Christian Faith & Communication Basics
What it means to believe Jesus and follow him.
For the most part from 1993 to 1996 the focus for us was on Christian basics, including what it meant to be a believer, knowing about God's love, learning the value of forgiveness and the fine line that forgiveness does not mean condoning evil or abuse, but it is often part of the recovery from the effects of them. Later, beginning around 1996-1997 we focused on teaching those basics while adding teaching about healing and deliverance ministry, and we've been an equipping, teaching and doing hands on ministry almost from the beginning. In 2006 we began to focus on training (helping you do what God called you to do), but have lately felt led to have a lot more contact with people who are not yet Christians or those who have been hurt and wounded by religion to the point where it has affected their relationship with God. We've come out of our "christian only club" cubby hole to learn to be more lovingly relational with everyone. When I say learn, it means we are still learning. It doesn't mean we compromise on God and who He is, but we want any kind of fake wrapper, that goes around our faith, gone.
A lot of us "Christians" speak this strange language we call Christianese, which is a combination of Bible words of our favorite translations, and emphasis on what everyone else arounds us speaks. We probably won't drop that totally, but it is not essential to you coming to know the love of God and having a relationship with God.
So expect that some time in the next year we will update this section more personally. For now, I've included some YouTube videos of different people speaking out about grace, faith and relationship with God. It's provided for those of you who have come here for whatever reason you've come, and you want to get what makes people want to become a Christian and why it matters. Since these people below express some of what we would like to say - but not all of it, and not exactly the way we would say it if we had done our own videos - this may help you think about Jesus and how He's different (in a good way) than anyone you've ever met besides Him.
This section includes videos by other believers and followers of Jesus Christ (Christians), who explain different aspects of what it means, and what it does not mean, to believe Jesus finished work on the cross and what He has done for you. We do not favor any particular denomination. People who believe in Jesus and follow Him are one large family, known as the body of Christ. Becoming 'saved,' becoming a follower of Jesus does not mean we are struck perfect. It means Jesus Christ has made a way for us to come into relationship with Father God. It is through that relationship we cooperate with God to allow Him to transform us. It is not by performance or works, but at the same time it is an active, participatory relationship in response to God's love, so it does involve our whole heart, soul, mind and strength. It's because of God first loving us, that we respond to him with love, and learn to love... and to live in love.
Some of these are "oldies but goodies."
For the most part from 1993 to 1996 the focus for us was on Christian basics, including what it meant to be a believer, knowing about God's love, learning the value of forgiveness and the fine line that forgiveness does not mean condoning evil or abuse, but it is often part of the recovery from the effects of them. Later, beginning around 1996-1997 we focused on teaching those basics while adding teaching about healing and deliverance ministry, and we've been an equipping, teaching and doing hands on ministry almost from the beginning. In 2006 we began to focus on training (helping you do what God called you to do), but have lately felt led to have a lot more contact with people who are not yet Christians or those who have been hurt and wounded by religion to the point where it has affected their relationship with God. We've come out of our "christian only club" cubby hole to learn to be more lovingly relational with everyone. When I say learn, it means we are still learning. It doesn't mean we compromise on God and who He is, but we want any kind of fake wrapper, that goes around our faith, gone.
A lot of us "Christians" speak this strange language we call Christianese, which is a combination of Bible words of our favorite translations, and emphasis on what everyone else arounds us speaks. We probably won't drop that totally, but it is not essential to you coming to know the love of God and having a relationship with God.
So expect that some time in the next year we will update this section more personally. For now, I've included some YouTube videos of different people speaking out about grace, faith and relationship with God. It's provided for those of you who have come here for whatever reason you've come, and you want to get what makes people want to become a Christian and why it matters. Since these people below express some of what we would like to say - but not all of it, and not exactly the way we would say it if we had done our own videos - this may help you think about Jesus and how He's different (in a good way) than anyone you've ever met besides Him.
This section includes videos by other believers and followers of Jesus Christ (Christians), who explain different aspects of what it means, and what it does not mean, to believe Jesus finished work on the cross and what He has done for you. We do not favor any particular denomination. People who believe in Jesus and follow Him are one large family, known as the body of Christ. Becoming 'saved,' becoming a follower of Jesus does not mean we are struck perfect. It means Jesus Christ has made a way for us to come into relationship with Father God. It is through that relationship we cooperate with God to allow Him to transform us. It is not by performance or works, but at the same time it is an active, participatory relationship in response to God's love, so it does involve our whole heart, soul, mind and strength. It's because of God first loving us, that we respond to him with love, and learn to love... and to live in love.
Some of these are "oldies but goodies."