Recently I was shopping at our local mall when I encountered someone who attends our church who I did not know or recognize. Unfortunately, I was having a “bad hair day” and the rest of me  apparently followed my hair! Typically I try not to go out looking like, but my husband had talked into going shopping on the spur of the moment,  and trying to be spontaneous, I  said ok and off we went.  I was in the ladies department getting ready to try on a dress, when this woman, who was the attendant at the dressing room,  spoke to me and said, “You look a lot like the pastor’s wife where I go to church.”  At that moment I was hoping our church was NOT the church she attended, but politiely asked, “Where do you do to church?” When she replied, “Morning Star” I told her that I was the pastor’s wife, but kind of a “lesser version” at the moment!  As I left the mall, I started to think about what she said and immediately two thoughts ran through my mind.  The first one was a little vain; I made a mental note to try to present myself better in public and then I had this thought,  “I wonder how many times people  look at me and could say these words, ‘You look a lot like Jesus to me’.”  Now that would be great, right! How many times have you wondered if the Jesus in you can be seen by those watching your life? The Bible says we are a letter that anyone can read.  (II Corinthians 3:3   “Your very lives are a letter that anyone can read by just looking at you.” The Message)  The older I get the more I know that it is not “what I do” but “who I am” that matters most and leaves the biggest impression on people.  During the summer months when kids are out of school and we all get busy trying to keep up with everyone’s schedules and events, let’s remember that people are watching us and hoping to see the Jesus in us.  That is the best we can offer.

What’s Happening In Lakeland, FL?

                       John J. Puleo, Lead Pastor, Christian Life Assembly, Stroudsburg, PA

      This past April 2, an occurrence purported to be a divine outpouring took place at Ignited Church in Lakeland, FL. News of the revival quickly spread via the latest online and television technology. With people pouring in from all over the world, the event has outgrown three venues, and is now in a fourth, a ten thousand seat stadium. Thousands pour in daily.

     As in past revivals of magnitude, Christians have begun to weigh in with opinions, the primary question being “Is this really a God thing?” Also, as in other revivals, the style of worship, the reported phenomenon, and the leaders associated with it have come under scrutiny as believers try to assess it. Although it is hosted by a local church and pastor affiliated with a church and ministerial fellowship (Assemblies of God) that generally speaking, has credibility within Christendom, the guest evangelist is by conventional standards quite out of the box and a bit of a stretch for some people to get past and see a bigger picture. Maybe we should try.

      Todd Bentley is a young Canadian whose tenure as a believer is relatively short, has no formal ministerial training, and is tattooed over much of his body. To the more traditional in the church world he would appear to be an oddity. He has claimed to having had angelic encounters at times in his life and experiences where he was transported to heaven, and on this basis alone some have decided that the Lakeland event is flaky and even dangerous, even though the Bible is replete with accounts of angelic activity among humans, in both the Old and New Testaments, and does give us the accounts of Isaiah, Paul, John and others who had fantastic experiences.  I have researched Bentley some and have not yet seen (as has been rumored) any suggestion by him that people ought to seek and worship angels. If I did, it would disturb me and I’d throw up a flag. As far as Bentley’s or anyone else’s testimony of an experience with the angelic or a heavenly vision, how can we prove or disprove it? The Bible verse in Galatians 1:8 does not condemn the idea of an angel personally preaching to someone, but only the angel preaching a different gospel. The bottom line in this case would be: has an angel told Todd Bentley to tell others to worship angels or to amend the Bible? Not to my knowledge. By the way, I find it rather interesting that we have heard many testimonies over the years of angelic encounters and heavenly visions (several of which are in print and found in our favorite Christian bookstores) and no fuss was raised. It makes me wonder if the critics of Lakeland are going after these kinds of experiences or are just on a mission to invalidate a revival any which way they can, and for what reason?

     As far as phenomenon goes, the real deal is that there haven’t been any revivals or spiritual awakenings in history (even the birth of the church seen in the Bible) that have had the absence of some of what we’d naturally agree were some “out there” occurrences. For example, the Apostle Paul sending out handkerchiefs and aprons he prayed over and people getting healed upon contact (Acts 19:6). During the First Great Awakening, John Wesley (founder of Methodism) was disturbed by reports of people shaking and falling down “under the power” at meetings where George Whitefield preached. Wesley decided to be loving, open and less critical. To his surprise the same phenomenon began to occur in his own meetings!

