Does the USA have special favor in the eyes of God?

Interesting article and some interesting comments to the question.

USA Today-Religion:

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Does the USA have special favor in the eyes of God?

Republicans are making political hay by reviving this idea — as old as the first colonialists — that this is a land favored by the Lord with an exceptional destiny, according to Karen Tumulty in today’s Washington Post.

She reviews the latest outbreak of “American Exceptionalism”set in the context of hinting that GOP talkers say President Obama is not on board with this idea.

But not all Americans are on board with it and some theologians consider it blasphemy to imply that God waited from the time of creation to find one small nation to be the special favorite above all others.

More here: ‘American Exceptionalism’: Is God’s favor political?

Homesick Pilgrims

By Keith Mathison

One of my favorite songs is “Caledonia” by Dougie MacLean. Dougie is from Scotland, and he refers to the song as a “wee homesickness song.” Before reading further, click on the video clip below and listen to the song.

I’ve thought about this song and often wondered why it strikes such a chord with me. There’s a melancholy element there that is appropriate to a song about homesickness.

So I’ve been telling old stories, singing songs that make me think about where I came from, and that’s the reason why I seem so far away today.

But in spite of this, it’s not a “sad” song. It also contains an element of hope.

Caledonia you’re calling me, and now I’m going home.

Perhaps part of the reason for the song’s impact on me is my own occasional homesickness for the place where I grew up. I have lived in my new place of residence for over fifteen years, but it still does not feel like “home” to me.

I think there is more to it than that, however. As a Christian, I also feel out of place in this present fallen world. The reason, I believe, is because we as Christians are resident aliens. Scripture tells us “our citizenship is in heaven” (Phil. 3:20). In this world, we are “sojourners and exiles” (1 Pet. 2:11). Like our Old Testament forefathers in the faith, we desire “a better country” (Heb. 11:14-16). So this world is not our true home.

Those of us who are believers, therefore, feel something akin to homesickness, and a song like “Caledonia” resonates in our soul. We take joy in and give thanks for the grace and mercy that is now ours because of the work of our Lord Jesus Christ, and we give thanks for the many blessings we have in this life, but we also daily struggle with the world, the flesh, and the devil. We see the suffering caused by sin around us, and we experience it ourselves. We see friends and family go home before us, leaving us to carry on without them. We cry out, “How long, O Lord?”

And what do we do? We gather together as the Lord’s people and, as in the song, we “tell old stories” – old true stories. And we sing songs that make us think about our true home. And we can become “homesick.” But we do not despair. We press on with the duties to which we have been called in this present age, but we also look forward to the day when we can say, “Lord you’re calling me, and now I’m going home.”

The Pilgrims Were … Socialists?

Blame it on too much turkey, but this had me laughing out-loud. Never let it be said Fox News ever misses an opportunity to politicize any and/or everything…even if it means re-writing history.

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Had today’s political class been in power in 1623, tomorrow’s holiday would have been called “Starvation Day” instead of Thanksgiving. Of course, most of us wouldn’t be alive to celebrate it. Every year around this time, schoolchildren are taught about that wonderful day when Pilgrims and Native Americans shared the fruits of the harvest. But the first Thanksgiving in 1623 almost didn’t happen.

Long before the failure of modern socialism, the earliest European settlers gave us a dramatic demonstration of the fatal flaws of collectivism. Unfortunately, few Americans today know it. The Pilgrims at Plymouth Colony organized their farm economy along communal lines. The goal was to share the work and produce equally. That’s why they nearly all starved….  (JOHN STOSSEL: The Lost Lesson of Thanksgiving)

(But after they privatized their crops, Stossel writes, everything flourished under the tenets of capitalism.)

Earlier this week a New York Times reporter investigated and spoke to a historian who debunked the tale:

Leave aside the question of whether this country is on the march to socialism (conservatives say yes, and blame the Democrats). What does the record say?

