Up and Running

I picked up my laptop from the repair shop this morning. It is once again a lean, mean fighting machine. There wasn't anything seriously wrong with it, but it's now running smoother and working better than it has in a long time. I'm embarking on a new season of ministry. Now my computer is as ready as I am. Let's go!

The Release of the Spirit • Summary and Conclusion

We started this journey through Watchman Nee’s classic The Release of the Spirit, back in July. For a short book, this one packs a punch. Find the entire series here.

Nee’s premise is that the outer person (the soul) must be broken to allow the inner person (the spirit) to fully engage Christ. This breaking process is something God is doing in the lives of all Believers. We often fight the process, not realizing that God is accomplishing something absolutely necessary. The longer we fight what God is doing, the longer (and more painful) the process is.

Nee warns that the unbroken person will find himself/herself consumed with so many things—most of them probably good things—that our hands will not be free to do that to which God is calling us. Being entangled with frivolous things, as well as allowing our soul to remain unbroken, keeps us from fully connecting with Christ, or engaging in the eternal work of the kingdom.

Just as God was not limited by the flesh of the Incarnate Christ (because Christ was completely connected to the Father and the Spirit), God wants that same freedom in working through Christ’s body—the church. This explains why it is so important for each Believer to be broken, ensuring God free reign in our lives.

Chapter Six was my favorite. Link to that post here. He writes: God must employ whatever means he thinks effective in breaking down any stronghold over which our [inner person] has no control. Nee reminds us that the trials and tribulations we whined about over the last five to ten years were being used by God to break the outer person, and to help us become the person God wants us to be. Even though we may be unaware of certain needs, the Holy Spirit knows exactly where we fall short, and what is necessary to fix it.

This book helped me look differently at the hard times I’ve faced, am facing, or will face in the future.

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. (Hebrews 12:11)

God, I know you love me without limit and that you want what’s best for me. If you choose to use suffering and trials to break in me what needs to be broken (and I know you do), then I ask for the grace to let go and allow you free access. Help me not to fight what is for my own good and for the good of your kingdom.

One More Reason I Like Portland

Above: Portland. Below: Pittsburgh.

Hmmm... No I can't see any resemblance at all.

I probably won't be posting for a few days... maybe a week. I'm taking my computer in for an oil change and to rotate the tires. I should still be able to answer emails. Hint, hint.

365: Ezekiel 22, 23 and 24 (Day 255)

You became tired of your lovers, but I am going to hand you over to those men you now hate. (Ezekiel 23:28)

This is a good example of how the Bible isn’t always pretty. In this expanded passage, God likens the capital cities of Samaria (Israel) and Jerusalem (Judah) to sisters who have both engaged in prostitution. Their sin is that they have sold themselves to other nations and those nations’ idols, without any regard for their relationship with the Lord God, who rightfully should have been their one and only. God, the wounded husband, announces: You want to chase after your lovers? You can have them. You think this is a Harlequin romance? Just wait until you see the shameful way they treat you! (Pastor's Paraphrase) He spotlights the Assyrians (they destroyed Samaria in 722 B.C.) and the Babylonians (they destroyed Jerusalem in 587 B.C.), painting them as the handsome young men being flirted with by the two shameless sisters.

So, what lesson can we learn from a 6th century B.C. prophet, and two sister/nation prostitutes?

We can choose our actions, but we cannot choose the consequences for those actions. When we grab hold of sin, we should remember that it also grabs hold of us – and it has a strong grip. Just because we’re ready to let go of it, doesn’t mean it will let go of us.

What sin are you flirting with? Is someone whispering in your ear that just a little flirting never hurt anyone? Hmmm, I wonder who that could be… Satan?

Going West!

It's official. We've been moderately tight-lipped about our upcoming move, but now we can share with you our joy. We are excited about going to Aloha, Oregon, to pastor Aloha Church of God. Aloha is on the west end of the Portland metro area, between Beaverton and Hillsboro. The church was started in 1950, with my cousin (Gene Linnaman was my dad's cousin; would that make him my second cousin?) as its first pastor. In their 58-year history, they've had only five (now six) pastors, and the people are (and this sounds scary!) just like us.

Our calendar looks like this:

Saturday, September 27th - Moving Sale

Tuesday, September 30th - Mover Picks Up Our Stuff

Sunday, October 12th - First Sunday at Aloha

Wednesday, October 15th - Furniture Arrives at New House

Thursday, October 16th - Collapse

Please don't hold me too tightly to this schedule. Blessed are the flexible.

I was first contacted by the Aloha Pastoral Search Team last spring, maybe April, when they asked for sermons. They then contacted us about a phone interview with both Janelle and me. Before that interview actually took place, we were invited to candidate at a Pennsylvania church. We went ahead with the Aloha interview (and really seemed to connect with the team) but informed them by email within a day or two that we could not pursue our relationship with them any further until we walked through the open door that had presented itself with the Pennsylvania congregation.

