Kingdom Leadership

Hi Everyone,

Wow, I have just returned from a life-changing, cranium-cranking, grid-shifting summit in Tennessee - a Signs and Wonders conference with some of the fore-running chargers of the 'Glory Realm'! Much to say, but more on that later.

I love how Father is shifting and shaking the way church leaders 'lead' around the world. Here are a few thoughts and comments ...

From the outset may I say that I am convinced Biblically that leaders in the Body are God-given and essential to see the Bride sparkling and reigning; Father is, however, getting shepherds back to being shepherds as per His design.
1. Culture of Desire - as leaders we have two ways of leading; firstly, through obligation, secondly, through desire. By obligation I mean we develop a mentality within the Body that we 'have to' in order to get anywhere. We 'have to' go to meetings, 'have to' do mission, evangelism etc. This has the guise of success but is lifeless, joyless and powerless and actually reveals the existence of external rules as opposed to internal reasons. In perpetuating this 'way' we say that heavenly favour is conditional; if not from Father, then at least from us. In this, church meeting attendance is a surperior sign of significance than kingdom life impact. It is church oriented than kingdom focussed. I am sold-out to committment and partnership within the Body and Body endeavours, but why? Because I have to or because I want to? Jesus never had his closest jump through hoops, never lead out of obligation. He even pressed them to see if they wanted to leave with the many disciples who were struggling to accept His teaching in John 6. Their response was revealing - their options had been reduced due to His life!!! Paul, also, reveals something in 2 Cor where he says he is compelled/co-erced by love. Wow, love was an inner restraint, an inner dynamo, an inner guide, not external law-orientated obligations. Jesus said Himself that love precipitates obedience in John 14 and his word order is significant. So, if obligation is something we need to avoid, how do we lead? Call me a romantic idealist but I have to believe that when we create an atmosphere of Love and Life in the people and among the people, people will lovingly lay down their selfish pursuits and agendas for kingdom first by becoming bondservants, or love-slaves!! So let's attempt to move from 'what' we have to do to 'who' and 'why'! In so doing we'll create and atmosphere of desire that breeds delight that in turn develops an atmosphere of faith that draws kingdom power to transform lives and regions. From 'have to' to 'want to'!
2. Culture of Interaction - Jesus' idea of training and discipling was/is so different from how we do it today. Jesus was into Relationship, Revelation, Impartation, Demonstration and Participation. We, generally, are into the exact opposite - we let people in so far and no more, we camp around knowledge, dispense information, theorise about the practics of things and then tell people to get on and do it. Remember, this is about training and discipling, hence God is identifying those we need to bring close - obviously we can't be best mates with everyone. But surely we can foster deep friendships with those we want to go beyond us. This has huge ramification on who we draw in, how many we draw in and how we do what we do. I learnt how to cast out demons because a dear friend took me along to 'bust ghosts' with him.
3. Culture of Presence - Eddie L. Hyatt, in his survey on church history called 2000 Years of Charismatic Christianity, makes an insightful and revealing comment concerning leadership and the Presence and Power of God in the early church. Basically, his observation points out that as church life was centralised in the bishop there was a simultaneous decrease in the gifts and operation of the Presence and Power of God in the church community as well as an increase in sexual immorality. My point is this, as we become too focussed on structure as well as becoming overly leaderly, where leadership structure becomes the be all and end all in 'successful' christianity, His Presence becomes de-centralised and form usurps its place, promoting powerless religion where people are forced to indulge in sub-standard, worldy but instant 'satisfactions' that open the door to carnal christianity and immorality. We need to becoming Davidic in our leading and restore David's fallen tent which basically means we become obsessed with the restoration of His Presence and kingdom worship (1Chron 13 ...) by returning the Ark from the Philistines (flesh/worldly thinking etc) and letting all kingdom structures take their cue from facilitating the Presence and increasing the Presence in the midst of the community.
We need to be shepherds as in Ps23 where we lead people to life and not chaperones, orchestrating and stopping lovers from encountering, where we are made to Yadah(OT) and Proskuneo(NT) - to know Him(as in a romantic intimate way) and come forward to kiss!!!!

Again, I am convinced of kingdom leadership, but 'who' we lead people to and 'how' we lead will develop either Love and Life-filled relationship or joyless, obligatory religion. Leaders, we are gates, so let's lift our heads and open up that the King of glory may come in!!!

