Responses Jerry Bell's Submission
Various
May 23, 2002

Dear List Members,

Jerry Bell's submission of Frank Viola's words have created a fervor at Lighthouse Prophecy. We are hitting on the Father's will and many recognize it as such! The number of you who have called or emailed with comments of excitement and witness is a confirmation (to me) of what has been happening here in Hinesville.

We will also be posting a Part Two to Viola's continued dialog in Chile. He also mentions a new book that will address much of what is being discussed here. I will ask Jerry Bell to keep us posted on publication of Mr. Viola's book so as to make it available should you desire.

I will post your comments today and Part Two of the dialog tomorrow. I have such a great sense of anticipation in my spirit. These are truely exciting times in which God has chosen us to live...Clay.

Dear Clay,

I was so enthralled with the three part teaching from Jerry Bell's teaching, that I read the entire thing in one setting, underlining and highlighting as I read!! This is exactly what my husband and I have been feeling, though not in such detail.

We meet in our home or in a friends home and have tried to establish a pattern of some kind to our meetings, only to lose interest. As I read this teaching, I came to realize that we were falling into the same trap of religiousity that we had left behind in leaving the "church". We have not been meeting with Jesus very often, just doing as we have been trained through the years. And still feeling hollow inside when we would finish. Now I know why and what we have been doing wrong.

Thank you so much for your courageousness or boldness, whatever you would like to name it, in sending out teachings like Jerry Bells'. My eyes have been opened, and I will be sharing this with those whom I study with. God's rich blessings upon your work and your life.

In His Service, Pastor Linda Marie Woodard alaskns2@gci.net

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Hi Clay,

Very interesting. So much of the scriptures have been interpreted by men whose intentions were for the purpose of; trying to control people, make a name for themselves, or just plain incorrect exegesis.

Do you suppose the Gene Edwards, Frank Viola is speaking of in Part One is the writer of "The Tale Of Three Kings", one of the best allegory stories I have ever read.

Blessings, Nancy Deane nandea@webtv.net

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Hi Clay,

Wow! All I can say is... this is good stuff!!!!!! Blessings,

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Dear Clay,

I just finished reading all three parts of Frank's speech in Chile ... all I can say is ... AMEN!

I had seen this in part before - but it is something you will never ever hear in "church" or in seminary. Perhaps this is what has made me feel uncomfortable about going back to CC. That in doing so, I am validating what they and all other churches made of hands do. And I disagree with it! I wish I knew of some God Chaser's in my own area I could get together with ... but following the 1st century format as put down by the disciples.

This really rounds out what I have been reading about for the past 2 wks in "The God Chasers" by Tommy Tenney (1st chapter in particular ref his first hand experience in a visitation from God) and "The Awakening Wales" by Jessie Penn-Lewis (pgs 102-111 in particular ref 1903-1905 - visitation of God). I much better understand why we do not see the power of God today - and it is not for the many reasons given by "clergy". The real reason goes back to when the Christ centered movement of the 1st century became Romanized - and I do not refer just to holi-day worship (so-called Christian holidays). In Romans 13 Paul teaches about being subject to the powers God put over the earth, rendering to Caesar that which is Caesar's etc. With the passing of the great Apostles, some men began the mixing of Caesar in with Christianity in many ways, including "exalting" one man over many and building temples made with hands called churches to bring the people into, and making them slaves to that which Christ meant to use to set men free. It also gives another perspective to the issue of tithing, eh? This was the beginning of passive Christianity, if there is such a thing as being a passive Christian: the beginning of the masses sitting before a speaker - of being spectators as at a sport while one man gives his version of what the Bible is all about. THAT is why we have so many religions.

This all reminded me of how man is in the natural ... which he has carried over to his spiritual walk. Look at how the government runs and why it has all the power it has today. People abdicated their responsibility long ago where the government was concerned. They preferred to let the government take more money from them to take care of things and situations they should have been taking care of themselves so they would have more time for themselves and less work and less caring for others: for instance, caring for family members vs putting them in homes or having before and after school child care because the woman prefers to work outside the home; or supporting the retired people and the list is endless. Then we complain about big government.

One hundred yrs ago we did not have all these programs - and families took care of themselves, each other and their neighbors - whatever it took. People's lives were placed over things - we had more respect for each other - more love. Well, we have done the same thing in our spiritual life. We have abdicated our responsibilities as followers of Christ: we make our one or two visits a wk to church, throw some money in the plate and go back to our busy lives and let the church take care of itself, the homeless, widowed etc. and you get the picture. Once a power structure of any kind is in place, it is very hard to unseat it. That takes an act of God!

