Doctrine Devaluation

John Armstrong is a Friend who I find can cut to the core of Issues. What is posted below is from His Blog. Pastor Phil Ressler has been teaching a series called "The Core". We need to figure out what we really believe. I'm tired of the constant devaluation of the core doctrines of the faith. John's post is a call to STOP. I say amen.

The Present Devaluation of Christian Doctrine

Christian doctrine has been devalued for the last one hundred plus years. Liberal teachers continue to devalue it by inverting the relationship between Scripture and secular thought. They allow secular insights to interpret the Scripture. Evangelicals devalue doctrine by treating it as something that has little or nothing to do with living faithfully. ("It is not practical and only divides us anyway!") I have heard evangelicals say, most of my life, "Doctrine divides us but love unites us!"

A good example of this devaluing process, at least on the liberal side, is what we presently see happening regarding sexual ethics. The seventh commandment is quite clear. If you read what Christians teachers have said about this commandment since the first century the response would have been very, very consistent. But now, less than one decade into the twenty-first century, there is a huge debate about same-sex marriage. There really shouldn’t even be a debate. This debate can only thrive in a context where the role of Scripture has been inverted.

The real problem in this modern debate is that we have lost our way with regard to the clarity of Holy Scripture and the Christian tradition. The authentic Christian belief—still sustained by Roman Catholic, Orthodox and confessional Protestants—is that Holy Scripture is in essence God testifying to himself via human witnesses and God-breathed writers. (There is wide room here for differing views of how to define inspiration.) This belief that Scripture is God-breathed is basic, fundamental. Without it we can make no sense of Christianity. If the words of Scripture are not written revelation then we can know nothing of God’s truth revealed to us in Jesus Christ. We are cast adrift to interpret the Bible as we see fit in each age. (This is not to deny that we can rethink how we understand certain things in Scripture. It does mean that we cannot remake the commandments of God to fit into our modern ethical practice.)

The sum and substance of the church’s doctrine is found in the gospel itself. Our creator has become our redeemer through the incarnate Christ. But evangelicals have reduced this gospel to a few propositions; e.g., all have sinned, Jesus died and rose for sinners, believe on Jesus and you will be saved. This makes a valid point but the gospel includes much, much more. I would say, with many Christians down through the ages, that the Apostles’ Creed is a basic summary of the gospel. “The gospel,” says J. I. Packer, “is the full declaration of this gracious saving plan that God is fulfilling in and for his spoiled world, plus the full demonstration of the proper response—faith in Christ and repentance, good works, and love both Godward and manward, with gratitude and joyful hope.”

Intimately bound up with the gospel of Christ is the doctrine of the Trinity. The gospel saves us because, as J. I. Packer rightly notes: “the one tripersonal God, our God, operates as a team, all three persons within the divine unity working together in full conjunction with each other to carry through a single, huge, mind-blowing plan: namely, to establish a multi-billion strong community of redeemed human beings, each one an enormously complex entity in creational terms, within a fully reconstructed cosmos, with Jesus Christ the mediator at its center for all eternity.” I love those words: "a single, huge, mind-blowing plan."

The Anglican Prayer Book leads the worshiper to ask that God deliver us “from all false doctrine, heresy and schism.” Note all three: False doctrine, heresy and schism. They are uniquely related and we separate them to our own peril. Some Christians are concerned about false doctrine and heresy and care not at all about schism. The doctrine that establishes us in unity is the gospel and this gospel is intimately related to the Trinity. Without this framework Jesus is reduced to a cool plan of personal salvation. We cannot afford such reductionism since it will lead us further and further away from the doctrine of grace. Both liberals and evangelicals need this gospel and it will cost them something to make sure they regain it.

The Wonder of the Dance

Is it just me, or is dance becoming bigger and bigger. Think of the recent wedding dancers.

This dance performance in Antwerp Belgium with dancers that were rehearsed only twice.

It's all so wonderful. Enjoy the whole thing.

I hope this scares the HELL out of you... it did me

What is Church Unity anyway?? Where do you draw the line?

Since all this recent mess in the ELCA I have been thinking a lot about the line. I think there is a line somewhere. Who do you keep unity and fellowship with and who do you not?

Make that line too close and you become closed off from the whole of the Christian community. Jesus talked about that in John 15.

Make that line too far away and you begin ordaining homosexuals.

My brothers and sisters with whom I can have full fellowship are those who can confess the apostles creed, and believe it, who hold Jesus up as the Christ, true God.

That would leave out Jehovah's witness and Mormons I think. Certainly Satan worshipers and Unitarians. Maybe my litmus test isn't complete. But, there IS a litmus test.

So, the question is this.... HOW do we apply it? Do we just accept everyone who puts a cross on their building as a brother? One of our local taverns has a cross on it. Lit up. And I'm not sure they are filled with my brothers. Some..maybe.

I would have to hold to the admonition of scripture that a person in open rebellion of SIN to the truths of the Word of God (yes I will have to say as I see them) would have to be considered a "So Called Brother" and must be treated as such.

This is personal for me.

I just know there is a line, and where we decide to draw it matters.

An interview with the Devil... really pretty funny and insightful

When our ability outruns our God

From Os Hillman:

"If your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here" (Exodus 33:15).

One of the great dangers in Christian service is to move from a presence-based work to operate purely on our natural skill. Once we become established in something, the daily maintenance can lead us into complacency until a crisis arises that forces us back to our knees to appeal to the Lord for His presence to return.

Things were going well for Moses as he led the people out of Egypt. God was calling him to Mt. Horeb, the mountain of God, to receive the Ten Commandments. While he was there, the people fell away from the Lord by returning to the ways of Egypt by building and worshipping a golden calf under Aaron's watch.

This revealed that the spiritual foundation of the people and the leadership of Aaron had not been grounded enough for the leader to have an extended absence. God's presence had left the people. If you are in management, you must know the condition of your team to know how long you can be away from hands-on leadership.

When Moses came back and saw what had happened, he recognized the solution as well. Having God's presence return was the only way they could proceed and have success. "How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?" (Ex 33:16).

Moses also realized a weakness in his own ability to lead. He pleaded God to mentor him: "If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you."

Is the presence of God in your current activities? Are the people you lead mature in their faith that allows you to be off site? Ask for God's help on both counts.

Faith is God's Gift to us at Birth...

Faith is from God, His gift to us at birth, like sight or hearing. It is a faculty or a hand, by which we reach out, and take what God has for us. If we destroy the faculty, or let that hand wither, then we can take nothing. We are guilty losers. The world conditions us. We go out in the morning, work all day, and come in at night, read the newspaper, watch television, and in all that time, how much have we been exposed to what will encourage faith in God? Usually nothing whatsoever – not a single word. On the contrary, we have been almost immersed in a sea of doubt and sin. The world is a vast brainwashing establishment to destroy faith in God. It maims us spiritually; it amputates our hand of faith. We are ‘civilized’ out of the simple nature God gave us.

A word of warning here: Faith is not a subject, like gardening or photography, just for those interested. We either believe or perish. Faith is a universal human obligation and responsibility. This is set out in the parable of the wedding feast in Matthew 22:12. All guests were provided with a wedding garment, meaning faith. One man came, apparently thinking that he could dress better than anybody else, wearing his own, possibly self-made, clothes. He was thrown out.

The standard dress in the Kingdom of God is faith. ‘Without faith it is impossible to please God.’ This one individual had come to the feast proud and superior, not wearing the garments of God-given faith. The Kingdom of God is not a meritocracy. Entry permits, visas and passports are issued to the believing alone. Academic qualifications are irrelevant. Heaven will not be monopolized by theological graduates, nor by people who have ‘never robbed a bank’, but only by people displaying the simple badge of faith. Do you go along with that? Please let me know. REINHARD BONNKE.

Why does this seem heavy handed, ominous and unreported by a sheep media?

