THE SIGNIFICANCE OF HIGH PLACES......Numbers 33 verses 52 - 53

INTRODUCTION

Oooooooooh la la, mon peuple it is that time of the month again.  More hard food, people we want to prevent high places developing in our lives and based on the discourse attack those that are present. As promised in last month's Blog we are dealing with household wickedness which is ever so present in my life at this time. Let us start by listening to Making War in the Heavenlies - by Ron Kenoly

Household Wickedness

I tell you people the Holy Spirit had to do a Nehemiah on me again in order to wake me up.  I remember one gentleman writing me an email in 2009 and accusing me of carelessness.  I had not a clue what was taking place. Now I have learnt to trust the Spirit, and when I don’t I am in trouble.

A number of things have been taking place in my accommodation. However, I have been so busy learning French vocabulary, conjugation of French verbs and trying to develop a business I got very careless.  The same reason I was so slow in catching on with the tapping of my telephone. Have my apologies my friends.  I put you all to great risk for that I am truly repentant.

After having my ears boxed and the few hairs that I have left yanked I sat down and started evaluating.  This is that small inner voice: Raphleta, Raphleta remember what took place in Mississauga.

1. The pink stubs on your hairbrush are not leaving because your hair has grown taller or thicker in fact it is quite the opposite.  You have been losing hair recently and we know why. Don’t we?
2. Your toothbrushes have not been losing the middles because your saliva has suddenly become acidic. God forbids!
3. Your body wash is not full of soap suds because they have changed the formula. Raphleta!
4. Your lily (my plant) when it came into your room was flourishing, Raphleta, remember persons tried to kill your plants.  That is why your plant has been changing colour.  People, I keep a piece of lily everywhere I go because they are a hardy plant that does not need a lot of care.  All I have to do is speak to the plant and it flourishes (yes people I speak to my plants and the birds etc.).  It also reminds me of Jamaica everyone has a piece of lily.  In addition, it reminds me that Jesus in the Lily of the valley and bright morning star etc.
5. I had a necklace it suddenly developed wings and flew off, it is nowhere to be found.
6. My favourite BLACK jeans that I left in my room was torn up. I mean my BLACK jeans. Can you believe it? MY BLACK JEANS!! That is high treason!!
7. My USB fell to the floor in my room and said I would look for it at a more convenient time.  The convenient time has come and it nowhere to be found.
8. My Tide laundry detergent getting lighter and I am not using it.

I am aware of what is taking place because the Pastor of a church I used to attend would say I am a Pharmacist by training and he had other Pharmacists in his leadership. I have been the victim of not only serious African bush medicine but the synthetic one also. Setting wicked things before his eyes and then talking about "Jesus Christ is the head of this Church.

Let me give you examples of what has taken place in the past why I am so adamant that these people have to be stopped in their tracks. I will look at five instances.  I will be brief and just treat this as a trailer to my book.  The book outline is 28 pages. In Jamaica I had written the final chapter but my loving brother borrowed my USB and it came back with my last chapter deleted and a virus on my USB. Everything that I will be writing can be verified by seeking documents from the Landlord and Tenant Board at Robert Speck Parkway in Mississauga, The Ontario Human Rights Commission or the Canadian Human Rights Commission.  If you need my signature all you have to do is ask. Here goes:

3267 Crimson King Circle, Mississauga L5N 8M8

Quite a few things took place at this accommodation most nights I had to call the Region of Peel Police of course, I got nowhere because of the collusion. Most times I came home my door was opened these people just went in and out of my residence with impunity.  The Region of Peel Police have the list of occurrences on file. Things came to a head one night in October 2008 I got up one morning and the floor looked very glassy.  When i placed my foot on the floor i realized that that my basement apartment was flooded. I got up went and looked in the other apartment across the way and found that the pipe was left on. I touched nothing.  I went into my apartment did my devotion got dressed and left. My books which were on the ground was destroyed and a piece of garment. When I returned in the evening the apartment was dry. The judge at the Landlord and Tenant Board ruled against me.

3928 Rippleton Lane, Mississauga

Things went well in this accommodation only for a season. I had to go to the doctor because things were being placed in my food and water without my knowledge.  It became so bad I could not use the bathroom. People are trying the same thing again but this time I have Dr. Cindy Trimm’s prayer. I went to the walk-In Clinic at Meadowvale Town Centre.  The one at Winston Churchill Boulevard.  Dr Ipshad (or whatever her name is) would prescribe the most expensive medications for me. When I went to the pharmacy the Pharmacist asked do you have any money? Why did the doctor prescribe the most expensive medication for you? There are generic brands. He gave me a bottle of the generic brand. I started working shortly after unfortunately, I wrote my goals in my journal.  You think i would learn by now to stop writing down things. The next thing I knew after I had paid the lady all the money I owed her. I came home one night and the door was closed, there was a note on the door saying I had been evicted and my things were in the garage.  The garage was closed. This was February 27, 2010 at 11:30 p.m. I had just completed a two and a half hour commute from Toronto.  February is one of the coldest month in Canada.  In fact there was a snow storm the next day which was a Saturday. It was my birthday that is why I remembered so clearly. I had to get the police to assist me to get my panties. I subsequently had to take out a restraining order against this lady because she decided that she had not terrorized me enough. This lady is a Christian. Lord help my Holy Ghost!!

80 Acorn Place, Apartment #1, Mississauga

All those pictures that you have seen were taken in this location. The ones where I was cringing under the blanket because of the cold. The Pastor of the church said he had to put newspaper in his window in England to keep out the cold.  The seals on my window were broken and the temperature lowered. I placed my coat in the window seals to no avail. The ones with my hair sticking up you have to speak to God about that he gave me kink hair. I am in my bedroom it is my business how I want to keep my hair. The nude ones you are also going to have to speak to God about them. He made me.  I just thank Him that I still have all things and they are all functional. I know people who would not complain about being as complete as I am. The ones with my little blouse; one morning I got up and my chest was full of fungus. I told you i wash the victim of bush medicine.  I went to the Walk-In Clinic again, this time Dr. Ipshad did not deal with me, a young doctor did.  He prescribed a dandruff shampoo and a useless cream. I used to walk around with the prescription. I burnt it so that people would leave me alone, to no avail. I had to use garlic to get off the spots I still have three. I could not wear any clothes. I would have made a nice garlic sandwich if you place me between two slices of bread. Now, people you can ask then to show you the pictures of me in church. I know some of you have already seen them. I see you dressing like me. All they did I missed not one week of church.

