Es lebe unser heiliges Deutschland!

Rick Frueh has written a powerful post today.

On July 21, 1944 at about 1:00 A.M., a Nazi firing squad lifted their rifles, and lit by the headlights of cars, they executed their human target. Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg fell dead, having been executed for his major part in a failed attempt to assassinate Adolf Hitler.

But it is his last recorded words that should be a learning experience for us as believing followers of Jesus Christ.

Just before he was shot he shouted “Es lebe unser heiliges Deutschland!”, which means in English “Long live our sacred Germany!”.

When we as believers inspect and assess such a statement we must be moved with grief for such allegiance. But that patriotism is definitely in line with the cultures and upbringing in many, if not most, countries. The rich and embellished histories of countries are carefully spoon fed to the children at the youngest of ages and then strengthened with ceremony, pledges, flags, and nationalistic music. It is this kind of misguided teaching that has led to many unfortunate historical episodes and wars, not the least of which was the rise of the National Socialist Party in Nazi Germany. But this is to be expected in the world and it will continue until Christ comes again.

But what has been most unfortunate and even deadly is the way American evangelicalism has bought into such teachings, and even given an unashamed allegiance to the country in which they were born.

This year July 4th will fall upon a Sunday, and on the day which is supposed to be for the celebration of the resurrection and the worship of the Risen Christ, many American churches will observe a “patriotic” service complete with nationalistic songs, the celebration of this nation, and even overtures of allegiance and love. All of which is nothing more than overt idolatry and sacrilege within the gathering that must always be exclusively His.

I do not hate America; I hate idolatry. And lest you get the impression that my hands are clean let me reveal this to you.

I once led the songs and I once was filled with emotion in patriotic services and I once pledged allegiance to the flag. So I do not judge anyone, but I must judge the actions that continue to take place within the church. It is this “Long live sacred America” view that has drained the church of her God given power and made us nothing more than patriots that happen to be religious. And this nation is no better or no worse than any other; they all are fallen.

Political freedom has become an idol as well, and democracy is worshiped. We would do well to remember than when Christ comes to reign again on earth He will not set up a democracy.

Listen to the talk show hosts as they warn us about losing the lifestyle we once knew and how our freedoms are being taken away from us. That may be true for the unregenerate, but for the redeemed this nation cannot take anything away from us at all. Our freedom is in Christ, our joy is in Christ, our salvation is in Christ, and our very lives are in Christ. And when the world brings darkness it only presents an opportunity to shine the glorious light of Jesus and His gospel. When our reactions mirror those of the lost then we have left Christ.

And so I ask you, on this Sunday, to open your heart to the Spirit and see how God actually feels about all this national revelry. Jesus must be Lord, and if that does not become conspicuous and remarkable within any culture and nation, then He is only Lord in words and not the heart. It is past time that the church come out from among them and be different. Not in moral self righteousness, but in humble power that lifts up the Christ in word and deed. Until then we can continue with our religious and national amalgam and feel good about ourselves.

Posted by Rick Frueh at Following Judah’s Lion

Does not the salvation of sinners trump national restoration?

An excellent editorial written by Dr. Orrel Steinkamp

a few quotes…

There is a new virus going around. Its called Christian political war gaming.

Once the virus strikes it becomes a near obsession. I know a number of people who don’t get enough sleep because they are at their computers doing political war games. Once they lived healthy Christian lives. Their passion was the Gospel of saving individual sinners. Now they rarely have the time or energy for their former passion. Their affections have been alienated. They need a Gospel intervention.

Former websites that defended the Gospel of salvation now are mostly devoted to restoring an illusive American past and proving our present president is a stealth Muslim attempting to make America a Muslim caliphate. Joseph Farah, World Net Daily Christian conspiracy expert, is sure Obama has specific plans for Christian concentration camps.

Even if all this is true, why should this divert us from our mandate of preaching the Gospel to every creature? Why should we be attempting to infiltrate and dominate every political entity before the time of God’s vengeance?…..

How must we look to the persecuted church? Are we by example suggesting they become political terrorists for the Kingdom of God and unnecessary martyrs?

Janet Porter, in her June 8, 2010 WorldNetDaily column, suggested that some of us were like the pious Germans who held high their hymnbooks so they wouldn’t see the cattle cars on their way to exterminate Jews. (A classic false dichotomy.) What could they have done? Lay themselves on the tracks? The German Christians were culpable, not because of their hymn singing but because they made common cause with the goals and destiny of the Third Reich, as did the Vatican in Rome.

Jesus, whom we say is our example, shunned (not a strong enough word) political pursuits in the name of the Kingdom of God. Recall the story of when Jesus was arrested in the garden of Gethsemane. Peter rushed to action and struck off the soldiers ear. Jesus was so perturbed that He instantly restored it and said to Peter “put your sword in its sheath” (John 18:11).

