A Prophetic Word: Two Altars in the Church

Elijah was a prophet of Israel who took on a religious system that was accepted, common, politically correct and which operated in harmony with the political and cultural systems of the day.

 

King Ahab had implemented Idol Worship and Worship of  Baal.  This was because of pressure from the culture.  He was a weak king.  He did what he did because it was popular.

 

As a result of this God brought hard times on Samaria.  For three years it did not rain.  Elijah had prophesied this.  It was an unpopular message of the day.  Elijah had declared it so by the word of the Lord.  Declared it and it came to pass.  Sometimes prophets declare what God is about to do and people think that the declaration is the cause of the crisis; that the messenger is the message.  Prophets release a  proclamation into the atmosphere but in the end it's all about God.

 

Baal worship was big in those days.  During the drought it got bigger.  God was using the weather to illustrate the bankruptcy of the pagan religion of the day.

 

Who is Baal?  Baal was a common god in many cultures at that time. 

 

A god of weather, a god of provision, a god of wealth, a god of fertility, a god of the marketplace. 

 

Baal means husbandman, ownership, owner, rule, rulership, master, wealth, possessions, alliances to make deals with, to marry.  In short compromise for the sake of gain.  To be in control of your destiny.

 

Money was promised to roll in when you worshipped Baal.  That's why it was so popular.  If you worshipped at the altar of Baal and if you held your mouth just right you could influence the weather so your crops would be better.  Baal was the over god and then there were lots of smaller gods.  Dagon, the Asherahs. 

 

King Ahab and Queen Jezebel were big time Baal worshippers.  In fact she kept a houseful of priests to this false religion, fed them, took care of them, paid them a salary.  It was the acceptable mainline religion of the day.

 

Ahab and Jezebel would not hear the Prophets of the Lord. In fact Queen Jezebel had hundreds of the Prophets of God put to death.  Obadiah, a servant of Elijah's, was able to hide out and feed about a hundred refugee prophets in caves. 

 

Finally God had enough and he told Elijah to put a stop to Idol worship. To call out the false prophets of Baal.   To destroy them.

 

Elijah issued a challenge.   He came to Ahab, the religious leader of the state of Israel.  Ahab upon recognizing Elijah said, "Is that you, you troubler of Israel?" This was an insult because in fact the trouble Israel was suffering was because of Ahab's sin.  It was an insult because only Achan, who had hid the valuables from God at AI, had ever been called troubler of Israel. 

 

The pain for Ahab of having the man of God who simply said what God said was more than Ahab could stand.  He wanted a nice clean controlled religion without any power.  The Challenge was made.

 

The prophet of God all by himself versus 850 priests of Baal and the Asherah.  May the best god win.  Mount Carmel had an altar to Baal.   They put wood on the altar and an oxen.  They wanted a sign of his power.  Let fire fall.   Consume the Ox.  Come-on Baal, how bout a tiny spark.  Anything.  Speak Baal. Mobs of priests danced around, chanted, cut themselves, sang, prayed, bowed down and did all kinds of religious things that had no effect.  No fire, No rain, no power.

 

On the sidelines Elijah was having fun at the Priests expense.  He asked maybe Baal is out to lunch, or on vacation, or out of town or maybe he's on the toilet.  He judged them in their ignorant and empty religion. 

 

That made the Baal Priests even angrier and they did their religious act even more aggressively.  They cut themselves even more till the blood flowed.  They knew they couldn't fail.  If they did they would be killed. 

 

As the sun was going down, at the end of the day, Elijah built another altar to the living God with 12 simple stones.  He put some wood around it.  He put the offering on it. He had lots of water poured on it so when God acted there would be no doubt.

 

Fire came down after a simple prayer of faith and power and it consumed the offering, the wood and dried up all the water.

 

Then Elijah single handedly killed all the priests of Baal at the brook Kishon.  He destroyed the whole religious system by the power of God.

 

Elijah then told Ahab, "listen, I hear the sound of abundant rain".  Elijah and his servant went up on the hill and waited for the rain to come.  Ahab believed God and Elijah and had a big dinner celebrating the rain that hadn't yet come.  He believed the prophet of God.  It looked for a moment repentance was near.

 

After this great success Elijah is cursed by Jezebel and threatened with death.  Elijah runs.  Ahab was a "whipped of a woman pansy" who let Jezebel run his life.  When he should have stood up to her and said, "Jezebel, Maybe there is something to this Jehovah God thing after all" he didn't.   In spite of the facts from mount Carmel,  she intimidates Ahab into submission.  She would rather stay in control and power than submit to the rule of the only true God.  He cowers and buckles under the pressure.  By that he squandered his positional authority as King.  Jezebel is eventually eaten by dogs.

 

This story is in 1 Kings 17-19. 

 

SO WHAT YOU SAY?  What does that have to do with me and my ministry?  MUCH!

 

• Baal worship still goes on in most churches. 
• Baal worship is an acceptable religion to the culture. Mainline.
• Baal worship has professionals who make a living out of being a priest to the worldly religion
• Baal worship is still the worship of the marketplace, productivity, ownership, materialism, fertility, wealth and what can God do for me.
• Baal worship is still practiced as a powerless form of godliness.

