Banning Liebscher + Stephen Wollwerth + Heather Evans + Paul Di Giordano + Mark J. The Poet + Charmaine Taylor + Stefeni Brown
FOR THE RISK-TAKERS
MAGAZINE
4 + THE STORY OF A HUMBLE SONGWRITER GIVE UP NEVER: BREAK DOWN IMPOSSIBLE WALLS I USED TO BE ADDICTED TO PORNOGRAPHY REAL RADICAL LOVE: THE STORY OF A FORMER LESBIAN IF WE LOSE HOPE WE DIE: FINDING FREEDOM IN ART RISE ABOVE: FROM THE GOOD LIFE TO THE GOD LIFE FASHIONABLE OR ANOINTED: ANITA ALEXANDER
ONE-ON-ONE WITH JESUS CULTURE'S BANNING LIEBSCHER
APPROACHABLE #SHARERADICALLOVE #EXPECTMIRACLES
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CONTENTS
ISSUE 4 APPROACHABLE
CREATED, DESIGNED & EDITED BY A MIGHTY TEAM OF 4 + A BUNCH OF BEAUTIFUL WRITERS JENENE STAFFORD NISSI GUIAO AARON GUZMAN CLAIRE ROGERS AND A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO BRALYNN NEWBY, JEFF WITTMER, MALVINA LAUDICINA–MY FAITHFUL WRITERS, AS WELL AS HEATHER MURDOCK FOR COMING ON BOARD MMTV (COMING SOON) ...AND TO ALL OF YOU, MY BEAUTIFUL FRIENDS.
42 THE APPROACHABLE BRIDE
16 REAL RADICAL LOVE The Stefeni Brown story. Nissi Guiao
24 GIVE UP NEVER The Stephen Wollwerth story. Nissi Guiao
28 A SIT-DOWN WITH BANNING
LIEBSCHER A talk about miracles.
36 I USED TO BE ADDICTED TO
PORNOGRAPHY The Mark Ornelas story. Nissi Guiao
38 THE STORY OF A HUMBLE
SONGWRITER The Heather Evans story. Nissi Guiao Jenene Stafford
42 THE APPROACHABLE BRIDE The bride is rising up. Jenene Stafford
28
A SIT-DOWN WITH BANNING LIEBSCHER
36 PORN KILLS, LOVE HEALS
50 RISE ABOVE: FROM THE GOOD LIFE
TO THE GOD LIFE The Paul Di Giordano story. Nissi Guiao
6
THOUGHTS
34 BRAVE THE WAVES
66 THE ARISING OF THE WARRIOR BRIDE
A word from the Founder.
Nissi's journey.
King Maker Column
Jenene Stafford
Nissi Guiao
Jeff Wittmer
18 THE DIVINE DYNAMIC DUO Warrior Cry Column Bralynn Newby
56 CULTURAL TRANSFORMATION STARTS WITH YOU
78
ALIGNING WITH GOD'S TIMING Gil and Adena Hodges
Derek Martin
82 HOLY ROAR 22 NEW SEASON CHRISTIANS And shifting atmospheres. John Jackson
60 IF WE LOSE HOPE WE DIE Charmaine Taylor: Finding Freedom in Art.
Sandi Padilla
84 FASHIONABLE OR ANOINTED Anita Alexander
THE WORLD
DOESN’T NEED
MORE RELIGION.
THEY NEED LOVE.
#MEGAMORPHOSISMAGAZINE
#SHARERADICALLOVE
#EXPECTMIRACLES
BOOKS WE LOVE
ISSUE 4 + THE APPROACHABLE BRIDE
4
2018
THOUGHTS God. We are not only marketplace
Founder’s Thoughts
ministers, but warriors and rad-
. . . the darkness is going to get a rude awakening 'cause Jesus is coming to the party. + BY JENENE STAFFORD
ical lovers of humanity (like our Papa). We're currently making a transition, and a large leap to be as wise as a snake and gentle as a dove. As we make the transition, we'll shake off the residue of the religious spirit some have had to overcome. I, for one, am on fire (with excitement and the Spirit) for this new era the Church and the world are transitioning into. It's going to get darker in the dark places, but brilliant in the light places. However, the good news is a lot of people will transfer over because the only way they'll be able to withstand the light is to move over and adjust their eyes. The brilliance they thought they had in
Hello My Beautiful Risk-Taker Friends Welcome to the 2nd Print Issue of MEGAMORPHOSIS Magazine
the darkness is going to get a rude awakening 'cause Jesus is coming to the party. Enough of what's coming—let's get to the real stories. This issue rocks. The life-changing stories from Mark
I want to encourage the Church to be more of who God is call-
J. The Poet, a former pornog-
ing us to be; and take take that ugly religious spirit and send it
raphy addict, Paul Di Giordano
straight back to hell where it belongs—we have work to do in
going from the "Good life to the
this world. That spirit is full of pride and arrogance and wraps
God life," Stefeni Brown, a for-
itself up in a pretty little fake bow called truth. Problem is it's
mer lesbian found "Real Radi-
not the real Truth. The Approachable Bride will give that spirit a
cal Love" and Stephen Wollwerth will encourage you to "Never
bad day and become the movers and shakers in culture.
Give Up," always believe in miracles. Songwriter Heather Evans' story blows my mind—I trust
he truth is Jesus came to set a
ing the head of the snake through the
and know that it will leave you
fire to the religious and polit-
transformed, approachable bride—
so inspired and encourage you
ical systems that have blind-
the sons and daughters who have
to keep rising on your journey as
ed the eyes of the Church
been transferred over into the King-
the Bride. Remember, my beauti-
and held back humanity from knowing
dom of Light. We're becoming the cul-
ful friends, that it's not about you,
a Heavenly Father that radically loves
ture-shifters and barrier-breakers.
it's all about Jesus and how much
them. But, today is a glorious day to be
We're moving into the marketplace
He loves the world. So much so
alive because the approachable bride of
and there's a fast and furious move of
He's sharing His glory with us as
Christ is rising. That's what this issue is
the Spirit that's taking us along for the
we become the brilliant light the
about, becoming approachable.
ride of all rides.
world is longing for.
The approachable bride isn't about
We have battled and we will con-
what you see on the outside, it's about
tinue to battle as warriors in the king-
what's real—real struggle, real sin, real
dom, but we will have magnificent
darkness that tried to take us down.
victories as we go through the des-
Jesus alone is changing that. He's crush-
ert moments to reach the promises of
ISSUE 4 + THE APPROACHABLE BRIDE
6
#ShareRadicalLove #ExpectMiracles
2018
THREE BATTLE GROUNDS
1. AN AWE OF GOD AND HIS AMAZING CREATIVE POWER. Your identity is solid as a “beloved child of God.” You are in Christ and Christ is in you. 2. ACCEPTANCE OF GOD’S LOVE AND DESIGN FOR YOUR LIFE. You receive a sense of worth that is almost unexplainable. 3. YOU SEE OTHERS THROUGH A “HEAVENLY
THE THREE CRITICAL VIEWS
LENS.” Your heart is full of compassion and purpose. You are one who can carry hope into any situation because the Holy Spirit
BY LARRY & LORI HILL, DOKIMOS PROJECT
flows through you. There are three battlegrounds that
relationship with you or is He distant and
are important to win. You are called to
uncaring? SIGNS OF DECEPTION
overcome. The battlegrounds are: 1. YOUR VIEW OF GOD
2. YOUR VIEW OF SELF is really a battle
2. YOUR VIEW OF SELF
for your design. Did God really make you
3. YOUR VIEW OF OTHERS
unique and special, or is life really a cruel joke?
The battle is in your mind; it’s about what you believe. You can believe truth from
3. YOUR VIEW OF OTHERS is really a battle
God’s word (the Bible) and His Spirit or you
for calling? Does God really care for all
can believe the messages that bombard
the people you come in contact with, or
your mind each day. Some of the messages
are most of them just in your way causing
are from other people or society at large
problems or making work for you?
and do not carry the weight of God’s truth.
You are not a mistake and your life is not
View of God: You become suspicious of God and His ways. You decide that you can run your life by your own rules. This leads to rebellion. When rebellion is in full bloom, then you become very selfish and God becomes distant and unimportant to you. After a while your identity is attacked, and you feel unworthy. Or even
However, many of the messages are lies
an accident. You are loved, valued and you
straight from the mouth of the enemy. So,
have a purpose that you can pursue with
which is worse, a slight deception or a lot of
clarity and passion! The people around you
deception? Either way, it’s deception!
need you to be filled with God’s hope.
The three battlegrounds can be summa-
overcome these battlegrounds, help you
View of Self: From a position of unworthi-
rized this way:
receive hope from God, and flow it to others.
ness you feel shameful. You look for things
1. YOUR VIEW OF GOD is really a battle
So, what does victory look like? When you
that will make you feel better. You go toward
for your identity. Are you a child of
have a healthy view of God, self and others
people who will “accept you for who you are.”
God or a random accident? Does He
then your life is filled with:
But in reality, they are accepting you for who
worse, you begin to judge God.
Your spiritual gym is set up to help you
intimately know you, and does He want a
you have become. Deep inside you know this and an inner tension increases. Eventually, TRUTH PRODUCES
DECEPTION PRODUCES
YOUR IDENTITY
A BELOVED CHILD IN AWE OF GOD
REBELLION LEADING TO SELFISHNESS
VIEW OF SELF
YOUR DESIGN
WORTHINESS IN CHRIST
SHAME LEADING TO DEPRESSION
VIEW OF OTHERS
YOUR CALLING
HOLY SPIRIT FLOWING THROUGH YOU
BITTERNESS LEADING TO ISOLATION
BATTLEGROUND
WHAT'S AT RISK
VIEW OF GOD
depression overcomes. If that doesn’t work, then your other option is to emotionally detach and become “untouchable” but then feelings of isolation and loneliness become your reality.
View of Others: From a position of depression or isolation, your view of others becomes tainted. You see people as objects or if you have any warm feelings for them, it seems as if they can easily annoy you. You doubt that God loves anyone, and life becomes one problem after
To learn more about a "spiritual gym" go to www.dokimosproject.com.
another. Bitterness or weariness is the road you find yourself often traveling.
7
MEGAMORPHOSISMAGAZINE.COM
TEN REASONS TO CELEBRATE AMERICA WINNING BIG OUR COMMITMENT TO HONOR ISRAEL
Several countries are now following our lead and moving their embassies to Jerusalem. “President Trump, by recognizing history, you have made history. All of us are deeply moved. All of us are deeply grateful." —Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu
OUR BOLD ACTION TO PROTECT ISRAEL
President Trump pulled out of the terrible JCPOA deal, and is committed to ensuring Iran has no possible path to a nuclear weapon and is addressing the threats posed by the regime’s malign activities.
OUR CHRISTIAN ROOTS GAINING INFLUENCE
Our president has openly praised and heeded the advice from the faith community. He signed an Executive Order on the Nat’l Day of Prayer that protects faith-based liberty from governmental overreach and ensures equal access to government funding and equal right to exercise their deeply held beliefs.
COVENANT OF DEATH BROKEN
Financial support for abortion is being erased from government policy across the board.
BACK TO WORK
Unemployment is at a 17-year low, and unemployment among blacks and other minorities is at the lowest it’s ever been in the history of being recorded.
TAX CUTS REPATRIATE $BILLIONS
Companies across almost all sectors are bringing workers and plants back to the United States, and are increasing investments in American manufacturing and other industries.
SMALL BUSINESSES GET RELIEF
PHOTO BY TYLER NIX
PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH
Our military’s decade-long decline has been turned around. Honor, respect, and care for our military and veterans is now a top priority of this administration.
ISSUE 4 + THE APPROACHABLE BRIDE
CONSTITUTIONAL SOVEREIGNTY UPHELD:
The Trump administration has restored homeland security by honoring and enforcing both the constitutional and geographical boundaries of our nation.
8
Lifting the massive regulations that caused barriers to entry, and forced businesses to close is now spurning growth and innovation resurgence for individuals, businesses owners, farmers, and families.
AMERICA IS PRODUCING AND EARNING MORE
Gross National Product (GNP) is still near its all time high reached in the 4th QTR of 2017. Personal income continues to rise month over month, and is up a whopping 11% since 2015.
2018
"I want to encourage the Church to be more of who God is calling us to be; and take take that ugly religious spirit and send it straight back to hell where it belongs—we have work to do in this world. That spirit is full of pride and arrogance and wraps itself up in a pretty little fake bow called truth. Problem is it's not the real Truth. The Approachable Bride will give that spirit a bad day and become the movers and shakers in culture." -Jenene Stafford Read more of the Founder's Thoughts on page 6
9
MEGAMORPHOSISMAGAZINE.COM
Photo by Caique Silva
BY JENENE STAFFORD
ne cannot be born into this
are weak and in need of a Savior that will
world without life giving us
tell us the truth. And, although we may not
Every time we refuse to forgive and we
wounds. Sometimes those
like everything Jesus said, He certainly was
think like we used to, as a victim, we give
wounds leave a residue that we can't seem
a truth teller. He didn't try to tickle the ears
our power away. We give the liar the legal
to brush off. The residue isn't so obvious
to give people what they wanted, but rather
rights to once again taint us with the lie that
to us because it can seem invisible to the
what they needed.
we cannot forgive and we cannot heal. The
O
outside, but the truth is the residue, the lies,
The world we live in today isn't so dif-
on our thought life.
truth is we can forgive and we can heal and
shape everything. We have a choice that's
ferent from the evil happening in biblical
often invisible too—brush it off, clean up
times. Murders, sacrifices, witchcraft, de-
and start anew.
monization, hatred, envy, stealing, cheating,
lost and victim are all labels and lies that
adultry and fornication were all rampant
hold us captive. But love, value, being an
throughout the land.
adopted son or daughter, beloved child of
The pain we endure, the wrongs, the rapes, the burns will undoubtedly shape our thoughts, our choices and our expecta-
In every evil circumstance, there's a
we can live free. Unloved, worthless, forgotten, addicted,
God are truths that have set millions upon
tions of ourselves and others. In fact, they
victim somewhere. The good news of Jesus
millions of people free from their past.
will even wire our brains if we don't get
is, anyone who desired forgiveness, healing
We have a life of hope, truth and love and
the help we need. Certainly we can live a
and a new life could access it by following
we have the power to refuse and deny the
mediocre life, in constant captivity to the
Jesus and learning from the Teacher. If
evil one access to shape our identity or our
lies that form our now and our future. But,
following Jesus makes us weak because
thoughts. That is the truth regardless of the
then again, there's Jesus, wonderful Jesus,
we're incapable of living a good life on our
evil done against you or by you.
that defeated every evil known to man.
own, then let's choose weakness so we can
The Bible says, "He came to set the captives free." Still there are many that
be made strong. Today, we can still access the freedom,
do not access this freedom and others who
but there is a cost to a new life and a new
would say, "You are weak." Sometimes the
birth. Forgiveness has to become our na-
lies are the truth, and in this case it is. We
ture so the evil one doesn't have a foothold
ISSUE 4 + THE APPROACHABLE BRIDE
You no longer play in the enemy's camp or party in the kingdom of darkness.
10
Remember who you are because you are a child of the Kingdom of God.
2018
+ RISK TAKER
BY MIKIE SPENCER
God Hates Divorce But Still Loves His Bride In Jeremiah 3:8, God says, "I gave faithless Israel her certificate of divorce and sent her away because of all her adulteries. Yet I saw that her unfaithful sister Judah had no fear; she also went out and committed adultery." Verse 20 says, "But like a woman unfaithful to her husband, so you, Israel, have been unfaithful to me,' declares the Lord." Isaiah 50:1, "This is what the Lord says: 'Where is your mother’s certificate of divorce with which I sent her away?'" Other scriptures also speak about God divorcing Israel, but these are the most blatant. The law stated that unfaithful wives could be divorced, so God divorced unfaithful Israel. But He still loved "her." He wanted to remarry His people. But what does the law say about that? Deuteronomy 24:1-4, "If a man marries
MIKIE SPENCER
a woman who becomes displeasing to him because he finds something indecent about her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce, gives it to her and sends
An excerpt from her Bible study “I Desire Mercy, Not Sacrifice”
her from his house, and if after she leaves his house she becomes the wife of another man, and her second husband dislikes her and writes her a certificate of
T
here are several ways to answer the question of why Jesus had to die;
divorce, gives it to her and sends her from his house,
many that involve the idea of Him being the perfect Sacrifice. I've
or if he dies, then her first husband, who divorced
heard several sermons on this topic from that perspective. I feel like
her, is not allowed to marry her again after she has
we already covered that, so today I'm going to come at it from a different angle,
been defiled. That would be detestable in the eyes of
the angle of divorce.
the Lord." That doesn't sound promising.
God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16), but He does allow it. Matthew 5:32, "But I
There is a loophole; now we get to one reason Jesus
tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes
had to die. What do we say in our wedding vows? "Till
her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits
death do us part." It was customary to stone an adul-
adultery." Matthew 19:9, "I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for
terous wife to death. Divorce was the nice way out. By
sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery."
just divorcing Israel, God did the "nice" thing, but then
The nation of Israel was the bride of Yahweh. He married them. You can read the poetic version of that story in Ezekiel 16. It's a tragic story of a "Cinderella" people who once they became royalty then used their wiles to commit adultery/
He did the "nicer" thing by taking her place and being put to death for her sins. By dying in her place, He not only freed her to re-
idolatry and thumb their nose at their rescuer husband. Eventually God divorced
marry but also in His new resurrected state, He is able
Israel.
to remarry as well, legally. Jeremiah 31:31-33, "'The
ISSUE 4 + THE APPROACHABLE BRIDE
12
2018
FAV’S days are coming,' declares the Lord, 'when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them,' declares the Lord. 'This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,' declares the Lord. 'I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I
ISAIAH 6
I WILL SING
LINDY CONANT & THE CIRCUIT RIDERS
CHRIS & BETHANY SOLYNTJES
2016
will be their God, and they will be my
2017
people.'" One of my favorite scriptures is in Hosea 2 after He talks about Israel's adultery and everything she'd done wrong. In verses 14-16, He says, "I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her. There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. There she will respond as in the days of her youth, as in the day she came up out of Egypt.
THE WAY (NEW HORIZON) HOUSEFIRES 2017
In that day...you will call me 'my
LET IT ECHO JESUS CULTURE [FEAT. CHRIS QUILALA] 2016
husband'; you will no longer call me 'my master.'" Wooing someone in the desert seems odd, but that's the way God has chosen to do it, over and over. The Israelites in their 40 years of wandering were being wooed. I have been wooed by God in a place that felt desert-like. Have you been or are you being wooed in the "desert"?
TILL I FOUND YOU PHIL WICKHAM
The culmination of this new wed-
REMIND ME (JAISUA REMIX)
2018
JONATHAN OGDEN
ding is seen in Revelation 19:7-8, "Let
2018
us rejoice and be glad and give him glory. For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear." Thank you Jesus, for wanting us back, and for making a way for that to happen by dying in our place, and coming back for us. We are eternally grateful!
SURROUNDED
SPIRIT MOVE
MICHAEL W. SMITH
BETHEL MUSIC
2018
2018
13
MEGAMORPHOSISMAGAZINE.COM
NORTH
KOREA & THE SPIRITUAL IMPACT OF THE DEAL OF THE CENTURY By: Bralynn Newby
ISSUE 4 + THE APPROACHABLE BRIDE
14
2018
H
istory was made on June 12, 2018 when United States President Donald J. Trump struck a deal with the Communist Dictator Kim Jung-Un of North Korea. In exchange for complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization, President Trump offered Kim the lifting of heavy sanctions, peace, and hope for his devastated country. This is not only the first step toward ending the 70year war and ushering 25 million North Koreans into the 21st century, but it could also mark a turning point in the spiritual destiny of the nation. In a country where Christians are heavily persecuted and even killed for merely possessing a Bible, Jesus could be introduced for the first time in three generations. As one of the last places on the earth where people have not yet been exposed to the Gospel, now is the time the enemy would love to keep it that way. Now is the time we need heavy intercession for Kim Jung-Un and the nation. We have the unprecedented opportunity to see a total culture shift in our lifetime, and God is in the restoration business. In the natural, there are really only a handful of players on both sides of this deal. In the spirit, however, the entire body of Christ could be pushing over the tables of communism and its atheistic worldview. There are underground Christians secreted away who have been praying for a repeat of the Pyongyang revival of 1907. They have been calling out to Father to send help and relief from their persecution. These brothers and sisters need our prayers, now more than ever, as the battle in the spirit ramps up. Make no mistake, our enemy doesn’t want to give up this territory, and is throwing everything he can at it to derail lasting peace. I call and challenge you to pray for North Korea every time you hear it mentioned. Pray for Trump and Kim, their families, and all of their staff and advisors. Pray for the turning of hearts of those who belittle, deride and ridicule their efforts, and break off any word curses spoken over this process. Pray that the Christian heritage in Kim’s family line would come back around in his life and legacy. We are positioned as warriors who can make a difference in the eternal lives of millions if we would but pray.
15
MEGAMORPHOSISMAGAZINE.COM
RISK TAKERS REVOLUTIONARIES DEFYING STATUS-QUO CHRISTIANITY
Real Radical Love
+ RISK TAKER
Photo by Mohamad Nohassi
"THIS ISN’T YOUR TYPICAL RELIGIOUS STORY THIS IS A STORY OF REAL, RADICAL LOVE."
A DISCOVERY OF GOD'S DEEP LOVE FOR MY HEART
This article is the testimony of Stefeni Brown.