     Revivals from the inception of the church (look in Acts) onward have been subject to slanderous hearsay of anecdotal accounts (this got Jesus crucified), which upon unbiased scrutiny revealed gross mischaracterization, statements taken out of context and quite frankly, a pretty stinky attitude. During the Brownsville Revival (Pensacola, FL) of the last decade a lot of nasty hearsay came my way. Personal visits to the event and discussions with it’s leaders revealed either that no such things had occurred, or where there were instances of persons acting out extremely in a way that could disturb the integrity and flow of the revival, trained leaders had immediately responded and gently but firmly isolated and corrected that which was not helpful. Wisely, they were not reactive, “throwing out the baby out with the bath water”, and thereby dying out the Holy Spirit’s flame.

     We can get reactive, but we must not. Some years ago the Holy Spirit was moving mightily during a worship service at the church I pastor. The people were caught up in a glorious felt presence of God that had blanketed upon us. They were quite exuberantly expressing their love for the Lord, and responding with much emotion to His blessing. A point eventually came when the people processed what they had received and began to settle down. It was obvious that we were transitioning to something else in that service. However, even though all had sat down and I had begun making my way to the platform, one lady remained standing who was crying profusely and wailing loudly. Although her expressions were not of benefit to anyone else, I knew the history of her wounded life and I discerned that the Holy Spirit was indeed genuinely touching her to the very core of her being. What we were seeing was the emotional overflow of her processing of pain, but in reality she was out of order and her issues did not justify the service not moving on. People nearby me got nervous, and appeared to be wondering what I would do. I could not bear the thought of cutting off her obvious breakthrough and healing. So I beckoned to a friend of the lady to approach and I gave her my office key, instructing her to escort her friend there and stay with her while she processed her blessing. Then I took charge and proceeded with the rest of the service.

     I’m so thankful God gave me grace to handle that incident gently rather than reactively. I could have stifled a deep work of God in that Christian’s life. I think the principle I learned in that instance should be applied when we observe people and what we’re inclined to judge as “excesses” when it comes to their untidy responses to God in revivals. God only knows what’s going on in their hearts. All too often we’re apt to go after a mosquito with a cannon, rather than getting a sheet of Kleenex and picking it off the wall. Yes, “the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets” (1 Corinthians 14:32), but what makes us think people will know that automatically? We must patiently and lovingly teach them. Is our desire for the perfectly tidy just the lazy and cowardly way of evading the difficult and sometimes embarrassing aspects of pastoral work?    

      Thankfully, Ignited Church pastor Stephen Strader has gone on record stating that the event in Lakeland is hosted by his church, and no one else. As such, he and his staff are committed to be pastorally engaged during the revival with a view to helping the attendees remain grounded within Biblical guidelines. Mature responsibility was revealed in what the good pastor said. I’m also encouraged by a statement made by Assemblies of God superintendent, George Wood (see www.ag.org).  Dr. Wood did not specifically refer to Lakeland, nor was he covertly critical of it but offered general guidelines for assessing any revival, which I found helpful. Good for Dr. Wood.

     We evangelicals, and even we who profess to embrace a “Spirit filled”, non-cessation viewpoint of God’s direct, personal and powerful working with people today, behave with contradiction when it comes to revival and spiritual awakening. We sigh out our desperation and longing for revival, preach about it and admonish our constituents to pray for it, then when something does happen, if it’s not absolutely picture perfect and doesn’t have tons of precedent that we’re familiar with (which is usually the features of a previous revival we’ve become accustomed to and comfortable with), we beat the ever lovin’ daylights out of it! Metaphorically speaking, we have guns aimed at the baby the moment it begins to emerge from the womb.

     What’s wrong with us? Are we so insecure and is our faith so fragile that we cannot sensibly, and not reactively engage a Lakeland type event? The scriptures address this explicitly: “Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good” (1 Thessalonians 5:19-21). The admonition teaches us to grow up, learn discernment and practice filtration, not extermination. Somehow we must learn to navigate the waters of doctrine and experience and not be so “either/or”, but have faith for “both/and”. Having a doctrinally immaculate faith that is experientially sterile doesn’t sound like fun to me. As the old German believer said: “Better felt than telt”.   

     We have to come to terms with the fact that revivals and spiritual awakenings will never look perfect. Most of our revered accounts of revivals past (some of which may have birthed the reader’s particular denomination) have been sanitized by history and the distance of time. The reality is that there was a lot of “out there” stuff (some of which was good and some that needed correcting). With regard to Azusa Street, for example - which we who are Pentecostals have practically enshrined as infallible - some revival participants were writing letters in tongues, and not too long after leaving the event many fell in with the non-trinitarian “Jesus only” doctrine. But, we rarely hear of this. Why? It’s because it would upset all the sanitized notions of our origin and threaten us to the core. 

