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Its already the 4th here, and as many wake up today they will be celebrating Independence day; parades, picnics and fireworks are common events on July 4th for many of us living in the US. As is celebrating our freedoms. The Declaration of Independence is remembered and even read aloud at many events, where citizens are assembled on the 4th of July.
Tonight though, I found myself thinking not on Independence but on Dependence– My personal dependence on Christ. And how anyone, regardless of where they live, can have and enjoy this real freedom found only in Jesus Christ. If they (or we were to) live in the most oppressed place on earth, true freedom can be had in him.
Jesus said:
“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” – John 8:26
I so much appreciate my freedom which Jesus paid the price for at Calvary. Giving up what I thought was independence all those years ago to become totally dependent upon God, has brought total freedom! Isn’t that strange? Its further proof of the topsy-turvy principles within the kingdom of God, compared with those of this worlds kingdoms.
Paul also wrote:
“Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” 2 Cor. 3:17
(Praise God!)
Forgive the musing. My mind wandered tonight to all the things I’m dependent upon God for–and how thankful I am to know I am in His capable hands.
Dependence can be an excellent thing–as long as it’s God we’re dependent upon. Amen?
Over the last few days, I’ve been watching for this story here in the US, but until now, I’ve seen little to nothing about it. I could say I’m surprised, but…what the hey, I’m not. When we have a media which spends 24/7 on the death of a pop star and/or a cheating Governor, they don’t have time left-over for such mundane items like real news…right? ( Palin’s announcement today will be yet another “vital” topic for them to hash over 24/7..at least until something else comes along; like another cheating politician)
Thank the Lord for a computer! For if I wasn’t able to access news organizations in other parts of the world, I’d never know half of what was going on.
anyway..
I loved this.
A letter, written by John Newton, who also wrote the beautiful lyrics to the much beloved hymn, Amazing Grace. (You can read his story and hear the hymn here)
From, Grace Gems – Letters of John Newton
“For to me, to live is Christ—and to die is gain!” Philippians 1:21
Dear friend,
You kindly inquire about my health. I am, through the grace of God—perfectly well. Yet, as healthy as I am—I labor under a growing disorder, for which there is no cure—I mean old age. I am glad that it is a mortal disease, from which I will not recover! I would not always want to live in such a poor world as this! I have a Scriptural hope of a glorious inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—reserved in heaven for me!
I am now in my seventy-second year, and have lived long enough. I have known something of the evils of life—and have had a large share of the good things of life. I know what the world can do—and what it cannot do. It can neither give nor take away that peace of God which passes all understanding; it cannot soothe a wounded conscience, nor enable us to meet death and eternity with comfort.
I have an abiding and abounding experience, that the Gospel is the “universal remedy” adapted to all our wants and all our woes; and a “suitable help” when every other help fails!
Your affectionate friend,
John Newton
I stand firmly in the anti-abortion camp, but I also stand just as firmly against those like Randall Terry.
He is a spreader of hate and a fear-monger; and neither hate, fear, or Randall Terry [or those like him] does the cause against abortion any good whatsoever: especially when it comes to reaching the average ‘Joe’ and ‘Jane’ who are either pro-abortion or undecided.
IF I was in either of those camps, this guy would only help reinforce my position or cause me to dig in my heels. I wouldn’t listen to a word he said, for its obvious he will do anything to promote himself. And yes, I said ‘himself’. I’m not even convinced that for him, its not all about “Randell Terry”–and less to do with abortion. The man is obsessed.
You can read his announcement at the link above. And see the picture of (quote) “Sotomayor’s Face Morphed into the Angel of Death” HERE.
As its been reported many times, there is no record of any court case where Sotomayor has yet to rule on abortion–but that doesn’t stop those like Terry from referring to her as the ‘Angel of death’… Its disgusting. And his assumption is a lie. I don’t know if the woman will be confirmed, or if she is, how she would vote on any future supreme court cases concerning abortion. And apparently, from all accounts, neither does anyone else–except Randall Terry. Maybe he’s a ’seer’…
What I do know is I’m sick of tired of those who promote lawlessness, hate, violence, and fear, for ANY cause.
The Spot-Light tonight is on you Randall Terry.
You are a spreader of fear and a hate-monger. And you don’t mind lying to do it..
My hope is you wake up and repent one day.