Things didn't work out in Pennsylvania, so we contacted Aloha again, but wouldn't you know it, they were already considering a local candidate. I couldn't blame them for moving ahead with their search, and we were told they'd keep us informed. About a month later (after several emails back and forth) they invited our family to fly out. The earliest date that was good for all of us was the weekend of September 7th. We flew from Pittsburgh to Newark, and from Newark to Portland. The church was gracious enough to reserve two hotel rooms for our stay, which gave us some privacy and room to spread out.

On Saturday, while Janelle and I were in meetings, Garth and Kathy Hamilton (youth directors) took the youth, including our boys Ben and Will, on a hike up to Multnomah Falls. Will, who has never caught the hiking bug, said it was the best day of his life!

Sunday, we got to meet those we had missed on Saturday, and I had the opportunity to preach. Several of the youth sat with Ben and Will. We thought that was a wonderful show of support and friendship. It felt great, and the congregation was incredibly warm. We fell in love with everyone.

On Monday, we had the day to ourselves (and unlimited mileage on our rental car), so we headed for the Oregon Coast. We saw both Seaside and Cannon Beach, and had a great day. Ben and Will wanted to get back to Aloha because they had plans with some of the youth.

We had to return the car at 6:40 the next morning, but we were there by 5:30, and then our plane was delayed almost two hours because of bad weather in Newark. We sat at the airport until we boarded a little after 9. Four and a half hours later we landed at Newark, rushed to our gate for our connecting flight, and found out it was delayed, leaving us to sit and enjoy Newark International for about another hour and a half.

By the time we touched down in Pittsburgh, retrieved our luggage, and drove home, it was after midnight. Thus ended a physically tiring, but spiritually and emotionally refreshing, journey.

More to come...

The Release of the Spirit • 10 (Two Very Different Ways)

Watchman Nee begins Chapter Ten by contrasting two different methods intended for spiritual edification: 1) An outward training in doctrine and exposition, which would amount to gaining head knowledge. 2) God’s intended method for edification, which is spirit touching spirit. (89) While Nee obviously elevates spirit to spirit contact over the simple act of gaining head knowledge, his biography shows an appreciation for education. He graduated from college, and even though he had no formal theological education, he was self-taught, having studied over 3,000 books.

Nee speaks of a deeper communion between believers, a spiritual fellowship in which spirit touches spirit. This is only possible between those whose outer persons have been broken. According to Nee, this is the Bible’s deep calling to deep (Psalm 42:7).

The writer examines two final issues by way of question and answer:

Q: While we are still unbroken, but beginning to recognize fleshly activity, should we try in our own strength to put a stop to such activity?

A: It is always right to put a stop to fleshly activity such as pride or temper, but in doing so one should not profess to be broken. That would be counterfeit. We must allow God to finish the work within us BEFORE we can expect the evidence of this to be manifest without. (93)

Q: Is there a difference between natural gentleness and the gentleness that comes through discipline?

A: Natural gentleness is not under the spirit’s control. Nee gives us the example of a naturally gentle person, whom the Lord calls to speak out strongly against sinful activity. That person’s natural gentleness may not allow him to do as he has been prompted because it is not under the spirit’s control. Anything that is natural has its own will and is independent of the spirit. (93)

Along with the Introduction, we have now looked at ten chapters. Did any of them (or maybe just a single concept) stand out as being particularly meaningful to you? I’ll share my answer to that question next week in Release of the Spirit (Summary and Conclusions).

365: Ezekiel 1, 2 and 3 (Day 248)

They may listen, or they may not, . . . But they will know that a prophet has been among them. (Ezekiel 2:5)

In this passage outlining Ezekiel’s call to prophetic ministry, God teaches the prophet-to-be that he is not accountable for the people’s response, but he is accountable for the message delivered.

Likewise, the farmer spreads the seed on all kinds of soil, even though most of it will never reach maturity (Luke 8:5-15).

This is not to say that the prophet cannot increase the reception factor, or the farmer the richness of the soil. Two of the biggest factors in how the word is received are prayer and relationship. If the seed (the word) is planted with prayer, and the soil (the heart) is cultivated with relationship, there is a much greater chance of the message accomplishing that for which it is designed – changed lives.

Beside all that, we often forget the work of the Holy Spirit. We may apply the word to needy hearts, but the Holy Spirit has already been there, preparing the way. The Holy Spirit continues applying that word for hours and days after we’ve put our notes aside and gone on to something else.

It is my calling to speak prophetically. It is also my duty and privilege to cover the seed with prayer and cultivate the soil with relationship. The Holy Spirit is responsible for the changed lives. One day the proof will be in the harvest.

The Release of the Spirit • 9 (Meekness in Brokenness)

I don't normally post these articles until Tuesday, but if I don't do it now, I may not have a chance until later in the week. Tuesday, we'll be flying home from a physically tiring, but spiritually refreshing weekend.

