WELCOME to 2012—the probable year of the Lord’s return. Until the trumpet sounds, however, we have some unfinished business for the Lord to accomplish. May this newsletter/blog serve as an inspiration to “git ’er done!” Then let’s get out of here!

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This is our fifth year of blogging

This will be a crucial year in the history of the church. I expect Jesus to come, but if He does not, we Christians must participate in some historic decisions relating to the political situation in our nation. Four more years of uncontrolled spending, taking us closer to national bankruptcy, will put America in a position to become just another North American country, like Greece and others of the European Union. We may also replicate Europe’s socio-religious woes, experience violence in the streets, and endure car bombs in our markets and malls.

America’s demise will affect the church. Admittedly, most of the church operates outside the U.S., but most of the missions funding and activity originates in the United States. As America goes, so goes much of Christianity’s strength and authority. The Apostolic movement is a linchpin in the stability of our society. Our demise would facilitate Christianity’s demise. We MUST remain strong and committed to our fundamental principles.

This is why the blog will continue to reference political matters, comment on church-wide issues, and inveigh against the encroaching corruption of the world. Jesus is coming back after a bride who has kept herself for Him alone, unspotted from the world—not an unkempt, dirty-gowned, made-up vamp who has run around with every lecherous libertine and reprobate in town.

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Steve Jobs and Heaven

I lost count of the number of articles, cartoons, and other caricatures of Steve Jobs going to heaven after his death on October 5, 2011. Many folks just couldn’t imagine a man who had contributed so much to the field of technology would go anywhere else in the afterlife. Is technological innovation the key to Heaven?

I am a Mac man and have been since the early eighties, and if innovation and the production of ministry tools could save one, he would certainly be on the short list. However, it is doubtful that not even Jobs could hack his way into the Book of Life with a gaggle of geeks tapping keyboards and gripping mice.

Walter Isaacson’s biography, simply called Steve Jobs, tells of his rejection of Christianity based on his pastor’s response to his questions as a 13-year old boy. Jobs had become disturbed after seeing pictures of starving children in Biafra, Africa on a magazine cover. Isaacson quotes Jobs as asking his pastor:

“If I raise my finger, will God know which one I’m going to raise even before I do it?”

            The Pastor answered, “Yes, God knows everything.”

            Jobs pulled out the Life cover and asked, “Well, does God know about this and what’s going to happen to those children?”

            “Steve, I know you don’t understand, but yes, God knows about that.”

            Jobs announced that he didn’t want to have anything to do with worshipping such a God, and he never went back to church.”

What if that pastor had provided a scriptural view of life and death and the consequences of sin in the human family? Jobs is not alone in feeling bitter toward God and confused at the way some Christians present Him. We must find ways of presenting the truth in love. We must not avoid the hard questions of life and death with nothing more than “Well, God is still in control and He is having His way in all things.” Such a response is very unsatisfying.

Watch the blog in the coming months for a possible alternative response to why there is suffering and pain and sickness in the world, even among believers.

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Dagg on Pastoral Leadership

“A man whose piety and call of God to the ministry are unquestionable, who gives full proof to those among whom he ministers that he seeks their highest good, and who serves a people that esteem him highly for his work sake, has an influence over them which is almost unbounded. He comes to them in the name of God, and they perceive that his instruction and precepts are drawn from the word of God. He addresses them with reference to the eternal world, and they realize that he and they are soon to stand together before God. The authority of God, and the momentous interests of the eternal world, give weight to every word which he utters. The powers of their minds bend under its influence. Such a minister as this has so swayed the hearts of Christian men that martyrdom has had no terrors for them. They have defied the cruel rage of tyrants, and have faced popular fury undaunted. Is not this influence great enough for any minister to wield? Would the objection substitute for it a part of the tyrant’s power which it has overcome? The apostles, on the day of Pentecost, were endued with power from on high, but it was not the power of coercion. God’s truth, and a holy life, have rendered the ministry invincible, and the minister who asks for other power, mistakes the nature of his office.”

- J. L. Dagg (1794-1884), Manual of Theology: A Treatise on Church Order (Gano Books 1982 reprint of 1858 edtion), p. 277. Quoted by Doug Kutilek in AISI, Oct. 2011.

Such a sense of responsibility should put every pastor on his face before God. We must speak as a dying man to dying men.

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You tell ’em, Jody!

Anyone yet unaware that Christianity is the target of persecution should get his head out of the sand.

The following is a statement that was read over the PA system at the football game at Roane County High School, Kingston, Tennessee by school principal, Jody McLeod. (Even the liberal snopes.com site validated that it was said.)

“It has always been the custom at Roane County High School football games, to say a prayer and play the National Anthem, to honor God and Country. Due to a recent ruling by the Supreme Court, I am told that saying a prayer is a violation of Federal case law. As I understand the law at this time, I can use this public facility to approve of sexual perversion and call it ‘an alternate life style,’ and if someone is offended, that’s OK. I can use it to condone sexual promiscuity by dispensing condoms and calling it ‘safe sex.’ If someone is offended, that’s OK. I can even use this public facility to present the merits of killing an unborn baby as a ‘viable means of birth control.’ If someone is offended, no problem.

“I can designate a school day as ‘Earth Day’ and involve students in activities to worship religiously and praise the goddess ‘Mother Earth’ and call it ‘ecology.’ I can use literature, videos and presentations in the classroom that depicts people with strong, traditional Christian convictions as ‘simple minded’ and ‘ignorant’ and call it ‘enlightenment.’

However, if anyone uses this facility to honor GOD and to ask HIM to bless this event with safety and good sportsmanship, then Federal case law is violated.

“This appears to be inconsistent at best, and at worst, diabolical.

Apparently, we are to be tolerant of everything and anyone, except GOD and HIS Commandments. Nevertheless, as a school principal, I frequently ask staff and students to abide by rules with which they do not necessarily agree. For me to do otherwise would be inconsistent at best, and at worst, hypocritical. I suffer from that affliction enough unintentionally. I certainly do not need to add an intentional transgression. For this reason, I shall ‘Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s,’ and refrain from praying at this time.

“However, if you feel inspired to honor, praise and thank GOD and ask HIM, in the name of JESUS, to bless this event, please feel free to do so. As far as I know, that’s not against the law—yet.”

One by one, the people in the stands bowed their heads, held hands with one another and began to pray. They prayed in the stands. They prayed in the team huddles. They prayed at the concession stand and they prayed in the announcer’s box!

Somehow, Kingston, Tennessee remembered what so many have forgotten. We are given the freedom OF religion, not the freedom FROM religion!

[This is not submitted as an endorsement of organized sports or attendance at the games. The appropriateness of prayer there is not in my purview. I just think those who are willing to take a stand for what made America different and exceptional need acknowledgement. We will lose the freedoms that we do not use and do not value. I do wish that the principal would have prayed aloud anyway.]

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The New Spirituality

 Lots of folks are “spiritual” today rather than “religious.” That is an important distinction. Some are being innocently sucked into dangerous, extra-biblical practices without even knowing what is happening.

Contemplative spirituality: a system of ancient mystical practices to induce what amounts to altered states of consciousness (the silence), and is rooted in mysticism and the occult but often wrapped in Christian terminology; the premise of contemplative spirituality is pantheistic (God is all) and panentheistic (God is in all).

 Spiritual formation: a movement built around the concept or theory that Christians need training in the mystical “spiritual disciplines.” It provides a platform and a channel through which contemplative prayer is entering the church. Find “spiritual formation” being used, and in nearly every case you will find contemplative spirituality. “Spiritual directors” lead groups by spiritual formation into contemplative practices.

Recognize these “inside” terms used by contemplatives:

Labyrinths

Enneagrams

Divine Mystery

Prayer Stations

Spiritual Direction

Breath Prayers

Ignation Contemplation

Centering/Divine Center/Centering prayer

Lectio Divina

Practicing the Presence

“Christian” Yoga

The Silence

Inner Light

Being in the Present

Ancient Prayer Practices

Spiritual Disciplines

Terms like Taize, Prayer of the Heart, Palms Up/Palms Down, Sacred Space, Mantra Moment, Awareness of Being, Beyond Words, Slow Prayer, and others usually signal that contemplative spirituality is the real topic.

The mystical practices of religious hermits, or “desert fathers,” have been promoted by Catholic devotees since the fifth century, including the following:

Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179), St. Catherine of Siena (1347-1380), Meister Eckhart (1260-1327), Richard Rolle (c. 1300-1341), Julian of Norwich (1342-1423), St. Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556), St. Teresa of Avila (1515-1582), St. John of the Cross (1542-1591), Brother Lawrence (1611- 1691), George Fox (1624-1691), Madam Guyon (1647-1717), William Law (1686-1761), Evelyn Underhill (1875-1941), Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1881- 1955), Thomas Merton (1915-1968).

Contemplative spirituality practices are an integral part of the Novitiate training period of the Roman Catholic religious order of Jesuits. Modern Christian mystics like Richard Foster, Thomas Keating, and Basil Pennington, and authors like Dallas Willard, Tony Jones, Doug Pagitt, Leonard Sweet and many others from the Emergent Movement have made the practice of contemplative spirituality a part of their lives and ministries. Apostolics are wise to avoid them.

For more information on this topic, visit:

http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?cat=332

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Luther on the Difficulty of Translating Hebrew

“The words of the Hebrew tongue have a peculiar energy. It is impossible to convey so much so briefly in any other language. To render them intelligibly, we must not attempt to give word for word, but only aim at the sense and idea. In translating Moses, I made it my effort to avoid Hebraisms; ’twas an arduous business. The wise ones, who affect greater knowledge than myself on the subject, take me to task for a word here and there. Did they attempt the labour I have accomplished, I would find a hundred blunders in them for my one.”

–The Table Talk of Martin Luther, edited by Thomas S. Kepler (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1979), p. 23.

[Luther knew whereof he spoke. The great dissimilarity of Hebrew and German—and English—often makes a literal, word-for-word translation of the former into the latter impossible, assuming the translator wants to be both intelligible to his readers and accurate to the sense and meaning of the original. This is why 1) every good Bible translation must resort to paraphrase at times, indeed often; and 2) no translation can perfectly convey the precise meaning, no more and no less, of the original Hebrew. – Textual critic Doug Kutilek]

I reject Bibles like The Message, or The Living Bible because they are pure paraphrases and not translations. However, the truth is that all Bible translators, without exception, indulged in paraphrase and dynamic equivalence to some degree. There is no other way to provide an accurate, readable translation that makes sense in the English of today.

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Where are the common sense politicians?

There is a pressing need for patriots who speak common sense about our current national crisis. Here is a man who does that:

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=qtjfMjjce2Y

I am not suggesting that anyone vote for him as a candidate for President. He may not be the right one, but whoever is nominated to run against the current office holder needs to make as much sense as this man in this particular speech.

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How to achieve stardom

Rob Bell has resigned as pastor of the Mar’s Hill Bible Church in Grand Rapids, MI. He achieved notoriety by blasting blasting conservative Christianity and doing all the things that the liberal, anti-Christian media like—denouncing biblical doctrines, announcing that there is no Hell, and coming out in favor of universalism. So what is his next step?

Surprise, surprise. He is moving to Los Angeles to “work on a spiritual television drama loosely based on his life.” Just what America needs—another sacreligious reality show. The financial terms of Bell’s contract was called “hefty,” but ABC declined to disclose the actual amount he will receive. There must have been a big sign somewhere: “Bell for sale…cheap.”

Bell is moving into Rick Warren’s backyard and it is raising his hackles. The Religious News Service is quoting Warren’s Twitter communiqué as saying that pastors who leave churches have less impact and credibility. “Speaking tours feed the ego—all applause and no responsibility. A church gives accountability and validity.”

Is this the pot calling the kettle black? Apostasy, acclaim and money—is that all some people are interested in? No wonder the media that is largely run by non-Christians and atheists love guys like Bell and Warren.

I would prophesy that in ten years Bell will not even be a blip on the radar screen, much less the silver screen. He is just being used by the atheistic Hollywood moguls and will be tossed aside when his celebrity fades and other heretics become prominent.

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 The Bible wins again

The cuneiform tablet below was part of the Nabonidus Chronicle dating to 556—c. 535 B.C. found in Southern Iraq. Nabonidus was listed as a king in Babylon. The tablet and others like it have documented the biblical record.

It was during the period recorded on this tablet that Daniel was in exile there. The case was that Belshazzar was in charge because Nabonidus, the ultimate ruler and Belshazzar’s father, had been in Arabia for the past ten years. This is why Daniel was made third ruler in the kingdom instead of second (Daniel 5:29) after interpreting the handwriting on the wall.

Isn’t it amazing how archaeology continues to turn up artifacts that validate the biblical record? “The word of the Lord is right…” (Psalm 33:4).

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ABC News Exposes the Psychiatric Drugging of Foster Kids

ABC News conducted a yearlong nationwide investigation on the use of the most powerful mind-altering drugs on many of the country’s nearly 425,000 foster children.

ABC was given exclusive access to a Government Accountability Office report that included foster children from Florida, Massachusetts, Michigan, Oregon and Texas.

The GAO found that across America, foster children are being put on drugs 13 times more than any other kids. Despite the many reports of tragic deaths such as that of 7 year-old Gabriel Myers, who ended his own life in 2009 after being prescribed a mix of psychotropic drugs, regulators haven’t done enough to put an end to the drugging. After five minutes of talking to his psychiatrist, Gabriel was prescribed two psychiatric drugs with black box warnings that showed they could cause increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior.

Is anyone listening?

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Time for a laugh

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10th Annual

Apostolic Theological Forum

January 19-20, 2012

New Life Church of Albany, GA

1200 Cordele Rd. 300

Steve Waldron, Host Pastor

Since 2002, the Apostolic Theological Forum has provided a venue for scholars among us who are willing to share their knowledge and experience n a symposium setting. They are challenged to deliver positive papers that validate the Apostolic faith, rather than critically nibbling away at the corners of our message.

2012 Presenters:

J. R. Ensey, Facilitator, Wade Bass, Peter Connell, Bill Davis, Philip Harrelson, G. Jorge Medina, Roger Perkins, Steve Waldron, and Ben Weeks.

• You are invited to join us in Albany for the presentations of the theological papers and the discussions that follow each one. The papers will be covering relevant topics for today’s Apostolics.

• Registration opens at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 19. Cost is only $29 including a binder and printed copies of each paper.

• Convenient lodging in Albany at the Sleep Inn. $55 rate (mention ATF). Phone 229-888-5595

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BooksBooksBooksBooks

Bibles

KJV Wide Margin Bible AM Price $59.99

ESV Hardback Bible AM Price $24.99

Parallel Bible KJV/NIV in leather AM Price $74.99

KJV Duotone  (call for colors) AM Price $19.99

Whales, Rocks, and Chickenfish

By Brent Randall

The mission of this book is to put into your hands the tools needed to make you an effective, interesting, and passionate storyteller. Whether you teach kids daily in your home, a local school, once a week in Sunday school, or once a year at summer camp, this book will inspire you to take storytelling to the next level. AM price $9.99

Spanish Role of the Shepherdess

By Roffie Ensey

You will laugh and cry as you read through these inspirational pages. You’ll experience the highs and lows with the author as she takes you through the valleys and over the mountains of ministerial life. Roffie Ensey has participated in all aspects and facets of ministry discussed in the book—the wife of an evangelist, a home missionary, a missions administrator, a pastor, associate pastor (to their son), and Bible college president. It is written from the perspective of someone who has been there.

Due to the need among our Spanish sisters, we are reprinting this book and it will be available after the first of the year.

“Your book El Papel de la Pastora has been a blessing to our young ministers wives therefore, I was saddened upon being told it was no longer in print. I am need of the book for our new minister’s wives. My husband is the District Supervisor in Tamuaulipas, Mexico.” AM price $12.99

Please go to advanceministries.org and see these all the books and Bibles we have available. Order safely online.

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Parting Shots

“Let me control the textbooks and I will control the state.” – Hitler

Dr. Alfred Rosenberg, Chief of the Political Bureau of the Nazi Party, said: “I have become convinced in my own mind and I think I can speak for the Fuhrer as well, that both the Catholic and Protestant churches must vanish from the lives of our people.”

“The Christian cross is to be removed from all churches and cathedrals and is to be replaced by the unconquerable symbol of Germany—the Swastika.” – Article XXX of the German Reich Church Regulations

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Keep the faith…and have a very happy new year! Plan to be at the Apostolic Ministerial Conference in Murfreesboro, TN Februrary 28-March 1. New features this year!

JREnsey

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Jack-O-Sermon

One day last month, while I was watching my wife bake a pumpkin, then extricate the insides for pie filling, I was reminded of hearing an analogy someone had drawn. I think it went like this:

Being a Christian is like being a pumpkin. God lifts you up, takes you in, and washes all the dirt off of you. He opens you up, touches you deep inside and scoops out all the yucky stuff—including the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc. Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside to shine for all the world to see.

No, we didn’t make a hollow, snaggle-toothed Jack-O-Lantern, but when I see one I think it will remind me of what God does in our lives when He redeems us.

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Rick Warren on Pentecostals

Rick Warren thinks we should provide tutorials for visitors to our services. When speaking to a recent gathering of Assemblies of God (AG) pastors in Phoenix, Arizona, he suggested that Pentecostals not abandon the use of spiritual gifts. “What you do need to do [instead] is explain them. Do not compromise what God has called you to do; simply make it explainable.”

He used an analogy of a person’s first visit to the opera. He might need “a little help in understanding what’s going on and what it means.”

What prompted Warren’s comments, which were evidently aimed at the practice of speaking in tongues in the church service? Robert Crosby comments:

“In recent years many predominantly white Pentecostal churches in North America have deemphasized the dynamic gifts of the Holy Spirit. The most prominent among the gifts neglected may be speaking in other tongues, and especially the use of this gift within the context of corporate worship.

“Speaking in tongues has arguably been the most emphasized charism of the modern Pentecostal movement. Although the leading Pentecostal denominations in the world all emphasize this gift doctrinally, some do so more than others. In fact, the largest Pentecostal organization in the world, the AG, considers tongues ‘the initial, physical evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit.’ The ‘distinctive doctrine’ of the AG is that this charism is the primary tangible evidence that a Christ-follower has experienced a “second work of grace” called the Baptism in the Holy Spirit—which believers, according to doctrinal statements, are supposed to ‘ardently expect’ and ‘earnestly seek.’

“Oddly enough, however, it seems that this hallmark phenomenon over the past decade has on many fronts been deemphasized, displaced and, in some cases, even placed on hold within churches that still would consider themselves ‘Pentecostal.’

“For Pentecostals, the times have changed. A movement that has experienced rapid growth in the past century in the United States amidst periodic controversy and frequent misunderstanding has both influenced mainstream church culture and been influenced by it. Pentecostalism, once unaccepted and spurned by other denominations, has become more welcomed amidst evangelicals than ever before. But has that acceptance come with a price?”

Source:  Robert Crosby @ http://www.patheos.com/Resources/Additional-Resources/Rick-Warrens-Surprising-Advice-to-Pentecostal-Churches-Robert-Crosby-11-08-2011.html#.TsPYG4qpH_o.wordpress 11/8/11

I will leave the relevance of Crosby’s comments on the Apostolic movement up to the readers, but I will say this to Mr. Warren: You wouldn’t have to be handed a tutorial pamphlet if you were the Bible scholar folks think you are. It is right there in the Bible, plain enough for all to read. You prefer to promote a Christianity without the power and operation of the Spirit, as though the Book of Acts and chapters 12-14 of I Corinthians has been removed from Holy Writ. You are still locked in a tradition that views speaking in tongues as an experience relegated to the apostolic age, or perhaps an operation too juvenile to be meaningful to contemporary believers.

The former pastor of your neighboring church—the First Baptist Church of Los Angeles—received the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues during the Azusa Street outpouring. You would find it makes a refreshing difference in how you view spiritual manifestations and their presentation in the Scriptures. Actually, Jesus said, “Except a man be born again of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). So it is not only an operational “charism” for the corporate body of Christ, or merely a gift one should “ardently expect,” it is an essential element of salvation providing our entrance into the kingdom (Acts 2:38). Try it; you’ll like it!

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Lip-locking not to pope’s liking

The Vatican is apparently taking its displeasure with the Pope’s depiction in a new advertisement campaign called “Unhate” to the next level. He is shown kissing—mouth-to-mouth—an Islamic imam. He claims innocence. Recently, the controversy exploded over a new retail clothier’s campaign that also shows President Obama kissing Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, and Israel’s prime minister Netanyahu kissing a Palestinian, among other same-sex smooches. Yuck!!

The ad containing the obviously Photoshopped images went viral on the net. The Catholic Church has decided that it will, indeed, sue over the offensive picture. This development comes after Benetton, the Italian clothing company that created the advertisement, pulled the image from its campaign in mid-November. The ad’s creators might look over their shoulder to see if a Mossad agent is tracking them.

I am sure some folks out in ’Frisco were doing fist pumps for Benetton and snapping up items from their clothing line.

How about an “UnLove” campaign—as in “unlove the world.”

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Bible trivia: How long for Noah to build the Ark?

Creationist Ken Ham addressed this topic recently:

While the Bible does not directly answer the above question, it does give us some tantalizing clues.

Let’s start with Genesis 6:3 where God declared that because man is flesh, his
days shall be 120 years—as a result of removing His Spirit from them: “And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.”

Now, scholars will debate the meaning of this text until we finally get to heaven and can ask Jesus Himself! But the point is: this declaration was in God’s mind, and the verse records that it was eventually “said” to someone—maybe Methuselah, or Noah, or Lamech (we simply do not know).

After Genesis 6:3, the countdown was on. But this was not the same time God made a declaration to Noah to build the Ark. Let’s look closer at the context.

Not until verses 17 and 18 does God speak to Noah about the Ark and coming Flood: “and you shall go into the ark—you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you” (Genesis 6:18). Notice, Noah already had sons who already had wives. Noah didn’t have his first son until he was 500 years old, and the Flood came 100 years later (Genesis 7:6). Allowing 25-30 years for the sons to grow up and get wives (note the average ages in Genesis 11), we’re left with perhaps 70 years to build the Ark.

Could Noah build the Ark in 70 years? Let’s take off our mental glasses that are possibly tinted by evolutionary thinking as we make some inference from the Bible and reasonably speculate. Man was still a recent creation direct from the mind of God, his intelligence not as dimmed by thousands of years of the Curse as our minds are today (and archaeology confirms that even ancient post-Flood man was capable of great feats and technological advancement). Also, people lived immense life spans before the Flood during which they could continually hone their talents.

Furthermore, nowhere does it say Noah built the Ark by himself. He likely hired a crew of craftsmen who used both metal and wooden tools, which the Bible records they had available (Genesis 4:22). Such tools may have been as advanced as ours today, as archaeology suggests.

Source: Ken Ham in Answers EC, Vol. 18; issue 11, p. 3.

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The way it looks from here…

A recent article in the Belief section of the Houston Chronicle pointed out that some churches have “gone casual” but that others, specifically some Roman Catholic churches, are “calling out worshipers who wear inappropriate clothing to Mass, reminding churchgoers that even as styles change, modesty remains a virtue.” The article stated that the Vatican “is well known for posting signs prohibiting clothes that expose shoulders, knees or chests.”

The author went on to quote from the Roman Catholic catechism: “Purity requires modesty, an integral part of temperance. Modesty protects the intimate center of the person. It means refusing to unveil what should remain hidden. It is ordered to chastity to whose sensitivity it bears witness. It guides how one looks at others and behaves toward them in conformity with the dignity of persons and their solidarity.”

The way it looks from here is…we were pre-empted by the RC Church. The sign at left was posted in a Catholic church. (I am not for such signs in our churches.) Also, wouldn’t it make sense that what’s too immodest for the church is too immodest for the public?

