Monthly Archives: September 2013
The Call of An Intercessor
Those who follow Christ are called to pray and intercede. However, the calling of an intercessor is different.
The definition of the verb, intercede is to act or interpose in behalf of someone in difficulty or trouble, as by pleading or petition.
In other words, an intercessor is a mediator or one who makes petition on behalf of someone else.
Jesus is our intercessor in Heaven. (Romans 8:34)
“A great percentage of intercessors are intuitive and discerning people. They sense great needs in a room or in a grocery store. They can walk in a room and the Spirit shows them who is hurting. Their heart are moved to pray for people they don’t even know with great passion.” (www.glocal.net)
An intercessor is called to a life of holiness; it’s a high calling. This calling is given and not chosen.
An intercessor can’t help, ignore or control the burdens which come upon them or their desire to pray.
“The Holy Spirit inspires us to this most Divine work of intercession, and His strength enables us to sigh unto God for the oppressed, the burdened and the distressed creation.” (E.M. Bounds)
******
Lately, I have been sharing stories in the news on Facebook. I want to take this opportunity to explain why I have been doing this.
I share these stories because I am burdened by them, not because I enjoy posting negativity.
My goal in sharing these horrific stories is to spur others to pray and intercede.
I see the spiritual climate and am burdened by the various stories I share. I can think of two this week, which are heavy on my heart.
I do not choose to care, be affected or burdened. Nor do I choose to weep and travail in prayer for complete strangers. God chose this for me.
I have asked Him to take this cup from me, but He says, My grace is sufficient for thee. (2 Corinthians 12:9)
God knows best. I’m learning to listen and not grieve Him. I must honor His calling upon my life and be obedient. He has called me to be a vessel of honor (2 Timothy 2:21), a holy sacrifice (Romans 12:1) fit for His use.
Do you feel burdened to pray too?
Why Do You Write?
I enjoy reading interviews of writers and their creative process.
In the past few days, I have been reading interviews of great authors, such as Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, William Faulkner and Gustave Flaubert.
Courtesy of Creative Commons
I noticed a common thread in these authors is narcissism.
There seems to be a correlation between creative genius and mental illness.
Ernest Hemingway shot himself. F. Scott Fitzgerald was depressed. William Faulkner was an alcoholic. Actually, all three were alcoholics. Gustave Flaubert’s personal life was a bit ‘out there’.
******
I’ve been lurking behind the scenes and observing writers lately.
Writers seem to be plagued by insecurities, much like great authors were.
Writers want to be known. They want their writing to be read and heard. They want to know their writing matters to others and is making a difference in someone’s life.
Personally, I don’t get many comments or traffic on my blog. Nor do I have a large following, audience or platform.
I have had to come to terms that it may always stay this way.
Occasionally, I’ll get a reader who tells me they enjoy my posts and likes my writing. But, not very many.
Truthfully, the more I write and share what God puts on my heart, the less people seem to like it and thus, I get less traffic.
Which is why I had to ask myself the following questions:
1) Am I writing for God, myself or others?
2) Why do I write in the first place?
3) Will I continue to write even if no one reads it and/or my audience never grows?
My answers:
1) I write for God and myself.
2) I write because I love to write. I love words. I love the artistic expression and creative process. I love reading books and writing.
3) Now this one was a hard one to answer, because as I mentioned above, all writers want to be heard and appreciated. But I’ve come to the conclusion, that I do not want my writing to be about someone else liking or accepting it. I want God’s approval. I want to write what I’m passionate about whether anyone else agrees with it or likes it or not. Other people liking my writing is just the icing on the cake.
I’ve discovered that to continue writing, the ‘why’ has to be bigger than the ‘obstacle’.
If your why isn’t bigger than your obstacle, then you won’t keep at it.
If you are only writing for man’s applause or recognition, you will eventually be disappointed and give up.
Writing for others is the wrong focus and motivation.
Writers have to be comfortable and content for art’s sake.
Even if no one reads your writing, you should still want to write anyway.
Writing should never be about other people, but about God and you.
This is the reason why I write.
Now it’s your turn, why do you write?
No Compromise
A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. Galatians 5:9
I keep hearing this verse in my head. When the Lord puts a scripture on my heart, I know there is a reason.
What is the Lord is trying to tell me?
Courtesy of Creative Commons.
Recently, I have been making bread from scratch. It’s been fun discovering the magic of dry yeast.
It’s amazing how a little bit of yeast does make the dough rise.
I began thinking of this in a spiritual context.
In the Bible, leaven denotes sin.
