Keith Giles posted an article on subversive1 - Feb 8, 2012, 9:01 pm
I am drowning in books. Literally, I have over 25 books stacked next to my bed. Three new books came in the mail this week. I am overwhelmed with books. Which is why when Rad Zdero’s book, “Letters to the House Church Movement” first dropped into my mailbox I wasn’t eager to crack it open on...
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Keith Giles posted an article on subversive1 - Jan 31, 2012, 12:40 am
In Exodus, chapter 19, God tells Moses that He wants to makea covenant with the people of Israel. He says, “This is what you areto say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people ofIsrael…if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations youwill be my treasur...
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Keith Giles posted an article on subversive1 - Jan 27, 2012, 8:02 pm
When God finally judges this nation, it will not be for the sins of the homosexual community, nor will it be for the women who have had abortions. When God finally judges America it will be because those who call themselves Christian have been too proud to cry out for mercy on behalf of the poor, th...
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Keith Giles posted an article on subversive1 - Jan 25, 2012, 12:35 am
You wouldn't know it from reading this blog, but I've beenfuriously busy the last few weeks. That's sort of why I've not had any time topost any new articles here. After the Pacifist Fight Club a few weeks ago, I startedfeeling convicted by God to do something I've never done before. In fact, it'sso...
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Keith Giles posted an article on subversive1 - Jan 18, 2012, 4:08 pm
Something inexpressible happened last Sunday. I can't quite put my finger on any one thing that set this into motion, but without a doubt Jesus moved during our regular church gathering in a significant way. All I know is that every song we sang, every scripture that was read, every quote that was...
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Keith Giles posted an article on subversive1 - Jan 6, 2012, 7:52 pm
There’s a great line from an old Steve Taylor song that says, “Don’t you know by now why the chosen are few? It’s harder to believe than not to.” As I’ve been re-reading A.W. Tozer’s classic book, “The Pursuit of God” these last few weeks I’ve been challenged to go deeper in my ...
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Keith Giles posted an article on subversive1 - Jan 2, 2012, 1:52 pm
This is our opportunity to start again. We have a new day in which to take a different path. We have a new month in which to explore new possibilities. We have a new year ahead of us to exchange our old patterns and habits for better ones. I am eager for something new. My hope is aroused at the tho...
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Keith Giles posted an article on subversive1 - Dec 26, 2011, 12:26 am
This was a very productive year for me. I (finally) published my book, "This Is My Body:Ekklesia as God Intended" after three long years of writing - and re-writing. So, to say I'm proud of this accomplishment is an understatement. Not only did I receive an endorsment (and a foreword) from my frie...
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Keith Giles posted an article on subversive1 - Dec 20, 2011, 1:58 pm
“Have you asked Jesus into your life?” Most of us who consider ourselves Christians would probably refer to the day we asked Jesus into our lives as the beginning of our journey with Christ. However, if you look throughout the New Testament you won’t find anyone ever doing such a thing. The Go...
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Keith Giles posted an article on subversive1 - Dec 17, 2011, 7:41 pm
I'd like to invite you to join me and several friends for Pacifist Fight Club on Saturday, January 14th, 2012 at Fuller Seminary in Irvine, CA. This will be a day long event to explore issues like poverty, social justice, non-violence, and other important topics. Our format will be dialog and discu...
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Keith Giles posted an article on subversive1 - Dec 15, 2011, 12:35 pm
For just over a year or so I've been corresponding with a brother in Christ who lives in India. His name is Vilbert Vallance. With his permission I wanted to share his most recent email with all of you. Please keep him in your prayers as he serves our Lord Jesus in India. -kg ** My dear brother Keit...
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Keith Giles posted an article on subversive1 - Dec 13, 2011, 8:04 pm
We talk a lot in the house church movement about "Being the Church" versus "Going to Church" but what does that really mean? What does it look like in practical terms to "be the Church"? I can only speak for myself and share what we've experienced in our own house church family regardign this idea. ...