There are two altars in every church like there were two altars on Mount Carmel.  One will be exulted, one will be torn down.  The one erected to "what can God do for me" will always be built up by Baal worshippers and the one to the true God which says, "I worship you for who you are" will be torn down.  Gideon after the victory over the Midianites tore down the false altars to Baal.  The high places.  The hierarchies. The exalted ones above God.  For that Israel was blessed. 

 

God is now insisting that spritual leaders of today tear down the altars to Baal inside his churches or he will continue to hold back the rain.  God is calling Christians out to destroy the systems and traditions standing between him and his people.  To destroy the high places set up by man that are substitutes for the power of God.

 

The drought of his Holy Spirit suffered in most churches in America is the direct result of the Altars erected to the demon Spirit of Baal.  This is a very high Demonic Spirit. It looks good.  It sounds good.  It's very religious. It has long traditions.  It possesses beautiful buildings. But it is the biggest restrainer against what God wants to do.

 

When the Prophet came to Ahab, who represents the spiritual authority in the land at that time, Ahab said, "You are a troubler of Israel".  That IS what the Church is saying to the prophetic today.  Except in a few cases most of the Church does not want to hear or ignores what the prophets of God are saying to them.  They call them false prophets.  They treat it as if there were no power in what they say.  They say, "you are a troubler of the Church.  Things were fine before you came around".  In fact God is exposing the Altars to Baal that exist in those churches and is saying that you must tear them down or I will and when I do it will destroy the Church you labored so hard to build.  You will morn over the Babylon you have created saying, "Babylon, Babyon is fallen"

 

The spirit of Jezebel is a ruling spirit that wants to control things.  The War in Iraq is part of this.  The whole Global Warming Controversy is wrapped up in this.  And, religious systems have become agents trying to control, to take the reigns from the Holy Spirit in his Church.  I heard Barry Kolb say once of a fellow pastor who said, "If the Holy Spirit comes into our service, let him sit way in the back and be quiet".  It's about control.  Fear of losing control.  An attempt to mount a coup against the Spirit of the Living God.  That's what is happening in Churches today.  This Jezebel Spirit must be crushed or we will all die in our sin.

 

Here's the word to those of you who are in charge of Churches, in the ministry, elders, leaders, and concerned about the Church at large.  The altar of Baal is being erected again and the prophets are speaking.  The Ahabs (rulers of the religious systems) are trying to silence or kill the prophets.  The Baal altars that now stand at the front of many churches is about to destroy those churches.  The Jezebel spirit is trying to take control. 

 

If it isn't stopped you will put a lock on the door and put up a sign up saying ICHABOD – the glory has departed.

 

God is speaking, are you listening?

A Living Breathing Apostle of God

Last night Peggy called me upstairs.  She was tuned into TBN.  The Praise the Lord program. 

 

There were two people I know and admire being interviewed on the show.  Ron and Hope Carpenter.  I have met them, I have been in conference with him, I respect him, he is part of our denomination.  His father Licensed me as a Minister of the Gospel several years ago.  Dr. Ron Carpenter Sr.

 

So when I saw Ron Jr and Hope on the Show I was thrilled.  Ron leads a church of several thousand in Greenville SC.  It's one of the largest churches in our denomination.  I wish we had a church like that here.

 

I listened to him talk, I know his story, Peggy knows his mom, Nan.  Ron Jr carries in his body the marks of an apostle.  He's the real deal in all it's fullness.  I know how to spot other apostles because I know Ron.  I know what it sounds like and looks like.  I have people I know who THINK they are apostles who I have had to say to them, "you're a good preacher but you're not an apostle". 

 

I don't get invited back, but if you ask a prophet to tell you the truth, don't get upset when he does.  If he's a real prophet he can ONLY tell you the truth (like Balaam).  

On the other hand I know Apostolically gifted people who are good preachers but who quench the Gift of God in them by trying to be better preachers.  They have the gift and the calling.  They just can't seem to step into the fullness of the Call of God on their life.  They miss what God wants to do thru them.  They have the gift, but they never exercise it.  That is a crime.

 

The last 30 minutes of the show (approximately) is when Ron and Hope are on.  I would recommend you watch this.  Then watch the last part with a renewal of marriage Vows.  It's a powerful time.  If you go to this site and click on the Tuesday show you can select the bandwidth that works for you.  This should be happening in every Church.  Marriages are suffering.  We try to teach on marriage when people need revelation and a fresh commitment to carry them thru.

 

Good on you Ron and Hope.  Congratulations Dr Ron Sr and Nan.  You have done well.  The apple didn't fall far from the tree.

 

I'm so glad to live in the fullness of Pentecost.  When I get a glimpse of it my spirit soars.

 

And, I wish EVERYONE could have this.  It's God's will.  We fall so short of our full potential in God when we resist the Call in our lives.

Shoveling off the Global Warming and Freezing my Tail

We just had a "Blizzard".  Cold and wind.  I think it's not exactly what we used to think of as a blizzard in ND.  It seems like there were various wind requirements to make a storm qualify.  What we had here in IL was a snowstorm.  Winter storm.  Probably not a blizzard.

 

It's almost near zero outside.  So while I was blowing snow and freezing my pinkies I was thinking with amusement of a few news items from yesterday. 

 

• The opening of Al Gore's "Truth" movie at Cornell was cancelled because of cold and ice.

 

• The hearings scheduled by the Dems to consider the effects of an amelioration of anthropogenic global warming were called off because of a snow storm.

