Serving God With a Soft Heart

-
0
Serving God With a Soft Heart

Christian Post Report – Jonah 4

  • Dr. Charles F. Stanley
    (Photo: In Touch Ministries)
    Dr. Charles F. Stanley (File).

What most people know about Jonah is that he was swallowed by a big fish while trying to run from God. In the creature’s belly, he committed to following the Lord’s will. So when Jonah was called a second time to preach repentance in Nineveh, he obeyed.

After the prophet obeyed, there was an unexpected turn of events. He crossed the city, warning the people of divine wrath—and they responded by turning away from wickedness. The Ninevites’ response should have made Jonah ecstatic. Instead, he grieved over their repentance and God’s mercy on them, as Nineveh and Israel were longtime enemies. In fact, he angrily told the Lord he had fled to Tarshish to avoid this very scenario of penitence and forgiveness.

Jonah was displeased because his heart was as hard as when he had run to Tarshish. Trapped inside the fish, he changed his mind about following the Lord’s command. He expressed willingness to do whatever God wanted him to do, but in his heart, he still desired the Ninevites’ destruction. Jonah’s bitterness and reluctance showed through in spite of his righteous actions.

God is not fooled by good behavior that springs from a hard heart. Obeying Him with an unwilling spirit may achieve His purpose, but we lose the joy of our reward. Perhaps the Lord has called you to serve Him in a way that is personally challenging. As you commit to following His will, pray also for a soft heart. You will find peace and blessing in doing the work if you follow Him without hesitation.

Used with permission from In Touch Ministries, Inc. © 2015
All Rights Reserved.

Source : Christian Post

Man Beheaded, Several Hurt in ‘Islamic Attack’ at Factory in France; It Could Be ‘Terrorist Attack’

-
0
Man Beheaded, Several Hurt in ‘Islamic Attack’ at Factory in France; It Could Be ‘Terrorist Attack’
Christian Post Report -According to AFP, the suspected attacker entered the factory and set off small explosive devices. A decapitated body was also reportedly found near the factory and the head, according to local media, was “found hanging on the fence of the Company enclosure.”

“According to the initial findings of the enquiry, one or several individuals on board a vehicle drove into the factory. An explosion then took place,” said one source to the AFP.

“The decapitated body of a person was found nearby the factory but we do not yet know whether the body was transported to the place or not,” added the source, who noted that a “flag with Arabic writing on it was found on the scene.”

 Sources close to the investigation of the incident say a man thought to be the person who carried out the attack, which occurred around Christian Post Report – 10 a.m. local time, has been arrested.

Eric Coquet, a businessman from Vege France, with a company located near the scene of the attack, told The Local that he only heard the explosion.

“We didn’t see anything, but we heard the explosion. It was like a lorry backfiring. People here are not really scared, but they are shocked that something like this could happen just round the corner,” he said.

“The police are everywhere; it looks like they are still searching for people. The anti-terror unit is also here and the interior minister is on his way. We haven’t been told that we have to stay inside,” he added.

Benedicte Paviot, a French commentator, told Sky News: “It seems we may be dealing with a terrorist attack that is not at all confirmed yet by the French authorities.”

In Islamic attacks carried out by two brothers that began with a shooting at satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo and lasted for three days in January, some Christian Post Report – 17 people were killed.

Twelve of them died at the magazine office while a policewoman and four hostages in a Jewish supermarket were also killed.

WATCH A LIVE FEED FROM SKY NEWS BELOW: 

http://news.sky.com/watch-live

Source : Christian Post

‘I’m So So Sorry,’ Says Billy Graham’s Grandson Tullian Tchividjian After Affair Scandal

-
0
‘I’m So So Sorry,’ Says Billy Graham’s Grandson Tullian Tchividjian After Affair Scandal

Tullian Tchividjian (Photo: Liberate.org screen grab)

Christian Post Report – Tullian Tchividjian, founder of Liberate.org and senior pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Tullian Tchividjian, a grandson of prominent evangelical preacher Billy Graham, who resigned as lead pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Florida Sunday after confessing to an “inappropriate” relationship, continued to vent online Wednesday with at tweet declaring “I’m so, so, sorry.”

