Real Church! Part 1

We have the total wrong idea of church and its destroying us!

• We've made it going to church, when we are the church.
• We've made it a business, when its supposed to be a get-together.
• We talk about 'you must give', when it should be 'you must believe and receive'.
• We've made it serious and strict, when its supposed to be enjoyable and relaxing.
• We've made it time conscience (when it starts/and ends), when its supposed to be spontaneous!
• We have 'shake a hand to the person beside you', when its supposed to be 'break bread together', and 'wash each others feet'.
• We've made it passive and boring, when its supposed to interactive and edifying.
• We lift man up (behind a pulpit, or on stage) but when JESUS taught them HE sat.
• These same men also promote themselves but John said "HE must increase, I must decrease". John 3:30
• We've used every gimick, and marketing effort to draw the lost, when we are supposed to love them (take interest in them/serve them)!
• We've made it a place where the leader has the last word, when its supposed to be GOD has the only word (and HE speaks it through all HIS children, especially the least of them).

Part of the process of entering into 'house church', or 'simple church' or 'organic church' is only one small (but important step).

Note: Call it what you want (house church etc...) we call them Fellowship Parties, its the people and JESUS in the midst that is the important part (not what you call it).

The most important part of the process, is in actually giving the church back to JESUS where
it belongs. HE is looking for HIS Bride (us) and we are like a young 14 year old girl, trying to 'pretend' to be grown up and play dress up!

We've had 'house church', for a while now, and have un-believers join us, because they are 'invited' and 'loved in', and they are made to feel welcome.

We have TONS, and I repeat TONS of fun together.
It goes on for HOURS and I repeat HOURS together.

Nobody wants to leave. And why? its fun, its edifying, its loving!
But if its not done in GRACE - it wont work, you will have the same problems that are happening in the IC (Instutional Church) simply begin to happen in the HC. (House Church)

Can we step aside, and let the SPIRIT move through the believers.
Can we enter GRACE, and rest in the fact that we are all 'scum bags' without JESUS (our good works are filthy rags, and we've not even got into discussing our bad deeds yet). Isaiah 64:6

Can we allow our own agenda and ideas to be put aside and simply let
spontaneous love flow? Allow everyone 'the floor', as GOD directs then
you will see the gifting manifest as it only works out of love.

Only works out of esteeming others BETTER than your selves.
This only works by HIS GRACE moving on our hearts and it happens
as we give up our ideas and let HIM control!

-eric

Woman Should Be Silent In The Church - Really??

This has been an on going debate among Christians for decades.

Can it be that women shouldn't even speak in Church?

What does the scripture actually say?
Is it truly just a 'mans world' out there, or are we missing something?

There are two main scriptures:

Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.
1 Corinthians 14:34-35

Also,

But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.
For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve.
And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.
1 Timothy 2:12-15 (New American Standard Bible)

Ok, so lets look at this problem in light of the day Paul was living in, and not confuse things by using our western world glasses, and not seeing things from a early church perspective.

First off, our idea of church is wrong. The church Paul was talking to (in Corinth) was a group of believers who met casually in one of the homes, ate together, shared together. It was not, 100% NO WAY, the idea many of us have for church today, where a leader (generally a man), gets up and we all face him as he preaches at us - that is NOT the new testament model for church.

They fellowshipped together, enjoyed each other!

Ok, so they met in homes, broke bread, ate together, shared together what next?

Now, there are many scriptures that prove that women prophesy, which is speaking.
How can they prophesy, and not speak?

This entire section of scripture in 1 Corinthians 14, is talking about 'church life'. Its discussing starting in 1 Corinthians 12 about brothers and sisters using their spiritual gifts.

Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed.
That is found in 1 Corinthians 12:1

Then he (Paul) goes into an entire teaching on gifts and love for all believers, including prophesy and teaching, which are spoken gifts.

Ok, so there are gifts for all (men and women).

There are many types of scriptures showing women prophesying and sharing, talking.
Look at the resurrection, JESUS first told the ladies, who went to tell the men - the good news, that JESUS really did rise from the dead!

Imagine, JESUS could tell anyone first the best news, man would ever receive, and HE (GOD) chose the women first!

Philip had four unmarried daughters who had the ability to speak what God had revealed.

The NIV reads it like this:
He (Philip) had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.Acts 21:9

We know that 5 women are mentioned in the Bible as Prophetesses. They were: Anna, Deborah, Huldah, Miriam, and Noadiah.

This should be ample proof, that women indeed talked and spoke as they prophesied. So, how does that leave the scripture where they should remain silent and not speak?