Love in heaps,

Ryan

A Heart Stripped Bare

Last Sunday night I had a little fun with my sermon title. Some were shocked, others offended maybe, still others very interested; but, 'Getting Naked' was more profound than a simple play on words in a sermon connected with the Garden of Eden! There is no co-incidence that the first son and daughter of God wore not a strip of clothing before Him as they walked unashamed in perfect, blissfull intimacy with Him. The context of what I had to say was to do with how sin (an act of disobdience brought about by a progressively distorted view of God) covers us up and breaks the touch of the 'cool' (breath, wind) of God's Presence from the body of our lives; however, I would like to take it a step further. I would also like to encourage you to take a listen to the message from this last Sunday night - there's something in it for sure. It's called 'Getting Naked'!
There is a growing cry amongst us as a family of faith for more of the reality of God's intimate Presence and Power. For myself, this yearning has been growing steadily for the last year or so and it grows still more. As He is wooing me deeper I have found something happening again. I have seen it a few times in my walking with Father, but not to this degree. I find that He is stripping me bare - stripping me of all compensating longings and life crutches that seek to take the place of the one and only satisfaction, Him alone! He's 'getting me naked'! He is highlighting garments that I've allowed upon myself but that will hinder His intimate touch. Garments of religious theory, tradition, facades, cheap talk, etc! I realise He wants me, as I am! Gee, it's radical and exposing, but it is beautiful. He doesn't withhold Himslef from me and He is now asking me to do likewise. I shouldn't have expected anything less.
I see Him doing it with many around me and many around the world and it is soooo exciting, because when we get Him we get everything and a dying world will come to us, not for religious ritual, but rather for the life He has released to us in intimacy. Unveiled intimacy is the key that unlocks all kingdom power - the world needs this life-changing power, and we need this bare-naked intimacy!
My call to myself and others is 'do not resist His unraveling of you'!! And do not be shocked when it happens - it is God. Like He did to Lazarus, let Him do it again. Afterall, He has brought us back to the treasure of the Garden of Eden in Christ and He wants to rid us of the unneccessary apparell of the heart!
More of You Lord our satisfaction, in me and in us all for the sake of our inheritance - First You and then the lost!!!

Blessings as I go on Holiday,
Ryan

An Act Of Courage Requires The Overcoming Of Fear

This is a quote from a book I am presently loving. In it the King of Ithaka, Odesseus, speaks with a emotionally feeble and fragile Aeneas who has been battered by life's circumstances. Odesseus sees the hero ,shrouded in doubt, within this young man; he sees the destiny and the call to be a mighty champion, but he also recognises the fear and intimidation gnawing at Aeneas deep within. Well, the fable has it that this young imp becomes the mighty Aeneas who traversed the Great Green (Med sea) with many mighty exploits trailing in the churned wake of his beloved ship, Xanthos! Is this not legend that mirrors the truth of many revivalists and reforms of old, of many champions of the faith at present, and many churches in many cities clouded by demonic doubt and discouragement. Ah, and we have before us no Odesseus to call us out of the cavern of intimidated introspection - we have our Lord and Saviour , Jesus Christ, who faced the deepest depths of dispair for us, and His voice harkens with clarity and power and our designed destiny will come forth. The chains of death and hell could not restrain our Firstborn from the dead, therefore nothing is able to resist His voice as He calls forth our destiny to sit as sons and daughters of royalty ushering in His rule of love on this earth with every co-laboured act of service (Eph 2:1-10)
'Arise, shine, for your Light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you ...' Is 60
Here is an exerpt from a book we should all read, Heaven on Earth by Alan Vincent, 'Since my conversion, I had believed in the resurrection of Jesus Christ as an historical fact ... I had concentrated on the physical miracle not the spiritual power it released. That day the Spirit showed me the power, glory, and authority of the Risen Christ. The Spirit showed me the great triumph and victory that Jesus had already accomplished through the Cross, the power of His glorious resurrection, and the present authority of His throne ... when this revelation came into my spirit, everything changed. Instead of seeing how strong the devil was, I began to see how strong and mighty Jesus was! I began to feel indignant that Jesus was not being glorofied as He deserved in my city. It seemed very possible that the Spirit could use a few nobodies like me to throw down the powers of darkness and change our city. So, I began to work with the Spirit to that end ...'
A few thoughts to ponder!!! Blessings in great measure,

Ryan

Lessons from a Household in Revival

There is much I have gleaned from my (together with Nick and Duncan) recent trip to Bethel Church, in Redding California. We purposefully went outside of the buzz and busyness of conference time as we wanted to discover the DNA of a family of faith in prolonged and increasing revival. We were not disappointed and here are some discoveries ...

