A real House Church

Nas montanhas de Fafe, Portugal

“That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. St Jn 17:21:

Let us be mindful on this earth that we live in, many times we can be swept away into this non-existential life style of reading the word of GOD and constructing this fairy idea of all being well, healing flowing as if it was air, people sitting down not saying a word as JESUS spoke, listen you can hear the wind whisk around. Apostle’s speaking into cosmic situations while demons fluttering in fear as these great men walk around changing the world by themselves. Some of this thinking is good as it spurs one’s lifestyle for CHRIST, but the fact of the matter is that JESUS CHRIST himself had to use the bathroom many times and HE did, the apostle were disciples learning just about half of what JESUS was speaking about cause much of it in public was in parables. They wrestled with each other when HE was gone on what was HIS message grace vs the law. Today we are not exempt from these same situation that work amongst us, a house church with loud sounds that does not set in harmony with the moment of worship because young children are excited as they see these meetings as another time of joyous celebration why? cause they are kids. Teenagers speaking about matters that perk up your reserved manners even causing parents to blush at times, but how will they learn if they do not participate, listening and learning what elders and young adults have learned because of time and experience. What is it when a meal is brought within our midst and it is delicious to a few but, you may notice another scooping parts of the meal to the corner of the plate. I would say do not be offended and to be real, if you want to experience christianity in a new testament fashion with apostolic traditions being our doctrine then get ready for a complex meshing of individuals who come from different cultures and backgrounds living out different expressions of HIS life through us.

Christianity is more than personal Hermeneutics, the verse above expounded shows that the world will believe in them because of the concerted efforts that was between the Father and the Son. Their unity will bring forth belief in the world when we are one with CHRIST. This is only achieved when we are fellow members in HIS household living and moving and have our being as a collective body creating a real church. This task is not easy but confronts our own prejudices, allow our concepts of how things operate to be weighed among the body, only then we can be a real church.

Love bro. Miguel V

Law of the Spirit

spirit-level

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ JESUS, who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit. Rom 8:1″

This is freedom, grace at its penultimate, thank you Lord that we are free from the bondage’s of traditions and rituals, but if we read this precept upon precept it is awarded to them who are in Christ Jesus who are lead not to walk by the flesh not by their own doing but by the spirit that works within us that is a consent shaping and molding of the Lord in our spirit.

“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ JESUS hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, GOD sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: vs 3″

Paul recognizes that in exchange from this law of sin and death which is the Mosaic Law or old covenant, we are now bound to the law of the Spirit. Why? What is the weakness of the old law that could not achieve its results? This is answered in a single word “FLESH” this weak vessel we carry could never achieve or accomplish the task that the law requested. Sin, which is our Adamic nature, naturally achieves its fruit and death is the punishment of not fulfilling the law, but Christ JESUS the Son of GOD who came in the Adamic nature took sin in the flesh and condemned it. HE was the only human being who did not sin, so the law of the old covenant was satisfied through HIS life here on earth.

Many of us Christians stay in the first verse, never moving into this Law of the spirit or Righteousness of the Law. There is a contrast between walking in the flesh and walking in the spirit we are free from this law and grace is achieved now by this spirit lifestyle as we walk as CHRIST JESUS. So as we walk away from the law of sin and death move into this law of the spirit we please GOD vs8.

Be careful that in our freedom we don’t become carnal minded walking in our own ways, but now that we are in the Spirit the body is dead not literally but from a spiritual perspective life is now achieved because of the Spirit enables us to be righteous.

Love expressed HIS way

Love

You can only love another truly once you and GOD our lovers first, but to be in Love with GOD HE must shed upon your heart Love itself. Once that spiritual transaction takes place you can Love freely and truly another.

Testing Love

* Speak Love: In what you say if there is Love then they will hear, if there is no Love sounds they will hear but will not understand. If anything is said and there is no Love it is a speech from a pompous person who loves to hear them self communicate, clanging sounds thinking it is beautiful, but without knowledge that is it all but muttering to the others.

