Press Release April 2, 2012
Fort Myers Pastor Discriminated Against at Public Event
On Sunday, April 1, 2012, there was a public event advertised throughout Fort Myers concerning the album release of KJ-52. Clearly on the invite it says everyone. Correct?
Here is the link: http://wayj.wayfm.com/community/concerts-a-events/event/653.html
Well apparently not so.
Pastor Michael Miano of The Fellowship C.H.U.R.C.H. was pulled aside by the event host and asked “Why are you here?” to which Miano replied “It’s a public event and I was invited”. After which Michael Miano decided to leave with friends feeling intimidated and humiliated.
Why has this happened?
According to Pastor Miano this is not the first time this has happened. As there are many different views within Christianity that are spreading the globe, Michael Miano is involved with a “back to the Bible” movement that has been labeled “heresy”.
Recently, Michael Miano was escorted off of First Assembly of God in Fort Myers property by Church elder and the Sheriff for talking with congregants about “Asking Your Pastor”, which is a campaign that seeks to strengthen and restore Christian understanding of Biblical doctrine by urging people to “search the Scriptures”.
Speaking about Sunday’s event, “This was a public event, a concert of sorts, drew people from all sorts of views of Christianity”, says Michael Miano. Yet, clearly he and his views are not welcome. You can learn more about Pastor Michael Miano by visiting www.freakedoutmovement.com
Reporting live from the front lines of The Hairy Tick Army.
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Showing posts with label full preterism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label full preterism. Show all posts
Monday, April 2, 2012
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Missional Marketing- "Healing of the nation"
Everyday I love the Lord more and more as I continue to learn the true and reasonable gospel of Jesus Christ that shines through consistent fulfilled theology. Yet, the burden always stands that we need more missionaries, more door to door evangelists, more teachers and preachers to teach the proper view of the kingdom of God, of which I believe is the healing of the nations (Revelation 22:).
In line with what I just spoke about in the video, I am looking to do my part. Called as a reformer of the Church, a healer of the nations through the gospel of Jesus, I will do all I can to display the message and help others understand it clear enough that it takes root in their lives (oddly, the word radical is derived in Latin from "being rooted").
Learning from the network marketing sector, and being fully convinced of the gospel of Jesus Christ, I seek to do all that I can to get the message out. WE NEED MISSIONARIES!
So, Missionary Marketing is my brand/business to utilize my passionate energy ("zeal empowered by knowledge") to get the gospel out! Working namely within the Preterist camp, I want to begin networking properly.
You help me by spreading the word of what I am doing, helping me get invites and events, etc..I will help your cause by promoting you by any means necessary! What do you think?
Message me on Facebook, email me at p.mike_miano@yahoo.com, or give me a call at (239) 603-5695.
I look forward to working with you.
Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Michael Miano
VISIT MY SPEAKING PAGE @
HTTP://WWW.ZEALEMPOWEREDBYKNOWLEDGE.COM
.
In line with what I just spoke about in the video, I am looking to do my part. Called as a reformer of the Church, a healer of the nations through the gospel of Jesus, I will do all I can to display the message and help others understand it clear enough that it takes root in their lives (oddly, the word radical is derived in Latin from "being rooted").
Learning from the network marketing sector, and being fully convinced of the gospel of Jesus Christ, I seek to do all that I can to get the message out. WE NEED MISSIONARIES!
So, Missionary Marketing is my brand/business to utilize my passionate energy ("zeal empowered by knowledge") to get the gospel out! Working namely within the Preterist camp, I want to begin networking properly.
You help me by spreading the word of what I am doing, helping me get invites and events, etc..I will help your cause by promoting you by any means necessary! What do you think?
Message me on Facebook, email me at p.mike_miano@yahoo.com, or give me a call at (239) 603-5695.
I look forward to working with you.
Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Michael Miano
VISIT MY SPEAKING PAGE @
HTTP://WWW.ZEALEMPOWEREDBYKNOWLEDGE.COM
.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
The Perfect Christmas Story: The need for a Consistent Gospel
December 25th, is known by many as the day that Christians celebrate the birth of the Messiah Jesus. Granted there are many who claim Jesus is the Christ yet do not attribute any value to December 25th and cite a variety of reasons.
We see nighborhood lawns decorated with the nativity scene, a moment to reflect on a time long long ago when a baby was born in a manger in a little town called Bethlehem. Yet, we also see the roadways packed with traffic, the shopping malls cluttered with frantic shoppers, and consumerism having a sort of parade that competes with the values that were later taught by this baby Messiah.
