Charisma gets an ‘ear-full’ about Todd and Jessa Bentley

Charisma decided to post an article on the latest video in which Todd’s new wife Jessa spoke, and the comments reflect at least part of the body of Christ, are not interested in buying what Joyner, Todd and Jessa, are selling.

They have lost all credibility. What a waste of space to even write about them! Who cares ? I, for one, will never believe another word that Todd Bentley utters! They have done great damage to the Body of Christ !

The crux of the issue was not whether they needed to wait, but the whole thing was wrong. There’s not much mention of repentance and actual deeds from it on the central issue. Why did Jessa, knowing Todd’s marital problem, kept on being so involved with Todd?

Todd Bentley’s New Wife Breaks Silence

Things “seen” and things “unseen”

Part (3) in a series by Peter Cohen at Messianic Good News, concerning the final onslaught against the people of God, is good reading. It may not follow your personal eschatological beliefs, but I think you’ll find it of interest. 

“There are more things in heaven and on earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.” – William Shakespeare

Before proceeding to the concluding subjects of the study of Revelation chapter 20 – the battle of Gog and Magog and the final judgement which takes place before the new heaven and new earth is revealed – we must be reminded that everything we presently see with our physical eyes is temporary and passing away.

An entire world exists beyond this earthly dimension which can only be perceived with spiritual eyes, and that world will remain for eternity. Jesus taught us to pray, “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”.

Satan is referred to as the god of this age who has blinded the minds of unbelievers so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God (2 Corinthians 4:4). It is only when our minds are enlightened through the word of God and the revelation given to us by the Holy Spirit that we are able to perceive the things that the LORD has prepared for us beyond this temporary physical world (see 1 Corinthians 2:6-16).

While we are in this mortal body the things that belong to the earthly realm often appear to be more real than the invisible world of the heavenly realm. To many people, the idea of a heavenly realm is “unreal” while this world is considered “real”. Even among Christians there is a tendency to think of the spiritual realm as less real than the physical world.

America’s Mission Fields

Isn’t this interesting? Years ago if someone mentioned mission fields or going into missionary work it meant leaving the US and going to other nations to spread the gospel.

Baptist Press: Diverse challenges ahead for new missionaries, chaplains

Joe Beckler and wife Cheri are on a mission field where people are skeptical, even suspicious, of Christianity.

“Many of them have alternate lifestyles. How do you present the Gospel to people who have great disdain for the Gospel? Many people here view Christianity with great suspicion,” said Beckler, a missionary who is working to start churches in Denver.

“Their worldview is complicated.”

Baptist Church to Celebrate by Burning Bibles

CANTON, N.C. —The Amazing Grace Baptist Church in Canton, N.C. will celebrate Halloween by burning Bibles that aren’t the King James Version, as well as music and books and anything else Pastor Marc Grizzard says is a satanic influence.

Among the authors whose books Grizzard plans to burn are well known ministers Rick Warren and Billy Graham because he says they have occasionally used Bibles other than the King James Version, which is the sole biblical source he considers infallible.

According to the church’s Web site, members will also burn “Satan’s music such as country, rap, rock, pop, heavy metal, western, soft and easy, southern gospel, contemporary Christian, jazz, soul (and) oldies.

“We will also be burning Satan’s popular books written by heretics like Billy Graham, Rick Warren, Bill Hybels, John McArthur, James Dobson, Charles Swindoll, John Piper, Chuck Colson, Tony Evans, Oral Roberts, Jimmy Swagart, Mark Driskol, Franklin Graham, Bill Bright, Tim Lahaye, Paula White, T.D. Jakes, Benny Hinn, Joyce Myers, Brian McLaren, Robert Schuller, Mother Teresa, The Pope, Rob Bell, Erwin McManus, Donald Miller, Shane Claiborne, Brennan Manning (and) William Young.

During the book burning, according to the Web site, barbecued chicken fried chicken and “all the sides” will be served.

(source)

Lord, Save Us From Your Followers

Polycarp has an interesting post up about this soon to be released film:

Lord, Save Us From Your Followers hits the big screen

I watched a couple clips about the film at youtube, which were intriguing. But be warned, you may find they offend you:

Lord Save Us From Your Followers – New Trailer – Opens Sept 25th

A clip from Lord, Save Us from Your Followers, a film by Dan Merchant.

Christians Gathered in Jerusalem to Show Support for Israel

I wonder how many of the 5,000 sought out and encouraged Jewish believers living in Israel, who face discrimination and persecution from their own countrymen? Or how many sought out Palestinian-Arab Christians while there, in order to offer encouragement or prayer for them? I would be surprised to hear that any of them did. Especially those Christians from America.

Some 5,000 Christians from 100 nations marched through the streets of Jerusalem (last) Tuesday to show their solidarity with the nation of Israel.