3170 Dover Crescent, Mississauga

My heart really went out for this lady because she was ill and the people harassed the life out of the lady and her son with all their evil. Persons knew that I like President Obama so with their sarcastic selves they placed a picture of his beautiful smiling face in the dining room right by the door where I exited or entered the room. For they know not what they did!! Every time I passed I would salute and say Le président or El Presidente. The sick lady would be in her bed and would be looking at me. I am sure she was saying people are trying to destroy this lady and she is saluting President Obama. I did it for the better. I knew not where and when the picture disappeared.

In that house I had to throw away 16 pounds of rice.  I left a bag of rice and when I came back it was opened, people were trying too hard to kill me so I disposed of the thing.

180 Chalkfarm Drive, North York, ON

By this time I had realized a little of what was happening, so all the booby traps were ineffective. Resulting, in persons wanting to displace me by fair means or foul.  The Landlord did all kinds of illegal things eventually the police came. I remember I called the police and an officer came.  This big Caucasian officer went into the kitchen and said “I see a roach”. I said “ Yes and that is one of the reason I called you I am being harassed.” When the two officers came they were reluctant to displace me because they realized that what was  happening was illegal. So, headquarters sent another officer. Ooooh la la, all I saw was the Gestapo, Taser and all. For those of you who don't know who the Gestapos were.  They were the enforcers of the Third Reich (Nazis).  They did all Hitler’s atrocities, gas chambers, mass shooting experimental human operations etc. I was also reading how someone was Tasered to death at an airport.  I got up and went patiently saying girl, you will live to fight another day.  Not being satisfied with my just walking out the apartment.  Rommel (the Gestapo police officer) told the other officers to handcuff me.  I was placed in the back of a police car and driven the long way to the police station.  I was released after 9 p.m. shaking my right fist and shouting amandla!! amandla!! I then went in the week and got my mug shots.

Persons have a tendency to deliberately set up believers specially to do all sort of despicable things and then talk about walk in love, when their weapons come to naught. This serpentine spirit to break down one's guard in order to attack again.  Dr. Cindy Trimm mentioned it in her "Atomic Power of Prayer" and I quote

"I take authority over human spirits which are being used as demonic host hotels and guest houses, whether they are friends, relatives, business partners, colleagues, associates, spiritual sons and daughters and protégés. Father expose their hearts, expose their motives and intentions of fake friends in the name of Jesus and associates and employees and colleagues. Bring their masquerade to a halt. Uncover their true identity, expose their hidden agenda. Reveal the driving forces behind their diabolical assignments. Let evil enquiries, fault finding mission, astral-projections and suggestions fail (X2). Let them fail NOW!... In the name of Jesus, Father we decree and declare that your hand is stretched forth causing the evil eyes of satanic surveyors and surveillance to be blinded. Destroy envious rivalry and competition. Break the backbones of conspiracy, tyranny and treachery. Blind satanic watches, and those that interfere through the use of astrological and cultic devices. Cause the ears of eavesdropping spirits to become deaf. We resist antagonistic spirits and ancient spirits, irritating spirits, irrational spirits, argumentative spirits, frustrating spirits, retaliatory spirits, provocatory spirits, lying spirits, defying spirits, deceptive spirits, hallelujah to be destroyed. Every abortive spirit, Philistine spirits, Amorite spirits, Pharoahic spirit be destroyed.  We come against mind numbing and controlling spirits and prohibit you from operating. Divide their tongues and bring their plans to naught.   Put to shame those that seek our demise, in the name of Jesus."

Read the prayer in its entirety it is right on!! I was lead to it by the Spirit of God when I returned to Jamaica.

Dr. Moses Aransiola has said and I agree, after you have turned the second cheek the Bible is silent on what to do.  This is not about black and white but about people's misguided notions of domination.  The Crusaders did it to the Moors, Hitler did it to the Jews, Botha did it to the Africans and McDonald did it to the First Nations.  Good people turned their backs then they will continue to do so now. Whatever demonic and diabolic contracts people have made among themselves they need to go and sort it out.  I was not a part of the negotiations. I left Canada and returned home not knowing that the Nazis had gone ahead of me and formed demonic alliances with the gun runners and drug lords in Jamaica other wise called politicians and businessmen who harassed the life out of me. I have returned to finish this. I took no money from anyone in fact they have stolen all that I have. Like Naboth in 1 Kings 21 I plan to die for my garden if I have to. We are going to tear down every high thing that wants to exalt itself against the knowledge of God.  I have left your churches leave me alone. As I have already said the person with the experience is not at the mercy of the person with the argumentation.

You can bring all the dogs you want with your Hitler selves so I can feed them with poisoned samosas.

REFLECTIONS

As per usual going through the Bible and of course as one goes through the books of I and II Kings one of the significant event in the lives of the Kings which determines their righteousness was if they pulled down the high places. The Bible would say King so and so walked in his father's footsteps and did evil in the eyes of God and cause the children of Israel to sin and to worship in the High Places or king so and so did right in the eyes of God and worshipped God and pulled down the high places.

We will be looking at a definition/description of high places and look at the modern day high places which are in people's' hearts.

CRITICAL DEFINITION

High Places – mentioned in the Bible 117 times. The word literally translates in Hebrew bamah, or plural bamot. Bamah means "place of worship". Mountain top, open-air altars on elevated knolls near towns. According to I Kings 14 verse 23, the Canaanites "built for themselves high places and sacred pillars and Asherim on every high hill and beneath every luxuriant tree." Based on this scripture it would indicate that the high places are all encompassing and speak to the intent of the place. In Genesis 21 verse 33 Abraham built a grove and worshipped and there was nothing wrong which indicates also how a good thing can become bad.