* Gift of Love: Prophetic utterance by the gift to others, understanding of all mystery’s or revelation for others, but no Love you just gave nothing to them. Let us not be so easily persuaded by those who have gifts. The litmus test is was is in that word/gift is it released in Love? (this definition of love has nothing to do with how it was giving meaning tone or our personal perception of the term, but Love itself which can be a warning done for your edification)

*Giving Love: Giving all resources and goods to feed the poor, what you work for and the sacrifices you made to bestow unto them, Laying your life for another (soldiers, police, security, fireman) but no Love it all profited us nothing.

Let us be reminded of Christ JESUS our Lord or if HE is not your Lord think on this, Love was taking a position a little lower than the angels in which HIS words brought them into creation, followed by a mockery of death that spewed verbally, then manifested in the suffering of death by crucifixion. This is Love

“Whom am I”

Matter

“Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? Jb 38:3″

In the multitude of words that come out of our mouths questioning, reasoning, thinking, seeking for answers let us be mindful of not allowing these human efforts to blot out HIS work. I know who you are in all that makes you, a thought goes out wandering for answers but because it is simple it gives way for doubt. The work of the devil has caused us to be muddled in the now, because the future is so far away. Don’t be ensnared oh child of mine, yes that is who you are. Wait, wait cause in the greatest earthquake mountains will be moved, but before you see your freedom ponder on this.

Answer me this, in all the explanations of those who study one of my creations has anyone seen it with there eyes?

Does anyone know how the diameter of the earth’s sphere was chosen?

Beside gravity what force is behind the force that drives dynamic? or if dark matter is the invisible hand that keep galaxies together who put it there?

We can only speculate OH GOD, we can only try to fathom in explanation of what you can do!

No arm is like yours OH GOD, the thunder of your voice is greater then the worst explosion, majesty and excellency belongs to you glory and beauty envelops the sound of just your name EL.

Beloved in your greatest weakness, the perfection of your success is HIS penultimate axiom–HIS existence, HE is GOD

“The Price”

Costly

“3Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. Jn 12:3″

We have heard many of times that this salvation that we have is free, as if all you have to do is confess JESUS as Lord and Savior, not taking away from this grandeur event I remember the exact time I confessed JESUS as Lord what a beautiful day. For we know that the whole process of entering into this glorious Kingdom is by the confession of ones life into the hands of our beloved master, but to make that as the only chain of events has stolen much of the costly lifestyle that follows the faith. We have been blessed by the Methodist and frontier-revivalist contributions to getting those saved and concentrating on saving souls. “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise Prv 11:30″ but we are losing them in return, cause the heart of this wise endeavor must be seasoned with discipleship (would be relationship and fellowship contained in instructing). As Mary was willing to break her alabaster jar to pour out the costly on JESUS feet we must be willing to take the whole kingdom practices with those who come to there makers feet. It is not enough to pray them in alone we must sacrifice our lives to walk with them, teach, and train.

A note to add costly is the process of seeing one come to the Lord it goes beyond placing them into a church system that has much programs for small groups and the like. We must get back to our grass root practices of discipleship, working in hand with the HOLY SPIRIT or are we just pumping up numbers, so one body can say we have this many. Let us build according to HIS plan, be not afraid of the responsibility.

