Monday, May 27, 2013

Change of Pace - Oxymorons

I have had these for awhile, so I figure there are more.  Felt I could put it out there for a small laugh and a change of pace from what I posted in the past.

Enjoy.


50. Act naturally
49. Found missing
48. Resident alien
47. Advanced BASIC
46. Genuine imitation
45. Airline Food
44. Good grief
43. Same difference
42. Almost exactly
41. Government organization
40. Sanitary landfill
39. Alone together
38. Legally drunk
37. Silent scream
36. British fashion
35. Living dead
34. Small crowd
33. Business ethics
32. Soft rock
31. Butt Head
30. Military Intelligence
29. Software documentation
28. New York culture
27. New classic
26. Sweet sorrow
25. Childproof
24. "Now, then ..."
23. Synthetic natural gas
22. Christian Scientists
21. Passive aggression
20. Taped live
19. Clearly misunderstood
18. Peace force
17. Extinct Life
16. Temporary tax increase
15. Computer jock
14. Plastic glasses
13. Terribly pleased
12. Computer security
11. Political science
10. Tight slacks
9. Definite maybe
8. Pretty ugly
7. Twelve-ounce pound cake
6. Diet ice cream
5. Rap music
4. Working vacation
3. Exact estimate
2. Religious tolerance (?)
And the Number one top Oxymoron
1. Microsoft Works

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Argument Over Persecution Part 1

2 Tim. 3:12
    Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

dioko, dee-o'-ko; a prolonged (and causative) form of a primary verb dio (to flee; compare the base of Greek 1169 (deilos) and Greek 1249 (diakonos)); to pursue (literal or figurative); by implication to persecute :- ensue, follow (after), given to, (suffer) persecute (-ion), press forward.

