Colors of The Wind

♪For whether we are white or copper skinned, We need to sing with all the voices of the mountains. We need to paint with all the colors of the wind♪
< John 4: 21-26, Romans 15:5-7, Ephesians 3: 14-19 >



Hey everyone :) So God showed me how the drama that's been going on in the fellowship reflects what's going on on a larger scale in this nation and how it influences the stuff that's soon to unfold. I'll be zooming in and out and racing back and forth in time so buckle up, sit tight and enjoy the ride! (Warning! There will be some peek-a-boo bumps of Truth and blasts of revitalizing Wind. Just a heads up! :-) But just to prep you keep this in mind :""The Lord disciplines those He loves as a father the son he delights in."Proverbs 3:12) I'll start by travelling back in time and zooming out:

The Purpose of The Formation of Nations / Ethnic Groups

In Genesis after God creates the earth He makes humans in His own image and He commands them to fill the earth (Genesis 1: 26-28). Why? Because:

1. God loves diversity; He thinks it's beautiful :) and He knew that people moving into different geographic areas of the earth would create that  (I learnt this in my Bio classes- how geographic isolation leads to genetic drift and formation of different physical features e.g. skin color, hair etc. Really cool!)
2. God also knew that people being separated by geography would lead to formation of different cultures. * Culture = "A social system of meaning and custom that is developed by a group of people to assure its adaptation and survival. These groups are distinguished by a set of unspoken rules that shape values, beliefs, habits, patterns of thinking, behaviors and styles of communication."Yes He wanted that for its beauty too but also for another very important reason. For Himself and as a safeguard for us. * Safe guard =A measure designed to prevent something undesirable. You see uniformity can be very dangerous. For example, say we all had the exact same susceptibility to a disease and the exact same immune system then a deadly pathogen comes to town then we would all be wiped out. In that case diversity is a friend and uniformity a foe. You see God is a God of Love and Justice and that's the culture He wants us to have (maintaining Love and Justice- loving Him and others) so if the whole earth developed a culture contrary to that, that in itself would be choosing a death-sentence (we have free will to choose Life and to follow the source of life -God- or to be deceived the father of lies, the devil, and follow him into the eternal punishment that was originally reserved for him). This is what happened pre-Noah's flood (the earth became corrupt and full of violence- Genesis 6) and even after the flood people still didn't get the memo - they decided to disobey God by building the tower of Babel to make a name for themselves and to avoid being scattered across the earth. But God in His mercy didn't give them the justice they deserved and He scattered them Himself- formation of continents (Genesis 10-11). So yeah He wanted there to be diversity in cultures so that if aspects of one culture blinded them from the Truth, they could look at another culture and find it or people from another culture (or bi-/multicultural) could spot out the lies and that the other culture is falling for, and correct them and therefore save them.

“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ (Acts 17: 24-28)

Therefore, multi-ethnicity is actually a weapon against the devil's plot to deceive and destroy all of humanity and it's one of God's design to draw people back to Himself (He already drew Himself to us: Plan Jesus. Now we just need to behold what He did for us but lot's of generational cultural blindspots are messing with our view- preventing us from seeing the whole Truth so multi-ethnicity can help with that).

"and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.  (Ephesians 3: 9-12)

Racism in America and within the Americanized Church

So what are the cultural strongholds I have been hinting at in most of my posts (e.g. in Winter Rains) ? Here's one: Racism (enabled by cultural pride). Yup it still exists in various forms :(  During Prefall leaders retreat, Melissa shared her dream that she called Charity a black b**** when she didn't do something she wanted her to do (I think it was signing up for a conference or something). Melissa was really shocked by that dream especially because she likes to tell us that she really loves black students and that we have a special place in her heart. I'm not saying that she doesn't but through that dream God was trying to tell her that she's being racist without knowing it. She really had the desire in her heart to love black students and so God was showing her what was in the way of genuine love so that it could get pruned for the fruit of sincere love to grow like she wanted it to. Before we proceed let's define some terms (definitions from: Racial Equity Tools) and then zoom out for a little bit then I'll tie it all together. (For non-InterVarsity people, InterVarsity is a Christian fellowship and it's really multi-ethnic and we have 4 white staff. It's a mini-America :)

Cultural Racism

Those aspects of society that overtly and covertly attribute value and normality to white people and whiteness, and devalue, stereotype, and label People of Color as "other," different, less than, or render them invisible. Examples of these norms include defining white skin tones as nude or flesh colored, having future time orientation, emphasizing individualism as opposed to a more collective ideology, defining one form of English as standard, and identifying only Whites as the great writers or composers.