     Although there may be places and seasons when the Lord bares His arm and “times of refreshing come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19), making it seem like days of heaven on earth, we are still on earth. In our present, imperfect state “we see as through a glass darkly, then (in the future and perfect realm) face to face” and “now I know in part; then I shall know as I’ve been fully known” (1 Corinthians 13:12). Alas! We’re not yet in the “then” and we’ve got to get over this “perfect” illusion. When the Spirit of a perfect God touches the weakness and imperfection of humanity, somehow the response of we who are less than perfect will at times inadvertently and inevitably misrepresent Him a bit, but I still do love it when He blesses and I don’t want to miss it for anything! After all, it’s not like we can’t learn and correct ourselves as we go on.

     So why do we retain this propensity to hold up an illusion of what God meeting man in a spiritual outpouring is supposed to look like, thereby setting ourselves up for missing the blessing of God that we really want with all of our heart? Could it be that our ego just can’t handle the fact that we or others might not do everything perfectly all the time? It seems to me a further shame that when God falls down upon people and they don’t do it all right, all of the time, He gets written off as having not shown up at all. I don’t buy that. I’d like to think that He in His great love is way more interested in us than we’re aware of. Perhaps the real problem is our fear of failure and imperfection, and in that fear, we reject ourselves, we reject others, and we reject God when He really would like to be kind to us. 

     So, what am I to do about Lakeland? I will ask God to help me lean into engaging it maturely. I will act responsibly and rather than buy into hearsay and weigh in with pontifications, I will visit Lakeland and learn what I can firsthand. I will be open to God and receive all that I can. I will believe that it’s possible for a God who loves His children too much to leave them thirsty and dry, to work through or even in spite of imperfect vessels.  I will be careful about spinning endorsements of Ignited Church, Pastor Strader, or Todd Bentley, but I will freely praise Jesus Christ Who promises to fill those who hunger and thirst. I will “hold fast to that which is good” and as when I eat fried chicken, I’ll eat the meat and spit out the bones. I trust that as I seek my Father for good things, He will not fill me with bad (Luke 11:11-13) and I’ll return home still saved and in my right mind. Bottom line: I want a more intimate knowledge of Jesus than ever.

Last year I dedicated time each week to read through Laurie Beth Jones’ book Jesus Life Coach and follow-up with the journal that accompanied it.  I found each chapter to be thought provoking and heart searching.  One lesson spoke about having a unique, one-on-one relationship with Jesus. A relationship so close that she had an understanding with God that when He was thinking of her, He would delight her with a ladybug.  Her friend had an agreement with God about white butterflies.  Someone else felt God’s warmth when she found a penny. She challenged us to consider what it is that makes us feel special and remembered by God.  I thought of how Noah was given the rainbow by God as a reminder of His promise to him after the flood.  It wasn’t long and a beautiful red cardinal balanced on a branch for me to admire. Yes, that was definitely my secret signal from God.  As a child, I cherished a glass figurine of a pair of red cardinals. After making this journal entry,  at times when I was experiencing the need for great faith, a red cardinal would appear and put on a show for me.  This spring, one of my daughters was hospitalized in a critical care unit.  Her health, her life and her future is in God’s hands.  She has also faced challenges trying to adopt a child.  As mothers, our hearts are moved with compassion for our children when they hurt. I was in prayer about this very matter, when three red cardinals lined up before me on our front lawn.  I could hear God saying, “I see you. I love you. I’m here.”   We are reminded that “God remembered Noah” (Gen. 8:1) and we are to “abide in His love” (John 15:10).

     I love to travel.  When the opportunity to go to Washington for a friend’s wedding arose, I did not hesitate accepting the invitation.  (Actually, I think I made the reservations before I was even invited!)  How exciting to fly across the country to see a dear friend!  Who wouldn’t go?

     I flew into Seattle, and oh, the sights I saw!  The Star Trek Convention being held at my hotel had many “characters” that made me question MY sanity in traveling alone.  Then as I drove to the Space Needle for dinner reservations at the Sky City Restaurant, the vehicle that was made of fur to look like a cow really had me wondering what I was thinking.

     I drove to Yakima, Washington the following day.  There were areas of lush forests, and also areas of dry desert.  Not much greenery could be found in the dry, parched areas.  As I drove, there was one tree that had lush, flowering leaves.  Such a strange sight in the desert.  It was one of a kind.  The extreme heat had scorched the other plants.  This tree, however, seemed to have withstood many years of inclement weather and still flourished, bearing beautiful, fragrant flowers that were exquisite to behold.