I want to look into this in a different light that some people either try to take for granted, or take it to extreme opposite side of the argument.  Some scholars are teaching that persecution is always on the physical variety, such as what Apostle Paul went through.  When I look at the Greek word used for this translation, I cannot see where it needs to imply physical confrontation.  Let's use some definitions in replacement and see if it follows with what Paul is saying.
If we use pursue or press forward, we can assume that those who are godly will be pursued or "pressed forward." According the the NAS New Testament Lexicon, a good definition is to "drive away."  In these references, this verse can be phrased better that the godly will be pressed forward, pursued to be driven away.  It seems it doesn't have to be physical, I believe it can be mental, social, and very much political...I will also add religiously can be in the mix.
America is getting deluged by persecution on a daily basis and every corner of this once great country.  Once the seeds were planted for separation of church and state became the doctrine of government and Christianity, it was only a matter of time before the increase on the rights and beliefs would come to fruition. 
Abraham Lincoln said (paraphrasing) that America is too great to be defeated from the outside, but once the liberties start to erode is when we are no longer great.  What great way to begin this trek is to go after ONE religious belief system.
The beginning was in 1962, when the indoctrination began with the removal of prayer, the Bible and teaching from government and all public schools.  Even today, teachers and students cannot even BRING a Bible or anything related to Jesus unto school grounds.  Military cemeteries are being told to remove crosses from the premises, Ten Commandment plaques no longer shown in front of judicial and governmental buildings, in fear of those who may feel "convicted" in their lifestyle.  And this week, the Pentagon looks to enforce that anyone who promotes Christianity can face court martial.  I believe this will eventually lead to expulsion of chaplains and Christians from the military, thus building an army that will lead to martial law and its enforcement.
My curiosity is why isn't the church fighting back?  Does it have the power, does it care, or maybe a combination of both?  Many Christians are either satisfied to keep their faith in the churches wall and home, while some are still enjoying spiritual milk and haven't desired to put on the armor of God.  Most won't even raise an eyebrow, as long as the enemy doesn't pick on them.  Let me tell you something - if the enemy isn't bothering you, maybe you are not a threat to his kingdom. 
Persecution is everywhere in America concerning Christianity.  Hobby Lobby facing fines while it fights against Obamacare and the stranglehold it demands against their views.  Rhode Island just voted today (May 2, 2013) to legalize gay marriage, becoming the tenth state to do so.  To see how far we have went from the beginnings of America to now, Most of the New England states were very conservative and religious.  Does public school teach on this? 
Many of the current Ivy Leagues schools brought forth pastors and the knowledge of the Bible was a requirement for enrollment.  Not anymore.  Atheists fought to remove Greg Laurie from speaking during the National Day of Prayer.  Some Lutheran, Methodists and Presbyterian branches are now endorsing homosexuality at the pulpit, while claiming to uphold the moral values of the Bible.  When true believing Christians speak up against these views, they are labelled as legalistic by the same ones who are demanding tolerance, because "God loves us all, no matter how we were created."  Let me say this:
1.  Nowhere in the Bible does God's love condone sinful behavior.
2.  It is not how we start the race, because ALL of us could not win it on our own.  It is how we finish, and since God made the rules, it is by His ways that it can be won.
I hope to make my point clear.  America is NOT exempt from the world persecuting God's children.  Look around, if I had the time, you could see it happening at your workplace, public places, even IN your church.  Ironic that people can smoke pot legally in public against the law, and a Christian family faces deportation when it wants to uphold Biblical values and having fines and possibly their children taken away.  We say nothing of Islamic countries burning churches and brutalizing Coptic Christians, and America claims "tolerance." 
I truly believe the worst is coming in the next two years.  With a military possibly devoid of any believers, Congress and local and state lawmakers no longer willing to protect Christians rights within the First Amendment, it is only a matter of time where the freedom we should have to evangelize will no longer exists.  The economy has to collapse someday, this will give the government every right to install martial law and keep the military at home.  No nation will need to attack, they have already done their job internally.  Fear will run rampant, Bibles will be confiscated, churches will either be locked down in fear of retaliations in numbers.  Guns will be taken away, socialism will begin to take hold, and many will depend on the government and to keep you and your family alive by a hair.  God's hand will be totally lifted from this once great nation, and the only thing left to wait for is the Rapture.
Keep this in mind with what is being taught in a way that it becomes unbiblical.  Christians are being told that God will protect them in every way - monetary, physically, emotionally, even socially.  If these people truly read the last few verses of Hebrews 11 (the "faith" chapter), they would see that these people did NOT receive the promises.  These went through the worst of persecutions, the torture type, and don't forget for one minute that won't be possible in America.  The devil HATES Jesus, and he uses mankind against the very thing that can save them. 
I believe the church will be sent underground, because the church has become selfish that the power of godliness it should show to the world it doesn't have.  It is very rarely taught discernment, holiness and how to use repentance for the glory of God.  Believers seek prophetic words to tickle their ears, some yearn for the supernatural manifestations that assumes it is from God, it ignores the full ministry of the Holy Spirit, and the enemy continues to gain ground to the ultimate point where there is nothing left to stand for.
It will increase, it won't necessarily means physically.  It is occurring in America today in workplaces, where people can be passed over for promotions, companies being attacked because their owners and CEO's stand by their faith and called intolerant, atheist groups like "Freedom From Religion" using its clout and size to attack EVERYTHING that has a cross, regardless if it is governmental or not. 
The roses will soon be eradicated, obliterated and the Great Tribulation will begin soon, and the world will start its exclamation that it does not need God to proclaim its dominance, only to bring about its own destruction. 
I fear for my children, and hopes I will have time to train them for this, whether Jesus is more important than their own life.  If anyone needs to be in prayer and for a solid reason, read Revelations and see the damage mankind will do when it does not have God for any guidance.  Jesus said unless the days be shortened...mankind would kill each other off because all it thinks of is themselves, and the devil laughs at the church standing by not having a care for the world around it.
When we are being herded off, when a gun is held to your head, and you wonder why Jesus isn't there to save you, with you stand on your faith or your life?  Will you then look back when you had the chance to take back what ground the church lost, or will you blame others in hope God will see you holier? 
Parting words:
Hebrews 11:36-40
    And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: [37] They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; [38] (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. [39] And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: [40] God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.


