Friday, August 29, 2014

[Subversive Radio] Round Table: Cole, Zens, Montgomery, Williamson


Listen To Religion Internet Radio Stations with Subversive Radio on BlogTalkRadio

ROUND TABLE DIALOG: What are some common misconceptions about House Church and What makes a House Church work?

Join Herb Montgomery, Jon Zens, Neil Cole and Kent Williamson in our first ever Round Table Discussion about House Church and Organic Church.

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

How To Fight Like A Christian



Know your Enemy.

"Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." - (1 Peter 5:8)

Understand who is NOT your enemy.

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." - (Eph. 6:12)

Know your weapons.

"The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds." - (2 Cor. 10:4)

Understand your mission.


“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” – (Matt. 5:44-45)

“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them.” – (Luke 6:27-29)

Wear your armor.

"Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes." - (Eph. 6:11)

Understand the nature of your struggle

"If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer." - (2 Cor. 1:6)

Be confident.

"No weapon formed against you shall prosper" -(Isaiah 54:17)

Understand your covert strategy.

"I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves." - (Matthew 10:16)

Claim the victory.

“…I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." - (Matthew 16:18)

Summary:

No human being is your enemy.

Your warfare involves prayer, love, and becoming a blessing to those who hate you.

Lives may be lost in this battle, and your own life is most certainly one of them.

If blood must be shed it must be your own.

You must look out for the well-being of your fellow-soldiers, and your enemy.

You are a sheep, not a wolf. Trust in your Shepherd for protection.

LISTEN: PODCAST "HOW TO FIGHT LIKE A CHRISTIAN" BY KEITH GILES

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

[Subversive Radio] What's So Great About Constantine?


Listen To Religion Internet Radio Stations with Subversive Radio on BlogTalkRadio


Join our host Keith Giles as he interviews Christian Historian Al Baker.
Keith and Al will take different sides in the discussion about Constantine's influence on the Christian faith, as well as the legitmacy of his conversion experience and his understanding of what it meant to be a "Christian".
ABOUT AL BAKER:
After serving as a university pastor for 14 years, Al Baker moved his family to Scotland where he did his Ph.D. work.  Al holds a Ph.D. from the University of St Andrews in Scotland. His doctoral focus was on early church history in general, the spirituality of Clement of Alexandria in particular.  
Dr. Baker was on the faculty of Saint Augustine's University in Raleigh NC for 6 years, serving as the interim Chair of the Philosophy and Religion department in his final year. He taught Church History and Intro to Philosophy along with a few other Religious Studies classes. 
In 2005 he started writing and publishing the web site Church History 101. The site has had over 350,000 unique visitors.  He has written several papers that are used in church history classes around the USA:
"Introduction to Gnostic Texts"
"How the New Testament Canon was Formed"
"Wine in the Ancient World"
to name the three most prominent.
In 2012 he turned his attention to Emperor Constantine and has dedicated 2014 and 2015 to the study of this important early church figure...and this, of course, is what led to Keith and Al meeting over the internet, exchanging numerous e-mails in discussion and fairly polite debate, and finally to this blog interview. 
Al is the author of the book, "A Concise History of the Christian Church" which is available here:
http://www.churchhistory101.com/concise-history-ebook.php?source=promo


Read more: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/subversive-radio/2014/08/27/whats-so-great-about-constantine#ixzz3BYPdB02z

[Subversive Radio] Round Table Discussion


LISTEN: ORGANIC CHURCH ROUND TABLE ON THURSDAY, 8/28/14, AT 6:30 PM (PST).
 
Join Jon Zens, Herb Montgomery, Kent C. Williamson, Neil Cole, and host Keith Giles for an hour long discussion about:
*House
Church
*Christian Nonviolence
*The Gospel of the Kingdom
*Hierarchy in the Christian Church...
*Israel and the Church
*Early Christian History
*Constantinian Christianity
*and more!

Listen live at Subversive Radio on BlogTalkRadio or call in live to ask questions and share your own thoughts at:
CALL-IN (646) 652-4945

 

GUEST POST: "Beautiful Feet" by Vilbert Vallence




"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news." Isaiah 52:7.

