It was in the late 1960s that the teachings begotten by Gurdjieff, Suzuki, Krishnamurti, et al., flowered in the hothouse of countercultural rebellion against certainties political as well as spiritual. These teachings went mainstream; when “my generation” wasn’t sucking on hookahs and listening to “White Rabbit,” or striking against the war in Vietnam, we were all agog over the spiritual news from the East.

We got over it. The joke of my generation is that we turned the world upside-down, then most of us went straight. The joke of the next generation, today’s “New Agers,” is that they thought they discovered what we had already sampled and many of us had abandoned, at least those of us who went to work for Goldman Sachs and had 1.7 children.

Something else happened in the next generation, however, which runs completely counter to the New Age: an evangelical revival of traditional Christianity in the most secular country on earth, the United States. With the remarkable force transmitted by the papacy of John Paul II, backed up by the genial teaching of Benedict XVI, the Catholic Church has been revitalized—potentially rediscovering the meaning of Vatican II and magnetizing such unlikely converts as . . . well, me.

So I’m not going to worry too much about the latest pablum being served up by New Agers, no matter how many books they sell. Ages will continue to come and go, but my money says, the Church will still be standing.

Read the article

If you read this blog, I imagine you have been keeping up with the awakening meetings taking place at IHOP-KC. If by some remarkable chance you haven’t heard, the Holy Spirit has been moving on us (especially on our student body) in an unusual way lately. You can watch live meetings Wednesday-Sunday, starting at 6pm (Central), as well as watch some amazing archives and testimonies, at www.ihop.org/watch.

You can read the explanation of what is going on at the IHOP website. Plus, you can go read a couple of great posts by Zack Hensley and Randy Bohlender  with some further thoughts on the meetings. As I consider what has already been said, along with what could be said, and how much I’m still trying to get my own bearings on things right now, it is hard to decide how to write about this. At one level, I have to say something — we are having healings, deliverances, and salvations breaking out after all — but at another level, what can I say? (Except for: ”Seriously folks, if you haven’t tuned in to any of it yet, get on www.ihop.org/watch sometime this Wed-Sunday.”)

This has something to do with the pronounced lack of blog posts so far this month.

Yet as I was reading through the book of Luke recently, I was struck with two passages that exactly speak to what I’ve been feeling about this season of awakening.

I was reading in Luke 17, and ran across this in verses 7-10:

And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’? But will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink’? Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’

If I may venture an interpretation of this analogy, I think of “plowing” as laboring in the place of prayer, and “tending sheep” as taking care of the daily pastoral needs of the people of God (taken from the ABCOSTOTMOTS… Amanda Beattie’s Commentary of Stuff That Occured to Me on the Spot).  From a distance, these may sound like rather glamorous things — “Ooh, I want to be an intercessor”, or “I want to be a pastor”. But in the day to day, there is a lot of blood, sweat, and tears, mostly worked out in the mundaneness of life with little recognition and frequent opposition.

Praying in a focused way is hard work, kind of like plowing — long hours pushing something through stubborn terrain, encountering all kinds of obstacles on the way, preparing for a yet-future harvest you wonder if you’ll ever see. Pastoring people is hard work, kind of like tending sheep — long hours caring for, feeding, protecting, and keeping track of creatures who may or may not have much desire or appreciation for being led.

It’s no accident that Jesus chose these two jobs for His illustration. Surely if anyone deserved a break and a few kudos after their job, it was the servant-plowman and the servant-shepherd.

Not so, according to this.

Now of course, the point is not that God actually looks down His nose at us and works us to the bone. The point is that God does not owe us anything, no matter how awesome we think we are (or are not) or how awesome anyone else thinks we are (or are not). Our biggest efforts and most dedicated labors are, in reality, nothing more than our debt to the One who has given us everything. We are not entitled to so much as a pat on the back. If He chose, He could work us into the ground without ever saying a single “thank you”, simply because we are obligated to honor and serve Him as God.

He is the Creator. We are the created. We were the fallen. He is the Redeemer. We have zero leverage to begin haggling for our fair share of the pie, because we are just “unprofitable servants”. We brought nothing to the relationship, so we can demand nothing of it. Entitlement has no place. Prideful self-aggrandizing has no place. We obey God, not because we are building credit and earning favor from Him, but because it is right for us to do so.

As I read this passage, it gave me pause. I understood all right what Jesus was saying, but I was sure I had read a parable with a much different angle just a few chapters earlier…

I flipped back in my Bible a page or two and found it in Luke 12:36-37:

…and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them.

