Posted in The Hard Truth

Danny and Karen Steyne 
Church planter, Pastor, Teacher, and Worship leader
for over twenty five years

DANNY STEYNE:

"Restoring the Fallen--The Evidence of Grace in Our Failures"

"The Heart of the Father is to release the unfulfilled destiny of His broken children."

Failure's History

"Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted." (Galatians 6:1)

I watched him stumble. I watched the church quickly jump into action. "Accountability!" they cried, and then set up a system of hoops and hurdles for the servant to perform. Whether or not the hoops and hurdles were doing anything directly to bring about restoration was inconsequential. The fact that something was being done, was sufficient to keep the servant out of the limelight long enough to prevent them from being associated with the church that embraced him.

The word "restoration" has been thrown around the Church for many years. I've watched and I've seen some good restorations, but mostly bad ones. Magazines, authors, TV shows and tabloids continue to exploit failures long after the servant is gone. The servants of yesterday who failed miserably during their lives carry the darkness of their blemished lives well into the history books, without regard for the blessings and countless lives that were transformed through them while they lived. The malice of this behavior is abhorrent to God who is not looking for earthly advisors to increase punishment when He has increased grace! (read Matthew 18:22-35). Jesus tells us that the ones who are "blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy" (Matthew 5:7). Paul writes that he was an example of the most hideous sinner, in order to display the unlimited patience of Christ Jesus! (1 Timothy 1:16).

Failure is history's school teacher for generations to come. It stands alone as the "principal's office" as an example to those who walk naively by. I remember once in primary school in South Africa receiving two "cuts" (spankings) as they called them. It was with a bamboo switch and it helped me very quickly come to the decision that I would never get another one. I was made to sit in front of the principal's office for what felt like hours, while everyone walked by, knowing I was about to enter a painful discipline process. My behavior was modified. I never endured that situation again! I failed. Others saw that I failed. They knew I was disciplined. But that was the end of it!

If restoration is truly from God, then the failures of the past are swept beneath the Blood of Jesus too, and if we are walking beneath that Blood, we too, must function as Our Father--and forgive and move on. Restoration only occurs when we forgive and and move on.

Restoration's History

When we are invited into the process of restoration, it is to restore a brother or sister to the place destined for them by God--who is STILL their Father. We are invited into that process with the caution to be careful. Be careful of falling as they have fallen and be careful of judging beyond the atmosphere of grace.

Paul deals with this subject specifically when a man is caught and continues in the sin of adultery in the Corinthian Church. He administers the rod of correction when he tells the church to "turn him over to satan" (1 Corinthians 5:5). Evidently, the discipline worked and the man repented. But the church continued on in their discipline. They disciplined beyond grace. They went from discipline to punishment and from punishment to banishment and rejection. They didn't understand the restoration process was to restore the man to his function and calling in God. They operated under law. Law always produces a legal spirit that demands, extracts and extorts more than what is required. The man was defiled and they didn't want to be associated with him anymore.

Paul writes to forgive and comfort the man so that he won't become discouraged anymore. He must again experience the LOVE of Christ. He must be embraced again or who knows what will happen to him. The schemes of the enemy are to produce self-righteousness in those who are trying to walk purely, and devastation for those who are trying to walk righteously. On either account, grace is removed and law prevails! We must not be outwitted. We must prevail.

2 Corinthians 2:4-11, "For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you. If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you, to some extent--not to put it too severely. The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient for him.

Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. The reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything. If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven--if there was anything to forgive--I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes."

Peter was restored fully after his bold and public rejection of Jesus. The failure simply demonstrated that God invades humans who are frail. Peter's life reflected failure, but his life also, and more predominantly, reflected brilliant obedience that resulted in his ultimate martyrdom for Jesus! Or Elijah, who failed miserably, and ended his days outside of the treasured promised land for disobedience in not anointing the two kings God told him to, and wallowing in self-pity (1 Kings 19:15-16).

I could also bring up Moses, who failed horribly during his life. He too, was prevented access to die in the treasured Promised Land, "Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank. But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, 'Because you did not trust in Me enough to honor Me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them'" (Numbers 20:11-12). Interestingly, because of Grace brought by Jesus, both of these Old Testament examples were restored to the full Promises of God when Jesus invited them to the Mount of Transfiguration! (See Matthew 17)

A Visitation and the Prodigals

In October 2005, I had a lengthy visitation with Jesus that indicated a "Restoration" among the prodigals would begin after a restoration took place in my own home. On February 2, 2006, my daughters who have been abducted over six years prior, were returned to me. They are home and are thriving in His Presence today! I received emails and letters from around the world indicating that the restoration of my daughters was a prophetic sign to many. They didn't realize Jesus had spoken that to me specifically.