Rick Frueh, at Following Judah’s Lion, put up an excellent post and warning to followers of Christ, concerning our becoming caught up with unbelievers, in the culture war of abortion:
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Whatever cause draws us to league with unbelievers is a clandestine attempt to draw us away from Christ. To single out abortion and use incendiary verbiage to leverage the most intense and explosive emotions concerning the plight of children is unbiblical and steers the human heart away from the gospel of Christ and onto the horrors of this world. And regardless of how accurate in their assessment of that moral issue, their unguarded rants only seek to awaken uncontrollable emotions in many..
This is a great article at Sharper Iron, Confessions of a Recovering Legalist
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I grew up in a Christian home, had parents who loved me and loved God. I went to church every Sunday, learned all the stories, gave my offerings—even went off to a Christian college. And I loved God—and I still do. But I had a problem— legalism. I didn’t know it was a problem, at least not for a long time.
I was addicted to “the list.” The list was made up of all the things that you were supposed to do and not supposed to do if you wanted to keep God happy with you. Most of the things on the list were good things—some of them even came right out of the Bible. But some of them didn’t. They were passed along to me from several sources, but mostly from the traditions of the church…
Legalism is a tricky thing, isn’t it? It can not only cause us to become performance oriented concerning our own faith walk, which is a sure road to pride and/or failure, but it can lead us to making perverse judgments concerning self and others. In other words, we don’t judge righteously, by the Spirit, but incorrectly, crookedly, emotionally, fleshly, contrary to the Holy Spirit of God. Job seemed to know that:
If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse. Job 9:20
Jesus said: “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24)
Paul wrote: “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 1 Corinthians 2: 12-15
Looks like we have to be spiritual (walking in the Spirit) in order to judge correctly–and if we’re legalistic, that’s impossible to be…
Many of us, not normally legalistic, can also fall into legalism on occasion because we are afraid of compromise! I’ve done it, and you probably have also. But they’re both dangerous ‘ditches’, each on either side of the road, we want to avoid. Both can lead us into not having the mind of Christ, error and deception.
Remember the story from early June concerning the KY Pastor and church which was to host the “Open Carry Service”? (See, “Lock and Load” – another bizaare ‘creative’ evangelistic outreach)
Well it went off without a ‘bang, but subsequently their insurance company has decided to drop them.
From Ministry Today; The Gospel of Guns (and God)
After weeks of media hype and buildup, a Pentecostal pastor in Kentucky fulfilled his vision last Saturday by seeing his church full of people praising … and packing heat. Only for Ken Pagano, pastor of New Bethel Church in Louisville, Ky., this was less about praising God and more about celebrating a Second Amendment right to carry firearms.
Three weeks ago he preached a sermon called, “God, Guns, Gospel and Geometry,” and during Saturday’s 90-minute program he met applause after declaring, “But for a deep-seated belief in God and firearms, this country would not be here today.”
As expected, however, not everyone believes those two elements should be combined at church. Across town a coalition of peace and church groups held a separate yet simultaneous—and gun-free—event. Terry Taylor, one of the counter event’s organizers, says, “The idea of wearing guns to churches or any sacred space—I think many people find deeply troubling.”
Interestingly enough, Pagano’s insurance company thought the same thing, declining to cover the Open Carry Celebration and telling him his church policy wouldn’t be renewed. (full story at link)
Last evening I posted the link to an article which quoted Andraé and Sandra Crouch concerning the rumors they led Michael Jackson to Christ, (Michael Jackson Dies?). Today, Steve Lumbley at Apostasy Watch elaborates on this and upon the idea of our desire to believe our earthly idols go to heaven. (HT christianresearchnetwork)
All Our Idols Go To Heaven
The beatification had begun. A maudlin media mush-fest was in full swing. Worshipful crowds were gathering all over the country to wallow in grief stricken adulation for their fallen idol. Michael Jackson’s body had barely enough time to assume room temperature when the internet rumors began to appear on the Christian blogs and websites:
Wonderful News! Michael Jackson prayed to receive Christ only three weeks before his death!
Someone who knew someone who knew someone reported that gospel recording artists Sandra and Andrae Crouch had prayed with Michael to receive Jesus shortly before he died.