“I’m so so sorry. I love you all … fade to black,” Tchividjian noted in a Tweet Wednesday.

Tchividjian’s former church announced this week that in light of the scandal, the annual LIBERATE conference which he normally led would be canceled and those who had signed up for it already would be refunded registration fees. The LIBERATE website is also closed temporarily.

“Considering pastor Tullian’s recent resignation as senior pastor of CRPC after admitting moral failure, and his subsequent statement and actions, it is with heavy hearts that our church leadership has come to the conclusion to temporarily close LIBERATE,” said a message on the website.

“This includes cancellation of the 2016 conference, for which registration fees will be fully refunded,” it continued.

“Coral Ridge very much believes in the message of God’s ‘Good News’ of grace to a broken and burned out world. It is our desire that the LIBERATE message will endure through loyal readers and followers like you, who continue to proclaim to individuals around the world in desperate spiritual need that Jesus lived, died, and rose again to ‘set the captives free’ (Luke 4:18),” it further added.

Contact: [email protected]; follow me on Twitter @leoblair

Source : Christian Post

‘Duck Dynasty’ Stars Impart Marital Advice to John Luke, Welcome Mary Kate to the Family Ahead of Wedding

-
0
‘Duck Dynasty’ Stars Impart Marital Advice to John Luke, Welcome Mary Kate to the Family Ahead of Wedding

'Duck Dynasty' (Photo: A&E)

Christian Post Report – A photo taken from the season eight premiere of “Duck Dynasty” on A&E.

“Duck Dynasty” returned to A&E on Thursday revealing how the Robertson family is preparing for the wedding between John Luke and his fiancée Mary Kate McEacharn this Saturday, June 27.

The new season of the popular reality series kicked off with an engagement party for John Luke and Mary Kate, who got engaged on John Luke’s 19th birthday last October and are now just days away from their wedding. In the new episode entitled “Grooming the Groom,” the Robertson family hosts Mary Kate’s family for the engagement party, which included games, a prayer before dinner and gift-opening.

“It’s a celebration for the whole family,” said John Luke’s mother Korie Robertson.

During the season premiere, John Luke also set out on a golfing trip with his father Willie Robertson as well as uncles Jep and Jase who imparted marital advice. Jep was the first to chime in, suggesting “sensual oils” before Willie interrupted him.

Over at Jep and Jessica Robertson’s house, Mary Kate received her own bits of marriage advice during the “Duck Dynasty” season premiere, including instruction on Robertson family patriarch Phil’s famous crawfish etoufee – a Cajun and Creole dish typically served with rice and shellfish.

“Well Mary Kate, I’m glad that you’re going to be the next addition to the Robertson clan,” said Phil. “What better way to start than learning how to cook my famous crawfish etouffee?”

Surrounded by Robertson wives, Mary Kate also learned that food is an important part of life for the family in West Monroe, Louisiana.

“If you’re a Robertson woman and you don’t know how to cook, you’re going to be ridiculed and teased for the rest of your life,” said Jessica Robertson.

Later, Jase’s wife Missy explains that marrying into the Robertson family, which operates the Duck Commander business, is “always an adventure.”

“Being married to a Robertson man is not always romantic, but it is always an adventure,” said Missy. “And the truth is romance can be nice, but it does not compare to a truly loving and committed lifelong marriage with the man you love.”

“Duck Dynasty” airs on A&E Thursdays at 9:30 p.m. ET. Watch a clip from the season premiere here.

follow me on Twitter @emmakoonse

Source : Christian Post

Bobbi Kristina Brown Lawsuit Claims Boyfriend Nick Gordon ‘Knocked Out’ Teeth, ‘Dragged’ Her By The Hair Before Bathtub Incident

-
0
Bobbi Kristina Brown Lawsuit Claims Boyfriend Nick Gordon ‘Knocked Out’ Teeth, ‘Dragged’ Her By The Hair Before Bathtub Incident

Cissy Houston and Bobbi Kristina Brown (Photo: Reuters/File)

Christian Post Report – Cissy Houston and Bobbi Kristina Brown (R) attend the opening night of ”The Houstons: On Our Own” in New York October 22, 2012.