It seems that this celebration is a bit inconsistent. Although it does not stop there. The sad reality is that the distorted celebration of the Messsiah's birth is bred by a distorted storyline. Logically, it only makes sense that if the story itself is completely confusion and inconsistent the product or action it will produce will be the same.
So...what's the Christmas story you know or have heard? As Christians, this story, which is the gospel that our Messiah was born into this world to bring to men (John chaper 1), should be of vital importance. We must understand it, live it, and reproduce it, after all, Christian does mean "little Christ's", right?
In my following of Christ, I have done everything I could to present this message to the world, whether it was simply living a life that glorifies Christ or radically proclaiming the message from the rooftops (sometimes quite literally), I have been willing to entertain other understandings of this message- in an effort to understand the consistency of the gospel message- or for this message- the perfect Christmas story.
Recently I had made a habit of attending a local Unitarian Universalist congregation which is a group that seeks to exhibit a message of understanding that faith is subjective and it is through willing to allow others to grow that "god" is realized, or quite possibly in their belief, the lack thereof. One day their minister delivered a message in regards to what it is a Unitarian Universalist believes, and he quoted an article written by Reverand David Bumbaugh, a professor at Meadville Lombard Theological School in which he said:
"Unitarian Univeralists have, I believe, an implicit faith position that has evolved over time as a result of our engagement with the world, a faith position that we seem reluctant to make explicit. It is a faith position that seeks to provide a sense of meaning to our existence; a position that challenges us to live responsibly in the world and to engage the challenges constantly confronting us"
I continually attended these meetings, and I will admit I always had a sense of "holy frustration". I have continually quoted to others in Christ that I feel the UU position is one that keeps peoplein a room running in circles denying the fact that their are walls. Many of these congregants are very intelligent and have been dismayed with the unreasonable, inconsistent, and often times unreliable message that the "Christian Church" has offered. I had a meeting with their minister and he told me how he was led away from his position as a Christian pastor by means of studying and realizing certain parts of the message didn't sit well with reality. This saddened me. Although, it is sadly true that many Christians and churches fail to offer a consistent and reasonable message that demonstrates our explicit position in Christ. Do you know your foundation, can can you explain it?
Again and again, I realize that much of the distortion of the Christian message comes from presuppositions built upon presuppositions. A presupposition is an assumption that comes beforehand or to something that is taken for granted in advance. In Christian communities this is challenged as inserting something into the text or your own interpretation. This is clearly demonstrated when I meet with the Mormons who offer a new gospel in an effort to restore the message of Jesus Christ. The sad truth again is that, YES, the gospel does need to be restored but without faulty presuppositions that are ever clear in their tradition, traced back to why Joseph Smith even prayed to God for wisdom. Many friends in different streams of Christianity offer faulty presuppositions when they take something I say and add to it (for example, if we are living in the new heavens and new earth therefore there is no longer any need for the gospel). Also, many challenge true Biblical teachings based on what they have always felt they already knew or what seems logical and the only right way, to them! Faulty presuppositions come up in any Bible study, especially when dealing with morals and ethics, yet these same false views have led to dispensationalism, the history & theology of the Jehovah Witnesses, and many other brands in the Christian church.
As Charles Spurgeon put it, ""I believe a very large majority of church goers … are merely the stolid, unthinking, slumbering worshippers of an unknown God". Unfortunately, many of the scholars are sitting in circles amongst each other and giving truth to yet another quote by Mr. Spurgeon, "A lie will go round the world while truth is pulling its boots on". A great read concerning this is A Road Back to Preterissm by Kurt Simmons. (This article can be found at Preterist Central.com).
To be quite honest. I am sick of hearing about shoppers killing another shopper over a toy around the celebration of the Messiah, I am antagonized by killings in my area, at the mall, around the Christmas season, and I am bothered by the nonsense story that has taken place of the true gospel story. So what do I resolve to do? Attack back! As much as the ways of this "world" seek to attack the kingdom of God which is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, we in the kingdom of God must wage war as well. How ready is your armor?
I truly believe we can fix the problem by missionally living out what I have come to call an emerging profitable Christianity which is demonstrated with a consistent message. Make sense? That is exactly it! We must let the good news become good news, not an odd quirky story of spiritual nonsense that "works for you". Are you willing to not only explain the perfect Christmas story that began when that baby was born in Bethlehem, but also live in its reality today?