Institutional Racism

Institutional racism refers specifically to the ways in which institutional policies and practices create different outcomes for different racial groups. The institutional policies may never mention any racial group, but their effect is to create advantages for whites and oppression and disadvantage for people from groups classified as non-white.

Meritocracy

a system of government or other administration (such as business administration) wherein appointments and responsibilities are objectively assigned to individuals based upon their "merits", namely intelligence, credentials, and education, determined through evaluations or examinations. (Wikipedia)

"Paint with All the Colors of The Wind!!!"

Ok let's get back to what I was saying before about Racism in the church in the light of the purpose of multiethnicity. Watch the colors of the wind clip and pay attention to it's message- yeah I know it's just a cartoon but God speaks to me in random ways lol :) So it was God's design for multi-ethnicity to happen to this nation and to it's church and like I said one of the reasons for this is for lies to be detected, called out and corrected in order to prevent the devil's plot of total destruction from unfolding. 

So everything is fine and dandy until that point. John Smith is pretty clueless about somethings as a result of how his culture has shaped his point of view. He is clueless but he is teachable. He let's Pocahantas lead him to learn through experience what she knew well as a result of her cultural experience. As I mentioned in my Behold post, we all don't know everything so we always find ourselves in the "ignorant" category and that's okay but the thing is, once we have been made aware of our ignorance will we seek out the Truth? And once we find the Truth or it is presented to us will we let it change us and then use it to change the world?

So this is where the problems in InterVarsity come in. The structure, the way things are run in the fellowship are heavily influenced by Western culture (individualism, materialism, compartmentalization, meritocratic hierarchy... and which also run contrary to God's culture) and now that the fellowship is multi-ethnic different people who do not identify with the Western culture (like me) or people who are bi/multicultural are those who are suffering and they express their dissatisfaction with Staff, the ones in control. Staff have multiple meetings with them and each other to "listen and understand" but end up doing things their way since that's all they know and therefore see as the best way.  People, we forgot about love so let's put it back into our vocabulary. In essence, these people (including myself) bring up these concerns because the things we are pointing out are the things that prevent us from feeling loved. So we pretty much we are telling Staff, "I do not feel loved here. This is what's in the way of that -structural. misplaced priorities- and this is how you can love me; let me show you how to love me. I know you want to but you just don't know how to." But Staff just wants "to understand" first before they apply anything and by them not wanting to let us lead them to learn this truth, and by sticking to their way of doing things is them saying, "Oh you are suffering? I am really offended that you let me know that I am responsible. My feelings are really hurt right now and who cares about yours? Give me some time to think about this.... I'm not quite willing to change my way of doing things so you can stay oppressed with your mouth shut or go somewhere else where people can love you for who you are ... maybe look for a place with people who are like you and stay there." True story. Mine. And different people who have approached me. And what I see in the fellowship. (Marissa's dream in the post: "Who Cares?") Love displaces itself!! Eyes on JESUS!