“Last night we received some good news from Terri McFaddin-Solomon who is good friends with Sandra Crouch. Three weeks ago Sandra and Andre’ spent some time with their close friend, Michael Jackson. Michael asked Andre` to play, “It Won’t Be Long And We’ll Be Leaving Here.” Michael then prayed with Sandra and Andre and accepted Christ into his heart. Now he’s singing in the heavenly choir.! Our hearts rejoice!”
Later, the real story emerged from Crouch’s Facebook page:
Funny..
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(Samuel Wurzelbacher) Asked if he would considering running for political office: “You know, I talked to God about that and he was like…, ‘No.’ link
uh-oh, Lee Grady’s talking about a ‘new-thing’…
Can’t help it. That phrase plus a few other words used in Christian circles (like paradigm shift) naturally put me on guard.
Why do these folks, when referring to ‘a new thing’ today, always quote Isaiah 43:19?
“Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert”
God did do a new thing…he provided a way of salvation through Christ.
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” - 2Cor 5:17
And why is that never enough? I’m not picking on Lee Grady, but these folks ain’t figured out the ‘old thing’ yet. And sadly I don’t believe many of them ever will. How can they when they are too busy looking for a ‘new thing’?
I don’t want some new ‘thing’–and to be frank, I don’t believe there is one, or has been one, since the day of Pentecost. The ONLY (next) new thing I’m interested in, is the coming of Christ. Until then I’ll stay on the old path…
The Charismatic Movement: Dead or Alive?
by Lee Grady
We can quibble over when the previous wave of the Holy Spirit ended. But what’s important is that we follow God’s presence into a new season.
Some readers were offended when I declared in an online column a few weeks ago that the charismatic movement is dead. One woman even accused me of heresy, since—in her words—I believe “the age of the Holy Spirit has ended.” (I didn’t say that.) Others on the opposite side of the spectrum asked why I waited so long to state the obvious. All this discussion prompted me to address the issue further.
I am not a coroner. But I do believe the historic period we call the American charismatic movement ended a while ago. By making that pronouncement I was NOT saying that (1) the Holy Spirit isn’t moving today; (2) the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit aren’t available to us any more; or (3) people who are associated with this movement are all washed up.
On the contrary, we could be on the cusp of one of the most dynamic spiritual awakenings in history, and it will most certainly be accompanied by the supernatural work of the Spirit.
Yet if we want to shift with Him into the next season we must lay aside old mindsets and worn-out religious paradigms that we picked up during the past 40 years. When God comes to do “a new thing,” as Isaiah promised He would (Isa. 43:19, NASB), we must embrace new priorities, recalibrate our spiritual values and set aside the baggage of the past.
Sobering new clip posted by SermonIndex
An interesting story sent out this evening. I don’t have much to say, but I tagged this story with ‘watching signs’. Its no secret that my opinion of John Hagee is, well.. not very high. Once he drifted completely into hyper-dispensationalism and applied it to politics and foreign policy, I stopped giving heed to anything he said.
Anyway…
Pastor John Hagee, leader of the political lobbyist group CUFI, hosted members of Soulforce and Atticus Circle this past Sunday at CornerStone Church.
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Hagee welcomes gay groups
San Antonio Express-News, June 29, 2009
This Sunday, as the 40th anniversary of Stonewall — the birth of the gay rights movement — was being observed, the Rev. John Hagee also welcomed a community that doesn’t traditionally attend. They were lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
more and photos HERE
Interesting (if not bizarre) bit of news. This had been going on so long I’d forgotten about it. “Stuart Smalley” wins senate seat…
Norm Coleman concedes Minnesota Senate race to Al Franken
Republican Norm Coleman has conceded to Democrat Al Franken in the Minnesota Senate race, ending one of the longest Senate races in American history and clearing the way for Democrats to hold a 60-seat super majority in the Senate.
I’ve been following the controversy surrounding this story. The video clip on youtube is 9 minutes plus long. I would recommend, once it starts, moving the little bar up to the 4 minute mark: Gay Exorcism The Full Version
A Connecticut church has come under fire for a YouTube video showing ministry leaders attempting to cast a “homosexual demon” out of a teenager.
Gay and youth advocacy groups accused Manifested Glory Ministries in Bridgeport of abusing a teenager in the 20-minute video and say the ministry should be investigated.
Robin McHaelin, executive director of the gay youth advocacy group True Colors, told the Associated Press (AP) she planned to report the church to the Connecticut Department of Children and Families. “They have this kid in a full nelson,” she said. “That just seems abusive to me.”