 

What I really love is the fact that with a smile and maybe a laugh God in heaven looked at all this armwaving and said 6 weeks ago:

 

2007 started off with warm weather. Predictors say it will be warm the rest of the year. As a poke in the ribs to worldly prognosticators, it will be very cold in latter part January and early February. This will cause people to puzzle. There will be a late spring as a result. The words, "How could it have started out so nice and turned so cold".

 

I know this for sure, when it comes to the weather, he created it all, so while He laughs, I'll smile a smile.  It'll be ok.  Climate change is change. People hate change.  Especially those who don't know their God so they try to do and legislate against what God is bringing to pass.  The climate is changing.  It has changed in the past and it will change in the future.  Why do the nations rage?  They don't know Him.  And he just Laughs at them.  I can hear him say, "they're so silly".

 

Psalm 2:4 The one enthroned in heaven laughs. The Lord makes fun of them.

 

I know it doesn't do much for seeker sensitive ideals but if you decide to fight against God you only amuse him.  So quit clowning around.

I'm signing up before you do

I just read that the 5th claimant to be the father of Anna Nicole Smiths baby just came forward. 

 

This is like the gold rush.

 

OK, I'm in.  I'm sending a fax to the media right now.   I'm doing before you get any ideas.  I'm the actual father of that baby.  Really.  Please send me lots of money. Please??

 

What, don't you think that will get it?  I know those other 5 men have far more noble ideals about raising this poor motherless child than I do.  It probably might even seem to you I'm just in it for the money.

 

You think I'm a swine.  Unlike those................What?  You think I'm kidding?

 

OK, I'll admit it, I actually never met her, but if I had, you know, a billion here, a billion there, pretty soon it starts being real money.  This is pitiful.

Nanny Church

It would be homicide if I were to go into a nursery filled with little babies and feed them steak. Some would choke, some would die and some would suffer greatly.

That would be a gross error. That would be cruel.

An equal and opposite gross error is to bring 15 year old teens into the nursery, change their diapers and feed them pablum because we fear they can't handle whole food.

This is what happens too often in Churches today. Pastors have such a low opinion of the people under their care they baby them. They think they are unable to digest real meat. So, the congregation lives on mothers milk and pureed peas. When these immature spirits in adult bodies are fed a little meat they don't know what to do with it, they choke and complain.

We are instructed in scripture to grow up in the faith. That means you can't keep checking yourself into the nursery at 15 years old.

These teenagers always having been fed pablum if they get a tiny bit of raw meat think they have it all together. They think they've grown up. They think they can discern and walk in hard places. They are like teenagers you have at home or like you were once who now have all the answers at 16. I know I did. Now at 4 times that age I have far fewer. We all do.

In the movie, THE MATRIX Neo is released from the incubation battery complex and forced to fend for himself. His muscles don't work, he doesn't know how to walk, he is weak, he is alone in the world. There are people to help him but he must want their help. He struggles and falls. His body looks like an adult body but is a baby. It takes a long time for him to become adult and learn to eat real food.

The problem is many Christians are outwardly adults, having spent years in the church, but who spiritually have never been weaned. They have no understanding. They are undeveloped, immature and not able to operate in the realm of the Spirit.

They are like children with huge endowments under the care of a nanny guardian who tells them someday they will be able to take advantage of the endowment but for now they have to live under the nanny roof. It's good for the nanny too.

In Galatians 4:1-2 there is a good description of this condition.

Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father.

Christians have a great inheritance restrained only an unwillingness to grow up.

The problem is many Christians don't really WANT to grow up. They like being babied, told what to think, living off other peoples faith, not able to do battle for themselves, immature and like little babies every time something feels uncomfortable or the nanny leaves them alone or something changes they cry and fuss. The blame rests on the babies and on the nannies who live off them.

Infants don't operate in all the freedom that adults do. That's why there are curfews. That's why 10 year olds can't vote of buy liquor or drive. The same thing is true for Spiritual Babies.

The nanny church does everything for them. They never want to grow up like Peter Pan. Everything seems fine as long as no one messes with their nice little make believe world. Except it's not fine. They are babies posing as adults and doing all forms of damage. They are unprepared when the world changes.

Most people think they have far more Spiritual maturity than they do. We all need to grow up. None of us have it ALL together. We won't till we cross to the other side of the veil. Think about it for just a moment, what spiritual maturity do you think you have?

Infant, Child, Youth, Young Adult, Adult, Middle Aged, Older Adult, Sage of the Faith. Go ahead. Pick one.

Chances are you are at least one level BELOW where you think you are. I include myself in this. It's time to grow up spiritually.


The Bible says something about this condition of Christians today:
Hebrews 5:12-15

For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.

It's time for the nanny church to start kicking the big kids out of the nursery and start feeding them real meat. It's time for Pastors to quit babying their flock. It's time for Christians to Grow Up.

You Too Can U2

John Armstrong has a wonderful post about a U2 Eucharist held in a Lutheran Church in Carol Stream. I wish I had been there. "We can take all the BEST from the music of today and make it relevant for the Christians of Tomorrow".

Luther said that.

Shocking isn't it.

Read the whole thing.

OH AND:
One other thing, here is an interesting article that defines what the Whole U2 thing is about regarding things of God.

YOU HAVE TO READ THIS

Steve Scott is a regular blogger. He's a good one. He has one of the best posts regarding present day communion with a humorous bent I have read in a long time.

