Joel Osteen on Larry King Live

Joel Osteen and his wishy-washy don’t-step-on-anybody’s-toes kind of religion.

This false prophet/teacher does not speak for God nor for true Christianity. As one commenter said, it's not what Osteen "thinks" that is important...it is what God says.

For or against Homosexuality? Warren can't seem to Decide.

I've never been a fan of Rick Warren. He's too soft on sin and too big on being in the media and being the center of attention. Apparently Joseph Farah has the same feelings about Warren.

Rick Warren's gospel is not one of repentance but of acceptance, which is totally contrary to the message of the Bible. He also sorely lacks in an area that John the Baptist so keenly understood...

Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying. And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he [Jesus] that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.

John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.

He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.

He must increase, but I must decrease.

John 3:25-30

Warren is on magazine covers, book covers, at the White House, in the center of Presidential debates, on television, and anywhere else where there is a limelight.

Warren's personal Purpose-Driven-Life seems to be about increasing, not decreasing.

April 8 Follow up: Warren actually made the following statements (full article here). Keep in mind this is a man who claims to be a Christian and who is supposed to be a spiritual leader responsible for his flock:

"he has "never been and never will be" an "anti-gay or anti-gay marriage activist." [The opposite of anti-gay is pro-gay and the opposite of anti-gay marriage is pro-gay marriage]

" I never support a candidate, but on moral issues I come out very clear."
[Considering his remarks recently, I would say he's not too clear at all]

"I wrote to all my gay friends -- the leaders that I knew -- and actually apologized to them."

[Apologized? About what? You are weak on this issue that it is hard to tell where you actually stand. Your church members have to be confused after getting your letter, which seemed so strongly to support Prop 8, and then finding out you called "all (your) gay friends...and actually apologized to them."]

Why any true Christian follows anything this man says, writes or does is a puzzle to me, and I have friends in my own church who think his Purpose Driven stuff is really great. Sorry, I can't support this man in anything he does because I believe he is a false teacher.

Quote of the Week

Gene Robinson of New Hampshire, the first openly gay Episcopal bishop and an Obama supporter, was upset about Obama’s choice of Rick Warren to lead the invocation at his inauguration.

Gene was quoted by the Times as saying, “we’re talking about putting someone up front and center at what will be the most-watched inauguration in history, and asking his blessing on the nation. And the God that he’s praying to is not the God that I know.”

You are right, Gene. You don’t know the God that Rick will be praying to, because, as much as I disagree with Rick Warren on a lot of issues, the God he prays to says that homosexuality is an abomination, as well as is fornication – both of which you are guilty. Your God is not the God of Christianity.

Thanks for admitting it publicly.

Some Episcopalians Doing the Right Thing

I have posted several times and condemned the apostasy going on within the Episcopal church. Today I commend those that reject the church's move away from Christ and Biblical principles. May God continue to lead you down the righteous path towards Him and away from an apostate church.

Fort Worth Diocese Breaks Away

Abandoning the Faith

Below is an actual "What we Believe" statement from a church that claims to be a Christian Church. There is much wrong with it Scripturally, but most of all, it's extremly disturbing. This type of church is repeated all across our country today. I count at least 15 Scripturally compromising points within this statement.

The people of (Name changed to avoid confrontation) invite you to experience Christianity as a way of life, not a set of creeds and doctrines demanding total agreement. We invite you to join us as we seek to recover the meaning of the gospel for our time, looking to scripture, faith, and reason -- interpreted by love. At (Name changed to avoid confrontation) we believe that what Jesus teaches us about God is more important than what the church has taught us about Jesus. We believe in the liberty of of conscience, the responsibility of every believer to work out his or her own salvation, and the obligation of faithful men and women to become partners with God in building the kingdom. We take the Bible seriously, not literally, and believe that in our time the church must recover, above all, its radical hospitality -- welcoming all persons into her midst, without regard to race, age, gender, sexual orientation, or physical abilities.

Disingenuousness

Main Entry: dis·in·gen·u·ous
Pronunciation: \ˌdis-in-ˈjen-yə-wəs, -yü-əs-\
Function: adjective
Date: 1655
: lacking in candor; also : giving a false appearance of simple frankness : calculating— dis·in·gen·u·ous·ly adverb
— dis·in·gen·u·ous·ness noun


One thing I have a lot of trouble with is disingenuousness.

What do I mean by that?

I can totally disagree with someone and still have respect for them. But being honest gains more respect from me than dishonesty.