Interviewed by Jenene Stafford Article by Nissi Guiao
"MY STORY IS ONE OF THE FEW THAT PEOPLE REALLY DON'T LIKE TO TALK ABOUT." And I
silent on (maybe even afraid of) certain
Heart-connection is God’s number one
notice in the church, sometimes, we say,
topics. And even though it’s reasonable to
priority. Not correction, not intimidation,
'You can overcome addiction, alcoholism...'
be intimidated sometimes, there’s never
not condemnation. In fact, His love is so
but we never touch on the other things
a time to not show love. There’s never an
radical that it doesn’t need any of that to
people might be dealing with. I don't know
excuse to withhold it from anyone, not even
authentically change lives. He (Love) is
if it's because it's such a touchy subject or
ourselves. As we dive into an ever-develop-
patient, kind and never keeps a record
whatever, but I say we need to talk about
ing love story between the Father and His
of wrongs. He never gives up, He never
how people come from backgrounds like
Bride, we’ll really get to see the depth of His
relents. “There’s no shadow He won’t light
mine, or even worse. We really need to talk
heart unfold.
up, mountain He won’t climb up; there’s no
If we’re honest, the Church has been
about these things." —Stefeni Brown
ISSUE 4 + THE APPROACHABLE BRIDE
LIFE-CHANGING LOVE
wall He won’t kick down, lie He won’t tear
16
2018
"...He never left her nor forsook her. In her mess, in her confusion, He was always there." down, coming after [you or] me." (Reckless
change. How do you come from that? She
ed herself from friends that weighed her
Love, Cory Asbury). The way He chooses to
says, "I lived that way for years because it's
down. She even went as far as getting rid
pursue us goes beyond anything we’ve ever
like, 'Well, I guess this is how I'm going to be
of all the clothing that welcomed a lesbian
been taught. And He’ll do whatever it takes
and this feels right to me. I know it's wrong,
spirit. She went all in, drew close to God
to prove His unending love for us.
but it just doesn't make sense and I'm going
and began to see Him in a different light.
to just keep doing what I'm doing.'"
Through Perry's authentic testimony, He
A STORY THAT NEEDS TO BE TOLD
Thing is, God never gave up on her. Ever.
changed her life and strengthened her walk
Waiting a couple decades for someone you
He never left her nor forsook her. In her
love sounds a bit insane. But when your
mess, through her confusion, He patiently
love is so deep and you know what’s at
waited for the perfect moment to gently
BECOMING HIS BRIDE
stake, it’s really nothing to you. You'll be as
draw her close. The time came when she
God didn’t rush in to fix every detail of
patient as you need to be, despite how pain-
was no longer content in leading a gay
Stefeni’s life in the way that we might think.
ful it is to wait. This reckless kind of love is
lifestyle. She cried out to Him with a simple,
He invited her into a close relationship
how God fiercely pursued Stefeni Brown’s
“I don’t want to do this anymore,” and that
with Him by becoming the friend she didn’t
heart, and how He beautifully turned her
was all it took for Him to sweep her off her
know she needed. He focused in on her—
life as a stud into the foundation of her
feet.
made her feel seen, known and special.
powerful testimony. Stefeni was raised in a Christian household. She grew up loving God and learning truth. From the outside looking in, you'd never guess the internal battle she began to face. Stefeni felt different. She lived in an inexpressive home, but she had plenty to express. She had so many questions. With no outlet, however, she suppressed what
with Him.
The more intimate they became, the more
"One by one, God began to answer Stefeni’s prayers. In His perfect timing, He showed her a way out."
she was feeling, leaving her isolated and
clearly she heard Him speak. He revealed to her, "You don't have to think this way—this is not how I think...I don't want you to think with your mind, I want you to think with your heart." God trashed the lies that fogged Stefeni's thinking. After He dealt with the painful roots, He knew it was time for her to experience a healthy relationship. He brought
confused. Lies didn’t wait to pollute her
THERE’S ALWAYS MORE IF YOU WANT IT
her a new friend that helped to change her
mind as a little girl; she soon believed that
Even though Stefeni didn’t have all the
life. They hung out often and held each
she was worthless, bottom of the barrel,
answers, she knew that she wanted much
other accountable as they both hungered
and unloved. She felt like God had made a
more than the life she was leading. The
to serve the Lord. The unconditional love
mistake in making her who she was. She
catalyst for this epiphany was a tough
she experienced through her close friend is
then grew to dislike how she acted because
break-up with her third girlfriend. She was
what solidified her inspiring 180.
no one would choose her or talk to her.
incredibly heart-broken as anyone would
She felt outcast, and unfortunately, these
be, stripped of the intimacy she was so
still has to remove things—it's a process.
feelings lasted for years.
used to. Ultimately, this was the crack that
He's teaching me (from what I went
finally let God in to start addressing all her
through) just to be really honest and be my-
FEELINGS ARE REAL, BUT HIS LOVE IS EVEN MORE REAL
questions.
self and not be afraid of it. I'm finding out
With no idea how to deal with her confu-
Stefeni’s prayers. In His perfect timing, He
I would like or do, and it's a really interest-
sion, Stefeni felt like she had no choice but
showed her a way out. After feeling lost
ing journey. But I'm enjoying it because I'm
to surrender to it. She says, "I lived in a gay
for so long, a friend shared the poem My
finding out how loved I really am."
lifestyle for twenty years and I thought God
Life As a Stud by Jackie Hill Perry (a former
made a mistake. I couldn't figure it out. I'd
lesbian with a genuine testimony of coming
think about it, but I wouldn't dwell on it. I
to the Lord). She immediately connected
knew it was wrong to be this way, but how
to Perry, as she felt the exact, same way.
could I stop doing this?" She kept going
She was so moved that she dug deeper into
through it because to her, it just felt right—
Perry's story, immediately leading her to act
natural. In her mind, it was impossible to
on what she started learning. She separat-
One by one, God began to answer
17
Stefeni says, "God's teaching me that He
more things about myself that I didn't think
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WARRIOR CRY
The Divine The Divine Dynamic Duo THE POWER IN THE PAIR By Bralynn Newby
R
emember the Wonder Twins cartoon?
understand the strategies for war. Like the
and ways to strengthen your individual,
“Wonder
Powers—Activate!”
Wonder Twins needed to be in unity with
spiritual muscle. Because Warrior Cry is a
I love this picture of how we need
each other to know exactly what shape to
call to the army to rise up, let’s also look at
to come together in unity to activate.
form for the situation, we need to operate
the warrior bride in the context of unity.
The Twins were often referred to as
with the mind of Christ to know what our
Corporately activating the bride means
the
comic
situation requires. Like the Twins knew
we come together and press into Kingdom
superheroes, we also have a divine duo:
each other’s role and strengths, we need
issues in prayer. We are called to be the
the warrior, and the bride. I admit, I’m
to know our “designment” and which part
Ekklesia, a governing body to transform
far more warrior than bride. In truth,
of the fight is for God to accomplish, and
the culture of the land we occupy into the
though, we are called to be both. The
which part is for us.
culture of the Kingdom. Once we have
Dynamic
Twin
Duo.
Like
these
Wonder Twins couldn’t activate their
Activation for the bride means putting
our individual identity and assignment
superpowers without coming together.
aside our busyness and distractions to
solid, we are to lock arms and get work
We are most powerful and on track with
spend time with Jesus. Exercising our
done in the spirit realm. We are to
our destiny when we operate in our
spiritual muscle in this sense is quieting
prepare ourselves, the culture, and the
divine duality.
our mind, will and emotions to practice
atmosphere for our bridegroom to come.
Being the bride is where we develop
hearing, seeing and perceiving Father
the intimacy required to receive and
accurately. There are myriad exercises
ISSUE 4 + THE APPROACHABLE BRIDE
18
2018
PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Form a small
tions, Cook, General, Special Operations,
what you would like to do, who is more
covenant-bonded home group (see
Spy, Maintenance, and the list goes on.
established, or has a broader reach?
KingdomEquippingCenter.com/Ekkle-
Each role is critical to the successful out-
sia-home-groups) to find out what God
come of each mission. We can no longer
wants to be administered in the spirit
try to do everything ourselves. Another
We must become experts in warfare.
realm to be manifested on earth.
ironic parallel between the Wonder
That requires training, not just reading
Twins and believers is that their true
about it. Can you imagine our military
power and destiny were hidden from
sitting in a classroom, and then being put
them by evil villains. They were margin-
on the front lines? The results would be
alized and used as merely a circus act
ghastly.
NOW THE FUN PART— WARRIOR ACTIVATION “In warfare there are only four possible attitudes we can take: offense, defense,
until they learned the truth and stepped
negotiation, and desertion. And there’s
into their true identity and purpose.
PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Enroll in
only one of these the enemy fears.”—
Sound familiar?
Spiritual Warfare training courses and workshops, or watch them on YouTube at
Cheryl McGrath I believe we have hemmed, hawed and
PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Enroll
the very least.
6
negotiated, defending occasionally, and
in Dokimos (DokimosNetwork.
deserted by being asleep for far too long.
org) or Ultimate Impact
Like the slow-cooked frog, we “suddenly”
(UltimateImpactMovement.com) for a
Cultivate a posture of honor. Adopt
find our culture, our nation, and our
deep dive into your unique identity.
a code of ethics, a bond of brothers
world in the enemy’s disarray. The time is now to move as one. How do we do that?
1
4
nothing can divide. There will come a time (and it is already beginning) when
Understand how your particular gifts
those called to infiltrate and spy on the
and calling fit into the overall mission of
enemy will appear like they are not on
defeating darkness, setting the captives
our side. They may need to do things and
Get our minds and hearts fully engaged
free, and building the Kingdom. For
say things we do not agree with. We need
and understand that we are at war; we
those of us on the Business mountain,
to know their heart, and cover them in
were born into a war. “Your hand-to-
funding the war effort is critical; we need
prayer as they work out the strategies of
hand combat is not with human beings,
to get good at it. Become shrewd as ser-
heaven that are far beyond our compre-
but with the highest principalities and
pents as well as innocent as doves.
hension.
the heavenly realms. For they are a pow-
PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Get into a
PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Listen to the
erful class of demon-gods and evil spirits
good business coaching or mentorship
tested prophets, pray and discern, and
that hold this dark world in bondage”
program or relationship. Keep yourself
research for yourself to know the Truth.
(Ephesians 6:12, The Passion Transla-
sharp, growing, and accountable.
7
authorities operating in rebellion under
tion). But we have to realize that these rebellious demons use human beings
5
Embrace
your
own
dynamic
duo,
and step into your destiny as a warrior bride. And, like soldiers heading onto the
who knowingly or unwittingly carry out
Warriors subordinate their own agenda
battlefield, know you are not alone. Feel
their malevolent activities.
for the good of the mission. They lay
that hand on your shoulder that says, “I’m
2
their own opinions and ideas down to fol-
with you.”
We need to stop fighting each other. Peri-
I’m not dead yet. Are you? Thank God he
od. That’s straight from satan’s playbook,
can still use us as we are still holding on
3
to our lives. Joyful repentance has been a
and it must stop.
low the strategies of their officers. They die to self. I don’t know about you,but BRALYNN NEWBY IS A SPEAKER, AUTHOR, AND CONTENT STRATEGIST. WWW.BRALYNNNEWBY.COM
lifesaver—pun intended.
Know your place—your “designment.”
PRACTICAL APPLICATION: How can you
Communications, Infantry, Pilot, Muni-
serve and support someone who is doing
19
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THE LIFE OF A BELIEVER Living a fulfilled life as a believer is a dedicated process and starts with fundamental kingdom characteristics. We choose to live powerfully and the journey is based on how devoted we are to walk the path of a son or daughter of the King.
1. Live with Honor.
2. Put on Righteousness.
WE FIND HONOR IN THE MIDST OF SURREN-
DOING THE RIGHT THING WHEN NO ONE’S
DER. We put aside our own agenda and follow
WATCHING. That’s integrity—to be a person
God’s. We honor God’s authority, our personal
who can face God. As sons and daughters we
mandate and each other daily.
will walk through the fire and not get burned.
3. Love Radically.
4. Inherit Peace.
JESUS IS THE FOUNDATION OF LOVE. We live
SURRENDERING IS THE FOUNDATION OF
with unconditional love and model who Jesus
PEACE. When the storm hits, we believers have
is through our actions. Love is a universal lan-
a safe ground. Peace is found in the presence of
guage and it speaks louder than any voice. We
God. When chaos hits our worship needs to hit
love radically through sacrifice and action.
harder. We proclaim truth and inherit peace.
5. Have Mercy.
6. Embody Joy.
HAVING THE EYES OF JESUS. He gave us some-
JOY OF THE LORD IS OUR STRENGTH. As
thing we didn’t deserve when He showed us
believers we understand joy is not based on our
mercy on the cross. As believers we show mercy
circumstances. Our joy depends on how much
for others with no strings attached.
we’re willing to trust God. His joy is abundant and never ending and it’s part of our DNA.
7. Be B.R.A.V.E.
8. Live in Prosperity.
RISE UP AND BE BRAVE. Brave stands
WE SEEK THE KINGDOM & PROPSPERITY
for: Bold & Brilliant, Rulers & Rolemodels,
FOLLOWS. As believers we strive to glorify God
Annointed & Accountable, Valiant & Victori-
and we look for the kingdom first, knowing God
ous, Enlightened & Engaged. The Church is
wants us to prosper in life. Being teachable and
called to be B.R.A.V.E. and it is a choice.
hearing God is part of the process.
ISSUE 4 + OPEN DOORWAYS
20
2018
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Photo by Tanja Heffner
NEW SEASON CHRISTIANS AND SHIFTING ATMOSPHERES Evolving Times Call Us To Adapt To New Circumstances © Dr. John Jackson
I believe we are in a new season. The men
were missing the wind of our moment.
presence for programs. Our present hour
of Issachar (1 Chronicles 12:32) “understood
Now, I am certain of it. The Body of Christ
calls us to shift the atmosphere in culture
the times and knew what to do.” Ours is a
simply must understand our assignment
and in our churches so that the life of Jesus
time that calls for that wisdom.
in this present hour. Here, in short, is my
is manifested in all we do. This season
conviction:
demands that we demonstrate the grace
For the past 15-20 years, I have been increasingly burdened that we have en-
“The church in America, in its desire
and truth of Jesus in every sphere of society
tered into a new season and yet churches
to be relevant and reach people, has
as Spirit empowered sons and daughters of
I led and the general church in America
exchanged message for methodology and
the Most High God.”
ISSUE 4 + THE APPROACHABLE BRIDE
22
2018
" OUR PRESENT HOUR CALLS US TO SHIFT THE ATMOSPHERE IN OUR CULTURE AND IN OUR CHURCHES SO THAT THE LIFE OF JESUS IS MANIFESTED IN ALL WE DO."
them) season. Further, we are in an Acts 2
everyday life, but let me at least establish
NORTH AMERICAN SOCIETY IS DESPERATE NOT FOR “WHAT WORKS,” BUT FOR WHAT IS “REAL.” Real
an outline of sorts for your consideration:
men and women who have experienced the
saved, signs and wonders were taking
power of life change by an encounter with
place, and they were having favor with all
Jesus Christ will live such transformed lives
the people) and we live in an Ephesians 6
(not perfect, but transforming!) that the
world (we are in a spiritual battle and we
power of their testimony is compelling.
do not fight against flesh and blood; people
In this short article, I do not have time to unpack all of what that means for us in
THE KINGDOM OF GOD TOUCHES EVERY SPHERE OF SOCIETY and beyond. The universe is His. The church has often limited itself to the building and to its activities as an organization. We are called to be the church and the church is both gathered for worship and teaching and fellowship and scattered for witness and ministry.
THOSE OF US WHO ARE IN THE PROTESTANT STREAM HAVE SAID
to their number daily those who were being
are not our enemies, but the spiritual forces
"I can think of no greater reality of this shifting season in our present reality than the need for followers of Jesus to engage in the 'public square.'"
we believed in the priesthood of all believers. But we have not practiced that very
calling time for the church (God was adding
are). In my role as a College President, I am regularly called upon to be in relationship with, speak to and write about, people and causes that are oppositional and often divisive. I regularly pray for the Spirit of God to live in and through me in such a way that people are won by the grace and truth of Jesus. Will you join me in this new season,
Our society desperately needs deeply
both by engaging in the public square in
well. We have allowed ourselves to main-
devoted followers of Jesus in the classroom,
whatever assignment He has given you,
tain a very structured system. Ephesians
in government, in arts/media and entertain-
and live in a Spirit empowered way so that
4 calls us all to do the work of the ministry
ment, in health care, in church, and in fam-
the grace and truth of Jesus might shift the
and for the five fold ministry to equip the
ilies. When we see Spirit empowered men
atmosphere of every room and setting in
Body to do that work.
and women living out their daily relation-
which you are involved?
ship with Jesus, speaking and loving people
THERE IS NO SACRED/SECULAR DIVIDE. All of life is sacred (see #1
I’m convinced we are in a new season
full of grace and truth, then atmospheres
and the time for shifting atmospheres for
shift and life begins to flow.
His glory has come!
above). Because all of life is sacred, every
Four passages of Scripture have been
follower of Jesus is “on mission” and “fully
particularly compelling to me of late: We
employed” when they are at home, at work,
are in a Matthew 5 (being salt and light in
in the community, or doing recreation. The
the world so that people glorify our Father)
life of Jesus in us and through us is a 24-7
and Matthew 25 (meeting needs in the
experience (Colossians 3:23).
name of Jesus and serving Him as we serve
23
Dr. John Jackson is the President of William Jessup University and an author and speaker.
MEGAMORPHOSISMAGAZINE.COM
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The True Miracle Story of Film Maker Stephen Wollwerth & His Son INTERVIEWED BY JENENE STAFFORD + WRITTEN BY NISSI GUIAO
Give Up Never: The Power of God to Break Down Impossible Walls wrestling,
for thirty days straight (to just see what
in this challenge, he started to get really
you’re not doing the work
would happen). Oblivious to every victory
comfortable with hearing God’s voice.
of
God
he’d see by jumping into this, he grabbed
And it wasn’t long before he began to see
Spoke to Stephen Wollw-
the challenge wholeheartedly. He may
instantaneous answers to his prayers as
erth’s heart one day. Stephen had been a
not have been aware at that point, but
he stayed consistent in pressing in. He got
Christian all his life and likely heard Ephe-
God knew exactly what He was setting
to a point where he says that answers to
sians 6:12 (“For we do not wrestle against
him up for. Day by day, he woke up much
prayer became so frequent and so quick
flesh and blood…”) hundreds of times be-
earlier than usual. He seriously began to
that he was surprised when he had to
fore this revelation came. For decades, he
engage with God during every morning
wait any amount of time for an answer to
kind of coasted through life, trusting God
run. He prayed, listened to and read the
a problem.
with/for the bare minimum, until one in-
Bible, talked to God about everything he
vitation to get serious in prayer changed
could think of. He did all the things he
the answer not long after he prayed to
his life and perspective forever.
was already familiar with doing, just with
people across the world hearing God’s
more focus and intensity.
voice telling them to send help, Stephen
"I
f
you’re the
not
Kingdom,”
PRAYER…JUST START
From
phone
calls
that
came
with
The intentionality in seeking God’s
quickly learned that it’s truly God’s heart
one
face drew Stephen much closer to God’s
to provide his every need, no matter what
afternoon, Stephen (along with other
heart. A closeness that he would never
it was. He wasn’t stuck just believing for
staff ) got challenged by his Pastor to pray
find by simply doing a bunch of good,
the meager things in life anymore (bills,
and read the Bible for three hours a day,
“Christian” things. Fiercely determined
mortgage payment, getting through the
Steadily
working
at
his
church
ISSUE 4 + THE APPROACHABLE BRIDE
24
2018
GIVE up never week). With fresh Kingdom thinking, he
TRAINING GROUND
was set free to never wallow in difficulty
Continuing constant connection to God,
that God asked him what he wanted that
like he’s seen so many people sucked
Stephen and his family got to a point where
he began to pray specifically. Not only
into. He says, “I honestly felt like I finally
they needed another vehicle. He had no
did he pray, but he actually went to the
woke up from an entire life of slumber
problem giving away vehicles whenever
Honda dealership after hours to circle
at age thirty-five…as if God was saying,
he felt led to in the past, but this time,
the very van he had his eye on, declaring
‘YES! This is how I want you to live! In
he was in need of the miracle. Though he
and claiming it was his in Jesus’ name. He
My presence constantly!’” Prayer used to
could afford a car payment at the time,
continued to do this until he pulled into
seem boring to him, but after getting a
he was convinced God didn’t want him
the parking lot one night to discover that
real taste of what it really is supposed to
in debt; he used wisdom and didn’t try to
it was no longer there. But this didn’t stop
be, it became all he wanted to do.
make things happen on his own. One day,
him. He waited for the next shipment
This healthy obsession to be in unity
he just started asking for another miracle.
and when the next one was on the lot, he
with God became the solid foundation for
He invited God into his situation and
got more specific with his prayers and
what they would build together. Through
began to ask for provision. Since prayer is
declaration. He even brought his family
their intimacy, Stephen learned that not
really a two-way conversation, he sensed
out one time to do as he did and walk
only did he need to have a strong prayer
God ask him a very direct question in
around and pray and claim their vehicle.
life, but that sometimes he needed to step
response, “What kind of car do you want?”
out, too. It became evident that seeing
(In this case, he’d already scoped out the
miracles happen would require an active
STEPPING OUT
hottest black Honda Odyssey with leather
After about three weeks of fervently
partnership with God, not passivity (that’s
seats, navigation and an entertainment
praying, God dropped a clear direction
all too common in the Church today).
system with a DVD player—ideal for their
in Stephen’s heart one morning. He told
He says, “Sometimes the answer to our
growing family.) He listed in detail what
him to go to the Honda dealer, to ask to
overcoming and breaking through to a
he wanted and then he felt the Lord say to
speak to the manager and to specifically
victory takes more than prayer.”
him, “Then ask Me for it.”
say he wanted to do their commercials in
Stephen felt so emboldened by the fact
25
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exchange for a vehicle. Following this to a
Stephen led his wife, Jenny, in properly
took back what he had stolen from me.” It
tee, that very day, he drove home the exact
following Scripture. He took Proverbs
wasn’t as easy as 1-2-3, but Stephen says,
$42,000 van he kept asking for. Delighting
18:21 to heart, “Death and life are in the
"I wouldn't trade my pain for a minute, for
in the Lord with an understanding that
power of the tongue, and those who love
there is so much joy that I have received
God rewards the ones who seek Him
it will eat its fruits.” As he researched the
on the other side of it."
diligently, he got the tangible desire of his
possible diagnosis, he told Jenny, “Honey,
In life, we can't avoid the struggles nor
heart (Psalm 37:4, Hebrews 11:6).
we have to be very careful about what
the pain that inevitably come our way.
