One of the worst philosophies that ever invaded our mentality was propounded by Thumper’s mom. Thumper, Bambi’s friend. Walt Disney.
She told fuzzy little Thumper, “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all”. (Isn't that cute)
Since the 40’s when that bit of “Wisdom” was dispensed by the furry one we have drifted into a malaise of allowing all kinds of distortions in our culture and said nothing because we want to obey Thumper’s mom. People work HARD to be nice. Non Confronting. Cutting slack as our culture Lurches toward Sodom.
I am a slippery slope watcher. I look for the logical extensions of compromise. It’s usually pretty darn ugly.
Thumper’s Mom’s Philosophy has caused us to not say anything at all because we fear we might offend someone. I don’t think we should intentionally offend people, but remaining silent in Nazi Germany killed an awful lot of Jews. Dietrich Bonhoffer didn’t remain silent and they hung him, naked.
Go along to get along has become the philosophy of the day. The Joe Biden dustup over calling Barak Obama a clean Negro has caused all kinds of kerfuffle. While as a right-winger I would love to pile on Joe Biden (who deserves it) the fact is he said something that is true and descriptive. Barak Obama is clean; he has little dirty laundry to be hung out, that’s a benefit to him.
The fact that so many people went nuts over this is goofy.
The Bible describes a day when men will call “Good evil and evil good”. I always like to invert a verse in its vector and see what can be implied and understood by the language.
It also means that when those men (Who implied are evil and one could extrapolate politically correct) call “good evil and evil good”; Good men have a responsibility to call “Evil Bad and Bad Evil”. I was taken to task by Bill Barnwell for my view on the Homosexual Agenda. I questioned his view regarding the 1950’s, better or not than today. My question for Pastor Barnwell is, Is there a time when evil needs to be named? Paul said, “Let not that evil be named among you”.
This happens in the world as well. Man Caused Global Warming, It’s priests and evangelists will quarter no opposition whatsoever. Recently a man was fired from the weather channel for questioning the whole idea that Man could be the cause of global warming. A college professor from Winnipeg, Tim Ball, who is on a personal campaign against the whole concept of Human Caused Global warming is pilloried and demeaned because of his questioning. Even to disputing his credentials. Never mind that the University he was Professor at had done the examination of his credentials and found them in order. But the hate squads of the Human Caused Global Warming have done all they can to put him away. They are ruthless. They have done the same with other HCGW skeptics like Linzen of MIT and others who dare question.
You want to keep you head? Keep quiet about this whole Human Caused Global Warming thing. Go along and you’ll get along. Never mind that the emperor has no clothes, don’t say anything. It’s just like North Korea, Just Like Communist China, Just Like Saddam’s Iraq. This thing has become a dictatorship. A dictatorship driven by a desire for power. Power equals money, money equals power. Jacque Chiac said a could days ago he wants to TAX countries who don't go along. Next he will want to put people in jail who are doubters.
If you think I’m overreacting? Today it was announced that the governor of Washington wants to replace the state’s chief climatologist who has held the office since 1991. Why? Not because he killed someone, not because he raped someone, not because he embezzled money, not because he didn’t show up for work.
He is about to be sacked because he didn’t toe the party line regarding human caused global warming. He dared question it. That is a death sentence.
Like Stalin’s day, questioning leads to virtual execution.
When I call these Global Warming Caused by Humans believers gullible and when I call the power behind these claims Nazi’s, I don’t think I am overstating the case.
When I was younger I lived by the credo, question everything. I still do. That is unacceptable for some people. It makes them uncomfortable. I make them squirm.
Well, it’s time to take back our lives. QUESTION EVERYTHING. Going along to get along ultimately leads to slavery. That’s where we are headed if we don’t question.
Time to call Bad Evil and Evil Bad.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Happy Birthday Week
This seven-day period has birthdays of note for me.
On the second if I have my dates right was the date of birth 91 years ago of Ruth Redlin who came and held 3 siblings together under one roof after the death of their parents. My brother, sister and me. I am grateful and want to wish her a happy birthday.
Today, the 6th of Feb is Ronald Wilson Reagan’s birthday. That’s probably not a red letter day for some but it’s one for me. He saved America in many ways. We need another Reagan.
Tomorrow, February 7th about 9AM in the morning Peggy and I rushed off to the hospital 40 years ago. When after a few days we returned it was in the possession for too brief a time of a baby boy, Tim. He has been a wonderful son. Now as he transitions into what is defined by many to be middle age I couldn’t be more proud of anyone than I am of him.
I don’t know how he could possibly be 40 years old. I mean, I was 40 only a couple years ago, wasn’t it? No, it was nearly 22 years ago. Yikes.
I guess it’s normal to be proud of your kids. I am of mine. They certainly didn’t inherit much of what they accomplished. I haven’t helped them much. I have tried to let them sink or swim on their own. Some sinking has taken place from time to time. Swimming has then proceeded.
So, I’m happy to say to Timothy Alan Redlin, Happy Happy Birthday Son.
May you know all the joy of the Lord in your life till we both meet on the other side.
Life is good, live it.
On the second if I have my dates right was the date of birth 91 years ago of Ruth Redlin who came and held 3 siblings together under one roof after the death of their parents. My brother, sister and me. I am grateful and want to wish her a happy birthday.
Today, the 6th of Feb is Ronald Wilson Reagan’s birthday. That’s probably not a red letter day for some but it’s one for me. He saved America in many ways. We need another Reagan.
Tomorrow, February 7th about 9AM in the morning Peggy and I rushed off to the hospital 40 years ago. When after a few days we returned it was in the possession for too brief a time of a baby boy, Tim. He has been a wonderful son. Now as he transitions into what is defined by many to be middle age I couldn’t be more proud of anyone than I am of him.
- Served a full term in the Air Force
- Graduated from North Dakota State University
- Works as a contractor to this day
- Married to Raquella and has 3 great kids, Brian, Shalisa and Jaxon.
- Is a better theologian than his father and a peer as a teacher
I don’t know how he could possibly be 40 years old. I mean, I was 40 only a couple years ago, wasn’t it? No, it was nearly 22 years ago. Yikes.
I guess it’s normal to be proud of your kids. I am of mine. They certainly didn’t inherit much of what they accomplished. I haven’t helped them much. I have tried to let them sink or swim on their own. Some sinking has taken place from time to time. Swimming has then proceeded.
So, I’m happy to say to Timothy Alan Redlin, Happy Happy Birthday Son.
May you know all the joy of the Lord in your life till we both meet on the other side.
Life is good, live it.
Germany, 7 Years Ahead – Attack on THE Church
Back in the 70’s I worked with a man who I respected. Hartley Ellingson. Hartley had worked all over the world in the farm machinery business. He used to say to me, when it comes to cultural practices watch Germany, whatever they are doing we will be doing in 7 years.
I have to say that after we lived in Germany for several years and moved back to the USA I discovered that in fact many of the things we thought were clever ideas (and some bad ideas) there, have now come to pass here. Most after 7 years. I won’t list them all but cookware and coffee are two good ones. More on that some other time.
When we lived there we went to church in Germany. We attached ourselves to one in Frankfurt while we lived near there and another in Heilbronn while we were in Lauffen. They were part of a movement that was called Freikirche Christliche Pfingstgeminde. A charismatic group. A fellowship of churches across the country.
I loved the churches there. They were multicultural, free, open, passionate and on fire. They had the Spirit of God in them. They made many American Christians look like pantywaists spiritually. When they went on a mission trip it wasn't for a week or two, it was for months, they quit their jobs, they went for long long periods of time. They sometimes sold all they had to do this. These were doctors, lawyers and college professors. Sold out for Jesus. I hang my head in shame at my own relative lukewarmness.
I loved the worship services. I try hard to put myself in a place like this as often as I can. If it doesn’t have the fire of God and the Passion I could dry up.
But, Worship is Dangerous. I stole that. I like the topic. True worship is dangerous in Germany. The government has become more and more offended by the true church in Germany. They fear the idea of a church that is sold out to the Lord and of families who for those reasons try to teach their children at home. They have taken steps to move against these things with the law and power of the state. This is a warning to churches in America. If we don’t heed it we will suffer. 7 years from now. Or we will remain lukewarm and powerless. They won’t bother us then. I want a church the devil and his minions hates. It gives me confidence I’m on the right side. If a church isn’t being cussed out on a regular basis it’s inert. You can only hope you offend the devil and those deceived of the devil on every hand. I do my best. I know I offend many. I consider it a Hebrews 11 thing. Not sawn asunder "YET".
The German government just arrested and hospitalized in a mental institution a young girl who was being home schooled. My daughter in law was home schooled. Her brothers were home schooled. I would challenge anyone to take the education and values my Daughter in law and her brothers posses and measure them against any public educational standard and define what happened to them as less than excellent and far superior.
But not in Germany. They came right into the home and kidnapped her. This is the power of the educational establishment in Germany. We are 7 years away from this in the USA if Hartley is right. The educational establishment here and there hates home schooling. If it has the force of law they would take this right out of the hands of parents. That's why as Christians we must constantly do battle with the encroachment of the educational establishment as personified by the Public School System and it's power over our kids. I thank God for good teachers like Matt Gain who teach the truth. I'm afraid they hate him too.
The state churches in Germany hate the free churches that actually are getting things done. They would rather see the churches they lead empty and dead than see a real move of God. Therefore the Government sponsored establishment churches, Lutheran and Catholic attack the churches alive with the Gospel of Jesus.
There is a church in Germany I am familiar with. It's in the city of Koln. It is a lot like the church in Germany we were part of. They are part of the same fellowship (read that denomination for those of you who think this way). The German government has labeled them a cult. They think the passionate worship they practice is evil and should be stopped. They are doing all they can to stop them.