Historians say that the settlers in Plymouth, and their supporters in England, did indeed agree to hold their property in common — William Bradford, the governor, referred to it in his writings as the “common course.” But the plan was in the interest of realizing a profit sooner, and was only intended for the short term; historians say the Pilgrims were more like shareholders in an early corporation than subjects of socialism.

“It was directed ultimately to private profit,” said Richard Pickering, a historian of early America and the deputy director of Plimoth Plantation, a museum devoted to keeping the Pilgrims’ story alive.

The arrangement did not produce famine. If it had, Bradford would not have declared the three days of sport and feasting in 1621 that became known as the first Thanksgiving. “The celebration would never have happened if the harvest was going to be less than enough to get them by,” Mr. Pickering said. “They would have saved it and rationed it to get by.”

Bradford did get rid of the common course — but it was in 1623, after the first Thanksgiving, and not because the system wasn’t working. The Pilgrims just didn’t like it. In the accounts of colonists, Mr. Pickering said, “there was griping and groaning.” “

Bachelors didn’t want to feed the wives of married men, and women don’t want to do the laundry of the bachelors,” he said.

The real reason agriculture became more profitable over the years, Mr. Pickering said, is that the Pilgrims were getting better at farming crops like corn that had been unknown to them in England.

The Pilgrims Were … Socialists? - 

Fox amends history to find a Thanksgiving lesson about socialism

Giving Thanks

“For infinite goodness there should be measureless thanks.”

“We sing not of a hidden God, Who sleeps and leaves the church to her fate, but of One Who ever in our darkest days is most near, a very present help in trouble.” –          (Charles Spurgeon)

Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords! For His mercy endures forever:

To Him who alone does great wonders, For His mercy endures forever;

To Him who by wisdom made the heavens, For His mercy endures forever;

To Him who laid out the earth above the waters, For His mercy endures forever;

To Him who made great lights, For His mercy endures forever—

The sun to rule by day, For His mercy endures forever;  The moon and stars to rule by night, For His mercy endures forever. Psalm 136: 3-9

A sincere Happy and Blessed day of Thanks – Giving, from my heart and home to yours.

Love, PJ…..

Chuck Baldwin: “MAKE YOURS A PATRIOTIC CHRISTMAS”

Once again Baldwin, (Founder-Pastor of Crossroads Baptist Church in Pensacola, Florida) is promoting the idea of a “true American Patriotic Christmas by offering (for sale) The ‘great documents’ of American history.

“Make this Christmas one that will strengthen and encourage true American patriotism….”

For years, the cry of outrage has gone out during this season concerning retailers, local governing officials, and organizations trying to remove Christ from Christmas. And here we have one of the outraged himself, (see, “HAPPY HOLIDAYS” — BAH! HUMBUG, Chuck Baldwin 12/24/03) doing the same thing,

MAKE YOURS A PATRIOTIC CHRISTMAS

Wonder if anyone has thought of promoting a line of ‘Christian’ Patriotic Christmas Cards?  Instead of depicting Shepherds in the fields (Luke 2:6-18) they could substitute America’s founding fathers being the first to receive the good news.

I think there would be a market for them….

Glenn Beck is now working the Turkey angle

Can’t say this nut ever misses an opportunity to spread his fear-based paranoia. He has challenged his ‘faithful’ followers to use Thanksgiving dinner to spread his ideas to their families.

A Glenn Beck Thanksgiving: Beck explains how to spread his views at the dinner table

Wonder what Beck would fill his daily radio and TV program with, if he didn’t see dangerous enemies lurking behind every tree?

Some people like watching horror films in order to experience controlled fear. I’ve reached the conclusion that those who tune in regularly to Glenn Beck, buying into his insanity, are very similar.

just musing…

Acknowledging Our Citizenship

My wife and I were traveling in Eastern Europe with another couple several years ago. When we crossed the border from Hungary to Romania, three burly, rough-looking soldiers boarded the train to check our passports and examine our luggage. Their leader indicated that he wanted to see our passports. As we handed them to him, he pointed to our luggage. As I rose to reach for a large suitcase, he suddenly stopped me. In broken English, he said, “Wait! You not American!” Then he looked at the woman who was traveling with us and said, “You not American.”

