Monthly Archives: January 2011

-Re: Breaking the Division Between the ‘Spiritual’ and ‘Secular’

image(Photo: The Christian Post)

Here’s a link to a Christian Post article which explores some themes that I believe are critical for any kind of cultural revival of the American and Western church:

Tim Keller: Spiritual and Secular Jobs are God’s Work

Here’s the opening line:

Pastor Tim Keller challenged a crowd of New York City professionals Sunday to rethink how they view work and to debunk the notion that spiritual vocations matter more to God than secular work.

Here’s a notable quote from Pastor Keller:

“There is no menial work. Jesus came not as a philosopher, not as a general. He came as a carpenter. The Bible says that all works matter to God. All works. Not just works that make money.”

Response: People spend 40 hours or more a week working or in business but it is only the 2 hours spent helping with the Sunday School that has any lasting eternal value? This dichotomy has not served us well and it is past time for the ‘Good News’ to touch every facet of our lives including our work and businesses, and our families and homes.

It is imperative for all Christians to understand once more that each one is called into a ‘priesthood of all believers’ that in the Kingdom of God there really is no division between the ‘secular’ and the ‘Spiritual’. Every occupation one is called to is to be lived out ‘as to the lord’ and dedicated to His Kingdom and rule.

<<Read my complete article and response>>

I plan to expand on this thought in another article here. I believe that the current revival in America is beginning in the marketplace and neighborhoods where folks live rather than in churches.            *Top

-Iran Cracking Down on the Christian Revival

Iran

                    (Image via Wikipedia)

Since Christmas, Iranian authorities have arrested at least 70 Christian leaders including at least 2 pastors who are all facing a possible indictment for apostasy which carries a death sentence.

Converts from Islam are being targeted in particular. Iranian religious authorities are getting concerned about the numbers of Muslims leaving Islam secretly to become Christians.

Response: In spite of all the persecution by the Iranian hard-line Islamist regime the number of Christians continues to grow exponentially. We have blogged about what is currently happening in Iran before. An actual revival is secretly taking place there with nearly half a million Muslims converting Christianity just in the last 5 years or so. Most have come to Jesus through dreams, visions, healings, and visitations by angels and Jesus. 

This is why the regime is probably responding with arrests and persecution hoping to slow down the growth of the underground Christian movement in the country. According to official records there are suppose to be around 450,000-500,000 Christians in Iran. However, with the current revival there are far more than anyone really knows or can even determine.

It is a good time to remember all of our Iranian Christian brothers and sisters in our prayers. I am praying that Christian revival and growth continues in that country unabated in spite of all of the persecution.            *Top 

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-2011: Year of the Joseph Butterflies?

Watch me fly away, give me life like a butterf...

           (Image by Te55? via Flickr)

Some prophetic folks around here keep seeing visions of butterflies in connection with 2011. Lately we have had lots of rain in the natural which is usually a portent for an abundance of butterflies in the spring.

The message seems to be that many ministries and called ones have been hidden up and have been going through a time of preparation or metamorphosis but will soon be released to fly and do what they have been called to do.

Some are like Joseph who did his best as a slave in prison but was released in a day to do and be what he was really called to do. Others have been doing ministries they have not really been called to do –e.g: prophetical ministers and evangelists serving as pastors. These are about ready to be coughed up on the shore like Jonah and finally become who they are really called to be and do what they are really supposed to do.

-25,000+ Young People Attend ‘Onething’ IHOP Conference

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Over 25,000 young adults attended ‘Onething’ –an annual worship and teaching conference sponsored by IHOP (International House of Prayer) at Kansas City Convention Center Dec. 28-31.

The conference attracted young people from all across America and from over 50 different countries including folks from as far away as South Korea, China, New Zealand, Europe and South America.

The purpose of the conference was to rise up and equip a new generation of Christian leaders that are dedicated to ‘Onething’ only- living and spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the entire world. Learning to love God and people with all their hearts.

In talking about the recent conference, Mike Bickle (IHOP-KC founder and director) said the following:

“We are in the early days of seeing sweeping changes that will confront the status quo in the church and in society. It is in these strategic moments that the disciples of Jesus will become the hinge of history, that pivotal point that determines which way the door will swing.”

“Right now we stand at a critical juncture in history. All across the earth, the Holy Spirit is visiting His people with power as He raises up a generation consumed with God’s zeal—zeal to see the fame of Jesus’ name go forth in the earth. Zeal to see revival in the church. Zeal to see justice established. Zeal to see a great harvest of souls.”

IHOP–KC is an evangelical missions organization based on 24/7 prayer with worship that sponsors a full-time school for training missionaries in Bible, music, and the media. IHOP is also heavily involved in evangelism, healing the sick, inner-city outreach, multiple justice initiatives, and planting houses of prayer. and training missionaries.

Here’s a link to Videos and podcasts of the recent 2010 Conference sessions.

Response: Preparation and participation in major international revival is the major theme and context of ‘Onething’ conferences. Our church sponsored a Onething conference on the West coast several years ago and I can tell you that it is an experience not to be missed if there is any way you can get to one- especially if you can get your young people to attend- it is a life changing event.

The conference in KC is the major one but others will be sponsored all across America this coming year. Check out the IHOP-KC website for the nearest one coming to your area.       *Top