Tag: House Church

Heart and Soul of Nation.

Path Without End

75364021-1200px I keep hearing Politicians talking about this election is for nothing less than the “heart and soul” of this nation. To that I ask what do Politicians know about the “soul”? This only confirms to me what we have said, the church has lost her way, and now the soul is in the hands of politics? The Ark has been captured. Eli and his wicked sons have cost us dearly. The Philistines have ransacked us! That which is the church’s territory is in the hands of the heathens! It reminds me of Constantine influencing the church of 300 A.D. Will we down the road, see the dark place that road led before?

Most Politicians I’ve seen over the years will speak any lie you want to hear if it gets them elected. They flip flop. The very person they were exposing as so vile a few days ago, will suddenly become best friends and endorsing them. Where is honor, integrity, and truth? They show little knowledge of true morality. They endorse the murder of pre-born babies. They live in wealth and luxury. They love money and power. They might be denied communion by their Priest. They will use whatever is available to sabotage a nation’s well-being for their own agenda. They hurt the very people they claim to defend. They allow lawlessness if it promotes their agenda, and again, many innocent people are hurt, including the businesses of hard working people. How long should I make this list? These are the people fighting for our soul? And the church? They seem to have embraced politics as the answer. Have they embraced Constantine? And do we have a choice at this point? Maybe not. Just like Jonah, he really had very little choice in the storm.

Here’s a wake-up call, people. Here’s a news flash! Politics don’t save a soul! We are well into uncharted waters that will surely create a huge hurricane storm of Jonah proportions before this is over. And then, perhaps a Jonah will rise out of the belly of the whale who preaches a true message, as he is forced to sit in the hot sun, miserable. Not a pretty picture.

Now we have a scandal with Jerry Falwell Jr.. What has happened to Christianity in America? Jesus said if we truly followed him, we would be hated and persecuted. However, was that hate supposed to be derived from politics, because the church became a political entity? Or was it other things, like saving souls and being anti-worldly, anti-materialistc, and pro- God? Pro- Word of God? We have succeeded in being hated, but I don’t think it is for the same reasons Jesus was.

I believe in the flux of all this change is the chance to make a different choice than Jonah made. Those who truly hear the voice of God see opportunity. The fields are white unto harvest! However, King Saul must be recognized as a king having no clothes. The Anointing has left him and he is tormented of demons. God is in the caves with David. God is alive and well, and so is the new wine rising for such a time as is coming. We will know more after we see what happens in this election, sad to say. We have allowed everything to become about this election. And when it happens I believe we will see great chaos like we’ve never seen before. And in such times as these a new wine should flow, but are we such a wine skin?

Now is the time to hear God and catch the wave. Trump moved the American Embassy to Jerusalem. He took the stand every President before him coward away from. Now we see more movement towards peace in that area. Trump is involved, “The Art of the Deal”. That is one of his claims to fame. And what does it all mean? New times are coming! End Times are coming! But that 7 year period could still be many years away. Much could still happen if David succeeds in bringing the Ark back into Jerusalem, even as Trump moved an embassy! But that’s church territory! Not politicians!

Now is not the time to be more worldly, more materialistic. Now is the time to live in the high places of God’s Spirit. Be the Skypeople we claim to be. Learn what it means to live by our wings, our spirit man, rather than the dirt of our flesh. Again, Jesus said we would be hated, but for what reasons? Check the Beatitudes. Does God expect us to vote as godly as possible? Surely he does. But can’t we do that without becoming a political platform?

Many times what looks good at the time also conflicts with what Jesus actually said and did. In those times true wisdom stays in faith in Jesus. We follow him. We mount up with the wings of the eagle. We do what Jesus did even in spite of how it may look to our human reasoning. And when we don’t… that 20/20 hindsight eventually confirms the error of our way. As for me and my house, we will follow the Lord and the example he set for us. Constantine led to a dark place before, and will do so again. Jesus is always the true light!

Sail on, brothers and sisters. Sail a sacred ship.

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In these chaotic times, with a hurricane rising in the future, where lies true north? Your soul knows. Your soul will find the way, if you pray and obey. The set of our wings!

“Night Watcher” #6 / Skypeople.

Path Without End

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Sunday again, already? Yes indeed. We were having church last night with some people and we got into our Lord’s Sermon on the Mount. What is this higher place Jesus wants to take us? We follow Him into the Infinite, and away from finite.

Somehow, as we pondered the Beatitudes, I found myself sharing the name I have chosen for this little house of ours that is currently in such disarray as we are remodeling it into a House Church. We use to call it “The Little Blue Bungalow”, but in the journey of this transformation, things have taken a distinct turn towards a theme of “Birds”! And I shared last night I have nicknamed this place, “God’s Bird House”. People actually chuckled about that.

When we found a beautiful set of French Doors at a Habitat for Humanity store, and it was actually in our price range, (cheap!), as a bird would say, but we purchased it with great delight and dismay, loaded it in our old truck, and once it was installed, our room suddenly opened up into our small, private, backyard area. And when it did, we got inspired to create a bird sanctuary. It has been a delight. It is still in progress also, and has become the theme of this house.

This should be no surprise to me. Birds and I go way back. I’ve always had a thing about them. I even wrote the story of “Flapless”, which you can access for free in the side bar. And now, I find our ministry being used to inspire God’s people to live by your wings more than your feet! Stop running, slow down, and soar!

“I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” (Gal. 5: 16 KJV)

“So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. “ (Gal. 5: 16 NLT)

We are called to live by our wings!

When you look out our French Doors you see this >

It is amazing to me what a small area can be turned into. I’ve seen Jesus turn plain old water into wine so many times! Here’s another example. Our basement on this old house leaks like a cracked tub, so we have always had a sump pump. But where was the water to go? The city has allowed our front ditch to fill in and be of little use, and we’re not on city sewer, so I dug a hole! Just a basic pit for the water from our basement to go into and evaporate or sink back into ground. It was just meant to be a holding place. Well.. it turned into a beautiful small pond!