JESUS KEEPS GETTING STUCK IN MY TEETH

READ IT HERE.

UPDATE:
My Friend and a man I love dearly Harold makes a comment below. Take a peek at it. I respect him and find his comments and writing always scholarly and well thought out. Our mutual Friend Barry says that in years past Harold wrote some brilliant and extraordinary Works presented to his peers. So, I take what he says very seriously. I read it and don't consider for a moment he doesn't mean what he says nor that it's not well founded. I certainly didn't for a moment mean that disagreeing with Steves post was snarky. I just was on the rebound from snarkyness otherwise. Overrun the runway a tad.

BUT
I say all that and still in rereading Steve's posting and reconsidering I think the present day church DOESN'T GET communion. Oh I think they get the traditional and historical traditions as came from middle ages Catholicism. But not the Communion as described in 1 Corinthians or exemplified by the last supper.

I am MORE traditional than most Lutherans in the theology of actual presence in the elements. I am far more convinced of the efficacy for the miraculous in the communion action. Communion is touching JESUS.

I just think we don't get it. We think somehow in the sacred act of blessing that the nature of the elements physically must be in some predetermined form. A sip from a cup, a wafer or bit of bread. Scripturally that can't be and can't have been what that meal was.

It was first of all a MEAL. Jesus says so. .. as often as you do THIS. This What? Have this meal. Meal of what? A wafer, a sip? Not really a meal is it. And the Corinthians who brought food including the bread and wine were overdoing it. Contrary to what Harold says, they didn't show up drunk. Read the text, what does it say. They BECAME drunk and way selfish. They didn't share. They didn't commune.

I don't object to the wafer and sip as Steve did but it's not actually scriptural. What would be would be a group gathered around a communion table, eating FOOD, chicken, Red beets, Mashed Potatoes. Then, somewhere during the end of the meal, the wine is brought out, cups filled, blessed, Bread broken, Blessed. Consideration of the depth of what is about to happen. People offering each other the communion elements. Discerning the Body of Christ scripturally. The body as is each other, the body as is represented in the elements. And reaching out to the Father in Thanksgiving for his provision (that's what Eucharist means anyway, thanksgiving) with expectation and anticipation of his further provision in healing, forgiveness, joy, soundness, whatever you lack he provides in the communion act.

Then with great joy and thanksgiving they sing hymns of worship together. That's what the Bible says the disciples did afterwards. In fact in the early church for the first 300 years after Jesus this is exactly what happened. They met house to house broke bread and worshipped and prayed. What does the text say.

They didn't do the sip and the wafer.

If we were to do Communion as the early church did, and do it scripturally, we would make our communion a pot luck, have it around a big table, all contributing, we eat and then we pass each other the elements, we eat and drink of them sometime with the words of institution and sometimes without. Always understanding what is happening.

I'm afraid we have drifted very very far from the scriptural communion table. Tradition again crushes true Christianity.

Oh, I'll go again, I'll take communion. I'll do so with joy. But, I'll wish for more.

There are many groups of people who meet in homes in the Geneva and St. Charles area who do communion in exactly the way I have just described. They wanted more. We have done it in our own home with just our family. Offering my sons the Cup of blessing and a torn of broken piece of bread with the words of Jesus and blessing them is among the most holy things that ever happens in our home.

I hope it might be true for any reader of this. There's so much more. So much. Take off the bondage of tradition. See him in all His beauty.

Comments, I get Comments

Most of the time I read and enjoy the comments folks make on this blog. The bulk are encouraging or funny. Sometimes they are snarky like the one on my Misappropriation of Funds Post. They always come from an anonymous source or from a fictitious name with no link back. Real courage - not so much.
This one is typical:

Have you ever read what the Lord had to say about judging others?
I guess that is why you keep getting hit by incoming fire!

I will do my best to educate this person who obviously knows little about the Bible or the Lord.

My fellow Bible Fan:
Have you ever read what the Lord had to say about judging others?
The Lord wants us to Judge between evil and good and choose good. He wants us to evaluate the quality of fruit people people produce by the actions they manifest. In fact, he says (Judging) that if a tree doesn't bear good fruit, dig it up, throw it into the fire. He prunes out the things in our lives that produce poor fruit. Sometimes he does that by bringing it to our attention. So, like a flock of chickens you throw a rock into, if that rock struck and you were the one that squawked, perhaps it's time to ask yourself a few questions.

I guess that is why you keep getting hit by incoming fire!
No one ever kicks a dead dog. Why? It's dead.

If I am getting resistance and incoming perhaps it's because I'm hitting a nerve. I'll take the slings and arrows. It's better than being inert. Or dead. Christianity is not a popularity contest. In fact the world, the flesh, the devil and the religious will hate you. They hated Jesus and they should hate you. If they love you somethings wrong.

If as a Christian you get no incoming fire you are already dead spiritually. Sorry, it's the truth. Take a look at who you think you are in Jesus and think again. Stand Up Stand UP for Jesus you soldiers of the Cross!! Unfortunately, most Christians sit on their blessed assurance while the world goes to hell in a handbasket and they say nothing. They stay inert while their kids, their friends, their society, their marriage and their health spirals out of control down in flames. But at least they didn't judge. Balderdash. That's what bad religion has done to us.



