A Glimpse of Death to Make You Glad Your Alive!!

I have never been afraid to state my opinion. Coming from a family who don't talk that openly about a lot of things, it's something I have tried to counteract in my adult life. However the trouble with stating an opinion is that you are faced with a dilemma if you are proved wrong. You either ignore it and pretend that you didn't state your original opinion or you confess you were wrong and show evidence to the contrary. I took time to state my unhappiness with Mark Driscoll's ministry and why I wouldn't be going to "Together on a Mission" this July - but Terry Virgo and Luke Wood between them managed to convince me that the price would be too costly to miss Brighton altogether! So I admitted that.

Just so with my concern on an over-emphasis on the Cross of Christ. I have always been somewhat bothered with SGM's preference in this area. "We will never move beyond the Cross" and so on and so on. Ern Baxter preached a masterful sermon on the "Neglect of Resurrection" and I think that is still a problem. Surely Cross and Resurrection must stand of necessity together. If we are going to use the "Cross" as shorthand for the "Gospel" then let's be clear in preaching to make plain that there is more to the picture than Jesus hanging broken and bleeding on the Cross. The story didn't end there! Because if it had done our faith "would be in vain".

I am thrilled therefore to see that C J Mahaney took time to preach on this recently (HT: Tony Reinke) - the video just won't play on this website so here is the link. To make up for this lack of video footage I thought I would post some far more awesome quotes from Rob's last sermon on "Resurrection Power" - this is from "Invading the Impossible Part 11"!

"The Resurrection is more than a historical fact, it's more than a doctrine - it has to be a daily life experience ... When the Resurrection is preached not just as a historical fact, not just as doctrine but when it is preached with apostolic revelation of how the power of the resurrection relates to daily living then you will see much grace come upon the Church and great power for the miraculous will be manifested in the Church".

Great stuff.

And finally I've been relatively quiet this weekend because I had a near-death encounter that somewhat shook me up. I was driving down the M25 to a engagement and was in the fast lane (travelling under the speed limit for the cynics among you!) and my driver's front wheel blew out. I have never had this happen to me before so was somewhat terrified by the very loud bang and the resulting chaos. I must testify however to the manifest Presence of God in the car and on me at the time. I felt absolutely no terror or fear (until it was all over and I was a bit shaky!) - and I absolutely knew that it was not my time to die ... yet. Henceforth I was absolutely safe.

Those who know more about cars than I do tell me that I am incredibly fortunate - apparantly a driver's wheel blowing out at that speed should have caused at least an impressive overturning of the car but I absolutely knew that angels were present in the car enabling me to keep some degree of control over the car. My dear friend Julie said something very profound in an email to me when I told her about it - that I think is true:

"I'm convinced for every time we're aware of our lives being saved there are many more we're unaware of. Every time I drive by an accident that has happened minutes before I think of things that delayed me at the last minute and kept me from possibly being on that spot to be in the accident. It does shake you up though! The devil can't get rid of you that easily though I can see why he'd give it a shot!".

Here's the offending tyre!

Re-Thinking Brighton

Everyone is well aware of my outspoken views and opinions on Mark Driscoll. I've always been aware of Driscoll's ministry from a distance but have never really got into it in much depth. However our paths became crossed when firstly my parent's church began to have a lot more to do with Mark Driscoll and his "style" of ministry - and then of course the announcement that Mark Driscoll was coming to "Together on a Mission 2008" - effectively ensuring I wouldn't be. However ...

No I am not changing my mind. I've still got no desire to hear Mark Driscoll live particularly although I am beginning to appreciate benefits to what he has to bring to the church. I read his interview for the Newfrontiers magazine with interest. The questions (as always) are so telling. For example, what would you say if you were asked; "Given your vantage point, what would you predict for the development of evangelicalism in the West over the coming 20 years?". In light of all I am learning about the true New Covenant from Rob Rufus's teaching (as well as Terry Virgo, Bill Johnson, Larry Tomczak and others) - I would agree with Driscoll's first point about the gospel. But then he says this;

"And call for dudes to act dudely".

And suddenly I know why I am not going to Brighton for the whole week. However gifted and useful to the Church Mark Driscoll maybe, I really don't want to grow and model myself on the kind of manhood he is propagating. I would rather learn from a website like; "After God's Own Heart" - and the plenty of positive male role models there are in the church who AREN'T ashamed to participate in all the activities that Driscoll would see as "un-dudely" (such as crying, singing intimate love songs to Jesus Christ and generally being quite comfortable with displaying affections and emotions).

