Monthly Archives: June 2008

Entering Heavenly Zones

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Just as a top sportsperson controls their mental, emotional and personal faculties to stay ‘in the zone’, so too Christians can take responsibility for the heavenly zones God has made available to us. This post discusses how we enter those heavenly zones and go through the open doors God has created for us.

I mentioned in the last post on this topic that God has given us a number of doorways into heavenly realities. We are: seated in heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 2:6); under his wings (Psalm 91:4); accessible to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16); accepted in the beloved (Ephesians 1:6); and able to run into the name of the Lord (Proverbs 18:10). There are more than that, and the most wonderful door we have is into God’s throne room.

King David taught that it is personally possible to choose to enter through the heavenly door into the ‘zone’ of God’s presence. He openly explained how it is done.

“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.” Psalm 100:4

We can choose to enter into God’s presence by thanksgiving and praise. We don’t have to stay in a place of fear or loneliness, when we can enter His gates and come into His courts.

David was so aware of our ability to take control of our inner state and thus to change the ‘zone’ we are in that he repeated a statement which shows how he did it.

“Why are you cast down, O my soul? and why are you disquieted in me? hope in God: for I will yet praise him for the help of his countenance. O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember you from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.” Psalm 42:5,6

Allow me to paraphrase what David is saying here. He recognises that his soul is downcast. He is feeling low. He is not ‘in the zone’ to be a man of faith or to be a champion. He is struggling internally. But rather than let his natural feelings call the shots, he chooses to change zone. He chooses to move into a heavenly zone where he can overcome these depressive feelings. He reminds himself; in fact he demands of himself, that he trust in God. He also chooses to praise God, confident that God is the real help he needs. He then explains to God that he is feeling low and says, “That’s why I am reminding myself of who You are”.

David understood that our natural state does not have to rule the day. When we remember who God is we can encourage ourselves in faith and step into God’s presence, finding His grace in our situation.

The Apostle Paul had a similar idea when he gave instructions to Timothy, telling him to “stir up the gift” that was in him (2Timothy 1:6). Paul practiced the choice of his zone when he was thrown into the dungeon in Philippi. There, denied liberty and justice, Paul and Silas sang songs of praise. They were able to enter into God’s presence, despite their natural circumstances. What resulted was a divine visitation of a miracle earthquake that set them all free, without endangering any of them. Salvations resulted.

The point of the lesson is this. You can choose the ‘zone’ in which you are living right now. You can allow circumstances to make you downcast or keep you distracted. Alternatively you can take responsibility for which door you enter into. You can press in to God’s presence, access heavenly blessings, “be there” in divine glories, and overcome natural circumstances. You can build yourself up, stir up your gifts, encourage yourself in the Lord, keep yourself in the love of God, remember who God is, call on His name, access the throne of grace and much more.

Are you ‘in the zone’? If not, then why not? You can do something about it. You can choose where you will spend the rest of this day. You can choose to move in to your spiritual inheritance, or to remain in a prison while the door is wide open.

Let’s be a people who are ‘in the zone’ of God’s presence, enjoying His best for His glory, all the time. Amen.

Ramon Lull, Missionary to Moslems

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This is the day that … Ramon Lull was stoned to death by a Muslim mob in North Africa, in1316.

He was born on the isle of Majorca, off the coast of Spain, in 1232. In teenage days he served as a courtier to the king of Aragon, and was educated as a knight. After a life of ‘utter immorality’ (to quote his own words), at the age of 30 he experienced a vision of “the Saviour hanging on the cross” and dedicated his life to God.

The composition of the “vain song” he was composing was now neglected as he gazed at that figure “in great agony and sorrow”. He penned a quaint verse:

Pardon I sought at break of day;

contrite and sad, I went straightway

my sins before the priest to lay.

(Bear in mind that this was 200 years before the Protestant Reformation).

Ramon Lull felt the call to missionary service almost immediately. But it was almost another 30 years before he boarded a ship bound for North Africa. By this time he had written a number of books – “the most voluminous author on record” (Man, Myth and Magic, volume 59)! There are volumes on grammar, politics, medicine, law, Antichrist, geometry, astrology, homiletics, theology – you name it, Ramon Lull seemed to have written on the subject. “Two hundred and forty of his books still survive”, although we know he wrote many, many more (Dictionary of the Christian Church, page 608).

And he had equipped himself for his missionary expedition by learning Arabic from a Moorish slave.

“Since Thou, O Lord, art ever ready to aid … how can any Christian fear to preach our holy faith to the infidels,” he wrote.