Then there's this quality comment from Coach Dave Daubenmire. He's my kind of Coach and my kind of Preacher. If you are in the ministry his call is one we need to hear. He has a blog. READ THE WHOLE THING - IT'S REALLY WORTH IT.

From Coach Dave:

I don’t know if you are a football fan or not, but I am. I find a great many lessons about life can be learned on the old grid-iron. In fact, I think that in many ways churches are like football teams and pastors are like coaches. Allow me to develop this analogy a bit.

I love watching the Ohio State Buckeyes this year. They are the consensus Number 1 college team in America and recently they scored 42 points against Michigan which had what was believed to be the best defense in the country. I apologize if you don’t like football. Stay with me.

How did they do that, score so many points on the Maize and Blue? Most would say that it was the Buckeyes' versatility, that they had too many weapons for the Wolverines to guard against. No matter whom the defense focused on there was always a mismatch somewhere, and the Buckeyes did a great job of exploiting the weakness in the Michigan coverage. Certainly Ohio State had great players, but so did Michigan. Why was it every time the Bucks needed to make a play they were able to find somebody open?

I give most of the credit to the Ohio State Coach Jim Tressel. Rather than being a one-man team and counting on the efforts of a single player, he moved the ball around and figured out a way to get the ball to the guy who was open.

Let’s take a minute and compare why the Buckeyes are Number 1 and most churches are middle-of-the-pack. Pastors could learn a thing or two from Coach Tressel.

When I turn on the Buckeyes I expect to see a lot of great things happen through the combined efforts of a bunch of different people. QB Troy Smith may throw a pass to Teddy Ginn, or perhaps Anthony Gonzales if Ginn is covered. He may hand the ball to Antonio Pittman, or run with it himself, but they do a great job of using the weapons that they have.

I am always struck by the fact that Coach Tressel gets so much of the credit. In all of the games that I have watched over the years I have never seen the coach throw a pass, score a touchdown, make a tackle, or kick a field goal, yet he gets credit or blame when the game is over. Why is that? The coach doesn’t score the touchdown himself, but realizes his job is to get the ball to the guy who can score.

Our Christian team is doing so poorly because so many of our churches are nothing more than one-man teams. Can you imagine going to an Ohio State Football game and watching Coach Tressel run, pass, kick, and tackle? We go to watch his TEAM perform. He has spent months preparing them to play the game. It doesn’t matter how much football he knows if he cannot transfer that knowledge into action. He may have the best playbook the world has ever seen but if the players can’t run the plays effectively the team is doomed to failure.

Walk into your local church, sit down in the pew and watch what happens. The “Coach” will soon appear and begin to explain the Christian playbook. He will instruct the congregants on all of the techniques, the proper methods of action, and the devices the opponents will use against them. He will exhort them to follow the playbook if they want to be successful and assures them the playbook is a guaranteed route to successful living. Unfortunately, all the pastor does is draw plays on the chalkboard, in the safety of the locker room. Most pastors will never take his team to the field to practice the plays they have just been taught.

If all Coach Tressel did was drew plays on the chalkboard, if he never took the team out to the practice field and made them “run through their plays,” if he didn’t give them the chance to practice what they had learned in the “chalk talk,” they would never be able to function as a team during the game. If they never practiced, how would they know who was the best passer, or runner, or blocker? How would the players know what position was best for them? How would they ever defeat the opponent?

You see, the difference is Coach Tressel develops the players and gets the ball to the one who can score. Most pastors won’t let anyone else carry the ball. They are coach and quarterback, passer and receiver, blocker and tackler, cheerleader and trumpet player. Today’s church is the ultimate one-man show. Is it any wonder our team is doing so poorly?

Ephesians 4:11-12 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Paul told us some of the positions on the team. Why don’t we train people to play them? Isn’t that how the “work of the ministry” gets done….by the team? If the job of the Coach is to train the team to run the plays, what then is the job of the pastor?

“But Coach,” some pastors will lament to me, “I can’t get anyone else to carry the ball. All they want to do is sit around and eat of the good of the garden. They don’t want to hoe it.”

Wonder what would happen to Coach Tressel if the Buckeyes were losing because the team wasn’t trying? How long would the Buckeye-Nation listen to the coach blame the players? “Coach ‘em, Tressel. That’s what you get paid for," 106,000 voices would be screaming.

“Coach ‘em Pastor, that’s what you get paid for!” Whip the team into shape. “We’re tired of watching you carry the ball!”

One of the ways that folks try to marginalize a guy like me is by calling me a “fundamentalist,” as if that was something to be ashamed about. Talk to any good football coach and he will tell you that you win the game with fundamentals. If you can’t block, tackle, hang on to the ball, avoid penalties, and play as a team it doesn’t matter how good your playbook is. Song of Solomon 2:15 …the little foxes, that spoil the vines:.. If a football team can’t win without performing the fundamentals why would we think a church could? We have a great playbook. Why won’t we run the plays?

I am convinced that the biggest disconnect in America is between the pulpit and the pew….between the talk and the walk. The “coach” knows the playbook inside and out, and he is convinced that his team is ready for prime time. The players have listened to the coach talk about how the plays need to be run, but they have never had the chance to run the plays for themselves.

No wonder most pastors have no one to pass the ball too. So, pastor, take a clue from Jim Tressel. Take your team to the practice field.

