Why we should care about the FLDS raid

The recent raid of the Fundamental Latter Day Saints compound in Texas was shocking on many levels.  First, we faced the reality that forced marriage and child abuse on this level could still exist in the United States.  Evidently, the threat of imprisonment cannot quell this group’s belief that they are justified in their actions.  Most of you will agree that this treatment of women and young girls is utterly despicable.  However, that is not the focus of this post.

As I read the headlines today of the judge’s order to keep over 400 kids in state custody, my heart is torn.  On many levels I see the court’s intention, but I am unsure of their right.  This entire proceeding began with a single phone call.  From one allegation the police justified removing several families, encroaching upon many homes, and even entering a place of worship.  Even if you disagree, as do I, with the FLDS theology, you must recognize that this group deserves as much access to the constitution as you and I.  Authorities used information from an unidentified source to take all of their actions.  Why is this important?  Precedent has been made.  In the future your church may be the subject of such actions.  Anyone will be able to complain and you will be subject to the undue process that was shown in Texas.

Lest you think I am stretching issue, listen to this story from here in New Mexico.  An Albuquerque photographer was asked to photograph a civil union between two lesbians.  Note, this was not a legal union.  However, the photographer cited her beliefs and refused service.  The two homosexuals then sued the photographer through the civil rights commission.  The result was a $6000 judgment for the couple.  With this mindset and the disregard for due process, Christians will face increased persecution in the future.  Look at the warning signs, don’t let your rights deteriorate without a fight.

Are Christians really the problem?

Recently on another blog, an individual suggested that Christians should try to see themselves as being the real problem with society. I really thought about this… really. I wanted to review two of the higher revelations that I acquired during this experience. Remember there are many more issues than these, this is just the tip of the iceberg.

First, in the area of health, I noticed several problems with Christians. I want to share one of the more severe issues. STDs have long been the surprise at the end of a night of physical enjoyment for so many people. After getting an STD many face a moral decision. Should they continue their escapades of enjoyment at the risk of their next unsuspecting partner? Can you imagine the stress this puts on a person? May I offer an observation. Christians are to blame for this worry! You see Christians teach that you should NOT have sex outside of a heterosexual marriage. They even deny you the right to sleep around with your high school sweethearts. Think about this, if Christians would ease up everyone would get STDs. When everybody’s got it, you don’t have to worry or feel guilty about passing on that “itch” for love. Matter of fact if the Christians would just shut up, the schools would teach our kids how to have sex at an even earlier age so they can have fear free sex for at least a few years before these diseases get the best of them. Its common sense people… no Christians… no worries!

Next, I want to explore the issue of low self-esteem in children. My heart is broken over the amount of low self esteem in the world. Yet it seems to me that Christianity is the real problem. Everyday young girls must face low self esteem because their Christian parents make them dress in a modest fashion. Everyone knows that when a girl of 11 or 12 dresses like a whore they feel better about themselves. Christian parents daily deny this right of passage. In addition they place unreasonable expectations on these girls. Curfews, monitored dates, conferences with the boy and his parents, and refusal to get them birth control add to their low self esteem. This type of oppression is typical of the harm Christian parents press on their children. This blog would be incomplete without mentioning the terror that Christian parents inflict on their sons. Christians actually believe the Bible’s teaching that a person should work if they expect to eat. Everywhere young boys have to take out the trash, mow the lawn, paint the carport, and do the same for their grandparents! On top of this some of them have to get jobs and pay for their own clothes and transportation, rarely is anything left for alcohol and drugs. Can you imagine if everybody followed these rules? Everyone who worked for the welfare department would lose their jobs!!! Christians have no compassion!!! In addition, Christian children constantly face the problem that they have no time to go out and rebel against society and its rules. They haven’t even the time to hook up and experience their first STD! These parents further harm their children by taking them to church and teaching them about Jesus who died for them. To make things worse, the kids constantly hear from adults that they are loved. Can you really feel good about yourself when you are told by an adult that they love you? Plus they are expected to hear this junk every night because Christian parents are never too drunk to pay attention. The next thing you know these kids grow up to become the same kind of terrorist that they lived with for so long. Then they have children and spouses to think about. Their low self esteem as children moves into adulthood since they are not free to have multiple affairs with other people. They don’t get drunk and rarely lose their jobs for laziness, poor attitudes, or dishonesty. Where’s the excitement in that kind of life? Can you imagine NEVER experiencing the thrill of laying drunk in someone’s apartment while your kids and spouse are at home wondering where you are or if you are coming back?

I am glad that society has finally realized that suicide bombers, child molesters, drunks, perverts, liars, theives, the lazy, the uncaring, and the irresponsible aren’t the real problem makers… Its those fundamental Christians!!!!