Like in Pocahantas, what the Staff, and all of us, need to learn is a spiritual lesson. I want to show you how to love me: Love requires vision. Lot's of things are blocking your vision and you don't even know it. Jesus is the mighty King of Glory He'll step in and remove all obstacles if you wait on Him. Let me lead you to meet this side of Him that you know little about thanks to your culture (naturalism/ secularization/ compartmentalization) although it is in His eternal Word. Let me show you what it means to wait on Him. We have to come to terms with the fact that a lot of things in Western culture run contrary to the culture of the Kingdom of God and therefore sticking to such a system while in leadership positions is racism as well as slavery -_- Yes it really sucks that the Americanized church know so little about spiritual warfare and stuff, and yes Casey you have been deceived about many things ("Whaaaaaaat? Following Jesus doesn't mean I should be comfortable all the time? That was just America telling me lies? Ooooooooh. Ok."- Casey's status + a bunch of likes from InterVarsity peeps) but no need to fear, God's got you covered (Plan multi-ethnic body of Christ). He did His part now our part is equality in displacing ourselves- lead each other to experience aspects of God we may be blinded from as He has revealed to us so that we can get a fuller picture of who He is, who He says He is in His Word. That's the design of the body of Christ. Christ is the head and we all have to humble ourselves before God. Dear Staff, painting with ALL the colors of The Wind is not a suggestion it's a God-given mandate #Ephesians 4: 11-16. "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth" (John 4:24)

This is how racial reconciliation happens, not through fear, unbelief, oppression, segregation and exclusion but through humility (Look at JESUS! Look at His Word! Acts 1-2) It's all about everyone humbling themselves before, Christ the head, and realizing that we are His body, we are equal and what that actually means (1 Corinthians 12-13). The thing is, I have already said all this all year over and over again (I have shared what God has taught me through my experience and His Word). I have said all this to Staff in their meetings, we've talked on the phone, I have emailed them, I have shared such posts with all you guys like: Spirit of Unity and UNITY is brewing up! and we have applied nothing! And because this is slavery. I choose to no longer compromise. This is spiritual warfare and I have chosen to fight on God's team (the Kingdom of Heaven)- for the whole fellowship- I refuse to sink in selfish spineless godless apathy, sit back and watch my friends, my family, the ones I love, be misled and oppressed. I will expose the works of the enemy and stand for Truth (Jesus) and Love (God). Matthew 11:12. So let those with ears let them hear. I love you all! :)

Next Stop: "Let My People Go!"- Exposing the False teachers/shepherds/prophets of America. Ignorant  John Smith (ignorant by socio-cultural construction & the enemy's tactics) refused to listen to Pocahantas' gentle guidance so he turned into Pharoah! :o He refused her love yet she was only looking out his well-being... stay tuned...

(P.S: Staff I know this harsh truth but we just have to face it so let's all humble ourselves before God and apply it and move on. Let's be reconciled. There's forgiveness and mercy. And I love you and forgive you no matter what :) what I want to see is repentance. Everybody let's pray for staff and for each other.)
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Guys, it's "a time to break down and a time to build up" I have lots of great news to share with you guys :D (1 Corinthians 2:9-16) but these thorns-fear n pride- in our midst keep popping up and choking up everything so some plowing needs to be done first. Dear friends, God is really serious about Love. That's the command He gave us. And this year (update: God told me that it's "2012" but referring the Hebrew year that begun last September so it overlaps into our 2013),  He is going to visit us because we have misplaced our priorities and forgot about love (loving Him and each other) and so He will shake things up to wake us up coz He loves us too much to see all of us fall away. Let's return to Him with all our hearts! Let's choose LOVE. He loves us! Oh how He loves us! Let's take Shelter in His Love :) Dear Church, we need to keep our Eyes Wide Open

"Break up your unplowed ground and do not sow among thorns.

Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, circumcise your hearts, 

you men of Judah and people of Jerusalem, 

or my wrath will break out and burn like fire because of the evil you have done-

-burn with no one to quench it."

(Jeremiah 4:3-4)

"Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the LORD.
Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it.
(Song of Solomon 8:6)

Please listen to this prophetic song, it's relates to what I'm saying and it relays the urgency to apply what God is saying right now through His Spirit. His judgements are coming but it is not His will that we should be consumed by them so let's wake up! and cloth our hearts with His love- that's the only safe place to be, in His Love! Read *1 Thessalonians 5: 1-11*

Dear God, please baptize our hearts with Your Love. Remove the thorns and all the veils that prevent us from seeing You clearly. Please forgive us for forgetting love, for forgetting You. Fill us with Your Love so that we can Love like You do, like You want us to. Thank You for Your unconditional unending Love for us. Oh God please open our eyes so that we may see Your perfect Love and find rest in You. In Jesus Name, Amen :)

Application: A Call to Prayer