Tropical_Man's Blog

Advertisement

forgot login?
Languages
Help

Bringing people together in love and faith

My Blog

Blogs > Tropical_Man > Mercy

Mercy

Hope

Exploring Psychology and Meds

Apologetics

The Rest of the Gospel

Names of International scammers

Title View |

DAVID WILKERSON BLASTS FAITH PREACHERS	Mar 22, 2008 3:29 am 122 Views
Amen to a man of God speaking his peace. A man who laid his life on the line for the Gospel
	1 comment

Death has hit close	Mar 22, 2008 3:22 am 104 Views
In the past few years I have had some classmates die. I guess that is somewhat expected. We had hit the 50 plateau. When you hit 45, every 5 years you can look back and see many changes. People's parents dying. Some classmates. I think one of the harder things to see happen is younger people that you grew up with. In a years span two pretty kool guys I knew and coached both died of brain tumors. They both were in their mid 40's. Both had been very athletic and both left behind kids still in High School. We always feel indestructable to a degree. But there comes a place when we feel fragile. We realize life is not a given. What we do have, the time we do...we need to be grateful for it. I think its a wrong attitude to just hate this life and cant wait for the life after. There is a purpose here. Our family and friends do need us, and we need them. My older brother is in his mid 60's. We have seen each other a handful of times in the past 30 years. He lives far away. I have no idea how long he will live. Our mom was but 52 and dad was 59. He has surpassed that. Good for him. My younger half brother from my biological parents is dying. Hep C from a blood transfusion. On op of that his kidneys have shut down. Treatments 3 times a week. i have seen him maybe a dozen times in my life, and not since our biological fathers death in 2001. But I have hope. Hope that the things I wish for the rest of my life come true. Mercy lost her sister on my birthday 2 years ago this april. She was only 42. Mercy and her were very close. She was the sister that raised her as her mom was working. It just leaves such an empty place in our hearts. But you cope and you go on.
	0 Comments

words from people you love	Mar 22, 2008 3:02 am 92 Views
Mom has been gone since november of 76. I can almost hear her say I love you son of mine. Its amazing how we can relate a smell sometimes to a memory. There are certain smells that remind me of good times spent with loved ones. But at the same time the smell of a hospital reminds me of losing my mom and dad while I was young to Cancer. My dad was not a man of words. He was in the battle of the bulge. He suffered through the 17 years depression. If I told him I loved him, he would say "I Love you to". I always knew he loved me by his actions. But I still cherish, I love You too. Its ok to be taken for granted if its how you really feel. I mean if you have to say everyday to the ones you love that you love them. I dint say it enough to my son. But he knows I love him. He has been my life for the past 10 years since Brenda left. In the movie "A Walk to Remember".....I love the reconciliation scene between Landon and his father. Not a word said, but his fathers action of paying for Jamie to be at home and have care. What greater words could be said? It was the best that he could do. So beautiful. Our Children need to hear what we already hear in side. Don't keep it in. Let it out. Don't live in the land of regret later. You can hear appreciation in peoples words, just as they can in ours. Mercy says to me on the phone "I Love you So much" She also tells me that "You mean the whole world to me". I can tell by her tone that she means what she says. I speak from my heart back to her. I loved her before I was in love with her.There are some people that you really respect because their heart never changes despite situations and what is going on in their lives. She is like that. She also has the innocence in her heart. Its a great feeling when you think of a person and all of the positiveness comes out. Excitement, knowing you have this special connection.
	0 Comments

was just watching "A Walk to Remember"	Mar 22, 2008 2:36 am 101 Views
Man I love this movie. To me it emphasizes people who get beyond themselves and throw themselves totally into life. The last 20 minutes of the movie always has me in tears. Yet we are so selfish in life and we carry our hurts with us. I love a beautiful woman that has her innocence about her. Someone that doesn't try to be perfect, and yet they believe there are absolutes in life. I knew a girl. She was beautiful. She was the younger sister of a classmate. She died of Leukemia just a few weeks after she graduated back in 76. Wish I could remember her name. I can still remember her face. She received the Lord a few months before she died. That was a wonderful revelation. What a beautiful girl she was. A life interrupted by life.
	0 Comments

Contemplative Spirituality...the Leaven	Mar 22, 2008 1:21 am 469 Views
Contemplative Spirituality: A belief system that uses ancient mystical practices to induce altered states of consciousness (the silence) and is rooted in mysticism and the occult but often wrapped in Christian terminology. The premise of contemplative spirituality is pantheistic (God is all) and panentheistic (God is in all).
	14 Comments

