Posted on September 25, 2007, in Daily Word. Bookmark the permalink. 18 Comments.
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Posted on September 25, 2007, in Daily Word. Bookmark the permalink. 18 Comments.
leadership ideas, sermon notes, and other things...
An exploration of spiritual life
HoPE for Mia Lu Anne
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a blog about faith, family and life
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Robin Steele 
Most definitely faith. And to those of us who have been on this journey from the start, it does not take such a great leap of faith to see this happening if God leads you, and you lead us, to this place.
I do not have the “fatherly insight” Rob has into your grin there, so I am saying imagination. As discussed yesterday, imagination comes first. Then after the thought is created, comes the faith that it will be a reality in Jesus name.
I know, evertime I say something different than Mr. Rob, I am wrong. I still do it, goodness.
Faith stirs the imagination. You look good behind that pulpit Pastor. God has the plan and only HE knows just how far he wants us to grow. No matter we will follow your lead.
Jackie nails it. Faith must come first. Imagination is creativity. Faith is trust. Our temptation is to imagine something and then make faith pay for the cost of it. Theoretically this works but it is dangerous because our flesh gets in the way. We dream things up that aren’t God’s will then expect Him to answer the prayer.
Way to go Jackie!—Joshua I was amening you yesterday.
Joshua, you have been looking for the “nitch” to be in. You are definitely stepping into it with your blog comments. Keep up!!!! As far as the picture, WOW!!! We want to be in God’s will whatever it may be. WE
I pushed the wrong key—–WE CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST!!!!!
Alright. I must first say, please fogive me, however I must understand this. I am not trying to buck the system.
So with all this said, especially Jackie and Pastors last comment. I am lost. How can Faith come first? In non spiritual verbage is not this the cart before the horse? It would more so that we must have a idea, formed from creativity, first, then have the Faith in Jesus that it would come to pass according to His will and purpose. I can comprehend the entaglement of the flesh, however, we are talking of on a level of Spirit filled people here. Sure we have flesh to deal with, but we have been given the knowledge through Christ on how to do so.
So with this said, is not the creative imagination first, then through Faith the birth of exsistance?
Or are yall saying as a precautionary measure that once one has a grounded ideaology of faith that then we can practice the use of imagination?
Sorry.
God has given each of us “a measure of faith” which I believe is the foundation of all of our thoughts, ideas, creativity, and imaginations. Without us first having faith, I believe that our thoughts would only be passing through our minds as a fleeting wind. However, with this small measure of faith in us, an “imagination” can be held onto and turned into a reality. I feel that we cannot have the ability of real imagination without the seed of faith, because imagination is us seeing the image of something that is not as though it really is. If you watch a child with their imaginary friend, they treat them as though they are really there…it goes beyond thinking and verges on believing.
I know, I am rambling, but I am having trouble getting this into a short paragraph. If you do not understand this, sorry. But, in short, I too, believe faith comes first.
I agree with Pastor Dan, also I would like to add that without faith it is impossible to please God. So we first have to faith to gain anything salvation,healing deliverance, breakthroughs etc. God may give us a specific word for our situation or ministry. We can’t say God I can imagine It. We have to say God I have faith in your word to me. And take hold of his promises to us.
Jesus was pleased many times because some of the people had great faith!
Their Faith demanded manifestations of God’s Will.
Imagination is considered a power of the mind, a creative faculty of the mind, and a process of the mind used for thinking, scheming, contriving, remembering, creating, fantasizing, and forming opinion.
Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
I have imagined a big auditorum filled with people speaking in tongues and flags dancing freely while the pastor is dancing and praising. I have faith that it will happen and the time is very near.
What a wonderful dialog. I understand where you faith first proponents are coming from and agree with you that on a spiritual level you are correct. God by definition is absolute; therefore our faith in Him must also be absolute and transcends imagination and all other conditions. However, faith in any thing else stems from our acceptance of certain conditions or actions. Without imagination or creative thought, how can faith have a platform to operate? Imagination certainly can exist without faith, but faith can not exist, except for faith in God, without imagination.
Mr. Rob, I someday will grace words as yourself.
I am not going to try and not say anything else from fear of being banned from the blog.
Joshua, Let me know when your retainer to say all those nice things runs out and I’ll get you another check. Actually your pretty hard to keep up with in the idea department and I’m glad you are on our side now.
I have a habit of kicking dead horses.
Hebrews 11:23-27 “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw [he was] a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment. By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.”
So it seems (as everyone knew except me) Faith is the soil from which imagination roots itself, and then in the same aspect, it is the nutriment for the growth of things to come.
This is the conclusion of the whole matter “Fear God and keep His commandments” For this is the whole duty of man”. If we have the mind of Christ and hold the thoughts feelings and purposes of His heart we will be creative in our thinking so as to do His will. I am glad to know Pastor Robin has a vision (imagination) to believe we need the large Performing Arts Center for Easter services because the Lord is enlarging our territory. “Without a vision the people will perish (be lost). I am imagining a great multitude of people will be there and we will have a powerfull service which will impact our community. May God continue to enlarge our minds and hearts to love the lost and be prepared to help them in faith come to Him. I am having an image of an old fashioned, power packed, God anointed, soul convicting (not condeming) love sharing, heart warming, healing, warm and beautiful move of the Holy Ghost from God. One that refreshes the souls of those that come to Him in sincerity.
Well said, Bro. Laddie! Now that is faith and imagination at work!!!
O.K. everyone. I think we have all missed the forest for the trees or however the saying goes.
Did anyone realize that my husband is standing in Lakewood church, behind Joel Osteen’s pulpit?
That is the point of this whole thing.
Goodness! Not that all of you haven’t had good discussion, but come on and take another look at the picture.
I see Pastor preaching a sermon, its title is ” Did the chicken or the egg come first? ” ; )