Obama appoints a guy to some post. That's not important. This guy is a radical from Obama's community organizing mould. This guy decides to go after and defame a radio and TV talk show host. He intimidates commerce. Like the mafia would.

Now, he is outed for what he really is, a thug.

Why isn't anyone in the media even talking about this kind of gangsterism? How does Obama get away with this? What is really going on here. How come it seems so much like early Nazi Germany? Do we even have an independent media anymore?

You can read this story and decide for yourself:

Here's Part.

Glenn Beck goes after Color of Change co-founder Van Jones

August 24, 2009 | 3:41 pm

Glenn Beck used his popular Fox News show this afternoon to attack the background of Van Jones, a White House environmental advisor who co-founded an African American political advocacy group that organized an advertising boycott of his program.

During his 2 p.m. PDT show, Beck did not address the boycott spearheaded by Color of Change to protest the talk show host’s remark last month that he believes President Obama is “a racist.”

Instead, he spent a large share of his program suggesting that Jones, who co-founded Color of Change in 2005, is a radical. Jones now serves as a special advisor for Green Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation at the White House Council on Environmental Quality.

During a six-minute biographical profile, set to ominous music, Beck said Jones was twice arrested for political protests and has described himself as a "rowdy black nationalist." The talk show host cast the piece as part of a broader examination of Obama's "czars," special advisers to the president who "don't answer to anybody."

"Why is it that such a committed revolutionary has made it so high into the Obama administration as one of his chief advisers?" Beck asked.

Read the whole thing.

Has Medical Science Shoved the will of God Aside?

I have given this a great deal of thought. I'm more pro life then you can imagine. I won't even kill a spider without reason... BUT-

Medical care has advanced a great deal in the last twenty years. People can be kept functional at least in bodily function in ways that were never considered thirty years ago. The Terry Schivo case demonstrates that.

I have friends who have a child who was born without a functional brain. The mother has made a career of taking care of this boy who is now close to 15 years old. Medicaid pays her about sixty thousand a year to keep him alive. He is functionally totally incapable of taking care of himself.

In Chicago there is a hospital in Hinsdale dedicated to keeping alive people on ventilators and electronic stimulation of the heart. They will never emerge alive. They would have been long since dead thirty years ago.

Every day children are born with profound physical problems. Only extraordinary measures saves them. I was at a restaurant recently and a boy about 20 was wheeled in. He was apparently profoundly disabled. His head tilted back, his mouth open. He was not there to eat, it was just an outing. They wheeled him in, ate, and wheeled him out. It was obvious he had no idea where he was or why.

I have two uncles in nursing homes right now. Both in their 90s. I know that for one, he doesn’t even know where he is. Alzheimer’s. Yet, when there was a medical crisis recently he was rushed by ambulance to the hospital and spent several days there at Medicare expense.

He would not have made it thirty years ago. I also have several people I know with downs syndrome children. They are wonderful loving people. So are their adult Downs children.

I don’t know the solution to this. I don’t want to let Obama and his death panels deal with this. BUT, there must be some way we can be humane but not insane. Some of what we call mercy, isn’t.

When my own brother was no longer doing well with severe complications from diabetes, the Doctor told him, you won’t leave here alive, but you might live for a year or two, he made the decision to from that moment on to forgo food, medicine and water. It still took a couple weeks. He died bravely and on his own volition.

I have no solutions. I just wanted to ask the question. Even if we CAN extend life, or at least a life form, should we?

I think this is a good thing, looking at the comments, not everyone does

Joyner Launches Initiative to Bring 'Profound Change'

Thursday, 20 August 2009 04:57 PM EDT Adrienne S. Gaines

MorningStar Ministries founder Rick Joyner has convened some 300 ministry leaders to help launch an organization aimed at mobilizing Christians to bring "profound changes to the political, financial and spiritual landscapes of the world."

The new initiative is being formed this week during the Summit, a leaders-only conference that began today at Joyner's Heritage International Ministries in Fort Mill, S.C., and runs through Saturday.

The burgeoning organization is designed to unite Christians and is not intended to be another conservative political movement, Joyner wrote in a July prophetic bulletin announcing the Summit.

"Our devotion is to wake up the sleeping church in America to seek the kingdom first, and God's righteousness, believing that when this happens we will become the salt and light we are called to be," Joyner wrote. "By this we will have the impact that we should in government and every one of the seven realms of power and influence over man."

The Summit will be broadcast on God TV beginning tonight at 11 p.m., Eastern. Speakers include former Brownsville Revival leader John Kilpatrick, now pastor of Church of His Presence in Daphne, Ala.

The conference comes on the heels of a series of invitation-only meetings Joyner has hosted with church leaders seeking to address political, spiritual and economic "crises."

In recent months, Joyner has been outspoken in his opposition to President Obama's health reform bill, saying the plan would lead to euthanasia and government rationing of health care.

In late June, MorningStar Ministries was one of more than two dozen conservative Christian groups that helped launch the Freedom Federation, which today issued a statement opposing health care that funds abortion and "treats life as a cost-benefit commodity."

But Joyner said the two organizations are distinctly separate. Details about the new initiative are being developed this week, but Joyner said the organization is intended to "mobilize and support" ministries seeking to "face and overcome the major crises and strongholds of our times."

In addition to forming the new organization, Joyner said Summit participants will address "some of the critical issues of our times as well as the incredible opportunities that face the church to be salt and light."

"With unity there is a multiplication of authority," he said, "and I believe this is going to be our most important church mobilization conference ever."

Paul might have written this to ELCA churches in North Dakota

If Paul was writing to the Church Today, particularly those who in communion with the ELCA. He would say this:

1 Corinthians 5:8 So let us celebrate the festival, not with the old bread of wickedness and evil, but with the new bread of sincerity and truth.

9 When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin. 10 But I wasn’t talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or are greedy, or cheat people, or worship idols. You would have to leave this world to avoid people like that. 11 I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even eat with such people.

12 It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning. 13 God will judge those on the outside; but as the Scriptures say, “You must remove the evil person from among you.”

(OR REMOVE YOURSELF FROM THEM?)

2 Corinthians 6:14 Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? 15 What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? 16 And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said:

“I will live in them
and walk among them.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people.
17 Therefore, come out from among unbelievers,
and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord.
Don’t touch their filthy things,
and I will welcome you.
18 And I will be your Father,
and you will be my sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty.”

Those who are members of the ELCA or are in communion with them need to hear what Paul the Apostle says and hear what the Spirit of the Lord is saying. Unity, at what price?

Education and Learning can lead to being Puffed up and Condescending

I was condescended to by a man I admire. He could have done better, but didn't. My feelings aren't hurt, but my opinion of him suffered. That's a pity.

I was seeking God over this issue and he pointed me to a verse we know well:

1 Corinthians 8; 1B-3 We know that we all possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 2The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. 3But the man who loves God is known by God.

Father said, Knowledge, Learning, Education leads to Pride and Pride leads to a feeling of superiority, Superiority (being Puffed up) leads to condescension. Learning is good, but not everyone can handle knowledge well.

He didn't.

PS: I had someone who read this say: PHD = Permanently Head Damaged! It's just like wealth....The Gift has to come by grace and can only be maintained by the same. AMEN

One Market Guy's View on how Shaky the Economy Really is

The Prophets are warning. And secular economists are warning.

This economic "recovery" is getting really shaky. Be warned.

Read what an Uber Bear is saying.

What Apostacy Looks and Sounds like

In responses to John Piper's comments regarding the tornado in Minneapolis that tore the steeple off the church next to the convention that voted in favor of ordaining Homosexual pastors there is this response. I will just say this: if you want to see what itching ears looks like, if you want to see the face of the apostate whore church, this is that. It all seems so reasonable, so humane, so filled with love and understanding. It in reality is faithless relativism. Very sad stuff. Read it and weep. The ELCA will cease to exist as we know it today within ten years. I don't even have to be a prophet to say that. Hat Tip Dennis

I rarely take to writing to directly confront one of my "colleagues" in ministry, however, when something is written and presented that is completely off-the-charts ridiculous, I simply have to respond. I will do my best to do so in love and respect, which, it seems, my dear brother, Rev. Piper, has decided is no longer necessary.