The Jerusalem that Jesus entered was a political hotbed. The people were involved in every possible action to drive out the pagan Romans from the holy city. When Jesus entered on Palm Sunday He purposefully fulfilled an Old Testament prophesy of the coming messiah by riding into the city on a young donkey.

“Hosanna in the Highest” the crowd cried. Hosanna means “save us now.” They treated Him as political messiah who would use his supernatural powers to drive out the Romans and RESTORE JERUSALEM. Did they look for a suffering savior who would bear the sins of the people? Hardly! By the time Jesus went to the cross they were all long gone….

I hope you take a few minutes and read the entire editorial:

Restoring the Gospel of Salvation: Does not the salvation of sinners trump national restoration?

Seven Mountains: Set To Go VIRAL

This latest from Herescope is a must-read. The numerous links included at the end are a valuable addition for anyone’s research concerning (the) Seven Mountains teachings.

Are the abhorrent doctrines found within the Seven Mountains teachings about to go viral? Frankly, I believe they already have.

“In the mid 90s the idea of societal transformation and social entrepreneurship began to emerge when Bob Buford, author of Halftime began to voice the need for social impact through one’s workplace call. Other groups like Pinnacle Forum, a ministry to key influencers and our own ministry, Marketplace Leaders and International Coalition of Workplace Ministries (ICWM) was birthed.

“As we entered the new millennium Christian leaders like Billy Graham, Ed Silvoso, Henry Blackaby, and Peter Wagner became powerful voices to validate God’s move in the workplace….

“Today, a new trend is emerging in the faith at work movement…. the idea that the culture is shaped by seven mind-molders, or mountains, in society. They include business, government, media, arts and entertainment, family, religion and education. If we, as workplace believers, can influence each of these areas for Christ, we will win the culture of our nation. “Reclaiming the 7 Mountains of Culture,” Os Hillman[1]

This blog has recently been the focus of controversy[2] for publishing a series of articles about a May Day event at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. in which prayers invoking the Seven Mountains were recited.[3] Our articles expressed concern that this radical mandate for Dominionism, and the leaders of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) which birthed it, were becoming part of the political Right and evangelical mainstream.

We are now convinced that the 7 Mountains theme is about to go viral.

The 7 mountains mandate is already becoming a unifying rally point among evangelicals from many diverse theological camps and from some very unexpected quarters. The May Day event served as a launching platform to give credibility to this agenda and to exalt key New Apostolic Reformation leaders promoting Dominionism. In the crisis to “restore America,” Christian Right leaders have already shown that they aren’t too finicky about theology, nor picky about their political bedfellows.

How far can this go? Is the 7 Mountains strategy about to become a political slogan for the Christian Right?

The list of partners who have already aligned themselves with this agenda is far-reaching. Below is but a brief list, just barely scratching the surface, of who’s who associated with the 7 mountains theology and its mandate to take dominion over the “spheres” (“mountains”) of the culture, the country, and the world. Follow the footnotes to see the extensive lists of bedfellows…

Continue here: Seven Mountains: Set To Go VIRAL

“And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH” – Rev.17

“Six Degrees” of Dominionism, Plus…

I believe you’ll find the most recent post at The Religious Right, informative.

A few quotes…

One of the things I quickly discovered when I started reading up on the whole Dominionism and New Apostolic Reformation movements was just how quickly you could slide into “Six Degrees of Separation” talk when covering those involved in these movements.

Obviously, not every person who shares a stage with someone like Cindy Jacobs or Lou Engle shares their views, though it is harder for organizers who include activists of this type in their events to make such arguments.

That is what got Janet Porter in trouble and that is why the Freedom Federation, the right-wing supergroup that includes groups like the Family Research Council, American Family Association, Concerned Women for America, Eagle Forum, Liberty Counsel, Traditional Values Coalition, Wallbuilders and dozens of others, has to take responsibility for the decision to include groups like Generals International, Lou Engle and The Call, and Morning Star Ministries among the coalition members.

We haven’t written much about Rick Joyner of Morning Star Ministries, but he runs a distinctly political organization called “The Oak Initiative,” which is also a member of the Freedom Federation, and which has a mission to “find and help develop principled and effective Christian leaders who can mobilize and organize a cohesive force of activated Christians” and place them “on every level where government is found, from the most local to state and national levels.”

The Oak Initiative has a distinctly Dominionist/7 Mountains agenda “to raise up effective leaders for all of the dominant areas of influence in the culture, including: government, business, education, arts and entertainment, family services, media, and the church.” And it also has a Board full of Religious Right activists including Janet Porter, Lou Sheldon, Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, Cindy Jacobs, Lt.Gen. W.G. “Jerry” Boykin, and Marc Nuttle…

More, including video: The Religious Right and Six Degrees of Dominionism

This week Dr. Orrel Steinkamp (Plumbline Ministries) dropped me a note and was kind enough to pass on the attachment to one of his recent messages. It can also be read online at Deception in the Church:

“Mary Glazier: Wagner’s Chief Prophetess in Alaska”

I recommend reading it.