There is something very important to notice about this passge: This is not normal. What’s normal is what we see Jesus talking about in chapter 17 (the passage I cited above). Servants do their master’s bidding because it’s their job. The master doesn’t fall all over himself to reward the servants for doing what he hired/bought them to do in the first place. Especially in the ancient Near East, no one would ever expect otherwise.

But when Jesus is telling us what He is like, we see that He is not the kind of master who sets us to work without a nod of thanks. He is the kind of Master who serves us. He owes us nothing, and we owe Him unceasing gifts of our time and energy. But He actually stoops down to feed us and strengthen us, even though we have absolutely zero entitlement to such treatment. He doesn’t just provide the meal, either — He Himself gets His hands dirty, so to speak, going above and beyond any expectation to serve us and lavish affection on us. He is not distant, only concerned with preserving His rank; He is meek and lowly (Matt 11:29), and He joyfully sets about serving His “unprofitable servants”.

This is what has been overwhelming me so much with the IHOPU Student Awakening meetings. At one level, I can look back at the ten-year history this place has in night and day prayer, and say: “This is the kind of thing we’ve been praying for! God is answering our prayers!” But on another level, I can’t say: “Well it’s about time! I wondered when God was going to get His act in gear and do something in this city, for crying out loud.”

God isn’t answering prayers because He is obligated to. He is answering them becuase He is mind-blowingly generous and kind. He is no more obligated to release healing than a master is obligated to wait on his servants’ tables — or wash their feet. But Jesus does both.

Every time I get to take a good look across that FSM auditorium and drink in the sights and sounds, I am profoundly overwhelmed. I see students who were mired in depression two weeks ago, now laughing hysterically. I see men and women who hobbled with pain into the building and danced out the door a few hours later. I see a couple thousand people really engaging in worship and prayer for six solid hours, not because they’re simply toughing it out, but because they actually want to be there. I see hundreds of young (and not-so-young) people giving their lives in wholearted surrender to God’s calling on their life. I see dozens of people a night getting baptized, declaring themselves dead to sin and rising to newness of life in Christ. I feel how my own heart has been disentangled from some real emotional burdens and confirmed in the Lord’s affection and calling on my life.

And the thing that brings tears to my eyes as I see this is: God is so kind to us. We don’t deserve any of this. And He’s giving it to us anyway.

There is much that could be said about these meetings. Much has been said. I’m sure I will have more to say in the days and weeks to come. But above all I am floored by the gentle kindness of the God who serves His servants. I am astounded by the generous God who gives freely of Himself to those He has purchased. I am grateful for all He has done for us and excited to see where He is leading us next.

Text: Matthew 11:12
From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.  NIV

There are several thoughts about interpretation of this statement by Jesus.  Some interpret it as a movement began by John the Baptist, others believe it refers to the expectations of a political and military Messiah that will overthrow the government, and still others interpret the statement as the need of faith and courage to move forward in the kingdom because there are forces that oppose it.  I am in the last camp.

Jesus had no political or military ambitions.  He made that abundantly clear to His disciples repeatedly.  He did speak often of the Kingdom.  And in the context of this statement, about opposition to the Kingdom.  Somehow people believe the Christian life is one of blue skies and calm seas.  As Americans, we suffer little if at all for the gospel.  The concept of suffering to advance the kingdom is foreign.  People hold on to their time, strengths, money, children and possessions.  If we are too busy clutching the things of this world, we will never embrace the things of the next.

Our country is dealing with critical concerns.  We desperately need the touch of God.   I see some momentary flashes of repentance and renewal.  Small gains in the kingdom.  However, as a whole, our nation is quickly slipping away from a Christian heritage.  It will require humble and contrite people of repentance and transformation.  It will require faith and courage.  Forceful people, people of strength and vision, will lay hold to the City of God.  The revolution is not by military might or political reformation.  The revolution will come one soul at a time, washed by grace, redeemed by the blood of Jesus, and renewed by the Holy Spirit.

Thought for the Day – are you willing to lay hold of the kingdom?

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Sinopse:
Anos depois que Minase tinha derrotado Senhorita Kitami, todas as senhoras da Escola de Feitiçaria se formaram e trilharam caminhos diferentes. A história se desenvolve ao redor de Imari que é um investigadora psíquica que conduz um time em uma investigação de assassinato que despertará a alma da Senhorita Kitami dentro dela.