His biographer, E.A. Peers, states that the conversion of unbelievers “was the ruling passion of his life” (Fool of Love, page 28).

There were three missionary journeys: the first at about 60 years of age, when he was imprisoned and then expelled from the country; the second when he was 75, and again he faced imprisonment and then banishment; and the third when about 83! He even commenced writing a new book during the voyage (page 102)! This time he was stoned to death. Marcus Loane, in By Faith we Stand, gives the date as 30 June, 1315 (page 71). However, most books say 1316.

With all his curious beliefs (the Pope refused to canonise him because it was believed he practised alchemy), he can claim the title of “first missionary to the Moslems”. He was utterly devoted to the service of Christ.

This post is based on the work of my late friend Donald Prout whose love for books and Christian history led him to collate a daily Christian calendar. I continue to work with Don’s wife, Barbara, to share his life work with the world. I have updated some of these historical posts and will hopefully draw from Don’s huge files of clippings to continue this series beyond Don’s original work. More of Don’s work can be found at www.donaldprout.com.

Cursing the Roots

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Do you spend time pruning things in your life, only to have them grow back again? Are you struggling to deal with issues in yourself and our culture, without going to the roots? It’s time to rethink your strategy.

I have a laurel bush growing on my fence line. The neighbour is often frustrated by its virulent growth and I have to deal with it several times each year. One day, when I am ready to change the fence, I will get it dug out from the roots. But for now, as long as the root system remains, I have an on-going maintenance challenge.

And that’s how it is for many of our personal problems. We prune away the excesses and the worst elements of the problem, but we often leave the roots. Thus we must deal with the issues all over again.

Jesus once talked to a fig tree and cursed its roots. A short time later His disciples noticed that the tree was dead, having dried up from the roots. Jesus dealt a death-blow to the hapless tree, not by cutting back its branches, but by going straight to the source of the tree’s life.

We use the expression, the “root of the problem”, reflecting the same concept. When you have a problem you need to find the real root issue. The symptoms might mislead you. The real cause, the root may take quite some digging out. But unless you deal with the root system the problem will continue to shoot up again and again.

In my Steps to Release I advocate finding the real problem at hand. In order to best remove the problem it is ideal to find out what you are really dealing with, so the root of the issue can be dealt with and the problem resolved.

Your personal problems have roots. Pride is a root problem that leads to various results. We know that pride leads to destruction and a haughty spirit leads to a fall. Fear is a root problem that causes torment in people’s lives and leads them into slavery.

At the same time you need to keep in mind that social issues also have roots. Feminism, for instance, is anchored in fear. Materialism has roots in insecurity and lust. I recall one observer suggesting that the root issue behind the ‘get fit’ mania that has taken the western world is actually ‘fear of death’. People are desperate to maintain health, out of their fear of ageing and death.

For those of you engaged in confronting evil in the broader context, make sure you seek God for wisdom about the root systems that nourish that thing. Don’t waste your time pruning branches, when you have the authority and power to curse the roots.

Samuel Crowther as God’s Slave

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This is the day that … Samuel Crowther was consecrated as a bishop, in 1864.

Adijah was 13 years of age, a black boy living inland near the west coast of Africa, when the slave traders attacked. He never saw his father again, and it would be 25 years before he was to again meet his mother … and lead her to Christ. But I’m getting ahead of the story.

At the age of 14 he was crammed into a Portuguese slave ship, chains around his neck, with 186 others, bound for South America.

But 14 years previously, in 1807, Britain had abolished the slave trade and the British Navy was out to enforce the law. The Portuguese trading vessel was captured by a British man-of-war – and young Adijah was free again. In Liberia he was cared for in a Church Missionary Society home, and was truly converted. At his baptism he was given a new name – Samuel Crowther, the name of a C.M.S. pioneer. And it was here he met Asano, also a freed slave, whose name was changed to Susanna, who later became his wife.

Eventually Samuel Crowther was ordained in the Church of England (1843), and on this day, in 1864, he was consecrated as bishop of the new African diocese. This red-letter day took place in Canterbury Cathedral, and among those present was Admiral Leeke of the British Navy, who had rescued him from the Portuguese slave ship 42 years previously.

Back in Africa Bishop Crowther reached many inland tribes with the gospel, and there he found his mother. “Crowther’s mother was one of the first people in Abeokuta to be baptised a follower of Jesus Christ. The new name chosen for her by her son Samuel was Hannah …” (Saints Without Haloes, by L. Dox, page 95).