First let me get this out of the way up front for some of you who will take offense to my taking offense at John's article. I honestly have no problem with Rev. Piper expressing his opinions concerning "homosexuality." It is a free country, and I believe in an open table of discourse. So, my response will confront John where I disagree with him, and I believe I am free to offer my opinions too.

However, what I really mean to address is his perpetuation of the ridiculous notion that God is, or would, or has ever, actually enacted vengeance upon humankind via weather, or disease, or war, or famine, etc.

Now, let me beat some of you to it... I am fully aware that the Bible has several examples of what ancients perceived as being God's retribution on humankind. Sodom, Noah, Babel, Egypt, and more. I really don't care to get into specific debate as to whether these were actual historic events, or, if they were, whether God actually caused them, or whether they were enacted for the purposes for which the ancients supposed they were. Such debate is fun, and can be informative, but, since said events cannot be proven to have actually occurred, and since, even if we could prove so, there is no way to prove that the events were caused by God, the debate ends at pure fun and speculation, or at least it does if parties in the debate are able to debate in love and respect.

What I would like to encourage, however, is that we keep in mind that all ancient cultures viewed catastrophic events in this way. Since they had no scientific knowledge of how the universe worked, they were doing their best to make sense of tragic events. Since such events were obviously from some source far greater and more powerful than themselves ancients could only make sense of them in other-worldly terms, as being from "the gods," or in the case of early Judaism, Islam and Christianity, from God. To the Greeks, Zeus, the mightiest of the gods, was the thrower of lightning, and did so to enact retribution upon humans or upon other gods with whom he was dissatisfied. Oddly, many Christians still today, perhaps somewhat "tongue-in-cheek," but still with some fear, speak of God potentially striking someone with lightning for some perceived offense. This ancient fear is still deeply embedded within our psychological selves, even though we know, scientifically, this is not probable, or even likely.

So, when I read in Rev. Piper's blog the assertion that God in effect sent a tornado to Minneapolis, MN, and caused it to settle at or near the meeting place of the National Convention of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, in order to warn them of God's impending dissatisfaction with many in that denomination who were considering a "Proposed Social Statement on Human Sexuality,” I was horrified, to say the least! Piper's indication is that God's wrath was only a tornado away from wiping out all participants who might dare to vote that actively gay clergy should be ordained and allowed to serve freely in the ELCA, and that God actually caused a tornado to appear to deliver that precise warning!

Rev. Piper, I truly and honestly love you as a dear brother in Jesus Christ, and I have personally been blessed many times in the past by your writing and speaking. However, I fear that in this, quite literally silly, proclamation, you have overstepped and done great damage to your otherwise fruitful ministry in Christ. I have to counter-proclaim: this message of yours did not come from the Lord. You are out of line, and out of step, and I pray you, repent.

It is one thing to offer your best understanding of scripture perceived to deal with homosexuality, even if it differs from mine. But, to make such a bold and unwise and hateful and unjust proclamation is quite another thing altogether!

I will not address items #2 and #3 on your list, other than to simply say, I respectfully disagree. These are as of yet unsettled debates that will continue for yet some time and need not be rehashed here.

In item #1, you fail to provide reference to the particular version you quote: "nor men who practice homosexuality..." I would simply follow with this, given your demonstration of extreme fundamentalism and preference for a literal interpretation: if you hold to a literal interpretation, if this english translation is even accurate to begin with, then you must say that this applies to men only. So, apparently, women who practice homosexuality are not excluded from the Kingdom of God. Lesbians everywhere thank you for this inclusion.

In item #4, to suggest that this question asked under the breath by Jesus' disciples is somehow proof that every wind, of any type, including tornados, are caused, summoned, and directed by Jesus is quite simply ludicrous! I honestly find it downright weird that you said something like this.

In item #5, are you suggesting that Jesus' answer here indicates that He, or our Triune God, caused the tower of Siloam to fall and kill the 18 persons for some perceived offense? And that further, because Jesus did so, He also does so with all such calamities which befall humankind? Surely not, sir! The scripture in no way makes any such claim, nor does Jesus in His response. The only point I hear Jesus making is that we can never know when such calamities may occur and therefore we should all be prepared for the end of our earthly lives. I hear, implied in Jesus' response, the notion of God's allowance of natural, or otherwise, calamitous events to occur usually without God's intervention either in causation or in prevention.

Finally, in item #6, my dear brother, I can only respond with, WOW! REALLY? It is this statement/conclusion of yours that I must insist that you repent of! We can agree to disagree given our different interpretations of scripture. I may be wrong on these. I don't believe I am, but I could be. But, you could be wrong. However, as to whether God sent this tornado as a warning, let's be clear... you are absolutely wrong in this respect. There is simply no scriptural or scientific evidence that you can call upon that will support such a ridiculous suggestion! This is quite simply Falwellian fear-mongering at it's most destructive. Are you the new Jerry Falwell, my dear brother? Please say it isn't so.

You fail to mention in your blog that this same tornado also touched down in a neighborhood to the south in Minneapolis, causing great damage to homes. Did God also cause this same tornado to do this damage? If so, what do you think was the sin of the people who lived in those homes? Or, what was God trying to warn them about? Now, I'll give you this: if, in the coming days, we find that the persons who lived in those homes damaged to the south of the convention center were actually the persons who were voting pro-gay in the convention of the ELCA, I'll stand corrected and happily admit my error.

In God's Love and Grace,
Rev. Gregory M. McCaw
08-20-2009

Why I am NOT sad that Cash for Clunkers is ending

I stopped in at the Dodge dealer in our town, one that Obama hasn’t yet liquidated. They must have voted Democrat. Anyway, I pulled up to talk to the service manager, my O2 sensor was on the fritz and replacing it cured the backfire and bad acceleration.

While I was there I noticed this pickup sitting out front. An S-10. Red. With nice tires, no rust and a very nice fiberglass topper on it.

Guess what, it’s a clunker. CLUNKER? I know many who would love to have such a fine unit. But, Obamamotors needs the business I guess.

It’s headed for the bone yard. That’s my 98 Dodge pickup sitting behind it with 150,000 miles on it, it turned over today, and not fancy. But it’s a good old truck an does the job for me.

How many really good vehicles have been sacrificed on the altar of Cash for Clunkers.

One last question, where did the two billion go that the congress and Obama signed? Are they going to dribble it away on stupid stuff?

I wonder. At least that stupidity is over.

I have known of and heard of many many Miracles like this one

In the book of Acts this narrative: Acts 19:11 And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them.

Anyone who DOESN'T believe in Miracles is Unrealistic.

From: TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2, by Os Hillman
08-21-2009

"For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength" (1 Cor. 1:25).

Frank is a businessman who was flying overseas a few years ago. He had just completed a long trip and settled into his seat for a quiet return trip when the man next to him began to start up a conversation. Frank politely conversed with the man hoping it would be a brief conversation so he could rest. However, as time went on, the man began to ask more and more questions. Strangely, he seemed to be "looking for something" by the nature of his questions. Finally, the conversation turned to family and the subject of babies came up. Frank confided in the man that his daughter had been seeking to become pregnant for years without success.

The man turned to Frank and said, "That's it! I knew there was something the Lord wanted me to press in on with you, but until you said that, I was searching and searching." Frank did not even realize the man was a believer until that moment. "This may sound strange to you but God has given me a strange kind of gift to help barren women become pregnant. Whenever I pray for women, they get pregnant. May I ask you to do something rather unusual?" Frank continued to listen before committing to anything.

