Author: 'face2face' - Gareth Duffty

High Level Activity

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Recently while I was flying high over the Brazilian terrain, a land that I am not  familiar with, a land I am visiting, a country that is different and where the people are so wonderful.  Their expressive nature, the overt hand gestures, the shoulder shrugs.   All in the name of communication.   Their tactile nature across to neighbours and people they meet for the first time, the communication so warm, gushing across tables in eating places imageswith people they don’t know.   Conversations that spread from table to table, words that are contagious so to speak that commence with three people in a Restaurant but that quickly catches another table of strangers causing them to be occupied and connected.    Every one has a value, they are drawn into the conversation, quick eye contact is embraced and before you know it your part of the conversation, instant deep friends.

I only outline this to say I am so aware of the need to communicate, to be able to understand.   Here I am miles high and here I am miles away from being able to communicate, eye contact and touch, yes but I lack words, language.   Language our words are so necessary and important.   I’m travelling in a foreign land and it is really foreign.   I don’t have the words.

It is like being closed in a world of guessing because I did not  have the  words, for example, as I stood in the airport the departure gate had movement so I stood in the line ready to board,  not understanding, a word of the announcements.   Then only to realise that the delayed screen indicated that it was the wrong flight I was just about to step onto.   Having stepped out of the line  thinking I will watch the screen, I noticed 15 mins later the line commenced to open again, the people began to board, but no screen announcement of the flight number, what do I do?   The announcer declares in her best Portuguese what’s going on, but I don’t have the words so I take the plunge.   Just as I am about to get on, not ever did the screen announce the flight number, not ever did I hear any English through the speakers, I looked to the one standing next to me and I tried hard to see his ticket.   Then I do see it and with a sigh of relief he had the same numbers on it as I did.

On the plane I  am greeted by some one else  sitting in my allocated seat, they speak, “I don’t understand”, so they motion they have changed seat and I can have his?    I don’t have words.

Words, language is so important, in our hour it is so necessary we  discover language, the right language in our day.  Language to communicate, to make ourselves known and to be known.   To avoid being present with no voice, to have words to outline the picture of the future we are to embrace and to make known to humanity all around.

You see God has a language, a full language, a language that transcends all boundaries, Gods language is Jesus.  As spoken in Hebrews, God spoke in these last days in his Son, a Sonship language, a language of original source.    A language in which none of us will feel the lack of words.

The Christ is not only Gods language but he is Gods thought about you, how God sees you, how God has us in mind.   The ultimate of God is Christ, and you and I are his body, wow what words, what a thought.

The world is waiting for a plain speaking people that will communicate with words and a life style that are the extension of our words, lives that are words.   Words written, read by all mankind this is who I am, a communication, God words to a world that is longing to have seen and heard.

You and I become words in every situation, to every culture with a deep sense of Gods love and plan for creation. Let us ensure our words are compassionate which constantly widens in scope, a heart that is constantly expanding and learning, learning to exclude fewer and fewer people.   Allow my words to be translated into movement, preventing us from becoming passive, accepting of wrongs, injustices, oppression, these life words give rise to energetic action for change, first in me then on behalf of others who are in captivity or under any form of oppression.

What is it..?

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Two things happened to me this week that pose questions to our Christian walk. One I sat with my evangelist friend Johnny Kinch, our discussions were far and wide however one of our conversations was around the importance of images-3revelation to our Christ-like pursuit.

Today we have so many challenges of where we stand, what we believe and how we practice it really is an overall challenge to the Christ likeness that we are and that we are to pursue.

I hear many saying, I must admit I’ve said it as well, that we are in the midst of a reformation of our faith which will transform much about understanding and therefore practice. We’re challenged on sexuality, justice, grace and law, on everything at every hand. My belief is that what God is bringing us into a Reformation on is simply adjusting our view of God. This adjustment of our view of God will bring a new paradigm which will cause a new practice or shall I venture to suggest wine skin.