******
Years ago, when I first became a Christian, I was an aspiring actress and singer. A friend of mine, who is now a pastor, took me to his church. It was in the basement of a house in Brooklyn. I lived in Manhattan at the time. He and his wife picked me up and took me there.
I went and heard their pastor preach and was immediately convicted. I remember standing in this pastor’s kitchen afterwards. He asked me what I did for a living? I told him I worked as a secretary while pursuing a career in acting and singing. His immediate response was for me to give up acting and singing.
I was like, what? Give.it.up? Just like that. He said, You love Jesus, right? Well, you need to give up that life if you want to live for Him and serve Him. He told me we are in this world, but not of it. (Romans 12:2)
I was furious. Who was he to tell me such a thing? Didn’t he realize how much I’ve invested, not just money, but time, in pursuing my career? Is he kidding me?
Needless to say, I stopped going to that church. But his words continued to echo in my head.
God knew my heart and began dealing with me. Eventually, I did renounce that life. It didn’t happen overnight, but eventually God got a hold of me and I gave it up willingly.
My desire for God became bigger than my ambition.
Now I’m a writer. I’ve always been a writer, even when I didn’t know it. I filled notebooks with poetry and poured my heart out on the page for years. I never imagined I would one day have a blog and share my heart on this platform.
God is speaking to me once again. Will I compromise in my writing? Will I use my gift to promote others rather than Him? Will I be His mouthpiece in this lost world? Will I write what He tells me, even if it’s unpopular? Will I write despite man’s rejection or opposition?
I’ve been a Christian over 25 years now and I know not to say ‘no’ to God or what He’s asking me to do. It would be suicide.
This morning I wrote in my journal, I’d rather run the risk of man’s rejection than disobey or grieve God’s heart.
I need God. I need His love, His wisdom, His fellowship, His friendship, His help, His guidance, and His presence. This world can’t give that to me, only He can and does.
I know this may seem narrow and rigid to many believers today, but what I find myself continually repeating to my brothers and sisters in Christ, is that we all have different callings. My calling may not be the same as your calling. What may be ok for you, may not be ok for me or vice versa.
God has a specific call, plan and purpose for my life regardless of whether other people understand it or not. I know enough at this stage of the game not to compromise what He is telling me to do. I refuse to compromise.
Are you willing to run the risk of rejection from man for the sake of God? What are you willing to give up for God? Are you willing to take a stand for Christ in these last days even if it’s unpopular and not what everyone else is doing?
True and False Revival by Andrew Strom
Paperback: 132 pages
Publisher: RevivalSchool (September 11, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0979907314
ISBN-13: 978-0979907319
Price: $11.91
Purchase: Amazon
Description:
Andrew Strom is founder of RevivalSchool.com and the international REVIVAL List. He was involved for 11 years in the same Prophetic movement as Todd Bentley and Rick Joyner – until he quit in anguish over the unbiblical and bizarre things going on in that movement. As an insider, Andrew questions a lot of the ‘angels’, the gold dust, and “revivals” like the one in Lakeland. Read the FACTS to find out why. What is real Revival? And how do we tell the true from the false? The answers are found in this provocative book.
Review:
True and False Revival is about learning to discern which is true and which is counterfeit in the Church. Andrew Strom is an insider who knows about the counterfeit and has studied revival extensively. I consider him an expert on true revival.
This book is such an important book, especially for leaders.
Andrew Strom writes in an easy to read format. True and False Revival is a warning to the Church and a call in the wilderness.
We need John the Baptists in the world who will preach on repentance and renewal. There is too much focus on signs and wonders, materialism and secularism in the Church today.
Andrew Strom has a burden for the Church in bringing them back to true revival. This book is an excellent resource on this subject and I highly recommend it.
Andrew Strom is an international writer and speaker, founder of RevivalSchool.com and the international REVIVAL List – and author of ten books including ‘The Sinner’s Prayer – Fact or Fiction?’ Andrew was born Downunder in New Zealand. He has been happily married to his lovely wife Jacqui for 26 years. They have six wonderful children.
Kundalini Warning by Andrew Strom
Paperback: 120 pages
Publisher: RevivalSchool (April 14, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 097990739X
ISBN-13: 978-0979907395
Price: $12.91
Purchase: Amazon
Description:
Written by a genuine “Insider,” this is the true story of one of the most frightening “invasions” in the history of the church – and the fight to keep it out. Andrew Strom has been part of the Charismatic movement for over 25 years – and was deeply involved in the modern “Prophetic” movement for 11 of those years. He is the founder of RevivalSchool.com and the International REVIVAL List. In this book, Strom traces this mass invasion of false spirits back to 1994, and shows how it culminated in the bizarre events surrounding Todd Bentley and the Lakeland revival in 2008. What are ‘Kundalini’ spirits? What are the signs of their presence? And how can such an invasion be turned around? All this and more is discussed in this provocative book. “A ‘MUST READ'” – The Voice Magazine. “The church of Jesus Christ does not realize that it has been infiltrated by demonic forces. Discernment has been lost! A book that is beyond needful.” – Greg Gordon, SermonIndex.