Sounds familiar. The church/state powers 500 years ago said the same thing about Martin Luther. A cult. Has to be stopped.
It’s dangerous to be a worshipper of Jesus in Spirit and in Truth. I purpose to put myself every week at least a couple times in a place that looks very much like the Church in Koln. It's dangerous I know. People hate and persecute you. The passion of the Lord in your life torments them. I just wish more people would live dangerously. His presence in your life is his reward.
The devil even if he has to take on the mantle of the government or the established church will do all he can to stop the true Church. He will put fear in the hearts of would be worshippers to remain stagnant and timid. Recognize who your real opposition is and move out in boldness. The devil doesn’t know who he tangled with this time. I know these Spirit driven Christians in Germany. They don’t back down. They have the power of the Living God in them. But, the devil’s always making that mistake. He never knows until it’s too late who he tangled with.
Watch this video and you will get a glimpse of future persecution for the real church in America. You should hope and pray you and your church is among those the government persecutes or you might be in the wrong place.
Be bold, be strong for the Lord thy God is with Thee.
I have to say that after we lived in Germany for several years and moved back to the USA I discovered that in fact many of the things we thought were clever ideas (and some bad ideas) there, have now come to pass here. Most after 7 years. I won’t list them all but cookware and coffee are two good ones. More on that some other time.
When we lived there we went to church in Germany. We attached ourselves to one in Frankfurt while we lived near there and another in Heilbronn while we were in Lauffen. They were part of a movement that was called Freikirche Christliche Pfingstgeminde. A charismatic group. A fellowship of churches across the country.
I loved the churches there. They were multicultural, free, open, passionate and on fire. They had the Spirit of God in them. They made many American Christians look like pantywaists spiritually. When they went on a mission trip it wasn't for a week or two, it was for months, they quit their jobs, they went for long long periods of time. They sometimes sold all they had to do this. These were doctors, lawyers and college professors. Sold out for Jesus. I hang my head in shame at my own relative lukewarmness.
I loved the worship services. I try hard to put myself in a place like this as often as I can. If it doesn’t have the fire of God and the Passion I could dry up.
But, Worship is Dangerous. I stole that. I like the topic. True worship is dangerous in Germany. The government has become more and more offended by the true church in Germany. They fear the idea of a church that is sold out to the Lord and of families who for those reasons try to teach their children at home. They have taken steps to move against these things with the law and power of the state. This is a warning to churches in America. If we don’t heed it we will suffer. 7 years from now. Or we will remain lukewarm and powerless. They won’t bother us then. I want a church the devil and his minions hates. It gives me confidence I’m on the right side. If a church isn’t being cussed out on a regular basis it’s inert. You can only hope you offend the devil and those deceived of the devil on every hand. I do my best. I know I offend many. I consider it a Hebrews 11 thing. Not sawn asunder "YET".
The German government just arrested and hospitalized in a mental institution a young girl who was being home schooled. My daughter in law was home schooled. Her brothers were home schooled. I would challenge anyone to take the education and values my Daughter in law and her brothers posses and measure them against any public educational standard and define what happened to them as less than excellent and far superior.
But not in Germany. They came right into the home and kidnapped her. This is the power of the educational establishment in Germany. We are 7 years away from this in the USA if Hartley is right. The educational establishment here and there hates home schooling. If it has the force of law they would take this right out of the hands of parents. That's why as Christians we must constantly do battle with the encroachment of the educational establishment as personified by the Public School System and it's power over our kids. I thank God for good teachers like Matt Gain who teach the truth. I'm afraid they hate him too.
The state churches in Germany hate the free churches that actually are getting things done. They would rather see the churches they lead empty and dead than see a real move of God. Therefore the Government sponsored establishment churches, Lutheran and Catholic attack the churches alive with the Gospel of Jesus.
There is a church in Germany I am familiar with. It's in the city of Koln. It is a lot like the church in Germany we were part of. They are part of the same fellowship (read that denomination for those of you who think this way). The German government has labeled them a cult. They think the passionate worship they practice is evil and should be stopped. They are doing all they can to stop them.
Sounds familiar. The church/state powers 500 years ago said the same thing about Martin Luther. A cult. Has to be stopped.
It’s dangerous to be a worshipper of Jesus in Spirit and in Truth. I purpose to put myself every week at least a couple times in a place that looks very much like the Church in Koln. It's dangerous I know. People hate and persecute you. The passion of the Lord in your life torments them. I just wish more people would live dangerously. His presence in your life is his reward.
The devil even if he has to take on the mantle of the government or the established church will do all he can to stop the true Church. He will put fear in the hearts of would be worshippers to remain stagnant and timid. Recognize who your real opposition is and move out in boldness. The devil doesn’t know who he tangled with this time. I know these Spirit driven Christians in Germany. They don’t back down. They have the power of the Living God in them. But, the devil’s always making that mistake. He never knows until it’s too late who he tangled with.
"None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory". 1 Corinthians 2:8; "Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it” (Col. 2:15); “...For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8).
Watch this video and you will get a glimpse of future persecution for the real church in America. You should hope and pray you and your church is among those the government persecutes or you might be in the wrong place.
Be bold, be strong for the Lord thy God is with Thee.
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Eco-Chondira ---- Hypochondria for Global Warming Alarmists
For those that are unfamiliar, one of the finest writers on the political landscape today is Mark Steyn. His piece Sunday concerning the absurdity of global warming hysteria is a fine example.
First, Steyn mocked statements by the media about how solid the science surrounding this illusion is (emphasis mine throughout):
Great idea, Mark. I'd happily pay to see that. He wonderfully continued:
Steyn then pointed out how the current warming trend is really not global:
Next up was a little history lesson all too often ignored by the currently hysterical who refuse to look at weather patterns before the 20th century:
But the best line was here:
Actually, Mark, for somewhat obvious reasons, everything that emanates from these eco-chondriacs is a no-brainer
by Noel Sheppard
First, Steyn mocked statements by the media about how solid the science surrounding this illusion is (emphasis mine throughout):
Indeed. If the science is so solid, maybe they could drag it out to the Arctic for the poor polar bears to live on now that the ice is melting faster than a coed's heart at an Al Gore lecture.
Great idea, Mark. I'd happily pay to see that. He wonderfully continued:
The silliest argument is the anecdotal one: "You only have to look outside your window to see that climate change is happening." Outside my window in northern New England last week, it was minus 20 Fahrenheit. Very cold. Must be the old climate change kicking in, right? After all, December was very mild. Which was itself a sign of climate change. A few years ago, the little old lady who served as my town's historian for many decades combed over the farmers' diaries from two centuries ago that various neighbors had donated to her: From the daily records of 15 Januarys, she concluded that three were what we'd now regard as classic New Hampshire winters, ideal for lumbering or winter sports; eight had January thaws, and four had no snow at all. This was in the pre-industrial 18th century.
Steyn then pointed out how the current warming trend is really not global:
And, even when we're in a pattern of "global warming" or "global cooling," the phenomenon is not universally observed -- i.e., it's not "global," or even very local. In the Antarctic, the small Palmer peninsula has got a little warmer but the main continent is colder. Up north, the western Arctic's a little warmer but the eastern Arctic's colder. So, if you're an eastern polar bear, you're in clover -- metaphorically, I hasten to add. If you're a western polar bear, you'll be in clover literally in a year or two, according to Al Gore.
Next up was a little history lesson all too often ignored by the currently hysterical who refuse to look at weather patterns before the 20th century:
And, if you really don't like the global weather, wait half-a-millennium. A thousand years ago, the Arctic was warmer than it is now. Circa 982, Erik the Red and a bunch of other Vikings landed in Greenland and thought, "Wow! This land really is green! Who knew?" So they started farming it, and were living it up for a couple of centuries. Then the Little Ice Age showed up, and they all died. A terrible warning to us all about "unsustainable development": If a few hundred Vikings doing a little light hunter-gathering can totally unbalance the environment, imagine the havoc John Edwards' new house must be wreaking.
But the best line was here:
The question is whether what's happening now is just the natural give and take of the planet, as Erik the Red and my town's early settlers understood it. Or whether it's something so unprecedented that we need to divert vast resources to a transnational elite bureaucracy so that they can do their best to cripple the global economy and deny much of the developing world access to the healthier and longer lives that capitalism brings. To the eco-chondriacs that's a no-brainer.
Actually, Mark, for somewhat obvious reasons, everything that emanates from these eco-chondriacs is a no-brainer
by Noel Sheppard
The Superbowl That Wasn't
I'm burning this sweatshirt. It says Bears on it.
Rex has to go away.
It was an awful game.
The best part of the game was Prince at halftime.
I was dazzled. He's a great musician. I would go to one of his concerts. I'm well over 60 years old and when he played All Along the Watchtower I said, "I'd go".
What a great talent he really is.
I wish he could play football. I wish the Bears would have shown up. Who were those imposters?
Friday, February 02, 2007
I'm Easily Amused
Since I operate on a dial up connection I don't often go on You Tube.
But I heard this, It amused me greatly. It's worth the look and fun.
The Helsinki Complaint Choir.
IF you like it send it on.
You think you got troubles? You got Nuttin!
Not for the Religious at Heart
There is a Church in St. Louis who goes where sinners go and who reaches people those of us in "Mainline" religious circles don't have a chance at.
Now, if you are religious, do NOT read this. It will offend and screw up your precious theology.
If you are just a simple Christian hoping to reach the lost, what does this mean?
I'm just saying........................
Now, if you are religious, do NOT read this. It will offend and screw up your precious theology.
If you are just a simple Christian hoping to reach the lost, what does this mean?
I'm just saying........................
Thursday, February 01, 2007
The Religion of Atheists
Tomorrow Friday will be the release of the Holy Writ. The Pentateuch of the atheist community. This gospel of the devil will have this proclamation in it somewhere:
And the TV evangelists of this satanic scheme will ply your hearts with images of people and other living beings suffering because of your sin.