That being said!

I have realised that I cannot miss being in the awesome atmosphere that is Brighton just because of one speaker. I got an amazing text today from my dear friend Luke which blessed me beyond words. The fact that he was courageous enough to text me what He believed was on God's heart challenged me. Newfrontiers is a people I need to be part of and among! They are the most faith-building people I have been privilidged to meet! I can't miss that. I can't miss the God-honouring worship that Kate Simmonds will lead us in.

So although we're not going to book for the entire week at the conference I have in fact booked the week off and we will probably be in and around Brighton. If there's room we will probably go for a few day visits and get to experience a taste of the worship and the Newfrontiers apostolic and prophetic speakers. I first thought when I heard about Mark Driscoll going to Brighton - that 2008 would be conference-less for myself. However in the lavish grace and providence of God that's no longer the case! But I still can't miss at least being at Brighton ... it's been too foundational in my life and to miss it - is a price to great to pay! I've got no shame in admitting I was wrong in declaring I wouldn't darken Brighton's doors while Driscoll was in town! I was wrong. If the manifest Presence of God is going to be welcomed and valued above all other factors then it doesn't matter WHO'S in town!

See you there Luke! And thanks again for being the voice of God's love to me today through prophecy when I needed it most! :-)

"Together on a Mission" website available.

As has been promised for some time, Newfrontiers has finally made available the "Together on a Mission" website - offering a bit more detail into the upcoming conference in Brighton in July. Some of my friends have teased me in saying they have never seen me more interested in a conference that I am probably not going to this year. I would say that's pretty accurate! I'm not going because of lack of interest. I'm certainly not going because I can't be bothered! Surely anyone who has followed this blog for the last couple of years will remember that both Luke and I started building up to "Together on a Mission" as soon as booking opened and the details became clear! I'm not going because I can't afford it - God has been awesomely gracious in "miracle finances" since I moved back to Birmingham and I am more blessed now than I ever was in Bristol.

I'm not going to Brighton because I just can't give a good reason why I should be there.

I promised in my blog post looking at the main speaker, Mark Driscoll - (Humour vs Holy Spirit) that I would reserve judgement until more was known about the seminars and the other speakers. (Scott didn't feel so led as shown by his post here). Well that information is now available. Probably if Mark Driscoll was absent, the list of "home-grown" Newfrontiers speakers would have attracted me. There is;

Terry Virgo - UK

Stephen Van Rhyn - South Africa

Dave Stroud - UK

David Devenish - UK

P-J Smyth - South Africa

Dave Holden - UK

Guy Miller - UK

Wendy Virgo - UK

Mick Taylor - UK

Roger Smith - UK

Steve Oliver - South Africa

Jeremy Simpkins - UK

John Groves - UK

Greg Haslam - UK

John Hosier - UK

Ray Lowe - UK

Seminar subjects? Well other than "Developing Prophetic Gifts", there's no real explicit topics focusing on the Holy Spirit, His Presence and power, other gifts - and obviously a more recent passion of mine - the glory and manifest Presence of God Himself. The various topics are more cultural - certainly fitting in with the main speaker.

The worship? Ah the one thing both Scott and I agreed we will most definately miss if last years was anything to go by. Once again the wonderful Kate Simmonds assisted by Phatfish and Simon Brading are leading. I'll look forward to the CD next October though.

And of course Terry Virgo's invitation. That usually settles it for me. I still remember reading his glorious invitation to "Together on a Mission 2007" when Rob Rufus was returning. This year? Well there's a lot about Mark Driscoll (and not so much about the Presence of God this year - although hopefully that is assumed. Mind you, can you assume the Presence of God?);

"It's a special joy to be able to announce that our main visiting speaker this year is Mark Driscoll from Mars Hill, Seattle, USA. Mark has built a strong church of several thousands from a small nucleus in a short period of time. He is a man of great passion and remarkable gifting. The values that shape his ministry strongly reflect our own, and he expresses them with a passion and zeal that will inflame your own heart and help you to stir up the gift that's in you".