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Keith Giles posted an article on subversive1 - Dec 6, 2011, 3:47 pm
Jesus makes an interesting comment in the Gospel of Matthew when the Pharisees and the Sadducees demand a sign from him to prove he is the Messiah. "An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” So he left them and departed." (Matth...
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Keith Giles posted an article on subversive1 - Nov 29, 2011, 9:11 am
In the dialog between Christians about whether or not following Jesus entails embracing a non-violent lifestyle, there are certain verses in the New Testament that have to be addressed. For example, whenever non-violent Christians quote Jesus saying, “Put your sword back in its place…for all who...
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Keith Giles posted an article on subversive1 - Oct 28, 2011, 9:52 am
"Then He (Jesus) began to speak to them in parables: "A man planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a place for the wine vat and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country. Now at harvest time he sent a servant to the vinedressers, that he might receive som...
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Keith Giles posted an article on subversive1 - Oct 26, 2011, 2:59 pm
I'm spoiled. In the United States most of us enjoy three meals a day, and snacks in between, and never give a thought to how this alone sets us apart from nearly every other person on the planet. For example, if I eat chicken for lunch I don't want it for dinner, and if I eat scrambled eggs for brea...
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Keith Giles posted an article on subversive1 - Oct 24, 2011, 8:39 pm
If you'd like to download and read the PDF version of the article by Thomas Crisp entitled, JESUS & AFFLUENCE, the link is HERE
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Keith Giles posted an article on subversive1 - Oct 22, 2011, 7:49 pm
Today we had a great time hosting a carnival for the kids at the motel in Santa Ana. Plus we got to share a lot of free groceries with everyone, too. What if we could multiply this by four or five? In partnership with the Catholic Workers of Orange County, we might be able to do just that. They've o...
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Keith Giles posted an article on subversive1 - Oct 16, 2011, 8:57 am
In this final section of the interview, Thomas and I talk about the Protestant confusion of the Gospel of the Atonement versus actually following Jesus daily. ** KEITH: The whole thing with the Isaiah House is really a blessing. I love what you and Chase and AJ and others are doing to just spend tim...
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Keith Giles posted an article on subversive1 - Oct 15, 2011, 9:08 am
In this section Thomas and I get very personal and practical and discuss the differences between sharing and giving. ** KEITH: In Western culture we think it's about giving more. We think of writing checks but I think it’s really more about what we'd call sharing that Jesus is wants. It's not jus...
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Keith Giles posted an article on subversive1 - Oct 14, 2011, 8:04 pm
... others. KEITH: It's one thing if sometimes the homeless people at Isaiah House mistake you for a homeless person. Because those people are loved at Isaiah House. It's perfectly acceptable to be homeless there. Because that mistaken ... like, "Keep on giving until giving more wouldn't be possi...
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Keith Giles posted an article on subversive1 - Oct 14, 2011, 1:36 am
My good friend Thomas Crisp is a professor of Philosophy at Biola University. We became friends because we share a similar passion for issues of justice and following Christ into community with the poor. Recently, Thomas wrote an influential philosophy paper entitled "Jesus and Affluence" which I w...
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Keith Giles posted an article on subversive1 - Oct 11, 2011, 8:07 pm
The Kingdom of God is for losers. Those who are blind, broken, forgotten, poor, marginalized, weak, sick, sinful and sad are right at home in the Kingdom. In fact, those who consider themselves to be healthy, self-sufficient, popular, rich, strong, righteous and in control aren’t even able to see ...
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Keith Giles posted an article on subversive1 - Oct 7, 2011, 8:31 am
It’s not hard to understand why people long to be financially secure and dream of winning the Lottery. People can’t help but dream of a life where every need is taken care of in advance and all fears of the unknown tomorrow are laid to rest. But money does not perform that work in us. We have c...
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Keith Giles posted an article on subversive1 - Oct 6, 2011, 7:56 am
According to Jesus, all of the Law can be summed up in just two simple commands, “Love God” and “Love others as you love yourself.” This means that whenever we break the Law, or sin, we are essentially failing to love either God or our fellow man. (See Matthew 22:37-40) Jesus also suggests t...