Guilt, You must feel guilt. You are the one who did this.
Then a savior will arise. They will be politicians and scientists who will pronounce the penance you must pay.
What sin did you commit according to these false prophets?
YOU, YOU EVIL SINNER caused global warming.
And NOW YOU MU$T $PAY$.
Give up your rights, give over your way of life, give up your money, give up everything for the cause of the religion of atheism.
You think I am kidding? You wait. And, if you are a scientist who doesn’t accept this or tries to preach against it you are poo pooed and denigrated as a pagan.
Let me set the record straight. THE CLIMATE IS CHANGING.
That’s not big news. It’s been changing cyclically for millions of years. For the last 10,000 reliably. Long before there were cars and industrial pollution there was climate change. Radical climate change. Yet things always cycled. Hotter Colder.
We have been in a long temperate period. It was bound to change. It is. It will. It may surprise you, we may be just a few years away from another global ice age. So don't put away those winter parkas just yet.
But, here’s the truth, you didn’t cause it, you can’t change it. If every human on earth was eliminated (that means killed) and nature was allowed to take its course without nasty old humans walking around the climate would change, up down up down.
Who you gonna blame then? I just wonder how far away we are from sacrificing virgins to appease the earth gods to save us from climate change. Not as far as you think.
I remember chick tracts of 30 years ago with a tribulation scenario. The new global religion was one of ecology and earth worship. I thought it was a little far fetched. Not any more.
Here are a few questions for the doubters among you.
There was a little ice age that took place during the 1300-1600s. The ice was so bad that in Norway and Sweden they stood at the edge of the glaciers that were encroaching on their land and prayed to God that they would stop.
But, without cars or industrial pollution the climate warmed back up and has stayed temperate since. What caused this several degree climate change that thawed all the glaciers. HMMM?
The Tang dynasty in China was doing fine for over 300 years. Enjoying good life, good crops, good prosperity. Then the weather changed, in 907AD the revolt took place and there was no more. That wasn’t caused by any humans.
Or how about the Mayans. They prospered well. Built huge cities. Wealthy cities. The peak was about 800AD. Then about the same time as the Tang Dynasty collapsed so did the Mayans. The Early 900s. Why, every 208 years there was a cycle of sun intensity changes that caused the world to warm and dry up.
It did in the Tang dynasty. It did for the Mayans. It probably will for us.
But we are mobile. We have trains, planes and automobiles. We can move to where it’s more temperate. There will be disruption. Mankind will survive unless he refuses to adapt. I plan to adapt. So should you.
There will be politicians and dictators using these negative changes to accumulate power. They are evil in their intent. This whole scare is about power and getting in your pocketbook.
They are manipulating people led down this primrose path into believing that you, we, I had any effect on the climate of the earth. What arrogance to think we have any effect whatsoever.
Don’t believe them. It’s all lies and manipulation. This may well be the platform from which the anti-Christ will arise. What's even worse some Christian leaders have bought this lie. No discernment.
It is interesting to look over the atheists of celebrity who are on this list. Ask yourself this question, for a large part, do these people support abortion on demand, oppose the war, are for more government in your and my life and are supporters of the global warming conspiracy? I submit being an atheist lends itself to views of populism and looking for acceptance from others. Atheism is a lonely place to be. You need others to accept you since you have no God who loves you and gives himself for you.
Since atheists have no God they worship the earth.
How Sad. She doesn't care a whit for them.
- You have sinned and by your sin been the cause of global wrath.
- There are other sinners in the world who have not yet heard the bad news.
- You must repent.
- You must do penance by changing your lifestyle and giving power over to the priests of the church of atheism.
- If you do not, even worse things will be wrought upon you, your children and your children’s children even to the 3rd an 4th generations.
- Only by sacrifice will this sin be expiated.
And the TV evangelists of this satanic scheme will ply your hearts with images of people and other living beings suffering because of your sin.
Guilt, You must feel guilt. You are the one who did this.
Then a savior will arise. They will be politicians and scientists who will pronounce the penance you must pay.
What sin did you commit according to these false prophets?
YOU, YOU EVIL SINNER caused global warming.
And NOW YOU MU$T $PAY$.
Give up your rights, give over your way of life, give up your money, give up everything for the cause of the religion of atheism.
MOTHER EARTH
You think I am kidding? You wait. And, if you are a scientist who doesn’t accept this or tries to preach against it you are poo pooed and denigrated as a pagan.
Let me set the record straight. THE CLIMATE IS CHANGING.
That’s not big news. It’s been changing cyclically for millions of years. For the last 10,000 reliably. Long before there were cars and industrial pollution there was climate change. Radical climate change. Yet things always cycled. Hotter Colder.
We have been in a long temperate period. It was bound to change. It is. It will. It may surprise you, we may be just a few years away from another global ice age. So don't put away those winter parkas just yet.
But, here’s the truth, you didn’t cause it, you can’t change it. If every human on earth was eliminated (that means killed) and nature was allowed to take its course without nasty old humans walking around the climate would change, up down up down.
Who you gonna blame then? I just wonder how far away we are from sacrificing virgins to appease the earth gods to save us from climate change. Not as far as you think.
I remember chick tracts of 30 years ago with a tribulation scenario. The new global religion was one of ecology and earth worship. I thought it was a little far fetched. Not any more.
Here are a few questions for the doubters among you.
There was a little ice age that took place during the 1300-1600s. The ice was so bad that in Norway and Sweden they stood at the edge of the glaciers that were encroaching on their land and prayed to God that they would stop.
But, without cars or industrial pollution the climate warmed back up and has stayed temperate since. What caused this several degree climate change that thawed all the glaciers. HMMM?
The Tang dynasty in China was doing fine for over 300 years. Enjoying good life, good crops, good prosperity. Then the weather changed, in 907AD the revolt took place and there was no more. That wasn’t caused by any humans.
Or how about the Mayans. They prospered well. Built huge cities. Wealthy cities. The peak was about 800AD. Then about the same time as the Tang Dynasty collapsed so did the Mayans. The Early 900s. Why, every 208 years there was a cycle of sun intensity changes that caused the world to warm and dry up.
It did in the Tang dynasty. It did for the Mayans. It probably will for us.
But we are mobile. We have trains, planes and automobiles. We can move to where it’s more temperate. There will be disruption. Mankind will survive unless he refuses to adapt. I plan to adapt. So should you.
There will be politicians and dictators using these negative changes to accumulate power. They are evil in their intent. This whole scare is about power and getting in your pocketbook.
They are manipulating people led down this primrose path into believing that you, we, I had any effect on the climate of the earth. What arrogance to think we have any effect whatsoever.
Don’t believe them. It’s all lies and manipulation. This may well be the platform from which the anti-Christ will arise. What's even worse some Christian leaders have bought this lie. No discernment.
It is interesting to look over the atheists of celebrity who are on this list. Ask yourself this question, for a large part, do these people support abortion on demand, oppose the war, are for more government in your and my life and are supporters of the global warming conspiracy? I submit being an atheist lends itself to views of populism and looking for acceptance from others. Atheism is a lonely place to be. You need others to accept you since you have no God who loves you and gives himself for you.
Since atheists have no God they worship the earth.
How Sad. She doesn't care a whit for them.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Look Out for that Light Pole -----CLANK!
I had a close friend who was rendered blind in his later years. I would walk with him sometimes. He was self sufficient and independent to a fault. I could see, he couldn't. Sometimes the only way for him to discover what I said was true was to smash headlong into the thing that could harm him.
After he became aware of the limitations he became more ready to listen. It took a few bloody noses first.
We are all like that a little. The proverb says:
Sometimes as a Prophet I must tell people of something that's on the horizon that will harm them. Like my friend they insist on going their own way. All I can do is wait for the CLANK.
But, I take the Holy Orders written by the apostle Paul to the Romans seriously. IF we all could get this single chapter of Romans in our spirit we would all live in harmony, unity, with passion towards Jesus. But we don't. We are like my blind friend. We are like sheep all going our own way. It's a pity.
I will continue to prophecy and warn. Not everyone will Heed. Some will. That's enough.
Romans 12 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
Remember, this is about the Church, a Church with backbiting, egos, persecuters, elitists, vengeful, prideful and particularly proud of whatever they do in the Church. This was the makeup of the Church in Rome. Sounds a little like the Church you attend doesn't it?
The problem is ALL are needed. All are essential. If we think we have a corner on this market we kid ourselves. The truth is not in us.
Unity is only achieved when Romans 12 is embraced and engaged.
If you find that Church I want to join too. Some goals are set high enough we may never reach them on this side of the veil.
After he became aware of the limitations he became more ready to listen. It took a few bloody noses first.
We are all like that a little. The proverb says:
A prudent person sees trouble coming and ducks;
a simpleton walks in blindly and is clobbered. Proverbs 22:3
Sometimes as a Prophet I must tell people of something that's on the horizon that will harm them. Like my friend they insist on going their own way. All I can do is wait for the CLANK.
But, I take the Holy Orders written by the apostle Paul to the Romans seriously. IF we all could get this single chapter of Romans in our spirit we would all live in harmony, unity, with passion towards Jesus. But we don't. We are like my blind friend. We are like sheep all going our own way. It's a pity.
I will continue to prophecy and warn. Not everyone will Heed. Some will. That's enough.
Romans 12 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
Living Sacrifice
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual[a] act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head" 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Remember, this is about the Church, a Church with backbiting, egos, persecuters, elitists, vengeful, prideful and particularly proud of whatever they do in the Church. This was the makeup of the Church in Rome. Sounds a little like the Church you attend doesn't it?
