Friday, December 08, 2006
Monday, November 20, 2006
Why the church doesn't need preaching
Many Christians that I know may have a problem; they are addicts, users, dependents. They have been “using” the preaching of men and women of God, using it as a fix. They need a regular hit of the “word” of God in order to feel spiritually satisfied, to feel as though they are making progress in their journey of faith and perhaps even to feel the presence of God. They rely on the preachers and pastors in their life to teach them about God, to show them His ways and to guide their relationship with Jesus. I know all about it because I too had this problem.
As with many dependencies one might only become aware of the problem when that which is needed is taken out of their life. I have been through a season recently of not receiving my weekly high, gained from hearing the preaching of the pastor, passing on from the pulpit, things he had himself received from on high. I noticed that all of a sudden my relationship with God seemed to be going nowhere. There was no life in me anymore. I felt that I was quickly drying up and it forced me to rethink much of my Christian life so far. I reached a place of brutal honesty with myself.
What I realised is that we can confuse the temporary thrill and excitement that follows hearing anointed preaching with personal growth and edification. We are often not actually changed by what we hear however much it impacts and challenges us. Many times we have heard amazing sermons, inspiring seminars; incredible preaching and we feel so excited and vow that our response to what we have heard will change the world. Many times however it hasn’t and a few days or weeks later we are back in the same old ruts, stuck in the same lifestyles and disappointed in ourselves. The problem is that we can simply be responding to anointed preaching on a short lived and shallow level. Just like the swirling colours of a titration approaching its end point, there are brief indications of change but these soon revert back to the normal. My feeling is that we are not actually being fed by the preaching we receive week after week. Much of it is excellent, often challenging but it singularly fails to feed our “inner man”.
This thought leaves us looking for how we can go about finding “food” for our spirits. How can we take the inspiration of a sermon and use it to really impact our lives to the point where we are being changed?
I think what we need to do is view preaching differently and learn how to engage with God for ourselves. Preaching is not the place where we are supposed to be fed. God has designed other ways for that to happen. Preaching is like the menu of the banquet that God has on offer for us. We can read the menu, get really excited, even salivate over it, but it is still just the menu, the real food is yet to come.
God wants us to meet with Him in our personal prayer lives. This is the place where He will feed us. We must get the language of the bible, the word of God, into our prayer lives. We must pray the bible, we must sing the bible, and we must meditate on the bible. We must use the language of His word by praying it, out loud, to Him. In doing so He will feed us.
We should realise that we don’t need to rely on others for our sustenance. Your pastor cannot take care of your prayer life for you. God provides everything that we need when we come to Him. He will bring us into incredible depths of revelation. He will show us truths about Himself that will blow our minds. He will change us and mould us into the people He wants us to be.
The church will always have preachers. I think that they should be seen not as shepherds who feed their flocks once a week, but rather people who have seen the amazing and glorious food that God has made available to us. Their sermons will guide us down the menu of this heavenly banquet! We can then go out into our own everyday lives, and find that God calls us to meet with Him there and feed at His banqueting table with a banner over us of His boundless love.
As with many dependencies one might only become aware of the problem when that which is needed is taken out of their life. I have been through a season recently of not receiving my weekly high, gained from hearing the preaching of the pastor, passing on from the pulpit, things he had himself received from on high. I noticed that all of a sudden my relationship with God seemed to be going nowhere. There was no life in me anymore. I felt that I was quickly drying up and it forced me to rethink much of my Christian life so far. I reached a place of brutal honesty with myself.
What I realised is that we can confuse the temporary thrill and excitement that follows hearing anointed preaching with personal growth and edification. We are often not actually changed by what we hear however much it impacts and challenges us. Many times we have heard amazing sermons, inspiring seminars; incredible preaching and we feel so excited and vow that our response to what we have heard will change the world. Many times however it hasn’t and a few days or weeks later we are back in the same old ruts, stuck in the same lifestyles and disappointed in ourselves. The problem is that we can simply be responding to anointed preaching on a short lived and shallow level. Just like the swirling colours of a titration approaching its end point, there are brief indications of change but these soon revert back to the normal. My feeling is that we are not actually being fed by the preaching we receive week after week. Much of it is excellent, often challenging but it singularly fails to feed our “inner man”.
