The Purpose of Apostolic Insight

“To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly {places.}” Ephesians 3:8-10 NASB.

Over the years I have heard much speaking about the purpose of apostles. For some strange reason, I have not been impressed with too much charismatic teaching on it nor the cessationist view of the apostle being merely an establisher of doctrine and scripture writer. While being true,

My Testimony

Hey all. I’ve been wanting to share for quite some time my salvation experience and the testimony of my life that led up to it. Here you go.

Believe It Or Not
Some folks may have a difficult time with aspects of my salvation encounter with the LORD. All I can say is, “I’m sorry and it isn’t my fault.”

The Mystery of Resurection

“Now I say this, bretheren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God…”. 1 Cor. 15:50

I was struck by something this morning as I read 1 Corinthians 15.

Changing Things up a Bit

Hey all.
Long time no write.

Well, I’ve been wrestling with what to do with this thing. I started this whole thing to voice years of pent up frustration and did that with zeal and probably (okay, definitely) too much energy. In the process, the folks I most desired to impact were the most scared away and the least impacted.

But, I’ve been re-reading some old stuff and really don’t see the need to scrap it all, which is what I’ve actually thought of doing: just deleting the whole dang thing.
So I’m going to change the name of the blog from Hand Me A Scalpel. I don’t know what to call it yet; it’ll come when it does.
I think I’m going to start writting more about stuff I notice in the word rather than focusing on what everyone else is doing wrong. Not that those types of things will never come up, but I had a myopic focus for a while and just wanted to nail everyone who taught something stupid and make them and the followers of said stupid preachers to feel stupid. As someone pointed out to me once upon a time, that has nothing of a Pauline spirit to it. He blasted, if he had to, with a view to restoration and not just for the catharsis of having blasted.

I’m thinking this will be more along the lines of stuff that I get out of reading the bible, things that come to me in prayer time, observations at work, general musings and talking on different subjects as I feel so inclined. Perhaps this will have more of a “devotional reading” feel to it. I mean, shoot, what edifies your life more, Oswald Chambers, Spurgeons Day and Night devotions or Deception In The Church dot org? Be honest. It’s not that the latter has no place, but I’d rather find myself in the category of the former. Who can name the names of Chambers’ critics from his day? No one.
Who can name Spurgeons? No one. They are forgotten for good reason.
It’s not that I’m worried about being forgotten, but from an eternal perspective I’d like to know that what I’ve put out for public viewing is something that God can be glorified in, not my ability to shoot false doctrine and teachers full of holes with wit, humor and sarcasm. That, and I’d like for as little of my life to go up in smoke as possible on judgment day. No more wood, hay and stubble.

So that’s where I am.

Any suggestions for a new name? I’m not going to mail you a prize if I pick it…so you’ll get nothing out of in any real sense.

Grace and Peace in Jesus name,
mark jr.

A Life Changing Message

This message from Bob Gladstone was recently preached at FIRE Church and it is probably the most intense and transforming message I have ever heard. That says a lot considering that I’ve heard messages from Paris Reidhead (Ten Shekels and a Shirt), Duncan Campbell (When God Stepped Down From Heaven), Leonard Ravenhill (The Judgment Seat of Christ) and many from A.W. Tozer, not to mention other favorites who I don’t have time to mention (Art Katz anyone?).

In fact, I was so heavily impacted that I felt to share it with you all. It served many purposes: confirmation of recent years and their purpose, recent dealings of God regarding my mouth and inner disposition toward folks, things I’ve been seeing in the Bible lately and many more. It was convicting and encouraging all at once.

I really love this guy. I have been attending a class that he’s been holding on Wednessday nights on Apostolic Church and it has also been amazing. Don’t get your defenses up because you saw the word “apostolic” because when this man uses that word it is nothing like you’ve heard from anyone….except maybe Art Katz, but Bob seems to have a deeper understanding and ability to communicate these things. What impresses me most is that a lot of what is taking place in me has part to do with what I hear and understand and part to do with something actually being given of God in the hearing of this word (and word”s”) that is somehow strengthening me. I leave knowing I’m stronger, somehow, more confident in God. Not cocky, but….I don’t know, just a sense of God as God seems to come alive in me when I listen to this dude. I gotta see if I can’t start beeing around him more and picking his brain.

Anyhow, just wanted you to share the benefit in your own spirit that has come to me through this man.
The Lord bless and keep you,
mark jr.

Relief For Myanmar

I have just really been greived to find out what the Myanmar military has done. It’s an outrage, but you can still help.

I know a man named David Servant who runs an orphanage in Myanmar. He also trains pastors all over the globe in third world countries, especially in Africa where the prosperity gospel has hijacked true revivals.
If you would like to see a financial gift count for something, give to this cause. His orphanages are truly founded on Christ alone and these people need help more than ever.
Here’s a link.
Help Myanmar.

Do what you can, “according to what one has”. You’ll reap eternal and priceless rewards for this.

Thanks,
mark jr.

Romans 12:1

NASB: “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spritual service of worship.”

You Don’t Want To Miss This

I’ll just copy and paste what I just received in my inbox from ICN ministries, Dr. Michael Brown’s ministry that he’s run for decades.

Dear Friends,
We are pleased to announce that for a 24 hour period, from 6:00 AM May 5th until 6:00 AM May 6th, you will be able to watch a free webcast of the important debate between Dr. Michael Brown, Director of the Coalition of Conscience, and Mr. Harry Knox, Director of Faith and Religion for the Human Rights Campaign, on the topic of “A Christian Response to Homosexuality.” The Coalition of Conscience is a network of Christian leaders and believers working together for moral and cultural change through the gospel; the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is the world’s largest homosexual advocacy group.
This historic debate took place on February 14th at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center in Charlotte, NC with more than 300 in attendance. In February of 2007, Dr. Brown delivered a lecture series at the Blumenthal on “Homosexuality, the Church, and Society,” focusing on the work of the HRC on the final night. This drew a direct response from Joe Solmonese, president of the HRC, who publicly challenged Brown at the HRC’s fund-raising dinner in Charlotte. As a result of that public challenge, Dr. Brown suggested that both sides put the issues on the table in a mutually respectful way, leading to this year’s debate.
To view the webcast, go to www.revolutionnow.org and click on Watch the Brown-Knox Debate between 6:00 AM May 5th and 6:00 AM May 6th. This is an event you don’t want to miss!
For DVD copies of the debate, go to: http://store.icnministries.org/videoanddvds.html.
Blessings and grace,
The ICN Staff

Life

Wow, it’s April already. What a mad season it’s been lately.

The Much Awaited Ernie Gruen Interview

The boys over at The Greycoats have been in contact with Ernie Gruen and have asked him some very important and precise questions that need to be dealt with.
If you’re an adherent to IHOP then you owe it to yourself to view these things.

I recommend their recent post which has the above mentioned interview.

This isn’t done with animosity but a real desire for truth to be told. It really is neccessary. Try your hardest to NOT react to this and spill forth emotional defenses of a beloved ministry out of a knee-jerk reaction. Try actually reading the Gruen report and Bickle’s renunciation of Cain that you will find hyperlinked in the interview.

mark jr.