Weird Comment

The following comment appeared in my inbox yesterday. Besides ranking as one of the weirdest ones I've seen in a long time, I am quite frankly finding it difficult to label the beliefs of the person who posted it. Since he/she seems to believe in "gods," at first glance he/she might be labeled as a "polytheist."

Some of what he/she has written makes sense, but some of it is way out there - not at all adhering to true Christian faith or Biblical discernment.

This is why it is ESSENTIAL that individual Christian believers know what is written in the Bible so that they do not get caught up in some kind of weird, guru-led gobbledygook that could lead them astray, towards a false gospel and away from the true Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Jesus warned us that the closer we get to the end times, there will be many false prophets out there who will attempt to lead people astray - "to fool the very elect...if that were possible." You see, it is much more difficult to lead an ambassador of Christ into error, heresy, or apostasy. Why? Because he/she is led by the guidance of the Holy Spirit of God to help with discernment into all truth. And how does one know that he/she is being led by the Holy Spirit? The Spirit of God will NEVER contradict what Jesus has proclaimed as truth. The Holy Spirit adheres to Christ and what is written in the Bible. Therefore, you can see how important it is to have the knowledge and wisdom that is gleaned by reading, studying, and applying the Written Word of God in this life.

The following is a copy of the comment that I am referring to [Note: I have left misspellings intact].  It left me shaking my head at the convoluted nature of this person's belief system.  If you are a Christian, how many errors can you point out?

~ Christine

*******

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "San Fransicko Folsom St. Sadists":

Your job as a future mother is to learn the god's ways and to help your child understand despite the negative reinforcement and conditioning of today's society. Without consciousous parents the child will have no hope, and may even exaserbate their disfavor by becoming corrupted in today's environment.
Your ultimate goal is to fix your relationship wiith the gods and move on. You don't want to be comfortable here, and the changes in Western society in the last 100 years has achieved just that.
1000 years with Jesus is the consolation prize. Don't be deceived into thinking that is the goal.

The gods tempt people for which they are most weak. Artificial Intelligence will create desire in people's minds for the following sins:::
1. Alcohol
2. Drugs
3. Preditory "earning"
4. Homosexuality
5. Gambling
6. Something for nothing/irresponsibility (xtianity)
7. Polygamy/superiority over women/misogyny (Islam)
Much like the other prophets Mohhamed (polygamy/superiority over women/misogyny) and Jesus (forgiveness/savior), the gods use me for temptation as well. In today's modern society they feel people are most weak for popular culture/sensationalism, and the clues date back to WorldWarII and Unit731:TSUSHOGO, the Chinese Holocaust.
It has been discussed that, similar to the Matrix concept, the gods will offer a REAL "Second Coming of Christ", while the "fake" Second Coming will come at the end and follow New Testiment scripture and their xtian positioning. I may be that real Second Coming.
What I teach is the god's true way. It is what is expected of people, and only those who follow this truth will be eligible to ascend into heaven as children in a future life. They offered this event because the masses have just enough time to work on and fix their relationship with the gods and ascend, to move and grow past Planet Earth, before the obligatory xtian "consolation prize" of "1000 years with Jesus on Earth" begins.

The Prince of Darkness, battling the gods over the souls of the Damned.
It is the gods who have created this environment and led people into Damnation with temptation. The god's positioning proves they work to prevent people's understanding.
How often is xtian dogma wrong? Expect it is about the Lucifer issue as well.
The fallen god, fighting for justice for the disfavored, banished to Earth as the fallen angel?
I believe much as the Noah's Flood event, the end of the world will be initiated by revelry among the people. It will be positioned to be sanctioned by the gods and led for "1000 years with Jesus on Earth".
In light of modern developments this can entail many pleasures:::Medicine "cures" aging, the "manufacture" of incredible beauty via cloning as sex slaves, free (synthetic) cocaine, etc.
Somewhere during the 1000 years the party will start to "die off", literally. Only those who maintain chaste, pure lifestyles, resisting these temptations, will survive the 1000 years. Condemned to experience another epoch of planet's history for their ignorant pursuit of xtianity, they will be the candidates used to (re)colonize (the next) Planet Earth, condemned to relive the misery experienced by the peasantry during history due to their failure to ascend into heaven before the Apocalypse.
Never forget:::It is not a house of Jesus.
If this concept of Lucifer is true another role of this individual may be to initiate disfavor and temptation among this new poulation, the proverbial "apple" of this Garden of Eden. A crucial figure in the history of any planet, he begins the process of deterioration and decay that leads civilizations to where Planet Earth remains today.
Which one is it? Probably both:::
One transitions into the other, allowing the gods to wash their hands of obligation to their Chosen One.
Shame.
You are faced with a lifetime to work and prepare for your next chance. Too many will waste this time working, etc.

Keeping On Jesus' Message

In a previous comment thread, some questions regarding Jesus' Transfiguration on the Mountain came up. See what Luke wrote about this event:

Luk 9:26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and [in his] Father's, and of the holy angels.


Luk 9:27 But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.


Luk 9:28 And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.


Luk 9:29 And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment [was] white [and] glistering.


Luk 9:30 And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:


Luk 9:31 Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.


Luk 9:32 But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.


Luk 9:33 And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said.


Luk 9:34 While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.


Luk 9:35 And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.


Luk 9:36 And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept [it] close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen.

It is interesting to note that in the NIV version, Luke 9:33 is stated as:

"As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, "Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." (He did not know what he was saying.)"

Peter "did not know what he was saying."

The notes tell us more:

When Peter suggested making three shelters, he may have been thinking of the Feast of Tabernacles, where shelters where set up to commemorate the exodus, God's deliverance from slavery in Egypt. Peter wanted to keep Moses and Elijah (Elias) with them. But this was not what God wanted. Peter's desire to build shelters for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah may also show his understanding that real faith is built on three cornerstones: the law, the prophets, and Jesus. But Peter grew in his understanding, and eventually he would write of Jesus as the "chosen and precious cornerstone" of the church (1 Peter 2:6).

When the voice of God the Father (verse 35) came from the cloud, He was telling the disciples to LISTEN to Jesus. Why? Because He proclaimed him to be His Son. Jesus has been given the authority, from God Himself, to have such power and authority.

Unfortunately, there are many "false teachers, false prophets, and false Christs" in the world today. They appear to be lovers of God and His Christ, but they are actually "wolves in sheep's clothing." This tells us that they will lead those who follow such men (or women) astray. My blogging friend Neil over at Eternity Matters has a post up describing a man who could be described as a perfect example of a false teacher.

So, how does one not get caught up in a cult, or the teachings of someone who would cause a person genuinely seeking God's Truth to drift (or be dragged) away from the Man of Truth - Jesus Christ?

It's easy, actually. Just remember that if a person's teaching is true, it will agree with Jesus' teachings. TEST EVERYTHING YOU HEAR AGAINST JESUS' WORDS, AND YOU WILL NOT BE LED ASTRAY.

This serves as a warning not to seek advice or guidance from merely human sources. Knowing God's Word, the Bible through having studied it yourself with the guidance of the Holy Spirit (which happens once you are born again in Christ) will keep you on message - on Jesus' message, that is!

God the Father Himself told Peter and all the others standing there - each of them in awe of what they had just seen (The Transfiguration) that they were to listen to Jesus and not to their own ideas and desires. This is crucial, folks! There can be many secular, well-meaning people out there (Oprah comes to mind) who follow the "politically correct" ideas of the world (i.e. all "faiths" worship the same God) and think that they are doing good and a service to those seeking the truth. But watch out!! Humans are fallible beings! They like to think that a concept such as the "coexist" movement is pleasant, loving, and deserving of admiration. But if such a movement leads you away from Christ, what good is it?

Jesus himself said:

Luk 9:24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.


Luk 9:25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?


