bwebbjr's Xanga

false gods, false religions and religious tolerance

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:30:58 GMT

False gods are no gods …

Therefore false religions serve no gods …

And religious tolerance of false religions is condemnation of those who either willingly, or unwillingly, find themselves in the snare of the devil.

Meaning false gods are oftentimes the work of demons … at other times simply the work of the flesh.

The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged,with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth,and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will. 2 Timothy 2:24-26

Please note Paul does not teach Timothy religious tolerance for those in opposition nor does he teach him to be quarrelsome with those in opposition.

He teaches Timothy (and us in turn) to be kind to all.

He teaches us that we must be able to teach those in opposition.

He teaches us that we must be patient when wronged by those in opposition.

He teaches us that with gentleness we must correct those in opposition.

BUT the outcome is the work of God.

“If perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth.”

How often do we teach or consider that repentance is granted by God?

“And by that repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, they may then come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil.”

They have been held captive by the devil to do his will …

Religious tolerance works in agreement with the devil to keep the captives ensnared.

We were once held by those very same snares … but …

For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. 2 Peter 1:4

We escaped the corruption of the world because God granted us a repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth.

Do we believe these truths from Scripture?

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. John 14:6

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. John 15:4-6

Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 2 John 1:9

If we do … then IMHO we will not offer tolerance to those who embrace false gods and their false religions, but instead will join the Father in His work for escape and reconciliation.

Thoughts, insights and comment?

hypocrisy and pretending prevalent among Christians …

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:04:58 GMT

Christian Post article link: http://www.christianpost.com/article/20091110/megachurch-pastor-challenges-hypocrites-pretenders/index.html

Megachurch Pastor Challenges Hypocrites, Pretenders

A pastor at one of the largest churches in the country launched a new sermon series addressing the hypocrisy and the pretending prevalent among Christians.

Tue, Nov. 10, 2009 Posted: 03:21 PM EDT

A pastor at one of the largest churches in the country launched a new sermon series addressing the hypocrisy and the pretending prevalent among Christians.

Entitled "The Pretenders," the series draws attention to the biblical time when Jesus went not to the red light district, the nightclub or the boardroom to confront the hypocrites but to church.

"[Jesus'] main problem with the ... religious leaders in his day is that they were hypocrites," said Kyle Idleman, teaching minister at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Ky. "That's what he calls them to their face."

Over the weekend Idleman, who also admitted he wasn't perfect and was a sinner like everyone else, addressed the hypocrites in the church today saying, "There are pretenders among us. They're putting on a performance. ...They've learned to wear this mask in church."

There are unmarried couples who are "sitting next to each other in church pretending that their relationship was just as pure last night as it appears to be right now," he noted. "There are pretenders who will sing amazing grace with tear-filled eyes but they refuse to extend that same grace to a family member who hurt them."

"There are pretenders who have become experts at separating their faith from their political views ... from their money management ... and from their entertainment preferences," he added. "There are pretenders who spend an hour and a half every day in front of a mirror making sure everything looks great on the outside but just can't seem to find 10 minutes to read their Bible or to pray.

"There are pretenders who are so quick to point out and condemn the sexual immorality in their culture but don't seem too concerned about their lust."

Studies conducted by LifeWay Research in 2007 have shown that most people outside and inside the church believe hypocrisy is prevalent among believers. Among the unchurched, 72 percent said they think the church is full of hypocrites, and 67 percent of 20- to 29-year-olds said the same.

There are two groups of hypocrites Christians tend to fall into, Idleman observed. They include the Sadducees and the Pharisees, who made up the religious ruling body in Jesus' time. The Sadducees made up the chief priests and elders and were born into that position. The Pharisees, meanwhile, were Jews who studied their way into their position.

Many pretenders today see their faith as something they were born into and never chose, Idleman explained.

"You know how to act, you know what to say, you know what to do ... but you never chose it," the Southeast minister said. "You got the part down but it was never real."

"As long as you could remember you've always had that mask. In fact, you've had it so long that you don't even know what you look like without it," he added.

To such pretenders, Jesus would say "woe to you, you hypocrites," Idleman said.

But a lot of pretenders are more like the Pharisees, Idleman believes. They see their faith as "intellectual knowledge and behavioral compliance."

