Bloggings by Sam Poe

The Birth Of Jesus-A Prophetic Awakening

noreply@blogger.com (Sam) — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 23:23:00 +0000

After the death of Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi, the last Old Testament prophets to write scripture, there were no more recognized prophets in Israel for about 400 years. The light of prophetic revelation had gone dim in Israel.

But then as we begin to read the New Testament we are confronted with a surge of prophetic revelation and supernatural events proclaiming that the Messiah foretold by the ancient prophets in Israel is now coming into the world.

An elderly priest named Zacharias is visited in a vision by an angel who declared to him that he and his wife would be having a son in their old age and that his name would be John. He would have a ministry like the ancient prophet Elijah (Luke 1:11-17). Immediately after John's birth the old priest is filled with the Holy Spirit and begins to prophesy declaring that his newborn son would prepare the way for the Savior (Luke 1:67-79). His wife Elizabeth also prophesies when visited by her expectant relative, Mary, who gives birth to Jesus. Both Mary and Joseph, her husband to be, experienced angelic visitations announcing the miraculous conception of their firstborn son, Jesus.

After the birth of Jesus, angels declare the details of Christ’s birth to simple shepherds in the countryside near Bethlehem. The shepherds go to see the Child for themselves, and then they announce boldly the things that had been revealed to them (Luke 2:8-20).

When Joseph and Mary present the newborn Jesus to the Lord at the temple in Jerusalem, an elderly man named Simeon approaches them. The Holy Spirit is upon Simeon, and he takes the baby in his arms and proclaims,

‘Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.’ (Luke 2:29-32)

Then he begins to prophesy to Mary; 'Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.'

When he finishes, an eighty-four year old woman named Anna comes up and begins to prophecy about this newborn child to everyone who was hoping for the salvation he had come to bring.

The Christ has come! God-revealing prophetic light is flooding out for all to see. From now on everything God has to say finds its center in Jesus!

Knowing the Big Salvation Story Strengthens Our Faith

noreply@blogger.com (Sam) — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 17:07:00 +0000

“A great and wondrous sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth. Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his heads. His tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that he might devour her child the moment it was born. She gave birth to a son, a male child, who will rule all the nations with an iron scepter. And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne.” (Rev. 12:1-5)

This prophetic picture is a mind-transforming drama of Christ’s great victory that he has won for us. This vision starts by looking back in time at a woman who is in labor. This woman symbolizes the people of God through history.

The next thing we see is the grotesque image of a huge red dragon standing poised, ready to eat the baby as it comes out of the womb. All thought the history of the Old Testament Satan had been trying to destroy this Child, which was first promised right after Mankind’s fall into sin in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:15). He thought perhaps he was Abel, or maybe Moses, possibly David or one of the prophets.

Finally the hour came, Jesus was born into the world, the Promised One. Herod came up with an evil scheme inspired by Satan, to try to kill him in his infancy but his plan was thwarted. At the proper time Jesus willingly went to the cross to die. Instead of this being a victory for the dragon this death was his defeat! Jesus rose from the dead and after 40 days ascended to the throne of God in heaven eternally winning our salvation.

This vision ends with the dragon enraged at the woman and is set on making war against her and the rest of her children, that includes all of us who follow Jesus and are part of his people. Satan is angry because he has been defeated and he knows his time is short (Revelation 12:17). Without this prophetic perspective on our history as the people of God we will have a difficult time understanding what God is doing among us now. Prophetic vision does not just focus on what is going to come, it focuses on what has already happened in the past and in this way brings us to prophetic understanding about what is going on right now and what is to come. Through this vision, the Apostle John gives us a sweeping picture of God’s Big Salvation Story to strengthen our faith.

Looking at what God has done for us in the past is essential to living passionately for his glory in the present and walking into the future with confidence in God.

Prophetic Storytelling

noreply@blogger.com (Sam) — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 18:11:00 +0000

Remembering what God has done in the past is essential to living passionately for his glory in the present. Prophets were often particularly good at recounting the stories of what God had done in the past in order to help the people catch a glimpse of what he desired to do among them in the present.

Reading about the prophets especially in Old Testament times we can see that one of their roles was to bring this sort of historical perspective. They would tell of the mighty works of God in history in order to reveal what He was doing then and there. They would often come on the scene at times when there was great difficulty and say, “Remember what the Lord has done among you in days gone by”, and then proceed to tell a story. Prophecy does not just involve foretelling things, but it also gives prophetic significance to past things. Prophetic ministry involves declaring God’s Big Salvation Story from Scripture and how it is brought to bear on our particular situation at this present time.

The Prophet Samuel is a great example of this. While Samuel was a leader of Israel, the time came when the people asked for a human king like all the surrounding nations had. They felt this would bring them more security and good standing as a nation. Samuel recounted to them stories of how the Lord God had delivered their fathers from Egypt through Moses and Aaron when they cried out to Him. Then he reminded them that when they forgot the Lord they were again delivered into the hands of their enemies. But, when they cried out to the Lord once again, He gave them leaders who delivered them out of the hands of their enemies (1 Sam. 12:6-11). Samuel applied these stories from their history to their present situation. He told them they would be given the king they asked for, but nothing had changed. This new king would not save them. Only God could do that. If they forgot God, what happened before would happen again: their enemies would subdue them. If they would call on the Lord and look only to him, they would enjoy His full blessing upon them as a people.

As members of the church we are called to be a prophetic people. We are called to proclaim the biblical stories that reveal who Jesus truly is and that he is the same today as he was in past history. The works he did then he can do now. We must tell these stories and enter into what that signifies for us today. Revelation 19:10 states, “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy”. The same Jesus that was working though the church in the early days has not changed. Prophetic ministry in the church gives witness to Jesus’ Presence among us here and now!

