"Judgement & Resolution".

Two sundays ago I read the following passage.

Psalm 102:3-7 (HCSB)

"For my days vanish like smoke,

and my bones burn like a furnace.

My heart is afflicted, withered like grass;

I even forget to eat my food.

Because of the sound of my groaning,

my flesh sticks to my bones.

I am like a desert owl,

like an owl among the ruins.

I stay awake;

I am like a solitary bird on a roof".

In response I found myself writing the following in the margin of my bible: 

"This is my sanctuary; Where dreams are sacrificed on the alter of neccesity. favor has turned to shame. My name changed to outcast, to Ronin. My worship is heard in the wilderness; only those there can see. Yet they cease to look toward Heaven" 

As you can imagine my frame of mind is revealed in that response. 2017 has been a challenging, transitory season. As we (my family and I) have moved from one paradigm into another we have seen - or rather, been shown - many things. Of these lessons one seems apropriate to share; it is this:

"The foundation of my life is revealed in my response to Christ".

This, the statement that is shaping my outlook for 2018. King Herod was not remembered for his contributions to the roman state. Such as his expansion of the Second Temple in Jerusalem (Herod's Temple), The construction of the port at Caesarea, and the fortress at Masada. His political advancements are relegated to the corners of history were few travel. No; Herod is imortalized in our minds as the king who attempted to slay the Christ child. Herod is remembered for his response to Christ. All humanity is not exempt from this same reality. Our very lives are a testimony to how we have responded, either positively or negatively, to Christ.

What concerns me the most regarding my written response to scripture is this, "Yet they cease to look toward heaven". Of those who dwell in the wilderness places of life (of whom I am one) I see many whose response to Christ and His kingdom is one of indifference. To me this is tragic. For one to see and to hear and yet remain unchagened is a picture of death. Life moves, ever changing, flowing all around creation and wisdom speaks increasing knowledge. Despite all this the dead remain unchagened, immovable, still.

Yet there is hope. Just as John the Baptist preached in the wilderness there was life - the offering of genuine life - awaiting those who responded to the message of the kingdom; Christs message. It is my sincere desire that for this new year those who dwell in the wilderness will "look toward Heaven" and respond to Christ in such a way that your entire lifes paradigm is changed. Abandon the silence of the grave of inactivity in exchange for a vibrant life of realized destiny.

This is my mission. To respond to Christ in such a way that my life points not to myself, not to my achivements or talents; but to the one I call Lord. For all the days I am assigned to the wilderness, I will lift my eyes and walk the roads that are set before me.

This is my resoulution; I pray it is yours.

Luther.

"Keys to Discovering Your Purpose".

Discovering your life's purpose, that specific thing you were called to do. However you phrase it your purpose is foundational to who you are as a person and where you will go in life. It goes without saying that if you don't know your purpose you cannot truly know who you are, nor where your headed.

A life without direction is subject to wander, always traveling but never arriving. 

In some of our previous videos we frequently talk about “vision”. Yet vision requires that you already know your purpose, for vision is the means by which your purpose is achieved.


With that said (we) want to share a few steps you can take that I believe will help you discover your unique life's purpose. This is not an exhaustive treatise on the subject by any means but a primer of sorts to set you on the path of personal discovery.


Enjoy the video.

Luther

"Introduction to the Kingdom".

where do we begin?

If everything has a starting point then our kingdom journey thus far is no exception. From those small beginnings we have arrived to this first destination - The "Introduction to the kingdom".

We have always held to the philosophy that you teach what you know. As we learn and grow we invite you to come on the journey with us.

The takeaway from the following video is this:

The kingdom IS a literal government, as such it's structural order is comprised of four components:

1. A King - Jesus Christ (See Isaiah 9:6-7)
   
2. Subjects - People of all nations (You! - Everyone has the potential to be a part of His kingdom)
   
3. Law - The law of God as revealed in the bible - The constitution of God's people.
   
4. A Territory - The entire earth. Where God's people use their influence for His glory, the kingdom is manifested in that area. 

All things have a beginning, I pray that this may be yours.

Luther.

Recap: "Rediscovering The Kingdom" Retreat.

The following post is a brief recap of our (Maranda and myself) experiences attending the "Rediscovering The Kingdom retreat" in Naples Florida hosted by Trista Sue Kragh of K.C.I.

Naples Florida.