This “African St Paul”, as some have called him, evangelised and translated the Scriptures. His son, Dandeson Crowther, shared in the ministry. Dr A.T. Pierson, Spurgeon’s successor at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, wrote: “Wherever he went he brought and left a blessing, and no man perhaps did more than he for the elevation and salvation of his fellow countrymen” (Great Missionaries, by C. Creegan, page 140).

In his final years racism reared its ugly head among the C.M.S. leaders in England. They insisted that the Niger Mission was to be under “white supervision”. The pressure upon Crowther led to a “stroke and made him into a sick man”. He was in the midst of the conflict with the C.M.S. committee when he died on 31 December, 1891.

Of the half-a-dozen books dealing with Samuel Crowther scattered around me, only one mentions the sadness of his final years, The Missionaries, by G. Moorhouse, pages 284-286. Even Jesse Page in his 190-page biography of Samuel Crowther does not mention it.

This post is based on the work of my late friend Donald Prout whose love for books and Christian history led him to collate a daily Christian calendar. I continue to work with Don’s wife, Barbara, to share his life work with the world. I have updated some of these historical posts and will hopefully draw from Don’s huge files of clippings to continue this series beyond Don’s original work. More of Don’s work can be found at www.donaldprout.com.

I Believe in Home Schooling

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As I write this my wife is sitting at the dining table with my daughter working over some math questions. Not only are mother and daughter working together on the project, but mother is learning from her daughter – Hmmmmm.

It has been our delight to have each of our seven children taught at home, for at least part of their school experience. We have used a variety of programs and found that they all work in different ways. We have changed our focus over the years, worked through a variety of attitudes and ideas and found many benefits of learning and teaching in the home environment.

Home educating has been popularised, neglected, revamped and revitalised in various circles in the past two decades or so. Christian schooling has also been through various phases and iterations. From our perspective we have a great affection for teaching and learning within the home. We love the process, love the amazing academic results and love the lifestyle benefits which both children and parents get to enjoy.

Our two youngest children, both being home schooled for their entire academic life, at least until tertiary studies, are significantly ahead in measurable academic terms. They have achieved this with much less time investment than their peers are putting in within the formal schooling context. They have also had time and opportunity to meet amazing people, work on amazing projects, explore their talents and learn many domestic processes that make them increasingly valuable to our home life.

Both children love to cook and especially to experiment with recipes and ideas. They both love reading as well and have devoured fiction and non-fiction works alike. They enjoy making home-movies, writing plays, playing sport, learning new things, playing with lego, designing board games and so on. It is an absolute joy to have them as a vital part of our lives and to be a vital part of theirs.

If you are looking for a home-school advocate, you can count me in. We have met many families who employ one of the many home-schooling methods and we have been continually impressed with what we see. I encourage parents to give prayerful thought to the possibility of enriching their own lives and those of their children by bringing the education back into the home.

Allen Francis Gardiner to Tierra del Fuego

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This is the day that … Allen Francis Gardiner was born in 1794, in Berkshire, England.

After a reckless decade, from age 15 to 25, during which he forsook the Christian heritage his parents had given him, and during which time he had become an English naval officer, Gardiner was confronted by the claims of Christ, as an elderly lady – a friend of his mother’s – wrote to him and quoted John 3:7 – “Ye must be born again.”

This led to his conversion, and in the days that followed Captain Allen Gardiner sailed forth to South America to plant the gospel among the natives of Tierra del Fuego. From 1841 he tried to reach the natives, forming the Patagonian Missionary Society. His attempts to settle there were frustrated by the hostility of the natives. His final attempt, with six men persisted for about a year until he and his men died of exposure and starvation, Gardiner being 57 years of age.

As a result of his heroic example, the South American Missionary Society was born, and still carries on its evangelical work.

Charles Darwin visited Tierra del Fuego in December 1832 and determined that the natives of that land were more distant from humans than domesticated animals. He held little hope for their improvement. But in 1867 Darwin learned of the effective evangelistic work among the natives. Darwin was so impressed that he promptly commenced to support the South American Missionary Society for the remaining 15 years of his life.

This post is based on the work of my late friend Donald Prout whose love for books and Christian history led him to collate a daily Christian calendar. I continue to work with Don’s wife, Barbara, to share his life work with the world. I have updated some of these historical posts and will hopefully draw from Don’s huge files of clippings to continue this series beyond Don’s original work. More of Don’s work can be found at www.donaldprout.com.