March participants waved Zionist banners and flags, while others wore T-shirts that read “Jerusalem United” as part of a campaign responding to political pressure on Israel to stop construction in the largely Arab eastern part of the city. (source)

While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. But he answered and said unto him that told him, “Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?” And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, “Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.” -  Matthew 12:46-50

Jesus’ life and teaching demonstrates the only acceptable basis for human relationship – being a common devotion to the Father and a unity in purpose founded upon His will. Jesus refused every natural bond and would not involve himself in shared objectives with anyone who had not been reconciled to God through faith in him.

Those who respond to God’s love obey Him (John 14:15; Deut 7:9-10), and are set apart by their obedience from anyone who does not. In this way the Word of God divides humanity. It separates those who will submit to God and be reconciled to Him, from those who prefer to live independently and in denial of Him, pursuing their own lusts. Jesus, as God’s full and final revelation to man (Col 1:19; Heb 1: 1-3), is the Word by which this division is ultimately achieved.

“Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.” Matthew 10:34-36

Jesus accepts everyone who does the Father’s will – by believing in him – as his brother and sister and mother (Mt. 12:49). Reciprocally, those who become affiliated with Jesus give up their associations with everyone who rejects him.

‘For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?’ (2 Cor 6:14-15)

While the humanist has his sympathies with the temporal needs of man, the believer is fully identified with the purposes of God, which is the salvation of all who believe.

The manner of our warfare will disclose our true allegiance. Those who take up the Zionist or Palestinian cause commonly fight with political weapons. The believer’s arsenal consists of spiritual tools – which are mighty in power, and demolish strongholds (2 Cor 10: 4-5). We do not go to Egypt for help (see Isaiah 31:1-3).

Jesus could have gained much popularity by sympathizing with Jewish suffering under Roman oppression, but he did not fall for this temptation. The apostles likewise did not take up the cause of the Jews, or for that matter, with other oppressed classes such as slaves (see Col 3:22-24). Instead, every man was confronted with his own share in the sin that has caused our alienation from God, and thus also the pain and suffering that came as the consequence. Those who acknowledge their guilt and accept God’s way of reconciliation will also find their rest in Him, no matter their immediate plight or circumstances.

If we love Jesus we will love anyone who has received his Spirit and become the source of living water to those who have not.

Anyone who disassociates from a believer to join in common cause with an unbeliever has betrayed the testimony of Christ to the world. –

( Kevin Daly, Messianic Good News: Who is my Brother?)

“How should bible-believing Christians align themselves in the Jewish-Palestinian conflict? There are biblical reasons for treating both sides with compassionate public justice in the same way that disputes should be settled between nations generally. In other words, the Bible does not teach us to be partial today to Israel or to the Palestinians because either has a special divine status” –

(John Piper, Land Divine? – We should treat the Israeli-Palestinian dispute as we would any other)

Todd Bentley update, and Jessa Bentley ‘speaks’

Bill Fawcett at Beyond Grace blog has posted a very good 2 part series on Todd Bentley and the Manifest Sons of God-Latter Rain teachings:

Manifested Bentley, Part 1

Manifested Bentley, Part 2

He’s even transcribed one of Todd’s sermons from a year ago, which is a real eye-opener. And apparently Todd is back in public ministry,

“The book table is always a highlight to me because it provides me an opportunity to connect with our partners and friends and hear testimonies and praise reports.

This book signing turned into a one-hour and a half of PROPHETIC MINISTRY AND IMPARTATION. The Lord just showed up and people were drunk in the spirit and prophetic words flowed like a river.

My wife, Jessa, joined me at both book signings. It was great to have her stand by my side.

Regardless of what we’ve been through, she continues to be a strong emotional support. O ya! and she loved on the people”

I also received notice today of a new video posted at Todd’s website in which Jessa [his new wife] shares her personal thoughts. You may want to watch it. Its starts out with Rick Joyner laying the groundwork by comparing Todd and Jessa to King David and Bathsheba.

Streaming Video, Personal Thoughts from Jessa Bentley

Cutting off your nose to spite your face

The free online dictionary gives a good definition:

“to do something because you are angry, even if it will cause trouble for you: to hurt yourself in an effort to punish someone else: Prov. to hurt yourself in an attempt to hurt someone else; Often in the form, Don’t cut off your nose to spite your face.”

That phrase came to mind when reading an article concerning Religious Liberty this evening, (Christians Support Religious Liberty – For Themselves).

Though I may not be in 100% agreement with the author (or the article), what I did take away from it is the fact that we as Christians, in our outrage against other religions in America, may in fact end up cutting off our own “noses” if not careful, and as a result place our own religious freedoms in danger. You may say they already are in danger…I don’t agree. But I will agree they may one day be so, and when that occurs many within the Church will have played a part in bringing it about; or at the very least will have been a catalyst in pushing it forward, at a greater speed.

God is not the Creator, claims academic

The notion of God as the Creator is wrong, claims a top academic, who believes the Bible has been wrongly translated for thousands of years

Professor Ellen van Wolde, a respected Old Testament scholar and author, claims the first sentence of Genesis “in the beginning God created the Heaven and the Earth” is not a true translation of the Hebrew.