20200823_101002The city has checked it and it is clean. The water has filtered through the ground and that is all it is. Our basement pumps it into my hole and it became part of our bird sanctuary. It became an ecosystem of its own and the birds love it! But why am I sharing all this? People of God, we’re meant to live “higher”. And some of you immediately think dollar signs $ when I say that, and you reveal your lack of Spirit!

Remember where this message started? We we’re looking at the Sermon on the Mount, and the Beatitudes. Would the real Jesus please stand up! Because I don’t see many modern churches teaching what Jesus really said and did.  Everyone says they love the Beatitudes, but I don’t see many people living them, which tells me they speak with forked tongue, like a snake, not a bird.

Birds are used so often in scripture in describing the Christian life, the life of following Jesus, like a bird on the wing, riding the wind. Of course we all think of Isaiah 40:31… They that wait upon the Lord… and the eagle.

Birds are called to live in the high places. They are the skypeople, and so are we, unless we’re not. Why live as the ground dwellers when you can live by a different set of laws superseding the natural. We are called to soar!

We are in a season of great turmoil and who is to say how long this may be, or where it is going, but are you skypeople or ground dweller? You’re going to need your wings! In our Lord’s Sermon he challenges us with these words… “Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father keeps feeding them. Are you not worth much more than they?” (Matt. 6:26) And I’m one of those people who love feeding them.

We love the Sermon on the Mount, the real Jesus, don’t we? But does this describe our life? So much fear today. So little real faith and peacefulness of soul. So much anger and politics.  So much “want” of money and material things. This message actually “begins” with our Lord declaring blessed are the poor! Less is more? Wow. Is it any wonder as we opened these words last night, I found myself sharing the theme and nickname of our little home… “God’s Bird House”? And the transformation slowly continues.

I wanted to share something a bit more inspiring and light of heart today in the midst of all this doom and gloom. Never forget our Kingdom is above! And we but passing through this place. Do we care about the ground dwellers? Yes we do, but we can only do so much. Just like Jesus, we teach the truth of the finite verses Infinite, but we can force no one to believe, receive, and be transformed.

In the end, I watch the turmoil of earthly people who live in flesh rather than Spirit, and I praise God again, over and over, for my wings. I catch the Wind and know peace. I invite others to believe. My wings were freely given and I seek to freely give. But true skypeople are still the minority in this post Christian nation.

Do not follow Esau. Do not trade your birthright for a pot of dirt. Do not live earth bound by fear and lack of peace when you are birthed to soar! Be of good cheer, little bird! Your heavenly father knows what you have need of! Peace be unto you.

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This is my chair and my spot right by the French Doors looking out on the pond, the feeders, our 2 hummingbirds (such a delight), and other birds and small critters, as I pray, ponder, listen, and write.

“What I want in a Micro/Simple Church” #3

Path Without End

9021 I have taken a pause before continuing this subject. A Fellowship member actually asked me if there was a reason that I had not published in a few days? The simple answer is “Yes”.

I mentioned last article that I had downloaded 6 books related to this new move of God. I have been searching the oceans for the Sea Change. I have known it is out there. I have known its wave is coming. God told me so. I have wanted to be a part of it, and so much so that we left the traditional church 3 years ago to begin searching and implementing our own version of it as best we could. But that has not kept me from searching for someone who already has it going. Someone of a like-mind as to what I have heard from God. And I believe I have finally found one! And it’s already helped me form our next big step!

I have 2 books I’m reading like crazy trying to get it all in me, and I already know this blog site will soon be reflecting our revelation in a greater way. One is a book entirely on “Elijah”, by A. W. Pink. It has been so excellent so far. But the other book is actually about a different form of doing church right here in the United States, and it has been already functioning and tested for ten years! I’ve read 50% of the book and highly recommend it! I have great expectations for the next 50%, too! I actually had to force myself to write this today, so as to be faithful to such readers as there may be. So I will end this article with what I look for in a Micro Church leader, but first I want to tell you a little about this book.

“UNDERGROUND CHURCH”, by Brian Sanders. I’m not going to try and explain much about their ministry, at least not yet, his book is so worthy of reading for yourself. They are located in Tampa Bay Florida area. At the time of the book writing, they had a little over 200 Micro Churches doing all kinds of different ministries in the name of Jesus! They are very “MISSION” oriented. And as I read the book, not even half way through at the time, maybe there is an anointing on this book, but I suddenly was literally led by God into an “encounter” that has shown me the outreach/mission ministry our small Micro Church needs to start! I have been praying for this for months! Suddenly, BREAK-THROUGH!

This micro group outreach and community “inreach” will also provide many exciting and interesting stories for future writings. I’m looking so forward to it! I’m hoping we can launch no later than October. All I feel free to say at this point is, it involves rescued dogs! So if you love dogs, you can expect our future here to involve stories and dog pictures of rescued dogs that will be used to rescue people in need! That is the dream. I believe God has given me the structure for how this would work. I can hardly wait to launch this, but first there are preparations to make, and we are on it!

So now… I must curb my enthusiasm just a little bit, so I can write a little on what I’m looking for in Micro Church Leadership. Here’s a few quick thoughts, the man I’m looking for, and the man I want to be myself, must be honest, true, kind, peaceful, and a love for simplicity. He is very naturally simple and deep, and not what we see so much of today, not complex and shallow. Oh! and no money seeker! No lover of money! Living high on the world’s hog! God will provide! Let your moderation be known!

Of course he must be “called” of God, and because he is open and available, it is easy to examine his life and see if he is or not. He loves the pure Word of God. He teaches exactly what is written, and the whole Word of God, not just his favorite parts. He is not afraid to be open-minded and have respectful conversations with all peoples, but he has an ability to share what God hath said without disrespecting sincere people. His words are graced with God’s love. The sword of the Lord must always be carried in a sheath of love.