Its time we begin to understand how intertwined the NAR (and other dominionist groups) have become with politicians and politics in America. Its not a new ‘thing’, but it has recently taken center-stage in our culture. And sadly a huge part of the Church is deeply and actively involved. For sometime now, its been the real hidden face of apostasy in the West. The foundation, for what I believe is Mystery Babylon, is being laid quickly.

A Todd Bentley reality show? Say it ain’t so!

Well, as my granny use to say, this takes the cake.

Thanks to Rick for pointing out this latest on Todd Bentley: Todd Bentley, the TV “reality” show

Todd Bentley, on his Twitter feed today, is talking up the possibility of a reality TV show on the Discovery channel in the United States.

He tweets:

Pray for a awesome opportunity. Discovery channel has approached us on a new Reality series. Let’s take gospel to the world.

more at Bene Diction

Can you just imagine….? My mind is in a tailspin at the possible scenarios. Guess this is the NAR at work in hopes of taking over the ‘mountain of media’.

I added a new tag/category for this: ‘World Gone Mad’. Have a hunch it will be used a lot in the future.

Generals International: Cindy Jacobs and Chuck Pierce

Yesterday, Cindy and Mike Jacobs of Generals International hosted a special webcast with Chuck Pierce on their website that focused primarily on claiming that the BP oil spill in the Gulf is due to President Obama’s poor treatment of Israel.

Jacobs explains that years ago Bob Jones prophesied years that following the death of Oral Roberts, the Gulf Coast would be hit with an oil spill and two hurricanes. Apparently that prophesy is now coming true and it is because God is angry with Obama’s attitude toward Israel…

More with videos, Generals International on Israel, The Oil Spill, And Demonic Vortexes

From Cindy Jacob’s bio:

“Cindy Jacobs is a respected prophet who travels the world ministering not only to crowds of people, but to heads of nations. Perhaps her greatest ministry is to world influencers who seek her prophetic advice.”

“Backward Christian Soldiers”

Mailed out today by Andrew Strom..

“BACKward CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS”
-by George Verwer.

Backward Christian soldiers, Fleeing from the fight, With the cross of Jesus, Nearly out of sight. Christ our rightful master Stands against the foe Onward into battle, we seem afraid to go.

Chorus:
Backward Christian soldiers, Fleeing from the fight, With the cross of Jesus, Nearly out of sight.

Like a mighty tortoise Moves the church of God. Brothers we are treading, Where we’ve often trod. We are much divided, Many bodies we, Having different doctrines, but Not much charity.

Crowns and thrones may perish, Kingdoms rise and wane, But the cross of Jesus Hidden does remain. Gates of hell should never ‘gainst the Church prevail, We have Christ’s own promise, but we think it might fail.

Sit here then ye people, Join our sleeping throng. Blend with ours, your voices in a feeble song. Blessings, ease and comfort Ask from Christ the King, But with our modern thinking, We won’t do a thing.

link

WorldNetDaily’s Voodoo-Logic

If this wasn’t obviously a case of wishful “voodoo logic” it would be hilarious.

I’ve watched WND attempt to ‘prove’ the President is the antichrist, was illegitimate, or that his grand-mother “may” have had an affair and subsequently Obama was her child, etc etc etc…

Now Farah has posted an article using voodoo logic by which to ‘prove’ Obama’s “Fealty to Islam”…

See Barth Notes: WorldNetDaily Publishes “Forensic Analysis” Showing Obama’s “Fealty to Islam”

I’m repeating myself, but must again say, shame, shame, shame on those Christian online ministries who still continue to treat Joseph Farah’s World Net Daily as a legitimate Christian news source; Especially those which operate under the banner of discernment and/or apologetic ministries. I’m afraid your own personal political beliefs have distorted your spiritual discernment.

Church History: Spiritual gift of tongues

An interesting companion piece to the post below.

By Rev. Mel C. Montgomery

A visitor to my website asked me recently to show proof from Early Church records, written by legitimate, orthodox Christian leaders, that speaking in tongues continued after the last apostle died, and to furnish the specific references so that he could look them up for himself.

I found this study to be an interesting journey indeed, that has bolstered my faith in the continuing work of the Holy Spirit in our day and hour.

As you will read in the next paragraphs, there are numerous ancient, reliable, orthodox references to speaking in tongues continuing centuries beyond the lives of the Apostles.

As we read these ancient eye-witness accounts, you will see that genuine speaking in tongues continued directly from the Day of Pentecost, through the lives of the Apostles in Acts, then onward in the Early Church, to the Medieval Church, to the Reformation Era, to the present.