Prophecy Encourages Us Forward in Christ's Mission

noreply@blogger.com (Sam) — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 21:02:00 +0000

True prophecy in the church gives witness to what Jesus is doing by the Holy Spirit among his people in a particular place and time. A characteristic of prophecy is the immediacy it tends to have.

The Apostle John gave prophetic words about what Jesus was saying and doing right then by his Spirit in each of the seven churches in Asia Minor that he was writing to (see Rev. 2-3). He speaks to the church in Ephesus about their need to return to their first love. He prepares the church in Smyrna for a season of opposition and difficulty. He warns the church in Pergamum that some of their members have embraced false doctrine and need to repent of it right away. John, by prophetic revelation, encourages each of the churches to pursue Jesus with a whole heart, pointing out specific things the Spirit was doing in each place. All of Scripture finds its focal point in Jesus. This same thing is also true for any prophetic revelation the Holy Spirit brings to us today.

Recently in a meeting of our church there came prophetic words about the glory of Jesus shining forth like light in our city. Also there was a prophecy about our church being pruned and prepared like a young tree for greater fruitfulness. These words were not necessarily thunderous or spine tingling. They came in a very natural way in the coarse of our time together. However, they came at a time when we as a church are taking significant steps in anticipation of growth and helping people be caught up in Christ’s mission in this city. It is so wonderful that in an ordinary gathering of ordinary believers the Holy Spirit prompts prophetic words of encouragement to help us move forward with confidence in the mission Jesus has called us to.

True Prophecy Ignites Passion for Jesus

noreply@blogger.com (Sam) — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 22:05:00 +0000

It is the presence of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers that makes prophecy a possibility. When John in Revelation gave the prophetic words to each of the seven different churches in Asia Minor there was one common message to every member of every church: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Rev. 2:7&17 &29 etc) The essence of prophecy is the Holy Spirit speaking to his people.

Jesus told his disciples that it was better for him to return to the Father because if he didn’t go the Advocate (The Holy Spirit) would not come, but if he goes the he would send the Holy Spirit. Jesus said; “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.”(John 16:13-14) The Holy Spirit is passionate about glorifying Jesus. All true prophecy will be focused on the Person of Christ Jesus the Lord and will ignite this passion for His glory in the church.

John starts off this letter by telling us he was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day. He was a man who knew the anointing of the Spirit. Humanly speaking he was powerless and in exile. Yet the anointing of God’s Spirit was unlimited by these circumstances. The result in John’s life was the reality that by the anointed neither was he limited by the present circumstances when it came to bringing glory to Jesus. There is no way to talk about being prophetic without talking about receiving the Holy Spirit’s anointing. T. Austin-Sparks said that the anointing is that ‘first-hand touch with God’. It is only by the anointing of the Spirit that we can know this holy passion for Christ, it is only by the anointing that we can fan that flame in the hearts of others.

Let’s consider how John’s prophetic visions are fanning the flame of holy passion to see Jesus glorified among his people.

In the first vision John records in Revelation he hears a loud voice like a trumpet coming from behind him. When he turns to see the one speaking he sees seven golden lampstands that symbolize the seven churches he is writing to. There in the middle of the lampstands is Jesus(Rev. 1:12-20). Later, in another vision John see Jesus upon the throne in heaven surrounded by magnificent heavenly creatures, multitudes and angels receiving worship from all the hosts of heaven[See Rev. 5]. But, in this first vision here is the risen and glorified Christ in the middle of congregations of ordinary believers here on earth with all their battles, warts, troubles and sins. He is dressed in high priestly dress, a full-length robe with a golden sash around his chest. Immediately we are all reminded that our great High Priest sympathizes with our weaknesses and struggles, who through his supreme sacrifice of himself on the Cross has put an end to the need of any further priestly sacrifice for sin. Now because of him we can come boldly into God’s holy presence to find grace and help in our need. His head and hair are white like snow-white wool. He is without sin, pure in every way, full of wisdom and righteousness. His eyes are like blazing fire. His gaze both penetrates into our core being and purifies us. As John continues to describe Jesus there among the believers, this amazing vision causes every member of each of the churches to become conscience, in an eminent way, of his presence there among them. The only way they will be able to influence the cities and regions they are in towards God and his Kingdom is by his presence among them. By means of prophetic revelation passion for Jesus is being rekindled in the congregations.

True prophetic ministry in the church will bring a renewed passion for Jesus again and again among God’s people. A characteristic of prophecy is that it issues a call to the Church to keep her eyes fixed upon her beloved bridegroom. The writer of Hebrews tells us to lay aside every encumbrance or entanglement, fixing our gaze upon Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish (Heb. 12:1-3). The Spirit of prophecy flowing in the church will call us to this single-eyed gaze upon Jesus, which will help us avoid entanglements with nonessential things as well as entanglement with sin.

One of the things that can extinguish true passion for Jesus in the Church is to become overly focused on secondary or nonessential things. It may be an inordinate focus on having success and recognition in ministry, or becoming totally consumed by project fund-raising or rallying the church to political activism (left or right wing), or overindulgence in countless other ‘special interest’ causes. There is no end to the potential list. When these things are allowed to become the sustained, primary focus in the church, passion for the Person of Jesus will be crowded out and the Church will loose her prophetic influence in the world in which she lives. The light of her lamp is taken away.

The Church can never reflect the beauty of her Bridegroom, as she is called to do, without her glorious Head being the center of her attention in all that she does. Let’s rejoice in the prophetic voice of God’s Spirit among us that brings our gaze back upon His magnificence and glorious purpose again and again.