He understands holiness without being judgmental. He has enthusiasm! A fire in his belly! A youthfulness and energy! He believes in pursuing God dreams! And as Brian Sanders put it in his book, his head is in the clouds, but his feet are in the fire! Yes!!!

There is much I could say here, of course, but the main thing is it is obvious to one and all God has called this person to a God-given assignment, now what is that assignment? Let’s figure it out and make it happen! For God’s glory!

Of course God’s Word gives us a description of qualifications. 2nd Timothy is excellent on this. It speaks of in a great house there are vessels of gold and silver, vessels of honor, and vessels not so honorable. The whole book is great on this subject. It speaks of the last days and how many will no longer desire the true Word of God. And 1st Timothy has a very detailed description of Eldership/Bishop qualifications in chapter 3.

I was going to say more on this subject, but it really is so basic and simple. It’s a matter of really knowing each other and promoting each of us into our obvious callings of God. I’m going to leave this subject at that and also repeat again, both 1st and 2nd Timothy are excellent of this.

Now just before I end, as I have been also reading the book on Elijah, one thing I have found myself pondering is how Elijah was actually praying for a severe drought! He was praying for poverty and hunger! The man of God, called of God, was praying for God’s hand of blessing to lift from the people of God! And he knew what he was praying would bring hardship and suffering on one and all, including himself!

He was praying for suffering, lack, hunger, poverty, judgment, hardship, even death on God’s people! Are we to seek the curses? Do you do that? Are we in such a time today? Can you picture praying for such a thing to come on yourself and all around you? This is certainly not what you hear megachurches teaching. Are the days of Elijah coming again? Dare we pray for such things? Are we selfless enough to do what’s best no matter the cost? Has someone already been praying it? Has it already begun happening? Have you ever seen such a time? And it is only beginning!

We will end here for now, with much still to think about, as I continue being excited about our future. Our micro group has always been dog-friendly from the very beginning, and now it appears we may be going to be even more so. Maybe God was giving us a sign! Praise God! Seek and save that which is lost!

“What I want in a Micro/Simple Church” #2

Path Without End

9025 The Sea Change is happening, do you see it? Are you hungry for it? Or resisting the new flow? What? I don’t want people coming in messing up MY house! Oh follower of Jesus, how great your persecution. Only exceeded by your great love for God and people. Last article ended with a prayer for being REAL. Gideon’s 300 will be revealed. Elijah’s 7,000 will be revealed. Disciples of John the Baptist will be revealed. And the fake will be revealed too.

Micro/Simple church is happening and growing! I downloaded 6 books on the subject just yesterday! I slightly changed my title here to include the word “simple” because that is an important part of what I am looking for, not only in our own fellowship, but in any other I may connect with, a getting back to the simplicity of Christ.

Today I will talk about the “Leader”. I have very definite qualities I’m interested in. But first I’d like to note a side thought that just occurred to me today. As Corona Virus seems to be rising again, and many churches are still tossed to and fro as to whether to regather, or not; it occurred to me how most chose to go down the “virtual” road rather than simply break into small home groups for a time.

Our group has been basically unaffected by this virus. Small groups still work. If someone thinks they might be exposed, they simply stay home. Small groups are much more accountable to each other. It’s very easy when everyone knows each other so well. But most churches have chosen a virtual experience rather than close family. What does this say of us? Are we the faith people, or fear people? Are we the self-sacrificing people, or selfish people? Are we true family, or simply another theater as many of us have been saying. When push came to shove, the church resorted to flat screens and video, as they hid in their holes! Any good lawyer could prove a lot with such strong evidence.

I doubt most big churches could even get enough qualified leaders who would meet “God’s standard” to lead a group, because we don’t raise true disciples anymore. I wonder if there would even be enough people to volunteer their homes, if the godly leaders could be found?

So…the church chose to remain the one-man-show. Put the Pastor on TV and we will all set at home and watch the man of God give us our itching ear message as we have become accustomed to. This is the level of our discipleship? Yes…it is…sad to say.

Okay, I won’t ride that horse any further, for now. This is supposed to be about Micro Church Leaders, and actually…it does relate to previous statements in a big way. Just how would “leaders” be chosen? Don’t they have to have “the call” on their life? Don’t they need a Bible degree from a college? How can you expect ordinary lay people to do the work of Pastors?

In Simple Church the answer is simple. Yes, they do need to be “called and gifted” of God, and many of them are! We simply don’t recognize them and put them into action as the Early Church did! When people know each other well enough, as in also having been in their homes and see how they really live, and know their heart, it becomes OBVIOUS who are the ones called of God to be a Bell Sheep. Those whom God has hung a bell around their neck to lead a group in following the Shepherd! That bell becomes obvious to one and all.

But we have complicated everything. Our potential Bell Sheep do not feel worthy because they see the superstar Pastor, they see him preaching the big messages and looking very “successful”, and they disqualify themself. Who am I? (They think.) Unless they have superstar potential, they drop out! But do we forget, scripture is very plain, God doesn’t usually use the superstars? Not many mighty are chosen? Remember all that? Your Pastor living in his mansion and driving expensive cars, eating at fine restaurants? Who has he become? Who does he think he is? Will you follow King Saul and end up dead, like the armor bearer? Or will you follow a David, even though living in caves, and end up bringing the power of God back into the family!

So now you have virtual services. And the superstar is still center stage, even though most of you have never even been in his home for a meal. My past experience was, the bigger the church, the less likely I would ever be invited into the Pastor’s home. Perhaps today’s Christians see nothing odd about that, but the Early Church would have, and for very good reasons we no longer understand.

Hhmmm, this message on “Leaders/ Bell Sheep” has expanded into more than I expected. This is going to require a 2nd part. I still say Jonathon should have taken his armor bearer and joined David. Or at least his armor bearer should have had the good sense to. Do we hear the voice of God, or not? Are we Spirit led, or man led? You stay with King Saul, over David? How have we been so brainwashed?

