Roger

During Spring Break 1975, I traveled by bus with 80 other students and professors from Evangel University and Central Bible College in Springfield, Missouri to central Mexico, where for one week we witnessed several healing miracles.   It was during that time God spoke to me that my journalism major, in conjunction with my Biblical Studies minor, would set me on a course of lifetime ministry. Our journey took us to Sabinas Hidalgo, a tiny village located in a remote mountainous area.  Dogs ran wild in the streets and beggars swarmed us, for we were “rich Americans.”  High stone walls topped with rolled barbed wire turned homes into compounds.  One or two wealthy homes stood on the outskirts in stark contrast to the gross poverty of the village.   These precious people had no electricity, no in-door plumbing, or running water, no doctors, thread-bare clothing and the same diet -- tortillas, cacti and occasional goat.  Yet, they smiled.  What they h...

Have you ever been around negative people?  You know, people like “David and Debbie Downer!”  Their glass remains half-empty. They live to whine.  Nothing’s ever good enough. And they spend their time looking for the worst in others.  They are the ultimate critics, who when others see them coming on the sidewalk, quickly cross the street.  And of course, “birds of feather flock together!” Their best friends are “Negative Nellie” and “Gloomy Gus.” Norman Vincent Peale was an American minister and author known for his work in popularizing the concept of positive thinking, especially through his best-selling book, “The Power of Positive Thinking.”  His life’s work was based on the premise, “Change your thoughts and you change your world.” He is hailed as the “father of positive thinking,” who through his writing and speaking shared his famous formulas of faith and optimism. Many today still accept as truth Dr. Peale’s simple and effective philosophies abo...

As you recall, last week I introduced my concerns surrounding the prophetic ministry.  Today, I wish to point out 17 principles/teachings/warnings that I believe should guide prophetic emphasis in the Church.  People often speak out of their soul instead of by the Spirit of God.  I call them “Pentecostal Well-Wishers.”  The man who prophesied to me about my dying mother fit into this category.  He meant well, however, his best intentions were mis-led.  He wanted to see my mom healed, but allowed his emotions to override what the Spirit was really saying. And, if individuals have broken, unhealed areas in their soul -- mind, will and emotions -- they are likely to speak through those areas.  Beware!  God, of course, uses imperfect vessels to speak in today’s Church; however, we dare not filter the intended message through wounded emotions.  In the past, when I preached through anger, everyone suffered!  Love has to be the motivating force...

I believe in the prophetic ministry. You’d think this would be a foregone conclusion for a man of my theological persuasion -- Pentecostal (although I dislike labels).  However, I have struggled with the Church’s sometimes over the top teachings on the prophetic during the past 25 years.   Can I be honest with you?  I never heard the phrases, “Prophetic Word” or “Prophetic Preaching” used in our circles until the latter part of last century.  I was perfectly comfortable with the phrase, “The preached Word.”  Then, as if a new doctrine hit the church scene, many began talking about “the prophetic” as if God was introducing something new. I’m not trying to be disrespectful or snide; I have really struggled with what many dub the “Prophetic Movement.”     And I have never heard so much ridiculous teaching and seen so much hyper-sensationalism done in the Name of the Lord. How many offerings have I sat through that used some aspect of the p...

Years ago, I heard Paul Crouch, then president of the Trinity Broadcasting Network say, “The brink of a disaster and the brink of a miracle are the same place.”  God does his finest work and proves His power when things look their worst. The hour preceding dawn is the darkest.  You may be in that hour, but take heart, morning’s coming! Travel back with me to 1446 B.C.  Moses and the Children of Israel have escaped from Egyptian bondage.  But not without nerve-wracking consequences and further testing.  The people are backed up against the Red Sea with Pharaoh’s army in hot pursuit.  Things look pretty bleak for the approximate 1.5 million men, women and children. Many in the crowd begin to murmur against Moses. “Why did you bring us out here to die in this wilderness” (Exodus 14:11)?  Fear began to sweep through the camp, as horse hooves trampling the earth became louder.  Disaster appeared imminent.  Between confusion brought on by the enemy...