As we look forward to the prospect of the New Year, 2011. The Spirit of God quickened to me Psalm 65:11 for 2011. This verse promises fruitfulness and blessings to God’s people. How can this be in light of all of the prognostications of further recession, greater un-employment, higher costs of living, and all of the problems our nation, states and cities face? As we enter this year, we need to stay in faith and allow the word of the Lord to come crashing through in the midst of all the uncertainties. The meaning and glory of Christmas is not as a meteorite or shooting star that quickly fades away. The Lord has come to earth to establish His government and change things. Ps 65:11 states “You crown the year (2011) with Your goodness or, And Your paths drip with abundance.” This Psalm continues to blair out these great unshakeable truths:
1) God hears our prayers. He wants our house to be a house of prayer…. And He will answer them. He forgives us of all sin.
2) God has chosen us to not only approach but to dwell in His temple where we will be satisfied with the goodness of His house. There the favor of God rests including His Presence, Power & Presents (Gifts). AWESOME deeds of Righteousness… miraculous conversions, turnarounds, healings and deliverances. (vs. 5,6). We will be satisfied with the goodness of God.
3) God sets the mountain in place and establishes them--- a sign of His covenant keeping.
4) God stills the raging seas… peace be still
5) God stills the ragings of people against us
6) God will cause us to rejoice--- both in the morning and evenings--- all day long
7) God will bring forth great fruitfulness
8) The year will be a year of great joy
As a result, you will be highly favored in 2011. Another way of stating this: 2011 Will be a Year of Abundant Blessings from Heaven!
This is our prayer for you. Love and prayers!
Be blessed!
Garnet & Frances Pike
Friday, December 31, 2010
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Aloha from Hawaii
Greetings from the Aloha State. “Aloha”—the well known welcome greets you from the warm, hospitable and friendly people of this State. “Aloha” fills the pages of tourist booklets and signs everywhere. Frances and I are here as a result of the retirement gift from SCU Graduate School and enjoying every minute of it.
We have discovered Hawaii has a great spiritual history. Part of it is expressed in the word “Aloha” that captures the spirit of Hawaii. “Aloha” is more than a sign, greeting, farewell or salutation. It means mutual regards, respect, affection and caring with no obligation to return the favor. “Aloha” is the essence of relationships that honors one another. “Aloha means to hear what is not said, to see what cannot be seen, to know the unknowable” (Oda, Catch The Wave of Transformation, p. 17).
Lieutenant Governor, James “Duke” Aiona, has publicly proclaimed Hawaii as “God’s Hawaii.” In an effort to combat the crime, drugs, drinking, violence and other social ills, he has promoted the “Aloha Card,” the size of a credit card. It lays out the fruit of love on one side and the fruit of misery on the other and has been instrumental in the transformation of Hawaii as thousands have been passed out.
The Christian missionaries arrived in 1820 and claimed what was known as the Sandwich Islands for God. In twenty years Hawaii became the most Christianized and most literate nation in the world. The Scriptures were translated and printed in the language of the people. They hungered for the Word so much that as it was read and taught crowds would gather to hear. By 1860, the Sandwich Island Mission declared the goal of Christianizing the Hawaiian Islands complete.
It is great to be here to partner with Barbara Tengan, a college classmate and friend of the Frances and me, who is Pastor of Wailuku Door of Faith Church. The spiritual landscape of the state is experiencing a new wave of transformation as reported in the book by this title. On this July 4th weekend, may it continue and increase until a spiritual tsunami sweeps the islands to impact the mainland and around the world.
We have discovered Hawaii has a great spiritual history. Part of it is expressed in the word “Aloha” that captures the spirit of Hawaii. “Aloha” is more than a sign, greeting, farewell or salutation. It means mutual regards, respect, affection and caring with no obligation to return the favor. “Aloha” is the essence of relationships that honors one another. “Aloha means to hear what is not said, to see what cannot be seen, to know the unknowable” (Oda, Catch The Wave of Transformation, p. 17).