HISTORICAL RECORD

Cessationists argue that the moment the last Apostle died, or when the final sentence of the last book of the Bible had been written, all miracles including speaking in tongues ceased.

Are they correct?

Let’s first establish the date that miracles supposedly ceased:

The Apostle Paul died somewhere between 64 AD and 69 AD, and the last Apostle, the Apostle John, died in 110 AD.

So let’s compare the cut-off date, the year of the last Apostle’s death, with the timeline of events in the Early Church:

Justin Martyr (100 ad–165 AD) was only 10 years old when the Apostle John died. He was an early Christian apologist. His works are the earliest Christian apologies, of substantial size, to survive to today.

Forty years after the Apostle John’s death, he writes in 150 AD:

“For the prophetical gifts remain with us, even to this present time.” Dialogue with Trypho, Chapter 82

And, “Now, it is possible to see amongst us women and men who possess gifts of the Spirit of God;” Dialogue with Trypho, Chapter 88.

Irenaeus (c.130-202 AD) was born 20 years after the last Apostle died.

He was bishop of Lugdunum in Gaul, which is now Lyon, France. His writings were formative in the early development of Christian theology. Like Justin Martyr, he was an early Christian apologist. His writings carry significant weight because he was a disciple of Polycarp, who had been a disciple of the Apostle John.

Irenaeus writes of believers in his day:

“Wherefore, also, those who are in truth His disciples, receiving grace from Him, do in His name perform [miracles], so as to promote the welfare of other men, according to the gift which each one has received from Him. For some do certainly and truly drive out devils, so that those who have thus been cleansed from evil spirits frequently both believe [in Christ] and join themselves to the Church. Others have foreknowledge of things to come: they see visions, and utter prophetic expressions. Others still, heal the sick by laying their hands upon them, and they are made whole. Yea, moreover, as I have said, the dead even have been raised up, and remained among us for many years. And what shall I more say? It is not possible to name the number of gifts which the Church, [scattered] throughout the whole world, has received from God, in the name of Jesus Christ,” Irenaeus Against Heresies, Book II, Chapter 32, section 4.

Additionally Irenaeus writes:

“We speak wisdom among them that are perfect, terming those persons “perfect” who have received the Spirit of God, and who through the Spirit of God do speak in all languages, as he used Himself also to speak. In like manner we do also hear many brethren in the Church, who possess prophetic gifts, and who through the Spirit speak all kinds of languages, and bring to light for the general benefit the hidden things of men, and declare the mysteries of God,” –Irenaeus Against Heresies, Book V. Chapter 6. section 1.

The writings of Irenaeus carry significant weight, especially concerning spiritual gifts considering:

Irenaeus had learned directly from Polycarp who had sat under the instruction of the Apostle John.

John had traveled with Christ and had spoken in tongues at Pentecost.

Surely the Apostle John knew genuine prophecy and genuine speaking in tongues when he experienced them and heard them in others.

It is only reasonable to assume that John passed clear teachings on to Polycarp, who in turn, passed such teachings and understandings on to Irenaeus.

Had John given any warning that the gifts would cease upon his death, both Polycarp and Iraneaus would have known of it.

Irenaeus testifies, in writings that exist to this day, that “prophetic expressions” and believers “who through the Spirit speak all kinds of languages” were so common and widespread in his life (130 – 202 AD) that “…it is not possible to name the number of gifts…”

His comments were written probably 80 to 90 years after the last Apostle died.

If these gifts ceased 90 years previously, then to what was Irenaeus referring?

Click the link to continue reading this interesting account concerning: Tongues Throughout Church History

Speaking in Tongues

Lee Grady has written a good commentary this week:

Why I Don’t Apologize for Speaking in Tongues

Instead of denying or downplaying this misunderstood spiritual gift, we should have the courage to embrace it.

Last week after I taught a class on the Holy Spirit at a ministry school in Pennsylvania, a 22-year-old guy from Maryland asked if I could pray with him. He had heard me share how I was baptized in the Holy Spirit at age 18, and he wanted the same experience. He was especially intrigued by the idea of speaking in tongues—something he had never done even though he was comfortable around other classmates who had this spiritual gift.

This young man, Eric, understood that he already had the Holy Spirit. (We can’t be born again without the Spirit entering our hearts and quickening Christ’s life in us.) But he knew that Jesus offers us more—that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is a second experience in which the fullness of God’s divine power saturates us and anoints us for supernatural ministry.

I explained to Eric that when I prayed for this blessing many years ago, God did not force anything on me. We don’t “have” to speak in tongues, and God certainly doesn’t make us move our mouths against our will. We open our mouths, but it is the Spirit who gives us this unusual heavenly language. Glossolalia makes no sense in the natural—it actually sounds like gibberish—but the Bible says praying in the Spirit strengthens us profoundly (see 1 Cor. 14:2,4).

