Friday, July 11, 2008
Saturday, June 28, 2008
A Highway will Be there
Isaiah 35
1. The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, 2. it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God. 3. Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; 4. say to those with fearful hearts, "Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you." 5. Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. 6. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. 7. The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. In the haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow. 8. And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not journey on it; it will be for those who walk in that Way; wicked fools will not go about on it. 9. No lion will be there, nor will any ferocious beast get up on it; they will not be found there. But only the redeemed will walk there, 10. and the ransomed of the LORD will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.
1. The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, 2. it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God. 3. Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; 4. say to those with fearful hearts, "Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you." 5. Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. 6. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. 7. The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. In the haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow. 8. And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not journey on it; it will be for those who walk in that Way; wicked fools will not go about on it. 9. No lion will be there, nor will any ferocious beast get up on it; they will not be found there. But only the redeemed will walk there, 10. and the ransomed of the LORD will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.
The Highway will be there. What a promise from God that is! In a land of parched earth and jackals, the land will become a pool giving life giving water to all. This Highway is Jesus.
I think it strange that many will quote that the the road is narrow. It is. Yet, it is a road that is set in safety to those on it. As with Highways now, this Highway gives one great speed to God. It is clear of all debris and obstacles.
Jesus is the Way, the Truth and The Life. He is the narrow Way. Do not think this Highway is anything else but the Living Savior Jesus. There is no other road. There is no other God that makes a path such as this to salvation.
Blessings,
iggy
Labels: Bible, emerging church, exchanged life, Forgiveness, Grace, hope, Isaiah, Jesus, Kingdom of God, Thankful
Monday, May 05, 2008
I Like Steve Brown.
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Please pray for Jon Cardwell
I have been coresponding with Jon Cardwell over the past year. He is a missionary in Alaska yet has found out he has ALS otherwise know as "Lou Gehrig's disease". I was saddened to hear this. ALS is a slow degenerative muscle disease so it will take some time for it to have it's full effect on Jon. He still has needs as making a living.I have asked people to pray over the internet a few times and have seen miracles. From the miracle of my son who was rapidly losing weight from birth and not eathing to see him begin to eat and gain strength and weight the very day many prayed, to the recent fires in Molt/Park City area in which none of my relatives property was damaged by fire. In fact one relative had the fire stop right at her property line and there seems no reason other than divine intervention.
I know God can heal people and I ask that you pray for Jon. He is currently in the lower states looking for places to preach and possibly to be the full time pastor.
iggy
Labels: CNR, emerging church, Faith, friends, Grace, healing, help, human interest, ken silva, mercy, Missional Living, prayer, truth war
Thursday, March 27, 2008
What a different world some live in....
What a different world some live in....
On very rare occasions, and I mean rare as in someone almost never... Yet, since I have on occasion noticed a couple of my friends mention Dan Phillips I read one of his articles...
And I just don't even relate to the question at all...
Here is the idea. You are a Christian and someone accuses you of being a legalist.
Dan then gives these examples of legalism or what others have said to him or... and that is where I get a bit confused I guess... but here are the "legalist" accusations with the questions afterward.
A legalist is...
- Anyone who thinks Christians are under the Ten Commandments
- Anyone who thinks Christians are under the Law of Moses (more broadly)
- Anyone who thinks that we must obey law (— any law, whether of Moses or of Christ) to merit salvation
- Anyone who thinks a Christian should obey the commands of Christ and the apostles
- Anyone whose example makes me feel bad about my life
- Anyone who imposes man-made rules on other Christians' conscience
- Anyone who lives by standards that I don't share
- Anyone who tells me that I should not do something I want to do, or do something I don't want to do
- Anyone who tells me that a sin I sinned was sin, that I must repent before
God and man, and that I must make it right with those I've wronged - Anyone who seriously thinks that what the Bible says is more important than what I strongly feel
- Anyone who seriously thinks that the Bible should be our only rule of faith and practice, and that it is wholly sufficient to that end
- Anyone who quotes a Bible verse I don't want to hear
- Anyone who affirms a Biblical truth I don't want to think about
- Anyone who thinks that, just because I say I believe in Jesus, I should take seriously anything that Jesus or His apostles or prophets say, even if I don't want to
- Anyone who evaluates my outpouring of emotions and reactions in a
Biblical manner, however humanly and compassionately - Anyone who holds to a lot of rules
- Anyone who applies the Bible accurately, but without so much as a breath of grace, patience, compassion or humility
- Anyone who thinks we should ever say "No" to anything we really deeply feel in our hearts
- Anyone who goes to church when he doesn't feel like it
- Anyone who takes literally parts of the Bible that I don't take literally
- Anyone who thinks I should go to church when I don't feel like it, just because I say I believe in Jesus
- Anyone who thinks I should respect an authority I don't agree with
- Anyone who thinks that, just because I call Jesus "Lord, Lord," I should actually do what He says
Update: Anyone who tries to hold another to a biblical standard [credit: Carrie]Update: Anyone who thinks that there is no problem that cannot be solved by more and better rules
In the meta, tell us:
Which of these have you heard most frequently?