Reformation Reversed: Emergent Church and the Undoing of Faith	Mar 22, 2008 12:59 am 129 Views
By Brandon \| January 20, 2008 “Christians are now the foreigners in a post-Christian culture… we need to view ourselves the way others on the outside see us.” –Dan Kimbal, They Like Jesus but not the Church. “I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” –Jesus Christ (John 17:14) I have heard many times that if Christianity is to survive, it must adapt to the changing world around it; Christians must “evolve” if they are to be accepted by those around them. Usually this means things like rejecting the Biblical record of creation, Biblical precepts on gender , etc. It also means that the underlying message of the Gospel — that Christ is the one and only Redeemer and that all men must believe on him for salvation — must be modified or adapted, or at least not held to as a fundamental tenet, to make it more palatable. There is a movement — a strong movement — to “undo” the Reformation of 500 years ago and return Christians to a religion of mystical ecumenism, away from the doctrine of Sola Scriptura that so many believers lost their lives over those many years ago. Certainly there is no overt movement to bring back the Spanish Inquisition (not that anyone would expect it), but the desire to eliminate God’s word as the sole authority by which a Christian lives and believes is as strong as it ever was under the guidance of Ignatius Loyola.
	2 Comments

A CRITIQUE ON THE MINISTRY OF RICHARD FOSTER.	Mar 22, 2008 12:34 am 142 Views
Wendy Howard, editor of Despatch magazine, Queensland, Australia. Richard Foster’s books are in many churches today. His speaking tours have influenced a number of countries, including Australia. As Christians who love the Lord Jesus Christ, and obey God’s Word, we must speak out against the false and spiritually dangerous teaching propagated by this man. Many New Age teachings are present within the seemingly innocuous context of Foster’s preaching and writing. We shall consider, prayerfully, these matters together, before a Holy God.
	20 Comments