Let all things be done decently and in order. 1 Corinthians 14:40

When we 'do' "Home Church", one thing we have to watch out for is people talking out of order or turn.  Usually its done as excitement but if we aren't careful, this gets noisy and disruptive.  In the early Church (House Churches again), they had the woman sit at one side, and the men on the other. As women were being allowed (liberated by GOD) into more freedom (as they should) they were hugely excited! This enthusiasm (zeal) without knowledge can get interruptive, for which they aught not to speak.

Its no accident that this verse is right with the verses of using your gifts in order, and speaking in order and asking questions at the right time as well.

Now, 1 Timothy 2:12-15
Tells, us that women should not teach and exercise authority over a man.
Paul tells the Corinthians that they should be silent, meaning not take over a meeting.

I think that is good advise, I think that is love, I think that is exactly what GOD wants!



-eric

I Read This (being a Dad myself) and Really Liked It!

Children Learn What They Live
By Dorothy Law Nolte, Ph.D.

If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.
If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.
If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.
If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.
If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.
If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.
If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them.
If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.

Copyright © 1972 by Dorothy Law Nolte

Paul's Thorn In The Flesh.

The Thorn in the flesh, is people.


You usually heard it said like this; "so and so, is a thorn in my side"
or a 'thorn in my flesh'.

Scripture backs that up because if you look at the first time it was used
it is the book of Numbers. Where GOD warns the children of Israel, to remove the wicked people from their lands or they would become thorns in your side.

'But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land, those you allow to remain will become barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides. They will give you trouble in the land where you will live. Numbers 33:55

So they are still people.

But what people were Paul's thorn?

If you remember from your studies of Paul's life, it seemed that everywhere he went, there were revivals and revolts. There were an on going group of what the

Bible calls 'judaizers', who constantly followed Paul around and questioned and water down the GOSPEL. See Galatians 2:11-21

Its always people that are 'thorns in our flesh'.
And being a thorn, its a small thing (or small group) but making a big stink, a big problem.


-eric

What I Learned From My Regurgitated Gift!

Interesting...

We had loads of fun, at our Christmas Fellowship last weekend.

But one of the highlights, was this 'game show' idea, using the old 'gift exchange' game.

We had questions on, what else, but Christmas and when correct answers were given, that allowed you to take a wrapped (but generally regurgitated gift).

Or of course, you could take someone elses gift instead. Usually you ended up feeling happy, (that someone actually took your junk) and relief (knowing you didn't have to take the most embarrasing thing home with you).

You kind of had to be there, and if you were there, you know what I mean.

But the LORD spoke to me the next day, about my gift I got.

It was a package of sponges and a candle type decorative church building.
Not your usual gift, but what is 'usual' about a Regurgitated Gift Exchange anyway?

Here is what the LORD said to me:

"Its time for us (us believers of GRACE, and the SPIRIT OF GOD) to clean house"

I listened and said "please more LORD"...

The KING continued; "Its time to, restore the natural beauty of this house, bring out the best decorations, and throw out the garbage, turn on the lights..."

[Note: we as GOD'S children are the 'house of GOD'.]

"Its time to rekindle the passion of your first love, Its time to see the former glory and desire your own taste of that glory.

Its time to open the doors, and open the curtains and let my people flow freely in and out of MY kingdom and most importantly for your sake allow MY SPIRIT full access and control of MY house!

Can't you see that this a is holy jealousy?
I insist on having you, because you belong to ME and it is only I that can sustain you in the days to come, its only I that can heal you, its only I that can make you flourish. I have created you, I have sought you, I have purchased you, I have poured out MY very life for you.

Now is the time.

Judgement and House Cleaning is here!

I will destroy the intelligent of the intellegent and I will be her wisdom.
I will destroy the pride of the house and restore the glory.
I will destroy the false leadership and yet again lead MY people, into victory.
I will destroy the greed and love of money and put MY love, MY power back in her.

Do not settle for the worlds best.
Do not settle for the synagogue of satan.

Only desire the SPIRIT, Only desire LOVE."

Thus says the LORD!

Amen


Here are the scriptures:

For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
1 Peter 4:17


But Christ is faithful as a son over God's house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast.
Hebrews 3:6

Love Only Wants 1 (One) Thing...

Love has a goal and only wants 1 thing...

If, as we have learned, LOVE is the most powerful thing (I use the word thing for ease of understanding), in the universe. Then what would that most powerful thing desire?

What does LOVE want?

We know its of supreme power because the LORD tells us that this LOVE can never fail!
See 1 Corinthians 13:8

Now, its important to understand that there are different loves, and we can sometimes use the word love for many different things. But what the LORD is showing us is a LOVE that is outside ourselves. This LOVE for many of us seems foreign to us, we are NOT naturally born with it.

We are wired for it, (like a homing device inside us) that is constantly looking for the only LOVE that satisfies. This spark inside that GOD has given is also looking for a response.

