Bott 2023

[votivesoul]

Originally Posted by n david

Wow.

Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?

But, of course, there is Balm in Gilead.

But we might have to redefine what we think of as Gilead, and what we understand to be the balm that is present within it.

[Nicodemus1968]

Originally Posted by votivesoul

If a problem of any kind exists, it's a lot easier to blame an individual, than the group that produced the individual with the problem.

If you look at the world, and think it's screwed up and twisted, you might find yourself hopeless and ineffective, in that, you know you cannot fix the whole entire world.

But if you look at yourself, and think, I'm screwed up and twisted, you might find yourself hopeful and effective, in that, you know you can be fixed (at least it's a more likely proposition).

In that, again, it is a lot easier to point to the individual than it is to point to the group.

But sometimes, just sometimes, it's the group that's the problem, and the individual is the one with his or her head on straight. If so, it's up to that individual to try and help the group, if he or she can be received.

The point I'm trying to make here is:

If at BOTT, the leaders are advising therapies and counseling and help outside of the Kingdom of God, it might be time to admit that such advice is a confession that they don't got the goods to effectively help people with their manifold problems.

But that's a hard pill to swallow. It's just easier to point at individuals, or even at one's self. Because if the church is screwed up and twisted, how hopeless and ineffective do you suppose you'll be in fixing it?

That is interesting.

When you use the word “goods” as describing their effectiveness to actively help those in need of certain mental ailments. Are you saying “spiritual” goods as in the Holy Ghost, or “goods” as in medical knowledge?

[n david]

Also, the push here is for the ministry because somehow ministers can't handle pressure or anxiety or somehow life has become worse than ever. Ministry is hard and ministers have not only their ministry but their family to care for.

I didn't realize that early Pentecostals had it so easy.

I've been to BOTT and other preacher conferences, there's not one of them starving or without food. Most of them wear suits that likely cost more than what I make in a paycheck. The majority have nice homes and cars and have very little need.

Think at the beginning of the organization. I've read stories of Pentecostal pioneer evangelists who were stripped and beaten, almost to death, by railroad workers who were angry at their tent meetings. Stories of ministers being threatened almost daily or weekly because they were apostolic ministers. Ministers punched and beaten, mocked and abused.

But yes, we're so much worse off than those early Pentecostals.

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by n david

Also, the push here is for the ministry because somehow ministers can't handle pressure or anxiety or somehow life has become worse than ever. Ministry is hard and ministers have not only their ministry but their family to care for.

I didn't realize that early Pentecostals had it so easy.

I've been to BOTT and other preacher conferences, there's not one of them starving or without food. Most of them wear suits that likely cost more than what I make in a paycheck. The majority have nice homes and cars and have very little need.

Think at the beginning of the organization. I've read stories of Pentecostal pioneer evangelists who were stripped and beaten, almost to death, by railroad workers who were angry at their tent meetings. Stories of ministers being threatened almost daily or weekly because they were apostolic ministers. Ministers punched and beaten, mocked and abused.

But yes, we're so much worse off than those early Pentecostals.

If people don't have problems to deal with, they will invent problems to deal with. That's my observation of the average human being. Not sure why that is though.

[Amanah]

Originally Posted by Esaias

If people don't have problems to deal with, they will invent problems to deal with. That's my observation of the average human being. Not sure why that is though.

Could it be that people default to a negativity bias?

https://positivepsychology.com/3-ste...ity-bias/#bias

Negativity bias refers to our proclivity to “attend to, learn from, and use negative information far more than positive information” (Vaish, Grossmann, & Woodward, 2008, p. 383). We can think of it as an asymmetry in how we process negative and positive occurrences to understand our world, one in which “negative events elicit more rapid and more prominent responses than non-negative events” (Carretié, Mercado, Tapia, & Hinojosa., 2001, p. 75).


I think this is why we are exhorted to think on positive things:

Philippians 4:8
King James Version
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

[Amanah]

Posted by David Guinn on FB:

Revival in Asbury: Update:

“Some prominent ministers and famous gospel singers have been calling the University asking to "lend their services."

They are politely, but firmly, being told: You can come, like anyone else. And if you can find a seat at the back of the auditorium, you're welcome to worship with us.

But we don't want church as usual. Not the agendas. Not the programs. Not the showboating.

The simple worship and meeting will continue to be led by a humble group of students, under the direction of the Holy Spirit.

Basically, the response has been: Don't try to hi-jack this sovereign move of God, and make it about you.

THIS is how you steward a REAL revival.

And that's why this historic movement broke out, again, in a little chapel @ Asbury University-- rather than at countless "It's all about Me" churches across America.

At Asbury, their desire is simple: To honour and serve a Holy God, while hosting His Presence. “

Via Nicole Springs

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by Amanah

Posted by David Guinn on FB:

Revival in Asbury: Update:

“Some prominent ministers and famous gospel singers have been calling the University asking to "lend their services."

