Perplexing Thoughts

Since the moment I heard about The Call, Washington DC I have been wrestling with perplexing thoughts. When I went to The Call, Nashville I had strong faith that our prayers would impact a nation. During that event I felt an open heaven. During the time of repentance for the sins of our nation I knew God's heart was touched. But, going into this Call I don't have that same hope. Prior to 2008 many Christians were predicting that America was about to face a financial crisis. Normally when I hear such doomsday reports I pay little attention to them. But, as people spoke about the coming difficulty I knew that this time it held weight. As I see difficulty unfolding these claims are being verified. The spiritual atmosphere has actually changed. I sense that the Lord is drawing back some of His protection. He is preparing to discipline a nation that has taken prayer out of schools, aborted fifty million plus babies, and fed on pornographic tolerance. I honestly have no peace about the upcoming elections. I really think no matter who wins the election America is in for a troubling four years. So, as I prepare to go to Washington DC I wonder what I hope to accomplish. I honestly think judgement is inevitable. Our prayers might help to shift certain matters, but overall I think America is in trouble. Today as I filled up my gas tank and saw the numbers climb to $57.77 I actually thanked God. I thanked Him for robbing me of the ability to just live in materialism. I thanked Him for waking me up and giving me a sober attitude about the years to come.
I actually had a dream where God asked me, "If America is overtaken by Islamic extremist would you still serve me?" I know the possibility of such an event occurring rarely crosses the minds of most Americans. I know that America has lived in security for a great while. But, I fear we have opened ourselves up for such events to occur. And even if it never happens it is important that we ask ourselves if we would be able to stand.
I am not a prophet, but I have a feeling that God is going to interrupt The Call Washington DC. I think deep repentance is going to shake the crowds. People are going to come face to face with the reality that 50 million lives have been eradicated of. We are living during a holocaust. They won't be able to return to their lives and be the same. I think sorrow will grip a generation and they won't be comforted.

The Blessings of Adopting

I have a friend named Katie who has always had a special place in my heart. During college we had a special bond. God worked in our lives and brought us closer in profound ways. When I suggested Katie consider adoption I knew in my heart that God would reveal deep treasures of His love to her. As I followed her adoption blog I was astounded by God and how He just confirmed to me how close adoption is to His heart. Orphans capture God's special attention. We were also orphans once. But, now we are adopted into the kingdom! I have been so blessed to see all the photos that the Lorentzon's have posted in recent days. Now that they are parents I see a new glow on their faces. I couldn't help myself. All those pictures just screamed to me, "Tamara, make a slide show!" So I did. I can never send large files over e-mail. I decided to place this on my blog for mama and papa to enjoy....as well as any other passer by. :)

Not Another Pretty Face

Most of you know that I like to post YouTube videos along with some of my blog posts. Most of the time I just browse through various music videos and pick the one that is most appropriate for the content of the post. The last video I used was with The Little Mermaid. I really liked that video because it was an accurate representation of my current pursuit of God. It fit so nicely. It is a few blogs down if you didn't watch it yet. I also wanted to find a video using "Beautiful Soul" by Jesse McCartney. The lyrics fit my current concepts on how God will single His people out. Unfortunately, when I searched that song on YouTube no good representation was made. So I got out my trusty Movie Maker and created my own. I again used One Night with the King. I know I use that movie a lot. But, I also know that I love that movie a lot. Here is what I came up with. Hope you enjoy!

Strange Study

God is having me study something that I consider to be a bit strange. One day I was reading the account of David's encounter with Bathsheba. God suddenly impressed on me to study David's wives. So I have been reading about Abigail, Michal, and Bathsheba. I don't know exactly why God is asking this of me. But, I have great expectancy that God will use this study to reveal something to me.

Mr. Dawkins vs Creation

As I stated before in an earlier blog I watched Expelled. A documentary done by Ben Stein about how the scientific community is suppressing free thought by attacking intelligent design studies. In this documentary Ben interviews Richard Dawkins. A conversation that they had is haunting me. Here is the basic discussion paraphrased.

Ben- Richard, let's say you were to die today and then you come to find out that there is a God. What will you have to say for a life devoted to disproving and denying Him?

Richard- Simple. I would ask Him why He made it so difficult to know Him. Why did He live in secret and desire us to use blind faith?

Actually, I think Richard will not be able to speak when He meets His maker. The knowledge and regret will hit him like a cannon ball. He will know that all creation actually sings the praises of God. Richard will be fully aware that he defied a living God who is not some distant thought. He will see a God who took on the flesh of man just to reach out to us. Richard will be floored. He will see that his calloused heart and pride were the tools that made him blind.