The problem is ALL are needed. All are essential. If we think we have a corner on this market we kid ourselves. The truth is not in us.
Unity is only achieved when Romans 12 is embraced and engaged.
If you find that Church I want to join too. Some goals are set high enough we may never reach them on this side of the veil.
Sign of the Apocalypse
We lived in Germany for a few years in the early 90s. Thought seriously about moving there permanently. We loved much about the country. Being German helps.
One of the things which was quaint and yet elegantly wonderful was the whole shopping hours thing.
Stores were open from 7-Noon and then from 2-5. Not all, many. Small shops mostly.
Big chain stores were open till 8 pm a couple nites per week. Mostly till 6 otherwise. Saturday hours were till 2PM. Sundays you couldn’t buy milk but you could buy beer and gasoline.
I liked it. I liked the fact that Sunday was set aside. A day of rest. Sabbath.
Most Germans didn’t engage the concept by going to Church but they did take the day off.
It made Sunday a wonderful day for families in parks.
But now according to the news that is all going to end. Instead of rest they will do what we do in American. SHOP. This is the end of civilization as we knew it.
If they made me King (and you must hope they don’t) I would change the laws in the good old USA to a true Sabbath. The church’s competition isn’t Satan, Isn’t other Churches, it’s SHOPPING and Sports.
So, Make me King and here’s what I will impose the first week.
You might think of others.
Now, I’m not so naïve to think that folks will FLOCK to the churches because of this Gene-Law. I do think that those who use other diversions to NOT go to church will at least have an opportunity.
There was something said once about “Remember the Sabbath day and keep it Holy (set apart, different, special)”. It didn’t say anything about going to Church. It just said that there should be a day set aside of rest and refreshing. Sabbath.
When we decided to abandon these principles I would REINSTATE our country was impoverished for it. You see, all the principles I listed above were observed and accepted in 1957. 50 years ago. He didn’t leave us, we left him. As a country we are poorer for it all.
Why don’t we take back the Sabbath?
One of the things which was quaint and yet elegantly wonderful was the whole shopping hours thing.
Stores were open from 7-Noon and then from 2-5. Not all, many. Small shops mostly.
Big chain stores were open till 8 pm a couple nites per week. Mostly till 6 otherwise. Saturday hours were till 2PM. Sundays you couldn’t buy milk but you could buy beer and gasoline.
I liked it. I liked the fact that Sunday was set aside. A day of rest. Sabbath.
Most Germans didn’t engage the concept by going to Church but they did take the day off.
It made Sunday a wonderful day for families in parks.
But now according to the news that is all going to end. Instead of rest they will do what we do in American. SHOP. This is the end of civilization as we knew it.
If they made me King (and you must hope they don’t) I would change the laws in the good old USA to a true Sabbath. The church’s competition isn’t Satan, Isn’t other Churches, it’s SHOPPING and Sports.
So, Make me King and here’s what I will impose the first week.
- All stores close at 6PM Saturday and do not open again until 8AM Monday.
- All Bars close at Midnight. No liquor sold on Sundays.
- All Liquor sales close at Midnight and never on Sundays.
- TV goes off the air at Midnight Saturday and doesn’t come on until 1PM Sunday.
- No professional Sports on Sunday at all: baseball, football, basketball, nothing. 6 days shall you play….on the seventh you shall rest.
- No Children’s organized sports EVER on Sunday
- The only think you will be able to buy is Gasoline.
You might think of others.
Now, I’m not so naïve to think that folks will FLOCK to the churches because of this Gene-Law. I do think that those who use other diversions to NOT go to church will at least have an opportunity.
There was something said once about “Remember the Sabbath day and keep it Holy (set apart, different, special)”. It didn’t say anything about going to Church. It just said that there should be a day set aside of rest and refreshing. Sabbath.
When we decided to abandon these principles I would REINSTATE our country was impoverished for it. You see, all the principles I listed above were observed and accepted in 1957. 50 years ago. He didn’t leave us, we left him. As a country we are poorer for it all.
Why don’t we take back the Sabbath?
Monday, January 29, 2007
Evangelism - Persistence and Patience
Give up on him! That's what the devil wants us to do. The Spirit of God would say, wait, stay steady, have patience.
Most of the people I have led to Jesus didn't respond and come the first time I probed to see if they were ready. Usually it took a crisis, a situation, a change, a special touch of the Holy Ghost to cause them to come to him.
We can see that in scripture. The jailer of Peter and Silas wasn't looking for Jesus. Not, that is, until the earthquake came. Read about it HERE.
Some people who are distant from God particularly in the Church need a fresh prod of the Spirit of God to get them off dead center. They are walking in the delusion of "Just Fine" regarding their relationship to God.
I experienced that on the most personal level possible. In 1981 after having been saved and born again a three years earlier I went thru a difficult time with my wife. We had attended a good Lutheran church. The one we had been married in. She was head of women's ministries with 900 women. I was involved teaching 6th grade and was superintendent of the Sunday school with 500 kids.
Life seemed normal, settled, "Just Fine". We did our normal little Sunday thing. We paid our tithe. We did what most of American Christians did, we put in our time. Of course both of us being Do-ers we found ourselves doing.
Then it happened. I was saved, seeking, hungry and starving in the Church. I sought out a friend of mine who was walking where I wanted to walk. He sold cars for a living. At his ministry I received a supernatural touch from God. The baptism of the Holy Ghost. The fullness of the Spirit. The overflow of Jesus in my Life. Personal Pentecost. The infilling until it came back out of my mouth as evidence and I spoke with other tongues. It changed me radically and eternally. That single experience broke the last straw of nominalism in my life.
I was turned on to Jesus. Huge. Irreversibly. Forever.
This caused difficulty in our marriage. We had come thru hard times recently. This didn't help. What’s worse, is I came to realize that for me to grow spiritually I had to leave the Lutheran Church we were attending. I was starving to death. There were other issues. This was an ALC church with fuzzy doctrine on Homosexuals and Abortion. I didn't want to go where they seemed to be headed. There were also a fair number of people attending this church who believed in Transcendental Meditation and Reincarnation. The Pastors were good men but weak. They didn't take on the HARD issues. It was a big church, several thousand people, and rather than purpose driven they were sadly checkbook driven. The checkbook driven church is an impotent church. If a church ever fears losing a member who tithes well it is saying to God, “I rely more on that man’s tithe than I do on your capacity to provide”. I was fired up in a house of fire extinguishers.
It almost ended our marriage. She went to the Lutheran Church and I went to a Spirit-Formed church. She liked the change she saw in me. I became more and more changed into the image of Jesus. The tension was she loved her spiritual comfort zone. She had been raised in the Lutheran Church like I had and it just seemed right. Not that it made much difference in her life. It hadn't in mine. This went on for 3 years. She would get angry. There were times when the pain was great. I wanted to have peace but not at the price of my intimacy with Jesus.
The temptation (even advice) was to capitulate and compromise just a little. Here was the truth; I was coming to the place where my love for Jesus exceeded my love for Peggy. She was number 2 in my life. If I had to make a choice she had to know where she would end up.
I was at wits end and then a man by the name of Chuck Rutherford gave me a prophetic word. He said, “I see the day coming when your wife will exceed you in passion for Jesus”. That word quickened in my spirit. I knew it was true. I knew that if I would just stay steady, not back down, not give in, that day would come.
Today it’s true. Peggy exceeds me in so many ways spiritually It’s hard to explain.
Here’s the rub. Some people would say, "you should have gone to church with her and waited for her to change". I would have died spiritually. I was young in these things and not ready to do that then. I loved her. I showed that love to her in many ways. But I never let my love for her or the pain between us compromise what Jesus called me to do. I still don’t. She doesn’t.
That’s the struggle of evangelism and spiritual leadership. Unless you have set your face like flint toward Him you will fail. If you look to circumstances, if you look to people you will fail. Anything less than sold out passion for Jesus without any consideration for anything else is the call of God in this hour.
If you have a friend, a loved one, a wife, a husband, a child who is not where they ought to be spiritually, Take it from one who risked it all for the cause of Christ. He’s worth it. Stay steady. Don’t back down. When the pressure comes turn up the heat. Run to Him, not from Him. It’s only under pressure that you know who you are in Jesus. Do you return to empty words and tradition as a hiding place or do you press into him harder and with more determination? I could have gone back to that nice Lutheran church with the nice people and lived out my life in spiritual mediocrity. I’m glad I didn’t. It was the light of Jesus in my life that drew her, and the same light that gives me access to lead others to him.
The day will come Jesus said when he will bring a sword. It will divide families, even husbands and wives. But the covenant is strong and if the wife in the family will follow the spiritual leadership of her husband in a scriptural way the unity will occur because they both seek God with all their heart. There is still some difficulty between me and other members of my family.
When persecution comes the decisions I have made in the past will make the ones I must make in the future easier. Pressures and persecution will seem trivial when compared to the Glory of Jesus. Even if I lose my life I will not deny Him.
What is most important in your witness, evangelistic work is passion. There is not light without fire. Following comfort zone course attracts no one. There is something that draws people when you sold out and abandoned? If you want to win the lost and lukewarm in your life you must do it by dogged pursuit of the Glory of God and his Son JESUS.
People flock to Caribbean Islands to bask in the light and heat of the Sun. People flock to those who radiate the light and heat of the SON.
Persistence and Patience win the day in winning the lost. Never Ever Ever Back Down! Let your light so shine before men.............
Most of the people I have led to Jesus didn't respond and come the first time I probed to see if they were ready. Usually it took a crisis, a situation, a change, a special touch of the Holy Ghost to cause them to come to him.
We can see that in scripture. The jailer of Peter and Silas wasn't looking for Jesus. Not, that is, until the earthquake came. Read about it HERE.