I knew in general that there would begin a restoration with children of those who love God, but I also knew that there would be a massive release of restoration upon those who had failed miserably in years past; those who were now simply sitting on shelves and collecting dust would be restored! I saw Fathers, Mothers, Sons, and Daughters of the King waiting on a bench for those who were playing the game to invite them back into the game. I knew that many of them were far better players with greater skills, but they had been sidelined and they simply waited. I knew that some died while they were waiting, knowing that the Father had laid hands on them, but they were discouraged to the point of excessive sorrow. They couldn't measure up to those who could invite them back into the game, and so in mercy, God allowed them to come home!

Samson failed miserably. He had his very eyes taken from him. His future vision was removed. But where were the rescuers who would go and restore him rather than leaving him to grind grain with animals? He was a powerful servant of the Lord. He fulfilled the office God called him to, but the people of God were not included in that victory because they left him to fend for himself. Where were the mighty men of Israel in that day?

It is easy to remember failures in each other. Even a simple Egyptian can do that. Moses had plenty of those reminders in his life, "The man said, 'Who made you ruler and judge over us? Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian?' Then Moses was afraid and thought, 'What I did must have become known'" (Exodus 2:14).

Knowing the past about a person doesn't make us prophetic, but calling them into their future does! The question has never been, "Can we read the history of a man?" The question has always been, "Can we restore the future of a man?" Anyone can read the history of the man, but the Heart of the Father is to release the unfulfilled destiny of His broken children.

The Father is calling to the fallen. Come off the bench! Come out and play! Come and release what God intended for you from the foundation of the earth!

Pursuing His Wonderful Grace!

Danny Steyne
Mountain of Worship
Email: worship@mountainofworship.com 

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Posted in The Hard Truth

Last night we had a wonderful time visiting friends who have been putting together a video series that talks about  New Age practices which are making their way into the local church.  I'll have to let you know more as they complete the series. This is really a very interesting topic, and for years I have used alternative medicine to help us through the non-insurance times.  Lately, however, we have been on a quest to really define which practices are acceptable and pleasing to the Lord, and which ones aren't.  I know this is a very controversial subject so I will try to be as forthright as I can without causing a stampede of "flaming"  comments on my blog (LOL).  My goal is not to share this information with you out of a place of perfection, but rather out of a place of humility and "fear of the Lord," as a watchman on the wall.  This is our journey into truth, regarding alternative health.  I am certainly not an expert on the subject by any means, and am still trying to sort it all out, but here is what we've come across so far. . . .

I think the big question is "What is the root and fruit."  With any alternative medicine I want to know (1) where it originated and the religious belief system  associated (2) What kind of fruit is it bearing?  Is it rooted in anything that is contrary to scripture? As Dr. David Haase so eloquently says in his review of  the Basic Questions On Alternative Medicine: What Is Good And What Is Not  (HERE) "Our obedience and submission to the one true God must be paramount and not denigrated by the form of healing we pursue—whether conventional or alternative."

Also God clearly tells us in Matthew 7:15-20 "Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but the corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Therefore by their fruits ye shall know them."   

Can some alternative medicine methods do good things for us?  Yes, and in many instances people are seeing miraculous results, however do not confuse these good results as being "good fruit." Even Pharoah's magicians were able to do miracles, and turn their rods into snakes, however the end result was hardness of heart (Exodus 7:11). God warns His people and calls them to a higher standard when He says in 1 Samuel 6:6 "Wherefore then do ye harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? The risk is just not worth it! 1 Corinthians 10:21-23 "Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of demons: ye cannot partake of the table of the Lord, and of the table of demons."