1. Bethel Church is filled with saints who prioritise and are passionate about the Presence of God. During worship, while the band changed songs and song sheets (one moment nearly taking a minute), there were no people looking up to see what leaders were doing or not doing to make worship happen. Rather, people continued to posture themselves in loving worship regardless of songs or pauses in songs. There was a greater God-awareness than Man-awareness!
2. Although clearly led by passionate leaders, the church was filled with a faith-filled priesthood! Two guys,both of whom we had just met and not part of the official leadership team, prayed and prophesied over Nick and myself for 30mins and absolutely 'read my and LCi's mail'! No 'courtesy prayers' lasting a few sentences where the prayers are more concerned with getting a cuppa coffee; rather, patient and faith-filled ministering the life of God!
3. This above revealed a genuine culture of love. We were accepted as part of the family without reserve, suspicion or arms length 'you are from another flow' caution. Beautiful! We left knowing that when we return we have mates we could hang with and that we'd totally love to have them in our homes.
4. Rest! All they do is from a secure place that God loves them, is for them, is not angry at them, is in a good mood, will not change His thoughts concerning them,and embraces them in Christ for all eternity! There is no striving for the favour of God through Martha-like church activities - they know they have it, and all they do is from His constant and consistent favour that results in grace-girded faithfulness and supernatural fruitfulness ! As a result they work hard with a smile on their faces - yeehaaaaa, that's grace!
5. Finally, as Keath G said - this was no 'Christian Disney'! These were real people representing the Living God in a real way with real power! There was not a hint of hype and weirdness, simply genuine Jesus wildness! Unreligious, unpretentious yet unfettered. The real deal! I loved it!!

I came back highly encouraged knowing that, although they are a long way further down the road, we are on the right track! We are seeing similar things in our midst albeit in a smaller dose. Ha, but we've got it! So let's keep going for it - revival of the church and reformation of the world!

Here's to increased blessings on Bethel and a rising tide of the unshakeable kingdom in our midst!

Mountains of love,
Ryan

Check-List Charlie - Confessions of Legalist

Morning,

As you all know we have been revelling in this series we're in - Kingdom Status! Father has been doing so much as we have unpacked our positioning in Christ together. The Gospel of the Kingdom has been bearing much fruit in us, and long may it continue.
I have been focussing in on Redemption specifically with it's various facets, eg. 'Redemption - Deliverance from the Penalty and Power of Sin', 'Redemption - Deliverance from the Power of the Enemy' and this last weekend, Redemption - Deliverance from the Obligation of the Mosaic System. We didn't get to finish all we wanted to get through in discovering how free we are from 'living under the old code to live in the new way of the Spirit' as Romans 7:6 says, so here are the complete confessions of Check-List Charlie from Sunday night. As you'd agree, there is much more to add! Sorry, they are in point form ...