Take a look at Luke chapter 2. A man named Simeon was waiting for what? The consolation of Israel! And he would be alive until when? Until he seen the Lord's Christ! And what did he prophesy about the child?
"Soveriegn Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for the revelation to the Gentiles and for the glory of your people Israel...this child is destined to cause the rising and falling of many in Israel, and to be a sign spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too".
and of course it doesn't stop there. Concerning the prophetess Anna the Scripture says "she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all where looking toward to the redemption of Jerusalem". Immediately we read of Jesus growing up and going about the Father's business proclaiming the fullfillment of prophecy and proclaiming the nearness of the kingdom of God.
I must question. Is this the gospel message that you are being taught? I always hear a subjective, out of context, personal salvation- might I dare say boyfriend jesus message in many churches rather than the fulfillment of prophecy to Israel, salvation of Israel, which would be a light to the Gentiles. That is what is in Scripture.
In a decaying world outside the gates of the kingdom of God, many Christians offer dirty water as the message of Christ:
in once sentence it is said, death is destroyed by Christ and now we have eternal life, yet we say we cannot be living in the realities of the kingdom because people still die. Many say we are in the presence of God, yet when we die we will go into His presence. Some speak of hell as being an eternal place, yet the Word says Hades will be thrown into the lake of fire. Many preach that we are the kingdom of God, and then speak of a yet future kingdom of God. The Scriptures say that sin is what leads us to Jesus, and that the Gospel is eternal, yet many preach a false hope of a kingdom without sin, and therefore without the need for Jesus.
We must get with the program! We are not offering the healing of the nations that is so desperately needed, and can be found in a consistent gospel message- or in this case the perfect Christmas story.
The good news is that an emerging profitable Christianity is on the horizon. Sometimes we must emerge amidst the nonsense, and truly offer something profitable- this is the remnant always spoken of in the Bible.
GOOD NEWS:
A CHILD WAS BORN, A SON WAS GIVEN, AND HIS GOVERNMENT IS ON HIS SHOULDERS, HE IS CALLED WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, MIGHTY GOD, EVERLASTING FATHER, PRINCE OF PEACE. THE INCREASE OF HIS GOVERNMENT AND PEACE WILL HAVE NO END FROM THE TIME HE WAS BORN TO FOREVER (ISAIAH 9:6-7). HE HAS SET UP A KINGDOM THAT HAS AND WILL CONTINUE TO CRUSH ALL OTHER KINGDOMS, BUT HIS KINGDOM WILL ENDURE FOREVER (DANIEL 2:44). THIS IS A KINGDOM OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE, AND JOY IN THE HOLY SPIRIT (ROMANS 14:18). YOU CAN BE SAVED FROM THIS PERVERSE GENERATION BY FINDING SALVATION IN HIM (), THANK GOD HE FULFILLED THE PROPHECIES (LUKE 21:20-22, HEBREWS 9:28; 1 CORINTHIANS 10:11) TO BRING SALVATION. IN THIS WORLD WHICH WILL NEVER END (EPHESIANS 4:21) AS GENERATIONS COME AND GO (ECCLESIASTES 1:4) WE HAVE THE ETERNAL GOSPEL (REVELATION 14:6) WHICH WILL CONTINUE TO BE THE HEALING OF THE NATIONS (REVELATION 22:2) AS WE INVITE PEOPLE TO COME INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD (REVELATION 22:14-17) BY BEING REBORN (JOHN CHAPTER 3).
I hope this bears fruit in your life, blessings in Christ,
Pastor Michael Miano
Give us men in the pulpit...that fear God & think the gospel good enough for anybody & make no apology for preaching it-A.T. Robertson
P.S.- Here is a brother in Christ's blog that discusses the same stuff but probably a bit more clearer than my crazy mind works. :)
http://ultimatereality-revdannyfoster.blogspot.com/?spref=fb
We see nighborhood lawns decorated with the nativity scene, a moment to reflect on a time long long ago when a baby was born in a manger in a little town called Bethlehem. Yet, we also see the roadways packed with traffic, the shopping malls cluttered with frantic shoppers, and consumerism having a sort of parade that competes with the values that were later taught by this baby Messiah.
It seems that this celebration is a bit inconsistent. Although it does not stop there. The sad reality is that the distorted celebration of the Messsiah's birth is bred by a distorted storyline. Logically, it only makes sense that if the story itself is completely confusion and inconsistent the product or action it will produce will be the same.
