gemini://bbs.geminispace.org/u/Zephan
I am a joyful follower of Jesus Christ. <><
Following Him is central to all I am, and to how I try to live my life.
It wasn't always that way. I was raised as a Roman Catholic by a devoutly religious mother. I knew nothing about God except the little I learned in catechism classes. To me religion was about attending mass and following the teaching of the church.
During my teenage high school days, (in the turbulent early 70's), things started to change. I became rebellious to my dear mother who raised me as a single divorced mom. I moved out before my senior year in high school like the proverbial prodigal son. Wanting to live a life of partying with friends, drugs, and rock and roll, my identity was revelling in the hippie lifestyle.
But, I had a praying aunt and grandmother on my father's side. \^^/
They were holiness pentecostal believers in Christ, and prayed fervently for me and my mother's salvation. I knew little about them until after I became a follower of Christ.
To make a long story of God's grace to me shorter, I will just say that He chased me down, and I surrendered to his will, just short of my 18th birthday.
Saved during the Jesus People movement, I was converted at one of their "prayer meetings" that met in a house near my mother. Within days I was speaking in a heavenly language and my life changed dramatically. No longer smoking dope to get high, I was high on God's love. I moved back with my mother, who soon became a follower of Christ as well.
As was typical of of that time of the charismatic renewal, we had our "prayer meetings" and coffee houses, but continued to attend our traditional churches. In my case, it was the Catholic mass again. When I expressed my desire to learn the Bible to a priest, I soon realized that wasn't going to happen.
I left.
Concurrent with the Jesus and charismatic movements was what was called "the discipleship movement." God knew I needed a male spiritual father to mentor and disciple me, and he provided a mentor - Carlos. Originally from Cuba he discipled me and some other college students in his home. He took me on my first missionary trip to Mexico City. There I was able to visit a church he had planted. My life was ruined for anything else.
As you can see, most of my spiritual DNA was set in the housechurch model. It wasn't called that back then though. We just met in homes to fellowship and to be discipled.
Sounds like the early church. Right?
Many years have come and gone and that brings me to today.
I prefer the Housechurch model of Spirit led decentralized Ekklesia as described in:
1 Corinthians 14:26
"So, brothers and sisters, what should you do? When you meet together, one person has a song, another has a teaching, and another has a new truth from God. One person speaks in a different language, and another interprets that language. The purpose of whatever you do should be to help everyone grow stronger in faith."
The early church broke "bread from house to house." (Acts 2:46)
I enjoy having a meal together and observing the Lord's Supper as we meet.
Currently I am a retired American expat living "somewhere over the rainbow" in SE Asia with my beautiful Filipina wife. God has blessed me with a wonderful helpmate. :)
In closing....
Just as I was saved during the Jesus People movement many years ago, you can be saved also:
Acts 2:38
"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."
I hope this short introduction gives you some insight into my life, and why I follow the tradition of the early church to meet in homes.
Zephan means hidden or concealed of God, and is my nom de plume.
May God's wonderful grace and peace be with you. 🙏
With much love,
Zephan <><
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