Feet are not the most noticed or the most pampered features of our body. They don't attract as much attention as the face or the hands. Yet Isaiah describes them as beautiful.

Paul shows his agreement with this by quoting Isaiah's words in Romans 10:15. They speak of the feet of the messengers of good news.

This is not true in the literal sense. In the Bible we see Jeremiah thrown into a cistern where his feet sank into the mud.( Jer. ch.37). John the Baptist, Peter, Paul and Silas were imprisoned and their feet chained or put in stocks. This must have left unsightly marks on their ankles and feet. Later when Peter was crucified upside down his feet were nailed to a cross.

Church history relates the lives of many Christians who were tortured, burnt or thrown to wild animals. Their feet were maimed and mangled, but not beautiful, though they were heralds of God's love and peace. Sadhu Sundar Singh who became a Christian after seeing a vision of Christ was known as "the apostle with the bleeding feet" as he walked far and wide bare footed to spread Christ's message. Mother Teresa's feet were 'calloused and twisted' as she went helping the sick and dying and unwanted on the roads of Kolkata often with ill fitting shoes.

Some could not even use their feet. Sarah Tucker was a cripple and never moved out of her house. Hearing of the condition of women in India through her missionary brother John Tucker she mobilized the churches in England to help educate Indian girls. Sarah Tucker College in Palayamkottai stands as a monument to her. It is the first women's college in Southern India. Amy Carmichael who founded the Dohnavur Fellowship to rescue and shelter girls sold into flesh trafficking, was for the last twenty years of her life confined to a wheelchair because of an accident. Many such instances can be quoted of useless or scarred feet in the service of God.

It is interesting to note that both Isaiah and Paul extol the feet and not the mouth of the messengers. It is the mouth that confesses the salvation got for us by Jesus and proclaims the good news to others. In general evangelists and preachers are good orators. Why are the feet then given more importance and praised? In Ephesians ch. 6 where God's armour for the Christian is given Paul speaks of the "feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace". It is the willingness and readiness of the messenger that is highlighted.

From the Old Testament prophets to the present day missionaries many pairs of willing feet have gone to places near and far taking the message of salvation.

At the Last Supper Jesus washed the feet of the disciples not only to cleanse them but also to strengthen, sanctify and prepare them for the long and arduous journeys they will have to make for the sake of the gospel. The Ascension is the last event in Christ's earthly life. Pictures of this event show Jesus being received above into the clouds while His feet with the nail prints point downwards, perhaps a reminder to the surprised disciples to use their feet" to go into all the world and preach the gospel".

The most beautiful feet belonged to Jesus. He willingly and eagerly walked the length and breadth of Judea from temple to house, from narrow paths to wide roads, on the seashore, even over the sea and on the hillsides with words of forgiveness and peace in His mouth and healing in His hands. Finally His feet took Him to Calvary to be nailed to the cross, but the feet crushed the Serpent's head. If we are to follow Jesus we must have willing feet like Him ready to love and serve. Then our feet will be beautiful in the sight of God and our whole life will be something beautiful for God.

"Oh, let me see Your footprints,

And in them plant mine own;

My hope to follow duly

Is in Your strength alone."
( by John E Bpde)


“Lord God, make me an encourager not a grumbler.

Lord, when I meet someone

Open my vision that I may see beyond their limitations to their potential

Open my lips that I may speak a word of praise and encouragement

Lord may they develop into the people that You would have them be, Amen."

( David C Morley)

Article by Rev. Vilbert Vallance
Pastoral Care
Bangalore Baptist Hospital
India

Sunday, August 24, 2014

[Subversive Radio] House Church and the Coming End Times Persecution

Current Religion Podcasts at Blog Talk Radio with Subversive Radio on BlogTalkRadio
House Church is often seen as practice for the time when Christians will be forced to "go underground" when the Anti-Christ rises up and forces people to take the Mark of the Beast. But, what if all of that never happens? Is there any other reason to participate in an Organic Church? Listen as host Keith Giles explains why this futurist view of Revelation and the Olivet Discourse have nothing to do with why you should consider gathering as a member of the holy priesthood with Christ as the Head of His Church.

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Things I Don't Believe Anymore



We have a saying in our house church family: "Everyone is in process."

