IllumiNations!

THE NEW REFORMED MOVEMENT: TO BE OR NOT TO BE, THAT IS THE QUESTION.

This article is WORLD MAGAZINE reports the growing movement within Western Christianity back toward Reformed Theology or Calvinism.  The "New Calvinism" as some would call this movement has been gaining great momentum the last decade or so, and has been very good for the church in my opinion.

As a Charismatic with a root system in what has generally been considered an Arminian movement, I have felt a little out of place at times because of Reformed leanings within my own heart.  Reformed Theology to me makes God bigger, man's lost-ness greater, and Christ's Incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension more glorious!  Reformed Theology keeps the focus of the Gospel on the glory of God, and the initiative of God in bringing men to saving faith. The Gospel of Jesus Christ truly makes "Grace Amazing!" 

However, with that said, I am not a 5 point, T.U.L.I.P. Calvinist.  I know, I know, to the true 5 pointer, I am not a Reformed guy at all then!  One of the things that has so frustrated me over the years about some Reformed guys is their inability to see the work of God through the great non-Calvinist Christians throughout church history.  If you are not a 5 pointer in their minds, then you are probably not even a child of God. 

Anyway, the article I have a link to really gives me hope that a new attitude is developing which may make room for guys like me with certain leanings.  This quote from Mark Driscoll really captures some of the values that have been real to me for many years, "Seattle pastor Mark Driscoll, dressed in an all-black anti-suit of jeans and zippered jacket, cited four TGC emphases: engaging rather than separating from culture, moving into not out of cities, openness to charismatic gifts, and building bridges to other Christians."  AMEN!

BACK AFTER A VERY LONG ABSENCE!

I don't know what to say about my absence, other than the fact that I kind of lost the vision for blogging for awhile.  So much has happened since my last post on September 11th, 2006, it would be almost impossible to tell all, but here are some highlights and lowlights;

1. Our oldest son, Stephen, left to Kirkland, Washington, and The City Church GENERATION INTERN PROGRAM.  Peggy and I have marveled at God's grace as we have watched our son be challenged and then respond with maturity to almost every challenge.  The growth we have observed as a result of this intensive leadership program would be similar in some ways to what a parent sees when their son has returned from boot-camp as a man instead of a boy.  I guess the main difference would be the fact that Stephen has been formed inwardly and is manifesting the nature of Christ more than at any other time!  PRAISE GOD FOR HIS FAITHFULNESS!!!
2. I traveled with 2 other people from our church to the Philippines for a short term missions trip at the end of November.  Our goals were to train church leaders, visit the orphanage we support, and be a blessing to the Filipino church.  As usual, the Filipino people blessed our lives far beyond anything we could ever do for them.  The trip was very successful and fruitful but for me it had to be cut short due to some of the most difficult news I have ever received...
3. Larry Brice, my dearest friend of 18 years, associate pastor of 9 years, and one of my true heroes in the faith was diagnosed with colon cancer which had spread to his liver.  I returned home immediately to be with him as he navigated through the difficult decisions facing him, his wife Shirley, and their 11 year old daughter, Madison.  Larry determined to fore-go chemotherapy and is asking God, along with thousands of others from around the world, for a miracle of healing.  Larry is truly one of the godliest men I have ever know, and as GENUINE A CHRIST-FOLLOWER as I have observed in my 23 years as a believer.  Larry has a passion for God and His kingdom, and desperately wants to "See the Lord do amazing things in Moses Lake and the world!" PLEASE JOIN US IN PRAYER AS WE CALL ON OUR MIRACLE WORKING GOD TO DO THE AMAZING AND IMPOSSIBLE IN LARRY.
4. Simultaneously to all of these things, our church is growing, people are being transformed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and we are starting to move forward in a building campaign.  Truly, this is a time of FAITH STRETCHING and DOUG STRETCHING!  GRACE HARVEST CHURCH seems to be in a time of harvest, blessing and momentum, and our leaders are in need of much support in prayer and encouragement.  PLEASE PRAY FOR MY FAMILY AND I AS WELL.

Well, it's good to be back and get some of this off my mind.  PLEASE POST COMMENTS AND LET ME KNOW YOU ARE READING.  COMMENTS ARE A BLOGGER'S PAY FOR HIS/HER EFFORTS.