Beyond praying for what he needed/
we focus on and what we agree with. We
According to Stephen, it’s a guarantee that
wanted, Stephen had to know God’s voice
cannot enter into despair and doubt.” He
at some point in our lives we’re going to
in order to hear His direction. (This clarity
made sure to focus on “faith-reality” vs.
feel stuck in the desert. He says, “The fact
was a direct result of getting awakened in
“visual-reality”; they were to never speak
is, because we are more than conquerors,
deeper prayer earlier on.) And he had to
of their son’s situation in a defeated way.
we should fully expect to overcome these
be willing to step outside the box to go
As a family, they danced and sang and
situations in due time.” Just as we were
after his miracle. This experience was
worshipped the Lord every night, filling
reminded in the beginning that we’re not
vital in his training for the biggest battle
their home with joy. He says, “We were
really doing the work of the Kingdom if
he was yet to face. God, the planning
going to be a family like no other, a family
we’re not wrestling, we can’t sit on the
mastermind, set him up for success by
worshipping in the darkness, expecting
sidelines in our own battles anymore
teaching him the importance of doing
the sunrise.”
if we want to expect miracles. We have
more than just simply praying.
THE BIGGEST BATTLE
It was an eight-month long fight, day
no time to wallow or we'll waste away
and night, night and day. Had Stephen not
the abundant life we’re not only gifted
had the intimacy with God like he did, he
to live but are called to share with
Stephen’s trust in God
others. We have to
became more solid than it had ever been in his life. It needed to be for
“THE FACT IS, BECAUSE WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS, WE SHOULD FULLY EXPECT TO OVERCOME THESE SITUATIONS IN DUE TIME.”
what was to come his
engage and find our victories our
because
breakthroughs
extend
far
beyond
way. Upon receiving deep confirmation
would’ve never been prepared to battle
that it was time to uproot, he relocated
for his son’s miraculous healing in the way
In this article, we get but a taste of how
his family from Beaufort, South Carolina,
he needed to. But because it was in him to
God’s radically been moving in Stephen’s
to Folsom, California. Within the ten-day
Give Up Never, he quit pulling his punches
life; there’s so much more to tell. As God
span of the road trip, he noticed a mark
and kept persisting. There were many
victoriously brought him out of the biggest
on his son’s body that didn’t concern him
times where he felt down and out for the
struggle in the darkest time of his life, he
at first. He didn’t expect it to be anything
count, but the power of the living Word
knows he can’t keep his story to himself.
crazy, so he just treated it as best as he
kept him going and He only ever spoke
He felt led to write out the significant
knew how—applying over-the-counter
out life. He persisted like the persistent
events in his life (ones we haven’t even
medication and changing his son’s diet.
widow Jesus spoke of (he may have been
covered). He says, “God began to show me
Over time, the spot worsened and spread
even more persistent). He says, “With a
that His purpose is to use me to change
exponentially. So much so that he had to
surge of defiance and determination to
the world, not just give me what I need.”
seek professional advice.
believe we could win this battle, I got up
Now that he’s miraculously on the other
and prayed like never before.”
side of his greatest battles, God told him
Doctor’s visits and blood tests suggested that
Stephen’s
son
possibly
had
an
ourselves.
he needed to write a book. He’s lived
incurable autoimmune disease—maybe
BREAKTHROUGH
Lupus or Sjögren’s syndrome. Though this
After a few short days of praying like this,
and understanding that many of us are
was not an act of God, He was ready to
Stephen says, “I woke up in the morning
needing.
make all things work together for good
and looked at my son’s face…the lesions
through Stephen’s deep trust in Him to
had diminished 80% overnight.” This
something in you, do yourself a favor and
do the improbable and the unexpected.
gave him the confidence to push through
don’t wait to get his book. Getting to see
Because Stephen trusted God, God could
to find full victory—God miraculously
even more of his story “will leave you in
trust Stephen in this spot. It was time for
healed his son like he'd fervently asked
awe of the very real, very present power
him to wrestle… It was not easy to walk
Him to. He says, “I was actually seeing the
of God in the lives of those who pray” and
this out, but having heard the Word over
results of the battle, the final battle for
will undeniably teach you how, in every
and over and over (through the prayer
my son’s healing. I had done like David
circumstance, to find true victory as you
challenge), he had the faith to stand on
had done. I had encouraged myself in the
powerfully Give Up Never.
and to boldly declare Truth.
Lord and I went to the enemy’s camp and
ISSUE 4 + THE APPROACHABLE BRIDE
through so much, gaining him a wisdom
26
If
Stephen’s
stories
have
sparked
2018
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ISSUE 4 + THE APPROACHABLE BRIDE
28
2018
Banning and Jenene sit down and have an open conversation about miracles and the supernatural life of Christianity. And what does it mean to live the normal Christian life—to honor God and have gratitude, to believe like little children that anything is possible? Read Banning and Jenene's down-to-earth conversation about it . . . and a lot more.
J: Tell me about your heart on miracles.
demonstrating to the world. It’s that the power
B: I think miracles are just, honestly, a normal
cross. Healing was paid for on the cross—mir-
of God in my life was actually paid for on the
part of the Christian life. I think it’s part of the
acles, they’re accessible now because of that, to
gospel. The gospel is a gospel of power, so [it’s]
every believer and that’s why this is our inher-
the supernatural intervention of God—the mir-
itance. He paid a very high price so that we can
acle working power of God—and it’s how Jesus
walk in this and experience it.
lived. If we say we really want to follow Jesus, [then] we want to follow His example in how He showed us how to live on the earth. I mean,
J:
Wow, I love it! Everything you’re saying is
amazing to me. And the part about the inheri-
miracles were a massive part of how He demon-
tance is so divine, not that you would know this,
strated who He was, and how He demonstrat-
but this next issue, there’s going to be a running
ed His love. It’s very interesting…even when it
theme of inheritance.
comes to salvation, so much of this stuff, when we pray for a harvest, miracles are very tied into that. Even in Acts, it was the lame man that was
we actually receive what He already paid for. We need to refuse to settle for anything less than
give their lives to Christ because of what they
what He already paid for. So if He paid a great
saw. Jesus demonstrated and taught. So it wasn’t
price for something, which is the chastisement
just teaching. He’d set a guy free and then have
for our peace, He paid a great price for peace in
a conversation about that. And then also, even
our lives. By His stripes we are healed—He paid
whenever Jesus, when His authority was ques-
a great price for healing in our lives. If He paid
tioned about whether or not He had authority
that price, me not actually receiving that inheri-
to forgive sins, He didn’t argue the point…He
tance is not honoring of God. Receiving what He
healed the guy. So I think it’s very much tied
paid for is actually one of the ways we can be
into that stuff. That demonstration of the power
most grateful, too. I can thank Him all day long,
of God reveals His character. It reveals Him on
but if I don’t actually access what He paid for, it’s
new levels. A lot of people can explain away a
not true gratitude.
with His power, it really does require a different level of consideration. And it’s part of our
TSWL: The Stuff We Love
B: I think one of the ways we honor God is that
healed that then ignited five thousand men to
bunch of stuff, but when they come face-to-face
CHECK OUT THE JESUS CULTURESTUFF WE LOVE
J:
What a great conversation. So, then what
would you say to someone who really wants to
inheritance. It’s 100% part of our inheritance, it
operate in miracles and just has a passion for
was paid for on the cross. So it’s not just about
it even, you know, but they just have fear…like
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"Ultimately, obedience has to be tied to, 'I want to do what You're asking out of love.'" B: And a lot of it is just obedience based,
And it doesn’t mean that I pray for every
honestly. He said go heal the sick, go cast
single person I see. Again, I think we see
Where is it? it still was something that I
out demons, raise the dead, cleanse the
in Scripture that there are different ways
was a little afraid of. I thought, you know,
lepers. Faith is not the lack of fear. I think,
that this healing happens. And sometimes
people are going to think certain things if
sometimes, it’s obedience even in the face
it’s that the Spirit was there to heal; some-
they know that I think like this (of course
of fear. So if I’m intent on being obedient,
times it’s just stepping out in authority.
everything’s different now, but) I mean,
I’m going to be obedient, even when I feel
I think it’s a little of all of it, yes. Obe-
do you come across that?
that thing of fear. And I think faith mani-
dience, though, is key. I would just say,
they’re just afraid of it? I know for me, even though I saw it and I kept wondering
fests in those moments. So, it’s not like we
obedience is so critical because obedi-
Well, of course. This is not a harsh
get to a point and we’re like, “I no longer
ence is tied to intimacy, too. Ultimately,
statement, but the fear of man—won-
have any fear in my life.” It’s like, "No,
obedience has to be tied to, “I want to
dering what people are going to think
even in spite of fear, I choose obedience,"
do what You’re asking out of love.” This
about us and whether or not we’ll stand
and faith manifests. But again, you can
is why at some level, if your Christianity
out and all of that—you have to wres-
say that in stepping out in miracles, or you
is duty-based, if it’s shame-based, if it’s
tle through that in any area. But at the
could say that with taking a risk for God.
guilt-based, if it’s task-based, [remember]
end of the day, if I have a heart for this
Just period, it’s so tied to the same thing.
it has to be intimacy-based—we are do-
B:
then I have to get my mind renewed. My mindset has to shift, so I have to change the way I think about this stuff. And the
J:
ing this out of love. Even my obedience is That’s another key word—that obedi-
not to an employer, it’s to a Father who
ence piece, I think, is actually bigger than
loves me dearly and I love Him dear-
way I change how I think is…I’ve got to
we think because sometimes (at least,
ly. Our obedience has to be birthed out
get into His word and really go look at
I’ve found with miracles and the super-
of intimacy and I think that’s how this
Scripture for this stuff and say, “Lord, I
natural) it’s like God will ask you to do
journey then doesn’t get us into “I’m do-
really need You to renew my mind, how
something. You’ll know it’s because He
ing things because I feel like I have to.”
I view the Kingdom and the supernatural
has a miracle on the other side, but yet
miracles” and allow the Holy Spirit to re-
He’s asking you to do this, and then He’s
new your mind with that and the Word.
going to ask you to go here and then go
And at some level, you just have to lay
here and go here. And He will have you,
down your reputation. But you have to
sort of in a way, jump through these
lay that down for anything if you want to
hoops and your spirit affirms that, but
the heart of Jesus that people would not
be used by God at all. You’re going to face
you have to be willing to trust Him. It’s
live in bondage. I mean, when we say,
the same questions for any risk-taking.
also, move now when [He says] to move.
“He came to destroy the works of the
So it’s obedience and in the timing of God.
devil (the devil came to steal, came to
J: Thank You, God. You said another prophetic word because the magazine’s for
the Risk-takers. So yeah, that’s it, right?
B: So when it comes to miracles, yeah, I
J: It is the heart of Jesus. B: It absolutely is the heart of Jesus that people would be set free. It’s absolutely
kill and came to destroy), so anywhere something is stealing, killing or destroy-
think it’s both. I think there’s two things
ing, His heart is that people would expe-
We have to be willing to risk. And isn’t
going on. One is when it comes to healing.
rience life and life more abundantly—
God doing incredible things? He’s open-
I think there’s an authority in our lives
not death. And He says, “I’ve given you
ing doors for the Kingdom to really step
that we can pray for the sick, but there
authority over these things.” That’s why
in and do these things, and it’s the ones
are also times we see in Scripture where
even the issue of cancer for us is, “No,
that are humble and have been through
the Holy Spirit was present to heal. So I
we go after that issue” because cancer is
hell and back and are willing to risk and
do think there are times when there’s the
stealing, killing and destroying. And Je-
they’re willing to do what needs to be
moving of the Holy Spirit in my life that
sus came to give life and life more abun-
done. God, He seems like, is really using
I’ve got to go do this, but there are also
dantly. This is us even. This is what’s on
those people. There’s a certain group of
times where it’s not necessarily the mov-
His heart, so this is what’s on our heart
us, I guess you could say—leaders—hun-
ing of the Holy Spirit, it’s just that He put
because as we draw close to Him in inti-
gry to see manifestation and the glory.
an authority in my life to pray for the sick.
macy, His heart to see people experience
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life becomes our heart. We’re not okay
brace the level that Bethel is, but there is
going on. It’s really getting heated the last
with the devil destroying people’s lives.
a shift that’s beginning to happen where
couple of years, especially politically, you
people are beginning to realize we can’t
know, the enemy is moving in that area.
Absolutely. So, do you feel in the
do "this" without "that." I think it becomes
So the Lord needs us to be willing to step
Spirit...are you getting affirmation from
more and more evident too, that current
out in those areas in the dark places, in
people that operate really strong in the
state of whatever it is—where society is or
the places where the enemy is systemical-
prophetic (which, you probably have a
what people are encountering. Or again,
ly working.
lot around [your community]) that there’s
this is not to paint a bad picture or any-
going to be a massive move in this area
thing, but the most medicated generation
that’s going to be happening like really
the world’s ever seen, a ton of confusion
soon, like there’s a birthing of this be-
happening—all this stuff, we’re like, “If
cause the Bride is preparing herself?
you don’t come in power, we don’t have
J:
B:
answers for this.” So there’s a real hunYeah, I would say already there’s
ger for God to come in power for sure.
been a real shift in churches, on how they
B:
And when you do, you better know
the authority that God’s given you and the power that’s available.
J: As Kingdom people, He wants us
to have authority over every place of culture, right? And so, to me it’s sort of
approach the supernatural. Like
a given. But I think there is a shift
it is something, you’ll see even in
where people are wanting to know
conservative churches. Healing
more. They’re getting more hungry,
services are starting to pop up, so there are definitely things shifting. But I think ultimately, the harvest, I think that's what you’re describing at some level. Is the church fully experiencing the freedom that’s available? There's just a dissatisfaction. Ultimately,
"So much of unbelief in our lives, we've been taught into it—and kids actually haven't been taught unbelief yet."
as well, there's light and darktrue freedom has to be present. vest. I would say that if we’re really going to see the harvest come in, the supernat-
B:
Yeah, I agree.
J:
Okay so how young is too
young? Is there "too young" for people to operate in miracles or children to operate in miracles?
B: Well, I guess the question you’ll
ness. In a world full of bondage, So I think much of this is tied into the har-
right? Wanting to learn more…
have to answer is, “Is the Spirit
J: The Lord’s told me, “You’ve got to slow-
different in a 5 year old than He is in a 50 year old?” So what we would say is, if
ly introduce this bigger understanding of
there is no junior Holy Spirit, then, if I
ural power of God has to be present. And
the dark side.” To understand how much
have the Spirit of God living on the inside
people getting set free and really experi-
power’s been given because they don’t re-
of me, the same Spirit that raised Jesus
encing the fullness that God has to offer, I
ally have authority, but they have what-
from the dead, it’s connected to that. If
think, is tied to power as well. I don’t nec-
ever we’ll allow them to have. We don’t
the Spirit of God is inside of you, then you
essarily know if I would say I’m hearing a
understand, sort of, the open doorways
can do miracles. And I would say at some
stirring around that. I think it’s just some-
and that piece of it. We need to under-
level, kids operate a little bit easier ‘cause
thing the Lord’s been intent on us moving
stand that because we need to know what
they haven’t been taught out of it. I would
towards and is going to get His church to.
we’re fully up against. We also need to
say most believers that wouldn't believe
understand why the enemy is much more
in the supernatural have been taught into
strategic, so if we can start to train people
that spot. If you just went straight to Scrip-
to understand a little bit, too, about the
ture, you wouldn’t come away with “mir-
There’s definitely a broader accep-
other side, then we can see even bigger
acles aren’t for today.” So, so much of un-
tance of the supernatural power of God
shifts happening. To me, you’re sort of
belief in our lives, we’ve been taught into
in our midst. They may not all fully em-
addressing that. Like, you see this stuff
it, and kids haven't actually been taught
J: Yeah. Yeah, I’m seeing that shift too. B:
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unbelief yet. They don’t have as much
ping and going, “Hey, can I pray for you?”
clutter to get through in some of that stuff
People have this picture that it’s like this…
as far as just that “child-like” faith. You
but it’s just like, “Hey, can I pray for you?
know, we’ve seen little kids lay hands on
I don’t think that’s God’s will for your life
people and get healed and it’s because the
that you’re living with back pain. I think
lowing any kind of faith or not, they still
Holy Spirit inside of them is just as great
God has a different plan for you. Can I
want to know.
as the Holy Spirit inside of me. I don’t
pray for you?” Like, it’s a lot more natural
have a greater Holy Spirit than they have.
than we think and that phrase “natural-
J: And their heart is so pure, too, right?
ly supernatural” has been going around
all the working of the Holy Spirit, yeah.
J: Totally, because people want to know God is hearing them. Like, if they’re fol-
B: They want to know that God sees us,
they want to know that God sees “me.”
and it is a lot more natural. It’s not a big
And most people believe in God. It’s a very
And I think that’s the other piece of mir-
choir and a moment and so much of this
very small percentage of people that don’t
acles. I think our heart collectively, the
stuff. So much of the supernatural is hap-
actually believe there’s a God who exists.
Church, is getting more pure, is getting
pening outside a church service just by
They may be loud, but they’re a small per-
more where we’re just desiring more—
people going, “Can I pray for you?” Or “I
centage. So most people have some grid
to see the manifestation of the Kingdom.
have a word for you.” Or “I had a dream
of like, “I believe in a God, I just think
about you last night.” Or whatever it is.
He’s distant. I just think He doesn’t care. I
And there are definitely the supernatural
just think He’s not interested.” And all of
urally hungry for that stuff. Kids are nat-
manifestations of people encountering
a sudden, that word of knowledge comes
urally hungry and they don’t go through
God or people being set free or whatever
and it’s like, “Wow, I’m seen by God!” That
all the stuff you’re talking about. They're
else. But so much of this stuff is a lot more
is a really powerful experience.
not going through “What are people going
natural than people think it is.
B: And I agree, I think that kids are nat-
to think of me if I believe this?” That kind of comes on us as we get older. We’re a lot more worried about what people are
J:
I think that’s a wonderful point and
I would tend to totally agree with you,
thinking about us, but little kids, for sure
I mean, completely. God uses us in that
they don’t. I don’t think it’s as weird as
way. Words of knowledge is such a power-
people think. I think there are things that
ful gift too, right, and to me it’s almost like
are outside of our box in the Kingdom that
miracles with that.
a stigma is attached to. However, I don’t think it’s quite as weird. I mean just stop-
J: Yeah, it is. It’s actually one of my favorite giftings. It’s really a casual thing.
B: Yeah, it’s not like this, “Thus sayeth the Lord…”
B: It’s all the gifts of the Spirit stuff, it’s
"So most people have some grid of like 'I believe in God, I just think He's distant. I just think He doesn't care. I just think He's not interested.' And all of a sudden that Word of knowledge comes and it's like, 'Wow! I'm seen by God!' That is a really powerful experience."
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Go to www. markjthepoet.com For Life After Lust Tour Dates
MY NAME IS MARK J. I AM A POET, VOCALIST, WORSHIP LEADER, AND SPEAKER. BUT MORE AND MOST IMPORTANTLY
I
AM A WORSHIPER OF THE KING, A
HUSBAND TO A QUEEN, AND A FATHER TO TWO PRIN-
I USED TO BE ADDICTED TO PORNOGRAPHY, CESSES.
BY THE WAY. AND NOW MY PASSION IS MORE THAN SPOKEN WORD AND MUSIC. AS ONE WHO HAS PERSONALLY WALKED DOWN THE ALLEYS OF ADDICTION TO PORNOGRAPHY
I FIND MYSELF ABLE TO RELATE TO AND INSPIRE OTHERS. I CAN’T COUNT HOW MANY TIMES I HAVE BEEN APPROACHED BY FOLKS
BATTLING THE CYCLE OF SEXUAL ADDICTION AS I WAS. MANY OF THEM TRUST ME TO BE THE FIRST PERSON THEY TALK WITH OPENLY ABOUT IT - PRETTY AMAZING IF YOU’D ASK ME. THIS IS
MY HEARTBEAT: TO SEE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THEIR VALUE AND LIVE IN FREEDOM AS GOD INTENDED.
THE WAVES
+ RISK TAKER
BRAVE
BY: NISSI GUIAO
Photo by Guy Kawasaki
WAVES. FROM OCEANS DEEP TO SANDY SHORES, THEY NEVER CAN STOP COMING. FIERCE AND UNAPOLOGETIC THEY PROVE TO BE, ROLLING THROUGH LIKE CLOCKWORK WHETHER OR NOT WE’RE READY. THE OCEAN IS FULL AND VAST AND DANGEROUS. EVERY DAY, THERE’S A THRILLING OPPORTUNITY TO DIVE INTO IT.
