Todd Bentley files for separation from his wife

[one love]

If I ever said anything of the such just ask when did I backslide

[paul]

Since my comment on how I felt Geralds post on Bentley's divorce was, IMHO, without compassion and that I felt that was a sad note, this thread certinally received a life of its own.

So I will be candid here in my response. Jude 2 was and is the only forum that I have ever been involved in. When I discovered it, by accident, I though it would be nice to touch base with some old friends and possibly make some new ones and at the same time share what God is doing on the mission fields from my viewpoint.

I will say this. Since being on this forum I have been called more names, and have had more false accusations hurled against me and the miistry God has intrusted me with by " a borther " than I have ever had in ministry including working in infidel nations. To me this is also sad.

Please know that this does not in any way offend me, it saddens me, and it does cause me concern when I come across some who would seem to gloat in the fall of another beacuse their ministry is in conflict with that persons view or interpretation of the scriptures. I also feel strongly that if I were to fall or some others on this board it would be the talk of the town and some would no doubt take pleaseure in it and say " I told you so "

I believe with all my heart that we are admonished to, at all times speak the truth, to speak against that which is wrong or out of order in the Body of Christ. But I was also taught that I should alwys speak the truth in love. This is the ellement that I find missing so often and have found so disheartning.

I have been accused of posting those things whhich only lift up myself. If that be the case, then I stand corrected and I am sorry. I view post concerning everthing on here from making recepies, dos, cats, people rejoicing when a family comes into their church, graduations and much more.

My post generally revovled around missions and what is taking place in our miistry and the ministry of those who work with us around the world. Our the teams of young people that we take. I thought that it might be a blessing to some to see what is happening in the body of Christ. I believe that I do have much insight in the area of missions as it has been my life for many, many years.

I listen as some bemoan what they precieve as the demise of the pentecostal movement because of the Hinn's, Copeland's, Bentley's. IMHO, it is not these that have lured ten's of thousands from the flocks of the pentecostal denominations, but rather the self righetous, back biting, gossip, fault finding, double standard, and abuse of authority that has caused the mass exodus.

Some want answers as to why would people follow some..in many cases it would be totally futal to respond, because any response, and scripture given that did not meet that persons understanding or interpretation, would automatically be rejected. Some do not seek the truth, they only seek being right. Being right ( their view of what is right) is the Holy Grail they quest for.

I could ask the question on this board of those who left the organization. Why? some would say they were led by God, others because of marriage. How many would say because I wanted to follow this man or woman? The majority would probably respond, I just got tired of all the stuff.

I listened to your IO give his report and talk about core values....working with others....not having to reinvent the wheel. He gave great insight and I would say a positive direction for the cogop. But it will all be in vain unless critical, judgemental, falt finding attitudes changes. It like spitting in the wind, it will only go so far then come right back at you.

Some have been given a free pass by many....they can hurl false accusations, comdemn and past judgement and when someone responds, that person becomes the villian.

So with all that said, blessing to all

[DeWayneTN]

What does the COGOP have to do with all of this? Does it have to be front and center in whatever conversation we have? First Ron says all of us ran down to Pensacola to jump in the middle of whatever latest fad there is and Paul says we're too critical to get in any kind of move. Which is it?

[Gerald Creasy]

I will say this. Since being on this forum I have been called more names, and have had more false accusations hurled against me and the miistry God has intrusted me with by " a borther " than I have ever had in ministry including working in infidel nations. To me this is also sad.

You have also been asked questions over and over and over and over again....AND HAVE REFUSED TO ANSWER.



YOU have ALSO PLAINLY STATED that standing up and STOPPING someone who preached "Jesus was not GOD" would be an act of PRIDE on the part of the one trying to stop such heresy and would "derail a persons faith" and STOP a miracle.


HOW can a persons FAITH in a non divine Jesus be condusive to a miracle?

Is it because FAITH -no matter what it is in- is The POWER in your theology and not GOD himself????


Perhaps you would get more respect if you would quit telling us how super a mega-Christian you are and honestly engaging us grunts who have honest questions and can't really understand why GOD has become Silly-Putty in the hands of Pentecostal leaders, made into anything, everything and nothing at all like the God in scripture?

[paul]

Paul says we're too critical to get in any kind of move. Which is it?

This is what I said.

I listened to your IO give his report and talk about core values....working with others....not having to reinvent the wheel. He gave great insight and I would say a positive direction for the cogop. But it will all be in vain unless critical, judgemental, falt finding attitudes changes. It like spitting in the wind, it will only go so far then come right back at you.

There is a awsome direction being placed before your organization. I pray you take it. I did not say that cogop was to critical as an organization to be involved in any kind of move. But as long as these spirits continue it will always come back to haunt and hinder.
sorry if you misunderstood me.

[Jennifer Smith]

paul, just wanted to let you know I appreciate your input here.

[Dr. Ron]

Dewayne . you obviously misunderstood my post.

I was merely pointing out that the "church " in general is still waiting for that "big year ' that "mighty outpouring" that "heavenly mist" and all that stuff.

Gerald is correct When he says that we jump without testing the validity. That is all I am saying. And the Pennsecola thing was not much different in it's overall effect. A lot of people going to get into the "pool" while the waters were troubled.

This is not what God intended. We all need to seek God for our OWN inspiration. If God uses Todd Bentley, that is God's business. He has used jackasses before and certainly uses one here every Sunday.

I was just pointing out that we are quick to look for and grab onto whatever seems to be the "big manifestation" at the moment/.

And as I have stated on many occassions, I refer to the COGOP because it is my point of reference. It's where I was at that time. Surely you understand that.

I meant no disrespect.

I hope the org. does well and you are the largest denomination in the world. Nothing would make me happier for you all. If that is your goal, go for it..