I have more respect for the person who says “I don’t see anything wrong with abortion and think it should be perfectly legal in all circumstances” than I do for the person who says “I’m personally against abortion, but I believe every woman should have a right to choose.”

The first person has a stand, believes what they believe, and offers no apology.

The second person is disingenuous – they say that they are against abortion, but are they really? Do they really think it’s ok for a woman to choose to rip an unborn baby from its protective environment inside its mother and brutally burn it to death with a saline solution or puncture its skull? Don’t tell me you are personally against something like this and then be willing to stand by idly while others engage in this type of horrific murder of the innocent.

There is another area of disingenuousness in society today and it concerns homosexuality.

Political correctness has succeeded in bullying people into submission to the “homosexuality is normal” crowd.

There was a time not too many years ago when you could randomly survey just about anyone in this country and ask them if they thought homosexuality was normal and healthy – and their response would be “are you kidding? It’s perverted. Two men French kissing? Gross. Two women romantically involved? Sick. And what they do in the bedroom? No mental pictures please. And keep them away from my kids!

No one can deny this fact. Up until about 40 or 50 years ago, homosexuality was seen as and treated as a mental illness, a perversion, a sickness. It was a choice of lifestyle. Even homosexuals themselves overwhelmingly believed and admitted that they were not born homosexual, but chose that lifestyle – in most instances because they had an experience with an older member of the same sex who introduced them to that lifestyle.

Enter the radical homosexual activists. In just a few decades, they were able to bully the American Psychiatric Association into taking homosexuality off of their list of sexual deviations. They went to Hollywood and started producing movies that were “gay friendly” and sympathetic. They gained ground in the print media, and greater ground in the higher institutions of learning in this country.

They repeated their mantras over and over again.

Homosexuals are born that way.
Homosexuality is normal.
Homosexuals are no different than heterosexuals.
Homosexuals are family oriented.
Homosexuals are monogamous.

So it appears that people overall today at the very least tolerate the lifestyle, and at the most, condone and even glorify it. Those of us who know the truth, that it is still a perverse, abnormal lifestyle, have a choice to make. We can remain politically correct and stay silent, or we can say we personally believe it's a perversion, but since maybe they’re born that way, maybe they should have the same rights as heterosexuals. Shame on us who know the truth and are afraid to speak out.

It is normal to be repulsed by something that is abnormal and strange. How many men who claim they are open minded and don’t have a problem with other guys who are gay would still feel that way if some guy just suddenly walked up to them and gave them a big sloppy kiss right on the mouth?

How many women who say they are sympathetic toward homosexuality would be extremely offended if a woman came up to them and caressed them in a provocative and sexual way?

Now the most disingenuous of all- Christians who claim the Bible doesn’t speak against homosexuality.

The Bible says very clearly that homosexuality is a sin. Don’t even attempt to post here and say otherwise because you won't be published. Every argument against the statement has been disproved. Even atheists will tell you the Bible does teach that homosexuality is sin and an abomination to God. The early church fathers acknowledged that it was sin. The great men of God throughout the last 2000 years have acknowledged that it was a sin. It has only been in the last 40 or 50 years that (coinciding with the radical homosexual agenda) Christians have begun to question their own teachings (i.e.” The Word of God’s teachings) on the subject. And thus, the liberal Christian – the church that has given in to political correctness and has become “inclusive” and “affirming” is the greatest purveyor of disingenuousness over this abomination to God.

I have actually read Christians to say that they “prayed about it” and God showed them that homosexuality is no different from heterosexuality, and that anyone who condemns the practice is a bigot and hateful. But they won’t be pinned down. When asked what it was in God’s Word that jumped out at them and helped them realize that we’ve all been wrong for 2000 years, they never gave a clear answer. Instead, they go back to the tired old claims that the Bible doesn’t really say what it says.

What goes hand in hand with homosexuality? It’s fornication. When I asked a liberal Christian recently about fornication, I never received a straight answer. I asked, if you don’t believe that the Bible condemns homosexuality, do you believe it condemns fornication?

Silence.

Silence speaks in this situation. Silence says that yes, I know in my heart that homosexuality is condemned in Scripture. I know that homosexuals are predominantly promiscuous and that they are fornicators, but I won’t admit it.

Stop being disingenuous. Just say it. "I know homosexuality and fornication are condemned in the Bible, but I don’t care what the Bible says."

My respect for you will be greater than it is now.

More on Homosexual Activism?

I have posted a lot lately on issues concerning homosexuality. On the one hand, one might say “Move on, Ms Green. There are other issues pertaining to your Christian worldview besides this one.”