There may be still some arguments as to why I should be in Brighton next July that I haven't thought about. For example maybe I should expose myself to Mark Driscoll live and open myself to the fact he's not all bad. Well I never said he was all bad. I am sure that he has unique giftings and it's certainly not intially a bad thing that he upsets people. Upsetting people is better than apathy as long as there is a reason for them being upset. I was told recently that Mark Driscoll was actually attacked by a knife-wielding man in his church in Seattle. That's pretty shocking if he was simply expounding the Gospel and you have to admire him for his courage and bravery. If he was simply saying rude and abrasive things ...

I am certainly going to miss Brighton. It has been a conference that has probably contributed more to my spiritual life and walk with God than any other I've been to (and that maybe even includes Stoneleigh Bible Week). But I am more than ready to rejoice with those who do go with what I am sure God will do this year and will look forward to hearing the sessions on MP3. My path is just leading me a bit more abroad than Brighton in 2008.

Looking Forward by Looking Back!!

Well Scott and I have just booked our transport to get to Brighton on Saturday 7th July in time to hear Rob Rufus speak at CCK on the Sunday ... and then ... "Together on a Mission 2007" begins!! I know I'm not the only one getting excited. Joel Gill is too and he gave me a good idea as to how best prepare for what God will do this year. He provided his excellent summary reviews of the sessions last year and just reading them through reminded me of how much I have forgotten about the moving of the Spirit of God throughout that amazing week!

So here's a few of my highlights from "Together on a Mission" - last year!

Rob Rufus - Seminar 1.

"There are 3 essential components to a good wineskin 1. Authority Structures. 2. Biblical Vision - "To the Nations". 3. Biblical Values. We must not throw these values away if God comes in power!"

Rob Rufus - Seminar 2.

"We are not to look back and live in some triumphalistic euphoria about the past. For example, we are not to 1. Desire to go back to the days of Kathryn Kuhlman or Smith Wigglesworth but we are to desire to go forward to greater works! And 2. We are not to look back with disgust at the mistakes they made but to bless and honour the past".

Rob Rufus - Seminar 3.

"We were born for glory! There are possibilities of knowing Jesus of Nazareth at the right hand of the Father more intimately and in experiential closeness almost more intimately than the 12 disciples".

Rob Rufus - Main Session.

"An Encounter with God Delivers Us from Limiting Theology. Extreme Calvinism moves us towards passivism then fatalism. "Some use the doctrines of Calvin as a bed for laziness. But I use it as a couch for my refreshment" (C H Spurgeon)"

Dave Holden - Main Session.

"The reason Newfrontiers exists is because of an experience of the Holy Spirit" (John Hosier). This is surprising! Not our commitment to Ephesians 4 ministries, or even our commitment to church initially but an experience of the Spirit. If we have begun in the Spirit, and are trying to continue in the Spirit - then guess where we are going? In the Spirit! Our own experience of the Holy Spirit should make us want to get everyone to experience Him".

Then of course there were the amazing prophecies that were brought to the conference.

Terry Virgo called us to;

"Get ready for the Coming King! Don't be surprised at My coming. Don't feel out of step when the King comes marching along. Don't be forever skipping to try and catch the pase of this new step - this new march".

And also to;

"I want you to not always take the same journey home. Always the same route, always the same path. I want you to escape and look and see - experiment! I want you to move into territory where I am there. I am waiting for you out there. I am waiting for you where I can manifest to you My sufficiency in the unpredictable says the Lord".

John Groves brought an amazing prophecy exploring the wonders of God's creation while Ginny Burgin caused shockwaves to go around the auditorium as she prophecied that the call of God was to wake up!

And finally the worship was wonderfully and sensatively led by Kate Simmonds and Stuart Townend along with Evan Rodgers. My highlight there was to enter into the throne room of heaven singing "Draw Me Close to You" ... yes it does seem possible to be able to draw near to God singing a song so widely disliked by evangelicals. But also the anthem of the week - "Yours is the Kingdom!". As Luke said - you cannot help but be stirred as Kate Simmonds opened the song with her shout; "Let's give glory to God this morning; all the glory is His!"

So there we have it. What a week.

Am I hoping for the "same again?". No - I will be disappointed if it is simply "the same again". Another year - another conference - another CD. God has promised and suggested so much. Hope is rampant across the nation. Prayers have been rising for months. God has to come in power! We gather to worship Him and nothing less than His Presence and glory will do!