[DeWayneTN]

No biggie.

[Jennifer Smith]

[quote="Dr. Ron"] And the Pennsecola thing was not much different in it's overall effect. /quote]

Dr. Ron, I disagree. There was a wave of repentance, refreshing and holiness that affected many people throughout many churches, and not just those who physically went to P'cola; God was moving in churches across the nation. It had an impact on Sam and I; we lived in Pennsylvania at that time.

If people were drawn to Lakeland too easily, it may be because they are simply in need and hungry; seeking God is never the wrong the thing to do, but we do need to check out the water source before drinking there...

[stevenson]

I think alot of these revivals start off with the best of intentions. But then man instead of humbling himself, exalts himself and his agenda instead of the will of God.

I'm not against other movements but I do try the spirits and use discernment. I have friends in amny different organizations and many who pastor independent churches. I have no problem with these. But I felt something strange about Bentley from the very beggining. I wanted to believe the best but time has shown what he truly is.

[Dr. Ron]

Jennifer,

I did not go to Pennsecola. I don't go to any of those types of things. Not because I am "superior" to them but rather , I stand by my statement, that God's plan is not a "super outpouring" but rather that we learn daily from the word and live by faith. I have no problem with those meetings until they get out of hand as Stevenson wrote.

But I did have to clean up a lot of mess after that meeting because so many were going there and trying to "replicate" it at their own home churches. What happened there might have very well been a result of years of praying and fasting. But many wanted to just take it back with them and hope that it "caught fire" there.

Most of the Pennsecola churches were NOT as impacted by this as you would think. Many who lived there said it started out as a blessing to the area, and then turned into a "media circus".

I am not trying to tear down ministries. I think Paul has the right approach to it all. He goes about the business of winning souls around the world. He doesn't try to imitate other people's ministries or go warm by their fire. He has a call, a mandate and he just does it. I love that. It is generally done without fanfare.

There are those who went to Pennsecola and were blessed....but they didn't try to come home and be the Pennsecola of Pennsylvania. They were blessed and renewed. That is fine.

[Gerald Creasy]

Isn't there something wrong with the idea that there are intensifications of God at certain places? (And especially just cause you get emotional??)

Isn't God everywhere?

Did not the Psalmist say:
Psa 139:8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou [art] there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou [art there].

It is a LIMITED God that you have to travel a thousand miles to be in "his prescence"

I don't need to be in Lakeland, Pensacola or Toronto to get a prayer through or have a miracle occur in my life.

AND I CERTAINLY DONT need nutty Bibleless theology JUSTIFIED just cause some goober got the chills.

[Dr. Ron]

Well, at least you have calmed down a bit Gerald.

A real move of God in a church is when the uncommon is common. We see miracles here on a weekly basis.....just don't start up a tv ministry and put it on youtube.....well Wendy does....but not the miracles..just the funny stuff.

[Jennifer Smith]

Jennifer,

Most of the Pennsecola churches were NOT as impacted by this as you would think. Many who lived there said it started out as a blessing to the area, and then turned into a "media circus".

But I did have to clean up a lot of mess after that meeting because so many were going there and trying to "replicate" it at their own home churches. What happened there might have very well been a result of years of praying and fasting. But many wanted to just take it back with them and hope that it "caught fire" there.

There are those who went to Pennsecola and were blessed....but they didn't try to come home and be the Pennsecola of Pennsylvania. They were blessed and renewed. That is fine.

Dr. Ron, I really appreciate your patience with me; I know you aren't the only person who saw it that way. But from my perspective, in my church there was a rapid change in the status quo that some people were not ready to accept; in our experience, the Holy Spirit moved in the church, it wasn't a person bringing something back. A large group eventually walked out the doors.My husband was an assistant pastor at that time.

Then, we moved to Pensacola to pastor a church towards the end of the revival; contrary to the sources you spoke with, I found it to be a very unified, evangelized, and spiritually blessed community, I loved living there!

Dr. Ron, I'm sorry to disagree with you so much, but I just want to bring up one more point: you said that God's plan is not an outpouring, but the Bible says: "If my people, who are called by My Name, will humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from Heaven and forgive their sins, and heal their land." I'm sure it is God's desire that we learn from the Word and live by faith daily as you have said, but in order to see souls saved and people delivered, the people of God must be empowered by the Holy Spirit and renewed with a fresh anointing. We leak; some churches get off track, get away from the truth, get weak, compromised, mired down in the cares of life. That is one reason/need for revival, another is that souls would be saved and a special outpouring of grace would take place to enlighten the deceived and free the captives.

I personally believe God's plan has always been an outpouring; at times in history, people have prayed and God has moved sovereignly. Lakeland, Florida may not be it, but there have been genuine moves of God that have been extremely important to the church and to everyone that is touched by them. If you only read about those special moves of God, there is something so special and powerful about what God did it will touch your heart to read it. Bless you Dr. Ron, I appreciate you.

[MrDanger]

That, for me has been the hardest part, good doctor. I don't understand people following signs and wonders. That is what it is. If you went to experience revival, you were following after an event to experience God.

I don't know if it was real or not. Didn't really pay attention to it. I do know several friends went, came back all happy and their lives all fell apart within a short amount of time. Sorry, rambling over, back to the point...

I am too consumed with a revival that is of a personal nature. That is going to come when I get hungry for God. I dive into knowing Him by studying His Word, spending time in prayer and truly communicating (listening to His voice rather than being consumed with complaining and begging), and fasting.

Then I'm worried about how I can serve my students (the field I've been given) and earn their trust to share the great news that there is hope for their life....Jesus.

And the good news is this kind of revival, even though it might not make news, doesn't cost me travel bucks to Pensecola, etc.