I wish I could move on. There’s just one problem. Daily, I wake up to some new report of homosexuals gaining ground in their goal to force acceptance of, or better yet, affirmation of, their perversion. Things are escalating so that I fully expect to be visiting my pastor in jail within the next few years because he dared to read a passage from the Bible condemning the sin of homosexuality during a sermon. Don’t think it will get to that point, do you?

I read this yesterday: Homosexuality takes congress by Storm

I’m not sure I agree with the title of this article. There are presently some 435 congressmen in the house of representatives. 52 is a little less than 9% of the total, which is not by any means “storming” Congress. However, this formation of a caucus for promoting sexual perversion rights is disturbing, especially in light of the recent occurrences in our nearby neighbor Canada concerning the stifling of individuals’ (Christians’) rights to voice their opposition to the gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender lifestyles.

In researching the two Republicans who crossed party lines to join in the new caucus, I discovered that Ros-Lehtinen is a "solidly conservative Republican", although she sides with liberal Democrats on one social issue: gay rights.

As for Christopher Shays, the Washington Blade(a homosexual newspaper)says, “Shays emerges as reliable backer of gay rights”.


Where is the church in all this? A look at the “spirituality” section of the Washington Blade answers this question for us.

A great many churches are in apostasy. They have become false harlot churches with the code words “affirming” and “inclusive” embedded in their false doctrines.

Here are a few churches advertising in the Washington Blades’ “spirituality” section:

WASHINGTON PLAZA BAPTIST CHURCH, a Christ-centered, welcoming and affirming community church in Reston, Va.

CITY OF REFUGE D.C., an affirming congregation for all God's people, meets at Amistad St. Paul United Church Of Christ,

INNER LIGHT MINISTRIES, African-American, all-affirming, Christ-centered church.

NATIONAL CITY CHRISTIAN CHURCH (Disciples of Christ). Open and affirming.

CHURCH OF THE EPIPHANY, a diverse and inclusive

MCC FREDERICKSBURG. A Christian church that celebrates gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, questioning and affirming communities.

FIRST & ST. STEPHEN'S United Church of Christ, an open and affirming congregation

Numerous denominations are listed. Baptist, Catholic, Church of Christ, Episcopalian, Presbyterian. There are Jewish and Buddist listings there, along with Divination groups and Unitarians.

Code words: affirming and inclusive.
Meaning: We don’t teach that homosexuality and fornication are sin. We cater to “itching ears”.

I can’t move on. No Christian should. God help us if we don’t start becoming more vocal. Or should I say, if we don’t start becoming more vocal, God won’t help us.

Black Christians and Obama

There are a lot of things about the Black culture I don’t understand.

Music I understand.

I love Black Gospel. I love the blues. Most of what I listen to on the radio is Black Gospel music. Other Christian cultures could take some lessons on how to sing about Jesus with soul, how to worship, how to praise in the Spirit. Hezekiah Walker, Yolanda Adams, Mary Mary, Candi Staton, Cece Winans, I love ‘em all.

Some of my black Christian friends are the most passionate about their worship, and about witnessing about the grace of God through His Son.

So the Black Christian worldview, I would think, would be one in the same as a White Christian worldview.

Not when it comes to politics.

I DO NOT UNDERSTAND. I wish a black Christian reader would enlighten me.

Obama talk is all over the Black Christian stations. “We have a chance to make history – and put a Black man in the White House. Blacks should be excited, anxious, anticipatory. History is about to be made!”

WHAT?

How can a Christian be excited about putting someone in the White House who is the antithesis of Christianity.

He supports abortion. He even supports partial birth abortion.
He supports homosexual marriage.
His former pastor , close friend and mentor used God’s name in vain and damned America.
He has advisers and friends who mock Christ openly.
He has advisers and friends who spout racism.
He has publicly stated that he believes Jesus is not the only way.

I know. None of the candidates are what I’d call model Christians. Not even close. I doubt any of them are really Christian. But why pick the greater of the three evils just because he’s Black and be excited about it?

Somebody please explain how someone who worships and praises the name of Jesus can be excited about this man.

So evidently skin color is an issue after all?

I thought we were supposed to move past all that. At least us white folk have been told that. Somebody needs to tell the black folk.

Ecumenicalism and the Emergent Church

More on the heretical Emergent Church movement (Rob Bell etc.).

Full article here.


Excerpt:

…two prominent emergent church leaders are participating in an ecumenical forum today in Seattle because they believe dialogue with Hindus, Buddhists, and Muslims will not only enrich their fellowship, but give them another view of Jesus the Bible doesn't give.

