Why are we living in the past?

Recently I read another report that exposes the evils of mankind and how we treated people who behaved and looked different then the ones who came to help them. My thoughts filled with discuss that we would treat one another in what I call evil ways. Certainly we have our differences in food, way of life, beliefs due to our ancestral heritage. What concerns me is the absence of all the good things that were done in the past for people who are different from those who are in charge. 

There are many good things that were accomplished by providing a safe environment and means to improve their lifestyle. There are many testimonies of positive outcomes to the same people who were in the same circumstances. Do you hear of these accounts being reported by researchers and news media? We are all guilty of living off the awful events in our past then looking forward to our future. A future built on the evils of the past will only be judged by the future generations in the steps they took. You reap what you sow! A future built on the good things of the past will move people forward with a rosier outlook in their future.

We encourage our children to continue on their education and even to surpass what they had achieved. This is one example of looking at the good of the past. I hope that you can think of some good things in your past that you would want to build into your future. Recently I watched a program on tv called "Alaska State Trooper" and the comment from one Eskimo revealed his reasons for his behaviour that he did not want to raise his children in the volatile and drunken environment of his parents. He wanted a better life for his children. One of many who are tired of living with residual of the evil from the past.

Let us learn from the past and not be guilty of repeating the past. Repeating the past happens when we blame everyone for our conditions. I agree that they are guilty as charged but they are probably dead and nothing can be changed from their evil actions. No money can restore the time that was taken, or the evil acts imposed and the humiliation inflicted. Apologies has been so used up that they mean little so they now want money and when that wears out what will be the next step -- reversal of roles.

So what is the answer? Never pay evil for evil but use good against evil. Maybe there are some steps that will help you arrive at a place where you can begin to be healed. True healing is meant for the one  who it is happened to and not to second generation. The reason the next generation feel the same as the afflicted generation has to do with a transfer and not a direct affliction. The parents told the kids and now the kids tell their kids and so on. The parents are guilty of afflicting their own children with a burden they themselves could not carry. Some people carry the wounds of their ancestors and my question is why? We should be careful what we tell our children because we will be found guilty of racism from our comments in the future when they read and explore the evil that this generation has imposed on the people who had nothing to do with the evils of their ancestors, it will start all over again. One way of stopping evil is with good (only God is good).  

If we look closely into our lives we will find evil behaviour that is identified by words like bullying, stealing, lying, misrepresenting, imposing our views-ideas-way of life, providing biased reports and the list goes on. One thing I know is that Jesus died for my sins and He has paid the penalty for my evil acts (sins). Now I can live free from the past and have a positive outlook for the future. I cannot change the evil of my past with evil but I am able to change my evil past with the goodness of God's influences in my todays. If I apology then I mean it. If I make restitutions it is because I want to and not because I have to.You may take me to court and force me to make restitutions but that will not stop there.  All this to say that life is difficult enough so why not look to the teaching of Christ? He went to the cross but his disciples applied this evil in a good manner. Jesus loves you!

What is happening at NBF

It may seem like an unusual title but it is the way that I was shown the past, present and future of NBF. There will always be changes happening to any church who wants to grow. It is like our children that keep growing and we have to provide new clothing to meet the changes that their bodies are going through. NBF has entered that phase were we are about to see a burst of growth. 

Churches are made up with people who are considered as fringe members, then we have the adherents, then committed members and the not so committed members. This mix also includes the faithful and not so faithful when it comes to flowing in the moving of the Spirit at NBF. Now the church becomes a place where transients believers visit but their heart is not for NBF and will detach at a moments notice. Where do you think you fit?

When I was in prayer on Sunday night, The Lord showed me two visions that I was able to explore and I was able to acquire some understanding of the meaning of the different object in these visions. Let me start with the building (NBF) which represents the people and not the physical building. The foundation is solid and there is nothing that can damage or alter because this foundation is Jesus and He is the rock. The building that was constructed on this foundation met the needs of the past. The only way that we can find the weakness of the structure is for a shaking to take place. While praying it was thundering outside and it seemed like God added audio to my vision. During the time of the shaking a stain glass window fell and shattered on the ground. Looking at the damaged glass I notices that it came together but it was not as large and did not look the same - it was still a stain glass window. The window was now connected to the building (NBF) but in a different place. It was still part of the church but its position was less and in another place of the building. The weight bearing walls that had cracked were no longer strong enough to support what they was designed to do. The weight bearing walls were not strengthened but were replaced by larger structural material to support and prevent any weakening of the building (NBF). The overall look of the building was expanded upwards from the original structure to a larger structure to accommodate the future purpose (NBF).

