Testing. Is this thing on?

Welcome to the Table. The new catching spot for my literary meanderings. While we're here and I'm figuring out what having a blog is all about, lets lay down some ground rules for what the table is all about.

This is going to be the place where hopefully you will feel both challenged and impowered. I hope to challenge you to deepen your walk with God and empower you to live in the fullness of life that comes with being a Christian. We can only do this by having conversations that will be sometimes tough, usually with bad grammar and misspelled words but always and I do mean always seasoned with prayer, fasting, study and love.

For those of you who may not know me yet let's take a few minutes to get acquainted. My name is Daniel Harper. I am a husband to a wonderful Godly lady named Amy. I have three rowdy boys that have hearts of gold and a love for the things of God. Those are things that makes dad more proud than they will ever know. I've stood in a pulpit preaching for 10 years now but if you want to trace the roots of my ministry it started the same place I suppose a lot of preachers begin, stacking chairs and moving tables. At least your ministry should trace to somewhere like that, a place of servanthood, trying to enrich the lives and ministries of those around us. If it doesn't, you may want to back up and try again. Bro. T.F. Tenney put it as only he can "What do you do when your the most powerful man in the room? Take out a towel and start washing feet" My what a powerful concept. The ministry of Jesus was always about others. But that's a blog post for another day.

I am an old school Pentecostal Apostolic Holy Roller to my core!

Yes you read that right, As the old song says I'm one of them. I describe myself as being Apostolic in doctrine, Pentecostal in experience and Holiness in lifestyle. That means I build all doctrines and theological concepts off of the Apostles doctrine Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone. I'm totally and unapologetically Jesus Name.

I'm Pentecostal in experience.

I have received the baptism of the Holy Ghost and want everyone else to also. I believe in the continued operation of the spirit in the church today. You should know this about me up front I want to see the Holy Ghost wreck our services more often with the gifts of the spirit being manifest among us!

I am desperate to see God work in our lives and our churches. We're not going to be given back the year we just lost, so now we must step outside of our comfort zones and make a difference. My Pastors Mother used to say "Put legs on your prayers" and tell folks it was time to "get off the stool of do nothing." Well Sis. Georgie the stool has been kicked firmly to the corner.

I am Holiness in lifestyle.

Holiness. Without it no man shall see God. It sadness me that to so many that word has become almost a by-word used to push someone into a legalistic corner. Something that God has intended as a guard rail to keep our spirits and our bodies pure has became a two edged weapon of attack. To some its a way to cut their brother or sister down to size over a mistake or a misunderstanding and those few will stand before God for what they have done. But to so many more holiness has become a hindrance because of their own carnality. They want to go to heaven yes but holiness stands in the way do to their own love for the things of this world. Nevertheless the word of God will stand true and without separating ourselves from the world and becoming that peculiar people he has called us to be we will not make the city.

So there we have it. Our first time meeting at the table. .