IN the Early Church, the church Jesus began and the Apostles built, they chose Pastors/Bishops from within their groups. It was that simple. They all knew each other well. Certain “men”, yes… I said “men”, were nominated because of the obvious faithful lifestyle they lived and the talent for teaching and leading they had. If there was an obvious flaw, someone would know. It would be made known. And finally a choice would be made. It was that simple. Simple Church. 

Many of us have not gone to Bible college, but we have sat under teachers and preachers for 40 + years! We have read and studied our Bible, and other multitudes of books by other teachers for many many years! And we have experience! We have assisted Pastors in many ways for many years! What can a Bible college degree add? It does not disqualify you, but neither does it qualify you! We have turned church into a big system of programs, and people into the products revolving over and over again through the doors! It’s complicated, tiring, and shallow! Yes, it is entertaining. We have very talented people, but entertainment is not meant to be church! It’s meant to be up close, personal, and REAL.

So… with these thoughts in mind…I left the church “system” to find Bell Sheep who lead in this way, with these qualities and vision… > to be continued.

9021 Getting back to basics. A Sea Change.

Early Church for the Last Days.

“What I want in a Micro/House Church” #1

Path Without End

5883 What am I looking for in a Micro Church, a House Church, that I cannot find in our modern big church system? I want to explore that personal question in this series. It is the Sunday morning after 4th of July as I find myself in a quiet place and God moves me with these thoughts.

Yesterday was anything but quiet. Our house became a family festival with 4 grand kids, 3 of our own adult-kids and their spouses, my wife and I (the grandparents), and all the food and activities that were planned, including a slip and slide, obstacle course, and pinata full of candy to bust. We were mostly outside and it was hot, but we had a breeze and shade tree, and then a downpour rain eventually came as we were trying to bust the pinata with a plastic bat. It was not working. The rain kept pouring. Grandpa fetched his wood Samurai training sword. That worked. Candy scattered everywhere. Children dove in for the treasure. We were all soaked. LOL. Great fun and much chaos.

But now “the quiet”. I’m by my French Doors that look out into my bird sanctuary, and I hear singing. The house is empty. Just me and 2 dogs. My coffee is good. Bitter as usual. Waking me up and got me pondering. What kind of Micro Church am I looking for? Why do I think the House Church vision is a better way? What can the House Church do different, better?

I intend to approach this in 3 parts. 1.) The Leader/ Elder. 2.) The People/ Fellowship. 3.) The Vision/ Goals/ Description/ Format. (This will include a few personal peeves of mine concerning what I believe to be certain errors in our modern church ways. Important practices of the early church that we have changed.)

I’m writing this series in hopes that others in Indianapolis Indiana have started Micro Churches. Our Fellowship is still very small and I would be interested in connecting with other groups “if” we were of a similar vision. I would even consider joining such a group. But I’m not interested in big church cell groups. I’ve tried them before. It just isn’t the same thing. It still lacks what I’m looking for, the vision in me.

So…starting next article we will describe what I’m looking for in the “Leader” of such a group. Then we will look at “the People”, and then “the Vision/ Practice” of said group. Until then, ponder for yourself what you think a House Church should be, and how it should function.  Or if you think House Churches are not a good idea, then why did it work so well in powerful Rome? And why is it working so well in other countries today, many of whom have much more difficult circumstances than we do. I invite you to have an open mind to the coming articles and consider them as a real possibility.

Finally, if you are a Micro Church somewhere around Indianapolis Indiana, or you are someone looking for one, and you are willing to meet and talk, please leave a comment and we can arrange a meeting place. I very much enjoy fellowship and conversation around this subject.   We live in a day where we have a lot of communication and pass a lot of information, but we’re losing the simple pleasures of conversation.

I believe Micro Church/ House Church is here to stay. It may be the new wine skin with the new wine God is pouring out for these last days. The big churches don’t want to hear it, and yet look what has been forced upon them in the COVID. Is God forcing their hand? Trying to get their attention?

Our small Fellowship has been able to continue as we always have during this pandemic. We have watched the big churches struggle, stress, and scramble as they provide their “virtual” church services. Our Fellowship is still very up close and personal. But some people don’t want up close. And those people should definitely reexamine their Christianity to see if they are real. Real family is personal, and we all NEED it! For our own pleasure and good. Think about it.

A Prayer > “Father, make us REAL. In the name of your Son, Jesus, first born from the dead, I ask for an outpouring of “REAL” in your people today. Let us come out from the FAKE, and let us be REAL. Let us not be what we see so much of in the world, and it disgusts us. Let us not be what we are so disgusted by in others. By the power of your Holy Spirit make us TRUE, for that is the only way we can be so, is by your power alone. In Jesus name I ask these things, Amen.” (Be blessed and Highly favored, everyone; but don’t be spiritually unprepared.)

9025

Old Paths – Micro Church? #1

Path Without End

9021 Will modern church fight the Sea Change in spite of “over whelming” evidence of her failure in America? Why do I specify America? Because it seems we have not failed so badly overseas. It appears our dollars invested to send missionaries to third world countries, and such, is resulting in much multiplication and revival! But why is that? Is it because our American version of church is succeeding there? Not according to the studies I have read. They are succeeding for exactly the opposite reasons!

These oversea revivals are not adopting the big church modern system, but they are doing it much more closely to what the Early Church of the Old Ways did! House to house! What we see throughout our New Testament! Isn’t that interesting! You say No? Maybe? We will see.

And in a time when the American church should be self examining and asking why all this has come upon us “on our watch”, we do not self-examine, but simply say to pray, vote for Trump, and we will overcome! (Where is the humble yourself, repent, turn from your wicked ways, seek my face?) If this is your answer for where we are going, then what is your reasoning on how we got here? Have you yet to even admit it is the modern church that is responsible to God for America’s condition? And if these be judgments from God, then who has caused them, the unsaved world who do not know what they do? Or a modern church who is supposed to know what they do?