I must confess I was gripped by a vise of fear. The man pointed to a paper bag our friend had on the seat beside her. “What is that?” he asked, pointing to the edges of a book that protruded out of the top of the bag. She pulled out her Bible. I gulped, thinking to myself, “Now, we are in real trouble.”

The soldier took the Bible and began to leaf through its pages. He opened to the second chapter of Ephesians and pointed to verse 19. He ordered: “Read.”

We read aloud, “Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.”

Instantly, the soldier’s face radiated with a benevolent smile as he said: “You not American. I not Romanian. We are citizens of heaven.” Then he turned to his fellow troops and said, “These people okay.” He returned our passports and bade us Godspeed.

Coram Deo: Thank God for your citizenship in heaven.

Psalm 133:1–2: “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments.”

Ephesians 4:4–5: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism.”

R.C. Sproul (Acknowledging Our Citizenship)

Bill Yount: In a Vision, I Saw a “Spiritual Sonogram” of a Very Pregnant Church

You may recall a few of Bill Yount’s previous (bizarre) words:

….I sense the Father saying, ‘I will begin to meddle in the candy industry.’ I sense the Lord is going to begin to name some new candy bars. When these are named they will release a prophetic anointing every time the name of the candy is mentioned. These names will have power to call forth life and salvation. I am sure this prophetic candy is bound to have a heavenly taste to it that will be out of this world! People will end up tasting and seeing that the Lord is good! I saw angels anointing candy bar wrappers like God anointing prayer cloths of Apostle Paul. Names on popular candy wrappers will speak prophetically to whomever reads or speaks their names. Candy wrappers will become like anointed prayer cloths throughout the land. Already, God has named a few candy bars in the past, speaking — unknown — to the world. One, I sense, is called the ‘Milky Way’ candy bar…’The heavens declare the Glory of God!’ Another is ‘Symphony’ by Hershey…’Calling forth harmony and unity into the Body of Christ through God’s divine order.’ ….

Concerning clothing, I sense the Lord is redeeming now the name of ‘Levi’s’…a trademark name for denim jeans and trousers. I sense a prophetic anointing is being imparted to this clothing line. The name of these jeans will begin to call forth the ‘spiritual’ Levites this hour who are chosen to assist the Temple priests…the building of God’s House. This line of clothing will be tailor made to fit these ones God will call into His Kingdom! Another popular name I sense being anointed prophetically in the clothing line of jeans is ‘Wrangler.’ A wrangler is one who wrangles. ‘Wrangle’ means to ‘dispute noisily or angrily; to quarrel.’ I sense the Lord anointing ‘wrangler’ clothing to tame the tongues and lasso a new breed of young men and women who will have the ‘tongue of the learned to know how to speak a word to those who are weary.’  (Bill Yount, 2004: “I HEARD THE FATHER SAY…’I AM BEGINNING TO PROPHESY THROUGH COMMERCIALS, CANDY, AND CLOTHING“)

His newest offering is just as bizarre,

I saw in the Spirit a “spiritual sonogram” of a very pregnant church. When there’s a pregnancy you can take a sonogram to see how the pregnancy is coming along. As I was watching this pregnancy come into its final stages, complications were developing. There was great pressure with extended labor pains and frustration in many churches.

A Sonogram Will Show You How Many Babies You Are Going to Have!

The reason why many churches are having a difficult pregnancy in giving birth to what God wants to bring forth is because – there are “TWO IN THE WOMB!” The reason they feel so restricted is because a “DOUBLE BIRTH” is taking place! The Lord is about to give them double for their trouble!

An Unexpected “Double” Answer to Prayer for a Great Harvest!

I sense in the Spirit that many churches have been praying and crying out for a great harvest and unknowingly have conceived in their “spiritual wombs” more than one seed for more than one birth to advance God’s Kingdom. I sense this is a season of “double portion or blessing” – “giving birth to twins” for many churches... (Elijah list)

I can’t bring myself to call the weird things Yount comes out with apostasy, for the simple reason I cannot believe anyone in their right mind takes him seriously.