Maybe it is time to stop looking at "one promise," and look for the "better thing."  So far I believe Apostle Paul obtained a better report, for his faith kept him through all he went through.  There is nothing you earned that you can take to heaven.  What will you have left to stand on? 
Understand this, America is the last thing standing before the final battles against Israel.  When Christians and God are removed from the United States, it will have the massive effect of the enemy running rampant, God's hand of protection will be gone.  Will your faith be enough to stand in front of a gun if this scenario plays out?  It is happening elsewhere in the world, what makes America different in the near future? 
Is you faith truly worth fighting?  Is Jesus worth your life?

Jeremiah 6:16


My Testimony

I will try to do this with fifteen minutes of reading.
My mother and father were married right out of high school.  Father went into the Navy, mother stayed home.  After they got married, my mother found out about her husband's playboy ways, as he got two women pregnant in high school alone.   He never stopped his ways, as he proceeded to gt to Asian women pregnant while still married, and denying that me and my younger sister were even his.  Parents divorced before I was three.
Lived through high school under the single parent and I believe my mother did what she could.  With no father to lead (reasons stated before), I did not know anything about ladies, dating and I was very shy and quiet.  I was hurt by the girls in my neighborhood during my high school days, and my mother feared me getting hurt trying out for sports I wanted to play.  Raised in low income family, we did what we could. 
After trying college and not ready for its challenges, I failed out in two attempts, leaving me with very few options, but I chose to join the US Navy.   The benefits I had was traveling around the world, meeting new people and getting a paycheck.  The cons was I was getting nowhere in advancement, I was cheated out of a promotion and was never given a chance on the direction I wanted to go.  I felt the people I worked along with were not trustworthy, stealing whenever they could, and I could not feel safe for another four years.  So I left.
A year and a half later, domino effect leading to homelessness.  A car accident led to losing my job, where I lost my place, and ended up homeless...for five years.  My mother, family relative, they all deserted me, which later would become a blessing.  I finally found a homeless shelter, where I was in and out for over five years.  During this time, there were mandatory Bible studies and it began to take effect on me,  Sometime in 1993, I asked Jesus to come to my life.  I did not know the Holy Spirit or accepting Jesus as LORD, this will come into play later.
After four years, I began dating a woman who I found to be estranged, but still married.  I fell for the belief she wanted a divorce, so I gave her the money I saved from working a boys camp (note: she still has not been divorced after fifteen years when we dated), and moved in with her.  As can be imagined, it did not work out and I moved out, renting a room.  Soon was my first experience with God. 
I cried out wondering why this was all happening to me.  On my knees, God spoke directly to me and said, "You tried it your way now try it Mine."  I rededicated my life to the LORD that night. 
I dated another woman and things were shaky, but the one that kept it working was my growing relationship with her father, who was a godly man.  Unfortunately, she had an attachment to another man sexually and after sixteen months, I finally cut the ties.  Later did I realize God that He was testing her between spirit and flesh.  She did not choose me.
I wondered if my dream I had around sixteen were I saw a wife and two kids would come to fruition.  I gave up this dream to the LORD and soon after began dating a woman who God led me to pray for while teaching a Bible study on intercession.  She later became my wife of now twelve years.  I also have one daughter and one son, who I love very much and enjoy being a father and husband.
One accomplishment I can say I did that some people say would be difficult.  I graduated WITC-Superior (Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College) while in a homeless shelter in 1995 with a 3.75 GPA, which surprised me.  I had rules where I had to be back at certain times, attend Bible studies, and did work studies around my schedule.  Also received my amateur radio license, and was chosen to teach second year students after graduation.  That was an honor I truly enjoyed doing.
I can admit I have struggled with things at time, and it is truly due to all the false doctrines, some I almost got into and spent much time protecting my wife from the full fruition of these works.  With the church under attack, many others using secular methods to attract them to their church and not Jesus, others believing in special manifestations, there is a big fight finding a well-balanced church who is not afraid to preach to a sinner to holiness.  I have had to literally begin to tear some foundation and rebuild, but saddened when more doctrines come more prevalent each day.  I wonder if holiness is ever attainable with all that is going on.  I just want God again in a day and age where He is needed more than ever.
Hope you enjoyed my testimony...