Such Christians may say all the right things and follow all the rules, but their hearts don't reflect that, he indicated.

"It's not enough just to know the right things and to say the right things. [Jesus] wants it to be in your heart," the minister stressed. "Jesus summed up the Pharisees in this way – they honor me with their lips but their hearts are far from me."

Just as Jesus was upfront and harsh in rebuking the hypocrisy among the religious leaders, Idleman urged Christians to also be brutal with themselves.

"Be brutal. Be broken," he encouraged. "Jesus is trying to hold up a mirror and tell us the truth."

The cure for pretending, he said, is confessing one's sins.

"When you take the mask off ... you find a peace for your soul that just doesn't come when you're faking it," said Idleman.

Southeast Christian Church is the 12th largest church in America, according to Outreach magazine's 2008 top 100 list.

Audrey Barrick
Christian Post Reporter

Thoughts and impressions?

family friendly or family divisive churches?

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:26:56 GMT

WARNING: RANT AHEAD

I have been seeking to find a church that embraces and encourages the family to worship together … that truly encourages and teaches and trains the father to be the head of the family. They are virtually non-existent locally … the two closest ones I have found are both 45 minutes or more away … which violates my belief that the church family you are a part of needs to be in the community in which you live.

Perhaps those churches that advertise and market themselves as ‘family friendly’ should instead use the phrase ‘family member friendly’ … only because ‘family divisive’ might not be viewed in a positive light.

How often do we ride together to church (if indeed we do even that), only as a family to depart from each other’s company in the parking lot only to reunite once again in that same parking lot after the Sunday morning activities?

The church has taken the graded school system (primary, junior and high school) and expanded upon it taking that exact same grading system and applying it all the way thru senior adults … no I’m not talking about seniors in high school.

The odd thing is that the graded school system we are all so familiar with is fairly well grounded in evolution, psychology and humanism oriented concepts of child growth and development (see G. Stanley Hall, John Dewey, etc.) vs. growth guided by parents, grandparents, family and elders.

I have been a part of churches that have folks grouped for Sunday school/small groups like this …
- One and under
- Two to four
- Four and Five
- By grade, First thru Twelfth … and sometimes that is subdivided by male/female
- College/career
- Young Married
- Singles
- Divorced
- Then typically from 30 on in 10 year increments – married (actually it is more likely to see the men and women divided)

And this is not to mention things like …
- Awanas and similar programs
- Middle school youth group
- High School youth group
- Young adults

If you are a part of the homeschooling movement, one of the main questions you get is ‘What do your kids do about socialization?’

I now simply hit that same question right back to them.

I have actually posed that question to teachers and counselors in the public education system and they consistently respond that the socialization skills children learn in school, they learn from each other …

Chew on that a little bit … no wonder there are so many problems in society.

Regarding my own children’s socialization … they learn to respect and interact with their elders. We’re still working on the each other angle.

I would laugh if It wasn’t so sad … I take my grandson to the playground and he goes up to play with kids his age and older. He tells them his name and ask them if they would like to play … and 9 times out of 10 the other kids run in fear because they don’t know what to do. Oh yeah, and the 1 in 10 is usually there with a parent who then reveals they homeschool.

As long as we in the church remain age-group and peer focused, the younger cannot benefit from the relationships and wisdom of the older. And the older cannot benefit from training up the younger and impacting multiple generations. The 20^th century concept of retirement and you now deserve to do your own thing is having a very negative impact on the subsequent generations.

Not only that but I strongly believe such an individualistic approach has undermined the body life of the church. The original body life is grounded in Father, Son and Spirit. With man, body life begins in marriage as husband and wife become one. That body grows as they have children, but yet is still to move as one … sharing in many of the characteristics revealed about the body of Christ. This is where body life is first lived … then living in the body of Christ has so many foundational concepts built in.

We can’t focus on encouraging believers to be individualistic and then complain because the body life in the church is fragmented.

What role does the church play in building strong marriages?

What role does the church play in building strong families?

What role does the church play in encouraging men to lead as husbands, fathers, grandfathers?

What role does the church play in encouraging women in their roles as wives, mothers, and grandmothers?