I must put this as a caveat, has this not always been the way wineskin adjustment, our wineskins will always have to adjust. The challenge is whether the changes are pragmatic in adjustment or whether there is an eternal input into that adjustment. Are w adjusting to ‘get more’, what ever the more we are after or are we adjusting to restore the image and likeness of God to all creation. The adjustment coming from a discovery and deepening understanding of the nature of Good, Father, Son and Spirt ?

Therefore in every fresh breath, understanding, insight or revelation it really is about seeing and continuing the Christ call who came to explain the father (John 1:18).

Through our discussion it came more sharp,my to me that we must look to see in every life that is ‘coming to Christ’ will see and be transformed via a revelation, a vision of Christ. This seeing, this revelation is what cultivates our pursuit to live Christ likeness. If this revelation, whether it be an Emmaus Road, Damascus Road, or a still small voice whatever it may be it’s the last impact that enabled me to put to one side one way of life , the way I once was, Paul said it to many of the new Testament churches did he not, “…once you were one of these…”, whatever these are. This seeing, this revelation, this vision, this transformation, this conversion that so impacts me it enables and creates an onward desire to be like Christ. That my was seeking my whole emphasis is to live a life according to a revelation of Christ.

Our conversation concluded in that we wanted to bring everyone immediately into a revelation of Christ which would fully impact our world. It also would determine a lifestyle.

Today more and more people seem to live in whatever way they wish to, and justify it on terms of grace. Yet Grace saves me the Bible says. So how I would suggest to you that when Grace, a revelation of Christ takes hold of you, you have nothing else in your life but a longing to live according to that arresting.

The very same day I was in discussion with Johnny a book was delivered, a gift from a dear long friend Dr Timothy Larsen. The book is called ‘Theology questions everyone asks” subtitled Christian faith in plain language. My first thing was to enquire to see what Tim had written in 12 chapters, he writes the first and asks ‘What is a Christian’. which brought me back to my earlier conversation of the impact of revelation in my life, in Johnny’s life, in many I know that are pursuing Christ. You see ‘seeking first the kingdom of God’, only happens in the light of this revelation. One of my challenges is not to make the revelation so grand and so vast that no one can enter, or only the few neither to dumb it down so suggesting a simple discharging of information. Seeing something I’ve never seen before in information, Is a revelation in any measure when revelation enters our own mind and soul it means I cannot get up from the chair, leave the room or walk away from that moment unchanged. So never mind how gentle how small the narrative or how big, did you leave that moment knowing that you couldn’t live the way you had. Something had to start and something had to stop.

The Bible says that without a vision the people are unrestrained, in other words vision, revelation brings into my life what I must do and why I shall not do. Today people read these statements as inflicting laws upon them, but really its due to the encounter, revelation, seeing I now have a life style that looks as Paul outlines Christ occupied, that cleans up my speech (no unwholesome word comes from my mouth), brings my life into order (live Christ like by the power of a Resurrected life), enables a generous lifestyle (become a giver like the nature of God birthed in us), just to name a few.

I’ve not read Timothy’s chapter but I will read with interest, but I’m convinced that what we need today is constant revelation impact, not just experiences. Without revelation our faith will become like a drug addict constantly looking for the next experience and having to experience regularly to keep the high. Or let me be the first to see that a deep experience in my personal walk of faith, and I pray that every one of us will encounter them, is much more about revelation making the transformation. So what is a Christian, someone who is caught with a vision of Christ and is propelled forward in Christ likeness, Christians are arrested by revelation that has brought a way of life. we have discovered our Hero – the Christ and we are total absorbed by this Christ in ever way.

Some people suggest that Paul laid down laws ‘you shall not”, but I would suggest Paul simply said in the light of your revelation of the Christ some of you lived a way “as some of these” but now there is an evident outflow form ever way of my life, as an individual and asa corporate family. It was not you should, you shouldn’t, you shouldn’t ,you shouldn’t. it was more about having caught the revelation this is the life that you can now expect to live. Revelation life has an outflow of shape, the way you talk, you deal with people, the way you include people, the way you conduct your affairs, the way my home runs, the way my relationships are conducted, the way I speak. All these have a shape in the light of revelation of Christ.