This means that we have accepted the idea that different people are at different places in their Christian walk, and that because of this we do not all agree on every little point of doctrine.

It also means that, over time, our views and beliefs are subject to change and to develop as we live life, study scripture, and learn to hear the voice of God more clearly.

As a result, there are things that I used to believe a few years ago that I now no longer hold to be true. Here are just a few of those beliefs that I no longer believe:

Tithing - The New Testament does not teach tithing for Christians. Historically the Christian church did not teach it and waited until 777 AD under Charlemagne to institute an official mandate for tithing (in order to support a professional clergy class which arose from a shift during the reign of Constantine). That's a long time to go before recognizing the tithe in the New Testament church. So, what did the Christian church teach and practice before that?

Read about that here:
Why Oh Why Does The Church Tithe?

Immortal Souls - I used to stand up and proclaim that every human alive is already immortal. The only question is where they will spend their eternity. Now I completely reject that notion of defacto human immortality of the soul. Mainly because we have so many scriptures all through the Bible that proclaim that those who have Christ have life and those that do not have Christ do not have life. Or that those who reject Christ will die, or be destroyed, or perish, etc.

Read more about what changed my mind here:
Mortal Souls

Eternal Suffering In Hell - Since I don't accept the inherent eternal existence of human souls, I also reject the idea that the doctrine of eternal suffering in hell is taught by the scriptures. The Christian church, from the beginning, always had 3 different perspectives on the eternal fate of non-believers. Some believed that they would suffer for a time and then be destroyed. Others believed that they would suffer for a time and then receive the opportunity for redemption. Lastly, a small minority believed that they would suffer forever in flames of fire. The majority view was actually the idea that suffering was temporary followed by an opportunity for salvation.

Learn more about the three views of hell here:
What We Should Believe About Hell

Blessing the Nation of Israel - For years I affirmed the notion that America must "bless Israel" or God would curse our nation. Now I understand that the New Testament teaches that Jesus is the true Israel, and that only those in Christ are the Israel of God. Those who reject Christ as Messiah (and that would be Jewish people in the nation of Israel today) are called "anti-christ" by the New Testament. Jesus himself says that those who reject Him also reject God the Father.

I also recently learned that this Pro-Israel view is about as old as the Mormon cult which started the same year (1830) and was invented by a guy named Darby. This new teaching is called "Dispensationalism" and no Christian before 1830 believed it.

I've written more about this here:
Bless Israel?
Galatians 3:16

A Futurist View of Prophecy - Once upon a time I believed whole-heartedly the Dispensational view that Matthew 24 and Revelation are about events in the future that will precede the return of Christ. Now I read those passages very differently and I am convinced that they are speaking largely about the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, not about some future events that must take place in the Middle East before Christ can return.

Learn more here:
Jesus the Prophet

What beliefs do you no longer hold true? Please share in the comments below.

-kg

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

[Subversive Radio] Dan Notti: Authentic Christian Community


More Religion Podcasts at Blog Talk Radio with Subversive Radio on BlogTalkRadio

Dan Notti knows a lot more about Christian Community than anyone I know. Listen in as Dan and I discuss his ongoing blog and workshop called "Authentic Community" to learn more about what Christians can do to encourage true Christian community, and what we can stop doing to discourage community, in our church family.

Monday, August 18, 2014

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Your Biggest Mistake?



Our question of the week is all about making mistakes.

"What Did You Learn From Your Biggest Mistake?”

I'll share mine on Friday, but I'd love to hear what you learned from your biggest mistake.

Post your response in the comments below!

Thursday, August 14, 2014

[Subversive Radio] Stained Glass Rainbows: Interview with Kent Williamson


New Religion Internet Radio with Subversive Radio on BlogTalkRadio

Kent Williamson, director of the documentary "Stained Glass Rainbows" talks about the controversy between Christians regarding the issue of homosexuality and the LGBT community.