I must give Mario Murillo credit for this. I believe he pointed out our SIN in scripture, and once I saw it,  I needed no further explanation because it was all so plain! I don’t know the details he has taught on this, but here is what seems so prophetically accurate to me, and yes…this does relate to our new SERIES of Old Paths and Micro Churches. I’m so excited to be finally getting fully into this.

I recommend one and all to read Jonah in detail, for yourself, but here are a few points for us to “launch” with. 1)…The Lord gave a message to Jonah! This is 1:1 of Jonah! And what did he do with it? He did not speak it! He refused to even go to those people that the message was for…and he RAN from God!

He was to warn of coming judgment, but refused! You may say we have had lots of people screaming judgment for years. Yes…but did you listen to them? And the message of the modern church has not been judgment, but prosperity and success and king theology! It says in verse 3, Jonah did not preach the message of the Lord, but got up and went in the opposite direction! He went “DOWN” to Joppa and got on a ship for Tarshish, whose name in the Greek means = a stone, a jem, a reverse! And when I think of a “jem”, I think of money, prosperity, materialism!

2)…But the Lord hurled a powerful wind over the sea, causing a violent storm that threatened to break the ship apart! (Remember the vision I’ve shared in detail in previous articles? The whirlwinds, dry corn shucks, and wire fences? And two old gates?) Fearing for their lives these unsaved men started praying to their gods for divine help! But Jonah was not praying in the storm, he was sleeping! (Vrs. 5)

3)…The captain of the ship demands for Jonah to pray to his God also! This is like the world telling the church to wake up and pray! What are you doing sleeping in a storm like this? And soon, it is discovered, the whole storm is because of Jonah! It is not because of these ungodly men who know not what they do, but because of Jonah who knows exactly what he is doing! The storm has come on ALL of them because of Jonah, God’s man, not anyone else! This is our fault, church! And are you examining your modern ways to figure out why? Or must we be thrown overboard, by the world, into the sea, to be swallowed by a fish, before we will finally get serious about our calling as Priests in the earth!

We will be having much more to say about Jonah and the church, for example…in chapter 2, verse 10, it says the fish “spit” or “vomited” Jonah out of his mouth! That sounds a whole lot like the church of Laodicea to me! And what have we already been saying? But even as Jonah is spit out on that beach, he still has serious attitude issues! But I don’t want to just spend time on how we got here, but also where we go from here. In this series I want to talk about both. We need to speak about what Jonah did, and also what Jesus DID!

The clock is coming full circle! Is the church becoming as the Jewish church was in Jesus day? Jesus looked at the Pharisees and said, when speaking of Nineveh! > “The people of Nineveh will stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for they repented of their sins at the preaching of Jonah.”

“Now someone greater than Jonah is here — but you refuse to repent.” (Matt. 12:41b)

He goes on to say, “Now someone greater than Solomon is here — but you refuse to listen.”

Refusal to take this seriously. Refusal to repent or listen. I no longer claim to be a Christian. I have tried to correct my habit of speech developed over many years of being a Christian. I try to always specify “I am a follower of Jesus”. I need to go deep into that, also. The modern church has so tainted the name of “Christian”, that I can no longer use that title in good conscience.

However, the name of Jesus still stands pure! If you truly follow Jesus, which is Christianity in its purest and simplest form, people will still respect you. But what does that mean? How have we sullied the name, Christian? Do you even understand? Love of money…king theology… power… sexual unfaithfulness. And related to power…”politics” now also “marks” the name Christian/church/Bible, in the eyes of the world. The world knows Jesus never went political, even though baited more than once by the disciples.

Do I plan to vote? Yes. Do I make a major issue out of politics? No. I focus on the transformation of hearts in Christ Jesus. I never want to speak of politics to the point someone will not listen to me concerning Jesus. Only if I were called of God to that work would I become that vocal, and God does call such people. But the church as a whole is meant to be preaching the Gospel! And multiplying through discipleship! Like salt out of a shaker!

Did you know the death of Billy Graham has proven itself to be a spiritual marker in time, for this nation? And consider this, even though Billy Graham was associated with every President we ever had, it seems, but he was not political! The few times he crossed that line he said he regretted! The young Rev. Graham got involved with Nixon and crossed the line. But the older Graham had learned! He was advisor to both Clinton and Reagan! He told “Christianity Today” in 2011 that he would have ‘steered clear of politics” and he had crossed the line a few times but would not do that now! He did not join the Moral Majority or the Religious Right! How do you think he was able to advise someone like Clinton and also Bush, or Jimmy Carter, and also Reagan? And yet remain above it all!

Billy Graham focused on changing hearts in the power of God, and then a right heart votes godly! And good political leaders with a true desire to serve the people become available. But in a world growing more and more worldly, it don’t matter how political you may get, soon, there will be no good choices! (And some would say we’re already there!) This storm is because of the church running from God’s true message and true ways! And the world plans to throw us in the deep blue raging sea! At least Jonah admitted it was because of him.

If the modern church fails to admit its sin, will God still prepare a fish for us? Or simply let us drown? If we are spit out on the beach, will we preach it then, or just remain a beach bum? Building sandcastles, and lamenting the days of yore?

I firmly believe when the first church in Acts was simply growing larger and larger in that one place, God was saying, “This is not what I want, guys.” So he put his Believers in a salt shaker and began shaking the bottle, because they were simply piling up in a large hump, in one place, not seasoning the whole plate at all! So he allowed persecution and sent them out like salt to sprinkle throughout the land and multiply. Invade, saturate, multiply, fight decay, and season the experience of life for all to see!

Is this thing being called “Micro Church”, the new move of God? Is it God trying to get us back to the wisdom and Holy Spirit power of the old ways? Are we in big lumps that don’t know how to truly be the “family” of God, experiencing shallow relationships instead of the deep? We have so much more to say on this subject, as to Modern Church…Micro Church…Jonah…and Jesus!