But, after all these years he’s still spewing forth these bizarre “words” so he must have a group of loyal follower..

(Bill, still awaiting the arrival of the anointed candy bars)

Pilgrim’s Progress Mini-Series on NRB Network

This looks worth checking out. Pilgrims Progress is one of my all-time favorite books. It will be interesting to see how it’s been adapted to the screen.

NRB Network invites viewers to tune in Thanksgiving weekend for Pilgrim’s Progress — a mini-series based on the beloved spiritual allegory and produced by CrossTV. The first two installments of the 14-part docudrama will air on Thursday, Nov. 25 at 8 pm ET. Parts three and four will be broadcast on Friday, Nov. 26 at 8 pm ET with the remaining installments showing on Saturday, Nov. 27 from noon until 10 pm ET.

NRB Network is seen nationwide on DIRECTV channel 378, SkyAngel channel 126 and via live video streaming at www.nrbnetwork.tv.

First published in 1678, Pilgrim’s Progress has achieved global-acclaim with translations in more languages than any other book in history other than the Bible. Written by Puritan author John Bunyan during his imprisonment for conducting religious services not sanctioned by the Church of England, it is the story of Christian — a husband and father who leaves his family and doomed city to begin a journey toward the Celestial City. Accompanied by messengers and fellow pilgrims, Christian faces many obstacles along the way. (more)

We’ve ‘Feminized’ Medal Of Honor By Not Giving It To Soldiers Who Kill More People

O’ yeah…we’re a Christian nation alright. Bryan Fischer, the director of Issues Analysis for the Christian group the American Family Association, is proof – positive.

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The Medal of Honor will be awarded this afternoon to Army Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta for his heroism in Afghanistan, and deservedly so. He took a bullet in his protective vest as he pulled one soldier to safety, and then rescued the sergeant who was walking point and had been taken captive by two Taliban, whom Sgt. Giunta shot to free his comrade-in-arms. This is just the eighth Medal of Honor awarded during our wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and Sgt. Giunta is the only one who lived long enough to receive his medal in person.

But I have noticed a disturbing trend in the awarding of these medals, which few others seem to have recognized. We have feminized the Medal of Honor.

According to Bill McGurn of the Wall Street Journal, every Medal of Honor awarded during these two conflicts has been awarded for saving life. Not one has been awarded for inflicting casualties on the enemy. Not one.

When we think of heroism in battle, we used the think of our boys storming the beaches of Normandy under withering fire, climbing the cliffs of Pointe do Hoc while enemy soldiers fired straight down on them, and tossing grenades into pill boxes to take out gun emplacements. That kind of heroism has apparently become passe when it comes to awarding the Medal of Honor. We now award it only for preventing casualties, not for inflicting them.

So the question is this: when are we going to start awarding the Medal of Honor once again for soldiers who kill people and break things so our families can sleep safely at night?

I would suggest our culture has become so feminized that we have become squeamish at the thought of the valor that is expressed in killing enemy soldiers through acts of bravery. We know instinctively that we should honor courage, but shy away from honoring courage if it results in the taking of life rather than in just the saving of life. So we find it safe to honor those who throw themselves on a grenade to save their buddies.

Jesus, in words often cited in ceremonies such as the one which will take place this afternoon, said, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). So it is entirely right that we honor this kind of bravery and self-sacrifice, which is surely an imitation of the Lord of Lord and King of Kings.

However, Jesus’ act of self-sacrifice would ultimately have been meaningless – yes, meaningless – if he had not inflicted a mortal wound on the enemy while giving up his own life.  (link)

From Bryan Fischer’s bio:

Bryan Fischer has an undergraduate degree in philosophy from Stanford University, and a graduate degree in theology from Dallas Theological Seminary.

He served on the staff of Cole Community Church in Boise, where he founded the Cole Center for Biblical Studies and served as its director for 13 years. He then founded Community Church of the Valley, where he served as senior pastor for 12 years.