"I would like us to pray over this handkerchief. When you get back to your daughter I would like you to lay this handkerchief on your daughters belly and pray over it." Frank was a bit taken back by the thought, but he had seen more unusual things than this in his international travels.

Frank returned to the states and a short time later arranged a time for his daughter and her husband to come by the house. Frank felt very awkward, as he knew his son-in-law would think this was foolishness. Nevertheless, Frank proceeded to explain what had happened and they laid the handkerchief on his daughter's belly and prayed.

A few weeks passed and Frank received a phone call from his daughter. "Dad, you will never guess what has happened. I am pregnant!" she exclaimed.

The World is getting Colder and Colder... Global Warming is a Hoax

You will find this interesting. In case anyone believes in Global Warming, you will want to read this. It's all bogus.

The Hand of God comes and Removes the Cross from an ELCA Lutheran Church

I don't think it's hyperbole to say what I have said in the headline. I'll let you read the raw story from John Piper.

This is very prophetic.

Texting while driving is personal with me....I lost a nephew...18

Watch this gruesome disturbing video and then go ahead and text while driving. Cell phones are not much better.

REVOLUTIONARY CONFUSION

The Lord impressed upon me about five months ago, before these town hall meetings the potential for civil unrest, He likened it to the revolutionary war. The unrest He said was going to be motivated by what appeared to be a righteous cause but the antagonism was going to come from the self righteous. The analogy He used was the analogy from the revolutionary war of the "shot heard around the world."

I was impressed with the fact that to this day no one knows who fired the first shot. The events are confused, the motivations skewed and distorted. I was told the very self righteousness in those events cloaked the underlying motivations, the real events, hid the first shot fired.

Because of the injustice in our government the issues that would be normally apparent to the general populace are becoming more and more grey - more and more confused, heated, reactionary.

Service is the key. To serve and protect.

When greed sets precedence instead of service, the middle pillar of any Government is skewed - perception is confused. What was obvious, "self evident" like helping an old lady across the street - treating your brother fairly, takes back stage to more expedient "concerns" - thus the confusion that leads to frenzy - the ability to plan, the ability to ajudicate is lost.

I think a sign of this erosion is utter confusion, a darkened understanding - morals are hidden, obscured so people can justify a base instinct that is devoid of light.

My posting policy on comments - a reminder

I accidentally posted a couple comments today by hitting the wrong button. They were and from this corespondent are always mean spirited, nasty, demeaning and condescending.

SO, for the most part they don't pass or get published.

What's the point?

If you don't like what I wrote, I'll hear it, but if you are just trying to put words to a spirit of bitterness I won't be an enabler.

So, it's not about your comment, it's about the spirit behind it.

Please, don't hurt yourself anymore by trying to be any nastier than normal. It's like taking poison and hoping the other person will get sick and die.

Never works.

How Government Spending Hurts us ALL

Persistance doesn't ALWAYS pay

I don't think I'm going to like this much

Democrats, realizing the success of the President’s “Cash For Clunkers” rebate program, have revamped a major portion of their National Health Care Plan.

President Obama, Speaker Pelosi, and Sen. Reed are expected to make this major announcement at a joint news conference later this week. I have obtained an advanced copy of the proposal which is named….

“CASH FOR CODGERS” And It Works Like This…

Couples wishing to access health care funds in order to pay for the delivery of a child will be required to turn in one old person. The amount the government grants them will be fixed according to a sliding scale. Older and more prescription dependent ‘codgers’ will garner the highest amounts.

Special “Bonuses” will be paid for those submitting codgers in targeted groups, such as smokers, alcohol drinkers, persons 10 pounds over their government prescribed weight, and any member of the Republican Party.

Smaller bonuses will be given for ‘codgers’ who consume beef, soda, fried foods, potato chips, lattes, whole milk, dairy products, bacon, Brussels sprouts, or Girl Scout Cookies.

All ‘codgers’ will be rendered totally useless via toxic injection. This will insure that they are not secretly resold or their body parts harvested to keep other ‘codgers’ in repair./quote]

Maybe this will be a part of the new plan?

From Neil Bortz

“Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.”
— Abraham Lincoln

Lee Grady: Don’t Block the Flow of the Holy Ghost

We often pray for more of the Holy Spirit's anointing. But if God gives you His power, will you actually use it?

A few years ago the Lord challenged me about my level of spiritual hunger. He showed me that even though I had stood in many prayer lines and repeatedly sung the words, "Lord, I want more of You," I wasn't as passionate for Him as I thought I was.

In 1999 my church sponsored a conference on the Holy Spirit. At the close of one service I was lying on the floor near the altar asking God for another touch of His power. Several other people were kneeling at the communion rail and praying quietly for each other.

"If we truly want to be empowered we must offer God an unqualified yes. We must crucify every no."

Suddenly I began to have a vision. In my mind I could see a large pipeline, at least eight feet in diameter. I was looking at it from the inside, and I could see a shallow stream of golden liquid flowing at the bottom. The oil in the giant pipe was only a few inches deep.

I began a conversation with the Lord.

"What are You showing me?" I asked.

"This is the flow of the Holy Spirit in your life," He answered.

It was not an encouraging picture; it was pitiful! The capacity of the pipeline was huge—enough to convey tons of oil. Yet only a trickle was evident.

Then I noticed something else: Several large valves were lined up along the sides of the pipeline, and each of them was shut.

I wanted to ask the Lord why there was so little oil in my life. Instead I asked: "What are those valves, and why are they closed?"

His answer stunned me. "Those represent the times when you said no. Why should I increase the level of anointing if you aren't available to use it?"

The words stung. When had I said no to God? I was overcome with emotion and began to repent. I recalled different excuses I had made and limitations I had placed on how He could use me.

I had told Him that I didn't want to be in front of crowds because I wasn't a good speaker. I had told Him that if I couldn't preach like T.D. Jakes does, then I didn't want to speak at all. I had told Him that I didn't want to address certain issues or go certain places. I had placed so many cumbersome conditions on my obedience.

After a while I began to see something else in my spirit. It was a huge crowd of African men, assembled as if they were in a large arena. And I saw myself preaching to them.

Nobody had ever asked me to minister in Africa, but I knew at that moment I needed to surrender my will. All I could think to say was the prayer of Isaiah: "Here am I, Lord, send me." (Isa. 6:8). I told God I would go anywhere and say anything He asked. I laid my insecurities, fears and inhibitions on the altar.

Three years later I stood at a pulpit inside a sports arena in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. As I addressed a crowd of 8,000 pastors who had assembled there for a training conference, I remembered seeing their faces in that vision. And I realized that God had opened a new valve in my life that day in 1999. Because I had said yes, He had increased the flow of His oil so that it could reach thousands.

Many of us have a habit of asking for more of God's power and anointing. But what do we use it for? He doesn't send it just to make us feel good.

We love to go to the altar for a touch from God. We love the goose bumps, the shaking, the emotion of the moment. We love to fall on the floor and experience one filling after another. But I am afraid some of us are soaking up the anointing but not giving it away. Our charismatic experience has become inward and selfish. We get up off the floor and live like we want to.

Pentecost is not a party. If we truly want to be empowered we must offer God an unqualified yes. We must crucify every no. We must become a conduit to reach others; not a reservoir with no outlet.

Search your own heart today and see if there are any closed valves in your pipeline. As you surrender them, the locked channels will open and His oil will flow out to a world that craves to know He is real.

I want to be this man... No I don't...

There was a type of antihero in old movies. Scoundrels. Nasty. Mean sometimes. But amazing. Still are in Mad Men. Seen it. Too close to the bone for me.

In my memory sometimes I wonder.

Women love bad boys.... I never was really really bad....or good.

Pastor/Leaders are Vulnerable

From Blessed Economist

A pastor can only provide protection that is as good as his own. Modern Christians do not realise that the pastors/leaders they trust are extremely vulnerable to spiritual attack themselves, so they cannot provide strong protection.