The family of late singer Whitney Houston’s daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown, has filed a lawsuit against her boyfriend Nick Gordon, who they claim physically and emotionally abused the actress and stole from her prior to her being found unresponsive in a bathtub on Jan. 31. Yesterday, Brown’s aunt announced that she has been taken off life support and is currently under hospice care.

Bedelia Hargrove, Brown’s court-appointed conservator, filed a civil complaint against Gordon in Georgia’s Fulton County Superior Court on Wednesday.

“I filed this lawsuit to pursue justice on behalf of Bobbi Kristina Brown. No human being, male or female, should endure what Bobbi Kristina endured,” Hargrove said in a statement.

“Pat Houston and Bobby Brown [Brown’s Aunt and Father] have done all they can to take care of Bobbi Kristina since this terrible tragedy occurred … This lawsuit represents our collective efforts to get justice for Bobbi Kristina. We pray that justice will be done for her and that it will be swift.”

The lawsuit claims Brown, 22, had complained about Gordon to a friend prior to being found on Jan. 31 and that she made arrangements to meet with the person to discuss her relationship woes but never showed up.

“Brown had confided to someone that [Gordon] was not the man she thought he was and set up a time on January 31, 2015 to meet with this person to further discuss this revelation,” the complaint states. “[She] however, never made it to the meeting. Instead, on the morning of January 31, 2015, Brown became embroiled in a loud argument with [Gordon] at her townhome.”

Following the altercation, Brown, who is the only biological child of the late Whitney Houston, was allegedly found unconscious in a bathtub by Gordon at her Roswell, Georgia, home just outside of Atlanta.

“The loud argument ended and Brown was later found unresponsive and unconscious, face down in a bathtub, with her mouth swollen and another tooth knocked out,” the complaint alleges.

He is accused of assaulting the socialite on multiple occasions by “punching her in the face, knocking out a front tooth, and dragging her upstairs by the hair.”

Earlier this year, Gordon denied assault allegations in an interview with talk show host Dr. Phil McGraw.

“I would never hurt anybody,” Gordon said.

There are also accusations of theft allegedly occurring after Brown was found unconscious, with the complaint stating: “Even after Brown’s hospitalization, and while she was in a coma, [Gordon] accessed Brown’s bank accounts) and stole in excess of $11,000 from Brown’s bank account(s).”

In addition, there are claims of battery with the plaintiff saying Gordon “engaged in and caused unwanted, harmful and offensive bodily contact to Brown.”

The lawsuit is seeking a minimum of $40 million in damages.

Police in Roswell have reportedly turned over the case to Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard amid concerns of “foul play” among Brown’s family members.

On June 24, Pat Houston said Brown is now under hospice care, nearly five months after she was found unresponsive.

“Despite the great medical care at numerous facilities, Bobbi Kristina Brown’s condition has continued to deteriorate,” Bobbi’s aunt said in a statement released on June 24. “As of today, she has been moved into hospice care. We thank everyone for their support and prayers. She is in God’s hands now.”

In 2012 Bobbi’s mother, Whitney, was found dead in a hotel bathtub in Beverly Hills.

Email me: [email protected]
Connect with me on Twitter: @MzBenge

Source : Christian Post

Brandy Talks Renewed Faith in God After Overcoming Depression

-
0
Brandy Talks Renewed Faith in God After Overcoming Depression

Brandy (Photo: Danny Moloshok/Reuters)

Christian Post Report – Singer Brandy introduces a tribute to Whitney Houston during the VH1 Divas 2012 show in Los Angeles, December 16, 2012.

One year after spiraling into a state of depression, R&B singer and actress Brandy Norwood, says she now has a renewed sense of faith in God.

The entertainer known as Brandy,36, says she has a new outlook on life now that she has landed the role of Roxie Hart in the Broadway play, “Chicago”. She spoke to NewYork.com about moving past the state of depression she was in with the help of God.

“People would never guess the dark space that I was in about a year ago and how long I was sad and depressed. Long story short: I cried out for help and the decision followed to be the best version of myself,” she recalled. “I then did the work spiritually, mentally and physically and saw my old life disappear. Chicago presented itself to me and I then stepped into my dream.”