Wednesday, August 13, 2014

[Subversive Radio] Interview: Thomas Crisp - Jesus, Gandhi and Nonviolence


Popular Religion Internet Radio with Subversive Radio on BlogTalkRadio

Dr. Thomas Crisp (Biola) is co-founder of Pacifist Fight Club and the Dorothy Day Society at Biola University. Join us as we talk about:
What does it mean to "love our neighbor"? 
What is the "Shalom Community"?
What can Gandhi teach us about following Jesus?
And: Why Christian Nonviolence is not for the faint of heart.

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

KEITH GILES INTERVIEWED AT THE OTTER LIMITS


Discover Politics Internet Radio with Common Ground Media Group OK on BlogTalkRadio

THE INTERVIEW STARTS AROUND THE 26 MINUTE MARK. WE TALK ABOUT "THE POWER OF WEAKNESS" AND HOW CHRISTIANITY AND POLITICS SHOULD - OR SHOULD NOT - MIX.

Monday, August 11, 2014

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: “What’s Your Favorite Bible Verse?”



Our question this week is: "What's Your Favorite Bible Verse?"

And why is it your favorite?

Thanks for sharing!


Saturday, August 09, 2014

[Subversive Radio] Ultimate Ninja Jesus: An Analogy of the Cross and the Law


Find Additional Religion Podcasts with Subversive Radio on BlogTalkRadio

We often hear people say, "Jesus said he came not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it" as a way to suggest that the Old Covenant Law is still in effect for Christians today. But is that really what Jesus meant by this?
Listen as Keith shares an analogy of this statement from Jesus and how it actually suggests that His fulfillment of the Law means that it is no longer in effect for those who are in Christ.



Read more: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/subversive-radio/2014/08/10/ultimate-ninja-jesus-an-analogy-of-the-cross-and-the-law#ixzz39wt8tuzP

Friday, August 08, 2014

The Missing Peace?



I know a great many Christians today who are full of anguish and frustration as they survey what's occuring in our world today.

A Democrat has been elected president of the United States. Gay marriage has been legalized and currently pending review by the Supreme Court in California. Israel has retaliated against Palestine with a devastating military response leaving hundreds dead in Gaza.

As a result I hear these Christians express varying degrees of emotion. Some cheer when they hear that Israel has blown up entire city blocks in response to rocket attacks by Hamas. Some wring their hands in anguish over Obama in fear that he will turn our nation into an Islamic state and introduce a socialistic government. Others wag their heads over the gay marriage issue and say, "Please Lord, just come back soon and judge this Nation and take me to heaven."

These responses are quite far away from what the Word of God instructs.

When I read Romans, chapter 9, starting in verse 2, I hear the heart of Paul the Apostle as he looks upon a nation that has turned its back on God and rejected His Gospel and their Messiah. He does not call for God to come down and judge them and to take him home to Glory. Intead, his prayer is the exact polar opposite. He says:

"I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race, the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen." - Romans 9:2-5

Paul actually desires for God to judge himself so that his Nation might be saved. He doesn't ask God to save himself and judge those hard-hearted sinners. He is so filled with love and compassion for these hateful, stubborn people that he is willing in his heart to loose his own eternal salvation in order to see them come to Christ.

Where are the Christian leaders of today who are expressing a similar heart for the lost? Why are Christian TV and Radio stations filled with the refrain "Come soon Lord and judge this evil Nation and take your Bride home to be with you."?

It's no secret that God's people have forgotten to be known for their love. It's no secret that the Church in America is known more for what she is against that what she is for.

Our hope is in God alone. He is still in control of time and history. The Gospel of the Kingdom is our salvation.

God will not hold the sinners accountable for the judgment our nation receives. He will hold us responsible.

"If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." - 2 Chronicles 7:14

Our response to the distress in our world is to humble ourselves and pray and confess our own sins to God and cry out for people to be healed and saved - not judged and condemned.

In I John 2:6 it says, "Whoever claims to be in Him must walk as Jesus did."

This means that we, as representatives of God's Kingdom and as followers of Christ, are called to respond as Jesus would respond.

We are called to be peaceful and peace loving. Why are there no Christian churches, schools or universities teaching courses in peace making? Why isn't this one of our primary values? "Blessed are the peace makers for they will be called the sons of God" - Jesus, (Matthew 5:9)

As those who walk as Jesus did we are called to be forgiving. Jesus forgave those who were in the act of murdering him saying "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." Most of us have never had to forgive someone for attempted murder, and yet we find forgiving those who have insulted us or hurt our feelings difficult, even though we have freely received forgiveness for our sins - sins which put Christ on the cross in our place.