This thought leaves us looking for how we can go about finding “food” for our spirits. How can we take the inspiration of a sermon and use it to really impact our lives to the point where we are being changed?
I think what we need to do is view preaching differently and learn how to engage with God for ourselves. Preaching is not the place where we are supposed to be fed. God has designed other ways for that to happen. Preaching is like the menu of the banquet that God has on offer for us. We can read the menu, get really excited, even salivate over it, but it is still just the menu, the real food is yet to come.
God wants us to meet with Him in our personal prayer lives. This is the place where He will feed us. We must get the language of the bible, the word of God, into our prayer lives. We must pray the bible, we must sing the bible, and we must meditate on the bible. We must use the language of His word by praying it, out loud, to Him. In doing so He will feed us.
We should realise that we don’t need to rely on others for our sustenance. Your pastor cannot take care of your prayer life for you. God provides everything that we need when we come to Him. He will bring us into incredible depths of revelation. He will show us truths about Himself that will blow our minds. He will change us and mould us into the people He wants us to be.
The church will always have preachers. I think that they should be seen not as shepherds who feed their flocks once a week, but rather people who have seen the amazing and glorious food that God has made available to us. Their sermons will guide us down the menu of this heavenly banquet! We can then go out into our own everyday lives, and find that God calls us to meet with Him there and feed at His banqueting table with a banner over us of His boundless love.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
John's Podcast is Back!
Yes back once again with the renegade matser here is John at his podcasting best!
Monday, October 16, 2006
Titration
From time to time I do titration in a lesson. Small amounts of one substance are added to another via a biurette, drop by drop. The solution to which you are adding has some sort of indicator, ususually a colour, which cahnges as the second substance is added. There will be a distict end point when the indicator changes disticlty from one coluor to another, indicating as it should that you have dispatched enough of the second solution.
What interests me the most about this is that sometimes when you add a squirt of the titrating solution you can get a temporary swirl of colour change. The experimenter thinks briefly that the end point has been reached but as he swirls the receptacle he finds the colour change is but a brief swirlf of change and shorlty things have been restored to their original and pre change colour.
This reminds me of when in the past I have read inspirational books or heard brilliant sermons. For a moment it looks as though this things that has dripped into my life will change me for good. There is indication of things being different in my life but it soon becomes apparent that this is only temporary and that things have not really changed after all. The swirl of life that I had imparted to me through the book soon is invaded with the original colour of my life.
What i need to do is find a way of keep going with the dripping of thses life giving solutions in to my life. There is a permanent change to be realised but when will it come? When will the end pioint be found that indicates the passing of my old coulours and the bringing of the new.
What interests me the most about this is that sometimes when you add a squirt of the titrating solution you can get a temporary swirl of colour change. The experimenter thinks briefly that the end point has been reached but as he swirls the receptacle he finds the colour change is but a brief swirlf of change and shorlty things have been restored to their original and pre change colour.
This reminds me of when in the past I have read inspirational books or heard brilliant sermons. For a moment it looks as though this things that has dripped into my life will change me for good. There is indication of things being different in my life but it soon becomes apparent that this is only temporary and that things have not really changed after all. The swirl of life that I had imparted to me through the book soon is invaded with the original colour of my life.
What i need to do is find a way of keep going with the dripping of thses life giving solutions in to my life. There is a permanent change to be realised but when will it come? When will the end pioint be found that indicates the passing of my old coulours and the bringing of the new.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Hi everyone!
Not blogged for ages so I thought i should write something!
Lots going on recently!
Updates soon, I hope!
Please look here for my new video blog/ youtube channel!
Bye for now
John
ps a new podcast is on its way!!!
Also I have my own radio show now on Truro Hospital Radio!!
Not blogged for ages so I thought i should write something!
Lots going on recently!
Updates soon, I hope!
Please look here for my new video blog/ youtube channel!
Bye for now
John
ps a new podcast is on its way!!!
Also I have my own radio show now on Truro Hospital Radio!!