So...what's the Christmas story you know or have heard? As Christians, this story, which is the gospel that our Messiah was born into this world to bring to men (John chaper 1), should be of vital importance. We must understand it, live it, and reproduce it, after all, Christian does mean "little Christ's", right?
In my following of Christ, I have done everything I could to present this message to the world, whether it was simply living a life that glorifies Christ or radically proclaiming the message from the rooftops (sometimes quite literally), I have been willing to entertain other understandings of this message- in an effort to understand the consistency of the gospel message- or for this message- the perfect Christmas story.
Recently I had made a habit of attending a local Unitarian Universalist congregation which is a group that seeks to exhibit a message of understanding that faith is subjective and it is through willing to allow others to grow that "god" is realized, or quite possibly in their belief, the lack thereof. One day their minister delivered a message in regards to what it is a Unitarian Universalist believes, and he quoted an article written by Reverand David Bumbaugh, a professor at Meadville Lombard Theological School in which he said:
"Unitarian Univeralists have, I believe, an implicit faith position that has evolved over time as a result of our engagement with the world, a faith position that we seem reluctant to make explicit. It is a faith position that seeks to provide a sense of meaning to our existence; a position that challenges us to live responsibly in the world and to engage the challenges constantly confronting us"
I continually attended these meetings, and I will admit I always had a sense of "holy frustration". I have continually quoted to others in Christ that I feel the UU position is one that keeps peoplein a room running in circles denying the fact that their are walls. Many of these congregants are very intelligent and have been dismayed with the unreasonable, inconsistent, and often times unreliable message that the "Christian Church" has offered. I had a meeting with their minister and he told me how he was led away from his position as a Christian pastor by means of studying and realizing certain parts of the message didn't sit well with reality. This saddened me. Although, it is sadly true that many Christians and churches fail to offer a consistent and reasonable message that demonstrates our explicit position in Christ. Do you know your foundation, can can you explain it?
Again and again, I realize that much of the distortion of the Christian message comes from presuppositions built upon presuppositions. A presupposition is an assumption that comes beforehand or to something that is taken for granted in advance. In Christian communities this is challenged as inserting something into the text or your own interpretation. This is clearly demonstrated when I meet with the Mormons who offer a new gospel in an effort to restore the message of Jesus Christ. The sad truth again is that, YES, the gospel does need to be restored but without faulty presuppositions that are ever clear in their tradition, traced back to why Joseph Smith even prayed to God for wisdom. Many friends in different streams of Christianity offer faulty presuppositions when they take something I say and add to it (for example, if we are living in the new heavens and new earth therefore there is no longer any need for the gospel). Also, many challenge true Biblical teachings based on what they have always felt they already knew or what seems logical and the only right way, to them! Faulty presuppositions come up in any Bible study, especially when dealing with morals and ethics, yet these same false views have led to dispensationalism, the history & theology of the Jehovah Witnesses, and many other brands in the Christian church.
As Charles Spurgeon put it, ""I believe a very large majority of church goers … are merely the stolid, unthinking, slumbering worshippers of an unknown God". Unfortunately, many of the scholars are sitting in circles amongst each other and giving truth to yet another quote by Mr. Spurgeon, "A lie will go round the world while truth is pulling its boots on". A great read concerning this is A Road Back to Preterissm by Kurt Simmons. (This article can be found at Preterist Central.com).
To be quite honest. I am sick of hearing about shoppers killing another shopper over a toy around the celebration of the Messiah, I am antagonized by killings in my area, at the mall, around the Christmas season, and I am bothered by the nonsense story that has taken place of the true gospel story. So what do I resolve to do? Attack back! As much as the ways of this "world" seek to attack the kingdom of God which is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, we in the kingdom of God must wage war as well. How ready is your armor?
I truly believe we can fix the problem by missionally living out what I have come to call an emerging profitable Christianity which is demonstrated with a consistent message. Make sense? That is exactly it! We must let the good news become good news, not an odd quirky story of spiritual nonsense that "works for you". Are you willing to not only explain the perfect Christmas story that began when that baby was born in Bethlehem, but also live in its reality today?
Take a look at Luke chapter 2. A man named Simeon was waiting for what? The consolation of Israel! And he would be alive until when? Until he seen the Lord's Christ! And what did he prophesy about the child?