Brandy is glorifying God now that she is “wide awake” and believes He was preparing her for something special before she secured the role of Roxie Hart.

“When Chicago presented itself, I knew that this was the ‘something’ that God was preparing me for,” Brandy told Newyork.com. “I was very nervous because it was an unknown territory but I kept hearing in my spirit, ‘God wouldn’t put something in front of you that you couldn’t do.'”

The singer recalled having to overcome disappointment with her career which led her to lose faith in herself and God.

“At the end of the day, I stopped believing in myself and I started to lose faith in God and what he blessed me with. I stopped believing,” she revealed. “Now, I’m dreaming again and I believe that any and everything is possible. It took a while for me to get to this place, but I’m here now and I’m never going to stop believing ever again.”

Brandy further explained that she hopes to be a source of inspiration for others with her newfound belief.

“I know who I am and what I am here to do and I know that God is always with me, for me, and rooting for me,” she told Newyork.com. “That’s enough to inspire the world.”

Last year Brandy appeared on “Oprah: Where Are They Now,” to speak with the 61-year-old media mogul about her life. She recalled the fatal car accident in 2006 which resulted in her accidentally killing a woman while behind the wheel.

“You never wake up thinking that…today’s the day that something like this would happen,” Brandy told Oprah. “Being involved in something that tragic and I couldn’t believe it and I don’t like to think about it because I don’t think that is something I could ever get over or truly understand, but that was one of the worst times of my life.”

Brandy admitted however that she strengthened her faith in God after the accident.

“I realized that God is real because I had no one else to depend on,” the singer revealed. “So, I did a lot of speaking to God, a lot of praying and a lot of journaling.”

When her good friend and fellow singer Whitney Houston died in 2012, Brandy told Oprah that it was also another tragic moment in her life that impacted her spiritually and now believes the singer is one of her angels.

“Whitney and I were very close. I couldn’t accept the fact that she was no longer here,” she said. “..She’s definitely one of my angels.”

follow me on Twitter @CAThomasos

Source : Christian Post

United Methodist Body’s Support for Pro-Gay Petition Saying Homosexuality Is Part of ‘God’s Creation’ Won’t Influence Church’s Ban, Say Theological Conservatives

-
0
United Methodist Body’s Support for Pro-Gay Petition Saying Homosexuality Is Part of ‘God’s Creation’ Won’t Influence Church’s Ban, Say Theological Conservatives
  • United Methodist Church
    (Photo: UMNS/Mike DuBose)
    Protesters for greater inclusivity in The United Methodist Church stand in silent vigil just outside the bar of the denomination’s 2012 General Conference on May 3, 2012, in Tampa, Fla.

Christian Post Report – Conservative members of the United Methodist Church have expressed doubt that a recently approved petition from a local state body of the denomination will influence a change in the Church’s position against homosexuality.

During the weekend, a majority of the delegates at the UMC Virginia Annual Conference voted in favor of a petition calling for the denomination to change its position on homosexuality.

Known as Petition 14, the measure called for the striking of language in the UMC Book of Discipline that describes homosexuality as “incompatible with Christian teaching.”

Keith Boyette, pastor at Wilderness Community Church of Spotsylvania and attendee of the annual conference, told The Christian Post that the petition was typical of previous unsuccessful efforts “repeatedly made over past years from different areas of The United Methodist Church.”

“Adoption of the petition by the Virginia Conference does not change the position of The United Methodist Church. Only the general conference, which will meet in May of 2016, can do that,” said Boyette.

“Petition 14 also does not address other language contained in our Book of Discipline which continues to prohibit self-avowed practicing homosexuals from being certified as candidates for ministry. … [It] also does not address language in our Book of Discipline that prohibits United Methodist pastors from conducting ceremonies which celebrate homosexual unions or performing same-sex unions, or for such ceremonies from occurring within United Methodist facilities.”

Boyette also told CP that there were thousands of petitions filed for general conference and that will include others passed in support of the current Discipline language.

Boyette was one of five people at the annual conference who spoke against Petition 14; five others spoke in support.

