Catch the Fire!

I have thoroughly been enjoying the Catch the Fire conference at CBN this week (click the link to watch online). God has been touching so many lives – healing people from physical sickness and pain as well as emotional, mental and spiritual issues. God is AWESOME!!!

I know that many people are leary and unsure about all the “manifestations” – the shaking, falling down, laughing, etc that goes on at the Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship and the Catch the Fire Ministries. I was too at first. However, I loved what Duncan Smith said tonight at the conference about it! He said “I’m a man that is just trying to cope with God on the inside of my skin!”

Just imagine . . . the God of the whole universe comes and touches you, comes and fills you up with His spirit . . . . . with His indescribable and overwhelming love . . . .

Do you really think that you could just sit there quietly, not moving?

If you have never experienced that kind of love, that kind of power, that kind of encounter with the creator of the whole universe – I can understand your point of view. I didn’t get it either. I thought they were all a bit kooky . . . a bit nuts. But as Duncan also said – “I may be a nut . . . but at least I am screwed onto the right bolt! Jesus!”

There is fruit coming from this ministry! I don’t judge by appearances – but by the fruit.

Matthew 7:15 – 20
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.”

I know that I would be dead today (literally) had it not been for the Holy Spirit coming in and filling me up and touching me (19 years ago) in a way that I had never experienced before! I would be dead had I never learned – not just through books and knowledge – but experientially learned – about my Daddy’s love for me (God the Father’s heart for me as His daughter)! I needed to FEEL His love for me – FEEL His heart for me – FEEL His forgiveness – be delivered from some things spiritually and more. I couldn’t get all that from just listening to a nice sermon or reading a devotional. As a pastor’s kid I grew up knowing and hearing all the stories and knowing in my head,intellectually, about God. But I didn’t “know” him experientially till I was 19.

I had to EXPERIENCE an encounter with God . . . my creator . . . my savior . . . my Daddy! It is that experience – that LOVE that will change you forever! It will ruin you for the normal. It sure did for me!! I don’t want “normal” anymore . . . I want GOD!

Still think I’m crazy?

Have you ever been in love? . . . . . So in love – all you could do is just think about that person all day long. You wanted to be with them every waking moment. You wanted to hug them, kiss them, touch them, laugh and cry with them . . . You just couldn’t get enough of them! When you thought about them a huge smile came to your face. And if you were ever apart for an extended period of time – when you saw them again – you couldn’t contain yourself – but wanted to run right to them – screaming or laughing or crying and reaching out to hug and hold them tight.

I see some of the same emotions and expressions of love at the long-awaited homecoming of the navy crews on the carriers. I see alot of the same antics at rock concerts. Jumping, screaming, shaking, longing, crying, laughing, etc. People do get a bit “nuts” when they are in love with something or someone.

Well . . . I am in love with Jesus!!! So, yes . . . .I may act a little strange when I get around Him. But I really don’t care – because I know how His presence has changed my life!!! I NEVER want to go back to my old life again!

If you are curious as to what I am even talking about here – ie. you’ve never heard of Duncan Smith with Catch the Fire Ministries, or John and Carol Arnott from the Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship (ie – the Toronto blessing) – then watch some of the conference online at CBN.com. They will be streaming it live tomorrow (10am, 2pm and 7pm) and have archived the other sessions from this week. CBN also does a weekly Spiritual Gifts Seminar on Mon, Tues and Thursday nights (Thur is from TACF in Toronto, Canada).

Check it out!

You may just find the love of your life! I pray you do! You will never be the same again!

Christianity is not about religion. It’s about a relationship. God doesn’t want to be in your life (and you be in His life) because of how much work you will do for him and how loyal you will be. He is in it for LOVE! Just like a marriage. Would you be in a marriage if all your spouse had “contracted” to do was just work hard for you, stay loyal and clean your dirty underwear?! No – you want to be loved, to love them.

It’s the same with God! Christianity is about a love relationship with God . . .not religion!

I challenge you to seek after that love! God is ready and waiting to shower it on you (no matter what your past or present situation or life looks like!!! Trust me!!)!

Be brave to go deeper!

L 🙂