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Stories about God moving in the lives of a handful of dudes from Cincinnati.
Deliverance Is Real!
- Steven Manuel
- Not just an ordinary fathead, Steve likes to write things and help the shepherding scene get its mojo workin'.
Helpful H&D reads
If I drive out demons by the finger of God, then you know that the Kingdom of God has come upon you.
-Luke 11:20
First, let me just say I thought the Occult class would be the one that had the least to do with me. Luckily, Steven prayed out the spirit of denial and boy oh boy, did the Lord reveal some stuff to me.
ReplyDeleteNow fear is a biggie of mine...fear of public speaking, fear of not performing well, fear of the dark, fear of snakes, etc, etc.
I know fear is not off the Lord and it's the opposite of love. Head knowledge there, action, not so much.
So I'm sitting in class tonight and it clicks. Michael Jackson's Thriller video. I remember seeing the world premiere on MTV when I was maybe 5 or 6.
Let's see, Jacko turns into a zombie, people rising from the grave, Vincent Price's creepy voice over...and I've been scared of the dark ever since. I was terrified of our basement, fearful of the early morning dark as I delivered newspapers. The list did go on and on.
So, occult images=doorway for a spirit of fear. Got it.
Father, I repent of that, and I am SO JOYOUS, I almost want to attempt a cart wheel.
OK, just did one. THANK YOU JESUS!! My heart pumps a new courageous blood.
And thanks Steven for the reminder that the Lord works things out slowly, so I need to stay on this.
Praise the LORD! He is the ONE true god.
ReplyDeleteHe is the Lord of the Angel-Armies!
He is the Lord of joyous cartwheels!
Here is an invitation:
ReplyDeleteI am going to host a worship evening this Saturday, May 20th, at 7:30pm at my mother's house in Greenhills.
The address:
13 Andover Rd.
Greenhills, OH
45218
There will be worship in the backyard. There will be a fire to burn idols in, and there will be a trash can to throw junk away.
All are welcome.
I hope you join me.
David Schuster
(513) 615-4748
Rad! Acts 19:19 style!
ReplyDeleteSteve-
ReplyDeleteAs you could tell I had some questions and reservations regarding some of the comments that you had made specifically when it came to taking an oath and the Pledge of Allegiance.
When I took the oath as an officer serving in the Armed Forces of the United States of America, it was taken to protect and defend the Constitution, the citizens (of which you are one), our freedom and the government that directs us. If it became necessary, I would also lay down my life for my country. In the words used, "one nation under God".
From this, I take the fact that I can trust my felllow officers to abide by the rules and regulations set forth by the government and the military in carrying out the mission set forth by the President and Congress.
I don't put my faith in them. My faith is in my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I do put my trust in them that they will stand by me and obey as necessary to carry out our specific mission that we are given.
As a Firefighter, I took an oath to protect the citizens and the property within the community that I work in. I did not put any faith in the mayor or city council. I do put my trust in my fellow firefighters that when we get into a jam that they will do everything they possibly can to correct that situation. On an average year, over 100 firefighters give their lives for their citizens and community, not because the citizens put their faith in us but because we have a job that requires us to do specific things at specific times which may in that venue, cost us our lives.
I take great pride in saying the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States. Why? The simple reason is it can be done because individuals have defended the country and its constitution so that you and I can meet for classes such as this. That we can carry on discussions such as this without government interference. When I say this pledge, it is for one nation under God. Not under the United States.
I have in the past and will continue in the future to defend my country from all enemies both foreign and domestic who have every intention of causing harm not only to the country and its citizens but also the principles on which it was founded.
In a court of law, I will take an oath to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth because I am not dishonoring God by taking an oath but I am honoring his commandments. The fact also remains that the presiding judge will find you in contempt if you don't take the oath.
A number of years ago, I had the opportunity to take a trip to Arlington National Cemetery. While on this hallowed ground, I reflected on the average person who stepped forward took the Oath of Office when they were sworn in to the military, then proceeded to a battlefield many miles away from friends, family, and the life that they knew to ultimatley give their life in the defense of their country for my well being. Having had this experience and having been in the military for a number of years it then perplexes me when someone says that they refuse to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the country that you and I call home and are a citizen of, wherein you can openly claim Christianity!!
If I missed something in your presentation or interpretation regarding my take on this, please let me know.
Dr. Ray Stolarski
Thanks for the comment, Ray.
ReplyDeleteIn short, I wouldn't oppose you on any point you made. The passage that Adam read for us (Matthew 5:33-37, "Don't swear at all...") speaks for itself, so I'll not try to elaborate on a plain-spoken scripture.
It's really splitting hairs, but to clarify my position somewhat, I might use my relationship with Crossroads as a metaphor: because I believe in the main goals and practices of CR, you'll find me doing things that are "above and beyond" in order to keep this place in a position of success and influence. An outsider might watch and think "That guy's really committed to CR." They would be wrong. I'm NOT committed to CR; I'm committed to values that are in alignment with CR. If CR goes away, I'll still be about those principles. While it exists as an expression of those principles, I'm on board. Similarly, I'm grateful for the USA (that will never change), but there are many, many points at which the Kingdom and the USA are at odds. I just learned this week that Obama intends to extend spousal benefits to homosexual "couples", and possibly even to common-law, live-in sexual partners. Okay: does the USA have our allegiance on this point? Of course not. We oppose the USA inasmuch as the laws of the land conflict with the Kingdom.
That's just how I see things. That doesn't change the fact that I'm incredibly grateful for my uncle, who was a fire chief for 38 years, or for my friend Nate who's a firefighter today. I'm grateful for men like you and my brother-in-law and my father, who've served me by giving their time to military service. Don't think I'm opposed to the USA or hope it fails on a global stage (unless that would lead its citizenry to repentance; in that case I would be in favor). That's not the case. But my allegiances are all spoken for. I don't have room for any other commitments in my life outside the Kingdom of God. As I've already illustrated, allegiance with the Kingdom does and will conflict with national allegiances--I've simply made my decision beforehand.
Having said all this, this is really not a main tenet of our faith. Inasmuch as this discussion becomes unhelpful or feels unloving, I'm happy to drop it. So don't see my explanation above as some kind of defense of my belief system. I'm just trying to explain, if it's helpful to do so.
Again, Ray, I appreciate you taking the time to comment. I'm sure other guys have had the same kind of thought.
I like both of the two previous comments. They were both seasoned with grace.
ReplyDeleteOne man in my small group missed the lecture and wants to listen to the podcast. What's the web address?
Thanks
http://www.stevemanuel.net/Steven_Manuel/Mens_Strongholds.html
ReplyDeleteDon't forget to bring him here to the blog so he can have this week's Questions To Consider before meeting with your small group!
hey, am i missing the memory verse? can't seem to locate...
ReplyDeleteActs 4:12
ReplyDeleteSalvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. (via my NIV)