THE DESCRIPTION OF THE HIGH PLACES

• It was often on the hill above the town, as at Ramah I Samuel 9 verses 12 - 14
• There was a stele (matzevah), the seat of the deity
• A wooden post or pole (asherah, named after the goddess Asherah), which marked the place as sacred and was itself an object of worship
• There was a stone altar, often of considerable size and hewn out of the solid rock or built of unhewn stones (Exodus 20 verse 25 on which offerings were burnt (mizbeh, lit. "slaughter place")
• A cistern of water
• Optional low stone tables for dressing the victims
• Sometimes a hall for the sacrificial feasts

WHAT TOOK PLACE ON THE HIGH PLACES

The high places were places of religious worship.  Five religious activities occurred here:

1. Animal sacrifices 1 Kings 3 verse 2
2. Prostitution Jeremiah 3 verse 2
3. The burning of incense 1 Kings 3 verse 3
4. Sons and daughters walking through fire  Jeremiah 32 verse 35
5. Human sacrifices 2 kings 23 verse 20, Jeremiah 7 verse 31

In addition, it appears that there were sacred pillars at the high places 2 Kings 17 verse 8 - 12. These appear to be carved pillars depicting the female goddess of fertility and male deities. It appears that each high place had priests Numbers 22 verse 41.

Not all high places were dedicated to idol worship. They played a major role in Israelite worship, and the earliest biblical mention of a site of worship, later called a “high place,” is found in  Genesis 12 verses 6 - 8 where Abram built altars to the Lord at Shechem and Hebron. Abraham built an altar in the region of Moriah to sacrifice his son there in obedience to God Genesis 22 verses 1 - 2. This site is traditionally believed to be the same high place where the temple of Jerusalem was built. Jacob set up a stone pillar to the Lord at Bethel Genesis 28 verses 18 - 19, and Moses met God on Mt. Sinai Exodus 19 verses 1 - 3.

THE GODS WORSHIPPED AT THE ANCIENT HIGH PLACES

The Jews were commanded by God to tear down every high place.  Today we might not have physical high places in terms of the Christian religion (I can't speak for the others). The parallel today would be 'ism idols' - rampant materialism, impure sexism or me-ism.

Moses' exhortation to destroy the High Places Numbers 33 verses 52, 55.

Why was God so concerned about these mythical Canaanite deities? Below is a list of just some of the gods that were worshipped in these high places.

• El—supreme head of the Canaanite pantheon of gods, supposedly the father of creation.
• Baal—lord of earth and rain (prerequisites for successful harvest in a dry land).
• Ashtoreth—goddess of fertility. Canaanite farmers visited her shrines to mate with cult prostitutes to guarantee crop fertility.
• Dagon—principal god of the Philistines. Dgn means grain in Hebrew and Ugaritic and is associated with wheat harvest. In 1 Chronicles 10 verses 8 - 10, when the Philistines found King Saul’s dead body on Mount Gilboa, they “fastened his head in the house of Dagon.” This was the same Dagon in 1 Samuel 5 verses 3 - 4 that fell before the Ark of  God and when they placed him upright again he was decimated he lost his head and his palms.
• Molech (Moloch, Milcom)—Ammonite god to whom children were sacrificed. At Gezer, archaeologists have found clay jars containing the charred bones of babies.
• Chemosh—a Moabite deity, “honored with horribly cruel rites like those of Molech, to whom children were sacrificed in the fire” (Unger’s Bible Dictionary).
• That’s just six of 26 major Canaanite gods and goddesses! Thank God for Jesus I have trouble keeping up to the one, I don’t know what I would do with so many. High places were not harmless shrines—God’s people were seduced to flagrant sin at these altars. Isaiah rebuked them: “Are you not children of rebellion … who inflame yourselves among the oaks, under every luxuriant tree, who slaughter the children in the ravines?” (Isaiah 57 verses 4 - 5).

King Solomon succumbed to wheedling from his Canaanite wives and built a high place for Chemosh and Molech on the mountain east of Jerusalem.

DEALING WITH THE HIGH PLACES – TWO EXEMPLARY KINGS.

King Hezekiah put paid to 800 years of idol accommodation he reigned from 715 to 686 B.C. 215 years after Solomon's collapse 2 Kings 18 -20. However, I prefer the story of King Josiah to say he was thorough is an understatement 2 Kings 22 - 23. This young King was classical far surpassing King Hezekiah his great grandfather. He reigned 641 to 609 B.C.

• REPENTANCE

The Canaanites were dispossessed because of their wickedness not because of the goodness of the Jews. Deuteronomy 9 verse 5. God is not casual towards sin especially idol worship.

The Jews were casual about idolatrous high places for 800 years. For example, King Solomon as he grew older his wives "turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was not wholly devoted to the Lord his God" 1 Kings 11 verse 4. And then he built a high place for his wives.

The idols in King Solomon's life which ultimately lead him to idolatry.  There is nothing wrong with being wealthy some of the fathers of faith were very wealthy, Abraham, King David and Job. However, if your possessions become more important than the God you serve it is an idol.  I am of the opinion that is the reason most rich Pastors can't speak out these days.  They are too bound by the system.  You can't challenge a system that you depend on.

King Solomon's idols according to 1 Kings 10:

1. Power and control – All the kings around him were subdued.
2. Money and riches – Silver was as stone (some of us can't even buy an ounce now).
3. Knowledge and wisdom – Wisest men in the Old Testament.
4. Sex and women – The fellow had stamina seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines.

Like King Solomon, we might give ourselves permission to float with temptation but still try to retain a vibrant heart for God. But King Solomon, could not and we cannot either. The more we entertain worldly high places in our hearts, the more our love for God slips away.

The first thing King Josiah did was repented when he found out that the nation was in deep sin.  He tore his garments. This is reminiscent of Daniel 9 for we have sinned.

• DIRECTION FROM A TRUSTED GODLY SOURCE

Overcoming of sin is difficult when one dwells in the sin. However, if you trust in the character of God through His word especially 1 John 1 verse 9.  However, having confessed where does one go from there because the Bible says in 1 Peter 5 verse 8 – Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

From King Solomon to King Hezekiah thirty kings (twelve in Judah and eighteen in Israel) did not remove the high places. Kings Asa and Jehoshaphat failed to remove the high places from the land. However; Kings Hezekiah and Josiah were of a different ilk in his walk with God and told himself that past failures should not dictate their future.