Which do you think is (or are) accurate and legitimate uses — and on what basis?
Which do you think are inaccurate and illegitimate — and on what basis?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now, there are some legitimate “legalism” there, but I see that the point is missed completely. If one adds one thing to the finished works of Christ Jesus, that is in itself, legalism.
So most of these, which some made me laugh out loud as things like, “22. Anyone who takes literally parts of the Bible that I don't take literally” when many people who claim to be “literalists” are not even close to being that, or say, Any of the “because I take Jesus seriously” ones which seem to totally miss what biblical obedience is.
The thing that gets me is that Dan Phillips is in the crowd that seems to get these statements aimed at them. Maybe for good reason? I never seem to get these statements aimed at me unless it is in the form or “you do it too!” when I try to rebuke someone in Dan’s crowd who hypocritically attacks a friend of mine or unjustly accuses someone I respect.
Before you think I am just on an anti Dan Phillips row here, I am not, I have also seen some legalism in my own camp which I do address, yet, I see more grace there than from many who propose their doctrines as “doctrines of grace”. I might even be as bold as to say that I have seen and experienced more grace from Arminians than from Calvinists… though I do not condemn all Calvinists in that manner nor I claim or state that most Arminians truly grasp Grace in its fullness (Nor do I for all its fullness).
Now, as far as these questions, most I see are just not even the right questions. If one is accused of these, then you need sit back and really consider what is being stated. I bet if one prays and truly considers the accusation against them they might see some truth to them all and might also be careful to consider oneself might fall into these traps of the faith.
So I see that before we try to justify or condemn someone for placing these statements at our feet, one should be wise to see if they really do apply to themselves.
I do not boast when I state I rarely hear people state these questions to me. For true Grace only comes from God and not from us. We can only love if we understand we are loved by God first. We can only give grace away if we have God’s grace to give away.
Be blessed,
iggy
Labels: critics of the emerging church, emergent village, emerging church, exchanged life, Grace
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Love the Higher Law
Love the Higher Law
There are some things I just can’t grasp. One thing that I just can’t grasp or might not agree with is Leron Shultzs’ idea that we cannot analogize God. I see his point to a degree, yet the Bible is full of “God is like a…” statements. Yet, God does not have a beak or wings and Jesus is not a literal lamb… and Peter as dense as he could be sometimes was not a literal rock. So if one takes analogies to their extreme results… they will fall very short. Though I do like his idea of God as “Being in relationship.”
Now, one area I have thought about since High School was the concept of opposites. I had a teacher that asked the question one time, “What is the opposite of love?” we all stated “hate” just like you probably just did. Yet, he pointed out that the opposite of love is not hate, but apathy or the lack of emotion.
The opposite of hate is not love, the opposite of sorrow is not joy but all being emotions, are opposite to apathy.
Now, I am not sure if that helps me or hurts me as far as theology.
Yet let’s look at something in scripture called the Higher Law of Love.
1 John 4:16b “God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.”
God dwells in the emotion of love. He calls us to live in those attributes that are of love. Grace itself can be best understood as the emotion God has for us, or knowing that God loves us.
Many people are quick to state that we are to “obey God” or it’s variation, that we are to “obey God’s Law”. Yet miss that to obey as they teach is actually “works”. For example, if you read this article you will note the author quotes verses on “He who does not love Me will not obey My teaching” yet misses that we cannot be obedient, for if we could, then we could obey the Law and would not have needed Jesus to die on the cross for the author only has half the teaching here… which is dangerous if one claims to be a teacher to only give half the teaching that one might mislead others down “works” salvation instead of total dependency on Christ Jesus for salvation. Though Jesus states “He who does not love Me will not obey My teaching” we must recognize a few things…
Jesus is talking to Judas who had his own agenda. Jesus knew Judas would betray him, yet, still gave Judas all the chances to turn. Jesus is stating that Judas to be filled with the Spirit of Truth by the Father because Judas believes on Jesus. Yet, most importantly one must understand what it was that Jesus “commanded” us to be obedient to. Here is what the bible teaches as to what the commands we are to be obedient to.
1 John 3: 23 And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.
1 John 4:21 And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.
Galatians 5:14 The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."
2 John 1:6 And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.
Note that some seem to teach that we are still under the Mosaic law, while the bible teaches quite the opposite for Believers in Jesus.
Again there is more to obedience that so many miss, and that we as mere men, have no obedience in and of ourselves. Romans 5: 19 “For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.”
Though many quickly accept that we have no righteousness except Jesus as well as holiness of our own outside of the Holiness of Christ all imputed to us, for some reason many still believe wrongly that they have the ability to be obedient on and in their own power, or worse that they are “helped” by the Holy Spirit to be obedient. Now, there is some merit to the last one, yet we must realize that yet we must keep it in the biblical perspective. In a book by Chuck Smith “Charisma Versus Charismania” Chuck gives an example of lifting a table. We are on one side while God is on the other side and we lift and God helps. That is a terrible example… sorry to be so blunt.