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Monday, August 07, 2006
Back from Brazil
Hello,
I have just got back from a month in Brazil whcih was cool!
I am going to upload pictures somewhere but haven't decided where yet so we shall see!!
Till then
Bye
I have just got back from a month in Brazil whcih was cool!
I am going to upload pictures somewhere but haven't decided where yet so we shall see!!
Till then
Bye
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
You're Great you are
It has always been my intention to live a great life. I have read the biographies of our treasured saints, great men like John Wesley, Charles Finney, Smith Wigglesworth and I have desired to leave my own mark on Christian history in such a way as these. I have longed to build something that is of worth with my life, something that others will look in at and see greatness. For such a long time I have desired to live a memorable life, one that is full and abundant, one that is exciting and adventurous, one that is full of spiritual encounters and experience. And to this end I have looked to create this life for myself. I have put myself in the way of things, deliberately seeking the opportunity to be great.
But now I see that my Christian life has been my Christian career. Opportunities to be great become opportunities to look great. A life of memories becomes a showcase for the gullible. A life of adventure and encounter becomes forgotten and redundant unless shared with those who will listen. I am a chaser of celebrity.
This revelation comes as the gentle breeze of the Spirit dispels the mists of my mind. He blew a true apostle of Jesus into my life and I can think clearly now the reins have gone, my thoughts having formerly been captivated by career and focussed on achievement.
Janaki Mennai met Jesus in a vision as she lay dying. Her prayers to other Gods had fallen on deaf ears and Jesus called her to come and know His love and to work for Him. She was miraculously healed and 10 years later stands great amongst men. She is the founder and director of Faith In Action Ministries (FIAM) in Andrah Pradesh, India. This great christian woman has planted over 60 churches in rural villages, founded 2 schools, supplied many villages with bore hole wells, developed ministry to local prisoners, planted a church in the middle of a leper colony, developed and run vocational training courses for young women, founded an orphanage, fed the widows and children of her village, trained pastors and church leaders over the whole region, seen thousands come to Christ in gospel crusades and street evangelism, run medical provision camps for the poor, fed and clothed the needy, among other things.
Janaki is a great woman but she is not great for doing all this worthy work. She is great for just one reason, the same reason that Jesus was great. Janaki only does what she sees the Father doing.
Martin Scott says that if Jesus had written a book it would have contained those 8 words. “Only do what you see the Father do.”
Jesus’ true greatness lies not merely in His divinity or perfect humanity but His willingness to do only that which he saw Father do. This was revealed in the garden as he sweated blood to say “Not my will but yours.”
I have done so many things to get further in my Christian career. I have got busy for God, led home groups, prayed very long and very loud (only when people were watching), preached sermons, gave seminars, done missions and led worship; all really because I thought that to be great was to appear great. How many of those things did I do because I first saw Father do them? My quest for greatness seen in the light of this paradigm is a quest for the praise of men rather than submission to the Lord.
But I have met someone who is submitted to this way. I have met someone great. And she is someone who is humble and meek, she is gentle and kind, pure and loving. Janaki Mennai only does what she sees the Father doing, and what she sees is a Father who loves people, a Father who feeds people and clothes them, who visits them in prison and provides for them. Being with Janaki is like being with Jesus. I saw Jesus in her and I saw in her great life what my Father is doing.
But now I see that my Christian life has been my Christian career. Opportunities to be great become opportunities to look great. A life of memories becomes a showcase for the gullible. A life of adventure and encounter becomes forgotten and redundant unless shared with those who will listen. I am a chaser of celebrity.
This revelation comes as the gentle breeze of the Spirit dispels the mists of my mind. He blew a true apostle of Jesus into my life and I can think clearly now the reins have gone, my thoughts having formerly been captivated by career and focussed on achievement.