They will certainly get other views of Jesus that the Bible doesn’t give.

For instance:

Hindus teach that Jesus is one among many Masters or Prophets or Incarnations.

Buddhists teach that Jesus is just one of many deities with many incarnations. Deepak Chopra says in his book, “The Third Jesus”: “And finally, there is the third Jesus, the cosmic Christ, the spiritual guide whose teaching embraces all humanity, not just the church built in his name. He speaks to the individual who wants to find God as a personal experience, to attain what some might call grace, or God-consciousness, or enlightenment

Muslims teach that Jesus was a great prophet – but not as great a Mohammed, and that he did not die on the cross – that Judas Iscariot did. Muslims reject the deity of Jesus and reject the Trinity.

I don’t want “another view of Jesus”. The Bible has inspired (God-breathed) information. Any other information that contradicts that is trash.

Excerpt:

“...emergent church writers argue they need to "reinvent" or "reimagine" Christianity in order to reach the young culture."

They aren’t giving young people credit. Young people are real. They don’t want a watered down truth. Give it to them plain and simple. For instance, in my church the teens and young adults are given the truth of the Gospel…that we are sinners, that we need a Savior, and that we can’t be good enough to go to heaven. Most of them understand that easily. They know their sin. When confronted about it, they admit it. And thankfully, most of them eventually come to the point that their sin is not as important to them as their eternity – and they come to Christ. They are also told of the abundant life that God promises His children – the peace that passes all understanding and the joy of a victorious Christian life.

Isn’t that what everyone is really looking for? Love…joy…peace.

These things can’t be found anywhere else but in Jesus. The Jesus of the Bible. Not the Jesus of Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, or the Emergent Church.


"But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." Galatians 1:8-9

More on "Ex-Christians"

I had someone post and say that they were an ex-christian, and who spoke what sounded like a gnostic type verbage. Here is an excerpt of what they said:

The main idea here is that the truth in the Bible is veiled in a lie that protects the truth from the wise and learned. I was once a die hard Christian knocking down everyones door in the name of Jesus and took pride in being called narrow minded. So, trust me when I say I have some idea of where your coming from.
The word of God is misleading
It's context is deceiving
but read between the LInES [sic]
and there you'll find the meaning.

I believe you are sincere, but there are one of two things happening here.

#1 You never were born again. You played church, you followed Christ, you spoke Christianeze, and you did and said all the right things - but you were not born again and the Holy Spirit does not live within you.

or

#2 You have gone astray and believe heresy, in which case, you will be convicted by the Holy Spirit, then chastened, and if you still insist on calling God and the Bible a lie, you are in danger of the sin unto death.

You say on your profile: I feel remarkably healed from the wounds of Christianity's bleak viewpoint of the world and all of the fear that's intertwined in it.

I'm truly sorry that you missed the joy and healing that comes from a true Christian worldview. I can only imagine what type of church you were exposed to that left such negative tastes in your psyche. Truly I am.

I did not post your comment in its entirety, because I reviewed your blog and saw that you blasphemed Jesus, so I won't give any indication to my other readers who you are or give any credence to your blog at all.

But I reiterate - you are not an ex-Christian.

Once you've been born, you can't be "unborn".

Clergy and Divorce

Seeing the words “Clergy” and “Divorce” in the same sentence caught my eye as I was perusing the Dallas Morning News. The article is entitled “Clergy Surviving Divorces.” It starts out reporting on a married couple, Randy and Paula White, both claiming to be pastors, who have announced they were getting divorced. It goes on to say

For increasing numbers of clergy, a divorce no longer generates the kind of career-killing hue and cry of decades ago, in part because plenty of people in the pews have experienced divorce themselves.
The shifting views on divorced clergy reflect a growing concession among rank-and-file conservative Christians that a failed marriage is no longer an unforgivable sin.
For many evangelical Christians, the line seems to have shifted from a single acceptable reason for divorce – adultery – to a wider range of reasons that some say can be biblically justified.

First of all, God allows for divorce in the case of adultery only.
God holds clergy to a higher standard as well. They are, after all, the leaders, the shepherds of the church.

Second of all, Christians have never believed that divorce is an unforgivable sin. That one belongs to blasphemy of the Holy Spirit (Mark 3:29).

Thirdly, regardless of what “many evangelical Christians” may think, we are not to do that which is right in our own eyes (Deuteronomy 6:18, Proverbs 3:7). God sets the standards – not His followers.