It is our desire to be pleasing to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, in all that we do, and it is our deepest prayer that the Holy Spirit will continue to convict us in those areas of our life which we need to consecrate unto the Lord, and for us, right now, it is the area of alternative medicine. We do not want to fall prey to deception in any way, and it is only fitting that we question and test the spirits behind some of these practices.  In 1 John 4:1-6 John is speaking to believers. He calls them "beloved," and says we are not to "believe every spirit" but "test" them as to "whether they are of God." Why? Because there are "many false prophets" who have "gone out into the world."  Here is the full scripture on that:

1 John 4:1-6
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.KJV

 to know whether the root of these alternative medicines are from God or not is of the utmost importance. Here are some more scriptures which contain biblical warnings about deception: Hebrews 5:14; Matthew 7:15-20; Matthew 24:4-5; Matthew 24:11; Matthew 24:23-26; Acts 20:28-31; I Corinthians 15:33-34; I Corinthians 16:13; Ephesians 5:6-17; Colossians 2:1-8; I Timothy 4:16; 2 Timothy 3:13; I John 2:26

Having said all of that . . . I am hoping to share some of the things we are learning about the New Age and its subtle practices "creeping into the church," so we can all be aware of it, watch out for it, and keep this from taking over and hindering the work of the Lord in our lives, and in the life and well-being of the church.

The first thing we want to talk about is Life Energy (Frequency) Therapies. Some words that are commonly associated with New Age and/or Life-Force/ Energy Therapies are as follows (I came across these words while researching): 
_______________________________________________________________________________
Accupuncture, Age Of Aquarius, Alchemy, Angel Guides, Angelic Channeling, Ankh, Anthroposophy, Ashram, Astral Projection, Astral Cartography, Astrology, Aura, Automatic Handwriting, Ayurveda, frequency, Bach flower Remedies,  Bio-Ray Bracelets, Black and White Magic, Bowen Technique, Biofeedback, Brahman, Buddhism, Centering Prayer, Chakra, Channeling, Chanting, Charmstones, Chromotherapy, Clairvoyance, Chi, Colloidal Silver, Cosmic Energy, Cryptozoology, Crystal Healing, Chrystal Divination, Dalai Lama, Dancing With The Cosmos, Deepak Chopra, Dianetics (L. Ron Hubbard), Divine Self, Dousing, Dreamcatchers, Dr. Wayne Dyer, Druidism, Eastern Mysticism, Eco-Spirituality, Eckankar, Electromagnetic therapy, Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), E-Meter, Enneagram, Enlightenment, Etheric Light Body Work, Firewalking, Faeries, Flower oF Life, Fung Shui, Geopathic Theory, Guided Imagery, Energy (spirituality), Global Unity and Harmony, Gnosticism, Goddess, Energy field distubance, ESP (Extra Sensory Perception), Hands of Light, Hinduism, Hare Krishna, Holistic Kinesiology, Holotropic Breathwork, Homeopathy, Horoscope, House Healings (cleansings), Human Potential Movement,  Hypnotherapy,  Ionized or Ionic Bracelets, Ingmar Free Energy Symbols, Immortality Devices, Kabbalah, Karma,  Labyrinth, Law of Similars, Lords of Light, Lord Buddha, Lotus Flower, Life Force, Magnet Therapy, Morphic Resonance, Mother Nature, Necromancy, Nirvana, Past Life Regression Therapy, Pilates, Prana, Psychic Healing or counseling, Pyramids, Mandala, Mantra, Martial Arts Terms (Ki, Chi, Qi), Meridians, Merkaba Meditation, Metaphysical, Mirror world, Moxa, Mystical, QT Inc. or Q-Ray, Namaste, Native American Spirituality, Naturalism, Nishino Breathing Method, Oracle, Out -of -Body Work (or soul travel), Portals, Quackery, Quantum-Touch, Quigong, Radiant Energy, Reflexology, Reiki, Reincarnation, Sacred Geometry, Scientology, Seichem or Sekhem, Seitai, Shamanism, Shen, Shiatsu, Silva Mind Control, Somatic Psychotherapy, Sonopuncture, Spirit Guides, Spirit Releasement, Swami (spiritual master), Sugmaud, Succussion, Stoa, Synergistic Thinking, Tapas Accupressure Technique, Taoism, Tantra, Tarot Reading, Tibetan High Frequency Remedies, Tonify, The Secret Book & movie, Therapeutic Touch, Trance Work, Transcendentalism, Transpersonal Psychology, Truth Is Relative, UFO's, Unitarian Universalist Church, Unity Church, Universal Love, Universal Life Force, Vibrational Psychology, Vibrational Energy Healing, Viridian Method, Witchcraft, World Triad symbol, Yoga, Yogi or Yogini, Yin and Yang, Zodiac Signs, Zen Buddhism [note: links have not been provided for these terms because we do not want to  promote New Age sites, however it is more as a reference.]  
______________________________________________________________