She claims she has carried out fresh textual analysis that suggests the writers of the great book never intended to suggest that God created the world — and in fact the Earth was already there when he created humans and animals.

“God did create some things, but not the Heaven and Earth. The usual idea of creating-out-of-nothing, creatio ex nihilo, is a big misunderstanding.” (more here)

“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

“For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.” – Romans 11:36

“God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands” – Acts 17:24

What do you think of this?

A few days ago I happened to catch this exchange during a TV interview. To say I was taken aback by who the two people were and what they said, is putting it mildly.

It should be fairly easy to find out who they are, perhaps you even watched it as well, but I’ll still ask:

What two people had this exchange below, and what do you make of it?

(On the topic of Islamic fanatics)

Well, listen, all religions have their fanatics, wouldn’t you agree with that?
Some, not all, but most, probably.
Including ours?

Are you one?
I’m a religious fanatic? Yes, I am, actually. I believe that when Jesus said that you’re to love your neighbor…
As yourself.
… as yourself, you’re to love your enemy. Do you love your enemy?

I don’t hate you, by the way.
Do you love your enemy, though?
Yes, I do.
You do?
I do.
So you love Al Qaeda, then.
No, I don’t love them. I love them in the sense that I want to destroy them.
I don’t think that’s the love Jesus was talking about.

How do you think Jesus would handle this?
You know, it’s an interesting question.
How do you think he’d handle this?
You know, Jesus would have the ability to change people’s hearts. I don’t have his powers. I wish I did.

You’re on TV every night.
Oh, I have all that power..
Well, I mean, you are on TV every night…
And you watch every night, I hope.
Well, not every night, but I do watch.
All right.
And you haven’t changed my heart.

**video clip will be posted later**

Which Jesus?

Came across an interesting interview with John MacArthur concerning his book, The Jesus You Can’t Ignore.

- Can you tell us the thrust of the book?

Well, I think there’s a pop-Jesus that exists in the minds of most evangelicals that doesn’t really reflect the true Jesus of Scripture. There’s a Jesus that people are comfortable with and find acceptable. They can sell him on a popular level. But it’s a far cry from the Jesus of the New Testament which is to say that it’s a misrepresentation of the true Christ. Jesus is not to be invented by anybody. We don’t have the right to make Jesus into whatever we think we would like Him to be, or whatever we think people would like Him to be so that He’s acceptable to them.

Taking the full revelation of the New Testament, you get the picture of Jesus and it’s not the picture that fits the comfortable evangelical pattern for today. This became an issue to me because I wrote a book called The Truth War, and The Truth War basically said that divine truth is the most important thing that exists. Divine truth saves, divine truth sanctifies, divine truth gives wisdom, comfort, hope of eternal glory, all of that. And so I said we have to fight for the truth. Satan is a liar, he’s a deceiver from the Garden on, he’s the father of lies, deception runs rampant outside the church, inside the church, coming from every direction, and we have to be willing to go to war for the truth.

Well you know, Phil, we’ve gotten all kinds of e-mail saying Jesus came to bring peace, why do you want to start a war? So I began to think to myself, what Jesus are these people talking about? After all, Jesus said “I came not to bring peace but a sword.” That’s pretty graphic and unmistakable language. He said, “If you’re going to follow Me…it may come down to this, hate your father, hate your mother, hate your own life, take up your cross and follow Me.” This is a discipleship call that could result in your martyrdom because the hostility against Me is so profound.

So, if you’re going to say Jesus came to bring peace, you don’t have the whole picture. He came to bring peace but only to those who believe in Him, to all others, of course, He brings eternal judgment. And so, I felt compelled to write a book that gives the full picture of Jesus, and most particularly how Jesus reacted to false teaching. Did He just roll over and say, “Well, let’s have a conversation,” like the Emerging people want to do? Did He say, “Well, look, let’s just find what we can agree on, let’s just find common ground, let’s celebrate, you know, our points of agreement and not make a fuss over the things we disagree with?”

Hardly, He starts His ministry by going into the temple, making a whip and basically pulling an all out assault on the heart and soul of Judaism. He hit them at their heart, that’s how He began His ministry. And from that day on, they despised Him…the leaders of Israel because of what He had done, He had unmasked their hypocrisy, He put a dent in their economic prosperity. And then at the end of His ministry, the last week of His life, remember the triumphal entry, He comes into Jerusalem. No sooner does He get into the city that He does the same thing again…the second act of judgment on the temple.

And I think I need to say at this point, you hear about that and it’s often called the cleansing of the temple. It really wasn’t the cleansing of the temple, it was really a statement about the demolishing of the temple. He didn’t really clean it up, they couldn’t clean it up. That’s why He also said after the second time, “Not one stone will be left upon another in this place.” The whole system is coming down.