The truth is any “works” we do will be tainted, yet the works God does are always good and perfect. So, if God is helping us God is defeating His own good and perfect will. Yet, if we understand that God lifts the table and we may look like we are lifting it, we are to only give God the glory in what He is doing by lifting the table. We are to be no less dependant on God than Jesus was Himself. In His own words he states in John 5: 19 “Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.”
Again if we look at Romans 5:19 we will notice that “through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners”. This many readily accept and have not issue with, yet, when we get to the second half many seem to balk at the very idea they cannot be obedient! They seem to hold to that our righteousness comes from our own obedience yet we read, “so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous”. It is from the obedience of the one man (Jesus) that we are made righteous. In Hebrews 5 we read, “8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10 and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.”
Jesus learned obedience Philippians 2: 5 “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” Again we see that Jesus was obedient even unto death.
The only obedience we can give is the obedience to Love God and one another. Yet, even that is with the understanding that Love is not generated from us, but is a response to what God has already done. That God loved us first, 1 John 4:10 “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”
Since we have responded to the love of God, then we receive the Holy Spirit. God is love and if we have responded then God lives in us, (1 John 4:12)
Once one grasps that truth, then we can allow God to work in us and through us. The sign in that this is happening in us is how we treat others. God does not care if you “repent” to Him, if you have harmed someone, yet do nothing to bring reconciliation. If you do not have reconciliation in your heart, which is driven by the love of God, then whatever you do is really worthless no matter how good one can teach.
Be blessed,
iggy
There are some things I just can’t grasp. One thing that I just can’t grasp or might not agree with is Leron Shultzs’ idea that we cannot analogize God. I see his point to a degree, yet the Bible is full of “God is like a…” statements. Yet, God does not have a beak or wings and Jesus is not a literal lamb… and Peter as dense as he could be sometimes was not a literal rock. So if one takes analogies to their extreme results… they will fall very short. Though I do like his idea of God as “Being in relationship.”
Now, one area I have thought about since High School was the concept of opposites. I had a teacher that asked the question one time, “What is the opposite of love?” we all stated “hate” just like you probably just did. Yet, he pointed out that the opposite of love is not hate, but apathy or the lack of emotion.
The opposite of hate is not love, the opposite of sorrow is not joy but all being emotions, are opposite to apathy.
Now, I am not sure if that helps me or hurts me as far as theology.
Yet let’s look at something in scripture called the Higher Law of Love.
1 John 4:16b “God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.”
God dwells in the emotion of love. He calls us to live in those attributes that are of love. Grace itself can be best understood as the emotion God has for us, or knowing that God loves us.
Many people are quick to state that we are to “obey God” or it’s variation, that we are to “obey God’s Law”. Yet miss that to obey as they teach is actually “works”. For example, if you read this article you will note the author quotes verses on “He who does not love Me will not obey My teaching” yet misses that we cannot be obedient, for if we could, then we could obey the Law and would not have needed Jesus to die on the cross for the author only has half the teaching here… which is dangerous if one claims to be a teacher to only give half the teaching that one might mislead others down “works” salvation instead of total dependency on Christ Jesus for salvation. Though Jesus states “He who does not love Me will not obey My teaching” we must recognize a few things…
Jesus is talking to Judas who had his own agenda. Jesus knew Judas would betray him, yet, still gave Judas all the chances to turn. Jesus is stating that Judas to be filled with the Spirit of Truth by the Father because Judas believes on Jesus. Yet, most importantly one must understand what it was that Jesus “commanded” us to be obedient to. Here is what the bible teaches as to what the commands we are to be obedient to.
1 John 3: 23 And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.
1 John 4:21 And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.
Galatians 5:14 The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."
2 John 1:6 And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.
Note that some seem to teach that we are still under the Mosaic law, while the bible teaches quite the opposite for Believers in Jesus.
Again there is more to obedience that so many miss, and that we as mere men, have no obedience in and of ourselves. Romans 5: 19 “For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.”
Though many quickly accept that we have no righteousness except Jesus as well as holiness of our own outside of the Holiness of Christ all imputed to us, for some reason many still believe wrongly that they have the ability to be obedient on and in their own power, or worse that they are “helped” by the Holy Spirit to be obedient. Now, there is some merit to the last one, yet we must realize that yet we must keep it in the biblical perspective. In a book by Chuck Smith “Charisma Versus Charismania” Chuck gives an example of lifting a table. We are on one side while God is on the other side and we lift and God helps. That is a terrible example… sorry to be so blunt.
The truth is any “works” we do will be tainted, yet the works God does are always good and perfect. So, if God is helping us God is defeating His own good and perfect will. Yet, if we understand that God lifts the table and we may look like we are lifting it, we are to only give God the glory in what He is doing by lifting the table. We are to be no less dependant on God than Jesus was Himself. In His own words he states in John 5: 19 “Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.”
Again if we look at Romans 5:19 we will notice that “through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners”. This many readily accept and have not issue with, yet, when we get to the second half many seem to balk at the very idea they cannot be obedient! They seem to hold to that our righteousness comes from our own obedience yet we read, “so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous”. It is from the obedience of the one man (Jesus) that we are made righteous. In Hebrews 5 we read, “8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10 and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.”
