It has been awhile, seems a thought has been stuck in my mind, " Work out your own salvation"
In the last prison ministry ( 4 days) as we talked into the wee hours of the night I kept postulating the premise that No one is 100% right, a little of this and a little of that seems a good mix to me. Calvin was only partially right, every reformer that came along had some of it right, so we take what we need and leave the rest.
Except for the word of God, Scripture being Gods word, all this other stuff is either pure blather or gold that God has led us to read.
Predestination can free you, at least me from the rabid desire to drag everyone by the hair to Christ. because God chooses YOU, I am Free, and still we need to speak the words. Holy Spirit will convict, but our lives, lived as a living sacrifice and our words of proclamation bring those who are lost to meet God.
I am now a graduate of an ELCA Lay school, got the diploma and everything. It was the very best of time and I loved it, could not wait fore it to start every Thursday night. Now It is over,,,I had asked to teach a course, I doubt i will be blessed with that task, seems I am a bit to reformed to teach Lutherans and Presbyterians.
So ther is a slim chance that the ELCA will bless me with me performing Pulpit suppy, which I have always loved, I have filled the Pulpit over 20 times and have given communion solo a few times, But the ELCA is very gaurded who speaks in there name, I cannot find fault in that, It is after all the represenatation of God. But at Synod convention I realized this, an Idiot with a masters degree in teoligy is still and Idiot. kinda like the person with the worst grade in med school is called........Doctor.
Here is the odd thing. I always LOVED preaching, a month or so ago I was filling in for pastor Tari and I was feeling during the whole service unfullfilled, odd, out of place. and so I wonder was God telling me that preaching in a church is not for me at this time?
Because
Doors have burst wide open for me to expand Keryx into another Prison, and I love prison ministry. I relate to the guys and I feel at home.
So I thought the gifts of the spirit God gave me was to be a Preacher,,,seems I am to be a evangelizer with a strong inclination to also be a Disiple.
God is good, all the time, in time, throgh time, and as we die to self dailey we remember,,, Our lives are forfit to he whom created us... And so in Love and Humilty we become the hands and feet of the annointed one of the most high God. Adonai.
Amen.
Showing posts with label Holy Spirit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Holy Spirit. Show all posts
Friday, June 27, 2008
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Where's Waldo? Not in the ELCA
Where have I been?
Been awhile, been busy beating the bushes for Disciples to serve the most high God. Today is Halloween and I am just regaining my energy from my last 4 days in Prison Ministry. I was able to minister to a very violent man who is ready to max out after 23 years inside. I was able to Minister to a semi - retarded ( no disrespect but I feel that it is an appropriate word) and 2 Muslim men plus another 20 inmates.
The Violent man found peace in Christ, I believe everlasting peace. The mentally handicapped man found Brothers who would care for him, Pray with him, protect him, and the Muslims? Well there were 2. Scott might not come to Christ but he for the first time in his life encountered the Holy Spirit and the rush of peace and love that comes from that. He is a changed man, If he stays a Muslim, well OK but he is our brother non the less.
Muslim #2 When I was praying for men in the prayer Chapel, We men received a prayer request from him that was in reality a curse. calling on condemnation of Christians through a semi Egyptian deity. Holding that prayer request was like handling a snake. Bile rose up and I cast it down and denounced it in the name of the most High God and his son Jesus the Christ.
Dramatic? Not if you had been there, It was Evil. Thank our God that the other 24 men in Prison for various crimes were filled with the Holy Spirit, and I do not use that term Lightly.
As a whole the 4 day Prison Keryx ( Cursillo) went great, many men either came to Christ or renewed there commitment in a loving relationship with Adonai.
As a carpenter and having to earn my bread I, in my spare time have been meeting with ministers in northern Michigan to see If I can talk at there church services to the collective Church to enlist men and women to minister in the state prisons. It seems that the ELCA Lutherans are way to bust to Evangelize, Maybe it should be the LCA?? Cause they are light on the E!
I have some invitations to talk at an LCMS and an Assembly of God church which I shall take up late December or January because I have already been in 2 prisons this fall and have to lock down again mid November.
As a conservative Christian I have always hated convicts and was for the death penalty, Now? It seems that when you are to do those things you do not want to do that God is behind the seen moving us into his kingdom. Ministering to men who have nothing has been the very best of ministries, most men I serve with when we get out are both elated to go home and depressed for being taken away from that holy ground where the holy Spirit is so alive ,,,,,It seems that you left a piece of you inside.
