Charismatic Christianity

"The term "Charismatic Movement" is sometimes confused with the term "charismatic." The word "charismatic" is an umbrella term used to describe Christians both Protestant and Catholic who believe that the manifestations of the Holy Spirit such as the ones seen in the first century Christian church (see e.g. the book of Acts ), such as miracles, prophecy, and glossolalia (speaking in other tongues or languages), are available to contemporary Christians and may be experienced and practiced today. The "baptism of the Holy Spirit" is central to the movement. However, the speaking in tongues is not part of the initial evidence but later developed. It is important to the movement to revive the gifts such as healing, tongues, interpretation of tongues and prophecy as part of ministry since the gifts seem to have been neglected by the church. The word "charismatic" is derived from the Greek word χάρισμα ("gift," itself derived from χάρις, "grace" or "favor") which is the term used in the Bible, 1 Corinthians 12-14. By definition, a charismatic should be a joyful, grace-gifted Christian. The "Charismatic Movement," however, expresses the arrival of spiritual gifts in the historic mainline denominations." - Wikipedia

Today I want to speak a little about Charismactic Christianity and my thoughts on such things. It may get controversial because everyone has different opinions about it but this is my opinion. I was speaking to my brother and he was telling me about how Charismatics are starting to influence his church and how he felt the a twist in his gut, a feeling that something wasn't right. I feel this way many times about Charismactic Christianity as well. I believe many people desire to do the right thing. They grow up all their lives and hear about how we need to be radical for Christ and how it's ALL IN or nothing, but we see ourselves day after day falling short of such a calling. We grow up and see people crying, screaming, speaking in tongues, wailing, and dancing around crazily around us during a retreat or revival and we ask ourselves "Why not me? Is God not with me?" And people grow up with this heartful desire to WANT to be in the spirit yet with the guilt of not being able to do so.

I believe this is a perfect medium for Charismaticism to overwhelm some Christians today. I remember when I was first born again and filled with the Spirit my mind was blown. I was so excited. I wanted everyone to come to Christ and know what I know. Nothing else mattered to me. I served every ministry I can serve in. I cried all the time. I talked to random people on the street about Jesus. I spoke up in class and preached in middle of a college lecture. I did "Crazy" charismatic things. Then, I crashed and burned. Slowly as I matured in faith I understood what it meant to be steady and calm in Christ. However, some people fall into Charismaticism because for all there lives they've longed to be "Crazy" for God and when the spirit first hits them the emotion that it invokes and the genuine surge that comes over them (desire to read, desire to pray, desire to fast, etc) is just overwhelming and Charismaticism is the best and most accepting way of expressing it. But it can lead to such a dangerous road.

I am not saying Charismaticism and spiritual gifts are irrevelant, they are vital parts of the Christian walk and Christian faith. However, we need to be able to understand and control our gifts from God not let it control us. I hear many Charismatic christians talk about movements, spirit of this or spirit of that, the revival that broke up here and there, the prophecies that are posted on the web by any who feels they have a divine prophecy from God, visions, dreams, voices, demons, possessions, and etc. All these things in itself can be good, but when it becomes the sole foundation of our Christianity and the way that we worship it leads to a foundation on too many emotions and humanistic things. If God does not show you a vision are you not filled with the Spirit any longer? If you can't speak in tongues does that mean you are not near God? If God decides not to move and no revivals break out have we sinned? Don't we know? God is always moving. Whether it manifests into a physical sign God is moving. God is always here. God is always with us.

Another common thing I hear about Charismaticism is the talk of "going back to the church of Acts" and being "Raw" for God or even sins are labelled something fantastic like "Spirit of Jezebel". Jezebel is dead. Her spirit does not attack us till this day. Although it doesn't sound as glamorous, this sin is plainly called lust and it comes from the sinful nature of our natural hearts. All these things to me in my opinion are such hype ups and it glamorizes Christianity so people can be fascinated about it. It is true. There are many things that we need to learn from the church of Acts. But let's read further into the Bible. Is the church of Corinth and the church of Ephesus just like the first church of Acts? And if it wasn't did it NEED to be? No, we focus too much on one aspect of the Bible and glamorize it into something that people can believe in. When you go to Africa you see the need for a lot of Charismatic tactic in spiritual warfare because it is such a "raw" place. Black Magic, demonism, voodoo, and all these other spirits show themselves through demon possessions, blood sacrifices, chants, and etc. Satan attacks these people in a different way. In America another, and China another. Therefore the point I am trying to make is the fact that we don't need to go back to the Church of Acts. The church of Acts did the things that they did because of the spiritual warfare that they were facing called for it. I am also all down for being "Raw" and intense for God but I think it is more important to "Genuine" and consistent before God. I have seen more people come to genuine love for the Lord through quiet discipleships and Bible studies than I did in the emotion packed Revivals and screamings prayers of charismaticism.