Jesus learned obedience Philippians 2: 5 “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” Again we see that Jesus was obedient even unto death.
The only obedience we can give is the obedience to Love God and one another. Yet, even that is with the understanding that Love is not generated from us, but is a response to what God has already done. That God loved us first, 1 John 4:10 “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”
Since we have responded to the love of God, then we receive the Holy Spirit. God is love and if we have responded then God lives in us, (1 John 4:12)
Once one grasps that truth, then we can allow God to work in us and through us. The sign in that this is happening in us is how we treat others. God does not care if you “repent” to Him, if you have harmed someone, yet do nothing to bring reconciliation. If you do not have reconciliation in your heart, which is driven by the love of God, then whatever you do is really worthless no matter how good one can teach.
Be blessed,
iggy
Labels: Bible, doctrine, emergent village, emerging church, exchanged life, Grace, Love, Teaching, theology
Friday, March 21, 2008
SOLA GRATIA (Grace Alone)
SOLA GRATIA (Grace Alone)
In salvation we are rescued from God's wrath by His grace alone. It is the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit that brings us to Christ by releasing us from our bondage to sin and raising us from spiritual death to spiritual life.
We deny that salvation is in any sense a human work. Human methods, techniques or strategies by themselves cannot accomplish this transformation. Faith is not produced by our unregenerated human nature.
In salvation we are rescued from God's wrath by His grace alone. It is the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit that brings us to Christ by releasing us from our bondage to sin and raising us from spiritual death to spiritual life.
We deny that salvation is in any sense a human work. Human methods, techniques or strategies by themselves cannot accomplish this transformation. Faith is not produced by our unregenerated human nature.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In this I affirm completely.
Interestingly, very few people put "Grace alone" and this verse together. James 4:6 and 1 Peter 5:5 "..."God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
The sin of pride keeps one from receiving Grace through faith. God gives all mankind the gift of faith so that they may turn to Him and be saved. Yet, if ones heart is hardened and proud God resists that person in their attempt to do works that would save them. We owe God to great a debt to be able to pay off. The wages of sin, which is revealed by the Law, is death. But the Gift of God is Life. This Life is sustained by God's Grace toward us. We do nothing, except in response to what God has done, accept we are dead in our sins and humbly ask for mercy and Grace. God gives grace to the humble. That is a promise.
Be blessed,
iggy
Labels: Amazing Grace, emerging church, five solas, Forgiveness, Grace, Kingdom of God, new creation, relational, Resurrection, Spirituality
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Unknown Critics.. Why Listen?
This is just an observation. But has anyone else noticed that some of the "biggest" critics out the, like Ken Silva or Chris Pajak do not have any pictures of themselves anywhere on their blogs or other sites? It is like the unknown comic... was he a legit comic? Really, the gong show as big as it's success really never catapulted him to fame. His jokes were lame and so on... and I guess all that was the reason he never showed his face to the public. There are some that are even saying Ken Silva is not even a real person but a group of people writing as if he was a real person. (I do not believe that myself) = )
Now, I am not stating that the people I mentioned are like lame comics who are afraid to show their faces... well maybe I am. But, really if someone cannot show their face, I wonder if it is really worth listening to their voice? I wonder if it is that they actually live in "fear" from all those they attack? I am not sure... but I see that if you can't show your face in public, then their might be something wrong. I say this as one of these guys tried to mock me in how I look... but at least I will say I was flattered in their comparison and will add I walk in no fear of man. I will not only show my face but stand before man and God and as Luther stated;
“If the emperor desires a plain answer, I will give it to him. It is impossible for me to recant unless I am proved to be wrong by the testimony of Scripture. My conscience is bound to the Word of God. It is neither safe nor honest to act against one’s conscience. Here I stand. God help me. I cannot do otherwise.”
Be Blessed,
iggy
Labels: Chris Pajak, critics of the emerging church, emerging church, Grace, Judgmentalism, ken silva
Monday, February 11, 2008
Thinking about the truth war...
I recently had a comment by someone who is struggling to keep his faith in God. He was saddened that I was taking on someone who thinks he is fighting against others as not holding to God's truth. I pointed out that his language was offensive and things escalated.
Now, I am not always proud in how I do things or handles some things. The comment made me think though and do some praying as to who the casualties are in this so called "truth war".
Here are some videos that might help us who believe, understand how outsiders might see us. It is a bit humbling to do this, but I hope it helps.
Be blessed,
iggy
Labels: discernment ministries, emerging church, Forgiveness, Grace, ken silva, satire, truth war
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Around the Blogosphere
It has been a few days since I last posted something. Been busy. I had a person quit a work so I am back to working nights and days. Here are a few things going on out there which I have found interesting.
Michael Spencer aka as the Internet Monk is a busy man! Not only does he teach and do a couple of blogs, but he also does a couple of podcasts and now is joined with The Old White Guy Steve Brown at Steve Brown Etc. Michael Spencer is blogging at that site also as well as doing interviews.