So it was not just some kind of Reformation movement, not just some kind of cleanup thing. He was essentially saying this is a false religious system, full of hypocrisy, lies and deception. He warned the people, “Beware of the scribes and Pharisees. Beware of these false religious leaders because, you know, their deception will damn your soul. Stay away from them, God’s going to judge the whole system.” And we all know that in 70 A.D. the Romans came, they really were an instrument of divine judgment and the temple came down and it’s never been rebuilt. There’s never been a priesthood. It was a smashing triumphant divine act bringing to end Judaism as it had been practiced at that day. So that was Jesus’ attitude toward false religion.

In the meantime, between those two times when He attacked them at the temple, He was in an ongoing relentless, never-ceasing conflict with the religious leaders of Israel. Compassion toward the people, tender heartedness toward the people, sympathy toward the people, tears over their lostness, but when it came to the purveyors and the architects of false religion, He was downright vicious in pronouncing judgment on them and called them snakes, vipers, whited sepulchers. He said, “You produce sons of hell.” So if you’re going to get the full picture of Jesus, you have to understand on one hand He preaches the doctrine of grace and peace, on the other hand, He pronounces judgment on anybody who deviates from the truth of the gospel.

In Gaza, only the dying get to see their Israeli relatives

I just don’t understand this…

From Haaretz:

Qassem al-Masri’s father has been suffering from liver problems for years. Sometimes he is hospitalized, and usually he doesn’t feel well (but then again, no one ever feels well in the Gaza Strip). But his condition is not grave. That is why Israel won’t let his 25-year-old son Qassem, an Israeli citizen and a medical student, to visit him in Beit Hanoun.

It has been seven years since they’ve seen each other.

Even when he left for Berlin for his medical studies in 2002, Israeli authorities forbade the young man from visiting his father in Gaza. (Three of Kassem’s brothers live in Berlin, two of them are already doctors. Their parents decided to forgo building a house in order to provide their children with an education: medicine for the boys and law for the girls).

The Small and the Great

….all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” -1 Peter 5:5

Some time ago we heard a short address by a young preacher during which he quoted the following, “If you are too big for a little place, you are too little for a big place.”

It is an odd rule of the kingdom of God that when we try to get big, we always get smaller by the moment. God is jealous of His glory and will not allow anyone to share it with Him. The effort to appear great will bring the displeasure of God upon us and effectively prevent us from achieving the greatness after which we pant.

Humility pleases God wherever it is found, and the humble person will have God for his or her friend and helper always. Only the humble are completely sane, for they are the only ones who see clearly their own size and limitations. Egotists see things out of focus. To themselves they are large and God is correspondingly small, and that is a kind of moral insanity.

~ A.W. Tozer

“Lord, help me never to be too big for a little place. In humility let me serve and revel in You as my ‘friend and helper always.’ Amen.”

Book Review: Christian America and the Kingdom of God

Joel has been reviewing the book, Christian America and the Kingdom of God, this past week at his blog. One of the posts included is an interview with author Richard T. Hughes. You may find Joel’s posts, the interview with Hughes, and Joel’s conclusion of interest. As an avid reader, I followed the posts this week, but wanted to wait until he reviewed the entire book before posting the links.

(Chapter 1) –

(Chapter 2) -

(Chapter 3) –

(Chapter 4) –

(Chapter 5) -

(Interview: Richard Hughes, Christian America and the Kingdom of God) –

(Conclusion- Final Thoughts)

The Hate Crimes Bill

In recent days I’ve been doing more reading then writing/posting. Along with reading more in the word, I’ve also been reading news stories and items coming not only from the US Church (in general) but news stories which the Church is either concerned about or in some cases, up in arms over. Last weeks approval by the House of The Matthew Shepard Act, is one story.

quote..

A controversial hate crimes law moved a step closer to becoming law Thursday when the House approved the measure as part of a must-pass defense-spending bill. The legislation adds sexual orientation to the list of federally protected classes, and give states and local jurisdictions federal assistance to prosecute hate crimes.

The measure passed in the House as a stand-alone bill in April, but was attached to the $680 billion Defense Department authorization bill earlier this week. The Matthew Shepard Act, named after a gay college student murdered 11 years ago next week.

Several Christian leaders have decried the hate crimes law, saying it could criminalize preaching against homosexuality:

“This measure is about giving special rights based solely on sexual behavior,” said Family Research Council President Tony Perkins.

Some Christian pastors, including Dr. Joel C. Hunter of Northland – A Church Distributed in Florida, have endorsed the bill, especially after changes were made to bar prosecution based on the expression of racial, religious, political or other beliefs.

But many conservatives are not convinced of their free speech protection and say the legislation is unnecessary as gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people are already protected under existing state laws.

“This measure is about giving special rights based solely on sexual behavior,” said Tony Perkins, president of the conservative Family Research Council. “All of our citizens deserve equal justice under the law. Do we somehow care less about victims violently assaulted in the act of robbery or during a personal dispute than we do about those assaulted because they belong in a federally designated, politically motivated category?”