Jeremiah 6:16

Michael

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

American Church and the Last 60 Years Pt.2

We have seen so many doctrines infiltrate the churches, it is sorely divided much, and the fight among calling those legalistic, including those denominations accepting homosexuality, dismissing the atonement, apostle and prophetic structuring, supernatural phenomena (manna, gold dust, glory clouds, etc.) and others that I cannot recollect from memory.  Pulpits are afraid to address sin, and unknowingly acknowledge that living secular ways while claiming God's grace is made them ineffective against the enemy.  Repentance is no longer mentioned with conviction, holiness is an afterthought, and many teach your "best life now," but ignore that about trials, tribulations, even how Jesus learned obedience through suffering.
With the world increasing its intolerance toward Christians, some denominations have chosen to cower from the fear of man and embraced its view of lifestyles that go contrary to God's Word and will.  Many ministries continue to find ways to interpret Scripture verses to better back THEIR view.  I have heard teachings about special supernatural portals, which is contrary to what Jesus said:
I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no one comes to the Father except through Me (John 14:6)
Any other way of supernatural is not through Jesus, and does not reach the third heavens, since it is possible for Satan to masquerade as an angel of light. 
Some ministries from the Word of Faith movement proclaim frequent third heaven visits to the throne of God, and it seems they can now do as they will.  Paul was the only one listed in the Bible who mentioned about this revelation, and he refused to boast of this, referring it in the Word as a third party.  Now we have people who claim it regularly.
The Kansas City movement brought forth "prophets" who were inclined to promote their special gifting for specific purposes.  One felt the need for women to rid themselves of an "outer distraction" (aka clothing) for special prophetic words, even to the point of duping his wife this was needed.  Another was caught in homosexuality, went through counseling but proclaimed himself healed, and continues to do his ministry.
The sad part is during the "height" of the Lakeland Outpourring, several of the big names made their way down to Florida to jump on the bandwagon.  C. Peter Wagner, Bob Jones, David Cho, Stacey Campbell, Rick Joiner, et al, made prophetic proclamations over Todd Bentley that he was double honored, he was to be a portal to Europe, they all praised him, while he was having an social affair (who he eventually married after his divorce), drinking on the side and getting more tattoos to better showcase his image of poor upbringing.  What makes me upset is the way they went into damage control instead of simply saying we goofed and did not use discernment.  It showed they were more concerned of their ministry and how people view them then confessing publicly toward God for forgiveness and repentance. 
Now, I know there is general reasons why believers fall for this, and it comes from the flesh.  No flesh likes sufferings, so it wants to accept what the flesh wants.  Flesh don't like persecution, but the word says the godly shall be persecuted.  The flesh doesn't like to go through trials, which tests faith and persevere, but Christians will do anything to avoid these areas in our path, so we take detours.  Prosperity teaches the opposite life of Apostle Paul, and yet preaches what Paul said, but not what he went through.  Benny Hinn recently asked for help for a $2.5M debt, yet he has a mansion overlooking the Pacific Ocean and private jet.  How does the prosperity message working to maintain a lifestyle inferior to Jesus and the Apostle Paul? 
Why are pastors afraid of preaching and training those who need to move to solid meat?  How long do spiritual adults should remain on baby milk?  How long will people to seek supernatural but never coming to the truth of those manifestations?  Is this how you can bring in the crowds and leave those coming in the same spiritual condition as the walk out the door? 
Simply put, where is the real Jesus and which hold to ALL His principle, teachings and walk?  After fourteen years of being Christian, I have fallen off the path somewhere and looking to get back, but I do not want to hope on any worn path many have walked that will not lead to Jesus without the tool of humility.  It isn't money I seek, and how I see where America is going, it will be a test of faith that no American citizen who have never faced any struggles like third world countries and Islamic regimes that persecute to death ANY Christian.  America will not know what hit us, and I truly fear the catastrophe that will eventually come, since our government will take a millenium to cover its debt, and God is watching.  How long before God has no choice to judge?  Are you ready?  I am not sure I will, either.

Jeremiah 6:16

Michael