The Value of Fellowship

Pastor Ric Vargas recent sermon on The Value of Fellowship. A timely word.

Ric Vargas: True revival through God’s word

Ric shares a very powerful and relevant word at Pinecrest Bible Training Center 40th year anniversary. I encourage all the readers who come here to take the time to listen to this message. Ric deals with the misdirected focus of many in the church of looking for the next revival, move of God, or supernatural manifestation. Ric exhorts us to get back to the basics of the word of God.

True revival through God’s word

God in the Whirlwind

Stories of Grace from the Tornado at Union University

Author: Tim Ellsworth
In short: A testimony of gratitude for God’s providence.

Review by Scott Lamb

Title: God in the Whirlwind: Stories of Grace from the Tornado at Union University
Author: Tim Ellsworth
Review Date: September 04, 2008
Publisher: B&H Books (2008)
Category: General Interest

It isn’t everyday that one gets a chance to read a book about your alma mater, written by your college roommate. But then, thankfully, it isn’t everyday that an EF-4 tornado destroys $40 million dollars worth of dormitories without killing a single student.

God in the Whirlwind is a thrilling account of God’s mercy and providence throughout the horrifying tornado that hit Union University on February 5, 2008. The stories compiled by Tim Ellsworth recount how students escaped death by “mere fractions of time or space,” meaning that walls and debris fell within inches of students time and again. My own nephew walked out of the rubble alive, as did the sons and daughters of many of my friends.

When the television news crews from around the world converged on the campus in the days following the tornado, they observed Christian joy amidst utterly devastating losses. Led by the prayer and serenity of President David Dockery, the faculty, staff, and student body of Union University showed great Christian courage and strength in spite of the losses.

Even now, the students are preparing to come back to the campus for the fall semester. New dorms have been rebuilt. Damaged buildings are being restored. One day in the future the campus will have little evidence of the destruction that occurred so recently. However, the memories of this event will linger in the hearts and minds of those who were eyewitnesses to the event, as well as alumni like myself who stayed glued to the computer for updates on our beloved Union.

Therefore, a word of thanks goes out to all who told their stories and for Tim in writing them down as a permanent testimony of thanks to God for his grace in preserving life even as material buildings were blown away.

Take a look at some of these photos:

Slideshow of photos from the first hours after the tornado struck the university on February 5, 2008:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/unionuniversity/sets/72157603861654921/show

All slideshows from subsequent days throughout February 2008:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/41208530@N00/collections/72157603889196007

Thanks to Bill Harrison for forwarding this book review & photo links. This book looks like it would be a fascinating read!

I am also posting this beautiful painting done by Janice after her experience with Hurricane Charlie.

Still in the storm

As some of you know, I’ve been in the middle of a storm. I’m still there.

It’s going to be interesting to see what develops over the next 6 to 12 mos. in our personal lives, our nation and economy. Due to the downturn in the construction market, my perspective may be a bit skewed. I’ll admit that. It seems that Oregon is always the first state in and the last one out during tough economic times. So, I may just have a locally skewed perspective.

However, there are a LOT of people without jobs in our area right now. Over the past several weeks I have received many calls from men out of work, looking for work. I’m even getting resumes sent to me by folks looking for jobs, which is not normal. I can’t help them.

African outreach: Kenya

My good friend Ric Vargas and his mission’s minded traveling companion, Lou Pressman, recently returned from a trip to Africa. Ric is a little insecure about his height, thus, is standing on the sign platform They traveled specifically to Kenya and Burundi. Ric has promised to provide a reflective summary of his time spent there. Just from the initial testimony I have received from him, their time was both fruitful and challenging. I’m also hoping that Lou can provide a summary of things from his perspective as well. Needless to say, many brothers in Christ were refreshed and encouraged in the Lord along the way as their travels took them into several different areas. Lou took some nice photos, I’ll be including more as they forward them to me. I’m including email summaries that I received from them during their travels. This first post will feature photos and testimonies from the Kenyan segment of their trip.

Todd Bentley: I’m moving on

Well, I’ve decided that my participation in the Todd Bentley saga is over, as far posting any more personally written articles, & commentary on my blog. I had made the decision some time back, however, after this recent news of Bentley was released, I decided to post up a few things related to the matter. I am saddened over this whole thing. I do and have prayed for Todd and his family. God knows that I have feet of clay.

My belief is that it is now incumbent upon those men and women, especially Leaders, within the renewal movement to begin to speak out about these things and clean it up yourselves. For some of you, it may mean having to make a clean break, especially in light of the fact that it appears that from most of the top tier Leaders, it’s going to be business as usual. If they do begin to speak up, I will post their statements up as a broader range of interest.