Sharing the Good News In Post Modern Culture

noreply@blogger.com (Sam) — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 17:28:00 +0000

The primary feature of Western Culture since the 17th Century ‘enlightenment’ has been the rationalistic or scientific approach to knowing and understanding life and the world we live in. There was a huge optimism that human ability and reason alone could answer our big questions about life and bring resolution to our major problems. The ‘scientific method’ was to be used to discover natural laws and pave the way toward a better world for all. Within this worldview there was an underlying belief that an ideal objectivity was possible for the ‘researcher’ or ‘observer’, and that which he ‘observed’ was separate from him. Within this framework it was believed that such ‘objective knowledge’ would lead to progress, and single rationalistic explanatory systems would be able to explain all phenomena.

Then came the 20th Century and two World Wars. Concepts like Hitler’s fascism revealed the ugly underbelly of humanistic rationalism reigning supreme. A single rationalistic explanatory system (later called a ‘meta-narrative’ by postmodern philosophers) had empowered a group of people to treat other people in inhumane ways. There arose a deep skepticism about any such ‘meta-narrative’. There was a shift away from looking for an objective understanding of the world we live in. Individuals and smaller groups of people began to construct their own world; their personal stories became their way of interpreting life. Knowledge was understood to come through experiences. Things began to be probed and experienced rather than proved. A general pessimism emerged about the hope of human progress. Now everyone was understood to be subjective: now the ‘observer’ is understood to be a part of ‘the observation’. This approach to understanding life is often referred to as ‘post modernity’.

In cultures dominated by modernity many Gospel preachers taught through sharing a series of principles or ‘spiritual laws’ that fit fairly well into a culture that looked for ‘objective knowledge’. This is not nearly so effective in a culture where post modernity prevails, where personal narratives are understood as the path toward some meaning to life. The good news is that the Bible is not a book of abstract principles; it is made up of individual stories that bring us to God’s disclosure of himself and his ways in the fabric of human experiences. Knowing God through Christ cannot be a reality in one’s life through rationalistic processes alone. It must also be discovered experientially, emotionally and spiritually. In a postmodern culture people tend to seek engagement and dialogue with others. I believe this is a primary reason the Alpha Course has been so effective in many places. One’s own story and the faith stories he holds in his heart can now be seen to have a legitimate place at the table with the all the other stories being told.

Some might argue, “Yes, but by telling God’s Big Story from the Bible aren’t you bringing in another distrusted meta-narrative?” Some postmodern thinkers would tend to say that this is so. However, the Biblical story that our faith depends on does not fit into that category as defined by postmodern thought. It is unlike the ideologies behind such meta-narratives as Capitalism, Scientific Naturalism, Communism or Fascism where the ‘knower’ can look upon the ‘observed’ with a haughty objectivism and justify the use force if necessary to push his ideology through. Believing the stories of the Bible always calls for humility. Time and again the stories show that our confidence has to rest on the faithfulness of God and not our own knowledge. Such a confidence is inseparable from humility before God and our fellow human beings. In other words, to begin to see God’s Big Story from Scripture is to realize that we are characters in his story who totally depend on him for mercy and are not the ones who make the story happen.

Leslie Newbigin put it this way, ‘If the biblical story is true, the kind of certainty proper to a human being will be one which rests on the fidelity of God, not upon the human knower. It will be a kind of certainty which is inseparable from gratitude and trust.’ [From; Proper Confidence –Newbigin P. 28] Our confidence in bringing this message to others is not in our own knowledge but in God’s faithfulness and love. We tell the story in humility knowing that it is God’s grace that brings those who hear to the reality the story speaks of.

A good illustration of this happened to Marlene and me recently during our morning Bible reading together. We were reading the story about Second Coming of Jesus from 1 Thessalonians. As we pondered the account of the Lord coming down from heaven with a loud shout from an archangel and a trumpet call of God, with those who are dead rising first, we spoke with each other about what that would be like. We both finally had to plead ignorance because this part of the story has not happened yet and it certainly is not a part of our current experience and knowledge. There will come a day when all this will be clear to us as the Lord continues to unfold his great salvation plan. We agreed that here and now our place is to take confidence in God’s gracious plan for us both now and in eternity. Our confidence is not based in our present understanding of all these things but in the faithfulness of God. The Second Coming of Christ is an amazing story to tell, and we will tell it, but we could never do so with an attitude that claims full understanding of these things or that we could ever make it happen with our own understanding and power.

Why Tell the Story of the Bible?

noreply@blogger.com (Sam) — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 19:04:00 +0000

It is quite popular (and politically correct) to say that there are many different roads that lead to God and what is really important is that one is truly sincere in his or her beliefs. Many would argue that it is bigoted, intolerant and unloving to suggest that there is only one way to know God’s love and forgiveness and that all other roads claiming to lead to God actually lead to final disaster.

The story of the Bible runs cross current to these ideas so culturally appealing today. This story reveals that true relationship with God is only possible by hearing the story of Jesus Christ and entrusting our lives into his hands.

For this reason the Apostle Paul said of those who wanted to hinder the telling of this story that they not only displease God but are hostile to the whole human race (1 Thessalonians 2:15-16). In other words, it is totally unloving to stand against the One Story that has the power to bring us to God’s Salvation. Conversely, from Paul’s perspective, the most loving thing a person can do for all mankind is to tell the story of God’s Great Salvation Through Christ to everyone who will listen (Romans 10:14-15).

Why Christians Should Be Storytellers

noreply@blogger.com (Sam) — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 08:07:00 +0000

The art of storytelling is rapidly gaining popularity in the entertainment scene in world-class cities. An intriguing article titled “Testify!” in the January 2011 issue of Christianity Today tells of a storytelling event called “The Moth”, based in New York City that drew 21,750 people to its shows last year. In these events ordinary people tell real stories to a live audience. People are standing in long lines to buy tickets for these events. Such shows are rivaling the stand-up comedy scene in popularity.

I am convinced that one of the reasons storytelling is gaining in popularity in today’s world is a hunger for true and meaningful relationships in the hearts of many people. Shared stories of our history, failures and joys are the fabric that knit us together in community. In a world where many feel isolated from real community there are many ready to pay money to buy a ticket so they can listen to another person make himself vulnerable before an audience as he tells a true story from life. Great storytelling will always involve the struggles and defeats we face, as well as our triumphs.