In our church we recently had some trusted friends introduce us to something called "frequency cards," and "pendants."  They were explaining to us how everything has a certain frequency attached to it and the lower the frequency the less vital the life.  They showed us how one card or pendant could be used to make colloidal silver, and another could block the flow of negative frequencies from cell phones and computers.  Another would help you sleep, and yet another would give you more energy.  We thought it was a bit far-fetched at first, but when we brought the items home to use we were amazed at their ability to help.  Hubby had pain in his right shoulder, so used a special small metal frequency item secured with a bandaid, on his shoulder for a few days.  Whalah the pain had ceased and he felt great!  However when he took the frequency metal off of his shoulder the pain returned in a few days.  It made us wonder . . . is this therapy based strictly on science (which is what our friends were telling us) or something more? We had red flags in our spirits but didn't know why.  After all, we trusted these people and new they loved the Lord. However I believe they have been innocently exposed to these items just as we have been.

Warning about these items, Or Anything Similar
Sample of "frequency" items.  They are hard to see but the middle one has a pyramid on it and  the words "Talk Sacred," while on the back is says "Walk Sacred."  There are other words "Nememhah Nafera 1993" printed around the pyramid. Nafera stands for Native American Free Exercise of Religion Act of 1993, which (in plain terms) promotes the freedom of Indians to practice their religion, which for most it is Shamanism (occultic witchcraft). On the back is a picture of the four animal spirits which the practitioner likes to shape-shift into. 

Close up

Wow!  I wish I would have done my homework a long time ago on the words and symbols that are represented on these pendants. Godly Discernment is key when being introduced to something new. We have recently found out that the term "frequency," as used with these products, is synonymous with another term called "Life Force," or "Life Energy therapies" and over at www.inplainsite.org Pat Zukeron talks about this type of therapy further, and explains how there are over  "60 different names for these therapies, they are all based on six fundamental principles. Practitioners [ from Can You Trust Your Doctor? The Complete Guide To New Age Medicine And Its Threat To Your Family, by John Ankerberg and John Weldon] believe that life energy [or frequency]flows throughout the universe. There are numerous names for this impersonal energy. Traditional Chinese medicine calls this energy "Chi" while Indian Ayurvedic medicine titles it "Prana." Some Christians mistakenly equate this with the Holy Spirit. The two are not the same.

 He goes on to say:

Life energy therapists believe that humans are composed of energy surrounded by a material body. Life energy therapy directs this energy so that it flows throughout the body unhindered. Disease is believed to be the result of an imbalance or blockage in the energy flow. Traditional Chinese medicine describes an elaborate system of channels within the body called meridians. To cure an illness, the body must be manipulated to restore the flow of energy through the meridians.

Traditional Chinese and Indian practitioners believe they can determine one's energy flow by looking at the skin color, symptoms, tongue, and pulse. Therapeutic touch practitioners say they can sense the energy flow by moving their hands above the skin. Supposedly there are now high tech machines that can measure this energy flow. Many of these machines, for example the Vegatest and its spin-offs, have been deemed fraudulent and are illegal. [Paul Reisser, Dale Mabe and Robert Velarde, Examining Alternative Medicine -An Inside Look At The Benefits And Risks p. 85-86]

It is said that life energy can be re-directed to treat an offending illness. Life energy therapists believe they can adjust the flow of energy through physical manipulation or invisible transfer from healer to patient. In traditional Chinese medicine, needles are used to unplug holes or stimulate the flow of this energy. Massage, exercise, and herbs are also believed to restore Chi as are breathing and meditation techniques.

Miracles are believed to occur by altering the life energy. This is the message presented in Star Wars. In the movie, the Jedi masters could control the life energy, or Force, to perform miraculous feats. The concept of God and energy are used interchangeably. From this we can conclude that life energy is, in essence, God. Since we are energy, we are divine because we are of the same essence as the Divine.

Christians should avoid therapists who expound life energy therapy. Many ideas are built on a pantheistic worldview, causing these therapies to embrace or at least acknowledge Eastern mysticism. Also, their teachings have drifted far from objective knowledge of the human body. Finally, God is not an impersonal force, and He cannot be manipulated by formulas or healing rituals. God will not heal through any practice that is contrary to His Word.

So whether it is essential oils, frequency cards, colloidal silver, pendants, etc. we need to remember that if our faith is not in the Lord Jesus Christ, and it is in these items to heal us, then we are embracing a false god. These items will not help us increase our faith in God, but steal it, and ultimately harden our hearts toward the TRUTH! We will be taking a look at some of the other alternative therapies that are being introduced within the church in the coming weeks and months as we continue to research, pray and seek the Lord as to His TRUTH, and not the relative truth, about these topics.