- Para poder entender o Bible Black Revival você deve assistir o Bible Black caso não o tenha feito faça para a historia ficar ainda mais interessante.

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I was guilty of false advertising. I said I would bring a short devotional after our praise and Thanksgiving service.  I keep the promise of shortness but was moved to preach the gospel and call those who were present and without Christ to repent of their sins and call upon Christ for salvation.   I pray that the seed of God’s truth was planted in hearts and that God would give the increase.   You can listen to this short and clear salvation message by clicking on the title:  God’s Goodness, Hell, and Salvation

Sincerely in Christ,  Mark Worden, pastor

“Though he was impressed by the intern’s enterprise in producing the new sign for the conference desk, Ben at Strange Fire Ministries knew the intern would need mentored more so he didn’t inadvertently blab the contents of another private staff meeting in future.”

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Copyright Notice

This cartoon is copyright of Dod Cartoonist, © 2009.

www.worldofdod.wordpress.com 

If you like this cartoon, pass it on. You’re welcome to use it for free for any legitimate non-commercial purpose as long as you don’t alter it, and provided you link to my website and include this full copyright notice within any post or copy that you produce. If you wish to use my cartoons for any commercial purposes, then you MUST contact me first.

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Here are a few pictures from the fashion spread Marloes Horst did for Marie Claire Italy’s December issue. I’m really  loving the pictures so much the 80s styling along with the colouring of the shots all has this nostalgic feeling which is crazy!. I’m also pretty sure the only reason I posted this is because it reminds me of my mum’s savvy fashion sense. I loves it!

IMG|SOURCE: Marie Claire

“The anointed ones who organised the Healing, Signs & Wonders conference decided to use a subtle decorating theme throughout the whole room.”

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Copyright Notice

This cartoon is copyright of Dod Cartoonist, © 2009.

www.worldofdod.wordpress.com 

If you like this cartoon, pass it on. You’re welcome to use it for free for any legitimate non-commercial purpose as long as you don’t alter it, and provided you link to my website and include this full copyright notice within any post or copy that you produce. If you wish to use my cartoons for any commercial purposes, then you MUST contact me first.

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George Whitefield preaching in 1749

During the whole period of the first Great Awakening in America and Europe the power of the Holy Spirit was an obvious feature.

A season of mighty power
The power of God was evidently touching those non-Christians who were attending the massive meetings. The power of God was also touching those who were repenting. And faithful believers were coming into a new experience of God’s love and guidance as a result of being filled with the Spirit.

Inevitably, and especially where those being influenced were new converts, this occasionally led to a lack of common sense and the usual application of wisdom.

George Whitefield, the great Evangelist of the movement was eager to provide counsel that would help those newly baptised into what appear to be essentially charismatic experiences.

Wise counsel from a man full of the Spirit
In a sermon based on Genesis 5:24 (‘And Enoch walked with God’) Whitefield, in seeking to explain how the child of God receives guidance, wrote the following:

‘In order to walk closely with God, his children must not only watch the motions of God’s providence without them, but the motions also of his blessed Spirit in their hearts.

‘As many as are the sons of God, are led by the Spirit of God’ (Romans 8:14), and give up themselves to be guided by the Holy Ghost, as a little child gives its hand to be led by a nurse or parent.

‘It is no doubt in this sense that we are to be converted, and become like little children. And though it is the quintessence of enthusiasm, to pretend to be guided by the Spirit without the written word; yet it is every Christian’s bounden duty to be guided by the Spirit in conjunction with the written word of God.

Led by the Spirit and guided by the Word
‘Watch, therefore, I pray you, O believers, the motions of God’s blessed Spirit in your souls, and always try the suggestions or impressions that you may at any time feel, by the unerring rule of God’s most holy word: and if they are not found to be agreeable to that, reject them as diabolical and delusive.

By observing this caution, you will steer a middle course between the two dangerous extremes many of this generation are in danger of running into; I mean, enthusiasm on the one hand, and…downright infidelity on the other.’
(George Whitefield, Walking with God, quoted by Iain Murray in Jonathan Edwards, Banner of Truth, p.248. The whole sermon is available here)

© 2009 Lex Loizides

Ever since I started to have erectile dysfunction I began searching the World Wide Web as well as some sex stores to find the ultimate pill that makes me both harder and bigger. I have tried them all from Bali Mojo to Horney goat weed and even more that I can’t remember. Over the course of time I have come to understand the ingredients the manufactures use to make these pills work and I have done my research extensively.