A Christless Pentecost!	Mar 21, 2008 1:22 pm 111 Views
Is Christ Becoming A Stranger In Our Midst? By David Wilkerson 1982 __________ The following is a prophetic warning from Azusa Street 75 years ago, concerning the dangers of a Christless Pentecost! Frank Bartleman was an eyewitness to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in 1907 at Azusa Street, Los Angeles. He has been characterized as the Reporter of the Azusa Street Revival. Nearly 75 years ago, during the outpouring, he wrote a tract warning of a Christless Pentecost. He warned: "We may not hold a doctrine, or seek an experience, except in Christ. Many are willing to seek power in order to perform miracles, draw attention and adoration of the people to themselves, thus robbing Christ of His glory, and making a fair showing in the flesh. The greatest need would seem to be for true followers of the meek and lowly Jesus. Religious enthusiasm easily goes to seed. The human spirit so predominates the show-off, religious spirit. But we must stick to our text - Christ. "Any work that exalts the Holy Ghost or 'gifts' above Jesus will finally end up in fanaticism. Whatever causes us to exalt and love Jesus is well and safe. The reverse will ruin all. The Holy Ghost is a great light, but focused on Jesus always for His revealing. "Where the Holy Ghost is actually in control, Jesus is proclaimed the Head - the Holy Ghost, His executive. " In another place, Brother Bartleman warned: "The temptation seems to be toward empty manifestations. This does not require any particular cross, or death to the self-life. Hence it is always popular. "We may not put power, gifts, the Holy Ghost, or in fact anything ahead of Jesus. Any mission that exalts even the Holy Ghost above the Lord Jesus Christ is bound for the rocks of error and fanaticism. "There seems to be a great danger of losing sight of the fact that Jesus was 'all in all.' The work of Calvary, the atonement, must be the center for our consideration. The Holy Ghost will never draw our attention from Christ to Himself, but rather reveal Christ in a fuller way. We are in danger of slighting Jesus - getting Him 'lost in the temple,' by the exaltation of the Holy Ghost and of the gifts of the Spirit. Jesus must be the center of everything." I do not take Brother Bartleman's warning lightly. The danger of a Christless Pentecost is very real today. I say to you it is possible to gather Spirit-filled people in one place, praising and lifting up their hands - and still have Christ walking among them as a stranger! It's true He said, "Where two or three have gathered together in My name, there I am in their midst." (Matt. 18:20 NAS But He can be in our midst as a stranger! Ignored, unrecognized - even by those who meet in His name! The Jews gathered every Sabbath in the synagogue to speak of His name, and to prophesy of His coming. They praised the name of the Father who promised to send Him. They spoke the Messiah's name with awe and reverence. Then, when He came and walked among them - He was not recognized! He was a stranger to them! Christ, a stranger in the midst of a Spirit-filled congregation? A stranger in the midst of those who speak His name - who worship the Father who sent Him? A stranger to those who sing His hosannas who call Him "Lord, Lord"? Yes! Absolutely yes! It is not only possible - it is happening among God's chosen people today! Let me show you three ways in which we are making Christ a stranger in our midst! May the Holy Spirit take away our spiritual blindness so we can once again see Him as He really is - LORD OF ALL! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. We Make Christ A Stranger - By Giving The Holy Spirit Pre-Eminence Over Him! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Christ, and Christ alone, must be the center of life and worship! "And He is the head of the body, the Church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the pre-eminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell... " (Col. 1:18-19 KJV) "That in all things He might have the pre-eminence... " That is - distinguished and spoken of above all others. Having first place in all things. Not even the Holy Spirit is to be exalted above that name! The upper room must never overshadow the Cross! We dare not think of Christ as simply the one who sent the Holy Spirit. In other words, "Thank You, Jesus, for sending someone better." Christ sent the Holy Spirit to reveal His own fullness within us. When the Holy Spirit becomes the center of our attention, the church gets out of focus! The Holy Spirit descended upon Christ as He came out of baptismal waters, and the Father said of Him: "This is My beloved Son - in whom I am well pleased . . . " The Spirit descended bodily like a dove, but the focus was on the Lamb of God - who taketh away the sins of the world. Not the dove, but the Lamb! Christ told His disciples of a coming Pentecost, when the Spirit would be outpoured for a single purpose: It was to be a power given to lift up the name of Christ! "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me . . . unto the uttermost part of the earth... " (Acts 1:8 KJV) Jesus made it clear that when the Spirit comes He will not draw attention to Himself, but will focus on Christ's words. He will exalt Christ. " . . . when He, the Spirit of truth, is come . . . He shall not speak of Himself . . . He shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of Mine, and shall show it unto you. All things that the Father hath are Mine: therefore said I, that He shall take of Mine, and shall show it unto you." (John 16:13-15 KJV) Jesus said, "He will show you My glory, My power, My Kingdom. He will remind you of all My words." The primary work of the Holy Spirit is not fellowship, although He does bring believers together as one in Christ. It is not ecstasy. It is not simply to teach us an unlearned tongue. The Spirit has come to exalt Christ! To guide all mankind to the truth that Christ is Lord! It is not enough to say the Spirit has brought us close to each other - He must bring us closer to Christ! The fullness of the Spirit is the fullness of Christ. If you do not have a consuming love for Christ, you do not have a Holy Ghost baptism! Christ, the baptizer, sent the Holy Spirit to fire our souls over lost humanity, to get us out into the highways and hedges to reach the unsaved. To shake up our lazy lifestyles and get us to doing His work. The blessed Holy Spirit will be grieved, and finally withdraw, the moment men try to exalt Him above the Son of God! He will not permit His power to be abused by those who want only the gift and not Christ, the Giver! What is a true Holy Ghost meeting? Is it where people all speak with tongues? Or where people are healed? Where saints jump for joy? Where saints are prophesying? More - much more than that! It is where Christ is being exalted, where His holiness pierces the soul, where men and women fall before His holy throne, broken, humbled crying, "Holy, Holy." The moving of the Holy Spirit is a moving closer to Christ, deeper in Christ, with a greater submission to His Lordship! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- II. Christ Is Made A Stranger When People Praise Him, But Will Not Pray To Him! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We praise a Christ to whom we will not pray! We have become a praising people, but not a praying people. For many of God's people the prayer closet is a relic of the past. "Why ask God for what He has already promised? Just get hold of the promises and simply command deliverances!" We no longer want Christ as much as we want what He can do for us. We want an escape from pain and suffering. We want our troubles to vanish. And we are so caught up in our escape from pain, we lose the true meaning of the Cross. We refuse crosses and losses - no Gethsemane for us! No nights of agony! We don't even know this suffering, bleeding, resurrected Christ! We want His healing power. We want His promises of prosperity. We want His protection. We want more of this earth's goods. We want His happiness. But we really don't want Him alone! The Church once confessed its sins - now it confesses its rights. How many of us would serve Him if He offered nothing but Himself? No healing. No success. No prosperity. No worldly blessings. No miracles, signs, or wonders. What if - once again we had to take joyfully the spoiling of our goods? What if - instead of clear sailing and problem-free living, we faced shipwreck, fears within and fightings without? What if - instead of painless living, we suffered cruel mockings, stoning, bloodshed - being sawn asunder? What if - instead of our beautiful homes and cars, we had to wander about in