So it’s not about law it’s about Christ being birthed inside me and I will live in this way. It’s much better to wake people up to their revelation, which will make them led by the spirit and their lives will have a form that is Godly, Christ likeness, the image and likeness of God.

I now look forward to reading Timothy’s article on what is a Christian.

Freedom and Roots

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images-4For Freedom we are set free…
Two scriptures have such wonderful liberating statements, they pulsate through us all who love God.   The two yet are far-reaching in impacting the way my mind thinks and how I see this liberating relationship with the Radical Jesus.   Radical being that word that is originated from ‘foundational’, that is ‘having roots’ or ‘of roots’, Jesus was radical as he dealt with humanities on the foundational issue of life.

The first of the two scriptures:

Galatians 5:1

It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.

Freedom, I wonder what pictures of the mind, what experiences, what way of life it cultivates for us?   Freedom to stand firm, not to be enslaved to a life that is so different to the image and likeness of God that is put within us all.

The second is found in Romans 8: 20-22:
20  For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope
21  that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.
22  For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now

Creation waiting for its freedom, this freedom that is directly related to humanities freedom, regaining/restoring the image and likeness of God once again.  Grasp this,  creation is waiting for the freedom in us to manifest as it wants a piece of it…     As we take hold of the image and likeness of God and live life we will live free and creation will come into its own by entering into the “…freedom of the glory of the children of God…”

Freedom a gift of God, freedom a condition of living, not something you fall into our society can off via your circumstances but according to the life we live the life of Christ which is freedom.

Why?

To bring an order of the creator to bear on all mankind and creation, the kingdom of God, freedom is living according to Gods will.   It certainly is not getting all i want but it is bringing a life order of heaven to bear on creation which begins with my freedom.

In this liberty we are to export and pilgrim our citizenship to transfer society at large.   Affecting economy, the definition and shape of family life, politics, social life style, transformation of the poor… the list goes on and on…The Freedom we live is necessary to affect you and me, transform and conform us to the image of Christ that we might transfer the world around us, being the family of God, being the radical transformed, being Restorers of people and our world.   Taking hold of the exploits God ordained for each of us before time, transforming my life and street.   Taking our position in life not waiting to be rescue or removed…

John Stott wrote in his book Issues facing Christians Today “The church must therefore exhibit its multi-racial, multi-national and multi-cultural nature. . . . Therefore every homogeneous unit church must take active steps to broaden its fellowship in order to demonstrate visibly the unity and the variety of Christ’s Church”.

Demonstrating, being an example of the full life of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, explaining God (John 1:18) to the world around us and participating.   We have been brought near to God to participate in the Divine purpose, Divine movement, we have been invited into participate with God in bringing freedom, life and the image of God and to restore  all of creation

So the question remains then how far should my involvement and participation go, should it be one life at a time, one street and community at a time, absolutely resounding Yes.   Should it be in teaching, medical, economics, even again Yes but what about politics?   The answer is freedom set free to bring freedom in all, creation groaning and people reaching…

Should a Christian be Involved in Politics?   Should God’s Freedom Army, God’s revolutionist, God’s Restorers be involved?   Next time we will open up this question more fully and practically.

Freedom you are set free to provoke creation to participate with those led by the Spirit, the sons of God….

Ask yourself this…

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UnknownIt’s quite amazing as you read through the scriptures how the bible is tied together and flows together considering so many people put pen to paper over so many years. When we see the authority of the Scripture as being something to hold to it’s still amazing of where we find certain passages situated.

It’s interesting as you read 1 Corinthians 13, as it turns our mind towards love where it is rested. I am told a diamond truly only comes into its own when it’s in its correct setting.      Perhaps 1 Corinthians 13 sits in its correct setting?      The passage is sandwiched between two chapters one having to do with spiritual gifts and the other to do with the speaking in tongues.     I know that most of us have either read or heard it read at weddings, but I’m suggesting that we regain its significance and took this very same passage and applied it to our influence, leadership, common conduct for the common good.  I would even suggest I am struggling to see its relevance at weddings really, it was around a table, at gathering of the church family this was to be effectively encountered This LOVE…

I really do think that this passage was not return for wedding ceremonies, although can be used and is good but it really was more written for the church family life and for those that were taking responsibility and leadership and mature in the body of Christ. So let’s consider…

“Love is patient”
Do I give others the same room that I want them to give me? When mistakes are made, advances are taken?