Psalms 91:2-4 "I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler." KJV

Blessings to your family as you consider this topic further,

P.S. - It is interesting to note that a pantheistic worldview is also dominating the agenda of the environmental policies of both the United States and the United Nations.  Please see Dr. Michael Coffman's "Discerning The Times" article on this Pantheistic (and ultimately New World Order) agenda at http://www.newswithviews.com/Coffman/mike4.htm

Extra Note: From His website it says, "Dr. Michael Coffman is currently President of Environmental Perspectives, Inc. (EPI), and Executive Director of Sovereignty International. EPI focuses on providing professional guidance and training in defining environmental problems and solutions based on Judeo-Christian principles of stewardship as contrasted with pantheistically-based environmentalism."  To read his bio please go HERE

Posted in The Hard Truth

I was so touched by Jen Igarashi's blog today that I just had to post a link to her site.  Please take a look at her post titled 

 "I Wanna Be A Buffalo"
June 14th, 2007

and make sure you watch the video at the end
(I must admit I had to watch it with one eye closed though - whew).

Note To Jen:  THANK YOU for your transparent vulnerability and humble heart that yearns for authentic Christ-like relationship and reconciliation.  I am in awe of the beauty and truth that radiates from your writing.  From the depths of my heart - THANK YOU.

Does Anyone Else Want To Be a Water Buffalo?

<>< Kelly

Posted in The Hard Truth

  CROSSING THE JORDAN

Some very deep and spiritually significant things have been happening this week for us, which have been profoundly impacting.  I will try to keep this as short as possible, but will say that we are both honored, blessed and humbled by them. 

Firstly we are extremely blessed to be in a local church which openly discusses the Holy Spirit, and doesn’t shy away from this topic.  Our daughter has blossomed in this environment and is making beautiful friendships with Godly girls of character and faith, and is beginning to use some of her gifts during the children’s worship time.  She looks forward to going each week and her countenance is full of joy.

Secondly, Hubby and I are working with a minister here in the Twin Cities. For several years this veteran in the faith has been in our lives and walked with us through some very difficult times – counseling and encouraging us along the way, however we have held him at bay because of fear of stepping into that next stage of our spiritual walk. Fear and faith cannot coexist together, so we are choosing to step out in faith and allow this man and his wife to properly “Father” us so we can enter that next stage God has for us (I Corinthians 4:15).  This may be a relatively new concept to many, but one that is modeled by God the Father himself in the relationship between He and His beloved son Jesus Christ, and then Jesus with his disciples, and then the disciples with others. I love these quotes by Paul Jabowski, from his book Sons To Glory. In it he talks about the role of spiritual Dads:

A father exhorts and comforts and implores and sometimes chastens when necessary (1 Thess. 2:11, Heb. 12:7-11), but only after establishing you through much encouragement. A father is always around through thick and thin. A father does not forsake you when you fail or leave you when disagreements arise. A father not only goes with you into battle, he leads the way (Joshua 1:5-9). Spiritual fathering is the major leadership method for building the body of Christ.

He also says:

The most important thing you could ever impart to someone is how to love God, and this does not come by teaching or laying on of hands or any other "quick fix" method. It comes from being loved by a father. It comes by hanging around someone on a consistent basis who has an intimate relationship with THE Abba Father. This is why until Jesus came, we never truly knew how to be intimate with God. Jesus started the Fathering mentorship by being a father to a small group of disciples and this little group became fathers who had sons who became fathers, and so on and so on. The fathering family of God began.

I believe God is bringing us into His divine order as we commit, not only to our local Body of Believers (walking in one-anothering and authentic community), but to deeply accountable mentoring by a loving  “spiritual Father and Mother” who will help maximize our giftings and optimize us as we walk in the destiny God has called us to walk while on this earth. Just like the Israelites had to walk around in the wilderness for 40 years because they couldn’t quite figure it out, so we have also had our desert time of walking in circles and not knowing where to go or who to properly and fitly be joined with.  However, just as the Israelites crossed the Jordan into their promised land, so must we also, and we want to do that with the gentle hand of our Abba Daddy leading, and mentoring from our earthly spiritual father as well. 