“If someone under their ministry is charged with a hate crime against a homosexual, the minister himself could be accused of inciting that violence because of his teachings,” wrote Barrett Duke, vice president for Public Policy and Research for the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission.

His group is one of several, including Focus on the Family Action, the American Family Association and the Traditional Values Coalition, that have urged their supporters to contact federal lawmakers to express their opposition to the bill.

Other evangelical leaders say the hate crimes law is needed and that concerns about religious liberty infringements are overblown.

At a press conference in May, author Tony Campolo, founder of the Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education, said evangelicals should want justice for homosexuals and transgendered persons. “Justice is love translated into social policy,” he said, “and this proposed law is designed to extend justice to Americans who often do not have avenues to obtain the same protection under the law that the rest of us enjoy.”

He said the bill does not infringe on ministers’ First Amendment rights. “There’s protection for those in the pulpit and for preachers to say what they want to say anywhere else, as long as it does not promote violence,” — (Sources: Hate Crimes Bill Moves Closer to Becoming Law and House Approves Hate Crimes Provision in Defense Bill)

If by chance you’ve not read the amendments, here is a link: TEXT OF AMENDMENTS, Page: S7491, DIVISION–MATTHEW SHEPARD HATE CRIMES PREVENTION ACT

One section in particular seems to point to the possibility those like Tony Perkins (interesting story on Perkins) and others who are sounding the alarm, may not have read the bill or even the amendments.

SEC. X10. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

For purposes of construing this division and the amendments made by this division the following shall apply:

(1) RELEVANT EVIDENCE.–Courts may consider relevant evidence of speech, beliefs, or expressive conduct to the extent that such evidence is offered to prove an element of a charged offense or is otherwise admissible under the Federal Rules of Evidence. Nothing in this division is intended to affect the existing rules of evidence.

(2) VIOLENT ACTS.–This division applies to violent acts motivated by actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability of a victim.

(3) CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTIONS.–Nothing in this division shall be construed to prohibit any constitutionally protected speech, expressive conduct or activities (regardless of whether compelled by, or central to, a system of religious belief), including the exercise of religion protected by the First Amendment and peaceful picketing or demonstration. The Constitution does not protect speech, conduct or activities consisting of planning for, conspiring to commit, or committing an act of violence.

(4) FREE EXPRESSION.–Nothing in this division shall be construed to allow prosecution based solely upon an individual’s expression of racial, religious, political, or other beliefs or solely upon an individual’s membership in a group advocating or espousing such beliefs.

Irregardless of how anyone feels about the bill, its going to be passed and signed. Next week actually, if things progress in the direction they are going now.

Is the passing of this bill going to affect you as a Christian? I’d be interested in hearing how you believe it will, if you wouldn’t mind sharing.

In the coming days and weeks you may see a few polls posted concerning the Church and some issues. I would greatly appreciate your input in these.

Dearly Departed: The Separation of Church and Jesus

This article, disturbing as it is, brought back a bad memory which I’ve never been quite able to put to rest.

For some years in the early-mid 80′s I taught a class of young adults on Sunday morning. They ranged in age from 14-18 yrs old. One of our goals was to spend at least one Saturday a month, or more, walking through the neighborhood and talking face to face with the people–especially young teens. Telling them about our church and class, inviting them to come. It was really exciting, for many in the class had come to know Jesus as Lord recently…and they were “fired up”…ready to tell anyone who would listen, what Jesus did for them, how He changed their lives.

(If you ever find yourself forgetting what your salvation is really all about, hang around a bunch of brand-new young believers for awhile. It’ll all come back to you!)

Anyway, long story short. We ended up one Saturday in the projects about a mile from Church. That’s where we spent that Saturday afternoon–the place was over-run with young children playing outside, who just plain seemed overjoyed at our being there! We talked to many of the parents that day also–inviting them to visit Sunday morning and telling them about Jesus.

Many of these parents ended up giving permission for their children to come to Sunday School, so we made arrangements and picked a spot to pick them up in our old church van the following morning.

We did, they came. About 15 skinny kids, both black and while, marched in with us the next morning. They sure weren’t all dressed up fancy, like regular church folks, but you could tell they were  excited to be there.

After class our regular van driver took them home. And we made arrangements for him to pick them up the following Sunday.

Sunday came around and no kids. I got there right before classes began so had no time to talk to the van driver, so just assumed the kids were not at the designated spot when he went to pick them up.

After class and shortly after regular service started, the outer-door opened and in walked these children. See, I found out later that no one went to pick them up–(it wasn’t the drivers fault, he was told not to go) and these children, after waiting, had walked that mile to the Church. I’ll never forget the youngest one–she was around 5, holding onto the hand of an older child of about 8-9.  They all stood in the back of the Church, and before I knew what was happening, someone walked back and herded them back outside and into the van, to take them home.

It finally dawned on me, that a certain segment in the Church had been “disturbed” the previous week at them being there, so had talked to the pastor. Who in turn, told the driver not to pick them up.