In conclusion I believe spiritual gifts and passion for the Lord is more than important. It is a tool set of weapons that God gives us to lift one another up and protect ourselves from this Spiritual warfare that we are called to fight. It is real. I have seen it, but I am saying that it needs to be better understood and controlled. I was at a revival once and a charismatic girl was filled with the spirit and she started to speak in tongues and roll around the ground crying and praying. Then the music ended and lights turned on and it was time for the sermon. But she wouldn't stop. Some people see this and say "Oh the spirit is moving in her!" but its because immature Christians are too immature to understand that the girl is immature. Spiritual gifts although "raw" at first must be honed and grown. Just like a pro basketball player can have the natural ability to jump and shoot. The player must practice for hours and hours and unleash their natural talent. A mature Christian can be filled with the spirit and not show one outward sign of it at all, but have maturity to unleash it when it is needed. We need to understand that God is an orderly God, although untamed and able to do all, God works in order. He created the heavens and the earth on his schedule including even a day of rest, as if God needs rest!

So I hope as we all grow and mature in Christ, it won't be because of movements, gifts, or any outwardly shown actions. Rather its a deep understanding of the grace that we received. That even if I don't see one ounce of something "grand" we will still follow God. That even if our lives are crumbling around us and we don't "feel" God, the foundation of the fact that God has died for us on the cross is enough to withhold us and our faith in Him, that in HIS time he will deliver us. Let's be mature Christians who can harness the raw power that God has given us through the spirit to unleash it in the times needed, not need it in order to confirm our relationship to God.

God's Whip

When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, "Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father's house into a market!"


Sometimes I ask for it. No not sometimes...all the time. I have, ever since I was born again had times where I just push God to the edge and I know an ass whooping is on its way. When I was less mature in my faith I didn't realize what I was doing I was just angry, bitter, burnt out, rebellious, and frustrated. Just like a kid I stormed off, yelled, screamed, and said EFF YOU! Then God came and kicked my ass and made me realize that I'm a fool. I've gone through these stages many times and now I am mature enough to realize that God is just waiting. Waiting...for me to either come back quietly or because He loves me he's preparing the whip to bring me back.

People always think Jesus is Mr. Nice Guy. Mr. I love you no matter what you do. And He is. But this one passage always remind me of a different Jesus. There are two types of Anger. One type of reckless pure emotional and explosive at the moment. Then there is another type of Anger. The calm storm. The meditated. The decision to unleash the fury. This type of anger is FAR scarier than the first. Jesus shows this type of anger in this passage. After seeing the corruptions of the Jewish people Jesus doesn't just emotionally unleash. No he goes back. Sits there thinks about who is where, how he's going to whip them and hand makes a whip to get the job done.

 I imagine God like this sometimes. He knows that my mind and heart is going astray and he can come down on me any time. But instead he waits. Sometimes he whispers. He warns. But the further out I go. The more prideful and stubborn I get in the back of my mind I smile and worry at the same time. I picture God in heaven making his whip...but not out of anger but out of loving discipline. It's a weird feeling and mixed emotion. One of knowing that God will never let me stray too far and another of the fear of the whipping that is to come.

Lately things just haven't been working out. Little things as cloggin my toilet in the morning then forgettin my wallet and id at home and being late to work 1hr. It's just frustrating. I got my dining set that shipment was messed up on so I had to wait 4 weeks then it comes damaged. Things like that are just frustrating but I see these as a little signs from God letting me know that I'm far from him and that I need to go back. God...give me wisdom and discipline.

Freedom

For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king. - 1 Peter 2:15-17

I've been watching the History channel a lot lately and for reason there's been a special on Nazi America and the freedom of Speech and freedom of Religion constitutions that they use to protect themselves from the law for all the ridiculous things they preach. Many Nazi Americans believe that Jesus is white and that Jews are the childen of Satan and Blacks are half breeds. Also they believe that Jerusalem should be bombed and that America is the new Jerusalem. These teachings and talk about a "Free World" just boggles my mind. How can people misinterpret freedom so much?