I laid hands on Eric in the back of the auditorium and asked Jesus to fill him with divine power and to release the Holy Spirit’s language as a manifestation of the overflow. Nothing dramatic happened at that moment, but I told Eric to remain expectant. I’ve learned that oftentimes the release of the Spirit comes easier when people are not distracted by crowds. I encouraged my new friend to go home and pray some more.

A couple of days later I received an e-mail from this brother, letting me know that a small miracle had occurred in his life.

Basic Doctrine: Christianity 101

Two bizarre stories this evening caught my eye.

The first from Bryan Fischer, Bible ignored, grandfather mauled by grizzly:

History reveals that God’s covenant with an ancient nation suggests that one of the consequences for a nation which walks in his statues is that it will have nothing to fear from wild animals. “If you walk in my statutes…I will remove harmful beasts from the land” (Lev. 26:3,6).

On the other hand, “[I]f you will not listen to me and will not do all these commandments…I will let loose the wild beasts against you” (Lev. 26:14,22).

A wholly preventable tragedy occurred outside Yellowstone National Park last week as a bear that only hours before had been trapped and tranquilized by researchers woke up from his induced slumber just in time to maul a 70-year old man who was out for a stroll.

Because these researchers were intent on studying the grizzly rather than killing him to protect innocent human life, a husband, father and grandfather is dead today. This was an utterly unnecessary death which could have happened only because our culture has jettisoned a biblical view of the relative value of human life compared to animal life.

Because this animal was given a nap instead of a bullet, a human being is dead, and a savage animal is alive, on the prowl, and ready to kill again. (more)

Talk about pulling scripture out of context and misapplying it! This is a good example. Its also an example of how people will apply to nations today, those laws pertaining to Israelites under the old covenant.  (see commentary).

The second story by Rev. Peter M. Wallace, BP Oil Spill: Is the Earth Bleeding for Our Sins?

The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it; for he has founded it on the seas, and established it on the rivers (Psalm 24:1-2).This reverie came to me after watching, as I sometimes obsessively do, the live pictures of the Deepwater Horizon oil leak-the endless gushing of crude into the waters of the Gulf, whose beaches I have reveled in walking so many times.

A lot of old church hymns focus, rather graphically, on the blood Jesus shed on the cross. Here’s part of one by William Cowper:“There is a fountain filled with blood,
Drawn from Immanuel’s veins,
And sinners plunged beneath that flood
Lose all their guilty stains…”

This flowing, plunging, streaming image seems to fit here. The unending current of oil gushing from the well — it’s as though the earth is bleeding for our sins. (more)

Visual: PJ throws her hands up in disbelief..

I’m as sorrowful as the next guy about what is occurring off our coast. Its sickening. But it has not come about because the “earth is bleeding for our sins”. Only One bled, died, and rose again for the sins of all mankind; Jesus Christ.

I give no heed to this author, for he states,

Now, I have a problem with atonement theology. All I know is that in Jesus’ case, after he lost all that blood, there was a resurrection.

Is it any wonder why this Reverend has trouble understanding atonement, and that Jesus came as,

“The Lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world” John 1:29

Atonement IS at the very heart of the Gospel; Its Christianity 101.

Impostors in our Midst by John Legg

Posted by SermonIndex

The Tea Party “Manifesto”

Yes, you read that correctly….someone within the tea party has written a manifesto. I dare say the year 2010 will go down in American history books (unless you live in Texas) as the “year of the manifestos”.

Just to name a few, we’ve had the “Christian manifesto“, the Mount Vernon manifesto, and the “Manhattan Declaration/manifesto“. In fact there have been so many, I stopped posting about them. It seemed like one a week there for awhile.

What makes this one interesting is its author, none other then World Net Daily’s Joseph Farah. Any time a guy can pen a ‘nation changing’ book like this, and still keep those ‘honest journalistic reports on his front page, such as, there’s been a possible “Major breakthrough in search for Bigfoot“, PLUS offer (at a reasonable price) all those fear mongering activist ‘goodies’ in his own WND Superstore, well, its worth mentioning…

(sarcasm off)

More concerning Janet Porter

Seems her program was also dropped by Brannon Howse (Worldview Radio)

quote…

I’ve become concerned as I think we are parting company in the important area of theology and doctrine. So we had to pull the program.

A lot of this came to light after the May Day event that took place in Washington DC.

Those were some of the groups, I believe, that were represented at the May Day event – some folks who believe in Dominion theory, Kingdom theology and those who believe in extra-Biblical revelations. So, for that reason, I could not take part and the more I saw on the internet with some of the folks, the more I felt we needed to separate ourselves from that, particularly because it was confusing the public.