deserts in sheepskins, hiding in dens and caves? What if - instead of prosperity, we were destitute, afflicted, and tormented? And the only better thing provided for us was Christ? Very few of God's people pray anymore! They are too busy working for Jesus to talk to Him! Ministers especially have become so busy doing kingdom work, they have little or no time left to pray. There is time to visit, to build, to travel, time to vacation, to attend meetings, time for recreation, reading, counseling - but no time to pray! Preachers who do not pray become promoters. They become frustrated building contractors. When they lose touch with God, they lose touch with their people and their needs. Preachers who don't pray have egos that spin out of control. They want their own way. They substitute sweat for unction (anointing). Evangelists who do not pray become stars, storytellers. They lack humility, so they manipulate crowds through emotional gimmicks. The cry of many pastors is, "Oh, God, where can I find an evangelist who doesn't care about money, or who is not promoting something? One who can bring heaven down and make Christ real! Oh, God - give me a praying man to bring my congregation to its knees! " The shame of this generation is that we have too many talented men of God and only a few who have touched God in prayer. There is even less praying in the congregation! I'm 100% for getting prayer back in our public schools! But that's not God's real problem! His problem is getting prayer back in our homes! His problem is to get His own chosen people to pray! And you are a phony if you fight for school prayer and neglect secret-closet praying yourself! Do we pray? Oh, yes! When we need something. We have the formula down pat - "in the name of Jesus." All we need Him for is to countersign our petition checks before the Father. I am weary of hearing people say, "This is such a busy age - l have no time to pray. I'd like to, but I don't have time. " No! It's not lack of time; it is a lack of desire. We make time for what we really want to do. Look at our Christian young people! Wasting hours of time playing Pac-man, Galaxy War, goofing off, bored, restless, looking for some action! But no time to pray! No time for Jesus! Oh, God! Somehow! Some way! Get this generation on its knees. Not just the Lord's Prayer, but a daily communion with Christ. Our Savior, who has the care and concern for multiplied universes, has the time to pray just for you! He takes the time to intercede for you before the throne of God (Heb. 7:25), and you say you do not have time to pray to Him! We work feverishly for a Christ we ignore. We will go anywhere, do anything, in His name. But we will not pray. We will sing in a choir. We will visit the sick and the prisoners. But we will not pray. We will counsel the hurt and needy; we will stay up all night to comfort a friend, but we will not pray. We will fight corruption! We will crusade for morality! We will stand up against nuclear weapons! But we will not pray! Most of all, we don't pray because we really don't believe it works. Prayer is a bloody battleground! It is where victories are won! A place to die to self! A place where a holy God exposes secret sin! No wonder Satan tries to hinder prayer! A praying man sends a shudder through hell. That man or woman is marked because Satan knows prayer is the power that crushes his kingdom. Satan is not afraid of power-hungry saints, but he trembles at the sound of a praying saint! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- III. Christ Is Made A Stranger In Our Midst When We Want His Power More Than His Purity! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Reader Harris, an Englishman and director of The Pentecostal League of Prayer, once challenged a congregation on this matter of power and purity. He said, "Those who want power, line up to my right. Those who want purity, line up to my left." The congregation lined up 10 to 1 - for POWER! In the book of Acts, Pentecost was synonymous with purity more than power. Peter told the council at Jerusalem what God did at the house of Cornelius, "God...giving them the Holy Ghost, even as He did unto us...purifying their hearts by faith... " (Acts 15:8-9 KJV) Who is the man or woman of God who has power? Is it the one who can heal the sick and raise the dead? Is it the one who can best talk in tongues and prophesy? Is it the one who draws the most people and builds the greatest church? No! The one with the power - is the one with the purity! "... the righteous are bold as a lion.. " (Proverbs 28:1 KJV) The prophet Malachi prophesied of a supernatural purge coming to God's house. " . . . the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple. .. but who may abide the day of His coming? And who shall stand when He appeareth? For He is like a refiner's fire, and like fuller's soap. And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and He shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness." (Malachi 3:1-3 KJV) This is a dual prophecy. He speaks of Christ's first coming, and also of His second! He will come again suddenly, as a thief in the night. But first, He will purify His Church. We are not ready for the coming of Christ! Is this the Church triumphant? Covetous. divorcing, depressed, worldly-minded, grasping for materialism and success, competitive, lukewarm, adulterous, rich and increased with goods, unaware of spiritual blindness and poverty, pleasure-loving, recreation-minded, consumed with sports, politics, and power - is this the Church Jesus is coming for? Simply coping, filled with fear and anxiety, satisfied only to have good health and happiness? My Bible says He is coming back for an overcoming Church! A Church without spot or wrinkle! A people whose affections are on things above! A people with clean hands and pure hearts. A people who are looking for His coming! A people with a "new Jerusalem state of mind." The question is no longer, "What can my faith get me? What miracle will He perform for me?" The question now is - "How shall I stand before Him? How shall I make it at the Judgment?" " . . . who shall stand when He appeareth?" (Malachi 3:2 KJV) The question is no longer, "How do I feel - how do I get happiness? How do I get the desire of my heart?" The question is - "Can I withstand that moment when I stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ? How can I withstand when I've lived so carelessly, so selfishly, so neglectful of His great salvation?" The central issue now has nothing to do with this world at all. At issue is - "HAVE I NEGLECTED CHRIST IN THIS MIDNIGHT HOUR?" The purge is going to begin in the pulpit! " . . . He shall purify the sons of Levi... " (Malachi 3:3 KJV) God is going to accomplish that by "turning up the heat." God is going to make things so hot, so fiery, so intense, God's men will be driven to their knees! This is the fire of the Holy Ghost! It is the fire of persecution. It is the fire of tribulation. The fire of unbelievable hardships, ridicule, gossip, financial problems. He is going to shake everything that can be shaken! He is going to shake, and scrub, and burn, and purge - and purify! No man or woman of God will escape the purging! God is determined to get all the dross and filth out of us. The purge will spread from the pulpit to the pew! Get ready, saints! God is getting ready to expose all sin, all adultery, all foolishness! The Holy Ghost is going to reprove us of sin. How can you play games when God puts you in His crucible and turns up the fire? Your Holy Ghost baptism is going to have some fire put to it now! Malachi said - "...the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven: and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up..." (Malachi 4:1 KJV) God also promises to bring down the strongholds of the enemy! He is going to once and for all let the devil and the world know who has the power! If God is about to do all that the prophets predicted He would - WHAT A GLORIOUS FUTURE JUST AHEAD! A purged, purified ministry! A Church that God is calling back to repentance and holiness. A people washed, cleansed - offering praises in true righteousness. A revival among our young people! Drug strongholds coming down! Alcohol and divorce no longer prevalent among God's people. The sound of prayer - intercession! A people of God who will discern between the holy and the unholy! Everywhere, God's people turning again to the Word. A tested, tried people, once again devoted to the Person of Jesus Christ! His Person being lifted up to draw all men to Him! Christ no longer the stranger in our midst, but CROWNED - PRE-EMINENT! A Pentecost that truly exalts the name and power of Jesus Christ, the Lord of all.
	0 Comments