Check-List Charlie ...
1. Pursues religious rituals as evidence of spirituality before Pursuing the person of Jesus himself as the prize (Jhn 5:39,40)
2. Considers 'The Rules' as more important than people! (Mt12 etc ... Jesus healing on the Sabbath and the Pharisee's response)
3. Considers 'The Rules' before relationships. (Jesus, friend of sinners vs Pharisaical Seperationism, and Cephas'/Peter's withdrawal from Gentiles in Galatians 2)
4. Lives with the 'I have to, I must' mantra before 'I want to ...'
5. Embraces a Culture of Obligation before a Culture of Desire
6. Emphasises the 'act of the will' (Discipline) before the 'longings of the heart' (Delight)
7. Fears the dangers of emotionalism and experience in the Culture of Desire and Delight above. (Does Scripture say 'think and see that the Lord is good'?)
8. Emphasises 'leadership' before 'fathering'
9. In looking to release leaders, he prizes Committment to meetings and ventures before the Call, Character, and Charisma. Here, Charlie considers 'character' to be the sacrificial, sweat of the brow, white knuckled attendance of 'meetings' instead of a life of worship, holiness, and love for the gathering of believers etc (Heb 10:19- ...) 24/7!
10. Puts Works before Worship (Martha vs Mary)
11. Recalls what 'I have done' before what 'He has done'
12. He never feels he has done enough, forgetting that He is enough
13. Works 'for favour' instead of 'living from favour'
14. Delights in Servanthood before Sonship
15. Is highly sin-focussed (fault-finding in self and others) before knowing the power of forgiveness (grace and mercy toward self and others)
16. Penalty obsessed before Pleasures in Christ
17. Highly Introspective instead of Intimacy (Christ focussed)
18. I am a 'failure' before I am an 'A+ student' ... Christ graduated summa cum lauda for me!
19. Prides himslef on personal Morality and/or personal Spirituality (and tends to be super-spiritual)
20. Makes the 'grey' areas/minors of scripture into non-negotiable, black and white majors for self and projects them onto others
21. Majors on the 'letter of the law' and forgets the heart of the 'law' (Mt 23:23-24)
22. Readily quotes 'what not to do' from scripture but struggles to recall the promises and good plans of God
23. Has a bias toward correctiveness and caution instead of encouragement
24. Uses the prophetic as a tool for criticism, correction and judgement and not for edification and the building up of the common good ... and takes pride in the fact that he can 'prophesy' too
25. Will temper any form of encouragement for fear that the recipient may become 'full of himself'
26. Demonstrates false humility to curry favour with people and not biblical humility
27. Lives off second hand revelation (echo chrisitainity)
28. Lives with facades for fear that honesty and vulnerability will negate favour from people, especially respected leaders
29. Fears man before genuine fear of God
30. Requires people to 'jump through hoops' to his level before 'getting in the dust' with people where they are at. People around Charlie feel like they never reach the grade.
31. Lives with high personal expectations and projects them onto others
32. Is often let down by others when they do not meet with expectations
33. Often sweats over the little things
34. Is often driven by guilt and peoples' perceived expectations
35. Lives life with a 'debtors ethic' ... when receiveing a blessing from someone's pure act of kindness Charlie feels he has to repay them in some way and often avoids them until the 'debt' is settled.
36. ...
There are so many to be added, and as I finish this, I realise that I have lived with so much of this myself. Oh, but Father is so loving and will not leave us paralysed in this slavery. It is for freedom's sake Christ has set us free ... to be sons and daughters. Let us not fall into the trap of , now, trying to work this all out. Let us simply repent of anything, receive complete and absolute forgiveness and remain transfixed, intoxicated with Jesus. He is the Good Shepherd and He'll lead us through. Holiness, freedom and purity are not the prize - He is! And as we delight and desire Him and 'walk with the Spirit' unhindered, and face 2 face, we will accidentally live (as Michael Eaton puts it) in freedom, joy, holiness, purity. We'll stumble into it with laughter!

Richest of blessings and mountains of love,

Ryan

Bright-shining Bride or Wandering Widow

Good morning Everyone,

The last few weeks have been an amazing time of Father God loving on His church with His presence, power, joy, deliverance and fun. Both in the local church and with our friends in others, His hand has been with us - at leadership conferences, during Sunday services and Schools of Healing! I have to say that sitting under the ministry of Randy Clark, Bill Johnson and Leif Hetland at the Southampton School of Healing has been an incredible life-changing highlight. Their heart of humility, father-heartedness and unswerving pursuit of the greater measures of the kingdom of God through the church and into the world were both encouraging and inspiring!
I have noticed for the last few months that the Father has been releasing two major kingdom realities again - Freedom and Joy! It is for freedom sake that He has set us free - free from illegitimate identities, free from crippling legalistic obligation, free from the influences of the enemy. Free to be, to live, to laugh!! Oh, and joy - His righteousness on us, His peace surrounding us and His joy exploding in us as a result ... this is the kingdom in the Holy Spirit. May the water levels rise in all of us as we see Him, know who we are in Him, and delight in our apportioned inheritance from Him. He is so good!!


I want to leave you with two quotes from a Roman Catholic church leader, Ralph Martin, in his book The Catholic Church at the End of an Age : What the Spirit is Saying. Randy Clark pointed these out last week ...

"When Jesus is proclaimed clearly and confidently, in the power of the Holy Spirit, many more people come to faith, and there is much more growth to the Church than when He is not."