Janaki Mennai met Jesus in a vision as she lay dying. Her prayers to other Gods had fallen on deaf ears and Jesus called her to come and know His love and to work for Him. She was miraculously healed and 10 years later stands great amongst men. She is the founder and director of Faith In Action Ministries (FIAM) in Andrah Pradesh, India. This great christian woman has planted over 60 churches in rural villages, founded 2 schools, supplied many villages with bore hole wells, developed ministry to local prisoners, planted a church in the middle of a leper colony, developed and run vocational training courses for young women, founded an orphanage, fed the widows and children of her village, trained pastors and church leaders over the whole region, seen thousands come to Christ in gospel crusades and street evangelism, run medical provision camps for the poor, fed and clothed the needy, among other things.
Janaki is a great woman but she is not great for doing all this worthy work. She is great for just one reason, the same reason that Jesus was great. Janaki only does what she sees the Father doing.
Martin Scott says that if Jesus had written a book it would have contained those 8 words. “Only do what you see the Father do.”
Jesus’ true greatness lies not merely in His divinity or perfect humanity but His willingness to do only that which he saw Father do. This was revealed in the garden as he sweated blood to say “Not my will but yours.”
I have done so many things to get further in my Christian career. I have got busy for God, led home groups, prayed very long and very loud (only when people were watching), preached sermons, gave seminars, done missions and led worship; all really because I thought that to be great was to appear great. How many of those things did I do because I first saw Father do them? My quest for greatness seen in the light of this paradigm is a quest for the praise of men rather than submission to the Lord.
But I have met someone who is submitted to this way. I have met someone great. And she is someone who is humble and meek, she is gentle and kind, pure and loving. Janaki Mennai only does what she sees the Father doing, and what she sees is a Father who loves people, a Father who feeds people and clothes them, who visits them in prison and provides for them. Being with Janaki is like being with Jesus. I saw Jesus in her and I saw in her great life what my Father is doing.
Thursday, May 11, 2006
John 5:19
I have been thinking about John 5:19. (Then Jesus answered and said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.) It seems to me that I have lived my life without really taking this statement into account. Martin Scott once said that if Jesus wrote a book then all it would contain would be this statement. I think that on reflection perhaps the most radical thing about Jesus is that he only did what he saw the Father doing and nothing else!
I do not think that I have lived like that at all. I have set goals, I have had ambitions but these have all come from me. I have got busy doing christian stuff which no one could argue was not good or right to get involved with but how much of it did I see the Father doing before hand? How much of it did I do just to move up in the christian world on to bigger and better things?
To live like this, to say I will only do what I see the Father do is at odds with all that I have previously thought about my journey through life.
It has really challenged me to become one who totally surrenders my life to Him and do only those things he does, rather than things that seem good.
How much of what we do is just us getting more and more busy with Christian stuff?
Anyway, this is still a little disjointed and I want to smooth it out in some form of prose, I just wanted to get something down before I forgot!
I do not think that I have lived like that at all. I have set goals, I have had ambitions but these have all come from me. I have got busy doing christian stuff which no one could argue was not good or right to get involved with but how much of it did I see the Father doing before hand? How much of it did I do just to move up in the christian world on to bigger and better things?
To live like this, to say I will only do what I see the Father do is at odds with all that I have previously thought about my journey through life.
It has really challenged me to become one who totally surrenders my life to Him and do only those things he does, rather than things that seem good.
How much of what we do is just us getting more and more busy with Christian stuff?
Anyway, this is still a little disjointed and I want to smooth it out in some form of prose, I just wanted to get something down before I forgot!
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Seven Steps for the Annointing
I am reading a great book by Carlos Annacondia called "Listen to me, Satan".
In it he lists 7 steps to the annointing. He says "There are seven requirements to be successful in Christian ministry. These are the basic elements for achieving an annointed and successful ministry. Without them, our service will be insignificant and unfruitful. They are as follows:
1. Consecration: total surrender to God.
2. Vision: What is the God given vision for our lives?
3. Knowledge: we should understand the word of God and know how to apply it's principles to life situations.
4. Faith: faith without works is dead.
5: Action: God wants men and women of action.
6. Prayer and Fasting: We are responsible for keeping the fires on the altars of our devotional lives burning through constant prayer. Then the fire of the Holy Spirit will never go out.
7: Love: We have to surround all that we have mentioned until this point with love.
Well, I think that this is a really helpful list to think on!
What do you think?