"Soveriegn Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for the revelation to the Gentiles and for the glory of your people Israel...this child is destined to cause the rising and falling of many in Israel, and to be a sign spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too".
and of course it doesn't stop there. Concerning the prophetess Anna the Scripture says "she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all where looking toward to the redemption of Jerusalem". Immediately we read of Jesus growing up and going about the Father's business proclaiming the fullfillment of prophecy and proclaiming the nearness of the kingdom of God.
I must question. Is this the gospel message that you are being taught? I always hear a subjective, out of context, personal salvation- might I dare say boyfriend jesus message in many churches rather than the fulfillment of prophecy to Israel, salvation of Israel, which would be a light to the Gentiles. That is what is in Scripture.
In a decaying world outside the gates of the kingdom of God, many Christians offer dirty water as the message of Christ:
in once sentence it is said, death is destroyed by Christ and now we have eternal life, yet we say we cannot be living in the realities of the kingdom because people still die. Many say we are in the presence of God, yet when we die we will go into His presence. Some speak of hell as being an eternal place, yet the Word says Hades will be thrown into the lake of fire. Many preach that we are the kingdom of God, and then speak of a yet future kingdom of God. The Scriptures say that sin is what leads us to Jesus, and that the Gospel is eternal, yet many preach a false hope of a kingdom without sin, and therefore without the need for Jesus.
We must get with the program! We are not offering the healing of the nations that is so desperately needed, and can be found in a consistent gospel message- or in this case the perfect Christmas story.
The good news is that an emerging profitable Christianity is on the horizon. Sometimes we must emerge amidst the nonsense, and truly offer something profitable- this is the remnant always spoken of in the Bible.
GOOD NEWS:
A CHILD WAS BORN, A SON WAS GIVEN, AND HIS GOVERNMENT IS ON HIS SHOULDERS, HE IS CALLED WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, MIGHTY GOD, EVERLASTING FATHER, PRINCE OF PEACE. THE INCREASE OF HIS GOVERNMENT AND PEACE WILL HAVE NO END FROM THE TIME HE WAS BORN TO FOREVER (ISAIAH 9:6-7). HE HAS SET UP A KINGDOM THAT HAS AND WILL CONTINUE TO CRUSH ALL OTHER KINGDOMS, BUT HIS KINGDOM WILL ENDURE FOREVER (DANIEL 2:44). THIS IS A KINGDOM OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE, AND JOY IN THE HOLY SPIRIT (ROMANS 14:18). YOU CAN BE SAVED FROM THIS PERVERSE GENERATION BY FINDING SALVATION IN HIM (), THANK GOD HE FULFILLED THE PROPHECIES (LUKE 21:20-22, HEBREWS 9:28; 1 CORINTHIANS 10:11) TO BRING SALVATION. IN THIS WORLD WHICH WILL NEVER END (EPHESIANS 4:21) AS GENERATIONS COME AND GO (ECCLESIASTES 1:4) WE HAVE THE ETERNAL GOSPEL (REVELATION 14:6) WHICH WILL CONTINUE TO BE THE HEALING OF THE NATIONS (REVELATION 22:2) AS WE INVITE PEOPLE TO COME INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD (REVELATION 22:14-17) BY BEING REBORN (JOHN CHAPTER 3).
I hope this bears fruit in your life, blessings in Christ,
Pastor Michael Miano
Give us men in the pulpit...that fear God & think the gospel good enough for anybody & make no apology for preaching it-A.T. Robertson
P.S.- Here is a brother in Christ's blog that discusses the same stuff but probably a bit more clearer than my crazy mind works. :)
http://ultimatereality-revdannyfoster.blogspot.com/?spref=fb
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Retrospect- 2010
Well here we are in 2011. The last couple weeks of the year have been a bit a roller coaster therefore actually sitting down and writing this blog is accomplishing a huge feat.
I would like to take out the time to do some examination of the year of 2010. Sitting down and reading the recap of 2009 and my notes from January 2010, is inspiring and am will continually urge others to begin to detail these things.
Looking over my new years resolutions of last year was fun and it helped a bit to put all that was done and accomplished in 2010 into a good perspective (be on the look out for the 2011 resolution blog, I will be posting).
January
The year started out with me having a radical zeal to pursue the kingdom of God (much to the credit of what the Lord is doing in and through Shane Claiborne). I studied the writing, The Early Christians in Their Own Words collected and organized by Eberhardt Arnold. I would reccoment this writing because of the rich history you can learn of the early church and be encouraged, inspired, and challenged by our history as the body of Christ.