Michael Spencer aka as the Internet Monk is a busy man! Not only does he teach and do a couple of blogs, but he also does a couple of podcasts and now is joined with The Old White Guy Steve Brown at Steve Brown Etc. Michael Spencer is blogging at that site also as well as doing interviews.
Steve Brown Etc has become one of my favorite shows. A recent show featured Mike Meagher. You think you have it tough? Listen to the conditions Mike and his wife CHOSE to live in. OH! and you get three free sins for going there!
I hadn't gone to jordoncooper.com for a while but this one caught my eye... How to download Youtube videos.
Tall Skinny Andrew Jones has this rather "cool" visual... just go and look.
I am also thinking of moving this blog to Wordpress.com.... here is the link. I am running both blogs to see the difference in traffic. Let me know what you think.
I never realized that Montana was a "Catholic" state. Joe Martino has a post on this that was rather interesting.
Now, I also need some prayer. He have been evicted so that the landlord can renovate the house. He is cool and gave us three months, yet one month has gone by and still no place to move to. He said we could extend the stay if needed, yet we need to just get it done.
Also, I have been really struggling with dealing with some people (I confess that I just do not care to get into stupid debates with people who just are out to attack others) I am attempting humor to channel my anger... Let me know what you think.... the link was above.
I am also really desiring to go full time into ministry. I need prayer that God supplies our needs. I have a good job, yet it takes so much time and energy out of me... I just want to go deeper into what I see God wanting me to do. Pray that our church grows so that I can go full time as a pastor.
Also, iggyROCKS! needs support. I am getting asked by ministers from different countries for help with Grace related materials.... as well as being asked for study Bibles from students in Africa. One box i have been trying send cost me $186 just to send a two pound box. I am asking that you pray that God will not only supply the $400 to keep iggyROCKS! rocking but to also give a surplus that allows us to send these materials to these people. If you even know of a ministry that does already this let me know. Every dollar given goes directly to keeping the station going and these types of ministries.
Be blessed,
iggy
Labels: exchanged life, Faith, Grace, human interest, in Christ, Steve Brown Etc, testimony, The Sheltons
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Andrew Jones and Tim Challies
Tim apparently wrote a book and some of those out in the Blogosphere seemed to not think he was qualified to do so... Justin Taylor's blog becomes the Steve Camp jousting grounds again...Now, mind you John MacArthur read the book and seemed to disagree with Steve Camp:
From the Foreword:
"Tim Challies is uniquely qualified to write on the subject. I don’t know of a more reliable or more prolific commentator on the contemporary evangelical scene. His weblog is a favorite stop for thousands of Christian readers every day. His book reviews and his comments on evangelical trends are consistently even-handed, thorough yet succinct, and full of perceptive insights… The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment is a truly important work—one that should be required reading not only for church leaders, but for all sober-minded laypeople as well."
Dr. John MacArthur Pastor-Teacher, Grace Community Church, Sun Valley, CA
Dr. John MacArthur Pastor-Teacher, Grace Community Church, Sun Valley, CA
John MacArthur against Steve Camp... who wudda thunk! LOL!
Now, Tim is making the blog rounds and has met on Andrew Jones blog. Here is the interview. Note also that there will be more to this blog tour.
This seems like it could be interesting as emerging bloggers and MacArthurite bloggers clash over whether they really believe in the priesthood of all believers.
Be blessed,
iggy
Labels: doctrine, emerging church, Grace, Tim Challies, war
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
OK This guy usually bothers me... but... from poop emerges
This guy usually bothers me but at poop is emergent too he has an interesting take on Ken Silva and Tony Jones.. though I do not agree 100% I see that not all on Ken Silva's side agree with him and his tactics.
Article: Just so we are clear…
be blessed,
iggy
Labels: Bible, Christian Research Network, doctrine, emergent village, emerging church, Grace, ken silva, legalism, lies, Tony Jones, Truth
Monday, December 10, 2007
YWAM shootings... "we forgive."
I heard about the shootings both at the Denver YWAM base and at New Life Church early this morning.
Our prayers are with all.
The official stand from YWAM is "We Forgive".
It also seems the man responsible has been identified as a former attendee at that YWAM base.
Blessings,
iggy
Labels: Forgiveness, Grace, Love, ywam
Pray for Bridget Lambert
Janna and Bridget are coworkers. Please take some time to pray for Bridget.
Blessings,
iggy
Bridget Lambert
2:10pm Today
I've covered almost every prayer chain known to man, but I am asking you to pray for my best friend Bridget Lambert.
Blessings,
iggy
Bridget Lambert
2:10pm Today
I've covered almost every prayer chain known to man, but I am asking you to pray for my best friend Bridget Lambert.
In October, after struggling with intense headaches for weeks, Bridget was admitted into the hospital. The doctors informed her that she had suffered from a pinpoint stroke and a blood clot lodged behind her left ear.
After almost two weeks in the hospital she was released and told that she would have to continue to take blood pressure medication as well as a high dose of blood thinner. They hoped that the clot would eventually dissolve in the blood stream and things would return to normal. Bridget has been unable to return to work (at the Billings Gazette) over the past 7 weeks and her short term disability is almost up. She has been extremely stressed about losing her job and having so many bills to pay.
