Fire & Grace - Greatest Hits

As I watch my readership grow, primarily due to Facebook, but also from referrals from blogs that I follow (thanks everyone!), I realized there is a growing responsibility to provide context for my blogs. It is virtually impossible to list every possible scripture that pertains to a specific topic. Sometimes there are not specific scriptures, but Biblical principals as they are embodied in the Biblical canon. IE: The trinity, or relationship.

So, here is what I believe:
-1 The basics of Christianity - The Nicene Creed
-2 The basics of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit
-3 I believe that miracles and healing are a great way for folks to realize that Jesus is real.
-4 Things happen as a result of God's presence, not as a result of religion.
-5 There is a significant misunderstanding of the spiritual gifts, offices and roles of the elect.
-6 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force. Matthew 11:12 KJV
-7 That rock n' roll and the love of sushi are in my DNA and cause me to be more spiritual.

Here is my experience in a nutshell. I have been in the church most of my life. I became a believer in 1978 at nearly 20-years-old. Since then I have belonged to Evangelical, Charismatic and Pentecostal congregations in Connecticut and Massachusetts. I have ministered in hundreds of churches from Norway to Brazil and loads here in the states. I went to Bible school, and I have certificates from a number of other places. No one really cares about my education or experience-- it really doesn't count for much. People want to experience God, not just talk about Him.

For those who are new, or want to get a flavor of the topics that I cover, here are my most popular blogs:

- Discipleship
- Who Is Jesus
- Spiritual Gifts
- Friendship
- Relationship
- The Holy Spirit
- Sin
- Global Warming
- Evolution
- Abortion
- The Demonic
- Faith
- Stupidity

Enjoy! I'll look forward to your comments.

Comments

lynn said…

(referrng to Nicene creed)

wot - no Chalcedon?? :-)

December 1, 2009 at 7:05 PM

lynn said…

do you know I was about to hang about your blog and read even further and then............I saw a Led Zeppelin T shirt :-)

:::::::::::: flee :::::::::::::::

December 1, 2009 at 7:08 PM

Mad Libs: An Unforgettable Church Service

Hopefully you have heard of Mad Libs (R) ! They are stories that you blindly fill in the blanks for articles of grammar and then read the completed story. Since I was a kid, these have always been a hoot. I decided to make up my own. Just fill in the blanks next time you are at small group and then read it back. It is sure to shake up a few religious spirits. An Unforgettable Church Service We arrived at _________ ( time of day ) at the Church of the Holy _________ ( noun ). It was ___________ ( day of week ) and we got out of the _________ ( mode of transportation ). We were dressed in our __________ ( day of week ) best. We all held _________ ( plural body part ) as we crossed the street. Today was special because it was ___________ (holiday) and the kids look forward to receiving _________ ( noun ) as part of the celebration. Pastor _________ ( name ) was there to greet us and shake our ________ ( body part ). He welcomed my __________ ( family member ) with a big _________ ( bodil...

God is Great, Beer is Good, and People are Crazy

There was a discussion on Facebook today about how some people think Christians are "whack jobs." Regardless, God is still great. I don't really know much about beer. I haven't had one in just about 30 years. There are a lot of folks that consider themselves to be Christian. Some because they do good, and others because they have faith in God or are born again-- and others because they grew up in a Christian denomination. Far be it from me to decide who is in, and who is out. Some say we'll be surprised at who is going to be there, and others say who think they are in will be surprised when they are rejected at the Pearly Gates. Hmmm... But let's say you are a real Christian who is feeling passionate about doing something for God. You know something beyond throwing a few bucks in the offering plate and trying to be a good person. The church calls it service or ministry, which could include such things as: reading scriptures on Sunday morning, planning a harves...

5 1/2 The Home Group Experience

For years I have attended small groups, or home fellowships as they are sometimes called. They are an interesting blend of intimacy, arm chair theology and the real Jesus. Here is my take on the anatomy of a home or small group meeting -1 Worship: This is the time when we tell the Lord how much we love him in song. We praise him as the wight of the world lifts off our shoulders and we come into the presence of Almighty God. Err - get something to drink, take a large handful of chocolate covered pretzels because we skipped dinner, and make a plan for the soft couch instead of the miniature folding chairs from kids church. -2 Unofficial Potty Break: On the 15th chorus of I Could Sing of Your Love Forever (how come no one dances to that song?) it's a good time to beat the rush. Beware, once someone gets up, it is a sign for others to make their moves for the coffee pot, the peanut dish and the brownies. It is a li...

Apostle David Johndrow - Fire And Grace

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