They are politely, but firmly, being told: You can come, like anyone else. And if you can find a seat at the back of the auditorium, you're welcome to worship with us.

But we don't want church as usual. Not the agendas. Not the programs. Not the showboating.

The simple worship and meeting will continue to be led by a humble group of students, under the direction of the Holy Spirit.

Basically, the response has been: Don't try to hi-jack this sovereign move of God, and make it about you.

THIS is how you steward a REAL revival.

And that's why this historic movement broke out, again, in a little chapel @ Asbury University-- rather than at countless "It's all about Me" churches across America.

At Asbury, their desire is simple: To honour and serve a Holy God, while hosting His Presence. “

Via Nicole Springs

If the only thing happening is people singing and hugging each other then it is not a revival, it's just an ongoing church service (at best). No preaching = no revival.

[Amanah]

Originally Posted by Esaias

If the only thing happening is people singing and hugging each other then it is not a revival, it's just an ongoing church service (at best). No preaching = no revival.

I agree. What is interesting to me is how many hungry people are flocking to Asbury and waiting in line for hours. It sparks hope that there is a desire for revival.

Copied from Facebook:

Jesus has jumped all over me tonight. I’m an Apostolic Pentecostal and I’ve just witnessed something that I’ve never experienced before in my life….complete freedom in worship. Where the spirit of the Lord there is liberty and I’ve just experienced something that has changed me.

I’m used to 3 songs..2 testimonies…a sermon and we’re out the door and at the Mexican restaurant before you can say…Hello Dolly and I don’t mean that in a bad way but so many times as Christians we rush through our services and we miss out on…no telling what. Tonight I sit in a revival at 10:30 at night and it’s packed out AND there’s no end insight. There are 3 chapels on this campus and they are packed out too. The balconies and the front steps are packed out with people seeking God. The front lawn is packed. It’s insane…..and people are still pouring in.

There are no professional singers or piano players. They told us that. If someone felt led…they got up and sang. There is complete peace and order to it all. People are singing to the top of their lungs. Good singers and bad singers…all are singing together without the fear of who can sing better. Everybody is singing. It is so beautiful.

People are bawling. People are hollering. People are clapping. People are jumping. People are down in the floor praying and seeking the face of God. There’s no end to the praise and the repentance. I have never seen so many open bibles and so much sincerity in all of my life. I could feel a hunger that I’ve never felt before.

There’s no ‘programmed’ order to the service….it just keeps going and going. Nobody wants to leave. A man..a preacher kind of guy…an ex Jew he told he was….stood up and said to the congregation…WHAT IS HAPPENING??? It’s Jesus…he said. There’s no program. There’s no one telling anyone what to do. People are literally just standing and feeling after the presence of God. It’s goes from a hush to a roar.

I am utterly moved. I can’t believe that I’ve ever walked into my church and that at times I’ve been too ashamed to raise my hands and praise God. There has been pride in my heart. After all that God has done for me and to know that I’ve had pride in my heart….that’s awful. God help me do better. ��

There is complete freedom here. A woman standing beside me was singing to the top of her lungs…she was singing from her heart….it was so beautiful and all of the sudden she began to speak in other tongues. The hair stood up on me. I knew God had filled her with the Holy Ghost. She began to wail in the spirit.

The alter is open at all times. You can pray at anytime and somebody will pray with you. There is nothing rushed. They are waiting on the Lord. It’s amazing.

Asbury said if you’re here and you need a place to sleep they will find you a place to stay. There are literally 1000’s of people and they are helping people with whatever they need.

I experienced the LOVE OF GOD tonight and it’s powerful. It made me think about everything in my life.

Get in your car and come to the #asburyrevival. There are people from all walks of life….from every religion…dressed in all kinds of clothing….bawling and seeking God.

May God never ever let me be just religious and let me only seek after him and what’s pleasing to him. May his presence fall like rain in these last days. The Bible says that in the last days God will pour out his spirit upon all flesh…and he did tonight. He’s still doing it right now……����������������

I’m thankful to be in the truth.
I’m thankful for Acts 2:38.

Can you imagine a prayer meeting that started last Wednesday night has turned into this?! It has went on for 24 hours a day and for 5 days now and there’s no end in sight.
#asburyuniversity

[Esaias]

One student there is tweeting that poc, women, and queers (their terms) have been leading the worship every day. That student is an lgbtq supporter by the way.

Numerous people are saying there is no preaching taking place, just singing and hugging and whatnot.

Tony Campolo's ministry associates and friends have been there and are very pleased with what's going on.

Todd Bentley tried to get involved but it didn't go any where.

The University is reportedly going to end the meetings so people are trying to scout out another off campus location.

[Evang.Benincasa]

What did I miss?