Some more reflection on Hillsong 2007
This Hillsong conference was the most life changing for me, apart from the first one I went to about 7 years ago…..
Something deep and indescribable has been placed within me…a deep hope and faith.

On another point, and upon reflection, something else was interesting. As much as Hillsong and the like attract incredible criticism, much of it bitter angst, much of it unwarranted…..they rarely respond, at least in public.
There was no criticism of the critics, and something else…..there was no criticism of other churches and their styles.

Brian Houston asked TD Jakes if he was to ‘google’ himself, would he find criticism, and if so, how would he respond. His answer was interesting. He said that he does not have time for critics……..

Thats something I need to learn from…..

Brian Houston stressed the need for personal accountability, especially in the light of recent events, but also for the need to be focused on what God calls us to, and to devote our energy to that.

I have redone my links…
Craggles is goorn, no longer blogging. Thanks for your interesting posts to a fellow Dockers supporter.
Ignite community has grown down, he is now posting at myspace for a younger audience….

I have added two more.

The Geoffreport
A Richmond supporter involved in the Vineyard church who flirts with emerging thoughts every now and then, but he likes Becks beer and Wolfmother, so he can’t be that bad.

Phil Cooke
He made us all feel not as embarassed as we could have been when watching Dentons, “God on my side”

Hillsong Conference addendum.

There is generally some direction that comes out of the conference, a feel or emphasis.
This year was two fold for me.
1. Life is tough and hard, and we need to struggle through some issues. Yet God gives us hope and with faith, we can believe better days are ahead

2. The church is to be the vehicle of justice and mercy in the world. In fact true worship involves giving of ourselves to the poor and marginalised. Louie Giglio spoke a powerful message on what truly pleases God, and that is being His hands and feet to those less fortunate.
Compassion was emphasised and it was encouraging to hear that 1900 kids were taken up as sponsor children over the week. What really matters about compassion and justice is actually doing something, and not just talking about it and slagging off other churches.

TD Jakes preaches up a storm

The last day, its a little sad really. Hillsong is my annual pilgrimage, a pastors retreat where he gets to rock up and be ministered to. To not have to worry about the sound, whether the data projector is manned, if the coffee is hot, but more importantly, what God wants to say to the people today. Its a time for me to be ministered to.
If I was going to sum up the theme which came through almost every speaker it would be this, “have faith that God will do great things through you, even if the circumstances suggest otherwise”.

Franklin Jentzen, Joseph Prince and Donna Crouch were the highlights for me. TD Jakes was awesome as well, but those three had a word for me…..and I thank God for this time.
Travelling and staying with a mate, talking about it all, thats good as well.

I know God will bless our church, and more importantly, we will see Him move in the hearts and lives of our community……I cant wait to see what He has in store for us….

Off tomorrow to Paddy’s markets, and some other shops to pick up some things for the kids. Got my wife’s present already.
Then on Sunday we plan to go to Hillsong City on Sunday morning, and the SCG Sunday afternoon for Freo V Sydney.

Friday 1st Session Bishop TD Jakes
We project our perceived self, Live it to the fullest
Abraham was going to go & lead the people to a place God would show him

Genesis 12 1 And Jehovah said to Abram, Go out of your country, and from your kindred, and from your father’s house into a land that I will show you.
Genesis 22 4 Then on the third day, Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place afar off.

There are places, moments, things that we are called to do
There showed be a fire that burns within us
God does not give us details, & that is frustrating
Where are you going? God knows all the details, but he knows there is something that happens in the heart of a leader when he has to humbly wait upon God, and yet walk by faith, not sight. This will only come through revelation, and so we have to humbly wait upon God.
Every time you are just about there, you will lose someone
You cannot take everyone with you. God is calling you to move, and leave the ”chickens” behind, the critics….
Abraham & Isaac…..Abraham had to listen to the new, fresh word of God
“I am sick to death of leaders who don’t want to be controversial”
11 Disciples said nothing …. That’s discouraging
Good leaders will train, transition themselves out of a job. Good leaders will look for a new thing

3rd Session Franklin Jentzen Habbakuk
1 He has a problem -burden
He was burdened for the people, the non-intervening of God….tough to know why

2 Gets a vision
Everything changes when you get a vision The vision is for an appointed time, and though it tarries, wait for it
We are a microwave generation, but we serve a crockpot God

3. Praises God
The prophet praises God based on ignorance ! Faith in God is better than an answer. If you curse your situation you will die. If you feed negative thoughts they will grow
People listen when you have faith

Starts to praise

You don’t get faith without a problem
The manna stayed fresh in the ark of the covenant
In the presence of God, we stay fresh
When you cannot hear God, read Him, until you CAN hear Him
Jer 8 “unblushables”

Second last day……
TD Jakes went off like a firecracker tonight, man that guy can preach!! If you don’t believe or like emotive preaching, you wont like TD….If you reckon, like me, that God created us as emotional beings and truth can and should be communicated using emotions, then maybe, like me, you would enjoy listening to him.
Also got to hear Steven Curtis Chapman, he was great….
Full on day, managed to pick up a Krispy Kreme and some fresh cherries….they went down well!!