ISSUE 4 + THE APPROACHABLE BRIDE
34
2018
ENTER THE DEEP
the mountain, He walked on the waves that
Peace inadvertently develops the faith we
These days, I can’t imagine going to the
were already tossing the disciples’ boat
need to stay above water. It’s crazy to think,
beach and not at least touching the water. I
back and forth. This storm that brought
but truly we don’t have to sink.
know I could potentially get hurt, unknown
them trouble and painted their fears made
things lurking around my naked feet, but
them unstable. They were busy trying to
forms: never-ending bills, sudden or
I can’t stay away. There’s something about
stay afloat when He showed up that instead
expected fatalities, sickness and disease,
the vastness of the sea, the beauty in the
of recognizing Him, they thought He was a
heartbreak, stress, roadblocks, failure—the
mystery. And even though many have fallen
ghost. Immediately, He eased their worry
list goes on. We can’t stop things from
victim to the raging waters, there’s a peace
and told them to not be afraid. Now this is
happening or not happening, but we do
that won’t ever let me get swallowed up in
where the story gets really good.
have the beautiful gift of looking to Jesus
fear. Because I’ve tasted and now that I’ve
Pressure crashes over us in various
(every day, all the time, no matter what we
seen, my heart is no longer satisfied with
IT TAKES FAITH
desiring anything less than the thrill of the
The second Jesus revealed Himself, Peter
feel like we can’t catch a break. And maybe
deep.
believed Him. Not only did he believe Him,
we’re exhausted from all that life’s thrown
The thing is, the further we venture, the
but immediately, with the storm still raging
at us and we’d prefer to be on the shore for
more danger we enter. There’s no escaping
around him, he let Jesus become his peace.
a bit. Maybe we’re sick of the tossing and
the waves when there’s no shore to easily
So much so that he just wanted to get to
turning. If that’s the case, we can remember
swim to. Whether calm or chaotic, the
Him no matter the wind, no matter the
the beautiful truth that no matter what
waters are relentless—and so it is in our
waves. Peter’s intimacy with Jesus was the
season we’re in, Jesus will always remain
own lives. Waves are just like the days that keep on coming. There’s no end as long as we’re alive and breathing (and there hasn’t been a pause since Joshua commanded the sun to stand still). Day
face). Wave after wave, day after day, it can
"Maybe we’re sick of the tossing and turning. If that’s the case, we can remember the beautiful truth that no matter what season we’re in, Jesus will always remain the same."
after day, life hits us with
the same. He is our peace and He is always present, whether we’re in trouble or not. So if we can be like Peter, forgetting the wind and the waves because we just want to get closer to Jesus, we’ll no doubt find ourselves surfing
waves of all sizes without our permission.
foundation for his faith to do the unthink-
on faith with crazy stories to tell as we
There is no controlling what may come, but
able.
radically brave the waves.
when we simply remember Jesus is with us,
The key we tend to overlook is the reason
we can rise up and learn to seriously brave
Peter stepped out in the first place—he
the waves.
just wanted to get to Jesus. The moment it
MORE THAN A COOL STORY
clicked for him that Jesus was in reach, the waves didn’t matter anymore. The crashing
Peter (yes, the one who walked on water) is
waves didn’t stop before he got out of the
becoming more of an icon in the Christian
boat. Contrary to popular belief, I like to
faith. It’s hard not to be drawn to his own
think he barely cared about the miracle
story of braving the waves. He did what
he was directly a part of. I believe he just
none of the other disciples were willing to
wanted to get closer to the One who came to
do—get out of the boat. (I’d even be so bold
calm the storm that he was in.
to assume that no one else thought to do such a thing.) Besides that, there’s much
BRAVE THE WAVES, PETER-STYLE
more beauty to this well-known tale we
It’s natural to focus on the miracle, but
love to tell.
it can’t help us brave the waves in our
Peter walking on the water isn’t even
"It's crazy to think, but truly we don't have to sink."
NISSI GUIAO IS PART OF THE MM TEAM.
lives—only Jesus can. When we look to
the moral of the story, in my opinion. Jesus
Him despite the waves (no matter the size)
walked on the water. On His way back from
around us, our closeness to the Prince of
35
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I USED TO BE
Interviewed on Megamorphosis TV By Heather Murdock + Article By Nissi Guiao
R
be close to us. He is all about relationship.
feeling a pull to minister to people that
Through the powerful testimony of Mark
started developing since childhood. He
edemption is God’s spe-
J. The Poet, we get to see exactly how God
remembers getting visions at the young
cialty. He loves to take
used healthy community to break bond-
age of thirteen. He says, “I’d have these
what’s broken and make
age and restore a family torn apart by a
visions of myself—I would just be in the
it more beautiful than it
real addiction to pornography.
restroom, combing my hair or something
was to begin with (like beauty from ashes,
Mark J. had a healthy upbringing in a
and I would just start preaching to myself
Isaiah 61:3). He waits, patiently, for us to
Christian household. His parents trained
in the mirror, just imagining this sermon
succumb to His beckoning call. His heart
him and his three siblings in the way they
and people responding to Christ.” The
breaks when we take turns that lead us
should go by being the best examples they
enemy couldn’t wait to get his hands on
away from His heart, because His original
could be. He saw life with Christ mod-
him because of this; he became a walking
design has always been for us to live the
eled right before his eyes, with his dad
target early on. Satan aimed to steal his
abundant life with Him. There’s not a mo-
as Pastor and his mom as Worship Lead-
identity, strategically planning to kill and
ment that goes by that He isn’t longing to
er. Growing up in the faith, he recalls
destroy his passion to serve the Lord.
ISSUE 4 + THE APPROACHABLE BRIDE
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2018
PORN KILLS, LOVE HEALS
ADDICTED TO PORNOGRAPHY CURIOSITY, A TRAP
(that continued as he served the church),
tions, the enemy had no choice
Just like we’re warned in 1 Peter 5:8, the
he thought that having a wife could pos-
but to loosen his hold on him.
enemy prowls around like a roaring lion,
sibly solve his unspoken issues. He got
The more Mark J. opened up,
looking to devour us when we’re weak.
married to his beautiful wife Alicia, start-
the more community he dis-
Mark J. had an innocent curiosity that
ed a family—it was picture-perfect in
covered. Vulnerability was the
got the best of him. He was homeschooled
mind’s eye. But since the negatives of his
breeding ground for the break-
and needed the Internet to do his school-
past were never brought into the light, he
through he desperately needed.
work, so he says, “Of course one day when
started to lose the God-given connection
After pushing through, seeking
nobody was around at the house, I started
with his wife. This heavy addiction to self-
guidance from trusted lead-
typing all these words. And for the first
please himself crept straight into his mar-
ers and digging deeper into a
time, I was exposed to pornography. (I
riage. He found himself going insane, try-
small group, it was the healthy
didn’t know what that was at the time—I
ing to hide his ways. Closing the tabs and
community and vulnerability
didn’t even know that word.)” This single
clearing the history still couldn’t erase the
that restored him, and to this
moment was all it took for the enemy to
shame. He was so desperate to keep his
day has kept him free. Because
creep in and have his way. Mark J. had
secret that he bore the weight of negative
of the help he gained through honesty,
no clue how it was affecting him since he
nervousness. For a while, he lived a dou-
Mark J. got to reunite with his wife. She
was too young to have a grid for it. All he
ble life. Over time, porn really consumed
stayed faithful and never gave up on him,
felt inside was, “Okay, this is wrong. This
him and his addiction to a false reality
trusting that God would save him. Today,
is bad, but I’m too afraid to tell anyone.”
caused him and his wife to separate. At
their family of four is thriving as they're
Believing the enemy’s lies, he got hooked
this point, the enemy thought he’d won by
healthily planted in community.
right then and there and the addiction
breaking their family apart.
progressed pretty quickly.
It’s just like the enemy to try to destroy our dreams and destinies. But, if
LOVE HEALS
we remember, he doesn’t have that kind
my struggle.” With no concept of healthy
Here he was, undone and in denial—Mark
of power over us “for God’s gifts and His
vulnerability and community, the enemy
J. tried to get away from his hidden prob-
call are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29). Now
got him to believe that it would be weird
lems. Even after losing everything he
set free from the pornography addiction
if he told anyone, and that likely no one
cared about, he still sought affirmation in
that held him captive for years, Mark J.
else was struggling like he was. Ashamed,
all the wrong places. But no matter how
The Poet has a real story to tell. He has
he wanted to figure things out on his own
stubborn we are or how far we get away,
a lot to say. Fueled by creativity, he has
and thought he could just handle it all un-
we’re never out of God’s reach. Buried un-
a fiery passion for spoken word (birthed
der wraps. He sincerely believed he could
der guilt and shame, God brought him a
at the age of eighteen) that God’s using to
overcome the addiction just by fasting
healthy connection. His younger brother’s
encourage community. And with his ten-
more and praying more (deceived in iso-
friend reached out—he showed him real
der heart for this issue, God’s raising him
lation). But it was this very lie that kept
and radical love. In this time of separa-
up to lead men all across the country, by
him entangled all throughout high school
tion, God gave him a way out (just as He
teaching them the importance of connec-
and long after he graduated. Too afraid to
promises) and a miracle was on the hori-
tion. As authentic as his testimony is, the
talk to his parents, too afraid to tell his
zon. Through this new friendship, he felt
Lord keeps using it to break the chains of
friends, no one knew the struggle he was
safe enough to open up about the years
the ones who are still struggling.
going through.
of hidden secrets. They finally rose to the
Mark J. says, “Lies were a huge part of
surface as he was willing to be exposed.
PORN KILLS
He began to tell the truth (and as the Bible
Go to www.markjthepoet.com for help
Without practical guidance, without sub-
clearly teaches), it began to set him free.
and encouragement if you or someone
stantial community, Mark J. wasn’t pre-
“Honesty is Satan’s kryptonite,” says
pared to dig deep and get help. Instead of
Mark J. The moment he started admitting
being honest about his secret addiction
the truth and being honest about his ac-
37
you know struggles with this issue.
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“It’s not about doing all the things right, it’s about walking with Jesus through it all,” Heather Evans says she’s learned. INTERVIEWED BY JENENE STAFFORD + ARTICLE BY NISSI GUIAO
THE STORY OF A HUMBLE
Song Writer SHE'S BEEN FOLLOWING JESUS for a
IN THE MESS
that deep foundation in us early so that we
long time; she made the decision as a young
It didn’t take long before Heather found her-
could handle what was coming,” speaking
girl during one day in VBS (Vacation Bible
self challenged with real-life trials. Heavy
of her and her husband, Brett. She held
School). She had a little, red Bible that she
trials. In her teenage years, she overcame
onto the truth that God is good, but it didn’t
remembers staying up late to read and high-
an abusive relationship that lasted for
prevent more bad things from happening.
light. Fortunately, she can hardly recall a
some time. God redeemed what was bro-
(Because having a relationship with Jesus
time where she wasn’t walking with Jesus,
ken through healthy dating with her heav-
doesn’t mean we become immune to nega-
and it’s been her strong relationship with
en-sent husband, but she still faced deep
tive things, it simply means He’s always with
Him that’s carried her through the crazy ups
insecurities early on after getting married.
us.) She and Brett had to painfully deal with
and downs she’s traversed in life.
ISSUE 4 + THE APPROACHABLE BRIDE
Heather says, “I think God kind of laid
38
a miscarriage twelve weeks into their first
2018
lion
"I'm a a mouse.and not "
pregnancy. In the ER on one Easter week-
songs rose up out of her because she didn’t
depression, she had to go to counseling. She
end (after having a bad dream with unfor-
run from the struggles that paralyzed her.
was so troubled that she had to give up mu-
gettable warning signs), they were told that
And she feels like they’re some of the best
sic for a while; she felt like she was in a pit
their little one wasn’t going to make it. Not
songs she’s written thus far. Now, looking
of despair, like David writes about the in
only was it a tough conversation to have, it
back, she has such a rich story to tell that’s
Psalms. Deep in her trials, she came across
wasn’t a “normal” miscarriage either. She
already had a positive impact on so many
the powerful quote by Corrie ten Boom,
contracted for two weeks after it was “all
people.
“There is no pit so deep, that God’s love is
said and done” and she dealt with extreme
not deeper still.” It was like a timely gift that
pain, all while trying to manage an amal-
THE STORY ISN’T OVER
helped her climb up and out of the hole.
gam of questions that began to surface in
Even though miscarriage was one of the
Boom’s words inspired her to write the song,
her heart. This caused her to spiral down a
most tragic things she’s been through, it’s
“Deeper Still,” with appropriate reminders
bad path, as you’d expect anyone to unravel
only a portion of Heather’s redemptive, mir-
of God’s character. This became the anthem
after receiving heartbreaking news.
acle story. Over the years, she experienced
she sang in the midst of her trials.
more heartbreak and the next trials didn’t
EVEN IN THE DARKEST DAYS
take it easy on her. She suffered with hy-
Beautifully, Heather had these specific mo-
peremesis gravidarum, which brought her
ments deep in her darkest days, where she
closer to Jesus and developed a fight in her
just felt like Jesus was undeniably with her.
that was key for the next battles she’d face.
The pain didn’t go away over night, the
After almost losing her life while delivering
struggles didn’t get any less real, but she
her son, Trust Emmanuel, she couldn’t settle
kept letting Him in no matter how hard it
in at home. She got to a point where she felt
got. While she was stuck in an eight-month
like if she closed her eyes, she wouldn’t be
long depression, unable to get out of bed, she
able to wake up. Eventually, she went back
found herself questioning, “Why, God? Why
to the hospital where she found out that she
would this happen to me? I’ve been serving
had congestive heart failure and conges-
You and following you.” It didn’t make any
tive lung failure. The doctors began to have
sense. Trial after trial, the questions began
those difficult conversations with her and
to pile up, but she wasn’t afraid to ask them.
her family and she was literally told that if
Vulnerable, she found her voice through
she went to sleep, she probably wouldn’t
OUT OF THE WOODS
songs expressing her heart’s longing for real
wake up.
Step by step, Heather clung to Jesus. Faith-
“But You are deeper still Your love goes deeper still Your mercy’s deeper still My God, You’re deeper still.”
answers. Like a breath of fresh air, this com-
Heather could hear the serious discussion
ful as He is, He led her straight “Out of the
pletely changed the game for her by simply
between her parents and the doctors in the
Woods,” which became the next CD to pour
changing her perspective.
hallway outside of her room. It was at that
out of her heart. At this point in her walk
point that she cried out, “Okay God, help me
with Jesus, she kicked anxiety in its rear and
THROUGH THE SONGS
to fight right now.” He never left her side,
she was well on her way to real freedom.
Beyond the pain and with her honest ques-
and she miraculously pulled through. But
There was a significant moment where she
tions came the most powerful, redemptive
even though she won that battle, she still left
switched from depression to saying, “Okay,
treasure—a CD titled “Songs For Healing.”
the hospital sick.
God, I’m ready to live this life that You’ve
Her struggle through anxiety and depres-
given me. I don’t want to live asleep any-
sion bred a tangible resource that she gener-
DEEPER STILL
more. I’ve been living kind of just, like,
ously gave away at an event she hosted for
For two, long years, Heather was so sick.
sleeping through life because of the things
parents who’ve lost children as well. These
Struggling daily with postpartum stress and
that’ve happened to me, but I want to live
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MEGAMORPHOSISMAGAZINE.COM
fully awake to what You have for me.” Just like Heather fought to stay awake when she almost lost her life for the second time, she fought to stay awake spiritually. Tired of living a life that was settling for less than God’s brilliant plans for her, she began to seriously pursue His heart in ways like she never had before. Aware of His truth, no longer bound by the chains of her past, she dove head-first into surrender. It was in these moments that she welcomed unexpected breakthrough.
BEAUTIFUL SURRENDER Right after she gave up and let go of all the terrible pains she held onto regarding pregnancy, she got news she wasn’t quite expecting. She wasn’t supposed to have kids anymore—so she thought. A week after surrendering the things that weighed her down, she found out she was pregnant for the third time. The next nine months proved to be as difficult as her previous pregnancy. She had
kept staying faithful to what was in front of
lion and not a mouse. Know who you are.”
hyperemesis again. But since she held a dif-
her, with her heavy passion for music rest-
And she says, “When I realize that, certain
ferent mindset, she knew that since God got
ing on the back burner.
doors start flying open. He wanted me to
her through before, He’d surely do it again.
Heather’s dreams were on hold for a
Instead of letting fear cripple her and defeat
while. She collected them in her dream jour-
her, she stood on truth that saved her. She
nal, and learned to trust God on a deeper
Truthfully, it’s all about our walks with
sang Elevation Worship’s, “Do It Again,” over
level. In a season of waiting and cultivating
Jesus through everything in our lives, not
herself and her situation and surely enough,
patience, she learned that “it’s not that He
about being perfect. As we see laid out in
she experienced His great faithfulness.
didn’t want her to go after her dream, it’s
Heather’s life through her powerful story,
As such a redemptive experience, Heath-
just that He cares more about her and her
God loves being with us and He redeems
er had a pretty seamless delivery. Story Joy
growth than He does about the dream.” He
the things that want to keep us tied up with
was born after only five hours of labor with
spoke to her heart that He cares more about
limits. Because she never gave up when she
no complications. It’s quite the testimony.
who she is, where she’s at and her growth
had every reason to, she finds herself right
Even though her struggle was the same, her
in Him.
where she always longed to be. Through it
outcome was different, solely because she
know who I was before stepping into bigger things.”
all, she’s experienced crazy provision, favor
DREAMS COMING TO LIFE
and so much blessing and joy that she can’t
Since then, Heather’s found herself stun-
help but share it with the people in her com-
UPROOTED AND PLANTED FOR GROWTH
ningly living her dreams. What was once
munity. And with her songs, she’s able to tell
words on paper is now her reality. All it took
the amazing story that God’s been writing
Five months later, Heather and her family
was her realizing who she really is in Christ.
with her life and obedience. Today, you can
packed up and left the comfort of Ohio. God
In the past few months, God’s been solid-
find her leading the Sacramento Songwriter
directly planted her into healthy community
ifying her identity in Him and that’s been
Circle, podcasting with fellow musicians and
at Jesus Culture Sacramento and she began
the launching pad to her bright future. It
artists, playing shows regularly and thriving
to thrive in many different ways. Over time,
started with a prophetic word that hit deep.
in every area of her life. She is living proof
she found herself missing the music scene
A friend of hers spoke into her life saying,
that no matter what, life with Jesus is better
that she had to give up yet again. Just as a
“You see yourself as small, but He sees you
and walking with Him will always lead to
release from the stresses of “mom-life,” she
as enough.” From that point forward, Heath-
dreams becoming reality, far better than we
wrote more songs, not knowing whether or
er’s been speaking this truth over herself.
can ever ask or think.
not anyone would ever hear them. And she
Her personal reminder has been, “I’m a
had a different perspective going into it.
ISSUE 4 + THE APPROACHABLE BRIDE
40
2018
HEALING RESOURCES We believe that we all need help getting free from the things that happen in our life. We've gathered a list of local resources to help you forward your healing process. Our goal is to see God's people completely free to be who God called them to be. If you are not in the Sacramento area, you can also call and get directed to a church or ministry that can help.
LIFE BRIDGE MINISTRIES Transforming based on respected prayer models such as Theophostic Prayer, Freedom in Christ Prayer by Dr. Neil Anderson and other models.
THE FAMILY CHURCH HEALING MINISTRY
The volunteers will help identify the roots of a problem or negative life pattern through Spirit lead prayer for the purpose of bringing healing through Jesus.
LAKE TAHOE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP Sozo Method
http://www.laketahoecf.com
http://www.jointhefamily.net/inner-healing
www.TheLifeBridge.org
AGAPE FREEDOM FIGHTERS Training for inner healing and physical healing http://www.agapefreedomfighters.org
BETHEL SOZO SACRAMENTO Sozo Method
http://www.bethelsozo.com
HOPE IN LIFE MINISTRY Sozo and other methods http://www.hopeinlifeministry.com
SACRAMENTO CHRISTIAN HEALING PRAYER Sozo and other methods http://www.fremontpres.orgstory
DOKIMOS NETWORK Training and referrals to a variety of inner healing ministries and specialists http://www.dokimosnetwork.org
41
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The approachable bride may not be who you think unless you're seeing what Jesus sees.
BY JENENE STAFFORD
ISSUE 4 + THE APPROACHABLE BRIDE
42
2018
5 THINGS THAT DISTINGUISH THE APPROACHABLE BRIDE OF JESUS CHRIST
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DISCLAIMER
the ones that in our hearts, minds, spirit
of the world. But, how we look on the out-
I'm not pretending to be a biblical schol-
and actions are doing just that, preparing.
side has no relevance except to the degree
ar so I ask for grace as you read what I
I believe that when the Bible says "my
we are an approachable, down-to-earth,
believe the Holy Spirit would like to re-
eyes are skimming the whole earth for
spirit-filled kingdom representative.
veal about this particular topic of the "ap-
those whose hearts are pure before me",
proachable" bride. I'll do my best to be as
God is talking about His Bride. I think not
ing very unappealing to the world, as
down-to-earth as possible (always), with-
only are we His bride, as He knows the fu-
well as the church that has no real power
out watering down the Word of God.
ture, and although we may really only be
and influence, basically nothing real to
I am fully aware that this topic of the
engaged (to be 100% biblically accurate)
show for herself, an unadorned unap-
"bride" can be a controversial one, de-
until Jesus returns, our hearts are His. We
pealing bride.
pending on your worldview, upbringing
long for the day when we are married and
or education. I will share what I see is
fully in His presence. Therefore, we are
things that I'll share–at least in part–in
currently happening and will be happen-
His Bride due to the fact we live, act and
this article that the Holy Spirit has re-
ing in the months and years to come.
respond as a faithful wife would. We have
vealed to me.
The religious legalistic bride is becom-
Being
approachable
means
many
been grafted into His promises to Israel
As a Christian seer (a title the Lord
WHO IS THE BRIDE?
and those who live authentically to do the
spoke to me about 5 years ago), I see times
Some scholars say the Bride is Israel
Father's will are His Bride. That's my take.
and seasons as it pertains to the Church. I also see where as a body we're moving
alone. Others say the Bride will exist only
and where we're at in the transition of be-
Some say the Catholic Church is the where
WHY USE THE WORD "APPROACHABLE"
the whole concept of the Bride came from.
This is the word Jesus gave me for what's
us to be. We're transitioning and growing
Here's what I believe–I think Jesus is look-
happening with His Church (as a whole)
into powerful sons and daughters in His
ing for the Bride who is willing to prepare
right now. We're transforming into the
Kingdom.
herself for her Husband. I think we are
approachable ones and we may have pink
after Jesus comes back for his Church.
coming who Christ ordained and anointed
hair and tatoos and look just like the rest
ISSUE 4 + THE APPROACHABLE BRIDE
44
2018
A NEW ERA
ure it out. As my husband
I can tell you we are in an entirely
would say "trying to figure it
new era of Christianity and some of
out is the boobie prize." We'll
you have not realized this yet, but in
learn a deeper level of who
time you will.