In 2004, he co-founded the Keep the Commandments Coalition in an effort to protect the Ten Commandments monument in Julia Davis Park in Boise. After the monument was removed, he spearheaded the initiative drive which collected 19,000 signatures to give citizens in Boise the opportunity to vote on a new Ten Commandments display for the park.

He received the “Friend of Life” award from Idaho Chooses Life in 2003, and the “Christian Statesman” award from the Biblical Worldview Learning Center in 2005.

Organizations like the “Christian” American Family Association, and their spokes-people, are an example of those who claim America was founded as a Christian Nation and wage political war in the effort to “take America back” for God.

In reality they are proof  of America NOT being a Christian Nation–and worse yet, proof of just how much American Christianity (as a whole) is divorced from the teachings of Jesus.

The Claim of a Christian America verses the Sermon on the Mount

How does America, or any Nation, stack up by its past (or present) actions and policies as ‘Christian’ when compared to the words of Jesus?

Matthew 5:

3Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

5Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

6Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

7Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

8Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

9Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

10Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

13Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

21Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. 23Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. 25Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. 26Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.

27Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. 29And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 30And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

31It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: 32But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

33Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: 34But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne: 35Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. 36Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. 37But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

38Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. 41And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. 42Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

43Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Matthew 25:

31When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 33And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

34Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

37Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

40And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

41Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 42For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 43I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. 44Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

45Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me

Christian America: God’s Chosen Nation/People

There is a lot on the internet concerning the erroneous topic of America being God’s chosen nation/people. Just copy the post title into google search, and check it out.

This week Im reading the excellent book by Richard T. Hughes, Christian America and the Kingdom of God. I highly recommend it.  What the author strives to do is debunk this myth by pointing to the teachings found in scripture concerning the Kingdom of God, (there are over 100 references found in the New Testament alone) and contrast them to America’s actions as a Nation: past and present. What is (even) more fascinating is the contrast made with what is known as “Christian America” today and the Kingdom of God.

What I found is the Biblical vision of the Kingdom of God and the American notion of a Christian nation are at extreme polar opposites of each other; Just as the Roman Empire was with the teachings of Jesus and the early Church,

Jesus counseled peace, but the [Roman] empire practiced violence. Jesus counseled humility, but the empire engaged in a ruthless pursuit of power. Jesus counseled concern for the poor, but the empire practiced exaltation of the rich. Jesus counseled modesty, but the empire practiced extravagance. Jesus counseled simple living, but the empire encouraged luxurious living for those with the means to embrace that way of life. And while Jesus counseled forgiveness and love for one’s enemies, the empire practiced vengeance.

Like that ancient empire, the United States abounds in Christian trappings. And yet the United States embraces virtually all the values that have been common to empires for centuries on end. It pays lip service to peace but thrives on violence, exalts the rich over the poor, prefers power to humility, places vengeance above forgiveness, extravagance above modesty, and luxury above simplicity. In a word, it rejects the values of Jesus.

How, then, can we claim that the United States is a Christian nation? (pages 185-86)

Though I’m not finished reading the book, (or posting about its contents) I’ve already been personally struck with the question, ‘What Kingdom am I a citizen of?’…

more later…

Kim Clement: “The Lord Says, “I Have No Choice But to Restore this Nation”

The reptilian post below is just as crazy as the newest prophecies from Kim Clement.

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“Conquest” is the word I hear. Crusaders have endeavored to come in to take away and steal from this nation and steal from this land. Men that were once strong and stood as great men in a battlefield are now shaking in fear and trembling, saying, “What has happened and where is our nation going?” I watched them go from mighty men and warriors to men of fear, and they say, “Could it be one man that could bring us down?”

“It is true that this could happen,” says the Lord, “but because I have chosen you before the foundation of the world, America, because I chose you to be a nation to proclaim the Gospel to the nations, I have chosen you and I will not allow this….”

If you have the stomach, more here

Prepare to surrender (to the Reptilians)

Try to make heads or tails of this clip

Strange News Item

Isn’t this bizarre?