So I have decided to test these scriptural proclamations of creation groaning by witnessing God in the earth. I don't want to just lean on bible verses that I have quoted for my whole life. I am not really coming before God's creation as a skeptic. I know I will experience Him in nature. I have already done so. I just want to be more observant and expectant now. I have decided to take more walks in nature and purposely look for ways that God is speaking. When God said the land is groaning what does that actually look like? There are some evidences that I have already witnessed. Obviously the vastness of the universe is one declaration. The complex balances of sustaining life is another. Then there is the fact that no scientist has honestly come up with an alternate way the world was created. They don't know that answer.

Yesterday as I was taking my first focused walk I saw a bird pick up a cheese puff ball. What could that mean? :)

Derek Webb has a way with Words

What looks like failure is success
And what looks like poverty is riches
When what is true looks more like a knife
It looks like you're killing me
But you're saving my life

But I give myself to what looks like love
And I sell myself for what feels like love
And I pay to get what is not love
And all just because I see things upside down

What looks like weakness can do anything
And what looks like foolishness is understanding
When what is powerful has not come to fight
It looks like you're going to war
But you lay down your life

What looks like torture is a time to rejoice
What sounds like thunder is a comforting voice
When what is beautiful looks broken and crushed
And I say I don't know you
But you say it's finished
When what is beautiful looks broken and crushed
And I say I don't know you
But you say it's finished

When I Find Him, I Will Not Let Go of Him

I had another dream. It wasn't as long as my other ones, but it was still longer than average. Most Christians know the story of Jacob wrestling with the angel of the Lord. "I won't let go till you bless me" is a common quoted scripture. This theme has been in some of my earlier dreams and was present in this one as well.
It started with me feeling around in the dark. I was aware that the Lord was in the room with me. I wasn't just crawling on the floor. I was actually flat on my stomach pulling with great effort to move forward. Then I felt a foot. I quickly latched my arms around the Lord's leg. I obviously was astounded I even had the right to touch Him. In my thoughts I knew that the Lord was in pursuit of something. He had a desire to attend to a matter in person. I stubbornly held onto His leg and begged Him not to leave. He actually made an effort to move. I felt His foot drag but my grip and determination were fierce. He eventually asked me with tender love to let go. He said He had something He had to do. With this request I let him go.
I was left in the dark. I began to pray that I would see where I was at. Slowly flashes of images began to appear. I saw carpet. I saw a leg of a chair. I was still low to the ground. I saw spiders. I rebuked them as if they were evil and they disappeared. I began to crawl on this pale colored carpet and found a thrown. I knelt down at the thrown and began to pray to be near to Jesus. I admitted that I was aware He had issues to attend to, but I was desperate for His time. Then I became aware that the Lord had arrived and He stood to my right. I began to thank the Lord for being near me. I admitted that I never wanted Him to leave again. Then the dream changed atmospheres. I was standing in a different room. This one was lighted.
I heard a boy (I did not see him) ask, "What are you doing?"
I replied, "I am dreaming." I was aware at this moment that I was in a dream state.
The boy replied in somewhat alerted tones, "No, no you aren't! This is real. You are actually here. You are before the Lord. What are you going to ask Him?"
I replied with a desire that I have had for a long time. But, I can't share it on this blog. It is really something that I only feel comfortable discussing with the Lord.
Then the rest of the dream was the Lord and I discussing my desire. This discussion lasted about one minute and then I woke up.

Basically I think this is the Lord confirming that He is attentive to my prayer. He is moved by my cries to be near Him. I even have power to bring down strongholds. (spiders) The sensation of knowing He is near and that He desires to be near me is the most satisfying reward.

Revelation

I am sitting at my computer listening to the thunder crashing all around me. I love storms. A thunder storm is a perfect reflection of my current spiritual posture. God's voice is like thunder and I am hearing this thunder in my inner man. After The Point I went to work for a few hours. I am so blessed to have a job where I am all alone in a building cleaning. I spent the whole night worshiping. Actually releasing spontaneous choruses and known worship songs in to the quiet night air. All during this time God was just downloading revelation into my spirit. I will share some of what I have discovered in this blog. I will number them due to the vastness of my thoughts. If you don't feel compelled to read a lot in one sitting you can come back and immediately find where you left off.