"the Way" is. Just get on board.
In this new era, ministry, evan-
In this new era, the truth
gelism and how we do church will
tellers will rise and the bride
not be based on yesterday's model,
will be part warrior and part
a religious model or what you might
lover of humanity. Our hearts
expect. If you're looking for a strat-
will be filled with compassion
egy or framework for a marketplace
and the Father's heart will
ministry or Kingdom venture, you'll
burn inside His followers like
find it coming through the Spirit of
never before.
wisdom, not your own natural bril-
Our
desire
for
heavenly
liance. You may find failure after
experiences will dramatically
failure if you try and go it alone.
increase, and there is caution
We'll learn just how real the scrip-
not to get caught up in it. Get
ture in John is that says "I am the
caught up only in the Father's
vine, you are the branches, and you
will and Spirit and you'll be
can't do anything without me."
safe. Enjoy the wildly good
It is an exciting new era and one
ride!
that has some turmoil as the world and the Church is attempting to fig-
THE WARRIOR BRIDE You cannot be the bride without being a warrior. Bride and warrior, they are two sides of the same coin. There are all kinds of authorities in high places. There are the princes over regions in the spirit realm. The prince of the power of this world is satan. There is a prince of Persia, whom a Chief Prince Michael, also known as the Archangel, fought against.
The approachable bride will intimately know the Prince of Peace and we'll need to as we will be warring in the spirit.
There are many territorial spirits and it's our job as Kingdom representatives to learn to battle together by using the armor, through prayer, fasting, intercession and through unity. You cannot be the Bride without being a warrior, they go hand in hand. The good news is only Jesus wears The King's crown and we are also Kings and Priests because we're part of His Kingdom. "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be
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upon his shoulders, and his name shall
Truth, dividing the Word rightly. This will
and of peace there will be no end, on the
be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty
keep us accountable to bring the realness
throne of David and over his kingdom, to
God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
people are desperately seeking.
establish it and to uphold it with justice
I don't know about you but knowing that
and with righteousness from this time
makes me want to jump up and down with
THE PRINCE OF PEACE
forth and forevermore. The zeal of the
excitement.
The approachable Bride will intimately
Lord of hosts will do this." [Isaiah 9:7]
In this new era, we will make a MEGA
know the Prince of Peace and we'll need
shift as a Church body. We will long for
to as we will be warring in the Spirit.
WE ARE FREE
the days of Acts to return and they will
We'll heed Christ's words to "take heart"
If we had not experienced freedom our-
at an entirely new level. This move of the
as we're battling the prince of the pow-
selves we would never have become true
Spirit and the Kingdom of God will sweep
er of the air. John 16:33 says "I have said
believers in Christ and the power of His
furiously across the nation, and ultimate-
these things to you, that in me you may
Kingdom. This is one of the things that sets
ly across the world. In the meantime the
have peace. In the world you will have
the approachable bride apart. We remem-
fire starters in the Kingdom of God are on
tribulation. But take heart; I have over-
ber where we came from. This makes us
their knees praying "Thy will be done."
come the world."
real. This makes us someone who doesn't
People are seeking a tangible experi-
We're called and blessed to be peace-
look down on someone who's stuck in ad-
ence of King Jesus, not a counterfeit, but
makers, not troublemakers. We're also
diction, prostitution or pornography or
there will be plenty of counterfeits. We'll
known as the sons of God, as the Bible
any other lifestyle that leads people into
need to work out our salvation with fear
says in Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the
a path of pain and hopelessness.
and trembling, ask the Lord to reveal any-
peacemakers, for they shall be called sons
thing in us that doesn't belong in a pure
of God."
Bride, and keep our eyes fixed on Biblical
ISSUE 4 + THE APPROACHABLE BRIDE
Most of us have walked on the dark side, but when Jesus forgives it's so tan-
"Of the increase of his government
46
gible. He changes everything and pretty
2018
fire of God because we persevered and kept standing.
WE LIVE WITH BOLDNESS The life of a believer is a moment by moment journey of learning how to live as a Christian with authentic boldness. It's why we strive inten-
"Jesus came to set the captives free and it is because he freed us that we are passionate about freeing others."
tionally to walk in the Spirit at all times. If we don't we can easily get off track. On one hand we need boldness because we are consistently in a spiritual war and it is the boldness of the knowledge of Christ that we depend on to war daily. With boldness we cast down anything that would exalt itself above the knowledge of God and we absolutely have to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. As the Bride we approach God and people with a spiritual boldness that fuels our work in the Kingdom.
WE NEED BOLDNESS TO SHARE THE MYSTERY OF THE GOSPEL Like the Apostle Paul desired to have boldness, we should do the same. "Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel." Clearly soon you've become a different person. We're not perfect people, but we're people with hope and light because we're free to be who God created us to be. The
darker
the
person
the
brighter the light seems when freedom grips our heart. We become carriers of His light. We are climbing the mountain in this season to become the light on the hilltop. The climb can be draining and at times make us want to quit, but we'll be much closer to God when we get to the top. We may tire in our bodies, but our spirit will be fueled with the
this requires that the message be given to us and that requires our hearts desire to be for God's story to be expressed. We are carriers of mysteries and a truth that can set people free from all kinds of pain, sickness and disease. Most importantly, Jesus is the great mystery that frees people from hell on earth and an eternal life seperated from a good and Holy Father.
WE APPROACH THE THRONE OF GRACE WITH BOLDNESS Being approachable has a double meaning; (1) we are approachable and available to all people looking for help, answers, comfort and healing. And (2) we approach the throne of God, which is one of grace. We need mercy and grace and it is with boldness we go to God making our re-
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quests known. We approach God knowing the dividing line has been removed, the veil has been torn and we now have direct access to God. We carry the priesthood because of Jesus's work on the cross. We're now called to administer His Kingdom as kings and priests in the earth. I can still remember the Father years back to me saying to me personally, "Jenene, when you approach my throne, approach it with boldness." Seemed like a strange thing at the time to hear from the Father. But, I was learning and He was teaching me authority. That was about seven years ago and since then I have seen how approaching the throne with authority and faith (boldness) moves the hand of God. It is the kind of authority that can stop a storm if needed. This is the kind of boldness we need in the new era of extremes that we're living in. But, we need to hear God and move in His timing as the Holy Spirit prompts.
THE INFLUENTIAL BRIDE WILL SHIFT THE CULTURE AND CHANGE THE WORLD It was always the design of Christ to use His bride to influence the world. The great commission in this generation hasbecome a MEGA opportunity as the Bride matures and trains into a force to reckon with. We're stepping into a dark but hungry, desperate culture, but revival is coming through a fast and furious move of the Spirit. It's happening because the Church is stepping up her game on one hand, and getting on her knees on the other. Many believers are praying for this next big revival in their land and I believe there will be a distinction between this move and the many others. This one we will learn to sustain because we're finally looking at what has stopped the revivals of the past. (More on that topic in the next issue of MM.)
NEW STRATEGIES ARE NEEDED & THEY'RE COMING Although Christians have been and are well intentioned, we have been losing the cultural war. The approachable bride
ISSUE 4 + THE APPROACHABLE BRIDE
will re-enter and re-engage the culture in
common ground, and effectively work to
new and artistic ways. This will give us
remove the walls that divide us."
a way to create new narratives that will engage the culture. We will become much
-Marilyn Jackson Finding that common ground is one
more socially relevant than in the past.
of the distinctions of the "approachable"
There will be an explosion of creativity
bride. We're getting new lenses and many
in the arts and entertainment arena.
of the "new Jesus people ministers" are
We will also be given the opportunity to
going to get laser-like vision to speak
create abstract prophetic art that will be
directly into a person's soul. We'll have
extremely appealing to the culture and it
a new language that is creative, poetic,
will position us to share the Gospel of the
and heart-penetrating to those deeply en-
Kingdom in unique ways.
grained in the culture of their cities. We will become the salt and light, but it may
FINDING COMMON GROUND
not look the way you think it should.
"In order to be effective in influencing the culture for Christ, the Church must
LOVE & BACK IT UP WITH ACTION
also find common ground with our fel-
The greatest place to start is by speaking
low citizens. Many in America have be-
a language people can understand. The
come divided; secular against religious,
language of the human heart at it's pur-
race against race, poor against rich, and
est level is love.
liberals against conservatives. We are
Love without action is not seen as love,
becoming a polarized nation. The devil
so resourcing the world's needs is cru-
knows that a house divided cannot stand.
cial. We need to have Spirit-led strategies
As Christians we need to take the initia-
so people see real change on a social,
tive by reaching out to people, finding
economic and government level as well.
48
2018
"The truth is revival is simply dependent on the Church being glued to the hip of Jesus, the ways of Jesus and setting our own ways to the side. Even good motives are not pure motives if they're not His."
Some of these cultural arena's are more
Like an onion He's peeling back the layers
difficult to penetrate and more spiritual
to unveil as much as we can handle about
warfare will be required. But God will
the mysteries of His Kingdom and the fu-
open doorways for us to step through to
ture that is before us.
access a cultural arena that may have is revival is simply dependent on the
RADICAL LOVE AND THE COMMON GROUND
Church being glued to the hip of Jesus, the
God is moving and preparing for a radi-
ways of Jesus and setting our own ways to
cal revival that will start first in our own
the side. Even good motives are not pure
lives. The Bride will be brilliant to the "Je-
motives if they're not His. God is coming
sus People" that have yet to find Him. We–
back for a Holy Bride and we're on that
like the Bride with the pink hair and tat-
journey step by step. We're learning and
toos–have felt those moments where we
transforming one revelation at a time.
were passed by, judged, frowned on and
been closed to us in the past. The truth
dismissed, alone and in despair. We have a commonality, it is a hunger to be loved and seen and valued as part of community. One where we are free to be real and to share our struggles of the human soul and the human heart. We are chosen to love radically and to love the radical ones–never compromise the Gospel of Christ–but we must be approachable. . .and we shall be.
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RISE ABOVE FROM THE GOOD LIFE TO THE GOD LIFE
Interviewed on Megamorphosis TV By Heather Murdock + Article By Nissi Guiao
s
ometimes, it takes going through
THE FALL
hell to fully embrace Heaven,
Right as Paul transitioned into public high
LIVING THE HIGH LIFE (WHILE FEELING LOW)
so-to-speak. In a perfect world, we
school, the enemy used his parents' divorce
Throughout high school, Paul became
wouldn’t have to struggle. There would be
to plant disappointment in his heart.
known as “The Party Guy.” It was during
no pain, no suffering, but then we wouldn’t
This was the root of the pain he felt for
those years that he learned to shove his
experience real triumph if everything was
years. The foundation he once had from
feelings down. He ignored reality by
leveled out. The lows make the highs in a
being very sheltered, raised in church and
dabbling in weed at first, and it wasn’t
sense, but it doesn’t cheapen the sting. As
through a Christian school, got buried with
long before he depended on alcohol and
we dive deep into Paul Di Giordano’s histo-
negativity and loads of family stress. His
other drugs to keep him calm inside. For
ry, we’ll see how God remarkably plucked
life got flipped, turned upside down in the
as much partying he did as a teen, it was
him out of death’s grip and shaped his re-
blink of an eye. He took on weight after
only preparation for the craziness he’d get
lationship with darkness into the sweetest,
weight, not knowing how to cope with all
into in his early twenties. After graduating,
unending high of his life.
the struggles he faced. He needed Jesus,
he started to work for his dad’s company.
really, but that wasn’t an option for him at
And he was already knowledgeable in
that point.
business, so it was easy for him to climb the
If we’re honest, it usually feels like we’re playing “hide and seek” with our purpose (as it can take years to discover our true
The truth Paul once knew never left him,
ranks and start funding his wild, partying
calling). But just because it’s typically hard
he just couldn’t see clearly anymore as
lifestyle. By twenty-two, he made around
to find, it doesn’t mean we weren’t already
he fell away from Jesus completely. Satan
$100,000 a year. This early success kept
born with it. God, as the brilliant planner
robbed him of his innocence. Vulnerable,
up his reputation; he bought nice cars and
He is, already had amazing plans for Paul’s
the enemy picked him off and planted him
moved out into his own place in Downtown
life before he was even a thought. Unfortu-
where he was never meant to be. And too
Sacramento.
nately, Satan knew this too, and he didn’t
naïve to recognize the destructive road he
wait for Paul to grow up before he came to
was on, he walked straight into the reckless
was just the enemy’s bait. Satan lured him
steal, kill and destroy him.
hellhole that swallowed him up for the
in by disguising death with all kinds of
decade to follow.
sinful pleasures. He got connected to the
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What seems like clear success for Paul
2018
"But even in the midst of all this chaos, he heard a still, small voice say, 'Paul, you’ve got to change your life. You can’t keep living this way.' Upon hearing this out of nowhere, his life flashed before his eyes."
richest party guys (including some hotshot
ECSTASY, THE CATALYST
celebrities); engulfed in the hottest partying
By this time in his life, Paul heavily relied
this. He said, “It showed me as a young kid,
community, he never planned to change.
on cocaine to keep him sane. It was his pre-
all these times my mom would take me to
Monday—he partied hard. Tuesday—he
ferred drug. But there was this one instance
church, dress me up in a little tuxedo and
partied hard. Wednesday—he partied hard.
where he couldn’t get a quick fix—it’s the
just all these memories of going to this
Thursday—he partied hard. He’d travel to
very night that sparked the radical change
Christian school, great friends and all this
Vegas and wherever else the hottest parties
in his life just a few months down the road.
stuff. Then it showed my parents, arguing
were, then on Friday nights, he’d usually
It was three in the morning when he was
within the home. Then it showed their
hit the local nightclubs. After partying for
completely blacked-out drunk (partying as
divorce. Then it showed all the hurts and
four days straight during the week, he says,
usual, in Lake Tahoe). He texted everybody
pains I was kind of shoving and suppress-
“I’d party all night (Friday), end up at some
he knew for cocaine because he needed to
ing—shoving down. From there, it showed
big mansion after-party. I’d be doing drugs
keep himself up, but nobody responded.
me spiraling at a party. (At this point, I can
all night long, and I’d roll right into a pool
Finally, a guy messaged him back saying
see I’m fifteen to twenty-five, so ten years
party the next day, popping pills now at this
that he didn’t have cocaine, but he did have
of just partying, drinking, drugs, women—it
point. Partying all day and then back out at
ecstasy. Being in the reckless state he was
just showed all of it.) Then it showed me
the nightclub Saturday night, partying all
in, Paul decided to buy the entire bag of 200
at twenty-five years old in this dark place.
night in the nightclub, talkin’ to different
ecstasy pills.
Then, the epiphany stopped. I was just left
girls. Then Sunday I’d be on a yacht on the
Desperate for an instant high having
Paul remembers it happening just like
there with this image seared in my mind, of
river and still doing cocaine with some
slowed down from the all the alcohol, Paul
random girl. This is where I was at, getting
took six ecstasy pills right off the bat. Then
deeper and deeper into drugs—just this
every fifteen minutes or so, his buddy
whole lifestyle.”
would come around and say, “Hey Paul, I’ve
A TASTE OF HELL, THE ABSENCE OF GOD’S PRESENCE
Paul states, “One thing about the par-
this dark place that I was in.”
got something for you,” throwing a pill up
All of a sudden, confusion set in. Paul
tying scene is, like, the enemy continues
in the air. He’d run around the hotel room,
couldn’t understand how he got to this
to give you more and more and more and
catching them in his mouth like it was some
place at twenty-five years old. Before he
more and more of the world, that’s how
game. He ended up taking about fifty-some-
knew it, everything he’d been trying to
he lures you. But at the same time, you’re
thing pills that night, going into the next
suppress for ten years all came up at once.
going deeper and deeper and deeper into
day. “I should’ve ended up in the hospital,
The thoughts just started flooding his mind
bondage.” Just like Scripture teaches, he
should’ve had my stomach pumped—I’m
and they wouldn’t relent. Over and over, he
gained the world yet lost his soul. Over the
definitely a walking miracle,” Paul said.
tried to get his mind to quit, but his anxiety
years of partying hard, non-stop, he tried
was so high that he couldn’t even get a wink
every drug imaginable. He was so desperate
THE EPIPHANY
to suppress the pain that surfaced when the
Somehow, Paul got through this particular
drugs wore off. He did whatever it took to
weekend, but he woke up Monday morning
sion and anxiety. After the fourth day of not
stay high, that when the impact of depres-
with terrible anxiety. (He never felt anxiety
being able to sleep, he came home and as he
sion hit, he felt lower and lower every time.
so strongly in his life—he actually never
saw the sun beginning to set, he wondered,
He was stuck in a never-ending cycle, but
felt anxiety up until this point.) But even in
“Am I going to be able to sleep?” Immedi-
he says, “Even though I was still broken all
the midst of all this chaos, he heard a still,
ately, fear gripped him as he thought to
the time, I didn’t ever really want to change
small voice say, “Paul, you’ve got to change
himself. Then while lying in bed, things
my life. I just kind of wanted to be that guy
your life. You can’t keep living this way.”
started to happen in his room that weren’t
that continued to make money and just
Upon hearing this out of no where, his life
at all natural. He said, “Dark presences
have the pleasures of the world.”
flashed before his eyes.
started attacking me, coming at me. Every
of sleep.
51
Paul spiraled into insomnia and depres-
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"He looked down and on his chest he read his own tattoo that says, 'Rise Above,' which was exactly what the man preached on the TV. "
time I laid down to go to sleep, I felt like something was trying to suck the life liter-
and I have plans for you.” Instantly, Paul felt the power and the
have to experience. But it’s his legitimate story. And the authenticity of his testimony
ally out of my body—sucking my soul out of
presence of God fall from the top of his
is what will bring real change to those still
my body. It was the scariest thing.” It got so
head and it shot down his whole, entire
lost in the partying scene. He says, “My
bad that he could barely function right and
body. He said, “Where I felt death, I felt
whole life mission now is to go and reach
he eventually had to quit going to work.
life. Where I felt hopelessness, I felt hope.
people, and more specifically, this people
Like the people who were oppressed
Where I felt anxiety, I felt peace. God com-
group.” So even though he got a real taste
in the Bible, Paul became mute. He found
pletely transformed and liberated me from
of hell, it really wasn’t for nothing. Because
himself living at his dad’s house because he
everything that held me down. And I was
God got a hold of him, a stirring was
was too scared to be by himself. The torture
literally born again, right then and there.”
birthed in his heart. The specific trials he
In that moment, Paul knew that Jesus
faced has uniquely shaped the passionate
persisted that much, and one day after not being able to do a simple task around the
came to save him and with Holy Spirit, he
house, he felt extremely helpless.
had an undeniable encounter. He became a
and powerful man of God he is today.
fresh, new creation in Christ. Soon, he dove
WELCOME TO THE NEW NORM
the dishwasher, but he couldn’t (for the
into Scripture and went through ministry
Paul is the founder of Lounge of Life and is
life of him) find the right cupboard to put
school (where he grew and solidified the
dedicated “to create an alternative nightlife
a single cup away. He broke down on the
purpose of all he went through).
experience, giving people a safe place to
Paul put all his energy in trying to clear
kitchen floor, weeping, thinking, “This is
All it takes is one encounter with the liv-
socialize without feeling the pressures of
what death feels like—I’m gonna die today.”
ing God to be fully transformed—spirit, soul
excessive drinking, drugs, and promiscuity
He felt a darkness on him. Death and dark-
and body. Paul literally went from death to
(which is the norm), while consequently
ness. And he knew that if he died, he wasn’t
life in an instant, all because God patiently
building a bridge of hope for those that feel
going somewhere good.
waited for the perfect timing to move on his
stuck in this destructive lifestyle.” He just
heart. Since his miraculous encounter, Paul
launched Pure Friday Pop Ups in April of
THE RISING
got the revelation that not only was he lost,
this year and he’s dedicated to solve the
What felt like a point of no return became
but the people he used to party with are still
problem by “being all things to all men,
the point of real breakthrough. Paul wasn’t
lost—God just plucked him out. Because the
meeting a generation right where they
ready for what was about to happen. Still
Lord allowed him to feel what hell is going
are, one weekend at a time,” Paul says.
weeping, he got up and sat on the couch in
to feel like, he now lives with this burning
He understands that partiers are partiers
the living room. He turned the TV on, start-
passion that says, “I can’t see a generation
because they just want to have fun and be
ed flipping through. Then out of nowhere,
just walk down this path anymore. I can’t
in community.
he heard a Pastor start to preach. The
see those that are falling into this lifestyle
God never made the mess Paul was in,
Pastor said, “Rise above—you can do it—
and just being deceived every weekend—I
but He’s surely using it all to work together
rise above.” Right then and there, he heard
can’t see this happening anymore.”
for good. I’ve heard it said once that “what
a small voice (the same voice that spoke
causes you the most pain becomes your
to him four months prior about changing
PLANS AND PURPOSE
purpose in life.” After getting a glimpse of
his life). The voice said, “Look down.” He
Real, authentic things aren’t cheaply made.
Paul’s story, it’s evident that he’s found his
looked down and on his chest, he read his
It always costs more for quality (and God
purpose through his pain and suffering.
own tattoo that says, “Rise Above,” which
prefers quality over quantity). What Paul
Never going back to the pleasures that se-
was exactly what the man preached on the
lived through was no walk in the park; it
duced him, he’s a walking testimony, living
TV. Again the voice spoke and said, “Paul,
cost him so much more than I can articulate
high on Christ and fully surrendered to give
I was with you when you got that tattoo. I
in this article. He went through the pain,
God glory.
knew this day was going to come. I love you
he suffered in ways that no human should
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2018
HISTORY OF THE TERM REVOLUTION
BOOK EXCERPT
The root of the word revolution means to turn around, to rise up, to protest and make a way for a new beginning. Revolution is a “rotation; the circular motion of a body on its axis, a course or motion which brings every point of the surface or periphery of a body back to the place at which it began to move.” “Revolution took in its political meaning in 17th century England, where it meant a return or restoration of a former situation. In the 18th century, revolution began to mean a new beginning. The fall of the old order also depends on the ruling elite losing authority and self-confidence” (emphasis added).
