Between the Emergent Church, Oprah and now this Moses Code we are under attack. Believers need to start becoming aware of these new age philosophies and be prepared to be able to answer the questions they bring. Can you tell people why God is not "in" everything? Can you tell people why there is a hell and it is needed and demanded by a loving God? Can you tell people why Christ had to die on the cross? If not, you better learn as these three movements all attack these very things, not to mention who Christ is. Can you demonstrate that Jesus is the Christ and God Himself?
Read the article below posted on Christian Worldview Network and see where we are headed. Very dangerous times.
Posted: 02/28/2008
The Moses Code Movie Blasphemy and The Big Shift
A movie will be unveiled on April 5 that should get a prize for honesty in blasphemy. Unlike the emerging church celebrity authors and speakers who shuck and jive when asked direct questions about God, salvation, and truth, The Moses Code is produced by those who will tell you right out what they believe. What they do believe is breathtaking in its Satanic audacity. In the movie trailer, promoters of The Moses Code cheerfully announce that I AM is something all of us can say. Towards the end of the clip, one young man looks up and into the camera and tells viewers, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” The website says the following:
For the first time a major spiritual film release is being combined with a worldwide prayer vigil focused on shifting the planetary consciousness.
Join millions of people from every corner of the globe in learning the most powerful manifestation tool in the history of the world. Then on one momentous day we'll use the code to promote peace and compassion for all beings through over 1000 gatherings worldwide.
This is the chance for humanity to use the Law of Attraction to create peace on the deepest level.
Coming on the heels of The Secret, the New Spirituality teachers featured in The Moses Code are in hopes that by teaching everyone about the power of declaring themselves God, they can help along the “Shift” in planetary consciousness that everyone is talking about today.
The Shift is the name of another movie under production featuring New Spirituality gurus like Deepak Chopra and Marianne Williamson, alongside leftist environmentalists like Al Gore and religious figures such as Archbishop Desmond TuTu. Their message is the same, as though it was taken from the same script.
“A massive worldwide phenomenon is in progress, offering seeds of great hope for the future…We are in the middle of the biggest social transformation in history, THE SHIFT.”
Working on the Evangelical end of things, emergent author Brian McLaren is also promoting a Big Shift, calling his nationwide tour, The Deep Shift Conference. A heretic who does not believe in hell and who rejects the penal substitutionary atonement of Jesus Christ, McLaren is taking his Shift Experience to Willow Creek Community Church in April where he will be teaching youth workers and pastors from evangelical churches across the country about how they need to change their ministries to accommodate the Big Shift in thinking.
Emergent authors Phyllis Tickle and Tony Jones are also on board promoting a big spiritual shift. They prefer to call it the “Great Emergence”. Speaking at the Zondervan sponsored National Pastor’s Convention this week, Phyllis and Tony have titled their speech, not surprisingly, “The Great Emergence.”
What is emerging is another Jesus and another gospel. The Big Shift that all of the New Spirituality gurus are buzzing about marks the advent of the worldwide apostasy that is now upon us. Just as the Lord assigns roles to fulfill in His Church, the enemy assigns roles for his purposes. Over the two decades of researching the New Spirituality teachers and the inroads they have made into evangelical churches, it is evident to me that deception comes in many forms today on many different levels. Whether it is the spiritual bubble gum from Joel Osteen that serves to deceive the shallow masses or whether it’s the quasi-intellectual postmodern poison served up to college students by men like McLaren, Rob Bell, Tony Jones, Doug Pagitt, Dan Kimball and so many others, it’s all deception working towards the same end.
It is one thing to identify the counterfeit Christ of Marianne Williamson or the latest New Age author on the Oprah Winfrey Show (Eckhart Tolle is her latest protégé ), but what happens when authors published by the big “Christian” publishers are saying the same things? What happens when our celebrity emerging church leaders are using the same language, calling for the same things, and promoting the same false doctrines that redefine Christ and the Scriptures as the New Spirituality authors?
Compare these two quotes. One is from a popular emerging author and speaker who spoke at a conference with men like Andy Stanley and Rick Warren and regularly rubs shoulders with those in the new Evangelicalism. The other quote is from one of the world’s leading New Spirituality heretics. Can you tell which is which?
Quote 1
“The first of these five untheorized observations is that New Light embodiment means to be “in connection” and ‘in-formation’ with other Christians. Deeper feeling and higher relating go together. The church is fundamentally one being, one person, a comm-union whose cells are connected to one another within the information network called the Christ consciousness. New Lights offer up themselves as the cosmions of a mind-of-Christ consciousness. As a cosmion incarnating the cells of a new body, New Lights will function as transitional vessels through which transforming energy can renew the divine image in the world, moving postmoderns from one state of embodiment to another.”
Quote 2
'Third Jesus' can be seen only when we move into a new human awareness that will carry us beyond tribe, prejudice and even beyond our religious systems. As a Christian, I welcome his insights into my Jesus and his provocative call to me to enter the 'Christ Consciousness' and thus to become more deeply and completely human.".
The first quote is from emerging author Leonard Sweet who spoke at the Catalyst Conference in Atlanta, attended by thousands of evangelical leaders from across the nation. It’s from his book, Quantum Spirituality, in which he thanks New Agers Willis Harmon, Matthew Fox and Ken Wilbur, to name a few, for their influence on him. The second quote is from John Shelby Spong, in a book endorsement for Deepak Chopra’s brand new book, The Third Jesus, which is a brazen introduction of the cosmic Christ of the Big Shift everyone is talking about. Both authors are talking about the same Christ-consciousness. They are describing the same thing—one from inside of evangelicalism, one from outside.
Both popular author Rob Bell and occultist/New Spirituality teacher, Barbara Marx Hubbard, speak of being co-creators with God. Bell tells us in his latest Nooma video, “Open”, that creation is unfinished and that God needs us to be fellow creators with Him to finish the job.
…we have to understand that Jesus took very seriously the creation poem Genesis, that the Bible begins with. And in this creation poem God creates, but God creates things that are capable of creating more, and so God creates trees but then gives trees the ability to create more. God creates animals and plants and fish but then empowers them to create more. And then God creates people, and gives them the ability to create more. So everything in creation is essentially unfinished, God leaves the world unfinished, and invites people to take part in the ongoing creation of the world…
Hubbard’s occult “Christ” in her channeled book, The Revelation, instructs us about our participation as co-creators of the world.
"Those of you who hear these words are to carry on the commandment given to John two thousand years ago. You are not only to prophesy the end, the tribulations, and the New Jerusalem, you are to act it out. You are to discover the blueprint and become co-creators with God. You are to see the first fruits of the NEW BEGINNING."
Yes, there is a Big Shift underway. The two spheres that were once irreconcilably opposed to one another, (Evangelicalism and New Spirituality) are coming together. The overlap has begun. But millions of evangelical Christians in the pews are distracted. They haven’t researched these issues. They don’t know their Bibles. They accept without question whatever Zondervan or Thomas Nelson put out. They watch the DVD’s their church screens like Rob Bell’s Nooma videos and they don’t catch the language. It is slippery. It is subtle, but the enemy is getting bolder with each passing day. There is a lack of sobriety and vigilance, and now the enemy is walking boldly in the front doors of our churches and Christian colleges.
At bottom, the New Spirituality blasphemers like the producers of The Moses Code are more honest than the emergents when they state openly that they believe they are the way, the truth and the life. At its core, their message is the same as many within the emerging “conversation”. The Bible is not a product of “Divine fiat”, Rob Bell says, “it’s a human product.” (Christianity Today, 11/1/04) The end result? We become God in our own minds. We can make things up as we go. Where does it all end? Rob Bell ends up promoting doctrines of demons---that we are co-creators with God, or rejecting the existence of hell, or the atonement, like Brian McLaren. That’s where it all ends. When you abandon a high view of Holy Scripture, your rebellion will take you places you never dreamed you would go. At some point, God blinds those who willingly believe a lie.
With the full counsel of God in our hands, we are without excuse if we choose to participate in the Big Shift. The Shift is here, but those who serve the risen, ascended and glorified Lord Jesus Christ will stay separate. They will reject the anti-Christ doctrine of “oneness” of the New Spirituality and they will stay faithful at all costs.
Distributed by www.ChristianWorldviewNetwork.com
Friday, February 29, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Oprah -- The Devil's Spokesman
The article is long, but worth reading as it shows what one of the most powerful women in the world is doing. Her influence can ruin the faith of many, and keep people from the real truth. Even though she does much good, the evil she is propagating negates any "good" she does. To gain all the riches and lose your soul is not worth it.
http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/o/oprah-miracles.htm (link for my source).
Subject: Oprah to expose millions to New Age Christ Date: Thu, 27 Dec 2007
"Oprah and Friends" to expose millions to New Age Christ on XM Satellite Radio starting January 1st.