Some people who are distant from God particularly in the Church need a fresh prod of the Spirit of God to get them off dead center. They are walking in the delusion of "Just Fine" regarding their relationship to God.
I experienced that on the most personal level possible. In 1981 after having been saved and born again a three years earlier I went thru a difficult time with my wife. We had attended a good Lutheran church. The one we had been married in. She was head of women's ministries with 900 women. I was involved teaching 6th grade and was superintendent of the Sunday school with 500 kids.
Life seemed normal, settled, "Just Fine". We did our normal little Sunday thing. We paid our tithe. We did what most of American Christians did, we put in our time. Of course both of us being Do-ers we found ourselves doing.
Then it happened. I was saved, seeking, hungry and starving in the Church. I sought out a friend of mine who was walking where I wanted to walk. He sold cars for a living. At his ministry I received a supernatural touch from God. The baptism of the Holy Ghost. The fullness of the Spirit. The overflow of Jesus in my Life. Personal Pentecost. The infilling until it came back out of my mouth as evidence and I spoke with other tongues. It changed me radically and eternally. That single experience broke the last straw of nominalism in my life.
I was turned on to Jesus. Huge. Irreversibly. Forever.
This caused difficulty in our marriage. We had come thru hard times recently. This didn't help. What’s worse, is I came to realize that for me to grow spiritually I had to leave the Lutheran Church we were attending. I was starving to death. There were other issues. This was an ALC church with fuzzy doctrine on Homosexuals and Abortion. I didn't want to go where they seemed to be headed. There were also a fair number of people attending this church who believed in Transcendental Meditation and Reincarnation. The Pastors were good men but weak. They didn't take on the HARD issues. It was a big church, several thousand people, and rather than purpose driven they were sadly checkbook driven. The checkbook driven church is an impotent church. If a church ever fears losing a member who tithes well it is saying to God, “I rely more on that man’s tithe than I do on your capacity to provide”. I was fired up in a house of fire extinguishers.
It almost ended our marriage. She went to the Lutheran Church and I went to a Spirit-Formed church. She liked the change she saw in me. I became more and more changed into the image of Jesus. The tension was she loved her spiritual comfort zone. She had been raised in the Lutheran Church like I had and it just seemed right. Not that it made much difference in her life. It hadn't in mine. This went on for 3 years. She would get angry. There were times when the pain was great. I wanted to have peace but not at the price of my intimacy with Jesus.
The temptation (even advice) was to capitulate and compromise just a little. Here was the truth; I was coming to the place where my love for Jesus exceeded my love for Peggy. She was number 2 in my life. If I had to make a choice she had to know where she would end up.
I was at wits end and then a man by the name of Chuck Rutherford gave me a prophetic word. He said, “I see the day coming when your wife will exceed you in passion for Jesus”. That word quickened in my spirit. I knew it was true. I knew that if I would just stay steady, not back down, not give in, that day would come.
Today it’s true. Peggy exceeds me in so many ways spiritually It’s hard to explain.
Here’s the rub. Some people would say, "you should have gone to church with her and waited for her to change". I would have died spiritually. I was young in these things and not ready to do that then. I loved her. I showed that love to her in many ways. But I never let my love for her or the pain between us compromise what Jesus called me to do. I still don’t. She doesn’t.
That’s the struggle of evangelism and spiritual leadership. Unless you have set your face like flint toward Him you will fail. If you look to circumstances, if you look to people you will fail. Anything less than sold out passion for Jesus without any consideration for anything else is the call of God in this hour.
If you have a friend, a loved one, a wife, a husband, a child who is not where they ought to be spiritually, Take it from one who risked it all for the cause of Christ. He’s worth it. Stay steady. Don’t back down. When the pressure comes turn up the heat. Run to Him, not from Him. It’s only under pressure that you know who you are in Jesus. Do you return to empty words and tradition as a hiding place or do you press into him harder and with more determination? I could have gone back to that nice Lutheran church with the nice people and lived out my life in spiritual mediocrity. I’m glad I didn’t. It was the light of Jesus in my life that drew her, and the same light that gives me access to lead others to him.
The day will come Jesus said when he will bring a sword. It will divide families, even husbands and wives. But the covenant is strong and if the wife in the family will follow the spiritual leadership of her husband in a scriptural way the unity will occur because they both seek God with all their heart. There is still some difficulty between me and other members of my family.
When persecution comes the decisions I have made in the past will make the ones I must make in the future easier. Pressures and persecution will seem trivial when compared to the Glory of Jesus. Even if I lose my life I will not deny Him.
What is most important in your witness, evangelistic work is passion. There is not light without fire. Following comfort zone course attracts no one. There is something that draws people when you sold out and abandoned? If you want to win the lost and lukewarm in your life you must do it by dogged pursuit of the Glory of God and his Son JESUS.
People flock to Caribbean Islands to bask in the light and heat of the Sun. People flock to those who radiate the light and heat of the SON.
Persistence and Patience win the day in winning the lost. Never Ever Ever Back Down! Let your light so shine before men.............
Just Do It - Get Over Your Old Religious Bad Self
This morning over coffee Peggy read to me from one of the devotionals she uses. It was timely and encouraging. There has been discussion and controversy recently among a local fellowship of believers regarding healing. This debate has been going on a long time, religion versus Jesus, this wasn't invented in the 20th century, the temple rulers picked this fight centuries ago (they still do). What Follows is from Faith to Faith by KCM ministries.
And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day. –(Luke 13:14)
And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day. –(Luke 13:14)
Religion is dangerous. Religion would rather debate about healing than see somebody healed. Religion would rather argue about deliverance than see somebody set free.
You can see an example of that in Luke 13. Jesus healed a woman who had been bowed over for 18 years. Think of it, a dear old woman--a daughter of Abraham Jesus called her--set free after being bound by the devil for nearly two decades. You'd think the temple rulers would have been rejoicing at what Jesus had done. But, no! They were angry because He'd done it on the wrong day.
Do you know what's worse? Those very same religious leaders who criticized Jesus for healing on the Sabbath could have ministered healing to that woman themselves on any of the other six days of the week if they'd cared enough to do it.
That's why Jesus was so indignant with them. They had the same covenant of Abraham as Jesus. But their religion had kept that woman bound instead of setting her free. It always does.
Remember that next time someone tries to get you sidetracked into a religious debate about healing or deliverance. If someone needs to be delivered from a demon, just do it! Don't get all hung up on theological questions about where the demon is.
"Is it in his body? Or his brain? Or his spirit? Or his pocket?" While you're arguing about questions like that, the demon will be driving the poor guy up the wall.
The question isn't, "Where is the demon?" The question is, "Why haven't we gotten this man delivered? He's our blood brother in the Name of Jesus and he ought to be free!"
Once you start asking that question, you won't care whether that demon is inside or outside, hovering over or sitting under. All you'll care about is getting that person free!
That's the difference between religion and the love of God. Religion argues. Love acts. Choose love today.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Prayer with a Pencil
Among the Magazines we get in our home is Guideposts. It's the publication Norman Vincent Peal founded. I think it's a gift from Peggy's Mom.
I like it. It's always got at least one redeeming article or thought. So, I glean it. There was a little piece in this months Guideposts written by John Sherrill in the Pass It On section.
If you don't know who John Sherrill is, he wrote the book, "They Speak with Other Tongues". It was a Christian Best Seller years ago. It helped non-charismatics come to some understanding of the reality experienced by those of us who are.
John Sherrill who is fairly old now, who used to be the editor of Guideposts and is now called a "Roving Editor" was talking about his time spent in the waiting room of the hospital.
What impressed me was this passage from his article:
I began doing this 6 years ago and it changed my prayer life. I get words of encouragement, clarity, answers, insights and just plain spiritual food all by myself in the quiet time.
I recommend it. Inquire of the Lord, write it down, look at it, pray in tongues if you can for a while and then, write what you hear.
It will astound you. It does me, constantly.
I like it. It's always got at least one redeeming article or thought. So, I glean it. There was a little piece in this months Guideposts written by John Sherrill in the Pass It On section.
If you don't know who John Sherrill is, he wrote the book, "They Speak with Other Tongues". It was a Christian Best Seller years ago. It helped non-charismatics come to some understanding of the reality experienced by those of us who are.
John Sherrill who is fairly old now, who used to be the editor of Guideposts and is now called a "Roving Editor" was talking about his time spent in the waiting room of the hospital.
What impressed me was this passage from his article:
I used to pray silently for the other patients waiting with me, but I could never stay focused.
Now I "Pray with a Pencil". I write my concerns and questions directly to God. Then I write what I believe I hear in reply. I get so involved in our intimate conversations that time flied by.
My prescription: Bring along a notepad -- and a pencil -- to your next appointment.
I began doing this 6 years ago and it changed my prayer life. I get words of encouragement, clarity, answers, insights and just plain spiritual food all by myself in the quiet time.
I recommend it. Inquire of the Lord, write it down, look at it, pray in tongues if you can for a while and then, write what you hear.
It will astound you. It does me, constantly.
Golden Boy Leaders
Growing up in North Dakota and attending Ellendale Public School I really can't relate to the whole boarding school environment. I know it happens, but I don't really understand it.
Nonetheless, when I read this LONG LONG article sent to me by a man with whom I went to School, Chuck Comstock, about political stuff I was grabbed by this excerpt of who were considered leaders in the Boarding School of the writer's day.
What hit me was the part I have highlighted in RED. Leaders as people with unusual talents for submission. And the last line was most telling. And the line about taking risks (in Blue)? Just read the post a couple below this one.
Life doesn't change much when we become adults. Conformity and submission are heralded as desired leadership qualities. Fitting in matters more than forming futures. We have had Presidents like that, we have had Governors like that, and many directors of corporations fit this pattern.
It's sad when Boarding School Standards of Leadership haunt us all the days of our lives. Go along to get along. It's also shallow and immature.