Folks, I wept for days. And, I will never forget the sense of grieving I felt in my spirit that morning, watching those children being herded out the door. They never returned.

I’m a lot older now–and hopefully wiser and bolder. Today I don’t know what I’d do, but it sure wouldn’t be to just sit there stunned. I learned a hard lesson that day. And so did my class of young ‘fired up’ adults. Their zeal to go out on any more Saturdays, seemed to dry up after that happened.

This story below, like I said, reminded me of that horrible incident. Reading it made me wonder about the youth minister mentioned, and if his ‘incident’ has left him with a dampened zeal and a grieving broken heart.

Dearly Departed: The Separation of Church and Jesus

By: Jim Evans

Several years ago a friend of mine was working as a youth minister for a church that was exuberantly evangelistic. The pastor spoke eloquently and often about “winning the world for Christ.”

BOMB IRAN NOW BECAUSE…UH, WHAT’S THE REASON?

Very interesting article and video.

Devvy Kidd has written a commentary about the constant drumbeat to bomb Iran, which has been coming from certain groups for the last 4 years. And asks the question “Why?”.

She includes the link to a video, “The Israel Lobby. Portrait of a Great Taboo”, which I agree, is a must watch.

Tegenlicht, a documentary program by the Dutch public broadcast organization VPRO, allows several interesting opinion makers to speak on the future of the American and Israel relationship and the reception of John Mearsheimers and Steve Walts article “The Israel Lobby and US foreign policy.”

Includes interviews with John Mearsheimer, former chief of staff to United States Secretary of State Colin Powell, Lawrence Wilkerson, cofounder of the Christians United for Israel lobbying group John Hagee, neoconservative Richard Perle and historian Tony Judt express their views in Marije Meermans and William de Bruijns documentary.

The video-documentary begins (first minute or so) in Dutch, (the documentary was made by the Dutch public broadcast organization) but all the guests speak English.

Article: BOMB IRAN NOW BECAUSE…UH, WHAT’S THE REASON?

Video: The Israel Lobby. Portrait of a Great Taboo

Congrats to Polycarp and his Wife!

Our brother and fellow blogger Polycarp, along with his wife, welcomed a new member to their family today–a baby girl!

Joel has posted a few photo’s already, and what a precious cutie she is,…with loads of hair!

If you’d like to check out this blessing from God, go here:

Baby Update with Pictures

It was soooooo nice to share in some good news! (Thank you Lord)

The Conservative Bible project: to laugh or weep?

Its hard to know if laughing or weeping are in order when reading the translations posted daily at Conservapedia’s Conservative Bible Project. Some of them boarder on the ludicrous, so I do admit to laughing. These two…well, you can read it for yourself:

Mark 3, verse 4 in the KJV:

“And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace.”

Same verse, after Conservapedia “fixed” it:

Jesus asked the Liberals, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: doing good or evil? Saving a life, or killing one?” The Liberals did not answer.

Mark 3, verse 6 reads in the KJV:

“And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.”

The same verse, “translated” by those at Conservapedia reads a tad differently:

“The Liberals then fled from the scene to plot with Herod’s people against Jesus, and plan how they might destroy him.”

You know, if I wasn’t sure this was on the up-and-up, I’d believe this was a joke. But sadly its not…so maybe I need to do more weeping then laughing.

“Prophecy”of Nuke leveling Washington DC in OCT 09

You may recall reading about this prophecy back in August, given out by Radio Host and Pastor, Vincent Xavier of New Wine Ministry:

Battle of the ‘Prophets’ and also, HERESY & FALSE PROPHETWARNING.

“Radio Host Vincent Xavier warns that an event larger and far more devastating than 911 is going to occur in the ‘Heart of America’ ‘Washington DC on the 11th October 2009. The event will be a nuclear bomb detonating in DC”

Even though Vincent Xavier has since taken down the youtube video, Hetgow retained enough of it on his own video, which warned this most likely was a false prophecy, to get an idea of what was said.

See video: HERESY & FALSE PROPHET WARNING: Prophecy of Nuke leveling DC in OCT 09 by Pastor Vincent Xavier

Those of you who listened to the entire original clip (before it was removed) may remember how specific Xavier was on the date and place this was to occur, and how adamant he was in claiming “God positively” showed him this.

Hetgow has a new clip up tonight…sort of a “prophecy watch” or “countdown” to the date(s) given by Vincent Xavier:

“When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.” Deu.18:22

“Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things;…” 1 Thess. 5:20-21a

“…In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established” 2 Cor. 13:1b

Idolatry in the Temple & Babylonian Religion

Then said he unto me, Son of man, lift up thine eyes now the way toward the north. So I lifted up mine eyes the way toward the north, and behold northward at the gate of the altar this image of jealousy in the entry. He said furthermore unto me, Son of man, seest thou what they do? even the great abominations that the house of Israel committeth here, that I should go far off from my sanctuary? but turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations. And he brought me to the door of the court; and when I looked, behold a hole in the wall.