There are some misconceptions (I know I had some anyway) about the promised land.  Most people think milk and honey, utopia, peace, etc when they think about the promised land, but helllooooooooo . . . there were also giants to face in that land! :-) Crossing the Jordan means to be joyfully appropriating our spiritual blessings in Christ and courageously engaging in spiritual warfare against God’s enemies.  Not only were the giants really BIG, but the manna also stopped.  So manna doesn’t taste very good, but it was free and they didn’t have to work for it right?  However, now that they were in this new land they had to cut off their old life (in Egypt and slavery) and cut ties with their old way of life so that they could properly reflect their covenant relationship with God.  They now had to live and move and fight in a completely different way than in the wilderness – this required far more faith than they needed while living in the wilderness (and a hefty amount of maturity).  Likewise if we, as a family are going to make it in this new spiritual place we have to have the right mentoring and guidance by those who have gone before us.  Why?  Because some day we will need to mentor and father others as they cross through the Jordan into their spiritual promised lands, and we don’t ever want to steer them the wrong way or wound them as they are crossing.

So why cross the Jordan you may ask?  Joshua 21:43-45 tells us why: “So the Lord gave Israel all the land He had sworn to give their forefathers, and they took possession of it and settled there. The Lord gave them rest on every side…Not one of their enemies withstood them; the Lord handed all their enemies over to them. Not one of all the Lord’s promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled."

~ It's about a journey toward fulfilled promises ~

David Reid eloquently sums it all up in his Devotions For Growing Christians when he says, "God wants to see all His children enjoying the “abundant life” (John 10:10) and finding “rest of soul” (Matthew 11:28). He wants us to “walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16). And He wants to see us “fighting the good fight” (1 Timothy 6:12) and “standing firm” in spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:14). These blessings and promises are all part of dwelling in the promised land of the heavenlies, but they can only be enjoyed and experienced by Christians who are willing to cross the Jordan."

  It is time to cross the Jordan and enter your promised land, however it will require much humility, obedience, willingness to learn and be “Fathered”, love and be loved, and the faith to completely and wholly TRUST GOD.   

If you would like to read the chapter on “Spiritual Fathering” in Sons To Glory (the book I mentioned above), it is free online at http://www.sonstoglory.com/spiritualfathersons.htm

God’s Richest Blessings In This New Season, and may your spiritual crossing of the Jordan be prominent, significant, and met with the right support from those who deeply love you, and want the same depth of promises fulfilled.

Let Faith Rise Up

<>< Kelly

Posted in The Hard Truth

I saw this today at BetterDads - http://betterdads.net and it really touched me.  I wanted to share it with you in the hopes it will also bless you.  What an amazing life lesson that we can all learn from! <>< Kelly

A Father’s Letter to His Daughter

Dear Daughter,

    I know you are disappointed by your basketball coach’s decision to put you on JV instead of varsity. It is my opinion that it was the wrong choice too. But if you did the best you could, and you did everything possible to succeed, then you have nothing to be ashamed of and should have no regrets. Don’t be discouraged. We cannot control other people’s actions or their decisions, we can only control our attitude and our response to them.

    I would like you to look at this as an opportunity to shine. You will be playing down a level against players who are not as good or as experienced as you are. This is a chance to prove to the coaches that they made the wrong decision. Plus you never know, if someone on varsity gets hurt, they will have to bring up the best player on JV to fill the spot. However, if you quit or don’t step up your game, you only prove them right. I believe that is what happened last year. You allowed your coach to get to you, hence he was justified (proven right) in his decision to bench you just by your response. Don’t let him play head games with you. Develop your plan and then stick to it. Focus on what you are good at and then have fun this year.

    When faced with the challenges and disappointments of life we can respond in one of two ways. One way is to quit and blame someone else. When we do that we end up in life like both of your grandmothers. There’s much truth in the saying, “Winners never quit, and quitters never win.” Sometimes we don’t have to leave in order to quit, our attitude can make us quit while we are still physically playing. Above all else, never give up on yourself.

    Or we can look at setbacks as an opportunity to grow and improve ourselves. As an opportunity to prove others wrong about us. Life is full of disappointments. My whole life people (starting with my parents) have been telling me I wasn’t good enough to accomplish something I wanted to do. I’ve had to overcome many challenges and roadblocks. I am currently being sued. People are saying bad things about me that are not true and very unfair. But I cannot allow that to stop me from being the best man I can be in my job, as a father and husband, or with my ministry. People count on me, and people will be counting on you on this team. You may not understand, but many girls look up to you. They desperately want your attention and friendship. You could be a great leader, but you have to show ALL your teammates you care about them. That means going out of our comfort zone and reaching out to them—taking a chance on them rejecting you. Your example in this situation and how you respond to it could change someone’s life—and you may never even know it.