Many people think that everything they buy on the Internet is going to be a scam, but this is not the case at all. This is because the Internet has revolutionized the sex pill industry and it allows both good and bad manufactures to easily market their product with out having to deal with physical stores to hold their products.

So does revival for men really work?

The first thing you must always do is check who the manufacturer is that makes the brand of pill. Simply type the words “revival for men” into Google and in this instance you will find that the manufactures are the same people that brought you xp tongkat ali.

Xp tongkat ali was the pill that was surrounded with controversy and eventually band around the world, because the pill actually contained Cialias which is exactly like Viagra and is a controlled substance. Using Cialias can cause death if consumed to much or if taking a nitrate medication which is used to treat heart problems.

Their promise of an all-natural pill was completely false and have had to take down their website and stop sales through out the world.

Revival for men seems to be a repackaged product and here is why

All the ingredients such as tongkat ali, Horney goat weed, maca extract, and   cordyceps extract work after prolong periods of time. These ingredients do not work immediately and take prolonged exposure to work, sometime over 6 months or longer.  However revival for men claims that it will work in less than 60 minutes.

I highly suspect that this manufacturer is back to their old tricks selling controlled substances discussed as herbal products. However you do not have to take my word for it but simply buy a pack and submit it to HSA or your local health and safety board for testing, and you will find out that this pill is not only NOT herbal but can be very dangerous to your health.

You should only buy herbal products online if they have been tested in a laboratory and they will clearly state this in their website if they have done this.

Please think of your health first before buying any herbal sex pills online .

I just got back from the Student Awakening at IHOP-KC today, and thought I would give everyone an update of what all happened.

Last weekend my wife suggested I fly out to IHOP to experience what Holy Spirit was doing there.  Of course my response was to run to the computer and start searching for flights. A couple days later a friend called and told me he had a friend I could stay with in Kansas City. So I asked God to reserve me a seat on a flight until I was able to book one, then on Thursday a friend called and informed me God told him to pay for my plane ticket. So instead of God reserving a flight, He paid for it. Praise God!

While there I felt like I was sitting in heavenly places the entire time. Two special times with the Lord stand out though. During a session where everyone was asking for God to reveal His love to them, Holy Spirit flooded me with the love of God. My body was bent over under the pressure of the waves of His love, which was very cool because I’ve never had such an obvious physical manifestation of what was going on spiritually before. Even better though was what God revealed to me during this time. He showed me that my experience in Him as my Father is not limited by my experience with my natural Father. The lie that I am limited in how much I can encounter His love because of the lack of relationship with my natural Father was exposed as false. God revealed to me that EVERYONE encounters the Father heart of God because of Holy Spirit ministering to them. Those with good relationships with their natural fathers STILL have to encounter God’s heart for them via the Holy Spirit. Praise God! My Father is the best Father in the whole wide world! The lack of a relationship with a natural father just makes me a perfect candidate to receive His love!

Also, I received physical healing. For about a year I have had a small problem with my left ear. When singing, my hearing in that ear has been distorted. The best way I know to describe it is I heard a noise like the noise you hear when you have a busted car speaker. It never caused any pain, it was just an annoyance, so I never pursued healing or medical attention. But Wes Hall received a word of knowledge that God was going to heal ears. I decided to accept this for myself, and began testing it by singing loudly in different octaves. I have been testing it ever since when I think about it and still no noise! Praise God for healing annoyances!

Many other great things happened that I can’t share, but I know many of you prayed for my trip, and I wanted to let you know what God did. Amen.

Revival is a phrase that often gets used to describe moves of the Holy Spirit upon a people. In some ways I understand its usage, in other ways I believe it’s misapplied. Revival in my understanding is a full scale event where believers are sanctified, and unbelievers are convicted of their sin and mass repentance happens. The result of revival would be a town, city, or region thriving in the message of the gospel and thriving in lifestyles that reflect the Sermon on the Mount as many embrace the transforming power and grace of the Holy Spirit.

The fruit of revival:  It’s masses of human beings saved. It’s Christians walking in the endless power of The Holy Spirit and not the lethargy of endless entertainment. It’s believers being confident in love, no longer deficient in love. It’s the lame walking, It’s the blind seeing, It’s the power of sickness and demonic oppression being broken off of image bearers of God. It’s millions walking in agreement with the cross energized with the hope and message of the second advent. It’s the Spirit and the Bride crying: COME!