King Josiah went further than King Hezekiah the Priests who should have been the trusted spiritual leaders in the land had obviously missed it terribly.  He sought guidance from a trusted Prophetess relative to the keeper of the wardrobe 2 Kings 22 verse 14.  Thank God for the Rhoda's (in the book of Acts while everyone was praying she went to look for the answer, the expectation of the righteous shall not be cut off) and the Huldah's able to maintain their purity even in time of apostasy. God will not leave Himself without a witness.

• DECISIVE LEADERSHIP

I love this one, there's an old African saying: To travel fast – go alone. To travel far- go with others.

Instead of haranguing the nation to avoid the high places.  King Hezekiah recruited the Levites. In every Church God will have a remnant. The task of the Levites was skinning animals and assisting the Priests in holy convocations. Within sixteen days the Levites dramatically cleaned the temple in Jerusalem of Canaanite worship paraphernalia.  King Hezekiah then had a massive celebration and the Levites "sang praises with joy" 2 Chronicles 29 verse 30.

Then, King Hezekiah invited everyone to a Passover Celebration in Jerusalem, the reaction to this was mixed. Some came some did not. However, a historic seven-day Passover Celebration was held in Jerusalem. The people were so moved they spontaneously traveled to the cities of Judah to breakdown Asherim poles and destroy the high places and altars 2 Chronicles 31 verse 1. It started with a few persons who were sold out to the purposes who were willing to support King Hezekiah in following the Lord wholeheartedly.

However, in contrast King Josiah took the leadership of the nation church and state (one and the same) along with the people and went directly to the temple went over the law and sought wholesale repentance. The people repented and an extensive clean up began right back to the days of King Solomon. Even the things that King Hezekiah had overlooked. 2 Kings 23 verse 7 – they cleared the temple of the male prostitutes there is nothing new under the sun, they are in the Church no fire in the pulpits. Read about the full clean up in 2 Kings 23. King Josiah was motivated.  I like a person who is motivated. If anything is worth doing it is worth doing well.

It is highly recommended not to walk alone spiritually.  The book of Proverbs says "iron sharpens iron"  Proverbs 27 verse 17. The Master Himself sent out His disciples in pairs. St. Luke 10 verse 1 . The ideal situation would be to study with friends or attend a Bible study of substance.

The other thing would be to have a Pastor that one can confide in. However, the scriptures say there are many instructors but few fathers 1 Corinthians 4 verse 15
 

• KEEP THY HEART WITH ALL DILIGENCE

Kings Hezekiah and Josiah didn't merely exhort people to stop going to high places. Instead they restored true, God-centered worship at the temple, and the people realized that they need not worship Baal or Ashtoreth  2 Chronicles 29 - 30

When dealing with sin one has to find a God pleasing substitute instead of focusing on the sin. It follows logically focusing on a negative situation only magnifies it. Focus on the solution and magnify the solution.  Psalm 34 verse 14

CONCLUSION

I am so glad that I have done this topic because I have had questions about the matter of walking through fire.  One popular motivational speaker does this practice and a number of persons who have done this have been recommending it. This is a heathen practice.

Let us be reminded of one of the second commandment in the Bible

Exodus 20:4-6King James Version (KJV)

4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.

5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

Believers today avoid obvious high places but indulge in respectable sins.

Galatians 5:19-21King James Version (KJV)

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Even though Abraham and Moses did things in the mountains; coming into the promise land the reason the Canaanites were disposed was because of their evil practices.  God is light and there is no darkness in Him.  If You don't trust His hand trust His heart. The directive given by Moses in the topical scripture was for their protection.

In like manner the instructions are still relevant today we are at an advantage we have the Holy Spirit residing on the inside.  We are the temple of God 1 Corinthians 3 verses 16 -17.

The artificial high that is sought through things outside of God will not work whatever the besetting sin there is only one solution nothing outside of God will satisfy.

I would like to look at church wickedness next month but I think I have sensitized persons enough this month.  However, I have a title for a book I would like to write PEAS AND RICE – An anthology of stories of the Afro-Caribe experience in Canada. You can all mail your stories anonymously. My information is on social media.

Next month I will be looking at one of all these titles I see people taking unto themselves.  My question will be "Are you willing to say like the Apostle Peter, crucify me upside down I am not fit to be crucified like my master." Lets end with Mr. Ron Kenoly - We Are Going Up To The High Places

 

Once again, this is me Lillene’s baby girl coming to you from up here in the true north.

À bientôt!

REFERENCES

What is the Significance of High Places

What Were the "High Places"?

Seduced by the High Places

High Place

A GOOD MAN LEAVES AN INHERITANCE………… Proverbs 13 verse 22

INTRODUCTION

Oooooooooh la la, mon peuple it is that time of the month again.  This month my introduction will be a little bit lengthy. Have my apologies for the grammatical errors and typos of last month.  I was up until 5 a.m. typing.  Too many French assignments in addition to work.  I will post my French Presentation Quel Homme - Pasteur Enoch Adejare Adeboye, Ph.D.- on my website when I get the time. To give you an opportunity to follow my progress in the French.  I would also like to say another big thank you to Daddy Adeboye for his teachings on Holiness all this year I have been tested and did not even realize what was happening. The final test was with Les bijoux.  When I did not take the bait, the gentleman was very angry and wanted to leave me stranded. I said, go ahead I have my bus fare. I wondered why, now I am realizing it was entrapment.  Once again, thank you Sir it is indeed the Master Key of Master Keys. I am also doing another presentation on Edith Piaf La chanteuse française.  I need the latter for evangelism purposes to show that fame without God is a waste and the importance of teaching people Biblical principles. This month I will be looking at my introduction in two sections my governmental anointing and priestly anointing. To indicate to you why persons want to silence me.