Blessings,
Doug

WILL THE REAL ISLAM PLEASE STAND UP?!

WILL THE REAL ISLAM PLEASE STAND UP?!  I am confused.  I keep hearing in the Liberal press and in press releases from Islamic Organizations that Islam is a peaceful religion that teaches tolerance and love for your fellow man.  I have listened to Islamic apologists on NPR speak of the "radical minority" giving Islam a bad name.  I guess the reason I don't buy it is because every time a Muslim Nation is faced with an opportunity to demonstrate this so called "religious tolerance" they show their true colors and expose the reality of Islam as a religion of the sword. 

Even in Turkey, a Muslim Nation with a "secular" government, Christians face persecution, bureaucratic red tape and threats.  Our brother in Christ, Abdul Rahman has now been released due to pressure from the West and his so-called insanity and is in need of political asylum in a truly tolerant western nation.  Unfortunately, at this point we are not even sure if he is alive, or where he will go. 

Italy has stepped up and offered him asylum, but the good old U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT has offered this helpful advice, "Asked whether the U.S. government was doing anything to secure Rahman's safety after his release, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said in Washington that where he goes after being freed is "up to Mr. Rahman."  Wow, that is profound help!  Where is our courage?  We put pressure on Afghanistan to release Rahman and then don't offer help?  Is this another example of secret deal cutting going on?  I am sorry Mr. Bush, but you have got to do better than this. 

As a disciple of Jesus Christ, I recognize those shameful times in history when Christ's followers departed from His character and teaching and did shameful deeds in His name such as Inquisitions, Crusades and Pogroms.  I recognize that Muslims, Jews and fellow Christians have suffered horribly  at the hands of those who claimed to be the representation of Jesus Christ in the earth.  Those who slaughtered and persecuted the innocent in Christ's name were wrong and were not representing His teaching or His nature!  True Biblical Christianity is clear on this.  Unfortunately, all of us who name Him as Lord must suffer with what our forebears did in His name. 

However, Muhammed and his followers have spread Islam by the sword from its very inception.  Islam has always been a religion of war and conquering and to deny this is to be untrue to history.  I know, I know, Jihad is supposed to be about personal struggle and the overcoming of temptation and evil, but it has always included the aspect of making war against Jews, Christians and other infidels.  Whereas Christianity seeks to convert through persuasion, reason and reliance upon God's Spirit working in the human heart, Islam uses persuasion, reason and the threat of violence when the first two have failed.  To deny this is to lack integrity.

So, if any Muslims out there read this article and feel the need to write a response, please enlighten us on the REAL ISLAM.  Please demonstrate for us an example of any state on this planet where Islam is truly tolerant of other faiths.  Islam is in desperate need of reform in the same way Christianity has been at various times in history.  I know there are many good individual Muslims and that millions of Muslims are perplexed by what they see parading as their faith.  Honestly though, when you contrast Jesus and Muhammad, you see a man who conquers human hearts by love and one who conquered by war in Allah's name.  I am not trying to be disrespectful to any Muslim, but I must ask, WILL THE REAL ISLAM PLEASE STAND UP?

FOR MORE ON THIS SUBJECT, PLEASE READ RICHARD COHEN'S COLUMN IN THE WASHINGTON POST BY CLICKING HERE

AFGHAN CHRISTIAN TO BE RELEASED!

The man who was prepared to die for his trust in Jesus Christ appears to be on his way to freedom after the authorities in Afghanistan have decided to drop his case.  Abdul Rahman was facing the death penalty for converting to Christianity some 16 years ago.  It is so very important that we pray for him now since many Islamic clerics are calling for his death.  Among large numbers of Muslims, it would be considered honorable and righteous to kill Mr. Rahman and thus remove the shame from Islam for the "crime" of rejecting Islam.  PLEASE PRAY FOR HIS SAFE RELEASE AND FOR SAFE HAVEN!

READ THE STORY AT USA TODAY BY CLICKING HERE

100 YEARS OF POWER AND PROVOCATION!

Acts 1:8 - But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."  NIV

One hundred years ago this year in Los Angeles California, a one-eyed, uneducated, African American son of former slaves was used by God to launch the fastest growing movement in the history of Christianity.  William Seymour prayed for and preached a new Pentecost and the results have been about 580 million adherents worldwide and the most effective missions enterprise ever to be undertaken.