Luk 9:26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and [in his] Father's, and of the holy angels.

Being born again gives one the ability to follow Jesus. This gives us the confidence about who he is. When we believe that he is God's Son, then we will want to do what he says!

Hat tip:

Eternity Matters

Vital Fruit Inspections

Don't become confused. I'm not writing about agricultural-type fruit inspections!

One of my favorite Christian blog authors, Bill Muehlenberg of Australia, has written an excellent post called "The Desperate Need for Biblical Discernment" over at his Culture Watch blog.

Please share the link with your Christian brothers and sisters. The need for biblical discernment seems to be increasing exponentially as the years go by. Why? Because the warnings that Jesus Christ himself gave us in Matthew 7:15-23 are happening at such an alarming rate these days. The false prophets, false teachers, anti-christs, etc. are creeping into the churches unnoticed at times, and the people who are being duped by such charlatans need to be awakened and shown the Truth.

My comment there (in moderation at the moment):

Bill, you have the wonderful skill, the keen ability, and the spirit of a willing soul to write essays that are so important for the times that we live in today. How timely, how excellent, and how teachable is this article!

Our former church pastor used to tell the congregation to "call him out" if what he shares in any sermon is not Bible-based. We attended that church for about ten years. Suddenly, when the church as a whole wanted to do an in home Bible study on Rick Warren's "The Purpose Driven Life," I began to see the compromise creeping in. What stirred me to recognize it? The fact that Warren's video "welcome" and introduction to the book study course left out the fact of the need for confession of sin and repentance at the foot of the cross of Christ! Several other study leaders noticed this as well. When I raised my hand and shared my concern about this, the lecturer/leader organizer just shrugged his shoulders and said, "I'll look into it." Never heard anything back about this gross error in presenting how to be born again in Christ. So, since I was committed to being a leader I added what was missing to the prayer of salvation and during the six weeks of in home study, made sure that the people attending knew what was needed to be saved according to John 3.

I had recently contacted you via email about an error in judgment that was done by another pastor and church that we formerly attended. Thanks again for your great discernment and advice.

These are not frivolous problems or disagreements. They are huge! That's why we have the warnings in Scripture that you have pointed out here. Warnings to beware - directly from Jesus himself!

I love your last paragraph - especially the need for "vital fruit inspections." Can I borrow that great phrase for my blog post title today as I link to your essay?

God bless you Bill. Your Holy Spirit led discernment abilities shines through like a ray of light on this darkened world of sin, evil and death. I admire you greatly for your essays and articles that teach us well and bring Bible-based wisdom alive to Christians all around the world here at this blog!

Hat Tip:

Culture Watch

Can Someone Tell Me Why This is O.K.??

Just received an email from PFOX (Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays) and this is what was written in it:

Steele Rejects Former Homosexuals, Applauds Gay Former RNC Chairman

Ex-Gays met with Ed Gillespie, Steele's predecessor

Washington, DC - Sept. 1, 2010/Republican National Committee Chairman (RNC) Michael Steele's actions are a slap in the face to Ex-Gays and conservatives who support traditional marriage. After former RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman came out of the closet as a homosexual last week to advocate for gay marriage, Steele commented that he was "happy for Ken" and "respects him personally and professionally."

"So Steele respects the former leader of the GOP who now stands in contradiction to his own party's official platform, but refuses to meet with Ex-Gays who support the party's values," commented Christopher Doyle, former homosexual and Board Member of Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays (PFOX).

"Steele can respect anyone he wants to personally, but it is troubling that the Chairman is using his position to applaud Mehlman, who was deceitful about his sexual preference during his leadership of the RNC," said Doyle.

In a 2009 interview with GQ Magazine, Steele went on record saying he believes marriage should be between a man and a woman, but that he wanted to make the Republican Party more "accessible" and didn't need to "backslide" on the party's values to do that.

Steele also said he believed the prevailing view was that people who have same-sex attractions are born that way, and that they can't stop being gay, just as African-Americans can't stop being Black.

In the past, Ex-Gays met with Ed Gillespie, one of Steele's RNC predecessors. To date, PFOX has made a dozen requests to sit down with the Chairman so he can meet former homosexuals, understand the origins of same-sex attraction, and learn how people can change, but Steele has refused to meet with leaders of the Ex-Gay movement, including African-Americans.

"It appears that Steele is ignoring Gillespie's example and following Mehlman's inconsistent leadership style: personally believe one thing, but professionally support the opposite," said Doyle. "It's time for the RNC to start choosing leaders who actually stand up for conservative values, rather than make the party accessible to those who want to radically transform it."

###

Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays (PFOX) leads the nation in providing education and public awareness in support of families and the ex-gay community. They can be reached at http://pfox.org/about_us.html

I have heard that the rejection of the ex-gay community is rampant! In this Obama-age of progressive leanings towards acceptance of anyone and everyone who might be deemed "different" or who would be discriminated against, WHY IS THIS ACCEPTABLE?

I have heard ex-gay people tell me that being ex-gay, conservative, and Christian is one of the least tolerated ways to live. They are endlessly rejected for who they are, cursed at, called disparaging names, eliminated from discussions (as noted in the email) and given the image of being pariahs rather than individuals in whom God has redeemed from sexual behavior that they no longer wanted to participate in. As if all of that isn't bad enough, I would imagine that the added fact of being and African-American (or Latino) Ex-Gay might make it even worse!

Comments people???

Pluralism and Interfaith Consciousness? Or THE TRUTH!

In the comment thread section of my previous post, "Anonymous" came along and wrote the following:

Anonymous said...
Eboo Patel's placement is no accident. He has direct ties with the Tony Blair Faith Foundation and Rick Warren. Patel is founder and Executive Director of the Interfaith Youth Core, a Chicago-based institution building the GLOBAL interfaith youth movement.


Now check over
http://interfaith2010.naz.edu/
Notice again Obama's Eboo Patel who sits on his Advisory Council of the White House Office of Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Eboo is working to realize the President's priority of interfaith cooperation.(coming in through faith-based initiatives and youth community service) Listed speakers have all the connects. There is BeliefNet , owned by Rupert Murdoch. TED talks and-the (New Ager) Karen Armstrong, Bill Gates (population control), Amy Gutmann (transgender sex change funding college), etc. the whole futurist platform. Mentioned also is the Charter for Compassion and The Clinton Global Initiative...How fast can you list the UN's Millennium Goals?

Last April's conference covered:

4/11 - "The Art of Dialogue: Interfaith Dialogue Across the Generations"
4/11 - "The Divine Feminine: The Foundation of the Abrahamic World"
4/12 - "Acts of Faith: Interfaith Leadership in a Time of Global Religious Crisis"

Listen to the words of Patel himself speaking at the radically left Tides Foundation(which features a Buddhist-type altar and hosts other environmental, spiritual, educational, and governmental organizations sharing a common crusade of building a unified, earth-friendly GLOBAL civilization based on "new" universal beliefs and values. Listen carefully to his diversity speech on "democracy and pluralism" and "interfaith consciousness."

http://www.momentumconference.org/speaker-presentation/speaker/eboo-patel/presentation/religious-pluralism-in-a-democracy/index.html

As the world quickly moves towards the one world religion and interspirituality decide for whom you will serve. Our youth are being seduced away. Have you warned them to beware? How many are in God's word to discern truth and error? Who will stand fast for Jesus Christ, LORD and Savior?

Ephesians 5:6-11

July 27, 2010 12:38:00 PM PDT

If you visit those links, you will find out much more information about Eboo Patel and his involvement with the Obama Administration's Advisory Council of the White House Office of Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.

In response to Anonymous's post and links I wrote:

Christinewjc said...
Checked this one out: http://interfaith2010.naz.edu/
and the symbols of different religions in the avatar at the top of the page reminds me of the "coexist" symbols I have seen on cars. The word starts with the symbol of Islam (crescent and star) for the "c" in coexist, and ends with the "t" for the cross at the end of the word. Hmmm...kinda shows which one is valued more - doesn't it? The letters in between represent other religions.