What role does the church play in encouraging children to honor their parents, grandparents and elders?

Actually the question should really be posed as ‘What role does Christ Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the Scripture and the church play …’

One of my favorite rants is: you got to have a license for your dog, a license to fish, a license to hunt, a license to drive, a license to sell real estate, a license to sell insurance, a license to do business, a license to get married … but anyone can be a parent without restriction … and that is indeed how we approach it. Now this is not to say parental licensing should be required … it just reveals a bit about the values of our society and our government. Lord knows, we don’t need more government involvement. Lord knows, we need His intervention.

Interestingly enough both the Greeks and Romans discovered that after doing all they could to undermine the family, that as a nation they were stronger when the family was stronger … and the Romans also discovered when the church was stronger.

My hope IN Christ is that the church and the children of Christ will remember God’s design for family. And then if the nation will realize the foundational strength of a nation is found in the family and the church … with man this impossible, but with God ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!!!

Oh well, I’ve run my rant out.

It’s your turn.

drawn by “carnal means” ... or drawn by "divine means"?

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:47:53 GMT

A few weeks ago I shared a YouTube video with Paul Washer titled Regeneration vs. Decisionism. In the midst of that video, Paul said the following:

“If you draw people (unto Christ and into the church) using carnal means, you will have to keep people using carnal means.”

Now if you’re like me, you may have a bit of an assumed understand of how carnal is defined that makes that quote a bit difficult to understand … my understanding was probably formulated based on a movie in the 70’s.

So off to Merriam-Webster Online I went for their definitions. And indeed there is basis for my assumed understanding based on the following definitions: relating to or given to crude bodily pleasures and appetites, marked by sexuality, bodily, corporeal (seen with carnal eyes).

But down at the bottom of their list of definitions are the following: temporal and worldly.

So what Paul Washer seems to be saying is the following: If in our evangelism and outreach, we draw people unto Christ and into the church using temporal and worldly means, we will have to use temporal and worldly means to keep those same people in the church and Christianity (please note I did not say ‘and IN Christ’.)

Does that seem like a valid interpretation on my part?

If so, then do you agree with what Paul Washer has said in the above quote?

But I think there is another really key word in that quote … draw.

Back to the dictionary for a few definitions. Many definitions are offered but here are a few that seem applicable: to cause to move continuously toward or after a force applied in advance, to cause to go in a certain direction (as by leading), to bring by inducement or allure. Looks to me like there is a whole theology lesson in those definitions.

So what or who does Scripture say should draw people unto Christ?

The sixth chapter of John seems to have quite a bit to say about that …

All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. (37)

No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day. (44)

It is written in the prophets, 'And they shall all be taught of God.' Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me. (45)

And He was saying, "For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father." (65)

Now I am not sure I have always rightly interpreted all the above verses before. Because it now appears to me that these particular verses may specifically be regarding those apostles and disciples drawn to Christ prior to the crucifixion.

Basically no one could come to Jesus but by the Father.

Post crucifixion that all appeared to change … I certainly stand ready for correction and clarification from those of you who may see this differently. First change … now men can only come to the Father through Christ Jesus.

And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself. John 12:32

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” John 14:6

Second … the unbelieving world will only be convicted concerning their sin and a need to believe in Christ Jesus thru the work of the Holy Spirit:

But now I am going to Him who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, 'Where are You going?'

But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.

But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.

And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment;

concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me;

and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me;

and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.

John 16:5-11

And the Holy Spirit does that by the sword of truth He wields, the word of God … the gospel.

When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they raised their voice, saying in the Lycaonian language, "The gods have become like men and have come down to us."

And they began calling Barnabas, Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.

The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds.

But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out

and saying, "Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.

Acts 14:11-15

So what would you add or take away from the list of ‘divine means’ God has provided for drawing people into Christ and His bride church?

Artwork that really makes you think ...

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:30:35 GMT

Click the link below to see this picture in a much larger format

http://www.wallpaperstop.com/wallpapers/3d-wallpapers/fantasy-wallpapers/fantasy-desktop-wallpaper-1280x800-0521.jpg

What do you see?

a POWERFUL 'Letter to Satan' by Blair Wingo

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:17:14 GMT

This video is almost 10 minutes long ... but extremely powerful. Seems to me like I have heard this young woman, Blair Wingo, share her poetry in the midst of some of the Passion conferences years ago (I may be mistaken) ... but nothing I ever heard her share before was nearly as powerful as this is.