There are very specific passages about requirements for being a Pastor, and one of them is being a husband of one wife (which does not mean one-at-a-time) (I Timothy 3:2). It also doesn’t allow for female pastors. And he is supposed to be in control of his household (I Timothy 3:4-5). Having your wife leave you says you are not in control of your household. Now is it possible that a pastor can have a wife leave/desert him through no fault of his own? Yes. But should he remain as a pastor? Not according to Scripture. However, Scripture does not forbid a divorced man to preach.

A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) I Timothy 3:2-5

Obama's Speech at Saddleback

Christians beware. The left is involved in a very calculated lean towards appearing as a party of faith. They are learning the language and incorporating it into their speech and even their websites. The goal is to draw true Evangelicals away from the Republican party that has so conspicuously dropped the ball on issues that are important to born again Christians. The left is even enlisting help from men who claim to be Evangelicals, like Rick Warren and Jim Wallis and others who speak “Christianese” as my friend Bruce calls it. Don’t be deceived.

A recent example was (the media’s darling) Barack Obama’s invitation to the AIDS conference held at Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church. Here are some quotes from Obama’s speech to the 20,0000 member California congregation. Obama's words are in italics. I have interjected comment on the sections in bold.

“Their (Rick Warren and wife) decision to devote their time, their money, and their purpose-driven lives to the greatest health crisis in human history is not one that's always reported on the news or splashed across the front pages, but it is quietly becoming one of the most influential forces in the struggle against HIV and AIDS.”

Greatest Health Crisis in Human History? Can someone say “hyperbole”? Please. AIDS is an avoidable disease and is certainly not the greatest health crisis in human history!

“For some, the only way to prevent the disease is for men and women to change their sexual behavior - in particular, to abstain from sexual activity outside of marriage.

For some? It’s an almost foolproof system. Abstain from sexual activity outside of marriage and don’t be a drug addict that shares drug needles. That will eliminate your chances of becoming HIV positive by 99%.


Estimated adult and adolescent HIV diagnoses in 2004 by exposure category (Totaled here - you can see the further breakdown here:

Exposure category
Male-to-male sexual contact 18,203
Injection Drug Use 5,962
Male to male sexual contact and
injection drug use 1,372
Heterosexual contact 12,683
Other/risk not identified 335
Total* 38,553

* Because totals are calculated independently of the subpopulations, the values in each column may not sum exactly to the figure in the Total row

"For others, such a prescription is unrealistic; they argue that we need to provide people with the tools they need to protect themselves from the virus, regardless of their sexual practices - in particular, by increasing the use of condoms, as well as by developing new methods, like microbicides, that women can initiate themselves to prevent transmission during sex."

Sounds like we’re rewarding stupid behavior. If laws are being pushed to ban smoking in public because it is a health risk, why aren’t laws forbidding homosexual activity being pushed? Why is it just the opposite – homosexuality is being pushed.

“Let me say this - I don't think we can deny that there is a moral and spiritual component to prevention - that in too many places all over the world where AIDS is prevalent - including our own country, by the way - the relationship between men and women, between sexuality and spirituality, has broken down, and needs to be repaired."

The relationship between men and women? Look at the chart above. The overwhelming majority of AIDS cases in this country are the result of men having sex with men.

"It was striking to see this as I traveled through South Africa and Kenya. Again and again, I heard stories of men and women contracting HIV because sex was no longer part of a sacred covenant, but a mechanical physical act; because men had visited prostitutes and brought the disease home to their wives, or young girls had been subjected to rape and abuse."

What is happening in Africa is horrible and must be addressed, but using this as a way to get sympathy, while failing to address the problem's real cause (rampant homosexual promiscuity) here in the US is an insult and a deceitful ploy.

"These are issues of prevention we cannot walk away from. When a husband thinks it's acceptable to hide his infidelity from his wife, it's not only a sin, it's a potential death sentence.And when rape is still seen as a woman's fault and a woman's shame, but promiscuity is a man's prerogative, it is a problem of the heart that no government can solve."

Where’s the statement that reads “When men think it is acceptable to have hundreds of homosexual partners a year, it’s not only sin, it’s a potential death sentence.”

"It is, however, a place where local ministries and churches like Saddleback can, and have, made a real difference - by providing people with a moral framework to make better choices."

What choices are being offered? Condoms? How about turning from your sin?

"Having said that, I also believe that we cannot ignore that abstinence and fidelity may too often be the ideal and not the reality - that we are dealing with flesh and blood men and women and not abstractions - and that if condoms and potentially microbicides can prevent millions of deaths, they should be made more widely available."