I know. Non-Christians who often post here and hate my religious beliefs of Biblical Christianity will surmise that I'm intolerant - or worse. Well - Jesus was certainly intolerant and CLEAR when he said:

Jhn 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

People can be namby-pamby about religion all they want. But the truth is - not all religions can possibly be correct. That's the truth of the matter! The "can't we just all get along" ideology doesn't work when it comes to the decision on faith and salvation.

Jesus asks each of us, "Who do you say that I am?" Each of those other religions could only answer that he is a "good teacher," or "a great prophet," or "a good man" etc. In order to believe in an interfaith type of gobbledy-gook. Are you thinking what's so wrong with that? I will tell you. They will lead people astray! They would need to leave out what Peter (correctly) answered:

Mat 16:16 Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

Why?

Because if they did include that answer - then all of the other religions would be proven false!

God is not a God of confusion! He gave us His Written Word - the Bible, and His Living Word - Jesus Christ and I believe that Jesus is who He says He is! The Holy Spirit of God brings back to our minds what God has told us in His Word - and leads us into all understanding of the Scriptures. Those who are born-again in Christ will not be fooled by those who preach a different gospel - a false gospel which only leads the hearer into spiritual oblivion.

We were warned that the closer we get to the end times, there will be:

Mat 24:24 "For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.

You will notice that "the elect" WON'T be deceived! And we aren't deceived by groups like the one at that link!

July 27, 2010 3:55:00 PM PDT

Apparently, Kevin didn't like my response and he wrote:

Kevin said...
Hi Christine,
You state: "Hmmm...kinda shows which one is valued more - doesn't it?"
Actually Christine, being the first C in the word Coexist does not mean that the religion is more important! It is a symbol of all the religious symbols and the hope that we can all get along without killing each other. There is no conspiracy theory here.
Wouldn't it be nice if all the various religious would just let people make up their own mind which religion they wanted to follow? Just think how many lives would be saved if we stopped fighting over that.

July 27, 2010 5:26:00 PM PDT

So I replied:

Christinewjc said...
Kevin,

The various religions do already [have the opportunity] to all get along here in the U.S. But when one religion chops off the heads of the "infidels" and straps bombs to their bodies and blows themselves up at a Jewish wedding, market, or school; and when that same religion hijacks planes and crashes them into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and one that was aimed for either the White House or Congressional building but landed in a field in Pennsylvania because some brave passengers charged the cockpit and wouldn't let the radical Muslims carry out their evil deed; then the "wouldn't it be nice" mantra that you obviously believe in doesn't recognize an evil religious belief when it is right before your very eyes!

People CAN make up their own minds which religion they want to follow in America. But just think how many lives would be saved if we stopped radical Islam from fighting their jihad and forcing their Sharia law and hard-core beliefs upon the world?

July 27, 2010 7:28:00 PM PDT

Kevin hasn't responded yet, but as I awoke this morning several verses came to my mind. I have expanded upon them here:


Isa 55:8 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD.

Isa 55:9 "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.

Although secular man values "pluralism" and "interfaith consciousness," the Lord God requires truth. Those two so-called values may sound nice to the ear, look pleasant to the eye, and satisfy the flesh, but they are worthless spiritually.

Earlier verses in Isaiah give those who have strayed from God through "pluralism" and "interfaith consciousness" the way of return:

Isa 55:6 Seek the LORD while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near.


Isa 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.

It is important to read all of Romans 1, however, for the purpose of this particular discussion, I have selected certain verses that can be applied here:

Rom 1:17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."


Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,


Rom 1:19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.


Rom 1:20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,


Rom 1:21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.


Rom 1:22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,


Rom 1:23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

Rom 1:24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,


Rom 1:25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

The "pluralism" and "interfaith consciousness" is a form of "exchanging the truth of God for the lie." What the people who are doing this are actually accomplishing is "worship and serv[ing] the creature" [i.e. man, beast, idol (like the golden calf of the Old Testament), false prophets (Muhammad), false christs (eg. making Christ in their own image like the homosexual "bishop" Gene Robinson and other do)], etc.

In the following list of those who "God gave over to a debased mind" we see examples of those that could be applied to the ideas of religious pluralism and interfaith consciousness:

Rom 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;


Rom 1:29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, [fn] wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers,


Rom 1:30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,


Rom 1:31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, [fn] unmerciful;


Rom 1:32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.
[Note: Bold mine]

Oftentimes, people focus on the sins that aren't in bold. However, notice that according to the righteous judgment of God - those who practice any or all of those things are deserving of death. What's more, Paul mentions that "those who approve of those who practice them" are also deserving of death. This reiterates that all sin is punishable by death. That is why Jesus Christ's sacrifice on the cross at Calvary and subsequent resurrection from the dead is the ONLY way to be forgiven and reconciled back unto the Father.

These people can dance around their religious pluralism and interfaith consciousness, celebrating it in their own minds (just like the Israelites danced around the golden calf "god" of their own making while their leader out of captivity - Moses - was away receiving the Ten Commandments from God); but as the previous verses point out, "their thoughts are not God's thoughts."

Since every word of the Bible is for reproof and correction, those who would violate God's Word with their own humanistic wisdom are guilty of "exchanging the truth for the lie."

Notice that the word "the" is before the word "lie." What is the lie? Why, it's the same lie from old that Jesus warns us about time and time again in the Scriptures:

Jhn 8:44 "You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.

1Jo 2:4 He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

Hat Tip:

Blue Letter Bible

Looking For Christian Reviews On This Essay!

When I read the title of the latest post over at Herescope: Restoring the Gospel of Salvation, I was excited to read it. The title of the article, however, was a bit different from the title of the post, which asks, "Does not the salvation of sinners trump national restoration?"



Without revealing my reaction after reading the editorial, I present it here - in its entirety - so that readers can write their own thoughts, comments, positive and/or critical reviews about what was written in the essay. I am especially interested in what other Christians think about the article, though all are invited to share their opinions as well. I plan to reveal my thoughts, comments and reactions to the post sometime over the next two days.

Happy reading! I encourage each Christian reading here to put on your apologetics hat and take some time to comment about what you have read!

In Christ,

Christine

*******

Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Restoring the Gospel of Salvation

Does not the salvation of sinners trump national restoration?




An Editorial by Rev. Dr. Orrel Steinkamp



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

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

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

Paul wasn't worried about imperial palace intrigue in Rome. Obama is just being a politician from the Left. Like all politicians before him he has an agenda. We do not have to accept these principles and we can vote our conscience and financially support the campaigns of our choice. In the current political stalemate this could qualify me as a liberal. Well! I didn’t vote for Obama and I didn’t vote for McCain. I was comfortable with making a write-in choice, one I know my every reader would support. I don't like Obama's stance on many things personally, and I deeply resent his reference to two fathers on fathers day. But neither did I appreciate "born-again" President Bush's statement to Muslim leaders that we both pray to the same God.

Nevertheless, Romans 13 states with clarity that God puts up rulers of His choice for His purposes. I may not agree with God's choice and can't always see His purpose, but I am commanded to pray for the rulers our Sovereign God raises up.

Is it for Christian evangelists to suffer near frenetic emotional exhaustion in the political war games arcade? Is the eternal purpose of God hanging on such a thin thread? Is the biblical Jehovah really such a wimp deity, and a weak onlooker to the affairs of men, hoping Christians will overcome politically and take back dominion our God supposedly lost in the Garden of Eden and a establish the kingdom of God in the earth?