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“New Wine Skin” #5

Path Without End

unnamed Why are we sailing old paths? Why do I insist upon the oldest map?

“Thus saith the Lord, stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, we will not walk therein.” (Jer. 6:16)

Our journey into the old continues. I do not see that our new ways are as good as the old ways our Lord set from the beginning. Over a period of 2000 years we have changed the set of the sails so much, that we have actually made a U-turn. We’re sailing back towards the world! We must shine the light of our early forefathers again! Their knowledge must be known again! Now let us learn from this bishop Polycarp whom the Lord gave such a high grade in Revelation 2:8, the Church of Smyrna.

Polycarp is regarded as one of three chief Apostolic Fathers. With Clement of Rome, Ignatius of Antioch, we have Polycarp, bishop (Overseer) of Smyrna. Writings have survived concerning these three and others. Polycarp became of utmost importance to me when one: I realized he was the Overseer of the Smyrna Church when it got its excellent report card, and two, when I saw Polycarp standing against a major change that the bishop of Rome wanted to implement. According to Polycarp, this change went directly against the teachings of the Apostles of Christ!

I call them the “Missing 200 Years”. What changed from the time of Jesus, to around 300 A.D., that the Church was suddenly willing to follow a pagan Emperor like Constantine? It’s a time period of 300 years, but we mostly know the first 100. It’s from 100 A.D. to 300 that we seem to be in the dark! Lack of knowledge! Something changed and we don’t even know what or how? Previous articles have the details of what we’re speaking of here, if you need to catch up, but Polycarp refused to go down this fork of the road! And after his death the Church evidently eventually gave into changes coming down from Rome in more ways than one. Not only by way of the Bishops of Rome, but also the pagan Emperor. And where did this change begin? With the Lord’s Supper of all things. And we continue it to this day!

You might think this is a small matter and not so important, but evidently Polycarp and others of that time would not agree with you. What happened to the Lord’s Supper and Passover Communion done the way it was in Book of Acts and also as described by Paul in 1st Corinthians 11? Why do we not have the “Welcoming Table of the Lord” as the early Church did? Why do we not do a Christian form of a Passover meal and Communion as the Apostles said to continue? Is it a small thing to ignore the Apostles of Christ? Is it a small thing to ignore anything still written in our New Testament Bible? The Apostles, Polycarp, and others of our early Church fathers did not see it as a small thing. But do we? Actions speak more truth than words.

The Christian form of Passover, and the Lord’s Supper as it was done in the early Church and mentioned in Book of Acts more than once, came under attack. Polycarp led the way on resisting the change, but we don’t do it today. The Church has not done it as the Apostles taught in a very long time! We need to seek the old paths if we desire to be fully restored! The Lord’s Supper is not a small thing to God the Father, and is a template to all things Church! A true template is always of utmost importance!

I’m about to give you some quotes from that time from Polycarp himself, but first I would like to suggest something for consideration. Have you considered how much communication we have today? We have a ton of it! Texting, email, Marco Polo, Twitter, on line videos, blogging, radio, person to person, the list goes on and on! And that’s a good thing, right? But in all this communication, have you noticed how little real “conversation” we have today?

Communication is one thing, but true “communion” is “conversation”. Because communion is to share! Both talking and sharing and having close relationship like real friends and family! That is the template for God’s Church! God’s family! God does not have a business, he has a family! We’re not his employees, we’re his children! And Communion without the Lord’s Supper is like communication without conversation! Usually rather one sided, to the point, and on your way you go! That sounds just like our short-form Communion table of today! But it is not what the early Church of the Apostles did. Would you go on record declaring it a small thing? Has your actions declared it?

COVID 19 has made us think, hasn’t it. We have one last chance to treasure people and relationships more than money, fame, and image. If we fail to get back to a true love of God and love of people, then this window will eventually close. The window will remain closed until the next judgement shatters it in a trillion pieces and makes COVID 19, and the Twin Towers look like a picnic!

Polycarp lived form 69 to 155 A.D.. He had one surviving letter, and it was to the Philippians. You are about to read words that are close to 2,000 years old, who was one of the men the Apostles passed the torch to.

His letter to the Philippians, Chapter X- Exhortation to the practice of virtue – “Stand fast, therefore, in these things, and follow the example of the Lord, being firm and unchangeable in the faith, loving the brotherhood, and being attached to one another, joined together in the truth, exhibiting the meekness of the Lord in your intercourse with one another, and despising no one. When you can do good, defer it not, because “alms delivers from death.” Be all of you subject to one another “having your conduct blameless among the Gentiles,” that ye may both receive praise for your good works, and the Lord may not be blasphemed through you. But woe to him by whom the name of the Lord is blasphemed! Teach, therefore, sobriety to all, and manifest it also in your own conduct.”

Once again this article is a lot to ponder before consuming more. I wanted you to have a taste of some words written by this man’s own hand. You can get a feel for his nature and character from these words. Add to that what Jesus said concerning the Church he was Overseer of. Polycarp’s letter to the Philippians is full of words and exhortation such as this, but we have no other writings surviving from his own hand. The quotes coming in the next article of “New Wine Skin” will contain quotes from others who recorded Church history, and also stood with Polycarp and wrote of him.

These are waters we must come to know if we are to be true Soul Sailors. You must know the reasons why you sail by a different map than the moderns of our day, which I call the Motorboats and Rowboats. If true sailors we be, then we cannot be unknowing concerning the WIND as others may be. We have fallen in love with a life at sea powered only by the WIND. Therefore, we cannot be indifferent and unknowing as others. If we are to survive and succeed by sails alone, then our skills and understanding must match the WAY we have chosen. Praise be our Lord forever. Amen.

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God is a rewarder of those who are diligent in seeking understanding and skill. Let us sail a true course, set by our maps of the old ways.

 

 

Learning to Share – Part III

Path Without End

5883 “So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.”