On Tuesday she had an MRI and there was no change in the clot so they did a second spinal tap to check the pressure of her spinal fluid. The doctors did tell her that it was not as high as her initial visit but it was the only good news they could offer. They had planned to put a stint behind her eyes to try and relieve the pressure on her optic nerves to try and save her eyesight but the initial appointment eyesight has been deteriorating. We had all been hoping for some baby steps forward but instead she has had to take two big steps back.
Yesterday, Bridget complained of back pain and leg cramps/shooting pain so she was admitted into the hospital last night. The did another scan and found what they are calling "spontaneous internal bleeding" the size of a softball in her lower back on the left side. To reverse the affects of the blood thinner they are shooting her up with Vitamin K to help her blood clot to stop the internal bleeding. This puts her into high risk due to the stubborn blood clot. She is in a lot of pain and is very very scared right now.
Today she recieved the Vitamin K as well as a batch of platelets to hopefully stop the internal bleeding. Because she has been losing so much blood she has become anemic and they have asked her to consider a blood transfusion to refill her blood reserve. If she didn't take the transfusion she would risk bleeding out but by taking transfusion she still risks the chance of contracting blood born pathogens that could harm her.
Please please pray for healing and fantastic doctors to aid her in recovery. This has been a frustrating ordeal for her, her family and friends and she could use every prayer you can give.
Thank you and Merry Christmas to you and yours,
Janna
Janna and Bridget at the 2007 Relay for Life
Labels: emerging church, family, friends, Grace, prayer
Thursday, December 06, 2007
GOD LIVES UNDER THE BED: update
I posted this Tuesday, August 29, 2006 not knowing if it was a true story. Then last Friday I received an email stating this.
Hi Iggy,
Just thought I'd let you know that this is, in fact, a true story. It was written by Kevin's sister 15 years ago. She read it again today at Kevin's memorial service. He passed away on Tuesday after a 13 month battle with colon cancer. But in usual Kevin style, he never complained and the last words he said were "Stay Home. Jesus is coming". And He did. Kevin will be deeply missed by many people. He touched so many lives and we are so gad that he is with his Father.
God Bless.
I went back to re-read the post and found myself weeping (as I remember the first time I read it) yet this time with the realization that it was a very real story about a very real person.
I took a while to respond as I did not really know how to, yet sent this back to "Bonnie" who sent me the email.
Bonnie,
I am so sad to hear of Kevin’s passing, but rejoice that he is with the Lord whom he loved so much. It was quite a while ago I posted that story and with many stories out there I did not know that it was real or not…. But it did touch my heart and I knew I had to share it.
I am very blessed that you took the time to share with me that it was a true story. I am more blessed as I re-read the story and then your email and found myself weeping with both sadness and joy for Kevin… and even though I never knew Kevin, I have seen many other people with handicaps who also seemed to have the same innocent faith that Kevin had and now lives in all the fullness of.
May I share this email with my readers… my only reason is to share that we need sometimes to stop and realize that Jesus’ words are so true, that we can only truly come to God with faith of a child.
Again, my prayers are with you in your earthly lost, but I know that it is the Kingdom of God’s gain… and Kevin was greeted with so much rejoicing as our Lord Jesus held him in the most loving embraced and of all people the words would be, “Well done my good and faithful servant… my friend… my brother… come I have much to share with you here.”
May the Lord of all blessings give you the Grace and comfort you need in this time.
Blessings,
iggy
I am so sad to hear of Kevin’s passing, but rejoice that he is with the Lord whom he loved so much. It was quite a while ago I posted that story and with many stories out there I did not know that it was real or not…. But it did touch my heart and I knew I had to share it.
I am very blessed that you took the time to share with me that it was a true story. I am more blessed as I re-read the story and then your email and found myself weeping with both sadness and joy for Kevin… and even though I never knew Kevin, I have seen many other people with handicaps who also seemed to have the same innocent faith that Kevin had and now lives in all the fullness of.
May I share this email with my readers… my only reason is to share that we need sometimes to stop and realize that Jesus’ words are so true, that we can only truly come to God with faith of a child.
Again, my prayers are with you in your earthly lost, but I know that it is the Kingdom of God’s gain… and Kevin was greeted with so much rejoicing as our Lord Jesus held him in the most loving embraced and of all people the words would be, “Well done my good and faithful servant… my friend… my brother… come I have much to share with you here.”
May the Lord of all blessings give you the Grace and comfort you need in this time.
Blessings,
iggy
Please send a note here on this post or an email to me to pass on to Bonnie if this story blessed you in some way. I know the family would love to here it.
GOD LIVES UNDER THE BED
Don't start reading this one until you've got more than 3 or 4 minutes to just "scan" over it.
It deserves a bit of time for some reflection. I envy Kevin. My brother Kevin thinks God lives under his bed. At least that's what I heard him say one night.