We are called to humble ourselves as Jesus did. "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking on the very nature of a servant..." - Phil 2:6-7

We are called to be like Jesus and to serve those around us in love. Jesus wrapped a towel around His waist and took on the role of a slave and washed the feet of His disciples. Then he instruced them, and us, to do the same:

"Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you....Now that you know these things you will be blessed if you do them." - John 13:14-17

We are also called to touch the poor and the needy around us. Jesus told us that whatever we did for the least of these was the same as doing it to Him. (See Matthew 25:35-46)

When it comes to people suffering in war, whether at the hands of Israel, or America, or anyone, our response as followers of Christ should be to weep and to pray for peace. We are called by our Lord and Savior to be peace makers, not war mongers. Peace is our goal. Reconciliation is our ministry.

When it comes to issues like Gay Marriage, let us remember that we're all sinners and we all need the same Jesus and the same mercy and grace.

Let us be dispensers of grace, mercy and love, not hate, judgment and bitterness. God is still in control and our calling is still to be people who are filled with the radical love of God.

**

NOTE: This article originally appeared on the Subversive Underground Newsletter.

Thursday, August 07, 2014

[Subversive Radio] Interview: Jon Zens "Why All The One-Anothers?"


Online Religion Radio at Blog Talk Radio with Subversive Radio on BlogTalkRadio


If the Senior Pastor is so integral to the functioning of the Church, then why doesn't the New Testament ever mention who the pastor of any church was? Why are no letters written to them? And what are all those "one anothers" for?
Author Jon Zens joins us to talk about how God intended the New Testament Church to function, and what happens when Jesus is truly the Head of His Church.

[SUBVERSIVE RADIO] Let's Talk: Organic Church


New Religion Podcasts with Subversive Radio on BlogTalkRadio

Wednesday, August 06, 2014

[SUBVERSIVE RADIO] INTERVIEW: STEVE GREGG "JESUS, ISRAEL AND THE CHURCH"


Popular Religion Internet Radio with Subversive Radio on BlogTalkRadio

If you were to ask "Who Are God's Chosen People"? Most Christians would say, "The Jews!" But is that what the New Testament tells us? 
Listen as Keith Giles interviews author and radio host, Steve Gregg about "Jesus, Israel and the Church."
Steve is the author of "All You Want To Know About Hell" and "Revelation: Four Views". 
Visit him online at: www.thenarrowpath.com


Read more: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/subversive-radio/2014/08/07/steve-gregg-israel-jesus-and-the-church#ixzz39gDiEn96

EX-HEZBOLLAH MUSLIM SHARES MIRACULOUS CONVERSION EXPERIENCE


[Subversive Radio] Herb Montgomery: Interviewed


Find Additional Religion Podcasts with Subversive Radio on BlogTalkRadio


Join Keith Giles as he talks to Herb Montgomery about what it means to follow Jesus into Nonviolence and how loving others means also loving those who are different from us - including homosexuals.

Tuesday, August 05, 2014

[Subversive Radio] Interviews



I've got some great interviews lined up for [Subversive Radio] this month.

Join me on for these upcoming shows at 6pm PST:

*Herb Montgomery (Tuesday, 8/5) "Christian Nonviolence and LGBT Issues"
*Steve Gregg (Wednesday, 8/6) "Jesus, Israel and the Church" >SPECIAL TIME: 9pm PST
*Jon Zens (Thursday, 8/7) "The One Anothers"
*Thomas Crisp (Tuesday, 8/12) "Jesus, Gandhi and Nonviolence"
*Al Baker (Tuesday, 8/26) "Constantine's Christian Conversion: Fact or Fiction?"

I'm also very excited about the possibility of interviewing Dr. Scott Bartchy next month on the topic of "The Early Christians and Nonviolence".

Call in to join us at:
(646) 652-4945
Or listen live online at:
blogtalkradio.com/subversive-rad


Is This Christianity?