Even with this realization I cannot break my connection with Christ Jesus. So, I am resigned to preach the Word of God, pray to the God of the Word, follow the Bible to the end, and live with the saints in heaven for eternity. I will not give in to sin and I will teach my children to resist the devil. I won’t let them experience the freedom of ruining their lives, because I care too much. I will let them make everyday mistakes, but I will also let them suffer the consequences. They will learn to “pull their own weight” by carrying rocks, digging holes, painting the carport, working for the elderly for free, and attending to the needs of the church. I will be there right beside them through it all. When the world is crashing around them, they will have each other, and the omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient Father in heaven. In the end we will all share the glories of heaven while remembering the joy of living a clean, holy, submitted, chaste, and modest life. If you have a problem with that then you can sue, slander, shout, suppress, shoot, and slaughter. It makes no difference for I will never compromise. I will never stop… I am a Christian!

Southern Gospel’s stars “in bed” with homosexual church.

I have always enjoyed much of what Southern Gospel has offered. Even though my musical taste takes me across other lines, I love Southern Gospel music. However, I have of late become increasingly frustrated with the whole deal. Today’s Christian music scene is becoming nothing more than a entourage of Hollywood wannabes. Anyone with a little discernment or at least a little brain activity can see this in the showmanship and the surrounding fanfare. There are elements of sincerity that keep us coming back. However, to discover pro-homosexual activities among these so called psalmists, should shock Southern Gospel’s faithful. I for one will not sit quietly while my XM radio blasts the sounds of these few, but prominent, individuals. This article will only touch a little corner of this widespread problem, specifically the most visual, yet ignored, homosexual and pro-homosexual artists.

As my good brother reported on the gcmwatch blog GCMBLOG, Kirk Talley, (who came out of the closet after a man, who Kirk had sent a nude picture of himself, threatened blackmail), has frequented the sodomite and lesbian congregation of Open Door Community Church near Little Rock, Arkansas several times in the past. Curious to who else may have shared fellowship with the church, I did some surfing. What I found wasn’t surprising to me, but it was disappointing. Back in 2006 Kirk “Is he Gay or not” Talley shared the Open Door stage with Joyce Martin of the Martins. Can’t believe it? Here is a link with pictures of the touching event. Pics Unless the sodomites rush to take down the pictures, you will see Kirk and Joyce lovingly ministering and fellowshipping with both sodomites and lesbians. For those of you who will throw up the whole “but Joyce is too anointed to be wrong” argument, let me remind you that the anointing of God is neither charisma nor talent. The anointing argument is often used to exclude the person from any scrutiny or rebuke. Listen to what the book of 1 John says about an anointing from God:

1Jn 2:26-27 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

No lies, no rebellion to truth allowed! Scripture itself teaches you that whoever would fellowship with sodomites and lesbians are enemies of God.

James 4:4-10 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

1Co 5:9 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:
1Co 5:10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.
1Co 5:11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
1Co 5:12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?

1Co 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
1Co 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
1Co 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
(Notice verse 11 allows for redemption from this lifestyle, but total submission and repentance is necessary)

Now, to get to the verse I know some of you are waiting to throw at me.

James 4:11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.

The Bible clearly directs this passage to those who are in the fellowship of the church. The Bible places these heroes of the stage outside of that fellowship. (1 Cor 5:9-12 see above)

Lets bring in one more favorite story of redemption before we get to Kirk’s testimony at Open Door (of which this blogger has obtained a copy!). A few years back the Bishop family split up without any explanation. It was rumored that Kenny was in trouble. Years and a divorce later, Kenny admitted to his bar-hopping ways. Now, I can’t condemn him for something of which he claims repentance. However, just like Kirk, Kenny’s road to recovery led right through a gay spot near old Little Rock. On April 26, 2005, Kenny shared the stage at Open Door. In attendance that day was no other than Dr. Tony Campolo and Marsha “won’t Bill Gaither give me one more hug” Stevens. Its no wonder that Kirk and Kenny have some common dates this year, since they share the same crowd! For those who don’t know either, they are both pro-homosexual “ministers”. The openly lesbian Marsha Stevens is best known for her songwriting. One of her most famous songs is the theologically incorrect “For Those Tears I Died”. Marsha is also the founder of BALM - (Born Again Lesbian Music). See the GCMBLOG for more info on Stevens (hint: search Mark Lowery)

Back to the superstar of this story. Recently, those in the know (this blogger) has personally been in contact with those who are scheduled to host Mr. Talley. When asked about Kirk’s upcoming date with Evangelicals Concerned, ECWR Kirk defended himself to them by saying that he was only going to give his testimony. Another church was given the excuse that is only a business engagement and that they weren’t going to limit what he said. When you read the summary of his “testimony” you will see why a militant gay group would agree to these terms. They’re not in bed with the enemy, Kirk’s an old friend of their cause. In our scoop Link (go to speakers and scroll down to Kirk Talley, 4/06) of the “testimony’ of Kirk Talley, we see a very arrogant response to the whole situation. I know this is going to sound much different than what you have heard, but remember Kirk’s among friends at the Open Door church.