“The early Christians challenge us to see discipleship as a path away from “self” toward a wholly transformed social order”.
I learned of the fellow saint Polycarp, who was martyr-ed for his faith and spoke about his statement of “Christianus Sum” (I am a Christian) at the Faith to Faith conference later in the month.
A very pivotal part of my new year was developing a friendship and guidance from pastor Alan Bondar from Messiah Reformed Church (http://www.messiahreformed.com) who through discernment and knowledge of Him led me to embrace Reformed Full Preterism.
* A very strong point that happened even from the beginning of 2010 was the friendships I developed and working toward goals and stronger mission statement for Freaked-Out Fellowship.
January was also the month that I explored Catholicism in tune with my resolutions for Jan-March. I had learned how to pray the full rosary, went rosary prayer group, studied parts of the catechism and so forth (for more info, consider reading the blog post: http://newsfromthetribe.blogspot.com/2010/02/avatars-catholics-and-rosary.html
February began with the quest into Orthodox Christian and praying the khomboskini, and this was a time in honest retrospect that I felt distached from a lively bunch of Christians. I had read the book, The Way: What Every Christian Should Know about the Orthodox Church, and was not exactly in agreement. (Although, I am learning that there are many aspects of Orthodox Christianity that the body of Christ does need to get back to- even to the extent of the Orthodox Christian Bible commentaries).
Freaked-Out Fellowship stopped hosting the Monday night rallies, which was humbling me for to realize that sometimes you need to try and stop if it does not seem to be the proper method. Also, in February I began to attend Messiah Reformed Church and dig deeper into fulfilled eschatology.
Looking back at notes, I realize that my year started out so strongly with the ACTing Out ACTS concept of living and being the radical Christians that we read about in the early church. The persecuted, the hated, the nonconformists, etc...we so desperately need that energy!
March began with reading Jesus for President by Shane Claiborne and Chris Shaw, yet another book that has played an important part in developing my passion for Christ. Also, besides turning 26 on March 3rd, I traveled as a practicing monastic to the New Monasticism conference at Reba Place Fellowship. This was an awesome experience and helped me begin to develop my thoughts more concerning fellowship and new monasticism, also considering an interesting bus ride from Fort Myers, Florida to Evanston, Illinois, dressed like a Franciscan monk. :)
April was a month of study. I recall reading through the Bible in 30 days which was a powerful experience, reminds me of the quote from J.I. Packer, “Any Christian worth his salt ought to read the Bible from cover-to-cover every year”. Also, a detailed study through the prophets in an effort to fully understand the concept of the Prophetic Imagination was a powerful, exciting journey as well. Did you know Isaiah ran around Egypt butt-naked? ha ha ha
Also, in April I became an official Starbucks barista!! whoohoo! Iced Venti 11 pump Vanilla Upside-down Caramel Macchiato (somewhat the kingdom of God in a cup).
May to June, I placed alot of emphasis on studies of both Full Preterism and the Missional Church. Reading through various books such as The Forgotten Ways by Alan Hirsch, Reading the Bible through New Covenant Eyes by Alan Bondar, ReJesus by Alan Hirsch, etc began to really push me into a certain direction- a pret-issional Jesus Freak direction!
“...return to a more pre-Constantinian understanding and experience of church” (Robert Webber)
As we ventured into August it seems as though my life began to take an odd turn. Noticeably things in my life began to take a toll and I lost my focus. It all goes back to that Matthew 6:33 statement, GO READ IT!!!
A valuable lesson I am learning even after a recent study and discussion through the book of Ecclesiastes is that there is a time for everything, and this is something I know I need to learn. prioritizing is important. Looking back, i was doing so much at once, even going against the stream of knowing that my life was having issues, and I experienced a sense of burnout.
September was suppose to be the launch of Freaked-Out Fellowship’s new ideas, but even at that point there were things in life that I should have taken a step back and worked toward a bit of a sabbath. The encouragement of these times was when I did focus on God I was granted bits a pieces of wisdom into His kingdom (the true Kingdom as explained in Romans 14:11). Consistency and persistence is a blessed part of my character that God has given me, and even in the times of trial I always seek to be inspired and burdened by God, which at this time in September 2010 I turned to reading yet again, The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne.