Thursday 1st Session Jentzen Franklin
1 Samuel 19
11 Then Saul sent troops to watch David’s house. They were told to kill David when he came out the next morning. But Michal, David’s wife, warned him, “If you don’t escape tonight, you will be dead by morning.”
12 So she helped him climb out through a window, and he fled and escaped.
The negative forces were pounding on the door, & his wife had to open the window , it was dark, it took faith to step out. David had to take advantage of the open window
You will regret lost opportunity, life is too short to live in regret
We can’t let negative voices stop us
It is up to earth to make the blessings of heaven to be opened
Malachi 3:10
10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in My Temple. If you do,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put Me to the test!
My God shall supply all your needs
Pastors need a open window to the Holy Spirit
Has the church shut the window of the Holy Spirit, if it on the menu, why isn’t it in the kitchen ?

Michal’s window of opportunity became the window of criticism
Never name your future based on your present

Rahab window She opened the window of faith

You came through your parents not from them

Its as stupid to try and smell with your eyes, as think about your opportunities without faith

Paul had 2 windows of opportunity
He was let down by 2 ropeholders
They believed in him before he became big
(mine-Aninias)
They held onto the “basket case”
Even when it became tense, they held on

Kid fell out of the window. Windows are not meant to be sat in.
Paul did give him what he deserved, Paul loved him back to the kingdom

2nd Session Donna Crouch
I love listening to Donna Crouch, forget everyone else….. she gets it. If you are organising conferences, and want to speak to team leaders, pastors and church leadership groups, get Donna, she is awesome…

1 Samuel 14
6 “Let’s go across to the outpost of those pagans,” Jonathan said to his armor bearer. “Perhaps the LORD will help us, for nothing can hinder the LORD. He can win a battle whether He has many warriors or only a few!”
7 “Do what you think is best,” the armor bearer replied. “I’m with you completely, whatever you decide.”

Vision is not the problem, the issue is the gap.

1. Serve the vision
2. Armour Bearer
To lift to bring forth, carry weapons,
3. Ceilings
“I pay you to think” this pushes you through the ceiling
4. Pick your battles
5. Vision creates a gap

3rd Session Bobby Houston
Habakkuk 1
Years + strength + influence = Strategy

1. Steward the years
People align themselves with people they trust, that takes time
What has been purposefully sewn
Psalm 144
Can you articulate the strength
What does Heavenly God look down upon & see as incredible ?

4.30pm Session Joseph Prince
No-one could love God like that, no one can understand how to love God like that

Do you love God or does God love you?
Contrast between John & Peter
John who said Jesus loved him, was found at the foot of the cross
John boasted of Christs love for him
Peter, who said he loved Jesus, was found denying Christ
Peter boasted of his love for Jesus

Results
John divine revelation Jesus told him at last supper
Peter asked but wasn’t told
J was helpful to Jesus at the cross
J was first to the tomb
John 21.17 John recognized Jesus, Peter had to ask

Is 53 It pleased the Lord…..
John was loved by Jesus
As Christ is accepted, so am I, because Jesus is holy we are not condemned.

Thursday 7.30pm T.D. Jakes
Get ready Genesis 1
There are seasons to our life

God is eternal & sufficient
God has made us creative, he made trees, not chairs
If you ask God for something it may turn up in raw form..
God does not have to be explained
He just is

1. God is strategic, you are planned & have a purpose, therefore enjoy today and be glad about it!
2. God does things by a system
God has set in place nature for example
We are pregnant with ideas
When
3.God is synergistic God designed animals to mate with each otler
Illustration of Eagles
When an Eagle stretches its wings, almost 3 metres wide, designed to get up high above the clouds
4.
What are we going to do with the time we have left?

Hi all who read this blog.
I would request that if you want to reference my notes on the Hillsong conference you be fair about it, and just take a quote or two, and not just cut and paste the lot to some other site. Also please reference the web address for my blog,
Thanks….
Mark