If you think back to your school days, what ever happened to those "Leaders" the 8th grade English Teacher encouraged us to all emulate.
Not where that teacher thought he would end up at this stage of life I'll bet.
That's a real story.
I'll not tell it here. Some of you would know him. Some of you DO know him.
Nonetheless, when I read this LONG LONG article sent to me by a man with whom I went to School, Chuck Comstock, about political stuff I was grabbed by this excerpt of who were considered leaders in the Boarding School of the writer's day.
We all heard leadership intoned again and again at chapel, assembly, commencement, and building dedications. Wearing our school blazers and ties, sitting on folding metal chairs and listening to the headmaster (“Chief Yellow Finger” we called him, because his hands were stained from the cigarettes he smoked incessantly), we knew what leadership really meant. It had nothing to do with leading, much less with taking risks, and not at all with acting ethically. A leader was just a boy with an unusual talent for submission. A boy could win the top perch as a prefect and become an official leader just because he was preternaturally preppy or could throw a football with a tight spiral. Not even the most golden among us was capable of actual leadership.
What hit me was the part I have highlighted in RED. Leaders as people with unusual talents for submission. And the last line was most telling. And the line about taking risks (in Blue)? Just read the post a couple below this one.
Life doesn't change much when we become adults. Conformity and submission are heralded as desired leadership qualities. Fitting in matters more than forming futures. We have had Presidents like that, we have had Governors like that, and many directors of corporations fit this pattern.
It's sad when Boarding School Standards of Leadership haunt us all the days of our lives. Go along to get along. It's also shallow and immature.
If you think back to your school days, what ever happened to those "Leaders" the 8th grade English Teacher encouraged us to all emulate.
Not where that teacher thought he would end up at this stage of life I'll bet.
That's a real story.
I'll not tell it here. Some of you would know him. Some of you DO know him.
Friends Blogologically
One think I love about blogging is the good people you meet. I have met several blogwise. Some I will never see face to face on this side of the veil. I'm OK with that. A few I have met. I consider them all friends in a blogological way. I won't list them all. Most are on my blogroll. I add them as they prove out.
If we were at a party and one of my friends was there and I thought you should meet him I would introduce you. I would want to share the wealth of my friendship.
This is that.
I have only become aware of a fairly new blogger who's writings I find stimulating and refreshing. His name is Aaron Telian. He lives in Oakhurst CA. He is a young man. Late 20s or early 30s. He reads RonMac's Blessed Econonmist Blog and comments. I followed him back to his blog and liked what I saw.
I suggest to anyone who wants a good read and a fresh approach to life to take a peek at his blog. It's here.
You, Meet Aaron - Aaron, meet You.
Be sure to read his latest post on Childrens Books. It's great.
You're Welcome.
If we were at a party and one of my friends was there and I thought you should meet him I would introduce you. I would want to share the wealth of my friendship.
This is that.
I have only become aware of a fairly new blogger who's writings I find stimulating and refreshing. His name is Aaron Telian. He lives in Oakhurst CA. He is a young man. Late 20s or early 30s. He reads RonMac's Blessed Econonmist Blog and comments. I followed him back to his blog and liked what I saw.
I suggest to anyone who wants a good read and a fresh approach to life to take a peek at his blog. It's here.
You, Meet Aaron - Aaron, meet You.
Be sure to read his latest post on Childrens Books. It's great.
You're Welcome.
Know the NO-MAN
No I didn’t miss a letter. Not SNOWMAN, NO-MAN. I mean it intentionally. I’m talking about the person who always says NO, or not now, or “we’ll see” anything less than yes towards a fresher vision. The person who is always cautious, always negative, always naysaying, always looking for the proven way, always looking for others to take a chance before he or she will move out and take a position.
I’ll be blunt. I have zero respect for those kinds of people. I won’t mention any names, I had a coworker 20 years ago who’s only contribution or lack of it to the corporation I was vested to operate was telling me I shouldn’t do this or that, or that what I was about to do wouldn’t work, or that the strategy I was engaged in he had tried before and it failed and a hundred other things he naysaid to make himself look smart.
Meanwhile in 30 months I helped turned that company around from losing $50,000 a month to earning that much per month. He had had his chance for years before that. His timidity and fear was a straightjacket he put on the organization. Years after I left the firm he became CEO, the job I had left. He lasted less than 2 years and left in defeat. Fear and NO is a lousy way to lead.
Helen Keller, who was born deaf, dumb and blind said this, “Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is a daring adventure or nothing at all.”
When’s the last time you heard anyone in politics, corporate leadership (public corporations) or journalism say anything close to that? We live in a culture of cowards. It’s even invaded the church. Courage is rare.
The leader who holds back everyone with his can’t do attitude does so because he is guarding himself against anything going wrong. Cowardice is perceived as a safe harbor against blame, ownership of a difficult situation and sometimes against having to do actual work.
In a former post I quoted Jared Sandberg when he wrote of this syndrome. He wrote that the NO-MAN or NO-WOMAN may be caught up in his or he sense of superiority. He would LIKE others to believe he is a perfectionist and thinks a YES would be relaxing his authority. Teresa Amabile, a professor of Business Administration at Harvard says negative feedback and holding off on things until they die is in fact that leaders use when they feel intellectually insecure.
Her study shows that some workers perceive criticisms as smarter than praise. Perpetual critics may be views as smarter than the approvers even when the circumstances and facts prove out otherwise. Some people who are born followers, she says, are hardwired to pay more attention to criticism and negative stimuli.
When I taught Dale Carnegie the FIRST rule of motivation was, Don’t Criticize, Condemn or Complain. Any fool can criticize, be negative and naysaying; and most fools are.
Naysayers deflate motivation and bring progress and productivity to a grinding halt in order to protect their egos. When management consultants do an evaluation of a corporation, they say that behind every NO is a scardy-cat.
Saying YES to anything takes risk. Risk takes Courage. Saying no requires no effort at all; even a child can do it.
The first word most infants learn is ___________. You knew that.
If I hit a nerve and you said OUCH, it’s time to grow up.
I’ll be blunt. I have zero respect for those kinds of people. I won’t mention any names, I had a coworker 20 years ago who’s only contribution or lack of it to the corporation I was vested to operate was telling me I shouldn’t do this or that, or that what I was about to do wouldn’t work, or that the strategy I was engaged in he had tried before and it failed and a hundred other things he naysaid to make himself look smart.
Meanwhile in 30 months I helped turned that company around from losing $50,000 a month to earning that much per month. He had had his chance for years before that. His timidity and fear was a straightjacket he put on the organization. Years after I left the firm he became CEO, the job I had left. He lasted less than 2 years and left in defeat. Fear and NO is a lousy way to lead.
Helen Keller, who was born deaf, dumb and blind said this, “Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is a daring adventure or nothing at all.”
When’s the last time you heard anyone in politics, corporate leadership (public corporations) or journalism say anything close to that? We live in a culture of cowards. It’s even invaded the church. Courage is rare.
The leader who holds back everyone with his can’t do attitude does so because he is guarding himself against anything going wrong. Cowardice is perceived as a safe harbor against blame, ownership of a difficult situation and sometimes against having to do actual work.
In a former post I quoted Jared Sandberg when he wrote of this syndrome. He wrote that the NO-MAN or NO-WOMAN may be caught up in his or he sense of superiority. He would LIKE others to believe he is a perfectionist and thinks a YES would be relaxing his authority. Teresa Amabile, a professor of Business Administration at Harvard says negative feedback and holding off on things until they die is in fact that leaders use when they feel intellectually insecure.
Her study shows that some workers perceive criticisms as smarter than praise. Perpetual critics may be views as smarter than the approvers even when the circumstances and facts prove out otherwise. Some people who are born followers, she says, are hardwired to pay more attention to criticism and negative stimuli.
When I taught Dale Carnegie the FIRST rule of motivation was, Don’t Criticize, Condemn or Complain. Any fool can criticize, be negative and naysaying; and most fools are.
Naysayers deflate motivation and bring progress and productivity to a grinding halt in order to protect their egos. When management consultants do an evaluation of a corporation, they say that behind every NO is a scardy-cat.
Saying YES to anything takes risk. Risk takes Courage. Saying no requires no effort at all; even a child can do it.
The first word most infants learn is ___________. You knew that.
If I hit a nerve and you said OUCH, it’s time to grow up.
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Evangelism – The Holy Ghost Atmosphere
Several years ago I was in Tulsa Oklahoma on Business. I had heard on Christian Radio that Rodney Howard Browne, a South African Evangelist, was going to be in Broken Arrow at Rhema Church.
I had been in some other Browne Meetings and wanted to go. I decided to make the trip.
For you who don’t know who Rodney Howard Browne is you may remember him as the Laughing Evangelist. Well, he didn’t laugh much. He pretty much was droll. But his meetings always included outrageous outbreaks of laughter. Why? I don’t know. Joy in the Holy Ghost I guess.
What I do know is in those meetings people responded. I went to two of the nights he was there.
The second night was on a Wednesday. People were howling with Holy Laughter. He was preaching as best he could. It seemed out of order but in a real way it was more orderly than any liturgical service I had ever attended in my younger days. To say you hadda been there is an understatement. And to say that Rodney Howard Browne’s ministry is or has been controversial is also gross understatement.
In fairness I will post an article that will be very critical. I know what people say. But, I always watch for fruit not form. I have seen lots of fruit (even in my own life, I was deeply touched in a Browne meeting when I was Slain in the Spirit for over 90 Minutes). I have never ever been the same. So, when I see and read these critical things I just smile and turn the page. My experience trumps your theology all day long.
When the altar call came, several hardened prostitutes came forward. Several drug addicts and dealers. And some others who would never have darkened the conventional church door or sung a hymn. They needed something real. They needed something that would touch the lostness of their soul.