If you're wondering what this is, it is a series of chapter-by-chapter reviews (maybe summaries would be a better word) of one of the most incredible books I've read in a long time. Go back to the beginning to read a little about Watchman Nee. Just to get you started: After spending twenty years in a Chinese Communist prison, Nee died in 1972. Before he was arrested, he had planted 700 churches with attendance of over 700,000. You can read the whole series here, or by clicking on the Release of the Spirit link at the bottom of this post.

God adjusts the means and speed of his disciplining process as needed according to the subject, until finally the will is broken. (83f.) The result is that all who have been enlightened and disciplined share a common trait: they become meek, which is a sign of brokenness. (84)

This is not to say that anyone who has been broken will speak with a soft uncertain voice, or that anyone who speaks in such a voice has been broken. True meekness, as is stubbornness is a matter of character, not a matter of the speaking voice. (84)

Nee outlines four qualities which characterize the person who is meek:

1. Approachable - This person is easy to talk to, open to the ideas of others, and teachable. (85)
2. Sensitive - The broken person is aware of those around him; he is responsive to their needs, sensitive to their feelings and would never intentionally hurt another. (86)
3. Ready for Community Life - It requires a measure of meekness to successfully live in community with other believers. Without such meekness, one will be more concerned with self than with relationships. If any wrong is done, the broken will sense his indiscretion and make it right. He desires to live in unity. He is not only in harmony with the Body, but he also has the mind of Christ, the Head of the Body. (86-87)
4. Easily Edified - The unbroken person often tends to look down on those less gifted, less talented, and less educated than he. This makes it almost impossible to receive edification from anyone - seeing only those more gifted, more talented and more educated as worthy to speak into his life. The broken man, however, is able to receive from others without arrogance or prejudice. (87)

Nee defines edification as being nourished and revived by God from spirit-to-spirit contact. This can only happen through the help of brothers and sisters in Christ. (88)

Share stories of when you have been edified through spirit-to-spirit contact with a brother or sister in Christ. Next week (09 16 2008), we'll cover the final chapter, and then a week later we close this series with a final wrap-up.

365: Jeremiah 37, 38 and 39 (Day 242)

While your feet were stuck in the mud, they left you. (Jeremiah 38:22)

Zedekiah was the last king of Judah prior to Jerusalem's destruction by Babylonian forces, and its people being taken into exile. He was a wishy-washy king, who found it difficult to make a decision. In his defense, he was scared of being executed by the king of Babylon (Nebuchadnezzar), and things weren't looking good. His advisors were telling him to resist the invading army, while Jeremiah was telling him he should surrender. Zedekiah feared Jeremiah was right, but he was afraid of his advisors. After all he didn't want them thinking he was weak.

To shut Jeremiah up, the king's counselors were determined to imprison or kill him. Zedekiah didn't have the courage to resist them and gave the plan his permission. Jeremiah was thrown in a cistern, empty of water, but full of mud. Jeremiah was left there for a time, but thanks to another flip flop by the king, he was released. Zedekiah once again asked Jeremiah for advice, but Jeremiah was reticent to speak, considering where his words had already landed him.

Jeremiah told Zedekiah that, if he surrendered, he would fare better than by continuing the fight. He also said that if the king didn't listen to him, the women of Jerusalem would be taken captive by the Babylonians, and taunt him about being misled and abandoned by his most trusted friends. While your feet were stuck in the mud, they left you.

Jeremiah was the one dropped in the mud, but Zedekiah was the one who was stuck.

Have you ever been stuck and unable to make a decision? What did you do?

The Release of the Spirit • 8 (What Impression Do We Give?)

Read the whole series here, or by clicking on the Release of the Spirit link at the bottom of this post.


In a previous chapter Watchman Nee wrote about a person’s most prominent feature. (43) When our outer person remains unbroken, that prominent feature is what we display to others. God must use discipline to break that prominent feature, because it blocks others from genuinely connecting with God. (77) This is because, when others look at us, they see our prominent feature rather than God living in us.

Along with discipline, God also works in us by enlightenment or revelation. As shared in Chapter Seven, revelation is when God enables us to see what he sees. In this context it is seeing what God sees in us. (72)

Of these two tools, revelation and discipline, discipline is usually a slower process. As already stated, God’s hand of discipline is often not recognized for what it is. That discipline, recognized or not, will continue until the outer person is broken, and the spirit is released, allowing God to be revealed through us. (81)

Nee writes that God is not nearly as concerned with what comes out of our mouths, as he is with what comes out of our inner person. (82) Every time we connect with other people, we leave an impression—they either see us or they see the Lord. (81) Getting back to our first point (the need for our prominent feature to be broken), God must discipline, reveal and destroy anything in us that gets in the way of others seeing God in and through our lives.

We have each dealt with both kinds of people, those whose lives point to God, and those whose lives point only to themselves. On different occasions, we have probably been both of those people. Can you give any examples of when you (or others) got in the way of people who needed to see God, because your (or their) outer person was not broken?