Card illegally used to make large church donation

An Evans woman called police Tuesday after discovering someone used her new credit card to make a large donation to a Texas-based evangelical ministry. The 41-year-old woman said that she received a call from her credit card company about a suspicious purchase on her Mastercard, which was new and had not been activated. Someone used the card to make a $4,000 online donation to John Hagee Ministries in Texas.

The credit card company stopped the unauthorized transaction.

Police Blotter: link

Can your youth pastor top this?

In the sanctuary, no less.

When I see stuff like this, I immediately think of my old pastor rolling over in his grave. Respecting the sanctuary was something which was instilled in me early in my Christian walk.

The Museum of Idolatry

God Cares For Me, Even Me

O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.

My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139: 1-6, 15,16, 23,24

“Taking Our Land Back For Him”…

Ever notice how dominionists (and their prophets) base their warped theology, especially as it pertains to “taking our land back for Jesus”, from the old testament? Its almost as though the enacting of the new covenant never took place.

If you understand this, its easy to see how they foster these weird ideas about America. Their idea’s of American Exceptionalism and America’s ‘Manifest Destiny’, (see, Dominionism and the Rise of Christian Imperialism) are found in the old testament, under the OLD covenant God made with Israel: not America. Or with any other nation, as far as that goes.

They work toward and see a future America existing, before Jesus returns, operating as a theocracy. Even though there is no biblical support for this idea under the new covenant. In fact the world (which includes America) and the recognized Church (the Church recognized by the world) doesn’t appear to be in too good of shape, just prior to Jesus’ return. (2 Thessalonians 2, Revelation 13)

Irregardless of your theological beliefs concerning last day prophecy, I sincerely hope you’re not waiting for your ‘land’ (if it be America or not) to become a Christian nation (theocracy) before Jesus returns, for it will never happen. Under the new covenant nations and/or ‘land’ are not Christian….only individual souls are.

“Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.” Rev.1:7

just musing today

Quote of the Day

Some days certain quotes just jump out. This is one of those…

Lou Engle:

With deep sadness and inward frustration, I see the encroaching Muslim movement bearing offspring with about an 8 percent growth rate in America, rolling in over the once Christianized nations of the West …

We should obey the biblical culture plumb line that says “Children are a heritage of the lord … Happy is the man who have his quiver full of them” (PS. 127:4-5). Instead, we have adopted the lie that a large number of children born into a family were a blessing only for our past agrarian society.

Rather than limiting our children to one or two per family, we could have shot four to ten God-given arrows into the heart of the voting booth.

Let me speak clearly to my fellow reformation-minded brothers, sisters, and Christian leaders. If you believe that the Church is to exercise dominion in the earth, then I challenge you to repent and proclaim the unrescinded biblical mandate: Be fruitful, multiply, and subdue the earth with godly offspring. (Random Book Blogging: Engle’s QuiverFull Army, Future President, And Pro-Life Man on the Supreme Court Mountain

I’m torn between laughter and tears…

Eddie Long Files Response to Abuse Lawsuits

Bishop Eddie Long admitted in court documents that he took the four young men accusing him of sexual abuse on trips. But he denied allegations that he seduced them.

The New Birth Missionary Baptist Church pastor filed responses to each of the four lawsuits in Dekalb County State Court on Monday. Prior to that, he refused to address the specific complaints outside of court. There was never any sexual contact between Long and the men, the filings state, according to FOX 5 News.

Lawsuits were filed in September against the megachurch pastor.

Four young men – now in their early twenties – claim they were seduced by Long when they were teens (from 16 to 18 years of age). They allege that the preacher, who was like a father figure to them, took them on overnight trips, gave them money and lavish gifts, coerced them into engaging in sexual acts, and abused his spiritual authority.

On Sunday, dozens of protesters rallied in Atlanta, Ga., demanding that the pastor resign. Among the participants was Reuben Armstrong, author of Snakes in the Pulpit, who has long criticized the New Birth pastor for his prosperity gospel teaching and accused him of having homosexual relationships. The rally was led by Prophet H. Walker of Ture Light Pentecostal Church in Spartanburg, S.C.