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Our changing world

The car at right was a really nice convertible built in 1911. Fuel for it was purchased at grocery stores, drug stores, blacksmith shops, and similar places of business. “Filling stations” were still future.

What a difference a century makes! Someone submitted these additional statistics for the year 1911:

The average life expectancy for men was 50 years, 54 for women.
Only 14 percent of the homes had a bathtub.
Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone.
The maximum speed limit in many cities was 10 mph.

The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower.
The average US wage in 1910 was 22 cents per hour.
The average US worker made between $200 and $400 per year.
A competent accountant could expect to earn $2000 per year, a dentist $2,500 per year, a veterinarian between $1,500 and $4,000 per year, and amechanical engineer about $5,000 per year.
More than 95 percent of all births took place at home.
Ninety percent of all doctors had little or no college education! Instead,  they attended so-called medical schools, many of which were condemned in the press and the government as “substandard.”
Sugar cost four cents a pound.

Eggs sold for about a penny each.
Coffee was fifteen cents a pound.
Most women only washed their hair once a month, and used Borax or egg yolks  for shampoo.
Canada passed a law that prohibited poor people from entering into their country for any reason.

The five leading causes of death were:
1. Pneumonia and influenza
2. Tuberculosis
3. Diarrhea
4. Heart disease
5. Stroke
The American flag had 46 stars.
The population of Las Vegas, Nevada was only 800.
Crossword puzzles, canned beer, and iced tea hadn’t been invented yet.

There was neither a Mother’s Day nor a Father’s Day.
Two out of every 10 adults couldn’t read or write and only 6 percent of all Americans had graduated from high school.

Many drugs considered addictive and dangerous were available over the counter at the local corner drugstores.

Back then some pharmacists claimed, “Heroin clears the complexion, gives buoyancy to the mind, regulates the stomach and bowels, and is, in fact, a perfect guardian of health!” (Perhaps that’s why we find it difficult to trust pharmaceutical claims today!)

There were about 230 reported murders in the entire U.S.!

Try to imagine what life may be like in another 100 years. On second thought, don’t.

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Western rules

Someone submitted the following rules for Arizona, Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, Montana, Utah, Kansas, Idaho, and the rest of the Wild West:

1. Pull your pants up. You look like an idiot.

2. Turn your cap right, your head ain’t crooked.

3. Let’s get this straight—it’s called a ‘gravel road.’ I drive a pickup truck because I want to. No matter how slow you drive, you’re gonna get dust on your Lexus. Drive it or get out of the way.

4. They are cattle. That’s why they smell like cattle. They smell like money to us. Get over it. Don’t like it? I-80 & I-40 go east and west, I-35 & I-15 go north and south. Pick one and go.

5. So you have a $60,000 car. We’re impressed. We have $250,000 combines that are driven only 3 weeks a year.

6. Every person in the Wild West waves. It’s called being friendly. Try to understand the concept.

7. If that cell phone rings while a bunch of geese/pheasants/ducks/ doves are comin’ in during a hunt, someone might shoot it outta your hand. You better hope you don’t have it up to your ear at the time.

8. We eat trout, salmon, deer and elk. You really want sushi and caviar? It’s available at the corner bait shop.

9. ‘The Opener’ refers to the first day of deer season. It’s a religious holiday held the closest Saturday to the first of November.

10. We open doors for women. That’s applied to all women, regardless of age.

11. No, there’s no ‘vegetarian special’ on the menu. Order steak, or you can order the Chef’s Salad and pick off the 2 pounds of ham and turkey.

12. When we fill out a table, there are three main dishes: meats, vegetables, and breads. We use three spices: salt, pepper, and ketchup. Oh, yeah, we don’t care what you folks in Philadelphia call that stuff you eat…IT AIN’T REAL CHILI!!

13. You bring ‘Coke’ into my house, it better be brown, wet and served over ice. You bring ‘Mary Jane’ into my house, she better be cute, know how to shoot, drive a truck, and have long hair.

14. Turn down that infernal car stereo! That thumpity-thump ain’t music, anyway. We don’t want to hear it anymore than we want to see your boxers! Refer back to #1!

Source: Some ol’ codger who just drove off with a Brahma (pronounced brimmer by those who deal with ’em) bull in his car. (See accompanying photos.) Suggestion: don’t mess with anyone who rides with a bull in his car!

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Pop quiz

It is said that the Catholic churches of Las Vegas routinely get poker chips in the offering plates. Since the chips have to be sorted later as to which casino they are from and where they will be redeemed, this task is assigned to the priests residing in a nearby Franciscan monastery. What are these priestly “sorters” called?

Answer (read backwards):  sknom pihc

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New Emergent Commentary (EC)

Since we are living in the twenty-first century—the paradigm-shifting, postmodern, and soon-to-be post-Christian generation—it is time we had a commentary on the Bible that was up-to-date with the times. Religious progressives have had to put up with outdated and obsolete Bible commentaries long enough. They have demanded a “relevant” commentary that meets the felt needs of the seeker sensitive, forward thinking ministers of the endtime to help believers to engage our culture.

Well, now we have one in the works. It is not quite complete, but I am told work is moving forward on it. Here are some of the early entries:

Genesis 1:1 – “In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth.”

Emergent Commentary: Since no one was around when the Big Bang occurred, we cannot verify that creation was done ex nihilo, or from nothing, as conservatives suggest. Apparently God utilized the process of evolution to bring about the gradual formation of the planets and stars, since it appears from geological studies that the earth is billions of years old.

Genesis 1:27 – “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”

EC:  When man finally evolved, he had the image of God, or the innate ability to become like godlike. That is where evolution is taking us—progressively into godhood. Re: the latter portion of the verse, modern science has confirmed that we are not all male or all female, but we have both male and female attributes. Body parts alone do not indicate one’s gender. Many people recognize that they are inwardly the opposite sex from outward indications. It is wonderful that the Bible confirms what science has determined.

Exodus 34:12 – “Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee.”

EC: Get involved with the unsaved; just don’t be caught up in their evil ways. They have some great ideas. Pick and choose. Eat the chicken but toss the bones and you’ll be fine.

Joshua 23:7 – “That ye come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them.”

EC: Don’t insult other people who don’t believe like you by refusing to honor their religion. You won’t win them if you manifest a ‘holier than thou’ attitude. You can assume their worship positions and adopt some of their rituals but don’t worship their gods in your heart.

Deuteronomy 18:9 – “When thou art come into the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.”

EC: Just because one is a Hebrew monotheistic believer doesn’t mean he can’t learn some helpful things from non-believers. How can we condemn them when we have refused to learn why they do certain things and believe the way they do? Christians need to learn how they attract so many people to those groves up on the hill.

Deuteronomy 7:22,25 – “And the Lord thy God will put out those nations before thee by little and little…. The graven images of their gods shall ye burn with fire: thou shalt not desire the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it unto thee, lest thou be snared therein: for it is an abomination to the Lord thy God.”

EC: Overlook their image adoration. All religions have some redeeming value. Incorporate their successful methodology and you may gain their confidence and acceptance and thereby influence them for Christ at some future time. The Jews missed some great opportunities to be a witness nation by their attitude of separation.

Leviticus 20:23,24,26 – “And ye shall not walk in the manners of the nation, which I cast out before you: for they committed all these things, and therefore I abhorred them…. I am the Lord your God, which have separated you from other people…. And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the Lord am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine.”

EC: Focus on contact without compromise. Separation has only to do with what one actually believes in his heart, and nothing to do with literal separateness. God separated us spiritually by letting us see more light than they, but if we will be patient with those on their spiritual journey, eventually they will come to faith in Jesus.

Deuteronomy 7:1,2,5,6 – “When the Lord thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee…thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them…But thus shall ye deal with them; ye shall destroy their altars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire. For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God: the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.”

EC: [This was evidently an interpolation by some scribe who was abused as a child. God is love, and a loving, merciful God would have us be a loving and merciful people, not treating others in the way suggested here, as though we were “special” and therefore better than they. That would be unkind. So these verses should actually be stricken from the Bible.]

Joshua 23:5,7,8 – “And the Lord your God, he shall expel them from before you, and drive them from out of your sight; and ye shall possess their land, as the Lord your God hath promised unto you…. That ye come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them: But cleave unto the Lord your God.”

EC: We can expel the unbelief from the hearts of the atheists and pagans by manifesting a loving attitude toward them at all times. Don’t denigrate their ‘religion,’ rather honor their ‘spirituality.’ Multiculturalism and pluralism are inevitable. You must learn to live together and strive for mutual understanding and cooperation. You can do this and still remain faithful to the Lord.

Ezra 10:11 – “Now therefore make confession unto the Lord God of your fathers, and do his pleasure: and separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives.”

EC: Maintain your faith in the Lord, just don’t marry women you do not know well, or acquire more wives than you can adequately take care of. The “separation” thing was merely a temporary injunction because of the local situation at the time.

I Kings 11:1-3 – “But king Solomon loved many strange women…of the nations concerning which the Lord said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love. And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart.”

EC: Solomon married unwisely and let his wives have more influence than they should have had. He was just an old guy who couldn’t handle new ways of ‘doing church.’ Marrying the daughters of prominent rulers often brings peace to the nation, and as the Prince of Peace, the Lord loves peace.

I Corinthians 5:11 – “But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolator, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.”

EC: Don’t be judgmental of your brother. He may be going through difficulties of which you have no knowledge. Pray for him, encourage him, take him out to lunch. He may not be as guilty of some of the charges as the Council of Elders determined that he was. You never know…he might have just come into a lot of money and could really bless the church financially. Be compassionate and patient with the victims of these temptations. Help them to taper off of their sins gradually.

II Corinthians 6:14 – “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?…. Wherefore come out from among them and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.”

EC: Egalitarianism is the first rule of love. Everyone is equal. Don’t be ‘goody two-shoes’ as though Christians are untouchable. Be discerning about your fellowship, but remember there is some good in everyone and everything. Be fair and balanced. If you are culturally relevant and progressive you will likely enjoy great popularity and acceptance. ‘Unclean’ is an Old Covenant word that has no relevance to us today. Community is the contemporary watchword.

I Corinthians 15:33 – “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” [“Bad company ruins good morals” – ESV] [“Do not be misled. Bad company corrupts good character” – NIV]

EC: Evildoers can be a pain in the neck, but if you will try to live right while you are together, it will be a witness. They won’t turn you; you will turn them. Your influence on them is greater than their influence on you. Just because millions of others have been corrupted is no sign you can’t handle the pressure and influence of bad company. Just sip and pray…and don’t inhale.

Ephesians 5:11 – “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.”

EC: Having fellowship with good moral people who pray and worship and love the Lord is essential, especially with those who have a compassionate heart and a kind spirit. Avoid judgmentalism that excludes such people on the basis of some narrow doctrine. Inclusivism is the pattern of thought that is relevant today. Some non-Pentecostals have a better “spirit” than the Apostolics. A sweet attitude of tolerance is the most important factor in the life of a child of God.

Galatians 1:8-10 – “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.”

EC: Let us hope that we are right enough to be saved ourselves, and yet wrong enough that others will be saved. Listen carefully to your inner voice; it may be the utterance of angels. Preach all you know, but if there is something you aren’t sure of by your own experience, don’t worry—let it all hang out. Spill your guts. No one is right on everything. Truth is not totally objective, but rather subjective in many cases. It is what each of us believe it is.

II Peter 1:3 – “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.”

EC: God’s word is good, as far as it goes. It is a living document that needs additions and revisions to be relevant to each generation and culture. It does not mention so many situations we face today; therefore, apply it where specifics are addressed, but in matters that are not directly referred to, use your own judgment or the current cultural practice.

II John 1:10 – 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.”

EC: Some people are not very far along on their spiritual journey; therefore, we must be patient with them. Spend time with them. Encourage them to continue seeking a comfortable level of spiritual light, even though it might be different from your own. Give them an offering if they are in need. It would be the missional thing to do.

As you excitedly read through this smattering of comments from leading theologians, you must know that God wants us to be progressive and relevant, standing in contrast to outdated brands of Christianity. We must appeal to the first two groups by any and all means—giveaways, comedy shows, outdoor drama productions, TV shows, celebrity visits….whatever. We can finance these efforts by the sale of trinkets like whistles and anklets, progressive music CDs, and funny imprinted T-shirts. The last group—outdated brands of Christianity, like conservative Evangelicals and traditional Pentecostal groups—should merely be ignored. They are hopelessly locked into retro methodology.

Ah, yes. This is a new day with fresh thinking and innovative ideas for doing church. As soon as we get the pulpit and altar benches out of sight (they scare sinners), the barstool down on the floor level, couches scattered around, and don our ragged $90 blue jeans, we will be ready to read from the missional Reader’s Digest Version (RDV) of the Bible. (It only has two chapters! Yesssssss!)

Be sure to stay after the service and sign up for our meditation and yoga classes!

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BooksBooksBooksBooksBooks

Covered by Love

This new book by Lori Wagner and Gwyn Oakes is all about women’s hair. Aimed at Pentecostal girls, the book provides sound, biblical reasoning for uncut hair. But it doesn’t stop there. It deals with hair styles, hair care, and just about all a girl needs to know about how to protect and wear her glory. Pastor’s wife, Rachel Coltharp, says, “How I wish this book had been available to me as a child/teenager. It so clearly and thoroughly lays out the positive message of obedience, purpose, and blessing concerning women’s hair. I hope every mother and grandmother will give their children the gift of this book.”

We agree. This book will make a great Christmas gift. It is a gift of biblical principles that will never go out of date. Order several today at advanceministries.org! AM price only $11.95.

Great Christmas gifts…

Bundle of ATF Journals

The Apostolic Theological Forum was established in 2002 to provide a colloquy where papers on theological subjects could be presented and discussed. A variety of papers dealing with doctrinal and cultural issues, church, government, prophecy and history have been presented each year in the Forum. There are five volumes. AM price $9.95 each.  Bundle of all five $44.95

The New Cyclopedic Theological Dictionary – 3rd edition

The reference volume based on the biblical, apostolic viewpoint! Compiled and written by J. R. Ensey.
When you want to know the meaning of a theological term, or the description of a religious movement, or the definition of over a thousand words that are found in reference works and the Bible…turn to The New Cyclopedic Theological Dictionary!
Contains:
• Over 1000 entries
• Definitions and descriptions of many Bible words, theological
terms, and religious movements
• 486 pages of easy-to-read, easy-to-use information
• The only reference volume of its kind! Written from a conser vative, apostolic viewpoint, this classic work has enhanced the study habits of thousands of ministers and laymen.
“This dictionary is far more than a word study; it is replete with the background and history of many doctrinal positions and teachings. It also serves as a standard for testing the validity of different theories…an invaluable tool!”
-Dr. Marvin Treece                                                                    AM Price $16.95

Order these and check out other great books at advanceministries.org.

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No spin zone

Redneck innovation

When it’s hot in Arizona, you just do what you have to do.

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Dates to remember

Apostolic Ministerial Conference in Murfreesboro, TN. February 28-March 2, 2012. Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center. Call 615-890-4464 for hotel reservations. All suites! Reserve early. Great preaching, great fellowship. Speakers: Cleve Lambeth, Daniel McKillop, Phil White, Alan Pickleseimer, Sam Ham, Clifford Clark, Caleb Adams. Don’t miss it! Everyone welcome!

Apostolic Theological Forum in Albany, GA. January 19-20, 2012. New Life Church, 1200 Cordele Rd. 300. Steve Waldron, host pastor, J. R. Ensey, chairman. Presenters: Wade Bass, Peter Connell, Bill Davis, Philip Harrelson, G. Jorge Medina, Roger Perkins, Steve Waldron, Ben Weeks. Registration opens at 6:00 p.m. Thursday evening. Convenient, inexpensive lodging at Sleep Inn (229-888-5595). See you there!

The Parting Shots

 “There is a craze these days to hear something new from the Lord; but what we need to hear are those things we have heard all along, but have not listened to.”  –  Oswald Chambers

 “Holy practice is the most decisive evidence of our repentance.”  –  Jonathan Edwards

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Have a blessed Christmas season…and don’t forget whose birthday we are really celebrating! Let’s keep Him at the center of all our activities.

JREnsey

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“To err is human, but to really foul things up requires a computer.” – Farmers’ Almanac, 1978. How much misery could a Commodore 64 give you in 1978 compared to the monsters we use today? The hackers and wikileak types are proving they can really mess up the whole world.

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Pushed by an angel

You know I am not one to repeat a lot of angel stories, but indulge me this one. Sister Ilene Dewar, our assistant in the ministry of ISC, sent it to me a few days ago. May it be an inspiration to you.

A young man who works at the hospital as an operating room technician at the Indiana University Health Care—Bloomington is an Apostolic. As the operating team of which he was a part was wheeling a patient, also was Apostolic, into the operating room for surgery for a blocked colon, Brother Rob felt a hand on his back. Thinking it was a nurse who wanted him to move closer to the patient to give her room to pass by, he moved and looked over his shoulder. When he did, he saw an angel who was as tall as the ceiling. The power of God hit Rob and he burst out speaking in other tongues. The doctor and nurses were giving him looks so he quenched it. Then, it hit him again and he again burst out in other tongues and this time laid his hand on the patient. Then the doctor told him to stop and he did.

When the doctor opened the patient up, he said to the nurses, “Please check this man’s records, we must have the wrong patient.”  The nurses assured him that it was the correct patient. Then, he said, “Maybe the patient of the same name was scheduled for surgery.” So, again they checked and reported that this was the correct patient. Then the doctor said, “Call my office and have his records faxed over here.”  They did and everything checked out, even the measurements of his last procedure. The doctor then said, “Something is wrong—we have the wrong patient.” They closed up the incision.

After the doctor left the operating room, he reprimanded Rob. Rob tried to explain that he was Apostolic and that when we worship the Lord we sometimes speak in tongues. He tried to tell the doctor about Jesus and the plan of salvation, but the doctor would have none of it. However, the family and Bro. Rob knew the patient had been healed and they were rejoicing.

A few days went by and Bro. Rob had not seen this particular surgeon until one day, near the elevator, he said to Rob, “Come here, I want to talk to you.” Rob was sure he was going to be reprimanded again. The surgeon said, “When have you been to my village and when did you learn to speak my dialect.” Bro. Rob said, “I don’t know your language and I have never been to your village.” The doctor was incensed at this answer and all but called Rob a liar. Again the doctor, who is from India, demanded that Rob tell him when he learned to speak his language and his dialect. Rob said, “I do not know your language.”  The doctor said, “Then why did you speak to me in my language.” “Sir,” Rob said, “What did I say to you?” The doctor said, “The first time you said, ‘It is done,’ and the second time, you said, ‘I said, it is done.’”

So, this time, Rob was able to tell this doctor more about Jesus and the plan of salvation. The doctor said, “I want you to come to my home and teach my entire family about this. I have been having dreams that I and my whole family were cast into hell. Many dreams, many nights.” Rob told him that it must be very upsetting to the doctor to have those dreams. The doctor insisted that Rob come to his home and teach his family, his entire family, saying, “My entire family will be there.”

So, Bro. Rob is now privately teaching the doctor and his family a Bible study. Also, the doctor told Bro. Rob that he had studied much about what happened to the patient, why there was no sign of a blockage when it clearly showed up on x-rays. He said there is no scientific reason, no medical reason and just no reason at all, but that blockage is gone.

P.S. I don’t know the doctor’s name, but please pray for him and his entire family, that the Spirit of God will lead Bro. Rob as he teaches them a home Bible study. Also, I want to tell you that I have been so inspired by your book, Faith in the Furnace, which I began reading yesterday. I am sure that God has good things in store for all of us. – Ilene Dewer

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Occupy Wall Street’s new ally: el Papa

On Monday, the Vatican called for a shared body of rules to manage the global financial market. The statement came as thousands of protesters have camped out in cities around the world to protest the excesses of Wall Street. Father Thomas Reese says the Occupy Wall Street activists might have an unlikely ally, the pope.

THOMAS REESE: This will surprise those Americans who think the pope is a Republican because he opposes abortion and gay marriage. But when it comes to economic justice, Pope Benedict is to the left of President Obama. He is even to the left of Nancy Pelosi. Those who read the pope’s 2009 encyclical “Caritas in Veritate,” which is Latin for “charity in truth,” will not be surprised by this new document. In that encyclical, the pope decried the corruption and illegality among economic and political elites in both rich and poor countries. He wants a radical rethinking of economics so that it is guided not simply by profits but by an ethic, which is people-centered.

Benedict noted that economic inequalities are on the increase across the globe. He does not accept the trickle-down theory, which says that all boats will rise with the economic tide. Benedict condemned the scandal of glaring inequalities and sees a role for government in the redistribution of wealth. Yes, you heard that right. The pope favors the redistribution of wealth. When was the last time you heard even a liberal Democrat use those words? The pope also disagrees with those who believe that the economy should be free of government regulation.

An unregulated economy has led man to abuse the economic process in a thoroughly destructive way, he wrote. Critics have complained that the Occupy Wall Street movement has no program. The people in the movement could do a lot worse than to study what the pope has said about the economy. Sadly, not even many Catholics know about the church’s teaching on economic justice, which has been called the church’s best-kept secret. The pope does not have a magic plan to bring about economic prosperity, but he does focus on the values that a political and economic system must support.

The priority, he says, has got to be access to steady employment for everyone, and that means not just here in the United States but also in the developing world. So if you’re having a tea party, don’t bother inviting the pope; he won’t come. But if you see a white, solar-powered car heading towards Wall Street, it might just be the popemobile.

Source: National Public Radio®.

Looks like everyone is trying to get a ticket on the social justice train.- jre

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The Radical Homosexuals…

…who are infiltrating the United States Congress have a plan:

Indoctrinate an entire generation of American children with pro-homosexual propaganda and eliminate traditional values from American society.

Their ultimate dream is to create a new America based on sexual promiscuity in which the values you and I cherish are long forgotten.

I hate to admit it, but if they pass the deceptively named “Student Non-Discrimination Act,” (H.R. 998 & S. 555) that’s exactly what they’ll do.

Better named the “Homosexual Classrooms Act,” its chief advocate in Congress is Rep. Jared Polis, himself an open homosexual and radical activist.

And it’s dangerously close to becoming the law of the land.

H.R. 998 already has 147 co-sponsors in the House!

And S. 555 already has 34 co-sponsors in the Senate!

It is time to contact your congressman!

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Book recommendation

Brother Daniel Orr II submits this recommendation for profitable reading:

I recently ran across the well written book titled The Book of Man, written by William J. Bennett, former Education Secretary under former President George Bush, Sr. For a brief summary of this highly praised book please refer to the following website found on the Fox News website dated 10/14/2011:

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2011/10/14/have-forgotten-how-to-raise-boys-into-men

This book comes highly recommended for those of you, or someone you know, who may be struggling with the cornucopia of issues connected to raising a boy in today’s world, or to those stuck with an adult man in your life—husband, brother, father or son—who is a modern Peter Pan Man without a clue of who he is or where he is going. Please read the article on Fox News and get the book. It makes sense in light of the perilous times in which we live.

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Apostolic Theological Forum

Make plans to join us in Albany, GA for the eleventh annual meeting of the Apostolic Theological Forum on January 19-20. The host church is New Life of Albany, 1200 Cordele Rd. 300. The host pastor is Steve Waldron. All who enjoy theological presentations and discussions are welcome.

Presenters include Wade Bass, Peter Connell, William Davis, Philip Harrelson, G. Jorge Medina, Roger Perkins, Steve Waldon (not pictured), Ben Weeks, and J. R. Ensey.

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 Who’s that knocking at the door?