Imagine you live in a huge mansion. One day you discover that there’s an entire wing of the building you didn’t know was there before. You begin to explore and find a large family that’s been living there a long time. They’ve got nice stuff over there, some of it better than yours.

So, you go over there, kill them, enslave the survivors, and take their stuff.

Is that what a Christian would do? Because that’s essentially what the first American settlers did to the Native Americans, and what we continue to do in Africa, the Middle East, South America, etc.

If being "Christian" means being like Christ, then I have a very hard time believing that America - or any other nation on this Earth - has ever been like Christ.

Thoughts?

 

Monday, August 04, 2014

QUESTION OF THE WEEK



Our question this week is: "What if Christians really obeyed everything Jesus commanded?"

Go ahead. Let us know what you think the world we live in would be like if every single Christian around the globe actually did every single thing that Jesus commanded.

I'm talking things like, "turn the other cheek" or "love your enemies" or "give to anyone who asks without expecting anything in return."

How would this change the world? How would it change the way non-christians thought of Jesus?

Imagine what it would be like if everyone in your home church did this - even for a month.

Now imagine if just your family did it in your neighborhood for a week.

Or if you did it, for 48 hours.

Bonus points: If you actually decide to try this experiment and share the results in the comments below. [There might just be a very cool prize for those who take this challenge seriously].


Sunday, August 03, 2014

Miracle In The Carport



A few months ago Tommy was the guy at the Motel Church who was picking a fight with Don, the kind, elderly gentleman who weighs about 80 pounds and is confined to a wheelchair.

During that incident one of our fellow servants pulled Tommy aside and let him know that we don't treat our friends that way.

Weeks later, Tommy stayed after the message and helped fold chairs and put away tables. I walked up to him after we were all done and placed my hand on his shoulder.

"Thanks for your help today, Tommy." His eyes started to fill up with tears.

"Are you going to be ok?" I asked him. He nodded and looked away as the tears started to roll down his face.

The next time I heard about Tommy it was from another resident who told me that Tommy and Don had tangled again at the corner gas station. This time Tommy threatened Don.

"I told Tommy he wasn't welcome to come back to the motel church until he could straighten himself up," my friend told me.

I disagreed with that. "But the help Tommy needs is over here with us," I said. "Tommy needs Jesus. How can he get help if we make him go away?"

Tommy kept coming to the Motel Church every Sunday, however. The confrontations with Don subsided and Tommy kept mostly to himself, but he was there and he joined in whenever we talked about Jesus.

This morning as I got out of my car and started to open my guitar case, Tommy came over to me. "Keith, I wanted to ask you if I could share something with everyone after you're done."

I could see he was serious, and very emotional.

"Ok," I said.

"I also want to sing two songs but I need to say something before I sing," he explained.

"Uh...what songs are you going to sing?" I asked him.

"'Because He Lives' and 'Lord I Lift Your Name On High'", he said.

"Alright, then."

So, I kept my teaching shorter than usual to leave room for Tommy. After I was finished I invited him to stand up and share what the Lord had placed on his heart this week.

I wish you could have seen him. His face was glowing. He had tears streaming down his face. He had to stop more than once because the emotion was so nearly overpowering. But he got through it.

I stood behind him and placed my hand on his shoulder. Partly to let him know I was still there, and partly to assure him that he was doing a great job.

Tommy told everyone what a sinner he was. "I know everyone is a sinner," he said. "But I'm the worst sinner of all of you. I mess up all the time. I'm stupid. I do dumb things. But Jesus died for me. He left Paradise - gold streets and the angels in heaven worshiping him night and day - and he came down into this filth, and he died for all of us."

Then Tommy sang, "Because He Lives". I joined in and a few others who know the words did too.

After that, Tommy told us more about how much Jesus loves us, and how much we all need to make sure that we are right with God because we don't want to hear God say, "I never knew you".

Then we sang, "Lord I Lift Your Name On High" together.

It was glorious. So beautiful. To see Tommy - broken, simple, sincere - of all people, stand up like that in front of everyone and preach a message so heartfelt, so sublime, so tearful, and wonderful, and amazing...it was like a dream.

What I love about this so much is that it was totally, one hundred percent, God. It was all God.