Oprah Winfrey will be letting out all the stops on her XM Satellite Radio program this coming year. Beginning January 1, 2008, "Oprah & Friends" will offer a year-long course on the New Age teachings of A Course in Miracles.
A lesson a day throughout the year will completely cover the 365 lessons from the Course in Miracles "Workbook." For example, Lesson #29 asks you to go through your day affirming that "God is in everything I see." Lesson #61 tells each person to repeat the affirmation "I am the light of the world." Lesson #70 teaches the student to say and believe "My salvation comes from me." By the end of the year, "Oprah & Friends" listeners will have completed all of the lessons laid out in the Course in Miracles Workbook.
Those who finish the Course will have a wholly redefined spiritual mindset-a New Age worldview that includes the belief that there is no sin, no evil, no devil, and that God is "in" everyone and everything. A Course in Miracles teaches its students to rethink everything they believe about God and life. The Course Workbook bluntly states: "This is a course in mind training" and is dedicated to "thought reversal."
Teaching A Course in Miracles will be Oprah's longtime friend and special XM Satellite Radio reporter Marianne Williamson-who also happens to be one of today's premier New Age leaders. She and Conversations with God author Neale Donald Walsch co-founded the American Renaissance Alliance in 1997, that later became the Global Renaissance Alliance of New Age leaders, that changed its name again in 2005 to the Peace Alliance. This Peace Alliance seeks to usher in an era of global peace founded on the principles of a New Age/New Spirituality that they are now referring to as a "civil rights movement for the soul."
They all agree that the principles of this New Age/New Spirituality are clearly articulated in A Course in Miracles-which is fast becoming the New Age Bible So what is A Course in Miracles and what does it teach? A Course in Miracles is allegedly "new revelation" from "Jesus" to help humanity work through these troubled times. This "Jesus"-who bears no doctrinal resemblance to the Bible's Jesus Christ-began delivering his channeled teachings in 1965 to a Columbia University Professor of Medical Psychology by the name of Helen Schucman. One day Schucman heard an "inner voice" stating, "This is a course in miracles. Please take notes." For seven years she diligently took spiritual dictation from this inner voice that described himself as "Jesus."
A Course in Miracles was quietly published in 1975 by the Foundation for Inner Peace. For many years "the Course" was an underground cult classic for New Age seekers who studied "the Course" individually, with friends, or in small study groups.
Here are some quotes from the "Jesus" of A Course in Miracles:
* "There is no sin. . . "
* A "slain Christ has no meaning."
* "The journey to the cross should be the last 'useless journey."
* "Do not make the pathetic error of 'clinging to the old rugged cross.'"
* "The Name of Jesus Christ as such is but a symbol... It is a symbol that is safely used as a replacement for the many names of all the gods to which you pray."
* "God is in everything I see."
* "The recognition of God is the recognition of yourself."
* "The oneness of the Creator and the creation is your wholeness, your sanity and your limitless power."
* "The Atonement is the final lesson he [man] need learn, for it teaches him that, never having sinned, he has no need of salvation."
Most Christians recognize that these teachings are the opposite of what the Bible teaches. At this critical time in the history of the world, the New Gospel/New Spirituality is coming right at the world and the church with its New Age teachings and its New Age Peace Plan. But this New Age Peace Plan has at its deceptive core the bottom-line teaching from A Course in Miracles that "we are all one" because God is "in" everyone and everything. But the Bible is clear that we are not God (Ezekiel 28:2; Hosea 11:9). And per Galatians 3:26-28, our only oneness is in Jesus Christ-not in ourselves as "God" and "Christ."
What Oprah and Marianne Williamson and the world will learn one day is that humanity's only real and lasting peace is with the true Jesus Christ who is described and quoted in the Holy Bible (Romans 5:1).
Oprah Winfrey's misplaced faith in Marianne Williamson and the New Age teachings of A Course in Miracles is a sure sign of the times. But an even surer sign of the times is that most Christians are not taking heed to what is happening in the world and in the church. We are not contending for the faith as the Bible admonishes us to do (Jude 3). It is time for all of our Purpose-Driven and Emerging church pastors to address the real issue of the day. Our true Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is being reinvented, redefined, and blasphemed right in front of our eyes and hardly anyone seems to notice or care. If we want the world to know who Jesus Christ is, we need to also warn them about who He is not. There is a false New Age "Christ" making huge inroads into the world and into the church. The Apostle Paul said that "it is a shame" we have to even talk about these things, but talk about them we must (Ephesians 5:12-16). If people want to follow Oprah Winfrey and the New Age "Christ" of A Course in Miracles they certainly have that right. But let them be warned that the New Age "Christ" they are following is not the same Jesus Christ who is so clearly and authoritatively presented in the pages of the Bible.
http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/o/oprah-miracles.htm (link for my source).
Subject: Oprah to expose millions to New Age Christ Date: Thu, 27 Dec 2007
"Oprah and Friends" to expose millions to New Age Christ on XM Satellite Radio starting January 1st.
Oprah Winfrey will be letting out all the stops on her XM Satellite Radio program this coming year. Beginning January 1, 2008, "Oprah & Friends" will offer a year-long course on the New Age teachings of A Course in Miracles.
A lesson a day throughout the year will completely cover the 365 lessons from the Course in Miracles "Workbook." For example, Lesson #29 asks you to go through your day affirming that "God is in everything I see." Lesson #61 tells each person to repeat the affirmation "I am the light of the world." Lesson #70 teaches the student to say and believe "My salvation comes from me." By the end of the year, "Oprah & Friends" listeners will have completed all of the lessons laid out in the Course in Miracles Workbook.
Those who finish the Course will have a wholly redefined spiritual mindset-a New Age worldview that includes the belief that there is no sin, no evil, no devil, and that God is "in" everyone and everything. A Course in Miracles teaches its students to rethink everything they believe about God and life. The Course Workbook bluntly states: "This is a course in mind training" and is dedicated to "thought reversal."
Teaching A Course in Miracles will be Oprah's longtime friend and special XM Satellite Radio reporter Marianne Williamson-who also happens to be one of today's premier New Age leaders. She and Conversations with God author Neale Donald Walsch co-founded the American Renaissance Alliance in 1997, that later became the Global Renaissance Alliance of New Age leaders, that changed its name again in 2005 to the Peace Alliance. This Peace Alliance seeks to usher in an era of global peace founded on the principles of a New Age/New Spirituality that they are now referring to as a "civil rights movement for the soul."
They all agree that the principles of this New Age/New Spirituality are clearly articulated in A Course in Miracles-which is fast becoming the New Age Bible So what is A Course in Miracles and what does it teach? A Course in Miracles is allegedly "new revelation" from "Jesus" to help humanity work through these troubled times. This "Jesus"-who bears no doctrinal resemblance to the Bible's Jesus Christ-began delivering his channeled teachings in 1965 to a Columbia University Professor of Medical Psychology by the name of Helen Schucman. One day Schucman heard an "inner voice" stating, "This is a course in miracles. Please take notes." For seven years she diligently took spiritual dictation from this inner voice that described himself as "Jesus."
A Course in Miracles was quietly published in 1975 by the Foundation for Inner Peace. For many years "the Course" was an underground cult classic for New Age seekers who studied "the Course" individually, with friends, or in small study groups.
Here are some quotes from the "Jesus" of A Course in Miracles:
* "There is no sin. . . "
* A "slain Christ has no meaning."
* "The journey to the cross should be the last 'useless journey."
* "Do not make the pathetic error of 'clinging to the old rugged cross.'"
* "The Name of Jesus Christ as such is but a symbol... It is a symbol that is safely used as a replacement for the many names of all the gods to which you pray."
* "God is in everything I see."
* "The recognition of God is the recognition of yourself."
* "The oneness of the Creator and the creation is your wholeness, your sanity and your limitless power."
* "The Atonement is the final lesson he [man] need learn, for it teaches him that, never having sinned, he has no need of salvation."
Most Christians recognize that these teachings are the opposite of what the Bible teaches. At this critical time in the history of the world, the New Gospel/New Spirituality is coming right at the world and the church with its New Age teachings and its New Age Peace Plan. But this New Age Peace Plan has at its deceptive core the bottom-line teaching from A Course in Miracles that "we are all one" because God is "in" everyone and everything. But the Bible is clear that we are not God (Ezekiel 28:2; Hosea 11:9). And per Galatians 3:26-28, our only oneness is in Jesus Christ-not in ourselves as "God" and "Christ."
What Oprah and Marianne Williamson and the world will learn one day is that humanity's only real and lasting peace is with the true Jesus Christ who is described and quoted in the Holy Bible (Romans 5:1).