Many people today believe that having no rules, no laws, no inhibition, and no responsibility is freedom. I think like this sometimes as well. I want to leave all the things that bind me to this place and pack my bags and head out west with my snowboard and a tent. Just live a "Free" life. But is this really freedom? Being pysched out on drugs. Drinking so much and passing out. Smoking so that the problems of this world can disappear? I don't think this is freedom at all. Its the chains of the devil and it inhibits our minds to focus on God. It distracts us from doing what we were called to do. The freedom that God promised us was the cross. Many people don't want to carry it and think that its no freedom at all but that's what it is. Our freedom came at a price.

My favorite part of the passage is this, "Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God". I feel that this portrays Christianity in one simple sentence. Yes, we are free but let's not use "freedom" as an excuse to do whatever we want with no laws or inhibitions, but as free men let's chose to live as a servant of God.

Yes, Here I am.

"Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about."
3 Early the next morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. 4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5 He said to his servants, "Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you." - Genesis 22:2-5

We all know this story but I think the best thing about the Bible is that it speaks to you with the same stories and same words in so many different ways. You can read it over and over again and its always a different conviction that comes through. Lately my minds been foggy and everything so routine. My conviction to read the word and to pray was slowly dying out and I found myself enjoying TV and wine more than I did God's word. But reading this short passage today God reminded me of something. Following Christ is not so complicated. Sometimes, its easy as saying the three letter word "Yes".

In this passage you see such a simple act of obedience to such a mind boggling request. God asks Abraham to go up to the mountain and sacrifice his one and only son. The promised child from God. The child that is to bear Abraham decendants more numerous than the stars and sands on the beach. If it was me I would yell at God and ask him if he was crazy. Tell him it doesn't make any sense and that its the most retarded thing I've ever heard. But Abraham, maybe this is why he is called the father of faith, just wakes up next morning packs his donkey and brings his Son to sacrifice. There is no arguement. There is no yelling. There is no question for logic or reason. There is just obedience.

I am an arguer. There is no question about it. I'm a fighter. If something isn't right I will fight for justice. If something is wrong I will fight for righteousness. If something is unfair I will fight for equality. If something doesn't make sense I will fight for logic and reason. My parents always said if I studied at all when I was younger I shouldve been a lawyer. Too bad I didn't study...eff. But through this passage I realize something...why do I fight so much? Why do I argue and want an answer? I believe its pride. Sometimes...people make mistakes. Sometimes God asks us to do ridiculous things. Sometimes there is no known reason. Why does there have to be? God is in control. God promises us that the yoke is light and that He is the great I AM. That to love our enemies because it will be Him who brings justice.

I want to be able to just say, "Yes. Here I am". Instead of "No, whats the reason for this. This doesn't make sense. Explain to me the purpose of this." It's just so much easier to trust God and let him show me His glory. God...give me peace and wisdom, Here I am.

The Heart of a Leader...

This weekend was the annual girls flag football tournament that I coach for my church. Unfortunately we lost and didn't even get into the semi-finals or anything like that. It was a mixture of all things bad refs, missed catches, missed flags, miscues on coaching, and every other variables that could come up. But for me especially it got me thinking a lot and I was pretty devastated. Not only because we lost but because I know how much time, effort, heart, and hopes that my girls put into this tournament and to end in such a way with no climax my heart broke for them. I felt like Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt promising them a land full of milk and honey then...wandering around the desert for 40 years and dying right before entering the promised land. So close...but not quite enough.

Then I started to think of all the leaders that I've heard of (i love armies and generals etc) and what it must of felt like. For Napoleon to lead his army across Europe only to have his men freeze to death and die from disease or for Japanese samurai's in the movie The Last Samurai to lead their men with swords and arrows to go against the machine guns of the white men. Knowing that they will die. Atleast...in the Japanese culture the leaders could kill themselves and not face going back in defeat. I really couldn't imagine going back to GCC with such a loss...and I couldn't even look at my girls in the eye because I felt I failed to lead them to the tangible reward of their effort. I can't even fathom Napoleon riding back to France with more than half his army dead or injured. I wonder what that ride back into the city would have been like. I probably wouldve chosen the Japanese way out if I wasn't Christian.

But I remember my Jesus. I envy him, because He is the only one that can 100% guarantee that your efforts will not be in vain. That the amount of effort you put into His kingdom, maybe you wont receive it on Earth, but in heaven you will receive the reward in full. Humanistically, I don't know if I have the heart to push someone so hard knowing in the back of my mind I may fail to deliver it. But in Christ, I can do my best to lead not because I can deliver anything but because through me Jesus can deliver all.

Why do you eat?