1. Offensive prayer
I have already touched on the fact that I am experiencing a spiritual awakening. I haven't address my offense. I went to One Thing unsuspecting. I went to One Thing expecting to hear the same messages that I have heard before and come out a little stirred but not changed. I came to the realization that IHOP Kansas City saturated One Thing Fort Wayne in prayer. Because of their unrelenting pursuit of God and their focus I have been changed. And to be honest it offends me or rather makes me jealous. I haven't been faithful in the place of prayer. I pray and fellowship with God, but I haven't been giving myself like God is requiring. So it offends me that I am experiencing fruit because devoted people have been praying and seeking my good. I want to be revived because I sought God and discovered Him in the secret place. Don't get me wrong. I am so thankful that prayer warriors are changing a region. I am so blessed to know that devoted lovers of God are causing me to rend my heart. But, oh I feel desperately repentant that my labor in prayer has been rare. Again I am returning to the calling God has placed in my life. I have to humbly say this revival in me is happening because of prayers prayed in the secret place by other men and women and not my own pursuit. Ouch, that hurts!

2. John the Baptist, Not as I have known him.
Whenever a message is given speaking of the life of John the Baptist I hear similar themes. John is the man who went into a desert to find God. He lived a hidden, humble life. He was the man that coined the phrase, "I must decrease and He must increase." But as I was mediating on a sermon given by Wes Martin, God started opening my eyes to another side of John's life. This was said about John. He was a burning and a shining light: and you were willing for a season to rejoice in his light. There are countless scripture versus that say to some effect that the people considered him a prophet. That means a majority of people considered him to be a strong voice from God. People considered him set apart with a message from God. Even Jesus says, "Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." So what is my point. John was not always a man of obscurity. John was a radiant, outspoken member of God's team. When he said he must decrease I doubt he meant his message was to loose some of it's weight. Sure when Jesus arrived it was then that he was to diminish. Obviously when Jesus began his ministry all the other ministries became second place. But, I believe that John never diminished his destiny to obscurity. Even in his death he was a witness to Christ. Humility never calls us to diminish the word of God that is in our hearts. We preach it till the day we die. Actually when we decrease we are preaching the gospel even more violently. Our decreasing is even a more flamboyant action. When we die to our ministry titles and fame we are shining brighter and increasing God's glory in the earth. Diminishing does not me we lack zeal and tone down our message ever.


3. My Primary Focus
There was a moment in Mike Bickle's life where God stamped Songs of Solomon on his life ministry. God confirmed that his main ministry would be out of his revelation and insight into that strange love book slapped in the middle of the Bible. Well, God has been cultivating a message in my heart that has only recently consumed my thoughts. I have always had this message burning on my heart, but in the last few months God has really asked me to make it my life's message and pursuit. Generally it is based out of these scripture versus.

Song 6:8-9
8 Sixty queens there may be,
and eighty concubines,
and virgins beyond number;
9 but my dove, my perfect one, is unique,
the only daughter of her mother,
the favorite of the one who bore her.

1 Cor 9:24
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

Mark 10:37-45

37 They replied, "Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory."
38 "You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said. "Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?"
39 "We can," they answered.
Jesus said to them, "You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, 40 but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared."
41 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 42 Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

These are just some of the scriptures that I have been compiling. If you don't see a theme I will explain further. Basically I want the body of Christ to know that yes we are called to love each other and consider others as better as ourselves. But, I also want us to be challenged in the revelation that God is seeking people who he can bestow rewards and favor on. He has literal eternal accolades that He longs to lavish on runners. So, I desire the body of Christ to consider standing out. I will just preach a little message on the occurrence with James and John. Know that James and John were in Jesus special three. They saw Him transfigured. I honestly believe that even though the other disciples were indignant at their request I don't think Jesus was. In fact Jesus, God in the flesh, doesn't rebuke them. He actually tells the recipe for winning those places of honor. He doesn't scold the two zealous men. He tells them the formula to get what they wanted. Live the life of a servant. Not only does He tell them how to be great in the kingdom He actually testifies that there are two actual seats of honor given by the Father. I guess I relate to John and James. I know I have offended people with my desire for God's special attention. I will admit the thought of sitting at His side is a true temptation in my life. But, this pursuit isn't out of pride or a desire for power. It is out of a deep yearning to know that I did what God desired. That He holds me in high esteem. I want His affections. I know that this might seem like a perfect way to cause disunity in the body. But, that isn't my intention. My intention is to be before a audience of one. Let all the lessor lovers fade away. Can we wrap our minds around the fact that the Father has two people in mind for this blessing? Just two. Just two out of billions of people. I think we fear becoming prideful or greedy by seeking these delights. Assuredly you can have a wrong motivation and taint this pursuit. But, you can also beat your body into submission like Paul and attract the heart of God and win prestige in the kingdom. I could go on, but you get the general idea. I feel this is my specific message to bring to the body of Christ.