Oprah Winfrey's misplaced faith in Marianne Williamson and the New Age teachings of A Course in Miracles is a sure sign of the times. But an even surer sign of the times is that most Christians are not taking heed to what is happening in the world and in the church. We are not contending for the faith as the Bible admonishes us to do (Jude 3). It is time for all of our Purpose-Driven and Emerging church pastors to address the real issue of the day. Our true Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is being reinvented, redefined, and blasphemed right in front of our eyes and hardly anyone seems to notice or care. If we want the world to know who Jesus Christ is, we need to also warn them about who He is not. There is a false New Age "Christ" making huge inroads into the world and into the church. The Apostle Paul said that "it is a shame" we have to even talk about these things, but talk about them we must (Ephesians 5:12-16). If people want to follow Oprah Winfrey and the New Age "Christ" of A Course in Miracles they certainly have that right. But let them be warned that the New Age "Christ" they are following is not the same Jesus Christ who is so clearly and authoritatively presented in the pages of the Bible.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Different but Equal
"God created our sexuality to display his very image, suggesting that both masculinity and femininity are required to fully mirror the divine character." -- Doug Rosenau
I want to preface this blog like I prefaced the talk I gave on Friday night about sexuality. If you begin to feel yourself become angry or agitated then take it up with Scripture and with God and not with me, as I am only stating what Scripture is saying.
There appears to be a design that God had in mind when He made men and women. . . Go Figure! Through centuries of misuse of Scripture and today the secular movement, the original design has continually been corrupted. When this happens there are typically consequences that happen, as I think we see in our culture today. We are reaping what we are sowing. Today out of wedlock pregnancies are about the same as in wedlock pregnancies, our children are just out of hand in many ways (drugs, sex, violence). Yes, it was like this over the centuries, but not like we are seeing today.
Among adults addictions have spiked to where it is hard to keep up with all the struggles. Pornography, alcohol, drug use, sex, pedophilia, and many other sins becoming way too common. Why? What has changed over the previous generations? The home dynamic has changed and what we use to cherish about our sexuality designed by God has changed. We see each other as equal in every respect, when in fact we are not. This does not make one more important or less important, just different. Why does a woman have to be able to do everything a man does? And vice-versa? Why would you want to do what in many ways you are not designed for?
Where this has hurt the most is within the church and home. Men and women are not doing what they were designed within their sexuality to do. There has been a feminization of men and women have been taking on more masculine roles. Genesis 3:16 says, “Your desire shall be for your husband, And he shall rule over you.” Meaning that the woman will continually desire to take the male roles in the world, and we see this today in our church and home.
Men are not being the leaders they are commanded to be by God. They are not being servants to the church and their families, giving the example that Christ gave for the church. “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself” – Ephesians 5:25-28.
Women are being the true form of submission as God commanded, not me. Ephesians 5:22-24, “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.”
Now, I know what many people are gong to say, or say when they start to hear this. You can almost predict the comments. “Well, I am not going to submit to anyone, especially my husband. Why do I need to submit? Why can’t he submit to me?” Because God said so. “Why should I sacrifice for her? All she does is complain and tell me what I am doing wrong.” Because God said so. I will give you the answer I give when I am in a marriage counseling session. Which ever of you is the most mature and closest to God should make the first move back into what God wants from us. You are not doing it for them, you are doing it for Jesus, your Savior. Then, maybe, just maybe, by your example they will start to be the person God designed them for sexually.
Please before you just throw this blog out as silly, study what the Bible, the inerrant Word of God says in context. Submission has been used for abuse because it is used out of context (another blog), but it does not negate those from following it correctly. Leadership has been abused for the sinful purposes, but you don’t just throw it out. You step up and be the leader God demands you to be.
We reap what we sow, and we are reaping it, so something is not right in our society. I truly believe that if we repent and seek to honor God by using our sexuality for His glory and performing our duties that we will see a major turn around. Maybe a Revival!!
If we would as creatures of God do what He says in the way that He says it, our lives would be so much more content. Not trouble free, but content, and I truly believe a lot of the other issues in our society would take care of themselves. They would not all go away this side of Heaven, but I think they would diminish dramatically.
Who is going to take the first step? Who is going to be the more mature spiritually and move towards how we were designed to be used within our sexuality? Who wants to find the true joy and contentment that only God can bring through following what He tells us to do?
1 Timothy 3:4-5, “just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,” (emphasis mine). Not yours, HIS!!
I want to preface this blog like I prefaced the talk I gave on Friday night about sexuality. If you begin to feel yourself become angry or agitated then take it up with Scripture and with God and not with me, as I am only stating what Scripture is saying.
There appears to be a design that God had in mind when He made men and women. . . Go Figure! Through centuries of misuse of Scripture and today the secular movement, the original design has continually been corrupted. When this happens there are typically consequences that happen, as I think we see in our culture today. We are reaping what we are sowing. Today out of wedlock pregnancies are about the same as in wedlock pregnancies, our children are just out of hand in many ways (drugs, sex, violence). Yes, it was like this over the centuries, but not like we are seeing today.
Among adults addictions have spiked to where it is hard to keep up with all the struggles. Pornography, alcohol, drug use, sex, pedophilia, and many other sins becoming way too common. Why? What has changed over the previous generations? The home dynamic has changed and what we use to cherish about our sexuality designed by God has changed. We see each other as equal in every respect, when in fact we are not. This does not make one more important or less important, just different. Why does a woman have to be able to do everything a man does? And vice-versa? Why would you want to do what in many ways you are not designed for?
Where this has hurt the most is within the church and home. Men and women are not doing what they were designed within their sexuality to do. There has been a feminization of men and women have been taking on more masculine roles. Genesis 3:16 says, “Your desire shall be for your husband, And he shall rule over you.” Meaning that the woman will continually desire to take the male roles in the world, and we see this today in our church and home.
Men are not being the leaders they are commanded to be by God. They are not being servants to the church and their families, giving the example that Christ gave for the church. “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself” – Ephesians 5:25-28.
Women are being the true form of submission as God commanded, not me. Ephesians 5:22-24, “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.”
Now, I know what many people are gong to say, or say when they start to hear this. You can almost predict the comments. “Well, I am not going to submit to anyone, especially my husband. Why do I need to submit? Why can’t he submit to me?” Because God said so. “Why should I sacrifice for her? All she does is complain and tell me what I am doing wrong.” Because God said so. I will give you the answer I give when I am in a marriage counseling session. Which ever of you is the most mature and closest to God should make the first move back into what God wants from us. You are not doing it for them, you are doing it for Jesus, your Savior. Then, maybe, just maybe, by your example they will start to be the person God designed them for sexually.
Please before you just throw this blog out as silly, study what the Bible, the inerrant Word of God says in context. Submission has been used for abuse because it is used out of context (another blog), but it does not negate those from following it correctly. Leadership has been abused for the sinful purposes, but you don’t just throw it out. You step up and be the leader God demands you to be.
We reap what we sow, and we are reaping it, so something is not right in our society. I truly believe that if we repent and seek to honor God by using our sexuality for His glory and performing our duties that we will see a major turn around. Maybe a Revival!!
If we would as creatures of God do what He says in the way that He says it, our lives would be so much more content. Not trouble free, but content, and I truly believe a lot of the other issues in our society would take care of themselves. They would not all go away this side of Heaven, but I think they would diminish dramatically.
Who is going to take the first step? Who is going to be the more mature spiritually and move towards how we were designed to be used within our sexuality? Who wants to find the true joy and contentment that only God can bring through following what He tells us to do?
1 Timothy 3:4-5, “just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,” (emphasis mine). Not yours, HIS!!
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Emerging Church Culture-- Not Good!!
Posted: 02/20/2008
Emergent Motto: God is Most Glorified in Us, When We Are Most Satisfied in the Culture
Introduction:
Dealing constantly with young, reformed emerging people and bloggers is exhausting. I feel some days like Simon Cowell of American Idol fame trying to be honest with them about what they are saying and how their e-views are not that promising, biblical, good or true. When they get angry and "keep on singing" (though the audition is clearly over) they become more and more incensed that I didn't affirm them, what they stand for, what they are trying to sell, or one of their leaders.
This happens week in and week out - and like I said, it is exhausting.
No matter how many books I read, podcasts or vodcasts I listen to, emails I exchange, or blog interaction I try to have (I don't delete dissenting opinion on this blog - I actually allow people to passionately disagree with me without fear of being shut down) they still just keep on emotionally ranting about their postmodern world of pseudo-reformed, emerging faith.
One of the things that is most interesting is that very few, if any, will ever discuss these things biblically. They usually just appeal to a few evangelical leaders who embrace their movement. They know that I have not fabricated my concerns out of thin air - because I take the time to do my homework and usually they haven't. It's like trying to talk to a Romanist who has never read Tridentine doctrine, but yet wants to defend "the orthodoxy" of the Pope and Romanist theology. An effort in futility. I find this with bloggers too. Young, theologically immature, biblically untested, and who are undiscerning being "sympathetic to emerging cult of personality" types who get defensive at a moments notice.