It does the movement no good when men like Bill Johnson identifies folks who have been sounding the alarm since the beginning of this Lakeland movement as, “Accusers, sharks, shooters, religious, rigid, political, throwing out the baby and operating in a denominationalistic spirit.”

It may help to save their own public image and calcify their own agenda and base. However, as someone looking from the outside in, it really only serves to reinforce the perspective that many of us have that these men are elitist, arrogant snobs. So, Bill, knock it off and just show some humility and grace. An “I’m sorry” would go a long ways.

It appears as though the core foundational belief structure and world view of men like Joyner, Johnson, Ahn, Wagner, et al, is so entrenched, I don’t know that anything in the short term can be done to rectify the situation. They have all clearly demonstrated that they are more interested in saving face and covering their own hind ends, which is sad. That’s exactly how I have taken every single statement from these men since Bentley announced through his Board that he’s stepping down. Here’s continued proof of that reality.

So, with that I’d like to recommend two sites that do an excellent job reporting on items related specifically to Bentley, I’m sure most have already accessed these sites anyway. These two have the most exhaustive coverage of these things as anyone on the net. Here are the links:

http://endtimespropheticwords.wordpress.com/

http://pjmiller.wordpress.com/

The Phoenix Preacher has written some great observations as well. In addition, that site probably has the most active reader participation on the subject.

Feel free to check in from time to time as I will try and address items that are broader in nature and not specifically focused on the recent Todd sightings

Scott

Robert Ricciardelli speaks out, again

Update: For those of you that wrote me and told me I was spreading lies and gossip about Bentley, here you go. Straight out of ‘Apostle’ Peter Wagner’s mouth: “First of all, Todd has been removed from public ministry until further notice. He has resigned from the ministry he founded, Fresh Fire, so he is no longer a part of that board. It has become clear that he indulged in periodic drunkenness. He has no intention at the moment of reconciling with Shonna, nor does she with him. Their marriage has been torn for years by his emotional attachment with at least one other female whose physical contact went beyond hugging and kissing and holding hands. Enough said-maybe more details will be revealed later-but it was clearly immoral. All of this was skillfully concealed by lying and by swearing close associates who had observed his behavior to secrecy.”

Read his full statement dated August 25, 2008 here.

The Phoenix Preacher comments on this on August 26, 2008 here.

Thanks to PJ Miller at Sola Dei Gloria for posting this up over at her blog.

After reading this post read my post “I’m moving on“

Robert is a member of Peter Wagner’s group called the ICA. He has been sounding an alarm for over two mos. now. Thanks Robert. *NOTE* If you have any questions about Bentley’s ‘other women’, write Robert, not me. I’d like to stay on track regarding the substance of the many excellent points of concern he outlines.

by Robert Ricciardelli
Robert@vision2advance.com
http://www.vision2advance.com

Robert wrote the following story:

Todd Bentley’s moral failure was publically exposed this week. There is more that has come forth from young women and pastors from his home town and around the world, so more information should be forthcoming, unfortunately.

Seek me and live

I have some things on my heart I’d like to share. As a side note, I’d like to say that this week my life was rocked. As if things weren’t already difficult enough, things went from a category 1 storm to a category 5, in a span of about 60 seconds. What’s the old adage? “When it rains, it pours!” Jesus confirmed what Job had already proclaimed thousands of years prior, “As sparks fly upward, so are the troubles of man.” Christ said, “when” the storms come… not, “if” the storms come.

Little did I know that my musings on “In the boat with Jesus” were a precursor of an even more tempestuous storm. You’ve been there, right? What else can I do? I must fall on the rock, my foundation. He alone is the rock that is higher than I. The Holy Spirit spoke to me so beautifully through Psalm 61 this week. If you think about it, remember to pray for us.

The word of the Lord to Israel through the prophet Amos in Chapter 5:4-5 was as follows:

“ Seek me and live;
but do not seek Bethel,
and do not enter into Gilgal
or cross over to Beersheba;
for Gilgal shall surely go into exile,
and Bethel shall come to nothing .”

These landmarks highlighted by God, held an historical and spiritual significance in the life of Israel. So much so, that the life of the nation was inexorably tied to them. Unfortunately, these had become places of idolatry. Gilgal, the location, became more important than the God of Gilgal, and as such, God is warning the people that in spite of the historical importance of these landmarks and subsequent encounters with God in these places, they are ultimately, in of and themselves, insignificant. “Seek me and live.”

Much like the Ephod the priest wore. Instead of seeking the God who was manifest through the Urim and Thummim, the people began to worship the Ephod which contained in a pouch the Urim and Thummim!