I have been part of the ministerial seminar team in the Texas District for the past 32 years. I presently serve as the Ministerial Advancement Program chairman. That committee, along with others, provides training for incoming ministers and those seeking higher levels of ministerial credentials. So I am encouraged when we have applicants for license. We desperately need more ministers who can help us impact our world and extend the reach of the gospel.

That being said, I am aware of the need to carefully screen those who are knocking at the door for entrance into the UPCI. It was pointed out at the recent conference that there is a “graying” of the ministerial constituency. The current push for younger ministers that was made at the conference is commendable, and I am behind it 100%. However, the encouragement must be balanced by district boards being careful not to lower the bar because of this present need to reduce the average age of our ministerial body.

What is of greater concern than a graying ministerial constituency is one that is diluted by those who do not fully understand the essentials of the message of salvation or the holiness lifestyle as stipulated in the UPCI Manual. We need to pray earnestly for every district superintendent and district board member that they will know what every applicant believes and that it is in line with the Bible and our Manual before licensing is approved. That takes more intestinal fortitude than it once did. It sometimes means more than merely taking the sponsoring pastor’s recommendation.

Before we say, “Come in,” let’s be sure who is knocking at the door.

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We will all understand someday

The young police officer asked the elderly lady he had stopped, “Do you know you were speeding?”

The 83 year-old woman talked herself out of a ticked by stating, “Yes, but I had to get there before I forgot where I was going.”

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“Holy yoga,” anyone?

Are you as concerned as I am about the entrance of contemplative spirituality teaching and practices creeping into the Apostolic movement? I haven’t heard of our churches offering yoga yet, but other practices of the category are becoming more common. Where will we be with this stuff ten years from now if we don’t identify it and curb it now?

Check out these websites for the new spirituality information:

http://morebooksandthings.blogspot.com/2009/12/calvinists-promoting-contemplative.html

www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com

After being deceived into Christian Mysticism, Christine Pack warns us of the dangers in Mysticism: A Counterfeit Holy Spirit.

Here is an excerpt: “Christian proponents of mysticism, however, are making the assertion that Scripture is not enough of a revelation from God. No, according to them, we’ve got to power down, get still and silent, and “hear” from God.

However, speaking as a former mystic/gnostic/hindu/buddhist/pagan, I can attest that the “powering down” thing that mystics do is not biblical.

Pack also gives an interview warning us of the Dangers of Mystic Meditation Practices.

This interview really takes the lid off of why many Protestant Christian leaders involved in Roman Catholic monastic meditation tend to stop being Christian and turn into pantheists and panentheists who abandon the Word of God and the cross in favor of their next counterfeit spiritual fix.

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Psych watch

Multiple Personality Deception

The Wall Street Journal of 10/29/11 featured the review of a book by Carol Tavris. The book was Sybil Exposed by Debbie Nathan. How refreshing it is to see almost a full page given to the denunciation of this psychiatric deception called “multiple personality syndrome.” I exposed it in my book The Couch and the Cross several years ago when it was popular even in our own ranks. Every pastor would do well to take the time to read the review. It can be found at:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204524604576609350972680560.html

Pill mills

I trust you are also keeping up with the “pill mills” scandals that are popping up across America. Doctors are being paid to push prescriptions for particular name brand pharmaceuticals. Several Houston doctors made the news because of their involvement and at least one has already been tried and sentenced for indiscriminate pill pushing. Wake up, Apostolics! Brains and bodies and souls are being wasted through careless trusting of doctors without the patients doing their own independent fact-finding and research.

Bipolar kids?

“I have been a child psychiatrist for nearly five decades and have seen diagnostic fads come and go. But I have never witnessed anything like the tidal wave of unwarranted enthusiasm for the diagnosis of bipolar disorder in children that now engulfs the public and the profession. Before 1995, bipolar disorder, once known as manic-depressive illness, was rarely diagnosed in children; today nearly one third of all children and adolescents discharged from child psychiatric hospitals are diagnosed with the disorder and medicated accordingly. The rise of outpatient office visits for children and adolescents with bipolar disorder increased 40-fold from 20,000 in 1994-95 to 800,000 in 2002-03. A Harvard child psychiatry group led by Dr. Joseph Biederman, a prominent supporter of the diagnosis, recently insisted, ‘Juvenile bipolar disorder is a serious illness that is estimated to affect approximately 1 percent to 4 percent of children.’

“I believe, to the contrary, that there is no scientific evidence to support the belief that bipolar disorder surfaces in childhood. In fact, the opposite seems to be the case: the evidence against the existence of pediatric bipolar disorder is so strong that it’s difficult to imagine how it has gained the endorsement of anyone in the scientific community. And the effect of this trendy thinking can have devastating consequences. Such children are regularly prescribed medications that are not effective in kids and have unwelcome side effects.” (excerpted from Newsweek, June 27, 2011, p. 54).

Are you listening, Apostolics? And why do you think they are making so many bi-polar diagnoses? MONEY! It is pouring into the coffers of big pharma and the overflow is falling into the doctor’s pockets!

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For those who care to know…

Here is a website that clearly reveals what happens when we elect gays and lesbians to public office. Houston’s activist lesbian mayor is guiding the population into total acceptance of that lifestyle. She is changing laws and changing the entire landscape of our city’s culture. Here is what your grandchildren and great grandchildren will be facing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Y4M_fursus

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Worth repeating

This got my attention and made me realize how many times I’m asked for ID. I never thought about it before. Now that I have, I can’t for the life of me see why anyone should get upset at having to show an ID.

I’m a legal American citizen and I must show my ID when:

1.  Pulled over by the police for virtually any reason.

2.  Making certain purchases on my credit card.

3.  When I show up for a doctor’s appointment.

4.  When filling out a credit card or loan application.

5.  When applying for or renewing a driver’s license or passport.

6.  When applying for any kind of insurance.

7.  When filling out college applications.

8.  When donating blood.

9.  When making some debit purchases, especially if I’m out of state.

10. When collecting a boarding pass for airline travel.

I’m sure there are more instances, but the point is that we citizens of the USA are required to prove who we are nearly every day!

Why should people who are in this country illegally be exempt? Why shouldn’t we guard our borders as closely as every other country in the world does? What message is being sent to terrorists by open borders?

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I am told (with tongue in cheek) that…

…in Florida, an atheist created a case against Christianity’s Easter and Passover Holy days. He hired an attorney to bring a discrimination case against Christians and Jews and observances of their holy days. The argument was that it was unfair that atheists had no such recognized days.

The case was brought before a judge. After listening to the passionate presentation by the lawyer, the judge banged his gavel declaring, “Case dismissed!”

The lawyer immediately stood objecting to the ruling saying, “Your honor, How can you possibly dismiss this case? The Christians have Christmas, Easter and others. The Jews have Passover, Yom Kippur and Hanukkah, yet my client and all other atheists have no such holidays.”

The judge leaned forward in his chair saying, “But you do. Your client, counsel, is woefully ignorant.”

The lawyer said, “Your Honor, we are unaware of any special observance or holiday for atheists.”

The judge said, “The calendar says April 1st is April Fools Day. Psalm 14:1 states, ‘The fool says in his heart, there is no God.’ Thus, it is the opinion of this court, that, if your client says there is no God, then he is a fool. Therefore, April 1st is his day. Court is adjourned.”

You gotta love a judge that knows his Scripture!

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Apostolic Ministerial Studies 

Finally, the Apostolic Ministerial Studies course is complete! Years in the making, the two levels, Basic and Advanced, are available in two binders. There are twelve lessons in each level prepared for use by a pastor to train the ministers in his local assembly. Outlines for the ministers are also included. Written and compiled by J. R. Ensey, the studies are very practical and easy to teach. Here are the lesson topics:

Level I

The Word Handlers I
Conquering the Enemies of the Ministry
From Moses to King James
Managing Ministerial Finances
Taking the Pressure Off Your Marriage
Life in the Fishbowl
Leadership in the Local Church I
God’s Ministry Gifts
Making Full Proof of Your Ministry
Standards of Christian Conduct
The Ministry and Morality
Social Ethics

Level II

The Word Handlers II
Shutting the Backdoor of the Church
Ministerial Ethics
The Christian Counselor
A Page From Paul’s Ministers’ Manual
Requirements For the Priesthood
Maturing In the Ministry
Feeding the Flock
Leadership in the Local Church II
Pursuing the Will Of God
Shoulders For A Prophet’s Mantle
The Gifts of the Spirit

The 21st century Apostolic preacher faces challenges every day that past generations of preachers could have never imagined. We need all the resources and tools possible to equip us for this time. Ever since Brother Ensey told me he was working on a new study course for preachers a few years ago, I have been anxiously waiting to see the finished product. After having a chance to review the course I have not been disappointed. The experience from decades of hands-on ministry and years of training ministers have been distilled into a very user friendly manual. This is a must for every young minister and for ministers that are involved in training others for service. Thank you, Brother Ensey, for another great resource to strengthen the ministry. -Pastor Gary Howard

AM Price $119.00 (includes both levels)

Backsliding: The Bitter Bite of Beelzebub

Shirley Buxton writes with rare skill, say her readers. With artistic flair, she etches graphic views so that a deep understanding is taken from any subject she tackles. This eagerly awaited book is born out of a deep passion for the plight of those who have strayed from God. With loving words, she points to God’s eagerness to receive the prodigal. Drawing from the account of her son, Michael, who strayed for more than 25 years, she shows the way to full restoration.
Shirley Buxton recognizes this 21st century society as being degenerate, and that satan is fiercely attacking both young people and mature adults. From a sound scriptural basis coupled with intelligent pragmatism she urges the believer toward a way devoid of backsliding.
This book is for you if…
…you who wail in the night for your lost loved one.
…you who have strayed, but are ready to return home.
…you who want to secure your place in Christ, avoiding the terror of backsliding.

AM price $14.99

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Giggler’s Corner

Think that is what General George Patton was telling his troops?

Why snake handlers are becoming extinct!

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The Parting Shot

God gave each of us two ears. Perhaps that means when we are counseling we should hear both sides of the matter. Tom Hopkins made this observation: “The human body has two ears and one mouth. To be good at persuasion, we must learn to use those natural devices in proportion. Listen twice as much as you talk and you’ll succeed in persuading others nearly every time.”

HAVE A BLESSED NOVEMBER…and don’t forget to be thankful that your table will be probably be covered with wonderful food on Thanksgiving Day!

JREnsey

WELCOME to our October visit. Is anybody out there praying for some Texas rain? Our trees are dying, at least the ones that are not burning in flash fires. I am not a “tree hugger,” unless it is one in my yard that shades the morning sun and a couple in the back that give us relief from the afternoon blazes.

Enough of my petty problems. Some of you are mopping the floodwaters out of your homes. Others are picking up the pieces of your homes that the tornadoes tore away. Reckon ol’ Al was right about the climate after all? If so, do you figger he just might have invented the Internet, too? Nah.

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A little too committed

“Even if the Pope were Satan incarnate, we ought not to raise up our heads against him, but calmly lie down to rest on his bosom. He who rebels against our Father is condemned to death, for that which we do to him we do to Christ: we honor Christ if we honor the Pope; we dishonor Christ if we dishonor the Pope. I know very well that many defend themselves by boasting: ‘They are so corrupt, and work all manner of evil!’ But God has commanded that, even if the priests, the pastors, and Christ-on-earth were incarnate devils, we be obedient and subject to them, not for their sakes, but for the sake of God, and out of obedience to Him.” - St. Catherine of Siena (1347-1380), SCS, p. 201-202, p. 222, (quoted in Apostolic Digest, by Michael Malone, Book 5: “The  Book of Obedience”, Chapter 1: “There is No Salvation Without Personal Submission to the Pope”).

Thank God we are not required to be that committed to any individual on earth. Such commitment only leads to corruption. We are not required to follow those who do not follow Christ—especially “incarnate devils.”

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There’s that “should” again

A couple of blogs ago, I wrote about the use of “should” in John 3:16 because some were assuming that it could mean “ought to at a future date” in that context. That was not true, but when excessive play on English words in the determination of doctrine is employed, error is usually lurking nearby.

Another example is the English rendering of Acts 2:47b—“And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” (KJV). This can be used as a proof text for the doctrine of unconditional election, as if the word “should” suggests redemption of those foreordained to eternal life. It could also be used by proponents of infant baptism, as if aspersion as infants would serve as a hope or promise of future salvation as adults.

The Greek makes it clear what was really happening. The Greek in both the Textus Receptus and the newer Critical Text have “those who were being saved,” and is so rendered in major current versions. In other words, those who were repenting, being baptized in the name of Jesus, and being filled with the Spirit were being added to the Jerusalem assembly.

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Whatever happened to “in sickness or in health…’till death do us part”?

Religious broadcaster Pat Robertson told his 700 Club viewers that divorcing a spouse with Alzheimer’s is justifiable because the disease is “a kind of death.”

During the portion of the show where the one-time Republican presidential candidate takes questions from viewers, Robertson was asked what advice a man should give to a friend who began seeing another woman after his wife started suffering from the incurable neurological disorder.

“I know it sounds cruel, but if he’s going to do something, he should divorce her and start all over again, but make sure she has custodial care and somebody looking after her,” Robertson said.

The chairman of the Christian Broadcasting Network, which airs the 700 Club, said he wouldn’t “put a guilt trip” on anyone who divorces a spouse who suffers from the illness, but added, “Get some ethicist besides me to give you the answer.”

Most Christian denominations at least discourage divorce, citing Jesus’ words in the Gospel of Mark that equate divorce and remarriage with adultery.

Terry Meeuwsen, Robertson’s co-host, asked him about couples’ marriage vows to take care of each other “for better or for worse” and “in sickness and in health.”

“If you respect that vow, you say ‘til death do us part,’ Robertson said during the Tuesday broadcast. “This is a kind of death.” [end of report]

Questions: How many kinds of “death” are there? Who defines death? He has opened a can of worms. Thanks again, Pat, for shooting every Bible-believing Christian in the foot and giving all the talking heads in the media fodder for their broadcasts.

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Definition of an opportunist

It is said that last Friday, a hooded robber burst into a bank in South Louisiana and, at gunpoint, forced the tellers to load their cash into a plain brown bag.

As the robber approached the door, one brave customer grabbed the hood and pulled it off, revealing the robbers face.  Without a moment’s hesitation, the robber shot the customer.

He then looked around the bank and noticed one of the tellers looking straight at him.  The robber instantly shot and killed him also.

Everyone in the bank, by now horrified, stared down at the floor in silence.  The robber yelled, “Well, did anyone else see my face?”

There was a long moment of dead silence in which everyone was terrified to speak.

Then, one old Cajun named Boudreaux from down the bayou cautiously raised his hand and said, “I’m pretty sure my wife Cloteele got a good look at you.”

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Why the revival of Dominionism?

The faddish doctrine of dominionism began to be heralded among Pentecostals in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It took some ministers and churches down. A concerted effort by the majority of Apostolic ministers exposed it as false doctrine and it sort of went into “remission.” But the concept seems to have endless lives, being reincarnated and finding room in Reformed Theology and other Protestant movements, sometimes under different names, such as Kingdom Now or the Seven Mountains Mandate.

What is dominionism? A recent article appearing in the Houston Chronicle described it fairly accurately: “The term was popularized in the 1990s by scholars and journalists, who applied it to conservative Christians seeking political power. It derives from the Book of Genesis, in which God tells Adam and Eve to have ‘dominion’ over the Earth and its animals. It describes the belief that Christians are biblically mandated to control all earthly institutions until the second coming of Jesus. Experts identify two main schools of Dominionism: Christian Reconstructionists, who believe biblical law should [ultimately] replace secular law; and the New Apostolic Reformation, which advocates for Christians to ‘reclaim the seven mountains of culture’: government, religion, media, family, business, education, and arts and entertainment.”

The doctrine appeals to those who feel that the church will gradually mature and expand until it Christianizes the world, thus creating the kingdom of God on the earth. This may take hundreds or even thousands of years, some say. Because of that, the doctrine of the imminent return of Christ is set aside. And, besides, who wants to put all authority under the control of some religious entity—even us? Seems like they tried that during the Middle Ages, and it was one of the reasons we still refer to that era as “the Dark Ages.”

Dominionism is another name for the Kingdom Now doctrine. Robert Crabtree was Superintendent of the Ohio District of the A/G when he prepared a report for the pastors of his district on Jan. 13, 1987: “Kingdom Now teachers have redefined the Gospel which requires ‘re-evangelizing’ the church without an emphasis upon Jesus Christ. Salvation moves one from the kingdom of sin to the Kingdom Now of Christ on earth. This new kingdom is being built by waking up the professing Christians rather than reaching the lost. These renewed Christians are to seek control of the earth and assume stewardship responsibilities of the material world.”

Robert Wood, former Gen Sec’y of A/Gs, in 2006, said: “The church would have a larger mission than that of proclaiming personal salvation through Christ….The political, social, and economic systems of nations and cultures would need to be ‘Christianized’…”

Letter by C. Peter Wagner, (Chairman of Wagner Leadership Institute), May 31, 2007: “In my view it is not possible to get an operational handle on how to initiate corporate action toward social transformation without taking into account the seven mountains or what I like to call ‘molders of culture.’ The seven are religion, family, business, arts and entertainment, government, education, and media.”

We ought to be on guard against this and other false theories that would come among us, stealing good men and churches from our movement.

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Parental rights vs. government nonsense and abuse

How long will parents roll over and play dead in the face of obvious abuse by governmental authorities? When the school counselor or CPS bureaucrats, often 90-day wonders fresh from liberal colleges, require our children to take risky psychotic drugs, it is time to stand up and say NO!

That’s exactly what one Detroit mother said when they tried to take away her 13 year-old daughter when she refused to give her Risperdal, a drug so dangerous it is documented by international drug regulatory agencies to cause aggression, cardiac arrest, fatal blood clots, liver failure, mania, suicide and violence. Child Protective Services, accompanied by armed police officers, a SWAT team and a tank, arrived at her door with a court order to take her child away.

The mother, Mrs. Maryanne Godboldo, decided it was time to say NO. A 13-hour standoff ensued, but she was ultimately arrested, and multiple charges were filed. As it turned out, the CPS and police did not have a legitimate court order and many of the charges have been thrown out. She appears to be winning in court.

Johnson and Johnson, the maker of Risperdal, is currently facing $1 billion in federal and state lawsuits—and the state is forcing kids to take their dangerous drugs that will mess their lives up for as long as they live? If we don’t speak out and encourage others to stand up as Mrs. Godboldo did, what is the future for your grandchildren and mine? Please understand that big pharma has supported “therapists” and psychiatrists to come up with a new “disorder of the month” so they can market their drugs for them.

Please, pastors and parents, find out the truth behind this sordid scandal and save your children from this abuse by the pharmaceutical companies and government bureaucrats who put their job security first, not your children.

For the complete Godboldo story:

http://www.cchrint.org/2011/08/31/dont-drug-my-child/

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Things worth remembering

Modesty is not only an ornament, but also a guard to virtue.  -  Joseph Addison

A poverty of soul invites surrender to the enemies of the cross.

The language of truth is unadorned and always simple. – Ammianus Marcellinus

In skating over thin ice, our safety is our speed. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers” (Titus 1:9).

“Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward” (II John 1:8).

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Two gospels?

Dale Neill, President of the International Christian Chamber of Commerce: “The church must grow past the ‘gospel of salvation’ message and understand that it is only when we begin to implement the principles of the ‘gospel of the kingdom’ that we will really begin to see change in lives and cities and nations. The church has no understanding of this realm…the Church must grow up.” (www.worldwideweekend.com)

One wonders: What is the difference between Neill’s perceived “gospel of salvation” and the “gospel of the kingdom.” None! The gospel is the “good news” that Christ has come to be a propitiation for the sins of all people. The gospel of the kingdom is not the concept of converting cities and nations. Before we attempt to “take a nation” for Christ, let’s baptize a single representative from there and let God open the doors (Acts 8).

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Islam sneaking into our schools

Just like the influence of all things Hispanic has impacted American education, Islam is gradually, no, rapidly, infiltrating our culture. Schools are developing curriculum that casts Islam as a peace-loving religion. Even in Texas. I would be interested to know when Islam was converted into a “peace-loving” entity. A Georgia middle school adjusted its lessons after a father complained that his daughter’s homework assignment promoted Shariah law. My question: who is promoting this stuff, and who appointed the person(s) promoting it? We need to elect those who will make political appointments of people who favor America for a change.

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You can always trust the Muslim Brotherhood

Various news outlets have reported numerous times about the Muslim Brotherhood’s radical beliefs—beliefs that may be working their way into Egypt’s future governance. Last month Dr. Salah Sultan, a member of Yusuf al-Qaradawi’s International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS) and the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, declared on al-Jazeera that the IUMS would restore the fatwa they issued in 1994, which stated that “every Zionist who enters Egypt—tourist or not—should be killed.”

The Middle East is on fire and the cinders are falling here. There is only One who is able to extinguish the blaze!

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He wishes…

The Dalai Lama, one of my favorites, said recently that if he is to be reincarnated he will leave clear written instructions about the process, but that the matter is unlikely to come up for a number of years.

The Tibetan spiritual leader said in a statement that when he is “about 90” he will consult Buddhist scholars to evaluate whether the institution of the Dalai Lama should continue at all. He is 76.

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Why you can trust the Bible

Is the Bible we have today the same words early Christians confirmed were in the autographs? I believe it is. We have the same books Jesus and the apostles preached from. We have the letters that were quoted by Polycarp, Tertullian, Irenaeus, the Apologists and dozens of other “church fathers.” It is said that if all the quotations of the “fathers” were compiled, it would virtually reconstruct the entire New Testament. We have manuscripts of the Greek New Testament that could have been read by men who had opportunity to read the autographs of the apostles themselves.

When the early papyri manuscripts p⁶⁶ and p⁷⁵ were discovered in the last century, they didn’t change one iota of “the faith once delivered.” When the oldest extant Greek manuscript was found (p⁵² pictured), it again only served to verify that we hold the same Scriptures the earliest disciples read and loved. We read the same stories, commands, admonitions that Timothy and Titus and John Mark read. We teach the same doctrines that the Apostles and early church held. That should be a comforting thought to every believer today.

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Thanks for the memories.

Time to pray!

Texas rain guage…still empty!

“Honey, I have picked out a headstone for your mother.”

First love.

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BooksBooksBooksBooks

Married Without Spouses

by Christine Carney

This book is written to women who are married to unsaved men and addresses their unique set of needs with straight shooting humor and candor. However, these simple lessons and nuggets of encouragement are applicable to any marriage!

Just Because You Are Depressed Doesn’t Mean You Have Depression

by Dr. Mary Block

In her new book, Dr. Mary Ann Block exposes the truth about the diagnosis of depression and reveals the dangers and risks of current drugs prescribed for it. If you or someone you love is one of the 19 million people diagnosed with or suffering with the symptom of depression, the information in this book could literally save your life. In her clear and easy-to-understand writing style, Dr. Block again takes on the often flawed area of psychiatry to help people understand the real issues surrounding their symptoms. If you don’t have all the information you can’t make an educated decision. This book gives important information that often is not included in the usual doctor/patient conversation.   AM Price $14.95

Pastoral Leadership for Manhood and Womanhood

by Wayne A. Grudem, Dennis Rainey

As the shepherd of the flock, a pastor has many responsibilities–few as great as leading and training families. The pervasive attitude and beliefs of the world have only added stress and confusion to this task. Sixteen highly regarded men and women help bring clarity and guidance to this important issue. They tackle practical topics such as how and why to preach on biblical manhood and womanhood, putting the Internet to use, church discipline, small groups, and handling domestic violence. They discuss the personal applications within the pastor’s marriage, and they examine the biblical views of ministering to singles, homosexuality, leadership and submission, and much more. This compilation is thorough, potent, and a must-have for any pastor’s library.  AM Price $16.99

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Parting shot

Someone told me recently that in the sport of golf, when something is not working and scoring soars, amateurs look for a gimmick—a special club, a new routine, a new kind of ball. Not so with professionals. They go back to the fundamentals. How is my weight dispersed in the address? Is my grip too weak or too strong? Is my swing on plane? Am I keeping my head down? How is my follow through?