The affluent culture here is a stark contrast to Midwestern norms. As you can imagine we both were quite awestruck at the beauty and overall opulence of the area.

In light of our observations and after much discussion - (this is of paramount importance) - we are thoroughly convinced that the residents of Naples cannot properly celebrate Christmas. At least not to the superior level as us Michiganders do! (how could they sans snow? do they decorate palm trees?)
I felt for all those poor souls, unable to experience the months of sunless grey skies, brutally cold temperatures, treacherous roads, and the coup-de-Gracie Lake effect snow!

The Elusive Floridian Squirrel

Well all jesting aside. We had a wonderful time at the Rebuilding The Kingdom retreat. It was refreshing not to mention energizing meeting and interacting with this (Kingdom minded) extended community.

It was a common to hear accounts of those who had experienced the confines of religion. And then see these same individuals awaken to the Kingdom message and more so the implications that message had upon their lives. As the retreat progressed one could witness connections being made, friendships garnered, and attendees gathering in small groups discussing what they learned in the previous session. A highlight for me personally was the baptisms which took place at Mrs. Kragh's residence. To me it was a picture of what early church baptism must have been. Authentic, organic and intimate - these are the words that come to mind when I replay that afternoon.

There is much much more I could say but by way of synopsis; The surroundings were beautiful, the teaching was authoritative while being undeniably biblical - in essence it was truth. And the experience was as revelatory as it was intimate. So will we return next year? I have no doubts. Yet until then we will continue learning, seeking and feeding our hunger for the Kingdom.

Luther.

"Jumping Ship".

If you can imagine a ship stuck in port. Busy with preparation yet somehow it never embarks. The passengers, akin to seagoing residents of the "hotel California".


The temptation to jump ship is only experienced by those who are called toward the horizon. The complacent know nothing of these kind of impulses, they simply wait for the ship to embark; which it has historically never done.


So if you are one to whom the horizon calls, I offer this advice. Know that if you jump, you place yourself at the risk of drowning. Yet despite personal peril, it may be more beneficial to drown on your way toward the horizon than to stay in port, gazing into the unreachable distance which calls to your heart.


For all the days you are separate from the hearts true place of residence are only a cold sort of death. Like a warm blanket on a cold day its comfort and security will slowly draw upon your strength until you are no longer capable of answering the call of the distant horizon. And in that day of bitter discovery the ship in port will be revealed as your eternal prison.


So if you are of the called, then my advice is to jump. Brave the chill waters, face the unknown. Take this action now while you have the fortitude to do so. Yes, you may drown. You may fail. But you may succeed. The alternative is to live a life wasted and bitter - gazing into the "could've been".

Luther.

"The Problem with Revival".

There was a time in my Christian journey where I vehemently advocated the idea of revival.

I embraced the view that all the global church needed, and all the wider culture needed was revival - an encounter with the one true God that will alter the course and very structure of every individual and system. This sounded wonderful, it became my hope and expectation. This directly translated to my religious activity - which is to say; I waited, and waited, and waited.

At one juncture this view that I held was challenged. It was pointed out that the culture (spiritual climate if you will) of the old testament was a "Visitational" one. God's interactions with His people was limited to select individuals at select times in select circumstances.

In contrast; under the new covenant - brought by Christ all God's people are inhabited by His spirit; the very person of the Holy Spirit. What this means is that by comparison God no longer merely "visits" His people. He literally lives within them. We are living in a "Habitational" spiritual climate and culture.

If we take this truth and apply it to the concept of revival things start to become dis-joined. The view of revival says that we must wait patiently until God chooses to come and visit His people in a tangible way. Maybe if we worship longer, or praise louder, or display some form of charismatic behavior, we may be able to goad Him into manifesting. Despite the revival view, the scriptures are clear in that God is not coming to "visit" us. He is living within us; He is already here!

The problem with the revival mindset is not that we want God to touch our lives and the world around us in a tangible way. The problem lies in that while we are waiting on God He is waiting on us. We see this principle in the parable of the Talents and Minas. God is waiting on His people; who are full of His Spirit to not only be personally transformed but responsible in bringing a measure of transformation to every area of our influence.

From a formulaic perspective "revival" is simply this: "God's people doing what God has called them to do". If that statement is true then the "issue of revival" rests squarely on the shoulders of God's people.