I am in my 8^th year of asking the Lord for such revival before judgment from heaven is righteously released on this nation. What is currently happening at IHOP is not yet that. However I do believe it is the Preface to the chapters of Revival soon to be written by many believers all over the world. After 6 to 8 to 10 hours of prayer a day for nearly eight years I’m finally seeing some of those weak prayers answered. It is a beautiful thing.

The Holy Spirit is awakening hearts at IHOP and in Kansas City not because there is a special anointing for this ministry or this city to receive the Holy Spirit in ways others can’t, it’s that we’ve simply been faithful to say “Come” and God is proving His faithfulness to that cry.

Thousands in Kansas City are pouring into our little conference center and are leaving with clear physical healings, water baptized, free from bitterness, fear, depression, oppression, and saved. I’ve been watching marriages get restored, emotional wounds healed, and countless pastors, teachers, and missionaries tired from their labors get refreshed in life changing ways. Friends of mine who I have always prayed for, who had issues of insomnia, anxiety, bitterness, and wounds from past abuse are getting free in ways I’ve never seen. Their eyes reflect the light of Christ for the first time. For many I know I am seeing the hope and peace of Christ on their faces like I have not seen in my entire history of knowing them. Including my self, my life has been changed.

I grew up loving Jesus. Not in the sentimental sense but in the deep devotional sense. When I was eight, nine, and ten, years old I would spend hours by myself talking to the Lord in my back yard, prophesying to people I had never met. Jesus was not a deistic metaphor but a personal friend who walked and talked with me. I used to get up with my Dad before work and read to him Matthew 5, 6, and 7 every morning. When I was in Jr. high school I carried my Bible everywhere I went. I fasted and prayed for my classmates, even had their names on a white board in my bed room. In the midst of all of this, I was made fun of, physically beaten up on a regular basis, and had no friends at 14 to speak of.

At some point before I was 15 I had had enough. I was tired of being “radical” I was tired of my classmates and kids in the neighborhood beating me up and belittling me for my faith. I was tired of my friends at youth group telling me to “Chill out” and not be so “intense” about my faith. So I quit, and shut my heart down. Since then I have had the hardest time loving Jesus apart from shame. Since I quit I have always loved him, but there was always a steady anxiousness in my heart to venture too far down the road to devotion. There was always this fear of being vulnerable in prayer before the Lord, the way I used to when He was my best friend. Jesus had become a doctrine, a Theology that I was faithful to. He was a living and active man that I truly did love, but from a distance. I would preach about Him with real conviction, share about Him with others in real tenderness, but ALWAYS felt like there was a wall in my heart that was reserved for just me, and I was too terrified to let Him in there. Last week this all changed.

It was my third night of attending the Awakening meetings. I had been greatly touched by what The Holy Spirit was doing. Watching friends get set free, praying for teens of mine to hear the Lord; even crying some what during worship. But there I was, standing in a sea of people praying for this young man to get healed when a friend of mine who I greatly respect got up and gave a testimony about how the Lord had revealed His love to him. I decided to do something I hadn’t done in years. Stop praying for people, and hold out my hands and receive prayer.

My friend’s testimony had given me real boldness. So I “maned up”. I was tiered of praying for people to receive the love of Christ, when I hadn’t felt it in years. I was tired of asking for revival when my soul felt like a dry wasteland. I was sick and tired of preaching about the love of God at conferences and being envious of the people in the pews receiving love from God when my heart felt num. I was tired of being Martha in the kitchen while Mary got to sit at Jesus’ feet. I voiced this to the Lord, and just when I did I felt like my shoulder was on fire.

A couple of friends and leaders I knew had gathered around me, and began to pray for me. I was shocked that I was feeling some sort of physical manifestation, especially since I was the biggest skeptic of such things. My friend Jennifer Roberts, not knowing anything about my life as a kid or as a teenager began to prophecy to me my life’s story. She began to tell me that when I was 14 I quit, and the enemy had been robbing me of feeling the love of God like I did when I was a kid. Then she said the phrase: “Zack you are a Mary meant to sit at the feet of Jesus and you’ve been trying to be a Martha”. The phrase felt like someone punched me in the gut. I bent over and wept like I’ve never wept in public. As I did I felt the joy of the Father’s delight in my life. I felt the love of God like I had when I was a kid. I felt free to be able to love God with my whole heart, when I hadn’t before. I will never be the same.

Is revival happening at IHOP? Not yet. Is the Holy Spirit moving in such a way to prepare us and the rest of the nation to faithful steward a full scale revival of souls that is coming soon? Yes.

