intro: the "presbyterian pentecostal"
i had a joke with God once about how He is experienced, in both the fullness of “in Spirit & in Truth.”
sometimes i joke we should do away with denominations [said as an american who has lived abroad for a while] in a world of constant questioning of self-defining, i know that it is foundational. but in the eyes of eternity, is God really concerned with that, anyhow?
i’m semi-obsessed with searching out the every day out-workings of upside down nature of the gospel of Jesus.
long-short, i was raised Pentecostal, & [if given a box to tick] personally identify on the more “charismatic” side of the christian faith. yet continually, i’ve had influence from some more “traditional” resources, from theologians, to writers, to stories of martyrs, to living alongside some of the most beautiful, different-thinking, practicing believers. my background is all over the place, and i’m thankful God would give me such a myriad of experiences.
in my heart of hearts, i am continually working through & reconciling why or why not it is that people feel so passionately polarized about the gospel. why the use of spiritual gifts is such a separating subject for many. in christian circles, i’ve heard people say “that church is a ‘prosperity gospel’ church…” or “that church is so stuffy…” perhaps it is a big ol’ dose of pride. we continually humble ourselves.
in 2014, i studied in a 3 month Vocational Intensive course at the Center for Faith & Work through Redeemer Presbyterian Church in NYC
while
in 2016-2018, i studied for 2 years with Bethel church’s School of Supernatural Ministry sister program, HKSSM, through International Christian Assembly Church in Hong Kong
BOTH provided me with such resource, with such glimpses of the beauty of my Father, with such support in solidifying my beliefs & in-turn life choices, in completely different ways!
i believe i have been given a platform of grace to be able to humbly explore this precious faith we have been given our lives to seek.
i realized that God doesn’t really care 'how' He is worshipped. i believe He is so infinite & vast, & as the author of time & space, He delights in many forms of expressions & exultations back to Himself. i bet He loves all the different, creative ways people come to Him. [as long as they come!] it takes so many forms, there are many beautiful ways to worship him. a hymn has a timeless essence. an unabashed song of praise & dance is God-glorifying. silence is of preeminence in the kingdom. [yet, there is a side of me that says: we go to football games & lift our hands in utter excitements as the total norm...how can we not do the same, how can we not freely “dance like David danced?!” as we do at our favourite concerts, to the One who deserves it most?!!]
what i'm concerned with is maintaining our hearts & mindsets [in Spirit & in Truth we worship Him] simultaneously. how we nurture our attitudes & postures towards Him BOTH INTELLECTUALLY & EMOTIONALLY. what matters most is authentically living our everyday lives before Him, day in & day out. our deepest heart positioning to be molded by jesus. what if the norm was ecstatic praise while also reverent, subdued, quiet.
my hope for this page:
—this page would open wide our hearts to experience the Saviour in a holistic way
—this page will explore the incredible variety of resources available to the Christian life & walk [from bethel to Bonhoeffer!]
—this page will place value on continuing to seek God regardless of our different “denominations” as Christians
—book recommendations // reviews // resources
—interviews with brothers & sisters living for the Kingdom of God, in different, unique ways, around the world
{stay tuned for more posts!}