Author: Wick

“Do you think that three will do for two, what two did for one?” I asked my wife randomly a week or so ago. We were talking about what life might be like after the arrival of Ruby Anne, our third daughter in less than 3 years.

“I’m not sure, I guess we’ll have to see.” Neither one of us knew what to expect. It was similar to just before the arrival of Sophie Grace, our second daughter, only 15 months before that.

Sophie came. We loved her. We enjoyed being parents of two little girls who were rapidly growing right before our eyes. Life become just a bit larger. Our stroller now fit two. We talked realistically about getting a mini-van. We had one more mouth and personality to fit into any social situation.

But there were occasions. Times where Addie (our first daughter) needed some time alone with one of us. We would work it out so that we each had one child. On those occasions, we realized just how easy we used to have it with one child. We wished we could go back in time, and tell ourselves (me at least) to just relax, and go out and do more…to not feel so limited just because I was a parent now. (Obviously we learned that, having traveled to Hawaii with BOTH girls last summer…we proved we can do quite a bit 😉 )

So it was natural, for me at least, to wonder if upon having three kids, I would realize just how simple it is to have 2 girls out on the town by myself.

Yesterday was our Senior Pastor, Michael Jackson’s last Sunday at our church. I couldn’t expect Sarah/Ruby to come. I also couldn’t expect her to watch the girls all by herself so soon. But most of our babysitters attend the church, and I didn’t want to ask any of them to miss it. So I set off on my own, with both girls – all of us sleep deprived from adding Ruby in the past few days. To endure the crowds of well meaning and loving church family members who had questions and wanted to see pictures, and all the action of a Sunday School sugar loaded cake and donut reception. Whew.

“…So now, Master, look on their threats; and grant that we, your servants, may speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand for healing, so that signs and wonders may come about through the name of your holy child Jesus.’ When they had prayed, the place where they were gathered was shaken. They were all filled with the holy spirit, and they boldly spoke the word of God.” Acts 4:29-31

Peter and John had just been reprimanded by the religious rulers, and yet with so much public support, and such obvious miracles happening, they could not keep them silent or send them far away. They let them go, and they prayed the above prayer along with the other believers.

Being threatened by the powers of their time, they did not pray for their enemies’ destruction. They didn’t even pray for their own triumph/success. They simply prayed “God, look”, and asked for the ability to speak God’s word in boldness SO THAT healing can take place, however it is needed.

God responds to their prayer immediately. But it doesn’t look like a Benny Hinn service. Heck, it doesn’t even have the cars outside that a Joel Osteen service might have. “they boldly spoke the word of God.” THAT was miraculous and healing enough to BE God’s response. The fact that the resurrection had taken place, and in Christ – God had begun His final work of bringing Heaven and Earth together in a New Creation. We serve a Lord who is resurrected ahead of all things, and through whom all things may begin to be healed/made new.

I’ll confess. Throughout my ministry I’ve had moments/dreams/daydreams of boldly proclaiming miraculous things, and the Holy Spirit using me/blessing ministries in ways that would “WOW” humanity. But I think here we find a prayer to focus on, that echoes God’s heart for healing a bit better. May we each be empowered by the Holy Spirit to speak God’s word to a world that needs to have it spoken/proclaimed.

Wow. I didn’t realize I hadn’t blogged on “The Holiness Manifesto” (book) since last October. I’ve finally begun pressing forward, and just finished chapter 5, “The Social Vision of the Holiness Movement”. It was written by William Kostlevy, Professor at Tabor College.

I’d confess, prior to reading this chapter I assumed it was about feeding the hungry, caring for the poor, etc. I’m sure that fits in there in a few places, but overall it was nothing like I’d assumed.

If I had to give it a new title, I would call it “Secret Societies: How Woman’s Rights Impacted the Social Vision of the Holiness Movement”. But perhaps that would be too long.

Kostlevy gives a short glimpse into the various responses of evangelicals to “secret societies” including Free Masons and many others. If you’re like me, you only know a bit, and even then only through rumors and the Church’s official stance against them. It’s pretty good information, and historical references to other publications here.

What was surprising to hear (but complimentary to women I suppose) was the purpose behind much of the evangelical support of women’s rights, and opposition to secret societies – which were white men only for the most part.

To quote Kostlevy, the group believed “the expansion of women’s social influence would ‘drive drunkeness out of politics’ and usher in an age of economic prosperity and social righteousness.” So there you go. Women….you got your rights, at least legally. Where’s our economic prosperity and social righteousness? hehe.

Altogether, I think it’s important stuff to note/know. Especially in a time where we will hinge the future financial and/or moral prosperity on any person/persons attaining some sort of “next level” of power or permission. There’s gotta be more to our gospel. Thankfully, there is. 🙂

Much more.