Gary Cass of the Christian Anti-Defamation Commission said Manifested Glory is being attacked for exercising its religious liberty. “This church is being unjustly maligned for a spiritual practice that goes all the way back to Christ and the apostles,” he said. “The New Testament records very strange activity associated with demonic spirits. Jesus and the apostles confronted these bizarre situations by praying for deliverance.”
“The fact that the video may be strange or uncomfortable should not be surprising, but it is not a reason to attack people who are simply trying to help,” he added. “People have been delivered out of homosexual lifestyles ever since the church began.”
But D.L. Foster, founder of Witness Freedom Ministries in Atlanta and a former homosexual, agrees with gay activists that the church’s behavior was extreme. He told Charisma the video shows a woman putting her foot on the teen’s neck while he lay on the floor thrashing. Another minister pours water in his face.
“It wasn’t like anything that I’ve ever seen, and I’ve been Pentecostal my whole life,” said Foster, whose ministry helps people find freedom from homosexuality. “I’ve seen actual demons cast out. I thought it was just bizarre, the whole thing—the way the young man was treated, this obsession with making sure it was on camera.”
Though he doesn’t believe the church’s behavior was criminal, Foster wrote in a blog posting (*The topic at pastor Foster’s blog is well worth checking out–there’s over 100 comments) that its actions were “a very poor reflection upon the church and Christ to film this as if it were some entertainment and treat the young man in the manner in which he was treated.”
Manifested Glory’s pastor, the Rev. Patricia McKinney, said the church was trying to help the boy. She told the AP that the teen visited the church last year and collapsed on the floor during a service.
“He was out of control in the church,” she said. “This young man came to us. We didn’t go to him.”
She said the church took care of the youth, giving him clothes. “He was dressing like a woman and everything. And he didn’t want to be like that,” McKinney said of the teen, who told the AP he was 16. McKinney said he told her he was 18. (more here)
Also watch: CNN Interviews Pastor Patricia McKinney Of Connecticut’s Manifested Glory Ministries Church concerning what occurred – 06/25/09
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Cor.2:14
I’m finding it more difficult to laugh at this guy’s words. In the past most of them have been so ridiculous they were somewhat funny–and perhaps he’ll get back to just being ludicrous in the future. But some of the “thus saith the Lord’s” he’s been coming out with lately go completely against the commands of Christ: when they do that, there is nothing amusing at all; for that is the antichrist spirit speaking folks..
In his latest he writes:
The Spirit of God says, you have been in a field, you have been in a field. Elisha was in a field. The field’s name that Elisha was in before Elijah found him was Abel Meholah. This means the “field of rejoicing.” And Elisha was plowing with 12 yoke of oxen and he was with the 12th. And the Spirit of God says here tonight this is a moment in time that you will understand what is happening.
God said, I send my prophet with a mantle, to tell you this and to make known to you that the time of plowing has come to an end. You have plowed and you have plowed and you have been with the 12th. You say “what about me, I’ve just started my journey?” God says, I speak to my people, I speak to this house and speak to many houses and men of God.
Your time of plowing has come to an end. You time of labor in the field has come to an end.
I have come to cast a mantle on you, says the spirit of God, a mantle so that you can have the portion that you will go beyond and do things that you’ve never done before. It is a spirit of transcendence, you will transcend beyond, says the Lord. Now take it, for this is yours!
For the Spirit of God says if you would hear this and understand that your plowing, your laboring and even in the midst of your rejoicing, has come before Me as a sweet fragrance, says the Lord. For there is a release that you have been waiting for. You are tired, you are worn out. God says, don’t worry, for now the end of that labor has come. You may kiss your mother goodbye, you may kiss your father goodbye in that field, and God said there is a double portion that has been granted to you, says the Lord!
HORSE-FEATHERS! (or hogwash, if you prefer)
The Churches time of sowing, plowing and laboring in the fields has come to and end? What planet is this guy living on!? (see, John 4:35-38, Psalm 126:6, Proverbs 11:30, James 5:20, 1Cor. 9: 19-20)
So the Church should stop laboring in the fields why?–
Because we need to now receive a mantel of “radical transcendence”
Posted at sermonindex
Flee From the Wrath to Come
by Don Currin
In a 1980 interview, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones was asked the question, “What do you think Christianity ought to say to the economic situation today?” He answered, “I think the great message we must preach is God’s judgment on men and on the world.”