More Here

Quote of the week: Why Kim Clement isn’t a False Prophet

From the blog, In the hedge with David J: Kim Clement’s explains why he is not a false prophet (video included)

“I hear the future, I witness the future, I live the future and I bring it back. Sometimes I don’t always interpret the future correctly. Sometimes I may misinterpret the future, but that doesn’t make me a false prophet.” Kim Clement

Saint Sarah, of the Palin

Well, so much for presuming I was going to get caught up with the latest news today, AHA! (Company dropped by).

Joel posted on the article written by Lisa Miller concerning Sarah Palin, and I must say his intro had me laughing. What’s NOT funny is as far-fetched as it sounds there’s a grain of ‘possibility’ in them there words.

Saint Sarah, of the Palin

The year is 345a.s. and in the middle of a large cornfield, in northern Alaska, a crowd is gathered to honor Saint Sister Sarah, of the Palin, who around 345 years ago was born, to become the first female President of the United States of America, bringing an end to the liberal media bias, and indeed, much of Western Civilization. Her tale had grown far and wide, and now, as they meet in what was once a tundra covered land, now a crowing corn field, to honor her…  more

From the day the announcement went out over the airwaves that she had been picked to run with McCain, I watched Christian bloggers and websites (within the hour)  praising God, believing she was God’s answer to prayer. My discernment went on alert. For if you recall no one basically outside of Alaska, knew one iota about her, except she claimed to be a Christian.

After following her speeches in the following weeks/months, especially those made here in the south, and learning of her involvement with dominionist groups (including Rick Joyner) I had no doubt as to why the warning went off in my spirit.

Enough said…

DeMint Uses Christian Reconstructionist Mailing List To Raise Money

I’ve missed a lot of news stories and interesting posts elsewhere the past few days due to circumstances which could not be avoided, so hope to post a few of the more interesting ones missed, today.

On a sidenote, if you didn’t catch the documentary aired last night at MSNBC, ‘The Rise Of The New Right’, consider giving it a ‘look-see’.

Moving on….

It sure appears dominionism/reconstruction-ism within our Churches and politics both, is here to stay. Its extremely difficult to separate the two (the Church and politics) once either has accepted the heretical doctrines found within the teachings…

Frankly, and this is my personal opinion, it is more deceptive (and dangerous) then any other false teaching we’ve seen take up residence within the body of Christ.

From Religion Dispatches:

American Vision is a Christian Reconstructionist organization that publishes books and newsletters, runs a discussion board, a web-based radio show, and annual conferences and engages in other activities to promote the dominionist views of its founder Gary DeMar, as well as those of one of its most well-known associates, Gary North, the son-in-law of Christian Reconstructionist founder R.J. Rushdoony, and a supporter of Ron Paul whose economic writings have also influenced Rand Paul.

The goal is to return America to its Biblical foundations “from Genesis to Revelation” (a postmillennial reading of Revelation, which holds that the Second Coming will occur after an era of Christian dominance). American Vision is a non-profit, tax exempt, educational organization. Like many of these groups, DeMar also has a companion organization that can raise money and promote candidates for elected office: Vision to America.

Yesterday, Vision to America sent a fundraising appeal in support of Nevada’s Republican nominee to the U.S. Senate, Sharron Angle, from South Carolina Senator Jim DeMint’s political action committee, the Senate Conservatives Fund.

more

Ohio’s Jesus statue latest religious statue to be struck by lightning

This was a big story here locally, along with the heavy storms which moved across the area, but didn’t realize it had been picked up by other news agencies.

A bolt struck a 62-foot-tall statue of Jesus Christ on Monday outside a church in Monroe, Ohio, and the statue erupted in flames. All that remains is a charred steel skeleton, its spindly arms stretched toward heaven, a gesture that once earned it the nickname “Touchdown Jesus.”

Darlene Bishop, co-pastor of Solid Rock Church, says she’s simply relieved that the lightning hit Jesus and not the home for at-risk women next door.

“I told them, ‘It looks like Jesus took a hit for you last night,’ ” she says.

Act of God? Act of nature?

more here: Ohio’s Jesus statue is latest religious statue to be struck by lightning

Dear Charlie, I celebrate your life

My nephew Charlie Coy fought the good fight, kept the faith, and finished his race. He is no longer ‘one step away’….

I celebrate your life dear Charlie for you touched all whom God sent your way with the light of Christ.

Charles A. Coy, Sr., of Corinth, KY. passed away Saturday, June 12 at his residence at the age of 39. Mr. Coy was born May 14, 1971 in Cincinnati, OH. to Ronald Coy and the late Judith Baker Coy.

Janet Porter still on the Warpath

Janet Porter continues her public campaign against Discernment- Ministries and Herescope.