PS: I have updated the "Charismatic Resurgence" post - which was long overdue. Go read it! There are some awesome articles and links to follow!

The Ethics of Spirit-Filled Blogging

I wouldn't have dreamt about writing a post on the 'art' of blogging because I still count myself as a huge novice in this area. In the past if anyone has come to me and asked "How do I start" or "What do I write", I have always pointed them to bloggers like Tim Challies or Adrian Warnock - who are established, respected and influential bloggers with a vast amount of experience. However as is usual with me a few key posts have brought some thoughts together in my head on this subject so I thought I would write them down. Pete Day's recent and excellent post, "Fueling the charismatic resurgence" made me wonder if people might be asking, "Well how DO I write a charismatic post!?". But then two incidents made me reflect on the "Anonymous" aspect to blogging - Luke's post, "The Drill-Down of Anonymity" and a flood of comments in a recent post of mine.

How does one cover those two subjects in one post? Well let's start off with the negatives - What Spirit-filled blogging ISN'T.

a. Spirit-Filled Blogging isn't Anonymous (Luke 6:32-49).

Luke wrote quite rightly that;

"...to publicly align myself with a group or a theological view without the accountability for the reader of knowing my identity would be like trying to have a staring match with a pillowcase over your head: you might be staring magnificently, but the achievement of that is lost; you might make a wonderful argument but its urgency and power is lost".

Anonymous blogging and anonymous comments both seem to have the same effect I've noticed. On the one hand anonymous writing on the internet brings a measure of security and safety. You can say what you like and no-one knows who you are. But I have also noticed that anonymous writing on the internet brings incredible suspicion. We all do it. As soon as an anonymous comment is left on mine - or anyone else's blog - the immediate question is, "Who wrote this?". Especially if the comment is vindictive or particularly negative.

Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones told up and coming preachers that when he received correspondance through the post he would immediately look and see if it was signed and who it was from. If it wasn't signed, he would throw it in the bin. I wonder if he would do the same thing with anonymous comments or posts if he were alive and interacting on the internet today?

If you are tempted to write a comment or a post anonymously then heed Adrian Warnock's wise advice;

"So why not bin that post and then write another one that responds with grace where there is arrogance, humility where there is snarkiness, peace where their is rancour, and yet doesnt shy away from tackling the many difficult and important issues we can helpfully discuss online".

I know he was addressing post writers but surely the same counsel could apply to those who leave comments. It troubles me that a church pastor felt the need to publicly defend himself because he felt he was under suspicion for writing anonymous comments, when surely his time could be better well-spent in prayer and study for his up-coming Sunday sermon? I'm not quite sure that the benefits for anonymous posting and commenting outweigh the negatives.

But now the positives. What Spirit-filled blogging IS.

b. Spirit-filled blogging is faith inspiring.

The term "charismatic resurgence" of blogging has been bandied around these parts for the last month or so thanks to Jesse. But what does it actually mean in practice? Well Jesse didn't just come up with that phrase and not help us any further. In true theologian style he helped define it;

"... if blogs could contribute to a reformed resurgence, could not the blogosphere also contribute to a charismatic resurgence, particularly by increasing people's faith for gifts such as prophecy, faith, miracles or healing?".

Surely true Spirit-filled blogging will be unpacking the Scriptures and increasing people's faith with accounts of what God has done and is doing in their lives. I found Sarah's two posts on the recent Newfrontiers Prayer and Fasting days incredibly faith-building because she was testifying to what God is doing here and now. That's why I think live-blogging (or as live-blogging as is possible) from charismatic conferences like "Together on a Mission 2007" is a great concept and I hope is done so that those who can't be present can here what God is doing.

c. Spirit-filled blogging asks the Holy Spirit what should be written.

While I agree in part with Luke's post on "Stickability" - namely that it is a good thing to try and write as regularly as possible, and with Pete's post, "Fueling the charismatic resurgence" and his simple encouragement, "PUBLISH!" - I think there is a danger with trying to write so regularly and maintain such a huge publishing output.

Namely that we move from writing what the Spirit of God wants into what we want just so that our blog will show up as "updated" on other people's blogrolls.