Don’t just pray for the poor, go to the “practice field” and feed them.

Don’t just preach against abortion; lead your team to fight it.

Don’t just preach against the homosexual agenda, run a play to stop it.

Railing against pornography is not enough; tackle the issue in your community.

Tired of the secularization of the schools? Take your church to a school board meeting.

Don’t just tell your people to vote. Train them HOW to vote.

If saving souls is important, take them on a field trip to witness to the lost.
You might be surprised how many playmakers you have on your team, sitting on the bench. “Put me in Coach,” they may be crying. Could it be that they are tired of watching you hog the ball?

I do a lot of street ministry. That doesn’t make me a better Christian than anyone else, so please don’t take it the wrong way. It’s just that my whole life I’ve loved to be in the middle of the action. That is why sports were such a rush for me; fast paced, reactionary, challenging. I loved the “human drama of athletic competition.” I am convinced most real men share my passion for action, but they aren’t aware of the “wrestling match” going on around them and that there is a position for them to play.

I remember when I asked my friend Jim to join me for a trip to help those ravaged by Katrina. He had never played in a “Faith Game” before. For five days he gave of himself to meet the needs of others. He returned home a changed Christian man.

“You know, Coach,” he told me as we bounced along the freeway on the way home. “I would never have done something like this if you hadn’t asked me. I had no idea that the Lord could use a nothing guy like me. I’ve spent my entire life in church and never did anything outside the four walls of the building. Thanks for helping me get in the game.”

Want to help the church win, Pastor? Quit trying to build a ministry and start being one. Look out in your congregation. Some folks are ready to play. They are waiting on you to pass them the ball. Are you the Quarterback or are you the Coach? You can’t be both.

….perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Christianity is a team sport. We have made it a spectator sport.

“Put me in, Coach!”

Well said Coach. Amen and Amen!!

Here's a list of several of his articles. Worthwhile reading.

Fargo Redhawks - Play or Trade

Back in my former home town, Fargo ND, they have a baseball team that is part of the Northern League.  There are a couple Northern League teams in Chicagoland.  Schaumburg and Joliet.  The Northern League is not a farm team system.  The people who play for the Northern League are men who are up and comers but who are not on some major league farm team or guys who got tired of keeping a bench warm in the majors, who wanted to play and after sitting out too many innings as a cheerleader decided to find a place that they could be played for real.

 

I have been in that situation.  I know what it is like to sit and keep a bench warm.  For me, it's always going to be a temporary situation.  I'm not a benchwarmer.

 

It's ok if you really are convinced that the potential for being sent out on the field of play still exists.  The reality is that no player in Football or Baseball will sit still in the prime of their playing life and productive ability on the bench for long.  We had that a few years ago with the Bears quarterback situation.  He left for greener PLAYING fields.

 

Ultimately it comes down to play me or trade me.  Even if its going down to the Fargo Redhawks, life is either play or trade.  I would rather be out there swinging at the ball than sitting on the bench of a winning team and never get a chance to hold the bat.

 

What player wouldn't?

Star Trek Next Gen Lessons for Spiritual Warfare

I get the strangest revelations sometimes.  I got one tonight.  I have taught a great deal on the Whole Armor of God.  It is fascinating stuff but not particularly applicable for many people.  A hard concept to apply.

 

What I am about to say will mean nothing unless you are/were a regular viewer of the Old TV Show Star Trek Next Generation.  STNG

 

When the Enterprise was in conflict with the Borg the only way they could do any damage to the Borg ship was to continue to change the nature of their defense and offensive weapons.  The Borg couldn't keep up and they could be damaged or destroyed.

The same was true sometimes when the Enterprise was under attack and someone was penetrating the protective shields.  They had to change the frequency and methods of their defenses.

 

It seemed to work.

 

Spiritual Warfare is like that.  We are dealing with an enemy (the Devil) who is constantly changing strategies.  He is constantly looking for new ways to attack us.  But, like some Starships who were destroyed prematurely on STNG, we try to use the same old methods and get the poop beaten out of us, spiritually. 

 

We must be looking for better and more effective strategies to counteract the works of the Devil.  The ones from the past were good and effective but we must look for ways he changes and adapt our defenses to keep us safe from destruction.

 

100 years ago TV wasn't a portal for temtation.  It is today.  10 years ago the Internet wasn't a weapon the Devil could use.  It is today.

 

We fool ourselves into thinking we can use the same methods of resistance against these new attacks and get results.  We must be doubly on our guard when we come against the attacks of the enemy.

 

Besides, we are stuck on this planet until the Captain gives the order to have us beamed out of here.  Till then we need to keep our spiritual pfasers set on Kill and keep our spiritual heads down.

 

Live long and prosper.

Misappropriation of Funds

I attend church with a sweet older lady who loves animals.  She cares about them.  The other day she was telling me a story of the rescue of a lost cat she found, how she had taken the cat to a vet and spent $600 on getting the cat well.

 

I smiled, listened carefully, and made no visible judgment.

 

I know many people like this who have big hearts who take care of animals like they were people.  You know them too.  Kidney transplants for the cat, $4000 cancer treatments for an 11 year old Irish Setter.

 

People go nuts for animals.  Go to Pet Smart.  A dog there will cost you OVER a thousand dollars.  For a dog.  If you question someone's attachment to the animal they will say something like, "OH, she's my baby".   No she's a DOG.

