Don't Speak Out Against The Lord's Annointed

I wonder how many have had that phrase directed at them when they questioned something someone was doing in ministry? I had it spoken to me by a close friend, and mentor/leader at the time, when a whole group of us questioned some peculiar behavior.

It's a popular phrase in some circles when someone questions what a "leader" or "God's annointed" is doing, saying, and/or teaching. It is used as a defense mechanism to control and shutdown any question or potential opposition to their authority...there I said it.

Let's be clear about this teaching. They are referencing the story of David and Saul found in 1 Samuel 24 & 26. The scripture actually says:

"...I will not stretch out my hand against my lord, for he is the LORD'S anointed." 1 Sam 24:10

David is not talking about questioning Saul but actually touching him. He twice has the opportunity to kill Saul. In both cases, chap 24 & 26, David gets a safe distant from Saul and then shouts out to him and rebukes him, or at the very least questions him rather sternly about why Saul is doing what he is doing.

Get that though...he question & rebukes him. v12-13 says:

"May the Lord judge between you and me. And may the Lord avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you. As the old saying goes, 'From evildoers come evil deeds,' so my hand will not touch you."

Pretty strong words spoken too the person David himself calls, "God's annointed".

Over and over in scripture, particularly the New Testament, we are told to question the teaching and test the spirits. The Bereans are commended for listening to what is taught and searching the scriptures. In Galatians Paul publicly rebukes Peter...Peter, the one Jesus named the rock! By the way, Paul didn't pull Peter aside to do one on one with him like it says in Mt 18. (Another teaching for another time) He rebuked him right in front of the entire church.

2:14When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter in front of them all, "You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?

How do ya like that?! Real church is often messy because it's made up of real people and so you get that sort of thing from time to time.

I'm not writing this because I'm hurt or angry or anything like that but simply to help people get free. If you are questioning what the "leader" is doing it is ok and he/she should be open to your questions. If they aren't...you should ask more questions.

New Addition

I made a new addition to my "friends along the journey" section on the right. It's under the title "Supernatural Blogger" and it's Art Thomas from up in Michigan.

I stumbled across his blog while searching for some healthy perspectives about the "Lakeland Outpouring" that is currently going on. I found Art's insight and especially his humility and consideration of people's responses who don't necessarily agree with him to be refreshing and helpful.

I haven't posted anything on Lakeland and don't know that I will. I find myself in conversations about it almost daily and that's enough for now. Suffice to say I line up pretty closely with Art's take on things so if you want to take the time to get some good perspective take a look at his blog.

Welcome Art...and thanks!

Celtics

My boys were excited about the Celtics recent win of the NBA Finals so they made their own... Jerseys?

Wanna buy one?Life is good here.

They're Hitched!!

It's official, on Saturday June 14th Jesse & Sara exchanged vows and started life together. Everyone knew about it even Batman was present.
There are more pics on my Picasa photo album.

It was a real honor and privilege for me to be able to do the ceremony. I have so much love and respect for these two. They are world changers.
Congratulations guys! Live long and prosper!

Church and The Shack

These excerpts from the book "The Shack" set off an amazing time of conversation and prayer with the church last night.

"Most birds were created to fly. Being grounded for them is a limitation within their ability to fly, not the other way around....You, on the other hand, were created to be loved. So for you to live as if you were unloved is a limitation, not the other way around....Jesus is fully human. Although he is also fully God, he has never drawn upon his nature as God to do anything. He has only lived out of his relationship with me, living in the very same manner that I desire to be in relationship with every human being. He is just the first to believe in my love and goodness without regard for appearance or consequence....A bird's not defined by being grounded but by his ability to fly. Remember this, humans are not defined by their limitations, but by the intentions I have for them; not by what they seem to be, but by everything it means to be created in my image."

I highly recommend this book. It is fiction but it has more truth in it than many non-fiction.

Something to Consider

I read this the other day on Kristin's blog. It is worth soaking your head in for a while.

"i am forgiving you not because you are a sinner, but because you are my daughter"

If your a guy it's ok to exchange the word son for daughter.