believe this is self help that is relevant to spreading The Gospel. My way of discarding the baggage that has made my approach irrelevant. It took soul searching, soul breaking and soul shaping in order to begin in the direction I am seeking and what I believe God has given to me.
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Monday, May 15, 2006
Where Did God's Burden Go?
Where did God’s burden go?
Was it devoured up by the beastly appetite of lust and deceit?
Did it fall on the stony hills of rejection and defeat?
Did it wither away with the scorching rays of pride and neglect?
Or did it get blown away by a disease with a simple name called “Forget”?
Did it get cast down or put aside, and forgotten as the days went by?
Did it drown in the depths of selfishness?
Or was it lost in the pits of self-righteousness?
It can’t simply be left and expected to progress.
Because it’s life and it is required to be fed.
So as you sit, take the moment to reflect
Do you know, where did God’s burden go?
God gave us the ability to give. To give in prayer, in fasting to give when we may never receive, to give our best when we don’t want to. Fortunately, God gave us a burden. When I have a burden for someone or something, I find that my prayers are more fervent, my desire is increased and my faith strengthened. It’s the burden that magnifies my belief when we’re against all odds. It’s that burden that keeps me going when my body is weak or my mind is tired. It’s the burden that puts me on my knees in prayer when my body aches. It’s the same burden that heals the weak and mends the broken. It’s the same burden that picks me up when the day drags on. It’s the burden of a mother for her child, the child for a parent, a house for a family, a friend for a friend. It’s the same burden that brought me into church, the cleansed my soul and granted me forgiveness when I was unworthy. It’s the burden that directs souls to a loving God. It’s God’s burden living in us all and fed by prayer.
Was it devoured up by the beastly appetite of lust and deceit?
Did it fall on the stony hills of rejection and defeat?
Did it wither away with the scorching rays of pride and neglect?
Or did it get blown away by a disease with a simple name called “Forget”?
Did it get cast down or put aside, and forgotten as the days went by?
Did it drown in the depths of selfishness?
Or was it lost in the pits of self-righteousness?
It can’t simply be left and expected to progress.
Because it’s life and it is required to be fed.
So as you sit, take the moment to reflect
Do you know, where did God’s burden go?
God gave us the ability to give. To give in prayer, in fasting to give when we may never receive, to give our best when we don’t want to. Fortunately, God gave us a burden. When I have a burden for someone or something, I find that my prayers are more fervent, my desire is increased and my faith strengthened. It’s the burden that magnifies my belief when we’re against all odds. It’s that burden that keeps me going when my body is weak or my mind is tired. It’s the burden that puts me on my knees in prayer when my body aches. It’s the same burden that heals the weak and mends the broken. It’s the same burden that picks me up when the day drags on. It’s the burden of a mother for her child, the child for a parent, a house for a family, a friend for a friend. It’s the same burden that brought me into church, the cleansed my soul and granted me forgiveness when I was unworthy. It’s the burden that directs souls to a loving God. It’s God’s burden living in us all and fed by prayer.
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Mother's Day
Ruth 1:16
And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God
As a single Mother, Mother’s Day normally leans more towards an average day. Since my son is young and still very dependent upon me, any events planned are planned by me. This Mother’s Day, I have been truly blessed with a wonderful eventful weekend. As Sister Terry has said, I’ve been emotional this weekend. The reason is because I realized, that although I have gone many Mother’s Day without a mother, I have the opportunity to make each Mother’s Day special with my son and adopted “niece and nephew”. These years are my second chance to give what I didn’t have and I thank God for such a blessing.
To all of the single mothers and all of the women who have lost their mother’s, I wish you a wonderful Mother’s Day.
To all of the women who have taken the time to teach me and guide me and love me, I love you and hope your day was even more blessed than mine.
To Sister Pryor, Happy First Mother’s Day in Orange County. Anthony and I appreciate you and love you.
And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God
As a single Mother, Mother’s Day normally leans more towards an average day. Since my son is young and still very dependent upon me, any events planned are planned by me. This Mother’s Day, I have been truly blessed with a wonderful eventful weekend. As Sister Terry has said, I’ve been emotional this weekend. The reason is because I realized, that although I have gone many Mother’s Day without a mother, I have the opportunity to make each Mother’s Day special with my son and adopted “niece and nephew”. These years are my second chance to give what I didn’t have and I thank God for such a blessing.
