While my girls were away at university they had my permission to call me at any time of the night or day if they needed to talk or pray about anything. And they did call. They have left university with testimonies of how effective those prayers were in their time of stress. The wonderful thing about it is that their friends would sometimes request prayer during difficult situations because they saw how God answered.
Because of that I used to think that maybe someday I could become a University Mom, where I could be available online for college and university students going through the difficulty of not having their moms around to minister to them in times of urgency.
Many people have a hard time determining their gifts but truly want to serve God with those gifts.
I would begin by thanking God for them. He gives good gifts to his children. Ask him to help you open up those gifts, to understand how to use them, and to connect you to the power to utilize these tools efficiently and effectively.
Enjoy seeing others transformed by your love for Creator, the giver of good gifts.
If you love children, take a clue from that. What do you like to do with them? Hiking, reading, art, movies, swimming, dancing, story telling, cooking, videography? All these activities have the opportunities to incorporate Christian lifestyles and help to bring positive change to a generation that badly needs it.
If you enjoy making people laugh you will be surprised to see how you can touch lives by honing that skill. So many people are right in your community, at your office, at school-- in fact they are everywhere--and just need some humour to lift their spirits.
If you like praying, ask God for opportunities to pray for people just when they need it so that their faith can be strengthened. If you like learning and sharing scripture, ask him for lots of creative ways to share them with others.
It is more satisfying to share your gifts than to keep them to yourself. Above all, remember to always walk with the greatest gift of all--LOVE. Sometimes we can forget it in our excitement to share the other ones. Whenever that happens, quickly run back home and ask the Father to hand it to you.
And that is another long story to be continued.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Gone To Come Back
I don't know if the expression, "gone to come back" is universal slang. I know that if I say locally, "I gone to come back", the listener understands that I am not going out to stay but to do my business and return promptly.
It's amazing how God speaks to us in everyday experiences to help us understand his kingdom principles. Just a few evenings ago I was trying to influence a young Christian to see things from a different perspective as she grudgingly tried to help out in a situation. But she was more concerned about getting the thing done than being bothered with the attitude that went along with the service.
As I pondered on the matter I remembered the forever presence of God. I smiled to think that God never takes a break to go to the washroom--you know the kind of "I gone to come back, so in the meantime you can take a break from being the kind and gentle person you try to be while I am with you." Do for others as (the way) you would like it done for you remains a valid principle in everyday Christian living.
Jesus has literally gone to come back. In the meantime he has left his Holy Spirit with us to enable us to emulate his character. His character bears fruit like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
It's amazing how God speaks to us in everyday experiences to help us understand his kingdom principles. Just a few evenings ago I was trying to influence a young Christian to see things from a different perspective as she grudgingly tried to help out in a situation. But she was more concerned about getting the thing done than being bothered with the attitude that went along with the service.
As I pondered on the matter I remembered the forever presence of God. I smiled to think that God never takes a break to go to the washroom--you know the kind of "I gone to come back, so in the meantime you can take a break from being the kind and gentle person you try to be while I am with you." Do for others as (the way) you would like it done for you remains a valid principle in everyday Christian living.
Jesus has literally gone to come back. In the meantime he has left his Holy Spirit with us to enable us to emulate his character. His character bears fruit like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Image is everything
I sat up in bed. The sunlight came streaming through the louvres. An early morning quiz popped into my mind. Why are lots of people not attracted to Jesus? Why can't they imagine him becoming/being their boss, helper, God, champion/saviour?
My number one answer is because of the image that well-intentioned Christians have presented to them. Perhaps they've been handed a tract with a picture of a pathetic-looking man, head bowed down, with a few scratches around his chest and a caption "Christ Died For You".
Added to that they've heard stories about Jesus doing incredible things like giving sight to blind people, making paralyzed people walk, making the deaf and dumb hear and speak, walking on water, curing leprosy and bringing dead folks back to life. But looking in on what is supposed to be his church there is no evidence that he is alive and operating among his followers with the same power to heal instantaneously, resurrect, deliver from oppression, or do the same or more that he did while he lived here on earth.
Women today are plagued with all kinds of problems like endometriosis, fibroids, hormonal imbalances that could put them in a position like the woman with the issue of blood in Matthew 9:20.
There are so many others oppressed by mental illnesses. Stress levels are at an all-time high and people are looking for help. They are not satisfied with "I will pray for you" with no guarantee of healing. Jesus demonstrated his power to show that he was who he said he was--the Son of God--healer, helper, God, champion, saviour, boss. Christians have been given the mandate to go into the world and use Jesus' authority to heal all kinds of sicknesses and to do miraculous things that would confirm the reality of the gospel. Not only can people be forgiven of all their sins but also be healed of all kinds of diseases or demonic oppression.
I read the prayer offered up by Christians in the book of Acts Chapter 4, especially in verses 29 and 30. What happened next is what normal Christianity should be like.
Right now we are seeing an increasing discontent among Christians who go to buildings referred to as churches where a form of godliness is displayed but the power to work miracles that prove that Jesus is the head is sadly lacking. Church programs and formalities have been substituted for relationships and sinners are pursued only for membership and conformity in many cases. But there is renewed hope for the disenchanted.
The simple church model is explained in Matthew 18:20. This is a great starting point. In a small group even where as few as two persons are gathered together as Christ's followers he promises to be there among them. This is the simplest expression of Church. This is a community of God's people relating together as an intimate group, loving and caring for one another in ways not practiced in a timed service in a building where clock watching and superficial friendliness reigns.