As followers of Jesus we have stories to tell, stories of our own sin and redemption. We have the stories of the family history of the people who knew the true God of Israel in the Bible. And most wonderful of all, we can share the Good News that anyone who puts their trust in Jesus is made a part of that amazing and eternal story of God’s great salvation. What better story is there to tell?

Telling God’s Big Story In Real Life Situations

noreply@blogger.com (Sam) — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 18:19:00 +0000

Marlene and I have had the great privilege of joining with three churches here in Zimbabwe in their mission to tell God's Big Salvation Story. These churches are all part of the Newfrontiers family of churches. I would like to share with you some of the ways Bible storytelling is being put into practice among these churches.

The central church that we are relating to here is New Creation in Bulawayo. The primary leader is Mbonisi ‘Bones’ Malaba. Marlene and I have really enjoyed connecting with Mbonisi in the development of CBS here in Zimbabwe. We are very grateful for his passion for seeing CBS fully developed here as a strategy for evangelism and church planting.

Starting next month New Creation Church will be launching a special small group where a set of Biblical stories will be told that give an overview of God’s great redemptive plan starting from Genesis and covering key stories through the Bible. These stories will be covered over a period of twelve weeks so this will be a fast paced story set. New folks being added to the church will be encouraged to attend this group so that they can become familiar with the Big Story at the beginning of their life as members of New Creation Church.

Crossroads Church is located in a rural community in Kezi, an area about an hour from Bulawayo. It is led by Stephen Manhanga. Their church began by using CBS as a basis for bringing the Good News to the community. This month they are launching a special outreach meeting on Wednesdays to start afresh telling the story of God’s Great Salvation Plan from Genesis through Revelation. Wednesday is treated as a day off work in their community so they want to take this opportunity to share these stories with plenty of time for discussion. The church is praying for much fruit as this new outreach into the community is launched.

At a church led by Tapiwa ‘Taps’ Chizana called Thembalezizwe (TLZ) in a community near Bulawayo called Umguza, they are sharing the CBS stories every week in their small groups going on throughout the area. One of these small groups is happening in a defunct hotel when many poor people are living. The Good News is really going out to the poor! This church began by using CBS as a primary way to share the Gospel with their community. Plans are being made to begin sharing the stories of the Book of Acts in their main Sunday services as well as their small groups later this year.

We continue to learn much from our dear friends in each of these churches as they work out telling God’s Big Story in real life situations.

The Story the Shepherds Told

noreply@blogger.com (Sam) — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 09:30:00 +0000

Ordinary shepherds were tending their sheep in the fields near Bethlehem. Suddenly the sky opened. They saw and heard angels there among them. This supernatural event took place in an ordinary moment in everyday life. These men were not celebrities. They were very ordinary guys. This was not a pastel colored, mystical experience. They were in a pasture with their sheep and suddenly they were surrounded with heaven’s blazing glory. One of the angels announced, “I’ve got good news for you, today here in King David’s hometown your Savior was born. He is Christ the Lord.”

The angel gave them this sign to look for. The baby would be wrapped in a blanket-- that’s normal. He would be lying in a manger-- that’s different.

After they got over the shock of what just took place, their response was completely natural and straightforward. They said, “let’s go straight to town, and see this thing that’s happened that the Lord God has made known to us.”

In town they found the parents, Joseph and Mary, and there was the baby lying in a manger. After seeing him these shepherds started telling the story of what the Lord God had shown them about the child to everyone. These men were not theologians. They probably couldn’t read. But the story they had to tell was the Gospel Truth.

This baby is Master over all. He is the Savior of the World. Those shepherds believed that. We will see them, and anyone else who believed their story, in heaven.

Prayer Meetings That Change Cities

noreply@blogger.com (Sam) — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 13:19:00 +0000

This evening we will be attending a monthly half night of prayer at New Creation Church here in Bulawayo. I was asked to lead a section of prayer calling on God for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the church and the city here.

As I prepare myself for tonight’s prayer meeting, I can’t help but think of the believers in the Book of Acts, how after experiencing threats and persecution, they all came together and prayed to the Lord God in all his Sovereignty. They asked him for boldness to tell God’s Big Salvation Story, and that he would stretch out his hand to continue using them to do miracles and wonders for the glory of Jesus.

While they were in that prayer meeting the place shook. Everyone there was filled with the Holy Spirit afresh and that enabled them to continue with fearless confidence their mission of sharing with everyone the Message. [See Acts 4:23-31]

I long to see more and more churches like that alive in today’s world. I’m quite sure that prayer meetings such as these will be an integral part of those churches.

A Tribute To Bob Stricker

noreply@blogger.com (Sam) — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 11:27:00 +0000

On Friday, October 29, 2010 my dear friend, mentor and spiritual father, Bob Stricker, passed from this life into the Presence of God. I first met Bob almost forty years ago. I was a young man who had been recently converted in the beginnings of the Jesus People Movement that was happening on the West Coast of the USA at that time. I rather quickly became involved in leadership simply because there were so many young people coming to Christ. I found myself leading a group of Jesus People. I was young, single, definitely in over my head and I knew I needed help. I had become aware of Portland Bible College, which was based at Bible Temple (now City Bible Church) in Portland, Oregon. I was living at that time in Kelso, Washington, about fifty miles north of Portland. I purposed to visit PBC and meet the dean of the college, to see if he might help us train leaders among the Jesus People we were working with. When I went in to talk to Bob (the dean) about this possibility he said he would do what he could to help us. We made a plan for him to start teaching a couple of classes each Tuesday night in Kelso. After the classes, Bob and I would usually go out for coffee or a late night snack. I was always full of questions and he patiently sat there and talked with me. Sometimes he would even come up to join me in some difficult counseling situations I found myself in. I was greatly appreciative of his friendship and help. However, years later it came much clearer to me what a sacrifice this had been for a man leading a Bible College and raising a family of nine children. It was also later in life that I realized that Bob had been fathering me spiritually. I am eternally grateful for the precious time he invested in me as a very needy young man.