Governmental Anointing

Here it is now people having been rejected for every ministry in the church (don’t worry about it is not the first) I thought there was no hope for me. At a previous church they thought they would put me in my place by placing me in the Sanitation Ministry.  Then they read my Journal Post of the day how I was rejoicing in the Lord and saying Daddy finally.  The last time I cleaned the toilets which were not as nice as the ones I would be given to clean; I got a triple promotion.  The next Sunday when I went to church another lady was lovingly cleaning the toilets.  I never heard anything about Sanitation Ministry again. Reminds me of another time I was at another church and the lady was cleaning the washroom and I took the cleaning rags from her and started helping her. She looked at me strangely. I said don’t worry about it love. I will eventually write a Blog on lessons learnt cleaning the toilets. Eventually persons thought I could do no harm so I was placed in the Media Ministry.  You know me, like King David I say it is better to be a doorkeeper in the house of God than to dwell in the tents of many wicked. Obviously, I was enjoying myself too much so I was unofficially discharged. I had already decided that I was officially deployed when these things happen I just say next assignment. 

I had already seen an advertisement in the Brampton Guardian asking citizens to apply for various civic committees. I said finally again, an opportunity to flow in my Daniel and Joseph anointing. I prayed about it saying God all I am doing is going to church and you know me JCI, Chamber of Commerce, Past Students’ Association and FLMI Society and just before the deadline I applied.  The application process should have been online.  The form was not fillable online so I called in and the form was sent by mail.  I filled out the form and returned it.  I was advised by email of an interview at which I would be required to make a 2-page oral presentation in 5-minutes.  I said that is not too bad in the past people would ask me to write 10-page reports about my Human Rights experience. I prayed again about the report because I said, God there is so much to say I could speak about the transportation challenges for one hour non-stop.  If you are great you can be greater. For several months prior, I had been doing some research on Brampton and the Greater Toronto Area reading the Economic Development Report and Strategic Plan and various reports. One morning during my quiet time I just got a live download this is what you are to write just a free flow. I just went to school and typed the thing in a few minutes without a hitch.

People I am including the report for your perusal: 

AGE FRIENDLY BRAMPTON ADVISORY COMMITTEE

SUBMISSION

March 22, 2017

Brampton City Hall

 The 3 priorities for the new advisory committee to address in helping Brampton are:

1.     Provision of adequate housing stock especially affordable housing.

No country can say that they are advanced when their citizens don’t have their basic needs met as per the Maslow Hierarchy of needs – Safety and security.  I recently participated in an exercise by the United Way of Peel along with Peel Housing Alliance (they were called 20,000 Homes in Peel and renamed themselves) a 2 day exercise we had registered over 400 persons in Mississauga and Brampton who were homeless or near homeless (couch surfing etc.).  The list for persons awaiting affordable housing is 3 years in the back.  We have to get intentional about the things we are doing.

2.     Transportation

We need to examine the bus schedules and the routing. I live at Mount Pleasant Village.  We need a direct route to downtown that does not take 40 minutes. We need a quicker route to downtown Brampton from that side of the world.  We commuters are suffering we need a bus system where the buses at least attempt to connect where it is possible.  We are paying one the highest fares in the GTA.

3.     Educational Facilities/Employment/Communication

The need for an University cannot be over emphasized. Since coming to Brampton I have done 2 simple courses with the Dufferin-Peel Catholic School Board and they have both been in Mississauga.

The main challenges are as follows:

1.     Clarity of vision

Being clear about what the vision is and communicating it at all level of the municipality. A picture is worth a thousand words. Write down the vision make it plain.

2.     Community Engagement

Once there is clarity of vision the challenge now is to get everyone mobilized behind the vision.

3.     Management of Resources

Proper Management attracts resources.  The things we have happening at the City needs serious reassessment.

Law suits regarding the award of contracts

Procurement practises

Overrun on contracts

Removal of the management team of the city at once

Bickering among councillors

These things do not inspire confidence in the management team political or civil.

Raphleta Taylor

During my 5-minutes presentation I spoke about a video I had encountered during my research done by the Region of Peel on the strategic vision (the video seems to have been taken down). I stated that it did not engender confidence. I saw 3 minutes stating how dark and complex the problem was.  I expected to see the Vision going forward, the skyline of Brampton was very flat I would have loved to have seen some skyscrapers.  I would love to have seen a scene of people enjoying life in the municipality, seniors sitting on a park benches, young couples with children and families etc.

Regarding the Transit System, I suggested that the opinion of the public be sought when the routes are being changed. I stood at the Bus Stop with a very angry young man who was upset that we had to wait half an hour in the cold for a bus. He would be driving but the insurance company is charging him as a young inexperienced driver and it is very expensive because he lives in Brampton which has the most expensive motor insurance charges in the Greater Toronto Area. I told him cursing at the bus stop would not help he is to call the bus service. Since the council meeting and making a submission on improving the system I have had all sorts of antics with the bus service. I called in twice recently to thank them for deliberately making me miss a bus on Sunday, July 23.  It was the hand of God.

In terms of Community engagement, I spoke to the significance of the University and suggested that the Community Centres and the Libraries be used.  There should be a drawing of the proposed University placed in these venues a picture being more than a thousand words, majority of the municipality visit these venues. In terms of the Library I have had to ask that they remove late charges from my account and a book that I requested suddenly became unavailable. The Spirit of Leadership by Dr. Myles Munroe. In the past I have had to pay thirty dollars ($30) for a book that I left at church.  After I paid the library for the book a gentleman in church gave me a soft copy of the book the title of the book was 'Long Walk to Freedom' autobiography of President Nelson Mandela. Spiritual wickedness in high places dont make the mistake of being side tracked.

Regarding the law suit against the municipality I suggested they used the contingent liability and get rid of the case.  It was affecting the municipality.  Their sister municipality have opened 2 big box stores in recent times but persons said retail was suffering. In terms of the acrimony at council I suggested they form a Mediation Committee to deal with the little issues and stop being fodder for the News Paper.

On leaving the gentleman who escorted me out asked me how I knew so much. I told him from my personal research and reading the Brampton Guardian.  Result, The Brampton Guardian has suddenly developed circulation issues in my community.  It is no longer available.

I was ultimately offered another committee but I was not led to accept that position. I am not settling for Ishmael in this season of my life.  I said thanks but no thanks when a vacancy arises on the committee I requested I would be available.

Telecommunications – FIDO

On December 27, 2015, I took out a telephone with FIDO. At the time, I had to make a deposit of One Hundred dollars ($100) which I was told would be refunded in six (6) months. Unfortunately, I took the Sales representative word and did not read my contract, when I called in June 2016, I was told that my contract stated twelve (12) months on checking I found that this was in fact true.  Anyway, because I did not want any challenges about the refund I ran up some arrears to almost cover the amount on deposit. I called in early December requesting that the amount be transferred to the outstanding amount. I was told I had to call back when the bill was due. This I did, after a lot of resistance they complied with my request.