He was praying out loud in his dark bedroom, and I stopped to listen, "Are you there, God?" he said. "Where are you? Oh, I see. Under the bed..."I giggled softly and tiptoed off to my own room. Kevin's unique perspectives are often a source of amusement. But that night something else lingered long after the humor. I realized for the first time the very different world Kevin lives in.
Kevin was born 30 years ago, mentally disabled as a result of difficulties during labor. Apart from his size (he's 6-foot-2), there are few ways in which he is an adult. He reasons and communicates with the capabilities of a 7-year-old, and he always will. He will probably always believe that God lives under his bed, that Santa Claus is the one who fills the space under our tree every Christmas and that airplanes stay up in the sky because angels carry them.
I remember wondering if Kevin realizes he is different.
Is he ever dissatisfied with his monotonous life?
Up before dawn each day, off to work at a workshop for the disabled, home to walk our cocker spaniel, return to eat his favorite macaroni-and-cheese for dinner, and later to bed.
The only variation in the entire scheme is laundry, when he hovers excitedly over the washing machine like a mother with her newborn child. He does not seem dissatisfied.
He lopes out to the bus every morning at 7:05, eager for a day of simple work. He wrings his hands excitedly while the water boils on the stove before dinner, and he stays up late twice a week to gather our dirty laundry for his next day's laundry chores.
And Saturdays-oh, the bliss of Saturdays! That's the day my Dad takes Kevin to the airport to have a soft drink, watch the planes land, and speculate loudly on the destination of each passenger inside. "That one's goin' to Chi-car-go!" Kevin shouts as he claps his hands. His anticipation is so great he can hardly sleep on Friday nights. And so goes his world of daily rituals and weekend field trips. He doesn't know what it means to be discontent. His life is simple. He will never know the entanglements of wealth of power, and he does not care what brand of clothing he wears or what kind of food he eats. His needs have always been met, and he never worries that one day they may not be. His hands are diligent. Kevin is never so happy as when he is working. When he unloads the dishwasher or vacuums the carpet, his heart is completely in it.
He does not shrink from a job when it is begun, and he does not leave a job until it is finished. But when his tasks are done, Kevin knows how to relax.
He is not obsessed with his work or the work of others. His heart is pure. He still believes everyone tells the truth, promises must be kept, and when you are wrong, you apologize instead of argue. Free from pride and unconcerned with appearances, Kevin is not afraid to cry when he is hurt, angry or sorry.
He is always transparent, always sincere.
And he trusts God.
Not confined by intellectual reasoning, when he comes to Christ, he comes as a child. Kevin seems to know God - to really be friends with Him in a way that is difficult for an "educated" person to grasp. God seems like his closest companion.
In my moments of doubt and frustrations with my Christianity I envy the security Kevin has in his simple faith.
It is then that I am most willing to admit that he has some divine knowledge that rises above my mortal questions.
It is then I realize that perhaps he is not the one with the handicap . . I am.
My obligations, my fear, my pride, my circumstances - they all become disabilities when I do not trust them to God's care.
Who knows if Kevin comprehends things I can never learn? After all, he has spent his whole life in that kind of innocence, praying after dark and soaking up the goodness and love of God. And one day, when the mysteries of heaven are opened, and we are all amazed at how close God really is to our hearts, I'll realize that God heard the simple prayers of a boy who believed that God lived under his bed.
Kevin won't be surprised at all!
Labels: Amazing Grace, emerging church, exchanged life, Grace, hope, human interest, Love, mercy, Peace, thoughts
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Great Calvinists: Abraham Piper article
Sometimes I just get frustrated with some Calvinists, and in that see all in the same light, but thank God some are not just mean spirited cusses... Some are truly Desiring God.
Here is an excerpt from an article by Abraham Piper .
"There is a letter on Scot McKnight's blog from a pastor who is very frustrated with certain Calvinists in his church. It would be easy enough to disregard it, pointing out that not all Calvinists are like that or that his use of the word "hyper-Calvinist" doesn't match correct theological jargon. But that would be missing the point. And, ironically, that reaction would only lend credence to the frustration that motivated the letter in the first place."
Read the whole article here. Be a Kinder Calvinist
I for one was refreshed and blessed by this article.
iggy
Here is an excerpt from an article by Abraham Piper .
"There is a letter on Scot McKnight's blog from a pastor who is very frustrated with certain Calvinists in his church. It would be easy enough to disregard it, pointing out that not all Calvinists are like that or that his use of the word "hyper-Calvinist" doesn't match correct theological jargon. But that would be missing the point. And, ironically, that reaction would only lend credence to the frustration that motivated the letter in the first place."