It was largely due to my relationship with Bob that I met my bride-to-be, Marlene. She had graduated from PBC and was living in Portland at that time. During our dating relationship Bob and his dear wife, Carolyn, would sometimes go out on double dates with us. We loved them because they enjoyed laughter and refused to take themselves too seriously. Yet, as a couple they seriously effected our lives.

This relationship never ceased over the years. We have had the joy of many hours with Bob and Carolyn. In recent days, while in the States, before returning to Africa, we were able to spend time on several occasions with Bob and Carolyn. Their mentoring role continued in our lives. They were both teaching us how to finish well.

Bob, we will dearly miss you, but we know we will soon see you again in the Presence of the Lord. Carolyn, we love you and our prayers are with you.

Community Day In Kezi

noreply@blogger.com (Sam) — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 11:16:00 +0000

Two days ago at Crossroads Church in Kezi we had a community day. This was a special time of teaching on Foundations for Farming for those in the community who desire to learn how to farm God’s way. Stephen Manhanga, along with some of the young men of the church, served the community well in bringing first hand experience on how to sow and reap in a way that can bring abundant harvest. There was also singing, dancing and rejoicing African style. Great fun! Some of the leading people of the community were honored at the event. Along with that, a special meal was prepared for everyone who came. Two goats where killed and cooked. There was food for all.

I also had the privilege of telling a story from God’s word to those gathered for the event. I told the story of the four friends who brought their paralytic friend to see Jesus. This is a wonderful story because it reveals Jesus’ grace in forgiving our sins as well as healing our bodies. Everyone seemed to enjoy hearing the story. I trust there where those who through the story realized they could come to Jesus for forgiveness and healing.

After all this there was a soccer game between the guys from Crossroads in Kezi and some guys who joined us from New Creation Church in Bulawayo. (The Crossroads guys allowed the guys from New Creation to win ☺).

It was a good day!

Great Days In Zimbabwe

noreply@blogger.com (Sam) — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 04:08:00 +0000

No sooner did we arrive in Zimbabwe and we were immediately caught up in the action. On Sunday, September 26th there were prayer gatherings all across this nation. It has been absolutely amazing to see what was shared as a dream in the hearts of about 12 people gathered two years ago (Marlene and I had the privilege of being in that gathering) has now resulted in a major ‘trumpet call’ to prayer and action right across the Body of Christ here in this nation.

At the gathering we attended in Bulawayo there were Christian leaders from Catholic, Mainline Protestant, Evangelical, Charismatic and Independent churches leading in prayer for transformation in this nation. We have heard many similar reports from other prayer gatherings that happened in other cities and towns here on that same day. What a wonderful expression of unity in the Body of Christ!

In these same gatherings there was also a call to mobilize thousands of farmers to implement the principles of Foundations for Farming as a means to feed the poor in this nation. This initiative will help the farmers to be able to be freed from the yoke of poverty in their own lives and generously help others to do the same.

Foundations for Farming is based clearly on Christian principles and really calls for hearts transformed by Christ’s great salvation to fully function. We feel God has given us a little part to play in all this as we continue to develop Chronological Bible Storying as a strategy for telling this Great Salvation Story throughout rural Africa and beyond.

Two days later Terry and Wendy Virgo, who pioneered the Newfrontiers family of churches, came to Zimbabwe. We had a great time with them and Newfrontiers churches gathered in two locations to receive teaching from Terry. One gathering was for the Churches here in the Bulawayo area, the other was in Harare for the churches closer to that city. Terry preached a wonderful message on how being brought into the Kingdom of God through Christ’s saving work results in righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

We also had the opportunity to spend two days together with Terry and Wendy and some of the Zimbabwean Newfrontiers leaders in a beautiful place called Antelope Game Park. We had some highly prophetic times in prayer together. Terry shared with us on what it actually means to be an apostolic movement and on being a people of the Word and the Spirit.

Great times!

Off to Africa Again!

noreply@blogger.com (Sam) — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 20:29:00 +0000

Earlier this year Marlene and I spent about four months in Zimbabwe helping to develop Chronological Bible Storying there. Starting in late September we plan to spend another six months there on this same mission. It is a great privilege to work with Mbonisi Malaba who leads New Creation Church in Bulawayo, along with an amazing team working together on this initiative.

CBS is a strategy to share the Great Salvation Story of the Bible through telling key stories in chronological order. In the process of telling these stories there is a strategy to evangelize, plant new churches and train workers and leaders who will be capable of continuing in this work of bringing the Gospel to their own people as well as carrying it to other regions.

Telling the stories of the Bible chronologically linked together, rather than in isolated or unconnected ways, helps the hearers understand individual stories in the light of God’s Big Story. Everyone needs to know this Great Story. It is hard to clearly understand particular points of the Bible’s message without some knowledge of the overall story that the Bible tells.

In every nation there are many oral learners, those who do not read in order to learn. In Africa, south of the Sahara Desert, it is estimated that about 60% of the population are oral learners. Telling the stories of the Bible to oral learners is particularly important since they best learn through hearing stories and maintain what they know in the form of remembered stories, proverbs and mental pictures.

We are so grateful for this wonderful opportunity to be involved in piloting this strategy of sharing the story of God’s salvation with many dear people in Zimbabwe.