Of course I am referring to the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement that has been the source of great power and provocation throughout Christendom for most of the last century.  As an Evangelical/Charismatic/Mostly Reformed pastor of an Interdenominational church in Eastern Washington State, I am both thankful and proud of my heritage and concerned for the future of this growing global movement.  Somehow I know we must preserve the power missions approach to the gospel while continuing to strive to maintain sound theological underpinnings.

Christianity Today Magazine is devoting a significant amount of print to this story which I really appreciate.  I would encourage all disciples of Jesus Christ to take the time to read these articles with an open heart and mind while realizing that much of what you see on some Christian TV is not truly representative of most of Pentecostal/Charismatic Christianity. 

At the root of our theology is the simple concept that the Holy Spirit is still actively working to confirm His Word with signs following and to edify His church.  We just believe and live as if the book of the Acts of the Apostles would be more aptly called the Acts of the Holy Spirit and that He is still at work in the earth to promote The gospel of the Kingdom with POWER!

THE RISE OF CHINA; GOOD OR BAD?

Many Americans today are alarmed by the rise of China as a global power both economically and militarily.  The question is, should we be?  Is a military confrontation over Taiwan just around the corner?  Are we going to be buried economically over the next 50 years as China rises to global prominence?  All of these scenarios are possible and some would even say probable, but I'm interested in what Fox News and CNN are not reporting. 

An Amazing Inheritance!

Romans 4:13 - It is clear, then, that God's promise to give the whole earth to Abraham and his descendants was not based on obedience to God's law, but on the new relationship with God that comes by faith. NLT

Are you ready to inherit the earth? Are you ready to be a steward of this creation of God? Are you ready to live now as if everything around you will one day belong to you? Many of the followers of Jesus who have set their future hopes on heaven are going to be surprised to find out that the ultimate purpose of God includes redeeming and restoring this fallen planet for the children of God! The fact is, the way we currently live and work during this vapor of time called “life” will have eternal ramifications for all of us in the world to come.

The “eternal state” of we human creatures is not to be taken up with being chubby babies floating about on clouds playing harps! Neither are we to be phantoms or wisps flitting about in some eternal state of nothingness. We are to be “ourselves”, but more so! We will be eternally strong and youthful in body, but unimaginably wise, creative and intelligent. Our celestial bodies will never get sick, experience weakness or grow weary! We will work in a labor of love, employing our gifts, talents and abilities without toil, sweat or the curse of “burnout!” Work will be play, and play will be work! Nothing will be meaningless or fruitless! We will enjoy the wonders of God’s creation as they were meant to be from the beginning of time. All of the curse of sin, sickness, death, natural disasters, war, famine, corrupt governments, etc…, will be cleansed from creation and we will be put in charge of this new earth to govern in love and justice.

These Biblical truths and more are why it is so important for us to live today as if every word and deed counts for eternity. All of these amazing realities are based upon this new relationship we can have with God through simple faith! We can truly have it all, some now, most later! Now, we are called to enjoy what God gives, while giving much of it away for the purpose of advancing the gospel of the kingdom of God in all the nations of the earth. We are charged to pray for the kingdom to come now and to work toward that end, while understanding that much may not reveal itself till later in the new order to come. We are called to pray, share, serve, love, reach, help, proclaim and give so that others may be benefited and experience the tangible love of Jesus the Christ. We are also called to take care of the creation of God and steward the earth in such a way as to advance humanity and care for the environment and creatures of God. What we do with what we’ve got now, will determine what we receive in the new heaven and the new earth later!

As I have sat on the beach here in Mazatlan and enjoyed the beauty around me, I have been reminded that this current world is only “The Shadowlands” of a lasting reality within the reach of those who have been given the faith to believe. If the “Shadowlands” can be so captivating and glorious, what must the “True Land” of the new heaven and new earth be like? I can only imagine!

Revelation 21:1-5 - Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a beautiful bride prepared for her husband. 3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, "Look, the home of God is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. 4 He will remove all of their sorrows, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. For the old world and its evils are gone forever." 5 And the one sitting on the throne said, "Look, I am making all things new!" And then he said to me, "Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true." NLT