I’ve been cruising blogs this morning – I started on Tim Brownlee’s blog (see last post) and started jumping from link – to link – to link – a sort of three-dimensional web that led me to lots of new places, fascinating people, and even back to a few blogs I already read (six degrees of separation, anyone?)

Found two things of interest to everyone who’s following the Lakeland Revival/Todd Bentley and the issues therein:

The first, from Pray the Revolution, discusses heresy hunters and bereans. Good take on it.

The second, from the Prayer Room blog, talks about Todd’s comments on his situation, through Rick Joyner. I’m copying the relevant portion here – but the rest of what Rick has to say is important, too.

Todd Bentley asked me to convey his appreciation for all the prayers, expressions of love, and concern while he tries to navigate through this present situation. He is grieved by the trouble and confusion this has caused, especially to his friends, coworkers, and all who have trusted him. He wants to make a clear statement about it, acknowledging his responsibility in this and the mistakes he made, but he feels that he should first meet with Pastor Bill Johnson, who is out of the country and will not be available for a couple more weeks. He asks that you would continue to pray for him, and he thanks those who are willing to be patient. He wants to do this right and not hastily or superficially.

 

So I woke up this morning with the IHOP daily devotional on the television. I auto-tune it at night before we go to bed to come on at six. I’ve become very zealous about what filters into my subconscious, but I really have a hard time sleeping without background noise. Too much time spent in the city, I guess. So I turn the telly on low volume and select shows that aren’t going to invade my mind with terrible images. Then I wake up to the music on the daily devotional and start off my day praising God. This morning’s first song was, “All I want is You – All I crave is You.” (Misty Edwards) I seldom get to watch the whole thing because I’m helping Ken get ready for work, but it’s there in the background and is always good stuff.

Anyway, for some reason my first fully cognizant thought as I stumbled out here to make the coffee was, “I bet a lot of people wonder why the House of Prayer movement does what it does” (If you aren’t familiar with the House of Prayer movement, they’re folks who pray and praise God 24/7/365, in a highly organized fashion. They call their method “harp and bowl” after a verse in Revelation 5:8; it’s basically prayer and worship together, in responsive fashion. See ihop.org for more info)

Our church isn’t affiliated with IHOP in any way, but I’ve been extremely blessed by their ministry on GodTV and their website. A friend’s church is seeking to go to 24/7 prayer but I haven’t seen him for longer than ten seconds to inquire if it’s on the same format or what (Theirs is an AoG church – a bit different doctrine than the HOPs at one major juncture (eschatology))

So I was sitting here sipping my coffee and coming into wakefulness. My morning routine consists of getting Ken’s breakfast, packing lunch, laying out clothes for him, and then sitting here at the computer running through my email and feed reader for about 15 minutes until the coffee hits. :) Lo and behold, this morning there was a long post from Tim Brownlee of “Not So Daily Timmy” titled, “MY HOUSE” shall be called a house of prayer…. that addresses this very question from an insider’s perspective.

Here’s a great little excerpt:

Isaiah 56:7 clearly says that God’s house is to be a House of Prayer for all nations. If something is called by a particular name that should mean that’s what it is known as.

Now, there’s something to consider: Is YOUR church known as a house of prayer (or is it just called that?) I’m not arguing that everyone needs to shift to this 24/7 format – but perhaps we need a major shift of focus in what we’re doing, how we’re doing it, and why we’re doing it…

Aug 232008
 

I noted this more than once when I was at ExWitch – why is it that out of all of the comments and commenters, the ones I have to censor are from people calling themselves Christians?

[and everyone WILL note that I’m perfectly agreeable with folks who disagree with my opinions on things. I’m only giving the boot to the absolutely irascible.

Can anyone answer that?

Eeesh.

 

Jules posted a couple of links to commentaries about Todd Bentley in the Lakeland Leadership Lessons post.

Here’s more information, along with commentary, from Peter Kirk’s Gentle Wisdom blog: Todd Bentley’s Apostolic Oversight Team in Action

In response to Jules’ question – “I’m not interested in swooping round the net to find salacious gossip; I’m trying to sort out in my own mind what went wrong where and what lessons can be learned.” — to be honest, I’m not sure we’ll ever know the whole story. And, I’m not sure that we should. Whether TB repents or not, whether TB is restored or not, do we – even though we’re brethren – have the “right” to every detail, whether lurid or mundane, of another’s life?? To be honest, I’m starting to see parallels between TB and the media’s treatment of, say, Paris Hilton and Brittney Spears. I mean, who CARES if PH got her puppy’s legs waxed yesterday? The whole TB debacle is taking on that level of paparazzi-fever.

Meanwhile, SLW at the Sound of Thunder blog has a VERY interesting take on the topic of BIBLICAL discipline: “How do you mend a broken part?” It’s almost certain to incite a riot in some circles. I found one of his commenters – ironically named “Todd” – He says (in part): I found myself angry at the Biblical method of dealing with a transgressor. I wanted justice, not mercy and forgiveness! How quickly we forget the mercy of our Savior!

Wow. That’s telling about the church as a whole. How many are crying out for justice – rather than mercy?

Zechariah 7:9 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Execute true justice, Show mercy and compassion Everyone to his brother.’”

Amen.

 

I’ve been carefully contemplating what Jules in particular has had to say about my stance on heresy hunters. I’ve known Jules for years, respect her opinion, and would trust her with my life. That’s not to say that I agree with her on everything in the universe – I don’t think that’s possible for any two people to do anyways! – but her words have given me pause to consider.

I haven’t said much about it (and perhaps should have stated my intentions) because I wanted some time to reflect and pray.

So I have a question that’s come up.

Suppose I decided to tackle the issue of Mormons, or Jehovah’s Witnesses, or the folks who call themselves “Christian” Wiccans… and I said, categorically, “these people are NOT saved.”

Would anyone here object? Why/why not?

How about if I tackled the issue of Fred Phelps and his Westboro Baptist Church (the folks who protest military funerals and wander about with “God hates fags” signs), and said that he’s not a Christian.

Objections? Why/why not?

I’m just curious.

Kay Sharpe


I'm a laid-down lover of Jesus Christ. I write about my King and His Kingdom, the Bible, revival, healing, prophecy, faith, and more... plus I throw in recipes, tips, news and politics items, reviews, and all sorts of random things just for fun. Until recently, I was known as "Kathi"... but my name is now Kay. It's a good, God thing... :) The opinions expressed in this blog are mine and mine only - not necessarily shared by my husband, our church, my employers, or anyone else.

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