Lieutenant Governor, James “Duke” Aiona, has publicly proclaimed Hawaii as “God’s Hawaii.” In an effort to combat the crime, drugs, drinking, violence and other social ills, he has promoted the “Aloha Card,” the size of a credit card. It lays out the fruit of love on one side and the fruit of misery on the other and has been instrumental in the transformation of Hawaii as thousands have been passed out.
The Christian missionaries arrived in 1820 and claimed what was known as the Sandwich Islands for God. In twenty years Hawaii became the most Christianized and most literate nation in the world. The Scriptures were translated and printed in the language of the people. They hungered for the Word so much that as it was read and taught crowds would gather to hear. By 1860, the Sandwich Island Mission declared the goal of Christianizing the Hawaiian Islands complete.
It is great to be here to partner with Barbara Tengan, a college classmate and friend of the Frances and me, who is Pastor of Wailuku Door of Faith Church. The spiritual landscape of the state is experiencing a new wave of transformation as reported in the book by this title. On this July 4th weekend, may it continue and increase until a spiritual tsunami sweeps the islands to impact the mainland and around the world.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
The Father's Important Role
The TV show 60 Minutes ran a segment showing the important role fathers play in the animal kingdom. Lessons for the home and our world are evident.
The park rangers at a South African wildlife preserve were concerned about the slaughter of 39 rare white rhinos in their park. It turned out that the rhinos were killed not by poachers but rather by juvenile delinquents—teen elephants.
The story began a decade ago when the park could no longer sustain the increasing population of elephants. They decided to kill many of the adult elephants whose young were old enough to survive without them. And so, the young elephants grew up fatherless.
As time went on, many of these young elephants roamed together in gangs and began to do things elephants normally don't do. They threw sticks and water at rhinos and acted like neighborhood bullies. Without a dominant male they developed excessive testosterone and exhibiting aggressive behavior. A few young males grew especially violent, knocking down rhinos and stepping or kneeling on them, crushing the life out of them. Mafuto the gang leader eventually had to be killed.
The park rangers theorized that these young teen-aged elephants were acting badly because they lacked role models. The solution was to bring in a large male to lead them and to counteract their bully behaviors. Soon the new male established dominance and put the young bulls in their places. The killing stopped. The young males were mentored—and saved. Citation: Ken Sowers, Mentor, Ohio; 60 Minutes (1-20-99).
Your earthly father is to RE--PRESENT God--- give you a picture of what your heavenly FATHER is like. But your earthly father could never completely fulfill your need for a father! God knew that. So He provided a way for us to meet the heavenly FATHER--- through the Holy Spirit. Only Father God can completely meet the need for a father.
A Father's role, according to Thayer, is: to infuse his own spirit into others, actuate and govern the minds of children (John 8:38,41 f,44), show himself as like another in spirit and purpose as though he had inherited his nature from him. Your Daddy God wants you to have His DNA.
On this Father's Day 2010, I urge all fathers to become more like thier heavenly Father. Don't be afraid of shaping lives by discipline and correction. It will drive out rebellion. Receive His Spirit, demonstrate His heart and reflect His love to your family and the world.
Happy Father's Day!
The TV show 60 Minutes ran a segment showing the important role fathers play in the animal kingdom. Lessons for the home and our world are evident.
The park rangers at a South African wildlife preserve were concerned about the slaughter of 39 rare white rhinos in their park. It turned out that the rhinos were killed not by poachers but rather by juvenile delinquents—teen elephants.
The story began a decade ago when the park could no longer sustain the increasing population of elephants. They decided to kill many of the adult elephants whose young were old enough to survive without them. And so, the young elephants grew up fatherless.
As time went on, many of these young elephants roamed together in gangs and began to do things elephants normally don't do. They threw sticks and water at rhinos and acted like neighborhood bullies. Without a dominant male they developed excessive testosterone and exhibiting aggressive behavior. A few young males grew especially violent, knocking down rhinos and stepping or kneeling on them, crushing the life out of them. Mafuto the gang leader eventually had to be killed.