I started seeing this picture many yrs ago and even looked into moving to a Christian compound (and realized they were just as wrong: we as Christians are to live IN and WITH the world without taking on its characteristics in order to spread the good news). The experiences that Tommy Tenney had and those folks in Wales at the turn of last century plus what Frank is speaking on presents a very clear picture. In both instances, people very very hungry for more of God cried out to Him in repentance and righted their hearts with him, bringing their total being in subjection to Him that he could work thru him. In both instances, there were many people individually (and in small home prayer meeting groups) going thru this experience in the same area at once, and once the last one was in subjection (and we are not taking about a church full of believers here - just a group of how many ever people), they were in one accord with the Lord and each other. They then were brought together by the Spirit of the Lord and a heavy visitation ensued which drew in some instances, hundreds to thousands of unbelievers who were drawn to an area by the Spirit of the Lord, not thru any kind of man-made invitation. Is this picture clear? Oh how I fully agree with what Frank said - it is the message for today's believers! It certainly sheds new light on leaders vs elders: but Christ did tell us that the greatest in the kingdom was the most humble servant of all - just as he was and is.

Those who have the most experience and wisdom should be elders; but in the kingdom of God, that means being a servant to all, and with great wisdom and depth of understanding. That is the example Christ set up, that Paul and others continued, and one that is totally lost today. This is the kind of "roll model" we need in life today.

I find it interesting that at this time, our pastor is planning on having home prayer meetings beginning in early June, 4-5 nites a week thru out the summer. This man feels the need of more of God - but does not realize he must give up his all to get it: and there is a lot, as his position over a few thousand people also includes the making and selling of tapes, cd's and radio messages. Leaders in churches get in the way - but I also realize that if enough people seek the face of the Lord above all else, that the Spirit can and will over come or over take those that stand in the way. Either they will be bent and humbled, or left behind (the real "Left Behind" that occurs in this world). I think I may also agree at this point that it is no good to pray for the pastors etc as some one commented a few days back. We get on our knees to seek His face to right our own lives, ask what His will is and follow it: perhaps that would mean eventually meeting up with and praying with others of like mind seeking more of God and His visitation.

I want that. I want what Tommy Tenney and those of Wales experienced. And I want it on a daily basis. I want Him in my life now and forever - leading and guiding. Nothing less will do. Is there any one here in the South Bay area of L.A., CA who wants the same thing?

In His love, Linda lindasbeat@earthlink.net

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Thank you and thanks to Jerry Bell for forwarding Frank Viola's marvelously honest look at THE SCRIPTURES with those leaders in South America.

This is confirmation for you concerning the group you are a part of right now. Some helpful things are in that message to comfort and encourage you as you will be called on, much as Paul was, to help others get started down the right path.

Fear is going to be the worst enemy of those who want this to happen and your heart and experience will be a light to them.

AS A light in the darkness of control, it certainly answers the question of tithing, leadership, worldly 'spiritual covering' and a host of other bugaboos the 'church' falsely holds dear.

At long last THE HOLY SPIRIT will again be allowed to take HIS rightful place.

Magdala, Doorkeep for THE ARK magdala777@aol.com

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Dear Clay, Jerry and especially Frank,

Thank you so much for this revelation. It is truly radical in today's world but it feels right. In terms of ministerial sacrifice it takes a real man or woman of God to swallow the truth and humble himself to realize that he is a servant of God and that very title alone is enough honor. But what about all of the professional Christians who cannot make tents? Is it possible for them to change after all those years of preparation in service to the hierarchical church? That wineskin is not easily softened.

Also given this model I have a practical conundrum. In this part of the world incoming foreigners must register as to their profession. I had some trouble with this at first but am registered as a missionary. I am restricted from engaging in business activity therefore! When I came as a businessman some years ago I was registered so as to be restricted from Christian service. How else can I do what God has called me to do here but to get outside help from donors?

I did not see the Q & A information referred to at the bottom of post three. Assume it is on a website somewhere. Could we get that posted? I moderate a tiny list on inJesus, probably the smallest. I copied the Frank Viola posts to this ACTS-List with full attribution to this group. Hope you do not mind. It is such revelatory information.

David Hallowell peace@cris.crimea.ua