This brings me to this article today: recovering a reverence for God by having a right view of God. This is hard for any emerging or emergent church leader to humbly submit too. Why? Because it means resigning their cultural hermeneutic to a biblical one and that is painful for them to do. They would rather speak to you about "contextualizing the truth" for they honestly believe that their little methods, techniques, gimmicks, tricks, cultural analysis, market surveys, and postmodern pathology actually adds to the effectiveness and impact of the gospel. They really don't believe in sola Scriptura; they really don't believe that "the gospel IS the power of God unto salvation" and requires no additional assistance from them. They don't understand Acts 17 or 1 Cor. 9:18ff thinking the Apostle Paul was emerging too. And if you speak of biblical evangelism - you are out of date. Missional is the new term. No one quite knows what it means, but that's the beauty of this movement. They like the ambiguity and call it the reformed faith.
They believe the gospel needs their help. So they swear a bit when they preach; tell some dirty stories; speak in graphic sexual terms about women; even twist Scripture to try and be funny about masturbatory acts, and at some point will treat the Lord and His holy name as only a punchline for their jokes. They think that Chris Rock is a better pastoral role model than Christopher Love. And if you dare confront them or challenge them, they will cry foul (no pun intended) and try and make you the villain.
You see in their world, truth is not the primary consideration: experience, contextualization, conversation, audience expansion, carefully aligned political relationships, being soft and soft spoken IS. They call that humility and grace. Humility to them is never saying anything negative about another; and grace is simply recognizing we all are a little rough around the edges; and besides the other fruit coming from ones emerging church trumps all other considerations. What is that fruit? Numbers--they love numbers. They will tell you about their numbers almost every sermon. Once solid Christian publishers and even some Southern Baptist leaders have been seduced by their charms. It's frankly embarrassing and more than a little disappointing. They are so eager to grow their cause that they will sell out pragmatically and methodologically just to get a seat at the table and feel important as part of the latest boys club. Their motto reads as following: "God is Most Glorified in Us, When We Are Most Satisfied in the Culture." It's their mantra; their four spiritual laws; their purpose driven banner; their seeker friendly badge. It's their password, the secret code to get into the tree-house. It's their version of ministry.
Here is the reality: they really don't want to have to face or deal with the tough issues; it is easier to delete someone then to have to look circumspectly at the clay feet of their own man-made "heroes." They are constantly conflicted; saying just enough to try and come off as being challenging and balanced; but not saying enough to jeopardize their standing within the club. I am aware that I can be a strong, intimidating opponent for someone to have to take on, on most issues. But removing me out of the equation for a minute, these inexperienced "young lions" aren't even men enough to dialogue with biblically solid, kind, gentle, godly women either. They will delete them just as quickly; shut down their threads; take their ball and bat and run home.
So if you have drank the Kool-Aid of the emerging movement, may I challenge you to buck up today, play the man, and read the following article. If you get offended, it is intentional. I hope you even get angry; angry enough to honestly look at your pomo-world of imagined faith; and maybe come to grips with the fact that the "Vintage Jesus" you have been sold is a bill of goods by those who claim to be cutting edge in ministry. And when you get over them (and you will), then come back to the Word of God and to proven, faithful pastoral leadership from the halls of redemptive history and finally learn about the Lord Jesus Christ in all His transcendent glory, His gospel of grace, and how to do biblical ministry within the local church.
Until then, you will have to be satisfied with ministry that is foreign to the Bible, but oh how satisfying to your depravity.
Still Pounding on Wittenberg's Door,
Steve
2 Cor. 4:1-7Distributed by www.ChristianWorldviewNetwork.com
Emergent Motto: God is Most Glorified in Us, When We Are Most Satisfied in the Culture
Introduction:
Dealing constantly with young, reformed emerging people and bloggers is exhausting. I feel some days like Simon Cowell of American Idol fame trying to be honest with them about what they are saying and how their e-views are not that promising, biblical, good or true. When they get angry and "keep on singing" (though the audition is clearly over) they become more and more incensed that I didn't affirm them, what they stand for, what they are trying to sell, or one of their leaders.
This happens week in and week out - and like I said, it is exhausting.
No matter how many books I read, podcasts or vodcasts I listen to, emails I exchange, or blog interaction I try to have (I don't delete dissenting opinion on this blog - I actually allow people to passionately disagree with me without fear of being shut down) they still just keep on emotionally ranting about their postmodern world of pseudo-reformed, emerging faith.
One of the things that is most interesting is that very few, if any, will ever discuss these things biblically. They usually just appeal to a few evangelical leaders who embrace their movement. They know that I have not fabricated my concerns out of thin air - because I take the time to do my homework and usually they haven't. It's like trying to talk to a Romanist who has never read Tridentine doctrine, but yet wants to defend "the orthodoxy" of the Pope and Romanist theology. An effort in futility. I find this with bloggers too. Young, theologically immature, biblically untested, and who are undiscerning being "sympathetic to emerging cult of personality" types who get defensive at a moments notice.
This brings me to this article today: recovering a reverence for God by having a right view of God. This is hard for any emerging or emergent church leader to humbly submit too. Why? Because it means resigning their cultural hermeneutic to a biblical one and that is painful for them to do. They would rather speak to you about "contextualizing the truth" for they honestly believe that their little methods, techniques, gimmicks, tricks, cultural analysis, market surveys, and postmodern pathology actually adds to the effectiveness and impact of the gospel. They really don't believe in sola Scriptura; they really don't believe that "the gospel IS the power of God unto salvation" and requires no additional assistance from them. They don't understand Acts 17 or 1 Cor. 9:18ff thinking the Apostle Paul was emerging too. And if you speak of biblical evangelism - you are out of date. Missional is the new term. No one quite knows what it means, but that's the beauty of this movement. They like the ambiguity and call it the reformed faith.
They believe the gospel needs their help. So they swear a bit when they preach; tell some dirty stories; speak in graphic sexual terms about women; even twist Scripture to try and be funny about masturbatory acts, and at some point will treat the Lord and His holy name as only a punchline for their jokes. They think that Chris Rock is a better pastoral role model than Christopher Love. And if you dare confront them or challenge them, they will cry foul (no pun intended) and try and make you the villain.
You see in their world, truth is not the primary consideration: experience, contextualization, conversation, audience expansion, carefully aligned political relationships, being soft and soft spoken IS. They call that humility and grace. Humility to them is never saying anything negative about another; and grace is simply recognizing we all are a little rough around the edges; and besides the other fruit coming from ones emerging church trumps all other considerations. What is that fruit? Numbers--they love numbers. They will tell you about their numbers almost every sermon. Once solid Christian publishers and even some Southern Baptist leaders have been seduced by their charms. It's frankly embarrassing and more than a little disappointing. They are so eager to grow their cause that they will sell out pragmatically and methodologically just to get a seat at the table and feel important as part of the latest boys club. Their motto reads as following: "God is Most Glorified in Us, When We Are Most Satisfied in the Culture." It's their mantra; their four spiritual laws; their purpose driven banner; their seeker friendly badge. It's their password, the secret code to get into the tree-house. It's their version of ministry.
Here is the reality: they really don't want to have to face or deal with the tough issues; it is easier to delete someone then to have to look circumspectly at the clay feet of their own man-made "heroes." They are constantly conflicted; saying just enough to try and come off as being challenging and balanced; but not saying enough to jeopardize their standing within the club. I am aware that I can be a strong, intimidating opponent for someone to have to take on, on most issues. But removing me out of the equation for a minute, these inexperienced "young lions" aren't even men enough to dialogue with biblically solid, kind, gentle, godly women either. They will delete them just as quickly; shut down their threads; take their ball and bat and run home.
So if you have drank the Kool-Aid of the emerging movement, may I challenge you to buck up today, play the man, and read the following article. If you get offended, it is intentional. I hope you even get angry; angry enough to honestly look at your pomo-world of imagined faith; and maybe come to grips with the fact that the "Vintage Jesus" you have been sold is a bill of goods by those who claim to be cutting edge in ministry. And when you get over them (and you will), then come back to the Word of God and to proven, faithful pastoral leadership from the halls of redemptive history and finally learn about the Lord Jesus Christ in all His transcendent glory, His gospel of grace, and how to do biblical ministry within the local church.
Until then, you will have to be satisfied with ministry that is foreign to the Bible, but oh how satisfying to your depravity.
Still Pounding on Wittenberg's Door,
Steve
2 Cor. 4:1-7Distributed by www.ChristianWorldviewNetwork.com
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Need a Laugh-- 2007 Darwin Awards
Every once in a while you just need a laugh, and what better way to laugh then at some very unbelievable people. Enjoy the laugh. My personal favorite is number 10. Job 5:3 says, "I have seen the foolish taking root . . .," and I am inclined to believe it after reading this.
And the glorious Winner for 2007 is:
1. When his 38-caliber revolver failed to fire at his intended victim during a holdup in Long Beach, California, would-be robber James Elliot did something that can only inspire wonder. He peered down the barrel and tried the trigger again. This time it worked.