Review:
When I first saw the video above, I knew I needed to read Kundalini Warning by Andrew Strom. I never knew about Andrew Strom before I saw this video. I’m happy to have discovered him.
Kundalini Warning is a must read for every believer, especially in the day and age we are living in. This book will show you the spirit which is invading our Charismatic churches today.
I assure you this book is an eye opener. I completely relate to the content of this book, since I was heavily involved in the new age movement and Hinduism years ago.
Kundalini Warning will not only bring to light on what is happening, but it will also help you not fall into deception.
Just as the title says, it’s a warning that we should be aware of and take heed to.
This book is full of information you will not want to miss. I highly recommend this book.
Andrew Strom is an international writer and speaker, founder of RevivalSchool.com and the international REVIVAL List – and author of ten books including ‘The Sinner’s Prayer – Fact or Fiction?’ Andrew was born Downunder in New Zealand. He has been happily married to his lovely wife Jacqui for 26 years. They have six wonderful children.
Just Don’t Do Porn
This is what I wrote on my Facebook status yesterday after posting this article.
When I posted it, I wasn’t intending to spark a debate. I was only trying to bring light to the spiritual climate.
I decided to amplify and address my views here as there was an implication about my being judgmental.
Courtesy of Creative Commons.
For the record, I am judging the entire porn industry. I refuse to sugar coat what is.
Pornography is wrong and the entire industry is evil. There is nothing good or wholesome about it. I personally think it’s repulsive and shouldn’t exist at all.
God tells us to discern and judge. Ultimately, God knows man’s hearts and what motivates them.
I can’t imagine God is just sitting back, watching and thinking how great the sex industry is. It must grieve His heart terribly.
The entire industry is motivated by the flesh, carnal desires, sinful lusts and greed.
In 1 John 2:16, For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
It says in 2 Corinthians 4:4, In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
Who is the god of this world? Satan.
Who created and controls the sex industry? Satan.
When people say those in the porn industry are victims and don’t know any better. I would have to point them to Romans 2:14-15:
Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it. They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right.
I could have been a statistic, I had every excuse to do so, but I chose not to.
We all have choices. Every single one of us walking the face of this earth has choices. God has blessed us with the gift of free will and choice.
Those pursuing a career in pornography are aware of the dangers involved in that life. They are not ignorant to what they are doing, which is why a huge majority do drugs.
They sell their bodies as a commodity.
To say, they don’t know anything else, is to lessen them to sub human with no sense of rationale.
They do have choices, but they choose to sell themselves because that’s where they make the most money and that’s something they are not willing to give up. The majority in that industry are not victims as they are choosing to do what they do for the love of money which is the root of all evil. (1 Timothy 6:10)
If they live in America, they also can’t say they’ve never heard the Gospel. This country is inundated with the Gospel all over the place.
********
Personally, I find the Christian community wanting to sugar coat everything.
They talk a lot about love, but love is a verb, not just a word. Loving someone is telling them the truth.
But no one wants to hear or speak the truth anymore. Christians don’t want to hear about sin, judgment or repentance.
Christian’s only want to listen to the Joel Osteen’s of the world. They want their ears tickled. (2 Timothy 4:3)
All these ‘feel good’ messages. This is the kind of gospel they want to listen to. It’s a man made gospel, not the Bible.
They pick and choose, they only focus on the verses they like and spit out what they don’t like.
Everything to them is wonderful, beautiful and grand, when quite frankly, it’s not. But, they are either not paying attention or sleeping.
Christians don’t want to speak up anymore, they are afraid of offending or coming across as judgmental. Judging has become a crime now and discernment has gone out the window.
However, by not discerning or judging the time and by turning away from truth, Christians have made a god of their own understanding and thus, the Church has become powerless.
The Church needs to rise up and speak the truth again, so that people can repent, turn away from their sins and be saved.
Time is running out.
Rise Up Church
Everywhere you turn, a tragedy befalls us.
Yesterday was the mass shooting in the DC Navy Yard. This morning the abduction of a 14-year old girl in Georgia.
Courtesy of Creative Commons.
It’s not that I’m focused on tragedy or negativity, it’s just what is happening all around us.
Yes, I can perhaps bury my head in the sand, and pretend all is well, but I would only be lying to myself.
