check the vital signs

"...teaching in today's church is producing limited results. Teaching is good only where there's life to be channeled. If the listeners are in a spiritual coma, what we're telling them may be fine and orthodox, but unfortunately, spiritual life cannot be taught. Pastors and churches have to get uncomfortable enough to say, 'We are not New Testament Christians if we don't have a prayer life.'"
~Jim Cymbala, Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire, 50.

missional thought for the day

What would it look like if my local faith community [or The Wesleyan Church for that matter] partnered with Alcoholics Anonymous to provide time and space for A.A. meetings?

spiritual power & healing

I really enjoy reading MacNutt. Chapter 8, "The Faith to be Healed" gave me some very interesting points to reflect on. First there is the beautiful quote from Ken Hagin where he wrote that we need to open the Word to the sick, and the Word makes its way to the other person's spirit, and as they meditate upon it, they will see that by Jesus' stripes they are healed. Then he says [and this is just beautiful] "I have seen them with every symptom still present say, 'I'm healed.'" That is amazing faith - faith in Jesus. Can you imagine if we all responded in that way???

I was really struck by what MacNutt says on page 101, "Each of us must really search out where we are, and learn to pray in a style that suits the reality of our own personal healing ministry...Do not pretend to be better than you are! Develop your own style as the Spirit leads you." I appreciate this practical advice. I've made it a point to pray more frequently for healing in some people's lives, and while there are some good models for healing prayer, I'm relieved that I can work out my own style - something that fits my personality and faith.

MacNutt continues, "Use whatever gifts you have...and above all, love people, and you may yet see miracles" (102). Yes, above all, LOVE PEOPLE!

spiritual power, healing, and the "w"

A few week ago, I had the privilege of meeting and hearing speak, Ted and Claudia Kallman, who together lead a prayer and healing ministry at Mars Hill Bible Church in nearby Grandville, MI. This is an amazing couple who are filled with amazing stories of how God has answered prayers of healing through their ministry. On any given Wednesday night, hundreds of people come to the "W" at Mars for prayer and healing. The Kallmans estimate that 60-70% of the people they pray for are healed both instantly and progressively. While I recognize that God has anointed this couple in a special way, The W is a place where people from all over West MI come to worship and pray for healing.

I am planning on attending a worship and healing service at The W tomorrow night to observe and participate. I am anxiously anticipating what God will do. As a matter of fact - the day the Kallmans came to my class to speak, a class mate of mine told the class that he was prompted by God to wait for class to begin before we prayed with him for his neck pain. Ted and Claudia affirmed that his patience in waiting was a sign that God indeed want to heal my friend of his pain. So our small class "swarmed" my friend in prayer and the best part was - God showed up and healed my friend from his pain.

I believe with all my heart that God wants to heal us today and make us whole - if only we'd pray more insistently and boldly for healing.

on leadership

Leadership requires disturbing people - but at a rate they can absorb.
~by Heifetz & Linsky, Leadership on the Line, 20.