To all of the single mothers and all of the women who have lost their mother’s, I wish you a wonderful Mother’s Day.
To all of the women who have taken the time to teach me and guide me and love me, I love you and hope your day was even more blessed than mine.
To Sister Pryor, Happy First Mother’s Day in Orange County. Anthony and I appreciate you and love you.
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Speechless
"Occasionally in life there are those moments of unutterable fulfillment which cannot be completely explained by those symbols called words. Their meanings can only be articulated by the inaudible language of the heart." -Martin Luther King
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Miracle Living
There are two ways to live your life.
One is as though nothing is a miracle.
The other is as though everything is a miracle.
-Albert Einstein
Do you think this is Reality thinking vs. Dreaming or Optimism vs. Pessimism?
We don’t have to give up dreaming to accomplish what is reality, but you do have to stay optimistic to accomplish a dream. You must see the vision before you can live it and you must believe it in order to achieve it. I don’t konw anyone that said it could never happen and then went out and made it happen. I do know many people who dreamed a vision, remained optimistic when reality said it wasn’t permissible, and accomplished the dream. With God everything is possible even when it is humanly impossible. Just remember that He is the Miracle Worker and everyday we live a miracle.
One is as though nothing is a miracle.
The other is as though everything is a miracle.
-Albert Einstein
Do you think this is Reality thinking vs. Dreaming or Optimism vs. Pessimism?
We don’t have to give up dreaming to accomplish what is reality, but you do have to stay optimistic to accomplish a dream. You must see the vision before you can live it and you must believe it in order to achieve it. I don’t konw anyone that said it could never happen and then went out and made it happen. I do know many people who dreamed a vision, remained optimistic when reality said it wasn’t permissible, and accomplished the dream. With God everything is possible even when it is humanly impossible. Just remember that He is the Miracle Worker and everyday we live a miracle.
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
I'm Off
I’m off to my piano lessons today. The lessons have become more regular now, which is always a plus. Today, I am really excited about my lessons because I have a new song that I would like to learn for our next Edge service. I already have some songs lined up, but piano is always more exciting when there is a new song to be learned. Kind of reminds me of faith, its usually more exciting when you learn something new. Practicing the fundamentals can become repetitive, but
it is refreshing when this dedication and commitment allows me to build upon my faith by freeing up time to learn something new and exciting.
it is refreshing when this dedication and commitment allows me to build upon my faith by freeing up time to learn something new and exciting.
Monday, May 08, 2006
Bringing Home The Church
I read something interesting today about spiritual disconnectedness. In "Are We Too Disconnected" the following was written:
"About half or more than half of the believers DO NOT attend a church service on Sunday." The fact is, the majority of these people are probably not connecting with what we might call a consistent spiritual community…Their most significant communal rhythms happen through a number of separate events and occasions in homes, coffee shops, clubs, festivals, etc. And in the past 7 years, the internet has become another of those places where spiritual gifts are shared and the accountability of relationship is maintained despite physical distance."
Though I am not in agreement with everything that is said in this blog, because God gave us a pastor after his own heart (Jeremiah 3:15), I do agree that there is a steadily increasing stream of disconnection taking place. In our efforts to adapt to change we have provided a very easy way for people to adapt in church without physically being in a church. We have brought church home with us, and many decided to keep it there.
Yes, we need to be able to find God even in our homes, in the coffeehouses or on the internet. However, I the intentions were never to replace the church house, but to allow a way for people to be connected when there was no other way. It was more of a ‘if they can’t come to us, then we’ll come to them’ approach. It was not intended as an option, but as the last resort.
Consequently, we have developed "Personal Christianity". Today is the "feel good" era. If it doesn’t feel right, then don’t do it. That mentality has seeped its way into the Christian hearts and convoluted the purpose of God’s joy. God gave laws, he reprimanded when they were broken and rewarded when they were kept. Man did not make them, but God did. Today we dangerously titer-tot on the fine line of God’s ways and our ways, His church or ours. Most of the time we sit and hang out on the "Our Ways" side without ever finding our way to His side. Ultimately, this has made the church into the enemy instead of the ally. God never intended for man to be alone, physically or spiritually. He would have never created Eve if this were the case. He would have created unreproductable creatures that would die on the very same lot on which they were created.