Dr. Lloyd-Jones went on to underscore the importance of this message when he said, “The condition of the modern world proves that what we must preach more than ever is “Escape from the wrath to come!”
Later in the interview, Lloyd-Jones was asked whether or not Christian influence could produce a Christian culture. To which the preacher replied,
“No. It will never come. All Scripture is against that. It’s impossible. In the present world situation-it has never been more critical-all civilization is rocking, and we are facing collapse, morally, politically, and in every other way. I would have thought that surely at this time our urgent message should be, ‘Flee from the wrath to come!”
I sincerely thank the Lord for this man of God, David Wilkerson. For over 29 years his pulpit series has come in my mailbox, many times, with a word in due season that seemed like it was ‘just’ for me. When his work is finished here and God calls him home, the Church will miss him.
O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? Psalm 139
Posted by sermonindex – June 29, 2009
Last week we had the story of the Ark of the Covenant Announcement, (which came to naught) and I see yesterday the Pope announced Paul’s remains are “confirmed” to be in a tomb in the Basilica of St. Paul in Rome. Whatever is there, its not Paul, for the apostle Paul is with Christ:
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Philippians 1
NewsMax, Pope: St. Paul’s Remains Found in Basilica
Pope Benedict XVI announced on Sunday that fragments of bone from the first or second century had been found in a tomb in the Basilica of St. Paul in Rome, which he said confirms the belief that it houses the apostle’s remains.
“This seems to confirm the unanimous and undisputed tradition that these are the mortal remains on the Apostle Paul,” the pontiff said at St. Paul’s-Outside-the-Walls, on the eve of the Feasts of St. Peter and St. Paul celebrated on Monday.
Christian tradition had it that St. Paul was buried in the same place as St. Peter in a catacomb on the Via Appia before being moved to the basilica erected in his honor. For centuries, it was believed that his remains were buried beneath the altar. But it was not until a stone sarcophagus was discovered there in 2006 that Vatican archaeologists could apply scientific research to the religious tradition.
Pope Benedict gave details of the discovery, saying a tiny hole had been drilled in the sarcophagus to permit inspection of the interior, revealing “traces of a precious linen cloth, purple in color, laminated with pure gold, and a blue colored textile with filaments of linen.”
“It also revealed the presence of grains of red incense and traces of protein and limestone. There were also tiny fragments of bone, which, when subjected to Carbon 14 tests by experts, turned out to belong to someone who lived in the first or second century,” the Pope said.
The discovery of the bone fragments coincided with news that Vatican archaeologists had discovered what they believe is the oldest image in existence of St. Paul, dating from the late Fourth century, on the walls of catacomb beneath Rome. (more here)
That is the question Wickle asked at A True Believer’s Blog: Who needs to know this?.
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The headline on CNN reads, “Lusty e-mails make news anchors blush.”
How, exactly, is the public served with this stuff? I don’t need to know what Gov. Sanford and his mistress said to each other. I read part of one such story, then realized that this wasn’t advancing my understanding of the case … and quit. I get it. He had an affair. That’s all the information I need to know. I don’t care what he said about her hands holding what … and I don’t want to know anything else he might have said. (more)
Only today I found myself voicing the same question after surfing from one cable news network to another for the last few days, unable to find any real “news”. Instead there was program after program being repeated about the life and ‘weirdness’ of Michael Jackson, and speculation piled upon speculation about his death. At last I resorted to turning over to the Mike Huckabee show [on Fox]; No, it wasn’t Jackson who was the topic but Governor Sanford and his affair!
The news media has turned into a modern version of Rome’s Circus Maximus or the Colosseum, in their respective heydays. At the least it has become tabloid style gossip. Not just in recent days, but in recent years. Its become the ultimate “Reality TV” experience, and says a lot about our culture. A culture which thrives on watching the misery of others: and feeds on every juicy detail it can get,quickly forgetting these are real people we’re hearing discussed.
We like being voyeuristic.
Sports use to fill this need, but human nature, which gets bored easily, is always seeking more tantalizing input.
So came the reality shows, and now the ‘reality news!’–I wonder what’s next?
Two of my favorite fictional short stories were written by Stephen King, under the pseudonym Richard Bachman. One is titled The Running Man the other, The Long Walk. Both were based in a future setting in which people participate in a life and death contest–while being viewed by those sitting at home.