In October I began to get ready for my trip to Israel/ Palestine and tried to remain open minded to my trip and explaining my simple reasons to “know the faces” of those struggling in the Middle East.
Now, November and December where a bit of ups and downs, the true to life realities. In November I was preparing for my trip and it was a struggle, I had alot of crisis’ going on in my personal life (especially in regards to my and Gabriella’s relationship). I ended up going on the trip, even though life almost seemed against me before I left, and upon my return all the stock I had placed in the trip was revealed. The “mission trip effect” happened to my life in more than one way, and that would be a blog or discussion in and of itself. (I WILL WARN YOU THAT OUR GOD IS A FAITHFUL AND SOVEREIGN GOD WHO WILL MAKE HIS WILL HAPPEN IN THE WORLD, WHETHER YOU ASK OR NOT, BUT IF YOU ASK, BE WILLING TO RECOGNIZE YOU ASKED!).
Upon my return from Israel/ Palestine in late November/ early December I have found my world a bit upside-down. Talk about returning from a foreign land to foreign circumstances, that would be the best way to explain it. As I was still processing what I had seen in order to “Know the Faces” in the Middle East, I was also welcomed with beginning to process what was going on in my personal life.
December, probably the most impactful month of the year has seemingly offered a bit of every emotion on the chart. Sadness boy Joy, Loss but Opportunity, Confusion yet Focus. It is in the valley times that we listen and learn the most and that is what I have done with December. Studious might not even describe it well, but you can imagine that much learning and wisdom will be revealed in future blogs. Much more of what December has offered will be revealed in my next upcoming blog concerning 2011.
Let’s wave goodbye to 2010, and welcome in 2011..I wish I could be more parabolic like Jesus or poetic like my friend Q, who wrote her letter/ poem to 2010. With that said, let’s look to be inspired and burdened in 2011.
“It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings. (Proverbs 25:2)”.
As a follower of Jesus, by Truth and Spirit,
Michael Miano
I would like to take out the time to do some examination of the year of 2010. Sitting down and reading the recap of 2009 and my notes from January 2010, is inspiring and am will continually urge others to begin to detail these things.
Looking over my new years resolutions of last year was fun and it helped a bit to put all that was done and accomplished in 2010 into a good perspective (be on the look out for the 2011 resolution blog, I will be posting).
January
The year started out with me having a radical zeal to pursue the kingdom of God (much to the credit of what the Lord is doing in and through Shane Claiborne). I studied the writing, The Early Christians in Their Own Words collected and organized by Eberhardt Arnold. I would reccoment this writing because of the rich history you can learn of the early church and be encouraged, inspired, and challenged by our history as the body of Christ.
“The early Christians challenge us to see discipleship as a path away from “self” toward a wholly transformed social order”.
I learned of the fellow saint Polycarp, who was martyr-ed for his faith and spoke about his statement of “Christianus Sum” (I am a Christian) at the Faith to Faith conference later in the month.
A very pivotal part of my new year was developing a friendship and guidance from pastor Alan Bondar from Messiah Reformed Church (http://www.messiahreformed.com) who through discernment and knowledge of Him led me to embrace Reformed Full Preterism.
* A very strong point that happened even from the beginning of 2010 was the friendships I developed and working toward goals and stronger mission statement for Freaked-Out Fellowship.
January was also the month that I explored Catholicism in tune with my resolutions for Jan-March. I had learned how to pray the full rosary, went rosary prayer group, studied parts of the catechism and so forth (for more info, consider reading the blog post: http://newsfromthetribe.blogspot.com/2010/02/avatars-catholics-and-rosary.html
February began with the quest into Orthodox Christian and praying the khomboskini, and this was a time in honest retrospect that I felt distached from a lively bunch of Christians. I had read the book, The Way: What Every Christian Should Know about the Orthodox Church, and was not exactly in agreement. (Although, I am learning that there are many aspects of Orthodox Christianity that the body of Christ does need to get back to- even to the extent of the Orthodox Christian Bible commentaries).
Freaked-Out Fellowship stopped hosting the Monday night rallies, which was humbling me for to realize that sometimes you need to try and stop if it does not seem to be the proper method. Also, in February I began to attend Messiah Reformed Church and dig deeper into fulfilled eschatology.
Looking back at notes, I realize that my year started out so strongly with the ACTing Out ACTS concept of living and being the radical Christians that we read about in the early church. The persecuted, the hated, the nonconformists, etc...we so desperately need that energy!