How applicable that is to pastors and churches. When things are not coming together for maturity and growth, amateurs look for a gimmick—a new giveaway, a celebrity speaker, a new kind of drama, a new dress-down service, a hotter band, or a new doctrinal twist for broader appeal. The real pros go back to the fundamentals. Preach the Word. Encourage individual Bible studies. Mentor young people. Exercise spiritual authority. Lead by example. Provide music that leads into deep and sincere worship. Emphasize the basics.

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Just do it!

JREnsey

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We knew it

It is said that President Obama announced from Martha’s Vineyard that the earthquake that recently shook Washington and the entire Northeast was situated on a fault line that has not had earthquake activity on it before. It is called Bush’s Fault. Yes, we have heard much about that fault recently. One wonders how long the fault is and will it never end? And doesn’t Bush have a cousin named Irene? There’s probably a connection.

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The Godhead for English teachers

Jesus made the shortest complete sentence in history: “I Am!”

English teachers tell us that when we speak of ourselves, it is in the first person. When we address a person with “you,” it is in the second person. When we speak of “he, she, they or them” it is in the third person. Some say God is a trinity and want to make three separate, distinct persons out of God. OK, let’s do it this way:

First person: Jesus said of Himself, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty” (Revelation 1:8).

We speak to Him in the second person: “And Thomas answered and said unto him, [You are] My Lord and my God” (John 20:28).

We speak of Him in the third person: “The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower” (Psalm 18:1-3).

Come on, trinitarians, admit it. We can speak of Jesus in the first, second or third person, but they all say the same thing—He is God in flesh!

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Better parents make better kids

“Kids need to pay attention, respect authority, “ said John Rosemond on American Family Radio a few days ago. And I can just hear someone out there saying, “And pigs will fly, too!” But let’s don’t give up hope too soon.

It’s not uncommon to hear older generations reminisce about the “good ol’ days.” But when it comes to child rearing, America’s most widely-read parenting expert says those days saw better parents and better children.

“By the time a child is three years old, he ought to be paying more attention to his parents than his parents are paying to him. That’s, today, a radical idea,” says John Rosemond.

The well-known columnist says it would have not have been radical to someone who heard this 50 years ago because people up until the modern age understood this principle.

“The modern age is the age of ‘psyco-babble’ and parenting. Up until this age of ‘psyco-babble,’ people understood that you cannot effectively teach a child what you need to teach him, you cannot effectively disciple a child unless the child is in a position of being the student—and that requires that the child be paying attention to you,” the expert says.

Rosemond says the problem in most American families today is that most parents are paying so much attention to their children, that their children never get the message that it is their job to pay attention to their parents.

“So what you have by the time most children of three years old is children with a very pronounced attention deficit disorder that they take with them to school and simply never learn to pay attention to adult authority figures—and as a consequence, have never learned to do what they’re told,” he adds.

The parenting authority adds that raising children should not be stressful, and if parents put their primary focus on their marriage, parenting will flow naturally and it will not be a stressful situation.

Rosemond made his comments during the latter part of August on American Family Radio’s The Matt Friedeman Show.

You are right, John. Better parents will likely produce better children. That is not rocket science, just plain common sense.

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Standard fare from CNN/Yale Divinity school

Jonathan Dudley, a young man fresh from seminary, has written a book to set the evangelical community straight on abortion, homosexuality, environmentalism, and evolution. On June 21, 2011 he wrote a promotional blurb for CNN to tell his story of growing up in an evangelical home (my bet would be a charismatic religious environment) but finally learning the truth at college.

Dudley was taught that abortion is murder, homosexuality sin, evolution nonsense, and environmentalism a farce. One reviewer said, “Yet, when he began studying biology at the evangelical Calvin College and theology at Yale Divinity School, Dudley’s views started to change. He soon realized that what he had been told about the Bible—and those four big issues involving scripture and biology—may have been misconstrued and that what so many Christians believe about key social and political issues may be wrong.”

“Since graduating from seminary, I no longer identify with the evangelical community of my youth,” he says. Not many do, son, after sitting at the feet of fools (Psalm 14:1) in Yale for years. He freely quotes Augustine, Jovinian, Thomas Aquinas, and his seminary professors, but casts doubts on the preachments of Paul concerning homosexuality.

In his book, Broken Words: The Abuse of Science and Faith in American Politics, Dudley lays the groundwork for a new generation of post-Religious Right evangelical political activists, who believe in evolution, rally behind the environmental movement, are moderate on abortion, and support gay marriage—and who are more faithful to orthodox Christianity than their counterparts.” Hmmmm…

Like one good morsel in the city dump, he calls out his former colleagues in the evangelical community for standing against homosexuality as presented in Romans and ignoring Paul’s instructions about hair in the next book. He says, “In short, Paul objects to two things as unnatural: one is male-male sex and the other is long hair on men and short hair on women. The community opposed to gay marriage takes one condemnation as timeless and universal and the other as culturally relative.” (Applause!) Something is still stuck to him from his upbringing!

He is just regurgitating what the professors have told him. The Bible is not a practical book in the eyes of secular college/seminary professors. Did you ever wonder why such unbelievers are part of seminary faculties? It looks like they, of all people, would be teaching the authority of Scripture. But such institutions have largely been reduced to agents of change within denominations. I prophesy that within five years, he will be teaching in some college or seminary.

With college professors like him, America is doomed.

Source: http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/06/21/my-take-bible-condemns-a-lot-so-why-focus-on-homosexuality/

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How many ways and in how many situations could you apply the principles expressed in the following quote?

“Wrong ways of thinking often sound persuasive. Error is often believed with confidence. For example, many cultists and false teachers are very confident and certain about their views. An argument for the need of certainty is often used to keep people loyal to the error. Promotion of error often depends on a mentality that says “trust us and we will give you absolute certainty.” A one-sided presentation of a claim may result in a feeling of certainty, but it may be far from the truth. A feeling of certainty is not identical with the truth. It is not certainty that makes people free. “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).

- Rick Norris, The Unbound Scriptures (Fayetteville, NC: Unbound Scriptures Publications, 2003), pp. 4,5.

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“First Lesbian”?

Houston politics has long been left of center, and last year they elected an openly lesbian mayor. The mayor has begun calling her “partner” the “First Lady of Houston.” This is “in your face” political correctness and moral incorrectness. I am sure the many UPCI and Apostolic ministers of other fellowships will stand together and oppose such debauchery that will trickle down through the school system and the general populace.

Dr. Steve Riggle, chairman of the Houston Area Pastor’s Council, has announced that a seminar with Alliance Defense Fund, a network of 2,000 attorneys throughout the country committed to defending our religious freedom, including your right as pastors to speak out on any issue or candidate publicly from the pulpit. The seminar is scheduled on Wednesday, September 14 at Grace Community Church (South Campus) at I-45 at Dixie Farm Rd, beginning at 900 a.m. Lunch provided. It is time to stand up and be heard!

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A verse difficult to misunderstand

God’s basic plan of salvation is so clear in Acts 2:38 that “wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein” (Isaiah 35:8). And it matters not which version one reads from, they will all point the finger of truth in his face.

“Then Peter said unto them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (KJV).

“And Peter answered them, Repent (change your views and purpose to accept the will of God in your inner selves instead of rejecting it) and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of and release from your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (AMP).

“And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (ASV)

“Peter said, “Turn back to God! Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins will be forgiven. Then you will be given the Holy Spirit.” (CEV)

“And Peter said to them, Repent, and be baptised, each one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for remission of sins, and ye will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Darby)

“And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (ESV)

“Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (NASB)

“Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (NIV)

“Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (NLT)

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Can you spot at least three differences in Sarah Palin’s bus and Obama’s?
Never listen to mainstream news without a barf bag.

Put it as a text message. Juveniles can’t read cursive!

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When Harry Reid buys a car

Sen. Reid goes to a local GM dealer in Washington , D.C. with the intention of buying a brand new vehicle. Harry looks around and finds one he likes.
After going back and forth with the salesman, Harry settles on a price of $45,000. Harry and the salesman go back to the office to complete the paperwork. Harry works out a 4-year payment plan, and signs on the bottom line.
The salesman shakes Harry’s hand and says, “Thanks Senator Reid, the car will be ready for pickup in 4 years.” Harry says, “What are you talking about? Where are the keys to my new car?”
The salesman replies, “No, you don’t understand, Senator. You make payments for 4 years, THEN we give you the car. You know, just like your health plan.”

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Time out for comfort

Wash your eyes and ears out with this picture and accompanying scripture. I have no idea who caught this shot, but one thing for sure they were at the right place at the right time. One is reminded of Psalm 91:4—“He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust.”

Are YOU the one this was for?

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Mark your calendar

The Apostolic Theological Forum is coming to Albany, GA January 19-20, 2012. All who enjoy theological papers delivered followed by a lively discussion, are invited to attend. Host church is New Life of Albany, 1200 Cordele Rd. 300. Host pastor is Steve Waldron.

The 2012 Apostolic Ministers Conference on February 28-March 1 at the Embassy Suites Conference Center in Murfreesboro, TN. Fabulous hotel and conference facilities, full, cooked to order breakfast, and every room a suite. Great preaching, fellowship, perfect for the minister’s family to enjoy. Don’t miss it!

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The Third Option

That we are seeing a revival of Darwinian evolution is a commonly known fact. However, the Roman Catholic Church and some Protestant movements are progressing toward “spiritual evolution,” giving rise to the “third option.” The coming combination of one world government and religion will likely feature this option.

Are churches now accepting evolution? Many have lost their faith in the Bible and are embracing a theory that all things either happened by accident or that God used evolution to bring mankind where he is today. Either way, it is evolution. The next step is spiritual evolution, that we are all evolving upward, no one is going to Hell, and good and evil will merge, providing a better “third option.”

This was prophesied by Tielhard de Chardin, a Catholic theologian: “The fate of all mankind, as well as of religion, depends upon the emergence of a new faith in the future.” That new faith is now taking shape before our very eyes. There is a merging of segments of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and the pagan religions of the East into a new spirituality.

The basis for such a new world order will be the total rejection of the authority of the Word of God. Man’s opinions and spiritual experiences will supersede the Bible. It will become a hated document, something standing in the way of humanity’s progress upward. The foundation for such displacement of Scripture was laid by the Roman Catholic Church long ago: “We confess that whatever new thing the Pope ordains, rather it be in Scriptures or not in Scripture, and whatever he commands is true, divine and salvific; and therefore ought to be held by lay people in greater esteem than the precepts of living God.”[1]

This is only one reason we are urging all ministers to re-focus on Genesis 1:1 and renew our commitment to creationism as taught in the Scriptures. Our young people have heard so little teaching from this section of the Bible that their faith is weak. When they get in high school and college they are bombarded with atheism, agnosticism and evolution, and many drop out of the faith simply because they cannot defend it. Brethren, this is a super serious matter. Let’s strengthen the faith of our youth in the authority of the Bible. Check out the helpful books below that will give you some ammunition to deal with this crisis. The next generation of Apostolics are depending on you…now!

“For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth” (Psalm 33:4).

1. Roman Catholic Confessions for Protestants Oath, Article IV, (Confessio Romano-Catholica in Hungaria Evangelicis publice praescripta te proposita, editi a Streitwolf), as recorded in Congressional Record of the U.S.A., House Bill 1523, Contested election case of Eugene C. Bonniwell, against Thos. S. Butler, Feb. 15, 1913.

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BooksBooksBooksBooksBooksBooks

Into His Marvelous Light

Into His Marvelous Light Bible studies are now available in both KJV and NIV in English. The follow-up Bible study is Guide For Living—great for new converts and new members. We are the distributors of this enormously effective Bible study. This is where to buy them for less. If your people want to win souls, this is perhaps the simplest method. Order a supply today!

Prices for IHML and Guide For Living: $1.75 each to 49; 1.50 50-99; only $1.25 each 100-up. Let’s go soul winning!

Go to onehourbiblestudy.com or advanceministries.org to place your order.

Biblical Creationism by Dr. Henry Morris

This unique book discusses every passage in the Bible that deals with Creation and the Flood. Dr. Morris shows that Creation is taught not just in Genesis, but throughout the whole Bible. Easy-to-understand and invaluable for pastors, teachers, and all who are serious about studying the Bible.  Am Price 12.99

Many Infallible Proofs by Dr. Henry Morris

Many have said that this book is the most comprehensive—yet warm and evangelistic—presentation of the practical evidences of the infallibility of the Bible and the truth of Christianity available anywhere. Widely used as a textbook and reference work, yet especially suitable for inspirational reading.   AM Price 13.99

Already Gone by Ken Ham

In this powerful book, popular author Ken Ham and consumer behavior research/analyst C. Britt Beemer combine to reveal trends that must be dealt with now . . . before we lose another generation! The authors tell us how and why we are losing so many of our youth…and what we can do about it.     AM Price 12.99

Already Compromised by Ken Ham

Already Compromised is an incredibly valuable resource for parents with children nearing or in their high-school years. It receives a four-star rating from the Biblical Bookshelf.   AM price $13.95

Creation vs. Evolution by Dr. Arlo Moehlenpah

Every pastor, Sunday school teacher, and parent must equip themselves to meet the challenges of the pseudo scientists, college professors, and media types that are doing their best to wring the faith out of our youth. Arm yourself!  AM Price 13.99

Five Reasons to Believe in Recent Creation by Dr. Henry Morris III

“Dr. Henry Morris III offers five fundamental reasons why belief in a recent creation is not only feasible, but vital to a true understanding of God’s Word.” Preachable!  AM Price 5.99

The Way of the Shepherd by Kevin Leaman

The Way of the Shepherd will teach you how to lead the people God has placed around you so they will view their work as a calling rather than merely a job, a place to belong rather than a place to work. It shows you how to infuse work with meaning and how to engage and energize your workforce. Biblical principles of leadership at all levels.  AM Price 14.99

If you see a book advertised here but can’t find it on the web site, email us at roffie@advanceministries.org or call us at 936-856-3419. We usually ship the same day or the next day unless we are out of town. Thanks for purchasing your books and Bibles from Advance Ministries.

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Parting shot

“The Bible looks on sin, not as a disease, but as red-handed rebellion against the domination of the Creator. The essence of sin is – ‘I won’t allow anybody to ‘boss’ me saving myself’, and it may manifest itself in a morally good man as well as in a morally bad man. Sin has not to do with morality or immorality, it has to do with my claim to my right to myself, a deliberate and emphatic independence of God, though I veneer it over with Christian phraseology.” -  Oswald Chambers

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September is one of the best months of the year. Usually not too hot, certainly not too cold, kids are in school, good time to catch fish, gear up for hunting season, plan a fall festival or evangelistic crusade, plant greens in the garden, and generally get caught up on things you got behind on during the summer. A little rain in Texas surely would help those greens come on up.

JREnsey

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Thanks, Ma’am

Rev. Dr. Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite, a senior fellow at the left-wing Center for American Progress and a board member for Faith in Public Life (a progressive, religious organization), believes that Christianity—and right-leaning political beliefs—are responsible for the tragic Oslo rampage.

In a Washington Post opinion piece entitled, “When Christianity Becomes Lethal,” Thistlethwaite lectures readers about the perils of “extreme Christianity” and the failure of believers to see the connections between their beliefs and associated violence.

It would probably be worth noting that Thistlethwaite is the former president of Chicago Theological Seminary (CTS) and a preacher ordained through the United Church of Christ (UCC). The infamous Rev. Jeremiah Wright has also taught at CTS and is, of course, ordained by UCC as well. You can read a piece in which Thistlethwaite defends Rev. Wright’s preaching style here, but providing even more of a backdrop to frame her views beyond this probably isn’t needed.

Source: Theblaze.com

I wonder if he had been a Muslim if she would have been so quick to condemn his religion.

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Obama says he would like to be a dictator

President Obama gave a speech on immigration last week to La Raza, a Hispanic group, and admitted that the idea of making his own laws and “doing things on my own is very tempting” when it came to dealing with Congress. The crowd began cheering and clapping, chanting “Yes, we can!” And while he added the caveat that our democracy doesn’t work like that, it was obvious that he was speaking from his heart. Shades of Venezuela and Hugo Chavez! The whole scenario was said to remind listeners of the Star Wars scene where Natalie Portman’s character (?) says, “This is how liberty dies, with thunderous applause.”

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Make A Move

There is a music video making the rounds called “Make A Move.” The singers and musicians are called the Royal Tailor Band, a “Pentecostal” group. I use the term rather loosely.

This is where most of us knew those young musicians who are plugged into the rock/dance/MTV scene were going. I understand the band has signed a lucrative agreement with Sony to produce more stuff like “Make A Move.” The group has even produced a video to teach young people how to “make the moves” and dance steps that they do on the video. The leader feels that moving into this realm with this type of choreography and music will “change the world.”

Into what?

Pastors, you may be surprised to know what your young people are being taught by such bands. That type of choreographed music has never led anyone into a deeper spirituality and walk with God. If it is allowed on our church platforms and in our youth meetings, it will quickly reproduce itself. Pastors and youth leaders must stand up now or watch your youth slip into carnality that is being labeled as spirituality.

“Oh, we have to have something like this to compete with MTV.” NEVER! We are not in competition with MTV! They may be in competition with us, but we are not with them. We ought never do what we do to look as good (or as bad) as someone else. This “spiritual consumerism” has infected the church and is gnawing at our vitals. We need a collective confrontation of this evil or it will take down thousands of our youth. One or two voices will not withstand it. This is a challenge from Hell and must be met with all the forces of Heaven. Where is the certain sound from leadership?

We just had a young man return from summer camp with a changed life and changed direction. When he got home, he went to his room and cleaned out over a thousand dollars worth of CDs. They were a weight and an encumbrance to his walk with God. He “made a move” to kick some things like this out of his life. Now that was a smart move!

Let’s stand TOGETHER against the encroachment of this type of non-Apostolic carnality that is knocking on the door of the Apostolic movement. Let’s make a move to keep this kind of stuff out of our meetings!

If you want to see what I am talking about: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rbsHB00G8g

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Center of the Bible

It’s strange how this works out.

What is the shortest chapter in the Bible? – Psalms 117

What is the longest chapter in the Bible? – Psalms 119

What chapter is the center chapter of the Bible? – Psalms 118

There is 594 chapters before Psalms 118 and 594 after Psalms 118.

Add these totals up and you get 1188.

So now what is the center verse in the Bible? Psalm 118:8!

So what does this verse say? It says something significant about

God’s perfect will

in and for our lives here and now.

Next time someone says to you that they would like to find

God’s perfect will for their

life, and want to be in the center of His will, just send

them to the center of His word:

The book of Psalms 118:8

“Its better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.”

When things get tough always remember: “Faith doesn’t get you around trouble, it gets you through it.”

Source: D. Myers – Huntsville , TX

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“Should” or “shall” in John 3:16?

A phone call this month made me realize that another review of John 3:16 might be in order. The caller was perturbed that certain preachers were heard misquoting that verse. They were quoting it with “shall not” rather than “should not.” Now if one is quoting from the KJV, they were indeed misquoting it. He pointed out that the words were “should not perish” (KJV), meaning—in his estimation—that if one believes, he “ought not” to perish but go on to full salvation via the new birth, etc. “Shall,” he said, “was absolute. Should is suggestive.” (NIV/NASB have “shall”; NLT has “will.”)

This was obviously an effort to make it fit his broader doctrinal position, which may be sound in itself and not in need of such subtle wordplay. This underscores the problem with trying to build a doctrine, or support one, based on the English wording alone. We should remember that Jesus did not speak in English, nor was the Bible originally written in medieval Elizabethan vernacular.

The word “should or shall” is understood as built into the phrase, “me apolētai”—should not perish—and is not a stand alone word in the original. The Bible’s Greek term ἀπόληται [apolētai] simply means “perish or destroy.” So the translators understood that Jesus was saying that one’s active faith in Christ was what will keep him from suffering eternal damnation (Ephesians 2:8). Reading more than that into the wording is eisegetical and unnecessary.

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Social Justice

So what is left for the churches when Hell is removed, when the cross and the blood of Christ is repugnant to the masses? When the mention of sin is not politically correct, and therefore redemption is moot? When faith in Christ and His Word are no longer necessary for salvation or even legitimate subjects for Christian pulpits, all they have left is works—good deeds, feed the hungry, provide for the poor, campaign for social justice, and the like.

Dispensing with the gospel of grace, of sin and redemption, or life change through the new birth strips the church of its place in society and makes is nothing more than part of the government’s nanny state.

That is not the kind of church where I found God as a teenager, nor is it the kind of church that Jesus is building today. Redemption is not found in social justice efforts, Rick Warren and the Emergents notwithstanding. We must never be reduced to that level. Individuals can help the hurting when they are encountered and the need is felt, and certain focused evangelistic efforts may spill over into physical assistance, but social service is not a substitute for the gospel. Jesus came to “seek and save that which is lost.”

We will never fulfill the Great Commission through social reform and charitable causes. It is commendable that a group of Christians will lend a hand in general tragedies like hurricanes and “acts of God,” as weather damage is called. The Jews in Israel and the church in the NT times helped fellow believers, but they didn’t make a concerted effort to relieve all the sin-caused pain and problems of society through social services. The Warrenesque “social gospel” is a distraction provided by the liberal bleeding hearts who have abandoned the real gospel of Christ and have nothing left but to engage in some popular area of social reform.

Interfaith social justice and new strains of so-called spirituality are all the rage in America today, emphasizing the fact that we are rapidly becoming a post-Christian nation. Isaiah noticed something like this in Israel and complained that “You have abandoned your people, the house of Jacob” (Isaiah 2:6 NIV). Why? “They are full of superstitions [influences -NASB] from the East; they practice divination like the Philistines and clasp hands with pagans.” Is there a better picture of America, and some branches of our own Christian faith? Have we forgotten how jealous God is? Do we think He will forever bless us regardless of how far we drift from Him and His Word?

For more on this topic, plus the new spirituality, emergent church, and related subjects, let me suggest that you visit  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0JEODSz2lk

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“Socialism is a philosophy of failure,

the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy,

its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery.”

– Winston Churchill

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The team that got bin Laden

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Islam and the future of the world

The world is becoming a hostage to Islam. In the UK, some wussies want the school textbooks to remove the record of the Holocaust because it offends the Muslims who believe it never happened.

In a braver time, below is what some notables had to say about Islam:

Patriarch Cyrus of Alexandria, while negotiating the surrender of Alexandria to the Muslims, 640 AD:

“I am afraid that God has sent these men to lay waste the world.”

Gregory Palamus of Thessalonica, 1354:

“For these impious people, hated by God and infamous, boast of having got the better of the Romans by their love of God…they live by the bow, the sword and debauchery, finding pleasure in taking slaves, devoting themselves to murder, pillage, spoil…and not only do they commit these crimes, but even — what an aberration — they believe that God approves of them. This is what I think of them, now that I know precisely about their way of life.”