Toronto Blessing Pastor Repents	Mar 21, 2008 1:18 pm 156 Views
amen and good! The Toronto Deception By a former Toronto Vineyard Pastor It has taken me nine years to actually come to the place where I would write this story. Part of the reason was because I was not fully convinced that it is appropriate to speak out against weaknesses in the body of Christ publicly. Another reason is because it has taken years of soul searching to become convinced that what happened in the Toronto Airport Church was actually all bad or at least more bad than good! For the past number of years I have called it a mixed blessing. I think James A. Beverly called it this in his book Holy Laughter and the Toronto Blessing 1994. Today I would call it a mixed curse concluding that any individual good that came from this experience is far outweighed by much harm and satanic deception. I suppose that therein has been my dilemma. I have tried to live my life in the fear of the Lord and Jesus told us that the unforgivable sin was the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. Attributing to Satan what was in fact a work of God. If pressed as to whether or not the Toronto blessing is all God or all Devil I will still be hedgy, but I am convinced that Satan has used this experience to blind people to the historical doctrines of God, to produce fruit in keeping with repentance, to failing to test and discern the spirits and failing to test prophecy. After three years of being in the thick of the Toronto blessing our Vineyard assembly in Scarborough ( East Toronto) just about self destructed. We devoured one another, with gossip, backstabbing, division, sects criticism etc. After three years of ‘soaking,’ praying for people, shaking, rolling, laughing, roaring, ministering at TACF on their prayer team, leading worship at TACF, preaching at TACF, basically living at TACF we were the most carnal, immature and deceived Christians that I know. I remember saying to my friend and senior pastor at Scarborough Vineyard Church in 1997 that ever since the Toronto Blessing came we have just about fallen to bits! He agreed! My experience has been that the manifestation of spiritual gifts mentioned in 1st Corinthians 12 was much more common in our assembly, before January 1994 (when the Toronto blessing started.) than during this period of supposed Holy Spirit visitation. During 1992-1993 when praying for people we would experience what I believe was genuine prophesy, deliverance and much grace and favour from the Lord. After the Toronto Blessing started, all ministry time changed, the only prayers were ‘More Lord MORE ’, the shouting of ‘Fire’ the jerky shaking of the body with the ‘ooh ooh OOH WOOOAAH’ prayer. (I kid you not!) On January 20th 1994 about 15 people from our church traveled over to Toronto Airport Vineyard in order to listen to Randy Clark, a Vineyard pastor from the USA. John Arnott had called our senior pastor to invite us. He communicated that Randy had been to the Rodney Howard Browne meetings and that the stuff had broke out in his church in the following weeks. John was hoping that something might break out with us too. We were only too happy to travel over. We were a church plant out of the Toronto Airport and we started in 1992. In those days there were three Vineyard Churches in Toronto. One Down Town church, Scarborough vineyard church to the east and the Airport Church. We were one big happy family. Because we were small in number we did special meetings, conferences etc, together. The year before most of our leadership teams joined and had headed to Nicaragua for a short term missions trip. We had genuine love and fellowship with each other. Since leaving the Vineyard churches I have read a fair bit of analysis from the critics. Some make out that the Toronto Blessing was one huge conspiracy to lead the body of Christ into heresy. Heresy and apostasy I suspect may well be the result, but none of these destinations were intentional. I am honestly convinced that the leaders in the Vineyard churches are genuine born-again Christians who love the Lord, but have fallen into deception. They have not loved the Lord enough to keep His commandments. They have failed to obey the scriptures and have been led astray by our longing for something bigger and brighter and more exciting and dynamic. I am guilty of this sin also. I have preached renewal in Korea, the United Kingdom, the USA and here in Canada. I am genuinely repentant and in writing this story I would ask you the bride and body of Christ to forgive me. Especially the Pentecostal / Charismatic Christians among you, for you are my immediate family theologically. I am an evangelical Christian, I always have been but I do not believe in the cessation of the spiritual gifts at the end of the apostolic era. I believe that it was my evangelical roots (my family are Baptists and I was born again in the Presbyterian Church.) that started to open my eyes to problems with this so called renewal. In hind sight I look back and think how could I have been so blind? I laughed at people acting like dogs and pretending to urinate on the columns of the TACF building. I watched people pretend to be animals, bark, roar, cluck, pretend to fly as if they had wings, perpetually act drunk and sing silly songs. How I thought that any of this was from the Holy Spirit of God amazes me today. It was loud irreverent and blasphemous to the Holy God of the Bible. I suppose in my mind I reasoned that as long as they did not teach any thing in direct violation to scripture then it was what we called the exotic. This is a buzz word for manifestations that could not be justified from a biblical perspective. I was taught from the pulpit that we had two options. The order of the nursery full of life and messy or the order of the graveyard, very orderly but dead! As a young immature pastor I wanted life with mess. I failed to remember that God wants us to become mature and grow up in him. I became disconcerted by the prophetic words that came forth especially one by Carol Arnott in which she had her bride experience where she was taken into the very presence of Jesus and said that the love that she experienced was even better than sex! I was shocked in my spirit and thought how can one compare the love of God with sex? When we suspected that demons were running riot in our services John Arnott would teach that we should ask are they coming or going. If they are leaving then that is ok! John would defend the chaos by saying that we ought not be afraid of being deceived, if we have asked the Holy Spirit to come and fill us then how could Satan come and deceive us? This would make Satan very strong and God very weak! He said that we needed to have more faith in a Big God to protect us than in a Big Devil to deceive us. This sounded very convincing but was totally contrary to scripture for Jesus and Paul and Peter and John all