Prior to that I had exceeded the number of required minutes in my plan and they had charged me Nine Dollars ($9.00) for eighteen minutes. It is fifty cents (50c) per minute if you exceed you monthly minutes.  I took long paying the excess so what happened was that they started sending me a text message monthly once I had used two hundred and twenty-five (225) minutes. However, after I paid my bill in advance in December 2016, my monthly bill came with excess charges of over eighty-four dollars ($84).  When I enquired I was told I went over my bill by one hundred and thirty-eight minutes (138). I advised that I did not get any text message about my usage and I would pay as funds became available.  They told me the text message is a curtesy.  I said then you should have paid me the curtesy to tell me that you are stopping the curtesy. FIDO decided that I should pay all immediately and I said I was not.  They threatened to cut off my phone I said go ahead not a problem.  I would pay for the instrument since it is under contract.  They said they would cut off the phone and I would have to pay the full cost.  I said no way.  They cut off my phone. I wrote the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). The complaint was sent back to the local level.  My bill was adjusted and I started getting my text messages again.  The gentleman asked me about my knowledge of the CRTC I told him I have had challenges with telecommunications in this country in the past.

Here, we go again in June 2017 I upgraded my plan.  I ensured that I knew the amount of the projected bill.  The bill came in July with an excess of over fifteen Dollars ($15). I called only to be told that I had gone over my minutes.  I said no way.  I have been trying to get in my online account from FIDO without success.  I was finally allowed access and in the hearing of the Customer Service Representative, I counted the one hundred and twenty-five (125) minutes that I had used up to June 5. He did the necessary changes after speaking to his Supervisor and my insisting that I would escalate the matter. He also advised that my monthly bill was fifty-five dollars ($55).

Since, then my monthly bill has come as sixty dollars ($60) with charges for sending text to landlines.  You realize why it is not strange that my calls are being eavesdropped on.  This is mild compared to what I have been through.  One company which has changed ownership took away my telephone chip which I had some pictures on and would not return it.

Since I am not telling you nice church people anything and the attack against my incorporation did not work.  They had to increase their activity on my telephone. I will report the case to the Privacy Commission. I am now dealing with the Advisor to the President at the company.  I gather she is a no-nonsense lady.

Donations

In December 2016, a police organization called me about a donation. I was quite surprised I was saying who could be more desperate than I because I have beaucoup d’argent. I forgot that people called me the Macedonian giver the person who gives out of her poverty. You just have to call an offering, if I did not have the money I would write the pledge.  I have learnt my lesson.  I have had problems getting my tax receipt from two (2) churches.  The last one I was about to give up when the tax certificate arrived in the mail. I listened to the person on the phone and then we worked out an amount that I would give on a certain date. I honoured my pledge. Ooooh la la people I did not know there were so many causes.  I have been inundated with telephone calls.  In the Caribbean, we just have a fundraising event or the churches assist.  My People up here fundraising is a serious industry, very serious. I listen to the many scripts in fact I find them quite funny.  One lady said, ‘I know you have not won the lottery but..’. After listening I tell everybody the same thing, my giving is not arbitrary I have worked it out from the beginning of the year and though I would like to assist all causes I can only assist a few and it does not include yours. In fact, there has been a concentrated effort to get me to donate to all types of organizations, in addition to the telephone calls.  I have remained focus. I just gave the Deaf Association because the fellow on the phone sounded so bore and a fellow past student from Jamaica work with the association and they don’t have an online donation portal. By the time I hung up the phone the money was out of my account. I also had one Christian lady writing me an email oh we are off to India we have a fantastic ministry catering to Pastor’s Wives and any amount donated over twenty dollars ($20) you get a tax receipt.  I wrote back and ask about the ‘we’. I was told about some nebulous persons. I asked, ‘Do these persons have names and is there a website. There was no website and I got no names. I asked, is this a charity registered with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).  That was the end of the communications. People in the Caribbean you might want to look at some online donation portals.  The money has not disappeared it has just gone into hiding.

Surveys

Another thing that persons send my way are a lot of surveys.  They try to steal my money and give me bad service or they want to have my opinion on a matter then they send a survey. I have begun to ignore them. I will only do those that are in French and that for the linguistic practice not the accuracy of the information. If I can only tell you how many job interviews that I have been to where I have written out my heart or the interviewer has written down my every word and have no intention of giving me the job. It is called stealing of ideas. I will not tell you the last time it happened.  Let us all share our ideas!! Now you see why they are trying t stop my business.  Too loaded to fail!!

Priestly Anointing

I will have to share with you my foray through the French Bible next month. As I have said I have been deployed, some exciting things have been happening.  I will just share two incidents. I was leaving one of the big box stores when a gentleman approached me and said ‘beg you something.’ I said to him “why are you begging?” Immediately two statements I had recently heard by Dr. Moses Aransiola ‘I shall not beg’ and Pastor Paul Enenche ‘The devil is a bastard’ came to mind and I had enough righteous indignation to rout an army. He said he was just begging me some change.  I said, ‘I am not asking you that.’ For some reason, he followed me to the bus stop.  I asked him a few pertinent questions about his family life which he answered. I said ‘Gimme yuh han’ have yuh ever been a Christian? He mumbled something. I just closed my eyes and prayed a short intense prayer by the time I was finished the fellow mumbled something and just walked briskly off the lot.  People I was not mad at the man I am mad at the devil. I am still righteously indignant.

This time it is a case of Jesus needs go through Samaria I felt the urge to go to another store. When I reached the same sort of thing happened again a man there begging.  I asked the same question again ‘Why are you begging?’ He gave me some explanation.  I said ‘Gimme yuh han, I am going to realign your brain.  I know what the doctors are saying. I prayed again and went on my way. I saw him sitting there contemplating when I passed.