We all need church. It’s not the building that is important, but the spiritual support as well as the physical support. However, we must continue with global outreach in order to provide the support to those who are unable to find it elsewhere. I don’t care if church is held outside or in, but I do care for its presence and the fact that it is serving the purpose for which God intended: a founding structure, a support haven, a house of refuge, a house of joy, a house of learning, and a house of growth. It’s The House of God.
"About half or more than half of the believers DO NOT attend a church service on Sunday." The fact is, the majority of these people are probably not connecting with what we might call a consistent spiritual community…Their most significant communal rhythms happen through a number of separate events and occasions in homes, coffee shops, clubs, festivals, etc. And in the past 7 years, the internet has become another of those places where spiritual gifts are shared and the accountability of relationship is maintained despite physical distance."
Though I am not in agreement with everything that is said in this blog, because God gave us a pastor after his own heart (Jeremiah 3:15), I do agree that there is a steadily increasing stream of disconnection taking place. In our efforts to adapt to change we have provided a very easy way for people to adapt in church without physically being in a church. We have brought church home with us, and many decided to keep it there.
Yes, we need to be able to find God even in our homes, in the coffeehouses or on the internet. However, I the intentions were never to replace the church house, but to allow a way for people to be connected when there was no other way. It was more of a ‘if they can’t come to us, then we’ll come to them’ approach. It was not intended as an option, but as the last resort.
Consequently, we have developed "Personal Christianity". Today is the "feel good" era. If it doesn’t feel right, then don’t do it. That mentality has seeped its way into the Christian hearts and convoluted the purpose of God’s joy. God gave laws, he reprimanded when they were broken and rewarded when they were kept. Man did not make them, but God did. Today we dangerously titer-tot on the fine line of God’s ways and our ways, His church or ours. Most of the time we sit and hang out on the "Our Ways" side without ever finding our way to His side. Ultimately, this has made the church into the enemy instead of the ally. God never intended for man to be alone, physically or spiritually. He would have never created Eve if this were the case. He would have created unreproductable creatures that would die on the very same lot on which they were created.
We all need church. It’s not the building that is important, but the spiritual support as well as the physical support. However, we must continue with global outreach in order to provide the support to those who are unable to find it elsewhere. I don’t care if church is held outside or in, but I do care for its presence and the fact that it is serving the purpose for which God intended: a founding structure, a support haven, a house of refuge, a house of joy, a house of learning, and a house of growth. It’s The House of God.
Sunday, May 07, 2006
Awesome are Your Ways
Lord, awesome are your ways. You knew Lord what I needed to hear. When I asked I did received. To think that just a few words could be the blessing I was looking for. You used one person's weakness and anothers strength to create an equilibrium; the balance of a world that was unevenly shaped. You are awesome.
Amen
Amen
Saturday, May 06, 2006
This Isn't the End, This is Only The Beginning
A blessing from the Lord is here! In the last two weeks we have experienced wonderful services. We have been able to participate in the Azusa Street Centennial Services. My home church has continued with the spirit of revival and has been blessed with a wonderful move of God. We've been on the move, God has been on the move, and it has been such a blessing. After all is said and done, our momentum continues even though we physically begin to decelerate. This is not the end of revival, this is only the beginning. Hallelujah!
Friday, May 05, 2006
Hope
"Hope…, unlike optimism, is independent of people's circumstances. Hope is not based on the possibilities of the situation and on correct extropolation about the future. Hope is grounded in the faithfulness of God and therefore on the effectiveness of God's promise...it is the future that comes not from the realm of what is or what was, but from the realm of what is not yet...Optimism is based on the possibilities of things as they have come to be; hope is based on the possibilities of God irrespective of how things are. Hope can spring up even in the valley of the shadow of death; indeed, it is there that it becomes truly manifest." - Miroslav Volf
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Praise Ye the Lord
Psalms 150
1Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.
2Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.
3Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
4Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
5Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
6Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.
1Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.
2Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.
3Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
4Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
5Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
6Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
A Soldier In God's Army
I sang a song not too long ago that I heard from our ladies conference about not letting the devil drive with you. The speaker noted that when she was a little girl, her mother never allowed her to hate anything. My father was the same way. "Hate" was too strong a word so I could say that I disliked something, but never "hate". But there is one thing we can hate, that’s the devil. I’ve come to realize that if I don’t hate him, then I must in some way support him. Since I can never trust him, than why should I stand on his side. I cannot seem to shake this image, but I keep thinking about how the devil hates me because I live for God. Every time I give thanks to God, I imagine a black eye to the devil. Every time I give praise or worship to God, I imagine a kick to the shin. Every time I tell the Lord how much I love him, I can imagine the heart attack that the devil receives when he hears me (that’s right, the devil doesn’t have a heart). Basically, if I am not against the devil, then I am for him. His fate is already decided. In Luke 10:18 it says "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven." His fate is already decided, there is no way I will let him decide mine too. I will keep fighting with praise, with prayer, with worship and most importantly through God. I will keep spreading the word and testifying of God’s goodness. God will win every time.
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Thinking on the Positive
I’m a morning person. When I wake up, my mind automatically begins to shift into gear. At night, I am quite opposite. My mind begins to hibernate. I am easily distracted unless I totally submerge myself in a calm quiet environment. Over the last couple of years I have learned to adapt because my son is quite opposite of me. He is groggy in the morning and totally awake at night. So one thing I have learned to do is to think in the morning, ponder on those thoughts throughout the day and wrap everything up at night. I have cycled my thinking process so that I give myself my best work environment when I am at my best.
This is why it is important that I begin the introduction to and conclude my day with positive thoughts. What I do in the morning and at night influence my thoughts and actions throughout the day. If I end my day with negative thoughts, I wake up with them. If I start my day with negative thoughts, my behavior will be reflective of those thoughts throughout my day. So it is important that I keep thinking on the positive because influences and consequences of negativity is just not worth it.
This is why it is important that I begin the introduction to and conclude my day with positive thoughts. What I do in the morning and at night influence my thoughts and actions throughout the day. If I end my day with negative thoughts, I wake up with them. If I start my day with negative thoughts, my behavior will be reflective of those thoughts throughout my day. So it is important that I keep thinking on the positive because influences and consequences of negativity is just not worth it.
Monday, May 01, 2006
Don't Consult the Experts, Consult The Expert
"If you want to achieve something, give yourself permission to believe it is possible-no matter what experts might say." – John C. Maxwell
"Never tell a young person that something cannot be done. God may have been waiting centuries for somebody ignorant enough of the impossible to do that thing." – John Andrew Holmes
Azusa Street 1906:
The experts said it was nothing of importance. The experts said it wasn’t even worth mentioning.
"We made no mention of the matter in the Messenger, not deeming it of sufficient importance to demand attention from outsiders…Locally it is of small account, being insignificant both in numbers and influence. Instead of being the greatest movement of the times…it is of small moment. It has had, and has now, upon the religious life of the city, about as much influence as a pebble thrown into the sea." – Nazarene Messenger, December 13, 1906
They made it out to be like a beast in the night.
"Night is made hideous in the neighborhood by the howlings of the worshippers who spend hours swaying forth and back in a nerve-racking attitude of prayer and supplication." – Los Angeles Times, April 18, 1906
The "ignorant" ones believed.
"The meetings in Los Angeles started in a cottage meeting, and the Pentecost fell there three nights. The People had nothing to do but wait on the Lord and praise Him… Many churches have been praying for Pentecost…" - Azusa Street Mission Newspaper, September 1906
And The Expert said well done!
"The great Shekina glory is still resting upon us as a pillar of fire by night and a pillar of cloud by day, where hundreds and thousands of souls have come and been blest through the mighty power of our blessed Lord. Hungry and thirsty souls are coming from hundreds and thousands of miles to get their personal Pentecost, and receiving and taking the glad tidings back home to hungry and thirsty souls that are waiting their arrival." – Azusa Street Mission Newspaper, December 1906
"Waves of Pentecostal salvation are still rolling in at Azusa Street Mission. From morning till late at night the meetings continue with about three alter services a day…The fire is spreading." – Azusa Street Mission Newspaper, October, 1906
And the fire still falls!