The day is coming, and is nearly here when the prayers of many saints will be answered and Revival will sweep through this land in a way that will make the Great Awakening of Jonathan Edwards look small. Not because the prayers of the saints today are any different than those in the 1700’s, but because a Jewish man, fully divine named Jesus is following through on His promise to come back to the Earth to judge the Living and the Dead, and His desire is that none should perish. This tiny, little, blip on the move of the spirit radar in Kansas City gives my heart courage that it’s soon. And make no bones about it, This blip will soon become a roar.

Even so Lord, Come!

“The anointed ones who organised the Healing, Signs & Wonders conference decided to use a subtle decorating theme throughout the whole room.”

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Copyright Notice

This cartoon is copyright of Dod Cartoonist, © 2009. www.worldofdod.wordpress.com 

If you like this cartoon, pass it on. You’re welcome to use it for free for any legitimate non-commercial purpose as long as you don’t alter it, and provided you link to my website and include this full copyright notice within any post or copy that you produce. If you wish to use my cartoons for any commercial purposes, then you MUST contact me first. ____________________________________________________

Some of you may be aware that there has been a move of God taking place at the Kansas City IHOP. It started about 2 weeks ago (November 4th) and has spread and continued. These meetings have seen a manifest presence of God with signs and wonders as many have been healed, delivered and set free. There are those who oppose the HOP movement as being a return to OT worship, and there are those who have  condemned it because of percieved excesses. But, what is the truth? Does the HOP movement line up with the Word? What can we learn from the past moves of God? Can we conclude that this is a true move of God?

I will be the first to admit that there will be (and no doubt is) excess, distortion and error. After all has that not been true of every move of God? Read your church history if you do not think so, for you can see it starting with the First Century church and trace it through history. For that matter what we call “church” today was unknown until the third, yes I said third, century when Constantine became a Christian. Until then they met from house to house. So then can we conclude that we evolved as we moved on down through history? Of course not, as you look at church history, you can only see a pattern of truth after truth being lost, and then starting with Luther’s Reformation being restored. We will also see a pattern of those accepting the fresh revelation being persecuted by those who held to the last revelation. Could this be happening now? I hope not!

Many have condemned the House of Prayer movement as an attempt to return to an OT practice. Consider this, Jesus was Jewish, Peter, John, Paul, Mark, all of those whose writings have become compiled into what we call the New Testament, with the notable exception of Luke, were Jewish. The books they wrote were, for the most part, written to Jewish believers. Do you not think that perhaps their worship might have had a distinct OT flavor? Of course it did! I have been in traditional churches, I have been (and am) a part of the house church movement. I have participated in Harp and Bowl worship and know it well. They all have their faults, and in fact the same ones can creep in anywhere you go. Things like a controlling spirit, backbiting, deception, envy, apostasy, false doctrine, even oldie but goodies like Gnosticism, you name it, it can and will try to creep into the Body at any opportunity. You can find such error in every move, and in every denomination, it’s not hard. Face it, until we stand with our Lord before His throne we will have to deal with this stuff.

I actually see little if any desire to return to OT worship in the House of Prayer movement. Nor do I see any danger of it happening. First of all, we couldn’t if we wanted to, there is no temple. (The Hebrew people face this dilemma to this day.) Secondly, at least the HOP I have been to, are too well founded in the Word. True, they may not spend as much time preaching in the traditional sense, but I have found that in general, the membership spends far more time in the Word than most of the church today. I have also found them to be much closer to the NT admonition to:

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” (Col 3:16 NKJV)

Perhaps that is not true everywhere, but it is true in the circles where I roam.

I could go on and on, but I will not. I could make similar arguments with Theophosticism. There is no doubt excess and error, but at the heart there IS truth. Just as the Harp and Bowl worship in the HOP at the core is nothing more than seeking to enter into His presence, seek and pray His will, so to Theophostics is nothing more than allowing the Father to reveal to you the truth about the wounds you have received in life. I would not submit to it with anyone, but then neither will I submit to prayer or the laying on of hands from someone I do not know and trust. Lets all be careful who and what we condemn and seek to properly discern the entire body of Christ in ALL of its expression.

“Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, ^do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: ^that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” (Eph 1:15-22 NKJV)

Be blessed.

This past summer, my blogging buddy Joel and I engaged in a friendly discussion about whether there will or will not be an end-times revival. His excellent post, Is there a Great World Wide Revival Coming, kicked off the discussion. My response, Will There Be an End-Times Revival?, followed.