And now, the Honorable Mentions:
2. The chef at a hotel in Switzerland lost a finger in a meat-cutting machine and submitted a claim to his insurance company. The company expecting negligence sent out one of its men to have a look for himself. He tried the machine and he also lost a finger. The chef's claim was approved.
3. A man who shoveled snow for an hour to clear a space for his car during a blizzard in Chicago returned with his vehicle to find a woman had taken the space. Understandably, he shot her.
4. After stopping for drinks at an illegal bar, a Zimbabwean bus driver found that the 20 mental patients he was supposed to be transporting from Harare to Bulawayo had escaped. Not wanting to admit his incompetence, the driver went to a nearby bus stop and offered everyone waiting there a free ride. He then delivered the passengers to the mental hospital, telling the staff that the patients were very excitable and prone to bizarre fantasies. The deception wasn't discovered for 3 days.
5. A Texas teenager was in the hospital recovering from serious head wounds received from an oncoming train. When asked how he received the injuries, the lad told police that he was simply trying to see how close he could get his head to a moving train before he was hit.
6. A man walked into a Louisiana Circle-K, put a $20 bill on the counter, and asked for change. When the clerk opened the cash drawer, the man pulled a gun and asked for all the cash in the register, which the clerk promptly provided. The man took the cash from the clerk and fled, leaving the $20 bill on the counter. The total amount of cash he got from the drawer: $15.
7. Seems an Arkansas guy wanted some beer pretty badly. He decided that he'd just throw a cinder block through a liquor store window, grab some booze, and run. So he lifted the cinder block and heaved it over his head at the window. The cinder block bounced back and hit the would-be thief on the head, knocking him unconscious. The liquor store window was made of Plexiglas. The whole event was caught on videotape.
8. As a female shopper exited a New York convenience store, a man grabbed her purse and ran. The clerk called 911 immediately, and the woman was able to give them a detailed description of the snatcher. Within minutes, the police apprehended the snatcher. They put him in the car and drove back to the store. The thief was then taken out of the car and told to stand there for a positive ID. To which he replied, 'Yes, officer, that's her. That's the lady I stole the purse from.'
9. The Ann Arbor Michigan News crime column reported that a man walked into a Burger King in Ypsilanti, Michigan, at 5 a.m., flashed a gun, and demanded cash. The clerk turned him down because he said he couldn't open the cash register without a food order. When the man ordered onion rings, the clerk said they weren't available for breakfast. The man, frustrated, walked away.
* * * * *THE 5-STAR STUPIDITY AWARD WINNER* * * * *
10. When a man attempted to siphon gasoline from a motor home parked on a Seattle street, he got much more than he bargained for. Police arrived at the scene to find a very sick man curled up next to a motor home near spilled sewage. A police spokesman said that the man admitted to trying to steal gasoline and plugged his siphon hose into the motor home's sewage tank by mistake. The owner of the vehicle declined to press charges, saying that it was the best laugh he'd had in a very long time.
And the glorious Winner for 2007 is:
1. When his 38-caliber revolver failed to fire at his intended victim during a holdup in Long Beach, California, would-be robber James Elliot did something that can only inspire wonder. He peered down the barrel and tried the trigger again. This time it worked.
And now, the Honorable Mentions:
2. The chef at a hotel in Switzerland lost a finger in a meat-cutting machine and submitted a claim to his insurance company. The company expecting negligence sent out one of its men to have a look for himself. He tried the machine and he also lost a finger. The chef's claim was approved.
3. A man who shoveled snow for an hour to clear a space for his car during a blizzard in Chicago returned with his vehicle to find a woman had taken the space. Understandably, he shot her.
4. After stopping for drinks at an illegal bar, a Zimbabwean bus driver found that the 20 mental patients he was supposed to be transporting from Harare to Bulawayo had escaped. Not wanting to admit his incompetence, the driver went to a nearby bus stop and offered everyone waiting there a free ride. He then delivered the passengers to the mental hospital, telling the staff that the patients were very excitable and prone to bizarre fantasies. The deception wasn't discovered for 3 days.
5. A Texas teenager was in the hospital recovering from serious head wounds received from an oncoming train. When asked how he received the injuries, the lad told police that he was simply trying to see how close he could get his head to a moving train before he was hit.
6. A man walked into a Louisiana Circle-K, put a $20 bill on the counter, and asked for change. When the clerk opened the cash drawer, the man pulled a gun and asked for all the cash in the register, which the clerk promptly provided. The man took the cash from the clerk and fled, leaving the $20 bill on the counter. The total amount of cash he got from the drawer: $15.
7. Seems an Arkansas guy wanted some beer pretty badly. He decided that he'd just throw a cinder block through a liquor store window, grab some booze, and run. So he lifted the cinder block and heaved it over his head at the window. The cinder block bounced back and hit the would-be thief on the head, knocking him unconscious. The liquor store window was made of Plexiglas. The whole event was caught on videotape.
8. As a female shopper exited a New York convenience store, a man grabbed her purse and ran. The clerk called 911 immediately, and the woman was able to give them a detailed description of the snatcher. Within minutes, the police apprehended the snatcher. They put him in the car and drove back to the store. The thief was then taken out of the car and told to stand there for a positive ID. To which he replied, 'Yes, officer, that's her. That's the lady I stole the purse from.'
9. The Ann Arbor Michigan News crime column reported that a man walked into a Burger King in Ypsilanti, Michigan, at 5 a.m., flashed a gun, and demanded cash. The clerk turned him down because he said he couldn't open the cash register without a food order. When the man ordered onion rings, the clerk said they weren't available for breakfast. The man, frustrated, walked away.
* * * * *THE 5-STAR STUPIDITY AWARD WINNER* * * * *
10. When a man attempted to siphon gasoline from a motor home parked on a Seattle street, he got much more than he bargained for. Police arrived at the scene to find a very sick man curled up next to a motor home near spilled sewage. A police spokesman said that the man admitted to trying to steal gasoline and plugged his siphon hose into the motor home's sewage tank by mistake. The owner of the vehicle declined to press charges, saying that it was the best laugh he'd had in a very long time.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Something for Voters to Think About
For those that consider healthcare a consideration for voting, especially if you think America should do something like Canada's healthcare, then please watch this video first.
http://www.freemarketcure.com/brainsurgery.php
http://www.freemarketcure.com/brainsurgery.php
Saturday, February 16, 2008
UnChristian Book Review
1 Corinthians 1:17-19, “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (Emphasis Mine).
1 Corinthians 1:22-23, “For the Jews ask for signs and the Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles.”
While reading a magazine I came across this offer for a free book, which if you know me is hard for me not to consider, and it was saying that it contained what the new generation really thinks about Christianity. The title is, UNCHRISTIAN, by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons. I thought it would be worth reading as I work with the “new generation” in the Campus ministry I direct.
I received the book about six months ago and I have just completed it, and if you know me I usually complete a book in about a week and at most two. While I found a lot of the statistics and figures interesting, I found what surrounded it lacking and very emergent and overly stated many times. They would critique about Christians “eating their own,” yet they were doing just that through the entire book, but made it alright this time because it was from non-believers.
First, I am always nervous when statistics are used for anything, as anyone that has taken a basic civics class knows that with the question posed the right way, written the right way, and asked with the right tone of voice, one can get just about any result you are looking for from those you question. One example I always use with my college students is telling them that when more people eat ice cream there is more rape. This is a true statistic, but if you do not tell the people that people eat more ice cream in warm weather which is when more crime is committed to begin with then we may want to get rid of ice cream.
What surprised me most is that not once did they mention the Holy Spirit anywhere in the book. Not once was looking for the Holy Spirit a way of changing how Christians behave or how we reach unbelievers. Instead it was all about tactics, new stories and new formulas. It is interesting to me that any time there is a change in the landscape of our culture there needs to be a new formula given instead of preaching the truth and letting the Holy Spirit move. The book came off a little like we are the ones responsible for how people respond to the truth of the Gospel after we tell them about it. We are planters and Christ is the harvester through the Holy Spirit moving in their lives.
Don’t get me wrong I think a lot of what they said has some legitimacy behind it. Christians need to be loving more in how we present ourselves, but loving in the way Christ tells us through the Word of God, and not how the world thinks. I am not sure why a book would be written to tell Christians how to change their ways from non-Christians - that is telling in and of itself.
Lastly, for the sake of keeping this to some reasonable length, is that there is never any call for repentance as a national church. If we are doing things as wrongly as the book says, then the very first thing we need to do is repent publically and fill the altars at our churches, but I did not see this anywhere. It seems that if we humans do enough then we can make it happen, and that would be boasting in ourselves. Don’t get me wrong, I think they have some legitimate complaints, others not so much, but I think that we as a church need to first ask God for forgiveness for our sins and then move forward through the power of the Holy Spirit.