Lately i've been eating really well. I went to Boston on a business trip and basically...business trips are 50% work and 50% food tour for me. I love being able to go to a different city or a country and try all the delicacies that city has to offer. For example, when I was in China I probably tried every type of soup dumpling and fried rice dish East Coast China had to offer, Shanghai dumpling, Yangzhou dumpling, Wuxi dumpling, Cixi dumpling and the list goes on. For some reason...in China every city is "famous" for their style of dumpling or fried rice or pork or beef or something. So...how can I NOT try?? I mean...its famous for God Sakes.

But whenever I gorge on these expensive and delicious meals of mine something that my friend Benjamin, a seminarian from Tanzania who passed away last year, asked me during one of my meals rings in the back of my head. He asked, "David, do you eat to live? Or live to eat?". At the moment when he asked me (i didnt know him too well then) I thought to myself, "Wtf is this guy talking about?" But the more I thought about it the more i realized how deep the simple question was.

In Africa at the seminary all the seminarians eat there for 3 years of schooling is this corn mash called Oogali. It's not even sweet corn it literally looks like mash potatoes just doesn't have any taste. It comes with baked beans and spinich or cabbage on the side. You eat it with your hands and massage it into a ball dip it in the baked bean sauce and eat it. We ate like this for about 6 weeks most of the time and it was horrible. The thought of eating like that for 3 years...its unfathomable. But the question asks such a deeper question. "Do you eat to LIVE or live to EAT?" essential is asking us the question, "Why do you live?". Do we live to become a doctor or a lawyer or a famous designer? Or do we do those things simply to be a tent maker (Paul made tents during his ministry to support himself financially), and live to serve God?

I feel like many times I forget about God. I think about the next great meal I'm going to have. I think about the next snowboard gear I want to buy. I think about the next new experience I'm going to try but do we live to do those things? I want to do be someone who eats to live. I want to be someone that is a tent maker so that I can LIVE to be a kingdom worker. I don't want to HAVE TO have my job in order to survive. I don't want to HAVE TO make money to eat great meals or buy nice things. I want to live as if I have nothing except the Lord because all things I have comes from the Lord. He gives and He takes away, Naked i came from my mothers womb and naked I will go. God, be all of me. I don't want to live foolishly living in order to eat, rather just eat to live for you.

I Want to be like the Moon

I have always loved the skies and the stars because of there beauty. The last few days it has been a full moon. I remember when I was in 8th grade I went on a family reunion in the mountains of California and I went hiking in the night times with my cousins. There I saw the stars and the moon like I've never seen it before in the dirty skies of jersey. It was so bright and I even got to see 2 shooting stars back to back. That's when I realized...theres things much bigger than I imagined and I longed to see more.

I, however, have certain fascination with the moon, especially full moons. I heard in a sermon awhile back that blew my mind. The pastor spoke about how we are all like the moon. The moon is just a ball of dust it radiates no heat and it shines no light. It's really not good for anything except one thing, it reflects. The moon is used to light this whole earth when it's dark and the only way that it can accomplish this is by reflecting the Sun's light from the other side of the earth. This is the same with us I feel like. We have nothing to offer and we have no particular skill that we can bring to God and say that we are "self made". We are just like the moon...just a pile of dust but we can do one thing and that is to reflect Christ on to this dark world.

Everytime I look up at the Moon I think, " I am nothing without Christ" because without Christ I would make no significant impact on this world. I have nothing great to offer except myself to be used by Christ and to be His moon onto this dark world. God...choose me and use me.

10 Things I learned this week...

So its been my first "full" week that I've lived at my new place on my own and there are definitely new things I've learned and somethings that I knew would happen but realized...after actually living it...it sucks. LoL Here they are .

1. Do the dishes right away...or it'll crust and be harder -__-...eff
2. 50% of the time that you're at home will be spent cleaning (dishes, counter tops, rooms, closet, floors etc)
3. Having guests over is great! Cleaning after guests leave...not so great
4. It costs A LOT of money to fill a house...food, furniture, kitchenware, desk, chairs, etc
5. Waking up early to make breakfast is rough (thanks umma for doing it for 25 years)
6. Packing lunch to save cash is no bueno
7. Writing the checks for Mortgage, Condo Fees, and Utilities all in one sitting...much sadness
8. Taking out Recycling sucks
9. Taking out the Trash sucks even more
10. Playing Wii is fun, waking up next morning with sore muscles...not so fun.

Hahah. All in all although my list sounds so negative...I am glad to be on my own. Finally I feel like I am not taking things for granted. I always want to feel as if I'm working for what I am getting. Living at home I felt my mind and body so comfortable that I felt like a spoiled child. Now, doing things on my own and being my own "man" I feel sharper and more responsible. I hope God keeps teaching me discipline, organization, responsibility, and character through this process.