Let me re-emphasise that I do think regular publishing is good and helpful. I am so excited by the charismatic blogging resurgence - that people everywhere (and not just church pastors) are writing of the great things that God has accomplished and will accomplish. But let us be wary too of the ever-present disease of legalism (that Julie has been warning us of regularly!) that will make us feel guilty if we don't keep up with our friends who are blogging more regularly than we are.

When we sit down at our computers, let's just wait a minute and welcome the Holy Spirit into the room to sit with us and guide us. I have found myself recently biking too and from working and asking the Spirit if He has got anything He wants to say. Because surely if our blog reflects His heart and His passion, then it will be a lot more effective than if it reflects our heart and our passion (and that's not to say that I'm against personal blogging particularly! Like Luke I find it "powerful and welcoming").

d. Spirit-filled blogging will often be reflected all over the world.

This is honestly true. Just as I was writing this post and looking for a few links, my friend Luke has just published a post called "Strange Coincidences?". And he said exactly what I was about to write! Let me quote what he wrote because he said it far better anyway;

"Over the last few days there have been a number of other bloggers who have said what has been on my mind (without realising it I presume!). Part of me wonders whether this happens because I read bloggers whose minds work in a similar way to mine. But another part of me is secretly and quietly excited that in God there are no such 'coincidences'".

When God has got something to say, I don't think He restricts it to one or two prophets anymore. The Spirit has been poured out lavishly and freely upon the whole Church and "Would that ALL God's people were prophets!" rings true here. Time and again I too (like Luke) have come to write something and found it on one of the blogs that I read regularly and enjoy. That excites me too! Because it shows that God is speaking to me - but it also shows that God has a message He will get out by whatever means and through any child of His that is listening.

So there we have it. Let me repeat - I'm a novice and I'm rubbish at technology. I can't get my blog looking posh or flash like other peoples. But I hope some of those thoughts may be useful somewhere to somebody.

Have an AWESOME Spirit-filled Sunday and may God in His grace pour out His Spirit upon your church today!! :)

PS: Just to show that I'm not all talk ... I have changed my profile name from "Baxter's Boy" to my real name. I know that most people by now know who I am but for the sake of any new visitors and for the sake of showing I am not going to hide behind any pillowcase - here I am!

Update to the Charismatic Resurgence Post and some Blogspotting!!

Charismatic Resurgence.

I've updated the "Charismatic Resurgence Resource" post with a couple of new additions as well as adding my favourite "Baptism in Spirit" quotes to the "Underlined Bits" blog. I have also tried to tidy up the "Spirit of God!" blog a bit by dividing my links (which I now call "Hot Coals of Fire!" - inspired by this guy and his lightening rods!) and a link to the cumulative post above. There is some awesome material coming through thanks to my friends - especially Julie. My other awesome friend Luke Wood is vowing to write daily so it looks like I am going to have my work cut out for me trying to keep up with what the Holy Spirit is doing across the nations!

So with that in mind, I am thrilled that Pete Day is going to be joining me as an author on the "Spirit of God!" blog so he can have the freedom to add posts as he discovers them. I hope that by doubling the work force, I can ensure that this post becomes a useful resource again for anyone like me who is desperately hungry for the Spirit to come like a tidal wave across our barren nations and flood us in revival power!

For anyone who doesn't believe the Holy Spirit really does that anymore - let me re-quote Sarah's description of what happened at Prayer and Fasting;

"I have never been so aware of the Spirits touch on my life, as Rob (Rufus) requested the 'fire of God' waves of his presence filled the room...again...and again...and again...!!"

And in Other News ...

For any who are like me and have missed "Prophetically Speaking" it is a thrill to know that Jesse will be posting shortly! He writes that he has now graduated from SGM Pastor's College and will be moving back home. His wonderful mother makes a comment that was news to me ... apparantly moving from Maryland to Florida is not "cross-country". It highly amused me as it is exactly something my mum would say. Obviously home-schooling mother's across the globe make observations in a similar loving fashion! Although my mum wouldn't know how to leave a comment on my blog. I'm not sure she would know how to find my blog actually ... Anyway his first post looks set to be key;

"My first post will be to report on a class I attended at the church, "Leading your children in the baptism in the Holy Spirit." It was excellent. Details forthcoming".

This is a vital issue! One of the seminars I am most looking forward to at Together on a Mission in July is Terry Virgo preaching on "How to Lead People into the Baptism of the Spirit". Those of us who hold a classical Pentecostal position on this are in danger of spending so much time defending the "When" question that we could be abandoning actually praying for those close to us to receive this awesome experience of the assurance of sonship.