God has been good, We are most certainly blessed. Today my Grand Daughter who is 2 years old had surgery where they gave her Anesthesia. My Prayer partners across the country were praying for our little Katey. God is most certainly good, All the time
May Jehovah Bless you and keep you and yours
Rick
Out
Been awhile, been busy beating the bushes for Disciples to serve the most high God. Today is Halloween and I am just regaining my energy from my last 4 days in Prison Ministry. I was able to minister to a very violent man who is ready to max out after 23 years inside. I was able to Minister to a semi - retarded ( no disrespect but I feel that it is an appropriate word) and 2 Muslim men plus another 20 inmates.
The Violent man found peace in Christ, I believe everlasting peace. The mentally handicapped man found Brothers who would care for him, Pray with him, protect him, and the Muslims? Well there were 2. Scott might not come to Christ but he for the first time in his life encountered the Holy Spirit and the rush of peace and love that comes from that. He is a changed man, If he stays a Muslim, well OK but he is our brother non the less.
Muslim #2 When I was praying for men in the prayer Chapel, We men received a prayer request from him that was in reality a curse. calling on condemnation of Christians through a semi Egyptian deity. Holding that prayer request was like handling a snake. Bile rose up and I cast it down and denounced it in the name of the most High God and his son Jesus the Christ.
Dramatic? Not if you had been there, It was Evil. Thank our God that the other 24 men in Prison for various crimes were filled with the Holy Spirit, and I do not use that term Lightly.
As a whole the 4 day Prison Keryx ( Cursillo) went great, many men either came to Christ or renewed there commitment in a loving relationship with Adonai.
As a carpenter and having to earn my bread I, in my spare time have been meeting with ministers in northern Michigan to see If I can talk at there church services to the collective Church to enlist men and women to minister in the state prisons. It seems that the ELCA Lutherans are way to bust to Evangelize, Maybe it should be the LCA?? Cause they are light on the E!
I have some invitations to talk at an LCMS and an Assembly of God church which I shall take up late December or January because I have already been in 2 prisons this fall and have to lock down again mid November.
As a conservative Christian I have always hated convicts and was for the death penalty, Now? It seems that when you are to do those things you do not want to do that God is behind the seen moving us into his kingdom. Ministering to men who have nothing has been the very best of ministries, most men I serve with when we get out are both elated to go home and depressed for being taken away from that holy ground where the holy Spirit is so alive ,,,,,It seems that you left a piece of you inside.
God has been good, We are most certainly blessed. Today my Grand Daughter who is 2 years old had surgery where they gave her Anesthesia. My Prayer partners across the country were praying for our little Katey. God is most certainly good, All the time
May Jehovah Bless you and keep you and yours
Rick
Out
Thursday, June 21, 2007
On Judgment Day they'll be mighty sorry
Bible Study tonight at Chippewa Correctional Facility was, as always great. As a politically conservative man I firmly believe that you do the crime you do the time. Yet these men are paying for there sins in such a way that many do not. especially those who attend church regularly and have broken many laws or hurt people legally. It reminds me that God is watching. Always vigilant.
Of all the scripture we studied this was to me the most profound in only that the Message Bible said it so well. These men will get out someday, it will be so hard, they will be ostracized by family and friends, potential employers and even church members.
THE NIV
Mathew 10: 11"Whatever town or village you enter, search for some worthy person there and stay at his house until you leave. 12 As you enter the home, give it your greeting. 13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. 14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town. 15 tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. 16 I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 17"Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues. 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
The Message:
"When you enter a town or village, don't insist on staying in a luxury inn. Get a modest place with some modest people, and be content there until you leave. "When you knock on a door, be courteous in your greeting.
If they welcome you, be gentle in your conversation. If they don't welcome you, quietly withdraw. Don't make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and be on your way.
You can be sure that on Judgment Day they'll be mighty sorry--but it's no concern of yours now.
"Stay alert. This is hazardous work I'm assigning you. You're going to be like sheep running through a wolf pack, so don't call attention to yourselves. Be as cunning as a snake, inoffensive as a dove.
"Don't be naive. Some people will impugn your motives, others will smear your reputation--just because you believe in me.
Don't be upset when they haul you before the civil authorities. Without knowing it, they've done you--and me--a favor, given you a platform for preaching the kingdom news!
And don't worry about what you'll say or how you'll say it. The right words will be there; the Spirit of your Father will supply the words.
God is watching, This life we live is no game, And yet 99% of all church goers think it is a game, and have yet to turn away from self and hold onto Jesus for there salvation.
If you died tomorrow where will you wake up? Are you sure?
Of all the scripture we studied this was to me the most profound in only that the Message Bible said it so well. These men will get out someday, it will be so hard, they will be ostracized by family and friends, potential employers and even church members.