Tommy told me privately how this last week God had gotten hold of him. "I started thinking about God, and about the scriptures. They all just kept coming to me, over and over, and before I knew it, two hours had passed," he said. "I looked down and realized I hadn't even touched my beer in two hours!"

The verse that came to my mind was, "the kindness of God leads to repentance" (Romans 2:4)

This all goes back to that first confrontation Tommy had with Don a few months ago. At that time we didn't chase Tommy away. We explained that Don was our friend and that we don't treat friends like that. We also affirmed that Tommy is our friend too.

It goes back to that simple "Thank you for your service" that one Sunday when Tommy helped put away the chairs with all of us.

It goes back to the reminder that the help Tommy needs is only found in Jesus.

"I'm such a sinner," Tommy told me this morning. "Why did God choose me to give this message today?"

I took him to 2 Corinthians 4:7 and read this to him: "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us."

I said, "See Tommy, God loves to do extraordinary things through ordinary people like you and me because that way everyone knows it was God - not us - and He gets the Glory for it."

"But I'm such a sinner," Tommy said.

"So am I," I said.

"I don't understand why he would choose me. He could have chosen anyone else."

"God loves you, Tommy. He loves you. That's why He showed Himself to you and touched your heart this week."

Tommy just smiled and nodded his head. I could the tears forming again in the corners of his eyes.

As I looked around I could see everyone's face was full of joy. We had witnessed a true miracle today. 

God had touched Tommy's heart. Then God touched our hearts through Tommy. 

As I got in my car to drive back home, Tommy said, "Pray for me!"

"I will," I said. "Just keep following Jesus."

"I don't always do that," he admitted.

"You can do it," I said. "Just keep your eyes on Jesus. He's with you."

"Ok," Tommy said.

So, join me this week in lifting up our new brother, Tommy. Pray that God would continue to reveal himself to Tommy.

Pray that Tommy would spend many more hours away from his beer - wrapped in the arms of Jesus and becoming more intoxicated by the Spirit of God's presence.

Pray that others would listen to the Gospel message that Tommy preached today. I'd love to share even more testimonies like this one with you as we continue to serve at the Motel.

Let the Kingdom come!

-kg




Friday, August 01, 2014

Top 10 Quotes That Inspire Me


 

In my own walk with Jesus there are a few authors and fellow travelers that inspire me and help me keep my eyes on Him.

Here are a few quotes that I refer to again and again and hopefully you might find inspiration and encouragement from these as well:

 
What counts for eternity? Only that good which is done for the love of doing it.  Only those plans in which the welfare of others is the master thought.  Only those labors in which the sacrifice is greater than the reward.  Only those gifts in which the giver forgets himself" - Henry Van Dyke

“The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.” – Michelangelo

“If you stopped learning now you wouldn’t live long enough to put into practice all that you already know.” – Fenelon

"The terrible thing, the almost impossible thing, is to hand over your whole self--all your wishes and precautions--to Christ.” - C.S. Lewis

“When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

"Among the plastic saints of our times, Jesus has to do all the dying, and all we want to hear is another sermon about his dying." - A.W. Tozer

“The man in Roman times who took up his cross and started down the road had already said good-by to his friends. He was not coming back. He was going out to have it ended. The cross made no compromise, modified nothing, spared nothing; it slew all of the man, completely and for good. It did not try to keep on good terms with its victim. It struck cruel and hard, and when it had finished its work, the man was no more.” – A.W. Tozer

"There is absolutely nothing in what Jesus himself or his early followers taught that suggests you can decide just to enjoy forgiveness at Jesus' expense and have nothing more to do with him." - Dallas Willard

"A notable heresy has come into being throughout evangelical Christian circles; the widely—accepted concept that we humans can choose to accept Christ only because we need Him as Savior and that we have the right to postpone our obedience to Him as Lord as long as we want to...salvation apart from obedience is unknown in the sacred scriptures." - A.W. Tozer

“Rather than ask, ‘If you died tonight would you be in heaven tomorrow’, maybe we should be asking, ‘If you were alive tomorrow, who would you follow and how would you live your life?’” - Todd Hunter

 
What are your favorite quotes? Share them in the comments below!