Recently, another good friend of mine entered the fray with Great End Times Revival or Great Falling Away…Which Is It? Check it out.

As you may (or may not) be aware, I happen to think the two are not necessarily mutually exclusive. I happen to believe there will be both. Now whether they will be simultaneous, or whether one will precede the other, I cannot definitively say.

Thoughts, ideas, suggestions? Feel free to share them here, but I also encourage you to share them there.

Georgian Roped Push Plate

One of the most prominent features of Georgian architecture is its focus on proportion and balance. Math was used to determine correct size and placement of windows and other adornments on the building. Symmetry was very important when designing a Georgian style building and a Georgian addition to an earlier architectural style was considered extremely unattractive and flawed. Much of the inspiration for Georgian buildings was derived from Roman and Greek architecture and buildings were traditionally constructed of stone or brick over other materials.

In the United States the principles of Georgian style architecture were combined with neo-Palladian style architecture which created a “Federal Style”. It was used most frequently in middle and upper class homes. Several examples of the influence of Georgian architecture can still be seen today in the United States.

Georgian architecture was replaced slowly with a series of revival movements. Georgian architecture was itself revived and this new style was referred to as “Colonial revival”. Today Georgian style architecture is most frequently used for residential construction only and most commercial properties have abandoned this style completely.

LookInTheAttic & Company offers a wide variety of Georgian and Colonial style hardware and they offer free design assistance and help. Look for balanced and symmetrical patterns and solid brass construction to ensure high quality and durability. The Georgian architectural style is a wonderful theme for any home because it offers a wide variety of patterns that can be introduced inside the home and out.

I’m real proud to throw this party in a month, I can’t wait in fact.  I’ve often sat back and thought about the artists that could actually rival each other – Prince and MJ, Stevie and nobody, you know how it goes….And Biggie vs Jay-Z was always in my mind growing up.  It’s kind of an old school party with a twist.  I did a mixtape that runs through the beginning of their careers right till the present, and then touching on the past and recreating songs like “hypnotize” or “show me what ya got” on the turntables.  It’s short but I’m real proud of this mixtape…

Biggie vs Jay-Z mix by M-Rock

My partner Double AA had a great write up to share:

Your favorite MC?  It’s like asking an NRA member about their favorite gun, or asking a fat kid about what their favorite candy is?  Everyone has their choice, and think they’re right!

Is your fav MC of all time Nas?  Is it Rakim? Big Daddy Kane, maybe it’s Mos Def?  Don’t forget about Black Thought, perhaps even KRS-1?

BIG & HOV

It’s these two that really took over!  First NYC, and then they took the music industry by storm.  Apparently, they’re each other’s favourite rappers, and although they sound totally different, they had tones in common including the fact that came from an experience dealing in the streets.  They were both fans of the 90s golden era rap, yet were able to go pop without losing their core audience.  Jigga even toured with Big Daddy Kane in the early days.

While Tribe and Preemo were digging for obscure jazz loops to freak into new things, Jay and BIG were tearing up verses over 70s and almost retro party anthems, and still flipping the B-side with gems for the underground.  Remember ‘A Million & One Questions” by HOV, a classic banger produced by Preemo.  Then you have BIG droppin’ tracks like ‘Warning’ and ‘Who Shot Ya?’, certified classics!

There definitely is no arguing that there are many greats, and these two probably caused more controversy than anyone else.

BIG

BIG causes arguments because he had a lot of party records, and because he was on Bad Boy many true hip hop heads don’t consider him in the same group as those listed above.  However you can’t doubt his lyrical prowess, from the infamous freestyle on the street corner in BK, to his lyrical assault on tracks like ‘Dead Wrong’.  BIG was truly one of a kind and one of the best to ever do it.

HOV

There is no doubting that he is the CEO of Hip-Hop.  He has the hottest chick in the game wearing his chain, Ex-President of Def Jam, Co-Founder of Roc-A-Wear, official NY ambassador, and he’s sold millions and basically become a household name.  From his start with Original Flavor, then going on to his solo career, he has accomplished it all.  He can lace the hardest beat from Just Blaze, or give that edge to a commercial pop track from Amy Winehouse.  He does it all while maintaining his style and credibility.