America survived Clinton, Hoover, and a corrupt Ulysses Grant, and it will continue to survive if it is God’s will. My God is a sovereign who could overcome Egyptian Pharaohs (after Israel was in bondage for 300 years) and could even raise up Cyrus, a pagan ruler, to accommodate Israel’s return to Jerusalem. Paul never ever looked to Rome except to use his Roman citizenship for the furtherance of the Gospel.

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

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

The Jerusalem that Jesus entered was a political hotbed. The people were involved in every possible action to drive out the pagan Romans from the holy city. When Jesus entered on Palm Sunday He purposefully fulfilled an Old Testament prophesy of the coming messiah by riding into the city on a young donkey. "Hosanna in the Highest" the crowd cried. Hosanna means “save us now." They treated Him as political messiah who would use his supernatural powers to drive out the Romans and RESTORE JERUSALEM. Did they look for a suffering savior who would bear the sins of the people? Hardly! By the time Jesus went to the cross they were all long gone.

Even the Romans saw Jesus as political threat. The quisling Jewish leaders, in collaboration with the Romans, were afraid of a political uprising. But the Messiah came for the redemption of sinners, not a political restoration of the Jewish State. It is safe to say the reason Jesus died nearly alone is because it was not "His Hour" to Judge the nations. It was only "His hour" to go to the cross. Why did He die nearly alone?

The Jews, and even His disciples, expected Jesus "to save now, hosanna." The Dominionists today are crying "hosanna now." They claim we can restore what Jesus failed to do in His first advent. But the resurrected Jesus had to tell His disciples that it was not for them to know the times and the season that the Father has fixed, by His own authority," to restore the Kingdom to Israel.

On the cross Jesus could have called 10,000 angels for His rescue. But this would have totally contravened the plan of redemption from sin decreed by God (not "decreed" by a fake apostle!) from the foundation of the world. Redemption from sin remains to this day the focus of the kingdom of God. Jerusalem was filled with zealots (we would call them undercover militia). They were called the sicarii (Latin for dagger), for they hid daggers in their robes to assassinate Romans and collaborators. Even the Essene community at the Dead Sea was calling for a final battle between the Sons of God (Israel) and the Sons of Darkness.

Into this political milieu Jesus never uttered a solitary political word. He made it plain that “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). He, however, looked forward to when the Son of Man would RETURN and when He then would judge the nations. But until that great and awesome Day of the Lord, when the Savior would return on the clouds of glory, He was not striving for an earthly kingdom. He was content with establishing a church, His body upon the earth. Many in His day were offended by Him because He apparently had not political ambitions. Judas is speculated to be among them. Jesus asserted with force that His day to rule the nations awaited His second return, when He would judge the nations like a shepherd divides His sheep from the goats.

G. Peter Wagner, chief apostle of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), made a tactical decision to see Dominionism as temporarily consistent with democracy. I have not been able to locate when and where Wagner made such an "apostolic decree." But, indeed, the Kingdom of God cannot ultimately be a democracy. For Wagner and any other Dominionist, the democratic process can only be a way station on the road to their "kingdom of God on the earth," which is prior to the real Parousia.

Wagner's tactical decision (as opposed to strategic decision) was a major change. It opened the way for the false apostles and prophets to enter the political arena. So now "apostle" Lou Engle is free to lay apostolic hands of blessing on 3-time divorcee Newt Gingrich. Now the NAR apostles and prophets, thanks to Janet Porter and WorldNetDaily, can take their equal places in politics. Now they have the blessing of James Dobson, who endorsed Janet Porter’s May Day event at the Lincoln Memorial. Now Cindy Jacobs, prophetess extraordinaire, who had a visit of the Seraphim in her room that caught it on fire, can share the stage with Newt Gingrich. Now Rick Joyner, who has his own political action organization which he calls the Oak Initiative -- and who reportedly made a trip to heaven and heard Martin Luther repent of the Reformation -- can rub shoulders with James Dobson.

So now these self-anointed, self-appointed apostles of the NAR, laden down with false signs and wonders, false apostolic decrees, and false prophets -- who compete with each other in imaginary "can you top this" fraudulent oracles supposed to be from God -- have been given the kiss of acceptance by Christian Right politicians, including James Dobson. The apostles and prophets see this as a match made in heaven, a giant step toward appointing apostles as governors of every state and province in the world, complete with in-house prophetic seers to make supernatural decisions.

But I for one see it as blip in church history (like the Montanists of the 1st century), a match made in the pit of political desire for power before our King returns in His glory.

Introducing "One of Seven-Thousand" Blog!

My blogging friend, and one of my favorite commentators here at Talk Wisdom, has recently started his own blog! Gary Baker of One of Seven-Thousand blog has a wonderful post up today! It is entitled Left Christianity or "Who Would Jesus Mug?"

I highly recommend reading it!

So far, my two comments are awaiting moderation. I wrote this comment in response to his first post:

Can I just say that I am THRILLED to hear that you have decided to create this new blog? Just don’t forget to come over to Talk Wisdom and “rescue” me from the usual band of naysayers! ha ha!! I always look forward to reading your excellent comments –filled with information, wisdom, reason and most importantly, biblical discernment!

I am so glad that the Holy Spirit of God has led you to this decision. I am adding you to my blogroll immediately! People are going to be SO blessed and educated through your keen insight regarding current cultural issues. Your wonderful ability to apply biblical discernment towards current events and issues we are all facing today is truly a blessing and a gift from the Lord.

May God bless all of your efforts here – as I know He will!

In Christ,
Christine


My second comment was in response to Left Christianity, or “Who Would Jesus Mug?”


Christinewjc
August 10, 2009 at 12:44 am
What a great post Gary!! An SO TRUE!!

The following phrase reveals so much:

“The Christian Left agenda, at least as practiced so far by President Obama and the Democrats, relies heavily on the force of government to mandate “good” by the people.”

Yes. It is obvious that government is their “god.” Otherwise, why would they hate Bible-based Christians so much?

It is my opinion that the deep-down, ultimate reason is because the true God of the universe interferes with their “golden calf” god-idol agenda of their own making – government.

Another paragraph that is very telling:

It is often said that Jesus fed the poor and hungry, and that he wants us to do the same. Very true. He wants us to look out for each other. This is true. He wants us to care for the sick, the homeless, and the needy. All true.

But Jesus never used force to get people to do it.

Bingo!!!

What I am wondering is when will the Christian Left ever realize how damaging Obama’s agenda (including Congress) is to our nation and finally have their eyes opened to this fact?

Hat Tip:

One of Seven-Thousand

*******
While going through my bloated email inbox, I ran across another devotional that I thought I would share with readers here.

Faith's Checkbook by C.H. Spurgeon
Wednesday August 5, 2009
http://bible.christiansunite.com/devotionals.shtml


Law in the Heart

"The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide." (Psalm 37:31).

Put the law into the heart, and the whole man is right. This is where the law should be; for then it lies, like the tables of stone in the ark, in the place appointed for it. In the head it puzzles, on the back it burdens, in the heart it upholds.

What a choice word is here used, "the law of his God"! When we know the LORD as our own God, His law becomes liberty to us. God with us in covenant makes us eager to obey His will and walk in His commands. Is the precept my Father's precept? Then I delight in it.

We are here guaranteed that obedient-hearted man shall be sustained in every step that he takes. He will do that which is right, and he shall therefore do that which is wise. Holy action is always the most prudent, though it may not at the time seem to be so, We are moving along the great highroad of God's providence and grace when we keep to the way of His law. The Word of God has never misled a single soul yet; its plain directions to walk humbly, justly, lovingly, and in the fear of the LORD are as much words of wisdom to make our
way prosperous as rules of holiness to keep our garments clean. He walks surely who walks righteously.

I especially liked the part where Spurgeon writes:

The Word of God has never misled a single soul yet; its plain directions to walk humbly, justly, lovingly, and in the fear of the LORD are as much words of wisdom to make our way prosperous as rules of holiness to keep our garments clean.