Read the whole article here. Be a Kinder Calvinist
I for one was refreshed and blessed by this article.
iggy
Labels: articles, Bible, disagreement, emerging church, exchanged life, Forgiveness, Grace, Great Calvinists
Tozer devotional
Collective Writings from the Books of A.W. TozerThat Incredible Christian
Chapter # One
That Incredible Christian
Amid Contradictions
The Christian soon learns that if he would be victorious as a son of heaven among men on earth he must not follow the common pattern of mankind, but rather the contrary. That he may be safe he puts himself in jeopardy; he loses his life to save it and is in danger of losing it if he attempts to preserve it. He goes down to get up. If he refuses to go down he is already down, but when he starts down he is on his way up. He is strongest when he is weakest and weakest when he is strong. Though poor he has the power to make others rich, but when he becomes rich his ability to enrich others vanishes. He has most after he has given most away and has least when he possesses most. He may be and often is highest when he feels lowest and most sinless when he is most conscious of sin. He is wisest when he knows that he knows not and knows least when he has acquired the greatest amount of knowledge. He sometimes does most by doing nothing and goes furthest when standing still. In heaviness he manages to rejoice and keeps his heart glad even in sorrow.
Prayer
Lord, Your pattern of life for me is antithetical to that of this world. But it is in You I live. Deliver me from the enemy's deception that I may see clearly Your way and follow it. In Jesus' name.
Lord, Your pattern of life for me is antithetical to that of this world. But it is in You I live. Deliver me from the enemy's deception that I may see clearly Your way and follow it. In Jesus' name.
Scripture
Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a "fool" so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight.
— 1 Corinthians 3:18-19
— 1 Corinthians 3:18-19
Thought
Strong when weak and weak when strong! To embrace that truth--not just in mind but in heart and life expression--is to take a giant leap in spiritual maturity!
Strong when weak and weak when strong! To embrace that truth--not just in mind but in heart and life expression--is to take a giant leap in spiritual maturity!
Labels: A.W. Tozer, contempation, emerging church, exchanged life, Grace, great quotes., Salvation
Monday, November 26, 2007
Yikes... stupid computers
Sometimes I hate computers. At least when they decide to go belly up and destroy things like family photos and other things one cherishes.
Now, I finally have the computer up and running but still have no sound. From what I gather this is a common issue, yet having done all the things everyone on the Internet suggested, I still have no sound.
Also, I am still trying to gather funds to send the books and teaching materials... I need $184 to send the materials to Mauritius... so if you want to help click the paypal link and help out with what you can...
Now, with all this I am also very short handed at work and have been working nights and days... and am a bit out of sorts... but I think things have worked out a bit for this week.
All said, God has been reminding me of His Sabbath Rest... Jesus.
Blessings,
iggy
Labels: emerging church, exchanged life, Grace, mercy, prayer, thoughts, weird
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Around the blogosphere...
Under two birds with one stone:
Robbymac tells us Emerging Grace has moved to wordpress and is now Kingdom Grace, so you will need to update your links. (I am still here at blogger after many experiments... I wonder if I will be the last hold out!)
Under our buy one you get two sale:
Fellow blogger user and Vineyard guy, (not to mention one of my favorite Calvinists... and I am not kidding), Rick Ianniello has two posts one on prophecy is not preaching and in the other he goes retro cool on us with Larry Norman.
More on preaching department:
Out of Ur has an interesting article if you preach with Preaching to Express, not Impress.
Under the I have not read that one yet... but he has department:
Scott at Theopraxis has an article on Brian McLaren's book Everything Must Change and shares his thoughts on it.
Under the personal thoughts and open to discussion department:
Dan Kimball has an post where he talks on his view of hell a bit. And I agree that we should talk a bit more about it.
Robbymac tells us Emerging Grace has moved to wordpress and is now Kingdom Grace, so you will need to update your links. (I am still here at blogger after many experiments... I wonder if I will be the last hold out!)
Under our buy one you get two sale:
Fellow blogger user and Vineyard guy, (not to mention one of my favorite Calvinists... and I am not kidding), Rick Ianniello has two posts one on prophecy is not preaching and in the other he goes retro cool on us with Larry Norman.
More on preaching department:
Out of Ur has an interesting article if you preach with Preaching to Express, not Impress.
Under the I have not read that one yet... but he has department:
Scott at Theopraxis has an article on Brian McLaren's book Everything Must Change and shares his thoughts on it.
Under the personal thoughts and open to discussion department:
Dan Kimball has an post where he talks on his view of hell a bit. And I agree that we should talk a bit more about it.
Oh that picture is by Matthew Hurst who has been mapping the blogosphere... I thought it was pretty cool.
Be blessed,
iggy
Labels: articles, blogs, Brian McLaren, Dan Kimball, Grace
Monday, November 12, 2007
Teaching on Grace podcast
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This is the teaching I did on Grace at Billings Vineyard Church. This was the same teaching I posted here.
Be blessed,
iggy
Labels: doctrine, emergent village, emerging church, exchanged life, Forgiveness, Grace, in Christ, Montana, testimony
About me
- I'm iggy
- From Billings, Montana, United States
- Contact me My Values and Beliefs I head up a discussion group called wordofmouthdiscussions I also run iggyROCKS! Christian Radio live365 I am a husband of 23 years to TES and the daddy to two beautiful children, Fischer 4 and Ciana 3. My wife and I are on the leadership team at Billings Vineyard Church. This blog is not related to Vineyard Church. The views expressed on this blog are mine. My last words to my HYPER CRITICS
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