THE NIV
Mathew 10: 11"Whatever town or village you enter, search for some worthy person there and stay at his house until you leave. 12 As you enter the home, give it your greeting. 13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. 14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town. 15 tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. 16 I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 17"Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues. 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
The Message:
"When you enter a town or village, don't insist on staying in a luxury inn. Get a modest place with some modest people, and be content there until you leave. "When you knock on a door, be courteous in your greeting.
If they welcome you, be gentle in your conversation. If they don't welcome you, quietly withdraw. Don't make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and be on your way.
You can be sure that on Judgment Day they'll be mighty sorry--but it's no concern of yours now.
"Stay alert. This is hazardous work I'm assigning you. You're going to be like sheep running through a wolf pack, so don't call attention to yourselves. Be as cunning as a snake, inoffensive as a dove.
"Don't be naive. Some people will impugn your motives, others will smear your reputation--just because you believe in me.
Don't be upset when they haul you before the civil authorities. Without knowing it, they've done you--and me--a favor, given you a platform for preaching the kingdom news!
And don't worry about what you'll say or how you'll say it. The right words will be there; the Spirit of your Father will supply the words.
God is watching, This life we live is no game, And yet 99% of all church goers think it is a game, and have yet to turn away from self and hold onto Jesus for there salvation.
If you died tomorrow where will you wake up? Are you sure?
My Life For You!
Brother Eric over der in Minisnowta who resides at The Heart of a Pastor Asked me what I thought are five things you dig about Jesus.
So this is not very deep or mind opening but here is what I said:
He was wounded for our iniquity's, he suffered and was killed for us, for me. He loves us so very much.
There is nothing I can do to make him love me any less, Sure I can run away but he is always there to pick me up and put me on the path.
He is waiting for us, to come to him and we shall spend eternity with him.
In the Darkest night of my soul he was there, When no one else was there he is there,
He is my rock and my salvation, to whom shall I go? Jesus has the words of eternal life.
Jesus sent us the Holy Spirit.
/////////////////
So what to say about he who is our all and all? It's funny how soon we forget about the Holy Spirit washing through us like warmth on a cool day, We forget Actual Miracles we have witnessed. We forget how in those really bad times Jesus carried us.
Like Trashcan man said in Steven Kings THE STAND,,,,,,,MY LIFE FOR YOU!
So this is not very deep or mind opening but here is what I said:
He was wounded for our iniquity's, he suffered and was killed for us, for me. He loves us so very much.
There is nothing I can do to make him love me any less, Sure I can run away but he is always there to pick me up and put me on the path.
He is waiting for us, to come to him and we shall spend eternity with him.
In the Darkest night of my soul he was there, When no one else was there he is there,
He is my rock and my salvation, to whom shall I go? Jesus has the words of eternal life.
Jesus sent us the Holy Spirit.
/////////////////
So what to say about he who is our all and all? It's funny how soon we forget about the Holy Spirit washing through us like warmth on a cool day, We forget Actual Miracles we have witnessed. We forget how in those really bad times Jesus carried us.
Like Trashcan man said in Steven Kings THE STAND,,,,,,,MY LIFE FOR YOU!
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
When Love comes to town
It has been a week, The Killings at Virginia Tech has rocked us all, There is so much stuff being said and is any of it relevant? I am a Christian, I follow Christ, and even though I have studied in Lay School how and who wrote the Bible, I believe without a doubt the words of Jesus. And so if there were Demons and evil spirits when Jesus walked, then did they disappear? or are they still here. Can they multiply or is the number of demons a fixed number?
Yes I believe in mental Illness and I also believe that some people are evil, and possessed. Separate and apart from Mental illness. So what to do? Trust in the Lord. Stuff will happen, always did, It's the free will thing. But in Prayer God sooths the storm or sooths the child.
This is not our home, we are just burning embers here, We are to register experiences for Gods own good, and we are to love our brothers and sisters to bring them to Christ Jesus. Mr. Cho, My God have mercy on his soul, and may he bless his family.
Evil was let loosed upon that campus, but love is the greater power, tears the healing balm, Come Holy Spirit, Bring us revival, through Christ.
Yes I believe in mental Illness and I also believe that some people are evil, and possessed. Separate and apart from Mental illness. So what to do? Trust in the Lord. Stuff will happen, always did, It's the free will thing. But in Prayer God sooths the storm or sooths the child.
This is not our home, we are just burning embers here, We are to register experiences for Gods own good, and we are to love our brothers and sisters to bring them to Christ Jesus. Mr. Cho, My God have mercy on his soul, and may he bless his family.
Evil was let loosed upon that campus, but love is the greater power, tears the healing balm, Come Holy Spirit, Bring us revival, through Christ.
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