Jesus the Storyteller (Part 2)

noreply@blogger.com (Sam) — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 20:20:00 +0000

Often times those of us who what to tell the stories about God and his kingdom feel it necessary to try to give an answer to every single question the stories might raise. Jesus, the Master Storyteller did not seem to carry this attitude. He did not feel he had to explain immediately every tension his stories produced. It seems that when he told a story he allowed the suspense to build and the questions to arise. Frankly, suspense and conflict build interest. Good storytelling will build on that and not undermine the drama with lots of commentary. The after-story discussions with his disciples were where opportunity was given to deal with the issues and questions the story may have provoked.

Jesus was a master of utilizing the tensions and questions a story could produce in his storytelling. Think, for instance, of the parable of the weeds sown into the field (Matthew 13:24-30). Let’s listen to him tell the story as if for the first time. I am interjecting the type of responses I would have had going through my mind as I listened.

Jesus says, "Here’s what the kingdom of heaven is like. It’s like the owner of a field sowing good seed into his field…” (O.K. just as I suspected, God’s heavenly kingdom is purring along nicely). “But later, in the night while everyone is asleep his enemy sneaks into the field and sows weeds among the wheat, then he leaves.”…"(Hang on? Who is this enemy? What’s he doing in this story?)” “When the wheat sprouts and grows, the weeds pop up too. The farm hands say, “What’s going on? You sowed good seed into this field, what are all these weeds doing here?” "(Now there’s a good question, maybe we’ll get some answers here.)” The owner answers, “an enemy has done this.” “(Yeah, we already know that, but what’s he doing in this story? This sounds a little too much like my own story now.)” The farm hands say, “All right then, do you want us to start pulling up these weeds?” “(Right on! Let’s deal with this problem right now and get it over with.)” The owner answers, "no!”… "(‘No! What do you mean ‘No’?)…” “You might uproot the wheat along with the weeds, let them grow together. Come harvest time I will tell the harvesters to bundle up all the weeds for the fire, then they will gather the wheat into my barn.” "(Now that has a serious ring to it, I wonder how this is supposed to apply to my life...?)”

The story is so intriguing, so unsettling, so close to home, that you are left hoping for another story shedding more light on the subject. As a result the door remains open even among the listeners who aren’t at all sure they want to believe what they are hearing. At the same time those who genuinely desire to understand more about the kingdom of heaven receive further light and understanding as they interact with and dialogue about the story.

Jesus the Storyteller (Part 1)

noreply@blogger.com (Sam) — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 13:46:00 +0000

During his ministry here on earth Jesus proved himself to be the Master Storyteller. He seldom taught without a story (Matt. 13:34). As we give ourselves to studying the parables the Lord told, it becomes clear that they were carefully crafted to engage the attention of the listeners and to evoke a response from them. They were also framed in such a way that they were particularly memorable for retelling. Even those who did not like the point that the story made often seemed to come back for more, simply because they found the stories so intriguing.

When Jesus taught, he used the language of the common folk. Though he was literate and had mastered the Hebrew language he taught in Aramaic, the dialect of ordinary people. The vast majority of those listening to Jesus would not have been literate, but even those who were literate found themselves captivated by his stories. The most wonderful thing about his stories was that they revealed realities of the Kingdom of God to those whose hearts were open. For those who did not have open hearts, ultimately the stories would cause them to fall and be broken by their own wrong thinking and skepticism. But this did not usually happen immediately. Our gracious Lord knew that by their very nature, these stories tended to keep people coming back to hear another one and there was always the real possibility that their hearts would finally open to the truth.

In the Book of Acts it’s clear that the disciples continued following Jesus’ example as a storyteller.

Parting Thoughts From Zimbabwe

noreply@blogger.com (Sam) — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 13:05:00 +0000

We have just a few days left before we leave Zimbabwe and head to England for the ‘Together On a Mission’ conference in Brighton, then back home to our family and friends in the USA.

Every day now we are working on a final editing of the first track of stories for our Chronological Bible Storying strategy. This track of stories goes from Genesis through to Acts 2. We refer to it as the ‘Redemptive Track’. We have chosen 33 stories for telling here in Zimbabwe. These stories follow ‘redemptive threads’ through Scripture, unfolding God’s Big Salvation Story, which culminates in the life of Jesus and his great salvation work.

Marlene and I are so grateful for the amazing team we are working with on this initiative. Right now we are especially grateful for the wonderful help of Kayle Pelletier. Kayle and her husband Mat are both teachers at the Theological College of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. Kayle has taken a break from her teaching responsibilities this term. Though she is a busy mother of two small children, she has given a large part of her time to work with us on finishing this much needed edition of the first track of stories. There is much more work to do in completing all the story tracks for this project and actually working them out on the ground…but more on that later.

Last Sunday I had the joy of telling a story in two services at New Creation Church in Bulawayo. After each meeting members of the church gathered around Marlene and me to pray for us and send us off. What a remarkable time that was! Then there were lots of ‘good byes’ to many of our wonderful friends there.

This coming Sunday we will join our dear friends at Crossroads Church in Kezi. I will have the privilege of telling them a story from God’s word as well, and Marlene will tell a story to all the children. After that we will have to say our ‘good byes’ to each of them for now and make final preparations for our departing flight on Monday.

As we think of our many friends we have had the joy of working with here in Zimbabwe over these last months we feel a bit emotional as we think of leaving them for a season. However, we are also very much looking forward to being joined once again to our family and many friends back home.

USA Life Change Team Comes To Zimbabwe

noreply@blogger.com (Sam) — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 10:17:00 +0000

From May 19 through 31 we had a Life Change Team from the USA join us here in Zim for a time of learning and equipping for cross-cultural life and ministry. The team was comprised of Greg Virkler, Betsy Slate, Ginger Price and Nathan Chambers. All of these guys had taken our prerequisite training before arriving here. It was very apparent, as they arrived with the attitude of being learners. This attitude is absolutely critical if we are serious about becoming ‘insiders’ in our new adopted culture. This attitude has great immediate pay offs. When we make a cultural faux pas, which will invariably happen, we are able to say, “ I am just learning the culture here. Please be patient with me and teach me.” I believe the Life Change Team truly modeled this attitude.