The Bible says if the foundations be destroyed what will the righteous do.  I am having a serious challenge.  I think it us Christians why the health bill of our respective nations is so high.  We have abandoned the foundations.  In recent times, I am having a challenge with persons who are praying for healing but don’t even know one scripture related to healing. Case in point, I was in a church at the end of a funeral. For I know Raphleta says the Lord.  For one reason or another, I did not get to go to the burial site.  I sat around a table drinking goat soup and listening to sweet reggae music with some believers. One lady stated ‘The same thing wey she ded from a dat me hav. Mi tek 11 tablets and him tek 8’ (pointing to the gentleman beside her).  Interpretation (The same thing that the lady died from that is what I have, I take 11 tablets and he takes 8). I said, ‘What scriptures are you standing on for your healing?’ She said, ‘The Lord is my light and salvation whom shall I fear’ Psalm 27 verse 1.  I said, ‘What specific scriptures are you standing on for your healing?’ She said, ‘He that dwelleth in the secret place’ Psalm 91 verse 1. I began teaching.  The gentleman was interested she was not.  Another lady came with a toothache, she was in so much pain I volunteered to pray for her after asking her what she required from God.  The problem people is that the answer given to me by the first lady is not the first time.  In fact, some are not even able to answer the question. Let us get back to teaching the doctrines of the Bible and assist governments in relieving the expenditure on health.

REFLECTIONS

In my meandering through the Bible these various themes come to mind.  Things that I have been reading all these years but the Spirit says you need to know more about that area.  I have been looking at what is happening in the Church in North America especially in the area of leadership of the church.  Having the experience of going to my bed and praying Father let him make it in, let him make it in, even if he smells of smoke. The Pastor I was praying that about built a thirty million Dollars ($30M) church building. To compound the problem, I was listening to a Man of God and every time I listened to this Pastor the closing remarks to his sermons would be about my president.  President Barack Obama of course. I said to myself this was not right. When God wanted to say something to a leader he sent them a prophet. I decided to research the church website.  I was amazed by what I saw the Pastor his wife, his son and the son’s wife. I looked for other tiers of leadership and ministries and found none. I did a few more and concluded that the other services in the church were contracted out. 

People the title is not about physical inheritance but about succession planning in the church, is it God’s prerogative to decide or man’s. Jesus said upon this Rock I will build my Church and as far as I know there is only one perfect sacrifice. Based on my research I am realizing the nature of the problem is that majority of persons have abandoned the Bible totally. One writer stated that the most expensive bad hire that can be made in church is that of a Senior Pastor.  Since, I have already introduced you to the book ‘Good to Great’ by Jim Collins, you know the reason for this, from the secular world. We will now go to God’s way which most people seem to find too bothersome.

Here are some scriptures dealing with your spiritual inheritance  Psalm 16 verse 6,  Acts 20 verse 32, Romans 8 verse 17, Galatians 5 verses 19 - 21, Galatians 4 verses 1 - 7,  Ephesians 1 verses 11 - 14,   Ephesians 1 verse 18, Colossians 3 verses 23 - 24,  Colossians 1 verse 12,  I Peter 1 verses 3 – 12I Peter 1 verses 3 - 12. The  Apostle Peter said it all the working of your faith is for a reason.

CRITICAL DEFINITIONS

For the purposes of this Blog we will only look at the word inheritance.  The word good man is for another blog post.

Inheritance – As per Dictionary.com

1. something that is or may be inherited; property passing at the owner's death to the heir or those entitled to succeed; legacy.

2. the genetic characters transmitted from parent to offspring, taken collectively.

3. something, as a quality, characteristic, or other immaterial possession, received from progenitors or predecessors as if by succession:

We are looking at the passing on of the ministry by succession.

SPIRITUAL INHERITANCE VERSUS MATERIAL INHERITANCE

God wanted to multiply Himself, so He said let us make man Genesis 1 verse 26.  God wanted to have fellowship with man.  This did not work out because man disobeyed God. God had to put His plan in action to get back his creation from Lucifer. Then here comes Brother Noah who preached for 120 years and only converted his household. God wiped out the earth except for Brother Noah, his family and the animals he saved. Brother Noah started enjoying the fruit of the vine too much, until he became a wine bibber. God eventually found a fellow called Abraham, and removed him from his heathen brethren. God made him a very wealthy man. God told him that He would make him a father of many nations. He had challenges in the area pro-creation.  His wife suggested that he mated her helper, which man would give up such an offer.  Of course, he did, here comes Ishmael which is not the son of promise. We are still having problems in the world because Abraham did not refuse his wife’s offer.  It is called the Jews and the Arabs (two first cousins).  Don’t pray against prophetic prayers. Then Abraham had Isaac with his wife Sarah, the son of promise. After Sarah died he had six (6) more sons with Keturah.  In terms of material prosperity Isaac got the major portion, the other sons were given gifts and sent away. Isaac had two (2) sons Jacob and Esau (the older) family drama played out here again and the younger got the birthright.

However, Jacob had to start from scratch even though he was cheated for 21 years the spiritual blessing was upon him, in the end he triumphed over the oppressive management of his uncle Laban. Be careful of the spirit of Laban in the marketplace. Esau also did well.

Then God chose Joseph of all the sons of Jacob. Joseph was thrown in a pit, sold as a slave he ended up being the number 2 person in Egypt. He became exceedingly great. He returned his brothers money when they came to Egypt. Joseph died and he preserved Moses in a basket. Moses grew up and nearly aborted the plan. The Jews spent 30 extra years in bondage because they did not realize that their season had come. Moses eventually delivered the Jews.  Moses did not make it to the promise land because he allowed the people to drive him to anger. Let me say here people that if you have not started church with one and half million grumblers and complainers or 400 people who are indebted, distressed or disgusted and you are having problems with 50 – 300 people you are in the wrong business. Go teach school or start a house fellowship. Speak to Pastor Moses or Pastor David about challenges.

