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A discussion on flag worship, the definitive 'how to' book complete with moves, manoeurvres and song routines. Unique of its kind!

<URL url="http://www.flagsforworship.co.uk">www.flagsforworship.co.uk

I sell plain polyester and lame flags from my <URL url="http://www.flagsforworship.co.uk">Flag Shop.



Currently my flags are flying in the UK, Norway and several places in the US. They are the best prices around. Come and take a look.:twirl:



I also have a book entitled "Flag Moves", a triatise of what flag worship is all about with moves and manoeuvres complete with some song routines.

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noopy:

Lent is a time when many Christians feel the need to participate in a fast of some kind--for all kinds of reasons: church mandate, desire to simplify and cleanse, to get ready for the Resurrection feast, penance/self-flagellation, tradition, etc. The most common type of Lenten fasting seems to be some kind of pleasure deprivation. Some give up sweets, or other favorite foods. Some give up pleasurable activities...all in the quest to subjugate the flesh for a time.



I thought it might be interesting to look at what God says about an acceptable fast. Here are a couple of verses from Isaiah, (G-d speaking):

Quote:Isaiah 58: 



6  Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?



7  Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

I've long wondered about the value of the giving up of treats as an appropriate Lenten fast. It seems to me that it is very self-focused. I remember as a child, obsessing about the thing that I had given up (usually chocolate) and never, ever making it through the whole six weeks of Lent without succumbing to the cravings. :munchies:



As an adult and spirit-filled believer, I'm still wondering if there isn't a better way. Taking a cue from the Isaiah scripture, I wonder if it wouldn't produce more benefit to our flesh to fast something that would bring a benefit to others. Say, having to have the last word, or being irritable, or selfish. Subjugating those fleshy things would actually benefit those around us, and it would take the focus of the fast off our navel-gazing selves and make us think about how we affect the people around us.



Taking it one step farther, might be to take time (or money <URL url="http://imageshack.us"><IMG content="http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/9361/mytwocents9zq.gif"> )we spend on ourselves and find ways to use it to minister to others--the oppressed, the burdened, the hungry spoken of in the Isaiah scripture.



It seems to me this type of fast would accomplish the requisite buffeting of our souls, but even more, further the Kingdom as we bring life-giving ministry to others.



Or...we could just keep (unsuccessfully) giving up chocolate for 6 weeks every year.

Here are some thoughts I would like to present for analysis and discussion.



Sometimes, the claim is brought against arts ministries that the artists are seeking to take the position of mediator between the worshipper and the Father.



I'd like to discuss the priestly ministry of arts ministers because I believe that this accusation is a false battle ground. We are sometimes forced to defend our priestly ministry by those who don't quite grasp what it is that we are about. And sometimes I think that even some IN arts ministries misunderstand the priestly role assigned to the believer in Revelations 1:6 "And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father..." So as givens for this discussion, let us say that:



* Jesus is the one and only mediator between us and the Father.

* That we do have a priestly ministry.



I think that the seeming contradiction in the above two statements is the source of the misunderstanding, and therefore causes some to resist arts ministries, as some erroneusly believe the artists try to usurp the mediator position that belongs only to Jesus.



Here's how I see the operation of the priestly ministry of the worship artist:



The worship artist presents his offering...an offering of worship expressed through his art, his physical body, his creation of holy environment. Other worshippers can appropriate the INTENT of that offering. In other words, the observer can join the desires of his own spirit to offer up worship in that way as the artist ministers to the Lord. So, someone watching a dancer celebrate joy in the Lord can PARTICIPATE with that joy as if he himself were dancing.



(I'm going to use dance as an example, but this could just as easily apply to raising a banner, prophetic drama, or singing.)



The dancer does not make the connection to the Father for that worshipper, but the dance does offer a visual touchpoint. The worshipper meditates on the truth expressed, he acknowledges it, and connects with the Father by way of his own spirit. The danger for the arts minister is that we can come to think that we, somehow, are "bringing" the presence of God, or making the way for people to enter into worship. All we can really do is be whole-hearted worshippers ourselves and by that model, entice others into the spiritual place we are entering. We do not enter it FOR them.



The intercessory aspects of worship arts ministry does affect the heavenly principalities, opening and closing spiritual gates, gathering heavenly forces. But the decision to pass through, to "touch" the Lord is always personal and not dependent on the offerings of another believer.



Our priestly ministry is performed not on behalf of other worshippers, but in ministry to the Lord.