     I have thought of my own life.  I often am like those shrubs.  I tend to shrivel under the heat.  I have difficulty withstanding the extremes.  I tend to droop when not watered.  I need to be more like the tree in the desert and bear beautiful blossoms with grace when under pressure.

     Pressure flooded a dear angel’s life recently.  The inclement weather threatened to overtake her.  She has weathered other storms, but this storm collided with all that was known to be true.  The heat caused some of her branches to droop to the ground, weeping tears of uncertainty.  Yet, as her branches kissed the parched earth, she did not stop blossoming.  The tears served to water her deeply rooted faith and helped her to stand taller, more firm in her beliefs that God will never fail [us].  My angel’s life exemplifies the scripture found in Jeremiah 17:7-8 “But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.  They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water.  Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought.  Their leaves stay green, and they go right on producing delicious fruit. (NLT)”

     When my angel faced another storm, she did not bend under the weight.  She did stretch her branches heavenward to absorb the promises and truths God showered on her, letting Him water her roots and refresh, replenish her spirit.  Oh, to be like a tree planted by the water and pattern my life after my godly examples.  Not only has my angel continued to stand firm, but she has been recognized by her fruits: Matthew 7:20 “Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.”  Her good fruit exemplifies a life lived for God.  All who see her know that she lives a righteous life.  She does not fail to give God the glory that is His.

     I want to be a tree like that: unwavering in the storms that come, reaching heavenward for the spiritual watering from God on High.  How wonderful to have those that are worthy of patterning your life after!  Such godly friends are rare, priceless.  I’m glad she is mine!

     May you be one that others can say, “I see Jesus in her!”

     Blessings,

     Becky

Running for God

Anyone who has run seriously knows that when you start out, your body keeps screaming “no, you can’t do this”. But, as you persevere, you pass the point of pain and then you begin sailing. You feel like you are flying as a bird soaring on the wind. You feel a euphoria that is exhilarating. Pastor John and I used to run together 3 miles everyday. Of course that was a long time ago, that was BC. No, it was not before Christ, but before Children. Recently, I have tried to get back into running and my body was crying out, forget it, you can’t do it. But, I am persevering. When we run this race called “LIFE” there are many voices telling us we just “can’t do it”, but as we persevere through the pain, we will reach a place of soaring, if and only if we are RUNNING FOR GOD.

Let’s look at Philippians 3: 12 – 14.

As we look at our text today in Phil. Chapter 3, we can tell that Paul loved sports. If he were alive today, he would be watching the summer & winter Olympics on wide screen TV for sure.

“I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward – to Jesus. I’m off and running and I’m not turning back.” Philippians 3:12-14 (Message)

“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14 (NIV)

In verse 12 Paul expresses the realization that he has not arrived at the place of perfection. How encouraging for us. He uses a verb (Elabon) which translates to mean “attained” indicating that at the time of his conversion; he did not receive everything that God had for him. In the NAS version it says “Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on…” indicating that he is in a continuous process of being perfected by God daily. In verse 13, Paul again stresses that in order to keep pressing toward the goal; he had to forget what was behind him. It speaks of a continuous, arduous process. He indicates that the slightest looking back will slow him down and may cause him to loose the race. This is true of both a natural race and a spiritual race. We can not be looking back or even to the left or right.

Next we take a look at Hebrews chapter 12. The author of the book of Hebrews is not mentioned. There is a lot of speculation of it being Paul or Apollos. But, whoever it is, they understood running as well. The first two verses of chapter 12 are really a continuation of the faith chapter 11.

When they speak of the pioneers or in the KJV “cloud of witnesses”, they are referring to all of those who have gone on before and are in heaven now watching us run.

“Do you see what this means – all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running – and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins.” Hebrews 12:1 (Message)

The first century Jewish Christians were wondering if they were going to have enough faith to finish the course which they began when they confessed Jesus as their Messiah. Some of them might have been wondering whether or not their confession was worth all the trouble it was causing them. The chapter of heroes, Hebrews 11, gave the first century believers hope that they could make it, because the heroes of faith endured suffering, faced persecution and death without seeing the promise completely fulfilled. If those in Hebrews 11 could persevere with out seeing the promise, how much more would the Jewish Christians who had walked with Jesus be encouraged to keep running. What about us, who have the full gospel and have the promise of eternal hope?

“Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed – that exhilarating finish in and with God – he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.” Hebrews 12:2 (Message)

Christians are running – we are running around like crazy. But, we have to be careful that we don’t think constant movement necessarily means progress. There is a difference between just running and running for God. When we run for God, we will feel God’s pleasure!