In the end, this book is basically trying to do the same thing many other books that line our shelves in the Christian book stores are doing. They are trying to do it through changing formulas, or putting a new twist. Trying to do it themselves. I would not buy this book unless you are able to attain it free or very cheap, as you will not miss anything and have probably read it in many magazine articles or some other book. Save yourself the time and hassle. I wish I would have.
Revelation 3:19, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.”
Acts 2:38, “Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
1 Corinthians 1:22-23, “For the Jews ask for signs and the Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles.”
While reading a magazine I came across this offer for a free book, which if you know me is hard for me not to consider, and it was saying that it contained what the new generation really thinks about Christianity. The title is, UNCHRISTIAN, by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons. I thought it would be worth reading as I work with the “new generation” in the Campus ministry I direct.
I received the book about six months ago and I have just completed it, and if you know me I usually complete a book in about a week and at most two. While I found a lot of the statistics and figures interesting, I found what surrounded it lacking and very emergent and overly stated many times. They would critique about Christians “eating their own,” yet they were doing just that through the entire book, but made it alright this time because it was from non-believers.
First, I am always nervous when statistics are used for anything, as anyone that has taken a basic civics class knows that with the question posed the right way, written the right way, and asked with the right tone of voice, one can get just about any result you are looking for from those you question. One example I always use with my college students is telling them that when more people eat ice cream there is more rape. This is a true statistic, but if you do not tell the people that people eat more ice cream in warm weather which is when more crime is committed to begin with then we may want to get rid of ice cream.
What surprised me most is that not once did they mention the Holy Spirit anywhere in the book. Not once was looking for the Holy Spirit a way of changing how Christians behave or how we reach unbelievers. Instead it was all about tactics, new stories and new formulas. It is interesting to me that any time there is a change in the landscape of our culture there needs to be a new formula given instead of preaching the truth and letting the Holy Spirit move. The book came off a little like we are the ones responsible for how people respond to the truth of the Gospel after we tell them about it. We are planters and Christ is the harvester through the Holy Spirit moving in their lives.
Don’t get me wrong I think a lot of what they said has some legitimacy behind it. Christians need to be loving more in how we present ourselves, but loving in the way Christ tells us through the Word of God, and not how the world thinks. I am not sure why a book would be written to tell Christians how to change their ways from non-Christians - that is telling in and of itself.
Lastly, for the sake of keeping this to some reasonable length, is that there is never any call for repentance as a national church. If we are doing things as wrongly as the book says, then the very first thing we need to do is repent publically and fill the altars at our churches, but I did not see this anywhere. It seems that if we humans do enough then we can make it happen, and that would be boasting in ourselves. Don’t get me wrong, I think they have some legitimate complaints, others not so much, but I think that we as a church need to first ask God for forgiveness for our sins and then move forward through the power of the Holy Spirit.
In the end, this book is basically trying to do the same thing many other books that line our shelves in the Christian book stores are doing. They are trying to do it through changing formulas, or putting a new twist. Trying to do it themselves. I would not buy this book unless you are able to attain it free or very cheap, as you will not miss anything and have probably read it in many magazine articles or some other book. Save yourself the time and hassle. I wish I would have.
Revelation 3:19, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.”
Acts 2:38, “Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Monday, February 11, 2008
So What!
Luke 9:25, “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?”
We had movie night this past Friday and we watched, ‘Freedom Writers.’ This was a very compelling movie, as the young female teacher was able to go against all odds (students, school administration, and staff) and help the students she was assigned to teach. The students were considered ‘at-risk’ and basically given up on by the school system, and the protagonist (the teacher) in the movie helped them achieve levels of education they never thought possible.
Her teaching theory is now practiced in many schools around the country, and the stories of those first students have been published in a book with the same title as the movie, ‘Freedom Writers.’ I have read a portion of the book and the stories are touching and heart-breaking. There is no taking away what this teacher did for these students as it pertains to education.
As we discussed the movie afterwards, I asked the question, “So What?” By this I mean, so what that she was able to take these gang members, trouble makers and help many of them achieve goals never imagined by them. Many went onto college. But, so what?
Through the entire movie it was based on the philosophy, “you do it . . . you did it . . . you can do it . . . you, you, you.” What happens if we have these well educated at-risk children, but they never hear about the salvation of Christ? I will tell you the answer, so what. It will not get them into the Kingdom of God, and they will be well educated and Hell bound.
Most of us watch the movie and think, man that is awesome. They are going to make something of themselves. They are going to be able to live the American Dream. They can now make more money, buy houses, cars, and stuff. Isn’t that awesome!! Read Ecclesiastes some time for the answer. I will give you the short form. So what. Yes, she did great things with these kids. She helped them achieve advantages they might never have thought possible, but she was not able to give them the eternal advantage, Jesus Christ. Either out of choice, or not knowing herself.
American Christianity becomes too caught up in the ‘American Dream’ at times and forgets the reality of looking Heavenward. It is not worth being a multi-millionaire, straight ‘A’ lost soul. Much better to be living under a box, never graduating high-school and knowing Christ as Savior.
Ecclesiastes 6:7, “All the labor of man is for his mouth, And yet the soul is not satisfied.”
We had movie night this past Friday and we watched, ‘Freedom Writers.’ This was a very compelling movie, as the young female teacher was able to go against all odds (students, school administration, and staff) and help the students she was assigned to teach. The students were considered ‘at-risk’ and basically given up on by the school system, and the protagonist (the teacher) in the movie helped them achieve levels of education they never thought possible.
Her teaching theory is now practiced in many schools around the country, and the stories of those first students have been published in a book with the same title as the movie, ‘Freedom Writers.’ I have read a portion of the book and the stories are touching and heart-breaking. There is no taking away what this teacher did for these students as it pertains to education.
As we discussed the movie afterwards, I asked the question, “So What?” By this I mean, so what that she was able to take these gang members, trouble makers and help many of them achieve goals never imagined by them. Many went onto college. But, so what?
Through the entire movie it was based on the philosophy, “you do it . . . you did it . . . you can do it . . . you, you, you.” What happens if we have these well educated at-risk children, but they never hear about the salvation of Christ? I will tell you the answer, so what. It will not get them into the Kingdom of God, and they will be well educated and Hell bound.
Most of us watch the movie and think, man that is awesome. They are going to make something of themselves. They are going to be able to live the American Dream. They can now make more money, buy houses, cars, and stuff. Isn’t that awesome!! Read Ecclesiastes some time for the answer. I will give you the short form. So what. Yes, she did great things with these kids. She helped them achieve advantages they might never have thought possible, but she was not able to give them the eternal advantage, Jesus Christ. Either out of choice, or not knowing herself.
American Christianity becomes too caught up in the ‘American Dream’ at times and forgets the reality of looking Heavenward. It is not worth being a multi-millionaire, straight ‘A’ lost soul. Much better to be living under a box, never graduating high-school and knowing Christ as Savior.
Ecclesiastes 6:7, “All the labor of man is for his mouth, And yet the soul is not satisfied.”
Friday, February 08, 2008
A Soldier for Christ
1 Samuel 18:1, “When David had finished speaking with Saul, Jonathan committed himself to David, and loved him as much as he loved himself.”
This is a very emotional and hard blog for me to write, because it is very close to my heart. Even just thinking about writing this brings tears to my eyes. You see, someone very close to me is very ill. He is not just a friend, but a brother in Christ and my best friend.
I have spoken many times to the college students, and many men that they need to have a relationship with other men like that of David and Jonathan. They knew each other deeply and understood each other without even the need to speak at times. There was a bond that nothing would break. I am lucky enough to have that relationship with Mike. He knows everything about me, which can be a scary thought, but it is also a breath of fresh air. I do not have to pretend, puff up, man up, or whatever you want to call it. There are no hedges up or walls when we talk. We both know we can be real with each other. No need to impress, as we both already know each others weaknesses and strengths.
Do you have that? Is there someone in your life that you can tell anything to, and I mean anything? A lot of people will say, “Yeah, my spouse is like that to me.” Really? Do they know everything about your past, the thoughts you deal with, the sins you struggle with? Or do they know everything you want them to know? I am not saying that we should hide things from our wives, as mine is my best friend and there is not much I will not tell her, but she has no interest or need to know everything about my past (as it is not pretty). Mike knows all the grimy details, as he was there and we walked through our struggles together, just as Jonathan was with David walking through life with him. We grew up together in the Christian faith.
There are not too many people in this world apart from my family that I would die for, but Mike is one of them. I would gladly die for him or right beside him. And that is what is hard, as he has cancer and there is nothing that I can do for him. I can pray for him, and I can stand by his side, which I will, but I cannot fix it. You never know the impact, even as a Therapist, until it happens to someone you care about deeply. You can always sympathize with people, but you never truly understand.
What is amazing to me is Mike’s attitude through this whole ordeal. He is a true soldier for Christ, as he never has blamed God, nor said ‘why me?’ Sure he has gone through the typical emotions of having a family and looking at your life possibly ending sooner then you thought, but if I know Mike, and I do; I know one of his deepest regrets will be that he did not get to witness or preach to one more person. He has been such a great example to me of the Christian walk.