Since leaving the traditional church to work in simple church planting through friendship evangelism I have come across a most valuable reading resource. An Army of Ordinary People by Felicity Dale shows how God has always used--and is still using--ordinary believers like you and me to carry out his work in simple ways throughout the world. I recommend that each person get a copy for him/herself and one to give away. Believe me, you will not want to put it down once you get started.
I also found Andrew R. Hardy's dissertation "The Lamad Book of Mission And Evangelism To Secular Un-churched 21st Century People" to be a very powerful piece of writing. Chapter 2, beginning on page 13 deals with the relationship of the larger "churches" to the un-churched and he is so accurate in his description. Here's the link to his paper if you are interested:
http://www.cluonline.com/freebooks/Reaching%20The%20Unchurched.pdf
The question now is, are you ready to begin the great commission the way it was intended? Again I stress, reading An Army of Ordinary People will open your eyes to Christianity the way the author of our faith intended. See Pages 64 to 69.
Please share your experiences as Jesus shows up in the middle of your group to confirm his power and authority.
My number one answer is because of the image that well-intentioned Christians have presented to them. Perhaps they've been handed a tract with a picture of a pathetic-looking man, head bowed down, with a few scratches around his chest and a caption "Christ Died For You".
Added to that they've heard stories about Jesus doing incredible things like giving sight to blind people, making paralyzed people walk, making the deaf and dumb hear and speak, walking on water, curing leprosy and bringing dead folks back to life. But looking in on what is supposed to be his church there is no evidence that he is alive and operating among his followers with the same power to heal instantaneously, resurrect, deliver from oppression, or do the same or more that he did while he lived here on earth.
Women today are plagued with all kinds of problems like endometriosis, fibroids, hormonal imbalances that could put them in a position like the woman with the issue of blood in Matthew 9:20.
There are so many others oppressed by mental illnesses. Stress levels are at an all-time high and people are looking for help. They are not satisfied with "I will pray for you" with no guarantee of healing. Jesus demonstrated his power to show that he was who he said he was--the Son of God--healer, helper, God, champion, saviour, boss. Christians have been given the mandate to go into the world and use Jesus' authority to heal all kinds of sicknesses and to do miraculous things that would confirm the reality of the gospel. Not only can people be forgiven of all their sins but also be healed of all kinds of diseases or demonic oppression.
I read the prayer offered up by Christians in the book of Acts Chapter 4, especially in verses 29 and 30. What happened next is what normal Christianity should be like.
Right now we are seeing an increasing discontent among Christians who go to buildings referred to as churches where a form of godliness is displayed but the power to work miracles that prove that Jesus is the head is sadly lacking. Church programs and formalities have been substituted for relationships and sinners are pursued only for membership and conformity in many cases. But there is renewed hope for the disenchanted.
The simple church model is explained in Matthew 18:20. This is a great starting point. In a small group even where as few as two persons are gathered together as Christ's followers he promises to be there among them. This is the simplest expression of Church. This is a community of God's people relating together as an intimate group, loving and caring for one another in ways not practiced in a timed service in a building where clock watching and superficial friendliness reigns.
Since leaving the traditional church to work in simple church planting through friendship evangelism I have come across a most valuable reading resource. An Army of Ordinary People by Felicity Dale shows how God has always used--and is still using--ordinary believers like you and me to carry out his work in simple ways throughout the world. I recommend that each person get a copy for him/herself and one to give away. Believe me, you will not want to put it down once you get started.
I also found Andrew R. Hardy's dissertation "The Lamad Book of Mission And Evangelism To Secular Un-churched 21st Century People" to be a very powerful piece of writing. Chapter 2, beginning on page 13 deals with the relationship of the larger "churches" to the un-churched and he is so accurate in his description. Here's the link to his paper if you are interested:
http://www.cluonline.com/freebooks/Reaching%20The%20Unchurched.pdf
The question now is, are you ready to begin the great commission the way it was intended? Again I stress, reading An Army of Ordinary People will open your eyes to Christianity the way the author of our faith intended. See Pages 64 to 69.
Please share your experiences as Jesus shows up in the middle of your group to confirm his power and authority.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
God's Eyes
I was looking at a picture on my desktop the other day. It was a tranquil lake surrounded by green leafy vegetation and I had no idea where in the world that could be. The thought came suddenly to me that God knows exactly where it is, just as he knows who I am and who you are. There is no mistaking you for me. And he knows if we are committed to him. I like the first part of 2 Chron. 16:9.
This sunset picture was taken by Jay. 16/9/2010
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Making the Connection
Seven square miles is a small space for families to grow and share a common purpose. Here on Bequia we see the beginnings of the H2H movement where small groups meet in each others' houses to enjoy friendship, meals, and experience the totality of Jesus Christ. It's a royal family affair. As these neighbourhood connections catch on and people see the manifestation of the Holy Spirit, watch people open up to Jesus as never before. Recapture the intimacy of the small group meetings of the early followers.
Here on this blog we hope to share all things with our readers--stories, inspiring photography, scriptures, testimonies, whatever.
You can subscribe to our free monthly newsletter Temple News for informative articles. So stay connected.
You're welcome!
Here on this blog we hope to share all things with our readers--stories, inspiring photography, scriptures, testimonies, whatever.
You can subscribe to our free monthly newsletter Temple News for informative articles. So stay connected.
You're welcome!
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