I have more, but I need to head to dream land. More to come.

One Thing Fort Wayne Reflections

I have now attended three One Thing conferences. Each have a place in my heart. My first One Thing I was called to the place of prayer. The speaker said those who were called to be Annas in the House of Prayer were feeling a heat on their bodies. The heat was so intense I busted into violent tears. That was also the first time I heard Corey Russell. That message ruined me and set my focus on the word of God. The second One Thing conference was less of a personal encounter and more of a corporate knitting. I went with my young adult's group and most of them were new to the concept of IHOP. I served as a link. I spent most of my time in prayer for each of their hearts. I tried my best to explain the One Thing calling and introduce them to harp and bowl. I struggled with pride and God dealt with my struggles to seek the approval of man as well.

One Thing Fort Wayne was the most intimate and holy encounter of them all. I felt a direct connection to the throne. God repeated His love for me over and over. Sure the speakers were speaking of God's love and the worship was expressing the same. But, it wasn't the songs, singers, or speakers. I was hearing straight from God. I felt His presence deeply. He once again jealously pulled me back to the secret place. The prayer room will once again have a passionate lover. I had glimpses of glory and reminders of the immense passion in God's blazing heart. I felt more freedom in worship as well. Lately I have felt unattached in worship. I stand there stoic and unaffected. Not during Justin Rizzo's set! My heart moved within me and my body had to dance.
I have been praying about The Call in Washington DC. I was afraid I would just go because it was expected of me. I was afraid my motives were impure. I brought these struggles before God. I started to think The Call was just going to be another event. Another meeting to express zeal pushed out of man's strength and not God's spirit. I just didn't feel connected. But, suddenly God told me if I would devote myself to prayer in preparation for this event He would meet me and hear the cry of His church for the unborn.

Finally I want to share another revelation I received during this event. I got a new understanding of how we are free to hate our past sins. So, often we come to God with our sin and slowly allow Him to forgive us. We weep and cry out, "Oh God we are unworthy, but thank You for Your love and mercy." We see that season of disobedience as a moment of weakness and trust God to set us free. This is what we are suppose to do. But, let me add that we should hate our past sin and declare our victory over it. We need to denounce the specific sins, not just confess we did it and receive forgiveness. We have to take ownership of our lives as needing to be pure and completely victorious over sin. You have to be diligent to rid your life of any tie that might lure you back to that sin. We can't just whimper over our failure. I hate this statement, "We are only human." I truly hate it. When people say this I cringe and my heart shivers inside of me. We can't excuse away our sin as a mishap that was bound to happen. NO! We must confess that for a time we turned away from God, but now through His abundant grace we will be wholly devoted to Him. I renounce that sin and declare it has no more grip on my life. I am set apart and God is longing for my righteousness to be revealed. That sin will not and cannot taint His love for me. I crush any notion that past sins linger in my life. Jesus Christ blood is enough to not only clear me of the sin but to make me exceedingly angry it even made an effort to draw me away for Him! People have told me to fully forgive myself I have to admit that I am only human. I won't declare that over my life. I am passionate for the law of the Lord. And though I accept forgiveness I never stop being repentant for my past sins. I want to be blameless in His sight. I am running a race and compromise can't flirt it's way into my heart. It is not strange or unhealthy to run with passion, zeal, sold-out love for a God who sent His Son to die for us! My past sins will forever wound my heart. I will always be reminded of how I failed to live up to God's precious, holy, lovely law. I walk in forgiveness, but I hold on to the desire to own up to the fact that I deeply hurt my Savior's heart. I will never relent of weeping at night, begging that God keep me from the place of compromise. I have to encounter Him in the place of light. Though I am dark I am lovely in His eyes. I am a sinner. Wretched and unworthy of God's pure love. Yet, I remain His garden of delight.