Today, King’s fictional short stories, written while still in college, don’t sound so far fetched.
The bible warns us about a seared conscience:
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 1Tim.4:1-2
When flesh is “seared with a hot iron” it is cauterized. Its surface is burned, charred, and hardened. A deadened crust of tissue is formed in which there is no longer the sense of feeling. Searing renders it incapable of feeling. It renders it unresponsive, numb to any stimuli it should respond to. What a physical “hot iron” does to flesh, the “hot iron” of subjective experience does to the conscience. (Enjoy the Bible - Keith R. Blades)
Isn’t this what is happening? What use to shock and/or appall us 20 years ago, has become accepted as the norm. What was once scandalous, has become part of our daily diet, dished out by those in the media–whom are not entirely to blame, for they are only feeding us what they believe we desire to ingest.
I don’t want a seared conscience!
It frightens me to think I could not be touched by the pain of others, (which is part of the results of a conscience which is seared); nor do I want to become accustomed to scandalous details, real or not, about other peoples personal lives.
A seared conscience cannot sense guilt, so neither can the need for repentance be sensed. But it can become deceived…as Paul pointed out to Timothy.
Forgive the rambling, and getting off topic. Really, I just wanted to recommend Wickle’s post, but my fingers seemed to have a mind of their own tonight, LOL.
Wickle asks a good question; Who needs to know this?
Check it out..
“His whole family in heaven and on earth.” Ephesians 3:15
Excerpts from “THE FAMILY OF GOD” by J. C. Ryle
The words which form the title of this paper ought to always stir some feelings in our minds. There is not a man or woman on this earth who is not a member of some “family.” The poorest as well as the richest has his relative and kin, and can tell you something of his “family.”
Community of blood is a most powerful tie. I have often observed that people will stand up for their relatives, merely because they are their relatives, and refuse to hear a word against them, even when they have no sympathy with their tastes and ways.
Family gatherings, nevertheless, are often sorrowful things. It would be strange indeed, in such a world as this, if they were not. Few are the family circles which do not show gaps and vacant places as years pass away. Changes and deaths make sad havoc as time goes on. Thoughts will rise up within us, as we grow older, about faces and voices no longer with us..
There is one great family to which I want all the readers of this paper to belong. It is a family despised by many, and not even known by some. But it is a family of far more importance than any family on earth. To belong to it entitles a man to far greater privileges than to be the son of a king. It is the family of which Paul speaks to the Ephesians, when he tells them of the “whole family in heaven and earth.”
It is the family of God.
Interesting article at the Christian Post, Diseases: Creations of God or ‘Intelligent Evil’?. I thought it would make for an interesting poll and possible discussion. Any Christian who has been saved awhile seems to face the question, “what about diseases?”…seeking an answer to are the viruses and parasites which cause the diseases, also created by God or caused by satan.
If I searched through my old journals, I could find where I wrestled with this question back in the 80’s.
At the time I had been doing an in-depth study on the gospel of Mark, primarily because there are more incidents recorded in it’s 16 chapters of Jesus casting out spirits of affliction and/or healing people, then in any of the other 3 Gospels. (Did you know that?)
My questions involved the source of afflictions, illness, and disease: were all demonic, God sent judgments, or a part of the curse involved in the fall of mankind. My conclusion was it could be any of the 3, and in praying for someone ill or afflicted, discernment was needed to know which one.
The article at the Post is lengthy, so I’ll only post a few quotes. Read it all if time allows.
The word tells us:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made” John 1:1-3
Which to me, nullifies any belief that satan can ‘create’: he has many powers, but I can find no scriptural evidence that one of these powers is the power to create something from nothing. John tells us clearly that “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made”
While Dr. Ralph D. Winter didn’t claim the agents which cause disease were created by satan he does state he sees them as “intelligently evil distortions by Satan”
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PASADENA, Calif. – In recent years, Intelligent Design has made headlines in media outlets across the country.
The concept, which some have labeled “creationism in disguise,” asserts that “certain features of the universe and of living things are best explained by an intelligent cause, not an undirected process such as natural selection.”
Those Christians who support Intelligent Design, not surprisingly, identify that “intelligent cause” to be God.