Moses anointed Joshua.  Then the classical example of when a leader does not follow the plan.  Joshua passed the mantle to no one so we have the book of Judges, everyone did what was right in their own sight, resulting in many situational leaders. The people chose King Saul he failed and God had a man in the backside of the desert called David.  King David messed up by sleeping with another man’s wife and trying to cover his sin by committing manslaughter.  God went for his son Solomon he inherited his father’s genes in a manifold way.  He had one thousand (1,000) ladies all for himself. People, the way they knew King David was dying was to put a young virgin beside him to keep him warm when nothing happened they knew indeed he was dying I Kings 1 verses 1 - 4.  King Solomon allowed his many wives to lead him into idolatry. God had promised King David that the Messiah would come from his lineage. King Solomon’s son Rehoboam caused a split in the kingdom by taking bad advice from his peers. The Bible went through a series of Kings and prophets some kings of Judah were so wicked that God had to remove their lineage from that of the Messiah. After hundreds of years between the books of Malachi and St. Matthew we finally have the ushering the coming of the messiah with the coming of John the Baptist.  Jesus was born six (6) months after John the Baptist. His life was threatened as a child by King Herod. Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist and the leadership mantle transferred on the Mount of Transfiguration. Jesus being the perfect example who has given us the blue print on how to proceed, I am at a loss to see why there are so many difficulties in the church. From my research, the problem is that we have abandoned God’s way of doing things and using various man-made methods that have no basis in scriptures.

METHODS OF PASSING THE BATON

It has been established that most churches do not have a succession plan.  This is not rocket science one just needs to look at the operations of most churches to see that it is a one man show.  You hear of no other ministers apart from the senior Pastor.  An article by ChristianityToday.com How Pastors are Passing the Leadership Baton has dealt most succinctly with the matter of succession planning in churches.

1.      Family Plan

In this plan, the church is handed over to a current leader in the church or a family member. More on the latter as we proceed.

2.      Denominational Plan

This plan is controlled from headquarters, you have situation where people are just transported to different fellowship because they have certain qualifications, while the leadership that is on the ground is overlooked.

3.      Process Only plan

These persons just go through the process of hiring a new person. There is no reason under God why any church should be hiring a Recruiting firm to find a Senior Pastor.  The only reason one should need a Human Resources firm is to assist in putting manuals together.

4.      Intentional Overlap Plan

In this plan, you have two persons working as Senior Pastors concurrently to, make the transition for the new person seamless. My only comment on this method is that any organization that has two (2) heads is a monster.

JESUS THE PERFECT EXAMPLE

Let us look at God’s method which has been tested over the centuries. What has happened is that man has brought a lot of complexity to a very simple process. That is how we humans are.

The Leadership Transition between Moses and Joshua

Found this fantastic article on the internet that spoke to the situation. Succession Planning - Moses and Joshua

One needs to note that Moses requested that God choose a man to set over the people. God’s criteria for Joshua’s qualification was that he had the right spirit.  Numbers 27 verses 15 - 23

The Messiah Himself

After He had prayed all night he chose from among His disciples twelve and called them Apostles St. Luke 6 verses 12 -16

What is your excuse with a church of over 100 people to not be able to find someone to replace you?  It is hoped that you can grow the church to more than 100 so that you can find at least 12 persons and as Jesus himself has shown you might choose a couple who does not have the right spirit or fall along the wayside you cannot give up you just have to go through the process again.  God has not given up on man.  He just kept on going until He found the perfect one. His name is Jesus.

I find the choosing of the person or persons to be the easiest part. The equipping part seems to be the challenge.  That is why people seek a Human Resources search firm and hope to find the right person.  If one person does not work out then you move along.

The equipping process takes time you have to pour your life into a person all that you know, you have to be unselfish, you have to love people and want to see them grow, you have to want the success of people even in the face of treacherousness.  You must know that it is all about God and not about you. 

Let us look at how Jesus exemplified this to the Apostles.

The parables in St. Matthew 13  you will see that Jesus took the time to explain to His Disciples.

Let us look at the raising of the dead.  The book of Acts was not an accident remember these men learnt the craft first hand.  Their zeal was not accidental they knew what they believed. Come taste and see that the Lord is good. Now you see why the Community Centres and the couches are full on a Sunday. People come to church and realize that modern day Christians don’t even read the Bible. The raising of Jairus’ Daughter St. Mark 5 verses 21 - 43 verse 40 was a teaching moment.

Having taught then it is time for the practicum  St. Luke 10 verses 1 - 23. The disciples themselves were surprised at the result they had.  However, Jesus cautioned do not get carried away the important thing is that you not be found wanting in heaven.

After the Leader Leaves:

The Apostles had challenges after the crucifixion but look at what happened in the book of Acts once they got it right. When they realized that there is only one Holy Spirit and He was now here on earth. There was the shadow ministry people’s shadows healing, the handkerchief ministry and of course the prison ministries of all prison ministries.  It does not get any better than having your captors cleaning your wounds and say what must I do to be saved. Standing before the authorities and saying who must we obey you or God. You don’t have to answer that question.

People there are all kinds of fancy Human Resources terms for the things that are in the Bible you can place all those terms in the manuals that you will be developing now, if you have not done so yet. From landscaping policy to senior leadership transition. Bon plan!!

CONCLUSION

In concluding, I would like to copy this section that I was reading in Wikipedia on the History of the early Church. It so blessed my heart. This to me is the essence of my Christian faith anything short of this is a counterfeit. 

Wikipedia -  Edward Gibbon in his The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire discusses the topic in considerable detail in his famous Chapter Fifteen, summarizing the historical causes of the early success of Christianity as follows:

"(1) The inflexible, and, if we may use the expression, the intolerant zeal of the Christians, derived, it is true, from the Jewish religion, but purified from the narrow and unsocial spirit which, instead of inviting, had deterred the Gentiles from embracing the law of Moses.

(2) The doctrine of a future life, improved by every additional circumstance which could give weight and efficacy to that important truth.

(3) The miraculous powers ascribed to the primitive church.

(4) The pure and austere morals of the Christians.

(5) The union and discipline of the Christian republic, which gradually formed an independent and increasing state in the heart of the Roman empire."

Point 5 is of note the union and discipline of the Christian Republic. We have to stand for something or we will fall for anything.  We cannot bring change by assimilation.  People must see the Christ in us. We must do God’s business the way He wants it done 

Enough said see you next month when we will be looking at household wickedness in addition to our monthly topic.

I also want to recommend Dr. Mensa Otabil series on Leadership.  It is International Central Gospel Church Accra, Ghana theme for the year.

We close with a song by Papa San

Once again, this is me Lillene’s baby girl coming to you from up here in the true north.

À bientôt!