March began with reading Jesus for President by Shane Claiborne and Chris Shaw, yet another book that has played an important part in developing my passion for Christ. Also, besides turning 26 on March 3rd, I traveled as a practicing monastic to the New Monasticism conference at Reba Place Fellowship. This was an awesome experience and helped me begin to develop my thoughts more concerning fellowship and new monasticism, also considering an interesting bus ride from Fort Myers, Florida to Evanston, Illinois, dressed like a Franciscan monk. :)
April was a month of study. I recall reading through the Bible in 30 days which was a powerful experience, reminds me of the quote from J.I. Packer, “Any Christian worth his salt ought to read the Bible from cover-to-cover every year”. Also, a detailed study through the prophets in an effort to fully understand the concept of the Prophetic Imagination was a powerful, exciting journey as well. Did you know Isaiah ran around Egypt butt-naked? ha ha ha
Also, in April I became an official Starbucks barista!! whoohoo! Iced Venti 11 pump Vanilla Upside-down Caramel Macchiato (somewhat the kingdom of God in a cup).
May to June, I placed alot of emphasis on studies of both Full Preterism and the Missional Church. Reading through various books such as The Forgotten Ways by Alan Hirsch, Reading the Bible through New Covenant Eyes by Alan Bondar, ReJesus by Alan Hirsch, etc began to really push me into a certain direction- a pret-issional Jesus Freak direction!
“...return to a more pre-Constantinian understanding and experience of church” (Robert Webber)
As we ventured into August it seems as though my life began to take an odd turn. Noticeably things in my life began to take a toll and I lost my focus. It all goes back to that Matthew 6:33 statement, GO READ IT!!!
A valuable lesson I am learning even after a recent study and discussion through the book of Ecclesiastes is that there is a time for everything, and this is something I know I need to learn. prioritizing is important. Looking back, i was doing so much at once, even going against the stream of knowing that my life was having issues, and I experienced a sense of burnout.
September was suppose to be the launch of Freaked-Out Fellowship’s new ideas, but even at that point there were things in life that I should have taken a step back and worked toward a bit of a sabbath. The encouragement of these times was when I did focus on God I was granted bits a pieces of wisdom into His kingdom (the true Kingdom as explained in Romans 14:11). Consistency and persistence is a blessed part of my character that God has given me, and even in the times of trial I always seek to be inspired and burdened by God, which at this time in September 2010 I turned to reading yet again, The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne.
In October I began to get ready for my trip to Israel/ Palestine and tried to remain open minded to my trip and explaining my simple reasons to “know the faces” of those struggling in the Middle East.
Now, November and December where a bit of ups and downs, the true to life realities. In November I was preparing for my trip and it was a struggle, I had alot of crisis’ going on in my personal life (especially in regards to my and Gabriella’s relationship). I ended up going on the trip, even though life almost seemed against me before I left, and upon my return all the stock I had placed in the trip was revealed. The “mission trip effect” happened to my life in more than one way, and that would be a blog or discussion in and of itself. (I WILL WARN YOU THAT OUR GOD IS A FAITHFUL AND SOVEREIGN GOD WHO WILL MAKE HIS WILL HAPPEN IN THE WORLD, WHETHER YOU ASK OR NOT, BUT IF YOU ASK, BE WILLING TO RECOGNIZE YOU ASKED!).
Upon my return from Israel/ Palestine in late November/ early December I have found my world a bit upside-down. Talk about returning from a foreign land to foreign circumstances, that would be the best way to explain it. As I was still processing what I had seen in order to “Know the Faces” in the Middle East, I was also welcomed with beginning to process what was going on in my personal life.
December, probably the most impactful month of the year has seemingly offered a bit of every emotion on the chart. Sadness boy Joy, Loss but Opportunity, Confusion yet Focus. It is in the valley times that we listen and learn the most and that is what I have done with December. Studious might not even describe it well, but you can imagine that much learning and wisdom will be revealed in future blogs. Much more of what December has offered will be revealed in my next upcoming blog concerning 2011.
Let’s wave goodbye to 2010, and welcome in 2011..I wish I could be more parabolic like Jesus or poetic like my friend Q, who wrote her letter/ poem to 2010. With that said, let’s look to be inspired and burdened in 2011.
“It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings. (Proverbs 25:2)”.
As a follower of Jesus, by Truth and Spirit,
Michael Miano
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