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Keith Giles posted an article on subversive1 - Oct 5, 2011, 9:00 pm
INTRO TO ALT CHURCH Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 – 9am to 5pm $10 at the door (lunch included) at Anaheim Vineyard Church 5340 East La Palma Avenue Anaheim, CA 92807 NOTE: The 91 E. fwy is under construction. Please plan your trip accordingly. Presentations by: >Bill Faris - Five Characteristics of Alt ...
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Keith Giles posted an article on subversive1 - Oct 5, 2011, 8:07 pm
You may have heard that a home bible study in San Juan Capistrano is being ordered to stop meeting in a local home or face hundreds of dollars in fines. Since we live just up the road from this bible study and live in the same county (Orange), it's likely that the outcome of this pending case before...
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Keith Giles posted an article on subversive1 - Oct 4, 2011, 8:03 pm
God shouldn’t offer us His unending love and devotion, but He does. He shouldn’t pour out His daily morning mercies on all mankind, but He does. This, I think, is why so many of us miss the Kingdom of God. We have yet to have our perspective shifted from the one we were born into. We need to ha...
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Keith Giles posted an article on subversive1 - Oct 3, 2011, 8:58 pm
Only the broken can know the unending joy that comes from being re-formed again into something beautiful. Only the hopeless can experience the astounding relief that comes from being rescued at the last moment. Only the poor can understand what it feels like to receive that undeserved gift of mercy,...
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Keith Giles posted an article on subversive1 - Oct 2, 2011, 7:35 pm
You may have read the news that the Southern Baptists are about to change their name as a denomination. Their reasoning is that it no longer reflects their identity accurately. As a former Southern Baptist (Licensed and Ordained) I couldn't agree more. Their name has never really reflected their ac...
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Keith Giles posted an article on subversive1 - Sep 29, 2011, 8:09 pm
"On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your offspring I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates.." -(Genesis 15:18 ESV) According to one recent anonymous comment on a previous article where we explored the identity of Israel in Scriptu...
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Keith Giles posted an article on subversive1 - Sep 28, 2011, 8:03 pm
Is this what God hears when you worship on Sunday?
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Keith Giles posted an article on subversive1 - Sep 27, 2011, 8:05 pm
At the top of my previous article, "Here Comes the Bride?" I mentioned that some who deny that the Church is the Bride believe that the Bride of the Lamb is actually Israel, and I couldn't agree more. So, where I agree that the identity of the Bride of Christ is Israel, where I disagree is who Isra...
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Keith Giles posted an article on subversive1 - Sep 26, 2011, 10:23 pm
... "'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become ... want us to be confused about the identity of the Bride he probably shouldn't have used ... - "For this reason" the man is to "leave his father and mother and be united with his wife...
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Keith Giles posted an article on subversive1 - Sep 24, 2011, 10:50 am
PACIFIST FIGHT CLUB We will fight for peace, but we will do no violence THE RULES: The first rule of Pacifist Fight Club is, you do not talk about Pacifist Fight Club. The second rule is, you must move from talk to action. The third rule is, you must love all people, at all times. The fourth rule is...
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Keith Giles posted an article on subversive1 - Sep 23, 2011, 8:46 am
Quotes from first and second century Christian writers about the continuing posture of non-violence in the early Church following the age of the Apostles: "The Lord, in disarming Peter, disarmed every soldier." —Tertullian from "On Idolatry" "Christians could never slay their enemies. For the more...
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Keith Giles posted an article on subversive1 - Sep 22, 2011, 8:45 am
By definition, we who call ourselves "Christians" should be followers of Jesus. Our Lord is known as the Prince of Peace. We are commanded to "Love one another" and to be known for our love. Jesus pronounced a blessing to those who would be peace makers saying, "Blessed are the peace makers for they...
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Keith Giles posted an article on subversive1 - Sep 21, 2011, 8:44 am
HOW RELEVANT IS CHURCH HISTORY? The behavior of the first and second century church is relevant because it shows us how the early Christians consistently carried out the practice of radical love and non-violent resistance to persecution and evil in their day. The practice of loving, non-violent beha...