Did Jesus really say these things? > Luke 14:33

“If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison — your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters — yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:26)

Did Jesus really mean these things? Literally? Most today would probably say, “NO, not literally. But that is our modern Christianity speaking. Of course he meant what he said, and the early church in Acts proves it! So what do we do now?

Some would try to say, as I also considered, maybe all that is just for those who become “Disciples”. I just want to be a simple child of God. However, that don’t work either. Jesus plainly taught to go and make “Disciples” of all nations, teaching them to do what I have commanded. Commanded? We are to become disciples.

Jesus said: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

What the heck does that mean? Again, does he really mean that?

These were just a few of the reasons I left the modern American Church system. It was time to get real. It was time to face the real Jesus Christ in spirit and in truth. Am I a real Christian, follower of Christ, or not? And as I left you hanging in Part II, I had just shared the vision of how I wanted to share my house with the less fortunate, and my wife was setting there looking at me with eyes that plainly said, “You’re breaking my heart!”

That was the most difficult fellowship we had had to that date, and I know it was difficult for our third person as well, my friend Jason, as he felt her pain too, but it was REAL. We were not playing Church.

The only thing I own that has any value, and really the bank still owns, but we hope to own someday, is our house. It’s a very basic house. It’s 1400 square feet, 3-4 bedrooms depending, and ONE bathroom. We raised 5 children here. Four boys and a daughter. Here’s a couple pictures.

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So I laid our simple house before the Lord and asked, “Lord, how do I share this place in such a way as the Kingdom of God shines here? I bring this place into your common stock. Everything I own is not simply brought into a common community, but actually is common stock with your Kingdom. I own nothing here, but everything in you.”

Now realize, my wife is not in on this conversation. I would have loved for her to be in it, but this was not a question she was ready to ask, even with all the teaching I been doing on this. There finally comes a time we have to force an issue. Are we real, or not? Are we going to take up “our” cross, or not? It was time to put this on the table, but before I could do that, I needed to know what the vision could be? How could I share this house without actually selling it and giving all the money away? Actually, there wouldn’t be much money, if any.

We have to read the WHOLE word of God, and a man who does not take care of his family is worse than an infidel. And Jesus said to love our neighbor as our self. As in the Lord’s prayer, God is not asking us to become destitute. Our needs are to be met. But what could we do with this place to show the real Jesus who teaches us to share all things?

Let me digress 20 years for a moment. Back when I did not understand all this, I was heavily involved in Youth Ministry. Due to various circumstances at that time, we decided to use our house as a Friday Night Youth Church. We had an old van I picked “teenagers” up in. Believe it or not, this outreach started growing like crazy! We eventually had 40 teens coming in this house every Friday night! Yes, this very same 1400 sq. ft. house! (My wife wanted to shoot me then too, but the kids eventually won her over.) This group was about 50/50 % street kids to Christian kids! It was the most successful street outreach I ever had! And we preached to them hard!

This went on for 3 years! (And we do have stories we could tell.) And yes, the house took a tremendous beating. But I took a low paying job in order to start this ministry, a janitor’s job. I left truck driving. And after 3 years our vehicles were on their last leg, our bills were climbing, there was enough money to support the meetings, but not the house and vehicles. After all, it was our house. No one wanted to pay our house payment, or buy us a new vehicle. That was our responsibility.

So I had to go back to making more money. The ministry dissolved in sadness, but we remembered the good things, and began slowly crawling out of our hole. I still think people with small minds failed to support a ministry God was using. Or do Christians always obey God, and it died because we were doing something wrong? Will God let something die to test people? Hhmmm.

But during that time, and even to this day, Brenda (my wife), and I talk about all the nice houses around us, for ours is the runt of the litter in this neighborhood, and even though all these people had greater means to share, a greater house, greater vehicles, greater income, none of them were willing to share in such a sacrificial way. Such nice places kept only for them and theirs. And we wonder why God goes to poorer people like us?

This is the real Jesus Christ, to love your neighbor as yourself. Has it gotten that real for you at the Church you attend? Is it really a Church?

Well… that was twenty years ago, and after that I kept trying the normal Church system thinking maybe we failed because we ended up on our own, but all I kept finding was a watered down Jesus and watered down message all these years, until I could stand it no more. And now full circle, here I was again. My wife looking at me almost ready to cry. The one I love most in this world, and I was hurting her, causing her pain.

We’re over 1,000 words already. The top picture in this article is our place of a secret garden. Our house makes an “L” shape, and in that back area God spoke to me of the next step in our following the real Jesus and having all things common, real communion, real community. Looks like the details of the vision must wait for Part IV. I have not forgotten our story of “Yinney the Sloth who needed to POO”, but there are already 36 chapters to read and there will eventually be more. I write what God gives me, and for some reason God wants to camp here for a while. So here we are.

I know messages like this don’t get many “likes” in a selfish culture as ours. Unfortunately, it don’t seem to get many likes in the Church either. What is God to make of that? What are we to make of that? What does it tell us about ourselves? Dare we answer such questions? Do we really follow Christ? Are we really saved?

God’s word advises us to judge ouselves, so we need not be judged by others. Are we an honest judge? Or do we take bribes under the table? Perhaps I’ve said too much, but God will say more.

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“Learning to Share” Part 2

Path Without End

5738 So the REAL JESUS tells me I have to learn to share. Hhmm. If you read Part I, you know how I described my isolated and introverted childhood, not so good for learning to share. We also shared the analogy of the wolf verses the dog. The dog has wolf ancestry but chooses to love and serve a master. Dogs are such a picture of devotion and choosing to share.

Jesus said the meek shall inherit the earth. Wolves shall not, but the lovable mutt that works their way into your heart will survive! In the above picture, my friend Jason recently took on a new member to his family. Meet Luke. A full blooded yellow Lab.

However, Jason already had one dog, a chihuahua named Zak. And now Zak, who had been an only dog, is having to learn to share!

