Last time I taught publicly on the subject of “Hearing God”, I asked a random student onto the stage, and I began sharing with them what was going on in my life at that time. After a few minutes of useless, self-centered banter, I dove in, “Did I tell you I’m getting a new car?I have to drive to Ohio next week to pick it up: it’s used, but in great shape and I’m getting it for a steal.” After a few minutes more of babble, I asked them how they had been, but interrupted them a mere couple words into their response – clearly not listening – with another question, “So, what’ve you been up to this week?” Pausing for only a moment, looking somewhat baffled, but flowing with it, they began to answer, but before they got into any depth, I again interrupted; “That’s nice – hey, I’ve started recording another c.d.?Oh, and my last one just got another review – I’m really excited about this one. So, what bands do you like?” Again, they began to respond, but after naming only one band, again I piped in with, ”That’s nice, I’ve not heard of them – I’ve been listening to this band named Pedro the Lion, and I really like Vigilantes of Love, Over the Rhine, Bruce Cockburn…” then I babbled on about the high points of each band’s careers. Yes, it was clearly a frustrating conversation for my ‘guest’, but – of course – that’s the point. Read the rest of this entry »
I realize that my blog has often recently relied more heavily on criticism (there have been things to think critically about), than on positive contributions. Realizing this, I wanted to put forth a number of positive, Biblical sermons/teachings on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. These are some of my personal favorites currently available on iTunes. If you don’t have time to listen to them immediately, please do go ahead and download them for later, as there’s no telling how long they may be available for download.
I do hope these with challenge & encourage you in your faith as they have me. Walk deeply with the Spirit of God.
I realize that God doesn’t always work in nice neat categories, and obey every rule that we may set out for him (that may be why I call myself a ‘charismatic’), however much of this is too much to take. I’m tempted to laugh, but some of it doesn’t strike me a very funny
Now, having watched that – and recognizing that it was edited (he didn’t say all of those things in a row, but each from from various sessions – seems he has a general tendency to hear violent commands from the Spirit, though), is there Biblical justification for these things. That is to say, if you heard a voice in your head ask you to drop-kick someone, does that sound like the Spirit of Christ that you encounter in His Word? Why or why not? Discuss.
Preparing for this sermon was monumental in my life and led me down a path that eventually shaped my beliefs as a ‘Reformed Charismatic’. I pray it challenges you as it did me in preparing it…
originally delivered on November 25, 2001@ University Church in Athens, GA
Dan, the teaching elder here at University Church, and I share a favorite book of the Bible. Though I have never translated the book of Philippians from the Greek as Dan has, God has continually drawn me back to it to encourage and challenge me in my faith. Today we’re going to look at a passage that I’ve been using in my personal devotions fairly regularly for at least the past two years. Read the rest of this entry »
