Comments on: Change - It's a jailbreak!

By: Richie Fresh

Richie Fresh — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 05:56:43 +0000

“Happiness alone only produces restlessness, because happiness disappears so easily. Happiness is tied to “happenings”, and it appears quickly and leaves quickly, like magic.” That is sooo amazing and true. I used to find “Happiness” in smoking pot and drinking alcohol and having sex and I thought I was set, but there was always a sense of emptiness. Then God found me. His Revolution changed my heart and “TRANSFORMED” me into the man I am today. Of course, I have a lot more growing to do, Also, I cannot just try and “ROCK” anybody with my newfound revolution. It takes time and faith to reach my destination, which is to become more like Christ, (or at least Keith McCallum). Which is why God laid down his word for us to grow stronger and have a sense of direction with our lives. Its like a snowball effect action, where the snowball gets started and rolls down a hill, gradually getting bigger and stronger. Just like the spirit, coming into my heart and gradually changing and making me stronger with the Lord.

By: Sins of the Past – NeoZine

Sins of the Past – NeoZine — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 19:36:24 +0000

[...] The Change [...]

By: Keith McCallum

Keith McCallum — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 18:21:31 +0000

And Kalie, I refined this somewhat, adding the section on “Spontaneous Expansion of the church” — and it hit me as I was writing it, we used to use the term “critical mass” years ago in Church Growth terminology to refer to a critical number of people you reach which necessitates splitting a church. These days I realize I’m using the term “Critical Mass” to refer to maturity and sanctification, as you point out. From my experience and observation, I think the latter definition of “Critical Mass” is more accurate, and closer to “Critical Mass”.

By: lbeech

lbeech — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 18:17:30 +0000

Fruit-bearing requires the will to fight because we live in such a dark world and our flesh is so ravenous. Every gain is a supernatural feat, and it’s exhausting sometimes–but fulfilling.

I have been trying to work through this issue of the will to fight . Sometimes the fight to persevere and to fight the good fight – just feels so bad – so exhausting. At times I feel so torn between priorites and goals. And yet in spite of this conflict within me, I must agree, the gains are so satisfying and nurturing.

Take for instance my children. So often I feel torn between meeting their genuine needs (homework help, hurt feelings, dinner, etc.) and preparing for ministry or going out to spend time in ministry. At times it seems like my family suffers. Seeing this apparent neglect weighs on my heart, exasperated – Is this all worth it screams out in my head. And then I pull back and I see that others suffer or their needs go unmet. (Geez, I sound so ego-centric)

So how does a person who loves and even thrives in service and ministering to others – zealously join and stay in the revolution, yet whose heart looks back in regret that someone’s need was seemingly overlooked and went unmet? How can such revolutionary zeal be maintained? Why would I feel so responsible when it is actually God’s work – not truly mine?

The step of faith that this requires seems great – but I am sure that is a perception from perspective of self dependence instead of clinging dependence upon the spirit. I must confess that of late I feel so pathetic and weak and just plain unable. I suppose that is the key.

I desire this change – this transformation of character and person that you write of – but I flounder in the midst of a weak will. Sometimes I just want to stop. How can someone build a lasting resolve and the sustained will to fight? If this joy that Christ had as he went to the cross is the key to such eagerness, how does one supplant their fleshly will with that of the Father’s.

Does any of this make sense?

By: Keith McCallum

Keith McCallum — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 18:16:58 +0000

Indre, I love it: “You HAVE to lay your life down.” May I steal some of your comment for the next installment?

Hehe Joe, you’re right, it’s quite a tome. It needs to be culled-over. But it is a real study, and I hope to use this as a framework for our series on the Ecclesia.

By: Joe

Joe — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 16:10:44 +0000

What a dense article. It took me like an hour to read through this. But, this is really cool. I’ve often wondered how (or if I could ever) to go from a punk to an older, wiser man of God who has the fiber to make people stand up and take notice.

By: Kalie

Kalie — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 15:36:12 +0000

"Change means having the power to win." This is such a good description and shows the connection to revolution. It’s so practical: when I think of the areas where I’ve changed, I see victory over old patterns of thinking and relating. When I look at the areas of my life where I want to be able to win with people, it’s because I (and they) need character change at the Permanent Love Values level.

Indre, it’s so true that we have to get our hands dirty to see real change. It’s really conflict, adversity, and suffering that bring about change and the opportunity for victory. And that requires close, sacrificial relationships.

By: Indre Howell

Indre Howell — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 13:06:04 +0000

"How does mythical change work?" you asked as concerning the quote from the book. Sometimes I get the impression that people are looking for that "change" without having to get their "hands dirty" by the active involvement in people’s messy lives. Developing relationships with people takes time and perseverance and prayer and patience and alot of sacrifice. Through all of this you do experience failure, but you also experience humility and the awesomeness of God – how He works in people’s lives, when "you’re sleeping". I have had periods in my life where I thought that if I just "sit" before the Lord, contemplate, experience Him, that that will accomplish the same thing. It doesn’t. You HAVE to lay your life down. It is a struggle to do so, each and every day – thank and praise God that He gave us the Holy Spirit to empower us to do so. The challenge is keeping focused on those priorities (God and people), and not getting swallowed up by the worries of the world. It is a fight. This change does not happen without a fight. When people are all fighting alongside of you – THAT is exciting. We absolutely need each other and we need to view it as a revolution. There is no other way.
PS Sorry for going on and on – it’s cathartic.