Apology from Fresh Fire Board of Directors

After reading this post read my post “I’m moving on“

I received this word tonight from someone close to this whole situation. He made the following comment in his email as a precursor to this letter from Fresh Fire Ministry. I trust what this man has written about this. I’ve known about this for over two mos. and have chosen not to write about this in public, concerned that it would be spreading gossip. I implicitly trust my friends observations and reporting of what he’s been told about this. He’s been right on with everything else he’s told me to date.

After you read these statements, and if you have a chance, read my article called “Seek me and live.”

“Here is some info, but according to what we have heard from several sources, this is much more than just an emotional relationship. According to staff And former staff members, they claim that Todd is a pathological liar. The board privately has said that Todd has been lying to them all along. We are praying for those around Todd to demand for him to get the help he needs before thrusting him back into ministry like they did 2.5 years ago when he had an affair with a different staff member. We are praying for Todd, his family, along with others that have been impacted through this”.

From the Board of Directors

John Piper on Lee Grady’s critique of Lakeland

Test Revival with Doctrine

August 14, 2008 | By: John Piper
Category: Commentary

Lee Grady, the editor of Charisma, one of the main charismatic magazines, has written a lament and critique of the Lakeland “revival” which is now in a tailspin over the leader’s announced separation from his wife. Grady’s summons to pray for the church and our nation is right, and among his commendable questions and observations are these:

• “Many of us would rather watch a noisy demonstration of miracles, signs and wonders than have a quiet Bible study. Yet we are faced today with the sad reality that our untempered zeal is a sign of immaturity. Our adolescent craving for the wild and crazy makes us do stupid things. It’s way past time for us to grow up.”
• “True revival will be accompanied by brokenness, humility, reverence and repentance—not the arrogance, showmanship and empty hype that often was on display in Lakeland.”
• “A prominent Pentecostal evangelist called me this week after Bentley’s news hit the fan. He said to me: “I’m now convinced that a large segment of the charismatic church will follow the anti-Christ when he shows up because they have no discernment.” Ouch. Hopefully we’ll learn our lesson this time and apply the necessary caution when an imposter shows up.”

Charismatics will not be the only ones who follow the Antichrist when he rises. So will the mass of those who today in thousands of evangelical churches belittle the truth of biblical doctrine as God’s agent to set us free (John 8:32).

Discernment is not created in God’s people by brokenness, humility, reverence, and repentance. It is created by biblical truth and the application of truth by the power of the Holy Spirit to our hearts and minds. When that happens, then the brokenness, humility, reverence, and repentance will have the strong fiber of the full counsel of God in them. They will be profoundly Christian and not merely religious and emotional and psychological.

The common denominator of those who follow the Antichrist will not be “charismatic.” It will be, as Paul says, “they refused to love the truth.”

The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12)

Our test for every Lakeland that comes along should first be doctrinal and expositional. Is this awakening carried along by a “love for the truth” and a passion to hear the whole counsel of God proclaimed?

Lead me to the rock that is higher than I

Just click on the link, it will load up in a few seconds. A beautiful rendition by Matthew Ward.

Psalm 61

Lead Me to the Rock

To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. Of David.

61:1 Hear my cry, O God,
listen to my prayer;
2 from the end of the earth I call to you
when my heart is faint.
Lead me to the rock
that is higher than I,
3 for you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the enemy.

4 Let me dwell in your tent forever!
Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah
5 For you, O God, have heard my vows;
you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

6 Prolong the life of the king;
may his years endure to all generations!
7 May he be enthroned forever before God;
appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him!

8 So will I ever sing praises to your name,
as I perform my vows day after day.

The role of women in church leadership

Perhaps no one issue has been more divisive and misunderstood over the centuries as the relevance and role of women leadership, within the construct of New Testament practice and theology. The prevailing position in most Protestant influences are that women are not allowed to hold any position of leadership in the church whereby they would be teaching or leading in any capacity over a man.

Women Pastors, teaching Elders, and any of the other 5 fold ministry gifts listed in Ephesians 4 are most definitely out of bounds in most churches. I’ve been following a discussion on another forum and thought that I’d use my blog as a means of providing some additional writings and documentation that might help to expand and clear up some of the difficulties related to this discussion.

Although I have no interest in carrying on a prolonged online discussion on the subject, I would certainly welcome any civil and respectful input anyone would care to share regarding the matter, especially after you’ve had a chance to read through this first article I am posting on the subject. Thanks to my good friends for providing good alternative resources that are well done in most cases. Although, I may not agree on every detail, this first publication provides some good and healthy challenges to the standard presuppositions held by many against women leadership in the church.

kebaileynt-women-and-ministry-1

After reading through the link above. Open the study notes provided in the following link. Print them out and review the source material and questions. I know that this takes a little work, however, if one is going to make an intelligent and informed decision on this subject, you need to devote a little time to know what the arguments are both pro and con.

kebaileynt-women-notes

Bill Ritchie, Crossroads Community Church

Bill showing a couple of devices used in his medical treatment.