2006
"Azusa Street was the seminal revival of modern Pentecostalism." – www.firestillfalls.com
"Prominent theologians consider Azusa Street ‘the birthplace of the modern Pentecostal movement,’ " –www.christianpost.com
"Pentecostalism has earlier roots, but the Azusa Street Revival launched it as a worldwide movement." – www.wikipedia.org
Who will you believe?
"Never tell a young person that something cannot be done. God may have been waiting centuries for somebody ignorant enough of the impossible to do that thing." – John Andrew Holmes
Azusa Street 1906:
The experts said it was nothing of importance. The experts said it wasn’t even worth mentioning.
"We made no mention of the matter in the Messenger, not deeming it of sufficient importance to demand attention from outsiders…Locally it is of small account, being insignificant both in numbers and influence. Instead of being the greatest movement of the times…it is of small moment. It has had, and has now, upon the religious life of the city, about as much influence as a pebble thrown into the sea." – Nazarene Messenger, December 13, 1906
They made it out to be like a beast in the night.
"Night is made hideous in the neighborhood by the howlings of the worshippers who spend hours swaying forth and back in a nerve-racking attitude of prayer and supplication." – Los Angeles Times, April 18, 1906
The "ignorant" ones believed.
"The meetings in Los Angeles started in a cottage meeting, and the Pentecost fell there three nights. The People had nothing to do but wait on the Lord and praise Him… Many churches have been praying for Pentecost…" - Azusa Street Mission Newspaper, September 1906
And The Expert said well done!
"The great Shekina glory is still resting upon us as a pillar of fire by night and a pillar of cloud by day, where hundreds and thousands of souls have come and been blest through the mighty power of our blessed Lord. Hungry and thirsty souls are coming from hundreds and thousands of miles to get their personal Pentecost, and receiving and taking the glad tidings back home to hungry and thirsty souls that are waiting their arrival." – Azusa Street Mission Newspaper, December 1906
"Waves of Pentecostal salvation are still rolling in at Azusa Street Mission. From morning till late at night the meetings continue with about three alter services a day…The fire is spreading." – Azusa Street Mission Newspaper, October, 1906
And the fire still falls!
2006
"Azusa Street was the seminal revival of modern Pentecostalism." – www.firestillfalls.com
"Prominent theologians consider Azusa Street ‘the birthplace of the modern Pentecostal movement,’ " –www.christianpost.com
"Pentecostalism has earlier roots, but the Azusa Street Revival launched it as a worldwide movement." – www.wikipedia.org
Who will you believe?
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
The Days of Pentecost
The Day of Pentecost
“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:1-4)
The Days of Pentecost, 1906
“GOOD NEWS SPREADS.
People from all over the country are sending in letters of inquiry, having heard that Pentecost has come to Los Angeles. Some have come long distances and report that the half had not been told them. Through this paper we answer inquiries, as it would be impossible to write to each. Souls are hungry all over the land.”
Reports of the Spirit Moving
“The power of God now has this city agitated as never before. Pentecost has surely come and with it the Bible evidences are following, many being converted and sanctified and filled with the Holy Ghost, speaking in tongues as they did on the day of Pentecost. The scenes that are daily enacted in the building on Azusa street and at Missions and Churches in other parts of the city are beyond description, and the real revival has only started, as God has been working with His children mostly, getting them through to Pentecost, and laying the foundation for a mighty wave of salvation among the unconverted.”
Reports of Healing
“Many have laid aside their glasses and had their eye sight perfectly restored. The deaf have had their hearing restored.”
“A man was healed of asthma of twenty years standing. Many have been healed of heart trouble and lung trouble.”
“Canes, crutches, medicine bottles, and glasses are being thrown aside as God heals. That is the safe way. No need to keep an old crutch or medicine bottle of any kind around after God heals you. Some, in keeping some such appliance as a souvenir, have been tempted to use them again and have lost their healing.”
Reports of Deliverance
“A brother who had been a spiritualist medium and who was so possessed with demons that he had no rest, and was on the point of committing suicide, was instantly delivered of demon power. He then sought God for the pardon of his sins and sanctification, and is now filled with a different spirit.”