Having one person as leader of a church is spiritually dangerous. Spiritual authority and protection comes through submission to authority. If one man leads a church, all the church members submit to him. This gives the pastor/leader tremendous authority, but leaves vulnerable to satanic attack and deception. In most situations where Christian groups have gone haywire, they were led by one person.

True protection comes when a group of elders all submit to each other. Each elder is accountable to the others and protected by his submission. The members of the Church are then protected by submitting to their elders.

Protection comes through submission to people close enough to see the first signs of deception or sin. For most pastor/leaders, this will not come from within their church. Their people look up to them, so most pastor/leaders have no one close enough to see their frailties and bold enough to challenge them before they make a serious mistake. Many people will disagree with a pastor/leader’s decisions, but very few will challenge a pastor/leader’s hidden sins. Those who do challenge have usually lost their credibility. There are very few people who can speak the truth to their pastor/leader in a pure spirit.

Some pastor/leaders attempt to establish spiritual protection by linking with other pastors, either in their own denomination or in the same city. This is good, but it does not provide full protection. Their commitment to their people means that they will not be able to get really close to another pastor/leader. The other pastors will not be close enough to see if any spiritual vulnerability is coming to the surface. To get an early warning of something going wrong, a person must see the pastor/leader when he is relaxed with his guard down. There are very few pastor/leaders who are secure enough, to allow a fellow pastor or church leader close enough to see into their soul.

A Good Man... and a Good Deed

The mayor of Milwaukee WI tried to intervene in a situation where a man was beating a woman.

It was a difficult deal. The mayor was beat up pretty badly and lost two front teeth.

Yet, I admire his heroic action.

It's all too rare.

Well done sir.

TOP TEN INDICATORS THAT YOUR EMPLOYER HAS CHANGED TO THE NEW HEALTHCARE PLAN

(10) Your annual breast exam is done at Hooters.
(9) Directions to your doctor’s office include “Take a left when you enter the trailer park.”
(8) The tongue depressors taste faintly of Fudgesicles.
(7) The only proctologist in the plan is “Gus” from Roto-Rooter.
(6) The only item listed under Preventive Care Coverage is “an apple a day…”
(5) Your primary care physician is wearing the pants you gave to Goodwill last month.
(4) “The patient is responsible for 200% of out-of-network charges,” is not a typographical error.
(3) The only expense covered 100% is “embalming.”
(2) Your Prozac comes in different colors with little M’s on them.
AND THE NUMBER ONE SIGN YOU’VE JOINED THE NEW HEALTHCARE PLAN
(1) You ask for Viagra and they give you a Popsicle stick and Duct Tape._._,_._

Got this by email from a friend

The Lakeland Revival in a Rearview Mirror

On August 6 of last year Todd Bentley left the Lakeland Revival. Much water under the bridge since then. I am thankful for the Revival. The world is a better place for it. I just wanted to say it publicly. Pastor Stephen Strader took a chance. ... A big chance. God rewarded. He's a rewarder. I sure would love to hear of Miracles that are manifesting still.

Which Countries in the World have Universal Healthcare?

Countries in blue have some type of universal health care. Countries in green are currently attempting to implement some type of universal health care. Orange countries have universal health coverage provided by United States war funding. Source. Click to enlarge.

Afghanistan*, Argentina, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Cuba, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iraq*, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Oman, Portugal, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Ukraine and the United Kingdom

I wonder if God's best is a Pastor gift as leader of a church... Probaly NOT

I don't want to mess up your theology, but the Ascension gift of Pastor was Never designed to be the leader of a Church.

There is much to say about that, but you can read a pretty good exposition on this here.

I hope you do. Pastor is too much a specific gifting to be used in leading a Church.

Never Better

We were able to meet with some friends from Calvary Church today. Long long ago, far far away.

They are all much older than when I saw them last oh, say ten year ago or so.

And we haven't aged a bit.

How are you. The question again and again.

Never Better.

Not really true, but not far from true. I haven't felt this good physically in very long time. I have been working outdoors in the nursery every day for at least 4-6 hours.

I have a great tan. And I feel great.

I carried thousands of pounds, fifty pounds at a time yesterday.

I'm not even as achy as I used to be.

Never better.

OF course it's not really true that I've never been better, but I'm not complaining.

OK, so this IS funny. Death Panels for all...Outies and hairy moles

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Healther Skelter - Obama Death Panel Debate
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Spinal Tap Performance

Holiness will not lead to more Power

Holiness is NOT Power! Holiness does NOT produce power. Are we to become like Jesus so that we may preach like Spurgeon? This is truth standing on its head! Shouldn’t we be holy even if we never preached a sermon? Holiness is for the sake of holiness. To be like Jesus has its own reward! “Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God” – not revival! I believe in sanctification and holiness with all of my heart, but if holiness produced power then we could say: Look what my holiness has done! That would be shocking.

Look at PETER in Acts 3:12: The miracle did NOT happen because of his “own godliness”. Weeks before he had denied the Lord. I sometimes think I can hear sobbings between the lines of Peter’s writings. Here is the answer: Acts 3:16 “FAITH in His name”… releases POWER! FAITH is the power-switch! And now the summary: Holiness for holiness – faith for power!

Blessed or puzzled? Please let me know. REINHARD BONNKE.

A Market Prophetic Update

We have seen our highs for a while. Probably for a few months.

It's not the end of the up run, but it is a pause.

I suggested a while back that August would be our high.

IT WAS.

Be on the right side of this thing.

Where is my Commission - This was MY idea a MONTH ago

I posted my solution to the health care reform July 17.

This morning someone pointed me towards this from Hot Air’s blog.

It’s pretty much a rewrite of my plan.

At LEAST there are now voices of common sense beginning from the right. I would like to say, I don’t give a darn who gets the credit, but a note of attribution might have been nice if you are going to wholesale steal it.

TRUTH.

We are going to have a new health care system in the USA, and some of it will be subsidized insurance premiums.

OR if we don’t start to get on board with real reform it will be OBAMACARE.

Which side are you on? You can’t stop something with nothing. Up till now we have just said no.

Didn’t work well in the war on drugs, won’t work here.

I live 8 miles from Elgin....what does that mean?

Elgin Declared Fattest City In Illinois

But Distinction Sparks Little Interest In 'Fitness Grants'

Reporting
Derrick Blakley

ELGIN, lll. (CBS) ―

Click to enlarge

1 of 1

(File Photo)

Fat isn't funny if your town's been tabbed as the most overweight in the state.

It's a health crisis, and Elgin's institutions are joining together to encourage residents of the town to tighten their belts.

In Elgin, civic leaders face a weighty problem: a survey that calls their town the fattest in Illinois.

Some can't believe it. But the figures, pulled from driver's license data, don't lie -- except, that is, when drivers lie about their figure.

"We all know that people under-report their weights often on their driver's license, so it might even be scarier than we had initially thought," Melissa Serritella of Activate Elgin said.

Elgin Mayor Ed Shock said he doesn't believe his community is the fattest city in Illinois. But he does believe Elgin shares in an obesity epidemic that, shall we say, stretches nationwide.

"It's a function of kids not exercising as much," Shock said. "Very few kids walk to school anymore. Most kids don't ride their bicycles."

And data from Elgin's school district shows almost half the kids are obese or at risk of obesity.

Whatever the scope of the problem, the Elgin YMCA offered a solution $48,000 in Kane County-funded grants to promote healthy living. Except one thing: no has signed up for the money yet.

"It just re-enforces the lack of commitment to address this epidemic in our country, which is obesity," Rick Reigner, CEO of the Elgin YMCA, said.

At Elgin's riverfront park, we found plenty of big losers.

"I was 210 pounds at one time … (now) I'm 170," resident Pedro Perez said.

"Since the beginning of the year, I've lost probably about 50 pounds," Bob Wolf said.

And like Wolf, Elgin officials say, they deserve credit for recognizing that the heavyweight championship of Illinois cities is no prize.