The pregnant irregular atmosphere of joy in the Holy Ghost during that meeting spoke to the hungry place of sorrow in their lives and they responded with turning from sin and repenting. I know this seems out of line to the people who insist on telling God how to do what he does. They would be offended by Jesus making a mudpie of spit and dirt and smearing on some poor blind man. Sorry Jack. Jesus isn’t impressed by your need for conformity or conventionality.
And it wasn’t what brother Browne said. I don’t know for sure if he spoke or not. I only know that when the power of the Holy Ghost was strongest he gave the call to the altar and people RAN. RAN. RAN. No need for 5 choruses of “Just as I am”. They RAN.
What was that? The Holy Ghost atmosphere was doing the evangelizing. They had all heard it before but not with the permeation of the Joy of the Lord.
One other story. My Son, Tim, lived in Sacramento California for several years. During that time he was invited by some men from a bible study to come to Rock Church with Pastor Nathanial Wilson. The music was good, even great. The preaching was good, maybe even exceptional. People were friendly. That’s true of most decent churches today.
What was different about this was a spirit of expectancy and joy. He (Tim) said that during the singing, during the preaching, during the testimony times on a Sunday Morning or Night people would get up and shout. Some would sit on the edge of their chairs and cheer the preacher or choir or band on. And some would just get up and run a couple laps around the church.
He said that not everyone did this, but some did. He mentioned one, Tom, who was so excited. He had been in horrible sin. Repented and was so completely sold out that he couldn’t contain himself.
Tom, now 15 years later is a pastor of a large church in Washington State. I’ll bet that’s a happening place.
Tim said that every Sunday some of the most hopeless people would come to church. The music would play, the preacher would preach and BEFORE the end of the service people would RUN to the altar and repent. They would baptize them on the spot.
What made the difference? The Holy Ghost Atmosphere. People were hungry, thirsty, wounded and believed that there was an answer in Jesus. When the atmosphere was just so, they would respond.
This isn’t anything you can create or plan for this You can however squelch or stop it’s flow. The key to doing this is having someone fully sold out and able to flow in the Holy Ghost leading the direction of the meeting. If they are there things happen. If a reserved controlled and timid person is leading or trying to lead nothing will happen. So these things are rare.
This is not emotionalism, although it causes people sometimes to become emotional, this is not manipulation, even if one tried it would fail, it is not only among the down and out, I have seen this reaction with millionaires and CEO’s of large companies and leaders of cities. This is what happens when man gets out of the way and the flow of the Holy Ghost begins to happen. It changes people. No one can be in the presence of the Lord and remain the same. Isaiah didn’t. Jacob didn’t.
A powerful move of the Holy Spirit in an atmosphere of expectation and freedom will cause sinners to repent. That’s true Holy Ghost Evangelism. Not by power, not by might but by My Spirit saith the Lord.
I had been in some other Browne Meetings and wanted to go. I decided to make the trip.
For you who don’t know who Rodney Howard Browne is you may remember him as the Laughing Evangelist. Well, he didn’t laugh much. He pretty much was droll. But his meetings always included outrageous outbreaks of laughter. Why? I don’t know. Joy in the Holy Ghost I guess.
What I do know is in those meetings people responded. I went to two of the nights he was there.
The second night was on a Wednesday. People were howling with Holy Laughter. He was preaching as best he could. It seemed out of order but in a real way it was more orderly than any liturgical service I had ever attended in my younger days. To say you hadda been there is an understatement. And to say that Rodney Howard Browne’s ministry is or has been controversial is also gross understatement.
In fairness I will post an article that will be very critical. I know what people say. But, I always watch for fruit not form. I have seen lots of fruit (even in my own life, I was deeply touched in a Browne meeting when I was Slain in the Spirit for over 90 Minutes). I have never ever been the same. So, when I see and read these critical things I just smile and turn the page. My experience trumps your theology all day long.
When the altar call came, several hardened prostitutes came forward. Several drug addicts and dealers. And some others who would never have darkened the conventional church door or sung a hymn. They needed something real. They needed something that would touch the lostness of their soul.
The pregnant irregular atmosphere of joy in the Holy Ghost during that meeting spoke to the hungry place of sorrow in their lives and they responded with turning from sin and repenting. I know this seems out of line to the people who insist on telling God how to do what he does. They would be offended by Jesus making a mudpie of spit and dirt and smearing on some poor blind man. Sorry Jack. Jesus isn’t impressed by your need for conformity or conventionality.
And it wasn’t what brother Browne said. I don’t know for sure if he spoke or not. I only know that when the power of the Holy Ghost was strongest he gave the call to the altar and people RAN. RAN. RAN. No need for 5 choruses of “Just as I am”. They RAN.
What was that? The Holy Ghost atmosphere was doing the evangelizing. They had all heard it before but not with the permeation of the Joy of the Lord.
One other story. My Son, Tim, lived in Sacramento California for several years. During that time he was invited by some men from a bible study to come to Rock Church with Pastor Nathanial Wilson. The music was good, even great. The preaching was good, maybe even exceptional. People were friendly. That’s true of most decent churches today.
What was different about this was a spirit of expectancy and joy. He (Tim) said that during the singing, during the preaching, during the testimony times on a Sunday Morning or Night people would get up and shout. Some would sit on the edge of their chairs and cheer the preacher or choir or band on. And some would just get up and run a couple laps around the church.
He said that not everyone did this, but some did. He mentioned one, Tom, who was so excited. He had been in horrible sin. Repented and was so completely sold out that he couldn’t contain himself.
Tom, now 15 years later is a pastor of a large church in Washington State. I’ll bet that’s a happening place.
Tim said that every Sunday some of the most hopeless people would come to church. The music would play, the preacher would preach and BEFORE the end of the service people would RUN to the altar and repent. They would baptize them on the spot.
What made the difference? The Holy Ghost Atmosphere. People were hungry, thirsty, wounded and believed that there was an answer in Jesus. When the atmosphere was just so, they would respond.
This isn’t anything you can create or plan for this You can however squelch or stop it’s flow. The key to doing this is having someone fully sold out and able to flow in the Holy Ghost leading the direction of the meeting. If they are there things happen. If a reserved controlled and timid person is leading or trying to lead nothing will happen. So these things are rare.
This is not emotionalism, although it causes people sometimes to become emotional, this is not manipulation, even if one tried it would fail, it is not only among the down and out, I have seen this reaction with millionaires and CEO’s of large companies and leaders of cities. This is what happens when man gets out of the way and the flow of the Holy Ghost begins to happen. It changes people. No one can be in the presence of the Lord and remain the same. Isaiah didn’t. Jacob didn’t.
A powerful move of the Holy Spirit in an atmosphere of expectation and freedom will cause sinners to repent. That’s true Holy Ghost Evangelism. Not by power, not by might but by My Spirit saith the Lord.
Consensus
Lovie Smith and Tony Dungy are supposed to have similar leadership styles. They are friends and learn from each other.
They are in stark opposition to the style of leadership Mike Ditka or Bill Clinton had.
Smith and Dungy are makers of Consensus. They create an atmosphere where people follow because they believe. Because they believe they win.
Ditka had people who followed because he said so. If you disagreed you were out.
Bill Clinton surveyed and governed by poll results. No real convictions. Just whatever people wanted. That kind leadership got Jesus crucified, Hitler elected and Jews killed. No one can govern by polls and winds of opinion. The rabble is nearly always wrong.
Smith and Dungy happen to be black. I don't know if it's true but perhaps they are taking to heart what Martin Luther King once said:
A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a maker of consensus.
That's why I appreciate George Bush. He doesn't see which way the wind blows and then decide, he makes a decision based on core convictions and then tries (and sometimes fails) to make consensus. I would rather follow that kind of leader than one who is uncertain in the sounding of his trumpet.
Before the outbreak of WWII Neville Chamberlain met with Hitler and essentially gave him Czechoslovakia. "Peace in our Time" was his battle cry. Now his name is a synonym with failed pacifism, appeasement, and an unwillingness to face the enemy with resultant horrible consequence.
We have people who in 50 years time will have the same ring of failure when their names are pronounced. Murtha, Durbin, and others. Failures because they believe there is something other than clear and decisive leadership, that negotiating and compromising with the sworn enemies of our country will lead to anything other than delayed and more deadly warfare.
We have a 2008 election coming up. How about a Smith - Dungy ticket, or a Dungy - Smith. I think it would work.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
The ONLY Real Evangelist - The Holy Spirit
When do people become Christians? How are they converted? Some say that for people born and baptised by their parents in the church there is no real need for evangelism. That they have always been born again (or were when they were baptised).
Then what of repentance? What of those who are drawn, convicted of their sin and come to repentance. This happens when they are aware of the lostness of their state. Something made them aware of being lost, something drew them to Jesus. A baby can't repent, be drawn or convicted. This happens only when the Holy Spirit draws them. Usually at a moment of crisis. A moment when a person is open. Holy Spirit driven evangelism takes place when people are ready and being drawn to Jesus by Him. We waste our time trying to evangelise people outside of that circumstance.
Let's go back to the Bible. Jesus was dealing with some cranky disciples in John 6 after having fed 5000 people. He says to a mass of followers:
John 6:44 For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up.
He was saying, what called you, what makes you think you are or can be saved? A person cannot be saved unless the Holy Spirit in a given moment is in that moment drawing, convicting, and convincing a person of salvation in Christ and God’s desire for that individual to be saved (which is, in fact, saving “faith”). A person cannot be saved at any given moment, but only in those moments when God’s grace, the work of the Spirit drawing, convicting, convincing, is happening. If the Spirit is not doing this work, a person cannot come to Christ. Then as the Holy Spirit opens the door faith must arise. It's a gift from God.