William Eaton, US Consul to Tunis, wrote in 1799:

“Considered as a nation, they are deplorably wretched, because they have no property in the soil to inspire an ambition to cultivate it. They are abject slaves to the despotism of their government, and they are humiliated by tyranny, the worst of all tyrannies, the despotism of priestcraft. They live in more solemn fear of the frowns of a bigot who has been dead and rotten above a thousand years, than of the living despot whose frown would cost them their lives…The ignorance, superstitious tradition and civil and religious tyranny, which depress the human mind here, exclude improvement of every kind…”

Alexis de Tocqueville:

“I studied the Kuran a great deal … I came away from that study with the conviction that by and large there have been few religions in the world as deadly to men as that of Muhammed. As far as I can see, it is the principal cause of the decadence so visible today in the Muslim world, and, though less absurd than the polytheism of old, its social and political tendencies are in my opinion infinitely more to be feared, and I therefore regard it as a form of decadence rather than a form of progress in relation to paganism itself.”

John Wesley: 

“Ever since the religion of Islam appeared in the world, the espousers of it…have been as wolves and tigers to all other nations, rending and tearing all that fell into their merciless paws, and grinding them with their iron teeth; that numberless cities are raised from the foundation, and only their name remaining; that many countries, which were once as the garden of God, are now a desolate wilderness; and that so many once numerous and powerful nations are vanished from the earth! Such was, and is at this day, the rage, the fury, the revenge, of these destroyers of human kind.”

John Quincy Adams wrote:

“In the seventh century of the Christian era, a wandering Arab of the lineage of Hagar [i.e., Muhammad], the Egyptian, combining the powers of transcendent genius, with the preternatural energy of a fanatic, and the fraudulent spirit of an impostor, proclaimed himself as a messenger from Heaven, and spread desolation and delusion over an extensive portion of the earth. Adopting from the sublime conception of the Mosaic law, the doctrine of one omnipotent God; he connected indissolubly with it, the audacious falsehood, that he was himself his prophet and apostle. Adopting from the new Revelation of Jesus, the faith and hope of immortal life, and of future retribution, he humbled it to the dust by adapting all the rewards and sanctions of his religion to the gratification of the sexual passion. He poisoned the sources of human felicity at the fountain, by degrading the condition of the female sex, and the allowance of polygamy; and he declared undistinguishing and exterminating war, as a part of his religion, against all the rest of mankind. THE ESSENCE OF HIS DOCTRINE WAS VIOLENCE AND LUST: TO EXALT THE BRUTAL OVER THE SPIRITUAL PART OF HUMAN NATURE (Adams’s capital letters)… Between these two religions, thus contrasted in their characters, a war of twelve hundred years has already raged. The war is yet flagrant… While the merciless and dissolute dogmas of the false prophet shall furnish motives to human action, there can never be peace upon earth, and goodwill towards men.”

John Quincy Adams wrote in 1829:

“The precept of the Koran is, perpetual war against all who deny, that Mahomet is the prophet of God. The vanquished may purchase their lives, by the payment of tribute; the victorious may be appeased by a false and delusive promise of peace; and the faithful follower of the prophet, may submit to the imperious necessities of defeat: but the command to propagate the Moslem creed by the sword is always obligatory, when it can be made effective. The commands of the prophet may be performed alike, by fraud, or by force.”

Winston Churchill, wrote in 1899:

“The religion of Islam above all others was founded upon the sword … Moreover it provides incentives to slaughter, and in three continents has produced fighting breeds of men—filled with a wild and merciless fanaticism.”

Theodore Roosevelt wrote:

“The Greeks who triumphed at Marathon and Salamis did a work without which the world would have been deprived of the social value of Plato and Aristotle, of Aeschylus, Herodotus, and Thucydides. The civilization of Europe, America, and Australia exists today at all only because of the victories of civilized man over the enemies of civilization, because the victories stretching through the centuries from the days of Miltiades and Themistocles to those of Charles Martel in the eighth century and those of John Sobieski in the seventeenth century. During the thousand years that included the careers of the Frankish soldier and the Polish king, the Christians of Asia and Africa proved unable to wage successful war with the Moslem conquerors; and in consequence Christianity practically vanished from the two continents; and today nobody can find in them any ‘social values’ whatever, in the sense in which we use the words, so far as the sphere of Mohammedan influence. There are such ‘social values’ today in Europe, America, and Australia only because during those thousand years the Christians of Europe possessed the warlike power to do what the Christians of Asia and Africa had failed to do—that is, to beat back the Moslem invader.”

Winston Churchill:

“How dreadful are the curses which Mohammedanism lays on its votaries! Besides the fanatical frenzy, which is as dangerous in a man as hydrophobia in a dog, there is this fearful fatalistic apathy. The effects are apparent in many countries. Improvident habits, slovenly systems of agriculture, sluggish methods of commerce, and insecurity of property exist wherever the followers of the Prophet rule or live. A degraded sensualism deprives this life of its grace and refinement; the next of its dignity and sanctity. The fact that in Mohammedan law every woman must belong to some man as his absolute property must delay the final extinction of slavery until the faith of Islam has ceased to be a great power among men. Individual Moslems may show splendid qualities. Thousands become the brave and loyal soldiers of the Queen; all know how to die; but the influence of the religion paralyses the social development of those who follow it. No stronger retrograde force exists in the world. Far from being moribund, Mohammedanism is a militant and proselytizing faith. It has already spread throughout Central Africa, raising fearless warriors at every step; and were it not that Christianity is sheltered in the strong arms of science the civilisation of modern Europe might fall, as fell the civilisation of ancient Rome.”

G.K. Chesterton: 

“There is in Islam a paradox which is perhaps a permanent menace. The great creed born in the desert creates a kind of ecstasy of the very emptiness of its own land, and even, one may say, out of the emptiness of its own theology. . . . A void is made in the heart of Islam which has to be filled up again and again by a mere repetition of the revolution that founded it. There are no sacraments; the only thing that can happen is a sort of apocalypse, as unique as the end of the world; so the apocalypse can only be repeated and the world end again and again. There are no priests; and yet this equality can only breed a multitude if lawless prophets almost as numerous as priests. The very dogma that there is only one Mahomet produces an endless procession of Mahomets.”

Winston Churchill 14 June 1921:

“The Wahabis [Saudi extremists] profess a life of exceeding austerity, and what they practice themselves they rigorously enforce on others. They hold it as an article of duty, as well as of faith, to kill all who do not share their opinions and to make slaves of their wives and children. Women have been put to death in Wahabi villages for simply appearing in the streets. It is a penal offense to wear a silk garment. Men have been killed for smoking a cigarette, and as for alcohol, the most energetic supporter of the temperance cause in this country falls far behind them. Austere, intolerant, well armed, and bloodthirsty, in their own regions the Wahabis are a distinct factor which must be taken into account, and they have been, and still are, very dangerous to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, and to the whole institution of the pilgrimage, in which our Indian fellow-subjects are so deeply concerned….The Emir Bin Saud has shown himself capable of leading and, within considerable limits, of controlling these formidable sectaries.”

Andre Servier, 1922 wrote:

“Islam was not a torch, as has been claimed, but an extinguisher. Conceived in a barbarous brain for the use of a barbarous people, it was—and it remains—incapable of adapting itself to civilization. Wherever it has dominated, it has broken the impulse towards progress and checked the evolution of society.”

Hilaire Belloc who wrote in 1938:

“Will not perhaps the temporal power of Islam return and with it the menace of an armed Mohammedan world, which will shake off the domination of Europeans—still nominally Christian—and reappear as the prime enemy of our civilization? The future always comes as a surprise, but political wisdom consists in attempting at least some partial judgment of what that surprise may be. And for my part I cannot but believe that a main unexpected thing of the future is the return of Islam.”

Bishop Fulton J. Sheen who wrote in 1950:

“Today, the hatred of the Moslem countries against the West is becoming hatred against Christianity itself. Although the statesmen have not yet taken it into account, there is still grave danger that the temporal power of Islam may return and, with it, the menace that it may shake off a West which has ceased to be Christian, and affirm itself as a great anti-Christian world power.”

Vernon Richards wrote:

“The true Islamic concept of peace goes something like this: “Peace comes through submission to Muhammad and his concept of Allah” (i.e., Islam). As such the Islamic concept of peace, meaning making the whole world Muslim, is actually a mandate for war. It was inevitable and unavoidable that the conflict would eventually reach our borders, and so it has.”

David Selbourne – The Losing Battle with Islam:

“Of course, there are distinguished precedents even for the bleakest and coarsest of these judgments. To Montesquieu in 1748, Islam’s ‘destructive spirit’ spoke ‘only by the sword’; to Schopenhauer in 1819, the Koran was a ‘wretched book’ in which he had ‘not been able to discover one single idea of value’; to De Tocqueville in 1843, Islam was ‘deadly’, ‘to be feared’ and a ‘form of decadence.’”

Lord Tebbit wrote:

“The Muslim religion is so unreformed since it was created that nowhere in the Muslim world has there been any real advance in science, or art or literature, or technology in the last 500 years.”

And how about this quote from Ayatollah Khomeini from 1942:

“Islam makes it incumbent on all adult males, provided they are not disabled and incapacitated, to prepare themselves for the conquest of [other] countries so that the writ of Islam is obeyed in every country in the world. But those who study Islamic Holy War will understand why Islam wants to conquer the whole world…. Those who know nothing of Islam pretend that Islam counsels against war. Those [who say this] are witless. Islam says kill all the unbelievers just as they would kill all of you! Does this mean that Muslims should sit back until they are devoured by [the unbelievers]? Islam says kill them [the non-Muslims], put them to the sword and scatter [their armies]. Does this mean sitting back until [non-Muslims] overcome us? Islam says kill in the service of Allah those who may want to kill you! Does this mean that we should surrender to the enemy? Islam says whatever good there is exists thanks to the sword and in the shadow of the sword! People cannot be made obedient except with the sword! The sword is the key to Paradise, which can be opened only for Holy Warriors! There are hundreds of other [Koranic] verses and Hadiths [sayings of the Prophet] urging Muslims to value war and to fight. Does all that mean that Islam is a religion that prevents men from waging war? I spit upon those foolish souls who make such a claim.”

Source:  http://home.comcast.net/~vincep312/islam.html

How can our president and other gullible officials speak of Islam as a “religion of peace”? That has never been the case. And how many times should a statesman like Winston Churchhill have to tell us before we get the message?

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Saudi Islamic cleric issues fatwa condoning pedophilia and child marriage

It is difficult to imagine defending pedophilia at all, let alone issuing a religious decree officially condoning it through the act of marriage. Yet that is what one Saudi cleric has reportedly done by issuing a fatwa defending Muslim “child marriage” or, pedophilia.

Dr. Salih bin Fawzan, a cleric in Saudi Arabia’s highest religious council, has reportedly issued a fatwa asserting that there is no minimum age for marriage and that girls can be married “even if they are in the cradle.”

According to FrontPage:

Appearing in Saudi papers on July 13, the fatwa complains that “Uninformed interference with Sharia rulings by the press and journalists is on the increase, posing dire consequences to society, including their interference with the question of marriage to small girls who have not reached maturity, and their demand that a minimum age be set for girls to marry.”

Fawzan insists that nowhere does Sharia set an age limit for marrying girls: like countless Muslim scholars before him, he relies on Koran 65:4, which discusses marriage to females who have not yet begun menstruating (i.e., are prepubescent)  and the fact that Muhammad, Islam’s role model, married Aisha when she was 6-years-old, “consummating” the marriage—or, in modern parlance, raping her—when she was 9.

FP asserts the only question posed by the cleric is whether the child is literally physically capable of “bearing the weight” of her new husband.

Source: theblaze.com

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Comments on Creflo Dollar and Eddie Long

Last month we invited comments on the ethical problems besetting Atlanta megachurch pastors Eddie Long and Creflo Dollar regarding transfer of members, not an issue unknown to virtually any church and pastor. Re-read that article here. Below are some of the more interesting comments that were submitted.

“God chose preaching. One cannot sit under a preacher that he does not trust and have faith in, for he will not receive the tool God chose to save his soul.”

“I think the reason why Dollar would say something like that is because when he is busted he is not going to want his people to leave.”

“My comments/reaction to your question(s):

1. What was prior relationship between the two?

2. Is Dollar trying to keep under cover the same or other problems/situations?

3. Does he consider the transferees to be spies, or just simple /honest people who want to be religiously right in a right place, according to their knowledge or perception of truth?

4. There is money (payoffs) to be gained in these situations! Who knows if payoffs were used to silence the Long affair? (I Timothy 6:10) This goes on with legal stuff!”

First, I find Dollar’s quote and admonishment for members of Long’s church, calling them hypocrites and acting as if their own lives were “flawless,” not unlike the words, rebukes and caustic remarks tossed around after the vote in Tampa. If one chose another path, he was accused of disloyalty or hypocrisy. Those who were unhappy, yet stayed, had their convictions questioned.

Second, When does a member have the right to declare “enough is enough” without being burned at the stake? Would it have been permissible for Long’s members to abandon him after the third accusation of inappropriate behavior? What about the fourth or the fifth?

Third, probably some of Long’s members cried, “Stay with the ship! Stop the leaks and keep her seaworthy!” What assurances were given that “seaworthiness” could be maintained, or that repairs would be forthcoming? What would be different in the future? Should someone lose faith in the ship’s survival, at what point would they be considered AWOL (self-righteous with a big H on their chest)?

Last, if members of churches like those in the story are allowed to leave a church without censure, how about those in religious organizations? When are members and ministers free to follow their hearts and conscience without scorn?

Thanks to all those who submitted responses.

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BooksBooksBooksBooksBooks

Busy Woman’s Guide To  Soulwinning

Discover how to align your busy days so that they are God centered and soul conscious. This guide is filled with real-life stories, hands-on tips, and practical strategies to empower you to connect others to God. This type of soul winning is fun, easy, and rewarding. Be the soul winner you have always longed to be!

AM Price 16.99

Married With (out) Spouses

This book is written for women whose husbands are not in the church. You will come to understand that you are called to serve God and minister as He desires in your life. As you read, you will begin a journey toward experiencing spiritual growth and gain confidence to seek, pursue, and fulfill the ministry in which He has called you, to the fullest capacity!

AM price 9.99

Wiersbe Expository Commentaries

Countless pastors, teachers, and students have pored over the best-selling Be series—and now these insightful studies are available in one complete set for a spectacular price! From Genesis to Revelation, Wiersbe unpacks the meaning and message of Scripture with a skilled exposition that remains ever mindful of practical application. Very good Bible Commentary—a must have for any student of The Word. Approx. 3000 pages total, six hardcover volumes from Cook.

Regular price $129.99 Sale Price $79.99. Only one set at this price. Call 936-537-0250 to order this set.

It’s easy to order and pay at our secure site! Go to advanceministries.org/store and make your selection. Pay online. Never forget…leaders are readers!

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Parting shots:

“If the Arabs put down their weapons today, there would be no more violence. If the Jews put down their weapons today, there would be no more Israel.” –  Benjamin Netanyahu

Dr. John A Howard, president of Rockford College said, “I invite you to take a little card and put it on your mirror or display it in some prominent place where it can serve as a daily reminder. I suggest that you inscribe on that card the phrase, ‘Truth is outraged by silence.’”

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Have an august August!

JREnsey

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Storm sewer theology

Someone wrote to me concerning last month’s blog: “Did anyone rescue the ducklings that fell through the storm sewer grate or were they ‘predestined’ to fall through? Then again maybe it was ‘natural selection’ or ‘survival of the fittest’! Whatever—I hope they are OK. That was very graphic and troubling! You may need to start censoring your blog. I feel I may need therapy after viewing those photos.”

Sorry, I didn’t mean to upset anyone. Just making a point.

The respondent suggested we provide a disclaimer stating: “No actual ducklings were harmed in the creation of last month’s blog.” Or maybe suggest that Tim LaHaye do a book series on “The Ducklings Left Behind.” It would probably carry the same credibility as his other “Left Behind” series.

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Turning over

 One of our founding fathers, John Adams, once said: “All sober inquirers after truth, ancient and modern, pagan and Christian, have declared that the happiness of man, as well as his dignity, consists in virtue.”

Virtue, defined by the moral constraints that constitute the substance of character, is rapidly becoming taboo in our culture. Thanks to movies and TV, the Charlie Sheens of America are elevated to stardom and the student who refuses to attend sex education classes where pornography is shown is denigrated as stupid and archaic. Morality is turning over and revealing its ugly side—immorality.

A lake near where I grew up “turned over” every few years—maybe something like a giant hydrous burp. Stuff on the bottom would suddenly come to the top and mix with the clearer water, polluting the whole lake. Tap water for surrounding communities came from there and you could hardly drink it. It tasted awful, even though it was treated. Is that what is happening in America—the trash and putrefying garbage on the bottom of society is rising to the top? If so, wave goodbye to whatever happiness and dignity remains in American life, as John Adams observed.

When morality is booed while immoral filth is praised, the lake of our nation’s culture is turning over. And all the inhabitants have to drink from it to some extent. That is why Apostolics have taken the position that TVs do not really belong in our homes and the movie theaters should never be frequented. And it is increasingly difficult to justify the social media sites on the Internet. There is no virtue found there. Increasingly, little more than voyeurism and prurient interests are appealed to there. The church is the last bastion of any semblance of virtue and righteousness. “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34). “Blessed [happy] is the nation whose God is the Lord” (Psalm 33:12).

Was John Adams right? Evidently so. Our national happiness and dignity are history.

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 The Book of Enoch

Jude, the Lord’s brother, did not mince words when writing about the kind of men who had slipped in among the believers in his day. He compared them to the ancient unbelieving Israelites, rebellious angels, Sodomites, and other ungodly individuals of the past who took the way of Cain, profited from Balaam’s error, and were destroyed in Korah’s rebellion. Judgment would fall on all “that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him” (Jude 15 KJV).

How strong is that? Sounds to me like some ungodliness was going on!

But note that he is quoting from the non-canonical Book of Enoch (v. 14), a Jewish work dated roughly from the third to the first century B.C. If Jude quotes from the book, shouldn’t that make it inspired and worthy to be included in the Bible? Not necessarily. The apostles quoted from secular writers and poets (Acts 17:28; Titus 1:12) to drive home a point. Perhaps even Jesus was quoting from Aeschylus in Acts 26:14.

The book is ascribed to Enoch, the great-grandfather of Noah. He was a real prophet to whom God did give a startling revelation when he was sixty-five years old (Genesis 5:22,23). When his son who was born that year reached the time of his death 969 years later, a worldwide judgment would come. Many commentators say the best interpretation of the name Methusaleh is: “When he is dead, it [the judgment, the Flood] will come.” Regardless, when he died, the Flood came.

While the writings under Enoch’s name (there is no record of his having written anything during his lifetime) is considered apocryphal and not canonical by most Jewish groups, some Christian churches in Ethiopia and Eritrea do regard it as canon. It is also highly regarded by some segments of Mormonism.

Jude, probably realizing his Jewish readers’ familiarity with the book, quotes from it. He did this not to give it broad credibility but merely to make a point. Although it contains fanciful and legendary material, everything in the Book of Enoch was not erroneous. What was selected from it for the church was accurate.

Enoch evidently spoke the first direct prophecy recorded in the Bible (Jude 14), and it concerned the same event as the last prophecy in the Bible (Revelation 22:20)—the coming of the Lord. That ought to be our resounding message also: “Behold the Lord is coming with thousands of His holy ones….”

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An ethical question

Christian Post (christianpost.com) reported that the Rev. Creflo Dollar (right), pastor of World Changers Church International, scolded people who were wanting to join his church after their pastor, Bishop Eddie Long (left), pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta, was accused by several young men of having homosexual affairs. A nice gesture, in a way. But he alluded to their “hypocrisy” and accused them of acting as if their own lives were “flawless.”

My question: Was Dollar right to call the transfers hypocrites because they wanted to attend a church where there was no moral mark against the pastor? Should such a person be accused of hypocrisy on that basis alone? Was such a move signaling that they considered themselves flawless? What do you see in Dollar’s attitude? Have you ever witnessed a similar situation in our own movement? What should Dollar have done differently, if anything? I would like to hear from you on this question—anonymously if you prefer. You can email me at jnz@kingwoodcable.net.

(PS: Dollar himself was cited by a U.S. Senator for highly suspect behavior concerning his own ministry’s finances.)

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Government preachers

There’s a new world coming, folks. The twenty-first century will see a lot of changes in the way religion is practiced in America.

We are accustomed to government agents, government overseers, government officials of all stripes. But not government preachers. However, our world is full of them. In Russia, the Orthodox priests are government certified. Ministers in some European countries, in the Middle East, and other countries have to have government approval. Some even receive stipends from the government. Even Protestants in Nazi Germany were under the heel of the ruling party. In Switzerland the Catholic and Swiss Reformed Churches are financed by an official taxation, making them ultimately accountable to secular authorities. That is part of the residue from the Middle Ages when the church and state were basically one.

Are we on the cusp of “government approved” preachers in America? The president’s government financed, faith-based initiatives may be a way to gradually assume control of the churches. I am in the process of researching this phenomenon. If any of you reading this, including missionaries in other countries, have information relative to it, I would appreciate your feedback and observations.

King Ahab had 450 prophets that were “licensed” and controlled by him. America is on a slicky slide to socialism in order to attain total control from the top down and all across the board. Personally, I don’t want to ever be in hock to the bureaucracy in Washington.

Remember: freedom is not free.

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TBN says: “Can’t name names!”

Jack van Impe has walked away from his 23-year run of programming on TBN. When he pointed out how Rick Warren was accommodating Islam and how Robert Schuller was spewing psychobabble, it was too much for Paul and Matt Crouch. They drew the line at naming names. I wonder—can you name sin there? Or God? Probably not.

Does Southern California have a nutcase magnet down there? Every state and major urban center has its share, I am sure, but there must be a collection point down there so all kinds of stuff slide off into it. (A thousand pardons, my good SoCal brothers.) Click on the link. It is worth reading.

http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=311473

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Go meditate on your own mountaintop!

You have your pet peeves—I have mine. One is the Dalai Lama. He is criss-crossing our country promoting Buddhism and his brand of internationalism. Now students are listening to him at universities all across America spread his anti-Christian and anti-American philosophies.

He speaks of inner peace through meditation and Eastern religious practices. However, he laces his talks with politics. Recently, at the University of Minnesota, he told students that “as far as socio-political beliefs are concerned, I consider myself a Marxist.” He went on to say, however, that he wasn’t a “Leninist.” Who would turn around for the difference as it relates to America? We already have too many Marxists in our current government bureaucracy!

While I support religious freedom, even for him, when he begins to regurgitate Marxist political philosophy to the Americans who have helped him in a thousand ways while he waits for his native Tibet to be freed from the Chinese communists, we should draw the line and tell him to hit the road and peddle his poison pills somewhere else. The undermining of this republic by foreign visitors should not be rewarded.

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Speaking of “meditation”…

There is meditation, and then there is meditation. The meditation encouraged in the Scriptures is when—having read a verse or passage from the Bible—you sit back for a few moments and think about it. You ponder its meaning and its application. It sinks into your consciousness and becomes a motivation for improved behavior.

The meditation promoted by Eastern religions is altogether different. There one stops, becomes silent, assumes a particular physical position, breathes rhythmically, “empties” his mind and communes with his higher self. The same is basically true with the meditation techniques of the ancient Catholic “desert fathers”—hermits and mystics—who left populated areas and went into seclusion to meditate and pray. Convents and monasteries were later built to partially provide for this activity. Some Catholic dogmas were developed and honed in such settings.

Journaling has become popular in Christian circles. There is no problem with maintaining a diary or keeping a record of prayer times. But the journaling that is being promoted includes the written record of what is “heard” when in deep meditation and altered states of consciousness.  These thoughts, considered by some to be as authoritative as Scripture, are then shared in confessional sessions called “divine listening.” This new wave of contemplative spirituality has invaded many Christian institutions of higher learning. It is interesting to Google “meditation,” click on “images” and see what comes up. It will not be the Bible’s view of meditation!