 

I don't like to see animals suffer.  That's why if a dog or cat is in great discomfort I will not let them suffer.  You do the math.  We spend billions of dollars on pets, pet care, pet vets, pet medicines and pet fro fro.  That's misappropriation of funds. 

 

I know all about the Biblical Story of Mary and how Judas criticized her for pouring the Nard out on Jesus feet.  How she should have used that money for the poor.  That story is correct.  We are pouring ourselves out in worship.  But this is about Dogs and Cats.  Reserve your worship for Jesus not for furry, fuzzy, barking and meowing things who don't love or hate.  They are animals.  We have somehow misdirected our devotion to much lesser gods.

 

Back to lady I go to church with, the money she spends on taking care of and fixing up lost and wounded pets is significant.  She has the money so she isn't taking money out of her lifestyle to do this.  I only have one question, wouldn't that money be better used for something other than a cat that might live for 3 or 4 more years?  We are talking eternal souls here.  Couldn't that money be better focused on eternal things?  I would love to take her checkbook and see what her giving towards the purposes of God are versus the giving toward the purposes of animal welfare.

 

I think when she gets to heaven and is given the opportunity to review her life, the money she spent and the efforts she put toward taking care of little kitties and doggies will go right on top of the wood, hay and stubble bonfire. 

 

I mean get real people.  They're animals.  I like animals too.  Especially with steak sauce on them.

Cheap Jesus has NO Value

The Persecuted Church worldwide is flourishing. It grows in spite of or perhaps because of the opposition from establishment religious leaders, governments and people who hate Christians.

What makes this so interesting are several stories coming out of various places in the world:

Muslims are converting to Christianity by the thousands in France, even though they face death threats and exclusion from their families. "It is estimated that every year in the world some six million Muslims convert to Christianity."

Revival Happening in Baghdad Says Missions Group. Iraqi Christians say the war has made their nation better. "The majority of the country are doing well, safe," Doyle said, noting that in many areas new schools, hospitals and churches are being built. "If [the war] had not happened ... they would not have 35 new churches in Baghdad. They're calling it a revival."

Christianity and other religious expressions are surging in formerly atheistic Communist China. China is the fastest growing Christian nation in the world. More people come to Jesus in China per day than any other country in the world.

Christian Conversions on Rise in Morocco
Even though Morocco is more liberal than other Muslim countries, conversion to Christianity is highly dangerous. Despite this fact Muslims convert to Jesus every day. 10 years ago it was unheard of.

Revival of Christianity in Europe
"Increasingly we're witnessing a spiritual turning in recent years." Evangelical Christians are seeing long-prayed-for growth in churches throughout Europe.
Great Hope, Indeed, for Europe Says Chuck Colson. Colson sees signs of great revival in cold dead non Christian Europe.

The Elephant Stampede that brought People to Christ and Birthed New Ministries
"Now all our believers understand that God works all things together for good. Praise God for using our believers to start these prayer fellowships."

First Christian Television Series by Tunisians, For Tunisians (a Muslim Country), Makes History. "Never before were Tunisian believers prepared to so publicly confess their faith. I believe that for the Church of Tunisia, this is a new dawn."

Muslims are coming to Jesus enmasse. The bankruptcy of Muslim teaching is being eclipsed by the Love of Christ. Many former Muslims convert after having had an encounter with the risen Christ in a dream. He reveals himself to them and they grasp what that means.

Even Europe is turning. Oh the persecution is great there. See an earlier post about how the German Government persecutes the church. In France overt persecution of the church where it is labeled a dangerous cult keeps the timid away. But, just tell people they Can't worship and see what happens. People are hungry for something real.

What is more exciting are the number of missionaries being sent from China, the Philippines, Nigeria, South Korea and Brazil to the rest of the world. From one church alone in South Korea a Hundred Thousand Missionaries are being prepared to go on the mission field. As the move of God roars across the globe I pray it will take place here in the USA. I am ready to work along side my missionary brethren when they come to the USA to get this lost country saved. I hope the Church in America will be good ground when the revival finally hits here as it is in the rest of the world. I'm not certain we are ready. It may mean that Church as we thought we knew it will be replaced by a more alive, vital and organic expression. It will offend many who will be threatened by this new wave. They will die off, sequester themselves and become part of a distant past. The new wine will wash over the Church and only those willing to abandon the wineskins they thought they treasured will survive.

It seems like persecution is the key to revival. Maybe we have it too easy here in the USA. The idea that we can choose to go or not to go to Church next Sunday might in fact be a hindrance to the spread of the Gospel. Meanwhile 800 Churches per week close in American. Our Churches have forgotten Jesus instructions. He said, "Go first to Jerusalem (local area), then Judea (region), Samaria (Neighboring Ethnic Groups) and then to the ends of the earth. Like the cow who sees the grass on the other side of the fence greener we spent a lot of time and money trying to go to the ends of the earth and lost our Jerusalem and Judea. Time to focus Church. Your Jerusalem is the most fertile mission field you could ever find. They need Jesus badly. Some of your Jerusalem is in your own Church. Unsaved Church attendees. People who believe they are Christians and are as lost as some poor soul in Muslim Sudan.

What if it were illegal, Forbidden, Life Threatening to go to church next Sunday. What if it really cost you potentially in life and limb to worship Jesus? What if Grace and Jesus wasn't treated so Cheap? What would happen then? Maybe good things.