Then there is the passage that we all know so well:
Ephesians 2: 8-10
8For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. New American Standard
8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. New Living Translation
But grace is “resistible”—a person can either receive or resist the grace that creates conviction, repentance, and faith. As moments of opportunity to “believe” happen as people are placed (or place themselves) in the means of grace, and the Spirit of God brings conviction, repentance, and is creating faith—people can choose to cooperate with what God is doing or not. However, if they choose not to cooperate in that given moment, there is no guarantee another moment—the moment in which God is drawing, convicting and convincing—will happen again.
This is the act of obedience by a person to the call and prompting of the Holy Ghost. To resist is commmitting the sin Against the Holy Ghost so many fear. This cannot be the result of some act of parents on a child's behalf. This can only be a continuing progressive working out of our salvation thru fear and trembling as we obey. We must walk a road and make choices. WE walk the road, no one can walk it for us.
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Matt 7:13-14
The danger is teaching people that they are "OK" because they were baptised or confirmed or made a decision for Jesus at some crusade or signed a card in the back of a Bible Tract or prayed a sinners prayer on with Brother Buddy on TV. It is a narrow gate of grace and must be entered thru repentance after the Spirit brings conviction. Jesus warned about these kind of deceptive teachings of false salvation:
"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. Matt 7:15-20
Even those who look Godly, even those who accomplish the very highest works of God are subject to being deceived. It takes humility and a fear of God driven by a consequence of an eternity without him to keep our spiritual eyes open. This is not light loving. Repentance and conviction of sin must cause every man no matter how high and mighty his calling to tremble before God in fear of slipping into ease and comfort without even as a minister of God.
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' Matt 7:21-23
Of course some would use this verse to say that Prophesy, Casting out Demons, and Miracles are not desired by God. The opposite is true. The Lord uses them as examples because in his eyes they are things that he wants his servants to be doing as he did.
Jesus did exactly that when he was on this earth.
"And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him". Acts 10:38
Devil Oppression means sickness, poverty, despair, trouble, pain, demon pressures, and the need for a miracle. That's what Jesus did. That's the answer to the little Wristband that says, WWJD. That's what we are supposed to do. We must do it in purity and by the anointing empowerment of the Holy Ghost as God is With US.
If we find a person who is in pain, let the Holy Ghost call them, then help them find the solution to the problems they are having by finding Jesus. Lead them, do a prophetic act, cause them to start down the narrow way to salvation. Don't let them have any hope in anything other than the shed blood of Jesus. Don't let them depend on traditions, baptism, confirmation, communion, the sinners prayer, or anything except REPENTANCE; a turning around and turning toward Jesus. Then get them Baptised in Water and filled with the power of the Holy Ghost. Disciple them, teach them well, help them find the way. That is the great commission in action. There is power in the truth of God's mighty word but it falls on dead ears unless the Holy Spirit first opens them to hear----
----the Evangelistic Power of the Holy Spirit.
Then what of repentance? What of those who are drawn, convicted of their sin and come to repentance. This happens when they are aware of the lostness of their state. Something made them aware of being lost, something drew them to Jesus. A baby can't repent, be drawn or convicted. This happens only when the Holy Spirit draws them. Usually at a moment of crisis. A moment when a person is open. Holy Spirit driven evangelism takes place when people are ready and being drawn to Jesus by Him. We waste our time trying to evangelise people outside of that circumstance.
Let's go back to the Bible. Jesus was dealing with some cranky disciples in John 6 after having fed 5000 people. He says to a mass of followers:
John 6:44 For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up.
He was saying, what called you, what makes you think you are or can be saved? A person cannot be saved unless the Holy Spirit in a given moment is in that moment drawing, convicting, and convincing a person of salvation in Christ and God’s desire for that individual to be saved (which is, in fact, saving “faith”). A person cannot be saved at any given moment, but only in those moments when God’s grace, the work of the Spirit drawing, convicting, convincing, is happening. If the Spirit is not doing this work, a person cannot come to Christ. Then as the Holy Spirit opens the door faith must arise. It's a gift from God.
Then there is the passage that we all know so well:
Ephesians 2: 8-10
8For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. New American Standard
8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. New Living Translation
But grace is “resistible”—a person can either receive or resist the grace that creates conviction, repentance, and faith. As moments of opportunity to “believe” happen as people are placed (or place themselves) in the means of grace, and the Spirit of God brings conviction, repentance, and is creating faith—people can choose to cooperate with what God is doing or not. However, if they choose not to cooperate in that given moment, there is no guarantee another moment—the moment in which God is drawing, convicting and convincing—will happen again.
This is the act of obedience by a person to the call and prompting of the Holy Ghost. To resist is commmitting the sin Against the Holy Ghost so many fear. This cannot be the result of some act of parents on a child's behalf. This can only be a continuing progressive working out of our salvation thru fear and trembling as we obey. We must walk a road and make choices. WE walk the road, no one can walk it for us.
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Matt 7:13-14
The danger is teaching people that they are "OK" because they were baptised or confirmed or made a decision for Jesus at some crusade or signed a card in the back of a Bible Tract or prayed a sinners prayer on with Brother Buddy on TV. It is a narrow gate of grace and must be entered thru repentance after the Spirit brings conviction. Jesus warned about these kind of deceptive teachings of false salvation:
"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. Matt 7:15-20
Even those who look Godly, even those who accomplish the very highest works of God are subject to being deceived. It takes humility and a fear of God driven by a consequence of an eternity without him to keep our spiritual eyes open. This is not light loving. Repentance and conviction of sin must cause every man no matter how high and mighty his calling to tremble before God in fear of slipping into ease and comfort without even as a minister of God.
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' Matt 7:21-23
Of course some would use this verse to say that Prophesy, Casting out Demons, and Miracles are not desired by God. The opposite is true. The Lord uses them as examples because in his eyes they are things that he wants his servants to be doing as he did.
Jesus did exactly that when he was on this earth.
"And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him". Acts 10:38
Devil Oppression means sickness, poverty, despair, trouble, pain, demon pressures, and the need for a miracle. That's what Jesus did. That's the answer to the little Wristband that says, WWJD. That's what we are supposed to do. We must do it in purity and by the anointing empowerment of the Holy Ghost as God is With US.
If we find a person who is in pain, let the Holy Ghost call them, then help them find the solution to the problems they are having by finding Jesus. Lead them, do a prophetic act, cause them to start down the narrow way to salvation. Don't let them have any hope in anything other than the shed blood of Jesus. Don't let them depend on traditions, baptism, confirmation, communion, the sinners prayer, or anything except REPENTANCE; a turning around and turning toward Jesus. Then get them Baptised in Water and filled with the power of the Holy Ghost. Disciple them, teach them well, help them find the way. That is the great commission in action. There is power in the truth of God's mighty word but it falls on dead ears unless the Holy Spirit first opens them to hear----
----the Evangelistic Power of the Holy Spirit.
Angels and Prophets
Ron MacKinzie of Blessed Economist wrote this last night. It blessed me. It's so true. I hope it blesses you. Be bold, be strong for the Lord thy God is with YOU!
Angels are ministering spirits sent to serve God's children (Heb 1:14). They are sent by God. They serve God's people.
The LORD has established His throne in heaven,
And His kingdom rules over all.
Bless the LORD, you His angels,
Who excel in strength,
who do His word,
Heeding the voice of His word.
Bless the LORD, all you His hosts,
You ministers of His,
who do His pleasure. (Psalm 103:19-21).
Angels are created for obedience. They do not have the friendship with God that is opened up to us through the presence of the Holy Spirit. Angels often do not know as much about what is on the Father's heart as we do. They often "excel in strength", far more than they excel in wisdom and decision making.
Angels move between heaven and earth. When they are in heaven, they know what God is doing, because his Kingdom is established there. When they are on earth, they are dependent on other messengers from heaven to keep them up-to-date with what God is doing.
Angels are sent to earth to serve us, but as events change develop, they often do not know what to do next. They sometimes have to wait for our prophetic declarations before they know what to do. When they hear the Holy Spirit's word through us, they do it. They recognise his voice and obey it. They listen to a prophetic word and work to accomplish it. That is one reason why God does nothing without first revealing his plan to his servants the prophets (Amos 3:7).
Speaking in the language of angels is good (1 Cor 13:1), because it helps the angels to hear what the Holy Spirit is saying.
I believe if I read my Bible correctly, that would be the Gift of Tounges.
You can check me out on that.
Angels are ministering spirits sent to serve God's children (Heb 1:14). They are sent by God. They serve God's people.
The LORD has established His throne in heaven,
And His kingdom rules over all.
Bless the LORD, you His angels,
Who excel in strength,
who do His word,
Heeding the voice of His word.
Bless the LORD, all you His hosts,
You ministers of His,
who do His pleasure. (Psalm 103:19-21).
Angels are created for obedience. They do not have the friendship with God that is opened up to us through the presence of the Holy Spirit. Angels often do not know as much about what is on the Father's heart as we do. They often "excel in strength", far more than they excel in wisdom and decision making.
Angels move between heaven and earth. When they are in heaven, they know what God is doing, because his Kingdom is established there. When they are on earth, they are dependent on other messengers from heaven to keep them up-to-date with what God is doing.
Angels are sent to earth to serve us, but as events change develop, they often do not know what to do next. They sometimes have to wait for our prophetic declarations before they know what to do. When they hear the Holy Spirit's word through us, they do it. They recognise his voice and obey it. They listen to a prophetic word and work to accomplish it. That is one reason why God does nothing without first revealing his plan to his servants the prophets (Amos 3:7).
Speaking in the language of angels is good (1 Cor 13:1), because it helps the angels to hear what the Holy Spirit is saying.
I believe if I read my Bible correctly, that would be the Gift of Tounges.
You can check me out on that.
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