Reports of the Holy Ghost Infilling
“About 160 people in Los Angeles, more than on the day of Pentecost, have received the gift of the Holy Ghost and the Bible evidence, the gift of tongues, and many have been saved and sanctified, nobody knows how many. People are seeking at the altar three times a day and it is hard to close at night on account of seekers and those who are under the power of God.”
“In about an hour and a half, a young man was converted, sanctified,and baptized with the Holy Ghost, and spoke with tongues. He was also healed from consumption, so that when he visited the doctor he pronounced his lungs sound. He has received many tongues, also the gift of prophecy, and writing in a number of foreign languages, and has a call to a foreign field.”
“Bro. Campbell, a Nazarene brother, 83 years of age, who had been for 53 years serving the Lord, received the baptism with the Holy Ghost and gift of tongues in his own home. His son, who was a physician, was called and came to see if he was sick, but found him only happy in the Lord. Not only old men and old women, but, boys and girls, are receiving their Pentecost. Viola Price, a little orphan colored girl eight years of age, has received the gift of tongues.”
The Day of Pentecost 2006
It’s time for another break through!
"Opportunity once passed,” said Frank Bartleman, “is lost forever. There is a time when the tide is sweeping by our door. We may plunge in and be carried to glorious success and blessing and victory. To stand on the bank shivering from timidity, or paralyzed by stupor at such a time is to miss all, and most miserably and eternally fail. Oh, our responsibility! The mighty tide of God's grace and favor even now is sweeping by us, in its prayer directed course." -Frank Bartleman
The above quotes were taken from the September 1906 issue of the “The Apostolic Faith Movement“ found on www.sendrevival.com.
“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:1-4)
The Days of Pentecost, 1906
“GOOD NEWS SPREADS.
People from all over the country are sending in letters of inquiry, having heard that Pentecost has come to Los Angeles. Some have come long distances and report that the half had not been told them. Through this paper we answer inquiries, as it would be impossible to write to each. Souls are hungry all over the land.”
Reports of the Spirit Moving
“The power of God now has this city agitated as never before. Pentecost has surely come and with it the Bible evidences are following, many being converted and sanctified and filled with the Holy Ghost, speaking in tongues as they did on the day of Pentecost. The scenes that are daily enacted in the building on Azusa street and at Missions and Churches in other parts of the city are beyond description, and the real revival has only started, as God has been working with His children mostly, getting them through to Pentecost, and laying the foundation for a mighty wave of salvation among the unconverted.”
Reports of Healing
“Many have laid aside their glasses and had their eye sight perfectly restored. The deaf have had their hearing restored.”
“A man was healed of asthma of twenty years standing. Many have been healed of heart trouble and lung trouble.”
“Canes, crutches, medicine bottles, and glasses are being thrown aside as God heals. That is the safe way. No need to keep an old crutch or medicine bottle of any kind around after God heals you. Some, in keeping some such appliance as a souvenir, have been tempted to use them again and have lost their healing.”
Reports of Deliverance
“A brother who had been a spiritualist medium and who was so possessed with demons that he had no rest, and was on the point of committing suicide, was instantly delivered of demon power. He then sought God for the pardon of his sins and sanctification, and is now filled with a different spirit.”
Reports of the Holy Ghost Infilling
“About 160 people in Los Angeles, more than on the day of Pentecost, have received the gift of the Holy Ghost and the Bible evidence, the gift of tongues, and many have been saved and sanctified, nobody knows how many. People are seeking at the altar three times a day and it is hard to close at night on account of seekers and those who are under the power of God.”
“In about an hour and a half, a young man was converted, sanctified,and baptized with the Holy Ghost, and spoke with tongues. He was also healed from consumption, so that when he visited the doctor he pronounced his lungs sound. He has received many tongues, also the gift of prophecy, and writing in a number of foreign languages, and has a call to a foreign field.”
“Bro. Campbell, a Nazarene brother, 83 years of age, who had been for 53 years serving the Lord, received the baptism with the Holy Ghost and gift of tongues in his own home. His son, who was a physician, was called and came to see if he was sick, but found him only happy in the Lord. Not only old men and old women, but, boys and girls, are receiving their Pentecost. Viola Price, a little orphan colored girl eight years of age, has received the gift of tongues.”