“Love this kind”
Do the people I hang out with actually like being around me? Is appointed thought ask yourself how much do people asked to be with me outside of my work, outside of responsibility?

“It does not envy”
when that great idea is suggested, when someone gets promoted what my inner attitude like? Do I find a jealous streak arising when a great ideas shared, constantly perceiving others threatening me. Some people find themselves unable to live in their current condition because those who suggests their mature, project the superiority perceive you as a threat.

“It does not boast”
Am I the kind of person that always wants to tell people of my previous achievements, that I almost had gone what I’ve done to every comment. If we are so obsessed with what I’ve done in the past then to be honest would really not advancing towards anything at all.

“It is not proud”
I got it, “you need to come to me to see how it’s done” I was once told. I’m the one that knows how to do it, I am the one in the church/organisations that has the answer, you need to worship like me, think like me, preach like me?

“It is not rude”
As soon as I hear an idea I don’t like to I cut them off mid-sentence. Am I the one that blanks people, do people get a calm cold response from me? Is my insecurity so great I’m sharp with people?

“It’s not self-seeking”
What I give my time to, how I invest myself always and really about?

“Is not easily angered”
People afraid to bring me information that is true about me because they know I will lose my cool. Is my life cultivated from being constantly angry?

“It keeps no record of wrongs”
“that’s the… time you’ve done that said that”, “how many times… I remember the last time, and the time before”. Why tell them and remind people of their failures of past constantly, I mind the epitome of forgiveness.

“ love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truths”
Can people be honest and open with any one of us? it’s lonely influencers/leaders who do not have people around them will open up their hearts and share correctly and accurately truth. For this kind of person becomes the dominant that sits on top. Why can’t a bit the truth is celebrated so that people will enjoy truth at all times.

“It always protects”
Am I the kind of person that people will feel my kindness, graciousness, forgiveness, do they know I will always have their best in mind. It always difficult to flow with people will demand loyalty but never extended in any way.

“Always trusts”
Do I come from a trusting position of distrust in. As my years of life and experiences around me produced a distrusting starting point. Can I be one the trusts, and trusts and only when you are constantly showed that I cannot trust I begin to change. Is my world made up of trust or caution?

“Always hopes”
I half empty or half full pot kind of person? Do I assume or how bad it is or how poor the people are. Can I find inside me a way of believing others.

“Always perseveres”
How long will I stay in with people, once it made a mistake am I out of the, my quick to give up on people? And I’m the one that stays in and is a faithful as a friend.

“Love never fails”
Can people feel and sense my love always it quite often displayed in those that stay around. Is the atmosphere that people draw from me that love winds through?

Therefore as an influencer or a leader, as a parent a mother or father, as a friend and brother or sister IVs the qualities of my influence. Ask yourself when I honestly like. I would even suggest that spiritual gifts or speaking in tongues love will always be. To flow in gifts at a time added to root, and its foundation love must be a love that is patient, kind….

Restoration

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images-219 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,

20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus,

21 whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2001). (Ac 3:19–21). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

 · Restoration is the work of the Spirit to bring us personally, the church corporate and finally the world universally back to its original condition of purity and forward to the purpose, announced by the prophets, for which it was created.

· Restoration removes all that is not made by the Master’s hand – sin, sickness, religion and anything that denies the lordship of Christ. It re-establishes Christ’s order, government, plan and will. Restoration resets every man and woman in his or her divinely appointed place of usefulness and fulfilment in the family, church and world.

· Restoration is achieved by God’s people responding to the voice of the Spirit, thus carrying his purpose forward towards completion and the return of Christ.

Think about it, ponder it, how doe sit change my view of the Father, son and Holy Spirit?images