Strength does not quit. It finishes the task in spite of any difficulty, stays on course in spite of any hazard, and maintains pace in spite of any confrontation.

    You really are a GREAT basketball player, I just think you have never really had a true opportunity to prove it. Believe me, if you can play with men (which you’ve proven you can), you can rip up on girls.

James 1:12 says, “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”

   
Watch the movie Rudy and see how many struggles and disappointments he overcame. But it sure took a lot of hard work and a good attitude on his part. Success in everything you do in life is ninety percent attitude and ten percent hard work.

   
I know you think this is a lecture, but it’s not. It’s advice from my experience. If you don’t beat this challenge, it will become a habit for the rest of your life. I love you so much, I just want to help you succeed. I am very proud of you and I just want you to be happy. You are growing into a great young lady. Keep it up, and don’t let these things get you down. It will all work out for the best in the end. And always remember: Friends are everything—choose them carefully—they can make or break you.

   
I want to encourage you to read this letter several times and then pray about it. God will lead you and give you the strength you need to overcome all the struggles and disappointments that life throws at you. I will love you always and be there for you no matter what.

Love you Punkin,

Daddy

Posted in The Hard Truth

A dear friend sent this to me today, to admonish and encourage me with some of the areas I am currently being tested in. She said it is from Bill Gothard devotions, but unfortunately there wasn't a link.  May more of God's love be evident in all of our lives. <>< Kelly

Day 64: Love Your Enemies

Welcome God’s “Hewers”!

Do you ever wonder why God allows so many people to annoy, despise, and provoke us? They disrupt our lives and dominate our attention. One answer is given in a profound analogy. God compares believers to stones that are being perfectly hewn out so that they fit together with every other believer in God’s Temple (see I  Peter  2:5 and Ephesians  2:19–22).

The phrase fitly framed together is a present passive participle, which expresses continuous or repeated action that we receive. During the construction of Solomon’s Temple, there were 80,000 “hewers of stone” in the quarries. Each stone was so perfectly prepared that it needed no further hewing after it was put in place for the Temple (see I  Kings  5:15–18;  6:7). If we view those who are hostile toward us as God’s hewers, we will be ready for the next command:

Command Ten:

“Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” (Matthew  5:44).

David describes the “hewing” action of opponents: “Before I was afflicted, I went astray: but now have I kept thy word. … The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart. … It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes” (Psalm  119:67–71).

This testimony has certainly been true in my own life and ministry. The most powerful truths presented in the Basic Seminar have been “hewn out” by critics. They have motivated me to study the Scriptures more intently to clarify and refine what I teach.

The Basic Seminar itself was the result of hewers who were associated with the first youth ministry I directed. The Board fired me, with the challenge to prove the effectiveness of the Biblical principles I had been teaching young people. The promise expressed by the Apostle Peter has become a reality for me:

“…  After that ye have suffered a while [the God of all grace] make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you” (I  Peter  5:10).

One reason God commands us to love our enemies and bless those who curse us is that He has higher purposes for them than simply making our lives miserable. He wants us to cooperate with Him in the process of developing maturity in our lives. The command does not apply only to conflict from “outsiders,” but also from those in our own families who “chip away” at us on a daily basis.

Let’s purpose now to welcome those who react to us, not as intruders into our lives, but as hewers sent by God to assist Him in improving our character and conforming us into the image of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Day 65: Love Your Enemies

Listen to Your “Perfectors”!

The problem with God’s “hewers” is that sometimes they are so loud, aggressive, and forceful that we close our ears to what God is trying to say to us through them. Often God is trying to tell us:

Find balance in your life and message, because truth out of balance leads to heresy.

One of the most powerful diagrams in the Basic Seminar describes the development of concupiscence. This diagram has a “perfector” story behind it. The diagram was first presented to the student body of a Bible college. After this and other teaching was shared, a spirit of revival spread throughout the campus. Based on this overwhelming response, the college president urged me to return the following year.

When I arrived on campus, I was informed that one of the professors did not agree with my teaching and had been freely sharing his reaction with the students. The president and I met with him, and I asked what caused him to disagree. He said that the chart on the development of concupiscence was incomplete.

I had diagrammed only the spiritual aspects. Following our talk, I realized that there were also psychological and physical developments. By adding these two dimensions to the chart, it took on a whole new perspective, with much deeper meaning and clearer information on how immorality develops in a person’s life. In retrospect, I am very grateful to God for raising up this hewer, because millions of people have benefited from the outcome of the reaction that God stirred up in his heart.