warn us about the power of deceiving spirits and especially so in the last days. Again we did not love God enough to obey His Word and the result was that we opened ourselves up to lying spirits. May God have mercy upon us! Finally the penny dropped for me as I was rolling around one night ‘drunk in the Spirit’ as we would say. I started singing and as I rolled around the floor the Nursery Rhyme ‘Mary had a little lamb its fleece was white as snow.’ came to mind. I sang this in a mocking spirit and instantly my heart told me this was a demon. Instantly I repented and was in total shock. How could a demon get into me? Did I not love God? Was I not zealous for the things of God? Was I not nuts about Jesus? I knew that an unclean spirit had just manifested through me and I was guilty of great sin. After this experience I stayed away from TACF. I did not go back there any more. I did not possess the conviction to denounce the whole experience but thought that we where failing to pastor the Blessing well enough. Even after I stopped going over to TACF, I had to pastor the fruit of it. One example was when some of our people returned from a meeting there asking us if we had all received the golden sword of the Lord? I asked them what they were talking about thinking that it was some prophetic reference to the Holy Scriptures but they said, ‘no, its not the Bible, it’s an invisible golden sword that only the really pure can receive. If taken in an unrighteous fashion then the Lord would kill you. But if you are holy enough to receive it then you can wield this sword and it will heal aids, Cancer etc. and bring salvation. How one wielded this sword was by pretending to have this invisible sword in your hand and motioning to strike people with it when in prayer! I thought while even in deception at this time that the TACF had become Looney bins! This was purportedly first received by Carol Arnott and then given to the ones holy enough to receive it! Another thing was the golden fillings in the teeth. We had people in our assembly peeping down one another’s throats looking for the gold fillings that God had placed there to show how much he loved them! In all my time there I only heard one message on repentance given by a visiting speaker from Hong Kong named Jackie Pullinger. It went over like a lead balloon. We were not there to repent, we were there to party in the Lord! After one year into the blessing I spoke out at a pastors meeting and said ‘guys we have shaken, rattled, rolled, laughed cried and bought the tee-shirt. But we have no revival, no salvation, no fruit and no increased evangelism so what’s the deal?’ I was soundly rebuked - who was I to expect to see fruit when the Lord was healing his broken people? We had been legalistic long enough and God was spending this time restoring his wounded and freeing us from legalism I was told not to push the Lord and the harvest would come in his time.’ I knew this was wrong because the Lord had commanded us to go into all the earth and make disciples! Not, that everyone should take a sabbatical for who knows how long, while God does some strange new thing! Ultimately I left over something as controversial as the ordination of women. Personally I believe from scripture that women should not be pastors/ elders in a local assembly. I could be wrong on this and there is much debate in the Church today but that is my conviction and in the Vineyard churches they were ordaining all the pastors wives to co pastor with them. I am certainly for women in ministry but believe that the Elder/ pastor role in a local assembly has been reserved for men. I did not write scripture but God willing I will have the grace from now on to obey it. So there is my story. I could go on and document much excess, folly, sin and latter day reign teaching that manifest from the prophetic end of this Blessing but others have already done that. We sang about Joel’s army and the billion soul revival as if it were one of the Ten Commandments, and as always it was just around the corner. Next month, next year etc. Jesus said that when the son of man returns will he find faith upon the earth? And if he does not return when he does no flesh would be saved but for the sake of the elect he comes. This is a far cry from the dominionism that is being taught all through the vineyard / prophetic/ spiritual warfare movement. I honestly think that they think they are going to take over the whole world! While in the Vineyard I embraced a life verse from the Apostle Paul the phrase do not go beyond what is written! To finish I just want to say sorry for the damage, that I have personally done by teaching things that are not correct biblically. I repent before men as I already have before God. I will not excuse my falling into deception. I did not bother to test things when the scriptures commanded us to do so. Everyone who was there when this thing started knows that what I write is true, they would just come to different conclusions especially if they are still promoting the ‘river!’ To those in the river I would say swim out, there are things living in the water that will bite you real good! I love the people of TACF and the Vineyard movement but I think that we have much to answer for and may the Lord open your eyes sooner rather than later. I suspect that when this letter goes online I will get bombarded by emails from both camps, some damning me for still believing in the ministry of the Holy Spirit and still walking in deception and some old friends damning me for exposing dirt or being negative about the Lords anointed! Well, the Lord knows my heart and by his grace he will guide me into all truth as I seek to know Christ and him crucified! If you believe that I walk in sin and error please pray for me that the Lord would forgive me and open my eyes. I will study the word to show my self a work man approved! I would call on all who read this to pray that the Lord would open the eyes of all who have been involved in this deception. Whether leader or follower, we are loved and the Lord is a forgiving God. He says if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. I believe we are like the church in Laodicea, we think that we are rich, have prospered and need nothing, we do not realise that we are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind and naked. We must take the Counsel of Jesus and buy gold refined in the fire (which is his suffering, not a false spirit!), white garments to clothe our shameful nakedness and salve for our eyes that we might see again. Jesus is calling us to repentance and thank the Lord that he is, for it will lead us to true restoration with our Father! If God has forgiven me and opened my eyes then he can do it for all those caught in deception too. I will finish with a warning from Paul, he says if you think you are standing firm be careful lest you fall. Sincerely Paul Gowdy.
	2 Comments

