Something I've been wanting to ask the group for sometime, and recent events prompt me to do so now. Interesting comments on the Shame thread too.What do we think about the nature of evil? Spiritual warfare, principalities & powers, Ephesians 6:12 - and all that jazz.
Do we think that as we make a positive difference to one another and begin to spread the love of Christ actively outside the established group - are there powers - as well as our own fallen natures - 'out there' to trip us up, hinder us - either individually and / or corporately?
Coming from 'charismatic' churches originally, as many of us do, I used to spend a lot of time getting excited / paranoid about this. For a long time I haven't bothered. Now I cautiously ask 'hmmmmn?'.
Fight againt sin, the values of the world - and yes - even the Devil?
Is there a 'post evangelical' take on this? A fresh expressions theology of spiritual warfare?
7 comments:
Interesting post Tim (terrible picture though) - thanks for starting the thread.
I go in for the whole spiritual warfare thing. And yes, I think the enemy probably would love to throw a spanner in the works re. SofaChurch:girls, guessing that's what you're alluding to.
I think he's crafty though - he works via misunderstanding and hurt feelings; through whispered suggestions that people don't like you much or are laughing at you behind your back. The Bible does tell us that he's a sneaky one, so we shouldn't be surprised.
He's after division isn't he? As you say, he does hate secrets being aired, as he much prefers to keep people in bondage to their feelings of shame and inadequacy.
I've been thinking recently about the verse in Matthew about uttering in the light what you hear in the dark - keeping things open is so important.
We are in a challenging time. There's more that needs to be said and broken bridges that need mending, but we'll get there. It just all needs to be done in person and not virtually.
Hi Suse
Pic: wanted something other than 'the sword of the Lord' or Frank Peretti style. I thought that image was a bit cheesey, so went with it :o)
It could be applied to some of the issues you speak of, but I had in mind what we've been through ourselves and others too who've had really crap situations blow up. The crappiness we've encountered has been simultaneous and equal in measure (perhaps) to much good stuff that's happened. Suggests to us a cause and effect perhaps on some levels.
As for 'real' and 'virtual' - the 'virtual' world is what's kept us in touch and anchored in the real world and continues to deepen many of our friendships. Without the real friendships being deepened by virtual means we would have comprehensively screwed (I was going to use a stronger term there) - not just in the last few weeks - but in the last 10 years of parenthood and being online for a decade now.
In recent weeks the net and blogging has really been a source of encountering God's love and support through others when all has seemed lonely and nearly lost. In our culture and age 'reality' and 'virtual' perhaps are almost synonymous? It has been strategic in helping me keep my head in perhaps diabolically devised storms which are for the moment just about subsiding (I hope).
Whatever difficulties some of our friendships are currently exploring, no one is laughing at or not liking anyone. We've many similar journeys come together. What has happened through and with SofaChurch is enormously special for all of us and has formed a major part of a lifeline, a quiet revolution in our spiritual lives.
An aspect of SofaChurch I really value is that God speaks to us all through who we are, our journeys past and present. That through our blogging and relating to each other about our problems past and present God's Word is spoken to each other, and even to non-Christians.
Simultaneous sheep-feeding, sheep hospital, and evangelism through each other. If spiritual warfare is real, someone somewhere has a lot to worry about through what's gone on through SofaChurch and many of the linked in networks and fellowships.
Absolutely. The cliche is that if the devil's not bothering you, you're not doing it right (or something like that).
Sorry, Tim, hadn't realised you were talking about wider issues. Typical me - caught up in my own little girly world! I tend to forget that anyone else has any problems.
Re. the virtual/real: seems to work for you, but doesn't at all for me. (Perhaps apart from keeping in touch with my Australian friend!) But that's okay - we're all different and all that.
Re. the talking about/laughing at - I don't feel this personally. They were just examples of the way I think the devil sneaks in and pops little seeds of doubt into your head, which sit there and fester and colour all your encounters with people a bit negatively.
I love the phrase 'quiet revolution in our spiritual lives' that Tim used. That is exactly how I view what has been happening to me, gently and quietly, since Sofachurch began.
I have feelings and opinions about church and worship now that I never imagined I would ever have, 18 months ago. I am moving forward, alongside others, into new expressions of worship and learning about Jesus. And I am sure I am not the only one!
I too went through an uber-charismatic 'phase' about 15 years ago, and bought completely into the whole Frank Peretti style idea of angels and demons surrounding us all the time, engaged in battles which involved us all. It was rather an extreme view - if something happened like missing a bus making me late for work (for example), I could have seen that as the devil's work!!
I don't have that same imagery in my head any more, but I do believe that there is a spiritual realm and that when such amazing Christian friendships are being forged, and fresh expressions of worship are beginning in order to further God's kingdom in the world (oh dear I sound like a preacher again...), the enemy of all that is good is not going to take it lying down.
I can't believe some of the awful things that have happened to us and to others over the last few months, and can't believe that it is a complete coincidence either. We need to stand firm, asking God for help and supporting one another in every way we can, and we will withstand the storms that are raging all around us.
This verse from Psalm 18 keeps coming back to me over the past week or so: "With my God I can scale a wall". In fact the whole of Psalm 18 is rather apt and I think I am going to have to memorise bits of it!
Interesting article HERE!
While out for a walk this morning Susie spotted a cassette tape strewn by the side of a road near us.
I'm not sure how true this is, but we both heard years ago that some witches record curses on to tape and then leave the tape by the road side in order that their curse might cause an accident. I hadn't seen one for a long time, though, until today.
When she went to pick up the tape it had been carefully tied in place - it didn't just fall out of someone's car. It ended up in the bin, needless to say.
Any thoughts?
Our old Pentecostal church had tape tied around it on occasion... people were very alarmed by this...
Not sure what I think; if there's any malintent involved it's primarily to scare and cause a fuss - which seems to usually be successful, IMHO.
:o)
Post a Comment