Over the weekend lay and clergy representatives from across the Commonwealth gathered at Roanoke for the annual conference. Petition 14 was one of many measures that attendees voted on during the multi-day gathering of the UMC.

Submitted by Mark Ogren and W. Clark Williams Jr., Petition 14 called for the striking of the language in the Discipline that called homosexuality “incompatible with Christian teaching.”

The petition claimed, among other things, that the Bible’s prohibition on homosexual activity was “bound by historical context and not God’s Will for all time.” And that homosexuality was an immutable characteristic of a human being, thus being “part of God’s creation.”

Petition 14 passed with 989 ayes to 868 nays, as well as 40 abstentions. Regarding the vote, Virginia UMC Bishop Young Jin Cho released a statement regarding the process behind the vote.

“I want you to know that this vote took place in the midst of honest debate and prayerful discernment. Throughout it all, the expressed will of all participants was that we might know God’s will for our church at this time,” stated Cho.

“I know the results of this action will be received with widely varied responses. But whatever those responses, what has not changed is that we are a people who share a common heritage and a common ministry in Christ Jesus.”

Regarding Petition 14’s success, Mark Tooley, president of the Institute on Religion & Democracy, told CP that the effect it will have on next year’s general conference will be “none.”

“The petition reflects a sad desire to abandon biblical teaching in favor of conforming to secular culture,” said Tooley, who called measures like Petition 14 “routine.”

“Overall, the results from elections of general conference delegates across the country, together with overseas delegations, indicate the likely reaffirmation of current church policy.”

Source : Christian Post

‘Gospel of Barnabas’ That Claims Judas Was Crucified Instead of Jesus Is a ‘Fake,’ Says Coptic Patriarch Tawadros

-
0
‘Gospel of Barnabas’ That Claims Judas Was Crucified Instead of Jesus Is a ‘Fake,’ Says Coptic Patriarch Tawadros

A 200-year-old bible was recently returned to a church in England with a note from the thief, who stole (Photo: Reuters/Stephanie McGehee)

Christian Post Report – A 200-year-old bible was recently returned to a church in England with a note from the thief, who stole the Holy Book 42 years ago and said he wanted to return it to clean his guilty conscience.

Coptic Patriarch Tawadros II has said that the disputed “Gospel of Barnabas,” a document that claims that Judas Iscariot was crucified in the place of Jesus, and that Christ predicted the coming of the prophet Muhammad, is a “fake” and the work of a “forger.”

Fides News Agency reported on Friday that Tawadros said that the text, written in Syriac on animal hide, is “a book full of historical and geographical errors, the work of a forger.”

Turkish authorities discovered the text in May 2012 in the building of Justice in Ankara, and claimed that it is 1,500-2,000 years old and was written by St. Barnabas, a disciple who became a Christian after Pentecost.

The “Gospel of Barnabas,” as the text was dubbed, made international headlines back in 2012, with some Islamic voices predicting that it will trigger the “collapse of Christianity.”

“God has hidden himself as Archangel Michael ran them (Adam and Eve) out of heaven, (and) when Adam turned, he noticed that at the top of the gateway to heaven, it was written ‘La elah ela Alla, Muhammad rasool Allah (Allah is the only God and Muhammad his prophet),'” Iranian newspaper Basij Press claimed in 2012.

“The discovery of the original Barnabas Bible will now undermine the Christian Church and its authority and will revolutionize the religion in the world,” it added.

The document also makes other allegations that contradict Christianity, such as the claim that Jesus ascended to heaven alive as a prophet, and not as the Son of God.

Christian scholars have dismissed the text, however, arguing that it’s a forgery.

“If the document was written in the fifth of sixth century, it couldn’t very well have been written by someone who was traveling with St. Paul about 400 years earlier,” Catholic World News editor Phil Lawler said back in 2012.

“It must have been written by someone who was claiming to represent St. Barnabas. Should we accept that claim? Another good question.”

The Vatican Insider has also concluded that the document is most probably a “hoax,” and pointed out multiple historical inaccuracies. It also warned that the text is bound to cause problems among Christian-Muslim communities.