The first thing that I noticed was Kirk’s familiarity with the church. He was no stranger to the crowd. He has been in this hole before! He begins by giving an overview of the entire story. One thing that was new to me was the admission that homosexuality had broken up his marriage. This was way back in the 80’s. Now, this revelation came to his family at this time. Roger and Deb (His brother and sister in law. The three comprised the Talley Trio Talleys corrected 3/29) knew that Kirk was gay for almost 20 years before the scandal broke. An interesting bit is that he has one sister who is bold enough to obey the Bible and stop fellowship. Kirk claims that he hasn’t spoken to her since 86. If Roger had been so bold, we would have been saved 20 years of deception! Anyway, he went from the family story to the scandal. In vivid detail he describes how his world fell apart when the Knoxville News Sentinel broke the story. He was suicidal because he was going to lose everything. He made it sound like “everything” was his spot in the industry. No regrets of homosexuality breaking up his marriage, driving away his sister, or causing his lifelong depression. Man, I hate to lose my place in the charts due to everybody hatin’ me!!! Not once did he say that his sin had caused this fall. He blamed his church, his High School friends (I went to Middle School in the same building), his family, and the extortionist. Evidently he’s not responsible for his own actions (maybe he was born that way?). Matter of fact he spent exactly 37 minutes and 21 seconds blaming everyone else for the pain he had gone through. By his own admission, 2004 was the worst year of his life. He lost money, singing dates, received mean emails, etc. The whole time I’m listening to him complain, I’m thinking of Numbers 32:22-23 “And the land be subdued before the LORD: then afterward ye shall return, and be guiltless before the LORD, and before Israel; and this land shall be your possession before the LORD. But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.” I tried to hold out hope that he was going to swing this thing around and rebuke the spirit of sodomy. All hope fell when he invoked the name of the lesbian gospel saviorette, Marsha Stevens. He related her rejection by the church with his own. Hmmm. Kirk she’s a lesbian, what are you driving at? After some time, he brought up his process of redemption. Funny, his redemption didn’t include admittance of sin nor repentance. He stated that his 6 member advisory board had asked him to sit down because he was “emotionally unfit to talk to anyone.” I thought it was because he was contacting gay men with pornographic pictures of himself in order to “discuss” his hidden gay desires! In testimony language meeting gay men online with lewd photographs of oneself in order to act upon his sodomite urges while you continue to deceive the church is translated as, “finding someone to talk to.” Anyway, when this board finally saw that not singing was leaving him in a worse state, they let him sing again. One of early concerts was at The Potter’s House Fellowship in Miami. He said that he went there and experienced a move of God more powerful than he had ever experienced in any type of church. He told the Open Door crowd that The Potter’s House was “a wonderful, loving church like this one.” For those of you who are wondering it is also a sodomite & lesbian church, just like Open Door. He went on to brag about the way that church ministered and worshiped god. Kirk, is worshiping the god of this world really that great? The next day he said one of the 6 ministers called him to ask about where he had been. When he answered that he had been at a gay church, his spiritual advisor asked him, “aren’t you afraid to sing there?” Kirk arrogantly replies, “When he said that I just kinda… I just kinda snapped, (crowd laughs) I said, ‘LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING, I’ve sung to gay people all my life’ I said, ‘They’ve just been hid, in your congregation, and on your staff, and on, and in your choir, no I’m not afraid to sing there.’ I said, ‘how inconsistent would it be of my testimony if I said, “no I can’t go and sing” (homosexual crowd claps). Evidently the conversation shifts to money and Kirk basically tells him that the homosexual church took care of him while a nearby straight church wouldn’t even pay for his hotel room. Its an industry baby… gotta have that money thing happening in order to be right! The rest of the story is littered with his prideful account of how GQ treated him better than the Christian media. Ok, he said a lot, to be fair go listen for yourself.