"The church is a bride, and she shows to the world that her spouse is alive by living by His power and receiving life from Him. There is a danger in our day that the church will look more like a widow, alone and without resources except those possessed by any human organization. If we yield to what the Lord has poured out upon us - His Spirit - the world will know that the church is truly the spouse of a living Lord."

The Gospel, central and, powerfully proclaimed; and the Holy Spirit, relied upon and given room to be God in our midst! May these two profound statements disturb us until heaven's desire and directive bulges within us until breakthrough!

Let's live, not by the legal document of marriage but, rather, the relational delight of being the Bride of Christ!

Mountains of love and blessing,
Ryan

Real God through Real People

'The Presence of God in the church will put an end to infidelity. Men will not doubt His Word when they feel His Spirit. For a thousand reasons we need that Jehovah should come into the camp, as aforetime He visited and delivered His people from bondage in Egypt.' - C. H. Spurgeon's dying appeal!

Arthur T. Pierson said : 'The most alarming peril of today is naturalism - the denial of all direct agency and control. Science is united with unbelief, wickedness and worldliness, skepticism and materialism, to rule a personal God out of the universe. The drift toward materialism and naturalism demands the supernatural as it's only corrective.' (Although we are in the age of post-modern thought, materialism, skepticism and naturalism continue to abound in greater measures and this statement is all the more relevant!)

'If anti-Christ is about to make his mightiest and most malignant demonstration, ought not the church confront him with mighty displays of the Spirit's saving power?' - A.J. Gordon

Frank Bartleman, a key figure during the Azusa Street Revival, said : 'Oh church of Christ, awake! Be baptised with power. Then fly to rescue others.'


These are but a few comments from mighty proponents of revival from recent church history. If we were to consider the lives and statements of the many others, including the contemporaries of the above mentioned men, we will see an altogether startling thread ... More of God's Presence and Power in the church and through the church!!
I am convinced that the building of bridges of engagement with a world that hardly thinks twice of Christianity, in the same way that our Lord Jesus exampled incarnational living, is more than essential. Our 'form', how we communicate, how we present ourselves. It is pivitol for the modern church. However, the crux of all things is 'what are we building bridges towards?' Are we so willing to buy into a form of godliness yet deny its power? Are we so ready to offer much from the gospel yet not carry true gospel-power punch? Do we declare the power of deliverance in redemption, the joy and freedom of grace, yet fail to preach a gospel of the kingdom that heaven is willing to authenticate with real power and life? Like 'religion', do we offer much but fail to deliver?
There seems to be a canyon between the evidence of scripture and the experience of many of our lives, but this cannot remain so - this is not Father's intention for His people. Scripture tells us so, and Jesus shows us the same in being our example! I am realising that, as I read of the lives of revivalists present and past, they tend to be helpless romantics - star struck idealists heaven bent on God's real. If that is what is needed, do we have an option? May we be 'helpless romantics' never resting until we have more of God in us and through us. Let us not forget that God's real is our real, not what we simply call the 'ideal'!

If these mighty men and women of reformation and revival had an over-riding heartcry ... 'More of you God in Your Presence and Power!' ... may we do the same! It is the answer for the world alone. The Person, Presence and Power of the Gospel alone is the answer!! Let us preach Him, pursue Him and present Him, as star struck romantics and be willing to lean into Christ and His Gospel until we see the 'tipping point'! We are seeing some of the spilling already. Let's not give in, or up, family of faith! Let's keep going for it, believing for Him, and stepping out to a place where only He can come through.

People have said there are two options, sink or swim! Swimming is good, but there is a third, more Jesus-like option - walk on water!! That's really our only option - the option that'll shake this world with the glorious Gospel! Yikes, it is an adventure serving the Living God who is Real; it's terrifying and exciting all at once! We got to love it ... the Real God through very normal, everyday, real people like you and me!

Let's go huge for Him and, most importantly with Him.