I’m not the type of person to focus on myself and forget about everything else.
My life is good, but just because things are relatively good, doesn’t mean I should forget others who are suffering.
I guess I’m this way because I have been through my share of hardship in life.
Sure, following the news can be overwhelmingly hard and there are times I do need to unplug from it all.
But most times than not, I feel burdened for the state of affairs. It’s not something I can shake off or ignore. I wish I could, but for whatever reason, God didn’t design me this way.
Even in the midst of tragedy though, I can still see God’s goodness and beauty. His signature is everywhere; from the rising sun, the mountains and vast oceans.
He is a divine artist and the master designer of this universe. He is a great and loving God.
His heart grieves and for whatever reason, so does mine. He yearns for His Church to rise up in this lost, dark and broken world.
Every Sunday He passes the pews and sees His beloved sleeping. He is so loving and kind, He just passes quietly as not to disturb them. But oh, how sorrowful He is, when those He passes aren’t discerning the time nor the hour.
He is calling His sheep. He is saying, Rise up Church, for now is the time and the hour. Wake up from your slumber.
The days ahead will be far worse than they are now, we must wake up before it’s too late.
I tremble at that thought as my heart can hardly stand what’s happening now.
I am so broken and burdened, and I don’t even understand it myself. It’s definitely not depression, it’s this heaviness or sorrow in my soul.
The sorrow of seeing the Church powerless.
I’ve been praying for revival. The Church and this world needs a revival. I know there are many scattered, praying for this as well.
May the Lord come and visit us soon.
Am I the only one who notices the direction in which this world is going? Do you see it too? Please share in the comment section below.
Abracadabra
Abracadabra. Like many magic words, the true origins of the word “abracadabra” are shrouded in mystery. It may have invoked the god Abraxas for protection. It might be a synthesis of the Hebrew words for “father,” “son,” and “holy spirit.”
It could also be from the Aramaic phrase “avra kehdabra,” meaning, “I will create as I speak.” In ancient times the word was inscribed on pendants worn around the neck as protection from evil and illness. It was considered a far more powerful word in the classical age than it is now.
When I think of the word ‘abracadabra’, I think of magic and modern day Christianity.
What does magic and Christianity have to do with each other? Well, a lot actually.
*****
I just got off a prayer line which I used to be part of a few years ago.
But tonight was different.
I remember when this pastor started his prayer line. There were only a few and then it grew.
Today his ministry has tripled which is pretty impressive. What’s even more impressive is that his ministry consists of mostly women. He seems to attract them in droves.
Why do these women flock to this leader? I paid attention.
It is his pleasantries. I mean, who doesn’t want to hear nice things and ‘feel’ good?
I guess this is what attracted me.
I would get pumped up listening to his persuasive tongue and positive messages. I couldn’t get enough.
His words were like honey, sweet and addicting. But too much honey can make you sick.
He shouts, Declare it, Believe it, you’ll get that Mercedes Benz, in the name of Jesus!
Abracadabra, Hocus Pocus, Alakazam!
This is Christianity today.
An unholy mixture, of compromise and new age mysticism has seeped into the Church.
A seducing and lustful spirit, luring and captivating minds into deception.
I am familiar more than I care to admit.
I recognize them, I discern them, I smell them and I know where they hide.
They haunted and tormented me for years.
You think it’s all good, so long as you hear the word Jesus, right? But, it’s a lie.
The devil uses deception my friends, he’s the master of it. He is the best magician you’ll ever meet.
What? You don’t think these spirits are operating in the Church today? Really?
Well, I’m sorry to have to be the one to tell you, they are. Especially today.
The Church can’t see it though, because they are sleeping. They need to wake up from their slumber soon before it’s too late.
War Ravaged Heart
There are times I’m so worn and weary, when the harshness and realities of life overwhelm me.
When I can’t find the words to encompass all that I’m feeling or experiencing.
Courtesy of Creative Commons
When my heart and soul grieves, I find myself writing poetry instead.
So without further ado…
There are different kinds of hell, you know,
One from within and one from without,
Goodbyes are torture and change a torment,
Helplessness proceeds forth into oblivion,
Emotions tear at the war ravaged heart,
Clouds grey, oppressive and morose,
Where is the sun in the clouds above?
Sadness, disappointment, overwhelming the light.
Accursed is Change and Goodbyes so hard.
Tears run like a dam,
Suspending time,
Hoping once again,
For moments of serenity.
When Mountains Move by Julie Cantrell
Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: David C. Cook (September 1, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0781404258
ISBN-13: 978-0781404259
Price: $14.99
Purchase: Amazon | CBD | BN
Description
It is the spring of 1943. With a wedding and a cross-country move, Millie’s world is about to change forever.