Amen!!

He walks surely who walks righteously.

Alan Keyes' Blog: Loyal to Liberty

I was excited to find out via WorldNetDaily that Alan Keyes now has a blog! It is called Loyal to Liberty - "Where faith gives reason for citizen action." What a great concept! Our Christian faith gives us all the reasons in the world to participate in citizen action; especially when we are witnessing right before our very eyes a power grab by Resident Obama and the Liberal majority in Congress. Notice that I didn't say Democrat majority. The reason is because there is a group of "blue dog" Democrats in the House who voted against the StimuWASTE bill while three RINO Republicans allowed it to pass in the Senate.

The liberal Senators and Congressmen are intent on dismissing the will of the majority of people in America. I have heard that the calls going into Washington were something like 1,000 to 1 AGAINST that bill!!

What does this tell us? It's unmistakably obvious.

There is a monumental disconnect between these elected officials and the American people that they are supposed to be representing!

I haven't done the proper research for this yet, but I am willing to bet that most of the 9 or 11 "blue dog" Democrats who voted against the wasteful spending are probably freshman representatives. They are most likely fiscal conservatives, too. They obviously haven't been corrupted by the Washington earmark gluttony that wreaks of the stench brought about by the lobby-frenzied, pay to play machine!! Let us hope and pray that they don't catch the disease.

Here are a few brief excerpts from Mr. Keyes latest post. He starts out with a comment from "Ed" that basically concludes:

In our battle to advance Reagan Conservatism how does promoting Christian morality help our cause?

At the Loyal to Liberty blog, Mr. Keyes lists and explains five tenets of conservatism. Here is just the list. Please read the explanations of each tenet Mr. Keyes blog.

1. The preservation of Freedom.

2. Securing the blessings of liberty.

3. Establishing limited government.

4. Promoting respect for law.

5. Preserving the moral basis of freedom.

Easy quiz. How many of these tenets do you think agree with basic Christian beliefs? Answer: all of them!

Lots of great information in the entire article! I especially appreciated the truth shared in this statement:

The real choice we face is between totalitarian government based ultimately on force, and self-government grounded upon respect for what is morally right.

So true today! Amen!

May we return to "self-government grounded upon respect for what is morally right" in America - just as our Founding Fathers intended!



Hat tips:

WorldNetDaily

Loyal to Liberty

The Gray Soup

I have a question. Is it true that the older we get the less sleep is required? For some reason, I have found myself falling asleep early in the evening (around 9 p.m.) but then waking in the wee hours of the morning - like 4 a.m. It must be the burden of worrying about the awful direction that our nation is currently headed.

The Lord is so good, though! Whenever I feel burdened in this way He leads me to books, Internet articles, encouraging emails and/or even an inspirational word from a friend that immediately reminds me that no matter what - God is with me, Jesus will never forsake me, and God is ultimately in control. When we live in this manner, in steadfast faith - no matter what happens on this earth - as believers, we can have the confidence that He is with us!

I'm sure that readers here have noticed how frequently I have linked to the writings of Rev. M. Bresciani over at American Prophet.org. Ever since I discovered his website, I have visited it faithfully each day. It is as if his writings speak to my concerns as he articulates just what is bothering me about this new administration.

Rev. Bresciani's latest article is just too good for words. I present it here in its entirety:

Liberalism is having its day on a global scale. The United States is only a notch behind Europe in becoming the second great home for secular liberalisms gray soup where all absolutism is dissolved into a giant pot of tolerance and diversity. It promises to feed the world but it is un-palatable under the strong light of truth.

When many ideas are allowed to co-exist in a democracy where the tolerance is generated by common respect, miracles can take place. When different ideas are quickly stirred and mixed together by the force of law only anger, confusion, contradiction and despair result.

The by product of forcing everyone to speak and even think alike is always contradiction. Ignorance of human nature is the stupidity that fuels liberalism. People levitate toward their own heartfelt convictions about God, country, politics and all else. The new liberalism seeks to require, to mandate, to legislate that we all think as we are “supposed to think.” We become the Borg (Gene Roddenberry’s forced one mind culture) and because the gray slop is now the rule of law “resistance is futile.” But is it?

For decades we have heard the adage “you can’t legislate morality.” Faith and Family’s Dr. Richard Land has an interesting take on this allegedly sage admonishment and is often quoted for saying, “You can’t legislate morality but you have to pass a lot of legislation to deal with the effects of immorality.”

It seems the effort to legislate laws to deal with the rapid rise of immorality is losing ground and now it is easier to allow a lot of things under the heading of personal freedom. We are fast approaching the place where liberalism empowered by the law will produce something equivalent to state sponsored personal anarchy. It is sort of the legalized version of “if it feels good, do it.”

The governments of both the US and the EU are figuratively saying “it’s all good!” For the moment it may seem that they are right but in the near future we will all realize they are miserably wrong. The fast moving train that neither country sees coming down the track has already begun to smash everything in its path.

When liberalism’s train of tolerance and diversity is empowered by law then it will be illegal to oppose or disagree with others beliefs. When it was a matter of conscience, Christians could live with a neighbor who was Buddhist or a Muslim and carry on a discourse or even “witness” to them of our faith if we thought to do so. This could put you in jail in the very near future. In Muslim countries it can and now does often result in being jailed or killed, in accordance with the law!

Enforcing gray slop laws has only one outcome and it is always contradiction. Prime examples exist today that read like a list of liberalisms world class absurdities. It takes only a cursory search of today’s headlines to see some of these absurdities. Here are a few examples.

According to The Spectator UK Jan 22, 2009 Dutch Freedom Party MP, Geert Wilders is to be put on trial for inciting hatred and discrimination for his remarks and for posting an anti-Koran film on the internet. Contrast this to a news report in the Telegraph UK also on Jan 22, 2009 that reports an Australian Muslim cleric has been teaching his followers that it is perfectly acceptable to rape and beat their wives. Perhaps the world’s liberals should donate funds to fly those Muslim women to Mr. Wilder’s trial and even sit on the jury! Does anyone want to guess what the verdict will be?

An article on the Wired Blog Network Jan 21, 2009 says “Obama Promises New Era of Openness.” The article goes on to say “United States President Barack Obama announced today that his administration will roll back the secrecy that has ruled during the Bush Administration and implement a new era of government openness and transparency.” While the libs are titillated the conservatives headed up by former Pennsylvania Asst. Attorney General Philip Berg and of late Dr. Orly Taitz, are livid for good reason. Dozens of documents from Obama’s school days going all the way back to his birth certificate remain under lock and key and so far not a court in the land has had the chutzpah to get them released. Write this under contradiction with a capital C.

Probably the most blaring contradiction of the day is the recent booing of outgoing President George Bush by the crowds at the inauguration of Barack Obama. Here stood the quintessential crowd of liberal progressives watching as their hope of tolerance, fair play and oneness recited the oath of office even as they showed open disdain, disrespect and even hatred for President Bush. This is the by product of liberalism and it is always contradiction.

The very idea that a President can stand before a crowd of one million and promise a better life for Americans even while he supports the ending of life for the unborn to the tune of 4,000 per day will have to top the list as the greatest single liberally generated absurdity of the day. The gray soup will produce many more contradictions in the future so where does it all end?

Secularism seeks to produce a “form of government” and a “form of utopian society” that will usher in a new age of blissful diversity and acceptance. It requires a leveling of many playing fields such as religion, politics, and let us not forget that great Devil we must all defeat together known as “global warming.” The new “form” of things looks so tantalizing as to be the very “form of Godliness” itself. This is where I would have to fall out and revert to the sage teachings of the Apostle Paul who for me not only has the last word but his word helps to illumine yet another blaring contradiction birthed from the liberal hype of the day.