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“And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need.” (Acts 2:44-45)

This is the Jesus I kept bumping into in our large fancy modern Church buildings that cost more to run than what we probably feed the poor, or help our neighbor. I was in a pickle and didn’t know what to do about it. I feel sorry for Zak, but he may be doing better at it, than I.

So I began sharing this spiritual dilemma with our Fellowship we started. We left the modern Church system so we could be REAL, like the Jesus I kept bumping into. As you can imagine, we all three felt the strain of living up to what Jesus actually taught, especially his whole Sermon on the Mount. Blessed are the poor in spirit? Well…maybe because they know what it is to lack, and need to share, in order to survive. Their hopes and dreams have been dashed so many times, now they are a broken vessel no longer prideful or attached to things. But what about me? I’ve always been lower middle class and never lacked. I also have stuff. Not just needs.

We know what it is to live from paycheck to paycheck, and barely squeeze by. But we have a small house of 1400 square feet in the big city. We have transportation, old though they be. We have food, heat, AC, medical if we need it, and a little extra for entertainment, and helping others, but the Jesus I kept bumping into wanted to take things to a much higher level! Because he is LOVE! And it seemed to be connected to COMMUNITY/ GOD’S FAMILY. And it’s all through our New Testament and early Church fathers. There is no denying or escaping it if your HONEST, and much of modern Church IS NOT!

I do love the wolf/ dog/ sheep analogy. They say sheep are the most stupid animal, but they happen to be smart enough to choose following a “higher being” than themself, known as man, also called a shepherd.

The dog also has chosen to follow a higher being, known as man, and master. But the wolf only follows another wolf. He is the alpha, small “a”, and he’s just another wolf.

The real Jesus says, “Follow me.” The real Jesus asked Peter, lovest thou these more than me?

Do I trust him? Do I love him? Am I making disciples? This Jesus tells me in Luke 14:33 that I cannot become his disciple without giving up everything I own. And I am to help the poor. The greater are always supposed to help the lesser, and there is always someone greater than you, but also having less than you. Those with less rarely can do much for those having more. That doesn’t even make sense.

So as I examined my possessions, I still have no real savings, not even a 401K. LOL. That got burned up in my back surgery. Our 2 vehicles are old and needed. The only thing leaping out at me is our small house. So I laid it before the Lord and asked, “What would you have me to do?”

This led to me, as the Bell Sheep of our Fellowship, this led to me sharing the vision of “what to do” with our small Fellowship, of which my wife is one, and Jason the other. Well… as you can imagine… I tried to blame it on the REAL JESUS… but somehow she kept looking at me.

This story will continue in Part 3.

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My dog, Shadow. We are dog lovers here.

“Yinney” – Chapter 16

Path Without End

Bradypus “In this Fellowship we celebrate the beauty and wisdom of slow, because we are all about gardens, not jungles,” Yinney explained. “Our Lord loves a pleasant garden. There is peace in a garden, not strife, not worldly ways. The world is a jungle. We do not copy the world. We are a refuge from that rat race. Peace be unto you, our Lord loved to say.”

It was another day of teaching and he was explaining to the three macaws, Lu-Lu, Me-Me, and Jo-Jo, that he was about to go out on three day trips to spread the word of his 7th Day Tree. “However,” he explained, “this will be done very slowly. Fast growth is not what we seek. Weeds love fast. Weeds love speed. Weeds will overcome a garden very quickly and choke it out. People make the mistake of seeking fast growth. They see it as a sign of success, but how can you develop leaders for small groups that quickly? Leaders you know well enough to set in a position of leadership? How can you get to know your people very well so quickly? There is no depth! Depth requires time. True relationships require time.”

“Every garden needs constant weeding. There will be those we send away with an invitation to come back if they decide they want to share ‘fellowship’. It’s all about communion, fellowship, family, community. If someone cannot fellowship without causing contention, then they have not found the right garden for them. They might not even be looking for a garden. The jungle may be in them. The predator may be in them. We are not of the predator ways. Satan is the predator; our Lord a Shepherd and Gardner. Satan thought he could over throw and steal what God has slow grown, His Kingdom. But he found out different, because God is not only a Shepherd and Gardner, but also the ONE TRUE GOD.”

“The scriptures say, “I was glad when they said unto me, let us go unto the House of the Lord. Church for many has simply become more stress added to an already stressful life. It’s another “Do List”, with all kinds of programs you’re expected to fulfill if you are a good Christian. But what we need is true fellowship with family. We need to ‘feel at home’. A safe place we can find opportunity to share our deepest feelings and thoughts. A place to be excited about our walk with God. A place to relax and enjoy. There must be true communion, or Church is failing to be Church, because Church is failing to be family… God’s family.”

“In a world rushing faster and faster every day, in this Fellowship, we choose to promote the beauty of slow, a way of peace, the growing of an inner garden in you.” And with that, Yinney smiled and opened the floor for conversation.

Jo-Jo was the first, “Your words are like cool water in a parched earth. You do not know what it is like to be a bird. You have always been a sloth. But ‘slow’ does not come easy for me. We birds have fast metabolisms. We eat constantly and burn food quickly. Our hearts race. Our movements are sudden and quick. But your words help me find balance. Your words quinch a thirst in my soul. I know there is a proper speed for me in which I too can walk as one with my Lord, in a garden, not this jungle we are surrounded by.”

“Here, here!” Lu-Lu and Me-Me both agreed with everything Jo-Jo said. Time was forgotten as the small group relaxed in the 7th Day Tree, shared some drinks and snacks, and talked about the goodness of God well into the afternoon. Anyone could come and go as they pleased. Me-Me was first to leave saying she had a family thing. But the fellowship continued no matter where they were. One in Spirit, one in God.

Lurking down below, Jag stared at the small group above. Of course, the macaws meant little to him, but he wondered when that sloth moved in? And when he would poo? His belly gnawed while he watched from a dark spot. Making note of the sloth and his tree, hunger finally moved him on. Something was going to die today, because his desire would be satisfied no matter what.

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