Oct-01-The Kingdom of God

I have been troubled all the more recently with talk and expressions of the Kingdom of God. For example, there is work that is done in the local church, giving that is done to the local church and then work that is 'for the kingdom' and giving that is 'to the kingdom.' The latter always being that more worthy and that more spiritual. But jsut what is this kindom?

When I look at the kingdom, you know, it is at it's core, there seems to be a bunch of people from different denominations all getting along with one another, around the lowest common denominator that will give them grounds for connection. Even if that lowest common denominator is God the Holy Spirit, or rather, the 'move of the spirit'. That is the Kingdom. Now, you've missed the important word. For it is not God, nor the Spirit, nor kingdom, No, don't miss that word I used: CONNECTION. Yes, the kingdom of God is good connections with the right kind of people.

Let's bypass, the words, kingdom and unity and being one and fellowship for they are too confusing, the Kingdom is CONNECTION or better still...Networking with the right kind of people, people who will stand by you, be your friend, support you, financially and otherwise and even make sure you get a job. The Kingdom of God is CONNECTIVE NETWORKING. It is both who you know and how much you have got to give. Friends and money. If you do not think this is the case, then see how far you get in the 'Kingdom' with no connections and no money. I tell you how far you will get.....you won't get far.

All other CONNECTIVE NETWORKING organisations work better than the Kingdom, simply be case they are totally up front about their raison d'etre. There is nothing dressed up about it, nothing forced, nothing nasty, no suspicion. Their connective Networks are honest, they are about friends and money. Nothing else. Friends and money. Tell me, what is your 'expression' of the Kingdom of God about really? Is all about who you know?

Sep-28-Professional Pulpit Monkeys - or - Prophet?

First Published in July 2009---

The heartland of Middle England, that last notch on the worn out Bible belt which like Ezekiel's sash, has been long since left rotted in the ground has it's spiritual centre around Tunbridge Wells.

There in those heartlands, whenever any innovation is brought to the table, some slightly out of the box thinking maybe, or some un-parochial project, then the phrase often brought to bear so often on the budding thought is 'No you can't do that, this is after all Tunbridge Wells.' This little phrase is repeated in such a manner in that it kills faith by presenting itself as a reasonable excuse for not being different, for not trying something new and something un-parochial . 'This is Tunbridge Wells' is in fact not 'an excuse for not being innovative' but rather, it is an indictment of unbelief, apathy, pleasant and plastic respectability and of course, cowardice. Don't get me wrong, I'm not so much talking about the place but rather, that state of mind which is Tunbridge Wells, the state of mind which is the Laodicean church in England.

I tell you now, it is the professional minister that is responsible for this state of mind and state of affairs in the church, yes it is the hired pulpit monkey, grinning like Bruce Forsyth, dancing for the crowds and chanting 'nice to see - to see you nice' to the increasingly mostly feminine following (and that includes the men) that are responsible for all this bland niceness! So let me ask you my good friends, if I ever get professional, take me outside and beat the pious platitudes out of me, for I shall have fallen from grace and got out of the race whilst still pretending to be a runner in it!

There is something about churches like Bruce Forsyth that make me wretch, make me puke, make me want to pack my bags. To that end I am most assuredly like Christ and I thank God for that! No I am not professional, I am prophetic and the difference in those two words my friends, if you still are my friends, will always produce a separation, will always call for churches to be more like Bruce Willis than like Bruce Forsyth. If you like Bruce Forsyth Christianity, then my message is not for you. No, please go somewhere else, for there are lots of nice places for the respectable Christian to still go and get a good food feeding. Your welcome to them but frankly, Cow and Gate never did me any good and especially so when its served up by a pulpit monkey, a hired hand to make the sin smell nice, to stop the boat a-rockin' and to make sure God is accessible. Can you imagine having the arrogance of suggesting we can make God 'more accessible!' No, prophets don't do nice.

Christians should be Davidic. A little fella with a sling and a handful of smooth stones called God, grace, growth, goodness guts and glory! When we have gone down to the battle and asked some questions about the Philistine monsters all still allowed to be mocking God and have received the same rebuke that David did we should still mange to retain a couple more important stones to give us the courage to run at the foe in the name of Jesus and faithfully proclaim his sure and swift demise. Yes stick around, for I have a few bloody heads we want to flash before your frightened faces yet.

No, I am not a professional, for a professional would never hew the enemy in pieces, only a prophet has the power and dreadful determination to do that. I want to be more like Bruce Willis rather than like Bruce Forsythe. No, I don't do nice. You can go somewhere else for that. Ah but truth and grace, fighting and forgiveness, sacrifice and salvation, yes I do them, I long for them, I want live in them.

If you want nice, then go find yourself a professional paid up pulpit monkey. If you want prophetic, then be prepared to be challenged to change on every level of your life. Yes, you will need to grow up and get a bit more thick skinned and if you can't do that, then best you go join the mothers union and bake some fairy cakes.

Oh and please don't send me any emails, please just stop all the talking and do some walking. Show me the money Jerry! Show me the Money! If you can't do that then please, with the greatest of respect, just shut the heck on up.

Meanwhile - I hope you are ready to are ready to DARE TO LISTEN!