Well-known contemporary Catholic mystics such as Thomas Merton, Henri Nouwen, and popular authors like Richard Foster and Dallas Willard have promoted these experiences. The Emergent church leaders have also come out in favor of “spiritual formation” practices. They are “spiritual” practices, but they have nothing to do with biblical spirituality. They make it easier to lead the practitioners into deeper error. Google “spiritual transformation” (a term colleges and seminaries love) and see how many websites are out there promoting shamanism and New Age practices.

We should confront these practices when they come among us. That is why this brief article is in this month’s blog.

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Going home to Mama

An entire Episcopal church in Maryland—including its pastor—has decided to convert to Catholicism, the first in the United States to make the move under new Vatican rules meant to appeal to disaffected Protestants.

“It feels fantastic,” said Patrick Delaney, a lay leader. “It’s like correcting 500 years of history.” Correcting?

Who’ll be next to scoot back to Mama? Of course we all know Episcopalians were never very far from home, anyway.

Source: Episcopal church in Bladensburg to convert to Roman Catholicism

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Nation’s largest denomination faces decline

NASHVILLE — Baptisms fell to their lowest number in 60 years among Southern Baptists, the nation’s largest Protestant denomination. In 2010, Southern Baptists baptized 332,321 people, or 17,416 fewer than in 2009, according to a report released by Nashville-based LifeWay Research. This marks the eighth time in 10 years that baptisms have declined and it is the lowest number of baptisms since the 1950s.

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Church bus ministries

If your church has a bus ministry, you might want to check out the latest news about possible government regulations concerning emissions. Get info here:

http://www.christianlaw.org/cla/index.php/what-we-do/press_release

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 A unique concept

A recent article in the Houston Chronicle spotlighted the technology mogul who founded PayPal and is part owner of Facebook. His current deal: he will pay you $100,000 not to go to college. He is looking for bright young people who are not tainted by what they might be taught in college—whether in the classroom or through the total experience of “higher learning.” He wants fresh minds in his entrepreneurial world, unvarnished by the skewed ideas of tenured college professors.

“The prizes come at a time when debate over the value of higher education has become heated. New graduates mired in student loan debt are encountering one of the toughest job markets in decades. Rising tuitions and diminishing prospects have led many to ask whether college is worth the time and money,” the author of the article stated.

I am not offering a judgment on his ideas about a secular education. But regarding Apostolics with a call on their lives going to a non-Apostolic college or seminary to earn a degree in theology or psychology, sociology, or similar disciplines, I do have thoughts. I have seen too many return with doubts, with their minds blurred by humanism, false doctrine and heresy, to sit still and say nothing. I am sure they figured to come out untarnished, but most do not. This is primarily how religious movements become liberalized. Others also see this, but many are too threatened by marginalization and misunderstanding to speak about it. So they bite their tongues and turn their heads while we fill our pulpits and classrooms with ministers who have been exposed to so many theories and concepts that they are unsure of what truth really is.

For young people to go to college to learn a trade, to develop personal skills needed to earn a living is a great thing. Theoretically, it is a slam dunk. There would be no problem if that is all that goes on in college. It is the fruitcake philosophies, wrong-headed socio-political garbage, and professors with a liberal agenda that threaten our Apostolic young people and the American way of life. Too many courses are tainted with anti-Christian, anti-American propaganda. For every believer that comes out of college unscathed there are three that come out either faithless or seriously compromised. It is the perfect environment to jettison one’s Christian upbringing.

I applaud our Apostolic institutions when they stand for truth and righteousness, training men and women to continue the work of our spiritual forefathers. I also give them kudos when they respond to mid-course corrections when they are called for. I have been involved in Christian college administration and recognize the on-going necessity for close supervision and oversight. They need more than yes-men and big donors on their boards and committees. They need the prayers and involvement of all of us in the movement to which they are accountable.

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Just so you’ll know

Dr. Leslie Weatherhead, in his book Time for God, has a mathematically calculated schedule which compares a lifetime of “three score years and ten” with the hours of a single day from seven in the morning to eleven at night.

If your age is:

15, the time is 10:25 a.m.

20, the time is 11:34 a.m.

25, the time is 12:42 p.m.

30, the time is 1:51 p.m.

35, the time is 3:00 p.m.

40, the time is 4:08 p.m.

45, the time is 5:16 p.m.

50, the time is 6:25 p.m.

55, the time is 7:34 p.m.

60, the time is 8:42 p.m.

65, the time is 9:51 p.m.

70, the time is 11:00 p.m.

Then this…none of Einstein’s ideas have so fascinated the public and provoked such controversy among physicists as the so-called “clock paradox.” The paradox is based on the assumption that time passes more slowly for an object in motion than one at rest. Thus, if Einstein is correct, an astronaut traveling at extremely high speed—say to a distant star and back—would age less during his trip than a twin brother who had remained on earth. Depending on the length of his mission, the astronaut could, upon his return, actually be years younger than his twin.

No actual test of the theory has yet been done. But I wonder…if you go far enough fast enough, could you come back before you were born? Other questions are evoked: Does time actually speed up or slow down depending on the number of syllables a preacher squeezes into a long, 10-second breath? Does it slow down if you are waiting in line for driver’s license renewal or baby-sitting a two year-old? Does it speed up when you are enjoying a double-dip Marble Slab cone?

Ah, sweet mysteries of life.

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A word to our recent graduates (and other readers)

Above all, keep spiritual things in your focus. In a world filled with twitty tweets, mindless Facebook chatter, and the constant siren calls for self-indulgence, remember the One you serve. He comes first in your life. Not your education, your relationships, or your career—HIM!

Look around. Find a hurt and heal it. Find a need and fill it. Find something broken and fix it.

Don’t take life too seriously—or yourself. Stop and smell the flowers. Take fifteen minute vacations.

Walk with a light foot. Take a little bit of honey on life’s journey. There will be grief and pain enough, so take advantage of the sweet moments along the way. Laugh a lot, especially at yourself.

Don’t try to carry the world on your shoulders. You are not the only pillar in the temple of the universe. Save the guy or girl next door before setting out to save the world.

Concentrate on what you can do something about. Make a difference in your own sphere of influence. Brighten the corner where you are. Bloom where you are planted.

Don’t learn all of life’s lessons the hard way.

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How dry is it in Texas?

It’s so dry in Texas that the Baptists are starting to baptize by sprinkling, the Methodists are using wet-wipes, the Presbyterians are giving out rain-checks. We’ve seen all that before, but when the Catholics start praying for their wine to turn back into water…now that’s dry!

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Jesus, The Ultimate Ology

by Johnny James

This new 351 page book from Dr. James, known as “the Walking Bible,” addresses the topic of Oneness in a unique style that only he possesses. Just to read his way of lifting up Jesus is worth the price of the book. You haven’t seen a treatise on Oneness like this. Apologetics may be boring to some, but nobody ever accused Johnny James of being boring. You will laugh a little, shout a little, make copious notes, and will probably use something from this book in your next Sunday’s sermon. Get your copy today!

Only 16.95 from advanceministries.org or call 936-856-3419 or 936-537-0250.

Check out all of our great books at advanceministries.org/store.

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Never drink and paint

Our new neighborhood watch group

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The parting shot

When principles that run against your deepest convictions begin to win the day, then battle is your calling, and peace has become sin; you must at the price of dearest peace, lay your convictions bare before friend and enemy, with all the fire of your faith.  – Abraham Kuyper

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Have a great July! Celebrate our nation’s 235th birthday. Stay safe…be cool.

JREnsey

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Missed it again

How many times do the date-setters have to be wrong before they are considered unworthy of our time and attention? May 21—the date Harold Camping and others had set for Christ’s return—came and went without a hint of earthquakes or Rapture. At least I have not heard of any of our brethren who are missing.

Dates submitted by the end-of-the-world types are days when it is least likely for the Lord to come. “No man knoweth….” However, let’s don’t wag our finger too much at Mr. Camping. Making fun could subliminally suggest to our young people and children that the Rapture and the Second Coming are subjects to joke about.

Speaking of the Second Advent, may I address an area of confusion? The postmillennialists, amillennialists and preterist advocates can’t seem to grasp the concept presented in the Scriptures. They don’t believe in a “Rapture,” and because that is what is usually meant when we speak of the “Second Coming,” they denigrate both us and our eschatology. But we all know that the Second Advent involves more than the catching away of the Bride of Christ—the Rapture. Some Second Coming passages refer only to that event, while others speak of the time when He sets His foot again upon terra firma.

The First Advent involved about thirty-three years—from the manger in Bethlehem to the Ascension at Bethany. The Second Advent will involve a longer period, stretching from the Rapture to the end of Christ’s reign on the earth during the Millennium. He first takes the church out of the earth to a meeting with Him in the air (I Thessalonians 4:15-17) and deals with them at the judgment seat of Christ (II Corinthians 5:10). Then after a seven-year period of tribulation judgments on mankind (Revelation chapters 6-19), Christ comes with the raptured saints of God to the earth proper at the battle of Armageddon (Revelation 19:11-16; Jude 14,15), following which He has Satan bound for 1000 years (Revelation 20:1-3) while earth’s inhabitants enjoy a time of peace under Christ’s rule (Revelation 19:1-6; Isaiah 11:6-9; et al).

So we hope no one is confused when we say, “Jesus is coming,” and describe the Rapture. We are not limiting the Second Coming to the Rapture. We are aware of all the other scriptures that expand on the Second Coming of Christ to the physical earth. We frequently distinguish between the two aspects or phases of His return. It is just a common way of saying, “Be prepared to go when He gets ready to take us out of here.”

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It began as a “Christian” school with a Puritan president

Frat banned over sexist remarks

NEW YORK – A prestigious Yale fraternity is being banned from recruiting and holding activities on campus for five years after pledges were ordered to chant obscenities against women. Yale says it has also asked the national office of Delta Kappa Epsilon to suspend the chapter for five years. The fraternity came under fire in October after pledges marched through campus and chanted phrases about sex acts. The Yale chapter of DKE includes both President George W. Bush and his father, President George H.W. Bush, among its alumni. (Source: Houston Chronicle, 5/18/11)

A truism: If everyone lets an educational institution alone—without strong oversight and timely correction—to become whatever it will, time has proven that it will someday teach that which is totally distinct from its founding principles. Yale, whose motto is Light and Truth, is but one example.

If your son or daughter, or a young person from your church, is interested in going to one of our Apostolic Bible colleges, what information is needed to make an informed decision?

First, determine that the school under consideration holds to and teaches without apology the fundamental doctrines of our faith. Second, learn whether students are taught the principles and specific applications of holiness standards that have been traditionally held and published by the endorsing entity. Third, request a Student Handbook that will usually explain, at least in theory, how well those doctrines and standards are applied to the student body. However, published rules means little unless they are enforced on campus.

Whether the school is a Pentecostal institution or merely a secular one flying a Christian flag, learn who the teachers are—what is their background, where have they previously ministered, what is their record, are they qualified beyond having gone to college and earned a degree from a government-approved institution? Do they teach that the Bible, in its entirety, is the inspired final authority?

See the book advertised below, Already Compromised, a newly published document that shows how the Christian college movement is rapidly abandoning traditional biblical doctrines and values. It would be a good investment for all our students, parents and pastors of students, and the faculties of our colleges.

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A big boot in the door

I read recently that President Obama wants to get involved with churches by making funds available to them if they “build green.” Obama wants to use federal subsidies offered through the EPA and his faith-based outreach to get churches to promulgate the green faith. I wondered if that meant build without heat and A/C. Probably not, maybe solar panels on the roof between the skylights, bamboo flooring, and rainwater harvesting. And the tithing envelopes might have to be printed on recycled paper. Whatever it means, it probably portends no good for churches in the long run.

Are the president’s motives altogether altruistic? Again, I don’t know, but my guess is that he is mostly interested in getting a little government rebate money into churches so he can attach strings to the funds. It would be a way to gag pastors and churches. That we are not currently bound and gagged is a blessing we must not take for granted. Use that blessing or lose it. We have a right to express ourselves on the issues of our nation and its politics. Someday we may not have this privilege if we are silent now.

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He being dead, yet speaketh

Selected quotes from The Restoration of Christianity by Michael Servetus (1511-1553):

“First, he is Jesus Christ; second, he is the son of God; third, he is God.” (pg. 5)

“Every God is a person; no person is a Trinity; therefore no God is a Trinity.” (pg. 65)

‎”He announced the mind of the Father and makes Him recognizable…the person of Elohim, that creates everything, existed in the flesh, and the very face of Christ is the face of God that was once visible to all.” (pg. 73)

- Source: http://evidentialfaith.blogspot.com/2011/05/quotes-from-jewish-monotheism-and.html

http://evidentialfaith.blogspot.com/search/label/Michael%20Servetus

From Evidential Faith bloghost James Anderson: “These quotes are taken directly from his recently translated work : The Restoration of Christianity (An English Translation of Chistianismi Restitutio, 1553) by Michael Servetus, and translated by Hoffman and Hillar. Published by the Edwin Mellen Press. All unbound copies of this work went up in smoke with him when he was burned at the stake on October 27, 1553. Today  the National Library of Austria in Vienna, Bibliotheque Nationale in Paris, and the University of Edinburgh possess the only surviving copies of the original publication. It was translated from Latin into English in 2007. This work was also, in part, a reply to John Calvin and his Institutes of the Christian Religion.”

It might be refreshing if Servetus could arise to attend one of our symposiums or forums to speak on the Oneness of God. Some call him a Unitarian, the only name they had available at the time for such a man. But they were probably reading him wrongly. I believe he was more than merely anti-trinitarian. He believed Jesus was God. If he would have lived outside the narrow confines of sixteenth century Christianity, and had access to the scholarship available in the twenty-first century, he would have been awesome. He was only 42 years old when Calvin burned him at the stake for his views. How many modern 42 year-olds have the depth of reasoned thought the renowned Spanish physician possessed? Put him in today’s world and he might have become another apostle Paul. The state church and the strong trinitarianism of Reformed Theology just couldn’t abide such a mind. But they couldn’t keep several statutes and busts of Servetus from being erected around Europe. The common people knew he made a positive contribution to both science and religion.

Thanks, John Calvin, you narrow-minded, intolerant, religious bigot for ridding the world of such a potential mouthpiece for truth. The devil is deeply endebted to you! Hmmm…I started to just say, “Bless your heart, John” knowing the real implications of that old southern saying.

For more on Michael Servetus (Miguel Serveto, his real Spanish name), see “Why Miguel Died” under “Articles” on our web site: advanceministries.org.

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Presbyterians approve fornication

In a historic vote, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has adopted an amendment that removes a requirement of chastity for non-married clergy. The measure permits openly gay men and women in same-sex, non-celibate relationships to be ordained as clergy. [Should we applaud?]

The move reflects a monumental shift in the 2.8 million-member church, which, along with other mainline Protestant denominations, has had increasingly contentious debates and struggles over issues pertaining to gay and lesbian members and clergy. The ruling also applies to elders and deacons. Just two years ago the church defeated such an amendment. [Keep bringing a controversial measure to an organizational body long enough and it will eventually pass.]

One faction leader said, “We’ve restored the longstanding Presbyterian understanding of ordination: that the most important qualifications are related to faith, not marital status or sexuality.”

“This is profound for me,” reported the Rev. Dr. Janet Edwards, a Presbyterian minister and activist from Pittsburgh who voted for the amendment, “because the church will now choose clergy based on character and faithful lifestyles, not because they like men or women.” [Evidently, deviant sexual practices have been removed from the category of “character” by the this move. How broad-minded and loving.] Story continues below.

As with other denominations that have allowed gay clergy, most notably Episcopalians, disapproving congregations will likely leave the church. According to the Presbyterian News Service, around 100 congregations have defected in recent years, many of which leaned toward a more conservative position. Experts say the shift toward more liberal presbyteries could be a reason some church bodies switched their votes from two years ago. [No kidding! What insightful experts!]

Significantly, the amendment places more emphasis on specific character traits such as a “candidate’s calling, gifts, preparation, and suitability” and church regional bodies’ powers in picking ministers. [In other words, does one have a post-graduate degree? He’s in.]

My question: If gays are permitted to live in open sin and do ministry, doesn’t that mean that straights can also? No discrimination, now, guys.

Picture caption: Happy about the amendment is the Reverend Jane Spahr is a pro-LGBT activist and Presbyterian minister who was found guilty of misconduct in 2010 by a church court for officiating the weddings of 16 gay couples when same-sex marriage was briefly legal in California. [Have you noticed, or is it just me, that women leaders seem to be directing the charge toward liberalism in some denominations?]

Source: Huffington Post, 5/10/11

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Ever learning, but what?

Someone asked me recently why didn’t I get a degree from some denominational seminary so I could have those bragging rights? Well, I am glad I did not. I have a college degree in theology, but my highly valued postgraduate work was mostly done sitting at the feet of some of the greatest thinkers in the Apostolic faith.

Too many of our leading educators were degreed from denominational institutions that have a problem with Pentecostal doctrine and practice. There they learned extra-biblical doctrines, polity and praxis of other faiths, and were then faced with the challenge of harmonizing them with Apostolic truth—a tedious task, indeed. They spent years learning at the feet of liberals and non-believers, ostensibly to get a degree that is recognized by those same non-believers. Such self-discipline is admirable, but are they stronger believers in the Apostolic way for it?

No one can deny that the vast majority of colleges and seminaries have been consigned to irreversible liberalism. The conservative voices have by and large been thoroughly purged. The tommyrot put forth in the classrooms of modern institutions can drain the true faith from one’s soul. Haven’t we lost enough men by encouraging them to earn advanced theological degrees in secular and non-Apostolic institutions? “Much learning doth make thee mad” (Acts 26:24 KJV). “Your great learning is driving you insane (NIV)…Too much study has made you crazy (NLT)…Your great learning is driving you mad” (NASB).

Trying to keep my distance, yet earn some C.E.U.s, I once enrolled in a course where the instructor insisted on wearing short pants and long, long hair, plus sandals and beard to complete the effect. I tried to look beyond those external trappings, but I couldn’t figure out why every lesson somehow had a sexual connotation, particularly adultery. He was consumed by the topic. Think he might have had a problem? Needless to say, that course was rather uninspiring and unprofitable.

I am not talking about Ivy League institutions. Almost every seminary has raced to see who could be first to shed the conservative label. Virtually every “Christian” college out there is crawfishing when it comes to the Word of God. Ken Ham, president of Answers in Genesis-U.S.A., and author of Already Compromised (see under Books below), notes that an increasing number of “Christian” professors teach that:

• Adam is a metaphor for Israel and was not a real person.

• Genesis One is not about creation and the material account of origins, but about the creation of some “cosmic temple.”

• The image of God evolved in man over time.

• Paul would have flunked hermeneutics.

• The Bible is a fallible collection of works written in response to ancient Near Eastern writings.

A survey of Christian colleges reveals that their theology departments are more liberal than their science departments.

An organization called the BioLogos Foundation (funded by The Templeton Foundation) is headed by two professors from Nazarene universities pushing evolution and urging a rejection of a literal Adam. They are producing a curriculum for homeschoolers to infiltrate that movement with their teachings.²

The Bryan College and Bryan Institute (Christian entities of Dayton, TN) are sponsoring a conference called Reading Genesis 1-2: An Evangelical Conversation in Chattanooga. Their promotion states, “Current scholarly evangelical work on the Old Testament presents challenges to the traditional reading of Genesis 1-2. Rather than assuming that Genesis presents a historical account of God creating man from the dust of the earth, that Adam was the common ancestor of all humans, and that human creation occurred in the relatively recent past, a newer consensual reading suggests acceptance of long ages of the earth and Darwinian evolution alongside a belief in the trustworthiness of Scripture.” In other words, we don’t believe it and we are set on convincing you of the same.³

“Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (II Timothy 3:7), Paul said of men in these last days. Sheepskin-covered walls, but ignorant of the truth.

Learning real truth never did drive anyone crazy!

Notes:

1. For an in-depth look at the slide of America’s seminaries toward liberalism and apostasy, see “The Kiss of Betrayal: The Record of Theological Seminaries in America,” by J.R.Ensey in the 2010 edition of the Journal of the Apostolic Theological Forum.]

2. Ken Ham, “A Tsunami of Compromise,” Answers Update, V. 18, #5, p. 1

3. http://www.bryan.edu/genesis

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Apostolic Theological Forum Goes East

Southeast, that is. The 2012 ATF will convene on January 19,20 in Albany, Georgia. This will be the first time for it to be hosted outside of Texas. New Life Church of Albany, pastored by Brother Steve Waldron, will host the Forum. Apostolic thinkers and writers will deliver papers on current theological topics. Those attending will have the opportunity to ask questions and make comments.

Mark your calendar and watch for further announcements.

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Trampled underfoot

In Matthew 5:13, Jesus made an observation about an element common to His hearers: “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.”

They could understand what He was saying. If believers were not “salty,” meaning effective witnesses, declarers of truth and manifesting a lifestyle worthy of imitation, they would be virtually worthless to the kingdom. What an indictment of those who are little more than pew-warmers, uncommitted and uninvolved.

Too many seem to have fallen prey to a tasteless Christianity that proposes being a “good person” is all that is necessary to fulfill our Christian duty. What will happen to such folk? The question seems to be answered in the same passage: “It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.”

What does “cast out, and trodden under foot” mean? Perhaps something different in each age or generation. Whatever it would mean for us today, it would not be good. Does “cast out” mean marginalized? Persecuted? Singled out for discrimination? Would “trodden under foot” suggest the heel of oppression? Subjugation to tyranny? Even martyrdom?

This passage should serve as a motivation for us to be “salty”—meaning our full commitment to biblical principles, manifesting a steady faith in the authority of God’s Word, and fulfilling our purpose in this age (John 15:16).

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Psychiatric drugs and your child’s future

By Thomas Lane and Loy Whitman

Let’s suppose a school administration has contacted you to discuss your child’s “troublesome” behavior in the classroom. You are alarmed. You want to do the right thing.

In follow-up meetings, your child is labeled with a formidable sounding name (ADHD: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Pervasive Development Disorder, Bi-Polar, etc). It feels like you’ve just been told your child has come down with an incurable disease.

Your first instinct may be to dismiss the finding. Then again, these professionals have big credentials and years of experience, so you listen. They want to prescribe Ritalin or Prozac (or any number of drugs) to fix the disturbing behavior.

You ask yourself: “Who am I to ignore an expert?” (Read the remainder of this article here…)

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Simple praying

Seems like we are complicating our spiritual lives today at a time when we should be simplifying them. Reading after certain persons makes one feel like he can’t be successful in living for God, or know how to pray if he is not a psychologist, a super-positive optimist, or can sit cross-legged and meditate like a Catholic hermit in the fifth century.

In a recent lesson on biblical wisdom, I suggested an alternative line of praying. Rather than asking God to “fix” our financial ills, pray for wisdom to know how to manage our affairs biblically. Rather than asking God to independently repair our marital relationship, pray for wisdom to know how to relate to one another in a scriptural way. God is not necessarily into “fixing” all of our problems for us. He offers us a way to live that will circumvent the majority of human problems, thus eliminating the need for consistent unilateral intervention.

You do not have to be some psychology guru to be blessed or used of God. God doesn’t respond to mental manipulation and rhetorical formulas. He withdraws from being our servant. That isn’t His role—it is ours. God would not be “the only wise God” if He depended on us to tell Him what to do.

Talk to God like He is God, in humility and submission. Pray all during the day, not just when you stop and kneel. Live in an attitude of prayer. Pray prayers that He can answer without violating some larger principle of ethics and righteousness—such as arbitrarily overcoming someone’s free will. Pray for light on your path, and sight to see the light. Then help God answer that prayer by looking for the light.

“Pray without ceasing” (I Thessalonians 5:17).

