Emissary International

Ideal Living--by Jonathan Benz

The first few years of the 21st Century have been so tumultuous that it is almost too difficult to take in.

Leadership scandals are no longer shocking, they are expected. Truth is used however one sees fit, making the 'new' truth indistinguishable from a lie. Wars are called just by some, while still others question how something can be called just when innocent blood is shed in the name of the 'righteous' cause.

Chilling Out, Wrath Free--by Joan Gallo

It was a dramatic few weeks, but then God likes using good drama to teach us life lessons. Just read the story of Jonah.

During lunch I decided to drive to the Italian Market, only three minutes away. The service help is normally grumpy, but the food is so good. I thought I was making pleasant conversation with the cashier, yet I must have said the wrong thing. Suddenly a flash of anger lit up her face and her eyes turned small and beady.
Puzzled, driving away, I was startled by a blaring horn and looked to see a man in a car shaking his fist at me. I thought I had the right-of-way. I guess he wanted to go first. Shutting off the car engine I said to myself, “Our civilization is so angry.” Then just as I was getting out of my car, a young man walked by me screaming foul language into his cell phone. Boy, was he mad! What a bizarre five minutes!

Right Relationship--by Jonathan D. Benz

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

Known as The Golden Rule or Ethic of Reciprocity.

For me, living life to the fullest is more than an overly inspirational goal. It's a part of my everyday thought process. How can I maximize the limited time I have on the planet?

Voice mail. Instant messaging. Email. Video conferencing. Download what you need, when you need it, and even if you don't! More opportunities and tools are available to us in the 21st Century than at any other point in human history.

Many Emissaries

The ministry of Jesus was larger than one man. As emissary on divine mission, He carried the presence and authority of the Almighty. With every step and every word He generated a solid case for the love of God on assignment to deliver men from evil.

Handfuls of Purpose--by Misi Stonecipher

I love the movie About a Boy. Perhaps it is because the film is largely formulaic: protagonist at war with the world gets everything wrong, but all comes to a satisfying end. The main character, Will Freeman, is a slacker who is quite proud of having never accomplished anything or being connected to anyone. He is actually a bit of a rake, and he is content with a life where relationship of any kind is largely marginalized. There is a great scene in which one of the women takes him to task concerning his lifestyle. She challenges him saying: You will end up childless and alone.” To which Will replies, “Well, fingers crossed, yeah.”

The Demise of the Local Church: Fact or Fiction? by Matt Kutz

Recently, the church has come under considerable scrutiny... not so unusual, except the criticism is at the hands of committed Christians, not antagonists of the faith. This could be disturbing accept that it is at the hands of committed Christians, so we should extend to them the benefit-of-the-doubt and consider their questions. The impact, role, and success of the church has been called into question. In essence, the efficacy of the church and her ministry has come under fire. For sure there is a generation of believers disenfranchised with how things are done in the church and as a result feel they have no other recourse but to leave the local church. This is a problem that DOES deserve attention.

On Suffering and Compassion

The word compassion is derived from Latin word that means, “To suffer with”. Compassion asks us to go where it hurts, to enter places of pain, to share in brokenness, fear, confusion and anguish. Compassion challenges us to cry out with those in misery, to mourn with those who are lonely, to weep with those in tears. Compassion requires us to be weak with the weak, vulnerable with the vulnerable and powerless with the powerless. Compassion means full immersion in the condition of being human. Compassion is more than just a general kindness or tenderheartedness. If we are to truly show compassion, we must get down to where people are hurting and not stand on the periphery.

Towards A More Prophetic Faith

Jonathan Benz, 31 August 2005

The Western Church has typically—and usually unwittingly—promoted itself instead of the Kingdom of God. We have preached the gospel of the Church instead of the Gospel of the Kingdom. We have built programs, bible studies, anointed conferences and training curricula to propagate and sustain church and ministry activities instead of promoting the building of the Kingdom of God. This focus has resulted in an insular, inward mission instead of an outward expression of bringing the Kingdom of God to bear upon the kingdoms of this earth.

The message is the Kingdom. The Church is the voice and the vehicle for that message. Many ministries spend more times promoting themselves, rather than the message.

The Church is not the end-all.

Prophetic or Pathetic

About a year ago I made a determined move stand back from promoting and encouraging conferences, which I felt were in some was contributing to distracting people from living out a life which helps them connect with the lost. In a word, helping people to be 'conference junkies'.

Believe me it's not been the easiest decision to work out. Some 'friends' distanced themselves from me, I haven't heard from most people since, my fall into oblivion really demonstrated to me that people aren't important in this part of God's field. What was important was the next big revelation, the new terminology and of course the latest book or tape series. What ever happened to people working out their salvation in fear and trembling THEMSELVES, in recent years a percentage of Christendom living life according to a bunch of prophets and not so much according to the teaching of Jesus.