Ryan

'Potential Converts'? or Precious People

Gee, comms are open again! After weeks of silence, a voice from the wilderness... Melissa and I have subsequently returned from a fantastic ministry trip to NZ, and have fought off the wretched effects of 'the lag', to enjoy two weekends of outstanding ministry from Chris and Meryl Wienand, and Michael Eaton! Our greatest joy in returning is seeing how the 'glorious gospel' is capturing and enthralling hearts as we revel in our 'Kingdom Status' series through Ephesians. There is greater life, joy, freedom and laughter among the community as the gospel takes centre stage - long may it continue! Surely the loudest, brightest 'advert' for Chritianity is a community of life, joy, freedom and laughter. As Paul said in Romans, the Kingdom is ... righteousness, peace and joy in the Spirit.
Here's a thought on evangelism in the light of shining brightly with His gospel in a dying world ...
I am becoming increasingly convinced that our motive and methods of evangelism are far from the heart of God. Generally we want to win converts from the jaws of hell and we do it in a way that is programmed, parrot-fashioned and with a pointing finger. I would like to say that they aren't potential coverts, they are precious people and, it may seem trivial, but this change of perspective will transform how we reach out with news that is very good. What is Father's thought on this? We don't need to look further than Luke 15 where we see Jesus, the exact representation of Father, showing the Father's heart.
Firstly, we see Jesus embracing the 'sinners'. The way we act around 'sinners' often reveals that we consider them as some disease-infested freaks, allergic to their very presence as we turn our noses up at them. (Allow me some dramatic license please). Ah, but he dined with them showing His love for them beyond their ghastly living. He loved them in the midst of their wayward lifestyles.
Secondly, in all three parables we see in the pursuit of the one and the joy at their return that Father considers the lost to be of great value! The wretched sinner is worth a lot!! The pursuit and pleasure reveal the precious prize that even one presents! This weekend we scratched the surface of redemption truth, and we came to the conclusion that we are worth much - to say the least - to our Father. We asked the question : how much do you cost? Some didn't respond, some replied '£30 000', others made up crazy cosmic figures. All fade away when we consider the price placed on our heads by Father - the very life blood of Jesus! 1 Peter 1:18,19 ' not with silver or gold ... but with the precious blood of Christ'! That's the worth of a 'sinner' on the street, in the classroom, the office, the park. His love and His first and final thought on our worth should undergird our partnered pursuit of the wretched. We will live with greater compassion, share the glorious gospel with greater love as we remember that the world, though it is shipwrecked on the reef of sinfulness, is not a worthless waste, but it is indeed precious and worth much, the very life blood of Jesus.
We will not invite 'potential coverts' for dinner or work on 'pet evangelistic projects' during our lunch breaks and speak of a gospel with no love and carrying no power and conviction; pointing out their faults and telling them how cross God is with them. No, we will love precious people without the agenda of a notch on a belt, and this love will pave the way for His power and He will back us with signs and wonders as projects become people again, because we embrace and love as He does and consider lost treasures to be truly precious!!
Let's live loud with love, open our homes to our neighbours and welcome the skeptics to our dining-room tables and love on them with His supernatural, irresistable love and show people how much Father loves them and desires their company for eternity!!!! We will see the wilted flowers raised again as He shines in us and they begin to ask 'what is it about you?'

Let's win this world of worth with Christ!

Mountains of love,
Ryan and Melissa

Hunger, hunger, hunger!!!

A belated, yet happy, 2009 to you all! As a family we had a fantastic three weeks break in January, but we are super stoked to be 'in the saddle' at the beginning of what, most feel, will be a seriously significant year for LCi.

The last two weeks have been fabulous as a church with a host of new faces, a glorious salvation, some real beautiful moments of life-filled worship, a flying start to the 'Kingdom and the Church' series, and a ripper of a three day fast last week. That was more than a highlight for me. Hours of sustained prayer and intercession, some 'out-of-the-boat' prophetic moments and not too few significant 'tipping points' in the spirit realm. The unblocked wells are beginning to flow but we must not stop contending for even greater measures of the vats of God to pour forth in the three areas we've been trusting for ... His Presence/Power/Provision, the '750' and our 'Rehoboth' - the home of our own!

In all of this I believe God is looking for HUNGRY people. I am convinced that within the Sovereignty of God, He has sovereignly purposed to stir the hearts of the saints by His Spirit of grace to hunger after the more He has designed, to pursue Him at all costs, and so be met with the mountainous download of His kingdom come on earth though us!

'Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled.' Jesus

Ah, we are made to be filled, designed to be filled, saved to be filled with 'all the measure of the fullness of God'! (Eph3) And we will only be truely satisfied (meaning of 'blessed') when we, the naos/temple of God, are filled to overflowing with Him. Until such a time, nothing else will do! Only Him and Him alone. But, it's the hungry who enjoy the more of God ... the hungry ... the hungry! When one is hungry, ones body craves, yearns and longs for what it truely requires and desires ... remember when we were fasting! All that dissatisfaction with ghastly mediocrity and sub-Biblical, luke-warm, comfort driven churchianity is your spirit-man calling out for more of God's kingdom satisfaction. The enemy would like to manipulate this dissatisfaction to his own end stoking the fire of frustration that burns brightly, eventually, as dissillusionment; but, heed the whispers of the Spirit - He is calling us to desire the standard of the Word, the benchmark of the life of our Lord Jesus Christ and the starting place of the early church and go for all that God has made us for!!!

'Blessed are those who hunger ...'

By the grace of God let us hunger for Him in all of our endeavours together as LCi, especially in our relationship with Him, and He will satisfy! Let us ask, seek and knock, and He will come, indeed! He has spoken and He has the final word!

As we head off for the 'land of the long white cloud', New Zealand, pray with us that Father will do remarkable things in the midst of his children as we minister in the churches ... loving, satisfying, inspiring and firing with His glorious Holy Spirit as we preach Jesus!

With mountains of love,

Ryan and Melissa

Ps. Another person has been healed of another food allergy! Yay : )

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Jan '09- The Year Ahead - 'more than religious semantics'

Wow, another year has flown by! And what a year it has been! Without even mentioning the turmoil and upheaval of socio-economic affairs in the nation and the world, enough has transpired in our lives as a 'family of faith' to keep us talking for an age. From the transition of the leadership of the church to Father God healing bodies, it has been an exciting year. It would be appropriate and right to honour a few looking back. Firstly, Nigel and Melita deserve roars of honour as founding parents of an incredible church. We would not have enjoyed such a smooth and 'successful' baton change of leadership if it wasn't for their loving, faithful and skillful leading. We have the privilege of 'standing on the shoulders of giants', and each victory and mile of ground achieved in God susequently is testament to their lives poured out for LCi!
I have no shadow of a doubt that the leaders - elders and deacons - deserve equal plaudits! They have nurtured the weeks and months since transition with hearts of faith, love and expectation for the greater in God! What champions ... and Melissa and I have the joy of more in God together with them :)
Thirdly, the precious saints have made room in their hearts for us and for what God wants to do into the future. The faith and love displayed over this time is remarkable!
Most importantly, Jesus is the undisputed head of the church, local and universal! He is unchallenged in His rule over us and He alone deserves the highest praise. His historical faithfulness inspires great confidence in us as we anticipate an exciting '09. Now for a synergy of His faithfulness and fruitfulness!!

Having said this, a few words at the get go of '09 ...
This last Sunday I mentioned that God is into 'Kingdom revolution' more than self-actualizing, humanistic resolutions devoid of His inspiration. Preaching from Eph 1:15 - 23 I said I felt God wanted to emphasize 2 major things in bringing 'Kingdom revolution'. I mention them in my first blog of the year again as a reminder and because many have been on well deserved holidays and missed out on Sunday ...

1. Relational Cultures
2. Radical Living

1. We are contending for, and building, 3 essential Relational Cultures mentioned in the Eph 1 text ...
• Faith - relationship with Father in bring His rule
• Love - relationship with each other and the lost
• Hope - relationship with our destiny in God
These 3 will be the bedrock for all we do as we build kingdom culture, with the greatest being 'love'!

2. We will continue to keep Radical lifestyles in the following areas revealed in Eph 1:15 - 23
• Prayer
• Passionate pursuit of the Person of Christ as our prize
• Enjoying and embracing the People of God as one of our inheritances
• The Power of God in and through us - dimensions of heaven being demonstrations on earth!
• re-Presenting Christ (as Bill Johnson says) authentically and powerfully, as the Head of the Church fills the world through us, the 'fullness of Him'
These 2 major issues combined will do a lot more than a few resolutions; we will see 'kingdom revolution' in us and through us. Regardless of the necessity of economic and political change, the world is in dire need of a revolution in the church where we live large with faith, love and hope and get radical!

Here's to continued 'kingdom revolution'! And may we look back on '09 this time next year having seen more faith-filled action than mere religious semantics!

Mountains of love and blessings from us as we enjoy a few weeks off this month. Catch you in the next blog at the end of Jan.

Ryan