Quick Witness

I have to make this blog quick. I am heading to the prayer room and then ONE THING. I had to share this though. I woke up this morning with this verse in my head. I would leave the 99 to get the one. So, today as I went to work I made sure to grumble. I wanted to be in the prayer room. Then right before I was finished a young adult that was working at the factory asked me a question.
"Are you going to Rib Fest?"
"When is it?" I asked.
"This weekend."
"Oh, I have a conference this weekend."
It briefly came to me that I should tell him what it was, but he spoke before I could say anything.
"Well I have free tickets. Here! Give them to your friends."
He handed me five free tickets to Rib Fest. I thanked him and then walked away. Upset I hadn't said anything and positive those tickets wouldn't be used. Then it dawned on me that I had 5 postcards advertising One Thing in my purse. SO I DID IT! I went back and handed him the postcards.
I said,"You gave me something so let me return the favor. This is the conference I am going to." I asked him to also share them with his friends. Another witnessing opportunity! God is answering my prayers. I have been praying to be more vocal about my faith and bring the kingdom to the weary soul. Who knows if he will come, but at least I tried!

Notice Me

God's love never fluctuates. His love remains the same and it is ever faithful. Still there seems to be seasons when I am more aware of His love. This is my current state. I feel saturated by Him. He has romanced me in profound yet small ways. I hear Him singing over me and I notice how He has directed my path. I think the best way to describe how I feel in this moment is set apart. As Christians we are all called to be set apart. When I finally embrace this reality and live in it, I find myself extremely satisfied. I don't want to blend into the scenery of people around me. I want to run the race and be His chosen vessel. Hillside has been studying Isaiah 61. This is a perfect example of God's desire for us to stand out and be noticed. As a city on the hill! I want the church to be His spotless bride. A dame He can be enthralled by. It is time for the church to shine and finally take her place as adored, precious, and adorned for her Husband.



ONE THING IS TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think my spiritual hunger has increased every day approaching this event. I have high expectations. Well, I mean I have expectations that God is going to rise above my expectations. I truly am spiritually awake at the moment. I am hanging on every word that God has to say. I am expectant and thrilled. Fort Wayne get ready for the reign of the Kingdom!

Writer's Paradise

I always go through seasons with my writing. Times of plenty and times of dryness. Today at the prayer room I was inspired to write more poetry and songs. I even went out and bought a special notebook to contain them. This shopping venture even had a hint of evangelism. (The full story is recorded at the end of this blog). I plan to record my voice singing the songs and post it on my writing blog. We'll see how well I can manipulate the technology to do this. My dormant writing blog is about to be functional again. I also want to share something wonderful. As I was trying to rhyme I began to wonder if the Internet had a rhyming dictionary. I was pleasantly surprised to find one. Words I would have never thought of are posted there. Too cool!

Evangelistic Notebook
I dropped my two notebooks on the cashier's table. The woman glanced at them and asked a question.
"School project?"
"No," I reply.
A small pause. Time enough for me to realize God opened the door for my witness. I decide to continue the conversation.
"Actually it is for a prayer journal." I inform her.
"Oh, okay," the cashier seems uncomfortable and caught off guard.
"I went to the Anchor Room to find a journal, but all of them were to small. I needed something big so I opted for a school notebook." I continue.
"I see. Well have a good day," she politely replied.
Since she didn't seem to be overjoyed at the mention of a prayer journal I just assume she isn't saved. I want to emphasize that I am assuming. If she isn't saved it was nice of God to give me the opportunity, no matter how slight, to share my faith.

Enchanted

I just watched the Disney movie, Enchanted. I didn't know what to expect. I am delightfully surprised I liked it as much as I did. They do an excellent job of toying with notions of fairytale endings. Although it is a kids movie I still enjoyed it. I liked it enough to suggest it. Not for men of course, but girls might find it enjoyable.

Falling Asleep at the Altar

I wonder if I am the only one unfortunate enough to experience this. The speaker gives an altar call. You feel a leading to respond. You head to the front of the room, get to your knees, and the tears begin to fall. You are fully aware of God's presence. You don't want to leave because the connection is incredibly strong. Then you feel your legs becoming a little uncomfortable. You ignore this minor distraction and continue to soak in God's presence. After a few more minutes you decide to switch positions. At that point a person comes to pray for you. You decide to stay in the same position until they finish. They pray and then go to the next person. You swoop your legs out from under you and try and sit Indian style. Suddenly the pain catches up with you. A thousand needles are piercing your legs. Your legs have fallen asleep. You want to remain at the altar and continue to fellowship with God. But, at this moment you can only find yourself praying that God would take the pain away. You forget what the altar call was about. All you can do now is feel this extreme pain. You try moving to different positions, but this action accomplishes nothing. When the pain finally goes away everyone else is off the floor, the music has stopped, and the lights go up. You have missed at least 2 to 3 minutes of a God encounter because your legs were screaming at you. Anyone else experience this?