Pastor Bill is presently going through a prolonged, yet highly medically advanced treatment of prostate cancer in Florida.

For those of you who are not familiar with Bill, he is the Pastor of Crossroads Community Church in Vancouver, WA. Crossroads is a fairly large church that has enjoyed many years of fruitful expansion and blessing. I guess you can term the church a ‘mega-church’.

R.I.P. Lakeland

Friday, August 01, 2008

*Note from Blog Author*

My posting of this article by William Fawcett doesn’t mean that I somehow think that these kinds of shenanigans, as demonstrated in Lakeland, are over. Nor do I agree with some others who have linked to this article and are stating that the folding up of the circus top in Lakeland, is somehow indicative of a ’seed’ falling into the ground and dying, in order that more meetings just like Lakeland will crop up all over the world! I hope not! Bentley has been proved to be an embarrassment. Enough commentary by me though. Please read what William Fawcett has to say, he makes some good points.

How to build a credible argument.
R.I.P. Lakeland

Written by, William Fawcett

On one hand we have people claiming that Todd Bentley is dealing with Kundalini fire (Serpent-spine power), an aspect of Eastern religions. I’ve also seen accusations that Bentley’s female (now male) angel Emma is really Emma-o, some sort of eastern demon (actually the “King of Hell”). And people trying to see a monkey in the beard of a Tatto of Jesus. Nipple rings in the tatto of “Medusa.” And on ad nausueum.

In the boat with Jesus

I wanted to take a minute to try and codify a few thoughts of mine regarding some of my own musings as of late.

It’s amazing how right on time many of our life journeys are dovetailing into a collective expression of gratitude to the one who has purchased us with so great a price!

As I was praying the other morning, I was meditating upon that dreadful, yet glorious day, when our precious Savior willingly gave up the ghost, finalized with the most powerful words ever spoken by a man, “It is finished!” I wept, and even now sense the magnificent impact of that declaration.

Tough times

These are tough times for many of us financially these days. Reports are indicating that this reality is beginning to even trickle down to non-profits, charity organizations and even local churches. I really wonder how these conditions are ultimately going to effect local churches?

Humility, transperancy & confession

The New Covenant…..

I’ve been thinking recently about the first miracle Elisha performed after Elijah was caught up. I guess you could say his second technically, because he struck the Jordan with the mantle of Elijah and it split in two. However, I’m referring to a miracle that relates directly to the people. Here’s the passage:

Our persecuted Chinese brothers & sisters

Why do I feel so lukewarm after watching this?

Cardboard Testimonies

Very simple but powerful form of communication. Thanks Michael & AB for the heads up on this. I pretty much cried all the way through! Praise the Lord for His redemptive grace!

Click on Card Board Testimonies

To build, or not to build. Phase 2

1 Corinthians 3:9-13 9 For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.10 According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. 11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. (ESV)

I would now like to continue building upon some of the prior principles I underscored and emphasized in my previous post.

To build, or not to build. Phase 1

1 Corinthians 3:9-13 9 For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.10 According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. 11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. (ESV)

I would like to take a few moments to focus on Paul’s statement, “Let each one take care how he builds…” Paul the Apostle indicates that there are spiritural truths reflected in natural things, such as creation, principles of logic, laws, etc. Let us first consider some of the principles of practice reflected within my own vocation.

The still small voice

I have been meditating on this particular passage of scripture from 1Kings 19:9-14 as of late. Elijah’s great victory over the Prophets of Baal, followed by an intimate encounter with the God who had previously displayed His mighty arm of power, and rightness, against those who had perverted the ways of the Lord in worship.

It seems that worship, and right worship, was always at the forefront of the Lord’s continual working in the lives of His people, doesn’t it? I’m not talking about style and form, I’m speaking of heart and intent. David said, “In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted, but you have given me an open ear .” Psalms 40:6

“An open ear”. Lord give us an open ear!

Words of wisdom by the “Prince of Preachers”

It’s no secret, I love Charles Spurgeon. His insight into the word of God was profound. When I get confused and troubled by all of the swirling winds of doctrine, practice and fads sweeping through the church today, I often find myself “soaking” in one of his sermons preached over 150 years ago! Then, my soul is re-focused and re-centered on the one who loved me and gave Himself for me!

Is Jesus enough?

Here’s a recent article I read.

Is Jesus Enough?

by CB

“After they had eaten, Jesus asked Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these other things?’” (John 21:15).

Is Jesus enough?