Not formally educated, to speak in front of Church!!!

I know that the God of Abraham and His Christ, have given me a Pastors heart.

A life of study of God's Word (the Bible) and a heart towards our Lord have allowed me to experience many things that formally educated Pastors know little about, because they have not grown to experience God's fruit in there lives to such a level.

Mostly, I believe because they do not believe that normally this type of one on one relationship is even possible because they are taught in Seminary to reject such an assertion to be able to communicate on a personal level with our Lord.

Please do not misunderstand me, my communion with our Lord is not like picking up the phone in my head, and speaking and receiving answers when ever I like.
However, when the Lord desires to speak to my heart in his good time I will hear him if I am still enough. If then our Heavenly Father wants you to be sure that you herd him, he will make sure that you do!

I have learned these lessons in being a Christian for the past thirty years, and I did not develop to this point overnight, it has come with "Good Teaching" and a desire in faith to "hear God's voice in my life". Oh yes, there are many counterfeits that exist including our own minds however this is where the "good teaching" and discernment come into play.
If you are taught these things are not "normal" or are "abnormal" in your faith, you may not be open on a deeper level to the Lord speaking personally to you, or if you haven't the spiritual maturity you may be deceived or at least very disappointed.

But do not freat, for it is God who decides whom he will speak too and not man. So it is not up to us anyhow. The most important thing that we personally can do is have an open heart towards God, and communication by his Holy Spirit, the rest is up to Him!

I have shared this with many of my denominational Clergy, they are intrigued by my understanding "Biblically" of this thing but view me as somewhat of an anomaly.
Why, because in there understanding and experience most have never had this happen to them!
Like I said, I believe that there Seminaries had alot to do with this in some cases.

On the other hand me, (not to brag in my weakness) was never able to attend a formal Seminary education but I have always had a heart towards our Lord since I was a Child!
Well God knows this, because he gave this heart to me! It really does not matter to him what man thinks! However, I must confess that I do.

Mostly I have always struggled with acceptance with my station in life, because someone else has always dictated to me what my capabilities were. I like many have an above average intelligence level, but also posses some flaws in my performance specifically academically.

If most of us are honest with ourselves we must admit that, specifically today the United States thrives on a formal education, (and what school you went too) to be recognised and get ahead in our society. However, God does not measure us by such institutions for he looks into our hearts and searches for someone who is willing to be used by him for the betterment of his kingdom,(that is not of this world!)

Being near death before, I have a unique understanding of this concept. I am ALWAYS hurt and angered repeatedly by those in the Church community that know of my stories, yet have never allowed me to share them with the congregation!

Even though I surpassed the course requirements of leadership for my Church (the only thing I have ever done better than others, besides refrigeration) my leadership role within the Church was short lived. I felt marginalized when other only more formally educated men were elected to Elder, or were simply better showmen than myself.

Of course I protested this establishments actions for recognising Teaching Elders and Pastors, I wanted to know by what standard they were nominated and elected.
I had many a discussion with both Pastor about my concern, but never have received an answer. Sound like your run of the mill everyday politics to me, but being a Soldier I just can't let it go!

If our Lord has called me to such a task of sharing with others the reality of his strength and grace in my life, why do the "Church Priests" not allow me to speak with others openly like I do to them about Christ in my life? Are we not on the same team?, Why is it that the same words are given me that many in the leadership preach on that week, yet I am still marginalised?

The answer must be that they are scared of me for some reason, perhaps because I have the same spiritual insights and authority that they have but do not posses the cultural stature or education that they have... Is this not wrong for a Christian to smite his brother?

I often remember when Christ spoke in the Temple of his day, many of the priest wanted him out, (if not dead) but we all know how Our Father in Heaven used that event for our good.

Nothing seems to quench this fire in my heart, even death itself!

So if I can't tell people in Church how I feel, I'll blog it on the Internet!

Even the Soldiers in the field looked forward to talking with me, how come the Church doesn't?

Chaplain Dell

Lightship Ministries
Reformed Evangelical Church Outreach