Posts Tagged ‘Josh’

Religious Question of the Month – #004 – January

Friday, January 8th, 2010

With our church’s “Prophetic Conference” coming up this weekend I find myself meditating on this question…
What is the point of Prophecy?
Now I’m sure a some of you are forming nice tea cup answers as we speak but let me explain before you even begin to think at all… : P  Now Obviously this question is for those of you that believe in prophecy to begin with.  So for those of you that don’t at all, if you don’t mind please hold your answers\thoughts for maybe a later post.

I am mainly talking about generic prophecies. That usually don’t bring about real solid fruit.
EXAMPLES:
Good – “Someone in here has a pain in there right hand right now and God wants to heal you. You went to the Doctor last Wednesday and he said it was Arthritis related.”  They come up, they get healed… Uber Pwn.
Good – “There is a single mom in here named Beth who last night cried yourself to sleep wondering if the Lord was going to help you get a better job.  God says  Someone will call you next Thursday with an awesome job.  He also says He thinks your amazing and cool.”

These type of prophecies produce instant fruit and encourage the listener in the Lord in some way.

Bad\Unknown – “John I have a word for you… The Lord says he is bringing you into a new season this year and you will experience Him in new ways.”

Bad\Unknown – “You there brother with the Red shirt and blue jeans.  Yes, you.  Here’s what the Lord would say.  I have loved you with an everlasting love and I am bringing you out of the miry clay and I am setting your feet upon the solid rock.  I am establishing you in my name and I will etc etc….”

As for the first prophecy…let’s say John does go into somewhat of a new season job change, new home, gets married, whatever.  Then he looks back on that prophecy and says hey I’m so glad I knew about that in advanced… err I guess?

Now for certain people these particular prophecies may be right on for that person, so you can’t just listen to something generic and judge whether or not it’s from God because you don’t usually know the receiver’s situation.  But for ME, these general prophecies have NEVER brought forth fruit in my life.  Being one who feels a strong prophetic pull in my life, I am really just not wanting to rant at people to make myself feel like I am hearing something from God.  Is it God telling us these things?  Or is it possible that you can point out 9/10 people in a church congregation and say “New Season Coming Soon” and that will be true…?   I rarely EVER hear ABSOLUTE, UNDENIABLE, SPECIFIC, Truth Prophecies today bring about Change and fruit.

meh I dunno….

I will say this EVERYONE of you will go through at least four season changes this year!!  WOW! how’s that for prophecy!

Thoughts?

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Posted in Truth | 3 Comments »

Religious Question of the Month #003

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

Why do Christians argue so violantly over trivial issues?  If you really want to have a good laugh and be broken harted all at the same time go look at just about ANY youtube video that has something to do with Religion and there will be a whole slew of people ALLCAPS YELLING and slandering each other to prove thier point…  This is most definately one of the top 10 most frusterating things I have delt with in the Christian church.

1Co 13:2  I may have the gift of inspired preaching; I may have all knowledge and understand all secrets; I may have all the faith needed to move mountains—but if I have no love, I am nothing.
1Co 13:3  I may give away everything I have, and even give up my body to be burned —but if I have no love, this does me no good.
1Co 13:4  Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud;
1Co 13:5  love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep a record of wrongs;

Jesus himself said this

Joh 13:35  By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

I’ve always thought is was cool that he didn’t say things like:  signs and wonders, abilty to move crowds with words,  suits and ties, financial status, church status etc etc…  But if I look a good portion of the church that I have delt with\ experienced I don’t really see love for one another or “always considering others better than yourselves.” Php 2:3

There are many many more scriptures to be used on the matter so feel free to post some more.   Or disagree for that matter!  BUT NO ALLCAPS YELLING ZOMG!?!

I’ll give an example here is a conversation between two people concerning a Bethel video on www.Youtube.com

Apologist117 says: The people at Bethel are worldly, materialistic and superficial. Modern Evangelicalism is marked by designer clothing and all forms of impiety. They live for themselves and are just looking for something to entertain them and make them feel good. They are not serious about God. The newer generation thinks this is normal and Christian because it’s all they’ve ever known. They have no sense of history and authentic otherworldly Christianity.

ibetheltv replys with: So you must know these people you are talking about since you talk with such authority and decisiveness. Since I do, I know one thing…. you don’t.
They are VERY serious about God, they live only to please Him. I pray that you become hungry for more, that God will fill the void with a genuine relationship with himself.

Apologist117 says: You are inpressed by people like this because you don’t know any better. These kind of people are not dead to the world, flesh and devil. We know how they are because of how they live (for themselves). You will never reach your full spiritual potential if you listen to people and pseudo-churches like Bethel. They are materialistic and know nothing about self-crucifiction and death to the lower carnal man.

That just screams love doesn’t it!!  Oh wait, No It doesn’t….

Sometimes Love is willingness to be wrong without defense.

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Posted in Relational, Spiritual, Truth | 5 Comments »

Religious Question of the Month – #002

Wednesday, October 28th, 2009

I’ve heard a lot of people in the church say “Wow that person really knows how to pray”

It didn’t strike me as odd until recently.  Now I’m thinking “What in the world does that mean?”.  MOST, of the time (knowingly or not) people really mean… Wow that person says the right thing, talks with an authorative voice, or yells a lot and it makes my emotions happy.

When did prayer become about moving people and not moving God?  Praying things to minister to people around us rather than communicating with our Father. “Lord SHOW US that You blah blah blah”  “Let us see that blah blah blah” preachy prayers and such… Why do we do that?
God’s prabably thinking… huh?

What’s the point? I’m thinking maybe we should concentrate on actually communicating with God rather than always trying to “move” or “bless” those around us. And maybe someone that “knows how to pray” is really just someone that knows how to open thier mouth and talk… or even think… or even just be….  OK maybe slightly deeper than that but not much!

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Posted in Relational, Spiritual, Truth | 10 Comments »

Religious Question of the Month – #001

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

This is the start of many “questions”  I’ve had since my personal religious tradition meltdown.  Explained in detail here.

I’ve learned through personal revelation that the Father is passionate about a relationship with me more than anything. Even more than fixing me and making me more “useful” to him.  Just be with Him.  Talk with Him.  Like NORMAL stuff!  Which bring me to my first question…

Why do we have to close our eyes when we talk to the Father?

My analysis…

Now the obvious answer to me would be to shut out distraction and have a little more focus which is fine if that’s why we do it.  But, I found myself getting all upset at my boys when we’re praying at the table and they don’t have their heads bowed and eyes closed.  I was thinking a few weeks ago as one of my sons was bowing his head and yet also peeking at his yummy food while we were saying thanks for the meal.  I got kinda upset and I think the Father actually was smiling at the whole thing.  He told me something like “Josh, I don’t care.  He’s hungry… I think it’s funny.”  And I smiled…  The more I get to know the Father the more I realize I think He wants me to be more real with him rather than try to impress Him with burdensome, unbiblical restrictions.

One of my favorite scriptures:

Mat 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

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Posted in Relational, Spiritual | 16 Comments »