The 4MLA presents Biggie vs Jay-Z
A night of celebrating all good music.  From Hip-Hop, House, R&B, Old Skool, Soul, Anything Dope, New & Old, & of Course

Frank White vs HOV!
2 DJs on 4 Turntables
Directed by Double AA and M-Rock
Sat Dec 19th @ Revival
$10 Cover

http://www.the4mla.com

Last week was the PaperWise User Summit. What a fun and energizing time it was! It is always wonderful to see the people in person that I interact with over the phone, by email, or even by proxy in some cases. To put faces with voices really helps personalize things even further than normal. I always walk away with a renewed enthusiasm for the work I do.  

For those that could not attend, I will try to describe what happens from a more transcendental viewpoint than what a mere listing of an event schedule would infer. The Summit is more than an educational opportunity. It is much more than a chance to hang out and learn new things.

I see the whole event as a sort of revival. Well, except that it was in Las Vegas, but what a better place for a revival story than Sin City? Everyone came there looking for something. Some people knew what they were looking for, but did not know where to find it. Some did not quite know what they were looking for, but knew that they were lacking something.  There were believers and skeptics. At the beginning of the Summit, no one could really understand what they would be taking home from the experience.

The first full day started with the opening session. Dan did a wonderful job setting the stage for the Summit.  It is almost as if he knew what would happen. Actually, I’m sure he did know, as he plans for everything.

Immediately after the opening session, classes began. While the classes progressed, something uncontrollable and unexpected happened.  As attendees absorbed the message that was being presented, you saw it happen. At first, it was that one person that saw a glimmer of light. You can tell by the way they looked up then tilted their head. Soon it caught hold of another person, and before you knew it, several people were engaged and taking the event to new heights. They were piecing it all together and asking questions, all while accepting the message and paving the way to a new, more efficient use of PaperWise.

Attendees took away a renewed sense of urgency. They made plans to spread what they have learned. They have returned to their offices and put into place changes and new ways of using PaperWise for the betterment of all.

Now… do not get me wrong. I am not trying to compare PaperWise to the word of God. I’m simply making a comparison between revivals and the Summit. People get excited at hearing a worthy message. The excitement builds and feeds itself thus creating an event that is larger than any single person could have created.

I enjoy the Summit, the people, the engaging discussions, the opportunity to help deliver a worthy message.  I can only hope that the customers I have the fortune to interact with take away a fraction of what they give to me. I hope to see each of you at the next Summit.

–Rex Gray, TEAMQ

DUDE.

PLEASE LORD.

you know the desire of our hearts. you know what what we want to see in austin.

PLEASE.

we’ll do ANYTHING. light spiritual bonfires, build a spiritual lighthouse, set off spiritual flares…

we’ll pray as long as it takes for you to come and settle here.

but please – it would be really great if part of it was in the time i’ve still got. i KNOW you are moving because i have SEEN it, FELT it, EXPERIENCED it myself. but PLEASE – let there be more.

Humbug is the third album by the British alternative rock band Arctic Monkeys. Like their last release, Favourite Worst Nightmare (2007), Humbug was released first in Japan, on 19 August 2009, followed by Australia, Brazil, Ireland and Germany, on 21 August 2009. It was then released in the UK on 24 August 2009, in the US the following day and in Greece on 31 August. The release preceded the band’s headline performances at the Reading and Leeds Festivals at the end of that week. The album’s cover was revealed on the band’s website on 22 June 2009. In Ireland and United Kingdom, the album went straight to number one, within the first week of release with sales of 96,000 in UK, outselling the rest of the top five albums combined. Worldwide, the album sold 191,000 copies in its first week of release.

Track Listing

1. “My Propeller”
2. “Crying Lightning”
3. “Dangerous Animals”
4. “Secret Door”
5. “Potion Approaching”
6. “Fire and the Thud”
7. “Cornerstone”
8. “Dance Little Liar”
9. “Pretty Visitors”
10. “The Jeweller’s Hands”

Genre: Indie rock, Post-punk revival

More @ Wikipedia
Arctic Monkeys Official Homepage

“Though he was impressed by the intern’s enterprise in producing the new sign for the conference desk, Ben at Strange Fire Ministries knew the intern would need mentored more so he didn’t inadvertently blab the contents of another private staff meeting in future.”

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This cartoon is copyright of Dod Cartoonist, © 2009. www.worldofdod.wordpress.com 

If you like this cartoon, pass it on. You’re welcome to use it for free for any legitimate non-commercial purpose as long as you don’t alter it, and provided you link to my website and include this full copyright notice within any post or copy that you produce. If you wish to use my cartoons for any commercial purposes, then you MUST contact me first. ____________________________________________________