The other vision that I had was about a tree that was experiencing shaking. Anything that was not attached to the tree fell to the ground. It was not harvest time. The fruit fell to the ground never to return to the tree. The moment it was disconnected from the tree it was on its own. The future of the fruit that fell was not my concern but what was left was my concern. The shaking was to free the tree from what was continued to not benefit for the overall wellbeing of the tree (NBF). It was sad to see these fruit fall off premature but the outcome was not all a lost as these fruit could produce what only God could do with things out of sync with His plans. 

What I understand from these visions is that NBF has entered into a time of shaking and then building. There are some who are affected by the shaking and will not be with us in the future of NBF. They have not desired to be part of what God is doing and even when they want to come back it will not be possible for them to reattach to NBF. Then there are some who have fallen from the building  (because their connections were not secured to endure the shaking) and they were reintroduced into the church but not in a way that they were before but in a smaller influence and in a different area of the church (NBF). We are about to enter into an expansion for NBF and the shaking needed for the church is needed for the church to move forward. Before any growth takes place we need to see a shaking that makes everything look like it is in a process of death. The attendance and finances are affected in what is looked on as a sign of sickness and not health. 

Where do you fit into this vision? Not everyone is called to NBF and some are called to other fellowships. What is your classification of membership in NBF? To God be the glory.  Will we see you as a connected part of the work of God at NBF?

What kind of a Christian example am I?

There are many who call themselves Christian but their lifestyle is totally opposite to the Biblical expectations and descriptive portray that is described in the Christian Bible. The idea of 'Born Again" has been accepted by many who have simply used this title to appease their consciences. Now we should never paint everyone the same but if you feel offended then check why you feel this way. The Holy Spirit is the one who brings convictions to the sinner. There is no place for a lukewarm Christian in the body of Christ. It is not the church that rejects this type of Christian because God said it and so it is.

Going to church does not make you a Christian but Christians do go church (God's idea). Christians do not pay back evil with evil but with good. Christians are sent out to make disciples of all the nations but many leave that to the pastor and those fanatical saints. Many Christians have placed reading the Bible, praying to God, fellowship with the saints and attending church as options to be included in your day when they are not busy acting like they are Christians who are in good standing with God (sarcastic).

Let me ask you this, "Are you trying to be a Christian or are you a Christian?" Christianity is not defined by us but defined by God. So who is right? You get angry at us self righteous Christians whenever your christianity is challenged. Remember you will stand before Christ and give an account of what you've done with the life you dedicated to Christ. 

What are you proud about?

Whatever we are proud of we tend to show it off. We achieve a certain level of academics and we hang our degree or diploma on the wall of our office. The activities of our children can be found on the refrigerator or in a picture frame. The special events in life such as a wedding or birth is proudly displayed for all to see whenever we enter a home. This is what makes me proud and I display them in my home and my office. What about you?
I am proud of Canada and we are celebrating this day to show the whole world of what we have found pride in by showing those our values to whom will take the time to look. There are some things in life that we do not show unless we are ready to have others scrutinize and arrive at their view of what we value. Let us celebrate the positive achievements that Canada has accomplished.
There are some people who come together with parades and celebrations that provides us with the idea of what they value. They are willing to display themselves in a manner that a few would relate and then others look at as entertainment that one would simply laugh as ridiculous. What are these people saying they values?

 Galatians 5:19-21 (NASB) ¹⁹  Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, ²⁰  idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, ²¹ envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

I value what the Word of God has to say on matter that will cause me to miss out in my inheritance of the kingdom of God.  The deeds or behavior that are described in these verses shows that many have embraced these deeds and then display them for all to see. This Canada day some will indulge in drunkenness others will display immorality and others will engage in sensuality, carousing and things like these. Some will parade them down city streets for all to see. What do they value?
This Canada that we hold with such pride has been assaulted by those values that are attached to acts that disrespect the Christian values. The warning was issued in the past and the judgment of our values and behaviour carries a consequence. We have shifted so far away from our Christian values to simply replaced them with tolerance and excuses. What you and I do affect all of us. My hope is that my values will be beneficial for all to see and accept that Jesus and His teachings are for all with the end relating to inheritance of the kingdom of God.

New Beginnings

There are times when everything seems to be coming apart. The body is no longer functioning like it did when youth was attached to its behavior. The landscape of the community goes into a transformation and becomes shaped into a new model for the future citizens. The church is not spared this transformation as it adapts to a new paradigm precipitated by  staff changes and movement of the saints.
New Beginnings are times when new ideas can be introduced. This is a time when people can take ownership with taking a step into integration and assimilation. The old ideas are still valid but room needs to be made for the new innovations.
Beginnings are always new because there needs to be an end before the beginnings can be activated. Whenever we reject new beginnings, we are simply avoiding the inevitable.
How are you dealing with new beginnings in your life? Why not share some ways that you have learned in how to adapt and adopt this into your daily life.