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The Babylonian Chronicles

Digging up the Bible…what faith-building fun!

The Babylonian Chronicles, a series of clay tablets with the history of the area during the 6th and 7th centuries B.C. They were found in southern Iraq. Here is part of their story.

Around 605 B.C. Nineveh and Assyria had fallen. It was just Egypt and Babylon who were seeking world supremacy. The young brilliant new king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, went out and defeated the Egyptians at Carchemish. He marched on to Judah, during Jehoiakim’s reign, and took thousands of Hebrews back to Babylon (including Daniel, who became one of the greatest prophets). Nebuchadnezzar made two more attacks when he heard of rebellion in Judah. Each time he took captives (including Ezekiel the prophet). Only a remnant of the weakest, poorest, and least threatening Jews remained. King Nebuchadnezzar set up a puppet king (Zedekiah) of David’s line to sit on the throne of Judah and made him swear an oath of allegiance (II Chronicles 36:10-12).

Zedekiah was as faithless as the rest of the evil kings of Judah. He then rebelled and allied with other enemies. When Nebuchadnezzar heard it, he came back for the last time (586 BC) to reduce Jerusalem to rubble and send the Temple up in flames. Zedekiah was forced to witness the slaughter of his sons, then his eyes were put out, and he himself was carried off to Babylon.

II Kin 24:13-14: “And he carried out from there all the treasures of the house of the LORD and the treasures of the king’s house, and he cut in pieces all the articles of gold which Solomon king of Israel had made in the temple of the LORD, as the LORD had said. Also he carried into captivity all Jerusalem: all the captains and all the mighty men of valor, ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and smiths. None remained except the poorest people of the land.”

I love it when we can virtually read the Bible from excavated clay tables written 25 centuries years ago. When the tablets match exactly with the biblical record, you know where to put your faith! “The word of the Lord is right” (Psalm 33:4).

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Stretching forgiveness

The worker complained to the boss that the computer had gypped him out of $80 that week. “I’ll look into it,” promised the boss. The next day the boss came back and said, “You’re right. Our computer did gyp you out of $80 this week. But when we went back six weeks we found that same computer gave you $80 too much. Isn’t that right?” “Yes,” agreed the worker. “You didn’t complain about it at that time, did you?” asked the boss. “No,” replied the worker. “Why not?” demanded the boss.

“Well,” said the quick thinking worker, “one mistake I can forgive, but not two.”

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Books

ATF Journal 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011

The Apostolic Theological Forum was established in 2002 to provide a colloquy where papers on theological subjects could be presented and discussed. A variety of papers dealing with doctrinal issues, church, government, prophecy and history have been presented each year in the Forum. Since then we have published five Journals. Go to advanceministries.org to see what papers are included in each book.

AM price $9.95

Already Compromised

by Ken Ham and Greg Hall

After decades of talking with parents who had lost their children in Christian universities—and encounters with less-than-forthright faculty at the colleges his own children attended—Ken Ham had a hunch that the theological foundation at Christian universities in the United States was far weaker than nearly anyone suspected. So he teamed up with Warner University president Dr. Greg Hall and professional survey conductor Britt Beemer to survey University Presidents, Vice-Presidents, Science Departments, and Faculty Departments.

The most striking result of their survey was the “newspeak” employed by faculty and administration. Two examples: First, many affirmed that the Bible is literally true—yet, when asked a more precise question, also affirmed that the Genesis 1 account of a six-day creation was not literally true. Second, many affirmed that Noah’s Flood was worldwide—but admitted upon further questioning that, by “worldwide,” they only meant the region of the world known in Noah’s Day. When the Bible is not viewed as the final authority, any institution will stray into heresy and apostasy.

In the preface, Ham and Hall discuss the heritage of the Ivy League universities. Most were founded as distinctly Christian institutions. Over the years, they strayed from the roots to the point that they now adamantly attack and mock the faith they were founded to advance. The authors build from this preface to show how most Christian colleges are slowly proceeding down the same route.

Already Compromised is an incredibly valuable resource for parents with children nearing or in their high-school years. It receives a four-star rating from the Biblical Bookshelf.

Order today from advanceministries.org or call 936-856-3419. Only 13.95.

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“Get on your white tie and tails, honey, we’re going to Wal-Mart!”

Be careful where you walk when others are following.

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The parting shot

Apologize to no one!

Perhaps it is time to remind the Europeans of our sacrifice without confusing arrogance with courage and leadership. Across Continental Europe are more than a score of American cemeteries. Pictured is the cemetery at Lorraine, France where 10,384 American soldiers are buried, one of a score of similar European resting places for fallen GIs. The total count is 104,366 dead brave Americans buried in manicured memorial parks like this across Europe. That is beside those whose bodies were brought home, buried at sea, or died from their wounds after returning home.

We are forced to watch an elected American leader apologize to Europe and the Middle East for the arrogance of America. He should be celebrating our sacrifice for others, not condemning any perceived (by him) arrogance. How many French, Dutch, Italians, Belgians and Brits are buried on our soil after defending us against our enemies? We don’t ask for praise…but we absolutely have no need to apologize!

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We salute our faithful pastors, evangelists, and missionaries who are giving their lives on the increasingly hazardous front lines of  Christian service!

JREnsey

WELCOME to the MAY edition of our monthly E-zine—articles, books, inspirational nuggets, and information on current issues.

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Fair, Balanced, and Unafraid

I recently heard a newsman close out the segment of news that he anchored with a line that caught my attention. He described his presentation of the news as “fair, balanced, and unafraid” (maybe like the guy in the picture).

I thought that might be a pretty good motto for Apostolic Christians. Fair, in the sense of not condemning everyone who was not a part of our group or our meeting, regardless of what they taught or where they stood. Balanced, for the reason that extreme positions usually produce extreme attitudes. Unafraid, since God’s men must declare His Word without fear of what some might think about them or do to them.

It seems only right that we should be fair in our assessments of conditions in the church and the world, balanced in our use of the Word in handling matters of difference between brethren, and unafraid of elements that oppose the work of God. That doesn’t mean that fairness should be defined as cutting slack for anyone in false doctrine or an unbiblical lifestyle. There is no suggestion of balancing truth with error, or ignoring ethics and calling it fearlessness.

I just thought the line was catchy and relevant, perhaps in ways that Christians could employ it. The writer of the Epistle of James would have loved it.

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How many have to be made mental cripples or die?

The Houston Chronicle has reporters keeping up with the numbers of doctors who are losing their licenses or being censured for their drug prescription practices. The number keeps climbing. An April 19 headline: “Board lifts license of Clear Lake doc.” Scores of other doctors have been investigated. One of the worst aspects of it is that children are being drugged at an alarming age, even pre-schoolers.

The reason so many people are popping pills for “mental problems” or a so-called “chemical imbalance” is because virtually all psychiatrists and a probable majority of MDs are much too quick to prescribe anti-depressants and similar pills for almost any “feeling” a patient brings to them.

“Well, if you can’t trust your doctor, who can you trust?” is a common response. Doctors who see patients complaining of mood irregularities and certain “feelings” are trained to prescribe a chemical solution for them. They are encouraged to do so by perks provided by the pharmaceutical industry. Do the pills “cure” the problems? If they did, or if the pills were harmless, we would let sleeping dogs lie. However, that is NOT the case. How many have to be made mental cripples for life or die before we understand what is happening?

I have dozens of books in my library by doctors who are pleading with the general public to stay off of pills prescribed for emotional problems. Pills do not heal one’s “damaged emotions.” Once a person is on drugs, it is extremely difficult to get off. Of course that is what big pharma planned. The bottom line is money, of course.

Studies show that even if a depressed person does nothing they will often get better quicker without medication. And medication has long-lasting negative effects. Pastors tell us often that people in their congregations who start taking psychotropic drugs are forever changed in the way they relate to God, church, and the ministry. Many are dead today because of these drugs, including a number of Apostolics. Does anyone care? Who else is raising the alarm? Thank God for hundreds of doctors, as well as biblical counselors and common sense moms and dads, who are saying enough is enough.

Don’t be deceived by those who say taking psychodrugs for emotional stress or bouts with perceived depression is no different from taking medicine for an ulcer or blood pressure are themselves deceived. And please don’t just take my word for this. Do your own research. Our April blog provided a number of websites to help with your research.

Don’t be a victim of big pharma!

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Wonderful Sharia law

The story of Mukhtaran Mai has touched people in many nations of the world. She lived in a remote village of Pakistan and worked as a seamstress. Her brother was accused of having an affair with a girl from another tribe of Pakistanis. Therefore, being his sister, she was sentenced by the local elders to be raped by fourteen men. Isn’t Muslim law wonderful? Six of the 14 men were convicted and sentenced to death. Five of the six have since been freed (anyone surprised?), leaving only one man to face some degree of sentencing. What a tremendous sense of justice! And the clerics who want to build a mosque close to Ground Zero in NYC say that Sharia law is totally compatible with the U.S. Constitution. What utter nonsense!

To hear our politicians and our president praise Islam as a “religion” of peace and compassion makes a patriot’s blood boil. Better speak up now or be silenced forever.

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What’s behind the sudden shift to universalism and atheism?

Unchurched Americans are turning to agnosticism and atheism in record numbers. Others see universalism as a comforting belief. Why this leftward movement today? There may be a number of reasons besides the fact that there are more and easier ways to sin, but I will suggest three factors I see at work.

First, the promotion of some form of New Age/Catholic spirituality by former Evangelicals is encouraging millions to become comfortable with being “spiritual” rather than “religious.” Christianity is tossed into the mix with Islam, Judaism, Buddhism and other religions. Being spiritual doesn’t label you. One doesn’t have to practice any particular faith or manifest or certain lifestyle if all they profess is some brand of “spirituality.” Closet atheists love to hide behind the veil of esoteric spirituality.

Second, the current pressure by educators to get youth to embrace the principles of evolutionary science is separating many young people and college students from their Christian upbringing. Coupled with a lack of sound Bible teaching from the first few chapters of Genesis, millions of youth from Christian homes have come to doubt the authority of the Scriptures. And without the absolutes of the Scriptures, any faith is considered to be subjective.

Third, so many Evangelical fruitcakes have surfaced over the last thirty years that the faith of many has been totally subverted. When the likes of Robert Tilton, Todd Bentley, Benny Hinn, and Ted Haggard are mostly what represent Christianity on television and the media, is it any wonder that many are disheartened and disillusioned and ready to toss their faith overboard? Those named (a hundred others could be) are considered to be “Charismatics,” a category in which we are sometimes placed by the uninformed. The more that dishonest and disreputable persons portray Christians, the more will be turned away from the truth.

So what can we do?

First, project a true, biblical spirituality—walking in the Spirit and bearing the fruit of the Spirit. Ignore and repudiate the New Age/Catholic proponents who try to push us into the so-called spirituality of the “desert fathers” of the fifth century or the medieval age. What were they profited by the contemplation of their “higher inner self” while sitting alone in a rocky cave or the silence of monastery?

Second, we must renew a fervency for the authority of the Scriptures, particularly focusing on the first few chapters of Genesis. If we cannot convince our young people that the Word of God can be trusted there, why would they choose to trust any other portions of it?

Third, denounce and distance ourselves from the greedy, selfish televangelists who dominate the media with their prosperity gospel and weird theories, while they lie, cheat and steal from honest-hearted widows and simple, naïve listeners. Like the New Spirituality advocates, they are preaching “another Jesus.” They must be exposed. Where is Paul when we need him?

Doing nothing is not an option!

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Does Acts 22:9 contradict Acts 9:7?

The testimony of Paul in Jerusalem in Acts 22 states that the men with Paul on the Damascus Road saw the light but did not “hear” God’s voice. The record of Luke in Acts 9:7 says that they “heard” a voice but saw no man. Since the same man wrote both verses, surely he would not have written contradictory accounts.

The Bible does not say the men with Paul didn’t see the light—they just didn’t know who was speaking or the source of the sound. And since Jesus was speaking only to Paul, the others did not understand what was being said. A similar situation occurred in John 12:29—“The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.” Hearing and understanding are not the same. Perhaps God has a “scrambler.”

Greek grammarians assure us that when a form of the verb “to hear” is followed by the accusative case, it may be rendered “to understand.” When followed by the genitive case, it suggests they did not comprehend (22:9). Understanding is the key to recognition that there is no contradiction in this story.

Don’t mess with the Word—“the word is right” (Psalm 33:4).

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The burdensome stone

Twenty-four hundred years ago, the prophet Zechariah accurately prophesied that someday Israel would become “a burdensome stone for all people” (Zechariah 12:3). We are seeing that prophecy fulfilled in our time.

One of the primary purposes for the last world war was to annihilate the Jews. The nation that tried—Germany— was itself virtually annihilated, but two years later Israel became a nation. The Jews had become an object of hate for Hitler and his minions. They were a burdensome stone.

Since Israel became a nation in 1948, it seems that almost every conflict involves them in some way, either directly or indirectly. The world is divided into two camps—those who love Israel and those who hate Israel. And they are a burden to both sides—for those who oppose her she will not go away. For those who support her, the cost is extremely high, not only in terms of financial and humanitarian aid, but in loss of friendship of those who hate her.

The Muslim world feels that Israel should be pushed into the sea and removed from the earth. They will never be happy until Ishmael has totally abolished Isaac. Several attempts have all ended in failure. They have Israel completely surrounded but yet they are fearful of the little nation’s might. While the “wandering Jew” had no home for 1800 years, and was the object of scorn—“an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword, among all nations whither the Lord shall lead thee” (Deuteronomy 28:37)—yet they survived. They have returned to their home and are determined to live in it.

God brought Israel back to statehood because it has a role to play in the endtime. The Book of Revelation makes it plain that Israel will have great prominence in the way the Lord brings history to a climactic close. The Muslims should look away from the Qur’an and read a little in Revelation. They would be wise to let that burdensome stone alone.

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Day sleeper—Do not disturb!

By Harlan Morgan

During our travels as full-time evangelists, my wife and I would sometimes walk the streets of residential areas of the towns we visited, knocking doors, handing out invitations to the revival services. On one such occasion in Cherryvale, Kansas, my wife and I took to the streets, armed with invitations to the revivals. At a few doors, warm smiles greeted us. As always happens with outreach, some doors never opened, and a few others were none to politely closed in our faces.

As we approached a residence in one apartment building, I noticed a sign glaring from the front door—“DAY SLEEPER – DO NOT DISTURB!” In other words, “I am asleep—do not bother me!”

We passed by that door without knocking.

From time to time, I have pondered the words scrawled on that sign. There are many people who live their lives with that sign posted on their countenance. Their expression says, “I am comfortable, so leave me alone!” With their spiritual blinds drawn and doors closed, they say, “I am content in my darkness, do not turn on the light!”

For many years before the entrance of John the Baptist, there had been no word from the Lord. The law of Moses had become corrupted, and the religious sects had become blind guides, leading blind followers, with all falling into the ditch. They lived in darkness, but they loved the darkness, because their deeds were evil.

Into this environment walked John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus Christ. Into their darkness, he sounded the alarm, calling them “hypocrites,” and “a generation of vipers!” He preached to them about One who was coming who would baptize them with the Holy Ghost and with fire! Yet, they simply closed the door in his face and rejected his message.

When Jesus arrived on the scene, many followed Him for the loaves and fishes, but when He began to teach Christianity, they retreated into their darkened rooms and drew the blinds. “Do not disturb us! We are asleep!” The Light shone in darkness, and in their darkness, they did not recognize the Light!

Finally, the jangling of the alarm clock on the Day of Pentecost awakened a world that was asleep. One hundred twenty people received the Holy Ghost and came out of the upper room in Jerusalem, rejoicing in the Light that was now in them.

On that great birthday of the church, many asked, “What shall we do?” Peter replied with an anointed message. “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” (Acts 2:38-39) While many rejected the experience of Pentecost and withdrew back into their spiritual piety, multitudes obeyed this great apostolic message and were added to the church!

Over time, the message of Pentecost has been diluted, explained away, and otherwise rejected. Many have retreated into their darkened rooms of religiosity and pasted a message upon their hearts, “DAY SLEEPER—DO NOT DISTURB.”

Outside the door, the Light is knocking. “I have even greater things for you,” He says. “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him and he with me” (Revelation 3:20).

Will you let Him in?

—Excerpted from A Walk in the Morning by Harlan Morgan. Available from advanceministries.org. Order online.

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Info on Freemasonry

http://www.angelfire.com/la2/prophet1/freemasonryexposed.html

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The Fix

I was informed of an article in the St. Petersburg, FL Times. The Business Section writer asked readers for ideas on:  “How Would You Fix the Economy?”

Some think one reader nailed it:

Dear Mr. President,

Please find below my suggestion for fixing America’s economy.  Instead of giving billions of dollars to companies that will squander the money on lavish parties and unearned bonuses, use the following plan. You can call it the “Patriotic Retirement Plan”:

There are about 40 million people over 50 in the work force.  Pay them $1 million apiece severance for early retirement with the following stipulations:

1) They MUST retire.  Forty million job openings—unemployment fixed.

2) They MUST buy a new American car.  Forty million cars ordered—auto industry fixed.

3) They MUST either buy a house or pay off their mortgage—housing crisis fixed.

It can’t get any easier than that!!

P.S. If more money is needed, have all members of Congress pay their taxes. And Mr. President, while you’re at it, make Congress retire on Social Security and Medicare. Both programs would be fixed pronto!

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Inroads of Reformed Theology

One Sunday last month, a lady who has begun attending our church told me that her son, who has a troubled life, had been informed by a Calvinist (a strict Reformed Theology adherent) that he was doomed to hell because he was not one of the elect for whom Christ died. It totally crashed his world and weighed heavily upon his mother. Without hope, what do we really have?

Calvinism is cruel. Reformed theology, of which Calvinism is a vital part, is dangerous. Even the respected Christian counselor Jay Adams (Competent to Counsel and many other books) made this statement in the above mentioned book: “As a reformed Christian, the writer believes that counselors must not tell any unsaved counselee that Christ died for him, for they cannot say that. No man knows except Christ himself who are his elect for whom he died” (p. 70). That is heresy, you say. But that is Reformed Theology—the theology of Calvin, of R. C. Sproul, John Piper, and a host of other prolific authors. Arthur Pink’s affirmation that Christ does not love the non-elect reminds us of one minister’s view of hyper-Calvinism: “God hates you, He has a terrible plan for your life, and there is nothing you can do about it.”

I would not worry about any of this, heresies will come, said the apostle, but I regret that it is creeping into our own Pentecostal ranks. Only certain aspects of it will show up at first, but when the camel gets its head under the tent, the body won’t be far behind.

Why the sudden popularity of the Eastern Orthodox Church brand of Christianity? EO churches love ritual. I suppose some just like to sit and watch it all unfold. Strange.

And why the movement toward Reformed Theology (RT)? Some Evangelical types are becoming enthralled with the likes of R. C. Sproul (pictured), John Piper, Jerry Bridges and others who are stuck in the sixteenth century and can’t seem to progress into the current millennium. A number of “emerging” ministers have adopted a Reformed position. Even some Apostolics have fallen prey to their glib teachers and have cast their lot with John Calvin rather than John the Revelator. What’s going on?

Some may become snared before they really know what is happening. RTs publish books and Bible studies prolifically while we are busy prowling the suit shops, pricing the latest tech toy, and texting on our I-Phones. They have flooded the print and broadcast markets with their skewed views, particularly in the area of eschatology. When you hear someone question the Rapture, the reality of a future Tribulation and Millennium, suggest that the devil has already been bound, that the Book of Revelation is to be considered as allegorical or historical in some way, that Jesus “came” or “returned” in some fashion in A.D. 70, that there is no future for national Israel, that the church is destined to be “triumphant” in evangelizing the world and taking dominion of its societal segments, you might suspect that they have been reading and studying Reformed Theology. Or at least being influenced by those who have.

If you would like to know more about what RT teaches, here is a link that you might find helpful: advanceministries.org.  Another site:

http://www.middletownbiblechurch.org/doctrine/dangerso.htm

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Books

Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary set

This is one of the handiest sets on the market. The material is easy to find and access. I use it frequently and find it generally Evangelical and sound scholarship. Elder V. A. Guidroz, TX District Superintendent, put me onto these in the late 1950s. A good buy and worth the money. List $99.95. One set only for $39.95

Matthew Henry Commentary Complete 7 volume Set w/CD – One left; first $49 gets it!

For 300 years, Matthew Henry’s Commentary has been a favorite of teachers, preachers, and laypeople. His rich exposition and useful applications are perfect for devotional reading and sermon help. This edition features modern print and J.B. Williams’s extensive 1828 account of Henry’s life and writings. Includes a CD with the entire searchable text to install on your computer. Approx. 5500 pages total, six hardcovers from Hendrickson.

List price $129.95

Wiersbe 6 vol. set—2 left; first two $69.95 gets them

Some say this is their favorite expositional commentary. Written in a style that makes for not only interesting reading but provides indepth analysis of Scripture. Good material for sermon and lesson preparation. The historical insights and sound Evangelical scholarship are worth more than the cost! Buy a set and be blessed; give a set be a blessing!!

List price $229.95

Order all the above books by phone, please. First come, first served! 936-856-3419

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Libya wants a new Muslim leader. I suggest we give them ours. Solves two problems. – The wisdom of Garfield

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Parting shots

• The most trouble is produced by those who don’t produce anything else.

• For your information, Albert Einstein was home schooled.

• Change isn’t necessarily improvement. Sometimes an old setup is better than a new upset.

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This month we salute our men and women in the armed services. Hoo-yah!

JREnsey

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Ouch! More pinpricks from Vance Havner

“Church members generally are as ignorant of the Bible as are Americans of the Constitution.” – Playing Marbles with Diamonds (Baker, 1985); p. 24

“We sing, ‘Savior, more than life to me,’ ‘Jesus is all the world to me,’ ‘Thou from hence my all shalt be,’ ‘Now Thee alone I seek; give what is best.’  But we are usually at least partially unconscious when we sing in church.  If we took stock of what we were singing, we might not be able to make it honestly through the first verse!”   – pp. 30, 31; italics in original

“I am tired of all the talk about what we must sacrifice to follow Jesus Christ.  Look at what we get!”   – p. 33

“Everybody expects the preacher to be ready to preach but who thinks of the congregation’s responsibility to be ready to listen.”   – p. 59

“[E]xcuses . . . are only skins of reasons stuffed with lies.”   – p. 82

“Fraternizing with apostates is a peril common to Jeroboam’s day and our own.”   – p. 84

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Exposition of John 14:12

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go to my Father.

Only a pride-bound egomaniac would interpret this passage to mean that he could individually out-perform, out-miracle, out-heal, out-anything Jesus Christ, the God of the universe! Yet some brazenly point to this scripture as a proof-text for their claims of signs and wonders. Such a ministry would be desirable by some because “great works” are impressive. Simon stands out as an example (Acts 8:13-24).

We might point out that not only did Jesus heal the sick but He also calmed the winds and waves. Not many are out trying to repeat that miracle. And how about walking on the water? Can anyone top that? If men could heal at will and perform the wonders Jesus did anytime they chose, overnight they would become idols to be worshipped and gods in their own eyes. Such power solely in the hands of men would produce chaos. Miracles, or divine interruptions of the laws of nature, are still God’s business.

Let’s be realistic. Jesus was God manifest in the flesh—the same God who parted the waters of the Red Sea, sent manna from heaven, provided water from a rock, healed serpent bites, kept the Israelites from the diseases of the Egyptians, and stopped the universe in its tracks for Joshua. If we had to do all the wonderful things He did in order to prove that we are believers, none of us would be able to qualify. We would not have the innate wisdom to handle such awesome power. Thankfully, we are not required to play God! We are to put our trust in Him—not ourselves. That takes a lot of pressure and anxiety off of us.