To wait on God for "revival" is a testament to the spiritual laziness, immaturity, and unwillingness of God's people to do the very things He has designed and gifted them to do. I concede that this is a harsh statement; and in fairness many may be ignorant of their gifting's and callings. Even-still that does not negate our responsibility. And let us not forget (apart from the issue of salvation) it is on the basis of our calling that we will be judged.

As a "Post-Revivalist"; where am I now?

Now, my focus has been and continues to be discovering not only who I am and what I'm called to do; but to empower and where possible equip others to do the same. When people are awakened to their potential and empowered to do what God has called them to do; then we will see lives changed, culture transformed, and systems and structures redeemed.

We no longer have need of chasing after or waiting upon "revival". We have the capacity to achieve everything revival promises. For if God is within us, He is with us, and if He is with us - we have no excuse.

Luther.

"Forgotten Heritage".

The concept of heritage has come to the forefront in my study of the Kingdom. It is apparent that we know and understand our true origins before we can clearly see our destination. In this sense, where we come from does affect where we are going.

Judges 2:6-11 (HCSB)

6 Joshua sent the people away, and the Israelites went to take possession of the land, each to his own inheritance.7 The people worshiped the Lord throughout Joshua’s lifetime and during the lifetimes of the elders who outlived Joshua. They had seen all the Lord’s great works He had done for Israel. 8 Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died at the age of 110. 9 They buried him in the territory of his inheritance, in Timnath-heres, in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash. 10 That whole generation was also gathered to their ancestors. After them another generation rose up who did not know the Lord or the works He had done for Israel. 11 The Israelites did what was evil in the Lord’s sight. They worshiped the Baals.

To forget God is to forget our heritage. Not that we fail in remembering Facts about Him; but that we cease to keep Him at the forefront of belief and practice. Simply put; we remember that God exists, but this knowledge has no effect on our daily lives.

This characterizes the American Christian experience. Holding to a form of Christianity, yet forgetting the original purpose for our existence (as found in the dominion mandate Gen. 1:28). in this state we exist - separate from the God we claim to serve. Unable to receive the life and power to sustain us in our purpose.

Forgetting our heritage has consequences.

We become stuck in the mire of rote religious services. Plodding along wasting the gifts which have been so generously deposited within us. Living purposeless lives bereft of joy. We have forgotten that we were designed to impact the world and cultures around us. we are called to leave a legacy of Kingdom activity, not one of exclusive indifference to the world.

What saddens me the most is seeing the false gods and Antichrist structures defended and promoted all in the name of the one true God. and in our arrogance we walk the long road of deception moving farther and farther away from our creator and His purpose for our lives.

Deuteronomy 31:17 (HCSB)
My anger will burn against them on that day; I will abandon them and hide My face from them so that they will become easy prey. Many troubles and afflictions will come to them. On that day they will say, 'Haven't these troubles come to us because our God is no longer with us?'

A life lived well is a life connected to one's heritage.

Luther.

2017 - "A New Resolution".

Greetings all and a Happy New Year,

As we look into the new year I want to share some insights concerning 2017.

2017 is a year of discovery, discovery of who we are as citizens and ambassadors of His Kingdom as well as a year of action. I believe it is time for God's Ekklesia - His called out ones - to go beyond our usual routines and penetrate our culture with a view to transform this age in preparation of the age to come.

I believe we are in a season of transition. A season where the traditional church structure will begin to crumble. Any structure that is not in line with, and yielded to the Kingdom of God will begin to be dismantled (un-assembled) and dis-mantled (removal of spiritual authority and covering). These structures are no longer sufficient to reach a lost and dying culture. And so it falls to those with Kingdom vision to use their Holy Spirit empowered gifting to reach into the darkness of a world with broken systems and mindsets and pull people and resources into the light of His Kingdom.

I believe that 2017 will be a year of either choosing or separation among God's people. There will be two groups - Those who can see the Kingdom, but will be unable to enter because of their refusal to let go of a traditional religious church structure. And those who will receive the calling of God's Kingdom mandate and begin to take action.

2017 will be a year for believers to begin to live up to Christ's standard or to further insulate themselves from the world they are called to engage.

Let me encourage you friends, to yield to the call God has placed before you. To look beyond the four walls of your churches toward the world around you. Use your gifting's and talents to bring Gods order, wisdom, love and life to a broken and hurting world.

Beloved; do these things and you will not be found wanting on the day you stand before the Lord.

Luther Miller.