All I want to do is take his pain away, to help him through this in anyway that I can. To lose Mike would be to lose a piece of my heart. I would certainly be very excited and jealous that he is with our Savior, but at the same time I would long for my friend. God has used him to help me become the man I am today. He would encourage when needed, and call me to account when needed. I know he prays for me and longs for my best as well. I love him deeply and know he loves me deeply.
We use to say that we would be martyred for our faith together, and we were actually excited about that, as it would be a great honor to die with my brother for our Savior, Jesus Christ. I can almost think of no better way to die. My prayer is that Mike will not succumb to this cancer, but will continue to be around for many years to come, and then he and I can go out in glory together for the cause of Christ!!!
As, I have let you into my life, I am also going to ask that as you pray for my friend that you consider helping him with the astronomical bills that are going to be coming. Mike is a Village Mission pastor in Kansas. Mike, his beautiful wife, Sara, and their children have sacrificed their lives to reach those that many pastors will not go to because there is no money involved. The MacWhinnie family is a true example of living for Christ. They are looking heavenward and not for earthly treasures.
If you cannot give, then please pray for them and pass this along to others to pray that Christ will use the doctors to heal him. Pray that our Father in Heaven will use the Holy Spirit to directly heal him as a witness for those around them. Pray for his wife and children, that they will be comforted by family and the Holy Spirit. Pray that Mike will continue to live for Christ through chemo and radiation. If I know him, he has already preached to many at the hospital.
Mike. . . . I love you buddy.
Click on Mike’s name if you want to donate or learn more about what he is doing: Mike MacWhinnie.
2 Timothy 2:3, “Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.”
This is a very emotional and hard blog for me to write, because it is very close to my heart. Even just thinking about writing this brings tears to my eyes. You see, someone very close to me is very ill. He is not just a friend, but a brother in Christ and my best friend.
I have spoken many times to the college students, and many men that they need to have a relationship with other men like that of David and Jonathan. They knew each other deeply and understood each other without even the need to speak at times. There was a bond that nothing would break. I am lucky enough to have that relationship with Mike. He knows everything about me, which can be a scary thought, but it is also a breath of fresh air. I do not have to pretend, puff up, man up, or whatever you want to call it. There are no hedges up or walls when we talk. We both know we can be real with each other. No need to impress, as we both already know each others weaknesses and strengths.
Do you have that? Is there someone in your life that you can tell anything to, and I mean anything? A lot of people will say, “Yeah, my spouse is like that to me.” Really? Do they know everything about your past, the thoughts you deal with, the sins you struggle with? Or do they know everything you want them to know? I am not saying that we should hide things from our wives, as mine is my best friend and there is not much I will not tell her, but she has no interest or need to know everything about my past (as it is not pretty). Mike knows all the grimy details, as he was there and we walked through our struggles together, just as Jonathan was with David walking through life with him. We grew up together in the Christian faith.
There are not too many people in this world apart from my family that I would die for, but Mike is one of them. I would gladly die for him or right beside him. And that is what is hard, as he has cancer and there is nothing that I can do for him. I can pray for him, and I can stand by his side, which I will, but I cannot fix it. You never know the impact, even as a Therapist, until it happens to someone you care about deeply. You can always sympathize with people, but you never truly understand.
What is amazing to me is Mike’s attitude through this whole ordeal. He is a true soldier for Christ, as he never has blamed God, nor said ‘why me?’ Sure he has gone through the typical emotions of having a family and looking at your life possibly ending sooner then you thought, but if I know Mike, and I do; I know one of his deepest regrets will be that he did not get to witness or preach to one more person. He has been such a great example to me of the Christian walk.
All I want to do is take his pain away, to help him through this in anyway that I can. To lose Mike would be to lose a piece of my heart. I would certainly be very excited and jealous that he is with our Savior, but at the same time I would long for my friend. God has used him to help me become the man I am today. He would encourage when needed, and call me to account when needed. I know he prays for me and longs for my best as well. I love him deeply and know he loves me deeply.
We use to say that we would be martyred for our faith together, and we were actually excited about that, as it would be a great honor to die with my brother for our Savior, Jesus Christ. I can almost think of no better way to die. My prayer is that Mike will not succumb to this cancer, but will continue to be around for many years to come, and then he and I can go out in glory together for the cause of Christ!!!
As, I have let you into my life, I am also going to ask that as you pray for my friend that you consider helping him with the astronomical bills that are going to be coming. Mike is a Village Mission pastor in Kansas. Mike, his beautiful wife, Sara, and their children have sacrificed their lives to reach those that many pastors will not go to because there is no money involved. The MacWhinnie family is a true example of living for Christ. They are looking heavenward and not for earthly treasures.
If you cannot give, then please pray for them and pass this along to others to pray that Christ will use the doctors to heal him. Pray that our Father in Heaven will use the Holy Spirit to directly heal him as a witness for those around them. Pray for his wife and children, that they will be comforted by family and the Holy Spirit. Pray that Mike will continue to live for Christ through chemo and radiation. If I know him, he has already preached to many at the hospital.
Mike. . . . I love you buddy.
Click on Mike’s name if you want to donate or learn more about what he is doing: Mike MacWhinnie.
2 Timothy 2:3, “Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.”
Monday, February 04, 2008
IRRATIONALIZATION!
Rom. 14:21, “It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.”
What if I said that Christians are part of the reason why there are so many car accidents in America today. What would you say? What if I said that Christians are part of the reason why there is so much sickness today. What would you say? What if I said that Christians are part of the reason why there is so much death today. What would you say?
Picture this, you are standing in Heaven and it is your time for judgment. As you are a believer you are forgiven of your sins, so your judgment is how you represented Christ to the world while here on earth. Everything is going along alright and there are tears for times you missed the opportunity to represent Christ, but then Jesus asked you about the time you had that glass of wine/beer with dinner at your favorite restaurant. You start to wonder how could one glass of wine hurt the witness for Christ, and we need to remember it is the person of Christ not our reputation we are suppose to be worried about here on earth.
You ask what one glass of wine could hurt; it is not like I am an alcoholic. Jesus points to the wall and hanging on the wall is a flat screen HD TV. On the screen flashes you sitting in the restaurant right at the moment you ordered the glass of wine/beer. Your waiter brings back your beverage and food and watches you give thanks to Jesus for it. Then Christ allows you to hear the thoughts of the waiter who was wondering whether or not to go out and drink for his up coming twenty first birthday. You hear him rationalize that if you, who are obviously very religious because you prayed publically, drink then it must not be that bad. You listen to him argue with his parents in his brain who kept telling him not to drink as it would be a bad witness as a believer for your friends to see you immediately go out and drink. He says to himself that his parents do not drink, but here are some other obviously Christian people and they are having a drink, so it cannot be that bad.
As you watch, you notice that you are now at some bar that you do not recognize and wonder why this is even on the screen. You do not recognize the place and it looks like way too young an atmosphere for you, but then you recognize the young man who waited on you sitting at the bar. You hear him talking to the waiter and telling him it his birthday and he wanted to enjoy a drink to celebrate his coming of age. The bar tender says he has the perfect drink for him and says it is on the house for his twenty first birthday. You watch as the young man takes a drink and winces at the taste of the alcohol; obviously a strong drink.
After he finished you notice that there is another drink in front of him. His friend has now bought him one for his birthday. The young man says he only wanted one, but since it was his friend who bought it for him he decides to drink it. What was supposed to be just one drink to celebrate coming of age ends up turning into three or four drinks. Who wants to offend their friends and say no?
The TV flashes to later in the night when the young man decides to go home. You watch as he stumbles toward the door and gets into his car and clumsily puts the keys into the ignition. You let out a deep breath as it seems he is driving alright for someone who should not be driving, until you see the young couple crossing the walkway just ahead of the waiter, who obviously does not see them yet. All at once you hear the screeching of breaks and the young couple screaming in terror as they run and jump out of the way. The screen goes blank. You sit there wondering how having one drink could lead to this. Then you realize you have no idea what happened to the young man. You ask Jesus what happened to the waiter, and you realize you do not even know his name. Is he alright? Was he hurt? How is the young couple? All these questions come flooding. Would it have really made a difference? Why did I need a drink anyway?
Jesus then turns and opens a door that appears out of nowhere and invites a young man in to the room. You watch with trepid nervousness, saying to yourself, ‘please no.’ As you know what is about to happen. In walks Gerrad, a young strapping man of 21 years old, with bright blue eyes that feel like they are piercing your soul. Guilt starts in your gut and works its way up your throat and you try to hold back the choking reflux. You do not know what to say. It was only one glass of wine. Who would it hurt?