Then said he unto me, Son of man, dig now in the wall: and when I had digged in the wall, behold a door. And he said unto me, Go in, and behold the wicked abominations that they do here. So I went in and saw; and behold every form of creeping things, and abominable beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel, portrayed upon the wall round about. And there stood before them seventy men of the ancients of the house of Israel, and in the midst of them stood Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan, with every man his censer in his hand, and a thick cloud of incense went up. then said he unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery? for they say, The LORD seeth us not; The LORD hasth forsaken the earth.

He said also unto me, turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations that they do. Then he brought me to the door of the gate of the LORD’s house which was toward the north; and behold, there sat women weeping for Tammuz (from a Hebrew root, “to melt down”- a god referred to in Babylonian mythology as “Tammuz”, dying and being reborn year after year, a picture representing the yearly cycle of the seasons and the crops).

Then said he unto me, Hast thou see this, O son of man? turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations than these. And he brought me into the inner court of the LORD’s house, and behold, at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of the LORD, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east.

Then he said unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man? Is it a light thing to the house of Judah that they commit the abominations which they commit here? for they have filled the land with violence, and have returned to provoke me to anger: and lo, they put the branch to their nose (“they turn up the nose in scorn,” expressing their insolent security – Septuagint). Ezekiel 8:5-17

“Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” 1 Corinthians 10:11

“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” 1 Corinthians 3:16

“We must not think, as many do, that there are only two sorts of idolatry—the spiritual idolatry of the man who loves his wife, or child, or money more than God; and the open, gross idolatry of the man who bows down to an image of wood, or metal, or stone, because he knows no better. We may rest assured that idolatry is a sin which occupies a far wider field than this . . . it is a pestilence that walks in the Church of Christ to a much greater extent than many suppose. It is an evil that, like the man of sin, ‘sits in the very temple of God’ (2Th 2:4). It is a sin that we all need to watch and pray against continually. It creeps into our religious worship insensibly and is upon us before we are aware.” (J.C. Ryle, DEFINITION AND CAUSE OF IDOLATRY)

“How am I thus to guard myself from idols?. The first thing we must always do is remember the truth about ourselves. That is we are a child of God’s and”if we are of God and belong to God, then we must live for God, and we must not live for any of those other things. The second principle is I must remember the true nature of idols. An idol is only temporary but God is eternal. We must remember that an idol, no matter what it is, is transitory! The third principle is remember the truth about God and live in communion with Him.” (Martyn Lloyd Jones, IDOLATRY CONDEMNED)

“I confess I would almost rather be charged with a religion that extenuated murder, than with one that justified idolatry. Murder, great as the offense is, is but the slaying of man; but idolatry is in its essence the killing of God; it is the attempt to thrust the Eternal Jehovah out of his seat, and to foist into his place the work of his own hand, or the creature of my own conceit.” (C.H. Spurgeon)

As we go back into the dim twilight of history with Scripture, we learn that the founder of Bab-el, or Babylon, was Nimrod, of whose unholy achievements we read in the 10th chapter of Genesis.  He was the arch-apostate of the patriarchal age.  He is described as a “mighty hunter before the Lord”-”a hunter of the souls of men,”.  Going out from the presence of the Lord, he impiously sought to gather a multitude about himself, and in defiance of the express command of God to spread abroad upon the face of the earth, he persuaded his associates and followers to join together in “building a city and a tower which should reach unto heaven.”

Interview with Conservapedia’s founder, Andy Schlafly

This is interesting. Alan Colmes, (a follower of what is known as Reform Judaism) interviewed Andy Schlafly about Conservapedia’s Conservative Bible Project on last nights radio program.

Meet The Man Behind The Conservative Bible

Even though Colmes asks some pertinent questions (for an unbeliever), and Schlafly claims to be a Christian, it was like listening to the blind leading the blind.

Something to add to the Patriot Bible or the Conservative Bible Project

I’m sitting here waiting for a title to come to me for this post. So far I can think of nothing. (Hopefully one will come to me before I finish).

We’ve all seen the pictures of Jesus wrapped in the American flag…(They are distasteful) and a lot of the paraphernalia sold to prove America is a Christian Nation, (red-white & blue Cross lapel pins, etc) but you may never have seen Jesus holding up the constitution. Well now you can. You can even purchase a copy for $130 to hang on your wall to remind you daily of just how ‘Christian’ we are as a nation.

Hold on, there’s more…

Not only do we see Jesus in the center holding up the US constitution with his right hand and pointing to it with his left hand, as though it is holy writ, but we have other figures in the picture.

Most on Jesus’ right are self explanatory, (the farmer, the Christian minister, the US Marine, the handicapped child, the black college student, and the schoolteacher who vaguely resembles Sarah Palin. You also have the young white boy who represents the rising generation) but those on the bottom left may need interpretation.