If you decide to go to the site and listen, here are a few words and phrases that you will fail to hear: repent, sin, I take responsibility, deliverance, abomination, hell, I’m sorry, I deserve the fruit of my sin, I beg forgiveness. If you contact Kirk, don’t expect a straight answer (no pun intended). He will tell you whatever it takes to get in bed with your congregation. If you have him for a concert, expect tears, pity, blame, and bitterness. Don’t expect repentance. Don’t expect a saved, sanctified, submitted, saint. If you are a spirit-filled child of God, don’t be surprised if your spirit and mouth echo the words of the apostle Paul in Acts 13:9-10 “Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?”

I encourage you to demand an end to this promotion of this abomination. Earlier this year I street preached at the Super Bowl’s Gospel Celebration. The headliner was the pro-homosexual Patti Labelle. Get some boldness, don’t let this vile, nasty spirit into the church or your heart. Mark my words, the silent church will be the lost church!

Rev 2:18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;
Rev 2:19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.
Rev 2:20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
Rev 2:21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
Rev 2:22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
Rev 2:23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
Rev 2:24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.
Rev 2:25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.
Please feel free to comment. Watch for further blogs about the music industry’s secrets in the future.

Open Door Homosexual Church - www.www.sherwoodopendoor.org

w/pics of Martin & Talley - http://www.sherwoodopendoor.org/talleymartinconcert.html

list of guest speakers and performers w/audio files - http://www.sherwoodopendoor.org/downloads.html

Has the church become a spiritual welfare state?

America, land of the free, home of the brave, and producer of the two largest welfare states in the world.  One system for the body and one for the soul.  Everyday millions of Americans spend their days living off of the overdrawn, abused, and mismanaged welfare of the government.  Many of them are in dire need of the assistance while many more use as much mind-power figuring out how to get more welfare as the average laborer does on their job.  Again, I’m not talking about those who need the assistance.  Life sometimes throws terrible circumstances in your way to providing.  Yet, those who are lazy are a reproach to the country.  Its frustrating that our government would be so careless with the administration of the program.

Psa 128:2  For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.

I can’t be too hard on the government, the church has instituted a pork program of spiritual welfare.  Millions “live” off of this system.  Fed by the blasphemies of a broken succession of spiritual social workers, they march through for their apportioned “dose” of sustenance.   You see, welfare was intentioned to be a program that lifts you to a better position in life.  The church originally covered this task for the spiritual needs of the individual.  However, this ability to lift was eradicated when the church left Biblical teaching.  To replace a system which provided growth and maturity took some innovation.  Decades have passed and the church now has a plethora of options to fill your tummy.  Prosperity, fellowship centered, purpose driven, seeker friendly, politically active, music centered, activity crazy, or whatever you desire, the church has a flavor that will get you addicted to a workless experience.  The average church goer never hears of sanctification, holiness, separation, sinlessness, and submission.  We want the blessing of the experience without the experience.  Simeon’s dream of an on demand god has come to fruition.  The sad thing is that we don’t even see it.

I  don’t how the politicians can fix welfare.  I’m not expecting a solution too soon.  I understand that this monster is hard to kill.  However, I do have an answer for the church welfare state.  Return to the Bible, repent and preach the Word.

Is the church supposed to be a refuge for the lost?

I’m hearing alot of noise these days regarding the church and its relationship with the lost. There’s no question that the church is called to reach the lost with the gospel. This is the primary foundation of the great commission and the book of Acts. To deny evangelism is to deny the premise of who we are. However, is the physical church and its services meant to be places of refuge for the world? Contemporary philosophies seem to think so. The modern seeker sensitive church preaches the merits of designing the church with the lost in mind. Services look and feel like comparable carnal events. The music is fresh and exciting, and the preaching is toned down. Sermons become commentaries on self-help, positive themes, and friendly dialogs. The gospel is encouraged to be presented over time through relationships. This eases the responsibility of the presenter. The receiver is supposedly lulled by the gentle non-judgmental spirit of the church.There’s only one problem… This is not the Biblical plan for the church. Remember when Jesus was on the shore with Peter? He asked Peter who the people thought he was, and then he asked Peter his opinion. Peter didn’t hesitate. He answered, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus, obviously pleased with Peter’s faith, eventually told him, “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” I know that orthodox Catholic teachings suggest that this is a papal directive. Personally, I just think that Jesus was just recognizing the true saving faith that was in Peter’s heart. Jesus recognizes the beginning of the church with the saving faith that begins the process of regeneration. The result? A saint of God. It is clear to the Biblical scholar, the church is built and comprised of saved people. In the New Testament the word “church” is mentioned around 80 times. Never do you find it as an example of a place of refuge for the lost. It is the home of the redeemed on Earth. To be clear, let me comment on evangelism. Evangelism is an action of the church. We are to “go” preach the Word. Does that happen in the church? I hope so. However, the hearer can never dictate the message or environment. If we preach the gospel of separation while holding a connection to the world, the lost will either be deceived or confused. Either way, the result is very unlikely to be saving faith. I remember my college physics class very well. I remember it because I spent the entire semester lost in the material. I slipped by with a very low D! Could you imagine me going to the professor during the middle of the class and asking to teach? Me neither. It is ludicrous to even think of it. Why do we then lay down our authority and practices for the unknowing lost. Just as I needed to hear the lectures of a professional teacher, the lost need the preaching of a submitted church! The church has endured persecutions, even to death, to remain Holy. It is sad that in America we freely give it away.Psalm 11:3 states, “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” If your church is geared toward the lost, where are you getting your meat? We cannot provide the refuge of the gospel if we have no refuge for the saints! Its no wonder that abortion and divorce is as high in the church as in the world. We have given away the strong foundation of righteous living. The church should weep and hunger for its lost divine heritage.Jesus prayed, “John 17:9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
Joh 17:10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.
Joh 17:11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
Joh 17:12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
Joh 17:13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
Joh 17:14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
Joh 17:15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
Joh 17:16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
Joh 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
Joh 17:18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
Joh 17:19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
Joh 17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
Joh 17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. “