Most scholars view the fulfillment of this verse in terms of quantity rather than quality of miracles. And perhaps we should not think of “works” solely in terms of miracles and signs. Certainly His disciples have extended the kingdom further, have preached to more people, made more converts, and have seen more miracles (in terms of numbers) than did Jesus Himself. There might be some legitimacy to those claims.

May a spirit of self-sufficiency never invade our hearts. Jesus spoke the truth when He said, “Without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). That is still the truth today.

—Excerpted from Faith In The Furnace: A biblical perspective on divine healing; J. R. Ensey (See “Books” below.)

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A generous orthodoxy

Now that Rob Bell, one of the Emergent movement’s brightest stars, has confirmed his position as one of the nation’s top apostates (heretic sounded too mild), the Evangelical notables are coming down on one side or the other. Bell let us know that a loving God would never allow a human being to go to an everlasting Hell. Hell, he says, is one we make for ourselves on earth. While he dismisses the label of universalism, he posits that everyone will ultimately go to heaven. That is universalism, Rob.

And by the way, Rob, if there is no Hell, are you sure there is a Heaven for everyone to go to? The same Book that speaks of Heaven tells us that Hell is a reality. You can’t have it both ways, dummy.

His position is being called “a generous orthodoxy” rather than a “stingy” one. Isn’t he all heart? Instead of allowing God to judge us as humans by the criteria in His Word, we humans want to judge God by our own standards: “A mean, bloodthirsty God who would send millions to Hell is simply inconceivable” to the minds of Bell and his ilk.

What chaps every observer of the current Evangelical scene is that some well-meaning young pastors fall in behind such attendance gurus (he claims 10,000 attendees) and become virtual disciples because these wacky, soft-headed evangelical agnostics can generate a crowd. Then down the road we learn what they really are and what they truly believe. So Bell hasn’t built a church at all, just gathered a crowd from the mixed multitude of Egypt.

We need to admit it—the church growth movement is bankrupt! We need to stop buying their books and reading their posts and tweets. We are the ones who are building churches; they are just bunching folks up on the broadway to Hell. We have nothing in common with the Rick Warrens, the Bill Hybels, Rob Bells, Doug Pagitts, the Joel Osteens and others who are more into the social and/or psychological gospel than the Bible’s gospel. Truth matters. Character matters. Ask the One who sits on the judgment seat.

And by the way, God is not stingy with redemption and eternal life. Check out the Man on the cross.

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Speak now or forever hold your peace…

When Hitler took over in Germany, many of the scientists were exiled, especially those who were of Jewish descent. But he noticed that the German Christians were the only ones who pushed back with any degree of effectiveness. 800 Evangelical pastors took a strong stand against the Nazi regime. Most were imprisoned or executed. According to Martin Niemoller, if all 14,000 of them had stood together, perhaps the number of Germans killed in WWII would have been 11,000 instead of 11,000,000!

Here is what the exiled Albert Einstein, the greatest scientist of the twentieth century, said:

“Being a lover of freedom, when the revolution came in Germany, I looked to the universities to defend it, knowing that they had always boasted of their devotion to the cause of truth; but, no, the universities immediately were silenced. Then I looked to the great editors of the newspapers whose flaming editorials in days gone by had proclaimed their love of freedom; but they, like the universities, were silenced in a few short weeks. . . . Only the Church stood squarely across the path of Hitler’s campaign for suppressing truth. I never had any special interest in the Church before, but now I feel a great affection and admiration because the Church alone has had the courage and persistence to stand for intellectual truth and moral freedom. I am forced thus to confess that what I once despised I now praise unreservedly.”

Source: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,765103,00.html#ixzz1GyHrlG3F

Standing alone, Christ will stand with us; but when we stand together, we are awesome!

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Obama’s vision of socialism

It is no secret that Obama is rapidly taking us toward a socialist system where the government is all-powerful. He is overseeing the collapse of our financial system, the demise of our military, and the rise of a national militia to enforce his decrees. He is focusing on young children because he knows if he can win their hearts while they are young, when they are grown they will never return to capitalism and individual freedom.

Why does Obama want to control the educational system with such a tight fist? He knows that is where the power is to turn America into a socialist state.

Hitler appointed Joseph Goebbels as head of propaganda. It was Goebbels’ job to regulate what was shared with the public, making sure that nobody in Germany could read or see anything that was hostile or damaging to the Nazi Party and that the views of the Nazis were put across in the most persuasive manner possible. Thus Goebbels and others rewrote all textbooks and teachings to shed the most favorable light on Germany. ² As Hitler himself said, “Let me control the textbooks and I will control the state. The state will take youth and give to youth its own education and its own upbringing. Your child belongs to us already…what are you?”³ Hitler’s training of the German youth was key in his dominance for a good part of the Second World War. Without his youth soldiers and supporters, Hitler may not have had the same success.

Other world leaders and powers have used textbook propaganda throughout the years. In communist Russia, due to a low level of literacy, Stalin was not able to use all the same textbook propaganda techniques that other leaders of his day used, but he still filled any educational textbooks that Russians used, as well as informational videos and other such learning devices, with plenty of propaganda.⁴ Today Palestinian children are taught to act like Muslim suicide bombers who gloriously give their life for their country in the national resistance movement against Israel, the “occupier” and “colonialist.” Palestinian school textbooks attack the very legitimacy of the Israeli state and discuss Jews as barbarian imposters, like donkeys who deserve to be slaughtered.⁵

For a history of textbook propaganda, go to http://www.hyperhistory.net/apwh/essays/comp/cw35propaganda.htm

Endnotes:

^2. Propaganda in Nazi Germany

^3. Notable Quotes of Socialism <http://www.wealth4freedom.com/truth/Socialism.htm>

^4. Soviet Propaganda

^5. PA School Books

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An epidemic we are ignoring

Robert Whitaker, award-winning science and medicine journalist, discusses his new book, Anatomy of an Epidemic: Magic Bullets, Psychiatric Drugs, and the Astonishing Rise of Mental Illness in America.

Why has the number of disabled mentally ill in the United States tripled over the past two decades? Every day, 1,100 adults and children are added to the government disability rolls because they have become newly disabled by mental illness, with this epidemic spreading most rapidly among our nation’s children. Anatomy of an Epidemic first investigates what is known today about the biological causes of mental disorders. Do psychiatric medications fix “chemical imbalances” in the brain, or do they, in fact, create them?

Then comes the scientific queries at the heart of this book: During the past 50 years, when investigators looked at how psychiatric drugs affected long-term outcomes, what did they find? Did they discover that the drugs help people stay well? Function better? Enjoy good physical health? Or did they find that these medications, for some paradoxical reason, increase the likelihood that people will become chronically ill, less able to function well, more prone to physical illness?

A man who worked for years in the pharmaceutical industry told me just last week that Pfizer, the maker of Viagra, noted that their cholesterol fighting drugs produced ED, so they manufactured Viagra to overcome the damage those drugs created. What a vicious cycle!

This morning as I write this (March 28), the front-page headlines in the Houston Chronicle blare the news: “LEGAL DRUG DEATH TOLL ADDING UP.” One of the “pill mill” doctors who regularly prescribes medications like Xanax, an anti-anxiety drug, defended her practice of dispensing such drugs in dangerous quantities through a medical office façade, by saying this: “I have patients who come in sad. They say they look forward to coming into the office…and they leave happier.” She was among a bevy of doctors being investigated and charged with various violations. Folks, the bottom line is money. Please don’t let such quacks ruin your life or the life of a member of your family.

Please take time to hear what this author has to say:

http://forum-network.org/lecture/robert-whitaker-rise-mental-illness-america

PS – I don’t want to bore you with the drugs/mental illness issue, but we can say with the Lord: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” Too many Apostolics, including pastors, are evidently being blindsided by the plague sweeping our nation. It is a tsunami of mind- and body-altering chemicals that are rendering many of our people incapable of exercising faith and making sound choices. Where are the other voices being raised against this hell-inspired scourge? Show me some hope for a turnaround and I will shut up.

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Internet Resources

There are literally hundreds of sites on the Internet which are dedicated to exposing the psychology industry, the drug manufacturers, false claims and the terrible price being paid by those caught up in that vicious cycle. It behooves us to be informed so we can intelligently counsel those in our care.

Below are some sites that you may wish to visit for information about counseling, drugs, and the psychology industry. Many of them have links to other sites that may also be helpful.

Advance Ministries -  www.advanceministries.org, click on “Articles” then on…

Psychiatric Drugs: The Bane of Our Generation

Addiction: The Power of Choice

Pornography Addiction

But I Can’t Forgive Myself

Should Psychology Be Integrated With Oneness Pentecostal Theology?

Spiritual Wholeness

The Broken Cistern Syndrome

Where To Find Help In The Bible

Institute of Soteric Counseling – www.soteric.org

A Woman’s Place – www.awpministries.org

Psychoheresy – www.psychoheresy-aware.org ; icspp.org

False Memory Syndrome Foundation – www.FMSFonline.org

Psychoeducational site – www.stopbadtherapy.com ; psychrights.org

Bogus therapies – www.quackwatch.com

Related cults, etc. – www.freedomofmind.com/resourcecenter/

Example of integrationist views – www.rapidnet.com/%7Ejbeard/bdm/exposes/crabb/crabb.htm

ADHD and drugs especially for children:

www.fightforkids.com

www.ritalindeath.com

www.blockcenter.com

www.ADHDfraud.com

www.ablechild.org/links.htm

www.drugsandyourmind.com

www.quitpaxilinfo.com

Fraudulent psychological practices and similar issues – www.cchr.org/index.cfm/5314/5976

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Pastors should get hazard pay

According to researcher Darrin Patrick:

• 80% of pastors say they have insufficient time with their spouse and that ministry has a negative effect on their family.
• 40% report a serious conflict with a parishioner once a month.
• 33% say that being in ministry is an outright hazard to their family.
• 75% report they’ve had a significant stress-related crisis at least once in their ministry.
• 58% of pastors indicate that their spouse needs to work either part time or full time to supplement the family income.
• 56% of pastors’ wives say they have no close friends.
• Pastors who work fewer than 50 hrs per week are 35% more likely to be terminated.
• 40% of pastors considered leaving the pastorate in the past three months.

Feeling dizzy? Take a deep breath. Here are some more statistics:

• Fifteen hundred pastors leave the ministry each month due to moral failure, spiritual burnout, or contention in their churches.
• Fifty percent of pastors’ marriages will end in divorce.
• Eighty percent of pastors and eighty-four percent of their spouses feel unqualified and discouraged in their role as pastors.
• Fifty percent of pastors are so discouraged that they would leave the ministry if they could, but have no other way of making a living.
• Eighty percent of seminary and Bible school graduates who enter the ministry will leave the ministry within the first five years.
• Seventy percent of pastors constantly fight depression.
• Almost forty percent polled said they have had an extra-marital affair since beginning their ministry.
• Seventy percent said the only time they spend studying the Word is when they are preparing their sermons.
• Source: compiled by Darrin Patrick. I have not verified his research independently. http://www.churchleaders.com/pastors/pastor-articles/146201-death-by-ministry.html

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MUSIC

No, we wouldn’t dream of sticking a needle in our veins. We wouldn’t consider snorting cocaine or smoking crack or weed. But, as one man observed, we are in danger of being drugged by the music of the world in which we live. Some people are virtually brain-dead because they have long followed the spirits of disunity and rebellion underlying much of the music in America today.

Is “Christian” music far behind? In so many places praise and worship music has entered the realm of entertainment. But it is the sacred cow of the Pentecostal movement. Any mention or suggestion about it draws scowls and under-the-breath comments.

I recently read a statement by Dennis Applebee that caught my attention:

“My age warns me to be careful how I judge the music, worship, and special songs of today’s church. But, age aside, one must surely question the focus of much that is called worship. Some cannot be rated more than repetitive phrases set to monotonous tunes. Even scriptural statements are sometimes sung with little or no meaning, considering the context of the reason why they are included in the service with little more than emotion guiding one to wherever the leader is supposed to be going. Maybe we should ask ourselves if our motive for having this type of singing is really to communicate the serious truths of our faith. Or have we lost the seriousness and reality of such truths to box office numbers and entertainment gain?”

An ex-member of a once-powerful church that had gone “south” was recently asked how the church had taken that path. His first answer: music! Anyone shocked? Not the pastor’s heresies, or a building program gone wrong. Not pressure from big contributors. Music was the first cause. By “music” he meant not only the choices of music but also the prominence of the music and the musicians themselves. They set the tone of the services and established, by default, the lifestyle standards of the church.

How many times must this scene be repeated before we get the message? How many times must our movement be “burned” by carnal music people before we wake up? We evidently feel that musical talent is so essential that those involved should not have to meet the standards of ministers or even ordinary saints. We still honor and put up those who sell themselves and their talent to the world, perform for trinitarian churches, and live virtually without accountability. They get “passes” on lifestyle where others have to pay. I know of one pastor who hired a music director even after another pastor had caught him in gross immorality and dismissed him. “I know he has problems, but we have to have a music director,” was the attitude of the pastor who hired him.

The Apostolic movement has the best musical talent in Christendom. That can be a blessing if it is kept “sanctified by the word of God and prayer.” While it plays a vital role in worship, it will not be our sole ticket to evangelistic success—and it can be a door to failure. As long as we continue to elevate persons to positions of prominence that do not hold the doctrinal or holiness standards we expect of ordinary ministers and saints, we will continue to get burned.

Elevating those who are unworthy—either because of doctrine or lifestyle, but deemed essential to our image—could contribute to the downfall of many, and do great damage to the movement itself.

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The problem with public housing

The problem with public housing is that the residents are not the owners. The people that live in the house did not earn the house, but were loaned the property from the true owners, the taxpayers. Because of this, the residents do not have the “pride of ownership” that comes with the hard work necessary. In fact, the opposite happens and the residents resent their benefactors because the very house is a constant reminder that they themselves did not earn the right to live in the house. They do not appreciate the value of the property and see no need to maintain or respect it in any way. The result is the same whether you are talking about a studio apartment or a magnificent mansion full of priceless antiques. If the people who live there do not feel they earned the privilege, they will make this known through their actions.

The picture at above right fully illustrates this point.

The Resolute Desk in the Oval Office in the White House was built from the timbers of the HMS Resolute and was a gift from Queen Victoria to President Rutherford B. Hayes. It is considered a national treasure and icon of the presidency.

Mr. Obama, with (or without) all due respect, get your feet off OUR desk!

- Anonymous

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The Waldensians

The Waldensians are among history’s first evangelicals, pre-Protestants who sprang up in the 1200s in the Piedmont Alps of Italy. The movement apparently started when Peter Waldo (or Valdes) of Lyons, a wealthy French merchant, became involved in translating the Bible into his own French-Provençal. Jesus’ words in Mark 10:22: “Go sell everything you own, then come with Me,” so moved him that he did just that. His radical Christianity led to his expulsion from Lyons and his removal to the Italian Alps. There his message of simple discipleship took root among Alpine Christians.

The Waldensians stressed love of Christ and his Word and a life of poverty. But their nonconformity invited the wrath of the church, making them targets for extermination. In 1251, for example, the Waldensians in Toulouse, France, were massacred, their town burned.

Nevertheless, by 1600, 20,000 Waldensians, mostly farmers and shepherds, filled the French/Italian Alps. On Easter week, 1655, 5,000 soldiers came against them, killing, torturing, raping, looting—1,712 were killed. The survivors escaped into the French mountains and claimed protection under the Edict of Nantes which granted freedom to French Protestants.

When King Henry XIV revoked the Edict of Nantes on October 18, 1685, the Waldensian communities swelled with Protestant refugees. The villages became armed camps of resistance. They found themselves caught between the Catholic forces of both France and Italy. On January 31, 1686, Louis XIV issued an edict to burn Waldensian churches to the ground. Protestant assemblies were forbidden, children were ordered baptized in the Catholic faith, and pastors deposed. The Waldensians were trapped and massacred—2,000 killed, 2,000 more “converted” to Catholicism, and 8,000 imprisoned, half of whom soon died of starvation and sickness.

But the next several years saw a shifting in European politics, and eventually some of the Waldensians returned to their homeland. Others made their way from the Piedmont mountains of Europe to the Piedmont mountains of North Carolina. They established the town of Valdese where they live to this day, every summer presenting their story in the open-air drama From This Day Forward.

— Excerpted from On this day, by Robert J. Morgan

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Train Wreck

Budget Insanity
By Charles Colson
February 28, 2011

The looming budget battle has all the makings of a train wreck. Nowhere, from either side of the aisle, do we see really serious proposals for adequately reducing the federal deficit. And “train wreck” is an appropriate term, given one of the items in the Administration’s budget proposal.

The Administration wants to spend $56 billion—that’s billion with a “b”—on high-speed rail service. Over the next 25 years—hold  onto your hat—the total cost would be $800 billion! This, my friends, is madness in the extreme.

Supporters of high-speed rail have their reasons. One is political: In the short term, building high-speed rail will create jobs. One is ideological: Supporters say we need to keep pace with the technologies being used by other nations, like China. And one is pure insanity: Warning about lagging behind other countries, Vice President Biden ominously predicted that “If we don’t get a grip, folks, they’ll not only be teaching us, they’re gonna own our kids.”

(Read entire article at http://www.breakpoint.org/bpcommentaries/entry/13/16528)

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It’s Never Just the Economy, Stupid

Brian T. Kennedy

President, The Claremont Institute

WE ARE OFTEN TOLD that we possess the most powerful military in the world and that we will face no serious threat for some time to come. We are comforted with three reassurances aimed at deflecting any serious discussion of national security: (1) that Islam is a religion of peace; (2) that we will never go to war with China because our economic interests are intertwined; and (3) that America won the Cold War and Russia is no longer our enemy. But these reassurances are myths, propagated on the right and left alike. We believe them at our peril, because serious threats are already upon us.

Let me begin with Islam. We were assured that it was a religion of peace immediately following September 11. President Bush, a good man, believed or was persuaded that true Islam was not that different from Judaism or Christianity. He said…(Read entire article at http://www.hillsdale.edu/news/imprimis/archive/issue.asp?year=2011&month=01)

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Tolerance: a discipline for Christians only

“In a world of political correctness devoid of the rule of law, tolerance has come to mean total rejection of Christianity and moral standards. Modern tolerance redefines words like ‘marriage,’ ‘discrimination,’ ‘equality,’ ‘morality,’ and even ‘absolutes.’ The word ‘tolerance’ as it is used today never includes opposing arguments or competing worldviews. Tolerance has become Orwellian and decidedly intolerant.” – Matthew Staver, Dean and Professor of Law at Liberty University School of Law

A few examples of recent intolerance for Christianity:

• The Supreme court determining to exclude anyone who prays in Jesus name from a rotation of officials who open city business meetings

• The removal of US military Chaplain Gordon Klingenschmitt, over the issue of praying in Jesus Name

• UCLA’s prohibiting a graduating student from thanking her “Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” in her graduation speech

• Colleges making special accommodations for foot baths and Muslim only prayer rooms, while a Muslim group membership may be suspended or revoked for 57 reasons including but not limited to: unbecoming behavior, insubordination, or inactivity; but denying Christian groups campus recognition “because it requires its officers and voting members to agree with its Christian beliefs”

• A San Diego elementary school created an extra recess period to allow 100 Muslim students to pray, while a federal judge upheld a Knoxville, Ky., jury’s decision that a public school could prohibit its 5th grade Christian students from studying and discussing their Bibles during recess

• Christians in America have to tolerate the defamation of their holiest images in national museums, including particularly provocative, offensive acts defined as “artwork,” some receiving taxpayer-funded grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. On the other hand, several college editors who cited freedom of speech when republishing anti-Muslim cartoons first published in a Danish newspaper, were fired or disciplined because they were offensive to Muslim students

• The Council on American-Islamic Relations (Los Angeles) requested an investigation of the desecration of a Quran, Islam‘s revealed text, as a hate crime. Conversely, when Palestinians tore up Bibles for toilet paper (May 15, 2002, The Washington Times) there was no outrage, and after a church in the U.S. saved and held fundraisers to afford the cost of buying and shipping requested Bibles in the Pashto and Dari language to an American sergeant in Afghanistan, the Bibles were confiscated, thrown away, and burned. The only official comment about burning the Bibles was this one, by a Defense Department spokesman, “Troops in war zones are required to “burn their trash.” [end of article]

Don’t you know that Muslims the world over are dancing in the streets at such news from America—the Great Satan?

Related:

• Ga. School Forces Christian Student to Alter Beliefs to Graduate
• InterVarsity Head Laments: ‘Evangelical Groups Are Out’
• Religion Being Marginalized in Name of Tolerance, Warns Anglican Leader
• So Much for Tolerance
• Tenn. Students Keep Up Prayer at School Despite Ban

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Books

Faith in the Furnace

A biblical perspective on divine healing

by J. R.Ensey

Isn’t it time we mined the Scriptures for our theology rather than gullibly adopt the over-worked but under-proven theories of those who were little more than religious hucksters? Jesus heals! But let’s put the biblical spin on the doctrine rather than that handed down from non-Apostolics of another era. Thousands of copies have been distributed to individuals who found comfort and understanding during the deep trials of their faith. If your faith—or the faith of someone you care about—is being tried in “the furnace of affliction,” this book is for you.    Order today from advanceministries.org/store. Only 9.95

Apostolic Ministerial Studies

Just published! Twenty-four lessons (two levels, 12 lessons in each) for aspiring and maturing ministers in the local church. Includes student outlines.

For a list of the lesson topics, please visit advanceministries.org/store.

Recommendations:

“This course is awesome! I have been searching for something like this for years. Every lesson is relevant and is something our Apostolic ministers need to know. I do a lot of reading, but the way you bring out the important points is exceptional. I highly recommend this course to every pastor and Christian leader.” – Dr. Kenneth Green, Baltimore, MD

“Ever since Brother Ensey told me he was working on a new study course for preachers a few years go, I have been anxiously waiting to see the finished product. After having a chance to review the course, I have not been disappointed. The experience from decades of hands-on ministry and years of training ministers has been distilled into two very user friendly manuals. Thank you, Brother Ensey, for another great resource to strengthen the ministry.” – Bishop Gary Howard, Tulsa, OK

Order your set today! AM price only 119.95. Go to advanceministries.org or call 936-856-3419.

2011 Apostolic Theological Journal

This annual journal publishes the papers delivered at the Apostolic Theological Forum. Fresh manna!

2011 topics included:

The Truant Trinity: An examination of the pre-existence of Christ

Presenter: Roger D. Perkins

Apostolic Truth and the Philosophy of Deism

Presenter: Carl McLaughlin

The Word Is Right: A fresh look at biblical inspiration and inerrancy

Presenter: J. R. Ensey

Yirat Shamayim: A call for a revival of the fear of the Lord

Presenter: Peter Connell

The Translation Wars: A preliminary evaluation of the 2010 New International Version

Presenter: J. R. Ensey

Obey The Magistrates

Presenter: Steve Pixler

The Role of the Ascended Jesus Christ

Presenter: William F. Chalfant

Order your copy now! AM price only 10.95. Go to advanceministries.org/store.

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Your tax dollars at work!

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Parting shot

“We are witnessing today the almost complete sellout of the professing church to this pagan world.  That this is to be expected in the last days of this age as we draw near Babylon and the Antichrist does not excuse such a sellout, however; what is most appalling is that most major churchmen do not seem alarmed.  One hears no note of protest, and religious leaders climb on every bandwagon without knowing which way the parade is headed.”    - Vance Havner

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As the budding plants and trees of spring are standing tall and showing their colors, could they inspire us to do the same? Have a great month of spiritual harvest!

JREnsey