I'd like to say hello and apologise for my extended absence from CF the last week or so. The net went down here at home, and then there was Conference... so I have so much to do!!!
Anyway I have in the past criticised the Hills folk... and even questioned where their eternal destiny lies... but do you know what, God really dealt with me on Friday... I had become so critical of Hills and others that it really embittered me (is that a real word?!) and I was even unable to sing certain songs... you know the Holy Spirit touched me and by the night rally it was like my heart was set free and I was able to really reach out and praise God... all the guys from church have commented that I even look like I've been released from something... I should point out, I am not a Hillsong Church member, I attend an AOG church in Parramatta, and I love it there.
I want to point out to everyone that I don't agree with every thing the Hillsong church has said or sung, but I have learnt to love them will do more good than continually criticise... when we argue with each other the way we have been on these boards we are pointing our guns at one another... what if we settled our differences, agree to disagree on some points and simply go after the powers of darkness and use all our ammo on the lost... bringing them into the kingdom. If we did that, I reckon there's half a chance our churches would swell... and I mean really swell.
Having spent the week at the conference I learnt something about the leaders there... they really do have a heart for building the CHURCH - not the Hills church but the CHURCH. Sure, I still wonder why they plant outreach plants when there are already AOG churches in those areas but honestly you can see the passion for JESUS (not Hillsong) that is in the faces and lives of their leaders. Spend an hour with Joel A-Bell and Phil Dooley, you'll see what i mean.
So far as the anointing thing goes... well I don't really know why EVERY person was anointed, we didn't really like that much but I tell you what, the Holy Spirit fell on me in the 'dome and I was crying before the Lord, and I tell you I wasn't the only person. God was in that, at least for some. And so far as Mr Costello... well I am not too keen on politicising the church but I never really got that impression... Pete is a Christian and I'm not against him being there... ok perhaps getting the man to speak might not have been necessary but honestly aren't there bigger issues than whether it's right for the Treasurer to attend and speak at a church... what if it was his church... would it still be wrong? Don't other churches get guest speakers from week to week?
As your fellow brother - whichever side of the Hillsong divide you are on - I urge us all to first and foremost pursue unity. Both sides have IMO been guilty of flaming the opponents and in the end all we achieve is hurt feelings, seared consciences, barriers being built between the denominations, and worst of all, a really pathetic example set to the non-Christian. If they see us bickering all the time why on earth would they want to be a Christian? I know we need to thrash out sound doctrine but continuous arguing, and labelling denominations as heretical or whatever is getting us nowhere... and I have been a major stumbling block in this way. Can you all forgive me?? I am sorry for my words in the past.
Anyway I have in the past criticised the Hills folk... and even questioned where their eternal destiny lies... but do you know what, God really dealt with me on Friday... I had become so critical of Hills and others that it really embittered me (is that a real word?!) and I was even unable to sing certain songs... you know the Holy Spirit touched me and by the night rally it was like my heart was set free and I was able to really reach out and praise God... all the guys from church have commented that I even look like I've been released from something... I should point out, I am not a Hillsong Church member, I attend an AOG church in Parramatta, and I love it there.
I want to point out to everyone that I don't agree with every thing the Hillsong church has said or sung, but I have learnt to love them will do more good than continually criticise... when we argue with each other the way we have been on these boards we are pointing our guns at one another... what if we settled our differences, agree to disagree on some points and simply go after the powers of darkness and use all our ammo on the lost... bringing them into the kingdom. If we did that, I reckon there's half a chance our churches would swell... and I mean really swell.
Having spent the week at the conference I learnt something about the leaders there... they really do have a heart for building the CHURCH - not the Hills church but the CHURCH. Sure, I still wonder why they plant outreach plants when there are already AOG churches in those areas but honestly you can see the passion for JESUS (not Hillsong) that is in the faces and lives of their leaders. Spend an hour with Joel A-Bell and Phil Dooley, you'll see what i mean.
So far as the anointing thing goes... well I don't really know why EVERY person was anointed, we didn't really like that much but I tell you what, the Holy Spirit fell on me in the 'dome and I was crying before the Lord, and I tell you I wasn't the only person. God was in that, at least for some. And so far as Mr Costello... well I am not too keen on politicising the church but I never really got that impression... Pete is a Christian and I'm not against him being there... ok perhaps getting the man to speak might not have been necessary but honestly aren't there bigger issues than whether it's right for the Treasurer to attend and speak at a church... what if it was his church... would it still be wrong? Don't other churches get guest speakers from week to week?
As your fellow brother - whichever side of the Hillsong divide you are on - I urge us all to first and foremost pursue unity. Both sides have IMO been guilty of flaming the opponents and in the end all we achieve is hurt feelings, seared consciences, barriers being built between the denominations, and worst of all, a really pathetic example set to the non-Christian. If they see us bickering all the time why on earth would they want to be a Christian? I know we need to thrash out sound doctrine but continuous arguing, and labelling denominations as heretical or whatever is getting us nowhere... and I have been a major stumbling block in this way. Can you all forgive me?? I am sorry for my words in the past.