What will we do with this Word, the right thing or the accepted thing?

The neglected spirit of the prophet

1Ki 17:10 So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.
1Ki 17:11 And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand.
1Ki 17:12 And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.
1Ki 17:13 And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.
1Ki 17:14 For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth.

I’ve heard this preached many many times. It has been a standard for the message of faith. I could always count on the church to provide me the instruction that led me to be just like Elijah. Encouragement was never an issue. After all, A Great and Mighty Fortress is Our God, Right? Today, the church has released itself into several roles, none of which identify with the spirit of the prophet. Biblical encouragement and approach to life situations aren’t palatable enough for the average Christian. The call to claim blessings is one that is wrapped in submission, sacrifice, and humility. Notice that the prophet didn’t promise the widow meat, milk, dates, figs, etc. He promised meal and oil. Even with this she still had to gather sticks for the fire. The contemporary call, “come as you are - leave as you came” has filled the church with milk-sucking individuals. The problem arises when these unsaved hearers become sick from the milk. They then call for gentler sustenance. Out pops the soy-milk gospel. It promises abundance without sacrifice, grace without repentance, and self-esteem in place of humility. The Epicurean (see Acts 17:1 call has reached the church! We have traded the spirit of the prophet for the spirit of the poor. Prosperity doctrine, moral relativism, self-help, and repentless gospel are all fatalistic in nature. This may seem impossible, but think about it. The Epicureans and Stoics promoted high living because of their eventual death. “Eat, drink, and be merry because tomorrow you may die” was the clarion call of this movement. The church today has become its own enemy. We call for happiness, materialistic blessings, abundance, and earthly power in lieu of Biblical humility, power, and blessing. The Son of Man had no place to lay His head, but we can measure our spirituality by the thread count of our sheets? Egyptian cotton is no substitute for Holy Ghost Fruit! Our promises are not temporal in nature. Sure, God will bless and provide for us, but those blessings are for His benefit, not ours. We live for one reason, that he may be exalted! This heresy is a crisis for the American Church. Its time that we drop the fatalism and regain the spirit of the prophet. Jeremiah preached and they beat him. He cried to God and threatened to leave the vocation. However, the call and submission had been dealt with. The Word was like a fire in his bones (Jeremiah 20:9). He could not leave the call because he was a prophet. He received, obeyed, delivered, and lived the Word of God. Could you imagine the modern implication of his situation. He would be told that he needed to plant a seed, just believe, claim it, or laugh his way through the persecution. After all, why should he suffer… He was going to die anyway… Just like Elijah’s widow. Friends, I don’t fear the first death, its the second that scares the Hell away from me.

Moral Spectrum

Welcome to Biblical Foundations. Since this is my first blog, it will be a learning experience. First, lets observe the question of Biblical morals. In the church today, the usual response to any standards of living place them on some kind of spectrum. The standard is categorized as liberal, moderate, or legalism. It comes to my attention that standards within the church should be exempt from categorization. Either they are Biblical or they are not. Simply put, it is a dangerous polarization of morals that has taken over the teaching of the church. Moral polarization always leads to situational ethics, moral relativism, etc. Can the church be pulled away from this trap? Can we really place our convictions on such a scale and still honor God? For example, If I were to ask you your thoughts on homosexual church membership, chances are you would respond in a long discourse and I would respond that your position is liberal, moderate, or right-winged. If the conversation took the average route, the Bible’s position may be ignored. As a foundation for this blog, please comment on this situation.