Long admitted in the official responses Monday that he was a mentor to the young men along with others who have been without a male role model and that they called him “Daddy,” “Bishop” and “Granddaddy,” as reported by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He also said he has occasionally shared a room with members of his congregation but the claims of sexual misconduct “are not true.” He also said he gave the young men gifts and helped them financially but noted that he routinely pays for expenses for members of the church, the filings state.

Christian Post

$4 Billion: Wasted

The oldest mountains in America are rich in natural beauty with their raging creeks, steep hollows and old pines. They are also one of the poorest, most disadvantaged regions in America….

(Children of the Mountains Struggle to Survive; Children in Central Appalachia)

Just one of many stories which could be cited as examples of poverty in America.

I also thought about the many families struggling now, who unlike the poor in Appalachia, have found poverty suddenly thrust upon them: no jobs, for the first time in their lives applying for food stamps or visiting the free stores, wondering if their unemployment will last and/or be extended, etc.

Especially when I read this astronomical amount of money, 4 billion dollars, had been squandered in the mid-term elections:

quote…

The 2010 congressional campaign ending Tuesday has been marked by a flood of unregulated, often secret campaign money that has transformed the political process, challenged the role of political parties, and sharply increased the power of wealthy individuals and groups on both the right and left.

The sluice gates of election money were opened this year after the Supreme Court ruled that corporations and unions had a free-speech right to make unlimited contributions to influence elections.

Overall congressional campaign spending is expected to approach $4 billion….

(In 2012, campaign finance trends expected to grow)

Just thinking…

2001: The Spirit That Strengthens All Things Feminine

Over the past few days, for whatever reason, this post has been on my mind (again). I hadn’t planned on re-posting it or even mentioning the fact (that) it had suddenly come back to me. But after someone stumbled upon it and commented, I thought to put up a link to the post.

My prayer is to obey the leading of the Holy Spirit, and as I don’t believe in coincidences in the lives of Christians, it may be the Spirit of God desires it be looked at again…

The Spirit That Strengthens All Things Feminine

Hate, An American Voter Value

By Gary Laderman (Director of Religion Dispatches and Professor and Chairperson of the Department of Religion at Emory University)

Hate, An American Voter Value

Post Temple Judaism and Christianity: “The Temple of Messiah”

Messianic Good News has posted a wonderful teaching by Peter Cohen,

“The second destruction of Jerusalem in 70 C.E., along with the loss of the second temple, marks a watershed in Jewish history, even if not everyone saw it that way at the time … at this point Jews and the nascent Christians each began to develop a religion without the central focus of a temple and the ritual of worship that surround it.” (Leo Dupree Sandgren – Vines Intertwined).

In an article entitled “The Temple of Messiah”, Peter Cohen investigates the development and divergence of Church and Synagogue in response to the tumultuous events of the first century which culminated in the loss of the Temple as the focal point of Jewish religion.

The Centrality of the Temple under the Old Covenant

The importance of the temple to the religion of the Old Covenant cannot be overstated. As ancient maps reveal, Jerusalem was regarded as the navel of the world, the temple its focal point. This was the connecting point between heaven and earth, the unique place that God had chosen for His dwelling place among His people.

Apart from its religious and spiritual significance to the people of Israel the temple was famous throughout the civilised world for its sheer magnificence and splendour. People travelled from all over the world to Jerusalem to see with their own eyes the glorious House of the LORD on Mount Zion that Solomon had built. The second temple, though humble in comparison, later earned its own reputation for grandeur after Herod undertook a massive renovation with the intent of gaining favour with the Jews while at the same time creating a lasting legacy for his name. The result was by all accounts impressive, its gleaming white marble edifice, adorned with gold, dominating the landscape, its magnificence attested to even by the disciples of the Lord.