In it he lists 7 steps to the annointing. He says "There are seven requirements to be successful in Christian ministry. These are the basic elements for achieving an annointed and successful ministry. Without them, our service will be insignificant and unfruitful. They are as follows:
1. Consecration: total surrender to God.
2. Vision: What is the God given vision for our lives?
3. Knowledge: we should understand the word of God and know how to apply it's principles to life situations.
4. Faith: faith without works is dead.
5: Action: God wants men and women of action.
6. Prayer and Fasting: We are responsible for keeping the fires on the altars of our devotional lives burning through constant prayer. Then the fire of the Holy Spirit will never go out.
7: Love: We have to surround all that we have mentioned until this point with love.
Well, I think that this is a really helpful list to think on!
What do you think?
Psalm 36
Well, seeing as me and Kurt are loving the Psalms at the moment I thought I would let you all in on another of my current favourites!
Psalm 36:8
They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of your house
And you give them drink from the river of your pleasures (NKJV)
God has a river of pleasure from which he gives us drink! He is a God of pleasure and of joy!
Man, I really love God!
Psalm 36:8
They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of your house
And you give them drink from the river of your pleasures (NKJV)
God has a river of pleasure from which he gives us drink! He is a God of pleasure and of joy!
Man, I really love God!
Sunday, April 30, 2006
BBQ
Just returned from the annual family BBQ at the Parson's in Southampton.
We had a great time and the food was delicious as always!
Got some pictures on my Zenith and Reuben broke our digital camera!!
Had some further thoughts about church stuff and will endeavour to write about this tomorrow.
We had a great time and the food was delicious as always!
Got some pictures on my Zenith and Reuben broke our digital camera!!
Had some further thoughts about church stuff and will endeavour to write about this tomorrow.
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Psalm 16:11
You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
I have been loving this verse lately!!
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
I have been loving this verse lately!!
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Stories
One thing that I wanted to share with everyone here was something that we all felt as a result of being in India. We realised that one of best ways of communicating with people especially about the Kingdom of God is through stories.
We should be telling our own stories to demonstrate the continuing work of God in our lives and we should be telling stories about Jesus more when preaching and teaching people.
In fact I would venture as far as to say that our primary method of teaching should be through the use of stories. Jesus himself did this! Andy and I would like to try a few talks where all we do is tell a few of the Jesus stories and nothing else! How cool would that be? Jesus usually never explained his stories, except to his disciples later, but the crowds were left to mull the stories (parables) over and figure them out for themselves. As Jesus said those who have ears, let them hear.
So I am going back into the gospels in a new fresh way, learning the stories that Jesus told and the stories involving him. I am trying to look at them from new perspectives and engage with what God says through them. I am trying to have ears that let me hear!
We should be telling our own stories to demonstrate the continuing work of God in our lives and we should be telling stories about Jesus more when preaching and teaching people.
In fact I would venture as far as to say that our primary method of teaching should be through the use of stories. Jesus himself did this! Andy and I would like to try a few talks where all we do is tell a few of the Jesus stories and nothing else! How cool would that be? Jesus usually never explained his stories, except to his disciples later, but the crowds were left to mull the stories (parables) over and figure them out for themselves. As Jesus said those who have ears, let them hear.
So I am going back into the gospels in a new fresh way, learning the stories that Jesus told and the stories involving him. I am trying to look at them from new perspectives and engage with what God says through them. I am trying to have ears that let me hear!
Monday, April 24, 2006
Back from India
Well we are now back from India. We had an absolutley fantastic time and saw and did some incredible things. God was really with us the whole way and encouraged us throughout the trip. I am taking some time to reflect on all that happened and all that God said and is saying about the trip and the future relationship with Janaki and FIAM. I think that there will be some stuff that I hold in my heart for a while and others tht I will write about on this blog. Either way please keep reading as i disseminate the stories our our trip!
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Podcast number 9
Hi guys, nearly a new rodgers on the block!!
This week's show has some great tunes on it and some interesting news for all the fans of John's blog!!
This week's show has some great tunes on it and some interesting news for all the fans of John's blog!!