Janelle is live-blogging from the New Attitude Conference (the youth SGM conference) and reports on an important sounding session by Mark Dever. It was called; "Discern Your Doctrine". I think in light of Julie's challenge about Christians not constantly being at each other's throats, this sounds like very wise pastoral advice on how to decide what's worth fighting over and what isn't. His points;

"1) How clear is it in Scripture? 2) How clear is it to others that we trust? 3) How near is it to the Gospel? 4) What would the effects be if we allow disagreement?".

Luke Wood is making it big in the blogging world! A comment from Tim Challies and a mention from Adrian Warnock - can you make it any further?! Seriously I am going to try and follow his advice as far as possible and blog more regularly.

New Community Church in Sidcup pastored by Matt Hosier and where Dave Holden is based have been running a blog this month. It seems that Matt and Dave Holden both contribute to it. While it is obviously primarily aimed at their church with local news, as one would expect that is some awesome writing, news and stuff worth reading there. Dave Holden wrote a great deal about his time out in Africa supporting the churches there. This quote of Matt Hosier's really challenged me;

"The greatest day in your life and mine is when we take total responsibility for our attitudes. That’s the day we truly grow up.”Let’s be people with good attitude. While we will never coach a football team to European glory we can all make a decision to approach life with a winners attitude, giving thanks to God for his amazing love, grace and mercy".

And finally ... the photo is of my newest beautiful niece. I am a very proud uncle and think my sister is just absolutely wonderful! I found myself marvelling at God's awesome Creation all over again!

Kingdom Business

Its come to that time when I post the odd blog with some links of various other blogs that I have noticed along with some updates for this site. I usually allow this kind of post to mount up till I have got enough of sufficient value to say rather than dredging the internet for anything to fill the space up.

Updates on "Life on Wings".

I have updated the "Archive" page - deleting some posts and adding others.

Ern Baxter transcripts: I have added "The Kadesh Crisis" and "The Land".

Other posts: It's now becoming something of a tradition for me to summarise the latest Newfrontiers magazine so I have indexed the Oct-Dec, Jan-March, April-June magazines.

Links: I've added Christchurch, London - as I wrote before it's a dangerous place to be and there's a lot happening in our capital!

The "Underlined Bits" Archive (fathered by Mark Heath) is growing considerably and is becoming a resource suitable for many pastors I would guess. I'm doing my best to keep up with those sound, orthodox guys!

Dr Sam Storms has been re-added. I've forgiven him now he has cleaned up his site a bit and has began a blog. He's going to be back at the Life in the Spirit Conference next year as well.

Blogspotting:

Peter Cockrell has begun a new blog - his last one managed two posts and stopped last year. I've mentioned him every now and then on this blog. Peter was assistant pastor to Dr Stanley Jebb at my old home church - New Covenant Church in Dunstable. He then moved to Lansdowne, West Norwood in London where he trained up my best friend Pete Day. He is now pastor of a church in Worthing. He's a big fan of SGM and John Piper.

I know this is cheating a bit but I've posted on the "Spirit of God!" blog. I was walking home a few days ago and I had quite a vivid picture about dandelions.

Much to the delight of all T4G fans, the book of the conference has been published and is available. It's called, "Preaching the Cross". The contributers are the speakers so Mohler, Dever, Duncan, Macarthur, Piper et al. It's a hardback book which will please us hardback lovers and Crossway price it at about $20. I am sure that Amazon will make it available soon but I heard that the delegates at the recent SGM Leaders Conference all got a copy free. I do think they should hand out books at Together on a Mission ... ;)

George Kouri, my new awesome friend from the USA has posted an outstanding transcript of his message entitled; "God's Agenda for the 21st Century". It is an absolutely key apostolic message that should be heard far and wide. He shows ably why Ern Baxter said of him, "George Kouri's teaching on the kingdom is the best I have ever seen". He ministered this word in Alberta in Canada. Here's a few quotes that caught my eye;

"God is pouring out His Spirit today! He is reviving, restoring and reforming His Church! Contrary to what many believe today the Church is not on the brink of destruction, nor on the threshold of the Second Coming of the Lord! Instead we are on the threshold of a new millennium of unprecedented opportunity and challenge!".