But some would argue that such an association would then suggest that God designed viruses, bacteria, parasites and other harmful and destructive organisms that do nothing but bring disease and suffering to God’s creation.
Either that or they were simply errors in creation or creations with harmful flaws.
It’s an age-old question on a microscopic level – did God create the “tiny evils” that spread disease and death throughout the world? If so, then isn’t He to blame for mankind’s suffering?
One of the most influential missiologists of the 20th Century didn’t think so.
Dr. Ralph D. Winter, who recently died at the age of 84, had argued that all violent forms of life – including all disease pathogens – are the works of an “intelligent evil power” that seeks to destroy God’s creation.
“Evangelicals have recently stressed the inevitable intelligence and design in nature, but they have not, to my knowledge, attempted to suggest that there is evidence of any evil intelligence and design,” said Winter.
“Our theologies – that is, our formalized ways of attempting to think biblically – were hammered out during centuries that were totally blind to the microscopic world,” he added. “Our current theological literature, to my knowledge, does not seriously consider disease pathogens from a theological point of view – that is, are they the work of God or Satan?”
As a result, God has for far too long been taking the blame for Satan’s destructive works, Winter contended. And even Christians are confused over who is responsible for all the evil in the world, including disease and suffering. Some even claim that God wants diseases in the world.
“This is perhaps due to a theological tradition which does not understand demonic powers to have the ability to distort DNA,” he expressed.
But even as he battled multiple myeloma and lymphoma, Winter maintained that God is not responsible for the presence of evil but an intelligent evil is.
“I have a strong suspicion that these defects are often actually intelligently evil distortions by Satan not just things that went wrong accidentally,” Winter wrote in a past article, titled “Evolved or Involved?” “Why? Because, simply, some of these are so cleverly destructive,” he added.
“The same goes for destructive viruses, bacteria and especially parasites,” Winter continued. “These represent incredibly ingenious evil. They represent, I am thinking, the involvement of intelligence. They are not just unguided evolution or, much less, errors in creation.”
What say you?
From The WausauDailyHerald: ‘Joe the Plumber’ shares conservative views
quote..
Conservatives in Wausau on Thursday decried President Barack Obama’s economic policies at a gathering hosted by the conservative free-market group Americans for Prosperity. The event, called “Pints and Politics,” brought to town Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher, known during the 2008 presidential campaign as “Joe the Plumber.”
Speaking to a group of about 75 people at Wausau’s The Plaza Hotel & Suites, he and other speakers encouraged conservatives to get involved and develop grass-roots organizations.
Christopher Magiera of Wausau, a board member of Americans for Prosperity and a local political activist, said he saw a “Stalinization of America” taking place and that “the only thing that separates Stalinist Russia from what we have in Washington right now are the re-education and death camps.”
Wurzelbacher has a reputation for being a blunt, politically incorrect speaker. Referring to Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., more than once, Wurzelbacher asked, “Why hasn’t he been strung up?”
Referring to the Constitution as “almost like the Bible,” Wurzelbacher said of the Founding Fathers: “They knew socialism doesn’t work. They knew communism doesn’t work.” (*The Constitution predates the origins of socialism by nearly 100 years).
After speaking, Wurzelbacher signed autographs and posed for pictures with the crowd. (more here)
A dear friend loaned me a set of R.C. Sproul’s teaching CD’s on the Holiness of God a few years ago. It was one of the best, if not ‘the’ best teaching on God’s Holiness I’d ever listened to. I pray these clips will bless and inspire you as well.
The Holiness of God, RC Sproul 1-5
The Holiness of God, RC Sproul 2-5
The Holiness of God, RC Sproul 3-5
The Holiness of God, RC Sproul 4-5
The Holiness of God, RC Sproul 5-5
This is pitiful.
From, The Christian Post:
The Gospel is the greatest story ever told. Yet preachers today communicate it as if they were preaching from a school textbook, says one Virginia Beach pastor.
“I think communicators largely have lost the imaginative qualities of the Gospel,” Ben Arment, 35, told The Christian Post. “It’s being delivered in the same ways that academia communicate information.”
“I don’t think the Gospel was ever meant to be read that way.”
Arment, a former pastor for 10 years, wants to restore those imaginative qualities to the Gospel – C.S. Lewis style. He’s bringing together six “master” communicators of the Gospel to one stage for what he calls a “theatrical conference experience.” The fall event, called “Story,” will feature music, drama, comedy and interactive exchanges with attendees. The goal is to create a place where Gospel communicators can be inspired to be better and more effective at what they do.