Exactly, and sin is of the flesh, and through the Gospel, millions can be set free from the flesh.

"I know that there are those who, out of sincere religious conviction, oppose such measures. And with these folks, I must respectfully but unequivocally disagree. I do not accept the notion that those who make mistakes in their lives should be given an effective death sentence."

Not only does this sentence disagree with his earlier sentence about husbands that think it’s acceptable to hide their infidelities from their wives, Obama disagrees with Jesus:

“Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.” John 5:14

“…Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” John 8:11

"Rick Warren has also taken the test. Sam Brownback and I took it today. And I encourage others in public life to do the same. We've got to spread the word to as many people as possible. It's time for us to set an example for others to follow."

How ridiculous and how totally politically correct. If there is no sexually risky behavior, there will be no HIV positive results.

“Like no other illness, AIDS tests our ability to put ourselves in someone else's shoes - to empathize with the plight of our fellow man. While most would agree that the AIDS orphan or the transfusion victim or the wronged wife contracted the disease through no fault of their own, it has too often been easy for some to point to the unfaithful husband or the promiscuous youth or the gay man and say "This is your fault. You have sinned."

Empathize: the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another of either the past or present without having the feelings, thoughts, and experience fully communicated in an objectively explicit manner; also : the capacity for this

Sorry. I don’t nor do I want to empathize with those who commit sexual sin.

"I don't think that's a satisfactory response. My faith reminds me that we all are sinners."

Typical Liberal Christian remark. I can't believe he didn't quote Matthew 7:1 right here!

"My faith also tells me that - as Pastor Rick has said - it is not a sin to be sick. My Bible tells me that when God sent his only Son to Earth, it was to heal the sick and comfort the weary; to feed the hungry and clothe the naked; to befriend the outcast and redeem those who strayed from righteousness.”

It is not a sin to be sick. But sometimes sickness is the result of sin. And no, Obama, that is not why God sent His only Begotten Son. Your Bible must be different from mine.

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” I Timothy 1:5

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

“When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Mark 2:17

“I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:32

“For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6:38-40

Other Obama quotes:

“There's not a liberal America and a conservative America. There's the United States of America. There's not a black America and white America and Latino America and Asian America. There's the United States of America ... We worship an awesome God in the blue states, and we don't like federal agents poking around our libraries in the red states. We coach Little League in the blue states and have gay friends in the red states.” DNC Convention, 2004

There's not a liberal America and a conservative America? I don't believe for one second that Obama believes this. So what is the point of saying it?

"John Kerry believes in an America where hard work is rewarded."

How would John Kerry know anything about hard work?


"For the record, I opposed DOMA [the Defense of Marriage Act] in 1996. It should be repealed and I will vote for its repeal on the Senate floor. I will also oppose any proposal to amend the U.S. Constitution to ban gays and lesbians from marrying."

"Abortions should be legally available in accordance with Roe v. Wade."

(Mrs. Obama boldly referred to partial birth abortion as a “legitimate medical procedure” and asked supporters for $150 to attend the fund-raising luncheon for her husband—the candidate who would fight against the “cynical ploy” to ban partial birth abortion.)

“I was reminded that it is my obligation not only as an elected official in a pluralistic society, but also as a Christian, to remain open to the possibility that my unwillingness to support gay marriage is misguided” Obama's book, Audacity of Hope

Misguided by what or Whom? God and His Word?

“For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,” Hebrews 10:26

Beware of Liberals dressed in Christian-speak.

Leading Worship...or Pleasing the Crowd?

I was on a blog yesterday that focuses on the worship aspect of church services, and was amazed to actually read this:

"I get excited when I some of our worship team start becoming Christians." What? My friend … and I were standing in the middle of a Vineyard Community Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. The comment came from the worship pastor. I remember looking at him and saying "Huh?" He went on to say that they used musicians from all walks of life. Many of them were in other bands, touring the local scene. He did make the comment that he rarely had a problem with musicians who normally played the bars. They wouldn't complain about monitors and other things, they were just happy to play. They were in a good atmosphere and some were becoming followers of Christ. No doubt they were highly skilled. Skill outranks spirituality.

On the other side of the coin …another worship leader maintained that you should always use totally devoted Christians. He contended that worship is sacred and should be led by those who have given their life to Christ. Spirituality outranks skill.
So which is it? Is it a requirement that your worship team be followers of Jesus? Does it matter? Do you base your requirements on spiritual maturity or skill?
This question has to be wrestled with. What do you think?