Curriculum for Older Women

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Just a few days ago the thought crossed my mind that older women probably don’t know how to teach young women anymore. The Bible advocates that older women teach the younger women how to love their husbands, among other things.

“That they (older women) may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.” Titus 2:4,5

I don’t know of any individual older woman who is currently doing what Paul advised Titus to set up. I am sure there are many who are doing so, but I simply have not met any recently.

My musings floated on to the fact that an older woman who may wish to teach younger women would probably benefit from a curriculum for doing so. There must be a worthy scope and sequence that could be developed (or may have been developed) to empower women to instruct each other. If you know of such a curriculum please let me know.

In the absence of any such curriculum at my disposal I am tempted to give some thought to the issue and see what I am prompted to bring together into such a learning process. If I do get around to it I’ll be sure to let you know what I come up with.

Dr William Dodd, the Macaroni Parson

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This is the day that … the ‘Macaroni Parson’ died, in 1777.

Dr William Dodd was a Church of England clergyman … “one of the most popular and successful preachers of the 18th century” says his biographer.

The nickname ‘Macaroni Parson’ was given to him because of his dandyish dress – the kind of attire worn on the Continent. But even royalty flocked to hear him preach. He became chaplain to King George III.

His oratory, like his dress sense, was flamboyant, and his socialite connections included Thomas Gainsborough (who painted his portrait), the Countess of Huntingdon, Samuel Johnson and Johann Sebastian Bach.

He founded charities, wrote voluminously, edited The Christian’s Magazine (in which he attacked John Wesley’s ‘perfectionist’ teachings), penned a commentary on the Bible, and forged a cheque for four thousand pounds sterling, signing Lord Chesterfield’s name! Found out … Dodd was tried at Old Bailey, found guilty, and visited in prison by John Wesley.

Speaking of Dodd’s composure under sentence of death, Wesley wrote, “Such a prisoner I scarce ever saw before, much less such a condemned malefactor.”

Augustus Montague Toplady (author of the hymn Rock of Ages) paid a visit, as did William Romaine.

Lady Selina, Countess of Huntingdon, wrote Dodd “a long and almost unreadable letter.”

Samuel Johnson and his friends gathered 100,000 signatures on a petition to save Dodd’s life, but to no avail. On 27 June, 1777, William Dodd was hung at Tyburn – at the age of 49.

This post is based on the work of my late friend Donald Prout whose love for books and Christian history led him to collate a daily Christian calendar. I continue to work with Don’s wife, Barbara, to share his life work with the world. I have updated some of these historical posts and will hopefully draw from Don’s huge files of clippings to continue this series beyond Don’s original work. More of Don’s work can be found at www.donaldprout.com.

Heavenly Zones

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How would you like to be able to choose to be in God’s presence? How would you like to be able to step into heaven, even while you are buried in some heavy-duty workload, mess or upheaval? You can be “in the zone” of your own choosing, and that ‘zone’ can be the very throne-room of God.

We’ve discussed in previous posts on being “in the zone” how that we each have multiple zones to choose from. We have the ability, either by our own internal resolve, or by the use of external support measures, to switch from one zone to a better one.

It is as if we each live in a room with multiple doorways leading out of it. Most of the time we leave those doors closed and stay in the room that we find ourselves in. Our moods and the influences which sweep into our lives dictate what ‘zone’ we are in. Most of us are poor at the skill of changing our zone or pushing our way through different doorways out of where we are currently at.

Most of us have doors, even open doors in our life, which we never go through. Like having a ticket to the movies but never going. Like having an invitation to drop in to visit someone, but never making the effort. Like having family members we never take the time to talk and share with, because we are too preoccupied with our emotions, our challenges, our goals, or whatever. And isn’t that how it is for many people? Life slips past them, with gazillions of unexplored opportunities.

And that situation is just as real in terms of our spiritual experiences. There are ‘heavenly zones’ which we can enter into, some of them as doors which are wide open, yet which we never go through.

Salvation is one of those doors open to people. But many choose to press on in another zone, than in repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. So they do just about anything but enter that life-transforming zone of becoming a new creature through faith.

For those who are Christians a bunch of new doors are open, which they may never ever access. They may be ignorant of the possibilities or fearful of going somewhere new. Whatever the reason, they can be locked away from God’s best for them.