The real question is, IF it will take persecution and trouble to turn America to Jesus and away from it's pagan present how long will God protect her?

I don't know what to pray for anymore; For God to withhold His hand and allow America to remain lost in her sin or to ask God to do whatever it takes to redeem us (US) from the pit. That spells trouble, big trouble. Pain, Suffering, and Repentance. It's bitter but I think I know. Send forth the Laborers. Bring us back.

Reflecting on Anna Nicole Smith

I would be lying if I said I knew much about her. Her death is offering far more information than I wanted to know. Oh sure, like all media watchers I heard about the death of her son, I heard about her court battles over the estate of her very old husband.

I really can't say I cared very much about that. It was soap opera in real time. She wasn't my kind of attractive in a woman. Maybe to some. Didn't do much for me. I guess I'm not much of a man in that regard.

I did reflect upon hearing of her death that it was a waste. A waste of whatever potential in God she might have ever possessed. She is/was exactly the same age as my son Tim who celebrated his 40th yesterday. I thought about what was lost.

Jesus asked a question,"What does it profit a man (Woman) to gain the whole world (and it's attention, money and adulation) and lose your eternal soul." I don't know her spiritual condition. This isn't about that.

It's just such a waste of human and divine potential. I become more and more aware of each passing day in my life. If I waste a day I repent. I must. I will make the most of every opportunity to do good, to confront evil, to expose apathy, to push others along toward their God given potential, to make the wrong things right, to make the crooked things straight. In other words to be an agent of the justice of God.

I have had people ask me, "Who put you in charge of that function, where do you get off." Isaiah 40 seems to be a good place to start.

We are all in charge of "that". We are all tasked with making and doing whatever is wrong right. Jesus says to people at the Judgement, I was hungry, in jail, alone, homeless, oppressed, lost and discouraged and you did nothing.

So, what if 5000 you try to bring right into their lives reject you, call you names, make fun of you, disdain you, reject you. If one, just one doesn't and comes in it's worth it all.

With all the potential Anna Nicole Smith had, what if just ONE MORE person had reached out to her ONE MORE TIME........

What if??

Potential in Jesus redeemed.

Love Makes You Stupid

I guess like everyone I have a take on the Lovesick Astronaut story. Everyone does.

Mental Health, that's the ticket. NOPE. Stupid Love. Punch Drunk Love.

Even if you didn't, I did and so did most of the rest of the world. Did something really dumb in the name of love.

I won't rehearse everything I ever did. It would be too painful.

LaShawn Barber wrote about this, and she asked people to give her stories of dumb things they have done in the name of Love. It's scary and real. Eric Zorn has a good take on this today in the Chicago Tribune. The fact is, when it come to love we are stupid.

I had the joy of going downtown yesterday to a dress rehearsal of "Cosi Fan Tutti" by Mozart. The meaning of CFT is every woman is like that.

It's not a pretty story. Supposed to be a farce. It's about the fickleness of women betraying their supposed war-lost fiancees for other men. All this within 24 hours of the fiancees shipping off to war. Read the last paragraph of the synopsis linked above. It will show you why I had discomfort with it all.

I guess in the light of the situation with the Astronaut Nowak. it didn't seem that funny to me.

Love hurts. Love makes you blind. Love makes you stupid. Writing an opera about it even if the singing was good and the music beautiful still is a bit painful.

Anger yet without Sin

Ephesians 4:26-27 (New Living Translation)

26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

I have a confession to make. I sin.

Anger is one of those sins. I can get testy. Today I am repenting publicly of two.

First, I forgive the Bears. I didn't burn my tee shirt. I still love Lovie. Rex Grossman will make a great quarterback (someday). Everything I said was wrong and said in anger. The devil make me do it. That's what the verse says doesn't it?

I'm joking of course. No, Flesh. I still have to carry this carcass around wherever I go. It rises up. So does yours. Then, the Spirit gets me back under control and I'm OK again.

The second, less joking, I was pretty hard and bitter towards Molly Ivins when she died. I should have been a bit more careful. Today I deleted both posts. I have archived the whole thing but frankly it was bad form to go off on her so hard.

So, if you really want to know what I said I can email it to you. I suggest you don't.

My ministry credentials come from a conference of the IPHC called Ephesians 4 Network.

Much of that whole thing has to do with the ascension gifts of Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher. There is a couple verses in Ephesians 4 that I need to consider. They are above. I am capable of anger. I am capable of generating anger. I am not afraid to speak my mind and really not afraid if I am operating under the gift of God that is in me.

That doesn't win many popularity contests. I didn't enter any. But, for the most part my anger is directed at the works of the Devil. If you read my blog you see what I mean. Lying. Scheming, Fear. Revelations 21:8 stuff.

Leonard Ravenhill was capable of being Angry. He was a friend and mentor of Keith Green and a prophet to David Wilkerson. In the Last Days publications he was quoted often. One of the missives he provided was on being angry and sinning not. It is still good reading even though it's over 20 years old. Brother Ravenhill is long gone. He could be very angry and still not sin. I guess it came from a time he asked the Lord to show him his sin and it so mortified him he never actually recovered.

I wish I had his mantle. Maybe I will yet.

The PC Society = Vanilla

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.

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.

• 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.

"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.

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):

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?