UK trip House of Power Pt2

Coastline

picking up where Mary picked me back up to get my passport we are heading back to the house which is about an hour away and my flight was boarding at 9:00am the time was 8:30am no way i was going to make this flight, we made it home in record time to meet our friend who was staying with us Lydia, Mary’s buddy who lives in Texas who came to visit us. Now the plan was Mary was to be back around 8:30am so they can go to the children museum so all the kids can have fun, but those plans were shattered do to my not remembering. Thank GOD for a patient wife (hmmm) walking in the house I see Eden and Aria awake, i finally got to give Aria a kiss and a hug before i went good bye. Made a phone call to the airlines to get on a standby or rebook and then things took a turn customer representative informed me that since i did not call two hours before the flight that i was to pay full cost for the ticket! What i exclaimed i am a frequent flier with AA and been using them for years you have to work something out for me THANK YOU. Waiting he said sorry sir i cannot do anything you have to pay full cost for a new ticket, I asked and what might that cost be — He informed me that it would be $1,680 when i heard that price i requested i would like to speak to a manager. After speaking to HIS manager they agreed that i should only pay the re booking cost which was $280.00 that i agreed to as it was my fault for not making it in time. So you would think that I have learned my lesson and to check/double check if i had everything. This time the children had to come on this ride cause our friend scheduled to meet other friends at the children museum. Knowing my kids they can last about 1hr in the car before they start to turn into holy angels informing us that they have been in the car to long and that we are bad parents for not remember this. As we were about 40min away from home now please bear with me I honestly wanted to go on this trip but hear was the next issue, when we left the first time we took my car which is light on fuel setup with no child sits, that was the car we took at first, but coming back the second time to accommodate the children, we switched to Mary’s car a 7 seater but I just forgot to switch my luggage from one to the other car. Mary was not a happy camper the kids where coming up to that we need to get out and play time and I was wondering if I had it all together or was GOD saying something to me. We headed back home bewildered then we saw two woman in the middle of the road not able to start their car, my mind said go and get your luggage so you can make this trip, but my heart said help these ladies. I turned the car around Mary and the kids, parked it and ran to the middle of the road asking these ladies what is wrong then replied that the battery could be dead so, I said lets move the car to the right side. They agreed, we pushed the car to the side and then i said do you have somebody coming to jumpstart the car the said yes and I felt obliged to wait. There friend did not come right away so Mary driving the car towards our direction asking what is the hold up and I replied that I have to stay until they get it jumped of course we did not have our jumper cables in the back of the car so hands were tied waiting. I felt sad for the family but knew that I needed to wait finally the friend came we tried to jump the car but to no avail it did not start so I told them plan two is to call a tow trunk to the nearest gas station and they can sort it out from there they agreed they said can we give you anything, I replied no but told them that JESUS Loves them then left. We got home i picked up my luggage finally everything complete got on the plan and had the same feeling when i first went excited that something big was going to happen. Pt2

UK trip House of Power

Wow, yes wow, is a good word to explain a ministry/business trip to a place called Home ENGLAND.