“This extraordinary discovery is probably a hoax, the work of a forger who, according to some, could have been a European Jewish scholar from the Middle Ages,” it wrote in April 2012.

“Unfortunately, despite the fact that doubts and questions concerning the gospel were well-known, many Islamic media organisations have reported the gospel’s statements on Jesus’ predictions regarding Muhammad as if they were fact, something which will certainly cause problems at a ground-roots level, in terms of relations between Christian and Muslim communities, especially if the latter do not have a high level of education,” the Vatican’s newspaper added.

Source : Christian Post

ISIS Video Shows Jihadists Drowning Caged Prisoners in Swimming Pool; New Invasion of Kobane Kills 50

-
0
ISIS Video Shows Jihadists Drowning Caged Prisoners in Swimming Pool; New Invasion of Kobane Kills 50

<b>Christian Post Report</b> – Seven minute long ISIS video from June 2015 shows five men in orange jumpsuits being drowned inside a cage.” title=”<b>Christian Post Report</b> – Seven minute long ISIS video from June 2015 shows five men in orange jumpsuits being drowned inside a cage.” name=”jpg” src=”http://images.christianpost.com/full/84609/seven-minute-long-isis-video-from-june-2015-shows-five-men-in-orange-jumpsuits-being-drowned-inside-a-cage.jpg” class=”imgPhoto” width=”550″ height=”450″ /> <small class=(Photo: Islamic State video screencap)

Christian Post Report – Seven minute long ISIS video from June 2015 shows five men in orange jumpsuits being drowned inside a cage.

Terror group ISIS has released a 7-minute long video in which jihadists are seen executing prisoners in a number of different ways, with one group locked inside a cage and drowned in a swimming pool. ISIS has also reportedly attacked the Syrian city of Kobane again, killing 50 people in the area.

ISIS, which is famous for its beheading videos, this time recorded a group of five men in orange jumpsuits being slowly lowered by a crane in what looks like a swimming pool. Underwater cameras show the ordeal in full, with the helpless men unable to find a way out.

The terror group had forced confessions from the victims, getting them to admit that they are spies for the Iraqi government.

Back in February, ISIS burned alive Jordanian fighter pilot Moaz al-Kasasbeh inside a cage, though later claimed the pilot was heavily sedated before being set on fire.

The newly released propaganda video also shows other executions, with seven men tied together by a chain of explosives, which is then detonated. Another prisoner is seen locked inside a car, which is then blasted with a rocket-propelled grenade.

The Islamic militants have been terrorizing both Iraq and Syria, where they have captured significant territory.

BBC News reported that ISIS has also attacked Kobane, despite being driven out of the city back in January. It hit Kurdish defenders with two car bombs, leaving 30 people dead, while another 20 were reportedly killed in a nearby village.

“Kobane still matters to IS. It was never important strategically, but this latest attack shows that its loss, after five months of heavy street-to-street fighting and coalition aerial bombardment, still hurts IS,” said Quentin Sommerville, BBC Middle East correspondent.

“Thursday’s assault is a reminder, too, that IS, despite recent losses in the area, is still very much active and capable of offensives. Overnight they also attacked Hassakeh to the east, a far bigger prize.”

Close to 500,000 people live in Hassakeh, which is the largest city in northeastern Syria.

ISIS’ defeat in the battle for Kobane in January was seen as a major victory for the Iraqi government and militia groups.

“Today we received the news of liberation of defiant Kobane. I congratulate all people of Kurdistan. … This is the victory of humanity over the barbaric terrorists. … It is an honor for people of Kurdistan to face the most evil terrorist organization … and defeat it,” Kurdistan’s presidency said back then.

ISIS has continued amassing foreign troops which have kept its forces strong, and has also looked to expand into other countries, such as Libya.

Source : Christian Post

Jesus People Reunion Gives Intimate Look at ‘Old Music Pioneers’ and Their Love for Each Other

-
0
Jesus People Reunion Gives Intimate Look at ‘Old Music Pioneers’ and Their Love for Each Other

Jesus People (Photo: Courtesy of Bob Ortiz)

Christian Post Report – Musical pioneers who were at the forefront of the Jesus People Movement in the ’60s and ’70s performed a half-day long reunion concert held Saturday, June 13, 2015, at Calvary Chapel Pacific Coast.