David Wilkerson on the Toronto Blessing	Mar 21, 2008 1:08 pm 135 Views
Greetings in the exalted Name of Christ our Lord! I have been receiving a number of letters asking my opinion about certain "revivals" in Canada and the USA. I have been told, "Brother Dave, your name is frequently used in the ---- revival. Times Square Church is named often. Does this mean you approve of that movement?" I have never endorsed any so-called revival. First of all, I do not consider my opinion as being that important - and secondly, I can neither help nor hinder any true spiritual movement. I have not been to any of these meetings so I have no personal involvement. I have been so busy ministering to multitudes of hurting people here in New York-and shepherding a ten-year moving of the Holy Spirit in this great metropolis at Times Square Church. Do I believe any of the "revivals" represent the last-days outpouring - the last great revival before Jesus comes? No! Not at all. We should rejoice in every work of the Spirit that results in true conversions -but any "revival" that purports itself to be "the great revival" and is promoted and "spread" by its leaders must be immediately discounted. When the last great outpouring comes, it is prophesied to come "upon all flesh." It will not be isolated in just a few areas. No one will be counting numbers. Hungry seekers will not be falling backwards-but frontwards, on their faces, humbled and broken. The preaching of the cross will be central. There will be no fundraising, no introducing of star visitors. The meetings will be times of wooing by the Holy Spirit, because He never drives people to altars - He woos them. No one will have to defend such an outpouring. All manifestations will focus on Christ, not flesh. Weeping, brokenness, a lifting of holy hands in thankfulness for God's mercy and grace will produce a true spirit of joy. Local revivals usually have a life-span of five to six years, or less. Even the Azusa Street revival that gave birth to modern Pentecostalism lasted less than six years. People flock from around the world to see the "new thing." Good reports and evil reports go throughout the land. Theologians and preachers either bless or curse it. Some who attend are blessed and changed, others leave wounded and confused. So it is today-nothing changes. I have heard from some of our readers who visited a revival and were greatly touched. Others write telling us they left emotionally wounded and convinced it was mostly flesh. God be praised for all who have repented and are changed. For others, I grieve. Tides that come in must go out. The Toronto tide is fading fast - it's tide going out. Soon it will be only a memory. So with all other localized revivals. The excitement ebbs-the crowds leave-and suddenly it is all over. My recommendation? Get your own revival! You will find it in Isaiah 58:10-11. You need no airline ticket, no travel. I have found the springs of water that never fail! "And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon day: and the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water. whose waters fail not." Thank you, beloved friends, for your regular support. We actually exist on Holy Ghost inspired giving from caring, praying friends. His bondservant, DAVID WILKERSON
	1 comment