"There can be no true apostolic reformation of the Church in the 21st century without a restoration of the foundational revelation entrusted to those original apostles in the first century!"

"The greatest problem facing the 21st century is not the problem of evil! The greatest problem then is the problem of a divided church; our division keeps Christ’s Church from effectively combating and counter-acting evil and influencing and discipling the nations!"

"Emerging apostles must first: recognize, honor and submit to one another in the Lord; second, we must learn to seek the Lord together, so that together we might truly understand and recover the foundational revelation of Christ and His Kingdom entrusted to the original Apostles; and third, we must also work together as brothers to restore the fellowship or communion of the apostles, a fully functioning apostolate and global eldership, so that together, we might not only extend Christ’s Kingdom throughout the earth, but also reform His Church as One! "

Go read the whole thing - it won't take you long and it is well worth it!

Pete Day is building up a helpful compilation of reports from the sessions at the recent Life in the Spirit conference. Sam Storm's sessions: one, two and three. Dave Smith on Dreams - Part 1 and Part 2.

And my great friend Luke has presented a fascinating history of Winchester Family Church. Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3. I loved reading it! I find myself marvelling at the awesome grace of God, how He takes each of His churches in different ways but leads them as they are willing deeper into Him. It is the Church! The Hope of the World!

"Ditch Diggers Revival" - Full Text Available!

I have had a few problems trying to access the Ern Baxter documents that Google Reader are hosting for me. I'm not sure why this is (being the technical dummy that I am) but I was really concerned that this would mean that some are not able to read the outstanding sermon of Ern's that I posted recently.

"Ditch Diggers Revival" MUST be read! It simply is essential preparation for the People of God in hoping and waiting that He will come down! I have therefore posted the whole transcript here. You have no excuses now!

In the same vein, I am so grateful that Luke Wood made mention of Terry Virgo's latest sermon that he preached at Church of Christ the King in Brighton. Terry's text was from Exodus 4 and it was about the vital place of "leaving the past behind". I was so utterly challenged by the following quote that Luke made available for us:

"Sometimes people carry a lot of pain, and I want to encourage you... will you let go of it? Don't carry pain; don't carry unforgiveness. Because sometimes we feel we've got the upper hand; if we won't forgive we feel like we've got power over people. You say "no I won't forgive them, I'm not going to let them off, I'm not going to let go."

You [should] say, "No, I freely forgive."Will you do it? It's a choice, you know. The Godly life has a lot to do with making good choices, not only in places you go and what you do with your money, but choices about attitude, forgiving people, letting them off the hook, not carrying it with you through your life... are you still carrying unforgiveness towards anybody? Are you going to carry it through this year as well? I want to appeal to you... let's deal with it."

The sermon I heard by John Hosier recently strongly condemned the error of waiting passively for revival. Here from Terry and from Ern are key ways in which the People of God can ensure that we do not simply wait in hope "gazing into heaven" but are about our Mission - constantly in prayer!

Next Blog Post!: In line with my "Get Your House in Order" resolve, I am getting rid of a lot of audiotapes that could be of more use to others than to me. I have a box full of C J Mahaney tapes that I will catalogue and post so keep your eyes peeled. First come - first served!

Christchurch, London is a DANGEROUS place to be!!

Thanks to a tip-off by Luke, that Christchurch, London would be having some guests, we found ourselves travelling through torrential rain down the M4 for their half past four celebration. The wonderful Kate Simmonds was to be leading worship and Greg Haslam (also a hero of mine) from Westminster Chapel was preaching. This is a review of our time with them.

1. A Welcome that Disarmed.

Finding Christchurch wasn't difficult - their website instructions are excellent and easy to follow. They meet at the Piccadily Theatre where ironically "Guy's and Doll's" is performing. The welcome team (or 'hosts' as they are called) reminded me somewhat of a roll-out for a royal visitor. There was a line of black t-shirted hosts in the front entrance and they actually did make us feel like royalty! We were asked if it was our first time at Christchurch and when we confirmed that it was, we were whisked into the theatre where another group of hosts met us and engaged us in enthusiastic conversation, even though the worship was just about to begin! We were told about drinks after the celebration and urged us to stay.

