The Fast Show

Q. “What are you giving up for Lent?”

A. “LENT !”

Q. “Whaaaaaat???? Filthy heretic, wash out your mind by thinking about a wire brush and soap!!!”
(so say’s the local Cardinal)


Sorry if this offends some readers… but accepting unscriptural traditions without question, is a pious form of O.C.D.*

Lent (c/o of the papacy) is supposed to be like the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness. This enforced fast, apparently prepares “the church” for Easter.
Firstly, Jesus went into the wilderness for 40 days/nights to be tested before His ministry, three and a half years before His crucifixion at Golgotha.
Secondly, He was led into the wilderness by The Holy Spirit!!! - Not a tradition of man.
A Holy Spirit led/inspired fast, is very beneficial - when and with the reasons The Lord would have; but a set fast, called for by a mere temporal power? and the mixing in of the Ishtar festival at the end??? …don’t get me started on that. Lent prepares “the church” for Easter, does it? - grooms the undiscerning, to come under Rome as "head of Christendom", more like.

This article is absolutely NOT against remembrance and thanksgiving for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ made for us, on the cross and of His wonderful resurrection! Before Jesus died ONCE, for ALL, He said/commanded we should remember Him in His death, with the bread and wine… as often as you eat and drink it, till He returns.

We ARE free to celebrate according to our conscience before God. As a ministry we've often been accused of being "religious" about investigating popular traditions and making a stand against aspects of them, if in all conscience (after "searching the scriptures") we cannot be party to them anymore.

I repeat, we ARE free to celebrate according to our conscience. Ironically, the times and dates traditionally set by “mother” Rome (under the guise of "unity" and "apostolic succession") are a subtle cage, curtailing this - if you would just think about it for a second. Do you feel any pressure from the majority to “go along” with Lent? - if so, why? Is it us being religous then, or you? "What will everyone around me say?" - that's your issue maybe? You are free to completely disagree with all this, as well - I just hope you know why you do. Where is it in scripture?

Do you think fasting will be of benefit? Ok, no problem, but do that after inquiring of The Lord, not because history say’s so. Just because something is old… it doesn’t make it right.
I mean... Babylon is old!

*(Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)


David Robinson (yeah, him again)

Book review "Powerful and Free" by Danny Silk

A Book review from Moya Boardman, of "Powerful and Free" (confronting the glass ceiling for women in the church) by Danny Silk:

" ..in the same way a kingdom marriage requires a powerful man and a powerful woman, a Kingdom church culture requires powerful men and powerful women partnering in church leadership at every level. Right now we don't have them. Instead we have a male-dominant leadership structure that continues to send the message to the Church that women aren't as valuable, gifted or anointed as men."

The church without equality in leadership is like a single parent family, something is lost, missing, " empowering women releases men ". The traditional Pastor/teacher driven government has a hierarchy with one or a few powerful people at the top, Apostolic government is positioned at the bottom of the pyramid. It supports, equips and empowers every member to be fully who God created and called them to be.The church is not just a body but a family.

"The truth is that male religious leaders have had  - and still have - an option to interpret holy teachings either to exalt or subjugate women. They have, for their own selfish ends, overwhelmingly chosen the later. Their continuing choice provides the foundation or justification for much of the pervasive persecution and abuse of women throughout the world"   Jimmy Carter. Losing my religion for Equality

When I started to write a review on this book I thought I would underline sentences to include in the review. However after a few pages I found I was underlining so much  I wouldn't be able to include it all! I have quoted some in the above paragraphs however I can only say - read it! But read it knowing that you, male or female, have been part of the problem. Read it from a vulnerable and strong place - willing to see where you have been wrong and willing to fight to change.

This book more than any in my life has stirred deep passion and anger. I have been on the receiving end of the church's treatment of women in a way that has caused great suffering and hardship in my life. I have also  been unconsciously compliant with the teaching and therefore allowed it to continue.

From the garden in Eden satan has targeted women, as he has men, to kill, steal and destroy their lives, however the church has been the most complicit in helping him with his plan on women.

"A girl can grow up to be almost anything today - the commander of a NASA space station like Eileen Collins, US Secretary of State like Condoleezza Rice or a Fortune 500# CEO like Anne Mulcaby of Xerox - but not a minister or even a teacher in some of the larger Christian denominations". (#  Fortune 500 ranks the top 500 U.S.  corporations as ranked by their gross revenue.)