1 2 3 4 5 ... 100 ... 144 145 146 147 148 ... 150 ... 160 ... 177 178 179

To link to this blog (Tropical_Man) use [blog Tropical_Man] in your messages.

52 M

January 2009

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

1

21

3

43

5

67

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Recent Visitors

Visitor	Age	Sex	Date
GodsKyWoman	45	F	1/8
teddy672	31	M	1/8
momto3beagles	40	F	1/7
luvslighhouses22	50	F	1/7
Claudia_T	51	F	1/7
longing4more	49	F	1/6
reallysaved2	50	F	1/6
whisper85	34	F	1/6
knowTheTruth	36	M	1/6
orchid1002	43	F	1/5

Most Recent Comments by Others

Post	Poster	Post Date
to them of whoom we do not speak	Tropical_Man	Jan 7 9:07 pm
Seventh Day Adventist Experience	longing4more	Jan 7 11:44 am
Capitalism and the Financial Crisis	Skariff2	Jan 7 11:13 am
the worst lie	chocnroses	Jan 4 9:32 pm
Letters of Truth	Tropical_Man	Dec 29 1:19 am
who came up with this "Soul Sleep nonsense?	momto3beagles	Dec 28 8:53 am
Paul and the Law	Claudia_T	Dec 28 7:01 am
Men abuse	Tropical_Man	Dec 28 6:38 am
12 Myths and Insightful Special Reports on the Facts about Domestic Abuse	Tropical_Man	Dec 28 6:35 am
Jesus plus anything equals a lie	Claudia_T	Dec 27 4:49 am
Is the Seventh-day Adventist Church a Cult?	Claudia_T	Dec 25 11:55 pm