Imbalance in one area of life will usually result in an opposite imbalance in another area.

Parents who become too strict with their children with rules in one area will often become too lenient with their children in another area. For example, one family overemphasized strict rules against any identification with the world, yet they failed to teach their children to love the Lord and walk in His ways. They emphasized religion, but not relationship. As a result they experienced reaction, not only from their children, but from other people as well.

As we continue to meditate on Matthew  5:44, we should ask ourselves if we have created enemies because they have seen imbalances or inconsistencies in our walk with the Lord. If this is the case, then God may be using our enemies to send us a message. If we listen to them and correct our imbalance, we will have new reasons to bless those who curse us.

Posted in The Hard Truth

The Question Of Halloween:  Should Christians Partake In It?

We recently had a discussion at CHC (The Christian Homeschool Corner) about this sometimes "heated" topic, and I wanted to share one of my responses to another member who struggled with letting go of this holiday.

What we have done instead, and are still working on it because it is so new to us is start to celebrate some of the Biblical Feasts and Holidays.  Did you all know that if you give up 1 Halloween you get 3 special biblical holidays to take it's place?  Yeperoo . . . .

<>< Kelly

Posted in The Hard Truth

Posted in The Hard Truth

 I was just wondering if any Moms preread or preview books before they let their child(ren) read them?  I wish I would have done that before allowing my daughter to read the  first couple of Mandie series books, by Lois G Leppard. (Review can be found at Keeper's of the Faith) It just goes to show that just because a book has some scriptures sprinkled throughout, or is found in a christian bookstore doesn't mean that it is going to contain pro-family values. 

I am noticing more and more so-called "good" books that show kids without parental mentoring, or a close-knit relationship with their parents, or living lives contrary to God's word.  In retrospect I have recently found that much of my daughter's attitude earlier in the summer was from reading, and or watching things that nurtured children having independant lives separate from their parents, or parents being a nuisance to childhood fun, or being seen as antagonists.  Of course many of these books and TV shows appeared innocent so you couldn't really catch it unless you were paying good attention (thanking the Lord for the fruit of what came from TV FREE WEEK.)

I thought to myself  . . . why is it before we go and see a movie, I will always check Focus on the Family site first and find out about the spiritual and moral content, but not do the same with books?  As if books are excluded from screening (although I'll read the back jacket and inside covers) because they are in written form & educational. As if books have this  life of their own and are full of purity no matter what . . . after all . . . it is the child's love of reading that matter most, not the content right???  How very very wrong.

Posted in The Hard Truth

I just came from 3foldchords blog (which I love reading) and it impressed upon me the need to blog about the difference between "goat and sheep" parenting.  In her blog she mentioned a child (her neighbor -11yrs) that is left home all day and his parents will sometimes leave without even telling him.  This really saddened me and it made me think about all the kiddos in our neighborhood and around us that stay home alone all day (during the summer or after school), and are left to fend for themselves while parents do their own agenda. I know 11 is a semi-responsible age, based on the individual maturity of the child, but there are so many kiddos that are far younger than that who stay home alone.  

I was listening to Dr. Laura  one day, and on this particular day there was a caller that explained the difference between the way goats parent and the way sheep parent.  This caller, who owned a farm and worked with these animals, said that sheep will stay really close to their lambs and if they have to leave to find food they only go within hearing distance away.  They are constantly watching and caring for their offspring, protecting them from predators or harm.  On the other hand, goats will go far away during the day and leave their kids all alone to fend for themselves, rendering them vulnerable to predators and harm.  The goats will come back at the end of the day, after they have been wandering around the mountains or landscape.

This is a sobering reminder of the calling we have as parents and as spritual sheep to mentor our little lambs and stay close to them.  We have a responsibility to listen closely to our Shephard's voice, stay near Him, and stay near our children. 

John 10:27-29
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:  and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand.My Father, who hath given (them) unto me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch (them) out of the Father's hand.

Matthew 25:32-34
and before him shall be gathered all the nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as the shepherd separateth the sheep from the goats; and he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

John 21:17
He saith unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

As for the ones who are wandering around without their parents at home. Let's keep them in our prayers and ask the Lord to show the parents how to be true sheep Mommy's and Daddy's for their little lambs. Perhaps you may be impressed to take a little lamb in this summer to train and teach as your own.  We have one this summer and his name is Thomas.  He is indeed precious!

I just want to be a sheep . . ba, ba ba ba