Last week Porter appeared on a program with host Craig Roberts where she spread her tale of victimization and attacked Discernment Ministries for the better part of an hour. Most of the time was spent with Porter claiming that Discernment Ministries is just a bunch of Christians who are biding their time awaiting the Rapture by attacking bold Christians like Porter who are carrying out God’s command to spread His word to all. Throughout the interview, Porter refused to admit that she has adopted Dominion Theology and that it was this development that got her canned from VCY – in fact, Porter doesn’t even mention that she lost her radio program at all.

In the audio clip below, you can hear Porter explain the motivation behind her May Day prayer targets – which were entirely based on 7 Mountains Dominionist theology though Porter refuses to admit that that is the case – while saying that it is groups like Discernment who are attacking “heroes of the faith” and will ultimately lead all Christians to find themselves locked up in prison..

This is the sort of language that Porter normally reserves for Democrats and liberals, so it is interesting to see her deploy it against her fellow Christians … it is obviously her standard response to any criticism she receives.

Discernment’s Sarah Leslie appeared on a program with Derek Gilbert yesterday to refute Porter’s outrageous accusations and misrepresentations, but I highly doubt that is going to stop Porter from spreading them because, frankly, Porter’s denial about this entire saga is truly remarkable.

Full article, audio and links here: Janet Porter Goes On The Warpath

Its amazing isn’t it, just how far man is willing to go to protect and hold onto a lie.

Audio: A Nation Abandoned by God

I read two articles tonight which may appear to be concerning two totally different topics, but in reality they are not. What both reveal is just how compromised AND ultimately apostate the Christian University’s and Seminary’s are, here in America.

The first concerns the decision of Southern California’s Claremont School of Theology to “partner with Jewish and Islamic schools to offer clerical training to students of various faiths.”

Claremont’s president, the Rev. Jerry Campbell, announced Wednesday that the seminary will be partnering with Jewish and Islamic schools to offer clerical training to students of various faiths. Students will be trained in their own religious traditions as well as gain understanding of other faiths through shared classes with the Academy for Jewish Religion and the Islamic Center of Southern California. Eventually, the seminary plans to expand its training to include Hinduism and Buddhism, among others. (link)

The second is concerning Mormon Glenn Beck’s commencement address at Liberty U. which was posted about here last month…

But today, CrossTalk is asking the question, “Glenn Beck at Liberty U – Where’s the Outrage?”

This blog post from Here I Blog (Liberty University, Glenn Beck and the Gospel) raises the questions that nobody else seems to be raising regarding Mormon Glenn Beck’s commencement address at Liberty University.

From where I sit, there was actually very little outrage voiced by the Church at the time, or in the days following Beck’s appearance.

One of the comments left under the second article mentioned John Macarthur’s sermon, A Nation abandoned by God. I recall reading the text version when it made the rounds on Christian boards and/or blogs, but didn’t have the opportunity to listen to the audio.

After listening, I highly recommend it…

What Does Deception Look Like? – Religious Spirits

Other segments from these teachings by Phil Enlow were posted last year and can be located here: What Does Deception Look Like?

Below is just one excerpt (concerning religious spirits) from part (5), at Midnight Cry Ministries.

Religious Spirits

There are many religious spirits that don’t mind talking about Christ and claiming to serve Christ – as long as it is “Christ in the sky” or a Christ that has some special private relationship with them. But there is something about a religious spirit that is self-willed and independent. It may even acknowledge the doctrine of Christ’s incarnation but the idea that He is present in a people today is something else.

Let’s be plain. When I say “religious spirit” I am referring to a demon, an emissary of Satan, a very real spiritual being whose specialty is promoting some form of religion that lacks – and bitterly opposes – the actual living presence and power of Christ.

Don’t kid yourself. Religious spirits come in all “flavors.” There are demons actively promoting virtually every form of Christianity so long as Christ is absent.

Christ in a people makes those people something unique. It is not that the people themselves are anything but the One who lives in them is the Lord of heaven. Those in whom He lives share not only His life but a mutual responsibility and a mutual submission to one another. The Christ in them binds them together in a supernatural unity. There is an interdependence whereby all benefit from the measure of Christ in each individual member. The church was never meant to be a kind of coalition of independent spirits each feeling free to do “his own thing.”

Religious spirits have sort of a “private Christ” that in practice allows them to be a law unto themselves.

Jesus spoke of a situation in which a man who has sinned against his brother has also rejected the testimony of two or three that have tried to help him. In Matt 18:17 Jesus went on to say,

“If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.”

That is a pretty clear manifestation of the kind of spirit that refuses to acknowledge Christ “come in the flesh.”

What God has designed is that His people walk together in love and recognize not only the Christ who reigns above, but the Christ who lives in His people. The One I serve, who is in me, is in my brother also. He came not only to save individuals but that we might be joined one to another. Speaking of Jesus, Paul said in Eph. 2:21-22,

“In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.”