TURN-AROUND STRATEGY
Revelation may sound like a radical term, but as we see in the above definition, the root of revolution means to revolve, to turn back around to its place of origin. A constructive cultural revolution is a turn-around strategy to return the culture to God’s original plan and purpose. It disrupts the status quo. This concept of disruption may seem controversial, but Newton’s Laws of Motion demonstrates that change happens when the current direction is interrupted, and an opposing force pushes it in a new direction. We will discus more on the dynamics of creating change in chapter 13. We cannot change anything if we don’t stop the current direction and turn around. Then we must re-
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store and rebuild it. Scripture says we must “pull down root out, build and plant” (Jeremiah 1:10). If it’s out of order, it must be pulled down and removed before we can build and plant. This is an important step that we need to understand. We cannot slide into reformation without creating resistance to stop the current disorder. Many revolutions have brought forth a lot of death and destruction. This isn’t wise. Any good contractor knows to only tear out and remove what is dysfunctional, and rebuild what remains. As God’s wise master builders, we are to restore and build His creation on a good foundation. “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” “You shall rise up the foundations of many generations; and you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach.”-Psalm 11:3, Isaiah 58:12 KJV Christians must realize that playing nice and staying quiet will not pacify those who are persecuting us for our values. We are not to wait for them to get an epiphany and self-correct. Yes, we pray for them, but we also respectfully defend our values and our freedom. As we do, we are protecting their freedom as well. Scripture tells us we are to seek justice, protect the oppressed, correct the oppressor, and enforce the written judgment. As God’s Ekklesia, we are to govern, legislate and bring order as we sit in our seats of authority. We are to pull down that which is out of order… and then build and plant what is of godly order (Isaiah 1:17, Psalm 149:9, Matthew 16:18-19, Jeremiah 1:10).
2018
POETRY
Where am I going? What am I doing here?
But what’s burnt to the ground is actually
Lately, just been waking up, walking, working—
The bits of rubble I can use to firm up
So caught up in the money-making and bill-paying
My foundation, my motivation.
That my destination isn’t only delayed, it’s unclear.
The separation—it’s inspiration
My mind, so suddenly swayed
To never go back to the same frustrations
Dismayed, by the mess I so easily make
And to not hold back, this calling inside.
I find myself struggling to step on the gas and switch gears.
It calls and it calls
Blurred vision; hypnotization by the endless mundane cycles
He calls my name—and I can’t not answer.
Of my daily routines, I feel so immobilized
Speaking to my deepest depths He says,
That I fail to realize what’s been put in my hands.
“There’s so much better!” (if I just let Him lead).
How could this be?
Follow the Caller:
The very thing I don’t want to lose sight of I let go of.
Step by step, I go up, I climb higher
Just ‘cause I forget to look back and appreciate
Deeper—past the clear water shallows.
What I came out of, what I’m the most proud of.
I’ve never been here before.
I can’t look back to go back. Never again!
Even though I get caught up
But if I fail to see and learn the lessons
In the meager tasks before me, I can’t stop going.
The nail-pierced pains that I suffered for only a season
I won’t stop, fighting
(That could never compare to the nail-pierced hands that saved me)
The urge to stay “normal,” formal with my words
I’ll never step into the shoes that my past hand-made me.
Trying to please the strangers around me.
My product from my pain is my privilege
They’re strangers ‘cause really they don’t know me.
To share wisdom beyond my age that I couldn’t fake with you
Deep down under my layers of skin is a heart
Knowledge so rich with power
That beats fiercely, scarcely for the ordinary
I don’t need a set stage to present it.
It beats for the extraordinary, extraordinarily
Instead, it presents itself by the choices I make
With a passion to find more.
For instance—I should be out partying, “living it up”
A passion to guide with the things I’ve learned
Having a blast in that kinda setting
Doesn’t matter my age, just see how I live.
But something in me, not just my faith, won’t let me.
This light isn’t manufactured by wishful thinking
Not a person, not a controlling voice (trust me, not judging)
It was birthed in me.
Just my purposed vision that my Peace gave me
The reason I’m writing is ‘cause
That I can’t dream away—it’s part of me.
I’ve been given something to say.
Though I sleep on it and tend to miss it on the daily
If I hold it in, it won’t do anyone good.
I can’t forget it. It’s my destiny. A part of me.
So give me grace—I didn’t get here by surprise
Attached to my heart it fuels me.
Or on a bull (bleep) theory.
It keeps me sane and kinda controls me.
I climbed, I fought, I struggled, I cried.
Bad habits come, but this fire inside won’t stop burning
My troubles didn’t make me but they sure did
And eventually, I get fed up enough and use it
Pave the way for my own choices of bravery.
To set the set-backs on fire
Bottom line is this: I was a dead man walking yet I didn’t know it
And then I run away.
And if you could learn one thing from me know this—
Only looking back to see what I’ve done—
Freedom is calling
It doesn’t really look like much
And He’s patiently waiting.
55
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Photo by John Jennings
CULTURAL BEGINS WITH YOU THE IMPORTANCE OF ART TO CULTURE BY: DEREK MARTIN
G
od is a God of order and
compiled and canonized by humans, it is
thing we know about God and His identity
not disorder (I Cor. 14:33
nevertheless breathed on by God and put
is that He is a creator (Gen. 1:1)? The first
and 14:40). I believe
together by inspired individuals. At any
thing we know about God before love,
that there is something about the order of
rate, I find the order of events in the Bible
before sacrifice, before resurrection, before
events in the Bible. Although the Bible was
interesting. Is it not a wonder that the first
healing, is that He is first and foremost a
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2018
Creator. It doesn’t mean that those other
priceless to the individual. The church has
worldview… in reality there is no such
items are less or more important, it is just a
followed suit and adopted the same mindset
thing as a “Christian” film or song or dance
fact that if you were to read the Bible from
the rest of our culture has in this arena but
or style. There is only good art and bad
the beginning, you would first discover the
we are not called to mirror culture, we are
art. Just because a work of art says the
Creator God.
called to lead and shape culture.
word Jesus or has a cross connected to it
I also find it interesting that the first person that God gave the Holy Spirit was a
How do we do this?
does not make it holy or good. We need to
First, we have to accept the fact that
stop accepting bad art as good and start
creator. “Then Moses said to the Israelites,
imagination, creativity, and the arts require
demanding higher quality process and
‘See, the Lord has chosen Bezalel son of
deeper thought than what we currently
product from believer-artists and from our
Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah,
allot them. Anything worthwhile takes some
churches.
and He has filled him with the spirit of God,
investment. A legitimate understanding
with wisdom, with understanding, with
of the theology and philosophy behind
for ourselves. So much of life is avoiding
knowledge, and with all kinds of skills—to
imagination, creativity, and art is required
pain. But all self-help books, Christian and
make artistic designs…’” (Exodus 35:30-32)
even at a low level to actually engage our
secular, say that risk is a key to truly living.
I find this interesting. I think the poignant
current culture.
The greatest things in life are going to be
question would be, “What does this mean?” I believe that God is interested in
Second, we need good artists in the
Fourth, we need to imagine and create
risky and difficult. If we are made in the
church. If you want the church to be the
Imago Dei, then we need to use our gift of
imagination, creativity and the arts and we
leading culture maker and shaper in the
creativity and imagination. We should be
should be too.
world, you need the world’s best culture
creating the world of the future with Jesus
makers and shapers to be in the church.
at our side, coaching our every move.
The next great reformation will undoubtedly have a focus in the creative as
Sadly, the church is not winning this war…
God uses revivals to “revive” what has been
yet. We are losing because much of the
us to take the first leap. Will we trust Him
I see Jesus looking at us and beckoning
lost and to be honest, the church has lost its
arts world feels antagonistic toward the
and be willing to do something new? Will
"IF WE ARE MADE IN THE IMAGO DEI, THEN WE NEED TO USE OUR GIFT OF CREATIVITY AND IMAGINATION. WE SHOULD BE CREATING THE WORLD OF THE FUTURE WITH JESUS AT OUR SIDE, COACHING OUR EVERY MOVE." place being the leading culture maker and
church and vice-versa. The arts world is
we be willing to sacrifice comfort? will we
shaper of the world and the Lord wants His
a mission field… we need missionaries on
be able to accept nothing-but-the-best? Will
church to take its rightful place.
the front lines who will go and bring Jesus
we reach out to our arts communities and
to the artists. The arts are a bastion for
show them what true love looks like, and
why you should care about imagination,
the downtrodden of the world… the social
will we take the time to understand the
creativity, and the arts. Here are some:
misfits, the disenfranchised, and the poor…
deep things of God? Are we willing to take a
1) God cares about them, 2) It is part of
literally and spiritually. These are caring,
leap of faith and usher in a revival like we
the Imago Dei… the Image of God (He is a
wonderful, talented, influential and hurting
have never seen?
creator and so are we…whether we believe
individuals that need a Savior who will
What are you waiting for?
it or not), 3) They are incredibly influential
hold them in all their brokenness and mend
Just… Jump!
in contemporary culture, 4) They will fill
their wounds through love and truth.
There are a multitude of reasons on
you in ways unimaginable. Our contemporary society often sees
Third, we need to stop accepting mediocre art in the church and start
value in what is tied to making or having
demanding Godly excellence from
money. But we as Christians know
the church. We have been addicted to
that the most important things in life
seeing the saccharine goodness in films,
have absolutely no monetary value…
music, dance, and all sorts of art forms
Relationships, Beliefs, Time… none of these
that go under the genre of “Christian.”
are extrinsically valuable but they are
But Christianity is not a genre, it is a
57
Derek Martin, Associate Professor and head of Theatre at William Jessup University
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IF WE LOSE HOPE WE DIE
The Story of Charmaine Taylor aka the "Wild Horse" Pictures by Siphephile Sibanyoni Styling Art Direction Nontando Mposo Model Nandipha Gumede
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2018
"I’VE GOT THIS FREEDOM INSIDE MYSELF AND EVERYONE CALLS ME THE WILD HORSE. SO, I CAME TO AMERICA AND I HAD THIS VISION."
I want to hear your story. It was
it’s golden and there’s a lot of need there.
and I had this vision and I said, “Lord, I
very clear to me that part of what
So, I then I started working for a compa-
want to bring a product back to the world
you’re doing and why you’re doing what
ny where I actually would draw the chil-
that cannot be manufactured by China
you’re doing is because of the call that’s
dren’s wear on a computer. It has now
that’s fundamentally South African and
on your life. That’s really what I want to
developed into graphic design. I said, “I
that everyone can know, love and relate
capture. You are the perfect kind of arti-
actually want to start doing something
to.” And you know, how much more is
san to be in the magazine. Your work just
on my own,” so I started doing graphic
the Robben Island Prison fence about
spoke to me so strongly, so I’m just total-
design and my company was called Love
freedom
ly honored and I cannot wait for people
Design. Also, I have these seasons where
Nelson Mandela, when he was released,
around the world to see it. I want to get
I always redevelop myself. Almost every
was loved by most of the world and we
what’s really important—your heart, your
6-7 years, I’ve done something complete-
had, fundamentally, a man of the world
and
about
Nelson
Mandela.
story, and how God has spoken to you
who’s iconic. I loved him as a person and
about what you’re doing and maybe a lit-
he had so many attributes that were ac-
tle bit about when it started, the design
tually Jesus-based. So, you know, he had
part, and how He birthed that in you.
the love and he had the love of Christ, or the forgiveness and the grace of Christ.
I’m actually a Pastor’s kid, I’ve been
(But obviously, Jesus is our ultimate ex-
brought up in the church. So my
ample.) So with that in mind, a friend
foundation has always been God-fearing,
of a friend of mine rescued the original
God-based, putting God first and also kind
prison fence from Robben Island in 2009
of always having that engrained feeling of
and I was like, “Wow, this is incredible.”
being led by God and led by progress. I’ve
I thought he was taking over the world
got an amazing mom and dad and had a
with it. I said to him, “Well, what are you
very amazing home life in the church. In
guys doing with it?” He said, “We actually shelved it for now because we’re actually
the church, you also get challenged. I’ve always had this love for new things and
ly new. You know, I love what I did, but I
doing too much.” And I said (during this
meeting new friends and people would
said that if I do one more logo for some-
time of doing "Conscious Art"), “Can I do
say “How would you describe yourself?”
one, I don’t think I can actually have the
something with it?” This was after my trip
I’d always say Brave. I’ve always been
creative capacity to do it. My juices just
to America. That was in 2013 and that’s
brave to try new things. Also, being South
completely ran out. Then, I got called to
when I started working with the prison
African, kind of far away from the rest of
do something more in my community and
fence and creating jewelry.
the world, I’ve always loved to travel and
to give back so I did what I called “Con-
I actually first started with the framed
experience new things. So that in mind,
scious Art.” And I said, “Lord, there has to
art. It’s fantastic when you have some-
I’ve got a marketing background. I stud-
be more than just sustaining myself…it’s
thing on your wall and to talk about it
ied overseas and I went to London and
just not working.” And in between this, I
with friends, but what about taking some-
came back to South Africa because I’ve
actually, not knowing what to do, took a
thing off the wall, an artwork, and actu-
always felt led to come home. There’s so
trip to America in 2011.
ally placing it on yourself and having a
much need back home and I don’t know
I had this word over my life that “I’ll
wearable art artifact. This was when the
if you’ve ever been to South Africa, but
have in-roads into America.” I’ve got this
jewelry was actually birthed, bearing in
it’s totally (obviously being very biased
freedom inside myself and everyone calls
mind that I’ve never done jewelry be-
because I love my country) beautiful and
me the Wild Horse. So, I came to America
fore. Everyday was a school day—I was
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“WHEN YOU’RE COVERED WITH LOVE, GRACE AND FORGIVENESS, YOU TRANSFORM FROM A BROKEN PAST INTO SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL.” pulling my hair out, making the jewelers
for your jewelry.
healing and beauty and love above all
pull their hair out, but I wanted a specif-
I also give back to societies in Cape
else. I can see that’s at the heart of what
ic thing and I’ve learned to actually think
Town, to organic farming, and to a [spe-
you’re doing, that’s what’s being poured
outside the box a lot, like doing something
cial] community, and to the Nelson Man-
into it. So, that intention is just the root of
in 2 or 3 molds instead of 1. They were
dela Children’s Hospital (I’ll buy equip-
it and what’s going to impact humanity
like, “No, you’re only supposed to have 1
ment for them or all that kind of stuff ).
and why I would not be at all surprised
mold for that.” I said, “No, I’ll pay for 3.”
that people would see life and purpose
They were like, “You shouldn’t.” “No,” I
Just touched me so much hearing
and beauty and light and health in every-
said, “I’ll take 3 molds to make it the way
you talk about all that—how the
thing that they own that you would’ve
I want it to look like.” So, I learned jew-
Lord prepares us and how He births thing
created because that’s what it came from.
elry and God prepared me in a way that
in us. And I’m such a believer in how you
I’d done the artwork and the clothing. I’ve
can create something that does heal peo-
I’m also a firm believer in the pow-
done graphic design, so I’ve actually done
ple. You didn’t say these exact words, but
er of the spoken word. God can say
all of this myself. I created something
it’s like “Healing Art” and I think when I
something once and it’s done. You
that was already birthed in me and I was
called you an Artisan, it was just the per-
know, “Let there be light,” and there was
able to put that into a project that’s such
fect word. Truly, that’s what the magazine
light. And I feel like if you wear some-
a beautiful story of freedom. I’ve actual-
ultimately is about. It’s people like you
thing that’s titled (You know in Revelation
ly seen people being released just actu-
that clearly the Lord is calling and want-
where it says that your name is written
ally wearing it. So,
and you wear your
not only am I cre-
name). That’s what
ating jewelry from
I
something that was
you wear this jew-
tortuous and really
elry. It’s something
negative, my main
that’s a mantle. It
concept was “When
was
you’re covered with
over me that “I will
love, grace and for-
make
giveness, you trans-
place them around
form from a broken
people’s necks and
past into something
they will be freed.”
beautiful.” Isn’t that
And that was spoken
what every person
feel
like
when
prophesied things
and
once and you just
has been through? Every person has their
ing to elevate and put up front and center
have to believe the power of the spoken
own scar to bear, but their story, at the
and that, I know, is what He’s told me. I’m
word—once it’s [said], it’s done.
end of the day, once they’ve conquered
very particular about who I put in the
that fear and that freedom, is always a
magazine and that’s why I feel so respon-
Well, I affirm that. I affirm that
beautiful story to tell. Each piece of my
sible to make sure that it is the right peo-
word absolutely.
jewelry is named in honor of our road
ple because these are the people that God
to democracy and freedom, so it’s rights,
is saying “I need my Bride highlighted and
We as humans get the power to take
peace, justice,
mercy, hope. And each
this is who I need highlighted.” And I
that power away. We either believe
piece gets a unique serial number and on
know that at the heart of what you’re do-
it or we don’t. There’s a piece called
the back of it there’s a certificate of au-
ing. There’s a language or a stream that I
“Africa Rising” and even with this new
thenticity and the story and how to care
notice we all swim in. It’s a stream of
movie the “Black Panther” coming out, it’s
ISSUE 4 + THE APPROACHABLE BRIDE
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2018
almost like there’s a calling for Africans
to reveal to you. I don’t know what all that
more than just meeting people of influ-
to remember who they are. When people
means, I just know that it will come. And
ence, which is beautiful—it’s a gift and I
wear it, it’s like people actually feel like
I don’t know if you do a lot of advocacy
know it’s a gift and I thank God for that
it’s meaningful to them.
kind of work or speaking…do you do that
and I’m not dismissing that at all, but
kind of thing?
I’m wanting to really pioneer something
Beautiful, I love it. And I think God is doing something in the nations
that’s really going to break ground and Public speaking? Yes,
for sure. There’s just like a rattling and a waking up and that’s just beautiful. I knew
break people’s mindsets and break down walls.
Okay, good. Beautiful, okay, per-
that Africa was important and when you
fect. Because, I don’t know, I just
Yes, and it’s not a time, right now,
came forward, I knew God’s going to high-
know what I can hear Him say. Feels like
for us to try to force anything. It’s com-
light this country. My main gifting is that
it’s going to be something in the next few
pletely the time to let God show off and
of being a seer and so I have to be able
months where He’s going to position you
do His thing and all we need to be doing is
to see—what is God saying? What is He
in a place of authority.
saying, “Okay Lord, use me—How do You
saying to the Church globally? What does
want to use me?” When I saw that about
He want us paying attention to? Instead of
the darkness, it was for those people who
paying attention to the news, we can see
are blinded and looking for hope and I
what He’s doing, like in South Africa or
saw leaders so I know you’re a leader of
Africa. The Lord’s been bringing Australia
leaders. You’re going to bring some kind
to me, too, and there’s China. There’s just
of a breakthrough, some kind of a possi-
stuff happening all around the world and
bility in their seeing and their thinking.
God’s going to do big things in these plac-
God’s moving so fast right now so every-
es this year. That’s why He’s highlighting,
one hold on to your seatbelts.
so I just declare that you are carrying a mantle for your country, not just for what
I was on set with a series called
God has called you, but you are carrying
“Empire” and I thought “This is
clearly a mantle for your country and that
great, but what next?” It was proph-
is so powerful. So I just want to acknowl-
esied over me that people of high influ-
edge you and thank you.
ence will call me their own and I walked
I can hear God speaking right now…I’m
straight onto set and they treated me like
hearing Him say that there is some dark-
I was just saying, “God, what next?”
their own and I was like, “Okay Lord, but
ness that you’re up against (not maybe
I feel like He’s taking me to a place
what now?” I think the darkness is my
you personally but) in the community or
where I’m meeting people of high influ-
own disillusionment—who I am in South
something and He’s just saying that you
ence, but it’s not sustaining me. I want to
Africa and who I am here.
need to continue to raise your voice and
do something. I want to take action, real-
continue to take one step after the next
ly elevate my project into action form. I
and to continue to follow His lead because
don’t want to [only] be giving people jew-
with these leaders, see, like even
He said He’s really going to use your voice
elry anymore. I want people to take the
being on set—Hollywood—I’m sure He
and your art in order to be very influen-
jewelry and do something with it. I want
wants you to influence. There’s a reason
The places where God is putting you
tial and there’s an assignment He’s going
"I WANT TO TAKE ACTION, REALLY ELEVATE MY PROJECT INTO ACTION FORM. I DON’T WANT TO [JUST] BE GIVING PEOPLE JEWELRY ANYMORE. I WANT PEOPLE TO TAKE THE JEWELRY AND DO SOMETHING WITH IT."