There we have a liberal news reporter, a lawyer counting his money, a professor holding a copy of Darwin’s Origin of the Species, a supreme court judge, an expectant mother, and a politician.  And standing with them in the background is satan himself. (*I placed an arrow to show you satan’s position in the painting–he’s not easy to see, if you don’t know where to look).

All this is placed in a picture of the Supreme Court [on the right] and the US Capitol on the Left.

If you click on the smaller picture below, it should take you to the much larger version (you have to click on the smaller one, once there) where you can place your browser on each individual to get their identity.

The artist is Jon McNaughton from Grafton, Utah.

From an early age, Jon McNaughton showed great promise that eventually led to a full art scholarship to Brigham Young University.

He says he received this painting in a vision.

HT

I have no comment.

Lawyer sues to end Dallas group’s ‘threat’ prayers

From The Dallas News:

A former military lawyer who served in the Reagan White House and worked for Ross Perot is suing a Dallas-based religious organization in a case that could test the limits of free speech and prayer.

Mikey Weinstein, founder of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, said he wants Gordon Klingenschmitt, a former U.S. Navy chaplain, to “stop asking Jesus to plunder my fields … seize my assets, kill me and my family then wipe away our descendants for 10 generations.”

The suit also asks the court to stop the defendants – Klingenschmitt and Jim Ammerman, the founder of the Dallas-based Chaplaincy of Full Gospel Churches – from “encouraging, soliciting, directing, abetting or attempting to induce others to engage in similar conduct.”

Weinstein, 54, said his family has received death threats, had a swastika emblazoned on their home in New Mexico, animal carcasses left on their doorstep and feces thrown at the house.

Weinstein, who is Jewish, said the harassment started several years ago when he began protesting Christian proselytizing at his alma mater, the Air Force Academy. Weinstein started his foundation shortly after that to battle the influence of extremist evangelical Christians in the armed forces.

“I morphed from being a lawyer and a businessman to this thing called a civil rights activist,” he says. He is an unlikely activist, Weinstein said: a Jewish Republican from a long line of military members. (more here)

Video/Audio; Imprecatory prayers against Lynn and Weinstein

Spurgeon on Apostasy

When coming upon this tonight I thought of a comment I’d read lately concerning the falling away–the apostasy:

“If you can’t see it, you’re in it”

Reading that made me think once again of how the Spirit of God showed me years ago how the apostasy, leading up to the return of Jesus, would be like an onion–one with many layers. That one layer would be revealed, only to have another layer visible underneath. And that the more we peeled away at today’s deception, there would be many many more ready to take its place. I’ve never forgotten that. I recall how at the time I didn’t completely understand. Since then, my understanding has grown.

NEO-MARXISM IN THE CHURCH

My teenage grand-children get a laugh when ole’ granny here has to stop and ask them what the heck they’re talking about when they toss out phrases and words which I’ve never heard. They think everyone should know what they’re talking about–much like my generation did I’m sure, when we used different ‘new’ phrases in front of our parents when teens, and they too look puzzled and asked for explanations.

One phrase I heard recently was ‘jumping the shark’… I did not have a clue what that meant (I’m sure you all have known for years!..aha).

Anyway, if ever there was a time when Christians are guilty of doing just that, its now. I have never seen so many well known Christians going way over the top in order to attempt to connect point A with point Z; and doing so by leaving out all the necessary points in between!

This letter sent out today by Jan Markell, is a case in point.

Listen, I love Jan Markell as a fellow sister in Christ. I normally agree with many points in her commentaries. I’ve received her letters for years and have no doubt she is a faithful child of God. But folks, this is over the top…

These people she points out may indeed have many (many!) serious issues…doctrine being the most important. I’ve read a few articles by Brian McLaren in the past and agree the guy is a proponent of the ‘emergent’ brand of neo-evangelicalism we’ve been seeing around for some time. But to try and tie this into Neo-Marxism, is well, jumping the shark!

Pining the label Communist, Socialist or Marxist on a person must be the ultimate insult today in America–after all, we hear the words used on cable TV by the talking-heads every day. The terms have become like the boogeyman; scare-tactics used by the media shock-jocks to keep their listeners tuned in.

Like so many other things the Church has picked up from the world, is this to be one more thing we borrow and apply to segments of the Church we don’t agree with–or even to false preachers/teachers/prophets?  Gosh, I hope not. I’d hate to have to start referring to Kim Clement, not as a false prophet, but as a “neo-marxists.

RED-LETTER CHRISTIANS: NEO-MARXISM IN THE CHURCH?

By Jan Markell

quote..

In many Bibles, all the words of Jesus are in red. There is nothing wrong with that. But something is wrong when Leftist Christians or so-called Christians want to mute the words of Paul and other writers and only follow Jesus’ words. They call themselves “red-letter Christians.”

They feel it is convenient to blot out the words of Paul on homosexuality and focus in on the good deeds Jesus talks about. Most are pacifists who reject an “eye for an eye” (Leviticus 24:19-20). They focus on Jesus’ words about helping the poor, ministering to “the least of these” (Matthew 25:40), loving our enemies, etc.