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Pocast 8
Hi guys, a fairly short one this week but including some excellent theme tunes!
Dave and Jax are due soon!!! Good luck and lots of prayers!
JR
Dave and Jax are due soon!!! Good luck and lots of prayers!
JR
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Podcast Number 7 from John
Hi guys, thanks for the reminders to get things goin again on the podcast front!
Jax, I hope you enjoy this weeks show! It has you request on it!!
JR
Jax, I hope you enjoy this weeks show! It has you request on it!!
JR
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Back to school
Just gone back to school today. Not bad so far, was actually quite looking forward to it, even though that seems strange!
Went to the gymn this morning! Don't you love these crazy New Year's resolutions!
Check out the new pics I added on the bottom of the old ones. Pip was harassing me to get some new ones on there!
Went to the gymn this morning! Don't you love these crazy New Year's resolutions!
Check out the new pics I added on the bottom of the old ones. Pip was harassing me to get some new ones on there!
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
This is what we vowed!
Fool that I am, I vow my whole life, all that I have and all that I am to be true to Christ in the grace and help of our Holy Spirit for every day the Father grants me. I vow to live for Christ and to have a heart that cries “One thing I desire of the Lord, that I may dwell in your temple and gaze upon your beauty”. So help me God.
Weak as I am, I vow my whole life to be kind to people: to see Christ in others, to serve Christ in others and to show Christ to others in the joy and help of the Holy Spirit for the glory of our Father. I vow to invest all that I have in others. So help me God.
Small as I am and wherever I am, I vow my life to the Gospel of Christ. I vow to offer myself on behalf of the broken and poor in the power and help of the Spirit, giving my whole life that you might be loved in every language, tribe and nation, especially the UK and Europe in our generation for the glory of our Father. I will not live for myself. So help me God.
This was adapted from the original (comtemporary) vows taken by Justin and Pete et al.
Weak as I am, I vow my whole life to be kind to people: to see Christ in others, to serve Christ in others and to show Christ to others in the joy and help of the Holy Spirit for the glory of our Father. I vow to invest all that I have in others. So help me God.
Small as I am and wherever I am, I vow my life to the Gospel of Christ. I vow to offer myself on behalf of the broken and poor in the power and help of the Spirit, giving my whole life that you might be loved in every language, tribe and nation, especially the UK and Europe in our generation for the glory of our Father. I will not live for myself. So help me God.
This was adapted from the original (comtemporary) vows taken by Justin and Pete et al.
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Podcast 6
Hi guys,
hope you enjoy the latest offering from the bat cave.
This week we have studio guests and more theme tunes!
Also we talk about Dave!!
hope you enjoy the latest offering from the bat cave.
This week we have studio guests and more theme tunes!
Also we talk about Dave!!
2006
Well the new year is here!
I have had a great christmas with visits from and to lots of relatives.
The kids had a great time with their pressies! Reuben is now 4 (I am 29) and he was looking forward to Cristmas becasue he now understnads time passing and future events. I was so excited for them and we had a great time on the day!
The biggest thing to happen in this time was that I took some Vows with Andy Frost and have joined the Order of the Mustard Seed. Justin Blake helped us to do it which was great!
We did it on New Years eve in a Pub called The Sanctuary just round the corner from Methodist Central Hall.
I will post the details of what we vowed soon.
My motto for this year is "To have a life well lived"
With plans for India and Brazil progressing and the Gap Year Team and other stuff it shuld be an interesting year!
I have had a great christmas with visits from and to lots of relatives.
The kids had a great time with their pressies! Reuben is now 4 (I am 29) and he was looking forward to Cristmas becasue he now understnads time passing and future events. I was so excited for them and we had a great time on the day!
The biggest thing to happen in this time was that I took some Vows with Andy Frost and have joined the Order of the Mustard Seed. Justin Blake helped us to do it which was great!
We did it on New Years eve in a Pub called The Sanctuary just round the corner from Methodist Central Hall.
I will post the details of what we vowed soon.
My motto for this year is "To have a life well lived"
With plans for India and Brazil progressing and the Gap Year Team and other stuff it shuld be an interesting year!
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