"Whether or not Elgin is the fattest city in the state, I think something needs to be done," Serritella said.

The $48,000 for grass-roots health programs is being offered in $1,000 grants through a coalition called Activate Elgin. The deadline is Sept. 1.

My cousin Paul died on Sunday Night.... He was a fellow plantsman... He will be missed

Obituary for Paul A. Lee

Back

Paul A. Lee Funeral services for Paul A. Lee, age 40, of Summit, SD, will be at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 14, 2009, at Hope Lutheran Church in Summit. Rev. Craig Werling will officiate. Music will be provided by Val Moen as organist and Bill Rohlfing as soloist. Paul passed away on Sunday, August 9, 2009, at the hospital in Watertown, SD. Burial will be in Hope Lutheran Cemetery near Summit. Honorary pallbearers will be: Michaela McBride, Trey McBride, Xander McBride, and Talya LaBarr. Active pallbearers will be: Tom J. Lee, Jimmy McBride, Mike Lee, Brandon McBride, Ralph LaBarr, and Brian Hanson. Visitation will be at the Crawford Funeral Chapel in Watertown on Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. and Friday prior to services at the church. The family is requested to meet at the church on Friday by 9:30 a.m. for a prayer service. Paul was born on January 6, 1969, in Watertown, SD, to Bernard and Kathryn (LaBarr) Lee. He graduated from Summit high school in 1987. Following graduation, he worked at Sioux Conifer Nursery for eight years, then Lakeland Nursery, and most recently he worked at Wal-Mart, in the garden center. Paul was admired by many customers and co-workers for his knowledge and helpfulness. He was a member of Hope Lutheran Church. Paul was an avid reader of science fiction and horticulture books. He was self-educated in the area of horticulture because of his interest in plants, trees, gardens, and water gardens. Paul was quiet, kind, and compassionate, known as the ‘gentle giant’. He was probably the bravest person his family has ever known. Paul is survived by his mother, Kathryn, of Summit; two sisters: Barbara (James) McBride of South Shore, SD, and Pamela Hanson and her special friend, Brian Hanson, of Vermillion, SD; two nephews: Jimmy McBride and Brandon McBride; one great-niece; two great-nephews; and his Wal-Mart family. He was preceded in death by his father, in 2008; and one brother, Bernard T. Lee, Jr., in 1972.

Confirming Decisions

Confirming Decisions
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2, by Os Hillman
08-13-2009

"Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed" (Proverbs 15:22).

Confirming major decisions through the counsel of others is one way God protects us from poor decisions. This process is designed to confirm direction for which we are seeking confirmation. Paul was sensitive not to get too heavy-handed in the confirmation process though. He offered advice to others but was not the enforcer of their decisions. "And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter"(2 Corinthians 8:10).

The requirement for efficient administration frequently requires single points of decision-making. Where there is willingness and trust to receive input, there is also humility, faith, and grace for God to work His pleasure in His servant. Where there is unwillingness, the opposite is true.

There have been times in my life where I have felt strongly about a certain issue only to receive feedback from those close to me which revealed that I was not accurate in my assessment of the situation. I have learned to yield in such situations, trusting that God is working through those in whom I am accountable.

The scriptures encourage us to seek advice and counsel from other Godly people who share the same values and goals that we have. "Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise"(Proverbs 19:20). "Make plans by seeking advice; if you wage war, obtain guidance"(Proverbs 20:18).

Peace of mind is another important confirmation requirement for making decisions. If you do not have peace about a decision, you should wait until God gives you peace. This does not mean your decision may not have some tension due to the faith aspect of it, but deep down you should have a peace that it is the right decision. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7).

Do you need to make a major decision? Ask God to give you confirmation through others.

Religion Filters Jesus Out

In our homes power does not come to us direct from the generators. It is filtered through sub-stations and transformers to reduce the voltage. The power of God however does not come upon us filtered. When Jesus appears He is not a pale shadow of what He was a mere breath. We haven’t a phantom Christ. He is the living Jesus, not an echo of a far away hope. The Holy Spirit is bound to honour the Gospel and lets Jesus step into our midst. You can’t bring the Gospel without power any more than having fire without heat. I am not theorizing, but talk about my walk with Him. It’s real and it works. I know that you are looking for that. Let me know. I will pray for you. Love REINHARD BONNKE.

Who I may NEVER ask about how to overhaul Welfare

During the Clinton and Bush administrations there were radical changes to the Welfare System in the USA. Much of it was a Welfare to Work program. It did pretty well.

There was much debate on it while it was under consideration.

What there wasn't was policy makers going to the southside or westside of Chicago or inner city Milwaukee and asking residences there what was wrong with the welfare system at that time.

When a few asked, they said, "It's fine. There's no problem. Everything as it should be. Ain't broke, don't fix it."

Another group that wasn't inquired of were the very very wealthy. They weren't even aware of the problem. And since they were pretty well insulated at that time offshore it didn't matter to them.

Only the people who had skin in the game, taxpayers, were able to see what needed to be done and they backed local and national government at repairing a system that those who were on it didn't see as broken.

That's why when anyone on socialized medicine (medicare), has more than 70% of their health insurance paid for by someone else or just flies alone in the dark without insurance and has an opinion, I politely ignore them as I would have ignored a welfare queen or king from 95th street south in Chicago on the needed reform of the welfare system back then.

I'm not interested in your distorted opinion. You have no skin in the game.

Those who qualify to have an opinion are those who employ others and pay for others insurance premiums, those who buy their own insurance on the open market and those who for reasons unknown are UNINSURED and face bankruptcy in the case of any medical needs of magnitude.

They know the system is broken and in need of repair. The rest live in a matrix insulated from reality. As long as someone else is paying the bill they refuse to see any problem.

Thanks for your opinion, but first I want to know if you qualify for anyone to give your opinion any weight whatsoever.

I AM NOT IN FAVOR OF BARACK OBAMA'S HEALTHCARE DEBACLE. I AM IN FAVOR OF AN OVERHAUL OF A DYSFUNCTIONAL SYSTEM THAT IS COLLAPSING. HOW THAT IS DONE WILL TAKE LEADERSHIP WHICH ON THE RIGHT WE DO NOT NOW HAVE.

That's my point. But first, how about some qualified opinions.

I am off the Reservation on the Health Care Debate....according to the hard core right

This is from a comment I made regarding the Health Care Issue. I believe things are out of control. I do NOT believe Obama's program is what we need. My right wing breathern are blind to this issue. They have been for a long time. I am simply a voice crying in a right wing wilderness. This paragraph was from an essay recent. I excerpted this and made the following comments.

Why is President Barack Obama suddenly drowning in a sea of widespread resistance to his centerpiece legislation? Because it has now become quite clear to Harry & Louise Q Citizen that this was a man without a “constructive alternative” to the out-of-control healthcare system he has badgered and rhetorically beaten bloody to a pulp.

THAT my friends is the problem. People (most people) understand that we have an out-of-control healthcare system except people on Medicare (who should not have a voice in this since they are already on socialized medicine), People who are young and nutty about taking big risks, People who’s average of twelve grand a year health insurance costs are subsidized by their employer, and people who work for a government agency and have great insurance. All the rest of us poor mopes understand clearly that we have an out-of-control healthcare system and it must be revised and repaired.

The divide on this issue among Conservatives is the admission or consent to the idea that we DO have an out-of-control healthcare system.

If you deny that, then I can’t debate or argue with you. You don’t see a problem.

What must happen is People who AGREE that we have an out-of-control healthcare system must begin to have a conversation of how to repair it. I had hoped that conversion would have been with people who are conservative fiscally and socially and who do NOT like government control. I am one of those. Instead we have descended into the caldron of accusation. Just like the last Presidential Primary. How’d that work out. We voted for an old guy hoping he would quit early so the young conservative would become POTUS.

Now we have Obama. He doesn’t have a plan either other than to expand government and socialism in America.