If only her past could change with it.
Soon after the break of day, Bump will become Millie’s husband. And then, if all goes as planned, they will leave the rain-soaked fields of Mississippi and head for the wilds of the Colorado Rockies. As Millie tries to forget a dark secret, she hasn’t yet realized how drastically those past experiences will impact the coming days.
For most of Millie’s life, being free felt about as unlikely as the mountains moving. But she’s about to discover that sometimes in life, we are given second chances, and that the only thing bigger than her past … is her future.
Review
When Mountains Move is the sequel to Julie Cantrell’s debut novel, Into The Free. I absolutely loved Into The Free that I was ecstatic when the sequel arrived.
Julie Cantrell does it again. She does not disappoint. What a beautiful story. I am in love with her writing and characters. Julie Cantrell is a phenomenal writer. I can not say enough about her.
When Mountains Move picks up where Into The Free leaves off, which I was thrilled about. As I wanted to know what was going to happen. I was left with an expectation with Into The Free that needed to be satiated.
When Mountains Move does that and more.
I don’t want to spoil it for you by giving anything away. This is the kind of book you must read for yourself. But please, do read Into The Free first.
Julie Cantrell has become one of my favorite fiction authors. I can’t wait for her next book.
In conclusion, I want to thank Wynn-Wynn Media and David C. Cooke for the complimentary advanced copy of this amazing book.
Julie Cantrell is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Into the Free, which won Christy Awards for Best Debut Novel and for Book of the Year 2013 as well as the Fiction Award from the Mississippi Library Association. Cantrell has served as editor-in-chief of the Southern Literary Review and is a recipient of the Mississippi Arts Commission Literary Fellowship. She and her family live in Mississippi, where they operate Valley House Farm. Her new novel, When Mountains Move, is the sequel to Into the Free.
Holy Is The Day by Carolyn Weber
Paperback: 192 pages
Publisher: IVP Books (October 6, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0830843078
ISBN-13: 978-0830843077
Price: $12.00
Purchase: Amazon| BN | CBD
Description
Life pulls us in many directions, sometimes even to the point of pulling our souls apart. We know rest and reflection are necessary for a healthy life—even Jesus took time to get away from the crowds, away from the demands of everyday life, to pray, to spend time with close friends, to sleep.
But when Carolyn Weber—emotionally and physically exhausted from managing her career as a college professor, writing her first book and parenting three children under the age of three—hears this truth from a friend, all she can think is: but who will do everything if I don’t?
And this sets her on a journey to find the still, small space in each day.
In these pages Carolyn reflects on the eternal beauty that lurks within the present. Drawing from literature, history and everyday life, Holy Is the Day is a collection of spiritual reflections that trace the way God’s ever-renewing grace is a gift of the present. Opening it we find poignant stories of endurance, humility, compassion, remembrance and gratitude, as well a harrowing account of near-death experience.
Carolyn gives us new eyes to receive the precious gift of the present and give it away to others.
Review
In January of 2012, I reviewed Carolyn Weber’s award-winning memoir, Surprised by Oxford. This book spoke to me on so many levels.
Surprised by Oxford is one of my most favorite memoirs.
When I was asked by Intervarsity Press to review Holy Is The Day, I was more than excited, I was ecstatic.
Holy Is The Day is absolutely breathtaking. Carolyn Weber writes exquisite. She is a master wordsmith. Her writing reminds me of C.S. Lewis and Frederick Buechner, both of whom are my favorite authors. Carolyn Weber is in a lane by herself as her words are poetic and meaningful.
She writes so beautifully, that I am committed to reading everything she writes until the day I die. I know this sounds dramatic, but I am telling the truth. I do not want to miss out on anything she writes.
Holy Is The Day is written as a meditation. Carolyn Weber shares her personal experiences, weaving stories from Scripture. Her spiritual reflections are breathtaking and powerful.
Lately, the theme has been to live in the moment, Holy Is The Day is timely to say the least.
I was blessed to have received a complimentary advanced copy from Intervarsity Press for which I am grateful.
I highly recommend Holy Is The Day; it is beautiful beyond words.
Carolyn Weber is an author, speaker and professor. She has taught literature to undergraduates for 15 years, most recently as associate professor of Romantic Literature at Seattle University. As the Canadian Commonwealth scholar for literature, she completed her M.Phil and Doctoral degrees at Oxford University, and later served as the first female Dean of St. Peter’s College, Oxford.
Carolyn lives in London, Ontario Canada with her husband and their 4 children.
Follow
embodyart