I gave my life to Jesus in 1974. That’s a long time ago. 34 years ago. By the grace of God, I have been a passionate follower of Jesus (and a lover of His church) the whole time. No breaks, no holidays, no backsliding. And I have loved every minute of it. I love God more today than I ever have. He is amazing to me.
My family never went to church. They still don’t. Out of 5 boys and my 2 parents, I’m the only one in my family that has followed Christ and been a part of church. As far as I know, I’m the only person in my entire family, looking back and through in all directions, who has ever given their life to Christ.
For the record – I love my family and don’t intend those observations to be any kind of condemnation. It’s just my story.
I mention all of that for this reason: I had no point of reference for church or Christianity to try and uphold.
To the best of my ability – my views of God and church have been formed out of trying to read my Bible and obey it the best I can.
My first encounters with God were in a “power of God” environment. I was miraculously healed of a life long struggle with stomach ulcers when I met Christ and started going to church. It’s kind of hard to convince me that God doesn’t still heal people when He healed me.
I have almost always been in Charismatic, spirit filled “tribes”. It’s how I started in church life 34 years ago. I still feel at home in some of those tribes.
Over the last 10 or 15 years I have struggled some (maybe more than some) with a lot of Charismatic church culture. There are extremes of style and “manifestation” that trouble me. I keep finding myself distancing from a lot of it.
I love the Holy Spirit. I believe in the power of God. Still think the gifts of the Spirit are valid and in operation today. I see it in the Bible. And my life experience
Starting this Sunday we are beginning a new series called “Spirit”. We want to explore the mystery and power of the person of the Holy Spirit. We want to develop a relationship with the person of the Holy Spirit.
For the next few weeks we’re going to explore the Bible and take a look at having a relationship with the Holy Spirit – with fresh eyes.
Is it possible to be spirit filled and weird free?
Come join us.
4 comments
We are in the middle of a series called Prime looking at who God is. God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Over the next two weeks, we are looking at Holy Spirit. I believe we are headed in the same direction.
In our creative meeting this week, we joked that this week should be titled, "Holy Spirit is Non-Weird". I am looking forward to hearing how similar our teaching will be.
Hey, are you guys going to be at Catalyst this year? Jen and I would love to hook up with you guys there.
Posted on October 2, 2008 at 2:53 PM
I've posted this before, but I've been at the Rock 17.5 years now. I've seen what have been deemed "moves of the Spirit" come and go, and I have seen you and Pastor Suzette face them, examine them, not get knocked off the course God set before you because of the "popular Spirit culture," and seen you remain steady and passionate in your following of Christ.
I have been blessed by the balance you guys operate in. You both are very prophetic and sensitive to the Holy Spirit - to the order He brings to chaos...instead of the chaos some would try to attach His name to. Your approach has brought freedom and health and wholeness and stability.
I pray MANY will tune in to this series...how important it is to see Him clearly!
Posted on October 3, 2008 at 10:12 AM
Right on Pastor......I was saved shortly after you and was a baby Christian right in the middle of some great manifestations of the Holy Spirit. However, everything was so extreme and emotional that when I quit getting goose bumps I walked away from God. I had no foundation, I just craved to see a leg grow or whatever the latest thing was happening.
I also believe in all the gifts of the spirit and have seen them in operation as God intended. The Holy Spirit is definitely the most misunderstood of the Trinity I believe.
A pastor in Michigan used to tell me that some people that were so out there in the Charasmatic world were almost "spooky" in their walk with Christ. That does the body no good, as people, even Christians avoid that presentation of Christ.
As your life has demonstrated a faithful consisent walk with the Lord......that is being spirit filled or led by the spirit. Being grounded with deep roots, with love foremost, will release the Holy Spirit to operate. Having a foundation that is firm, will be something to fall back on whether or not the manisfestations are plentiful.
We look forward to your revelation and teaching on the Spirit.....
Posted on October 3, 2008 at 12:40 PM
The Holy Spirit is something that has always been a bit confusing for me and I am looking forward to this message series so much! Lately, I've been coming to understand how He works through the Spirit a bit more. I've been able to hear or discern things better and trust that it's Him, so I want to learn more and more and make sure I'm getting it right! This past Sunday during your first message I just kept thinking, "Ok, I'm ready, teach me!" I can't wait to hear more. Thanks! Rebecca
Posted on October 9, 2008 at 8:56 PM