Danny Silk shares his journey from childhood traumas, self protecting destructive behaviour in marriage to how God showed both him and Sheri how to step out of self protecting into true Kingdom relationships. Teaching these truths about marriage brought them into contact with many churches. They found that however much they taught in church if the leadership structure was not showing the same value to women then their teaching was limited in its effect. Not only does Danny share these truths in the book but he also backs them with solid scripture and does not hesitate to address those key scriptures which many have use to subjugate women.

Do not think that because we are extremely fortunate to be in a church with a woman apostolic leader that we are free from this problem. We ourselves bring our own ingrained subconscious belief systems with us wherever we are, read the book and see what God puts His finger on for you.

"Spousal abuse is just as common in evangelical churches as it is anywhere else. Approximately 25% of Christian homes experience abuse of some kind. One study asked 6000 pastors what they would do if a woman came to them for counsel about domestic abuse. Here are the shocking results:

26% would counsel the wife to continue to submit to her husband, no matter what.
25% would tell the wife the abuse was her own fault for failing to submit in the first place
50% said that women should be willing to "tolerate some level of violence" because it is better than divorce"

As Danny writes - "Jesus' mother, Mary had to confront deep ingrained cultural systems to follow the calling God gave her. She also needed a partner's help to do this. Joseph defied his culture and proved a faithful courageous man. Together they brought God's answer to the world. Sheri shares how God challenged her that" it was easier to watch power than to walk in it".

I see many women who have been so crushed in early life (or just life in general) that they settle, sometimes subconsciously, in a position of allowing the man to "be the head" and not see themselves as powerful and equal. Wether it is a husband, a boss, a church leader or a pastor, sometimes it is us women who slip into a inferior mindset. I speak to myself when I challenge you women to fully walk in your calling and gifting as powerful people; read this book and take heart.

Men this book may shake you and surprise you, certainly stretch you on some level, fighting this battle needs warriors on both sides, will you take the challenge?

To Lynne Hamilton, the apostolic leader of Forerunners Ministries, thank you for the unseen battles you have faced and won.

Moya Boardman

This book can be purchased HERE at Origin Books (These suppliers, if asked, may give a discount on larger orders) or from your local Christian bookshop.

Adopted

One of the greatest problems for this generation, and indeed one that has effected the entire human race is the division and fracture that sin has caused.

The ORPHAN spirit in these days runs deep in the heart. No sense of identity or purpose. NO HOPE.  A fatherless generation is a huge problem for our identity but the issue runs much deeper.

When sin entered the heart of man it disconected and broke us. It fractured the core of who we are and called to be. A seed was planted that spread decay and disease in the heart.
It initiated RESTLESSNESS and double minded fear was set in motion. Division in the heart established a struggle.  Even the Apostle Paul expressed this in Romans 7. Here he cried out to be delivered.

The SOLUTION was TO BE ADOPTED (Romans 8:15) whereby we cry out for a new Father in a new relationship.  We have been grafted in to the vine.

Only IN CHRIST do we have this stability and security.

SO NOW WE HAVE A HOPE.

To say that we are so broken and had a terrible start in life doesn't have to be the only side of the story.  It may well be true BUT doesn’t have to be the whole story. But it is a choice and to that we say "we have no choice", BUT he bore our GRIEF!

IT IS TIME TO MOVE ON...he gave us,who were poor and weak and insecure, His security and stability and HOPE. But it is a choice. Is our identity and self esteem in being broken. Our hearts have been crushed and our hope deferred but surely He gave us a new heart.

When there is a problem it is always at our end of the bargain ...He did His bit.

Daniel Chuter

Crying

‘If your presence doesn’t go with us, do not bring us up from here’ Exodus 33:15.

This is the cry echoed by so many in the church these days. Because of the continued rebellion and pride of the people in the wilderness God had kept a distance from the camp. Indeed Moses had to go outside the camp to fellowship with God. Exodus 33:7. The tent of meeting was merely a rough prelude to what came later as the tabernacle.

The Tabernacle was the pattern of approaching a holy God, who described Himself as a consuming fire.Exodus 33:3 He made this point again to the Hebrew christians who so wanted to give up... Hebrews 12:28.

We have gone outside the camp in so many ways over time. Special outpourings of God’s love, special locations, but we must remember what has been shown to us as individuals. We have found grace and favour. This is what was said to Moses and is said to us as we learn to trust.  So we have a response to make.

Let us repent where we need to and remember the cost paid to let us enter the presence of God. There is a way...an order...a legal ground. Exodus 33:21 says...‘there is a place by me on a ROCK’

The solid ground on which we stand is nothing but His mercy and kindness. We deserve nothing. He owes us nothing. We like sheep have gone astray... BUT ...the iniquity of us all is laid on Him.


Daniel Chuter