I can’t believe this is actually a question to be wrestled with. Why not go to God’s Word to find the answer? God says many times throughout Scripture that he will not hear our prayers unless our hearts are right.

“Surely God will not hear vanity, neither will the Almighty regard it.” Job 35:13

“If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:” Psalm 66:18

“But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” Isaiah 59:2

And if He will not hear our prayers when our hearts are not right, what makes anyone think He will hear our worship if led by unbelievers?

“Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts. Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols.” Amos 5:22-23

How can a lost person worship God? How can an unbeliever lead believers in worship?

I sing on the Praise Team at my church. I know that I am not worthy to be there. We all know that. And much of our practice time each week is devoted to prayer and supplication. We seek God’s Holy Spirit guidance on the songs we sing, on the way we sing them, and even when we sing them. Our wish is to encourage the members of the congregation to enter into worship with us. And ultimately, we as a praise team do worship God, and do so regardless of whether the rest of the church does or not – because He is to be worshipped and adored. Those that do not participate are the ones who are missing out.

A lost person – whether they are a singer or a musician, should not be in a position of leading worship. That serves only to grieve the Holy Spirit. And for a church to knowingly utilize unbelievers in the music service is to sacrifice true worship on the altar of “crowd pleasing”. Far too many churches today, I’m afraid, have come to this point. The Bible is clear. God is not pleased with that.

“God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” John 4:24

Christians and Profanity

I recently had a cordial exchange with a man professing to be a follower of Christ who had curse words interlaced in his posts on his weblog. These were not even what some would call “mild” expletives, but included “the ‘f’ word” multiple times. I challenged him, asking how the lost might perceive such language coming from a Christian, and our next few emails back and forth proved fruitless. He was steadfast in his defense, or as I called it, his celebration, of his right to curse. We parted ways amicably, but the subject still disturbs me greatly.

We all have proclivities toward certain sins. Mine tends to be pride and unforgiveness. However, I know these two things are sin, and I strive daily to die to self and surrender to the Holy Spirit in order to avoid these sins that hound me so ferociously. And if there is a sin in my life that I am unaware of, I pray it will be brought to my attention, either through the Word or through a brother or sister in Christ who cares enough about me to bring it to my attention. I don’t celebrate my pride or my unforgiveness. I sorrow over them.

A Holy God calls on us to be likewise. “Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God.” Leviticus 20:7. “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” I Peter 1:15-16

Sanctification is being “set apart”. Jesus prayed, “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth…And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.” John 17:16-19

The Greek here for sanctify is hagiazo, meaning to render or acknowledge, or to be venerable or hallow; to separate from profane things and dedicate to God.


Christians are not to be like the world. We are to be different, peculiar. A saved person who looks, dresses, acts and talks like the world is what is called a “carnal Christian”, which Paul says is a “babe in Christ” (I Corinthians 3:1). Scripture says “… the carnal mind is enmity against God...”(Romans 8:7).

If your sin is profanity and cursing, you can overcome it through Christ. “(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)” II Corinthians 10:4.

One of the accusations that this individual leveled at me was that I was taking Scripture out of context to support my belief that cursing was wrong. I have since made a list, though not exhaustive, of some additional Scriptures that support the notion that Christians should not curse.

My prayer is that he will eventually become convicted of his sin and allow God to change him and give him victory over it.

Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2 Cor 7:1

Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. I Cor 15:33

A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. Gal 5:9

But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Colossians 3:8

O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. Matthew 12:34

Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. Exodus 20:7

And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD. Leviticus 19:12

But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. Matthew 12:36

All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils; My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit. Job 27:3-4

My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly. Job 33:3

Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. Ecclesiastes 5:2

Follow up on Rick Warren to North Korea?

There is an article in Christianity Today discussing North Korea and Rick Warren. It reiterates some of what I said in my earlier post, and gives a little more detail about the country itself and truth about Christianity in that country today, as well as a clearer picture of whom Kim Jong really is. The article basically needs not further introduction: North Korea: Land of Opportunity?

Rick Warren in North Korea?

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;” II Timothy 4:3

Those who know me know that I’m no fan of Rick Warren. There is something about the man that isn’t “quite right” with me.

Proverbs 18:15 states (KJV): “The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.”

Rick Warren encourages readers to “seek God’s truth in new fresh ways”, using the “Living Bible” version of Proverbs 18:15, which says: “"The intelligent man is always open to new ideas. In fact, he looks for them."

Sorry, call me dense, but I don’t see these two versions of the same verse saying the same thing.

I have not heard a clear presentation of the Gospel from Warren.