The day started pretty good got up and saw my little baby (Eden) sleeping next to us which is good cause i will miss her. This day is at hand all the packing was done a day ahead for an early flight 9:05am to be exact. It would be a nice story to say that i got on that flight and great things happened, but was not the story. I will share something that i could not understand what was really going on except that it could be interpreted as pure ignorance or an attack to my mind. I take full responsibility on what happened but will also lean on something of the matter this trip was going to be filled with a move of GOD. To start Mary got up early not to get off on an tangent but you know that you have the woman of your dreams when you see her early in the morning without makeup and find yourself kissing her cause you will miss her. Enough of the sappy stuff, she woke up and we started are journey. Little did i not know that the trip was not starting but would restart a few times, as we arrived to the airport putting in my check in details i found that they requested oddly a passport number. Hmm i said why is that then it struck me surely this is an international trip that I have done a few times in my life and did not remember to bring a passport. I whisked my self to the corner to call Mary as she was heading back home to let her know squeamishly that I have forgot my passport. She sighed and said oh my do i have to do everything for you?… On a another side note my calling to the U.K was anything but non adventurous i recall that Louise Rodriquez just bought a new car and he was taking me on my first mission trip to the UK at the age of 18, we pulled up to get some money out of a ATM (Cash machine) stopped on Milwaukee/Western he scrapped his car on the side just damaged it. I felt so bad, so we started to rebuke the devil it was a proper thing to do back in those day blame him for everything. Honestly the sense of that first trip to the UK was anything but challenges, I forgot to bring money myself and started to worry on how i was going to get to my contacts house. Here is a quick testimony on how GOD can provide as i was getting very nervous on how i was going to get in contact with my contact a guy on the plane sat next to me and we started chatting. I did not mentioned at all to my recollection that i did not have any money but he said i am hearing something tell me that you need money. I did not say anything as the plane landed he requested that we walk together, I found that pretty odd but honestly did not know what to think. Is he gay? and wanted to make a pass at me or was this the supernatural, divine providence of the Lord operating in this wealthy banker (that is how he introduced him self coming on a business trip to one of there offices here in England). I waited with despair but went along for the walk we chatted briefly and he stop, pulled out his wallet and pulled out $500.00 USD. My mouth dropped in total surprise, but my pride got in the way along with fear saying is this really happening. I declined the money knowing very well i needed it, and he said i have to give you something here take $20.00USD he then left. What a total mistake I made, GOD was using a total stranger to provide and I said no. I went to the bureau de exchange cashed in my $20.00 to make a phone call and it turned out to be 1.9GBP to the 1USD exchange rate in those days. My contact gave me his address and ended up living about 1 hour and half away from Heathrow airport when you deny GOD it only mounts up to more issues in the future. I jumped into the cabi first time in a car where the driver was on the wrong side (Joke for the English) we winded down the tight and small roads it was night time the lights the smell of being in England was a testimony of the call HE said to me when I was 15yrs of age. Maybe one day I will share how this journey all started — we were going through a street looked like a housing area and out of know where a young boy on his bike was hit. Sitting in the back of the cabi i saw the boy fly over the car onto our right hand side. The cabi was shocked and did not know what to do so i said lets check him, as he got out of the cab the boy got up, head down and rode off saying sorry. Now that is way to kind, in the states there would of been a whole ordeal. To get back where i left off the first trip was nothing but an adventure and it felt like this trip was going to be another one. Pt 1

Today

I understand that this particular blog communicates much about messages that wells up in me and then gets transferred into writing. Today i decided to write some brief points on today developments. Nothing too interesting but will give some insight into what happens in our lives. Ever since i have been eating lunch at work with a particular colleague i have noticed that we eat healthier. That being said i also signed up at work with a programme that monitors how many steps/calories/aerobic steps i do daily this has helped me lose some weight (For those in the UK/Australia reading this if you have not seen the facebook photo’s of me I have gained some substantial weight since come back to America i call it well to AMERICA weight). I feel better already, consistency i pray now that i follow through this practice until i lose 18lbs or 1.28 stones, i woke up early this morning ready to do some work so, i cut the grass it is about 88f or 31c outside, then came in to find Eden in a chirpy mood, Mary was still asleep she woke up early to take her mother to work. Mom stayed over to give Mary a hand with the kids which is always a big blessing. Decided to cook some breakfast for the family so pulled out the eggs, steak sauce, pepperoni, strawberries, oranges. Slicing and dicing the ingredients together coming up with a delicious breakfast Eden said, Mary came down to follow with baby Aria they both ate and now time to vacuum the first floor and prepare a barbie for a cousin and two nephews that are coming over today. The pool is ready for them to jump in and get some refreshing as we are experiencing a late summer. Today is a great day cause we have another chance to be a witness, to enjoy something called Life thank you Lord for my friends, family and my enemies may the Lord grant you closeness to HIM today.

love bro. Miguel

“Being a Worshiper, not one who worships”

Photo by Geoffrey

” 22Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. 23But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. Jn 4:22-24″

Did you hear that
I saw ceramic tiles beaded together a mosaic of art that has the star of David weaved into a five point star, just look at its beauty to think of the men/women who toiled laboriously by hand placing each block such a wonder. As you walk down the corridor facing the alter you are amazed at Imperial Beige marble columns shining bright as its face still holds from the Oman empire. Just above the columns are faces of saints, pious, noble with gold leaf painting clothing each one giving them an flair godliness, but i look around and hear no sound, mouths moving but not a noise, pure silence let me look again.