Marlene and I really did not try to orchestrate any special events for the LCT to participate in; rather we simply included them into what we already were planning to do. It did seem to us that the timing was very good for a wide range of exposure to the culture here.

On May 21-22 we were all involved in a time of prayer and fasting with key leaders from Newfrontiers Churches in the entire region. This was an amazing time of hearing from the leaders of the movement here and the vision that is pumping in their hearts. We also had great times of prayer with lots of prophetic revelation flowing among us.

On May 23-25 the LCT was able to see first hand the work we have been involved with at Crossroads Church in Kezi, which is in a very rural setting. They visited The Ebenezer Agricultural Training Center also in Kezi. They were given a great tour of the whole site led by one of the graduates named Brilliant who is also in training for leadership at Crossroads Church. Brilliant is full of vision for transforming his nation through Foundations for Farming, Chronological Bible Storying and church planting.

From May 26-30 we traveled to Mashonaland in Northern Zim where we held some CBS training sessions for rural leaders there. We did the training at two different sites. The teaching team was Marlene and I, along with Renee Cunningham who is playing a vital part in our CBS team here. It was great to share stories with these wonderful men and women who have committed their lives in very tangible ways to the purposes of God’s Kingdom. There was not only teaching given, but also times of refreshing from God’s Spirit as we entered his presence in worship and prayer.

On Sunday, May 30, we had the privilege of being at River of Life Westgate in Harare. I was invited to preach, and did feel God’s help in bringing a word that seemed timely for the church. What a joy it was to see our friends, Alan and Deb Norton, and Brian and Cath Oldrieve. Brian has recently come through heart surgery and experienced a real miracle. We thank God that his life has been spared to see some of the amazing things that are happening now in the nation involving Foundations for Farming. It was Brian’s vision for what God can do through the churches, coming together to feed the nation. We’ll be saying more about that in the near future!

On May 31 we said our goodbyes to the LCT as they returned to their home churches. It was great to have them with us!

News From Kezi

noreply@blogger.com (Sam) — Mon, 03 May 2010 12:27:00 +0000

About a month ago some strong storms knocked out the electric power here in Kezi where we have been spending a lot of our time. We have not had power since. We enjoy lots of candlelight dinners! Thanks to a generator we are able to get on the Internet fairly often.

We are very encouraged about what we are seeing God do here. Crossroads Church is continuing be strengthened through telling God’s Big Salvation Story as we move chronologically through the Bible. Last Sunday we launched a track of stories from the Book of Acts that are geared to help the young church be established in an understanding of God’s plan for his church and to experience the power of the Holy Spirit at work among us as the Body of Christ. Stephen Manhanga, who leads the church, did a wonderful job telling the story of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost and bringing us here in Kezi into the reality of that story. Next Sunday we are planning to spend special time praying for all those who would desire to be filled with the Holy Spirit as we heard about in the story.

Marlene shared the same story with the children present for the meeting on Sunday. After the story eight of the kids asked to be prayed for that they might be filled with the Holy Spirit. On that note, last week Molly Manhanga and Marlene along with others from the church had a special children's day at Crossroads. One of the men of the church told the story of Daniel in the lion’s den and there was also a drama presented. The kids were also given a meal cooked by ladies of the church in the open air over a fire. There were 120 kids that attended this event.

Also last week there was a community day at Ebenezer Agricultural Training Center here in Kezi. Numerous village leaders were invited to this event in order to continue building good relationships between those involved at Ebenezer and the local community. I had the privilege of sharing the story of Jesus calming the storm and his delivering the man with the legion of demons. For me it was a marvelous experience to see these village leaders listening to this story with great interest and expressing their appreciation for it at the end.

I have also been given a part in teaching the apprentices at the training center using Bible Storytelling. We are so grateful for every opportunity to tell the wonderful stories of God’s Great Salvation.

Rains in Africa

noreply@blogger.com (Sam) — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 13:24:00 +0000

Last Sunday we had the joy of sharing with the Crossroads Church here under their tent which they have been using as a gathering place. I had a wonderful time telling the Resurrection Story. The Holy Spirit was moving at the end of the meeting as we ministered to those desiring prayer.

Over these last few days there have come some unseasonable rainstorms here in Kezi. Tuesday night the storm came so strong that it tore down the tent where Crossroads meets. We are asking God for the needed provision to build a more permanent structure on that site.

With the storm we have been without power. We are living by candle light. I am writing this blog using a generator to power the modem. There are three of us here using our moments on-line to the max.

We have been meeting this week with the apprentices at Ebenezer Agricultural Training Center here in Kezi. We have been focusing on 'Demolishing Strongholds', using stories especially from the ministry of Jesus.

At Ebenezer young men and women study 'Foundations for Farming'. This serves them in building a sustainable income and a hope for the future. This works side by side with Crossroads, the new church plant, in bringing the Good News of Jesus' salvation to this region.

It Is Great To Be Back In Kezi!

noreply@blogger.com (Sam) — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 08:13:00 +0000

About a year and a half ago Marlene and I had the privilege of being at the very beginnings of a church plant here in this rural area of Zimbabwe, about an hour south of the City of Bulawayo. I remember the night when I told the story, around a fire, of Adam and Eve's fall into sin and how the discussion of the story went on into the night and continued the following day among those who heard it.

Since that time a church has been established here using Chronological Bible Storying as a primary way of sharing the Good News. Most of the people who live in this region would be oral learners (ie. those who do not principally learn by reading.) The church is called 'Crossroads'.

This Sunday I have the opportunity of sharing with the group once again. It is much bigger now. Since this is the Easter Weekend I will be telling the wonderful story of Jesus' death, burial and resurrection. What a life changing story! My prayer is that people who do not yet know Christ would come to receive him as their Risen King this weekend.