Pentecostal Healing Evangelist Harry Greenwood, an English preacher gifted in playing the tambourine (a skill he reluctantly demonstrated from time to time), wrote a series of short booklets which he gave away, entitled, “Letters to the Imprisoned Saints”. Significant about these books was the cover artwork, a man in a prison cell looking wistfully through the window bars, while there, in the background, it was clear to see that the prison door was wide open. If only the man had turned around he would have discovered he was already free. So that was the purpose of the booklets, to lead people into the freedom already purchased for them. [I heard Harry Greenwood preach and play the tambourine in Sydney in about 1972, and I worked on a book stall about that time where Harry’s books were available. I have a couple of the booklets in a box somewhere.]

So, what are the ‘heavenly zones’ which Christians can enter into? Well, here are a few to take note of. We are “seated in heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 2:6). Somehow we are actually connected to the heavens through Christ, even though we are living our natural life on earth. We also have access to the “throne of grace” (Hebrews 4:16). We are able to come boldly before God and ask for grace when we need it. We have a wonderful place of complete acceptance “in the beloved” (Ephesians 1:6). We can run in to the “name of the Lord” as our strong tower and place of shelter (Proverbs 18:10). We are able to be safe under God’s wings (Psalm 91:4).

On this last point, I recall the testimony I heard in the early 1970’s of a young woman walking home from a church meeting late one night. She heard footsteps behind her and quickened her pace. The footsteps also quickened and she ended up running in fear. She ran into a subway, hoping to find people on the train platform who could help her, but it was empty. She ran along the platform until there was nowhere to go. At that point, remembering what she had been taught about God’s protection she turned to face those chasing her and announced, “I’m covered in feathers!” Her assailants turned and ran away.

She had gone through a door, as it were, and accessed the protection that was hers, only because of the dire circumstances she was in. Otherwise she might never have discovered the powerful reality of a ‘heavenly zone’ available to her.

I’m going to leave this post here and yet I have more to say. Next time I want to show you how godly men in the Bible activated the process of switching heavenly zones. It’s something we can all do and it’s part of the life more abundant that is yours to enjoy as a Christian.

Philip Doddridge Speaking into Lives

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This is the day that … Philip Doddridge was born in 1702, the 20th child of a London tradesman.

“So feeble the spark of life that he was first laid aside as dead” – until a servant girl noticed a movement … and the child lived. Except for sister Elizabeth, all the other children did die in infancy.

By the age of 13 he was orphaned, and a prosperous gentleman named Downes became his self-appointed guardian. He grew up in a godly environment, both at home and school. “Although he could never tell when he was first conscious that Christ was his Saviour, he knew that he loved Christ and was in fellowship with Him…” (Life of Dr P. Doddridge, by H.J. Garland, page 14). He “openly confessed his Lord and joined the Church” (of England) on New Year’s Day, 1718.

The Duchess of Bedford offered to send him to university and pay all fees for his theological training. But by this time Philip Doddridge had swung to the non-conformists (those who did not ‘conform’ to the state church or ‘conform’ to the rules of the Prayer Book).

Thus it was that he became pastor of the Chapel Hill Congregational Church in Northampton for 22 years, during which time he opened an Academy where 200 young men were trained for the ministry. It is said that he had a student read to him, even whilst he was washing and shaving…” (Gospel in Hymns, by A. Bailey, page 66).

He married Miss Mercy Maris on 22 December, 1730 … and he wrote The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul, which is mentioned in the biographies of William Wilberforce, C.H. Spurgeon, Henry Martyn and Mary Slessor as having an influence upon their lives.

He wrote 364 hymns, many of which are still to be found, and used, to the present day. One of the best known is …

O happy day, that fixed my choice
on Thee, my Saviour and my God …

Others include :

Awake, my soul, stretch every nerve
And press with vigour on …

Hark the glad sound, the Saviour comes
The Saviour promised long …

O God of Bethel, by Whose hand
Thy people still are fed …

His hymns were usually written to be sung after his sermon, “given out by the presentor and sung a line at a time” (Life and Hymns of Doddridge, by H. Garland, page 30).

Philip Doddridge died in Lisbon, Portugal, on 26 October, 1751. Among his final words, spoken to Lady Huntingdon, were: “My tears are tears of joy. I can give up my country, my loved ones and friends into the hand of God; and as to myself, I can as well go to Heaven from Lisbon as from my own study in Northampton. I am more afraid of doing wrong than of dying” (ibid, page 53).

This post is based on the work of my late friend Donald Prout whose love for books and Christian history led him to collate a daily Christian calendar. I continue to work with Don’s wife, Barbara, to share his life work with the world. I have updated some of these historical posts and will hopefully draw from Don’s huge files of clippings to continue this series beyond Don’s original work. More of Don’s work can be found at www.donaldprout.com.