I found a place the great church it’s indescribable beauty they cried look at it, the size was enormous each part of the church was built with harmony to fit the measure perfectly. The light was not produced by the sun but by the rays that reflected to itself internally, look at its brightness they cried. Multitudes flocked to it the sound was amplified by it’s perfect acoustics can you hear they cried? But I heard nothing

My Worshiper
I sat in a corner observing my people for this sound, as I watched them i saw many who are rich who gave much, but my heart was turned to a poor widow who threw in two mite (a mite is a small coin called a lepton which is the smallest and lowest coin in circulation during Christ’s lifetime) the sound shot up through my heart, it was so loud that the twenty-four elders bowed there crowns down and started to worship the King who sits on the throne. How can only two mites worship GOD more then those who gave much more?

I see who you are
43And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury. 44For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living Mark 12:43-44. So, we are being judge on what we give/how we give and with what motive. This should free all of us on those ministries/churches who focus on amounts, look the word of GOD says different JESUS knows who worships and the poor widows sound was much louder because she gave all her living. The heart of a worshiper is what HE is listening to not what you say.

House Church

We started with baby Aria falling asleep in the car so, Mary decided to stay with her so she can get a few precious hours of sleep or we will pay with the furor of her not being too happy due to lack of sleep. I have found out that these 3 ladies like their sleep and to deprive them from it is very detrimental to my life. We had our godson with us he is not in an atmosphere that caters to JESUS CHRIST but thank GOD we get to let him experience life with us in CHRIST. It was also full of fun things to do, such as running around the house chasing Eden who love attention from anyone, playing Wii, playing in the pool. Eden has shown us that she has the gift to communicate to anyone anywhere, as a 4yr old young lady we see strength in that but alot of protecting her has come out of her outspokenness. We came together with the family of GOD, we sang this is the day that the Lord has made with the kids 4 in total with instruments and voices. We experienced crying, loud noise, running, playing, crying, everything children do in a span of 2hrs. We shared a love feast with one another and all participated in cleaning up after the meal even baby Aria. We moved from inside the House to outside for sun, this gave the children opportunity to run and play outdoors also. We shared from the word of GOD scripture reading from the Liturgical calendar for the Dioceses of the USA:

SUN EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME green
Ex 16:2-4, 12-15/Eph 4:17, 20-24/Jn 6:24-35 (113) Pss II

It was communicated today about how these reading are nationally read in the States by our catholic brothers. This brought to mind the scripture “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for breathern to dwell in unity! Ps 133:1″ the house church host are catholic and there is a flair of that background in this house church, which is wonderful cause truly the Lord is building HIS church, the look of it has many parts. Who said it was Evangelical, Presbyterian, Anglican, Protestant, or Charismatic? beloved when you drop your banners and allow HIS banner over you then we will understand this Love that comes from HIS bosom.

The brother who hosted lead the scripture reading and then we delved into them One from the Old Testament, One from the New Testament, and One from the Gospels the Psalm is what we declared throughout the reading. Now if we look Paul said “How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying I Cor 14:26″ this is putting that scripture in direct practice, we kinda sang the scripture which was nice. One of our sisters expounded further on the interpretation of Ex 16 reading the key purpose in all the works that the Lord had done for the Israelite’s was to have them depend on HIM and not there own strength, but there faith was weak, vs 19 Leave none for the next day but some did seeing it had worms and rot. vs 23 says to save the rest that could not been eaten. They did and it did not have worms nor did it rot. We must trust HIM cause HE will provide, the key is to have faith and not step in. With that we ended and went our way home once again we rubbed lives, ate, fellowship and all shared in the worship to the word. Nothing fancy, not so popular this concept of church but very biblical even apostolic in it nature. Soon we head to a house church workshop in Ohio were my brother Dan Crask lives ” I am so excited about this trip, GOD is doing such a organic work out their and we get to experience it, and learn from them.