Music Mayhem

I was just listening to the radio while I was driving and I thought I would blog about my random experiences. First I noticed whenever a Phil Collin's song is playing I usually turn the dial up. I never really noticed but I am a fan of Phil Collins. Most 80's music is out of my system now. What a weird genre. But, I have held on to my appreciation for Phil. Especially because he is a famous person who doesn't necessarily fall into the good looking category. So you know he didn't get to where he was through surface beauty. He actually has talent.

I was told to watch August Rush. It is full of musical interest. It was a well scripted piece. Very moving. Although it was too sappy for me to put in my top five movies of all time I will probably still buy it. Very moving and touching.

Today I ran across a duet involving Maroon 5 and Rhianna. Not a pair that I suspected to hook up. But, their voices actually complimented each other. The song was rather entertaining. I like Maroon 5 and I have always liked Rhianna's style and voice (though I don't care too much for her content.)

I also find myself disappointed with Christian music. I guess it all sounds the same to me. There are a few Christian songs played on the radio that I can tolerate. But, really none that I love. I want to be the good girl and leave the radio on a God glorifying station. But, my ears hurt and I fear my head might explode. I am blessed to live in Fort Wayne where there are three descent Christian stations. Still I find myself rarely tuning the dial to them.

What a random topic. One might think I am desperate to blog despite the fact I have nothing interesting to share.

Hearing from God

Don Williams spoke today about hearing from God. His teaching was sound and correlated to what most churches teach and believe. I have heard similar sermons, but for some reason my spirit was more sensitive tonight. I began to believe strongly that God wants to speak to His creation. He has given us practical tools to do this with. Don went through the tools and I became a little more determined to use them. This sermon sparked a question in me as well. I am going to write the question and ask if anyone has insight to please share.

Don mentioned that one way to hear from God is through other people. The chances of you hearing from God are greatly increased with wise council. Now this seems obvious and insightful. But, as I was sitting and pondering his comments I began to run through a list of people who didn't go along with what others had to say. Jeremiah was blatantly a person in the Bible that didn't listen to the people around him. John the Baptist went to a desert to find God. He didn't share the favored opinion of the Pharisees even though they were the religious establishment of the time. Paul makes it clear that he did not consort with anyone before he started to preach. He got direct revelation and that was proof that he was God's messenger. Then there is Martin Luther. Though not a biblical character he most assuredly has changed church history. His revelations were shunned by the organized church. Now I know Godly council is wise. But aren't there also times when your position is hated. That doesn't necessarily mean it is incorrect. I think most of the prophets and mighty men where men of reform and hated for their beliefs. So my question is how can you discern if God is speaking to you if your beliefs are contrary to the larger church? I ask this because there are some teachings widely accepted that I do not share. Do I submit to these teachings to maintain unity and adhere to "godly council?" Or do I stand as Luther with a hammer and nail bold in the face of adversity?

The Bad Word

I can't recall if I have written a blog on this topic yet or not. I have written countless blogs and it is difficult to recall all of them. So since I am unsure if I have written about this I will write about it now.
The bad word in charismatic circles is religion. I don't understand why this word has become a negative word. I guess I want someone to define what religion actually means to them. Why is it so hated? In the past I doubt the word religion carried the same considerations as it does now. Wikipedia defines religion this way:

A religion is a set of beliefs and practices, often centered upon specific supernatural and moral claims about reality, the cosmos, and human nature, and often codified as prayer, ritual, and religious law. Religion also encompasses ancestral or cultural traditions, writings, history, and mythology as well as personal faith and mystical experience. The term "religion" refers to both the personal practices related to communal faith and to group rituals and communication stemming from shared conviction.

Excluding the mythology part religion's definition seems to be a rather docile description of spiritual practice. For those of you who have found yourself asking people to not be religious please explain to me your reasoning. Actually the Bible defines undefiled religion as taking care of widows and orphans. So I assume people speaking negatively about religion are addressing the defiled kind of religion. I assume. But, I think that our culture might be scared of the word religion because we are appeasing the masses. So many people have grown tired of dull tradition and therefore we lash out at a word, like religion, to draw in the bewildered soul. I am not convinced that beating up a word and tarnishing it's once good standing will have any effect on a person's soul. I guess I find it a bit foolish.