Paul, warning of the state of things near the end of time as we know it, told his beloved young disciple Timothy, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” (2Tim 3:1-5)

I am always thankful that Paul didn’t mention that these same folks at the very least were busy hustling up some way to cool down their overheated planet. After seeing the behavior of the liberal constituency of this country and reading everything from their legislation to their blogs I now know who Paul was speaking of. The gray soup Paul is speaking of is now so very close to home.

*******

Notice that Rev. Bresciani labels the liberal mentality that is sweeping the nation these days as "Borg-like." This has been one of my favorite analogies regarding "liberal think" - but especially when it is applied to Obamamania.

These two parts of Rev. Bresciani's essay say it much better than I ever could:

...liberalisms gray soup where all absolutism is dissolved into a giant pot of tolerance and diversity. It promises to feed the world but it is un-palatable under the strong light of truth.

The by product of forcing everyone to speak and even think alike is always contradiction. Ignorance of human nature is the stupidity that fuels liberalism. People levitate toward their own heartfelt convictions about God, country, politics and all else. The new liberalism seeks to require, to mandate, to legislate that we all think as we are “supposed to think.” We become the Borg (Gene Roddenberry’s forced one mind culture) and because the gray slop is now the rule of law “resistance is futile.” But is it?

Let's repeat that one sentence in there that sets apart those who are biblically-based Christians vs. secular humanist liberals:

"Ignorance of human nature is the stupidity that fuels liberalism."

Oh my...THAT'S IT! That is the difference in a nutshell right there!

I am so grateful that Rev. Bresciani answers the ObamaBorg Bot mania of "resistance is futile" with the question:

But is it?

Answer: No! Resistance against evil is NEVER FUTILE!

As I had mentioned at the beginning of this post, after prayer, God often speaks to my heart of hearts, and my concerns of the day through pointing me in the direction of a book, email, blogpost, website article, comforting friend - you name it - at just the right time with just the right message. He has done so, once again, through Rev. Bresciani's essay, as well as the following email devotional message:

Faith's Checkbook by C.H. Spurgeon
Saturday January 24, 2009
Christians Unite Devotionals

Care of Our Feet

He will keep the feet of his saints. (1 Samuel 2:9)

The way is slippery and our feet are feeble, but the Lord will keep our feet. If we give ourselves up by obedient faith to be His holy ones, He will Himself be our guardian. Not only will He charge His angels to keep us, but He Himself will preserve our goings.

He will keep our feet from falling so that we do not defile our garments, wound our souls, and cause the enemy to blaspheme.

He will keep our feet from wandering so that we do not go into paths of error, or ways of folly, or courses of the world's custom.

He will keep our feet from swelling through weariness, or blistering because of the roughness and length of the way.

He will keep our feet from wounding: our shoes shall be iron and brass so that even though we tread on the edge of the sword, or on deadly serpents, we shall not bleed or be poisoned.

He will also pluck our feet out of the net. We shall not be entangled by the deceit of our malicious and crafty foes.

With such a promise as this, let us run without weariness and walk without fear. He who keeps our feet will do it effectually.

Amen!

Hat Tips:

American Prophet.org

Christians Unite devotionals

*******
Update 1/25/09 -

Speaking of "The Borg" of Star Trek fame, see Fausta's Blog.

Inaugural Malignant Narcissism

Anyone who has been paying attention to the proposed inaugural "festivities," already knows what perversity is in store for the viewers. How sad it is for a Christian organization to have to warn parents to keep their young children away from the T.V.! [Note: scroll down at site to read article].

In my last blog post, I mentioned an article in the comment section from WorldNetDaily that describes what will occur in certain hotel conference rooms before, during, and after inauguration day. I don't even want to link to it. But if you want to be even further disgusted, go to WorldNetDaily and find the article entitled, "pig sex." Apparently, the WND article contains a warning, but the links there contain even further warnings about the content. I just couldn't bring myself to visit the site and read the details of perversion that most likely are written about there.

Ever since the madness of the "no on Prop. 8" protests, homosexual activists - who came out in droves to punish, verbally abuse, physically abuse, and target those who they could find helped Prop. 8 pass - I have stayed away from this issue here at this blog. Some even went so far as to burn down houses and churches!!

Call my absence from the debacle "gay malignant-narcissism-mania fatigue!" However, I have shared additional news over at my Protect Biblical Marriage blog.

The rage that has been expressed by these rabid groups is reminiscent of the homosexual men in Sodom who pounded on Lot's door, attempting to break it down to get at the men (angels) whom Lot was attempting to protect - in order to have sex with them. They didn't care who they would trample over in order to get what they wanted.

Both homosexual "protests" have one thing in common. Malignant narcissism.




Back in July of 2007, I was invited to a conference in Texas that was designed to help people out of homosexual sin.

Integrity and The Cross Conference:
How Jesus Purifies Our Passions

Broken commitments, addictions, narcissism, homosexuality: rarely have Christians faced such enticement unto moral compromise. And been ensnared. Our witness as the body of Christ on earth is at stake. We can fight. We can know our vulnerabilities, and most importantly, the power of Jesus and His community to set (and keep) us free from compromise. Join us as we explore the power of the cross and resulting integrity. He is returning for a pure bride, without spot or blemish. "...give us an undivided heart, that we may fear your name" Psalm 86:11b

When I started this blog back in 2004, I was quite busy writing essays [scroll down - there are 32 essays listed!] regarding the huge push of radical, homosexual activists for the public to accept their behavior as a "good" thing, their overhaul of the public education system to "teach" about homosexuality, and how "hate crimes" legislation would lead to silencing Christians who follow Jesus Christ and His Word, the Bible. At first, they just wanted "equal rights." Then, through "hate crimes" laws, they would advance their agenda to "special rights." The combination of achieving "hate crimes" laws (more accurately - punishment for the wrong "thoughts" about homosexual perversion) and same-sex "marriage" would do away with the ability for Christians to proclaim the full Gospel of Jesus Christ. Why? Because the verses in the Bible that condemn homosexual behavior would be labeled as "hate thought" crimes and be banished from the public arena.

The good news is that not all people who happen to identify as homosexuals feel this way. There are conservative homosexuals/lesbians who do not push for this radical agenda. One of these people is Tammy Bruce. I give her the credit for coining the phrase, "malignant narcissism" regarding the perversity that is inherent in the radical homosexual communities and their repulsive agenda.

Essay from 2004:

At a prophecy conference this weekend at my church, Dr. Gary Frazier shared the fact that the gay marriage issue is a definite "sign of the times" that The Rapture of the church could very well be near. He was cautious not to predict any dates because 'no one knows the day or hour except the Father in heaven,' however, Jesus did warn us that it 'would be as in the days of Noah and the days of Lot.' The paganism that is rampant in the world right now is very reminiscent of the days of Noah and the days of Lot.


Although Dr. Frazier did not spend a lot of time on the issue of homosexual marriage, he did mention how the four judges in Mass. illegitimately decided this issue by anarchical decisions rather than allowing the question to be presented to the majority of people through the Legislature for a vote.

During his presentation, he shared a simple and quite humorous story about a group of kindergartners who were sitting in a circle and given a bunch of nuts and bolts. Each one had the common sense to see that a nut fits into a bolt! Not one tried to fit "two bolts" or "two nuts" together. The point? Even 5-yr. olds have more common sense than the rogue judges in Massachusetts!!

Recently, I heard some interesting comments from well-known lesbian commentator, Tammy Bruce. Bruce, who is against gay marriage, stated that homosexual pride extremism is a result of "malignant narcissism".

I looked up the definitions of those words:

malignant - 1. inclined to cause harm, suffering, or distress. 2. very dangerous or harmful in influence or effect. 3. a. tending to produce death, as bubonic plague. b. (of a tumor) characterized by uncontrolled growth; cancerous, invasive, or metastatic.

narcissism - 1. inordinate fascination with oneself; excessive self-love; vanity. 2. Psycho anal. erotic gratification derived from admiration of one's own physical or mental attributes.