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"I FOUND THAT A LOT WITH PEOPLE IN BONDAGE AND POVERTY AND THAT’S SOMETHING THAT I’M ALWAYS WANTING TO KEEP ALIVE WITH ANYONE IN ANY SITUATION—THERE’S ALWAYS HOPE."
why you’re there. There’s a huge birthing
me by the way he spoke without hatred,
remember the men, those men, and keep
that needs to happen in Los Angeles and
without any fear. He spoke so eloquently,
remembering the stories of old. Cultural-
Hollywood, so that was awesome that you
so beautifully—he spoke out of love. Ev-
ly, Africa is losing its culture. Culturally,
were able to be honored with that, even if
erything he spoke about was "we," it was
we need to remember our elders. I actu-
you were saying “I want more.” Because
never "I." He came up to me a few times
ally created a chandelier for Mr. Kath-
you’re still putting your thumb print,
during that time and said to me, “My girl,
rada because he died in April last year.
which ultimately is the Father’s thumb-
what do you want to ask me?” I said, “Un-
It’s devastating—these men are passing
print, when you step onto studio, that is
cle Kathy, just keep talking. I want to hear
away and we need to remember them, so
so powerful. Even if you don’t know why
everything you’re saying.” And I asked
I created a chandelier called “Hope” in his
you’re there because the Lord is putting
him “Did you ever lose hope that you
honor. If you lose hope, you die.
us as His Bride in these places to start lay-
would be released?” He said, “We could
ing the ground. We can start when they
never lose hope because if we lost hope,
open the doorway and [how] they’re hon-
we’d die. When you lose hope, there’s
really felt like the Lord would have
oring us, and that’s the season that we’re
no reason to live.” And I found that a lot
that be front and center, “If we lose hope,
in and it’s so great and I’m so happy for
with people in bondage and poverty and
we die.” The Lord really leads the way in
you.
that’s always something that I’m always
my writing so I just let Him do His thing
wanting to keep alive with anyone in any
and He very clearly wants that to be part
situation—there’s always hope. I asked
of it, a big part of it.
Is there anything else you want me to know or that you want to say?
Wow. I wrote that down because I
him “Who’s the most incredible person I think my main vision and pas-
you’ve ever brought to the island, who
sion for Legacy Collection is that
challenged you and vice versa?” He told
I’m wanting to be fundamentally
me it was a little 13 year-old girl who was
a South African. I am a very, very, very
dying of cancer. All she wanted to do was
proud female South African entrepre-
meet Nelson Mandela and go to Robben
neur. I’m passionate about women, about
Island and learn about her history of her
self-employment and about telling stories,
country—little white girl. He took her and
and also about jewelry and art and cre-
she was so enlightened because she was
ating conversations around history and
dying. Nelson Mandela didn’t come to the
keeping stories alive.
island with her; he couldn’t. Mr. Kathrada
I always get emotional when I talk
called Madiba and told him about this lit-
about it, but I never got to meet Nelson
tle girl. He flew out to see [her] before she
Mandela. I did get to meet his best friend,
died. Every year, without fail, these two
Ahmed Kathrada. He was an amazing In-
men would either go and visit the mom or
dian man that was on the Rivonia Trial
call her on the anniversary of her death.
with Nelson Mandela where he said that
And that, to me, is the ultimate human be-
iconic speech, “I’ll die for this.” Ahmed
ing and gets me to think, “Why are we not
stood by him all his life. He took me to
called to more?” Mr. Mandela was impris-
Robben Island and it was one of the most
oned and was this and this and this, but
unbelievable days. I was so mesmerized
he used to take time out and see this 13
by this man because he is everything that
year-old girl’s mother and that’s the gen-
epitomized who Nelson Mandela was.
eration we need to bring up. The key is in
Charmaine Taylor is based in South Africa
What an incredible human he is. Not a
the mother’s and in the father’s.
and is the owner of Legacy Collection.
Christian, he’s Hindu, but he challenged
ISSUE 4 + THE APPROACHABLE BRIDE
Through Legacy Collection, I’m trying to
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www.legacycollection.org
2018
LEGACY
PERSONAL, BUSINESS AND LEADERSHIP COACHING
Photo by Konstantin Kopa
BY: JEFF WITTMER The passionate desire of the King of
For many in the church, survival—
Heaven is for His Bride as she sits in
holding on until Jesus returns—has be-
this present darkness longing for her
come the primary aim. Once survival has
Beloved. What shall be the response
become our supreme goal, we have lost
from her noble and pure heart as she
our way. The purpose of the church is to
awaits the anticipated arrival of her
do more than survive. It is to serve and
Champion?
to advance the kingdom of heaven against
She inhales deeply of His memory, vanquishing the fear that held her captive.
the powers of darkness enslaving humanity.
She slowly pushes the hair away from
We cannot cower in our spiritual bomb
her face as she reaches for her sword.
shelters while the battle rages. We are
The Bride emerges from her hiding place
not called to survive history, but to serve
with a brazen determination to rescue the
humanity. We need to take the lead and
Kingdom from the evil that had laid siege
begin to shape the culture with the values
to the land like the black plague...
of the Kingdom rather than be shaped and
Unless you've been resting in a deep
conformed to the values of this world.
sleep, I'm sure you’ve noticed the world
The life of the church is the heart of
is quaking with seismic political trem-
God. The heart of God has always been
ors. We are living in times of epic global
to serve a broken world. When Jesus
shifts and the fault lines run along cultur-
wrapped a towel around his waist, He re-
al and ethnic boundaries. Worlds, ideas,
minded us that only He could wash away
cultures, and kingdoms are on a collision
the stain of sin.
The church exists to serve as the body of Christ, and it is through this commitment to serve that we are forced to engage our culture. The serving that we are called to requires direct contact. You cannot wash the feet of a dirty world if you refuse to
course.
touch it. There is a sense of mystery to this, but it is in serving that the church
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+ LEGACY
KING MAKER
finds her strength. When she ceases to
the gate-keepers of culture.
Gorge. Look, I will hand over to you Si-
serve the world around her, she begins to
The focus hasn't been on serving the
hon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and I
atrophy. In pathology, atrophy is the wast-
world; the church itself became the focal
will give you his land. Attack him and be-
ing or decreasing in size of any part of a
point. Our motto degenerated from, “We
gin to occupy the land. Beginning today
body. When the church refuses to serve
are the church, here to serve a lost and
I will make people throughout the earth
the world, she begins to wither away.
broken world,” to “What does the church
terrified because of you. When they hear
If only we could summarize the prob-
have to offer me?” This move has made
reports about you, they will tremble with
lem of the American church by simply
the pastor the only minister while making
dread and fear."
saying that most churches are not grow-
the members recipients of ministry–con-
ing. But it’s worse than that. Even to say
sumers of services.
This was Israel’s defining moment. This was the battle in which God was going to
that churches are declining and closing
What is lost in this process is an army
establish them as His people. Through this
their doors is not to speak of the real trag-
of healers touching the planet. Churches
victory, God was going to place the fear
edy. This may seem strange, but the real
have placed more emphasis on customer
of God in all the nations who worshipped
tragedy is not that churches are dying but
service rather than raising up cultural
false gods. His instructions were absolute-
rather churches have lost their reason to
warriors who serve at the pleasure of the
ly clear, “Go pick a fight, engage them in
live. The church has become a fortress
King.
battle, and today I will give you victory.”
from the world rather than the hope of the world.
Once we were called Christians by an
Surprisingly enough, the very next
unbelieving world, and now we call our-
verse tells us that Moses sent messengers
The diminishing influence of the
selves Christians and the world calls us
to the king of Heshbon, with this message:
American church on American society is
hypocrites. Is it possible that it hasn’t
"Let us travel through your land. We will
not simply because fewer people are go-
been the nation that has become danger-
stay on the main road and won’t turn off
ing to church, but fewer people are going
ously secular but the church? Is it possi-
into the fields on either side. Sell us food
to church because of the diminishing in-
ble that it hasn’t been progressive Liber-
to eat and water to drink, and we will pay
fluence of Christ on the church itself. The
als that are the founders of the secular
for it. All we want is permission to pass
church, at best, has fallen asleep.
nation but the passive church?
through your land."
It might be fair to say that we've lost
Somewhere, perhaps as the slumber-
Israel’s response to God’s command
the power to transform culture. We ac-
ing Bride slipped into the dark ages, she
that they engage and conquer was soon
commodated to a culture that was, has
lost her momentum to shape culture. In-
twisted into a compromised offer of
been for us, user-friendly. We have equat-
stead of being an influence as the "salt of
peace. While God was committed to estab-
ed being a good citizen with being a good
the earth," she refused to leave the salt
lishing them as a people of His presence
Christian. We have enjoyed living without
shaker. The church became an institution
and power, they were more than willing
persecution and soon found ourselves
preserving the past rather than an instru-
to settle for much less than that. They sim-
without conviction. We didn’t lose Ameri-
ment of God, shaping the future. The dis-
ply wanted to survive.
ca; we gave her away.
tinction lies in the fact that institutions
The story continues and of course, the
preserve culture, while movements create
king, because of his stubborn heart, re-
culture.
fuses them passage. Interestingly, it was
In our panic and powerlessness, we have turned to political means hoping to regain what we once had through spiri-
In Deuteronomy 2, there’s a peculiar
"because the Lord your God made Sihon
tual awakening. Yet as a moral majority,
story of God shaping his people and trans-
stubborn and defiant so He could help
we have been unable to accomplish what
forming them from slaves to conquerors.
you defeat him, as He has now done."
God could through Gideon’s few. We have
It is one thing to be set free, it is another
settled for revival fires that have burned
thing to actually live free.
This passage teaches us a very peculiar thing about God. His approach is often an
at the grassroots but whose flames have
The Lord said to Moses and his peo-
invitation to believe in Him and move in
never reached high enough to set aflame
ple, "Now get moving! Cross the Arnon
His power. God’s first choice is to search
ISSUE 4 + THE APPROACHABLE BRIDE
68
2018
for a heart that is wholly His and then strongly support it. But many times that is
FAV’S
not the condition of our hearts. Often it is God who forces circumstances upon us that require us to rely on His goodness. Since Israel did not have a heart to trust God, God hardened the heart of Sihon—made his spirit stubborn and provoked him to go to war against Israel. God did all of this so that Israel would begin to conquer and possess the land. In short, what God did was bless Israel by forcing them to engage in a battle that they were afraid to fight. In the same way, the
A MILLION LIGHTS MICHAEL W. SMITH
church is God’s agent for redeeming the
2018
earth to Himself. We are called to engage
GOD OF THE IMPOSSIBLE LINCOLN BREWSTER 2018
in the battle for which Jesus Christ died. Matthew tells us that the Kingdom of God is forcefully advancing, and forceful men take hold of it. Jesus reminds us that the church will crash against the very gates of hell. Paul describes us through the imagery of soldiers of light, dispelling the kingdom of darkness. For two thousand years, the church has been called by God to encounter culture through His transforming power. Could
CRESCENDO
III
JACKIE HILL PERRY
HILLSONG YOUNG & FREE
it be that many of the global trends that
2018
2018
have brought fear and concern to the contemporary church are the very acts of God, in a sense, hardening the heart of Sihon king of Heshbon? He will force us to engage the battles at hand. He will do whatever is necessary to reorganize this planet until we have nowhere to run and nowhere to hide. The Bride has encountered the friction of a changing world which has slowed her down but she is arising again, engaging the battle and launching a movement that will ultimately bring a revolution of love.
TOUCHING HEAVEN INFLUENCE MUSIC 2018
BRIGHT FAITH BOLD FUTURE VERTICAL WORSHIP 2018
Jeff Wittmer is an inspirational speaker and a certified professional life coach.
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+ LEGACY
Pour Into The Next Generation Leader
Photo by Aaron Guzman
By Gary Henson
y wife Jenene and I love
to Shoulder is opening charter schools
impact on people’s lives and impacting
working with and hanging
that help children that nobody else wants
the culture. They’re focused on the indi-
out with ministry leaders
to educate. These kids are not only smart
vidual but also on shifting the city. That’s
and watching their minis-
but gaining confidence in their future.
a game worth playing and one we want
tries develop. Recently, I have discovered
College is now real for them because
to influence.
a new passion for our youth and God has
they’re getting the attention, education
touched my heart in a way that I would
and mentoring to see a different possibil-
that these young people are the next gen-
never have imagined.
ity for their future.
eration of leaders. It’s up to us to mentor
M
In the past when I thought about
I am also experiencing a new brand of
Maybe you’re like me and you missed
these young ministry leaders that are out
making a difference in the world I felt
students that are coming out of college-
there drawing the broken and captivated
somewhat unattached to our youth
with teaching credentials. They’re willing
into a brand new life of hope. They need
and didn’t much have much interest in
to take a pay cut in order to help kids
our wisdom and they need the mature
working with kids. It feels like I grew
that are stuck in a pretty tough family
believers to pour into them.
out of touch despite the fact that we
environment. There’s a lot of evidence
have five adult kids and five grandchil-
that God is moving on the hearts of
remnant. The leaders that will rise in
dren. But in one weekend, my world got
young leaders.
the next ten years will be the unlikely,
rocked, everything changed and I had a
Coach Roz, another one of our friends
My wife Jenene says, “God will use the
invisible ones that were once seen as
major breakthrough about the future
and he has an after school coaching min-
unloveable, throwaways, even former
and what's possible as we usher in a new
istry and works with kids in seven differ-
criminals. But Jesus will use the ones that
generation of young leaders. I now can
ent schools. He helps them get in touch
have either played in the enemies camp
see that future generations are going to
with Jesus by coaching and mentoring
or were put there by their family circum-
depend on us collaborating in unique
them on their character. It works.
stances. Whatever the story is, they’ll
ways to raise up a generation in a time such as this. After spending time with a bunch of
One of our other friends has a ministry for college kids that are stuck living a vicious lifestyle of sex, drugs and alco-
become the overcomers with incredible culture-changing testimonies.” We have a huge opportunity and we
kids that are living in a single parent
hol. The theme of this ministry is to give
believe now is the time to act. We encour-
environment I began to see opportuni-
them the lounge experience without the
age you to see how you can mentor or
ties that I was blind to in the past. Life
drugs and alcohol. This ministry gives
coach and collaborate with these young
circumstances can create leaders or
the 18 and over group the fun communi-
leaders and “look for the gold in them” as
followers and we encourage leadership.
ty experience without peer pressure.
my wife would say. They are the future.
One of our ministry partners, Shoulder
ISSUE 4 + THE APPROACHABLE BRIDE
All of these leaders are making a huge
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2018
Coach's Rules For How To Treat Girls BY GREG ROESZLER (aka Coach Roz)
I
am a Father of two girls, so you can imagine how I talk to the team. We coaches
have some very candid conversations with our kids about how we need to treat girls. Last week, I ran one of our kids longer than he wanted because he suggested that one of the cheerleaders was a bit too heavy. I want the kids to understand that what boys say to girls, and how girls are treated by boys, leaves a lasting imprint on them. Homecoming is an especially difficult time for girls. Homecoming involves a lot more than just trying to win a game. I have seen first hand the anxiety girls feel over who gets “picked” to go to homecoming. We talk all week to the boys about the word “edify” and how it means to build someone up. We teach them the value and importance of making a girl feel good on campus. The girls are looking for acceptance. They want to be noticed. As a Playmaker, our kids will be taught how to be a young man of integrity. That means we will coach them on how to make homecoming a positive experience for a young lady. One of the things we encourage our players to do is go to the girls’ softball or soccer games. My daughter plays college soccer, so I have some appreciation of what kind of athletes these soccer play-
ers are, and how tough that game really
way we can how precious women are to
is. I want our girls on campus to see
us, and how they are to be treated.
that we support them. Our football team
A Playmakers coach can help by pro-
will show up and cheer for our girls in a
viding rules for dating. One of the things
respectful manner. We do it because it is
we tell our kids is, “Treat your date like
the right thing to do.
she was Coach’s daughter.” We go a step
Mrs. Roz is also treated well and given
further. I make it a point to meet the
respect because we coach that. The play-
player’s girlfriend. I let it be known that
ers are taught to ask me how my wife is.
if she is not treated well, just let Coach
That begins with me asking the player,
know. We do it in a fun manner, but I
“How’s your Mom doing? Tell her I asked
want the message to be clear: you will
about her.”
wear a trench into the track running if
Each day, we have opportunities to raise Moms up. Single Moms need this.
you mistreat a girl. We teach the boys to treat their date
Too often they get run over by sons who
with respect. In a perfect world, that is
forget the huge job a Mom has in being
Dad’s job. It is so special when these
“the entire family” for her son. Your
lessons are taught by the man whose job
son’s coach will help, if given the chance.
it is in the first place. We Dads (almost
Coaches today help fill that void. We men
40%) have bailed out. We have left that
need to model to these boys how to treat
job to someone else, or we have con-
women every day. Together, we can, and
vinced ourselves that we can do it on
are, making a difference.
weekends, or as a single parent.
I get a first hand look at how boys see
As a Playmakers coach, we have to sub
women in the weight room and on the
and fill in so the job gets done. There is
field. T-shirts are worn (not on my team)
so much work to be done to teach these
that are called “wife beaters.” Songs are
boys about being a real man and what
played (not by my team) telling about
true masculinity is all about. Until the
how women are abused in our culture.
Dads come home with a plan, we will do
My job is to create a model for how a
the best we can.
functional couple navigates through life. That is one of the reasons the kids come to my house. I want them to see us inter-
www.ThePlaymakers.org
act. As coaches, we show them in the best
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LEADING FROM BEHIND
+ LEGACY
Photo by Matteus Ferrero
by Scott Bryditzki
as they present themselves. But to be honest, keeping our heads down and plugging away—leading from behind—is more in line with how we influence people. It’s interesting that when we understand this principal, it builds character in us and we end up finding all kinds of opportunities to lead and influence. Five years ago, I stepped out of my role as president and CEO of the company I purchased. I tell people I retired, but in reality God called me out of my company and into something else. As it turns out, I’m now on staff at a church and not in any type of leadership position. I love what God has me doing, but I’ve found myself in a very strange place in life. How does someone who is built to lead people, who has the gift of leadership, not lead? I figured my leadership wasn’t needed and that I was done leading people. The “when” was in the past and now I was in a different position. That’s when I really
Influencing Others In Smaller Ways
started figuring out “how” to lead. In my previous leadership position, I casted vision and explained to someone what needed to be done and they did it.
T
Now that I’m not the leader casting the vihe word leadership gets written
lead. We need to understand that leader-
about a lot, and I mean a lot. Most
ship is just the art of influencing people.
people want to be leaders. There are
My view of servant leadership is a bib-
countless books on the subject and the last
lical one that, in recent years, has made
I read, leadership education in the Unit-
it into secular streams of teaching. A few
ed States was closing in on becoming a 20
weeks ago, I was interviewed for an hour
billion dollar industry, when you consider
on the subject of leadership for a confer-
the money spent on those books, confer-
ence taking place in Europe. I was asked
ences, coaching and training. I love read-
all sorts of questions on the topic and
ing books about people who stepped up
spent a lot of time painting a picture of
at an unexpected time in their lives and
what leadership looks like. In thinking
took the reins of leadership. It’s encourag-
back on that interview, the discussion cen-
ing to hear about people who persevered
tered around the “how” and the “why” to
and built companies or influenced entire
lead, but we never discussed the “when.”
industries. Everyone calls these people
When should we lead? I presume that be-
true leaders!
cause most people are in a job, business
I’ve shared with many people that be-
or situation, these first areas are what
ing a leader and being in leadership are
interests them, especially the “how.” But
two different things. You can be in a lead-
I think it’s a good question to ask “when”
ership position, but not truly be a leader.
should we lead—especially if we are not
On the flip side, you can be leading, but
in a leadership position.
not be in a leadership position. I call this
We all understand that stepping up
leading from behind. It’s really import-
when the chips are down is important,
ant to understand the difference because
and those times can be defining moments
most people strive to be in a leadership
in a persons life. It’s important to keep our
position as opposed to actually desiring to
heads up and look for those opportunities
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sion, I’m forced to care a lot more about someone else’s vision and help them however I can. I’m now in a position to spend more time caring, listening and serving others in order to make an impact. By working in a different role than I’ve been used to, I’ve learned that I need to influence someone in small ways in order to have them move closer to their own vision. Isn’t that really what servant leadership is all about? Isn’t that leading from behind? It has finally gone from head knowledge to my heart, and I truly understand that leadership is not a position. It’s leading from behind—what we should all be doing every day, with everybody. To those of you that are not in leadership positions but want to lead—lead on!
Scott Bryditzki serves as Pastor of Community Development for Destiny Christian Church in Rocklin California.
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Al i gn i n G
ROOTS OUR JEWISH ROOTS
w i th G od ' s T i m i n G Photo by Seth Macey
BY GIL AND ADENA HODGES Co-Pastors of the Kingdom Equipping Center
I
“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” (Eph 4:11-12 NKJV)
t is so amazing to see the blessings that flow from aligning with God’s will. Some of those blessings are obvious. When we love one another, there is peace. When we give generously, needs
are met. When we put God first and spend time with Him, intimacy grows and we become more like Him. Imagine if we were aligned with God’s will in all ways, all the time. That’s God’s desire for us. Jesus set up a plan and strategy for helping everyone toward that goal.
THE FIVE-FOLD MINISTRY We can find out about it in Ephesians 4:11 and 12. Jesus is the one
The word “equipping” in the Greek is katartismos {καταρτισμóς}.
who gave us the 5-fold ministry. It was meant to be an incubator to
It comes from the root word, katartizō {καταρτíζω} which means,
create unity and maturity. In it we find an interesting word in the
to mend (what has been broken or rent), to repair. The message we
Greek whose meaning doesn’t carry over into the English.
should receive here is that the 5-fold is meant to re-align what has
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been broken, like re-aligning a broken bone. That is how the word
WE HAVE TO BE PROPERLY ALIGNED WITH GOD’S WORD
was often used in context. Putting it in a straight forward way, 5-fold
if we are to be anointed with His truth and breath of life. This is
was meant to get God’s people re-aligned with Him, so He could work
how . . .while there are different ways that we can align with God,
through them and we would come to “…unity of the faith and of the
one significant avenue is timing. Have you ever experienced how
knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the
mere seconds or minutes can make the difference between success
stature of the fullness of Christ” (Eph 4:13 NKJV). The purpose of the
and defeat, between a divine appointment or a missed opportunity?
5-fold is to birth mature sons. How do we know this? The first word
There is a spiritual war over timing. The enemy is trying to “change
of verse 13. The 5-fold will go away, it will not be needed, once we
the set times and the laws” (Daniel 7:25). The good news is our
achieve its goal.
God is able to reverse anything the enemy tries to do because He “changes the times and the seasons” (Daniel 2:21) back into order
“Until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." (Eph 4:13 NIV)
when we align with Him.