The conservatives in the USA have no plan at all.

SO, lets see, among those who actually recognize that there is a problem with an out-of-control healthcare system can we please find a way to offer an alternative other than the house of cards status quo?

Otherwise, I’m afraid Obama will win the day because we failed to offer leadership.

Is anyone Listening?

Before you can sober a drunk up he must first admit he is a drunk.

We are drunk on a toothpaste and toilet paper system that is an out-of-control healthcare system. Time to quit drinking folks and start fixing it.

If you don’t admit that it’s an out of control healthcare system, then I can’t discuss it with you. You have your head in a barrel yelling la la la la la as loud as you can hoping not to hear the cries of a population that is drifting off into oblivion.

Are there now prisons, are there no work camps? If they are going to die, let them die soon and decrease the surplus population. Ebenezer Scrooge.

Possessing or Being Possesed by the Holy Spirit

If you hold a bottle of water the bottle possesses the water, if you throw that bottle in the ocean the ocean possesses the bottle. If the cap is off the water flows in and out and the bottle is fully immersed, possessed, in the flow, directed and moved by the ocean current.

I don't want to possess, I want to be possessed.

That's why Jesus said "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father
promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with
water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." Acts 1:4b-5.

Baptism MEANS immersion, plunging beneath, in...

That was AFTER he had breathed on them John 20:22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

One was Possessing (the bottle in the hand), the other is Baptizing, being possessed, of the Spirit of God. Immersed. Flowing. controlled by something greater than the bottle.

And that is the reason the Charismatic Movement has been so strong.

It's not that complicated and I'm always amazed that it's so hard to comprehend for so many.

The Acts 19 account shows simple disciples of John the Baptist comprehending this with ease and entering in.

Why is this such a hard thing for so many in the church to understand?

Or, does Jesus still say to us today what he said in Mark 7:13?

I'll let you look that one up.

Palin Reduced Medicaid Backlog 83% In Two Years

Contrary to some assertions, Sarah Palin has a strong record supporting Alaskan seniors. For example, Governor Palin successfully obtained approval for a five year extension of a state program that provided monthly cash payments to low-income seniors.

On May 23, 2007, using a rarely invoked emergency regulation, Governor Palin ordered assistance benefits to continue for Alaska’s neediest seniors after the Alaska legislature failed to fund the SeniorCare Program. After her action, the legislature responded, and on July 28, 2007, Governor Palin signed Senate Bill 4 to continue support for low-income Alaskan seniors by adopting the Senior Benefits Program. “This program continues important assistance to Alaska seniors,” Governor Palin said. “I promised that seniors would not go hungry, and we worked with the Alaska Legislature to address this critical need.” It was estimated that 10,700 Alaskan seniors would be able to benefit under the program.

Also under Governor Palin’s tenure, on December 19, 2008, the state stepped in and took over the Mary Conrad Center, an Anchorage nursing home, when the state determined that there was “'immediate danger to the health, safety or welfare' of its residents.”

So, with this clear record of support and care for Alaska’s seniors by Governor Palin, what is the current criticism about? According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, prior to Governor Palin’s election in November 2006, in April of 2006, in an effort to control rapidly increasing costs for home health care providers, known as the PCA program, Governor Frank Murkowski’s administration implemented a screening process for Alaska Medicaid eligible persons by using a Level of Care assessment (LOC). The LOC assessment was designed for persons who would otherwise require hospitalization or nursing home care and was intended to help weed out fraud and abuse.

By definition, many of these people were ill, elderly or disabled and thus in need of personal care attendants to assist them. Only registered nurse assessors were allowed to evaluate consumers to determine if they qualified for PCA care. The job of assessing consumers was contracted out, but the State of Alaska DHHS determined that the hired contractor had too much backlog. Notably, under federal Medicaid strictures, the State could not get another private business to bid on the contract. So the State was forced to take over the job in November 2007. However, the State DHHS was unable to eliminate the backlog using its own staff, and the backlog then grew. The Federal DHHS temporarily suspended new admissions to the PCA program pending audit compliance to handle the backlog of existing cases and come up with a plan to speed the assessment process. The suspension has been lifted as of August 12.

Further, Gov. Palin’s FY 2009 budget clearly showed her analysis of the issue as of December 2007, and described both the problem and the solution long before the federal government got involved. The backlog issue was discussed and a plan proposed for improvement.

The graph below shows that under Gov. Palin (2007 and 2008) the backlog problem was dramatically reduced, from 30.9% in 2005 to 4.5% in 2008. Looking at these data, one can conclude that Gov. Palin substantially reduced the outstanding percentage of Medicaid assessments by 83%.

% Not Reviewed

FY 2008 4.5%

FY 2007 4.5%

FY 2006 23.18%

FY 2005 30.9%

What is the lesson in all of this? Even with good intentions, the government generally cannot provide better health care services than the private sector. Beware of complex federal laws purporting to offer government health care. For those who want nationalized medicine, take heed of this lesson.

Is Discipleship for Everyone or Anyone?

Ten Days ago Pastor Phil gave a short teaching on Discipleship. He pointed clearly that in the day of Jesus it was routine only to Disciple, train those who would be in ministry, priests and scholars. The rest became tradesmen and fishermen.

When Jesus called those kinds as Disciples of the Rabbi, it was a scandal.

Then Jesus has the audacity to say, Go ye therefore and make Disciples of ALL MEN.

I have had ten days to ponder this. I am not convinced that all men are to be discipled. Let me be clear, I think all men are to be allowed to be discipled, but some are called but never follow. Rich Young Ruler for example.

In this day and age the lack of discipleship in the Church is because most people are unwilling to pursue discipleship. The responsibility is NOT on the discipler, the command is to offer freely and willingly to any who would. The responsibility is on the one being discipled.

Many are called, few are chosen is the key understanding.

When a person is saved, truly saved, how much would it be naturally expected that such a person become passionate about knowing all the ways and purposes of the one who saved him or her.

Yet, I see people who attend church, or say a sinners prayer, and then thinking the ticket has been punched never pursue the purposes of God in their life. Never dig deep. Never put themselves in a place of being discipled.

I even question if they are saved at all. I have known some great saints of God and, now I will shock you, not all were pew jumping, rolling on the floor, tongue talking Pentecostals. I'm one, but many I know were not.

They were quiet saints who sought God in the early hours, Bible in their lap, a prayer booklet, reverence, tears, seeking God, learning of HIM.

They were being discipled. And when the opportunity came to know more, they sought it out.

I believe one failing of the Church is not offering a procedural step by step plan to bring people into a significant living love relationship with the one who brought them from death to life, darkness to light.

That is Discipleship 101. Would anyone come? I don't know. But, I promise you, if it's not available no one will come.

This can't be done from the pulpit. This isn't even a Bible study. This is a working out our salvation with fear and trembling step by step process.

We don't do it in the church and our churches are full of people just punching the old clock.

I know them and so do you. They don't need this. They are right. They don't. They are like the old Joke:

Why shouldn't you try to teach a pig to sing? It wastes time for the teacher and it annoys the pig.

NOT EVERYONE can be discipled. Everyone should be allowed to be discipled. But don't annoy the swine before which cast pearls are just wasted.

Discipleship is only for believers. Others need not apply and they won't.

Harry Jackson and the Health Care Debate

Last week I shared a very personal story of my struggle with both cancer and the insurance companies. My doctors informed me that I had two near-death experiences along with a mini-stroke that temporarily caused the right side of my body including my face, arm and leg to be paralyzed. Although I am fine now, that was a scary season in my life.

During my health challenges I met scores of foreigners at Johns Hopkins, hoping the American doctors could save them. Middle Easterners, South Americans and Europeans were among those that frequented various Hopkins departments. Surprisingly the day I met with my surgeon to lay out the plan for my 7.5-hour surgery, an aging man all the way from Hong Kong sat with several family members waiting to see my internationally known doctor.