The young man walks closer and smiles and says “I forgive you.” Tears erupt out of your eyes like an unstoppable freight train. How could I fail at being such a witness? It was just one drink? I am so sorry Jesus. I am so sorry for not being Christ to you Gerrad.
Jesus looks at Gerrad and smiles and then looks back at you and smiles and kneels down and wipes your tears away and says welcome. Your feeling of guilt is gone, and love overwhelms you like never before; it is a completely foreign feeling, nothing like what you thought. After hugging Christ for what seems like eternity you walk over and hug Gerrad and step into eternity together.
We can rationalize all we want today to drink as Christians, but we cannot deny that it has killed millions through drunk driving (innocent and guilty victims), killed through cirrhosis of the liver, heart attacks, addiction, loss of money, broken families, rape and murder, and many other atrocities people commit under its’ influence. How do we rationalize drinking a substance that is connected to so much death and destruction?
People lately use the war as a defense for everything. Everyone says the war is bad because innocent people are being killed, but there are more innocent people killed each year due to alcohol then there have been in our war. Why do the same people who say war is bad rationalize drinking?
People say that what goes into us is not bad, but what comes out. These people tend to take this out of context. How is it then that alcohol destroys brain cells, the liver and many other organs, yet people say that it does not hurt? How about those that are killed from drunk drivers because the alcohol is in them? That rational was about food killed for idols sake, and not alcohol. Why else are we always told to guard what we learn, what goes into our minds? Because if bad goes in then bad comes out. Junk in then Junk out.
Why is it the same people that rationalize drinking say we are to demonstrate Christ by our actions, yet when not when it comes to drinking? They drank in the Bible is the excuse, but they do not take the time to see that the wine was 1 part wine to 3 or 8 parts water. Will these people now water down their alcohol to make sure it is the same consistency?
We will rationalize anything that we feel we need to be able to do. It is just a self focused Christianity, and not outward focused. If alcohol is such a danger to society (study the death and financial costs of any country), why do we do it? There are too many other things to drink. Why not give it up for the sake of Christ? Sacrificing what you might even be able to do for the sake of saving someone else from stumbling. Is it really that hard, or do we just want to be irrational when it comes to drinking, because no one is worth that sacrifice?
I just would not want to stand one day before Christ and have to be the one watching the screen as my witness gave an excuse for a weaker brother to stumble, which may or may not end up causing others to stumble and innocent people to be hurt.
Personally, I would rather miss out on alcohol, or meat for that matter, then to be responsible for the fall of anybody. I would rather be the excuse for the young person not to drink and then be the excuse to drink and take the chance for addiction or something worse. Can I drink? Maybe, but the person who watches me may not be able to handle it and I do not want that responsibility, as I am portraying Christ to them. Remember you may be the only Christian they see, and when you give them permission you are ultimately saying Christ gives you permission.
1 Corinthians 8:13, “Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.”
What if I said that Christians are part of the reason why there are so many car accidents in America today. What would you say? What if I said that Christians are part of the reason why there is so much sickness today. What would you say? What if I said that Christians are part of the reason why there is so much death today. What would you say?
Picture this, you are standing in Heaven and it is your time for judgment. As you are a believer you are forgiven of your sins, so your judgment is how you represented Christ to the world while here on earth. Everything is going along alright and there are tears for times you missed the opportunity to represent Christ, but then Jesus asked you about the time you had that glass of wine/beer with dinner at your favorite restaurant. You start to wonder how could one glass of wine hurt the witness for Christ, and we need to remember it is the person of Christ not our reputation we are suppose to be worried about here on earth.
You ask what one glass of wine could hurt; it is not like I am an alcoholic. Jesus points to the wall and hanging on the wall is a flat screen HD TV. On the screen flashes you sitting in the restaurant right at the moment you ordered the glass of wine/beer. Your waiter brings back your beverage and food and watches you give thanks to Jesus for it. Then Christ allows you to hear the thoughts of the waiter who was wondering whether or not to go out and drink for his up coming twenty first birthday. You hear him rationalize that if you, who are obviously very religious because you prayed publically, drink then it must not be that bad. You listen to him argue with his parents in his brain who kept telling him not to drink as it would be a bad witness as a believer for your friends to see you immediately go out and drink. He says to himself that his parents do not drink, but here are some other obviously Christian people and they are having a drink, so it cannot be that bad.
As you watch, you notice that you are now at some bar that you do not recognize and wonder why this is even on the screen. You do not recognize the place and it looks like way too young an atmosphere for you, but then you recognize the young man who waited on you sitting at the bar. You hear him talking to the waiter and telling him it his birthday and he wanted to enjoy a drink to celebrate his coming of age. The bar tender says he has the perfect drink for him and says it is on the house for his twenty first birthday. You watch as the young man takes a drink and winces at the taste of the alcohol; obviously a strong drink.
After he finished you notice that there is another drink in front of him. His friend has now bought him one for his birthday. The young man says he only wanted one, but since it was his friend who bought it for him he decides to drink it. What was supposed to be just one drink to celebrate coming of age ends up turning into three or four drinks. Who wants to offend their friends and say no?
The TV flashes to later in the night when the young man decides to go home. You watch as he stumbles toward the door and gets into his car and clumsily puts the keys into the ignition. You let out a deep breath as it seems he is driving alright for someone who should not be driving, until you see the young couple crossing the walkway just ahead of the waiter, who obviously does not see them yet. All at once you hear the screeching of breaks and the young couple screaming in terror as they run and jump out of the way. The screen goes blank. You sit there wondering how having one drink could lead to this. Then you realize you have no idea what happened to the young man. You ask Jesus what happened to the waiter, and you realize you do not even know his name. Is he alright? Was he hurt? How is the young couple? All these questions come flooding. Would it have really made a difference? Why did I need a drink anyway?
Jesus then turns and opens a door that appears out of nowhere and invites a young man in to the room. You watch with trepid nervousness, saying to yourself, ‘please no.’ As you know what is about to happen. In walks Gerrad, a young strapping man of 21 years old, with bright blue eyes that feel like they are piercing your soul. Guilt starts in your gut and works its way up your throat and you try to hold back the choking reflux. You do not know what to say. It was only one glass of wine. Who would it hurt?
The young man walks closer and smiles and says “I forgive you.” Tears erupt out of your eyes like an unstoppable freight train. How could I fail at being such a witness? It was just one drink? I am so sorry Jesus. I am so sorry for not being Christ to you Gerrad.
Jesus looks at Gerrad and smiles and then looks back at you and smiles and kneels down and wipes your tears away and says welcome. Your feeling of guilt is gone, and love overwhelms you like never before; it is a completely foreign feeling, nothing like what you thought. After hugging Christ for what seems like eternity you walk over and hug Gerrad and step into eternity together.
We can rationalize all we want today to drink as Christians, but we cannot deny that it has killed millions through drunk driving (innocent and guilty victims), killed through cirrhosis of the liver, heart attacks, addiction, loss of money, broken families, rape and murder, and many other atrocities people commit under its’ influence. How do we rationalize drinking a substance that is connected to so much death and destruction?
People lately use the war as a defense for everything. Everyone says the war is bad because innocent people are being killed, but there are more innocent people killed each year due to alcohol then there have been in our war. Why do the same people who say war is bad rationalize drinking?
People say that what goes into us is not bad, but what comes out. These people tend to take this out of context. How is it then that alcohol destroys brain cells, the liver and many other organs, yet people say that it does not hurt? How about those that are killed from drunk drivers because the alcohol is in them? That rational was about food killed for idols sake, and not alcohol. Why else are we always told to guard what we learn, what goes into our minds? Because if bad goes in then bad comes out. Junk in then Junk out.
Why is it the same people that rationalize drinking say we are to demonstrate Christ by our actions, yet when not when it comes to drinking? They drank in the Bible is the excuse, but they do not take the time to see that the wine was 1 part wine to 3 or 8 parts water. Will these people now water down their alcohol to make sure it is the same consistency?
We will rationalize anything that we feel we need to be able to do. It is just a self focused Christianity, and not outward focused. If alcohol is such a danger to society (study the death and financial costs of any country), why do we do it? There are too many other things to drink. Why not give it up for the sake of Christ? Sacrificing what you might even be able to do for the sake of saving someone else from stumbling. Is it really that hard, or do we just want to be irrational when it comes to drinking, because no one is worth that sacrifice?
I just would not want to stand one day before Christ and have to be the one watching the screen as my witness gave an excuse for a weaker brother to stumble, which may or may not end up causing others to stumble and innocent people to be hurt.
Personally, I would rather miss out on alcohol, or meat for that matter, then to be responsible for the fall of anybody. I would rather be the excuse for the young person not to drink and then be the excuse to drink and take the chance for addiction or something worse. Can I drink? Maybe, but the person who watches me may not be able to handle it and I do not want that responsibility, as I am portraying Christ to them. Remember you may be the only Christian they see, and when you give them permission you are ultimately saying Christ gives you permission.
1 Corinthians 8:13, “Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.”
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