Thoughts and comments if you have heard before or just listened to it here?

Anybody like ice hockey?

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:25:40 GMT

Throughout the years I have probably attended about a dozen ice hockey games but they have been few and far between. Started long ago when I would go to the Omni in Atlanta and watch the Atlanta Flames ... then despite full house attendance they abandoned Atlanta for Calgary ... where they are now I do not know.

Then to fill the void, a minor league team moved into town - the Atlanta Knights. And I went to see them for a few years. Then they tore the Omni down less than 30 years after it was built ... the issue more box seats ... apparently that is where the money is. They built Phillips Arena and then lured the NHL back into town a number of years ago ... The Atlanta Thrashers ... but I have these built in controls on how much I will spend for entertainment tickets and they are way outside those ingrained limits ...

Which bring us to the Gwinnett Gladiators ...

They are the ECHL affiliate of both the Atlanta Thrashers and the Columbus Blue Jackets (not sure how that works). A number of years back they build the Arena at the Gwinnett Center which is about halfway between our home and Atlanta. Last night due to the reading skills and accomplishments of one of my granddaughters, we got two free tickets and four other tickets for $6 apiece ... about half price.

We had a blast ... they lost to the Kalamazoo Wings 5 - 4 but it was a good game. The other thing about minor league games is it such a arnival atmosphere for the fans with so much going on. We enjoyed it thoroughly.

We sat in a totally different section to watch the game than I ever have before - in the goal area, a bit to the right of the goal about 8 or 9 rows up. Actually enjoyed that seating.

Anybody out there enjoy going to hockey games and willing to share a bit?

Or maybe you actually play or played ice hockey and have tales to tell?

Or maybe you are a Kalamazoo Wings fan?

Talk to me ...

Struggling with Daylight Savings Time ... here's some Indian wisdom

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 03:59:28 GMT

I received this picture in an e-mail this week ... enjoy!!!

Steven Curtis Chapman works thru grief in song

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:45:51 GMT

You may remember this news story from about a year and a half ago …

At his Tennessee home, Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife Mary Beth lost their youngest daughter 5-year-old Maria Sue in a tragic accident involving one of their sons. If you are not familiar with the news report from 2008, here is a link to an article about the accident.

Personally, I just cannot imagine as a parent of grandparent losing a young child or grandchild.I just cannot imagine the grief and pain one must go thru.I imagine someone who stops by to read this has probably had to endure such a loss … my heart goes out to you and I pray the Lord is still healing and comforting you.

On Tuesday of this week, Steven Curtis Chapman released his first new album since the death of his daughter titled beauty will rise. And thru Monday November 9, New Release Tuesday is offering a free online preview of the entire album.

Wednesday night I took the time and listened to the entire album while I was surfing the web … you really can’t listen to this music in the background.It’s a very personal album of a man honestly and openly working thru his grief … my heart ached for SCC and his wife as I listened … this is truly heart music.

Today I was able to read an interview with SCC on the Christianity Today website titled Rising from the Valley of Death.It is a very interesting read.

And he reveals in the article above that he has always had rules for his song writing … but he ignored all those rules while writing the music for this album.One of his answers in the interview:

“I ignored the rules. This wasn't me writing songs. This was me just screaming and crying out to God. Nobody heard these songs, not even my wife till most of them were recorded. No record guys. No managers. I am prone to reshape and refashion things to try and please as many people as I can, to get as many nods or smiles out of as many people as possible. But this was such a completely different thing. It was important that it's coming straight out of my gut and out of my heart. That was a strange, scary process, but it was important that whatever it is—good, bad, ugly—it's true and it's real.”

If you have the time and inclination, check it out at the New Release Tuesday website. Also a few websites are offering free MP3 downloads of one of the songs, 'Heaven is the face'. Have a listen to this song with lyrics courtesy of Tangle (formerly GodTube)

Also, here is a two minute video, also from Tangle, where he talks about this specific song.