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Keith Giles posted an article on subversive1 - Sep 20, 2011, 8:42 am
One of the more creative arguments in favor of Christian violence has been the suggestion that the conversion of Cornelius the Centurion to the Christian faith is an indication that Christians accepted violence and even professional soldiers among their ranks. If there is any real instruction to be ...
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Keith Giles posted an article on subversive1 - Sep 19, 2011, 8:41 am
*Over the next few days I will be publishing a series of articles regarding the radical teachings of Jesus on love and non-violence. Some of these will also touch on the Americanized-Christianity heresy which continues to plague our nation. ** One of the most difficult teachings of Jesus involves lo...
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Keith Giles posted an article on subversive1 - Sep 16, 2011, 11:39 am
On Saturday, Oct. 8th I will join Bill Faris (Vineyard at Home) and others as we gather for an Introduction to Alt Church (or, a day long conversation about organic church). I'll be leading an hour long discussion entitled "Being Church: Finding Your Mission In Your Community" which will cover the c...
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Keith Giles posted an article on subversive1 - Sep 13, 2011, 10:50 pm
It all started with "What if?" About five years ago, my wife Wendy and I were part of a local church plant. We were serving the poor in our community and leading an exciting Kids Rock program that we loved every week. But God began calling us to plant a new church in Orange County. At first, we thou...
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Keith Giles posted an article on subversive1 - Sep 12, 2011, 8:03 pm
As we’ve been in the process of helping and serving the homeless here in Orange County, my wife and I, and our house church family, have encountered more than a few challenges. Sometimes people get concerned that we are doing too much to help people. Some suggest that it would be better for us to...
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Keith Giles posted an article on subversive1 - Sep 11, 2011, 11:51 am
On September 11th, 2001, the victims of the attack had precious seconds to call one person they loved and say goodbye, or ask forgiveness, or let them know just how much they cared for them. And then it was goodbye. Who would you make that call to? What would you say to them? As we remember the tra...
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Keith Giles posted an article on subversive1 - Sep 6, 2011, 8:05 pm
A friend of mine sent me this Church sign. He found it misguided and sad. My question in response to this sign is, "If church buildings are so important, why are so many of them empty?" Or maybe, "Why are so many of their members empty?" My friend who sent me this photo is a senior pastor of a tradi...
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Keith Giles posted an article on subversive1 - Aug 31, 2011, 11:43 pm
As a child I used to suffer from asthma. I can remember wheezing and struggling to breathe as my parents coerced me to swallow the two bitter pills that would help to open my bronchial tubes and allow my lungs to process oxygen again. The thing about asthma is that it keeps you from doing thing...
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Keith Giles posted an article on subversive1 - Aug 30, 2011, 9:43 am
*This is the final installment of this excerpted series of articles from the book. Download the PDF for free or purchase the book online (in English or French) to read the entire book HERE ** RELIGION OF COMPASSION? One of the most disheartening things, when you listen to non-bel...
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Keith Giles posted an article on subversive1 - Aug 29, 2011, 9:40 am
PATTERNS OF EVANGELISM One thing that’s also helpful to me is to realize that, contrary to popular opinion, there is not a formula to evangelism found in the New Testament. Several times in the Gospels we see various people who come to Jesus and ask point blank, “What must I do to be saved?...
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Keith Giles posted an article on subversive1 - Aug 28, 2011, 12:37 pm
SOCIAL LEPROSY In the book of John, Jesus prays for those who would follow his teachings after he ascended into heaven. What I find fascinating is that Jesus began by praying for what he didn’t want to pray. Yeah, it sounds strange, doesn’t it? Why would anyone every start praying by ...
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Keith Giles posted an article on subversive1 - Aug 27, 2011, 11:58 am
BELIEVE, BELONG, BECOME Someone once told me that every single human being has a desire to believe something, to become something and to belong to something. As we enter into relationship with others we need to listen for the clues to where people are at in this process. Ask people questio...
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