Another very pleasant girl asked us politely if we would mind going down and sitting near the front and was so grateful when we said yes. Hence we ended up sitting a few rows along from Greg Haslam! There's nothing like sitting near a prophet to make one examine one's heart properly before worshipping God - just in case he got given a word of knowledge to reveal the sins of my heart! More importantly (as I'm sure Christchurch would agree) I was incredibly aware of the tangible Presence of God as soon as I entered the room. Here were a people desperately hungry for God Himself and He hadn't disappointed.

2. A Worship that Devastated.

I guessed something had stopped Kate Simmonds from coming, as Rhys - one of the elders - was already leading worship and David Stroud (the church's father and leader of the Newfrontiers UK team) confirmed that she had the flu. Previously this might have distressed me somewhat as she was 50% (or so) of the reason we had travelled across the UK! But God was there and somehow I knew that was all that mattered. I haven't heard of Rhys before - but he is a worship leader of incredible sensativity and anointing. I don't remember many of the names of the songs that we sang - although two of my all-time favourite songs featured, "Before the Throne of God" and "Yours is the Kingdom".

All I can say about the time of worship is that I have never before (and that includes Stoneleigh Bible Week and Brighton so far) have felt God so "close" to me. I had my eyes shut most of the worship and I somehow knew that if I opened them I would have seen His face right in front of mine. I spent much of the worship in tears - although not really knowing why. It was a truly glorious time. God had passed by and was showing us His back!

The Spirit didn't fail to distribute His gifts in abundance either. Two that stood out to me were a word brought by a girl - "Sinners are welcome here" - and another prophecy that expounded the wonders of creation and ended with a joyful shout, "If I did all this - how will I not give you what you desire?". In that heaven-soaked atmosphere, I couldn't think of anything to ask but "Give me Yourself". That's not pathetic false humility - I have a long list of things I thought I need. But when "things that surround me become shadow in the light of You" - somehow you forget all your so called needs in the light of Him! I didn't want it to end! I can't explain it better than to say that I was devastated.

3. A Word that Demolished.

In terms of my favourite expository preachers - Greg Haslam and Dr Stanley Jebb rank neck and neck. Regretfully I rarely get to hear Dr Jebb preach nowadays due to his busy ministry in Cornwall - so I am truly grateful that Greg Haslam is placed so strategically in London. London needs that kind of bible-based ministry in a post-modernistic age when truth is being eroded!

Greg's message was crucial and absolutely in keeping with the worship that had just ascended to the throne of God from that place. He preached on "Passionate Worship"! It was from the text where Mary anointed Jesus feet with the costly perfume and wiped them with her hair. I once heard C J Mahaney preach on this at Celebration UK (the former SGM conference) a number of years back. Mahaney's presentation was good but in this atmosphere at Christchurch I found my views of worship being systematically and expertly demolished in a way that only Greg Haslam could do. I realised that I don't think I have ever truly worshipped God before - because God taught us that worship is expensive and costly! What has my worship ever cost me?

And so back to Bristol ...

We closed by singing the awesome, "Yours is the Kingdom" that so thrilled me from the Brighton Leaders Conference. It couldn't have ended on a higher note. The glory is indeed His! That's all that mattered! We were siting behind the renowned evangelist Adrian Holloway who is so powerfully used at Newday and across Newfrontiers. He turned round and said hello at the end. I was intrigued that he was so astounded that we came from Bristol to London purely for Christchurch. I believe that the day will come when many do travel across the nation to go to that church.

I had a vision during the worship (and that doesn't happen to me often) of the geological cut of a volcano before it is about to blow. There is a huge reservoir of molton lava that grows until the skin between over and underground bursts and the lava erupts. I think that there is a huge reservoir under Christchurch and it isn't going to be long before there is an eruption in London. Lava of course is virtually impossible to stop and I can see London being devastated by the effects of this church.

Why is Christchurch so dangerous? It is built on apostolic foundations - with David Stroud resident who I know will keep them looked to "Jerusalem, Judea and the ends of the earth". Prophets are evidently present there and will keep that place razor sharp listening for God! Evangelists are also there of course keeping them with a passion for the lost and the relentless advance of the Gospel.

Do I recommend Christchurch London? If you want a "nice time" while you are in London then no. Don't go near it. Pick another church somewhere - there are many about. But if you long for an encounter with God - if you are desperate for His Presence and His touch then get to Christchurch because you will find you are in good company there.