The Day of Pentecost 2006
It’s time for another break through!
"Opportunity once passed,” said Frank Bartleman, “is lost forever. There is a time when the tide is sweeping by our door. We may plunge in and be carried to glorious success and blessing and victory. To stand on the bank shivering from timidity, or paralyzed by stupor at such a time is to miss all, and most miserably and eternally fail. Oh, our responsibility! The mighty tide of God's grace and favor even now is sweeping by us, in its prayer directed course." -Frank Bartleman
The above quotes were taken from the September 1906 issue of the “The Apostolic Faith Movement“ found on www.sendrevival.com.
Monday, April 24, 2006
Believe
“People who embrace possibility thinking are capable of accomplishing task that seem impossible because they believe in solutions.” – John C. Maxwell
To receive the impossible is never impossible when you are believing in the power of God. Just like eating and drinking, it is a concept we have incoporated into our daily lives. When you go to sleep at night, you are believing that you will wake up in the morning. Yet, no day is guaranteed. When you drive to work, you fail to think that you are not going to make it unless danger comes in the form of a possible accident. Otherwise, you get to work just like you expected. When you open your mouth to talk, you expect words to come out like they do every other day. Everyday we exercise the concept of believing. Believing that God will provide. Imagine what would happen if we take this form of believing, this form of expectancy and applied it to our goals and visions. Imagine the accomplishments that would be achieved when our believing exceeds our own capabilities. Possibilities are endless when we rely on the One who made it all possible. To not receive would be unexpected.
To receive the impossible is never impossible when you are believing in the power of God. Just like eating and drinking, it is a concept we have incoporated into our daily lives. When you go to sleep at night, you are believing that you will wake up in the morning. Yet, no day is guaranteed. When you drive to work, you fail to think that you are not going to make it unless danger comes in the form of a possible accident. Otherwise, you get to work just like you expected. When you open your mouth to talk, you expect words to come out like they do every other day. Everyday we exercise the concept of believing. Believing that God will provide. Imagine what would happen if we take this form of believing, this form of expectancy and applied it to our goals and visions. Imagine the accomplishments that would be achieved when our believing exceeds our own capabilities. Possibilities are endless when we rely on the One who made it all possible. To not receive would be unexpected.
Sunday, April 23, 2006
Pushing Through
Sometimes in life it seems like we hit a brick wall. Things do not have to go wrong or right, but we just get stuck. It is like when you are cleaning your house and you take a break. As we all know, once you take a break, it is hard to get started again, if you do get started again. When you finally do start, you have to push yourself to complete the job. Spiritually, I believe we sometimes hit a brick wall. We get stuck because we took a break and got sidetracked. Physically we do need a break, but spiritually we cannot afford one. When you feel like you have given all that you have, you have to keep pushing until you break through. Just remember that what you can’t do or when you have given your all God is there to step in to do what you couldn’t or provide you with the strength to keep going. He’ll never give us more than what we can handle. Just keep pushing and pushing until the Mary-go-round of life picks up in speed and spins with God’s hands.
Saturday, April 22, 2006
Thank You!
Thank you everyone for making this day extra special for Anthony. He had a wonderful time at the birthday party despite the windy conditions. He's been partying from sun up until the bouncer went down. In his words, this day was "sweet." Love Ya'll.
Friday, April 21, 2006
In My Weakness He is Made Strong
"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9)
When I have given my all, He provides. What I can't do, He can do.
When I have given my all, He provides. What I can't do, He can do.
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Confidence Building
My boss just went on vacation for about 3 weeks. So in preparation for her absence, she began to set-up some time with me in order to see where I'm at in my projects. Instead, she decided to not set-up time, but said "Philana, I trust you. You already know what to do. You know the answer before you even come to me." She was right. I usually know the answer but I doubt myself. I don't want to be wrong so I check to make sure that I'm right. Her statement made me realize that my confidence is not built by always being right, but by being wrong. My past failures have helped to build the confidence I have today. I am only where I am today because I was willing to take the risk of being wrong in order to learn what's right. I've tried, failed but tried again, just another way. It takes stepping out to find out how to win.
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