Then I thought about Romans 1:28 -

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;
New King James Version © 1982 Thomas Nelson

And, a more modern translation of the same verse:


When they refused to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their evil minds and let them do things that should never be done.
New Living Translation © 1996 Tyndale Charitable Trust



I have often contemplated what "God gave them up" and "God gave them over" truly means in the context of these verses.

Rom 1:24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:


Rom 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.


Rom 1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:


Rom 1:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.


Rom 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;


Rom 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,


Rom 1:30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,


Rom 1:31 Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:


Rom 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.


There are a multitude of sins listed above. They could be applied to many of the excesses and obsessions concerning sexuality....pornography, adultery, fornication, prostitution, bigamy, incest, pedophilia etc., as well as the non-sexual sins listed. But I think that Tammy Bruce's idea of "malignant narcissism" explains many of them, if not all, quite well. /end of 2004 article

The homosexual assault upon our culture has increased to such a magnitude over the past four years it is just absolutely astounding. If you have not already read the two links above ("The Days of Noah" and "The Days of Lot") then you need to read them! The Lord Jesus Christ referred to such days and what was occurring then as a "sign of the times" in the future which will indicate that his return is getting closer.

Our need for discernment in such a time as this could not be more urgent! As followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to be active in pointing the lost towards Christ for the salvation of their souls. We need to "redeem the time because the days are evil."

Eph 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;


Eph 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour.


Eph 5:3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;


Eph 5:4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.


Eph 5:5 For this ye know, that no whore monger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.


Eph 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.


Eph 5:7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.


Eph 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now [are ye] light in the Lord: walk as children of light:


Eph 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit [is] in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)


Eph 5:10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.


Eph 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove [them].


Eph 5:12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.


Eph 5:13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.


Eph 5:14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.


Eph 5:15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,


Eph 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.


Hat Tip:

My friend Dran who sent me an email alerting me to this article:

Christian Anti-Defamation Commission

Thoughts on "Escape from Hamas" Special

Any readers here see the Jonathan Hunt Fox News Special story, "Escape from Hamas" this weekend? If you did, you might believe that it was quite convincing. The special came as a result of Hunt's interview back in August of 2008 - Son of Hamas Leader Turns Back on Islam and Embraces Christianity.

Excerpt:

Mosab Hassan Yousef is an extraordinary young man with an extraordinary story. He was born the son of one of the most influential leaders of the militant Hamas organization in the West Bank and grew up in a strict Islamic family.

Now, at 30 years old, he attends an evangelical Christian church, Barabbas Road in San Diego, Calif. He renounced his Muslim faith, left his family behind in Ramallah and is seeking asylum in the United States.

The story of how his life unfolded is truly amazing, whether you agree or disagree with his views. Below is a transcript on an exclusive FOX News interview with Hassan as he tells firsthand how a West Bank Muslim became a West Coast Christian.

I want to say, at the start, that this man's testimony could very well be genuine. I hope and pray that it is! But, as Ronald Reagan always said, "Trust, but verify."

Time has a way of proving whether or not a person's conversion is genuine. Take Walid Shoebat, for example. He has been active in promoting awareness of radical Islam for many years. He appeared in and promoted the stunning documentary, "Obsession: Radical Islam's War Against the West".

One of the reasons why I might doubt this former Hamas member's conversion is because I did not see (at the article link), nor hear (during the documentary) that he has been born again in Jesus Christ. Again, he might very well have BEEN born again. As with all conversions to Christ, it is a matter of the heart and totally between God and each individual person whether or not true conversion has occurred. I was just surprised (and wary) of this particular individual testimony because he did not verbalize the most important element of conversion - the fact that Jesus told us, "You must be born again."

Jhn 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

Jhn 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

1Pe 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

During a discussion about the popular New Age guru, Deepak Chopra, over at Gateway Pundit blog, I shared the fact that people often mix religious beliefs and create their own brand of religion (and followers) for personal gain, prowess, profit, and even deceptive purposes. Chopra has made tons of money on his books. Contrary to what he often states about "not imposing his personal beliefs" onto the public, nothing could be further from the truth. Why would he write all of those books if he wasn't trying to sell the ideas contained in them?

I have often suspected that Chopra is a relativistic, religious, New Age brand of Hindu. Back in 2005, my suspicions about him became much more apparent. He appeared on a short-lived T.V. show called, "Faith Under Fire" and debated Christian Apologist Greg Koukl on the show. Lets just say that Koukl graciously, faithfully and kindly absolutely steamrolled Chopra's illogical New Age gobbledy-gook with the truth about Christ and the Bible.

The broadcast was absolutely fabulous! Greg Koukl pointed out the fact that people can have differing beliefs regarding faith, but that it is logically impossible for them all to be true at the same time. His trust in Jesus Christ and God's Word stood in direct contrast to Deepak Chopra who admitted "embracing his uncertainty." Koukl's view demonstrates a steadfast and true faith where Chopra's view can only lead to theological oblivion.

In the comment thread of the post, Deepak Chopra Offers Obama 9 Steps to Peace (Collapse of Western Civilization) over at Gateway Pundit, Chopra's letter to Obama is even further evidence that he not only lives among the theologically oblivious - but also points to the fact that he is a card-carrying member of a dangerously minded political crowd, too.

What is also disturbing is that Chopra has recently written a book about a "new kind of Jesus." You see, talking about Jesus does not necessarily mean that one actually believes in the Jesus of the Bible.

The sad fact is, there are many, many instances of false conversions. It's just a fact of life. Let me share an example from the opposite side of the issue.

Recall when Steve Centanni of Fox News was captured by Islamic militants and held in captivity for some time? When he was finally released, we learned that Steve agreed to "renounce his Christianity (or, was it in fact renounce "Jesus Christ?") and embrace Islam. News reports told us that he did that - just to save his life and get to see his family again.

Were his words a false conversion? Probably. He would say anything to be spared death and be reunited with his family. But were his words important to the Islamic terrorists? I'm sure they were. Perhaps he was believable enough to be spared his life. [Please note: I am not judging Mr. Centanni, just using this as an example to show that false "conversions" of any religious type can, and do happen.]

After 9/11, we have been told numerous times that radical Islam's goal is to invade the United States from within her boarders. The fact that this terrorist attack was successful is proof of this goal. Who is to say that utilizing a false conversion to Christianity won't be tried to gain America's trust?

It appears that I'm not the only person who is wary of this former Hamas leader's son's conversion to Christianity:

BG writes:

Now to this, what do you guys think of "Escape From Hamas"?? On FNC. Son of HAMAS Founder & Leader who was converted" by ONE Bible Passage by a Foreign Christian Visitor. Now he is in USA..no problem whatsoever getting past our Security. Past airports, gets past "immigration and customs" and whatever controls we have to keep the Terrorists OUT! Is he a "mole"?? He lives in CA! Think about it.
Agent 99 01.05.09 - 10:00 am #

I must admit. When I heard how easily a former Hamas leader's son - Mosab Hassan Yousef - got into the United States - getting past our security, airport checks, immigration and customs etc.; alarm bells went off in my mind.

Perhaps there is no need to worry about this one individual. His conversion may be genuine. But what about others who have escaped through our security detectors?

The 9/11 Islamic terrorists lived, worked, and mingled among Americans for years before they inflicted great harm and killed 3,000 people on that terrible day in September of 2001. They assimilated very well into our culture. Appeared to "like" us and worked alongside many Americans who were no doubt, later shocked when they discovered they knew the perpetrators who were involved in the carnage of 9/11.

Again, I hope and pray that this former Hamas member is genuinely converted and now a brother in Jesus Christ. But the part about him getting through all of the security checks that our country has set up since 9/11 is worrisome to me.