WESTMINSTER, Calif. — Musical pioneers who were at the forefront of the Jesus People Movement in the ’60s and ’70s performed a half-day long reunion concert held at Calvary Chapel Pacific Coast. While some may have hoped for a revival in a more public sense, the event transformed into an intimate look at a family of virtuosos who love Jesus, each other, and their ministries.

Legendary rock and blues vocalist and harmonica player, Darrell Mansfield, told this reporter before the Jesus People Reunion concert began that perhaps this is what God wanted all along. Jesus might not be so much interested in a revival on some grandiose scale, but on a personal level with each of us individually.

“To me this is a high school reunion and Jesus,” Mansfield explained. “I spent so many years touring with these men and women of God that serve the Lord. I have a lot of great memories — globe trotted over the whole world. To be here is a blessing.”

Throughout the day, pastor Oden Fong of the group Mustard Seed Faith, who had the vision for the event, could be seen catching up with old friends, sharing stories and chuckles.

“Our mission was simply a family get together of both the artists and the people whom we have loved and ministered to throughout the years, but especially during that time between 1970 and 1980,” Fong said at the event, which was held on June 13. “The visible Jesus People Movement probably was more around 1965 to 1975. It was a powerful move of the Holy Spirt; a true revival of souls.”

He added, “We did not care about the size of the event, rather the spirit of the event. We wanted a reminder of what our faith is all about, which is Jesus! So, in that respect, the mission was completely accomplished.”

Fong said friends such as Mansfield, Dennis Agajanian, Bryan Duncan, members of Sweet Comfort Band, and other “old music pioneers” could show “our battle scars and laugh about them.”

“It was much like old soldiers who have gone through the same war and talk about the many battles they experienced and lived to tell about them,” he said. “The people who came stayed all through the many hours and enjoyed their fellowship with one another as well as the music which was at once familiar to them.”

Jesus People (Photo: Courtesy of Bob Ortiz)

Christian Post Report – Musical pioneers who were at the forefront of the Jesus People Movement in the ’60s and ’70s performed a half-day long reunion concert held Saturday, June 13, 2015, at Calvary Chapel Pacific Coast.

Fong felt that a full-church attendance (about 1,000) along with 15,000 viewers of the live webcast “without any advertisement except for Facebook and word of mouth, reveals that God really brought the whole thing together and accomplished many different things through the event.”

He said it also revealed that there are people who “never get out anymore who are watching and listening.”

“I want to see more ministry take place using this information, perhaps an investment in streaming Bible studies and classic Jesus music online at certain times of the day. The artists of my generation have very few places to minister any more, but they still have a lot of spirit fuel in their tanks,” Fong revealed.

“As the 21st century church is looking and turning toward the youth. The world and the church will belong to the younger generations (as it should be). What I want to see is the younger receiving from the elders. How can we help to facilitate a bridge of mentoring between generations? If there is no bridge, the church may resemble a movie prop — beautiful on the outside but nothing of true Spirit behind it.”

Perhaps others today can experience what Mansfield said he experienced as a “hippy” going to hear Calvary Chapel and Jesus Movement founder Chuck Smith.

“I got to church and pastor Chuck was sitting on a stool and he was going (singing) ‘Happy, happy, happy, happy are the people, God is Lord, happy. And I’m going (thinking) ‘this dude is on acid, man. These guys are all loaded. Don’t tell me … Laguna Beach ain’t too far from here, man. They got sunshine, acid going around; look at these barefoot … aw, there’s no way. Yeah, you’re happy, how many tabs of acid did you take?’ That was my first experience of Chuck Smith in 1969,” Mansfield said.

Then, at another service led by Smith in 1970, more was revealed to him. Instead of clapping at the end of each song, those in attendance pointed skyward, toward Jesus.

“I thought these people are really cool. It’s not about them. It’s about Jesus. These people are for real. That just blew me away,” he said.

Source : Christian Post

1...3,3663,3673,368...3,893Page 3,367 of 3,893