If you have listened to the album, let us all know what you thought.

Children Destroy Worshipful Atmospheres

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:53:08 GMT

by Scott Brown, June 22, 2004

“Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them, but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them, for such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.’ And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.” (Mark 10:13-16)

A couple of years ago I asked a pastor what he felt was the purpose of the Sunday School. He responded immediately, “to keep the children out of our hair so we can worship.” For those of us who were raised on multiple choice exams, we know that the first impression is usually the right answer. So, I expect that his answer was sincere, though I don’t think he would like to see it in print. In the same spirit, a dear friend of mine said to me the other day: “no one wants a four year old distracting him in church.”

These are common feelings among modern church people. But, they are not new phenomena. We see the same feelings expressed in Judea in Jesus day - children will wreck worship if you keep them with you.

I have a friend who was visiting a large and prominent church in the Northwest. He brought his family down to the front, where they always go, to get settled down for worship. After they sat down someone came down the long aisle and whispered to the father: “we have childcare, could you please take your children to the back and down the hall....” My friend said, “no, we normally keep our children with us.” The usher left. A moment later another usher came down and whispered “We really would not like the diversion the little ones might make during the service, would you please take your children out?” The father repeated what he said before. Then, as everyone was now standing for the opening hymn, another usher came down the aisle and handed him a paper and said: “it is our church policy that children are not in this service,” and he handed him the written policy.

Here is the policy, verbatim:

“Name Witheld Baptist Church”
Policy regarding children in church
We are happy you and your children have chosen to worship with us.
Small children have short attention spans, so in order to maintain a worshipful atmosphere for all, please do not be offended if an usher asks you to step outside for a few moments should your child begin to disturb others around you.
For your convenience, we also provide excellent child care for all ages. If you would like to use this service, an usher will gladly assist you.
Thank-you

My friend was offended, and he did not take his children out of the service. During Jesus’ ministry we see Him offended by the disciples attempt to remove the children from his presence.

People in our culture are used to very professional forms of communication. We like what we are used to being served: perfectly packaged, cosmetic experiences — not like real life at all. We long for these kind of experiences and when they are threatened, we feel out of sorts. People feel out of sorts with children and their worship disrupting lifestyles.

Children have always been a challenge to adult concentration and the answer is usually,

“get them out of here so I can concentrate.”

In the American church, we have become a people who worship a worshipful atmosphere. We care more about our concentration, than we care about passing the precious promises of God to the next generation. We narcissistically care more for our comforts than we do about the difficult task of training a mighty army of saints who would be willing to go to their death for their Savior.

I believe that Jesus would be offended by the modern church and its treatment of children. Ours is one of the most blatantly anti-child societies on earth. Most internationals from “undeveloped” countries, are shocked when they come here and see adult only apartment complexes, scattered families and other expressions of individualism run amok.

The church has been deeply affected by our anti-child culture. We do not want to be stuck with snotty nosed children. We want to remove the hassle of children. We want to remove them from our presence. We want to live a life apart from our children. We want to have few enough so that our lives are not adversely affected. If we become pregnant, we may terminate the pregnancy because of its potential to divert us from our objectives. Ours is truly a child rejecting culture. The ultimate goal of many of our senior citizens is to retire to Florida in child free communities.

Expressions of our anti-child culture are everywhere to the point that we are numb to their recognition. Tragically, America is suffocating from the effects of day care raised children, latchkey children and fathers leaving their families in greater numbers than any time in history. We are experiencing the death of fatherhood as 40% of the children in America will go to sleep tonight without a father in the home. Parents will admit unashamedly that they would not have any more children because of the time required. Teenage pregnancy, divorce and abortion are some of the results of this “social experiment” with the family.

And so the church has taken on the spirit of the disciples and surrounding culture regarding children. Children do destroy worship, because they have not been led by their fathers and mothers in the meaning of worship. Parents in our churches simply care more about their own concentration than they do their children’s consecration.

Fortunately, Jesus is different. He says “let the children come to me.”

http://www.visionforumministries.org/issues/uniting_church_and_family/children_destroy_worshipful_at.aspx

If you enjoyed this article, you can find more in a similar vein at Uniting Church and Family - Vision Forum Ministries.