The park rangers theorized that these young teen-aged elephants were acting badly because they lacked role models. The solution was to bring in a large male to lead them and to counteract their bully behaviors. Soon the new male established dominance and put the young bulls in their places. The killing stopped. The young males were mentored—and saved. Citation: Ken Sowers, Mentor, Ohio; 60 Minutes (1-20-99).
Your earthly father is to RE--PRESENT God--- give you a picture of what your heavenly FATHER is like. But your earthly father could never completely fulfill your need for a father! God knew that. So He provided a way for us to meet the heavenly FATHER--- through the Holy Spirit. Only Father God can completely meet the need for a father.
A Father's role, according to Thayer, is: to infuse his own spirit into others, actuate and govern the minds of children (John 8:38,41 f,44), show himself as like another in spirit and purpose as though he had inherited his nature from him. Your Daddy God wants you to have His DNA.
On this Father's Day 2010, I urge all fathers to become more like thier heavenly Father. Don't be afraid of shaping lives by discipline and correction. It will drive out rebellion. Receive His Spirit, demonstrate His heart and reflect His love to your family and the world.
Happy Father's Day!
Friday, June 4, 2010
God Shaped Vacuum
God Shaped Vacuum for Revival
Blaise Pascal, one of the great philosophers and physicists of the 1600’s, declares: “There is a God shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus.” What a great truth? It is hard to fathom. Within every man there is a private sanctum where the essence of his being dwells. This internal essence of man is called the “spirit of man (1 Cor 2:11-12).
God, the creator reveals Himself as “I AM” and knowledge of Him is only by the Spirit So man, the creature can only come to know himself, his I am, by the Spirit. Man is not a creature having a spirit. Rather, he is a spirit living in a body.
I believe the vacuum within is crying out to be filled. There is a longing for reality and knowing of God as never before. My own heart cries out, along with a chorus of many believers for God to fill me with Himself. Deep is calling unto deep. The Word declares those who hunger and thirst after righteousness will be filled (Mt. 5:6). The secret of the disciples in Acts was they were all filled with the Spirit. The commands to “Be filled with the Spirit” and keep on being filled (Eph. 5:18) and to be filled with the fullness of God (Eph. 3:19) and to grow into the “full stature of Christ” (Eph. 4:13) cannot be ignored. There is God shaped vacuum within all of us that only God can fill. If we allow Him, revival will break out beginning with each of us who hunger for it.
Blaise Pascal, one of the great philosophers and physicists of the 1600’s, declares: “There is a God shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus.” What a great truth? It is hard to fathom. Within every man there is a private sanctum where the essence of his being dwells. This internal essence of man is called the “spirit of man (1 Cor 2:11-12).
God, the creator reveals Himself as “I AM” and knowledge of Him is only by the Spirit So man, the creature can only come to know himself, his I am, by the Spirit. Man is not a creature having a spirit. Rather, he is a spirit living in a body.
I believe the vacuum within is crying out to be filled. There is a longing for reality and knowing of God as never before. My own heart cries out, along with a chorus of many believers for God to fill me with Himself. Deep is calling unto deep. The Word declares those who hunger and thirst after righteousness will be filled (Mt. 5:6). The secret of the disciples in Acts was they were all filled with the Spirit. The commands to “Be filled with the Spirit” and keep on being filled (Eph. 5:18) and to be filled with the fullness of God (Eph. 3:19) and to grow into the “full stature of Christ” (Eph. 4:13) cannot be ignored. There is God shaped vacuum within all of us that only God can fill. If we allow Him, revival will break out beginning with each of us who hunger for it.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Pentecostals... Name Only?
Frances and I have just returned from an exciting and rewarding trip to Kenya. We taught rising frontline leaders for a week on Foundations of Life and Ministry. Each day we began with a time of prayer. When the Kenyans pray, they have no reticence to use their spiritual language. Passion determines pursuit. Well their passion for God indicates their radical pursuit of God. Expressive praying in the Spirit accompanied with marches, kneelings, shouts, clappings and other demonstrative acts were all a part of their intercessions. They are so ardent, it was difficult for the principal to stop them for class to begin.