What are your thoughts?


Hat Tips:

Fox News

Obsession: Radical Islam's War Against the West

Gateway Pundit

Blogment Of The Day

A heated conversation from this previous thread deserves a post all its own. It has been quite a while since I have posted a "blogment." Welp...today's the day. To catch up on the conversation, go to this link and read the comments. I have brought just the last three over here:

Mike wrote:

spud tooley said...
[Note: Gary previously wrote] -

As for Mike, he kind of reminds me of Sylvester Stallone in Rocky before he got his head on straight. He could have been a decent fighter, but instead he settled for being a bone breaker for loan sharks. Mike could have been a decent intellect. Instead he sold his integrity to peddle lies. So tragic.

that was pretty cutting, gary.

but it's become quite clear to me that God has used this election to reveal the current state of Christians and the Christian church as being as far removed from what Jesus intended for today as the pharisees were from Him in His day.

to fail to see how "He associates with sinners and prostitutes" isn't the spitting image of "he hangs out with known terrorists" is past unbelievable to the point of being embarrassing ... for you.

and not to get too silly, but the similarity between the exchange of Jesus and the pharisees in John 8 and the lying accusations that you all throw up here time and again about obama is so perfect you could hold it up to a light and see the same outline.

no, he's not the messiah. but he's much closer to being the right man at the right time than the antichrist figure you all paint him as. and just to be a fly on the wall when you stand before God and say either 'well, they were saying the same things, too' or 'but i read it on the internet!' ... like the mastercard commercial says, that would be priceless.

carry on in your bitterness and naysaying. just stay out of the way while america tries to heal. as you see the times change, you're quite welcome to come alongside everyone else - and no one will say anything like 'i told you so.' we'll take grant at Appomattox as our example ... or maybe Jesus when he felt sorry for the smelly, stinking sheep, knowing that in the end they were simply without a shepherd.

-mr

October 30, 2008 11:51:00 AM PDT

Update: I am adding Gary's comment which appeared before mine in the thread:

Gary Baker said...
Mike,

You'll pardon me if I discount your comments on the state of the church. I'm not necessarily denying the assessment as it pertains to some quarters, but rather your ability to assess its condition in a reasonable light. As for the lying reference, as usual you have it wrong. My comment was not directed at Obama for being a liar, but toward you for peddling it. In your Mike Rucker Press article you give a lengthy, somewhat impassioned discussion of the benefits of Obama's proposed economic policy. It would be inspired were it not for one thing: It is entirely predicated on a lie.

You start out by stating that it appears that Obama is asking those with more means to contribute more to the less fortunate. We both know that's a lie though, don't we? He isn't asking. He is telling. He is trying to convince a majority of people to vote for him with the promise that he will take money from others and give it to them. Since that's the case, it isn't generosity, is it? I mean, let's face it: If the left really considered paying lots of money in taxes then they would already be saluting the successful people who pay far more of a percentage of their income. I'll make a deal with you Mike: Show me Christ said that it was good to steal from one man to give to another and I'll vote for Obama.

The argument is generally that they are only being asked to pay their fair share, but for some reason they never seem to give a good number of what that is. I'm nowhere near the the magic "250K" income figure, but I figure that between all of the taxes I pay it amounts to about 40% of my income to the government. That's getting close to half of every hour I work going to someone else. Who is Obama and who are you to say that I'm not already paying my fair share, especially since, unlike Obama, I contribute regularly to charity.

You and your guy are promoting envy, Mike. Coveting. The left can't stand the idea that someone might have something they don't, so they're reaching out to someone who claim's they'll take it away. And five years from now when socialism works its magic and the economy is in the toilet and everyone on the left is still bitter they'll all be thinking it wasn't supposed to turn out this way.

Your way won't heal the nation, Mike. If it could, Russia and China would have been well a long time ago.

My comment:

Mike,

You are being very nasty. You are an ill-informed, Biblically illiterate, unregenerate sinner. You deny the true Person of Jesus Christ and His Word, the Bible. You continually display your misunderstanding of what it means to be a true Christian. We are not perfect, just forgiven by a God who is perfect.

The documented evidence of Obama that has been posted at this blog is the truth. You do not wish to see it or acknowledge it. So be it. You choose to wear your blinders...right into spiritual, intellectual, physical and emotional oblivion.

YOU will have to answer to God one day for your rejection of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. In the end, THAT is the only thing that will matter in eternity.

One day, this temporary world of existence - that you cling to for your own brand of "hope" and "change" - will fall to dust and blow away.

Our only hope rests in Jesus Christ alone!

The Cross of Christ for salvation from our sins and the empty tomb of His resurrection to life shows us many things.

1. The huge and ultimate cost for our sin.
2. The mercy, forgiveness and grace of God to give us THE WAY (Jesus Christ) back to reconciliation with Holy God.
3. The ultimate hope rests in God alone - and in Jesus Whom He has sent to rescue us from ourselves.
4. The fact that Jesus is preparing a place for us - so that as the Scriptures inform "where He is, there we will be also."
5. The two questions God asks us while we are still in this world -

(a.) Who do you say that I (Jesus) am?
(b.) What have you done in your life to tell others about the gospel of salvation? (Jesus' last commandment - The Great Commission.)
(c.) Jesus said to us, "If you love Me, keep my commandments." This requires obedience.

Just whom do you obey, Mike?

When people put their trust in other people (I don't care who it is!), then they are bound to be disappointed. Those who put their trust in Jesus Christ will be victorious - no matter what happens here on this earth.

Just whom do you trust, Mike?

We are to love each other - as imperfect as we all are - because God has commanded us to do so. However, He doesn't say to NOT fight against evil, corruption, and sin. Using the truth of God's Word, I call it as I see God's revelation of it. And Obama is filled with (and actively using) all three vices.

Our Lord wants us to proclaim truth and dispel deception. He has already warned us that the truth will offend.

When I get discouraged or worried about this election (and, there is A LOT to be concerned about) I turn to Scripture for comfort during the storm.

Psalm 1 speaks of being absorbed in God's Word and to be in prayer for what concerns us. Paul's prayer for the Philippian church reiterates this:

And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God (Philippians 1:9-11)

Scripture also tells us to approve that which is excellent and holy, and to reprove that which is ungodly.

Favorite verses to live by:

Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

How apropos is the next verse regarding your postings here, Mike (yeah..the truth hurts sometimes)

2Ti 2:16 But shun profane [and] vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

Sorry Mike - your true nature is being exposed here at this blog. Real Christians can recognize what you are all about.

Of course, we will continue to pray for you. However, it does not mean that we won't expose you for what you believe and how it often counters the truth of God's Word.

James has good advice for all believers when encountering non-believers/skeptics/agnostics/atheists:

Jam 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.


Jam 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.


Jam 1:7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.


Jam 1:8 A double minded man [is] unstable in all his ways.

You see Mike, we are alert to your schemes:

1Pe 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and [be] ready always to [give] an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:


1Pe 3:16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

I care deeply about Christ - and I care immensely about America. I am willing to stick my neck out to expose the lies that have been drummed into the consciousness of our culture over the past 30 to 40 years. This may invoke ridicule (and often does) but God's Word tells me to use my gifts and talents that He has given me. On this blog, I have dedicated myself to dismantling the lies - precisely because my confidence is found in Christ alone.

You see, I understand the lies that are being thrown around in our culture and through God's grace and the leading of the Holy Spirit, I have obtained a good enough command of the truth that dispels such lies. The absolute truth is found nowhere else but in God's Word!

Jhn 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, [then] are ye my disciples indeed;


Jhn 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

When one is set free, he/she is free indeed!

No longer does a saved believer ever desire to go back to the bondage of the lie.

Why?

Because Jesus' promise is worth EVERYTHING!

Jhn 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.