“We’re setting it in the context of a theatrical environment to play up the storytelling elements of the Gospel to make it more exciting, more appealing and draw out the essence of what our story is,” Arment explained.
Think of it as a dinner theater.
Instead of looking for a way to jazz it up with a gospel ‘dinner theater ‘ why aren’t they asking the real question: “Is the Holy Spirit ANOINTING me when I preach the gospel–and if not, WHY NOT?”
They need to take a lesson from Paul:
“And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God” - 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
Can’t be 100% sure, but I believe it was the late Walter Martin who commented many years ago that the Holy Spirit could move out, lock, stock, and barrel from many Churches and congregations, and the people in the pews wouldn’t even know it.
Whoever said it, Dr. Martin or someone else, was speaking prophetically without realizing it.
Are there that many today in the Church, who have never once heard the word preached by a man of God under the power and anointing of the Holy Ghost? There must be folks… For no one who has sit under true preaching could ever believe these crazy ideas could bring about any true fruit.
Sitting here this afternoon I’m wondering how long it will take the false prophets to see a ’sign’ in the death of Michael Jackson or Farrah Fawcett, and come out with a ‘prophetic word’..
Its Friday…uuummm.. it could take them the weekend.
OR maybe not!
Two at EList are posted today. The first is not a prophecy but a ‘word’ seeing these deaths as a sign for Hollywood…
“FALLING STARS: The Harvest is RIPE in HOLLYWOOD! A Call to ACTION Toward the ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY” by Shawn Bolz
The second concerns a dream, which appears highly suspect, being posted today of all days: “God’s Media Army is Arising in Movies, Music, Art, Games and More!” by Julie Meyer
I was given a profound and stunning dream that came with great clarity about the Arising Media Army of the Lord. I would like to share parts of it with you. In the dream, I was sitting at a table with the Ancient of Days and He had opened before Him the checkbook of finance and He was singing out a song. He sang:
“This is why I’m going to write the check
This is why I’m going to give you the money
It’s the Great Invitation to the Divine Interruption in
Media…Media…Media…Media.”In the dream, the word “Media” resounded within my mind from every direction possible. I knew the Ancient of Days was going to have His way in every way in all aspects of media.
If interested you can read them HERE and HERE
What foolishness. Especially the dream…sigh..
In the coming days I look for more words to come from these folks, in an attempt to use these deaths to some sort of advantage.
There has been speculation surrounding the Ark of the Covenant for ages. My opinion has always been that if something were suddenly to be found or brought out, it would not be real. And an even worse possibility is that it could be cause for great deception. Over the years I’ve not changed my opinion.
This story from Israel National News:
(IsraelNN.com) Ethiopian church leader says Friday, June 26, marks the right time to unveil the Biblical Ark of the Covenant, which he says has been hidden in his church for centuries.
Abuna Pauolos, Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, was in Rome this week to meet with Pope Benedict XVI. While there, he told reporters that the time had come to reveal before the world the Holy Ark. He said that the holy container has been in the custody of his church for hundreds of years. (more here)
Last year I posted a (6) part series on Types and Shadows in the Old Testament, which included a segment on The ark of the covenant: (See: Typology: The Tabernacle and Its Furniture -6) Also, an extended study on the topic of types and shadows can be found here: Shadows of Good Things or the Gospel in Type
If we depend on what scripture tells us, then no one really knows what happened to the Ark but God. And there are no scriptures which point to it suddenly appearing again. Of course that would not stop satan from planning to have something akin to it “suddenly” found or come upon the scene.
I agree with the author below:
I am reminded of the brass serpent erected by Moses in the wilderness (Numbers 21:8-9). It too was a sacred object, but the people eventually turned it into an idol (2 Kings 18:1-4). I fear that if any ark, whether Noah’s or God’s, were to be found there would be a great awakening of icon worship rather than the worship of the God whom they point us too. (What happened to the Ark of the Covenant? Mike Scott)
I agree based on the fact that many Christians today are excited and joyfully looking forward to another man-made Temple being built in Jerusalem. Many I’ve talked to support the endeavor both prayerfully and financially. And, look forward to making the pilgrimage to visit it someday in order to see blood sacrifices performed.
But what does the word of God say?