IN THE BEGINNING GOD ESTABLISHED TIME FOR OUR BENEFIT God literally put a “calendar in the sky” to order our world—day and night, months, and the yearly cycles. The Bible is very clear in Genesis:
“And God said, "Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years.” (Gen 1:14 NIV)
Once we all reach unity in the faith, once we all reach unity in the knowledge of the Son of God, once we all become mature in attaining the… fullness of Christ, then 5-fold will no longer be needed. But until then, we need it. The main point here is the power of alignment. The Early Church “turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6) because of aligning with God’s ways.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE ALIGN WITH GOD There are two examples I like to look at. When Ezekiel addressed
These were all meant to be a blessing to us—times to work, times to
the dry bones, he saw everything come into alignment and then God
rest, times to fellowship both with God and with others.
breathed on the bodies. Imagine the scene as Ezekiel saw it—a valley of bones and skulls of human bodies. At this point, the bones are
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE FESTIVALS
disconnected in a jumbled mess. Ezekiel says “… as I was prophesy-
Not only that, but the festivals (Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles)
ing, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together,
that He established outline the incredible plan of salvation and were
[they aligned] bone to bone. I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared
established as “sacred time.”
on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them” (Eze
"Three times a year you are to celebrate a festival to me. Celebrate the Festival of Unleavened Bread; [Passover] for seven days eat bread made without yeast, as I commanded you. Do this at the appointed time in the month of Aviv, for in that month you came out of Egypt. No one is to appear before me empty-handed. Celebrate the Festival of Harvest [Pentecost] with the firstfruits of the crops you sow in your field. Celebrate the Festival of Ingathering [Tabernacles] at the end of the year, when you gather in your crops from the field.
37:7-8 NIV). At this point, it is important to note that there is no breath in the bodies. They have just now come into alignment. It was not until they came into alignment that God breathed life into what used to be scattered, dry bones. “So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army” (Eze 37:10 NIV). When we align as God commands us to align, He will breath on us. There will be life in what we do when we align with God’s word. We see this again in Genesis. “Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being” (Gen 2:7 NIV). God did not breathe life into Adam until He had formed Adam. In other words, once all the bones were aligned and all the flesh was set in place, God breathed life into Adam. The power of being aligned properly with God is the difference between having life breathed into what you’re doing versus beating a dead horse hoping it will eventually move. If it has life, it will rise up and move on its own. Hopefully you get the point.
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+ ROOTS
Three times a year all the men are to appear before the Sovereign LORD.” (Exo 23:14-17 NIV)
basically throws out the evidence for Jesus being the Son of God. The Old Testament is the same Word/Testament the writer of Hebrews was referring to when he said,
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Heb 4:12 NIV)
THESE VERSES SHOW US THREE MAIN FEASTS in which He commanded the men of Israel to attend. God instructed them to keep these festivals “throughout your generations as an everlasting ordinance” (Exodus 12:17). Many people believe that when Jesus died He did away with the feasts and that the early church did not celebrate them. However, this is not true. It is clear from the writings of the early church that they participated in these seasons of celebration, enjoying a new, expanded revelation of who God is. Are Gentiles required to keep these feasts? Absolutely not—but
Again, the New Testament did not exist when these words were writ-
we miss out greatly when we fail to recognize the depth of insight
ten.
into God, His plan of redemption and the fulfillment found in Him. According to Romans 11, we have been “grafted in” to the Hebraic
THE BEAUTY OF GOD’S DIVINE CALENDAR
root, opening the door for us also to receive the rich inheritance in
All of this to say, God already has His divine calendar. He has spelled
the knowledge of God. We reject any form of legalism or require-
it out very clearly in the scriptures of old. There is so much depth
ments of works, while affirming the joy of aligning with God and His
and richness in His calendar. It constantly points us to His plan of
chosen people.
salvation and prepares us for seasons ahead. Thankfully, when the Gregorian calendar (and others like it) set up by man to replace
TO UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE WE MUST UNDERSTAND OUR ROOTS
God’s calendar came into existence, God did not compare His against
While Paul freely and joyfully participated in the feasts (Acts 18:21),
God’s calendar is set in the sky and has built into it the revelation of
he came down hard on anyone operating in legalism (Galatians 4).
man’s redemption.
man’s and apologize for the differences and adapt to man’s calendar.
Too often, we “throw out the baby with the bath water” and remove
There is a beautiful message that begins to unfold when you align
ourselves from the treasure God has for us. To truly understand the
with God’s timing. When we partake of the feasts and messages of
Bible, we must understand our Hebraic roots— the culture in which
the seasons that God has given from the beginning of Earth, we are
the Bible was written.
literally entering into the process of actively waiting for and reen-
It has fascinated me how the church has been able to teach that
acting, in some cases, God’s very own plan. His plan is not just for re-
the Old Testament is done away with or fulfilled when Jesus said,
demption. His plan is that He would have children all over the earth
“You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them
that look like His first son, Jesus. Not just that, but that we would do
you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about
even greater works than Jesus did. You see, Jesus was a first fruit. He
me" (John 5:39 NIV). When Jesus said this He was referring only to
was the first of many to come. I certainly want to be in that number.
the Old Testament scriptures. More precisely, the Pentateuch (first
How about you?
5 books of the Bible). Any attempt to throw out the Old Testament
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D
+ ROOTS
BY SANDI PADILLA
HOLY ROAR "His voice was the voice of many wonders."
Though I was pretty young, I think I can remember the first time I heard the thunderous roar of the Pacific Ocean. It was both staggering and glorious. Seeing the blue green waves roll into millions of foamy white bubbles caused my feet to dance as I raced up and down the beach. Then a few minutes later I would hear a loud “BOOM” as another giant wave crashed onto the sand in front of me. As beautiful as it was, the ocean took my breath away. It’s power, and the thunderous sounds it created held me in awe. “Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise! Let the earth and all living things join in” (Psalm 98:7 NLT). You may have similar memories. When you were a young child, did you ever try to hold a seashell or conch shell to your ear so that you could hear the “sound of the ocean”? As kids we might have believed that it was really the ocean, but as adults we realize what is being heard is the environmental noise around the shell, resonating within the cavity of the shell, creating the similarity of the sound between ocean movements and airflow. Psalm 29:3-9 says, “The voice of the LORD is upon the waters; The God of glory thunders, The LORD is over many waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful, The voice of the LORD is majestic.” When we take a closer look at the first words of the Genesis account in the Hebrew language, we find some amazing concepts that give us insight into God’s voice. The power of God’s voice expresses the fullness of His nature and the sound of His voice holds the universe together. If God is holding everything together with His voice, He can surely calm the stormy seas of whatever may be happening in our dayto-day lives. In Genesis 1:2, we see that the Spirit of God moved (hovered) upon the face of the waters. Bible teacher and author Bonnie Gaunt reveals in her book Genesis One, Sacred Code, “When the material world is examined down to its smallest particles, they are found to be vibrations. All creation is organized vibrations.” The author describes how the worlds were created by the word of God, or by the voice of God, or by the utterance of God and that "this utterance is both by music and by the Hebrew alphabet." The interrelationship of music and the Hebrew alphabet are magnificent—and not surprisingly, they also relate to creation. What does the author mean when she says that creation happened both by music and the Hebrew alphabet? Let’s start with the first letter of the alphabet—ALEPH.
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ALEPH
Isn’t that amazing? Triple digits.
HOLY ROAR
The graphic form of this letter symbolizes
When you look at the number “111” in hertz
In his book Holy Roar, worship leader Chris
the infinite, eternal nature of God. It is one
or sound frequencies, it equals the musical
Tomlin unpacks seven Hebrew words with
letter, but consists of three parts. The up-
note “A.”
Pastor Darren Whitehead, that explain the
per right segment of the letter is a “yod,”
Where else does the number "111" appear in
“different words the ancient Hebrew people
its lower left segment is a “yod”; and these
the Bible?
used to express their praise to God.” “Tehillah” means a hymn, a song of praise,
two letters are connected by a diagonal let-
or a new, spontaneous song. Chris encour-
ter—“vav.” Many scholars and theologians recognize that Hebrew is not only a beautiful, poetic, and multi-dimensional language, but that it is also a divine language. Because the universe was created by the “sound” of God’s voice, and the Hebrew language is so accurate in describing the world around us, it has been called the “DNA of Creation.”
“For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God." John 1:1
ages the reader, “even if you can’t carry a tune, even if you don’t know quite what to sing, practice raising a spontaneous song of praise to God…if you do, I know you’ll find this truth: God will inhabit, incarnate your act of tehillah.” The word “tehillah” is found in Jeremiah 17:14 “Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.” Did you know that the Lord sings over YOU? In Zephaniah 3:17 it reads, “For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a
PELE = WONDER
mighty savior. He will take delight in you
Pele comes from pala’ and means a mira-
with gladness. With his love, he will calm
cle—marvelous thing, wonder(-ful, -fully)
all your fears. He will rejoice over you with
(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance).
joyful songs” (NLT).
The Hebrew word “Pele” consists of three
NUMERIC VALUE OF ALEPH
letters—“Pey,” “Lamed” and “Aleph”—which
The sound of God’s voice singing over us
In the letter “Aleph” each “yod” has a nu-
is actually Aleph spelled backwards. (This is
resonates in the key of love. He promises
merical value of 10, and the “vav” has a nu-
an example of the Hebrew language having
to inhabit or ride on our praises; to heal and
merical value of 6, yielding a total of 26. This
perfect syntax.) If we look at the meaning of
restore us. What a wonderful, amazing God
equals the numerical value of the four-letter
each letter we have, the eternal God of all
we worship! Let’s respond with our whole
divine name YHVH. (The four-letter name is
things speaks with authority and power. He
hearts and become a worshiper who lifts up
a proper Name of God, and for that reason it
is a God of wonder who is a marvelous mir-
a Holy Roar!
is not pronounced as it is spelled. “Adonai” is
acle worker.
used for the reading of Scripture or while re-
I have come to believe that this intricate
citing prayers. “Hashem” [the Name] is used
system of letters and numbers in the Hebrew
in ordinary speech or written form.)
language interlock to illustrate the charac-
When we sound the letter "Aleph" we hear
teristics and nature of God, and to show the
three syllables: “Ah - le - ph.” Each sound
Divine authorship of God’s Word the Bible.
corresponds to its original letter.
Just as we can see numeric patterns ex-
(This is an example of the Hebrew lan-
pressed through geometric shapes found in
guage having perfect syntax.) If we look at
nature, we can hear the patterns of the He-
the meaning of each letter we have, the eter-
brew letters through frequency, sound and
nal God of all things speaks with authority
music. Inside the Hebrew language there
and power. He is a God of wonder who is a
is an alphanumeric ‘symphony’ of frequen-
marvelous miracle worker.
cies, letters and numbers that when sung or
Letter
Meaning Numerical Value
Aleph = God, Creator, First
1
played in combination can heal and restore the mind, body and spirit.
Sandi Padilla is a worship leader, author and the director of Pure Worship Ministries. She has shared the stage with Darlene Zschech, Sarah Kelly and Lincoln Brewster. For over twenty years Sandi has been equipping worship leaders and songwriters at conferences and retreats. She also spreads music, love and laughter for church groups, at retreats and retirement communities. Find out more at www.pureworshipministries.org
Lamed = Rod, Authority, tongue 30 Pey = Mouth, Speak, Open
Total
80 111
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+ ROOTS
OR ANOINTED By Anita Alexander, Director at Revival Flame Ministries in Queensland
A
ftter days in an internal wrestle
ular or approved of at a particular time.
world. However nowhere in scripture do
in my spirit, and after pressing
Anointed: smeared with oil (representing
I find the call of God to His people to be
in to the Lord, seeking Him for
the Holy Spirit), set apart, chosen, conse-
more acceptable, relatable or even attrac-
crated.
tive to the masses–or any particular gen-
answers of what was going on, suddenly I heard the voice of the Lord boom
eration for that matter–not even to the
in my spirit as I was doing my dishes
FASHIONABLE VS. ANOINTED
world. Rather I find in the scripture the
and I believe it was a question from the
Are we seeking to be fashionable or
exact opposite.
Father’s heart to His people.
anointed? In today’s modern church there
I heard so clearly the voice of the
is a growing emphasis and pursuit on be-
THE LORD HAS CALLED US TO STAND
Lord say, “Fashionable or Anointed?"
ing fashionable. We see here by its defi-
OUT, NOT BLEND IN
The tone in which this question was
nition, to be fashionable clearly displays
2 Corinthians 6:17 says that the Lord is
communicated to me inferred, “What is
a certain approval and acceptance by the
calling His beloved out from among them
it that you are seeking after or pursuing
majority. To fit in, to be acceptable, to be
to be separate. Who are they? According
first?” What are you seeking? Or rather
relatable, etc.
to the previous verse (16), the answer
what is it that you want? Do you want to
We could justify this pursuit and pri-
would be the world and carnality—an ex-
ority of desiring fashionable expressions
pression of service and worship unto the
Let’s take a look at the difference in
of service or worship for the purpose
Lord that is not birthed from the Heart of
the meanings of these two words from
of attracting the masses, or the younger
the Spirit of God.
the dictionary. Fashionable: to be pop-
generation, or to be more relatable to the
be Fashionable or Anointed?
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In 1 Peter 2:9, the Lord would remind
2018
you that He has called you a royal priest-
Christ has produced a people who are sat-
into the depths of faith and the Spirit to
hood, a holy nation, a peculiar people a
isfied with the stimulation of the senses of
become disciples? Or just causing a fall
“chosen” generation, in order that you
the soul rather than a people who are on
away from the first signs of persecution
may show forth the praises of Him who
fire from their spirit.
and trouble? For the evidence of a true
has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. The word “peculiar” is defined in the dictionary as: different to what is normal or expected, strange, odd, bizarre, unfamiliar, unexpected and out of the ordinary. These definitions are completely opposite of what the word fashionable means. The Lord has not called us to fit in but to be different from the expected. He has called us to be out of the ordinary. “Chosen” was also a word used to describe someone who was anointed, as was "Holy" (which refers to being separate). Note here in 1 Peter 2:9, it is a clear description of what His people are to look like. In all of these adjectives that describe His people, not one of them points to being popular, in vogue, or up to date. Nowhere does it describe His people to be acceptable by the masses, which is what fashionable is.
HOW WE REACH THE MASSES Don't we have to be relatable? The Lord is calling His church back to doing things His way. Not the carnal way of man. Not by human wisdom and reasoning, efforts apart from His leading and empowering. Jesus said to go into all the world and preach the gospel, heal the sick, raise the dead, deliver those who are oppressed and make disciples (Matt 10:8, Mark 16:15, Matt 28:19). With that, Jesus also gave “the formula” in order to do these commandments. At large, the church has felt they have had to reach the world in their own efforts and own passion and own strength. "Let’s make Christianity more appealing to the world, lets package it in a way that it will be 'acceptable' to draw in the crowds and the masses.” But this way of thinking and leadership in the Body of
disciple is one who must deny himself
"WHEN YOU ARE SMEARED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHEN YOU ARE ANOINTED, YOU ARE SET APART, YOU ARE CHOSEN AND CONSECRATED, YOU STAND OUT." HEAVEN'S FORMULA TO REACH THE MASSES, HEAL THE SICK, DELIVER THE OPPRESSED, AND MAKE DISCIPLES Jesus himself quoted Isaiah 61 and declared “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, He has anointed me to preach the gospel, to the poor; He has sent Me to announce release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed and to proclaim the accepted and acceptable year of the Lord.” This is the formula to fulfilling His commandment. It is by th Spirit of the Lord. It is by the Anointing of the Lord. It is not by might nor by power but by His Spirit. Paul instructed the Corinthians that He would not come with fancy ways of speaking nor carnal expression to influence their soul but rather in the demonstration and power of God, so that their faith would not stand in the wisdom of men but in the power of God (1 Corinthians 2:5). When the presence of God is burning in a fellowship, yokes are being destroyed and bondages are being removed. Seeking fashionable and relatable and acceptable and popular will not do the job of casting out devils, healing the sick and making disciples. We may see some conversions in the church, but is it causing growth
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take up their cross and follows Jesus (Luke 9:23). Seeking the fashionable over His presence (the Anointing) has produced a carnal Christianity culture, where we are finding a large percentage of Christians becoming shipwrecked in their faith. They have not been taught to dig their well deep in their faith in Christ and grow and mature in the things of the Spirit, but rather are encouraged to splash around in the shallows of entertaining, feel good, sound good, look good services.
TRADING THE PRESENCE OF GOD (ANOINTING) FOR POPULARITY Seeking to please people and gain popularity (which grows our churches apart from seeking and pursuing that which pleases God's heart and from stewarding His presence) fails our Lord and His Church. The thing to note with fashion is that it changes. But the Lord never does. Now I don’t mean methods because the Lord does do “new things” but His “new things” are not to “conform” to the masses in order to be agreeable to them but rather His “new things” are a call to the masses to come out from among them and be separate (2 Corinthians 6:17). When you are smeared with the Holy Spirit, when you are anointed, you are set apart, you are chosen and consecrated, you stand out. As 1 Peter 2:9 states, you are peculiar, holy, chosen and royal. We are not called to blend in and be like the world but we are to stand out. Is there a cost involved in this type of pursuit? Absolutely. There is a cost for the anointing oil. Absolutely, there is a price to pay for being separate, consecrated, chosen and royal. If you look in the natural at royal fam-
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ilies, they can’t live like the masses. They
church. In her attempt to leave behind
The Lord is calling His people out. He is
have certain responsibilities and require-
the peculiar she has indeed invited in the
calling His people back to being peculiar,
ments upon them as ambassadors for
popular. In her desire to be accepted she
being set apart, to stand out from the rest.
their particular kingdom. They live “sepa-
has forfeited the very thing that made her
He is calling His people to seek His face,
rate” lives. And so it is with the Lords peo-
separate and gave her her unique identity
His presence as their number one prior-
ple. We are ambassadors of Heaven.
as a royal priesthood That is the anoint-
ity. He is calling a people anointed, set
ing—the very presence of God.
apart, consecrated and holy unto Him. He
A religious spirit is absolutely against
is calling a people who walk by faith and
Whenever we prioritise anything above
authenticity in every way shape and
not by sight, who aren’t moved by the dis-
the presence of God, we invite a religious
form. Because authenticity is what the
plays and wonders of this natural realm
spirit to dictate terms. A religious spirit
Lord anoints, because it's real and not
but are moved wholly and solely by His
will always operate when man is seeking
fabricated. The Lord is calling His people
Spirit.
the approval and praise and acceptance
out from among them, out from among
God didn’t pay a price for a people who
of man. Pride and self-promotion are at
fabricated, fashionable expressions of
will settle for the realm of natural, limited
the root of a religious spirit. Religion pro-
worship. Now I am not talking about hav-
man-made thinking, but He paid a price
motes and prioritises status and external
ing a spirit of excellence. Absolutley we
for those to accept that sacrifice, to call
appearance, over the presence of God.
are to have a spirit of excellence in all we
them the Sons of God, and to be led by His
A lot of the time we think of a religious
do. What I am talking about is everybody
Spirit, walk by His Spirit and Worship in
spirit and we think of the religious con-
copying and cloning themselves in order
the Spirit. John 4:23 & 24 says, "For now,
servatism of the dark ages. This however
to be accepted, liked and popular. I am
the time will come, however indeed it is
is the picture of a religious spirit the devil
talking about prioritising fashion above
already here, when the true genuine wor-
wants to keep branded in your mind. The
His presence.
shipers, will worship the Father in Spirit
A RELIGIOUS SPIRIT
devil wants you to identify religion with
and in Truth" (reality – without pretense
conservatism. But this is not what a reli-
TRUE SUCCESS
gious spirit is.
The Lord anoints authenticity, not clones.
or performance);
A religious spirit is anything that hin-
He desires for us to express unto Him our
ders intimacy with the Lord and promotes
unique sound, our unique way. Sorry to
external practices and man-made ideals
say but professionalising the gospel has
by rules and regulations, in place of the
disempowered the church and invited in
presence of God. It seeks and insists on
status quo. Are we just happy with having
doing things apart from the presence of
good entertaining services that fulfil the
God and His empowerment. It can mask
emotions of those who come? Or are we
itself behind very popular, very enter-
truly desiring to see those who gather to-
taining modern, up to date, expressions of
gether encounter the presence of God and
worship. The Lord is calling His people to
experience yokes fall off them and their
be ones who discern by the Spirit not by
lives eternally changed?
mere outward expressions and external adornings.
True success in our services is not measured by how many people we have
What's popular can be a front mask of
managed to draw in by our efforts, but
a religious spirit. As the local church has
rather how we managed to draw in God's
sought to loose herself of her conservative
presence. Has He shown up? The Lord's
identity and become more relatable to the
presence is His stamp of approval. God
lost these past 20-30 years, something in
forbid I be in a room, stadium, auditori-
turn has taken place to a vast extent. In
um or wherever the place may be, and it
her desperate attempt to reach and re-
be filled with people who are gathering
late, may I suggest on many levels she has
in the name of Yeshua and He himself not
in turn lost her true identity. In order to
show up. The Lord is not interested in
seek to identify with the world, worldly
what the number of your gatherings are,
cultures and ideals have crept into the
but is there room for His presence to at-
structures and expressions of the local
tend. Is He is showing up?
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"FOR THE FATHER IS SEEKING WORSHIPERS SUCH AS THESE (MY EMPHASIS). GOD IS A SPIRIT AND THOSE WHO WORSHIP HIM MUST WORSHIP HIM IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH." This is who the Lord is seeking—pursuers of His Spirit, to be led by His Spirit, to be empowered by His Spirit and be true ambassador’s for the Kingdom of Heaven. As His people embrace this call and again put their emphasis on His presence and His ability to perform for them, they will see Heaven populate with hundreds of thousands, upon millions, of souls. As they turn from seeking the fashionable, to seeking His presence, they will see His Kingdom come on Earth as it is in Heaven. www.Revival-Flame.org
2018
KINGDOM HUBS
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