Whether we want to admit it or not, the flawed American healthcare system has developed the best doctors in the world. Had my hospital not been on its game, I would not be here today. Many Americans could say the same. Our most obvious challenge is how we give access to everyone who needs help, while maintaining the best treatment in the world.

It seems to me that the healthcare reforms currently offered by the administration may have deadly consequences for the average person. Delay and denial of services will literally spell death for thousands. What is most disappointing about the healthcare debate today is that it has deteriorated to partisan wrangling in which the common good is often forgotten.

Healthcare continues to bounce from corner to corner of the political spectrum as opinions fly instead of real answers. The Democrats are continuing town hall meetings to rally support for the president's health care legislation. They have been met with jeers, taunts and in one case effigy. Despite Democratic public relations efforts, citizens have lots of questions. In fact people have so many questions that the chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Maryland Rep. Chris Van Hollen, stated that vulnerable Democrats have scheduled more than 1,000 meetings this month.

Every week I hear a new complaint about the ramifications of President Barack Obama's plan. Last week thousands spoke out against the idea of government-sponsored insurance that includes abortion. This week Sarah Palin attacked the administration's plan because she believes her Down syndrome baby's care would be based on his "level of productivity." She called the policy "down right evil." Palin stated that there would be a "death panel" which would determine the fate of children like hers.

One can only wonder what nuance of the plan will be criticized next week. Although the administration has attempted to cast these concerns as part of a partisan anti-Obama campaign, I think the healthcare problems are part of a big systemic problem that occurs when one party controls most of the votes in Congress.

Ideologically based solutions that are not properly vetted out sometimes are pushed forward because of legislators' party allegiance instead of rigorous bipartisan analysis. When this happens, half-baked ideas are passed off as solutions. Opponents are demonized, and the people are short changed.

Several recent polls, however, indicate that many Americans are not comfortable with the healthcare plan as it stands. The most vigorous debate is whether one of the options would be a government-run insurance company. At this time, a government-run insurance option will not pass in Congress.

From where I sit several things are obvious -- our healthcare system is expensive and inefficient. Because of the inherent inefficiencies that a government-run system will incur, the administration's plan will ultimately increase costs, producing staggering deficits, give less healthcare options and thus lower the quality of our care. As a grassroots leader who has started many new programs, innovation works best when it is built with proven building blocks. In other words, we should test, explore, examine and then implement best practices. The rate and the pace of these changes reflect the problems of having a genius-prone president who lacks proven field generals to implement his plans. Proven plans with a twist would be better than reinventing the wheel.

We as citizens must demand that Congress take things step by step. Let's first strip away the inefficiencies in our current system before attempting to dramatically improve what we have. Next let's encourage the best doctors in the world to remain the best. For example, the threat of malpractice alone pressures doctors into ordering unnecessary procedures. One doctor friend of mine stated, "Even the families of 80-year-old patients may sue you because of unrealistic expectations. When things go bad, they always think you could have done more." Because they are trying to cover themselves, some estimate that 25 percent of the total prescribed procedures may be unnecessary.

Finally patient choice must be preserved. The system has to be adjusted so that a person receives compensation in order to choose their own healthcare provider. In my case, had I chosen the wrong hospital, I would be singing in the heavenly choir. For many people, the healthcare choice may insure life, while healthcare denial or delay may spell death.

Timing is Everything. I wish some PASTORS knew this

From Os Hillman:

"Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured. Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: 'See that you don't tell this to anyone'" (Mark 1:42-45).

Have you ever had a problem keeping a secret? Especially if that secret involves good news. My wife can't keep a secret like this. She is sure to blurt it out to the wrong person at the wrong time.

There is a timing that is ideal for releasing information or moving forward with a project. Jesus understood the importance of timing. When He performed His first healing miracle He instructed the man he healed with leprosy to not tell anyone. Now that would be difficult - not to share being healed from leprosy with your friends who have known you and your condition. He could not keep the secret.

As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere. Jesus desired to do more things in that city, but because the man could not keep quiet, He could not do so.

How often has Jesus not been able to move in your situation because you have failed to honor the right timing of the situation? Perhaps you have moved ahead when you were not supposed to move. In the Old Testament, David was fighting the Philistines. He won the first battle, but they were coming against him again. He inquired of God and God said, "Go to battle, but not until you hear the marching in the balsam trees" (2 Sam. 5:23). There was a strategic timing associated with his actions.

Early in my writing career I wrote a book before I should have. I was called to write it, but my enthusiasm kept me from releasing it in the right timing. The premature release resulted in not having a complete understanding of the topic that I would gain later, had I waited on His timing for release.

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven?" ( Eccl 3:1). Ask God for His timing in your projects to be released.

The $30,000 apendectomy will usher in OBAMACARE... Greed always Fails

I had my appendix out in 1956. It cost about 400 dollars and I was in the hospital 3 days.

If I had the same operation today it would be between 20-30,000 dollars.

I know there has been inflation since the fifties. But, not by a multiple of 75.

The average wage in my dad’s repair shop in 1956 for a mechanic was $1.20 per hour. If you multiply that times 75 you end up at $90 dollars per hour. Not mechanics wages today, even in a Mercedes dealership.

It's not just insurance problems. It's the fact that a straight forward medical procedure that should cost a few thousand dollars in real life now costs ten times that. It’s the idea of thousand dollar gasoline rendering the finest automobile in the land USELESS.

That’s why health care will be nationalized. I don’t want it. Neither do you. But, greed and stupidity will take us places you nor I didn’t want to go.

Read this forum for a discussion by people who are going in the end support the takeover of our health care system. Doctors, Pharma and Insurance and the Medical Establishment have done this to themselves. We are about to go to a hell we didn't want because of their arrogance and greed.

There is a cure, there is a fix, Obamacare is a bad choice, but the best medical system in the world is now out of reach for the practically uninsured. That’s what happens when insurance companies pay $2500 of a ten thousand dollar bill. Practically speaking they are uninsured.

Stupid greed will always end up destroying it’s victim and thereby destroying the system. Even the MOB knows that. If you extort protection money from a business you must leave enough so he stays in business and can afford to continue to pay you. I’m from Chicago and understand this.

Evidently big Pharma, Big Medicine and Big Insurance aren’t as smart as the mob in Chicago.

Killing the goose that lays golden eggs is bad policy.

Just like our badly broken health care system in this country.

Crippled and Tormented by a Lack of Faith

I have a friend who I have known for many years. He's a good man in a secular sense. Takes care of his kids. Works hard. Is honest.

BUT, he is a serious skeptic about the things of God. He has often ridiculed my faith and love for God. He certainly makes light of my Pentecostal roots. Snake Handling comes up often.

He has just been struck with a debilitating disease. He asked me (in jest) if he would be healed if I laid hands on him. I said yes. He would be.

Then, he had to thrown in a jab that tells me he is just hedging his bets. Unbelief.

I didn't lay hands, I didn't pray, I didn't believe for him for healing. IF Father healed him it would be in response to MY faith and in spite of his unbelief.

So, i did not. I frankly feel a little guilty. I'm confident he would be made whole. But he is crippled. He can't work. He is going to suffer greatly. I have compassion, but I am like Jesus in this, Not many works because of his unbelief.

NOW, if he was serious, if he was fully in the hem of the Garment touching phase or if he came to me in faith at any level I would respond and seek God for him. I am confident he would be healed.

He isn't and I won't. I frankly feel a little guilty about all this. I shouldn't but I do.

I don't want to withhold the Gift of God that he may allow me to impart, but I also don't belive it honors Father to throw pearls before swine.

Perhaps this disease will not lead to death but to his repentance.

I WILL pray for that. I WILL pray God will use this to bring him to Himself.

That would be the beginning of a healing he desperately needs. He is in constant pain without hope.

Faithlessness is crippling and torment on this side of the veil and on the other.