During this same time we are also participating in an Easter Camp here for all the Newfrontiers churches from this region. This is bound to be an action packed time.

Marlene and I will be especially focused on working together with Stephen and Molly Manhanga who lead Crossroads Church. Our goal is to see CBS further developed here. We are laying plans to initiate the church establishing track of stories from the Book of Acts. Our CBS team here has been working hard on the development of this story list.

The place where we are located is quite beautiful with round topped granite mountains in the background and African bush in the foreground. Yesterday we had a pack of monkeys pay a visit, and I saw a meerkat running along the trail.

Life is interesting here!

We're in Zim Once Again!

noreply@blogger.com (Sam) — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 08:26:00 +0000

It is great to be back in Zimbabwe. We are so grateful for our many friends here who are doing so much to help us get settled in. I had my first driving lesson here yesterday. Our friend Liz was kind enough to let me behind the wheel of her car and from the passenger's seat begin to teach me all the rules of the road. The first thing I must keep constantly before me is that everyone here drives on the left side. Well, that is just the beginning of the many new things we must learn as quickly as possible for our own sake as well as that of everyone else.

Our schedule is already quite full. I will have opportunity to share these next two weekends at New Creation church here in Bulawayo. Also, next week is the Operation Trumpet Call Conference here with Terry Virgo and Dr. Goodwill Shana as the primary speakers for a large gathering of Christian leaders for the entire region. This will be a very significant time of focusing on the unity of the Body of Christ and joining together with a vision to bless the nations.

Marlene and I will also be getting together next week with our Chronological Bible Storying team in order to continue in the developments of our vision to share God's Big Salvation Story to the many who are oral learners in this part of the world.

Life Change Teams To Southern Africa

noreply@blogger.com (Sam) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 01:58:00 +0000

Marlene and I are planning to spend considerable time in Southern Africa during the course of this year. We are looking forward to joining our dear friends there in continuing to develop the strategy for planting new churches in that part of the world.

As part of the Newfrontiers family of Churches we are on a mission together – a mission to see the ends of the earth reached with the good news of the gospel and to see the kingdom of God advanced through planting new churches in as many nations and people groups as the Lord will allow. One of the ways we are training people to participate in this mission is by sending Life Change Teams to other nations. A Life Change Team is an opportunity to receive cross-cultural training through immersion in the life and culture of another nation over a period of about two weeks. The Life Change Teams are a part of our ‘From The Nations To The Nations’ training track that is designed to equip people for future cross-cultural ministry.

From about May 17-June 1, 2010, I will be leading our first Life Change Team to Zimbabwe. This team will spend time in urban and rural settings, learning and receiving from leaders who are involved in cross-cultural ministry. While the team will spend time serving the people there and exploring the culture of Zimbabwe, the main emphasis for our Life Change Teams is to go as learners. We hope to spend lots of time with folks from that nation letting them teach and train us.

The size of each team to Zimbabwe will be limited to five members for logistic reasons. We plan to send additional teams to Southern Africa January and June 2011. Anyone who is interested in applying for one of these teams should send an email to Lynn Fleshman at office@ccoj.us . More information about the cost and trip itinerary will be available shortly.

Going From Strength to Strength through 2010 (and beyond)

noreply@blogger.com (Sam) — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 21:30:00 +0000

Today, as I contemplate this coming year, I’m drawn to these words in Psalm 84 verses 5-7:

Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
in whose heart are the highways to Zion.
As they go through the Valley of Baca
they make it a place of springs;
the early rain also covers it with pools.
They go from strength to strength;
each one appears before God in Zion.

Here the Poet speaks of a people on a journey. Their destination is to join a vast number of people from everywhere so that together they may delight in their God. The historic setting for this Psalm in Old Testament times would have been the Israelite pilgrims who journeyed together from far away places to the Temple in Jerusalem for one of the annual festivals to celebrate God’s faithfulness and presence among them.

The journey took them through the ‘Valley of Baca’. What is this valley? The Nigerian theologian, Cyril Okorocha, makes this comment which I think catches the poetic picture; “In the course of their pilgrimage, they have to pass through the Valley of Baca, which was probably a dry valley. But God supplies refreshment to his people as they travel. However, the word ‘baca’ may mean ‘weeping’, in which case the psalmist is speaking of God’s gift of joy even in the midst of sorrow. Whichever interpretation is correct, it is clear the reality of faith is shown in perseverance and triumph through pain. The journey may be difficult, through barren country, but the sense of God’s presence on the journey is like the blessing of abundant rain watering the dry ground.” (From: Africa Bible Commentary)

With the coming of Jesus into this world the focus of true worship has shifted off a particular place or building and upon Jesus himself. Jesus said, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” (Matthew 18:20) Following Jesus never leaves us isolated from others or in a static condition. With Jesus we always find ourselves on a journey past our comfort zones. This journey must pass through dry and sorrowful valleys. Here is the good news, The Lord has an amazing way of causing his followers to turn these very places into places where they see his miracles of provision, refreshment and renewal.

Usually, when we think of hikers on a long trek we think of them finishing somewhat more depleted than when they started out. That is one of the surprises the psalmist springs on us in this passage, these pilgrims go from ‘strength to strength’. As we move into 2010 we are reminded daily of the threats of a failing economy, violence, war, terrorism and injustice on every side. But for all who follow Jesus on his mission to proclaim the Good News of His Kingdom, he promises his all-sufficient grace will be poured out in every valley we pass through. That very place will become a wonderful story of his faithfulness. The numbers on the journey with us will grow, and with our eyes intently on Jesus we are sure to move on from strength to strength.

If you are not walking with him today, call on him from your heart and join with his people on his amazing journey to bless all the nations. He promises he will not turn you away. (John 6:37)