That is why many of us are attempting to find fulfillment in millions of different ways. From our jobs, to money, to sex, to power, to the 'next thing', and for some, drugs and alcohol.

Trying and desperately searching for that 'something' that can fill the void.
This little 'love' desire in your heart keeps searching...

Its searching for something...

It should be searching for 'Someone', not something.

Because LOVE is a person, GOD is LOVE.
This kind of LOVE that is spoken of, is unconditional love full of grace and its given freely to the ones that don't deserve it! Because its wings are GRACE.

Now this LOVE only wants 1 thing - and that is its chief aim.

LOVE wants to be LOVED.

LOVE is its own reward (there is no higher high, there is no greater reward then love).
Its its own reward!

Now, GOD has place love in your heart, and you have some of it but its nothing to do with selfish love (lust), its has everything to do with HIM showering HIS LOVE on you.

Un-conditional
Un-deserving

In one word 'GRACE'!

When LOVE is rejected, its hurt but even then, it doesn't fail.

Paul had a similar 'love problem', with the believers in Corinth.
The story is picked up in 2 Corinthians 6 see verses 11 to 13.

We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. 12 We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. 13 As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also.

Want to kill love?

When LOVE manifests (shows itself) its called affection.
Stop affection, and you are attempting to stop love.

Now I hear some of you say, well Love never fails right? Right!
But if you stop affection, you stop love right? Right!

How can it be both?

LOVE lets go, and doesn't 'insist on its own way'. LOVE by its own nature will not make you respond, it only 'waits' for a response. It 'hopes' for a response.

So, then if love doesn't get a response, then it failed right? Wrong!
It never forces, it only patiently waits.
LOVE never failed here, it did everything like it was supposed to, everything it wanted to.
It needs a willing partner, its the benefactor which needs a recipient.

In the short run, it can look like 'love' fails (here and there) but its always looking for the best in the other, and hoping for greatness in the other - and although it may take time (the other may resist, may fight) its useless, because Love will endure and never fail in the end.

In the passage we read for the saints in Corinth.

Paul had been loving them, doing everything he could for their well being.
So Paul says "I opened wide my heart for you", now here is LOVE looking for a return.
Paul says "As a fair exchange, open wide your hearts also"

GOD sent JESUS to you, and loves you even in the awful mess you may be in. HE has sent JESUS and right now stands ready to help you and bless you. GOD has opened HIS heart wide for you, as a fair exchange, open wide your heart also to HIM.

-eric

What the beautiful game taught me about FAITH!

The Beautiful Game - Football, but to us North Americans we call it Soccer!

I used to play a lot, was on my High School team, and later played in an adult league while coaching the 9 yearolds.

Then in winter for many years played indoor soccer.

And its in indoor soccer I learned this lesson of faith!

When I played with these same guys for about 15 years, there was one guy that was much older than me, but still played remarkably well for being one of the 'older' ones on the team.

What we realized, was that this guy used to play in the Commonwealth games, and now older and on to other things, played and kept in shape in various leagues around including ours.

When we watched him play, he seemed to show flashes of great skill here and there. He would

take a high ball and corral it using his chest (you can't use your arms or hands in Soccer unless you are the keeper/goalie), and so control this high ball, and then deaden it right at his feet, in fluid motion to continue playing.

I only thought, how good he must have been when he was in his prime, playing for the British commonwealth.

So, what is the lesson on faith?

When this friend of mine played, he was always smiling and laughing throughout the entire game. You couldn't question his enjoyment or whether or not he was having fun.

Now there were younger guys playing, some would take the games very seriously, and sometimes I regret to say, some guys took it overboard and too serious. Anger, swearing and very aggressive play would dominate.

But my older friend through it all, would be laughing, or at the least smiling.

That was years ago and the other day the LORD gave me a quick vision of the times I had playing soccer with this group of men.

So the question, why was this older soccer friend, laughing and grinning when he played when others were arrogant and angered so often?

The answer....

My friend played in the biggest games before - this was nothing, so he laughed.

Then the LORD spoke, "when faith reaches the highest, you laugh".

Calling it the "Laugh of Faith".

Why?

You've seen GOD come through in something much bigger before, and you know

HE will do it again.

Your talking to someone who doesn't understand this 'walk by faith' that us Christians live

by, and they are so stressed about their problem and you have compassion with joy!

Why?

Because you've see GOD save and work miracles for yourself before and are resting that

your prayers are already answered and can start to laugh.

Proverbs talks a lot about wisdom, and right living, but the end of Proverbs talks about the most Godly Woman (and explains what she is like), but part of it says that she living by faith in GOD,

will "laugh at the days to come". Proverbs 31:25

I don't know how many times the LORD has asked me

"Why don't you just enjoy your life?"

-eric