Monthly Archives: September 2006

– Significance of the Biblical New Year -A Time For Introspection and Change

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The high holy days of the Jewish calendar began at sundown Friday 9/22/06 -Rosh Hashanah and continue through nightfall on October 2-Yom Kippur. You ask, what significance does this has for Christians? The Jewish calendar is Biblical and God still seems to honor it in many ways.

The Biblical name for Rosh Hashanah is ‘Yom Ha-Zakkaron’ meaning: “The Day of Remembrance”, it is the start of a 9 day period in the Biblical (Jewish) calendar when the people of God are called upon to look at their lives and inspect the way that they lived during the year just ending. On ‘Yom Kippur’: “The Day of Atonement”, Jewish folk traditionally repent and ask for God’s forgiveness and look forward to making changes for the better in the new year.

Many Christians find that the Holy Spirit seems to call us to look at our lives and make changes especially during this time of year. Most of us have thought that it is because of the change of seasons with the kids going back to school, and the changes that fall brings to church activities and ministries. Changes in ministry for me always seem to take place around October, I use to think that it had to do with my birthday coming in that month. Lately, I have come to realize that the Lord always seems to call me to make changes during this time of year, and that it may be connected with the Biblical New Year.

I have heard from a number of prophetic people (those involved in some kind of prophetic ministry) that this time of the year seems to be a time of evaluation for them; a time when they go ‘under the shepherd’s rod’ and their ministry is tested. While everyday of the year is a good time for Christians to look at their lives, repent, and make changes. The Biblical New Year is an especially good season for it.

-“There Is Always Enough”

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:”-The Amazing Story Of Rolland And Heidi Baker’s Miraculous Ministry Among The Poor”By Rolland & Heidi Baker (Kent, UK: Sovereign World Ltd, 2003, 188 pgs.)

Rolland and Heidi Baker tell their own incredible story in this book, starting at the beginning, how they met, their education and preparation (both completed their BA & MA degrees at Vanguard University, and Heidi has a PHD in Systematic Theology from King’s College, University of London), how they were called to missions, serving first in Hong Kong, and then how they eventually ended up in Mozambique serving the poorest of the poor.

The story of their Mozambique mission reads like the Book of Acts. Incredible victories, miracles, healings, feeding hundreds with just enough food for a family, bringing 10’s of thousands to Christ, birthing 6000 churches, training thousands of pastors and leaders, true revival, and also incredible opposition, and a multitude of frustrating situations. The real story is not about the huge numbers and success, it is about the Baker’s willingness to help one person at a time. Their reaching out to one orphan after another, bringing love, care, and Christ to those who have none of the above, and have been rejected in probably the poorest country in the world. Their testimony and their obvious humility, causes one to be encouraged and to celebrate the greatness of our God, also to seek revival in one’s own life and community. If you really want to know the truth about the Baker’s, this book is the best place to start. The book is available through many Christian book stores, or directly through the Baker’s ministry site: http://www.irismin.com/products.html Also: Check out their ministry blog and newsletter while you are at it: http://www.irismin.org/wordpress

-A Different Vision Of September 11, 2001: “The Face of Jesus”

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9/17/01 THE FACE OF JESUS

Friday, I Saw the face of Jesus,

While I was listening to the special service at National Cathedral;
and tears were flowing down his cheeks.

Sunday, I saw the face of Jesus,

While I was worshipping at church; and tears were flowing down his cheeks, while thousands were filing past him in sorrow–those who died in the acts of terror–
and they did not recognize him.

Then I saw the terrorists, they were celebrating while they walked together, until they saw Jesus, then there was terror in the eyes of the terrorists–they fell on their knees–some on their faces, raising their arms and pleading.

Then I saw the face of Jesus, and he was shaking his head in disappointment,
and they were gone.

Later during the service, I saw the face of Jesus again, and he was smiling–as hundreds of people came before him–men and women–and he hugged them, and he kissed them, and welcomed them. They were celebrating,

Then I saw the Face of Jesus once more,
and he was laughing and celebrating with them.