On my return to the United States, I read the May Barna Report on Charismatic and Pentecostal Christianity. Of those who consider themselves Charismatic or Pentecostal Christians, and who believe speaking in tongues is "valid and active today", only 9% of those under 45 and 13% of those over 45 had spoken in tongues. Most of the young and older people surveyed believed the Holy Spirit was "merely symbolic."
What a contrast in believe and practice with the Kenyans. Admittedly, I had no chance to conduct a survey. But the evidence of the Kenyan prayer lives, and 80% of the nation calling themselves Christian, and the country experiencing revival, and new church plantings, -- all validate a marked difference from Pentecostals in the United States. Some classical denominations do not even keep records of salvations, deeper experiences or the number baptized in the Holy Spirit. A survey conducted of a classical Pentecostal denomination indicated on 18% were baptized in the Holy Spirit. Are they "merely symbolic" Pentecostals. Lets change the symbol into a reality. May we have a God encounter with the Holy Spirit as a Person that will radically stir our passion for God and His kingdom.
On my return to the United States, I read the May Barna Report on Charismatic and Pentecostal Christianity. Of those who consider themselves Charismatic or Pentecostal Christians, and who believe speaking in tongues is "valid and active today", only 9% of those under 45 and 13% of those over 45 had spoken in tongues. Most of the young and older people surveyed believed the Holy Spirit was "merely symbolic."
What a contrast in believe and practice with the Kenyans. Admittedly, I had no chance to conduct a survey. But the evidence of the Kenyan prayer lives, and 80% of the nation calling themselves Christian, and the country experiencing revival, and new church plantings, -- all validate a marked difference from Pentecostals in the United States. Some classical denominations do not even keep records of salvations, deeper experiences or the number baptized in the Holy Spirit. A survey conducted of a classical Pentecostal denomination indicated on 18% were baptized in the Holy Spirit. Are they "merely symbolic" Pentecostals. Lets change the symbol into a reality. May we have a God encounter with the Holy Spirit as a Person that will radically stir our passion for God and His kingdom.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Eyes for the Lost
Dry eyes! Since my cataract surgery in January I have been suffering with "dry eyes." What an oxymoron! With this condition, I have been weeping almost every day. I often wonder if this was the condition of Jeremiah, the weeping prophet. But I do not think so. However, even with my "dry eyes" there is still a lot to weep about.
I was in a missions class and Matt Bennett asked the class why we should be involved in missions. There was a long pause. Then a few suggestions were made which Matt did not think was "spot on", as the English say. Finally, I could not stand it any more so I blurted out, "People are lost and going to hell." It shocked the class. Apparnetly they had not heard such a blunt and straightforward declaration for a some time. This is the real condition of man without Jesus. That is the reason all of us need to be in travail and intercession. Not "dry eyes" from surgery but real eyes full of tears and heart brokeness for the things that break the heart of God. Man without God is lost... do we see it that way?
I was in a missions class and Matt Bennett asked the class why we should be involved in missions. There was a long pause. Then a few suggestions were made which Matt did not think was "spot on", as the English say. Finally, I could not stand it any more so I blurted out, "People are lost and going to hell." It shocked the class. Apparnetly they had not heard such a blunt and straightforward declaration for a some time. This is the real condition of man without Jesus. That is the reason all of us need to be in travail and intercession. Not "dry eyes" from surgery but real eyes full of tears and heart brokeness for the things that break the heart of God. Man without God is lost... do we see it that way?
Monday, February 8, 2010
Welcome to My Blog!
Frances and I are enjoying our retirement years and looking forward to the time when things slow down. People say that retirement is when you get old and slow but that has not been true in my case. Things have picked up with my family and life. I will be telling you more about it on this blog in the days ahead. If you would like to keep up with this blog, please subscribe at the right.
It has taken us three months to transition our office and get ready for this new season. In January I had eye surgery which is supposed to help me see better. I hope to receive improved spiritual vision as well.
Blessings,
Garnet
It has taken us three months to transition our office and get ready for this new season. In January I had eye surgery which is supposed to help me see better. I hope to receive improved spiritual vision as well.
Blessings,
Garnet
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