Warrens’ prayer for salvation: "Jesus, I believe in you and I receive you." To that he adds: "If you sincerely meant that prayer, congratulations! Welcome to the family of God!"

No mention of repentance, sin, the consequences of sin, or a realization of our need for a Savior (Acts 3:19). And no mention of Who Jesus really is. (John 14:6, Romans 10:9) Just “I believe in you, I receive you.”

Some other Warren quotes:

“… you can best understand scripture by reading as many different translations as possible” (See II Timothy 2:15, Hebrews 5:12-14) [In actuality, reading as many different versions as possible will confuse – especially a new Christian] ( I Corinthians 14:33)

“I'm worried that evangelicals be identified too much with one party or the other. When that happens, you lose your prophetic role of speaking truth to power” (see II John 1:10-11)

“Muslim fundamentalism, Christian fundamentalism, Jewish fundamentalism, secular fundamentalism - they're all motivated by fear. Fear of each other." He also predicts that fundamentalism, of all varieties, will be "one of the big enemies of the 21st century."

At the end of a recent sermon Warren told his congregation, "Life is not about having more and getting more. It's about serving God and serving others." That is not what Scripture says about why we were created. (Revelation 4:11)

So now Warren is headed to none other than North Korea (Kim Jong II territory) to bring his “message of purpose”. And at this point, I can add nothing to this story other than to suggest reading this article.

Rick Warren will fit in perfectly with a one world religion. His watered down Gospel won’t offend anybody. (II Timothy 4:3)

Other reading: The Purpose Driven Pastor

Scripture references:

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” Acts 3:19

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Romans 10:9

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

“For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” Hebrews 5:12-14

“For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” I Corinthians 14:33

“If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.” II John 1:10-11

“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” Revelation 4:11

Home Churches

A recent article in today's Agape Press news entitled "Home Churches Growing Increasingly Popular as Worship Alternative" raises some questions and concerns. According to the article, there is a growing movement in the country of people leaving the conventional church to meet instead in individuals’ homes.
The reasons given vary, but among them are

1. People want to “be” the church, not just attend church
2. They are seeking greater depth in relationships
3. They are seeking more commitment to spirituality
4. It was more “biblical”

The book of Acts tells us that for the most part, believers met together in homes. The reason for this is that Christianity at the time was just a small mostly Jewish religion. But what the modern day “Home Church” movement misses is that these early Christians didn’t confine themselves to their small groups – they went out and literally evangelized the world, expanding the church by bringing the Gospel to the “...uttermost parts of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Home Churches were a “starting place” not an end.

As for the reasons given for this movement, I wonder what churches these people left. My spiritual family consists of about 400 people, give or take. We have 6 pastors on staff, but we don’t sit around waiting to be “blessed” by them. Yes, they are accessible, they are awesome preachers and teachers, and our spiritual guides when we need them. But we have small groups that meet regularly with common interests outside of the church, we have Bible Studies, we have different evangelistic ministries, and each member of the church is expected to serve in some capacity. Church is not about going and sitting on a pew and daring somebody to bless me. Preachers are called by God to preach the Gospel, not take care of every intricate detail of the running of a church. This was brought up in the 6th Chapter of Acts:

And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

The reasons given for the Home Churches almost seem self-serving – as in “seeking greater depth in relationships” and “seeking more commitment to spirituality”. Both of these are great goals, but they can be achieved while being an active member of the local body of Christ in the local church.

Here are some things I see as potential dangers in this “movement”
1. With no clear spiritual leader, there is the danger of the dominating personalities “running the show” so to speak, regardless of whether they are grounded in the Word or just giving their “opinions” and personal beliefs.
2. I would be curious to know how often lost friends and family members are invited to these home churches, and if they are, who preaches the message of the Gospel?
3. There is too much room for confusion by allowing members to trade “ideas” and “feelings”

There are many other issues, such as baptism,accountability, children, communion, church discipline, and many others, but I don’t feel led to go into those right now.

God clearly calls some to preach, and there are already too many men who just “decided” they wanted to be preachers instead of being truly “called” of God. And when small groups isolate themselves like this, what does this do to evangelizing? It’s hard enough to get people to go out on visitation from a large church body. What would happen to evangelizing if everyone ended up in a small group Church Home setting? More of the world would die and go to hell while the small groups sat inside together and felt good about their “spiritual growth”.

Our primary objective – our command from God Himself, is to be witnesses to a lost world (Mark 16:15) The Local Church is the instrument for this command to be carried out.

Acts 1:8: But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.


Mark 16:15: And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.