John is not shy about identifying the kind of spirit that refuses to recognize the Christ who lives in the flesh today. In 1 John 4:3 he says,

“This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.”

Thus we see two very different spirits at work in those who profess to follow Jesus: one is the Spirit of Christ; the other is the spirit of antichrist.

Of course John is writing to genuine followers of Christ, a people in whom Christ truly lived. And so he continues in 1 John 4:5-6,

“They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.”

Notice the clear connection between being “from God” and recognizing the Christ who lives in His people.

We see this principle also in 1 John 2:18-19 where John had written,

“Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.”

Two different spirits, each appearing to follow Christ, yet one is Christ and the other is actually antichrist.

Truly we must not naively believe every spirit. We need God’s help if we are to tell the difference. Don’t be afraid. He will help those who truly want Him.

As we continue we hope to further explore the true nature of the church, not just in theory, but as Paul sought to help real churches to recognize and confront Satan’s attempts to invade and corrupt. I’m glad that the “bottom line” remains the promise of our Lord,

“I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” Matt. 16:18.

Hallelujah!

Messianic Jews Lose Israeli Court Case

BEERSHEVA, Israel – Four and a half years after hundreds of ultra-Orthodox Jews disrupted a Messianic Jewish service, throwing chairs and assaulting some of the members, an Israeli court ruled against the Messianic Jews’ civil suit this week.

“[It was] a complete miscarriage of justice,” said Howard Bass, pastor of Kehilat Nachalat Yeshua (Congregation Yeshua’s Inheritance) in Beersheva.

Bass and his congregation (with the backing of many Messianic Jewish leaders in Israel) were suing the chief rabbi of Beersheva, Yehuda Deri, and the anti-missionary organization, Yad L’Achim, for what they believe was their part in the melee that took place on December 24, 2005.

The trouble started on Christmas Eve day in 2005 when the congregation had planned to celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah with a special baptismal service. But hundreds of ultra-Orthodox protestors crashed the celebration before it began.

Despite a heavy police presence, the rioting continued for three hours as protesters overturned furniture and harassed members, singing and dancing disruptively. A young member of the congregation caught some of the fracas on camera.

The police turned over two of the handcuffed hooligans to Rabbi Deri, without asking if Bass wanted to press charges. The next day, Deri tried to whitewash the entire incident in a radio interview.

It wasn’t the first time the congregation had been bothered. Seven years earlier, more than 1,000 ultra-Orthodox Jews came against the congregation.

Now, the judge has ordered Bass and his congregation to pay not only the lawyers’ fees but a percentage of the claims they had demanded from the Deri and Yad L’Achim – altogether more than $40,000.

“The message is fairly clear,” said Bass. Part of it is a “wake-up call” to the local Body of Messiah to see the reality that the believers here are dealing with at this stage in God’s plans. Messianic Jews can’t expect the system to support them,” he said.

There are an estimated 20,000 Messianic Jews in Israel.

CBN

Related, Video: Who_would_have_believed

Christian Reconstructionism

Someone else may find this interesting.

This six minute video gives excerpts from a mid-1980′s Bill Moyers interview of Rousas John Rushdoony.

Rushdoony was the founder of the Christian Reconstructionist movement. (Christian Reconstructionism in a Nutshell from Bruce Prescott)

Glenn Beck: one sad ‘spooky’ guy….

Recently I read his ratings on Fox are dropping–I hope its true. This guy suffers from megalomania.

Glenn Beck: Self-proclaimed world-historical figure

“God’s gonna rock the flock”

Forgive me while I laugh…

Though I try to resist the temptation to pop in at Kim Clement’s prophecy vault, sometimes it can be ‘good medicine‘.

This had me laughing outloud; (hope I didn’t wake the neighbors)

May 29, 2010 – Chicago, IL (Rock The Flock)

Kim: God’s gonna rock the flock, cause this is a brand new day
This is a brand new season

God’s gonna rock the flock, God’s gonna rock the flock

It’s a brand new day and it’s a brand new season
God’s gonna rock the flock

From the north to the south, from the east to the west

There’s a holy fire that’s going to come to us
The heavens are open because of our praise
We are lifting voices to the Holy One of Israel

God’s gonna rock the flock, God’s gonna rock the flock, in America!
I’m ready for something unusual, I’m ready for something new
I’m tired of the same old, same old, I’m ready for something new, so,

God’s gonna rock the flock, God’s gonna rock the flock!

God’s gonna rock the flock, God’s gonna rock the flock!

more here

Sometimes, you just gotta laugh…

What’s not funny is the crowds this nut draws. Newest Clement video at youtube: Prophet Kim Clement Hosts The Party Of The Century