Nevertheless, despite representing God’s dwelling place with His people, at the same time the temple visibly represented the barrier that separated sinful man from a holy God as well as barriers between God’s chosen nation and all other peoples. This was evident in the very design and construction of the temple. From the outer courts inwards to the Most Holy Place where only the High Priest could enter once a year, the courts were designed to restrict access at various points, symbolizing the division between different categories of men (Gentiles, Jews, men and women, Priests and Levites etc.) and prohibition against entering the Most Holy Place. As the writer to the Hebrews noted, while the earthly tabernacle was still standing it signified that the way into the Most Holy place had not yet been revealed (Heb 9:8).

The Second Temple

After seventy years in Babylon the Jews were permitted to return to Jerusalem and to rebuild the temple which had been destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar. The Lord moved King Cyrus, the great king of Persia, to issue a royal decree to all the nations within his domain, that no-one should hinder the Jews from going up to Jerusalem to rebuild the city and the temple, and that they should be given whatever assistance and materials they needed. However, this did not mean that non-Jews could participate in actually building the temple. When some of the enemies of Judah and Benjamin came to Zerubabbel the priest and the heads of the families saying, “Let us help you build because, like you, we seek your God and have been sacrificing to him since the time of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us here”, Zerubbabel, Jeshua and the rest of the heads of the families of Israel answered, “You have no part with us in building a temple to our God. We alone will build it for the LORD, the God of Israel ( Ezra 4:1-5).

When the building was completed many people who had seen the glory of the former temple were bitterly disappointed (Ezra 3:12). The Ark of the Covenant was never recovered and the Shekinah, the glorious presence of the Lord that had been visibly manifest at the dedication of the first temple, did not return. However, the prophet Haggai predicted that although this temple appeared unimpressive in comparison to the former temple built by Solomon, the glory of that house would exceed the glory of the former house and in that place the Lord Almighty would eventually grant peace (see Haggai 2:1-9). During this period the LORD also spoke through the prophet Zechariah saying that the Messiah, whose name is the Branch, will branch out from his place and he will build the temple of the Lord.

Thus, one of the expectations of the Messianic era was that when the Messiah came, he would build the temple whose glory would far exceed that of any former temple. That temple would be so perfectly consecrated (made clean and holy for the LORD) that the glorious presence of the Lord would again fill the temple.

“It is He (the Messiah) who will build the temple of the Lord, and he will be clothed with majesty and will sit and rule on his throne. And he will be a priest on his throne. And there will be harmony between the two” (Zechariah 6:13).

The building of the Lord’s temple by the Messiah would be evidence to the whole world that he is the Kingly high-priest who sits upon the throne. Furthermore;

” those who are far off shall come and help to build the temple of the LORD. And you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you. And this shall come to pass, if you will diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God” (Zechariah 6:15).

The Origin and Development of Synagogue and Church

It is thought that the synagogue had its origin in the Babylonian exile. There are two Greek words, ekklesia and synagogue, which have basically the same original meaning, but in common usage synagogue came to be associated specifically with the assembly of Jews for worship and study and for the administration of local government by the elders according to the Word of God.

While the Temple remained the focal point of national identity, representing as it did the place of God’s presence with His people and the only acceptable place where sacrifices could be offered, as well as the place where millions of pilgrims would converge to celebrate the great feast days of the LORD, the people who lived in the towns and villages gathered in the synagogue on the Sabbath day. The building designated as the place of meeting, which traditionally faced towards Jerusalem, also came to be called a synagogue, in the same way that buildings built for Christian worship are often called churches.

The Greek words related to the concept of both church and synagogue are:

ekklesia – which means a called out assembly or congregation – this in time came to represent the assembly of believers in Jesus i.e. the church of Jesus Christ.

synagogue – which also means an assembly or congregation – this eventually came to represent the assembly of Jews who did not accept Jesus as Messiah.

basileia – which means kingly rule, kingship, sovereignty.

Thus, although the two words have essentially the same original meaning they came to represent two distinct religious assemblies, divided over the claims of Jesus.

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